The U.S. Forest Service on Wednesday honored staff from the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit with the 2010 National Forest System Invasive Species Program Award in recognition of their work with more than 50 external partners as part of the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Working Group to prevent and control aquatic invasive species.

Forest Aquatic Biologist Richard Vacirca accepted the award on behalf of the Lake Tahoe Basin team at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Also recognized were biologists Holly Eddinger, Sarah Muskopf and Maura Santora, recreation staff members Bob Becker and Jonathan Cook-Fisher and public affairs officer Cheva Heck.

In nominating the team, the Pacific Southwest Regional Office noted the significant efforts of partners, including the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Tahoe Resource Conservation District, Lake Tahoe Water Trail Association, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, California State Parks, California Department of Fish & Game, Nevada Department of Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In collaboration with partners during 2010, the LTBMU team’s accomplishments included working with California Land Management to develop a screening process at Forest Service-staffed recreation sites to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species through non-motorized watercraft and staffing a roving inspector at Fallen Leaf Lake to inform the public of aquatic invasive species risks and prevention. Team members also helped to organize cutting-edge research and coordinate education and outreach efforts.

UC Davis’s Tahoe Environmental Research Center in partnership with the Tahoe Expedition Academy will host the sixth annual Science Expo. The Science Expo features interactive experiments and demonstrations for children grades 3–6 (ages 8–12) and their families.

The Science Expo is open to the general public on the evening of March 16 from 4–6pm at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences in Incline Village.

Ice cream will be provided by Susie Scoops of Incline Village and UC Davis TERC. Admission is free.

The 2011 Science Expo will showcase 20 hands-on investigations that explore Earth Science concepts such as:

* Erosion

* Atmospheric Processes

* Fossilization

* Astronomy

* The Properties of Rocks and Minerals

* 3-D Geographic Visualizations – Bathometry and Topography.

Interest in the event has grown tremendously. Last year, nearly 700 people, students and parents, participated in the Science Expo. The event is hosted annually and operates according to a three-year cycle; thematic emphases include Earth Science (2011), Life Science (2012), and Physical Science (2013).

This year, students from Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Incline Village and South Lake Tahoe will be attending during the school days of March 16-18. High school students participating in the Youth Science Institute will facilitate science investigations with the younger students in the community. Lake Tahoe School middle school students and parents in the community will also participate. UC Davis Americorps volunteers and docents will also be staffing some of the activity stations, however, additional volunteers are still needed.

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, contact volunteer coordinator Mary Danahey at (650) 743.2309 or email marydanahey@gmail.com.

The Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences is located at 291 Country Club Drive in Incline Village on the campus of Sierra Nevada College.

Publisher’s note: This is reprinted from the January 1974 Lake Tahoe Historical Society newsletter.

By Nancy Felling

Lake Tahoe will soon be in the movies again, according to Lake Tahoe historical Society president Bill Craven. The history of the Tahoe Basin is being filmed as a joint project of the society and David Phillips, a graduate cinematography student at the University of Southern California.

The half hour color and sound presentation will be used by the society as part of its educational program, Craven said.

Filming began last fall and the movie, which will also be used by Phillips in obtaining his master’s degree, is scheduled to be completed this summer.

The movie will be available to Tahoe schools in both California and Nevada for use in conjunction with social studies programs. It will also be available for use by community organization and for showing at campgrounds during the summer.

Another visual aid currently being prepared by the society is a series of slide presentations on the various economic and influential periods on Lake Tahoe’s past. The slide program is being developed by South Tahoe Intermediate School teacher Chuck Lucas. Lucas serves as a member of the board of directors of the historical society.

In keeping with his philosophy that one of the most important jobs of the society is educational. Craven said he would like to see a traveling mini-museum established. He explained that a portable museum could take displays of various aspects of the basin’s past to schools and community centers.

Craven feels there is a possibility that old time residents who have hesitated to make a permanent donation of artifacts to the museum would donate items for a short term traveling display.

In addition to a mobile museum, Craven said the society is looking at other locations for its permanent collection. The Log Cabin Museum opened by the historical society in 1970 is just about outgrown.

In addition, it is impractical to keep the present museum open during the winter. According to Craven, there is a need not only for more display area but also for storage and workroom facilities.

Craven, manager of Fallen Leaf Lodge, said another major obligation of the group is preservation of artifacts and sites of historic importance. He said he would hope that some members of the organization would become specialists in evaluating which aspects of the past are of value and should be saved.

Although the society is unable to finance all preservation projects, Craven believes it should continue to take an active role in obtaining funds for his work.

For example, if the steamship “Tahoe” is ever raised from its water grave, Craven said he felt the society should play some part in it preservation and display.

National Women’s History Month dates back to March 8, 1857, when women from New York City factories staged a protest over working conditions.

International Women’s Day was first observed in 1909, but it wasn’t until 1981 Congress established National Women’s History Week to be commemorated the second week of March. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month. Every year since, Congress has passed a resolution for Women’s History Month, and the President has issued a proclamation.

The U.S. Census reports there are 157.2 million females in the United States as of Oct. 1, 2010, compared to 153.2 million males.

At 85 and older, there were more than twice as many women as men.

The median annual earnings of women 15 or older who worked year-round, full time, in 2009, up 1.9 percent from $35,609 in 2008 (after adjusting for inflation) to $36,278. Women earned 77 cents for every $1 earned by men, according to 2009 stats provided by the Census.

More women 25 and older in 2009 had a bachelor’s degree (29.9 million) compared to men (28.7 million).

Receipts for women-owned businesses in 2007 totaled $1.2 trillion. There were 141,893 women-owned businesses with receipts of $1 million or more.

More than 45 percent of women-owned businesses operated in health care and social assistance, and other services, such as personal services; professional, scientific, and technical services; and repair and maintenance. Women owned 52 percent of all businesses operating in the health care and social assistance sector. Wholesale and retail trade accounted for 36 percent of women-owned business revenue.

California in 2007 had the most women-owned businesses at 1 million. Texas was second with 610,162.

Publisher’s note: On Feb. 23 Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe honored four students from Whittell High School as Young Women of Distinction. Bernadette Esquivel spoke about each woman. Here is what she had to say.

By Bernadette Esquivel

STATELINE — I have had the pleasure of knowing Karin Sharon and her family for well over 12 years. Karin currently has a weighted gpa of 4.347 and she has taken all of the honors and AP classes we have to offer at Whittell High School, as well as some college classes.

She has maintained straight A’s her whole high school career and has been on the honor roll all four years. She currently has 25 credits and will graduate with 27½ credits, when you only need 23 credits to graduate. She scored 1,820 on her SAT and a 26 on her ACT. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is the current president, she is also a member of the Key Club and she is the secretary. She was the class president her freshman year and a class representative her sophomore year.

Karin began her community service career at age 13. Karin made her Bat Mitzvah when she was 13 years old and hurricane Katrina had just taken place a few months prior. After watching and hearing about all of the devastation caused by Katrina, she decided to donate all of the gift money she had received to the victims of the hurricane. After that day she tried to devote her spare time to serve her community and give back as much as she could.

Some of Karin’s other community service has included working the Soroptimist food booth at the Celebrity Golf Tournament for four years, she helps the Rotary Club every year with the annual St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser, Kiwanis Crab Feed, and she helped organized Teens for Jeans, an organization that donates jeans to thousands of homeless people in America.

In 2007, Lake Tahoe experienced a devastating fire that destroyed more than 250 homes, the Angora Fire. Karin was there to help for five consecutive days around the clock making beds, serving food, and many other acts that helped the evacuees. Her list of community service goes on and on.

Karin is also very athletic. She has been on the volleyball team for the past four years helping them attain a state title her junior year. She has been on the basketball team for four years and made the Nevada All State Academic Team Sports Award for three years and probably the same for this year.

Last year she won first place in the Rotary Speech contest at the club level and came in 4th place at the district level.

In Karin’s spare time she tutors students who plan to make their Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s and she substitute teaches for the Temple Bat Yam’s Hebrew School.

Karin plans a career in communications and plans to study at either UC Berkeley, New York University, or Harvard.

Taylor Shepack is a wonderful George Whittell High School student. While attending our school she has maintained a weighted gpa of 3.848 while taking a number of honor and AP classes. She already has the required number of credits to graduate from high school, which is 23, but she will graduate with 26 credits.

Taylor is a member of the National Honor Society and has been on the honor roll all four years. Taylor has also been on the student council, being the class representative her freshman year, vice president her sophomore year, class president her junior year and she is currently the senior class representative.

Taylor’s community service has included Key Club for four years, the Festival of Lights, and Adopt a Grandparent. Her most memorable one would be Adopt a Grandparent. It is run through Barton Memorial Hospital. Taylor enjoys going to the hospital and visiting with the elderly, listening and talking to them. She stated that a lot of these folks don’t have frequent visitors and it makes her day when she is able to bring a smile to someone’s face and to let them know people do care.

Taylor’s athletic abilities include soccer, dance, and cross country running. She has also been involved in our band for four years, Black and White Choir for three years, Christian club for four years, she is on the SMILE committee (Students Making It A little Easier) and the SIC committee which is a Students Issues Committee.

In Taylor’s spare time she dances. She does hip hop, jazz, ballet, couples and modern dance. She takes dance classes all week at Marcia Sarosik’s Dance Studio. She also enjoys hanging out with family and friends. During the summer she enjoys hiking, biking, swimming and hanging out at the beach.

Taylor plans on attend the University of Nevada Las Vegas and majoring in performing arts and business.

I have known Lea Manzano for many years. While attending George Whittell High School Lea has maintained a 3.7 gpa, she has been on the volleyball team for the past three years, as well as the basketball team for four years. Lea is currently a member of the National Honor Society and has been on the honor roll for the past three years.

Lea has been very instrumental with our school yearbook for the past three years. When I try to find her at lunch she can usually be found in the computer lab working on the yearbook or uploading pictures she took at a school event. Mr. Crammer, the yearbook advisor says, “Lea Manzano has been a key participant and editor for the yearbook the last three years. Her participation has led to the production of a memorable piece for the school. I couldn’t have done it without her.”

Lea began participating in community service when she was 13 years old. She started at Kahle Community Center working with the RAD camps. Lea has been involved in the South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center, volunteering many hours of community service. She is one of their shelter program volunteers working with abused women and their children. She has learned that being a woman is very valuable and women are powerful and they should take pride in being a woman.

Lea plans on attending UNLV, UNR or LTCC. Lea has chosen a career path of journalistic or portrait photography. Lea will be very successful and we are proud to have her as one of our students.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Samantha Brumbach for 13 years, since she was in kindergarten. Sammy currently has a weighted gpa of 4.33 and has taken numerous honor and AP classes while attending George Whittell High School. She will graduate with 26 credit, where as a typical senior has 23 credits. Sammy has been on the honor roll all four years with straight A’s.

She is a member of the National Honor Society, she is the executive vice president of the student body, she has sung for the Black and White Choir for the past three years, waking up extra early to get to school by 6:3am for zero period. She is a member of our school’s Christian club for four years, and she has been a member of the Key Club for four years. The list goes on and on of her accomplishments.

Sammy’s community service list is an extensive list as well. Some of her highlights have been going on a mission trip to Mexico her freshman year handing out food to people and painting a church, being a member of Key Club where she was vice president last year and this year she is the president. She is constantly thinking up new ideas for the group on community service projects. Her newest project is the Polar Bear Plunge on March 19 and all proceeds will go toward Special Olympics.

Sammy is not only a great student and a great asset to our school, but she is a wonderful athlete. She has been on the varsity soccer team for four years and when the team was disbanded her junior year that didn’t stop her from playing soccer. She joined the boys’ team and earned a starting position.

Ms. [Kathy] Bluethman, our athletic director said, “Sammy is an outstanding soccer player. She is so committed to her sports that when our girls’ soccer team was withdrawn from our school due to lack of amount of players, she was playing on the boys’ team and was just as competitive as all the boys. She is always smiling and has a very positive attitude towards her academics, instructors, friends and teammates.”

During her sophomore year Sammy played soccer for two weeks in Spain and France for a club team. She has also been a member of our girls’ track team for the past three years and I am sure she will make the team this year too.

During her free time she skis, babysits for a number of our local families and she has helped at a soccer camp for children.

Sammy plans on studying at the Western Washington University and majoring in elementary education or in the health science field. Sammy looks at her life as a patchwork quilt. She states in her autobiography, “My fabric consist of loving parents, a home in the mountains, the care of three older sisters and a secure childhood. I grew up in a family where church and Sunday school were musts, and naming rocks, climbing trees and scraping knees were not only accepted, but expected. I grew up without any sort of technology such as Game Boys or even television, which forced my sisters and I to turn to each other and our imaginations for entertainment. I believe this lifestyle led me to be different from my peers and helped me form the pattern for my quilt.”

Bernadette Esquivel is the registrar and scholarship coordinator at Whittell High School.

Following its successful U.S. debut, “Mount St. Elias” returns for another special engagement. For one night only, moviegoers will get the chance to witness the harrowing documentary “Mount St. Elias” in theaters, and get a big screen glimpse into one of the greatest feats in mountaineering and skiing history on March 3.

The film, which has garnered awards from film festivals around the globe, follows three adventurers as they brave temperatures of 40 degrees below zero, dense fog and falling rocks in hopes of descending the longest continuous ski run in the world – a 21-mile long descent from summit to sea level with massive vertical relief up to 60-degree steep. The previous attempt to ski this mind-blowing slope ended in tragedy when two of the most experienced skiers fell to their deaths in 2002. Director Gerald Salmina captures adventurer Axel Naglich, ski alpinist Peter Ressmann and free ski pro Jon Johnston as they risk everything to achieve what no man had done before.

“Mount St. Elias” will be aired at Northstar.

For more information, go online.

Sam is a really nice, loving, cuddly lap cat, who loves to be brushed. He is an older gentleman who would like a quiet home.

Sam is scared at the shelter and spends his time hiding in a box so he never gets snatched up. He is happy to live with other well mannered pets and children.

Sam is neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated.

He is at the El Dorado County Animal Services shelter in Meyers, along with many other dogs and cats who are waiting for their new homes.

Call (530) 573.7925 for directions, hours, and other information on adopting a pet. For spay-neuter assistance for South Tahoe residents, go online.

– Susan Baumflek

More than 250 local business and community members attended the 57th Annual Community Service Awards presented by the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce this month at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley to recognize the outstanding achievements of residents.

Emilio Vaca, executive director of the North Tahoe Family Resource Center, received the Citizen of the Year Award for his leadership in turning a small social service organization into a major force in the large regional community it now serves. Vaca has also established relationships with other key community agencies.

Larry Sevison was awarded the Distinguished Community Service Award for his significant contributions during a period of 55 years since he first arrived in North Lake Tahoe in 1956, including serving as Placer County Board of Supervisors District 5 Representative and chair of the California Tahoe Conservancy more than 20 years.

The Large Business of the Year went to the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe for its continued professional and outstanding service to visitors, customers and clients. Moonshine Ink took home Small Business of the Year for its fresh, contemporary and in-depth focus on issues relevant to the Tahoe-Truckee mountain lifestyle.

Nonprofit of the Year was presented as a collective award to the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, North Tahoe Family Resource Center and Tahoe Women’s Services for their service integration, helping families get their needs met.

Tahoe Cross Country Ski Resort received the Hospitality Award for its exemplary commitment to hospitality and customer service and active participation in the community.

The Positive Environmental Impact Award was given to the Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships for its educating students throughout the school district about environmental issues and how they can impact them positively. The Special Celebration Award went to Squaw Valley USA, a prime example of Tahoe’s past and future.

The Special Community Service awarded was given to board Trustees Bev Ducey and Kristy Olk of the Truckee Tahoe United School District for stepping forward to help the community through the major endeavors and challenges faced by the district.

Arts Supporter of the Year was awarded as a collaborative effort in the desire to entertain both our local community, as well as the many visitors that vacation in our region. It was a grass roots effort that took shape as High Notes – North Lake Tahoe’s Summerlong Music Series that highlighted free music, every night throughout the region. Recipients are Northstar-at-Tahoe, North Lake Tahoe Business Association, Tahoe City Downtown Association, Tahoe City Public Utility District, the Squaw Valley Village Neighborhood Company and Truckee Donner Parks and Recreation District.

The Placer County-Lake Tahoe Film Office also recognized community members, with the Film Commission Outstanding Support for Film and Media Production presented to the Tahoe City Public Utility District and North Tahoe Public Utility District.

The North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce also thanked North Lake Tahoe Resort Association board Members Deb Dudley and Alex Mourelatos, who have now stepped down, for their leadership.

A number of volunteers were recognized: Rosie Smith, California State Parks; Pete Bansen and Phyllis McConn, Arts for the Schools; Laura Helsel and Steve McQuinn, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center; Melanie Jackson, Tahoe City Public Utility District; Ed Miller, Tahoe City Downtown Association; Courtenay Silvergleid-Wallpe, Tahoe Women’s Services; Mary Ellen Vogt and Dick and Nileta Morton, The Orchestra & Community Choral Artists of the Tahoe Area; Lindsay Harbison, Sierra State Parks Foundation, Jackie Benson-Dehaan and Nicola Kerslake, Squaw Valley Institute; and Don and Jeanne Davis, North Lake Tahoe Historical Society.

Outstanding employees getting top honors included Mitchell Penning, Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe; Linda Van Fossen, Tahoma Meadows Bed & Breakfast; Bob Kellogg, Eagle Ridge Snowmobiles; Sarah Schaefer, North Lake Tahoe Historical Society; Ana Liz Servin, North Tahoe Family Resource Center; Corina Botorea, Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort; Joel Walker, Avelina Cruz and Chef Chad Shrewsbury, Resort at Squaw Creek; Mirian Guerrero, Granllibakken Resort; Jake Lewis, Homewood Mountain Resort; Jessica Swan, Alpine Meadows Ski Resort; Jess Weigel, Tahoe City Public Utility District; Bill Loveland, Tahoe City Marina; Dave “The Wave” Pierce, Squaw Valley USA; Don Yuhas, Mike Hafer, Susan Malvolta, Ted Theodore and Chris Hargrave, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort’s Ski and Snowboard School; and Jeremy Jacobson of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association.The 57th Annual Community Service Awards was sponsored by the Resort at Squaw Creek, Jeff Leep of Leep Entertainment, Sierra Nevada Ad Partners, Tahoe Ridge Winery and The Store . . . Copies and More.

Barton Health’s Hospice is offering a nine-session grief class starting March 9.

Every other Wednesday through June 29 the “Understanding Your Grief” support group will combine education in the support group facilitated by a trained grief facilitator.

The sessions are from 5–6:30pm every other week.

During each session, stories will be shared and attendees will be able to explore the process of grieving and receive tools to aid in healing.

The use of ceremony, memory-making activities and the creative process to further assist each participant in their journey to healing also will be provided.

For more information and/or to register, call Rebecca Phillipsen at (530) 543.5581 or (775) 220.0342.

By Howie Nave

Hello, movie fans everywhere. Well, this is it. For those of us who love the movies, our Super Bowl has finally arrived. It’s our big escape from everything going on in the world and a chance to see if our favorites will take home the statue. There’s no participation trophy in the real world and there isn’t one here at the Oscars.

First off, I have to say that having actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway co-hosting the 83rd annual Academy Awards is an interesting move and might be a letdown of sorts. I know I’m biased being a comic, but comedians can improvise off the teleprompter and adjust to whatever might happen in the room, whereas actors tend to play it safe and need a script, especially with all those power brokers in the room who could get them their next gig.

This is also the first time in the Academy’s 83 years that representatives of each gender have been chosen to host, so I’ll try and keep an open mind. Who knows, maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised, but I still wish Billy Crystal would come back.

At least there are plenty of presenters (a few with a wicked sense of humor) who may make up for any hosting shortcomings. Oscar night is this Sunday on ABC and kicks off at 5pm Tahoe Time. All right, let’s get right to it, shall we? As in last year’s show, the category for Best Picture has been expanded to include 10 movies. So in the category for Best Picture the nominees are:

“Black Swan” Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver and Scott Franklin, producers

“The Fighter” David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Mark Wahlberg, producers

“Inception” Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan, producers

“The Kids Are All Right” Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and Celine Rattray, producers

“The King’s Speech” Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, producers

“127 Hours” Christian Colson, Danny Boyle and John Smithson, producers

“The Social Network” Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca and Ceán Chaffin, producers

“Toy Story 3” Darla K. Anderson, producer

“True Grit” Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, producers

“Winter’s Bone” Anne Rosellini and Alix Madigan-Yorkin, producers

Tough choices, but the top contenders seriously boil down to just two: “The Social Network” and “The King’s Speech.” Underdogs would be “True Grit” and “127 Hours.” Early on I would have given it to “The Social Network” if anything just to keep my privacy intact from Zuckerberg & Co., but after careful consideration I’m picking “The King’s Speech” for Best Picture.

Actor in a Leading Role nominees are:

Javier Bardem in “Biutiful”

Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”

Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”

Colin Firth in “The King’s Speech”

James Franco in “127 Hours”

Originally I was leaning toward Jeff Bridges who won for “Crazy Heart” in 2009 and then thought that Jesse Eisenberg might be an upset for his fine piece of acting in “The Social Netowork,” especially when the character you’re playing is still alive and probably altering your profile page as you read this. However, because he was just so brilliant in the role I’m going with Colin Firth for Best Actor.

Actor in a Supporting Role nominees are:

Christian Bale in “The Fighter”

John Hawkes in “Winter’s Bone”

Jeremy Renner in “The Town”

Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right”

Geoffrey Rush in “The King’s Speech”

The upset here could be Mark Ruffalo who I thought was very good (and understated) in “The Kids Are All Right” or Geoffrey Rush from “The King’s Speech” and he could still be the upset here. There are those (myself included) who thought Rush should have gotten a Best Actor nomination instead of a supporting one. However, after watching “The Fighter” and seeing how he again transformed both his mental and physical stature (as he did in 2004’s “The Machinist”) I’m going with Christian Bale for Best Supporting Actor.

Actress in a Leading Role nominees are:

Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”

Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”

Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter’s Bone”

Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”

Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”

The best upset in the world would be that of Jennifer Lawrence getting the statue for “Winter’s Bone,” but I don’t think there was enough buzz on this flick or her performance. That and the fact that she also won The Golden Globe award in the same category and was excellent in her character I’m picking Natalie Portman for Best Actress.

Actress in a Supporting Role nominees are:

Amy Adams in “The Fighter”

Helena Bonham Carter in “The King’s Speech”

Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”

Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit”

Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom”

I have to admit newcomer Hailee Steinfeld blew my mind seeing her in a role that reminded me of then newcomer Haley Joel Osment who was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for 1999’s “The Sixth Sense.” She still has to wait a little longer, I loved “Animal Kingdom” but I’m guessing nobody saw this really cool Australian import. The upset could be the usually Disney-like princess Amy Adams who urbanized her look (and performance) here in “The Fighter.” I believe the Academy (and myself) will pick that other Fighter and go with Melissa Leo for Best Supporting Actress.

Best Directing nominees are:

“Black Swan” Darren Aronofsky

“The Fighter” David O. Russell

“The King’s Speech” Tom Hooper

“The Social Network” David Fincher

“True Grit” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

Here’s where it gets real interesting and sometimes creates a split between Best Picture and this category. Personally, I want this to go to the Coen brothers for “True Grit,” but it’s really down to just two: Tom Hopper for “The King’s Speech” but I’m going with David Fincher for Best Director.

Animated Feature Film nominees are:

“How to Train Your Dragon” Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois

“The Illusionist” Sylvain Chomet

“Toy Story 3” Lee Unkrich

No contest here folks, but if I wanted to make an argument as to why it should win here is this: Were any of the others nominated here also nominated for a Best Picture? I didn’t think so. So that’s why I’m going with “Toy Story 3” for Best Animated Feature.

Short Film (Animated) nominees are:

“Day & Night” Teddy Newton

“The Gruffalo” Jakob Schuh and Max Lang

“Let’s Pollute” Geefwee Boedoe

“The Lost Thing” Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann

“Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary)” Bastien Dubois

Speaking all things animated, I wanted to place the category here for Best Animated Short (following the longer version). Since I only saw three out of the five but loved it out of the three that I did see I’m going with “Day & Night” for Best Animated Short Film.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay) nominees are:

“127 Hours” Screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy

“The Social Network” Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin

“Toy Story 3” Screenplay by Michael Arndt; Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich

“True Grit” Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

“Winter’s Bone” Adapted for the screen by Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini

Aaron Sorkin struck pay dirt all the way and judging by the number of people who saw this movie (plus the half billion who use Facebook) I’m going with “The Social Network” for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Writing (Original Screenplay) nominees are:

“Another Year” Written by Mike Leigh

“The Fighter” Screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson; Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson

“Inception” Written by Christopher Nolan

“The Kids Are All Right” Written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg

“The King’s Speech” Screenplay by David Seidler

This is probably one of the roughest categories because of the brilliant subject matter. I loved “The Kids Are All Right” and “The Fighter” which I still refer to as Mark Wahlberg’s passion play. For mem movies based on true incidents are always the most moving. That said, I am going with “The King’s Speech” for Best Original Screenplay.

Art Direction nominees are:

“Alice in Wonderland” Production Design: Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Karen O’Hara

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” Production Design: Stuart Craig; Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan

“Inception” Production Design: Guy Hendrix Dyas; Set Decoration: Larry Dias and Doug Mowat

“The King’s Speech” Production Design: Eve Stewart; Set Decoration: Judy Farr

“True Grit” Production Design: Jess Gonchor; Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh

Tough choice in this category especially since “Alice in Wonderland” and “Harry Potter” created worlds that made you feel as if you lived in those magical places. Howeve,r when it comes to a period piece where events actually happened in the real worl’ I’m going with “The King’s Speech” for Best Art Direction.

Cinematography nominees are:

“Black Swan” Matthew Libatique

“Inception” Wally Pfister

“The King’s Speech” Danny Cohen

“The Social Network” Jeff Cronenweth

“True Grit” Roger Deakins

There are two that really impressed me. The first being “Black Swan” for its somber settings and dark backdrops, which mirror the characters and the second because it was shot by the Coen Brothers. Roger Deakins has an incredible eye so I am picking “True Grit” for Best Cinematography.

Music (Original Score) nominees are:

“How to Train Your Dragon” John Powell

“Inception” Hans Zimmer

“The King’s Speech” Alexandre Desplat

“127 Hours” A.R. Rahman

“The Social Network” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

It’s a tie between “The King’s Speech” and “The Social Network” — both period pieces and based on true stories. Music serves as the audio backdrop for both these (and other) movies and a big part of which makes them so enjoyable to watch. Tough call but the team of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross really defined their era so it’s “The Social Network” for Best Original Score.

Music (Original Song) nominees are:

“Coming Home” from “Country Strong” Music and Lyric by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey

“I See the Light” from “Tangled” Music by Alan Menken Lyric by Glenn Slater

“If I Rise” from “127 Hours” Music by A.R. Rahman Lyric by Dido and Rollo Armstrong

“We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

He’s been nominated 20 times and only won once. His style as a solo artist is pure Americana who writes both lyrics and music that evoke emotion at both ends of the human condition. There is no better in my book and I believe he’ll snag his second Oscar so let’s hear it for Randy Newman for “We Belong Together” (from “Toy Story 3”) for Best Original Song.

Film Editing nominees are:

“Black Swan” Andrew Weisblum

“The Fighter” Pamela Martin

“The King’s Speech” Tariq Anwar

“127 Hours” Jon Harris

“The Social Network” Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter

The only movie nominated in this category that needed not one but two film editors. That’s how involved and well paced this movie is throughout jumping from the past to the present at a kinetic pace. It’s going to clean up in the technical categories especially here so it’s “The Social Network” for Best Film Editing.

Costume Design nominees are:

“Alice in Wonderland” Colleen Atwood

“I Am Love” Antonella Cannarozzi

“The King’s Speech” Jenny Beavan

“The Tempest” Sandy Powell

“True Grit” Mary Zophres

I have to go with the dazzling array of colors from another world that took me away from the surface of this planet. She made me feel as if I was late for tea with incredible designs so I am going with Colleen Atwood from “Alice in Wonderland” for Best Costume Design.

Documentary (Feature) nominees are:

“Exit Through the Gift Shop” Banksy and Jaimie D’Cruz

“Gasland” Josh Fox and Trish Adlesic

“Inside Job” Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs

“Restrepo” Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger

“Waste Land” Lucy Walker and Angus Aynsley

This is a tight race that boils down to two: “Gasland” because of its dead-on politics about corporations going after rural lands in the Midwest to suck up natural gas and the one I think will take home the Oscar: “Exit Through the Gift Shop” for Best Feature Length Documentary.

Documentary (Short Subject) nominees are:

“Killing in the Name” Jed Rothstein

“Poster Girl” Sara Nesson and Mitchell W. Block

“Strangers No More” Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon

“Sun Come Up” Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger

“The Warriors of Qiugang” Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon

I have a personal bias knowing actor Thomas Lennon, but must go with what appears to be a sure thing: “Strangers No More” for Best Documentary Short.

Sound Editing nominees are:

“Inception” Richard King

“Toy Story 3” Tom Myers and Michael Silvers

“Tron: Legacy” Gwendolyn Yates Whittle and Addison Teague

“True Grit” Skip Lievsay and Craig Berkey

“Unstoppable” Mark P. Stoeckinger

No contest here folks. The movie was such a mindbender in so many ways not just visually and conceptually but the sound that accompanied the trip was also amazing. Hats off to Richard King from “Inception” for Best Sound Editing.

Sound Mixing nominees are:

“Inception” Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick

“The King’s Speech” Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen and John Midgley

“Salt” Jeffrey J. Haboush, Greg P. Russell, Scott Millan and William Sarokin

“The Social Network” Ren Klyce, David Parker, Michael Semanick and Mark Weingarten

“True Grit” Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey, Greg Orloff and Peter F. Kurland

What’s the difference from editing? A lot. Knowing when to fade in and out and blends numerous effects in audio is a far cry from editing. Because both required the painstaking task of being able to fuse with the images (and edit too) again I’m going to pick “Inception” for Best Sound Mixing.

Visual Effects nominees are:

“Alice in Wonderland” Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas and Sean Phillips

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” Tim Burke, John Richardson, Christian Manz and Nicolas Aithadi

“Hereafter” Michael Owens, Bryan Grill, Stephan Trojansky and Joe Farrell

“Inception” Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb

“Iron Man 2” Janek Sirrs, Ben Snow, Ged Wright and Daniel Sudick

Call me superstitious (some do) but I’m going with the trifecta here because all three are like one. I’m referring to sound editing, mixing and the trinity here with visual effects. Add them all together and you get “Inception” for Best Visual Effects.

Foreign Language Film nominees are:

“Biutiful” Mexico

“Dogtooth” Greece

“In a Better World” Denmark

“Incendies” Canada

“Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi)” Algeria

OK, it boils down to either our neighbors from the north or south and since I only saw those two I’m picking the America’s attic and going with “Incendies” (from Canada) for Best Foreign Language Film.

Makeup nominees are:

“Barney’s Version” Adrien Morot

“The Way Back” Edouard F. Henriques, Gregory Funk and Yolanda Toussieng

“The Wolfman” Rick Baker and Dave Elsey

I’m basing my decision here (and not a very scientific one) solely on how cool Rick Baker is when it comes to applying the transformation from man to beast just based on his past work so yes, “The Wolfman” wins it for Best Makeup.

Short Film (Live Action) nominees are:

“The Confession” Tanel Toom

“The Crush” Michael Creagh

“God of Love” Luke Matheny

“Na Wewe” Ivan Goldschmidt

“Wish 143” Ian Barnes and Samantha Waite

You best get your hankies out for this one because it is a brilliant piece of movie making on a small scale but nonetheless leaves a huge impact. Ian Barnes along with Samantha Waite will be up there at the podium to accept the Oscar for “Wish 143” for Best Live Action Short Film.

There you have it. Check your scorecards, place your bets but most of all enjoy the show folks. We’ll get to see how much egg was tossed in my face after Sunday night.

Howie Nave is host/emcee/manager of The Improv at Harveys. You can hear him Monday-Friday 6 to 10am on KRLT FM-93.9.