February 8, 2010 6:14 PM

The folks at iLoveToCreate sure have an eye for detail.

While watching the episode "Namaste" from season five of "Lost," someone at the locally owned crafts-and-more company (formerly called Duncan) noticed a bottle of Aleene's tacky glue, an iLoveToCreate product, being used as a prop:

Lost_ALSGlue.png

Of course, any "Lost" fan immediately recognizes the purpose of the glue as holding together Radzinsky's model of the doomed Swan station, meaning this particular scene took place in 1977.

Was Aleene's tacky glue around then? Yes, though we can't verify whether "Lost" set dressers used a 32-year old bottle of glue or a more recently designed bottle. Knowing how detail-oriented those "Lost" producers can be, I'd be willing to bet the former.

Heather

February 8, 2010 5:32 PM

UPDATE 2/8: A Regal manager has told us that complaints should be directed to its corporate Web site. Here's the place you can make a comment.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: In a comment, Beehive reader Dante already asked about the absence of the Regal movie listings, so I figured this topic deserved its own post. Here's a sample call I received today, this one from Fresno Filmworks stalwart Stan Poss:

It's ironic that when three of the best films of the year open, we don't know when they play. Is there any reason why Regal has opted not to publish the times?

The answer: The movie showtimes are paid advertising, and Regal decided to drop those daily ads in The Bee. The other theater in the Fresno/Clovis area, at Sierra Vista mall, is still running its ads. You do have an online option: Check out The Bee's movie index page.

You're also encouraged to call Regal's local managers and let them know how you feel about the decision. In some cases, we've heard, Regal has brought back the ads after local feedback. Here are the numbers:

  • Edwards: Hnub (pronounced New) Lor, 447-3247
  • Manchester: Lynette Clark, 243-7451
  • Clovis Towne: John Fraley, 292-5708
  • Broadway Faire: Dean Pugh, 221-6498

Donald Munro

February 8, 2010 5:15 PM

Xiaoqing is a 21-year old from China who broke up with her boyfriend because of his obsession with Jessica Alba.

After some time apart, she decided the better course of action would be to undergo surgery to look like the actress, thereby winning back her cherry of a boyfriend, who once bought her a blond, Alba-esque wig to wear.

-4.jpg

The Shanghai Time Plastic Surgery Hospital, who suggested Xiaoqing "think seriously" about the multiple procedures she'll have to endure in order to completely alter her face, has agreed to do the surgery for free, for the publicity.

Jessica Alba is, understandably, not on board.

I blame Heidi Montag.

[Source]

Heather

February 8, 2010 5:10 PM

Two items related to the recent appearance of the Dance Theatre of Harlem:

OFFENSIVE COMMENT?

Sharon, a reader from Clovis, was troubled by one of Diane Mosier's quotations in my 7 story about the Dance Theatre of Harlem's performance at the Saroyan Theatre. In talking about the multicultural aspect of the company's appeal, I included a comment from Mosier (the artistic director of the Lively Arts Foundation, which brought the company to town) in which she talked about the ethnic bond that exists between black audience members and the performers. Mosier said: "Any time you went to a Dance Theatre of Harlem performance, you could see the pride in the faces of the black people who attended."

Sharon said in a phone-mail message:

I hope if you go further with this that someone interview an African-American person and have them quote themselves. I'm trying not to let [the comment] be racist ... It just sounded so white. I guess Diane Mosier isn't getting the NAACP White Person of the Year award. Probably not. I appreciate her passion for bringing [the company] here, but maybe they ought to have somebody else do the quotes.

My response:

I think this is a case where I could have written the explanatory material around the quote more smoothly. I don't think Mosier's comment was offensive. She was saying that the DTOH has always been strongly identified -- and positively so -- with the black community. Is it legitimate for a non-black person to comment on this bond? I'd say yes. But the quotation does sound a little brittle. I could have added more context. One other thing I'd point out: the majority of the quotations in the story come from company director Keith Saunders, who is black.

Donald Munro

February 8, 2010 4:52 PM

l_d957d8973f294bf8a28b669b22959ad3.jpg

Last week, before it even opened, a lot of people were trashing and defending The Penthouse, the new club at Chukchansi Park's 600 Club. Now that people have actually been inside, let's hear the good and bad, for real.

Promoter Rick Mirigian sent me an e-mail this morning saying: "No fights, issues, drama free and perfect." A couple of Beehive operatives who were in there on Saturday night said the place was cool and that they would go back. I've also heard second-hand bad reviews. So what's the truth?

One interesting note: Mirigian told me late Friday that The City did not have everything in order for the club to actually stay open until 4 a.m. That's kinda odd, since they make the rules. It's supposed to be until 4 a.m. this weekend, though.

Anyhow, who was at The Penthouse? What did you think?

Mike Oz

February 8, 2010 4:03 PM

dance-theater-of-harlemjpg-8e00cfc659e1d857_medium.jpg

The lights come up slowly, duskily, and in the shadowy details it's hard to tell at first exactly what it is we're seeing. One person? Two? Soon it becomes apparent it's a man and a woman dressed in skin-tight lycra. The front of her costume is red and the back a pure black; the color scheme is opposite for the man. Bathed in the spotlight, the couple intertwines in a variety of nimble poses -- including one in which the woman quivers on all fours on pointe -- and as the red and black colors shift with their moves, it almost looks like some extravagant rainforest insect dancing in the sun.

This was choreographer Peter Pucci's "Episode," and it was one of the highlights of Friday's performance at the Saroyan Theatre of the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble.

Donald Munro

February 8, 2010 3:52 PM

SP_logo_color_simplified8.jpg

Rotary Storyland and Playland open Saturday, starting their 55th year -- and a few lucky Beehive readers are going to get in on the fun this year.

  • On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we'll be giving away a family pass (a $55 value) that's good for unlimited use of both parks for a family of four any day this season.
  • On Friday we'll be giving away a grand prize basket (valued at $260+) that includes an annual membership for a family of four, a voucher for $25 off a birthday party, two tickets to "An Evening on Memory Lane" on March 13, plus a water bottle, duffle bag, hat and key with lanyard.

Here's how the contest will work: Just leave a comment below with your favorite Storyland/Playland memory. We'll pick a winner at random each day. No repeat comments, please. You're ineligible if you've won something in the past 30 days. You'll need to pick up your prizes at The Bee's front lobby by 5 p.m. Friday. Complete rules after the jump.

First, here are a few words on what's new at Storyland & Playland:

Mike Oz

February 8, 2010 3:16 PM

Cirque du Soleil is bring "Alegria" to Fresno for a four-day, seven-show run, May 27-30 at Save Mart Center. You can get all the times and ticketing details at fresnobee.com. Here's the official trailer for the show:


Tickets go on sale to the general public on Feb. 22, but you can buy now by becoming a member of the Cirque Club. It's free to join.

Mike Oz

February 8, 2010 11:42 AM

dillarestinbeatsflier.jpg

Fresno is once again honoring late hip-hop beatmaker J. Dilla with a tribute tonight at Veni Vidi Vici. Dilla (aka Jay Dee) died of a blood disease in 2006 at age 32. Sunday would have been his birthday.

He's considered to be among hip-hop's greatest producers, a topic that got a lot of traffic last year on The Beehive. Spinning tonight are DJs Revol (aka Johnny Q), Rome and Marc. There's no cover.

ELSEWHERE
It's also a DJ-heavy night at Audie's Olympic, which is debuting a monthly night called "Resurrect." Expect dub step, drum & bass, jungle, breaks and more.

As one of the DJs said in a Beehive comment last week: "It's a palate cleanser from all the top 40, trendy pop, radio music that's found just about in every venue these days."

Mike Oz

February 8, 2010 10:19 AM

At my Super Bowl party yesterday, I handed out a survey for best and worst commercials. It was totally unscientific, but I thought it would at least be interesting to see what people thought. And, of course, it would be fun to share here too.

1. Snickers - "Game"
It seemed that Betty White getting hit was a big hit at our house.

Mike Oz

February 8, 2010 8:58 AM

CSIMIAMI.jpg "CSI: Miami" 10 p.m. KGPE (Channel 47.1): Tonight's episode of the CBS procedural drama asks the burning question "If you take your sunglasses off in space, can you hear The Who scream?"

If you haven't picked up on it already, the February sweeps are in full swing. This is one of the four months during the year where the ratings are used to determine advertising rates. That's why big events like the Super Bowl are so important. More viewers mean higher rates.

Network shows tend to go for outlandish plots or big-name guest stars as a lure. "CSI": Miami" is going out of the world tonight in an effort to get the ratings numbers to skyrocket.

The CSI team must solve the murder of a man who was killed in outer space. That's no joke. The investigation goes out of this world.

Rick Bentley

February 7, 2010 10:45 PM

bocouse.jpg

UPDATE 2: In case you missed the story in today's paper, Percy Whatley of The Ahwahnee did not win the Bocuse d'Or USA.

James Kent of Eleven Madison Park in New York City took the top prize and will advance to the international Bocuse d'Or competition at Lyon, France in 2011.

Whatley did win the "Best Meat" category for his lamb dish. For a full description of what he cooked, read this story.

UPDATE 1: Let the games begin. Percy Whatley of The Ahwahnee is now in Hyde Park, NY for the 2010 Bocuse d'Or USA competition.

If he beats his 11 competitors, Whatley will represent the United States in the 2011 Bocuse d'Or, the Olympics of the culinary world. (These videos give you a hint of the event.)

We'll find out Saturday night if Whatley takes the American prize. In the meantime, here's a look at the challenges ahead.

If you happen to be in the area, feel free to drop in. Friday's demos, book signings and seminars are open to the public, as is Saturday's competition.

Joan Obra

February 5, 2010 2:32 PM

It's another week of Post No Bills, all the Fresno concert, club and event fliers you could ever want. So take a look below, and find something fun and Fresno-y to do in no time. We welcome contributions from bands, artists, venues, promoters and regular joes. Send links to mosegueda@fresnobee.com.

Mike Oz

February 5, 2010 12:55 PM

Mike already has run down some great options. Here are a couple more:

FEMALE_DTHENSEMBLE_JPEG_(2).JPG

DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM ENSEMBLE

Direct from New York, this contemporary ballet company plans an eclectic program 7:30 p.m. today at the Saroyan Theatre. I write about DTOH's rejuvenation in today's 7 cover story.

Donald Munro

February 5, 2010 12:30 PM

crazyheart.jpg

Critics Rick Bentley and Donald Munro tag-teamed the new movies this week.

Rick reviewed "Crazy Heart," which is getting buzz because Jeff Bridges won the best actor Golden Globe and is nominated for an Oscar. Here's Rick's B+ review, where he says Bridges makes the whole movie.

Donald reviewed "Dear John," the movies of the Nicholas Sparks book. Let's just say Donald was less than impressed, giving the movie a D+.

Kathy Mahan

Recent Comments

Blog Archive

February
S M T W T F S
  1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28