Statesman Journal from Salem, Oregon • Page 36

Saturday. June 4. 2005 8E Statesman Journal OX Oregon, let's liv mmx zr up to I'o. 1 ranking WdTrTi nJii it mm One of the hot topics this week was the reaction people had to the new GMAC Insurance Group study that ranked Oregon drivers as the most knowledgeable in the nation when it comes to the rules of the road and automobile safety Rhode Island ranked last The study must have gotten the list backward. I see behav- ior on the li'XOIIuiJpfiS roads and hear stories from friends about heinous high- A- i 1 II it I way nappen- iv 1 1 inrrc T'irr, I I Did you have the kind of week that the Grade A ON SCREEN 'Ginderella Man' family did? We had one just bursting with abusive phone calls, technical problems, stomach aches and leg cramps.

All of this left us with the need for Pepto-Bismol and to hit someone really hard. So when we saw that "Cinderella Man" a movie about boxing and a real boxing match was at Chinook Winds Casino this weekend, well, a theme was born never seen anywhere else and I've lived in places where people drive according to their country of origin and barrel though toll booths at 100 mph because they have an EZ-Pass. Just this week, a friend of mine, who was simply trying to get onto the Marion Street Bridge from Front Street with a supply of basil, was nearly broadsided by a woman who started driving into her lane. Her enthusiastic application of the horn didn't even make this woman turn in my friend's direction. Also this week, my boss locked her brakes and slid trying to avoid smashing into a woman who pulled out into traffic in front of her.

Then today, Grade A Family member David had a woman ignore a two-lanes-become-one merge lane, drive up next to him ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD and force him to slam on the brakes to let her in. All of these incidents had something in common: "They didn't even look." So, while the GMAC study says Oregon drivers may be knowledgeable about road rules, what drivers obviously don't know is that the vertebrae in their necks allow them to turn their heads SIDE TO SIDE as well as move up and down. (My theory also would explain the suicidal pedestrian behavior I've observed.) This simple thing would explain why Oregonians don't: Look left or right to see if another vehicle is there before they careen into another lane or merge into traffic. Shoot a glance behind them before they throw their giant SUV in gear and back out of a parking space. Check the bike lanes before they make a sudden right turn, causing a biker to break so hard they download in their shorts.

So let's try it together, shall we? Look over your right shoulder; now look over your left shoulder. Repeat Observe. Isn't that cool? Now go apply this knowledge and all that stuff GMAC Insurance Group says you already know and make Oregon a safer place to drive. What's the plot: This is the true story of Jim Braddock, a New Jersey boxer who makes a big comeback in Depression-era America. He inspired the nation with his underdog story.

Who's in it: Russell Crowe Renee Zellweger and Paul Giamatti Who's the director: Ron Howard, director of "The Missing," "A Beautiful Mind" and "Splash" Watch for: Another amazing performance by Crowe and a standout turn by Giamatti, who nearly steals the movie with his performance as Crowe's trainer. What's it rated: PG-13 for intense boxing violence and some language How long is it: 144 minutes You'll like this movie if you liked: "Seabiscuit," "Million Dollar Baby," "Miracle," "The Rookie" Avoid it if you don't like: Vio- Universal Studios "Cinderella Man" The professional boxing begins at 7 tonight in Lincoln City. Doors open at 6 p.m. The main events include Emmett Linton of Tacoma (33-3) vs. Darrell Woods of St.

Petersburg, Fla. (22-10), junior middleweight; and Reggie Davis of Portland (13-2) vs. Tim Wilt of Altoona, Pa. (18-3), middleweight. Tickets are $35 to $150 and you can get them at the Chinook Winds Box Office or by calling (888) 624-6228 or (800) 992-8499.

Guests must be 21 or older. Chinook Winds is at 1777 NW 44th St. Commotion at the Ocean, VT Portland boxer Molly McConnell has had more than just a brush with fame. Her manager, Jackie Kallen, a co-star with Sylvester Stallone on the reality TV show "The Contender," will be ringside today as part of a card laden with Portland boxers at Chinook Winds Casino's sixth "Commotion at the Ocean." McConnell (4-0) will box veteran Terry Blair (5-8-1) of Louisville, Ky, in a women's junior middleweight (140 pounds) fight. The movie "On the Ropes" was centered around Kallen's life.

Kallen was played by Meg Ryan. lence, stories about the Depression, Howard's sentimentality Who should you bring: Those who like historical epics, boxing fans, those who like Crowe andor Howard Reviewers say: Tampa Tribune Gannett News Service Cincinnati Enquirer ON THE GO Music, parades kick-start Portland Rose Festival i 1 3' tti -T'; You can reach Grade A Queen Anne Thompson at (503) 399-6722 There are three food courtyards inside the village with 11 international menus, including foods from Bavaria, Greece, Middle East and Thailand, as well as plain old hamburgers and pizza. Also inside the village are three stages of musical entertainment. Highlights include Americana band Southern Nights performing on the Fiesta Stage at 3:30 p.m. today, Portland-based rapfunk band Dr.

Theopolis playing goofy music on the Fountain Stage at 7:30 tonight and Portland-based Middle Eastern group Brothers of the Baladi bringing world music to the World Rhythms Stage at 8:45 tonight. Admission to the Waterfront Village is $5 today Hours are: 11 a.m. to midnight today through June 12. If you want more, a complete schedule is available online at www.rosefestival.org Angela Yeager If you are heading to the Portland Rose Festival today, there are many activities from which to choose. The biggest thing to see is the Starlight Parade, which starts at 8:30 p.m.

More than 100 illuminated floats and bands are featured in this parade. The 2.25-mile parade begins at at Eighth and Burnside streets and ends at 16th and Salmon streets NW. Leading the glittering parade this year is Grand Marshal Rachel Scdoris, the 20-year-old Oregonian who became the first legally blind athlete to compete in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race this year. Before or after taking in the parade, you can head over to the Waterfront Village at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, SW Naito Parkway in downtown Portland. The Waterfront Village features a carnival midway with rides and games.

There are kiddie rides as 4 til il -fy i Special to the Statesman Journal Dr. Theopolis will play goofy music at 7:30 tonight at the Waterfront Village in Portland. well as ones with a high vomit-fac- with rides such as Big Sling, which tor, such as the Kamikaze. There propels people 275 feet into the air, also is the X-Treme Thrillsville, the rock wall and bungee jumps. Last week's question: Jada Pinkett Smith, voice of the hippo in "Madagascar starred with Keenen Ivory Wayans in 'A Low Down Dirty Shame." According to her character, who's songs did you have to sing to calm down guard dogs? ANTHONY'S LOUNGE Answer: 3301 Market St.

NE, Salem, (503) 370-7888 Rush Hour, cover rock music, 9 tonight BITE PAVILION LIVE Fester's Bluegrass Jam, 2 p.m. Sunday DUFFY'S HANGAR 2275 McGilchrist Salem, (503) 581-5278 FlexTones, rock, 9 tonight Karaoke, 9 p.m. Sunday GASLIGHT BAR GRILLE 2865 Liberty St. NE, Salem, (503) 399-8282 Karaoke with KJ Jim, 9 tonight HOLLAND'S BAR GRILL 2155 Silverton Road NE, Salem, (503) 581-6900 Karaoke, 8 tonight Motown blues with Larry Pryce, 8 p.m. Sunday IGGY'S PUB 9015 Portland Road, Brooks, (503) 393-2263 Karaoke with a KJ, dancing, 8 p.m.

Sunday KEIZER EAGLES AERIE 3895 4090 Cherry Keizer, (503) 393-9202 Dancing to Manila, 8:30 tonight LEFTY'S MUSIC Comedy night, 9 tonight The Fabulous Thunderbirds, blues rock, 5 p.m. Sunday LUCKY FORTUNE 1401 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem, (503) 399-9189 Top 40 DJ, 9 p.m. today-Sunday MACLEAY COUNTRY INN 8362 MacLeay Road SE, Salem, (503) 362-4225 Desert Moon, 8:30 tonight MAURICE'S BISTRO 390 Church Sublimity, (503) 769-8303 Randy Byrnes, piano, 6 tonight M00NBAKER 248 Liberty St. NE, Salem, (503) 588-. 2270 DJ Navigator, 10 tonight PLAYER'S OFF TRACK LOUNGE 1486 Hawthorne St.

NE, Salem, (503) 390-8463 Live karaoke, 9 tonight SHOOTER'S CAFE SALOON 4615 Silverton Road, Salem, (503) 378-9131 Karaoke contest, 9 tonight SILVER INN 3788 Silverton Road NE, Salem, (503) 364-9498 Karaoke with Roger, 8 tonight STEAM HEAT COFFEE HOUSE 3860 River Road North Suite 101, Keizer, (503) 393-4595 Mark Seymour, smooth acoustic rock, 8 tonight THE OASIS 3743 Commercial St. SE, Salem, (503) 581-5555 Blaine Vogt, guitar and vocals, 6:30 tonight Virtual Ground, classic rock, 9 tonight Teresa's CD Party, Noon Sunday TRASK BREWERY PUBLIC HOUSE 527 NE Third McMinnville, (503) 435-2382 Flashback, classic rock, 9 tonight WESTSIDE STATION 610 Edgewater St. NW, Salem, (503) 363-8012 Phamous Phaces, power pop, 9 tonight Karaoke, 9 p.m. Sunday James Brown our winner is Kari Smith This week's question: In addition to acting, "Cinderella Man" star Russell Crowe also was in a band that broke up recently. What was the name of the band? Send your answer and phone number to Statesman Journal, Life Trivia, P.O.

Box 13009, Salem, OR 97309-3009 e-mail LifeStatesmanJournal.com or answer online at StatesmanJournal.com If you are the randomly drawn winner, you can pick an item from our Wagon O'Crap. Jake contact The Grade A Family: Editor Anne Thompson, reporter Angela Yeager and designer David Steffenson Reach Grade A by phone at (503) 399-6722, fax (503) 399-6706, e-mail Life StatesmanJournal.com or send mail to 280 Church St. NE, Salem, 97301. 285 Liberty St. NE, Salem, (503) 364-3100 Carly Dee, singersongwriter, 7 tonight BLONDIE'S BAR BISTRO 260 Liberty St.

SE, Salem, (503) 375-7575 Chris Buckley Blaine Vogt, piano, 5 tonight Tom Tate, piano, 8 tonight Mark piano guests, 5 p.m. Sunday BOON'S TREASURY 888 Liberty St. NE, Salem, (503) 399-9062 Russell Street Regulars, traditional bluegrass and old-time music, 9 tonight COFFEE HOUSE CAFE 135 Liberty St. NE, Salem, (503) 371-6768 The Gusto Brothers, blues, rock and comedy, 7 tonight COUNTRYMAN PUBLIC HOUSE 1403 Jefferson Silverton, (503) 873-1333 1230 State St, Salem, (503) 371-3855.