Community Chatter

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas time!

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank    SOMEDAY AT CHRISTMAS Someday at Christmas men won’t be boys Playing with bombs like kids play with toys One warm December our hearts will see A world where men are free Someday at Christmas there’ll be no wars When we have learned what Christmas is for When we have found what life’s really worth […]
Sunday, December 21, 2008

Another winter storm on the way

Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times Palm trees drooped under the weight of snow at the Antelope Valley Mall during last week’s powerful storm in the Southland. Today is the first official day of winter. Despite what the calendar says we got hammered by a serious winter storm last week. More stormy weather is headed our way with wind, rain, snow, and […]
Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Southland slammed by more stormy weather

More cold temperatures, heavy rain, and snow caused havoc in the Southland today. Flooding, snow, and ice made travel on local highways and roads treacherous, forcing some closures. Most surprisingly, the snow level dropped to around 1500 feet. Late today, falling snow shut down highway 14 into the Antelope Valley. Hundreds of motorists waiting and hoping to get home to Lancaster or Palmdale had […]
Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Holiday Spirit

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove – Burbank These are not the best of times, but it’s good to see that has not dampened the holiday spirit of some homeowners and renters. Some of them are still going all out with holiday decorations. Many have had their lights and all the festive trimmings up for weeks. In the Burbank hills, many of my neighbors braved the chilly […]
Sunday, December 14, 2008

Holiday Spirit

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove I don’t know about you, but sometimes wrapping gifts can be a major hassle during the holiday season. Many charities and volunteer groups are helping out shoppers by offering low cost or free gift wrapping services at businesses like Barnes & Noble. When I dropped by the Barnes & Noble on North San Fernando Boulevard in Burbank late one evening last […]
Saturday, December 13, 2008

Fresh Christmas tree sales still strong

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove Two shoppers purchased a fresh Chrstmas tree at a Burbank lot and then stuffed it into a convertible VW.   Shoppers are cutting back on a lot of things this holiday season, but apparently that does not include natural Christmas trees. I can’t really blame them. Artificial trees are economical. Yet, you don’t get that special fragrance and feel of a […]
Sunday, December 7, 2008

Election Day flashback

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove Photos of patriotic first-time voter Dr. Danielle Stranc on November 4, 2008.   “I’m very excited,” that’s what Dr. Danielle Stranc told everyone at a Glendale polling place on Election Day, November 4, 2008. Dr. Stranc is from Chile. The 41-year-old anesthesiologist became a U.S. citizen last January. She voted for the first time in the Presidential General Election. Rick Scully snapped […]
Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Serious rain on the way; evacuations in Southland burn areas

   While some folks scramble to find their rarely used umbrellas today, others in the Southland are either sandbagging or shoring up their properties in the areas charred by the recent wildfires. The threat of mudslides is so serious in Orange County, volunteer evacuations are recommended in the most fire-ravaged  canyon areas of Yorba Linda. Earlier this month, wind-whipped wildfires destroyed hundreds of homes and […]
Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Gas prices and the debate over the auto bailout

FLLewis / A Writer’s Groove – Burbank Gasoline prices are looking real good these days, but consumers are too busy struggling to stay afloat in the sinking economy to enjoy the bargains at the pumps. I was out this morning and found self-serve regular at two gas stations on Glenoaks Boulevard in Burbank selling at $2.39 a gallon. The Auto Club of Southern […]