Careful readers of this blog might remember that back in February or so, I suggested I might want to register DevonMcTavish.com, just to make sure no one else moved in on that turf. Devon McTavish being, at the time, a little-used but media-friendly D.C. United reserve. Needless to say, I was joking.

Well, the joke's over. Dude done blown up. It's possible that the last few months have been the most momentous in young McTavish's life. Let's review.

1) Devon McTavish has been nominated for Cosmo's Bachelor of the Year contest. Remember, this was the contest Bobby Boswell was involved with last year. Also remember, Alecko Eskandarian expressed the opinion back then that Devon McTavish was actually a better looking man than Bobby Boswell. So who knows where this might lead. Word out of United camp is that BB is mentoring DM on this bachelor thing.

2) With thanks from Steve Goff, we learn the baffling fact that in this D.C. United auction to benefit Virginia Tech, the Devon McTavish game-worn jersey has been bid higher than any other. That means higher than Ben Olsen, higher than Jaime Moreno, higher than Christian Gomez, higher than Bobby Boswell, higher than Troy Perkins, etc. The McTavish is at $660. I just can't figure this one out.

3) While I don't usually write about soccer, or whatever, it's probably worth noting that after entering this season with three career stars, McTavish started the past two games, although now he's battling a hip flexor problem. But we can probably assume we'll see a lot more of him than we did last year.

4) Most importantly, McTavish is a special guest for the 80th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, which is taking place this week in his home town of Winchester. He's actually listed on the Celebrities page of the festival's Web site.

"It's not like I'm a celebrity, I think I'm just a local boy, so they're throwing me a bone," McTavish protested. "I don't really know why I'm coming."

So modest, too. Well, I'll tell you why you're going, Devon.

"Let's just say that Devon is our mega celebrity," said Kay Bolliger, past president of the festival and now a co- chair of the celebrities committee. "He's wonderful. He's admired in our community, and we are so proud of what he's accomplished. We are. He's so special to us."

See? That's why. McTavish told me he'd be at Friday's press conference, and then he would ride in the Firefighter's Parade on Friday evening. No word on whether he'll be stopping by the Ladies' Horticultural Luncheon. Anyhow, like any good Winchesterian, McTavish went to the festival every year until he went away to college, and was actually in an Apple Blossom Festival parade once before. Plus, his sister has been a Festival Princess.

"I mean, you don't miss it when you live in Winchester," he assured me. "I can't believe you've never heard of it before."

My bad. Anyhow, McTavish wasn't sure the complete list of celebrities, but he knew one or two names.

"The main guy, I think, is Wayne Newton," he told me. "He's a lot more famous than I am. He's got cameos in movies and everything."

True. The other celebrities include Terry Labonte, Bruce Smith, Kelley Washington, Ken Mease, Don Garlits, the 14th Lord of Fairfax, Miss Virginia, Janie Fricke, and, of course, Queen Shenandoah LXXX. The theme this year, as you've probably gathered, is "Virginia Blooms in History," what with the 80th anniversary of the festival, and the 400th anniversary of Jamestown's founding and all that. Which is why Kay Bolliger had no doubts about including a D.C. United up-and-comer in this Season of McTavish.

"Oh, he'll be wonderful," she promised. "We're recognizing people from Virginia who will be part of the history of Virginia. And so maybe we can call Devon historic."