Newly minted Oscar winner Sandra Bullock {thanks, AP}

Lots of love for “The Hurt Locker.” A first-time female director win for Kathryn Bigelow. The dude abides. Sandra Bullock eked out the win. And “Precious” had a big night with hometown girl Mo’Nique picking up a lil’ gold man. Here’s the highs and lows of Sunday’s Oscar ceremony.

MOST UNEXPECTED COMEBACK: Good to know that Waldorf and Statler of the Muppets have been reincarnated in the form of host Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin doing their snarky show intro.

HOST DUTY: Split decision. Martin had a comfortable, worn-in feeling with his one-liners. Baldwin? Awkward and slightly wooden.

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH LINE WE PROMISE NOT TO USE ON DATES: “I love you more than rainbows” — Ryan Bingham, songwriter from “Crazy Heart”

WE’LL BE NICE: We’re still upset about Sandra Bullock winning compared to her competition, but clearly she’s a lovely, kind woman.

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Maryland’s Greivis Vasquez {thanks, AP}

1. ACC Tournament
(Thursday-Sunday on RAYCOM and ESPN): If you’re not hardcore enough to travel to Greensboro, N.C., to see if Gary Williams’ Terps can win their first ACC tourney since 2004, I guess you’ll have to tune in on TV. The downside: Duke players won’t be able to hear your boos. MATT VENSEL, B

2. ARTBus Tour
Six hours on a bus is rough, no matter your destination. But we make an exception for the annual Evergreen Museum and Library’s ARTBus, with artist/indie curator Jason Hughes leading an insidery look at the rising stars of Baltimore’s arts scene. Stops include AREA 405 and the H&H Arts Building, and feature artist and gallery owner meet-and-greets and chances to buy artwork. Originates Saturday from Evergreen (4545 N. Charles St., Charles Village) at 9:30 a.m., returns at 4 p.m. $80 (also includes box lunch, snacks and receptions). museums.jhu.edu or 410.516.0341. JORDAN BARTEL, B

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Samrawit Belai (left) and Sydney Kleinberg in “This Girl I Used to Know” {thanks, RICH RIGGINS}

LADIES NIGHTS
Grrl Parts
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Grrl Parts, an annual showcase that used to go by the unfortunate name IN10, specifically commissions new roles for actresses. And they get some juicy parts this time around. Award-winning “Weathertician” explores media power in a future where voters decide the weather; “This Girl I Used to Know,” a provocative retelling of the Arachne myth, is about a hard-edged college student and her mysterious roomie; and darkly comic “The One, the Other,” which shines with playwright Phyllis Nagy’s unique grasp on language. 4 p.m. free performance Thursday for UMBC students, faculty and staff; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday. 1000 Hilltop Circle. $10; $5 students. umbc.edu/arts.

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Tell us your favorite bartender in the Baltimore metro area {thanks, AP}

A bar is nothing without its staff. Whether it’s their personality, skill or look, Baltimore bartenders keep us coming back. Now it’s time to find the best of the best. Nominate your favorite bartender (name and bar/restaurant) in the Baltimore metro area in the replies. You can also tell us on Twitter (@bthesite) or e-mail us at contests@bthesite.com. We’re accepting nominations until 5 p.m. on March 10. Remember, if YOU don’t tell us, we can’t have your bartender in the competition.

Voting doesn’t start until March 15 — this is merely a pool to make sure your favorite bartender is included. So please, nominate away!

DISCLAIMER: Any bartender not interested in participating should e-mail contests@bthesite.com to have his/her name removed from the list.

“Alice in Wonderland” {thanks, Disney}

1. ‘Alice in Wonderland’
It’s pretty clear this is going to be one hell of a trip down the rabbit hole with Tim Burton’s refreshingly modern take on the childhood classic. My only complaint is that Johnny Depp bares a disgustingly close resemblance to Elijah Wood when decked out in all his Mad Hatter glory (shrug). Follow the white rabbit to a theater near you Friday. TIM WONG, B

2. The Oscars
It’s “Avatar” vs. “The Hurt Locker,” Sandra vs. Meryl, Mo’Nique vs. … well, no one because she’ll definitely win. As always, there are some shoo-ins at this year’s Academy Awards, but we’re still excited to see how hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin handle the 10-best-picture-nominees madness. And, quick plug: Check out b’s Oscar preview on Friday. 8 p.m. Sunday, WMAR-12 ABC. JORDAN BARTEL, B

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You could soon have more time to drink at clubs and bars in Baltimore {Thanks, AP}

Marques Houston sang and Joe Budden rapped about what it was like to be “up in da club.” For young Baltimoreans looking to enjoy themselves on the weekends in clubs, bars, lounges and other establishments downtown, there has been one resounding complaint — there’s never enough time to enjoy themselves. Now new legislation being considered in Annapolis may change all that.

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Work by Val Lucas of Bowebox in Ellicott City {thanks, Val Lucas}

handy work ‘American Craft Council Show’
BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
A big reason we love this show (now in its 34th year) is that we in no way could ever glaze a bowl to perfection, knit a scarf anyone will love or design a necklace we’d actually feel good about giving someone.

So, yeah, we don’t attempt anything artistic. This is the chance to live through the craftiness of others.

More than 700 of the nation’s top crafters show off their goods during the four-day show.

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{thanks, Benn Ray}

Welcome back to “Said What?: Overheards,” an illustration of a scene overheard in and around Baltimore — whether it be funny or ridiculous, sad or sublime.

“Said What?” comes to us by way of Benn Ray, of Atomic Books, Mobtown Shank and Hampdenfest fame, and talented local artists.

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Harvard alum Caitlin Vincent is the founder and general director of The Figaro Project {thanks, CAITLIN VINCENT}

When a city’s arts community is rocked by recession, it takes people such as Caitlin Vincent to keep things going. Vincent, 25, a Seattle native — and Harvard alum — who graduated last year from the Peabody Institute with a master’s in vocal performance, is the founder and general director of The Figaro Project. It’s an opera showcase attempting to thrive in the same atmosphere that led to the bankruptcy of the Baltimore Opera Company last March. Before The Figaro Project’s premiere, a performance of “A Night at the Opera” on Friday, we chatted with Mt. Vernon resident Vincent over e-mail about getting her Project off the ground, writing her own production and why we should (yikes) enjoy opera.

How did The Figaro Project come about?
The Figaro Project was originally conceived as a way to provide performing opportunities to emerging opera singers. Dozens of opera companies have closed recently because of the economic crisis, and young singers have been hit especially hard by the lack of opportunities. Although The Figaro Project was clearly a way to help young vocalists promote their careers, I realized that it was also a chance to fill a void in the current arts scene. I also wanted The Figaro Project to present opera in a way that would be accessible and affordable to everyone.

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Rawlings-Blake speaks on the state of her “union” with the city {Thanks, Baltimore Sun}

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has been on the job just under three weeks and delivered her first State of the City address Monday. Unlike the president’s State of the Union, the mayor’s speech wasn’t watched by people all across the city. In fact, you might be hard pressed to find a Baltimore resident who knew the speech was even happening. Still, I think it’s fair to say the mayor is still in her honeymoon period, but not for much longer.

Something Old
Like a leader of any major city, Mayor Rawlings-Blake focused her attention on public safety, public education, continuity of city services and improved neighborhoods. The mayor reaffirmed that she and city leaders are committed to decreasing violence in the city. She noted January was one of the least violent months in 40 years. Mayor Rawlings-Blake, a mother of a young public school student, said that increasing test scores in city schools was of paramount importance, because this would show the quality of a public school education in Charm City was improving. Lastly, the mayor said she was committed on working to minimize the impact of the $120 million budget deficit she inherited when she took office. She said she couldn’t in good conscience promise that residents wouldn’t be impacted, because to make such a statement would be irresponsible.

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