February 2009

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Valentine’s Day: flowers, especially roses, still very popular

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove  —  Samuel’s floral designer Karla Comayagua adds yellow roses to an arrangement.       The last minute dash for Valentine’s Day gifts is on and many folks are going for flowers. I dropped by Samuel’s, a Burbank florist well-known for its gorgeous arrangements and high quality flowers, yesterday afternoon. While I was there, several male customers picked up orders and they all […]
Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Michelle Obama on the cover of Vogue magazine

Photos from Vogue/Annie Leibovitz   First Lady Michelle Obama achieves a milestone of her own with an appearance on the cover of the March issue of Vogue magazine. First ladies have shown up in the high fashion icon since 1929, however, only two got the cover. The first, the now Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, back in December of 1998. For […]
Wednesday, February 11, 2009

SAG and AMPTP talks back on again

      The Screen Actors Guild and the representatives from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are heading back to the bargaining table, according to a joint statement that appeared on the SAG website yesterday. The brief statement is below.  “Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have agreed to meet on February 17 and 18, […]
Tuesday, February 10, 2009

DAY 21: President Obama’s economic recovery plan clears the Senate

President Barack Obama’s hard fought economic recovery plan struggled through the Senate today on a vote of 61-37. To pass, the measure needed 60 votes. Only three Republicans voted for the $838 billion stimulus bill. About $108 billion in spending items were whacked from the measure in order to win support from the Republicans. Now, this stimulus bill and the one passed recently by the House […]
Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Grammy surprises, Chris Brown and that domestic violence investigation

 Two days after the 51st Grammy Awards ceremony the talk is not about who won, but about two stars  who skipped out on the affair Sunday night at Staples Center. In a surprise to a lot of folks ( me included), Robert Plant, the veteran rocker from “Led Zeppelin,” and bluegrass singer Alison Krauss won five Grammys including the top prize of album […]
Sunday, February 8, 2009

A new romantic comedy tops the Box Office

  Jennifer Aniston stars in “He’s Just Not That Into You”                                                                                                                                     Moviegoers were really into romance this weekend, which pushed new film, “He’s Just Not That Into You” to the top of the Box Office. The relationship flick follows the romantic antics of several couples. “He’s Just Not That Into You” barreled right over the competition to earn an estimated […]
Sunday, February 8, 2009

“Slumdog Millionaire” wins another big award

                                                                             “Slumdog Millionaire,” the rags-to-riches story produced on a mini-budget, has scored another huge victory among the top Hollywood awards. Last night, Simon Beaufoy won the best adapted screenplay honor for “Slumdog Millionaire” at the 2009 Writers Guild Awards. The film is based on the novel, “Q&A” by Vikas Swarup. The 2009 Writers Guild Awards were handed out simultaneously at ceremonies in Los Angeles and […]
Saturday, February 7, 2009

Valentine’s Day: gift certificates, manicures, pedicures, and reflexology

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove   Celia Wolin is a total perfectionist when it comes to her trademark manicures, pedicures, and therapeutic foot massages called reflexology. Wolin’s clients( I’m one of them) rave about her skill, care, creative flair, and attention to high sterilization standards. Candy and flowers are dandy for Valentine’s Day, but many folks in the San Fernando Valley are giving Wolin’s gift certificates for […]
Friday, February 6, 2009

“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” still a hot ticket in stormy weather

   A cold winter storm pounded Burbank yesterday afternoon as I drove by the NBC Studios at Alameda and Olive Avenues. Along the side the building, huddling under the overhang, a long line of folks waiting to get into “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” A miserable day to be standing outside, but I can understand the dedication. Leno’s days on […]