A ton of green up for grabs in the multi-state Mega Millions game — around $224 million! No big jackpot winner in Tuesday’s lottery game, but several players in California got pretty close to nabbing the big one. Four tickets had all of the winning numbers, except the Mega Ball.

The winning numbers for the April 27, 2010 game were: 23, 37, 41, 50, 55, and the Mega Ball 6. Each one of those hot lucky tickets with the five winning numbers is worth a cool $167,371.

The next Mega Millions drawing is tomorrow, Friday, April 30 at 8 p.m.

Some strong winds are whipping around the Southland today. It’s sunny, but very windy in the Media City this afternoon. I went out for a walk in the hillside area of Burbank this morning. The cold wind was enough to sway the palm trees, scatter debris in the streets, and force me to hold onto my cap. The temperature hovered in the upper 50s at around noon and by one o’clock it hit 62 degrees — brrrr. Looks like we could reach our predicted high of 65.

The weather forecast is calling for windy conditions through tonight, with gusts reaching 45-50 mph in some places.

It’s a wrap for Burbank Mayor Gary Bric

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Mayor Gary Bric read a statement about the lawsuits and investigations swirling around the Burbank Police Department at the September 29, 2009 city council meeting. 

Mayor Gary Bric is off the hook… somewhat. Last night, Bric presided over his last Burbank City Council meeting. Over the past months, Bric has improved in his job. The soon-to-be-ex-mayor still needs work in some areas, like when it comes to handling the public comment sections of the meeting. 

The way it’s set up, each person gets five minutes to speak on matters related to Burbank or city business in the first comment section. There were 24 cards from people who wanted to step to the podium last night.  As he has in the past, Bric suggested the speakers be brief and not take all of their allotted time. I think folks who come down to city hall and go before the council with their concerns and issues, should not be discouraged from speaking the entire five minutes. It’s their right. The council members have the responsibility and duty to listen and take those concerns seriously — even if the number of commenters push the meeting to a late hour.

Also, Bric has gained the confidence to stand-up to Councilman/tough guy, Dave Golonski. Last night, Golonski became impatient with Burbank resident Eden Rosen’s explanation of the problems in her apartment building and interrupted her. Golonski claimed Rosen’s complaints did not rise to the level of city business. Rosen insisted it was Burbank business because the building on Olive Avenue was subsidized with taxpayer funds. Bric decided Rosen had a right to speak. Council members Anja Reinke, Jess Talamantes, and Dr. David Gordon refused to get involved — so Bric’s opinion won out.

Over on The Burbank Leader website, there’s a farewell statement from Mayor Gary Bric. The mayor doesn’t mention the Burbank police mess (those lawsuits and investigations), instead focusing on events such as the unveiling of the Dr. David Burbank statue and his trip to South Korea with Vice-Mayor Reinke.

Speaking of Reinke, she has the inside track to become the city’s next mayor. That’s reason to worry. Frequently, Reinke is barely attentive at council meetings and has not shown a lot of sensitivity to the concerns of regular Burbank citizens. 

Example, Reinke has been dancing around scheduling a town hall meeting for the Burbank Police Commission to hear citizen concerns. At the Wednesday, April 21 Burbank Police Commission meeting, the Vice-Mayor did a clumsy tap-dance around why she hadn’t made any progress in scheduling the town hall meeting. Reinke seems more intent on getting “answers” and “plans” together to defend the city rather than giving citizens the opportunity to speak their minds.

Last night Reinke, who is the liaison from the council to the police commission, brought up the town hall meeting, hinting she might have something relevant to say about it at the next police commission meeting, Wednesday, May 19, 2010. Reinke is a fast talker. I just wish there was more substance in what she says.

Oh, if Reinke is having trouble figuring out how to organize a town hall meeting, perhaps she should ask those who put together the two city council town hall meetings in 2008, which she attended. Below, are a couple of photos from those town hall gatherings.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Then Mayor Marsha Ramos, Council members Anja Reinke and Dr. David Gordon listen to speakers at a town hall meeting back in the winter of 2008.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — A full house at a town hall meeting held at the Burbank Buena Vista Library in the winter of 2008.

Another controversial firing at a top Hollywood agency

 Nikki Finke is reporting on her  Deadline.com Hollywood that another talent agency controversy is brewing involving a minority assistant. This time the assistant, Katrina Lopez, was shown the door by United Talent Agency for a writing a blog or blog post called “Confessions of a Hollywood Serial Dater.”  According to Finke’s sources, Lopez did not mention names or where she worked. However, a UTA executive is quoted in Finke’s post as saying the assistant violated a number of company policies (probably some they are busy creating now) as well as she “…chronicled personal details of a UTA employee she was dating.” The UTA executive thinks the firing puts an “…end to the story.”  No way. It’s being talked about on the Internet, and according to Finke, the assistant is considering legal action.

Burbank student wins major scholarship

 Burbank High School student Heawon Yang is one of the 2010 Gates Millennium Scholars!  One thousand outstanding minority students were selected from 45 states, Washington, DC, and three U.S. territories. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation shelled out $1.6 billion for the scholarship program, which is administered by the United Negro College Fund.

Gates Millennium Scholars receive financial assistance, academic support, mentoring and leadership training. The program was established in 1999 by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda. Wow, talking about putting your money to work to help others. These scholars, who come from low-income homes, reportedly have an average graduation rate of almost 80 percent — 45 percent higher than the six year rate for all college students.

“By supporting a diverse cadre of students to earn their degrees, we can help develop the next generation of leaders in communities across the country,” according to Senior Program Officer at the Gates Foundation, Margaret Daniels Tyler.

Bees buzzing Burbank and beyond

I spotted some of those eager pollinators in my flower garden during the past few days. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees — the most prolific pollinators. Bees are being watched very carefully not just by researchers, but by average gardeners. In 2006, millions of bees died or mysteriously disappeared. Some experts have labeled it “Colony Collapse Disorder.”

The phenomenon could be the result of a virus, predatory mites or even pesticide. Scientists haven’t reached a definitive conclusion.  The bee decline continues, but has slowed down some. The other pollinators such as wasps and butterflies have suffered as well — but none has been as hard hit as the bees.

Bees help plants and flowers flourish our gardens, as well as  pollinate one third of the crops in our food supply. Due to the bee die-off and its ramifications, I appreciate bees more when I see them at work in my yard.  

Meanwhile, researchers up north at U.C. Berkeley have been studying the diversity and habits of native bees in the state since 2005. La Canãda Flintridge is a part of that survey, which is an extension of the Urban Bee Project that’s being ongoing since 1987. The other cities in the survey are Ukiah, Sacramento, Berkeley, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara.

So far, La Canãda Flintridge has scored the largest number of bees with 94 species. Probably some of those species go hunting for pollen and nectar in the flower beds and landscaped areas of Burbank as well.  Want to learn more? Loads of bees-in-your-garden tips here.

Jennifer Lopez looks hot in this movie poster, but her new romantic comedy,”The Back-Up Plan,” could not generate enough heat to slay the “Dragon” at the Box Office. The 3D animation, “How to Train Your Dragon” reclaimed the title of number one movie in the country with an estimated take of $15 million over the weekend. That brings the family adventure fantasy’s five week haul to around $178 million.

“The Back-Up Plan” debuted in second place with around $12.2 million. The rom-com is about a single woman, desperate for a baby, played by Jennifer Lopez, who gets pregnant through artificial insemination and then, of course, meets Mister Right, Alex O’Laughlin. The project hits the major beats in a Hollywood formula for a movie hit: high concept script, big name star, debut on a weekend with little competition. Yet, “The Back-Up Plan’s” weekend numbers are far from spectacular. So much for the Hollywood formula for a sure fire hit. Also, the lackluster opening of “The Back-Up Plan” may indicate J-Lo’s star power is losing some of its glow or at least the ability to attract a large audience.

Meanwhile, the Tina Fey/Steve Carell “Date Night” is still on a nice roll. The romance comedy raked in an estimated $10.6 million to bring its three week total to $63.4 million.

In fourth, another comic book adaptation “The Losers,” which managed to open with only around $9.6 million in theaters. The movie focuses on members of a special CIA undercover team who set out to even the score after they get betrayed and left for dead. The action adventure drama stars  Zoe Saldana, Chris Evans, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

Close behind “Kick-Ass,” which lost most of its kick from last week, dropping from number one to fifth place.  Based on a comic book, the action adventure scored $9.5 million — for a two-week haul of $34.8 million.  

 The Mega Millions lottery game is really living up to its name right now. Again, Friday’s game did not produce a winning ticket, so the jackpot rolled over again. It’s now up to at least $191 million! Depending on the number of players who buy tickets for the next game, that jackpot could be even bigger.

The winning numbers from the April 23 game: 19, 26, 28, 37, 52, and the Mega ball 18. One ticket sold in California had all the winning numbers except the Mega ball. It’s worth $542,181– a nice return on a one dollar ticket. 

The next Mega Millions drawing is Tuesday, April 27 at 8 p.m. 

Senior Inspiration: 94-year-old woman plans to graduate from college next month and look for work

Photo: Paul Chin/ The San Francisco Chronicle — Hazel Soares, 94,  takes notes in one of her classes at Mills College in Oakland, California, where she is set to graduate in May with a degree in art history. After graduation Soares, who has more than 40 grandchildren, plans to search for a museum job. Very nice story about Soares here.

2010 Olympic medal winning U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey Team

Photo: Pete Souza/White House — First Couple welcomed the silver medal winning U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey Team to the White House on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.

Style and Grace

Photo:Bettmann/Corbis/Vanity Fair — A 1961 snapshot of First Lady Jackie Kennedy, Prince Rainier, Princess Grace Kelly, and President John Kennedy at the White House when the royals dropped by for lunch. One of several terrific photos of important events in the life of Grace Kelly that showcased the actress/princess’ fashion style on the Vanity Fair website.

Finally, the rain is gone and the sun is shining brightly in Burbank this morning. The Southland weather forecast is for warmer temperatures, in the 60s and 70s, and plenty of sunshine for the weekend and through next Monday.

Once again no one had a jackpot winning ticket in the Mega Millions game on Tuesday. The jackpot took another roll and is now standing at a staggering $166 million! That kind of money makes you a little dizzy just thinking about it.

The winning numbers from the April 20 game: 5, 8, 10, 34, 42 and the Mega ball 25. No jackpot winner, but some Californians did make serious dough off that Mega Millions game. Five tickets sold in the Golden State had all of the winning numbers, except the Mega ball. Each of those tickets is worth $91,111. In some places you can buy a really nice house with that kind of money now.

The drawing for the next Mega Millions game is tomorrow, Friday, April 23, at 8 p.m.  

A candidate in the 43rd State Assembly race bows out

Days after a poor showing in that special election for the chance to finish the 43rd State Assembly term of Paul Krekorian, Nayiri Nahabedian has officially dropped out of the race for that seat. Nahabedian’s political consultant Paul Mitchell announced the end of her campaign in an article on The Burbank Leader website. However, when I got an e-mail from Nahabedian last Saturday, April 17, I had the feeling something was up. There’s a certain finality in this message from the Democratic contender.

Dear Friends,

When we began our work months ago, we were against the odds – against an opponent with a lot of money and institutional support. What we built in the weeks and months that followed was a broad base of support and strength. We built a grassroots coalition of individuals and groups whose paths would otherwise might not have crossed. They came together at our campaign headquarters because of shared values and a common cause – to make California a better place to live and to work – to make our state government work for the people again.

I want to thank each of you for your involvement in our campaign. Many of you gave your time and your energy – you were in our office calling voters, labeling addresses and walking precincts. Many of you gave your financial support. Some of you opened your homes to neighborhood coffees, and many of you attended our events and activities. All of you gave your good will and support. Thank you!

The numbers on Tuesday did not go our way. However, the issues we care about transcend any one election result. We will stay engaged and active on the issues that matter to California – getting the economy moving, attracting good jobs, and preparing all children to have a path to a college or a path to a career.

Your dedication for a better California inspires me. Together, we continue the work.

With Gratitude,

Nayiri Nahabedian

For the second time in a week, I’m disappointed. First, with the Tuesday April 13 election results in which Nahabedian finished third in the ballot count. And again today with the news that Nahabedian has called it quits. I voted for her. I still believe she has great potential as candidate. So I hope this is merely a setback and not the end of her political aspirations.

In the Leader article, Mitchell says “… we were willing to do the right thing and step out.” The political consultant cites the confusion of the upcoming elections dealing with this Assembly seat as the major reason for Nahabedian’s withdrawal. On June 8, there will be a run-off between Democrat Mike Gatto and Republican Sunder Ramani for the right to finish out Krekorian’s term, which expires in November. Also on June 8, there’s a primary election for a full two-year term for the same seat. It will probably still be somewhat confusing to voters because, among other things, Nahabedian’s name will appear on the primary ballot.

Burbank City council votes to expand the ban on secondhand smoke

It was well after midnight when the Burbank City Council voted 3-to-1 to amend the Secondhand Smoke Control Ordinance to include aeas of multi-family dwellings like private balconies, private patios, children’s play areas, and swimming pools when kids are present. Councilman Dave Golonski decided to skip the vote because he owns apartment units. Councilman David Gordon voted “no” claiming he has doubts about the enforcement of the ordinance, which has been law in Burbank since April of 2007.

The amended ordinance must come back to the city council for a final vote.

BUS ACCIDENT UPDATE

A controversial bus accident and my reporting of it came up at that Burbank City Council meeting last night. During the first public comments, Activist Mike Nolan called for an investigation by the City Manager Mike Flad on the bus accident and Community Development Director Greg Herrmann’s e-mails to me about the matter. Nolan began asking questions about the bus accident controversy at the April 6 Burbank City Council meeting. Last night, Flad agreed to look into the matter and report back on what he finds out.

Public hearing on water, refuse, and sewer rate increases!

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank

It’s hard to believe, but Burbank City officials want to squeeze more money out of residents for the essentials like water, refuse, and sewer services. I got the notice of an upcoming public hearing about the proposed rate hikes in my snail mail box this week. The notice included the new fee schedule. I get the feeling this is already a done deal.

The public is offered the opportunity to speak out about the fee increases at the hearing, June 1, 2010, 6 p.m. before the Burbank City Council. Written protests must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on that day. If approved, these new rates will take effect in July — just in time for the summer heat when our yards need water the most.  How fair is that?

“Sex and the City 2″ a hot selling movie ticket weeks before debut

Fans of the “Sex and the City”  movie/cable series are snatching up tickets for the latest flick more than a month before it opens.  “Sex and the City 2″ is scheduled to hit theaters on May 27. Advance tickets are hot sellers according to The Hollywood Reporter. Read about it here.

More rain headed our way. Great for the lawns, gardens, and flowers, not so good for driving on the roads and freeways. Gloomy overcast skies in Burbank at noon. The chance of rain for the Southland remains in the forecast through Thursday. So keep the umbrella handy.

How big can the Mega Millions jackpot get? It’s overflowing with money right now. In tonight’s game the jackpot is worth at least $143 million!

In last Friday’s game, two tickets bought in California had five of the winning numbers, but not the Mega ball. Each is valued at $201,643. The winning numbers from April 16, 2010: 10,16,31,48,50 and the Mega 44.

Tonight’s big drawing is at 8 p.m.

The final numbers are in – ending the cliffhanger at the Box Office. The new superhero flick, “Kick-Ass,” edged out the animated hit, “How to Train Your Dragon” for bragging rights to the number one film in the country. The action comedy generated $19.8 million in theater ticket sales, below expectations, but still enough to win the Box Office derby.

“Kick-Ass” centers on the misadventures of a teenager who decides to live out his dream of being a superhero, despite not having any superpowers. It stars Aaron Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Nicolas Cage. The movie is based on the comic book by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. 

“How to Train Your Dragon” had to settle for second with $19.6 million bringing its four week domestic Box Office tally to $158 million. In third, the comedy romance “Date Night” with $16.7 million.

Another new flick, “Death at a Funeral,” earned $16.2 million to debut in fourth place. It played on the least number of screens, 2,459, of any film in the top five. This a remake of the 2007 British film of the same title and storyline. It’s about high junks, misplaced bodies, and exposed family secrets at a funeral ceremony. The 2010 version features a mostly African American cast that includes Danny Glover, Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, and Loretta Devine.

In fifth place, the action fantasy “Clash of the Titans”  with $15.3 million — after three weeks its domestic Box Office total is $132.6 million.

Probably a lot of talk and cautious e-mailing in Tinsletown and Media City today about the reported  WME  reprimands and firings over a farewell e-mail sent by an employee. On Deadline.com/Hollywood Nikki Finke posted Marcus Washington’s good-bye to the New York office of William Morris Endeavor on Sunday, April 11, 2010.

Apparently the WME management went ballistic and launched a witch hunt for the culprit who leaked the internal e-mail to Finke who says four employees were fired and around 75 reprimanded. This is not the first time agency bosses have tried to track down a leak to Finke’s site. Finke has some choice words for these entertainment honchos. Plenty of comments and chatter about this on Deadline.com/Hollywood.

Photo: Vanessa Franko/The Press-Enterprise 4/18/10 — Sly Stone on stage at Coachella

The unpredictable rocker Sly Stone did show at Coachella last night, but his appearance was a disappointment. Stone showed up late, which he is known to do, and did more jabbering than singing.  Music Blogger Vanessa Franko caught the Stone set and reports about it here. The Inland SoCal journalist has several posts and great photos from the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival on her blog. 

I remember seeing Sly (Sylvester Stewart) Stone back when he could still rock the house and “…take ya higher.” Those were the good old days.  

Rock festival groove

Photo: Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times  4/17/10

Music lovers groove to the beat at the huge Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival up in the Riverside County desert community of Indio today. The Los Angeles Times is reporting record-breaking crowds of 75,000 a day since the festival kicked-off on Friday, which included performances by Jay-Z and Beyoncé.  

Legendary rocker Sly Stone is scheduled to play the festival on Sunday. A notorious no-show, folks are wondering if Stone will make an appearance. Some of the other performers have been delayed or had to cancel because of that big volcanic ash cloud over Europe. More photos and article on the festival here.

A milestone at Dodger Stadium

Photo: Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 4/16/10

Dodger Andre Ethier belted his first-career grand slam during the second inning of a game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on Friday night. Ethier was on a roll. He hit a homer in the first inning as well. Dodgers went on to beat the Giants 10-to-8 in the first of a three-game series.

Michelle Obama on tour

Photo: Samantha Appleton/White House  4/14/10

In her first solo international trip, First Lady Michelle Obama visited Mexico and Haiti this week. More photos of the first lady in Mexico on the White House website.  Dr. Jill Biden, the Veepee’s wife, joined the first lady for the trip. Click here for Dr. Biden’s White House blog post about their stop in Haiti. And more photos, too. 

Grammys at the White House

Photo: Pete Souza/White House 4/14/10 

President Obama and Country Music Star Garth Brooks shared a moment at the White House on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. In the Oval Office, Brooks was presented with the “Grammy on the Hill” award for his leadership in advancing the rights of music makers. Also, the president received his better-late-than-never 2007 Grammy for the best spoken word album for his bestseller, “The Audacity of Hope.”  

A run-off in the 43rd Assembly District race

It’s Democrat Mike Gatto against the only Republican on the ballot, Sunder Ramani.  

I dropped by a couple of polling places in Burbank on Tuesday evening and was told by the poll workers that the turnout was way better than expected.  A small sampling, but it turned out to be right on the mark. The Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder County Clerk’s office posted the following election results on its website.

April 13, 2010   43rd Assembly Special Election

Mike Gatto  (D)   10,584         32.34%

Sunder Ramani (R)  10,403     31.79%

Nayiri Nahabedian  (D)  7,298  22.30%

Chake Keuroghelian (D)  4,444   13.58%

Total ballots cast     32,912       16.35%

I was disappointed in the showing by Nahabedian, who got drawn into a negative campaign battle with Gatto. Both candidates hammered and jabbed at each other in a mountain of expensive political mailers. The negative campaign hurt both candidates with Nahabedian apparently suffering the most damage.

Sometimes you need to throw a few punches when you’re under attack. I can relate to that. I understand that. Nevertheless, an election is not a boxing match. Voters really don’t want to watch candidates beat-up on each other. We are more interested in candidates talking about the issues; showcasing their ideas and plans for improving our communities.

There is still time for Gatto and Nehabedian to make campaign changes. It ain’t over yet. In a strange political twist, this was the first of four elections for the same office. Gatto and Ramani will square off on June 8 for the right to finish out Paul Krekorian’s term which ends on November 30, 2010. Krekorian left early to campaign and win election to the Los Angeles City Council.

Also on June 8 there will be a primary, which will include candidates running for the next two-year term for the 43rd Assembly District. Gatto, Ramani, Nahabedian, and Keuroghelian, will be on that ballot as well.

Did you have trouble finding your polling place?

I heard some voters showed up at the wrong polling places. Probably because they went back to where they voted in the last election and discovered their names were not on the rosters. They were still able to vote provisionally, but that takes a little longer or they were given directions to the correct polling place.

I was assigned to a new polling site as well. In fact, I passed two polling locations on East Providencia Avenue in route to the First Christian Church on 6th Street where I voted. How smart was that? The folks that draw up these precincts for the elections have a strange logic. No wonder so many voters are skipping the polling places all together. In this Assembly election, 18,989 local voters cast their ballots by mail.

TV late night changes

 New music director for “The Tonight Show”

Recently ”Tonight Show” Music Director Kevin Eubanks has been hinting he might bow out soon and early this week, he did just that. Eubanks announced on Monday’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” that he’s calling it quits after 18 years with the late night talk show.

Stepping in as the new music director the Emmy-nominated and very talented Rickey Minor, who has made guest appearances with the “Tonight Show” band numerous times.  For the past few years, Minor has been the music director over on “American Idol.” Before that the accomplished musician and arranger worked with super-stars like Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, and Beyoncé.

Minor debuts as “The Tonight Show” music director on June 7th. Here’s the NBC press release about it.

Conan O’Brien should tape his new late night talker in Burbank

A lot of chatter out there about the new TV deal for talk show host/comic Conan O’Brien. Negotiations were going on with Fox, but Monday TBS announced O’Brien had signed on for an 11 p.m. show on that cable network. No doubt, there was a ton of wheeling and dealing that went on behind the scenes.  

O’Brien’s new one-hour late night show kicks off in November and he will own his new cable talker, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  Also, there are reports the new O’Brien show will be based in the Southland. Probably Los Angeles. Hey, why not Burbank?  We have plenty of studio space and talent in Media City to help the former “Tonight Show” host put together a terrific late night program.

Spec script market still hot

Spec scripts are still going out and getting bought! Spec Chaser reports “Romeo’s Redemption” by Dave Lease was snatched up by Gold Circle Films. The crime drama is about mob-enforcer-turned-informant who leaves the safety of the witness protection program to save the only person he’s ever really loved — his ex-wife — from his former mob associates. Nice hook.

More about this script sale and other spec screenplays being shopped here. Good inspiration for the  screenwriters out there and especially the Burbank scribes I know who are writing scripts and pitching projects right now.

Another rollover in the Mega Millions game. The jackpot has leaped the 100 million mark and now stands at $105 million for tomorrow’s draw.  A lot of big jackpots in the Mega Millions games lately.  Maybe a Southlander will win it all this time.

Players in 35 states, including California, can purchase tickets for the Mega Millions game. For $1 you get to pick five numbers from 1 and 56 and a Mega number from 1 to 46. Or you can let the computer make the selection when you buy a “Quick Pick” ticket. Either way, ya gotta be pretty lucky to win the jackpot.

Tomorrow’s draw is at  8 p.m.

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday “Date Night” was number one at the Box Office. Today when the actual numbers came out it had slipped to number two. For the second straight week, the sword and scandal actioner, “Clash of the Titans” is the top film in the country after earning $26.6 million over the weekend.

“Date Night” is about a married couple’s night on the town, which turns into a wild adventure. The comedy/romance/action picture stars Tina Fey and Steve Carell. “Date Night” debuted with a nice domestic haul of $25.2 million.

In third with $24.8 million the 3D animation “How to Train Your Dragon. “Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too?” made $11 million – good enough for fourth place.  Rounding out the top five, Miley Cyrus’ romance drama “Last Song” with $9.8 million.

UPDATE:  Heavy rain pounding Burbank at 1:45 p.m. Some patchy clouds, sprinkles, and brief sunshine earlier. Now it’s wet and coold outside! You need a jacket and an umbrella.

After days of threatening skies a cold storm swooped down on the Southland tonight. At 11 p.m. a steady rain is falling in Burbank where it’s 52 degrees. There’s a chance of thunderstorms and strong winds as well.

Since we could get quite bit of rain from this storm folks living in the local burn areas are being urged by officials to keep a close watch on debris flows.

A ton of money on the line in Friday’s Mega Millions drawing.  No one pick the correct numbers to win the  jackpot last Tuesday, so it rolled over to the April 9, 2010 game. The jackpot is now worth at least $90 millions. Enough to share with a few close friends and still have plenty left to keep you financially comfy for the rest of your days. Sigh, wouldn’t it be grand.

Meanwhile, last Tuesday’s game was lucky for one California player who bought a Mega Millions ticket in Bakersfield. That ticket, valued at $420,527,  matched five of the winning numbers, but not the Mega ball. Not a bad return on a $1 ticket.  The winning numbers drawn on Tuesday were 16, 43, 44, 52, 56, and the Mega ball 26.

Friday’s drawing is at 8 p.m.