Short List

Metallica and Run-DMC top the list of nominees for induction next year into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The others on the short list for induction include Jeff Beck, the Stooges, Little Anthony & the Imperials, Wanda Jackson, Chic, Bobby Womack and War. The Rock Hall is dealing with the relative dearth of worthy acts newly eligible for membership by leaning heavily on acts previously passed over for membership. Metallica and Run-DMC are the only '80s-vintage nominees being drafted to the institution, which requires 25 years to have passed since performers released their first recordings.

For 18 hours each week, Internet investor Jonathan Miller studies tai chi in New York with legendary master Ren Guang-Yi, whose devotees include Lou Reed, Bette Midler, Hugh Jackman and other celebrities. During the sessions, Miller's lanky frame flows through fluid, continuous movements, punctuated by quick bursts of energy. Three decades of Chinese martial arts have made his limbs so supple that he can do the splits at 51.

PHILADELPHIA -- Reliever Scot Shields became the third pitcher in Angels history to strike out four batters in one inning when he whiffed pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard in the eighth inning Saturday night. Victorino swung and missed at a vicious breaking ball in the dirt that bounced past catcher Jeff Mathis and allowed the Phillies center fielder to reach first. Trying to protect a 4-2 lead, Shields then walked No.

Tom Asbury, who guided Pepperdine to three NCAA tournament appearances in the early 1990s, is on the short list for the Waves' coaching job as he considers whether to come out of retirement, Pepperdine Athletic Director John Watson said Sunday. "He's still analyzing whether it's something he wishes to do," said Watson, adding that he hopes to select a coach this week.

The search for a new UCLA football coach has begun, even as current Coach Karl Dorrell awaits his fate. Dorrell will be fired and a short list of candidates has been assembled, sources familiar with the athletic department said Sunday. Boise State Coach Chris Petersen is said to be the first choice of Athletic Director Dan Guerrero, with Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach and former NFL coach Steve Mariucci considered among the other top candidates.

The All-Star game could be on the way to Angel Stadium as soon as 2010. The Angels are expected to be awarded an All-Star game in coming months, a high-ranking baseball source said. The game is scheduled for Yankee Stadium next year and St. Louis in 2009. Commissioner Bud Selig has not announced any sites beyond then, but an American League ballpark is expected to be selected for 2010.

Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne and his Santa Monica firm Morphosis are on the short list of candidates to design a 120,000-square-foot center for education and art for the Barnes Foundation, the organization announced Friday. The other five candidates are Tadao Ando of Japan; Diller Scofido + Renfro, New York; Kengo Kuma, Japan; Rafael Moneo, Spain; and Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, New York.

Here's a short list of things I do to avoid writing: do the dishes; do laundry; do the Internet (Playbill.com, the Drudge Report); read the paper; install shelves; help my kids with their homework; follow the Red Sox; go to the gym; listen to podcasts ("This American Life," "Meet the Press"); call my friends to talk about not writing; write lists. Since quitting my day job (a lifelong dream), I think about writing and not writing all the time. Every moment I'm not writing feels like an act of procrastination -- and that's pretty much most of my waking life.

Palm Springs Aug. 24-30: The Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films and Film Market presents more than 350 films to more than 20,000 cineastes. See films that may qualify for Academy Award consideration and amaze your friends with your knowledge of the short-film category come Oscar time. But it's more than just watching: There are panels, filmmaker receptions and more. Camelot Theatres, 2300 E. Baristo Road. Programs $9 each, packages available.

"A good name is better than precious ointment," the Bible tells us. Last month, Hyde, a small lounge devoted to rock 'n' roll, opened on Sunset. Owned by club-Trump Sam Nazarian and his new business partner, promoter Brent Bolthouse, Hyde sports one of those strong but slightly silly one-word names that dominate L.A. nightlife right now.