Photo:Greg Harbaugh /©A.M.P.A.S. -- Academy Award nominees at the traditional Oscar luncheon, (center) Glenn Close, Jean Dujardin, George Clooney, February 6, 2011 Beverly Hills

A lot of smiles at the Oscar luncheon in Beverly Hills on Monday, February 6.  The traditional get together for Academy Award nominees includes a photo shoot. A series of pictures from that event  as well as video highlights  are on the official Oscar website.

The 84th Academy Awards ceremony will be broadcast live around the world later this month on Sunday, February 26, from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

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.

Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G -- Rainbow effect in the sky over Burbank Labor Day weekend September 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Weird weather produced a rainbow effect in the sky over Burbank Labor Day weekend September 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Thousands showed up on Magnolia Boulevard for the fifth annual Be-Boppin' in the Park in Burbank August 20, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Hundreds of vintage and custom pre '75 cars, trucks, and motorcycles were displayed along a blocked off section of Magnolia Boulevard, between Hollywood Way and California Street in Burbank August 20, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- This red hot vintage car was an eye catcher at the Be-Boppin' in the Park in the Magnolia Park District of Burbank August 20, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Popular radio personality "Shotgun" Tom Kelly of K-Earth 101 signed autographs and chatted with fans at Be-Boppin' in the Park in the Magnolia Park District of Burbank August 20, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Some folks brought along their pets, from dogs to this colorful bird, to Be-Boppin' in the Park in Burbank August 20, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Matt Burch, star of the TV show "Operation Repo," met fans and signed autographs at the Burbank Coordinating Council booth at Be-Boppin' in the Park in Burbank August 20, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A couple of guys checked under the hood of a cool purple truck at Be-Boppin' in the Park in Burbank August 20, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- All sorts of eats at Be-Boppin' in the Park, from Thai-style BBB on a stick to kettle corn, in Burbank August 20, 2011

Photo:FLLewis/Media City G -- The Painkillers had the crowds rocking to thieir '50s and '60s music at Be-Boppin' in the Park in the Magnolia Park District of Burbank August 20, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Air salute to Burbank's 100th birthday at the Party of the Century in Downtown Burbank July 8, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Singer shows off his dance moves on stage at the big bash for Burbank's 100 birthday in Downtown Burbank July 8, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Partgoers got a chance to dance to the beat of several bands at the 100th birthday celebration for Burbank July 8, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- This pooch seems to be digging the party vibe at the 100th birthday bash for Burbank July 8, 2011

Photo: The Porto's Bakery crew handed out hundreds of treats to celebrants at the Party of the Century in Downtown Burbank July 8, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Partygoer checks out a historic exhibit at the 100th birthday bash for Burbank July 8, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- This woman seemed thrilled to get her photo taken with the wax figure of Bob Hope at the Party of the Century in Burbank July 8, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- The City of Burbank threw a huge party to celebrate its 100th birthday July 8, 2011

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 credit Anonymous — The pool of Burbank Water and Power General Manager Ron Davis on Brace Canyon Drive Burbank

Burbank Water and Power General Manager, Ron Davis, is the talk of the town.  Not only because of his hefty salary and merit pay bonuses — reportedly totaling $263, 018 last year – but because of an illegal action involving water discharged from his swimming pool.

For days now, folks have been talking about Davis draining a portion of his pool water. Outraged neighbors jawing about the incident — complained the infraction “… for a day was filling the street with roaring water.” I was sent this photo of the BWP honcho’s half-empty pool anonymously.

In an article on the Burbank Leader website dated July 15, 2011, Davis admitted he should have taken out the $28 permit before draining his pool reportedly for repairs.

Not surprisingly, Burbank city officials have decided to forgive Davis and not hit him with a $25,000 fine. However, the Leader reports state water quality officials are investigating –both Davis and the city could be subject to a fine for the violation.

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.