Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — David Starr Jordan Middle School at 420 South Mariposa Street in Burbank

A well-respected and former Jordan Middle School teacher remains behind bars today, while Burbank Police investigate allegations she had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old male student last year. 33-year-old Amy Beck, wearing handcuffs, appeared in Burbank Superior Court yesterday. Beck was due to be arraigned on charges of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 16, but the arraignment was postponed until March 25, 2010.

In one of several strange twists to this case, Beck did not attempt to post the $175,000 bail. Her attorney, Michael Williamson, says his client “…thinks it will be best..” that she stays in jail to better cooperate with the police probe into the charges.

Last Friday Beck, a sixth grade teacher, turned in her resignation at Jordan Middle School. The unidentified victim was enrolled at Jordan during the alleged sexual affair that went on for several months. On Monday, Beck surrendered to Burbank police and earlier reports say she confessed to having sexual contact with the minor. Beck is married with children.

If found guilty, Beck faces up to 7 years in prison. Oddly, Burbank police will not release Beck’s booking photo. Burbank Police Information Officer, Sergeant Robert Quesada, told me “…we won’t be releasing a photo of Ms. Beck… we don’t consider Ms. Beck a danger to the community.”  I can’t help but wonder if a male suspect were facing the same allegations would his booking photo be released?  

Corey Haim: Photo courtesy Bree Bailey

Another young actor gone way too soon. Corey Haim reportedly died this morning at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Burbank. According to The Wrap, a drug overdose is suspected. Haim, a former teen idol during the 1980s, has had a well-known struggle with drugs.

Haim starred in a number of films including “Lucas” (1986), “The Lost Boys” (1987), and ”License to Drive” (1988). Also, he appeared on television in the TV series “Roomies” (1987), and more recently the reality show, with Actor Corey Feldman, called “The Two Coreys” from (2007-2008). Haim was only 38.

The Verve Agency is beefing up its clients list. Nikki Finke over at Deadline Hollywood is reporting that last month, the newbie agency signed some high-profile screenwriters, directors, and producers among them, Rob Edwards, who co-wrote the Oscar-nominated animation “The Princess and the Frog.”  More here.

Willie Davis: Photo courtesy Los Angeles Dodgers

Southland baseball star Willie Davis is being remembered today. Davis, the legendary center fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was found dead in Burbank yesterday. A concerned neighbor reportedly called police yesterday morning to Davis’ apartment in the 1900 block of West Victory Boulevard. Officers arrived at the scene and discovered the 69-year-old Davis on the living room floor. Burbank Sergeant Robert Quesada says, “ Mr. Davis showed no signs of life and was pronounced dead. At this time, detectives found no signs of foul play and it appears Mr. Davis died of apparent natural causes.” 

Davis’ story is the classic local gifted athlete makes good tale. Davis was a world-class sprinter at Roosevelt High in Los Angeles when he caught the attention of Dodger Scout Kenny Myers, who saw in the young runner a potential baseball center fielder, according to a press release from the Dodger organization.

Right after graduating from high school in 1958, Davis was signed by the Dodgers. It proved to be a wise decision. Davis played two years in the minor leagues, before moving up and spending 14 seasons with the Dodgers from 1960-1973. Davis is still the franchise leader in hits (2,091), extra-base hits (585), at-bats (7,495), runs (1,004), triples (110) and total bases (3,094). In 1969, Davis set a team record with a 31-game hitting streak. He won three Golden Glove Awards from 1971-1973.

In a statement released late yesterday, Davis received high praise from Dodger Owner Frank McCourt: “He was beloved by generations of Dodger fans and remains one of the most talented players ever to wear the Dodger uniform. Having spent time with him over the past six years, I know how proud he was to have been a Dodger. He will surely be missed and our sincere thoughts are with his children during this difficult time.”

A Southland man is rolling in the dough after turning in his winning Mega Millions lottery ticket from last Friday’s game. John Dalkos walked into the Santa Ana lottery office to claim his winnings on Monday. Dalkos’ ticket was originally worth $133 million bucks, but strong ticket sales pushed the value up to $134 million.

Dalkos bought his super lucky ticket at Country Donuts, 3200 East Anaheim Street in Long Beach. The winning numbers were 11, 31, 34, 44, 52 and the Mega Ball 32. Not to be left out of the money, the owner of Country Donuts gets a bonus of one-half percent for selling the winning ticket. That amounts to $670,000!

Dalkos, who according to the California Lottery website did not want to be interviewed, reportedly has not decided how he wants to take his winnings. Dalkos has 60 days to decide if he wants the annuity or cash option. If he cashes out the winning ticket, it’ll be worth $82.9 million.

California joined this multi-state lottery in 2005. Since then, 12 Californians have taken home Mega Millions jackpots. The largest, $315 million dollars, was won back on November 15, 2005. If you didn’t score one of these jackpots there is a new one up for grabs.

No one won the Mega Millions jackpot in yesterday’s drawing. The winning numbers for Tuesday’s game 14, 16, 18, 19, 29, and the Mega Ball 16. One ticket, bought in the Golden State, had all the winning numbers, except the Mega Ball and it’s worth $464, 048.

The jackpot for the Friday, March 12, 2010, Mega Millions game is already up to $20 million. Not a huge haul, but enough to ride out the rest of the recession in style.

Some weather reports say it’s “breezy” outside. I call it “windy.”  In Burbank, the palm trees are being whipped around by the strong winds. Some of the gusts in Media City are over 30 miles per hour. And temperatures have dropped down into the 50s. Brrr! I know back East, they would break out the shorts and tee shirts in this kind of weather. Hey, this is Southern California where we put on coats and double sweaters when it gets this cold.

This chilly weather is expected to hang around until the end of the week, when we have a good chance of  getting a sunny, dry, and warm weekend.  Nice.

Photo: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters– Director/Producer Kathryn Bigelow and Screenwriter/Producer Mark Boal of “The Hurt Locker”

She did it!  Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the best director Oscar at last night’s 82nd Annual Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood. Bigelow’s name was announced by Superstar Entertainer/Filmmaker Barbra Streisand, who was overlooked as a contender for the award back when she directed “Yentl” (1983), “The Prince of Tides” (1991), and “The Mirror Has Two Faces” (1996).

Bigelow’s best director Oscar was one of six wins for “The Hurt Locker,” which included  best original screenplay, picked up by screenwriter/producer Mark Boal, and best picture. 

The winners in the other top categories were Sandra Bullock, best actress for her performance in “The Blind Side,” Mo’Nique best supporting actress for her role in  “Precious: Based on the novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” best actor trophy went to Jeff Bridges for his performance in “Crazy Heart,” and best supporting actor award to Christoph Waltz for his role in “Inglourious Basterds.”     

 A complete list of the winners on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences website.

Good coverage of the Oscars on Reuters, CNN, The Hollywood Reporter, and a ton of photos and video moments from the telecast over on oscars.org  

UPDATED:  Latest figures from the rating giant Nielsen shows 41.3 million people watched Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony. That’s the best rating for the Oscars since 2005. Last year, 35.3 million tuned into the Academy Awards to see ”Slumdog Millionaire” win best picture.

Director Tim Burton’s cinematic version of the classic “Alice in Wonderland” story clicked in a big way with moviegoers over the weekend. The fantasy adventure live action/animation in 3D debuted with an estimated $116.3 at the domestic Box Office to claim the crown as the number one film in the country.

Burton’s ”Alice” is a take-off on Lewis Carroll’s beloved novels “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking-Glass.” The film stars include Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Helen Bonham Carter, and Anne Hathaway.

“Alice in Wonderland” broke a number of records. The biggest winter release and the best 3D film debut, beating “Avatar,” which debuted last December with a $77 million opening. 

A new cop thriller “Brooklyn’s Finest,” directed by Antoine Fuqua, came in second with  around $13.5 million. “Brooklyn’s Finest” is a crime drama about cops and criminals in a rough section of New York. It stars Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke, and Wesley Snipes.  

In third, the thriller “Shutter Island” with an estimated $13.3 million followed by the comedy “Cop Out” with around $9 million and rounding out the top five, “Avatar” with about $7.7 million.  By the way, the 12 week domestic haul for ”Avatar” is now up to $720 million!