NO DOUBT I KNOW A BEAUTIFUL, TALENTED WOMAN when I see one. Seldom am I permitted to publicly acknowledge this. But coming this Sunday, that all changes. That's because I've somehow been appointed a celebrity judge for the Miss Rockford Pageant. I'll join TV and radio personalities, as well as Rockford's mayor, in determining Rockford's best 17-to-24-year-old woman. Actually, this is a demographic I've come to know something about.

The Miss Rockford Pageant kicks off a really exciting next six weeks for me. I'll be traveling, of course — to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta. I'll be training for a grueling eight-hour adventure race I'm helping to organize here in Rockford. I'll be preparing for my summer intern (This is true: I have a 20-year-old intern from California coming for three months; she's a student at Medill) And I'm investigating trying out for Rockford's new single-A minor league baseball club. (This is also true: They have agreed to consider me for a three-game contract as a pinch-runner, mostly for the publicity.)

So although Rockford is not Manhattan or Hollywood, it's actually pretty exciting! Nevertheless, my urge to move about remains. If I can come your direction, please let me know and we'll schedule a trip. Contact me at mac@mackenziewarren.com. Looking forward to hearing from you all!

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