Tuesday, August 18, 2020 Dhul-Hijjah 28, 1441 AH

Doha today: 320 - 430

COVER Paradigm shift STORY Diana: A New Musical hits — and the old walls between screen and theatre tumble. P4-5

HOLLYWOOD BACK PAGE

Here are 10 shows based How to say no to a on off beat graphic novels. social event right now. Page 15 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 18, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

SERIES TO BINGE WATCH ON AMAZONE PRIME

PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.47am Shorooq (sunrise) 5.10am Zuhr (noon) 11.39am Asr (afternoon) 3.08pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.08pm Isha (night) 7.38pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Made in Heaven and new. Tradition jostles with modern aspirations against the Qatar General Electricity and DIRECTION: , Reema Kagti backdrop of a Big Fat Indian Wedding revealing many secrets Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 CAST: Arjun Mathur, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jim Sarbh and many lies. The supposedly liberal fabric of the upper crust Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 SYNOPSIS: Made In Heaven is story of amphibians who unravels as the duo navigate through arranged marriages, 44593363 have learnt to swim but are still anxious of water. Set in Delhi, dowry transactions and other challenges. Each episode Qatar Assistive Technology spread across nine episodes, the series revolves around Tara introduces a new family and a story, with a set of recurring Centre 44594050 and Karan and their eponymous wedding planning company, characters – the leads’ families and friends and the employees Qatar News Agency 44450205 targeting the city’s uber-rich. is a potent blend of old of Made in Heaven – who complete the series. 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Qatar Airways 40253374

ote Unquo Qu te

“It’s the friends you can call up at 4am that matter.” — Marlene Dietrich

James May: Our Man in Japan to gain a genuine understanding into poetry rub shoulders with Godzilla, CAST: James May, Yujiro Taniyama, why this unique land and its people Cosplay, and some of the strangest Masayo Fujii are the way they are, what drives obsessions on the planet, while SYNOPSIS: James May has always their whole culture, and what their stunning, peaceful vistas of gently been intrigued and seduced by the approach to life can teach the rest falling cherry blossom give way to Community Editor idea of Japan, yet this nation and its of us. So far so good, but it won’t be neon lights, J-Pop, and frenetic urban culture remains a complete mystery to easy. He can’t speak the language, he’s environments. Kamran Rehmat him. Now he’s on a one-man mission clueless about Japanese etiquette but Fifteen years since he first visited e-mail: [email protected] to immerse himself in its society, at least he knows there’s a small tree as a baffled tourist, James is now Telephone: 44466405 places, and people in a bid to unlock its called a banzai... Not only that, but ready to leap into the unknown and Fax: 44350474 extraordinary secrets. By taking on an Japan is one of the most contradictory embark on a quest to reconcile these epic journey across all of Japan from and confusing places on earth. contradictions and to truly understand north to south, James is determined Here, classical art forms and haiku what makes Japan tick. Tuesday, August 18, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 BODY & MIND COMMUNITY Adding plant-based foods to your diet

Meat alternatives can be healthier for you depending upon the ingredients

PREVENTIVE AND PROTECTIVE: A plant-based diet in general has more phytonutrients — plant compounds that are thought to be both preventative and protective in our long-term health. BOOSTING RECIPES: Finely chopping or pulsing nuts or seeds can boost pancakes and other baked goods.

uestion: I am identifi ed by the diff erent colours meal can add up quickly. Together, interested in limiting — red, orange, purple, green or tan. the added saturated fat and sodium my intake of meat, This is why you hear the phrase “eat may impact the overall nutritional but admittedly, I love the rainbow.” quality of plant-based burgers. burgers. Are there any The challenge with any plant- Compare products and choose Q really good plant- based meal, however, is that the wisely. based options? fl avours and textures are diff erent. Alternatively, you might consider Answer: Plant-based burgers So this presents an issue as far as making your own plant burger at have soared in popularity over the what’s added to the ingredients to home. You can easily incorporate past couple of years. And these mimic the taste and texture of meat. spices or other seasonings instead meat alternatives can be healthier Research refl ects that following of salt and added fat. for you depending upon the a plant-based diet has signifi cant Overall, it’s a great goal to eat ingredients. health benefi ts as long as you do it more plant-based foods like While eating meat can be part of correctly. vegetables, nut, beans, lentils and a healthy diet, introducing more If followed properly, a whole whole grains to get more variety plant-based foods in your diet foods, plant-based diet limits into your diet. defi nitely has health advantages. the use of oils, added sugars and If you have been limited in the The biggest benefi t of plant- processed foods, leaving only whole past with plant-based food, I would based burgers usually comes in the foods to provide nutrition. This recommend slowly working new form of fi bre and other nutrients. maximises nutrient intake and and diff erent fruits, vegetables, Fibre can come in many forms and virtually eliminates foods that can legumes and nuts into your diet. commonly is classifi ed as soluble lead to poor health outcomes. You also can aim to eat smaller and insoluble. Both are benefi cial, Some plant-based burgers portions of meat. and most vegetables, whole grains, are going to have added fat, and Some simple ways to update your nuts and legumes have some of oftentimes, the added fat is a menu may include adding colourful each. Look for burgers that have saturated fat. Commonly added vegetables into tomato-based peas, beets, mushrooms, whole fats are coconut oil or palm oil. sauces for pasta dishes or soup. For grains, soy, lentils or beans as main Like with natural meat burgers, the latter, you also can add in beans, ingredients. saturated fats can be concerning. barley or another grain. You can Nevertheless, health and Saturated fat has been shown to add fi nely chopped mushrooms and wellness communities agree that raise LDL or “bad” cholesterol, and onions to add texture and fl avour to diets emphasising fresh, whole the concern is that it may increase ground beef for tacos or casseroles. ingredients and minimising heart disease risk. And fi nely chopping or pulsing nuts processed foods are superior for Salt is another common off ender. or seeds can boost pancakes and overall wellness. Added salt is both a fl avour other baked goods. The whole-foods, plant-based enhancer and preservative in pre- Don’t be afraid to experiment and diet does just that. CHALLENGE The challenge with any plant-based meal, however, is that the packaged or restaurant plant-based modify recipes. You might fi nd you It focuses on minimally flavours and textures are diff erent. burgers. Too much salt, or sodium, like the new fl avours and textures, processed foods, specifi cally plants, can raise blood pressure. as well as how you feel, since the and is eff ective at stimulating has more phytonutrients — plant in our long-term health. Some Keep in mind that the bun you additional fi bre and nutrients will weight loss and improving health. compounds that are thought to be phytonutrients act as antioxidants. select and condiments also will keep your body moving as it should. A plant-based diet in general both preventative and protective Often times, the phytonutrients are have sodium, so the tally for the — Mayo Clinic News Network/TNS 4 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 18, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Ringing in the new Netflix, Disney and what we think of as live theatre have all begun to fuse. When have you ever before heard of a Broadway opening on your computer screen? You have now. And maybe not for the last time, writes Chris Jones

nce upon a time, there were movies, television and theatre. And we all knew the diff erence between Othem. Movies were what you saw on a Saturday night with popcorn in your lap. Television was something you watched in your living room or bedroom, several nights a week. And theatre was human-to-human communication. You know, a live show with a costly ticket. For the most part, America’s dramatic entertainment industry has been organised around these divisions. Each had their own labour unions (SAG, AFTRA and Actors’ Equity) and awards shows (Oscars, Emmys and Tonys). Writers would specialise in one branch even if dreaming of another. And for decades the Chicago Tribune and other fi ne news organisations employed separate fi lm, TV and theatre critics, presumably on the theory that the dramatic disciplines all required separate specialists. All of that has been tottering for a while. But the coronavirus crisis has blown those barriers to bits. Just consider the last few days. First off , Disney announced that it would release on September 4 its postponed and much-anticipated live-action version of Mulan, not to movie theatres but to its own streaming service, albeit for an additional $30 in rental fees. The decision is a terrible blow to reeling movie theatres, hastening the growing sense that those giant, barn-like multiplexes that dot cities and suburbs across America are never coming back at scale. Even after people are unafraid to go out. Why bother when the best and newest titles can be viewed on a device of your choice? That would mean, of course, that the food courts that depend on the theatres in malls are toast, too. And the restaurants outside. Sure, a few theatres will survive, especially those that off er a special experience. And one very smart Hollywood producer I know insists that three categories of fi lms will still attract people to movie theatres because people will want to see them with other humans: horror, superheroes and musicals. But everything else? No diff erent from television now. But what about theatre? Surely, live is live. Not so fast. SPOTLIGHT: Jeanna de Waal plays the title role in La Jolla Playhouse’s world-premiere production of the musical Diana. Two bits of relevant news came Tuesday, August 18, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY out Tuesday and Wednesday. One was that Hamilton, a Broadway musical, attracted a massive audience when it was broadcast on Disney Plus, blowing out the Netfl ix competition to become the most-watched streaming show of July. This was not a movie but a Broadway show with a live audience. And a few cameras. Hamilton is its own beast, you might argue. Well, sure. Hamilton is Hamilton, backlash and all. But on Wednesday, the producers of Diana: A New Musical announced a truly singular plan for a show that saw its original spring opening nixed by the pandemic and the ongoing Broadway closure. Diana: A New Musical, a show based on the life of the late Princess Diana and penned by Joe DiPietro with music and lyrics by DiPietro and David Bryan, will now rehearse in an empty Broadway theatre (no shortage of those) and be recorded in a multi-camera shoot and then streamed on Netfl ix at some point before its new opening date in May of next year. In terms of standard operating procedure on Broadway, this is a true disrupter. For decades, musicals have been rolled out slowly — workshop to out-of-town tryout to Broadway theatre and a fl ashy series of press performances for a few powerful critics, celebrities and infl uencers who, crucially, will have attended the show before almost anyone else. Even weeks into the run of a hit Broadway musical, only a few thousand people will have actually seen what everybody seems to be talking about. Disney announced that it would release on September 4 its And from the producers’ point of view, that drives demand for scarce tickets. Such is, postponed and much-anticipated live-action version of Mulan, not or used to be, the bedrock of the Broadway to movie theatres but to its own streaming service, albeit for an economic model. Over time, that number of people exposed additional $30 in rental fees. The decision is a terrible blow to reeling to the show increases. A musical might tour Asia or move to or clone itself in movie theatres Chicago or licence itself to local theatre, then amateur theatres and high schools. If weeks. Or days. In that scenario, most But here’s the rub. Princess Diana is an show — like a politician opening a window it’s an iconic hit like Hairspray or Rent, it people never get to see it at all. iconic fi gure across the globe and this could in a smoke-fi lled room. For the fi rst time in might get fi lmed or remade for television. I haven’t yet seen Diana: A New Musical. be one of those shows that appeal more to Broadway history, a review of a new musical But that always has been years down the It might be great. Sure hope so. But it’s fair the regular folks than the snobs on the aisle. will land in an environment where hundreds line. to say, back before a certain virus took down It would not be the fi rst in that category, of thousands of people already will have seen All of that assumes the show is a hit. If everyone, that the Rialto was not expecting but the perennial complaint of the people the show. Expect the knives to come out if it gets a thumbs down from those critics, an artistic masterpiece from this particular involved in such shows is that they started opinions diff er. celebrities and infl uencers, it can die in attraction. out tainted by the snubs of the Broadway But will these folks really have seen the elites. show if they have only seen the Netfl ix This is a clever hedge against that stream? problem. Assuming the Netflix streaming Not in my old-school view. But this is reaches a large audience, there could be a powerful evidence that Netfl ix, Disney and groundswell of popular opinion mounting what we think of as live theatre have all begun for the show in advance of its actual live to fuse. opening night. When have you ever before heard of a In other words, the infl uence of critics Broadway opening on your computer screen? might well be yet further reduced which You have now. And maybe not for the last may well transform the fortunes of the time. — Chicago Tribune/TNS

Diana: A New Musical, a show based on the life of the late Princess Diana, will now rehearse in an empty Broadway theatre and be recorded in a multi- camera shoot and Hamilton, a Broadway musical, attracted a then streamed on massive audience when it was broadcast Netflix at some on Disney Plus, blowing out the Netflix point before its new competition to become the most-watched opening date in May streaming show of July of next year 6 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 18, 2020 COMMUNITY GARDENING Oso Easy puts the fun back into growing roses

By Norman Winter

he fi rst spray opened up in my Oso Easy Peasy rose and I thought, “Wow, they have captured the essence ofT a fi ne heirloom.” This was like a breath of fresh air as I had fallen in love with antique and heirloom roses when becoming the director of the American Rose Society years ago. Oso Easy Peasy is a landscape rose being brought to us by Proven Winners, but there is a connection to the American Rose Society as it was selected as an Award of Excellence Winner in the no- spray division. This means exactly what the name says; it can’t get any easier than this rose for the landscape. Oso Easy Peasy made its debut in garden centres this year. The Garden Guy is lucky in that I had an early shot at it and for two years it is been just what the doctor ordered giving me beautiful fl owers, though I have off ered it a big dose of neglect. This year in the garden I did give it some nice partners. Those glorious hot-pink-magenta fl owers are born at the base of an 8-foot-tall windmill palm and combined with Royal Hawaiian Maui Gold elephant ears. The lime green and hot pink rock! This shows you the versatility COMBINATION: Oso Easy roses are suitable for mixed containers. Here, Oso of Oso Easy Roses. They excel Easy Paprika rose, Beyond Paradise copper plant, AngelFace angelonia and from large sweeps or drifts in the Supertunia Royal Velvet create a stunning combination. landscape, incorporating with perennials in the cottage garden with Award of Excellence winners to 10 inches. The ideal soil pH for and yes, even with tropicals if it’s it is packed with disease-resistance roses is between 6-6.5. Planting on your heart’s desire. One of the most and performance. raised beds further maximises good memorable mixed containers I have Oso Easy Peasy and Oso Easy drainage. By all means, fi nish your ever photographed featured Oso Urban Legend, reach about 40 bed or planting with a good layer of Easy Paprika, a wonderful orange inches tall with an equal spread mulch. and yellow blend, and Beyond while Oso Easy Paprika, the Feed your roses with a Paradise copper plant. A tropical wonderful orange selection, is slow release or controlled combination of incredible warm smaller reaching 24 inches in height release fertiliser per formula colours. with a 36-inch spread. There are recommendation. Apply at the I relished the trials for the Award 10 Oso Easy selections giving you a start of spring growth and again in of Excellence when I was director of variety of colour and habit perfect mid-summer. I like to prune Oso the American Rose Society as it was for today’s modern landscape. Easy roses in late winter to early reminiscent of university trials and Roses need six to eight hours of spring, just before new growth in some ways more rigorous. At the direct sun each day. Morning sun resumes. Typically, the roses will time they were geared mostly for is essential, but a little afternoon triple in size after pruning, so plan miniatures but now incorporates shade is tolerated. Good air on cutting back by two-thirds. minifl ora, today’s landscape shrubs. movement helps the dew and rain In the landscape, your options Oso Easy Peasy isn’t the only dry quickly, further enhancing will seem to be endless. Be bold — winner Proven Winners has from the inherent disease resistance, plant enough to make a landscape the American Rose Society as the so space about 3 to 4 feet apart impact using them with your red-hot Oso Easy Urban Legend is depending on your variety. favourite perennials and a few also a winner. Vibrant red with a Before you plant your roses, get splashes of annuals. Don’t forget crown of yellow stamens makes this the beds prepared by incorporating mixed containers too! Oso Easy one of the most sought-after roses three to four inches of organic puts the fun back into growing AWARD WINNER: This Oso Easy Peasy rose at The Garden Guy’s house was for the landscape. Of course, as matter and tilling to a depth of 8 roses. — TNS given the Award of Excellence from the American Rose Society. Tuesday, August 18, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 INTERIOR DESIGN COMMUNITY A place for hand-crafted design

This striking concrete house in Mexico City is full of loca l artists’ furniture and artwork, writes Carolyn Asome

hat does a house lot of research.” The couple have from the future also opened their library up to look like? The the public (@tlacuilobiblioteca). Mexican sculptor During lockdown books are being and architect left by the door or otherwise sent WPedro Reyes thought long and by courier. hard about what it means to “The library is very much build a house in the 21st century, the heart of our house,” adds away from a canon of modernity, Fernández. “It is where we prepare classical styles and fl eeting trends. for an exhibition or a party, and He and his wife, fashion designer what is great is that while it’s a Carla Fernández, also wanted to big space, it gets used a lot. It’s avoid the usual type of architecture even quite chaotic at times. My you fi nd in Mexico, because so son does his homework here, and, much of it ends up looking the during lockdown, we’ve used it for same”. yoga when we couldn’t get out to The result is this “future exercise. It’s very much a shared cave” – an amalgam of modern space. I will come back from work and ancient, where brutalist and someone is browsing a book or architecture is made from concrete coming in from Pedro’s studio.” in varying degrees of coarseness The kitchen and dining room are and yet the human hand, visible in on the ground fl oor and upstairs layers of centuries-old, artisanal are four bedrooms and a bathroom. craft – furniture, artwork – is also The bathtub is hewn from stone to evident. Minimal this is not. resemble a rock pool, and set below “We like brutalism, but it is not TEXTURED FINISH: The winding staircase. a shaft of light. Reyes thinks that minimalist,” says Reyes, on a Zoom the many shades of grey are a good call. “Some people might think our backdrop for highlighting other home appears cold in photos, but using an idiosyncratic colour and mismatched furniture on a “You can polish it to give you a colours. “We like that feel of being it is actually very warm and that palette. The main part of the house raised platform. The focal point, mirror eff ect or it can be hammered in a cave – the shadow and the light warmth comes from the fact that features crazy-paving fl oors. however, is the library. Made from or chiselled, like in the Barbican in somehow become more dramatic.” everything is handmade, even if it Cantilevered steps lead up to a slabs of concrete, it is fi lled with London. We wanted a main space The light, he explains, is also is concrete,” adds Fernández. The narrow gallery that overlooks the books as far as the eye can see. that could be a library for us – it’s their heating system. The skylight couple share the home with their sitting room, a double-height “The use of concrete allows you to a tool we use all the time and the collects heat during the day and teenage children, Cristobal and living space fi lled with sculpture have many textures,” says Reyes. projects we get involved in require a keeps the house warm at night. Laima. “We never need heating, and if it The use of materials and the gets too warm during the day we choice of the craftspeople was open the windows, which means important in trying to recreate we don’t need cooling either. So the feel of pre-colonial Mexico. light, heat and temperature work “Stone-carving here is a tradition together.” that dates back 5,000 years, Reyes’ work (mostly large-scale but it stopped at the time of the projects) has won international conquest,” explains Reyes. The attention for addressing social and couple chose to build their home, political issues and inciting change along with a sculpture garden and through sculpture, performance Reyes studio, on a plot of land in and video. Coyoacán. It s a neighbourhood He once observed that south of Mexico City that was once music is the highest form of home to Frida Kahlo. communication, so how does he Working with artisans was feel his house translates lyrically? central to the build, once the What sort of composer parlays couple realised that fashionable the spirit of his home? Reyes stops midcentury furniture the sort and thinks. The answer is a little- by Jean Prouvé or Mies van der known composer of modern music Rohe was not a good fi t . Instead, from the 20th century named Reyes made his own. We don’t Conlon Nancarrow. He is best own many things that are mass- remembered for being one of the produced. Every object around us fi rst composers to use auto-playing tells us a story about the person musical instruments, realising who made it.” their potential to play beyond a Reyes reels off a list of fi rst-name human’s ability. It’s something local artisans. “Alfredo, Abraham, that crops up in Reyes’ compelling Leonel, Antonio, Humberto… It’s Disarm video, where he employs the style of furniture that has been dismantled guns and transforms around for centuries. We were them into percussion instruments. very interested in making things Fernández prefers silence. We that keep trades alive, such as have birds in the garden and we stone carving or weaving, or using have crickets, which I love to listen natural dyes.” to as they remind me of being in In many ways, this echoes the the jungle. And yet, I can also hear sustainable clothes Fernández the sound of fi recrackers, which designs traditional clothes reminds me I am still living in the produced in a contemporary way, LIGHT AND AIRY: The dining room. middle of a city.” — The Guardian 8 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 18, 2020 COMMUNITY TRA Summer in Southern Sicily: Unspoi In the island’s far south-east, locals are making the most of wide sands, buzzy towns – and a lack of foreign tourists, writes Sophia Seymour

SOPHISTICATED: The hilltop towns built in Sicilian baroque style off er a side helping of sophistication.

as fear of coronavirus On 4 June, the travel ban alongside yoga teacher Ameriga can be found almost anywhere in daily on small boats that have emptied the beaches between regions in Italy was lifted Giannone. Just over the road from nearby, A Valata, on the seafront been the bedrock of this local – or have I chanced and beach resorts began reopening, the beach, it’s a modernist, low- in Pozzallo, 8km away, is where economy for centuries. upon one of the last relying heavily on holidaymakers key space, with bold-coloured pozzallesi locals choose to dine.” On the table next to me, a young unspoiled stretches from their own region and hoping walls and a lush garden. The vibe is And so off I go. woman finishes a huge portion Hof coastline in Italy? I am on the to make ends meet despite the new more like a stay with friends than a Unlike the beach, A Valata is of linguine with fresh tomatoes sand at Santa Maria del Focallo mask-wearing, socially distanced hotel holiday. I’m barely been there rammed. Part-suspended on and sardines. “Tourism is surplus in southern Sicily. Around me, normal. In this particular corner five minutes before Ettore puts a wooden decking, the restaurant to fishing and agriculture here,” a few clusters of friends and of Sicily, however, finding space tumbler of red wine in my hand hangs over now-obsolete concrete says Erika Modica, whose choice families are huddled under to sunbathe at a safe distance has and invites me to join the other tracks that used to guide boats of dish reflects the two pillars of umbrellas or cooling off in the evidently never been an issue. It guests – either old Sicilian friends into the water. “The kitchen the area’s economy. Erika runs sea. Dunes coloured green and has endless kilometres of beach or repeat visitors – at a long table was formerly a boathouse,” the a boat chartering business, and pink by evergreen shrubs and free from the privately run lidos on the jasmine-shaded terrazzo restaurant’s owner says. “It was appears unfazed by the impact of bougainvillea stretch in both that clutter most Italian resorts, for a vegetarian dinner. I quickly one man’s job to row out across coronavirus. “We live very much in directions: west towards the port with their tightly packed, uniform realise I could happily spend the the bay to the lighthouse to top the present here,” she says. “We are town of Pozzallo and east towards rows of sunbeds and parasols. week flitting between the beach up the lamps with oil each night.” happy people.” Portopalo, Sicily’s most southerly “It’s always like this,” says Ettore and the grounds of Floripa. Now succulent platters of house Indeed, as I walk back through tip, where the Ionian Sea meets the Lorenzi, a kitesurfing instructor, But I have a large unspoiled speciality pesce crudo – Sicily’s the town to the car, a heady Mediterranean. There’s an end- from the porch of his whitewashed region to explore and a long list of answer to sashimi – fly out of the atmosphere prevails as locals of-season feel, as if the stragglers wooden shack overlooking the “unmissable” places to eat at along former boathouse kitchen. Michael pack the boardwalk enjoying their are soaking up the final rays of beach. the coast. Gennaro del Pino, a not La Pira, who works as a waiter in evening passeggiata. The only sign summer. In reality, the season has Ettore runs the Floripa Yoga and terribly busy beach barman, tells summer and in the merchant navy of a pandemic is the odd mask only just begun. Kitesurf House (doubles from €70) me: “Though excellent cooking in winter, says the fish is brought slung over an elbow, to be worn Tuesday, August 18, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 AVEL COMMUNITY iled beaches, dunes and great food

PICTURESQUE: Santa Maria Del Focallo, Sicily, at sunset.

LUNCH BREAK: Scaccia, a traditional layered pizza-pie.

HOTSPOT: There’s a large unspoiled region to explore and a long list of “unmissable” places to eat at along the coast.

when entering a shop. Holidays are from Emilia-Romagna, the first on the wide cobbled streets. In still happening here, just without non-Sicilians I come across during Cássaro Cafè-Bistrot on the main the influx of foreign tourists. my stay. drag, two friends have a drink at In the opposite direction to “We were lucky to have booked the table next to mine. They are Pozzallo, east along dusty roads our flights in January because a fashion PR and a stylist who flanked by polytunnels growing now they are expensive,” says moved from Milan several years Pachino tomatoes, is Portopalo Sabrina Corbino, as she tucks into ago to transform an 18th-century di Capo Passero. Once the centre scaccia – a traditional layered apartment into a B&B. “This is of the tuna trade, and now on pizza-pie filled with tomatoes and the type of place where you could the verge of being run-down, aubergine. She blames the airlines be standing next to a famous it feels real, compared with for the lack of tourists – including film director in the queue for an touristy Marzamemi further Italians – though she admits she ice-cream and no one would even up the coast. Not far away, off already knew the area through realise,” says Edoardo Marchiori as Italy’s southernmost tip, Isola having family here. he sips his margarita. “Those in the delle Correnti is a tiny island just Inland, the hilltop towns built know come here to get away from above sea level, with a 200-year- in Sicilian baroque style offer a the crowds.” old octagonal stone lighthouse. side helping of sophistication. I Back at Floripa, the other guests It’s an ideal swimming spot, and enjoy an aperitivo in the chic town are baffled by my decision to skip groups of friends clutching lilos of Noto, but nearby Modica and the daily yoga classes, but with are wading out through the shallow Scicli are equally beguiling. Noto’s such a seductive and unpretentious water to swim in the small coves. architecture is high baroque, corner of Sicily on the doorstep, Staying on shore and in the and the pale stone reflects the yoga is going to have to wait. shade, I chat to a family on holiday sun in ever-changing pink hues — The Guardian BOARDING: Floripa Yoga and Kitesurf House, Santa Maria del Focallo. 10 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 18, 2020 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Tuesday, August 18, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Peanut, coff ee can give milk chocolate benefits of dark ones

new way to combine your When manufacturers roast and process favourite milk chocolate with peanuts to make peanut butter, candy and peanut skins and coff ee waste other products, they toss aside the papery red can boost its antioxidant skins that encase the legume inside its shell. properties, thereby providing Thousands of tonnes of peanut skins are Athe same health benefi ts associated with the discarded each year, but since they contain harder, more bitter dark chocolates, says a 15 per cent phenolic compounds by weight, study. they are a potential goldmine of antioxidant The results suggest that you may not have bioactivity. to compromise on the taste to get the benefi ts “Phenolics are very bitter, so we had to fi nd of dark chocolate which has high levels of some way to mitigate that sensation,” Dean phenolic compounds. said. Peanut skins are not the only food waste In fact, the natural presence of phenolic that can enhance milk chocolate in this way. compounds is what gives dark chocolate The researchers are also exploring the its bitterness, along with less fat and sugar extraction and incorporation of phenolic compared to its cousin milk chocolate. compounds from used coff ee grounds, To create their antioxidant-boosted milk discarded tea leaves and other food scraps. chocolate, Dean and her team of researchers “The idea for this project began with at the USDA worked with peanut companies testing diff erent types of agricultural waste to obtain the peanut skins. for bioactivity, particularly peanut skins,” From there, they ground the skins into said Lisa Dean, the project’s principal a powder, and extracted the phenolic investigator from the US Department of compounds with 70 per cent ethanol. Agriculture (USDA). They also worked with local coffee antioxidants from those materials. The milk chocolate product. The researchers “Our initial goal was to extract phenolics roasters and tea producers to obtain used phenolic powder was then combined with presented their results at the American from the skins and fi nd a way to mix them coffee grounds and tea leaves, using maltodextrin, a common food additive, to Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2020 Virtual with food.” a similar methodology to extract the make it easier to incorporate into the final Meeting & Expo. – IANS

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

Ideas for creative projects may be flooding your mind, but they may Have you been getting strange vibes from someone close to you? A current or potential partner may drop out of sight and not return be too general or vague to grasp. Make a list if you like, but don’t feel Chances are this person isn’t upset with you. He or she may be your calls. You could panic, wondering if your friend has lost interest. you have to start anything today. You may need a few days to let worried about upcoming changes in the professional environment. Don’t jump to conclusions. Your partner may be involved in other the ideas churn around before settling on the best one to start. Be All signs are that these worries are groundless. Off er to take your matters. Remember the old saying, “If you love something, let it go.” patient. friend out to lunch and just listen. You’ll be able to lighten the load If you cling, it was never yours in the first place. and provide some much-needed perspective. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

A gathering of psychics, artists, and spiritually oriented people A class you’ve wanted to take may open up, and you’ll want to Do you have a lot of money in investments? Even if you have only could take place in your home today. This may be a fascinating and register right away. You might have a few diff iculties. If you try to a savings account or home equity, you could be a bit disconcerted stimulating meeting, but there may be someone who likes to stir sign up by phone, the line may be busy. If you enrol online, the when the stock market takes a nosedive. A lot is going on behind controversy and debate. Be aware of this possibility and short-circuit website might crash. Don’t get discouraged and give up. These the scenes that the general public doesn’t know. The situation is it if you can or this promising encounter could end with battered are only temporary delays. You won’t want to miss the class. Keep temporary. The market should be back to normal before too long. egos and bruised feelings. trying! LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

A partner may seem distracted. Don’t jump to the conclusion that Equipment could give you trouble today. You’re probably good at A friend’s lack of communication and perhaps even shortness with your friend has found someone else. The problem is more likely to working with it, but when it comes to troubleshooting, you might not you could bring up your insecurities and have you wondering if centre on obstacles that your partner has encountered in achieving know as much as you should. Don’t make yourself crazy worrying this person still cares about you. Don’t worry. Your friend is upset, a cherished goal. When your friend decides to share this with you, about it. Get a friend or colleague to assist you, or better yet, call a but not about you. He or she may be too caught up in diff iculties to you might be able to shed some light on the situation. professional. You’ll feel more confident and get a lot more done. realise the problem. Hang in there and you’ll be in touch again when they’re ready. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

A member of your group may have gone away without telling A strange, unexpected call or e-mail could puzzle you. You may Is your financial situation confusing? Are you starting to panic anyone where he or she was going. This could be worrisome for the not know the caller, the information might not make sense, or it about it? You may be getting worked up over nothing. Get all rest of you, but don’t fret. Your friend is probably OK, but may just might bring news that doesn’t feel right. Whatever you hear may be your paperwork together, focus on the facts, and see what’s really need to do some thinking alone. You have to accept that you won’t exaggerated if not false. If it’s important to you, check out the facts happening. Once you consult the actual figures and go over them a hear from this person today. Have faith and don’t worry. before jumping to conclusions and before passing it on to others. few times, you should find that you can handle the situation. 12 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 18, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

BARKER HOSKINS WELCH GIBSON SMITH FOSSE NEWHART DOLE MARLEY CROSBY KNEPPER GELDOF HOPE WEIR MATHIAS SEGER DYLAN CUMMINGS LILLY

Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Tuesday, August 18, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Being there, have a ball 1 The colour of fresh bream (5) a couple of hours before 2 Mormon’s end by salt lake (4) midnight? (10) 3 The naval hero is in the hold (6) 7 Braille translation for a 4 Part of book taken out in politician (7) theatre! (8) 8 Name of man responsible for 5 Care for teachers is head’s part seaside structures (5) (7) 10 Short dog with a little tail (4) 6 Girl going by jet or prison van 11 Two instruments for sailors’ (5,5) dance (8) 9 Knot for fastening a leg of 13 Poor sample of trees (6) mutton? (10) 15 Cleryman moved diagonally 12 After bad scare finish climb (6) again (8) 17 After restraint certain to get 14 Page bound to be easily bent cover again (8) (7) 18 Chief supporter (4) 16 Conservative upset by 21 Stroll round Minehead, having doctor’s decay (3-3) the power (5) 19 Being sorry, destroy force (5) 22 Disturbance resolved in court 20 Repeat what is said in the (7) newspaper? (4) 23 The dogs ran wild, being wilful (10)

Solution Answers

Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 18, 2020 COMMUNITY

Sonu Nigam gears up for social in their private jets to see the concert,” said distance concert in Dubai the singer. “This is a show which is being looked at with a lot of love, so the concert Singer is set to perform live is called The Light and obviously it has a for the fi rst time after things got abruptly lot of connotation because not literally, halted, owing to Covid-19. The gig, titled but in the hearts of people that have seen The Light Concert, will be held in Dubai on darkness in the last six months and a lot August 21. of people have lost their jobs. People have “This is the world’s fi rst social distance lost money, their source of income, their concert of Bollywood. There’s going to be savings, their loved ones. So the concert is no kind of overcrowding or no physical called The Light because there is a light at contact, as we used to have earlier in the end of the tunnel and we are all looking concerts,” said Sonu. at that and praying for that. Seemingly, He shared that people are so excited things are also getting better. Thus, it’s about this concert that “they are fl ocking called The Light,” he added. in from diff erent countries”. Sonu recently launched his own music “I know of people coming from Russia. label, and unveiled a couple of songs last LIVE: Sonu has planned the world’s first I’ve heard of people coming from the UK week. –IANS social distance concert of Bollywood.

LEGENDARY: Born in 1930 in Haryana, the celebrated classical singer presented the Mewati Gharana to the global music connoisseur. Throwback Talk: When Filmmaker Nishikant Pandit Jasraj opened up on life’s learning and legacy

Last year, when he turned 89, legendary classical vocalist and Padma Vibhushan Kamat is no more recipient Pandit Jasraj had opened in an IANS interview about his life, learning and legacy maker passed among other things. We bring you excerpts away in a hospital on from the conversation. Monday. He was 50. Kamat was “Eighty-nine years of harmonious voyage, battling liver cirrhosis for the past every day I have progressed, every day I cultured two years. myself and I am still learning. As I continually FYesterday, a statement issued by say, I have been enormously blessed to be gifted Hyderabad’s AIG hospital, where the to sing and apprehend the real kernel of music,” fi lmmaker was admitted, confi rmed the said Pandit Jasraj. Going ahead I want to learn news. more and understand more of music, as of now I The statement reads: “Mr Nishikant have done nothing because I know nothing,” the Kamat (50 years, Male) was admitted to legendary vocalist had said when asked about AIG Hospitals on 31st July, 2020 with his next desire. complains of fever and excessive fatigue. About his journey, the celebrated classical It was diagnosed that he was suff ering singer said: “No qualms or no hard feelings, it from liver cirrhosis for the past two has been a journey that I will never (have a) pang years. Initially, we started antibiotics of guilt (about). It has been a great journey (and) and supportive medications upon which things have been wonderful. That’s why we are Mr Kamat showed improvement, but his talking today.” condition soon deteriorated with progressive The renowned singer, who has a planet named liver dysfunction and drowsiness. He was after him — Panditjasraj —placed between Mars immediately shifted to the ICU, where his and Jupiter, had also shared that the lessons he general condition gradually declined. Since obtained from his father were forever etched yesterday, he developed respiratory failure in his mind. “Everything that I learnt from my and hypotension. Despite maximum eff orts father, my brother, and everyone around me from hepatologists, gastroenterologists, have always remained with me and will always pulmonologists and intensivists, his be with me,” said the recipient of the civilian condition deteriorated eventually leading honours Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan to multiple organ failure. Today, from and Padma Shri. afternoon onwards his vital parameters Asked how he wants his legacy to be taken started declining and at 1624 hours he forward, he said: “I am no one to decide that. It succumbed to his illness. Our condolences (is) up to the next generation, one should always are with his family, friends and fans.” (know) what they feel like doing with their heart Bollywood celebrities took to their and mind.” verifi ed social media accounts to express Born in 1930 in Haryana, the celebrated condolences. classical singer presented the Mewati Gharana Ajay Devgn, who starred in Kamat’s 2015 to the global music connoisseur. With a career release tweeted: “My equation spanning 80 years, Pandit Jasraj’s oeuvre ranged with Nishikant was not just about Drishyam, from the world stage to Indian fi lm music. a fi lm which he directed with and me. Despite his accomplishments, Pandit Jasraj It was an association that I cherished. He was always eager to learn, which refl ected in was bright; ever-smiling. He has gone too each of his answers. At one point, he said he was soon. RIP Nishikant.” still learning, when asked about the changes he “I will miss you my friend. wanted to see in the music industry: “I am still #NishikantKamat Rest In Peace,” tweeted learning so I can’t suggest any change. I always who made his acting THE DEPARTED: Kamat was battling liver cirrhosis for the past two years. say that change is the only constant, and the debut in Marathi cinema with Kamat’s change that the music industry has brought is critically acclaimed directorial in “Shocked to hear the demise of talented Kamat was known for directing Bollywood making people more aware of the diff erent genre 2014. fi lmmaker Nishikant Kamat, made some fi lms like the Ajay Devgn-Tabu starrer of music.” “One of my favourite Director Nishikant memorable fi lms like #MumbaiMerijaan Drishyam, -starrer and As a parting message to the young stars, he Kamat Who made Meri Jaan #DombivaliFast, #laibhari & #Drishyam. the fi lms Force and Rocky said: “The new generations is extremely talented breathed his last today at Hyderabad My condolences to his family & friends Handsome among others. and are doing very well for themselves, they are hospital. Thanks Nishi for such a meaningful . #OmShanti,” posted director Madhur He also directed critically acclaimed aware of a lot of things that even I don’t know fi lm and memories. AUM SHANTI,” tweeted Bhandarkar. Marathi fi lms like Dombivali Fast and Lai of. Just a little thing that without the blessing of veteran actor Paresh Rawal. “Such a sad news of my friend and Bhaari. He also featured as an actor in the almighty nothing is possible it’s he who decides “Nishikant Kamat. Really sad to hear brilliant actor and fi lmmaker Nishikant Marathi fi lm Saatchya Aat Gharat and his and he who takes the call.” That’s the message about his untimely demise,” tweeted Yami Kamat’s untimely death. So so sad,” tweeted 2016 Bollywood fi lm . we would like to hold on to. —IANS Gautam. director Vivek Agnihotri. — IANS Tuesday, August 18, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 BOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY

Lawsuit over potential Cornell’s wife, Vicky Cornell, Florida ruled this week that Florida future Soundgarden album initiated the lawsuit last year, courts did not have jurisdiction moved to Washington state contending the recordings belong over the case, kicking it to Western solely to the singer’s estate and Washington, where the band is A messy lawsuit between accusing the band of withholding based. Soundgarden and Chris Cornell’s royalty payments from her. She The lawsuit between the widow is being transferred to filed the complaint in Florida, Grammy-winning grunge icons Washington state. contending the couple’s primary and their late singer’s wife has been A Florida judge sided with the residence was in the Miami area highly contentious. Seattle rock band Monday, sending and that “some (if not all)” of the In the band’s countersuit, the case to the US District Court for recordings were made at the singer’s surviving members Kim Thayil, the Western District of Washington. home studio there. Ben Shepherd and Matt Cameron At stake are seven audio Soundgarden’s surviving accused Vicky Cornell of misusing recordings made by Cornell, members countersued this spring funds from a star-studded benefit the band’s late singer, which and sought to move the case to concert held in the singer’s honour Soundgarden’s surviving members Seattle-area courts. last year – claims the band partially claim were intended for a future The judge in the US District walked back last month. – The BEREAVED: Vicky Cornell speaking at the unveiling of a statue Soundgarden album. Court for the Southern District of Seattle Times/ TNS of her late husband, Chris Cornell. Here are 10 shows based on offbeat graphic novels

Locke & Key (2020 -) By Trevor Fraser The first season of this family mystery premiered on Netflix in February to heavy buzz. etfl ix released the Adapted from the comic by Joe second season of its Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez, the hit show The Umbrella story follows a family starting Academy. The quirky over in the childhood home of dramedy following their murdered father, where the Na dysfunctional family of super- children discover a set of magical powered siblings garnered more 45 keys that unlock fantastical million views in its debut last year. places. This second outing is on track to match it, currently holding an 89% Wynonna Earp (2016 -) rating on RottenTomatoes.com, an In this Syfy series based on even higher rating than season 1. Beau Smith’s comic book, the The Umbrella Academy is based descendent of legendary lawman on a comic book by My Chemical Wyatt Earp finds her calling in Romance frontman Gerard Way. If sending the resurrected souls the show has whet your appetite of bad guys to Hell. Combining for off beat stories, here are 10 other Western and horror tropes, the series with graphic novels as their show has earned a reputation as a inspiration. hoopin’ and hollerin’ good time.

Watchmen (2019) Happy (2017-2019) HBO’s dramatic series is a sequel Syfy produced both seasons of to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ this vehicle for character actor groundbreaking book (and not to Christopher Meloni. Based on the 2009 fi lm adaptation). While Grant Morrison’s profane and the graphic novel deconstructed the hilarious comic miniseries, the idea of superheroes and questioned show offers a twisted take on the society that would want them, the classic rogue cop antihero the TV turns these themes into a SUPERHUMAN: Doom Patrol is a team of traumatised and downtrodden superheroes, each of whom has suff ered a narrative, with Meloni’s racially charged narrative about horrible accident that gave them superhuman abilities but also left them scarred and disfigured. misanthropic Nick Sax teaming cops in masks battling white up with his daughter’s imaginary supremacists. There are plenty play him as a charming rogue Preacher (2016-2019) and the girl who uses him to escape friend, the winged blue unicorn of twists and turns, and plenty of who teams with a Los Angeles Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s a rough home. Netfl ix picked up Happy (voiced by Patton Oswalt). reasons this miniseries has been police detective to solve crimes. violent tour of ‘90s America was the British show, which ran for nominated for 20 Primetime Emmy The show has jumped from Fox to translated into three seasons of two seasons and earned a Peabody The Boys (2019 -) Awards, including for cast members Netflix, but the premise remains television for AMC. The story Award. Prepare for heavy doses of In Garth Ennis’ nihilistic Regina King, Yahya Abdul-Mateen the same. concerns Jesse Custer, a doubting pathos and laughter in nearly equal take on the military-industrial II, Jeremy Irons and more. preacher receiving a spiritual being shares. complex, superheroes are simple- Doom Patrol (2019-) and the power to command others minded brutes with destructive Lucifer (2016 -) This series began life on the with only his voice. Teaming up iZombie (2015-2019) impulses and appetites, and Fox took some serious liberties DC Universe app but has since with a ne’er-do-well Irish vampire The CW managed to get fi ve whose images are waved for when they adapted Mike Carey’s made the jump to HBO Max. and a former fl ame turned hit seasons out of the bizarre comic by corporate propaganda while their comic about the Prince of Darkness The show pulls heavily from the woman, Jesse sets out to fi nd God, Chris Roberson about a zombie girl collateral damage is swept under for television. The original book run of psychedelic writer Grant more literally than most people. who learns the thoughts of people the rug. The show, coming back sees Satan having left Hell and Morrison, such as including whose brains she eats. The show sees to Amazon Prime for its second contending with characters from Danny the Street, a sentient, End of the F***ing World medical resident Liv Moore working season Sept 4, features Karl Urban a variety of mythologies as he transvestite stretch of roadway. (2017-2019) in a morgue and using her power to as Butcher, the man trying to keep seeks to make a new universe in a Like Umbrella Academy, the story Actress Charlie Covell wrote the solve the mysteries behind some of the heroes in check, and Antony treatise on the nature of free will. concerns a band of misfit heroes adaptation for Charles Forsman’s the bodies that come in. Think of it Starr, in a star-making turn as the The show takes that first part and brought together by a mysterious comics about a boy who thinks he like The Ghost Whisperer, only she morally ambiguous Homelander. then has British actor Tom Ellis father figure. might be a burgeoning psychopath doesn’t exactly whisper. – Orlando Sentinel/ TNS 16 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 18, 2020 COMMUNITY How to say no to a wedding, birthday party, or other social event right now

Being assertive, however, By Grace Dickinson doesn’t mean being aggressive. Now is not the time to preach to others if their opinions diff er from ot everyone has yours. Instead, try your best to decided to cancel show support. or postpone their “People who’ve made this “The decision to wedding, birthday decision (to have an event) have party, or baby shower, thought about it. They want to attend any function Nand for reasons vast and wide. go through with it, and will try to Some are fi nancial — refunds make it safe for their guests,” says is personal. But couldn’t be negotiated with Murray. “Judging them isn’t going vendors, for example — and others to help anyone.” you want to decline are personal, with the host having You’re not at fault for wanting to confi dence in the ability to throw protect yourself and others; there’s graciously — that’s all a safe celebration or a higher risk no need to include a lengthy tolerance. explanation with your RSVP. that’s required of you” Regardless, if you receive an “Be honest, but you don’t have invitation, you have a choice to to go into a ‘My mom is staying — Jacquelyn Youst, make: to go or not to go? Many with us and she has a health events will look signifi cantly condition,’” says Murray. etiquette coach diff erent right now, especially Even more important: Skip the those that aren’t hosted in a false excuses. private home. Smaller guest lists, “It’s easy to make up a story to masks, and socially distanced help alleviate the awkwardness of tables are all commonplace. But no declining, but that can make things matter the setup, it’s a pandemic. worse,” says Youst. Everyone’s situation is diff erent, An easy example, Youst points and there are countless reasons out, is a dinner invitation, where why you might opt out. you lie about another commitment Here’s how to decline an rather than just sharing that you invitation if you don’t feel feel uncomfortable. What’s to stop comfortable attending. the host from just changing the Life happens, as they say. date? As always, honesty is the And life is complex. Pandemic best policy. or not, there will always be It doesn’t matter how many circumstances that make it emojis you use — texting can come diffi cult to attend events. If you across as abrupt or rude, even if it need to decline an invitation, it’s wasn’t your intention. OK — you can always say no, says “One thing that you never Jacquelyn Youst, etiquette coach get through text or e-mails and president of Pennsylvania is tone of voice,” says clinical says Murray. Academy of Protocol. psychologist Deb Derrickson If your friend is upset or angry “The decision to attend any Kossmann. “Ideally you’d use with you, avoid returning those function is personal,” says FaceTime so that you can see facial emotions. Youst. “But you want to decline expressions.” “It’s an emotionally charged graciously — that’s all that’s You might be dreading the time and everyone just wants to required of you.” conversation, but don’t wait until forge ahead and feel good in their It doesn’t matter why you’re the day before to RSVP. This is decision. It may feel like an attack, declining. Being polite will help especially important for a wedding when you’re just saying, ‘This the future of your relationship or other large event. is what feels safe to me,’” says with the person on the other end. “You’re just extending the Murray. “After the dirt settles, there’s problem,” says Youst. “Tell them Give the person on the other less likely to be hurt feelings,” says as soon as possible so that they can side as much support as you can. Youst. “And in the end, you’ll feel make other arrangements.” Accept their decision, and let them better when you know you’ve done For smaller occasions, like a know you’re happy for them. the best you possibly can in these birthday party, it’s okay to answer “At the end of the day, you have circumstances.” with a maybe — as long as you have to go into this knowing you’re So what should you say? the conversation well in advance, making a choice for yourself, it’s Clicking the “no” button on an and you’re actually considering not selfi sh, and this is a time that e-vite isn’t going to cut it for those going. no one could’ve predicted. And sent by your best friend or sibling. “Give them a defi nitive date that you need to be okay with moving But you should keep your response you’ll let them know by, and be forward,” says Murray. direct and decisive, says Sara cognizant of them having to plan If necessary, give your friend Murray, owner of wedding and around you,” says Murray. some time to cool off , but don’t event planning company Confetti “When you send a gift, you’re let too much pass before trying to & Co. acknowledging the event and that reconnect. “It can be as simple as saying, you want to celebrate with them,” “We’re all struggling with how ‘I so appreciate and respect that says Youst. to stay connected in our social you’re still throwing a party that Show your support in other relationships, and we’re all having would bring so much joy during a ways, too. Ask if you can help in to be thoughtful of what that looks time like this, but it’s not a good fi t the planning process. And be sure like,” says Kossmann. “We have to for us,’” says Murray. to check if there are ways to join recognise it’s not going to be the Don’t off er your response up for the event virtually. If not, take the same. It may be awkward, it might debate. And skip the maybe middle initiative on future plans. not feel as nice. But everyone is zone. While maybe might seem “Let them know that as soon as dealing with this, and we have to less harsh than no, wavering can this is over, you’d love to take them have compassion for one another.” SHOW SUPPORT: If you can’t attend an event, show your support in other give false hope, and complicate the out for a very special dinner — — The Philadelphia Inquirer/ ways, too. Ask if you can help in the planning process. And be sure to check planning process. something that feels celebratory,” TNS if there are ways to join the event virtually.