Byrd, see, is a former federal agent who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and spent a year battling the disease, going through surgery, radiation and chemo. While living through all that, she decided to follow a longtime dream and open a plenty posh salon and spa.

        Which she did. Emerge has been up and running since April but held off celebrating its grand opening until last Sunday. Which it did with a mega party.

        Somewhere along the line, producers of a new TV show called Life's Moments heard her story and decided to film it. The show is a syndicated job about ordinary women overcoming extraordinary odds and experiencing an empowering moment in their lives. It will be syndicated — they don't know what channel yet — five days a week and premier in September.

        Anyway, a film crew spent Sunday and Monday following Byrd, getting the story from her as well as her friends, family, staff and clients. The idea is to inspire and encourage other women facing similar challenges.

        And yeah, the salon was open the whole time, which is why it was so busy there Monday, what with clients climbing over audio and video equipment all over the place.

        You can check it all out at www.emergesalonspa.com.

        Sing it: Lord have mercy we thought we'd never say it, but here goes: We need a bunch of karaoke singers.

        Well, we don't. Filmmaker Terry Lukemire (American Icon) does. Turns out he's shooting a mockumentary about karaoke-crazed singers and needs volunteers with an interesting look and a whole lot of stage presence.

        The movie is Limelight, a feature-length version of King of Karaoke, a shortie that won “best mockumentary short” at the Hollywood Underground Film Festival.

        Key word here is “volunteers.” You won't get paid, but you might get a free lunch. Shooting begins at 10 a.m. Sunday at the newly refurbished Madison theater on Fifth Street in downtown Covington.

        To join the fun, e-mail Lukemire.

        Glover here: Well dang, here's a nice touch: A celebrity who puts his money where his mouth is.

        That would be actor, producer, director Danny Glover, who frequently talks about the importance of community service in his interviews. And who performs a heck of a lot of it, too.

        Which is what brings him to town Friday. Turns out he's guest speaker at Welcome House Outreach's (W.H.O.) annual fund-rasier, a little do they're calling “An Evening with Danny Glover.” Which is to say he'll do a meet 'n' greet at the black tie cocktail reception, then do a speech (calm down, we've heard him speak; he's very good at it) after the dinner.

        W.H.O. provides services to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. Call 859-344-1721 or 859-341-4804 for info.

        E-mail: jknippenberg@enquirer.com.
       

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