The Burbank Follower

BURBANK 11-YEAR-OLD COLLAPSES FOLLOWING RUN, DIES
Austin Anthony Cook died Thursday after running less than a lap around the track at John Muir Middle School. The 11-year-old was described as athletic and in excellent health by school officials. LAT. Leader. AP. Daily News. ABC7. CBS2. KNBC.

NON-WRITER STAFFERS LAID OFF
Numerous non-writer workers of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" have been laid off. Sigh. I guess the strike is starting to hit home for A LOT of people now. San Fernando Biz Journal.

EDITOR OF TOLUCAN TIMES AND CANYON CRIER STIRS THE POT
Sandy Sand posts her thoughts about the Sudanese "Muhammed the Teddy Bear" imbroglio and gets a grip of venom for her trouble. (Her bio doesn't make it clear whether she is the current or former editor of the Tolucan Times. The newspaper's website is no help.) OpEd News.

Amtrak Complaint

Here's a copy of the letter I sent to Amtrak... Let's see what happens.

---

Daniel Evans
xxxxx
Burbank, CA 91506

Amtrak
Los Angeles Union Station
810 North Alameda, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012

RE: Double Payment of Fare

November 27, 2007

To Whom It May Concern:

I, along with my wife, recently traveled to Solana Beach from Los Angeles Union Station for the Thanksgiving holiday. We took the 4:10 p.m. train out of Los Angeles and arrived in Solana Beach at 6:18 p.m., exactly on time.

After leaving the train, but before the train had left the station, I realized that I had left my ticket in the seatback. I went back to retrieve it, but was advised by a Amtrak conductor that the train would likely continue on to San Diego before I would be able to retrieve the tickets and re-exit the train. However, he said he would tell the crew that my tickets were onboard, and that I would, hopefully, be able to pick them up at the train’s terminus.

This did not happen. I find it outrageous that I could not have been give the 30 seconds necessary to retrieve my tickets – especially with the conductor radioing the crew as to my predicament – or, failing this, that the crew did not find my ticket. Further, I am disappointed that I had to purchase an additional set of tickets despite being told – both during the initial purchase and the second purchase – that my signature ensured no one by my wife and myself could use the tickets.

As such, I believe I should be refunded the price paid for the second set of tickets, $54. Here is the information regarding the trips:

11-23 DEBIT PURCHASE Nov23 07:34p xxxx

AT 19:34 AMTRAK xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx $ 54.00

11-20 DEBIT PURCHASE

AMTRAK xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx $ 114.00

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Daniel Evans

Thanksgiving Holiday

I, it seems, may have bad train luck. This time, instead of getting caught for not having a ticket, I had to buy TWO sets of tickets because I lost 'em. Brother.

Donna and I headed down to San Diego for our booze-free Thanksgiving (more on that later, perhaps). She met me at Union Station after work, and the two of us merrily hopped on the southbound Amtrak. All went well until our stop in Solana Beach. I left our return tickets in the seat back, realizing it only after stepping off the train.

The train was still at the station, but the doors would have closed before I could have jumped on, found my seat and retrieved the tickets. Though a conductor promised the crew would be looking for them, they were nary to be found. AND, though I had a reservation number which, I was told, ensured that no one besides Donna and I could use the tickets, I had to purchase a second set.

This seems very strange to me. So, in the interest of seeing what happens, I'm going to write a letter to Amtrak seeking a refund of my double-purchased tickets. Maybe, just maybe, someone will see things my way. Maybe.

The Burbank Follower

WOMAN CAUGHT IN $10K CON
Burbank police said a North Hollywood woman was convinced to give two Spanish speaking women$10,000 who claimed they had just won the lottery. Ur, if they just won the lottery, why did they need $10,000? Leader.

SHELTER GIVES THE BIRD
The Burbank Temporary Aid Center is giving out loads of turkeys for the holiday. Leader.

BISTRO PROVENCE, BURBANK
Reviewed on Chowhound by Das Ubergeek. Great name.

AND REMEMBER...
I am a professional photographer, specializing in weddings, events, product photography and all sorts of nifty stuff. Click here to see my website, and here to see my photoblog. Thanks for visiting, and please keep me in mind for any of your photo needs! www.danevans.org * danielevansphoto.wordpress.com

Thanksgiving Break...

Donna and I are headed down to San Diego for Thanksgiving. Good times to be had, good times. However, I will not be updating this blog until we get back on Sunday... And, as you may notice, I am a bit spotty about updates during the weekend.

Have a great holiday!

The Burbank Follower

MORE AIRPORT DELAYS
This time, the fog has delayed flights out of the Los Angeles and Long Beach airports. I heard on KNX this morning that some flights out of Bob Hope are also delayed, but I can't seem to find it anywhere online. AP.
**Update** Flights are apparently operating normally in Burbank.

BURBANK AND PASADENA SUPERVISING JUDGE KEEPS POST
Coleman A. Swart, supervising judge of the Pasadena and Burbank judicial districts, will remain in his position, Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Stephen Czuleger said yesterday. The announcement was part of a larger discussion of the management team for the county court system, which remains largely intact. MetNews.

HOW TO HIDE A FACTORY...
Nifty photos from the WW2 era. The Model Hanger.

GLENDALE'S HOMELESS MAY BE HOUSED IN BURBANK
A Glendale homeless advocacy group is looking into housing the city's homeless at the Burbank armory. The Glendale Housing Coalition had been using the city's National Guard Amory, but decided is unable (or unwilling?) to use it this winter. Burbank Mayor Marsha Ramos said her city would do whatever it could to help its neighbor. Glendale News-Press.

The Burbank Follower

FLIGHTS DELAYED IN BURBANK
Heavy fog delayed or cancelled dozens of flights out of Burbank's Bob Hope Airport this morning. Planes began taking off again at 9 a.m. LAT. LAist. Useful flight info from the FAA and Burbank Airport regarding the delays. Good luck to everyone.

LOS ANGELES CITY TAXPAYERS PAY MORE THAN HALF THE COST FOR DEVELOPER PERMITS...
...But Burbank taxpayers pay even more. Burbank is not the focus of the Daily News article, but it sure is interesting. Hmm.

The Burbank Follower

JOHN EDWARDS TO WALK STRIKE LINE
The Democratic presidential candidate said he plans on joining the striking writers on the picket line outside NBC's Burbank studios today. KNBC. RealClearPolitics.

...AND MITT ROMNEY TALKS TO BURBANKERS
The Republican hopeful held at a "Ask Mitt Anything" town hall-style meeting in Burbank on Thursday. LAT. New York Sun. AP.

A WRITER'S LEVEL VIEW OF THE STRIKE
By, well, a writer. A Writer's Life.

Metrolink Woes

So, this very fine morning, I was running late. This is not a particularly unusual occurrence. I drove into the downtown Burbank Metrolink lot just as the 8:08 a.m. train arrived. I hustled out of the car, and jumped on the train.

I failed to validate my 10-trip ticket. Oops. I figured that if the conductor came around, I would simply explain the situation, he would write in the time and date, and all would be fine. (This had happened on a prior occasion, though that time was due to a failure of the ticket validator, instead of a failure of the ticket holder.)

I had bought a 10-tripper a week ago. It should have been in my wallet. It was not. Tickets are very rarely checked between Burbank and Union Station. Today, however, tickets were checked. I was given a ticket.

Damnit.

I feel foolish, truly. I really thought my ticket was in my wallet. I'm hoping I can get some sort of reduction in the fine by showing the judge that I did, in fact, own a ticket, even if I couldn't show it to the conductor at the time in question.

Maybe some of you out there can give me some advice... Has anyone been through this? Does anyone know the fine? I've tried to do some research, but, so far, I haven't turned up anything definitive. Word is the fine is about $250, but that's the MTA fine, so I think people may be confused. I suppose they could be the same fine, though. Ugh.

Anyhow, that's my day so far. It'll get better, seeing as it has to.

The Burbank Follower

YES, VIRGINA, THEY DO SERVE BEER AT WIENERSCHNITZEL
I had seen the Budweiser sign myself a few times, but never thought to blog about it. And, damnit, now it's been done. The Burbank Der Wienerschnitzel is one of the few fast food joints to serve suds, but, as it turns out, not the only one. Two Carl's Jr. downtown serve the sweet brew. Read about it at LAist.

GANG SWEEP
Los Angeles police officers and FBI agents arrested 70 or so gang members early Thursday morning. The sweep of the El Salvadorian gang, known as MS-13, primarily focused on the Hollywood and Rampart districts of Los Angeles, but also focused on activities and members in Lawndale, Burbank and Huntington Park. LAT.

RANDOM BURBANK ART...
...Provided by a blogger named "Dankrail." Sketch Book Drawings.

The Burbank Follower

WEIRD AND/OR AMUSING (WEIRDLY AMUSING?) POLICE BLOTTER LOGS...
From the Burbank Leader:

300 block of North San Fernando Boulevard: A 16-year-old was arrested Monday for allegedly challenging an Urban Outfitters store employee to a fight.

2300 block of Hollywood Way: A 32-year-old Glendale man was arrested by Fry’s store security Friday after he allegedly tried to steal an Xbox game valued at about $20.

What do you think the Urban Outfitter near-fisticuffs was about? Do you think the words "poseur" or "douche bag" were involved? Seems likely. Also, I didn't think you could buy an Xbox game for $20...theft of the sale rack, eh?

TRAFFIC STUDY
The City Council has set aside a cool quarter-million to study traffic issues in Burbank. The streets to be studied include (but are hopefully not limited to) Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Way. How about that ugliness at Victory and Burbank? Leader.

AND IN RELATED NEWS...
The council voted in a measure that makes it easier for itself to make residential streets permit-only or permit-restricted parking. Now let's see if they use that new found muscle. Leader.

PIZZA AGAIN A LA CARTE IN BURBANK HIGH SCHOOLS
An ill thought out and lesser regarded policy requiring Burbank high schoolers to purchase an apple and a carton of milk along with their slice of Domino's has been tossed. The teens no longer get brand-name pizza (which always tasted like wet cardboard to me), but they can buy their cafeteria-made slice a la carte. Leader.

LOPEZ SWINGS FOR...UR, ON...VICTORY
Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez checks in with the formerly homeless violin virtuoso Nathaniel Anthony Ayers. The two hang out and take batting practice at the Batcade on Victory Blvd. LAT.

CAN'T BUY ME LOVE, BUT YOU CAN BUY ME LUNCH
Celebrities are sending the striking WGA writers food on the picket line. Leno started the trend with boxes of Krispy Kreme last week, and the food just keeps coming. LAT.

REMEMBRANCES OF LOST LOVE
...And the fact Burbank dive bars don't check ID. A Girl and Her Blog.

AND REMEMBER...
I am a professional photographer, specializing in weddings, events, product photography and all sorts of nifty stuff. Click here to see my website, and here to see my photoblog. Thanks for visiting, and please keep me in mind for any of your photo needs! www.danevans.org * danielevansphoto.wordpress.com

Black Diamond Love..

So, it's kinda a funny name, and I still have no real idea as to how they came up with it, but...

They are a super cool band, good peoples, excellent sound, and good fun. Of course, it helps that my buddy Jeff (who was my best man) is the kick arse bassist. I took some photos of them last night, and I think a few of 'em actually came out. I'll post a few more later. Check out their MySpace link here.

The studio space, somewhere in the wilds of North Hollywood, is a trip. It's at the end of an industrial court, looking all the world like the beginning of a budget horror film. In fact, given this IS Los Angeles, I wouldn't be surprised to find that the area has been used as a location for a horror film. The website for the rehearsal space, here, doesn't do the weirdness of the area nearly enough credit... But then again, they do want people to rent the studios, and it would hardly do to freak them out prior to their arrival.

Check out the photos by clicking on my other blog, Daniel Evans Photo. Enjoy!

The Burbank Follower

BURBANK CONNECTION TO OJ
Like there was some doubt that our fair berg wouldn't have SOMEONE involved in that mess. Well, that someone is Alfred Beardsley, one of two sports memorabilia dealers allegedly robbed by da' Juice. Beardsley, arrested shortly after the Las Vegas incident on a (presumably) unrelated parole violation, was transfered to Nevada authorities yesterday to testify at Simpson's preliminary hearing. FoxNews.

TAKE YOUR KIDS TO PICKET DAY
Striking writers took advantage of the Veteran's Day holiday to take the their tykes to the picket line outside Disney. I guess the idea is that Mickey hates mommies and daddies. Oi. Daily News.

AND REMEMBER...
I am a professional photographer, specializing in weddings, events, product photography and all sorts of nifty stuff. Click here to see my website, and here to see my photoblog. Thanks for visiting, and please keep me in mind for any of your photo needs! www.danevans.org * danielevansphoto.wordpress.com

The Burbank Follower

MUSIC AT THE BURBANK LIBRARY TUES
According to the Daily News: "The Muses will perform Celtic music, 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Burbank Central Library, 110 N. Glenoaks Blvd. and 7 p.m. Thursday at the Buena Vista Branch Library, 300 N. Buena Vista St. Admission is free. For more information, call 818-238-5610 or see www.burbanklibrary.com." Nifty.

VET DAY SCHEDULES
Also according to the Daily News:

GOVERNMENT: Federal, state, county and city offices, courts, libraries and animal shelters will be closed.

MAIL: The U.S. Postal Service will not deliver mail.

SCHOOLS: Schools will be closed.

TRANSIT: Buses and subway services in Los Angeles will run on a regular schedule as will Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita, Ventura County Dial-a-Route buses and Metrolink trains.

BANKS: Banks will be closed. Financial markets will be open.

TRASH: Trash pickup will be on a regular schedule in Los Angeles, Burbank and Glendale.

STORES: Most malls and supermarkets will be open.

The Burbank Follower

ONE BENEFIT OF COMING FROM IOWA...
...Is that your local newspaper writes an article about you getting a part in an independent film. I'm guessing it was filmed in Burbank, giving that's the dateline of the article, but the story does not make it clear. The Daily Nonpareil.

AND CONTINUING OUR MIDWEST COVERAGE...
The South Bend Tribune does a profile of a Notre Dame graduate who now works at NBC. South Bend Tribune.

PHOTO BLOGGER
Checks out the Burbank flora. LA Thing.

AND AN UPDATE FROM THE STRIKE LINES...
The "United Hollywood" blog posts some updates regarding strike locales and assignments. Not that fascinating, unless, of course, you're part of the strike. What did strike my funny bone, though, was a recitation of the following:

...The numbers of picketers increased each day last week from 3,029 on Monday to 3,262 on Thursday, while the rally on Friday brought out over 4,000.

Guild staff: "Week Two will be a test. The AMPTP expects us to crumble this week."

Well, what do we think of that? WILL WE CRUMBLE?

Rousing cry from crowd: "THAT SEEMS DECIDEDLY UNLIKELY!"

Ahh, writers. Good luck to you. United Hollywood.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE
My buddy Myk is in New York City celebrating his birthday. Happy birthday, big guy!

AND REMEMBER...
I am a professional photographer, specializing in weddings, events, product photography and all sorts of nifty stuff. Click here to see my website, and here to see my photoblog. Thanks for visiting, and please keep me in mind for any of your photo needs! www.danevans.org * danielevansphoto.wordpress.com

The Burbank Follower

BURBANK VOTING QUESTIONS
A random person asks a random question about whether Burbank citizens are, in fact, citizens of the city of Los Angeles. No. Jeez. Answer Questions.

BAGGAGE FACILITY APPROVED
A Burbank city official approved the building of a new baggage handling facility at Bob Hope Airport. Some critics believe the building violates a vaguely referenced "development agreement." Ur, huh? Leader.

SOUTHWEST REVAMPS BOARDING PROCEDURES...
...At Bob Hope Airport anyhow. The new ways will supposedly cut down on the cattle-call nature of the Southwest beast. If anyone's see how it works, drop a line. Leader.

BURBANK COPS SEEKING PAY INCREASE
The matter, which would raise BPD salaries 13.6 percent over the next two years, will be discussed at next Tuesday's City Council meeting. Pay jumps always get people up in arms, should be interesting to see what happens. Leader.

WOW, THERE IS A BLOG FOR EVERYTHING...
...Even one dedicated to the WGA strike. Well, I suppose that's not so surprising. Anyhow, enjoy. Writers' Strike Chronicles.

NO LOVE FOR MARIE
Self-described author and restaurant critic Christine Putnam pans the food and service at the Burbank/Toluca Lake Marie Calendar's. Huh. What did she expect? I believe she does stuff for the Leader. Eat, Drink and Blog.

The Burbank Follower

And, now for something completely different...

Well, no. It's exactly the same, but this time with all fresh Burbank news! Aren't ya excited? I know I am... On with the show.

WGA STRIKE, DAY 5
Continuing coverage of the madness by all your favorites... Or mine. It's my blog, so there. Defamer. AP. LAT. Daily News. LA Weekly (Deadline Hollywood). InkTank. We even have a spoof now! Ahh, people. I love you. The Spoof.

NBC JUST CAN'T CATCH A BREAK
Los Angeles Councilman Tom LaBonge and county Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky are taking issue with the studio's proposed move from Burbank to Universal City. The pair is concerned about possible traffic problems. Daily News.

AND REMEMBER...
I am a professional photographer, specializing in weddings, events, product photography and all sorts of nifty stuff. Click here to see my website, and here to see my photoblog. Thanks for visiting, and please keep me in mind for any of your photo needs! www.danevans.org * danielevansphoto.wordpress.com

Silly, but somewhat interesting...

Getting a three-letter domain name is, apparrently, impossible, and has been for a number of years. When, exactly, the last of these precious domains got snapped up is unknown -- at least to me. However, I thought it might be interesting to give a quick map of the three-letter domains of all the same letters. Here they are, in alphabetical order:

www.aaa.com: The American Automoblie Associate. No suprise there.
www.bbb.com: The Better Business Bureau
www.ccc.com: Broken link (but taken!)
www.ddd.com: Dynamic Digital Depth (some sort of 3-D company)
www.eee.com: Lame-o Search Site (SEO bs, most likely)
www.fff.com: Same as www.eee.com
www.ggg.com: Great Glorious Grapevine (looks like more SEO bs, but a bit more clever)
www.hhh.com: A cartoon and drawings search-seach (odd...does anyone USE these things?)
www.iii.com: Innvative Interfaces (library technology company)
www.jjj.com: Yet another obscure search site
www.---.com: Not even going there...but, yes, it IS what you think
www.lll.com: Broken link
www.mmm.com: 3M Worldwide
www.nnn.com: Serach site... but it's for sale! Lame.
www.ooo.com: Search site. Yawn.
www.ppp.com: High-end (from the prices) German hotel
www.qqq.com: JoHo. Apparently some sort of eco-tourist site. Kinda neato.
www.rrr.com: Risk Rentention Reporter. Sounds like a newsletter of some kind... But who wants to retain risk? I generally want to eliminate risk, not retain it.
www.sss.com: Search site. Ugh!
www.ttt.com: Test Technologists Team. OK, good for them.
www.uuu.com: Broken link
www.vvv.com: CSP Internet. Canadian ISP.
www.www.com: Probably the first of the lame-o SEO web serach sites.
www.xxx.com: Duh. Of course.
www.yyy.com: YYY World Trading. Not quite up yet.
www.zzz.com: ICCOM Internet. ISP, I'm guessing.

Well, that was sorta a waste of time. Have fun!

AND REMEMBER...
I am a professional photographer, specializing in weddings, events, product photography and all sorts of nifty stuff. Click here to see my website, and here to see my photoblog. Thanks for visiting, and please keep me in mind for any of your photo needs! www.danevans.org * danielevansphoto.wordpress.com

The Burbank Follower

Restarting the Magic...

Yes, friends, I have been away for quite awhile. However, today seems like an excellent time to restart the daily digest of pre-chewed news bits. News of Burbank, as of late, has been focused mostly on the WGA strike. But, I'm wondering, besides the usual roundup of news, what local writers are saying on their blogs. It might just be interesting. And, whether or not is actually is, you'll see it here first... ur, second.

PARAMOUNT LOOKING FOR ODD-LOOKING PEEPS
Despite the strike (or perhaps because of it) the Burbank studio is looking for a few good freaks for an upcoming Star Trek movie. Producers are looking for (according to the casting call) "long necks, small heads, extremely large heads, wide-set eyes, bug eyes, close-set eyes, large forehead, short upper lip, pronounced cheekbones, over- or under-sized ears and/or nose, facial deformities." Awesome. Reuters.

STRIKE NEWS ROUNDUP, DAY FOUR
Some involves Burbank directly, some just doesn't. It's hard to tell sometimes. But, hey, have some news links. They're good for you. NY Times. E! Online. Fox LA. CNS. Defamer. LA Times (Dedicated strike coverage page). Deadline Hollywood (LA Weekly). (The Leader, which comes out semi-weekly, published its coverage of the strike on Tuesday here. I'll note that it was not, weirdly, given the "Top Story" billing... The strike story, however, did land above the fold.)

USA TODAY ASKS SILLY QUESTION
No statshot, though. Sigh. Is is better to fly out of Bob Hope than LAX? Duh. USA Today.

PAIR ACCUSED OF ROBBING IMMIGRANTS
Man. That's low. Police claim the alleged bastards ripped off people from Orange County to the Valley posed as sheriff's deputies. A number of the the victims live in Burbank. Go, Leader, go! Grab that story! LA Times.

META-REALITY TELEVISION VIEWING REVIEW
Kitchen Nightmares, a Fox (heh) reality show about restaurants, apparently has featured Sebastian's, a Burbank eatery. A Texas blogger (who goes by the nom de plum HamsterDame) pens her thoughts. (I've eaten there, and I was far from impressed... A friend of mine, though, loves it. Who can tell?) Silly Reality. Kitchen Nightmares.

AND REMEMBER...
I am a professional photographer, specializing in weddings, events, product photography and all sorts of nifty stuff. Click here to see my website, and here to see my photoblog. Thanks for visiting, and please keep me in mind for any of your photo needs! www.danevans.org * danielevansphoto.wordpress.com