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Novelist Mark Z. Danielewski is frighteningly good at what he does. His books have imparted an international cult following for their courageous and mind-bending subjects, experimental typography, and innovative approaches to story-telling. more › Follow this link: LAist Interview: Author Mark Z. Danielewski on ‘The Fifty Year Sword,’ the Written Word, and One of the Scariest Moments of His Life
The Beverly Hills High School campus was adorned with Halloween decorations like jack-o-lanterns, spider webs and skeletons, but it was the Normans who got spooked in Friday night’s homecoming game at Nickoll Field. Indeed, defending Ocean League champion Inglewood was the scariest thing BHHS encountered all evening, as the visiting Sentinels forced five turnovers and dominated from start to finish in a 42-0 drubbing that left the Beverly Hills players and coaches looking like they had seen ghosts. “I knew that they were a good team,” BHHS coach Donald Paysinger said. “Our game plan was to establish the run. It was a combination of them being more physical and us not executing the way we needed to. We planned on using both quarterbacks [Brandon Adams and Cameron Countryman] all along and we did, but neither one could get into a rhythm.” Inglewood scored its first points on Devian Shelton’s 14-yard run midway through the first quarter. In the second quarter, he scored on a 36-yard fumble return, Deandre Johnson caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Derrick Woods and Woods scored on a quarterback sneak to give Inglewood a 28-0 lead going into halftime. “I was really impressed with our defense,” said Inglewood coach Stephen Daniel Thomas, who lost 35 players to graduation off last year’s 9-3 squad that reached the quarterfinals of the CIF playoffs. “Offensively, I think we were a little sloppy, but our defense has played well all year.” After a festive halftime show, which included performances by the BHHS cheer squad and marching band, and the announcement of the homecoming court, the Normans came out determined to give their fans something to cheer about early in the second half. After Beverly Hills was forced to punt on its first possession, the Sentinels fumbled at their own 35-yard line and the Normans recovered. They failed to capitalize, however, driving inside the 5-yard line before running back Frank Brown was stuffed behind the line on fourth-and-goal. “I was more disappointed in our passing game,” Paysinger said. “Whether it’s running or throwing, you need one or the other working and tonight we had to be able to pass a little to open up the running game and we couldn’t do it.” Shelton scored on a 67-yard run in the third quarter and Johnson caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Woods in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring. “Losing Broderick Smith and Willie Green definitely hurt our offense because they are big-play guys, but things like that happen,” Countryman said of his two teammates who are out due to injury. “There are no excuses. We thought we’d win. The bottom line is we’re not playing very well as a team. The last two games are huge just from a pride standpoint. We want to finish strong.” The loss dropped the Normans into a tie for fourth with Hawthorne in the league standings. Santa Monica is one game ahead of Culver City and Inglewood going into Week 9. The Normans face last place Morningside in an away game next Friday, then host Culver City in their league finale Nov. 10. “The fact that we were playing the defending league champions doesn’t change anything,” Paysinger said. “If you asked most of our players who won league last year they couldn’t tell you. We don’t look in the past, we look at what’s in front of us. We have to get better.” Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Final Inglewood 7 21 6 8 42 Beverly Hills 0 0 0 0 0 Scoring Summary 1st Qtr. Inglewood — Shelton 14 run (kick good) 2nd Qtr. Inglewood — Johnson 36 fumble return (kick good) Inglewood — Johnson 16 pass from Woods (kick good) Inglewood — Woods 1 run (kick good) 3rd Qtr. Inglewood — Shelton 67 run (kick blocked) 4th Qtr. Inglewood — Johnson 32 pass from Woods (Woods run) Records: Inglewood 3-5, 2-1; Beverly Hills 2-6, 1-2. Be sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook . See the rest here: No Home Sweet Home for Normans
Derek Hough and Ricki Lake at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles’ “2011 Rising Stars” Gala. See the rest here: Ricki Lake says ‘Dancing with the Stars’ has spiced up her sex life
Executive Producer Paul McCartney speaks during ‘The Love We Make: Paul McCartney and the Concert for New York City’ panel during the Showtime portion of the 2011 Summer TCA Tour held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 4, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. Follow this link: Paul McCartney to help restore Motown piano
Tune in to HLN for full coverage and analysis of the Conrad Murray trial and watch live, as it happens, on CNN.com/Live and CNN’s mobile apps. Read the rest here: Last witness on stand for defense in Conrad Murray trial
‘Twas the Friday before Halloween, and all through the internet….bloggers were posting videos of their favorite Halloween cartoons. Here are some of ours: more › Go here to see the original: It’s The Great Pumpkin! And Other Halloween Classics
The first school renovation funded by Measure E is one step closer to reality. The Board of Education unanimously agreed this week to support a plan to spend about $55 million on renovations at Horace Mann School . The proposal, which is still being developed, would create a new two- or three-level building on the corner of Charleville and Robertson boulevards. The building would include a large multipurpose room, underground parking and a new library. Beverly Hills Unified School District facilities director Nelson Cayabyab presented the construction outline to board members at a Measure E study session Tuesday. He received direction to finalize the plan and bring it back to the board at a still-to-be determined study session next month. “Other options were to build a three-story [building] on the east side of Arnez Drive or to just modernize the existing campus,” Cayabyab told Patch in an email. “We do have clear direction now to build a new building. … We are looking at the pros and cons of an underground classroom level or [adding] a third floor onto the existing two-story building.” In accordance with the board’s direction, Cayabyab said he is studying what the total square feet of the building should be, how much parking is necessary and the location of new drop-off and pickup points for parents, which could ease traffic concerns around the school. At least one city traffic officer directs traffic at the school and sometimes another officer issues tickets to those not following directions. “I would want to see curb cutout lanes and other means of ingress/egress to ensure safe and efficient drop off and pickup,” board member Myra Lurie told Patch in an email. “We discussed a drop-off lane inside of the property running east/west that would be entered from Hamel [Road] and exited onto Robertson.” Construction funding would come from Measure E, the $334 million bond passed by voters in 2008 to modernize the city’s schools. As Patch has reported, the original Measure E bond schedule has been revamped because assumptions made at the time of the bond proved to be overly optimistic. The board decided in August to limit initial Measure E construction to Horace Mann and Hawthorne schools, as those are regarded as being the most in need. The $55 million budget for Horace Mann renovations includes about $3 million for modernizing the auditorium. Board members last month had considered tearing down the auditorium and building a new one. Cayabyab and board members have said they hope to start Horace Mann construction in summer 2013. Be sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook . Read more: Board of Ed OKs Plan for Horace Mann Renovation
Frank Sinatra is still as hip as ever, and if you don’t believe us, take it from Bill Maher and ‘Family Guy’ creator Seth MacFarlane. At a recent party thrown by MacFarlane, the two friends showed off their singing chops. Maher and MacFarlane had some fun on stage belting out the Sinatra tune “Star.” Although both men are best known for their comedic skills, MacFarlane has also made a name for himself as a full-fledged crooner. He recently released his very own album entitled “Music Is Better Than Words.” Check out the clip above ( via YouTube/ClearlyFunny ). Read more from the original source: WATCH: Bill Maher, Seth MacFarlane Sing Sinatra
The Pasadena Star-News obtained videos from so-called youth “boot camps” that some may find offensive Photo Credit: Bill French Go here to read the rest: Youth Boot Camps Under Fire
Bruce Robinson , director and co-writer of the film ” The Rum Diary ,” poses for a portrait on Oct. Read this article: After 17 Years Away, Director Bruce Robinson Returns With The Rum Diary
