NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tornadoes are a part of life in Moore, Okla., something country star Toby Keith was reminded of when a deadly, devastating one leveled parts of his hometown on Monday.Beyoncé, who seems to be everywhere as she prepares for her upcoming world tour, is going to be seen in even more places.
The 31-year-old singer is featured in H&M’s new ad campaign, announced by the retailer Thursday. Mrs. Carter, as she’s called in the ads, is seen lounging on a beach wearing a sundress, short shorts, a bikini and other key items from the summer collection.
Bowery defended
Famed director Martin Scorsese wants New York’s mean streets to keep some of their grittiness.
The “Gangs of New York” director has joined an effort to curb redevelopment of the Bowery. That’s the former skid row near where Scorsese grew up.
Scorsese wrote to New York City Planning Commission Chairwoman Amanda Burden last week. He praises the neighborhood’s grittiness, ambience and vivid atmosphere.
Scorsese is backing a plan that would limit the height of new development on the east side of the Bowery to eight stories. The plan also calls for preservation of several historic buildings.
Kids books due
Celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis is serving up a few stories for kids.
She has signed with Grosset & Dunlap, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), for a children’s book series called “Recipe for Adventure.” The publisher announced Thursday that the first book comes out Sept. 3. Designed for ages 7 to 10, the series will feature siblings Alfie and Emilia as they travel to great food cities around the world.
Happy birthday
Among celebrity birthdays today: Composer Stephen Sondheim is 83. Actor William Shatner is 82. News anchor Wolf Blitzer is 65. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is 65. Sportscaster Bob Costas is 61. Singer-actress Stephanie Mills is 56. Actor Matthew Modine is 54. Actress Anne Dudek is 38. Actress Reese Witherspoon is 37. Rapper Mims is 32
