1970s B-movie queen Linda Blair got her start modeling as a baby. Who would have thought that some years later she'd be spitting up torrents of green puke and pulling a 360 with her cranium? Brooke Shields, eternal starlet, also began her career as the Ivory Snow baby. Think your drooly bundle of joy has that special something? The folks at American Baby magazine, arbiters of couture de l'enfant, will be in town today looking for a South Florida tot aged up to 18 months to put on its cover. For some lucky bambino this could be the start of an illustrious career (and one baby step toward future rehab). Stage mothers, sharpen your nails -- hundreds of babies are expected. The casting begins at 9:30 at Babies R Us, 11930 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines. Admission is free. Call 954-441-8600. -- By Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Dig This
Man and machine make music
SUN 10/26
Story Theatre Productions, Inc. presents the children's classic Mike Mulligan & his Steam Shovel at the Jackie Gleason Theater (1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach). The musical based on the award-winning book familiar to nearly every elementary school librarian follows the tale of Mike Mulligan and his trusty steam shovel, Mary Anne. The story recalls an era when children were contentedly fascinated with rising skyscrapers and loud machinery instead of X-Box and GameCube. Much-needed lessons about friendship, hard work, and ingenuity pepper the narrative, in which Mike and Mary Anne happily dig together until one day progress threatens to send Mary Anne to the scrap heap. Will she dig her own grave? Curtain opens at 10:30 a.m. Tickets cost $10. Call 305-358-5885. -- By Margaret Griffis
Blood-Curdling Brats
SAT 10/25
Costumes kids might want to avoid today and tomorrow during Metroboo! at Metrozoo (12400 SW 152nd St.): Disney's Dalmatian-loathing Cruella de Vil is a no-no. Worse than that: a ripped-up Roy of Las Vegas duo Siegfried and Roy. Better your tyke dress up as a white tiger like Mantacore, the beast that "helped" Roy into the intensive care unit. Whatever the 12-and-under set wear, they'll have a ball competing in costume contests, trick or treating, and fending off wild animals who think they're lunch. The fun runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. today and tomorrow. Kid admission is $7. Call 305-251-0400. -- By Nina Korman
