Photo: Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times — Devastation in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, where survivors, and reportedly looters, were caught rummaging through the ruins. 01/16/10

Photo: Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times –  Despair on the face of a homeless father as he clings to his sleeping son during another night in a park with other quake survivors in the hard hit city of Port-au-Prince. 01/16/10

The L.A. Times has more terrific images of the aftermath of that 7.0 catastrophic earthquake, which ripped through Haiti last Tuesday, January 12. Click here to check out the other photos, but be warned, some are quite graphic.

Photo: Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times/01-01-10 — Captain Chesley  “Sully” Sullenberger and his wife, Lorrie, wave to the crowds during the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.

Hero pilot, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger was the perfect choice to be the grand marshal of today’s Tournament of Roses Parade. You might remember, the miracle on the Hudson. The US Airways pilot  landed a disabled passenger jetliner safely on New York’s Hudson River, a year ago this month. A bird strike had knocked out all of the plane’s engines, but Captain Sullenberger’s skill and quick thinking saved the day.  Since then, Sullenberger has become a book author and a reluctant celebrity.

The theme of this year’s Rose Parade, “A cut above the rest” in honor of every day heroes.

Photo: Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times/01-01-10 — Three cheers for Burbank!  The “Barnyard Aces” float built by the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association won a trophy for best animation and motion.  On the float, there’s a Stearman PT-17 airplane that climbs, dives, and performs 360 degree rolls.

Photo: Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times/01-01-10 — “Tuskegee Airmen: A Cut Above,” sponsored by the West Covina Rose Float Foundation, pays tribute to that heroic famous group of African American servicemen of World War II. The float won the Mayor’s Award for most outstanding city entry — national or international.

Photo: Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times/ 01-01-10 — The “Jewels of the Pacific,” showcasing sea creatures in the underwater world off the California coast, was sponsored by the Downey Rose Float Association. It won the Founders’ Trophy for most spectacularly built and decorated float by volunteers from a community or organization. 

Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

On November 27, 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, welcome the arrival of the official White House Christmas tree. It’s an 18 1/2 foot Douglas-Fir and will be set up in the Blue Room of the White House.

Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

On November 30, 2009, volunteers work on decorating the official White House Christmas tree.

Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

On December 6, 2009, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle smile for the cameras in front of the  beautifully decorated official White House Christmas tree. 

Official White House photo by Pete Souza — December 20, 2009

 Like millions of Americans, President Obama rolled up his sleeve for a flu shot yesterday. The Prez did not have to stand in line at a clinic or make an appointment at a doctor’s office. Obama received the H1N1 vaccine from a White House nurse. Obama got a vaccination for the seasonal flu a few weeks ago. Actually, the entire first family, except for the dog Bo, has been immunized against both flu viruses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, we’re heading into the worst of the flu season. It can start as early as October and usually peaks in January or late winter.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove —Burbank

This week, a lot of talk, angry words, debate, and even some ranting, tripping, spewing, and spinning about what’s wrong in Burbank. On this fine example of a sunny, fall day, with temperatures to top out in the upper 60s or mid-70′s, one is reminded of some of the oh-so positive groovy reasons for living in Burbank.  

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank

While other parts of the country deal with the snow and ”brrr” of autumn, here we can walk, jog, bicycle, garden, or just sit out on the porch and watch the world go by in November. I love this time of year; with our mild climate many flowers and plants are now in fabulous bloom, one of my favorites, bougainvillea. This wonderful vine flowers year round and thrives in Southern California. In Burbank, bougainvillea is on display in variety of shapes and colors like bright pink, magenta, orange, purple, yellow, and white.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank

Yeah, there are some serious problems in Burbank right now. Nothing that can’t be fixed, in my opinion, making Burbank an even better place to live. 

Photos: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove— Burbank

Photo 11/01/09: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove —Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters where the flags are flying at half-staff in remembrance of Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn, Sr.

The Burbank Police Department has taken some pretty big hits lately from lawsuits, investigations, low morale, scandal and now the apparent suicide of one of its patrol officers. According to a press release put out by the Burbank PD, 50-year-old Neil T. Gunn died on a residential city street corner of a self-inflicted gunshot wound yesterday morning.

It happened around 11:40 a.m. near the intersection of Sunset Canyon Drive and Harvard Road in the hillside area. Police officers responded to a slew of 9-1-1 calls and found Gunn. A short time later, Gunn was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove

At the time of his death, the 22-year veteran patrol officer was apparently on administrative leave after being named in an FBI investigation into police misconduct, according to The Burbank Leader. At least a dozen Burbank police officers are part of that investigation. So far, the FBI has not disclosed the details of the probe.

During his long career, Gunn received a number of awards and commendations including Ministerial Officer of 1992 and department professional esteem awards in 1997 and 2004.

The press release stated: “This incident is a devastating tragedy. The members of the police department and all our city employees share in the grief with his family during this difficult time.”

The investigation into the death of Sgt. Gunn is now being handled by the Glendale Police.

Also, Burbank Blogger Steve Ferguson has a commentary on his site about Gunn’s death. It’s well worth the read.

UPDATE:10/31/09                                                         

Photos 10/30/09: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove

A wreath dedicated “In Loving Memory” of Sgt. Neil Gunn was anchored near The Guardians sculpture in front of the Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters when I dropped by the site yesterday.

Photo 10/31/09: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove

Then today, I noticed a second wreath had been added to the flowers, cards, and candles in that memorial to a fallen officer.

Also, I am hearing now that Sgt. Gunn was not on administrative leave when he died. Meanwhile, a lot of unanswered questions and suspicions about Gunn’s death. The press release from the city of Burbank/Burbank PD called the gunshot wound on Gunn’s body self-inflicted. Some, including a resident I spoke to who lives near the scene of the tragedy, doubts the suicide conclusion.

UPDATE 11/01/09

This same resident, who did not want his name used, pointed out to me the spot where Gunn’s body was discovered, beneath some shady trees on a grassy area with blooming pink roses and a large sign for the nearby De Bell Golf Course and some other local attractions. 

Photo 11/01/09: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove

 Near the location attractions sign and not far from the street sign identifying this intersection as Sunset Canyon Drive and Harvard Road, flower bouquets were left in sympathy for Sgt. Gunn.

Photos 10/30/09: FLLLewis/A Writer’s Groove

 I e-mailed a copy of that press release to a friend, Ken Bell, who is a retired investigator for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Ken Bell opines “… there must have been some tattoo (gun powder burn) around the wound indicating that it was close range shooting and a check of GSR (gun power residue on the shooting hand) would have {been}strong evidence that he shot himself…..”   Bell suggests the position of the body and other evidence at the scene could have reinforced that conclusion.

We will probably have to wait until the Glendale Police investigation wraps up and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office releases some part of its report before we have a clearer picture of how Sgt. Gunn died. Hopefully, that information will shed some light on the other important question; why did Gunn die?

UPDATE 11/02/09 MAJOR DEVELOPMENT

Tomorrow’s Burbank City Council meeting is shaping up as a major event and perhaps even a turning point for the Burbank Police Department. I got this media advisory a short time ago.

Also, a source tells me a large number of Burbank Police Officers are planning on attending Tuesday’s council meeting to show support for the family of Sgt. Gunn and to show support for the immediate removal of Police Chief Tim Stehr.

Media Advisory

Burbank police Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn Sr. family members

to address the media

BURBANK, Calif., November 2, 2009 - The family members of Burbank police Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn Sr., who died last week will speak to the media following the Burbank City Council meeting tomorrow, November 3, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Sergeant Gunn’s children and other family members will tell the media that Sgt. Gunn’s suicide was motivated, in large part, by the treatment of Sgt. Gunn by the Burbank Police Department .

Sergeant Gunn was a 22-year-veteran and patrol sergeant with the Burbank Police Department. He received numerous commendations for his work, including Ministerial Officer of the Year in 1992, and two departmental Professional Esteem awards.

The Burbank City Council meeting begins tomorrow at 6:00 pm at City Hall, 275 E. Olive Avenue.  It is anticipated that the family will talk to the media at 6:30 pm outside of the Council Chambers.   

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: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank

                             ”The Star Spangled Banner” Fourth and Final Verse

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must when our cause it is just
And this be our motto: “In God is our Trust.”
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Words written by Francis Scott Key and music by John Stafford Smith  1814

Photo: Pete Souza/the White House

Last Friday, President Obama met with a very special  group of visitors at the White House. The guests and their canine companions were from the Helen Keller National Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The center offers intensive rehabilitation training for deaf-blind youngsters and adults. The five students, two staffers, and three volunteers from the center were on tour in Washington, DC.

Last week was Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness week. The Helen Keller National Center was established in the late 1960s by Congress. Helen Keller, a deaf and blind author, political activist, and lecturer died at the age of 87 in 1968. As a child, Keller’s world of isolation was opened up with language by her teacher, Anne Sullivan. That breakthrough is at the heart of the famous play and movie called, “The Miracle Worker.”

Photos: FLLewis/ A Writer’s Groove

The National Fire Service Day celebration in downtown Burbank on May 9, 2009 had a festival flavor. There was food, entertainment, educational booths, along with fire personnel, fire trucks, and other emergency vehicles. The Burbank Police Department and several other local agencies took part in the annual event as well.

 Photo: Carla Thomas/NASA

Bad weather in Florida continued today, so the space shuttle Atlantis dropped out of the sky and landed at Edwards Air Force Base here in California at 8:39 a.m. Pacific Time. The crew of Atlantis carried out an extensive and complex upgrade of the Hubble Space Telescope during a 13-day journey.

Later, Commander Scott Altman spoke for his six-member crew: “We’re all thrilled to have the mission complete and it was a testament to the teamwork and cooperation of folks all across the country.”

Meanwhile, NASA is gearing up for the next mission into space. Space shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to blast-off next month, June 13, on a trip to the International Space Station. 

 Photo: Lawrence Jackson/White House — President Obama shares a fistbump with a proud young graduating Midshipman at the U.S. Navy Academy commencement today.

President Obama kicked off the long Memorial Day holiday weekend today with a speech to the graduating class of 2009 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland: “After an era when so many institutions and individuals acted with such greed and recklessness, it’s no wonder that our military remains the most trusted institution in our nation. (Applause)

And in a world when so many forces and voices seek to divide us, it inspires us that this class came together and succeeded together, from every state and every corner of the world. By building an institution that’s more diverse than ever — more women, more Hispanics, more African Americans — the Naval Academy has reaffirmed a fundamental American truth: that out of many, we are one.”  (Applause)

More of the president’s speech and photos of the event on the White House blog.

Photo: Pete Souza/White House

President Obama takes a break from his busy schedule to toss a football and share a moment with family pet Bo on the south lawn of the White House last Tuesday, May 12, 2009. That Bo is really enjoying his dog’s life at the White House.

 Photos: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove

Despite its problems, Grand View Memorial Park, will be open to the public today from noon until 4 p.m. Only a few hours for those who would like to share some time on this Mother’s Day with relatives and friends laid to rest at this 125-year-old cemetery in Glendale.

The cemetery’s legal and management problems date back to 2005, when a state investigator discovered thousands of mishandled human remains at Grand View. More than a year ago, the neighborhood landmark was shut down and is only open periodically now with the approval of a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge.

Grand View will be open on May 24, June 14, June 21 Father’s Day, and June 28 as well. Grand View Memorial Park is located at 1341 Glenwood Road in Glendale.

Photos: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove – Burbank

Be kind to the planet and all its living things.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove – Burbank

Get out those shorts and tee shirts; we’re getting a preview of summer. Today the temperatures climbed into the mid-80s in Burbank. Tomorrow the high is expected to leap 10 degrees to 95, maybe even into triple digits!  Weather forecasters say this blast of summer could linger for a few days. 

So for workout warriors who like to exercise outside in the sunshine, the best advice is to do it early and keep the water bottle handy.

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. 

Photo: NASA TV

After a 12-day mission, the shuttle Discovery with a crew of seven on board, touched down safely at Kennedy Space Center in Florida today at 3:14 p.m. EDT.

FLLewis/A Writers Groove

Two walkers chat and keep up a brisk pace on Olive Avenue in Burbank recently. I’m seeing more and more exercisers pounding the street pavement and sidewalks as the temperatures rise. For the next few days, the highs are expected to be in the mid-70s to the 80s here. So I’ll probably be seeing even more folks outside, reviving up their sluggish or dormant exercise programs. Just like I’m doing.