360 March 19, 2020

Thursday, March 19, 2020 - E1

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

THE OUTDOORS: OPEN FOR BUSINESS PAGE 3

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday March 19, 2020

LOCAL PAGE 5 County libraries present a fun digital option ONLINE PAGE 7

Children can have stories read to them by celebrities

E2 - Thursday, March 19, 2020

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK

YOUR ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION GUIDE TO WHAT’S GOING ON IN SKAGIT COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS

Inside Get Involved............................... 4 Another Option: Libraries........ 5 UNIVERSAL PICTURES VIA AP

Whatcom County Trails........... 5

Dean-Charles Chapman (left) and George MacKay are shown in a scene from “1917.”

“1917”: Two young British soldiers fighting in World War I, Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Lance Corporal Schofield (George MacKay), are sent on an deathly dangerous mission: to cross behind enemy lines and deliver the message that the Germans, thought to be retreating, will overwhelm 1,600 men planning to attack. Among them is Blake’s brother, and the attack must be stopped.

The cast is commanding with Chapman and MacKay at the helm (not to mention great cameos by Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch and Andrew Scott, to name a few). Chapman gives Blake playful charisma and a heartbreaking dedication to his mission and brother, while MacKay instills quiet power in his emotive expressions.

And the story is compelling, based on fragments of a real-life war story of writer-director Sam Mendes’ grandfather.

But cinematographer Roger Deakins steals the show with his technical wizardry of making the film appear to be one continuous shot, giving it an immersive, often video gamelike feel

(the movie won best cinematography, visual effects and sound mixing at this year’s Academy Awards).

“The film is a stunning feat of cinematography, production design and performance moving seamlessly as one piece,” wrote Tribune News Service writer Katie Walsh in her review. “The camera is almost a spectral presence, floating across muddy craters filled with bodily decay, circling around characters to reveal their spatial relationship to one another, winding its way through crowds of young soldiers sharing a moment of peace in the woods. At first the camera follows our pair, but in the last act, it tends to lead our young messenger on the journey’s final leg, as he pushes through soldiers lining a white-walled trench and bolts down a battlefield littered with bombs.”

ALSO NEW ON DVD MARCH 24 “CLEMENCY”: A prison warden (Alfre Woodard) grapples with the consequences of carrying out executions.

“THE GRUDGE”: After a series of killings in a haunted

house, a detective (Andrea Riseborough) investigates as the curse continues.

“THE SONG OF NAMES”: Years after his adopted violinist brother disappears, a man encounters a young musician who shares a remarkably similar style. Tim Roth and Clive Owen star.

“TREADSTONE: SEASON ONE”: The USA Network drama follows a black ops program in the Jason Bourne universe.

OUT ON DIGITAL HD MARCH 24 “BIRDS OF PREY”: Reeling from her breakup with the Joker, Harley Quinn (Margot Robie) teams up with three women to take down the evil Black Mask, among others. Costars include Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Ewan McGregor. Available on DVD and Blu-ray in May. “CUNNINGHAM”: Documentary follows the life of legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham.

“DOLITTLE”: A quirky doctor who talks with animals (Robert Downey Jr.) races to help save Queen

Victoria (Jessie Buckley) from a serious illness. Look for it on DVD and Blu-ray April 7.

“THE GENTLEMEN”: An expat in London (Matthew McConaughey) faces layers of schemes while attempting to sell off his weed business.

“HUNTER’S MOON”: A sheriff (Thomas Jane) meets a malevolent force after responding to an attack on a trio of teenage girls.

“JUST MERCY”: Based on a true story, a young defense attorney (Michael B. Jordan) helps Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx) appeal his murder conviction.

OUT ON DIGITAL HD MARCH 27 “BANANA SPLIT”: The summer after her high school graduation, a newly single girl (Hannah Marks) befriends her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend (Liana Liberato).

“VIVARIUM”: A young couple get trapped in a maze of a homogeneous suburban development. Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg star.

– Katie Foran-McHale, Tribune News Service

Out & About............................... 6 Hot Tickets................................. 6 Entertainment............................ 7 SUBMISSIONS Email: features@skagitpublishing.com Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday for the following Thursday edition Phone 360-416-2135 Address Skagit Publishing 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274 Online events calendar To list your event on our website, visit goskagit.com and look for the Events Calendar on the home page

HAVE A STORY IDEA? Contact Features Editor Craig Parrish at 360-416-2135 or features@skagitpublishing.com

TO ADVERTISE 360-424-3251

Thursday, March 19, 2020 - E3

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Time to get moving Hiking, biking and outdoors take center stage

TRAIL GUIDES, BIKE MAPS & MORE Learn about opportunities to be physically active in Skagit County, including trail guides, an activity tracker and local resources at wta.org/ go-hiking/hikes/port-ofskagit-nature-trails.

SCOTT TERRELL / SKAGIT VALLEY HERALD FILE

By Skagit Valley Herald staff

Restaurants and bars might be on hiatus, but great views of the Pacific Northwest are still wide open and waiting for hikers to take them in.

Mount Erie on Fidalgo Island is the perfect hike for someone who might not want to commit to hiking, because in addition to having a 5-mile trail to the top, there’s also an access road going all the way up. At the top, dots of land in water continue all the way to the horizon, making it a great place to sit and take in a spectacular view for a spell.

The Pipeline Loop in Snohomish County takes hikers on a 3.3-mile journey up to a scenic viewpoint

time to get the bikes out to explore Skagit County’s great outdoors.

Cascade Trail runs from Sedro-Woolley to Concrete through wooded areas near Highway 20.

Kulshan Creek Trail is an urban, 5-mile path in Mount Vernon from Waugh Street to Fourth Street. The flat trail is easy for kids to keep up on, and a way to see the town while following proper safety regulations.

The Tommy Thompson Trail in Anacortes boasts excellent views of Fidalgo Bay and uses an abandoned railroad trestle. The path is paved, BIKING OPTIONS flat and 3.3 miles one way. It starts As the weather turns around and at the Port of Anacortes and conpeople are encouraged to refrain tinues to the March Point refineries from social gatherings, it’s a great area. with views on all sides. The trail starts in Lord Hill Park, which offers plenty of other fun trails and nature to explore.

Oyster Dome in the Chuckanut Mountains is renowned for its sweeping view of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands. This 7.9mile hike goes past bat caves and through forested area until cresting upon a large rocky area. Dogs are allowed, but must remain on leash.

It can be accessed on Chuckanut Drive or from the Samish Overlook.

SKAGIT VALLEY HERALD FILE

Padilla Bay trailhead

E4 - Thursday, March 19, 2020

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

GET INVOLVED

ART

98221 STUDIO TOUR CALL TO ARTISTS: Applications for the fifth annual 98221 Studio Tour through the Anacortes Arts Commission are available to artists living or operating out of a studio within the 98221 Zip code.

Available at anacortesartscommission.com or various art shops around town. Applications due by Tuesday, May 15; the tour is Oct. 17-18.

ART CLASSES

MUSEUM OF NORTHWEST ART: 121 S. First St., La Conner. monamuseum.org. n Color Theaory with Acrylic Paints: 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9. $18, ages 13-plus. n My “Dad” and Me: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16. Open to children

and any male figure. n Drawing in the Galleries with Jean Behnke: 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30. $30.

WRITING

WOOLLEY WRITERS GROUP: The Woolley Writers meet twice per month for workshops, exercises and breaking through blocks. Sessions are 5 p.m. first Tuesdays and third Wednesdays at the Central Skagit Library, 802 Ball St., Sedro-Woolley.

POETRY CONTEST: Area poets are invited to apply to the fourth annual Phyllis L. Ennes Poetry Contest. Poets should submit three unpublished works in a word document to skagitcontest@gmail. com by April 30. A separate document should in-

clude contact information. $20 submission fee. The winner will be notified in August and invited to read their work at the Skagit River Poetry Festival, Oct. 1-4, and receives $500 in cash. skagitriverpoetry.org.

DANCE

SKAGIT SEEDLINGS: Learn a variety of different dances at Skagit Seedlings, 1909 S. Second St., Mount Vernon. 425-238-6286.

Next up: n Adult West Coast Swing: 5-7 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month. $7 per class. n Adult Ballet: 3-4 p.m.

Wednesdays until June 3. $65. n Adult Belly Dancing: 5:45-6:45 p.m. Mondays through March 30. $75.

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DANCE: The Clan Heather Dancers offer year-round Scottish Highland and Irish step dance classes in Bellingham, Everett and Mount Vernon. clanheather.com.

MONDAY DANCING CANCELLED: Dancing normally scheduled for 1-3 p.m. Mondays at the Mount Vernon Senior Center has been postponed until further notice. Information: Kenneth Kossman (360-336-3682) or the center (360-416-1585).

RECREATION

SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS EXPLORATION CLASS: 7-8:30 p.m.

Mondays in March, Skagit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 500 W. Section St., Mount Vernon. A nonsecular time of light instruction about how the human body moves.

Then together we explore movements to enhance the spirit within us. All ages.

Suggested donation $5 each week or $20 for five weeks. Andra (541-6192675).

HOST FAMILIES: Greenheart is looking for families to host an exchange student next year at high schools in Skagit County. Students have their own spending money, medical insurance, and speak good-to-excellent English. Host families provide a bed and three meals per day, and can host for three, five or 10 months. Information: 360659-3603.

SWING THE GATES 5K: The Deception Pass Park Foundation will host a 5-kilometer fun run/walk at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 29, at the East Cranberry Lake shelter, 41020 Highway 20, Oak Harbor.

Registration: $20 ages 4-11,

ages 12 and older. skagit. ws/39viu3H. More info: dpbeachnaturalist@gmail. com.

KEEPIN’ IT REEL: DECEPTION PASS TROUT DERBY: 9 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at Deception Pass State Park, 41020 Highway 20, Oak Harbor. $15-25. deceptionpassfoundation. org/events/keepin-it-reeltrout-derby.

TOUR DE LOPEZ BIKE RIDE: The 17th annual family-friendly bike ride starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts, 204 Village Road, Lopez. Ride through a scenic rural path and enjoy snacks, lunch, music and free parking included in ticket price of $30 for youths, $50 for adults, $130 for families of four. lopezisland.com.

ENCORE FITNESS: Encore Fitness offers group exercise classes at the Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main St., Concrete. All levels welcome, drop-in classes.

360-466-8754. n Simply Strong: 5:45 p.m. Mondays. n Pilates/Yoga Fusion: 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays. n Dance-Fit: 5:45 p.m.

Wednesdays. n Pump Plus: 7 a.m.

Fridays. n Zumba: 8 a.m. Saturdays.

BURLINGTON PARKS AND RECREATION: The Burlington Parks and Recreation Department hosts a variety of one-day and multiple-day sports and recreation classes.

Prices vary. 360-755-9649 or burlingtonwa.gov/parksandrec. n Youth Decoy Bird Carving and Painting: 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays through April 22. $40.

Ages 10-17. n Adult Decoy Bird Carving and Painting: 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays through April 22. $60. n DSLR Photography Level 1: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. Ages 12 and older. $45 per class. n Photography Composition and Editing: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, March 26. Ages 12 and older. $45 per class.

FRIENDS OF THE FOREST HIKES: Join the Friends of the Forest for scenic hikes in the forest lands around Anacortes.

Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. No pets.

Free. 360-293-3725 or friendsoftheacfl.org. n Big Beaver Pond Loop: Three-mile roundtrip hike through beaver territory at 9 a.m.

Friday, March 20. Meet at the Little Cranberry Lake parking lot. Listed as intermediate. n Little Round Top Traverse: Five-mile traverse through Whistle Lake at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 28.

Meet at Heart Lake parking lot. Listed as advanced.

GUIDED WALKS: Friends of the Camano Island Parks hosts a series of guided walks for the public at 9:50 a.m. the first Saturday of each month.

Dress for weather and wear sturdy shoes. No dogs.

Suggested donation $1. friendsofcamanoislandparks.org. n April 4: A 2-mile walk on the perimeter of the Four Springs Lake Preserve. Meet at the parking area at the preserve.

EDITOR’S NOTE Readers are advised to contact the organizers or venues to confirm that events or performances will go on as scheduled.

Thursday, March 19, 2020 - E5

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Tips on staying healthy

By Skagit Valley Herald staff

Upon recommendations by the Center for Disease Control, all gatherings of more than 50 people, including school, have been cancelled for the next six weeks in Washington state by Gov. Jay Inslee. Restaurants, bars and entertainment areas are also temporarily closed for in-person service.

According to the CDC, the best ways to prevent spreading COVID-19 are to practice good hygiene by frequently washing hands for at least 20 seconds, avoiding close contact with anyone who

Many area businesses are adjusting schedules to limit people’s exposure to viruses, but there are plenty of opportunities to utilize the library systems in Skagit County to stay entertained while isolating.

Anyone with a

library card is able to visit their local library online and browse a digital collection.

This includes e-books, audiobooks, music, movies and TV. Most physical locations are closed to the public, but the online sites have links and directions for how to download content.

Some bookstores are also offering home deliveries, like Watermark Book Company in Anacortes. Customers itching to lay their hands on physical books can prepay and a staff member from Watermark will deliver the book to anywhere within the Anacortes city limits.

Best trails in Whatcom County

By Skagit Valley Herald staff

While social distancing is in place to curb the spread of COVID-19, Whatcom County’s trails remain a way to stay safe and healthy during a time of limited interaction. Here are some of the best places in the county to spend time with the great outdoors. n Stimpson Family Nature Reserve: Trailhead starts at 2076 Lake Lousie Road, Bellingham, and goes through four miles of hiking trails through oldgrowth forest and two ponds. No bikes or dogs are allowed in the reserve. n Deming Homestead Eagle Park: At

5615 Truck Road, this park has fields and forests that edge the North fork Nooksack River. This time of year, the aptly named park boasts visits from bald eagles that feast on salmon. n Interurban Trail: This trail starts at the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead and uses an old train route that ceased service in 1928 but has since become a relaxing, mostly flat 6-mile hike through Fairhaven, Larrabee State Park and out to the expansive views on Chuckanut.

For more information, visit co.whatcom.wa.us/1913/Parks-Trails.

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Libraries present a constant entertainment option

is sick, staying home when feeling unwell, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

Anyone who believes they may have caught COVID-19 should stay away from others, even those in the same house, to limit exposure. Be sure to call ahead to a doctor’s office before visiting and follow their instructions to ensure others in the office don’t become infected.

Stay at home during isolation as much as possible to limit possible transmissions. Even asymptomatic people can carry the virus to others.

E6 - Thursday, March 19, 2020

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

OUT AND ABOUT

ART

STEVEN R. HILL: The pastel work of Lopez Island artist Steven Hill is featured at the Scott Milo Gallery, 420 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, until March 31. 360-293-6938.

ARTIST’S BEST: A juried gallery show with new works in a variety of mediums is on display until March 31 at The Good Stuff Arts gallery, 604 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Peggy Woods is the featured artist for the month. 360-755-3152.

LISA MCSHANE: The interaction between water, land and light is the main element of Lisa McShane’s paintings, which are featured until March 29 at Smith & Vallee Gallery, 5742 Gilkey Ave., Edison.

360-766-6230.

MORE FUN

DAFFODIL TWEED RIDE: Dress in tweed, or any smart-looking outfit, to ride through a scenic route into daffodil fields to enjoy a picnic lunch with friends and families, at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, leaving from the La Conner Coffee Co., 604 S. First St., La Conner.

Return at 2 p.m. to join a party until 6 p.m. at Hellam’s Vineyard, 109 N. First St., La Conner. This a British-themed event. sprocketscience.com/ thedandydaffodil.

MEET YOUR FARMER CSA FAIR: Join Sustainable Connections for a CSA Fair for Bellingham and Whatcom residents to learn about getting farm fresh food in a weekly box, at noon Saturday, March 28, at Boundary Bay Brewey Mountain Room, 1107 Railroad Ave., Bellingham.

360-647-7093.

HOT TICKETS

LOOKING AHEAD

Community Services will host its annual black tie fundraising gala with dinner, raffles and a live auction on Saturday, April 18, at Angel of the Winds Casino Resort, Arlington. $75 per person or $500 for a table. villagegala2020. eventbrite.com.

DEEP SEA VOLCANOES: Friends of Skagit Beaches will present a talk on “Deep Sea Volcanoes: A Fiber-optic Look at Eruptions, Hot Springs & Life Forms” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, at Northwest Educational Services District, 1601 R Ave., Anacortes. Free.

SPAGHETTI OPEN HOUSE: Get to know the Camp Kirby grounds and enjoy some spaghetti from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the camp, 4734 Samish Point Road, Bow. $10 suggested.

”HANSEL & GRETL & HEIDI & GUNTER”: Village Theatre will present a new musical penned by two Northwest natives from April 24-May 17, at the Everett location, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. villagetheatre.org.

INTERWOVEN LIVES: Candace Wellman will present “Interwoven Lives” Indigenous Mothers of Salish Coast Communities” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes.

MODEL RAILROAD OPEN HOUSE: The Whatcom Skagit Model Railroad Club will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at 1469 Silver Run Lane, Alger, off Old Highway 99. $3 suggested donation.

TULIP FESTIVAL: The Street Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, April 17-19, in downtown Mount Vernon. For more information on the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which runs April 1-30, visit tulipfestival.org.

VILLAGE GALA 2020: The nonprofit Village EDITOR’S NOTE Readers are advised to contact the organizers or venues to confirm that events or performances will go on as scheduled.

SCHMOOZE FAIR: Win prizes, sample foods and connect with friends and colleagues at this business-to-business trade show from 4 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 23, at Van Zyverden Bulb Warehouse, 12035 Higgins Airport Way, Burlington. $15. skagit.org.

BUILDING DREAMS AUCTION: The second annual Building Dreams dinner and auction to support families and affordable homes will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, April 24, at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes. There will be live and silent auctions. $60 per person, proceeds support Home Trust. my360tix.com.

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE April 28, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma; May 1, Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C. ORLEANS, FIREFALL: March 27, Tulalip Resort Casino Orca Ballroom, Tulalip.

360-716-6000 or tulalipresortcasino.com.

TOWER OF POWER: April 2-5, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle. 206-441-9729 or jazzalley.com.

AMY GRANT: April 4, Pantages Theater, Tacoma.

253-591-5894 or TacomaArtsLive.org.

CORB LUND: April 10, Tractor Tavern, Seattle. 866777-8932 or ticketweb.com.

GRAND FUNK RAILROAD: April 10, Tulalip Resort Casino Orca Ballroom, Tulalip. 360-716-6000 or tulalipresortcasino.com.

BILLIE EILISH: April 10, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma. 800745-3000 or livenation.com.

CARLY RAE JEPSEN: April 14-15, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

ALICE COOPER: April 20, McCaw Hall, Seattle. 800745-3000 or ticketmaster. com.

DAUGHTRY 2020: April 24, Tulalip Resort Casino Orca Ballroom, Tulalip. 360716-6000 or tulalipresortcasino.com.

MILKY CHANCE: April 24, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 800745-3000 or livenation.com.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH: April 23, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

DARKEST HOUR, MISERY SIGNALS: April 25, El Corazon, Seattle. 206-262-0482 or elcorazonseattle.com.

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE: April 28, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma. 800-7453000 or livenation.com.

ALLAGAEON, FALLUJAH, ENTHEOS, ETHERIUS: April 29, Club Sur, Seattle. 206-6074929 or seattleclubsur.com.

Support Small Business Shop & Eat Local in La Conner

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE: May 1, Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C. stubhub.com.

STURGILL SIMPSON, TYLER CHILDERS: May 20, Gorge Amphitheatre, George. 800-745-3000 or livenation.com.

DEAD CAN DANCE: May 3, Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 360-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

CHER: May 4, Angel of The Winds Arena, Everett.

866-332-8499 or angelofthewindsarena.com.

COMMODORES: May 8, Tulalip Resort Casino Orca Ballroom, Tulalip. 360-7166000 or ticketmaster.com.

ROLLING STONES: May 12, BC Place, Vancouver, B.C. rollingstones.com. ”ONCE ON THIS ISLAND”: May 12-24, 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle.

206-625-1900 or 5thavenue. org.

During this unprecedented period, McIntyre Hall remains closed and all scheduled events are cancelled through April 12.

Please be patient as the Box Office contacts Tickets holders regarding refunds or exchanges.

Please consider a donation as this shutdown is Particularly devastating to the arts in our community.

During this time the Box Office will be Open for PHONE SERVICE ONLY.

360.416.7727 mcintyrehall.org

Thursday, March 19, 2020 - E7

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

What to stream: ‘Mark Ruffalo Investigates’ movie marathon

By KATIE WALSH Tribune News Service

American life has drastically changed in just one week, thanks to the drastic spread of and efforts to contain the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

With movie theaters, bars, restaurants, and fitness centers shut down in major cities, and a government-issued directive to stay home and practice social distancing, now, more than ever, we need streaming movies and TV to keep us entertained in the comfort of our own homes in hopes of flattening the coronavirus curve.

Hollywood had the brakes thrown on their release schedule, and at least one major studio is taking steps to steer into the skid.

Comcast NBC Universal announced Monday they would make their films available for home viewing the same day as the theatrical release date. The first

major release to get this treatment will be “Trolls World Tour” on April 10, and in the meantime, on Friday, they’ll be making recent theatrical releases “The Hunt,” “The Invisible Man” and “Emma” available for rent “on a wide variety of the most popular on-demand services.”

A $19.99 rental fee will get you a 48-hour rental window to watch the films at home, so if you missed them in theaters, now is a great time to catch up.

But if you’re all caught up on new releases or looking for something else, now is the time to dive into older series you may have missed out on in the original airing, or curate a few themed film retrospectives to run in your home. Perhaps you’ve already exhausted “Contagion” and “Outbreak” and need something to soothe or distract from the fear and paranoia, but upbeat comedies just aren’t the right vibe. What

we’re all craving right now is a steady leader, calm, level-headed, moral and dedicated to justice.

If that sounds up your alley, the streaming movie marathon for you is what I’m calling “Mark Ruffalo Investigates.”

Start with David Fincher’s compulsively watchable 2007 film “Zodiac” (streaming on Netflix, also available for rent on iTunes and Amazon), in which Ruffalo plays real-life San Francisco cop Inspector David Toschi, widely considered to be the inspiration for both “Bullitt” and “Dirty Harry.” This late-’60s-set investigative procedural following the reporters and cops on the tail of the Zodiac Killer makes “Zodiac” a precursor to “Mindhunter,” and Ruffalo’s swaggering presence as Toschi is a comforting element in the excellent ensemble, which also includes Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr.

Next up: Tom McCarthy’s Best Picture-winning 2015 movie “Spotlight” (streaming on Hulu and available on Showtime, also for rent on iTunes and Amazon), about the Boston Globe reporting team that uncovered the child abuse scandal and cover-up with the Catholic Archdiocese. Another great ensemble cast includes Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Liev Schreiber. Ruffalo earned an Oscar nomination for his performance of dogged reporter Mike Rezendes, who is determined to root out the truth and bring justice to the victims.

Finally, finish up with Todd Haynes’ overlooked 2019 film “Dark Waters,” which is now available for rent on Amazon. In this chilly and chilling legal investigation, Ruffalo plays lawyer Rob Bilott, an Ohio corporate defense attorney who took on the powerful DuPont corporation and exposed decades of willful

At area theaters BLUE FOX DRIVE-IN Oak Harbor March 19-24 Onward (PG) and The Call of the Wild (PG): First movie begins at 7:30 p.m.

360-675-5667 ANACORTES CINEMAS 360-293-7000

poison and pollution, especially through their popular Teflon products.

In the vein of films like “Erin Brockovich,” “Dark Waters” demonstrates that shoe-leather investigation, interpersonal connection, and patient determination can bring justice against corporate malfeasance.

And if you need to add more films to your “Ruffalo Investigates” marathon, here are a few titles where he doesn’t play real people, but does do some excellent detective work. Try Jane Campion’s “In The Cut” (Crackle, Amazon, Criterion Channel), Michael Mann’s absolutely perfect

CONCRETE THEATER 360-941-0403 CASCADE MALL CINEMAS 360-707-2727 STANWOOD CINEMAS 360-629-0514

LA noir “Collateral” (Amazon), or Martin Scorsese’s 1950s insane asylum mystery “Shutter Island” (Hulu, Amazon, iTunes).

Don’t forget to get up off the couch, too! While many yoga and fitness studios are offering free or cheap online classes, can I suggest firing up “The Grind Hip Hop Aerobics” on YouTube, featuring Eric Nies of “The Real World”?

The ’90s house and hiphop jams are a blast, the “club-inspired” routine incredibly fun, and you’ll break a sweat and get your heart rate up for what feels like the first time in days.

Happy quarantining!

Stuck at home with kids? Amy Adams and other celebrities will read you a story

By CHRISTI CARRAS Los Angeles Times

Once upon a time, famous actors and authors united during a pandemic to ease children’s anxieties through storytelling.

Amy Adams, Josh Gad, Jennifer Garner and more stars are lending their voices to “Operation Storytime” and “Save With Stories,” initiatives aimed at lifting kids’ — and parents’ — spirits amid coronavirus-induced uncertainty.

Here’s how it works: Participants post social media videos of themselves reading various children’s books aloud to entertain self-quarantined families whose children are no longer in

school because of public health concerns.

“In case your day calls for a calming story,” Garner captioned her Instagram post, for which she recited Jan Brett’s winter wonderland tale, “The Mitten,” accompanied by her kid-friendly golden retriever.

Gad — who is accustomed to amusing kids as the voice of Olaf the snowman in “Frozen” — opted to read Shel Silverstein’s classic “The Giving Tree” and offered some support to families who have committed to social distancing.

“I also want to thank everyone who is in self-isolation right now. I know it’s hard not to be out there socializing with everybody. Trust me, I want to be out there, too,” the “Book of

Mormon” alum said. “But it’s important that all of us protect everybody who is somewhat fragile right now, or immunocompromised, so thank you.

And now I’m going to read a book that I have a lot of trouble getting through and haven’t actually read in a long time because I find it a difficult one.”

In addition to partnering with parenting blog Romper for “Operation Storytime,” Garner also collaborated with Adams for “Save With Stories,” a reading initiative started by nonprofit organizations Save the Children and No Kid Hungry. Similar to “Operation Storytime,” “Save With Stories” features Adams reciting Aviana Olea Le Gallo’s “The Dinosaur Princess” to her daughter and

KIRK MCKOY / LOS ANGELES TIMES

Amy Adams (pictured), Josh Gad, Jennifer Garner and more stars are lending their voices to “Operation Storytime” and “Save With Stories,” initiatives aimed at lifting kids’ spirits amid coronavirus-induced uncertainty.

Garner reading Ken Geist’s “The Three Little Fish and the

Big Bad Shark.”

“We are galvanizing as a community to support a new fund for a combined effort between SAVE THE CHILDREN and Share Our Strength’s NO KID HUNGRY,” Adams wrote on Instagram. “THIRTY MILLION CHILDREN in the United States rely on school for food. School closures will hit vulnerable communities hard.”

Both actresses also encouraged their fans to donate to Save the Children and No Kid Hungry in order to serve kids “affected by COVID-19,” who are experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic.

Anyone who wants to contribute can do so at savethechildren.org/savewithstories or text “SAVE” to 20222 for a one-

E8 - Thursday, March 19, 2020

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

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