Buzz Bin

by Michael Bowen & r & & r & Mr. Wizard's Experiments


J. Craig Venter has transplanted the genome of one kind of bacterium into a different one, literally changing one species into another. Practical applications include developing new textiles, drugs and energy sources, though we're mostly interested in discovering what species inhabits the life form known as Dick Cheney.





Shop Around for Movies


They're back to showing outdoor movies in South Perry: Raising Arizona and Batman this Friday-Saturday, Labyrinth on July 28, and on through late August. Bring your lawn chairs to the Shop, 924 S. Perry St. Visit www.theshop.bz or call 534-1647. It's free.





Buried


When your mother dies, what exactly do you do with the ashes? The Idaho Rep production of David Eames-Harlan's play Interment will be performed Thursdays-Fridays, July 19-20 and July 26-27, at UI's Hartung Theater in Moscow. Visit www.uitheatre.com or call (208) 885-7212.





That iPod Done Blowed Up


In the wake of all the iPhone hoohah, let's not forget that some of us are so technologically impoverished that we're still listening to non-video (!) iPods -- which don't work. One Binster has had to entirely replace his 40GB click-wheel model. Twice. The 40-gig model, according to various Internet chat rooms, is notorious for breaking down. So much for dialing in the soundtrack of one's life. Some Apples are just plain rotten.





Vaudeville Extravaganza


You can watch hip-hop jugglers with martial arts moves, a tap-dancing saxophone player and the Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band and Orchestra -- all while supporting KYRS Thin Air Radio -- on Thursday, July 19, at 7 pm at the Bing. There's even going to be a fashion show of clothing that's totally recycled. Tickets: $14; $10, seniors and kids. Visit www.chautauqua.org or call 747-3012.





The Kudzu Has Withered


Political cartoonist Doug Marlette, one of the commencement speakers in our June 21 cover section ("Words of Wisdom") was killed in a car accident on July 10. Marlette warned graduates that 4.0-at-Harvard types often make the worst moral decisions. His voice will be missed.





"Spokane Is Spelling" Answers


From last week: muumuu, miscible, gnocchi, sacerdocy.