A final exit for actors Dennis Hopper & Gary Coleman

Photo:  Mark Boster/ Los Angeles Times — A frail Dennis Hopper gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, March 26, 2010

A legendary Hollywood  “Bad Boy”  

 Veteran actor and co-star of the cult classic motorcycle/road film, “Easy Rider” (1969), Dennis Hopper, died last Saturday, May 29, at the age of 74, after a battle with prostate cancer. Hopper reportedly passed away at his home in Venice, California surrounded by family and friends.

Hopper appeared in over 100 films. He lived a life that was, at times, as colorful and wild as some of the characters he played on the big screen.  The Los Angeles Times website has a tribute and extensive photo gallery on the life and talent of Hopper, who was a writer, director, and photographer. as well as a gifted actor.  

Star of TV hit “Diff’rent Strokes” dies

Former-Child Star, Gary Coleman, gained fame for playing the lovable chubby-cheeked kid, Arnold Jackson, in the  TV comedy, “Diff’rent Strokes.” However as an adult, Coleman’s life was filled with drama, mishaps, and misfortune.  He died last Friday, May 28, in a Utah hospital after being taken off life-support. Coleman reportedly suffered an intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding within the skull) and then slipped into a coma last week. Coleman was only 42. People Magazine website has more on the troubled actor’s death and life.

Disney employee arrested and charged with insider trading scheme

A lot of buzz on the Internet and here in the Media City about the arrest of Disney employee, Bonnie Jean Hoxie and her boyfriend, in an FBI sting operation.  Hoxie and Yonni Sebbag were taken into custody last Wednesday in Los Angeles and arraigned in federal court that afternoon. Both were charged with wire fraud and conspiracy.  Each suspect is facing up to 25 years in prison on those charges.

Hoxie is (was) the administrative assistant to Zenia Mucha, Disney’s head of corporate communications. Hoxie and Sebbag reportedly were nabbed trying to sell insider information on Disney’s quarterly earnings to undercover FBI agents.  

The word is this scheme was pretty dumb — with the alleged suspects discussing their game plan in e-mails! Oh, in one e-message, Hoxie reportedly talked about the Stella McCartney handbag and shoes she wanted to buy with the plot-dough. Instead, Hoxie and Sebbag are going to be shelling out a lot of their own money for lawyers.

Hoxie was released on $50,000 bail. Sebbag is considered a flight risk, so he’s still in custody.  More details on the alleged scheme and the undercover operation at L.A. Times and Deadline.com/Hollywood.

More controversy simmering in B-town

Some Burbank city officials probably think their stonewalling will end the inquiries about that suspicious bus accident involving school children last winter. Not a chance.  The first media report of the strange circumstances surrounding that bus vs vehicle accident on January 15, 2010, at Olive Avenue and Orchard Drive, appeared on this blog back on March 20, 2010.

City employees had been talking about that accident for weeks, then I heard about it.  Here’s a quick recap: 21 Burbank school children, from Emerson Elementary and Jordan Middle School, were riding on that bus. It was a minor mishap. I’m told the other vehicle swerved, hit the bus, knocking off the side mirror. No injuries. However, the controversy is over what type of bus was carrying those children. City officials insist it was a Got Wheels bus.

However, my reliable sources tell me the police report states it was not a Got Wheels bus, but a regular Burbank transit bus. This has sparked questions of whether the city is putting children’s safety at risk by side-stepping regulations for buses designated for children, in order to save a buck or two.

At the suggestion of Burbank City Manager Mike Flad, I e-mailed Interim Community Development Director, Greg Herrmann, about the matter for a clarification. However, Hermann did not take kindly to my tough questions and sent me, what came across as, a threatening e-mail. I posted e-mails from that exchange in a blog post on April 6.

Then on April 21,  I posted another story on my blog about Activist Mike Nolan asking Flad for an investigation into the bus accident and the e-mail threat I got from Herrmann. Nolan made his request at the televised city council meeting on April 20. Flad agreed to provide a report on the bus accident.

So here’s the latest. At the May 18 city council meeting, Nolan expressed disappointment that Flad had reneged on his commitment to provide that report. What happened surprised a lot of folks. City Attorney Dennis Barlow declared the bus accident a ”legal matter” saying that was “due to potential litigation.” Barlow explained he had provided the city council members with a summary of the accident, but there would be nothing to report to the public.

 Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank City Attorney Dennis Barlow 

 After that May 18 city council meeting, I asked City Attorney Barlow what type of bus was involved in that accident. He said quote,” It was a Got Wheels bus.”  When I asked what kind of “potential litigation” would be involved in an accident with no injuries and a busted side mirror — he would not comment.

The day after, I dropped off a formal media request, at BPD Headquarters,  for Burbank Police Records Technician Supervisor, Deborah Wilson,  asking for a copy of the police/traffic report on that bus accident, with the required $15 in cash enclosed.  I got back a rejection, dated May 24,  in the mail with my 15 bucks. Along with the rejection letter, a copy of ”the call for service for this incident” with preliminary information — but no traffic report from the scene of that bus accident.

Mike Nolan is still on the hunt for an unaltered copy of that police report and so am I. Burbank city council members should be demanding to see this police report and not accept some lightweight summary from the City Attorney. Did they not learn anything from the police mess Burbank is attempting to dig its way out of right now. Sooner or later the real facts will come out and if there is “potential litigation” as Barlow stated, council members need to show they did not stick their heads in the sand, but acted decisively in the public interest. 

Another Honeybee sighting

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Police Commissioner Jim Etter’s cool “Honey Bee” — a beautifully restored 1956 Chevy Bel Air parked n the Burbank City Hall parking lot May 19, 2010

This time I had my camera with me and was able to snap a few shots of Chevy Jim’s classic ride. When I drove into the Burbank City parking lot for the Police Commission meeting, Wednesday, May 19,  I caught sight of a couple of young dudes posing and profiling in front of Burbank Police Commissioner Jim Etter’s 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible.

The “Honey Bee” really grabs attention. After the meeting, I walked out into the parking lot with Commissioner Etter and over to the pretty Chevy. A couple came over and just stared at “Honey Bee” in awe. Etter made their evening, by allowing them to slide into the front seat.

Warning! Don’t try that if Etter is not around. “Honey Bee” is security tight. You can look, admire, and even take photos, but no joyriding without the owner’s permission.

Grand View claims checks in the mail

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — A young visitor spends a few moments at a relative’s gravesite at Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale on March 7, 2010

The check is in the mail or has already arrived for more than 14-hundred folks who filed valid claims in the class action lawsuit involving the landmark Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale. That lawsuit alleges a long list of violations including selling non-existing grave plots and the mismanagement of remains and gravesites at the 120-plus-year-old cemetery. Also back in 2005, a state investigator discovered thousands of human remains at Grand View that had been improperly handled.

The defendants, among them the present owner Moshe Goldsman, did not admit guilt, but agreed to settle the class action lawsuit for around $3.8 million last October. The settlement was finalized earlier this year on January 19.  Over a million bucks of that went to the lawyers.  Also, $500,000 was set aside for the restoration of Grand View, which it badly needs. And finally, 1,460 claimants were awarded $1, 296.23 each.

A Burbank resident I know, got one of those checks recently, but still has concerns about the future management of the cemetery, and of course, when it will be open with regular hours.  More than two years ago, at the height of its troubles, Grand View was shut down and has been opened for months now, only occasionally, by the order of Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Anthony J. Mohr.  Grand View is scheduled to be opened to the public, noon to 4 p.m. this coming Sunday, June 6, and again on Father’s Day, June 20.

Check out the archives for more Grand View posts and photos.

Million $ plus script deal

Two heavyhitter screenwriters have really scored an out-of-this-world script deal with a ton of zeros attached. Terry Rossio and Bill Marsilli reportedly have sold a movie pitch to Disney and Producer Jerry Bruckheimer in a deal that’s a low-seven figures against $3.5 million payday. Wow!

The Wrap is reporting the pitch, yeah there isn’t even a script yet, is called, “Lightspeed.” The project is described as an epic space adventure about a young hot shot space pilot who must navigate his ship on a dangerous mission through a galaxy on the brink of war. Apparently the buyers see this as a 3D event movie.

Oh, Rossio and Marsilli hold the record for the highest spec sale –a romantic thriller called, “Deja Vu.” Disney and Bruckheimer shelled out somewhere between $5 and $8 million for that spec back in 2004. Nice to see a couple of writers making big money.  

Mega Millions officials looking for owner of valuable ticket

Could you use some extra cash, like around $167, 371?  Well, if you have a lucky lottery ticket that matched five out of six winning numbers in the Mega Millions draw on April 27, 2010, then that money belongs to you!

Mega Millions officials say the ticket has the numbers 50, 41, 37, 23, and 55. The only winning number missing is 6, the Mega Ball. That ticket was bought at the Chevron gas station at 267 South Indian Hill in Claremont.  

Right now the Mega Millions jackpot is at $12 million. The next draw is tomorrow, Tuesday, June first at 8 p.m.

In his weekly address on yesterday, President Barack Obama called on all Americans to remember and honor those who have given their lives fighting for the ideals and freedoms we treasure in this country.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Weekly Address
Washington, DC

This weekend, as we celebrate Memorial Day, families across America will gather in backyards and front porches, fire up the barbeque, kick back with friends, and spend time with people they care about. That is as it should be. But I also hope that as you do so, you’ll take some time to reflect on what Memorial Day is all about; on why we set this day aside as a time of national remembrance.

It’s fitting every day to pay tribute to the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America. Still, there are certain days that have been set aside for all of us to do so. Veterans Day is one such day – when we are called to honor Americans who’ve fought under our country’s flag.

Our calling on Memorial Day is different. On this day, we honor not just those who’ve worn this country’s uniform, but the men and women who’ve died in its service; who’ve laid down their lives in defense of their fellow citizens; who’ve given their last full measure of devotion to protect the United States of America. These are the men and women I will be honoring this weekend, and I know many of you are doing the same.

There are any number of reasons America emerged from its humble beginnings as a cluster of colonies to become the most prosperous, most powerful nation on earth. There is the hard work, the resilience, and the character of our people. There is the ingenuity and enterprising spirit of our entrepreneurs and innovators. There are the ideals of opportunity, equality, and freedom that have not only inspired our people to perfect our own union, but inspired others to perfect theirs as well.

But from the very start, there was also something more. A steadfast commitment to serve, to fight, and if necessary, to die, to preserve America and advance the ideals we cherish. It’s a commitment witnessed at each defining moment along the journey of this country. It’s what led a rag-tag militia to face British soldiers at Lexington and Concord. It’s what led young men, in a country divided half slave and half free, to take up arms to save our union. It’s what led patriots in each generation to sacrifice their own lives to secure the life of our nation, from the trenches of World War I to the battles of World War II, from Inchon and Khe Sanh, from Mosul to Marjah.

That commitment – that willingness to lay down their lives so we might inherit the blessings of this nation – is what we honor today. But on this Memorial Day, as on every day, we are called to honor their ultimate sacrifice with more than words. We are called to honor them with deeds.

We are called to honor them by doing our part for the loved ones our fallen heroes have left behind and looking after our military families. By making sure the men and women serving this country around the world have the support they need to achieve their missions and come home safely. By making sure veterans have the care and assistance they need.  In short, by serving all those who have ever worn the uniform of this country – and their families – as well as they have served us.

On April 25, 1866, about a year after the Civil War ended, a group of women visited a cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi, to place flowers by the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen at Shiloh. As they did, they noticed other graves nearby, belonging to Union dead. But no one had come to visit those graves, or place a flower there. So they decided to lay a few stems for those men too, in recognition not of a fallen Confederate or a fallen Union soldier, but a fallen American.

A few years later, an organization of Civil War veterans established what became Memorial Day, selecting a date that coincided with the time when flowers were in bloom. So this weekend, as we commemorate Memorial Day, I ask you to hold all our fallen heroes in your hearts, and if you can, to lay a flower where they have come to rest.

Photo: Carl Winebarger/NASA — Atlantis touches down at Kennedy Space Center in Florida yesterday, May 26, 2010, ending its final scheduled flight

“It was smooth as silk,” is how Commander Ken Ham described the entry into Earth’s orbit and landing of Atlantis. Yesterday’s touchdown in Florida, at 8:48 a.m. EDT, wrapped up a busy 12-day mission to the International Space Station. A fine farewell for a space shuttle that has traveled more than 120 million miles in 25 years of service. For more on Atlantis and the shuttle’s last mission click over to the NASA website.

The greenbacks are stacking up again in the Mega Millions lottery game. The jackpot is up to at least $64 million for tonight’s drawing. Also, there’s a lucky ticket holder from last Friday’s Mega Millions draw. The winning numbers from that game: 15, 20, 23, 26, 30, and the Mega Ball 17. 

A ticket sold in California has all the winning numbers, except the Mega Ball. That ticket is worth $830,872. I’d say that’s a humdinger of a return on a dollar investment. That kind of cash could ease a lot of those economic pains brought on by the recession.

Tonight’s big Mega Millions drawing is at 8 p.m. 

The weekend Box Office numbers came out today. The new animated sequel, “Shrek Forever After,” also known as “Shrek: The Final Chapter,”sprinted to the finish line over the weekend with a $71 million debut – - to become the number one film in the country. However, there is a lot of disappointment and very faint applause for this final chapter in a very popular movie series.

The two previous Shrek flicks all had openings of over a $100 Million. Daniel Frankel over on The Wrap blames the weak performance of “Shrek 4″ for a slide in the price of DreamWorks stock today. It could just be a slow start, like “How to Train Your Dragon.”  That high-flying animated adventure opened with less than $50 million, but it caught on with movie fans and has earned $200 million at the domestic Box Office in little over two months.

Celebrity voices in “Shrek Forever After” include Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy Donkey, Cameron Diaz Princess Fiona, Antonio Banderas Puss in Boots, and Julie Andrews as Queen Lillian. In this finale, Shrek ends up in a twisted version of his home land and must pullout all the stops to make things right and win the heart of his true love, Fiona, again.

Sci-fi thriller “Iron Man 2″ dropped from first to second place with $26.3 million, followed by the epic adventure “Robin Hood,” which scored $19 million for third, the romantic drama.  ”Letters to Juliet” earned $9 million for fourth and in fifth place, the romantic comedy, “Just Wright” with $4.2 million.

Debate heats up in the 43rd State Assembly race

Glendale Businessman, Chahe Keuroghelian, remains a controversial force in the 43rd State Assembly race, even though, he shutdown his campaign almost a week ago. 

The Burbank Democratic Club (I ‘m a member) threw its 5th annual  picnic at McCambridge Park in Burbank today. When I got there around 1 p.m., the event was in full swing with food, people, speeches, and candidates working the crowd. Elected officials included State Senator Carol Liu, Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke, Burbank Councilman Dr. David Gordon, and Glendale City Council member Laura Friedman.

Among the candidates: Mark Ameli, Randy Hammock, and C. Edward Mack all running for Superior Court Judge #28 — also, 43rd State Assembly Contender, Mike Gatto, was on hand.

Speaking of Gatto, he received an early and very strong endorsement from the Burbank Democratic Club. This has not set well with some of his opponents. One of them, local Guerrilla Journalist/Photographer, Peter Musurlian, showed up at the picnic with video camera rolling and hurling questions and insults at Gatto supporters. To say Musurlian’s style is aggressive is like saying the Lakers play serious basketball. The confrontation got pretty heated and ugly at times.

I spoke with Musurlian, who is Armenian-American, about his complaints against Gatto– and there are a lot of them. One is that Gatto and Chahe Keuroghelian formed some kind of unholy, secretive, alliance in the race for the 43rd State Assembly seat. This allegation has been talked about quite a bit during the campaign.

 Last Monday,May 17,  Democrat and former Glendale Department  Spokesman, Chahe Keuroghelian, tossed in the towel and shut down his campaign. Keuroghelian was running a distant third to Gatto and Republican, Sunder Ramani. Glendale School Board Member, Nayiri Nahabedian, dropped out of the contest, days after losing out to Gatto and Ramani in the Special Election Primary back on April 13.

During his campaign, some accused Keuroghelian of being a spoiler — out to derail the Nahabedian’s campaign. In his farewell statement, Keuroghelian defends his candidacy.

Glendale, May 17, 2010- After consultation with my friends, advisors, and supporters, I have decided to suspend my campaign for California State Assembly. The strange scheduling of the series of elections in AD 43 in 2010 (Primary and Runoff occurring simultaneously) means that the Democratic nominee could face challenges from both sides. As a good Democrat myself, I will not be part of that. Thus, I am ceasing to campaign for the sake of Democratic Party unity. 

There are those who will make all sorts of outlandish claims about my decision.  These are the same people who have made outlandish claims about my presence in the race. Thus, I will also use this statement as an opportunity to remind everyone about the facts of this campaign. 

My decision to run was motivated by my strong showing in the 2009 Glendale municipal elections, where I garnered almost 7,000 votes in that city alone. I had figured with the inclusion of Burbank and North Hollywood into the mix, areas with substantial Armenian populations, I could garner another few thousand votes and prevail in this race. The top vote getter only got about 12,000 votes.

For the record, and as the Los Angeles County Registrar’s records show, I remind everyone that I announced my candidacy on December 22, 2009.  At that time, I was the second candidate in the race after Mike Gatto, and I (like anyone else) had no idea of what the eventual field would be. The other Armenian candidate announced her candidacy well AFTER I did. In fact, Ms. Nahabedian announced hers on January 7, 2010. Thus, if anyone “jumped in late” and “split the Armenian votes,” it was not I. 

Had certain elements of the community coalesced around my candidacy (and provided the same resources they provided Ms. Nahabedian), the outcome could have been different. Instead, a small but vocal faction within the community decided to run their own candidate, in Ms. Nahabedian, well after I declared my candidacy.  

The fact remains: I captured many more Armenian precincts than Ms. Nahabedian. Thus, if anyone is “the preferred Armenian candidate” and if one candidate is the spoiler, I submit that the shoes are on the other feet than what people might instinctually surmise. Plus, I did all of this with limited financial resources.

The hubris of this faction making these claims continues to trouble me.  They continue to say things like “Chahe prevented a qualified Armenian candidate from winning.” I am a highly qualified candidate and respected leader in the community. I speak five languages and have served in many important public-service roles for the community. I have an impressive and dedicated group of volunteers who have stood by me for many years, sharing my selfless devotion in making sure that the voices of many who have not had the chance to be heard are finally raised; I have a genuine, committed, and clear following, which have, and will, vote for me without the expenditure of serious resources. It is thanks to my volunteers that in just this campaign, we were able to conduct an aggressive outreach to register new citizens, which resulted in bringing more than 2,500 new voters into the ranks of tens of thousands of Democrats of AD 43.I debated Ms. Nahabedian several times, and I (and many others) was not impressed by her knowledge of state issues. Thus, I would again submit that I was the qualified candidate.

I take issue with the idea that I took votes away from Ms. Nahabedian, for two very important reasons. First, the Armenian community is not monolithic, and it is racist to assume it is.  We have many different political viewpoints and styles, and there are Armenians from many different regions. There are certain Armenians that would never vote for Ms. Nahabedian and who would not have voted at all if I was not in the race.  Second, in that same vein, my dedicated volunteers turned out many voters that Nahabedian could not turn out. For this reason, the correct likely outcome, had I not been in this race, would have been, that a lower number of “excited” Armenian voters would participate, and thus a much smaller percentage of Armenian votes, period.

Finally, I cannot exit this race without mentioning whom I am going to support. While I probably will not endorse in this race, I can put to bed, emphatically, the notion that Sunder Ramani is a friend to the Armenian community. 

Since his poor showing in the Special Primary (which he repeatedly stated he would win outright), Mr. Ramani has adopted the same unfortunate tactics that Ms. Nahabedian did: a “scorched earth” campaign that aims to inflame passions in the Armenian community, consequences be damned. I will not sit by and let Mr. Ramani manipulate the already fragile emotions in the Armenian community. If he thinks his path to victory includes attacking me, sparking discord in the Armenian community, and trying to use emotional issues (like the Armenian Genocide) as campaign opportunities, he really ought to take a lesson from Ms. Nahabedian’s defeat. These tactics do not work, and they only result in a disgusted community.

Looking forward, I will continue to work in the Armenian community, will continue to work on Democratic campaigns, and will consider my options for formalizing my public service in elective office in the years to come.

Chahe Keuroghelian    

 Glendale

Two Candidates still in the running

So the race in the 43rd State Assembly District is down to two candidates, Democrat Mike Gatto and Republican Sunder Ramani. On the June 8 ballot, voters will be asked to make a choice in the primary for a candidate to run for a full-term in the 43rd State Assembly in November.

At the end of the ballot, the Special Run-off Election, between Gatto and Ramani, to see who will finish former Assemblyman Paul Krekorian’s term — which ends in November. Krekorian was elected to the Los Angeles City Council last December.

Conan O’Brien to tape new late night show in Burbank

In a City Buzz column last month, I suggested Comedian Conan O’Brien produce his new talk show here in  Burbank. Never hurts to put out those good vibes.  Last Sunday night, May 16,  local media began buzzing with the announcement from Warner Bros that O’Brien is coming to B-town.

 The Hollywood Reporter  reports O’Brien’s yet-to-be-titled show for TBS Network will be housed on Stage 15, on the Warner lot, off Olive Avenue — not far from where “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” tapes at NBC Studios.  Stage 15 is going to be very busy this season, George Lopez and Ellen DeGeneres tape their shows there as well.

There are reports out that O’Brien’s show will generate hundreds of jobs.  I’m sending out more good vibes, hoping some of those jobs go to Burbankers. Glendale News-Press has a good article on the economic impact of the show here.

NEW UPDATE: Blog Catastrophe

Some glitches and problems remain on my blog . However, I can now post photos and graphics, so the blog is starting to look more like A Writer’s Groove. New posts/stories coming soon.

Yes, A Writer’s Groove looks very different. Some technical problems. I’m working to get them corrected.

I hope to have an update soon.

Fronnie

The Mega Millions jackpot is growing again!  Mega MIllions is one of the largest lottery games in North America with players in 39 states including California. The last big winners – a Southland couple. The wife, Jackie Cisneros, works in the KNBC newsroom in Burbank. The news producer and her recently unemployed husband, Gilbert Cisneros, won a $266 Mega Millions jackpot on May 4, 2010.

The couple plans to donate some of the money to charity. Also, according to the Mega Millions website, they want to fulfill a long time dream – make an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. No word yet on how they will collect their millions — in 26 annual payments or the cash value of the ticket. If they opt for cash, that will be $165 million before taxes.  

The next Mega Millions draw is tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18 at 8 p.m. 

The studios released those important final weekend numbers today. The much talked about Ridley Scott directed “Robin Hood” made some money on its debut weekend, however, not nearly enough to boot “Iron Man 2″ from the number one spot. ”Robin Hood” landed in second place with $36 million at the domestic Box Office. Worldwide, the film has raked in $110 million so far.  

This is the latest film version of the English legend of a heroic outlaw/thief/skilled marksman who rights wrongs, and was known to rob from the rich to give to the poor.  Russell Crowe stars as Robin and Cate Blanchett as Lady Marion.

For a second week “Iron Man 2″ held onto first place, with a  weekend tally of $53 million. The comic-book inspired sci-fi thriller has earned $211 million at the domestic Box Office.

In third,  “Letters to Juliet,” which debuted lower than expected at $13.5 million. Amanda Seyfried stars in this romantic drama about an American woman in Italy who finds an old love letter and that sparks an unusual journey of discovery. The cast includes Chris Evans and Vanessa Redgrave, too.

“Just Wright” dribbled into fourth place with $8.2 million — which was right on target for this modestly budgeted romantic comedy starring Queen Latifah and that hunky Rapper/Hip-Hop Artist/Actor, Common. This rom com is about a physical therapist who falls for a pro-basketball player she’s helping recover from an injury. “Just Wright” played on the least number of screens of the top five films – 1,831.

In fifth, the animated family flick, “How to Train Your Dragon” with $5 million — bringing its 8 week domestic haul to around $208 million.

Overcast skies and some freaky drizzle this morning in Burbank. The drizzle various from a fine mist to almost a light rain. There’s a chance we could get some shower activity from this weather system over the next couple of days. I got out the umbrella and a heavy sweater — because the temperature has dropped into the chilly range.

At 8 a.m., it was 55 degrees in B-town. The high is expected to reach only 69. We might see the sun today, but that’s pretty iffy. Good news, the ground is getting wet, so no need to water the flowers, plants, or lawn for a while. There are benefits to this May gloom and drizzle.

Sunflowers for the King of Pop  

Photo: Lisa Burks/Freelance photographer — A generous flower merchant donates hundreds of sunflowers to brighten the Glendale crypt of Michael Jackson

The late King of Pop’s tomb is now filled with a huge collection of sunflowers — thanks to Jason Levin who runs a San Diego company called Sunflowerguy.com. On Friday, May 14, Levin loaded up a truck with 15-hundred happy face sunflowers and drove to Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale to deliver the special gift. 

Levin’s company is known for donating bunches of what the website calls “the happiest flower on Earth” to good causes. So it’s no surprise, that Levin took action after hearing a report that Jackson’s ex-wife, Lisa Marie Presley, was asking fans to send sunflowers to brighten the resting place of the legendary entertainer.  Apparently, the sunflower was Jackson’s favorite flower.

Local writer/photog Lisa Burk was there when Levin unloaded 30 large containers of gorgeous flowers at the Great Mausoleum Holly Terrace. Later, Forest Lawn personnel carried the flowers inside to Jackson’s crypt.

Photos: Lisa Burks/Freelance Photographer — Dozens of containers filled with hundreds sunflowers  are shown outside the tomb of the late Superstar Michael Jackson 

Burks has more great flower photos here.  Also, you can check out Burks’ posts on Michael Jackson and his fans on her website.

A great line from Director/Actor/Producer Woody Allen

At 74, filmmaker Woody Allen has slowed a bit, but he’s still in the entertainment business. Allen and some of his cast from his latest movie, “You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger,” are at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival on the French Riviera, this weekend.  

Sharon Waxman of The Wrap is in Cannes and was there yesterday when Allen made this comment about the final curtain call: “My relationship with death is the same, “ he quipped at the news conference after the film’s first screening. “I’m strongly against it.”  

Waxman has more on Allen, his film, and the festival here.

The final launch of Atlantis

Photo courtesy NASA TV: Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on its final mission from Kennedy Space Center on Florida last Friday, May 14

The Space Shuttle Atlantis is on its farewell mission. Atlantis blasted off from Kennedy Space Center on Friday, May 14, with a six member crew and supplies for the International Space Station. Atlantis is scheduled to come home on Wednesday, May 26.  

It will be end of the line for Atlantis, after 25 years and more than 115 million miles. Details and updates on the last space journey of Atlantis on the NASA website. 

Adventures in gardening and yard care

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Master Gardener Jessica Craven gives instructions on composting to a workshop at the Burbank Recycle Center on May 1, 2010

I’m in a compost groove: recycling garbage into a rich organic soil amendment in a compost bin. Actually, I’m just getting started with this whole composting thing. The Burbank Recycle Center dropped off my compost bin last Thursday. On May first, I attended a free one-hour composting workshop at the Burbank Recycle Center on South Flower Street with around 50 adults and 10-12 youngsters.

Compost Expert & Master Gardener, Jessica Craven, taught the fundamentalists. The basic elements for producing compost are nitrogen, air, and moisture. Also, you need brown stuff (such as dried leaves, twigs), green stuff (like grass clippings, green leaves), kitchen scraps (all sorts of fruits, veggies, breads, paper towels, paper napkins, egg shells, coffee grounds, tea bags … etc).  

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Two compost workshop participants check out a sample of the finished product

Burbank residents in the class received free compost bins to store their brown and green stuff where it can “cook,” and microorganisms can turn the garbage into a dark, nutritious matter –  an excellent food for your yard, garden, and plants.

There are a lot of websites with information on different methods of composting and the assorted goodies that can be dumped into your mixture. By the way, more composting workshops will be held at the Sheridan Gardens Nursery on North Hollywood Way in Burbank next month. Call the Burbank Recycle Center for details and to RSVP (818) 238-3900.

New comedy club opening in Burbank

The Burbank City Council has cleared the way for the city’s first comedy club. You would think it was a no-brainer with entertainment being the number one industry in B-town, but it wasn’t. Last night, the city council approved a business assistance loan of $190,000 for The Flappers Comedy Club and Restaurant by a 4-to-1 vote. Dr. David Gordon was the lone dissenter.  

The loan will be used to remodel the old Macaroni Grill site at the corner of East Magnolia Boulevard and North 1st Street, in the downtown area. Even though co-owner Barbara Holliday will secure the loan by putting up her Burbank home and other assets, Gordon was concerned about repayment should the business go under. On the flip side, the other council members saw the potential as being well worth the risk.

Councilman Dave Golonski admitted the site had certain challenges, but liked the passion and enthusiasm he heard and saw in Holliday and her partner Dave Reinitz, and their supporters, including a number of comedians who spoke at the meeting. Golonski said it was a “great use” for the site, the business plan “made sense,” and the project had the “right chemistry, ” so he voted “yes”.

While critics point to the city’s support of failed restaurants like Bombay Bicycle Club, Golonski cited successes like Fry’s Electronics and the hugely popular, Porto’s Bakery & Cafe. Holliday and Reinitz together have more than 20 years experience in comedy production and event planning. I think they have a good chance of making “Flappers” ah, fly. 

During his time in front of the council, showing support for the club, comic Michael Rayner pulled off a very funny trick; spinning a cheeseburger on an umbrella. After the vote, I asked Rayner where else had he performed that trick? He said all over the place, from the “Late Show with David Letterman” to the Burbank library. I’m looking forward to seeing Rayner do that trick again when The Flappers Comedy Club and Restaurant opens in late summer.

Also, the revised and much debated plan for a 24 Hour Fitness gym near the Burbank Empire Center won approval from the city council, too. The vote was 3-to-2, with Gordon and Mayor Anja Reinke opposing.

Councilman David Gordon’s bio up on Burbank city website

BTW, Burbank Councilman David Gordon’s bio is now up on the city website. Now you can read about the backgrounds, interests, and achievements of the entire Burbank City Council. Click here for Gordon’s bio. On the left side of that page, there are buttons to click on for the bios of the other four members as well.  

Baseball coach Jose Sandoval speaks out 

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove –Coach Jose Sandoval outside the Burbank courts building, on November 5, 2009

A lot of chatter about the dismissal of the criminal case, on Monday, against long-time Burbank baseball coach, Jose Sandoval. Yesterday, I e-mailed the volunteer coach for the Burbank Park and Recreation Department and got his reaction. Below are Sandoval’s answers to my questions.

1.  How do you feel about the dismissal of the case against you?

 I feel relieved that this case is finally over and it was dismissed. I know for a fact if it was any other coach this would have never of gone this far. I used all of my vacation days in court and ran out of time last year so it was all on my time.

 2. Your court appearances on this matter started last July?  How many times have you had to go to court?

 I went to court 12 or 13 times before yesterday (Monday) I believe I went twice in a couple of months.

3. After that controversial altercation at the baseball game, you were suspended for a year, right?  When did that end? 

I was able to start coaching in mid April.

4. Are you coaching the same kids or a new team?

Some final words.

I want to thank all that stood with me and by my side through all of this. THANK YOU from the bottom of my HEART.  I want to thank you and your bloggers for all of the kind words and support. if you guys get a chance come check out some of our games we play every day of the week. 

Bob Kramer on the prowl

Photo:  FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Community Assistance Coordinator Bob Kramer’s get-around-town vehicle promotes the city’s water conservation campaign

Have you seen Bob?  Bob Kramer, the Burbank Community Assistance Coordinator. For the past six months, Kramer has been cruising the city, looking for problems to solve, in the Burbank Water and Power “conserve water” promotion van. Last month, I saw Kramer zipping up the hill on Olive Avenue above Bel Aire Drive, one Monday and a week later, spotted him driving through another hillside neighborhood.

Despite the “conserve water” message on his vehicle, Kramer is not the water police. Kramer says ”every week” he checks all the alleys for junk like dumped couches and graffiti. He reports his findings to city departments for action.

Kramer is considered the “go-to-guy” for all sorts of problems residents might have with trash, parking, sidewalks, trees, or even the well being of a neighbor. Go here for information on how to contact Kramer. 

Advance ticket sales for new “Twilight” movie

“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” is set to hit theaters on June 30, but two online ticket outlets will begin selling advance tickets for the vampire romantic-fantasy at midnight, on Thursday, May 13, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Those ticket sellers are Fandango and MovieTickets.

“Eclipse” is the third film in the hot “Twilight” series. The first two movies, “Twilight” (2008) and “New Moon” (2009) together have made more than $1 Billion worldwide. The films are based on the bestselling book series by Stephenie Meyer. The author’s website says in “Eclipse” the young female protagonist, Bella Swan, is surrounded by danger and must decide between her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen, and her friendship with the werewolf, Jacob Black. Apparently movie fans are eager to see who wins Bella’s heart. Fandango did a survey of 14,000 people on the summer movie they wanted to see most — the winner, “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.”

Super Model/Talk Show Host Tyra Banks gets a book deal

More and more celebrities are scoring book deals. The latest to do so is Tyra Banks, who was a super model before becoming the successful host of the TV reality show, “America’s Top Model.” Banks’ three-book-series is a YA (Young Adult) fantasy called, “Modelland.” The concept blends “Top Model” with “Harry Potter.” The first book is due out next summer. More on Banks’ deal on the publishing site Galleycat.  

Legendary Entertainer Lena Horne remembered  

A true super star, Lena Horne, died Sunday night, May 9, in a New York hospital at the age of 92. Horne reportedly had been in poor health recently. The feisty entertainer is being remembered for her extraordinary talent and as a ground breaker, who paved the way for today’s Black performers. Here are two web posts about the appreciation of Lena Horne: one from The Wrap and the other, Los Angeles Times. Some great photos of Horne on both sites, too.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Coach Jose Sandoval outside the Burbank courts building last fall.

After almost a year, the controversial criminal case against a Burbank baseball coach was dropped today. Attorney David D. Diamond says his client,  Jose Sandoval , appeared in a Burbank court before Judge Dorothy B. Reyes and agreed to attend 12 counseling sessions; in exchange for the Burbank City Attorney’s Office dismissing the case, including the misdemeanor charge of battery against him.

This questionable case began with a heated altercation between Sandoval and an umpire during a baseball game at McCambridge Park, on May 18, 2009.  Sandoval got suspended for the rest of the season, and later that suspension was extended to May of 2010. At the time, Sandoval was coaching five teams of about 80 kids in the sports program sponsored by the Burbank Park and Recreation Department. Many of the players on Sandoval’s teams are from low income and single parent homes.  Sandoval has been coaching for more than 15 years.

The Burbank City Attorney’s Office dumped more grief on Sandoval by filing a charge of misdemeanor battery against the veteran coach. Starting on July 2, 2009, Sandoval has made numerous court appearances as this case dragged on for months. Finally today, some justice: “The umpire did not want to press charges and we provided dozens of witnesses who said my client did nothing wrong.” said Attorney David Diamond in a prepared statement. “Why was this case ever filed?  Mr. Jose Sandoval is an icon in the volunteer community.  The Parks and Recreation Department and the Burbank Athletic Foundation left dozens of kids without a coach because of their inability to be fair and objective.  Our investigation has further yielded that a staff member of Parks and Recreation lied about witnessing the incident.  He was not even near the field. ”

 As for the counseling requirement, Diamond explains, “The counseling sessions will benefit my client in that he will be better able to deal with umpires who are predetermined to decide the outcome of a game based on factors that have nothing to do with the performance of the kids.”  Hmm, sounds like the Burbank Park & Recreation Department needs to do a little investigating of this sports program.

“Iron Man 2″ won the Box Office race by a huge margin. The final weekend numbers released today show the sequel raked in $128 million at the domestic Box Office  — to easily become the number one movie in the country. That was good enough for fifth place on the all-time highest-grossing opening weekend list. “IM2″ could have done better with a stronger marketing plan, according to Box Office Mojo.

In the comic-book-based sequel, Robert Downey Jr. again plays the charming, billionaire tech-genius, Tony Stark/Iron Man. This time around, Stark faces serious challenges at home and from a new powerful enemy. The cast includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson.

The rest of the weekend movies were left in Iron Man’s dust. The remake of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” managed to scare up only $9.1 million for second place. Next, the family 3D animation “How to Train Your Dragon” in third with $6.7 million.

The romantic comedy “Date Night” took fourth with $5.4 million. After five weeks, this Tina Fey/Steve Carell romp has scored $81 million in five weeks playing in theaters across the nation. Rounding out the top five, J-Lo’s rom-com, “The Back-Up Plan” with $5 million, after three weeks, it’s domestic haul is $30 million. 

Catching up on some items from the past few days.

Fire Service Day in Burbank

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Crowds turned out for the salute to Burbank Fire and Police Departments on Saturday, May 8, 2010

The streets surrounding the Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters in Downtown Burbank were blocked off for the ”Fire Service Day” celebration from around 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. yesterday.  Burbank Police joined in the festivities in honor of National Police Week, which kicks-off today.

I dropped by just before noon and discovered a colorful street festival at Third Street and Orange Grove Avenue. There were fire and police vehicles on display, along with a helicopter, demonstrations, information booths, a rocking band, fire house tours, food, and free balloons for the kids.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — The Burbank and Glendale Police helicopter was a favorite stop at yesterday’s “Fire Service Day” event in Downtown Burbank.

Mingling in the crowds, Burbank Police Commissioner Claudia Bonis, 43rd State Assembly Democratic Candidate Mike Gatto, and 43rd District Field Representative Suzy Jacobs. They were smiling and greeting folks; so were Burbank firefighters and police personnel. It was nice to see considering all the tension, turmoil, and controversy rolling through Burbank these days.

I missed the pancake breakfast, but caught Santoro’s submarine sandwich lunch. It took some patience to buy one of their famous sandwiches. I think I was in line for 20 minutes. Despite the wait, Santoro’s pastrami sandwich (yikes, I had it with onions) was quite tasty. Definitely, I would recommend trying one of their subs. Santoro’s is located at 1423 West Burbank Blvd, in Burbank  91506.  Check out their cool website santorossubs.com

The Burbank Leader calls out city council for snub of Gordon

Photo from Burbank city website: Councilman Dr. David Gordon

In an editorial published late Friday night on its website, The Burbank Leader took some Burbank City Council members to task for repeatedly, and most recently on Monday, May 3, passing over their colleague Dr. David Gordon for mayor or vice-mayor. The Leader did this in a backhanded manner with a few jabs at Gordon, but I believe it’s the overall message that counts here – and that was straight-on target.

Also, what about the well-known criticism of some of the other council members, such as inattentiveness in council meetings, insensitivity toward the public, inexperience …etc  None of these shortcomings stopped the present mayor and vice-mayor from being elected, so why the double standard for Gordon?

Earlier in the week, the council’s snub of Gordon created a storm of protest and condemnation on Jim Carlile’s site and on this blog as well. I’m glad the Leader decided to take a strong stand and join us in calling out the city council on this matter. Read the Leader editorial here.  

One more thing. Why is Gordon the only council member without a bio on the city website? What’s up with that? It’s not like he’s new in the position.

UPDATE: I’ve heard Gordon’s bio will be posted on the city website soon, perhaps by the end of the week.

Sex offender Burbank teacher sentenced

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank courts building on Olive Avenue in Downtown Burbank

The strange saga of that Burbank middle school teacher, who confessed to having sexual affair with one of her male students, came to an end in a Burbank court last Friday. In March, 33-year-old Amy Beck pleaded no contest to charges of having unlawful sex with a minor for several months last year. The victim was 14 at the time.

On Friday, Judge Patrick J. Hegarty sentenced Beck to two years in prison. Beck has been in jail since quitting her job at David Starr Jordan Middle School, and walking into the Burbank Police Department where she reportedly confessed to the crime. Beck’s attorney, Michael Williamson, says she could get out of prison in as little as 10 months. However for the rest of her life, Beck must register as a sex offender. Beck, who has three children, is married to a Los Angeles police officer.

Another grand slam for Dodger Slugger Andre Ethier  

Photo: Jill Weisleder/LA Dodgers — Slugger Andre Ethier arrives at home plate to a crush of happy Dodgers who were there to celebrate his walkoff grand slam and 7-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, May 6, 2010 at Dodger Stadium.

Andre Ethier’s bat is red hot!  Last Thursday, the Dodger outfielder belted his second career grand slam this season and it’s only May.  Also, it was the first game ending walkoff grand slam for the guys in L.A. blue since Russell Martin hit one in the win against Pittsburgh, back on April 21, 2007.  Coincidentally, the score of that game, Dodgers 7 and Pirates 3.

Springtime treatment for roses 

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Nursery Professional Emilio Telles trudges out a rose bush for the show-and-tell portion of the “Rose Care for Beginners” class at Armstrong Garden Center in Glendale on Saturday, May 8, 2010

In my pursuit of gardening and yard care tips, I attended the “Rose Care for Beginners” class at the Armstrong Garden Center at 5816 San Fernando Road, Glendale 91202. Nursery Professional Emilio Telles explained and then demonstrated the proper technique for giving rose bushes a light pruning in the spring. Telles gave the group a lesson in fertilizers, soil amendments, regular and organic,  as well as instructions on how to handle bad bugs and disease.

After our very rainy winter, a big problem is that white stuff on rose bushes — powdery mildew.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Armstrong Gardens Rose Expert Emilio Telles points out powdery mildew and then gives the class some tips on how to get rid of it.

The one-hour class whizzed by very quickly. A lot of really good information for growing everything from your roses to trees, lawns, and whatever.  Another plus — the class is free.  If you’re an orchid grower — on Saturday, May 22 at  9 a.m. there’s a class on repotting at the Glendale Armstrong Garden Center. Also, there are a lot of great tips and guides for all levels of gardeners on the company website. Or you can drop by the Glendale location, which has been expanded and looks terrific, and ask Telles or any of the staff for advice.

Flowers and other vegetation are blooming gorgeously all over B-town. I love spring.

Photos: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Eye catching blooms in Burbank — shot during the first 7 days of May 2010

“Iron Man 2″  a hot ticket seller

Another comic book-inspired movie is blasting into theaters today, and is set to make a ton of money at the domestic Box Office this weekend. The Hollywood Reporter says “Iron Man 2″ scored an estimated $7.5 million at midnight shows — with a predicted weekend tally of $140 million.

This film sequel to the 2008 blockbuster is on a nice roll. It opened in foreign markets a few days ago and according to Box Office Mojo, “Iron Man 2″ has rung up more than $120 million worldwide.

“Men in Black 3″ in 3D on the fast track

 Deadline.com/Hollywood is reporting a greenlight for “Men in Black 3.” Actor Will Smith has signed on to suit-up again in a dark suit and sunglasses for this sequel. Negotiations are said to be underway with Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin. Oh, “MIB” is based on a comic book, too. The first two movies made a gazillion dollars. The third film, to be shot in 3D, will probably be a money-maker as well.

Congressional leaders slap down Comcast/NBC/Universal deal

Los Angeles Congresswoman Maxine Waters is leading an effort to put the brakes on that $30 Billion Comcast/NBC/Universal deal. Waters and 45 other congressional leaders signed a letter, sent to the FCC, questioning the records of Comcast and NBCU on diversity. Those members of congress want public hearings on the matter before the deal goes forward. Details on The Wrap. 

Burbank City Councilman David Gordon responds to his critics

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — At the November 3, 2009 city council meeting, Councilman David Gordon called for a major step in dealing with the growing Burbank police scandal

Burbank is still buzzing about the snub of two-term Councilman David Gordon by his colleagues on the council. On Monday, Dr. Gordon was passed over again for mayor and vice-mayor. The positions are rotated every year among the council members, but apparently a decision has been made to leave one member out of that selection process.

This time around, Anja Reinke was elected as the new mayor of Burbank and councilman Jess Talamantes, who’s only been on the council a year, vice-mayor.

The Burbank Leader has “revised” its report about the selection of Reinke and Talamantes at the reorganization meeting of the city council. When it was first posted on the Leader website Monday, the article carried a subhead or deck that said “David Gordon again passed over for vice-mayor.” 

On Tuesday evening, the Leader backed away from that strong stand and changed the second title to “Former vice-mayor commits term to safe, clean streets, sustainability.” The new article still includes this revealing paragraph: “Gordon, who has twice been elected and is the council’s second-longest-serving member, had expressed interest in the vice-mayorship, but some of his colleagues said privately that they wouldn’t support him based on his never voting to approve a budget and his earlier call for then-Chief Tim Stehr to step down.”

What is Gordon’s reaction to these complaints from his fellow council members? I e-mailed the councilman and asked — here are his responses.

 1. Burbank city budget

 Yes, it is true.  I never voted to support a City budget since taking office.
 
With respect to my voting record, I have voted against the budget each year primarily due to the overly broad and rather excessive utility bill increases that seem to be a part of each and every budget. In my first year in office, the Council was told the cost of energy was going up and would “never” go down.  Well, it went down, but no roll back of utility rate hikes ever occurred or was ever considered.  We have many seniors, who are on fixed incomes. These seniors are in a struggle just to keep their home and survive. They are not getting increases in income.  Some have had their meager income and benefits cut back.  Some are forced to ration or skip meals or needed medication just to get by. The people, especially our seniors, have been struggling mightily to make ends meet.  Meanwhile, there has been no discussion whatsoever in stemming the ever escalating costs of the essentials, water and electricity.
 
It should be noted that I have also consistently called for more accountability, transparency, and spending taxpayer dollars more responsibly.  I have voted against raising top management salaries.  I questioned city employees staying at the Mirage and Bellagio hotels while on City business trips to Las Vegas. I have voted against huge cash giveaways in questionable Redevelopment deals.  Meanwhile, I have not been able to get Council support to have the Redevelopment Agency repay the City’s general fund which could help stabilize utility rates.  Whats more, I question the wisdom of having paid Wildan Group, Inc. thousands of dollars for an Excessive Use of Force Audit in 2008 to be told there were no serious problems in Burbank’s Police Department while the City is now incurring millions of dollars in attorney fees to address the serious problems within our Police Department.
 
The City needs to be more prudent in its spending.  We need to find ways to deliver services cheaper and better ways to finance them rather than balancing the budget on the backs of the ratepayers with rate hikes.  My intent in voting against budgets is my way of letting everyone know that more oversight is needed in spending hard-earned taxpayer money.

2. Tim Stehr controversy

I have known former Burbank Police Chief Tim Stehr for several years.  I have had the opportunity to interact with, and get to know, him in my capacity as a member of Burbank’s City Council.  My relationship with him has always been mutually cordial, respectful, and professional.  My knowledge of his background and performance within the Burbank Police Department has been that he put in more than three decades of professional service to the Department coming up through the ranks from recruit all the way to chief…truly a noteworthy career. 

However, beginning with serious allegations first brought to my attention with a series of anonymous letters arriving in mid-2008, followed by numerous allegations and lawsuits involving police improprieties or misconduct, escalating tensions within the department pitting officers against each other seemingly about to reach a flashpoint, and culminating with the tragic and untimely death of Burbank Police Sergeant Neil Gunn, Sr., in October, 2009, all occurring on Chief Stehr’s watch, it became apparent to me that something had to be done by someone to break this cycle. 

On November 3, 2009, I requested that the Council place an emergency item on its agenda for consideration to direct the City Manager to place Chief Tim Stehr on indefinite administrative leave pending resolution of the various ongoing police investigations.  I felt then, and I still feel, that this was the only action I could take as an individual Council member to immediately address what I viewed as a real and immediate potential threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the public and our police department personnel.  The other Council members opted not to support my motion at that meeting.  However, within days, Council member Dave Golonski referring to Chief Stehr’s decision to retire as he appeared on ABC TV news made the following statement,

“He really needed to make way for new leadership in that department.  The problems are pretty severe there and there is a tremendous amount of discord.  And it’s very difficult for someone who is a sitting chief to fix those problems.  And I think he recognized that.”

The agenda debate

More fallout from Monday’s city council meeting and election of Anja Reinke as mayor and Jess Talamantes as vice-mayor. On the Burbank city website, there’s a confusing notation on the agenda for Monday’s reorganization meeting. 

Click on the city website tab Meetings & Agendas, scroll down to  Archived Meetings, click on city council, and go to the agenda for Monday, May 3, 2010. Scroll down to item E and under recommendation you will see: “Select Mayor and Vice Mayor for coming year. Mrs. Reinke was selected as the Mayor and Mr. Talamantes was selected as Vice-Mayor.”

I first read about this on Jim Carlile’s blog. So what does it mean? Was the fix in before the meeting or did someone just add the names of Reinke and Talamantes after the election to the agenda? Hard to tell at this point, but it is very strange.

UPDATE: May 6, 2010

The lucky Mega Millions jackpot winning couple has been identified. They are Jacki Wells Cisneros and Gilbert Cisneros. The wife was working as an overnight news producer at KNBC here in Burbank, when she found out she had a lottery ticket worth $266 million! The Los Angeles Times has story and video — including a shot of those winning numbers here.

Money worries are pretty much over for one lucky Southland couple. They own the only jackpot winning ticket from yesterday’s multi-state Mega Millions game. That ticket is worth a staggering $266 million! Whether they decided to take their winnings in a lump sum or 26 payments, it’s going to be a lot of dough! The odds of winning that jackpot, 1 in 175 million.

At around 7 p.m. last night, I dropped by the 7-Eleven at Alameda Avenue and Glenoaks Boulevard, on the border of Burbank and Glendale, and it was packed with folks buying lottery tickets. I hope one of them got lucky and at least won a few bucks in that game.

The winning lottery ticket was sold at L&L Hawaiian BBQ, 8760 East Washington Boulevard in Pico Rivera. The winners holding that hot ticket aren’t ready to step into the spotlight and be identified. However, there’s a lot of chatter on the Internet about them and their good fortune. Over on LA Observed, Kevin Roderick is reporting the wife works here in Burbank at the local NBC station and recently, the husband lost his job. 

The winning numbers from Tuesday’s Mega Millions game are: 9, 21, 31, 35, 43, and the Mega Ball 8. Seven other Southern California players got a piece of the action when they purchased tickets with all of the lucky numbers except the Mega Ball. Each of those tickets can be cashed in for $179,428.

Those runner-up tickets were sold at the following locations:

 7-Eleven, 13701 Hawthorne Boulevard, Hawthorne

 7-Eleven, 9805 Prospect Street, Santee

 East Highland Ranch Valero, 27767 Baseline Street, Highland

 7-Eleven, 3259 Associated Road, Fullerton

 Corner Market, 10505 Mount Gleason Avenue, Sunland

 El Mexicano Market, 6625 South Avalon Boulevard, Los Angeles

 Seafood City Supermarket, 16130 Nordhoff Street, North Hills

Tuesday’s win brings the total of Mega Millions jackpot tickets bought in California to 13. The largest lottery jackpot ever won in the Golden State was for a Mega Millions game on November 15, 2005 — it was a humongous $315 million, according to the California Lottery website.

Now, the Mega Millions lottery starts over with a new jackpot of $12 million. The drawing for the next game is Friday, May 7 at 8 p.m.