Friday, July 2, 2010
It might be an ugly sign of the recession, but there have been two violent encounters involving suspected shoplifters at a major Burbank retail store in less than a week. The latest occurred today at around noon in front of the Kmart store at 1000 North San Fernando Road. The official Burbank police press release says:”Officers had taken the suspect into custody and were outside the […]
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Business is booming at one little shop in Burbank Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Customers waiting in line at Yogurtland in Downtown Burbank While many local businesses are struggling in this tough economy, Yogurtland is packing in the customers and making serious money! “Business is very good.” Jamileth Mendoza, a shift leader, told me with a broad smile as she worked behind the counter last Saturday, […]
Monday, June 28, 2010
Some good and not-so-good news for Oprah The Forbes Magazine website calls Oprah Winfrey the queen of all media. Winfrey is number one on Forbes’ latest 100 richest and most powerful celebrities list. It’s not just the $315 million Winfrey earned last year that won her the top spot on this list. You gotta have huge media exposure and online presence to make […]
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Downtown Burbank Post Office at 135 East Olive Avenue Businesses and city governments are finding all kinds of new ways to stick-up consumers with fees and extra charges these days. They blame it on the weak economy, but it just might be plan old greed. As of last Monday, June 21, the U.S. Post Office at 135 East […]
Friday, June 25, 2010
Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 — June 25, 2009) Kudos, flowers, tears, and memories are being shared around the world today for Legendary Entertainer, Michael Jackson, on this the first anniversary of his death. Like millions of his fans, first I was shocked and then saddened, when reports of Jackson’s death were confirmed on June 25, 2009. Later, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office […]
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Burbank City Council approves new budget and utility fee hikes Last night the Burbank City Council green-lighted a $785 million budget for fiscal year 2010-2011. The tally 4-to-1, with only Councilman David Gordon voting against the budget. As with past budget debates, Dr. Gordon was the lone member of the council fighting to try to “keep utility rates down.” I have watched this recent debate, week […]
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Photo: FLLewis/ A Writer’s Groove — A man takes a late morning walk along Sunset Canyon Drive in Burbank We’re easing into summer. No blistering 100 degree plus temperatures nor scorching sun beating down on us in Media City. Yesterday, summer officially arrived. On June 21, the summer solstice — considered the longest day of 2010 — we should have been drenched in sunshine. Here in […]
Monday, June 21, 2010
Fans whoop it up for the World Champion Lakers Photo: Don Barletti/Los Angeles Times — Thousands of jubliant fans cheer for Kobe and company as the Lakers joy bus rolls along Figueroa Street during the big parade in Los Angeles, June 21, 2010 A parade of purple and gold in Downtown Los Angeles today to celebrate the 2010 NBA World […]
Friday, June 18, 2010
The Burbank Leader goes after a blogger UPDATE: June 20, 2010 — A new version of that controversial post is up on Semichorus blog and, you know, it’s more hard hitting than the first. Also, some pretty interesting comments on that post as well. Check it out here. Competition in the news biz is fierce, no doubt about it. Nevertheless, I […]
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Photo: Wally Skalij/The Los Angeles Times — Lakers Superstar Kobe Bryant scores on Celtics Guard Ray Allen during the NBA Finals game 7 at Staples Center in Downtown L.A., June 17, 2010 It was not pretty, but a win is a win. The L.A. Lakers struggled by their rivals, the Boston Celtics, to win their second straight NBA Finals title at Staples Center […]
Thursday, June 17, 2010
A Southland lottery winner cashed in that missing $7 million SuperLotto Plus jackpot winning ticket last Monday, June 14. This is the unclaimed jackpot I posted about a few days ago. The ticket was bought in the 7-Eleven store at 3450 Overland Avenue in Los Angeles for the June 5 draw. Oh, the 7-Eleven gets a $35,000 bonus for selling that winning ticket. The owner of […]
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Lakers blow out the Celtics in game 6 of NBA Finals Photo: Robert Gauthier/The Los Angeles Times — Actor and Devoted Laker fan, Jack Nicholson points to the Celtics bench during game 6 of the NBA finals at Staples Center, Downtown Los Angeles 06/15/10 The Los Angeles Lakers came out swinging and slamming in a must win game at Staples […]