The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 76

TheGourfef-Neujs TT (t0j A Tl Coming up We can't help it we love to touch, even when the signs tell us to do otherwise. Why is this? Well, it's part of who we are. It's in our instincts. See more on this touchy story in Lifestyle Wednesday. What's new The Vikings arc coming with bottled water.

Look for Isbre (glacier in Norwegian) now in area stores. How to reach us You can e-mail us at: or call Features Editor Paul Grzella at (908) 707-3149. n'" Top weekend MM movies Weekend of July 44 Al dolar figures in mdions Grass to oris wstfctn ft "Men In T' $51.1 week, 3,020 "Fxtiotr W. 1 $51 Smn, 2 weeks, 2,637 Hercutet" $1Z 1 S50.1 minM weeks, 2,884 scnens -My Best $Y(L S69Jmaon, 3 weeks, screens "BatTWli $8 2.942 scream "Out to See" $5.9 t7 7 mfcn, 2 weeks, 1,736 screens "Con Air" $3.1 The Lost $2.6 I $2183 iriion, 7 weeks, 1,961 "WSdAmerica" $14 1 Speed? 1,617 hi r- i i 'H 4 if'" 1 vJlourler-NeV jF SUPER For one Bridgewater reader, books are their own reward By SUZAN TATLE Courier-News Staff Writer It tickles me that The Courier-News Super Summer Reader program encourages kids to read during the summer months. Reading is the right thing to do.

Even if it takes a pair of movie tickets, an ice cream sundae or a T-shirt, whatever gets kids to do the right thing is OK in my book. Of course, there are youngsters who are fortunate enough to be able to provide their own incentive. In 1990, Bridgewater's Jim Shlif-erstein became a Super Summer Reader. He had just graduated from Temple Sholom's preschool and was about to enter the kindergarten class at Hamilton School. He had already read "The Wizard of Oz," a chapter book.

He was one of those early readers whose own curiosity kept him going. "I liked having the chance to write about what I read, and I liked seeing my name in the newspaper," he says of his earlier participation in the program. I remember the first review Jim sent to The Courier-News as clearly as if it had arrived today instead of eight summers ago. In big letters Prepared on a computer, it was written with a surprising command of the English language a bright fifth-grader, I estimated at the time. I was impressed and wrong.

When I reached the bottom of the page and spotted the signature, I grinned. There, in the unmistakable squiggly scrawl of a beginning-writer, was his carefully printed name: JIM SHLIFERSTEIN. The size of the letters and the length of the name demanded that 5-year-old Jim write all across the page and continue his name curled down around the side. Now 13, and a soon-to-be eighth-grader at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, Jim says he always loved to read and write for pleasure. He credits his parents, Carol and Abe Shliferstein, with fostering and encouraging his love of reading.

SHOPPING AT HOME Catalogs hide many surprises By ELIZABETH WILBERG Gannett News Service Colonial Garden Kitchens, at first glance, is an unremarkable catalog, the kind that rarely gets a thorough read. But a closer look reveals some intriguing gadgets, ones that elicit an immediate must-have response. Take the automatic produce stripper Or the low-fat doughnut maker ($29.99) which works like a waffle iron baking the dough, not frying it. Their unusual quality appeals to the same inner voice that convinces us to buy backup batteries and deck of playing cards in the grocery checkout line. Other catalog goodies include: Asparagus cooker: Spears stand upright in stainless steel pot Self-sharpening knives: Blades are automatically sharpened every time they're removed from or returned to their sheaths ($29.99 for set of three).

1 Fruit ripener: Ten-inch plastic bowl designed to promote circulation of ethlyne gases, water vapor and fresh air necessary for ripening. To order the catalog, write Cold Super Summer Reader Jim Shliferstein has been reading with the program since 1990. He's been regularly with us, too. Here he is in his home surrounded by some of his favorite books. For this week's list of reading winners, see Page C-7.

C-N photo by Ed Pagllarlnl good book summer for Jim is easy-going and unpressured. The Shlifersteins plan it that way. Jim is one of those people who needs time to himself, and he sets aside two weeks in the summer "to do absolutely nothing." Or just be creative. Last week, Jim invented a three-way chess game making it possible for three people to play together. It's interesting because the players can employ a teaming aspect that one doesn't normally experience in chess.

It's clear that no one has to coax Jhu Shliferstein to read summertime or anytime. He became a Super Summer Reader this year because he knew it would make his seventh grade reading teacher very happy. It did, and I am. Suzan Tatle is a reading teacher at the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School. I yciisiLtwj' Columbia Pictures photo Lee Jones star in 'Men in Black.

multiplex where it was on five of nine screens. "It's not like watching a Wes Craven film." Others thought it was a waste for all ages. "Compared to other blockbusters I've seen this summer, it was low on thrills," said Louise Fenton, 22, of New Orleans, who caught the movie's premiere last Tuesday. Fred Billing, 26, who saw the movie last Friday in Beverly Hills, is aliened-out. "If there was a real alien invasion, most of us would be blase about it because we've seen so damn many aliens." Associated Press reports were included in this story.

i ir I A love of fantasy "I'm interested in medieval times anyway, and fantasy adds a special twist to that," he says. His all-time favorite is J.R.R. Tolkein's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. "During the school year, I do most of my reading just before I go to bed at night and when I get up in the morning," he says. "Summer is more flexible, and I read more then." True to form, Jim has a stack of books he wants to read this summer.

Topping the list are those in the Aquamanter series fantasy books about an apprentice wizard. Reading isn't his only interest. Jim has a green belt in karate and plays the violin; he swims and skis, and he likes to play basketball. "I don't play organized basketball, but I like going outside and shooting hoops," he says. A good movie with friends, an evening of catch with his father, a Hllr 4 It' jJi r'z Will Smith, Rip Torn and Tommy erly Hills.

"Without all the hype, I probably would have liked it more." Chris Webre, 28, of Metairie, was pleased after Tuesday's premiere. "This was a solid movie in every area. I have yet to see any summer film to top this picture." The appeal of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones figured strongly into crowd approval. "The two of them are cool," said Jennifer McKessy, 26, of Manhattan, who saw the movie last Thursday in Times Square. "I wouldn't be opposed to another movie with this pair." Humor softened the film's PG-13 rating.

Maurice Foster, 50, saw "Men in Black" last Friday at a Manhattan ix, iiMi.iiifiiiif-"- VA 1 Sign up for our summer reading programC-7 During his year in my seventh grade reading class at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, Jim read more than 75 books and many thousands of pages. Although he says he enjoyed reading all of the required genres for the school year, his runaway favorite is fantasy. He readily admits that about 70 percent of his independent reading is in that category. MOVIES Source: EiraMor Relations Co. People For The Greatest, Tyson no champ What's MUHAMMAD ALI's idea of a good joke? A fight between him and MIKE TYSON.

In the July 14 issue of The New Yorker magazine, The Greatest was asked whether Tyson could have beaten him. "Don't make me laugh," said the former world heavyweight champ, who then began cracking up. "Tyson don't have it. He don't have it," said Ali, pointing to his head. Ali, 55, retired from the ring in 1981.

Nevada's boxing commission suspended Tyson last week pending a hearing on what his punishment should be for biting Evan-der Holyfield's ears during their heavyweight championship fight last month. A hearing is set for Wednesday. Pop goes singer's shoulder after fall IGGY POP may have to rethink whether to trust his fans. Pop, the biggest name on the R.O.A.R. rock tour, won't be on stage in Oklahoma City today after he dislocated his shoulder during a show last month.

Pop hurt himself when he dove from the stage of the Polaris Amphitheatre in Columbus, Ohio, and the crowd failed to catch him. Pop was back the next day and has not missed any performances since, despite tendon damage. He decided last weekend to take his doctor's advice and begin treatment with an orthopedic specialist, his publicists said. With physical therapy, he is expected to recover in several months. A musical gift for a composer Luciano Pavarotti is giving Gian Carlo Menotti a musical birthday present.

Pavarotti gave a special concert Monday in the cathedral square of Spoleto, Italy, to mark the composer's 86th birthday and to raise funds for Menotti's 40 year old Festival of Two Worlds. The 3,000 seats went for up to $350 each. Pavarotti sang arias by Rossini, Puccini and Verdi as well as Sole Mio" and other Neapolitan songs. Today "Joey Dee and The Starlighters," 7:30 p.m., on the Green, Warren Library, Mountain Avenue, Warren. Free; sponsored by the Warren Township Recreation Commission.

"Summer Sing," 7:30 p.m., Westminster Choir College of Rider University, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton. "Carmina Burana," conducted by Roger Briscoe. Free. (609) 921-2663, ext. 308.

"Stories for a Starlit Night" 7:30 p.m., Hillsborough Public Library, Hillsborough Municipal Complex, Beekman Lane and Amwell Road, Neshanic section of Hillsborough. With Rebecca Kelly, for age 4 and up. Registration required. (908) 369-2200. Call them 'Men in Green' Ten-year-old brother Scott, a fifth-grader at Hillside Intermediate School, is also an avid reader.

"My mother taught me to read early," Jim says. "I counted on her, more than anyone else, with helping me to read. She would read aloud to me when I was younger, and she would talk to me, say random things. No baby talk. That really helped me with my verbal skills.

"I always remember having a computer in the house," Jim says. "My father helped me a lot when I was little. I could read when I was 2, and my father and I talked about books and stories. My favorite book (also his first chapter book) was 'Jed's Junior Space Jim's book reviews and comments arrived with unceasing regularity that summer of 1990, and for many summers to come. We talked on the phone, and we established quite an exchange of literary thoughts and ideas.

Colonial Garden Kitchens c- GNS photo The cover of Colonial Garden Kitchens catalog. nial Garden Kitchens, P.O. Box 66, Hanover, PA 17333-0066; or call (800) 245-3399. ON ITS WAY: Choice and novelty plants are mainstays of the Wayside Gardens catalog, and the mailorder nursery has carved a market niche supplying the latest specimens to the gardening cognoscenti. Among the interesting new offerings in the fall catalog: Pia, a dwarf selection of the oakleaf hydrangea, growing to four feet, winterberry with improved fruit and foliage ornament named Scarlett O'Hara.

As a female holly, this variety needs a male to fruit. Its suitor is named, appropriately, Rhett Butler. Call (800) 845-1124. Shopping at Home appears on Tuesday. )f 7 By KIM WILLIS Gannett News Service "Men in Black" grossed a Fourth of July, three-day record $51.1 million at the box office over the weekend as other high-priced productions like "Batman and Robin" plummeted.

The previous record for the holiday weekend was set by last year's "Independence Day," which made $50.2 million for the three days. For its first five days, "Independence Day" made $84.97 million, while "Men in Black" brought in $84.13 million. Both films star Will Smith. The receipts for "Men in Black" made it the third largest opening weekend take ever, behind the sequels "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and "Batman Forever." But the news wasn't as good for other heavily hyped Hollywood products. "Batman and Robin" was down 49 percent from last weekend and "Speed 2: Cruise Control" barely made the Top 10 in its fourth weekend.

Time will tell if the same will happen to "Men in Black." The hype got crowds into theaters for "Men in Black," but some moviegoers say the alien hit fell short. "I liked it, but not as much as I thought I would," said Ray Johnson, 16, a San Diego high school student who wore a "Men in Black" T-shirt to opening night last Tuesdayn Bev-.