Some really strong winds are causing havoc in Burbank and throughout the Southland this evening. The winds are ripping through the trees, tumbling leaves and debris through streets, yards, and parking lots. At the Trader Joe’s market on Alameda Avenue this evening, shoppers could be seen holding tightly to their grocery bags as they hurried home or to their vehicles.

There’s a high wind warning in effect through Friday noon. Also, the winds are kicking up the fire danger — so there’s a red flag alert as well through late Friday.

The forecast is for the winds to increase overnight 25 to 40 mph with some gusts up to 60 mph. There are already reports of power outages in West Los Angeles and Granada Hills — and some traffic lights are out.  So drive with extra care if you have to be out and about tonight.

Funeral services will be held this Saturday, December 3, at Forest Lawn Glendale for long time Burbank community volunteer, Dan Linegar, according to a press release put out today by the Burbank Temporary Aid Center. Linegar passed away last Sunday.

Linegar was a long time BTAC volunteer and Board of Directors member, as well as the founder of the successful Burbank “Relay for Life” event.

“Dan was always the dream sort of board member, not one who just shows up for an occasional board meeting, and isn’t heard from otherwise,” said Barbara Howell, BTAC’s Executive Director, in the press release. “We have a very involved board at BTAC, but he was always especially one to raise his hand and volunteer to put in more time, to work on more projects, and to fill in where he was needed.”

Here’s the entire release, which includes a tribute to Linegar’s community service and details on the funeral arrangements.

“DAN LINEGAR SERVICES”

November 30, 2011

Burbank – Services will be held Saturday morning for Dan Linegar, a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Burbank Temporary Aid Center.  Dan died Sunday, November 27.

Dan, a Burbank resident since 1991, had been a longtime volunteer with BTAC when he was elected to the Board of Directors in 2004.  By then he was already closely associated with BTAC’s “Santa’s Room” project, a program providing Christmas gifts to the children of Burbank’s homeless, poor and working poor.

“Santa’s Room” began as a few shelves in a shed behind BTAC’s previous headquarters building, or in similar locations around town in earlier years, where a handful of used toys – mostly stuffed animals cleaned and repaired by volunteers – were arranged for clients to select one as a gift for each of their children.

Under Dan’s guidance, especially once he became the official Chairman of the project in 2004, Santa’s Room grew to take up its own building space on a short-term basis each year, offering only new, donated toys to hundreds of children each year.  Last year the program distributed more than 7,000 toys to children in the city who otherwise would have received little or nothing.

Will Rogers, Co-Chair of the 2011 Santa’s Room project said, “Dan took the lead in charming landlords for the enormous space we require each year for 10 weeks, he created partnerships like the one we’ve enjoyed for years with the fire department’s “Spark of Love” program to obtain some of our toys, and he spent countless hours assembling gift packages for families, and leading volunteers.  Everyone associated with Santa’s Room in any way always has their path smoothed thanks to Dan’s sterling reputation and tireless efforts.”

“Dan was always the dream sort of board member, not one who just shows up for an occasional board meeting, and isn’t heard from otherwise,” said Barbara Howell, BTAC’s Executive Director.  “We have a very involved board at BTAC, but he was always especially one to raise his hand and volunteer to put in more time, to work on more projects, and to fill in where he was needed.”

“Better than that,” Howell said, “Dan was an exceptionally sweet, kind and thoughtful man.”

In addition to chairing “Santa’s Room” for six years, Dan also served for one term as BTAC’s Treasurer, and on the Operations Committee, and the Budget and Finance Committee.

Linegar’s charitable efforts went well beyond his service to BTAC.  He founded Burbank’s successful “Relay for Life,” an annual fundraising event for the American Cancer Society that is made up of local efforts across the country, and he became Chairman for the local American Cancer Society in 2004.  He also participated in “Builds” for “Habitat for Humanity,” and in the Revlon Walk/Run events, a fundraising effort to fight women’s cancers.

Dan grew up in Estes Park, Colorado, and received his Masters in Business from Colorado State University.  He worked in the mortgage industry.

Dan is survived by Victoria Sands, whom he once described as his “VERY significant other” when explaining how much work she put in helping him with Santa’s Room projects.  Dan also leaves behind his sister, Carol Smid, a daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Steve Macgregor, and one granddaughter, Brenna Macgregor.

Funeral Services for Dan will take place Saturday, Dec. 3 at Forest Lawn Glendale at 8:30am at the Wee Kirk o’ The Heather. A reception to which all friends and fellow volunteers are invited will follow at 2960 N. Myers, Burbank,CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Burbank’s “Relay for Life,” or to the Burbank Temporary Aid Center.

###

Photo: Pool/Los Angeles Times -- A grim faced Dr. Conrad Murray is sentenced in a Downtown Los Angeles courtroom November 29, 2011

An outraged Los Angeles judge today sentenced Dr. Conrad Murray to the maximum of 4 years behind bars. Earlier this month, Dr. Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the drug overdose death of pop superstar, Michael Jackson.

Dr. Murray will be doing his time in Los Angeles County jail where he will most likely spend less than a year due to inmate overcrowding. More on the Murray trial and sentencing on the Los Angeles Times website.

The reboot of local news, video, and features website, Burbanknbeyond.com is  out to shake up the Media City and grab a bigger chunk of the online audience. There is probably more Burbank news, sports, and events on BurbanknBeyond than any other website. Now B-and-B is even better.

The new look of Burbanknbeyond debuted a few weeks ago with numerous upgrades, better organization of stories, and a much more readable front page. Executive Editor and driving force behind the site, Craig Sherwood, says more tweaks and improvements are on the way.

Here’s a Q&A with Sherwood about the site, where it started and where he wants to take it.

1. BurbanknBeyond has a dramatic new look, what are some of the major changes and why did you feel they were necessary?

When I started BurbankNBeyond back in April of 2010, I had a limited amount of experience as a website designer.  My goal at that time was to try and provide Burbank with a daily news source since all there existed was a twice weekly newspaper with a limited website and a bi-weekly paper with no web presence.  I found after about a year that the idea was working, but the website I had created was not able to keep up with or reflect the constant changes and updates.  I looked around at different media outlets and found most used a WordPress template, so I decided to go in that direction.  I taught the media department at Crespi High School for nine years and had some extremely talented students who went on to college and studied web design, so I turned to Matthew Majcher and started working out the new design.  What I was looking for was a fast paced layout, but something that would also archive past stories so that they were easy to find.  I thought it was very important to incorporate social media so people could interact as well as having areas where people could leave comments.  I had to also incorporate our videos since we are the only full content Burbank media outlet that offers video which hopefully makes us unique.  Bottom line was we had to redesign if we wanted to be a player.

2. In terms of readership, BurbanknBeyond has seen considerable growth, right?

Our growth has been amazing once the word started spreading.  I have the site hosted with Go Daddy and they send out a daily report of hits and locations.  In July of 2010 we were at about 5,000 hits a day and by July, 2011 we were averaging about 20,000 a day.  Once we launched the new design, we are now averaging about 35,000 a day with 3 different days we have exceeded 50,000.  What is interesting is that about 60% are from Burbank, 20% from Glendale and North Hollywood/Toluca Lake, and the rest all over the United States.

3. Is it part of your plan to actively challenge The Burbank Leader for the position as the main local news source in Burbank?

I would love to challenge the Burbank Leader as the main news source for Burbank but it is just not possible, yet.  Let’s face it, the Leader is part of the L.A. Times, and as much as Leader people will deny it, they do have resources from the Times that go into their local coverage.

 At what we do, I think my staff does beat the Leader for daily news, since we are all located and live in Burbank.  We know the City and the people.

I am also currently working to find some more people who can write a City Hall beat, school beat, and a couple of other areas that I have ideas about but can’t discuss because if I do it will give someone else that idea.  Right now I know most people come to us first when there is a big accident or fire or big event in the City, once I can get the editorial content daily I know that we will be a player.  I know the issues and the stories that people in Burbank want to know about, I just don’t have the resources to get the information out yet.  There are 100′s of untold stories in this city.  Hopefully things will start changing with this new design.

4. If there is something else you would like to add, go ahead.

I think the news business has no idea what the future holds.  Everyone is convinced that on-line is the future yet trying to find the revenue that will support it is tricky.  With that said, I think local news will always be the key and people will always seek out what is going on in their neighborhood that affect their daily lives.

Hopefully this new design will attract advertisers and once that happens I have no doubt that BurbankNBeyond will become the first choice for people in Burbank.

###

Craig Sherwood writes a column for BurbanknBeyond, “Thoughts From The Bullpen.” You can check it out here.

Fall takes a pause in the Southland. Very warm temperatures are expected today.  The predicted high for the Media City — in the low to mid-80s!  A great way to wrap up the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- The future site of a Walmart 1301 North Victory Place in the Empire Center Burbank

 Burbank is getting a Walmart with dirt cheap prices, questionable labor practices, and the retailer’s notorious Black Friday culture. Last month at the Empire Center, the future home of Burbank’s Walmart, the giant retailer held a promotional event boasting about the benefits its store will bring to the community. However, Burbank residents must realize that the retailer’s massive advertising campaigns, concerned mainly with profits, are going to attract some of those crazed Black Friday shoppers to the new Walmart in B-town.

Violence erupted at several Walmarts across the country yesterday and Thanksgiving night. One of the ugliest incidents occurred at the store in Porter Ranch. In a Los Angeles Times report, witnesses described a scene of chaos, mayhem, and a pepper spray attack by a woman police say was “competitive shopping.” 

The discount king did not release an official comment about the violence, but in a Times’ article Walmart spokesman, Greg Rossiter, referred to it as “… a few unfortunate incidents.” A brush-off to a Black Friday company culture that has fueled violence, which has resulted in injuries and one tragic death.

Three years ago, in an exclusive report, I wrote about this Black Friday culture and the first hand experiences of a former Walmart employee. In part 1, the ex-employee described how he was almost trampled by out of control Black Friday shoppers and in part 2, he recounts a disturbing incident where an announcement by a Walmart manager sent an anxious Black Friday crowd into a frenzy.

By the way, did you hear Bloomingdale’s is opening a store in nearby Glendale? And Burbank is getting a Walmart — wonderful.

Now that we’ve stuffed ourselves with the Thanksgiving fixings, it’s off to the stores and malls to stuff shopping bags with deals and bargains. Wait, not so fast. Black Friday may not really be the day to get the best prices for your holiday items and gifts.

A study conducted from mid-November to mid-December 2010 by Consumer Reports and Decide.com discovered “… the lowest prices of the season on the included items were not on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, the day following the Thanksgiving weekend. For example, more than a quarter of the recommended TVs and cameras were at least 5 per cent cheaper between Cyber Monday and December 13 than they were earlier, including during the Black Friday weekend.”

“There’s no doubt you can score some incredible bargains by getting up extra early or staying up past your bedtime to take in the midnight madness sales,” says Consumer Reports’ senior editor and shopping expert Tod Marks in a PR Newswire release. “But retailing trends suggest that the opportunity to score a great deal won’t end this weekend. So there’s no need to panic.”

So shop if you must today — but buy only if you think it’s truly a great deal.

Photo: Chuck Kennedy/White House -- President Obama pardoned two turkeys at the White House today. Only one, Liberty, made an appearance at the event. The other, Peace, skipped the photos. November 23, 2011

President Obama carried on a Thanksgiving tradition today by pardoning two big turkeys. Liberty was on hand for the National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning ceremony – Peace was a no show for some reason.

Joining the president were daughters Malia and Sasha and the National Turkey Federation Chairman, Richard Huisinga.

The two 19-week old turkeys tip the scales at 45 pounds each and were raised by a group of students in Minnesota.

President Obama:

“Now, I’m told that in order to prepare Liberty and Peace for their big day, the students exposed them to loud noises and flash bulbs so that they’d be ready to face the White House press corps. This is actually true. They also received the most important part of their media training, which involves learning how to gobble without really saying anything.

So Liberty is ready for his turn in the spotlight. And after he finishes a round of cable hits and a few Sunday shows, he’s going to retire to a life of leisure at Mount Vernon — the same place where George Washington spent his golden years.”

The president’s complete remarks are here on the White House website.

Photo courtesy Guest Blogger Jean Youn

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. There are countless things that we feel that we lack and want but there also a countless number of things to be thankful for. Of those things family is what’s most important and what we are most thankful for.

Family is what I am most thankful for but what allows my family and me to live day in and day out is actually you my customer.

When I think about all of the blessings I have received over the years, none of those things would be possible without my customers.

So many things that I am thankful for and so many of the things that I put my hope in, they would not be possible without my customers, and for that I am very thankful during this season of Thanksgiving.

As often as we regularly use the words “thank you,” it seems that those words seem to pale in significance to the gratitude I have toward my customers.

Please enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your families and if the table cloth gets dirty during your Thanksgiving dinner, you can always bring them to us to be cleaned.

As a token of sincere gratitude and thanks, if you bring your table cloth in on Friday the 25th, we will clean it for free.

###

Jean Youn is the owner of Value Village Cleaners at 912 West Glenoaks Boulevard in Glendale 91202. For details on services, coupons and more, check out the Value Village Cleaners website here.

More car thefts and burglaries in Burbank

In the latest crime report from Burbank Police Officer Joshua Kendrick, only a handful of residential and business burglaries are listed for the past couple of weeks, the bad news — a lot of vehicle thefts and break-ins.

The report, released yesterday, mentioned some 21 vehicle crimes — all happened between November 11 and 21, 2011. During that time, thieves made-off with electronics, work tools, money, 3rd row seats, tailgates, and assorted other items. We’re heading into the holiday season when criminals hit store and shopping center parking lots with gusto. What can you do to minimize your chances of becoming a victim? Keep those packages and gifts out of sight and remember to lock your vehicle!

Update on the smart meter controversy

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Action member Kiku Lani Iwata spoke out in opposition to the smart meters at the Burbank City Council meeting November 15, 2011

Some local residents opposed to the smart meters are planning to meet after Thanksgiving to discuss their victory at the Tuesday, November 15 Burbank City Council meeting and to plot their next move.

At the November 15 city council meeting, a number of residents from Burbank and Glendale spoke about what they say are hazards, illnesses, and privacy violations associated with the smart meters. These new devices are being installed at homes, apartment buildings, and businesses throughout the Media City in a smart grid project estimated at $60 million. The new meters reportedly will relay user data to a central utility site. That’s right, meter readers will become obsolete.

In the past, the city council majority has pretty much ignored the complaints of residents and accepted Burbank Water and Power officials’ assessment that the smart meters pose no health risks or privacy invasion.  However, Councilman Dr. David Gordon wasn’t so quick to reject the claims of residents and called for a first step report on an opt out program for the smart meters.

After the testimony of residents on November 15, the Burbank City Council voted unanimously to move forward with a second step report, which would research options to the new smart meters.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Water and Power General Manager Ron Davis took notes during the testimony of residents opposed to the smart meters at the Burbank City Council meeting November 15, 2011

Thanksgiving benefit at Flappers Comedy Club

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Flappers Comedy Club at the corner of Magnolia Boulevard and First Street in Burbank

The Burbank City Council has declared November “Burbank Temporary Aid Center” month. BTAC is involved in a number of food drives, services, and events to help the working poor, seniors and the homeless in B-town.

Tonight a dinner and show for BTAC is being hosted at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank. Tickets for the fundraiser are $25 each.  The event starts at 8 p.m.

Movie fans turned out in a big way for the latest in the “Twlight” film series this weekend, which debuted with an estimated $139 million. ”The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1,” the first part of the final and fourth installment of the romantic fantasy, captured the number one spot at the box office and is now the top movie in the country.

In “Breaking Dawn” young lovers, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) marry, but things get complicate really quick when Bella becomes pregnant and the vampire baby she’s carrying threatens her life. The film is based on the final book of the blockbuster series by Stephenie Meyers. Melissa Rosenberg, who wrote the screenplay for the previous films, is the writer of this script as well.

Another new flick the animated sequel, “Happy Feet Two,” danced into second with an okay $22 million debut. In third the fantasy drama, “Immortals,” with around $12.2 million, followed closely by the Adam Sandler comedy, “Jack and Jill,” with $12 million. Rounding out the top five, the animated feature, “Puss in Boots,” earned about $10  million.

UPDATED: 3:30 p.m.
A slow moving storm is dumping a lot of rain on Burbank this afternoon. I was out driving through town and had to maneuver through some ponding water at several intersections. The forecast is for more rain and even some thunderstorms this evening –so drive with special care.

****
Some overcast and threatening skies over Burbank this morning.  Before the day is done, a cold, windy stormy is expected to unload some rain, which might be heavy at times, on the Media City.

Hold on tight to that umbrella, for not only does the weather forecast predict the raindrops will be falling this afternoon , but most likely you will have to deal with winds 15 to 20 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. The high today — somewhere near 60 and lows tonight in the 40s.  Brrrr!  Time to get out the seriously heavy sweaters and coats.

Photo: BurbankAction.com -- Folks from the audience stepped to the microphone to ask questions of a guest panel of experts at the So Cal Smart Meter Public Forum in Glendale November 10, 2011

Coming off a successful public forum in Glendale, local smart meter opponents are turning their attention to tonight’s Burbank City Council meeting. Last Thursday, the Southern California Smart Meter Public Forum at the Glendale Moose Lodge drew 175-200 people, according to one of the organizers and Burbank resident, Kiku Lani Iwata. Also, Iwata is a member of  Burbank Action,  a group that has been very vocal in its opposition to the smart meters.

Burbank Leader column, Ron Kaye, emceed the event which included a panel of guest speakers: health expert Cindy Sage, consumer advocate Mindy Spatt, and author Orlean Koehle. In his column last Sunday, Kaye shared his impressions of the event and the smart meter controversy. Also, a good article about the public forum appeared on the LA Weekly site.

Tonight, the Burbank City Council is set to consider a first step report on a smart meter alternative program. Councilman David Gordon requested the report back in September after hearing complaints about the smart meters. As of October 12, 2011, around 70 thousand of the devices, which are designed to relay user data  to a main utility center, have been installed in the Media City according to  Burbank officials. Installation has been delayed for some who have vigorously opposed the smart meters — due to health and privacy concerns. However at this point, there is no alternative plan in place for those who opted out of the smart meter expansion in Burbank.

Spike TV is extending a helping hand to veterans searching for work and the companies that offer them jobs.  Last Friday, on Veterans Day, Spike TV launched  its new “Hire A Vet” campaign.

The campaign will be spotlighted on the cable channel’s new “Hire A Vet” website. The site is a resource for job hunting veterans and it will salute the companies that hire them.

“Spike TV is honored to assist this country’s veterans– real-life heroes who represent the best of what our country is about,” said Kevin Kay, Spike TV president, in an announcement on the new website’s blog. “These young men and women who have bravely served their country are now making the often difficult transition from military service to the general workforce. Hire-A-Veteran is designed to help in that process.” More details here.

Photo courtesy Guest Blogger Jean Youn

Have you ever heard anyone say ‘burning fall/autumn?’
That is the name given to this time of year in Korea.
It’s in reference to the red color of the leaves around this time.

Fall isn’t a time of melancholy as some might say, it is a burning red time of year. Burning is often used to describe passion.

Passion is what makes every day worth the while.

When I dry clean your clothes, I hope that I look at it as though I am clothing you with passion. I hope with your freshly cleaned clothes, that you would live out each day with a burning passion for all you do.

I hope that this week, everyone would overflow with passion.

###

Jean Youn is the owner of Value Village Cleaners at 912 West Glenoaks Boulevard in Glendale 91202. For details on services, coupons and more, check out the Value Village Cleaners website  here.

President Barack Obama placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery today in honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. In his remarks after the ceremony, President Obama expressed thanks to all veterans  — on this Veterans Day — for their service, sacrifice, and accomplishments.

President Barack Obama:

Here, where our heroes come to rest, we come to show our gratitude.  A few moments ago, I laid a wreath to pay tribute to all who have given their lives to our country.  For even though this is a day we rightly honor America’s veterans, we gather today in solemn respect -– mindful that we are guests here; mindful that we share this hallowed space with a family’s moment of quiet grief; mindful that many veterans not far from here are tracing their fingers over black granite for friends who never came home –- and expect us to do all we can to bring every missing American service member home to their families.

To all our nation’s veterans:  Whether you fought in Salerno or Samarra, Khe Sanh or the Korengal, you are part of an unbroken chain of men and women who have served this country with honor and distinction.  On behalf of a proud and grateful nation, we thank you.

Full text of the president’s remarks here on the whitehouse.gov website.

The confusion surrounding the 84th Academy Awards ceremony has cleared and the big event appears to be back on track today. Late yesterday, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced entertainer Billy Crystal would be hosting next February’s Oscar telecast. Here’s the official press release.

Beverly Hills, CA (November 10, 2011)– Producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer have announced that Billy Crystal will serve as host for the 84th Academy Awards. “I’m thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar® stage,” said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Tom Sherak. “He’s a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs.”

Commented Grazer, “Like so many others, I’ve been eager to see Billy host again. It’s very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don and me at the helm.”

Said Mischer, “With Billy, we’re moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history. His return to the Oscars® is, in a sense, a celebration.”

This will mark Crystal’s ninth time as host. Only Bob Hope has hosted more Academy Awards presentations, with 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978. Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004.

“Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions,” said Crystal.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

###

Evan Spiliotopoulos to rewrite “Asteroids” for Universal Pictures— This busy screenwriter picks up another big assignment. Universal has hired Spiliotopoulos to rework “Asteroids” based on the 1970′s Atari video game. Original script by Matt Lopez.

Spiliotopoulos is repped by UTA. More here on Variety.

Chris Shafer and Paul Vicknair’ hired to write “The Girl Who Conned the Ivy League” — Shafer and Vicknair are two hot screenwriters on the fast track. This project is based on a Rolling Stone magazine article about the true story of a woman who conned her way into Columbia University using a fake identity. Amanda Seyfried may star.

Shafer and Vicknair are repped by UTA.  More on deadline.com

“Dreamt” by Andrew Alexander— Safady Entertainment announced the purchase of this spec script on Monday, November 8. In a PR Newswire release company co-founder/producer, Gary Safady, talked about the acquisition: “We’re excited to tell a thrilling, exciting story with an amazing twist to it,” said Safady, adding: “The script has all the elements for intrigue and fascination to capture the audience from the opening frame of the film. Andrew has crafted an amazing story in the vain of Memento and Fight Club.”

“Dreamt” is about two men who have a supernatural connection through their dreams, but when they discover each others existence, one will stop at nothing to take over the life of the other. “The Hills Have Eyes II ” director, Martin Weisz, is attached to the project. Principal shooting  on this psychological thriller is set to get underway next April.

Weisz is represented by Anonymous Content. Screenwriter Andrew Alexander’s rep is Original Artists.

The Oscar telecast is the biggest event in Hollywood. The 84th Academy Awards ceremony is not until next February, but there is already plenty of real life drama surrounding it. The spark in a firestorm of controversy was lit over the weekend by movie director Brett Ratner who made an anti-gay slur and resigned on Monday as the producer of the upcoming Oscar broadcast because of it. The Los Angeles Times website has the back story on that here.

Ratner decision to step aside prompted actor/comedian Eddie Murphy to bow out as Oscar host. In a statement released by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences today, Murphy said,”… I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job.”

Late today, The Academy announced Oscar winning producer Brian Grazer would be taking over as the producer of the prestigious award show: “”Brian Grazer is a renowned filmmaker who over the past 25 years has produced a diverse and extraordinary body of work,” said Academy President Tom Sherak. “He will certainly bring his tremendous talent, creativity and relationships to the Oscars…”

“It’s very gratifying to be part of a show that honors excellence in the medium to which I have devoted so much of my career,” said Grazer in that announcement. In 2001, Grazer won a Best Picture Oscar for “A Beautiful Mind.” His numerous film credits include “Apollo 13,” “Kindergarten Cop,” “8 Mile,” and current projects “Tower Heist,” and “J.Edgar.” This will be his first time as producer of the Oscar telecast. The Academy Awards will be televised live on February 26, 2012 in more than 200 countries around the world.