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-4 The Richmond-filmed "Lincoln" has a disappointing showing at the Oscars, though Daniel Day-Lewis wins lead actor and production design takes a trophy. When is the Academy going to finally recognize the contributions of the RVA Beard League?

+1 State lawmakers scatter after the General Assembly session comes to a close, with headlines focusing on the passage of a measure raising $880 million to address the state's transportation woes. Someday we'll wise up and sell Northern Virginia to Maryland.

+5 The sixth annual Virginia Wine Expo sets an attendance record over the weekend, pulling in some 9,000 people and growing by 15 to 20 percent from the previous year. Can no one see the get-rich-quick possibilities of a next-door Cheese Convention?

-2 Mysterious overnight roars that wake up startled residents turn out to be Marines performing helicopter training exercises in local skies. Either that or Gene Cox was off his medication again, trampling through dark alleys and overturning trash cans.

+1 A sandwich at the University of Richmond with chicken, bacon, shallots, tomatoes, cheese and hot sauce, served up on a telera roll, is named "sandwich of the month" by Food Management Magazine. And if you really want to get crazy, wash down that telera roll with a Harlem Shake.

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+7 Richmonders celebrate love on Valentine's Day with dinners, candy, flowers and all that other heart stuff. Related: Stores also report a sudden rush on Kleenex, Haagen-Dazs, Hugh Grant movies and batteries.

-5 Speaking of love, an online dating site for married people seeking affairs names Richmond to the No. 6 spot in its ranking of "America's Least Faithful Cities." If Virginia is for lovers, then Richmond is for easy lovers.

+4 Legend Brewing Co. celebrates its 19th anniversary, kicking off what it says will be a yearlong party heading into its 20th year milestone. Its 21st year will be locked away in a dark, quiet room with unlimited access to Advil.

+6 Virginia lawmakers strike down legislation that would have allowed government officials in Henrico and Chesterfield counties to impose a meals tax without voter referendums. It's like the Jamestown colonists said, "No taxation for dinner reservations."

+3 The Westwood Club prepares to host the Davenport North American Open, a top-level professional squash tournament that promises to bring the world's best squash players to face off in Richmond. Let's just say it: Racquetball is for Neanderthals.

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-4 A new strain of the norovirus named Sydney, a "vomiting bug" working its way around the world, strikes in Richmond. Which explains that awkward bucket next to the podium at the mayor's State of the City address.

-5 Uncertainty is raised about the job stability of Richmond Police Chief Bryan Norwood, after he loses out as a finalist for the same position in Raleigh, N.C. Cheer up, chief, things could be worse. At least you aren't the Harbaugh brother who lost the Super Bowl.

+1 The T-D reports that the city wants public feedback on landscaping at the new Redskins training camp, after botching communications about workers cutting down some 100 trees in a park area there. RGIII's already put in a request for a wheelchair-accessible walking trail.

+4 The low-power, big-attitude and widely local Richmond Independent Radio WRIR-FM 97.3 celebrates its eighth birthday. And the fundraising drive to buy next year's ninth candle is already under way.

+1 Aspiring entertainers turn out to Kings Dominion to audition as singers, actors and people inside those furry suits. Daniel Day-Lewis is spotted around the theme park shoeless and eating comically oversized ribs as he becomes completely enveloped in the role of Frederick Flintstone.

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+5 Meeting for its first same-conference matchup in more than a decade, the Richmond Spiders and VCU Rams face off in a thrilling, sold-out men's basketball battle that goes into raucous overtime. It's a good game all around, though the Spiders emerge victorious, ending VCU's 13-game winning streak. That's gotta Smart.

+2 Speaking of VCU, James Finley, the women's volleyball coach who says he was fired because of his sexual orientation, lands a new job as head volleyball coach at Seattle University. Now he'll just have to deal with discriminating coffee drinkers.

-1 Tappahannock native and singing star Chris Brown is investigated for an alleged assault on Frank Ocean outside a West Hollywood club. First he hits a woman, now he may have jumped a gay R&B star? At least he's an equal opportunity jackass.

-2 Known as one half of the "Real Housewives" couple who crashed a White House state dinner, Tareq Salahi announces a visit to Richmond as a "celebrity candidate" for Virginia governor. Get used to him. Even the Secret Service can't keep him away.

+4 Aditya Kannoth of Moody Middle and Tejas Muthusamy of Rivers Edge Elementary go head to head for 25 rounds of a district-wide spelling bee, ending in a late-night tie and the need to extend the contest another week. Talk about a long spell.

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-4 A Swift Creek Elementary School teacher makes headlines after being arrested and charged with possession of heroin on school property. Hey, when you're trapped with a bunch of kids expecting a snow day, you gotta find a way to cope.

-5 Richmonders grapple with their first miniscule snowfall of the year, closing schools, emptying grocery stores and generally driving like maniacs. It's like we're a bunch of Mayan timekeepers.

+7 Some Richmonders travel to Washington to participate in the festivities surrounding President Barack Obama's second inauguration. We'd ask them how things went, but they're still on Interstate 95.

-3 Another communication breakdown at City Hall causes confusion and outrage over altered plans and tree removal at the construction site of the Redskins training camp. At this point, are we sure we haven't been negotiating with the Dallas Cowboys?

+1 Jorge's Cantina announces that it's opening in the Fan with a peculiar concept that pairs "authentic Mexican cuisine" with George Washington, pictured in its logo wearing a sombrero and moustache. Finally, someone finds a way to link the father of our country with Speedy Gonzales.

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+2 Senators and delegates from across Virginia gather in Richmond for a new session of the General Assembly. Also known to the writers at "Saturday Night Live" as Fresh Material Fest 2013.

0 Gov. Bob McDonnell delivers his State of the Commonwealth address in the Capitol, noting that the General Assembly has met in the building for 220 years. More old white guys have played here than at the Country Club of Virginia.

-2 Season hopes are dashed for Richmond native Russell Wilson, the young star quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, whose playoff game is spoiled by the Atlanta Falcons. Chin up, rookie: You still have your knees.

-3 The Richmond-filmed "Lincoln" takes a beating at the Golden Globes, with Daniel Day-Lewis landing the only win among seven nominations. It's all good. When it comes to the Civil War, Richmond knows how to lose like a winner.

+1 State toxicology scientist Sophfeia Roberts wins a $20,000 wedding in the Richmond Bridal Showcase's "Ultimate Bridal Survivor" contest, drawn from eight contestants who spend a week in a limousine bus. You call that torture? Next year throw in the future mothers-in-law.

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+3 Richmond native and Collegiate School grad Russell Wilson continues his ascent as a rookie quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, leading a takedown of the Redskins on Sunday. Dear Mr. Wilson: You've made us proud. Now would you consider donating to your alma mater? We need a new arena for our JV lacrosse team. XOXO, Collegiate

+1 NBC-12 reports on the archaeologists excavating the future site of the Redskins training camp behind the Science Museum for historical artifacts that might be buried. Our best guess: a few Civil War-era musket balls and maybe a dinosaur femur. So are we done here? RG3 IS COMING TO TOWN.

+5 The T-D reports on the sale of 43 acres near the Bass Pro Shops off Interstate 95 to build an outlet mall with 392,000 square feet of shopping bliss. Meet Richmond's newest gold mine: overstocked J. Crew sweaters.

+4 Steven Spielberg comes to the Richmond Forum for a discussion about the making of "Lincoln." Among the revelations: During her down time on set, Sally Field crocheted stray beard hair into an infinity scarf!

+1 New eatery A2 opens on Main Street, featuring the bento dog — a tempura-fried hot dog with Japanese mayo, nori flakes and teriyaki. Hey, we only eat our bento dogs with Duke's!

+5 Richmonders ring in 2013 with alcohol-fueled revelry at bars across town. For us, this is also known as Monday.

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+1 A five-year-old New Year's Day tradition continues at Pony Pasture, where Richmond.com reports on people who gather at 11 a.m. for a freezing dip into the James River. Despite the growth in crowd size there's always a shrinkage in participants.

+2 Proposed legislation rolls in for the next General Assembly session, with one bill requiring retail establishments to allow restroom use if a customer has a medical condition "that requires immediate access to a toilet facility." We'd hate to be the 7-Eleven clerk having to ask for proof.

0 In other legislation, Delegate Joe Morrissey proposes a 5-cent tax on certain plastic bags used by customers to carry goods out of grocery, convenience and drug stores. And if you're actually buying a package of plastic bags, there's some kind of rift in the time-space continuum, and we all get sucked into a black plastic hole.

+3 The creator of seven principles meets the city of seven hills, when Kwanzaa's inventor, Maulana Karenga, comes to town to help celebrate the seven-day holiday. Add in a day for Christmas and eight nights of Hanukkah, and it all comes out to way too many Red Lobster gift cards.

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+10 The 21st of December comes and goes with no apocalypse in sight. Expect a lot of 2013 Mayan calendars on eBay.

-2 There is, however, an end of the world for about 25,000 turkeys, with the Daily News-Record reporting on a poultry house fire in Rockingham County. If only the flames could have been extinguished with a big dousing of gravy.

+4 Despite a tough economic year, companies across the city squeeze out enough cash for holiday office parties. Except at Bill's Barbecue, where vodka finally makes its way into the limeades.

-5 The T-D confirms that one of the University of Richmond's most visible and generous alumni, Bobby Ukrop, has resigned from the board of trustees over the decision to replace men's soccer and track with lacrosse. He will be replaced by Martin's.

+6 Glowing houses strung with abandon take center stage during the peak weekend for tacky light displays. This coincides with the peak season for tacky sweater displays, which explains our sudden overwhelming urge to attend a flea market.

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+10 Saying enough is enough, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, who has carried an A rating from the National Rifle Association, calls for lawmakers to pass what he calls "rational gun control" following the horrific school shooting in Newtown, Conn.

+3 Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli agrees with environmental groups that the current renewable energy law sucks and needs revision. This alone was enough to curb global warming, since the center of the earth suddenly froze over. 

+2 Seafood lovers rejoice as Rappahannock Restaurant, from the guys who brought you Rappahannock River Oysters, opens downtown on East Grace Street. Other people heard rejoicing: creepy dudes who wear too much cologne and think oysters will help get them laid.

+1 Washington Redskins roll without their star quarterback, RGIII. Anything that increases the value of our summer preseason, we'll take.

-8 Catholic Bishop Walter Sullivan dies at 84. Richmond loses a moral conscience and spiritual leader who served here for 38 years.