Dan Webster

'Devil in a Blue Dress' stars Denzel Washington.

1. Christopher Darden during the O.J. Simpson trial. "In Contempt" provides a view of the highly publicized case through Darden's eyes. Photo by Associated Press 2. "In Contempt" By Christopher Darden with Jess Walter (HarperCollins, 387 pages, $26)

Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight likes to say that one of the first things that people learn how to do is write - and then they go on to other things. But some people never do learn to write, at least as well as they want to. That's why there are so many opportunities for rookie writers to attend workshops, seminars and the like. One such workshop is the 1996 Writer's Workshop, which is sponsored by Clark College of Vancouver, Wash. Set for Saturday, April 13, the one-day event features a series of morning skills sessions in poetry or fiction, a lunch reading by poet Sandra McPherson and afternoon workshops in fiction or poetry. Registration is $35. For further information, call (360) 992-2637.

'Diabolique,' with Chazz Palminteri and Sharon Stone, debuted at $5.5 million.

Shannen Doherty doesn't quite make it in "Mallrats."

Through her public performances, Elaine Partnow pointedly helps audiences remember a wealth of important women.

Carl Showalter (Steve Buscemi) draws a befuddled look from his date, Michelle Hutchinson.

And Paul Sorvino cried. The man who has made a career out of playing tough, mob-connected characters in films such as "GoodFellas" broke down Monday night before a television audience of millions.

This year's Spokesman-Review Oscar-contest winner knows how to deliver an acceptance speech. "Oh my God," said Tim Mulligan, an ex-Spokane resident now living in Richland. "I'm stunned. I'm amazed. I'm just honored to be included with the other applicants."

1. (photo of an Oscar) 2. "Apollo 13" doesn't deserve to win, Webster says, but it will as Best Picture. Webster thinks "Sense and Sensibility" (below) is the true Best Picture. Photo by Associated Press 3. Here's to the winners: Cage will cruise as Best Actor for his performance in "Leaving Las Vegas." Webster thinks Susan Sarandon will win Best Actress for "Dead Man Walking," but thinks the true winner isn't even nominated: Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Talking cliche: At 70, Tony Curtis can't imagine keeping company with a woman his own age. His girlfriend is 25.

The sun is out, the sky is blue, winter's gone and spring is ... Complete that rhyme and you'll be ready for April, which, naturally enough, is being touted as National Poetry Month. And in honor of that fact, the creative writing department at Eastern Washington University is continuing its effort to provide the best instruction in poetry that is possible.

"Crumb" tells the story of Roger Crumb, the Zap Comix artist famous for his distinctive characters, including Mr. Natural (below). Photo by Associated Press

'Babe' stars James Cromwell as the farmer and Babe as Babe.

"Ed" stars matt Le Blanc and a chimp.

Set around 1910, "Way Down East" is an old-fashioned morality play.

When she made the climb in 1988, Stacy Allison was the first American woman to climb Mount Everest.

(No caption--Photo of Earl Mindell's books)

1. Author Kathleen Tyau. 2. (photo of cover of book "A Little Too Much is Enough")

The name Carolyn Kizer should be familiar to literary-minded Spokane residents. A native of the Lilac City, she won a Pulitzer Prize for her 1985 book "Yin." She's won other honors, of course, held numerous positions and published other books. Her latest comes to us courtesy of Eastern Washington University Press. Titled "Picking and Choosing" (172 pages, $25), the book has an April 16 publication date. But, says EWU Press managing editor Bobbie Robinson, copies are available at the press (359-4638) and at Auntie's Bookstore.

Mel Gibson, center, starred in and directed "Braveheart." The film was nominated for 10 Oscars.

During Kary Peters' tenure as Corbin Art Center director, classroom quality became a top priority. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

"Fair Game" starred Cindy Crawford and William Baldwin.

"Up Close and Personal" stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert Redford.