March 20-26 – Car stuff was happening all over New York this week with the Auto Show in town, and our favorite was the third Volvo for Life ceremony, where the Swedish automaker rewards everyday people who do extraordinary things with, among other things, a new Volvo every three years for life. Held in a TV studio, there aren’t many dry eyes in the room when you hear these heroes’ inspiring stories; meanwhile at street level, Times Square tourists get an earful of top musicians; this year’s headliner was Black Crows, fronted by Kate Hudson’s husband Chris Robinson. Opening was Danish singer/songwriter Tina Dico – great voice, sings in English, should be a household name soon. In the gift bag, an iPod shuffle.

Another big musician at a small venue was Ozzy Osbourne, who greeted fans at Tower Records to promote his new boxed-set CD while wife Sharon stood by. Shoppers also got to meet Mischa Barton, who signed Keds for excited O.C. fans at Macy’s. Mischa obviously doesn’t read Go Fug Yourself, because she wore the same dress the fuggers hilariously eviscerated a week before.

More stars in stores: at Armani Casa in West Hollywood, we found Samuel L. Jackson, Carmen Electra, Bai Ling and Ashley Scott celebrating the tenth Gen Art Film Festival. The Armani folks hosted a NY counterpart the previous week.

No wonder Sarah Jessica Parker wanted to give up her Sex and the City role – 40 is a bit long in the tooth to be a mini skirted single girl. SJP and hubby Matthew Broderick celebrated the milestone with a private bash at the now-shuttered Plaza Hotel.

Miss Congeniality Sandra Bullock celebrated her very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, surrounded by friends, including her Monster Garage biker boyfriend Jesse James.