Love Ride Festival at Glendale Harley-Davidson

[caption id="attachment_3176" align="alignnone" width="546" caption="Sue Contant, of Santa Clarita, holds her pet Chu Chu the Chihuahua during the 2009 Love Ride Festival at Glendale Harley-Davidson on Saturday, October 24, 2009. Chu Chu is five years old and has been riding since he was one month old, according to Contant. (Raul Roa/News-Press)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3177" align="alignnone" width="701" caption="With event merchandise in the background, attendees enjoy a teen band during the 2009 Love Ride Festival at Glendale Harley-Davidson on Saturday, October 24, 2009. (Raul Roa/News-Press)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3178" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="An attendee arrives to the 2009 Love Ride Festival at Glendale Harley-Davidson on Saturday, October 24, 2009. (Raul Roa/News-Press)"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_3179" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="Singer/songwritier Savannah Stehlin, 13 of La Ca–ada, sings one of her creations during the 2009 Love Ride Festival at Glendale Harley-Davidson on Saturday, October 24, 2009. Stehlin is from the Burbank Music Academy. (Raul Roa/News-Press)"][/caption]

5th annual Kiwanis Duck Splash at Verdugo Park

The 5th annual Duck Splash at Verdugo Park's (temporary) Glendale Lake! Click on photo for a gallery of the festivities.   [caption id="attachment_3172" align="alignnone" width="572" caption="Attendees watch closely as the first of some 30,000 ducks are dropped into the water during the 5th Annual Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash at (temporary) Lake Glendale in Verdugo Park in Glendale on Saturday, October 24, 2009. (Raul Roa/News-Press)"][/caption]

A Halloween treat delivered door-to-door

[caption id="attachment_3166" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="A pumpkin (Carol Cormaci/Valley Sun)"][/caption] It seems everything's in high gear in the foothills for Halloween. There's a new shop devoted to the holiday that opened on Verdugo Boulevard between Burger King and New Moon. This weekend, Descanso Gardens is having a Pumpkin Festival. The La Cañada Elementary School PTA staged its annual Halloween Haunt today, no doubt bringing lots of fun to the little ones. The silent auction had tons of opportunities (seriously, I printed the list out and it filled 51 pages!) for parents' consideration, not the least of which was a week in a Park City, Utah condo valued at $9,000. Next Friday and Saturday night the Quirings at 4800 Grand Avenue will allow visitors into their Haunted Maze (we'll have an article on that in the  Oct. 29 Valley Sun). Last year, according to Molly Quiring, some 500 people visited their backyard to tour their creation. We haven't yet heard from Dr. Sharon Rae Deacon, but she usually sets up a "Pumpkin Alley" in her front driveway on Earlmont Avenue on Halloween Night  that features 100 jack-o-lanterns carved by local teens. But, I've got to tell you one of my favorite Halloween traditions is the FREE delivery of a pumpkin to my doorstep every year by local Anita Gray, an agent affiliated with Dickson Podley Realtors. Gray blankets the neighborhood with these small pumpkins, accompanied by a simple, photocopied note on a small piece of orange paper: "Happy Halloween." The gourds aren't really big enough to carve unless you're particularly adept at working with sharp knives in small places, but they are charming nonetheless. And it's just plain fun to open our front door to find a the little surprise sitting there. Nothing is asked in return; it's a true freebie, although I'm sure Gray wouldn't mind it a bit if we remembered her name the next time we decided to get involved in a real estate transaction. Good things come in small orange packages.

Brava Barrymore

I was curious how Drew Barrymore would do as a director on the new film "Whip It," so I saw it last Saturday night at the Burbank AMC. I'm still in shock that I liked it so much. It has a good message for teens as well as overly doting moms. The ensemble cast was terrific. And Barrymore kept enough distance on screen to give the other actors a lot of breathing room. I've seen Barrymore in other films and although they were not as heart-warming, she's always a kick to watch. I really recommend it. I could have done without all the promos before the feature presentation. I don't mind one or two but I think they showed like closer to eight or 10, way past my patience level. Also I recommend the place I went for dinner prior to the movie. Pinocchio's Restaurant on Magnolia Boulevard. I have a difficult time deciding between the spaghetti marinara and the eggplant. The tomato sauce is thick and rich -- the perfect accompaniment to any pasta. And the colorful gelato case is hard to pass up, but so far I've succeeded. Delicioso!

The Early Edition – Burbank Leader

[caption id="attachment_3162" align="alignright" width="300" caption="A truck leaves the Walk Disney facilities in Burbank. (File/Leader)"][/caption] Disney lawsuit still on docket MEDIA DISTRICT — A federal judge in Los Angeles refused to dismiss a lawsuit accusing Burbank-based Walt Disney Co. of polluting the surrounding area with chromium 6. Hospitals tighten visit rules BURBANK — Local hospitals have upped their visitation barriers in hopes of stopping the spread of the H1N1 virus among its staff and fragile patients. Little supply on hand for home buyers Competition has continued to rise for a shrinking supply of homes for sale in Burbank, Glendale and La Crescenta, as most potential sellers continue to decide against putting their properties on the market, real estate agents say. Foreclosure rate keeps rising Local home foreclosure rates have continued to rise, led by a baffling eight-fold jump in La Crescenta filings during September, compared with a year ago, according to experts and a report prepared for the Burbank Leader by real estate tracking firm RealtyTrac. Renewed expectations Kordo Doski knew full well what he was getting into when he took over the boys’ soccer program at Providence High. Bell-Jeff effort just falls short MEMORIAL FIELD— Chris Navarro was just too much for the Guards defense to handle. GCC defense can’t do it all VALENCIA — In holding College of the Canyons’ offense scoreless for the final 52-plus minutes of Saturday night’s Northern Conference National Division contest at Canyons, the Glendale Community College football team showed it really is just as good, if not better, than its recent string of stellar performances would indicate.

The Early Edition – Glendale News-Press

[caption id="attachment_3159" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The Grand View Memorial Park sign at the corner of Grandview Ave and Glenwood Rd. has become over grown due to neglect. (File/News-Press)"][/caption] Grand View lawsuit settled GLENDALE — Attorneys representing plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against Grand View Memorial Park have announced a $3.8-million settlement agreement. ‘It’s like the “clunkers” program never happened’ SOUTH GLENDALE — Car sales have plummeted since the end of the federal “cash for clunkers” program, which had many area lots working double duty to keep up with consumer demand in August. Foreclosures abound Local home foreclosure rates have continued to rise, led by a baffling eight-fold jump in La Crescenta filings during the month of September, compared with a year ago, according to experts and a report prepared for the Glendale News-Press by real estate tracking firm RealtyTrac. Three banks in area robbed in the past week LA CRESCENTA — Thieves have hit three foothill-area banks in the past week, officials said, making off with thousands in cash and eluding authorities. Rebels coach, Tom Fry, dies at 52 GLENDALE — Tom Fry, a longtime staple in the Flintridge Prep community as a coach and teacher, who was revered by colleagues and his family, lost a seven-month battle with a malignant brain tumor Wednesday night. He was 52. Knights provide drama, victory VALLEY GLEN — Down three points with 4:30 left and 60 yards to go, the St. Francis High football team’s offense seemed dead in the water.