June 2008

Monday, June 30, 2008

SAG contract expires tonight at 12:01 a.m.

The Screen Actors Guild and the Studio reps are really under the gun now, with the SAG union contract set to expire in a matter of hours. After a weekend of bargaining, both sides reportedly returned to the negotiating table for another round this morning at AMPTP headquarters in Sherman Oaks. This is the 42nd day of negotiations, which started […]
Monday, June 30, 2008

UCLA gets millions for study of costume design

Newspaper publisher and philanthropist David C. Copley has donated $6 million to endow a chair and center for costume design at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. The center will be the first of its kind anywhere. Its goal will be to become the world leader in the academic study of costume design, preparing graduates for a career […]
Sunday, June 29, 2008

SAG contract update

SAG negotiators and the studio reps met at AMPTP headquarters today. This evening, a negotiations update appeared on the SAG website replacing yesterday’s brief statement. The negotiations update thanked SAG members for signing the “Solidarity Statement” over the past four days. “You have pledged your resolve to stand with your national negotiating committee. Thousands of you from all around the […]
Saturday, June 28, 2008

Screen Actors Guild contract about to expire

It is down to the wire for the Screen Actors Guild negotiations with the studio bosses. SAG leaders met with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reps today, but no word on how those talks are going. Tonight, there was a brief statement on the SAG website. The Screen Actors Guild national negotiating committee met with the employers […]
Friday, June 27, 2008

Oil prices skyrocketing, no relief at the pumps

Our money pains at the gasoline stations are apparently going to get worse. Today, oil prices hit a new record of nearly 143 dollars a barrel. This bad news comes days before the July 4th holiday week when thousands hit the roads and highways. While out and driving in Burbank, I could not help noticing a number of brand new […]
Thursday, June 26, 2008

Burbank Democratic Club endorses Barack Obama for President

   I dropped by the backyard cookout of the Burbank Democratic Club this evening. A spirited group of about 20 ate BBQ, sipped beverages of their choice, and discussed the state of the country and the world. And oh yes, talked a lot about politics and the upcoming general election on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.   Club President Janet Reynolds called […]
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Grand View cemetery to be open on Sunday, June 29, 2008

Visitors to the beleaguered Glendale cemetery on Sunday, May 25, 2008, line up at a table near the gate to get information and directions. They get assistance from volunteers including plaintiff’s attorney Paul Ayers and blogger Lisa Burks. The Grand View Memorial Park cemetery hours this Sunday are from noon to 4 p.m.. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Anthony […]
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Chocolate secrets – scientists want to know

Government researchers in Miami are working on research to protect the world’s chocolate supply. Right on! According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture website, fungal diseases cause an estimated $700 million in losses annually to cocoa crops. The scientists are trying to develop disease resistant cocoa trees. Also, researchers will be attempting to unlock all the secrets of the cocoa […]
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

“Marley & Me” author writes memoir

Author of the bestselling “Marley & Me” John Grogan’s new memoir, “The Longest Trip Home”, has been announced for publication on October 21 by William Morrow. “From his troublemaking childhood to his courtship of a fiery blond named Jenny, Grogan writes about how he came to terms with who he is and what he believes.” It’s called the “story of […]