FAMILY TIMES SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2002 / PAGE D5 Link of math, art, fascinating in 3-D

n a world of violent video galo; Roof Skate, in which Stuart games, where dexterity of the pulls off some skateboard tricks; thumb and index finger is infi- and Air Dodge, in which players nitely more important than have to help Stuart or Margalo es- the flexing of the cerebrum, cape Falcon and return home with Ithere must be a place for children Mother Little’s ring. and their parents to interact and All are fairly basic driving, fly- actually learn something from that ing and maze-exploring chal- overpriced multimedia com- lenges, but the beautiful graphics puter/gaming system. Take a deep complement the on-screen action breath and enter the ROMper so games such as Air Dodge take Room, where place in a lush green Central Park learning is a with the New York City skyline in four-letter word the distance. — cool. Children can choose to play in The rela- Story Mode, which sequences the Courtesy of Buena Vista Home Entertainment tionship be- games to follow the movie, or Free The DVD “Tarzan & Jane” has lots of action and a strong female lead. tween design Play, which allows players to enjoy and number is their favorites in any order. Bonus features include a Build explored in a The most difficult game, Bal- Double delight the Tree House activity, which has breathtaking loon Jump, has Stuart ascending Here are two multimedia or enter- the Professor directing the child JOE way inArt and the Pishkin Building. Players while he or she uses the mouse or SZADKOWSKI tainment items to try: Mathematics. must help Stuart jump from bal- DVD controller to select pieces; an Through a loon to balloon, floating ever so Tarzan & Jane by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, adventure creator, which allows chil- ROMper simple ency- slightly higher before the balloons dren to develop an illustrated story; clopedic inter- lose helium, causing Stuart’s for DVD-enabled home enter- room Courtesy of Columbia Pictures tainment centers and com- and something I could do without, face, older stu- Stuart Little 2 contains five games based on movie action sequences. parachute to open and gently float Phil Collins and Mandy Moore re- dents are him back to the sidewalk, where puters, $24.98. Edgar Rice Bur- roughs’ Disneyized monkey man hashing the hit “Two Worlds.” exposed to the stunning history players must begin again. Soccer Mania from Elec- of creators indentured to geo- Pacioli and his rediscovery of the family as they passed by. Unfortu- Action requires basic key- swings into homes through a new metric theory, colorful anima- rhombicubocyahedron (complete nately, trying to explain the the- board commands and usually lit- digital video disc presenting ad- tronic Arts for Game Boy Ad- tions, interactive demonstra- with a 3-D animation of the multi- ory behind my design may take a tle more than being able to click ventures reminiscent of the current vance, $39.99. The lands of Dan- tions and behind-the-scenes faced crystal), Fibonacci numbers master’s degree. on the right or left arrow, some- television series. ish building blocks meld with a numeric conundrums that allow (a sequence of numbers in which Art and Mathematics, Virtual times giving the space bar or When Jane can’t figure out how to World Cup atmosphere as up to four artists to create masterpieces. each is the sum of the previous Image, distributed by Tool Factory, enter key a click. celebrate her one-year anniversary children play a feature-packed Organized into nine modules — numbers — which ultimately can $49.99, for PC systems only. Children should rack up points with Tarzan, she enlists the help of sports simulation on their hand-held Spiritual Geometry, Knots and be shown to create a neat logarith- quickly, giving even the youngest Terk the gorilla; Tantor the orange ele- gaming systems. Links, Magic Squares, Regular mic spiral) and the inspiration of Stuart Little 2 borrows some of of players a feeling of accom- phant; and her bumbling father, Pro- Within the four-on-four match-ups Polyhedra, Perspective, Divine Leonardo da Vinci. the biggest challenges the little plishment while honing reflex fessor Archimedes Q. Porter, to offer (including the goalie), players not Proportion, Ambassadors, New I readily admit I can’t draw a white mouse faces in the current and puzzle-solving skills. When a a few ideas. This clever device lends only get theme-based arenas rang- Geometries and Fractal Geometry straight line, and after trying to movie and translates them per- player finishes a game, he is re- itself to the introduction of three ing from an arctic wilderness to me- — the engaging presentations read some of the difficult concepts, fectly to the computer screen. warded with a special Bonus dieval castles, but they also can se- trace the use of mathematics and I’m not sure my math skills are as Spoiler alert: Those who have not Gallery from the movie. After all episodic stories with a common theme: All introduce an adversary and lect from on-field avatars such as its artsy side from the father of al- sharp as I thought, either. Users seen the movie will not need to the pictures are collected, a cer- knights, pirates and cowboys on gebra, Islamic mathematician Al- learn about tessellations, dodeca- bother after reading the following tificate of completion can be feature a confrontation of that adver- sary, with the heroes always coming their quest to win the Lego Cup. Khowarizmi, to the cubist move- hedrons and Julia set fireworks paragraphs. printed out and displayed. After using training exercises to ment to current computer while seeing the work of Albrecht The title features five games Stuart Little 2, Infogrames, out on top. Plenty of animated action should hone skills, especially adept players configurations. Durer, Hans Holbein the Younger based on key movie action scenes: $19.99, for PC systems only. enter the qualifying rounds and can A very dry text layout appears and Laurent de La Hyre. Daredevil Driving, which has Stu- ROMper Room is a column keep the younger male demographic use power-ups that include explod- on one side of the screen with the Being a math geek and art con- art maneuvering his little red devoted to finding the best of thrilled with the likes of exploding vol- colorful goodies tightly fit into rec- noisseur, I loved the program and coupe convertible; Drain Escape, multimedia edutainment. Write canoes, ferocious panthers, biplane ing balls and invincibility to stymie tangular boxes to the right. A stop was completely sold on the pair of in which Stuart braves the dark to Joseph Szadkowski, The duels and deadly crocodile battles, opponents. The easy-to-control ac- at Divine Proportion, for example, cheesy 3-D glasses thrown into and slimy depths of the kitchen Washington Times, 3600 New while the girls should love the strong tion and fun graphics should keep explores the Renaissance and the the mix. Suddenly, my ability to sink to retrieve Mother Little’s dia- York Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. female lead, who often wears the loin- junior screaming “Gooooaaal” for influence of the early Greek and virtually tie torus knots jumped mond ring; Balloon Jump, which 20002; call 202/636-3016; or cloth in the family. quite awhile. Roman mathematicians. from the screen, and, like a magi- takes Stuart on a ride to the top of send e-mail (jszadkowski@ Students can learn about Luca cian, I astounded members of my the Pishkin Building to save Mar- washingtontimes.com).

SUNDAY, AUG. 4 Ice cream program — 1 to 3 p.m. Something to do Green Spring Gardens Manor House, Alexan- dria. In summer, the foods people crave are Check out these events cool, refreshing and full-flavored. Sample the delights of ice creams, sorbets, sherbets in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. and granitas, and enjoy a full English tea in this Fairfax County Park Authority event. PEACE AND QUIET Cost: $20. Information: 703/642-5173. Band, part of the city’s Live on the Lawn con- American women art exhibit — cert and entertainment series. Free. Infor- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. mation: 301/258-6350. The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington. West Side Story performance — Drawn from the Corcoran’s collection of 7:30 p.m. American art, “The Gilded Cage: Views of Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts American Women, 1873-1921,” features Center, Northern Virginia Community College, more than 35 paintings, works on paper and Alexandria. The community college’s drama sculpture and runs daily (except Tuesdays) department presents the musical West Side through Aug. 27. Cost: $8 for families, $5 Story, directed by Washington theater vet- for adults, $3 for seniors and member eran Stephen Shetler with choreography by guests and $1 for students. Information: Amy Miharu Hough. The play also will be pre- 202/639-1700. sented Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 11 at 2:30 p.m. Cost: $7 for general admission; and $5 for senior citizens, NVCC students MONDAY, AUG. 5 and faculty. Tickets will be available at the door. Information: 703/845-6158. Mexican dance ensemble — 10:30 a.m. Used book sale — noon to 5 p.m. City Hall Concert Pavilion, Gaithersburg. Truro Episcopal Church, Fairfax. The Truro Mexico’s rich history, traditions and cul- Episcopal Church is sponsoring its annual ture are brought to the stage by the Los used book sale, including adult and chil- Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble in dren’s books, videos and cassettes. The this program sponsored by the city of sale also runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. Gaithersburg. Free. Information: 10 and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 11. Free. 301/258-6350. Information: 703/644-6512. Bamboo exhibition — Outdoor concert — 6 to 8 p.m. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. King Street Station, Alexandria. The choir Green Spring Garden, Alexandria. A summer- Voices of Alleyne will offer soul-stirring long Bountiful Bamboo exhibition, spon- gospel sounds at this event sponsored by sored by the Fairfax County Park Authority, the Alexandria Convention and Visitors As- will highlight all aspects of bamboo culture, sociation and the city of Alexandria. Free. In- including its history and uses for food and formation: 703/838-5005. home and garden decorations. The exhibi- tion is open daily except Sunday and runs through Sept. 8. Free. Information: SATURDAY, AUG. 10 703/642-5173. Birds of prey program — 3 to 4 p.m. Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington. Adults and children ages 6 and older can learn about TUESDAY, AUG. 6 the birds of prey native to Northern Virginia Anacostia River cruise — and the important role they play in our envi- Scripps Howard News Service noon to 12:45 p.m. ronment during this Arlington County Parks Heidi Begany talks to her 5-year-old Palomino, Butterscotch, before she exercises him at Kaldeer Farm in North Carolina. Mrs. Begany Bladensburg Waterfront Park, Bladensburg. and Recreation program. Free; reservations rides Butterscotch about five times a week. It’s one way she keeps busy while her daughters are at camp. Join a park naturalist for a cruise along the required. Information: 703/228-6535. Anacostia River every Tuesday and Thursday Bugfest nature program — 1 to 4 p.m. through Oct. 31, sponsored by the Maryland- Watkins Nature Center, Upper Marlboro. Fam- National Capital Park and Planning Com- ilies can join the fun at Bugfest, an afternoon Summer camps give respite from busiest parenting season mission. In addition, cruises are planned for event sponsored by the Maryland-National every Friday and Sunday evening in August Capital Park and Planning Commission that from 7 to 7:45 p.m. and in September from will feature a live insect zoo, butterfly and out- daughter before heading home. miss them. But we always plan things to do 6 to 6:45 p.m. Free. For the more adven- By Kelly Starling door bug hikes, information booths and edi- RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER “I can do errands while she’s here — while the kids are gone.” turous, the parks offer a canoe tour, sched- ble insects. Cost: $3; registration requested. catch up on e-mail or cleaning up the Last week, she and her husband went uled on the second and fourth Wednesday Information: 301/218-6702. athy McLane walks into the house,” says Mr. Goll, who is self-employed out to dinner, rented movies and made of the month through Oct. 2. Cost: $10 for Tomato and pepper tasting — Durham (N.C.) Arts Council as an artist. “I get a little work done in the plans to see the movie “Minority Re- residents of Prince George’s and Mont- 10 to 11:30 a.m. with her 9-year-old son, Jef- studio if I can.” port” with friends. gomery counties, $12 for others. Informa- Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria. Every gar- frey, who clutches a note- When his daughter is with him, he makes “I still get to see them each day, but I say tion: 301/779-0371. dener has secrets on how to grow the tasti- book and chatters by her less headway on his art, he says. bye and I leave,” she says, laughing. est tomatoes and peppers, including grow- side. They check in for his “You partly do day camp to get more free- Phil and Heidi Begany send their three ing conditions, structures and heirloom day camp, and he keeps dom for yourself,” he says, “but also, you’re daughters to Camp New Life each year, too. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 7 varieties, and staff horticulturist Cindy talking at warp speed. He helping your child explore her interests.” “When the girls are [home], someone West Nile Virus program — 7:30 p.m. Brown will share hers in this program spon- wants to show everyone his “It gives me individual time with each has soccer. Someone else has a riding les- Takoma Park Municipal Building, Takoma sored by Fairfax County Park Authority. Cost: latest masterpiece: a black- child,” stay-at-home mom Rosemary son. We go to the pool. Each child is into Park. Learn how to reduce the mosquito pop- $7. Information: 703/642-5173. and-white drawing of a tou- McLaughlin says on her way back to her car something different,” Mrs. Begany says. ulation known to carry the West Nile Virus can breaking out of an egg. with her 6-year-old son after dropping off her “My life is basically centered around them, through the Mosquito aNILEators Program, “He can change his voice so he can 7-year-old son at camp. “Usually, I have both especially in the summer. During the school a volunteer program hosted by the Mont- TUESDAY, AUG. 13 Ksound like a parrot. He can fly — of them, and they’re playing with each other.” year, I have my days. So I look at the sum- gomery County Department of Health and Textile show — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. swoosh,” he says, holding out his arms at For parents whose children are in mer as their time.” Human Services and the Montgomery Torpedo Factory Arts Center, Alexandria. The County Volunteer Center designed to edu- both sides like an airplane. overnight camps, a week or two alone can For one week, though, it’s her time again. Potomac Craftsmen Fiber Gallery presents cate and assist in eliminating potential Then he makes eye contact with someone give them precious moments for recon- Her first day alone, she usually cleans and mosquito breeding sites. Free; registration “Techno Textiles,” an exhibit demonstrating else, and his story and mimes begin again. necting or pursuing their own interests. then thinks of everything she wants to do. required. Information: 240/777-2600. how textiles and fiber art have changed for Mrs. McLane stands by patiently, interject- “Some of them use it as an excuse to take Most mornings, she rides her favorite horse Concert and artists’ reception — 7 p.m. the 21st century and what we can expect in ing from time to time that they have to go in. a vacation themselves,” says Chris Ogden, at a nearby stable. She goes to the pool some the future. The exhibit runs through Sept. 8; Mount Airy Mansion, Upper Marlboro. The “Oh, and did you know that . . .” Jeffrey Girls in Science specialist for the North Car- afternoons. For lunch, she eats with friends. weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and says, turning his head as they walk away, olina Museum of Natural Sciences and co- Evenings may bring special dinners with Mount Airy Mansion Fine Arts Series pres- weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. ents a concert of ancient music performed trying to get in one last bit. ordinator for the museum’s coastal “Ed-ven- her husband. Information: 703/548-0935. by Tomas Najbrt and Michael Pospisil fol- Summer camp may be for the children, ture” camp. “Some of the parents this time “I just play it by ear,” she says. “That’s lowed by a “meet the artist” reception and but parents get something out of it as well. . . . took advantage of it to go camping something you can’t do with the kids informal tours of Mount Airy Mansion, a Just ask Mrs. McLane. With Jeffrey study- nearby. Others are using some of the time around.” 17th-century mansion. Cost: $15 for adults, Please send family-related cal- ing art for a few hours each day, she can go to catch up on work.” Each day her girls are gone, she sends $5 for students. Reservations are sug- endar announcements to the home and do what she wants. Wendy Lassiter cooks supper at New Life them notes or small gifts to let them know gested. Information: 301/856-9656. Family Times calendar, The “I just enjoy being alone,” the stay-at- Camp in Raleigh, N.C., a weeklong Christ- she cares. Still, she says she wouldn’t give Washington Times, 3600 New home mom says. “I can take a nap and do ian retreat her sons attend every year. Then up her week of peace for anything. York Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. things that before I couldn’t. I run errands, she heads home to an empty, quiet house “I personally feel I’m a better mother FRIDAY, AUG. 9 20002. Announcements must be go grocery shopping, go to the mall — things without young people stopping by or the when I have a break,” she says. “I don’t work Twilight concert — 7 p.m. submitted at least two weeks be- that are difficult to do with Jeffrey. He’s a phone ringing constantly. outside the home, so this gives me a little re- City Hall Concert Pavilion, Gaithersburg. fore the event. tough kid sometimes.” “The first day without them, it’s weird,” laxation before I need to gear up and start The city of Gaithersburg presents the Other parents at the art camp know what says Mrs. Lassiter, who lives with her hus- all over again.” sounds of blues musicians Melanie Mason she means. Jeff Goll drops off his 7-year-old band in Raleigh. “And by the third day you SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE