The 818 Now

The City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to hear a proposal to possibly oust two civil service commissioners for “highly inappropriate” comments made when they twice blocked the temporary promotion of a police lieutenant.

Mayor Gary Bric on Dec. 15 elected to delay discussion on Councilman Dave Golonski’s proposal until the full council could deliberate. Vice Mayor Anja Reinke was absent.

The Civil Service Board twice denied extending the temporary advancement of Lt. Armen Dermenjian to the post of acting captain, arguing that a city employee named in an FBI probe into excessive-force allegations should not be trusted with additional responsibility.

DOWNTOWN — Amid a local economy sacked by underperforming tax revenues, slumping home values and high unemployment, the biggest winners in the Rose Bowl and BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena won’t be taking the field.

The 121st Rose Parade and two post-season college football games are expected to produce an economic impact of $350 million to $400 million for greater Southern California, according to the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and past economic studies.

“This has to be an economic pleasure for the Southern California region,” said Bill Flinn, chief operating officer for the Tournament of Roses. “This year there’s no doubt about the fact. You have two games, four out-of-state teams and a parade that drives hundreds of thousands of people to the area.”

A new rotating collegiate bowl system for the first time brings to Pasadena two major bowl games within a week of each other.

A further economic boon to the area comes in the fact that neither USC nor UCLA are competing in the games, said Bruce Ackerman, president and chief executive of the Valley Economic Alliance.

He noted that not only are the competing colleges from outside Southern California, but the closest school is more than 800 miles away in Eugene, Ore.

Read on.

Friday: New Year’s Day

Jan. 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Feb. 15: Presidents’ Day

May 31: Memorial Day

July 5: Independence Day (observed)

Sept 6: Labor Day

Nov. 11: Veterans Day

Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Day

Nov. 26: Day after Thanksgiving

Dec. 24, 2010  Christmas Day (observed)

Against the backdrop of several recent train crashes, Metrolink officials are set to roll out new cars designed to better withstand deadly wrecks on one of the nation’s most perilous rail systems.

A Los Angeles Times report in September identified several rail crossings along the San Fernando Valley corridor as especially dangerous, including the one at Buena Vista Street in Burbank.

The new rail cars, designed with “crush zones” that collapse to absorb impact, will be the first in the nation to use the technology, Metrolink spokeswoman Angela Starr said.

A cab and passenger car are expected next month, the first pair of what the rail agency plan to eventually make up a total of 117 such cars. The two cars are expected to go into operation next summer.

The announcement comes more than a year after a Metrolink commuter train collided with a Union Pacific freighter Sept. 12, 2008 in Chatsworth, killing 25 people and injuring 125 others.

Eleven people were killed nearly five years ago in Glendale in another crash.

And on Wednesday, a Metrolink train in Pacoima struck a car that had been sent onto the tracks after being hit by a truck from behind.

Developing story here.

Politicians continue to find loopholes in campaign-finance laws to raise millions of dollars in unregulated contributions, according to a report issued Tuesday.

The Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles found that legal defense funds and leadership committees, charitable donations, contributions from political parties and reimbursed travel expenses are among the “loopholes, tricks and end runs” used to sidestep regulations.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger raised more than $6.5 million in the first six months of 2009, including 23 contributions of $100,000 or more, despite donations to governors and gubernatorial candidates being limited to $25,900 per election cycle, according to the report.

Adam Mendelsohn, a political spokesman for the governor, told the AP that Schwarzenegger has a history of taking positions that are contrary to many of his supporters if they are in the best interest of the state.

Money flowed through Schwarzenegger’s California Dream Team, a general-purpose political fund that has been used to pay for ballot-measure campaigns. Mendelsohn added that the governor has repeatedly called for campaign-finance reform since taking office in 2003.

The report recommended a comprehensive model law to plug the loopholes and control the flow of money into politics.

The center spent one year reviewing political fundraising and spending nationwide. It found that loopholes were used even in states that had taken steps to control donations.

Courtesy of the L.A. Zoo

Zoo officials received a surprise holiday gift with the birth of a snowy white Kikuyu colobus monkey.

While the gender of the primate is yet to be determined, it weighed about a pound and was around 8-inches-long at the time of its late-November birth. Like all infant colobus monkeys, the furry primate was born white and will not start to get its black trim until about 3 1/2 months.

You’re invited to give this infant a name as part of a contest open through Jan. 11. Visitors can fill out a card with their contact information and name suggestion at the colobus exhibit, roundhouse exhibit number 44 on zoo maps.

Officials will review the names and announce the winner Jan. 18 on the zoo’s website. The winner will receive a free behind-the-scenes-tour of the zoo for up to six people.

For more information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit the L. A. Zoo Web site at www.lazoo.org.

From the Burbank Leader:

Former Burbank City Manager Robert “Bud” Ovrom, deputy mayor for economic development in Los Angeles, will take the helm at the Department of Building and Safety, officials said Tuesday.

The appointment is part of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s reshuffling of top cabinet advisors and must be confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council.

Ovrom replaces Andrew Adelman, a former Crescenta Valley Town councilman who stepped down as general manager in September amid allegations that he raped a woman at his apartment. Prosecutors declined to seek charges after viewing a surveillance video and interviewing witnesses.

Full story here.

City of Burbank

Burbank officials are accepting applications through Jan. 22  for a vacancy on the Art in Public Places Board. 

Those interested in applying can find the form here or pick up an application in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave.

For more information on this specific vacancy, click here.

The appointment will be made Feb. 2 by the City Council. All city commissioners serve without compensation and must be Burbank residents. The rules stipulate that no person is allowed to serve on more than one board, commission, committee or task force at the same time.

A bicyclist makes his way down the Chandler Bikeway on Wednesday. (Roger Wilson/Leader)

City names interim chief

DOWNTOWN — For Scott LaChasse, a 32-year veteran of the LAPD trusted with reforming the Burbank Police Department, the job has always been more about people than policy.

Angling for a parcel tax

WEST BURBANK — School officials Thursday laid the groundwork for a possible parcel tax as four competing consulting firms presented their plans for winning the public over.

Home prices keep rising

DOWNTOWN — First-time buyers and surging demand for low- to mid-priced properties propped up home prices across Glendale and Burbank, mirroring regional and state figures, real estate agents said.

Bike Master Plan OKd

CITY HALL — The Burbank City Council became the latest agency to approve a slew of bikeway improvements that, once completed, should make it easier for bicyclists to safely navigate from one region to the next.

Providence out of sync

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE — Following a dismal first quarter where it was held scoreless by Flintridge Prep, the Providence High girls’ basketball team appeared to be digging itself out of its hole in the second quarter.

Small Wonders: Christmas tidings to the letter

Every Christmas at least one of our overactive friends puts out a Christmas letter. They’re the couple nobody likes. They make their own clothes and annual stock of zucchini relish; their children never scowl and are kind to grasshoppers and strangers; they donate to charities regularly and still have enough left over for a weekly bowling night.

Mason Arredondo, 14 of Glendale, right, is guided by Damon's Restaurant chef Richard Swenson on how to make a banana dessert at the Glendale Elk's Lodge on Friday. Arredondo has Crohn's disease and the Kiwanis Fulfill A Dream chose him to make his dream of cooking a reality. (Raul Roa/News-Press)

Films offer shot in the arm

GLENDALE — A recovering film industry helped tamp down local unemployment rates in November, pushing the mark back toward single-digit territory, according to state figures released Friday.

Piano contest may not go on

CITY HALL — An international piano competition for young adults proposed for downtown Glendale met this week with the City Council wary of committing city funds.

Food, glorious food

Mason Arredondo added a healthy dose of banana liqueur to the boiling pan. Several handfuls later, a little more rum, and bam.

Home prices keep rising

DOWNTOWN — First-time buyers and surging demand for low- to mid-priced properties propped up home prices across Glendale and Burbank, mirroring regional and state figures, real estate agents said.

Ready to give back

GLENDALE — A California Supreme Court Justice presided over a swearing-in ceremony Friday afternoon, providing Alina Azizian added laurels to her extensive Glendale resume.

Falcons heat up the holiday

GLENDALE — While the Crescenta Valley High boys’ basketball team wouldn’t have exactly experienced a white Christmas by spending the entirety of December in the mild climate of Southern California, the Falcons are pretty much guaranteed to have a warm winter break now that they have jetted off to Hawaii for a run in the five-day 2009 Maui Winter Classic.

90 Reasons to celebrate

Every Tuesday night, a group of 65 people stands in unison with black folders in hand, belting out a set of traditional and contemporary holiday songs at the Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church.

Scott LaChasse (City of Burbank)

From the Burbank Leader:

DOWNTOWN – Scott LaChasse, a 32-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department who went on to serve as vice president of security and emergency services at Paramount Pictures Corp., has been named interim police chief for Burbank.

LaChasse, who is expected to take over the Police Department Jan. 7, last held the rank of deputy chief, where he commanded nearly 1,600 personnel in South Los Angeles. He takes over a department coping with external probes into police misconduct and several lawsuits filed against the city by current and former officers.

Current Burbank Police Chief Tim Stehr is scheduled to retire Dec. 31.

“Professionally, law enforcement has been my life,” LaChasse, 61, said Thursday. “This is a difficult time and it’s really important that confidence be restored to the Burbank Police Department. You need that level of approbation.”

Read the updated story here.

The Burbank Coordinating Council needs help sorting food and making and delivering baskets as part of its annual holiday basket program.

Volunteers are needed between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Friday to help sort food donations at the Little White Chapel, 1711 N. Avon Street.

From 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., volunteers can help build holiday baskets at the Washington Elementary School Auditorium, 2322 N. Lincoln Street.

And finally, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, volunteers are needed to help deliver holiday baskets.

Residents can also bring food, gifts or donations to either of the locations during the listed hours. For more information, call 843-3699.

From the Glendale News-Press:

Roy Edward Disney, who despite toiling for decades in the shadow of his famous uncle put his stamp on the Walt Disney Co. through the revival of its renowned animation unit and charitable contributions, lost his battle with cancer Wednesday. He was 79.

Remembered as a shy man who favored cardigan sweaters over a power suit, Roy Disney’s presence across the region grew with time, along with his public persona, observers said.

The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, slated to open on the Burbank Providence St. Joseph Medical Center campus in February, received a major shot in the arm when he and ex-wife, Patty, provided a $10-million endowment to fund its construction.

Full story here.

DOWNTOWN — A 19-year-old man arrested in connection with the death of his father was ordered Tuesday to stand trial for one felony count of involuntary manslaughter.

Noah Timothy Loock, of Burbank, was ordered to appear Jan. 15 in Pasadena Superior Court for a second arraignment following the 2008 death of his father Timothy Loock, said Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley.

The incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. on Nov. 29, 2008, when police responded to a fight at the family home in the 1800 block of North Avon Street, authorities said.

Timothy Loock, 48, was rendered unconscious and transported to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, Burbank Police Sgt. Robert Quesada said.

Noah Loock fled the scene and was taken into custody later that day and booked on suspicion of killing his father, Quesada said.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office filed no charges at that time, and the investigation continued until the Los Angeles County coroner’s office ruled the official cause of death as a homicide, police said.

Coroner investigator Denise Bertone said a Dec. 2, 2008 autopsy revealed that Timothy Loock died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

Noah Loock, a 2008 graduate of Burroughs High School, was released from custody on $25,000 bond.

Timothy Loock, an all-league wide receiver for the class of 1978 at Burbank High, went on to coach receivers and defensive backs at his alma mater until his death last season.

The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority Police Department purchased a T3 Personal Mobility Vehicle for use at the Bob Hope Airport using $12,000 seized from people caught trafficking drugs, officials said Monday.

At a time when holiday crowds can impede speedy movement of police officers, the vehicle enables officers to quickly move through the terminal in short order, said Lucy Burghdorf, the airport’s community relations manager.

The T3 runs on clean energy, uses only about 10 cents per day of electricity and can travel up to 25 miles per hour.

It is equipped with a fully compliant Law Enforcement LED emergency lighting package and has a capacity of up to 450 pounds,  including the rider and equipment, Burghdorf said.

The John Burroughs High School choral group will perform from 11 a.m. to noon on Dec. 21 at the Bob Hope Airport terminal.

A dozen carolers wearing Dickensian-era costumes will sing holiday songs to entertain passengers waiting for flights.

Bob Hope Airport officials will make a $500 donation  to the John Burroughs High School Vocal Music Assn., a way of saying “thank you” and to help promote the arts in Burbank schools, said Lucy Burghdorf, the airport’s community relations manager.

Credit: Creative Commons

DOWNTOWN — Hanukkah, the eight-day Festival of Lights celebrated by Israelis and Jews around the world, begins at sundown.

Families across the region will gather to light one candle of the menorah and recite blessings to God to commemorate an improbable victory over invaders who debased the temple in Jerusalem.

Hanukkah this year begins and ends on the Jewish Sabbath, requiring minor liturgical changes. Still, the holiday traditions of candles, gifts and jelly doughnuts will remain constants.

The following celebrations are planned across Burbank, Glendale and the Foothills:

Chabad Burbank Jewish Center: Hanukkah celebrations at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Jewish Center and 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Burbank Town Center. For more information, visit www.chabadburbank.com.

Burbank Temple Emanu El: Hanukkah Shabbat evening service at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Hanukkah Shabbat morning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and a Havdalah and potluck at 6:15 p.m. Saturday. Visit www.btee.org for more information.

Temple Beth Emet: Shabbat services begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday followed by the annual Hanukkah celebration at noon Saturday. E-mail the office at Office@TempleBethEmet.com or call (818) 843-4787 for more information.

Temple Sinai of Glendale: Shabbat Service followed by Oneg Shabbat at 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Tot Shabbat, a special service for pre-schoolers and their parents or grandparents, at 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday. Chanukah Dinner from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday in the Social Hall. Visit www.temple-sinai.net for more information.

Chabad of Glendale and the Foothill Communities: Hanukkah festival at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Glendale Galleria outside Crown Books. The event includes the lighting of a 9-foot menorah. Visit www.chabadcenter.org for more information.

The Americana at Brand: The public is invited from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday to celebrate the tradition of Hanukkah. The afternoon will feature a musical performance by children’s group Parachute Express; an appearance by storyteller Rebecca Martin and arts and crafts sponsored by the Skirball Cultural Center.

Caltrans crews will open the new Hollywood Way on-ramp to the westbound Ventura (134) Freeway at 5 p.m. Friday, transportation officials said.

The existing Hollywood Way on‐ramp will be closed at 11p.m. Thursday, and Hollywood Way and Alameda Avenue will also be closed intermittently from 8 p.m. Thursday until 5 p.m. Friday to re-stripe local streets.

Delays may occur and closure times are subject to change, Caltrans officials said.

The existing Hollywood Way on‐ramp will be closed until Spring 2010. A signed detour will be available.

AIRPORT DISTRICT — Early-morning frost Wednesday prompted Southwest Airlines to cancel flights at Bob Hope Airport.

Ten Southwest flights, including departures to Las Vegas and arrivals from San Jose, Sacramento and Oakland, were canceled. The carrier also delayed five of its flights and U.S. Airways delayed one flight.

Airport spokesman Victor Gill characterized the cancellations as “totally infrequent.”

Local temperatures were around 37 degrees this morning, according to the National Weather Service.

The delayed flights have all taken off.