The Province from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • 84

Tra on'l feet edmeige? B16 Take a break! The Province Thursday, September 11, 1997 Burgess Meredith dies at 89 Burgess Meredith, the versatile, raspy-voiced actor whose film roles over 60 years included the tragic caretaker in Of Mice and Men and the crusty boxing manager in Rocky, has died. He was 89. Meredith died Tuesday morning at his home in Malibu, his son said. He had Jonathan People suffered from melanoma, as well as Alzheimer's disease and other complications of old age, his son said. Meredith's early career was studded with memorable performances: As guardian of the dimwitted giant in Of Mice and Men; as Ginger Rogers' suitor in Tom, Dick and Harry; as war correspondent Ernie Pyle in The Story of G.I.

Joe, and as James Madison in Magnificent Doll. He was nominated for two Oscars. To the television gener- ation, he became known as the quacking Penguin in the 1960s' Batman TV series. An intellectual with wide- MEREDITH ranging interests, Meredith was an ardent environmentalist. "The whole thing is like a terrible Greek tragedy, grinding toward its inevitable tragic end," he said of pollution in 1971.

"I haven't seen one hopeful sign yet." Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Nov. 16, 1907, Meredith won prizes as a boy soprano. He was educated at Amherst College and began his stage career in 1933 with Eva Le Gallienne's company in New York. His most notable performance came in 1940 with John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. Lewis Milestone directed the drama with Meredith as George and Lon Chaney Jr.

as the lumbering Lenny Small. Meredith served in the U.S. Air Force during the Second World War, emerging as a captain. Between theatre projects and crusades for causes, Meredith worked as a reliable character actor in such films as Advise and Consent, The Cardinal, In Harm's Way, Hurry Sundown, McKenna's Gold and Madame X. Often he was cast as a grumpy old codger, even playing Jack Lemmon's father in the 1993 comedy Grumpy Old Men and its 1995 sequel, Grumpier Old Men.

Despite his memorable early performances, Meredith was not nominated for Academy Awards until his later years: For supporting actor in Day of the Locust in 1975 and Rocky in 1976. He didn't win either time. Meredith was married four times: To Helen Derby, actresses Margaret Perry and Goddard, and dancer Kaja Sundsten. Associated Press THURSDAY Artificial Reefs a lecture presented by Howard Robbins of the Artificial Reef Society at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery (Steveston), 7 p.m. $3, $2.25.

664-9009 FRIDAY Free Wellness Consultations with senior student herbalists at Gaia Garden Herbal Dispensary (2672 W. Broadway), ongoing, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. By appointment: 734-4372 SATURDAY Myth, Legend Folklore mini-series presented by Langara College Foundation with Anthropology instructor Ariadne Bursewicz at A314, Langara College (100 W. 49th), 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

$50 (four lectures). 323-5674 Speaking With Your Kids About HIV AIDS with Meg Hickling, R.N., author of Speaking of Sex at the Central Lib. (350 W. Georgia), 1-3 p.m. WEDNESDAY Domestic Workers in B.C.

with speakers Shelly Chrest Charlotte Ensminger, presented by West Coast LEAF at Duthie Books (Georgia Granville), 7-8 p.m. Modernism Goes to School with Sherry McKay, UBC School of Architecture, a preview of her walking tour of UBC campus at Hastings Mill Museum (1575 Alma), 7 p.m. 254-9411 Family Events THURSDAY Thursdays at the Shipyard activity days at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard (3811 Moncton, Steveston), 1-4 p.m. Pre-register at 241- 9452 FRIDAY Reuter photo Douglas handy with cement Actor Kirk Douglas (C) poses with his son, actor Michael Douglas (R) and Jack Nicholson, after Michael Douglas was honored with a ceremony placing his handprints in cement in the forecourt of Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Douglas currently stars in the film The Game.

Douglas's handprints will be placed next to his father's at the theatre. Nicholson starred in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest, which Michael Douglas produced. Monika Deol named as new newshour co-anchor hot press Vancouver's new television station, Baton's VTV, announced yesterday that former MuchMusic VJ, Monika Deol, will be co-anchor of Vancouver Live at Six. Deol was host of Electric Circus, the music video station's club show in Toronto. Married to Colliers Macaulay Nicolls commercial property hotshot Avtar Bains, DEOL Deol moved to Vancouver about a year ago.

Vancouver Live at Six and the new station go on air Sept. 22. Deol's co-anchor for the show is Paul Mennier, formerly of ATV in Halifax. JULIA AND HUGH TEAM UP A couple of romantic comedies My Best Friend's Wedding and Conspiracy Theory have put Julia Roberts back on top. She has just ROBERTS committed to another comic romance, and this time the word is that her costar will be Hugh Grant.

The Roman Holiday-style script is by Four Weddings and a Funeral author, Richard Curtis, and Roberts and Grant should make an attractive twosome, although Grant will have to go some to top Rupert Everett. Meanwhile, Roberts is keeping busy next week she starts work on Stepmom with Susan Sarandon. SUPERMAN GETS ENGAGED Superman couldn't wait for the ring, so he presented his lady love with a bread tie in her favorite color: Green. Lois Clark star Dean Cain, 31, proposed to young CAIN country music star Mindy McCready, 21, last week. His mom, Sharon Cain was the matchmaker.

"I'm a very formal, traditional guy," said Cain. "I know exactly what I'm going to get her, but I didn't want to wait for the ring. I took my next available option. She better keep that bread tie! I worked long and hard for that bread tie!" McCready said she started crying when she saw her "ring" and that she'll save it and show it to her kids, when she has some. News Services Chinatown Market After Dark come and enjoy a pedestrian tour of Chinatown's stores with the streets closed to automobile traffic, p.m.

until Sun. Miniature Steam Railway at Confederation Park, 11 a.m.• 5 p.m., Fri. until until Oct. 13 (weather permitting). Info: 291-0922 SATURDAY Children's Festival 1997 at Minoru Park Plaza (7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond), 11 a.m.

to 4 p.m. 214-7716 Chinatown Market After Dark see Fri. Miniature Steam Railway see Fri. Mission City Farmers Market with food products and crafts at the West Coast Express parking lot, downtown Mission, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., ongoing.

864-1261 Restored B.C. Electric Railway Car from 1905 open to public every Sat. Sun. on the tracks at 6th and Heather, staffed by volunteers from the Transit Museum Society. SUNDAY Chinatown Market After Dark see Fri.

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival with music, crafts and lanterns at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (578 Carrall), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free. 662-3207 Miniature Steam Railway see Fri.

Rick Scott back by popular demand at Riley Park Community Centre (50 E. 30th 4 p.m. Family $10, adult $5, child $2. 257- 8545 Surrey Mid-Autumn Festival with lion dance, kung fu, Cantonese opera and ribbon dance at Surrey Arts Centre Theatre (13750 88th Surrey), 2 p.m. $9.

Info: 501-5580 Vancouver Art Gallery SuperSunday third Sunday of every month with hands-on activities, demonstrations and performances, noon to 5 p.m. Members and children 12-and-under free; adults $9.50. 662-4700 Seniors THURSDAY Cedar Senior's Caravan explores the Vancouver area by bus, ongoing. $2. Call 874-4231 to reserve a spot.

Joint Works exercise for persons with arthritis at the Minoru Seniors Centre (7660 Minor Gate), Tues. classes. 273-1975 Seniors Radio Show every Thurs. on Co-op Radio 102.7 FM, 2 p.m. 684-8171 FRIDAY Mystery Trip B.C.

find out where you're going when you get there, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. $27. Call the Minoru Seniors Centre at 273-1975 to reserve a spot. Summer Seniors Fitness at the Minoru Seniors Centre (7660 Minoru Gate), Mon.

10-11 a.m. $2. 273-1975 MONDAY Ballroom Dancing you must have a partner. At the Minoru Seniors Centre (7660 Minoru Gate), Mon. Wed.

eves. classes. 273- 1975 BBQs weekly at the Minoru Seniors Centre (7660 Minoru Gate), Summer Seniors Fitness at the Minoru Seniors Centre (7660 Minoru Gate), Mon. 10-11 a.m. $2.

273-1975 WEDNESDAY Armchair Travel a new destination video every week at the Minoru Seniors Centre (7660 Minoru Gate), p.m. Free BBQs weekly at the Minoru Seniors Centre (7660 Minoru Gate), $4. 273-1975 THE LIST CONTINUES.