Star Sightings

...or at least there's a chance for some this Saturday to next Wednesday. My office just received a media alert from our building management, about the half-week closure of King Street, a major road artery connecting our City by the Bay to the Peninsula via I-280. Turns out that the South Beach district will be featured in the filming of the TV pilot for "Trauma", which will include "simulated freeway crashes, explosions, and helicopter activity." The advisory goes on to say, "If you see or hear these, please know that there is no real emergency." (I sure hope Murphy's Law won't take advantage of this one...)

From Aimee Garcia, George Lopez's niece in his show; to Jamey Sheridan, formerly of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, this might be an exciting event for rubbernecking. Reminds me of some of my other close encounters with fame:*

• On a Pasadena sidewalk in the late 80s, when I accidentally stumbled onto a film set starring Patrick Duffy (who, incidentally, turned 60 on St. Patrick's Day this year).
• In a Bloomington club in the mid-90s, when I shared a smoke and laughs with bluesman Keb' Mo'.
  
• In an Emeryville office restroom in 2005, where I found myself washing hands next to the ladies of Top Chef: Season 1, who were primping (and practicing their drama-ness) before the day's taping.

Maybe I'll get to add "brush with 'Trauma' fame" to this list over the weekend.

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*Not including "crazed young person" handgrabs of rock stars during and after concerts.