Cache Magazine

Cache

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Sit back, relax, and

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The Herald Journal

May 28 - June 3, 2010

Page 2 - The Herald Journal - Cache Magazine - Friday, May 28, 2010

Cache The Herald Journal’s

Arts & Entertainment Calendar

What’s inside this week Are you only allowed pleasure if you can afford it?

Magazine

On the cover:

Projectionist Alex Amat prepares to thread film onto a projector spool while showing a movie at University 6 in Logan on Wednesday. Virtually everyone enjoys going to the movies, seeing previews, smelling popcorn and watching something on the big screen. Now find out what happens behind the scenes — and all the people and equipment it takes to keep things running smoothly — on Page 8. Photo by Alan Murray/Herald Journal

From the editor

I

’VE ALWAYS BEEN A LITTLE leery of chiropractors — until I was finally convinced to give it a try.

My back has been giving me trouble for about a year now, but I’ve just brushed it off, convincing myself it would eventually go away and that my ibuprofen habit was just a part of life. Until I found myself lying on my bedroom floor wondering who was going to carry me back to bed. Yes, I had actually fallen and couldn’t get up.

So I thought, what the heck. I’ll give this chiropractor guy a try. Couldn’t hurt, right?

Well it didn’t hurt, but I was pretty amazed at the trauma my spine can take without breaking in half. My doctor was pushing on places I had no idea were sore and had me yelping in pain. Who knew a sore spot in your lower back can actually come from a vertebrae being out of alignment way up in your middle back?

Just this morning I saw him again and as

Slow Wave

jbaer@hjnews.com

he pushed on a sensitive spot in my back he asked, “This hurts, true?” “Yes!” “You know what that is? It’s a rib.” Wait a minute — a rib? Yep, a “misbehaving” rib poking into my spine and causing me trouble.

But the craziest part is how he cracks my bones. He pushes on my back with all his might, then has me roll onto each side while he throws all his weight into cracking more vertebrae. Then he has me roll onto my back, puts me into what can only be explained as a headlock and jerks my head to each side as a deafening “snap-crackle-pop” reverberates through the room.

You might think you’d go limping out of the doctor’s office with sore muscles and a headache, but today I came floating out with a loose back and a lot less pain.

Next time someone says a chiropractor isn’t a “real doctor,” I’m going to pay for their visit to mine and let him crack some sense into them.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

— Jamie Baer Nielson Cache Magazine editor

(Page 5) Old Ephraim, others prowl new exhibit at Oregon Trail Center

(Page 10)

The Reel Place............p.7 Books........................p.13

How cooking helped make us human

(Page 12)

Cute

(Page 10) AWHC gets ready for fun-filled summer season

pet photo of the week

This dog is available for adoption!

Pet: Cheek From: Four Paws Rescue Why he’s so lovable: “Cheek, a 1- to 2year-old black Labrador retriever mix, loves to be around people and gets along well with most other dogs, but he tends to be a little bossy. He most likely would be fine with little kids. He likes to play, but can also be pretty mellow. Cheek hasn’t been house-trained yet, but he is super smart and it wouldn’t be too hard to train him.

He would probably do well with cats, but that’s a little harder to tell without a supervised introduction. Cheek’s adoption fee is $125; he is neutered and up to date on shots. If you would like to meet this dog, contact Lisa at 752-3534 (leave message) or e-mail scfourpaws@hotmail.com.”

Slow Wave is created from real people’s dreams as drawn by Jesse Reklaw. Ask Jesse to draw your dream! Visit www.slowwave.com to find out how.

Tickets on sale soon for Peter Cetera

G

From Sea to Shining C Registration under way for CCC Music Camp EGISTRATION R has begun for Cache Children’s Choir

Summer Music Camp, set to run July 12-16 at the USU Chase Fine Arts Center.

The annual Summer Music Camp is organized to increase children’s cultural awareness and provide a creative musical experience through voice, instruments (xylophones, glockenspiels, drums, etc.), dance, art,

drama and vocal instruction. Music Camp teachers are qualified with training in children’s music education and have many years experience working with children and music. Art, dance, drama and vocal instruction specialists add their expertise. There is also a game day and snacks will be provided.

Each session of the Cache Children’s Choir Summer Music Camp

is divided into three age groups: 5 and 6 years old, 7 and 8 years old, and 9, 10 and 11 years old. There are two sessions, one from 9 a.m. to noon and another from 1 to 4 p.m. Cost is $55 per child.

Space is limited so register now. Preregistration is required by June 30; visit chachechildrenschoir.org or contact Lori Roberts at 563-0618 for more information.

RAMMY award-winner Peter Cetera will perform with the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 1, at USU’s Kent Concert Hall. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30 and go on sale at 9 a.m. June 1 at the Caine School of the Arts Box Office and the Eccles Theatre Ticket Office, 43 S. Main St. They are also available by calling 797-8022 or online at www.americanfestival chorus.org.

From 1968 to 1986 Cetera was the singer, songwriter and bass player for the legendary rock group Chicago. In his time with the band they recorded 18 of the most memorable albums of a generation, with hits such as “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “Baby What a Big Surprise,” “You’re the Inspiration,” “Stay the Night,” “Love Me Tomorrow” and “Along Comes a Woman.”

A solo artist since 1986, Cetera has recorded 10 time-honored CDs including his No. 1 hits: the

Academy Award-nominated song “The Glory of Love” from the movie “The Karate Kid II,” “The Next Time I Fall” with Amy Grant, “Feels Like Heaven” with Chaka Kahn, “After All” with Cher, “No Explanation”

and “Restless Heart.”

Today, Cetera has been appearing with his fivepiece unplugged group to audiences around the world, performing his acclaimed Symphony Tour, which will be featured in the Logan performance.

Next at Crumb Bros.: Leaping Lulu HE BRIDGER T Folk Music Society will present the energetic

neo-traditional Irish band Leaping Lulu at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 5, at Crumb Brothers Bakery, 291 S. 300 West, Logan. Tickets are $13 and available at the door or by calling 7573468. Seating is very limited, so advance purchase is recommended.

The question most often

asked is, “Why the name Leaping Lulu?” As guitarist Don Anderson likes to put it: “It was the only name we could all agree on. We agreed we all hated it.” (He’s kidding, of course — some of the group love it!) Leaping Lulu actually came from the name of a jig composed by fiddler Greg Boardman. The music Leaping Lulu plays tends to center

around Irish traditional music, but sometimes they jump around the genre slightly, do new songs in an old way, or songs they love from any era, just to suit their needs and make things more interesting.

Leaping Lulu plays traditional dance and Celtic music along with a number of their own compositions.

They make their music with fiddle, guitar, cittern, flute,

piccolo, vocals and the bodhrán (Irish drum). Their past engagements include the Festival of the American West, Spirit of the West Festival, Sundance Film Festival), Celtic Stew Irish music festival, a Christmas party for the cast of the Warner Brothers TV series “Everwood” and more.

For more information, visit www.bridgerfolk.org or www.leapinglulu.com.

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All mixed up

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Noon Music at the Tabernacle is back!

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he ninth annual Noon Music at the Tabernacle series will kick off Monday, May 31, with a performance by the Ballam family. All concerts are free to the public and begin at noon. Be sure to check Cache Magazine every week for profiles on upcoming performers. (The schedule is always subject to change!) For more information, visit www.cachecommunityconnections.com.

Lightwood Duo (June 1)

Ballam Family (May 31)

Vanessa — Vanessa Ballam has

been performing professionally and teaching theater around the country for the past 10 years at places including Theatre Under the Stars, PCPA Theatrefest, The Utah Shakespearean Festival, Pennsylvania Shakespeare and The Old Lyric Repertory Co. Vanessa spent three years as a resident actor at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria and has been enjoying her time teaching, directing and performing in Houston, Texas, for the past year. Vanessa was married to the man of her dreams, Stefan Espinosa, just one year ago and is pleased they are able to share the stage together this season. A former Miss Utah, Vanessa received the Bert Parks talent award while at the Miss America Pageant. She received her B.A. and B.F.A. from Utah State University and her M.F.A. from Indiana University.

Stefan — Stefan Espinosa gradu-

ated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theater in 2006. Since then he has been fortunate enough to work in theaters on the central coast of California. He was an Acting Intern for PCPA and worked with thousands of children through Education and Outreach theater performances that toured from Los Angeles to Paso Robles, all while

performing on PCPA’s mainstage. He spent a year as a member of The Great American Melodrama’s acting company and helped spread the love of theater to many young people through the popular Camp Melodrama. Stefan has been performing since he was 8 years old and loves to share his experience and passion with youth of all ages. He was thrilled to make his Utah Festival Opera Co. debut last summer where he appeared as the villainous Mordred in Camelot and the Grand Pooh-Bah in The Mikado. He is currently attending The University of Houston and working on his M.F.A. in acting.

he Lightwood Duo has been T delighting audiences in Logan and across the country since its

founding in 1992. Comprised of guitarist Mike Christiansen and clarinetist Eric Nelson, the duo have performed concerts as well as had casual dates from New York City to Honolulu. A concert by the Lightwood Duo spans a broad and often unexpected spectrum of styles, all performed with stunning virtuosity and special attention to melodic beauty. Both members of the duo are prominent educators and performers. Together they have released six CDs and were featured performers for six seasons with the Utah Performing Arts Tour.

Olivia — Olivia Ballam is currently

rehearsing for her 13th season at Utah Festival Opera Co. in “The Sound of Music.”

She has also performed with Unicorn Theater, Logan High drama, orchestra and Crimson Colony, as well as a guest performance with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She was most recently seen as Zoe/Taylor in the Pickleville Playhouse Christmas sensation “Once Upon a Christmas.” She has joined her father in concerts across the globe including Russia, Australia, China, Italy, New Zealand and BYU. Offstage Olivia spends her time studying elementary education at USU, shopping at Hobby Lobby and teaching preschool at Melody Lane. She recently became engaged to her longtime sweetheart John Blair and plans to be married in September. She loves the spotlight and although singing is one of her greatest passions, her one true love is USU basketball.

Corey Christiansen (June 2) orey Christiansen grew up in a musiC cal family. His father, Mike Christiansen, has run the guitar program at USU

for more than 30 years. Corey received his bachelor’s degree from USU and in 1999 he received his master’s degree from the University of South Florida. From 2000 to 2007 he was the senior editor and guitar clinician for Mel Bay Publications, giving countless clinics and performances around the world. In 2007 Corey moved back to his native Utah and was the director of curriculum for The Music School, a privately funded music program outside of Salt Lake City. During this time he continued an active touring schedule playing all over the U.S. and into Europe. In fall 2008 Corey assumed duties teaching full time at USU.

Amie Einerson w/Chase Cornett & Brandon Lee (June 3) Amie — Amie Einerson

graduated from BYU with a bachelor of arts in music dance theater. Some of her credits include performances with the Utah Festival Opera, Pioneer Theater Co., Tokyo Disney Sea’s “Encore!” and Disney

Cruise Lines. She has enjoyed serving on the adjunct voice faculty in the USU and SUU vocal departments for the last five years. She resides in Providence where she teaches private voice lessons and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Chase — American tenor

Chase E. Cornett makes his home Salt Lake City. Trained in classical and Broadway vocal techniques, Cornett feels equally at home on the operatic stage and the professional musical theater stage. He has been honored with many vocal accolades

including first place at NATS, MTNA Competition, National School Choral Award, AriZoni Award for Best Supporting Actor, the Distinction in Music and full-tuition scholarships in vocal performance. Cornett is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.

Old Ephraim, others prowl new exhibit

T

Upcoming events

HE NATIONAL Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho, is heading into the busy summer tourism season armed with a famous local grizzly and related bear displays.

Open now and running through June 11, the new “Beware the Bears” exhibit will highlight the legendary Old Ephraim skull and personal items of Frank Clark, the sheepherder credited with killing the large grizzly. Among Clark’s personal items from his sheep camp to be on display include the purported rifle used to dispatch Old Ephraim.

The skull is on special loan from the Merrill-Cazier Library at Utah State University, along with U.S. Forest Service letters and other items related to Old Ephraim. Previous to 1978, the skull resided at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Clark’s rifle and sheep camp items will be exhibited thanks to Clair Cheirrett, owner of Bear Lake Outfitters in Montpelier, who picked up the items through the years from Frank Clark’s family.

Grizzly and black bear artifacts will be displayed explaining biology, range and

J

The new “Beware the Bears” exhibit, featuring the legendary Old Ephraim’s skull and related bear displays, runs through June 11 at the National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho.

history of bears in the valley and around the western United States. The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone and the United States Forest Service will provide these additional interesting items for the Oregon Trail Center exhibit.

Local residents have also committed to add to the exhibit with various bear traps including a Kodiak bear trap touted as the largest bear trap made and another bear trap said to be used by H.C. Kimball’s father during his sheep days around the turn of the century. Various bear mounts,

What: “Pirated!”

When: June 4-26

im Christian’s “Pirated! The Musical” will play at 7:30 p.m. every Monday, Friday and Saturday, June 4-26, at the Heritage Theatre, 2505 S. Highway 89, Perry. Matinees will start at 2 p.m. June 12 and 19. Tickets are $9 for adults and $8 for seniors and children. Call 435-7238392 for reservations. For more information, visit www.heritagetheatreutah.com.

In 1930, the era of silent pictures is finished and talking pictures have taken over. Marshall Studios is out to film (in one take!) Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance” as a talking picture. The vocalists rebel against their treacherous contracts and take over the studio, and a batch of tapdancing cops try to sort things out.

bear skins and clothing are also included. Special events and activities are planned to help enhance the three-week exhibit and make it a “mustsee” event this summer.

The purpose of the exhibit is to honor the importance of bears in Bear Lake valley history and Western folklore. The exhibit is free to the public although donations to help defray the cost of creating and hosting the exhibit are welcome.

During the exhibit the center will also offer its acclaimed Oregon Trail living history tour beginning every half hour daily. Set in 1852, the tour includes first-hand interpretive experiences of a gun shop, livery stable, mercantile, simulated covered wagon ride and the enchanting evening stop of circled wagons at the Clover Creek encampment. Tour guides act as wagon masters and wagon train emigrants as they tell stories of their experiences on the trail.

Reserved tickets with select times for the living history tour can be purchased in advance at www.oregontrailcenter.org, by calling 208-847-3800 or at the center’s gift shop in Montpelier.

Jack Crane, holding the grizzly’s paw, is a 93-year-old volunteer who comes to the National Oregon/California Trail Center for two hours every day.

What: “Footloose” When: June 11-July 23

“F

ootloose” will play at 7:30 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Monday, June 11 through July 23, at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse, 99 E. 4700 South, Ogden. Tickets are $10 and $12 for adults and $7 and $9 for children and can be purchased at the playhouse or by calling 801-393-0070. Seniors and students will receive a $1 discount. For more information, visit www.terrace playhouse.com.

When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing insti-

tuted by the local preacher. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation.

“Footloose” celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.

Page 5 - The Herald Journal - Cache Magazine - Friday, May 28, 2010

All mixed up

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Film Still playing “Shrek Forever After” Rated PG ★1⁄2 Given that this is the first film in the “Shrek” franchise in 3-D, it’s surprisingly flat — and we’re not just talking about the look of it. This fourth and allegedly final installment in the series is lifeless, joyless and woefully devoid of the upbeat energy that distinguished the earlier movies — well, at least the first two.

If “Shrek the Third” from 2007 felt tired, “Shrek Forever After” is practically narcoleptic. Brief bursts of manic energy give way to long, heavy stretches that drag. Most of the hackneyed pop culture references of its predecessors are gone, mercifully, but so is the fun. This time, the big, bad ogre (voiced as always

by Mike Myers) is having a midlife crisis — not exactly a hoot for the kids in the audience, and their parents can suffer through that at home for free. As for the animation, presenting it in 3-D doesn’t add a whole lot.

This is not a deeply immersive experience; more often, it consists of stuff being flung at you in gimmicky fashion. And the frustrating part is, the “Shrek” movies didn’t need an added dimension: They already had an impressive visual scheme all their own. Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas return to the voice cast. PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language. In 3-D and IMAX 3-D. 93 min.

“MacGruber” Rated R (46%) A review for “MacGruber” was not available from The Associated Press. In lieu, please accept this synopsis from www.RottenTomatoes. com: “Only one American hero has earned the rank of Green Beret, Navy SEAL and Army Ranger. Just one operative has been awarded 16 Purple Hearts, three Congressional Medals of Honor and seven presidential medals of bravery. And only one guy is man enough to still sport a mullet. In 2010, Will Forte brings Saturday Night Live’s clueless soldier of fortune to the big screen in the actioncomedy ‘MacGruber.’ In the

10 years since his fiancée was killed, special-op MacGruber has sworn off a life of fighting crime with his bare hands. But when he learns his country needs him to find a nuclear warhead that’s been stolen by his sworn enemy, Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer), MacGruber figures he’s the only one tough enough for the job. Assembling an elite team of experts — Lt. Dixon Piper (Ryan Phillippe) and Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig) — MacGruber will navigate an army of assassins to hunt down Cunth and bring him to justice.

His methods may be unorthodox. His crime scenes may get messy. But if you want the world saved right, you call in MacGruber.” R for strong crude and sexual content, violence, language and some nudity. 88 min.

“Robin Hood” Rated PG-13 ★★1⁄2 Darth Vader. Batman. Captain James T. Kirk. Now another legendary figure gets the originstory treatment in Ridley Scott’s “Robin Hood.” The world probably didn’t need another version of this famous tale, even though it arrives with outstanding production values and an impeccable pedigree. Besides Scott, the script comes from Oscarwinning “L.A. Confidential” writer Brian Helgeland, and the heavyweight cast is anchored by Russell Crowe as the title character and Cate Blanchett as Marian.

(Solid supporting work comes from Mark Strong, William Hurt, Eileen Atkins, Matthew Macfadyen and the excellent Max von Sydow.) This Robin Hood is not a man in tights — he’s not even robbing from the rich and giving to the poor just yet — but rather an expert archer in the crusading army of King Richard the Lionheart (Danny Huston) at the turn of the 13th century.

Working with “Gladiator” director Scott for the fifth time, Crowe is hulking and overly serious, and the same can be said of “Robin Hood” itself. With its sweeping scope and tangible grittiness, it does look great. But then the brawny battle scenes, which set this incarnation apart from its lilting and swashbuckling predecessors, are shot and edited in such a chaotic, choppy way, it’s

She has little chemistry with the bland Egan and even less with the dull Bernal. Redgrave somehow floats above this mawkish mess and its sappy dialogue, even when she has to utter some of it herself. PG for brief rude behavior and sensual images, some language and incidental smoking. 105 min.

New this week!

“Sex and the City 2” Rated R (15%) A review for “Sex and the City 2” was not available from The Associated Press. In lieu, please accept this synopsis from www.RottenTomatoes. com: “The fun, the fashion, the friendship: ‘Sex and the City 2’ brings it all back and more as Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) take another bite out of The Big Apple — and beyond — carrying on with their busy lives and loves in a sequel that truly sparkles. What happens after you say ‘I do’? Life is everything the ladies ever wished it to be, but it wouldn’t be ‘Sex nearly impossible to tell what’s happening. PG-13 for violence including intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content. 140 min.

“Letters to Juliet” Rated PG ★1⁄2 Shakespeare’s Juliet might want to take her own life all over again if she knew the gooey depths to which Hollywood would sink in her name to woo an audience. “Letters to Juliet” is an unbearably predictable romance that would profane her name if it were not lifted a notch by the graceful, if inexplicable, presence of Vanessa Redgrave. Director Gary Winick (”Bride Wars”) and screenwriter Jose Rivera (”The Motorcycle Diaries”) pile on contrivances as wannabe New York City journalist Sophie (Amanda Seyfried)

and the City’ if life didn’t hold a few more surprises ... this time in the form of a glamorous, sun-drenched adventure that whisks the women away from New York to one of the most luxurious, exotic and vivid places on earth, where the party never ends and there’s something mysterious around every corner. It’s an escape that comes exactly at the right moment for the four friends, who are finding themselves in — and fighting against — the traditional roles of marriage, motherhood and more. After all, sometimes you just have to get away with the girls.” R for drug content and language throughout, and brief sexual material. 120 min. heads off with her fiance (Gael Garcia Bernal) on a trip to Verona, where Romeo and Juliet’s tragic tale unfolded. She stumbles onto a group that writes replies to lovelorn women from around the world who leave letters seeking advice from the fictional Juliet. She finds a half-century-old letter written by Claire (Redgrave), an Englishwoman who relates a tale of a broken love affair with the Italian man of her dreams. Sophie’s response prompts Claire to return to Verona in search of her long-lost Lorenzo. With her is her skeptical grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan), who immediately dislikes Sophie. You don’t need to write Juliet asking how this will turn out. Every turn is obvious and expected, even insufferable. Seyfried squeaks and whines her way along here.

“Iron Man 2” Rated PG-13 ★★ Lots of things get blown up and torn apart in “Iron Man 2,” as you would expect from any self-respecting blockbuster kicking off the summer movie season. The magnitude of destruction far exceeds that of its predecessor and includes repeated instances of characters walking away from a massive fireball without looking back. ‘Cause looking back is for wimps. But that’s not all that gets obliterated here. The substance of the original “Iron Man,” the brain and the soul that set it apart from the typical seasonal fare and made it one of the best films of 2008, also have been blown to bits.

Tony Stark had purpose back then, and despite the outlandish fantasy of his Marvel Comics-inspired story, as a person he had a believable arc. Here, he’s purely arrogant once more, with some glimmers of mortality and daddy issues. And Robert Downey Jr., so irresistibly verbal and quick on his feet in the first film (and in pretty much every film he’s ever made), seems to be on autopilot. Sure, he’s got a way with a one-liner, and his comic timing is indisputable, but he’s done this song-and-dance routine before and seems rather bored with it. Then again the character — and the sequel itself — are less defined this time. Narratively, “Iron Man 2” is a mess. Director Jon Favreau, working from a script by Justin Theroux, throws in too many subplots, too many characters.

Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Don Cheadle and Samuel L. Jackson are among the crowded supporting cast. PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, and some language. 124 min.

— All reviews by The Associated Press

D

ON’T BE FOOLED by the name Disney preceding the title “Prince of Persia” — this is not kids’ fare. It is rated PG-13, and for good reason.

It’s one of those movies that appear harmless enough on the outside, but for younger children the excessive violence may be a little too much.

Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins life as an orphaned boy on the streets of a Persian city stealing food to survive. (Yes, basically the story of Disney’s “Aladdin,” but I digress.) One day King Sharaman, the ruler of Persia, sees Dastan stand up to a few heartless men who are harassing his friend. This convinces the king to essentially adopt Dastan into the royal family because of the honor and courage in his heart.

Dastan grows up as nobility with two other brothers who are blood of the king, Garsiv and Tus, who is next in line for the throne. Dastan is your typical alpha male super stud sporting long, unruly hair, perfect actionhero three-day stubble and a soft spot for the ladies. He’s also apparently master of, or possibly originator of, parkour.

Dastan flies from rooftop to rooftop attacking enemies then disappearing over a wall. It’s all very exciting.

The plot involves Dastan being framed for murder, the attacking of an innocent city and a dagger that can apparently turn back time. Much more of the plot will remain unexplained here, but don’t worry — once you meet Princess Tamina she’ll let you in on the whole thing. Beautiful Tamina’s main job as a character is to facilitate the entire espousing of the plot when we don’t know what is going on. It doesn’t matter whether they’re running from foes or relaxing during a sandstorm, Tamina is constantly explaining the plot and how the dagger came to be. It’s funny, because even after her constant blabbering about ancient times and gods and such, the reason the dagger exists — or the

The Reel Place

By Aaron Peck

★★ “Prince of Persia” Rated PG-13

Sands of Time, for that matter — remain quite a mystery.

The action in “Prince of Persia” takes on the generic quick-cut, fast-camera movement action that has become so prevalent in action movies these days. Dastan dispatches enemies with deadly efficiency, but actually watching him do so is a strain on the eyes and brain as the nauseating editing shifts back and forth between bodypart close-ups so fast it’s hard to tell what’s going on at all. But don’t worry, the moments we’re supposed to think are really dramatic are slowed down to ultra-slow motion. Yes, we even have trusted arrow-cam shots where the camera follows an arrow from its source to its destination, like we saw in “Robin Hood” and any other modern action-centric period piece. No thought here; it’s all just your generic popcorn fluff.

There is a bright spot, however: The brilliant actor Alfred Molina makes an appearance as a wisecracking man named Sheik Amar. Like in many other

films, Molina is a beacon of light in an otherwise dim movie experience. Even the appearance of Ben Kingsley is greatly underused — just another movie where Kingsley is called upon to stand there and look menacing with his clean-shaven head.

“Prince of Persia” is a film too violent for children and too dumb for adults. It doesn’t

even really meet the “popcorn fun” level. It wallows somewhere in mediocrity, and by the time it’s over you may be wishing you had that time-traveling dagger so you could go back and never see “Prince of Persia” in the first place.

Film critic Aaron Peck has a bachelor’s degree in English from USU.

He also writes for BlogCritics.org and HighDefDigest.com, and is starting up a new movie website called TheReelPlace.com. He lives in Logan. He is among a number of freelance writers whose columns appear in The Herald Journal as part of an effort to expose readers to a variety of community voices. He is not an employee of the newspaper. Feedback at aaronpeck46@gmail.com.

Page 7 - The Herald Journal - Cache Magazine - Friday, May 28, 2010

Disney’s ‘Persia’ wallows in mediocrity

Sit back, relax, and

enjoy the show Alex Amat works the projector at University 6 ...

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m Meacha y e l s e W tory by S urray * M n a l A hotos by *P

Projectionist Alex Amat cleans a movie projector’s rollers in the projection room at University 6 on Wednesday.

ou buy a ticket, gather your goodies, find a seat and settle in. For a minute you watch the ads and talk to the person sitting next to you, until the lights dim and the previews begin to roll. Between each preview you lean over, comment about whether or not it looked like a good movie and then hush up for the next one.

After the previews, the film you paid to see begins to roll, and for two hours (sometimes more, sometimes less) you are transported to a different world where anything is possible — where a man can fly and leap tall buildings or a man in a black mask fights a giant with his bare hands.

It is that kind of experience that makes a trip to the movie theater so magical. Virtually everyone enjoys going to the movies, seeing previews, smelling popcorn and watching something on the big screen.

And, for the most part, that experience is always pleasant. Sure, there may be the occasional mishap, but those are few and far between, mainly because of the diligent work of the projectionists up in the booth who monitor and maintain the projectors to give you the most perfect, flawless movie experience they can.

Typically there will be one projectionist working at a time, running all the projectors.

At University 6, one of three theaters owned

by Westates Theatres in Cache Valley, that means running five reel projectors and one digital projector.

“For the most part it is one person’s job to make sure everything is running smoothly and on time,” said Ben LeVere, building manager at Stadium 8.

Despite what you might think, the digital projector at University 6 is the only digital projector in the valley. It is typically reserved for 3D movies, as it is one of only two projectors in the valley set up for it. The other is at Stadium 8 in Providence.

However, the difference between digital

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ection room ... film in the proj of el re a ns Ope

m might surprise you. th film, you’re going to get a little bit contrast, a little bit better colors, but ot more than that,” LeVere said. a projectionist, working up for a big -night release begins on Tuesday. sday is the day studios send out the that contain the film reels. Some re labeled with their actual name but ovies, like this summer’s “Iron Man me with a code name. Iron Man’s was .” me studios think they have a better e at not having piracy if they codehe cans,” LeVere said. “Some movie s have a very weird way of combating It’s kind of confusing.”

Wednesday, the projectionist is tasked he job of splicing together the reels to one continuous film. (The film comes minute reels, so the average movie is d four or five reels that need to be put er.) Longer movies, such as “Iron Man n have as many as eight reels. t of the cans come with trailers that pposed to be played before the film, so ojectionist has to splice those together hen comes each of the film reels. all is said and done, there are more wo miles of film that need to be spliced er. ccomplish this, modern-day theaters what is called a platter system consistthree large, wagon-wheel-sized metal Each of the discs are run by a computmotor to control the speed at which rn. The film wraps out from the center — or the “brain” — up and around a llers then over about five feet until it reaches the projector. r the film is built, the projectionist has k of previewing the movie — I know, s like a bummer of a job, huh? before you think about becoming a tionist so you can invite your family ends to special early screenings of the

Prepares a spool of film for showing ...

Did you know ...

• Studios send film in canisters called “cans.”

• Some cans have code names to fight piracy.

• The average roll contains more than two miles of film.

• The film passes through the lens at a rate of 25 frames per second.

• Only two people can see the film before the release date.

• Sometimes the studio will mix up the film reels and send one 20-minute segment in a different language.

• The worst-case scenario for a projectionist is to drop the film on the floor.

• Digital films are sent on hard drives.

• The 3D effect is achieved by a spinning shutter that creates the illusion of two frames on the screen at one time.

• The Xenon lamps are all made by hand and become more unstable the older they get.

• Digital projectors require almost no maintenance.

• You cannot rewind modern film projectors.

latest hit movies, be warned the previewing is highly regulated.

“Preview is kind of a difficult thing as far as how many people can do it, because the studios expect no more than two to watch the movies,” LeVere said. “Sometimes they’ll send some checkers around. ... It’s an exclusive thing.”

Once the movie is released, though, regu-

lations are up to the theater itself.

During the preview, the projectionist is checking to make sure the picture is in focus and that the shutter is working at the correct speed to give the illusion of continuos movement. They are also checking to make sure the sound is matching the film correctly.

Sound is read by a laser light on the projector. Each film can contain multiple sound waves on the film itself, ranging from Dolby Digital to analog. Since the laser that reads the sound off the film is located after the lens that projects the picture, the projectionists must configure that distance so the sound is in sync.

When the film passes through the aperture plate — a metal plate that holds the film in place as it passes through the light — a powerful light projects the picture to the screen.

The light is provided by a powerful ionized xenon gas light that produces a natural light like the sun.

“They basically make sunlight,” LeVere said. “It’s artificial sunlight. ... They’re a little bit unpredictable, which makes them a little scary. ... If you break them, bad news.”

These lights are so powerful that if the film stops moving, the light will quickly burn a hole in the film. When the projectionist needs to change the bulb, they are forced to wear protective eyewear for safety. Larger projectors, like IMAX, require technicians to wear full-body suits.

Once the projectionist has previewed the movie, it is ready for showings. On movie night, the projectionist arrives at the theater a half hour before the first movie. In that time they will thread and prepare all the projectors for the movies scheduled to play that night.

Before the movie starts, the theater will use a smaller, over-the-counter projector to display local ads. The caliber of these projectors is far less than the one that will be used for the movie.

Being able to meet showtimes is paramount for a projectionist. If one projector is

And splices a section of film .

delayed by five minutes, that rolls over to the next showing, and if that delay causes another theater to delay, then that theater will start falling behind.

“Keeping it going, keeping the movie going and doing what it takes to get people in and out” (is important), LeVere said.

The projectionist will then spend the rest of the night monitoring the projectors and ensuring that everything is running smoothly — which, on most nights, is exactly the way things go.

The projectors at University 6 are the newest in the valley. Stadium 8 has a few projectors that date back to the 1950s, and LeVere insists that if they are maintained correctly, older projectors will display a picture equal to that of the newer projectors.

Since its opening, University 6 has been the hotspot in town, a place to go to escape to the magical world of movies. University 6’s popularity has made Stadium 8 and Movies 5 far less crowded. LeVere even feels that Stadium 8 and Movies 5 have the ability to serve families better than University 6 due to the smaller crowds.

At the end of the night, the projectionist cleans all the rollers and lenses to ensure the picture quality remains top-notch. Since the theaters in town use the platter system, there is never a need to rewind. Once the film goes through the projector it returns to another platter and begins to roll itself back up, making it instantly ready for another showing.

“A projectionist is a very coveted position,” LeVere said. “Everyone wants to be a projectionist.”

Perhaps that is because they are the ones responsible for providing us that experience of fading away into those magical worlds only movies can take us to — a world where even the tiniest person can make a difference or where a magical rose can transform a prince into a beast.

So, just sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

Page 10 - The Herald Journal - Cache Magazine - Friday, May 28, 2010

I

Chance Goetz plows the fields with horses Babe and Sam.

Heritage Center gets ready for fun-filled summer season W ITH THE beginning of Daily Adventures on June 1, the American West Heritage Center (4025 S. Highway 89-91, Wellsville) will open its doors to living history and heritage-oriented activities for all ages. Daily Adventures is one of the Heritage Center’s keystone programs and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, June through August.

Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for ages 3-17, seniors and military personnel.

Typically, five specific venues are open to visitors with hands-on and historic activities: the 1917 Jensen Historical Farm, the Pioneer Site, the Mountain Man Camp, Patch’s Woodwright Shoppe and the Northwest Band of the Shoshone Indians site.

This year the center is aligning its activities around weekly themes. The first to take place is “Four Weddings & A Funeral” the week of June 1, culminating with four weddings and a funeral on Saturday, June 5. Also, a Vic-

torian Bridal Tea Party will take place at 2 p.m. June 4.

Reservations are required for the tea party; cost is $2.

Along with the weekly themes, the Heritage Center will host a number of special workshops throughout the summer in which old-fashioned skills will be presented. Some of the workshops include working on a pioneer rug loom, musical instrument repair, quilting and more.

You can find a complete list, including dates, at www. awhc.org. Some workshops have an additional cost because of supplies.

Each day, a historic party is presented at 2 p.m. to help visitors access the past in engaging ways. Tuesdays and Fridays feature a Victorian children’s tea party, while Wednesdays feature a Mountain Man party or mini-rendezvous. Thursdays feature pioneer parties and a tepee party featuring Native American fun is hosted each Saturday.

A new program this year is “Art Every Day” in which guests can engage in historic

arts activities or in fine art or craft activities that help access and enjoy local heritage. Pony rides and train rides take place daily from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m.

Other summer programs include the summer camps where kids can enjoy “Life on the Farm,” “Life on the Frontier,” “Art in the Barn!,” “Little House in the Valley” and several one-day camps.

Two returning activities this year will be Family Nights and Bread & Jam. Family Nights take place the first and third Monday of each month beginning June 7. Bread & Jam, held at 4 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday of each month, begins June 10.

The new Camp Rendezvous is open all summer for youth conferences, girls camps, reunions and other larger-group camping.

For more information about Daily Adventures or to schedule a larger group to attend, call 245-6050. More detailed information about these events and activities is available at www.awhc.org.

Well Fair

ONCE GAVE A panhandler a buck because he told me up front that he was going to use the money to buy beer. I admired his honesty and who was I to judge? I was on my way to the liquor store in downtown Salt Lake City.

It’s not one of the moments I’m most proud of, but maybe it should be. Are you only allowed pleasure if you can afford it?

One of the jerkiest knee-jerk things we do is look down at people who are on some sort of welfare assistance. Other than the one time I gave a bum a beer, I do it myself all the time.

My first reaction when I see someone buy snack foods with food stamps is anger — until I look down at what’s in my own basket.

Nobody should be living solely on junk food and beer, but I don’t assume that when hard-working, salaried people buy the same products. I assume they are looking for a little pleasure in their lives just like when people watch “American Idol” once in a while rather than snuggling up with Shakespeare or particle physics books. We make pleasure-overpracticality choices every day; we just convince ourselves it’s OK because we can afford it.

Whenever I drive by the Logan food bank, I take mental note of the estimated price of the cars people drive there. Do these people really need the free paper towels and canned green beans or are they scamming us? Of course I’m making these judgments from the seat of my plush car on the way to the store to buy something I really don’t need.

Our anger usually stems from the idea that “those bums are wasting our tax dollars.” Well, assuming those people worked at some point in their lives they are actually wasting their own tax dollars. And, if we are going to start compiling a list of wasted tax dollars, I’m guessing welfarespending on junk food and food bank fraud probably don’t crack the top 100. I’m sure there are people who cheat a little on welfare, but I’m equally sure twice as many upstanding citizens

Slightly Off Center

By Dennis Hinkamp

cheat just a little on taxes, too.

There is a move afoot to test everyone who is on welfare for drugs regardless of whether they look or act intoxicated. I want people to be healthy and eat well, but it’s hard for me to deny them a little pleasure in this numbing economy that’s really only recovering in the stock market.

There is a good chance that if I were unemployed long enough I would be eating junk food and/or doing drugs, too. We all like to think it’s our brilliance and hard work that keep us off welfare, but sometimes it’s just luck — and that luck may run out.

If you really think beer, soda, chips and premium cable TV is wasting money, it should be wasting money whether you are rich or poor. That’s why the root of this anger seems so purely mean-spirited. Someday, when you are down on your luck, you may want a bag of chips, too.

Dennis Hinkamp eats Hostess cupcakes at least once a week to keep in touch with the masses.

He is among a number of freelance writers whose columns appear in The Herald Journal as part of an effort to expose readers to a variety of community voices. He is not an employee of the newspaper. Feedback at dhinkamp@msn.com.

M “Boatdock” by John Telford of Provo

Brigham City Museum celebrates 40 years ANY ARTISTS M have left an indelible mark on the program-

ming of the Brigham City Museum-Gallery (24 N. 300 West) since it opened May 9, 1970. The museum’s 40th Anniversary Show will run May 29 through June 30 and will showcase current artworks in all media by 36 former participants. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 1 to 5 p.m.

Saturdays. For more information, call 435-723-6769.

“Years of commitment to the visual arts by these artists are reflected in such superb paintings as ‘Ancient Paris’ by Gregory Sievers of Lewisville, Idaho, and ‘Desolation Rainbow’ by Royden Card of Virgin,” says Museum Director Sara Lundberg.

Sievers has traveled extensively in Europe for the past 10 years and painted his impressions of Budapest, Strasbourg, Venice, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Prague and other cities. The artist uses historical books and images to place the streets and figures in the 18th century, adding a sense of romance and history. Card’s piece is

a rendering of jagged ridge lines from an area in Utah called Little Babylon.

Lundberg says the expressive range of the artists in the show is striking, specifically the photograph “External Tank and SRB Frustum, STS 125” (Kennedy Space Center) by Roland Miller of Grayslake, Ill.; the sculpture “A20 Degrees Positive/Negative”

by Darl Thomas of Salt Lake City; and the ceramic “Phyrnosoma Reliquary”

by Susan D. Harris of Cedar City. Another striking work is John Telford’s photo “Boat Dock, Autumn, Navajo Lake, Utah.” Telford lives in Provo.

Maggie Harrison of Salt Lake City is at her creative best when washing and pounding fibers until they interlock and become wall hangings, notably “Sled Dogs” and “Wedge Weave.” Bob Hills of Sandy brings an eye for the unique to his photograph “Two Sides to Everything,” which dramatizes the relationship between a delicate calla lily and a heavy river rock. In the image it appears the lily is supporting the rock. Steve Hansen of Brigham City welcomes the challenge to forge two

stainless steel baskets with welded tubing.

The museum director noticed an obvious emotional involvement between a lot of the artists and their subjects while putting up the show. Kurt Robinette’s lifelong appreciation of birds is what drives him to learn about various birds and create sculpture that hopefully shows that admiration. Robinette resides in Brigham City.

The 36 artists bringing innovative energy to the anniversary show are Gary Baron, Colette Bradford, Colleen Bradford, Val Brinkerhoff, Michael Calles, Royden Card, Russell Case, Larry Douglass, Barbara Summers Edwards, Glen Edwards, Harrison Groutage, Steve Hansen, Bob Hills, Susan Harris, Maggie Harrison, Lynn Hone, Marion Hyde, Dave Kafton, Wayne Kimball, Bill Laursen, Craig Law, De Ann Lester, Cindy McConkie, Roland Miller, John Neely, Jason Nessen, Barry Parsons, Kent Rich, Kurt Robinette, Gregory Sievers, Ryan Skidmore, Cordell Taylor, John Telford, Chris Terry, Darl Thomas, Adrian Van Suchtelen and Richard Van Wagoner.

IRACLES happen every day at Primary Children’s Medical Center. But once a year, the community and KSL Channel 5 come together to celebrate those miracles during the KSL/Primary Children’s Miracle Network Telethon.

The 28th annual telethon begins at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 5, and continues until 5 p.m.

Sunday, June 6, on KSL Channel 5. Throughout the telethon, patients and families share their unique stories of the specialized care they have received at Primary Children’s. In addition, local businesses present contributions to the hospital and the community is invited to call in their donations to help children in need. Every penny raised during the telethon is used to further the care of children battling cancer, heart disease, cystic fibrosis, birth defects and many other illnesses and injuries.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Watch the Primary Children’s Miracle Network Telethon live from PCMC on June 5 & 6 on KSL Channel 5.

Contributions can be made during the telethon by calling 1-800-762-7262, or by mail to Primary Children’s Medical Center, P.O. Box 58249, Salt Lake City, UT 84158, or online at www.pri marychildrens.org.

The telethon will feature miracles such as 17-month-old Lucas Law of Ogden and 14-year-old Devin Harris of Alpine, along with many other inspirational stories.

Lucas fell off the counter onto a hardwood floor and suffered trauma to his brain. After surgery

to remove the left side of his skull, doctors gave Lucas a slim chance of survival, but he has beaten the odds.

Devin was born with a malignant tumor on his optic nerve that left him legally blind. He was treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy until he went into remission at the age of 3.

Then, at age 10, the cancer returned.

This year, KSL personalities Carole Mikita, Doug Wright, Nadine Wimmer, Scott Haws, Kevin Eubank, Amanda Butterfield, Brooke Walker, Sam Penrod, Jed Boal and Darin Adams will host local segments each hour that will share the miracle stories of many patients at PCMC. National programming segments will begin the second half of each hour and are hosted by celebrities including Marie Osmond, Jon Schneider, Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Deborah Norville, LeAnn Rimes and Mary Hart.

2008 By the Numbers

Inpatient days: 71,149 Inpatient admissions: 13,317 Average patients per day: 195 Average length of stay (days): 5.34 Emergency Department visits: 43,144 Imaging procedures: 93,420 Laboratory tests: 686,823 Surgical procedures (inpatient): 4,963 Surgical procedures (outpatient): 11,674 Outpatient registrations: 159,583 Medical staff membership: 746 Hospital staff, full/part-time: 3,297 Value of charity care: $13,386,109 Volunteer Auxiliary service hours: 33,204

Page 11 - The Herald Journal - Cache Magazine - Friday, May 28, 2010

Annual telethon raises money for Primary Children’s

Page 12 - The Herald Journal - Cache Magazine - Friday, May 28, 2010

How cooking helped make us human

T

HERE ARE A FEW really big moments in the history of cooking — when Julia Child published “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” in 1961; when Mary Eales recorded the first recipe for ice cream in 1718 London; when the Greeks introduced olive oil to the Mediterranean around 800 B.C. But nothing beats that moment 1.8 million years ago when a Homo habilis creature we’ll call “Grog” dropped the starchy root he was gnawing into a fire, rescued it, seasoned it with a little salt, took a bite and evolved into a human.

OK, I may be simplifying things a little. But Harvard anthropologist Richard Wrangham believes we didn’t become human until we learned to cook.

Humans couldn’t have survived otherwise, he writes in his book “Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human.”

Before cooking, we had to spend an enormous amount of time chewing, says Wrangham. Animals of similar size and weight to humans (like chimpanzees) have to spend five to six hours a day moving their jaws up and down, chewing raw food, just to extract enough calories to maintain their body weight. The average modern human chews less than one

hour per day. When you consider the arduous chewing time necessary for our ancient ancestors and add that to the necessary resting time after a meal when their gut was working to digest the fibrous mass they just ate, that consumed half the day.

That left little time for things like hunting, socializing and surfing YouTube.

It is easy to imagine early man having a strong preference for cooked food. All animals appreciate the smell, taste and texture of cooked food, says Wrangham. Many animals preferred it over raw food when scientists offered it to them. We have an innate mechanism for recognizing high-energy foods.

That is why we like sugar so much. Many foods change their taste when cooked, becoming sweeter, less bitter or less astringent. Our bodies are hardwired to choose the foods that give us more calories with less effort (sweeter and softer). Grog would have preferred sweet, ripe fruits. He would have had access to these at certain times of the year, but he would have had to make do with far less satisfying fare during leaner times. Raw meat is also high-calorie, but it, too, is hard to chew and carries pathogens.

Logically, cooking first developed about the

Bread & Butter

By Lael Gilbert

same time we learned to control fire. We don’t know exactly how it happened, but my Grog scenario is plausible.

It may have happened accidentally, or Grog may have found an animal killed and cooked in a grass fire, and tasted it. When he learned to control fire, he figured out how to soften, sweeten and preserve foods with heat. At about that same time (1.8 to 1.9 million years ago), Grog evolved into Homo erectus. This evolutionary leap came thanks to cooking, Wrangham hypothesized in a recent interview on National Public Radio.

Why would cooked food have such a profound effect on our evolutionary history?

When cooking became a pre-

dictable daily occurrence, it benefited Homo habilis in several ways. Cooking killed germs, destroyed some poisons and made food safer. But more importantly it gave Grog energy. When we cook food it becomes more digestible, and is easier for our bodies to use. Cooking gelatinizes starch, denatures protein and softens foods, permitting more complete digestion and energy extraction bite-for-bite than raw food. It is an enormous energy gain — from 30 to 50 percent, says Wrangham.

Our ancient ancestors used that extra energy. They became more active as hunters and engaged in social activities.

They had more babies and took care of them for longer.

Over generations their bodies changed.

Their large gut became unnecessary because it was easier to digest food. They developed smaller stomachs, smaller mouths and teeth, and weaker jaws. With a smaller gut, their ribs became less flared and their pelvis narrowed ... and with the energy they saved they grew bigger brains. Homo erectus had a 40 percent larger brain than Homo habilis and looked much more like a modern human.

These changes were more or less permanent. With our new

puny digestive tract, we could no longer process enough raw food to stay alive and we became physically dependent on cooking for our survival.

The only time humans could survive eating an exclusively raw diet is in the modern day, with modern transportation, refrigeration and food processors to do much of the chewing for them. Under any other conditions, this wouldn’t be possible, Wrangham says. Even modern humans with a large supply of well-processed, highquality raw foods lose weight and reproductive capacity on a raw diet.

So it was a great moment in our culinary history.

Thanks, Grog, for making olive oil, ice cream, cheese fondue, apple pie, Three Musketeers bars and all the rest of it possible. Without you, the only thing on the menu would be raw mammoth rib with herbs. I prefer mine a little less rare.

Lael Gilbert is a food lover and freelance writer living in Logan.

She is among a number of freelance writers whose columns appear in The Herald Journal as part of an effort to expose readers to a variety of community voices. She is not an employee of the newspaper. Feedback at laelgilbert@gmail.com.

Book delves into faults of human mind

By The Associated Press

I

N THE MID-’90s, a group of researchers found a positive effect of listening to classical music before taking a test, to the tune of 8 or 9 IQ points. More than a dozen studies since have tried similar experiments and researchers found no effect at all.

And yet, to this day, 40 percent of people believe in the so-called Mozart effect: that simply listening to classical music can make us smarter.

(One subsequent study pinpointed a more likely explanation: that our mood improves when we listen to something we enjoy, and we perform better when we’re happy.) And although the initial experiment involved adults, its findings have fueled a multimillion-

dollar Mozart-for-babies toy and DVD industry.

This is the illusion of potential, that we have vast reservoirs of untapped mental ability just waiting to be accessed — one of several mistaken beliefs unraveled in “The Invisible Gorilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us.” Authors Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons created the famous gorilla experiment that vividly demonstrates how people fail to notice something that’s unexpected. They call this the illusion of attention, the belief that we notice and remember much more of the world around us than we actually do.

These illusions have realworld implications. Driving while talking on a cell phone has been shown to impair people in a similar way that being intoxicated does. Holding the

phone isn’t the problem (despite the proliferation of handsfree phone laws); it’s that “the more attention-demanding tasks your brain does, the worse it does on each one,” the authors write.

Chuck Palahniuk’s new ‘Tell-All’ boasts wafer-thin, farcical plot

By The Associated Press

C

HUCK PALAHNIUK IS one of modern American fiction’s most interesting stylists, and he’s at it again in his latest novel, “Tell-All.” It’s a slim book based on a kernel of an idea the author was left with after hearing stories about the fabrication of Lillian Hellman’s memoirs.

Billed as “the hyperactive love child of Page Six and ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?’ caught in a tawdry love triangle with ‘The Fan,’” “Tell-All” is a farcical sendup of American culture of the last century.

Written as a screenplay about the life of fading movie star Katherine Kenton, “Tell-All” is at its heart the story of the relationship between Kenton and her maid, Hazie Coogan. Coogan claims to play Henry Higgins to Kenton’s Eliza Doolittle, orchestrating all the actress’ great moments.

Chasing off gold-digging suitors is among the maid’s self-appointed

duties, but the latest paramour in Kenton’s life appears to have more in mind than hanky-panky. He’s written his own tell-all book about the love affair, complete with a very unhappy ending meant to spur book sales.

There’s not much more to the plot. It’s wafer-thin and almost secondary to a literary high-wire act Palahniuk pulls off for the most part.

The story is written much like a Page Six entry, right down to the

bolded names. There’s name-dropping and dishing as Palahniuk tries to re-create the trappings of a bygone era. Hellman spins in and out of the picture, always in the midst of a preposterous story that puts her at the center of some of the 20th century’s most important events.

At times it’s a masterful feat. The question, however, is will his readers really get it? Palahniuk’s audience skews young, male and fervent, and he’s tested those fans lately.

His last novel, “Pygmy,” was written completely in a kind of pidgin English that is challenging (and eventually rewarding once mastered). The obstacle in “TellAll” is that most of the names being dropped belong to people who had their 15 minutes of fame 50 years ago, and without a passing knowledge of yesteryear’s celebs, the humor can be lost in translation.

At the same time, the ease with which he seems to pull all this off leaves readers with a question: What will Palahniuk pull off next? And that’s really all an author can ask.

We might feel that we can handle the primary task — driving — just fine, but the problem comes when we’re less likely to notice and react quickly to an unusual event, such as a child running into the street.

The authors seek to inspire doubt in the mind’s ability — and they absolutely succeed.

Our memory isn’t as good as we think it is. In the wake of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, two-thirds of people polled said they voted for him — but the 1960 election was a 50/50 squeaker.

Our confidence is overblown.

More than 75 percent of wrongful convictions that are later overturned by DNA evidence are caused by mistaken eyewitness identifications.

Our critical thinking skills are faulty. The link between vaccines and autism has resonated

with some parents despite overwhelming scientific evidence and statistics to the contrary.

This is because humans have a tendency to perceive a pattern even if none actually exists, to jump from correlation to causation, and to give undue influence to anecdotes because they resonate with us emotionally.

“The Invisible Gorilla” is filled with fascinating and revealing experiments that call into question assumptions we have about our mental abilities and those of others. So what to do with this newfound knowledge of our lapses? The authors argue that being aware of our limitations can help us avoid common pitfalls. While parts of the book are repetitive and a tad tedious, this is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand how the mind works.

* This week’s New York Times Bestseller List * HARDCOVER FICTION 1. “Dead in the Family” by Charlaine Harris 2. “Heart of the Matter” by Emily Giffin 3. “Fever Dream” by Douglas Preston 4. “Innocent” by Scott Turow 5. “The 9th Judgment” by James Patterson HARDCOVER NONFICTION 1. “Spoken from the Heart” by Laura Bush 2. “The Big Short” by Michael Lewis 3. “War” by Sebastian Junger 4. “Chelsea ... Bang Bang” by Chelsea Handler 5. “The Last Stand” by Nathanial Philbrick PAPERBACK NONFICTION 1. “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert 2. “Mennonite ...” by Rhoda Janzen 3. “Are You There, Vodka? ...” by C. Handler 4. “My Horizontal Life” by Chelsea Handler 5. “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson CHILDREN’S BOOKS 1. “Star Wars” by Rufus Butler Seder 2. “Lego Star Wars” by Simon Beecroft 3. “The Lion and the Mouse” by Jerry Pinkney 4. “The Sandwich Swap” by Queen of Jordan 5. “Marley and the Kittens” by John Grogan

Page 13 - The Herald Journal - Cache Magazine - Friday, May 28, 2010

Books

Page 14 - The Herald Journal - Cache Magazine - Friday, May 28, 2010

Crossword

www.ThemeCrosswords.com

By Myles Mellor and Sally York 1.

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Hydroxyl compound Come to pass Anger Boxer Fields Plummet Cognizance Europe’s highest volcano “Buenos ___” Norfolk river Deep sleep Kind of hygiene Popular insulator Skullcap Blue books?

Young raptor Deals partner Garage job “___ the glad waters of the dark

75.

76.

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81.

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blue sea”: Byron Voting “no” Big heart?

Bribe Belt “___ De-Lovely” Flue residue ___ bono Taro variety Close to closed Postulates Beldam

Attention to detail helps National’s CD

By The Associated Press

A

S MELODISTS, songwriters Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner of The National aren’t exactly Cole Porter. The tune to the first verse of “Terrible Love,” the opening cut on the new album “High Violet,” goes like this, note-wise: AAAAAAAAAAAAG. Skip ahead a few tunes, and the first verse of “Bloodbuzz Ohio” goes: AAAFEAAAAEAAAA. Dirgy drones? Sometimes. “High Violet” is the fifth album by the quintet from Cincinnati, and the band sticks with the minimalist formula that helped attract an ardent

following. Lead singer Berninger has a limited range but a commanding baritone, and The National dress up the arrangements in subtle ways that makes them captivating, with guitar interplay, wordless harmony vocals, occasional orchestral sup-

port and drums that do more than merely keep time. While the melodies are simple, the songs benefit from a slavish attention to detail.

Berninger sings of sorrow, fear, mistrust, regret, emotional isolation, black dreams and even evil — topics well-suited for his dour delivery. He magnifies the melancholy mood by repeating verses in chant-like fashion, but this is still stirring stuff, like the dirges in an Episcopal hymnal.

CHECK THIS OUT: The main character of “Lemonworld” is an Army vet who laments a life out of control. Even the album’s catchiest tune and lively percussion can’t lift his spirits.

90. Bar order 94. Overacts 95. Narrow channel

in the U.K. 96. Process for

sorting patients 98. Green, in a way 99. Bumbling 101. Amateur video subject, maybe 102. Pound sounds 105. Image maker

107. Bank 108. Carry away, in a way 109. Ancient 111. Fine fiddle 112. ___ incognita 114. Congers 115. Colorful salamander 116. Attracted 117. Lyndon Johnson dog 118. Urban renewal target 119. Door part 120. Shag rugs

Answers from last week

Friday Rasmussen Pottery will host its spring pottery sale, free perennial giveaway and garden tour from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday Saturday and Monday at Rasmussen Pottery Studio, 263 W. 300 North, Hyrum. For more information, call 245-5941.

The Hyrum Museum at 50 W. Main St. will preview the sesquicentennial displays representing 15 decades of settlement over Memorial Day weekend. The museum will be open from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.

For more information, call 245-0208.

A benefit dinner and concert for Harmonee Lynn will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday at The Eagles, 340 W. Main, Tremonton. All ages are invited. Performers include The Beginning at Last, Aaron Venderhoof and Cody Stoddard. Cost is $5 for dinner and $5 for the concert. Harmonee has biliary artesia and recently underwent a liver transplant; all proceeds will go toward her medical bills. Read more about Harmonee at www. harmoneesliver.blogspot.com. For more information about the benefit, contact Andrew Boss at 801-859-8658.

Loom will perform with Love Puppets and Sons O’Valley (rock/metal) at 8 p.m.

Friday at Why Sound, 30 Federal Ave. Cover charge is $6. For more information, visit www. myspace.com/whysound.

OPTIONS for Independence will go on a picnic at Pioneer Park in Brigham City at 11:30 a.m. Friday. Food donation is $2. To sign up, schedule transportation or for more information, contact Mandie at 753-5353 ext. 108.

Everyone is invited to join a weekly peace vigil from 5:30 to 6 p.m. every Friday on the east side of Main Street between Center Street and 100 North in Logan. For more information, e-mail info@loganpeace.org or call 755-5137.

Saturday Saddle Serenade (Chris Mortensen and Mary Jo Hansen) will perform from 6 p.m. to closing Saturday at the Cracker Barrel in Paradise. Everyone is invited.

USU’s Museum of Anthropology will host Larry Cesspooch from the Utah Humanities Council’s “Public Square” as part of its next “Saturdays at the Museum” series. Cesspooch will discuss key time periods that greatly affected the Ute people at 1 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 797-7545 or visit anthromuseum.usu.edu.

Becky Kimball will sing and play her guitar at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Pioneer Valley Lodge, 2351 N. 400 East, North Logan. Everyone is invited.

A new session of Hockey 101 classes will start Saturday at the Eccles Ice Center, 2825 N. 200 East, North Logan. The classes are avail-

able for ages 5 and older and are offered every Saturday. Some skating experience is helpful.

For information on specific times and prices, call 787-2288 or visit www.ecclesice.com.

Stokes Nature Center will host a River Trail Bird Walk from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Local expert and author of “Backyard Birds of Utah” Bill Fenimore will guide the walk and introduce participants to bird-watching techniques. He will also be available for a book signing after the outing. Cost is $3 ($2.50 for members).

For more information, call 755-3239 or e-mail nature@logannature.org.

The Cache Valley Gardeners’ Market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday at Merlin Olsen Park, 100 S. 200 East, Logan.

Come enjoy locally grown produce, handmade crafts, artisan foods and more. This week’s live music will be provided by The Dry Lake Band. Now accepting SNAP, credit and debit cards. For more information, visit www.garden ersmarket.org or call 755-3950.

Drake & The Sea will perform with Julius Brown and Mason Johnson (acoustic) at 8 p.m. Saturday at Why Sound. Cover charge is $5.

The 26th annual Cache Valley Biathlon will be held in downtown Wellsville on Saturday.

Registration starts at 7 a.m.; the race begins at 9. Pre-register at www.cvbiathlon.com.

Sunday The Post-Mormon Community is a nonsectarian organization of individuals and families who have left Mormonism. The Cache Valley chapter meets for dinner and socializing every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at a local restaurant. Newcomers welcome. For more information, visit www.PostMormon.org/logan or call 770-4263.

Monday Release a balloon for a loved one from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the Logan City Cemetery (east of “Babyland”). Helium donated by Airgas; balloons donated by Plant Peddler.

A Paradise Artisan’s Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at the Paradise Town Hall, 9035 S. 100 West. This event will feature photographer Jim Parrish, potter Carole Thayne Warburton and Jeani Anderson of Jenks of Sticks Design. Breakfast will be served by the Fire Department. More information, contact Carole at 760-2592.

The Hyde Park Lions will host their annual Memorial Day breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m.

Monday at the city offices, 113 E. Center. Cost is $4 for adults and $3.50 for children younger than 12. All proceeds will go toward Melanie Balls’ medical expenses. For more information, contact Mark at mel@pcu.net.

Registration for a weeklong Vacation Bible School sponsored by the First Presbyterian, Prince of Peace Lutheran and St. John’s Episcopal churches continues through Monday.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon June

7 through June 11, at the Presbyterian church in Logan, West Center and 200 West. Classes are available for children in pre-school through fifth grade. Suggested donation is $5 per child.

Registration forms are available between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Presbyterian Church office, 178 W. Center.

be Patch’s Woodwright Shoppe, “Art Every Day” activities at 3 p.m. and pony and train rides.

Tuesday

Medsource will present a health program Wednesday at the Hyrum Senior Center, 675 E. Main St. There will be games and prizes.

For more information, call 245-3570.

Daily Adventures opens Tuesday at the American West Heritage Center with historical activities for all ages at several living history venues open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A children’s Victorian tea party for ages 4 and older will be held at 2 p.m. (reservations required; cost is $2). Pony and train rides take place all day.

Grammy award-winner Peter Cetera will perform with the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. July 1 at USU’s Kent Concert Hall. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30 and go on sale at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Caine School of the Arts Box Office and the Eccles Theatre Ticket Office, 43 S. Main St. They are also available by calling 797-8022 or online at www.americanfestivalchorus.org.

The Cache Carvers Woodcarving Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Logan Senior Citizens Center, 236 N. 100 East. This will be an open carving meeting. Everyone is invited. For more information, call 563-6032.

Logan Lynx U11 Girls Soccer Try-Outs will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Blackhawk Soccer Fields.

Bring a water bottle and a size-4 soccer ball.

For more information, call 881-9430.

The Hyrum Senior Center will play games at 10:30 a.m., serve lunch at noon and play more games after lunch Tuesday. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cost for lunch is a suggested $2.50 donation. Please call 245-3570 before 10 a.m. to reserve your spot.

Logan River Ladies and the Cache Valley Specialty Hospital will host their annual nine-hole, two-lady scramble Breast Cancer Awareness Golf Tournament at 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday. Dinner will be served at the Iron Gate Grill afterwards. For more information, email leslee.olsen@loganutah.org.

Free BodyWorks classes for parents and caregivers of 9- to 13-year-old adolescents will start Tuesday at 26 W. Main in Hyrum.

BodyWorks is a five-week health education program held from 7 to 8:30 Tuesday nights.

BodyWorks provides knowledge to improve family eating and activity habits and comes with a free tool kit including a video on healthy shopping and cooking, a recipe book, food and fitness journals and more. For more information or to sign up, call 245-6988 or contact Alyssa at akanderson28@hotmail.com.

Wednesday Daily Adventures continues Wednesday at the American West Heritage Center. A mountain man party will be held at 2 p.m.; there will also

Scott Bradley will lead a “To Preserve the Nation” Constitution class at 7 p.m.

Wednesday at The Book Table. There is no cost. For more information, call 753-2930.

A U-6 boys soccer team will practice at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday starting June 2 at 1400 E. 1900 North in North Logan. Boys born between Aug. 1, 2004, and July 31, 2005, are invited to play. This is high level but fun training for state premier competition. Bring a soccer ball (3-4 size), shinguards, shoes and parent or mentor ready to play. For more information, contact Karen at 563-4141.

Great Harvest owner Lisa Clawson will share some of her summer treats and picnic ideas from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Providence Macey’s Little Theater. There is no charge. Seating is limited; call 753-3301 to reserve your spot.

Music for the Small and Tall’s summer session, “Fun With the Sun!,” starts Wednesday at The Book Table. Family class is at 10:15 a.m. and preschool class is at 11 a.m.

For more information, contact Ewa Wilczynski at 755-0853 or music4st@comcast.net.

OPTIONS for Independence will host a BBQ up Logan Canyon at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Food donation is $2. To sign up or schedule transportation, contact Mandie at 753-5353.

“Jazz and Cocktails” — featuring the Jon Gudmundson Quartet — are served up from 8 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday at Le Nonne, 129 N. 100 East, Logan. In addition to its regular menu, the restaurant also features a selection of crepes on Wednesday nights. For more information, call 752-9577.

Thursday A special Pioneer Party will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday at the American West Heritage Center as part of its Daily Adventures. Also included are train rides, pony rides and living history fun at five different historical sites.

The Cache Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Smiles Photography at noon Thursday at the Cache Valley Mall.

The Knotty Knitters meet from 6 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Senior Citizen Center in Logan. Everyone is invited to work on their crochet, knitting, needlework, crossstitch projects and more. For more information, contact Cathy at 752-3923.

CAPSA will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Phase I of its Transitional Housing Program at noon Thursday. If you would like to attend or for more information, visit www. capsa.org or call 753-2500.

Page 15 - The Herald Journal - Cache Magazine - Friday, May 28, 2010

Calendar

Page 16 - The Herald Journal - Cache Magazine - Friday, May 28, 2010