| 1. FIRE RAVAGES PARTS OF NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL IN PARIS: A fire raged for hours in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday, destroying the roof and spire of the 850-year-old building. The cathedral’s pair of bell towers and stonework facade survived the blaze—while the cause is still unknown—that was potentially linked to an ongoing $6.8 million renovation. President Emmanuel Macron vowed to rebuild the cathedral, beginning with an international fund-raising campaign. The New York Times: “The billionaire Pinault family of France has already pledged 100 million euros, or $113 million, to the effort, Agence-France Presse reported, and the family of Bernard Arnault, owners of the luxury goods group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, plan to contribute 200 million euros. Gabriel Plus, a spokesman for the Paris firefighters, said Tuesday morning that the fire had been extinguished but that firefighters were still looking for any ‘residual’ flames that might need to be put out. … In addition to damaging the building itself, the fire tore through the cathedral’s roof, and put at risk its relics and stained-glass windows, with panes held together by lead that melts at high temperatures. While one treasure, a relic of the crown of thorns said to have been worn by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion, was saved, the status of other historic items is unclear.” 2. FUNERAL INDUSTRY ADAPTS TO CHANGING DEMANDS FOR MEMORIAL EVENTS: The concept of a traditional funeral is steadily becoming less popular in the U.S., with more families opting for “celebration of life”-style memorial services for their deceased loved ones. To accommodate changing demands and an impending death boom— the U.S. Census Bureau reports 3.7 million people are projected by die by 2037—funeral homes are tapping event planners to organize memorial events that require particular needs. Washington Post: “Funeral homes have hired event planners, remodeled drab parlors to include dance floors and lounge areas, acquired liquor licenses to replace the traditional vat of industrial-strength coffee. In Oregon, where cremation rates are near 80 percent, past funeral association president Mark Musgrove has organized memorial celebrations at golf courses and Autzen Stadium, home of the Ducks. He sells urns that resemble giant golf balls and styles adorned with the University of Oregon logo. In a cemetery, his firm installed a ‘Peace Columbarium,’ a retrofitted 1970s VW van, brightly painted with ‘Peace’ and ‘Love,’ to house urns. … Memorials are no longer strictly local events. As with weddings and birthdays, families are choosing favorite vacation idylls as final resting spots. Captain Ken Middleton’s Hawaii Ash Scatterings performs 600 cremains dispersals a year for as many as 80 passengers on cruises that may feature a ukulele player, a conch-shell blower, and releases of white doves or monarch butterflies. ‘It makes it a celebration of life and not such a morbid affair,’ says Middleton. His service is experiencing annual growth of 15 to 20 percent.” 3. NEW YORK’S WEBSTER HALL TO REOPEN WITH JAY-Z PERFORMANCE: After undergoing extensive renovations, New York’s Webster Hall will reopen with a show by Jay-Z on April 26. The historic East Village venue first opened in 1886. Billboard: “‘When we were thinking about who would be the right choice to open this legendary venue, we knew it had to be a world-famous New York City icon,’ said Brett Yormark, C.E.O. of BSE Global in the statement. ‘No one fits that description better than Jay-Z, who will join an unparalleled list of celebrated performers who have played Webster Hall.’ ‘The Bowery Presents formed in 2004 when we booked Sonic Youth at Webster Hall,’ added John Moore, founder and partner at the Bowery Presents. ‘We are thrilled to return to our roots, New York City’s oldest music venue, to begin this storied new chapter for artists and fans alike.’” | 