This release from the U.S. Forest Service may make you think twice before trying to make a pet out of that squirrel in your backyard. Technically, the area they're referring to in the press release isn't really in the coverage area, but it may be a place readers have gone to on hikes. The Forest Service has re-opened two picnic areas in Big Tujunga Canyon on the Angeles National Forest, after closing the picnic areas because of a threat of the plague - a plague carried by pesky squirrels. I thought we did away with the plague sometime in the Middle Ages, but apparently not. Check out the release from the Forest Service:

On July 10th, a ground squirrel in Stonyvale Picnic Area was found to be the carrier of fleas which tested positive for the plague. The squirrel was one of twelve that was trapped in the area during routine monitoring. The two sites were closed as a precaution until the area was treated and re-tested. Preventive "dusting" of squirrel burrows in the area ended Monday and the Forest Service received the go-ahead to reopen the areas.

Check out the whole release here.

Posted by Alex Dobuzinskis at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)|

A nice write-up of the Burbank Media City Church's softball league from valleynews.com user Richard Colon...

For Rick Fry, senior pastor of Media City Church in Burbank, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't end at the pulpit. With three services every Sunday morning and one on Wednesday night, Fry has encouraged church members to take their faith to the local parks by playing on church-sponsored softball teams.

An avid golfer, Fry believes in building the total person - body, soul and spirit.

MCC put two teams together for the city of Burbank's slow-pitch church league. The makeup of the two teams is as different as day and night - or as written in the Old Testament, "alpha and omega."

The Alpha team is made up of young players who are highly competitive and the 2006 champions of the church league. Omega, with many players considered Senior Saints, plays for the love of the game and an opportunity to get some exercise.

Posted by Eugene Tong at 09:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (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) | TrackBacks (0)|

With all the talk lately about the menace of gangs, Alejandro Guzman, a colleague of mine, went out to David M. Gonzales Park in Pacoima on Saturday to bring back a different kind of gang story - one that ended on a more peaceful note. Two gangs clashed, but this time in a game of spirited flag football and, get this, they also had a picnic and barbecue. Alejandro reports that there was tension, and police were out in force, but in this one, no one went home on a gurney. Alejandro writes at Taking it out on the field at valleynews.com:

Members of the Langdon Street and Pacoima Flats gangs joined Victory Outreach Church and other youth groups Saturday for a series of football matches and a picnic at David M. Gonzales Park in Pacoima.

The event - held by Victory's Gang Intervention program - was just one part of Victory's ongoing effort to build relationships with gangs in the San Fernando Valley. By bringing the gangs together, there is a chance to bring peace between them, said Victory's Pastor David Martinez.

He pointed out that the events main organizer, Howard Loyd, a member of Victory's Gang Intervention team, also turned his life around after a life of gangs and drugs.

It was Loyd who had the idea to invite both gangs out to play football and enjoy the picnic.

Loyd, now 45, shows the physical markings of a man who has had one rough ride on the streets.

He served four years for burglary in a Kansas City state prison. He lost use of his left arm as a result of his lifestyle - a drug deal gone bad which ended with him being dragged down the street by a car. He was only 21 years old at the time.

Loyd lifted his shirt to unveil a four-inch scar on his stomach - a big reminder of the time he was shot.

Posted by Jason Kandel at 03:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)|

Richard Colon is a sports junkie. Not only does he like to roll out the barbecue for USC and UCLA tailgate parties, but just like a sports reporter on the beat, Colon has been hefting his camera and telephoto lens to the playing fields of Burbank to cover his daughter's softball games. She plays for the Burroughs' Indians. Colon's been turning in good play-by-play stories on his blog, "The Forgotten Sports," on valleynews.com, the Daily News' new citizen journalism Web site. Here's his latest piece about a double-header. Burroughs beats Glendale, then Burroughs gets beat by Arcadia.

Posted by Jason Kandel at 04:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)|