After four weeks of riding high as the number one film in the country, “The Dark Knight” got bumped down a notch over the weekend.

The new adult comedy “Tropic Thunder” debuted in first place with an estimated $26 million. It opened on Wednesday, so those additional screenings lifted the comedy’s total to about $37 million.

The Batman sequel rang up around $16.8 million bringing its total to $471.5 million. The new earnings should move “The Dark Knight” into the number two spot on the list of top box office champs, right behind the mighty “Titanic.”

The rest of the top weekend movies are: the new animated feature “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” in third place with an estimated $15.5 million, followed by the new horror flick “Mirrors,” in fourth with $11.1 million and in fifth another R-rated comedy “Pineapple Express,” with a haul of $10 million.

The San Francisco Collection

 Photos by FLLewis

This is probably my favorite San Francisco photo from my recent trip. A moody evening scene. Sea lions lounge and occasionally perform for onlookers off the coast of Pier 39 – with Forbes Island and its lighthouse in the background.

Like some of these folks, I treated myself to some divine sweets from Chocolate Heaven at Pier 39. I love this place and could spend days here, ah, eating chocolate.

Near Pier 39 boats galore float in calm waters under a gorgeous blue sky.

A two-tone green streetcar trudges along Market Street in San Francisco.

The Palomar Hotel occupies the top five floors of a refurbished 1907 landmark office building. A lot of history, art, and sophisticated style in this luxury hotel at 4th and Market Streets. I’m told one of the city’s most expensive and romantic places to dine is the Fifth Floor Restaurant at the Palomar.

A couple of motorists pump gas in Burbank.

Photo by FLLewis

I filled up at a gas station in Burbank on Thursday. It was not as painful as it has been in weeks past – but it still hurt.  I pumped a little over eight gallons – at $4.039 a gallon – total $34.02.  That was a good deal, according to the latest gasoline figures released by the Automobile Club of Southern California.

In the AAA Weekend Gas Watch dated August 15, the average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is listed as $4.071.  Now, that’s 10.8 cents less than last week – 46 cents lower than a month ago, however, it is a $1.18 more a gallon than the average this time last year.

Gasoline prices have been on a slow decline for the past eight weeks. Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring sees this as a positive. “Despite international turmoil over Russia’s incursion into Georgia, oil prices remain on a downward turn.”

Well, I am not convinced the few pennies we are now saving at the gas pumps are part of a serious trend. I have to see a bigger drop – like by a dollar or so before I become a believer.

More facts and figures on the AAA website.

The producer of Bob Dylan’s Grammy-winning album “Slow Train Coming” as well as great R&B hits like Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and Percy Sledge’s “When A Man Loves A Woman,” died today – Jerry Wexler was 91.

Wexler was considered a giant in the music industry because of his far-reaching influence. He helped shape the music of the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s by working with some of the most creative artists in the business.

Wexler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performing artist in 1987.

Wexler reportedly died of congenital heart disease at a Florida hospice.

A nice story about the legendary producer and his accomplishments on the Variety website.

Author Sherrilyn Kenyon shows off her new vampire fangs at a book signing.

photos by FLLewis                                          

New York Times bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon brought her wildly exciting book tour, complete with vampire fangs, special gifts, and prizes to Burbank on August 8. Even though I was familiar with Kenyon’s incredible success, I was still surprised to see so many local folks willing to sacrifice part of their Friday night to meet the famous writer.

At 7:30 p.m. the line snaked around a corner of the 4200 block of Burbank Boulevard where the funky and hip Dark Delicacies is tucked away. For the past 14 years, Sue and Del Howison have operated the shop of fantasy & horror, which is stuffed with gifts, books, and collectibles. 

Well over a hundred fans would wait patiently outside on the sidewalk with Kenyon books in hand. The store is small, so only about 20 people were allowed inside at a time.

Kenyon is promoting her new book, Acheron, number 12 in the Dark-Hunter vampire series. The hugely popular series is heavy on mythology, magic, suspense, action, and sensual romance.

 Most of the readers are women, however, according to Kenyon’s website 40 percent of her fans in the U.S. are male. By the way, Kenyon’s website is quite extensive with a ton of information including an assortment of book covers, downloads, and videos.

Kenyon is a very prolific writer of paranormal, science fiction, and nonfiction. As Kinley MacGregor, she writes historical  and Arthurian fantasy. The Tennessee mother of three has jumped into the comic book market as well.

You would think Kenyon would be exhausted and perhaps a little bored with the author book signing routine. No way. At the Burbank event, Kenyon was smiling and relaxed; taking time to chat and pose for photos with her fans.

Frequently, Kenyon would greet an adoring fan with, “Hey, baby. How are you?”  I asked the author if her hand was getting cramped?  “Nah. I’m good.” Kenyon flashed me that trademark smile and kept right on signing books.

Kenyon will be touring across the country through mid-October of 2008.

I got e-mails this week from Dee Dee Brown about some upcoming soulful events in the Southland. 

The 4th Annual Summer Soul Jam will be kicking up a groove with a talented line-up on Saturday, August 16, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Par Three Golf Course in Compton.

Scheduled to perform are Grammy-winning singer Jody Watley, Anthony Hamilton, Johnny Gill of New Edition, Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band, and “American Idol” music director/music producer, Rickey Minor and his band.

Also, the get down and boogie concert will pay tribute to three community icons who recently passed away: singer/songwriter Isaac Hayes, comedian Bernie Mac, and community activist, “Bo” Taylor.

For more information and ticket prices check the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper website. The Sentinel is one of the co-sponsors along with KJLH radio station and the City of Compton.

 Concert under the stars at The Grove.

On Wednesday, August 20, at 8 p.m. The Grove in Los Angeles will be rocking to the sounds of The Temptations Revue featuring one of the last surviving original members of the Motown group, Dennis Edwards.

The Temptations Revue will be singing some classics like “My Girl” and “Get Ready.”

The concert is one of a summer series presented at The Grove.

Oh, and it’s free!  More details on  The Grove website.

Days before the Democratic and Republican Conventions kick-off, the presumed presidential candidate for each party is headed to Southern California.

Senators Barack Obama and John McCain will make their first joint appearance of the 2008 campaign at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, located about 50 miles south of Burbank in Orange County.

The moderator for the event and friend of both candidates is pastor, philanthropist, and author, Dr. Rick Warren. His book, “The Purpose Driven Life” has sold 30 million copies. The follow-up “The Purpose Driven Church” is a best seller as well.

Dr. Warren is on the August 18, 2008 cover of Time magazine where he is described as America’s most powerful religious leader.

All the general admission tickets have been handed out for the Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion on Saturday, August 16, from 5 -7 p.m.  The candidates will be talking about faith and the common good.  The event is expected to get extensive coverage by the media.

For more information go to the Saddleback Civil Forum .

The Penguin Group and heirs of John Steinbeck’s third wife, Elaine, won a major victory in the 2^nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today.

The New York court reversed a lower court decision that was in favor of a son and granddaughter of the late author.

Today’s ruling returns to Penguin the rights to 10 of the author’s earlier works including, “Of Mice and Men,” “Tortilla Flats,” and “The Grapes of Wrath.” Steinbeck is one of the best-known and most widely read authors of the 20^th Century.

He was born in Salinas, California in 1902 and attended Stanford University before seeking his fortune as a writer. He won a Pulitzer for “The Grapes of Wrath” in 1940 and a Noble Prize for Literature in 1962 as well as many other honors. Steinbeck died in 1968, leaving his copyrights to his wife, Elaine.

In 1994, she signed a new licensing agreement, replacing contracts made in the 1930s, for a number of Steinbeck’s works with Penguin. Steinbeck’s widow passed away in 2003. 

A court battle followed. In 2006, a lower court terminated the agreement with Penguin and awarded the copyrights to the author’s only surviving son, Thomas Steinbeck and granddaughter, Blake Smyle.

 Today, the  federal appeals court upheld the agreement between Penguin and Elaine Steinbeck.

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The book sold more than three million copies in the U.S. and worldwide, now two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank has bought movie rights to “French Women Don’t Get Fat.”  

In the snappy diet book, former champagne executive Mireille Guiliano shares her philosophy on how French women manage to drink wine and eat calorie-rich foods and still stay slim.

Swank reportedly will turn the nonfiction book into a romantic comedy about the exploits of a champagne company manager. Swank may star in the film.

Swank’s 2S Films will produce “French Women Don’t Get Fat” through Alcon Entertainment. The actress is developing a number of projects through her production company.

In 1999, Swank won an Academy Award for best supporting actress for playing a transgender teen who is attacked and murdered in the independent film, “Boys Don’t Cry.”

Also, she won the best actress Oscar in 2005 for the role of a female boxer in the movie, ”Million Dollar Baby.”

More detail at Variety.com

How to Shop for a Husband.

Today Show consumer correspondent Janice Lieberman has a new book deal. Lieberman, writing with Bonnie Teller, will show how techniques used by consumer experts can help you close a deal on a mate.

St. Martin’s Press bought world rights to “How to Shop for a Husband” and plans to release the book next spring.

Lieberman is the co-author of  “Tricks of the Trade.” She wrote this consumer survival guide with producer/director Jason Raff, who at one time worked with Lieberman on consumer investigations for Today.

From Publishers Weekly.

New opportunities for Writers.

Medallion Press is getting into the nonfiction end of the publishing biz. The small publisher has built a reputation on mainstream and genre fiction, especially romance. Medallion plans to continue to put out fiction, but will add a new imprint for publishing motivational and self-help books, along with autobiographies and memoirs.

Medallion has several nonfiction book projects in the works. One is a memoir by Dawn Schiller called “The Road Through Wonderland,” which will focus on the author’s bizarre relationship with porn star John Holmes and her struggle to get beyond her past.

 Actor Val Kilmer and actress Kate Bosworth appeared in the 2003 film “The Wonderland Murders” and will contribute to a foreword for Schiller’s book due to be released in August 2010.

A memoir by Medallion publisher, historical author, and heir to the Wrigley fortune Helen A. Rosburg is due out in November of 2010. Then in January of 2011 the release of a motivational book by personal trainer and fitness educator, Staci Boyer.

 More details on the Medallion Press website.

Novelist and Screenwriter James Dalessandro makes a point.

Writer James Dalessandro has been pitching to Hollywood for years and knows how the game is played. Dalessandro shared some of what he has learned with wit, charm and a straight chaser of blunt reality at the Scriptscene mini-conference, July 30, held during the Romance Writers of America 28^th Annual Conference in San Francisco.

The Bay Area writer has sold a number of pitches, screenplays, and books. In 2004 his epic novel about the great San Francisco earthquake and fire, “1906,” was published. He sold both the novel and the screenplay. Warner Bros began production in 2005 on “1906″ with a $250 million budget.

 Dalessandro is a skilled pitchman who strongly believes in being prepared and delivering a great presentation whether it is at a meeting or on the page. Here are some points from his workshop Novels, Romance, Hollywood: Adapting Your Ideas to Film (And Surviving Hollywood):

–Books are more demanding to write than screenplays.  If you want to do both, start off concentrating on one or the other. 

–Focus on the heart of your story – the central theme.

–It is good to have humor in your writing. 

– For a pitch, tell them just enough that they want to know more. Remember, it is not about the details… about the emotion.

– Characters catch people’s imagination, example, the Academy Award winning screenplay for the movie “Witness” which is a romance wrapped in a police drama.

–All drama based on conflict and problems.

– At a pitch, the writer needs to be the smartest person in the room.

–Advice — do your homework; then ask for more money.

Agent Nathan Bransford raves about RWA conference.

Literary agent Nathan Bransford lives in San Francisco, but works for the New York agency, Curtis Brown Ltd.

Bransford runs one of the best blogs for writers. It is packed with the basics, from query writing to submissions, as well as tidbits about the publishing biz. Also, he’s an agent who seems to really like getting queries and reading them, too! Bransford’s blog is on my list of favorites.

Bransford attended the recent RWA conference. On his blog, he described the experience as quote “…pretty great…”

Bransford explains how romance fits into his manuscript interests, what he likes about writer conferences, and gives a recap of the RWA conference in two posts on August 4^th and August 5^th. Well worth the read.

The entertainment industry took another painful hit today.  Legendary singer, songwriter, and arranger Isaac Hayes reportedly was found in his home unconscious by a relative today. Attempts to revive Hayes by paramedics and later at a Memphis hospital failed. 

Hayes got his big break as a studio musician at the famous Stax Records in Memphis, where he wrote songs for artists like the great Otis Redding as well as Sam and Dave.

Hayes’ 1969 “Hot Buttered Soul” album went platinum and made him a star. He went on to win an Academy Award and two Grammys for the “Shaft” movie theme. He picked up a third Grammy for his 1972 album “Black Moses” which gave him his nickname.

Hayes’ soulful rhythms, baritone voice, and easy rap brought him fame back then and again with a new generation raised on rap and hip-hop. He gained even more fans in 1997, when he became the voice of Chef, a character on the popular animated TV series, “South Park.”

Also, Hayes appeared in a number of films. Recently, he completed “Soul Men” with Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac — who died yesterday.

Isaac Hayes was 65.

Olympic deal for ”Say It Right in Chinese.”

The U.S. Olympic delegation has scooped up more than 500 copies of a Chinese language book.

“Say It Right in Chinese” will be handed out to members of the U.S. Olympic team to help athletes and their support members communicate better with their hosts in Beijing.

“Say It Right in Chinese” is published by McGraw-Hill and presents several hundred essential Chinese words and phrases. Author Betty Chapman founded Easily Pronounced Language Systems, an innovative teaching method and popular series of language books.

Starbucks still in the book biz.

The tight economy has forced a lot of people to give up their pricey Starbucks’ coffee drinks. In reaction to the slow down in business, the company launched some cost-cutting measures – which have included closing a number of its stores.

For now it appears the coffee chain’s book program is safe. Helen Cooper’s memoir, “The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood” has been picked as Starbucks’ next book selection.

Cooper is a New York Times journalist who writes about coming of age during the turbulent 1980s in Liberia and her family’s exile to America, leaving behind a foster sister she set out to find decades later.

Simon & Schuster has announced a first printing of 125, 000. Cooper’s memoir will start appearing in more than 6,500 branches of Starbucks on its release date, September 3.

More details on the Publishers Weekly website.

Photo by FLLewis

The San Francisco Collection

A familiar sight. Late evening fog hangs over the cityscape. This photo was taken at Pier 39, about two weeks ago, during my recent visit to the Golden Gate City.

Comic/Actor Bernie Mac dies at the age of 50

There’s a little less laughter in Hollywood today. Actor/comedian Bernie Mac died in a Chicago hospital this morning, after what his publicist says were complications brought on by pneumonia.

Cool Mac was an original. He could set up and deliver a joke with impeccable timing or crack-up an audience with just a look.

Born into poverty on the tough South Side of Chicago, Bernard Jeffrey McCullough honed his stand-up skills at a young age.  He gained attention as an actor in small films like Damon Wayans’ “Mo’ Money,” and Spike Lee’s “Get on the Bus.”

In his later years, Mac was at the top of his game and living large. His popular television series, “The Bernie Mac Show,” won a Peabody Award in 2002. Also, Mac starred in a string of successful box office movies including “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Bad Santa,” “Guess Who,” “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” and “Transformers.”

Manager/producer Bernie Brillstein passed away on Thursday

Bernie Brillstein was a heavyweight in Hollywood with a keen eye for talent and it paid off for him big time. At one point, Brillstein had a hand in managing the careers of Brad Pitt, Geena Davis, Adam Sandler, John Belushi, Nicholas Cage, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner and many other Hollywood stars.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Brillstein headed one of Hollywood’s most successful management companies and eventually took on a partner, Brad Grey, who is now chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures. 

Brillstein had double-bypass heart surgery in February. He died Thursday, August 7, from complications of that surgery.  He was 77.

Dr. Gay Toltl Kinman

Growing market for young adult and children’s books.

On Saturday, August 23, at 2 p.m. Dr. Gay Toltl Kinman will be offering advice on how to make your children’s novel  or YA fiction sparkle. 

Kinman writes cozy mysteries, short stories, short plays, YA as well as children’s and adult novels.

 Authors with manuscripts should bring the first pages of their work with them. The Buena Vista Branch Library will be the place for this workshop.  Call 818-238-5620 for more information.

Get your screenplay in shape.

Screenwriter/producer/director Paul Chitlik will be sharing his experiences during Coffee & Conversation on Wednesday, August 27, at 7 p.m.

 Chitlik is the author of Rewrite, a Step-by-Step Guide to Strengthen Structure, Characters, and Drama in Your Screenplay. The event will be held at the Buena Vista Branch Library.  Call 818-238-5620 or go online at www.BurbankLibrary.com  for more information.

Madison Square Garden

Another great band has taken final bows and left the stage. The Police wrapped its reunion tour and last concert with a New York City fundraiser at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, August 7, 2008.

 Bassist/vocalist Sting, drummer Stewart Copeland, and guitarist Andy Summers got back together for the reunion tour after taking a break from performing in1986.

The Police farewell tour began in Vancouver during the spring of 2007 and played more than 140 shows. Sting and company rocked The Hollywood Bowl several weeks ago on May 27.

The Police was formed in 1977. The group has had some great hits over the years including “Every Breath You Take,” “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” and “Roxanne.”

The final tour reportedly sold well over three million tickets and made more than $350 million.  Not a bad farewell, not bad at all.

Some good stories about The Police reunion tour on the Billboard website.

Screenwriter Jason Sullivan is probably somewhere whooping it up and I don’t blame him one bit. Sullivan sold a comedy pitch to Columbia Pictures for real money, six-figures according to reports. This is his first screenplay sale.

The Sullivan comedy is about three friends in their 30s who try to make up for an experience they missed — summer camp.  So they rent a camp and invite some adult friends to share the fun.

Sullivan reportedly has been kicking around town, writing spec scripts and holding down several jobs. His car is in such bad shape it dies if you push it over 45 miles per hour.

Asked what he will do with his script paycheck, he said “… pimp my car.”

More about Sullivan and his deal on the Hollywood Reporter   website.

Photo by FLLewis

Two visitors arrange flowers at a gravesite during the March visitation at Grand View.

By order of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Anthony J. Mohr, Grand View Memorial Park will be open to the public, Sunday, August 10, from noon to 4 p.m. This is welcome news for those who want to spend some time remembering friends and relatives laid to rest at the Glendale cemetery. 

Judge Mohr signed the order on July 29, approving public visitations at the troubled cemetery on August 24, September 14, and September 28 as well.

There have been several other public visitations at Grand View this year, however, many complain the openings are too random and too few.

Grand View has been struggling with problems — both legal and management related — since 2005 when a state investigator discovered thousands of human remains that had been handled improperly.

Recently, Plaintiff’s Attorney Paul Ayers e-mailed the new public visitation dates along with a copy of the judge’s order.

In the e-mail, Ayers reminded visitors to obey the rules especially when it comes to fires. “Due to extreme projected heat and the dry grounds it is very important that there be no smoking, fires or use of incense during the opening.” Ayers said.

He warned any kind of fire could get future openings canceled.

No word yet, on when there might be a resolution that would allow normal operations and upkeep to return to the 124-year-old cemetery considered by many to be a vital part of the community and local history.

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Can dogs “catch” yawning from humans?

We know yawning is contagious in humans, now some experts may have discovered a new twist on this.  For the first time, researchers have evidence that shows yawning by humans may trigger the same reaction in our canine friends.

In the past, contagious yawning had been thought to occur only in humans and chimpanzees. Then, during a study at the Birkbeck University in London, 21 out of 29 dogs were observed watching humans yawn and then responding with yawns of their own.

The British researchers say this “… may indicate that dogs possess the capacity for a rudimentary form of empathy.” Still, they are cautious and say more investigation is needed.

The report appears in the Royal Society Journal Biology Letters. A press release about the study was posted August 5 on the Birkbeck website.