The Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. Ñ The Grateful Dead stopped truckinÕ

The band canceled its Sunday concert because a memberÕs father was critically ill, said publicist Dennis McNally. He didnÕt identify the band member.

The Grateful Dead did not cancel Monday nightÕs concert in Orlando or three upcoming shows in Miami.

SundayÕs cancellation left thousands of tie-dyed free spirits disappointed, but few seemed ungrateful. Many of the groupÕs fans dress in regalia out of the 1960s and follow the band from city to city.

ÒPeople will be sad,Ó said Inda Watrous, 22, who traveled with friends from New Britain, Conn., to see the show. ÒBut, weÕre like a big family; we understand.Ó

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NEW YORK Ñ How good is Jim MorrisÕ impersonation of the president? So good that it fooled the vice president.

The comedian agreed last week to help out staffers who were throwing a surprise birthday party for Vice President Al Gore. Morris called Gore and pretended to be President Clinton. The Veep bought it for a few minutes anyway.

ÒI guess I blew my cover when I said, ÔIÕm on the speaker phone? Then I guess IÕd better watch what I say about Jay Stephens,ÕÓ Morris said.

Stephens, a Republican, was hired to handle civil lawsuits emerging from the Whitewater affair.

Gore caught on, but Morris threw in one last zinger. ÒI closed with, ÔJust one more thing, Mr. Vice President: Keep your grubby little hands off my desk!ÕÓ

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NEW YORK Ñ Jodie Foster, a two-time Oscar winner who starred in ÒSilence of the Lambs,Ó is neither silent nor sheepish about trumpeting her abilities.

ÒYou either have it or you donÕt,Ó she says in the May issue of Vanity Fair. ÒIÕm in the best possible position I can be in, because I have talent, a commodity I can sell, that I can ram down peopleÕs throats.Ó

FosterÕs next role is as a poker-playing Southern belle in the film ÒMaverick,Ó a Western comedy based on the old TV series. She plays it for laughs and said she enjoys the change of pace.

ÒIÕve never been as happy and sane and unwhiny on a film before in my life,Ó she said.

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NEW YORK Ñ Debra Winger is calling attention to the plight of Jews living in the former Soviet Union.

ÒI want everyone to know that nearly 11.2 million Jews still live there amid fear of anti-Semitism, economic hardship and political chaos,Ó Winger says in a 60-second radio spot for the United Jewish AppealÕs Operation Exodus program. The program provides money to help Jews immigrate to

The radio spot began airing Monday. Read Next Article