Scene in the Tropics

Girls, he's ENGAGED!

We wonder if Matt Damon wasn't a celebrity, would girls still find him irresistable? We frankly think he's blah, not even cute along the lines of a Muppet or a Hobbit, for that matter. But whatever.

The newly engaged (read: off the market)  Damon was at Prime 112 on Saturday night with party of 6. Despite the engagement news, a group of 10 blonde bachelorettes kept coming over to the table to meet him.

According to our spy there, it was getting very irritating, especially for the staffers who couldn't turn over the table since Damon was being interrupted so often and his din din took such a long time.

Shaq attack

On Saturday night, Shaquille O'Neal was honored at the exclusive Police Chiefs party held at the Hotel Victor. After the party, as Shaq headed out of the hotel, he literally stopped traffic to sign autographs and take pictures with fans before getting into his burgundy GMC truck and driving (within the speed limit, of course) off into the night. 

A great little...

What does the songwriter/producer responsible for writing Gwen Stefani's Rich Girl, Ashlee Simpson's Pieces of Me, five songs on Kelly Clarkson's Thankful, a song for Santana, a ditty for Marc Anthony and a hit for Kylie Minogue have to say about working with Paris Hilton, who is recording her album down here with producer Scott Storch? "Paris is Paris," says Kara DioGuardi, hitmaker extraordinaire. "Working with her has been a lot of fun and she does have a great little--- voice." Yeah, that's it. A great little voice.

Shaq's new home

Shaquille O'Neal and wife Shaunie did dinner at Grazie, the new-ish Italian eatery on South Beach last Thursday. Shaunie ate chopped salad and penne pomodoro and Shaq was good, eating just grilled chicken. Shaq and the missus loved it so much they told owner Moshe Petel that it would be their new home--ah, so that's where Shaq's moving to!

JLo and behold

spotted at the Forge last night at a girlie girl dinner party was none other than Jennifer Lopez, sans slight hubby Marc Anthony.

According to our spy witness, if you were wondering if Miss Lo was preggo, the answer is no--sort of. "Her stomach was as flat as a pin, but, girl, that ass could carry twins."

Just after the girl friend blew out her birthday candles, Miss Lo grabbed a mirror, fixed her lipstick and fled into the night, kind of as if she was expecting throngs of snappers out front clammoring to take her mug.

"Not a single paparazzi was outside," said the spy. "Not a one."

Advice Diva goes to Hollywood

The Miami Herald's own Advice Diva and pr maven Tara Solomon may soon be taking a meeting with CAA uber agent Kevin Huvane, whose clients include Brad Pitt and Uma Thurman, to discuss a possible television gig. After appearing on MTV's Made, Solomon caught the eye of many an agent, so her fiance Nick D'Annunzio had power lunch with Huvane to discuss. She's also meeting with MTV execs when she's out in LA next month.  According to Solomon, while she's eager to do a show, what she really wants to do is--write. Self help books. Good luck, Tara, somehow we don't think you need the help!

Ready, set, season?

In Mansion news, The Rock is celebrating the launch of his new video game Doom there on October 13, and on October 21, the club kicks off the season with a live performance by Entourage's Adrian Grenier and his band, The Honey Brothers.

Nemo meet Neptune, part deux

Pharrell and Paulina Rubio showed up at Nemo's brunch together last week because they are working on a song together…or so he says.

Nemo, meet Neptune (and Barry Manilow, too)

Mega producer and hip hopper Pharrell Williams loves the brunch at Nemo. He goes every Sunday and loads up on pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith’s amazing white chocolate banana bread pudding, and is always with gorgeous girls. We hear Barry Manilow happened to be there last Sunday brunch as well, and loved the Wok Charred Wild King Salmon – he visited the buffet twice for seconds. Could it be magic?

Miami goes to the Emmys

Because no building is a good building without a celebrity resident, the dudes from Canyon Ranch's latest Miami digs went out to the Emmy Awards to court the Desperate Housewives, who are not at all desperate for houses.

Developer Eric Sheppard and Canyon Ranch’s David Duval joined LA Confididential publisher, former full time Miamian and media whorable Jason Binn for a star-studded evening celebration at The Key Club on the famed Sunset Strip.

Celebrity guests included Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Kathy and Rick Hilton, and Daisy Fuentes, all of whom went home with Canyon Ranch gift bags.

Canyon Ranch Living – Miami Beach is a joint venture by Canyon Ranch and Miami Beach-based WSG Development Company and will be the nation’s first residential community dedicated to healthy living. Available condominium residences are priced from $1.3 million and the property is scheduled for a winter 2006 completion.

Can't wait for that party.