Since this is the last Focus On Entertainment page of 2011, I figured I'd take a look back at my first four months on the job. I've given out some informal, and hopefully comical, entertainment-related awards for that period of time.
I haven't included anything from January through August since I did not work here then. I hope you enjoy these. Please remember they are meant purely for entertainment purposes and should not be taken overly seriously.
Entertainment Emailer Of The Past Four Months: I receive dozens of emails every week. Typically, they're serious in nature. People want coverage for an upcoming event or fundraiser, or a reader wants to say ''thank you'' or ''I really hate you and your writing a lot.'' It's a rare occurrence that any of these emails make me laugh.
Ken Hardley's are the exception.
The frontman of Ken Hardley and the Henways sends an email over whenever his band has a show coming up. His emails are always comical, but one in particular stood out. Prior to the band's gig at Waddington's Tavern in November, Hardley sent over an email that stated the bar would feature a dance contest, psychic predictions, a live ninja and The Hardettes.
I'm not sure how much of that email was actually true, but if there's a group of women called The Hardettes who travel around with Ken, then I need to plan my work and life schedules around his shows.
The You Impressed Scott Shelters When He Didn't Think He Would Be Impressed Award: Subscribers may have noticed while reading this page that I typically don't write hard-hitting reviews of shows, albums, films or anything entertainment-related. After all, this is The Post-Journal and not Rolling Stone.
Instead, I write stories on upcoming shows and events. This way, if I ever find that a particular local entertainment option isn't all that great, I never have to say so. I pass the information on, and the readers can formulate their own opinions.
It was with a certain level of concern that I began watching Lakewood native Carl Caprino's locally created film "The Black Cat" in November. The flick had won several awards, but I'm more of a big-budget film kind of guy.
Carl was kind enough to provide me with a free viewing of "The Black Cat," so I put my reservations aside and began playing the 52-minute horror movie on the entertainment desk computer. It didn't take long for editor Dave Emke to make his way over. We were both sucked into the film, and other work-related tasks were forgotten for the better part of an hour.
We were both startled several times and impressed by the film's high-quality special effects.
''The Black Cat'' is not terrible at all by any standards, and for an independent release, I think it's great. Check it out on www.theblackcatfilm.com for $0.99.
Best Entertainment Page Decision Made By The Post-Journal: My parents taught me not to talk to strangers a long time ago. Approaching people I've never met before has always been a little nerve-wracking for me. One aspect of this page - called "My Media" - required me to walk up to a stranger and ask them to answer a question and have their picture printed in the paper every week.
In November, Dave and I decided to kill "My Media" due to its time-consuming nature and total lack of fun or newsworthiness. Future entertainment reporters will someday thank us for that decision.
The Most Interesting Entertainment-Related Comment Of The Past Four Months: A reader called a couple of weeks after an entertainment story ran to complain, which was totally fine at first. I respect the fact that regardless of what I write, there will be readers who don't like it.
After this gentleman and I agreed to disagree, he threatened to send his daughters after me, as if they were attack dogs or ninja assassins. I transferred him over to Dave and still have no idea how things like this happen.
Top Entertainment Quote Of The Past Four Months: Back in September, I interviewed actress Susan Marie Frontczak on her traveling science show ''Manya: A Living History of Marie Curie,'' which she brought to JCC.
When asked why a non-science-minded person would enjoy her show, Frontczak replied with the following: "Scientists are people too." Dave and I liked it so much we used it for the headline.
The You Made My Day Award: I appreciated every comment I received from readers this year, especially the nice ones. The calls and emails sent by some of you were often constructive, thoughtful, well-intended and kind.
One reader named Douglas from Jamestown sent me a Christmas card earlier in the month because he liked a couple of my stories. I thought that was awesome, and the card is still sitting on my desk.
Now, it's time for this week's roundup. Have a great end of 2011 and start to 2012.
ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS
As always, venues are listed chronologically by first event.
THE SPIRE - ''Road to Bali,'' starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, will be shown tonight at 7 as a part of the Forgotten Classics movie series. On Tuesday, The Spire will show ''Africa Screams,'' starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. The admission price will be $2. Call 450-7357 for more.
MOJO'S - Hot Stenographer, Olympus Mons and Mala Sangre are on a rock bill tonight from 10 to 2. Rock band Aqueous will play from 10-1 on Friday night. Mojo's is located at 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 720-4621.
SENECA ALLEGANY CASINO - Country band Coyote will play on Friday night from 6-10, while classic rockers Pale Face will take the stage from 10:30-2:30. On New Year's Eve, Robert ''Freightrain'' Parker will play blues tunes from 1-4 p.m., and Red Rhythm will continue the blues with a 4:30-7:30 set. Blues band Harvey & The Hurricanes will play from 8-11, and Coyote will return to the casino for an 11:30-2:30 Saturday night set. For more information about the Casino Bar, visit www.senecaalleganycasino.com.
LABYRINTH PRESS COMPANY - Max Garcia Conover will perform on Friday night, beginning at 7. DJ Jonny Cobra will provide musical entertainment from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on New Year's Day. The Labyrinth is located at 12 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown. For more, call 708-2471.
CLARION HOTEL - The Clarion will throw a New Year's Eve party. Cindy Haight will play an acoustic set in the Cobo Lounge. The Jed Thomson Quintet will provide jazz and blues featuring Marla Harris. Steve Davis, Cody Anderson and The Bogarts will also perform. There won't be a cover charge, and there will be drink specials. The Clarion is at 150 W. Fourth St. in Jamestown.
FALCONER MOOSE - Ken Hardley and the Henways will rock the Falconer Moose on New Year's Eve from 8 p.m. to midnight. The lodge is located at 11 S. Dow St. in Falconer.
CELORON LEGION - On New Year's Eve, the legion will host a prime rib, ham and turkey buffet, with DJ's Unlimited providing music and fun from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Herman Kent American Legion Post 777 is located at 26 Jackson Ave. in Celoron.
SUGAR GROVE AMVETS - Classic rockers The Allergic Reaction Band will play on New Year's Eve from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Amvets Post 50 is located at 3838 Stoney Run Road in Sugar Grove, Pa.; for more, call 814-489-7842.
EAGLES CLUB - Rockers Pressure Sensitive will play from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve. The Eagles Club is at 2101 Pennsylvania Ave. E. in Warren and can be called at 814-726-1172 for more information.
THE LAKEVIEW - Derek Davis and The Tasty Groove will play an upbeat mix of country, rock and oldies on New Year's Eve, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Lakeview is at 13 Water St. in Mayville. For more, call 753-2813.
SHAWBUCKS - Shawbucks will host a New Year's Eve party that will include a champagne toast. Shawbucks is at 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 487-2201.
The Weekend Entertainment Events Preview highlights concerts, festivals and other happenings in the region in each Thursday's paper. Suggestions for submission can be sent to Scott Shelters by emailing sshelters@post-journal.com or by calling 487-1111, ext. 253.