PULSE ART FOR AIDS' SAKE USC PROFESSOR AND PHYSICIAN PAINTS TO BENEFIT MEDICAL RESEARCH.

Most of the time, Dr. Michael Scolaro, USC physician and associate professor, is working to find a cure for AIDS and Parkinson's disease, but in his spare time he paints.

Calling it a meditative experience, Scolaro says, ``All the daily life-and-death issues of AIDS care are lifted, and I am left with a greater sense of peace than I've had in my whole life.''

But it's not just painting for pleasure.

He hopes to sell all 37 of his latest oil-on-canvas landscapes and posters at a special month-long exhibit called ``Infinite Horizons'' at Paramount Studios Commissary in Hollywood and donate all proceeds to the Let There Be Hope Foundation, which, not coincidentally, funds AIDS and Parkinson's disease research.

This is his 11th exhibition organized to raise funds for research, and last year, sales of his ethereal artwork raised $225,000.

Let There Be Hope was founded in 1994 by Scolaro and a group of doctors, nurses and scientists to study AIDS. Its scope widened in 1999 to include Parkinson's disease after Bertram Ross, a former dancer and co-director of the Martha Graham Dance Company who was suffering from Parkinson's, asked Scolaro for help and found significant improvement with daily shots of human growth hormone.

The Beverly Hills-based Let There Be Hope medical research foundation has recently been granted FDA approval to conduct a physician-sponsored study using HGH to treat the neuromotor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. For more information on the study, call Scolaro at [phone]. The art exhibit is free and open to the public now through Nov. 2. For reservations and entry onto the Paramount lot, call [phone].

- Barbara De Witt 

HEALTHY READING BUILDS MUSCLES: Nobody ever kicked sand in Bill Pearl's face.

The four-time Mr. Universe says he started lifting gallon cans of corn over his head to develop his muscles at the age of 11, eventually developing the body that has made him famous.

At age 70, he's still a hunk, and now he's sharing his body-building secrets in ``Getting Stronger'' (Shelter Publications; $19.95). The hefty 432-page book with 2,000 exercise illustrations (suitable for copying and taking to the gym) is a revised edition of his original book and includes up-to-date information on the latest body-building equipment, drugs and diets, as well as a nostalgic look at the history of bodybuilding.

But don't be scared off by the emphasis on weight-lifting. It's really a guide for men or women who simply want to get healthy - and stronger - with chapters devoted to beginners, patients recovering from surgery and senior citizens.

If you're only interested in developing a great set of upper arms like Madonna's or Angela Bassett's, check out Michele Vourliotis' new book, ``Amazing Arms'' (Three Rivers Press; $7.95). It's a small paperback for your gym bag packed full of instructions on how to get rid of arm flab in just six weeks.

Too much of a commitment? How about a minimal effort that only involves occasional stretching and deep breathing?

In Bob Anderson's ``Stretching'' (Shelter Publications; $14.95), you'll find 25 new stretching routines to reduce muscle tension, improve circulation and help coordination. For those whose exercise is limited to moving a mouse, avoid repetitive stress injuries with Anderson's other book, ``Stretching at Your Computer or Desk,'' and its companion software disc, ``StretchWare'' (Shelter Publications; $24.90).

- B.D.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1) ``CYCLONE''

(2) ``1917 - ST. PETERSBURG''

(3) SCOLARO

(4) no caption (``Getting Stronger'')

(5) no caption (``Amazing Arms'')