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A few weeks ago I was in Los Angeles with my business partner, Rolfe McCollister. On Thursday night we were taken to Spago for dinner, and Friday we hit Ivy’s for lunch where we sat next to Simon Cowell, the brutally blunt English judge from American Idol. We spotted the paparazzi (along with hundreds of admirers), all hoping for a chance to get an autograph or picture with several celebrities inside.

It got me thinking about our cover story this month. America is fascinated with celebrities.

Go to any newsstand and look what graces the covers. The personalities who depict heroes on the big screen or television often extend beyond their fictional roles and into real life. Just look at the flood of online celebrity sites, new publications (some good, some trashy), television “magazine” shows, and the plethora of information being disseminated daily about famous people. It is obvious we all want to connect with the glitz and glamour. It can be fun and exciting, especially when the star is one of the good ones.

Some celebrities use their celebrity to do good work and support good causes—they don’t waste their fame. Worthy celebs emerge from varied parts of the celebrity universe: musicians Bono of U2 and Sting, actor Paul Newman, comedian Jerry Lewis, and basketball star and former Baton Rougean Shaquille O’Neal. These are stars who accept being role models and behave accordingly.

Of course, some stars are embarrassing. And ironically—and sadly—the ones who are most despicable or immoral get much of the press. Embarrassing behavior makes tabloid covers. Does that say more about the press or about us as readers, whose interest in it keeps it profitable?

If the public didn’t have an infatuation with Anna Nicole Smith, she wouldn’t have been in all the magazines and on TV every night. Think about it. They show what people want to watch. How noteworthy is Anna Nicole compared to the likes of Mark Polansky, the last astronaut commander who steered the space shuttle, or Kimberly Oliver, the 2006 U.S. teacher of the year? Do they get the spotlight they deserve? Is that the media’s fault, or the public’s?

For the most part, our fascination with celebrity is fun. This month’s cover story (P. 52) is all about our fortunate brushes with fame. We asked readers to share their favorite celebrity snapshots, and we received some beauties. There’s local restaurateur Ruffin Rodrigue, all smiles with Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey when the two were still together. Actors, singers, politicians and athletes adorn walls, photo albums and e-mails all over town, as do some vintage pictures, like former Gov. Jimmie Davis, boxing great Muhammad Ali and George Bush Sr.

The pictures have one thing in common: someone had the gumption to ask if they could take a picture, if they’d mind posing for a snapshot. This month’s cover package rewards that initiative.

Daddy Dale

You know Dale Brown as the former LSU head basketball coach, but for all of his notoriety as a coach and motivator, he has always lived a fascinating life off the court. He’s a student of human behavior, and he’s traveled the world to dozens of countries. And his travels have connected him with some of the most interesting figures on the planet, from Mother Teresa and Legendary Coach John Wooden to Bob Hope and presidents. Read his own celebrity-studded story on P. 60 and find out how he connected with them.

Lots to do

Baton Rouge continues to change before our eyes. And you certainly saw it if you attended Live after Five on April 13, and two days later the inaugural Sunday in the Park. Great music, great food and good times attracted people from all over the community. The good news is those free, outdoor concerts continue in May, with the final Sunday in the Park scheduled May 6, when ours will serve as the jazz stage for FestForAll.

So don’t complain there’s nothing to do—got out and experience it.

And thanks to everyone who made our debut of Sunday in the Park series a success.