S ~~6 14B - The Michigan Daily - Weekend, etc. Magazine - Thursday, January 17, 2002 A weekly guide to who's L i tThursday ,January 17 where, what's hapening and .Wdth rough why you need to be there ... I 1 . Wednesday, January 23 The Michigan Daily - Weekend, etc. Maga Ann Arbor's public enemy No. 1: Pesky m By Sommy Ko Daily Arts Writer Films opening Black Hawk Down Together we all hold our breath that "BHD" won't suck .as much as "Hannibal." Well, its got one thing going for it, no character named Hannibal. At Showcase: 12:00, 12:45, 1:45, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 10:00, 10:30 (Fri. and Sat.), 11:00 (Fri. and Sat.) Brotherhood of the Wolf The French "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" final- ly hits American soil but its already got one thing going against it, no Zhang Ziyi. At Showcase: 12:30, 3:30, 6:30, 9:25, 12:15 (Fri. and Sat.)* Snow Dogs Disney, Cuba Gooding, Jr., talking dogs, and dog-sledding, there is no way this movie can't rock! At Showcase: 12:10, 12:40, 2:20, 2:50, 4:40, 5:10, 6:50, 7:20, 9:00, 9:30, 11:10 (Fri. and Sat.), 11:40 (Fri. and Sat.) Films holding According to this year's Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live," alongside a special tribute to New York City, Ann Arbor was named one of the top cities with a strong sense of community, low crime, nice weather and low property taxes. Besides the "nice weather" (those that live here would beg to differ), these rankings seem to overlook Ann Arbor's Public Enemy No.1: the parking "meter maids." Many students have complained about parking and the number of tickets they have been accumu- lating. For many, every day is a struggle to find parking. "I've been getting tickets almost everyday since the beginning of the year, I live on Division and couldn't find a spot to park," said Udit Amin, an LSA senior. "The timings of the meter maids are very erratic - sometimes I get two tickets a day sometimes none; I don't know whether this implies that the meter maids are lazy." Contrary to popular belief, "meter maids" is an incorrect term for the officers who supervise the city's meters. They are officially titled Parking Enforcement Officers working under the Division of Police Special Services, and there is a staff of just five that is responsible for the 1,700 meters gracing Ann Arbor's streets. All meters on public property are handled by Special Services, whereas the Department of Public Safety handles all meters on University property. "Parking enforcement is never the same on a given day; these officers have to han- dle any parking complaint, not just meter enforce- ment," said Shelley Jones, Parking Enforcement Supervisor. According to Jones, the most common type of parking complaints are blocked driveways, tow-away zones, blocked sidewalks, abandoned vehicles and vehicles parked in the front yard of res- idences. The Parking Enforcement Officers supervise the meters at random, depending on the number of other responsibilities that arise in a day. The meters operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.ni., Monday through Saturday. "I've gotten a fair amount of tickets from them since I can't find a permanent parking spot and have to find parking on the street," said Jocelyn Wang, senior LSA. "They usually come about three times day, morning (around 9-10), noon and in the afternoon (around 4)." The officers usually tear up the tickets if the owner of the vehicle claims their car before the tick- et is completely written up. "There were a couple of times that the meter maid was about to issue a tick- et to my car, but I ran over to my car and they usu- ally won't give you a ticket - that is if they haven't actually issued the ticket yet," said Wang. Another student ended up with a ticket even though he ran into the officer. "I've gotten to my car twice when the meter maids were giving the tickets, and even when they saw me coming to my car they proceeded to give me a ticket," said Salah Husseini, an LSA sophomore. Besides getting tickets almost everyday, Amin even tried helping out fellow parkers running out of time at the meters when a meter maid stopped him. "I've been in situations where I've seen a, meter maid walking down the street, and I started putting money in the meters that don't have any in them, said Amin. "The meter maid stopped me and told me that if I do some more of that I could get arrest- ed." According to Jones, however, Parking Enforcement Officers do not have the power to arrest anyone. "They are not sworn in offi- cers, they only issue parking violations that pertain to the City of Ann Arbor Code," said Jones. Although the University discour- ages students from bringing their cars, there is still a signifi- cant number of stu- i iill dent seen 'refc The throi chall 10-n park Acco park et di Park with For Spec Ali Will Smith better stay buff because otherwise theose bugs are gonna kill him and Agent K in "MIB 2." At Showcase: 6:35, 9:35. A Beautiful Mind You know who has a beautiful mind? Jennifer Connely; yeah,that's what she's got, a beautiful mind, yeah, that's it. 1:00, 1:30, 3:45, 4:15, 6:40, 7:10, 9:40, 10:10, 12:20 (Fri. and Sat.). Gosford Park I think the butler did it in the library with the lead pipe, or Ryan Phillipe did it in the kitchen with the bad acting. At Showcase: 1:05, 4:10, 7:05, 9:55, 12:30 (Fri. and Sat.). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Hey Mark Hamill, watch out because Daniel Radcliffe is gaining on you. At Showcase: 12:35, 3:40, 6:45 How High How high do you have to be to actually laugh at this movie? The answer: blown out! At Showcase: 10:30, 12:25 (Fri. and Sat.). In the Bedroom Come on everyone, lets chant it together "Tom Wilkinson for best actor, no more Crowe, no more Crowe!" At Showcase: 1:20, 4:30, 7:15, 10:20 Kate & Leopold What is Natasha Lyonne doing in this movie? Actually, as good as she is, has she been in a good movie yet? Does "American Pie" count? Why am I asking these questions under a Meg Ryan comedy? At Showcase: 12:15, 5:15, 7:35, 10:05 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Come and help Bilbo celebrate his eleventy-first birthday with gifts for all and fireworks by Gandalf the Gray. RSVP to theshire@middleearth.com. At Showcase: 12:20, 12:50, 4:05, 4:35, 7:40, 8:10, 11:15 (Fri. and Sat.). Monsters, Inc. Boo is so cute I just want to come into her room late at night and scare her ... just like Sulley does. Sulley, that lucky bastard. At Showcase: 12:25, 2:25, 4:25. Not Another Teen Movie Not to spoil this movie for any of you but Molly Ringwald is in it near the end and we finally learn where she been all these years - work- ing at an airport waiting for John Hughes to make a flick about annoying thirty somethings. At Showcase: 12:35 (Fri. and Sat.). Ocean's 11If you pay careful attention, you will notice that Brad Pitt is eating in almost every scene of his. He better slow down or Rachel may leave him for Ross, or is it Joey now? At Showcase: 1:50, 4:20, 6:55, 9:20, 11:45 (Fri. and Sat). Orange County Sometimes you follow your heart, sometimes your heart cuts a fart. That's the cosmic shame. At Showcase: 1:10, 1:40, 3:05, 3:35, 5:20, 5:50, 7:45, 8:15, 9:45, 10:15, 11:30 (Fri. and Sat.), 12:00 (Fri. and Sat.). The Royal Tennenbaums You better go see this movie, Coltrane. No I didn't just call you Coltrane; but what if I did? At Showcase: 1:15, 4:50, 7:25, 9:50, 12:10 (Fri. and Sat.). Vanilla Sky Open your eyes, Cameron Crowe, and stop making "covers" of movies made less than five years ago, especially great ones. At Showcase: 1:25, 4:45, 7:50, 10:25. Courtesy of Miramax During a scene in "The Shipping News," Julianne Moore consoles Kevin Spacey after he admits he sold out with "K-Pax." Benefits of cars on campus a plus Today BOOKS U-M Visiting Writers Series Short fiction author Nancy Reisman reads from her book House Fires. 5pm, D1276 Davidson Hall, U-M Business School, 701 Tappan, free; 647-6471. Craig Holden Reads Holden reads and signs copies of his book The Jazz Bird. 7pm, Borders Books & Music, 612 E. Liberty, free; 668-7652. CAMPUS CINEMA Amelie This fine French comedy didn't make my top ten list and I'm already beat- ing myself for it. Audrey Tatou is thecutest actress to grace the big screen since...well, Bjork. State Theater, 7 & 9:15 p.m. Gosford Park Altman once again assem- bles a great cast but unlike "Dr. T and the Women" this one is actually good. Michigan Theater, 7:30 p.m. In the Bedroom The story is so simple, and some say the ending is predictable, but the performances are so good that this movie should not be missed. Even Nick Stahl is good! Michigan Theater, 7:45 p.m. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring The book says, "Keep it secret, keep it safe." The movie has, "Is it secret? Is it safe?" This adaption is genius! State Theater, 7:30 p.m. MUSIC Lotus Volatile improvisational jazz. T.C.'s Speakeasy, Ypsilanti, 10:30 p.m. $3 483- 4470. Delta 88 Fold with a bit of western and a liberal dose of soulfulness. The Ark, 316 S. Main St., 8 p.m. $11761-1451. Rumplestiltskin Old school Motown top 40 hits plus some new popular music as well. Habitat Lounge, Weber's Inn 3050 Jackson Road 8:45 p.m. Free 665-3636. THEATER "Cherchez Dave Robicheaux" A comedy about a woman named Nola on her quest to find Dave Robicheaux, the fictional anti- hero of a mystery novel series-and the love of her life. 8 p.m. Performance Network, 120 E. Huron. $18, general admission. 663-0681. ALTERNATIVES "Local Color: Dan Bradt's Watercolors from Michigan's Historical Scenes" This exhibit featuresthe artist's paintings based on photographs and postcards from local main streets and railroad yards from the Bentley archives. Bentley Historical Library, 1150 Beal. Free. 764-3482. "People and Places: The Baker Gift of 20th-Century Photography" In memory of U-M School of Architecture grad Morris D. Baker, this exhibit features images of peo- ple and landscapes from various 20th cen- tury artists. UMMA, 525 S. State. Free. 764-0395. "A Matter of Degree: Abstraction In Twentieth Century Art" This exhibit fea- tures 20th century works from the UMMA's permanent collection that focus- es on abstraction in landscapes, objects and figures. UMMA, 525 S. State. Free. 764-0395. Fnday CAMPUS CINEMA Amelie See Thursday. State Theater, 7 & 9:15 p.m. Gosford Park See Thursday. Michigan Theater, 6:30 p.m. In the Bedroom See Thursday. Michigan Theater, 9:30 p.m. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring See Thursday. State Theater, 6 & 9:30 p.m. MUSIC El the Sensel NYC MC gonna be off the heezy fo' sheezy. The Blind Pig, 208S. 1st St., 10 p.m. $1 ($14 under 21) 996- 8555. Aaron Klein This upright bassist, vocalist and guitarist makes songs for the lonely, but it is ok if you bring a date. Zou Zou's, Chelsea, 8 p.m. Free 433-4226. Art Stephan No one can say it's not ART! T.C.'s Speakeasy, Ypsilanti 6 p.m. Free 483-4470. THEATER "Cherchez Dave Robicheaux" See Thurs. ALTERNATIVES "Local Color: Dan Bradt's Watercolors from Michigan Historical Scenes" See Thurs. "People and Places: The Baker Gift of 20th-Century Photography" See Thurs. "A Matter of Degree: Abstraction In Twentieth Century Art" See Thurs. Saturday BOOKS Madeline Appears Madeline appears today after regular storytime. Noon, Nicola's Books, 2513 Jackson, free; 662-4110. CAMPUS CINEMA Amelie See Thursday. State Theater, 2, 4:30, 7:15, 9:30 & 11:45 p.m. Gosford Park See Thursday. Michigan Theater, 3:30 & 6:30 p.m. Harold & Maude One of the greatest come- dies of all time; it's a classic like "The Karate Kid." State Theater, 12:00 p.m. In the Bedroom See Thursday. Michigan Theater, 9:30 p.m. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring See Thursday. State Theater, 1:30, 5 & 8:30 p.m. MUSIC Knee Deep Shag Not just knee deep this show will be very deep. The Blind Pig, 208" By Will EI-Nachef Daily Arts Writer A lot of people would say having a car in Ann Arbor is a bitch. It's not unusual to see rows of cars ticketed for expired meters every morning, cars prowling residential areas for a spot or postings on www.my.umich.edu for $1,000 park- ing spots. "The city is not really made for stu- dents to park in it ... they just don't put any consideration into parking. You either find something from a pri- vate person or get screwed with a 'Park and Ride' out in the middle of nowhere," criticizes Engineering Sophomore Phil Bouxsein. What Bouxsein is referring to are underclassmen's options of purchas- ing a spot from a company or individ- ual, or using a parking program such as the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority's 'Park and Ride,' which offers students free parking. Although the AATA provides bus shuttles, the parking lots are fairly far away from central campus, and many students find this inconvenient. Bouxsein, who has a car on campus, was lucky enough to secure a spot in the driveway of a friend two blocks away from his dorm for $175 for the year. First year LSA student Andrew Patterson, however, pays $100 per month for a spot in a nearby apartment complex. "It was difficult the first couple of weeks because I parked out in Ypsilanti, and that was $20 to get a taxi ride out there. Now I have a spot that's really close - it's expensive, but it's really nice," he said. Underclassmen are not the only stu- dents that go to trouble to keep a car on campus. Engineering Junior James Shavers has a University parking per- mit at a lot by Mitchell Field. "It's nothing I can just walk to ... parking permits -aren't that expensive, but you have to park in a lot and take a bus. I still think it's worth it if you're willing to put forth the effort." Why are these students bending over backwards to have their cars on campus? Bouxsein, who lives west of Chicago, answers, "It's pretty much the only way I can get home." Patterson reasons, "I have a car because my grandparents live about two hours away, and being from Las Vegas, it's really tough to get home." Shavers added: "I work off-campus, so it's definitely worth the trouble. I think there are a lot more job opportu- nities off-campus." Each of them discussed the pitfalls of parking, and advice for others with cars. Bouxsein recalls, "I know some people last year that parked on the street when it snowed big time. The plows came by and they had to shovel their cars out before they could move it." Having your car buried by snow isn't the only hassle of parking for free on residential streets. Shavers explains, "During a snow emergency, you can only park on one side of the street, so that'eliminates half the park- ing right there. And you have to switch your car everyday. Odd numbered days, you can park on one side of the street, even days you park on the other side." Another technique is to play the odds. "Sometimes I park illegally for like a one hour class and just take the chance ... it's definitely a gamble," says Shavers. As for parking at meters, Shavers concludes, "I stopped parking in the street because I got too many tickets ... I probably had $100 a month in tickets. It almost defeats the purpose of working if you pay that much out in tickets." He also points out drawbacks of trying to drive to classes, "A lot of times, people try to find a spot, and by the time they do, their class is half over." Because weekend parking is free in some University parking lots, Bouxsein parks his car in a lot conve- niently across the street from his dorm 'Battlefield: Parking' may very well be for three days of the week. "I Monday, I'll move it back. It's wort- because it's a lot less of a hassle th taking the bus to Meijer or t movies." Patterson warns about having large vehicle, "It's impossible to pars lel park in this town. And the lit parking structures they have, it's ha to get in and out of them." He attribi es his never getting a ticket to luck ai to his care in keeping money in t parking meters. The headaches of having a car c campus aren't just a tit-for-i exchange for the convenience of vis ing family or getting to work. "It's more freedom," says Shave aJbr ffiirbi un aiIg Wekekend Magazine Weekend, etc. Editors: Matt Grandstaff, Jane Krull Writers: Will El-Nachef, Jenni Glenn, Matt Herrman, Carmen Johnson, Sommy Taylor-Fabe, Josh Wickerham. Photo Editors: David Katz I Phone Numbers: Michigan Theater: 668-8397; Quality 16: 827-2837; Showcase: 973-8380; State: 761-8667. Showtimes are effective Friday through Thursday. Matinee times at State Theater are effective for Saturday and Sunday only. Photographer: Yoni Goldstein, Debbie Mizel, Danny Moloshok, Brett Mountain, Cover Photo: Debbie Mizel Arts Editors: Lyle Henretty and Luke Smith, Managing Editors, Jeff Dickerson, Editor in Chief: Geoffrey Gagnon