Primary Election Results

None of the candidates won enough votes to be elected outright, inaugurating round two of the election madness. See the official results here. The Burbank Leader's story is here.

First, a complaint about the election site: It's waaay too small and hard to read. I understand the live video streaming, but it's essentially illegible. How about a simple text listing, eh? That'd be much better.

Anyhow, without further ado, here are your Burbank City Council primary election candidates:

Jess Talamantes -- 3,951 votes

David Gordon (i) -- 4,537 votes

Elise Stearns-Niesen -- 2,019 votes

Kimberly Jo -- 2,471 votes

Garen Yegparian -- 1,989 votes

Dave Golonski (i) -- 4,858 votes

Interestingly, the candidates with the most support and money where not necessarily the ones who garnered the most votes. See my earlier post on campaign finance here.

Let the next round -- and the exponential increase in campaign emails, calls and mail -- begin!

Mid-Week Zen -- Delayed

As it's Ash Wednesday, my fav back-lit purveyor of random wisdom is, instead, advertising Ash Wednesday services. Fine. I'll check back tomorrow.

Election Day!

So, as you know, today is election day in Burbank. Or, if you didn't, well, vote, damnit. From my rather unscientific research, I'm guessing a fairly low turnout. When I stopped by City Hall to drop off my ballot, the election workers outnumbered the voters by about 3:1.

Of course, this was an mail-in election, and most people probably had already dropped it in the mail. Now, I was about to do this myself, until I read the print on the ballot telling me that the ballot had to be received by the City Clerk by Feb. 24 and POSTMARKS DO NOT COUNT.

That is, in order to mail in the ballot for the mail-in election, you'd have to have the foresight to mail it a couple of days ago... Just to be safe. More than one piece of candidate literature reminded me to mail in my ballot by Feb. 20.

So, the election is on. Check back for the results here.

Mid-Week Zen 2.17.09

It's a little early, I suppose, but it is a short week... Ladies and gentlemen, your mid-week Zen:



Now, this is a pretty straight-laced. Perhaps they'll be passing out God's Oscars. Best performance in a ethically difficult situation? Best picture of holiness? As always, this is the marquee of the Westminster Presbyterian Church at Clark Avenue and Buena Vista Street in Burbank. Send your suggestions for other Zen koan banners to daniel.j.evans(at)mac.com.

Craigslist Ad O' The Day

I know the economy is getting bad, but this is ridiculous. Broken neon? Only $100? Whadda deal. As always, this is an actual craigslist ad. And, as always, I have no connection to the seller. I just think it's funny.

10 or more Batman Neon Signs Take them all (Burbank)

---

Reply to: sale-1037468759@craigslist.org ^[?]
Date: 2009-02-16, 1:59PM PST


I have 10 (maybe more) Batman neon signs still in their boxes. They don't work (at least the few I've tried), but for the price maybe you could do something with them. $100 obo takes them all! Email for more information.

Dimensions: 22" (w)x13"(h)x5"(d)

SKU: SKU1481038 Also have a lot of Comics and Comic Book related stuff, statues, anime manga as well.

The Burbank Follower 2.16.09

Peanut Recall
Sigh. More tainted goobers. Apparently, a number were sold to the Full O'Life Natural Food Markets in Burbank. Be careful out there with your PB&J, people. AP.

Post Office Closing
Hmm. Check this out. The San Fernando Business Journal and the Burbank Leader have the exact same headline for this story, reporting on the closure of the Magnolia Park office. The headline: "Post Office is being shipped." SFBJ. Leader's version here. (The Leader shows a publish date of Feb. 15, while the SFBJ has a Feb. 16 pub date.)

***
Shameless Plug Alert
I run a wedding, event and portrait photography business. If you have any need for such services, please think of me. Samples of my work can be viewed at www.danevans.org and at danielevans.smugmug.com.
***

One of those "So, You Think You Had it Bad" Kinda Days...

Following my WiiFit workout -- yes, I'm one of THOSE people -- I spotted something in the paper that made me feel absolutely nauseated. I realize there's plenty of stuff in the news to make one's digestive tract go in reverse, but this one hit particularly hard. From the LA Times:

Last week, Beverly Eckert was at the White House to talk with President Barack Obama about how the new administration could deal with those suspected of terrorism.

This morning, Eckert -- the widow of a man who died in the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center -- was among the 50 people killed when a commuter plane crashed outside Buffalo, N.Y.

Really? This is what fate, or God, has thrown this woman? Really? For what it's worth, Beverly and her husband are together again. Cold comfort for her friends and family, I'm sure.

In any event, it does make all the problems of the last few months fade into the distance a bit.

New Facebook Page

Hey y'all...  I've created a new Facebook page to promote my photography biz. Check it out here... Become a fan! 

Burbank Follower 2.11.09

Burbank House Fire Seen for Miles
I didn't see it, but it does sound like a doozy. MSNBC. Also see CBS2 and ABC7.

Burbank Homeless Shelter Roils Residents
People upset regarding size of Burbank homeless shelter, as well as the fact that a number of sex offenders were found to have stayed there. Leader. [Warning, news-like commentary: This seems like NIMBY-ism in the worst way. Where the hell are these people going to go? Sex offenders should, indeed, be watched carefully. However, they are human beings and must be treated as such.]

Editor of Burbank Leader, Glendale News-Press Moving On
Danette Goulet is stepping down from the big chair. Her future plans include moving to Boston and raising her 7-month-old son. Good luck in Beantown, Danette! Leader.

***
Shameless Plug Alert
I run a wedding, event and portrait photography business. If you have any need for such services, please think of me. Samples of my work can be viewed at www.danevans.org and at danielevans.smugmug.com.
***

Mid-Week Zen

I've driven by Westminster Presbyterian dozens -- nay, hundreds -- of times, constantly marveling at the wisdom and weirdness that shines from its marquee. Here's the latest:

Burbank Follower 2.10.09

Chase Ends in Burbank
Police took a suspect into custody after police chase ended at the Burbank Airport. Leader. The chase began in Newhall. Also see CBS2 and ABC7.

Burbank, Glendale in talks to combine armories
Officials from Burbank and Glendale are currently discussing a proposal to combine the National Guard armories in each city, potentially opening up a 10-acre lot near the Burbank Airport for use as a homeless shelter. Leader.

Police Helicopter Partnership Adds a Third
The Glendale and Burbank police departments, which have pooled their helicopter resources since 2007, added Pasadena to the party to save money. Leader.

Burbank Follower 2.9.09

That Other Election
Yes, indeed, there are two elections going on in Burbank. The fair more locally interesting city council and school board races and... the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees. Who are these guys? LA Times.

Home Prices Falling, But Sales Up
Ahh, can you see the vultures circling? Caa-CAA! LA Business Journal.

***
Shameless Plug Alert
I run a wedding, event and portrait photography business. If you have any need for such services, please think of me. Samples of my work can be viewed at www.danevans.org and at danielevans.smugmug.com.
***

Burbank Campaign Finance

Below is a listing of the money contributed to -- and expended by -- candidates for the upcoming Burbank municipal elections. To see the statements for yourself, or to just check my math, click here. My figures below include any money the candidate has loaned him or herself.

The order below mirrors that seen on the City of Burbank's website, and does not constitute any type of endorsement on my end. Frankly, I'm still trying to figure that out. Comments welcome.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Angela Nakashyan

Figures unavailable today. Will try back later.

Jess Talamantes

2008 Contributions: $2,905
2008 Expenditures: $1,407

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): $549
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): $39

Lee Dunayer

2008 Contributions: $5,700
2008 Expenditures: $524

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): $0
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): $0

Barbara Sharp

2008 Contributions: > $1,000 (short form)
2008 Expenditures: > $1,000 (short form)

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): > $1,000 (short form)
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): > $1,000 (short form)

David Gordon (i)

2008 Contributions: $25,588
2008 Expenditures: $10,846

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): $350
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): $0

Jeffrey W. Prutz

2008 Contributions: > $1,000 (short form)
2008 Expenditures: > $1,000 (short form)

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): > $1,000 (short form)
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): > $1,000 (short form)

Elise Stearns-Niesen

2008 Contributions: $5,435
2008 Expenditures: $1,068

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): $1,845
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10):$1,488

Kimberly Jo

2008 Contributions: $8.199
2008 Expenditures: $6,013

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): $350
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): $1,518

Greg Jackson

2008 Contributions: $775
2008 Expenditures: $575

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): $4,875
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): $0

Dan Humfreville

2008 Contributions: > $1,000 (short form)
2008 Expenditures: > $1,000 (short form)

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): > $1,000 (short form)
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): > $1,000 (short form)

Steven Ferguson

2008 Contributions: $1,501
2008 Expenditures: $163

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): $745
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): $288

Garen Yegparian

2008 Contributions: $15,763
2008 Expenditures: $2,950

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): $2,482
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): $564

Dave Golonski (i)

2008 Contributions: $3,400
2008 Expenditures: $3,331

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): $4,529
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): $0

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

Gregory Bragg

2008 Contributions: $1,000
2008 Expenditures: $871

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): $650
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): $500

Larry Applebaum

2008 Contributions: $0
2008 Expenditures: $0

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): $0
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): $0

Debbie Kukta

2008 Contributions: $0
2008 Expenditures: $0

2009 Contributions (through Jan. 10): $0
2009 Expenditures (through Jan. 10): $0

Burbank Follower 2.8.09

Rain, Rain and More Rain
A bunch of the flying wet stuff fell from the sky over the weekend, with more expected Monday. Burbank appears to have received 3.22 inches. Crazy. LA Times. Glendale News-Press article here.

Alliance Closes
The troubled Culver City-based, which has branches in Burbank, closed its doors during the weekend. Branches will open on Monday as California Bank & Trust, a San Diego bank. San Diego Union-Tribune.

***
Shameless Plug Alert
I run a wedding, event and portrait photography business. If you have any need for such services, please think of me. Samples of my work can be viewed at www.danevans.org and at danielevans.smugmug.com.
***

The Burbank Follower 2.6.09

Burbank Unearths Time Capsule
City workers dug up a 50-year-old time capsule in Burbank Thursday. The citizens of 1959 were expecting atomic power and monorails. Well, they got Pres. Obama and the Internet. LA Times. Read the Daily News and Burbank Leader versions.

Record Rains at Bob Hope Airport
Thursday's downpour set a record: 1.46 inches. Whoa. CBS2

City Officials to Cut Budgets
Department heads have been asked to make across-the-board cuts. Burbank is facing a $7 million deficit. Leader

School Year to Start a Week Earlier
After years of meetings and negotiations, the Burbank Unified School District School Board of Education agreed to start the academic year a week earlier. School will now begin Aug. 17.

The Burbank Follower 2.1.09

Burbank Time Capsule
A time capsule, interred in 1959, is scheduled to be opened on Feb. 5, 2009. That's this week! Now, will it actually occur? Stay tuned. LA Times

Rescue Mission Going Broke
The Union Rescue Mission, which runs the Burbank facility, needs money desperately and is asking the City Council for funds. Leader

***
Shameless Plug Alert
I run a wedding, event and portrait photography business. If you have any need for such services, please think of me. Samples of my work can be viewed at www.danevans.org and at danielevans.smugmug.com.
***

The LA TImes is Dead, Long Live the LA Times

Is it to early to start an LA Times deathwatch? News of the upcoming collapse of the California section, tales of 70 newsroom layoffs -- atop the news of the Tribune bankruptcy -- are making me pessimistic indeed about the overall health of the industry. Of course, people have been predicting the downfall of newspapers for nearly a century. First radio was going to kill newspapers, then television, and now the Internet.



But radio and television-news companies, though they have their non-profit iterations, are still largely profit-driven. The Internet is based on an open-source model: Information ought to be free. My impression is that this comes from the phreakers and hackers that helped to build the foundation of the modern Internet. If you didn't share your code with other programmers, hackers would find it, steal it and post it.

On some level, this continues. There are plenty of open-source programs and operating systems. Only those with the technical knowledge use them. However, since hackers never had much use for the geek-ignorant, that does not likely bother them.

For us end-users, there's still a ton of free applications out there. If you have an iPhone, you've almost certainly downloaded some free applications. There are a ton of free ones, many of which "lite" versions which effectively serve as test drives for the paid versions.

On the illegal side, there's a ton of stuff out there. If you lack the technical knowledge to hack or the $1,200 to buy Adobe CS4, you only have to look on Craigslist to get a drastically reduced copy. Only the ignorant or the self-deceptive don't know what's going on here.

In a facsinating way, though, this is okay for programmers. Adobe spends millions on its security and anti-priacy systems. Hackers make money off selling hacked copies. Everyone wins. I'm sure Adobe doesn't feel this way, but the coders certainly seem to continue to get work regardless.

Newspapers, on the other hand, are stuck. Even in the golden days of newspapers -- whenever that was -- subscription costs barely covered the cost of delivery. The product was worth somewhere between 25 and 50 cents. It seemed like such a low cost that it must have made sense for newspaper executives to decide to simply give away their product.

This fateful decision may have doomed newspapers. If, a decade ago, most newspapers decided to charge their customers for online subscriptions, I believe we would be in a different world. As it stands now, people believe that information should be free. Providing it, however, is not. My guess is that more and more newspapers are going to collapse, and the ones that are left will start to charge online subscription rates.

Why? Because, without a competitor giving away news reports for free, why not charge?

***
Shameless Plug Alert
I run a wedding, event and portrait photography business. If you have any need for such services, please think of me. Samples of my work can be viewed at www.danevans.org and at danielevans.smugmug.com.
***