Fete-a-Fete

The 25th annual Miami International Film Festival is going on through Sunday, March 9th. Tomorrow (Thursday), Gusman Center features the Emilio Estefan film 90 millas: El Documental (90 Miles: The Documentary); it's about the making of Gloria's latest CD, and pays tribute to Cuban music and culture.

Beginning tomorrow and running through Sunday - the Langerado Festival. More than 85 acts take on 305 acres of the Big Cypress National Preserve and over 25,000 fans are expected. Best tip on the site... wear close-toed shoes (bugs, bites, ugliness)! Second best tip... a reminder of Daylight Saving Time. Spring forward people, spring forward.


A p.s. to fans of wenches and beggars - The Florida Renaissance Festival is on its final weekend. Huzzah!

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Just 54 years later! A Soldier in Germany sent a package to his parents in Pennsylvania - it never got there. There was a "return in five days" note above the soldier's New York return address - it never got there. Nobody knows where it's been for all these years, but finally the package found it's way to a Post Office in Pennsylvania. That's where a diligent postal worker found the current address of the former soldier (in Davie), and overnighted the package. The family of the former soldier were more than thrilled to get the package. Unfortunately, Richard Lanshe passed away last May. His wife of 50 years says she wishes he were here to laugh about it... as do we!
What has my mind all a reeling is.. where the heck was this package for 54 years? It doesn't look weather damaged.. where could a package be for over 50 years? In the Post Office? Was it delivered to the incorrect address and the residents kept it? I must know!!!!

As an aside, the postage in 1954 was 6 cents; on May 12th, the cost of a first-class stamp goes up to 42 cents.

Top-Earning Dead Celebrities

Do you find yourself shaking your head when you hear (insert actor's name here) is making $20 million for a movie? Imagine a dead celebrity earning, in one year, more than you'll make in a lifetime... oh wait, you don't have to imagine. Forbes keeps a list of the top-earning dead celebs and usually in the top spot, Elvis. Last year his estate generated 49 Million dollars, which is the all-time high for the Elvis estate. Since the 2001 debut of this list, 2006 was the only year Elvis was not in the top spot. He was usurped by Kurt Cobain, with the list's highest earnings ever, 50 million. This year Kurt's estate didn't even make the "lucky 13" list.

Prepare to spring forward

Yes, it is earlier than usual. Back in 2005, President Bush signed into law the Energy Policy Act, which extends Daylight Saving Time by 4 weeks. What that means to you and me? Well, this Sunday, March 9th at 2 a.m., you should set your clocks forward one hour ahead of standard time. There's also the "change your clock, change your battery" program by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and Energizer batteries.

Oh, and if you find yourself surrounded by sleepy people on Monday, be nice.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is Monday, March 10th. It will air live from New York City's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on VH1 Classic and then premiere on VH1 in edited form Saturday, March 22nd, 11 p.m.



Madonna will be inducted by Justin Timberlake

Tom Hanks will induct the Dave Clark Five*

John Mellencamp will be inducted by Billy Joel

Lou Reed will induct Leonard Cohen

Little Walter will be inducted by Ben Harper

John Fogerty will induct The Ventures



*On a sad note, Mike Smith, lead vocalist for the Dave Clark Five, passed away less than two weeks ago.