James Cromwell

New positionsDVO Inc., a direct marketing firm in Columbia, named Laura Tarabini regional marketing manager.U.S. Army Corps of Engineers named Col. J. Richard Capka Baltimore district engineer.Baltimore Magazine appointed Lois Perschetz style editor. Ms. Perschetz was senior editor of Women's Wear Daily and W.Ruppert Landscape Co. Inc. in Ashton announced these appointments: Phil Key, corporate sales representative; John Hipp, Maryland landscape management sales coordinator; Chuck Whealton, area manager; Fred Key and Donna Gignac members of the accounting department.

Stars like Will Smith may shine in hot-weather action comedies, cruising to box-office victory in souped-up vehicles with the top down. But the autumn movie season has always relied more on teamwork than on personal bests. The fall is when the major studios roll out multicharacter literary adaptations and entertainment that relies more on fresh observation and risky subject matter, less on formula and shtick. These movies require solid acting companies to put them over. On paper, the troupes assembled this autumn dwarf ensembles past in their quality and diversity.

NORFOLK, Va. - For 20 years, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has waged a brutal war in the name of kindness. It champions the welfare of animals with a flinty, take-no-prisoners strategy that has alienated a growing group of humans. Among them are the likely cast of hunters, meatpackers, dairymen, furriers and animal researchers. Perhaps more surprisingly, the list also includes fellow animal advocates, some of them former PETA employees, who complain of a zealous culture that has little tolerance for the squeamish.

AberdeenThere will be a new look for Aberdeen's boys basketball team this season, as only two players are back from last year's county champions and regional finalists (21-3).Senior Thomas Williams, at 6 feet 3 the squad's tallest player, is a holdover starter who averaged 10.8 points and 7.3 rebounds.But gone are three other double-figure scorers who helped give the team balance and speed and guided it to three straight regional finals.Paul Smith, a junior guard, is the other returning player.