"NAME THAT NEIGHBOR ...!"

Hello, everyone.  It's time to play "Name that Neighbor," the stimulating online game designed to expose the Secret Double-Lives of our friends and neighbors.  Our subject today -- a regular at 7th and Montana -- is a real enigma.  While most people know her as an intelligent, down-to-earth former real estate agent, she's also a TV Game Show Junkie whose brush with stardom includes an appearance on "Wheel of Fortune!"  Her winnings over the years have ranged from $10,000 in cash ("back when that was a lot of money") to a One-Year-Supply of Rice-a-Roni (back when carbs were "in").  Who is it?  I'm not telling ... but the photographic evidence should speak for itself!

AND SPARKY MAKES THREE ...!

                             

You have to get up pretty early in the morning these days to catch a glimpse of Dynamic Duo Lea and Karenina as they make the rounds at 7th and Montana.  That's why I wasn't surprised to see them whizzing by at 6:45 this morning.  What did surprise me, however, was that Karenina's dog, Sparky, seems to have joined the fold ... at least for now.  Can the adorable pooch keep up with the indefatigable "twins"?  Time will tell! 

FROM ONE MAGIC KINGDOM TO ANOTHER ...!

An early morning meeting at Disney put the kibosh on my quality time at Starbucks today.  However, there are enough similarities between the studio lot and 7th and Montana to make me feel right at home.  For starters, Disney has its own Starbucks (complete with photos of Walt himself chug-a-lugging some coffee).  Then there's the cast of characters.  Instead of the crazy drivers crashing their way into Our Favorite Parking Lot, Disney has lunatic bike messengers zipping from building to building.  Instead of Our Favorite Fixer Upper, Disney displays relics from its past (including the original platform camera used in their first feature length animated film).  Instead of our friendly neighborhood Trailer King, Disney has rows of trailers for actors and production staff.  Last but not least, instead of a garish Monstrosity Under Construction, Disney has its headquarters building, a whimsical office structure supported by gargantuan dwarfs instead of pillars (let's hope it doesn't give the architect at 7th and San Vicente any ideas).  Still, all things considered, I'll take the Magic Kingdom at 7th and Montana any day!

WHEEL CRAZY AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

                             

Holy Shihtzu, now I've seen everything!  In yet another sign that 7th and Montana is going to the dogs, an adorable toy pooch named Ginger made the scene today in her own, customized Baby Buggy.  While it seems the poor pup suffers from arthritis, evidently "doggie baby carriages" are becoming all the rage.  What next, a new line of Doggie Diapers ...?!?  

LETTING IT ALL HANG OUT AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

                             

The crowd was agape this morning as two Unfortunate Fashion Victims let it all hang out at 7th and Montana.  Granted, I'm no fashion plate, but even I know that wearing a skin-tight "mesh" shirt doesn't exactly "mesh" with a protruding beer belly.  Moreover -- as Joyce, Genevieve and Robin were quick to point out -- even Elvis would have turned up his nose at the white shoes one of them was wearing.  Bottom Line:  This is one of those rare occasions when you can be grateful my cell phone camera doesn't have a zoom lens ...!

STAIRWAY TO OBLIVION ...?!?

                         

The builders of the Monstrosity under construction at 7th and San Vicente stepped into the stratosphere of bad taste this morning with the addition of a lopsided stairway leading to nowhere.  Evidently, the red metallic beams I thought were reinforcing the structure (God forbid) where actually meant to support a jaunty, outdoor stairway.  Said one area resident, "I guess the architect is trying to make a statement."  "Yes," I replied.  "It's a cry for help ... someone get him into a '12-step' program before it's too late!"   

CONTROVERSY IS BREWING AT LINCOLN AND MONTANA ...!

                             

It was hard to tell whether the cup was half-full or half-empty this morning at our "latest" Starbucks, as employees scrambled to get their act together at Lincoln and Montana.  Despite previous reports that the new store -- the third Starbucks in a one-block radius -- would open today, inside (upstairs) sources report hearing incessant banging noises all night long.  Indeed, I had to bang on the door a few times myself before a bewildered employee -- pictured here -- admitted that he had no idea whether or not they would be ready to open today.  "I'm desperate," I cried.  "Do you happen to know if there's another Starbucks nearby ...?"