The thrill of the hunt

From glass chickens to antique desks, exercise equipment to wrought iron patio furniture, there are bargains to be had at garage sales. Lodi shoppers get goosebumps over good deals. They have inventory lists of what to buy. They are on the hunt.

It's 8 a.m. on a not-so-lazy Saturday and the driveways of suburban Lodi are neatly lined with fold-up tables covered in women's shoes, Care Bears and Play-Doh, piles of tools, VHS tapes and antique wine bottles. Early risers with lime green fanny packs and pockets bulging with quarters and small bills examine exercise equipment, camping tents and patio furniture on display. More of this story...

"Iron Man" (****)

Savvy storytelling makes up for lack of ingenuity

One could criticize "Iron Man" for its lack of creativity, and in a sense that would be a valid complaint. As directed by Jon Favreau (whose previous filmmaking experience is limited to the likes of "Elf" and "Zathura") the movie takes few chances and pretty much plays things by the book. It follows the standard superhero formula in every aspect, and brings nothing new to the genre. More of this story...

'Two Girls and a Guy' is one of Robert Downey Jr.'s best (****)

It's sad when an actor gives the performance of his career and nobody is around to see it. Such was the case with Robert Downey, Jr. and "Two Girls and a Guy," a sadly overlooked 1997 film from writer/director James Toback (who previously worked with the actor on "The Pick-Up Artist") in which Downey gives a performance so difficultly honest, so true and realistic that there is little chance that any of his future roles will ever surpass it. More of this story...

Reader Review: "Prom Night"

Congratulations to Matt Wendt, of Acampo, this week's Reader Review winner! More of this story...

• Film Roundup

Critic's Choices

"Smooth Urban Night" CD Release Party in Lockeford More of this story...

New commissioner brings fresh perspective to Lodi arts

Thorstein Himle has big plans. Not only is he going to attend a summer program at Harvard University and work toward a career in public administration, Himle is going to improve arts in Lodi. At least, that's what he's hoping. At 22, one of the youngest and newest members of the Lodi Arts Commission, Himle hopes to bring fresh ideas to Lodi arts. While he says it's mainly a visual commission now, he wants to include other types of art, such as music and performing arts. More of this story...

Poet of the week: Brian Stamos

Stamos is a native of Lodi and graduated from Lodi High in 1968. He loves to write poetry. Stamos wrote "The Clinic" after 10 years of working as a bartender. As a specialty contractor, Stamos owns Stamos Enterprises in Lodi and recently launched a new toy, the Glow and Throw UFO flying disc, available at http://www.GlowAndThrowUFO.com. More of this story...

Out-of-town omelets, burgers are well worth the drive to Katrina's Cafe in Auburn

Some things are so good, they're worth making a special trip for. Take, for example, Katrina's Cafe in Auburn. More of this story...

Wine Happenings

May 10
"Smooth Urban Night" Cd Release Party More of this story...

Daytripper

Teatro ZinZanni in S.F. combines love, comedy, elegance

Destination: Teatro ZinZanni: Love, Chaos and Dinner More of this story...

Snapshots

Lodi friends sneak away to Mexico for seven days

The trip: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to celebtrate Darwin's 40th birthday. More of this story...

Events Calendar