Harvest Hoedown at GCC Parent Education Center

The Glendale Community College Parent Education Association's Harvest Hoedown was held Saturday at the school's parking lot in Glendale. [caption id="attachment_1865" align="alignnone" width="630" caption="Mayla Prado-Court, 3 of Burbank, center, selects a pumpkin to decorate during the annual Glendale Community College Parent Education Association's Harvest Hoedown at the school's parking lot in Glendale on Saturday, October 17, 2009. (Raul Roa/News-Press)"][/caption]

Relay For Life at Scholl Canyon Park goes for 24 hrs. straight

The 6th Annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Scholl Canyon Park in Glendale on Saturday, October 17, 2009. [caption id="attachment_1862" align="alignnone" width="630" caption="Terminally ill Jon Harrison, who has cancer and is a retired Glendale Police officer, center, does the first ceremonial lap with GPD civilian employee Jenny Lau, left center, and his daughter Katrina Harrison, right, during the opening ceremony for the 6th Annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Scholl Canyon Park in Glendale on Saturday, October 17, 2009. (Raul Roa/News-Press)"][/caption]

Protest in front of NBC in Burbank

About 150 people gathered from Long Beach to as far as Bakersfield to protest in front of the NBC studios in Burbank on Saturday. [caption id="attachment_1853" align="alignnone" width="630" caption="The group had signs which called for a stop to illegal immigration, against what they termed "Nazi healthcare," and perceived media bias toward their cause. (Raul Roa/Leader)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1854" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="About 150 protesters, including Long Beach siblings Trishie, left, Isabel, center, and Carl, right, gathered outside the NBC studios in Burbank on Saturday, October 17, 2009.  (Raul Roa/Leader)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1855" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="About 150 protesters gathered outside the NBC studios in Burbank on Saturday, October 17, 2009.  (Raul Roa/Leader)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1856" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="About 150 protesters, including Christine Odenbach of San Bernardino, gathered outside the NBC studios in Burbank on Saturday, October 17, 2009.  (Raul Roa/Leader)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1857" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="About 150 protesters, including Chuck Smith of Costa Mesa, gathered outside the NBC studios in Burbank on Saturday, October 17, 2009. (Raul Roa/Leader)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1858" align="alignnone" width="210" caption="About 150 protesters, including "Frida Spenditall," left, and "Sophie R. Velthy," right, gathered outside the NBC studios in Burbank on Saturday, October 17, 2009.  (Raul Roa/Leader)"][/caption]

Woman killed in La Canada Flintridge murder-suicide identified

From the Pasadena Star-News: LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- Coroner's officials released the name Saturday of a woman who was killed in an apparent murder suicide at her home. Genny Herrera, 39, was fatally shot and was pronounced dead in her home in the 4500 block of Lasheart Drive, according to sheriff's and coroner's officials. The name of the suspect, a 47-year-old La Crescenta man who fatally shot himself, was not released Saturday pending notification of his family members, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Investigator Sherwood Dixson said. Click here for the full story.

Tough words from Bill Boyarski

[caption id="attachment_1846" align="alignright" width="205" caption="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)"][/caption] 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? [...]

Red Ribbon Ride at Johnny Carson Park in Burbank

Children and adults participated in the annual Red Ribbon Ride at Johnny Carson Park Saturday morning. Click on the link below for a gallery. [caption id="attachment_1834" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="Children and adults participated in the 21st Annual Safe, Healthy & Drug Free Red Ribbon Ride at Johnny Carson Park in Burbank on Saturday, October 17, 2009. (Raul Roa/Leader)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1835" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="Sean Balghdaiasn has a laugh with daughter Polly, 5, just before participating in the 21st Annual Safe, Healthy & Drug Free Red Ribbon Ride at Johnny Carson Park in Burbank on Saturday, October 17, 2009. (Raul Roa/Leader)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1836" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="Burbank bicycle police officers lead the crowds of children and adults participating in the 21st Annual Safe, Healthy & Drug Free Red Ribbon Ride at Johnny Carson Park in Burbank on Saturday, October 17, 2009. (Raul Roa/Leader)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1837" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="A woman and child ride tandem with other children and adults in the 21st Annual Safe, Healthy & Drug Free Red Ribbon Ride at Johnny Carson Park in Burbank on Saturday, October 17, 2009. (Raul Roa/Leader)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1838" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="Children and adults head north on Bob Hope Drive towards Alameda Ave. during the 21st Annual Safe, Healthy & Drug Free Red Ribbon Ride at Johnny Carson Park in Burbank on Saturday, October 17, 2009. (Raul Roa/Leader)"][/caption]

The Early Edition – Burbank Leader

[caption id="attachment_1831" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Richard Phillips, 52, of L.A. and a videotape operator, who has been out of work for most of the time since May 2008, looks for any type of work at the Verdugo Jobs Center in Glendale on Friday. (Raul Roa/The Leader)"][/caption] Jobless rates rise in Burbank, Glendale BURBANK — The unemployment rate in Glendale rose slightly to 11.1% in September, up from 11% last month, according to the latest state figures released Friday. Commissioners vent frustration DOWNTOWN — Against the backdrop of an FBI probe into police misconduct and a number of lawsuits claiming internal harassment, the Burbank Police Commission on Wednesday called on city officials to expand its oversight role. Lt. rank on hold in FBI probe CITY HALL — A city commission has blocked the temporary promotion of a Burbank police lieutenant because he was named in an FBI probe into excessive-force allegations. Harvey Milk Day is neither in, out BURBANK — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s decision to sign a bill that encourages local school districts to commemorate the life and legacy of the first openly gay elected official in the U.S. has put education officials in familiar territory. Burbank wins OT thriller MEMORIAL FIELD — When his Burbank High football team scored a touchdown in the second overtime to pull to within one point of defending Pacific League champion Muir, Bulldogs’ Coach Hector Valencia decided his team had had enough. Their place of honor From a coach, to athletes to a city official and alumna who has helped support the school’s stadium renovation project, the honorees ran the gambit Thursday as the latest class was inducted into the Burroughs Athletic Hall of Fame. SMALL WONDERS: Reader, husband redefine marriage Each week I mine my brain for something witty or poignant to say to you here in my corner of your local newspaper.

The Early Edition – Glendale News-Press

[caption id="attachment_1827" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The Glendale YWCA held a candlelight vigil to help light the way to end domestic violence in front of its East Lexington Drive location in Glendale on Friday. (Raul Roa/News-Press)"][/caption] To educate, remember Mona Marcos endured 20 years of verbal abuse from her husband until she decided enough was enough and left him. Collision highlights speeding on street NORTHWEST GLENDALE — Some residents call Glenoaks Boulevard “The Raceway” due to the number of speeding motorists it attracts. But on Thursday, two teens took the street’s nickname literally — and suffered harsh results. Layaway makes comeback KENNETH VILLAGE — It happens too often at Audrey Robles’ women’s boutique: one customer, two dresses and a lot of indecision. Mixing up two types of flu GLENDALE — Local school administrators are struggling to obtain seasonal flu vaccines for students amid regional shortages. Win slips away from St. Francis LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE — Seven yards and five points removed from the euphoria of a monumental upset, St. Francis High’s football team was instead dealt heartbreak. SMALL WONDERS: Reader, husband redefine marriage Each week I mine my brain for something witty or poignant to say to you here in my corner of your local newspaper. Some weeks are less inspired than others, I know, and for that I apologize. But I am always grateful when I hear from readers commenting on something I said, good, bad or indifferent.

Orlandini out of action for Canyons

[caption id="attachment_1824" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Linebacker Joey Orlandini, far left, is out for today's Glendale Community College football game"][/caption] Glendale Community College freshman linebacker Joey Orlandini will not be available for today's 7 p.m. Northern Conference National Division game at College of the Canyons after suffering a concussion in practice during the team's recent bye week, Vaqueros Coach John Rome said. The former Golden Knight is fourth on the team with 23 total tackles with an interception, a fumble recovery and 1.5 sacks. Orlandini was a 2007 All-Area second-team selection in his senior year at St. Francis High, where he was an All-Mission League first-team pick.