I spy a celebrity

We always read or hear about celebs in town - usually South Beach at some swanky event, perhaps filming a movie. I'm not just talking about actors; musicians also work their way onto our radar. I realize that famous is a relative term - someone I consider famous, you may have never heard of and vice versa. I'm also aware they are humans, just like us - no better, no worse; however, it's still cool to spot a famous person... for me anyway.

Plus, I have this strange knack of recognizing famous people out of their natural habitat. Why just today while walking into a Publix, I spotted a woman with her two boys. She's pretty, blonde, could have been any other mom, but that knack kicked in and told me this was someone famous! Then it hit me - it was Lita Ford! Some 33 years ago at the age of 17, Lita joined an all-girl rock band called The Runaways. Another member of that band might be familiar to you... Joan Jett, anyone? Lita went on to solo success with the 80's hit "Kiss Me Deadly" and her duet with Ozzy Osbourne, "Close My Eyes Forever". I opted not to say anything to Lita today, but it really is a strange feeling to see a famous person out of the usual element, out of context.

A few years ago, while walking down a New York street with two male friends, I spotted two tall ladies walking toward us. I realized who they were and I'm sure my eyes widened a bit because the ladies, as they passed us, glanced at me nicely but with a please-don't-say-anything-look.

I waited until we were about a 1/2 block away, turned to my friends and asked, "Do you know who just walked right past us?" They did not. When I told them they just missed Nicole Kidman and her sister Antonia, I really thought they were going to chase the sisters down. And yes, she's beautiful in person.

Have you ever spotted a famous person? Where? Did you approach them? Post it here - let me know!

Local McRemix Wins!

2 all-beef patties, special sauce...

A Boynton Beach dude by the name Harper, Jason Harper, has won the honor of using his Big Mac Remix in a McDonald's national ad campaign. It was the Big Mac Chant Off, and Jason got the most votes for his version; plus, he's off to L.A. to record the jingle for the ad!

You can also hear the other finalists' renditions, including Tamien Bain of Miami. You may have heard his story? He robbed a McDonald's at gunpoint when he was 14 and served 12 years in prison. He's turned his life around and bested more than 1,000 contestants to be in the top five.

Weston's Got Talent

Or rather, Weston would like to have talent, your talent. If you can sing, speed-clog, or do some form of entertainment, you could be part of the city's Kickoff of the Arts and Culture Season. Auditions for volunteer performers will be held on September 6th, 10am to 1pm at the Weston Community Center. The kickoff will be October 22nd, at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center and Spa. Advanced registration is required to take part in the auditions and the deadline to register is August 28th.

They can see all of you

The they? Airport scanners at MIA; The Transportation Security Administration is now using whole body imaging machines, which reveal weapons, explosives, and you...oh my! Yes, all of your parts will be visible to the security person. You never see the operator (he or she is in a covered booth), and the scan allegedly cannot be retained, copied, sent, or printed. Also, the scan is optional; although if you're chosen and you decline the scan, you'll be physically patted down and still go through the metal detectors. Miami one of 21 airports that are pilot-testing the scanners - no plans to put the machines in Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood airport... yet.
Traveling is soooo much fun!

Is that a tickle stick?

The spiny lobster sport season a.k.a. lobster mini season is upon us! Bug hunting happens July 30th through July 31st. You'll need permits, dive flags, and tickle sticks, oh my! You'll also need to measure the little bugger thusly:

Spiny Lobster Measurement
Spiny Lobster must have a minimum carapace length of greater than 3-inches and the measurement must take place in the water. The carapace is measured beginning at the forward edge between the rostral horns, excluding and soft tissue, and proceeding along the middle to the rear edge of the carapace. MMmmmm, sounds delish... not!

When you do dine on your catch, beware of the tomalley - Federal health officials say it may be contaminated with dangerous levels of the toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. FDA suggests discarding the green stuff, if you don't already.

You down with DTV?

Yeah, you know me. DTV, or digital TV - you've seen commercials, read articles - by Feburary 2009, if you don't have the proper equipment, you'll not have a television picture. First, you must figure out if you'll need a converter box. If you need a converter box, you can apply for up to two coupons worth $40 each. Once you've obtained your coupon(s), many a retailer is participating in the Converter Box Coupon Program.

Or you can just make it super easy on yourself, dump the TV, and listen to the radio, specifically 101.5 LITE FM! There's a delightful creature* on in the evenings who would love the pleasure of your company.

*poetic license

Text google before you buy

If you're shopping and wondering if you're getting a good deal, you send a text message to Google at 466453 (which, by the way, is Google on most devices). Then type "price" followed by the item name, such as "Birkin Bag". Allegedly, it will only takes seconds for Google to send back prices at various retail establishments. Happy shopping! You can use the Google text to find out anything from prices, to weather wherever, restaurants, even directions... it's googlelicious.