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: 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: Chuck Kennedy/White House -- President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose for the cameras in front of the Official White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room December 5, 2010
Christmas greetings from the First Couple included a joint message to everyone on this special day.
Remarks of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
December 25, 2010
THE PRESIDENT: Merry Christmas, everybody. Michelle and I just wanted to take a moment today to send greetings from our family to yours.
THE FIRST LADY: This is one of our favorite times of year. And we’re so fortunate to be able to celebrate it together in this wonderful home.
This is the “People’s House.” So Barack and I try to open it to as many people as we can, especially during the holiday season.
This month, more than 100,000 Americans have passed through these halls. And the idea behind this year’s theme, “Simple Gifts,” is that the greatest blessings of all are the ones that don’t cost a thing – the comfort of spending time with loved ones…the freedoms we enjoy as Americans… and the joy we feel upon giving something of ourselves.
So in this time of family, friends, and good cheer; let’s also be sure to look out for those who are less fortunate, who’ve hit a run of bad luck, or who are hungry and alone this holiday season.
THE PRESIDENT: Because this is the season when we celebrate the simplest yet most profound gift of all: the birth of a child who devoted his life to a message of peace, love, and redemption. A message that says no matter who we are, we are called to love one another – we are our brother’s keeper, we are our sister’s keeper, our separate stories in this big and busy world are really one.
The full text of the Obamas’ remarks here on the White House website.
Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- An artist creates a holiday sketch during Santa's Downtown Wonderland in Burbank December 1, 2010
Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Some youngsters get their picture taken with Mr. & Mrs. Claus during Santa's Downtown Wonderland in Burbank December 1, 2010
Photo: Bill Ingalls/NASA --Lunar eclipse over Arlington, Virginia December 21, 2010
Thick storm clouds blocked the total lunar eclipse here in the Southland last night, but it was seen elsewhere. The NASA photo above shows the eclipse in the skies over Arlington, Virginia.
A lunar eclipse occurs only at night when there is a full moon. It happens when the Earth lines up directly between the sun and the moon, blocking the sun rays and casting a shadow on the moon, according to the NASA website. During the eclipse, the Earth’s atmosphere turns the regular gray color of the moon to a deep copper-red.
This lunar eclipse lasted about three hours and 28 minutes and occurred on the winter solstice — the shortest day of the year — and the beginning of winter. This is a rare astronomical feat. The previous lunar eclipse on a winter solstice occurred in 1632.
More incredible lunar photos on the NASA site here.
Photo: Copyright 2010 Mario Testino/People -- One of two engagement photos of Prince William and Catherine Middleton released December 11, 2010
The official engagement photos of Britain’s Prince William and Catherine Middleton were released this weekend. One is formal, shown above, and the other quite casual with the young couple cuddling and smiling.
The photographer, Mario Testino, was hand picked by the prince. Testino has photographed the prince and other members of his family including his late mother, Princess Diana. The engagement photos and a short announcement appear on his father, Prince Charles’ website.
People magazine has a nice write up on the photo shoot at last month. Prince William and Catherine “Kate” Middleton are set to wed on April 29, 2011.
Photo: Lawrence Jackson/White House -- A red ribbon for World AIDS Day is displayed on the North Portico of the White House, November 30, 2010
World AIDS Day is being observed around the world today. A White House event is planned for this afternoon, to remember the victims, stress awareness, and to gauge what is needed in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the U.S. and internationally.
World AIDS Day was established by the World Health Organization in 1988.
Photo: Pete Souza/White House -- Bo Obama looks through a window at the White House October 26, 2010
Outside looking in — Bo, the Obama family dog, peered through a window at the White House recently — probably searching for someone to play a cool game of fetch the ball.
Photo: Chuck Kennedy/White House — Hundreds of chefs from around the country gathered on the south lawn of the White House for a “Let’s Move” event on June 4, 2010
First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” program has expanded to include hundreds of chefs from communities all across the nation. Chefs from 37 states assembled at the White House on Friday, June 4, 2010 to support “Chefs Move to Schools” phase of the first lady’s program.
“Let’s Move” is aimed at fighting childhood obesity. The chefs will be paired with schools in their local communities to work with students, parents, school nutritionists and administrators. Mrs. Obama explained it this way: “And together, you’ll be helping students learn where food comes from, and develop healthy habits. You’ll be elevating the role of food in our schools, and working to create healthy meals on a budget…You can make a salad bar fun — now, that’s something — and delicious. You can teach kids to cook something that tastes good and is good for them; and share your passion for food in a way that’s truly contagious.”
Food Diva/Author/Cookware Designer/TV Chef, Rachael Ray, posted a story on the White House Blog today about the program and her own experience called “Cooking as a Way of Life.” Ray says: “Understanding what good nutrition means and the basics of cooking are some of the most important tools kids need for the rest of their lives. Knowing how to put together a good, nutritious meal really improves the quality of one’s life.” More of Ray’s post here, which includes a video clip, too.
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — The Burbank Democratic Club hosted its 5th annual spring picnic on Saturday, May 22, 2010
It may seem like smooth sailing for Democrat Mike Gatto, now that he has been sworn-in as the new Assemblyman for the 43rd District, but some serious drama is still swirling around him and that race. As of yesterday, for the special election to finish out the term of Ex-Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website showed Gatto with 21,396 votes or 58.57% and Republican Sunder Ramani with 15,133 votes or 41.43%. Even though the counting of absentee and provisional ballots continues –Ramani has grudgingly conceded the race to Gatto.
Gatto is now the favorite to win a full two-year-term in the November General Election. However, before Gatto gets too comfy in Sacramento he needs to deal with an ugly feud that may cost him some votes. Leading the attack on Gatto, local Guerrilla Journalist/Photog, Peter Musurlian.
I bumped into Musurlian ( I mean that figuratively) at the Burbank City Credit Union last Thursday. With no prompting from me, Musurlian went into a name-calling tirade about Gatto and some members of the Burbank Democratic Club. Musurlian announced he recently filed a police complaint as a result of a confrontation at the club’s May 22 picnic.
The reasons for the police complaint: Musurlian claims he was jostled, attempts were made to stop him from taping, and he was splashed with water. He told me, the Burbank PD now has a copy of his videotape showing what happened.
I witnessed part of that heated debate. At the time, Musurlian was in full attack mode. I wrote about that raucous exchange here. In a May 23 e-mail to me, Musurlian defended his conduct by saying “… if some of the Club members had not attacked me, I would not have reacted. I never throw the first punch. Asking questions is not starting a fight.”
Musurlian apparently has been hounding Gatto and peppering him with questions. From what I can gather, Musurlian adamantly believes Gatto has not been truthful with the voters — especially the local Armenian community. The Burbank Democratic Club strongly supports Gatto. Musurlian has some personal gripes against the club and some members as well. In Musurlian’s e-mail on May 23, he also called certain members of the club, “insecure bullies” and ”The protectors of Assembly Candidate Mike Gatto.”
Also, Musurlian disclosed to me on Thursday that a few weeks ago, a member of Gatto’s campaign filed a police report against him. Yeah, maybe this is, tit for tat. Whatever it is, it’s ugly and from what I’ve seen, a re-match could escalate into something real nasty.
Photo: Courtesy Milton Alvarez-Ramos –Steve Ferguson, Newly Elected Chair of The Park, Recreation and Community Services Board in Burbank
Burbank resident/Community and Political Activist, Steve Ferguson, scored a double victory this past week. On Election Tuesday, Ferguson was the second highest vote-getter in the race for a two-year-term on the Democratic Party Central Committee. Ferguson is one of 7 lucky candidates elected in the 43rd District. The committee works to get Democrats elected to various positions and offices.
Then last Thursday, Ferguson made Burbank history by becoming the youngest person ever to be elected chair of a city board or commission. Ferguson, 21, was elected Chairman of The Park, Recreation and Community Services Board. The Burbank High School graduate was appointed to that board when he was only 18. His involvement in community service began at 11-years-old!
Recently, Ferguson worked as the Volunteer Phone Bank Coordinator for Paul Krekorian’s bid for the Los Angeles City Council and as the Burbank Political Director for Nayiri Nahabedian’s campaign for the 43rd State Assembly.
During his one-year term as chair of The Park, Recreation and Community Services Board, Ferguson says he wants to raise “the profile of the board,” work with his “…colleagues and with the council to ban free-standing cell phone towers from our parks and city property surrounding our parks,” and “… ensure that the Park Patrol program has continued funding next budget year.” Ferguson admits he has “… a lot of plans, but limited time to accomplish them in so it is going to be a sprint!”
On Monday, June 14, National Flag Day and National Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance. The American Flag Foundation, which supports patriotic events focused on our flag, is encouraging all citizens and communities across the nation to take time out and join the “pause for the pledge” on Monday. 
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank City Council meeting, June 8, 2010
At last Tuesday’s city council meeting, Burbank Kiwanis Club member Sam Engel (in white shirt) led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Burbank Kiwanis Club has put out an open invitation for everyone to gather at the Burbank Tennis Center, McCambridge Park at 3 p.m. on Monday for a celebration.
It kicks off with a concert by the Burbank Community Band and then at 3:30 p.m., cash prizes will be awarded to the talented local school students who won top honors for their patriotic posters and photos. At 4 p.m. sharp, the Pledge of Allegiance — at the same time — all across the nation– people will be honoring our county by reciting that oath.
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke helps Sam Engel show-off some of the winners in the Burbank Kiwanis Club’s poster and photo contest, at the June 8, 2010 Burbank City Council meeting. Also, Engel is holding a proclamation from the city for Flag Day activities.
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Jacaranda trees in bloom along Tujunga Avenue near Bel Aire Drive in Burbank
A sure sign of warm spring days — the blooming of the Jacaranda trees in Burbank. The purple blooms are stunning, but the flowers carpet the ground and leave behind a sticky residue. Messy yes, oh well, beauty has its price.
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Voters mark their ballots at a Glendale polling place, November 4, 2008
Go vote. The polls are open until 8 p.m. tonight. Got questions or need to find your polling place, check the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website, lavote.net.
Photo: Samantha Appleton/White House — Sir Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder performed their number one hit single from 1982, “Ebony and Ivory,” at a White House concert honoring the former-Beatle, last night.
President Barack Obama presented Entertainer, Paul McCartney, with the nation’s highest award for extraordinary contributions to American music and culture in the East Room of the White House, June 2, 2010.
In honoring McCartney , the president said: “And it’s fitting that the Library has chosen to present this year’s Gershwin Prize for Popular Song to a man whose father played Gershwin compositions for him on the piano; a man who grew up to become the most successful songwriter in history — Sir Paul McCartney.”
Some of the other artists on hand to give props to McCartney at the White House bash Jerry Seinfeld, the Jonas Brothers, Faith Hill, Emmylou Harris, Herbie Hancock, Elvis Costello, Jack White, and Corinne Bailey Rae. More about the event on The White House blog.
Oh, the amazing concert from this celebration is scheduled to be broadcasted on PBS stations nationwide, July 28, 2010 at 8 p.m. EDT.
Photo: Carl Winebarger/NASA — Atlantis touches down at Kennedy Space Center in Florida yesterday, May 26, 2010, ending its final scheduled flight
“It was smooth as silk,” is how Commander Ken Ham described the entry into Earth’s orbit and landing of Atlantis. Yesterday’s touchdown in Florida, at 8:48 a.m. EDT, wrapped up a busy 12-day mission to the International Space Station. A fine farewell for a space shuttle that has traveled more than 120 million miles in 25 years of service. For more on Atlantis and the shuttle’s last mission click over to the NASA website.
Photo: Lisa Burks/Freelance photographer — A generous flower merchant donates hundreds of sunflowers to brighten the Glendale crypt of Michael Jackson
The late King of Pop’s tomb is now filled with a huge collection of sunflowers — thanks to Jason Levin who runs a San Diego company called Sunflowerguy.com. On Friday, May 14, Levin loaded up a truck with 15-hundred happy face sunflowers and drove to Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale to deliver the special gift.
Levin’s company is known for donating bunches of what the website calls “the happiest flower on Earth” to good causes. So it’s no surprise, that Levin took action after hearing a report that Jackson’s ex-wife, Lisa Marie Presley, was asking fans to send sunflowers to brighten the resting place of the legendary entertainer. Apparently, the sunflower was Jackson’s favorite flower.
Local writer/photog Lisa Burk was there when Levin unloaded 30 large containers of gorgeous flowers at the Great Mausoleum Holly Terrace. Later, Forest Lawn personnel carried the flowers inside to Jackson’s crypt.
Photos: Lisa Burks/Freelance Photographer — Dozens of containers filled with hundreds sunflowers are shown outside the tomb of the late Superstar Michael Jackson
Burks has more great flower photos here. Also, you can check out Burks’ posts on Michael Jackson and his fans on her website.
At 74, filmmaker Woody Allen has slowed a bit, but he’s still in the entertainment business. Allen and some of his cast from his latest movie, “You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger,” are at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival on the French Riviera, this weekend.
Sharon Waxman of The Wrap is in Cannes and was there yesterday when Allen made this comment about the final curtain call: “My relationship with death is the same, “ he quipped at the news conference after the film’s first screening. “I’m strongly against it.”
Waxman has more on Allen, his film, and the festival here.
Photo courtesy NASA TV: Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on its final mission from Kennedy Space Center on Florida last Friday, May 14
The Space Shuttle Atlantis is on its farewell mission. Atlantis blasted off from Kennedy Space Center on Friday, May 14, with a six member crew and supplies for the International Space Station. Atlantis is scheduled to come home on Wednesday, May 26.
It will be end of the line for Atlantis, after 25 years and more than 115 million miles. Details and updates on the last space journey of Atlantis on the NASA website.
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Master Gardener Jessica Craven gives instructions on composting to a workshop at the Burbank Recycle Center on May 1, 2010
I’m in a compost groove: recycling garbage into a rich organic soil amendment in a compost bin. Actually, I’m just getting started with this whole composting thing. The Burbank Recycle Center dropped off my compost bin last Thursday. On May first, I attended a free one-hour composting workshop at the Burbank Recycle Center on South Flower Street with around 50 adults and 10-12 youngsters.
Compost Expert & Master Gardener, Jessica Craven, taught the fundamentalists. The basic elements for producing compost are nitrogen, air, and moisture. Also, you need brown stuff (such as dried leaves, twigs), green stuff (like grass clippings, green leaves), kitchen scraps (all sorts of fruits, veggies, breads, paper towels, paper napkins, egg shells, coffee grounds, tea bags … etc).
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Two compost workshop participants check out a sample of the finished product
Burbank residents in the class received free compost bins to store their brown and green stuff where it can “cook,” and microorganisms can turn the garbage into a dark, nutritious matter – an excellent food for your yard, garden, and plants.
There are a lot of websites with information on different methods of composting and the assorted goodies that can be dumped into your mixture. By the way, more composting workshops will be held at the Sheridan Gardens Nursery on North Hollywood Way in Burbank next month. Call the Burbank Recycle Center for details and to RSVP (818) 238-3900.
Photo: Paul Chin/ The San Francisco Chronicle — Hazel Soares, 94, takes notes in one of her classes at Mills College in Oakland, California, where she is set to graduate in May with a degree in art history. After graduation Soares, who has more than 40 grandchildren, plans to search for a museum job. Very nice story about Soares here.
Photo: Pete Souza/White House — First Couple welcomed the silver medal winning U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey Team to the White House on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.
Photo:Bettmann/Corbis/Vanity Fair — A 1961 snapshot of First Lady Jackie Kennedy, Prince Rainier, Princess Grace Kelly, and President John Kennedy at the White House when the royals dropped by for lunch. One of several terrific photos of important events in the life of Grace Kelly that showcased the actress/princess’ fashion style on the Vanity Fair website.
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — A shot of the Burbank hills from South Sunset Canyon Drive
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Three road warriors work out in the Burbank hills
Photos: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove –Flowers in bloom in Burbank
Enjoy it while you can. This spring-like weather in the Southland will soon be history. While it was another sizzler in Burbank today with the temperature hovering pretty close to 80, tomorrow a cooling trend begins and by Friday, cloudy skies and a chance of rain. Get ready to dig out the coats, jackets, and yes, umbrellas.
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Palm trees, blue skies, and sunshine on a winter day shot from Bel Aire Drive in the Burbank hills.
The temperature is rising in Burbank and that’s a good thing. At 9 a.m., it’s 60 and the day will just get warmer and better. A high of 80 is expected in Media City on this February 15 — Presidents Day holiday. A good way to remember Presidents Washington and Lincoln, get out and enjoy the American life.
Photo:Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Instyle.com — Sandra Bullock wears Alexander McQueen on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards January 2010.
The fashion industry and many in the entertainment biz are mourning the unexpected death of British designer Alexander McQueen. On Thursday morning, February 11, McQueen was discovered dead, of an apparent suicide, in his London home. He was only 40 and living an incredibly successful career.
I must admit, McQueen’s name was not as familiar to me as some other designers. On this post, are just a few of his stylish creations worn by some of his celebrity fans. It turns out, I’ve admired a number of McQueen’s outfits on the red carpert, not realizing he was the creator.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.com/Instyle.com — Jennifer Connelly poses in a red dress by Alexander McQueen at the Hollywood Film Festival in October 2007.
He was born Lee Alexander McQueen on March 17, 1969 in the East End of London. After extensive training as a tailor and designer, McQueen quickly gained fame in the fashion industry. In 1996, he was the head designer for Givenchy and later moved on to partner with Gucci.
Photo: Gilbert Flores/Celebrity Photo.com/Instyle.com — Cate Blanchett wore Alexander McQueen to the Golden Globe Awards in January 2007.
McQueen was not only known for his high-quality and provocative couture collections, but also for his imaginative and cutting edge theatrical fashion presentations. The Instyle.com website has extensive coverage of McQueen’s fashions and his talent as a showman, including an article called, ”Daring to Be Brilliant: The Talent of Alexander McQueen.”
Pete Souza/Official White House Photo — First dog and fun loving canine, “Bo” frolics on the south grounds of the White House during a blizzard today.
The East Coast is getting walloped by the second major snowstorm in a week. The storm is expected to drop upwards of 14 inches on the nation’s capital today. The snowy weather has shutdown government agencies, grounded airlines, closed schools, and even halted the delivery of the U.S. mail in some places.
For White House first dog Bo, the blizzard meant playtime in a winter wonderland. President Obama nicknamed the earlier snowstorm, “Snowmageddon.” Today’s blizzard is probably ”Snowmageddon II” and it has helped break the seasonal snowfall record for DC of 54.4 inches set in 1899!
After an early morning chill and some sprinkles, the sun is shining in the Southland. Yees! At 5 p.m. this afternoon, it was 61 in Burbank. The forecast is for clear skies and even warmer temperatures for SoCal over the next several days.
The evacuations for the local burn communities in the foothills are canceled and hundreds of residents are heading back home. Also, the tough job of cleaning up after those heavy rainstorms can now kick into high gear.
Official White House photo by Pete Souza — A beautiful shot of the White House this morning after a night of snow from The White House Blog.
East Coast vs the West Coast. They’re shoveling snow in Washington, DC, while we’re basking in the bright sunshine here in the Southland.
This morning, they woke up to a snow day at the White House after a snowy night in the nation’s capital. The snowfall created a lovely snapshot of the White House and surrounding grounds, but made traveling on local roads and streets treacherous. The high reached only into the 40s in DC today.
The snow began to melt during the day, but forecasters are predicting another snow storm for the city by Friday —bringing with it perhaps as much as a foot of the white stuff! burrr!
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — A scenic view from a Burbank neighborhood on a warm, sunny afternoon last month.
Here in Media City another terrific winter day. Sunny and very warm; with a high that reached 70 degrees!! I love weather like this whether the calendar says February or April or November. Another reason to hang out in Burbank.
Tomorrow the weather is expected to shift back into a more wintry groove with cloudy skies in the evening and a good chance of rain on Friday and showers likely through Saturday. Oh well, keep those umbrellas handy.
