Academy Awards News Blog @newzblogz.com

She's performed for millions of people on TV and for thousands in amphitheaters, but performing for dozens will be a new experience for Pegi Young.

"I don't know what it's going to be like to play in clubs," says Young, 54, with a good-natured laugh. "I think it's going to be really scary."

After decades focused on raising two children and getting a school for disabled children off the ground, the Woodside resident began singing background vocals for her famous husband, Neil Young, several years ago.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Near the end of his new memoir, Jack Valenti, who died at 85 on April 26, tells how he planned to take an active role in marketing his work. Spend time with the booksellers, one friend had counseled him. If they like you and your book, youre on your way to the best-seller list. Valenti did not intend to ignore the advice. Fate finally had other plans, but its nice to know that the author took his deeply ingrained optimism all the way to the grave. This Time, This Place is a cheerful, overwritten...

Raised in the Italian and Greek First Ward of Houston, Valenti watched his grocer grandfather practice local politics and made his own first speech at the age of 10, advocating the re-election of Sheriff T. A. Binford, an imposing 6 feet 4 inches tall, with a pair of pearl-handled .45 six-shooters slung low from holsters on his waist. Getting an early start on both of his future careers, Valenti worked as a movie usher during high school and got himself elected class president as a night student...

Valenti does not tell us whether, upon arriving back in the States, he went so far as to kiss the ground, but he certainly hit it running. The G.I. Bill of Rights took h

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The public frenzy swirling around the impending release from jail of Paris Hilton has again put Sheriff Lee Baca's ties to Tinseltown in the spotlight.

Long known for his penchant to hobnob with the rich and famous, the jet-setting Los Angeles County sheriff has repeatedly been described as starstruck and accused of giving preferential treatment to celebrities.

Baca, who lives in San Marino, faces what is expected to be a tough grilling this week by the Board of Supervisors over his handling of the Hilton case, especially his decision to send her home in defiance of a judge's direction after she had served just three days of her 45-day sentence over driving offenses.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Defensible space isn’t new. The idea has been around for many years. Property owners have been asked to clear their weeds, trim their trees, remove dead brush, tidy up the yard and haul away debris piling up around the yard. The Big Bear Lake Fire Department wants to make it a requirement.Big Bear Lake Fire Chief John Morley spoke to a joint session of city of Big Bear Lake City Council and Planning Commission members June 11 regarding defensible space among other things. The session gave ...

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The public frenzy swirling around the impending release from jail of Paris Hilton has again put Sheriff Lee Baca's ties to Tinseltown in the spotlight.

Long known for his penchant to hobnob with the rich and famous, the jet-setting Los Angeles County sheriff has repeatedly been described as starstruck and accused of giving preferential treatment to celebrities.

Baca faces what is expected to be a tough grilling this week by the Board of Supervisors over his handling of the Hilton case, especially his decision to send her home in defiance of a judge's direction after she had served just three days of her 45-day sentence over driving offenses.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit