Need a gift for that special Oscar nominee?

The nominations are out! Let the gift-giving begin! Stuck for what to get Sean or Kate, Meryl or Danny, Brad and Angelina? What could be more appropriate than a gorgeous vase made from exposed 35 mm film? The ingenious Canadian artist, Colin Schleeh, has turned the raw material of Hollywood (and Bollywood) into a gorgeous work of art. And perhaps the lucky recipient will discover just how fetching it looks next to a certain golden bald man.

Our First Music Download

Visitors to the shop know we're definitely animal-friendly. Margo the Parrot normally presides from her usual perch in the niche, though she's been staying home of late while Kevin is serving as the foreman of a jury. Clementine the Westie is typically on hand Tuesdays and Thursdays. Past working dogs include three former 'pound pups': Turtle the big, grey terrier mix; Stella, part German Shepherd, part Border Collie; and Levi, a Weimaraner/Doberman combo. The original Gotham Gardens Dog and presiding canine spirit, though, was another shelter rescue: our beloved Maggie. Even though Maggie passed away two years ago at the ripe age of 18, people still come in to ask about her. We'll try and find a photo to post. Meanwhile, in her honor, please enjoy a free download of a new song from Neko Case.

For every blog that posts it, she's donating $5 to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. (Perhaps you've seen Dogtown and the amazing work they've done rehabilitating the Michael Vick pit pulls.) Great idea, Neko.  

Thomas Hampson, Valery Gergiev, the Maryinsky Orchestra & Us

Imagine walking through the nearly deserted American Museum of Natural History on a rainy fall night and hearing the spooky strains of Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain echo through the halls. For dramatic effect, it can't get any better than this. Then imagine being serenaded while you work by magnificent baritone Thomas Hampson and the Maryinsky Orchestra led by maestro Valery Gergiev. We don't get perks like that everyday. For the White Nights Foundation of America's fall gala, the Hall of Ocean Life (aka the Whale Room) glowed in rich amber tones. Mr. Hampson, meanwhile, is currently appearing with Renee Fleming in the Met's new production of Thais. We'd go but then we'd have to share him with nearly 4,000 others.