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February 2026
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Lights, Camera, Love
A Lifelong Valentine to Burbank
As Valentine’s Day approaches, our hearts naturally drift toward the people who matter most. And besides my wife and family … I really love Burbank. You may have noticed people wearing some of the dozens of “I ♥ Burbank” T-shirts I’ve given out to fellow Burbank lovers. To me, Burbank is much more than an LA suburb and media center. It is the town where I grew up, where my character was formed, and where I base my law practice and raise my family today.
sentence in Burbank by cleaning septic tanks and picking up rubbish at a park.
To afford deserving children and teens the same freedom I enjoyed as a kid, I created the “Bikes for Kids” program to give free bikes to dozens of children each year. I have also donated pro bono legal services to people in need through Home Again LA, a respected nonprofit, and recognized special teachers by giving them gift cards for doing great things for kids. Raising My Profile If I can help more people by making myself better-known around town, I would love that. I have given away more than 40 “I ♥ Burbank” T-shirts at such events as Burbank’s annual Holiday in the Park street fair. Wherever I wear my T-shirt, people ask, “Oh, can I get one?” I also enjoy sponsoring events by Wrestling from Burbank, a community-driven nonprofit that stages family-friendly pro-wrestling events. These days, people around town are beginning to recognize me. At my son’s karate class recently, another dad came up to me. “Do I know you from somewhere?” he asked. “Aren’t you on one of those banners I see on the high school football field?” I was glad to confirm it. My hope is that one day, I will be walking down the street and see one of my “I ♥ Burbank” T-shirts coming toward me. Clearly, in the 15-plus years since I moved back here, I’ve found my home. Burbank, here’s to many more productive years together!
But Burbank is also where I learned to stand up for myself against bullies in middle school. After landing my first job here at Islands Restaurant, I learned to take pride in my work. And Burbank is where a legendary tennis coach for our championship high school team instilled in me the work ethic that drives me today. Giving Back As I built my law practice, I began looking for ways to give back to the community. When a seat opened up on the Transportation Commission, I applied. I presented my candidacy to the City Council along with several other applicants, telling my personal story about how fortunate I feel to have been adopted by my parents as a baby and raised here. In a unanimous Council vote, I got the job. I have been working ever since to make our streets safer, not only for my own kids but for people of all ages.
Burbank, this Valentine is for you.
A Burbank Upbringing The fact that I was adopted and raised here changed the entire course of my life. My birth mother didn’t have the means or money to care for me, but my adoptive parents raised me in Burbank. I received a great education in our school system, where I learned from some outstanding teachers. I left my hometown to attend college and law school, but I moved back with my wife, Kristine, a few years later. Now, my kids have an opportunity to attend some of the same schools. I couldn’t think of a better place to raise our children. Crazy Risks, Lasting Lessons Most people never forget the site of their wildest teenage escapades, and I’m no exception. When my brother and I took our dad’s Mercedes on a late-night 140-mph joyride down the freeway and I got my first speeding ticket, I did my community-service
-Adrianos Facchetti
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SECRETS OF THE SILENT FILM AGE Silver Screen Speed
Contrary to what the surviving films may suggest, people didn’t move faster during the earliest years of cinema. If you watch an old silent film from decades past, it may appear as though someone’s holding down the “fast- forward” button. Movements seem exaggerated and hyper-fast, bombarding our eyes with visuals that are as surreal as they are comical. However, nothing is wrong with your senses. These films were created this way, and the reasons behind their quicker momentum are an intriguing mix of technology, commerce, and the inventive minds of maverick film directors. Fleeting Frames of Fantasy Here’s a fun fact: Whether we watch a film from a century ago or one released last week, we’re not actually seeing real movement on screen. Instead, we’re viewing a succession of images presented rapidly enough to give us the impression that
someone (or something) is in motion. This technique is called frames per second (fps). One of the earliest pioneers in film, the legendary inventor Thomas Edison, determined that movies ideally needed to be shot at 46 fps or more to produce convincing on-screen movement. However, early filmmakers often faced financial restraints with film stock, causing them to shoot many movies at 12 or 16 fps. As technology advanced over the years, the speed of these primitive films increased considerably when played on more modern equipment. The Cinematic Cranking Craze While most view it today as a retired relic of a bygone era, the Bell and Howell 2709 movie camera was all the rage in the 1920s. Considered revolutionary at the time, the hand-cranked machine enabled users to shoot at varying speeds based on the number of cranks per minute. “Ben-Hur:
A Tale of the Christ” (1925) and Charlie Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush” (1925) were among the movies shot with a 2709. The technology allowed directors to order camera operators to either slow down or speed up their cranking for dramatic effect. From there, the movies would hit theaters, where they’d often appear to move even faster . For example, something shot at 16 fps would appear sped up when shown through projectors running at a quicker pace. In fact, theaters loved to project films at very high speeds, as faster films meant quicker showings, enabling them to sell more tickets per day.
KEYS TO RAISING CRITICAL THINKERS PUZZLES AND PATIENCE
In a culture overwhelmed by algorithms and conflicting media sources, critical thinking is more important than ever. This is especially true of young children, many of whom will become our future CEOs, writers, and world leaders. Here are two simple ways parents can help their little ones develop the thinking skills they’ll need to thrive through life’s challenges. Questions kindle thoughtful truths. Whether you’re raising a young child for the first time or are a veteran grandparent who’s
done it all, you can surely recall moments when a little one hit you with a barrage of questions that tested your patience. Few people would fault you for rushing through your answers to satisfy your tiny inquisitor when stressed, but regularly questioning things is a sign of a critical thinker. Whenever possible, take the time to lean into your child’s questions. Instead of simply giving them an answer, ask them their thoughts about the information you’ve provided. Rather than asking them questions that could be answered with a simple yes or no, prompt them with open-ended ones that will strengthen their reasoning skills and prompt them to consider a topic more deeply. Small struggles make stronger minds. As parents, we want to answer our children’s questions and find solutions to all their problems. While some situations
will always require our intervention (such as a medical emergency), it’s sometimes best to allow kids to find their own path to solving dilemmas or discovering answers. Board games, puzzles, building blocks, and even role-playing games with friends can foster stronger thinking skills, so allow your children plenty of time to engage in activities that expand their minds while they’re having fun. When you see your child struggle to figure out how to complete a playtime task, pause before jumping in to help. Giving them room to sort out the issue instead of immediately coming to their aid will help them think and problem-solve more independently. When we practice patience and give children space to explore the world in their own way, we nurture curious, confident thinkers who are ready for whatever life brings.
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BRAIN GAMES
DREAM EQUALITY FESTIVAL GROUNDHOG HEARTS KING LINCOLN MUFFIN PANCAKE
A Sweet Swindle? The Case of the Skimpy Snack
The concept of “shrinkflation” may be gaining ground in light of today’s economy, but it’s nothing new. In fact, nearly a decade ago, the thought of companies reducing the amount of product available in each sale while charging the same price hit one Midwestern man right in his sweet tooth. In 2017, Robert Bratton of Columbus, Missouri, sued the Hershey Co. for $5 million, claiming that the boxes of Reese’s Pieces and Whoppers he regularly purchased were not filled with enough candy. Citing violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, he alleged that 29% of the Reese’s Pieces boxes he purchased were empty, while only 59% of the Whoppers packaging contained actual product. His suit further alleged that the candy company unjustly enriched itself by knowingly selling boxed items containing considerable empty space. Aiming to avoid leaving a sour taste in court, Hershey’s contended that at least some empty space is common in most packaged goods to allow for “efficient manufacturing and distribution.” Additionally, the company claimed that consumers are made aware of this necessary space before purchasing its goods, as the contents of Whoppers and Reese’s Pieces boxes “audibly rattle.” Despite his multimillion-dollar complaint, Bratton continued to purchase Hershey products, a move that ultimately led to the unraveling of his lawsuit. In 2018, Judge Nanette K. Laughrey dismissed the case after it was revealed that the plaintiff had purchased Reese’s Pieces and Whopper boxes by the hundreds over several years, despite knowing the high likelihood that they would not be full. “Mr. Bratton testified that he initially expected the boxes to be full, but at some point … [he] realized that they’re not,” Laughrey said in her ruling. “Although Mr. Bratton claimed to have always clung to his hope that the boxes would be full, he acknowledged that he did not expect the box to be miraculously filled the next time he bought it.” While Bratton’s love for sugary treats is impossible to deny, his efforts to take down a chocolate giant for shortchanging his confectionery conquests were questionable at best.
RABBIT ROSES
MOUTHWATERING MINI CHEESECAKES
Ingredients
• 12 oz package vanilla wafers • 16 oz cream cheese, softened • 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 21 oz can cherry pie filling
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In two 24-cup miniature muffin pans, line each space with a paper liner. 3. Using a food processor or resealable plastic bag, crush vanilla wafers into a fine crumb. 4. Press 1/2 teaspoon of crumbs into each paper liner. 5. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. 6. Fill each miniature muffin liner with this mixture, almost to the top. 7. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cheesecakes are set. 8. Cool completely in the pan. 9. Top each mini cheesecake with about a teaspoon of cherry pie filling before serving. Enjoy!
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
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626.793.8607 FacchettiLaw.com 4444 W. Riverside Dr., Suite 308 Burbank, California 91505
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Adrianos’ Valentine to His Hometown: ‘I ♥ Burbank!’
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The Fast Motion of Old-Time Movies
The Future Belongs to Critical Thinkers
Mouthwatering Mini Cheesecakes
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A Chocoholic’s Day in Court
A Burglary Blown by Brightness
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Sunlit Stupidity Foils a Thief BRIGHT DAY, DIM IDEA
Santa Claus isn’t real. The world doesn’t disappear when you close your eyes. You can be arrested for burglary regardless of the time of day you commit the crime. Most reasonable people accept the above facts as undeniable truths long before they reach 22. Unfortunately (or humorously, depending on your point of view), James Blankenship of Willoughby, Ohio, was unaware of that last fact despite being a legal adult for four years. One day during the summer of 2013, he broke into his mother’s house in the neighboring city of Eastlake by removing a window screen. Already on shaky ground with his parent for reasons not specified in media coverage of the incident, he had been banned from the Eastlake premises for at least three months before attempting to enter it without permission. According to statements his mother later gave to the police, her son had no possessions in the home at the time of the incident.
Because Blankenship chose to commit his crime in broad daylight , his mother spotted him and alerted the police. Rather than fleeing the neighborhood when he was discovered, he hid in a crawl space near his mother’s home. A witness reported seeing him run behind a nearby house, which allowed police to locate him easily. According to an official statement on the Eastlake Police’s Facebook page, Blankenship told the arresting officers, “I thought you could only be charged with burglary if you break in during the nighttime.” After pleading guilty to a lesser charge of breaking and entering, Blankenship served 60 days in prison (with 120 days out of his original 180-day sentence suspended) and was fined $100. Perhaps most significantly, he also learned a valuable lesson on how the sun helps people see things during the day.
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