INSIDE SCOOPS

NOT REALLY INCOGNITO

It’s hard not to spot former NBA superstar Dennis Rodman.

The multitude of tattoos. The ever-changing hair color. And, apparently

the cars.

Police pulled over Rodman, earlier this week, when they noticed the

38-year-old bad boy driving his yellow Volkswagen bug near Superior

Avenue and 15th Street. Rodman, who was arrested in December in Costa

Mesa on suspicion of driving under the influence, wasn’t supposed to be

behind the wheel given the charge. Officers cited Rodman for driving on a

suspended license and arrested his passenger -- Rodman’s hair dresser --

for two outstanding $500 arrest warrants.

When officers approached the car, they noticed a particular feature a la

Rodman.

What appeared to be flames painted on the side of the car were actually

naked women.

THE SPONSORS PICKS

Everyone has that one film running at the Newport Beach Film Festival

that they just can’t wait to see.

For festival sponsors Leigh and Lucy Steinberg it is “Long Nights Journey

into Day,” the documentary on Amy Biehl, the girl from Newport Beach, who

was stoned to death by an angry mob, while in South Africa helping young

citizens register.

Lucy Steinberg cites it as most intriguing for them, not just because

Biehl was from Newport Beach, but because the couple has a relative who

has worked in the American embassies throughout South Africa.

TOP BANANA

Tuxedos were the uniform for men at the opening night of the Newport

Beach Film Festival at the Big Edwards theater last Thursday. But

18-year-old Michael Curran, standing by the popcorn counter, was going

for a different look.

Curran, who was promoting a drink called “Caribbean Passion,” was wearing

a body-sized yellow foam banana suit. It was a get-up attracted more

attention than even the most perfectly pressed tux.

IMAGINE

Costa Mesa Mayor Gary Monahan opened the last City Council meeting by

declaring April, Autism Awareness Month.

He read an adaptation of John Lennon’s song “Imagine.” “Imagine waking up

every morning with a noise in your ears resembling construction crews

jack-hammering outside your window ...,” he said.

“Imagine being unable to speak no matter how hard you try, as if there’s

duct tape covering your mouth ...,” he said.

It went on.

While mayors everywhere make proclamation after proclamation, this one

was especially meaningful to Monahan. His son, Ethan, 5, is autistic.