You may recall the Sac Bee story a while back on local poet Frank Andrick, who is seriously in need of help to pay medical bills.

Well, Andrick's friends and fellow poets are staging a reading Monday night at 6 p.m. at HQ for the Arts (1719 25th St., Sacramento) to raise some funds.

There's a media connection to the event. Channel 3 anchor Edie Lambert is one of the hosts, and among the poets reading will be The Bee's own Rachel Leibrock as well as the Sacramento News & Review's Becca Costello.

Donations are $10 at the door.

The alt-weekly Sacramento News & Review, editorless in recent weeks after Nancy Brands Ward left the paper, has a new executive editor: Matt Coker.

Coker, who held a similar position at the OC Weekly, is the latest to leave that publication after it was bought by New Times.

Here's a link to the blog, LA Observed, which obtained a copy of Coker's memo to the OC Weekly staff.

If Coker brings his OC Weekly sensibilities up north, it could infuse SN&R with a much-needed shot of snarkiness. And what's an alt-weekly without bite, we ask? Among the popular OC Weekly features under Coker: "¡Ask a Mexican!" and "Commie Girl."

Sacramento Bee/Florence Low

It's too early for most of us to be wearing a swimsuit - let alone on a stage! - but Saturday afternoon, Tracie Stafford (shown above), the current Mrs. Sacramento Valley, will be strutting her stuff in a tropical, bright-yellow one-piece as a contestant in the Mrs. California pageant at the Radisson.

She'll also be wearing an evening gown, an interview suit and an opening-number music/dance routine outfit.

Tracie, 40, is married and has four children. She's also the founder and president of her own business, Exceptional Events, which focuses on event marketing and planning.

As busy as she is, I was curious how she found the time to gather the pieces of her pageant wardrobe. I also wondered if she's nervous about the competition, which, if she wins, means she'll represent the Golden State in the Mrs. United States pageant in Las Vegas this July.

"Well, I found out after competing in a couple of other pageants that bright colors and more-fitted apparel works best," says Tracie over coffee at the Tower Cafe. "Now, I have the right interview suit (a St. John Knits), a great gown that shows off more of my figure, and a swimsuit I feel comfortable wearing."

As for the opening-number dress, Tracie found one, ordered it and when she went to try it on, it basically "fell apart on me." So she's wearing something from her own closet.

She traveled from Sacramento to the Bay Area, and beyond, to find the perfect evening gown. She found one she liked, but it was blue - "Not a good color for me." The store had a shade she liked, but the wrong size. Ordering wouldn't work because it wouldn't get here in time.

"Nothing is easy for me!" Tracie says. "I almost backed out at this point."

Then, she found herself at House of Fashion in midtown. Hanging on a rack was a fabulous bronze-y/gold gown, lightly beaded, with a mermaid bottom.

"It was perfect," she says.

"The evening gown was tough because, for a pageant, it's all about walking and standing, not sitting," she says. "It needs to look good and feel good."

Add to the wardrobe four pairs of shoes and, of course, "butt glue," which is mandatory pageant paraphernalia.

Because no one is allowed backstage, Tracie has a makeup artist coming early to help with hair and makeup. And get this - her husband, Bryan, gets to strutt his own stuff when he escorts Tracie during the evening gown competition.

"I think he wants to be Mr. California," she says.

In a freak incident on Monday, Tracie's youngest child, age 4, accidentally bopped her in the mouth with a TV remote. It cut her lip - although not seriously.

"All the time I'm bleeding, my husband is shouting, 'What about the pageant?,' "
Tracie recalls.

All's well, though. Tracie has been prepping for every aspect, including possible topics for the two questions she'll have to answer on stage. (The all-important judges' interview, which is tonight, counts for 50 percent of the contestants' scores.) She's even working with a trainer/nutritionist. Sounds fun!!!

The pageant is at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Radisson Hotel is at 550 Leisure Lane, in Sacramento. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Stay tuned to this space. We'll let you know how Tracie does and if the Mrs. United States pageant will have a representative from Sacramento!

Continuing our examination of the demographic breakdown for local TV news during February sweeps, we now have the advertising-important 25-to-54 age numbers for the 5 and 10 p.m. newcasts. (See our previous posting for other time slots.)

The biggest surprise is Fox40's dominance of the late news. Fox40 (3.7 rating), led by anchors Donna Cordova (pictured) and Thomas Drayton, beat Channel 13 (2.9) at 10 p.m. And, compared to the 11 p.m. competitors, Fox40 bested Channel 3 (2.9).

Might Fox40's success in late news be due to the wildly popular "American Idol" lead-in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays? (On Wednesdays alone, "Idol's" rating in February was 17.2.) Hey, just askin'. That's not a knock on the fine folks at Fox40.

Meanwhile, at 5 p.m, Channel 3 won the 25-to-54 demographic, with a 3.9 rating - well ahead of second place News10 (1.1).

On another front, the morning news: An interesting ratings race is being waged in the same demographic. KCRA Reports still leads, but Channel 31's "Good Day Sacramento" seems to be closing the gap. At 5 a.m., Channel 3's lead was 1.7 to 1.6; at 6 a.m., the lead was 2.9 to 2.4.

There's a new sandwich joint in midtown - open about three weeks - straight-forwardly called The Sandwich Spot (1630 18th St.).

Plenty of those around town. But, this place gets special mention for naming a sandwich after everyone's favorite local newspaper. (No, not the PennySaver. Stop it!)

Yup, No. 5 on the menu is "The Sac Bee." Ingredients: marinated chicken, bacon, avocado, choice of cheese.

Can you say artery-clogging?

Lest you laugh that The Bee's namesake is made of chicken, at least we aren't the Guv's sandwich. That one (No. 16) is made with hot turkey.

Friends and associates of the late Dennis Bigelow will convene Monday night at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Sacramento Theater Company for a memorial reception and party.

Bigelow, who transformed the Eleanor McClatchy Performing Arts Center into the Sacramento Theater Company, passed away in 2005 at the age of 52 in Portland, Ore.

He came to Sacramento in 1983 from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where he was a stage manager and director. He was named producing director of STC in 1986 and worked there until 1988, directing 29 productions and creating a semiprofessional company that became fully professional under successor Mark Cuddy.

Bigelow commissioned the adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" by Richard Hellesen and David DeBerry, which became the company's signature production.

In an obituary that I wrote about Bigelow, I quoted former Bee theater critic Peter Haugen as saying, "Dennis played an important and underappreciated role in the evolution of the performing arts in Sacramento. He challenged audiences who were used to tame community theater fare with productions the likes of which had not been seen in Sacramento before."

STC is at 1419 H St.; after the reception there, dinner will follow at the Esquire Grill. For more information, e-mail kdmorison@sbcglobal.net.

ABC

If you love fashion and food (and really, who doesn't?), set your TiVo or whatever you have for Friday's edition of "Martha" (at 9 a.m. on Channel 13). Instead of hanging out like she did today with her dog, which she dressed up special for the occasion, Martha Stewart will be joined by uber-popular fashion designer Zac Posen (shown above.)

The designer "dropped by" Martha’s New York studio a couple of days ago to show off creations from his spring line.

After the skinny models were done, Martha and Zac then moved to the kitchen to whip up a New York cheesecake. Zac exclaimed: “I’ve been waiting my whole life to bake a cake with you!”

The cake I can afford, but Zac's dresses? Well, I don't have a spare three grand in my wallet.

"Screw folks' constitutional rights."

No, we're not saying that. But Sacramento City Councilwoman (and Sacramento Public Library Authority member) Bonnie Pannell did last week, at a hearing about filtering Internet access at public libraries to prevent viewing pornographic images.

How do we know? Because Sacramento's own LiberalViewer (a.k.a. Sacramento lawyer Allen Asch), the popular YouTube vlogger, was also at the hearing - appearing as a concerned citizen - and captured it all on video.

He wonders why Pannell's seemingly inflammatory quote wasn't put out there by anyone in the media. Check out the video (above).

It wasn't until someone pointed it out that I realized that I have a deep and abiding love for Kurt Russell. First, I guess I talk a lot about his movies. Second, I guess I own a bunch of them, as well. Eh. Who knew? Not I, that's for sure. But I will go on the record as saying that "Big Trouble in Little China" is one of my favorite movies of all time and when you commence to mock me, I'll reply that "When some wild-eyed, 8-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, looks you crooked in the eye and asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: 'Have ya paid your dues, Jack?'

'Yessir, the check is in the mail.' "

But, I digress.

Fortunately, another of Russell's greatest hits, "Tango & Cash," is playing at the United Artists Arden Fair on Thursday at 10 p.m. in a one-time-only showing. That's right. All the Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone you can handle - on the big screen.

I literally squealed with delight when I passed the marquee and saw that my dream had come true. BT in LC has got to be coming soon.

Oddly, I had the recent opportunity to test my Kurt knowledge on quiz night at Streets of London, when quizmaster and, apparently, man after my own heart Ken Koch decided to make that evening's movie questions center on the man, the myth, himself. Again with the squealing. But much to my deep embarrasment, I only got one of them right, which made me question whether I could justifiably utter another Snake Pliskin-ism again.

Guess I'd better brush up. Luckily, I know exactly where to go.

Fox/Frank Micelotta

Like it or not, Season 6 of "American Idol" has generated more than music. There's also a lot of buzz about what some of the contestants are wearing, particularly on competition nights.

There's this:

We said goodbye to Antonella Barba weeks ago, but the talk-show circuit is currently circulating the idea that Haley Scarnato has taken her place - visually.
And, while Haley does sing somewhat better than Antonella, there's merit to the notion that Haley - at least in the past two weeks - has been upping the eye-candy ante. She wore short shorts, high heels and a slinky halter top last week; on Tuesday night, it was a banded-bottom black dress and black stilettos.

I'm all for going for the glam and, at age 24, I guess she can pull it off. It just seems a little risque and a little risky at the same time. Judge Simon Cowell said Haley's performance Tuesday night was "sweet but forgettable." Her bigger concern is that her fashion choices might mean people are forgetting to vote because they're, shall we say, distracted.

Boots were big on Tuesday night: Lakisha Jones, Gina Glocksen (shown above) and Jordin Sparks all sported them. Judge Randy Jacksoon seemed to notice the most, telling Lakisha, "I liked the boots." And, later to Gina, "It must be boot night."

Personally, I wasn't a big fan of any of these three contestants' emsembles. Lakisha's dress was graphically distracting. Gina's spandex dress looked like seatbelt material and was waaay tight. And Jordin's mix of picnic/parochial attire was a mismatch.

I know, I know. I sound like Grandma Moses in a muu muu!

I think the biggest improvement comes from Melinda Doolittle, who updated her hairstyle last week (just in time for the British Invasion) and kept it fresh and fun again this week. But I'm not sure leggings are the best choice. Simon flat out said "I hate the outfit."

As for the five guys, Blake Lewis kind of has that haberdashery-meets-Abercrombie & Fitch thing going. He's always pretty polished, and he wears clothes well. The thing is, the guy can do it all: sing and style.

Chris Sligh and Phil Stacey don't seem the clotheshorse types, and I'm not sure it even matters to their fans. Chris has always come off as the perpetual student going for an interview in someone else's tie and wrinkled shirt. I can't decide if Phil should always wear a hat or just sometimes. I don't have anything against men who are bald. But I think "Idol" fans would have to agree a tall guy like Phil stands out when he's minus a chapeau.

Chris Richardson has that in-between look. He wears a tie most nights, with a bomber jacket or a street jacket and mostly jeans. Again, nothing unusal for a guy who is 22 - or looks like Justin Timberlake for that matter.

That leaves us with Sanjaya Malakar, who was an unbelievable fashion DO NOT Tuesday night. I'm sure he thinks it's terribly chic to try a different hairstyle each week, but he's using his coif to make up for his lack of singing abilities. And I loved that Simon called him out on it: "I presume there was no mirror in your dressing room."

Sanjaya's foolish faux hawk, leather jacket, baggy jeans and tennis shoes was a makeover in the making. But hey, he'll probably be firing up that flat iron next Tuesday or going Farrah Fawcett on me.

For more dish on "Idol," check out my postings at Idol Chatter.

And hey, add comments of your own. I know you have an opinion!

The demographic breakdown for local TV news during February sweeps was released today by the Nielsen folks - and there's no surprise.

Channel 3 and Channel 19 fared well, as in past ratings periods.

Channel 19, Sacramento's Spanish-language channel, handily won the 18-to-34 and 18-to-49 age groups with its 6 p.m. newscast, "Noticias." In the 25-to-54 demographic, KCRA beat 19, with News10 and CBS13 pulling up the rear.

At 11 p.m., Channel 3's "KCRA Reports" won each demographic breakdown (tying with Channel 19 in the 18-to-34 category.)

Here are the numbers for 6 and 11 p.m. (Note: Other time slots were unavailable late Wednesday afternoon. So stay tuned for updates):

6 p.m. news
18-to-34

Channel 19 2.9 ratings, 14 share
Channel 3 1.2, 6
CBS13 1.2, 5
News10 0.6, 3

18-to-49
Channel 19 2.7, 11
Channel 3 2.4, 10
CBS13 1.2, 5
News10 1.1, 4

25-to-54
Channel 3 3.8, 13
Channel 19 2.6, 9
Tie: CBS13/News10 1.5, 5

11 p.m. news
18-to-34
Tie: Chs. 3 and 19 1.6, 12
News10 0.6, 4

18-to-49
Channel 3 2.1, 13
Channel 19 1.8, 11
News10 1.3, 8

25-to-54
Channel 3 2.9, 16
News10 2.1, 11
Channel 19 1.5, 8

For several weeks, we'd been reporting that the My58TV morning news (from 7-9 a.m.) would debut on March 26, replacing the video simulcast of the "Armstrong & Getty Show."

So, March 26 came and went and ... no morning news.

What gives?

"We had to push it back a week because of conflicts with some people's schedules," says Elliott Troshinsky, president of KCRA and My58TV. "It'll start next Monday (April 2)."

And, this just in: Troshinsky confirms that the My58TV morning-news anchor team will be Deirdre Fitzpatrick and Chris Riva. Eileen Javora will be the weathercaster and Adrienne Bankert will give traffic updates.

In other words, no major change from the current team that does the top-rated KCRA Reports from 5-7 a.m. on sister station Channel 3. Except, of course, no Walt Gray. The venerable morning anchor will stick with his gig on KCRA's morning and noon newscasts, though.

Aside to the three voicemailers and six e-mailers who've asked, "Where's Walt been lately?": Not to worry. He hasn't been replaced. Troshinsky says he's on vacation.

Davey D, the morning hip-hop host on The Bomb (KBMB 103.5 FM), is traveling through West Africa with Ujima For Africa Development, Inc. this week and filing reports to the station's morning show.

According to a press release, Mr. D will be talking to young people in Sierra Leone about "opportunities and choices to help improve the social and economic structure of the African continent."

Today, YouTube announced the winners of its first-ever YouTube Awards and, frankly, I'm not at all surprised that locals Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox scooped up an award for Best Comedy Video.

Padilla and Hecox are the dynamic duo known as Smosh (I interviewed them last summer for The Bee) and in the last year or so, the Carmichael residents have been tearing up YouTube with their kinda-goofy, crazy-funny clips.

Anyhoo, Padilla and Hecox's clip for "Stranded" was the one that nabbed the YouTube award. (They're in good company, too - OK Go and the "Ask a Ninja" team also were honored. For a complete list of winners, go here.)

And, because awards mean attention, Padilla and Hecox are already getting some major notice. The pair appeared this morning on NBC's "Today" show. Jennifer Padilla, Anthony's stepmom, tells me that the pair got the good news Saturday but had to keep it top secret until today.

"We're all so thrilled and ecstatic and so proud of them," Padilla says.

Best of all, she adds, success hasn't spoiled them.

"They're still humble and polite and just want to keep doing what they're doing," she says. "They're just focused on putting out more videos."

For more on Smosh, visit Smosh.com or the pair's MySpace page.

It's raining, and the phones here at 21Q central are ringing.

The reader lament?

"Hey, where's my Weather Channel? I tune into Channel 42 and all of a sudden it's CNBC. What gives?"

Ah, you must have Comcast as your cable-service provider. Last Thursday, Comcast shook up its cable lineup for subscribers who live in Sacramento, Folsom, Rancho Cordova and other satellite cities. And, yes, among the stations affected is the Weather Channel.

Here's the deal, according to a Comcast spokesman: The Weather Channel, C-Span 2, MSNBC and the TV Guide Channel have been "upgraded" to Comcast's more pricey but more comprehensive digital service.

Why those four channels? Here's how Comcast spokesman Bryan Byrd explains it in an e-mail:

"Comcast looked at Nielsen Media Research to see what channels are popular among our digital cable customers in Sacramento, and less so with our basic and standard cable customers. These four channels fit that description. In fact, based on the popularity of C-SPAN 2 with our digital customers, we decided to add a whole new C-SPAN channel - "C-SPAN 3" - to the Digital Classic tier. Additionally, weather-related programming is already available on basic and standard cable by the broadcast network news ...."

Comcast probably made the move now to force encourage subscribers to go digital. And it sweetened the enticement by offering digital for only $1 more than standard cable ($52.15 a month).

Oksana Mukha

'Tis the season. No, not for the guy in the red suit, of course, but bridal season. Then again, shopping for a wedding gown happens year-round. And, while I'm not in the market for one, you brides-to-be out there might be interested to know that I found a local source of one-of-a-kind creations by one of eastern Europe's most up-and-coming fashion designers.

Her name is Oksana Mukha, and Granite Bay's Diamond Bridal Gallery is the exclusive American distributor for her gowns, which include both bridal and evening designs.

That said, the gallery will be hosting two upcoming bridal shows to showcase Oksana's creations:

The first is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Placer Bridal Show at the Gold Country Fair, 1273 High St. in Auburn. The second event is next month, April 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma St.

In an e-mail, Vira Petrashyshyn. owner of the Diamond Bridal Gallery, says "Oksana's creations are more than merely wedding gowns or evening dresses, they are pieces of art. Each one is different, each one is special."

Each dress is hand-sewn and usually constructed from a variety of fabrics, colors and textures, such as French laces, natural silks, organzas, taffetas, hand-beaded pearls and handmade flowers.

If you're interested in a sneak peek, go here. Or, for more information about the shows or to schedule a fitting, call (916) 521-9856.

So this was the dilemma: It was Wednesday night - an evening usually spent with friends, going to dinner, catching up and then getting catty with "America's Next Top Model." (Oh, shut it -you know you love hating on The Tyra). And then, of course, there's "Lost." I wait all week for a new episode, and this week's was supposed to be a killer, what with the whole "John Locke wheelchair mystery" finally to be answered.

I love my "Lost" more than just about anything so you have to know that - TiVo or no TiVo - it takes something pretty special to get me out of the house on a Wednesday night.

That said, I really didn't want to pry myself off my friend's couch at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday night but - and this is what we call total disclosure - my husband's band was playing at the Press Club (21st and P streets). Now, I'm not the kind of wife who feels the need to attend her spouse's every show (and good thing, too, because he's in three bands), but this was part of Roger Carpio's new-ish Record Club.

Carpio is, as you may already know, one half of the team that brings you Old Ironsides' Tuesday-night Lipstick dance party.

Record Club is part show, part dance night - think live bands with DJ sets wedged in between the acts - and the vibe is totally laid-back and congenial.

As we hung out, sipping on drinks, I caught myself at several points doing that sort of unconscious foot shimmy. You know, the one where you're deep in conversation with someone but then you realize that your feet and hips are moving around as if they're off in their own private dance universe?

Anyway, long story short, the bands were great, but the atmosphere is really what made it all worth missing "Lost" for. Carpio's got an ear for unpretentious, dance-worthy music, and the Press Club is light years improved from the place we used to call the "Depressed Club." It's clean and shiny and friendly. Sure, the stage is kind of awkwardly angled in a corner, yet somehow it works. Probably because, unlike in the '90s, when the band played beneath cartoons of big-busted women, I am no longer distracted by a smelly bathroom or all the fights breaking out on the sidewalk. Say what you will about the evils of gentrification, but I like the new Press Club a whole lot better than the old one. I'm in my 30s now and grime no longer really holds a certain charm for me - just sayin'.

Oh, one more important thing: the Record Club is actually and officially held on the first and third Sundays of the month, which means that, next week, I don't have to have the inner "Lost vs. Dance" debate. So, this coming Sunday, check out Goldenboy and Agent Ribbons.

Carpio's also hosting a show with the Smiths tribute act This Charming Band on Friday night at the Blue Lamp (1400 Alhambra) as well as a pre-Apples in Stereo DJ set on Saturday night, also at the Blue Lamp.

See you there.

P.S. Do not even THINK about posting "Lost" spoilers in the comments - I'm watching it the second I get home today.

Time once again for another installment of our (unfortunately) long-running series, "Is it 'The Daily Show With Jon Stewart' or local TV news?"

We turn our attention to this morning's broadcast of Channel 31's "Good Day Sacramento," where former President Jimmy Carter, who was doing a series of satellite interviews on local morning shows to promote the audio version of a new book, squared off with the wacky "GDS" crew.

It wasn't pretty.

Then again, it never is when "GDS" tries to get serious and important. Let's just say that the trio at the anchor desk - Marianne McClary, Cody Stark and Mark S. Allen - won't make anyone forget Christiane Amanpour, Walter Cronkite and Jim Lehrer.

The questions, such as they were, defined trite. The gushing and fawning defined minor-league broadcast. For once, we longed for Nick Toma to add a little gravitas - and you know you're in trouble when you wish that.

Check out the interview here.

But for those who just can't stomach it, here are the lowlights:

* In introducing Carter, McClary set the tone: "You have now surpassed our other most famous guest, the Duchess of York. You are at the top of the list!"

Geez, are you sure, Marianne? Fergie is a Weight Watchers spokesperson, after all; what's Carter done other than broker peace in the Middle East and win a Nobel Peace Prize?

* Then, McClary's first question was not even a question. She just mentioned that he has something out on audio. (Still, that seemed good enough for Carter, who was in full book-hawking mode.)

* Stark, who usually plays the wacky weatherman, then asked this rambling question: "I've been to Plains, Ga. And when they have small towns in the dictionary, they should have Plains pictured. Do you ever look back on your life and think, 'How did a kid from this tiny little town become, you know, a leader of the free world and all the things you've managed to do?'" (Carter ignored the question completely and talked about religion in Plains.)

* Allen has a reputation for making interviews all about Mark. He didn't change that just because he had a chance to talk to a president. Allen's question: "I ask this only because I have a similar brother. What's it like to grow up in a small town like this with a brother like Billy?" (For the uninitiated, Allen has a tres-lame regular bit on "GDS" in which he dresses up like a hick with false buckteeth and pretends to be Mark's "brother" from Texas.)

Carter was gracious in answering Allen about his late eccentric brother, Billy.

* Later, McClary, grasping for something to say, asked (we kid you not): "I just learned you were the first president born in a hospital. Is that true?"

Geez again. You've got one of the most influential Americans on your show and you ask that? Journalism 101 students could do better.

Coda on Cody: Two hours after interviewing Carter, Stark was out in Roseville dressed as a banana slug for a live remote. Ah, must have felt good for him to be back on terra firma.

If you're mentally singing "hamburgers that talk / Chicken McNuggets you can take for a walk," then you've been brainwashed by '80s-era McDonald's commercials, too.

And if the '80s also bring to mind a certain tall and talented basketball player from that golden decade, well then, here's an event just for you.

Magic Johnson will be in town for the grand opening of a Starbucks on the corner of El Camino and Del Paso from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday. His Johnson Development Corporation, which aims to bring restaurants, retail centers, etc., to underserved communities has teamed up with Starbucks to bring the coffee shop to the the area.

It also will be host to career-development assistance, parenting classes and family homework help via the Saca Community Learning Center.

Way to go, Earvin!

Starting Monday, the noon news will be history at news-talk station KFBK (1530 AM), with the slot being filled by Tom Sullivan, whose three-hour talk show will start an hour earlier.

The station's afternoon news will expand an hour, airing from 3-7 p.m.

Meanwhile, on sister station KSTE (650 AM), Dr. Laura Schlessinger will move to daytime (noon-3 p.m.), while Michael Savage will be on from 3-6 p.m. and Sean Hannity from 6-9 p.m.

Clear Channel, the corporate owner of both stations, is selling the programming switch as "telescoping out both stations' big conservative shows so none of them overlap," says operations manager Alan Eisenson.

The demise of the noon news is not entirely unexpected. Its ratings have been poor, Eisenson concedes, since Paul Harvey's commentaries were dropped several years ago.

"And the untimely passing of (anchor) Rick Stewart didn't help, so it seemed like the right time to make a change," he says.

Still, Eisenson says that the cancellation of the noon news is not a retreat for the station.

"Our commitment to news is as strong as ever," Eisenson says. "We're just shifting that hour to the afternoon news."

In other KFBK news, afternoon host Jay Alan remains on the air even after it was announced he would be leaving the station to become communications director for the California Conservation Corps, a state agency. (See my posting below.)

"It's a contractual matter with Jay," says Eisenson, who declined to elaborate. "His government job won't start until he leaves the air. We've posted the job and started to search (for a replacement)."

It could be weeks before Alan leaves the air, which raises the question: What if he has to interview a government official?

"We hadn't thought about that (ethical dilemma)," Eisenson says. "But we will make sure that won't happen."

Jay Alan, the smooth-voiced co-anchor of KFBK's afternoon news, has been appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to be the communications director of the California Conservation Corps.

Alan - real name: Jay Alan Wierenga - has delivered the news with partner Kitty O'Neal since 2003. Before that, he was a TV news anchor at Fox40. According to a press release from the governor's office, Alan's new position "does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $95,000. Wierenga is a Republican."

No word yet from Alan Eisenson, KFBK's operations director, or Jeff Holden, Clear Channel-Sacramento's GM, about any replacement for Alan at KFBK.

It's no secret (at least in the radio biz) that Alan has political ambitions. Might this be the first step toward elective office?

Thursday night, I spoke about our changing media landscape to a nice group of people, the Capital Area Progressives (CAP) at the Paradise Cafe in Sacramento.

I'd like to thank them for not pelting me with biscotti and scones simply because I'm a member of the MSM (that's mainstream media, for the uninitiated). You see, when we aren't being criticized by conservatives for supposedly being in the pocket of the Democrats, we're being criticized by progressives for supposedly being in the pocket of Republicans.

In any event, a big topic of conversation was the loss of Air America in Sacramento now that KCTC (1320 AM) has switched to ESPN sports. People really miss the syndicated talkers, as well as local talent Scott & Sims and Enid Goldstein. They've held demonstrations outside the Entercom office, to no avail.

Well, I might not be able to bring back the "talk left" format, but I can tell people where to find Goldstein now.

An action figure of the prickly host was recently up for bid on eBay.

The End (KDND 107.9 FM) has hired Dan Mason as the station's new program director, the industry Web site Radio & Records reported.

Mason has been the interim PD at the station since the water-drinking contest that resulted in the death of a Rancho Cordova woman - and in the firing of 10 KDND staffers. Among those was longtime program director Steve Weed.

Radio & Records reports that Mason has worked at WHYI in Miami, WAKS in Cleveland and WMME in Augusta, Maine. "I am blown away by what a great company Entercom is and feel very blessed to be here," Mason told R&R.

We would like to give you more details about Mason, but John Geary, the GM of Sacramento's Entercom stations, hasn't returned any of our phone calls since Jan. 12. Hmmm. Coincidentally (or not), that's the date of the now-infamous water-drinking contest.

Mason didn't return our calls, either.

Jerry Horton

Few retail owners are as busy these days as Jessica Horton, owner of not one, but two Dara Denim boutiques. Her midtown store is still a fixture in the shopping district - 2404 K St. And now, she's celebrating the launch of her second store in Granite Bay - more specifically, at 5530 Douglas Blvd., Suite 120, in the Quarry Pond shopping center.

It opened right after the holidays, but Jessica has been saving up goodies for the grand opening.

So, if you don't have plans for tonight and consider "shopping" the perfect hobby, Jessica and team are hosting a soiree from 6 to 9 p.m. at the new store (pictured above).

In addition to the fab clothes Dara Denim is known for - and there will be informal modeling - she's serving up cocktails, wine and food as the spring fashions are strutted about.

"We'll have four girls wearing different looks as they meet and greet guests," Jessica says.

She adds that, while the Granite Bay fashions are definitely similar to midtown's, they are "a little more conservative."

"In Granite Bay, there are women who don't get too dressed up. They love their nice jeans and tees," she says. "But the fashions still have that same Dara Denim feel. Flirty and casual."

Jessica says the plan is to also stock men's clothing in the new store as well as swimwear (when the time is right), plus kids' clothing.

So, what's it like having two stores in opposite directions?

"For me, it's going just fine," Jessica says. "I live closer to the new store, which has a whole new audience (of shoppers). The folks who live out there (midtown) and in Roseville are glad we're open."

Jessica says she will continue to nurture her midtown store and encourage other businesses to open there. "We need more foot traffic (in midtown). It makes me sad when businesses in that area don't make it."

For more info, call (916) 797-6090 or go here.

In Tuesday's Coming Distractions column, I told you that those Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert tickets were going on sale Saturday.

Well, turns out that was a L-I-E (why is it that when I write country music-related entries I suddenly feel as if I'm penning a Tammy Wynette or Loretta Lynn song?)

The publicity types got their info all messed up. So if you wake up all early-like tomorrow to try and buy into the country couple's Soul2Soul Tour 2007 (set to hit Arco Arena on Aug. 6), you're just gonna end up with a broken heart and wasted morning. (See what I mean?)

The tix are actually and for reals going on sale next Saturday, March 24. But I'm told all the other particulars remain the same: On-sale time: 10 a.m.. Cost: $49.75-$89.75.

I love thrift stores almost as much as I love music, so this is kind of like my dream blog entry. Random, but a dream nonetheless. Anyway. Earlier this month, I spent the afternoon interviewing the women of Agent Ribbons (pictured at right), an up-and-coming local pop duo. (Read my story in Weekend Ticket.)

Singer Natalie Gordon and drummer/multi-instrumentalisit Lauren Hess live in (separate) apartments in a Victorian that sort of straddles that downtown/midtown cusp. And while hanging out in Gordon's upstairs apartment -with its crazy-yet-fun assortment of vintage furniture and accessories, I could tell that these two obviously love the thrift like I love the thrift.

Besides, they personally handcraft all of their CD covers using vintage charms, fabrics and photos - so of course they know and love secondhand stores.

Anyway. On my way to see them, I noticed a small SPCA thrift store a few blocks away from them and asked Lauren if she'd ever checked it out.

"It's awesome," she says.

All the ringing endorsement a diehard thrifter ever needs.

I headed over and started checking out the goods. Among my scores: a 1950's cheese board with a cute, Mary Blair-esque illustration; a 1953 Better Homes & Garden magazine, and a pretty jewelry box.

But my real find came when, digging into a rack of "sewing and craft supplies" (or so the sign told me), I came across a big plastic bag filled with squirrels.

No, really, squirrels. Not live ones, silly, but two-inch-high creatures fashioned out of shellacked walnut shells, pipe cleaner and paint.
There must've been a dozen of these little critters staring back at me through the bag.

Best of all? The label read, in all earnestness, "Bag of Squirrels $1.98."

I get a kick thinking about the SPCA thrift store worker (they're all volunteers there, by the way) who wrote that label and then decided on the squirrels' monetary worth.

And, although I had absolutely no idea what I might do with a Bag of Squirrels, I snapped them up without hesitation. Gleeful with my "thrift score," I e-mailed Lauren the next day.

Her reply?

"No way!!! I was going to buy that bag of squirrels but I thought to myself, 'I don't need this whole bag of squirrels....' I'm glad you picked them up and now they are in a good home! Could I bother you to spare one??"

But, of course! I'll be taking one to Lauren when I go see Agent Ribbons play Friday night at Old Ironsides (9 p.m., yo, at 1901 10th St.). I'm kind of secretly hoping the little guy ends up on a future Agent Ribbons CD cover.

Now, the funny thing is, seems like everybody suddenly wants a squirrel. Whenever I repeat this story, it inevitably ends with the other party - co-workers, friends, whomever - declaring that, hey, they, too, need a squirrel.

And, really, who doesn't? Could be my best find, ever.

So we recently received a press release from the Department of Justice detailing how Channel 3 "has partnered with the U.S. Attorney's Office to help organize and promote community outreach forums to schools, parents and community groups.

"In addition to preparing news reports on a variety of topics relating to Internet crimes against children, KCRA has committed part of its Web site to the issue of Internet safety...."

What's this? KCRA is teamming with the DOJ and promising to prepare news reports about the threat that Internet predators are to children?

Isn't that wading into ethically murky territory?

No, says Elliott Troshinsky, KCRA's president and general manager.

"They won't be directing our coverage in any way, shape or form," Troshinsky says, referring to the justice department. "We'll be doing that (directing the coverage). We've been doing stories on this issue for quite some time...I think it's totally ethical."

Bob Steele, however, disagrees. Steele, the Nelson Poynter Scholar for Journalism Values at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., says a news outlet "partnering" with a governmental agency presents several problems.

"The main concern is the watchdog role of journalism," Steele says. "Part of the story about Internet predators is how the justice department and U.S. Attorney protects the kids, and journalists have to report how (those agencies) are doing.

"If they are teamming up, at the very least, it gives the perception that they aren't playing the watchdog role. I find it odd that a TV station would think of doing that."

Back in February, we reported on the newsroom losses at Channel 3 (KCRA), including the defection of producer Carolyn Thomas to rival Channel 13. (She was the second high-profile defection to 13, joining producer Cameryn Beck.)

Well now, Channel 3 has struck back.

KCRA has hired assignment and field operations manager Jim Jakobs away from Channel 13 to be 3's new assignment manager. Jakobs has KCRA ties. He began his career at Channel 3 as a traffic producer and assignment editor.

Bravo

Well, finally.

Bravo has announced that casting calls have gone out for Season 4 of the stylish drama/comedy reality show "Project Runway."

After months of apparently trying to figure out when - or if - there would even be another season of the Emmy-nominated show, Bravo now says the open calls for fashion designers interested in competing will kick off March 30 in Los Angeles, followed by Chicago, Miami and New York City. For more information, including location updates and official rules, interested participants can log on here.

Sadly, the announcement didn't include any updates on "Project Runway" mentor Tim Gunn (pictured above) or his status with the show. As you may recall, Bravo announced in January that Tim would be launching his own style show.

Now, the guy only has so many hours in a day. So I'm awaiting word on whether wrangling over his also appearing on "PR" had anything to do with the casting-call holdup.

Anyway, a little birdie - more like a swooping vulture - let me in on a juicy local-fashion nugget: There's good reason to believe that several of Sacramento's finest designers will be loading up their frocks and making the trip to L.A. at the end of this month to audition.

Stay riveted to this blog; I'll keep you posted.

In other "PR" news: Season 3 winner Jeffrey Sebelia is cranking out his own brand of distinguished couture. I checked out his Web site and it's really pretty cool. There's a listing for stores that carry his clothing, including Mac and The Grocery Store in San Francisco, but you also can order both men's and women's apparel off the site. I saw a lot of the same "looks" that he showed on the "Runway."

It's almost too perfect. Guy walks into my favorite neighborhood bar and - guess what? - turns out to be Norm from "Cheers."

The only thing that makes this less-than-amazing is the fact that I was not there to witness George Wendt - a.k.a. Norm from the long-running sitcom "Cheers" - rock out to live music Sunday night at Old Ironsides.

Club manager Kim Kanelos tells me it was really as awesome as it sounds. Wendt (pictured here, at left, with fellow TV alum and current co-star Richard Thomas) is in town, appearing as the foreman in the Broadway Series production of "Twelve Angry Men."

When he's not busy being all actor-like, Wendt says he relaxes by taking in local clubs, bars and restaurants. He especially loves indie rock (who knew?!), he told Kanelos, who adds he was "totally into" the show, which included Cuesta Drive and San Diego band Transfer.

Best of all Wendt, who ordered a Red Horse Ale, was friendly and more than approachable - although wisely, Kanelos says she put the kibosh on the doorman's plans to prompt a club-wide cheer of "Norm!!!"

"As if he's never heard that one before!," she says.

So true.

And yes, Wendt sat at the end of the bar - could it be any other way?

Oh, and "Twelve Angry Men" plays at the Community Center Theater (1301 L St.) through Sunday. For more info: (916) 264-5181. And to read the four-star review by The Bee's very own Bruce Dancis, go here.

In July of 2005, six Northern California radio listeners challenged the license renewal for popular talk stations KFBK (1530 AM) and KSTE (650 AM) on the grounds of political bias.

The six - Brian Hassett of Meadow View, Roger and Irene Smith of Loomis, Millee Livingston of Auburn, Marilyn Jasper of Loomis, and Ed O'Hara (no city given) - charged that the Clear Channel stations' "prime-time talk-show programming amounts to the use of the airwaves as a relentless political pulpit, presenting only one-sided, predictable opinion on most issues, and even blatantly endorsing one political party.”

In other words, is airing conservative pundits such as Rush Limbaugh and Tom Sullivan (KFBK) and Armstrong & Getty, Michael Savage, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly (KSTE) enough to revoke the stations' licenses?

Hardly.

The FCC today denied the challenge and renewed the stations' licenses. In a letter to the six objectors, the FCC wrote:

"The role of the commission in overseeing program content is limited. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Section 326 of the Act prohibit the commission from censoring program material or interfering with broadcasters’ free speech rights....

"We have evaluated the KFBK(AM) and KSTE(AM) license-renewal applications pursuant to Section 309(k) of the Act, and we find that each station has served the public interest, convenience and necessity during the subject license term; there have been no serious violations of the Act or the commission’s rules at either station; and there have been no other violations at either station which, taken together, constitute a pattern of abuse."

I'm already sleep-deprived, so losing another hour this weekend because of daylight saving time bums me out. But, thanks to some tips from sleep expert Michael Breus - and some nifty products from Bath & Body Works - maybe, just maybe, I won't clock out because of the time change.

Check it out:

Tip 1: Moving the clocks up means the sun comes up an hour earlier (natch). To keep the light out of your closed lids, Breus says to sleep with the shades drawn or invest in a sleep mask.

Tip 2: Add some aromatherapy products to your nightly routine. This might help you fall asleep faster. One of the most relaxing scents is lavender, like Bath & Body Works' Sleep collection (shown right), which also contains vanilla. Then, in the morning, switch to something more invigorating to wake yourself up - maybe Energy Mandarin Lime.

Tip 3: You might want to move your bedtime and wake-up times forward 15 minutes to help your bod adjust to the impending hour loss.

News10, looking for a new morning anchor now that Sharon Ito will soon be working on a new Web initiative for the station, today announced the hiring of Kelly Jackson, who had been an evening news anchor in St. Louis.

Jackson, who also worked on morning news shows for KSDK in St. Louis, will begin her new job on April 23. Ito's last day on "News10 Good Morning" will be March 23. Anchor Dan Elliott will be joined by fill-in hosts until Jackson arrives.

News10 news director Stacy Owen said in a statement that Jackson "is the perfect balance of journalist and vibrant personality."

In the last ratings period (February), "News10 Good Morning" finished in third place behind Channel 3's "KCRA Reports" and Channel 31's "Good Day Sacramento" at both 5 and 6 a.m.

Some good news for fans of YouTube and journalism - and no, the two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, so stop laughing:

LiberalViewer is back on the runaway-popular video file-sharing site.

(For a taste of LV's work, we've posted a link to his video on the local radio station water-drinking contest and resulting death.)

You may recall that YouTube purged the account and 60-something video commentaries posted by LV (Sacramento's Allen Asch) after Viacom charged that he had infringed copyrights. This week, Asch was informed that his videos are back up - minus, of course, any clip featuring Viacom shows such as "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report." (Well, actually, some videos with Stewart and Colbert clips are still viewable. Shhh! Don't tell Viacom.)

In any case, LiberalViewer maintains that clips he uses for commentaries fall under the "fair use" statute of copyright laws. Viacom, obviously, thinks otherwise.

Much to report in my ongoing quest to only accidentally discover the deal with the Town House on 21st. (See my last posting here.)

So, I'm walking by the other night and I hear music inside. Being the forward and nosy gal that I am, I try the door. Locked. Drat. I go about my business, which happens to include a dinner thing with a bunch of people I don't know.

So I'm telling my Town House locked-door story (I am an excellent conversationalist) and lo!, I happen to be telling it not 10 feet away from the very man who owns the place.

And then! (yes, there's more) - I'm walking back to work from lunch at Zocalo the other day and I pass the lovely and talented DJ extraordinaire Shaun Slaughter, who informs me that he's doing a pre-opening private party on Saturday, that I should totally go and invite my friends and here's the flier for it and oh, by the way, it's at the Town House.

Fate or coincidence? I'm going with the former. Because it's way more fun.

Reader reaction has been strong to the Media Savvy column two weeks ago about TV weather.

But just our analyzing the accuracy of forecasts wasn't enough for devoted Ron Muth.

"My one regret is that you did not comment on the forecasters' ability to deliver their messages intelligently," Muth tells us. "I had hoped you were going to comment on the forecasters' presentations, whether or not you agreed with my perspective....

"I am keenly interested in clear, concise, cogent reports. If I did not know better, I would swear reporters' earnings relate to the number of words they use rather than the quality of their words."

In an e-mail, Muth then deconstructs the verbiage of local TV weather people. Here's an excerpt, with the TV weather comment in bold face and Muth's reaction in italics:

"Let’s go ahead and take a look at the temperatures for today...."
Today’s temperatures were....

"The current temperatures outside are...."
Thank goodness they clarified they are reporting on the temperatures outside and not inside my home or their studio.

"Temperature-wise, weather-wise, etc., today’s temperatures were...." I could just scream when I hear that inane phrase.

"As we go through the day tomorrow (or weekend)...."
When exactly is that time? How can you plan activities to avoid bad weather? How about saying, “Tomorrow morning, evening, all day, etc., the weather will be?

Repeating the word “area”....
Once per report is enough already! We know their report is for the Sacramento area.

"The winds will begin to diminish...."
UGH! (Say) less wind tomorrow, or simply report the wind speeds for each day and we can figure it out.

OK, Brad Paisley fans, I'm posting this now so you don't have to wait until Tuesday's Coming Distractions column because then you'd be all like doh! and I'd be like oops, sorry! and there'd be that awkward tension between us and, well, anyway - you know what I'm getting at.

What I'm getting at: Paisley (pictured, left, at the 2006 Country Music Awards) is arriving May 19 at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre and tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday via TicketMaster. They'll set you back between $20-$49.75.

If you don't want to use the dot.com for your ticketing needs, just dial (916) 649-8497.

Paisley's Bonfire & Amplifiers tour also includes Jack Ingram, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift.

"Insight," the weekday (2 p.m.) public affairs show on our NPR affiliate KXJZ (90.9 FM), has promoted Jen Picard from assistant to senior producer.

Picard came to "Insight" in July after five years at the Appeal Democrat newspaper in Yuba City. She replaces Benjamin Jonas Keeling, who left recently for a position at the Voice of America in Washington, D.C.

“Insight will continue to cover a wide variety of local issues and people as we strive to bring the program to the next level,” Picard says in a statement. “We hope to become an institution in the community - a program people trust and count on to deliver informative and entertaining discussions about local issues they can't get anywhere else.”

Time again for another installment of our feature, "Is it a 'Daily Show' spoof or is it local TV news?"

Tuesday night, Channel 13 reported on a Yuba County woman whose house burned down and, in the charred remains, she claims she saw the face of Jesus burned into the wallpaper.

What makes this story rate high on the cheesiness factor is the absolute gee-whiz credulity of Channel 13's Mike Dello Stritto's reporting. At one point, he asks in a voiceover, "Is this the immaculate conception or just warped perception?"

And how did Dello Stritto answer that? By giving us more sound bites from Ms. York, who has framed the supposed heavenly image.

Sorry, but it looks to us more like a ... well, charred wallpaper.

For your viewing pleasure, courtesy of our friends at YouTube. Feel free to add commentary below ....

Target

Everybody - and I do mean everybody - loves to partner with Target to launch something, whether it's clothing (Isaac Mizrahi, Liz Lange) or furnishings (Michael Graves, Todd Oldham) or makeup (Sonia Kashuk).

On Monday, L'Oreal Paris and Target launched Target Red, a new lipstick shade that falls under the L'Oreal Colour Riche collection. Of course, it is a beautiful shade of red. The lipstick, which sells for $5.99, is positioned in stores with other L'Oreal Paris products. As Target says, the new shade is "hitting the bull's-eye, literally."

L'Oreal handled the packaging, which is a customized case featuring the signature Target red shade (courtesy of Pantone Inc., the color specialists). There's even a tiny bull's-eye on the top. No word yet on how long the shade will be available. So, if you like it, buy two.

A while ago, I wrote about a fabulous Scotch tasting at local swill merchant Gallagher's Irish Pub. "Man alive!" all you Scotch lovers wrote in to say. "Tell me more about this delicious opportunity, for I simply must partake!"

Well, dear readers, I'm pleased to report that now you can. Master of Scotch Stephen Beal is back at Gallagher's for one night only (Ha! Now you can have that song constantly stuck in your head, too!) on Tuesday to give another crash course in single malt satisfaction. For $25, you get a tour of the good stuff from a guy who knows, as well as some snacks to keep things in check.

The tasting goes from 5 to 7 p.m. Me? I've already been properly schooled, but methinks a refresher course is in order. Repetition is an important part of education, after all.

Longtime KFBK radio personality Rick Stewart, who lately had been the station's voice of traffic and its noon news anchor, died Friday afternoon at a Sacramento hospital. He had been suffering from a kidney ailment.

Today, KFBK's noon news aired a tribute to Stewart, featuring anchors Amy Lewis and Jennifer Steele as well as former DJs Joey Mitchell and Jim Hall at KRAK, the country music station where Stewart previously worked. In addition, KFBK created a Web page in honor of Stewart.

Stewart is survived by his wife Nina, and children Michael and Andrea.

Look for an an obituary later this week in The Bee.

Nancy Brands Ward barely kept the editor's chair warm at the Sacramento News & Review before up and leaving. She started the job in September and left the alternative weekly paper last week.

"It just didn't work out," publisher Jeff vonKaenel tells us this afternoon by way of explanation.

So it's back to the hot seat for Melinda Welsh, who served as interim editor for 13 months before vonKaenel hired Brands Ward. "(Welsh) is a great journalist," he says.

Indeed, VonKaenel would love to have Welsh take over the job permanently, but that doesn't appear likely.

"The interim thing is her idea," he says. "We're actively looking for a permament editor. It's big job with a lot of responsibility."

Jokes Welsh: "I guess this is what I get for hanging around."

Seriously, Welsh says she's happy to fill in, but wants nothing to do with making it full-time.

Big changes at adult-hits station Y92.5 (KGBY). A month after the Clear Channel station laid off longtime DJ Dana Hess, word now comes that program director Mike Berlak is out.

"It was a mutual agreement," says Jeff Holden, general manager of Sacramento's Clear Channel stations. "It was just a philosophical difference. The station is doing fine."

Overall, Y92.5 ranked 13th in the 12-plus Arbitron ratings. "But," Holden adds, "we're No. 2 (behind Mix 96) in women 25-to-54, which we're very happy about."

Holden says he's searching for a new program director. Berlak had been in the job three years.

Lucky magazine

They're flying high at Madam Butterfly this month. Why? Well, it doesn't get any better than being the owner of a local boutique and seeing a jacket from your store prominently displayed in the Northern California edition. On two pages, no less. (Pages 160, shown above, and 182.)

Denise Masunaga, owner of Madam Butterfly in Pavilions (off Fair Oaks Boulevard), had an inkling her store might be featured in an upcoming issue after receiving a call from the Lucky folks back in December.

"I had sent out press packets the last couple of seasons...announcing that Madam Butterfly would be carrying the Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent metallic jacket," Masunaga says.

What really makes this special for a local store is that the Twelfth Street label picked Madam Butterfly to receive the store credit.

"They added that it was important to let people know who carries their label on a consistent basis," she says.

Even before the magazine hit stands, the metallic jacket, which is shown with pants and a skirt, was selling well, Masunaga says. However, having it show up in Lucky required her to re-order.

So the new issue of Sacramento magazine is out, and we were struck by this story "tease" on the cover: "MARTINI MOMS: WOMEN AND ALCOHOL."

That was enough to get me to open the periodical. I turned to the contents page and read the extended teaser: "Is alcohol a problem among local stay-at-home moms? We take a look."

Well, I took a look, too. And the answer was a resounding...uh, well, Sac mag couldn't really answer the question. Reporter Cathy Cassinos-Carr tried her best, apparently, but it turned out to be a gigantic nonstory. Check out the story yourself here.

Here are some excerpts:

* "But when pressed for a referral to local women to interview for this article, she responds with a short list of bloggers from Texas, the Bay Area and Southern California — no one local. Still, Jennifer figures they’re out there."

* “ 'I don’t know if local moms are out there drinking on afternoon play dates,” says Christy S. Waters, M.D., an addiction psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento. “We’ve not heard these stories from our patients. But that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.' ”

* "Nikki Buckstead-Pane, CEO of the Sacramento office of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, says it isn’t a trend she’s heard about, either."

* "Molly, who juggles a full-time job with being a wife and mother (she has a 2-year-old daughter), says she doesn’t know any moms who partake in daytime drink-a-thons."

The February sweeps numbers are in for local TV news and, once again, Channel 3 won in every time period. In some cases, such as the 5 p.m. news, KCRA's ratings more than doubled that of the competitors.

But (and isn't there always a but?), when compared to its own performance in February of 2006, some of Channel 3's numbers are down. For instance, Channel 3's 5 p.m. news rating of 10.2 is down from last February's 11.2, and its 8.6 rating this February is down from 11.3 a year ago. But KCRA's 7.1 rating at 11 p.m. is up slightly from last year (7.0).

News10 and Channel 13's numbers also are down significantly from last February, especially at 5 and 6 p.m. At 6 p.m., News10 dropped 29 percent and, at 5 p.m., 24 percent. Channel 13 is down 19 percent at 5 p.m. and 7 percent at 6 p.m.

Is it cause for hand-wringing? Depends on whom you talk to. The competition is catching up with Channel 3, but the other stations don't seem poised to knock KCRA off the pedestal, just yet. And in the early evening news, KCRA continues to lap the field.

As far as late news, it continues to be a battleground. At 10 p.m., Fox40 (5.1) is inching toward CBS13 (6.3). Having "American Idol" run two hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays apparently helped helped Fox40. At 11 p.m., News10's numbers are up slightly from last year.

Here are the weekday numbers:

5 a.m. news

KCRA: 2.6 rating, 16 share
"Good Day Sacramento": 1.9, 12
News10: 1.4, 9
CBS13: 1.2, 7

6 a.m. news

KCRA 4.1, 18
"Good Day Sac" 3.0, 14
News10: 2.4, 11
CBS13: 1.4, 6
KUVS "A Primera Hora": 0.7, 3
Fox40: 0.6, 3

7 a.m. news

"Today" show: 4.4, 14
"Good Day Sac": 3.4, 11
"Good Morning America": 3.1, 10
"CBS Early Show": 1.3, 4
"Armstrong & Getty" (My58TV): 0.6, 2

Midday news

KCRA "News at Noon": 3.9, 12
News10 (11 a.m.): 2.9, 10
CBS13 (Noon): 2.7, 8

4 p.m. news

CBS13: 2.6, 6

5 p.m. news

KCRA: 10.2, 21
News10: 2.9, 6
CBS13: 2.6, 5

6 p.m. News

KCRA: 8.6, 15
CBS13: 3.7, 7
News10: 3.6, 6
KUVS "Noticias": 2.4, 4

Late news

KCRA (11 p.m.): 7.1, 17
CBS13 (10 p.m.): 6.3, 11
Fox40 (10 p.m.): 5.1, 9
News10 (11 p.m): 4.9, 12
My58TV (10-10:30): 2.2, 4
KUVS "Noticias": 1.6, 4

In today's Ad Hawk, feature, we rave about the new iPhone ad that debuted during the Oscars telecast, but obsess over the fact that we couldn't identify one of the 31 actors featured.

Thankfully, Bee readers (specifically Chuck Schilling, Jim Eckes, Larry Webster, Alisa Edwards, Nicole Nguyen, Paul Bonnell, Michael French and Fred Hoffman) have come through.

It's Burt Reynolds in "Boogie Nights," they tell me. Check out the movie still above.