USCCB Movie Reviews The above link will connect you to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's movie and video reviews. They contain a brief overview of many movies with the USCCB's classification and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating. They may have a comment on any inappropriate language or violence in the film. You may also want to check out the Catholic News Service capsule movie reviews.

Media/Arts Briefs

JEFFERSON -- The Council for the Performing Arts recently mailed its new 2002-2003 season brochure, "Sample the Arts."

Season ticket holders must renew their season tickets before July 12 to guarantee the same seats as last year.

New subscribers are welcome. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The adult season ticket for 10 performances is $138, a $20 savings over individually purchased tickets. There are special discounts for seniors and students.

Season ticket holders receive priority seating, but individual tickets may be reserved now. Tickets may be ordered by calling the CPA office at 920-674-2179 or visiting the office at 305 S. Main St.

Public TV program on autism

MADISON -- In two ways - through a community discussion and a statewide broadcast - Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) will lead an educational effort about autism and its effects on the families of autistic children.

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, WPT and the Waisman Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus will hold a community discussion following the screening of a new documentary, "Refrigerator Mothers," in the "P.O.V." series.

Autism is a neurological disorder marked by varying degrees of mental and self-imposed social isolation. Children seem to begin life as normal, active babies, but later slip into patterns of speech difficulties and obsessive, ritualistic behavior. It affects more than one in 500 people.

J.J. Hanley, the filmmaker and the mother of an autistic child, will participate in the panel discussion, along with a representative from the Autism Society and Maria Mombille.

Those interested in attending the event should contact the Waisman Center at 608-263-5940 or e-mail mitchell@waisman.wisc.edu.

Attendees to the event may also choose to participate in a "P.O.V." talk back session, where their opinions about autism will be videotaped and potentially streamed on the Internet at the national pbs.org/p.o.v/talkingback site.

WPT will air "Refrigerator Mothers" on statewide television at 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 16.

Dickeyville Grotto virtual tour

MADISON -- Beginning in July, portalwisconsin.org will have a new virtual tour every week of Wisconsin's sculpture gardens.

Virtual tours are panoramic 360-degree tours in Quicktime that help users take a good look at Wisconsin locations, exhibits, or galleries. If travelers can't get there or want to find out what's there before they go, this feature allows them to check it online first.

The Dickeyville Grotto is featured the first week of July. With thousands of colored stones, molten glass, rocks and minerals embedded in cement, the grotto and gardens surround Holy Ghost Catholic Church. It includes a small concrete cave, statue alcoves, arches, and fountains.

History of ethnicity featured

MADISON -- On Tuesday, July 16, at 12:15 p.m., "The History of Ethnicity in Wisconsin" will be discussed by John D. Buenker, professor of history and ethnic studies at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He will explore Wisconsin's rich history of ethnic diversity from first human settlement to the present day.

He asks the audience to question why Wisconsin consistently has been a magnet for migrants and how the nature of its attraction has persisted and changed over the last two centuries.

Can we draw lessons from history that will help Wisconsinites deal with the increasing amount of ethnic diversity that will characterize the new century and the new millennium? Buenker will address these critical current issues in his presentation.

Patriotic strings concert

SINSINAWA -- The Sinsinawa Strings Orchestra presents the annual patriotic concert, "A Time to Celebrate," on Thursday, July 4, at 2 p.m., in the Heritage Level at Sinsinawa Mound.

The Sinsinawa Strings will be conducted by Wayne Hansen. Sinsinawa Strings is a 30-piece strings, wind, and percussion orchestra with an 18-member color guard. Selections from the national arena will be featured.

For more information, call 608-748-4411. Sinsinawa Mound, the motherhouse for Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, is located in southwest Wisconsin on County Road Z, off Highway 11.

Kwahadi Dancers perform

MADISON -- The Kwahadi Dancers, a Boy Scout Venture Crew from Amarillo, Texas, will perform a program of Native American Dances on Saturday, July 13, at Madison Area Technical College from 7 to 8:30 pm.

The Kwahadi dancers are a group of young men and ladies and are famous worldwide for their interpretive folk art of American Indian cultures.

Tickets are available in advance or at the door costing $5 for adults and $3 for students and children.

TV Programs of Note

Monday-Friday, 2:30 p.m., Inspiration Channel (cable) -- "Catholic Mass."

Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 6 p.m., 11 p.m., EWTN (cable) - "Daily Mass." No 6 p.m. showing on Sunday.

Sunday, July 7 and 14, 7 a.m., WISC (CBS) - "Mass." Celebrated by Msgr. Thomas Campion, sponsored by Apostolate to the Handicapped.

Sunday, July 7, 6 p.m. WKOW (ABC) - "Buddy" (1997). Often charming, fact-based story of a wealthy, animal-loving eccentric (Rene Russo) whose 1920s New York menagerie includes a sickly infant male gorilla she tenderly raises as a human child until his massive size and natural jungle instincts become a danger to the household. A few scenes of violence by the mature gorilla. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification of the theatrical version was A-II - adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG - parental guidance suggested.

Monday, July 8, 7 p.m. WKOW (ABC) - "The Horse Whisperer" (1998). When a 14-year-old girl (Scarlett Johansson) is seriously injured in a gruesome accident which traumatizes her beloved horse, her career-driven mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) enlists the help of a Montana horse healer (Robert Redford) with whom the mother falls in love during the long healing process. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification of the theatrical version was A-II - adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG-13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Monday, July 8, 9 p.m. WHA (PBS) - "Pops at the Phil: A Century of Broadway." Special featuring the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonic Center Chorale Frederica von Stade, and others as they salute some of Broadway's greatest 20th-century musicals.

Thursday, July 11, 7 p.m. WKOW (ABC) - "Star Trek: First Contact" (1996). Headed by its bold captain (Patrick Stewart), the 24th-century Starship Enterprise battles an on-board invasion by killer aliens while racing back to the year 2063 where a crisis on planet Earth could terminate humankind. Director Jonathan Frakes weaves together two separate stories for a sci-fi tale of old-fashioned adventure jazzed up with futuristic visuals. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification of the theatrical version was A-II - adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG-13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Saturday, July 13, 7 p.m. WKOW (ABC) - "You Only Live Twice" (1967). Sean Connery in his fifth appearance as James Bond goes through the motions of tracking down some mission space capsules amid oriental intrigue in Japan and finally bests his arch foe Blofeld (Donald Pleasence). The agent 007 formula of impersonal sex and violence has worn thin with the result that director Lewis Gilbert's Bond movie is just another mediocre spy thriller. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification of the theatrical version was A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG - parental guidance suggested.

Monday, July 15, 7 p.m. WHA (PBS) - "Streets Without Cars: The Urban Experiment of State Street." This documentary explores the national pedestrian mall movement through the lens of Madison's State St. and examines how pedestrian malls flourish.

Radio Programs of Note

Monday, July 8-Sunday, July 14, 4 p.m., WHFA (1240 AM) - "Bishop William H. Bullock's Weekly Radio Broadcast."

Monday, July 15-Sunday, July 21, 4 p.m., WHFA (1240 AM) - "Bishop William H. Bullock's Weekly Radio Broadcast."