Dan Webster

When Rob Woupat agreed to write his book on former Central Valley High School teacher and coach Sig Hansen, he had no idea what he was getting into. For not only did Woupat end up with a book, he ended up with a wife as well.

Natascha McElhone stars with Anthony Hopkins in "Surviving Picasso." Photo Seth Rubin/Warner Bros.

The perennial favorite "It's A Wonderful Life" contains all the elements of a great holiday movie.

(Photo of Barbra Streisand)

It's not that Elizabeth Cook-Lynn seeks to rouse people to anger. It's just that she's not afraid to do so. That much is clear from her book "Why I Can't Read Wallace Stegner and Other Essays" (University of Wisconsin Press, 158 pages).

Doug Pray

There's an image in Doug Pray's documentary "Hype!" that just won't go away. Picture it in your mind: You're standing on the floor of an upscale clothing store, surrounded by mannequins wearing the very latest in "grunge" fashion - you know, flannel shirts, oversized T-shirts, Doc Martens, etc.

Does Demi take it off in "Striptease?"

(Scene from film)

Christmas is a symbol of just how diverse America really is. Christians, for example, see Christmas as a celebration of their savior's birth. Other major religions consider it far less significant, and some give it no thought at all. Whatever your personal beliefs, though, it's difficult - if not impossible - to escape the season's omnipresent signs. We're surrounded by references to Santa Claus, bombarded with reminders to buy-buy-buy, called upon by every charity imaginable to give-give-give.

Ann Conger's engagement photo, taken in 1942.

Christmas is a symbol of just how diverse America really is. Christians, for example, see Christmas as a celebration of their savior's birth. Other major religions consider it far less significant, and some give it no thought at all.

Trying to identify a specific Northwest literature is like trying to identify a specific American voice: Both come in many tones. How, for example, do you reconcile the angry-yet-often-funny voice of Seattle writer Sherman Alexie with the wistful memory tales of Montana native Ivan Doig? Likewise, how do you integrate the densely beautiful prose of Spokane's Ursula Hegi with the frothy wordplay of Portland's Kathleen Tyau? It's simple: You can't - except to say that it all blends into one vast Northwest library representing a virtual rainbow of styles, themes and attitudes.

According to Spokesman-Review staffer Susan English, the recent Northwest Bookfest was a big hit. The second-annual benefit literary event, which was held in Seattle Oct. 26-27, attracted more than 23,000 people. Literary lovers such as English attended author readings, panel discussions, bookseller exhibits and interactive multimedia demonstrations.

Tom Cruise is wired for adventure in "Mission: Impossible."

(Photo of film clip from 'Secrets and Lies')

Duane Boutte, middle, stars as Bostonia in "Stonewall."

(From For the Record, November 16, 1996:) The movie "Swingers" is playing at the North Division Cinemas. The wrong theater was listed with the move review in Friday's Weekend section. Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau and Patrick Van Horn star in "Swingers."

In her novel "The Window," Missoula writer Jeanette Ingold tells the story of a young blind woman. But, she stresses, she is not aiming her work only at young adults. "Adults - teachers and parents - are very interested in seeing the things that are available for the blind," she says.

No doubt about it, boys are pretty wonderful creatures.

1. Sue Grafton has written 13 alphabet-based mysteries, her latest being "M is for Malice." Michael Goldman photo 2. (photo of cover of book "M is for Malice")

Laura Corn won't reveal her age. She's being coy, of course. She's flirting with someone who can give her the publicity that any author craves and most need. Corn's problem with publicity is compounded by the fact that she self-publishes. Of course, the Santa Monica, Calif., writer compensates by publishing books with catchy titles.

Anne Frank is remembered in Oscar-winning film.

(photo of scene from "Romeo and Juliet")