Letter to the Editor

As of the close of business on June 30, 2019, Tony’s Bella Vista has closed its doors for good.

To our family, friends and loyal customers, please know this was not an easy decision after 32 years, but the time has come for change.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

We wish we could have welcomed each of you into our family establishment one last time, to show you how truly grateful we are for your patronage over the years.

Please know that we remain deeply committed to this amazing community, as we have been blessed to call it home for four generations.

With Gratitude,

Tony’s Bella Vista Ristorante

The post Tony’s Bella Vista Thanks The Community For Thirty Two Great Years appeared first on myBurbank.com.

From the City Clerk’s Office:

City Treasurer Appointment Process

Burbank, CA (July 1, 2019) – On June 26, 2019, the Burbank City Council established the timeline to fill the City Treasurer seat vacated by the recent resignation of City Treasurer Debbie Kukta, effective August 2, 2019. The vacated term currently expires on November 8, 2022. Under the California Government Code § 36512, the City Council has 60 days from the occurrence of the vacancy to fill the City Treasurer seat for a total of 16 months, until December 14, 2020.

The following dates were established by the City Council to execute the appointment process.

• Deadline to receive applications Friday, July 26, 2019, at 5:00 p.m.: Applications must be received by the City Clerk’s Office via email, mail or personal delivery (No Postmark and No Exceptions for late submittals)
• Monday, August 5, 2019, at 5:00 p.m.: City Council Special Meeting – Applicants Brief Presentations and Interviews of the candidates by the City Council in the City Council Chambers, 275 E. Olive Avenue, Second Floor; selection of new City Treasurer unless continuation of interviews is needed
• Monday, August 12, 2019, at 5:00 p.m.: City Council Special Meeting – Continuation of interviews if needed; selection of new City Treasurer in the Community Services Building, Room 104 City Council Chambers, 275 E. Olive Avenue, Second Floor
• Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at 6:00 p.m.: Formal swearing in of the new City Treasurer during City Council meeting in City Council Chambers

Qualifications for Candidates:

1. Must be a Burbank resident for at least 29 days prior to applying for position.
2. Must be a registered voter within the City of Burbank at the time the application is issued.

Applications will be available online at www.burbankca.gov/vacancy and in the City Clerk’s Office located in City Hall at 275 E. Olive Avenue, First Floor, Burbank, CA 91502.

Beginning at the Special Meeting scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2019, at 5:00 p.m., each qualified applicant will be asked to make a brief presentation to the City Council. The applicants will be interviewed by the City Council regarding their presentation or application. Should additional time be needed to complete the interviews, the City Council may elect to continue the interviews on Monday, August 12, 2019, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

The order in which the applicants will be interviewed will be determined by a random draw conducted by the City Clerk of the applicants’ names prior to the meeting.

The position is full-time with compensation of $157,637 annually plus benefits. Those applying are encouraged to set up individuals meetings with existing Council Members by calling (818) 238-5751. For additional information and questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (818) 238-5851 or by email at cityclerks@burbankca.gov.

The post Search Is On for New City Treasurer – Apply Now appeared first on myBurbank.com.

In the very first snap of his professional career, former NFL player Chris McCain blocked a punt while he was playing special teams. Moments later in the same game between the Dolphins and Patriots, he lined up on the defensive side of the ball and sacked Tom Brady.

“It was an out-of-body experience,” said McCain. 

Chris McCain

McCain, a speedy pass-rusher who played the LEO position for four years in the league with the Dolphins, Saints and Chargers, will now bring his 6-foot 5-inch, 205-pound body inside the Lights Out Xtreme Fighting cage when he makes his MMA debut July 6 during LXF 2.

“Being in the NFL was pretty stressful and depressing for me,” said McCain. “Even though I had some success, it was the lowest years of my life. I didn’t want to play football anymore. I wasn’t in love with the sport. I felt like I was on a leash. 

“I always found my outlet and happiness when I was training MMA. I’ve been an MMA fan for a long time, and now I’ve found my new career in fighting, and I couldn’t be happier.”

The North Carolina-native showed brief flashes of playmaking ability during his limited time in the league despite low snap counts. He tallied seven sacks and three forced fumbles in 35 games as a situational pass-rusher. His best year was his last in the NFL with the Chargers when he racked up 5.5 sacks in 2017.

McCain officially moved on from football last year after the Colts placed him on injured reserve with an ankle injury days before the regular season started. He was also dealing with charges for two counts of misdemeanor battery stemming from an incident in January 2018. McCain allegedly spit and grabbed a victim’s neck while he says he was defending his then-fiancée who was pregnant at the time from an altercation with other people. He ended up serving seven days in jail last year. 

“The last year has been hell for me. Being in jail was a wake-up call,” said McCain, who used his platform on social media to document his community labor in hopes of others learning from his shortcomings. “Jail allowed for me to find myself. I started expressing myself more on paper, wrote music for an EP I released and realized my second chance. I feel like I have found my happy place now.”

McCain said he’s been fighting his entire life to earn his keep, and it will be no different with MMA. His promising college football career at Cal came to a sudden stop in 2013 when he was kicked off the team for detrimental conduct one day after speaking up and questioning then-coach Sonny Dykes for not being upset enough after a 39-point defeat to Oregon.

Despite finishing his collegiate career with 90 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and five sacks in 24 games (18 starts), the former Cal standout went undrafted due to perceived red flags.

“All I’ve ever had to do is prove myself,” said McCain. “But now, the same reason why I wanted to make money playing football, I can do so with MMA. It’s just me and nobody else. I like the pressure of one-on-one combat. It’s a great outlet. I love to train MMA—even more so than the NFL.”

McCain’s passion for MMA kicked into second gear in 2014 when he was playing for the Dolphins. He trained in the Afro-Brazilian martial art capoeira to improve his spin moves and the mobility of his hips as he was constantly adding and dropping weight to better suit the demands of pass-rushing assignments at the linebacker and defensive end positions. During his stint in Los Angeles, he met Chargers legend and LXF co-founder Shawne Merriman, who extended an invite to McCain whenever he was ready to take the sport more seriously. 

Once football was officially out of the picture, McCain utilized the training services and tutelage of former MMA fighter Antonio McKee (29-6-2) at The Bodyshop in Lakewood, California. Together, they’re now looking to leverage McCain’s long, lanky limbs and speed similar to the likes of Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya. McCain and McKee have been conditioning in recent months to build stamina and endurance as they graduate from amateur fights, where each round is two minutes, to the professional ranks of five minutes each.

“I’m a striker, and I’m still understanding all of the power that I possess. My technique is getting better, and my speed has equated to better power,” said McCain. “I can definitely see MMA growing to be an outlet for NFL players, especially for those who want to get nasty and get their hands dirty. It really depends on who you are as a person. Not everyone is built for it.”

McCain’s aggressive demeanor can perhaps be traced back to his bloodlines—he is a third cousin of Mike Tyson.

“My intention is to demolish and break something in my opponent’s body every time I fight,” said McCain, who will be fighting 30 pounds less than his NFL playing days. “This is my new professional career, and I still have a lot of time to whoop some ass.”

As confrontational as McCain may seem, he also has a well-documented soft spot. The first job he ever worked was at a daycare making $5 a day, and his love for children carried over to the gridiron, as he became known for scanning the stands in search of a young fan to invite onto the football field. About 90 minutes before every home and road game of his career, McCain would take kids around the field for a walk and chaperone them to their favorite players.

“My walks were all about the kids,” McCain said, who has a son and daughter himself. “I would make sure they met their favorite players. It was a way of giving back and offering an experience I never had growing up. It actually allowed for me to get my mind right for the game, too.”

McCain would emphasize to the children during his walks that without a proper education, their dreams of shining on the big stage would be difficult to materialize.

He now looks to accomplish much different dreams of his own and shine under an entirely new set of lights for the second act of his career.

“As raw as I am, I’m still young,” said the 27-year-old McCain. “I have a lot of time to get it right and progress. The first fight will set the tone for what’s to come. I see myself fighting in MMA for the next 10 years.”

Tickets for LXF 2 can be purchased beginning at $65 online at LightsOutXF.com or at the Burbank Marriott Events Center box office during fight night. VIP Dinner and Bottle Service Tables are also available.

Doors open at 6 p.m. PST, and the first bout will take place at 7 p.m. PST. All bouts are subject to change.

For more information, news and developments, visit www.LightsOutXF.com, and follow along online on the following LXF platforms—Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the LXF Newsletter.

The post Former NFL Player Chris McCain Makes MMA Debut Inside The LXF Cage appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Society is battling many social problems that have become front and center such as the homeless problem and the battle that many have with opioids. Both are important issues but a large issue floating under the radar is teenage vaping and the use of e-cigarettes.

Photo by ShutterStock

Last week, Burbank officials started their campaign to educate and hopefully stem the use of e-cigarettes and vaping among our younger population.  The campaign is a result of a grant that the Community Development Department in the City of Burbank received in 2018. The Building & Safety division oversees administration of the grant.

According to Carol-Ann Coates, Building Administration Manager for the City of Burbank, “The California Department of Justice awarded the City the $104,335 grant in 2018 to support the City’s efforts toward combating the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors. The City applied for this grant because it aligns with goals to educate the community on the dangers of tobacco use by youth and to combat the illegal sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors.”

“The City has several program initiatives that will be carried out.  During the two-year term of the grant, the Police Department (PD) will conduct two Shoulder Tap and two Decoy operations.”

Burbank Police Sergeant Derek Green said that the department will be overseeing the decoy operation.

“New laws are focused more on cracking down on retailers selling/furnishing tobacco to people under 21, in hopes of stopping at the source the growing epidemic of tobacco use by our youth,” explained Green. “Anyone who furnishes a minor/person under 21 with tobacco products could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor in addition to other penalties.”

“Vaping and the use of nicotine falls under new tobacco laws effective in 2016, which raises the age to 21 to purchase tobacco products, including vaping cartridges. The only exception is active U.S. Military, which is 18 years of age,” according to Green.

Vaping or -cigarettes take on so many different looks

While selling the products to anyone under 21 has severe consequences for retailers, there is not much teeth for the police when it comes to possession of e-cigarettes, vapers, cartridges or just lighters and regular cigarettes. Police officers have their hands tied to a point about enforcement.

When asked if a police officer can confiscate any items from a minor if they are in possession, Green stated, “Mere possession of a vaping device (without cartridge) is not illegal. Tobacco products in possession of a minor could be confiscated by officers as evidence, depending on the circumstances.”

It would be up to the City to come up with an ordinance to assist police.

Beverly Hills is trying to stem the problem by outright banning all tobacco products, not just those in possession of minors. This does not mean minors can not possess products or smoking is illegal by adults but it makes it harder to get tobacco products unless they drive to a different city.

Burbank City Councilmember Jess Talamantes is a strong supporter of limiting Burbank’s youth from vaping and smoking in general. “The state has recognized that there is a problem, by first classifying e-cigarettes as tobacco products and than raising the legal age to 21, they are on the right track.”

“The Beverly Hills city council went one step further by banning the sale of almost all tobacco products within city limits. At this point, I’m not certain that a total ban is right for Burbank, but I would like to meet with our City Attorney, Police Chief, Chamber of Commerce and PTA Council to identify the potential benefits and pitfalls of such an ordinance for Burbank.”

Of course he also recognizes that you can draft all the laws and ordinances that you want, but then they will need to be enforced, which will take additional manpower and resources.

“Let’s not forget a vital aspect of the existing laws and any future ordinances In Burbank, is enforcement! I have no doubt that Burbank P.D. is ready to enforce the laws already in place and any potential ordinance in the future, but we have to make sure the PD staffing levels will allow for it,” Talamantes added. “After all, as the Beverly Hills city council said ‘that any potential revenue lost by local businesses is outweighed by the public health benefits.'”

There is already an ordinance in Burbank banning any type of smoking, including vaping, in the Burbank Downtown area. Police are responsible for enforcement.

“Under Business & Professions Codes, vaping falls under California’s Smoke Free Laws and makes vaping illegal anywhere that smoking is prohibited. Under our local smoking ordinances in Burbank (e.g., Downtown Burbank no-smoking), vaping would be prohibited as well,” according to Green.

According to Coates, another part of the grant allowed the City and Burbank Police Department to work together on an educational campaign, “Our Police Department and our Public Information Office (PIO) recently released an educational video on social media targeted to youth and retailers on the dangers and illegality of purchasing e-cigarettes. Community Development is working with PD and PIO on outreach and licensing of tobacco retailers. The City Attorney Office provides legal support as necessary.”

In the video, Know the Risks – E-Cigarettes & Youth, which features Green discussing e-cigarettes and vaping, he states that according to the National Youth Tobacco survey in 2018 tobacco use is up 78% among high school students. He also said that 21% of high school students are using e-cigarettes regularly as well as 5% of middle school students.  No mention was made of elementary students but no doubt as younger kids see their older siblings using vapers, they will follow.

With one vape pod equaling the same amount on nicotine as a pack of traditional cigarettes, it is important to not only work on enforcement, but on the education.

Dr. Matt Hill, Superintendent Burbank Unified School District, is also quite concerned about this epidemic overtaking the youth of this country, “The BUSD takes this epidemic seriously. We are working closely with students, parents, the City, BPD, and the community to educate individuals about the harms of vaping. We all need to work together to protect our youth. On July 18, 2019, the BUSD will be discussing this topic at their Board meeting.”

They can not just come out with a blanket uniform education or enforcement because students range from 5 to 19 years old so many factors need to be taken into consideration. When it comes to discipline, Dr. Hill reiterated, “Regarding discipline  – it depends on the situation (possessing, using, how many times, etc.) The discipline can range from suspension, to in school suspension, Saturday school, parent conference, etc.”

Obtaining the grant the City is using is only a first step to helping parents in this fight.

It is up to parents to monitor their kids. Vaping is not only done by fringe students, but some of the best and smartest. By having so many flavors available, it has become a social thing for kids to try different flavors and share with their friends. Vaping instruments have also been designed to sometimes look like computer jump drives and other routine items.

Parents need to be on the lookout not only for these devices, but also their children’s spending habits. Some of these cartridges can run $30 and $40 dollars each besides the delivery system, the e-cigarette, which can also be expensive.

It is going to be up to the Burbank City Council down the line when it comes to the laws and how they will be enforced. At this point most of the laws only really apply to the retailer or supplier of the tobacco products and not the user, no matter the age. While the grant was a great first step, “one of the program initiatives is to evaluate our existing regulations and policies. The results of that study will be presented to Council in the future. The subject of smoking and vaping by minors is a concern to the City,” said Coates.

Talamantes put it best when he said, “The health and well-being of Burbank residents and more importantly our youth, is a priority for this Councilmember!”

_________     ____________     ___________

Editor’s Notes:
Here is a link to the tobacco law amendment voted in during 2016.

Here is the video produced by the City and the Burbank Police Department. PLEASE watch it, watch it twice, talk to your kids. This will only get worse unless everyone takes a stance to make it better!

The post City Launches Campaign On Youth Vaping appeared first on myBurbank.com.

After what police call a violent attack, a man believed to be from the San Bernardino was arrested Monday afternoon after an attack against an unsuspecting  victim.

The attack took place on Monday, July 1, around 1:50 PM in the afternoon in the 1400 block of N. San Fernando Blvd.

When police arrived on scene several witnesses pointed out a man who had attacked a woman who had suffered a head trauma in an alley at the rear of an office building. Paramedics were called to assist the woman while police went to look for the suspect who was eventually found in the area of Amherst Drive and Broadway Avenue where he was taken into custody.

According to witnesses, the man identified as Hector Manuel Ulloa, 51, had been hiding and was waiting for the victim to walk by when he attacked her, kicking and punching the woman numerous times before fling.

Ulloa was already on parole for assault. Police booked him for attempted murder and he is currently being held without bail. Although the assault appears to be completely random, detectives are still investigating a possible motive for the attack.

Paramedics transported the 63-year-old woman to a trauma center where she is currently listed in critical condition.

The post Police Arrest Transient After Violent Attack appeared first on myBurbank.com.

With the upcoming release of the Netflix original show, Stranger Things 3, on July 4th, Baskin Robbins Ice Cream has teamed up with the show to create signature treats and have even turned the Burbank Baskin Robbins into a replica of Scoops Ahoy, the ice cream shop that Steve Harrington works at inside the Starcourt Mall of season 3.

The location on 1201 S Victory in Burbank has been transformed into Scoops Ahoy, a nautical themed ice cream shop, where the walls are striped with blue and white, the doors showcase wood planks and portholes, employees are decked head to toe in sailor outfits, and the signs look exactly how they would have been over 30 years ago. You can now experience Scoops Ahoy just like the Hawkins gang would have in 1985.

The signature treats can be found at any Baskin Robbins now through July 16th.  Try the U.S.S. Butterscotch, which is the new flavor of the month and Steve’s favorite in the show, featuring butterscotch ice cream, butterscotch pieces, and a toffee flavored ribbon.

Other treats are the U.S.S. Butterscotch sundae, the Elevenade Freeze which will give you more of a brain freeze than a nose bleed, and the Byer’s House Lights, made with a chocolate chip cookie crust and Snickers Bars Ice cream and topped with strings of fudge and M&Ms to replicate the hanging Christmas lights at the Byer’s house which Will communicated to his mother with from the Upside Down. If you’re really feeling strange you can ask for an Upside Down Sundae and receive all your toppings on the bottom of the bowl.

So sail on down to Baskin Robbins and try all the signature Stranger Things treats before they disappear into the Upside Down on July 16th, and don’t forget to visit the Scoops Ahoy pop up shop at 1201 S Victory Blvd in Burbank.

The post Stranger Things are taking over Baskin Robbins appeared first on myBurbank.com.

The July 4 show at the Starlight Bowl featured musical act Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, followed by a spectacular fireworks show that didn’t disappoint anyone in attendance this year.

The grass area, which sold out weeks ago, was filled with families with picnic baskets and kids of all ages running around. At 9:00 p.m., the lights dimmed and the fireworks show began.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy played earlier in the evening as the sun was setting. Then, the DJ gave some general safety messages, the lights dimmed and the crowd was ready for the spectacular fireworks show.

Here is a photo gallery from July 4th at the Starlight Bowl.

The post Starlight Bowl Celebrates July 4 With Capacity Crowd appeared first on myBurbank.com.

International friendlies are not the norm for high school soccer teams.

But the Burroughs High boys’ soccer team got to experience that and a whole lot more Friday night when the Indians won 4-0 over the Under-16 side Palmira, Colombia side that competes under the flagship of professional soccer club America de Cali.

The game was halted with about 15 minutes left when the 7.1 magnitude earthquake centered near Ridgecrest scared many in the stands at Memorial Field.

“We didn’t feel anything. We just saw everyone in the bleachers and on the bench say stop, stop, stop,” Burroughs’ David Gerlach said.

One of the players from the Palmira side said he too wasn’t aware at first.

“I was running and everyone was yelling and we were like ‘What happened,’” Nicolas Blandon said in Spanish.  “People in the stands were yelling and the lights were moving.”

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

Blandon praised Burroughs for its play.

“They are a good physical team and they run a lot,” Blandon said. “We thought it would be more passive, but instead it was much quicker.”

Burroughs coach Mike Kodama, who was able to organize bringing the Colombian side to Los Angeles through his business connections, was glad to see his team play as well as they did, especially since two key returners in All-CIF forward Manny Gonzalez and center back Carter Wells with were both unavailable.

“I was very happy with how we played. A chance at an international game is one of those things you always wish for. It was a great experience for all of the boys,” Kodama said.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

Burroughs got a fine game from junior Elias Galaviz, who scored two goals. Seniors Carlos Rosales and David Gerlach, who are both four-year varsity players, had the other two goals.

“I think we’re doing pretty (well), but we don’t want to get too confident,” Rosales said.
The Colombian side came close to finding the back of the net two minutes into the second half when a shot by Jose Moreno hit the top crossbar.

Fortunately, Burroughs was well in front when the earth began to shake, and given the sizable advantage made it easier to end the game early.

“The safety issue came first. I don’t think there was any choice in the matter,” Kodama said.

The post Burroughs Boys Soccer Looks Sharp Against Colombian Side appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Former Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Chris McCain made his amateur MMA debut Saturday night in a Lights Out Xtreme Fighting card at the Burbank Marriott Events Center.
The 6-foot-5, McCain was clearly the more fit of the two fighters and he knocked out Oxnard’s Jared Harris at the 38 second mark of the second round.

“I didn’t think I was going to knock him out with a kick. I thought I was going to punch him. In the first round when I kicked and got on top of him, I thought the ref was going to stop it so I kind of threw all the power I had for a little bit,” said McCain, who weighed in at 221 pounds, and last played for the Chargers in 2017.

Former Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Chris McCain gets ready to enter the ring.

The card continued with a number of professional bouts.
Perhaps the most impressive of the professionals was Glendale’s Alfred Khashakyan, competing at 142 pounds, knocked out Keith Carson of San Bernardino at 3:13 of the first round

“I punch really hard. If I catch him a couple of times, I’m going to knock him out. He tried to wrestle me at first but he didn’t know I was prepared for wrestling too,” Khashakyan said. “I put him on the ground and put his lights out. If you’re a fighter, you have to be ready for everything. I was ready for everything tonight.”

Khashakyan improved to 10-4 with the victory.

In other bouts, Julian Baez won a unanimous decision featherweight contest over Roberto Romero.Gilbert Nakatani of Covina, competing at 131 pounds, won his pro debut over Glendale’s Mykola Aivazian with a second-round tap out.

Jared Papazian (left) takes on A.J. Bryant.

Blake Bilder, competing at 145 pounds, won a unanimous decision over Derion Chapman.

Alex Trinidad, competing at 151 pounds, earned a unanimous decision over Brian Del Rosario.

North Hollywood’s Sergio Perez celebrates his victory over Taylor Alfaro.

North Hollywood’s Sergio Perez, competing at 141 pounds, stopped Taylor Alfaro at the 34 second mark  of the third round with an arm bar.

AJ Bryant knocked out Jared Papazian in a featherweight title fight at the 2:42 mark of the second round.

Chad George, who was competing in his final career fight, stopped Hector Valenzuela at the 4:01 mark of the second round, as Valenzuela tapped out.

The post Lights Out XTreme Fighting a Big Hit in Burbank appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Chad George has been fighting his entire life, and as a mixed martial artist specifically for the last 15 years. On July 6, he’s scheduled to fight for 15 more minutes as the veteran Southern California fan favorite will mark the end of his crowd-pleasing career with a farewell fight during LXF 2. 

The 37-year-old George has compiled a 17-8 record and has competed for the likes of Bellator and WEC. He will be stepping into the cage for the last time ever as a pro against Hector Valenzuela (6-11).

Chad George

The Jewish-Italian George, born in Sacramento, has come a long way since being bullied throughout his childhood and twice being homeless. Martial arts and MMA changed his life, and in retirement, he’s looking forward to taking on the next chapter of his life and using the sport to help others. 

“My career as an MMA fighter has been nothing short of the Cinderella story,” said George. “I’ve had every single up and down that you can think of, and I would change absolutely nothing about it. Those were just building blocks for who I was supposed to be. Easily the biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome is myself. I had low self confidence and never gave myself enough credit. Today, fighting has given me the power to overcome all of that. To believe in myself and have the tools to empower others to do the same.”

George, a jiu-jitsu and boxing specialist, said he ultimately wants to leave a lasting legacy so that people can believe in themselves. He will continue doing that by helping lead the next generation of fighters through the Gardena, Calif.-based gym that he’s owned and operated for the last five years. He will be sharing the tricks of the trade and wisdom in a big-brother role moving forward at the California Mixed Martial Arts (CMMA).

“Fighting has given me a platform to teach others to ‘fight’ for whatever they want in life,” he said. “It’s time to pass the torch. Fighting is selfish. It’s time to be more selfless.” 

George is also satisfied that he’ll get to put on his gloves one last time in Los Angeles, a place where his career first started back when MMA was first initially sanctioned in the state. 

“It’s only fitting to end a legacy where I started and with the best promotion in my city with Lights Out Xtreme Fighting,” said George.Should he win, George will celebrate with a steak and a glass of whisky. Until then, he is embracing and soaking in every step of the process leading up to his final walk to the cage one last time. 

“It’s an end of an era. It’s an emotional journey, but it’s time,” said George. “This fight is my going away party. I’m looking forward to closing this chapter of my journey and seeing what my next pages open.”

Tickets for LXF 2 can be purchased beginning at $65 online at LightsOutXF.com or at the Burbank Marriott Events Center box office during fight night. VIP Dinner and Bottle Service Tables are also available.

Doors open at 6 p.m. PST, and the first bout will take place at 7 p.m. PST. All bouts are subject to change.

For more information, news and developments, visit www.LightsOutXF.com, and follow along online on the following LXF platforms—Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the LXF Newsletter.

The post Chad George To Retire After LXF Fight appeared first on myBurbank.com.

In a battle between two rising prospects, Brian Del Rosario (4-2) will make his second straight LXF appearance and look to continue his comeback run against Alex Trinidad (4-2) in a 150-pound catchweight fight during LXF 2 on July 6 at the Burbank Marriott Events Center.

In May, the all-around Filipino fighter had made easy work of Sergio Quinones and submitted him via a d’arce choke mid-way through the first round during LXF 1. It was his first fight since surviving a near-fatal motorcycle accident that left him hospitalized earlier this year. 

Brian Del Rosario

“My biggest learning from my accident is that life is too short to not be doing what you love,” said Del Rosario. “I didn’t feel fully recovered during my last fight but when you got the heart of a champion, you don’t let things like that get in your way. I’m lucky to be alive, and to say that I can fight again.”

“The Bad Boy” Del Rosario, a 29-year-old who trains out of Saekson Academy, will be looking to apply his Muay Thai, boxing, BJJ and wrestling skills against Trinidad to take home his second victory in as many months. 

“I think Trinidad is an all-around good fighter, but my job is to implement my game plan and execute it,” said Del Rosario. 

Nicknamed “The Ice Cream Man” because he has a propensity to finish opponents via “the banana split” submission, the 30 year-old Trinidad, who hails from the Imperial Valley and is a chief in the US Navy and a mine warfare expert to boot, will be fighting for the third time in three-and-a-half months. 

“I’m looking to prove that I belong with the best in the world. My team and I believe that we can beat any opponent on any given day and I want to show everyone that I’m the future,” said Trinidad. “I’m an unorthodox grinder. On my feet, fans can expect different angles. On the ground, my goal is to drown my opponent every time.”

Trinidad’s last two fights, one win (April), one loss (March), were on 10-day and 20-day notice, so he feels that finally having a full training camp facing Del Rosario will help propel him even further come fight night. 

“I’m constantly competing, so I am always training hard and in shape,” said Trinidad. “Del Rosario’s strongest skill set is his stand-up game. He’s a really good Muay Thai fighter, but I also think that’s his weakest skill because it’s very conventional and doesn’t have a lot of angles and rhythm to deal with.”

Tickets for LXF 2 can be purchased beginning at $65 online at LightsOutXF.com or at the Burbank Marriott Events Center box office during fight night. VIP Dinner and Bottle Service Tables are also available.

Doors open at 6 p.m. PST, and the first bout will take place at 7 p.m. PST. All bouts are subject to change.

For more information, news and developments, visit www.LightsOutXF.com, and follow along online on the following LXF platforms—Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the LXF Newsletter.

The post Brian Del Rosario Continues Miraculous Comeback After Surviving Motorcycle Accident appeared first on myBurbank.com.

California’s first amusement park, Knott’s Berry Farm, is now featuring Ghost Town Alive, a live interactive story adventure where guests can interact daily with bandits, cowboys, robbers, judges, and finish up with a good ol’ western hoedown. Kids can perform specific tasks and actives as they each play an essential role as an honorary citizen of Calico where they are sworn in by the Mayor themselves.  The story changes every year and is every changing on a daily basis, so you never know just what is going to happen in Knott’s Berry Farm’s Calico.

Ghost Town Alive is open daily through the summer until August 11th, and then continues on weekends from August 17 to September 1st.  Ghost Town is the oldest part of the Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park and includes most of the buildings Walter and Cordelia Knott brought to the property in the 1940s where they relocated them from real old west towns such as Prescott, Arizona. The replica town originated in order to entertain patrons waiting for a seat at Walter and Cordelia Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant.

When inside Knott’s Berry Farm’s Calico, you are immersed in the history and setting of a real-life western town, complete with a blacksmith, general store, theater, schoolhouse, dress shop, town hall, bank, barber shop, assay office, sheriff’s office, jail and more. Every location is an interactive adventure where live actors engage with kids of all ages and send them on quests around Calico. 

In more one-of-kind experiences, kids can pan for gold in the mine, visit the horse stable, tour the trail museum, watch the blacksmith forge horseshoes, and join in a class at the schoolhouse. Throughout the day contests are held where kids can lasso a wooden horse or throw rubber snakes in a boot to show off their cowboy and cowgirl skills.

The plot thickens as the notorious Mayfield Gang gets into trouble with the law in an old fashioned western shoot out and one of the members is placed behind bars.  Guests must determine if the Mayfield Member is guilty or was he framed? As a Calico citizen, it is your job to talk to witnesses, speak up at the hearing, and help run secret errands from shop to shop.  The question becomes…just which side are you on? Learning the secret Mayfield handshake will get you into different perks of the town but it’s best to stay undercover, so head over to the barbershop for a hand-painted mustache. In Calico, just about anything is possible.

Make sure to hitch a ride on the authentic Denver and the Rio Grande Narrow Gauge train used in the early 1900s. But beware of the notorious Ghost Town bandits that still hop on board for a friendly little hold-up. Visit the Calico Saloon for a Western musical extravaganza with Cameo Kate and Dakota Dan, while fueling up with a famous Calico soda in a souvenir mason jar. Enter the Old West Stunt show where gunfights and fistfights hit the stage in an action-packed open wagon show that is fun for all ages.

The day finishes off at dusk with a Founder’s Day Western Hoedown as guests of the park come together with the Calico stars. Bankers, robbers, the Mayor, and Sheriff, and even the Saloon girls come out to partner up and dance the evening away under the Buena Park sky.

The post A Fun Family Day Trip For The Summer: Ghost Town Alive at Knotts appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Burbank High School rising senior Julian Pallini recently attended the Advanced Space Academy Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL, from June 16 – 21. Pallini participated in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities and missions that relied upon teamwork, leadership and problem solving.

“This program is specifically designed for trainees who have a passion for space exploration,” according to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s media release. “Julian spent the week training with a team that flew a simulated space mission to the International Space Station (ISS), the Moon or Mars. The crew participated in experiments and successfully completed an extra-vehicular activity (EVA), or spacewalk. Julian and crew returned to earth in time to graduate with honors.”

Burbank High senior Julian Pallini works on a mission at the Space Camp Advanced Space Academy. (Photo Courtesy U.S. Space and Rocket Center)

“Space Academy was something I had wanted to do for a very long time but just never saw the moment to ask my parents,” commented Pallini, who called the experience, “a dream come true.”

“At Space Academy, some of the technical skills I learned include learning to pilot a airplane and build rockets,” he added. “But not all of the skills I learned at the camp were technical; some were social skills and team skills.”

Julian Pallini accepts his Space Camp Advanced Space Academy graduation certificate from astronaut Bob Springer. (Photo Courtesy Tara Ferry.)

“These social skills developed as my dorm mates and teammates spent every waking hour together working to solve problems and these people became like family.”

“In addition to the social and technical skills that I learned, we covered the history of the space program all the way from the launching of the Sputnik satellite by Russia to the future with the Artemis program and the future of space colonization.”

“As mentioned previously, my teammates were like family, and in tough situations they were the inspiration; be it our many simulations with trying to keep the space station in orbit as the payloads communicator or the trials of working to keep an egg from being burned to a crisp using a blast shield that had pasta as a layer, everything there was inspirational and awe inspiring to me.”

“The experience was probably the most influential in terms of career, because what I once thought was just my far-fetched dream as a child now seems feasible and within my reach,” Pallini also said.

Burbank High senior Julian Ferry walks to receive his Space Camp Advanced Space Academy medal. (Photo Courtesy Tara Ferry.)

Pallini, who recently turned 17, is currently looking for a summer job and preparing for his senior year at BHS, which begins in mid-August. He’s also visiting colleges and preparing college applications.

“My goals for this year at Burbank High School is to, as a senior, welcome the freshmen who will carry on the school’s legacy, and work to make my band director proud, in addition to mastering my skills in my self-study physics class,” he explained.

Pallini plans to take 3 AP classes: Calculus BC, Physics C and AP English Literature, in addition to Advanced Astronomy, Government/Economics, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and possibly Animation.

“My dream school is Cal Tech,” he said. He also plans to apply to MIT and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

“I plan to work towards majors in Astrophysics or Forensics Chemistry. Some clubs and extra-curriculars that I have been in, relating to space and science include Astronomy Club, although last year I was not able to be in the club because I was overloaded with classes and stress.”

Julian’s Space Camp medal. (Photo Courtesy Tara Ferry.)

This year, though, he hopes to be a part of Burbank High’s Astronomy Club once again, and the Solar Cup Club. Pallini plays the clarinet and tenor saxophone in the school bands in which he participates. He also playes accessories in Winter Drumline.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is the home of Space Camp®, Space Camp® Robotics, Aviation Challenge®, U.S. Cyber Camp® and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Official Visitor Center.

Also according to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s media release, “Space Camp operates year-round in Huntsville, Alabama, and uses astronaut training techniques to engage trainees in real-world applications of STEM subjects. Students sleep in quarters designed to resemble the ISS and train in simulators like those used by NASA.”

“More than 850,000 trainees have graduated from a Space Camp® program since its inception in Huntsville, Alabama, in 1982, including European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and NASA astronauts Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, Dr. Kate Rubins, Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Christina Koch, who is serving onboard the International Space Station. Children and teachers from all 50 states and almost 150 international locations have attended a Space Camp® program.”

More information on Space Camp can be found online on the organization’s website.

The post Burbank High Senior Shoots For The Stars At Space Camp appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Summertime brings the many-splendored tastes, smells, sights and sounds of the exciting 626 Night Market, held on select weekends in July and August at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. The next 626 Night Market is Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, July 12 – 14.

Image Courtesy 626 Night Market

The 626 Night Market takes its moniker from the area code for the San Gabriel Valley, and is “inspired by the famous open-air nighttime bazaars of Asia, where people come together to eat, drink and socialize,” according to their website.

Gates open at 4:00 p.m. each day and the event runs until midnight. After dark is when the event really gets pumping, with music, glow-in-the-dark accoutrements and people galore.

The Lobster Nest – Lobsterdamus’ grilled whole lobster on garlic buttered noodles. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

There’s so much to see and do and taste at the 626 Night Market, one can easily visit several times a summer. More than 300 food, art, craft, merchandise, game, entertainment and music stations showcase the creative spirit of local chefs, artists and creators.

Parking is free and entrance to the bazaar is $5 per person, cash only. In fact, most vendors only accept cash. Some take cards, but wi-fi and cell service is very spotty with so many people in attendance. More than 100,000 people visit the 626 Night Market on average each weekend it’s open.

Filipino sweet breads by The Ensaymada Project. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

Be prepared for lots of walking and lines for bathrooms. Luckily, there are some portable hand-washing stations near portable bathrooms dotting the grounds, but sticky hands are an occupational hazard of the market.

In addition to food, some very talented local artists and crafters have stands showcasing their art, jewelry, crafts and more.

Bulgogi tater tots at the Potato Bowl stand. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

More information about the 626 Night Market can be found online here. In addition to July 12-14 weekend, the bazaar will be held August 9-11 and August 30 – September 1.

Vendors change from weekend to weekend, so check the updated list of food stall and participating artists before your trip.

Editor’s Note: While there’s always a lot going on in Burbank, myBurbank’s “Get Out Of Town!” highlights some of our favorite activities and events outside the town borders.

The post Get Out Of Town!: 626 Night Market appeared first on myBurbank.com.

At the rate of success some of the members of Burbank’s All-Star Senior Little League softball players have enjoyed in recent years, they might actually have enough frequent flier miles to go anywhere they want to go.

For the fourth consecutive year, the same core of girls will be competing out of state, as they travel to Montana to compete in the Western Regional Tournament. The team recently won the District 16 title, which was followed up with a Section 2 Southern California title.

The tournament begins Thursday in Missoula and Burbank will play its first game Friday morning at 9 a.m. against a representative team from the state of Washington.

“We’ve got out of state the last four years,” coach Rocco Buffolino said.
Five of the 12 members on the team have been on all four teams and four others are making their second out-of-state softball appearances.

“There’s almost 60 state championships with all these girls together,” Buffolino added.

Pitcher Ann Buffolino, the coach’s daughter, is one of the five players who have been on four state title-winning teams. She will be a sophomore at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame this fall.
Melissa Orozco, who will be a junior at Burroughs and Clarisa Robles, who will be a sophomore at Burroughs are part of the group that will be making an out-of-state trip for a fourth consecutive year.
Kaelyn Freed, who will be a sophomore at Alemany High and Calista Lee, who will be a freshman at Oakwood School in North Hollywood, are the other two veterans of the team.

Savannah Benson, who will be a senior at Burbank High, as well as Victoria Sanchez, a Burbank High junior, will be making their second out-of-state trip. Also on their second championship team Briyana Ampie, who will be a sophomore at Burroughs, and Joselyn Recelle, who will be a sophomore at Verdugo Hills High.

Jordyn Rivero, who will be a senior at Burbank, as well as Lily Stell, who will be a junior at Burbank and Gigi Garcia, who will be a sophomore at Burroughs, are the only players who will be playing with the group out of state for the first time.
“I tell the kids if you play the game the way it is supposed to be played, you can play with anybody,” Rocco Buffolino said.  “If you throw strikes, you catch the ball, the put the ball in play you have a chance. If you don’t do those things then you’re not going to have a chance.”

He said the experience factor should help his team greatly.

“This should just be we’re out of state playing like it is another game. They’ve all matured in a year,” Buffolino said. “It is amazing the maturity level from last year to this year. It has changed for the better.”

The post Burbank Senior Little League Softball Going to West Regionals Again appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Lotus & Light, an absolutely excellent Vietnamese/Asian Fusion restaurant in the Lakeside Shopping Center on Pass Avenue in Burbank, has been open for almost a year and they’ve developed quite a solid clientele in that time, with good reason.

We recently visited for the first time and were blown away by the atmosphere, the friendliness and attentiveness of the servers and, most importantly, the food.

Lotus Papaya Salad is fresh and flavorful. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

Excellent pho, top notch rice plates, fresh and tasty summer rolls and a flavorful papaya salad, topped off with Thai iced tea and ice cold lemon water, had us enjoying every bite.

With a menu that offers a lot of choices for any mood, from a solid selection of starters and vegetarian/vegan options, to vermicelli noodle dishes, rice plates, pho and a few banh mi sandwiches, Lotus & Light also tout a range of desserts, beer and wine.

Chicken Over Rice with three ginger sauces. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

The interior is bright, light and airy and the mood is upbeat and friendly. Bathrooms are clean and accessible. Parking is available in the busy Lakeside Shopping Center lot or on surrounding streets.

Lotus & Light is a prime example of how to create a restaurant that is welcoming and popular, with food, ambiance and good service.

Filet Mignon Basil Chili at Lotus & Light in Burbank. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

The Lotus Papaya Salad was gingery and slightly spicy and so fresh. Summer Rolls, packed with juicy shrimp, crisp cucumber and leafy green lettuce, were perked up with a spicy peanut dipping sauce. The Thai iced teas were the right amount of creamy sweetness and aromatic tea.

Chicken Pho was some of the best pho we’ve ever had – light, but very chicken-y broth, tender chicken, with a perfect balance of onion, basil, lime juice, sprouts and a nice heat from the green chili pepper.

Chicken Pho at Lotus & Light. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

The Chicken Over Rice plate included three different ginger compotes, one mild and two spicy. Balanced with a small bowl of chicken broth to cleanse the palate, the dish was one lovely combination of flavors after another.

The Filet Mignon Basil Chili dish started with white rice, covered with quality, tender steak with basil and chilis for a little spice, topped with a fried egg that once mixed in, made every bite creamy and complex.

Summer Rolls and Thai Iced Teas at Lotus & Light. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

Wow. We will be back soon to try more of the menu. So many items look amazing; we can only imagine their flavors. Lotus & Light is Tops In Town for excellent Vietnamese/Asian Fusion food, friendly service and cleanliness.

Restaurant Info: Lotus & Light is located at 345 N. Pass Avenue, Burbank, CA 91505. 818-562-7777. Lotus & Light is open daily 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Lotus & Light receives: Tops In Town

myBurbank Ratings:
Tops In Town (Outstanding)
On The Marquee (Really Good)
Could Use A Rewrite (Average or Slightly Below)
Don’t Quit Your Day Job (Poor)

Lotus & Light interior. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

The post Lotus & Light Brings Fresh Flavors, Light Plates To Burbank appeared first on myBurbank.com.

There are certain qualities or assets that one needs in order to be successful in life and in sports.

In the case of athletics, physical and mental gifts are essential and they go a long way. But even if one possesses these attributes, it’s also helpful, and perhaps necessary, to put in the time and hard work in order to get better.

For Caitlyn Brooks, who played four seasons on the University of Notre Dame women’s softball team and before that was a highly-decorated standout on the Burbank High softball squad, had all three in her tool box, but like the greats, continually wanted to improve.

“Caitlyn put in a lot of hard work other than just normal practices,” said Mike Delaney, who was the Bulldogs softball coach who oversaw Brooks during her tenure at Burbank which began in 2012 and ended in 2015. “Extra hitting lessons and pitching lessons weekly.”

Delaney, who recently stepped down from the post, added: “She had a great work ethic and was always quick to praise her teammates,” he said. “She loved the individual matchups. Pitcher versus pitcher. Pitcher versus batter. Caitlyn understood her swing and pitching motion extremely well.”

There is a small percentage of people talented enough to play sports for the Fighting Irish. What was that experience like?

“Being at Notre Dame exceeded my expectations for sure,” said Brooks, who capped off her college career by being named the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year in 2019 after breaking the school’s home run record and leading the team in five offensive categories. “It is such a magical place and I really started to understand and experience that throughout my four years.”

Getting selected ACC Player of the Year had to be an unexpected surprise for Brooks. “Being named ACC Player of the Year was a total shock to me,” said Brooks, who was also named to the ACC All-Academic team. “I never look at stats and this year I knew I was doing well, but that wasn’t anything I thought that I would achieve. Earning that title was really cool and I remember calling my parents [Shari and Roger] and we all were so excited and cheering. It was also really cool to see all of my teammates excel too and also support me. They are what made it special because this team was so amazing and special.”

How difficult was college compared to high school, both scholastically and athletically? “The hardest part of transitioning was the academics,” said Brooks, who received a bachelor of arts degree in film/cinema and video studies and will work in social media marketing. “For me that was the hardest part of Notre Dame. Softball was the most consistent and smoothest transition.”

What was it like for Brooks, who carved out a staggering 80-17 record with 1,011 strikeouts as a prep hurler, to put the spikes on for Notre Dame?

“I was definitely nervous my first time putting on the Irish uniform, but I wanted to compete and that was really exhilarating,” she said. “Once I got my first hit, I felt completely comfortable.”

Brooks said she was at ease from the outset. “Our team is like a family and that starts from the moment you’re introduced when you’re a recruit,” she noted. “I always knew Notre Dame was for me because of the team culture which is cultivated by our amazing coaches. From the moment you first speak to them, you know that they are great coaches and even better people. I felt part of the Irish team as a recruit and from the moment I stepped on campus as a freshman.”

This feeling of security and care begins with Deanna Gumpf, the Notre Dame head coach. “She is so inspiring and is like a second mom to us all,” said Brooks, who paced the Fighting Irish in homers with nine and runs batted in with 38 as a junior. “I love how direct and passionate she is. She truly wants to see us succeed on and off the field. Notre Dame develops us into great athletes and even better women and that starts at the top by always being an example of excellence and kindness. Coach Gumpf knows us better than we know ourselves sometimes and that is what makes her such an incredible coach and person. She is definitely a role model for me.”

Brooks was a two-way threat at the high school and collegiate level in the batter’s box and in the pitcher’s circle. Was one more appealing?

“For sure the batter’s box. Being in the box I can fully relax and be laser focused, but have no pressure,” Brooks said. “Or at least I tell myself that there is no pressure. I also know that the girl behind me is going to get it done and having that confidence and support takes all of the pressure off. I found my stride in the box and really loved softball and the game.”

Brooks, who clubbed 21 homers during her final three seasons as a Bulldog, then added: “When it came to pitching, I definitely put too much pressure on myself, but I loved competing. I think my role as a reliever and just come in and do my job on the mound took the pressure off and really let me focus on hitting during the game,” she said.

Brooks said her approach to hitting was vastly different from pitching. “My main thoughts were to focus on my breath and my approach,” she said. “I watch a lot of film before a game on the pitcher and saw what they threw and adjusted my plan to the pitcher and my strength. Usually I was looking inside and attacking that pitch if it was a strike. In the circle, I would just focus on my routine and breath. I would visualize the pitch when I got my sign and go for it.”

Brooks, who batted .304 with eight homers and 39 RBIs as a sophomore, said even if the team struggled, which was rare, they were always unified.

“I really relied on my teammates and talking it out with the sports psychologist. A lot of athletes benefit from the sports psychologist and it was a resource that is always very encouraged,” Brooks said. “It really helped me with the challenges of softball and life.”

Did one hit or game stand out for Brooks, who batted .335 with a .416 on-base percentage and 55 RBIs, the most-ever by a Notre Dame freshman?

“I think the game that I broke the single-season home run record was huge,” said Brooks, who bashed a team-high 11 homers with a team-best .639 slugging percentage as a freshman. “It was against Pittsburgh, and when I broke the record it was my first collegiate grand slam which was super cool. It also could be the farthest ball that I’ve ever hit.”

Brooks then continued: “After that game they gave my mom the ball and having her and my dad there to see it was awesome,” he pointed out. “My team was so pumped for me and seeing them at home plate going crazy is something that I will never forget.”

Did Brooks have targets she wanted to reach? “I set goals with myself and our coaches,” she said. “My plan had more to do with my approaches and learning from the previous year. For pitching, it was understanding my role and really capitalizing when I was called upon. Being that consistent force to get us out of a jam and always be ready. For hitting, my approach was about attacking the first two strikes. Once I started doing that I noticed a massive difference in my swing.”

Because of their lofty status, youngsters often look up to athletes. There may be local girls who admire Brooks, who posted an 18-5 mark, with a 0.66 earned-run average, 264 strikeouts, 18 walks in 149 and one-third innings as a high school senior, who would like to emulate her. Does Brooks have any advice?

“I would say that you should get the best grades that you can because grades get you into any school you want and you can always try out,” she said. “I would also say to go to camps and get on the best travel team that you can. If you get great grades and compete at the highest level, with the best competition, then you are marketing yourself in the best way that you can.”

Delaney thinks that Brooks is an inspiration to young girls who want to play softball, even if they don’t play for Notre Dame.

“Caitlyn is a great example for younger athletes in Burbank,” he said. “She was a great student and a great athlete.”

Looking back and reflecting on her college career at Notre Dame, Brooks is thankful for the opportunity and wouldn’t do anything differently.

“So far there isn’t anything I regret during my four years,” she said. “I did more than I expected to academically and athletically.”

The post Caitlyn Brooks, Notre Dame Graduate, Caps College Career In Style appeared first on myBurbank.com.

The Walt Disney Studios hosted a celebratory event on Thursday, July 11, for donors, sponsors, partners, board members and city and school officials who supported the Burbank Arts For All Foundation’s Give Instead Gala. The Give Instead Gala, held from April 12 through May 10, raised funds for the Foundation’s efforts to support arts education in Burbank public schools.

Approximately 150 people attended the summer fête on the Disney studios lot in Burbank. Joan McCarthy, Director, Enterprise Community Engagement for The Walt Disney Company, welcomed the attendees to the evening event, which also included a silent auction.

Burbank Arts For All Foundation supporters celebrate the success of the Give Instead Gala 2019: (from left to right) Suzanne Weerts, Kevin McCarney, Karen Volpei-Gussow, Lili Rossi, Freddy Jarjour, Joan McCarthy, Alexandra Helfrich, Barbara Beckley, Jill Vander Borght, Tom Vice, Carrie Brown, Bob Mohler, Brenda Etterbeek, Trena Pitchford, Cathy Stevens. (Photo By Ross Benson)

“The Foundation is very grateful to The Walt Disney Company for hosting this celebratory evening,” commented Burbank Arts For All Foundation Executive Director Trena Pitchford. “We are also extremely grateful to the community of Burbank for believing in the Foundation’s work, investing in our mission and volunteering to join us in support BUSD’s Arts for All plan.”

“All funds raised from our Give Instead Gala will be put to work through our Fall grant cycle and community outreach efforts in the 2019-2020 school year!” she added. “Everyone is invited to become involved.”

Tom Vice and Jill Vander Borght, co-chairs of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, also spoke at the event.

“Because of your donations to the Give Instead Gala, we are looking forward to providing even more funding for arts education programs through our upcoming Fall Grant Cycle,” Vice said as he addressed the crowd. “We will continue to support teachers who need critical supplies or to help mitigate any additional cuts to current arts education programs at the school site level.”

“The Foundation will also continue our community outreach programs and advocacy work. These programs help parents as they learn how to be solution partners and advocates at their school site,” he said. “We also inform and engage the community about the critical needs facing public education right here in Burbank today.”

The Walt Disney Company’s Director, Enterprise Community Engagement, Joan McCarthy welcomes Burbank Arts For All Foundation’s Give Instead Gala supporters to a celebration on the studio lot in Burbank. (Photo By Ross Benson)

“The Give Instead Gala was a new way to allow the Foundation to respond to BUSD’s increased need for funding and advocacy support,” commented Vander Borght. “We greatly appreciate everyone’s support in giving to this campaign.”

“We especially want to thank our Presenting [and] Premiere Sponsors: The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Entertainment, NBCUniversal, along with the many other sponsors and donors who are here with us tonight,” she added.

The Give Instead Gala was a new concept for 2019 to replace the Foundation’s annual fundraising event, which had a lot of overhead and systemic expenses. Instead of throwing a costly party and in order to give more money to programs in the Burbank Unified School District, the Foundation asked for direct donations for their campaign and marshalled an army of supporters to spread the word.

While the Give Instead Gala grossed more than $155,000 this year and the Foundation’s Party on the Plaza events grossed over $200,000 in previous years, the Foundation sees the direct donation approach as the more effective.

Although she didn’t answer a query about the actual financial net gain from each event, Pitchford responded, “because we were able to save on our expenses, we have been able to net more [via the Give Instead Gala] and those funds will be put to work this next school year through our grant giving and community outreach programs.”

The Disney-hosted celebration Thursday evening was dotted with poster boards detailing some of the recent projects and programs the Burbank Arts For All Foundation has supported through its semi-annual grant cycle.

“Art in school has the power to change a child’s life and in changing a child’s life we will change the world,” added Vice. “The Foundation believes the arts transform the lives of our students, not just those who elect to study music or theater, but also students who study science or history, those for whom English is a second language and those students who learn best with alternative structures.”

“On this celebratory evening, we honor the ecosystem of parents, civic and community leaders, corporations and small business owners, who believe in our work and join with us to support creativity and innovation in Burbank’s local public schools,” Pitchford said to the audience.

She outlined some of the upcoming Burbank Arts For All Foundation efforts, including the Fall grant application deadline of September 16 and the Autumn Community Exchange. The Community Exchange is a free event the Foundation puts on twice a year and “provide[s] critical updates, round table discussions and ideas to support our local educators and students.”

More information on the Burbank Arts For All Foundation and their mission to support arts education in Burbank public schools can be found online here.

The post Disney Fêtes Burbank Arts For All Foundation Supporters appeared first on myBurbank.com.

The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority, owner and operator of Hollywood Burbank Airport, has elected new officers to head the Authority Commission for a one-year term from July 2019 through June 2020. The Commission elects its officers each July.

Burbank Commissioner Ray Adams was elected President, Commissioner Ross Selvidge of Pasadena was elected Vice President, and Commissioner Vartan Gharpetian of Glendale was chosen Secretary.

Adams was first appointed to the Airport Authority in February 2015 and served as Vice President this last term and Secretary the previous term. Ross Selvidge was first appointed to the Commission in July 2015 and served as Secretary this last term. Varian Gharpetian was first appointed to the Commission in December 2016 and served as Treasurer this previous term.

In related actions, the Authority appointed Glendale Commissioner Paula Devine as Treasurer, appointed Burbank Commissioner Bill Wiggins as Auditor, and reappointed Executive Director Frank Miller as Assistant Secretary.

The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority is a joint powers agency formed by the three cities to own and operate Hollywood Burbank Airport. The Airport Authority is governed by a nine-member Commission, and each of the three cities appoints three Commissioners.

In addition to the officers, the other current Commissioners are: Don Brown of Burbank; Terry Tornek and Steve Madison of Pasadena, and one vacant seat for Glendale.

The post Airport Authority Commission Elects Burbank Commissioner Ray Adams as President appeared first on myBurbank.com.

The Burbank City Clerk’s Office is accepting applications for the Board of Building and Fire Code Appeals and the Board of Library Trustees beginning July 17, 2019 through August 16, 2019. To apply, please visit www.burbankca.gov/bccapplication to submit an application online or pick up an application in the City Clerk’s Office located in City Hall at 275 East Olive Avenue, First Floor. For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (818) 238-5851 or by email at cityclerks@burbankca.gov.

The post Burbank Looking to Fill Two Board Vacancies appeared first on myBurbank.com.