Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank's 2012 Rose Parade float "The Dream Machine" in the parking lot across the street from the Burbank Central Library at Glenoaks Boulevard and Olive Avenue January 4, 2012

Only a few more hours to view Burbank’s superb entry into the 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade. The float has been on display in the parking lot across from the Burbank Central Library at Glenoaks Boulevard and Olive Avenue since Wednesday, January 4.  Today is the last day to see the float up close, before it is dismantled.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A boy's sleeping dreams are depicted in the Burbank winning 2012 Rose Parade float, The Dream Machine" January 4, 2012

“The Dream Machine,” about a boy’s wishful dreams, won the Mayor’s Trophy for most outstanding presentation nationally and internationally.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank's "The Dream Machine" won the Mayor's Trophy at the 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade January 4, 2012

I dropped by to see the float a couple times. On Wednesday, I chatted with some of the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association members/volunteers/leaders. I learned that a volunteer team creates and decorates the city’s float, and it all begins around February of  each year. “The Dream Machine” was built on a city budget of $62,000. It’s hard to believe there were efforts to try to cut the funding for the Burbank Rose Parade float project, which produces an incredible amount of positive PR for the city and joy for volunteers and viewers.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Folks watched the Burbank 2012 Rose Parade Float "The Dream Machine" come a live with animation in the parking lot across from the Burbank Central Library at Glenoaks Boulevard and Olive Avenue January 7, 2012

Oh, not only are you able to get up close to the float, but a food truck proves a yummy bargain lunch as well. Each day a different kind of cuisine. It was a terrific idea. I had a pastrami on rye from the Cantor’s truck last Wednesday and a taco special from the Don Chow truck last Saturday. Both lunches were quite good.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A line formed at the Don Chow food truck during the viewing of the winning Burbank 2012 Rose Parade float, "The Dream Machine," in Burbank on Saturday January 7, 2012

Today, lunch is from 11:30 to 2 p.m. and a food truck will be there offering deluxe crepes and fries. The entertaining animation on “The Dream Machine” will be in action several time today. You still have a chance to see it at 1 p.m, 3 p.m. 5 p.m. or 7 p.m.

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: Esquire/People -- Pop singer Rihanna named 2011 Sexiest Woman Alive by Esquire Magazine

Pop singer and fashion risk-taker, Rihanna, displayed her special kind of heat on the cover of Esquire’s November issue. The magazine named the 23-year-old Barbados native, 2011 Sexiest Woman Alive! On the Internet today, there is some debate about whether the entertainer really deserves the title.

People magazine has more on Rihanna’s new title. Also, to ah, see more of Rihanna and check out the runners-up … click over to the Esquire website.

DIMPLES

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Dimples Restaurant 3413 West Olive Avenue, Burbank 91505

Dimples Restaurant is known more for its karaoke than its food and drinks. The exterior is a bit shabby, but for years it’s been a popular joint to hang out and have a good time. Also, it claims to be the first karaoke club in the country. 

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Dimples Restaurant 3413 West Olive Avenue Burbank 91505

Photo: Bill Ingalls/NASA -- Atlantis touched down at the Kennedy Space Center before dawn this morning ending the U.S. shuttle program Florida July 21, 2011

 After 30 years, the U.S. space shuttle program is history.  Atlantis swooped out of a dark sky and glided to a safe landing this morning  at 5;57 a.m. EDT at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Atlantis spent 13-days in space before returning to Earth. 

The commander of the last space shuttle flight, Chris Ferguson: “Although we got to take the ride,” said Commander Ferguson on behalf of his crew, ” we sure hope that everybody who has ever worked on, or touched, or looked at, or envied or admired a space shuttle was able to take just a little part of the journey with us.”

The other crew members: Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim.  More details on this NASA website.

Photo: John Shearer/Wireimage/People -- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge say good-bye before boarding a plane back to the U.K. this afternoon at LAX July 10, 2011

Prince William and Kate Middleton left Los Angeles for home this afternoon, after an events packed three day visit to SoCal, which included a polo match in Santa Barbara, mingling with Hollywood stars at a gala, and chatting with inner-city kids on L.A.’s  Skid Row. People Magazine has complete coverage of the Royals’ visit on the last leg of their North American tour.  Also, check out People’s photo gallery of William and Kate doing the Southland here.

For more photos of William and Kate’s tour, click over to the Prince of Wales’ family website.

Photo: White House blog -- A young girl saluted President Obama during the Independence Day celebration at the White House July 4, 2011

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama threw a big July 4th bash at the White House yesterday. The first couple celebrated the nation’s independence with more than 1,200 members of the military and their families.

During a meet and greet, the commander- in-chief of the U.S. military got a serious salute from a young girl — who just might be a soldier one day.

More on that big party, which included entertainment, a BBQ, and fireworks, on the White House blog today.

Photo: Pete Souza/White House -- Restaurant staff celebrated when President Barack Obama stopped for lunch at Rudy's Hot Dog in Toledo, Ohio, June 3, 2011

President Barack Obama got a big welcome from employees at Rudy’s Hot Dog in Toledo, Ohio, before sitting down for lunch with the city’s mayor, Michael Bell, earlier this month.

Photo: Pete Souza/White House -- President Barack Obama shared lunch with Toledo Mayor Michael Bell at Rudy's Hot Dog in Toledo, Ohio, June 3, 2011.

Photo: Pete Souza/White House -- To the surprise of onlookers, President Obama soothed a crying baby at a congressional picnic at the White House June 15, 2011

An early Father’s Day moment.  President Obama knows a thing or two about being a dad. Yesterday at a White House picnic, the president soothed a crying baby, amusing and surprising bystanders — among them, First Lady Michelle Obama.

Photo: NASA -- Endeavour attached to a rocket blasted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida May 16, 2011

Endeavour lifted off from the launch pad at Kennedy Space  Center and into the clouds this morning. Later, Endeavour detached from the rocket and shot out into space. The shuttle crew is scheduled for a 16-day mission, which includes time on the International Space Station.

Endeavour is due to return to Earth from its final space voyage in the wee hours of June 1. Then Endeavour will be heading to the Southland to become part of an exhibit at the California Science Center in L.A.

Photo: Chuck Kennedy/White House -- First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have some fun during the taping of a public service announcement at the White House April 4, 2011

Catching up.  First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden joke and ham it up while taping a Joining Forces public service announcement in the East Room of the White House on April 4, 2011.

Photo: Hugo Burnand/The British Monarchy/Flickr -- William and Kate in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace London April 29, 2011

The official wedding photos are up on the Royal Wedding website. Here’s one the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011. This photo is in The British Monarchy collection on flickr.

Photo: The British Monarchy/Flickr -- Kate Middleton and Prince William exchange wedding vows inside Westminster Abbey London April 29, 2011

Prince William and Kate Middleton are now Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after a royal wedding ceremony inside Westminster Abbey in London this morning. Millions watched around the world and here in the states, as a British prince married his long time lady love. This photo from the British Monarchy collection on Flickr

Photo: The British Monarchy/Flickr -- After exchanging wedding vows William and Kate now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave Westminster Abbey London April 29, 2011

This photo from the British Monarchy collection on Flickr. Extensive wedding details and highlights, videos, photos, and quotes on the official Royal Wedding website.   Included on the site, the prayer written by William and Kate for their wedding.

Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s Prayer

God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.

In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.

Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Folks have been talking about the odd anomaly in the final results for the Burbank General Election since those numbers were released on Friday, April 15, 2011. The 95 vote difference between the city council contenders, Emily Gabel-Luddy and Bob Frutos,  got most of the attention, however, some have been curious about the sudden increase of more than 450 votes for “Yes” on Measure U.

Burbank resident Kevin Muldoon asked about the big jump in votes for “Yes” on Measure U, last Tuesday at the city council meeting. Another B-town resident, Eric Michael Cap, followed-up with an e-mail to City Clerk, Margarita Campos, about the matter.

Late this afternoon, Campos sent out an e-mail with an explanation to Cap, that said basically — it was typo. Here’s that e-mail.

Dear Mr. Cap,

Thank you for the opportunity to clarify an issue brought up by Mr. Kevin Muldoon during a public comment portion of the Council meeting of Tuesday, April 26, 2011.  My understanding of Mr. Muldoon’s comment was that there was a 400-count difference in the tabulation of the Measure U totals between election night on April 12 and the certification of the final results on April 15.  Upon further review, my staff noticed that the press release posted on April 15 had a transposed figure in the Measure U number – (5,720 as opposed to 5,270).  Posted right below the press release was the official precinct-by-precinct spreadsheet which indicated the correct number.  The press release (linked below) has been updated to note the change in the transposed figure.  I regret any confusion this may have caused.

Margarita Campos, CMC                                                                                                                 Burbank City Clerk

###

Also, the error appeared in a brief press release sent out to the media and to those residents on the city hall e-mail list on April 15. By the way, last Tuesday the city council passed a resolution declaring or accepting the results of that General Election.

At the same meeting, Campos delivered a length explanation as to why the city is not allowing a recount of the city council race in that election. I’ll have more on that later.

Photo: Chuck Kennedy/White House -- President Obama cheers on kids rolling Easter eggs on the White House lawn April 25, 2011

One more Easter tradition. The 133rd White House Egg Roll event drew 30,000 people from across the country today. Besides the popular Easter egg roll, there were healthy cooking demonstrations, storytime readings by celebs like Geena Davis and John Lithgow and musical performances by Willow Smith and others.

The theme this year, “Get Up and Go!” More on this event over on the  White house blog.