Nick Offerman pens his own guide to living well

You probably know him best as Libertarian manly man Ron Swanson on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” but actor Nick Offerman’s new book, a collection of unique life wisdom called “Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man’s Fundamentals for Delicious Living,” hits bookshelves today.

Paparazzi who harass stars’ kids face tougher penalties

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Paparazzi and others who harass the children of public figures will face tougher penalties under legislation that California Gov. Jerry Brown signed Tuesday. Celebrities including Halle Berry and Jennifer Garner urged lawmakers to support the bill. Berry testified that her daughter has been intimidated by photographers who follow them daily. The measure also will help protect children of police officers and judges.

Toy taken from Willie Nelson’s band returned in NY

A theater manager says a stuffed armadillo that was stolen from Willie Nelson’s band after a show in suburban New York has been returned unharmed.

Actor Gary Sinise donates to Colorado firefighters

Actor Gary Sinise, well-known for his role as Lt. Dan in the movie “Forrest Gump,” has made a large donation to help first responders who rescued people and fought the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history.

Kurt Cobain’s mom selling his childhood home in Washington

The home, last assessed at less than $67,000, is being listed for $500,000. It’s a short walk from a riverfront park dedicated to Cobain’s memory, and the family said it would welcome a partnership to make the home into a museum. His room still has the stencil-like band names — Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin — he reportedly put on the walls, as well as the holes he put in them.

Lily Collins a risky search on the Internet

Computer security company says links to the “Mortal Instruments” actress and other stars often lead to viruses and spam.

Kanye West charged in airport scuffle with photographer

Prosecutors have charged Kanye West with misdemeanor battery over a July scuffle with a celebrity photographer at Los Angeles International Airport.

Scarlett Johansson engaged to Frenchman

Apparently love didn’t get lost in translation for Scarlett Johansson, who is engaged to a Frenchman and onetime journalist.

Ron White brings his comedy show to the The Venue

With a wind chime sweetly singing in the gentle breeze blowing outside his “modest home with an immodest view,” just over 900 feet above Montecito,Calif.’s majestic Channel Islands, Grammy Award-winning comedian Ron White can’t help but make a joke.

Florence Pushker, 89, model, fashionista

When she was a 14-year-old girl dreaming of fashion and glamour, Florence Pushker didn’t just read Vogue.

She went to Fishman Fabrics, bought material, and had a dressmaker copy the clothes in the magazine.

She saved her dollar-a-week allowance so she could eat salad at …

Bruno Mars will be next Super Bowl halftime show star

Singer Bruno Mars will be the halftime performer for the Super Bowl in February, a source familiar with the NFL’s entertainment plans said Saturday.

Matt Kenseth doesn’t dwell on the danger in NASCAR

The Chicagoland Speedway is sort of a homecoming for NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth. “I’m from Wisconsin and it always, in a way, feels like a home track race for me.”

‘Riddick’ role a mixed bag of emotions for Diesel

More than a decade after he created the futuristic antihero Riddick, the brawling don’t come as easily for Vin Diesel. “What’s inside of Riddick is so scary. Now that I have kids, when I watch the Riddick character, there is a part of me that …

Irish poet Nobel winner Seamus Heaney dies at 74

Seamus Heaney, Ireland’s foremost poet who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995, died Friday after a half-century exploring the wild beauty of Ireland and the political torment within the nation’s soul. He was 74.

Linda Ronstadt, 67, has Parkinson’s

LOS ANGELES — Linda Ronstadt says she suffers from Parkinson’s disease, which has robbed her ability to sing.

The 67-year-old music legend told AARP Magazine, in an article posted online Friday, that she was diagnosed eight months ago and “can’t sing a note.”

Ronstadt says …