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Dinner Tonight: Masa

Brian — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:49:00 +0000

Tonight Erin and I are meeting some friends for dinner at a little restaurant in Echo Park called Masa. I looked the place up on Yelp and was pleasantly surprised to find that their specialty is Chicago style pizza. Not what I would have guessed from the name. My last foray into Chicago style pizza was Taste Chicago in Burbank. It was decent but their sauce was a little bland for my taste. The reviews for Masa seem pretty positive so I'm getting a little excited. I'll let you know how it turns out.

More Airport News

Brian — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:59:00 +0000

The Burbank Leader reported yesterday that the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority is about to start an ad campaign for it's proposed night-time curfew. I guess they figure that more people need to be made aware of the plans. Not a bad idea. I'm all for it. Let's get that curfew in place already.

People Are Hurting So Lend Them A Hand

Brian — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:39:00 +0000

Today I had to run an errand for work; so, while I was out, I thought I’d take my lunch break and wander around Target for a few minutes. As I was walking into Target, I noticed a young woman pushing a shopping cart along the sidewalk. It appeared as though she was preparing to push the cart off the curb and into the parking lot, and I just knew she was going to dump the contents of her cart right out onto the asphalt.

Well, it turned out I was right. Her cart tipped to the side as she pushed it off the curb and her newly purchased items went spilling onto the ground. I rushed over, asked her if she was ok and began to help her collect her items. Her response to my inquiry was telling. She muttered, “This is the least of my problems” as she too gathered her purchases. Not knowing how to respond, I said I’m sorry and picked up the last item, a carton of skim milk. I placed it in her cart and she thanked me before she was on her way again.

As I walked away from her, I couldn’t help but hear the hurt in her voice as her words replayed in my head. It gave me a sense of satisfaction knowing that I had helped someone in a small way while they were having, what I assume was, a terrible day. I wish I could have said more to her in those few short seconds but that probably would have been unwelcome. At the very least, she knows that there are people out there who will lend a hand when your shopping cart falls over. I hope her day gets better. It definitely improved mine to know I helped someone in need.

Burbank’s B

Brian — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:13:00 +0000

A week or two ago I was talking with a few friends about how I had caught the end of a news report discussing some sort of air quality review in which Burbank received a B and Glendale received an A. My friends had heard the same, but none of them knew exactly what the details of the report were. As it turns out, the report ranked 88 Los Angeles County cities in their efforts to combat second hand smoke and it was conducted by American Lung Association of California.

There's an editorial in the Burbank Leader discussing Burbank's slip from the number one spot and Glendale's rise to the top.

Possible Near Collision Over the Skies of Burbank?

Brian — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:46:00 +0000

I just saw this on the KNX website. Possible Near Collision Over the Skies of Burbank.

It appeas as through there is not any additional coverage so I'm wondering if this really happened. The article was dated for January 8, 2009. My guess is we would have heard more if this was a big deal. Right?

Support Your Local NonProfit

Brian — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:33:00 +0000

Looking for something a little different this Christmas? Why not try supporting your local non-profit? It’s a tough fundraising year and organizations that rely on support from individuals to meet their budgetary needs are suffering right now. So, instead of giving that $50 Target gift card to your cousin, why not make a $50 donation in their name and give them a nice greeting card instead?

Here are a few local non-profits you might consider supporting if you’re in the Los Angeles area.

And, here’s a list of internationally reaching organizations that a friend of mine compiled in honor of the season.

Weekend Update

Brian — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:46:00 +0000

Friday Night
Watched some local high school football with a bunch of friends. We thought it would be cool to see the two Burbank High Schools face off. As expected it was a one sided battle with Burroughs wiping the field with Burbank.

After the game we headed over to Bob’s in Toluca Lake for dinner/desert.

Saturday
I was shocked when I turned on the TV to see the fires in Sylmar. And, since Sylmar isn’t too far away I was able to see the giant plume of smoke from my front porch. It was a little scary, but no cause for concern for my home, just my lungs.

I spent my morning watching the fire coverage and debated whether Erin and I should brave the freeway to go visit my parents in Whittier, who were decently close to the Brea and Yorba Linda fires. The newscasters all morning had been urging people to stay off the roads so I was afraid they would be packed.

A little after noon we decided to brave the road and were quite please by the traffic. We spent the afternoon and the rest of the evening with my parents and I changed the oil, transmission fliud, and fuel filter on my Focus with my Dad.

Sunday
Was a nice day at church, even though I was miserable the entire time. I’ve been struggling with a cough for a while and it’s turned into a full-fledged cold, or something. So, I was in a daze the entire day.

After church we had a nice lunch at the preacher’s house and then I went home and took a long nap before it was time to go to small group.

After small group Erin and I came home and watched Four Weddings and a Funeral. We had never seen it, and since my wife is a fan of all the Hugh Grant movies it was a must see. The movie was entertaining enough and once it was over we went to bed. I was exhausted.

Support Your Local Non-Profit – Weekend Round-Up

Brian — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:46:00 +0000

There are numerous opportunities to support your local non-profit this weekend. Here are a few I’ve come across.

United Way’s Homewalk
Saturday, November 15th at Exposition Park.

St. Mark’s Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, November 15th from 8-11 AM at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glendale.
Proceeds benefit San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and Burbank Kiwanis for Fun. There is a suggested donation of $6 per person.

Twitter Food Bank Project
Saturday, November 15th.
Donate to your favorite food bank on Saturday, November 15th and spread the word on Twitter.

Burbank Winter Shelter Update

Brian — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:05:00 +0000

Here’s an update on the status of the Burbank Winter Shelter. I’m a little behind in the times, but oh well.

So, it looks like all signs are go for the shelter to be opened December 1st through March 15th at the National Guard Armory down the street from my house. I have to admit, even with my strong feelings about needing to help the homeless and those less fortunate than I, I’m a little apprehensive about having a shelter in my back yard. I understand why people would oppose it.

Truth is, the city and those running the shelter seem to be doing everything in their power to ensure the saftey of the neighborhood, and as it is, Burbank PD patrols the area pretty regularly already. I’m sure we’ll be kept safe.

Shelter residents will be bussed into the location in the afternoon and back out in the morning which should really mean little impact for people like me. And, to be honest, I didn’t even notice that the shelter was opened last year when I moved into the area in January, and I anticipate it will be the same this year.

I’m excited that my city is taking steps to help those who have had a stroke of bad luck. I hope this small hand out will help a few have a happier holiday season.

Burbank Fine Arts Festival

Brian — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:50:00 +0000

This weekend is the Burbank Fine Arts Festival. The festival spans three blocks of San Fernando Boulevard in down town Burbank and is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free.

I play to go check it out, and if you live near Burbank, you should too.