El Paso Times from El Paso, Texas • 25

Opportunities Available rySl) El Paso Convention I -j I ii ii EXPO 2003 vcm" August 9-10 rpj 10am-6pm 11UK Call 546-6237 ripwoiimtft climes FridayMay 30, 2003 Features Editor Paula Monarez Diaz 546-6154, pdiazelpasotimes.com www.elpasotimes.com AREAEVENT Deadline nears for Movie 'Bruce Almighty' offends some people theater scholarship Times staff and wlre reports Saturday will be the last chance to apply for the Aardvark Theatre .2003 Dorothy S. Karber Memorial Scholarship. The $500 schol arship is granted to a student of iv o1 the theatrical to some people, although offending religious people was not his intent. "To me, it's almost blasphemous to think one could not utilize a sense of humor to discuss spiritual or godly issues," he said. "The movie is really not making fun of God.

If you look at the dramatic through-line of the movie, it's God making fun of man." East Sider Debbie Cepeda has been a Jim Carrey fan for years and does not think people should overreact to a person like him playing God in a movie. El Paso Times reporter Leonard Martinez contributed to this report. way in movies. "I've read some of the reviews, and I don't agree with some of what I've read he does in the movie, like walking on water and performing miracles," said West Side resident Josephine Davis, who won't see the movie because of how she's heard Carrey portrays God in the movie. It also might affect whether she would watch future Carrey movies.

"I think it's blasphemous," Davis added. "Bruce Almighty" director Tom Shadyac acknowledged that the very idea of featuring God in a comedy is blasphemous Putting God on film was risky for many years. In addition to the Second Commandment, which admonishes people not to create graven images, the 1930s Hays Code, a decades-long precursor to the current movie ratings system, set standards forbidding the ridicule of religion and faith. Now comes "Bruce Almighty" a film with Jim Carrey playing the title role, who curses God (Morgan Freeman) and is given his powers for a day. And some El Pasoans don't think God should be used this As.

arts for pursuit of higher education in a college or university, tt.L said Ted Kar ber, in photo at Special to the Times Jim Carrey, right, and Morgan Freeman star in the movie "Bruce Almighty," now showing at El Paso theaters. left, director of the Aardvark Theatre. To apply for a theater scholarship, send: 1. A theatrical resume" listing your work in theater arts. 2.

A 1- to l'a-page typed description of your goals in theater arts 3. Three letters of reference from theatrical professionals Mail those items to: Aardvark Theatre Scholarship Committee, 2626 N. Mesa, No. 108, El Paso, TX 79902. Shabbat for i AREAEVENTS3D Jewish women are asked to light candles on Fridays CHECXOTOUT Cielo Vista Church to host youth event Cielo Vista Church will have its inaugural all-night lockdown for children in junior high through high school from 9 p.m.

today to 7 a.m. Saturday at 3585 Lee Trevino. For $10, "The Ultimate Lock-down" features an illusionist, blowup games such as sumo wrestling, local bands, a skate park, movies and video games. Food will also be sold. Information: 472-0514.

By Leonard Martinez El Paso Times 'hile Israeli and Palestinian leaders try to hammer out an 7- 1 (fk A te If Ii V- "A RELIGIONEVENTS 2D MARKYOUR CALENDAR carious times, when no one can be sure of his or her safety. Nowhere is this uncertainty more; pronounced than in Is- rael, where terror .1 against civilian targets has become a routine occurrence, and the threats from surround- ing enemies loom large." In many Jewish homes! every Friday, the Jewish, women of the house- holds light candles be- 1 fore sunset, make the appropriate blessings and think about what they wish for their families and for the world. As part of the Shabbat for Peace campaign, the women are asked to in- elude prayers of peace for the Middle East in their regular prayers. "Women are the foundation, the center of the home," Rabbi Yisrael Greenberg said. "Lighting a candle is a conscious decision to let light into your life.

It is not like the natural light of the sun, which you cannot control. You light a candle to active-, ly bring light into your family." Please see Peace 2D agreement that will lead to stability in the Middle East, Jews in El Paso and around the world are doing their own part to bring peace to Israel and the world. Chabad Lubavitch mailed candles to 1,300 Jewish homes in El Paso so the candles can be lighted at 7:45 p.m. each Friday beginning today as part of the Shabbat for Peace project. A message on the www.shabbatpeace.com Web site explained why the candles are being lighted.

"For thousands of years, Jewish women have offered their deepest personal prayers while lighting Shabbat candles on Friday evening," the Web site said. "It is believed that these prayers are especially propitious as candle-lighting is a special, sanctified time when we usher in Shabbat. "We are living in pre Unda Starter El Paso Times evening for a special Shabbat candlelighting that is asking all Jewish women to light candles for peace. Chana Greenberg, and her daughters Rochel, 7, and Nechama Leah, 5, will light candles Fnday Candleblcssings What: The Ballet Centre, School of Classical Dance, will have its 19th annual recital. When: 2:30 p.m.

Sunday. Where: Magoffin Auditorium, University of Texas at El Paso. Details: The event is directed by David Alejandro Duran. Cost: Free. Information: 544-4348.

Jim Carrey on The Tonight Show gj) has sanctified us with his commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holy Shabbat. Uncover your eyes and behold the Shabbat lights. Source: www.shabbatpeace.com Boruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Sha-bos Ko-desh Blessed are You, lord our God, king of the universe, who around the candles drawing your hands inward in a circular motion three times to indicate the acceptance of the sanctity of Shabbat. Cover your eyes and recite the following blessing: Instructions and blessing for Shabbat candles to be done by Jewish women and girls: Make sure to light candles before sunset. First, light the candles, then spread your hands out Ricky Martin makes return to his Latin roots "IF5- de fuego," have the same electrifying ef fect: Besos de fuego: more salsa, merengue ritmo.

ence was one that connected him back to those roots and unlike any other he's experienced before, he has said in interviews for the album. Martin talks about these experiences in a bonus CD that includes exclusive interview footage. There is also bonus footage from the video "Tal vez," filmed in Buenos Aires, and the first single off the album. Samples from this album and others are also available at www.rickymartinmusic.com "Tal vez" is much like previous ballads. The heartache just seeps through each word and leaves you wanting to reach out and make it all better and you can just imagine the hordes of women lining up to do the honors.

Other songs, such as "Besos MUSICREVTEW The songs might seem like the same old sound from many of his previous hits. In fact, Martin has returned to a familiar tune, and some songs on this latest effort do seem like remakes with fresh lyrics. But it is that familiar sound that Martin's fans from long ago and far away have been waiting six years to hear once again. "Almas de Silencio" is a welcome return to what Martin does best lull the listener into a blissful daydream. While Ricky's true fans indulged him during his "Shake your bonbon" days, many are glad he has returned to his roots and language.

This album was recorded in Martin's private studio at his Puerto Rican home. The experi By Melissa Martinez El Paso Times Ricky is back. Not the mainstream Ricky Martin who lived "La Vida Lo-ca" before his American admirers. Not that anglicized Ricky known to the English-speaking masses for only a short time. But RRRRRicky, the Latin-loving, rolls-off-your-tongue, makes-you-want-to-salsa heartthrob who was known to some long ago as a sultry singer of Spanish love songs and tropical rhythms.

"Almas del Silencio" is Martin's first all-Spanish album (with the exception of one song, the Spanglish since "Vuelve" in 1998, and his first original album in five years. Sabe, sabe a margarita Sabe, sabe a caramelo Saben, saben a la gloria Sus besos son besos de fuego The lyrics are enough to make you fall in love with the album. But add to it a sensual rhythm, an intoxicating vibe, and slowly sway, one, two, three you're transported to a tropical island swing, four, five, six margarita in one hand and a cabana boy in the other. Melissa Martinez may be reached at mmartjnezelpasotimes.com Mm Al 1.