A tip from a source got me out of bed a whole hour earlier this morning for a trip to the Glendale courthouse, where celebri-tant Nicole Richie plans to plead guilty to her DUI charge from last year. But then I wasn't the only one to get the tip, with the rest of the Los Angeles media brigade kickin' it outside for the big arrival.

It's like the Oscars, but with the velvet rope replaced by the yellow police tape, and the court handlers were passing out little orange tickets in case the courtroom gets too packed and they have to raffle the seats, but it didn't come to that. And let's face it, it's Nicole Richie, not Paris Hilton.

Since I'm just a writer, I waited inside the building, away from the cameras. Richie arrived in a black SUV in the arm of her boyfriend, rocker Joel Madden (a proud Glendalian, just like The Game). The couple and their entourage cruised past sheriff's security and waited outside Glendale Superior Court Department 1 along with the media throng -- probably two-thirds credentialed broadcast and print crews, one-third curious onlookers and bloggers. One woman in a brown sweater-coat carried an In Touch magazine in a grocery bag into court -- what was her deal?

I sat two rows behind Richie -- just close enough to read the tattoo on the back of her neck. It says "Richie" -- in case she forgets her famous last name, I guess.

I'm not going into the acutal hearing -- you can read the whole story here -- but the thing was over within a half-hour. Meanwhile, reporters compared notes on what happened as Richie and her crew left the building. The shooters get agitated, but this time I was caught outside between the curb and her SUV.

The next thing I knew, dozens of photogs suddenly turned in my direction, pushing over each other to squeeze a few shots of the departure. That's where the elbow to the head came -- a slight bump that ejected me to the rear of the pack. No big deal -- we all gotta pay the bills, and I had to run over to the DA's news conference.

The TV folks peppered Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Lugo with their two obsessions -- whether Richie will do her four days in jail in the county slammer or in a nice city jail, where there's TV and Internet access; and what is the lesson to be learned here.

That one had me chuckling. Uh...I don't know, don't drive while high? But a fellow reporter turned to remind me of etiquette -- I was not supposed to laugh OUT LOUD -- don't want to hurt any feelings.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

On assignment this morning and updates will be sparse -- but here's a bit of Glendale-related history courtesy of LAObserved's Native Intelligence. (Note the post includes an artistic nude portait shot by Weston -- don't look if you know you'll be offedned...)

Legendary photographer Edward Weston is most often connected with Northern California. The modernist known for his mastery of form had a studio in Carmel and co-founded Group f/64 with Ansel Adams and others. Not as well known is that Weston began his career as a portrait photographer in the Los Angeles area.

Weston moved here from Illinois in 1906, settling in Tropico, now part of Glendale. He married his sister's best friend, Flora May Chandler. She became the mother of their four sons, and quietly suffered as he pursued affairs with exotic women in his circle such as Tina Modotti and Margrethe Mather.

This all comes as the Getty opens a Weston exhibit July 31.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

At least that's what the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association has in mind with their design for the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. The Burbank City Council gave their nods yesterday, and it's now up to the group of local volunteers to build and decorate the thing. (Other towns, like the City of Glendale, has all the work contracted out to professionals...)

The Burbank association also is taking applications for an Oompah band to perform on the float, and some backup dancers.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Since the Daily News couldn't spare a photographer this year to cover Cruise Night due to some soccer game featuring some guy name David Beckham, here are a few YouTube videos of the festivities. Enjoy.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Simpsons-related stories just keep coming with the movie opening in a few days. Over the weekend, the San Jose Mercury News did a story about pro athletes who have appeared on the show -- some 40 over 18 seasons.

For a fat, bald, lazy nuclear safety inspector, Homer Simpson has enjoyed an astonishing athletic career.

He has bowled a perfect game, fought for the heavyweight title, played tennis with Andre Agassi, pinch hit for Darryl Strawberry, skateboarded with Tony Hawk, taught showboating to Tom Brady and talked soccer with Ronaldo.

All in all, a fairly ringing endorsement for the power of beer and doughnuts.

Starting Friday, Homer takes to the big screen as "The Simpsons Movie" hits theaters. There is no word about whether sports will be a plot element, but it seems a safe bet considering the show's history.

More than 40 athletes have provided guest voices over the 18 seasons of the animated TV series on Fox. And combining two of America's greatest loves - sports and "The Simpsons" - has been an ideal marriage.

The writer also talks to the animators at Glendale-based Rough Draft Studios (it's the storefront on Brand with the Futurama posters in the lobby, where groups of artists often take cigarette breaks by the door). They worked on the classic 3rd season ep Homer at Bat, and is doing some 3D animation for the upcoming movie.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

*Update -- Check out the photos by DN Photographer Hans Gutknecht here. You won't regret it...

Also at Burbank Airport today -- more shameless Simpsons Movie marketing!

JetBlue Airways, The Official Airline of Springfield, Unveils First-Ever Specialty Aircraft in Celebration of The Simpsons Movie Release

WHAT: JetBlue Airways, recently named The Official Airline of Springfield, will christen its first-ever specialty aircraft “Woo-Hoo! JetBlue!” in celebration of The Simpsons Movie release.

WHO: *Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson

*The Simpsons Movie filmmakers and producer Denise Sirkot
*JetBlue crewmembers and executives

WHEN: Tuesday, July 17 11AM - 12 PM
*Please allow adequate time for parking and set up.

WHERE: Million Air Burbank
2800 N. Clybourn Ave Burbank, CA 91505

VISUALS: Plane christening with Buzz Cola from Kwik-E-Mart/7-Eleven
Life-sized, 3-D The Simpsons Movie couch theater display
Interior of aircraft (Airbus A320) will be available for media tours, featuring a continuous offering of Simpsons episodes on FOX Channel 41.

We may even have photos later...

Posted by Eugene Tong at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

• A bit of rawk video from Sunday's Armenian Rock festival in Glendale

• A love letter to Bob's Big Boy Burbank, and to drive-up car hop service...

• Breakdancing from a wedding at Castaways Burbank...

  
  

Posted by Eugene Tong at 2:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

The City of Glendale / Knows how to party...

JUNE 22, 2007 -- Glendale officials announced today the entertainment schedule for the 14th Annual Cruise Night Car Show and Street Party. The event will be held on Saturday, July 21, from 5:30 to 10:30pm on Brand Boulevard.

Best remembered for his 1973 soul classic “Show and Tell”, Al Wilson, will kick things off at 5:30pm on the main stage at Brand and Milford. “Show and Tell” was both a million seller and the #1 record in America. Wilson will be followed at 6:30pm by The Chantays who had the 1963 surf hit “Pipeline”. The Chantays’ sound influenced a number of artists including The Ventures, Dick Dale, and the Beach Boys. At 7:30pm, Johnny Tillotson will take the stage. Tillotson’s “Poetry in Motion” sold over a million copies and zoomed to #1 in America. Closing out the entertainment for the evening will be The Marcels whose hit “Blue Moon” became the #1 song in America by bumping Elvis Presley’s song “Surrender” out of the top spot. Emcee for the evening will be KRTH Radio legend Brian Bierne, Mr. Rock and Roll ®.

In addition to the great music, the 14th Annual Cruise Night will feature over 400 pre-1973 custom cars and trucks. The celebrity judge for this year’s event will be Edd “Kookie” Byrnes who portrayed the character Gerald Lloyd “Kookie” Kookson III on the 1960’s TV detective series 77 Sunset Strip. Byrnes and singer Connie Stevens recorded the song “Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me your Comb” following his popularity on the TV show. Those who would like to register their car can call (818) 548-2184.

Cruise Night this year will feature a dance and hoola-hoop contest at the Awards Stage located at Brand and Wilson. There will also be booths, displays and games for the kids at Brand and Broadway. Restaurants and businesses will be open during the event. For more information, call (818) 548-6464 or go to the Cruise Night website: glendalecruisenight.com.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

And that's the Majesty Of Rock! The Mystery of Roll!

This SUNDAY-SUNDAY-SUNDAY! LIVE at the GLENDALE CIVIC AUDITORIUM! It's the ARMENIAN ROCK FESTIVAL GLENDALE 2007!!!!!

Where RAWK and a 1600-year-old alphabet meet!!!!!!!

Posted by Eugene Tong at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Some dude boogie-ing down at Glendale High School, set to Rick James -- is this where your tax dollars are going?

Glendale's filipino community celebrates The Philippines' June 12 Independence Day (from the Spaniards -- not the Americans) with song and dance at the Glendale Library auditorium. The show's organized by FABAG -- the Filipino American Business Association of Glendale.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 9:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Burbank story of the day -- there's a Nancy Drew convention in town just as the new Warner Bros. movie about the plucky teen detective goes into wide release today, and I spent some time them over the past two days in researching this story.

These members of the Nancy Drew Sleuths national fan club were as young as eight and as old as 71, and they all shared a love for the mystery series. For some, it's nostalgia and comfort, while others are thrilled by the hunt that comes with trying to collect the 77 year-old kid-lit series. And of course, some are just discovering Nancy's adventures for the first time, inheriting the novels from their mothers, sisters and grandmothers.

For a fresh assessment of Nancy's legacy, check out this 1999 Salon.com write-up, which attempts to place the girl detective in a contemporary context. There's also an interview with Mildred Wirt Benson, the first ghostwriter to assume the mantle of Nancy Drew author "Carolyn Keene."

Other resources: Stratemeyer Syndicate expert James Keeline's site; Nancy Drew's wiki.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Today's theme: Gluttony...

• An Washington-based pizza franchise is moving into Burbank and other locales in Daily News-land (that being Simi Valley, Stevenson Ranch and Valencia), according to CurbedLA. Never had a Garlic Jim's pie, but if anyone out there has and cares to share, leave a comment below!

• Meanwhile, Daily News restaurant critic Larry Lipson stops by the year-old Porto's Burbank. Excerpt:

  Last year, Porto's came to neighboring Burbank's Magnolia Park and took off right away. It's a mega hit. Tasty, refreshing, quickly served fare at very reasonable prices. And no tips.

  What originally was primarily a bakery where there were a few tables available for a pastry nosh and a cup of coffee had turned into a hugely successful, quasi-self-service cafe.

  See the rest of the review here.

  Also, Sharon Kaplan over at our reawakened Table Talk food blog praises Porto's potato ball!

• Don't forget to check out our link to Chowhound's good eats in Burbank/Glendale thread to our right...
  

Posted by Eugene Tong at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) |

Andrew Bruce of Burbank wanted to take a break to sail around the world -- and he did, on a freighter. KNBC4 visits with the man who traded his audio and video equipment rental business for three months on the high seas.

And get this, the trip just cost him roughly $10,000...

Posted by Eugene Tong at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Day 4 of the Daily News' Exposed: Porn in the Valley series includes my write-up of Porn Star Karaoke -- an industry mixer/party held at Sardo's Restaurant in Burbabnk for the past three-going-on-four years.

It's my small, geographical contribution to our look at XXX -- and I have to admit, a pleasure to take on. Contrary to any images of Boogie Nights its name may conjure, it was mostly a mellow night of song, dancing, drinks and conversation, porn or otherwise. Still, it was raining that night and they weren't holding a special event, so the crowd may have been a little off...

Allow me to thank PSK organizer Konnie and Sardo's manager Seymour Satin for letting me in on their party, and putting up with my questions, which got more and more aimless as the clock approached 1 a.m.

While you're at it, check out the audio slide show DN photographer Michael Owen Baker and I put together of our PSK night out.

If the story link above doesn't work (Flash required), try this. And here's the PSK Club's Yahoo! group.

As Konnie told me, PSK is "whatever you want it to be -- just don't bring a bunch of guys." Remember -- ratios, people.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 12:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

YouTube find of the day! It seems a group of creative Burbank High film production students shot a 22 minute short titled "Burbank Battle Royale" -- their take of the 2000 Japanese Box Office hit (turned cult classic in the West) Battle Royale, in which a fascist state pits teenagers against each other in a deadly survival game on an island. It's actually deeper than it sounds...but I'll leave it to you, dear reader, to see for yourself.

NOTE CONTENT -- In the tradition of the best do-it-yourself horror cinema, the filmmakers spill A LOT of fake blood, and if you find the idea of teens being coerced to fight one another repulsive, DO NOT PUSH PLAY!

Just move along -- nothing to see here...

For parts 2 and 3, check out uploader Zilgor's channel here.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 5:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) |

Dr. Debs at Good Wine Under $20 sings praises of Burbank Costco's wine buyer. Excerpt:

You see, Costco wine selections are determined by the store's buyer. Get a good buyer, you get good wine. Get a bad buyer--you get nothing but Chard and Cab and some very tired Australian shiraz that sits for 9 months. Finally, I asked the folks on Chowhound's wine board if they could tell me which LA area Costco has good wine. And the answer came, in the voice of Johnny Carson: beautiful downtown Burbank.

Thank you, Burbank Costco wine buyer, for stocking two islands of bins and mountains of pallets with really, really good wine. You know you're in good hands when the pallets do not contain case after case of Clos du Bois but instead case after case of Cotes du Rhone.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) |

Fruit topping with your museli...

• The Armenian National Committee of America got some love from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa after the mayor received a package from the Turkish Consul General of Los Angeles, reports Asbarez.

  In the Mayor’s letter, he states that “[T]he Turkish Consul General of Los Angeles recently sent me, as gifts, two books denying the Armenian Genocide. [The Turkish Consul General] also sent a letter protesting my support of House Resolution 106 and my request to Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bring the Resolution to a vote as soon as possible.

  “I would like to donate the books to the [ANCA] so that your organization can study them and ensure that any attempts to diminish the gravity of the Armenian Genocide are met with factual retorts."

• Glendale Police honors its finest at an award ceremony. Officer Joe Allen of the vice/narcotics detail was named officer of the year for his work and for mentoring other officers. News Press

• And finally in today's boy band news -- former 'N Sync star Lance Bass turned gas pump attendant in Burbank Thursday morning as Star 98.7's morning intern. He apparently lost a bet when boybandmate Joey Fatone had a mediocre showing.
  

Posted by Eugene Tong at 9:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

A note in Burbank's showbiz history -- excerpt via AP.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Tommy Newsom, the former backup bandleader on "The Tonight Show" whose "Mr. Excitement" nickname was a running joke for Johnny Carson, has died. He was 78.

Newsom died of cancer Saturday at his home in Portsmouth, the city of his birth, according to his nephew, Jim Newsom.

Newsom, who played saxophone, joined "The Tonight Show" in 1962 and rose from band member to assistant music director. He retired along with Carson in 1992.

Update 4 p.m. -- Here's an article by Jim Newsom on his uncle from 2003, and a wikipedia entry.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 3:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Since I was more caught up in an evening of back-to-back Simpsons and The Sopranos...via NBC4

BURBANK, Calif. -- A Burbank defense lawyer is Donald Trump's new "Apprentice."

Stefani Schaeffer was named the winner last night in a live finale at the Hollywood Bowl.

Web entrepreneur James Sun was the runner-up. He tried telling Trump that Stefani wasn't a true leader, but more of a behind-the-scenes player.

Trump wasn't convinced.

Stefani had the choice of working on Trump's new resort development in the Caribbean or a condo project in Atlanta. She choose the Caribbean.

According to Schaeffer's bio on NBC's Apprentice site, she's 32, born in Burbank and raised in Palm Springs.

She defends California employers against worker's compensation, subrogation and discrimination claims, and defends large real estate developers in construction defect litigation. In her spare time, she enjoys snow skiing, golf, tennis, scuba diving, karate, motorcyle riding and volunteering.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program...

Posted by Eugene Tong at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Cast members of the musical, "Bush is Bad," will sing tunes like "How Can 59 Million People Be So Dumb!" at the next meeting of the Burbank Democratic Club on April 25. Also, Robert Nakahiro, the vice chairman for Region 3 of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, will be on hand.

From the group's e-mail promo:

Have you ever wondered how delegates are selected or elected to attend the state and national conventions? Or the role that local clubs play? Come and join us to find out.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on April 25 at McCambridge Park Recreation Center, Room 1, 1515 Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank.

More

Posted by Jason Kandel at 5:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Just in time for lunch -- the Times digs into the mysterious Armenian Tahini cookie. Excerpt:

They were tan domes with a tight spiral pattern on top, making them look a bit like snail shells lying on their sides. The pastry had a distinctive taste, more wholesome than cookie dough, followed by a little blast of richness from that spiral, which turned out to be a filling of sesame tahini. It tasted like peanut butter without peanut butter's funky edge.

In other words, these were cookies we could eat a lot of, and we proceeded to do so. But not before I saved one or two to explore their mystery.

There are plenty of pictures, a few recipes and even a list of the top 10 Armenian bakeries in SoCal -- definitely a clipper.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Some deep thoughts to digest with your coffee...

• Expect politiking galore tonight when the Glendale City Council installs new Councilman John Drayman, and elects a mayor. Is Dave Weaver, who won another four years earlier this month, going for another term? Do Bob Yousefian and Ara Najarian have the time? (One serves on the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Commission and the other serves on the MTA board.) What about Frank Quintero? I don't have the answer, and they're not telling the News-Press. Here's the agenda for the 8 p.m. party.

• Meanwhile, Burbank City Council is preparing to adopt tomorrow night a deal with Burbank Unified School District to share recreational facilities.

• Local blogger Joe Fein talks further about whipping the California GOP back into shape at Valley of the Shadow. Scroll down a bit to read about his take on Burbank.

• The New York Times has an editorial up over Turkey's protests of a Rwanda genocide exhibit at United Nations headquarters because it mentions the Armenian Genocide.

• The Times looks into earlier reports of fish in the LA River near Atwater and the Glendale Narrows.
  

More to come...

Posted by Eugene Tong at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Now that rapper Snoop Dogg's had his day in court after getting busted on gun and drug charges at Bob Hope Airport, what now? The AP takes a look at celebrity justice, and what Snoop can expect. An excerpt:

Superior Court Judge Terry Smerling said the 35-year-old rapper, born Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr., could spend 400 of those hours working with the youth football league he started several years ago. The remainder of his time will be spent working with non-profit organizations approved by the county's probation department, according to court documents.

He should consider himself lucky. Not all celebrities get choice gigs; some are even treated like average citizens.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

The art of Paul Batou is being featured tonight at the Harvest Gallery in Glendale. His work, entitled "My Iraq ... The Destruction and Aftermath of Mesopotamia," features 25 paintings and the release of his new book, "My Last Thoughts About Iraq." His work shows the pain, humiliation and destruction from ancient Mesopotamia to today's Iraq. Harvest Gallery is at 938 N.Brand Blvd., Glendale. His reception will be held from 7-10 tonight. The gallery will be open Friday through April 27. Batou, a native Iraqi, is a Burbank resident and pharmacist by trade, who served in the Iran-Iraq War as a medic.

valleynews.com

Posted by Jason Kandel at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

I ran into Fabiano Iha, a former Ultimate Fighting Champion, who since 1990 has amassed an impressive record -- 20 wins, 5 losses, 0 draws. He's knocked out five and made 15 other challengers submit -- four of whom broke their arms trying to resist. He's been knocked out three times and lost two matches by decision. The guy who earned a reputation for breaking arms on the mat owns Xtreme Training Center -- XTC -- and like a martial arts master he demonstrates his moves daily to aspiring grapplers in Northeast Los Angeles. He also trains actor Vin Diesel and other stars.

Read the story here.

Posted by Jason Kandel at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

From the Los Angeles County District Attonrney's Office:

APRIL 10, 2007 PASADENA -- The rapper known as Snoop Dogg was charged today with gun possession by a felon and sale or transportation of marijuana, both felonies, the District Attorney’s office announced.

The 35-year-old musician, whose real name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus, (dob 10-20-71), is scheduled to be arraigned at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Pasadena Superior Court, Dept. D, said Deputy District Attorney Marian
Thompson. He is charged in case No. GA069334.

Broadus was first arrested Oct. 26 Burbank police at the airport in Burbank on suspicion of transportation of a controlled substance. The gun charge stems from Burbank police executing a search warrant at his home
where the gun was allegedly discovered.

The complaint alleges that Broadus was convicted of felony drug possession and possession for sale in 1990.

If convicted, he faces up to four years in state prison.

Update --

Arraignment for Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus, (dob 10-20-71), has been changed to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Pasadena Superior Court, Dept. D, said Deputy District Attorney Marian Thompson. He is charged in case No. GA069334.

So having read through Snoop's wikipedia entry -- I had NO IDEA he shared a birthday with Dannii Minogue!?

Posted by Eugene Tong at 4:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Good morning. Here are a few items to go with your morning Cheerios.

• Arthur Pilavyan, the owner/operator of A & L Nursing Registry located in Pasadena, was arrested by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation recently on charges stemming from his indictment last week on federal criminal charges including health care fraud and money laundering.
  Click here to read the press release from the IRS.
  
• Irish Police are investigating the apparent theft of 122 R.E.M. concert tickets for the band's forthcoming sold-out Olympia Theatre show on Saturday, June 30.
  marketwire.com
  
• The next meeting of the Los Angeles River Master Plan Advisory Committee is Wednesday, April 25 at 9:30 a.m. at Southern California Edison's Montebello Service Center.
  

  Presentations include:
  Edison’s guidelines for river adjacent properties
  Trust for Public Land’s Parks for People – Los Angeles Program
  Location: Montebello Service Center, Conf. Room A
  Address: 1000 Potrero Grande Dr., Monterey Park, CA 91755

  
  
• Vahe Balabanian at hyelog has more on the Armenian genocide.
  
• More than 50 Nobel laureates from around the world have appealed to Armenia and Turkey -- Can't we all just get along?
  rferl.org
  
• Glendale-based Focus on the Children Now, Inc. (FCN), an organization that helps needy children in Armenia, has recently completed its first successful clothing drive for people in Gavar and Sevan who make about $500 a year.
  more
  
• A little bubble gum ... A Burbank resident is among the final four on "The Apprentice."
  The Bushido Way
  

Posted by Jason Kandel at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

The classics ride again!

From Glendale City Hall APRIL 5, 2007...

Officials for the City of Glendale announced today that Classic Rock and Roll stars The Marcels, Johnny Tillotson, The Chantays and Al Wilson will be performing at this year’s Cruise Night Car Show and Street Party. The 14th Annual Cruise Night will be held on Saturday, July 21, from 5:30 to 10 pm on Brand Boulevard in Glendale. Over 35,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event.

Continue reading "Cruise Night 2007" »

Posted by Eugene Tong at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Word from Atwater is carp -- big ones -- are spawning in that concreted stretch of the oft-maligned river channel. More from LA Observed.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 8:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) |

More from the bonfire of the Weilands _ as in Scott and Mary Weiland. Oh how I wish celebs pull more of their shenanigans in the Inland Empire or something, just as long as they leave this overworked reporter the heck alone.

via AP...

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) -- The wife of Velvet Revolver singer Scott Weiland was arrested in the torching of his clothes outside their Toluca Lake home hours after the couple brawled at a luxury hotel, police said Monday.

Mary Weiland, 31, was booked for investigation of felony arson vandalism after officers responded to a call Saturday night that a female was burning clothes. They found a trash can full of smoldering clothes, Sgt. Mathew Ferguson said.

Continue reading "Flambe a la Mary Weiland" »

Posted by Eugene Tong at 6:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

Via KTEN (by way of the Associated Press)...

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- A man who owns the property where famed television horse Mister Ed supposedly is buried wants to take advantage of its notoriety and develop it.

Homebuilder Todd Carroll of Tahlequah has a monument to the horse on his 16-acre property in Tahlequah, where the horse may -- or may not be -- buried. His plan is to build 12 to 15 log homes and create a subdivision, with the entrance going past the Mister Ed monument.

The 1,000-pound granite monument commemorating Mister Ed has been in Tahlequah since 1990.

There is some debate about whether Mister Ed actually is buried in the eastern Oklahoma town.

Some of Carroll's neighbors recall the horse's owner bringing him to Tahlequah after his retirement, but some Internet accounts say the horse buried there is one that was used in publicity shots after Mister Ed died in 1969.

A representative for Alan Young, who played Mister Ed's owner on the TV show, says the horse died in Burbank, California, was cremated and had his ashes spread there.

Two words -- SELL OUT. What would Ed's buddies down back in the Rancho think?

Posted by Eugene Tong at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

via TMZ.com...

Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland and his wife trashed a Burbank hotel room during a rockstar-caliber rampage last weekend, and now the hotel is pressing charges against the Weilands for the damage they caused.

more HERE...including photo galleries!

Posted by Eugene Tong at 3:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |