April 2009

Monday, April 20, 2009

Preparations underway for SAG membership vote on tentative deal

After months of on again /off again talks and tons of haggling and sniping, the members of the Screen Actors Guild will soon get the opportunity to vote on a contract deal. Yesterday, the Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors approved a tentative agreement with the Big Studio producers by a narrow 53 to 47 vote. SAG and the Alliance of Motion Picture […]
Sunday, April 19, 2009

New comedy/fantasy “17 Again” tops Box Office

Teen heartthrob Zac Efron scored big at the Box Office this weekend with his new comedy/fantasy, “17 Again.” The film is about a thirtysomething guy who gets a second shot at his life when he magically becomes 17 again. Young movie fans, especially teenage girls, stormed the theaters propelling the film into the number 1 spot with an estimated $24 million. “17 Again” also stars Matthew […]
Saturday, April 18, 2009

Photo Gallery: Hot summer-like weather heats up the Southland

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove – Burbank Get out those shorts and tee shirts; we’re getting a preview of summer. Today the temperatures climbed into the mid-80s in Burbank. Tomorrow the high is expected to leap 10 degrees to 95, maybe even into triple digits!  Weather forecasters say this blast of summer could linger for a few days.  So for workout warriors who like to exercise outside in […]
Saturday, April 18, 2009

State Assemblyman Paul Krekorian campaigns for the upcoming special election

The Burbank Democratic Club threw a backyard BBQ bash with great eats and brew in a neighborhood near the Rancho District, last night. I’m a member and I joined 50 or so other folks for a fun club meeting and social gathering. However, there was a serious message about the state’s budget woes presented by local Assemblyman Paul Krekorian (D) 43rd District. Krekorian had the […]
Friday, April 17, 2009

A tentative agreement in the Screen Actors Guild labor dispute

Hollywood is buzzing over the tentative agreement announced today by the Screen Actors Guild and the big studios. After almost 10-months of fighting over contract issues and tons of behind the scenes drama at SAG, there’s now a two-year deal, however, some hurdles still remain to be cleared before it’s a done deal. Both the Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture […]
Friday, April 17, 2009

New dialing rules take effect tomorrow in the 818 area code

No matter what type of phone you have, retro or high tech or somewhere in between, you’ll have to practice a new dialing procedure starting tomorrow, if you live in the land of the 818 area code, the San Fernando Valley. On Saturday, April 18, callers in that valley will have to dial a 1 plus the 10 digit number. Sigh, just […]
Thursday, April 16, 2009

Day 86: President Obama travels south of the border to Mexico

Photos: Pete Souza/White House Today President Barack Obama visited Mexico. On his arrival, President Obama received a warm welcome from some of its citizens and Mexican President Felipe Calderon. During the welcoming ceremony, Obama made a pledge: “At a time when the Mexican government has so courageously taken on the drug cartels that have plagued both sides of the borders, it […]
Thursday, April 16, 2009

Burbank Town Center’s management firm files for bankruptcy

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove More bad economic news. Today General Growth Properties, the second largest mall owner in the country, declared bankruptcy. It’s considered the largest real estate failure in U.S. history. General Growth Properties and 158 of its U.S. malls filed for protection under chapter 11. The Burbank Town Center is listed on GGP’s website as one of the properties […]
Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Julia Roberts’ new film project “Eat, Pray, Love” is a go

Actress Julia Roberts is set to star in the movie version of the best selling memoir, “Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search For Everything Across Italy, India And Indonesia.” Published in 2007, the best selling book by Elizabeth Gilbert has appeared in at least 30 languages; and there are now more than seven million copies in print, according to The Washington Post. Also, […]