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.

Burbank police commissioner resigns

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Police Commissioner Jim Etter at the National Night Out kick-off event in Burbank, August 3, 2010

The Burbank Police Commission’s most controversial and perhaps its most dedicated member is stepping down at the end of tomorrow’s police commission meeting. Jim Etter sent a letter of resignation late yesterday to Police Commission Chair, Elise Stearns-Niesen, Mayor/City Council member, Jess Talamantes, Burbank Police Chief and Deputy Chief, Scott LaChasse and Tom Angel.

 No, Etter is not going into hiding or moving out of town as some of his detractors would prefer. At the request of Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, Etter has accepted an appointment to the County Fish & Game Commission.

In his resignation letter, Etter explains his decision: “My availability, with a new appointment from Supervisor Mike Antonovich, on a County Commission, which holds regularly Scheduled Meetings, and more widely recognized responsibility, will circumvent my attentiveness to Burbank Police Commission Business.”

The resignation letter comes hours before a planned discussion by the city council this evening, which most likely would have ended with Etter’s removal from the police commission. The reason for the discussion: some comments Etter made at a joint meeting of the city council and police commission last November.

 During the past several months, this issue has been kept alive by Vice-Mayor/City Councilman Dave Golonski who apparently has been involved in a long-running feud with the Etter family. The city council should not be used as a platform for vendettas nor a place to settle old scores. The council should accept Etter’s resignation, thank him for his service, and move on to the process of selecting a new commissioner to replace him.

Since his appointment to the Burbank Police Commission back in 2009, Etter has been a rebel or renegade on the panel. When Etter arrived the commission was on the verge of being obsolete.  It met once every four months and had very little contact with the public it was supposed to represent. Etter was fired-up to change things. He pushed hard, ruffled feathers, and sometimes, resorted to theatrics. However, the major achievement of the police commission in the last year should be credited to Etter.

From his first days on the commission, Etter championed the town hall meetings as a chance to have direct contact with the public and to hear residents’ concerns. Etter “dogged” his fellow commissioners about the town hall meetings until they became a reality. Now that the town hall meetings have revived the public’s awareness of the police commission and  respect for it, many have claimed credit for them — but the real kudos should go to Etter.

During his tenure as police commissioner, Etter tried to be a problem solver who  believed it was his job to stay in contact with residents and to voice their concerns. He made some mistakes — at times he was too quick to act or speak without considering the consequences. Nevertheless in my view, his achievements far outweigh his failings.

Hillside view home debate

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- City council members listened to speakers debate an appeal of a hillside development permit Burbank July 12, 2011

 In a move that shocked many in the audience at last Tuesday’s city council meeting, four city council members voted to uphold an appeal of a development permit for a two-story home development at 1030 Via Alta in the Burbank hills. I was surprised. The city council got it right on this issue.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Homeowners Alice and Daniel Parks (both shown wearing glasses) at a city council meeting during the discussion of the a home development project at 1030 Via Alta Burbank July 12, 2011

 The appeal was filed by homeowners Daniel and Alice Parks and Dave and Alexis Hanson. Both couples spoke passionately about the erosion of their view this project would cause and how it would not fit in with the character of a neighborhood where views are prized above everything else.

The Parks produced excellent visuals/graphics showing how the proposed project would damage their panoramic view. They were supported by a number of residents — over 40 of them signed a petition against the development project.

On the other side, Aram and Marine Papazian, their architect, George Avetisyan,  and their supporters.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Marine Papazian defended project plans as her dream home and asked the council to deny the permit appeal Burbank July 12, 2011

The  Papazians have been through several design changes and will have to now go through more. They have a nice size lot with options.  However, that is not always the case, especially in the hillside areas. Hopefully, this will send a message views are part of the character of the Burbank hillside communities and will be protected.

 Council member Emily Gabel-Luddy left the council chambers and did not hear the debate to avoid a conflict. Luddy once accepted a campaign contribution from the Papazians.

A second chance for a group of camphor trees

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Camphor trees along Keystone Street near Verdugo Avenue adjacent to John Burroughs High school stadium project Burbank July 15, 2011

The camphor trees along Keystone Street next to John Burroughs High School are gorgeous.  Tall and sturdy — creating a huge green canopy.  Despite all the talk of protecting the environment and going green — five of these trees were at risk of being removed. The reason: their berries, branches, and roots might damage a new track being constructed as part of the Memorial Field project.

Last Tuesday night, the city council decided to save the trees. This week, work crew are out trimming these trees, which will be done periodically to reduce the amount of twigs and berries that could fall on the track. A wise decision by the city council.

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.

Tree talk in B-town

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A tree lined street in the hillside area of Burbank

Burbank is one of only two communities in the state designated as a Tree City USA recipient by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The other is Sacramento. It’s the 34th consecutive year Burbank has received the honor. “This national recognition acknowledges Burbank’s commitment to its community forest,” according to a news release sent out last week by City Hall. 

The city has proclaimed March as Arbor Month. Last Wednesday, at the Arbor Day ceremony in Miller School park a symbolic tree was planted “.. as a living testimonial of everyone’s commitment to the beautification of the City of Burbank through the planting and maintenance of all trees throughout the City.” the release says.

A second Arbor Month ceremony was held on Thursday, March, 24 as part of the Plant-a Tree ceremony. The program reportedly has received $1,500 from donors and that money will go toward planting new trees in McCambridge Park.  This reforesting effort is necessary at the park because so many trees were lost in the recent rainstorms. This brings up a couple of issues.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Two aging stone pine trees on Bethany Road between Glenoaks Boulevard and Third Street in Burbank

Two giant stone pine trees remain in the center of a stretch of Bethany Road. On Sunday, March 20, in the middle of a vicious storm, a third old pine, in the same area, toppled into an apartment building.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Workmen survey the damage to an apartment balcony caused by a toppled tree on Bethany Road in Burbank March 22, 2011

A parked truck was damaged, along with a section of manager Ben Cantu’s balcony at the Bethany Towers Apartments. Cantu thinks at least one of the nearby giant pine trees is  on the brink of collapse. And he could be right. Officials should not wait until the older trees get knocked down in a storm to replace them. For safety and practical reasons, it makes more sense to gradually take out the old trees and replant new ones. Less change to the environment, while ensuring big shady trees will be here in Burbank for future generations to appreciate.

I’ve heard many of the city trees aren’t trimmed as often as they should be due to budget restrictions. Also, as reported in this blog  back on March 16, some of our healthy big trees  are in danger of being chopped down because of root problems in the sewer lines.

Maintenance is just as important as planting trees. Preserving the trees we have in the city should be a high priority permanent item in the budget.  

Spring has finally sprung

Bees and hummingbirds are buzzing the gardens, yards, and fields of the Media City. Spring is finally here. It’s beginning to feel like springtime as well. The high today around 75.  Tomorrow, the temperature will top out in the 80s.  Thursday’s  high could reach 90 in Burbank!!!

Photo: David Cantu/freelance photographer -- Last Sunday's storm was too much for a massive stone pine tree which fell onto an apartment building on Bethany Road in Burbank March 21, 2011

The first in yet another series of storms is rolling through Burbank this evening, increasing the concerns that more trees will topple. Several trees were knocked down by last weekend’s treacherous storm, one of the casualties, a graceful giant at Third Street and Bethany Road.

Photo: David Cantu/freelance photographer -- A downed tree on Bethany Road damaged an apartment building and a parked truck March 20,2011

The building manager, Ben Cantu, says the huge stone pine took the fall at about 4:45 p.m., last Sunday, March 20. Cantu believes the storm was only partly to blame: “… one of the most beautiful trees in Burbank fell victim to high winds and top heavy growth.”

Cantu, whose first floor balcony was damaged,  says that when the tree smashed into the Bethany Towers: “It shook the entire building so much that tenants believed that an earthquake had occurred.” One apartment dweller, Tammy Folkes, reportedly called a friend across town to see if “she had felt the quake.”

Photo: David Cantu/freelance photographer -- A section of that downed tree on Bethany Road in Burbank crushed a parked truck March 21, 2011

Tenant, Dean Benavidez, got whacked twice by the fallen tree. It crushed his truck. Benavidez reportedly was “mostly upset that he had just bought new tires for his work truck.” Also, the toppled tree cracked one of the windows in Benavidez’s apartment — that was the easiest repair job of several that needed to be done.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- On Monday forestry crews chopped the fallen pine tree into a ton of heavy logs, which were carted away leaving behind a huge stump and some smaller wood pieces March 22, 2011

On Monday, forestry crews removed most of that huge tree from the street. Tuesday, a construction crew began the clean-up and repair work on the  damaged  apartment balcony.  

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Construction workers demolished a section of an apartment balcony damaged by a fallen tree on Bethany Road March 22, 2011

Also, on Tuesday afternoon gas company workers came by to fix a leak — also, blamed on the collapsed tree. Cantu says the Burbank Fire Department turned off the gas to the line linked to the stoves in the apartment building on Sunday. So for two days, tenants were not able to cook in their units.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Worker for the gas company repaired a gas line damaged by a fallen tree on Bethany Road in Burbank March 22, 2011

Traffic is back to normal along that section of Bethany Road, between Glenoaks Boulevard and Third Street. There will most likely be some delays later on when the big tree stump is removed. Jan Bartolo of Park, Recreation and Community Services, says that will probably happen sometime in the next month.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- All that remains of a fallen giant stone pine tree is a big stump and a few scattered wood pieces on Bethany Road in Burbank March 22, 2011

Bartolo explained the stone pine that collapsed “… was an older tree, however the severity of the storm played an important role in its failure.” Should residents be concerned about the other giant trees in that section of Bethany Road? Bartolo says the city is keeping a close watch on those trees: ”While it is impossible to predict tree failures, we have taken every necessary precaution with our Certified Arborist inspections performed on the trees since the storm to assess their current condition.  At this time, our arborists feel that the trees are in stable condition with a good root structure and at this time no expectation of any other failures are anticipated.”

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Tree lined street in a Burbank neighborhood March 2011

Burbank is known for its quaint neighborhoods — some with impressive tree canopies along the streets.  A tree lined street is considered a plus by many prospective home buyers. Despite the attractiveness of these large city-owned trees — some homeowners are having them chopped down to cut expenses.  Heartbreaking, but perfectly legal under certain stipulations in the Burbank Municipal Code.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A dirt spot where a giant camphor tree once stood on East Alameda Avenue in Burbank January 2011

Earlier this year, I saw a city crew destroying a huge camphor tree on East Alameda Avenue. I asked the crew supervisor if the tree, which looked healthy, had a disease or harbored some kind of pest. I was told the tree was fine, except its roots were getting into the sewer line and the homeowner wanted it removed.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A section of the tree canopy along East Alameda Avenue Burbank March 2011

These parkway trees are under the jurisdiction of the Burbank Park, Recreation and Community Services department. Jan Bartolo oversees the care of parkway trees. In an e-mail exchange, she explained the code requirements and removal procedure due to sewer problems: “The Burbank Municipal Code (BMC) stipulates that trees can be removed if they are located within 5 feet of the sewer line.”

“When we receive a complaint from a resident who may be experiencing sewer issues possibly related to a tree and/or its roots, we request Public Works (PW)  to provide us with a sewer print out map.  PW’s also provides us with the service of marking the sewer line location.  We then make a field inspection and check the distance to the tree and assess all other pertinent factors when at the site.”

“If the tree does fall within the BMC’s code allowance for removal, we will then schedule the tree’s removal accordingly should the property owner desire this course of action.  While our inventory system does track tree removals, it does not itemize the individual reason for each removal.” 

The homeowners who have the city street trees ripped out because of root problems will most likely see their bills for cooling their homes during the hot months go up. I experienced this when, for some mysterious reason, the huge camphor that shaded the front of my house died a few years ago. I had it replaced with a young camphor that is slowly growing to fill the hole in the street canopy, however, it provides little shade for my home during the summer.

In this tough economy with costs rising and paychecks getting thinner, homeowners should not have to try to save a few dollars by having a city tree removed. Bartolo says these trees are generally 20-70 years old — and the city does not require  homeowners to accept free replacement trees. So the damage is permanent to the tree canopies in some neighborhoods.

At a time when city officials are hounding Burbank residents about conserving natural resources like water, they ignore the needless destruction of these valuable trees. There is a solution. Last night at the Burbank City Council meeting, Councilman Dave Golonski spoke about $9 million in unrestricted funds, a repayment loan, that the city has available. Why not put aside some of this surplus to handle sewer repairs due to tree root problems?  

If homeowners no longer have to shoulder the financial burden for those sewer repairs, beautiful and environmentally beneficial trees would be left alone for all to enjoy.

Fallout from the 43rd State Assembly Race

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.