"Mythbusters" host Jamie Hyneman said he didn't think it was funny at all when his crew accidentally fired a cannonball into a house and minivan in Dublin last month. 

In a Q&A with the sold-out audience at tonight's show at the Gallo Center for the Arts, he said it was a close call. "It's never going to happen again," he said. "We'd just as soon not talk about it."

The cannonball blasted through a bedroom where a man, woman and child were sleeping, and then exited the house into the minivan. Fortunately no one was hurt.

Shakespeare set to rock music? That's what you get with California State University, Stanislaus' engaging outdoor presentation of "Romeo and Juliet" in the amphitheatre.

Romeo and Juliet's love scene is set to U2's "With or Without You," the sword fight scenes are performed to hard-driving blaring rock and the final death scene is set to what I'm pretty sure is Tom Waits singing "Somewhere" from "West Side Story."

Chicago guest performer Nicholas Dargis is riveting as Romeo, showing charm in wooing Juliet and great despair when he's forcibly separated from her after killing her cousin. Mia Carrick, a student who recently performed Stanislaus State's award-winning show "Debris" in Washington, D.C.," offers a moving performance as the surprisingly strong-willed Juliet.

Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain's not shy about rattling off what he dislikes. He gave a long list at tonight's sold-out speech at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto.

Among the things he disdains are the Olive Garden restaurant chain, "Iron Chef" (American version), Food Network hosts Rachel Ray and Sandra Lee,  and the "Hells Kitchen" TV series.

But Bourdain, 54, was much more reserved in his humorous attacks than he has been in the past. He said he's softened up a lot since becoming a father to his now 3-year-old daughter. He's no longer trying to be cool because he does care and is committed to making a good life for his family. 

A word to fans of comedian Paula Poundstone: if you sit in the front rows, be prepared to be part of the entertainment. 

Those who sat closest to her at her State Theatre gig  tonight were extensively questioned about their jobs, how long they've lived in town, where they met their spouses and what their kids do. Poundstone was so funny about it though that no one really seemed to mind. 

The comedian got some of her biggest laughs when she questioned a woman who said she owned Bright Homes. Poundstone went into an extended bit about how the family probably got into a fight and one rebel brother left the business to form Dark Homes, which makes caves and dungeons. 

If you weren't at last night's Chinese New Year revue at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, you missed out.  The high energy two-hour program offered a wonderful sampling of China's rich culture.

The show featured about 100 top touring artists from China ranging in age from about 10 through 20s. Young girls performed dances with precise hand movements and poses. An opera artist instantly changed masks in what looked like a magical feat. A Tibetan female singer performed exotic folk songs from her homeland. A troupe of Shaolin martial artists put on an amazing display of athleticism and grace. The acrobats juggled umbrellas with their legs and balanced each other on their heads. Words don't adequately describe their jaw-dropping feats.

I was lucky enough to be one of the few audience members that received white scarves traditionally given as a Tibetan blessing. The cast also gave everyone red Chinese knots as a souvenir.