The Montgomery Advertiser from Montgomery, Alabama • 57

Hlontgomenj Advertiser AirfeMirave Rick Harmon Features editor Phone (334) 262-1611 Fax (334) 261-1548 425 Molton St. Montgomery AL 36104 Sunday March 16, 2003 Arts calendar 2H 4H BooJa Artsline THEATER I jf Contributed "Aida" plays Tuesday through March 23. JohnRice's 'Aida' opens in Birmingham Broadway in Birmingham will present "Aida" Tuesday through March 23. The musical love story about Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her country; Amneris, an Egyptian princess; and Radames, the soldier they both love, is based on Verdi's epic opera with a score by Elton John and Tim Rice their first collaboration since writing the music for "The Lion King." Tickets are $20 to $57.50. Call (205) 328-8222 or visit or www.bjcc.org Contributed An actress depicts Rosa Parks in the Montgomery City Jail following her Dec.

1, 1955, arrest in this image from the documentary "Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks." The 40-minute film, which was financed by the Southern Poverty Law Center to be used for its Teaching Tolerance program for schoolchildren, is one of four nominees for best documentary short subject at this year's Academy Awards. HONORS ARTS p. -M fc Contributed Nat King Cole is among the latest members of the Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame. Singer Nat King Cole honored in Tuscaloosa achievement Rosa Parks' courage inspires Oscar-nominated documentary Contributed A Montgomery city bus driver is about to set the wheels of history in motion in this image from "Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks." DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT NOMINEES The Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala in ducted Montgomery-born singer Nat King Cole and Emmy-winning director and producer Tom Che- rones on Saturday. It was the fifth annual ceremony for the hall of I fame awards, which are held in Tuscaloosa.

Autographed items from previ ous inductees, such as Dean Jones, George Lindsey, Hugh Martin, Fannie Flagg and Tallulah Bankhead were auctioned off during a By Robyn Bradley Litchfield Montgomery Advertiser Even before the early-morning announcement Feb. 11, the folks at Southern Poverty Law Center knew they had a winner on then-hands. The Montgomery-based center's "Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks," a 40-minute documentary to be used for SPLC's Teaching Tolerance program for schoolchildren, is one of four nominees for the 75th annual Academy Awards' documentary short subject. The winner will be announced March 23. "We have made six films in the last 20 years.

Four of them have been nominated for an Academy Award. We hope that 'Mighty Times' will be our second Oscar," said Richard Cohen, SPLC's vice president for programs. "The other Oscar was for 'A Time for Justice' (in 1995)." Created by Robert Hudson and Bobby Houston of California-based Tell the Truth Pictures, "Mighty Times" takes a fresh look at the December 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, Rosa Parks and the many people behind the success of the 381-day event. "It's a difficult story, in a way, because everybody thinks they know it," Cohen said. "To restore the real vibrancy those times had was quite a challenge." But after working with Telling the Truth Pictures on the 2000 Teaching Tolerance project, "A Place at the Table," the organization was confident the filmmakers could do it and do it well.

In "A Place at the Table," the filmmakers explored the struggles of different segments of American society and how they came to America, Co- gilent auction at the event. BENEFIT "Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks," by Bobby Houston and Robert Hudson of Tell the Truth Pictures, is one of four documentary short subject nominees for this year's Academy Awards. Here are the other nominees: "The Collector of Bedford Street" It is the story of a 60-year-old man who has developmental disabilities; he spends all his time raising money for charity. When a crisis befalls him, this man's neighbors are there to help him out. "Twin Towers" This is a look at the Harlem-based division of the New York Police Department's Emergency Service Unit.

One of the first units to respond Sept. 11, 2001, the team was profiled before the tragedy and then revisited in the aftermath. "Why Can't We Be a Family Again?" The film follows Kitten the crack addict The Associated Press Parks, 90, is expected to attend the Oscars on March 23 in Los Angeles. ON TV What: The 75th annual Academy Awards When: 7:30 p.m. March 23 Where: ABC Information: www.oscar.com hen said.

And they used young people to tell their ancestors' stories. "The filmmakers' use of young people to tell the 'Mighty' Page 3H -X i' and her family. Kitten's drug addiction has had a devastating effect on her boys, Danny and Raymond, who must live with their grandmother; the boys dream of a day when their family will be back togeth- Advertiser Consuela Lee also will take part in the fundraiser. Nick LaTour performs at ASU fund-raiser TRAVEL Nick LaTour, the son of famous Montgomery civil Warm-water sites offer close encounters of the sea cow kind rights activist E.D. Nixon will perform "The Spirits in the Wind," a musical IF YOU journey in songs from classics to gospel, at 8 p.m.

Sat urday at Alabama State University's Lelia Barlow Theatre. Vl Atiantici -TWii i I The event, which will also features Consuela Lee 4 Tallahassee and the All Star Trio and Anita Spratt, is being put on by the ASU Theatre Wortando Es 7 1 Arts Program, The E.D Nixon Memorial Founda tion and the ASU Friends That warmth seemed a stretch as a dozen of us crept along the Crystal River on a recent Sunday morning. Our pontoon boat moved slowly to avoid hitting a manatee, many of which bear the scars of past encounters with boat propellers. Others don't survive. It made for a shivery ride, even with our fleece jackets, knit hats and gloves.

When we arrived at an open space between two manatee sanctuaries, marked by buoy lines, the water still looked uninviting. After the initial shock of the cold, though, the water felt fine and the search was on. It was tough going at Encounters Page 3H By Kyle Winqfield The Associated Press CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. It's winter, the temperature is hovering around freezing, and I'm wearing a wetsuit? This isn't the Sunshine State of travel agency brochures. But it's the perfect time and temperature for hanging put with some of Florida's lovable endangered creatures manatees.

In the summer, Florida manatees range as far west as Mississippi and as far north as Virginia. When the weather cools, these plant-eating aquatic mammals, sometimes called sea cows, retreat far southward or into natural warm springs sprinkled among Florida's inland coastal wa- of the Theatre. Where: Crystal River, Fla. Getting There: Crystal River is about 70 miles north of Tampa International Airport. From the airport, take Florida 589 (a toll road) north for about 43 miles, until you reach the exit for Florida 50.

Take 50 west for almost 6 miles, until it intersects with US. 19. Take U.S. 19 north all the way to Crystal River. If you're coming by car from the west, take Interstate 10 to Tallahassee, exiting at U.S.

19. Take 19 south until you reach Crystal River. From the north, take Interstate 75 to Ocala and exit at Florida 200. Take 200 southwest until it I Gulf of I A Mexico 50 ItlilM LaTour has been in of TV shows and nu merous films, including "The Rosa Parks Story, which was shot in Mont gomery last year. Seats are $20, and there is a 7 p.m Bob Self APFlorida Times-Union Manatee Tour operator Larry Campbell interacts with one of the more curious manatees while snorkeling in Magnolia Springs, Fla.

terways. The promise of mosassa Springs, two 72-degree water year-round warm-water sites about 60 draws snorkelers to places miles north of Tampa on like Crystal River and Ho- Florida's Gulf Coast GNS ends, then take County Road 491 south to Le canto. From there, either take Florida 44 northwest to Crystal River. More information: www. swim withamana tee.com reception.

For more in formation call 229-6929. Page edited and designed by Gary uooason fwvvw.montqom.