According to breaking news on The Orange County Register’s Web site, Charles Barnes, aka “The Prophet,” was arrested Wednesday night. He is suspected of having sticky fingers at a CVS Pharmacy in Lake Forest. We at SqueezeOC were shocked at this news.

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“I’m calling about the reality show contestant we have in common,” said my friend Anthony, calling from his newsroom in Lakeland, FL.

Hmmm. Silence. Was I really so out of touch with my friends that I didn’t know one was actually on a reality TV show? Thank god they’re all too old to join “The Real World.”

Stumped.

“Jessica Peralta. She’s a finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance,” he finally said.

No way, I assured him. If SqueezeOC’s Jessica even drove by a “So You Think You Can Dance” audition, we’d all know about it.

But Anthony was sure. He’d done some Googling and wanted to interview said contestant (who was born in Florida and now lived in California) for his reality TV blog .

As soon as I got to the office I did a little Googling myself. Here’s how the dueling Jessica’s stacked up:
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There’s been a lot of events lately mixing great food and great causes, but among the best was the 20th anniversary celebration of Zov’s Bistro.

You foodies know what I’m talking about: if it’s an event at Zov’s, you know the food is going to be exquisite, the hospitality gracious and warm.

It’s no wonder Zov’s has been in business for two decades!
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A large crowd gathered at Libreria Martinez in Santa Ana last night to get their copies of Gustavo Arellano’s book “Ask a Mexican” signed. I wedged myself into a corner over near a large window and lost count of the people coming in at about 155. The small room filled quickly and the rows of seating were snatched up and space was limited near a small snack area where quesadillas, taquitos, Pepsi and beer were served. They couldn’t serve tequila as originally planned because of the size of the crowd.
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I have seen 6-year-old Noelle Hermes just twice. In total she’s probably said about 10 words to me and they include “hi,” “fine” and “thank you.” Still, she’s already one of my favorite people.

Yesterday I got a chance to see her and her family at the kickoff for “Amazing Race 2007,” a fundraiser inspired by the television show (one of my all-time favorites which coincidentally launched it’s new season yesterday). The event raises funds for children like Noelle who suffer from a genetic disorder called Epidermolysis Bullosa.

EB, as it’s most commonly known, prevents the skin from fully staying on the body. Most of Noelle’s body is bandaged to protect her fragile skin, which can blister at the slightest pressure. A minor fall on the ground can mean that all of the skin on her hand peels off.
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Meet our “Marry Me” contest winner Matthew Meddock of Newport Beach, who on this week’s cover, proposes to his girlfriend Kelli Peters.

Pick up the issue on stands now, or read the story online and watch the video of Matthew surprising Kelli with the issue and getting down on one knee.

I was once asked, “What’s the most embarrassing CD you own?” My response… “Justin Timberlake’s ‘Justified’ album.” They snickered and I reflected on how much I really enjoy the album. And how secretly anxious I was about the recent release of Futuresex/Lovesounds.

So when the tour stopped at the Honda Center January 9th, I had to check it out. Co-worker Brian, a great sport, and I arrived immersed in throngs of squealing women, natch. Surprising was most were college to adult age and there were unusual amounts of men who looked to have come willingly.

Pink opened the night with “Just Like a Pill” wearing a black pleated skirt, fishnets and knee-high wedge boots. To keep with a spunky image her tattoos were visible and she rocked a platinum spiked Mohawk.
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Vanity Fair has an interesting online article about the feud between famous monkey-man Paul Frank and his former business partners. Check it out here.

C’mon, you know you wanted to see the pictures. And you know that you, too, doubted the Cruise spawn existed.

Damn, we had such good conspiracy theories.