Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times — A Montecito home is destroyed by last Thursday’s wildfire.

Late today, officials announced last week’s destructive wildfire in Santa Barbara County was caused by a bonfire in the Tea House Garden area above the upscale enclave, Montecito.

Some young people reportedly created the bonfire and thought they had put it out before they left. Sundowner winds of 70 miles an hour apparently whipped some of the remains of that bonfire into a firestorm on Thursday night.  More than 210 homes, including one owned by actor Christopher Lloyd, were destroyed and around 19 hundred acres were charred.

That wildfire is now at least 95 percent contained, but fire crews will have to keep a close eye on it because strong winds are forecast over the next few days. 

Earlier today, President Bush declared California a federal disaster area in the wake of those wildfires in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange Counties. This declaration makes the state eligible for federal funds and assistance to help cover the cost of the wildfires and recovery.

Barack Obama greets the crowd at his victory rally in Chicago on election night.

President-elect Barack Obama is not in charge yet, but that has not stopped him from showing compassion and exerting his influence. At a news conference late yesterday, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced he had received a phone call from President-elect Obama, “.. he and his transition team are in contact with the White House.”

Mayor Villaraigosa cautioned there is only one president at a time, but indicated he was hopeful that Mr. Obama could give the White House a push in the effort to get federal disaster assistance for the wildfire areas. Also, the Obama campaign website home page now has a link for individuals who want to help out the victims of the Southern California fires.

Meanwhile, another difficult step for the fire victims of Oakridge Mobile Home Park in Sylmar today. This morning at nine, the residents of the 124 homes that survived the flames were allowed back into the park to collect their possessions. Then at noon, the more than 400 or so who were not as fortunate and lost their homes, will get their chance to return to the park and salvage what they can.

 At yesterday’s news conference, Mayor Villaraigosa expressed deep regret at the huge loss suffered by fire victims. Nevertheless, Villaraigosa praised firefighters and police for their skill and courage, which he credited with making sure no one died in the Sylmar wildfire. Investigators with cadaver dogs completed a two day search of the park rubble on Monday. However, authorities are still looking for about 166 Oakridge residents who have not checked in with police to say they are safe.

Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times

In the fire-damaged Oakridge Mobile Home Park hundreds of homes were destroyed, but some survived.

“We have found no human remains at this point.” That was the conclusion today from a Los Angeles County Coroner official about the search for victims at the fire-ravaged Oakridge Mobile Home Park in Sylmar. L.A. County Coroner spokesman Ed Winter says investigation teams combed through the rubble yesterday and today in the mobile home park. However, there is still some concern because some residents of the park have not checked in with authorities. 480 of the 608 structures in the park were destroyed by the fire.

Meanwhile, today some of the Oakridge residents were taken by caravan from Sylmar High School to the park to see the devastation first hand and for some, to collect a few belongings from their homes. One shocked woman described what she saw as “… a war zone.”

In Burbank this morning, the skies were still hazy from the Sylmar fire, but that nasty burnt brush smell was gone. Still, health experts advised everyone, especially those with breathing problems or other ailments, to avoid spending time outside. The Sylmar fire is 95 percent contained. No word yet on what started it. 

Down in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, that complex series of fires in Diamond Bar, Carbon Canyon, Corona, Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Brea, and Chino Hills continues to burn yet calmer winds have helped fire teams get 40 percent containment.  More than 28,000 acres have been scorched and at least 120 homes and apartment units destroyed. This afternoon, thousands of evacuees were given the okay to return to their homes. So far, no cause on these fires.

Up in Santa Barbara County, officials say the Montecito wildfire was intentionally or accidentially started by humans. That wind-whipped fire destroyed somewhere around 200 homes and blackened 19 hundred acres. Among the multi-million dollar homes lost; one that belonged to actor Christopher Lloyd. 

Gary Fabiano/pool photo

The transition of power at the White House was highlighted last Monday when President-Elect Barack Obama and wife, Michelle, dropped in for a short visit with President Bush and the first lady, Laura. Obama and Bush strolled the White House halls and reportedly had a polite chat about what a mess the country is in.

The visit was probably more enjoyable for the wives. I have to say, Mrs. Obama was styling in a lovely red dress that outshone the disastrous red and black outfit she wore for the election night victory rally. That White House wool crepe empire red dress was created by Chicago designer Maria Pinto. A nice interview with that designer about Mrs. Obama’s fashion style is on the Women’s Wear Daily website.

Mrs. Bush’s belted red dress was not all that exciting, but she has always been a tad on the bland side; so one cannot really criticize her choice. However, Mrs. Bush is getting some good buzz on the literary scene. According to the New York Post, the first lady has a number of publishers interested in buying her memoirs for big bucks.

Earlier, President Bush reportedly put out feelers for his own memories, but was told his public image is too tarnished, both here and aboard. It has been suggested that Bush wait a few decades before thinking of writing a book. I’ll second that.

Daniel Craig stars in ”Quantum of Solace”

The economy is in the dumps, but folks are still shelling out money to be entertained at the movies. This past weekend the new James Bond flick, “Quantum of Solace,” blew away the competition with an estimated $70.4 million debut;grabbing the number one spot and the best opening ever for a 007 film.

Also, this is another victory for the blue-eyed blond actor Daniel Craig who was a controversial choice for the lead role in the 2006 hit, “Casino Royale.” There’s a pretty good chance Craig is going to be playing Bond in future films.

“Madagascar: Eascape 2 Africa,” number one last week, slipped to second place with around $36 million, followed by the comedy “Role Models” in third with about $12 million, in fourth “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” with an estimated $6 million and rounding out the top five, “Changeling” with around $4 million.

Google Image

Barack Obama listens as his running mate Joe Biden gives a fiery speech on the campaign trail.

President-elect Barack Obama is not the only hot literary property on the winning Democratic ticket. His running mate, Joe Biden, is now the subject of a book deal that will produce a biography of the soon-to-be vice-president.

Veteran political reporter Jules Witcover will write Biden’s biography with Henry Ferris at William Morrow acting as editor. Ferris was the editor on Obama’s first book, the best seller, “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance.”

The 81-year-old Witcover has been covering Biden’s career for decades, written a number of political books and a syndicated column. The new Biden book is scheduled to be released in 2010.

Meanwhile, Biden’s autobiography “Promises to Keep” was published in the summer 2007, but sales jumped when the Delaware senator accepted the second slot on the Democratic ticket back August.

Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times

A firefighting plane circles the flames and smoke in Yorba Linda

The major battle against these destructive wildfires shifted to Orange and San Bernardino Counties today where the flames are the most threatening. Fire crews from Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara County, and as far away as San Mateo in Northern California are joining that fight.

Since yesterday, more than 10,000 acres have burned in Chino Hills, Carbon Canyon, Yorba Linda, Corona, Anaheim Hills, and Brea. Thousands of people have been evacuated. At least a hundred homes and apartment units have been destroyed. Six firefighters have been injured in the battle to protect residents and property.

Jay Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

The devastated Oakridge Mobile Home Park in Sylmar

“Yeah, terrible!” That’s how a grocery checker at Pavilions in Burbank reacted when I asked her about the brown-amber smoke that streaked the sky in Burbank yesterday afternoon. Not only could you see it, but the air had that distinctive brush fire smell. This morning, I discovered my car was covered with white  specks of ash. The source of it all; the huge Sylmar fire which is about 10 miles or so away. That wildfire has blackened more than 9,400 acres, destroyed 500 mobile homes and at least 20 other houses and commercial buildings. It is now 30 percent contained.

The Oakridge Mobile Home Park was overrun with fire on Friday night, hundreds of homes there burned to the ground. Authorities designated the ruined park a crime scene yesterday. Investigators will reportedly start going through the park rubble today. In a news conference this morning, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villariagosa described a visit to the park and says he saw ”… a devastation I’ve never seen before.”

Meanwhile up in Santa Barbara County the Montecito fire, which broke out late Thursday, is 40 percent contained. That wildfire was fueled by powerful sundowner winds and it destroyed 210 homes in Montecito and the city of Santa Barbara. Around 18-hundred acres scorched. The number of injured stands at 13.

Jay Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

A firefighter battles to save a mobile home in Sylmar.

The Burbank foothills in the San Fernando Valley have not been touched by the flames of the rampaging Sylmar wildfire, but my community is still affected. A short time ago, I got an e-mail alert from Burbank City Council Member, Marsha Ramos, about electrical power concerns.

FLLewis/ A Writer’s Groove

Council Member Marsha Ramos (left in dark blue) helps honor two Burbank city employees during National Library Week last spring.

Burbank City Council Member Ramos says, “One of the transmission lines that brings power to Burbank has been damaged and there will be rotating power outages.” She says residents as well as businesses in Burbank will be included in the outages. Mrs. Ramos asked “everyone to conserve energy” during this critical time.

At a news conference this afternoon, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced rotating outages had been halted in that city around 10 this morning. The outages were prompted by downed power lines and the shut down of some lines, by Department of Water and Power officials, due to hazards created by the wildfires. Nevertheless, Mayor Villaraigosa asked residents to continue to conserve water and power.

Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times

The firestorm in Sylmar

A fire emergency in the San Fernando Valley today. The main wildfire erupted in the foothills above Veterans Memorial Park in Sylmar last night around 10:30 p.m. Wicked Santa Ana winds of 70 miles an hour whipped the flames into a roaring firestorm. 2,600 to 3,000 acres have been blackened. At least 200 homes have been destroyed and 10,000 people have been evacuated. There is a report of a few injuries with one civilian suffering serious burns.

First, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa declared a state of emergency in the city of Los Angeles; then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger did the same for Los Angeles County this morning. Also, some of the power lines were either damaged by the fire or de-energized as a safety precaution; so that has resulted in outages in a number of areas. 

Jay Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

A firefighter pours water on the flames behind a damaged mobile home in Sylmar

A devastated area is the Oakridge Mobile Home Park in Sylmar where the fire reportedly blew through like a blow torch last night. There are reports that most of the homes burned, but fire crews are still on the scene today fighting to save the structures.

No relief today from the hot temperatures, fierce winds and low humidity. Hundreds of firefighters and a number of aircraft are battling the flames. The evacuations have extended to Granada Hills and Porter Ranch. In a news conference this morning, Mayor Villaraigosa urged residents in the fire region to be on the alert and leave when they feel threatened, “… we want folks not to wait until they see the fire..” to get out.

A guest blogger today - author Lynne Marshall. Lynne, a Registered Nurse, is building a second career as a writer. It hasn’t been easy. Like many writers, finding an agent has been a struggle. Recently, Lynne got an agent and she shares that experience along with tips for other writers in this post. 

This picture pretty well sums up the way I felt the day I got the call from an agent saying she wanted to represent my book.

First off, let me tell you a bit about myself.  My name is Lynne Marshall, http://www.lynnemarshallweb.com/ , and I am a published author.  I have sold seven books.  I have never had an agent.  Let me explain a bit further.  I write category romance and have managed to sell my books without the aide of an agent.  But I also write single title books.  And that is where the quest for an agent comes in.

These days it is necessary to have an agent to even query many of the big publishing houses.  The market is getting tougher and tougher to break into, the advances are shrinking, and us little ol’ writers need someone in our corner to get us the best deal possible.

After years of searching for an agent, I had gotten to the point where I thought I needed an agent to GET an agent.  The task of finding the perfect representative for my writing seemed to be slipping farther and farther from my grasp.   I couldn’t tell you how many times I’d been rejected by agents.  I’m trying my darnedest to forget!  But it wasn’t all bad.  A few times I’d made it to the full request stage, and once I received an “exclusive” request – which means I had to promise for two months that no one else would be reading my book while this agent read and decided whether or not to represent me – because she was serious about evaluating the book.  My reward?  I wasted two months of valuable time to hear I’d been rejected … again.  Writer, editor and publisher Deb Dixon once said that agents are looking for money in the street.  What does that mean?  They need to see a book that will sell, and they need to have a solid idea where they can sell your book before they’ll take you on.  The era of growing an author with talent appears to be gone.

Let’s start from the beginning.  Where did I look for an agent?  Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents is a good start.  He offers extensive information about many agents including their areas of interest, their idea of a dream client (one who makes them money!!!!) what not to do, and how to contact them with either a partial or full manuscript, a query letter via snail mail or whether an e-mail query is acceptable.  Predators and Editors (as well as agents) is a good website to peruse before sending out your precious baby manuscript to a stranger.  Also, it is reassuring to know that any agent you are contacting is a member of AAR – Association of Author’s Representatives, which holds the members accountable to a set of standards.

I also read up on other agents at AgentQuery – a website that promised to “help me find the agent who would find me a publisher,”  http://www.agentquery.com/.  This website breaks down the areas that each agent is interested in representing, and that is how I found an agency interested in representing unusual women’s lit, or boomer lit as I call it.  BINGO!

I sent out ten queries and received many boomerang rejections right off.  I was also asked to send a partial to a couple of other agents, and from one of those partials I was asked to send off a full manuscript.  Things were looking up.

One of the responses I’d received from my query came on what I thought was a photocopied rejection letter … until I read it.  Surprise, surprise – this agency had requested a full manuscript from my pithy and entertaining query letter. (My words, not theirs.)

Over the next few weeks I found out that there is a new SOP – standard of practice -among many agencies.  If they are not interested in your work, they do not respond, even if you have sent an SASE – self-addressed, stamped envelope!  This makes the author with a lagging ego feel even less important.  But it is reality folks, and as savvy professionals, we have to suck it up and move on.

As always is the case, when we least suspect something, it happens.  I had had a lousy night’s sleep and decided to take a nap one Friday morning.  Within ten minutes the phone rang.  My first thought was – “It never fails!”  I answered the phone to hear a pleasant voice ask for me.  Trying my best to sound coherent I admitted who I was.  Before I realized what was happening, this wonderful young woman was telling me that she’d read my book and wanted to represent me!  Every question I had always promised myself I’d ask an agent when given the chance flew from my head.  I apologized for sounding like a blithering idiot, and she was kind enough to offer to answer any and all questions I had, once I recovered.  By the way, an excellent book to refer to for questions to ask an agent before signing with their agency is, The Author’s Toolkit – A step-by-step guide to Writing and Publishing Your Book, by Mary Embree.

The agent said she’d hoped she’d made my day, and boy had she ever!  And now I can happily say I have a literary agent!

Here’s wishing you much success with your agent hunt!

Lynne Marshall’s current release for Harlequin is titled – Pregnant Nurse, New-Found Family and is available at http://www.eharlequin.com/ under Medical Romance.

Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times

A home burns in Montecito last night

Today Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County as a massive out-of-control wildfire rages through some wealthy and exclusive neighborhoods. The fire kicked-up last night around 6 p.m. in the Tea House Garden area in the foothills of Montecito. Sundowner winds in the area reached up to 70 miles an hour — destroying at least 100 homes and forcing more than five thousand people to evacuate. 

Montecito is a favorite of the rich and famous. Oprah Winfrey, Rob Lowe, Michael Douglas are just a few of the celebrities who own property there. So far, none of their homes have been damaged.

Overnight, more than a thousand students and faculty were forced to hunker down in a fire-proof gym on the Westmont College campus. Several buildings and faculty homes were lost, but the gym was not touched by the fire.

The wildfire started with around 300 acres. Today the fire has grown to an estimated 2,500 acres. Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze in hand-to-hand combat on the ground. Helicopters and other aircraft are fighting the flames from the air.

More than a dozen people have been injured, at least two with burns. One man was arrested in the fire zone, but it was not in connection with arson. Officials say they don’t know what started this wildfire. Right now, they say the priority is “public safety.”

Publishers are snatching up book proposals about President-Elect Barack Obama right and left. One manuscript is on a serious fast track. NBC’s Political Director Chuck Todd and polling expert Sheldon Gawiser are scrambling to finish “How Obama Won” the presidential election, a state by state guide, before the inauguration.

In the final results, Obama won 364 electoral votes and 53 percent of the popular vote. Arizona Senator John McCain racked up 163 electoral votes and 46 percent of the popular vote. Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president, and first African American to hold that office, on January 20, 2009.

 There is a lot of buzz about the book on the Internet and a nice story about it on The New York Observer website. Knopf publishing plans to release “How Obama Won” in paperback.

FLLewis/ A Writer’s Groove – Burbank

If supporters of Proposition 8 thought a win at the ballot box on November 4 would end the debate over gay marriage, well they are facing a tough reality today. It ain’t over. Now the battle is being waged on two fronts; in the streets and in the California Supreme Court.

Yesterday, The Los Angeles County  Board of Supervisors voted to join the legal fight against Proposition 8. The measure would amend the California constitution to restrict marriage to “a man and a woman.”

The city of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Clara County have filed a lawsuit with the state high court challenging the legality of Proposition 8. The Los Angeles Board of Sups are now part of that lawsuit. Other suits were filed with the high court last week by a number of parties hoping to overturn the controversial initiative.

Meanwhile, the demonstrations and protests against Proposition 8 continue. Last night, dozens of protesters converged on the Mormon temple on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Los Angeles. Some gay activists have criticized the Mormon Church for pouring tons of money into the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign.

Proposition 8 passed with a vote of 52 percent to 48 percent. On the day after Election Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Record/County Clerk’s office stopped issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

Paula Abdul

A police investigation is underway today into what may be a tragic case of fan obsession. The body of 30-year-old Paula Goodspeed was found inside a car on Beverly Ridge Drive in Sherman Oaks, not far from the home of “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul, late yesterday.

Goodspeed reportedly auditioned for the popular TV talent show during its fifth season. However, the Thousand Oaks contestant’s rendition of “Proud Mary” was rejected by the judges. There are reports Goodspeed had been “stalking” Abdul, a pop singer and former Los Angeles Laker Girl. Adul has been a judge on “American Idol” since its first season in 2002.

Authorities are investigating Goodspeed’s death as a possible suicide.

Google Image

Academy award winning actress Whoopi Goldberg has a new TV deal and it has nothing to do with her position on that lively morning talker, “The View.”  Goldberg’s production company, Whoopi Inc, has signed on to develop series and specials for the Science Channel and Investigation Discovery.

In a news release, Goldberg says the deal with Discovery Emerging Networks is a perfect fit, “… since I’m really curious about the world…”  Have no fear fans of “The View,” Whoopi has no plans to leave that show. The actress first joined Barbara Walters and the other chatty ladies more than a year ago.   

Also, you might remember, Goldberg won the best supporting actress Oscar for her role in the 1990 movie, “Ghost.”  She has collected other awards as well including a Tony, an Emmy, and a Grammy. Goldberg’s company has produced several TV movies along with the successful Lifetime series, “Strong Medicine” which was on the air for six years.

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove – Burbank

The American flags are out today in honor of all veterans who have fought and sacrificed for the ideals that hold together these United States. 

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919 the first  “Armistice Day.” Decades later, it would become a national holiday renamed, “Veterans Day.” A day of celebration for the brave men and women who have served our nation.

Meanwhile, the giant retailer Wal-Mart has handed out $3.6 million in grants to 12 organizations to support educational programs for veterans, according to Philanthropy News Digest. In addition, $100 thousand awards went to Student Veterans of America and to ten selected colleges and universities.

Wal-Mart Foundation president Margaret McKenna says, “Wal-Mart is proud to support programs that help our veterans get the resources they need to succeed in their education and their transition back to civilian life.”

A ticket for sale on craigslist.org to the Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball.

For once the hottest tickets around have nothing to do with sports or a rock concert. The Internet is buzzing with talk about the tickets to the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president. Despite the fact that those tickets will not be handed out until a few days before for the January 20, 2009 ceremony.

There’s a reminder that the tickets to the swearing in ceremony are free and a warning about buying tickets from scalpers on the government’s official inaugural website. Even so, I really doubt anything will cool off the demand or put a stop to the under cover wheeling and dealing of these tickets. The historic value of the inauguration and the events surrounding it are just too high.

I checked one major Internet source yesterday, craigslist.org, in Washington, D.C. There were some buyers and sellers for the swearing in ceremony, but I was surprised by the number of tickets being offered for the inaugural balls. For those galas the prices ranged from a few hundred up to $5,000 for two tickets being offered by a woman who says she and her husband cannot make the trip to D.C. for the festivities.

The inauguration ceremony is 70 days away. I suspect the closer we get to January 20 – the hotter the market will get for a ticket to history.

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove

Two voters make their choices at a polling place in Burbank during the General Election on November 4, 2008 

Gay marriage supporters have gained some more heavyweight support from Sacramento. Over the weekend, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urged gay rights activists to keep up the fight against Proposition 8, the controversial measure that bans same-sex marriage. Then yesterday, 43 Democratic state legislators joined forces and filed a court brief backing the opponents of Proposition 8.

In last Tuesday’s General Election, Proposition 8 passed 52 percent to 48 percent. If the State Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, proponents of the measure have indicated they will take steps to defend it. Meanwhile, the gay rights protests and demonstrations go on. A major action is in the works for this weekend. 

“Madagascar:Escape 2 Africa” # 1 at the Box Office

Moviegoers were on the hunt for light fun and laughter over the weekend, which helped the sequel to the animated film “Madagascar” capture one of the biggest openings ever.

“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” debuted in first place with $63.1 million. Earlier this year, “Wall-E” grabbed the title of this year’s best opening for an animated flick with $63 million. The “Madagascar” sequel now has bragging rights to that title. Also, this robust Box Office is a nice kick off for the much anticipated holiday movie season.

In second place, another new film, the comedy “Role Models,” with around $19 million. Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” slipped to third with $9 million after holding down the number one spot for two weeks. The movie has earned close to $76 million so far.

“Changeling” took fourth with $7.2 million followed by “Zack and Miro Make A Porno” in fifth with around $6.2 million.  

Lori Shepler/Los Angeles Times

Police moved on gay rights activists who reportedly refused to disperse during a protest in Long Beach Friday night.

Over the weekend, thousands of protesters marched up and down the state slamming the passage of Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage measure. In Long Beach Friday night, 15 people were arrested during one demonstration.

On Saturday, more than 12-thousand marched in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles; thousands more took to the streets in San Diego and Oakland. The protests continued yesterday in Sacramento, Lake Forest, and many other California cities. 

In what turned out to be a shock to many opponents, Proposition 8 was approved by 52 percent of the voters last Tuesday. Once the shock wore off, some took to the streets to show their anger, while others filed legal challenges to that ballot measure which amends the state constitution to outlaw same-sex marriage.

Meanwhile, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is reportedly encouraging gay activists to keep up the fight and predicts Proposition 8 will be overturned by the State Supreme Court.