Happy Fourth of July!

Dodger Stadium festivities

The guys in blue kick-off a four game series against the New York  Mets tonight.  Also, fans will be treated to fireworks and tributes to our military. Gates at Dodger Stadium open at 3:40 p.m.

Fireworks and more at the Starlight Bowl

A July 4th tradition continues tonight at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank.  A spectacular fireworks show is planned along with entertainment and surprises. The U.S. Air Force is joining in on this “Salute to America.”  There are only 100 tickets left to this event, according to the Starlight Bowl website this morning. Tickets must be bought in advance — none will be sold at the door.

Burbank viewing parties

The Starlight Bowl fireworks are huge and can be seen for miles. Fireworks viewing parties are held in yards, on porches, and even in the streets throughout Burbank, especially in the hillside area. Watching these fireworks have become part of the July 4th celebration in many neighborhoods. And you don’t have to buy a ticket.

Fireworks illegal in Burbank

There are places in the SoCal where they allow you to set off your own fireworks — Burbank is not one of them.  The Burbank Police Department sent out a press release reminder recently stating: “… that it is illegal to manufacture, sell, possess, or discharge fireworks in the City of Burbank.”

The Burbank PD has patrol units out cracking down on fireworks violators. The public is asked to report violations by calling the Burbank Police at (818)  238-3000.

Keep your pets safe

All of this celebrating, particularly the fireworks, can really freak out dogs, cats, and other pets. On July 4th and the day after, animal shelters across the nation get the greatest number of reports of lost dogs and cats, according to a community alert from the Burbank PD.

It is recommended that you keep your pets indoors on Independence Day. Make sure the little critters are wearing proper identification. If by chance your animal becomes lost, call the Burbank Animal Shelter (818) 238-3340 and leave a message — and then follow-up in person to file an official lost pet report.

Burbank buzzing over that bonus pay report 

 For months the City Attorney’s Office, with the support of the  city council majority and City Manager Mike Flad, fought the release of this data.  The Los Angeles Times/Burbank Leader sued to get access to the information.  On May 20, 2011, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered the city of Burbank to turn over the merit bonus data to the newspaper.

Last December, I joined the newspaper in requesting this bonus data  by delivering a written public records request to the City Attorney’s Office. I haven’t seen the report yet –  but others have studied it. The Semichorus blog had a report last Friday.  The Leader had a story about the merit pay for city employees on the same day and a more extensive report yesterday.

The Leader reports city employees have received $4 million in merit pay from 2007-2011.  Burbank Water and Power General Manager, Ron Davis, reportedly got $79,000 in bonuses during that period . You might remember, Davis and his executive crew at BWP got raises after city officials jacked up utility rates last summer. Davis is fleecing the taxpayers with the approval of the city council majority. Last year, Davis’ salary topped out at $263,028. 

By the way, not only did city officials squander thousands of taxpayer dollars on fighting the newspaper lawsuit – now the city of Burbank has to pay legal fees for the L.A. Times/Burbank Leader, which are at least $37,000. Could that money, along with those bonus millions, have been better spent? Oh yeah, on city services and programs that benefit the citizens of Burbank.

Los Angeles Dodgers owner, Frank McCourt, joined Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Los Angeles Police Chief, Charlie Beck, at a news conference today to unveil a new hard-line policy against disruptive fans. Mayor Villaraigosa said,” violence will not be tolerated” and that “public safety is number one.”

Police Chief Beck praised the Dodger organization eagerness to embrace all of a series of new security recommendations, among them,” increased LAPD presence” at all Dodger games, no drinking in the parking lots, improved lighting, and close security TV.

 Dodger owner Frank McCourt announced the new security measures would be in place for the next home game, Thursday, April 14. McCourt called the recent attack on San Francisco Giant fan, Bryan Stow, at Dodger Stadium “criminal behavior” and not the actions of true Dodger fans.

Stow was viciously beaten after the season opening game between the Giants and Dodgers on Thursday, March 31. The paramedic and father of two suffered a brain injury and is in a coma. A $100,000 reward is being offered in the case involving two male suspects. The Los Angeles Times website has sketches of the suspects, along with more details on the new crackdown on unruly fans and troublemakers.  

Also, the Dodgers put out a press release today about a fundraiser for Bryan Stow and his children, on Monday, April 11. Several organizations will be on hand to help collect donations at a “drive-through” event for a Bryan Stow trust fund. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in parking lot 1 of Dodger Stadium.

The Bryan Stow Fund is accepting donations at www.sfpcu.org as well.

A fan-favorite returns to Dodger Stadium tonight. The dazzling eye-popping Friday night fireworks are back this season and kicks-off tonight, after the Dodgers play the San Francisco Giants. Fans can watch the fireworks show from the outfield grass.

Pizza Hut is sponsoring this series of fireworks shows on Friday nights from now through the end of summer. Here is the schedule: April 1, April 15, April 29, May 13, May 27, June 17, June 24, July 8, July 22, July 29, August 26, and September 16. Also, the fast food chain is offering specials to fans who attend games on those Friday nights.

For more information on 2011 giveaways and the Dodgers’ schedule you can visit Dodgers.com

Yesterday, the boys in blue opened their 54th season in Los Angeles with a 2-to-1 win over the defending World Champion, Giants. Also, it was a debut victory for former New York Yankee star/now rookie Dodger manager, Don Mattingly.

Dodgers go for a second win against the Giants tonight. Game time 7:15 p.m. Dodger Stadium.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking for new talent. You don’t have to be able to throw a fastball or hit a home run. The baseball organization is accepting applications and resumes right now for the part-time seasonal union position of Ticket Seller.

The qualifications include excellent verbal communications, outstanding customer service, and at least a high school diploma or GED. For more requirements and details on the position click over to dodgers.com   and check under job opportunities or call Human Resources at (323) 224-1547.  The deadline to apply is April 5, 2011.

All sorts of events and celebrations are going on today in honor of American military veterans.  Here are just a few of the special Veterans Day events here locally. 

Veterans Day Ceremony

This morning 11 a.m.,  at the McCambridge Park War Memorial, the corner of Amherst Drive and San Fernando Road in Burbank.  

The event will feature the Burbank Community Band, St. Robert Bellarmine kindergartners, and a flyover by the Condor Squadron. The city of Burbank and the Veterans Commemorative Committee are the sponsors. More information on the Burbank city website. 

This afternoon, around 80 members of the U.S. military will be treated to a batting practice and home run hitting event on the field at Dodger Stadium. Representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and National Guard will be participating. 

Others scheduled to attend include  former Manager, Tommy Lasorda, and Ex-Dodger players Roy Gleason (Army Veteran), Steve Yeager, Kenny Landreaux, and Bobby Castillo. The event begins 1:30 p.m. and is sponsored by the Dodger organization. 

Laughs and free tickets!

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

Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank is hostinga Veterans Day benefit set for tonight at 8 p.m. All active duty military personnel as well as veterans will get two free tickets to the show. Civilians are being offered a 2 for 1 deal. There is a two item minimum. 

The event is a fundraiser for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation  — which helps with the education of children of Marines — especially those students whose parents have been killed or wounded in action. 

Also, the scholarship foundation’s Heroes Tribute Fund provides up to $30,000 over four years for the offspring of a Marine or a Navy Corpsman, servicing with the Marines, who has been killed in combat since 9-11. 

More on this evening of comedy, including ticket prices, and talent line-up, on the Flappers Comedy Club website.  The public is invited.

The Burbank Leader goes after a blogger

UPDATE: June 20, 2010 — A new version of that controversial post is up on Semichorus blog and, you know, it’s more hard hitting than the first. Also, some pretty interesting comments on that post as well.  Check it out here.

Competition in the news biz is fierce, no doubt about it. Nevertheless, I was surprised to see the “Takedown Notice” posted over on the Semichorus blog last night. That notice is from The Burbank Leader and its parent company, The Los Angeles Times.

Be warned, if you click over to check out the notice, some of the language in that post is rather, ah, descriptive. Apparently, someone got upset about a post on that blog criticizing the Leader’s coverage of the Burbank cops recent arrest of a father whose 2-year-old daughter was found wandering around.  

This is worrisome for a couple reasons. First, Jim Carlile’s blog has scooped the Leader a number times in the coverage of the Burbank Police mess, city hall misdeeds, and so on. Also in the past, Carlile has used material from the Leader website to make a point about the newspaper’s coverage. So is this an effort to silence a competitor?

I read another blog called LA Observed. It’s a huge popular site. Kevin Roderick, the editor, has used material from the Los Angeles Times website to write some scathing critiques of the newspaper’s coverage, personnel changes/layoffs, and business operation. So why is it okay with The Los Angeles Times for LA Observed to do this and not okay for Semichorus to criticize a paper it owns, The Burbank Leader?

Lately, I got the impression the Leader has been attempting to improve its reputation and standing in the Burbank community with better reporting, a new look for its newspaper and website. In my opinion, this attack on a local blog/blogger is a serious setback for whatever progress the Leader was making.  

Update on political feud

I have more on those incidents involving local photojournalist Peter Musurlian, 43rd District Assemblyman Mike Gatto, and some of his supporters. Burbank Police Spokesman Sergeant Robert Quesada confirmed to me complaints have been filed as a result of two incidents.

The first complaint was filed against Musurlian on March 25, 2010.  Sgt. Quesada says:”It involved a confrontation between Mr. Musurlian and two other individuals that occurred March 24th in the area of the city council chamber.” From what I heard, Musurlian, who doesn’t mind being called a guerrilla journalist,  was chasing down then 43rd Assembly Candidate Mike Gatto and things got ugly.  Sgt. Quesada wouldn’t release anymore details because it’s “… an ongoing investigation.”

The second incident, reportedly happened at McCambridge Park on Saturday, May 22, 2010. Quesada says:”The information police received was that it was (a) disturbance between Mr. Musurlian and another individual. However, when police arrived, all involved were gone.”  But that was not the end of it. “Mr. Musurlian then came to the police station on June 2nd to file a battery report for what he said took place at the park.” No more details because this police investigation is also, “ongoing.” 

Burbank town hall meeting coming up in August

Photo: Buena Vista Burbank Library from the Burbank Library website  

The Burbank Police Commission is inching closer and closer to putting on that long-delayed town hall meeting.  From the discussion at last Wednesday’s June 16 police commission meeting, the only details that are solid are – the date, August 18, 2010 and the place, the Buena Vista Library. 

I won’t go into the convoluted town hall agenda plan proposed by two of the commissioners, Ray Adams and Elise Stearns-Niesen. To exhausting. This town hall meeting is supposed to be about HEARING FROM THE CITIZENS OF BURBANK. You don’t need folks to submit questions ahead of time for that.  Week after week, people speak at the Burbank City Council meetings by showing up and filling out a name card. It’s that simple.  Also, this is the way public comments are handled at the Burbank Police Commission meetings as well.

If the commissioners want time for city hall officials to promote themselves or city programs — let this occur BEFORE THE TOWN HALL MEETING.  That was the arrangement at the two city council-sponsored town hall meetings at the Buena Vista Library back in 2008. That worked. Why not just use the same format? That way the commissioners can put this town hall meeting on a fast track where it belongs.  It’s now about two months away — and the commissioners are still fumbling around over the format.

Dodgers’ Annual Father’s Day Catch event this Sunday

Photo: Courtesy L.A. Dodgers — The kicking Dodger Ticket truck will be on site at Dodger Stadium this Sunday, June 20, 2010, for the Father’s Day Catch event

The Los Angeles Dodgers organization is inviting families to come out and spend part of their Father’s Day at Dodger Stadium. The Seventh Annual Father’s Day Catch is a free event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 20. The parking is free and fans can enter through the Sunset and center field gates. This is a rare chance for families to play catch right on Dodger field.

The first three thousand people get free Dodger dogs provided by Farmer John. Other freebies include Sparkletts water bottles and PowerAde supplied by Coca Cola.  Also, there will be music, Dodger fan clubs, the Dodger Ticket truck, and possibly some surprise guests to mingle with the crowds, too.

Lakers Victory Parade

There will be a celebration for the Los Angeles Lakers NBA 2010 Championship win on Monday, June 21 – however, it will not be the blow-out seen last year.  Even so, the price for the victory parade is expected to be around $2 million. The Lakers have volunteered to pick up the tab. Between 500,000 and two million fans are expected to line the two-mile parade route from Staples Center to the edge of the USC campus. Click over to the Lakers website for the details on the parade route and the celebration.

Photo: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers 10/10/09

The Los Angeles Dodgers breezed by the St. Louis Cardinals last Saturday to win the National League West Division Series with a three game sweep. After a lot of champagne celebrating and several days off, some are wondering if the Dodgers will still have that winning spark tonight, when they play game one of the National League Champion Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

I think Dodger Matt Kemp has the best answer to that on his blog:”It’s time to play baseball. We had four days off to get our legs under us. We were still working hard, lifting weights, taking batting practice in the cage, watching video. Everything we had to do to prepare for the games. We’re excited and ready to go.”

This is the second straight year that the Dodgers and Phillies will be battling it out for the National League Pennant. Game one is 5 p.m this evening at Dodger Stadium. Also, Game two is tomorrow, 1 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. The Dodger organization is encouraging fans to arrive early and carpool when they can.  Go Dodgers!!!

Photos from 10/03/09: Courtesy Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are getting ready to play some serious October baseball. The guys in blue clinched the National League West Division title for the second straight season on Saturday, by beating the Colorado Rockies 5-zip. Manny Ramirez and crew ended the regular season with a 5-3 victory over the Rockies last night. The Dodgers will swing into the play-offs on Wednesday, at Dodger Stadium, against the St. Louis Cardinals.  Go Dodgers!!!

Photo: Los Angeles Dodgers

Hip Hop Star Snoop Dogg is a big time Dodgers fan. Yesterday, the entertainer took the new Dodgers Ticket Truck on its inaugural spin around Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers Ticket Truck is the first of its kind in Major League Baseball, according to a news release sent out by the team organization.

Photo: Los Angeles Dodgers

The mobile unit reportedly was designed to take Dodger tickets straight to the fans at concerts, parks, festivals, and throughout Southland neighborhoods. Dodgers President Dennis Mannion said: ”The fan experience begins at the moment someone decides to come to a game at Dodger Stadium and we believe our fans will appreciate this process being simplified and brought directly to them like never before.”

Fans can follow the travels of the Dodgers Ticket Truck on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dodgertownusa 

Also, a new Dodgers “This is My Town” billboard featuring Snoop went up on Tuesday, August 11th all around the Los Angeles area. “I think it’s a great billboard,” said Snoop Dogg. “I thought that was a great look, and a great partnership. Dodgers winning, Snoop Dogg winning, so it’s a good thing right now.” 

Photo: Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodger slugger Manny Ramirez heads for home after hitting an amazing grand slam into the Dodger Stadium seats last night. And the home crowd went wild!

 Ramirez was not in the line up because of a bruised left hand. He was called in to pinch-hit for pitcher Chad Billingsley. Manny helped power the Dodgers to a 6-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

This is Ramirez’s 21st grand slam, which ranks him second to the legendary Lou Gehrig who holds the record with 23. Also, Ramirez now has the first pinch-hit homer of his career. Oh yeah, Manny’s back!

The Dodgers are hosting their Sixth Annual Father’s Day Catch at Dodger Stadium tomorrow. Families are invited to come out and spend some of the Father’s Day holiday out on the playing field.  As part of the free event, Dodger legends Tommy Davis, “Sweet Lou” Johnson, Ken Landreaux, Rudy Law, Al Downing, Bobby Castillo, and Jimmy Campanis will be there to ”… offer Father’s Day wishes, pose for photographs, and sign autographs,”according to a press release sent out by the ball club. By the way, the Dodgers are playing the Los Angeles Angels down in Anaheim this weekend.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Father’s Day, Sunday June 21. Fans and their families can enter the baseball field at Dodger Stadium through the center field gates. Parking is free. Macy’s, a co-presenter with the Dodgers, is sending over a load of soft souvenir baseballs to be handed out to the crowd.

Oh, my dad would have been thrilled to walk out on the field at Dodger Stadium where the Major League Baseball players compete. To stand on the pitcher’s mound. To check out the bases up close. Maybe even kick the dirt at home plate and take a swing or two with an imaginary bat.

In 2003, my dad passed away. We didn’t get a chance to go to a Dodgers’ game together. Still, I  am hoping somewhere on a heavenly field of dreams, my dad is getting the chance to talk the game and maybe even toss a baseball with some of the legendary players of yesterday.

 Happy Father’s Day! 

Photo: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers Andre Ethier had a slamming good time at Dodger Stadium today. Ethier’s second home run of the game, in the 12th inning, gave the Dodgers the 3-2 victory over Philadelphia. It was the outfielder’s second career walk-off homer. Ethier and Casey Blake are now the team’s lead home run hitters this season with nine each.

Photo: Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers  — Slugger Manny Ramirez hits his fifth home run of the season and 532 of his career on April 30, 2009 at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 8-to-5 in that game. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers were on a roll with the best record in Major League Baseball when they hit a major hurdle. Ironically, that hurdle was thrown up in front of the team by its star player and power hitter, Manny Ramirez. This morning there are reports all over the media and on the Internet that Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and is suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball. This means Ramirez will not be eligible to suit up with his team until July 3.

The suspension begins tonight against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. Talk about bad timing. Last night, the Dodgers beat the Nationals 10-to-3, setting a league record for kicking off the season with 13 consecutive home wins. Also, the Dodgers have the best record in the league at 21-8.  Clearly, the loss of Ramirez is going to take some serious adjustment for the boys in blue.

Off the field, this a huge blow to the team’s efforts to promote Ramirez with billboards, T-shirts, and even a section of seats at Dodger Stadium called Mannywood. And what about the fans? Thousands of them have been packing the seats at Dodger Stadium this season and Ramirez is part of the reason for that.

A Los Angeles Times report has reaction from Ramirez. In a prepared statement, the left fielder blamed the positive drug test on medication from a personal physician: “He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was okay to give me. Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I’ve taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons.”

Also, Ramirez expressed regret for the mistake:”I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. LA is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I’m sorry about this whole situation.”   

Ramirez is the most high-profile player to be caught by the Major League Baseball’s drug testing program, which began in 2003. Since players are not paid while on suspension, this is going to cost the left fielder big time; an estimated $7.7 million of his $25 million salary this year.

Photo: Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier leaped into the air to celebrate at Dodger Stadium last night, as the boys in blue beat the San Diego Padres 2-to1. The Dodgers are now in first place in the National League West. Also, the win means the Dodgers are 9-0 at home, which ties the 1946 record set by the Brooklyn Dodgers for the best home start in franchise history.

Photo courtesy  Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

A billboard creates an interesting effect as Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Ethier makes the catch at Dodger Stadium last Thursday, April 2. Also, the right fielder hit a run-scoring triple and homered in the eighth inning to help the Dodgers dust the Angels 6-to-2 in that exhibition game.