CAUGHT IN THE RIPTIDE ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

Our Favorite Starbucks went to the dogs this morning courtesy of a ten-year-old, 165-pound Newfoundland named Riptide. The fun began when Top Talent Agent David asked me to watch Riptide for a few minutes while he went to get a quick cup of coffee. "You know Riptide," he said, "There's not much to watch, he'll just plop himself down in the shade." I love dogs and am particularly fond of Riptide, so watching him was no problem ... or so I thought. The minute David disappeared into Starbucks, all hell broke loose. Riptide sprang into action, pulling me from table to table in a Frenzied Bid for Food. "What's that, a Grizzly Bear?," asked Gil, as Riptide lunged at his scrambled eggs. "No, it's just a Big, Hungry Dog," I explained. The next thing I knew, Riptide changed direction, lurching wildly towards what was left of Susan's muffin at the next table over. "Help," I cried, "For the love of God, somebody stop this Crazy Beast!" And just then, David returned with his Secret Weapon, the only thing known to keep Riptide under control: A Large Vanilla Frozen Yogurt!

NEWBIE, AHOY ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

It was Birth of a Barista this morning at 7th and Montana as a new employee joined the family at Our Favorite Starbucks. I couldn't help wondering -- as he sat at a table, lost in thought -- if he knew what he was getting himself into. "Run," I felt like yelling, "Quickly, while you still have your sanity, head for the hills!" But then I realized just how important it is to give young people a chance. Plus, it's always nice to see a new face in the Starbucks line-up. Speaking of line-ups, get a load of the crowd (pictured below) that formed shortly after the Newbie donned his apron ...!

VROOM SERVICE ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

Ladies and Gentlemen, meet "Carl and Carrie Carlson," a pair of Road Warriors who went the extra mile at 7th and Montana this morning to show everyone that they're on the same wavelength. Their conversation went something like this:

Carl: Vroom!

Carrie: Vroooom Vroooom!

Carl: Vrooom-a-Zoom Zoom ...!

Carrie: Vrrrooooooooommmmm!

Carl and Carrie (laughing): Vrrooom ... Vrrooom ... Vrrooom ...!

I can think of only two explanations: Either they're wheel crazy or they're both full of gas...!

THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

The crowd at 7th and Montana was buzzing this morning as word spread that a local swarm of Killer Bees -- first discovered at the Community Garden in Mar Vista on December 13 -- has moved-on in search of greener pastures. "Thank God," said one resident, "I was beginning to worry about Bob and Joyce's bumper crop of tomatoes." Meanwhile, as for the Killer Bees, the story gets Hairier: Rumor has it they've taken-up residence in a new Beehive, something in the high-rent district near 7th and Montana ...!

PILOT TO BOMBADIER ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

Pilot to Bombadier ... Pilot to Bombadier: An influx of Zombie-like-Caffeine Addicts wearing headphones landed in our midst at 7th and Montana this morning ... and it was enough to practically turn Our Favorite Starbucks into an Airplane Cockpit. Take the woman pictured above. She buzzed her way through the line, to the cashier and espresso counter, loudly yakking into her headset the whole time like she was coming in for an emergency landing. Then there's the father pictured below, a high-flyer who spent the morning barking orders to an Invisible Flight Crew while ignoring his son. Come on, guys, wake-up and smell the Frappuccino. Life's too short to spend it babbling like a loon...!

GIVE THIS GUY AN OSCAR ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

Heads were turning at 7th and Montana this morning as an Anonymous Fashionista unveiled a Bold, New Look: A style I like to call "Ring-a-Ding Grunge." Achieving the look is easy: Just let your beard grow for a month, neglect your hair, wear a pair of ripped-up, loose-fitting jeans, a baggy sweater, and tennis shoes. Top the whole thing off with a Fedora and -- voila -- you're ready to roll with a style that can take you from the Rat Pack to a Six Pack in no time. As for the "Fashionista" pictured above, I think he deserves an Oscar in Costume Design ... an Oscar Madison, that is!

POLITICS, POLITICS ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!

Politics reigned supreme at Our Favorite Starbucks this morning as Neighbor Jonathan, a Local Political Expert (above left), made the scene with an Aspiring Young Candidate for the State Assembly. When they saw that Our Favorite City Councilman was standing by the Espresso Bar, they wasted no time schmoozing with him. "I'm telling you, you can't be shy in this business," said Jonathan as soon as the coast was clear, "You have to go right up to people like Bobby (Our Favorite City Councilman) and tell them what you're all about. You have to get your message straight and repeat it over and over. Your middle name has to become 'I'm-Brian-and-I'm-Running-for-State-Assembly!'" Wise advice, to be sure, especially coming from Jonathan. He, himself, ran for State Assembly two years ago ... and lost.