Photo: Pete Souza/White House -- President Obama shares a moment with a soldier at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, August 31, 2010

 Before speaking to the nation tonight, President Barack Obama flew to Texas to visit the soldiers at Fort Bliss in El Paso. Troops at Fort Bliss have participated in every phase of the seven-and-a-year war in Iraq and continue to service in the new support role. The President went there to say “thank you” from a grateful nation. Later from the Oval Office, President Obama kept a campaign promise and ended the controversial war

“I know this historic moment comes at a time of great uncertainty for many Americans.  We’ve now been through nearly a decade of war.  We’ve endured a long and painful recession.  And sometimes in the midst of these storms, the future that we’re trying to build for our nation — a future of lasting peace and long-term prosperity — may seem beyond our reach.

But this milestone should serve as a reminder to all Americans that the future is ours to shape if we move forward with confidence and commitment.  It should also serve as a message to the world that the United States of America intends to sustain and strengthen our leadership in this young century.”

The full text of President Obama’s address to the nation on the White House Blog.

Photo: Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers --Manny Ramirez hits a home run in a game against the San Diego Padres back on April 30, 2009

It’s official, Manny Ramirez is no longer wearing Dodger blue. In a curt press release today that amounted to about 7 lines, the Dodger organization finally put the seal of truth on all those rumors about Ramirez heading to the Windy City: “The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that outfielder Manny Ramirez was assigned on a waiver claim to the Chicago White Sox and right-handed pitcher Ramon Troncoso was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to take his spot on the active roster.”

After all the hoopla about Mannywood, those Manny Bobbleheads, and just last month, the P.R. splash from the Dodgers about the slugger donating his red Porsche to charity, it comes down to this. So much for building a relationship between Ramirez and the Dodger fans.

The news of Manny’s departure came on the same day as team owners,  Frank and Jamie McCourt, went to court in their bitter divorce and fight over the Dodgers. Maybe by getting rid of Manny, who has been struggling this season, they now have more money to spend on divorce lawyers. He walked into a Los Angeles court with six; she arrived with five. Oh yeah, this divorce and legal battle over the team is costing millions. They reportedly saved $3.8 million by unloading Ramirez at this time.

The McCourts court battle will be great fodder for the media, but how much damage will it do to the  team, the players, and the fan base? If Ramirez has lost his batting mojo then perhaps getting rid of him before the end of the season will be viewed later as a skillful bit of management. However, if  the slugger gets a second wind and begins to hit home runs for his new team, a whole lot of Dodger fans are going to be very unhappy with this decision.

It’s been a really hot summer for Los Angeles and I’m not referring to the weather. The largest online dating site, Match.com, reports its figures show more singles than ever used its dating services to find love this summer, according to a PR Newswire press release. A pioneer in online dating, Match.com launched in 1995 and now has dating sites in 25 countries.

Match.com says the number of its clients actively involved, from June -August,  in the dating scene was up 33.5% over 2009. Also, the company released its top 10  hottest U.S. cities for online dating this summer and L.A. was number three!

1. Miami, FL
2. New York, NY
3. Los Angeles, CA
4. Chicago, IL
5. Washington, DC
6. Dallas, TX
7. San Diego, CA
8. Phoenix, AZ
9. Boston, MA
10. Houston, TX

Additional cities where Match.com says singles are actively turning to the Internet for help in finding a date are Providence RI, Philadelphia, PA, Minneapolis, MN, Pittsburgh, PA, and San Jose, CA.

Oh, if you having found the right hook-up yet, Match.com suggests you take advantage of Labor Day, which it says is historically one of the most active online dating days.

Photo: People.com/Frazer Harrison/Getty--"Desperate Housewives" Actress Eva Longoria Parker on the 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards red carpet

Actress Eva Longoria Parker joined the star parade on the red carpet for the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony at the Nokia Theater in Downtown Los Angeles this evening.  The “Desperate Housewives” star gets my vote for being very glam in a Robert Rodriquez gown and one of the best dressed celebs on the red carpet.

People magazine website has more photos of the star parade as well as a report on the night’s big winners including “Modern Family” Best Comedy series and Jim Parson, Best Actor in a comedy series for “The Big Bang Theory.”

What a difference a few days can make.  This time last week, temperatures were rising along with the humidity here in Media City and throughout SoCal. Triple digits are normal for the Southland in August, but we’ve had such a mild summer that last week’s heat wave was a shock to the system.

It was delight to be greeted by a cool breeze and temperatures in the 60′s rather than the 80s this morning, in the Burbank hills. Sure makes it easier to do those yard chores like raking leave and trimming shrubs. 

The high today in B-town is expected to be around 70, however, the forecast is for warmer temperatures thorough the week. By Thursday and Friday, we should be in the upper 80s and low 90s — just in time for the long Labor Day weekend.

California continues to have the golden touch when it comes to winning lottery bucks. Someone in Morro Bay bought a Mega Millions lottery ticket for yesterday’s game that is now worth $133 million!  The ticket was purchased at Bottle Liquor  999 Main Street.

The winning numbers: 4, 10, 26, 32, 41, and Mega Ball 31. Another ticket bought in the Golden State had all but the Mega Ball — it’s worth $506,242.

The next Mega Millions draw is Tuesday, August 31.

Photo: Pete Souza/White House -- President Barack Obama gave a pep talk to some aspiring tennis stars at the White House, August 3, 2010

Catching up on a photo of interest.  The South Lawn of the White House was the scene of a “Let’s Move” tennis clinic on August 3, 2010. President Barack Obama delivered some encouraging words to some possible tennis stars of tomorrow. 

 Developing a good backhand swing is a bonus  –  getting  kids to exercise and eat healthy are the main goals of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign against childhood obesity.

Actress Lindsay Lohan gets another break

Today a Beverly Hills judge ordered Actress Lindsay Lohan to do 67-days of supervised probation at home. Lohan was released from in-patient treatment at UCLA yesterday afternoon. This is the newest twist in Lohan latest troubles with the law, which include a 90-day jail sentence and 90-day rehab stint for a probation violation. Lohan served only a fraction of that time in both places. Details on The Wrap.  

Actress wins guest appearance on daytime TV soap

Photo: PRNewsFoto/ Procter and Gamble/ George Desota -- Aspiring Actress Jennifer Jean wins guest appearance on "As The World Turns"

 Jennifer Jean’s star is rising. The actress is the new “Brighten Bay Idol,” after winning an online talent search sponsored by Cheer/Procter & Gamble.  The contest kicked off last January with a call for audition tapes from talented thespians  on the Brighten Bay website.

Jean, a California native and former school teacher, has appeared in TV commercials, an independent film, numerous improv and sketch shows, according to a PR Newswire press release. 

Jean appears as Nurse Greta in the August 30th episode of the long running soap. It’s her first big break: “Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that my favorite detergent brand, Cheer, would help catapult my acting career,” said Jean in the press release. “But starring in one of the final episodes of ‘As the World Turns’ is definitely going to be a turning point for me. I’m so grateful to all of the voters who chose my audition tape and can’t thank Cheer and ‘Brighten Bay Idol’ enough!”

 ”We were all blown away by Jennifer’s performance and are excited to help develop her acting career,” said Tara Murphy, Cheer brand manager.

Last December, CBS canceled “As The World Turns.”  So after 54 years and 13, 858 episodes,  the final installment of the daytime soap opera airs on September 17, 2010.

 ”The Expendables” still beating the competition at the Box Office

“The Expendables,” still packing them in at movie theaters this week. . The Sylvester Stallone project won the box office shoot-out for the second week in a row with a take of  $17 million.  The action flick continued to out pace the competition on Monday and and Tuesday picking up  an additional $4 million or so, to bring it’s 11-day domestic total to $69.3 million.

In second the new vampire movies spoof, “Vampires Suck,” with $12.2 million. Jenn Proske and Matt Lanter star in the horror comedy about a teenaged girl who falls for a mysterious guy at school who happens to be a vampire.

Julia Robert’s “Eat, Pray, Love”  landed in third with $12 million,. Fourth went to the new urban comedy, “Lottery Ticket,” which picked up $10.6 million  weekend. Bow Wow and Ice Cube star in this film about a young man living in the projects who wins a lottery and has to safe guard  his winning ticket from predators over a holiday weekend.

Rounding out the top five, the comedy action film, “The Other Guys” with $10 million.

The Mega Millions jackpot is stuffed with even more greenbacks today. No lottery ticket had all of yesterday’s winning numbers, so the jackpot got pumped up to $133 million. The winning numbers: 4, 23, 24, 28, 32, and the Mega Ball 31.

They didn’t win the jackpot, but three lucky players in the Golden State got all the correct numbers, except for the Mega Ball. Their tickets are worth $136,675 each. The next Mega Millions draw is Friday, August 27.

The heat is on in the Southland. At 9 p.m. last night,  it was 80 degrees in Burbank.  It’s going to be seriously hot today, with 80s along the beach, upper 90s in Los Angeles, and over a 100 in Burbank and some valley areas. There’s a good chance we could see some temperature records broken today.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for today through tomorrow for the Southland. The NWS advisory says: “ The combination of the very hot temperatures and slightly increased humidities is expected to produce dangerously high heat index readings for Tuesday through Wednesday evening.”  This means heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat cramps are possible.

Folks are being reminded to take simply precautions like drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun if you can, and check on shut-in relatives and neighbors.

Three designated cooling center locations are posted on the Burbank city website. The hours and phone numbers for the Joslyn Adult Center, Buena Vista Library, and the Central Library are on the site as well. Click here for more information.

The new school year is only about a week old , but it already has been an ordeal for some Burbank middle school students and their parents. As I first reported on this blog about a week ago, A Burbank city funded, long-running,  and very successful after school program was axed at David Starr Jordan Middle School, leaving some parents scrambling to find a safe alternative for their children.

One parent, I’m keeping her name confidential,  alerted me to the situation in an e-mail and has continued to give me her impressions of what the public is being told vs the reality of what’s going on. 

Last Tuesday, August 17, a Boys & Girls Club official told  me a new after school program sponsored by the club was available at Jordan Middle School. Yesterday, I found the club’s after school program listed on the Burbank Unified School District website.

However, the transition, from the old after school program to the new one, has been very bumpy, according to this parent who sent me an e-mail this evening:

“We signed up for Boys and Girls club today and happily paid our $75. No flyer was given to the children. The only way we would have known of it was through your blog.

I called B&G club about the privileges and the two people I spoke with didn’t know what I was talking about, neither did the person at Jordan so not sure what is involved.

At this stage, just glad I don’t have to worry about my child walking home (a kid was knocked down last week near the school) and am glad to be in a position to pay the $75 (cheaper than a speeding ticket).

So thanks Fronnie as you were hugely instrumental in getting this going. I am sick of paying and paying and getting shafted time and time again. No 13% pay raise for us.”

It’s a real bummer that these parents have been jerked around like this. These Burbank taxpaying citizens and their children deserve better from their city.

A full house at the public forum

Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G -- A big turnout for the Burbank Police Commission's first public forum on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in the Community Services Building

After all the hoopla, debates, agenda re-writes, and months of delays, the first public forum held by the Burbank Police Commission in recent memory went off with only a few minor glitches.

 First, additional chairs had to be brought out to accommodate the crowd that showed up last Wednesday night, August 18, in the Community Room of the Community Services Building on Third Street, across from the Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Resident speaks out at Burbank Police Commission public forum on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

More than 100 people were packed into the Community Room. A large number of personnel from the BPD filled the seats around the perimeter or stood along the wall.  That I’m told, along with the location of the forum, created an air of intimidation and tension for many in the audience. All of the Burbank City Council members were there and so were a number of other city officials and staff.

Most of the 13 speakers who stepped to the mike spoke about personal situations, some involved allegations of harassment by BPD or hassles with neighbors. The 800 pound gorilla in the room, aka the police mess, was touched on briefly or alluded to by only a few speakers. Interesting, considering the chatter on the blogs and around the town for the past weeks and months has been about the police corruption, scandal, firings, lawsuits …etc and the need for some direct answers from Interim Police Chief, Scott LaChasse, about what is REALLY going on in the BPD.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse provided some lengthy statements about various projects in the BPD at the public forum, August 18, 2010

If Burbankers came to the public forum to hear about identity theft, crime mapping, and prison reform, well they got an earful from Police Chief LaChasse. As has become his habit, LaChasse danced around, but did not answer, any question related to the police mess.  More and more it seems, the BPD is being run like a secret police in a foreign country where only a privileged few get to know what’s going on — and that does not include the public who’s paying the bills for its operation and its mistakes.  

Word is the Interim Police Chief is lobbying hard for the job permanently. Clearly, LaChasse is not seeking the approval of the public, but of the city government establishment — some of the same officials who may have had a hand in allowing the police mess to get to the point that it’s costing us millions and millions of dollars. Since the forum, I’ve heard more people say “we’re going to have to rely on the Feds” to do the clean-up of the BPD. They just might be right on that.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G- Police Commission Chair Robert Frutos delivers opening remarks and introduces his fellow commissioners at the public forum, August 18, 2010

As for the Burbank Police Commission, it received positive and encouraging comments from many speakers. Chair Robert Frutos introduced his fellow commissioners: James Etter, Hagop Hergelian, Elise Stearns-Niesen, new member Robert Cohen, Vice-Chair Nathan Rubinfeld, and Secretary Ray Adams.

The commissioners appear to have a strong commitment to the community and a new take charge attitude as demonstrated by Commissioner Adams. When he was alerted by a resident that the forum was not following the printed agenda, Adams quickly took action and  got it back on track. Hopefully, the forum is the first step to a stronger relationship between the Burbank Police Commission and the community.

Update on axed after school program   

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G-- David Starr Jordan Middle School, 420 South Mariposa Street in Burbank

Last Tuesday, I spoke with Julio Herrera of the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley, and he assured me that his organization was starting a new after school program at David Starr Jordan Middle School. However, this new program, unlike the previous one, would require a $75 a year membership in the Boys & Girls Club.

Last Sunday, I blogged about the highly-regarded long-standing free, city funded, after school program at Jordan Middle School getting terminated by the city budget cutting axe. Today, I clicked over to the Burbank Unified School District website and checked under after school programs for Jordan Middle School – and yes, there are now details about the Boys & Girls Club program and study hall in the library option as well.  Also, information on how students can ride the “Got Wheels bus” — something the parent who contacted me was reluctant to allow her child to do because of city officials’ refusal to answer pertinent questions about that supicious city bus accident back in January, involving some students from Jordan and Emerson Elementary.  

I still think the city should pick-up the cost of the Boys & Girls Club program for parents. The cancellation of the previous program has caused problems for parents who found out about it just before the new school year began last Monday. If the city officials can find money in the budget to pay for raises to certain “select” employees, they should be able to find a few dollars to help out some parents and their children.

Gripes & Complaints

Did you hear the heartbreaking story that a homeless woman and her daughter told during public comments at last Tuesday’s city council meeting? The woman complained she could not get help for herself and two children. Yeah, the story was convoluted and difficult to follow, but it was pretty evident the  family is in need of assistance.

Steve Ferguson updated the story on his blog, “Politically Speaking” the next day, when he discovered the family still living in a park. The mother had been injured — but still had enough concern to ask Ferguson’s friend to buy something for her son to eat.

Later at the public forum, I asked Burbank City Manager, Mike Flad,  about the woman’s situation. Flad insisted the woman had been given a voucher for a two day stay in a hotel. That’s it? That family needs at least a two-month or even a six-month place to stay in order to get their lives together. And why are they hungry? Could not one of the charitable organizations that get funds from the city find food for this family? This is a shame. City officials need to do something to help this woman who once owned a home in Burbank. She should be able to benefit from some of the tax dollars she has paid to the city over the years.

Madonna sued over “Material Girl”  clothing line

Entertainer, Madonna, has launched a “Material Girl” clothing line with daughter, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon. Oops!  L.A. Triumph, claims it’s been selling clothes under that label since around 1997 and at some of the same high-ended retailers involved in the new Madonna deal.

This week, the California company sued Madonna. More details in a story on The Los Angeles Times website.

Dr. Laura’s controversial farewell

In the wake of a controversy over her use of the N-word on the air, Conservative Radio Talk Show Host, Dr. Laura Schlessinger,  announced she would pull the plug on her program at the end of the year. Dr. Laura made the surprise announcement on CNN’s “Larry King Live.”

Dr. Laura says she’s taking the drastic step because she wants  her  ”… First Amendment rights back.” Not everyone is buying that reasoning — here’s a good post about it all on The Wrap. Dr. Laura’s radio program can be heard locally on KFWB News Talk 980. 

Oh, click here for Dr. Laura’s blog where she talks about the controversy, her apology, and the support she’s getting from Sarah Palin.

Betty White’s new two-book deal

UPDATED:  Sunday,  August 22, 2010                                                                                                                                                       

 Actress Betty White has another Emmy to add to her collection. White won number  seven last night for best guest actress in a comedy series for her hosting of a “Saturday Night Live” episode, back in the spring.

That award winner was announced during the creative arts section of the 62 Annual  Primetime Emmy Awards, at the Nokia Theater in Downtown Los Angeles.  The winners in some of the major Emmy categories will be announced on a broadcast next Sunday, August 29, 2010, on NBC. 

Actress Betty White is 88-years-old and has a career that’s on the upswing. The Emmy Award-winning actress has gained new fans with her appearance in a hit Super Bowl TV commercial back in February, then in May as a guest host on NBC-TV’s, “Saturday Night Live,” and now she has a role on cable network TV Land’s popular series, “Hot in Cleveland.”  This week it was disclosed White has sealed a two-book deal with G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

The first book, “Listen Up,” will be about life lessons learned during White’s many years in Hollywood. It’s due out in hardcover next spring. By the way, she has been nominated for 20 Emmy Awards and has won six — including two for her role in the 1970s ”The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and one for starring in the hit 1980s series, “The Golden Girls.”

The second book, “The Zoo and I: Betty and Her Friends” will showcase stories and photographs of White and her friends at the Los Angeles Zoo – scheduled to hit the market in 2012.

In a PR Newswire press release, White said she’s enjoying the new challenge: “Much as I love what I do for a living in show business, I love writing even more – so I am thrilled to be working on not only one new book but two of them.”  White is the author of five other books.

The Mega Millions jackpot is on a money roll. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger.  Once again, no ticket in yesterday’s draw held all of the winning numbers: 4, 13, 20, 29, 48, and Mega Ball 36. So the jackpot has ballooned to $115 million!!

Also, a couple of consolation prizes from Friday’s Mega Millions draw are large enough to pay-off some lingering debt or provide a nice retirement or beef-up that sagging investment portfolio. Two tickets, bought in the Golden State, have all but the Mega Ball — each is worth $667,352.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A festive display drew crowds to a National Night Out block party on Chandler Boulevard in Burbank, August 3, 2010

Burbank celebrated National Night Out with around 20 block parties throughout the city earlier this month  on August 3. The nationwide event encourages neighborhood spirit and a strong partnership between the community and police in the fight against crime.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse and Burbank Police Commissioner Jim Etter show off a $2,500 donation from Target to the BPD, at the NNO Chandler Boulevard block party , August 3, 2010

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A group of children have a friendly exchange with some public servants at the NNO Chandler Boulevard block party in Burbank, August 3, 2010

A block party on Verdugo Avenue

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank firefighters join the chow line at a huge neighborhood party/BBQ on National Night Out, August 3, 2010

Major block party on East Verdugo Avenue in the hillside area of Burbank attracted more than a hundred folks. Long-time Burbank residents/BPD volunteers, Jesse Fox and Judy Andrews, told me this ”let’s get together and party” has been going on for several years on National Night Out. This was my first time attending and I had a terrific time. Along with the personal chatter, I heard quite bit of discussion about the local neighborhood watch and what residents can do to help make their communities safer.

Also dropping by this block party, some Burbank firefighters, Burbank City Councilman, David Gordon, several Burbank Police Commissioners as well as Police Chief LaChasse and his entourage.   

Oh, I gotta give a shout out to Captain BBQ, Franko McGonagle, who not only grilled up some great BBQ, but also dished out some of the best macaroni and cheese I’ve ever tasted. No wonder the organizers are thrilled that McGonagle has become a regular at their annual NNO block party.

More photos later.

We’re finally getting a taste of summer. Temperatures have been in the 80s and 90s all week long. More of the same is being forecast for Burbank this weekend. It might be a good time to make that dash to the beach where it’s going to be a sizzler, too.

Over the next couple of days or so, Santa Monica and Venice will reportedly be basking in 80 degree temps. Those popular beach communities might even hit 90 before Monday morning. Hmm, on second thought, it might be a better idea to hang close to home and check out the local scene, rather than deal with the beach traffic and the big crowds searching for a little sand and surf action.

You’ve heard before, but I gotta say it again  — the Mega Millions jackpot has rolled over after no one picked all of the winning numbers.  Tuesday’s draw numbers were 11, 19, 40, 43, 44, and the Mega Ball 33.

The Mega Millions jackpot is now at least $100 million. Usually, when the jackpot hits triple digits lottery fever kicks in among the ticket buying public. We’ll see. The next Mega Millions draw is tomorrow, August 20.

Meanwhile, there’s one really lucky 7-11 out in El Monte. The store at 10707 Lower Azusa Road sold not one but two winning tickets in last Saturday’s SuperLotto Plus game. One ticket is worth $22 million for getting all the winning numbers right, the second, $23,541 for matching all but the Mega number.

The winning numbers from that SuperLotto Plus draw: 12, 40, 36, 8, 24, and the Mega number 12. The 7-11 outlet gets a bonus of $110,000 for selling that jackpot winning ticket.

President Obama raises $1 million & snarls traffic in Southland  

It happens almost every time a U.S. President visits the Southland. The bad traffic situation gets worse. That’s what occurred today, when President Barack Obama dropped in for one of those high-ticket priced Hollywood -type fundraisers.

Obama reportedly raised $1 million dollars for the Democrats and the ire of some Southlanders over the traffic problems caused by his visit. Nice report and photo on the Los Angeles Times website.

“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”

Photo: PR NewsFoto/Columbia Pictures/Merrick Morton -- Actress Rooney Mara

 Actress Rooney Mara has won one of the most sought after roles in Hollywood. Columbia Pictures announced today that Mara has been selected to star in the film version of  Stieg Larsson’s mystery blockbuster, “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” and the other two adaptations in The Millennium Trilogy. David Fincher will direct.

Since being published in the U.S., “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” has sold over 5 million copies. The Millennium Trilogy has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, according to a PR Newswire press release.

 All three books, including “The Girl Who Played With Fire” and “THe Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest” currently are at the top of the New York Times Best Sellers List.  The  Millennium Triology is considered a literary phenomenon.

Photo: PR NewFoto/Columbia Pictures/Merrick Morton -- Actor Daniel Craig

Also, Actor Daniel Craig is set to star in “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.” Deadline.com has more on the casting and the upcoming productions.

Sylvester Stallone king of the Box Office

Actor and Filmmaker, Sylvester Stallone, is hot again. Stallone co-wrote, directed, and starred in the number one film in country right now, “The Expendables.” The action flick about a group of mercenaries out to take down a South American dictator, debuted over the weekend with a winning $34.8 million.  The cast includes Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren, and Jet Li as well.

“Eat Pray Love,” the move version of Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling memoir about her adventures traveling the world, opened in second place with $23 million. Julia Roberts stars, but that was not enough for this chick flick to win the race to number one.

The action-comedy, “The Other Guys” grabbed third with  $17.4 million, the sci-fi thriller, “Inception” earned $11.4 million for fourth and rounding out the top five, the new action-comedy, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World ” with $10.6 million. Based on a graphic novel, “Scott Pilgrim”  is about a 20-something musician who’s life chances dramatically when he falls for a mysterious woman. Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead star.

City budget cuts terminate after school program 

Monday, August 16, is back to school day for the Burbank Unified School District. For some David Starr Jordan Middle School students and their parents, there might be more than the usual degree of anxiety that goes along with the first week of school.  

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G-- David Starr Jordan Middle School, 420 South Mariposa Street in Burbank

Recently, I got an e-mail from a very upset parent who felt blindsided, earlier this month, when notified about the dumping of an after school program at Jordan: “I only found out when we picked up the back to school packet. It said due to budget cuts it was canceling the program so I have to assume that it is for the year. This is where the kids hang out in the gym with some supervision from two teachers until 5pm. Most of the kids play basketball and others do homework. It is a blessing for working parents as it gives me a chance to get across town. It said that the kids could catch the Burbank got wheels bus to either Olive or Verdugo. I am not happy about my kid going on the bus (after your reporting of the bus crash and your subsequent receipt of a veiled threat) but I have no choice now.” (more on that controversial bus accident later)

A Burbank school administrator, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity, admitted the program filled, “…a huge need in the community.”   If you go to the Burbank Unifed School District website and check under after school programs at Jordan you’ll find a blank page.

This weekend, I’m hearing from two different sources, that efforts are underway to replace the axed after school program with one run by the Boys & Girls Club. One major hitch, the previous program was free — the proposed one is not. The city should pick-up the tab for these parents. If there’s money for “certain” city employees to get raises in this difficult economy – there should be money to help out these Burbank families.

Bus accident flap

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- West Olive Avenue and South Orchard Drive in Burbank

I’m still waiting for a Burbank City Council member to request the police report on that controversial bus accident and answer some important lingering questions about it for the public.

The accident occurred on January 15, 2010 at Orchard Drive and Olive Avenue in Burbank. There were no reports of injuries in that bump-up between a city bus and a vehicle. The passengers were students from Emerson Elementary and Jordan Middle School. I heard about the accident from various sources and posted a story on this blog back in March.

City officials insist it was a “Got Wheels” bus, but my sources tell me the police report suggests otherwise. Also, there MAY BE questions about the bus driver’s qualifications. I got what appeared to be a  threatening e-mail from Interim Community Development Director, Greg Herrmann, when I asked questions about that accident.

The City Attorney, Dennis Barlow, has blocked my request and those of others in the public for copies of that police report. However, Barlow has indicated city council members can see that report. So a Burbank City Council member needs to step-up, view that police report, and clear the air for the public in public!!

That upcoming public forum

For months, Burbank Police Commissioner, Jim Etter, pushed for a town hall meeting to get input from city residents about their concerns and issues as related to the police department. That simple and clearly defined concept, with the guidance of Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke and other city officials, has been reshaped into something called the Police Community Forum as it’s called by the BPD. Or as it’s listed on the City of Burbank website, City Council-Police Commission Community Forum.

The Burbank Leader article on the event skipped the title confusion and just called it a public forum. The Leader article reported that the BPD is still struggling to deal with  allegations of misconduct, discrimination, lawsuits along with probes by outside agencies and at least two high profile controversial officer-involved shooting sin the past few months. The scandal in the Burbank Police Department is the biggest and most controversial story in this city, in the last 15 months or so, and has received nationwide attention.

The lawsuits and the clean-up of the BPD are costing taxpayers millions of dollars — they deserve to know NOW how and where that money is being spent, not later at sometime in the distant future.

If you read the tightly controlled agenda for the forum, the State of the Police Department presentation from Interim Police Chief, Scott LaChasse, is on police service information, prison reform, crime mapping and identity theft. What about an update on the police mess? That was the reason LaChasse got hired –to get the BPD back on the right track.

The public deserves to know what LaChasse is doing to improve the department and a summary of the recent actions taken as a result of the police mess. That’s a no brainer, unless of course you’re trying to distract the public from knowing what is really going on in the BPD.

The forum agenda has been through a lot of re-writes — but it could use some more tweaking.  Oh, and it would be nice to include an introduction of the Burbank Police Commissioners — it’s supposed to be their forum, right?

The forum is this coming Wednesday, August 18, from 7-to-9 p.m. in room 104 of the Community Services Building at 140 North Third Street in Downtown Burbank.

Should you get rid of your lawn? 

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank resident on Bel Aire Drive turns front yard into a cactus and rock garden

 Many Burbank residents are re-thinking their lawns in light of the skyrocketing water rates. A few have exchanged sod for cactus and decorative rocks. There are other alternatives as well using wild flowers and native plants.

Last month, I attended a “Take Out Your Lawn with Lili Singer” session  at the Burbank Buena Vista Library. Singer, a native plants expert, gave an overview of the alternatives including more water conserving types of grasses. The next session is at the Buena Vista Library again, this coming Wednesday, August 18, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Also at the July 28 session, Burbank Recycle Center Specialist, Ferris Kawar,  made a pitch for volunteers and homeowners to take part in a new turf removal program. A few lucky Burbank residents will be selected to have their lawns removed and replaced with water conscious alternatives. The homeowners are required to pay for the plants and design, while the program will supply the labor. For more information contact the Burbank Recycle Center, (818) 238-3908.

Gripes & Complaints 

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- The pay- to-park machine near the alley gate entrance to the parking lot of the Downtown Burbank Post Office at 125 East Olive Avenue

 I still think that paid parking deal at the Downtown Burbank Post Office is a terrible idea, even with the new rate scale. I first reported on the parking boondoggle here, on this blog, a few weeks ago on June 26. 

Recently, I spotted signs revising the flat $3 parking for all after hours parking at that U.S. Post Office. The new signs say $1 for 0-2 hours and $3 for 2-10 hours.  I guess that means if you want to mail a letter, pick up your mail from a P.O. Box or any other postal business it will only cost you a buck. That’s a bummer. 

That parking lot should be offering free parking to those doing business at the post office and to the folks who come into the downtown area to spend money at local businesses and entertainment venues.

The Mega Millions jackpot is filled with even more money today. No one got lucky enough to pick all of the winning numbers in yesterday’s Friday the 13th draw. The winning numbers: 6, 17, 24, 43, 55, and the Mega Ball 36.

The next chance to win it all in the Mega Millions’ game  is Tuesday, August 17.