AP Lifestyles Digest

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Here is the AP Lifestyles digest for the week of March 16.

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SPECIAL EDITIONS Advisory: Because of rapidly changing developments caused by the coronavirus, The AP will not be moving the Weddings Special Edition that had been scheduled for April 7, or the Back to School Special Edition scheduled for July 14. We plan to continue spot and feature coverage of these subjects on the regular AP Lifestyles wire. We still plan to move the Pursuits Special Edition as scheduled on May 5, and the Fall Homes Special Edition as scheduled on Aug. 11.

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VIRUS OUTBREAK, Lifestyles-related stories include:

One-Good-Thing-Invisible-Hands: Two 20-something New Yorkers have amassed an army of volunteers to deliver food and medicine to the most vulnerable in the coronavirus outbreak. By Leanne Italie and Jessie Wardarski. SENT Wednesday, 840 words, photos.

Social-Distancing-Photo-Gallery: Virus redefines respecting personal space. By Frances DÉmilio. SENT Wednesday, photos.

Entertaining Ourselves: The entertainment world has virtually stalled in response to the coronavirus outbreak, so exactly how are people filling up their newfound extra time? Easily, many said. People are reaching for their home stacks of books, looking for new gems on their streaming services and taking on long-delayed home repair projects. By Leanne Italie. SENT Monday, 930 words, photos.

Movie Theaters: U.S. movie theaters have closed nationwide due to the coronavirus pandemic. By Jake Coyle. SENT Tuesday, 560 words, photos.

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HOMES

Plant Joy: Before I took the leap into plant ownership, I had no idea how much joy houseplants would bring me. And that's been especially true since the coronavirus has basically confined us to our home. It's surprising how their presence at our windows can improve my mood. For many of us without kids or pets, it's nice to have something to care for. By Molly Sprayregen. UPCOMING Thursday, 650 words, photos.

NerdWallet-Tiny Home: HGTV shows have popularized tiny homes — typically those smaller than 400 square feet — in a big way. Many people are drawn to this alternative path to homeownership as a way to save before committing to a more expensive piece of property. But getting a tiny home can be a complex process logistically and financially. By Valerie Lai of NerdWallet. SENT Wednesday, 1,500 words, photos.

Virus Outbreak-Preppers: So-called preppers who have stockpiled food and supplies for years to prepare for a disaster are being swamped with questions during the coronavirus outbreak. By John Seewer. SENT Sunday, 570 words, photos.

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FOOD

Irish Coffee: The secret to making great Irish coffee. By Elizabeth Karmel. SENT Monday, 450 words, photos.

Virus Outbreak-French Cafes: Paris without its cafes? Virus shutdown hits France's core. By Elaine Ganley. SENT Sunday, 470 words, photos.

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GARDENING

Re-Wilding: Re-wilding is a trend that returns a little more control of the home landscape to nature. It means diversifying traditional lawns by using native plants that boost wildlife populations. But re-wilding involves more than simply quitting pruning or letting properties go to seed. More often than not, that would result in a yard dominated by European turf grasses and invasive species. Proper re-wilding takes good planning. By Dean Fosdick. SENT Tuesday, 550 words, photos.

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TRAVEL

US Sing Sing Museum: Busting out of Sing Sing has been a dream of inmates since cell doors started clanging shut along the Hudson River in the 1820s. Now there’s a plan to usher visitors inside the high walls of the prison famous as a go-to destination for gangsters, Hollywood stars and inmates condemned to the electric chair. By Michael Hill. SENT Wednesday, 790 words, photos.

Virus Outbreak-Casinos: To bet or not to bet? Casinos, gamblers weigh virus concerns. By Wayne Parry. SENT Monday, 660 words, photos.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

VIRUS OUTBREAK: Wedding Jitters.

HOMES: Designer-Public to Private; NerdWallet-Liz Weston-Your Old Stuff; Kitchen Smarts-Whole Grain

FOOD: Kitchen Smarts-Whole Grain; Restaurants-Cultural Trademarks

GARDENING: Pruning Shrubs

PARENTING: Census-Young Children

UPCOMING SPECIAL EDITIONS, for 2020:

May 5 — Pursuits/Outdoors

Aug. 11 — Fall Homes

Oct. 6 — Pets

Nov. 17 — Holidays

The AP