Sunglasses...cool, casual, colorful! Out of the shade, into spotlight!

Ah, the lazy days of summer are upon us!

When I zipped into my favorite Starbucks outlet in West Hollywood, I couldn't help but notice the festive eye-catching shades on the snoz of one of the kids who plies the eclectic cafe treats there.

The quirky fun specs were somewhat reminiscent of a pair of poindexters, but the rims screamed out in a pop-inspired fire-engine red!

Very cool!

You know, since I became a transplant to sunny California, it has always surprised me how many people in the BIG ORANGE trounce around town - wearing sandals in open jeeps with T's off or with their top-of-the-line Benz convertible rag-tops down - without donning a pair of sunglasses for protection under the sizzlin' mid-day solar rays.

Vanity be thy name?

Yes, I expect a handful of Hollywood hopefuls are anxious to show off their pretty mugs in tantalizing Tinsel town where an all-elusive break into the biz is just a glance away.

But, for longevity's sake (unless you want to play character actors for the rest of your life) it's always wise to cover up when splashing into the zesty beach days of summer each year.

After all, treks in the scorching sun without shades get 'ya squinting - and over time - etch out some nasty crow's feet up-close and personal to your luminous baby blues.

Notwithstanding, scrutinizing objects in the bright sun without protection may eventually cause irreversible damage to the retina of the eye.

So, it's important to not only sport shades, but ensure the pair you snap up have maximum Ultra Violet (UV) protection!

But, forget rims in "granny styles". After all, wrap-a-round coverage is best.

Of course, there are many brands to choose from!

Ray-Bans, as always, are Top Gun!

And, in 90210 (Beverly Hills, dahlink!) designer shades with ubiquitous logos upfront and screeching "money" are always in vogue.

But, if you're on a budget or continually misplacing your fave pair (like moi!), occasionally - and for a song with a stroke of luck - you'll be able to snatch up a real snazzy pair at the 99 cent store.

But, scan for the UV protection sticker, please!

Another benefit of protection?

In a matter of weeks you'll also notice the texture and tone of the skin around the eyes noticeably improved.

It saves face! Just ask my pals, below.

Barack Obama...say what? Senior analyst disassociates with sports tied to African Americans!

Barack on the "down low"...
(pictured left)



Just when we thought issues pertaining to the race card were dealt a final deadly blow - and tucked away into the good night - another wild zinger zips out of the Barack Obama camp!

At media outlets around the Nation, the morning papers were running photographs of Obama sprinting about the basketball court, underscoring his vim and vigor at the tender age of 46 big ones!

Heh, judging by comments from the ring-siders, Obama put the competing players half his age to shame!

Some have scratched their heads and wondered why Oprah's good buddy hasn't capitalized on the athletic image, especially in view of the fact some whine that Senator John McCain is too old to run for President.

According to the Senator from Illinois, age is not an issue.

A bit of diplomacy on his part, perhaps?

And, when asked why there weren't any press junkets booked around his favorite past-time, the presidential candidate stressed that when he's on the court - it's his downtime - and one of those rare occasions when he is able to relax out of the political spotlight.

In view of a comment made by his Senior Analyst - on the heels of the Obama revelation - one has to wonder...surely that's not entirely true?

After all, in one of those jaw-dropping moments, the aide allegedly let is slip that the reason there were few photo ops - or in-your-face reports from the stands - was due to the fact there was some reluctance on the part of the Obama team to show the candidate playing a sport heavily associated with African Americans.

Oops! Someone put their foot in it...

Hoop nightmares, do ya think?

Wesley Snipes...IRS tax evasion lands Actor in slammer!

Wesley Snipes unable to win battle with Uncle Sam...


Well, fans of actor Wesley Snipes were a little stunned this week when charges of income tax evasion brought by the IRS - not only "stuck" - but appear to be bundling the action star off to the big house for three years!

Uncle Sam doesn't fool around when it comes to hanky-panky with tax dollar revenues!

No surprise, though.


Decades ago, everyone thought Al Capone was pretty much "untouchable" - a flim flam man - a teflon Don. In the final crunch, it was the undeclared ill-gotten gains - not the racketeering or the rum-running or illicit prostitution or slave trade - that done him in.


Even Leona Helmsley's mega millions couldn't save her from the slammer - and subsequently - daily stints in the head scrubbing out latrines and carting out the trash for allegedly writing off expenses which were disallowed.








Most are shocked by the severity of the Snipes sentence.

Mr. Swipes had no previous record (and no trouble with the Law previously) so - by most accounts - the star of a couple of blockbuster Hollywood films should have been given probation. After all, the felony charges were dropped, and lowly misdemeanours don't generally warrant such a severe slap on the wrist.

Was the bench-warmer who laid down the sentence a hangin' Judge?

Or, was Mr. Swipes another victim of a judicial system bent on sending a message to the American people: Don't cheat on your taxes?

On the other side of the coin, the prosecution and the government argued that Mr. Swipes was not just an "innocent" who inadvertently failed to report his earnings correctly or pay appropriate tax based on his earnings.

The lawyers who prosecuted the case stridently put forth the proposition that Swipes willingly got involved with a tax-deferral scheme which he knew was not legal or acceptable in the eyes of the IRS or the U.S. Tax Court.

In fact - Attorney General Nathan J. Hochman of the Justice Department - was quite emphatic in his statements to the press that Swipes was:

"A disciple of a tax defiance movement who understood his actions were illegal."

To add credibility to the Justice Department's argument, Hochman noted that the incidents of tax evasion did not occur in just one calendar year, but over several. And, that the failure to report earnings was not an "accident' - in the final analysis - in view of the documented evidence.

Swipes was not a victim of "jackals" who took advantage of his lack of knowledge about the intricacies of tax laws, he stressed to the swarming media who hovered in a fever frenzy outside the court environs this past week.

Although Swipes stated in a prepared release prior to sentencing that he was - idealistic, naive, passionate, truth-seeking, and a spiritually motivated artist unschooled in the science of law and finance - the comments fell on deaf ears.

In response to the criticism that the sentence was too harsh, Judge Hodges (who presided over the case) disagreed and noted for the record:

"He exhibited a history of contempt over a period of time for U.S. Tax laws."

"In my mind these are serious crimes," he concluded, as he passed the sentence.

After hearing the verdict, Swipes had no reaction.

Maybe, he saw it coming?

The crux of the case was a charge by the IRS that Snipes tried to defraud the IRS by by virtue of his deceitful efforts to collect 11.4 million in fraudulent income tax refunds. In addition, it was alleged (and proven) that he failed to file returns from 1999 through 2004, despite the fact he generated millions of dollars through career pursuits and investments during that time frame.

When Uncle Sam wants you - he gets 'ya - eh?

Barack Obama...seeks cash from Abercrombie & Fitch flesh?

There was a lot of brouhaha in the press over the past twenty-four hours over a pride of Abercrombie & Fitch models that turned up in back of Barack Obama when he chatted last night in Evansville, Indiana.

At the rally, a campaign volunteer allegedly approached the fellas to queue up behind Obama during the speech.

Pretty up the background? I wonder.

Because their T-shirts were scrawled with the A & F logo on their face, many wondered if Obama was rustling up a bid for some campaign cash from the high-profile retailer, or just lookin' to spruce up the Presidential hopefuls GQ-inspired man-about-town image.

Was it shrewd product placement or just a fluke?

Or, is the Senator going full steam ahead for the gay vote?

Fortunately, the young dudes didn't climb on stage, toss their T's, and show a little naked butt.

That stunt nearly landed Abercrombie & Fitch up on obscenity charges in another part of the Country in recent days.

Do you suppose Obama wears Calvin Klein underwear, too?

LA TIMES Festival of Books...cerebral event for bookish!

If you didn't make it down to the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival this weekend - then you have the option to take in a more cerebral event - the annual Festival of Books hosted by the LA TIMES at UCLA in Westwood.

Although the Festival is free, unless you park a few blocks away and are inclined to trek a bit on foot, parking will cost a staggering eight bucks. At the cost of gas today, maybe it would be wise to take the Metro or hitch a ride with a pal.

The Book fair has grown considerably over the years.

Amid the six outdoor stages of events to choose from, there will be music, cultural events, and cooking demonstrations.

A highlight will be a number of insightful panel discussions with celebrity hosts, readings by award-winning giants in the literary field, and book signings.

Some of the highlights include the following panel discussions:

Laughing in the Face of Death", with moderator Donna Rifkind (Panel 1011); The Literary Detective, with Sarah Weinman (Panel 1012); Death in Another Land, with Paula L. Woods (Panel 1013); Literature & Technology: Breaking the Mold, with David Kipen & Shelley Jackson (Panel 1021); Young Adult: Fantastic Fiction, with Jonathan Hunt (Panel 1022); Gay Talese with Tim Rutten(Panel 1032).

With 300 exhibitors on hand, you'd be wise to plan on spending the whole day. So, pack a lunch; or, trundle off to one of the trendy local eateries in Westwood when the old gut starts growling for grub.

For those without babysitters, two children's areas are sure to keep the young ones in tow enthralled with the world of make-believe, too.

Among the 450 or so authors to appear for in-depth discussions about their works, expect to mingle with keynote speakers like - Julie Andrews, Maria Shriver, Gore Vidal, Kenny Mayne, and Ray Bradbury - to name a few.

In fact, if you want to get a jump on the festivities, you may be inclined to take in tonight's event - the "Dinner with Authors" package.

The "28th Annual Los Angeles Times Book Prizes" Award Ceremony is being held at Royce Hall at UCLA in Westwood.

Attending authors include the "Master of Ceremonies" - Gay Talese - in addition to Maxine Hong Kingston, Tim Weiner, and Sherman Alexie.

The cost of admission ($65.00 a head) includes dinner, a prime ticket for the Awards Ceremony, and a parking pass.

To attend the award ceremony only will run 'ya about 18 smackeroos.

Nifty idea, eh?

Tickets for the event are limited - so hurry.

Info: latimesbookprizes.com

MySpace...harem! Bodacious Bevy of Babes pretty up site.

Through some curious phenomenon, a bevy of bodacious babes have been posting requests to be my "friend" over the past couple of weeks on my profile at MySpace.

Gosh, they're all pretty and curvy and beckoning from afar.

How can I resist?

Without much ado, I usually stroke the "approve" button - at which point - in a flourish of silk, tender flesh, and flimsy undergarments, the seductive sirens sashay onto the site and sidle up to my regular cast of tried-and-true friends.

Sadly, on occasion, a sultry-looking lady is denied entry to my secret lair. In that rare instance, it's usually because a smoldering siren has uploaded a provocative still a little too on-the-edge of soft-porno, for a site I still bill as family entertainment fare.

At my blog, savvy surfers can view an animated video, guffaw at a political jibe, or peruse a movie review to fathom if the release is worth plunking down 10 bucks a head (popcorn and soda extra).

Curiously, after a few days, the harem girls slip away into the starry night - if only for an hour or two. Then, without warning, requests from a whole new batch of bodacious babes sizzle into my mailbox for another scintillating round of titillating visual theatrics.

It just occurred to me today - duh, I'm slow on the uptake, I guess - that perchance the seductresses have been pining for a little afternoon delight.

Any takers?

I prefer lovemaking when the moon is full and the passions run high just around midnight!






Temptress hints at naughty fun.
What would Freud think?

Coachella Music & Arts Festival...Prince headlines. Event signals bell-weather trends in music, fashion!

Thousands of music aficionados, heads, thrill-seekers, and a plain old hanger on or two will be descending on the desert this weekend to attend the annual Coachella Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, California.

For the jaded, it was originally going to be a ho-hum event, featuring a line of bands trotting about the circuit ad nauseam in recent days.

But, when PRINCE signed on board to saunter onstage, word-of-mouth skyrocketed the status of the party fest to a must-attend event.

The buzz was boosted somewhat when the - Raconteurs, Vampire Weekend, and MGMT - started packing up their instruments for Coachella, too; a cultural odyssey that tends to signal bell-weather trends in music, fashion, and eclectic art circles.

Unfortunately for fans sorting out scheduling conflicts today - who opted to make last-minute plans to attend - the box office has given notice that all "day passes" are SOLD OUT.

Great for the Festival organizers, however. The cash is flowin' in.

But, there is ample opportunity to snatch up a three-day pass or two, while they last! Just surf over to - www.coachella.com - to book now or risk missing the best riffs west of the Rockies this party season.

The high-energy event is expected to be graced with the presence of many scintillating personalities from far-reaching quarters of the creative community. After all, music is a universal language that speaks volumes to all and from many walks of life.

If you're not a fan of PRINCE, there are other musical tastes for the discerning ear; for instance - the Verve, Portishead, the Breeders, Aphex Twin, and Kraftwerk - to name a handful of the sizzlin' hot few.

Off the Festival grounds high-powered industry-types - and social butterflies of all ilks - will be stalking the local party scene. And, for the adventurous, there are about a half-a-dozen prestigious red ribbon events to crash for those with the savvy skills to accomplish the feat.

For instance, GQ is hosting an affair at the Viceroy featuring DJ Sevigny. Meanwhile, Anthem Magazine takes a big splash with a pool party. And, an after-hours party crush will be held at Tokio Bar on Saturday night.

Also, A & T Mobile is tossing a soiree in an airplane hangar for those who want to land their social jet-setting wings. An open bar, DJ sets from Steve Aoki, and appearances by celebs like Carmen Electra may heighten passions a bit, if you're lucky to touch down on their runway.

Others jumped on the wild bash bandwagon this year, too - Filter Magazine, BPM Magazine, Paramount, and Spin Magazine - for instance.

For good reason...

According to Peter Hunsinger - VP at GQ Magazine,

"The people who come to Coachella go home and influence their peers and friends and work associates and family. They become the agents of change that every client wants to make a part of their marketing outreach. If you are not here, you are not there."

But, don't forget to go prepared. Three days in the scorching sun may wreck havoc in your life if you're careless about the harsh realities of arid desert life.

Be sure to pack your tote bag with ample bottles of fresh water, sunscreen (with an SPF factor of at least 15 minimum), a change of clothes in case the weather gets inclement, energy snacks, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap to prevent the intense rays of the sun from pounding on your noggin' with disastrous end results.

Party hearty, eh?

MGMT on stage...


Busy P to appear...













Raconteurs set may be viewed
10:05 pm PST / April 25th.
attblueroom. com/music




FRIDAY, APRIL 25
Aphex Twin
God-like electronic legend melts brains
The Verve
The Stones of the ’90s reunited
Battles
Hardcore math-metal for digital mind-bots
The Raconteurs
Jack White gets his Petty on
Vampire Weekend
Preppy indie-pop for collegiate cuties
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
The original Amy Winehouse, only better
Black Kids
Hipster-approved multi-cultural power-pop
Dan Deacon
Spazzy celebration of your inner geek
Santogold
Hipsters heart Brooklyn's answer to M.I.A.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26
Prince
Best headliner since Radiohead. Purple reign!
Portishead
Trip-hop pioneers make melancholy magic
Kraftwerk
OG disco robots rule the nation
Erol Alkan
U.K. turntable star = weekend’s top DJ
Little Brother
Super-fun backpack-hip-hop heroes
Dwight Yoakam
Ass-kickin' honky-tonk country pimp
M.I.A.
Militant dance party with bombastic beats
Kate Nash
Precious and precocious girlie-pop, awkwardly
Uffie
Hot potty-mouthed Ed Banger babe

SUNDAY, APRIL 27
Love & Rockets
Post-Bauhaus high-octane speed-rock
Murs
Still better than your favorite rapper
Autolux
Awesome atmospheric L.A. space-rock
The Field
Lush electronic waves of digital bliss
The Cool Kids
Retro Technicolor indie hip-hop upstarts
Black Mountain
Druggy organic jam-rock—with girls!
Swervedriver
Awesome '90s guitar army stargaze loudly
Duffy
The blonde, non-cracky Amy Winehouse
Kid Sister w/A-Trak
Heavyweight DJ + emerging rapstress = sonic love
Roger Waters
Trippy side of your pharmacist's stash
Dimitri From Paris
Playboy-appro