Buzz Magazine: March 13, 2003

z buz March 13-19, 2003

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Surpassing stereotypes Q&A

Michael La Due MUSIC

O.A.R. rolls into town ARTS

Artist in the Landscape ODDS & END

Pint of the dark stuff REVIEWS

CDs, Movies, Books & TV

Arts | Entertainment | Community

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YOUR NEW BUZZ STARTS NOW | MARCH 13-19, 2003

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MARCH 13-19, 2003 | WELCOME TO OUR BUZZ

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11

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editor’snote

Home and hope Prairie Monk O.A.R. CALENDAR

How do you C-U?

ILM & TV 33 FReviews galore DDS & END 40 OWine, Beer, Yucks

...P L U S

LOT S M O R E !

Volume 1, Number 1!

COVER DESIGN | Amber Pliler

POINTY THING | Near Beckman Institute

What is alternative?

We as the editorial staff of the new buzz have undertaken the responsibility of publishing an alternative weekly 52 times a year.

Therefore, we should probably have a good grasp of what alternative means. In the Webster’s New World College Dictionary, the definition of the word alternative reads: “designating or of an institution, enterprise, etc. that represents or appeals to unconventional or nontraditional interests.”

Tradition comes out of the habit of doing the same thing over and over again, and if that thing is “good,” then that tradition is good. Perhaps a better way to describe what we aim to do is to be unconventional. We want to be able to blend the traditional styles of journalism and adapt them to stories you don’t see in other publications. We want to dig a little deeper for the stories that might only get a brief summary in another publication. We want to put faces to problems and write about issues that face residents in Champaign-Urbana.

Some weeks we might only cover what kinds of streetlights are in Champaign or what happens to the trees in Urbana. But we will go deeper into stories like this and into the community as a whole.

Our goal is to present in-depth issues in the community, as well as stories that highlight the vibrant activities in our unique community. We will have a weekly calendar filled with everything that is going on in the area. Our entertainment section will contain previews and reviews, while our community section will cover issues pertinent to local residents.

Longer feature stories will profile diverse people in the area.

We want this to be the paper of the people, for the people and by the people.

Or something like that.

– EK

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BUZZ STAFF Community Kelly Kiekow Arts Elisabeth Lim Music Brian Mertz Entertainment Jason Cantone Calendar Marissa Monson Calendar Coordinators Lauren Smith, Cassie Conner, Erin Scottberg Photography Brad Kahler Copy Editors Elizabeth Zeman, Jessica Jacko Editorial Adviser Elliot Kolkovich Sales Manager Phil Winkelman Marketing/Distribution Matt Youngblood Marketing Designer Ryan Stotts Publisher Mary Cory All editorial questions or letters to the editor should be sent to buzz@readbuzz.com or 244-9898 or buzz, 1001 S. Wright St., Champaign, Ill., 61820.

Buzz magazine is a student-run publication of Illini Media Company and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students.

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MARCH 13-19, 2003

buzz

Surpassing stale stereotypes

A 16 year-old’s struggle to shine in spite of subsidized housing STORY BY ALINA DIZIK | PHOTOS BY KATY MULL

K

inyetta Nance’s television is tuned to The Learning Channel, although her own experiences probably have taught her more about life. Her mannerisms suggest many years of wisdom, but in reality she is only 16.

Kinyetta lives in one of the poorest housing projects in Champaign.

“I am a very happy person—sometimes, I think I’m more happy than people who live elsewhere,” she says.

Elsewhere is anywhere but the Burch Village Town Homes, the last section of public housing in north Champaign that will be soon demolished. The redevelopment of approximately 50-year-old housing projects has been a trend to depopulate and renovate the area, according to Mayor Jerry Schweighart.

From the outside, Burch Village looks like rows of clumped together homes. The brown paint on the doors is chipping and there are no doorbells. Black metal gates block off the

Burch Village Town Homes in Champaign

community from the street. But inside, residents disagree with the stereotypes people hold about Burch Village.

“The residents are easy to get along with— they’re nice,” says Ruth Jones, president of the Burch Village Residents Council. “This is not an uneducated and drug-infested place.”

Part of Kinyetta’s wisdom stems from the mistakes of her three older siblings. She says she does not want to have children at a young age and plans to finish college.

“I don’t want to suffer the same turmoil,” she says. “I have to step up to the plate and hit a homerun.”

Her mother, Doris Nance acknowledges the differences between her youngest daughter, Kinyetta, and her three older children.

“She’s more outgoing. She’s more craving for knowledge,” Doris says. “I had more time with her one on one.”

After the demolition process of Burch Village, Kinyetta says her family plans to move to subsidized housing in Urbana, and she will attend Urbana High School. She fears a new high school will cause her grades to suffer.

“I’m scared things won’t get done if I go (to school) somewhere in Urbana,” she says.

Kinyetta’s living room windows look out to a pool-sized rectangle of frozen grass, but the blinds are shut. She has lived at Burch Village for about six years. Kinyetta, her three older siblings and her mother moved to Champaign more than 10 years ago, after her parents divorced in Chicago.

Since then, her family has lived in three housing projects—including Mansard Square, another Champaign public housing project that was demolished and redeveloped into a mixed-income community.

A mixed-income community means that only about one-third of the extremely lowincome tenants will be able to move back in, says Urbana alderwoman Esther Patt. The rest of the families will get Section 8 vouchers or be added to the 190 families already on a waiting list for public housing in Champaign County, according to a year-old Public Housing Authority report. Section 8 vouchers use federal funds to help a tenant pay rent. A monthly subsidy is paid directly to the landlord.

Kinyetta has vague recollections of her life in Chicago’s public housing.

“A few times, in the middle of the night, we’d get on the floor because people would start shooting,” she recalls.

Kinyetta says she was not affected by the earlier moves, but feels attached to her current home.

Picture frames, with photos of her three older siblings stand on a shelf. Kinyetta points to a portrait of her older brother Shelbert and his family; in the picture they are all wearing red.

“This (house) is our meeting place for holidays,” she says.

The living room’s beige linoleum floor is shiny and has the clean smell of ammonia.

Candles and a single lamp provide lighting for the living room. Videocassettes are stacked neatly on a shelf beneath the television.

Kinyetta helps out her mother, who works as a homecare assistant for the city.

“Usually, when I have a day off (from school), it’s my sign to clean the house,” Kinyetta says, “because (mother) spends her day cleaning other people’s houses.”

Kinyetta says she feels safe in north Champaign, despite the high incidence of crime. She is comfortable walking around the neighborhood.

“I’ve been in this neighborhood long enough, it’s almost like a little family,” she says.

Kinyetta remembers feeling rejected by her classmates because of living in Burch Village.

“When I was in middle school, I felt like a total outcast. I didn’t understand,” she admits.

buzz

community

MARCH 13-19, 2003

[ An iron gate fence encloses the Burch Village Champaign Public Housing Project.

Kinyetta is far from an outcast. She is one of the top students in Central Champaign High School. Kinyetta participates in several clubs, including the Del-teens—an outreach project for the Delta Sigma Theta sorority on the University of Illinois campus. With the Del-teens activities, Kinyetta has met girls from Urbana High School and is more confident about the anticipated move.

“She is determined and stays on that path.

She very much wants to succeed in high school and college,” says Janet Rogers, Kinyetta’s high school counselor.

Kinyetta’s counselor thinks that high school has helped Kinyetta find a way to deal with the stereotypes that people cast upon her.

“She’s really blossomed,” Rogers says.

“She doesn’t care what people think—in a positive way.”

Heide Westblade, a graduate student in social work at the University of Illinois, agrees that redeveloping a 50-year-old housing project may greatly affect an entire community.

“People are used to seeing the same faces and seeing the same conditions for their families and friends,” Westblade says. “The housing projects are a community within themselves.”

Westblade thinks mixed-income housing is “a great theory” but does not always work for the extremely low-income people in the community. She admits that instead of being motivated by a mixed-income community, people with lower incomes may find it difficult to live around others with greater incomes.

People may feel isolated because of their lower income.

When tenants are scattered throughout different locations in the community, it helps some people rise from the lowest income bracket and learn from others in their neighborhood, says Schweighart.

Kinyetta is motivated to overcome all stereotypes—the hardest, she says, is not to have

people judge her because of where she lives.

“This is almost like luxury, it’s almost like a townhouse but they label it a project,” says Kinyetta who keeps a good sense of humor about the housing stereotypes.

Westblade thinks it is difficult for teenagers to move in the middle of high school, but acknowledges that every student is unique and adjusts differently. Grades may drop and, in extreme cases, the student may start using drugs and alcohol, she says.

Throughout the 71 town homes at Burch Village, Kinyetta says there are only two other teenagers. Most of the crimes in Burch Village are committed by people from surrounding areas who come to hang out in the grassy areas and parking lots around the homes, she says.

“People in their 20s to 30s come out here to drink and get high in the summer after a night at the club,” Kinyetta explains.

Although Kinyetta feels safe in her own home, she says she will not ask friends, who do not live in her neighborhood, for rides home. She does not want to put her friends in an awkward position. “It’s just for their safety,” she says.

Kinyetta is wearing a black denim hat and silver hoop earrings; a cross is dangling from her neck. Sculptures of gold-painted angels hang on the living room walls. A framed recitation of “The Lord’s Prayer” has its place in the corner above the television.

“My mother raised us in the church,” she says. “We have a really solid spiritual foundation.”

Friends drive Kinyetta and her family to attend Rhema Holy Temple of God in Rantoul three or four days a week. She believes it has helped her make better decisions. For example, Kinyetta concentrates on her academics and does not date. She only goes out with boys with a group of friends. She participates in Bible study and the church choir. Her

This is almost like luxury, it’s almost like a townhouse but they label it a project.

– Kinyetta Nance, Burch Village resident

5

[

mother, Doris, earned her minister’s license last year, and concentrates on helping young women with their problems.

“She has more wisdom to give me and pour into my life,” says Kinyetta.

Her mother thinks religion is the most important part of running the household.

“It (the spirituality) was always there—I just didn’t know it,” Doris says.

Residents like Kinyetta and her mother are happy about the redevelopment plans. They believe that something should be done. Doris often attends Champaign’s city meetings to learn more about redevelopment plans, but is uncertain about the future.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Doris says. “I don’t know if enough information is being provided for the people that live here.”

City and county officials have not agreed upon a planned date for the demolition.

Doris hopes to move to Urbana because it is a quieter neighborhood.

“I want to move to a little less populated area, being an older person,” she admits.

Kinyetta’s motivation does not falter because she lives in a Champaign housing project.

“I want to get to a point and say, ‘you could do it—I did’, ” she says. “You don’t have to be a product of your environment.”

Broken glass litters the common areas of the Burch Village Champaign Public Housing Project.

6

community

MARCH 13-19, 2003

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MARCH 13-19, 2003

Women rally against war JASON MINARD | STAFF WRITER

W

PHOTO | Brad Kahler

hat could a U.S.-led war in Iraq mean?

A Women Against War Rally, held March 7, tried to answer that question by exploring possible ramifications for women and children of both Iraq and the United States.

Upwards of 200 people filled the South Patio of the Illini Union for the protest. The event was held as a precursor to International Women’s Day, which took place March 8. The war rally was sponsored by the Progressive Resource/Action Cooperative (PRC) and featured four different speakers that covered the better part of the noontime hour.

Sarah Jayne Dipert, member of the PRC Outreach Committee, stated that conditions for women in Iraq could be better improved by "the use of Human Rights Inspectors along with more weapons inspectors." She also felt that "supporting grass roots women’s movements in Iraq could be very helpful."

PRC Coordinator Brooke Anderson spoke first to the crowd on an array of topics that ranged from a short history of women’s historical role in anti-war movements to the impact on women in the Middle East and the United States. Anderson stated that the rally was a way to "add local women’s voices to the world outcry against

GoodWorks

Bush’s plans to slaughter Iraqi people."

Anderson went on to speak on the legacy of western imperialism and the current aura that war is the answer. The main thrust of the speech dealt with the impact of a war on women and children. To the women of the Middle East, war can mean a huge spectrum of loss, initially pertaining to bombings of homes and communities, and then leading to such atrocities as rape and forced prostitution.

Anderson spoke about the systematic use of rape by invading armies and pointed directly to one example of it: "the detainment camps set up in the former Yugoslavia for the purpose of rape and forced pregnancy as part of an overall program of ethnic cleansing."

Anderson also spoke about President George W. Bush and his "mind-blowing inability to answer the most basic of questions about the war." She pushed the crowd to organize in order to put Bush into the "final stages of his presidency for violating the Constitution of the United States and the sanctity of international law."

Other speakers included Assata Zerai, University professor of Afro-American Studies; Kathie Spegal of Planned Parenthood of East Central Illinois; Kathy Sims, director of the Center for Women in Transition; and Mona Haggag of the University’s Muslim Students Association.

The PRC stressed the following points: • The impact of a war on Iraqi women and children, who already face widespread poverty and medical crises, in part due to sanctions on Iraq.

• The disproportionate impact of domestic funding cuts as a result of the expenses of war on women, especially poor women, women of color and children.

• The powerful role of women in social justice movements throughout history and the need for uniquely feminist analyses of war and violence.

Participants also called on women legislators to take an active stance against the war on Iraq.

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Homeworks comes to downtown Champaign

BY JASON MINARD | STAFF WRITER

C

oming to downtown Champaign as early as April will be Habitat for Humanity’s home improvement store, Homeworks.

The home improvement store will offer a wide array of home needs, including new and used building materials, carpeting, cabinets, bathroom fixtures and furniture. Proceeds from the sales will then be used as funding for the five to seven houses that the Habitat for Humanity of Champaign and Piatt counties construct each year.

Homeworks will be housed at 40 E. University Ave., Champaign, in a recently remodeled 10,000 square foot warehouse. The building was constructed in the early 1900s as an automobile dealership and has been sitting vacant for more than 10 years. The building is also doubling as the main offices for the Champaign and Piatt counties’ Habitat for Humanity.

Homeworks will also house HabiChic, Homeworks’ own version of the current “Shabby Chic” decorating trend. The department will feature furniture and accessories that have been finished, stained, stenciled or

left in their original shabby condition.

As Rich Hansen, fundraising chairman of the Habitat steering committee, put it, “Not only does it help reduce waste, but it will allow low-income families and others to buy construction items for 20 to 50 percent off retail prices, and in turn that money will be fed into building new homes for families.”

Both the Homeworks store and the HabiChic department have a major need for volunteers of all trades and items of all shapes and sizes. Some of the volunteers needed now are: • Carpenters to build shelving and other display structures, and to assist with repairs.

• Painters for interior and exterior, along with furniture.

• Cashiers, sales associates and many others.

HabiChic also needs volunteers for repairing donated items and creating new items from old ones. The main office can be contacted at 355-6460 for inquiries about item donation or volunteering.

VOLUNTEER LISTINGS • Serve With Us. Two Main’s fundraising campaign for local charitable organizations benefits the Champaign County Sports Commission this month, with live music, a raffle and other surprises.

Two Main, Friday, March 14, 5-9pm • Girl Scout Cookie Sale. Scouts from Troop 173 will be at Pages for All Ages on Saturday, March 15, 15pm. Yum. • Eggstravaganza & Nite-Lite Egg Stuffing. Help the staff of the Champaign Park District prepare for holiday events for both kids and adults by assisting with the stuffing of hundreds of plastic eggs.

Several volunteers are needed on April 10 at the Bresnan Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. Pizza and soda will be provided. For more information call Kristi Bolton at 398-2550 • Deliverer of Knowledge. Make a difference in the life of homebound people y delivering library books! Volunteers will deliver books to homes and retrieve them after several weeks and return them to the library. This program is ongoing and deliveries generally take place once a month on the first and/or fifth Wednesday of the month. Contact Jo Hopkins at 359-6500.

• Cat Socializing. Love cats? If so, this is your opportunity to get your cat fixed while helping the Champaign County Humane Society. Volunteers are needed to cuddle the adoptable cats anytime, 7 days a week between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Contact Julie Keith at 344-7297 or emailJulie@cuhumane.org

• Grocery Delivery. Assist area seniors in need by delivering groceries once a month (on a Saturday) to their homes. Groceries are required to be picked up between 9-9:30 a.m. and all deliveries are in Urbana. This program will begin on Saturday, March 29. For details or to sign up call Jo Hopkins of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program at 359-6500.

• Asian & Pacific Studies Film Festival. Learn something about another culture while you are having fun at the historic Virginia Theatre! Help to take tickets at the door and sell concessions on March 14, 15, or 16. Call Jameel Jones at 398-2550.

• Light Up Someone’s Life This Winter - Volunteer!

The Provena Behavioral Health and Mental Health Center offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. Whether it’s a few hours a week or a full year’s commitment, your time and effort can make a difference that lasts a lifetime. If interested in what types of volunteers are needed, check out www.provenabhcu.org. For more information about how you can make a difference, please call Dennis 337-2430 or dcockrun@provenabhcu.org.

For a list of volunteer opportunities in Champaign County check out www.cuvolunteer.org To add a Volunteer Listing to this section in a future buzz, please call 244-9898.

8

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MARCH 13-19, 2003

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MARCH 13-19, 2003 | SOMEONE TAKE A NOTE TO MY PUBLISHER

COMMUNITY PROFILE

MichaelLaDue

D

T

he 46-year-old La Due has been a staple of the community since he moved to Champaign in 1981 and joined the Champaign City Council in 1985. He is a manager at Jon’s Pipe Shop on Green Street in Campustown and can usually be found with a pipe in his hand, his foot up on a cabinet in the pipe shop talking to a regular.

Never one to shy away from conversation, La Due is easy to talk to and can carry on a conversation on any number of topics, though he usually takes his time with what he says, figuring out what will be the best way to answer a question.

What’s your favorite place in ChampaignUrbana?

“Oak-Ash detention basin. It’s the closest thing to an in-town nature perserve within Champaign city limits.”

What’s in your CD player?

“Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, The Freedom Rider.”

What are you reading write now?

“Biography of Thomas Hardy.”

What’s the best movie you’ve ever seen?

“All Quiet on the Western Front, Indochine, The Third Man.” Who are your favorite historical figures?

“Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Nietzsche, Albert Camus.”

Who were your heroes growing up?

“Abraham Lincoln, H.G. Wells, my grandfather, Daniel Boone, James Bond.”

What’s your favorite childhood memory?

“Wandering around the cow pastures in southern Illinois, far away from any residential area, getting lost with a compass, a backpack and a knife.”

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What’s your biggest regret?

“I don’t know. Regrets are courses of actions deemed necessary that are remembered badly.”

What are you most proud of?

“There’s a lot of things, I suppose. I guess I’m most pleased with my poetry.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever heard?

“Don’t sell yourself short, or out.”

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

“Might be better disciplined.”

Drop us a line. buzz@readbuzz.com

What do you do to relax?

“Read, write and travel.”

When are you happiest?

“When I’m reading, writing and traveling.”

What are you most passionate about?

“All of the above.”

Do you believe in God? “Yes.” What is the meaning of life?

“All of the above.”

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Welcomes

Cathy Miller offering services for both men and women waxing haircare nail services

What would you like your last words to be?

“Someone take a note to my publisher.”

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community

MARCH 13-19, 2003

buzz

Jarling’s now open

and celebrating its 20th year in CU! STORY AND PHOTOS BY KELLY KIEKOW

I

9 E. University Downtown Champaign 352-5150 Mid Century Furniture and Artifacts

t's an addiction," says local Carol Libby, "the best bang for your buck." Though this was only the third day that Jarling's Custard Cup was open for the season, Libby was already holding her custard nut parfait, ski jacket and all. While the temperatures outside remained below freezing, Jarling's continued its tradition of opening the first Friday of March, and many still braved the cold for a frozen custard treat.

With Libby stands Julie Porcheddu with her nut parfait as well. Porcheddu is also fond of Jarling's Custard Cup, 309 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign. Porcheddu explained that she grew up with Jarling's Custard Cup in Danville.

This Danville location was originally "The Custard Cup," founded in 1949 by George and Helen Potter at 2507 N. Vermilion St. with George's homemade custard recipe. Both the recipe and business were later purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Jarling in 1969.

Well, Just look at how erect my pole is standing

My Honey you look excited!

After a day of being good, six-year-old Glenda Wold of Tuscola, Ill. enjoys a strawberry custard cone at Jarlings. In addition to strawberry, Glenda's mother Sally added that Glenda also likes vanilla and lemon.

Wed. - Sat. 11-5:30 Sunday 12-4:30

The Jarlings later opened a second location in Champaign. Porcheddu now lives in Champaign and works at the Allen Bradley Distribution Center on Bloomington Road, but says she has been going to Jarling's "as far back as (she) can remember." In addition to thinking that the custard is good, Porcheddu describes coming to Jarling's as being "kind of like a favorite pastime."

This year, the Champaign location celebrates its 20th year in business. Originally opening on April 28, 1983, Champaign’s Jarling's offered some new choices over its Danville location, including custard pies.

Luke Detering, Jarling's employee and Parkland student, says that as part of the "20th season at this location, we're gonna have specials."

Detering said as part of these specials, Jarling's "might go back to the original cone price like 20 years ago which was about 40 cents instead of now where it's $1.35."

Jarling's might open a drive-thru soon as well.

This is Detering's seventh season of employment at Jarling's, having started when he was still a student at Judah Christian High School. Detering really enjoys working at Jarling's, explaining, "It's always fun to be around the people here. The managers are great."

During the summer, everyone Detering knows comes to Jarling's. However, it is not just the locals who come to Jarling's anymore, as the place has attracted quite a following.

Dean Cooper of Pekin, Ill., states, "This is our first time this year. (Jarling's) has only been open three days."

Cooper says he comes to Jarling's about six to eight times a year. He comes "after the football games…about every other time in town."

He has season tickets for the Illini basketball games as well, a season through which Jarling's is usually closed. However, with the last Illini basketball game falling on Jarling's third day open for the season, Cooper made sure he stopped in before leaving town. With his daughter now a freshman in LAS at the University of Illinois, perhaps Cooper will be coming to Jarling's even more frequently.

While Cooper drives away, 6-year-old Glenda Wold, who wants to be a paleontologist when she grows up, enjoys her strawberry ice cream cone with her mother, Sally Foot Wold. The two live in Tuscola, where Sally runs her own veterinary practice. One of Sally's friends had mentioned on Tuesday of that week that Jarling's would be opening for the season on March 7.

Sally and Glenda came to Champaign for the day to run errands and Glenda had been so good that the two came to Jarling's as a

THIS SEASON AT JARLING’S HOURS: Monday–Saturday noon to 10 p.m.

Sunday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

HOLIDAYS: Easter closed Memorial Day 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

July 4th 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Labor Day 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. sort of "reward or treat," Sally says. Sally actually began coming to Jarling's in 1984, though, when she lived in Chicago and her soon-to-be husband was in graduate school at the University of Illinois. When she would come visit him for a weekend, the two of them "would come here right before I'd hit the road to go back to Chicago."

Clearly, Jarling's has countless meanings for many around the community and beyond.

Hopefully, Jarling’s next 20 years in Champaign will be just as grand.

Parkland student Luke Detering takes an order as Susie Macelli stocks cups.

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MARCH 13-19, 2003 | FRESHMEN DON’T SMELL FRESH

Artist in the urban prairie

BY MATT COHN | STAFF WRITER

PHOTO | Kelly Kiekow

D

avid Monk’s photographs made the seasons change today, and it was spring for the few hours I spent in his gallery.

Monk has spent the past 20 years documenting and trying to preserve the prairie lands of east central Illinois. He opened the Artist in the Landscape Gallery to share his unique, meticulous findings with the art community.

The gallery has been open since May, and this March is the late autumn of its existence, as 120 N. Walnut St., Champaign, will soon become the Blind Pig Pub and Café. The Artist in the Landscape Gallery is currently devoted to Monk’s photography and prints; “Visions of Japan,” the featured exhibition by Rebecca Plummer Rohloff; as well as watercolors by Charlotte Nesmith Brady.

Monk has taken a personal loss to maintain the gallery and can no longer afford it without significant compensation for his art. The owners of the space have decided to open an English pub in its place.

“The owners seem to want to go where the market is, and to have a place to gather and have a good time,” said Doug Olive, a friend of David Monk and volunteer at the gallery.

The Artist in the Landscape Gallery is a vir-

Gallery-manager Dave Monk laughs as he converses with some guests at the opening reception of Rebecca Plummer Rohloff’s exhibition.

tual prairie, a prairie with a front door. The walls are tall grass, replete with wildflowers and wooden water towers and power lines. In almost every photo, Monk captures a unique flower or man-made subject in the foreground.

“It has taken (Monk) 20 or more years to take these photographs,” Olive points out.

“He knows the plants he’s taking pictures of, and there’s no way that you can go out with your 35-millimeter camera and even come

close. These photographs have educational value.”

There is not enough wall for all the photographs, so Monk decided to collect used furniture, upon which he displays additional artwork.

Monk has transformed the wooden skeleton of a couch into a table for a series of wildflower photographs by turning it upside down and facing it against the wall.

“When he first did that, I thought, ‘What was he doing?’” Olive said. “After only a matter of hours, I found myself enjoying it for what it was. There’s no attempt to hide that it’s just used furniture.”

Another series of photographs is arranged on an old wooden gurney, normally used for transporting bodies. It has become a vehicle for art.

One of the few mounted and framed photographs in the gallery was shot from Monk’s preserved urban prairie on Market Street. The foreground is lush with prairie grass, and a blurry sport-utility vehicle grazes at a stoplight just beyond the prairie. Next to the photograph reads a printed sign: “Many of these pictures were taken recently on our nearby urban prairie. If you wish we can take you on a 10-minute urban prairie field trip. We have flashlights for night tours.”

David Monk has been an active member of the environmental community for over 25 years. He is the executive director and presi-

dent of Educational Resources in Environmental Science (ERES) and Heartland Pathways, community-based preservation projects. Photography is one of his favorite forms of preservation. Unfortunately, display space for his art is just as endangered as the prairie lands.

“Most of the stuff will be moved into the Heartland Pathways office at 111 N. Market.

He’ll have it in storage, and he’ll have his display space in the front. The problem is we get almost no shoppers on Market Street, which is what made him move here in the first place,” said Olive.

Though the gallery is closing later this month, David Monk will still work to preserve prairie lands through discussions, guided tours and photography. His show, “The Prairie Monk” can be heard Sundays at 11 a.m. on WEFT, 90.1 FM.

BY AUDREY DANIEL | STAFF WRITER

T

hough the exhibit by Rebecca Plummer Rohloff, entitled “Japanese Postcards and Paintings,” may suggest a motif or style that leans toward traditional Japanese woodcut prints, Rohloff’s livelihood, instead, is watercolors.

The “Japanese” in the title of her exhibition comes from the fact that many of the prints and postcards on display were a result of her three years in Japan as an ESL teacher through the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program.

Her artwork, which is being featured at the Artist in the Landscape Gallery, ranges from handheld postcards to poster-sized paintings, each with a focus on a specific flower, tree or Japanese country-side image.

Rohloff’s inspiration, she claims, was the product of a “lot of free time,” though what appears on paper seems to speak otherwise.

The majority of her smallest creations contain images no larger than a regular business card worked into her own homemade paper, yet are more detailed than her larger counterparts.

Inspired by the Japanese rice paper, Rohloff’s paper is reminiscent of a sediment rock, calling on imprints of an almost fossillike quality of plant life. Utilizing the dissolving features of Japanese rice paper, it contains images similar to imprints of small petals and leaves and even a vein-like texture that effectively contrasts with the smoothness of the watercolors.

Her larger productions, absent of such a detailed background, instead utilize the boldness of watercolor paints with strong solid lines as well as softer and almost transparent strokes. Though her colors in these larger works are less bright, the washed colors and white background add to the simplicity of those works.

Now an art teacher at Unity High in Toleno and a graduate student at the University of Illinois, Rohloff continues to paint, though her style of painting has a much more contemporary feel. Today she paints on canvas using such mediums as acrylics and mixed media to create political collages, from anti-war to anticorporate media.

But regardless of the differences in what Rohloff paints today and what she painted

PHOTO | Kelly Kiekow

Japanese imprints

Many enjoy the Japanese food during the opening reception for Rebecca Plummer Rohloff's Japanese "Ikebana" watercolor collection. Rohloff explains that Ikebana is the “traditional style of Japanese flower arranging.”

during her time spent in Japan, the collection at the gallery is timeless. The visions of the Japanese countryside speak of a time that seems to know no boundaries.

Japanese Postcards and Paintings Now through March 29, Monday through Saturday Artist in the Landscape Gallery 120 N. Walnut St., Champaign.

Open for viewing and purchasing noon to 6 p.m.

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arts

DO ELECTRIC SHEEP DREAM | MARCH 13-19, 2003

buzz

BY DACIA HOBSON | STAFF WRITER

I

t’s one of those mountain-top rare moments in life,” said Champaign resident Jill Schreiber, referring to her experience at the 2001 University of Illinois Black Chorus Symposium.

This year’s symposium might provoke similar reactions. It culminates Sunday at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts with a concert that reflects “cultural, historical, and musical preferences of this rich heritage,” according to Krannert’s Web site at www.krannertcenter.com.

Schreiber decided to give the symposium a try, even though she didn’t know anyone else going, because it was “local and not expensive,” she said. At the symposium, she witnessed Black Chorus Conductor Ollie Watts

[

You should come empty so that you may be filled.

– Ollie Watts Davis, Black Chorus Conductor

2003

[

Davis’s conducting abilities and took advantage of the opportunity to learn more about Black sacred music.

Schreiber remembers her emotional reaction to the experience: “I told her (Davis) that Symposium freed my soul and that I was so grateful. I asked her if she knew of any group in the community that I could join yearround. She told me that I should join Black Chorus. I immediately responded that I was too old and too white.”

Since then, though, she has joined the Black Chorus and has been a member for the last two years.

The symposium began in 1991 as a Davis’ dream “to share with the community, the information and the knowledge that (she) was acquiring as a musician.”

The four-day conference addresses the history and the ideology of the Black sacred music tradition, according to a written statement by Davis. The concert will feature the music of Black Americans, including spiritual and formal music, as well as contemporary jazz, gospel and rhythm and blues, according to Krannert’s Web site.

Black Chorus members welcome University of Illinois students, community members and all others who are interested in expanding

PHOTO | Christine Spoerl

Sacred music

Barrington Coleman, front, leads a rehersal of the Black Chorus at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts Monday night.

their knowledge on music. Symposium 2003, which is dedicated to the late William Warfield and Moses Hogan, will include three selections performed by Davis and Casey Robards, as well as performances by the symposium choir and clinicians. Many other influential gospel artists will contribute to the conference including V. Michael McKay, Gary Hines, and University Associate Professor of

Music Barrington Coleman.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the Foellinger Great Hall. Tickets are available at the Krannert Center Ticket Office at 333-6280.

For more information about participating in the conference, call 333-2092 or 244-4845.

As Davis recommends, “You should come empty so that you may be filled.”

ndelion a D

Friday, March 14 9:00 to 4:00 Saturday, March 15 9:00 to 3:00

Retro & Recycled Clothing New Spring Arrivals are Here!

DISPLAYS AND DEMOS INCLUDE Flight Simulation e Soccer-playing Robot Through the Virtual Looking Glass The Amazing Changing Brain

9 Taylor, Downtown Champaign • 355-WEED Hours : mon-sat 11-6, sun 1-5

State-of-the-Art Microscopy Beckman Café Hours Fri. 8:00 – 3:00 Sat. 9:00 – 2:00

OPEN HOUSE

Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

University of Illinois

405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL For more information: 217-244-4906 e http://www.beckman.uiuc.edu e zech@beckman.uiuc.edu

arts

MARCH 13-19, 2003 | MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB AND A SIDE OF POTATOES

THEATRE AUDITIONS

TheatreReview

AUDITIONS

TIME OF MY LIFE

deBono Improv Comedy Troupe When: Today at 6 p.m.

Where: Lincoln Hall Lobby No preparation necessary. If you have any questions please email Adam, adamwolf@uiuc.edu.

Department of Theatre What’s the Word?

When: Today and Friday, 7-9 p.m.

Individuals wishing to audition should prepare a 3- to 5-minute poem. An audition sign-up sheet will be posted the day of the auditions starting at 6 p.m. For more information on auditions contact Kathy Perkins: 333-0761 or kaperkin@uiuc.edu.

BY GABRIELA LEN | STAFF WRITER

[

PHOTO | Lori Lobascio

N

ow is the time to get out to the Station Theatre and discover live entertainment.

For the price of a movie ($8), you can experience raw local talent at its best.

Currently, the play showing is “Time of My Life” by Alan Ayckbourn, a dark comedy about a family trying to achieve happiness.

The play begins with a typical scene many can relate to, a family dinner at a restaurant in celebration of the mother’s, Laura, birthday.

Linda Van Polen, who plays Laura, does an excellent job portraying a super-critical, cold mother who never seems satisfied by how her sons try to please her.

Andrew Bendel, who plays her husband Gerry, also does an incredible job playing the role of an aloof husband who thinks he knows exactly what goes on in his family.

Their two sons, Glynn and Adam, join the parents at dinner. Glynn, played by Ross Wantland, brings his wife Stephanie, played

by Elaine Cashmore, while Adam, played by

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Gerry, played by Andrew Bendel, and his wife Laura, played by Linda Van Polen discuss infidelity and disliking your children in their family gets exposed in "Time of my Life" at The Station Theater" on Sunday, March 9th.

David Wilhelm, the younger brother and the obvious favorite son, brings his new girlfriend Maureen, played by Morgan Malone, to dinner.

This is a play that everyone in the family

This is a play that everyone in the family can relate to.

It makes you wonder about the truly happy moments in life and why they are defined in such a way.

[

can relate to. It makes you wonder about the truly happy moments in life and why they are defined in such a way. Director Aaron Polk does a wonderful job with the casting of roles.

Each character comes alive as they enter the stage and they seem to fit into their roles perfectly.

This is Polk’s fourth time as a director at the Station Theatre, and he seems extremely comfortable working with the small space that he is given. One of the most interesting parts of this play is the way it is presented. It explores the life of this particular family by examining the present, moving back in time to explain the present and finally jumping to the future in order to show the resulting consequences of the characters’ present actions.

Polk incorporates past, present and future time periods—not in chronological order, and succeeds at getting Ayckbourn’s message across clearly to the audience. You will have to find out the message yourself when you go see “Time of My Life,” a play that in director Aaron Polk’s own words is “very gunny, but not funny at all.”

PHOTO | Lori Lobascio

Time of My Life Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15, 8 p.m.

Station Theatre 223 N. Broadway Ave, Urbana

David Wilhem and Morgan Malone explore the romantic relationship of characters Adam and Maureen in "Time of my Life." Directed by Alan Ayckbourn.

Penny Dreadful Players 10-Minute Play Auditions When: Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Where: Lincoln Hall Lobby The Celebration Theatre Company Ardiente Paciencia Auditions Those wanting to audition must be able to speak English and Spanish.

For more information, contact Ryan Rogers at ryanr@uiuc.edu.

TheatreReview

THE FALCON PHOTO COURTESY | Katherine Miller

buzz

THE FALCON | Cast members

U

niversity of Illinois students and members of the Champaign-Urbana community come together to present Greg Palmer’s “The Falcon.”

Adapted from an old Russian folktale, the story begins in the home of a young girl named Anna, who is celebrating her engagement to Tevdore, the boy next door.

Into their lives steps a mysterious stoyteller, who tells a tantalizing tale of another Anna, who must go on a quest to rescue her beloved falcon prince from an evil tsarevna. In the end, the real Anna must decide if her betrothed is the prince for her.

A donation of $5 is suggested for admission. All proceeds will go to Urbana and Champaign schools to hlep fund fine arts programs.

The play will be presented at three local schools Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Check the calendar for more information.

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arts

NOTHING BEATS A TRIBUTE TO I QUIT EXCELLENT DAVE | MARCH 13-19, 2003

DAVE’S DREAM DIARY | BY DAVE KING

buzz

Arts&Technology

Animated art at Beckman

BY RYAN HUTSON | STAFF WRITER

A

Have an interesting dream? Drop an e-mail to buzz@readbuzz.com and let us know.

Your dream could be illustrated next by David King.

t first glance, art and science are somewhat polar. However, as technology continues to expand its reach, the borders between the two are fading. This weekend, the annual Beckman Institute Open House will demonstrate exactly how thin the line has become.

The open house will take place Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Beckman Institute, 405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana. The self-guided tour is held in conjunction with the University of Illinois College of Engineering Open House every spring.

In Room 1005, Beckman demonstrates a project aimed at creating three-dimensional, flexible, parameterized, ecologically motivated model of facial expressions. The program incorporates the ability to blend movements and expressions to produce meaningful emotions and to allow for the creation of dynamic stimuli.

The “face” on display is an animated model designed to recognize the dynamic range of human expression and emotion. To accurately replicate such a broad environment of facial movement, engineers approached this digital countenance from the bottom up, incorporating the complex muscular structure of each expression. Tour-goers can visit the exhibit at any time throughout the day and, using a joystick, create their own virtual facial expressions.

Room 2269 features the progressive science of scene acoustics, exploring the human ability to recognize the acoustics of a room.

Subconsciously, the “acoustic scene”—how a room can sound big or small or someone talking can sound near or far—is analyzed and interpreted.

Similarly, developers are constructing algorithms to analyze the responses between a sound source and receiver in a room. This analysis is related to features, such as room volume and geometry, which a human listen-

er would recognize. The feasibility of the algorithms has been proven by computer simulations, and may one day help build a better hearing aid, which would intelligently respond to the acoustic environment of a room.

In the Visualization, Media and Imaging Laboratory (Room 4602), scientists, researchers and artists from across the campus will exhibit projects they have developed which encompass today’s world of digital illustration.

Throughout the day, speakers will demonstrate different techniques of modern illustration, including an overview of the production of “Les Femmes,” a video feature which integrates live dance performance with video technology. Other exhibits include 3D digitization, 3D printing, and live broadcasts over the Web. For fun, users can take a “photograph” of themselves with a celebrity, using the Imaging Technology Group’s virtual reality display in the main atrium. Visitors can also see stereoscopic presentations of research that takes place in the VMIL and Microscopy Suites, which are also open for display, as this technology is put to use daily. The entire display is broadcast on the Internet via live Web streams.

The open house includes a number of additional exhibits, including a self-aiming camera, image-matching technologies and brief demonstrations of research on perception of pictures and movies, as well as an entire spectrum of science- and math-specific events. For more information, visit the Beckman Institute on the Web at www.beckman.uiuc.edu.

Beckman Institute Open House Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Beckman Institute 405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana

If you like to puff, we got the stuff!

1912 Round Barn Rd. - Round Barn Center Champaign, IL 61821 • Cigars, Pipes, Tobacco & Tobacco Accesories • We Custom Blend Tobacco!

email : bacca@pdnt.com www.baccacigar.com

Phone/Fax (217)356-3239 Hours: M-F 9-7, Sat 9-6, Sun 11-4

buzz

arts

MARCH 13-19, 2003 | THIS IS NOT FUNNY

AsianAmericanMonth

Sharing our strength

BY NADINE KENNEY | STAFF WRITER

A

lthough Asian American Awareness month kicked off on Feb. 26, with appearances by Nisha Ganatra and Margaret Cho, the month’s events are still in high gear around campus.

The main goal of dedicating a month specifically to Asian Americans is not only to recognize the group specifically, but also to welcome others to explore the culture. This month is entitled “Sharing Our Strength” specifically for this reason. Events created by students for students help to aid in this sharing process.

Check the calendar for information on additional events.

Taste of Asia When: Today, 5-7 p.m.

Where: University YMCA Free event for all students and community members Asian American Idol When: Saturday, 8-10 p.m.

Where: Illini Union Ballroom Free admission, and refreshments and snacks will be provided. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

International Festival 2003: A World of Culture Under One Roof When: Sunday, 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Krannert Center Lobby Free food and admission Asian American Association Fashion Show When: April 4, 7 p.m.

Where: Foellinger Auditorium Tickets: $7-$10 For ticket information, visit www.uiuc.edu/ro/aaa Sexualities and Asian/America: Redirecting the Conversation with Thomas Nakayama, Professor, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University When: April 8, 10 a.m. to noon Where: Asian American Studies 1208 W. Nevada St. Taiwanese Cultural Puppet Show and Workshop with visiting speaker Alan Chen When: April 12, 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: TBA For more information, contact Taiwanese American Students Club reps Lisa Nonzee snonzee@uiuc.edu or Jennie Ly jenniely@uiuc.edu.

this week Th Mar 13 Open Auditions: What’s the Word?

7pm, free Los Angeles Guitar Quartet 7:30pm, $16-$25 Sponsors: Sara Latta and Tony Liss Gigi and Frank Miles

Fr Mar 14 Open Auditions: What’s the Word?

7pm, free Los Angeles Guitar Quartet 7:30pm, $16-$25 Chris Aiken and Cathy Young in Concert 8pm, donation requested

corporate season underwriter patron season sponsors ANNA

He’s Just Too

Big This man on a tricycle makes as much sense as a size 28 mouth accommodating size 32 teeth. When wisdom teeth come in, the result is often painful and damaging to other teeth.

This time of year, it is not unusual for students to have trouble with their wisdom teeth. Stress and lack of proper rest and diet seem to act as a catalyst for wisdom tooth flare-up.

RICHARD MERRITT

krannert center

Sa Mar 15

We Mar 19

Los Angeles Guitar Quartet 7:30pm, $16-$25

The Music of George Lewis 8pm, $2-$5

Sinfonia da Camera: Carmen 8pm, $10-$33

Th Mar 20

Chris Aiken and Cathy Young in Concert 8pm, donation requested

Su Mar 16

UI Concert Choir 8pm, $4-$7

Fr Mar 21 Sherban Lupu, violin 8pm, $2-$5

International Fest: A World of Culture Under One Roof noon, free The Black Sacred Music Symposium 7pm, $7-$10

Some Krannert Center programs are supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Illinois Arts Council, and patron and corporate contributions.

Support for Krannert Center’s free Creative Intersections events is provided

by The News-Gazette.

KrannertCenter.com 217/333-6280 or 800/KCPATIX 217/333-9714 (TTY) 217/244-SHOW (Fax) 217/244-0549 (Groups) kran-tix@uiuc.edu Ticket Office Open 10am to 6pm daily; on days of performances open 10am through intermission.

We have it all for Europe Visit the Student Travel Expert!

■

Student ClassTM and Non-student class Worldwide Airfares

■

Bus passes

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Tours

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Rail passes – most Eurail passes issued on the spot or same day

At Affiliates in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, the removal of wisdom teeth is done as an outpatient surgery and is often covered by student insurance.

616 E Green St. Ste C Champaign, IL 61820

217-328-CUTS (2887) champaign@travelcuts.com 507 S. Second Champaign, IL 61820 217/351-7111

AND

@

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Centennial Park, Champaign. Help raise funds for Champaign County’s homeless and abandoned animals. Registration at 9am, Dog walk starts at 11am. Forms available now at the Humane Society.

Helping homeless pets, one step at a time!

Champaign County Fairgrounds.

Basement, attic and garage all full? You’re in luck! The Annual Champaign County Humane Society Giant Garage Sale is just around the corner! Drop off starts midMay! Call Julie at 344-7297 for more info!

Lincoln Square Mall. 10am to 5pm. It’s a baby shower... for kittens! Bring in donations and meet lots of adoptable kittens! Baby kittens need dry or wet food (Iams or Science Diet), cat litter, washable toys, etc... Come out and join in the fun!

Now open Saturdays – 11am to 3pm

Champaign County Humane Society 1911 E. Main • Urbana, IL • 217-344-7297

www.travelcuts.com

www.cuhumane.org

16

arts

[YOU] SPEAK AN INFINITE DEAL OF NOTHING | MARCH 13-19, 2003

BookReview

No Book Hoop Roots: Playground Basketball, Love, and Race JOHN EDGAR WIDEMAN

BY JASON MINARD | STAFF WRITER

J

ohn Edgar Wideman’s book begins with the phrase “No Book.”

Simple enough.

But it is more than that. It is a message to the reader that this will not be a conventional read in the sense that one is going to go from point A to point B in a traditional plot line.

As Wideman puts it, “This is not a book. ... this is a gob of spit in the face of art.” He is going to weave not just a story, but many stories that swirl around his life on the basketball court and influence his life.

Wideman is a Rhodes Scholar and graduate of Oxford University. He is a writer of over 20 works of fiction and non-fiction, and is the winner of such awards as the MacArthur Foundation Award and the Pen-Faulkner Fiction Prize, which he has won twice.

On Monday at 7:30 p.m., he will be hosting “An Evening with John Edgar Wideman,” on the third floor of the Levis Faculty Center, 919 W. Illinois St., Urbana. The lecture is open to the public, and no pre-registration is necessary.

Wideman’s book is not constrained by any literary, verb or punctuation convention, and moves from topic to topic as if he is having a sit-down conversation. He opens with his love of the game that he began playing as a child,

SUBMISSIONS SUBMISSIONS Penny Dreadful Players Spring 2003 Short Play Festival Submit scripts to Cube #15, Illini Union Room 280 Deadline: Friday, 5 p.m.

Plays must run less than 15 minutes and require no elaborate sets or costumes.

Questions: e-mail trapp@uiuc.edu.

La Casa Cultural Latina La Carta Literary Magazine Submit art and poetry to la_carta2002@yahoo. com or La Casa, 1203 W. Nevada St., Urbana Deadline: Sunday, April 9 Questions: e-mail la_carta2002@yahoo.com Krannert Center Student Association (KCSA) 1st Annual Short Story Contest Submit stories to yuksel@uiuc.edu Deadline: April 15 Winners will be announced at “On the Rocks.”

Questions: e-mail yuksel@uiuc.edu Pages for All Ages 5th Annual Poetry Contest Entry forms are available at the store, 1201 Savoy Plaza Lane, Savoy. Deadline: April 28

and the love that he received at home. Being the oldest child in his family, he noticed the extra love and attention that tended to come his way and knew how important it was to have that.

For Wideman, the basketball court is a place of freedom, an open-ended story that hasn’t been told. Yes, it has rules that give the game boundaries, but it can go in any direction that the players take it. For him, writing is quite the opposite. He likens the plight of the coach that can only substitute players rather than play the game to that of the plight of the writer. The writer is a spectator and never a participant.

The writer “can lend the sub his uniform, name, number, but the writer remains stuck on the pine.”

As easily as Wideman speaks about his court experiences, he moves to other topics, such as the influence of jazz and the storytelling of his grandfather. He has no problem barring his soul about such topics as his crumbling marriage and the breakdown of his body as he reaches the age of 60.

To him, being torn away from a game that is so intertwined with his life, and life itself, is particularly heartbreaking. Playground ball is something pure that is willed into life by the desire to strive for perfection—the perfect game, the perfect shot, some form of perfection that humans cannot achieve in other ways.

The book is a memoir that is smart, funny, and reflecting. Basketball is just the backdrop for a story about being human, and Wideman does an excellent job of telling that story.

buzz

1,000’s of Used - Rare Out of Print Bought & Sold

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Study-related gynecological care and testing is provided to eligible participants at no cost, and reimbursement is available for time and travel.

For more information, please contact the Women's Health Practice Research Coordinator at:

Women's Health Practice is looking for healthy women between the ages of 16 and 23 to join a research study on human papilloma virus (HPV), a virus that can lead to genital warts and cervical cancer in women.

Fifty percent of sexually active women get HPV and there is no cure. This research study is testing an investigational vaccine to see if it can prevent infection with HPV. If you are between the ages of 16 and 23 and have no history of abnormal Pap smears or genital warts, you may qualify for this study.

Suzanne Trupin, MD, FACOG

2125 South Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820

arts

MARCH 13-19, 2003 | 1, 2, 3, FUNNY

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DESIGNATED DRIVERS ARE SEXY | MARCH 13-19, 2003

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19

MARCH 13-19, 2003 | I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL

Success one fan at a time O.A.R. lands major deal, brings tour to Champaign

BY BRIAN MERTZ | MUSIC EDITOR

S

PHOTO COURTESY | Lava Records

pending time on the road often gives a band some interesting stories to tell. But Ohio rock band O.A.R. doesn’t share wild backstage stories involving sex, drugs and alcohol.

Lead guitarist Richard On instead told a tale of a Michigan man who lost a young family member. The man e-mailed O.A.R. and explained that the song “I Feel Home” was what helped him grieve. The man also informed O.A.R. that he would be attending their Detroit show.

“In Detroit we put the young boy’s name in the song,” On said. “Everyone who knew about their situation was crying. Helping someone like that keeps us going.”

It is that kind of connection with their fans that has enabled O.A.R. to sell out venues across the country, move 250,000 copies of their music and in 2002, co-headline with

Sheryl Crow, Train and Ziggy Marley. All of this was accomplished without a radio single, without a video on MTV and without distribution support from a major record label.

O.A.R. is a perfect example of a band that has created success from relentless touring and connecting with their fans.

O.A.R. returns to Champaign on Tuesday for an in-store performance at Record Service and a sold-out show at the Canopy Club that night. The band played to capacity crowds in Champaign before, but this time they will play as a band signed to a major record label.

Formerly signed to Everfine Records, O.A.R. is now working on their fifth album on Lava Records.

“Everfine was a great label, but Lava has more marketing power with radio and more power to get out videos,” On said. “We view being on a major label more like a partnership to help us get our music out to as many people as possible.”

The current lineup of O.A.R., which stands

O.A.R. | Performing at the Canopy Club Tuesday, March 18 at 10 p.m.

for Of A Revolution, came together at Ohio State University. In addition to On playing lead guitar, the band is made up of Marc Roberge on rhythm guitar and vocals, Chris Culos on drums, Benj Gershman on bass and Jerry DePizzo adds the unique sound of a saxophone to the group.

O.A.R.’s live shows feature extended solos and jams, features that don’t always transfer well to studio recordings. But for their new album, due out on May 27, O.A.R. feels that it is not compromising the unique qualities that appeal to fans of its live shows.

“We try to be honest with what we are doing in the studio,” On said. “Capturing the little improvisations that we add in while recording takes the energy from our live shows and puts it into the record.”

For the first time, O.A.R. is faced with the dilemma of picking from its album a single for radio promotion by a major label. Even though radio can create strict time requirements, On insists that the O.A.R. sound is not being modified too much.

“We haven’t run into any problems in the studio where we have had to sacrifice any of our songs,” On said.

According to On, the band is trying out new sounds on their album, including a song that is “not exactly rapping, but it is different.” Fans who have seen O.A.R. recently will recognize about half of the songs on their new release, according to On, and half of the songs will be brand new material.

“Some of the songs on there are us, but they might not sound like us,” On said. “We believe that a good band should grow and evolve, and that is what we are shooting for.”

While the new support from Lava may get O.A.R.’s songs to a wider audience, the deal also brings with it new pressures.

“Labels are in the business to sell records, so they are expecting a lot from us,” On said.

“But if things don’t work out, we’re still going to go at performing at the same pace.”

That pace has caused O.A.R.’s fan base grow by leaps and bounds. In 1998 the band was playing shows at small college bars in Ohio. Today, the band will headline the Aragon Ballroom, one of Chicago’s largest concert venues.

O.A.R. made its early touring schedule fit into members’ college class schedule. On explained that all of the band members scheduled their classes on Monday through Wednesday. The band then left Ohio State on Thursday to tour, and then returned Sunday night to make it to their classes on Monday.

“I think people have appreciated our dedication to touring,” On said. “In turn, we have

[

[

We believe that a good band should grow and evolve, and that is what we are shooting for.

– Richard On, O.A.R. Lead Guitarist

drawn a lot of inspiration from our fans on the road.”

As O.A.R. worked to build their fan base show by show, the band was helped by a new innovation in the music world—Napster. On recalled that when the band was just starting out, their songs were being swapped across the Internet in MP3 format.

“We would show up to places we’d never played at before and people would know all of the words to our songs,” On said.

The band maintains an open-taping policy for all of its live shows. And while a band on a major label might think that MP3 trading has to be stopped in order for album sales to be successful, On sees a different solution to the sales problem.

“Before, anyone could just put out a burned CD for an independent album,” On said.

“Now artists have to be more creative with the packaging of their albums.”

O.A.R. filmed a performance at Irving Plaza in New York that will be included as a bonus DVD disc when the new album hits stores.

As O.A.R. continues to grow, there is no indication that it will stop playing at college towns that are not part of major touring circuits for other major-label bands.

“We love playing both big cities and college towns,” On said. “We actually miss being back in school, so that is why we enjoy playing college towns.”

With major label support complimenting their loyal fan base, 2003 might be the year O.A.R. becomes a household name. But even if their album doesn’t become a major hit, On insists that the band will remain happy.

“Everything we have done so far is way past where we’d ever thought we’d be,” On said. “We can’t believe it.”

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HAPPY NATIONAL PLAY THE RECORDER MONTH | MARCH 13-19, 2003

CDReviews

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ZWAN Mary Star of the Sea ★★★

BY RACHEL TOLER On Mary Star of the Sea, mastermind Billy Corgan seems torn between reliving his Smashing Pumpkins past and creating the sound for Zwan’s future.

But give the guy a break. He and the rest of the Pumpkins raised the bar for all subsequent rock bands.

Now he has a responsibility to at least clear this bar with Zwan.

As a band, Zwan does have the potential to rise above much of the sludgy “rock” that is present on the radio. Aside from singer and guitarist Corgan, Zwan consists of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, also a veteran of the Pumpkins, guitarist Matt Sweeney from the bands Skunk and Chavez, guitarist David Pajo from the bands Slint and Papa M, and bassist Paz Lenchantin from A Perfect Circle.

This experienced lineup digs right into the first track on the album,“Lyric,” where the band introduces a wall-ofsound orchestration that does not let up until the second half of the album. The layers of sound make for an intimidating first listen, but all of the instruments are laced together so coherently that the result is truly lyrical.

Even though guitars make up most of this sound, the most notable elements of this song are Chamberlin’s furious drumming and Lenchantin’s refreshing female back-up vocals.

Unlike most drummers, Chamberlin’s style acts as a separate dynamic for every song. Instead of keeping to the background music, Chamberlin’s drumming bursts into the tangle of guitars, thus adding an explosive beat that cannot go ignored.

Adding to Chamberlin’s talent, Lenchantin’s neutral vocals provide an interesting contrast with Corgan’s strikingly nasal voice. Her relaxing vocals float in and out of the music in “Lyric,” mixing dexterously with the melding of guitars.

The beautiful guitar sound that Corgan perfected in the Pumpkins stands out in the song “Of a Broken Heart.”This song showcases Corgan’s paradoxical skill of making a sad song sound optimistic through the use of an acoustic guitar and a cello. The result is a subdued, underwater-sounding song that recalls such Pumpkins tunes as “Porcelina of the Vast Oceans” and “Beautiful.”

But on the second half of Mary Star of the Sea, Corgan abandons his old Pumpkins tricks and experiments with the Zwan sound.

The disjointed track “Baby Let’s Rock” blends short, heavy metal guitar chords and bouncy drums to create a sound that is singular to Zwan (and goes better with the bright, cartoon cover art). The Beatles-esque background vocals add an element of classic rock to the dreaminess of the song, making it a complete and loveable success.

The track “Jesus, I/ Mary Star of the Sea” also differs from the Pumpkins’ sound, but it introduces a brand new depth to Zwan’s music. The structure and lyrical content of this song closely resembles that of Led Zeppelin’s intricate jam, “In My Time of Dying.”

Compared to the rest of the album, the opening of this song is quite bare. It starts off with only an ambient guitar and Corgan’s voice, but it progresses into a much louder, classical rock sound that quiets down once again towards the end. The result is an eerily gorgeous arrangement that seems tailor-made for live shows, and that dispels any doubts as to whether or not Zwan can be as good as the Pumpkins once were.

Zwan’s first effort should exceed many rock fans’ expectations, especially at a time when so many talented rock bands have fallen apart or faded away. On “Baby Let’s Rock” Corgan asserts,“Baby, I’m the greatest thing you got.” In the name of rock music, Zwan has proven this mantra to be true.

MINUS THE BEAR Highly Refined Pirates ★★

BY RYAN BICKING Catchy song titles like “Monkey!!!Knife!!!Fight!!!,”“I Lost All My Money At The Cock Fights” and “Thanks For The Killer Game Of Crisco Twister” immediately made me want to listen to Minus The Bear’s CD Highly Refined Pirates. But on their CD, it’s not the words that kept me listening but the sound of an amazing mix of drums, guitars and a keyboard.

I was honestly quite upset and felt mislead when I realized there would be no song about a monkey knife fight.

Giving funny titles to songs that are not humorous does not work. Every song has a title with a quirk, but the overall theme to every song is about relationships.

“Monkey!!!Knife!!!Fight!!!” is about a date that runs late into the night, while “I Lost All My Money At The Cock Fights” is about a girl that the lead singer hooks up with in a bar.

The lyrics don’t get complicated and don’t stand out.

Most of the songs have only about 17 lines. Even then, these lines are quite basic, using only three to five words. It did not seem like the band took the songs they were writing seriously, hence the unrelated titles and simple lyrics.

Putting the poor lyrics aside, the CD sounds incredible.

Half of the CD is dedicated purely to the talent that the band has in playing. Five songs on the CD are instrumental, while almost every other song has at least a minute long intro or closing.

It’s hard not to get caught up in the music when listening to it. As unlikely as it may seem, the keyboard used in the songs goes wonderfully with the drums and guitars. I looked forward to hearing all the times when lead singer Jake Snider would stop and the rest of the band would take over.

Highly Refined Pirates is a mix of the good and the bad.

The lyrics are nothing special, but at the same time the way the band plays is excellent. Minus The Bear definitely has the talent and potential to take their music a step further.

Until they either start taking their songwriting seriously or write a song actually about a monkey knife fight, I can’t imagine Minus The Bear going too far.

POSTAL SERVICE Give Up ★★★★

BY RYAN HUTSON The first time Jimmy Tamborello (aka Dntel) and Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard crossbred their musical talents, the duo gave birth to “(This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan”, the showpiece for Tamborello’s 2001 release, Life Is Full of Possibilities. Last year, Tamborello and Gibbard announced yet another collaboration, this time an entire LP. Starting in December 2001, the two worked on creating their debut Give Up via mail, with Tamborello mixing tracks in Los Angeles and shipping them to Gibbard in Seattle, who added guitars, vocals and lyrics. Thus, the clever name, as the musicians relied on the U.S. Postal Service as much as they did on one another. The musical pen pals unveiled their anticipated creation in late February.

Tamborello’s synthetic, glitchy sound beautifully recreates how music used to feel, in the days made famous by bands like Depeche Mode and The Human League. Enter Gibbard, interlacing his soft, sincere tenor and emotive lyrics. The end result is a subtly haunting, digital composition, musically impossible to categorize. Is it electronica?

Yeah, sort of, in an IDM,“casual dance music” sense. But wait, doesn’t Gibbard’s influence make it more indie pop? Yes, in a way, it does. Nobody really knows, but nobody cares – whatever it is, it works.

The album opens with “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight,” quite possibly the strongest song of the entire compilation. Leading with a Casio-esque keyboard organ, Tamborello’s instrumentation slowly assembles behind Gibbard’s equally-climaxing melody, finishing with an echoing realization of a relationship gone sour:“I am finally seeing why I was the one worth leaving.”

The second track,“Such Great Heights,” has been released as a single. The catchy number highlights Tamborello’s influences, dripping an upbeat ‘80s tempo all over synthesized drums and guitars.“Brand New Colony,” especially reminisces of the forgotten decade, seating itself in front of a wood-paneled Zenith, circa 1986, at the dawn

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of Nintendo’s pixilated, two-dimensional soundtracks.

In “Nothing Better,” Gibbard reiterates his fashion for lost love. With the guest vocals of solo artist Jen Wood, we eavesdrop on the final conversation of a dying relationship.

Wood interrupts Gibbard’s last-ditch effort,“Tell me am I right to think that there could be nothing better/ Than making you my bride and slowly growing old to together” with her reality check:“Don’t you feed me lines about some idealistic future/ Your heart won’t heal right if you keep tearing out the sutures.”

The rest of Give Up is solid, though Gibbard wavers lyrically by mid-record, and Tamborello’s synthesis thins sporadically throughout.“Sleeping In” stumbles the most, crawling over forced rhymes:“Last night I had the strangest dream/ Where everything was exactly how it seemed/ Where there was never any mystery/About who shot John F. Kennedy.”Yet unfailingly, when Gibbard’s lyrics lack, Tamborello’s beat carries the tune, and vice-versa.

The pair’s chemistry supplements their own contrast, which is exactly why The Postal Service works so well, albeit not flawlessly. Give Up is good, no doubting that, but the initial effectiveness of “Evan and Chan” may have implied an album impossible to make. Still, Tamborello and Gibbard have created a sound so undeniably infecting, Give Up hardly disappoints.

SONDRE LERCHE Faces Down ★★★

BY LIZ MOZZOCCO No, Sondre Lerche is not pronounced “Sandra Lerch,” and Sondre Lerche is also not the bald, creepy uncle from The Addams Family. Nor is Sondre Lerche a woman, as he made apparent when he visited Champaign a few weeks ago to open for Nada Surf at the Courtyard Cafe at the Illini Union.

These myths put to rest, Sondre Lerche (actually pronounced Son-drey Lair-kay) is a name that you should know. Faces Down is the debut album from this 19-year-old songwriter from Norway. Lerche may be young, but he certainly knows how to write a melody. The 12 tunes he dishes out on Faces Down are interesting, enjoyable and catchy.

Don’t mistake them for quick little pop songs, though.

Only one of the tracks on Faces Down is under three minutes, and the longest —the epic “Things You Call Fate” — runs for a whole nine minutes and 20 seconds.

All of the songs are a mellow twisting of pretty melodies, acoustic strummings, winding electric solos, tap-dancing drum beats and Beatles-esque string arrangements, sometimes with a little feedback or background noise thrown in for the hell of it. Lerche’s songwriting style is light and a little bit cheesy — imagine Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello had a kid, and he came out cool and European.

As for Lerche’s singing — yeah, okay, so he sounds a little like that guy from The Strokes — but it’s all right because one never gets the feeling that he’s trying to; he’s just Norwegian like that. And besides, his voice is actually quite charming. He hits all the high notes and whispers and coos and growls the low notes with a hot accent to boot.

Lerche manages to pull off songs that are catchy and mellow at the same time. Lyrically, they are rather vague, though they might appeal to more adventurous listeners who are willing to make up their own meanings. Lerche doesn’t give many hints to go off of, however.

He makes up for any ambiguous lyrics with tunes that don’t really need words in the first place. You’ll find yourself humming all day long the chorus from the soaring “Sleep On Needles” or the “nah nah nah nah nah’s” from the end of “Luck Ran Out,” without thinking about what the words mean. Lerche’s melodies are instantly likeable and the instrumentation and female background vocals are immediately admirable.

That said, Faces Down probably isn’t for everyone. There are times when Lerche’s songs can be a little bit too “welcome to the cabana,” and sometimes the happy melodies are almost too happy.

But just when you think the Bacharach similarities are about to get nauseating, he turns it around with a few odd strumming patterns, a twisting guitar solo or swaying strings. The overall effect is quite pleasing. Lerche’s music would be perfect for wooing the one you love, but be careful, because he might woo you too while you’re at it.

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music

MARCH 13-19, 2003 | SILLY HATS ONLY

SoundBlotter

INDEPENDENT ROCK / PUNK / EMO

Bringing you the week’s musical flava!

Local rockers Absinthe Blind make a stop in Champaign along the first leg of their U.S. tour. The tour kicked off in Chicago on Feb. 20 in support of AB’s newest release, Rings. Forming over six years ago, AB continues to pack the house with their effects-laden soothing rock sound. The harmonies of brother-sister duo Adam and Erin Fein are simply enchanting and not to be missed.

The Blackouts have one of the most fun live shows of any local band. These guys know how to bring the rock. If you’re a fan of the ‘60s garage-rock revival, there is no excuse for missing this show.

Get your butt out to Mike ‘n Molly’s to see why both Absinthe Blind and The Blackouts were voted best band in 2002 (it was a tie) by CU Cityview readers. Also opening will be Twinstar and Lanterna (local instrumental rock). (Anne Mastny)

ROCK O.A.R. / Marc Broussard / Pseudopod Tuesday, March 18, 12 p.m., Record Service (free) Tuesday, March 18, 8 p.m., Canopy Club ($17.50 / sold out) They’re back! After completing a U.S. tour as the opening act for Counting Crows, O.A.R. returns to the Canopy Club in support of their most recent album Any Time Now. Along with a pair of acts that are sure to satisfy even the most difficult-to-please music fans, this promises to be one of the best allaround rock shows this spring.

Opening acts include Marc Broussard and his fivepiece blues band, and Pseudopod. Broussard hails from Lafayette, La. and delivers a classic sound reminiscent of early Stevie Wonder. UCLA-based Pseudopod boasts the title of “best college rock band” according to Rolling Stone magazine.

Although the 8 p.m. show at the Canopy is sold out, listen to 107.1 The Planet for possible ticket giveaways. Also, O.A.R. will be playing a special instore live set at Record Service (621 E. Green St., Champaign) at 12 p.m. (Corey Wilson)

JAZZ The Music of George Lewis Wednesday, March 19, 8p.m., Krannert Center, Tryon Festival Theatre ($5 Public / Senior Citizens $4 / Students $2) Presented by the University of Illinois Concert Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Chip McNeill and the University of Illinois New Music Ensemble, and co-directed by Zack Browning and Stephen Taylor, this promises to be a unique concert. George Lewis is best known as a trombone player with serious chops and a leader in avant-garde composition.

Lewis has been a member of the famous Chicagobased Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians since the 1970’s and has recorded with progressive jazz luminaries like Anthony Braxton and John Zorn. The program will feature compositions for a combined jazz ensemble, chamber ensemble and percussion soloist with computergenerated tape. It’s hard to know exactly what to expect from this concert, which is, of course, exactly the point. (Paul Malina)

INDUSTRIAL Chemlab Album News Rivetheads rejoice!

For the first time since they broke up in 1997, Chemlab has begun working on a new record.

Unfortunately, Dylan Thomas More will not be heard on this record. Jared Louche will still be present on this incarnation, working with Jamie Duffy and Jason Novak (both of Acumen Nation, dj? Acucrack, and Iron Lung Corp.), along with contributions from various other musicians in the industrial scene.

Louche commented on the large amount of people working on the record, saying that even though there are more people than on the previous records, this will not be a Pigface-style approach. To get more info, check out the Chemlab homepage at http://www.waste.org/chemlab/. (Brian Tracy)

Absinthe Blind / The Blackouts / Twinstar / Lanterna Friday, March 14, 10 p.m., Mike ‘n Molly’s ($5)

HOUSE / TECHNO / ELECTRONIC Mark Almaria / DJ L-Tek / Grandfunk Emperor Thursday, March 13, 9 p.m., The Highdive ($5) Champaign-Urbana has seen a dropoff in terms of big name DJs who come to play locally, but Chicago DJ Mark Almaria has not lost his respect for the C-U scene. On March 13, Almaria will return to the Highdive for another energy-filled Chicago house set. Almaria, who used to frequent Orchid’s “Liquid Thursdays” events, has played at the Highdive several times over the past year, always to a packed and enthusiastic dance floor. Almaria’s abilities to work a crowd, combined with his musical ear, have kept him at the forefront of the Chicago scene and make him a local favorite.

Make sure you get to the Highdive early as two of Champaign’s finest DJs get the party started.

Grandfunk Emperor will be spinning house. DJ LTek, who also serves as the resident for the Highdive’s dubFrequency Tuesday nights, will be spinning drum n’ bass. This is L-Tek’s last year as resident of the dubFrequency nights, so make a point to catch his expert mixing before it becomes a rare event in Champaign-Urbana. (Brian Mertz)

HIP HOP / R&B / SOUL Hip Hop Tuesdays featuring UC Hip Hop DJs, MCs, and B-boys and girls Every Tuesday, 10 p.m., Tonic Nightclub ($2)

UC Hip Hop is bringing a new flavor to the campus bar scene. For the first time, you can come out and experience hip hop in its true form right in the middle of Campustown. Every week, UC Hip Hop DJs Limbs, Arkon, Artur and JLR will be spinning hip hop, breakbeats and classic soul. Local MCs and B-boys alike have a chance every Tuesday to show their skills with the open mic and open floor spotlight.

Hip hop lovers cannot afford to miss this event.

(Jason Rogers)

COUNTRY / BLUEGRASS / AMERICANA Trailer Bride, Rex Hobart & His Misery Boys, Tractor Kings Tuesday, March 18, 8 p.m., Independent Media Center ($8) The IMC brings an incredible lineup Tuesday night with a little something for all types of country fans.

The guys and gal of Trailer Bride serenade crowds with their dark genre-defying swamp country.

Melissa Swingle’s hypnotizing tales of the spooky South and the band’s thick jittery pop-country make for an incredible and unique sound not to be missed.

And for those of us aching for the honest, lovestarved, country classics of old, there is Rex Hobart & His Misery Boys. While mainstream country has taken a regrettably commercial turn, Rex and company are still honky-tonkin’ about love unrequited, the way good country was meant to be.

Don’t forget CU’s own Tractor Kings. Jacob Fleischli’s dark, listless vocals blend with their flowing psychedelic country, creating an eerie effect.

The result is muddled and haunting pop music that pushes the boundaries of alt-country. (Adam Cook) Hayseed Dixie with Tim Krekel Saturday, March 15, 7:30 p.m., The Highdive ($10) Bluegrass gets a heavy metal twist this week when Hayseed Dixie visits the Highdive. The boys got their start covering AC/DC and are back in support of their new album Kiss My Grass – A Hillbilly Tribute to Kiss. Though the “Pickin’ On…” series has already “grassified” some of rock’s greats, Hayseed uses their home-grown sincerity to create twangy classics that stand on their own. Also expect special appearances from the Kerosene Brothers, the band’s alterego, with their “mountain songs about drinking, cheating, killing and hell.” And if you miss the show be sure and catch Hayseed Dixie on Live in the Living Room Saturday afternoon on WWHP The Whip 98.3.

Don’t arrive late, or you’ll miss an opening set by veteran songwriter and guitarist Tim Krekel.

When

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CHARTS RECORD SERVICE TOP 10 SELLERS 1. The Ataris – So Long Astoria (Sony) 2. Cursive – Ugly Organ (Saddle Creek Records) 3. Minus 5 – Down with Wilco (Yep Roc Records) 4. Cat Power – You Are Free (Matador Records) 5. The Music – Music (Capitol) 6. Fifty Cent – Get Rich or Die Trying (ShadyAftermath Records) 7. Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Blue Note) 8. R. Kelly – Chocolate Factory (Jive) 9. Fabolous – Street Dreams (Elektra/Asylum) 10. Royksopp – Melody A.M. (Astralwerks)

PARASOL RECORDS TOP 10 SELLERS 1. Club 8 - Saturday Night Engine EP (A Hidden Agenda Record/Labrador Sweden) 2. Walt Kelly and Norman Monath - Songs Of The Pogo (Reaction Recordings) 3. The Postal Service - Give Up (Sub Pop Records) 4. Bettie Serveert - Log 22 (A Hidden Agenda Record) 5. Throwing Muses - Throwing Muses (4AD Records) 6. Mark Bacino - The Million Dollar Milkshake (Parasol Records) 7. Neilson Hubbard - Sing Into Me (Parasol Records) 8. Folksongs For The Afterlife - Put Danger Back In Your Life (A Hidden Agenda Record) 9. Centaur - In Streams (Martians Go Home Records) 10. Absinthe Blind Rings (Mud Records)

not writing hits for Canned Heat, Delbert McClinton or Deana Carter, Krekel rocks with his loyal fan base in his hometown of Louisville, Ky. Be sure and take this opportunity to learn what his “Krekkies” already know. (AC)

CLASSICAL Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Thursday -Saturday, March 13-15, 7:30pm, Krannert Center Studio Theatre ($25 Public / $24 Students & Senior Citizens / $18 University of Illinois & Youth) The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet is currently enjoying a warm response to its latest album, Latin, which is among the leaders on Billboard’s ClassicalCrossover chart. The album was also recently nominated for a Grammy in the Classical-Crossover category. The Quartet has been called one of the best ensembles of its kind, and it should be a special treat to see the group in an intimate environment like Krannert’s Studio.

The members of the group, John Dearman, William Kanengiser, Scott Tenant and Andrew York, are also accomplished composers and arrangers, having toured North America, Europe and Japan together.

The group’s concert will feature works by Piazzolla, Copland, Rodrigo, Bizet, Corea and others. (Paul Malina)

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HE WAS A SK8ER BOI | MARCH 13-19, 2003

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Flogging Molly cancels show

BY ANDY SIMNICK | STAFF WRITER

Verde Hootenanny

1:30 PM–3:00 PM Encaustic Painting Demonstration

by Toni Putnam

10:00 AM–11:30 AM Children’s Art Groups Begin

17 E. Taylor St. Champaign, IL 61820

11:30 AM–2:00 PM What’s That Sound?

Verde Gallery Phone: 366-3202

Hidden Nature

Verdant News & Coffee Phone: 366-3204

Watercolors

by Author Herbert Marder

Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-10pm Gallery: Tues-Sat 10am-10pm

Ceramics From and Inspired by The Arts and Crafts Movement

The Labyrinth Project

Sunday, April 13

7:30 p.m.

$4 UIUC Student Discount!

Tickets at the Assembly Hall Box Office (Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. & Sat. Noon to 4 p.m.), Illini Union, TicketMaster (including TicketMaster.com, Bergner’s or call 3512626) or Charge By Phone: 333-5000. Please add $3 per ticket convenience charge on all phone and fax orders. When ordering tickets, please inform the ticket agent of any seating requests which may require special accommodations. www.uofiassemblyhall.com

STUDENT AFFAIRS/University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

F

logging Molly was forced to cancel their St. Patrick’s Day show at the Canopy Club because it conflicted with a performance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show.

The Los Angeles-based band was on the Midwestern leg of their current tour with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones when the Canopy Club date was booked. Flogging Molly’s tour with the Bosstones would have come to an end by the time of March 17 show.

However, just as quickly as news broke that one of the largest touring Irish bands were coming to Urbana on St. Patrick’s Day, the show was cancelled due to unforeseeable scheduling conflicts.

According to the band’s manager, Gary Schwindt, Flogging Molly was offered a chance to play on the St. Patrick’s Day edition of Jimmy Kimmel Live. He explained that the band was offered the guest spot after setting up the date for the Canopy show.

“The folks at Kimmel are good friends of the band,” Schwindt said. “It’s too good of an opportunity to pass up.”

Bob Schmidt, an original member of Flogging Molly and current mandolin/banjoist, said the band did not know about the scheduling conflict until just recently. “[The show in Champaign] was one of those things that was in the string of shows with the Bosstones,” Schmidt said. “We were going to be out there in Champaign and it sounded good. We didn’t know that our booking agent was planning a St. Paddy’s Day surprise.”

Schmidt also mentioned the record label’s ties to Jimmy Kimmel.

“The owner of Side One Dummy Records has been friends with Kimmel and [Adam] Carolla since they were comedy writers for KROQ Radio in L.A.,” Schmidt said. “Jimmy’s a fan of the band. We’re from L.A., they’re from L.A., and it’s St. Paddy’s Day. It seemed perfect. Plus, they’re funny as shit.”

This marks a change in plans for the band that normally celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by consuming “copious amounts of alcohol”, playing shows, and sometimes releasing a new album. Drunken Lullabies, their most recent album, was released on St. Patrick’s Day last year with their previous release Swagger coming two years prior to that. It will also mean a change in plans for those who obtained tickets for the show on March 17.

Canopy Club staff confirmed that tickets purchased for the show will be refunded. Jeff Markland, director of marketing and promotions, understands the band’s situation.

“Theses sort of things just happen,” Markland said. “They had an opportunity that you don’t pass up.”

Both Markland and Flogging Molly are confident that the show will be made up later in the year when the band returns to the Midwest.

“We’ll hopefully make it back out to Champaign,” Schwindt said. “I can’t put a date on it as dates haven’t been booked that far in

advance, but possibly October or November.”

Influenced by The Who, The Clash, The Rolling Stones, and most notably The Pogues, Flogging Molly formed about five or six years ago in a L.A. pub. According to Schmidt the members of Flogging Molly would come to the pub and play traditional Irish music.

“Most of us came from Irish backgrounds,” Schmidt said. “We’d just come in and play.

Then we met Dave [the lead vocalist]. He was the catalyst and the band took off from there.”

The band’s unique sound blends traditional Irish songs with guitar riffs and heavy drumbeats. That sound has caught on quickly.

Flogging Molly has toured multiple continents, released three albums, and played on the main stage of the Vans Warped Tour in their relatively short existence. Their sound has been described many ways: folk, rock, punk, but never ordinary.

“Just by looking at us, you’d think we were a punk band, but we’re just as much folk or ballad,” Schmidt said. “If had to use one word to describe our music, I’d say rock, but it’s one of those things that the industry puts in a box.

We’re happy with not being classified.”

Schmidt believes that simple classifications do not mean much with regards to the music.

“You can’t look at Johnny Cash and say he’s not a punk since he has the same heart in his music,” Schmidt said. “On the other hand, you can call us an R & B band, but everyone in the audience will see that’s not true. Avril Lavigne’s label calls her a punk, but anyone familiar with the music knows better, but God bless her for trying.”

Although the band has been large in the punk scene for several years, the single “Drunken Lullabies” has introduced them to new markets around the country by getting regular radio rotation in cities such as San Francisco, Phoenix, and also Champaign. It was also featured on the soundtrack to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4.

“We were surprised that any of our songs would get on the radio,” Schmidt said, “but we’re not going to complain about it. Tony Hawk may have something to do with it. I’ll talk to fans after a show and I’ll tell them about what we’ve done. When I mention Tony Hawk, they’ll say ‘wow, you guys must be huge’.”

Because of their recent surge in smaller markets, the band is currently in the midst of a tour that targets areas the band has never played before.

“A lot of bands will overlook the smaller cities and go to the big city next door,” Schmidt said. “We’ve had a lot of fun on this tour, seeing places we’ve never seen before. Playing in smaller clubs means we can interact with the crowd more. It’s been a hell of a lot of fun.”

Even though they had to cancel, Flogging Molly doesn’t plan to stay away for long.

“We’re really sorry to the Champaign fans.

We were looking forward to it. We’ll definitely be back,” Schmidt said. “And when do come back, we’ll put some extra punch in it. It’ll be worth the wait.”

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music

MARCH 13-19, 2003 | SHE SAID SEE YA LATER BOI

23

OpenMic

No boundaries at Royale mic night

BY CYNTHIA EDWARDS | STAFF WRITER

A

s a singer’s voice echoes through the cobble-stoned, lower level of the coffeehouse, a relaxed audience sips hot drinks, flips through textbooks and listens attentively. When the performer reaches the final strains of the song, the audience applauds, anticipating the next performer.

Every Tuesday evening Espresso Royale, located at the corner of Goodwin and Oregon in Urbana, hosts Open Mic Night. Open Mic Night begins around 7:30 p.m. finishes around 10:30 p.m.

Billy Kirst, a May 2002 graduate of the University of Illinois and a current employee of Espresso Royale, is the show’s emcee. He organizes each show’s schedule and helps set up any necessary equipment.

Although Espresso Royale’s size limits its performance space, Kirst encourages all types of performing artists to share their talent with the Espresso Royale community.

“I’m a pretty free individual, so I don’t like to put boundaries on creativity,” Kirst said.

“You’re limited by you own ingenuity.”

Kirst himself often performs, usually at the beginning of shows and when gaps need to be filled in between performances.

In the past, performances have ranged from solo acts to four-piece mini-combo groups and included singing, playing musical instruments, and reading original poetry or short stories.

Performers have even played instruments typically unheard of in a coffee shop setting, such as bongos, electric guitar, harmonica and wood blocks. The genres of musical performances vary and include folk music, cover songs, original compositions and cultural music.

Although Espresso Royale is generally most crowded on Tuesday nights, Matthew Rogers, an employee of Espresso Royale, has never received complaints from customers about Open Mic Night.

“People that study in cafes are generally those that need background noise,” Rogers said. “If not, they’d be studying in a library.”

Hannah Choi, a graduate student, recently started studying at Espresso Royale and had no idea about Open Mic nights. One Tuesday night, she happened to be studying for a Wednesday exam at the cafe.

Although she focused on her studies that

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night, she said the Open Mic Night didn’t bother her at all. Choi said the performances provided a necessary break for her in between rigorous studying.

“It was perfect timing for me to have the atmosphere,” Choi said. “I wasn’t expecting anything like that at all, so it was a good surprise for me.”

[

I beg people that are not men or acoustic guitar players to come out (to perform).

– Billy Kirst, Open Mic Emcee

[

Although Choi said Tuesday nights were a lot more crowded at Espresso Royale than usual, Choi thought it was very exciting to be at an Open Mic Night. She enjoyed the performances so much that she plans on attending future Open Mic Nights.

“I think it’s really great that students have a place where they can come out and perform,” Choi said.

The atmosphere at Open Mic nights is

respectful. When there’s a performer that people want to hear, the cafe usually is quiet, and only the soft whir of a coffee machine can be heard.

Rogers believes people participate in Open Mic Night at Espresso Royale because of the friendly atmosphere, the size of the audience and just because it’s fun.

“It’s less formal than a lot of open mics,” Rogers said. “It’s open, the way open mics should be.”

Although all performing artists are welcome, male, acoustic guitar players represent the majority of the performers of Tuesday’s Open Mic shows.

“I beg people that are not men or acoustic guitar players to come out (to perform),” Kirst said.

Kirst joked that unless there’s a global catastrophe, Espresso Royale’s Open Mic nights will most likely exist in the future, as long as there’s someone around to organize them.

“I really want more people to stop by and check it out,” Kirst said.

Open Mic Night Tuesdays, 7:30-10:30 p.m. at Espresso Royale Corner of Goodwin and Oregon, Urbana

Lindley House

Bed and Breakfast 312 W. Green Urbana, IL 61801 217-384-4800 www.lindley.cc

Champaign-Urbana’s elegant lodging alternative.

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24

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MARCH 13-19, 2003

CLUBSVENUES Assembly Hall First & Florida, Champaign 333.5000 American Legion Post 24 705 W. Bloomington Rd., C. 356.5144 American Legion Post 71 107 N. Broadway, Urbana 367.3121 Barfly 120 N. Neil, Champaign 352.9756 Barnes and Noble 51 E. Marketview, Champaign 355.2045 Boltini Lounge 211 N. Neil, Champaign 378.8001 Borders Books & Music 802 W.Town Ctr., Champaign 351.9011 The Brass Rail 15 E. University, Champaign 352.7512 Canopy Club (The Garden Grill) 708 S. Goodwin, Urbana 367.3140 C.O. Daniels 608 E. Daniel, Champaign 337.7411 Cosmopolitan Club 307 E. John, Champaign 367.3079

Courtyard Cafe Illini Union, 1401 W. Green, U. 333.4666 Clybourne 706 S. Sixth, Champaign 383.1008 Curtis Orchard 3902 S. Duncan Road, Champaign 359.5565 D.R. Diggers 604 S. Country Fair Dr., C. 356.0888 Embassy Tavern & Grill 114 S. Race, Urbana 384.9526 Esquire Lounge 106 N. Walnut, Champaign 398.5858 Fallon’s Ice House 703 N. Prospect, Champaign 398.5760 Fat City Saloon 505 S. Chestnut, Champaign 356.7100 The Great Impasta 114 W. Church, Champaign 359.7377 G.T.’s Western Bowl Francis Dr., Champaign 359.1678 Hideaway 701 Devonshire Dr., Champaign 356.3081 The Highdive 51 Main, Champaign 359.4444 Huber’s 1312 W. Church, Champaign 352.0606 Illinois Disciples Foundation 610 E. Springfield, Champaign 352.8721 Independent Media Center 218 W Main St, Urbana 344.8820 The Iron Post 120 S. Race, Urbana 337.7678 Joe’s Brewery 706 S. Fifth, Champaign 384.1790 Kam’s 618 E. Daniel, Champaign 328.1605 Krannert Art Museum 500 E. Peabody, Champaign 333.1861 Krannert Center for Performing Arts 500 S. Goodwin, Urbana Tickets: 333.6280, 800/KCPATIX La Casa Cultural Latina 1203 W. Nevada, Urbana 333.4950 Lava 1906 W. Bradley, Champaign 352.8714 Legends Bar & Grill 522 E. Green, Champaign 355.7674 Les’s Lounge 403 N. Coler, Urbana 328.4000 Lincoln Castle 209 S. Broadway, Urbana 344.7720 Malibu Bay Lounge North Rt. 45, Urbana 328.7415

Mike & Molly’s 105 N. Market, Champaign 355.1236 Mulligan’s 604 N. Cunningham, Urbana 367.5888 Murphy’s 604 E. Green, Champaign 352.7275 Neil Street Pub 1505 N. Neil, Champaign 359.1601 New Art Theater 126 W. Church, Champaign 351.7368 No Name Saloon 55 E. Main, Champaign 398.6912 The Office 214 W. Main, Urbana 344.7608 Parkland College 2400 W. Bradley, Champaign 351.2528 Phoenix 215 S, Neil, Champaign 355.7866 Pia’s of Rantoul Rt. 136 E., Rantoul 893.8244 Pink House Rts. 49 & 150, Ogden 582.9997 The Rainbow Coffeehouse 1203 W. Green, Urbana 766.9500 Red Herring/ Channing-Murray Foundation 1209 W. Oregon, Urbana 344.1176 Rose Bowl Tavern 106 N. Race, Urbana 367.7031 Springer Cultural Center 301 N. Randolph, Champaign 355.1406 Spurlock Museum 600 S. Gregory, Urbana 333.2360 Strawberry Fields Café 306 W. Springfield, Urbana 328.1655 Ten Thousand Villages 105 N. Walnut, Champaign 352.8938 TK Wendl’s 1901 S. Highcross Rd., Urbana 255.5328 Tonic 619 S. Wright, Champaign 356.6768 Two Main 2 Main, Champaign 359.3148 University YMCA 1001 S. Wright, Champaign 344.0721 Verde/Verdant 17 E. Taylor St., Champaign 366.3204 Virginia Theatre 203 W. Park Ave., Champaign 356.9053 White Horse Inn 112 1/2 E. Green, Champaign 352.5945 Zorba’s 627 E. Green, Champaign 344.0710

ThursdayMarch13 LIVE MUSIC Brandon T. Washington, Nad Navillus, Lefthand Blue Brass Rail, 10pm, $3 U of I #3 Jazz Band — The Iron Post, 7-9pm Ear Doctor — live jazz — Zorba’s 9:30pm, $3 Finga Lickin’ and Green Mountain Grass — benefit show The Canopy Club, 10pm Will Rogers Band — Neil Street Pub, free

DJ DANCING dubFrequency presents Mark Almaria, Grand Funk Emperor, DJ L-Tek — house music — The Highdive, 9pm, $5 DJ Roc On — Two Main Lounge, 10pm, cover Disco Dynamite with Paul West — Boltini Lounge, free DJ Who — Joe’s Brewery, 10:30pm DJ Resonate — Barfly, free

KARAOKE Karaoke — Pia’s Sports Bar & Grill, Rantoul Karaoke Night — No Name Saloon

COMEDY Tu Rae Gordon — black comedy tour — Illini Union Courtyard Cafe, 9pm, $3

ON STAGE Time of My Life — a tragic comedy concerning a family searching for happiness — Station Theater, 8pm

MUSIC PERFORMANCES Symphonic Band — Illinois State University Center for Performing Arts, 8pm

WORDS

celebrate the triumph of African American women in corporate America, feeaturing the Corporate Vice President of AT&T. — 160 English Building, 7-9pm Habits of a Colonial Heart: The Affective Grid of Racial Politics — keynote address in the Fourth Annual Graduate Symposium on Women’s and Gender History Ann Laura Stole professor of anthropology, history and women’s studies at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Levis Faculty Center, 7:30pm Hermophobia (On Sexual Orientation and Reading Nabokov) — Eric Naiman, professor of comparative literature and Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of California at Berkeley — Russian and East European Center room 101 International Studies Building, 4-5:30pm

FILM What is Desert Storm Syndrome? — Human Right Film Series; film then discussion facilitated by Joe Miller, member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War — Illinois Disciples Foundation, 7pm, free

OTHER Dance Workshop — conducted by Eliana Mane; everyone is welcome — La Casa, free Taste of Asia – Sharing Our Strength — AsianAmerican Awareness Month. Come taste various traditional dishes and learn more about Asian culture.

Sponsored by the Asian American Association — University YMCA, 5pm Filipino Sampler: A Taste of Everything Filipino — a peek into Filipino food, dance, issues, language and history. Sponsored by the Philippine Student Association. University YMCA, 7pm, $10 Fight Night — Cash prizes, contests, arm wrestling and more! — Lava of Champaign, 9pm Spend A Night With The Girls!! — enjoy the company of other women on campus along with refreshments in the Women’s Space Coffee House — University YMCA, 7:30-10pm

Voice — students of the University of Illinois Creative Writing Program read from their works — The Bread Company, 7:45pm

LECTURES Too Many Notes: Computers, Complexity and Culture —CAS/Millercomm series — George Lewis, professor of music and critical studies, University of California at San Diego (trombonist and composer) — Music Building, Auditorium Room 2100, 3:30pm, free Sailing Ships and Jumbo Jets in the CaribbeanAfrican Diaspora — John Nunley, Morton D. May Curator of the Arts of Oceania, Africa and Latin America of the St. Louis Art Museum — University of Illinois Spurlock Museum, 4pm, free Success of a Black Woman — An event designed to

DJ Spinnerty will rip a special four turntable workout — Illinois Disciples Foundation, 7pm, $5 Lying in States, Charlton Heaston and the Damn Dirty Apes — Independent Media Center, 8pm Special Consensus — The Iron Post, 9pm G. Lee and Jet Blonde, Brandy Johnson, Kate Hathaway Band — Brass Rail, 10pm, $3 Absinthe Blind, The Blackouts, Twinstar, Lanterna — Mike & Molly’s, 10pm Unreasonable Doubt — The Phoenix, 9pm Spacemod — Tommy G’s The Brittles — T.K.Wendl’s, 9-11pm Trippin’ Billies — Dave Matthews tribute and more — The Canopy Club The Dave Branning Trio — Embassy Tavern, 8:30pm Serve With Us Fundraiser — the monthly fundraising campaign for local charitable organizations benefits the Champaign County Sports Commission with live music, a raffle and other surprises — Two Main Lounge, 5-9pm Derrick Rice — The Landing Strip, 8pm S.O.D. — D R Diggers, 6-9pm 16th Avenue — American Legion Post 24, 9pm Will Rogers Band — Neil Street Pub, $2

DJ DANCING DJ Tim Williams — The Highdive, 10pm, $5 DJ — Two Main Lounge, 10pm, cover DJ Stifler — Lava of Champaign, 9pm, free DJ Bozak — Boltini, free Live DJs — No Name Saloon Request DJ — Hide-Away Lounge, 9pm DJ Sped — Joe’s Brewery, 10:30pm Salsa and Merengue Dancing — (dress code is no jeans, hats or tennis shoes) — The Regent, 11pm, $3.50 Realness with Blends By Otter — Barfly, free

KARAOKE Karaoke with Paul Faber — Lincoln Castle, 9pm G-Force — American Legion Post 71, 8pm

ON STAGE Generic Latina — presented by Teatro Luna, Chicago’s

FridayMarch14 LIVE MUSIC Pocket Big Band — The Highdive, 5:30-7:30pm, $3 The Virtues Quartet — Two Main Lounge, 5-8pm Hip Hop For Social Change: Anti Racist Anti War! — using original beats and rhymes the area’s most talented emcees and DJ’s will speak out against racism and war. Artists include the following: Soulstice, Melodic Scribes, IQ, Doomsday, Agent Mos; D-Lo and

only all-Latina theatre company — Illini Union Courtyard Cafe, 8pm Dance Rehearsal — duet concert with choreographers Chris Aiken and Cathy Young — Krannert Center Dance Rehearsal Studio, 8pm, donations requested Cabaret — an adult musical — Parkland Theatre, 8pm Time of My Life — directed by Aaron M Polk, written by Alan Ayckbourn — Station Theatre, 8pm The Falcon — University of Illinois students and community members present an enchanting fairy tale with a twist, with humorous appeal for the whole family — Edison Middle School, 306 W. Green, C., 7:30pm, $5 suggested donation

Specials All Weekend Long!!

Open at 11:00 am $2.50 Big Green Drafts Tons of Giveaways!!

Catch the Illini in the Big Ten Tournament

MUSIC PERFORMANCES Faculty Recital — Christos Tsitsaros, piano; part of a series of concerts featuring the complete WellTempered Clavier of J.S. Bac; program will also include original compositions of Tsitsaros — Smith Memorial Hall, 8pm

WORDS The Ill Poet Society — open mic night; come to read your own work, someone else’s or just to listen.

Everyone is welcome — La Casa Blue Room, 9pm Peppas Poetry Set — spoken, written and sung words from the hearts of Black Folks — African-American Cultural Program, 9pm

LECTURES Impacts of Globalization on Developing Countries’Labor Markets — Bill Mahoney, World Bank. Developed countries are often excited about globalization and see it as an opportunity, but what about nondeveloped countries? How do they view this phenomenon? — 12 pm Activism as Hope and Commitment: 10 Reasons to Oppose War in Iraq — presentation by Stephen Hartnett, professor of speech communications — University YMCA, 12pm

FILM The Witness — screening followed by a discussion of the award-winning documentary,; sponsored by the YMCA and Students Improving the Lives of Animals — University YMCA, 7pm, free Crossing Chasms — Asian-American Studies Program Film Series. Jennifer Arndt, a Korean adoptee, returns to her birth country seeking answers to the complex questions surrounding her adoption — Asian American Studies Program, 12pm Japanese Film Series — The Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies is sponsoring its first Japanese Film Series, showcasing a variety of contemporary cinematic styles and talent. Friday schedule: • 6pm Introduction to the Series-George Yu, Director Center for East Asian Pacific Studies. • 6:10pm: Oriume (directed by Hisako Matsui) • 8:30pm: All About Lilly Chou Chou (firected by Shunji Iwai 2002) — Virginia Theater, free

OTHER Red Herring Pasta Night — all-you-can-eat pasta — Red Herring/Channing-Murray Foundation, 5:30-8 pm Engineering Open House — Visit EOH headquarters in Kenney Gym for info on the 150+ student-run exhibits displayed throughout various buildings on the University of Illinois engineering campus. — 9am4pm. Info: 244-3828 or eoh.cen.uiuc.edu Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology Open House — demos include: flight simulation, soccer-playing robot, through the virtual

looking glass, the amazing changing brain, state-ofthe-art microscopy — 9am-4pm Wine Tasting — World Series of Syrah — Corkscrew Wine Emporium, Ltd., 6-8pm

SaturdayMarch 15 LIVE MUSIC No Secret — Hubers, 8pm, no cover Hayseed Dixie w/ Tim Krekle — AC/DC, KISS, and more bluegrass style — The Highdive, 7:30-10pm The Big Wu, with special guests TBA — The Canopy Club, 10pm St. Patrick's Day Celebration with Stewart & Boucher — Corkscrew Wine Emporium, Ltd., 6pm Missing the Point, The Bartolis, The Other Side — Red Herring/Channing-Murray Foundation, 7pm 2nd Annual Punk for Peace: The River City Rebels, Humpty Dumpster, The Deceptic — Illini Union Courtyard Cafe, 7:30pm

Bicycle Day, Your Black Star, RoyG.Biv, New Constitution — Independent Media Center, 8pm Painkillers — The Iron Post, 8pm Grass Roots Revival — fans of O Brother, Where Art Thou? will be thrilled to discover this accomplished area group, featuring Micheal Jones and Jamie Lou Carras — Pages For All Ages, 7-9pm, free The Mary Clark Revue — The Phoenix, 9pm ESP — Tommy G’s Reggae Party w/ Aswah Greggori & the Enforcers — The Canopy Club Candy Foster and Shades of Blue — Embassy Tavern, 9:30pm Unfinished Business — The Landing Strip, 8pm The Silver Nickel Band — American Legion Post 24, 9pm Pure — Neil Street Pub, $2

DJ DANCING DJ Tim Williams — The Highdive, 10pm, $5 DJ Resonate — Boltini Lounge, no cover The Naughty Boy — Joe’s Brewery, 10:30pm Nightclub Dancing 5-7:30pm; Salsa Dancing 7:3010pm Two Main Lounge, free DJ — Two Main Lounge, 10pm, cover The Noiseboy — Mike & Molly’s, 10 pm DJ Bundy — Lava of Champaign, no cover until 11pm Live DJs — No Name Saloon Request DJ — Hide-Away Lounge, 9pm DJ Hipster Sophisto — Barfly, free

KARAOKE TASC Karaoke Contest — prizes of $15, $35 and $50 will be awarded for winning contestants — Pho Tran Restaurant, 1106 W. University, U., 5-8pm Karaoke with Paul Faber — Lincoln Castle, 9pm

ON STAGE Dance Rehearsal — duet concert with chorerographers Chris Aiken and Cathy Young — Krannert Dance Rehearsal Studio, 8pm, donations requested The Other Guys — spring concert — University of Illinois Foellinger Auditorium, 8pm, students $5, adults $7 Cabaret — an adult musical — Parkland Theatre, 8pm Time of My Life — directed by Aaron M Polk, written by Alan Ayckbourn — Station Theatre, 8pm The Falcon — University of Illinois students and community members present an enchanting fairy tale with a humorous twist — at Leal Elementary School, 312 W. Oregon, U., 10am; and at Yankee Ridge Elementary School, 2102 S. Anderson, U., 2pm. $5 suggested donation

Something Different...Very Nice

Champaign • 359-3148

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MUSIC PERFORMANCES Sinfonia Da Camera — Ian Hobson, music director; Nicholas Di Virgilio, stage director; Layna Chianakas, soprano; University of Illinois Chamber Singers program will feature a semi-staged version of Bizet's Carmen. Krannert Center, 8pm Spiral Seisuin — Pages for All Ages, 2-4pm, free

WORDS Zine Slam — An afternoon of readings featuring local and Chicago-area zine creators! Current lineup includes: Al Burian (Chicago), publisher of BURN COLLECTOR and member of the band Milemarker; Kelly Carr (Chicago), publisher of YA DA DO; Ariel Clemenzi (Champaign), editor of WOMEN'S SELF DEFENSE, coauthor of RIVITER and ROCK OUT!; Alicia Door (Chicago), co-editor of ZINE GUIDE; Terra Hendricks (Chicago), publisher of GUNMOLL zine and coordinator of the Babelography Small Press Library; Jessica Hopper (Chicago), publisher of HIT IT OR QUIT; Brent Ritzel (Chicago), publisher of ZINE GUIDE and TAIL SPINS; A.j. Michel (Champaign), publisher of LOW HUG and various one-shot titles; Branddon Wetherbee and Greg Smith (Chicago), publishers of FOUL: AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION and creators of foulinc.com.

Independent Media Center, 4-6pm, sliding scale donation $2-5

FILM Japanese Film Series — The Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies continues its first Japanese Film Series, showcasing a variety of contemporary cinematic styles and talent. Saturday schedule: • 2pm: Spirited Away (suitable for children) • 4:45pm: Fireworks • 7pm: Taboo — Virginia Theater, free

OTHER Noches Tropicales Dance Contest — dance to live music with Samuel del Real and his Orquestra and join in the dance contest — Illini Union, rooms ABC, 7pm Engineering Open House — Visit EOH headquarters in Kenney Gym for info on the 150+ student-run exhibits displayed throughout various buildings on the University of Illinois engineering campus. — 9am3pm. Info: 244-3828 or eoh.cen.uiuc.edu Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology Open House — demos include: flight simulation, soccer-playing robot, through the virtual looking glass, the amazing changing brain, state-ofthe-srt microscopy — 9am-3pm Wine Tasting — Cool New Stuff — Corkscrew Wine Emporium, Ltd., 2-6pm

26

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WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com | MARCH 13-19, 2003

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MARCH 13-19, 2003 | WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com

SundayMarch16

MondayMarch17

LIVE MUSIC

LIVE MUSIC

The Ghost, Mt. St. Helens, Solo Mono, Dearest Fae — Recrecords benefit show — Independent Media Center, 7pm, $5 Matt Stewart and Lisa Boucher — smoke-free cafe — Pages For All Ages, 1pm, free St. Patrick's Day Party: Stewart & Boucher — Mike & Molly's, 4pm Live Jazz & The Blues Jam: Kilborn Alley — The Canopy Club, 7pm The Mammals — The Iron Post Billy Gault & Ed O’Hara — D R Diggers, 9:30pm-12:30am

Jazz Jam with LaMonte Parsons — Two Main Lounge, 710pm St. Pat's Party: Ceili Peppers — The Iron Post, TBA St. Patrick’s Day Party — The Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Party — Fat City Saloon Open Mic Night — No Name Saloon Billy Gault & Ed O’Hara — White Horse Inn, 10pm, free

DJ DANCING Keep It Simple Sundays: DJ — Two Main Lounge, 10pm Fresh Face Guest DJ — Barfly, free

KARAOKE

DJ DANCING Noiseboy — spinning the best in garage-rock, mod, beat, punk, and grits — The Highdive, 10pm, $1 DJ Spinnerty — Boltini Lounge, free Fanya N Kanta, Live Acoustic House, 9-11pm, DJ Arkon, 11pm-1am — Barfly, free.

KARAOKE "G" Force Karaoke/DJ — GT’s Western Bowl Lounge, 8pm

G-Force Karaoke — Tommy G’s DJ LA Wells — Boltini Lounge, free

MUSIC PERFORMANCES

ON STAGE

Guest Artist Recital — Shea Trio: David Shea, clarinet; Pablo Mahave-Veglia, cello; Paulina Zamora, piano — Smith Memorial Hall Recital Hall, 6pm

Drag King Open Mic Talent Showdown —cash prizes; email queenofkings2@hotmail.com for information — Chester Street Bar, 10:30pm Cabaret — an adult musical — Station Theatre, 8 pm The Falcon — University of Illinois students and community members present an enchanting fairy tale with a humorous twist — Edison Middle School, 2pm, $5 suggested donation

MUSIC PERFORMANCES Guest Artist Recital — Shea Trio: David Shea, clarinet; Pablo Mahave-Veglia, cello; Paulina Zamora, piano — University of Illinois Smith Memorial Hall Recital Hall, 6pm Guest Artist Masterclass — Valerie Potter, flute (University of New Mexico-Albuquerque) — Smith Memorial Hall Memorial Room, 1pm The Black Sacred Music Symposium — presented by the University of Illinois Black Chorus; Ollie Watts Davis, conductor. The closing concert of the symposium in which participants join the faculty in a program of repertoire from the Black sacred music traditions, which reflect the proper performance practices and cultural, historical and musical preferences of this rich heritage — Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 7pm

LECTURES Fun Weekend Getaways — ideas for weekend escapes from C-U, presented by travel agent Maggie Orr — Champaign Public Library, 2-3pm, free

OTHER International Fest — annual family event celebrates artistic diversity on the University of Illinois campus and in our community, featuring performances, a fashion show, culture booths, activities, kids corner and poster sale Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 12-4pm Bingo — American Legion Post 24, 6:30-9pm

Jazz Live

WORDS Red Herring Poetry Group — bring 10 copies of one poem to share with others — Red Herring/Channing-Murray Foundation, 7:30pm

LECTURES An Evening with John Edgar Wideman — CAS/MillerComm2003 Lecture; Wideman is a two-time Pen/Faulkner Award winner, MacArthur Fellow and Distinguished Professor of English, University of Massachusettes at Amherst — Levis Faculty Center, 7:30pm Two if by South: Sorjuana and Nicolas Guillen — Carlos Alsonso, chair, Department of Romance Languages, University of Pennsylvania and editor of PMLA. Humanities Lecture Hall, IPRH Building, 7:30pm Family-Friendly Company Practices in Africa and Asia — John Lawler, Labor and Industrial Relations. Women and Gender in Global Perspectives Seminar Series — International Studies Building, room 101, 12pm

at

OTHER 56th Anniversary Celebration — come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and our 56th anniversary. Giveaways and sandwiches from Lil Porgy’s — Tumble Inn Tavern

TuesdayMarch18

Ear Doctor $3 COVER

LIVE MUSIC

TONIGHT

Trailer Bride, Rex Hobart & His Misery Boys, Tractor Kings — all ages — Independent Media Center, 8pm O.A.R. with Pseudopod and Marc Broussard — The Canopy Club, 10pm Solo Mono, Learning to Fly, TBA, Deck 16, Made — Urbana High School Auditorium, 6:45pm, $4 Hootenany — Tuesday night bluegrass jam session — Verdant American Heritage — Neil Street Pub, free

627 E. Green 344-0710

ENTERTAINMENT Professional Female Exotic Dancers Monday≠S aturday 4pm≠1am

Now Under New Management Freshly Baked Homemade Rolls & Cinnamon Rolls

ï Weekly Featured Entertainers ï Free Hors Dí oeuvres Tues≠ Thurs 4p≠ 6p ï Every Tuesday $1.00 Drafts, $1.00 Well Drink & Free Door Prizes

Rt. 45 North of Urbana (1 mile North of I≠74)

Chef Specials Daily

Every Friday – Fried Catfish $11.95 Every Saturday – Surf-in-Turf $21.95

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Mon-Sun Mon-Sat Tue-Thur Fri & Sat

7am-10pm 11am-2pm 5pm-8pm 5pm-10pm

Early Dinner Special Tues-Sat 5pm-5:30pm

Sunday Lunch Buffet

$12.95 Adults-$6.95 Children 11am-3pm Full Banquet & Catering Facilities Located in the Historic Lincoln Hotel (formerly Jumer’s Hotel) 209 S. Broadway Urbana, IL- 384-8811 or 344-7720

Alumni Tap Tues. - Sat. 4pm - 1am Full Service Bar 3 LARGE SCREEN TVs FREE Hors D’oeuvres Tues.-Thurs. 4pm-6pm IN THE LIBRARY...

Every Fri. and Sat. Karaoke w/ Paul Faber 9pm-1am

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DJ DANCING dubFrequency — House/drum-n-bass/hip-hop, DJ Vamp and L-Tek — The Highdive, 9pm, $3 DJ Bozak — Boltini Lounge, free DJ D-LO & DJ Spinnerty — Barfly, free

KARAOKE Karaoke — American Legion Post 24, 7:30-11:30pm

COMEDY

1906 West Bradley Ave., Champaign The Biggest Party In Town!

Join DJ Forrest for great music and enjoy $1 bottles all night!

Ohio Border Patrol — improv comedy — Red Herring/Channing-Murray Foundation, 9pm, $1

MUSIC PERFORMANCES UI Graduate Brass Quintet — Steve Roberts, trumpet; Jared Gray, trumpet; Gerald Wood, horn; Arkadiusz Gorecki, trombone; Joel White, tuba — Smith Memorial Hall Auditorium, 8pm

WORDS Children's Storytime — two new (or classic) storybooks read each week; cookies served — Pages for All Ages, 7pm Red Herring Fiction Writer's Group — bring 10 copies of one piece of fiction work to share with others — Red Herring/Channing-Murray Foundation, 7:30pm

LECTURES

Private Parties 766–5108

It’s Fight Night At Lava!

Come out for the fights and take in the sights!

Cash prize wet t-shirt contests, ring girl competitions, arm wrestling, and MORE! $1.75 bottles of Coors and Coors Light, $1 shots of Pucker Private Parties 766–5108

Dance the night away with House/Techno music from DJ Stifler!

Great drink specials, with $1 bottles and $1 wells all night!

NO COVER! Private Parties 766–5108

The party keeps flowing at Lava!

DJ Bundy will be spinning the best in Dance/House/Techno music. $2 wells and $2 bottles NO COVER TIL 11PM!

Anyone here who looks like me? Women in Engineering at the U. of I — Women in Engineering Program. About 15 percent of the undergraduate students in the — University of Illinois College of Engineering are women.

About 6 percent of the engineering faculty are women.

How do the numbers affect the University experience for women in the Engineering College? A panel discussion of challenges and joys of pursuing an engineering career.

Moderated by Susan Larson, associate professor of environmental engineering — 12pm Evangelical Christianity, the Bush Administration, and War in Iraq — Prof. Don Wagner, head of the Middle Eastern Studies Program at North Park University, presenting — University YMCA Latzer Hall, 4pm The Book of Job: A Dramatic Reading — co-Sponsored by the Whirlwind Project and the Spurlock Museum — Spurlock Museum Knight Auditorium, 7pm, free (with ticket from museum’s info desk) Academic Publishing Today — Carlos Alsonso, chair, Department of Romance Languages, University of Pennsylvania and editor of PMLA — University of Illinois Davenport Hall, room 109A, 11am Recent Sculpture Works — Melissa Pokomy, Asst. Prof., Sculpture, School of Art & Design, will give a brief lecture on her most recent sculpture works. — 3269 Beckman, 12pm

WednesdayMarch19 LIVE MUSIC Dan, Bob and Joni — Hubers, 8 pm, free Sight and Sound — Ice House, 7 pm, free JQ Jazz Quintent — Ray Sasaki, Morgan Powell, Chicagoans Dan Anderson, Michael Kocour and Bill French perform improvisatory jazz, ranging from jazz standards to collective free improvisations — The Iron Post, 5:30-8pm Pinback (ex-Three Mile Pilot), Minus the Bear — The Highdive, 10 pm, $8 The Virtues Quartet — Two Main Lounge, 7-10pm Open Mic Night — Illini Union Courtyard Cafe, 8pm JQ — Ray Sasaki (with Donnie Heitler) — The Iron Post, 8pm Piano Night — The Great Impasta, 9pm Kilbourne Alley — blues — Tommy G’s Open Mic with The Experiment — Neil Street Pub, free

DJ DANCING The Bridge — a night of old school and new hip-hop — The Canopy Club, 10pm, $5 Spicerack — 16mm educational film parade and rock music — Boltini Lounge, free Big Sexy Funk with DJ Phlip — Barfly, free

KARAOKE Karaoke — White Horse Inn, 9pm, free

MUSIC PERFORMANCES

Private Parties 766–5108

Come Feel The Heat With Great Specials Every Week!

The Music of George Lewis — Lewis' work for jazz ensemble, chamber ensembles, and percussion soloist with computer-generated tape. Chip McNeill, leader; University of Illinois New Music Ensemble, Zack Browning, co-director; Stephen Taylor, co-director — Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 8pm

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MARCH 13-19, 2003 | WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com

WORDS

Children's Art Classes — Verdant News and Coffee & Verde Gallery, Saturdays, 10-11:30am $120/session (8 classes), can pay $60 at registration and $60 by 4th class Precious Metal Workshops — Gallery Virtu, Beginners and experienced folks (teens and adults; children welcome with adult helpers) can create earrings and beads; bring your own tools or borrow Susan's. tools; Susan will fire all the pieces you make in the workshop Clay Earrings: Sat. Mar. 15, 1-5pm; Beads: Sun. Mar. 16, 1-5pm Creation Art Studios, 1102 E. Washington, U. Art classes for children meet Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri 3:30-5pm. Paint, clay, mixed-media, drawing and collage. For info contact Jeannine Bestoso, 328-3869, www.creationartstudios.com

E. Lafayette St., Monticello. 217-762-2924. Hours 7 days a week: M-F 9-5, Sat. 10-4, Sunday 12-4 Krannert Art Museum — The Beginning of Seeing: Tribal Art and the Pictographs of Adolph Gottlieb. Featuring Adolph Gottlieb’s personal collection of non-western art and his pictographs, the series of paintings that brought him to the attention of major critics and museums. A major feature of Gottlieb’s pictographs is their association with "primitivism" and "tribal arts," terms that are controversial today, but for modernist artists working in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, they were part of the common discourse, and the arts of non-western cultures were a rich source of inspiration. Gottlieb’s collection of art from Africa, North and Central America, and Oceanic and South Pacific peoples is on loan from the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Through 3/30 Krannert Art Museum — Featured Works XI: Creativity in Print: Interactions Through the Work of Edward Weston This exhibition explores the relationships between photographer Edward Weston and his subjects—including Ansel Adams, Anita Brenner, Jean Charlot, Robinson Jeffers, Tina Modotti, and Igor Stravinsky—to establish a framework for considering the creative contributions of these artists, writers, and musicians in the first half of the 20th century.

Curated by UIUC students working under the direction of Jordana Mendelson, Assistant Professor of Art History.

Through 4/13 Krannert Art Museum — Art and Conflict: The Image of War in 20th Century Art. In these uncertain times it can be enlightening to consider how artists have interpreted some of the most painful events of the 20th century. This exhibition, culled from works in the Museum’s permanent collection, examines abstract, symbolic, and representational views of war and combat by artists such as Henri Rousseau, Otto Dix, Philip Guston, Andy Warhol, and Peter Saul. Through 5/18 "An Epigraph for Condemned Books Around the World" — An exhibit on censorship in literature, by University of Illinois Rare Book and Special Collections (RBSC) Library, designed by Heather B. Zinger, a UI senior. — University Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive, U., Room 346. Through 3/27.

“Celebrating Black History Month” — University Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive, U., Main hall display cases. Through 3/31.

ART EXHIBITS | GALLERIES

KIDS | FAMILIES

Verdant News and Coffee & Verde Gallery — magazines, newspapers, coffee, beverages and fine pastries along with the Verde Fine Art Gallery — 17 E. Taylor St., C. Cafe hours: Mon-Sat 7am-10 pm; Gallery Hours: Tues.-Sat. 10am-10pm The Furniture Lounge — specializing in mid-century modern furniture from the 1920s-1980s, retro-Danish-modernlighting-pottery-art-bar wear-vintage stereo equipmentrecords. 9 E. University, 352-5150. Wed-Sat 11am-5:30pm, Sun 12:00-4:30pm Cafe Kopi — local artist Derrick L. Holley’s oil paintings are being displayed on the walls of Cafe Kopi through March 16; photographs of local artist John Sfondilias will be displayed starting March 16. 109 N. Walnut, C. Mon-Thurs. 7 am-11 pm; Fri-Sat 7am-12 pm; Sun 11am-8 pm International Galleries — works from local artists — Lincoln Square Mall, Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sa 10am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm Old Vic Art Gallery — fine and original art — 11 E. University, C. Mon-Thurs 11am-5:30pm, Fri-Sat 11am4:30pm "As It Happens" — photography by Julia Grove and Andrew Reynolds The Middle Room Gallery at The Independent Media Center. Through 3/31 State of the Art 2003 — Parkland Art Gallery, National Biennial Watercolor Invitational Through 4/11 "Paint the Hall Orange" LaPayne Photography, LaPayne Photography specializes in panoramic photography of different subjects. 816 Dennison Dr., C. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Saturdays by appointment. 356-8994.

Through 3/31 "Visions of Japan" Postcard and Paintings 1996-1999.

Artist in the Landscape Gallery, 120 North Walnut, C. 3565292. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm. Through 3/29 Boneyard Pottery — Ceramic Art by Michael Schwegmann and more. — 403 Water St, C. Hours: TuesSat 11am-5pm 355-5610 Cinema Galley — Urbana Art Gallery — Hours: Tues-Sat 10-4. Sun 1-5pm. 367-2711 Kanfer Photography — Fine Art Photography, Midwestern landscapes, University of Illinois scenes, European, Coastto-Coast. — 2503 South Neil St, Champaign. Hours: MonSat 10-5:30. 398-2000 The Framery — Local and National Artists. — 407 E. Main, Mahomet, 586-4610. Tues-Fri10-5, Sat 10-2 Steeple Gallery — Specializing in primitives-from the Americana of artist Linda Nelson Stocks to the timeless landscapes of Peter Sculthorpe-a Brandywine Valley painter renowned in the northeast U.S. We have recentlyexpanded into vintage botanical and bird prints. — 102

Shamrock Shenanigans — St. Patrick’s Day family party and swim. — YMCA McKinley Family Center, 500 W. Church St., 356-2597. Sunday, 3/16, 1-3pm Baby Time — Encourage your baby to love music and books. Parents are invited to take their infants for music, rhymes, and play activities to enjoy together. — Douglass Branch Library, 504 E. Grove St., C. Registration is not required; 10:30-11am every Thursday.

Children's Storytime — two new (or classic) storybooks read each week; cookies served — Pages for All Ages, Tuesday, 3/18, 7pm ”Know Zone” — Drop-in for free homework help, then stay for games, crafts and activities. — Douglass Branch Library, 504 E. Grove St., C. Open to kids of all ages; registration is not required; 4-5pm every Tuesday.

“Girls! Girls! Girls!” — Girls in grades 1-4 can join this afterschool program to read, play games, and do craft activities. — Douglass Branch Library, 504 E. Grove St., C. Registration is not required; 4-5pm every Friday.

Family Reading Night — Take your family and a favorite blanket and choose a book to share out loud; refreshments and prizes, too. — Douglass Branch Library, 504 E. Grove St., C. Monday, Mar. 17, 6-7:45pm; free ”Art to Go” — Kids can learn about art from the experts, see examples of art from the Krannert Art Museum, and make art of their own. — Douglass Branch Library, 504 E. Grove St., C. Registration is not required; Wednesday, Mar. 19, 4-6pm International Fest — Annual family event celebrates artistic diversity on the UI campus and in our community, featuring performances, a fashion show, culture booths, activities, kids corner and poster sale. — Krannert Center, Sunday, Mar. 16, 12-4pm Club Fred — Games, stories and crafts for elementary school students. No registration. — Douglass Branch Library, Monday, Mar. 17, 4-5pm Family Reading Night — No registration. — Douglass Branch Library, Monday, Mar. 17, 6-7:45pm O Baby —lap bouncing, nursery rhymes and music activities for infants with a caregiver. No registration. — Champaign Public Library, Monday, Mar. 17, 9:30-9:50 & 10:30-10:50am Teen Mac — After-school activities for teens. No registration. — Douglass Branch Library, Monday, Mar. 17 and Wednesday, Mar. 19, 4-6pm Cuentos Lindos Para Ninos — Program of children's stories presented in Spanish. No registration. — Douglass Branch Library, Tuesday, Mar. 18, 10:30-11am Storyshop — Stories, songs, and animal rhymes for

Jello Biafra — The former lead singer of the seminal pubk band Dead Kennedys and free speech advocate will be performing a number of his politically charged spoken word pieces. — Foellinger Auditorium, 7pm

LECTURES Cross-cultural (Mis)communication: Thoughts on a Biblical Perspective — Irene Koshik is a UIUC professor in the Division of English as an International Language, with a specialization in conversation analysis. She examines the ways that we use language to accomplish social actions. The teachings of Jesus help us avoid miscommunication, ethnic stereotyping, and damaged inter-cultural relationships — University YMCA, 12-12:50pm Deep Throat — brown bag seminar; a student database for Investigating Deep Throat with Prof. William Gaines — University of Illinois Wohlers Hall, room 240, 12-1pm Scrambling for the Womb:‚ Population Control and Gender Constructions in Contemporary Rural China — Junjie Chen, anthropology. Feminist Scholarship Series.

University of Illinois Women’s Studies Program, 12pm

OTHER Tornado Safety Show — presented by WILL meteorologist Ed Kieser — University of Illinois Beckman Institute Auditorium, 7pm, free

ART NOTICES

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Includes Fries & Bread Not Valid With Any Other Offer.

Exp. 4/10/03

ANY SANDWICH

Includes Fries & Bread Not Valid With Any Other Offer.

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preschoolers. No registration. — Douglass Branch Library, Wednesday, Mar. 19, 9:30- 10am

SPORTS | RECREATION C-U Get Moving — Activity campaign kickoff Meadowbrook Park, Saturday 3/15, 10:00am-2:00pm The festivities will feature walks through the park, free outdoor fitness classes, family fun activities, games and prizes. All ages are encouraged to participate. The Urbana Park District is challenging Champaign County residents to move 15,000 virtual miles and Get Fit on Route 66.

"Get Fit on Route 66" is an 8-week program designated to take Champaign County on a virtual journey across the US. Getting Started Fitness Class — Sportswell center, room 100 IMPE, Thursday, Mar. 13, 6:30-7:30pm Learn fitness recommendations for health and weight managemnet and get hands-on demonstrations of exercise equipment.

Space limited--call 244-0261 to reserve a spot.

Campus Recreation UI Inline Hockey Tournament — Campus Rec will hold UI Inline Hockey Tournament registration through Friday, March 14, 8am-8pm for the inline hockey tournament that begins the week of April 2. The fee is $25 for UI teams and $45 for public teams. It is $7 for UI students and Campus Recreation members and $10 for the public to sign up as individuals. Registration will be held at the UI Ice Arena, 406 East Armory Drive, Champaign. For more information, contact dbagger@uiuc.edu, call 333-2081, stop by the Ice Arena, or visit www.campusrec.uiuc.edu Campus Recreation Outdoor Adventures: Scuba Diving Clinic — IMPE indoor pool, every Tuesday and Thurday at 6-8pm. Instruction includes details about gear and equipment, water entries, surface dives, use of mask, fins, and snorkel, the science of scuba diving, and in-the-pool training with tanks. This class is the initial instructional phase to acquire your certification card. Advanced registration is required. 3/11-3/20 Illini Tae Kwon Do Club Classes — IMPE Gym 4, 6:30-9:30 Tu,Th,Su. All levels welcomed. No prior experience is required. Join at anytime. Classes offered for beginners from 6:30-7:30, advanced ranks 7:30-8:40, and mastery class 8:40-9:30 every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evening at IMPE Gym 4. Learn self-defense, balance, and conditioning techniques. 3/11-3/14

ENVIRONMENT Last Great Wilderness Project — Environmental photographer and Gwich'in native to present multi-media slideshow about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Education Building (Penn. & Sixth), Room 2, Tuesday, March18, 7pm

WORKSHOPS Free help with your tax returns — now through April 15.

Volunteers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Champaign Public Library, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 9am-noon & 1-4pm. ”Museum Roadshow” — Museum workshop features roundtable discussions with museum professionalsat the Amish Interpretive Center in Arcola, 1-:30pm. To register, 217-524-7080.

Debtors' Anonymous — meeting Baha'i Center, every Tuesday night, 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Call 344-5860 for information.

Preparing Undergraduates for Scientific Conferences Workshop — The purpose of this workshop is to

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encourage undergraduate students to attend scientific conferences. Faculty and students will provide information on identifying good meetings, finding funding, making travel plans, what to expect, and effectively presenting your research. They will also share their personal experiences with attending conferences. 274 Medical Sciences Building, Thursday, Mar. 13, 7pm Building Better Communities Through Public Participation & Action — The conference is a handson, skills-building conference that will empower residents and students concerned about how their communities plan to grow into the future. The conference line-up is dynamic, including various speakers from a variety of professions (local planning staffers, private consultants, and community organizers) to provide you with a forum in which to network with others to collaborate on projects that build and support healthy, safe communities, as well as a practical mix of educational sessions, hands-on visioning work groups, and action-oriented grassroots training sessions. Illinois Terminal Building, 45 E. University, C., Saturday, March 15, 10am-5pm.

OUT OF TOWN SHOWS Phil Rockrohr & The Lifters w/ Boda and KB. Rockrohr & The Lifters expect to release the 5-song EP, "Sheet Music," by the end of the month. Two new faces will join the Lifters Saturday: Dave Johnson (ex-Very Secretary) on guitar and Derek Gover (ex-Absolute Zero, Love Brokers, Fang Beach, Vivian Section) on bass. Saturday, 3/15, 10pm, Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, (773) 549-5549

MARCH 3/13 O.A.R., Psuedopod @ Aragon, 6:30 3/13 Edwin McCain @ House of Blues 18+ 3/13 Big Daddy Kane @ Double Door 3/14 Hot Rod Circuit, Plain White T's @ Metro, 6:30 All 3/14 Tobin Sprout @ The Bottom Lounge 3/14 King Crimson @ Park West, 7:30 3/15 King Crimson @ Park West, 7:30 3/15 Phil Rockrohr & The Lifters w/ Boda and KB @ Elbo Room, 10:00 3/15 Flogging Molly, Mighty Mighty Bosstones @ Riviera Theatre, 7:00 3/18 Insane Clown Posse, 2 Live Crew @Riviera, 6:30 3/18 Tegan & Sara @ Double Door, 9:00 3/18 Contriband @ Hot House, 9:00 3/19 VINX @ Hot House, 8:00 3/20 Kelly Osbourne @ Vic Theatre, 7:00 3/20 Hookah Brown featuring Rich Robinson of Black Crowes @ Double Door, 9:00 3/20 God Speed You Black Emperor! @ Abbey Pub 18+ 3/21 Idlewild, French Kicks @ Double Door 3/21 Hatebreed, Agnostic Front @ Vic Theatre, 6:00 3/21 God Speed You Black Emperor! @ Abbey Pub 18+ 3/22 Clem Snide @ Double Door, 10:00 3/22 The Big Wu @ Park West, 8:00 3/22 The Tony Levin Band @ Martyrs, 10:00 3/23 Atom & His Package @ Fireside Bowl 3/24 The Fire Theft (formerly Sunny Day Real Estate) @ Metro, 7:00 3/25 Catie Curtis @ Schubas, 8:00 3/26 Lifehouse @ Vic Theatre, 7:30 3/28 Def Leppard @ UIC Pavilion, 7:30 3/28 Sea and Cake @ Metro, 9:00 18+ 3/28 George Clinton & P-Funk Allstars @ House of Blues, 18+ 3/28 Donna The Buffalo @ Park West, 9:00 3/28 Frank Black & The Catholics @ Double Door, 10:00 3/29 Frank Black & The Catholics @ Double Door, 10:00 3/29 Guster @ Riviera Theatre, 7:30 3/29 Papa Roach @ Vic Theatre, 7:00

3/29 Sea & Cake, Joan of Arc @ Metro, 9:00 18+ 3/30 Ataris, Juliana Theory @ House of Blues, All 3/30 Joe Jackson Band @ Vic Theatre, 8:00 3/30 Spoon @ Abbey Pub 3/31 Spoon @ Abbey Pub

APRIL 4/1 Soundtrack of Our Lives @ Metro, 8:00 4/1 Annie Lennox @ Shubert Theatre, 8:00 4/2 Common & Telib Kweli @ House of Blues, All 4/2 Robert Hunter @ Park West, 7:30 4/3 Robert Hunter @ Park West, 7:30 4/3 The Datsuns @ Metro, 9:00 18+ 4/3 Everclear, The Exies @ Riviera Theatre, 6:30 4/4 Seven Nations @ Martyrs, 10:00 4/4 Dirty Three @ Metro, 9:00 18+ 4/4 Isley Brothers @ Arie Crown Theatre 4/5 Mason Jennings @ Metro, 7:00pm 4/6 Delgados @ Metro, 7:00 18+ 4/9 Vida Blue, Trainwreck @ Vic Theatre, 7:30 4/10 Tim McGraw @ United Center, 8:00

4/10 trl Civic Tour: New Found Glory, Good Charlotte, Less Than Jake, The Disasters @ UIC Pavilion 4/11 Polyphonic Spree @ Metro, 7:00 All 4/11 Widespread Panic @ UIC Pavilion, 7:00 4/12 Widespread Panic @ UIC Pavilion, 7:00 4/12 Ani DiFranco @ Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, 7:30 4/12 Cheap Trick, Guided By Voices @ Vic Theatre, 8:00 4/18 Fischerspooner @ Metro, 7:00 4/19 Avril Lavigne @ UIC Pavilion, 7:30 4/24 And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead @ Metro, All 4/25 Dar Williams & Band @ Vic Theatre, 7:30 4/25 String Cheese Incident @ UIC Pavilion, 7:00 4/30 Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Greenhornes @ Metro, 7:00 All

MAY 5/3 Flaming Lips @ Riviera Theatre, 7:30

Mon: DJ SPINNERTY I $2 Mixed Drinks I $1 Pints [ HIP HOP+CHILL ELECTRONIC+OTHER BEATS] Tues: DJ BOZAK I $2 Mixed Drinks I $1 Pints [ HIP HOP+ALL SORTS OF ELECTRONIC MAYHEM+ODDITIES ] Wed: SPICERACK 16mm Film Show I $1 Schlitz Cans [ EDUCATIONAL FILM PARADE+THE ROCK MUSIC ] Thurs: DISCO DYNAMITE! I $4 House Martinis [ PAUL WEST SPINS DANCE+FUNK+GLITTER ERA] Fri: DJ BOZAK I $1.50 PBR Bottles [ HIP HOP+ELECTRONIC+OTHER BEATS+ASSORTED ODDITIES] Sat: DJ RESONATE I $1.50 PBR Bottles [ HIP HOP+SOUL+TASTY BEATS ] Sun: LA WELLS I $2 Mixed Drinks I $1 Pints [ HIP HOP+GOD AWFUL MESS+HORRIFIC POPBALLADS+METAL] 211 N. NEIL ST. DOWNTOWN CHAMPAIGN / 378.8001 / NO COVER M-TH 5-1 FRI 4-1 SAT 5-1 SUN 7-1

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MARCH 13-19, 2003 | WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com

CHICAGOVENUES House of Blues 329 N. Dearborn, Chicago 312-923-2000 The Bottom Lounge 3206 N Wilton, Chicago Vic Theatre 3145 N. Sheffield, Chicago 773-472-0449 Metro 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago 773-549-0203 Elbo Room 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago Park West 322 W. Armitage, Chicago 773-929-1322 Riviera Theatre 4746 N. Racine at Lawerence, Chicago Allstate Arena 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont 847-635-6601 Arie Crown Theatre 2300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago 312-791-6000 UIC Pavilion 1150 W. Harrison, Chicago, 312-413-5700 Schubas 3159 N. Southport, Chicago 773-525-2508 Martyrs 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago 773-288-4545 Aragon 1106 W. Lawerence, Chicago, 773-561-9500 Abbey Pub 3420 W. Grace, Chicago 773-478-4408 Fireside Bowl 2646 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago 773-486-2700 Schubert Theatre 22 W. Monroe, Chicago, 312-977-1700

Fabulous and Funky

Fun and Functional

Downtown Champaign 204 North Neil 10-5 Mon - Sat 1-5 Sun

RESTAURANT LOUNGE & NIGHTCLUB

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“BEAT THE CAMPUS RUSH. COME IN, RELAX.” AND ENJOY OUR ATMOSPHERE 5 MINUTES FROM CAMPUS MAKE GRADUATION RESERVATIONS NOW.

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356-3081

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Scrapbook Expressions

New Products arriving Daily! www.scrapbookexp.com

Classes/Crops Paper Embellishments Stickers

Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-8pm Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 1pm-5pm

1912C Round Barn Rd., Champaign

Templates

Beer on Tap! Harp Bass Hacker-pschorr Weiss Fosters Guinness Goose Island Hexnut Blue Moon Killians Labatt Blue Rolling Rock Leinenkugels (Amber Light, Red, Berry Weiss, Honey Weiss, Dopplebock)

Hard Core Cider Michael Shea’s Coors Light Murphy’s Red Ale Sam Adam’s Boston Lager and seasonal Old Style Miller Lite

Menu

atrick’s Day! P . t S y Happ

MON Mushroom Cheeseburger with Fries 4.50 TUE Turkey Cheeseburger with Fries 4.50 WED Bacon MEGA–Cheeseburger with Fries 4.50 THU Teriyaki Chicken with Fries 4.50 FRI 1/4lb. Bacon Cheeseburger with Fries 4.50 SAT Mushroom MEGA-Cheeseburger with Fries 4.50 SUN Free Fries...with any sandwich

Dine In or Carry Out

352-7275

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MARCH 13-19, 2003 | I HATE THE COLONEL WITH HIS WEE BEATY EYES

MovieReview

BUENA VISTA PICTURES

BY JASON MINARD | STAFF WRITER

weak moments, but the film comes together well as a whole. The film was powerful and moving, specifically taken in the light that so many people are unaware of the genocide that has taken place in such places as Rwanda, Uganda and the Sudan in real life.

The film questions how Americans have been able to stand idle and watch as people are slaughtered.

Director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) keeps the dialogue to a minimum. This accentuates a state of perpetual mourning going on throughout the film. The soldiers begin with a straightforward mission that becomes complicated. There is little wavering that is often see in the typical army action fare, and many of the combat scenes take the squad based combat seriously. After the soldiers are put through some particularly unnerving situations dealing with the rebel's treatment of civilians in the countryside, their resolve to save this small group dissipates most of their questions about what they are doing.

In a time where peacekeeping missions are being used around the globe, it is necessary for some films to attempt to deal with the fact that there are people that need and deserve assistance.

T

MovieReview

BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE ★1/2

BY MATT PAIS | STAFF WRITER

P

eter Sanderson is the most standard of uptight workaholics — a humorless tax attorney, afraid of his bosses and wary of the firm’s up-and-coming youth and Steve Martin plays Peter perfectly as a tightlywound bundle of nerves. Apparently, all Peter needs is some unabashed flava in his life. In Bringing Down the House, Charlene Morton (Queen Latifah) is just the bootyshakin’ soul sista to shake up Peter’s badtempered suburban lifestyle.

She’ll become the all-important fish-out-ofwater catalyst that childish nonsense like Bringing Down the House thrives on. The lessons are all too familiar, but it’s the laid-back carelessness with which they’re delivered that really brings this house down. The script by Jason Filardi is low on laughs and high on its own message of familial communication and self-expression. This takes precedence over the ever-weakening plotline.

Much of Bringing Down the House is about white America’s fear of black culture, but the film repeatedly crosses the line by showing blacks as gun-wielding, pot-smoking jive-talkers and loose-lipped party animals. It’s only when Charlene humorously imitates a slave after Peter asks her to be a maid that any true analysis of racial boundaries takes shape.

The family man’s Bulworth, Bringing Down the House treats upscale emotional repression as a fundamental problem of whiteness, a problem that can be solved only by embracing one’s inner gangsta at an all-black club armed only with street-purchased clothes and fake homeboy vernacular.

Bringing Down the House is full of these unbelievable transformations, because after his urban cavorting, Martin — regardless of how much faux-ghetto apparel he has— will never be Stevie from the block.

TEARS OF THE SUN | Bruce WIllis

MovieReview

THE QUIET AMERICAN

BY PAUL BOOTH | STAFF WRITER

E

arly in The Quiet American, Thomas Fowler (Michael Caine), an overseas reporter covering the events immediately preceding the Vietnam War, remarks, “I was never brave.”Fowler prefers to stand on the side of the battle and watch what unfolds. Instead of getting caught up in the skirmishes between the colonial French and the invading communists, Fowler stays out of their way. He reports the news; he doesn’t create it.

MIRAMAX FILMS

BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE | Steve Martin

ears of the Sun is not a film everyone will like. Some of the images are difficult to digest, and the tone is a somber one. It illustrates the conflicts that have continued to erupt in Africa and ravage the people there, making it unlike other recent war films that focus primarily on soldiers, Tears of the Sun draws attention to the civilians and the cost that war burdens them with.

Nigeria has erupted into genocidal conditions. The president’s family has been murdered, and the rebel militia has taken over and begins purging the country. Lt. Waters (Bruce Willis) leads a team of Navy S.E.A.L.S. on a rescue mission for an American national, Dr. Lena Kendricks (Monica Bellucci), who runs a countryside missionary hospital. of Nigeria. But when they attempt to extract her, she refuses unless the soldiers also guarantee to evacuate the 70 residents of the makeshift hospital.

The film’s second half deals with the soldiers’ attempt to get the Nigerians through the jungle to neighboring Cameroon while being tracked down by a group of the rebel militia. The last 20 minutes of the film had

SONY PICTURES

TEARS OF THE SUN

★★★

THE QUIET AMERICAN | Michael Caine

★★★1/2

Although Fowler isn’t brave, he is resourceful, intelligent and very human – in fact, Fowler occupies a niche unfilled in cinema at the moment: the real person.

The Quiet American, based on Graham Greene’s novel, shows a Vietnam War before the Americans became involved. Vietnam lost daily fights between the governing French in the south and the rapidly encroaching communists to the north. Through the character of Fowler, the audience becomes entwined within the seedy and addictive life of Saigon, and it is with him that they experience the shock of seeing a well-spoken American during a late morning tea. Alden Pyle (Brendan Fraser) introduces himself as a member of the American medical task force assigned to assist the French in treating the Vietnamese. Fowler and Pyle soon become friends, and it is during one night out that Pyle meets Fowler’s mistress, Phuong (Do Thi Hai Yen).

In a typical movie, this would signal the start of a tedious and overwrought plot dealing with the petty jealousies of Fowler and the increasingly amorous advances of Pyle.

But director Philip Noyce wisely balances the

romance between the ever-mounting complexities of the thriller-esque war plot.

Michael Caine, in a well-deserved Oscarnominated role, embodies the character’s virtues with a subtle and moving performance. Caine again proves his ability as an actor with a rich resonance. The amount of information he conveys with a single flicker of eye or twitch of the cheek shames any ham actor out there. Not often mentioned, however, is the impressive counter performance by Brendan Fraser – an oft-ignored actor with an incredible range. His counterpoint to Caine’s uncanny inhabitance of the character has Fraser working in a new direction, with the care and precision needed to balance Caine.

The two create an immense emotional draw.

The Quiet American is not a war film, nor is it a romance. It is a movie of conflict. Caine and Fraser play opposite sides of the war coin – to act or not to act. Neither character wins; both end up losing something. Perhaps it is summed up best when Pyle says, “Sooner or later one has to take sides if one is to remain human.” And, in the end, humanity is all that either man wants.

34

film

DON’T MISS ROGER EBERT’S FILM FESTIVAL! | MARCH 13-19, 2003

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THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS/UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, URBANA CAMPUS, PRESENTS We would like to thank our sponsors to date: (03-03-03):

GIFTS-IN-KIND The News-Gazette Dixon Graphics Lorr Kramer / DTS* Eastland Suites The Historic Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center Pat Casey Appraisals Garcia’s Pizza In A Pan Adventure Travel Don Hamerman Robert Baird, Web Site Designer Carlton Bruett, ACBDesign The Daily Illini Champaign Park District eGIX web hosting Nic’s Basket Case News Talk 1400 / Lite Rock 97.5 Project Te, Inc. Michaels’ Catering Adams Outdoor Advertising Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion Cynthia Pipkin-Doyle, Certified Teacher of the Alexander Technique Piano People Great Impasta www.wanderingartist.com Pepsi-Cola Corkscrew Wine Emporium Cracovia Brands/Chicago Boltini Lounge

DIAMOND SPONSOR: $10,000 and Above American Airlines & American Eagle The News-Gazette* Champaign Rotary Club* Geoffrey and Ann Poor / Balanced Audio Technology* Glenn Poor’s Audio-Video* Phase Technology* PLATINUM SPONSOR: $5,000-10,000 Roger & Chaz Ebert Roger & Joanne Plummer President & Mrs. James Stukel Betsy Hendrick Chicago Sun-Times Volition, Inc. GOLD SPONSOR: $2,500 Marsha & Roger Woodbury Busey Bank Sonic Integrity Revere Mortgage & Chevys Fresh Mex Nordost Corporation Panera Bread Company Kodak SILVER SPONSOR: $1,000 Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities Howard & Kay Friedman Marty Traver, Ph.D. Thomas J. Bash Marc & Nicole Miller Alice H. Chou Cynthea Geerdes & Todd Martinez KWIK Home Buyers Tiffany Kim Griffith & Bradley Griffith Reel Movie Critic Michael Carragher Provena Covenant Medical Center Verde Gallery and Verdant News and Coffee Rhino Village Software, Inc. That’s Rentertainment Brand Fortner PATRON: $500 Cheryl & Don Bullock Louis & Sandy Rice Silicon, Carbon, Culture Initiative Great Impasta Marci & Cody Sokolski FESTIVAL FRIEND: $250 Bill & Wilma O’Brien Mary E. Mendus Jane Phillips Scott & Beverly Craig Thomas P. Squires Fred & Donna Giertz Ray Elliott / Tales Press Charles & Blanche Finn Anonymous Novak Weaver Solberg Rodney J. Grimaldi Dianna Armstrong Yvette Scheven Hilary Frooman & John Lee Cafedvd.com FESTIVAL ASSOCIATE: $100 Stuart Cleland Illinois Development Finance Authority Troylene Ladner Criticdoctor.com MEDIA SPONSORS Widescreen Review Rotten Tomatoes WICD NBC Channel 15

*The News-Gazette has made a one-time donation of $50,000 towards the remodeling of the Virginia Theatre’s projection booth. *The Champaign Rotary Club, Geoffrey and Ann Poor/Balanced Audio Technology, Glenn Poor’s Audio-Video and Phase Technology: a one-time donation of $26,000 worth of speaker equipment for the Virginia Theatre. *To enhance the picture and sound quality at the Virginia Theatre for Ebertfest 2003, Lorr Kramer with Digital Theater Systems (DTS) $10,000 worth of equipment.

FILM SCREENINGS All screenings at the Virginia Theatre 203 W. Park Champaign, IL 217/356-9053 Passes $60 Individual tickets $7

THE FIFTH ANNUAL

ROGER EBERT’S OVERLOOKED FILM FESTIVAL April 23-27, 2003

Wednesday, April 23, 2003 7:30 pm The Right Stuff Thursday, April 24, 2003 12:00 pm Stone Reader 3:30 pm Shall We Dance 7:00 pm Your Friends and Neighbors 10:00 pm Blood and Wine Friday, April 25, 2003 12:00 pm Medium Cool 3:30 pm What’s Cooking?

7:00 pm The Black Pirate Alloy Orchestra 9:30 pm L.627 Saturday, April 26, 2003 11:00 am Golden Age of Silent Comedy presented by the Silent Movie Theatre Co. 2:00 pm I Was Born, But... Benshi Performance 6:00 pm Charlotte Sometimes 9:30 pm 13 Conversations About One Thing Sunday, April 27, 2003 1:00 pm Singin’ in the Rain For more information contact: Mary Susan Britt 217/244-0552 or marsue@uiuc.edu Nickie Dalton 217/333-2350 or n-dalton@uiuc.edu College of Communications

ebertfest.com

EBERTFEST 2003 Virginia Theatre 203 W. Park, Champaign Festival Pass $60, Individual Tickets $7 217-356-9063

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film

MARCH 13-19, 2003 | DOGS BARKING, CAN’T FLY WITHOUT UMBRELLA

THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE

KEVIN SPACEY AND LAURA LINNEY A man against capital punishment is accused of murdering a fellow activist and is sent to death row. With Kate WInslet.

Drive-thru Reviews

Now showing at Beverly

OLD SCHOOL

LUKE WILSON, VINCE VAUGHN AND WILL FERREL College buddies reunite and jump start a new fraternity while they battle their own problems in hilarious ways.

Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

THE PIANIST

ADRIEN BRODY A brilliant pianist, and Polish Jew, witnesses the restrictions Nazis place on Jews in the Polish capital, from restricted access to the building of the Warsaw ghetto. As his family is shipped off to the Nazi labor camps, he escapes deportation and eludes capture by living in the ruins of Warsaw.

Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

35

Whether

OPENING THIS WEEK

it’s a quiet evening at home or a wild night on the town...

AGENT CODY BANKS

MALCOLM MUNIZ A government agent trains Cody Banks in the ways of covert operations that require younger participants.

Opening at Beverly and Savoy

THE HUNTED

TOMMY LEE JONES AND BENICIO DEL TORO An FBI deep-woods tracker captures a trained assassin who has made a sport of hunting humans.

Opening at Beverly and Savoy

WILLARD

CRISPIN GLOVER A young man with an unusual connection with rats, uses them at his own sociopathic will to revenge those who oppressed him.

It’s

s alway

more fun with

two

Cute Girlfriends Entertainment

!

Dancers • Models • Dates for all occasions

Opening at Beverly and Savoy

BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE ★1/2

STEVE MARTIN AND QUEEN LATIFAH The family man’s Bulworth, Bringing Down the House treats upscale emotional repression as a fundamental problem of whiteness, a problem that can be solved only by embracing one’s inner gangsta at an all-black club armed only with street-purchased clothes and fake homeboy vernacular.

(Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

CHICAGO ★★★1/2

CATHERINE ZETA-JONES AND RICHARD GERE This movie adaptation of the Kander and Ebbs and Bob Foose musical lights up audiences with thrill-packed dance numbers, brilliant singing an Oscar-nominated cast and screenplay. Nominated for the most Oscars this year.

(Jason Cantone) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

DAREDEVIL

BEN AFFLECK AND JENNIFER GARNER A man blinded by radioactive waste which also enhanced his remaining senses fights crime as an acrobatic martial arts superhero. Had a huge debut, but is falling fast.

Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

THE HOURS

NICOLE KIDMAN AND MERYL STREEP In 1929, Virginia Woolf (Kidman) is starting to write her novel, 'Mrs. Dalloway,' under the care of doctors and family.

In 1951, Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) is planning for her husband's birthday, but is preoccupied with reading Woolf's novel. In 2001, Clarrisa Vaughn (Streep) is planning an award party for her friend, an author dying of AIDS. Taking place over one day, all three stories are interconnected with the novel mentioned before, as one is writing it, one is reading it, and one is living it.

Now showing at Savoy

HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS

KATE HUDSON AND MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY Benjamin Barry is an advertising executive and ladies' man who, to win a big campaign, bets that he can make a woman fall in love with him in 10 days. Andie Anderson covers the "How To" beat for "Composure" magazine and is assigned to write an article on "How to Lose a Guy in 10 days." They meet in a bar shortly after the bet is made.

THE QUIET AMERICAN ★★★1/2

MICHAEL CAINE AND BRANDON FRASER The Quiet American is not a war film, nor is it a romance. It is a movie of conflict,. Caine and Fraser play opposite sides of the war coin – to act or not to act. Perhaps it is summed up best when Pyle says,“Sooner or later one has to take sides if one is to remain human.” And, in the end, humanity is all that either man wants. (Paul Booth) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

THE RECRUIT

COLIN FARREL AND AL PACINO A brilliant young CIA trainee (Farrell) is asked by his mentor (Pacino) to help find a mole in the Agency.

For more information, call (217) 766-1624 or visit www.illinoiscutegirlfriends.com

ENDING THIS WEEK ABOUT SCHMIDT ★★★1/2

JACK NICHOLSON AND KATHY BATES The tale of a man entering senile depression is highlighted by a brilliant Oscar-worthy performance by Jack Nicholson and an award winning script. (Jason Cantone)

DARK BLUE

Now playing at Beverly and Savoy

KURT RUSSEL AND VING RHAMES Set in the Los Angeles Police Department in April 1991, Dark Blue is a dramatic thriller that takes place just days before an acquittal.

SHANGHAI KNIGHTS

GODS AND GENERALS

OWEN WILSON AND JACKIE CHAN When a Chinese rebel murders Chon's estranged father and escapes to England, Chon and Roy make their way to London with revenge on their minds. This is the sequel to Shanghai Noon.

Now showing at Beverly

JEFF DANIELS AND ROBERT DUVALL Gods and Generals follows the rise and fall of legendary war hero "Stonewall Jackson". The prequel to the 1993 hit Gettysburg.

55 W. Main St. Downtown Champaign (217) 398-6912

compiled by Jason Cantone

TEARS OF THE SUN ★★★

BRUCE WILLIS AND MONICA BELLUCCI The film was powerful and moving, specifically taken in the light that so many people are unaware of the genocide that has taken place in such places as Rwanda, Uganda and the Sudan in real life. (Jason Minard) Now playing at Beverly and Savoy

CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE

JET LI AND DMX When an international criminal (Dacascos) kidnaps the daughter of a gang leader (DMX) as part of a diamond heist, it causes a city's police to engage in an intensive search (led by a government agent played by Li), aided by the father's gangsters.

Now playing at Beverly and Savoy

HEY YOU!

Agree?

Disagee?

THE JUNGLE BOOK 2

JOHN GOODMAN AND HALEY JOEL OSMENT Mowgli, missing the jungle and his old friends, runs away from the man village unaware of the danger he's in by going back to the wild.

Now playing at Beverly and Savoy

Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

SEND YOUR SHORT REVIEWS TO JasonC@readbuzz.com AND YOU CAN BE PUBLISHED!

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36

film

THERE’S ALWAYS TIME FOR LUBRICANT | MARCH 13-19, 2003

FilmSeriesPreview

TABOO

(2000)

★★★1/2

BY HEATHER ZINGER | STAFF WRITER

I

t’s the year 1865 in Kyoto, Japan. Two young men, Sozabura Kano and Hyozo Tashiro, enlist in the militia as samurais, supporting the emperor and specializing in sword fighting. Kano is 18 years old, the son of a merchant. Tashiro is older, the servant of a tenant farmer. Kano impresses them with his talent and is chosen to be the executer for the next execution. Most of the samurais must confront their own sexuality and possible homosexuality upon meeting Kano.

Tensions run high when one of the men Kano sleeps with threatens to kill Tashiro.

Hijikata is one of the lead samurais and the audience hears his thoughts at certain key moments, providing more insight into the events at hand. Finally, the Sergeant convinces young Kano to go to the geisha house with him. He deposits Kano in a room and leaves.

Kano throws a fuss, refuses to speak to the women and returns to his quarters the next morning, only to be told that he must execute Tashiro for the supposed murder of another samurai.

Kano, played by first-time actor Ryuhei Matsuda, is an interesting character. He shows

Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

little emotion yet falters when he is forced to fight Tashiror. He openly accepts the sexual offers of other samurais yet, his feelings towards them remains forever ambiguous.

The picturesque scenery, changing from the samurai lodging to the local village to late night in forests, is captured magnificently in this film. This film is poetic, and its ending shows Hijikata cutting down a pink flowering tree with his sword. The scenes capture the historic nature needed to ground this film in 1865. The plot maintains a well-even paced providing enough developments keep the film intriguing. The sword fighting scenes are fascinating and well-choreographed.

At times, the narrative can be hard to because of the references to other battles and events that don’t happen in the film. Also, there are many different characters involved, making it hard to remember all their names and their relationships to each other. Despite these two shortcomings, the scenery is compelling, the plot braids love and murder together creating high tension scenes with unexpected endings. The DVD includes biographies on the main actors, a scene index, and a trailer.

Directed by Nagisa Oshima Starring Beat Takeshi, Ryuhei Matsuda, Shinji Takeda, and Tadanobu Asano Showing at 7 p.m. at Virginia Theatre on March 14.

2003

Japanese Film Series Friday, March 14 6:00 pm Introduction to the Series 6:10 pm Oriume 111 minutes 8:30 pm All About Lily Chou-Chou 146 minutes

Saturday, March 15 2:00 pm

Spirited Away Suitable for children, 124 minutes

4:45 pm 7:00 pm

Fireworks 103 minutes Taboo 100 minutes

Free Admission All performances are at the Virginia Theatre, 203 W. Park St., Champaign, IL Funded by a grant from the Freeman Foundation

FIREWORKS (1997) D

★★★

espite the title, Fireworks is not an action film. The film’s strength lies in its intimate portrayal of the characters’ emotions.

Violence and action do occur in this film, but it rests on the fringes not at the center of the narrative. Fireworks chronicles the lives of four Japanese policemen and the tragedies that afflict their lives. Nishri is struggling with the lost of his daughter and the major illness of his wife. Detective Horibe is shot and paralyzed in the line of duty, after which his wife and child abandon him. Both characters must reinvent themselves to survive their pain.

Nishri paves a different path than Detective Horibe spiraling into more and more recklessness and danger, though he manages to rediscover his humaneness along the way.

Fireworks centers on Nishri’s distressing family circumstances and the violent confrontation with a criminal resulting in the paralysis of Detective Horibe and the death of another cop. The confrontation is told through a series of fragmented flashbacks that are finally pieced together half way through the film. The second part of the film is lighter and more humorous.It follows Nishri on a trip with his wife exposing the nature of their relationship. It alternates between the devastation of the impending death of his wife and several humorous moments needed to lighten the film up. The trip shows the human side of Nishri, who barely speaks through the whole

buzz

film. His character depends solely on facial expressions and actions to communicate.

Although the trip with his wife is refreshing, his past actions continue to haunt him and some unsettled debts with the Yakuza culminates in biting moments of graphic violence.

Nishri can’t escape from his slow descent to personal destruction.

The highlight of this film is its humor. It’s unexpected, subtle and charming. While impersonating a street cop, Nishri passes a car accident victim that chases him down the street. Nishri stops the car. The victim tells him that he’s a crummy cop not worth his tax money. Nishri opens the car door, smacks the victim in the head, and zooms off.

The film alternates easily between tragedy and humor, making the film compelling to watch. At times, there seems to be no more hope for some of the characters and then something unexpected happens. In the beginning, Detective Horibe paints only animals with flower heads and old memories of him and his family. Then, at one moment, a painting of him alone among pink and white flowering trees shows he found hope.

The first part of this film may seem slowpace, depressingly heavy and confusing, but the poignant humor in the second part makes it worth watching.

Directed by Takeshi Kitano, Starring: Takeshi Kitano and Kayoko Kishimoto Showing at 4:45 p.m. at Virginia Theatre on March 14.

Hobo ‘Joe’

BY SCOTT GREEN | BUZZ COLUMNIST OX is reportedly working on a Joe Millionaire sequel, which poses a problem since the show revolves around 20 women believing the guy is stinking rich. After about three minutes of brainstorming, I figured out how to make this work, and all I ask in return is that they never air reality-based specials like Who Wants To Marry A Llama?

Next season, get ready for Hobo Joe. In the show, 20 women will compete for a dirty, scraggly old man who they are told is homeless and will have no way of providing food, shelter or soap for either them or himself. Of course, having seen Joe Millionaire, the women will assume Hobo Joe is quite wealthy. The twist is that Hobo Joe is actually dirt poor, and perhaps, if FOX gets really lucky, the guy will also have head lice or some other equally nice consolation prize for the women.

Adding evil twists to similar programs will spike ratings beyond the networks’ wildest dreams. For example, look at FOX’s newest reality show, Married By America. Viewers force two people who have never met to marry on TV. Watching citizens put their futures in the hands of people who paid over $60 million to see Kangaroo Jack is the type of self-destructive programming I like to see.

Sometime next year, FOX should run Divorced by America, during which all the couples from Married By America are brought back and viewers vote to divorce exactly half of them. To keep the divorcees from getting upset, all FOX needs to do is give them free Tshirts that say “I got married and divorced on FOX and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.”

Not all of these new reality TV shows are based on love either. ABC came up with a real winner, Are You Hot?, a new program that has a panel of judges decide, and this is the really difficult part, whether contestants are hot or not. I respect these brave judges for the hard work they do. I only wish I had the sort of training necessary for determining whether or not somebody is attractive. Only in America, land of the free, could three people actually get paid to do nothing more than determine who is hot and who is not.

These shows have one major problem: not enough scandal. This is why, instead of another season of The Bachelor, ABC should air The Husband. One married guy chooss from 25 young homewreckers for an affair. The only problem with such a show is that it could only be filmed for a few minutes every day after The Husband gets off from work but before he gets home to his wife, Senator Clinton. But the ratings would be phenomenal, and if he decided to marry the winner of the contest, his current wife could get a free T-shirt for her troubles.

Perhaps the networks aren’t ready for my shows, but if all else fails, I still may be able to make some money by producing my favorite idea, where contestants compete in Who Wants a Free T-shirt?

37

TVReviews

OLIVER BEENE

★★1/2

BY ARTHUR MITCHELL | STAFF WRITER

F

OX executives saw the strong success of The Wonder Years and have attempted to replicate it with the new FOX sitcom Oliver Beene.

Oliver Beene is set in the 1950s, but there are many similarities between Oliver Beene and The Wonder Years . It contains the retro setting, the show revolves around the cute little boy, the boy has an older brother that torments him, the father is a working stiff who likes things simple and it is all encompassed with a narrative voice-over reminiscing on the past.

The series premiere effectively introduced the show's lead characters while still incorporating an actual storyline. In some instances, the show's dialogue or characters' individual responses might seem very predictable, even canned. Oliver seems to stretch for laughs with visual gags and recycled jokes.

The pilot focused on the family wanting to join an exclusive country club. It first shows them in their modest apartment with their modest possessions. This serves as a strong dichotomy to the country club's extravagance and riches. Some of the family members want to join for different reasons. The mother wants join the club to rub elbows with the elite.

Oliver wants to join the club because of a girl he has a crush on. They convince the father, who is the head of the household in 1950s sit-

OLIVER BEENE

com style, and everyone gets together, trying to join the club.

The characters each had a section of the show that allowed them to reveal their innermost thoughts to the audience. The mother wants to be happy and respected. The oldest son is a girl-crazy teenager. The father would do anything for his wife and family. Oliver is a clumsy kid that tries to get noticed. At the end of the episode, although the family found out that they were not admitted in the country club, they each seemed to learn something about themselves. It may have not made them better people, but they learned.

But one noticeable flaw revolves around the show not making a good connection with the everyday average Joe. Without that aspect, it makes it difficult to sympathize with the family. If there is no connection, it makes it tough to love the characters, to laugh with them and cry with them. This was something that was done extremely well in The Wonder Years.

Of course, it would be premature to com-

MY BIG FAT GREEK LIFE

BY SARAH LANGENBERG | STAFF WRITER

A

spin-off from the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the TV series My Big Fat Greek Life continues the saga of Nia Portokalos. The product of a patriotic and traditional Greek family, Nia's hesitation to accept her family's overzealous ways as a child has set her apart from other women as an adult.

Nia's down-to-earth personality and calm composure often clash with her family's eagerness and impatience, especially after Nia meets and marries Thomas Miller, a WASP schoolteacher, who her father loathes.

The scripts tackle issues that supposedly are a sample of typical immigrant GreekAmerican families. Nia's parents, Gus and Maria, want to give their restaurant, Dancing Zorba's, to her in their will. Breaking a family tradition, Nia rejects their offer and decides she doesn't want to work in a restaurant her entire life.

Set in Chicago, the show mainly rotates between Nia and Thomas' apartment and Dancing Zorba's. Their apartment is reminiscent of typical suburbia with a view of the city from their high vantage point. What sets Dancing Zorba's apart from other eateries is

pare this series premiere to a successful show in The Wonder Years. As a FOX sitcom, it has some sexual innuendos and toilet humor that can make anyone roll on the floor clutching their stomach. FOX has enough of those types of shows as it is. However, as a quality television show that could bring viewers of NBC and CBS over to FOX at the timeslot that Oliver Beene ends up at, it may come up a little short.

It seems that this show was created for an audience that has never watched American network television before. Nothing in the show was new, innovative or gut-bustingly funny. The ideas shown in the show were not interesting enough to carry it along. Yes, the little boy is cute, but not Frankie Muniz cute.

The premiere of Oliver Beene raises an interesting question: Are there too many “retro” shows being premiered? The success rate of these shows are not exactly high, and so far, after watching Oliver Beene, it doesn’t seem that this will be one those shows either.

★★★

the warmth and sense of belonging that their customers sense among the Portokalos clan, with a touch of the vivacious Greek spirit.

The writers cleverly embellish the scripts with a balance of sarcasm and humor that entertain but don't overpower. Followed by one witty remark after another, Nia's interactions with her counterparts are lighthearted, no matter how serious an issue arises between them.

However, Nia Vardalos, who plays Nia Portokalos, lacks the passion that is necessary to properly convey the range of emotions she feels throughout her interactions. Nia's character is at her best when she jokes with her husband, not when she is forced to pour her heart out over why she won't inherit her parent's restaurant.

My Big Fat Greek Life is sprinkled with flashbacks from Nia's childhood. These lively flashbacks add to the charm of the show, showing from the start her resistance to her family's way of life but an appreciation of her culture.

Often more engaging than Nia and Thomas is Nia's saucy parents, Gus and Maria. The typical portly stubborn old man, Gus, played by Michael Constantine, delivers

his lines with an authenticity that is rare to find in such a specific role. Likewise the flashily-dressed Maria, portrayed by Lainie Kazan, is a boisterous woman with a habit of worrying like most moms. Her sincerity towards her family and friends is endearing.

Together, this couple is the dynamic duo of the show, adding the flair that is often missing between Thomas and Nia. My Big Fat Greek Life offers a generous portion of Greek-American life without getting up from the couch.

CBS ENTERTAINMENT

POP CULTURE COLUMN

F

tv

MARCH 13-19, 2003 | STUPID GRAVITY

FOX ENTERTAINMENT

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MY BIG FAT GREEK LIFE

38

WANT TO SELL THAT GREEN VELVET COUCH OF YOURS? CALL BUZZ CLASSIFIEDS AT 333-7777 | MARCH 13-19, 2003

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• All employment advertising in this newspaper is subject to the City of Champaign Human Rights Ordinance and similar state and local laws, making it illegal for any person to cause to be published any advertisement which expresses limitation, specification or discrimination as to race, color, mental handicap, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, political affiliation, prior arrest or conviction record, source of income, or the fact that such person is a student.

• Specification in employment classifications are made only where such factors are bonafide occupational qualifications necessary for employment.

• All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, and similar state and local laws which make it illegal for any person to cause to be published any advertisement relating to the transfer, sale, rental, or lease of any housing which expresses limitation, specifications or discrimination as to race, color, creed, class, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, personal appearance, sexual oientation, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or the fact that such person is a student.

• This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law.

Our readers are informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal oppportunity basis.

DEADLINE:

2 p.m. Monday for the next Thursday’s edition.

RATES: Billed rate: 29¢/word Paid-in-Advance: 21¢/word Photo Sellers 30 words or less + photo: $5 per issue Garage Sales 30 words in both Thursday’s buzz and Friday’s Daily Illini!! $10. If it rains, your next date is free.

Action Ads • 20 words, run any 5 days (in buzz or The Daily Illini), $12 • 10 words, run any 5 days (in buzz or The Daily Illini), $6 • add a photo to an action ad, $10

Employment

000

HELP WANTED | Part Time The Champaign Park District seeks to build a pool of part-time receptionists for evening, weekend and occasional daytime hours at the Springer Cultural Center and/or Hays Center. Hours vary and are dependent on your availability. For more information or to apply visit the Bresnan Meeting Center or www.champaignparkdistrict.com. Apply by March 20 for earliest consideration. EOE.

HELP WANTED | Full and Part Time

BUSINESS SERVICES

WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATE Full-time regular picking, packing & material handling positions available M-F on 1st shift and S-Th on 2nd & 3rd shifts. Parttime positions available Mon & Tues on 1st & 2nd shifts. Requires a dependable work history.

Please apply in person at: HOBBICO, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign. Mon-Fri., 9:00-4:30 EOE email: hr@hobbico.com website: www.hobbico.com

Marla’s Massage Private studio, hot oils, light touch. Open until 10:00 pm. 344-8879

EMPLOYMENT WANTED Unique freelance opportunity. College textbook production company: proofreaders, editors, indexers. Superior English required. 398-2060, ext. 231 for details.

EOE.

Residential cleaning. Tens years experience. Own vehicle. Have reference. Susan @ 351-3522 leave message.

HELP WANTED | Full Time

STUDENT DISCOUNTS on Massage Therapy.

Relieve your tension, stress, or headaches from a professional. $40 1 hour session $25 1/2 session. BODY THERAPY CENTER 206 N. Randolph St. Suite 518, Champaign. 355-8001. 16 years of Experience Member: ATMA thebodytherapycenter.com

CHILD CARE Licensed day & evening care. Openings for 6 weeks-12 years. SW Champaign.

217-352-9915.

Triangle Employment Services. Now accepting applications. 373-1550.

CLEANING

HELP WANTED | Full and Part Time

Wanted!

Exact Extraction. Carpet & upholstery cleaning. Free estimates. 688-3101.

Doctor’s office receptionist, Monday-Friday 8-5. Microsoft Word, Excel, typing skills a must. Experience preferred. Please contact 217-377-0565.

Certified group fitness instructors & certified personal trainers. Auditions: April 7th @ 7pm April 12th @ 10am

Spring is the time for detoxing. Colon irrigation: 353-7147

JANITOR Previous custodial experience desirable.

Full time and part time positions available on 2nd shift. Work in a clean, safe environment.

Apply in person at: HOBBICO 2904 Research Rd., C. Mon-Fri. 9:00-4:30 EOE

LAWN CARE

Refinery 502 S. Kenwood 355-4444

FREE ESTIMATES: Tree trimming, Topping, Removal, Stump Grinding. 384-5010.

HOUSE PAINTING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Painter School Learn trade for personal benefit or start new career. 352-3534.

Services

100

No Nights!

No Weekends!

No Holidays! * Friendly work environment * Insurance and benefits * Weekly paycheck * Paid vacation * Paid training and mileage * Drug-free work environment You furnish: * Car with insurance * Valid driver’s license Call Merry Maids at 217-337-6131 EOE

Spring is here, and now is the time to sell!

Champaign County Realty specializes in marketing residential property. Call today for details and a market analysis of your home.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY REALTY 351-8200

HELP WANTED | Full Time

HELP WANTED | Full Time

A.P. Wedding Photography Call Marc anytime 367-1158

BUSINESS SERVICES

A former teacher/coach doing painting. Experienced, over 500 houses. Reasonable.

378-5311.

Painting Interior/Exterior, no job too small.

Free estimates. Larry 840-0894

HOME IMPROVEMENT Drywall & plaster repairs. Professional painting, home repairs of all kinds. 30 years exp. Call Doug 217-356-3340.

Elliott Construction complete remodeling services. We specialize in room additions, kitchens, bathrooms, porches and decks.

Fully insured with references and a portfolio available. Call us for a free estimate.

217-356-3995 603 W. White, Champaign

Merchandise

200

Action Ads 10 words, 5 days, $6 20 words, 5 days, $12 Add a photo of your item for $5 extra. Call buzz classifieds at 333-7777 for complete info.

Have an item taking up space in your home that you would like to advertise?

Call buzz classifieds. We’ll run an ad for it free! Call 217-333-7777 for details. M-F 85. Restrictions apply.

FURNITURE 7 PC BDRM SET - English Cherry sleigh bed, dresser, mirror, chest, nightstand.

New, still boxed $2,000. Sell $950. 309451-4708.

HELP WANTED | Full Time

Join Human Kinetics, the premiere publisher in the physical activity field, and help us produce and implement innovative, informative products that help people worldwide lead healthier, more active lives.

Curriculum Design Manager Seeking a seasoned training professional to develop educational materials, primarily textbooks and online, multimedia courses. Successful candidates will have excellent instructional development, writing and editing skills; proven project management abilities; familiarity with Web development tools and technologies; and excellent analytical and organizational skills. Requirements include an advanced degree in education, instructional design or a sport science field and 2+ years in an educational or editorial position.

Sport Marketing Director Direct the marketing of the Amiercan Sport Education Program (ASEP), the leading coaching education program in the U.S. Announce new courses and products through direct mail, space ads, and other methods. Responsible for writing product descriptions and working with ASEP partners to promote courses. Oversee the ASEP website, improving fuctionality and updating content. Bachelor’s degree and 5 years relevant experience required, preferably in educational marketing.

Sales Director Requires a seasoned marketing and sales professional with 10+ years experience to lead a marketing and sales team in promoting, selling and implementing sport education programs with local and national sport organizations. Excellent communication skills, proven ability to lead a marketing and sales team, and demonstrated success in sales and marketing required. The American Sport Education Program (ASEP) is the leading coaching education program in the U.S. Developmental Editing Associate Assist with the acquisition of books, videos, software, and distance education courses for community based educational programs. Help prepare proposals for review, do research on potential projects and markets, and assist in overseeing project developmet. Requirements include a degree in education, curriculum design or English, experience managing projects and reviewing material for publication. Experience working in health and fitness area in addition to publishing experience preferred.

Competitive salary and excellent benefits package including 401(k) with profit sharing, fitness facility, and susidized cafeteria. Send cover letter and resume to Human Resources, Human Kinetics, PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076, email LISAS@hkusa.com, or fax 217-351-2674. For more info, visit www.HumanKinetics.com. EOE

A NEW FORMAL DINING ROOM Table & Chairs. Still packaged. $1,400 value, sacrifice $450. Can deliver. 309-451-7408.

Dining room set. Octoganal table with leaf and 4 leather “look” rolling chairs. $50 obo.

352-3451

Get the most out of your ad! Combine The Daily Illini and Buzz for a perfect one-two punch!

Call 333-7777 for details on placing your classified ad.

buzz

39

MARCH 13-19, 2003 | LIST YOUR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR FREE! 333-7777.

GARAGE SALES Garage Sale Season is Almost Here When it is time to advertise your garage sale, call buzz classifieds at 333-7777. For $10, we will run your 30-word garage sale ad in buzz on Thursday and the DI on Friday. If it rains, we’ll run it again for free!

Transportation

300

AUTOMOBILES 1989 Dodge Caravan Beautiful, 150k, gray, $1500, call Mike 217-384-1050 1999 Pontiac Bonneville with only 33,000 miles for $13,990. Call Sullivan Parkhill at 352-4275 2000 Chevy Cavalier - 2 door sporty car, only 18,000 miles, $9990 call Sullivan Parkill at 352-4275 2000 Chevy Malibu LS. Loaded with everything and only 13,000 miles for $10,990. Sullivan Parkhill, Champaign 352-4275.

Apartments

400

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished | Unfurnished Ginger Creek, Champaign Apartment for rent.

2 bedroom, 2 baths. Roommate style apartment. 1125 Sq. feet. Beautiful and spacious. Second floor, vaulted ceilings.

Fireplace, W/D, D/W disposal, balcony with access from the living room and both bedrooms. Larger laundry facilities on the premises. 1 parking space included (garage is also available). Pet friendly, cats and birds, etc. No dogs. One year minimum. Through July 2004. Available May/June. $795/mo. Call Jackie 356-8280

Quiet Townhouses 2 bedroom near Kirby & Prospect, C. Yard, campus bus, close in retreat. No pets $640-675. www.lincolnshireprop.com 398-1998.

OFF-CAMPUS APARTMENTS Unfurnished

HOUSES Are you thinking of buying a home but don’t know where to start? Call Dawn Roberts at RE/MAX Realty Associates 373-4940.

BRAND NEW HOMES IN Turnberry Ridge. 1354 sq. ft, 2 BR, 2 BA, 2 car garages. Oak trim and kitchens, ceramic tile, gas fireplaces, Whirlpool Appliances and much more. Homes available now on Birkdale Dr. and Water’s Edge Rd., starting at $124,900. Tim Smith, 217-202-4217. Possible lease with option to buy! www.parkwestcondos.com BUNGALOW NEAR Eisner Park 2/3 BR, 1BA, basement, garage, a/c, HW floors & trim, fenced lot, enclosed porch. $88,500.

217-363-3751 days, 217-398-5045 evenings.

Cute as a Bug-A -Low! Two bedroom, 1 bath home on the busline and near campus. $80,000 Call Barb Gallivan RE/MAX Realty Associates 373-4929.

2000 Dodge Neon w/only 34,000 miles.

Automatic, CD, power windows. Great budget Car for $8,900. Call Sullivan Parkhill 352-4275.

Most utilities included in this 1 BR unfurnished apt. at 607 W. Springfield, Champaign. Laundry, A/C, $450, Weiner Co. 384-8018, www.weinercompanies.com

Just remodeled 2 BR home in East Urbana. Large fenced backyard. 1,018 sq.ft. living space. 710 E. University. For sale by owner. $55,000. 356-8903.

2001 Chevy Cavalier with automatic, CD, cruise and 18,000 miles for $9990. Call Sullivan Parkhill 352-4275.

Near downtown Champaign, 2 BR unfurnished apt. at 310 W. Washington, A/C, parking, w/d hookup, Weiner Co. 3848018, www.weinercompanies.com

Make it your own in this Minor Lake, proposed construction home offering 4 bdrms, 2.5 bath and more! $174,900 Call Barb Gallivan RE/MAX Realty Associates 3734929.

2001 Pontiac Grand Am GT w/leather spoiler and Monsoon stereo. Only 17,000 miles for $16,990. Call Sullivan Parkhill 352-4275 88 Isuzu Trooper 4x4. Everything works, just needs valve job. $500 obo. 384-9004 Kiss that car goodbye!

Run an ad in buzz classifieds. Call 3337777 to see how you can run your ad for free!

Very clean 1999 Olds Cutlass, V6, CD & Cassette. Only $12,990. Call Sullivan Parkhill at 352-4275.

Wow at 2001 Silver Grand Am with Spoiler and CD for only $12,990 at Sullivan Parkhill 352-4275.

MOTORCYCLES | SCOOTERS

1993 Suzuki Katana GSX600F. New tires and battery, low miles, good condition, runs great. $2200 obo. nwitkows@uiuc.edu

Have an item taking up space in your home that you would like to advertise?

Call buzz classifieds. We’ll run an ad for it free! Call 217-333-7777 for details. M-F 8-5. Restrictions apply.

UNIQUE RETREAT SINGLE In Sadorus, 1000 SF Townhouse, $575, 398-1998.

West Champaign, 1 BR unfurnished apt. near Mattis & John, A/C, laundry, parking, $395.

Weiner Co. 384-8018 www.weinercompanies.com West Side Park neighborhood, spacious 2 BR unfurnished apt. at 407 W. White, A/C, laundry, parking, Weiner Co. 384-8018, www.weinercompanies.com

Other Rentals

500

HOUSES Beautiful Large 5 Bedroom House, C/A, Fireplace, Oak woodwork/floors, parking, basement, available 8/15/03. Randolph & White, Champaign; $1200/mo, Peter 3563232

NEW 3 & 4 BEDROOM TOWNHOUSES 2 Bath, CA, yard, Hessel Park, 615 W. Kirby. $1800 furnished. 398-1998

Real Estate for Sale 600 HOUSES 2 Years NEW in TURNBERRY RIDGE! 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath $185,000. Call MIKE CROSS 373-4995 RE/MAX Realty Associates.

Wanted: used moped or motor scooters.

217-688-2330.

Lots of potential and priced to sell 3 bedroom home in Mahomet. $59,900 Call Dawn Roberts RE/MAX Realty Associates 373-4940.

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished | Unfurnished

CAMPUS APARTMENTS Furnished | Unfurnished

Westgate Apartments

A place you’ll love to call home!

• Clean 1 & 2 bedroom • 24 hr. courtesy gatehouse • Free parking • On-site laundry • Limited availability

359-5330

• Fast, dependable 24 hr. maintenance • 2 sparkling swimming pools

on short-term leases

Now Leasing for Fall Call the Leasing office today!

M-F 9-5 Sat. 9-1 office@westgateapts.com

Parkland Ridge Contemporary offers 3 bdrms, 1.5 baths and more! $144,900 Call Phyllis Cler RE/MAX Realty Associates 373-4932.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE WHITE HEATH. 4 Bdrm, 2.5 Baths. BI-level. 2377 sq. ft. 4 Car Garage. 1.387 Acres. $169,900 CHAMPAIGN. Custom Built. Clark Park. 5 Bdrm. 2 Baths. Multi-level design. Secluded yard. 2 car garage. $174,900 Open Sunday 1:45 to 2:45 PM RANTOUL. Excellent Value. 3 Bdrm.

Vaulted ceiling. Family rm. Borders common area. 1615 sq.ft. Many updates. Garden Shed. Playset. $69,900 PAXTON. Stately 99 year old. 4 Bdrms.

1.5 Baths. Original wood floors & trim.

New radiant heat. Wrap around porch. 2 Car garage. Handyman needed. $69,900 CHAMPAIGN. Vintage duplex. Built in 1920’s. Basement. Porch. Deck. Shaded yard. Excellent rental history. $78,900 Call Danna Corley.

373-4842 RE/MAX REALTY ASSOCIATES Each office independently owned

Things to Do

700

Creation Art Studio is an Illinois State Board of Education provider of continuing proffessional development units ‘CPDUs’, provider number 102753. Credit available for pre-K ‘DCFF approved’- 12 teachers.

Independent study in studio and expressive art for children and adults. 1102 E. Washington. Urbana. Jeannine Bestoso.

344-6955 or 328-3896. www.creationartstudio.com.

CLASSES Learn to draw with the King of Cartoons!

Dave King is giving cartoon lessons every Sunday afternoon at 1 pm at the Espresso Royale in Urbana! ($8 suggested donation) Taiji studies 9-week beginning level class starting April 3, 7:30pm. For info call 3564348 or reeddo@soltec.net

Announcements 800 Four ways you can make a difference in the life of a child! Volunteer opportunities at the Children’s Home & Aid Society of Illinois include: VIS-A-VIS, mentoring, tutoring, or volunteering at Roundhouse, a local crisis center. For more information call or email Barb at 337-1518, or bbressne@ec.chasi.org

Have an item taking up space in your home that you would like to advertise?

Call buzz classifieds. We’ll run an ad for it free! Call 217-333-7777 for details. M-F 85. Restrictions apply.

CAMPUS APARTMENTS | Furnished

Lu

’ O k c

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

American Red Cross Illini Prairie Chapter has various volunteer opportunities available. Contact 344-2800.

Volunteers needed at University YMCA for various projects. Call Menjiwe 337-1514 for more information.

East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center is looking for volunteers to work Saturday mornings 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Contact Haho 344-8455.

Greater Community Aids Project needs volunteers for Saturday April 5, Sunday April 6, Saturday April 12, and Sunday April 13. Groups needed for cleaning, moving, and helping to create the environment for Artists Against Aids. Call 3512437. Groups encouraged.

Planned Parenthood is looking for volunteers for numerous positions, each with different time requirements. Includes filing, escorting, waiting room attendants, front desk assistants, more. SPECIAL NEED: We are looking for Spanish speaking volunteers to help translate forms, fact sheets, and our new website. Call (217)359-4768 for information. Ask for Stacey.

Sadorus Lots (Unit 7) north of Sadorus from 3-10 acres $29,000-$44,000.

Country Lot (Villa Grove) 16 acres west of Rte. 130 $69,000.

Call John E. Maggio, RE/MAX Realty Associates 352-5700.

OPEN HOUSES FSBO: 2204 Olen Drive, Mahomet. Open Sunday 1-4. $74,900. 3 BR, 2 BA, family rm. Garage, new hdwd floors in LR & DR. New ceramic tile flrs in kitchen & BA. Move-in cond! 217-586-5119 eves. www.fsbo.com #57226

OPEN Sunday 3-5 pm, 1510 S. Race, U. FSBO: 2 BR Condo with garage. 2390117.

ST. JOE 406 Holly Ridge Ct. Custom built, cul-de-sac, 3-4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 3 car garage, 2700 sq. ft. 1+ acre lakefront lot, 1st flr master, 2 fireplaces, granite island, c.vac, $287,500. 217-469-9968.

Sunday, 1-3 PM.

333-7777 give us a ring

Volunteers needed to label products for distribution. Call Beth at Eastern Illinois Foodbank at 328-3663.

Volunteers needed to work at a concession stand for next season’s football games. Interested?? Call 351-3033

Volunteers to help inner city children with their studies. Just call 355-5611

Volunteers interested in working with the elderly. Can work as much or as little as your schedule permits. Simple process to get started. Call 403-1900. Bickford Cottage, 1002 S. Staley, Champaign.

recycle this newspaper.

CAMPUS APARTMENTS | Furnished

CAMPUS APARTMENTS | Furnished

h s i r I The

Rent starting at $335

Draw a coin from our pot of gold for a chance to win up to $200 off your last month’s rent!

Individual Leases

LOTS Unit 7/Villa Grove Schools Sidney Lots (Unit 7) Arrowhead Subdivision priced from $19,000-$38,000.

Volunteers needed to cuddle cats and walk dogs at the Champaign Humane Society. 9-6 Monday-Saturday, 9-4 Sunday.

344-7297 or julie@cuhumane.org

W! O N L L CA 0 ay 33p7ire-s S1t. P8at0 k ric ’s D offer ex

Utility Package Available Tons of Amenities Close to Campus Bus Service Available 1, 2 & 4 Bedroom Apartments Washer/Dryer in each apartment www.capstone-dev.com or office@uni-com.net Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Saturday 10am-4pm

40

odds&end

HAVE YOU BEEN SHIZZOLATED? | MARCH 13-19, 2003

10% O FF Par ties of 20 Per so

FF for O % 0 s 1 itizen C r o i Sen Years 0 6 r Ove

Reserv

ns or m

ations R

713 W. MARKETVIEW DR.

ore

equired

. CHAMPAIGN . 398-9888

Over 150 Buffet Items Daily! Children under 2 Free!

Monday – Saturday 11am – 3:30pm

11am – 3:30pm

Traditional Chinese Buffet Daily

HOURS: Sunday–Thursday 11am–9:30pm

Friday & Saturday 11am–10:30pm

M Valid only with coupon.

Not valid with other coupons or discounts.

Offer expires 12/31/03

ChinatowN 713 W. Marketview Drive 398-9888

Valid only with coupon.

Not valid with other coupons or discounts.

Offer expires 12/31/03

Valid only with coupon.

Not valid with other coupons or discounts.

Offer expires 12/31/03

Valid only with coupon.

Not valid with other coupons or discounts.

Offer expires 12/31/03

ChinatowN

ChinatowN

ChinatowN

713 W. Marketview Drive 398-9888

713 W. Marketview Drive 398-9888

713 W. Marketview Drive 398-9888

Drink til yur Irish,

4 DAY CELEBRATION

St. Patricks

FRIDAY

FRI - MON MARCH 14 - 17

“OFFICIAL PRE-PARTY” Open 11AM 11–2 PM BEER GARDEN COOKOUT 5:40 PM ILL BASKETBALL 9 PM IRISH LIMBO 10 PM IRISH ICE BLOCK 11 PM IRISH BELLY CONTEST

CONTESTS

SATURDAY

$2.25 22 OZ DRAFTS $1.75 JAMESON’S $3.50 GREEN VODKA’S $6 PITCHERS

4–6 PM BEER GARDEN COOKOUT 8 PM IRISH BALL CONTEST 9 PM GREEN OUTFIT CONTEST 10 PM WHITE LEGS CONTEST 11 PM MYSTERY EVENT

Specials & Prizes

“St. Pats” open 8am

Party til yur Green!

buzz

buzz

41

MARCH 13-19, 2003 | GO TO ASKSNOOP.COM

BY ALEX RODRIGUEZ | STAFF WRITER

T

he gas hisses softly as the creamy brown liquid flows from the black plastic tapered nozzle.

As the glass fills, Michael Murphy patiently holds it at a 45-degree angle to the faucet, until the trademark imperial 20-oz. pint’s level is about three-fourths full, or just past the etched Guinness emblem. Murphy has been owner of Mike ‘N Molly’s, 105 N. Market St., Champaign, for the last 7 years and an avid Guinness drinker himself. The glass is then placed to the side, as the process that Arthur Guinness began in 1759 when he brewed his first glass of porter is repeated.

“I started drinking Guinness after I read ‘Angela’s Ashes,’” Murphy says with a mischievous grin. “The father (in the novel) kept drinking pints and I thought, well, if it’s that good I really ought to give it a chance.”

He continues to drink the dark brew for a myriad reasons.

“It’s sweet, it’s dark, there’s low carbonation, and low alcohol content so you can drink it for a couple of hours without burping a lot or getting (drunk).”

Over 10 million glasses of Guinness are produced every day. Besides the famous St. James Gate brewery in Dublin, there are sister breweries all over the world. Guinness is the leading imported stout in the world, and with the other beers, spirits and wines that are pro-

[

“I started drinking Guinness after I read ‘Angela’s Ashes.’”

– Michael Murphy, Mike ‘N Molly’s owner

[

duced by Guinness United Distillers and Vintners (GUINNESSUDV), it is the flagship product of one of the largest manufacturers of alcoholic beverages in the world.

Chris Sineni, market development manager for GUINNESSUDV throughout downstate Illinois, is also a Guinness aficionado. “I started drinking it before I even got the job.

It’s a great tasting beer.”

Mike ‘N Molly’s sells more Guinness than any other bar in Champaign, doubling Senini’s second biggest account here. As a matter of fact, Mike ’N Molly’s sells more Guinness than any other bar south of I-80, going through six kegs a week. The reason for this remarkable feat for a bar of its relatively small size (55-person capacity) is Murphy’s passion for serving the perfect pint to every customer that orders one.

Guinness is a difficult beer to store and serve; however, the process is one that the stout’s many consumers savor. After the keg is first delivered, it must sit for 24 to 48 hours to allow the contents to settle. The cooler needs to maintain a temperature of between 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit for optimum flavor, and when served, the beer must be at a temperature of 39 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

A special pressurization system must also be in place. Whereas most beers are pushed through the plastic lines by pure carbon dioxide, Guinness needs a 75 percent nitrogen and 25 percent carbon dioxide mix. This is because stouts tend to absorb carbon dioxide more rapidly than other beers such as lagers or ales, which makes for a foamier finished product.

The nitrogen lessens this effect and produces a less carbonated and therefore less flatulenceinducing beverage.

Murphy now turns his attention back to the nearly completed pour. One or two minutes after the first step, when the stout has “settled” (we’ll get back to that later) and turned ruby red (not black as is the common perception) with a creamy white head, he takes the glass, fills it just proud of the rim, and places it in front of the customer, with the Guinness logo facing him. Of course, any true Guinness drinker knows that the wait is not over yet.

What happens here has been a subject of debate since those early pints were poured in 18th century pubs. The bubbles in the glass seem to travel down, cascading their way to the bottom of the glass in a process commonly referred to as “settling.” This, it seems, would defy the laws of physics. Gas is lighter than liquid, so surely bubbles must go up.

Is Guinness the only substance in the world in which physics do not apply? Not quite.

This question so perplexed scientists that FLUENT, a computational fluid dynamics software tool, was used to “provide a categorical and definitive answer: the bubbles go up

PHOTO | Katy Mull

My goodness, my Guinness

Mike & Molly's bartender Melody Ensinger pours a pint of Guiness. Of the beer, Ensinger said "I don't think there are enough people that appreciate the quality of a fine Guiness."

and down,” as stated in a FLUENT press release.

To put it plainly, there are different sized bubbles in Guinness. Some as small as 60 microns, others as large as 1 millimeter. The bubbles in the center of the glass, free from the effects of the wall, move upwards most quickly and drag liquid with them. But the liquid moving up in the center of the glass, having nowhere else to go, must eventually turn toward the walls and start to move downward. The liquid moving downward near the walls tries to drag down bubbles with it. Larger bubbles have sufficient buoyancy to resist but smaller bubbles are continuously dragged to the bottom of the glass.

This process lasts about two minutes, but when it’s over, the Guinness has fully settled.

When poured correctly, it’s a beautiful study

in contrasts: the dark, perfectly still beer covered with a cream colored, rich head. It’s finally ready, so the customer takes that first sip, wipes the Guinness mustache from his upper lip and smiles, knowing that it was definitely worth the wait.

42

odds&end

ENJOY THE VIEW | MARCH 13-19, 2003

buzz

SweetTalk Zoe, Thanks for the flowers. You made my day. Kit hey louis, you're my snugglemuffin and i love waking up to your big black mop every day of the week ;o) Bhibha- Heard you weren't very happy in Chambana so I'm sending you a BIG hug from East Lansing,Michigan. Be thankful that there are hot men there. I can't determine the hot ones here b/c they're buried under 4 layers of clothing. Cheer up!

It's almost spring & you know what that means?

GOD BLESS KHAKIS! I miss ya kiddo!- -Kelly Hey Perry! I'm a little daffodil little little flowery face daffodil.. I'm beautiful.. that's me imitating you!!

-Walter hold me walter. I'm afraid of the dark. Love, Perry Mary, you are just soo "PERFECT"! I just "LOVE IT"!

Cant wait for Miami!

Corinne & Michelle, Thanks for being the best roommates ever! I knew we could make it thru with almost everyone gone...just think only a 1/2 of a semester left!

Rinne- 40 days and 40 nights...I find this hard to believe...remember when you only lasted 20 and then you got on ME! To the Ewok girls: You're the best!!! I luv ya!!

Oh Erin! You're absolutley amazing. We should definately get together again. hugs, kisses, and inappropriae touches...me!

Lindsey, How come when you're so bad it makes me feel so good???

Britt, You are my favorite tree hugging hippie!

Love, Da-Bossy Mojo, You are the best Circulation/Marketing Coordinator EVER! You are doing a wonderful job!

Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the great dinner and a movie! It was really fun and I'm looking forward to our next date, Fernando To the three cool girls on the 3rd floor Allen. You guys rock! Not that you'll see this, seeing as it's not public at all To Shannon - To my hottie in NC. :) You're so crazy, I think I wanna have your baby! Fin 321 classmate Jiv, You are the smoothest talking, ice wearin stud I have ever met. You so crazy I think I want to have your baby. Your FIN321 Hottie Karm,If you were ever awake I would love to go out with you. Then maybe we could hibernate together and you could drool on my pillow.-Your secret love B. Willis, I love your elf like qualities and that you think speedos on a man are sexy. I love balding twentysomethings and the best part about it is I just got out of prison. Give Me A Call-Ralph Nellie, I love you to pieces and I wish you wouldn't lock me in my room when you leave to go to work.

Love, Skeeter To the lincoln loggers of apt 1: take a step back, look in the mirror, and ask yourself...DO I EVER SHUT UP? Elbelle: Meadowbrook Park, kites, warm breezes, green grasses, fluffy clouds, sounds of laughter.

Have I said enough? - TBone Zimrhi - You are never alone, no matter how far away you are.

Chubby - Billions of little tadpoles later, you're still my favorite horizontal mambo dancer - Jiggy

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MARCH 13-19, 2003 | GO SHORTY ITS YOUR BIRFDAY

SweetTalk

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY | March 13-19, 2003 CONTINUED

MWIL, Only 7 more sleeps. YLIW Dear videohead, Get your hands off the friggin' PS2 and lay 'em on me, before I hit menopause. 2horns You used to say we were like brother and sister. I hope you don't feel that way now, because I think it's illegal... Shanana...

LAK - I'm the happiest I ever have been and you add to that every day. I love you - PEK CrazyFace - Sorry you ended up on the short end of the stick, but that's what happens when you play with fire. Some times sure were hot, though... -AM Holly, You're just too young to understand... and that's my loss... BK Hunky clerk at Kopi... You serve it up hot and steamy with milk every day... and you have no idea what kind of tip I'd like to leave...- small cap Rubbersnapper - Please don't worry... I understand... I really do... how 'bout Impasta Tuesday 18th? - your Daisy GDP, yer just too old for me, so quit freaking me out... you could be so nice but you just want more than you can have, LDM Farmer Ted - I need my field plowed when you get a chance - BT flowers just die, so why do people give flowers? why do you give something that will just die and depress you? polyHolly...We miss you. We're sorry. We never meant to gang up on you. Please call. J and S K, you have some serious issues. i like you, but i can't let you lean as hard as you need to. get some help. M

ARIES (March 21-April 19): I got an e-mail from a reader who calls himself Drek, Agent of the Future. His words are apropos to what you’ll be living through this week.“How come in the long list of human fears, ‘showing one’s true self’ is never included?” Drek mused.“Hell, compared to the frighteningly wonderful madness of tapping into our naked souls, stuff like snakes and public speaking really doesn’t seem that terrifying.” I trust you’ve already guessed what this has to do with you, Aries. It’s a perfect moment to overcome your fear of revealing your raw beauty to the world.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Want to stay sane and healthy in the coming weeks? Then get up-close and personal with the animal that rules your sign. It won’t be enough merely to gaze at images of bulls, though that would be good for starters. But if I’m reading the astrological omens correctly, you need to be in the actual presence of a robust, full-grown bull. To commune with his primal energy will be strong medicine. It’ll awaken in you instinctual powers that have gone to sleep, and will galvanize you for the mysterious challenges ahead. Feel like going in search of a pasture where your teacher is waiting?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Before he died in 1992, avant- garde composer John Cage wrote the score for “As Slow As Possible,” a piece of music designed to be played continuously for a long time.No one has ever actually tried it until recently, when a group of musicians and philosophers in Germany began a performance they hope will last for 639 years. Make them your role models, Gemini, as you launch your own long-term project in the coming weeks. It’s the ideal astrological time to commit yourself with strategic patience to a labor of love that could take you all your life to master.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I once knew a talented writer who had four planets in Cancer. With his fertile imagination, nurturing intelligence, and articulate artistry, he embodied the best of our tribe. With his narcissism, hypersensitivity to criticism, and habit of bearing a grudge, he also had some of our sign’s well-known liabilities. It was always a risk hanging out with him; I never knew which facet would be ascendant. I haven’t seen the guy for years, but I hope his sweet genius has found a way to tame his evil twin.

If not, the coming weeks will be an ideal astrological time for him and for all of us Cancerians to win the war within us.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): When I ran for president back in 1992, one of my campaign promises was an affirmative action program that would make a majority of Americans celebrities by the year 2005. Though I wasn’t elected, I’m pleased to see that my idea may still come to pass. With the growing popularity of reality TV, from “Joe Millionaire” to “American Idol,” increasing numbers of

average citizens are getting the chance to bask in the limelight.

Your special moment could very well arrive in the next few weeks, Leo. There’ve rarely been more favorable astrological aspects for you to become famous or notorious. You will at least become more widely known, or be gossiped about outrageously.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Darien is a 45-year old woman who had a near-death experience when she was 26.“My NDE was exactly like a rebirth,” she told me, “so I have wondered for many years whether I really have two charts, one for my original birth and one for my rebirth. And if so, which should take precedence?” I congratulated her on how lucky she is to have such a rich mystery to work with, and I urged her to treat both charts as equally true. I mention this, Virgo, because although you won’t have anything as dramatic as an NDE in the coming weeks, you will most likely experience what amounts to a resurrection.You might consider having another astrological chart drawn up for the official moment of your relaunch.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.22):“Dear Dr. Brezsny:Why do you sometimes refer to God as “He”? You of all people know very well that God is both a “He” and “She.” Furthermore,“He” has hogged the God references for 2,000 years. The only way to correct the distortion is to always refer to God as “She” for the next 2,000 years. It’s payback time, don’t you agree? - Libra SuperWoman.” Dear SuperWoman: You’re absolutely right. From now on, God will be “She” in my column. But let me caution you not to take this as license to hate or demean the masculine aspect, either in God or in yourself. Especially now, as pathological expressions of macho run berserk in the world, we need to nurture beautiful forms of virility. In the coming weeks, it will be particularly important for Libras of all genders to reinvent and regenerate their inner male.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Is it global warming? This winter has been even milder than usual in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I live. As a result, the roses in my backyard have been blooming nonstop since last April, failing to take their usual sabbatical between October and February. I like it, but it’s also a little freaky and creepy -- and definitely not a healthy approach for a human being to emulate. So don’t be like my unnatural roses, Scorpio. As relentlessly glorious and fascinating as you’ve been lately, you need to take a break.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In a commercial for a new dream interpretation show on the SCI FI cable channel, a middle-aged man is planted on a couch, gobbling an oversized sandwich and gazing blankly into a TV. His wife, clad only in black bra and panties, saunters into the living room astride a massive white stallion.The man looks up at her briefly, then returns to his vegetative trance. A voiceover suggests that this is a dream about the

wife having needs that the husband is not fulfilling. I predict that you will have a comparable dream in the coming week, Sagittarius. Both the man and the woman will symbolize aspects of your own life.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I’m not one of those astrologers who insists on stereotyping you Capricorns as compulsively cautious, staid, and obsessed with order. In fact, some of the most imaginative and dynamic people I’ve known have been members of your sign. Still, the current astrological omens strongly suggest that it’s time for me to remind you to take yourself less personally, less seriously, and less literally. Here’s a quote, courtesy of novelist Tom Robbins, that you should put on your bathroom mirror for the next ten days:“Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You will soon have the power to see what has been invisible and to decipher codes that have been impenetrable. You’ll shed a belief that has been crippling your intelligence, and you’ll lose a “friend”who has been undermining your understanding of yourself. And that’s not all, Aquarius. Just in time, you will shake yourself free of a curious numbness, allowing you to tune in to feelings that you desperately need to experience. And you will finally find the words to name truths that have been dangerously fuzzy.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): One of the most enduring stories from ancient Greece has been the set of events that legend says occurred at Troy, on the coast of Asia Minor. Yet this epic place, site of Homer’s The Iliad, was a village covering only seven acres.

Keep that factoid in mind in the coming week, Pisces. I believe it’ll serve as the perfect metaphor for events that are currently unfolding in your own life. A humble patch of ground may become the scene of a mythic turning point. An experience that begins small may be the seed for a story that will achieve monumental importance for you in the years to come. © Copyright 2003 Rob Brezsny

✍ HOMEWORK: Describe

what you’re doing to end the war within you. Write www.freewillastrology.com

EXPANDED HOROSCOPE ☎ You can call Rob Brezsny, day or night, for your EXPANDED WEEKLY HOROSCOPE 1-900950-7700. $1.99 per minute.

18 and over. Touchtone phone. C/S 612/373-9785 www.freewillastrology.com

AP - Congrats on getting a job! Maybe my P's will back off now... yeah, right... Smooches - TR "Ophelia" - Thanks for helping with the smurf bricks. You have no idea how you've affected me. It's all good...LT MK - I know you're curious. Don't be afraid. I've been down that road and it was good in the end. KL sarah, yer such a hippy chick wannabe... which makes me a hippy chick dip stick wannabe...sigh, TR Robyn, you must be one of the sweetest people on the face of the earth. Well, in Champaign anyway.

That I've met. So far. On your good days, anyway. :)Budd Rok, you'd be cute and sexy if you weren't such a macho jerk. - a neighbor photo deb - it kills me when you belch in public, but your cute as a button - unlucky in love LM on Lincoln Ave: How'd you like to be Bill and Ted's next big adventure? - B&T on Oregon Paul, It’s 12:34. Your neighbor

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MARCH 13-19, 2003 | CREATIVE AT 3 AM YOU ARE KIDDING RIGHT

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OnWine

Goldener Oktober or, How Global Warming Saved my Son’s Wine Inheritance

BY MICHAEL ALBERTY | CONTRIBUTING WRITER 2001 Doctor Loosen Riesling Kabinett Erdener Treppchen ($18-25) At the drier end of the Riesling spectrum, this Kabinett is a great value. Made by Ernie Loosen, the "Wizard of the Mosel," it is everything you would want from a great German Riesling. It has aromas and flavors of ripe pears, crisp red apples and minerals, with a touch of lemon and strawberries on the finish.

2001 J.J. Prum Riesling Spatlese Wehlener-Sonnenuhr ($30-$35) Moving up the sweetness scale a bit, this little gem smells and tastes like you were drinking tart lemonade on a slate patio after it has rained. It's smoky, peppery and exploding with flavors of Meyer lemon rinds, limes floating in quinine water, pears and hints of red fruit. All floating over that trademark minerality that New World Rieslings are always striving for, this is an exceptional wine that you could lay away for another 15 or20 years.

2001 Weingut Richter Riesling Auslese Bauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr "Two Star" ($45 and up) This is an awesome wine that earned 96 points from the Wine Advocate and 93 points from the Wine Spectator. After taking one sip you will feel the urge to sing “The Sound of Music" while traipsing through a daisy-filled meadow. Get the picture? This is a potentially life-changing drinking experience. Look for deep, rich flavors and aromas of pears, candied apples, that wet patio thing again and a lot of golden honeycomb. If more people would have known this bottle was coming down the pike, the birthrate would have soared in 2001.

U

C AN B E O O NE TO

O F

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O SE

LOUD ROWDY

TH

hen my son Graehm was born, I was both elated (for obvious reasons) and depressed (for oenological reasons). You see, I had spent almost nine months planning what grand case of wine from his birth year I was going to purchase to lay away for his 21st birthday celebration. (Or to celebrate any number of other events in between, depending on how I felt about the kid as he grew up.) But then the bottom fell out of my plans as Graehm was born in January 2001. I missed out on one of Bordeaux' great vintage years by a month!

Burgundy was also out. Oh sure, 2001 was a great year of Sauternes like Chateau d' Yquem, but I couldn't get excited about the prospects of saying to my son and all his friends, "Come on kids, let's crack open dessert wines." Then I began reading accounts of Germany's goldener oktober, or "golden oktober" for the Germancally impaired, and life was good again!

Whenever you hear German wine producers talking about legendary goldener oktobers that their grandfathers used to tell them about, they always have this curious glazed look on their faces. You see, Octobers filled with sunshine in Germany usually mean great harvests for grapes.

In the summer of 2001, Germany was suffering through a drought that threatened to turn German Riesling crops to golden raisins. But September arrived and the heavens opened up, deluging the steep vineyards with lots and lots of rain. In 2000 the same thing had occurred and the grapes were ruined, ending up wet and rotten, covered in various molds. Just as the grape growers were rethinking that whole praying for rain ritual, October came around and it was a glorious, sun-filled month that dried up all the rain. The grapes were not only healthy, but they were loaded with sugars and acids. The 2001 vintage of German Rieslings showcase powerhouse wines that have equal amounts of laser beam acidity and juicy ripeness, truly the benchmarks for a great vintage year.

Just how great? A lot of folks are suggesting that the 2001 vintage might even rival 1959 and 1971 for title of “greatest vintage of recent times.”

Even better news is that you can buy 2001 German Rieslings you can cellar for 20 years or more without breaking the bank. Compared to buying wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy or Italy in great vintage years, 2001 German Rieslings are almost cheap. So now that I have my son's case tucked safely away, I strongly urge you to seek out the great Rieslings of this vintage. To help get you started, here are capsule reviews of three wines I've come across lately that I can highly recommend. Two of the three wines should be readily available in your favorite wine-buying location, and the prices listed in parentheses indicate the ballpark range of prices in the Central Illinois market.

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DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR, DRUGS BEFORE LUNCH | MARCH 13-19, 2003

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BY MICHAEL COULTER

A

few years ago, America awoke still drunk on tequila with a horrifying headache and its pants around its ankles, wondering where that nasty stench was coming from.

It was the stench of America’s bed partner, George W. Bush. Sadly, rather than a few painfully sobering moments waiting for him to put his clothes back on and leave, we are stuck with four years of him, guaranteed, the “Fatal Attraction” of one-night stands.

Why would we choose to leave the wonderland we were living in where everyone had a few million dollars of fake Internet stock and our biggest problem with the president was a stain he left on a dress? God bless that visionary philanderer.

Four years. I’m not comfortable subscribing to a magazine for the three-year rate (even though it’s cheaper) or dating a woman for over two years (even though it’s generally not my option), so a four-year commitment to a man I truly believe to be an idiot seems a little excessive.

Maybe he’s not an idiot after all. If the oldschool USSR had an election and the son of the former premier/former head of the KGB was elected, everyone would find that a little fishy. If the deciding providence was governed by this man’s brother, we would cry foul faster than Magic Johnson. Instead, we decided to just roll with the punches.

We’ve done quite a bit of rolling already, what with the decline of stock prices, the Enron scandal and Ashcroft trying to stop the sale of marijuana pipes. It’s crazy. Bush is a man who has voluntarily chosen to hang out with his father’s friends. It’s one thing if you’re hanging out with them at a retirement home calling out Bingo numbers, but having them making foreign policy is something else.

I wouldn’t trust my dad and his buddies with twenty dollars and the keys to a Saturn.

So now he’s about to lead us into war, the biggest bully in school and he’s going to take someone’s lunch money, or in this case, oil.

Other countries are in trouble and could actually use our help—Burma, Mali, and West Virginia come to mind, but they’re on federal lunch programs and have no oil to take, so he’s going after Iraq.

Hell, he could take North Korea’s lunch money and no one would care. It might even make him more popular—that little bitch Korea has it coming after all—but once again, not so much with the oil over there in the northern Korea.

It’s probably no big deal. They got oil, so we might as well take it, right? We can. No one is expecting much of a fight, because, let’s face it, their leader is an idiot also. Their

leader is a billionaire who is actually stupid enough to destroy his own weapons of war in hopes it will make us not go to war with him.

It’s a shame Kafka’s dead because he would really appreciate such a dilemma.

We’re basically demanding they destroy their missiles even while we admit we’re still going to bomb them either way, sort of like the Yankees scheduling a game against the Little League All-Stars and then refusing to play them until they give up their gloves and bats.

We’re doing what we can locally. I know on Saturdays when I drive my SUV up to North Prospect I see people holding up signs of protest and asking me to honk my horn.

Nothing says “peace in our time” quite like the ringing sound of a car horn. The car horn, a virtual Liberty Bell of the 21st century. I usually honk anyway, just because some of those chicks are cute.

The city of Urbana really upped the ante when they drafted and approved a resolution against the upcoming war. I bet that really threw a monkey wrench into George’s plans.

“Gee, the United Nations is one thing, but now Urbana is against us? Call the damn thing off.”

Don’t just look to the Midwest though.

Check in with Australia, which I basically believe to be nothing more than a drunken, whoring, penal colony. You’d think if anyone wanted some bloodshed it would be them, but they’re also against the war, so much so that groups of naked women are laying on the ground in order to spell out “No War” to overhead planes. While I gotta admit to loving and supporting the idea, the overall usefulness of it escapes me.

So, I stand at a cross roads, just like America, a firm believer in war who doesn’t really want to fight this time. Look, I hate peace-loving hippies as much as the next guy and come from a redneck upbringing that causes me to believe no problem is so great it can’t be solved with a bottle of Jim Beam, a 12-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a fistfight, but the hippies might have something this time. Am I becoming one of them?

That’s the bad thing about peace-loving hippies. I especially hate them when they’re right.

Michael Coulter is a videographer at Parkland College and a bartender at Two Main. He writes a weekly email column, “This Sporting Life” and has hosted several local comedy shows.

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MARCH 13-19, 2003 | YOU KNOW SERGIO

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DRINK TIL YOU’RE IRISH | MARCH 13-19, 2003

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