The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Who's Spinning What

Danny Clayton, program director for contemporary Christian station WFZH-FM (105.3), a.k.a. "The Fish," has been hearing old music through fresh ears lately. Two of the albums that recently have caught his attention are David Crowder's "Sunsets and Sushi" and Superchick's "Regeneration." Both discs are remixes of older material.

Tunnel' Recalls Plot to Undercut Berlin Wall

While scenes of the destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1989 are perhaps foremost in many people's memories, the almost overnight construction of the barrier that separated East and West Berlin had a profound effect on the world's psyche. To stem the tide of East Germans fleeing the oppressive communist regime, a barb-wire fence was reinforced with concrete blocks and fortified gates in 1961. But the wall didn't deter everyone: An estimated 5,000 tried to escape, and about 100 of those people w...

Sahara' Plot Not Ironclad, but Fun Is

In the waning days of the Civil War, the last ironclad ship to run the Union blockade disappears. Legend has it that the ironclad was last seen on a river in western Africa. So it's up to a handsome, intrepid explorer backed by an independently wealthy, cigar-chomping benefactor to look for it 140 years later.

8 Nights of Latin American Films

A free trip through contemporary Latin American film awaits at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Union Theatre, which hosts the 27th annual Latin American Film Series, an eight-night, eight-film program that begins tonight. Despite speaking a mostly common language Portuguese-speaking Brazil is also represented in this edition of the film series the movies reflect the broad range of history and experience south of the United States. All films are being shown in their original language, ...

Dealing with Roiling Emotions

The rather shabby distribution and marketing received by "The Sea Inside" belatedly released here today, months after being released in larger cities and just weeks before its release on DVD incorrectly signals that it is an afterthought or an also-ran. In fact, this Oscar-winning foreign-language film is a profound and arguably life-affirming film about euthanasia, of all things.

Counting Down; Baseball Is Almost Here:; Let the Games Begin!

You've waited through Packer season. You've waited through March Madness. Now, when every other baseball team is hosting its home opener, you're still itching to pitch a tailgate party at Miller Park. But you still have to wait. The Milwaukee Brewers' home opener isn't until Monday; only two major-league teams the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals play their first home game of the 2005 baseball season later.

A Few Words About Baseball

There's a certain grace to it, an undeniably American element that calls to us. It's baseball, and it's ours.

No Rsvp Needed: Rooters

WHERE: Rooters Waukesha WHEN: 10 a.m. to midnight Sundays, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Saturdays.

Noteworthy

Legendary session drummer Steve Gadd, the man behind the kit for songs such as Steely Dan's "Aja" and Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," will make two area appearances on Tuesday. Gadd will be on hand from 1 to 4 p.m. for a meet and greet at Cascio Interstate Music, 13819 W. National Ave., New Berlin. At 7 p.m., Gadd will perform and host a clinic at the New Berlin Eisenhower High School's auditorium, 4333 S. Sunnyslope Road, New Berlin.

Movies; Pitch' Is Just a Bit Outside; Sox Appeal, but Sweet Film Fails to Rally

Although the baseball season is just six days old, you don't have to be a boo bird to believe that, sooner or later, the Milwaukee Brewers will be eliminated from playoff contention. Still, the parking lot will be crowded with tailgaters, from the home opener through Fan Appreciation Day. That fans remain faithful to any team whose fate is all but sealed after the first pitch speaks to a belief in something as unfathomable as God or buying lottery tickets. This same mysterious calculus applie...

Melinda,' Woody Deserve at Least a Little Bit of Promotion

Will Ferrell's last three films collectively have grossed more than $300 million. His upcoming projects include a film based on the TV show "Bewitched" with Nicole Kidman. And his salary reportedly has climbed to $20 million per film. So why does the new film by one of this generation's top clowns come to town with no advance screening and so little promotion as to go unnoticed? Because it is the Woody Allen film "Melinda and Melinda."

Foodie; Don Quijote Owner Tilting at Windmill of Fear

Who: Elena Salas What she does: Owns Don Quijote restaurant

Dining Out with Dennis; in Pewaukee, Comastro's Means Italian; Pizzas, Pastas, Entrees Shine, and Price Is Right

In my book, Comastro's Italian Cuisine and Pizzeria is one of the best things that's happened to the northwest Waukesha area. Three reasons lie behind that opinion. The first is that Comastro's is a local place that's bobbed up above a sea of chain restaurants along Silvernail Road just west of Highway T.

Dining Out

SCOUTING REPORT ELI'S FINE CASUAL DINING

Celebrity Noise; Living the Desperate Life with Ex-Teeny-Bopper Idols

What a week for ex-teenyboppers. Britney Spears and groom Kevin Federline have concocted a plan to get their love story straight with the public. Justin Timberlake is being groomed to play the son of a well-known leading man in an upcoming sequel. And ex-teen-boy-band member Justin Jeffre has decided to run for political office.

On the Web

www.singingfish.com It's more than just music: The Singing Fish is a free search engine that delivers links to audio and video files Web-wide, from 50 Cent's "Candy Shop" to archived Bing Crosby radio shows from the '50s. Need a new way to waste time? Try clicking on the "I'm Bored" button on the site's home page.

Concert Update

JUST ANNOUNCED Jewel (solo acoustic): 8 p.m. July 22, Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St. $39.95 and $59.95, on sale at noon April 22 at the box office, (414) 286-3663, and www.pabst theater.org.