Supernatural

For the third or fourth time during the interview, Jayne Hitchcock is assuring that she is not, in fact, a lunatic.No one has leveled the accusation at her, but Hitchcock's defensiveness is understandable. She has seen the customary rolling of eyes after identifying herself as a spirit chaser. Enough of that sort of reaction and she changed the name of her group from "Maryland Ghosthunters" to something she deemed more sober-sounding: "Supernatural Investigators of Maryland."The next afternoon, her organization of sleuths would be launching itself into action, visiting an Ellicott City pub supposedly haunted by more than the occasional drunk.

Federal Hill's resident psychic didn't say a word to lure people into her blue tent - she just motioned them in with her hand. "I can tell they want to come in by their look," said Sylvia Eli, whose $5 palm readings were among the many attractions at the neighborhood's Spring Block Party yesterday. "I can tell they want to come in by their look," she said. "It's a gift." And here, near stands selling frozen margaritas by the blender-full and dripping cheese fries, they asked about love, ambition and wealth.

Mexican-born filmmaker Guillermo del Toro plants kernels of truth within cornucopias of inspired grotesquerie. In his own words, he makes "eye protein, not eye candy. " His chef d'oeuvre — to date — is "Pan's Labyrinth" (2006), the rare fairy tale to win three Academy Awards. Equally provocative and cathartic, it's an inspired choice for viewing and discussion at the splendid FilmTalk series at the Central Library on Saturday. Set in 1944 Spain, the story tests the mettle of its 12-year-old heroine, Ofelia, when she travels with her mother to a remote military outpost.

Director Eric Schaeffer has said he was going for a haunting effect in his production of the James Goldman-Stephen Sondheim musical, Follies, at Signature Theatre, and there's no question that he has achieved it. This is an interpretation that's spooky from start to finish. Set designer Lou Stancari's environmental approach, replete with blackened walls and fallen beams, makes it look as if the Arlington, Va., theater is about to cave in around you. The production begins with the ghost light for illumination (the lighting is by Chris Lee)

Ed Okonowicz has a knack for mixing history with its ghosts. On a recent afternoon, he demonstrated his storytelling technique with a yarn about the Jericho Covered Bridge. He began with facts: The bridge was built in the 1800s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Then he sprinkled in some hair-raising legends. In one account, people claimed they saw slaves hanging from the bridge's rafters; in another, some said their cars inexplicably stalled on the bridge. "My stories are 50 percent history and 50 percent ghost stories," said Okonowicz, a 59-year-old Elkton resident.

For years, merchants and staff at Savage Mill have believed the place is haunted. Now Howard County Tourism Inc. is turning that into an asset for the 19th-century mill turned boutique shopping center. On Friday and Saturday nights through next month, the new Ghost Walks in Historic Savage Mill combines local history with tales of ghostly apparitions, unseen tricksters and unexplained occurrences. They also encourage visitors to shop and dine at the mill. It is a combination that has worked well in Ellicott City, where the tourism group's ghost tours have drawn approximately 4,000 people in the past year and where merchants saw ticket holders come in to redeem the discounts on the back of the passes.

It was too dark in the auditorium to see her, but the woman standing at the microphone could be heard clearly.She had experienced a vision, she said, "of a volcano -- huge -- glowing orange. I knew it was about to blow any minute. The spirit has begun to trickle down the sides, but the big explosion is about to come."That explosion, say leaders of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, is a new era in God's kingdom, marked by massive healings and conversions.The Severn church, which holds its services at a local high school, bills itself as "the church that heals," both physically and emotionally.

Record of the year "Smooth" Santana Album of the Year "Supernatural" Santana Song of the Year "Smooth" Itaal Shur and Rob Thomas (Santana featuring Rob Thomas) New Artist Christina Aguilera Pop Album "Brand New Day" Sting Rock Album "Supernatural" Santana R&B Album "Fanmail" TLC MORE WINNERS ON PAGE 5E

Marnie, er, Antonia is in full-on attack mode. High-yo, silver, away! "The sun" -- Jessica Call Bill what you will: A boorish politican, heartless-on-the-surface ruler, gold card member of Jos. A Bank. But he had a seemingly good plan to combat Marnie/Antonia's plot against all of vampire kind. And he did it fairly quickly. American Congress -- take note. MY ANTONIA: Basically, the whole Marnie as Antonia's rise to power and fast plan to wreak vengeance against vampires was the best part of this slow episode.

4Kids: FEATURED SITE of the month THE SUPERNATURAL WORLD Ghosts, mermaids, fairies and even Santa Claus have all found a place to reside on the Internet at http: / / library.thinkquest.org / 27922. Yes, it's the Supernatural World! A variety of beliefs, beings and powers are discussed at this exciting out-of-this-world Web site. Examples of the supernatural influence in our history are highlighted in the Supernatural in Art and Literature section. Learn where fairies live and how to identify a werewolf.