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A "vBow" and a "vViolin" -- for virtual -- are being developed at Stanford University by Charles Nichols, a doctoral candidate in computer music theory and acoustics, heralding a possible new era in electronic music for "stringed instruments."

But there are no strings attached to Nichols' vViolin -- only servomotors and encoder sensors. Nichols, 34, is believed to be the first person to develop a virtual stringed instrument that uses "haptic feedback," where the musician actually feels as if he is playing a violin, according to Stanford officials.

Nichols' vBow is the first step toward creating a complete virtual violin. His vBow is a fiberglass rod that moves back and forth through a hole at the end of a robotic arm connected to an acrylic, violin-shaped base.

"This work came out of my work as a violinist and composer trying to write interactive computer music that was expressive for a performer and rich in timbral and dynamic contrast," Nichols said.

Nichols said he found MIDI violins unresponsive and prone to error, and set out to build an instrument that sends data instantaneously from many sensors into a computer.

The feel of the instrument is critical.

"An electronic instrument that doesn't take into account how the player responds to the feeling of playing is really missing half of the interface," Nichols said.

He has yet to develop vStrings for controlling pitch and must also construct the vBody. He predicts those steps will likely take a few years.

Nichols has a bachelor's degree in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music and a master's degree in music composition from Yale. He is starting in September as an assistant professor in composition and music technology at the University of Montana.

-- Bay City News Service contributed to this story.
Pesticide bill signed into law

A new bill authorizing the testing of safer alternatives to traditional pesticides was signed into law this week. The bill, authored by Assemblyman Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, will trigger a demonstration project at the state Capitol.

"The time to act is long overdue," Simitian said. "We have the ability to use less toxic alternatives to traditional pesticides amd herbicides, but we lack the experience here at the state. This project will give us an opportunity to put in place a high-visibility demonstration program at the Capitol itself, so we can establish that this is doable."

The bill, AB 2472, was proposed by constituents in Simitian's "There Oughta Be a Law" contest. Cindy Russell of Acterra in Palo Alto was one of the people who submitted the idea to Simitian.

AB 2472 is supported by Acterra, the Sierra Club, the California Public Interest Research Group, the League of Conservation Voters, and the Breast Cancer Fund. -- Don Kazak
'Anti Predatory Lending' initiative launched

A $5 million multi-agency initiative that aims to help residents of East Palo Alto and Menlo Park who have been victims of predatory lending practices was launched Wednesday with the support of U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo.

The Community Homeownership Program's anti-predatory lending initiative seeks to provide payment relief to homeowners who have been victims of abusive mortgage lending practices, and to educate prospective borrowers at risk of receiving predatory loans.

Eshoo, D-Atherton, announced the new program Wednesday morning alongside the mayors of East Palo Alto and Menlo Park at the offices of the East Palo Alto Community and Neighborhood Development Organization, or EPA CAN DO, one of many public and private housing organizations that have joined together to support the initiative.

"Abusive lending practices that target our neighborhoods by charging excessive costs must be stopped," Eshoo said. "I applaud EPA CAN DO, (the East Palo Alto Community Law Project), Fannie Mae, and all of the partners involved, for developing this innovative response to help homeowners in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park remain in their homes."

According to Fannie Mae, a financial services company and partner in the initiative, abusive predatory lending practices include equity stripping, loans with unreasonably high interest rates, financed excessive points or fees, single-premium credit life insurance, the mishandling of borrower's payments, and prepayment penalties on loans that provide no economic benefit to the borrower.

Under the new initiative, each organization involved is able to provide services to help victim homeowners.

EPA CAN DO provides people with one-on-one counseling and educates borrowers on the abusive practices that lead to predatory loans. Attorneys with the East Palo Alto Community Law Project attempt to renegotiate better terms for an existing mortgage. If better terms aren't possible, the Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation employs Fannie Mae's underwriting flexibilities to help refinance the existing loan. In cases in which work on the home is needed, homeowners can apply for low-cost and deferred rehabilitation loans offered by the cities of East Palo Alto and Menlo Park.

For more information on about the Community Homeownership Program, call (866) 567-SAVE.

-- Bay City News Service contributed to this story.