Burbank Unified Superintendent Matt Hill released a statement confirming his commitment to continuing to lead the school district in the coming years.

“Recently my name has been circulated as a candidate to be Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. I would like to respond to the speculation by stating that I have not applied for the position and I plan to continue my role as Superintendent in Burbank Unified.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

I am proud of all that our District has accomplished in the past three years and I am fully committed to continuing this journey together for years to come.”

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Creative Talent Network, a local community of animation experts, launched their pilot Teen CTN program recently, in conjunction with the Burbank Unified School District. Ninety students from Rebecca Platner’s art classes at Burbank High School attended one of the daily workshops with animation, visual effects and video game professionals over the three-day program on March 28 – 30.

The students heard about the different kinds of careers available in animation and visual effects professions. They also listened to professionals talk about their individual career paths.

Creative Talent Network (CTN) holds a variety of classes, workshops and creative networking for aspiring artists online, in the area and at its Center Stage Gallery home in Burbank.

Speaker Fabrizio Mancinelli addresses the students from Burbank High School during the Teen CTN. ( Photo by © Ross A Benson)

“Brought to you from the minds behind the award winning CTN animation eXpo event, Teen CTN is focused on specialized classes and events to foster the learning of our future generations of visual artists in the animation, visual FX and video game industries,” commented CTN founder Tina Price. “Although open to other age groups, the target group are those from the age for 13-18.”

“Classes range from how to use the latest equipment and software to instructional lectures followed by one on ones with some of animation’s greatest artists. They also offer internships and career builder activities. So if you are a parent or teacher of a teen or a teen yourself we will show you all the options available to you to create a meaningful career in animation and to be a part of the future.”

Artist Armand Serrano gives tips and suggestions while addressing the students. ( Photo by © Ross A Benson)

CTN members and presenters at the Burbank High School workshop included Andreas Deja (Animator, Walt Disney), Jordan Koch (Storyboard Artist, Nickelodeon), Caroline Hu (Consumer Product Artist, Warner Bros.), Katia Grifols (Owner of Glow in the Dark Studios), John Mahoney (animation professional and Cal Arts teacher), Tony Bancroft (Director of Mulan and Head of Animation at Asuza Pacific University), Jake Wyatt (Director, Nickelodeon), Armand Serrano (Visual Development, Walt Disney), Bill Perkins (Art Director, Walt Disney), Alina Chau (author and illustrator), Benson Shum (Animator, Walt Disney), David DePasquale (animation professional, Dreamworks) and Fabrizio Mancinelli (film composer.)

Teen CTN’s next free event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 14 and 15 in Downtown Burbank. More information on the event can be found here.

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The high school student winners of the Hollywood Burbank Airport 2018 Tower Banner Student Art Contest from Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena Unified School Districts presented their winning artwork at today’s Airport Authority meeting. The winners were chosen from 235 entries across all three districts. Joining them were there art teachers and district art coordinators, along with many of the students’ proud parents.

First place banner designed by Ernest Avedian and will be displayed starting January, 2019

Burbank High senior Ernest Avedian was the first place winner from the Burbank Unified School District. His Instructor at Burbank High is James Bentley.  Two Juniors at Burbank High also took home second and third place honors. Abrielle Marsden was the second place winner and Narek Tashchyan placed third. Both of their instructors are Jonelle Pickett.

This is the eleventh year the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority has sponsored the contest for students of the respective Unified School Districts in Grades 9-12. Each year, the Airport Authority chooses a different aviation theme for the contest. This year’s theme was “Takeoff to a New Beginning.” In 2017, the theme was “Aviation Goes to Hollywood” and in 2016, the theme was “History of Aviation.”

Each school district determines which submissions are its top three entries. The arts and culture commissions from each city then consider the three entries and make the final award of the first place winners from their school districts, based on the judging criteria set forth in the Airport Authority’s contest rules.

The winning artwork from each school district is enlarged to a size of 16 feet by 26 feet for an approximately three-month display on the Hollywood Burbank Airport terminal tower, where it is seen by nearly a million travelers and Airport visitors as they arrive and depart.

Since the contest’s inception in 2007, $28,500 has been awarded to each school district in honor of the winning entries, with the stipulation that the award be used to help support and promote the districts’ education programs for the arts. This year, each district will receive another $3,000, bringing the total to $31,500 for each school district.

The winning entries displayed on the tower are rotated among Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena.

Abrielle Marsden (L) was the second place winner and Narek Tashchyan placed third

Second and third place winners, along with the first place winners, will be displayed in Terminal B beginning in June 2018. The display will feature background information about the contest. The second and third place winners’ artwork can currently be seen on the Airport’s website.

The contest is scheduled to begin again in September 2018. To be eligible to enter the contest, student artists must be enrolled in Grades 9-12 in the public high schools of Burbank, Glendale or Pasadena Unified School Districts. Students interested in participating should contact the art faculty or art department at their high school for details.

The post Burbank High Student to Have Artwork Displayed at Airport appeared first on myBurbank.com.

The Burbank Unified School District recognized retired English teacher Steve Campbell at a ceremony dedicating the Steve Campbell Library on Saturday, March 31. Former students and numerous school and City officials came out to the John Burroughs High School campus to honor the beloved teacher and celebrate the newly-christened library.

“He is really an amazing man and I owe my love of journalism and language in large part to him and his teaching,” commented former student and current BUSD Public Information Officer Kimberley Clark. “Being able to bring this dedication to fruition is truly a privilege.”

Steve Campbell stands next to a display cabinet at the entrance of the newly named Steve Campbell Library. (Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Campbell began his Burbank Unified teaching career in 1965 at what was then known as Jordan Junior High, at which he remained for the next 25 years. He taught English, Spanish and journalism for 21 years. He also taught English as a Second Language for many years in adult school.

Under Campbell’s guidance, Jordan’s school newspaper, the Star, was one of the top-rated junior high school newspapers in the country, earning many awards from the National Scholastic Press Association, Quill and Scroll, Colombia University and Pepperdine University.

Former Steve Campbell students AKA his Kids are Lisa Bloom, Steve Campbell, Thomas Stein, and Lisa Rego-Guin. (Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Campbell advised student government for several years and oversaw student elections for 23 years. He also managed the Eighth Grade Art Gallery Competition.

When Jordan Junior High became David Starr Jordan Middle School, Campbell moved to Burroughs High, at which he taught ninth-grade English for the remainder of his teaching years.

After 41 years of teaching in BUSD, Campbell retired in June 2006. In the years since, Campbell and his partner, who became his husband in 2013, traveled extensively.

“After a lifetime of only being able to travel during the summer months, what a pleasure it is to be able to go where we want when we want,” he commented.

Campbell lost his partner recently, explained Clark, and added that she spends “a lot of time with him now.”

“I would like to think that the goals I set in my journalism classes regarding the importance of the press in a democracy awakened in a great many of my students a deep sense of social conscience,” Campbell also said, noting with pride the large number of former students who entered fields of journalism and law.

Campbell was known as a stickler for detail, such as the proper way to staple papers, as many former student attest to this day. In all, he taught approximately 10,000 students over the course of his career.

The Steve Campbell Library dedication was attended by current and former members of the Burbank Unified Board of Education, including Dr. Roberta Reynolds, Dr. Armond Aghakhanian, Steve Fritner, Char Tabet, Larry Applebaum and Ted Bunch.

Standing Room Only crowd attends the dedication in the newly named Steve Campbell Library. ( Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Assistant BUSD Superintendent of Curriculum and Assessment Sharon Cuseo and Director of Secondary Education Dr. John Paramo were there, along with “Campbell Kid” and current BUSD PIO and Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Clark.

Burroughs Principal Deborah Madrigal and Burbank City Councilmember Bob Frutos joined in the celebration. Former Burbank Mayor and “Campbell Kid” Marsha Ramos attended, as did many other BUSD employees and “Campbell Kids.”

Former Jordan Junior High Principal Al Martens spoke along with former Jordan counselors Marvin Cira and Bob Lunsford. Teachers Jill Sullivan and Pat Carman, who remain friends with Campbell, shared some words with the audience.

“Campbell Kid” Clint Howard was a special guest speaker, regaling the audience with humorous tales of his experiences in Campbell’s classes.

After the shared stories and recognition, the group moved outside for the unveiling of the new Steve Campbell Library sign.

The post Burroughs High School Christens The Steve Campbell Library appeared first on myBurbank.com.

For a five-star feast of humor and wit, go see Director Michael Sheppard’s wonderfully realized Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Neil Simon’s love letter to his salad days as a TV comedy writer.  (Simon had been a co-writer on Sid Caesar’s Show of Shows, which included future legends Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner.)

Television actor John Ross Bowie makes his stage debut at the Garry Marshall Theatre with “Laughter on the 23rd Floor.” (Photo Courtesy Sechel Public Relations)

The actors were as razor-sharp as Neil Simon’s zingers, and their physical energy caromed from one colorful character to the other.  If they were hoopsters, they’d be hot potatoing the ball into an orange blur, until one of them suddenly does a dribble drive followed by a slam dunk.  Sheppard’s choreographic skills serve Laughter very well indeed, with hilarious ensemble moves as well as individual shenanigans, sometimes involving the set’s fainting couch (or maybe it’s a psychiatrist’s couch.)

Relatively-sane Lucas Brickman (Neil Simon’s alter-ego, played by Jason Grasl) is the newbie writer for larger-than-life Max Prince’s (Pat Towne) weekly comedy-variety show, set in New York City circa 1953. Lucas arrives in the middle of Max’s running battle with the suits at NBC, who fear the show’s humor is too sophisticated for the burgeoning Middle America audience.  But Max and his team of comedy writers are not giving an inch. Hypochondriac Ira (Jeff Campanella,) droll Kenny (Cornelius Jones, Jr.,) resilient Carol (Lanisa Renee Frederick,) pressure cooker Brian (John Ross Bowie,) fast-and-loose Milt (Ty Mayberry,) and worrywart Russian émigré Val (Roland Rusinek) continue to egg each other on to excellence.  Even Max’s assistant Helen (Jessica Joy) reveals a restless intelligence beneath the comically dutiful exterior.

The early 1950’s were deeply unsettling times of Cold War fears, of Hollywood blacklists and ruined reputations, and of conflating sophistication with subversion. Under those circumstances, to be creative was to be courageous.  Although Laughter keeps the politics firmly in the background, Sheppard and his cast clearly convey that the team of writers is a “band of brothers” able and willing to charge the hill for Max and for the honor of their craft.

The spot-on set features a sailboat atop of a high cabinet, overlooking a forest of TV awards on either side of it.  The WASPs still had the commanding heights of the c-suites back in the 50’s, as all around them the immigrant waves from war-torn Europe were invigorating American culture and putting their enduring stamp on the small screen.

Laughter on the 23rd Floor continues at the Gary Marshall Theatre on Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm. Added show Sunday, April 8, at 7 pm. No Show Sunday, April 1. Tickets are $45 – $65.

The post Laughter On The 23rd Floor Is fresh and Funny appeared first on myBurbank.com.

This month, the Burbank Police Department is joining with law enforcement throughout California to bring awareness to distracted driving.

Ten years after “hands-free” laws were put into place to improve safety on the road, there has been a decrease in accidents caused by distracted drivers using their cellphones. However, distracting driving continues to be a major reason for accidents.

Data from 2007 shows there were over 33,000 accidents throughout California that were the result of distracted driving. In 2017, around 22,000 drivers were in traffic accidents that were the result of distracted driving.

“California’s distracted driving laws have been saving lives for a decade now. Every day, somewhere in California, someone is sitting down to dinner with their family who wouldn’t have made it through the day without these laws on the books. That’s tremendously gratifying,” said former State Senator Joe Simitian, author of California’s hands-free and no-texting laws.

April has been declared to be “Distracted Driving Awareness Month,” with the first week as “California Teen Safe Driving Week.”

April 5th and 13th will be the two dates on which police throughout the state will increase enforcement for no-texting traffic safety laws. Through grant-funded resources, additional BPD traffic officers will be monitoring parts of the city where accidents are more frequent. Drivers observed to be on their phones will be ticketed, and a citation of $162 will be given to first time offenders.

For prevention of such accidents, police want to make drivers aware of safe alternatives to using their phones while driving. Police have provided options, such as designating a passenger who can respond to texts or calls on the driver’s behalf. While on the road, drivers can also find a safe place to park to make a phone call or send a message. To avoid the temptation of using their phone altogether, drivers are encouraged to put their mobile device in the backseat or the trunk.

“Distracted Driving Awareness Month” is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The post Officers Looking for Motorists During Distracted Driver Awareness Month appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Burroughs High sophomore Maya Wilson isn’t sure what her best swimming event is.

One thing she does know is that she enjoys setting school records.

Wilson set another record Thursday as Burroughs defeated host Glendale 101-66. Glendale won the boys’ varsity competition 90-67.

Annabelle Morning swims the breaststroke.

“I’m trying to break some more records. It’s fun to just swim different events. I enjoy the strokes, sometimes,” said Wilson, who is a freestyle specialist. “It’s nice to see how I can push myself each year and improve my times each year.”

Wilson set a school record in the 100-yard butterfly, winning in 59.68 seconds.

A distance swimmer, Wilson isn’t sure if she wants to focus more on the 200 freestyle or the 500, which is the longest distance swum at the high school level.

“Maybe I’ll try to break the league record in the 200 free. I know I was like .1 off last year,” Wilson said. “Recently in club times, I’ve broken 5 in the 500, so it would be nice to do that in league and CIF again.”

Wilson also won the 100 freestyle (56.0) and was on the winning 200 medley and 200 free relays.

The 200 medley relay team that composed of Wilson, Marlena Skrabak, Annabelle Morning and Aleah Orozco won in 2:08.

The 200 free relay team of Wilson, Skrabak, Orozco and Emmanuella Nathan won in 1:56.

Nathan won the 500 free (27.94). Maddie Spencer won the 200 free (2:20). Morning captured the 100 breaststroke (1:22). Mia Fallon won the 500 free (6:14).

Burroughs also won the 400 free relay (4:22) with Fallon, Orozco, Nathan and Skrabak swimming legs.

Reigh Abaoag won two individual events for Burroughs.

For the Burroughs boys’ team, junior Reigh Abaoag won a pair of individual events and was on the winning 200 free relay that finished in 1:42.

Abaoag won the 100 butterfly (53.07) and the 100 breaststroke (1:04.79). Abaoag recently set the school record in the butterfly.

He was joined by Arthur Eldridge, Daniel Marinero and Nathan Gault-Crabb on the relay victory.

“We have guys who are really passionate about getting their times down,” Burroughs coach Jacob Cook said.

The post Wilson Leads Burroughs Swimming to Win Over Glendale appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Arrests for March, 2018

Note: All suspects arrested are presumed innocent until found guilty by a court of law. The following are official public records being redistributed by myBurbank.com Inc. and is protected by constitutional, publishing, and other legal rights. These official records were collected in 2018. The person(s) named in these listings have only been arrested on suspicion of the crime indicated and are presumed innocent.

myBurbank.com will be glad upon to redact your name upon request. Please click HERE.  You MUST include your name as it appears and the exact date that it appeared. Give us 1 to 5 days to redact.

April 1st

Dina Webb, 54 of Lomita

12:10 a.m. 375 W. Alameda

Violation of a restraining order, drunk in public

Alvaro Chavez, 23 of Glendale

12:10 a.m. Empire and Buena Vista

Resisting arrest, possible consequences of drugs

Scarlett Rachael-Jean Blackmore, 27 of Glendale

2:06 a.m. location redacted

Corporal injury to spouse

Joseph James Ritonia, 26 of Rancho Cucamo

2:55 a.m. Extended Stay

Possession of cocaine and heroin

William Victory Alvarado, 24 of Los Angeles

3:15 a.m. Olive and First

Identity theft, possession of meth, Xanax, drug paraphernalia

Tommy Ray Phillips, 46 of Burbank

7:10 p.m. 1201 Victory Pl.

Petty theft

Alan Lee McDermott, 54 of Burbank

7:30 p.m. Kling and Clybourn

Assault, disturbing the peace

Alyssa Sarah Cohen, 23 of Los Angeles

10:30 p.m. Chandler and Griffith Park

Possible consequences of drugs, possession of meth, drug paraphernalia

Roger James Chitta, 34 of Pacoima

11:45 p.m. Orchard and Glenoaks

Misappropriation of lost property, possession of drug paraphernalia

The post April, 2018 Arrest Reports appeared first on myBurbank.com.

By Rick Assad

Burbank High softball coach Mike Delaney wants his players to be aggressive at the plate.

They weren’t as seven of the nine batters who fanned were called out on strikes as Crescenta Valley powered past the Bulldogs 8-0 on Thursday afternoon at McCambridge Park as the two remaining undefeated teams in the Pacific League met.

“We’ve been working on this so hard,” Delaney said. “When we get runners on second and in scoring position, shortening up our swings and putting a good swing on the ball.”

Delaney went on: “I use CV as an example today. They did a really good job of adjusting. I’m a pretty free wheeling coach and I like for them to get after it. That was my biggest frustration.”

Burbank first baseman Erin Lashkari makes a nifty play against the Falcons. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Delaney said it’s important to know the situation.

“We preach that every day in practice. Two strikes, you can’t go down looking,” he said. “We want them swinging. This game is all about adjustment. You can’t sit there and be a robot. If we just have adjusted.”

Burbank (6-5 and 3-1 in league) managed just five hits off freshman Dee Dee Hernandez, who delivered seven strong innings.

“I know my team’s behind me and they can make plays for me,” Hernandez said. “I know that my team will push more runs for me.”

Hernandez, who didn’t walk a batter, pointed out that the players like each other. “Our team chemistry’s very strong. I always like to compete,” she said. “Challenges are best. It makes you stronger as a player and as a team.”

Alyssa Porras relieved Allie Benson in the fourth inning as the Falcons prevailed 8-0. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The Falcons (15-1 and 4-0 in league) forged ahead 1-0 in the second inning on a run-scoring single by freshman Devon Medina off senior Allie Benson, who left after three and two-third frames, walking one and allowing eight hits.

Crescenta Valley added three runs in the fourth inning against Benson as Medina had a run-tallying grounder and junior Alyssa Hernandez a run-scoring triple to left field.

It became 8-0 after a four-run seventh as eight batters trotted to the plate off junior Alyssa Porras, who went three and one-third innings, fanning one and yielding four hits including Dee Dee Hernandez’s run-scoring base hit up the middle and sophomore Maddie De Leon’s three-run, inside-the-park homer to right center.

“The girls are never satisfied,” Crescenta Valley coach Amanda Peek said. ” There are always things that they can correct. We play together as a team. The seventh inning, those girls want to finish. We’re hungry. We want to clean things up.”

Crescenta Valley collected 12 hits off two Burbank pitchers in an 8-0 win. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burbank junior Amaya Broyls led off with a triple to left center in the first inning against Hernandez, who then struck out junior Sarah Garelick looking.

Junior Alex Davis lined to right field and Broyls was caught in a run down and was eventually tagged out.

Senior Anysia Gonzalez was called out on strikes in the second inning, senior Macie Jensen popped to shortstop, senior Erin Lashkari was hit by a pitch and Hernandez struck out senior Bene Snyder looking.

Five batters went to the plate for the Bulldogs in the third frame as junior Desi Gomez and sophomore Katie Treadway both grounded out and Broyls was safe on an error.

Garelick singled to center field as Broyls moved to second base, but Davis was caught looking at strike three.

The Bulldogs garnered five hits off freshman Crescenta Valley pitcher Dee Dee Hernandez. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Gonzalez opened the fourth inning with a hit to right center and raced to second base on Jensen’s sacrifice bunt.

Lashkari flied to center field and Snyder struck out swinging.

Hernandez worked a 1-2-3 fifth as Gomez fanned looking, Treadway popped to second base and Broyls fouled to shortstop.

Garelick led off the sixth inning with a base hit up the middle and Davis lined to right field.

Gonzalez moved Garelick to second base with a sacrifice, but Jensen grounded out to third base.

The seventh inning saw Hernandez strike out three batters as Lashkari and Snyder were both caught looking while Broyls struck out swinging.

In between, Gomez had a two-out single to right field and scooted to second base when Treadway reached on an error.

The post Burbank Softball Whitewashed By Crescenta Valley 8-0 appeared first on myBurbank.com.

On Monday, April 2 at 5:35 p.m., Burbank Police responded to a call about a stolen Ford F350 which contained gardening tools on the 400 block of North Lamer St.

Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Around 6:00 p.m., the truck was discovered unoccupied in an alley at Verdugo Ave. and Keystone St. with some of the gardening equipment missing.

Two suspects are believed to be involved. One of the suspects who is described as an African American male drove a getaway truck that might have been a silver Dodge Ram.

The other suspect was a Caucasian male possibly in his 30s, wearing a black sweater, black gloves, black hat, and black jeans.

The post Stolen Gardener’s Truck Recovered, Tools Missing appeared first on myBurbank.com.

If there is one thing the Burroughs baseball can celebrate, it is the fact that the Indians won’t have to face Pasadena High ace Alvie Castro any more.

The senior right hander dominated the visiting Indians Friday by striking out 10 and allowing just one hit in a 7-1 Pacific League victory.  It marked the second year in a row that Castro has defeated Burroughs.

“Castro was right on strike after strike after strike.  He was in the zone the whole game,” Burroughs coach Craig Sherwood said. “We were trying to take some pitches and drive his pitch count up and we just couldn’t get it there.  He beat a good team today. Hats off to him.”

Burroughs Brandon Giraldo looks at a pitch.

Burroughs (9-7, 3-1 in league) got its only hit off Castro on the last pitch he threw, a single by pinch hitter Revin Diego in the seventh inning. Castro was then removed after reaching the limit of 110 pitches.

“I was working on my changeup a lot more,” said Castro, who didn’t realize he had a no-hitter for much of the game. “I found out coming back out to the mound for the seventh.  I heard them saying it.”

Pasadena coach Jose Montes said his team desperately needed the victory after losing to Burroughs 4-1 earlier in the week, its third straight defeat to open league play.

Xavier Dubon goes into his sidearm windup.

“Today we can out with a sense of urgency. My pitcher was just outstanding. You can’t ask for a better outing than that. When you need a big game from someone you bring your ace in,” Montes said.

Pasadena (10-7, 1-3 in league) scored a pair of runs in both the second and third innings and added three more in the fifth inning.

Burroughs scored its lone run in the sixth inning.

Collin Johnson led off with a walk. Brian Garcia then reached base after the ball he hit was nearly caught on the run by right fielder Christian Zambrano. Two batters later, Julian Jaramillo reached base on a throwing error that allowed Johnson to score.

Burroughs Andres Salazar connects on a pitch.

Castro however bounced back to retire the next two batters and eliminate the comeback threat.

Sherwood acknowledged that the loss could define the rest of the season.

“How we respond to this is going to be the mark of our team,” he said.

The post Burroughs Baseball Shut Down by Pasadena’s Castro appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Big innings often act like knockout punches and it surely did for the Burbank High baseball team on Friday afternoon.

Ahead by only two runs entering the top of the seventh inning, the Bulldogs scored six times as 10 batters went to the plate and in the process helped them earn a 9-1 decision over host Glendale in a Pacific League match.

The frame featured a two-run single to left field by senior Max Meltzer (two hits) and senior pinch hitter Matt Moreno’s run-scoring base hit.

Davis Mieliwocki, shown in a game against Arcadia, had a double in Friday’s 9-1 win ove host Glendale. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Junior Matthew Porras (single) and pinch hitter Austin Ortega, a senior, added run-producing grounders.

“We had opportunities throughout the game,” Burbank assistant coach Ron Capalbo said. “But when you have runners in scoring position, it’s not always going to go your way. But those guys just grinded and grinded and grinded.”

Capalbo, who was filling in for Bob Hart, who was ejected from Tuesday’s game and wasn’t allowed to be there on Friday, said the pitching change in the sixth inning was the turning point.

“The big moment for me was when we had to go back out there and we’ve got Ryan King, who’s a freshman on the mound. He just came up from JV and we had the ball in his hand and him finishing off and just seeing his face coming off and for us that moment we finished what we had to and the bats came alive.”

Matt Shaugabay, a senior catcher, shown in a contest against the Apaches, doubled and scored two runs in a win over the Nitros. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Capalbo said he was confident in King, despite his youth.

“The kid throws strikes. He’s thrown for us in winter league and some tournaments,” he noted. “The way he pitched with runners on. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

In the sixth inning, the Bulldogs (4-7 and 2-2 in league) tacked on two runs that made it 3-1 as seven came to bat.

Porras singled to center field with one out and Troy Lee doubled to left center. Two batters later, sophomore Oakley Spens floated a single to right center that brought both runners home.

Neither team scored in the first two innings, but the Bulldogs, who defeated the Nitros 11-3 on Tuesday, woke up in the third frame as senior Matt Shaugabay, who scored two runs, had a two-out double to left center, moved to third base on a passed ball and scored on an error.

In the bottom of the frame, the Nitros (3-10-1 and 0-4 in league) evened it at 1-1 when junior Nolan Wong was hit by a pitch from junior Daniel Ruiz, who went three and two-third innings, yielding one hit and six walks with two hit batters and four strikeouts.

Junior Ryan Kataoka walked to lead off the third inning and later crossed the plate after advancing to second base on a walk to junior Adrian Coll and third base when sophomore Thomas Kovarik was nicked by a pitch.

Junior Jacob Duarte was credited with the victory after toiling one and two-third innings while giving up two hits, walking two, hitting a batters and fanning four.

King, who began the contest in right field, was given the save after coming in with one out in the sixth inning. King worked one and two-third innings and gave up two walks.

The Bulldogs collected nine hits that also included a single from senior Abiezer Delgado and a double by junior Davis Mieliwocki.

The post Burbank Baseball Takes Care Of Glendale 9-1 appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Among Toys R Us’ 735 locations throughout the country, Burbank will soon lose the toy retailer which declared bankruptcy last month. Several residents who have a nostalgic attachment to the store are sad to see it go.

For many, Toys R Us has provided job opportunities for entry-level positions. As the store goes through the closing process, they continue to look for new employees to hire as cashiers, stock crew, and sales team members.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Luke Meadows, 27, grew up in Burbank and had his first job working for the toy retailer during the Christmas season of 2008.

“I think fondly of my time there. I learned how to work in chaos. Christmas season was understandably intense,” said Meadows. “I remember seeing customers arguing over toys and learning how to handle conflict like that.”

As a child, Meadows would frequent the store to engage with a community of other kids who enjoyed playing Pokemon.

“I feel its bittersweet to see the store go. It’s a place I used to go to Saturday mornings for their Pokémon league as a young child.”

America Burke, 32, grew up with a single mother who worked for the Salvation Army. Every December, they would station in front of Toys R Us to collect donations.

“I was allowed to be with her during the morning shifts and I would help by asking for donations underneath the bright and happy lights of the Toys R Us sign,” said Burke. “My mother would naturally allow me to go inside the store to look at the toys if I promised to behave myself.”

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Coming full circle, Burke visited the store for the first time since childhood and ran into a young girl collecting donations outside for the Salvation Army.

“I proceeded to go inside to purchase a few Christmas presents. When I came out, I walked directly to the little girl and handed her a few toys and treats and said, ‘Merry Christmas!’ and seeing her eyes light up and how happy she looked melted my heart.”

“I got really sad hearing that it would close as I have many more wonderful memories tied to this Toys R Us. I will miss it dearly,” said Burke.

Liquidation sales began March 23.

Burbank’s Toys R Us is located at 683 N. Victory Blvd.

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BTAC Board Chair Nancy Korb, Mayor Will Rogers and BTAC CEO Barbara Howell (Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Temporary Aid Center herded several hundred well-wishers into the Castaway corral last Friday night for its western-themed, annual fundraising gala. Blue jeans and bandannas made their way to the watering holes and otherwise grazed along the aisles of silent auction items and opportunity baskets.  After a spell, emcee Barry Gussow rang the dinner bell.  Good grub was waiting in the Starlight Room, and the spotlights were set to shine on this year’s recipients of BTAC’s “Burbank Top Award for Citizenship,” Mayor Will Rogers and the Burbank Association of Realtors.

Strong community support has allowed BTAC to be a safety net of last resort for those who are homeless (about 1,000 in Burbank at present) or in serious danger of becoming so (over 9,000.)   For over 40 years, organizations like BAOR and folks like Mayor Rogers have enabled BTAC to provide sack lunches, groceries, hygiene kits, showers, clean clothes and utility bill assistance, among other services.  The citizenship award is BTAC’s heartfelt way of saying, “much obliged.”

National Charity League Members (Photo by © Ross A Benson)

The appreciation runs both ways.  “The burden of so many social services has fallen to nonprofits like BTAC.  Thank goodness we have them for the underserved communities,” stated State Senator Anthony Portantino, one of several public officials attending the gala.  Can BTAC be replicated throughout California? “BTAC is a good model for tight-knit communities where people are willing to help each other,” responded State Assembly Member and former Glendale Mayor Laura Friedman.

The “Volunteer Spotlight” segment, featuring the Burbank Chapter of the National Charity League, made clear that Burbank is indeed a community that cares. NCL was represented by Chapter president Cheryl Kisob, Vice president of Philanthropy Teresa Weeden, Class of 2018 Patroness Grade level Advisor Stephanie Yonkee, and Class of 2018 Ticktocker president Elise Jonke.   (There are over 90 Ticktockers in six different grade levels, often functioning within mother-daughter teams.)  Each month a class of NCL hosts a food drive outside of a local grocery store or supermarket to collect non-perishable food and personal hygiene items for BTAC.  Ticktockers see first hand the generosity of the Burbank community.  “It reminded me of the blessings in my own life,” remarked Elise Jonke. NCL members also provide BTAC with hundreds of hygiene kits and lunches each year, for direct distribution to the homeless.

Next came recognition of the citizenship award honorees, BAOR and Mayor Will Rogers.

Burbank Association of Realtors with Cheritta Smith, Chris Rizzotta, Courtney Korb BAOR President and Barbara Howell (Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Both as an organization and as a source of individual volunteers, BAOR had embraced BTAC from the beginning.  “Community service and civic involvement have always been core tenets of our membership,” stated Courtney Korb, BAOR 2018 President.  Through its Community Services Foundation, BAOR gives food drives for BTAC and provides other assistance as needed.  (It has also raised money for local pet adoption services, partnered with Boys&Girls Club, and distinguished itself as the single largest donor of scholarships in Burbank.)  At the gala, Korb presented BTAC with a $5,000 donation. “We are grateful to be able to continue to support all the work of BTAC,” said Korb. “We understand there is always a need for assistance and are so proud of our members’ willingness to jump right in and ask how they can help.”   Joining her on stage were Cheritta Smith, BAOR Association Executive, and Chris Rizzotti, BAOR Community Service Foundation Past-President.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Shortly after joining the BTAC Board of Directors in 2005, Mayor Rogers staged a sold-out, one-man fundraising show for BTAC at the Colony Theatre. He made an impact on BTAC’s day-to-day operations as well, creating a thorough—and long-needed—manual of policies and procedures. He also personally assembled the tribute journal for BTAC’s annual gala. And he chaired BTAC’s annual Santa’s Room event and managed the extensive Santa’s Room inventory.  “If Will said he would do something, it was done, and it was done well,” said BTAC Executive Director Barbara Howell.  As a Board member, Mayor Rogers “was the conscience of BTAC, always asking the difficult questions, pointing the organization towards the best path for our clients,” stated fellow Board member Michael Walbrecht.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

“I told my wife, ‘You look so beautiful in that outfit.’  My only regret is that I didn’t ask where she was going,” quipped Mayor Rogers to the guffawing crowd.  In the tradition of his rope-spinning namesake of the previous century, he continued to regale everyone with self-deprecating humor—although he did cast blame on former Mayor Tim Murphy for getting him interested in BTAC to begin with. No doubt that’s because “in spite of being a sort of cynical person” the sight of BTAC helping people, especially around the holidays, “turns him around every year.”  Perhaps having in mind the many young people who have done volunteer work for BTAC (like the Ticktockers), Mayor Rogers went on to observe that, whatever criticisms may be leveled at the millennials and post-millennials, “we have some really spectacular kids, at least in and around Burbank.”

Cynical or not, Will Roger forged a path from muckraking journalist to the mayor that was marked by a willingness to tackle problems and not merely decry them.  And this was especially evident in his activities on behalf of BTAC and the people they serve.

At the conclusion of the event, Barbara Howell acknowledged her staff and volunteers. Then came a sobering statistic: There are some 10,000 people in Burbank (about 3,000 families) who are struggling to not be homeless.  A woman who was about to be evicted contacted various organizations “and they told her to come back when she is homeless,” related Howell.  In contrast, BTAC helped 20 people not to be evicted last year; usually, it was by paying the utility bills and donating food, freeing the family budget to cover the rent.

Over 60% of Americans do not have enough savings to cover a $1,000 emergency room visit or car repair. That’s a disturbing level of financial vulnerability. Is our economy turning into a bone-dry forest, where any spark of trouble causes huge swaths of family fortunes to go up in flames?  In Burbank there is, so to speak, at least one fire extinguisher on hand.  Howell ended by quoting Jimmy Stewart from her favorite western, Shenandoah:  “If you don’t try you don’t do, and if you don’t do, you wonder why you’re here.”

Click on any picture to enlarge it.

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Over the past week, the new Target Express held a ribbon cutting and soft opening of its 100th store, located 1033 N. Hollywood Way. The official grand opening was on Sunday, April 8. That same day, Target officials also opened an Express store in Koreatown.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

The new Target Express in Burbank is approximately 27,000 square feet and houses a small food section, a CVS Pharmacy, household goods, some personal clothing and cosmetics.  Jon Lamirault, the new store’s manager, said he looks forward to serving the neighborhood with the smaller store.

The smaller store has 38 parking space and employees are parking off-site at leased spaces the City owns near Magnolia and Maples Streets. The lot has some bike racks now and more are scheduled to be installed.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Customers will be able to pick up web ordered packages at the location and they have the option of regular checkout stands or self-serve check out. The first paying customer of the store was Karen Volpe – Gussow, a local realtor and Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.

Here is a photo gallery from the ribbon cutting and the festivities that took place at Tuesday’s soft opening.

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Author Michael Benson gives an illustrated presentation about the making of 2001: A Space Odyssey on Tuesday, April 10, at the Buena Vista branch of the Burbank Public Library. He will be joined by visual effects artist Bruce Logan, special effects supervisor Con Pederson and actor Dan Richter, who all worked with director Stanley Kubrick on the film 50 years ago.

Author Michael Benson appears at the Buena Vista branch of the Burbank Public Library on Tuesday, April 10. (Photo Courtesy Simon & Schuster)

Benson’s new book, Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece, examines the making of the seminal sci-fi film.

“There are other books that have discussed the making of a major motion picture, most often they focus on the production phase of a film, although I can’t recall that many that have done this with the remarkable degree of research and detail of Space Odyssey,” commented Librarian Hubert Kozak who booked the event.

“What seems to me very rare among these kinds of narratives, however, and what I value most in this book, is that Michael Benson has been able to follow the making of 2001: A Space Odyssey from the very inception of the idea for the film—in all its permutations—traced here in his account of the discussions and creative collaboration between Arthur Clarke and Stanley Kubrick.”

“Benson’s book is more than just the account of the making of a great movie, told in a line from beginning to end, it gives us as well the sense through Benson’s choice of quotations and his keen eye for expressive actions, that we are coming to know the film’s director intimately, his imagination, the reach of his ambition, his will and obsession and the scope of his accomplishment,” added Kozak.

Image Courtesy Simon & Schuster

“It may at first seem incidental, but as you read along you understand that this book is not only the story about how an iconic movie was made but also a deftly drawn and affecting portrait of its director.”

For the program, Benson will display “some wonderful behind the scenes images from the set of the movie and of the major cast and crew involved in making the film which have never been published before,” explained Kozak.

“2001: A Space Odyssey appeared in 1968, and for many in my generation it did nothing short of opening up the expanse of the cosmos to our imagination,” Kozak also said.

“It appeared at a time we were just venturing beyond the earth, hoping to land a man on the moon before the end of the decade, and it seemed to promise us both amazement and peril. It felt like the times we were living in, and it remains a touchstone of the years we came of age.”

The event begins at 7:00 p.m. Afterwards, Benson will sign books, which will be available for purchase on site. The program is free to the public and free parking is available. The Buena Vista branch of the Burbank Public Library is located at 300 N. Buena Vista Street in Burbank.

Image Courtesy Burbank Public Library

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On April 20 and 21, arena polo will return to the Equidome at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center for the first time since 1989, presented by the Will Rogers Polo Club.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Attendees are encouraged to wear their best to the free admission event which will feature a cash bar, live music, and some of LA’s most popular food trucks.

“The Los Angeles Equidome Invitational” will feature the Sherman Memorial 3–6 Goal and the Arena Amateur Cup 0–3 Goal. Eight Southern California polo teams will go up against each other to win coveted USPA championship titles for the first of many tournaments to come.

From 1983 to 1989, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center was home to professional arena polo and featured the LA Stars and LA Colts, along with top ten goal players such as Captain Tom Goodspeed, “Smokin” Joe Henderson, and the “Hawaiian Hurricane” Ronnie Tong.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

During arena polo’s peak popularity in the 80s, Equidome events would attract celebrities, polo enthusiasts, and equestrians from all over the country.

Preliminary rounds for the Los Angeles Equidome Invitational will take place on Friday, April 20 at 6:00 p.m. and final rounds will kick off on Saturday, April 21 at 10:00 a.m. at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, located on 480 W. Riverside Dr.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and tournaments start at 7:00 p.m.

For additional information, contact the LA Equidome at 818-840-9063 or visit their website at LA-EquestrianCenter.com

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

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Presley Miraglia made her seasonal debut in the circle for the Burroughs High softball team a memorable one.

The senior right-hander handcuffed Arcadia 3-2 in a Pacific League match at Olive Park on Tuesday and also escaped a tricky seventh inning when the Apaches had the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position.

With one out, Miraglia induced junior Dejah Westbrook to bounce back to the box and senior Susan Harrison then popped up for the final out.

Presley Miraglia, shown in a game against Burbank, made her seasonal debut a success with a 3-2 win over visiting Arcadia. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

In that frame, freshman Caitlyn Shen led off with an infield single.

Junior Leah Silva’s sacrifice bunt moved Shen to second base and a throwing error saw Shen dash to third base.

When freshman Averi Wong (two hits) singled to right field, the Indians’ lead was sliced to 3-2.

Miraglia, who missed the early portion of the schedule because of grades, was able to successfully raise her grade-point average and became eligible last week.

“I wasn’t really nervous today. I was just really excited to be back,” Miraglia said. “I came back just thinking, okay, I’m just going to be here for the team.”

Miraglia was asked if she gave much thought to the seventh inning? “I try not to think about that,” she said. “I’m just focusing on the batter.”

On Tuesday, Miraglia ventured seven innings, surrendering seven hits, striking out eight, walking one and hitting a batter.

“[Pres]ley coming back out, that’s just a help for everybody,” Burroughs coach Wes Tanigawa said of his ace hurler who has been offered a softball scholarship to Long Beach State. “She came through with her timely pitches and got key outs when we really needed them.”

Tanigawa added: “That was the big thing. They were making hits,” he said. “They were good hits and one bad pitch. All it’s going to take was one good hit.”

Presley Miraglia, shown in a CIF Southern Section playoff game from last year, wiggled out of a seventh-inning jam when the Apaches had the tying and go-ahead runners in scoring position. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Indians (5-3-1 and 4-1 in league) struck early against freshman Sophia Garzona, who allowed seven hits, one walk, one strikeout and one hit batter across six innings.

Senior Hannah Talavera reached base on an infield hit and junior Mia Storer lined a single to left field.

Miraglia popped up for the initial out, but sophomore Chloe Bookmyer singled to right center as Talavera scored to make it 1-0 in the first inning.

Senior Jessica Amaya then laced a single to center field as Storer crossed the plate for a 2-0 edge.

In the second inning, the lead swelled to 3-0 as sophomore Memorie Munoz walked with one out.

After Talavera bounced to second base for the second out, Storer’s two-base hit to left field scored Munoz.

The Apaches (5-7 and 2-3 in league) finally found the scoreboard in the sixth inning as Westbrook led off with a single to right center.

When Harrison flied to right field, senior Nicole Puente (three hits) followed with a double to left field that made it 3-1.

“Play with heart and be competitive and stay in the game,” Arcadia coach Richard Klumpp said of his team motto.

Klumpp was more than satisfied with his young pitcher. “She battled. She’s playing with the big girls. I just give her 100 percent support,” he said. “I’m really proud of her. She’s the heartbeat of the team.”

Miraglia had five strikeouts through three innings and worked a perfect first inning that included striking out Wong.

Miraglia faced four batters in the second as Puente singled to left with one out, but then fanned junior Karly Gillis and junior Helena Simpson.

Miraglia saw five batters in the third frame, striking out Garzona and junior Leah Silva.

In the fourth inning, Miraglia hit leadoff hitter Harrison and gave up a base hit to Puente, but retired Gillis on a pop up, Simpson on a grounder and struck out Garzona.

Miraglia went 1-2-3 in the fifth inning as Silva struck out looking, Lau popped up and Wong grounded out.

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This weekend go to the Grove Theater Center, sit down for a spell and get ready to laugh your d-e-r-r-i-e-r-e off. Domino One’s production of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee offers an evening of great musical comedy with high energy and hilarious improv. The singing ranges from the comedic to the lyrical, with Lisa Dyson in particularly fine voice.

Spelling Bee takes place in a middle school somewhere in small town America. Competing in the Bee are several eccentric early adolescents: a multilingual overachiever (played by Charlene Kim), a caped underachiever (Jacob Krech) if you believe his family, a boy scout (Sam Bixby) with surging…hormones…, an angst-ridden teen (Christine Martini) contending with two dads, another teen (Amanda Charney) hoping her dad will show up, and a geek (David Gallic) who gives a whole new meaning to the “poetic foot.”

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” cast includes Lisa Dyson, Michael Shaughnessy (back), Charlene Kim, David Gallic, Sam Bixby, Amanda Charney, Jacob Krech, Jason Mulero (back), Christine Martini
​(Photos by Lauren Meyering, Courtesy Domino One Productions)

The trio of quirky adults include the streetwise guy (Jason Mulero) doing community service, the droll vice-principal (Michael John Shaughnessy) every bit as nuts as the V.P.’s we remember, and the Queen Bee impressaria (Lisa Dyson) reliving former days of spelling glory.

By pre-show arrangement, four brave audience members join the cast to compete in the Bee, amping up the improv and the laughs. Should you volunteer, be prepared to spell anything from “he” to “heterogeneous.”

“Domino One Productions focuses on shows that are small and actor heavy,” states Producer/Director Taylor Wesselman. So often “the actors do double duty” (as in Spelling Bee’s scenes involving the contestants’ parents.) Wesselman also points out that improv is a huge component to Spelling Bee, with the actors having to “stay on their toes to react and play with the audience volunteers.” The improv also meshes well with Domino One Productions’ focus on “relatively new works or re-imagined old classics.”

left to right (Ellie Oliver, Jacob Krech, Christine Martini (top), David Gallic (bottom) Sam Bixby, Charlene Kim spell laughter at the Grove Theater this weekend. ​(Photos by Lauren Meyering, Courtesy Domino One Productions)

Do spelling bees have any relevance in today’s era of spell check? Well for one thing, preparing for a bee is more than memorizing sequences of letters. It’s closer to a linguistics course: learning about word origins, multiple meanings, suffixes, prefixes, roots and pronunciation.   It’s no accident that one of the most formidable contestants in Spelling Bee knew multiple languages. Spelling Bee is a humorous reminder that we humans are not prepared to surrender all of our capacities to the machine. It’s too much fun to exercise them.

The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs through April 15 at the Grove Theater Center, 1111 W. olive Ave, Burbank 91506. General admission is $25; students or seniors, $15. For tickets, please visit dominoneproductions.com.

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The Burbank Arts for All Foundation seventh annual gala, Party for the Arts, celebrates three leaders of arts education support on Friday evening, April 20, at The Globe Theatre at Universal Studios Hollywood.

The Party for the Arts Gala proceeds will directly benefit the Foundation’s support of Burbank Unified School District efforts to provide arts education to every Burbank public school student.

NBCUniversal will receive the Patron of the Arts Award, John Burroughs High School theater teacher and Drama Department head Guy Myers will be presented with the Arts for All Educator Award and volunteers Penny and Michael Zambrano will be honored with the Champion of the Arts Award.

Peggy and Michael Zambrano dancie at 2016 Party for the Arts Gala. (Photo Courtesy Burbank Arts For All Foundation)

“Being a good neighbor is part of the DNA of NBCUniversal,” commented NBCUniversal Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Tracey Cohen.

“We believe it’s not just about moving our business forward; it’s also about moving people forward and giving back. We are proud to support Burbank Arts for All Foundation and help them fulfill their mission to have every child in Burbank receive a quality arts education.”

“Michael and I are humbled to receive the Champion for the Arts Award,” said Penny Zambrano. “We believe that when you volunteer you get back more than you give. We encourage more people of Burbank to get involved in the schools.”

 “Receiving an honor like this for something I love doing and that brings me so much joy is truly one of those over the moon moments,” commented Myers. “I am so fortunate to teach passionate and talented students who give it their all and to be supported by dedicated parent and community volunteers who help make it happen.”

Burroughs High Drama teacher Guy Myers and students shown here at the 2017 CETA Awards. (Photo Courtesy Burbank Arts For All Foundation)

“Burbank Arts for All Foundation has been there with us on this journey from the very beginning, making sure that we had the funds necessary to make our productions top notch. When I look back on all of the shows and the wonderful successes we have had, I don’t even see the work anymore, I just see the love.”

Fritz Coleman, NBC4 Southern California Weathercaster, will reprise his role as Master of Ceremonies for the gala. Hosted cocktails, a silent auction and live entertainment will also be part of the festivities.

Sponsorships and tickets are still available for the event. For more information on attending or supporting the Party for the Arts Gala, visit the Foundation’s website here.

“Burbank Arts for All Foundation is thrilled to host a very fun evening at our Party for the Arts Gala, while raising critical funding to support our mission,” commented Foundation Executive Director Trena Pitchford. “We believe the arts are transformative for kids.”

“Not just the students who elect to study choir or music or dance, but also the students in a geometry or science class, English language learners, and students at BUSD’s alternative learning campuses.”

“We very much appreciate the support of the Burbank community and remain committed to furthering creativity in the classroom for the thousands of kids in Burbank Unified.”

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