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Page 2 - The Weekly Focus -June 1017 Anne and Andrea: the women in Alf's real life with fey 8eli Groves Breathes there someone mind so blurry/ That he or she can't see a furry/ Friendly, funny, fantastic critter/ Making their lives better and litter/ To deal with the world when they're sorry and sad/ If there be such, well alas and too bad. The antidote to sadness is found on TV/ Via ALF, the Melmacian mirth- maker of NBC If that sounds like a tribute to ALP — it is. And multi-million viewers share this feeling for the mischiev- ous visitor from Melmac, and tune in *ach week to the NBC network to see how the Tanner family of USA., Planet Terra, deals with its mis- chievous visitor from Melmac. Two of the Tanners with whom ALF shares his earth-bound life are Kate and Lynn. Kate is the matriarch of the family; Lynn is the teenage daughter. (There's also a husband, Willie, a kid brother, and when the last episode of the season airs, a new baby will join the household. Oh, yes, there's also Lucky, the family cat) \We're just your typical, average, all-American family,\ said Anne Schedeen who plays Kate Tanner. \And Kate is your typical, average, all-American wife and mother — with one difference.\ ALF, of course? •ALF,\ she agreed. \As far as we know, there aren't any other families who have an ALF Irving with them.\ Anne added: \For Kate, ALF is just another of her children; a 290-year-old 'kid' from Melmac who became part of her family.\ As Anne was speaking, I could hear a baby's cry in the background. That's not the Tanner child,\ she said. That's my own daughter, Taylor, who is about to have her lunch. Kate's baby is, as we speak, very close to being born.* 1 Anne's pregnancy was the catalyst for Kates. \I remember,\ Anne said, •*that I called the producer before I even called my family back in Oregon to tell them the news. I was a little bit worried about the reaction; something like this could upset their carefully planned schedules. But he was delighted — not just for me, but also for the show\ If the decision hadn't been made to go with the advent of a new Tanner??? \Well they would have just shot me standing behind a counter fold- ing clothes for a few months or carrying big bags.\ When Anne was first introduced to the ALF-ian concept during the pilot season three years ago, \I felt tins was quite special. Up to then, I had read a lot of what 1 thought were rather crumby pilots. Many of them were warm, sweet, cuddly — but they weren't funny! When I read this script, I laughed out loud. This was funny. I wanted to be involved with something that was really good — and this was. I felt positive about it, especially after I met ALF at our first reading. \1 told him then that I knew he would be a big star, and I was right\ Could one say that someone like ALF makes it all right for us to be children whatever our ages? Td say,\ Anne replied, \that yes, he's a brat But he does things and says things that we all would want to do and say sometimes.\ Anne was born in Gresham, Oregon. She's one of four children of a father who was a farmer and a state senator and whose mother was a community activist. She started in theater at age six — \to overcome shyness,\ she said. She continued working in productions through college. She and her husband live in Los Angeles, sharing their home with baby Taylor and four dogs and wonderful pieces of art and fasci- nating artifacts that she's culled from every possible source includ- ing galleries, antique shops, flea markets and salvage yards. \I suppose if I hadn't become an actor,\ she said, \I might have become a writer But most of all, I think, 1 would have wanted to be a Fine artist. \Painting is rather special. It's something you can do when you're by yourself. Also, on those days when you come to work and nobody agrees with anybody on what we're doing and you become angry with yourself, it would be nice to be able to go alone into a studio with just your tubes of paint.\ Anne talked about Kate and the change in the character since the show began \At first, we knew very little about her We'd just see her move across a room, plump a pillow, water the plants I felt this wasn't who Kate should be; that there probably wasn't a woman left in the country who just majored in hus- band and children. Kate seemed not to have any interests of her own. But that was changed. She got a job. She has hobbies. And although she became pregnant soon after, she did continue working...\ . . Andrea Elson, who plays Lynn Tanner, the eldest daughter in the Tanner household, is 19. She was born in New York and raised in Chicago where her father was in advertising and her mother in public relations. At age nine, she took up horseback riding, learning how to ride \English style\ (the most dim- cult equestrian form) and although she recalls being thrown the first time, \I realized that if I didn't get right back on then and there, I never would again.\ She applies this philosophy to everything she does, believing that if you want something enough, you hang in there and keep going for it Two years ago, she was graduated from high school and takes courses at UCLA. Currently, she's studying art history. \The show takes up most of my available time,\ she said. \We work five days a week, sometimes 12 hours a day. But someday 1 hope to find time to get a degree.\ All that work certainly has paid off. ALF is a bona fide success. But when it debuted, the ratings weren't overwhelming, nor were the critics receptive. However, the series caught on. \I know it was slow at first,\ Andrea said. \But I always felt the show would either be a hit or a miss; it was a high concept series from the beginning which meant it could never be anything in between. It was just a matter of the public accepting ALF for who he is and for accepting the show for what it is. It was an incredible idea — our creators are really,\ she laughed, \•creative! \I had a feeling the audience might hesitate at first But once they started watching, they realized we are really a very funny show and you can have a wonderful time watching us\ Andrea Elson feels she's grown up with ALF. \I went through the awkward stage — braces and all, in front of millions of people.\ Cast of M ALF\ Asked to describe what might well be considered a unique experience for a young actress, she said, \Not only unique, but strange. When I was told I'd been chosen for the show, I felt very lucky, but I had no real idea of what was going to happen. I didn't meet ALF until the first day of work. It all turned out to be the strangest and also the greatest experience I've ever had.\ How did she feel when she saw herself on screen with ALF after that first show was filmed? \Tall Very tall.\ Does Andrea think that future producers will stereotype her as the \ALF girl?\ She laughed. \Not at all,\ Andrea said \It's-really not that kind of show. Besides, they've been wonder- ful to me. They've allowed me to grow up on the show, and they've given me the transitions so that I could, someday, take on new roles.\ Lynn Tanner will go to college next season. Til be Irving at home and I can see ALF having A LOT to say about my college courses — and maybe even being a little jealous because Lynn won't have as much time for him as she did before.** How does Lynn really see ALF? \As a 230-year-old kid brother who exasperates her, but whom she loves very much.\ And how does Andrea see him? \like a kid brother. I do have a sister, but not a brother. But if I had one in real life, I would want him to be like ALF.\ €> I960 by King Feature* Synd. Fewer high school seniors used drugs regularly in 1988 Drug use among U.S. high school seniors appears to be on the decline, according to a recent national survey. In 1978, 37 percent of •the high school seniors surveyed said they had used marijuana in the last 30 days, compared to only 18 percent in 1988. DRUG USE AMONG HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, 1988 in percent claimng that they had used the drug within 30 days: 40% 37% 77 78 79 '80 '81*82 SOURCE: Unfccnfty * McNgwi't Irwtflut* tor Sodaf © 19M Nortti America Syndic*.. Inc Your Search ver The Quality of Life You Have Always Wanted Awaits You at Madison Barracks in Sackets Harbor, N.Y. 13685 (315)646-2065/2066 1 Bedroom Starts @ $425 2 Bedroom Starts @ $475 EQUIPPED WITH TOP OF THE LINE APPLIANCES A PLANNED HISTORIC RESORT COMMUNITY Dollars n Sense by Bryon Etson To really understand the investment value of a savings account, you have to know how often the interest earned on your money is compounded Compounding means that your interest is added to your savings, so that your interest earns more interest. Interest can be compounded in any IIUIHUT of ways: daily, monthly semi-annually. or annually. In general, the shorter the compounding period, the more total interest you earn on the account. Look at the difference compounding makes. A one-year CD advertising a 10-percent \simple\ interest rate would earn $1(X) in interest on a $1,000 deposit at maturity By comparison, the same 10 percent compounded daily would be equivalent to an account earning 10.52 percent — torsrr&turn of $ltXt20 on the same one-year CD. Now, that extra $520 may not seem a lot to you, but those dollars can add up faster than you might expect. In the above example, an account earning a non- compounded interest rate of 10 percent would double in value in 7 2 years If compounded daily, the same account would double approximately one-and-a-half years earlier Another advertising method shows the \effective annual yield.\ which provides a more accurate gauge for those shopping for the best savings account This figure reflects the impact that compounding has on the annual interest rate. By comparing effective annual yields between two or more accounts, you can get a fairly accurate idea of how hard your money will be working for you in the account. < A simple comparison of yields may not work, however, if you are comparing taxable investments to those exempt from taxes, such as a municipal bond. The actual yield of a tax-exempt account depends not only on the account's interest rate and compounding method, but also on your tax bracket. If you are in the 33-percent bracket, a 5-percent, tax-free yield is really the equivalent of a 7 5-percent taxable yield A few other points must be resolved before you know that the account with the highest annual yield will actually provide you with the best bottom-line earnings. For instance, some accounts require you to deposit a specific amount in order to get the advertised yield While the boldly printed rate and yield numbers may catch your eye. the ad may make no mention about any minimum deposit Another factor to consider when choosing a savings account is whether the institution imposes restrictions on or charges fees for establishing, maintaining, or terminat- ing your account According to a Federal Reserve Board study some depositors are paying fees as high as $60 a year Some banks that offer the convenience of automatic teller machines charge as much as $1 for each transaction conducted at one of their machines. € 1988 by King Features Synd The ills of houseplants By Patrick Denton Copley News Service I'm' fond of grouping houseplants pleasingly throughout my home, espe- cially during the winter But, like many indoor gardening enthusiasts. I have to admit that pots are not exactly a natural con- dition for the tropical plants we enjoy It's rather difficult in most of our homes to duplicate the abundance of fresh air and high levels of humidity in which these plants flourish in nature Still, there are ways of making life more pleasant for our houseplants Here are a few of the ills that most commonly befall in- door plants, with some tips on how to avoid them OVERWATERING This is the most common cause of houseplant prob- lems during the late fall and winter Leaves, begin- ning with older, lower leaves, yellow, dry and rot Other leaves may wilt Empty unrooted soil or plants without well-estab- lished root systems make overwatering almost inevi- table — a good case for keeping plants in slightly tight pots, and for repot- ting houseplants in spring or early summer when the plants are actively grow- ing rather than in autumn as they head into a rest pe- riod Reduce water in winter except for plants in active growth or flower. Wait until a good top layer of soil has thoroughly dried and the pot feels lighter than usual when lifted Then water thoroughly with room temperature or tepid water Empty the drainage saucer to prevent re-absorption into the pot. LOW HUMIDITY Even in humid climates the air inside heated homes will often be dry enough to cause tropical plants some stress Leaf tips and edges brown and dry, leaves on new plants drop, leaf edges curl, flower buds either do not form or drop before opening, spider mites thrive Increase humidity by frequent washing of the fo- rr/ J HAPPY 2nd ANNIVERSARY PUBLIC INVITED TO VOTE ON DISPLAY OF CUSTOMERS NEEDLEWORK IN ANNUAL COMPETITION Now thru Sat.. June 17th THE STITCH STATION 106 Court St., 782-0877 Watertown ) UMANS V, 7/7. r GRADUATION SPECIAL •7208 MSRP •7099 Pontiac Park Price College Grad. Discount Rebate *700 $ 5999 15 MORE TO CHOOSE FROM Price TeHecu all appbeafcie Models and ducounts vary Backyard Gardener luge and by setting pots on watertight trays of damp pebbles A group of pots on one large pebble tray will receive the benefit of a large evaporating surface. Using a bumidifer, or mist- ing Ifee plants several mornings a week, and lowering the temperature, are farther-aids in boosting humidity levels. NOT ENOUGH LIGHT A chronic fall and winter houseplant problem in some areas. Stems elon- gate and lean for more light, a condition known to trip home security system alarms. Distances increase between leaves and oldest, lower leaves drop. New growth is weak, pale, straggly. Flowering plants stop blooming, variegated plants lose their distinctive coloring and split leaf phi- lodendrons cease splitting Gradually move affected plants to a brighter loca- tion If no brighter light is available place the plant near some artificial light source. Take cuttings to start younger plants to bush out or flower in some supplemental light HEAT TOO HIGH If you love to live in high heat, stick to warmth-lov- ing plants like cactus, be- gonias, African violets, dracaena and spa the flow- ers Most plants prefer slightly coolish tempera- tures of 70 degrees Fahrenehit or a little cool- er, with a slight drop at night in high heat new growth is pale and weak, leaves dry and crumble, flower buds wither, flowers shrivel fast OVER-FERTILIZING if fertilizers designed to |>romote active growth continue to be given while a plant m naturally declin- ing light levels is DO longer able to extract nutneots jfrom the oil fertiliser salt* will accumulate as a white crust on the toil furface and inside the pot run A white coating will appear on the outside of a clay pot Since high salt levels re- strict the ability of a plant Ho absorb water the plant may wilt New growth may be stqpted. malformed or bUcfceoed. and leaf tips will brows despite ade- quate w*ten&f and anmmi n? *T**L Scrape and scrub mwMy the bmidup Letc* Ue soil several times wit* tepid water And thee there are the HI be 4t*eribiftf of the •ad wfcat to to i i