ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

V Day

Bleak Valentine’s Day Lovers fi nd hope in roses and vaccines NEW YORK, Feb 14, (AP): The notecards poking from bouquets rushing out of a Chicago fl orist all carry similar messages: “looking forward to celebrat- ing in person.” “The notes aren’t sad,” said Kate Prince, a co-own- er of Flora Chicago on the city’s North Side. “They’re hopeful.” On this Valentine’s Day, Americans are searching for ways to celebrate love amid so much heartache and isolation as the coronavirus pandemic stretches past its year anniversary. Some are clinging to hope, seen in the most vulnerable and frontline workers getting vaccinated, in loosening restrictions on restaurants in the hardest hit places, in case numbers starting to wane. But the death toll is still climbing toward a half-million dead in the United States and many remain shut- tered in their homes. Prince said fl orists are scrambling to keep up with the onslaught of orders from people trying to send their love from a safe distance. “We are crushed,” she said. Phones are ringing off the hook at restaurants in cities that have loosened restrictions Fortuna on indoor dining just in time for Valentine’s Day, one of the busiest days of the year for many eateries that have been devastated by shutdowns designed to slow the spread of the virus. In Chicago, the mayor loosened up indoor dining restrictions this week. After limiting restaurants to 25% capacity and 25 people per room, restaurants now must remain at 25% but they can serve as many as 50 per room. The Darling restaurant is fully booked for this weekend and has been for weeks. Sophie Huterstein, the restaurant’s owner, said COVID-19 has allowed the 2-year-old eatery to ac- complish the impossible: make people happy to agree to a 4 p.m. reservation. This image released by NBC shows Dwayne Johnson in ‘Young Rock,’ premiering on Feb 16. (AP) “People are being very fl exible,” she said. They are also this Valentine’s Day willing to do something else over a weekend where the high tem- perature will reach the teens and the low will plummet Television well below zero. “We have 14 greenhouses and people are coming out in full ski gear,” she said. Capacity In New York City, the America Bar restaurant in Actor brings his colorful early life to small screen the West Village is also fully booked for Valentine’s Day with a long waiting list and high demand for the newly allowed 25% capacity for indoor tables, said David Rabin, a partner in the eatery. More seats, along Johnson’s ‘surreal’ look in ‘Young Rock’ with the governor’s decision to allow closing times to move from 10 pm to 11 pm, has allowed him to give LOS ANGELES, Feb 14, (AP): When executive producer for “Young Rock” a straight line to the top for him,” more shifts to his workers. Dwayne Johnson sold the idea for a along with Johnson. “He’s collabora- Khan said. “He’s been knocked down “For us, it’s a welcome gift,” he said. “It’s been great.” TV comedy about his colorful and tive, funny and willing to take chances. a lot and he’s had to pivot off what T Bar NYC Steak and Lounge on the Upper East Side challenging early life to NBC a year So much of comedy is trust ... and I he thought was his dream and fi nd a is also fully booked. Owner Tony Fortuna says some of ago, he was delighted to tell his par- trust him completely.” new dream, a new path. Being able to his customers won’t dine indoors and he understands, but ents that a version of their family was Bradley Constant, who plays the explore those kinds of moments in a for those that have been clamoring to get back to restau- bound for the small screen. teenage Johnson yearning for girls, comedy are really important.” rant dining, 25% is a good start. It gives people a glim- Days later, his father was felled by cool threads and a car, took on his fi rst Johnson proved “down for it all. It mer of normalcy at a heartbreaking time. a blood clot-caused heart attack at age major role with guidance from him. was just about him wanting to portray “It gets everybody motivated, we see a little bit of 75. His loss inevitably altered “Young “He reassured me just to be myself. the people who affected his life in a hope,” he said. “It’s all about perception: you see peo- Rock,” said Johnson, who plays him- He’s a very genuine, normal guy who’s real way,” she said, adding that what’s ple going out and moving around it makes everybody In this Nov 26, 2017 fi le photo, Jay-Z self iin the series debuting 8 p.m. EST lived an incredible life, of course,” said depicted in the series happened or was performs on the 4:44 Tour at Barclays feel in a different mood.” Tuesday. A trio of actors portray John- Constant, who saw the family’s fi nan- inspired by events. In Portland, a couple married 55 years has special Center in New York. Jay-Z made this son’s younger iterations. cial diffi culties as a way to help ground year’s list of nominees to the Rock In refl ecting on the past, Dwayne Valentine’s Day plans. “I get emotional when I talk about him in the role. Johnson said, he’s come to realize the Gil and Mercy Galicia have barely left their home and Roll Hall of Fame. The class of this, when I talk about my dad and 2021 will be announced in May. (AP) “Young Rock” is structured around challenges proved the impetus for real in almost a year since lockdowns began, said their think about it,” Johnson said, pausing Johnson’s depiction as a 2032 presi- growth. daughter, Cris Charbonneau. They had seen their to compose himself. “I had a complex dential candidate — a less time-certain “It became an anchoring factor in close-knit family, three children and six grandchildren relationship with my dad, and he was a move the political independent has my struggle and my determination to, spread across the country. complex man.” considered. Is he preparing America Like many seniors, the year has been especially quite frankly, not be a victim when, The series intended to include the el- for his next chapter? again, we were evicted (from housing) hard on them. They immigrated from the Philippines der Johnson’s highs and lows, but after “I think the people will prepare me. in the 1960s and have lived in their home on a half- when I was 13 or 14,” he said. As he his death his son decided to lean more I can say that,” he replied with a laugh. worked with Khan to fi nd the right ap- acre plot for more than 40 years. fully into his “really uncanny ability to Mercy, 80, is a cancer survivor and has been diag- make anyone feel good.” Flashbacks proach to the show, “I did know in my nosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Gil, 88, used to With a smile, he recited dad Rocky In the debut episode, he’s inter- heart the most important thing was to go on daily walks at the mall to stay active, but he Johnson’s buoyant greetings, includ- viewed by Randall Park, also playing be authentic and to be OK with ripping hasn’t for a year. He is fearful that the isolation has ing a favorite: “‘Have you been work- himself but as an actor-turned-TV some stories open and ripping some set them back, and he doesn’t know how much longer ing out?’” journalist. Park starred in “Fresh Off past open.” they can manage living on their own. Dwayne Johnson, billed in his daz- the Boat,” which Khan created and That includes his own missteps, “We’re losing years, COVID has stolen this time Scott Stalmaster zling wrestling days as The Rock, like- produced. which Johnson has said included ar- that’s so precious,” Charbonneau said. ly got a share of his skill and ambition As Johnson recalls the past, there rests for fi ghting and theft before he They don’t have a computer. When the vaccine be- from his Nova Scotia-born father, who are fl ashbacks to scenes of him as a was 17. came available, Gil called everywhere and couldn’t held National Wrestling Alliance titles child, played by Adrian Groulx; a high While it’s “extremely surreal” to get through. Charbonneau was on a video call with Variety and was among the fi rst Black champi- schooler (Constant); and young adult, watch his early years unfold in the se- them Thursday and saw a tweet from a local news sta- ons in World Wrestling Entertainment played by Australian actor Uli Latuke- ries, he’s savoring the perspective that tion that the grocery store near their home had opened history. fu. Joseph Lee Anderson and Stacey only time can bring. LOS ANGELES: Lynn Stalmaster, the Even when things were tough, John- appointments online. Oscar-winning casting director whose eye But he may also owe his dad for the Leilua co-star as parents Rocky and She was scrambling to get two appointments. She for talent helped launch the careers of John charm and unforced warmth that make Ata Johnson. son said, he was bolstered by family wasn’t paying attention to the date. She told them Travolta, , Richard Dwayne Johnson instantly endearing, Matthew Willig stands tall as the and “had this opportunity to go and she’d booked them for Sunday, Feb. 14. Dreyfuss and many other actors, has died. despite his imposing build and status late Andre the Giant, one of the wres- witness these real-life heroes in front “That’s Valentine’s Day!” her father exclaimed and He was 93. as a box-offi ce star with credits in the tling world fi gures shown as a com- of me, like my dad and these wrestlers smiled at his wife. Stalmaster became the fi rst person to re- “Fast and Furious” and “Jumanji” fran- monplace part of Johnson’s uncom- who were adored and loved and so “What a great way to celebrate my love for you.” ceive an Academy Award for casting when chises. The sports comedy “Ballers” is mon childhood and youth marred by strong and powerful.” They hung up. Their daughter wept. he accepted an honorary Oscar for lifetime part of his TV resume. setbacks he fought to overcome. “You look back on these stories and “That’s what we needed,” she said, “some hope.” achievement in 2016. The Academy of He’s the real deal, “generous and “He really wanted to go there and you just become so incredibly grate- Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had long lovely,” said Nahnatchka Khan, an show the struggle, that it hasn’t been ful,” he said. Also: resisted giving special recognition to cast- FALMOUTH, Maine: Donald Verger has been put- ing directors and Stalmaster was brought ting heart into his art during the pandemic. to tears. blazer with over half a century of world- want their sons to be actors,” he said. “But fl agship Fox News Channel. And images of those intricate hearts made from vi- “It’s not only an Oscar for me, but it’s class fi lm and television casting credits,” he said to me, ‘I want you to go to the Ab- Scott, who joined Fox News Channel as recognizing the major contribution casting brant sea glass are fl owing back to schools and hospi- said the Casting Society of America in a bey Theater.’” (AP) a programming assistant when the network tals that have been hard hit by COVID-19 during the makes,” he said. launched in 1996, has been CEO of Fox He began his career as an actor, even statement. “Thank you, Lynn, for showing ❑ ❑ ❑ pandemic. us the way.” News Media since 2018. “The hearts hit a sweet spot for people,” Verger appearing with John Wayne in the 1951 NEW YORK: Fox News Media CEO Su- Fox News has routinely been the top- fi lm “Flying Leathernecks,” but wanted Born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1927, said. “People love sea glass, the color, the patterns.” Stalmaster said his father gave him the zanne Scott signed a new contract and the ranked cable news network for the past two Across the country, many artists fi nd themselves a backup plan. He was an apprentice to a decades. But the network fi nished January, pair of TV producers who made him their confi dence to become an actor. company said it will continue its “center struggling during the pandemic, but they’re also fi nd- Joe Biden casting director. “Imagine my father — he was on the right” programming mix despite a recent the month of President ’s inaugu- ing ways to give back during a health crisis that has Stalmaster was searching for stars for Supreme Court in Nebraska — dads don’t ratings slump and legal fi ght against its ration and the attack on the US Capitol claimed more than 465,000 lives in the United States. shows such as “Gunsmoke” and “Ben by former President Donald Trump’s Verger’s efforts represent his small but colorful Casey” when director Robert Wise tapped supporters, as the third-place news network contribution to the effort to bring people a smile, or him to cast supporting actors in a 1958 fi lm behind CNN and MSNBC for the fi rst time maybe a moment of calm and peace, amid the isola- starring Susan Hayward called “I Want since 1999. tion of the pandemic. to Live!” Fox Corp CEO Lachlan Murdoch, in He’s sent about 25,000 postcards of his hearts and Stalmaster opened his independent cast- an earnings call, said the “post-election landscape photography to schools and hospitals. He ing offi ce just as the reign of Hollywood’s audience pullback” had been anticipated. delivers them at 1,000 or 2,500 at a time. Employers contract-based studio system ended, which “We fully expect that the overall news and teachers give them to staff, students and patients. allowed actors and directors new freedom audience will normalize, and our share of Recently, he’s donated at least 10,000 with LOVE of choice in picking their projects. Stal- ratings will dominate,” he said. superimposed on them. Another 10,000 had HOPE su- master made it his business to know every Fox returned to the top spot among cable perimposed on them. young performer in Los Angeles and New networks in prime time last week, accord- “It seems like a great privilege to do something York, and traveled the US and Europe to ing to the Nielsen company. In the daytime that supports happiness and some sense of hope,” said fi nd fresh talent. hours, Fox was third. Verger, whose studio is in Falmouth, Maine. Stalmaster cast more than 200 fi lms, Murdoch said that he believed Fox’s In Boston, Shriners Hospital Administrator Eileen including “The Graduate,” “Fiddler on the success over the years has been the result Skinner was handing out cards with hearts with the Roof,” “,” “Tootsie,” of delivering news and opinion program- “,” “, ”Judgment ming for a marketplace the company word LOVE to more than 400 workers ahead of Val- believes is fi rmly center-right in its politics. entine’s Day. at Nuremberg” and “The Right Stuff.” He also worked on a documentary about “We don’t need to go further right,” “You have to be in a health care organization to un- casting directors, “,” its title a Murdoch said. “We don’t believe America derstand the COVID fatigue,” Skinner said. “It’s just reference to how Stalmaster and his peers is further right. And we’re obviously not encouraging to the staff that somebody is thinking of were credited in fi lms, as opposed to being This image released by MTV shows documentary fi lm subject Emma in a scene going to pivot left. All of our signifi cant them.” called “casting directors.” from ‘Each and Every Day,’ about young people and suicide. (AP) competitors are to the far left. So we’ll “A pioneer of our craft, Lynn was a trail- – Details on Page 12 – stick where we are.” (AP)