1. WHEN FLUFFY MET SNOOP

Right now, are there two more famous Long Beach entertainers than Snoop Dogg and comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias? Nope. So we were kind of blown away, last week, when Iglesias posted a Throwback Thursday clip of his standup routine detailing how he, a Wilson man, first met one of Poly’s favorite sons. It’s funny, of course. But there’s also a sweet moment when Iglesias, so awed by the sudden appearance of the icon, can think of no other proper way to acknowledge his presence than to perform a deeply respectful bow. Of course, the bow kills. (Steve Lowery)

2. INFLUENZA 1918

In the torrent of information you’ve received over the past few of weeks, you’ve no doubt heard references to the Spanish Flu which developed out of World War I and was fated to kill more people than The Great War itself. “Influenza 1918” is an exceptional documentary by PBS’ exemplary American Experience series. It’s an exhaustive study of the causes, effects and lessons of the Spanish Flu which, it turns out, was not Spanish at all. Most experts believe it originated in Fort Riley, Kansas. The above clip is the first nine minutes of the documentary’s first chapter. To see the documentary in its entirety, click here. (SL)

3. HOW TO FILL OUT THE 2020 CENSUS

IN ENGLISH

EN ESPAÑOL

There are so many reasons why everyone should fill out the census. The results influence decisions like how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are spent in communities for the next 10 years. That’s a big deal, considering it’s just a once-every-decade event. The results will be used to make decisions including which communities get new schools, roads, clinics and other services for families. Don’t you want stuff? Than fill out and be counted! Still not convinced? Here’s a handy web page you should read before Census Day on April 1: 2020census.gov (English and Spanish versions are available, just toggle the language button on the top right). For more instructions on how to fill it out and what to expect from our very own Stephanie Rivera, click here. (Asia Morris)

The 2020 Census is here. You can respond online, by phone or by mail

4. PRACTICE A BEGINNER’S MINDSET

With most of us having to stay at home, you may feel like we’re starting over, and that’s OK. We know a yoga video isn’t going to solve anyone’s financial problems, but it may calm some nerves, get your body moving or even propel you into an open mindset for adjusting to uncertainty, so you’re just a little more ready when a new opportunity comes along. Enter Yoga with Adriene and her “Yoga For Beginners Mind” tutorial, which may steady you during this turbulent time and help you move forward, no matter how stuck you may feel. For more advanced yoga tutorials, visit her YouTube channel at Yoga With Adriene. (Asia Morris)

5. NEW PAINT

Consider taking a page from the book of our dear friend and out-of-work day bartender Charlotte, who quickly learns no amount of new, expensive, “colooouuuur” on the walls of her rental unit will cover up her or her dysfunctional family’s deep-seated issues. While we know that being stuck at home may have you tempted to completely redecorate, a fun and exciting new prospect after you’ve exhausted your eyeballs watching YouTube or Netflix or TV, consider a little self-reflection first, because, let’s face it, we could come out on the other side of this as better people, if and only if we’re willing to put in the work, unlike our dear and misguided friend Charlotte. Darn you, Farrow & Ball. (Asia Morris)

6. SWAN BOATS

We checked. The first video the Post produced dealing with coronavirus aired on March 9, which means the above video is the last one we did before all that basically took over life as we know it. So, we thought it would be nice to look back on a time in the very recent past when swan boats mattered. When people constructed their day around talking about, and arranging to meet at, and ride in, swan boats. It’s also a reminder that one day, all this will be a memory of a shared whatever this is, and swan boats will matter again. Promise. (SL)

7. NESSUN DORMA

It is the greatest performance of perhaps the most beautiful song ever written. No matter what the times are or what your mood is, Luciano Pavarotti’s performance of Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma” will bore deep into you, which is all the more amazing because chances are you don’t speak Italian. But Puccini’s music and Pavarotti’s voice hits at those places where words fail. Give it a listen and don’t you dare hold back those cleansing sobs, we’re not sure we want to meet the person who can listen to the final 20 seconds of this song and not cry. It’s also important to remember that the song, while ostensibly about a man’s unrequited love for a woman, is as much about the indomitability of the human spirit. In the climactic stanza, Pavarotti sings: Vanish, oh night/Set, stars/Set, stars/ I will win at dawn/I will win/Will win.

We will. (SL)