In this land of gated communities and tinted windows, it’s tough to do any satisfying celebrity spotting. Sure, you might catch sight of Randy “Macho Man” Savage at a stop sign, or The Donald at some promotional event, but those moments are few and far between. And with Warren Sapp gone, do any local athletes really rate? (Well, maybe Gruden.) To make up for it, star-searching locals have turned to the young and vaguely alternative faces of Starbucks to get their fix. Ever been in a bar when the local Frappuccino slinger walked in? Heads turn, skirts rise, hair gets even more gelled. “There he/she is,” they’ll whisper. “I didn’t know they actually lived here. Wow.” The rock star life isn’t for everyone. But if you’re looking for some fame — or at least some local first name recognition — go ahead and throw on the green frock. It works. Starbucks Coffee Shops are, of course, everywhere. Walk out your door and look left, you’ll see one.`
This article appears in Sep 14-20, 2005.