Classy Cate's Weblog » Los Angeles

FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!

classycate — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:49:23 +0000

Out-of-control fire burns 105,000 acres

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August 31, 2009 | 3:43 pm

A voracious five-day-old wildfire that has churned through more than 105,000 acres of mountainous brush across northern Los Angeles County showed little sign of slowing down this afternoon as it threatened 12,000 homes in suburban tracts and desert communities, along with a historic observatory and major array of television and radio transmission towers.

With afternoon winds picking up, the Station fire, the largest of eight burning in the state, was plowing through dense hillside vegetation and steep terrain toward residential areas of Sunland and Santa Clarita on the west.

As billows of white and black smoke danced ominously close, Chuck Horn ushered his family and his two prized collectors’ automobiles out of his home in the Sunland-Tujunga area.

“We took pictures, tax returns, insurance forms, the dog, the chicken, and that’s it,” Horn, 61, a retired L.A. County public works employee, said as he prepared to drive away in his baby blue 1931 Plymouth three-window coupe. Horn was next planning on moving his black 1911 Buick Model 33 away from the blaze.

To the east, firefighters were hoping that a concerted effort to cut fire breaks and lay down fire retardant would save the Mt. Wilson Observatory and a key complex of communications towers.

Because of the intensity and unpredictability of the blaze, which continued shifting directions, fire crews had to pull out of the mountaintop area today and wait for the firestorm to pass.

By 3 p.m. the southeastern edge of the Station fire had pushed south against the wind, into the upper west fork of the San Gabriel River drainage. This fire was near the base of Mt Wilson’s north side. Firefighters had begun back-burning brush at the juncture of California 2 and Mt. Wilson Road in order to protect structures, including an American Indian cultural center, from the advancing fire.The drama of families having to flee their homes — or risking all to try and defend their property — played out repeatedly as searing heat and a generation of accumulated hillside growth fed the fires. In Gold Canyon, authorities scrambled to rescue five people who had refused to evacuate.

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s helicopter was trying to locate the residents near Little Tujunga Road. They pleaded for help after becoming trapped by back fires set by crews trying to fight the blaze.

Sixty-five firefighters withdrew from Chilao Flats near the Chilao ranger station. ”The intensity of the fire was too strong,” said L.A. County Fire Capt. Henry Rodriguez. “They were pulled off the lines and drove away in their vehicles. They’re safe and all OK.”

Another fire in San Bernardino County was spreading completely out of control and threatening 2,000 homes near Yucaipa.

– Rich Connell and Corina Knoll

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/fire-burns-105000-acres-with-no-control-in-sight.html

View map of ongoing fire here: http://bit.ly/TbKKd

NBA FINALS MVP IS…

classycate — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:31:57 +0000

Kobe Bryant cradles the Larry O'Brien championship trophy in his left arm while holding the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy in his right after landing his fourth NBA title.

FINALS ANALYSIS: GAME 5

Turning point: The Lakers’ 16-0 run late in the second quarter, led by Kobe Bryant and Trevor Ariza, seemed to take the air out of the Magic.
X factor: The Lakers shot a commendable 50% from beyond the arc, including Lamar Odom’s 3-for-3 on three-pointers. The Magic, who made the most three-pointers during the season, couldn’t effectively counter with their best weapon – outside shooting. They shot 41.5% from the floor and 29.6% from beyond the arc.
Unexpected: The ease with which the Lakers dominated the deflated Magic, who lost two of three Finals games at home. ABC analyst Mark Jackson, noting Orlando’s collective body language in the third quarter, said it appeared the team had “quit.”
How teams respond: Lakers: Party. Magic: Enjoy what they accomplished as underdogs and learn from it. Losing to the most talented team in the NBA is no shame.

– By Jon Saraceno (via USAToday.com)

NBA FINALS: GAME 5 HIGHLIGHTS

classycate — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:29:06 +0000

Finals MVP Kobe Bryant is at the center of the Lakers celebration of the franchise's 15th NBA championship after Sunday's Game 5.

Watch the highlights from the NBA Finals GAME 5: http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2009/06/14/nba_lal_orl_0040800405_recap_1.nba/

LAKERS WIN!

classycate — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:20:23 +0000

Lakers forward Pau Gasol and guard Kobe Bryant embrace at center court in the final moments of Game 5 on Sunday.

Lakers finally get their taste of redemption
Los Angeles Times | June 15, 2009

Lakers forward Pau Gasol and guard Kobe Bryant embrace at center court in the final moments of Game 5 on Sunday.

Reporting from Orlando, Fla. — Kobe Bryant scratched at it until it bled. Derek Fisher clawed at it until it hurt. The rest of them dug and dug until it finally, willfully, wonderfully disappeared.

The Lakers’ seven-year itch is gone.

For more information, click here for the full LATimes.com article.

HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST (Part 1)

classycate — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:46:06 +0000

Clare Flees Mexico for California

Brady Loved to Hide in Clare's Luggage

Clare & John on Our Way to LA Live

Lunch at The Farm of Beverly Hills with Clare

Clare at the Staples Center

LA Sports Arch of Fame @ the Staples Center

LA Sports Arch of Fame

Cate & John at the Hotel Figeroa Pool

CSI MIAMI UPDATE

classycate — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:30:12 +0000

John filmed the Season Finale last week. Not sure when it airs, but check out the link below to stay updated!

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/csi_miami/

Regarding John’s reoccuring role, that is still pending based on next season. I will keep you posted!

THIS IS WHERE I WORK

classycate — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:25:16 +0000

Ever wondered where I work?

Well, now you have the answer!

Check out our revised website below.

http://www.bhimpact.com/

Cool, huh?

BOYS WILL BE BOYS

classycate — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:41:47 +0000

We spent the weekend at my pool in Los Angeles with Cory, James, John, Myself, Adlina, Spencer, Ashley, Liz, Brian and more. Below are pictures from our weekend. Please disregard my white skin – it’s our first weekend in the sun, so please be nice. XOXO

Happy April 2009 – Recap

classycate — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:22:02 +0000

Hi All -

Below I have bulleted my life through February and March – exciting, I know:

February:
- John turned 25 on February 18, 2009
- My Dad and I both had our 1/2 birthday’s – I’m just sayin’
March
- Deep Sea Fishing with John’s Mother (Barb) Sister (Emma) and little brother (Matt). The only person missing was Luke (John’s older brother who had to stay in MN due to tax season…tear.)
- March Madness, Final Four. Two of my good friends, Spencer and Liz are from North Carolina, so naturally, we were cheering for UNC. Guess what! They won! YAY! For more information, click here: http://tinyurl.com/cz9ume
- James Vogl, John’s Fraternity brother, visited LA for 1 week. James is the Director of Recruitment for Teach for America, which he taught for 2 years in Chicago. Long story short, I used to work for Jame’s Mother in highschool at Mrs. Quiggles Cards & Gifts. She was a wonderful lady
- Also, we must pay tribute to John’s Father, Michael Dugan, who passed away on March 24, 2004. Without him, John who not be the man he is today.

DEEP SEA FISHING

classycate — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:36:00 +0000

All Aboard!

Marina del Rey - Sportfishing

Emma & Cate Make a Heart

Mr. Squid

Mr. Fish

John caught his very own Sting Rey

Our Fish Friends

John in all his glory

John & Cate on the Fishing Boat

Emma Shows the Boys How to Gut a Fish

Emma Won the Fishing Hat

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These pictures are late, fashionably late!

For John’s 25th birthday, his family visited Los Angeles and we went DEEP SEA FISHING! It was AMAZING! The fishing boat docked in Marina de Rey – so pretty! It was Barb, John, Emma, Matt and I. Barb (Mrs. Dugan) was the first to catch a fish! Then Matt, and the John caught his Sting Rey. So cool! It weighed 25 pounds. Needless to say, we threw Mr. Sting Rey back in the Ocean.

The whole fishing experience lasted 6 hours on a Saturday. It was beautiful out, which we were thankful for. One of the fishing boat workers fell in love with John’s sister, Emma, so I had to step in and send the boy away.

Please enjoy the pictures above. If you have never been deep sea fishing, I highly suggest it – great experience.

XOXO