If so, the 32-foot bus (read: Winnebago) is headed to Jackson on Friday in search of potential contestants for TV's favorite quiz show. The "Jeopardy! Clue Crew" (Jon Cannon and Jimmy McGuire) will be holding court from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel.

If you're there, you'll get a behind-the-scenes peek at how the show unfolds - from the audition process to the actual game-playing. You can ask questions and then take the quiz to help determine if you've got the brains it really takes to play "Jeopardy!"

The "Clue Crew" guys have the best job. They get to travel the country - and the world - with cameras to bring "Jeopardy!" clues to life. How? They illustrate historical sites, landmarks and great locations, which then become the basis for the "answers" on the TV show.

The Friday event is open to the public. The casino is at 12222 New York Ranch Road in Jackson.

I chatted recently with Melody Claussen-Furry of Sacramento whose son, Christian, now 14, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2005. The family spent a lot of time understanding what Melody calls "the diabetes ropes."

"We're still learning new things all the time," she says.

Diabetes awareness became a goal of Melody's, as well as raising funds for research. That's how she came to open her own "shop" on Etsy, an online independent crafters' marketplace. She put some of her own crafts there and enlisted help from her "craft sisters" at the Sacramento Craft Mafia.

"They all quickly gave from their own shops for my son's (and millions of others) cause," Melody says.

Today, her Sugarcube Society Shop is getting donations worldwide, even from Australia.

The shop has some really interesting and unique items, including the Blue Moon knitted hat (pictured) hat was donated by Stacey, a local craft mafia member. Two vintage moon-shaped wood buttons accent the front, and it sells for $20.

All proceeds (after etsy fees) from Melody's shop will go to JDRF (the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). If you're interested in donating an item for this shop, please contact Melody at handmade.luck@yahoo.com or shop her "shop" by clicking here.

I've heard of eating contests, holding-your-breath contests, etc., but I'm unaware of a "gift-wrapping contest."

Well, there is such a thing - and it's been going on for 11 years!

It's called the Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest, and it's sponsored by parent company 3M.

Now, I can tie a pretty darned good bow, but from the sound of this contest you'd better be able to tape flawlessly. No exposed corners!

The contest seeks folks (nationwide) who believe they can "outwrap" anyone. If you're that person - or know a gifted wrapper - here are the contest details:

They want a 100-word or less written entry on why you or the nominess has what it takes (wrapping experience, creativity) to be crowned the most gifted wrapper.

Include the following:
* Name, home address, city, state, Zip code, daytime phone number, fax number and e-mail address (if available).
* Whether the nominee is entering as a professional or an amateur. For example, you're considered a pro if you wrap gifts at a department or speciality store.

Entries must be received no later than Oct. 6 and can be submitted three ways:
* By mail: Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest, Hunter Public Relations, 41 Madison Ave., fifth floor, New York, NY 10010.
* By fax: (212) 679-6607.
* By e-mail: giftedwrapper@hunterpr.com.

Eight finalists (four pros, four amateurs) will be flown to New York for a three-day, three-night trip to compete in the gift-wrapping finale on Dec. 5 at, well where else, Rockefeller Center. Grand prize? $10,000 and the crown as the most gifted wrapper. If you nominate the winner, you'll get $1,000.

For more details, click here.

And as they say in the biz, that's a wrap.

For example:

* Artifacts boutique (907 K St.) is hosting a one-day event, "Lucid: An Evening of Fashion and Art," at 7 p.m. Saturday in the MARRS Building, 1050 20th St. It's open to the public and will showcase fashions from both Artifacts and DVI boutique, also in Sacramento. Local designers will also be featured, including Jesus Medrano and Lindsay Rickman and Amy and Melissa Hemmans. Artist Jeff Felker will display his artwork, too. Eliz Salon is doing the hair; music is provided by Sam I Jam and Adam J.

* The Galleria at Roseville is the setting for Sunday's "Serving Up Style" event to benefit the Keaton Raphael Memorial. It's being presented by the Sacramento Capitals World Tennis Team. Members of the Capitals (who will serve as models) will be dressed by the fashion experts at Macy's. The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. at Macy's. Cost is $35 per person at Macy's or call (916) 784-6786. You'll see the likes of tennis stars Sam Warburg and Elena Likhovtseva, along with hors d'oeuvres, hosted libations, music and silent and live auctions.KRM was founded by the family of Keaton Raphael after his death from neuroblastoma (cancer of the nervous system) in 1998. The non-profit organization works to help childhood cancer victims.

* It comes only once a year, but Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale, which starts today, is a shopper's first look at what's coming for fall. Not only to see but to buy - at reduced prices. The sale covers everything from women's and men's apparel to kids' clothing, plus accessories (shoes, handbags, jewelry) and lots of great deals in the cosmetics and fragrance departments. Heck, I already found a great stylized trenchcoat that's marked down $60 for the sale. Prices are in effect today through Aug. 3 in stores or online. Just click here.

Last night's first installment of "Project Runway" Season 5 was like a class reunion of sorts. Guest judge was Austin Scarlett from Season 1, and the first challenge was to create an outfit from $75 worth of "stuff" from a supermarket - again the initial challenge of Season 1.

Ah, nostalgia!

But the 16 new contestants, including Emily Brandle (shown above), 27, who grew up in Sac, did great for the most part. Of course, there were waaaay too many tableclothes turned into dresses, even an awful raincoat, which got contestant Jerry "auf'd."

Judge Michael Korsblogged this note: "As for Jerry's dress, both Nina (Garcia) and I thought that it looked suspiciously like something that Christian Bale would have worn in 'American Psycho.' "

Nice to know Kors returns with that razor-sharp wit of his.

Emily wasn't among the top 3 or the bottom 3, which means she wasn't on anyone's hit list. I liked her dress (shown above), especially the top part. It was made from, I believe, cut-up beach balls!

Kelli won the challenge with her dress made out of coffee filters and her own handmade, hand-dyed "fabric." It was pretty cool.

And I got an e-mail letting me know that contestant Leanne, 27, also has a local connection. She's originally from Yuba City and moved to Portland several years ago. (Guess the Bravo folks don't know Yuba City is near Sac.)

Anyway, Leanne has done local fashion shows and went to design school in San Francisco. The e-mail says she also worked as a graphic designer at the Appeal-Democrat newspaper in Marysville. So now we've got two contestants to keep an eye on!

Next week's challenge: "Grass is Always Greener" in which the designers are forced to think "green" - with the help of their trusted models. Guest judge is actress Natalie Portman.

For more gossip on the show, click here.

Now, local women - and girls - will have several opportunities to attend wake clinics at the Delta Wakeboard Camp coming up Sunday and Monday.

Oakley (sunglasses and accessories) is partnering with Maven Sessions, a nationwide tour of wakesports clinics for women and girls taught by female pro wakeboarders. The sessions focus on gaining confidence on the water, learning proper technique and helping girls meet other local girls who love to ride.

Here's the schedule:

Morning sessions: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Evening sessions: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Classes will be held at 11530 W. Eight Mile Road in Sacramento. The cost is $50 per session. Sign up and you'll get a bonus Oakley gift at the clinics.

You can register for the event by clicking here.

So, did I just teleport myself to Colorado and Provence?

Hardly. Used the Internet, of course.

I visited http://www.medici.tv.

The European-based webcaster (a collaboration between EuroArts in Leipzig and Ideale Audience, among others), now in its third year, is offering free webstreams of current and archived performances of summer classical music festivals, and other concerts.

The webcaster typically charges about 25 euros ($40 give or take) for the streamed concerts and other offerings. But this summer it is trying to entice subscribers with the free streams.

Right now it's fronting archival footage of Claudio Abbado conducting Mahler's Sixth Symphony with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra. It's a vivid performance of the symphony and Abbado is coaxing a highly nuanced performance from the players.

In addition to the live-concert webcasts, medici.tv also offers a library of music on film consisting of more than 150 titles, with 200 additional coming. Subscribers can choose 24-hour, one-month, and six-month packages.

One of the more appealing aspects of this webcaster is that it also offers a wide variety of documentaries focusing on the lives and careers of composers and performers, including the likes of Philip Glass, Glenn Gould and Yehudi Menuhin.

The website is also seeking to become a community destination for those that love classical music, as evidenced by a soon-to-launched on-line magazine, plus artists and tastemaker blogs.

You've got to like the proactive nature of the whole thing.

But frankly, given the state of the plunging dollar against the Euro, it remains to be seen how affordable medici.tv will be to the U.S. market.

That's why you've got to tap into the free offerings now. As they say 'it's cheap at twice the price'.

Got plans for Friday night? It's Breast Health Awareness night in Sactown!

The Sacramento Monarchs game vs. the Atlanta Dream at Arco Arena will be a very special one - in honor of breast cancer survivors who will be in attendance for the 7 p.m. tip-off. Fans can celebrate all the survivors attending,

You'll get high-powdered WNBA basketball and the opportunity to help raise funds for the local Komen for the Cure chapter, which will receive $6.50 for every ticket sold at the $20.50 or above ticket price.

You can get more info or sign up online by clicking here.

Although the Channel 3 web site lists Gray's official duties as the anchor for the 5-7 a.m. and noon shifts, these days he's also behind the desk with Edie Lambert at 11 p.m.

Why?

Simply put, Channel 3 news director Anzio Williams tells us, it's summer and that means much of the staff is cycling through vacation time and / or off covering Olympics-related stories.

You know, just like at your office. Seriously, as I look around my work area, I can relate - somebody get the guy a vat of coffee, already.

Expect to see more of Gray through August's Olympic coverage.

No, it wasn't the thousands and thousands that show up for the nationwide "American Idol" auditions, but between 150 and 200 wannabe contenders rose and sang (early!) Friday morning at the "Sacramento Idol" competition in Elk Grove.

The contest was put on by Fox40, with ample assistance from Skip's Music and 101.9 FM (The Wolf) .

Contestants were singing for the chance to go to San Francisco's Cow Palace this Thursday for a crack at the real "Idol" audition, the first in the nation for Season 8.

Our local winner? Piney Davis (pictured) of Carmichael!

Greg Saunders, creative services director at Fox40 (read: "Department of Fun"), says he was pretty amazed at the turnout.

"We only had two to three days to plan this, but it came together at the last minute," Greg says. "Skip's Music did a lot of the heavy lifting, supplying tents, vocal coaches, etc."

The audition, in front of professional judges (not just clapping!), was a two-step process. After singing once, only 60 people got a pass to go "inside" and sing again. From there, five finalists competed in a sing-off, which Piney won.

"Piney is all excited," Greg adds. "We're sending her with a letter to get her in the express lane for the actual competition in San Francisco."

There are no guarantees Piney will see Simon Cowell's sweet face, but she does get to sing in front of the "Idol" producers. Unlike the Season 7 winner, David Cook, who tagged along with his brother last summer to an audition and ended up, well, you know the rest of that song. Piney really wants to audition!

To watch a video of the "Sacramento Idol" competition, click here.