Community Chatter

Friday, September 18, 2009

Jobless rates jump! Where is that recovery?

Some grim economic news out today from the federal government about the number of Americans out of work. The federal data shows the unemployment rate continues to rise despite reports from some experts that the recovery from this dreaded recession is underway. The California jobless rate rose from 11.9% to a record high of 12.2% in August, according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics. […]
Friday, September 18, 2009

NBA hoopster gets starring role in new movie

Photo: Keith James/ freelance photographer Cleveland Cavaliers Superstar, LeBron James has signed on to take his game to the big screen. 24-year-old James will star in a comedy called, “Fantasy Basketball Camp” set to go before the cameras next summer, according to Daily Variety. James’ role in the film will not be much of a stretch, he’ll be playing himself. […]
Sunday, September 13, 2009

Tyler Perry wins the weekend Box Office derby

Writer/director/actor Tyler Perry is still on an incredible roll at the Box Office. This weekend his latest film, “I Can Do Bad All By Myself,” left the competition in the dust. This is the fifth Perry film in the past five years to debut at the top of the Box Office. The numbers are not spectacular, but a win is a win. “I […]
Friday, September 11, 2009

Burbank, the city council, and that disturbing water wasting video

  Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Burbank officials have hammered residents with new water restrictions, penalties, and higher rates recently. We’re in a water crisis they insist. Well, you’d think if the shortage is as serious as they say, the first order of business would be to make the city as water efficient as possible. There are indications this has not been a high priority or the […]
Saturday, September 5, 2009

A Labor Day salute to Grand View visitors/volunteer workers

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove Most visitors to cemeteries come bearing flowers and mementos not rakes, shovels, and cleaning supplies. At Grand View Memorial Park in Glendale, there is a hardy group of visitors who regularly arrive at the struggling cemetery ready to put in several hours of serious work; from clearing weeds and debris to cleaning tombstones and grave markers. Photo: FLLewis/A […]
Friday, September 4, 2009

Water a hot issue at the Burbank City Council meeting

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank  We’re deep in the heat of a Southern California summer with temperatures  reaching over 100 degrees on many days. So what does the Burbank City Council do?  Last Tuesday, they voted to slap stiffer restrictions on water use. Hopefully, the council will reconsider this decision when the issue comes back for a final review.  At this week’s city council meeting, Dr. David Gordon was […]
Saturday, August 29, 2009

Wildfire near La Canada Flintridge out of control

      Photo: Al Seib/Los Angeles Times 08/28/09 — Firefighters take a break from battling the wildfire in the hills above La Canada Flintridge.                        A wildfire that sparked in the Angeles National Forest above La Canada Flintridge last Wednesday is now on the rampage threatening several foothill communities today. The fire went from about 5,500 acres overnight to more than 20,000 acres today. Firefighters are battling […]