Photo: PRNewsFoto/Universal Studios Hollywood --"Grinchmas" stars Dusty, Dexter, Buster, and Scrapper to perform at Universal Studios, Universal City December 11-12, 2010

The annual “Grinchmas” celebration at Universal Studios in Universal City kicks off this weekend with two additional events. Universal Studios is partnering with the Amanda Foundation and the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services to host two “Max to the Rescue: Whoville’s Have A Heart Pet Adoption Fairs” on December 11 and 12, from noon to 4 p.m.,near the main entrance to the theme park.

“Max the Dog,” will be at the adoption fairs to greet the pets and the potential pet owners. Max is the Grinch’s BFF, the one-horned pooch with the quizzical look and relentless good spirits. 

In the “Grinchmas” celebration Max is played by four talented doggies, Dusty, Dexter, Buster, and Scrapper. They were plucked from animal shelters to be entertainment stars.

“The same ‘hyper-energy’ that may have led an owner to abandon their pet may make the animal well-suited to movie and TV work, and for a role in Universal’s ‘Grinchmas,’”according to animal trainer John McCormick in a PRNewswire release.

The Grinch, some residents from “Whoville,” a real snow winterland, and  more are planned for the ”Grinchmas” celebration, which runs through January 2, 2011.  Check out the Universal Studios website for more details and ticket prices.

Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke’s daughter drama

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke at a city council meeting last May.

The Burbank City Council is dark tomorrow. That should give Council Member/Mayor, Anja Reinke, some extra time to deal with a personal matter that has serious public ramifications. Last Thursday, the popular Semichorus blog was the first to nail down some details on the DUI arrest of Mayor Reinke’s daughter, Ericka Reinke, who happens to be a Burbank City employee.

Here’s what two sources reportedly confirmed for Semichorus.

2:15AM on Sept 1, 2010

Ericka Augusta Reinke

arrested for DUI by the LAPD NorthEast Division.

Placed in Van Nuys Jail

booking # 2461650

$5,000 Bail

Released to Mayor Reinke at 2:00PM

Some reports say that when arrested Ericka Reinke tossed out her mother’s name and position as mayor of Burbank, apparently in hopes of getting some kind of preferential treatment. 

You know, Daughter Reinke may have had a shot at getting special handling if her misfortune had happened in Burbank. If she’d been busted here, I suspect proponents of the city hall status quo would have made sure that police arrest report disappeared or at least got sealed up in some kind of legal mumbo jumbo that would prevent the case from ever going to court. 

Sadly, DUI arrests happen all the time.This arrest is news in Burbank for a number of reasons. First, many have pointed to Ericka Reinke’s hiring and quick promotion as a  prime example of the brazen and rampant nepotism in Burbank city government.  Yesterday a Burbank employee, who doesn’t want to be identified, told me that in her department the workers in their 20s and 30s are the hardest hit by this culture of favoritism. She says these employees are qualified and skilled, but see themselves as being passed over in career advancements by marginal candidates with connections.

We should keep in mind that at this point, Daughter Reinke has not been convicted of a crime. However, her duties reportedly involved investigating other Burbank City employees with personal problems or issues of concern. If that is the case, Reinke should be removed from handling those investigations immediately.

As Burbank City Attorney, Dennis Barlow, is known to say there is “the potential for litigation” — especially if some of the employees Reinke is or has investigated, would challenge her fitness to conduct those investigations.

Yeah, I know, there is a chance Daughter Reinke could beat the DUI rap or the case  could be thrown out for whatever reason. No matter, in the best interest of the city, Daughter Reinke should step down from her Burbank position. If she’s as bright as supporters claim she is, finding a new job without the influence or the appearance of influence from her mother, should be a breeze.

Those Dog Days of Summer

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank dog, "Jack," enjoys a walk in the Burbank sunshine, except when it's a hot summer day.

 ”Jack”, a five-year-old lovable mutt, is a member of the Settlemoir family. Jim Settlemoir tells me “Jack” was a pound puppy the family discovered at the Burbank Animal Shelter.

I’ve know the Settlemoirs for years, but only met “Jack” on a sunny day last May at the Burbank Fire Service Day event.

Like a lot of canines, “Jack” gets a kick out going outside for a walk.  However when it’s a hot summer day, I’m told, “Jack” seeks out the coolest part of the Settlemoir Burbank home to hang out. Smart dog.

Burbank could get some more upper 90s and 100 degree days through September and even in October. So staying cool is still a concern for pets as well as people.

It’s not unusual for a well-known author to join forces with another writer for a book. Nevertheless, New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz took this approach to another level when he decided to take a look at the world through the dog eyes of his beloved, Trixie. 

First came “Life is Good! Lessons in Joyful Living, ” by Koontz and Trixie, in 2004. Then book two, “Christmas is Good,” followed. The third book called “Bliss To You: Trixie’s Guide to a Happy Life,” hit bookstores a few weeks ago on September 16.  

Koontz talked about the Trixie books in an interview over on the Publishers Weekly website recently. Koontz adopted Trixie, who was part of the Canine Companions for Independence program, which provides dogs for disabled adults and children. Koontz and his wife, Gerda, live in Southern California and have been involved with that non-profit since the mid 1980s.

 Trixie passed away last year, however, Koontz says,”I enjoy so much writing in her voice and this seemed to be an additional way to memorialize her.” All of Koontz’s profits from the Trixie books go to Canine Companions for Independence.

Meanwhile, Koontz continues to be one of the most successful and prolific writers in the country. The New York Times bestselling author of suspense, terror, and science fiction has reportedly published more than 90 novels and is now branching out into comic books.

This week, Forbes came out with its list of the world’s best paid authors from June 2007-to-June 2008.  Koontz tied for sixth with bestselling author John Grisham. I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone that J.K. Rowling holds down the number one spot on that list. 

Google Image

Can dogs “catch” yawning from humans?

We know yawning is contagious in humans, now some experts may have discovered a new twist on this.  For the first time, researchers have evidence that shows yawning by humans may trigger the same reaction in our canine friends.

In the past, contagious yawning had been thought to occur only in humans and chimpanzees. Then, during a study at the Birkbeck University in London, 21 out of 29 dogs were observed watching humans yawn and then responding with yawns of their own.

The British researchers say this “… may indicate that dogs possess the capacity for a rudimentary form of empathy.” Still, they are cautious and say more investigation is needed.

The report appears in the Royal Society Journal Biology Letters. A press release about the study was posted August 5 on the Birkbeck website.