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.

Steve Ferguson makes Burbank history

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!”

Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance

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.

Jacaranda trees bloom in Burbank

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.