The 818 Now

Each month, the editors of the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and La Cañada Valley Sun sit in a darkened room and choose the best articles and photos of the previous month.

Though we usually are a bit more on the ball, better late than never, no?

Below are the winners for stories and articles that appeared either in print or online in October. Click here to see the September winners.

Online winners:

Website — Chris Cadelago:
“Sergeant shoots himself on residential street” (Oct. 29) – 10,362

The 818 Now — Michael Arvizu & Raul Roa:
“92nd Rose Queen Chosen – Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Takes Crown” (Oct. 20) – 490

Best stories:

Best News Story:
“Layaway makes comeback” by Zain Shauk (Oct. 17)
Judges’ comments: This story is a perfect example of localizing a national story. The lede immediately draws readers in and keeps them hooked, making what might otherwise be a procedural story interesting.

Best Sports Story:
“Second String: A smile on the sidelines that didn’t fade” by Grant Gordon (Oct. 29)
Judges’ comments: This column shows a clear appreciation of its subject, providing readers a better understanding of Tom Fry and his impact on the community. It is a sad column, but straddles the line between purple and descriptive prose, and between pathos and maudlin.

Best Photo:
“Duck splash” by Raul Roa (Oct. 25)
Judges’ comments: This photo just makes people smile. Raul has taken a photo of annual event and turned it into something new – simply by changing the perspective. In addition, the lines, color and saturation are technically perfect.

Journalists are forever complaining that Craigslist is slowly destroying the industry, what with their free classified ads, forums and calendars. True or no, I’ve found the online community to be a source of sorrow, amusement and a place for a good deal on a pair of used skis.

Without further ado, welcome to the first of an irregular series of blog posts about the fantastic and odd things for sale in Glendale, Burbank and La Cañada. This first posting is odd, if only because I wonder about the back story. Did someone fail to pass the bar? Move to Australia? Become a nun? We may never know.

Date: 2009-11-15, 2:07PM PST
Reply to: sale-9qmk6-1467425382@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

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Supreme Court of California certificate frame $60
This is a frame for a California attorney’s certificate. Never used, only stored in original plastic bag.
Black glossy frame with gold trim and subtle “marbling”. The black mat has embossed gold leaf lettering and the State of California seal.
This frame measures 19″x22″ overall, and the opening is 10.5″x13.5″.
I’m asking $60 for it (this kind of certificate frame sells for well over $200 – see: http://www.graphic-awards.com/products.cfm?id=scca#)
If you’re a California lawyer, or a law student about to take the bar exam, this is a great deal!In Glendale (just minutes from Burbank, Eagle Rock, Pasadena, Silverlake, Los Feliz)

 

• Location: Glendale
• it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

The local ABC affiliate mentioned the Burbank Leader in its report about outgoing Burbank Police Chief Tim Stehr. When journalistic outlets quote another newspaper or a competing station, it’s often because they were unable to get the information themselves. Essentially, ABC7 is acknowledging our exclusive. Pretty neat.

Every once in a while, the little guy goes up against Goliath and wins. The smart money, though, is usually on Goliath.

So was the case for our local airport commission. Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration denied the commission’s request for a curfew, putting the kibosh on a nine-year, $7-million effort. The curfew would have blocked all non-emergency, non-military flights between 10 p.m. and 6:59 a.m.

The time and money wasted on this effort is bad enough. But the worst part is that it very much appears the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority had no chance of convincing the FAA. The Part 161 process, as it is called, has a breathtaking number of time-consuming and expensive requirements. After reading the federal agency’s 42-page report in all its mind-numbing glory, I believe I can safety say the FAA appears to have a policy against allowing curfews.

Read the full column here.

The third, and final, part of our redesign landed today: the La Cañada Valley Sun. This was the biggest change so far, as we changed the size of the paper from a tabloid to broadsheet. Check out the front page below. And, yes, that’s my face in the skybox. A bit unusual, to be sure, but necessary given the significant changes. Click on the full post to compare the new and old looks.

Read the rest of this entry »

Today, we unveiled the second of three redesigns for our little newspaper group. Check out the front page of the Burbank Leader below, and let me know your thoughts. Click for the full post to compare the earlier design with the new one.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been months of work, and untold hours of planning, stressing and partying, but it’s done. The redesign of the Glendale News-Press unveiled today. The Burbank Leader and La Cañada Valley Sun redesigns will be debuting this Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Let me know your thoughts. Click on the full post to compare the new design with the old one.

Read the rest of this entry »

Credit: Ian Muttoo via Creative Commons

A few minutes ago, I received a call from Glendale resident Nancy Drury. She wanted to let me know a flock of between 10 and 20 bright green birds were having a lovely time munching on her mangoes. Drury was far from displeased about the fruit theft — instead, she was in awe that tropical birds, munching on tropical fruit, would be in the rather non-tropical environs of Kenneth Village.

“We have mangoes, lemons, all sorts of thing,” Drury said with a laugh. “The squirrels love us too.”

She was hoping that we could get a photographer out to catch the southern travelers… Though not today.

“They’re usually gone by about 9 a.m. or so,” she said. “But they’re back most mornings.”

That’s a pretty good tale to start the morning. Have a good day everyone.

The Glendale News-Press building in the early 1960s

As a reminder, tonight is our open house for the Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader. Editors and reporters will be here to meet you and answer any questions about our coverage. We will also be unveiling the new designs of the papers, set to launch on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 for the News-Press and Leader, respectively.

Here’s the details:

What: Open house at the Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader offices
When: Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Who: Editors, reporters, and the advertising staffs of both papers and, of course, you.

I hope to see you tonight.

On occasion, we get to toot our own horn here at the Glendale News-Press. Yesterday was one of those days. During the Glendale City Council meeting, the paper, along with a dozen or so other companies and organization, was lauded for its participation in the local Great American Clean Up event. (Check out our coverage here.) Below is a photo of the sponsors, with yours truly in the middle.

Courtesy city of Glendale

From the Glendale News-Press

Minutes into starting my job here, I called my oldest mentor. I wanted to let her know about my new gig, and tell her a bit about Glendale. But I also wanted to ask her advice on how to fulfill the rather daunting requirements of being editor.

Barbara, who works at a paper up north, was my mom’s college roommate. She has given me voluminous and invaluable advice throughout the years. After, that is, she gave up on persuading me not to join this crazy, ill-paid and occasionally precarious profession. (“Have you thought about business school?” was her first reaction when I told her I was applying for my first reporting job.)

Her guidance was simple and straightforward: talk to and meet as many people as possible, be as transparent as possible in everything you do, and only make change the things that truly need to be changed.

“A lot of times, a new editor will come in and just change everything,” she said. “That’s OK, I suppose, but it’s much better if people know what to expect on their doorstep each morning.”

I have made a lot of changes in my seven months here. We have added blogs, updated the website, and dramatically increased our social networking presence. All of these, in my mind, were necessary to keep the Glendale News-Press an important and vital part of this online and interconnected world of ours.

Read the full story here.

I want to remind everyone that we’re having an open house at the La Cañada Valley Sun’s offices, 727 Foothill Blvd. tonight from 6 to 8 p.m.

We have a lot of things to celebrate: Our new office, a new sign, and a redesigned paper. The Valley Sun is moving from a tabloid format to a broadsheet, giving it a more newsy feel. We’ve also updated the fonts, logos, and section fronts — all with an eye toward better integration between the print and online editions of the paper.

Food and beverages will be provided. Editors, writers, sales reps, designers, and the whole crew will be there to hear your thoughts and answer your questions.

The first building of the LaCanada Valley Sun in 1946.

Creative Commons

A good portion of the Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader editorial staff have fallen prey to some kind of bug this week. The show, of course, must go on, but those of us still vertical are becoming very good friends with our bottles of Purell. Even better than hand sanitizer, though, is a flu shot. Get yours.

Here’s a list of some nearby flu shot clinics. Click here for the full list from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

• 10/24/09 Sat Chevy Chase Rec Ctr 4165 Chevy Chase Dr. Los Angeles 90039 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• 10/24/09 Sat Granada Hills Rec Ctr 16730 Chatsworth St. Granada Hills 91344 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• 10/25/09 Sun Granada Hills Rec Ctr 16730 Chatsworth St. Granada Hills 91344 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• 10/25/09 Sun Chevy Chase Rec Ctr 4165 Chevy Chase Dr. Los Angeles 90039 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Creative Commons

I’ll admit, I find the actual food kinda gross. I try to avoid fast food, but like most Americans, I succumb now and again — but very rarely for Burger King. I find their commercials creepy, their burgers greasy and the fries soggy. But, weirdly, I love their coffee. In fact, I am swilling a cup of The King’s finest as I type this. Whenever I visit the BK near Victory and Chandler boulevards in Burbank, the coffee has always been hot, fresh and tasty.

I do go for Starbucks now and again, but sometimes the Seattle brew is waaay too bitter for my taste. The Burger King coffee is milder, somehow sweeter and less expensive.

I have but one complaint: When going through the drive-thru, I don’t want to deal with the little cream packets. I’m as likely to spill the creamer — or the aforementioned hot coffee — in my lap as in my drink.

The Burbank BK won’t do that for you. I did ask why this morning, and received a completely logical response: “We handle money as well as make the drinks,” the woman in the drive-thru answered. “We don’t have a dispenser like the other guy, so it’s better if we just give you the creamers.”

By “other guy,” she was presumably referring to the McDonalds up the street. Their drive-thru people will, upon request, put your cream and sugar in the coffee. But, the coffee isn’t as good.

Creative Commons

Yes, we know. We’re in a recession. The latest unemployment figures are grim, both statewide and locally — 12.2% for the state as a whole, 10.4% in Burbank and 11.1% in Glendale. The September numbers, released this week from the California Economic Development Department, are worse than the month prior, with the labor force shrinking by 800 in Glendale and 400 in Burbank.

The impacts are increasingly obvious. Stop by the Verdugo Jobs Center sometime. On any given weekday, hard-working people caught in this maelstrom sit at computers, revising resumes that will likely be ignored, making connections for jobs that don’t yet exist, and trying their hardest not to put their fists through the screen.

This may seem a bit personal, and it is. Not long ago, I sat in front of my computer, sending out those resumes, making those connections and hustling for any work I could find. In December, at or near the height of this hemorrhaging economy, I was laid off from my job working the website of the Hollywood Reporter. (This may give some clue as to why I’m constantly talking about our online presence.)

On some level, I was fortunate: I had plenty of company, and plenty of time to rethink the traditional modes of the unemployed. The stigma of being jobless is far less than it was even five years ago. People — and more importantly, employers — understand that being laid off does not necessarily reflect on one’s competence, work ethic or drive. Sometimes, it just happens.

Read the full column here.

Area residents take a tour of Deukmejian Wilderness Park, the first time since the recent Station Fire, in Glendale on Saturday October 10, 2009. Residents learned what the city is doing to curtail mud flows in the coming rainy season. (Raul Roa/News-Press)

Though I’m usually a pretty regular reader of Bill Boyarsky’s blog on LA Observed, I have to admit I missed his Oct. 9 post regarding the Station Fire. I first met Bill during his time on the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission. He was a commissioner, and I was a senior investigator for the CEC. Prior to that point, I only knew him by reputation — a tough, but fair, journalist and writer. During commission meetings, I was consistently impressed with Bill’s ability to cut through the bureaucratic b.s., and to make complicated issues transparent.

His post, a portion of which is below, excoriates what he feels are the real villains of the fire. It’s pretty tough stuff. Read the full post here.

The flames of the Station fire will be blamed for the floods that may follow in the denuded San Gabriel Mountains. But let’s place the blame where it belongs, on land development, acquiescent local officials, and a tax structure that subsidizes hillside building.

I was interested to read the Los Angeles Times story on the U.S. Geological Survey’s warning that winter rains may produce huge mudslides and floods in communities just below the San Gabriel Mountain areas hit by the huge blaze.

In 2004, fellow journalist Emmett Berg and I studied this area for the Center for Governmental Studies and wrote a report entitled “Losing Ground: How Taxpayer Subsidies and Balkanized Governance Prop Up Homebuilding in Wildfire and Flood Zones.” We did it after major loss of life and homes in the 2003 wildfires and floods.

Since there was no big fire or flood in 2004, our report was pretty well ignored, as we had predicted: “When fires and floods kill people and destroy residential areas, the disasters bring out heavy television news broadcast and print media coverage. But once the danger has past, the media, always in search of something new, shows little interest in examining systemic or policy-based causes. Those involved in dry and fire-free year discussions of potential danger are treated like Henny Penny, warning the sky is falling.”

Our report showed how taxpayers all over Los Angeles County—from rich to poor—subsidize the high cost of fire protection for subdivisions built on the edge of Angeles National Forest and just below it. In addition, we reported how state forest fire personnel, financed by state revenues are now “suburban firefighters, battling house by house to save homes in suburban areas.”

These subdivisions shouldn’t have been built. But now they are there, let local homeowners and government pay for firefighting costs in areas around and below the forest. Why should working people in Pico Rivera pay for firefighting in affluent and high-risk neighborhoods in the San Gabriel Mountain foothills? [...]

I want to let you know about – and invite you to – two open houses we’ll be having this month. Both open houses will be from 6 to 8 p.m. The first open house, on Thursday, Oct. 22., will be at the new La Cañada Valley Sun offices, 727 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge. The second, on Thursday, Oct. 29, will be at the Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader offices, 221 N. Brand Blvd, 2nd floor in Glendale.

The reason for the event is two-fold. First, though I’ve been in the editor’s chair for a little more than six month now, I have yet to meet many of you. Reporters and editors will be on hand to meet you and answer your questions. Food and beverages will be provided.

Second, we’re going to be presenting mockups of a significant redesign of all three papers. We’ve updated our fonts, expanded our police blotter, and added numerous graphical elements to give the paper a more modern and newsy feel. And, to allay any fears: Content is in no way being reduced. In many ways, it is being expanded.

In addition, we’re changing the size of The Valley Sun. On Nov. 4, it will grow to a broadsheet, allowing for more news and features to be on the front page. The redesigns of the News-Press and Leader will launch on Nov. 2 and 3, respectively.

I hope to see you there!

Harvey Levin/Associated Press photo

The media world has been abuzz recently regarding TMZ founder Harvey Levin — though not for the usual reasons. Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputy investigators recently obtained phone records from the gossip journalist, attempting to find out who provided Levin details about Mel Gibson’s 2006 anti-Semitic rank during a drunk-driving arrest.

First Amendment defenders — if I may be so bold — say this is patently illegal. Law enforcement officials say it’s completely proper. Now, you may virulently disagree with Levin’s ways and methods, but keep this in mind: Most free speech law in this country has been shaped or created by less-than-sympathetic individuals. Besides, TMZ is based in Glendale, and I feel a need to stick up for the locals.

Though I have no idea whether Levin will be speaking about the issue, he will be speaking about something next week at a Radio and Television News Association event. Details are below.

The State of the News Business 2009
10/19/2009 @ 7:00 PM
The Radio & Television News Association of Southern California Presents:

“MAKING OR BREAKING NEWS: THE STATE OF THE NEWS BUSINESS 2009″

Monday, October 19, 2009

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Harvey Levin – Founder of TMZ

PANEL MEMBERS:

* Andy Ludlum – Program Director, KNX-1070 Newsradio and KFWB News/Talk 980
* Jose Rios – VP and News Director, KTTV-TV and KCOP-TV
* Kris Knutsen – Managing Editor, Local News Service

MODERATOR: Frank Mottek

WHEN:

* Monday, October 19, 2009
* Hors d’Oeuvres Reception: 6:00 – 7:00 PM
* Program: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
* Dessert Reception: 8:30 – 9:15 PM

WHERE: Lenart Auditorium, Fowler Museum at UCLA

ADMISSION COST: General Admission – $20, Students – $10, UCLA Students & Faculty – Free with Student or Faculty ID

PARKING: Convenient parking in Lot 4 on the UCLA campus.

Enter UCLA from Sunset Blvd. at Westwood Plaza.
Drive ahead to the Parking Information Booth in Lot 4.

PARKING COST: $10. Automated pay stations accept $1 and $5 bills and credit cards.

SPONSORS:

* Western States Petroleum Association
* City News Service
* UCLA

During the weekend, some unknown villain stole the news rack outside the News-Press and Leader offices. Odd, no? But you can’t keep a good newspaper down! I received the happy word this afternoon that the rack had been replaced. The circulation people, though, decided to put the paper inside front doors, instead of its former outdoor location (pictured).

Getting the rack pilfered offered me an interesting bit of insight into modern police work. I called the non-emergency number (duh) of the Glendale Police Department to report the theft. The woman who answered was unfailing polite — she didn’t even laugh when I told her my, ahem, crime. When the officer came to our offices to take the report, Veronica Rocha (our crime reporter) whispered he had been given an award for valor some years ago.

And then it struck me: Being a police officer certainly will have its moment, but, for the most part, you probably spend most of your time taking reports like mine — Medal of Valor winner or not.

"Inferno" by Roger Wilson

I want to announce the winners of this month’s internal writing and photography contest. The contest drew from the staff writers and photographers from the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader, and La Cañada Valley Sun. The three papers make up the members of Times Community News, North.

(The other members of our little chain are the Daily Pilot, Coastline Pilot, and Huntington Beach Independent. They make up the members of Times Community News, South.)

The contest features categories: news or feature, sports, photo, and online. And, to make things as fair as possible, I’ve asked my colleagues in Orange County to judge the entries.

The online category has two awardees, both based on the number of pageviews. The story of any type (news, feature, or sports) on any of the three papers’ websites that gets the most hits, or pageviews, wins the website award. In turn, the most popular blog post – also judged by pageviews – receives the blog award.

Congratulations to the September winners!

Most popular online story: Veronica Rocha, “Michael Jackson: Pop icon laid to rest” (Glendale News-Press, Sept. 4) 9,360 pageviews

Most popular blog post: Christopher Cadelago, “Woman jumps to her death at Burbank Holiday Inn” (Following the Leader, Sept. 13) 527 pageviews

Best news story: Melanie Hicken, “Minimizing utility risks” (Glendale News-Press, Sept. 26)

Judges’ comments: It’s pretty difficult to make water pipes interesting, but with sold reportage and crisp writing, Melanie seems to have done it. The hook of the story – that Glendale’s pipes are in better shape than L.A.’s – shows an awareness of current events and a skill for localizing a broad or regional story. The lead puts you right in the office of the engineer for Glendale Water & Power, so the story starts strong and ends stronger (“It’s like painting the Golden Gate Bridge”), which is a telltale sign of good writing.

Best sport story: Gabriel Rizk, “The rise of an Olympian” (Glendale News-Press, Sept. 28)

Judges’ comments: The series is compelling and well written. As you read the stories, it becomes increasingly clear that a lot of reporting went into the project. Gabriel tells this story as an insider, which lends it authority. The details give the reader that “inside” feeling, as if you know Vanes Martirosyan and his family.  The quotes – and there are multiple points of view – provide lively color and move the story along.  For a long piece, it’s well structured and doesn’t lose its way.

Best Photo: Roger Wilson, “Inferno” (Glendale News-Press, Sept. 1)

Judges’ comments: This photo, showing the massive fire looming at the edges of city lights, is informative and impactful. It’s worth, as the cliché goes, a thousand words because of its perspective and framing. The reader gets a feel for the scope and magnitude of the fire, which seems to be poised to rush over the Verdugo Mountains into nearby neighborhoods.