Scene in the Tropics

Alex Rodriguez sells Miami Beach manse to a mystery Palm Beach celeb for $30M

TMZ reports that ARod has left the building--that is, his 9 bedroom, 11 bathroom Miami Beach manse, which he just sold for $30 million. Though the Yankee slugger took an $8 million pay cut in the price of the home, originally listed at $38 mil, he bought it in 2010 for $7.4 million, raking in a pretty impressive profit nonetheless. The buyer, TMZ says, is a Palm Beach celeb. Rush Limbaugh? Rod Stewart? G-d forbid Donald Trump?  No one knows--yet. Says our real estate mole, "It's a couple from Palm Beach." The home is not so far from Matt Damon's, which is currently on the market for the bargain basement price of $20 million. True high rollers, however, may want to consider the Versace mansion, which just dropped its asking price today from $100 million to $75 million.

An Excellent Reason To Cross the County Line

Johnny Depp is reuniting with his former band, The Kids, for two shows next weekend at Club Cinema in Pompano Beach. Depp and co. will join the Romantics and several other South Florida-based bands for The 2nd Annual Sheila Witkin Memorial Reunion Concert August 29 and 30. Last time Depp was down here, there were rumors he was finally making it legal with longtime baby momma Vanessa Paradis. No such rumors this time, just noise.

Sweet Charity

Despite a reputation for being severely shallow, Miamians really do love making a difference in the world--especially while making themselves look fabulous in the process. We've been given the insider's heads up to JustOneFrickinDay.com, a charity founded by the current face of Lancome, Elettra Wiedemann (daughter of Isabella Rosselini), which is working to equip a hospital in Kigutu, Burundi with solar energy for the term of its existence.  The Italian stunner has enlisted Chris Benz, Phillip Lim, House of Diehl, Giambattista Valli, Rogan and Rag & Bone to come up with Africa- and energy- inspired t-shirts to be sold via the website starting August 25th.  Elettra is already looking forward to a second round of tees which already has Yigal Azrouel on board and Miami's own golden boy, Ungaro designer Esteban Cortazar interested.  Word on the street is that Jennifer Aniston loved our fair city so much that she said she'd only buy Cortazar's tee in homage.

Just When We Thought Chris Paciello Was On the Straight and Narrow....

Chris Paciello was arrested yesterday on felony assault charges, according to TMZ. Apparently the former Miami club kingpin got in a tussle at Hollywood's Les Deux nightclub. According to TMZ, the victim exchanged a few words with Paciello and his pal, LA Clippers player Cuttino Mobley. Paciello allegedly left, picked up another LA hot spot owner, Villa's Reza Roohi, and then went after the victim, who was found beaten and battered. The injuries aren't life threatening to the victim, but the charges aren't too hot for Paciello, who has been living the high life in LA and was said to be opening a club of his own. Paciello, aka Christian Ludwigsen, is still on parole from his previous charges. Not good, not good at all.

For Fifty Bucks, Loftin's Casa Es Su Casa

Ever wondered what really goes on inside Casa Casuarina, a.k.a. the Versace mansion? Now, for $50, you, too, can get a piece of the alleged action as owner Peter Loftin opens his house up for the Magical Mystery Mansion Tour, where from August 18-September 30, strangers can stroll the manse in a 45 minute guided tour. What gives? Does Loftin need the money? We asked publicist Susan Brustman what the deal was and she told us "Revenues go back to Casa Casuarina, to help offset costs of maintaining the property and keeping it pristine and beautiful. They can make the profits from a month of tours on one or two paid events. We're just so happy they're opening to the public, offering something new, educational and breathtaking to tourists and locals on Miami Beach." In these tough times we can't think of anything better to do with fifty bucks than to tour someone else's house, can you?

Y'All Called It: Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer Are Kaput

We broke the story of Jennifer Aniston diddling around with John Mayer many months ago when the two were spotted together at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. And now the cycle is broken. According to People Mag, the couple is no more, despite all the tabloids' screaming headlines that Aniston was ready to have Mayer's big headed baby. Frankly, if it's true, it lasted longer than we expected. Speaking of big stories that died fast--how  bout that Madonna/A-Rod nonsense? Much ado about nothing, just like AniMayer, we guess.

Rielle or Fake? Florida Past of Edwards Mistress A Big Mystery

So it turns out that Rielle Hunter, the mistress of John Edwards, is a Florida gal. Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale as Lisa Druck, Hunter went to high school somewhere down here and then went to the University of Tampa, where she graduated in '84 attended for two years before dropping out for a degree in velvet rope-dom. At that time she renounced her Floridiana and hit the bright lights, big city of NYC, where she was an alleged party girl who inspired Bright Lights, Big City author Jay McInerney to write his 1988 novel Story of My Life. If anyone out there recalls Ms. Hunter before she became a professional homewrecker, when she was just Lisa Druck, Florida girl, please let us know. So far, no one seems to have any clue. But remember, if it walks like a Druck, talks like a Druck . . .

Lohan/Ronson: Over Already?

We're hearing some buzz that Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson didn't  have such a romantic trip to South Beach. Word on the streets is that there is, indeed, trouble between the two and that their visit here was hardly pleasant.  Sounds like splitsville is in the cards for them. Stay tuned.

Gay-Lo's Sapphic South Beach Romp!

Just spotted out back at the Delano: Are they or aren't they gal pals Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson. Yep, they are . . . here. According to some well placed sources, Lohan darted through the lobby, making a mad dash to the elevator while Ronson barked at her to come back and wait with her at the front desk. Lohan, sporting black spandex, refused. How romantic. Oh, and we highly doubt they are here to "marry," since gay marriage is still illegal in Florida, but Ronson is the step sister of Roman Jones of Opium Group so perhaps they're here to meet the stepfockers--er, stepfolks. On another note, our Windy City spy tells us she was "Just with those two at the Hard Rock," and says despite what some believe--that it's a big ruse, "They are very much a couple." But wait! There's more! "While Samantha was DJ-ing at the Hard Rock Saturday night, Lindsay was five feet away Blackberrying the whole time," adds the spy. "Turns out, she was messaging Samantha--they both kept looking at each other and giggling after reading the messages." After their message-fest, the two went to the bathroom together. Awww.

And now, a play by play of their activity because we know you care:

On Monday night, the happy (?) couple was spotted dining a deux at Nobu before making a very brief appearance at Skybar.

On Tuesday night it was The Florida Room at Delano after enjoying a romantic meal at Macaluso's, where the two made like Lady and the Tramp and shared a strand of spaghetti. It's your guess on who played the lady and who was the tramp. Actually, there was no tramping, as the duo arrived around 10 p.m. with Ronson's parents and little brother. They ordered a bunch of appetizers--Lohan ordered the restaurant's famous meatball and Mac Salad. When it was time for entrees, she ordered another meatball and Mac Salad. Love, it seems, makes Lohan hungry. Lohan told our source that she was a little sick and not feeling well. Cough, cough. Or would that be sniff sniff?

As for the two together : "They weren't that affectionate, but they were with Samantha's parents, so that's probably why.They seemed very happy together, though." Apparently Lohan and co. loved the food so much and Lohan said she'd be back very soon. We hope she brings her mom next time! 

Date Night: The Afflecks and Damons On the Political Stump At SET

We won't get into the politics here---y'all know Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were at SET last night stumping for Barack Obama. Nothing crazy at all. Yes Garner is preggo and Damon's wife Luciana looked as if her water was about to break. So instead of getting into the lovefest for their preferred candidate, we present you with a series of pictures.

Special thanks to Vanessa, Paula, Brandon and Joanna.

Even This Guy Leaves Miami For the Summer

Should you have strolled on Ocean Drive lately you may have noticed a major void---you know, the guy (?) sporting a bikini and sarong, dancing to his boom box with dollar bills tucked into his noticeable crevices? Apparently he fled to NYC for the summer and is already becoming a major star. Check out TMZ's posting on him and see for yourselves.