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.

Some Burbank residents are stepping up their battle against the controversial smart meters, which are designed to relay usage data to a utility center.  They call themselves “Burbank Action.” There is growing concern about charges the smart meters invade the privacy of residents, cause illnesses, and result in higher utility rates. The California Public Utilities Commission is looking into the issue.

Burbank Action is one of several groups sponsoring the forum for Southland residents at the Glendale Moose Lodge 357 Arden Avenue Glendale 91203 next Thursday, November 10 at 7 p.m.  The Burbank Action blog explains the forum this way: “Glendale, Burbank, Los Angeles and Orange County residents have organized this event so that residents throughout Southern California can  listen, learn and ask questions about the dangers of smart meters to our families.”

Forum guest speakers include Mindy Spatt, communications director of The Utility Reform Network (a utility watchdog group), Orlean Koehle author of “Just Say No to Big Brother’s Smart Meters,” and Cindy Sage, a health expert who has reportedlydone field studies that show smart meters can exceed FCC public safety standards.

Meanwhile, Burbank Water and Power is completing an aggressive plan to install smart meters throughout Media City at an estimated cost of $60 million. Despite complaints and objections from some residents, Burbank Action says BWP has “…only a temporary delay list that expires soon, and has not produced any options (for those residents on that list).”

Photo courtesy Guest Blogger Jean Youn

 Tomorrow is a big holiday in Korea.

It is called Chu-Seok , and it is the Korean equivalent of America’s Thanksgiving.

In Korea, it is a five day long celebration.

During Chu-Seok, the first harvests of grains and fruits are prepared and it is day where Koreans give thanks to their ancestors. The seasons in Korea are similar to how it is in the Northeastern United States.

So in terms of the weather and seasons, it’s a little hard to prepare the first harvests.

Why do they do it so early?

In Korea, July and August is when they get their monsoon season, typhoons, and sometimes periods of drought. So when September comes around, the weather gets so much calmer and nicer, so it’s ideal for first harvests.

Still, it is a little too early for a full harvest.

However, considering that the summer months are so harsh, the fall season is welcomed because of its much calmer weather, which gives people reason to be thankful. That is why Chu-Seok is celebrated during this time.

Our American Thanksgiving is still another two months away, but there are always reasons to be thankful no matter what time of year it is.

So in the spirit of Korean Thanksgiving, Chu-Seok, I would like to give many thanks to all of my customers and readers.

I hope that this week will give you many reasons to be thankful.

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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.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Garden Guru Emilio "Elmo" Telles

There was a time in the garden business that I couldn’t give away mole ( gopher) repellents.  As of the last two years, I can’t keep it in stock!

My theory is because of the limited rainfall, we have been inundated with moles and gophers. They are coming down from the hills.

Here’s the deal. With gophers, you will have the holes open and exposed in your lawn and garden beds. With moles you will notice mounds of “fine”-powdery soil covering the holes.

There is this product called “Molemax” that will help repel both. The beauty about this product is you don’t have to use the “old school” poison baits that were dangerous to kids, pets, and your ground water.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Molemax, mole and gopher repellent

 I have had plenty customers that swear by it.

One pound covers about 500 square feet.

Here’s the cool part, I heard that it also deters rabbits, skunks, and even armadillos! I guess that’s why we don’t have armadillos here in So. Cal!

Any questions, feel free to ask.

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Emilio “Elmo” Telles is a garden expert at Armstrong Garden Center  5816 San Fernando Road, Glendale  91202.

Photo courtesy Guest Blogger Jean Youn

It is now September and it is Labor Day weekend.

It’s just about the end of summer and the beginning of fall.

Labor Day was meant for people who work. It is a way for people to be grateful for and find joy in their work by having a well deserved break from work.

You hear about a lot of people who are without and can’t find work these days. You also hear about self-employed people and/or small business owners like myself who get little to no business for periods of time. I have heard this about others and I have also personally experienced it myself.

On Labor Day weekend, I find myself thinking about work a lot.

It really isn’t just a means to put food on the table to survive.

In the book, “The Gospel of the Redman: A Way of Life,” Ernest Thompson Seton says that we should love our lives and that we should find all things in our life beautiful. The book also says to be happy in your personal strength and beauty.

Work certainly takes up a large portion of our daily lives. Don’t get me wrong, family and loved ones always come first, but it’s important to love what you do, especially when it takes up so much of your time. Also, it is the very fact that we work that allows us to enjoy a nice day off of work like Labor Day.

For me, if cleaning and pressing your clothing can help you find beauty and happiness in your life, I will be a happy this Labor Day.

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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.

Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G -- Garden Guru Emilio Telles

As I walk my Golden Retriever through my neighborhood here in Sun Valley, I’ve noticed a rash of mold and mildew on citrus.

 Here’s the deal.

With the sudden heat and the colder nights and mornings, mildew spots are appearing on your  citrus. How do you solve the problem? First, do not water the foliage in the evenings and also use an organic spray to get to those aphids — ants will literally farm the aphids to make that “poop” that the ants love and promotes that white and black sooty mildew.

Another problem with citrus is leaf miner, which occurs with the new growth. Not to be gross, but it looks like a swirly trail on the leaves and someone spit on them! When I’m walking my Danica I have encountered many people having that problem on their citrus trees. They talk to me ’cause I have my Armstrong shirt on!

Also, there’s a product named Spinosad that is awesome working on those citrus leaf miners and in the past few years, the problem has been declining.

Feel free to post any specific gardening questions for me here at  Media City Groove. By the way, if you haven’t already, check out part one of summer care for citrus trees here on this blog.

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Emilio Telles is a garden expert at Armstrong Garden Center  5816 San Fernando Road, Glendale  91202.

Photo courtesy Guest Blogger Jean Youn

Do you like the word ‘new’?

Usually, when something is new, it is good.

Whether it’s a new item or new thought, it often makes people feel good to have new things.

A lot of areas in the United States have the word ‘new’ attached to them, like New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and New Orleans. The first settlers of those territories identified those lands as new and good.

However, it isn’t just new things that are good.

There are old things that are good too. For example, it’s always nice to see old friends.

I admire many people from old times such as Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Old clothes can be good, too.

Sure sometimes if you’ve been wearing an item of clothing for a long time, you might get tired of it. However, if there was an item of clothing you have that you really like but haven’t worn in a really long time, finding it and wearing it again could be nicer than buying new clothes.

New is good, but it can be better to find things that we’ve had all along but have neglected for a long time.

Whether it’s old shoes, an old watch, or an old friend, I hope you’d be able to appreciate them by finding new meaning and new hope in them this week.

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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.

Welcome a new guest blogger.  Emilio “Elmo” Telles, the Garden Guru.  He has a vast knowledge of gardening and a passion for growing things like plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs. Elmo works at the Armstrong Garden Center in Glendale, where he frequently teaches free classes.  I’ve covered some of Elmo’s great gardening classes on this blog.

Last Saturday, July 9, Elmo conducted a class on “Citrus and Tropical Fruits.”  In his first guest post, Elmo  shares some of the advice he gives about caring for citrus trees.

Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G -- Garden Guru Emilio "Elmo" Telles gave some pointers on how to select the right product for the best results in a class on "Citrus and Tropical Fruits" at the Armstrong Garden Center in Glendale July 9, 2011

Summer citrus care and maintenance

I’ve been in the garden retail business for over 20 years. I take my Golden Retriever out for a walk everyday and get questions asked by my neighbors about gardening. Lately, I’ve been quizzed about why their citrus trees are having certain problems. I’m a nice guy and willing to answer questions while my doggy (Danica) waits patiently.

The #1 problem

Lawn sprinkler watering — which doesn’t get water down to established tree roots. When you have established (older) citrus in lawns that get everyday watering — that really does nothing for the roots of an older tree.

The #2 problem

Is over watering, especially with citrus in pots. If the top of the soil is moist then you know you are watering deep enough– so don’t increase the watering.

Deep and infrequent watering is the key to solving both problems. I once had to tell my wife, Yvonne, to not water the Meyer lemon in a big pot like she does the regular bedding plants (petunias, pansies, impatiens etc.) that we have in containers.

Feeding your citrus trees

Fertilizing citrus is something for you to decide. For instance, organic type of fertilizers are great to use about every six weeks. Organics take a while to break down and get to the root of the problem (no pun intended!).

Chemical type of fertilizers (Miracle Gro and other granular citrus foods) act faster and can be applied once a month because they get “leached” down to the soil more readily.

By the way, all citrus needs at least five hours of sun a day to be the most productive. Feel free to post any specific gardening questions for me here at Media City Groove.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Emilio "Elmo" Telles, Garden Guru at Media City Groove

Also, Emilio “Elmo” Telles is a garden expert at  Armstrong Garden Center  5816 San Fernando Road, Glendale  91202.

It’s Father’s Day.

Someone once said that the impression that children have of their fathers seems to change as they grow older.

According to them, the image of a father changes over time as follows:

4 years old — Dad can do anything.

7 years old —Dad really knows about lots of things.

8 years old — Who is higher, my dad or my teacher?

12 years old — Dad is ignorant of a lot of things.

14 years old — My father? There is a generation gap between him and me.

25 years old — Although I can understand my father… the older generation is past its prime.

30 years old — There is some truth in what you say, Father. But…

40 years old — Honey, let’s get my father’s opinion on this before we make a decision.

50 years old — My father was a respectable man.

60 years old — I would definitely go to him for advice if he were still alive.

What do you think?

There is an adage that many fathers hate to hear. It is the one that says, “The best way to teach children is to be a good example.”

Perhaps they hate to hear this because even though they try to help their kids lead good lives, giving them advice and telling them what to do, they have failed to live their own lives by that same advice and be a good model for their children. In this respect, they may feel sorry towards their children and have conflicting personal thoughts.

How about you?

Do you ever feel this way?

It’s Father’s Day.
If you are a father, I hope that on this day you will be able to relax and feel comfortable as a father.

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Helpful tips for your everyday life

Janie Barcus of Parsons, KS saves money on trash bags by reusing the plastic bags from the dry cleaners. She just ties a knot in the end where the hanger goes through, then uses the bag as a trash can liner.

“A couple of dry cleaning items per month adds up to a box of trash bags per year-for free!”

– From USA Weekend

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.

Welcome guest blogger/local business owner, Jean Youn, who has an interesting perspective of the world and daily living.   

A couple was celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary at a very nice restaurant.

They ordered a roast chicken. As soon as the chicken was served, the husband broke off a wing and gave it to his wife. At one glance at the chicken wing her husband was holding out to her, the wife became upset and yelled at her husband.

”How could you know me so little after 30 years? I prefer the drumsticks over the wings! You always give me the wings and have the drumsticks all to yourself! You only think of yourself!”

The husband then replied, “I like the wings better than the drumsticks. So even though I always feel tempted to take the wings for myself, I always gave you a wing first!”

At night, they lied down with their backs to each other. However, they both thought about how they may have been wrong about the way they reacted to each other.

The husband thought to himself, “I guess I never thought to ask her if she prefers the wings or drumsticks. Just because I prefer the wings doesn’t mean she prefers the wings too. So I guess it was kind of my fault that I never asked. From now on, I will ask her what she prefers.”

The wife thought to herself, “I didn’t know he always gave me the wings because he preferred them. I thought he preferred the drumsticks too. I guess it was a nice gesture since he likes the wings. Just because I prefer the drumsticks doesn’t mean he prefers them too. So I guess this was partly my fault.”

That’s a rather humorous story right?

However, not everything in life is a laughing matter.

It is now the month of June.

It is the month of the rose. The rose is the flower that signifies love. 

Even though you don’t necessarily have to get a rose, let’s exchange flowers with those we love this month to show them we love them.

From the cleaners that is always here to listen to your dry cleaning needs, have a great week!

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

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A couple approaches the open gate at Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery at 1341 Glenwood Road in Glendale on Memorial Day, May 30, 2011

After a smashing re-opening over the long Memorial Day holiday weekend, the newly restored Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery will be open today from noon until 4 p.m. In fact, visitors can walk, bike, jog, drive or whatever to Grand View every Sunday from now on.

 It’s been a long road for Grand view. The 100-year-old-plus cemetery fell on hard times after a state investigator discovered mishandled human remains on the grounds. Legal problems and financial struggles forced the closure of the cemetery in 2006. A class action lawsuit was settled in the winter of 2010. Part of the settlement was the restoration of Grand View to somewhere near it’s past glory.  I’ve covered this story on this blog for several years. More details on the Grand View drama here.

 Glendale  Attorney Paul Ayers is overseeing the restoration. Ayers explained in a recent informational e-mail that after five months of work there is still more to be done:”…completion of an inventory of ~1,000 cremated remains located in the West Mausoleum, organization of cemetery records and roof repair to the two mausoleums.  I anticipate these tasks will be finished by the end of July, after which I will complete the process by providing a report to the court on the restoration.”
Meanwhile, the negotiations continue with prospective buyers interested in purchasing the cemetery. No word yet, on when there might be a deal.

Photo: tula/Flickr -- Fans adorned the Hollywood star of the late actress Elizabeth Taylor with pictures, cards, flowers, and mementos March 2011

 Elizabeth Taylor, the Hollywood superstar with the incredible violet eyes, died of congestive heart failure in a Los Angeles hospital, last Wednesday, March 23, 2011. The two time Academy Award winner for best actress was 79. The next day in a small private funeral, Taylor was buried at Forest Lawn Glendale.

The screen legend was laid to rest in the Memorial Terrace of the Great Mausoleum, nearby her good friend Michael Jackson in the Holly Terrace section. Many of the Hollywood famous are in this cemetery including Clark Gable, Walt Disney, and Nat King Cole.

(Photo: tula on Flickr)

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Artist Rosalba Acevedo (far left in blue) chatted with a guest during the water color art show and reception in Glendale March 12, 2011

Guests got a real treat last Saturday, March 12, at the Geo Gallery 1545 Victory Boulevard, in Glendale. A selection of watercolors, by two talented artists in love with color and detail, were on display at an art show and opening reception hosted by Ex-Burbank Mayor/City Council Member, Marsha Ramos. Among those stopping by to browse and chat, Burbank City Council candidates Emily Gabel-Luddy and Bob Frutos.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Ex-Burbank Mayor/Council Member Marsha Ramos gets a warm greeting at an art show and reception in Glendale March 12, 2011

 Ramos has been hosting the shows for members of the Burbank Art Association for about a year. Every six weeks, two different artists showcase their work at the Geo Gallery — which is on the first floor of a Glendale building at 1545 Victory Boulevard. Since leaving office almost two years ago, Ramos has dedicated time to her passion for the arts by being a member of the Burbank Art Association and taking time to paint as well.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Ex-Burbank Mayor/City Council Member Marsha Ramos and Burbank City Council candidate/Police Commissioner Bob Frutos talked with artist Arline Helm at an art show in Glendale March 12, 2011

The artists, Arline Helm and Rosalba Acevedo, have retired from successful careers and are now devoting their time to creating art work with vivid color and impact. Their paintings will be on display through April 7, 2011, from 9-to-5 p.m., Monday-through-Friday, in the Geo Gallery.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Watercolors by artist Arline Helm at the Geo Gallery 1545 Victory Boulevard in Glendale March 12, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Watercolors by artist Rosalba Acevedo at the Geo Gallery 1545 Victory Boulevard Glendale March 12, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Gardening expert Emilio Telles conducted a class on rose care at Armstrong Garden Center in Glendale January 15, 2011

“Think about me on Valentine’s Day. That’s when you need to fertilize,” recommended gardening expert, Emilio Telles, during the rose care class at Armstrong Garden Center in Glendale, on Saturday, January 15, 2011.   Telles used another holiday, Halloween, as a stopping point for fertilizing rose bushes.

Telles’ January class focused mostly on the pruning of rose bushes. I took Armstrong’s “Rose care for beginners,” last May and wrote about it in this blog.  So for this winter class, I was taking detailed notes on pruning because I was ready, for the first time, to cut down my rose bushes and not leave that chore to the gardener.  

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Gardening expert Emilio Telles demonstrated the proper way to prune a new rose bush at an Armstrong Garden Center class in Glendale on January 15, 2011

In between humorous stories of what-not-to-do, Telles provided helpful tips and techniques on pruning. Most important, for established roses cut them down by a third. Severe pruning is for new rose bushes. Also, Telles instructed the group of amateur gardeners to remove the leaves and clip the branches with the cut pointing outward, thin out the rose bush, and open up its center.

For hearty beautiful rose bushes, Telles recommends pruning even if they have buds on them: “You have to let your roses go to sleep.” He says the rose bushes will go dormant, but start growing again in a few weeks. That’s exactly what happened to my rose bushes.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Gardening pro Emilio Telles demonstrated how to remove a new rose bush from its packaging at an Armstrong Garden Center class in Glendale February 12, 2011

I’m thrilled to say, I have new growth on all the canes of my rose bushes. My pruning was far from perfect, but apparently rose bushes are forgiving of a few awkward cuts here and there. At last Saturday’s February rose pruning class, I concentrated on fertilizers and dealing with nasty pests and diseases that attack roses.

Got questions about your rose bushes? Drop by the Armstrong Garden Center at 5816 San Fernando Road and ask a green shirt pro for advice. The staff is really eager to help customers out with any type of plant or gardening issue or problem. Other Armstrong Garden Centers offer the classes, which are free, as well. Information on classes and gardening tips are available at the garden centers or on the company website.

 Burbank’s merit pay for city employees controversy

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank City Hall 275 East Olive Avenue

 Some new developments in the growing controversy about merit pay for Burbank city employees — who gets them — how much per individual — what is the real criteria for who pockets those extra bucks — are the main questions yet to be answered fully by city officials.

Late last Friday, city officials made an effort at damage control over the merit pay issue by sending an extensive e-mail to all employees on the issue. These officials are trying to put out a fire lit by the city of Glendale’s recent detailed posting of employee compensation on its website and demands that Burbank do the same, by the Los Angeles Times/Burbank Leader, other media (including Media City Groove), as well as a number of Burbank residents.

Apparently, City Hall higher-ups have been hard at work lately crafting a response to the surge of interest in Burbank’s secretive merit pay structure. Here are some details on what was e-mailed to city employees by Burbank City Manager, Mike Flad, on Friday.

From: E-Mail Administrator
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 4:05 PM
To: All City of Burbank
Subject: Public Records Request for Merit Pay Information

 City Employees:

 Attached is information regarding the City’s response to a request for records from the Burbank Leader.  We wanted to let employees know that information already posted on the State Controller’s Office website regarding gross salary of employees by title will be added to our website and will list employees by name.  The City is attempting to protect the privacy of employees while providing as much information as possible to the public.  Attached are more details on why this information is being provided as well as our response to the Leader on what information will not be provided.  If you have any questions, please contact Juli Scott in the City Attorney’s Office.

Mike Flad

City Manager

##################################

The attached information included a copy of a letter to Burbank Leader editor, Dan Evans, dated January 7, 2011 from Chief Assistant City Attorney, Juli Scott, and a memorandum on the Leader’s public records request from the Office of the City Manager – also dated January 7, 2011.

The memorandum states:

We will be providing the Leader with the gross compensation amounts earned by all full time City employees for 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, and the aggregate amounts of merit pay awarded for the corresponding fiscal years; however, we have objected to providing the individual merit pay amounts. They have threatened litigation and the City Council will, as provided by the City Charter, direct how that litigation is to be handled, if it is filed. We will keep you update should additional substantial information be released.

In the Dan Evans letter, attorney Juli Scott indicates the Leader will be charged for some of the data.  Hmm. I received a letter from Scott, dated December 30, 2010, and in it she says I will be charged for the same information the Leader is told it will have to pay for. That doesn’t sound right to me so I sent a response to Scott yesterday. That letter is posted below.

January 9, 2011
Juli C. Scott
Chief Assistant City Attorney
City of Burbank
275 East Olive Avenue
Burbank, CA 91510

Re: Records request under the California Public Records Act

Dear Juli Scott:

I’m responding to your letter dated December 30, 2010. In that letter you said “… we are more than happy to provide you with what has been provided to the Burbank Leader…” in regards to the salaries, names, and merit pay for Burbank city employees. I accept that offer, however, there is a catch. You stated I had to contact your office to get “…the cost of providing those items…” Why is the city charging for information that the Leader is apparently paying the city to collect and distribute?

In your letter to Burbank Leader editor, Dan Evans, dated January 7, 2011, you detailed the information that was being made available to the newspaper. You stated some of the data requested would be posted on the city website. Other items would be made available and Evans would be provided with “…the estimated cost of extracting this electronically stored data ….” 

The Leader is being charged to assemble this additional data, therefore, it seems like “double billing” to charge other media and citizens of Burbank for the exact same data. As a member of the media and a Burbank resident, I request that the data collected for the Leader be provided to other media and anyone in the public who is interested free of charge. Feel free to e-mail me that additional information. Or you can simply post all of the Leader requested information on the city website for everyone to see — in a true demonstration of transparency.

Sincerely,
Fronnie Lewis
Editor
Media City Groove
P.O. Box 206
Burbank, CA 91503
FLLLewis@msn.com
www.mediacitygroove.com

Burbank celebrates its centennial

Photo: www.burbankusa.com/centennial

B-town kicked off its centennial celebration this month. Burbank will commemorate its 100th anniversary on July 8, 2011.  A lot of events are planned. Check out the new Burbank centennial website for events and more information on the year-long celebration.

One of the freebies: a gorgeous centennial calendar loaded with photos, events, a directory of important phone numbers, quick references for boards, commissions, committees, departments, agencies, some significant places, and top officials. Calendars are available at city hall, libraries, and various other sites throughout the city.

The week began windy and very cold, but  by Wednesday, December 1, the temperature warmed up and the winds died down — just in time for the annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on the steps of City Hall on East Olive Avenue in Burbank.  

Hundreds turned out for the festive holiday occasion that included performances by both a children’s and adult choir, and visits from Mr & Mrs. Santa Claus and Disney characters, Minnie and Mickey Mouse.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Disney characters Minnie and Mickey Mouse at the Mayor's Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall in Burbank, December 1, 2010

After the tree lighting event, many folks walked over to San Fernando Boulevard for Santa’s Downtown Wonderland – where there was more entertainment, holiday decorations, and shops and stores open for business as well.

The extended nomination period for the Burbank Municipal Elections 2011 ended last Wednesday. On Friday, I spoke with Burbank City Clerk, Margarita Campos, who said that the extension was due to Mayor Anja Reinke’s decision not to run for re-election.

Campos read about Reinke’s decision in the Leader. Then Campos phoned the mayor and “…she did confirm…” it. Campos says the California Elections Code requires the nomination period be extended three days when an incumbent declares he or she will not run for another term.

The way it stands now, there are four candidates running for two seats on the Burbank City Council. Incumbent, Gary Bric, Planning Board member, Emily Gabel-Luddy, Police Commissioner, Bob Frutos, and Landlord-Tenant Commissioner, Jacqueline Waltman.

For the three seats on the Board of Education: the incumbents Roberta Reynolds, Ted Bunch, Dave Kemp, and Traffic Commissioner, Gregory Bragg.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Visitors spruce-up a gravesite at Grand View Memoral Park cemetery in Glendale during a public visitation November 21, 2010

Tomorrow, will be the last public visitation at Grand View Memorial Park cemetery in Glendale until after the restoration, set to get underway in the next few weeks. Grand View will be open from noon to 4 p.m on Sunday, December 5.

Lisa Burks has more on her site about the opening tomorrow and what to expect during the coming weeks of renovation at Grand View.

Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke officially opened a haunted house

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke does the honors at the opening ceremony for the "Nightmare at the Museum" haunt at 907 North California Street in Burbank, October 23, 2010

The “Nightmare at the Museum” haunt was a smashing success. Steve Ferguson, Chair of the Burbank Park, Recreation, and Community Services Board and one of the organizers, reports over 2,800 people visited this Halloween haunt on California Street in Burbank last month.

They raised more than $4,000 for the Family Service Agency of Burbank.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G --Creepy crawlers dangled from the ceiling of the "Nightmare at the Museum" haunt, October 23, 2010

 The team that created creatures like these is gearing up for their holiday haunt with a nightmare before Christmas theme. So the Halloween haunt will be going through a transformation over the next few weeks. We’ll let you know when it’s up and running. Also, Ferguson says the team in the process of  selecting a charity for the donations of cash, toys, and canned goods.

One of the best decked out Halloween homes

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Halloween creatures invaded the yard of a home near Sunset Canyon Drive and Alameda Avenue in the hillside area of Burbank, October 2010

 Many homeowners in the Burbank and Glendale area got into the spirit of Halloween with extensive decorations and blow-up creatures.  One of the best, this home near Sunset Canyon Drive and Alameda Avenue. The blow-up creatures came to life at dust. On Halloween night, an eerie fog and other special effects greeted trick or treaters at this home.

Halloween fun night at a fall festival

The fall festival in the parking lot of the Glendale Church of Christ, on Glenoaks Boulevard, has become a neighborhood tradition. The games, the trick-or-treating, the chilly cheese dogs, handmade spider balloons and more. I was doing duty at the lemonade and punch stand. Also, I could not help noticing the adults appeared to be enjoying the festival as much, if not more, than the kids.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Frank King and daughter, Anne Jackson, join in the fun at the Glendale Church of Christ fall festival October 31, 2010

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Wil Jackson and Cameron Williams get into the spirit of Halloween at the Glendale Church of Christ fall festival October 31, 2010

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Space travelers Brice and Diana Tidewell and their son, River, dropped in for a visit at the Glendale Church of Christ fall festival October 31, 2010

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Trick or treaters scooped up goodies at the Glendale Church of Christ fall festival October 31, 2010

Photo: FLLewis/Media city G -- Samara Strayer handed out trick or treater candy to a couple of costumed visitors at the Glendale Church of Christ fall festival October 31, 2010

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A serene scene at Grand View Cemetery in Glendale shot through a locked gate on October 22, 2010

 The gates of Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale will be open this Sunday, a few weeks before the anticipated start of the restoration. By the order of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Anthony Mohr, the struggling 120-plus-year-old cemetery will also be open for visitors on Sunday, November 21, as well as Sunday, December 5. 

In an e-mail update this week, Attorney Paul Ayers, who is heading up the $500,000 restoration project, announced a landscape architect ”… has completed construction plans for irrigation installation and landscape rehabilitation…” for the beleaguered cemetery. 

The hiring of a landscape contractor should be a done deal by next week, clearing away for the restoration to begin. “We anticipate breaking ground on or about December 15, 2010,” Ayers said. 

Grand View appears to be making progress on the long road to recovery. In January, a multi-million dollar settlement was finalized in a class-action lawsuit against the cemetery. More than a thousand plaintiffs were involved in that suit. It was one of seveal  lawsuits filed against the cemetery after a state investigator in 2005, discovered thousands of human remains at Grand View had been improperly handled. Also, there were allegations of illegal business practices such as the selling of non-existing grave plots.

 Management and financial problems forced the cemetery to close down  more than two years ago. Since then, Grand View has been open to the public only periodically by a judge’s order.

Grand View will be open Sunday, November 7, from noon to 4 p.m.

Photo: Pete Souza/White House -- President Obama chats with White House staffer Cecila Munoz and Southland Radio Host, Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo at Univision Radio building in Glendale, October 22, 2010

President Barack Obama breezed into Glendale last Friday for an interview with Radio Host, Eddie “Piolin” Sotelo, at the Univision Radio building on North Central Avenue. In this photo,  President Obama introduced Cecila Munoz, Assistant to The President for Intergovernmental Affairs, to Piolin.

The Spanish-language “Piolin Show”  is one of the top rated radio programs in the country.  More on the president’s brief visit to Glendale here.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A look at Grand View Cemetery in Glendale through a closed gate, Friday, October 22, 2010

When I dropped by the beleaguered Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery on Glenwood Road in Glendale last Friday, a bunch of fresh flowers were sticking in the closed gate. Today, visitors will be allowed inside Grand View and can bring flowers to place on the grave sites of friends, relatives, and loved ones.

Grand View will be open from noon and until 4 p.m. today. A sign posted in the front of Grand View stated the long awaited restoration is scheduled to begin next month. For more on the problems at Grand View go here.