During our chat, the earthquake hit and I had told him,  "Ernie, we're having an earthquake. I have to crawl under my desk." And we continued talking until the quake reached him. I knew because Borgnine suddenly said, "Oh! Oh, oh!"  True to form, he regained his composure quickly and we finished our interview.

On Aug. 25 Borgnine came to the South Pasadena Public Library for an talk and book signing.  Today, I received this very nice letter from one of my readers: 

Hi, Michelle:

You may not remember me, but I certainly remember you. I sat next to Mrs. Parent (Zen Golf mom) at the Ernest Borgnine book signing event in South Pasadena, a week ago Monday.

Later, as I stood near the back of the line waiting to get his signature, I heard Mr. Borgnine let out a big laugh. I looked up and saw him talking to you, so i knew he was enjoying the memory of your momentous telephone conversation as the earthquake struck; that's when I moved in and took this picture.

I hope you like it and that it also serves as an excuse for me to say "hello" to you occasionally. This is just my way of acknowledging the memorable impression that you made, and the pleasure of our brief conversation about your great career.

Milton Douglas

Milton with Borgnine

Thank you for sharing this with me, Milton. I will never forget my interview and meeting with Ernie. ~ Michelle

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1716410870/bctid1761979386

And don't expect to see a repeat performance. I'm turning in my comedy mic to keep myself open for even more adventures. Keep checking the Weekend section to see what I'm up to next as Fun 101 Grrrl!

It's been a long time since I wrote.. too long. I haven't been hidden away writing my autobiography or pondering the meaning of life... even though maybe I should... I've just been - sit down and get ready - busy being a dog.

Yeah, I don't need a $10,000 party like Elvis (of "America's Greatest Dog" fame) to know I'm special. Heck, as far as I'm concerned I am America's Greatest Dog... at least my mommy makes me feel that way.

And I don't need my photo on the cover of the latest doggie magazine. I have plenty of fans already.

What I do need is a nice toy to chew, a soft cuddly place to sleep and a cookie now and again. Hmmm.... perhaps that is the meaning to life. Happiness is where you find it, I'll be home all day!

Paws up,

Atticus

G-Man and I have been friends for 18 years. I first met him at a funky little club called the Natural Fudge Company in Hollywood. The venue had bands and open mic nights for comedians. I was fronting the hard rock /heavy metal group Morpheus and he was doing standup. Our paths crossed and a friendship was forged.

We worked well together and made the rounds emceeing between bands at clubs all over Southern California, as well as making appearances at all kinds of places and even serving as presenters at the Rock City News music awards. Later, the cable show came and our rapport continued on camera, reaching even more fans.

G-Man also helped found DaBelly.com, an entertainment ezine, and contributed a monthly column. 

But the talent didn't stop there... G-Man was a poet, an author and an artist too. His paintings are absolutely amazing. They're all contemporary modern, but it's not just the emotion and color that makes them intriguing-- what makes them shine is the texture and technique. G-Man would use almost anything to apply the paint-- an eyedropper, an earring, his hands.

 Most of his work remained hidden in his apartment instead of hanging in a gallery where it belongs... I am lucky to have a few pieces that he gave me. And today, at his memorial, I was given another two to add to my collection.

I am being flooded by a myriad of emotions with G-Man's passing. It's not only thinking about the past or our mortality, but it's the little, yet big things like: I will never hear his laugh on the telephone again, I will never see him working on a painting again and I will never be able to give him some grief (in fun) again. Of course, I have photos, videos, his CD, some of his art... but....

Please take a minute to meet my friend at www.robertthegmanshields.com

and while you're there, celebrate a life well lived....

G-Man, your wit, wisdom and talent will be remembered, but your words, creativity and energy lives on! 

I would like to invite you to an evening of royal entertainment featuring Her Royal Majesty--  Me.

My editor has coerced me into writing a story about what it is like to do standup comedy (actually it wasn't that hard because I was eating chocolate at the time).  I have attended a couple of classes at Bobbie Oliver's Stand-Up Academy at the Ice House in Pasadena. And now I am ready to take my show on the road... just down a couple of cities to Arcadia.

You can catch me - for free even! - during the Joke Gym, an open mic night, Thursday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. Comedians can sign up to perform beginning at 6:30 p.m. Here's the rest of the information:

ZAPATA VIVE MEXICAN RESTAURANT & CANTINA

101 S. First Ave., Arcadia

(626) 574-1363.

 Full bar and menu. No cover.

www.jokegym.com

Come out and cheer me on and have a good giggle!!

Now, carry on, as you were...

Flanked by Princess Valerie and Sir Ben McGinty, Knight of the Arts, I made my way through the masses from one end of the festival to the other. I caught quite a few performances, such as Aluminum Marshmallow and the Age of Aquarius Horns, Mercy & the Merkettes, Wreck N Sow and Snotty Scotty and the Hankies. I also enjoyed nibbling on a baked yam and, later, a shaved ice doused with fruit flavoring.

The paparazzi caught me in action~ I even graced the frontpage of the Celebrations section Wednesday as part of Patt Diroll's On The Town column!  ...You may have seen the photo of me cuddling up to Mayor Bill Bogaard in front of a classic car, along with event co-chairwomen Tina Hart and Maggie McDermott.

But the highlight of the evening was you, dear readers. Many of you stopped me to say hello or pose for a photo. I appreciate you more than you will ever know! It's so nice to hear that you read my stories and to find out what you like (and even what you don't like) about the Weekend section.

Thank you to Pasadena Heritage and everyone else who made the Bridge Party such fun!!

Now carry on, as you were,

Queen Mickie

The New Chinatowns Saturday, July 12th 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Departing from Philippe The Original in downtown Los Angeles, just across from Union Station.

Club Flotsam Night

9 p.m. Thursday, June 26

Mr. T's Bowl

5621 1/2 N. Figueroa

Highland Park

Free, one drink minimum

(323) 256-7561

Catch live music performances by

 Mrs. Brown's Lovely Daughter

Out of Town

Skyline Electric

NIBIRU

I will be belly dancing with swords, my veil and other surprises to an eclectic music set.

There's also a free raffle and other fun!!

Hope to see you Thursday,

Queen Mickie

It's me, your favorite Royal Pup, and I have big news... for a little dog, any way. I have been selected (along with a lot of other dogs across the nation) to have my photo appear in Times Square Thursday morning. Here's the why and how:

More than 1 million people pass through Times Square each day, but never would they think more than 9,000 of America's picture-perfect dogs would appear in the spotlight.

This spring, "Dancing with the Stars'" Drew Lachey and his German Shepard, Luka, teamed up with Purina Dog Chow to give every pooch the chance to shine in America's most famous intersection - and now, 9,000 lucky dogs will have their day, with one, even luckier dog there to see it all in person.

On June 19, 2008, more than 9,000 dogs from across America will illuminate the Reuters/NASDAQ Digital Tower in Times Square as Purina Dog Chow presents "Picture Your Dog in Times Square."

And the winner is? Sassy, a two-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, and her owner, Dayna Culbertson of Marysville, Wash., will be there live for Sassy's "big screen" debut, and also will enjoy a five-day, four-night stay in the New York City.

All dog lovers can view the photos on the digital tower by visiting www.longliveyourdog.com beginning June 19 at 6:00 a.m. EDT until 2:00 a.m. EDT, Friday, June 20. Those who uploaded pictures of their cute canines will be notified via e-mail of their dog's larger-than-life close-up.

See all the cute canines at http://pictureyourdogintimessquare.com

On June 19th, Atticus will be featured on one of the digital displays in Times Square, New York. Atticus will appear between 6:45 AM and 7:05 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST).  Actual times may vary.

Congratulations Sassy!  I am thrilled and honored to be part of the tail-wagging fun!

So wake up early, watch for my photo and, while you're up, give your furry, feathered or finned best friend a treat.

Paws up,

Atticus 

The Chalk Fest is the other big happening that helps support one of my favorite causes, the Light Bringer Project (the other is Doo Dah). LBP in a non-profit organization that offers opportunities for art and art education throughout the community. They reach out to everyone, including children and the mentally ill.

Please plan some time in your busy weekend to check out this awesome event. If you come Sunday, look for me in my Official Crown. And if that's not enough-- it's FREE!

Here's the basic information from www.pasadenachalkfestival.com , if you need more, please visit the site.

WHAT: THE PASADENA CHALK FESTIVAL, the world's largest street painting festival, will draw nearly 600 artists from across Southern California, who will use 25,000 sticks of pastel chalk to create spectacular murals on pavement the size of two city blocks! Amazing works of art from every style imaginable, classical to contemporary, whimsical and fantastic to socially relevant, will be created and shown over the course of the weekend.

This one-of-a-kind public art event, now in its 16th year, is free-of-charge at Paseo Colorado. The most outstanding murals, as selected by the participating artists of the 2008 festival, winning jetBlue round trip tickets, along with other special awards from our sponsors, will be announced at the event's conclusion.

THE PASADENA CHALK FESTIVAL attracts artists and design teams from many regions of the country and virtually every Los Angeles-area community. Leading art schools, museums and cultural centers are also represented at the festival. Chalk benefits the community arts programs of the Light Bringer Project, a Pasadena-based nonprofit arts organization.

WHEN: SATURDAY, JUNE 14 AND SUNDAY, JUNE 15
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Paseo Colorado located at 280 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101 (between Marengo and Los Robles Ave.) Murals on Garfield Promenade and Upper Fountain Court

VISUALS:

• 600 talented artists of all ages and ethnicities - professionals, non-professionals and students
• Spectacular masterpieces created on pavement throughout Paseo Colorado's beautiful Garfield Promenade and Upper Fountain Court
• Thousands of visitors - young and old - each day
• Madonnari Bistro featuring light fare and cocktails and proceeds benefiting the Light Bringer Project
• Live music representing many cultural influences
• Small painted canvases by festival chalk artists available for viewing and purchase at the Art Gallery

OK, now carry on, as you were!

MECDA's Belly Dance Carnival

11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, June 7 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, June 8

Santa Anita Park

285 W. Huntington Drive

Arcadia

$17 adults and $7 seniors and children 12 and up

www.mecda.org

 There will be two stages with continuous performances, live music, shopping, children's activities, American and ethnic food and more. But most importantly~ I will be dancing with one of my Official Doo Dah Princesses as Almase Arabesque (www.almasearabesque.com) on the Gypsy Camp Stage at 2:50 p.m. Saturday.

Mount Lowe Excursion - History Hike

8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21

Pasadena Museum of History

470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena

$15

Reservations: (626) 577-1660, Ext. 10

www.pasadenahistory.org

Atticus, the Royal Pup, and I will be joining historian and curator Michael Patris for a special hike to view parts of the historic Mount Lowe Railway. It's moderate three-mile hike. You'll need to bring a picnic lunch, but beverages will be provided. You'll probably want sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen and your camera too. We'll be carpooling from the museum's parking lot, so don't be late!

Ooooo and if you have a portable musical instrument, grab it and bring it along for the hike so we can celebrate "Make Music Pasadena." As for me and Atticus, I think we'll be bringing our voices, as Atti doesn't care much for my kazoo playing!

Hope to see you, my loyal subject, at one or both of these fun events!!

The other week when I attended the Renaissance Faire, one of my readers Michael Toth ran into me. He is not only a fan of my stories, but talented himself-- a photographer!

Michael asked me to pose for a few photographs and I obliged. (Yes, it is demanding being the Queen... but it's a lot of fun too!) He mailed be a few of his favorites along with some of his gorgeous sunsets and gave me permission to share them with you.

If you like Michael's work and would like more information, drop me an e-mail with your phone number and I'll get it to him.

------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you, Michael, happy shutter-bugging!

Now carry on, as you were,

Queen Mickie

We ate, drank and made merry- watching the shows and shopping at a leisurely pace through the day. And yes, it was very hot, as you know, but I was fine with my parasol and fan. Of course having attendants helps too!

I would like to thank Richard Lowe http://www.renaissancefaire.net/ for sharing some of his photos from my day. Please visit his Web site for the full - and I mean full! - story. Here, you see Sir Ben, my friend and wondrous drummer, Joanne, and one of the Doo Dah Parades most popular denizens, Dennis. Oh, and my Royal self too!

If you are seeking something entertaining this weekend, I suggest - nay, command you to go to McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World in Altadena for the Sunday Salon. The event includes art, artists in attendance, refreshments and more, plus Sir Benjamin owns the space and knows how to throw a good soiree. Visit www.galleryatheendoftheworld.com and make plans to see me there!

..

This Sunday (May 18), I will be escorted throughout my day at Faire by my trusty Knight and accompanied and attended by a full entourage, which he has dutifully gathered. I would like to further extend his invitation to all my loyal subjects and ask you to join us for this final day of merriment at Santa Fe Dam in Irwindale.

Unfortunately, Sir Atticus, the Royal Pup, will not be in attendance as it conflicts with his appointed nap times, but you are welcome to approach Her Royalness for a few words and even - oh my! - a photograph or two.

For more information on the Faire, please visit www.renfaire.com

You can learn more about Sir Benjamin and his art space at www.myspace.com/galleryattheendoftheworld

Remember~ All's fair at Faire!

I hope to see you there!  Now, carry on, as you were!

You can read what he asked and what I had to say about it at

www.proctorformayor.com

Enjoy!