News & General Info

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Obama & McCain together in the Southland this weekend

                                                    Days before the Democratic and Republican Conventions kick-off, the presumed presidential candidate for each party is headed to Southern California. Senators Barack Obama and John McCain will make their first joint appearance of the 2008 campaign at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, located about 50 miles south of Burbank in Orange County. The moderator for the event and […]
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A court battle over the works of John Steinbeck

The Penguin Group and heirs of John Steinbeck’s third wife, Elaine, won a major victory in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today. The New York court reversed a lower court decision that was in favor of a son and granddaughter of the late author. Today’s ruling returns to Penguin the rights to 10 of the author’s earlier works including, […]
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Hilary Swank to produce romantic comedy

Google Image The book sold more than three million copies in the U.S. and worldwide, now two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank has bought movie rights to “French Women Don’t Get Fat.”   In the snappy diet book, former champagne executive Mireille Guiliano shares her philosophy on how French women manage to drink wine and eat calorie-rich foods and still stay slim. […]
Sunday, August 10, 2008

Singer Isaac Hayes pronounced dead at a hospital today

The entertainment industry took another painful hit today.  Legendary singer, songwriter, and arranger Isaac Hayes reportedly was found in his home unconscious by a relative today. Attempts to revive Hayes by paramedics and later at a Memphis hospital failed.  Hayes got his big break as a studio musician at the famous Stax Records in Memphis, where he wrote songs for […]
Sunday, August 10, 2008

Book Bytes

Olympic deal for “Say It Right in Chinese.” The U.S. Olympic delegation has scooped up more than 500 copies of a Chinese language book. “Say It Right in Chinese” will be handed out to members of the U.S. Olympic team to help athletes and their support members communicate better with their hosts in Beijing. “Say It Right in Chinese” is published […]
Sunday, August 10, 2008

Photo gallery

Photo by FLLewis The San Francisco Collection   A familiar sight. Late evening fog hangs over the cityscape. This photo was taken at Pier 39, about two weeks ago, during my recent visit to the Golden Gate City.  
Saturday, August 9, 2008

Two Bernies have left the Hollywood room

Comic/Actor Bernie Mac dies at the age of 50 There’s a little less laughter in Hollywood today. Actor/comedian Bernie Mac died in a Chicago hospital this morning, after what his publicist says were complications brought on by pneumonia. Cool Mac was an original. He could set up and deliver a joke with impeccable timing or crack-up an audience with just a look. […]
Friday, August 8, 2008

The Police call it quits in New York City

Madison Square Garden Another great band has taken final bows and left the stage. The Police wrapped its reunion tour and last concert with a New York City fundraiser at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, August 7, 2008.  Bassist/vocalist Sting, drummer Stewart Copeland, and guitarist Andy Summers got back together for the reunion tour after taking a break from performing in1986. The […]
Thursday, August 7, 2008

Newbie screenwriter makes six-figure deal

Screenwriter Jason Sullivan is probably somewhere whooping it up and I don’t blame him one bit. Sullivan sold a comedy pitch to Columbia Pictures for real money, six-figures according to reports. This is his first screenplay sale. The Sullivan comedy is about three friends in their 30s who try to make up for an experience they missed — summer camp.  So they rent […]