SINGING THE BLUES AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...

                             

"For Once You'll Want to Be Blue!"  That was the message this morning at 7th and Montana as Starbucks employees put up new signage promoting their latest concoction, Blueberry Frapuccino.  While locals debated the merits of a Blueberry-flavored coffee drink, Starbucks also gave us another reason to be Blue:  They quietly raised the price of a regular cup of coffee by ten cents.  Perhaps the only person who wasn't "Blue" about the price increase was Baby Helena, who just returned renewed and refreshed from a trip to New York.  It seems that, while she was away, Helena has mastered the fine art of playing Peek-a-Boo.  Too bad she can't make the price increases at Starbucks disappear ...!

POLICE ACTIVITY AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

                             

Sirens were blaring and whistles were blowing this weekend at 7th and Montana as law enforcement officials descended en masse on Our Favorite Starbucks.  Naturally, I rushed to the scene to get a glimpse of the action, only to find a Little Old Lady literally blowing the whistle on a group of Santa Monica Police Officers as they ran across 7th Street into Starbucks.  "That's Jaywalking, dearies," she yelled after them, blowing sharply on her whistle, "and don't think I'm not going to report you."  She then turned to me with a twinkle in her eye and said, "They're just heading in there for coffee like they always do."  Sure enough, moments later, the officers emerged with enough doughnuts and coffee to feed a squadron.  As for the Little Old Lady, she hopped on a bus heading South ...!

THE TRUTH DRIBBLES OUT AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

    

It was a case of Starbucks Water Torture for Phil this morning as he ended up with one of the notorious "Dribble Cups" at 7th and Montana.  Try as he might, he couldn't stem the flow of coffee out of the cup, onto his hands, down his shirt and across the pavement until he finally admitted defeat and dripped his way inside for a replacement.  The incident -- an increasingly common occurrence at 7th and Montana -- prompted speculation that Starbucks has been cutting corners on its paper cups.  Meanwhile, it was a leak of another kind as word dribbled out that Kovar's recent trip to Sonoma was far more than just a wine-tasting.  It seems the Ace Photographer has landed a new Top Secret Design Project!

SLIP, SLIDING AWAY AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

    

It was another picture perfect morning at 7th and Montana as today's mild, 73-degree temperatures attracted people to Santa Monica in record numbers.  Bob and Joyce decided it was high-time to introduce their grandchildren to the pleasures of Slip 'n Slide.  Shortly after they left the scene -- in search of a Slip 'n Slide -- an Oafish Newcomer pulled up in an SUV, blaring his music loudly enough for all to hear.  After a while, I approached him and politely suggested that it was time for him to either turn the music down or "Slip, Slide Away."  Fortunately, he did both ...!

FROM 7TH AND MONTANA TO COMIC CON ...

Whoever said that "the Geek shall inherit the Earth" must have attended the annual Comic Con convention in San Diego, a comic book and entertainment confab catering to Klingons of all ages.  Kathy and I made the Trek from 7th and Montana to Comic Con today, intent on scoping out such new TV series as "Chuck" and attending various industry panel discussions.  Along the way, we met more eccentric characters than you can shake a light saber at.  Evidently, people flock to Comic Con from all over the country, dressed as their favorite Comic Book characters.  Kathy certainly seemed in her element, schmoozing with the likes of Dr. Strange, Jack Sparrow, "V" (from "V is for Vendetta"), a Spartan Warrior and an anonymous Ghost Buster.  Some of my favorite costumes, however, were completely "homemade."  For example, when I asked a man with wings whether he was promoting the ABC-TV mini-series "Fallen" -- a new trilogy about fallen angels -- he replied, "No ... I just have wings.  Do you have a problem with that?!?"  Later in the day, I made the acquaintance of a young woman who resembled a cross between Shirley Temple and Death.  "I'm a Death Maid," she said brightly from behind her surgical mask.  Where else, I ask you, would you find such an eccentric cross section of humanity?  I'll have to give the matter some thought tomorrow morning at 7th and Montana ...!  

MUFFIN MANIA AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

Mouths were watering at 7th and Montana this morning as Barista Extraordinaire Rob quietly slipped me a "sneak preview" of a new breakfast pastry -- a Strawberry-Blueberry muffin -- destined for the Starbucks menu next month.  I convened a panel of Objective Dessert Experts in my office to join me in sampling the muffin and here is our completely candid review.  Lisa:  "It's simply scrumptious, the perfect combination of strawberries, blueberries and oats and it's not too sweet."  Lyndsey:  "It's good.  It tastes like a Blueberry Muffin."  Me:  "I give this muffin two enthusiastic thumbs up.  It's an absolute taste sensation brought to you by the true geniuses at Starbucks.  With desserts like this, no wonder more and more Starbucks locations are springing up every day."  Remember, friends, you can always count on me for hard-hitting, honest reviews of the entire selection of delicious and nutritious pastries at 7th and Montana ...!

SEPARATION ANXIETY AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

    

It was a case of Separation Anxiety this morning at 7th and Montana as an attractive newcomer left her adorable pet Chihuahua by my table while she went into Starbucks for a quick cup of coffee.  The minute she turned her back, the poor pooch started whining uncontrollably.  Moments later, the whining turned into yelping as the woman began leaving Starbucks without her dog.  "For some reason, your dog seems to have a bad case of Separation Anxiety," I observed, shortly after she returned to the scene.  "Yes," she agreed.  "You'd feel the same if I left you behind."  "If you say so," I replied.  Meanwhile, not to be ignored, the woman seated to my left was carrying on an animated conversation -- with herself -- alternating between what sounded like a high-pitched baby voice and a parental reprimand.  Passersby, including Actor-Director Ron Howard, seemed intent on keeping their distance as the Obvious Psychopath begged herself for permission to "pet the doggie."  As for me, I beat a hasty retreat ... without any Separation Anxiety whatsoever!