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]]> The PlayStation 3 exclusive packs plenty of 'big action moments' and a blockbuster-worthy script, but its movie-like pacing constricts gamers' ability to explore. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:39:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091120/entertainment/911189869 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/articles/911199923
]]> CHICAGO - Oprah Winfrey's production company says Winfrey will announce Friday that her talk show will end in 2011 after its 25th season on the air. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:08:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/articles/911199923 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/entertainment/911189864
]]> Holiday entertainment has its traditional cast of characters, most notably the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and the enchanted dancing Nutcracker. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:55:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/entertainment/911189864 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/entertainment/911199925
]]> NORTH BAY Wineries open up for Holiday in Carneros More than 20 wineries of the windswept Carneros region will swing wide their doors for the Holiday in Carneros open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:19:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/entertainment/911199925 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/entertainment/911199941
]]> True story of homeless teen adopted by family enjoyable, if manipulative Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/entertainment/911199941 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/entertainment/911199944
]]> Story of impoverished teen shows hope and humanity Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:51:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091119/entertainment/911199944 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091118/entertainment/911179938
]]> This week's featured wine, SKN 2007 Napa Valley Merlot ($15), is a surprisingly pleasant merlot. With alcohol under 14 percent, tannins that are soft and silky and fruit, it pairs well turkey gumbo. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:08:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091118/entertainment/911179938 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091117/entertainment/911169874
]]> Four Sonoma County authors gather to read from their works in celebration of Readers' Books 18th anniversary. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:59:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091117/entertainment/911169874 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091117/entertainment/911179960
]]> On April 23, 1961, Judy Garland staged one of the most famous comebacks in history, with a triumphant live concert in New York’s Carnegie Hall. A superstar since her childhood breakthrough in “The Wizard of Oz,” Garland was nearing 40 by that time, and both her career and her health had been ravaged by bouts with pills and alcohol. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:38:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091117/entertainment/911179960 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091116/entertainment/911139911
]]> From winery open houses to shopping events, upcoming foodie events to mark on your calendar. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:11:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091116/entertainment/911139911 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091115/lifestyle/911139919
]]> Whether it’s the four hours they take to smoke the chicken or 14 hours for brisket, they get it right at BBQ Smokehouse Catering in Sebastopol. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:53:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091115/lifestyle/911139919 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091114/entertainment/911139925
]]> The upbeat brassy ska sounds of Fishbear propel dozens of young people onto the dance floor. Older fans sip cocktails and ales, but the young men onstage just gulp water or soda - they’re not old enough to drink. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:35:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091114/entertainment/911139925 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091113/entertainment/911129952
]]> Ford Blues Band at Last Day: It was way back in 1969 that the Ford brothers hit the San Francisco scene with their bluesy counternote to the Bay Area’s dominating rock and roll. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:12:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091113/entertainment/911129952 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091112/entertainment/911129903
]]> With 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' finally on store shelves, now’s as good a time as any for a public service announcement reminding parents that M-rated games like 'Modern Warfare 2' carry the video game equivalent of movies’ 'R' rating. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:30:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091112/entertainment/911129903 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091112/entertainment/911121092
]]> It's been Taylor Swift's year, and Wednesday was her night as she became the youngest person and the first solo female act in a decade to win the Country Music Association's entertainer of the year award. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:03:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091112/entertainment/911121092 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091112/entertainment/911119889
]]> Pixar animators talk about how their animated characters come to life. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:16:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091112/entertainment/911119889 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091111/lifestyle/911109946
]]> Wow dinner guests with this week's featured wine, Novy 2006 Sonoma County Syrah ($19). There is a pleasing darkness to it, making it a perfect post-daylight-saving time wine. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:30:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091111/lifestyle/911109946 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091111/entertainment/911069894
]]> The Sons of Champlin lit up the Bay Area music scene in the late ’60s and ’70s as a freewheeling R&B and groove outfit that Mickey Hart once described as “the most talented of all the San Francisco bands.” Now band leader Bill is happy to go solo. Fri, 6 Nov 2009 17:37:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091111/entertainment/911069894 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091111/entertainment/911099971
]]> Confutatis Maledictis!: Start the sacred season off on a high note with Mozart’s exquisite “Requiem Mass,” performed by the Santa Rosa Symphony and the Sonoma County Bach Choir this weekend, Friday through Sunday (Nov. 13-15) at three Sonoma County churches. “1791: Mozart’s Last Year,” directed by Santa Rosa Symphony Choral Director Robert... Mon, 9 Nov 2009 12:18:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091111/entertainment/911099971 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091110/entertainment/911109951
]]> LOS ANGELES — Nominees for the People's Choice Awards are out, and the people choose vampires. “Twilight” and “True Blood” were among the top nominees announced Tuesday. Fans cast more than 18 million votes online to select the nominee slate and will also choose the winners in 35 categories. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:05:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091110/entertainment/911109951 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091110/entertainment/911099950
]]> Andre Agassi opens up about his life and Amy Goodman talks about her latest book at local book events. Mon, 9 Nov 2009 17:03:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091110/entertainment/911099950 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091109/entertainment/911069905
]]> Slow food from author Douglas Gayeton, Bellwether Farms recipe contest, holiday prep tips from K-J chef among this week's happenings Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:59:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091109/entertainment/911069905 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091108/entertainment/911069910
]]> It’s difficult to take an interest in modern American dance without encountering the influence of choreographer Twyla Tharp, one of the pioneers of contemporary dance. Plus shorts on other upcoming events. Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:43:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091108/entertainment/911069910 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091107/articles/911079988
]]> LAS VEGAS (AP) - A 19-year-old woman was the driving force behind a youthful burglary ring that preyed on Hollywood's rich and famous, often brazenly walking into unlocked homes to make off with cash, jewels and family heirlooms, authorities said. Sat, 7 Nov 2009 09:14:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091107/articles/911079988 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091107/entertainment/911059904
]]> Fort Bragg's Cammie King Conlon is one of the last surviving cast members from the 1939 classic film 'Gone With the Wind.' Thu, 5 Nov 2009 18:24:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091107/entertainment/911059904 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091106/entertainment/911059908
]]> While Sonoma's Tim Schafer's unusual video game has its flaws, it's still one of the year's best. Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:12:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091106/entertainment/911059908 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091105/entertainment/911049951
]]> The six-voice Sonos elevates a cappella to a new level of musical sophistication, reinterpreting contemporary artists from Bjork to Radiohead with a sound that is bold, fresh, richly textured and subtly sensual. Hear them Sunday at Spreckels. Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:51:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091105/entertainment/911049951 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091105/entertainment/911039978
]]> Enjoy the weekend on the Wine Road: Foodies and wine geeks alike will be “Tasting Along the Wine Road” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 7-8) during the 11th annual Wine and Food Affair. Tue, 3 Nov 2009 11:14:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091105/entertainment/911039978 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091104/entertainment/911039986
]]> Not every American singing star is from the United States. Some of the biggest acts in North America come from south of the U.S. border. Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:51:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091104/entertainment/911039986 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091103/entertainment/911029916
]]> For more events or to list author events in our calendar, visit “SoCo’s Hottest Events” at pressdemocrat.com. Mon, 2 Nov 2009 22:07:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091103/entertainment/911029916