-) If you're black, and you're thinking about visiting Miami, Florida, beware. Police there are on the search for a bank robber, who has been described as "a black with an Afro and a beard." Lenny Kravitz, who is currently working on his new album in Miami, has already been detained by police and a canine unit, who believed that Kravitz himself was the robber. Taking a break from recording, Kravitz, accompanied by his personal trainer, were walking to a nearby gym when police intercepted them and immediately handcuffed Kravitz. Although both Kravitz and his trainer repeatedly tried to identify themselves, the celebrity name of "Lenny Kravitz" fell on deaf ears. "I was in sweats and had no ID with me...I hadn't shaved in a couple of days, so they obviously thought it was me," Kravitz said. In fact, the police felt it was so "obvious" that they kept on referring to Kravitz as "John." (Did the saying, "All black people look alike," originate in Miami?) "You think that (there was racial profiling) on one hand, and on the other hand you say, 'Well, I did fit the description somewhat,'" Kravitz said. "I'm kind of torn between (the two). But, what I need to find out is why I was 'cuffed first." Kravitz was finally released after a bank employee identified him as the person who "did not" rob the bank. Police, dumbfounded, then probably asked for autographs from the multi-platinum selling star. This reminds me of the time I was in Miami and was detained while walking down a street. Not only was I stopped for no reason whatsoever, a police officer blatantly flaunted his gun at me, just because he felt I too had a gun, skillfully concealed underneath my shirt. Stupidity reigned when the officer found out that the "gun" was nothing more than a cell phone. Stupidity reigned even further when the officer found it difficult to understand the concept of me simply wanting to eat a meal at International House of Pancakes. Since it was nighttime, maybe it was the time of day that confused him. (They do serve dinner, you know.)

-) So, if you decide to bypass Miami, you can always visit Orlando, Florida. It is, after all, home to attractions, such as Disney World and Universal Studios. But, don't count on seeing AJ McLean of Backstreet Boys there anytime soon. During his last visit a month ago, he was found in front of a pool hall having a nervous breakdown, suffering from severe depression. Why? Maybe it was due to the pressure of having Backstreet Boys' new LP, "Black & Blue," try to break the first-week sales record set earlier this year by their rival group, 'NSYNC. (It is unlikely that Backstreet Boys will set a new record.) Or, maybe McLean had the nervous breakdown after he found out that the Monkees will be reuniting in 2001. (There's already enough boy band competition out there.) At least McLean is happy that between his group and 'NSYNC, they have managed to persuade MTV's programming department to forget the fact that Boyz II Men, who has already sold over 60 million records worldwide, even existed. And, yes, they do have a new album out on Universal Records. In New York City, Universal Music Publishing's Director of A&R, Al McLean (no relation to AJ McLean), is having his own nervous breakdown. It is always considered a tragedy at Universal Music Group when one of their artists or writers falls short of number one. Next to have a nervous breakdown will probably be Jennifer Lopez. She has been known to refuse to drink coffee if it has been stirred clockwise. Sounds like early warning "breakdown" signs to me.