Cartoons

Alecia Foster Columbus Elementary School students got an early sneak peak of a couple of yet unaired cartoons Wednesday morning. While the cartoons were fun to watch, a trio of writers and producers from the Cartoon Network told students, much work goes into creating them. "Dexter's Laboratory" Supervising Director Chris Savino and Outline Editor Amy Keating Rogers and "Johnny Bravo" Editor Van Partible discussed the important role reading, writing and art lessons played in their careers.

Well, I guess my two boys may have been damaged due to watching every episode of Spongebob Squarepants - at least according to researchers from the University of Virginia. Using a massive study of, ahem, 60 four-year-olds, the researchers discovered that the group watching 9 minutes of Spongebob developed learning problems when compared to another group that watched a PBS children's show, and still another who simply drew pictures with crayons. For decades, some people have viewed cartoons as damaging young people, be it the violence or the frenetic pacing, or the manipulative commercials.

Darleene Barrientos It's all in good fun, Glendale Fire Engineer and department cartoonist Mike Bell insists with a mischievous grin. With a red binder, pencils and paper, Bell, 46, has documented the foibles of his fellow firefighters, engineers, captains and chiefs for the past several years. Subject matter has included a battalion chief accidentally banging into a signpost while training firefighter recruits, an engineer known for doing handstands, and a former chief who accidentally let a brush fire overtake a fire truck in his rookie days.

The writer to the Glendale News-Press regarding the city's elephant-themed Rose Parade float (“Step up and help out or don't complain,” Jan. 6) just doesn't get it. Were the animals displayed in chains? Roped up or down in any way? I didn't see another parading float with any animal being abused. Maybe all the Disney characters and the other cartoons are abused by this reader's standards. Well, she should watch carefully next time. Joe Zuazua Glendale

An incident took place at last Tuesday's council meeting that disturbed me. As I watched the incident unfold, I became even more disturbed. I am sure many watching that meeting share the same feeling as I. Two weeks ago, a young man chose to use the council's oral communications period as his vehicle for venting his displeasure with the Glendale News-Press. His displeasure involved a report of a confrontation at Glendale High School, and evoked comments from one of the more frequent speakers at the council meetings.

Anger over a depiction of the Muslim prophet Muhammad has turned into protests after a Danish cartoon's depiction of the prophet. How do you feel about depictions of deities in Western media, and the media's right to present them? Is there a line to be drawn when it comes to depictions of deities? The unflattering depiction of Muhammad presented in a Danish newspaper may indicate ignorance of His importance to so many. Worse yet, it may represent a rude jab at Muslims everywhere, throwing them into the same bag with a violent minority who misrepresent that faith by acts of terror.

David Silva When I was a growing up, it was a tossup over what I considered the most important figure in my life -- my mother or the TV set. I mean, I loved my mom -- she brought me into the world, housed and fed me and all that. But I really, really loved television. TV was on pretty much all of the time in our house. I'd wake up to the sounds of "Sesame Street" and go to bed to the laughter of Johnny Carson. It was my constant companion, my ever-faithful friend.

JOYCE RUDOLPH The Associates of the Brand Library and Art Center will have the first free concert in its annual music series at 3 p.m. Sunday, , at the Brand Library & Art Gallery in Brand Park, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale. Featured on the program will be "Sara's Diary, 9/11," for soprano and piano with music by Glenn Paxton and text by Leroy Aarons. A five-song cycle inspired by events of Sept. 11, 2001, it is the story of a woman's journey through the stages of grief and ultimately to self-knowledge and reconciliation.

I’m blessed to have four kids call me Dad. At least, that’s what they call me to my face. They might have other terms of endearment when I’m out of earshot, but as long as it’s Dad, Daddy, Pops, Father Dearest, the Big Kahuna or Exalted One when I’m in their presence, I’m good to go. Full disclosure: Two of our four “kids” are all grow’d up, married and living on their own. But the younger two...

Gary Durrett Good Morning. Well, we made it through the better part of another week. Other than the stock market, crop dusters and World War III, things are pretty rosy, eh? Sheesh. You try writing this bag thing. A real laff riot. So, absent any local tidbits to shred, I'm afraid you're going to get regaled with another "story" this week. I warned you this could happen. I'm sure some form of normalcy will eventually return, but my whining about Oakmont, carob trees and fence ordinances in the current climate is sort of ... stupid.

Officials from Glendale's public schools recently hired a Hermosa Beach company, Geo Listening, to monitor the public social media accounts of its middle and high school students. Reaction to the decision was, well, mixed. Cartoonist Bert Ring gives his take.  -- Dan Evans, Times Community News Follow Dan Evans on Twitter: @EditorDanEvans .  

Bert Ring gives his take on the long-simmering issues regarding the Sagebrush area in La Cañada. The area, which has been served by Glendale schools for decades, wants to be part of the La Cañada district. At issue is potentially millions in funding.  -- Dan Evans, Times Community News Follow Dan Evans on Twitter: @EditorDanEvans .  

With raising pension costs, proposed electric rate hikes, and all manner of legacy costs, Glendale residents are getting hit harder and harder. Bert Ring imagines the scene.  -- Dan Evans, Times Community News Follow Dan Evans on Twitter: @EditorDanEvans .  

It seems that Glendale had more than its share of mayhem recently. Two men were recently charged for aledgedly assaulting a homeless man -- for no apparent reason -- a woman spat at officers outside a Burger King and two other men were charged with transporting $2 million worth of drugs. Bert Ring ponders all this with a cartoon.  Follow Dan Evans on Twitter: @EditorDanEvans .  

Despite opposition from Japanese groups, the Glendale City Council approved placing a statue honoring so-called "comfort women" -- sexual slaves of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. Bert Ring imagines a sticky situation with local residents.  Follow Dan Evans on Twitter: @EditorDanEvans .  

Glendale Police Chief Ron De Pompa, who officially retired from city service months ago, has been working on an hourly basis while city officials hunt for a new chief. Bert Ring imagines De Pompa counting down the days.  -- Dan Evans, Times Community News Follow Dan Evans on Twitter: @EditorDanEvans .  

Bert Ring images the Man of Steel helping out average Glendale citizens about a rather, well, pedestrian matter.  -- Dan Evans, Times Community News Follow Dan Evans on Twitter: @EditorDanEvans .  

Just in time for Memorial Day, cartoonist Bert Ring imagines a tipsy local failing to take consequences for his actions. Be safe out there! -- Dan Evans, Times Community News Follow Dan Evans on Twitter: @EditorDanEvans .