The new and IMPROVED Planet Claire!

Oooh la la! Check out the new header for Planet Claire! Isn't it cute! Big Thank You to Gerry and Franklin, my tech boys who put this together. Gerry is the designer who picked out the crown, planet, notepad, and smack. He even photographed one of my Barbies. His photographs -- mostly rated PG, a few not -- can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/gerryland.

What I'm writing this week.

After two weeks off with the girls, it was harder than I expected to get back into "real" work. I admit I got kinda used to those vacation days. No 6am wakeups, less homework, hot breakfasts, not to mention Christmas fun with both families. Ok, break's over. Back to work.

Napa retailers all smiles after Christmas shopping season
Jan. 7, 2007

One year later:
Dec. 31, 2006

Super Mario tapped as Miss America Host

The Miss America Organization (MAO to the familiar) has curiously chosen Dancing with the Stars hoofer Mario Lopez to host the crowning of America's Sweetheart on January 29 in Las Vegas.

Lopez, an Animal Planet host and more recently the energizer bunny inspired competitor on ABC's Dancing with the Stars, produced no quotes about his newest gig, only that he didn't plan to sing the pageant's "There She Is, Miss America" theme made famous by longtime Miss America host Bert Parks.

"I really don't sing," Lopez said. "I like to sing, but I don't sing well."

Ahem.

Dear Mario. Cute as you are, you're no Bert P.
I loved it when Donny and Marie hosted. Even Wayne Brady, whom I'm afraid was not asked back due to his sly spoofing of the whole event.

And then there's the date. Miss America 2007 will be crowned on a Monday night. First Miss America's pimped out to CMT. Now she's regulated to a Monday, A MONDAY night! Sacrilege! Everyone knows Miss America is crowned on a Saturday night -- and preferrably in Atlantic City. But I won't go there. In this post.

My good friend Grace points out that as a journalist I am theoretically eligible to apply for press credentials to "cover" the competition. Imagine. Me and my little notebook front and center at The Show. My official Miss America crown proudly pinned to my jacket. Taking notes with an official MAO pink feather topped pen. I can just see it now.

Stay tuned, my crown comrades. More Miss America to come.

Love it.

Leopard and brocade. Love it!!

Mission Accomplished

Well, I did it. I finished my six stories due before my two weeks off. The last story will run December 31, a look back at the one year anniversary of the devastating floods our city faced on New Year's Eve 2005. I'll post the link when it runs...

A Napan for the ages
Dec. 19, 2006

As rainy season sets in, Napa businesses measure the need for flood insurance
Dec. 17, 2006

Four down, two to go....

Two working days left till my two weeks off at the newspaper, and I have written four of the six planned stories. A labor law seminar review went smoother than I expected, but two year-end flood stories were longer than planned. On Monday, I hope to cover a new scrapbook store opening in town.... updates to follow....

Labor law: Business leaders learn the latest at Napa Chamber seminar
Dec. 16, 2006

What I'm writing this week.

On December 19, I'll take two weeks off work, while the girls are on vacation. That means starting Dec 11, I have six work days to write six stories. Will it happen? I will report back next week.

Deck the halls: Napa Christmas store kicks off holiday season
Dec. 1, 2006

Who was Wallace?
Dec. 2, 2006

Shape of things to come in downtown Napa
Dec. 2, 2006

Napa partners take blue jeans upscale
Dec. 3, 2006

California Woodworks to close
Dec. 9, 2006

Napa couple takes stock in survival
Dec. 11, 2006