News, entertainment, opinion, and whatever sparks interest in Burbank the Media City
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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G-- Verdugo Mountains behind Sears at 111 East Magnolia Blvd. Burbank September 5, 2017

Firefighters gain upper hand in battle against La Tuna Fire

The skies are clearer over the Verdugo Mountains and Burbank as firefighters gain the upper hand on the La Tuna Fire. The huge smoky clouds and, sometimes, flames we saw on those hills over the weekend are no longer visible, but fire officials say the threat is not over yet. The wildfire broke out Friday afternoon, September 1, near La Tuna Canyon Road in Sun Valley. Aided by swiftly changing winds, the flames went on a rampage. On Saturday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti  signed a declaration of... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- Hillary Clinton at Democratic presidential debate in Flint, Michigan March 6, 2016

Hillary Clinton campaign raffling off night with the Clooneys

Democratic presidential front-runner, Hillary Clinton, is adding more Hollywood star power to her campaign. The Wrap says Clinton has more Hollywood endorsements “than all the other candidates combined.” Now Tinseltown heavyweight and a long time Democrat, George Clooney, along with his high-powered lawyer wife Amal Clooney, are on board to host fundraisers and a raffle for the former Secretary of State. The Clinton campaign sent out a tweet today about the raffle, which offers winners the opportunity to meet the candidate and the Clooneys... Read More →

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Ellen Degeneres photo logo

President Obama visiting Burbank today

Lookout for traffic jams, delays, and changes in the Media City. President Barack Obama is coming to B-town today for an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” at Warner Bros. Studios. The Burbank Police sent out a traffic advisory this morning and recommends you avoid the following areas: There will be hard closures at intersections in both directions on Hollywood Way from San Fernando Boulevard to Olive Avenue from 3:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. and from 5:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. There will be a complete closure with no... Read More →

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Family Promise fundraiser at the Autry National Center

Family Promise of the Verdugos, a local nonprofit that assists homeless families, is holding a fundraiser called “Restore the Dream.” Last April, the organization had to temporarily suspend services due to financial concerns. They have a goal of reopening the doors to needy families in early 2015.

The newly appointed interim executive director, J.P. O’ Connor, the board of directors, and the Turn Around Committee for FPV are inviting everyone with a desire to help this cause to the “Restore the Dream” dinner at Autry National Center and western history museum to raise awareness and funds.“We ask the community to join us on the ‘Mother Road’ as we explore the 20th Century western migration of families seeking a better life along Route 66 … and support the journey today as local families are taken from homelessness to sustainable independence with the assistance of Family Promise of the Verdugos,” said J.P. O’Connor in a news release.

Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased up until Nov. 7 by calling 818-599-4090 or by e-mailing ExecutiveDirector@FamilyPromiseVerdugos.org .

Since 2010, this chapter of Family Promise has served 76 families — including 111 adults and 143 children — in the east San Fernando Valley are including Burbank, Glendale, North Hollywood and Eagle Rock. The nonprofit provides shelter and food as well as assistance with job development and help locating transitional housing.

A Family Promise Hospitality Network of 26 local congregations – 13 of which host families overnight for a week at a time– is part of this effort to help change the lives of homeless families.

The interfaith, nonsectarian FPV network has a 100% success rate of homeless-to-home transition. The FPV is one of more than 180 affiliates nationwide.

 

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“Shield” actor charged with murdering wife

“The Shield” actor, Michael Jace’s, life has turned into a real police drama. Today the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office charged Jace with murder in connection with the shooting death of his wife last Monday.. Police say the actor called 9-1-1 Monday night to say he had shot his wife. April Jace was discovered in the hallway of the couple’s Los Angeles area home. She had been shot multiple times. Jace was arrested a short time later. The couple’s two young sons were in the... Read More →

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Meryl Streep selling L.A. home

Around the Southland: Meryl Streep selling newly purchased home

    The highly acclaimed actress, Meryl Streep, is trying to sell a newly purchased home in the Hollywood Hills for way more than she paid for it. Streep bought an ultra modern house above Sunset Plaza on the Sunset Strip, for $4.5 million in February of 2013, according to the Zillow blog. The 1950s home had been extensively remodeled in 2010 and turned into an ultra-chic property. Since Streep bought it just a little over a year ago, there doesn’t appear to be much change... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G -- The Burbank Studios at 3000 West Alameda Avenue Burbank 91523

City of Burbank should lobby for next version of CBS “Late Show”

David Letterman’s unexpected retirement announcement today opens the door for some big changes for the next version of  “Late Show.” While some of the chatter is about potential hosts .. other discussions are about a change of location for the CBS late night talk show. Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti, reportedly has sent off a letter to CBS President, Les Moonves, offering up the City of Angels as a new site for the talk show. The Hollywood Reporter says Garcetti  has promised to “…  cut red... Read More →

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Gravity movie poster

DGA Award for best feature film director goes to “Gravity”

The race for Oscars is turning into a real, ah, horse race. Last night at the DGA Awards, “Gravity” took away the top honor — Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film. Director, Alfonso Cuarón, picked up the award for what many consider a cinematic masterpiece. “Gravity” is about two astronauts, played by Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, struggling to survive a shuttle disaster out in space. The sci-fi thriller is one of the front-runners for Oscars, along with “12 Years a Slave” and “American Hustle.” There is chatter... Read More →

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“American Hustle” wins big at SAG Awards

  “American Hustle” has more of an Oscar edge today after winning the top honor at the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center in L.A. last night. The ensemble film won the Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture award — over “12 Years a Slave,” “August: Osage County,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” and “Lee Daniel’s ‘The Butler.'” In the Oscar race, both “American Hustle” and “12 Years a Slave,” have 10 nominations each including Best Picture. Now that the SAG-AFTRA union... Read More →

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Venus Williams Los Angeles home

Around the Southland: Tennis star Venus Williams lists L.A. home

Tennis champion/ interior designer, Venus Williams, has put her Los Angeles home on the market. Williams remodeled the post-and-beam mid-century Hollywood Hills home since purchasing it in 2005 for $1.9 million, according to the Zillow blog. Despite extensive upgrades, the home at 2521 Astral Drive Los Angeles 90046 is now listed for $1,799,000. A bargain for the right buyer. More photos and details about the property here. Meanwhile, Williams reportedly is focusing on tennis right now — getting ready for the Australian Open which starts next... Read More →

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directors chair clipart

City Buzz: L.A. takes action to stop runaway production. What about Burbank?

Los Angeles has taken an important step in putting the brakes on runaway production. Will Burbank be next? Yesterday, Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti, signed a city ordinance to waive fees for pilot productions in L.A. In a way, this is a no brainer, but it has been a long time in coming for the City of Angels. Garcetti wrote the legislation back when he was a city council member. Garcetti recognized then, the importance of keeping entertainment jobs in the Southland. Here’s what the L.A. mayor says about... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Arco station at Lake Street And Alameda Avenue in Burbank selling regular gas for less than $4 a gallon March 27, 2013

Regular gas drops below $4 a gallon in Burbank

Just before the long Easter holiday weekend, gas prices dipped in Burbank. Today I bought $20 worth of regular gas at the Arco station at Lake Street and Alameda Avenue in B-town. The price: $3.99 a gallon. Okay, it’s not the serious tumble we would like — but hopefully, this is the beginning of a major drop in gas prices. Today, the triple-A Daily Fuel Gauge Report is showing the average price for regular in our area, the Los Angeles-Long Beach region, is $4.1 a gallon. This is... Read More →

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Photo courtesy NASA -- A Shuttle carrier aircraft with Endeavour mounted on top took off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida today September 19, 2012

Endeavour headed to Southland

After several weather delays, Endeavour is finally headed to the Southland. A shuttle carrier aircraft, a modified 747, took off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida with Endeavour secured to its top. The SCA landed at Ellington Field in Houston this morning and will remain there overnight. Endeavour will be on display there until 9 p.m. this evening. Tomorrow at dawn, Endeavour is expected to continue it’s piggyback ride across the country. Endeavour is scheduled to land at LAX sometime before noon this Friday. In October, Endeavour will be moved... Read More →

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gas pump clip art

Gas prices heading up for Labor Day weekend, consumers blame oil companies

Gasoline prices are on a roll again — upward!  As the long Labor Day weekend approaches, prices at the pumps continue to creep up. Today the national average for a gallon of self-serve regular is $3.75, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report. As usual, prices are higher in California.  Today the state and the Los Angeles/Long Beach (including Burbank) area average for a gallon of that grade of gas is $4.13. A month ago, the price was $3.80 a gallon for self-serve regular... Read More →

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Photo courtesy author Cheryl Holt

A Writer’s View: “New York Times bestselling author dishes on the dramatic changes in the publishing industry”

New York Times bestselling author dishes on the dramatic changes in  the publishing industry I always considered myself to be the walking, talking success story of American publishing.  I’m a lawyer, and at age 40, I had two babies back to back.  Suddenly, I was a stay-at-home mom and trying to figure out how to replace the income I relinquished due to this life change. I decided to start writing novels.  I didn’t know anything about writing books or about the publishing industry.  I simply forged ahead, armed with a steely... Read More →

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Photo: John Shearer/Wireimage/People -- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge say good-bye before boarding a plane back to the UK this afternoon at LAX July 10, 2011

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the Southland

Prince William and Kate Middleton left Los Angeles for home this afternoon, after an events packed three day visit to SoCal, which included a polo match in Santa Barbara, mingling with Hollywood stars at a gala, and chatting with inner-city kids on L.A.’s  Skid Row. People Magazine has complete coverage of the Royals’ visit on the last leg of their North American tour.  Also, check out People’s photo gallery of William and Kate doing the Southland here. For more photos of William and Kate’s tour, Read More →

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Logo for the Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers: New security measures for games and a fundraiser for beating victim

Los Angeles Dodgers owner, Frank McCourt, joined Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Los Angeles Police Chief, Charlie Beck, at a news conference today to unveil a new hard-line policy against disruptive fans. Mayor Villaraigosa said,” violence will not be tolerated” and that “public safety is number one.” Police Chief Beck praised the Dodger organization eagerness to embrace all of a series of new security recommendations, among them,” increased LAPD presence” at all Dodger games, no drinking in the parking lots, improved lighting, and close security TV.  Dodger owner Frank... Read More →

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California Lottery Mega Millions logo

Lottery News: Mega Millions jackpot hits $44 million, a Southland ticket worth more than half a million bucks

A lot of money on the line in the Mega Millions lottery draw tonight. The jackpot is hovering at around $44 million. In last Tuesday’s game no one picked all of the winning numbers — but one Southland player got all but the Mega Ball correct. Tuesday’s numbers: 1, 19, 20, 31, 36 and the Mega Ball 9. That lucky SoCal Mega Millions ticket was bought at the Valero Fuel Station 1285 East Vernon Avenue in Los Angeles. The ticket is worth $598, 206. Tonight’s Mega Millions draw... Read More →

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Photo: FLLLewis/Media City G -- Traffic at Main Street and Alameda Avenue in Burbank

Crime Alert: Crackdown on distracted drivers

Texting behind the wheel or driving and talking on a hand-held cell phone are not just dangerous habits, they violate the law. California is sponsoring its first Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April.  Starting today, Burbank Police will be joining law enforcement agencies throughout the Los Angeles area in cracking down on texting and illegal cell phone use by motorists. “We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously,” said Burbank  police Chief Scott LaChasse in a press release. “Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern... Read More →

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Book cover for "Never in my Wildest Dreams A Black Woman

Pioneer journalist Belva Davis brings book tour to Southland

Award-winning journalist/author, Belva Davis, is in the Southland this weekend for a number of meet-and-greet-and-book signing events. As Black History month draws to a close, this is an incredible opportunity to meet a trailblazer, Davis, the first African American female reporter/anchor in the West, who covered some of the most significant news stories of the past few decades while fighting racism and sexism. In her memoir, “Never in My Wildest Dreams: A Black Woman’s Life in Journalism,” Davis describes her fascinating journey, from a difficult childhood to a broken... Read More →

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Photo: Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times -- Clipper Blake Griffin slam dunks over a car at Staples Center in Los Angeles February 19, 2011

Photo Gallery: Clipper wins slam dunk contest with amazing feat

Blake Griffin how did ya get so fly? The Clipper power forward stunned the crowd at Staples Center last night, and gained all kind of props and kudos, when he leaped over a car during an amazing slam dunk. Griffin won the NBA’s 26th Annual Slam Dunk Contest. The NBA all-star pumped up his own celebrity and add some magic to the struggling Los Angeles Clippers with that incredible dunk. Oh, and Griffin donated his trophy to the family of a friend who recently died.  What a guy! The Los Angeles Times website has more photos and... Read More →

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