Saturday, May 31, 2008

Cougars Unite! SATC is back.


Stilettos, short skirts and plenty of cleavage, and no, I'm not talking about the movie. I'm describing the women at the theater. Thousands of female fans hit the Arc Light Hollywood last night for the opening day of Sex and the City: The Movie. After four years away from their characters...Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha are bringing sex back to this city! After talking to many of these L.A. moviegoers, I found out that the majority of women identify with Sarah Jessica Parker's character, Carrie. One woman told me that Carrie is complex and has issues...and that is why woman can identify with her. Hey, she said it...not me!

It's obvious that women of all ages are attracted to this movie more so than men, but I have to say, I did see a couple guys in line. Many of them told me that their girlfriends and wives dragged them to this movie. But after talking with them further, turns out they are bigger fans than their ladies. One guy blew me away after he told me that friends compare him to Kim Cattrall's character, Samantha. I probably looked shocked after he said that. So you're probably wondering what characteristics he and Samantha share? He told me that they are both judgemental and bitchy. Huh? And I had thought I've heard it all! I'll raise a martini to that.

You can check out my live report on KTLA.com in the "Entertainment" section or you can click on the link that's located on the ride side of this blog. Cheers!

Monday, May 26, 2008

Mars Rocks...Literally


Mission accomplished! Our latest mission to Mars, 422 million miles away, is a success. The Phoenix, a 7 foot by 18 foot three-legged spacecraft, landed on the red planet's surface yesterday just before 5pm. It’s been 296 days since Phoenix left earth at Cape Canaveral in Florida with their 420-million dollar Mars mission. Can you guess what was there? Rocks! But what's underneath these rocks is what scientists are hoping to uncover.


The Phoenix Lander touched down in the polar terrain, and will start to dig through that rough surface. JPL scientists hope that the spacecraft will find signs of a habitable zone, an area rich with organic materials and liquid. This could determine whether or not life ever existed on the planet, and whether humans could one day survive in the atmosphere.


While I was at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena yesterday, there were some extremely tense moments as the Phoenix entered the Martian atmosphere...going 12,000 mph. Barry Goldstein told me that there's a 50 percent chance that the spacecraft would make a successful landing due to the harsh atmospheric pressure on the red planet. So you can imagine the cheering once it touched down. This mission on Mars will last three months. If you're wondering about the possibility of humans heading to Mars, JPL says that historic trip could be another 10 to 15 years away.

You can check out my live report on KTLA.com.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Indy Cracks the Whip...Again


Snakes, whips and of course, Indiana Jones himself, Harrison Ford. There's plenty of all three in the fourth Indy film, Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Honestly, does this guy age? Harrison has played Indiana Jones for the past three decades...beginning in 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark.

This new movie, released today, is set back in 1957 and introduces us to two new characters: Mutt Williams played by Shia LeBeouf and the evil Irina Spalko played by Oscar winning actress Cate Blanchett.

Also in the movie, Karen Allen, who played Indiana's love interest back in Raiders of the Lost Ark. She's still workin' it after all these years!

I was at the Universal Citywalk Cinemas last night to cover the midnight screening of the movie. Die-hards were dressed up as their favorite character in the film, and a snake handler was entertaining the crowd...with over 10 different reptiles. One of them was a huge Eqyptian Cobra, a poisonous snake featured in Raiders of the Lost Arc. Let's just say, I was glad that one was caged.


This movie is predicted to sweep the box office this weekend. As for reviews, they're mixed, but who can pass up an Indiana Jones movie? Come on, it's been 19 years since The Last Crusade came out, so fans are beyond ready for some action! The first three Indiana Jones movies have earned a total of 7 Oscars, and the money generated over the years is mind-blowing...1.2 billion dollars! After this weekend, you'll probably be able to add another 100 million to that total. Forget "Crystal"...the movie's name should be changed to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the "Diamond" Skull!

Check out my live report on KTLA.com in the "Entertainment" section, or you can click on the link that's located on the right side of this blog page.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Too Sexy, Too Soon

Coconut and Lemon Facials, Manicures and Bikini Waxing. Sound like normal spa treatments, right? But what if I told you that 11 year olds were getting them? When I heard that salons are now offering these services to kids and tweens, my jaw dropped. Salon Ouidad in New York City says 20% of their customers are kids under 14 years old. The owner says that she has kids as young as 6 and 7 years old coming in for chemical treatments. WHAT? Does anyone else find this disturbing?

This begs the question, are these beauty treatments "grooming" our kids to be too sexy, too soon? Salons, who provide these services to young clients, say it's a matter of "hygiene". But psychologists who have weighed in say that this is sexualizing young girls. They say it's one thing to paint a little girls nails, but the bikini waxing has taken it a bit far.

But when you think about it....look at Miley Cyrus, a star that every young kid is idolizing right now. She's rockin' designer party dresses and stilettos, not to mention heavy makeup, false eyelashes, risque MySpace pictures and the infamous Vanity Fair cover. Remember, she's only 15! And let's not forget Gossip Girl...TV's hottest new show targeting teens. Every episode is filled with underage drinking, drugs and teen sex. There was footage on TMZ.com that showed fans mobbing the stars of the show in NY....screaming "we love you and we love the show!" But this mob of screaming fans were mostly grade school students! Is this a sign of the times?

What's next...7th graders getting together for a girl's night out to catch the new Sex and the City movie? Good luck parents.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Smart Negotiating or Scare Tactic?

Several billboards in Monrovia have residents and business owners up in arms. The controversial, larger-than-life signs were put up by the Monrovia Police Officers' Association with a bold message: Caution: You're Approaching Monrovia. Higher Violent Crime. Fewer Officers Patrolling. The MPOA is hoping the billboards will help to gain public support for a 23 percent increase for the city's police force. Last March, the city council broke off negotiations with the officers' union after an offer of a 16.5 percent raise was rejected.

Residents and business owners feel these billboards are painting an unfair picture of their city, and they're not afraid to let their voices be heard. One Monrovia store owner says it's hurting her business. "I believe it’s not portraying what the city really is. We are not a dangerous city." Another business owner, who has had her Monrovia business for over 17 years, says she feels betrayed. "I hope that they get their act together and that they apologize to us because I don’t know how they’re gonna repair the damage in the breach of trust that they’ve created with those billboards." She goes on to say, "This worries me because police are supposed to have very high ethical standards and while most of our officers do, it’s clear that the police union in general does not."

So are these billboards welcoming criminals to the city by stating that there are "fewer officers patrolling?" One salon owner says yes. "They’re saying they’re not really equipped, they don’t have enough officers…and perhaps criminals will go and steal from residences or the salon."

While many residents understand that negotiating a higher salary is a normal process, they're on the fence when it comes to this type of tacic. The Monrovia Police Officers' Association has created a website to explain their billboards. www.monroviapoa.com

Is it smart negotiating or a scare tactic? You be the judge. Check out my full report on KTLA.com.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Dennis Farina's Real-Life Drama


Actor Dennis Farina found himself on the wrong side of the law this past weekend. Most of you know him from his Law and Order days, when he played Joe Fontana, a New York Police Detective. The actor, who is starring right now in the Cameron Diaz-Ashton Kutcher comedy "What Happens in Vegas", was arrested on Sunday for carrying a loaded 22-caliber pistol through the TSA screening at LAX. He said that he had forgotten the pistol was in his briefcase. The problem isn't just that he had a loaded gun in his carry-on luggage, but it wasn't registered or licensed. That's why his charge was upgraded from a misdemeanor to a felony. After posting 35-thousand dollars bail, the actor was released from the Van Nuys police station. What many don't know is that he is a former Chicago police officer of 19 years. You'd think he'd know the laws concerning guns a little better than that. Even though he played a cop for years, as a character who carried a gun, there were no scripts here...and obviously no way to escape the media spotlight.

Farina is just the latest celebrity to get caught in some real-life drama involving weapons at the airport. Others celebs who have been busted....Snoop Dogg for gun possession at John Wayne Airport in Orange County and Brandon Boyd, the lead singer of Incubus, who was caught carrying a switchblade at New York's La Guardia International Airport. Both of these guys pleaded guilty. As for Farina, he'll face a judge at the Airport Courthouse in a few weeks, to hear his official charge. I'm still wondering...how do you "forget" that you have a gun in your briefcase?

The actor did release this statement, "I apologize to anyone and everyone that I have caused any embarrassment or inconvenience to. It is my own stupidity to find myself in this embarrassing situation." He went on to say, "I'll be spending the next few days kicking my own ass. No one is more embarrassed than myself."

You can watch my full report by copying and pasting this link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-dennis-farina-080512-ht,0,1140746.story

Monday, May 5, 2008

Goodbye Surf and Sand, Hello Midwest


After a ten-day auction on Ebay, the iconic Pacific Wheel ferris wheel has been sold to Grant Humphreys, a real estate developer from Oklahoma City. Yep, you read that right, it was sold on Ebay...and it wasn't cheap! Grant payed $132,400 for the historic landmark that has been a fixture on the Santa Monica Pier since 1996, the year it made its beachside debut.

Interviewing Grant on the ferris wheel, while it was spinning, was a first for me! Honestly, you can't beat that ocean view. But he talked about how excited he is to take the Pacific Wheel back to his hometown of Oklahoma City...base and all. Now let's talk about that base. It's going to cost even more than the actual wheel! Grant says that his total bill...wheel, base, transportation of the wheel, refurbishing....will add up to half a million dollars.

Grant, who's the father of four little ones and one on the way, says it's money well spent...especially since this ferris wheel has so much history. It has appeared in over 300 TV shows, movies and commercials and over the last 12 years, it's given a ride to over 3 million people!

Last night at 9pm, the Pacific Wheel took its last spin. Starting this morning, the breakdown process begins. It's going to take five days to get the old wheel off the pier and 2 1/2 weeks to build the new one. The new 1.5 million dollar ferris wheel will keep the "Pacific Wheel" name and will have half twice as many lights as its predecessor. Mark your calendars because Pacific Park says the new and improved ferris wheel will be ready by May 22nd. On that day, they'll be offering free rides to the public. You can watch my story on the right side of this page under "KTLA Live Report" or on KTLA.com.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Little People, Big Response


As a reporter, there is nothing more gratifying than when your story makes a difference in someone's life - let alone thousands of people's lives. My special report "The Bigger Picture - Dwarfism in America" has made an overwhelming impact on over 20 thousand from all parts of the world. Responses have come from the UK, China, Japan and from here in the US. A fifteen year old little person from Japan wrote me to say thank you for putting a face with the condition. She said that size, race and color are things you have no control over, so people should focus on the heart and be more open-minded. She's exactly right! Getting people to be more open-minded was my goal when I decided to do the story. Hopefully fewer people now use hurtful words like midget, and instead refer to those living with Dwarfism as little people.

I enjoyed spending time with the Campbell family, and learning about the challenges they face on a daily basis. Jim and Joanna Campbell have done an amazing job raising their two kids. In fact, I can't tell you how many people fell in love with 14 year old Elizabeth's positive attitude. If you haven't had the opportunity to watch "The Bigger Picture", you can find the link on YouTube or on the right side of this page.


These photos are from The Painted Turtle, a year-round camp that inspires kids with medical needs to reach beyond their illness. Working on this story was an eye-opening experience for me, and one that I'm so proud to have been a part of. I'm hoping you'll not only find inspiration in the Campbell's story, but hopefully it will encourage you to look beyond life's challenges, and focus on the bigger picture.