At 04:23 PM 5/25/2005, you wrote: aargh!! scope! >function showSchedule( $year ) { >.... >$list = 'concerts' . $year; // this gets 'concerts2006' ok when called >with 2006 global $$list // fixes it sorry for the dumb question. Michael Southwell, Vice President for Education New York PHP http://nyphp.org/twoday - In-depth PHP Training Courses