Dance Alert
Winifred R. Harris’ Between Lines will be premiering new works in addition to new dancers at Highways performance space. Over the past year, the fresh company ensconced themselves in Harris’ studio in order to deepen and explore Harris’ singular performance quality. The resulting group of about 10 dancers balance their skills with passionate performances.

The premiere of the new dance “Things Under and Above” is one of many fruits of the company’s last year of introspection and dedication. This contemporary ballet is an exploration of human responsibilities. “Things Under and Above” acknowledges that within day-to-day responsibilities, we have dreams. The dance invites us to nurture and cultivate these dreams.

In the last decade, choreographer and artistic director Winifred Harris has received critical accolades and developed a reputation for her ability to create works that merge the issues of right now with the timeless power and beauty of choreography that is both sensual and technically exhilarating.

Highways Performance Space 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. April 4, 5, and 6, 8:30 pm. $15. 310-615 1459. - VR

Horse Whispering

Horse and man have always shared a special bond, as old as history itself. The therapeutic and healing powers of horsies has been a fascination of us moderns. In Topanga Canyon there is a place where this magic is living and breathing -El Dustberry Ranch on Paradise Lane.

On this tiny 1.6 acre, horses run free and herd with the neighboring ones. It is the vision of Robin Rapaport, horse woman, single mom, who scraped her savings together a few years ago to secure the land and corral a few horses for her dream “Share The Ranch.” Here children come to calm their psyches from the techno nightmare of their lives, and cancer patients come to heal their souls, and often their disease. “Horse whisperer” Selim San-doval, neighbor Yed Vort Tcharkerian, and assistant director Mary Brintnall share the vision as well as the responsibities.

Robin experienced personal traumas in her childhood, but she had one place for refuge: a secluded guest ranch. There she found relief through riding and caring for horses. As an adult, Robin watched her father, friend, and cousin suffer through cancer. They became the inspiration for El Dustberry, a place for cancer patients and all those who are physically or emotionally challenged to release their stress through the healing and therapeutic powers of horses and nature.

Her unique program teaches visitors the gentle ways to care for and interact with horses. She and her staff believe that respecting nature and treating her creatures in a positive and loving manner creates a magical partnership between human and horse. The intimate environment is a safe haven where they teach special relaxation techniques to the rider in order to release tension, thereby promoting emotional and spiritual healing.

Free services are provided to cancer patients and their families. Programs are excellent for the physically, mentally, developmentally, emotionally, or academically challenged. Home schoolers are also welcome. The outdoor classroom is great for small groups. Here children learn about ecological history, former dwellers the Chumash Indians, and much more in the many ongoing workshops. Some special features are bareback riding, tee-pees, clay pinch pot crafting, and paper-making from lavender and mustard seeds. Sportsmanship and teamwork are part of the day’s fun. Community service opps are available.

Come to their celebrity basketball fund-raiser for “Share The Ranch” on Sat. May 18 at Mont Claire College Prep; dinner 5-6; game 6-8pm; break dancers The Grooveloos at half time; $30 to order tickets, and for info about El Dustberry call 818-905-6353 or 818-789-7824. - AM

Dear Diary:

Dear Diary,
In my family, money isn’t a big concern, but we do know our limits. Yet we’re happy. I don’t know of too many kids with tons of money who can say their parents are happily married. Truthfully, they are screwed up, divorced parents, but yet the kids have the juicy outfit in every color!

I happen to see that a lot at my Hebrew school. The parents in the carpool lane drive up in a new Beemer, yet no ring to be found! When I teach these third graders on Sunday morning, some of them are striving for attention and share things like I got a brand new X Box and Game Cube for Hanukkah, one for my mom’s house and one for my dad’s house. That’s nice, I think, but gosh have these parents taught their kids the good thing of having divorced parents is getting more birthday presents? When really at the child’s birthday party, the parents will be in each other’s faces, Happy Birthday! But don’t worry, the Top of the Line magic show will be there to entertain and distract the guest. It’s funny how one split up can lead to a permanent shower of gifts. One of every two people I socialize with, in this clique of mine, has two homes to go to, each week. At least the day they turn sixteen there will be a new Lexus in the driveway awaiting their arrival. Aren’t they lucky?!

Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes I think how great it would be to have the new Earl Jeans because I would look so awesome at school, but then I think about how grateful I am to have a good and peaceful place to go home to at three thirty. Really, I have ten pairs of jeans wrinkled up in my drawer that I could possibly buy a new belt to jazz them up a bit. I mean I’ll grow out of them eventually anyway. Why the hell would I buy two hundred dollar pants? Not to mention my boyfriend wouldn’t notice the label Monday morning. I’d have to tell him, “These are the new Seven Jeans!” and he’d reply with the usual, “They’re nice, but don’t you have like five of those same type of jeans in the same color?” Thanks a lot Sweetie! I’m glad I buy things like that to look good for you! Does being poor mean being unpopular? Money brings in some problems, wouldn’t you have to say, Dearest Diary?
- Sincerely, Sam

- Samantha Malone is a local high school student.

Summer Opportunities
by Leah Bachar

As a college student, I know how difficult it can be when you are trying to apply to the college of your choice. Not only do you have to have A’s, high test scores, a killer essay, but you also need to show some extra-curricular activities and experience with community service. With the help of webites like petersons.com and visionsadventure.com, it makes it much easier on an aspiring college student to find their direction and opportunities offered to them which will give them the “experience” they need to put on their college application.

Offering opportunities at home or in other countries, these websites display a variety of activities that will help expand the minds of young students. Not only a reccomendation on an application, work opportunities give students a whole new look at the world, and by the end of the program a whole new look at themselves.

If traveling is something you are interested in, visionsadventure.com offers students summer experiences in countries such as Australia, Peru, Alaska, Montana, the Dominican Republic, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, and more. Information about past student experiences, program information, and how to meet future participants, prove to be very helpful as well when making a choice.

On a site like petersons.com, summer opportunities can be chosen in America or abroad, helping students work together, work towards a particular goal, and ultimately benefiting from the process. The site can also answer any other type of inquiries that the average student might have, whether they are on their way to college, currently attending college, or just about to graduate. Now when you look at that blank spot on your college application that is labeled extra-curricular activities, you can always remember that there are many types of activities that cater to different personalities, and getting there is the easy part.

If you are interested in requesting a personal meeting or a phone appointment with the VISIONS program contact at (717-567-7313 or visions@pa.net. If you are 22 and interested in being a staff member contact VISIONS PO Box 220, 110 N 2nd Street, Newport, PA 17074
fax: 717 -567-7853. Also try thomsonlearning.com.

The Young Olympian
Competing with nearly 1,000 sixth through eight graders, Aaron Yamagata of Encino was selected first place winner of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Healthy Competition poster contest.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association hosted Aaron, his mother, and teacher, NAEA member Linda Wehrli, to a weekend at the Olympic games in Salt Lake City, Utah. As an added bonus, Katie Couric and Al Roper of the Today show highlighted Aaron. Eleven-year-old Aaron, an eight grader, has studied art for five years and aspires to be a famous artist when he grows up. UNICEF selected his artwork several years ago for the cover of a greeting card.

Through the Healthy Competition Campaign, the Blue Cross and Blue shield Association seeks to educate people and their families about the potential health dangers of performance-enhancing drugs and to eliminate their use at all levels of sports. The campaign goal is to encourage all athletes at all levels of competition to be drug-free. Congratulations Aaron! – VR