Every once in a while, I’m asked about those who came before me.  Those who blazed the trail for gossipmongers everywhere.  Those who have moved on to the great beyond.  In this case, the great beyond is Palm Springs.  And, while its inhabitants are not technically dead, they are enjoying a well-deserved rest.  One of those residents is Ted Casablanca.  For 20 years, Casablanca was a mainstay in the gossip world – first at Premiere magazine and then at E! Online.  He also cut quite an appealing figure, with a posterior that kept more sailors snug than could fit into Natalie Wood‘s dingy!  According to a profile in my Southern California publication, Frontiers, Casablanca initially relocated to the desert to work on a juicy novel.  While he promises the novel will come out later this year, he’s already opened the Ted Casablanca Gallery – how do they come up with such inventive names?  The art gallery has a reputation for edgy fare.  Check him out if you’re in the area.  The line forms at the rear, I’m sure.