EMPTY STARBUCKS?

Not a creature was stirring in front of Starbucks this morning, but it takes more than rain to keep the truly caffeine-addicted away.  While no one was sitting outside, the crowd inside ranged from our favorite building manager to television actress Alyssa Milano.

WHEEL LUCKY ...?

Move over wacky chicken mobile (see Photo #2), we have a new candidate for the Santa Monica Hall of Automotive Absurdities.  This morning a six-year-old girl went tooling by our favorite Starbuck's in her very own fully-loaded pink corvette convertible.  To her credit, she did a better job than most drivers at avoiding the pitfalls of our favorite parking lot!   

CLEAN CARS AND DIRTY TABLES ...

If cleanliness is next to Godliness then we had a taste of heaven and hell today at Starbucks.  The fun began when a suspicious looking van -- pictured here -- rolled into our favorite parking lot advertising a "Car Wash."  Judging from the occupants/residents of this vehicle, I for one have my doubts!  Moments later, as if to generate business for the would be cleaning crew, Bob inadvertently spilled his coffee all over the table.  Richard:  Maybe you should have asked our friends in the van to give Charlie a quick once over?  In any case, thanks for the photo and stay dry, everyone!

GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST ... IT'S LOIS LANE!

Quick, call The Daily Planet!  Veteran television actress Noel Neill -- perhaps best known as Lois Lane on The Adventures of Superman -- swooped into Patrick's Roadhouse today for a quick Taco Salad.  "That was great, I was starved," said the beloved actress.  The rare photo on the left features the back of Neill's head.  Photo #2 shows the actress in her prime.  For more information on Noel Neill, click here:   Everything You Wanted to Know About Noel Neill.

TURNING OVER A NEW COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF ...

In local news this morning, even the closure of our favorite Starbuck's couldn't dampen the 7th and Montana holiday spirit.  Like many, I migrated South today in search of caffeine and good cheer.  And while no one was exactly roasting chestnuts, there was quite a gathering around the perennial open fire at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, where the crowd ranged from our friendly neighborhood news hound Dennis to the kooky assistant manager-in-training who sent Nada flying to the emergency room on December 4 (E.R.: The Starbuck's Edition).  I don't know what was scarier, the fact that this disaster-in-training has hit the Coffee Bean or that he was allowed near an open flame.  Meanwhile, back at 7th and Montana, not a creature was stirring ... except for Gary and Princess who had the place to themselves.

A TASTE OF OLD ITALY ...

Thanks Terry and Fabrizio for bringing a taste of old Italy to 7th and Montana this morning.  The Cialde di Montecatini was the best I've ever tasted.  O.K., so it was the only Cialde di Montecatini I've ever tasted but what a great way to ring in the holidays!  Rumor has it that our favorite Starbuck's is closed tomorrow.  The one over at 15th and Montana will be open but who wants to go all that distance?!?  See you Monday.

THE FOAM FAN CLUB ...

It was foam for the holidays at Starbuck's this morning as 7th and Montana regular Kathy gave a stirring demonstration of her cappuccino foam drinking technique.  If, as James Bond once said, a Martini should be shaken but not stirred, then perhaps a cappuccino should be whipped before sipped.  Thanks, Kathy, for the demonstration.  Even Charlie was practically foaming at the mouth!