Milestone Theatre Presents “Distracted” at the Pasadena Playhouse

By Ted AYALA Shortly before the Milestone Theatre’s June 30 through July 10 run of Lisa Loomer’s “Distracted” at the Pasadena Playhouse’s Carrie Hamilton Theatre, I came across an oddly prescient article in the New York Review of Books. Under the title, “The Epidemic of Mental Illness: Why?” Marcia Angell reviewed a clutch of books […]

GWP Contract Approved with Badger Meters

By Ted AYALA A brief tense exchange between Councilman Rafi Manoukian and Glendale Water and Power (GWP) representative Steve Lynn briefly lit up the city council meeting on Tuesday. At the heart of the issue was the decision by the GWP to eliminate competitive bidding for the purchase of new water meters to be used […]

Hot Rods – and Hot Weather – Roar Through Montrose for Holiday Show

By Ted AYALA Even soaring temperatures and sweltering humidity couldn’t keep away local residents and car buffs from the Montrose Shopping Park’s annual Independence Day Block Party Classic Car and Hot Rod Show on Sunday. Though the heat was already pushing into triple digits by late morning, crowds still swirled and walked along Honolulu Avenue, […]

Glendale City Council Tries to Plug Budget Gap

By Ted AYALA Glendale City Council had to wrangle with tough choices on Tuesday during the last council meeting. With an expected shortfall of $18 million in revenue looming, the city of Glendale will be forced to take decisive action in plugging the budget gap while maintaining city services. “Our strategies are seeking concessions from […]

Locals Gather to Survey North Glendale Community Plan

By Ted AYALA The Crescenta Valley area falling under the jurisdiction of the city of Glendale is abuzz these days with the winds of change. Residents and businesses in the Crescenta Valley have been working together with Glendale city hall in the creation of the North Glendale Community Plan (NGCP): a blueprint for the direction […]

Classical Underground at the Levitt Pavilion

By Ted AYALA Under a tapestry of moonlight and stars on Saturday night, Classical Underground presented a mixed program of chamber and vocal music at Pasadena’s Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. The program was a zesty mix of composers from different eras and genres: from Vivaldi to Scriabin, from Lutoslawski to Leonard Bernstein. Trumpeters Courtney […]

Notables Promote “This Is Your Library”

By Ted AYALA The Los Angeles Central Library has been finding creative ways of keeping libraries relevant. One of the ways they have sought to do this is via their ALOUD series and their “This Is Your Library” programs which feature important figures from the region’s cultural movers and shakers. At the recent This Is […]

Dispensary Ban Considered by Council

By Ted AYALA With a two-year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries set to expire in September, the Glendale City Council, with Councilman Rafi Manoukian absent, discussed imposing a permanent ban on such dispensaries within the city limits Tuesday night. Though Glendale has effectively shut out marijuana dispensaries by way of its zoning laws, marijuana collectives […]

Video Games Live Scores High at Nokia

By Ted AYALA On June 8, thousands of music lovers converged onto the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Patiently they waited for the theatre’s doors to open – some standing impatiently; others crouched on the floor playing their 3DS or PSP. At about 7:30 p.m. the doors in the lobby leading to the Nokia’s main […]

War Dollars Main Topic of Council

By Ted AYALA In the face of revelations made earlier this week when the U.S. government admitted that over $9 billion destined for repairing Iraq’s infrastructure has gone unaccounted for and possibly stolen, there has been a growing wave of outrage from American citizens. Resolutions signed by cities asking the federal government to reign in […]