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SEVEN

DAYS.

october 9, 2002

the weekly read on Vermont news, views and culture CO-PUBLiSHERS/EDITORS Pamela Polston, Paula Routly GENERAL MANAGER Rick Woods CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Peter Freyne ASSISTANT EDITOR Ruth Horowitz PROOFREADER David Diefendorf STAFF WRITER Susan Green CALENDAR WRITER Gabrielle Salerno MUSIC WRITER Ethan Covey

Columns

Features

Soil Sisters

ART DIRECTOR Donald R. Eggert ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Rev. Diane Sullivan DESIGNER Josh Highter PRODUCTION MANAGER/ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AJdeth Pullen CIRCULATION Rick Woods

Book review:

Vermont Farm Women,

by Peter Miller

By Paula Routly

page 10a

Laugh-In

AD DIRECTOR Ellen Biddle ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kristi Batchelder, Michael Bradshaw, Michelle'Brown, Allison Davis, Colby "Birthday Boy" Roberts CLASSIFIEDS/PERSONALS MANAGER Jessica Campisi NEW MEDIA MANAGER Donald R. Eggert INTERN Brooke Clover

A gaggle of gigglers get their ha-has out By Cathy Resmer

page 13a

Barn Storming Book review: T h e R o u n d B a r n , by Suzi Wizowaty By Margot Harrison

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marc Awodey, Alexia Brue, Colin Clary, Kenneth Cleaver, Peter Freyne, Anne Galloway, Gretchen Giles, Susan Green, Dominique Herman, Ruth Horowitz, Tom Huntington, Jeanne Keller, Kevin J. Kelley, Jeremy Kent, Rick Kisonak, Peter Kurth, Lola, Melanie Menagh, Jernigan Pontiac, Cathy Resmer, Robert Resnik, Kirt Zimmer

page 18a

Adoes and Don'ts Theater review: Much Adoe About Nothing .page 21a

By Jill Hindle

The Body Politic Thirty years after R o e v. W a d e , Vermont activists

aren't

PHOTOGRAPHERS Andy Duback, Jordan Silverman, Matthew "Birthday Boy" Thorsen, Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

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Reading, Whiting and Arithmetic

I CIRCULATION Harry Appiegate, : Bouffard, Pat Bouffard, Chelsea Hope Curry, Bill Derway, Justin Nat Michael, Charleen Pariseau, Scheps, Bill and Heidi Stone

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What's your scariest Halloween memory? When my eyeballs dropped into my highball glass of whiskey, wet and slippery. Now, all I see are the insides of me, a blackened liver, weak and weary. — Greg Anson Part-time Bartender Shelburne Farms I would have to say coming home when I was five and finding my grandfather in a gorilla mask. He jumped out at me and it was freaky. But then I started to wear the mask for Halloween, myself. — Sam Horowitz Student Burlington High School I had this little cactus named Prickly that my mom bought for me at the supermarket and for Halloween I dressed it up like a cowboy and put a little straw sombrero on it that belonged to one of my marionettes and when I went to bed I patted it goodnight and all these maggots came out. — Karen Newman Early Literacy Specialist Burlington

We were out ringing doorbells on Doorbell Night and we were being big pains in the butt to our mother and it was dark and the wind was whipping around and it was pretty spooky out. My mother came out for the fifth or sixth time and I just jumped out and said, "No, I just want to come in." — Mark Banks School Psychologist Essex

LOVED T H E S E P T 11 SEVEN DAYS Hey, I just read the Sept. 11 issue of Seven Days\ As an ardent observer of society and politics, I have very much appreciated the realistic, tell-it-like-it-is outlook that permeates your paper — which is vibrant, witty and makes the day I get Seven Days. By now, you may realize that I am paraphrasing the person who wrote about being pissed at your paper. It frightens me that people like him believe Mr. Bush really cares about the people of this or any country. Thanks for not sticking to the arts and entertainment. To me, you are one of the lights in the darkness of our corporate media's war-mongering headlines and slanting of news. I am so glad you are out there and I thought the Sept. 11 issue was outstanding and wonder-

CORRECTION: Last week's article, "Ice Creme de la Creme," our story about Stowe's North American Hockey Academy, incorrectly stated that Mount Mansfield Winter Academy provides NAHA's academic component. In truth, M M W A and N A H A haven't had such an association for the last two years. O u r apologies. In our article "Rome Coming" last week, we misspelled the name of the snowboard company Jeenyus, and we are ever so contrite.

ful. I always especially like Peter Kurth's acerbic views, Peter Freyne's terrific coverage of our political scene... and Hackie for heartwarming stories. — Lea Wood Underhill THANKS FOR PRINTS STORY It was wonderful to see Pamela Polston's feature on printmaker Bill Davison ["True Grid," Sept. 25]. As the newly appointed manager of Print Studio 250 at Burlington City Arts, I have had the opportunity of seeing him work in the studio on a regular basis, producing his recent "grid" work. It has been especially pleasing to me to see a surge of print exhibitions and other exposure of the medium — the Seven Days feature being the latest addition. As a new member of the Burlington community, it is my hope to expand the very small pool of printmakers within the visual arts community. While the monotype has established itself as a dominant (almost exclusive) print medium within the local scene, I hope to promote the exploration of other techniques — both traditional and less conventional — that the studio has to offer. This will be done through a series of workshops, as well as extremely reasonable membership rates. For any of your readers who may have been curious or intrigued by the printmaking processes and techniques Davison discussed, Print Studio 250 is a cooperative space open to all. For info on membership and courses, contact the studio (located at 250 Main St.,

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RACINE UNDERSTANDS ACT 250 Its apparent that both Act 250 and Vermont's Permit Process will undergo changes when a new administration takes office next year. All three major candidates have pledged to address this issue in their campaigns for governor. The Independent Hogan wants to "scrap it" and rewrite the entire

SUPPORT DOUGLAS Perhaps you are struggling to pay your property taxes this year. Maybe you are also trying to find a suitable career that will pay you what you deserve. Our leadership (Howard Dean & Doug Racine) for the last eight years has driven Vermont to rank number one in the nation as the state with the highest tax burden... Governor Dean and Doug Racine

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FOOLS TAKE A B O W A point of clarification, if you will allow: I, Diane Horstmyer, am not the true winner and sole creator of the infamous "8-ball" pinata, and the "Intergalactic Parasol" pinata [judged prettiest at the Seven Days Birthday Party]. No indeed! These items were the collaborative masterpieces entered in the contest by F.L.U.F.F. (Fools Launching Unusual Flights of Fancy). True, I did have a hand in their construction, but the fine fool Kathleen Smith must get-her due because the 8-ball was her idea — start to finish, as was the trailing string of parasols. Verily I say, F.L.U.F.F. was the winner and willing participant in this whimsy! So, all of you fools (honorary and otherwise — you know who you are), bask in the waning glow of glory, and keep your boots polished for the next time you get to dance like a crazy person to the Chrome Cowboys. — Diane Horstmyer Burlington

law. Not a good idea considering 80 percent of applicants make their way through the process successfully. It's the 20 percent who don't make it that we need to wofry about. The conservative Douglas wants to limit the access of "out-of-state environmental groups" from the process. A slippery slope that Mr. Douglas, an out-of-stater himself, should seriously reconsider. It's another example of Mr. Douglas' misdirected focus and finger pointing. Doug Racine has proposed a single point of entry for individuals and businesses seeking permits. He also proposes bringing the permit process into the 21st century by allowing Vermonters to access permits online. Finally, someone who understands the real problem! It's not surprising, since Doug Racine has been on the frontlines of this debate. The choice is clear: For permit reform, Racine is the man with the plan. — Mike Fisher Burlington

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Hypocrites of the Week! — This week Inside Track is happy to announce two Vermont political candidates have tied for the "Hypocrite of the Week Not since the days of George Armstrong Custer Award." It's an award that's given out when circumof Little Big Horn fame has America had a leader so stances demand, and this week there's a big pumped up about leading us into battle. demand. The envelopes, please! And like Custer, President George W. Bush lays Our first co-winner is Republican congressional on a leathery layer of butt-kicking cowboy swagger candidate Bill Meub of Rutland. Following his that says to the world — "This planet, like this attention-grabbing gatecrashing episode at Bernie's land, was made for me and mine!" Church Street office last week, Mr. Meub has gotBack in the 19th-century-days of Manifest ten everyone's attention. Now people are finally lisDestiny, when North America was considered by tening. the nations "best" minds to be God's gift to white And what they heard in Tuesday's Radio people, Custer drove Sitting Bull and the "evil" Vermont (WDEV-WKDR) Sioux out of South Dakota. He debate between Mr. Meub and did it to open the rich gold Mr. Sanders was Meub getting fields of the Black Hills to his caught "live" in one of his bigfellow European invaders. ger lies. Today, our president talks of Meub (almost rhymes with nothing else but driving Saddam "Boob") portrayed himself as Hussein out of Baghdad and Mr. Pure on the issue of camopening the rich oil fields of paign financing. Bill boasted Iraq to supply America's thirst like a proud peacock about how for gasoline. most of his campaign money We«suggest that history will has been raised in-state, while record these days as the time Sanders gets most of his camwhen the Bush regime attemptpaign cash from the lowest of ed to raise American Manifest the low — out-of-state donors. Destiny to a global level. Sanders was well-prepared Britannia, you'll recall, once for the attack. He quickly ruled the waves. The question replied by reading from the for today is, will Dubya's miliJune 9 fundraising e-mail pitch taristic, corporate-controlled that Meub sent out to fellow American Oil Empire rule the lawyers across Vermont: entire planet? "I have had assurances," After all, no nation on Earth wrote Meub, "that if I raise possesses more weapons of mass enough money to be considered destruction — and the ability to competitive, there will be a lot deliver them worldwide — than of money coming from out-ofthe country Mr. Bush currently to help with this race. My leads. And, so far, public opinBY PETER FREYNE state consultants have helped put a ion polls back his fiery war cry. budget together of $800,000, The latest Gallup Poll with $500,000 coming from outside Vermont. I (October 3-5) shows 53 percent support Bush's call need your help now." for a unilateral invasion of Iraq. Is it the voice of Tsk, tsk, tsk. Bad boy, Billy. deep public support, or the voice of a frightened "What you were trying to do," charged Ol' people? Bernardo, "was raise money in Vermont, and if you "It's a very strange circumstance," observed became competitive, what you're saying is you're Vermont's lone member of the U.S. House of going to raise a half-million dollars, probably from Representatives on Monday. The polls are saying "Go Bush, Bomb Baghdad," but that's not the mes- the Republican Party, which gets its money from the wealthiest people and the largest corporations. sage Bernie Sanders is getting at his congressional And you have the nerve to talk about how / raise office. money?" In the last couple weeks, Sanders told Seven It appears that Mr. Boob, er, Meub, is not Days, his office has received more than 4000 telephone calls, letters and e-mails about Bush's persist- going to make the race competitive, after all. You see, he says one thing and does another. Not a good ent call to arms. Vermonters care a great deal. quality to have. According to Bernie, "99 percent say the United States should not launch a unilateral attack on Mr. Meub shares the podium this week with the Iraq." Progressive Party candidate for lieutenant governor, Anthony Pollina of Middlesex. The Lite-Gov race To Ol' Bernardo, that means "the people of appears a three-way dead heat between Tony the Vermont understand there is a tfery serious problem Prog, Democrat Peter Shumlin of Putney and involved in a unilateral American attack, which is Republican Brian Dubie of Essex. what the President is talking about." As we've said before, all Doobie-Doo has to do Indeed, if you scratch beneath the surface of the is shut up, lay low and wait quietly in the weeds for poll numbers a wee bit, you'll find that once respondents realize a massive invasion of Iraq equals the expected Republican majority in the Statehouse thousands of American body bags, opinions change. to anoint him in January. That's because election history suggests that Vermont pretty much breaks Gallup found that the Bomb Baghdad crowd down 60-40. That's 60 percent for the left and 40 starts to lose its pro-Bush, kill-an-Arab-for-Christ percent for the right. That means Pollina and fervor when asked if 5000 dead American soldiers Shumlin have 60 percent of the vote to split. is a fair price to pay. In that case, Gallup found only 33 percent still support Bush's Gen. CusterAs everybody knows, Mr. Pollina has publicly style approach to foreign policy. taken the pledge that the candidate with the most votes should win the job. But on Monday after"I'm representing the people of Vermont," noon, Pollina told Seven Days that it would be perSanders told Seven Days. "I'm trying to do what I fectly kosher for the candidate who comes in secthink is right, and if a majority of the members of ond to win the prize — if, and only if, that candithe Congress disagree with me, well, that's their date is Anthony Pollina. Pollina said that if right, too." Shumlin finished first and he finished second, the It's becoming painfully obvious that during his college days, Dubya studied beer more than history. GOP would likely vote for him. Yale's most-famous "C" student has no idea how Surprise, surprise! George Armstrong Custer ended up. But most "I think," said Mr. Pollina, "that if there are a Vermonters do know. majority of Republicans in the legislature, and for them it comes down to a choice between Anthony They know that the current President of the Pollina and a Democrat, I think the majority of United States is gung-ho to lead America into an Republicans in the legislature will in fact support endless bloodbath in Mesopotamia that will make me. I don't think it's in their political interests at all the Little Big Horn look like a fender-bender. to install a Democrat in the lieutenant governor's And they're concerned that if George Walker office." Bush doesn't wake up real soon, he'll light the fuse But Tony, what about all you've said, again and to a worldwide jihad that will make Osama bin again, about the top vote-getter winning? Surely, we Laden s wildest dreams come true. Hail to the Chief. Chief Sitting Bull, that is.

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I Curses, Foiled Again Federal agents in San Antonio, Texas, arrested Humberto Perez, 31, for falsely claiming that his truck was stolen and receiving cash for a new one. Perez tipped off the authorities by calling a radio show to brag about the crime. FBI agent Steve McGraw was listening to the Spanish-language program "What Is Your Biggest Lie?" and heard a caller recount how he had given a friend a duplicate key to steal the truck so he could get $7000 and a new pickup from his insurance company and a company that sold him a truck alarm. When the caller also supplied the time and place of the incident, McGraw checked stolen vehicle reports and easily identified Perez. • Swedish police quickly tracked down a 47-year-old man who robbed a post office in Halmstad. After the cashier handed him a bag of cash, the robber demanded that she also deposit $37.2 million in his bank account and gave her a piece of paper with his account number written on it. • When three men broke into a Chicago restaurant and pried an automatic teller machine from its bolts, they discovered the ATM wouldn't fit in their 1993 Cadillac DeVille. They managed to get the machine partly into the back seat and prepared to take off with the rear door half open, but a passing police officer spotted the men, who fled. The

officer managed to catch one of them, Cory Pickett, 32. Even if the men had been successful, the Chicago Sun Times reported, the ATM contained no money. It has been out of order for two years, and was unplugged and unlit when the burglars snatched it.

Something's Fishy When Norwegian soccer forward Kenneth Kristensen switched teams from Vindbjart to rival Floey, Vindbjart's officials demanded compensation: Kristensen's weight in shrimp. "No problem," Floey president Rolf Guttormsen said. "We have enough shrimp." • Doctors at the Pentagons DiLorenzo Tricare Health Clinic reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that members of the military's Special Forces obtain antibiotics without prescriptions by buying them at pet stores, which stock them to treat fish. Available drugs include penicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin and sulfa, which are commonly prescribed to combat human infections. The drugs also require a veterinarian's prescription for cats, dogs and other animals. Because of a legal loophole, however, fish antibiotics — used to treat tail rot, body slime and other piscine maladies — do not require a veterinarians prescription. The Washington Post reported that fish drugs do not

have to meet the same standards as those prescribed for people. As a result, some may contain impurities or other substances that are harmful to humans. "Certainly a person should not assume that a product sold to

most of our customers seek," Christopher Arnone, marketing director for the New England center, told USA Today. The paper attributed the drop in British donor sperm to growing concerns that children born

nEWs QuiRkS

BY ROLAND S W E E T

treat a condition in fish would work for a different condition in a person," Linda Grassie, a spokesperson for the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, warned.

Sperm in the News Following a 60-percent decline in sperm donations in Britain during the past 10 years, the 20 commercial sperm banks in the United States have targeted the United Kingdom to boost their slumping sales. The Bostonbased New England Cryogenic Center became the first U.S. sperm bank to seek permission from the British government to export "bulk shipments" of donor sperm. Other U.S. sperm banks report increasing online sales to Britain. The U.S. companies rely on aggressive marketing, offering more details about the appearance, personality and family history of their donors than British companies do. "Intelligence and figures of authority are what

from donated sperm will be able to trace their biological father, thanks to the application of a "children's rights movement" in European law. In addition, British sperm banks pay only about $23 per deposit, whereas U.S. donors typically earn $50.

Costly Gesture Pop singer Ricardo Abarca, 16, who recently joined the teen group Mageneto, was hospitalized in Guatemala after he stepped off a helicopter at a Guatemala City airport and raised his hand to greet fans. The helicopters stillwhirling rotor severed his index finger, middle finger and little finger. Doctors were able to reattach them.

Guilty with an Explanation When Charles Digiglio, 34, pleaded guilty to crashing into a school bus in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, he explained that he had fallen asleep at the wheel because he worked late the night

before making counterfeit checks. "I was up all night," Digiglio told Carbon County Judge Roger N. Nanovic, who sentenced him to two to four years, to run concurrently with an 18-month federal sentence for taking part in a ring that used stolen computers to create $500,000 worth of phony payroll and personal checks that were cashed at grocery stores. • Authorities in drought-stricken Catawba, South Carolina, issued Lisa Meyer, 33, a summons on a charge of misdemeanor larceny for attaching a makeshift device to a fire hydrant and pumping 100 gallons of city water into her above-ground pool. "It was an accident," Meyer told the Herald newspaper. "I just didn't realize it was city water. I thought it was ground water."

You Snooze, You Lose Refco Group, a Chicago futures trading firm, fired two clerks whose job was to sort completed orders after the Chicago Sun-Times published a photograph of them sleeping at their desks just a few feet from frantic trading in a stock index futures pit at the Chicago Board of Trade. The color photograph showed the men in their chairs with their heads down and eyes closed, wearing blue trader jackets with the name Refco clearly visible on one sleeve. Nearby, paper streamed from a printer onto the floor. (7)

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'm trying to decide which was the funniest news story I read last week. Was it the one that quoted President Bush, still stymied by the United Nations in his effort to topple Saddam Hussein, declaring that he'll build "a coalition of world leaders" with or without l | . N . support, and that this "coalition," so far, includes Britain, Romania and Bulgaria? O r was it the one that quoted Iraqi vice president Taha Yassin Ramadan, who says that Bush and Saddam ought to fight it out in a duel, man to man, with U . N . Secretary General Kofi Annan as referee? "A president against a president," says Ramadan serenely, "and in this way we are saving the American and the Iraqi people." W h a t a concept! It's almost as good as the late Senator George Aiken's prescription for ending the war in Vietnam: "Let's

biggest campaign contributors tell you to do; and 2) Don't do what your daddy did when he was president." Daddy, of course, left Saddam right where he was after the Gulf War in 1991, thus allowing a two-bit dictator, sitting on huge oil reserves, to become the world's "greatest threat to peace." This is a mistake that Junior was determined to rectify when he took office — emphasis on the took. "Mr. Bush is no sooner going to abandon his pursuit of Saddam than his crusade to eliminate the estate tax," writes the Times' Frank Rich: "These are his only core beliefs." And, with the crumbling of congressional opposition to his adventure in Iraq, "the rats are all together," as columnist Dorothy T h o m p s o n remarked in another context, after the Hitler-Stalin pact of 1939.

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just say we won and go home." You can be sure it won't happen, J anyway, since Dubya has never found himself at the wrong end of a gun. Journalists on the scene in Baghdad observed that Vice President Ramadan was wearing the usual terrorist garb when he made his remarks — "a green uniform and black beret" — and that he gave no "outward sign that he was joking, although reporters who were present detected a note of irony in his voice." This is more than you'll find in the White House. Unless you listen to presidential spokesman Ari Fleischer, that is, who declared over the weekend that the Iraqi people could spare themselves a war "with a single bullet" — presumably aimed at their own leader, not ours. O n second thought, don't go there. It can probably get you arrested — you know, for "compassing the death of the King." As I write this, Bush is still "tinkering" with the televised war speech he will give Monday night to "500 invited guests" in Cincinnati. "Aides say the speech will contain no revelations about Saddam," says USA Today, "but is designed to allay public concern about the timing of the showdown and build support for administration efforts on the eve of an important congressional vote."

strike" can and will be used

I 1 C

Frankly, I don't know why Bush and his "aides" are bothering to explain themselves at all. A New York Times/CBS News poll reveals that 67 percent of respondents are in favor of a war "to take out Saddam." True, most of them — 63 percent — also think that Bush should "give the U . N . more time to get weapons inspectors" inside Iraq before blasting the place to smithereens and murdering the head of a sovereign state. May I only add, touching wood, that what goes around comes around. T h e right to the "preemptive strike" can and will be used by all parties, in all directions. And while we're on it, " T h e poll also concluded that Americans think the economy is in the dumps and that Bush isn't doing enough to pull it out." Well, who cares? Bush has only two political principles, as recently defined by the Guardian of London: "1) D o what your

You all remember Dorothy Thompson? A great journalist, a woman, a patriot and a Vermonter. I trot her out from time to time, when world events seem too much to bear and my own tongue — believe me — cleaves to the roof of my mouth. T h o m p s o n — like Aiken, a liberal Republican — reserved her greatest scorn for two world leaders of her time: Adolph Hitler, who kicked her out of Germany when she called him "a little man" — indeed, "the apotheosis of the little man" — and Franklin Roosevelt, President of the United States, whose "New Deal" for economic recovery in the Great Depression struck her as paternalistic, anti-democratic, un-American and, yes, fascist in nature. "If the American people accept this last audacity of the president without letting out a yell to high heaven, they have ceased to be jealous of their liberties and are ripe for ruin," T h o m p s o n wrote in 1937. Roosevelt had suffered a series of judicial defeats in his efforts to revive the American economy, and hoped to right the balance by increasing the number of Supreme Court justices from nine to 15 and "packing" the Court with his own appointees. "This is the beginning of pure personal government," T h o m p s o n warned. "Do you want it? D o you like it? Look around the world — there are plenty of examples — and make up your mind." Thanks to T h o m p s o n and others like her, the Supreme Court proposal was finally defeated. But, in words that ought to put our current Congress to shame, she added, "They say that I go around seeing bogeys. Perhaps I go around seeing bogeys because I have seen so many bogeys suddenly take on flesh. I cannot recall a single case in history where a popular body, having once yielded its powers, ever was able to recapture them." Keep these words in mind, children, when you vote for Congress in November. It's too late to stop the Bushmen's filthy war, but not, I hope, too late for us all. ®

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ast week I attended a laughing club for the first time. When I tell people about the club, they usually assume members take turns telling jokes to make each other laugh. This is not true. Humor, after all, is subjective. What amuses you might not amuse me, and vice versa. For example, here is one of my all-time favorite jokes. Question: Why did the turtle cross the road? Answer: Because it was stapled to

the chicken! Though it cracks me up every time, believe me, in a roomful of strangers, this joke does not produce spontaneous, sustained laughter. Laughing club leader Carol Winfield doesn't claim to be a comedian. But during our halfhour session in Burlington, she made us all laugh with a kind of comical calisthenics, hopping around like a jolly, elfin drill sergeant. Winfield plans to host the laughing club every Tuesday morning from 8 to 8:30 at

Union Station. Judging by the enthusiastic response last week — 10 participants showed up for the debut session and 14 for the second, including former Governor Madeleine Kunin — she's off to a good start. Though the Burlington club is new, organized group laughter is a worldwide movement. Dr. Madan Kataria, an Indian physician, convened the first laughing club in Bombay in 1995. Inspired by the phrase "laughter is the best medicine," Kataria gathered some

of his patients in a public park one morning to share a session of premeditated merriment. The public location was not a coincidence. Kataria hoped that passers-by would join in the fun. They did. And the idea caught on. In his book, Laugh for No Reason, Kataria reports that there are now more than 300 clubs in India and many more around the globe. In 1998, psychologist and self-proclaimed "joyologist" Steve Wilson imported laughing clubs to the U.S. He started an organi-

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continued from page 13a even receive college credit through Columbus State Community College. Tuition is $339. Steve Wilson may be laughing all the way to the bank, but for Winfield, an 84-year-old yoga teacher and author of Yoga in the Morning, Martini at Night, the tuition and travel expenses associated with the certification course are prohibitive. She survives on social security and income from her classes and her self-published book. Though she says she'd welcome certification — and some guidance from experienced gurus of the guffaw — she doesn't mind laughing without a license. And, though she invites club members to donate a few dollars for her time, Winfield says she's not in it for the money. During an interview a week before the first laughing club meeting in Burlington, she explained her motivation for starting such funny business. "I want people to feel better," Winfield said. "There's so much hate in this world, and I'm fed up with hate." Even the word love can be meaningless, she added. "But when you laugh, something happens. Everybody understands laughter." Winfield is a strong proponent of the "world peace through laughter" approach espoused by the WLT. But she's also interested in the health benefits that originally motivated Kataria. Though organized giggles may sound a little goofy, skeptics should take note: Researchers have been testing that old "best medicine" theory and have found some quantifiable truth to it. Laughter really is good for you. Even if you're laughing on command. In an article unrelated to the laughing-club phenomenon, Silvia Cardoso, a behavioral biologist at the State University of Campinas in Brazil, discusses the health benefits of laughter. Originally published in the British journal New Scientist, the article appeared in the September-October issue of The Utne Reader. Cardoso notes that laughing is good exercise. "Repeated short, strong contractions of the chest muscles, diaphragm and abdomen increase blood flow into our internal organs, and," she adds, "forced respiration — the ha! ha! — makes sure that this blood is well oxygenated." Cardoso also notes that laughing may trigger brain endorphins, aid the immune system and reduce stress. But copious health benefits and a desire for world peace weren't the real reason people showed up for Burlington's laughing club meeting. They came because they were curious. Some had heard of the laughingclub movement on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" this summer. Some had heard about it through Winfield or through Melinda Moulton. Co-owner of Main Street Landing, Moulton is sponsoring the club, along with other Union Station tenants O n Track and the Champlain Flyer.

fter hearing the NPR story about Dr. Kataria, I had been excited about the laughing club for weeks, telling everyone I know that I'd be going to that Tuesday morning session. But I was running late. Coming back from an appointment in Colchester, I got stuck in traffic on Route 15. When I arrived at 8:07, I was stressed out. This, I thought, is the real test. Can 20 minutes of laughing ease my road rage? When I came in, everyone was standing in a circle. Winfield, wearing a flowing green blouse and white stretch pants, explained to the group the physical and emotional benefits of laughter. When she finished, she asked us to smile and introduce ourselves to our neighbors. We all shook hands. Then, for our first exercise, she told us to "laugh like a tenor," demonstrating with a high-pitched cackle. We obediently followed suit, producing noises that I imagined resembled the sounds of hyperventilating hyenas. Winfield then instructed us to "laugh like a bass," and we ho-ho-hoed like a pack of deranged shopping-mall Santas. This went on for only a

After our first three-minute exercise, Winfield asked us how we felt. "I felt like my brain got exercised," said Moulton. "It was bringing tears to my eyes," responded Ron Manganiello. Winfield guided us through six deep breaths and some cheek stretches, followed by three more minutes of mirth. After two minutes or so, something in me snapped. I broke free of the circle and began skipping as I giggled. I slalomed through the others. I stood in front of my friend Maegen Delahanty, stuck my fists in my armpits and flapped my arms like a bird. I did my best dastardly villain "heh heh heh." She doubled over, unable to stand up. Adios, road rage!

few seconds, after which Winfield asked us to stretch our facial muscles by smiling and frowning. She loosened us up. Then, checking her watch, she assigned our next task — laughing for three minutes straight. This proved to be both easier and more difficult than I had imagined. Easier because there is something inherently funny about 10 adults laughing hysterically in a public place, and more difficult because that initial chuckle wore off in less than a minute. That left two more minutes to go. Sensing our possible distress, Winfield sprang into action, traveling slowly around the circle to make eye contact with each of us. Her technique proved difficult to resist. Watching someone else laugh uncontrollably, especially this spry little sprite of a woman, is funny. I just had to laugh. The other truly hilarious aspect of public laughing is the way non-laughers respond. None of the passers-by joined us that morning. Most of them politely tried to ignore us, which made us laugh even harder. I felt sorry for them. Self-doubt radiated from them like a red-hot aura of shame. "Did I do something funny?" I could almost hear them wondering. "Are they laughing at me?"

itt ' M i d - Octofiex

Moulton couldn't stop talking about the physical effects. "My whole head just exploded with joy," she gushed. "My brain was having an aerobics class." "Carol Winfield is the only one I know who could pull this off," said Connie Kurth, 76. "She has such exuberance for everything." Meanwhile, Winfield stood to the side, exhausted. A week earlier, she had confessed her fear that she wouldn't be able to make anyone laugh. "Everybody seems to have enjoyed it," she said, leaning on the counter. Suddenly, Winfield's energy seemed to return. "Only through laughter can we improve the world," she declared. "Just think of what it would be like if we got Bush or Cheney laughing — smiling, even! Wouldn't that be something?" Instantly she transformed from weary instructor to fiery idealist. "Mark Twain said, 'There is no defense against the assault of laughter.' That's the kind of assault we need. We don't need all this money, all these defenses," she argued, referring to the current debate oyer Iraq. "We need to laugh at one another, and laugh at ourselves. Maybe in this small way," she said without a trace of laughter, "we can make a change." ®

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Afterwards, we all wanted to talk about it. "I'm tingling," said publicist Erik Filkhorn. At the end of the last laugh, he had been leaping and twirling like a whirling dervish. "I feel pretty good," he said. Maegen, a 22-year-old residential educator at Rock Point School, attested to the veracity of Kataria's motto: "Fake it until you make it." "I started pretend laughing and ended up sincerely laughing," she said.

"My whole head just exploded with joy.. My brain was having an aerobics class." — Melinda Moulton

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f surfing the Internet is mostly about

links, Plan 9 directs us to the oldest "era Stos : Horn* *.V>! online comic strip, "Kevin & Kell." http://www thismoderftvorld.com/ Dating from way back in 1995, K&K ©Appl, itooli ©HicrsKfl Hasrppi* 0 Trod, Mown © Sicry £> Corbi* tm**, follows the suburban misadventures of a rabbit and a wolf who are, naturally enough, married. Cute in an Erma Bombeck aren't-men-lugs-aren't-womennags kind of way, K&K is nonetheless so heavily bourgeois that one soon becomes thirsty for... role-playing comics, such as B Y T O M T O M M R R O W are found on PVP. I needed a 15-year-old to explain to S«y»B *£WEST CaMK! Sunday, October 06, 2002 me, with much pained exhaustion, that Here's my hat, what's my hurry PVP means "player versus player." In this So I'm offline 'til the end of the w e e k - 1 won't be able to access my email and I case, though, it's an online cartoon strip won't be posting anything here created by Scott Kurtz. A controversy is Vital as my crankly little rants may be, you'll just have to muddle through without eARTOOM me somehow. raging in the diary-like Web log that appears below the art — that's "blog" for ;•:! b f T w , ~e;r,-n!(.V! a t 1 3 : 4 2 AM j l i n k all of you cyber squares. In it, Kurtz takes on the Furry movement, people Saturday, October 05, 2002 who use stuffed animals as sexual aids Site maintenance / \ and the assortment of animal cartoonists who are apparently fueling it. Kurtz used his Sept. 30 comic www.sluggy.com to lay down one simple rule of www.plan9.org thumb: "Cartoon animals should www.angelfire.com/il/dauber/PLAN-9.html never have boobs!" Misty is quite appealingly www.kevinandkell.com Illustrating good vs. bad with drawn from the neck up, all www.pvp.com Disney's flat-chested Daisy Duck lavish lines and big Bambi www.pvponline.com/archive.php37archives20020930 opposing cartoonist Dutch K's eyelashes, and you needn't www.mistymouse.com mega-jugged Misty the Mouse, look farther than Felix the www.thismodernworld.com Kurtz reports in his Oct. 1 update Cat or the artist R. Crumb

idle addiction and rigorous time-wasting — which it is, so we should all just get over ourselves — then online comics trounce even daily 'net horoscopes for quick, addictive pleasure. Generally updated on predictable schedules, Internet comics make an office-bound day of staring at the screen somewhat more bearable. Particularly if we're talking "Sluggy Freelance." Creator Pete Abrams' story line has now stretched off the Internet and into its seventh published book since the comic's Web-based inception in 1997. It concerns Torg, the mild-mannered, Web-designing Everyman; Riff, his yo-dude friend, the kind of guy who purposely lures Satan into his computers hard drive and is able to rid himself of the Antichrist only through heinous repeated applications of Alanis Morissette's music; Bun-Bun, Riff's homicidal mini-lop rabbit, invited in because every comic strip apparently needs a cute talking animal; Kiki the verbose ferret, because strips sometimes need two cute talking animals; and Zoe the longsuffering straight woman, who balances them all and sometimes even snags a date. With razor-sharp parody, Abrams sends up all things teenaged-boy, from Star Trek to that the Furrys have responded like video games to girl watching. And it's actually funny to those of us neither teenaged nor male. Considered too far "left" for newspaper placement, Sluggy nonetheless updates daily in a traditional newspaper form, offering a quick punch at the end of each strip and weaving together overall stories that manage to gently mock the much maligned human condition. Abrams' own motto — "Worship the Comic" — is also the title of his second book. Judging from the gushings of Sluggy fans, its an understatement. the Furys. "I would like to thank everyone Sluggy books are printed by Plan 9 in the 'Furry community' who took the Publishing, itself an odd little place in the time to compare me to a neo-Nazi because digital ether that dedicates its vision to I don't understand their need for animal '50s B-movie director Ed Wood. His clasporn," he writes. "Thanks for reminding sic cinematic howler, Plan 9 from Outer me that all artists have a right to draw Space, in turn prompted director Tim ahything they want to and post it on their Burtons film homage, Ed Wood, which in Web sites. That includes me, right?" turn caused the establishment of such Kurtz concludes with the pithy pages as an extensive accounting of every reminder, "As for the rest of you guys, try movie-making error in Wood's original to keep a sense of humor — and stay away film. That may in turn have prompted from my dog." Johnny Depp — who played Wood in the All of which means that I, and everyfilm — to fully explore the many possibili- one else who's never heard of Misty, ties of angora sweaters, but I digress. A steaming hofsbrau of online comic

to recall that sexual tingle is nothing new in the world of comics. Wholly topical and not a skosh sexual is Tom Tomorrow, a.k.a. Dan Perkins, j who pens the widely syndicated "This Modern World" comic. Emphatically not found only online, the strip nonetheless gives extra insight into Perkins' wellinformed and rabid political thought. Maintaining a frequently updated blog — sometimes several times a day — Perkins links to peace rallies and marches, commentaries he particularly likes or disrushed right over to look at those mamlikes, and maintains all the usual archives moth breasts that, being a cartoon charand current strips that are de rigueur on acter, she's not supposed to have. comics' sites. The result is nothing short Updated weekly, Misty's current conunof, well, addictive. drum involves — silly her! — accidentalGiven the ready archive abilities of the ly accepting a job at a Hooters-type Internet, the cheap ease of posting new restaurant where the XXL work shirt material and cartoonists' evident drive to issued her won't fit her XXXL-sized carbe published whether or not they get paid, toon body. the time to worship the comic has indeed Customers in this joint tend to ask for arrived. ® fresh milk a lot. It's evident that cartoonist Dutch K wasn't properly nursed as a Web Feat wants to draw you out. What baby, but this is not something you'd are your fave spots on the Net? Write with shield the young 'uns from. Actually, impeccable dignity to webdfeat@yahoo.com.

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SEVEN DAYS

page 17a «4

T H E R O U N D BARN !

Suzi W i z o w a t y

B Y MARGOT HARRISON

he cover image of Suzi Wizowaty's first novel is more than just a pretty picture. David Plowden's photo of a round barn approximates an object in the "outdoor folk museum" that serves as a setting for the book. But in its intricate symmetry, its evocation of balance and wholeness, the photograph also hints at what the round barn means in the novel as a whole. It's a perfect symbol of how human creativity works to establish continuity between one generation and the next: between the Vermonters who milked cows in the round barn and the ones who go there with cameras and sketchbooks to marvel at its craftsmanship today. If you've always wondered how they moved that round barn from its original site onto the grounds of the Shelburne Museum, the opening, textbook-dry section will hook you. But if you're like the average novel reader, less interested in barns than in the people who build them, hang on. Behind this information-kiosk of an introduction you'll find a novel as rich in characters and psychological intrigue as it is lacking in surface gloss. The Round Barn invites comparisons to another novel set in Vermont, Mary McGarry Morris' Songs in Ordinary Time, which showed us the quiet turbulence of small-town life through the perspectives of everyone from the sheriff to the town drunk. Here, too, we pass briskly from one person's viewpoint to the next — conveyed sometimes in the first, more often in the third person — as the characters follow separate paths of desire and doubt that intersect at the titular barn. As chief of buildings and grounds for the museum that will inevitably remind . local readers of the Shelburne, Tuesday Bailey is the man who engineers the historic round barn's transportation and reconstruction as a museum exhibit. Like the barn itself, Tuesday has his roots in the Northeast Kingdom, where his cousin Mary, the only woman he's ever loved, lives happily as the wife of a general-store owner.

While Tuesday struggles with his unresolved feelings for Mary and his fierce protectiveness toward the barn, Didi Jamison, the museum's public-relations director, deals with a dilemma of her own: Should she endanger her 20-year lesbian relationship by succumbing to a tantalizing flirtation with a male, friend? Didi's nephew David, just our ofhigh • school, isn't so conflicted about his desires: "He wanted a sprite to emerge from the shadows, like Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and jump his bones." But the object of his summer crush is dangerously unstable: Dean Allen, a brilliant museum designer with a streak of psychotic anger running just below the surface. Like Morris' characters, Wizowaty's are linked bv their frustration with a universe

she dodges easy resolutions. The round barn itself changes with the story's viewpoint. At once beautiful and functional, the building seems to epitomize the potential of human endeavor. To David — an aspiring architect — it is "an immense treasure trove, round and comforting, suggesting something goipg on forever, around and around —- ageless, a merrygo-round, a Ferris wheel." But this image of continuity means nothing to Frieda Maxwell, a New York collector, recent widow and new member of the museum's board. Disgusted by the decision to sell off the museums Impressionist treasures to fund the barn — sound familiar? — this German emigree sees in the barn's craftsmanship only a reminder of the Nazi aesthetic that banned difficult or

There's an additional dimension to the struggles faced by Wizowaty's characters, one that lifts. Round Barn above the level of rural soap opera. that too often gives us desires without the means to satisfy them. But there's an additional dimension to the struggles faced by Wizowaty's characters, one that lifts Round Barn above the level of rural soap opera. As Dean Allen points out, "some are meant to create and some to destroy." Which am If these characters ask themselves. Didi Jamison knows the two primal drives can coexist: Her father was an artist who squelched his children's creativity by critiquing their finger paintings with the cold ferocity of a high modernist. For Mary Baiiev Daly, creation comes naturally as she sculpts dinner rolls into fertility symbols, "sexy sandwiches" that keep customers coming back for more. But when she's diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Mary is forced to acknowledge that there is no new life without destruction and decay. \>Chen Wizowaty uses her characters' disparate perspectives to approach these big issues of art and truth, life and death,

"decadent" art in favor of simplistic affirmations. "Military imagery and religion, especially testaments to a sentimental way of life — farming, gardening, living off the earth — made me weak with rage." Prickly, cold and deeply disillusioned, Frieda fails to see that for the people who built the barn, their way of life was not a sentimental cliche, but a lived reality. Unwarranted as it may be, her anger gives the novel a powerful, dark counterpoint. She forces us to think through things we might otherwise rake for granted. Oddly enough, the nvo characters who come across most vividly are Frieda and Mary, seemingly polar opposites. Mary is a dowser who feels "the universe... pouring into her," while Frieda scorns all forms of religion. Mary is a childless life force, while Frieda has a daughter whom she neglects and dismisses as "a fool." Yet the two women come together in their determination to assert some vital force in the face of death and despair.

The Round Barn, by Suzi Wizowaty, University Press of New England, 249 pages, $24.95. Mm.: page

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DAYS.

Wizowaty achieves her most compelling writing in these two story-lines. Mary's battle with cancer and self-doubt — as she realizes that her dowsing sense didn't warn her of the invader in her body — could easily have been milked for max imum Kleenex consumption. But rather tljjin b e c | ^ i n | ; a vicii^, M.arv rem. " f i e ^ f y herself, a Newp^efe m m of a scrappy North Country woman. Frieda too speaks in a voice so indelibly hers that you may still hear it after you put down the book. Though a less vital character, Tuesday Bailey is just as affecting in his inability to move beyond an attachment he formed decades ago: Wizowaty depicts his early relationship with Mary in strong, sure strokes. Didi and David are less successful

october 9, 2002

creations. Perhaps this is because their intense intellectual self-consciousness makes them seem like mouthpieces for the author — and robs us of the pleasure of putting the pieces together ourselves. Or perhaps it's because their story-lines are never quite adequately resolved. This type of novel can be excruciatingly difficult to bring to an end: how to resolve each story-line satisfactorily at the same moment, when we know that closure isn't so easily found in real life? Wizowaty only half solves this problem. Some of the writing near the end seems rushed and pat, and one may feel tempted to scoff like Frieda at some of the book's final affirmations, simply because they don't feel earned. But the ride is worth it. The Round Barn is at its best when the characters speak for themselves, slowly unfolding a collective tale about the dark side of every act of creation. 0

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ost Nation Theater kicked off its run of Much Adoe About Nothing with a surge of energy befitting the buoyant comedy. Known for its wit, trick-

and ludicrous, certain elements are required: chemistry, consistency and a healthy dose of humor. Beatrice and Benedicke are the opposable finger and thumb of this production; when their chemistry is off, the whole play suffers. In the case of Lost

The union of the two, however, felt forced and ungainly. And this dissonance was only accentuated by the awkward blocking of the love scenes. When duped by the crafty deception of their friends, and each in turn realized his or her true feelings, the sud-

Beatrice and Benedicke are the opposable finger and thumb of this production; when their chemistry is off, ^ ithe whole play is offai ery and implicit irony, the play demands much of both actors and audience. Deception is the chosen tool for both good and evil and, while the actors must sustain a plot fraught with misrepresentation and misunderstanding, the audience must follow these complex machinations and be willing to buy into the absurdity that ensues. For a play so simultaneously sophisticated

Nation's rendition, the individual performances of Ann Harvey and Peter Husovsky were admirable: Jaunty and irreverent, they waged their "merry war" with energy and comic ease. Benedicke's soliloquies in particular were lively and natural — a substantial achievement considering how unnatural a character talking to himself can seem.

denness of the shift felt disingenuous, especially after so much compelling resistance. Benedicke gawked stupidly at his "Lady Tongue," who had come to fetch him for sup, while Beatrice abruptly leaped into unscripted — and unneeded — song. Side by side, they seemed an implausible pair. Their physicality was

continued on page 22a

Much Adoe About Nothing, written by William Shakespeare, original music by Kathleen Keenan, produced by Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall. Through October 13, 8 p.m.

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SEVEN

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october 9, 2002

NOT JUST POLITICS

• ••

entirely unbalanced, and body chemistry is paramount for two young lovers abruptly released from the confines of their own botched hearts. The other couple in the play — Claudio and Hero — were more convincing in their attraction. But Greg Parente and Lauren Stanford did not exacdy ace it, either. Immediately after hearing of Hero's sad passing, Claudio spent an entire scene thoughtlessly jesting with a sober Benedicke — unlikely, even if the soldiers ego had been deeply bruised by her supposed infidelity. When their marriage was consummated in the final scene of the play, Claudio's joy upon realizing that Hero was still alive conflicted with his previous disregard of her death. With a bright, infectious smile, Stanford managed to correct this logical lapse. Readily forgiving Claudio for his shallow faith, she made spinelessness seem more like goodness, and a sentiment often perceived as dull, endearing. It was nonetheless difficult to imagine that she wouldn't hold even a slight grudge against Claudio for slandering her reputation so thoroughly. A particularly successful scene was the one in which Claudio, Leonato (Mark Efinger) and Don Pedro (David Stradley) staged a conversation to convince the hidden Benedicke of Beatrice's love. Their mock acting demonstrated a playfulness unexpected in the triumverate of a governor, a count and a prince. Stradley's Cupid imitation brought a sense of spontaneous physical comedy to the stage, while Efinger's range of emotions was both impressive and entertaining. As Borachio, Jon Egging stood out for his mastery of Shakespearean language, delivering his lines "trippingly off the tongue," as Hamlet insisted upon in his play within a play. Most memorable of all, however, was the notorious Dogberry (Kim Bent) whose timing proved brilliant throughout. His preposterous cross-examination of the villains was as clownish and maddening as it needed to be in order to accentuate the clever irony of Shakespeare's plot: that the restoration of truth is entirely dependent on the presumptions and ignorance of the constable-fool and his animated sidekick, Verges, played by Troy Miller. Both the costumes and set design were hit-and-miss. It was unclear whether the production was trying to obliquely suggest the Elizabethan era or refuse it altogether with a more modern interpretation. Beatrice, dressed in slacks and button-up shirt, looked more prepared for a day at the office than a whimsical jaunt about the courts of her well-to-do uncle. The feminist distinction was made even more obvious since all the other young maidens were clad in decorative blouses and skirts. The soldiers wore bland uniforms of black

pants, white tops and black sashes attached at the shoulder, a stark contrast to the massive scabbards at their sides. Dogberry — deserving of some sort of disheveled uniform to match his splendidly disheveled wits — resembled an overgrown Huck Finn in shirtsleeves and suspenders, while Leonato, the distinguished Governor of Messina, wore an ordinary vest and specs. The sartorial problem was particularly glaring in the masquerade ball scene. Misperception, which guides so much of the plays bubbling action, relies heavily on believability. If the audience doesn't trust that two characters may not recognize each other, then the implied illusion flops. And a woman as sharp as Shakespeare's Beatrice would surely recognize Benedicke if his disguise consisted merely of an eye-mask on a stick. Perhaps this is the fault of the playwright, whose plot twists have often relied on his characters' poorer faculties. Even so, a headdress or even a simple veil might convincingly conceal a character's identity onstage while not entirely obscuring it from the audience. Finally, on the topic of subtlety and suggestion: We don't need to see Don John in a black cape and bandit mask to understand he is thoroughly evil. Set changes were minimal and in some cases inappropriate. Tacking up a string of lights to denote a festival atmosphere looked like a last-minute measure. The arrangement of wooden stairs, railings and posts, conspicuously bare for the majority of the production, also didn't match the supposedly aristocratic environment, though some greenery in the form of painted bushes was more in keeping with the lush landscape one might expect to find on the governor's grounds. Such inconsistencies, which paled in comparison to the Herculean effort put forth by cast and crew, were nonetheless off-putting to the eye in search of a cohesive Shakespearean world. The company did succeed in building the momentum of the harmonizing force that ultimately rights all wrongs. Goodness prevailed and almost discounted the import of the darker aspects of the play as the cast danced around the bastard son John, dropping garlands on his head until his scowl was obscured and he toppled backwards into the pool — the same pool in which Beatrice soaked herself upon proclaiming her love for Benedicke. This was afineending, for Much Adoe About Nothing is a comedy, after all, and we are glad to see that justice is done, thanks to the exceptionally eccentric services of Dogberry and Verges. Though unbalanced overall, the play was bolstered by strong individual performances. For all the imperfections, there were at least as many successes. Lost Nation is doing the tough work of being small and aiming high.

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page 23a

politic T H I R T Y YEARS AFTER R O E V. W A D E , VERMONT ACTIVISTS AREN'T TAKING WOMEN'S CHOICE FOR GRANTED.

BY SUSAN GREEN

his January marks the 30th U anniversary of Roe v. Wade. J L * But legislative majorities hang in the balance both in Vermont | and in Washington. As many as three I Supreme Court justices could be ready to retire. Depending on how the scales tip, activists on both sides of the abortion I issue are poised for battle. Meanwhile, at | the most practical level, simply obtaining I the procedure is still by no means a sure ? thing for many women. Here at home, a new grassroots organization called Vermont â&#x20AC;˘ Access to Reproductive Freedom [VARF] aims to help provide the means to safely terminate unwanted pregnancies. The genesis of this grassroots group can be to a gathering of Frida Rachel Siegel's Political Knitting Group almost two years ago. Somewhat like in an old-fashioned quilting bee, seven or so women get together to disvarious issues while working with wool. That evening in Burlington, they just happened to be talking about abortion. Their knitting needles were not sf- meant to conjure up an image of kitchen-table butchery before abortion was legalized in 1973. That I grimly haunting scenario is exactly what pro-choice forces are fighting to keep in the past, h "It was just after George [W.] | Bush came into power, and he really seemed to be chipping away at a woman's right to choose," recalls Siegel, a performance artist and carpentry instructor. Inspired by these events, occasional knitter Selene Colburn approached the group with her idea for activism. "We put down our needles and listened." Colburn, a dancer-archivist who now lives in Hardwick, was particularly interested in tapping resources for people unable to afford the procedure. Since 1977, the Hyde Amendment has severely limited federal money for agencies that perform abortions or even give out information about them.

Mm.: page

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SEVEN DAYS. october 9, 2002

Vermont is one of 17 states in which local tax dollars can be used to subsidize Medicaid for this purpose. "That's if they go to a clinic that accepts Medicaid and, in many cases, if they can afford to take a day off from work and if they can find child care," says Siegel. Colburn, Siegel and fellow knitter Tres Crady decided to form VARF to help such people in need. The initiative is dead serious, even though the acronym has prompted members to joke that perhaps their motto should be: "Don't barf, just call VARF." Colburn learned that the Massachusetts-based National Network of Abortion Funds, which she discovered via the Internet, had no members in the Green Mountain State but could offer advice on organizing a nonprofit that makes abortions more accessible. After more than a year of research, training and planning, VARF emerged publicly last week with the first of four benefits aimed at raising $10,000 by January. After netting $3608 from a Hike for Choice up Camel's H u m p on Saturday, they're well on their way. With that ambitious goal, VARF has joined a coalition that meets regularly in Montpelier to strategize and avoid duplication of effort. Vermont NARAL, an affiliate of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, advocates for public policy. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) is the state's primary provider of medical and surgical abortions. VARF could well find its niche by raising funds earmarked for terminating unplanned pregnancies. "Our focus is addressing the political climate, not the nitty-gritty of services. So we welcome VARF," says Sally Ballin, a NARAL board member. "But, for all of us, fundraising is tough when it comes to these issues." "I'm thrilled to have another group of committed individuals," notes Jessica Oski, Planned Parenthood's Vermont public affairs director. "The more diverse voices, the better. I'm sure we'll work together beautifully."

ot everyone celebrates the advent of VARF. Vermont Right to Life is skeptical about the group's mission, says executive director Mary Hahn Beerworth. "We don't need to be pressuring women like this, with

Chemical Solution

Frida Rachel Siegel of Vermont Access to Reproductive Freedom

new funds," she suggests. "It's almost seduction. They're saying, 'Look how easy this is, and now we can pay for it, too.'" H a h n Beerworth also suspects there might be hidden pecuniary motives behind VARF's drive to finance abortions. "Planned Parenthood and the other pro-choice organizations are feeling the effects of a downward turn in the number of abortions all over the country," she says. "There's been a steady drop of 10 percent a year." In 1989, Vermont documented 3313 abortions. In 2000, the total came to 1781. "That means a decrease in income," H a h n

PPNNE's deficit last year was not quite $140,000. "And 95 percent of our patients come in for routine gynecological care, so abortions represent a very small portion of our finances — only a total of about 10 percent in the three states." Moreover, Mosher believes that P P N N E ' s success in giving Vermont women "high access to birth control" is a significant factor in the decline of the abortion rate. "We're very proud of that," she adds. Planned Parenthood's four clinics that serve Vermont account for more than 80 percent of all area abortions, which cost an aver-

perhaps through the Laura Fund. O r maybe we'll set up a hotline for direct calls." O n e concern is the Laura f u n d only allows $150 for out-of-state services. Vermonters seeking to terminate pregnancies in their second trimester — past 15 weeks — must travel to places like Montreal, Boston and Albany. " T h e procedure is more complicated, so nobody's doing it here," Siegel explains. "VARF will be able to help women in that situation, which can cost $1200." T h e organization's overhead is low. All five members of the VARF board, seven people on the advisory panel and 25 volunteers are

"Now, rape victims usually have to specifically ask for {the morning-after pill}. Wal-Mart tells its pharmacists they don't have to offer this 'emergency contraception' if they feel it's immoral." — Frida Rachel Siegel, Vermont Access to Reproductive Freedom Beerworth says, "though contraceptives are probably the big money-maker for them." While she acknowledges that some of the diminishing abortion numbers can be attributed to lower fertility rates, she claims that VARF fundraising could be motivated by a substantial P P N N E deficit. "Planned Parenthood had a $325,000 deficit last year," she asserts. Nancy Mosher, C E O and president of Planned Parenthood of Northern N e w England — the $ 15-million organization that covers Vermont, N e w Hampshire and the southern coastal area of Maine — begs to differ. "We come very close to a balanced budget every year." According to Mosher,

age of $400 each. An in-house pool called the Laura Fund subsidizes some of the costs for those who can't afford the fee. "Whenever the f u n d gets close to zero, we scramble madly to raise more money," Mosher says. "We raise about $40,000 every year. Somehow we always manage to pull it out of the hat. In 2001, 165 women in the three states received these loans." Most of the Laura Fund is spent in New Hampshire, which has many more abortion restrictions than Vermont, according to Siegel. VARF will meet in November to decide just how its projected $10,000 should be distributed. "We might simply give it all to a clinic,

unpaid. Virtually every penny they raise will go to their constituency.

esides d r u m m i n g up dollars — as at last weekend's mountain hike or at a Burlington art auction scheduled for October 19 — VARF has taken on two projects: a postcard mail-in urging lawmakers to repeal the Hyde Amendment; and a drive to popularize "the morning-after pill," a high dose of birth-control hormones that prevents conception within 72 hours after an

Mifepristone. The name might be unfamiliar to many, but the uproar about this abortion drug was once deafening. Also known by the science-fictionesque moniker RU-486, it is a non-surgical way to terminate pregnancy. Available in France since 1988, mifepristone finally made it to these shores two years ago — despite the vehement opposition of antichoice groups — with the Food and Drug Administration approval of Mifeprex. From 1996 to 2000, Burlington's Women's Health Center — now part of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England — conducted a clinical study of mifepristone. Both organizations now dispense the drug. The center will move to PPNNE's Mansfield Avenue facility in December. A recent article in The New York Times suggested the public has been slow to accept this potent pill. Since it was legalized, only 100,000 women out of about 2.6 million undergoing abortions have chosen the medical, rather than surgical, route. One reason may be that the process is more time-consuming: After a physical exam and counseling, the patient receives three Mifeprex tablets, which block the hormone necessary for a viable pregnancy. Two days later another substance, misoprostal, can be taken more privately at home to expel the fetal tissue. A third clinic visit is required after two weeks to make sure the pregnancy has indeed ended. Mary Hahn Beerworth, executive director of Vermont Right to Life, is dubious about Mifeprex. "Planned Parenthood really pushes the RU-486 pills," she says, "but women don't seem to like them." But according to Nancy Mosher, CEO/President of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Mifeprex is finding more and more acceptance in the tristate area her organization serves. "So far in 2002, 17 percent of the abortions we perform have been medical — up from 14 percent last year," she points out. "We're expecting that to increase to around one-third of all abortions, as providers become more comfortable with the drug and women learn more about it." One way to learn about it? Call Planned Parenthood and get put on hold. The recorded message says: "We all know accidents happen. If the condom breaks, or if you have had unprotected sex, you have 72 hours to reduce your risk of getting pregnant... Thank you for holding." — S.G.

continued on page 26a october 9, 2002

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The Body Politic continued from page 25a unprotected sexual encounter. "We hope to convince hospital ERs and pharmacies to let women know this is an option," Siegel says. "Now, rape victims usually have to specifically ask for it. Wal-Mart tells its pharmacists they don't have to offer this 'emergency contraception' [EC] if they feel it's immoral." Planned Parenthood's Jessica Oski says "EC in the ER" is a nationwide call to inform women of the birth-control methods availability. Apart from these dual campaigns, Siegel vows that VARF will concentrate on offsetting the cost of abortions. "We'll leave most of the legislative work to NARAJL," she notes. That workload can be staggering. "Attempts to narrow access or limit abortions come up every year," observes Sally Ballin of NARAL. "With Bush in the White House, John Ashcroft as the attorney general and the Christian Coalition behind everything they do, the climate is ripe in America for anti-choice legislation to succeed." When the state Legislature reconvenes in January, the issue of parental notification for minors seeking abortions is almost certain to be high on prolifers' agenda. In 2000, a parental notification bill passed by 78 to 55 in the House before being blocked from further action by a Senate committee. "But a head count in the full Senate was very close," says Oski, who is meeting this week with a senator — she declines to give his name — who appears to be "sitting on the fence." Oski foresees a future battle hinging on what transpires in the U.S. Supreme Court. "As justices retire, which may happen soon, Bush will install anti-choice people," she speculates. "So abortion issues could be sent back to the individual states to decide. If so, the leadership in Vermont will be even more critical than today. That puts an interesting twist on the upcoming elections." The nonpartisan NARAL sponsors educational forums and lobbies for and against specific legislation, but refrains from officially endorsing political candidates. But Ballin hints that those with clear pro-choice records find favor with the group. In the gubernatorial race, she sees Democrat Doug Racine as the unequivocal champion. "Nobody else is quite as committed in our view. He's been put to the test repeatedly." Independent Cornelius Hogan walks the middle road on parental notification — he'd like to call it something else, and he recently had this to say at a forum on women's issues: "We cannot make it so easy for families and young people to separate at such a difficult time in their lives." Hogan is not in favor of banning abortion, however. "He's pro-choice," points out his campaign manager, Ariana Monti. "I

wouldn't be here if he wasn't." T h e Republican candidate, Jim Douglas, also calls himself pro-choice — with a few qualifications. "He supports parental notification that has a judicial by-pass in the case of incest or abuse," says deputy campaign manager Jim Barnett. "And he's concerned about partial-birth abortion, which should only be used when the health or life of the mother is in question." Oski stresses that "there is no such thing as partial-birth abortion. Medically, it is a late-term abortion. Nobody performs them in Vermont. People must go out of state." There is one Chittenden County Republican who gets NARAL's vote: Barbara Snelling, a former legislator and wife of late Gov. Richard Snelling, will

sounding Voice of the Unborn. Since the mid-1980s, 11 crisis pregnancy centers — positioned as pro-life alternatives to Planned Parenthood — have opened in Vermont. "We see about 450 clients a year," says Patricia Grosser, executive director of Burlington Pregnancy Services on Colchester Avenue. "We respect individual choice. But a person can only truly make a choice if they understand all the options." Although not affiliated with any particular religion, the organization does conduct Bible studies as part of a free program promoting abstinence. It also offers parenting tips and one-onone counseling for pregnant women. "We can point them to adoption services, even though our hope is they would not

"It's almost seduction. They're saying, 'Look how easy this is, and now we can pay for it, too.'" —Mary Hahn Beerworth, Vermont Right to Life receive the group's annual Freedom of Choice Award on October 24. "She bucked her own party platform on abortion," Ballin says. "That's pretty courageous."

hile still working for mandatory parental notification, Vermont Right to Life sees another window of opportunity opening. " O n the national level, the House of Representatives passed a 'conscience clause' for doctors," explains executive director H a h n Beerworth. "Bernie Sanders called it a 'gag order.'" This measure would allow medical personnel to refuse to participate in abortions, even where they are regularly performed, if they're opposed to them on moral or religious grounds. "In New York now, medical students are required to have abortion training," H a h n Beerworth says. "But 45 states have laws with some specific language about 'conscience,' and four others deal with it more broadly. Vermont is the only place that has none. It's never been addressed. So we might put this on the front burner." T h e anti-choice contingent has sometimes implemented a more savvy public-relations approach in the last few decades. In 1974, the/name Right to Life replaced the more negative-

choose to do that," Grosser explains. "We also have postabortion support. Some women struggle after making that decision." T h e budget is $160,000, courtesy of contributions from individuals, churches and other sympathetic donors. Grosser says referrals are made by physicians and, surprisingly, "even Planned Parenthood." P P N N E president Mosher doesn't think that is a contradiction. "They do provide services to pregnant teens who want to have their babies and who need resources," she says. "But they show gruesome [abortion] videos and they don't have a medical infrastructure." For VARF, the fact that statistically fewer women are seeking abortions does not mean the practice is on its way out. "One in four pregnancies in Vermont is terminated," says knitter-activist Frida Rachel Siegel. " O n e in five in the U.S. Fifty percent of all women will have an abortion at some point in their lives. T h e majority of Americans say they are pro-choice. My personal stance is that it's not the Legislature's place and it's not John Ashcroft's place to make that moral decision." Everybody would like to eliminate the need for abortions, Siegel surmises. "It'd really be a nice world if there were no more unwanted pregnancies." ®

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Whiting Elementary School principal Sue Kellogg teaches Kayla Rooda, 6, and Kaley Simonds, 5.

BY KEVIN J . KELLEY

ive years ago, the little elementary school in Whiting loomed large on Vermont's political and media landscape. Television cameras and state officials frequently crowded into the three-room brick building situated a dozen miles south of Middlebury in an unpicturesque town stretched along a state highway. The attraction was a landmark lawsuit that had been filed on behalf of Amanda Brigham, then a fourth-grader at Whiting Elementary, as well as a student in Hardwick. Children in poorer towns throughout Vermont were being short-changed by the state education funding formula, attorneys for the pair argued. In February 1997, the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in what became known as the Brigham Decision. Responding to the ruling that the old formula violated Amanda's rights under the Vermont Constitution, the State Legislature quickly constructed a complex new education funding law that sought to plane down jagged disparities in towns' abilities to pay for public education through local property taxes. The reform legislation, dubbed Act 60, established a statewide property tax, a per-student block grant of around $5000 and, most controversially, a sharing pool whereby property-wealthy communities must pay a portion of their local education tax revenues to help support schools in poorer towns, such as Whiting. Advocates and opponents alike viewed Act 60 as a revolutionary change in the financing of public schools in Vermont. In June 1997, Gov. Howard Dean traveled to Whiting to sign the bill into law at a ceremony on the school's grounds. With Amanda Brigham and several of her schoolmates at

his side, the governor declared: "This is a joyous time for many school districts, Whiting being one of them. I think if anyone doubts that this is the right thing to do, they ought to look around at Amanda and her friends, they ought to look at this school and they ought to think about this community, which is now going to have equal opportunity." Today, no cameras or politicians look on as Whiting quietly goes about educating its kindergarten-through-sixth-grade students — all 24 of them. What's remarkable, five years later, is how slight an effect the heavily hyped, much-debated law has apparently had on the quality of education provided by a school that came to symbolize the inequalities Act 60 sought to alleviate. The principal, members of the local school board and parents of students agree that Whiting Elementary serves its community well — about as well as it did prior to Act 60. "I think the school benefited a bit from the law, but I can't pick out anything specific that it's done," says Carol Brigham, Amanda's mother and a longtime member of the Whiting school board. "The curriculum is making the students work harder, but that's the district's doing." So was Act 60 worth all the effort? Has it delivered on its promise of fairness for students like Amanda? Different schools and parents will no doubt supply different answers. But if Whiting's experience is any indicator, Act 60 has proven useful, but hardly revolutionary, to small schools in Vermont's poorer towns. "Act 60 is the best it was going to be at that point in time," Carol Brigham observes. "It still seems the most fair way anyone is going to come up with to pay for education. But it's not fair to people

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who are paying a lot more than they used to pay." Amanda Brigham now attends Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon. Her mother, who says the girl is doing well there, clearly wants to shield Amanda and the rest of the family from further exposure to the media swarm. "The school did well by my children," adds Tammy Wilbur, who lives on a dairy farm, runs the local 4-H club and works parttime as the school's librarian. Some of Wilbur's children attended Whiting Elementary in the pre-Act 60 era. "They got a good education there," she says. Not much has changed at the school in the past five years, Wilbur adds.

results show that Whiting children are "on par" with statewide averages, she reports. And as of three years ago, Kellogg adds, graduates of Whiting Elementary accounted for 12 percent of the honor-roll students at Otter Valley, even though they comprise only 4 percent of the high school's enrollment.

study by the Vermont Department of Education supports the view that small schools like Whiting's generally educate children as effectively as do big schools in more prosperous towns. "Students in small Vermont schools do as well or better than students in larger schools, even

parental support," Kellogg affirms, pointing, for example, to 100percent attendance at parentteacher conferences. The school also has a sizable professional staff. It consists of three full-time teachers — including Kellogg, who says she spends much more time on classroom work than on her principal duties — as well as half-dayper-week instructors for physical education, art and music. Whiting Elementary also has a part-time librarian, a special educator and a custodian. It's well equipped with computers and is brightly decorated with wall-size maps and newly applied baseball and horse decals. Does the Whiting school lack anything available in neighboring

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Simply keeping the Whiting School open Jean be seen as an achievement partly } [attributable to Act 60ai While Act 60 may not have brought about major upgrades in the Whiting school, it probably has produced significant indirect benefits for local education, says Whiting principal Sue Kellogg. The law has enabled most property owners in town to reap substantial tax savings, she notes. And that in turn, Kellogg suggests, has likely encouraged Whiting voters to sustain the school's budget at an adequate level even as the town's population shrinks and the local agricultural economy founders. Simply keeping the Whiting School open can be seen as an achievement partly attributable to the funding shifts engineered by Act 60. The quality of the education delivered to Whiting students is at least as good as what many larger towns provide, says Kellogg, a 25year veteran of the school. Test

though the income and education levels in the communities with small schools are, for the most part, lower," says a 1999 report, the most recent that the department has issued on the subject. In many smaller schools, Comparatively low student-teacher ratios represent an important educational asset. Rural towns, which are often more tightly knit than suburbs or cities, also tend to view the local school as a vital community center and an emblem of civic pride. Those factors can produce other educational advantages, such as high rates of adult involvement in children's schooling. "In general," the 1999 study found, "small schools have more parents or other community members assisting with such jobs as food service, art, music and library services." "We have a great deal of

towns? Kellogg says she would like to offer a foreign language, but budget limitations make it hard to find qualified instructors. Whiting's 1:8 teacher-student ratio is among the lowest in Vermont and is cited by educators and parents as a key reason for the school's success. Teaching mixed classes of first- through third- and fourth- to sixth-graders presents no special problems, Kellogg says. She notes that same-age classes in larger schools usually consist of students with widely varying levels of ability. "In a fifth-grade class you'll be teaching children at secondgrade reading levels and at seventh grade reading levels," Kellogg says. Providing such a comprehensive and individualized education doesn't come cheaply, however. "In gen-

continued on page 30a

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JELLO BIAFRA -SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCETUESDAY, OCTOBER 15 $8 ADVANCE $10 DAY OF SHOW TWO SCREENINGS: 7PM (ALL AGESI) & 10PM (18+) SUGARBUSH MT. RESORT & THE ALPINE SHOW PRESENT A TETON GRAVITY RESEARCH FILM

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LIVE SOU KAKI KING

Vermonters Vorcza, the current stars of Burlington's groove scene, are drummer Gabe Jarrett, bassist Robinson Morse and organist Ray Paczkowski. All are veterans of the now-defunct fusion-rock group viperHouse. Morse and Jarrett, who also play in head viper Michael Chorney's Orchid, comprise one of the tightest rhythm sections around. Crackling with intensity and communication, the two provide rock-solid backing for any project. Yet Vorcza is mainly a launching pad for Paczkowski's manic key-work. "Congoman" begins with a loping groove and coughing d r u m stutter before building into a blur of chopping H a m m o n d organ. "Elements" and "I'll Call in the Morning" layer organ swirls over spastic acoustic piano figures, with Morse's hopping

bass notes providing an off-kilter foundation for Paczkowski's melodies. More of a- traditional trio than a jam group, Vorcza focuses far more on jazz interplay than droning hippie grooves, while still creating tunes that _ _ „ are pleasing to ! both the college crowd and jazz enthusiasts alike. "Adios Pinochet" and "PellmeU" are downtempo exorcises that showcase Vorcza's ability to pen genuine chill-out gems. "We Live in Hopes" is a pretty piano interlude juxtaposed with Paczkowski's faster keyboard flourishes. "Backpedal," "Three Car Church" and "East is Red" all return to jamtastic skronk-funk blasts compatible with those of groove-gods Medeski Martin & Wood. While well recorded and expertly played, Maximalist suffers from its inability to recreate the power of Vorcza's live shows. That and the current overload of similarly themed bands could diminish the effect of Vorcza's debut disc. Still, Maximalist — timed perfectly to coincide with the return of trend-hungry students — could help establish Vorcza as one of the stars in the greater funk-jazz universe. — Ethan Covey T H E S A M P L E S , ANTHOLOGY

MOTION, VOL. 1 (Piranha Tree Records, C D ) — T h e Samples stand behind perhaps only Phish as Vermont's main exports in the world of rock 'n' roll, playing with the likes of T h e Dave Matthews Band, T h e Tragically

H i p and sundry other big stars. "We never stuck around to be the hometown band," says lead singer and main writer Sean Kelly in the liner notes for this musical history of the group. But he makes a point to credit towns like Burlington, Colchester, Milton and Manchester as the source of many of their songs. Appropriately, this lengthy collection was produced and mixed at Egan Media Productions in Colchester. "Class of 1979" is a fond look at Kelly's youth on Elm Street in Manchester and is one of many songs with a nostalgic bent. Kelly and Andy Sheldon are nothing if not earnest. O n songs like "Nature" — a tribute

to the wonders of the wild — and "Water Under the Bridge," about the death of Kelly's parents, earnestness is an endearing quality. They put their hearts right out there and invite you to join in marveling at life and death. At times, however, the omnipresent melancholy can be tiring. In fact, a number of charming qualities becomes irritating after 4 7 tracks (hang in there for the bonus track at the end of the third disc, though). Kelly's voice,

for instance, is often brilliant — especially at the upper end of his register — but after a while it begins to wear. Many of the songs here are intentionally lowtech: old demos, live songs, alternative versions of older hits, etc. It's a warts-and-all approach that actually embraces the occasional off-key vocals, and that lack of luster only illustrates this band's folksy appeal. T h a t said, there are still a few painful songs, like "Could Be Another Change" and "Giants W i t h o u t Hearts," that make you wonder if three entire C D s was really necessary. Stay tuned for volume II! W h i l e this collection of songs f r o m the past 20 years seems to be for the dedicated Samples aficionado, all the hits are there for the more casual fan. In fact, "Little Silver Ring" and "Radio Song" show up twice. T h e latter tells how little T h e Samples claim to care about being on the cover of Rolling Stone. Ironically, it is » - -v , one of their - I M M I t , catchiest pop songs. A live version of "Streets in the Rain" might be their most actualized, potent effort yet. T h e r e are also a few rand o m offerings in Anthology that show the band's various personae as E m i n e m , T h e Buggies and Crosby, Stills & Nash. T h a t mismatched crew shows this group's c o m f o r t in going wherever they please musically. T h e Samples return in the flesh to Higher Ground on Wednesday, October 16. — Kirt Zimmer

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continued from page 35a

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Mm.: page

36at

SEVEN

Rhythm & News will return next week.

ED JURDY (soulful folk), 135 Pearl, 8 p.m. $5, followed by LIVE DJ (techno/house), 10 p.m. $5. THE GRIFT (rock), Sweetwaters, 9 p.m. NC. LIVE DJ, Ri Irish Pub, 10 p.m. NC. JULIET MCVICKER (jazz vocals), Red Square, 6 p.m. NC, followed by JAZZISMO (salsa/Latin), 10 p.m. NC. MOON BOOT LOVER, PARADEAM (funkrock, groove), Club Metronome, 10 p.m. $5. THE NATURALS (rock/r&b), Nectar's, 9:30 p.m. NC. KARAOKE, Manhattan Pizza & Pub, 10 p.m. NC. BOOTLESS & UNHORSED (Irish), Rasputin's, 6 p.m. NC, followed by TOP HAT DJ, 10 p.m. NC/$2. FUSION (hip-hop/reggae/dance; DJs Robbie J. & Toxic), Millennium Nightclub, 9 p.m. $3/10. 18+ before 11 p.m. TOP HAT DJ (Top 40), Ruben James, 10 p.m. NC. DAVE HARRISON W/STARSTRUCK KARAOKE, J.P.'s Pub, 10 p.m. NC. MAIN ST. JAZZ QUARTET (jazz), Waiting Room, 6 p.m. NC, followed by DJ A-DOG (lounge/acid

DAYS.

october 9, 2002

jazz), 10:30 p.m. NC. LARRY BRETT'S JUKEBOX (rock/urban DJ; DVDs), Sh-Na-Na's, 8 p.m. $3. SOURCE UNKNOWN, VOICE, MANIFEST NEXT0ME (live hip-hop/funk), The Space, 8 p.m. $5. AA KARAOKE KAPERS (host Bob Bolyard), St. John's Club, 8 p.m. NC. PICTURE THIS (jazz), Upper Deck Pub, Windjammer, 5:30 p.m. NC. LIVE MUSIC, Henry's Pub, 9:30 p.m. NC. LIVE DJ, A Taste of Dixie, 10 p.m. NC. DONNA THE BUFFALO, STARLINE RHYTHM BOYS (roots rock, honky-tonk rockabilly), Higher Ground, 9 p.m. $15. 18+ TANTRUM (rock), Trackside Tavern, 9 p.m. $3. KARAOKE W/PETER B0ARDMAN, Backstage Pub, 9 p.m. NC. WIZN BAR & GRILL (live radio show), Lincoln Inn Lounge, 4 p.m. NC, followed by DJ SUPERSOUNDS (dance party), 9 p.m. NC. KARAOKE, Geno's Karaoke Club, from 3 p.m. NC. GIVEN GROOVE (funk-rock), Edgewater Pub, 9 p.m. NC. DREAMWEAVER (DJ), G Stop, 9 p.m. NC. WARD BROS, (rock), Kincade's, 9 p.m. NC.

Band name of the week: The Liberteens MARK LEGRAND (country) Kept Writer, 7 p.m. Donations. AA VORCZA, LANGHORNE SLIM (funk-jazz, folk-grass; Funky Ho-Down III), Caspian Lake Grange, Greensboro, 8 p.m. $5/NC. AA SWEATIN' LIKE NIXON (rock), Monopole, 9 p.m. NC. DOCTOR X (rock), Naked Turtle Holding Co., 9:30 p.m. $1. SAND BLIZZARD (rock), Franny O's, 9 p.m. NC. MOO MOO & THE TIME RIDERS (rock), City Limits, 9 p.m. NC. SM0KIN' GUN (rock), Otter Creek Tavern, 9:30 p.m. NC MR. FRENCH (rock), Farr's Roadhouse, 9 p.m. NC. FULL SPECTRUM SOUND DJ MESZENJAH (dancehall), Hungry Lion, 9:30 p.m. NC. JENNI JOHNSON & FRIENDS (jazz/blues), J. Morgan's, 7 p.m. NC. BOBBY DEE'S C0SM0SIS (funk-jazz), Mad Mountain Tavern, 9 p.m. $4. ANTHONY GERACI (jazz), Stowehof Inn, 7 p.m. NC. JON P0USETTE-DART (folk-rock), Middle Earth Music Hall, 8 p.m. $12.60.

SATURDAY

LUSI0N, CARRICK (groove, folk-pop), Radio Bean, 8 p.m. NC. THE PERFECT SANDWICH (grooverock), Valencia, 10 p.m. NC. SANCTUARY (techno/house; DJ Moonflower), 135 Pearl, 10 p.m. $5. THE THANG (funk-jazz), Halvorson's, 10 p.m. $5. WISHING CHAIR W/JAMIE ANDERSON (folk-pop), Burlington Coffeehouse, 8 p.m. $8. AA TURNING POINT (jazz), Sweetwaters, 9 p.m. NC. LIVE MUSIC, Red Square, 9 p.m. NC. LIQUID DEAD (Grateful Dead tribute), Nectar's, 9:30 p.m. NC. RETR0N0ME C70s-'80s DJ), Club Metronome, 10 p.m. $2. FLASHBACK ('80s Top Hat DJ), Rasputin's, 10 p.m. NC. CLUB MIXX (hip-hop/house; DJs Irie & Robbie J.), Millennium Nightclub, 9 p.m. $3/10. 18+ before 11 p.m. DIAZ & RUGGER (hip-hop/r&b DJs), Ruben James, 10 p.m. NC. DAVE HARRISON W/STARSTRUCK KARAOKE, J.P.'s Pub, 10 p.m. NC.. V0RC7A (funk-jazz), Waiting Room, 10:30 p.m. NC.

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SUNDAY

JEREMY HARPLE (rebel folk), Radio Bean, 9 p.m. NC. VOICE (hip-hop/drum and bass), Red Square, 10 p.m. NC. BLACK-EYED SUSAN (rock), Nectar's, 9:30 p.m. NC. S C O n HENDERSON TRIO (jazz/blues-, formerly of Tribal Tech), Club Metronome, 8 p.m. $18, followed by SUNDAY NIGHT MASS (DJs), 10 p.m. NC. TOP HAT URBAN ENTERTAINMENT W/DJ KWIK (hip-hop), Rasputin's, 10 p.m. NC/$7. 18+ JERRY DOUGLAS, KEVIN WELCH (bluegrass), Higher Ground, 9 p.m.

$18/20. AA OXONOISE (rock), Trackside Tavern, 9 p.m. $3. KARAOKE, Geno's Karaoke Club, from 3 p.m. NC. KARAOKE W/MATT & BONNIE DRAKE, Edgewater Pub, 9 p.m. NC. DAVE HARRISON W/STARSTRUCK KARAOKE, The Brewski, 8 p.m. NC.

\A a

MONDAY

OPEN MIKE, Radio Bean, 9 p.m. NC. KARAOKE, Ri R£ Irish Pub, 9:30 p.m. NC. GRIPPO FUNK BAND Red Square, 10 p.m. NC. NEW MUSIC MONDAY W/FLOWTING BRIDGES & OUT COLD (eclectic), Nectar's, 8 p.m. NC. JELLO BIAFRA (rock 'n' roll spoken word), Higher Ground, 8 p.m. $10. AA

continued on page 38a

Thursday 10/17

W/NAOMIG.

a drag cabaret 8PM No cover

Saturday 10/12

ance this Friday at Club Metronome.

HOLLYWOOD FRANKIE (rock/urban DJ; DVDs), Sh-Na-Na's, 8 p.m. $3. OPEN MIKE W/SETH JARVIS & GLO WEBER (R.U.I.2.? benefit), The Space, 8 p.m. $5. AA OM TRIO (jazz), Billings North Lounge, UVM, 8 p.m. NC. AA LIVE MUSIC, Henry's Pub, 9:30 p.m. NC. LA SELECCION PERFECTA, DJ HECTOR COBEO (Latin/salsa orchestra), Higher Ground, 9 p.m. $13. 18+ TANTRUM (rock), Trackside Tavern, 9 p.m. $3/NC. ABAIR BROS, (rock), Backstage Pub, 9 p.m. NC. KARAOKE, Geno's Karaoke Club, from 3 p.m. NC. GIVEN GROOVE (funk-rock), Edgewater Pub, 9 p.m. NC. KARAOKE W/BONNIE DRAKE, Kincade's, 9 p.m. NC. ELECTRIC BLUE & THE KOZMIC TRUTH (groove-rock), Monopole, 9 p.m. NC. LIVE MUSIC, Naked Turtle Holding Co., 9:30 p.m. $1. KARAOKE W/FRANK, Franny O's, 9 p.m. NC. MADD MIXX (DJ), City Limits, 9 p.m. NC. OCTOBER FEST CELEBRATION (rock), Otter Creek Tavern, 8 p.m. NC SOUTH JUNCTION (rock), Farr's Roadhouse, 9 p.m. NC. NAMED BY STRANGERS (rock), The Brewski, 10 p.m. NC. JIM BRANCA (jump blues), Boony's, 9 p.m. NC. ANTHONY GERACI (jazz), Emily's, Stowehof Inn, 7 p.m. NC. EKIS (world-beat rock), Matterhorn, 9 p.m. $3-5. JIM PAYNE'S HOP (rock), Mad Mountain Tavern, 9 p.m. $4. WILLIE EDWARDS BLUES BAND, Middle Earth Music Hall, 8 p.m. $10.50.

2002

singer-songwriter with a voice that grabs hold and doesn't let go

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tickets @ the flynn and billings student center

UNIVERSITY °f VERMONT

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VIn Cooperation with the Center for Health & Wellbeing october 9, 2002

SEVEN

DAYS

page 37a «4

sOUnd AdviCe continued from page 37a

& CINEMA Outlets: • 657-2777 Cinema: • 879-6543

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in-demand players on the modern bluegrass circuit. His genre-hopping sound has helped put the dobro on the musical map. The searing slide leads and jazzy improv

^ the.

on his latest disc, Restless on the Farm, show why Douglas has moved from sideman to superstar. He arrives Sunday at Higher Ground, with Kevin Welch.

Card!

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Ci OPEN MIKE, Sami's Harmony Pub, 7 p.m. NC. JERRY LAVENE (jazz guitar), Chow! Bella, 6:30 p.m. NC.

NOW THROUGH

O C T O B E R 13, 2002

Flash your Wizard Card at McDonald's in Northwestern Vermont and Northeastern New York! Buy any large breakfast, lunch or dinner sandwich and get another of the same sandwich FREE! 2 for II

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38a t

SEVEN

DAYS.

october 9, 2002

Jerry Douglas is one of the most

J^fe-

tpttsi

CARRIE ERNST, MICHAEL BUCCELLATO (singer-songwriters), Radio Bean, 9 p.m. NC. VORCZA (funk-jazz), Valencia, 10 p.m. NC. WILL PATTON, DAVID GUSAKOV, STEVE BLAIR & TOM CLEARY (gypsy jazz), Leunig's, 7 p.m. NC. OPEN MIKE, Burlington Coffeehouse, 8 p.m. Donations. AA PUB QUIZ (trivia game w/prizes), Ri RS, 8:30 p.m. NC. LINK UP (reggae DJs), Red Square, 9 p.m. NC. THE NAKED AMBITION (rock), Nectar's, 9 p.m. NC. WRUV DJ SHOWCASE (techno/house/hip-hop; WRUV benefit), Club Metronome, 10 p.m. $3. TOP HAT DJ, Rasputin's, 10 p.m.

$2/6. 18+

OXONOISE (rock), J.P.'s Pub, 9 p.m. NC. TWR HOUSE SOUNDS (Intervale benefit), Waiting Room, 9 p.m. NC. KARAOKE KAPERS (host Bob Bolyard), Hector's, 9 p.m. NC. THE STATIC AGE, TUNGSTEN, ECHO 3, HARRIS, BURNING RADIOS, DIALOGUE FOR THREE (new-wave/post-punk, space rock, power pop, indie-rock), 242 Main, 7 p.m. $5. AA PAUL DOUSE/MARK ABAIR/PHOTON PHIL (acoustic trio), Sami's Harmony Pub, 7 p.m. N C . ACOUSTIC OPEN MIKE W/THE HARDLUCK KID, Kacey's, 8:30 p.m. NC. KARAOKE, Cactus Pete's, 9 p.m. NC. OPEN MIKE, Middle Earth Music Hall, 7 p.m. NC.

WEDNESDAY IRISH SESSIONS, Radio Bean, 8 p.m. NC. KARAOKE KAPERS (host Bob Bolyard), 135 Pearl, 9 p.m. NC. JULIET MCVICKER, TOM CLEARY & JOHN RIVERS (jazz vocals), Leunig's, 7 p.m. NC. LAST NIGHT'S JOY (Irish), Ri R& Irish Pub, 7 p.m. NC. JAMES HARVEY QUARTET (jazz), Red Square, 10 p.m. NC. CHAKRABARTY ORCHESTRA (fusion), Nectar's, 9:30 p.m. NC. WILL BERNARD & OTHERBUG (jam rock), Club Metronome, 10 p.m. $7. COLLEGE NIGHT (dance party w/DJ Robbie J.), Millennium Nightclub, 9 p.m. $5/NC. 18+ before 11 p.m. DJS SPARKS, RHINO & HI ROLLA (hiphop/reggae), Rasputin's, 9 p.m. $3/10. 18+ OPEN MIKE, Manhattan Pizza & Pub, 9:30 p.m. NC. KARAOKE, J.P.'s Pub, 9 p.m. NC. CONCENTRIC (live electronica), Waiting Room, 10 p.m. NC. LARRY BRETT'S JUKEBOX (rock/urban DJ; DVDs), Sh-Na-Na's, 8 p.m. NC. THE SAMPLES, SALAD DAYS (pop-rock; CD release party), Higher Ground, 8 p.m. $15. 18+ KARAOKE, Geno's Karaoke Club, from 3 p.m. NC. KARAOKE W/MATT & BONNIE DRAKE, Edgewater Pub, 9 p.m. NC. OXONOISE & FRIENDS (rock), Rozzi's, 7 p.m. NC. THE COUNCIL (groove), Monopole, 9 p.m. NC. LADIES' NIGHT KARAOKE, City Limits, 9 p.m. NC. JIM DANIELS & JIM MCGINNISS (oldtime country & bluegrass), Good Times Cafe, 7 p.m. NC. OPEN MIKE W/ABBY, Mad Mountain Tavern, 9 p.m. NC. OPEN MIKE, Middle Earth Music Hall, 7 p.m. NC. ©

Say

Am 6 n j

Somebody BY PAMELA POLSTON

that project and sent busloads of volunteers from Chittenden County to seven different churches in the South. But a particularly t's hard to square the joyous hallelujah close relationship developed between the communities of Summerton and Charlotte. "We just really clicked with this particular choruses of gospel choirs with the discrimination, despair and disenfranchisechurch," says Watts. "A friendship blossomed ment that have too often characterized black A couple of us over a period of months history. But ever since American colonists worked in helping them extricate their relabegan converting African-born slaves to tionship from this contractor who was taking Christianity in the 17th century, no one has advantage of them." better understood that poetic dichotomy in Prayer House member John Mack is the Ecclesiastes: "A time to weep, a time to laugh; contractor now; Watts counts him among his a time to mourn, and a time to dance." "favorite people in the world." Mack says Gospel music combines all those elements in when the group is fina powerful, rhythmic, raucous musical expres- ished working on an edusion that can leave white folks — believers or cational building, he not — weak in the knees. hopes to continue on Love of the music alone might be reason with a daycare center 1 enough for northerners to cross the Masonand, in the future, "housDixon line. But the nonprofit Volunteer ing for young parents and Vermont for Justice organized three years ago also a small grocery store in response to something far grimmer: the and other developments torching of black Southern churches throughfor people in the commuout the 1990s. One of those burned to the nity. People don't have a ground was the brand-new Prayer House whole lot of things," he Mission Church in Summerton, South says. Carolina — a community also hard-hit by the As to the north-south partnership, Mack disappearance of tobacco-farming and textileadds, "the communication was real good and factory jobs. In 1998, Pastor Mark Bolles of we learned some things from them, they the Charlotte Congregational Church led a learned some things from us. On this project group of 48 Vermonters, including high now, the music with the bluegrass and the school students on spring break, to type of music we do... that's a whole lot of Summerton to help rebuild the church. output there." Mack provides the all-impor"Because of this tradition of giving wittant role of bass voice in the choir. ness, standing up to the destruction of a If the heart of this Vermont-South church, the idea was to make a statement Carolina relationship is a sort of physical resagainst racism," says David Watts, a Volunurrection, its soul is arguably the music. The teer Vermont member and Burlington attorPrayer House Mission Choir, with two CDs ney. "It's a powerful experience to do this to its credit, has performed in Vermont twice together." already, according to Watts. The first was a The initial organization, and funding, for gospel concert at the Congregational Church the reconstruction efforts was channeled in Charlotte about a year ago; the second was through a Christian and Jewish group called at the Unitarian Universalist Church in the Interfaith Rebuilding Partnership. Burlington. Volunteer Vermont ultimately evolved from

Now it's time for the northerners to respond in kind — with the Bluegrass Gospel Project. This octet performed for First Night Burlington last year; this Saturday they will deliver their Appalachian-style spirituals in the Unitarian Church along with the Prayer House Mission Choir. The Bluegrass Gospel Project also has a CD — an excellent live recording of that December 31st concert at the Flynn. Two of the dozen tunes are originals; one by mandolinist Taylor Armerding, another by guitarist Andy Greene. Other members of the Project are Jake Armerding (fiddle/guitar);

former was pioneered by white men — notably Bill Monroe — but "old-timey" music was also a product of poor, rural America, and religion ranked high in the repertoire. Both traditions inspired Elvis Presley, whose first recording was a soupedup cover of Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and who later recorded his own version of spirituals. When bluegrass and gospel — along with country and blues — merged in this southern boy, popular music was changed forever. The mixing and fusing of indigenous sounds has continued unabated over the

If the heart of this Vermont-South Carolina relationship is a sort of physical , resurrection, its soul is arguably the music Patti Casey (guitar); Jim DiSabito (upright bass); Steve Light (banjo); Paul Miller (guitar); and Gene White (fiddle). Most of'em sing, too. White and Greene were former bandmates in the popular bluegrass band Breakaway; White is the coordinator of the Bluegrass Gospel Project, and also served as volunteer sound engineer for the Prayer House choir on their previous visits to Vermont. He notes that a live recording of this Saturday's concert will result in another CD whose sales will benefit the Prayer House church. As for the bluegrass-gospel collaboration, White says, "This kind of thing has been done before, but it's not at all common. There's no reason, musically, why it won't work." Indeed, the marriage of bluegrass and gospel is not the oxymoron it may seem. The

decades, crossing borders and oceans. If people got along as easily as their music has, it could be argued, the world would be a very different, and much better, place. Meanwhile, there are burned-out churches and towns to rebuild. "The point of this [concert] is to raise money to get a good start on the materials to complete this building for the Prayer House, then work toward the next project," Watts says. Volunteer Vermont would like to see its mission evolve into a sort of sister-city relationship with Summerton. "The town has a new mayor who is a relatively young, white woman, who is strongly supported in the black and white communities," Watts notes. "They believe if the town is going to make it, it's gotta be black and white together." ®

The Bluegrass Gospel Project and the Prayer House Mission Choir, Unitarian Universalist Church, Burlington. October 12, 7 p.m. $15.

south HouSE

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BLUEGRASS

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PROJECT

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SEVEN DAYS

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Mayan Women of Guatemala and their Weaving Kathiyn Lipke Vigesaa Exhibit of M a y a n Weaving - Sept. 23-Oct. 5

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Tuesday October 29, 7:00pm

Computer Jacquard Weaving Louise Lemieux Berub6 Exhibit of e-Textiles & Weavinqs from Digitized Photographs - Oct. 21-Nov. 11

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page 40a

SEVEN DAYS

october 9, 2002

MUST BE THE WATER II: Eight artists who live along Mill Brook show recent works along with the final stages of the traveling Tour de Vermont art-forcharity bicycle-sculpture exhibit. The weekend culminates in a silent auction. Shullenberger Gallery, 228 Nashville Rd., Jericho, 899-4993. October 11-14, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. IRA CUMMINGS: recent print works. Colchester Town Meetiing Hall, 6559316. Reception October 12, 6-9 p.m. 10 STOWE ARTISTS: Local artists exhibit painting, sculpture, glass, photography and jewelry. Curtis Swenson Studios, Mountain Rd., Stowe, 253-8943. Open studio October 12-14, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. STEPHEN HUNECK: The artist/author unveils his latest volume, The Dog Chapel Book, at the annual "Celebration of the Animals." Dog Chapel, St. Johnsbury, 748-2700. October 13, 1-4 p.m.

talks & events

LUNCHTIME TALK: Art prof Bill Davison leads a screenprinting demonstration, in conjunction with his current exhibit. Fleming Museum, Burlington, 6560750. October 9, 12:15 p.m. ENVISIONED IN A PASTORAL SETTING TOUR: Join an exhibiting artist to tour this annual group show. Coach Barn, Shelburne Farms, 985-8686. October 9, 2-4 p.m., followed by tea at the Inn at Shelburne Farms. Reservations, $15. ASIA THROUGH THE LENS OF PAUL ROGERS: The photographer leads a slide lecture in conjunction with the exhibit, "Through the Lens of Vermont Artists in Asia." October 10,

7-8:30 p.m. Also, FAMILY DAY: A TIBETAN FESTIVAL: The Tibetan community of greater Burlington leads a celebration of song, dance and food. October 12, noon - 3:30 p.m. Film, Saltmen of Tibet, at 7:30 p.m. Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, 253-8358. WALKING TOUR: See the museum's exhibits with art and architecture prof Glenn Andres. Middlebury Center for the Arts, 443-5007. October 12, 11 a.m. TEAM CARVE: Local stone artists demonstrate techniques for carving on a large piece of granite. Studio Place Arts, Barre, 479-7241. October 12, noon - 4 p.m. AUTUMN PALETTE ANNUAL DINNER & AUCTION: An auction will benefit the gallery; dinner by Green Mountain Catering will benefit the stomach. T.W. Wood Gallery, Montpelier, 828-8743. October 12, 6 p.m. $50 per person. 41 ST ANNUAL ART IN THE PARK FALL FOLIAGE FESTIVAL: Juried fine artists, craftspeople and specialty food producers convene for a weekend fest sponsored by the Chaffee Center, including prizes throughout the day. Main Street Park, Rutland, 7758836. October 12, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and October 13, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For other art workshops and instruction, see "classes" in Section B.

ongoing BURLINGTON AREA

ANDY DUBACK: "Working," black-andwhite photographs of people at the workplace. Penny Cluse, Burlington, 238-0392. Through November 11. CHERYL DAYE DICK: "Deconstructing Reconstruction," paintings and drawings that examine African-American life during Reconstruction. Cathedral of St. Paul, Burlington, 864-0471. October 14 - November 5.

ANDY DUBACK & BETHANY BOND: photographs. Red Square, Burlington, 238-0392. October 13 - November 17. CHRISTOPHER WYNTER: oil on canvas. Church & Maple Gallery, Burlington, 863-3880. Through October 28. JILL BROWN: black-and-white photographs. Daily Bread, Richmond, 372-5017. Through October. MICHAEL OATMAN: "Dowsing With a Knife: Recent Collages." Francis Colburn Gallery, UVM, Burlington, 656-2014. Through October 25. LINDA HOLLINGDALE: black-and-white photography and essays from her new book, Creating Civil Union: Opening Hearts and Minds. Flynndog, Burlington, 865-9292. Through November 9. LYNN IMPERATORE: "The Ages of Anxiety," new paintings. Doll-Anstadt Gallery, Burlington, 864-3661. Through October. BARBARA HEINRICH: jewelry in 18 karat and fine jewels; and DIANE GABRIEL: recent monotypes, photographs and drawings. Grannis Gallery, Burlington, 660-2032. Through October. LYNN RUPE, kaleidoscopic paintings. Amy E. Tarrant Gallery, Flynn Center, Burlington, 652-4500. Through October 28. GERDA LEDERER: new paintings and woodcuts. Mirabelles, Burlington, 658-0938. Through October. SHAWN O'HARA: found-object art. Rhombus Gallery, Burlington, 8653144. Through October. GUATEMALAN WEAVING: featuring textile works by Mayan women. Shelburne Craft School, 985-3648. Through October 6. JEAN JACK: "New England on My Mind," new oil paintings. Blue Heron Gallery, South Burlington, 863-1866. Through October.

KERMIT DUGAN M.D.: paintings of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom by the self-taught artist. L/L Gallery, Living/Learning Center, UVM, Burlington, 656-4200. Through October. JEN MILLER-KRISTEL: recent monoprints. Uncommon Grounds Cafe, Burlington, 985-3164. Through October 27. SOON COME: THE ART OF CONTEMPORARY JAMAICA: 20 artists contribute paintings, drawings, ceramics, photography, sculpture and textiles to this touring exhibit. Fleming Museum, Burlington, 656-0750. Through December 15. ITALIAN CONNECTIONS: a national exhibit featuring work by 13 artists celebrating Italy's culture, landscape, history and people. Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center, Burlington, 863-6458. Through November 3. MR. MASTERPIECE: "The Clown Show," mixed media. Red Square, Burlington, 862-3779. Through October 13. MELINDA WHITE-BRONSON & LEMAN F. BRONSON: "Landscapes for Four Hands," paintings completed together by the couple. Scrumptious Cafe, Burlington, 864-9220. Through November 7. VERMONT PASTEL SOCIETY: paintings by 14 members of the art group. Art's Alive Gallery, Union Station, Burlington, 878-1086. Through October 13. BARBARA WAGNER: "Borders," recent paintings. Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery, Shelburne, 985-3848. Through October 22. ROY NEWTON: "Rattle Plant for John Cage," and other handmade prints in lithograph, woodblock, relief etchings, monoprints, screen and mixed-media prints. Red Onion Cafe, Burlington, 865-2563. Through November 26. ELLIS JACOBSON: sculpted masks; KATE MUELLER: abstract pastel nudes-, DAVID SMITH: oil on canvas landscapes; and FRANK WOODS: abstract oils. Artpath Gallery, Wing Building, Burlington, 563-2273. Through October. CORIN HEWITT: prints, drawings and small-scale sculpture, in conjunction with the artist's public sculpture of weatherman Willard Scott, Wilbur Room; and BILL DAVISON: "Thirty-Five Years of Prints," featuring screenprinting works over the UVM art prof's career, Main Gallery. Fleming Museum, Burlington, 656-0750. Through December 15. THE COLLECTOR'S HOUSE: a new building envisioning the home of a 21stcentury folk art collector, designed by architect Adam Kalkin and decorated by Albert Hadley, through October 2003; AMERICAN WANDERLUST: TAKING TO THE ROAD IN THE 20TH CENTURY: an exhibit of vintage and new

recreational vehicles, road memorabilia and souvenirs, designer Colemans, a video installation and interactive family activities; GRANDMA MOSES: paintings, prints and drawings, Webb Gallery; FOLK ART TRADITIONS IN AMERICA: 80 pieces of folk art; and FROM SOUP TO NUTS: PREPARING AND PRESENTING FOOD 1700-1830: featuring place settings and meals illustrating the relationship between American and European foodways. Shelburne Museum, 985-3348. Through October 27.

CHAMPLAIN VALLEY CYNTHIA GUILD KLING: oil paintings; and BOB DAVIS: functional wooden ware and turned bowls. Art On Main Fine Art & Craft Gallery, Bristol, 4535684. Through October. JULIE Y. BAKER ALBRIGHT AND MERYL LEBOWITZ: paintings, and HOYT & NANCY BARRINGER AND JEAN MEINHART: wood-fired ceramics. Ferrisburgh Artisans Guild, 8773668. Through October 21. ETHAN CARLSON: "Images o f Asia," recent photographs of Cambodia, China and Vietnam; and DAVID CARLSON: "Inner Worlds," pinhole and Holga photographs. Tully and Marie's Restaurant, Middlebury, 388-7050. Through October. ENVISIONED IN A PASTORAL SETTING: a juried exhibition and sale of works by more than 50 artists in every media. Also, VERMONT FARM WOMEN: 35 black-and-white, large-scale photographs from the new book by Peter Miller. Coach Barn, Shelburne Farms, 985-8498. Through October 20. WORK FIRST, THEN PLAY: an exhibit about leisure life in 19th-century Vermont, featuring art, documents and artifacts from the permanent collection. Henry Sheldon Museum, Middlebury, 388-2117. Through March. LAKE CHAMPLAIN THROUGH THE LENS: photographs by 18 amateur and professional photographers inspired by the lake. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Basin Harbor, Vergennes, 475-2022. Through October 14. LIZ SASLAW & SUSAN KUEHNL: collaborative pottery from their York Hill studio; and JOHN GEMIGNANI: paintings. Lincoln Library, 453-2665. Through October. JOSEPH FICHTER: "Heart of Fire," a life-size horse sculpture made of scrap steel. Courtyard, Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center, Middlebury, 388-3177. Through October. NILIMA SHEIKH & SHAHZIA SIKANDER: "Conversations with Traditions," paintings in the Islamic miniature style by an Indian and Pakistani artist, presented by the Asia Society,

continued on page 42a

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cottish immigrant Edward G. Melvin cut stone in Barre from 1919 until 1965. That's the Edward Melvin who said, "No man can consider himself a stone cutter until he has beaten enough skin off his hands to make an apron." Barre's hard-rock heritage is highlighted in "Stone II," the second annual stone sculpture show at Studio Place Arts. Ironically, the only non-stone piece in the show is titled "Apron" and was created by Melvin "Prigione Ribelle (Prison Rebellion)," by Lucio Carusi descendants A.C. Button II and L. Beth Button. However, the work attests to the difficulty of the show, but the medium is the overall message stone cutting — dozens of pairs of worn-out in "Stone II." gloves are attached, like an apron of torn hands, Italian sculptor Lucio Carusi has createt^an to a plywood-and-steel mannequin. emerging figure in "Prigione Ribelle (Prison Rebellion)," but the figure is no less important The other 30 pieces in the show demonstrate than the negative space around it. The dramatic the versatility of one of the worlds oldest — geofan shape of the granite block from which the logically and culturally — sculptural mediums. figure emerges accentuates the uncurling moveWhile Barre gray granite is the dominant stone ment of the body. displayed here, a variety of marbles and other minerals appear. "Emerging Form," by Jim Sardonis, similarly uses the natural stone to enhance the movement "Margaritte," by Jeanne Wolfe Williams, is a of the theme. Sardonis has sculpted a nautilus white-marble trinity of flowers organized into a spiral, like a large fossil, coming out of a chunk loosely cruciform composition. The piece is

Barre stonecutter Edward Melvin said No man can consider himself a ston T cutter until he has beaten enough skin off his hands to make an anron."

*KN*reaooa

frontal, with three circular flowers at center, right and left. Perhaps in the tradition of the monuments Barre is known for, most of the pieces in the show are similarly front-facing, and pieces in relief are more prevalent than works in the round. A traditional gravestone form is employed by John Hanna in his work, titled "Eve." It is the size and shape of a rectangular monument, but the usual statistics of name, dates of birth and death are replaced by a mystical narrative that includes a female torso and another figure in a nightgown. Perhaps it is the same woman in childhood. A more abstract piece that also resembles a grave marker is "Homage to Constantine," by Nick Santoro. Its doubled, arched shape is reminiscent of both Gothic vaults and stones found in late Roman cemeteries. An abstract, sculpted limestone figure by Don Ramey — a second "Eve" in the show — is a standing nude about 2 feet high. The piece suggests a Henry Moore influence. In fact there is a wide range of aesthetic approaches throughout

of finely grained black marble. It is polished into a smooth and soft-looking surface, while the rock it comes from is left in its natural state. Other smaller pieces in the show include a group of oversized stone buttons by Sophia Shatkivska. Each of the four buttons probably weighs at least 30 pounds and is about the diameter of a dinner plate, but they are so delicately carved, they look much lighter. "Stonehinge," by B. Amore, is a vertical piece that also seems unconcerned with gravity. Assembled from carved stone and steel elements, it seems more like an abstract figure than a hinge. A "head" of white marble and an upturned semicircle of rusty steel about where shoulders would be contribute to the anthropomorphic appearance. Melvin's quote about lost skin is inscribed on "Apron" in marker, but the spirit of his words seems to inhabit every piece in "Stone II." While he might be mystified by some of the less traditional pieces in the gallery, Melvin would certainly appreciate the fact that men — and women — are still earning calluses from cutting stone. (Z)

"Stone II," a group exhibit of stone sculptures. Studio Place Arts, Barre. Through October 26. october 9, 2002

SEVEN D A Y S

page 41a «4

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through December 1; LOOKING BACK ADMINI images depicting Vermont in the '30s and '40s, through December 1; and TEN YEARS AFTER: A DECADE OF COLLECTING: celebrating the museum's 10th anniversary and featuring objects from antiquity to contemporary that represent the permanent collection. Middlebury College of Art, 443-5007. Through December 8.

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NANCY CLEVELAND & SANDRA ERSH0W: paintings. City Center, Montpelier, 244-6648. Through November 2. WANDILE MAFUNDA: "inguquleo" ("Inside Out"), a new exhibit of bronze sculptures by the acclaimed South African artist. Also, STONE II: a group exhibit of regional stone carvers. Studio Place Arts, Barre, 479-7241. Through October 26. JOAN CURTIS & CAROLYN SHATTUCK: "Wardrobe Chronicles," a collaborative art project developed over two years and including writings, drawings and book and paper arts. Carving Studio & Sculpture Center, West Rutland, 438-2097. Through November 10. 41 ST ANNUAL MEMBERS' EXHIBITION: featuring the juried works of more than 200 artists in many media. Chaffee Center for the Visual Arts, Rutland, 775-0356. Through November 10. AXEL STOHLBERG: "A Small Show of Art," new paintings. Community College of Vermont, Montpelier, 2447801. Through October 20. LISA FORSTER BEACH: watercolors from nature. Mist Grill Gallery, Waterbury, 333-9984. Through October 28. RANDY ALLEN: oil paintings inspired by Vermont agriculture and landscape. Institute for Social Ecology, Plainfield, 454-8493. Through October 25. CHERYL DAYE DICK: "Deconstructing Reconstruction," paintings and drawings that examine African-American life during Reconstruction. Vermont Supreme Court lobby, Montpelier, 828-4784. Through October 11. ROSAMOND ORFORD: "Water Colours," photographs. Vermont Arts Council Spotlight Gallery, Montpelier, 8285422. Through October. MARTHA BROWN: watercolors; JENNIFER BURGER-O'BRIEN: assemblages; TRACEY FRINK: photography; and ERICA PARTINGTON SEARS: oils and pastels. A group exhibit of winners of the Chandler's 2001 Local Artist Show. Chandler Gallery, Randolph, 728-3232. Through October 13. ETHAN HUBBARD: "People of the Earth," black-and-white photographs from around the world. Rhapsody Caffi, Montpelier, 229-6112. Through October 12. THE AMERICAN RIVER: a touring show of juried pieces on the theme of the American river, Main Gallery; and WATERWORKS: selected 19th- and 20th-century works from the permanent collection on the theme of rivers and other bodies of water, South Gallery. T.W. Wood Gallery, Montpelier, 828-8743. Through November 17. ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST WORKS by European and American artists. Bundy Gallery, Waitsfield, 496-5055. Ongoing. KENNETH P. OCHAB: landscape oil paintings, and works by other Vermont artists. Goldleaf Gallery, Waitsfield, 279-3824. Ongoing.

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IVA GUEORGUIEVA: drawings for an MFA exhibit. Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, Johnson State College, 6351469. October 14-26. ALAN DEMONT: "A Gnome Alone," mixed-media cave paintings; STEVE

BROOMALL: digital photography; and BETH DEMONT: new work. Kept Writer Book Shop & Cafe, St. Albans, 5276242. Through October. NORTHERN VERMONT ARTISTS: a group cooperative exhibit in multiple media. Jacob Walker Art Gallery, Morristown Corners. Open daily except Tuesdays through October 13. No phone. LAND OF SNOWS: 14 ancient tangka paintings represent the art and culture of Tibet; and SEN. PATRICK LEAHY, PAUL ROGERS, CHIP TROIANO & WHITNEY OLD: "Through the Lens of Vermont Artists in Asia," photographs, Main & West Galleries. Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, 2538358. Through November 23. NEILL MARSTON: works by the selftaught autistic artist. The GRACE Gallery, Hardwick, 472-6857. Through November 20. JANET VAN FLEET & TORIN PORTER: paintings and sculptural works, respectively. Tamarack Gallery, East Craftsbury, 586-8078. Through October 12. DAVID POWELL: mixed-media works that "question authority." Brown Library, Sterling College, Craftsbury Commons, 586-9938. Through October 25. LAND & LIGHT INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION: landscape artists of the past and present; and ERIC TOBIN: Vermont landscapes. Bryan Memorial Gallery, Jeffersonville, 644-5100. Through October.

SOUTHERN STEPHEN M. SCHAUB: photographs;,, and works by other photographers. Indian Hill Gallery of Fine Photography, Pawlet, 325-2274. Ongoing. 46TH NATIONAL FALL OPEN EXHIBITION: a juried show featuring more than 200 works by artists from around the country, through October 27; A RUSSIAN ODYSSEY: THE ART AND TIMES OF ^ IVAN DJENEEFF: 100 paintings, sketches and watercolors by the exiled artist, organized by the , / Meridian International Center, Hunter Gallery, through October 25; and EXCEPTIONAL WORKS-FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION, Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum, through December 30. Southern Vermont Art Center, Manchester, 362-1405.

REGIONAL THE ADIRONDACK JURIED ART SHOW: a showcase of works in all media by area artists, through October 19. Also, ALICE WAND: "Textured Landscapes," works in handmade paper, through November 29. Lake Placid Center for the Arts, 518-523-2512. JOSE CLEMENTE 0R0ZC0 IN THE UNITED STATES, 1927-1934: the first major exhibition of the Mexican artist's works features more than 110 paintings, prints, drawings and studies for murals. Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 603-646-2426. Through December 15. VIKINGS: THE NORTH ATLANTIC SAGA: featuring artifacts and archaeological findings that prove and celebrate the arrival of Europeans in Canada a thousand years ago. Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull, Quebec, 819-776-7169. Through October 14. RICHELIEU: an exhibit examining the patronage of Cardinal Richelieu and his circle, in the period 1630s and 1640s. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 514-285-2000. Through January 5. PLEASE NOTE: Seven Days is unable to accomodate all of the displays in our readership area, thus these listings must be restricted to exhibits in truly public viewing places. Art in business offices, lobbies and private residences or studios, with occasional exceptions, will not be accepted. Send art listings to galleries@sevendaysvt. com. You can also view art listings at www.sevendaysvt.com

Pine Ridge reservation. One of the siblings is played by the magnificent Graham Greene. The fest will also examine such historic trouble spots as Afghanistan, Ireland, Chechnya, the Middle East, Iran, Vietnam and Florida during the 2000 presidential election. It's anyone's guess whether the films will unspool before bombs start falling on Baghdad.

horror show: The relentless

mother load: A loving single mom with a soul of ice, Ingrid will do anything to keep her pretty, gifted daughter from falling into mediocrity. In White Oleander, which opens nationwide this weekend after premiering at Septembers Toronto International Film Festival, Michelle Pfeiffer is quite convincing as this calculating "mommie dearest" obsessed with maintaining the myth that they are special people. Though she's not quite so certain about the elitist family mantra, adolescent Astrid (newcomer Alison Lohman) adores her manipulative, self-absorbed parent.

foster-care system. Adapted from a 1999 Janet Fitch novel that was chosen for Oprah Winfrey's book club, the film sounds like a three-hanky affair: a teenager searching for a sense of home and finding only grief. Fortunately, it's a lot tougher than that. With a poster image of four airbrushed blondes — Pfeiffer, Lohman, Robin Wright Penn and Renee Zellweger — the Warner Bros, publicity machine seems to imply the quartet has seductive intentions. Sex sells, of course, even when a movie is more intelligent than the people paid to promote it.

Ingrid loses her cool only when confronted by cheating boyfriends, and goes to prison after one of these guys (Billy Connolly) winds up dead. But she manages to continue controlling much of Astrid s life from behind bars, even when the child is thrown into the state

British director Peter Kosminsky keeps White Oleander from straying into ordinary or predictable territory. He eschews easy sentimentality and presents the women as complex individuals. A Southerner who aspires to fundamentalist Christianity in too-tight

outfits, Wright Penn's character brings Astrid into her chaotic household for a short time. Next temporary stop: the upscale digs of an actress with a fragile ego (Zellweger) married to a man ("ER" star Noah Wyle) she cannot trust. Threatened by Astrid's affinity for this sweet-natured woman, Mama Ingrid finds innovative ways to undermine the relationship. In each new surrounding, the girl changes to suit her latest surrogate mother. She goes Goth while living with a Russian rag picker (Svetlana Efremova), who takes in young charges as virtual indentured servants to keep her marginal business afloat. While in a sometimes-violent juvenile facility, Astrid meets a fellow lost soul named Paul, portrayed by Patrick Fugit. He becomes the understanding friend she desperately needs. But no one can ever fix

commercialization of holidays reminds us that it's time to think about Halloween. And Andy MacDougall, for one, is psyched. The upstate New York critic has put together a Plattsburgh event that could send chills down the spine of any cineaste. "Ring Around the Collar: Holy Terrors, Clerical Errors and an X-Rated Children's Film" is the provocative title of his October 29 workshop at Clinton Community College. The evening is intended as a tribute to Christopher Lee, a veteran actor recently seen in Lord of the Rings. After screening Lee's Dracula Has Risen From the Grave, a 1968 cult classic about a "fallen priest," MacDougall will talk about "its connection to the current Catholic Church scandal, as well as one of the most peculiar, disturbing marketing campaigns ever documented in any medium." For more information, call 518-561-7521 evenings or weekends. You can also e-mail MacDougall at serious_6l@ yahoo.com for all the cyberspooky details. ®

those broken maternal bonds. Growing up is a solo occupation. poll piX: As reliable as fall foliage, the Vermont International Film Festival returns October 2428 with an eclectic range of pictures. The Burlington events tagline, Images and Issues for Social Change, means that organizers scour the world for projects that address justice, human rights, the environment, and — more relevant than ever — war and peace. The opening-night selection comes closer to home by exploring the harsh reality of life for many Native Americans. Skins was directed by Chris Eyre, a man of Cheyenne-Arapaho heritage who also made Smoke Signals. The producer, University of Vermont graduate Jon Kilik, is scheduled to be on hand to discuss this feature about two Lakota brothers on the

B Y DAVID DIEFENDQRFI

THE PUZZLE •

As you can guess from her name, Fickle Fannie is hard to predict. Her likes and dislikes change from one week to the next. This week, as always, the things she likes allfollow a secret rule. Can you figure out what it is? (Keep in mind that Fickle Fannie likes words. But each week she likes something different about them—how they're spelled, how they sound, how they look, what they mean, or what's inside them.) Fannie likes ABEL, but not BAKER or CHARLIE or CAIN. She's fond of FILMS, but PLAYS challenge her patience. If in the mood, she loves to BLOW on cucumber-shaped objects. LAST is not what she wants to be; FIRST is more like it. K o c h a l k a

For adventure's sake, she likes to get deliberately LOST. to On Halloween she'll snub a G H O U L but make love to a GHOST.

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When she's done reading a novel, she likes to BEGIN it all over again. Difficulty rating for this puzzle: MEDIUM. If you're stuck, see the upside-down HINT on this page. If you cave, see the ANSWER on page 47a. So much for Fannies tastes this week. Next week she'll have a whole new set of likes and dislikes.

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october 9, 2002

Who says they don't make them like they used to? Brett Ratner's latest brings to the screen a 1981 Thomas Harris novel that was already brought to the screen 16 years ago by director Michael Mann. Manhunter starred William L. Petersen as an FBI profiler who looked to the incarcerated Hannibal Lecter for insight in his search for a serial killer dubbed The Tooth Fairy. Mann's film had it all — wonderful writing, fabulous acting, inventive direction and white-knuckle suspense. In retrospect, the only thing of consequence it didn't have was Anthony Hopkins. The fine English actor Brian Cox introduced the world to the character that would later become everybody's favorite Chianti-quaffing cannibal. Now things have come full circle, and all three Harris books featuring Lecter have been made into movies starring Sir Tony. What surprised me most about Red Dragon wasn't the fact that it told a story already told, presumably for the purpose of capitalizing on the Oscar winner's enormous popularity. What surprised me most was that it was told so well. Who would've guessed the guy who gave us Money Talks, Rush Hour and The Family Man had what it takes to realize a thriller as smartly effective as this? Ridley Scott is one of the great directors of our time, and his Hannibal was substantially less entertaining. Edward Norton takes on the Petersen role this time. The actor's a tad boyish for the part of Will Graham and doesn't really convey the psychological complexity Petersen brought to the character. His work here is serviceable, though, and in no way holds the movie back. Ralph Fiennes makes a shorter, shyer, mumblier Francis Dolarhyde than did Tom Noonan in the original. He puts his own stamp on the family-murdering maniac, however, and it's an indisputably creepy one. Among the guy's personal problems: He suffers from the delusion that a bizarre man/dragon depicted in a painting by William Blake is speaking to him, Son of Sam-style, and guiding his blood-drenched evolution into a godlike superbeing. Also, he has a harelip, which makes him unattractive to women. Women other than Emily Watson, anyway. The actress turns up as a blind coworker who initiates a romantic involvement with the nonplussed Dolarhyde, a human connection that kindles a spark of humanity in him and threatens to short-circuit the elaborate fantasy he's constructed in response to an abusive childhood. Fiennes does an affecting job of suggesting the tug of war taking place within as he struggles to choose between human love and death-fueled transfiguration. The process through which Norton and Fiennes eventually find themselves face to face is first-rate cat-and-mouse stuff. The profiler's intuitive leaps are as stunning to witness here as they were the first time around. And, of course, there's the piece de resistance — the scenes between the agent and his nemesis/consultant. Thankfully, Hopkins takes things down a notch or three this time, dispensing with the in-joke kitsch that undercut his performance in Hannibal. As directed by Ratner, the actor is back in classic Lecter form and, just as gratifyingly, He's back in the same facility wherein we found him in Silence of the Lambs. The director even had the great wisdom to bring back Dr. Frederick Chilton, the institution's smarmy head administrator, played deliciously once again by Anthony Heald. While not nearly as depth-charged as the relationship between Clarice Starling and her fava figure in Silence, the dynamic between the mad doctor and- the cop who caught him makes for some of the film's most riveting scenes. Its final one is nothing short of popcorn genius. Pure prequel perfection. The only downside to this delectable third course? The regrettable likelihood that Lecter fans will have to make do without dessert. (7)

previews

BROWN SUGAR Alfre Woodard and Taye Diggs are paired in this comedy about the romance that blooms between two high-powered executives. (PG-13) KN0CKAR0UND GUYS Vin Diesel, Seth Green and Barry Pepper team up for a saga about tough guys who face off against the sheriff of a small Montana town in their quest to retrieve a misplaced bag of cash. Brian Koppelman and David Levien direct. (R) SPIRITED AWAY The latest animated effort from Hayao (Princess Mononoke) Miyazaki is not only the story of a young girl who battles monsters to save her parents but the largest grossing movie in Japanese history as well. (PG) THE TRANSPORTER French filmmaker Luc (La Femme Nikita) Besson wrote and Hong Kong martial arts choreographer Cory (Romeo Must Die) Yuen directed this action adventure about an ex-Special Forces commando who's hired to kidnap the daughter of a powerful Chinese crime lord. Jason Statham and Qi Shu star. (PG-13) WHITE OLEANDER British director Peter Kosminsky brings Janet Fitch's best-selling 1999 novel to the big screen. Newcomer Alison Lohman plays a 14-year-old who enters the Los Angeles foster-care system after her mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) is sent to prison for murder and struggles to put her life back together with the help of temporary moms Renee Zellweger and Robin Wright Penn. (PG-13)

shorts

* = REFUND, PLEASE ** = COULD'VE BEEN WORSE, BUT NOT A LOT *** = HAS ITS MOMENTS; SO-SO **** = SMARTER THAN THE AVERAGE BEAR ***** = AS GOOD AS IT GETS AUSTIN POWERS IN G0LDMEMBER***"2 Mike Myers straps on the chest hair for round three of the lucrative series. This time everybody's favorite man of mystery starts off as a teen-ager in the '50s, jets ahead to modern-day Tokyo and then time-travels back to the '70s to take on a new nemesis with a little help from Destiny's Child singer Beyonce Knowles. Michael York, Michael Caine and Robert Wagner costar. Jay Roach directs. (PG-13) BALLISTIC: ECKS VS. SEVER**"2 Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu team up for this action thriller about undercover operatives competing to see which will be the first to get his or her hands on a deadly new secret weapon. Kaos directs. Gregg Henry costars. (R)

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THE BANGER SISTERS**"2 Screenwriter Bob Dolman makes his debut behind the camera with this self-penned portrait of two middle-aged friends looking back on the lives they led as rock groupies in their twenties. Susan Sarandon and Goldie Hawn star. (R) BARBERSHOP*** From director Tim Story comes this comedy about a son who sells his father's barbershop at the first opportunity but later comes to realize its true value and plots to buy it back. With Ice Cube, Eve and Cedric the Entertainer. (PG-13) BLUE CRUSH***"2 Kate Bosworth stars in the latest from writer-director John Stockwell, the saga of a teen with a dream: winning th$ traditionally allmale Rip Masters surfing competition in Hawaii. With Michelle Rodriguez and Sanoe Lake. (PG-13) CITY BY THE SEA*** In the latest from Michael Caton-Jones, Robert De Niro stars as a cop who tracks down his long-lost son when the young man becomes a suspect in a murder case. With James Franco and Frances McDormand. (R) THE FOUR FEATHERS** Shekhar (Elizabeth) Kapur directs this fifth big-screen adaptation of A.E.W. Mason's 1902 novel about a 19thcentury English soldier unjustly accused of cowardice. Heath Ledger and Kate Hudson star. (PG-13) THE GOOD GIRL**"2 Jennifer Aniston stars in the latest from Miguel (Chuck & Buck) Arteta, the darkly comic tale of a small-town cashier who grows bored in her marriage to a housepainter and has an affair with a mysterious teen. With John C. Reilly and Jake Gyllenhaal. (R) MOSTLY MARTHA*** Martina Gedeck stars in Sandra Nettelbeck's saga about a Hamburg chef whose life is thrown into chaos when her sister dies in an accident and the young woman assumes custody of her 8-year-old niece. Maxime Foerste and Sergio Castellitto costar. (PG) MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING*** Worlds collide when Nia Bardalos, as the daughter of a Greek restaurant owner, falls for a WASP-y high school teacher played by John Corbett in this shoestring romantic comedy. (PG) ONE HOUR PHOTO***"2 Courtesy of writer-director Mark Romanek comes Robin Williams' latest walk on the dark side, an indie thriller about a psycho who works at a superstore photo-processing booth and becomes fixated on the family shown in a roll of film he develops. With Eriq La

Salle and Connie Nielsen. (R) POSSESSION*** Neil LaBute directs this shoestring romance about a pair of scholars who unearth an illicit affair between two famous 19th-century poets. Based on the novel by A.S. Byatt. Starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart. (PG-13) RED DRAGON***"2 Brett Ratner brings us the second big-screen version of Thomas Harris' novel — primarily, one suspects, in order to provide Anthony Hopkins the opportunity to once again play the role of Hannibal Lecter, a part performed by Brian Cox in the excellent 1986 Michael Mann thriller, Manhunter. With Emily Watson, Ralph Fiennes and Edward Norton. (R) ROAD TO PERDITION***"2 Tom Hanks stars in the latest from American Beauty director Sam Mendes, the Depression-era story of a Mob hitman who fights to protect his young son from the truth and his enemies. With Paul Newman, Stanley Tucci and Jude Law. (R) SC00BY-D00**"2 Everybody's favorite marble-mouthed mutt makes the leap to the big screen with this $90 million effectsfest featuring Matthew Lillard, Sarah Michelle Gellar andFreddie Prinze Jr. Raja (Big Momma's House) Gosnell directs. (PG) SEX AND LUCIA***"2 Getting jiggy with it and getting on with it are the principle themes in this portrait of a Madrid waitress who escapes to a Mediterranean island to get over the loss of her longtime love. (NR) SIGNS**"2 The latest from M. Night Shyamalan stars Mel Gibson as a lapsed minister determined to uncover the secret behind mysterious crop circles that have begun appearing in his cornfield. Joaquin Phoenix and Cherry Jones costar. (PG-13) SPY KIDS 2: THE ISLAND OF LOST DREAMS**"2 The first family of espionage returns. This time around, Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino and the kids find themselves trapped on a strange island where all their groovy spy gizmos are rendered powerless. Mike Judge, Bill Paxton and Steve Buscemi costar. Robert Rodriguez directs. (PG) STEALING HARVARD** Tom Green and Jason Lee are teamed in this comedy from Bruce McCulloch, the story of a well-meaning uncle who resorts to crime in order to pay for his niece's tuition to the pricey ivy-league institution. With Dennis Farina and Chris Penn.(PG-13)

SWEET HOME ALABAMA** Reese Witherspoon stars in the new comedy from Andy Tennant, the saga of a New York fashion designer forced to decide whether her big-city beau or the hick she left behind is a better fit for her. Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey costar. (PG-13) SWIM FAN**"2 Australian director John Poison makes his American feature debut with this Fatal Attraction-forteens about a high school student who goes off the deep end over the star of the swim team. Erika Christensen and Jesse Bradford star. (PG-13) TADPOLE**** Gary Winick directed this Sundance hit, the Rushmore-reminiscent saga of a precocious prep schooler who develops a crush on his new stepmother. Aaron Stanford and Sigourney Weaver star. (PG-13) TRAPPED** Kevin Bacon and Courtney Love are paired in the latest thriller from Luis Mandoki, the story of kidnappers whose victims unexpectedly turn the tables on them. With Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend. (R) THE TUXEDO**"2 In his latest action comedy, Jackie Chan plays a bumbling chauffeur who gets mixed up in a dangerous spy mission. Jennifer Love Hewitt costars. Commercial director Kevin Donovan makes his feature film debut. (PG-13)

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For more films at non-cinema venues, see calendar, Section B.

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ENOUGH*"2 The latest from Jennifer Lopez is a Sleeping With the Enemyreminiscent thriller about a young woman and her desperate attempts to elude her abusive husband. Billy Campbell costars. Michael Apted directs. (PG-13) JASON X**"2 Well, you can't keep a good psycho down, apparently. When last we met Jason Voorhees, he may have been both dead and in Hell. Nonetheless, Mr. Hockey Mask has shaken that off and wound up hundreds of years in the future terrorizing a whole new society. Kane Hodder stars. James Isaac directs. (R) SC00BY-D00**"2 Everybody's favorite marble-mouthed mutt makes the leap to the big screen with this $90 million effectsfest featuring Matthew Lillard, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. Raja {Big Momma's House) Gosnell directs. (PG)

o For more film fun don't forget to watch "Art Patrol" every Thursday, Friday and Saturday on News Channel 5!

LAST W E E K ' S W I N N E R S

NONE!

LAST WEEK'S ANSWER

1. BILL PAXTON 2. CLINT EASTWOOD 3. VINCE VAUGHN 4. SEAN PENN

2 S

5. DANIEL DAY-LEWIS 6. WESLEY SNIPES

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DEADLINE: MONDAY • PRIZES: 10 PAIRS OF FREE PASSES PER WEEK. IN T H E EVENT OF A T I E , W I N N E R C H O S E N BY LOTTERY. S E N D E N T R I E S TO: FILM QUIZ, PO BOX 68, WILLISTON, VT 05495. OR EMAIL TO ultrfnprd@aol.com. BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR ADDRESS. PLEASE ALLOW FOUR TO SIX WEEKS FOR DELIVERY OF PRIZES.

All shows daily unless otherwise indicated. * = N e w film. Film times may change. Please call theaters to confirm. BIJOU CINEPLEX 1-2-3-4 Rt. 100, Morrisville, 888-3293.

Wednesday 9 — thursday 10 Red Dragon 6:50. Sweet Home Alabama 7. The Tuxedo 7. The Four Feathers 6:40.

friday 11 — thursday 17 The Transporter* 1:40, 3:45, 7:10, 9:05. Red Dragon 1:30, 3:55, 6:50, 9:10. Sweet Home Alabama 1:35, 3:40, 7, 9. The Tuxedo 1:45, 3:50, 7:20, 9:15. Matinees and late show Saturday and Sunday only

ESSEX OUTLETS CINEMA Essex Outlet Fair, Rt. 15 & 289, Essex Junction, 879-6543

Wednesday 9 — thursday 10 Red Dragon 1, 3:45, 6:45, 9:30. Stealing Harvard 6:50,9:10. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1:30, 4, 6:30, 9. Banger Sisters 1:10, 4:20, 7, 9:30. Four Feathers 12:50, 3:40, 6:30, 9:20. One Hour Photo 1:40, 4:10, 7:10, 9:45. Sweet Home Alabama 1, 3:40, 6:40, 9:40. The Tuxedo 1:30, 4, 7:10, 9:40. Master of Disguise 1:20, 3:50.

friday 11 — thursday 17 Knockaround Guys* 1:20, 4:15, 7:20, 9:50. The Transporter* 1:20, 4:30, 7:10, 9:45. White Oleander* 1:10, 4:10, 6:50,

9:50. Red Dragon 1, 3:45, 6:45, 9:30. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1:30, 4, 6:30, 9. Banger Sisters 1:10, 4:20, 7, 9:30. Sweet Home Alabama 1, 3:40, 6:40, 9:40. The Tuxedo 1:30, 4, 7:10, 9:40.

ETHAN ALLEN CINEMAS 4

9:15. Sweet Home Alabama 1, 3:50, 7:10, 9:25. Stuart Little II 1:30. Matinees Saturday and Sunday only

NICKELODEON CINEMAS

North Ave, Burlington, 863-6040.

College Street, Burlington, 863-9515.

Wednesday 9 — thursday 10

Wednesday

Blue Crush 7:10, 9:30. Goldmember 7:20, 9:25. Tadpole 7:30, 9:35. Road to Perdition 7, 9:20.

friday 11 — thursday 17 Spy Kids II 1:10. Blue Crush 8:40. Goldmember 1:20, 7:15, 9:20. Tadpole 8:30. Spider-Man 1, 6:45, 9:10. The Good Girl 6:30. Swimfan 1:30, 6:55. Matinees Saturday and Sunday only

MERRILL'S SHOWCASE Williston Rd, S. Burlington, 863-4494

Wednesday 9 — thursday 10 Red Dragon 6:45, 9:30. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 7:15, 9:25. Sweet Home Alabama 7, 9:20. The Tuxedo 7:20, 9:35. Banger Sisters 6:30, 8:30.

friday 11 — thursday 17 The Transporter* 1:20, 3:40, 7:20, 9:30. Red Dragon 12:50, 3:30, 6:45, 9:30. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1:10, 3:20, 7,

9 —

thursday

Sex and Lucia 3:30, 6:30, 9:15. Swimfan 4:10, 9:50. Possession 7. The Good Girl 6:50. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 4:20, 7:10, 9:40. City By the Sea 3:50,6:40, 9:30. Signs 3:40, 6:30, 9:20. Mostly Martha 4, 9:1.0.

friday 11 — thursday 17 White Oleander* 12:40 (Sat & Sun), 4, 7, 9:35. Spirited Away* 12:25 (Sat & Sun), 3:20, 6:30, 9:20. Rules of Attraction* 1 (Sat & Sun), 3:40, 6:40, 9:40. Sex and Lucia 12:30 (Sat & Sun), 3:30, 6:30, 9:25. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1:10 (Sat & Sun), 4:10, 6:50, 9:15. Barbershop 12:50 (Sat & Sun), 3:50, 7:10, 9:50.

Main Street, Montpelier, 229-0509.

9 —

thursday

Possession 6:30, 8:45.

Shelburne Rd, S. Burlington, 864-5610.

Wednesday 9 — thursday 10

Red Dragon 1, 1:30, 3:45, 4:15, 6:40, 7:10, 9:25, 9:55. Barbershop 1:40, 4, 7:15, 9:40. One Hour Photo 2:15, 4:35, 7:25, 9:45. Banger Sisters 2:10, 4:25, 7:05, 9:35. Sweet Home Alabama 1:20, 2:20, 4:05, 4:50, 6:50, 7:20, 9:20, 9:50. The Tuxedo 2:30, 4:45, 7, 9:15. The Four Feathers 1:10, 3:55, 6:45, 9:30.

friday 13 — thursday 19

The Transporter* 12:05 (Sat & Sun), 2:25, 4:35, 6:50, 9:35. Brown Sugar* 11:50 (Sat & Sun), 2:15, 4:50, 7:25, 10. Knockaround Guys 12 (Sat & Sun), 2:05, 4:20, 7:15, 9:40. Red Dragon 1, 1:30, 3:45, 4:15, 6:35, 7:05, 9:20, 9:50. One Hour Photo 4:40, 9:30. Banger Sisters 1:55 (Sat & Sun), 2:10, 6:55. Sweet Home Alabama 11:50 (Sat & Sun), 1:20, 2:20, 4:05, 4:50, 6:40, 7:20, 9:25, 9:55. The Tuxedo 12:10 (Sat & Sun), 2:30, 4:45, 7, 9:15.

friday 11 — thursday 17

Red Dragon 2 (Sat) 4 (Sun) 7:30 (Mon Thur), 6:30, 9 (Fri-Sun). Sweet Home Alabama 2 (Sat), 4 (Sun), 7:40 (MonThur), 6:40 & 9:10 (Fri & Sun). My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (Sat), 4 (Sun), 7:45 (Mon-Thur), 6:45 & 9:10 (Fri-Sun). Schedules for the following theaters are not available at press time.

CAPITAL THEATRE 93 State Street, Montpelier, 229-0343. MAD RIVER FLICK Route 100, Waitsfield, 496-4200. MARQUIS THEATER Main Street, Middlebury, 388-4841. PARAMOUNT THEATRE 211 North Main Street, Barre, 479-4921. STOWE CINEMA 3 PLEX Mountain Rd, Stowe, 253-4678 SUNSET DRIVE-IN Porters Point Rd., Colchester, 862-1800. WELDEN THEATER 104 No. Main St., St. Albans, 527-7888.

STOWE CINEMA 3 PLEX

THE SAVOY THEATER Wednesday

SOUTH BURLINGTON NINE

Mountain Rd, Stowe, 253-4678.

Wednesday 9 — thursday 10 Red Dragon 6:30. Sweet Home Alabama 6:40. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 6:45.

october 9, 2002

SEVEN DAYS

page 45a «4

Weekly Mail continued from page 4a ha e !-een puppets to the NEA for the past eight years in exchange for political support. Unfortunately, it has resulted in the highest tax burden in the country! Even worse is that Vermont parents are becoming increasingly unhappy with the public education system in Vermont... Do Doug Racine, Howard Dean and the NEA really care about our kids? Or are they using them for political weapons? Isn't it time for the pendulum to swing back to the middle? Private-sector employees in Vermont are struggling to make their mortgage payments. They have absolutely no job security... Because there are so few job opportunities, there is no incentive for companies to compete for employees; therefore keeping the salaries down and potential workers on state welfare programs. This concept of supply and demand is so simple, yet Howard Dean, Doug Racine, Bernie Sanders and their supporters have failed to recognize it! We desperately need new leadership in Vermont!... I strongly support Jim Douglas for governor. He is a moderate man who has served Vermonters well for 30 years. He is an extremely honest and hard-working man with a flawless record. He is a problem-solver with a common-sense approach. He cares deeply about the environment and will support every effort to preserve our pristine Vermont. — Joe Clough St. Johnsbury

GET BACK TO BASICS I am a third-generation Vermonter. As I was growing up on a dairy farm back in the '60s and '70s, the Vermont legislature was made up of hard-working entrepreneurs, many of them farmers who understood the basics. They understood the importance of small business, values, quality jobs and a vibrant economy and, most importantly, they understood the importance of balancing all these issues while protecting our environment. For much of the last 30 years. Vermont has succumbed to special interests. There has been a focus on establishing an expensive centralized government. Private-property rights have been replaced by public rights to all property, and the words entrepreneurship and economic growth are now almost sinful. All the while, we have become a very liberal state, sacrificing many Vermont values... Isn't it time for a change? Let's get back to basics. How do we accomplish this enormous task? The first step is to vote for leadership at the governor and lieutenant governor level. I strongly suggest that both James Douglas and Brian Dubie have the leadership skills to bring Vermont back to the basics. They both understand that, without a healthy economy, our environment, our infrastructure and our values will continue to erode... — Dave Redmond St. Johnsbury DUBIE FLIP-FLOPS Brian Dubie, candidate for lieutenant governor, has flipped and flopped, and now flipped back

again on the issue of whether the candidate with the most votes should win the election, or whether the Republican legislature should pick him if he comes in second (or even third!) in the vote count [ 'Inside Track," October 2]. I don* know whether tu be happy that Dubie now respects the will of the people or unhappy that he was so spineless when a few Republican f i lers whisperc in his ear: "Do Dubie, let us select you." And now I don't trust him not to flop back again after the election when the lieutenant governorship could be his for the asking. — Andrew Jones Burlington STAY OUT OF IRAQ It seems lately there has been much in the press about a possible United States invasion of Iraq ["Inside Track," Sept. 25]. The purpose of this invasion would be to get rid of Saddam Hussein. My impression is that this subject is being treated as if it is the most normal thing in the world, to invade another country. I, for one, think the idea of attacking Iraq is wrong. The last invasion of Iraq ended in the deaths of over 100,000 people. The sanctions that followed have caused a severe deterioration of health and living conditions in Iraq. Studies by the United Nations have estimated that more than a million people have died as a result, including hundreds of thousands of children. Yet despite all this suffering, the world, including the United States, is not one iota safer or a better place. Our leaders like to tell us we are the greatest nation in the world.

However, for our country to deserve such acclaim, our leaders and the people of this country need ":o be able to solve the problems we face without causing more countless deaths and suffering. — Frank Zaske Huntington WOMEN FOR RACINE Vermont women will play a crucial role in this year's election. Viewed collectively, our votes are different from those of our dads, brotners, husbands and sons. Issues of particular concern to women voters were the central focus of a recent gubernatorial debate sponsored by the Vermont Commission on Women (formerly the Governor's Commission on Women), the Business and Professional Women and the League of Women Voters. Among the so-called "women's issues" are access to affordable, quality health care, paid family leave, early childhood education, privacy and choice in reproductive matters, livable incomes and equal pay for equal work. The Commission on Women educates the legislature and administration on these and other important issues and advocates for needed change. I learned a few things at their well-attended debate. For starters, when certain members of the legislature tried to eliminate the commission, only one candidate for governor took a stand for women. That candidate was Doug Racine. Doug's leadership came through loud and clear at the debate when he spoke out in strong support of paid family leave, early childhood

education and equal pay for equal work. Doug knows that "women's issues" concern all members of our society. He knows that the economv is a "women's issue" and that an administration thar reflects the demographics of Vermont is not only a good idea, it reflects some of our most strongly held values.

Doug Racine understands chat irong families are the foundation

of Vermont's future. Vermont^ families will not be strong uniess our next governor pays attention to the concerns of Vermont women.

We can count on Doug for leadership that recognizes the fundamental importance of women's issues. — Sandra Dooley South Burlington

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Dear Cecil, Could, you give me the straight dope on "toxic" mold? I'm a home inspector and the science on this latest home hysteria seems a bit o f f . Nobody seems to know when/why/ how the stuff turns up or turns "toxic." I'd never heard of this stuff five years ago but now it seems like it's everywhere. — Kyle Corley Palm Springs, California I won't say there's nothing to this. For all we know, toxic mold may turn out to be the worst threat to public health since yellow fever. But right now you're not seeing toxic mold everywhere; you're seeing publicity about toxic mold everywhere. That's the inevitable consequence of big damage awards ($32 million to a family with a moldy mansion in Texas), big names (Erin Brockovich's house in southern California is moldy, too), and big-time media coverage (The New York Times Magazine ran a cover story on toxic mold last year). Just about every news outlet in the country has since chimed in. You can guess the reaction. • Insurance industry: Panic. • Real estate industry: More panic. • Trial lawyers and toxic remediation consultants: You know, this economy suddenly doesn't look so bad. Don't get me wrong. Concern about toxic mold and other building-related health problems didn't materialize overnight, and it's not necessarily mass hysteria. On the contrary, it can be traced back to a real incident, the outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at a Philadelphia hotel in 1976. Legionnaires' disease is caused not by mold but by a specific bacterium, Legionella pneumophila, which had established itself in the hotel's air-conditioning system; more than 200 people contracted bacterial pneumonia and 34 died. The outbreak planted the notion of pathogens lurking in walls in the public mind, and many instances of "sick building syndrome" have emerged since. Some of these have proven chimerical, but not all. Two main factors are thought to contribute to building-related illness: widespread dependence on air-conditioning and the construction of tighter buildings in response to the energy crisis of the early '70s. Such closed environments can concentrate toxins or allergens and promote certain

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kinds of illness — asthma in children has risen sharply in recent decades, for example, and some say tight buildings are partly to blame. Mold in particular got a closer look in 1994, when doctors noticed that a cluster of babies in Cleveland had developed bleeding in their lungs. Initial research suggested that the cause might be a toxinproducing mold called Stachybotrys chartarum. Like all molds, it thrives in wet environments, and many of the lung-damaged babies lived in homes that had recently suffered major water damage. Mold made headlines again a few years later. In 1998 the pipes in the Texas mansion belonging to Melinda Ballard and Ron Allison sprang a leak. Massive amounts of mold bloomed, but because most of the growth was inside the walls the couple didn't realize what was going on for months. Meanwhile, their son developed asthma, tremors and learning problems, and Allison's memory and ability to concentrate were so seriously impaired he lost his job. Ballard became convinced the problem was Stachybotrys and other molds. The couple sued, claiming their insurance company hadn't moved fast enough, and in 2001 a jury awarded them $32 million. Since then, mold-related insurance claims and lawsuits have multiplied, and builders and insurers are preparing for the worst. So we've got a family with a frightening mold problem on the one hand and serious health prob-

lems on the other. It's easy enough to believe Problem A caused Problem B. (According to The New York Times Magazine story, at one point a consultant walked into the Ballard home without a respirator; half an hour later he was puking his guts out, and he also suffered apparently permanent hearing loss. You'd need the soul of a tobacco lawyer to argue that such a thing was just coincidence.) But unlike civil juries or newspaper writers, scientists aren't permitted to equate correlation with causation. They can't be content merely to establish that A occurred, then B did; they have to find a precise mechanism of cause and effect. In the case of toxic mold, this mechanism has yet to be determined. One recent review in a medical journaj concludes, "The current public concern for adverse health effects from inhalation of Stachybotrys spores in water-damaged buildings is not supported by published reports in the medical literature." Experts brought in to reexamine the baby cases in Cleveland say the original indictment of Stachybotrys was premature, and at the moment it's fair to say that no scientific consensus on toxic mold has emerged. (Suggestion: Move a cage of guinea pigs into the Ballard house and see what happens.) With luck, further research will clarify matters, but right now we're not sure if we're seeing the next asbestos or the next swine flu. — CECIL ADAMS

Is there something you need to get straight? Cecil Adams can deliver the Straight Dope on any topic. Write Cecil Adams at the Chicago Reader, 11 E. Illinois, Chicago, IL 60611, or e-mail him at cecil@chireader.com.

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