Okay, so last issue I began my sermon saying that it was @$%#^%&*^* April and it was @%^$&^* snowing. As I pen (well, plunk) this, it is something in the neighborhood of 86 degrees! Gotta love Chicago. And folks will get ample opportunity to get out and enjoy the weather—for the forty-five seconds it lasts—because although things are stirring, there ain’t a whole lot of names to list this issue. There’s work, mind you, but we’re waiting on bookings, offers and memos, oh my. So soak up the (limited) sun and be ready for the parade o’ bookings next issue.

However my pets, before venturing out, take a moment to do something to halt runaway production. Oh Heavens to Betsy, is she on that again? You betcha. I know I’ve nagged about writing to our duly elected officials and no doubt all have taken pen in hand to do so. But I was reminded that following the recent anthrax unpleasantness, snail mail is taking even longer to reach the desks of our Senators and Congress-persons what with all the scanning and sorting and sniffing. What’s a constituent to do? Email is a great option. And where, pray tell, does one find out where to address your pleas, please? Call the good ole reliable Illinois Film Office. They will give you all the necessary info to keep them cards and letters (electronically) pouring in.

So what’s on the greening horizon? Film wise: The HBO feature Normal is looking very, very probable. Also for HBO’s Swago is looking pleasantly hopeful and interested and Uncle Nino looks very much as though it is a go. All of these are for summer. And, as ever, rumors abound.

A true fact, however, is that our own Rachel Tenner is commuting between our fair city and Los Angeles where she is working in association with Ellen Chenoweth (YES!) casting on the new Coen Brothers feature. Way to go! Meanwhile Mickie and the office is humming with loads of commercials for such clients as Sears, Meijers, Captain Crunch and Ceder Point. They booked Manao DeMuth for Centennial Wireless and Eva Pietris for Lutheran Hospital. They are working on the new NBC show "Endurance," a survival show for teens. On the big screen, they will be casting for an upcoming feature for Kick the Can.

We await word any minute on the bookings from Jane Alderman on the many commercials she’s casting.

Chicago Casting Center is conducting a search for the Paramount TV project "House Blend."

And Jaz Casting had bookings for Michael McNamara, Nancy Jane Nelson, Mark Forrest, Rocco Tortorella and Anna Grimone.

Searches continue at Claire Simon Casting for many projects. New to the long list are "She Spies" for NBC and "Wanda At Large" for ABC. They are also working on the feature film The Perfect Score and a short film Diagnosis Trauma.

Und Umlaut checks in with bookings for voice-overs. Booked were Connie Colbin, Stacy Parker, Eric Hunnicutt and Billy Cooper. Peter moved his office temporarily to 612 N. Taylor Street, Oak Park, 60302. Talent are asked to submit their headshots and resumes through agents ONLY as he is no longer accepting submissions via e-mail. You can certainly check out the Web site at www.umlautcasting.com, but submission the old fashioned way please and Peter apologizes for any inconvenience.

Speaking of agents, Lily’s announces the "Lucky Seven" for May. They are Tom Lind, Donato Cruz, Chong White, Philip White, Edward White (What, a White Sale?), Lily Johnson and Skylar Starks. Also lucky were other Lily’s clients with booking this fortnight. They include Tony Brown, Skylar Starks, Sarah Sexton, Susan Yoo, David DiCosola, Brandon Su, Tom Lind, Delano Dyson, Allen Alvarado, Lucy Bianchi, Leisl Helminiak, Corey Blount, Cairo Martin, Kisha Knazze, Kellie Halihan and Czarina Mirani who all had commercials. Industrials went to Rocco Tortorella and Kecia Cooper. And CJ Johnson and Allison Hart were booked in an independent film.

And, right after you nudge your representatives, Peace.