A statement on Charlie Daniels’ Web site says the fiddler-guitarist is recovering from a mild stroke he suffered while snowmobiling in Colorado.

Although it’s a post-apocalyptic science fiction film, “The Book of Eli” plays like a Western, offering one of that genre’s bread-and-butter plot lines: a good guy loner standing up to a pack of bad guys.

Now that the award season has replaced the holiday season in Hollywood, buzz is building about best pictures, winning performances, designer gowns and, oh yes, “What’s for dinner?“

Veterans Memorial Park is kicking off its children’s dance programming with two new classes.

Movies, music and theater coming up . . .

Prince William Little Theatre will present Steve Martin’s “The Underpants” for seven performances, beginning Friday.<

Simon Cowell, the acerbic Brit who has helped give “American Idol” some of its sharpest — and nastiest — moments, will leave the popular singing show after this season.

The Friends of the National Zoo will host a “Farewell to Tai Shan” party at the end of the month as the 4-year-old giant panda will be sent to China.

The people have chosen vampires.

Money can buy guns, but not maturity.

Movies, shows and club acts to see are previewed by Joe Barber.

James Cameron’s science-fiction epic “Avatar” had another stellar weekend with $68.3 million domestically, shooting past $1 billion worldwide, only the fifth movie ever to hit that mark.

Happy Holidays! As 2009 comes to a close it is time for the annual Top 10 Ya Heard Moments of the Year.

When gift givers think of tech gifts, they think of expensive things like laptops or 60-inch plasma screens.

Among procrastinators like me is the growing inkling that Christmas is coming.

Year’s end is a great time to unwind from Christmas and spend time with family and friends.

What’s going on in the Metro area.

“The Nutcracker” comes to elementary school.

Tiger is a cheetah and the world is surprised?

Movies, theater and music brought to you by Joe Barber.

Nothing says Christmas more than a cat getting zapped by a strand of lights and a decorated house that could light up an entire city.

A guide to holiday specials on the tube.

“Up In The Air,” from “Juno” and “Thanks For Smoking” director Jason Reitman, stars George Clooney as a con-sultant who’s hired by businesses conducting mass layoffs to deliver the bad news.

The New Dominion Choraliers will present their Holiday Celebration Concert on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m., at the Hylton Memorial Chapel and Event Center, 14640 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge.<

We’re mapping homes with light displays. Sends us your photo with your address and you’ll get on the map for others to see.

A list of holiday events.

Chelsea Clinton, the 29-year old daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, has become engaged to her longtime boyfriend, investment banker Marc Mezvinsky.

What’s going on the rest of the week and weekend.

Oprah Winfrey was set to announce Friday that her powerhouse daytime television show, the foundation of a multibillion-dollar media empire with legions of fans, will end its run in 2011 after 25 seasons on the air.

Museum visitors in Washington will get the chance to step into “Meet the Press” moderator Tim Russert’s old NBC office, which has been reassembled at the Newseum.