The construction activities and closures listed below will occur March 8-13, 2015, as part of the I-5 Empire Project in Burbank, a series of freeway improvements between Magnolia Boulevard and Buena Vista Street. All work will occur during daytime hours unless otherwise specified.

 More information about the project is here. Construction activities, closures and schedules are subject to change.

Major Construction Activities for March 8-13, 2015  

Through the end of March, excluding weekends, crews are installing metal plates and beams for shoring on the southbound I-5 shoulder near the old San Fernando tunnel. The work is necessary to construct the new Empire Avenue interchange. This operation will occur at night, Sunday through Thursday, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Residents may notice noise and/or vibration while this work is underway.

 Pile driving at Buena Vista Street and Winona Avenue: This operation is now complete!

Leland Way Channel Cap: Concrete pour for soundwall and striping operation. Flaggers will be on site to ensure street and driveway access at all times.

Parking Restriction Switch: The street parking restriction will switch to the north end of Leland Way the week of March 9. On the north end of the street, between University Avenue and Broadway, parking will be restricted on both sides of the street at all times. On the south end, parking will be permitted on the residence side only. Signs will be posted.

Reconfiguration of the Lincoln Street/Victory Place intersection. This work is ongoing through March 9. Lincoln Street will be closed at Victory Place during this operation.

Drilling and installation of metal plates for the shoring wall needed for temporary railroad tracks by Empire Avenue. There may be some noise and vibration associated with this work.

Excavation for retaining walls between Empire Avenue and the southbound I-5 Burbank Boulevard off-ramp.

Concrete pours for soundwalls near the southbound I-5 Empire Avenue on- and off-ramps.

Retaining wall work near the southbound Burbank Boulevard off-ramp and the old northbound Scott Road off-ramp.

What to Expect: Residents and businesses close to the freeway may notice vibration and construction noise, but it will not exceed levels permitted by state, federal and local regulations. Also, the contractor is using approved dust-control measures to minimize airborne particles, but some dust is expected.

Please be attentive to closures, slow down, and watch for workers in construction zones.

Additionally, motorists should be attentive to new traffic patterns created by restriping of travel lanes and concrete barriers. Please proceed cautiously and watch for workers.

 Closures for March 8-13, 2015

 One lane of southbound I-5 will be closed between Buena Vista Street and Burbank Boulevard from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• One lane of northbound I-5 will be closed between Buena Vista Street and Burbank Boulevard from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Lincoln Street will be closed at Victory Place through March 9.

Resources for Motorists

Project Information: Information about the project is here.

 Closure Information: Closure information for this and other freeway projects is also available on the Caltrans website and the I-5 website.

Real-Time traffic Information: Visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov, go511.com, or call 5-1-1.

 I-5 Info Line: (855) 454-6335. Live help – not a recording.

For the safety of the construction crew and motorists, please be attentive to closures, slow for the cone zone, and move over one lane where possible.

Caltrans thanks motorists for their patience and understanding during construction. For more information, visit My5LA.com.

The post I-5 Empire Project: Upcoming Construction Activities and Closures appeared first on myBurbank.com.

The two cross-town rivals will meet on April 24 and May 15 (Photo by Dick Dornan)

By Jim Riggio
Special to MyBurbank

Most high school programs go through their ups and downs, as players graduate and are sometimes difficult to replace. For the baseball teams at Burroughs and Burbank highs, both are fortunate to not be in the rebuilding phase. Many key players return from both teams which have high expectations.

Burroughs

The Indians return 15 varsity players to second-year coach Craig Sherwood’s squad. Burroughs went 14-14 overall and 7-7 in league last season.

Sherwood likes the depth his team has.

Burroughs senior class (Photo by Mitch Haddad)

“I think we are consistent from one to nine in the order,” Sherwood said. “The question is will they be consistent. If someone stumbles, I have other guys who are ready to play. We don’t have a weak bench.”

Burroughs will rely on seniors right handers Danny Bustos and Thomas Wilson as well as junior right hander Jesse Galindo to get the majority of the starting assignments on the mound.

Ryan Galan had a very impressive off-season and became the everyday shortstop (Photo by Mitch Haddad)

Juniors Kyle Nicol and Jason Whaley will also see lots of time in relief as the setup men.

Senior Max De Amicis, who will also see significant playing time in left field, is the Indians’ closer.

Senior Chris Peres is expected to be the starting first baseman and is backed up by senior Noah Hoed.

Max Haddad (rt) and Max DeAmicis (lt) must supply leadership for an experienced group of Indians (Photo by Mitch Haddad)

Senior Max Haddad, a second-team all-league selection last season at shortstop, has moved to second base. Senior Ryan Galan, who played second base a year ago, has taken Haddad’s place at shortstop. Haddad and Galan will be backed up by junior Tanner Whitlock.

Senior Brennan Brown and junior Omar Tejeda are expected hold down the third base position.

Senior Aidan Anding, who was injured much of last season, is expected to be the Indians’ leadoff hitter and starting center fielder. Anding had three hits and three stolen bases in Burroughs’ 7-6 season-opening win over Camarillo on Saturday.

“He’s an exciting player to watch,” Sherwood said.

Anthony Bocanegra makes one of his spectacular catches in right field (Photo by Mitch Haddad)

Senior Anthony Bocanegra, who started in center field last season, moves over to right field. Junior Jason Whaley and senior Kevin Navarro are also expected to compete for playing time in the outfield.

Behind the plate, Sherwood has seniors Roy Hirota and Tyler Lewis. Hirota started most games a year ago, but Sherwood said Lewis has greatly improved.

“It’s a dilemma,” Sherwood said. “They both can hit and throw. It’s a dogfight. You want to have guys competing for a job.”

Sherwood said he expects the Pacific League will be tough.

“Crescenta Valley with (Brian) Gadsby coming back, they have to be the favorite,” Sherwood said of the UCLA-bound pitcher, who quarterbacked his school to a CIF title in football last fall. “Burbank is also one of the favorites. They have lots of experience. We’re going to fight for a playoff spot.”

##############

Burbank

The Bulldogs are eager to improve from last season when they went 8-15 overall and 5-9 in league. Two years ago Burbank won a share of its first league title since 1991.

Coach Bob Hart, who is now in his 10th year, returns 11 varsity players and is looking forward to making big improvements.

Cameron Briggs will be playing at UC Davis next season (Photo by Dick Dornan)

“We had a rough year last year, but we’ve worked very hard this year. I don’t think anyone has outworked us this offseason,” Hart said.

Burbank showed promise in a 4-1 loss to Chatsworth, which is generally the top team in the CIF Los Angeles City Section.

Hart said his team is facing injury issues as the seasons begins, but likes the depth of his team.

“Our pitching and defense is our strength,” he said. “We have a lot of guys that can (pitch). That will set us up for tournaments. We’re definitely an improved team.”

Burbank could use up to eight players on the mound.

Ryan Porras is the ace of the Bulldog staff (Photo by Dick Dornan)

Senior left hander Ryan Porras along with senior right hander Randy Higgens and junior lefty Garrett Dolan figure to get a bulk of the starting assignments on the mound.

Sophomore Danny Porras, who earned all-league honors as a freshman, is expected to start at first base. Junior Adrian Johnson, a transfer from Highland of Palmdale, is expected to take over at second base.

Senior Cameron Briggs, who has signed with UC Davis, is expected to play shortstop and could also contribute on the mound.

Higgens is expected to start at third base.

Senior Chandler Robbins, who has accepted an academic scholarship to DePaul University, is expected to start in left field.

Randy Higgens will be the cornerstone at third base (Photo by Dick Dornan)

Senior Alex Minnick, who also has pitching capabilities, is expected to play many innings in center field.

Senior Reece Loock is a strong candidate to get quality innings in right field.

Seniors Ozzy Dominguez and Jake Noud return as catchers.

The Bulldogs also have junior Fischer Cabot, who will pitch and play third base. Junior Jake Zedlar, a transfer from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, is a pitcher and outfielder.

Sophomore Henry Leake is a pitcher and second baseman who finished up for the Bulldogs in the game against Chatsworth.

Hart said he expects the Pacific League to be tough.

“The bottom of the league has gotten better,” he said. “I anticipate us being very competitive.”

Burroughs and Burbank will square off on April 24 and again on May 15.

The post Baseball Preview: Burroughs and Burbank Swing Into Action appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Members of the Burbank community visited public schools to highlight the Read Across America program on Friday, March 6. Special events were also held during the first week of March at the Burbank Public Libraries to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss and promote literacy.

Burbank Fire Fighter Jon Stockton reads to a first grade class at Edison Elementary School. ( Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank firefighters visited McKinley and Edison Elementary Schools, including several off-duty firefighters who volunteered their time to read to the children.

“We’ve been doing this for several years,” commented Eric Rowley, President of the Burbank Firefighter Association. “For us, any interaction we can have with the public, especially children, we seek out to establish and maintain a good relationship with the community.”

“Anytime we can be a positive role model to children, we like to do that,” he added.

Kimberly Clark read to students of Ms. Ta’s class. ( Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Several Burbank Unified officials visited elementary school classrooms throughout the city.

“As a member of the administrative team working out of the district office, I seldom get a chance to visit school sites during the day,” said Kimberley Clark, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and BUSD Public Information Officer. “Read Across America is one of my favorite days of the year because it gives me a chance to personally connect with our students.”

“Ms. Ta’s students were quiet and respectful and thanked me for coming. During the question and answer period, each child told me the title of his or her favorite Dr. Seuss book,” added Clark, who read Seuss’ Fox in Socks to the second-graders.

Dr. John Paramo read a classic. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“This is really a special event and Darla Gerharter, the Read Across America program coordinator for Disney Elementary School, does a marvelous job organizing this event for her school every year,” Clark also said. “It was an honor to be asked to participate again this year.”

BUSD Director of Secondary Education, Dr. John Paramo, and Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, Dr. Tom Kissinger, read at three elementary schools: Edison, McKinley and Disney.

“The class that stood out for me the most were the fifth-graders in Roseann Webb’s fifth grade class at McKinley,” commented Dr. John Paramo, BUSD Director of Secondary Education. “I read them the story Max’s Words.”

“The class was phenomenal. The level of questioning and engagement was nothing short of stellar,” Paramo added. “The teacher has obvious taught these students well and with rigor for them to be able to interact and engage the way they did.”

“The experience inspired me and made my day completely. I am so proud of the teacher and the students who are clearly ready for middle school. GO McKinley!”

Dr. Tom Kissinger peruses the book selection. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Kissinger read The Lorax to Mr. Engel’s fifth-graders. At McKinley, he read Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark to Ms. Pohlman’s class. He read Green Eggs and Ham to a first grade class at Disney Elementary.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for community members, parents, and District staff to engage in the promotion of literacy for elementary grades students,” commented Kissinger. “Every year, I look forward to this event.”

Now in it’s 18th year, Read Across America is a literacy program supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

The post Burbank Celebrates Read Across America Day appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Burbank Fire units received a call for a search and rescue at 2:56 pm on Monday at the City of Burbank’s Landfill located at 3000 North Bel Aire.

A Coroner’s van is seen leaving the landfill after an accident on Monday afternoon (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Upon arrival, they found that an employee of a private contractor, Road Builder’s Incorporated, who was performing roadway services in the landfill, had his rock mover truck somehow slip off the embankment for an undetermined reason and fell over 70 feet below.

The driver, who was not identified, was ejected from the truck. Paramedics responded to the scene for medical attention to find the driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Burbank Police Detectives are investigating the incident along with Cal OSHA and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The identity of the deceased male is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin.

The post Contractor Killed at Burbank Landfill appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Hundreds of community notables attended Burbank Temporary Aid Center’s annual fundraising gala last Friday, March 6, at the Castaway’s Verdugo Room. “Funds raised tonight will touch the lives of more than 10,000 members of our community,” states BTAC Board Chair Ronald Sorensen in his program letter. “And without this annual dinner, BTAC would not be able to serve as many people as need assistance.”

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

For the past 41 years, BTAC has been providing homeless adults and their children with groceries, sack lunches, toiletries and temporary lodgings. On a more limited basis, BTAC has also helped others avoid the descent into the streets by helping with the rent and utilities as they got back on their feet.
Master of Ceremonies Gary Olson, who also serves as President of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, reminded his audience that Los Angeles County is the “homeless capital of the nation.” Weather is a big factor, underscored by the evening’s warm Santa Ana breeze while much of the country continues to freeze. The Great Recession has been another factor, turning dual incomes into dual pink slips.
And for some who come to Burbank with dreams of Hollywood success, the hard reality is sitting on cold concrete as the indifferent stars wheel overhead.
Long ago, the Burbank community decided to see the awful face of homelessness rather than avert its eyes. Individual volunteers and businesses stepped forward to help, inspiring BTAC to combine fundraising with recognition: the Burbank Top Award for Citizenship.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

This year the award went to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center for their selfless medical services to the homeless, including free flu shots (which also makes it easier for BTAC staff to stay healthy) and medical advice. “For some BTAC clients, it’s the first quality time they’ve had with a medical professional ever,” remarked BTAC Chief Executive Officer Barbara Howell. Sr. Sheila Browne, RSM, Director of Mission Leadership, accepted the award on behalf of Saint Joseph.

As evidenced by rousing cheers from the audience another piece of heartwarming news is the return of Terry Walker to Saint Joseph’s senior staff.

Barry Gussow welcomes Terry Walker back to the community during BTAC’s announcement. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The program also spotlighted Edward Stapleton, who serves the critical post of BTAC’s Pantry and Facility Manager. Edward explains that he works to “secure the freshest fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk and other supplies. On a daily basis, our team of volunteers sorts through canned goods and fresh food to make sure they are in good condition and meet expiration date requirements.” Edward has been with BTAC for 15 years, in large part because co-workers and volunteers alike “are very dedicated to serving those in need. This is what makes working at BTAC so enjoyable.”

The post BTAC Honors Saint Joseph Hospital at Its Annual Fundraising Gala appeared first on myBurbank.com.

John Muir Middle School Cheerleading team placed first in their division at the recent USA Junior Nationals held on March 1 at Disney California Adventure theme park. The Muir Cheer squad remains undefeated this season, winning first place in every competition they have attended.

Muir Cheer competed against two teams, one from Dartmouth Middle School and the other from Reyburn Intermediate, in the Junior High Show Cheer Non Tumbling division.

The division is one of the more challenging categories at the annual Nationals competition, as there are no limitations on the stunting, according to Coach Rachael Osgood.

Muir Cheer placed first in their division at USA Junior Nationals on March 1, 2015. (Photo Courtesy John Muir Middle School Cheer Squad)

“Muir hit a perfect routine, maxing out on difficulty in all categories,” she said.

Muir Cheer is coached by Cierra Branca along with Osgood. Osgood started Muir’s cheerleading program in 2008 and has returned this past year after taking two years off. This is her fifth year at Muir and her seventh year coaching. Branca cheered throughout her high school career at Village Christian and started coaching at Muir this year.

“I am so proud of the girls!” commented Osgood. “Their hard work and dedication really paid off at Nationals.”

“Most of the girls on the team have never competed before. We were surprised how quickly they progressed throughout the year,” she continued. “Their skill level is far more advanced than most middle school teams.”

“To say these girls earned this title is an understatement. They constantly wanted to add practices, worked outside of practice, and motivated each other to win,” added Branca. “John Muir Cheer has become one big family throughout this season and it really shows out on stage.”

“Winning nationals was their goal from the beginning and I couldn’t be prouder of them for working to achieve it! I’m so grateful and blessed to be their coach!”

Muir Cheer competes and wins first place in their division at USA Junior Nationals on March 1, 2015. (Photo Courtesy John Muir Middle School Cheer Squad)

“They are some of the most fun, hard working, talented girls I have ever coached!” Osgood also said. “I have never coached a team that wanted to practice as often as they did.”

Muir Cheer members include eighth-graders Gariden Dixon (Captain), Linsey Gagliardi (Captain), Krissy Hunter (Captain), Dina Yahoum, Paula Jaramillo, Agnessa Kosogon, Alyona Kosogon, Ciara Rigor, Olivia Price, Savannah Booker and Tanya Boghosian.

Seventh-graders include Leslie Cubas, Adeline Miller, Alexis Sanchez, Alexis Saravia, Dominika Fehervari, Eve Fischer, Hana Lei Kaliel, Mckenzie Jessen, Quiara Jackson, Toffany Soto and Yara Hernandez.

Sixth-graders Cassie Pitt, Hayley O’leary, Natalie Bazik, Natalie Torosian and Zyniah Manuel round out the squad.

The post Muir Cheer Places First At USA Junior Nationals appeared first on myBurbank.com.

(Photo Courtesy of Rich Clark)

Good People Theater Company presents a fantastic Closer Than Ever, a “slice-of-midlife musical revue” that Hollywood Piano is hosting at its Irwin & Rhoda Treibitz Memorial Hall in Burbank. RICHARD MALTBY JR.’s lyrics tell true-to-life stories and tell them very well. Some are hilarious, like in the song You Wanna Be My Friend, and some are poignant, like in One of the Good Guys. The lyrics richly deserve being set to DAVID SHIRE’s sophisticated and beautiful music.

COREY HIRSCH fans will see him fully in command of his concert grand piano (Mason and Hamlin,) as well as of his vocal powers, delivering a moving solo performance of If I Sing. Fans of great bass playing will enjoy BRENT KOSSAK or JORDAN LAMOUREUX at the top of their game.

Singers GABRIEL KALOMAS, SARA STUCKEY, JESSIE WITHERS and DAVID ZACK are consistently amazing. They breathe glorious life into 22 first-rate songs, whether doing them as solos, duets, trios or full ensembles. Three cheers for producer/director JANET MILLER and musical director COREY HIRSCH.

Even casual theatergoers have noticed that the live stage uses more and more elaborate special effects, and it should be said, often employing them to great advantage. But Closer Then Ever reminds us that the extraordinary talent of the performer, presented to an audience closer than ever, remains the greatest special effect of all.

Closer than Ever runs through March 15. Performances are Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Hollywood Piano is located on Front Street: go west on Verdugo, cross First Street, then pass under the I-5, then turn sharply to the right (no other choice) and immediately see Hollywood piano on your left.

Special Charity of Choice Show on Saturday, March 14, at 3 p.m. 100% of sales to be donated to Los Angeles Habilitation House, empowering people with disabilities by giving them meaningful employment and arts and music experiences. Visit www.losangekleshabilitationhouse.org.

The post Closer Than Ever Is Better Than Ever At Hollywood Piano appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Inside Out is great fun. From the intimate stage of the Grove Theater Center, six women gave us one sassy session of entertainment therapy. Their “hot singing time machine” takes us back to the pre-Internet 80’s, when group therapy was breaking into the mainstream. Kudos to DOUG HAVERTY (Book/Lyrics) and ADRYAN RUSS (Music/Lyrics.)

There’s group leader Grace (CYNTHIA FERRER) who gained her people smarts in the expensive school of experience.

Sage (ADRIENNE VISNIC) is a New Age flower child, and love doesn’t seem to be in her Tarot cards.

Liz (SANDY BAINUM) is a top executive whose career success takes her into uncharted territory with her husband.

Chlo (STEPHANIE FREDRICKS) is a gay single mom who’s put her love life on hold, and that’s getting really old.

Molly (DANA MELLER) is a traditional mom struggling to shed pounds and other things weighing her down.

And then there’s Dena (LESLIE STEVENS,) hoping to sing her way back to the stardom she enjoyed in her youth.

Their love lives are a battlefield. And the audience knows that these very different women will, by the end of the play, become a band of sisters. The fun is in the journey, and under BRUCE KIMMEL’s direction, Inside Out makes sure that each advance from squabbling to solidarity is well-earned.

And also well sung. The actors achieve the very difficult feat of making their singing technically good, emotionally compelling and at the same time consistent with characters (excepting Dena) that aren’t supposed to be professional singers. Kudos to Musical Director ALBY POTTS as well to drummer/percussionist TYLER SMITH.

In the program materials, Doug tells us that he debated whether to update Inside Out. Bruce Kimmel “encouraged us to leave it in the 80’s and embrace it as a period piece.” Bruce was right. Except that Doug and his creative team have also created a work that celebrates an emerging period in human society, one that was underway by 1995, (the year “when the future began”, according to author W. Joseph Campbell) when the Off-Broadway production of Inside Out was garnering high praise.

The emerging period may well be one where a “new tribalism” will increasingly take over from traditional civilization. In Beyond Civilization, Daniel Quinn points out we humans had lived in tribes for tens of thousands of years. Then for some reason—perhaps agriculture—we decided to give civilization a try. With depressing regularity, civilization features a few at the top lording it over the many at the bottom, and often fouling a lot of nests in the bargain. More and more people are ready to try a different arrangement, which is good, because the current set up may not outlast this century.

But, is there anything “beyond civilization” besides some version of The Road or Road Warrior? Quinn sees a “new tribalism” of clan-sized groups of people united by purpose rather than genes. His vision came into focus when he saw that the circus “is in fact organized in a way that is authentically tribal.”

At first, those Inside Out gals in group therapy thought their sessions were a circus, but they ended up creating a “Quinn circus.” Inside Out captures group therapy as a pioneering effort of ordinary people to create their own local ecology of human flourishing.

If we’re lucky, civilization as we know it will gradually give way to Tribe 2.0. The “exponential technologies” celebrated in Peter Diamandis’ and Steven Kotler’s Bold may wind up empowering millions of small groups rather than a few huge conglomerates a la Continuum.

The shift away from the present scheme of things won’t be obvious at first. For example, when computers first appeared, they were used to make existing business processes go more efficiently. They whirred and blinked in large companies only–in special rooms with curtains dramatically revealing their wizardly presence. It wasn’t until computers became a lot more democratic that they began to create entirely new business processes.

And so it was with Tribes 2.0. At first they’re very exclusive and curtained off from the hoi polloi, like Lockheed’s Skunk Works or the Google version or the Apple version. They’re used to make existing civilization more efficient what it does.

Or, like the women in Inside Out, to better navigate the man’s world they find themselves in.

But, as Tribes 2.0 become more widespread, they begins to create an entirely new type of society.

And that’s the hope behind Inside Out. It’s not just genius geeks that can band together and do something wonderful. It’s also people from all walks of life—even people whose gender had limited their opportunities until the recent past, and who don’t quite know how to address the wider range of choices now available to them.

Inside Out is the counterpoint to Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged.            In Rand’s novel, the best brains of society gathered in Galt’s Gulch and became in effect the Skunk Works for a society that needed some serious re-tooling. Who doesn’t want to soar with eagles and leave the turkeys behind? That’s the forlorn daydream of every competent person in a mediocre organization.

But how is it that only a small percentage of humanity is firing on all cylinders? As the legendary Ingo Swann pointed out, in every other species the great majority of its members are in equal possession of their powers. So how were so many of us disempowered? Perhaps it’s being in a society based on maintaining dominance hierarchies: the exploitation of the many by the few. (To see how disempowerment works in the typical classroom, look up the essays of John Taylor Gatto.)

It’s not “Atlas shrugged.” It’s Atlas mugged, mugged from an early age. Inside Out shows how one group of women decided to suffer themselves into existence rather than out of it. They squared off with each other and traded blows of honesty that healed the bruises in their souls. Atlas healed…or at least starting to.

Doug has the last word: “… there is an uncommon strength to be gained in communal sharing.”

Inside Out continues at the Grove Theater Center (in Burbank off Clark just east of Mariposa) through Sunday, March 22. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays, 2 p.m. General admission, $25; seniors and students, $15. Running time is 120 minutes with one intermission. For tickets, call 323-960-1055 or visit www.plays411.com/insideout.

The post Inside Out Shows What a Show’s All About appeared first on myBurbank.com.

A Burbank Police officer got flagged down Tuesday afternoon by a passerby that there was an auto accident with a sheared fire hydrant on Buena Vista near Empire.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

When the officers arrived on scene they found water spraying several hundred feet into the air striking power lines and two cars totally mangled, one sitting on top of the hydrant.

The Fire Department was called, along with the water department, power department and a slew of additional police officers, to assist in directing traffic along the busy Buena Vista St.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The accident destroyed two cars and a fire hydrant, but didn’t cause an injuries to the driver involved.

The crash scene was cleared and traffic resumed within the hour.

The post Accident Causes Flood After Hydrant Sheared Off appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Burbank swept Hoover in three sets to begin Pacific League action (Photo by Dick Dornan)

By Dick Dornan
MyBurbank Sports Editor

What a difference 24 hours can make.

The season is less than two weeks old but the Burbank boys volleyball team has already shown it can bounce back from adversity. After suffering a 3-0 road defeat at the hands of Canyon on Monday evening, the Bulldogs returned to the “Doghouse” for their first home match of the year on Tuesday afternoon.

Willie Perryman celebrates the game-winning point with his teammates (Photo by Dick Dornan)

Burbank handled Hoover with relative ease taking the first Pacific League contest of the season, 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-18). It was a total team effort for Burbank (2-1, 1-0) as three players had eight or more kills and the defense played consistent with few passing errors.

“We had our hands full. Canyon was a strong team and they took it to us,” Burbank coach Patrick McMenamin said. “It was good to see the boys rebound, bounce back and win in straight sets.”

The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 11-5 lead on the Tornadoes. Willie Perryman’s stuff block followed by a kill from Patrick Lance extended Burbank’s lead to 17-10 in the first set.

Leading 19-12, Burbank closed out the first set with six straight points courtesy of four Hoover attack errors and kills by Lance and Dylan Anderson.

Robert O’Brien skies upward to block the hit (Photo by Dick Dornan)

Tied 12-12 in the second set, the Bulldogs took command of the match rattling off 11 of the next 14 points with Robert O’Brien slamming one of his game-high 10 kills to give BHS a 23-15 advantage. Another poor Hoover service error ended the set.

Similar to the first two sets, Burbank broke open a close affair in the third set behind Perryman who recorded back-to-back kills giving the Bulldogs a 15-10 lead.  Perryman added an ace to make it 17-11 and Burbank coasted the rest of the way taking the final set, 25-18.

“We passed better today,” said Perryman, who notched nine kills in the match. “We got the whole team on the same page with our passing and setting for all of our hitters. Everybody had a chance to hit and everyone had a chance to pass. It all clicked pretty well today.”

Lance added eight kills, Isaiah Torres contributed 17 assists and Anderson had a team-high 10 digs. Torres along with Kirk Capalla and Paul Shim rotated at setter and each player did a nice job of distributing the ball to their teammates.

Burbank Coach Patrick McMenamin

Burbank returns seven of 15 lettermen from a year ago when the Bulldogs went 16-6 and 9-3 in league. A second place finish behind five-time league champion Burroughs resulted in a well-deserved CIF playoff berth.

“We have a lot of returners who bring plenty of experience this season. We feel good about that,” said McMenamin. “But we are still trying to figure out what kind of a team we are going to be this year.

“Our strength is our experience. The boys are students of the game, more than any of our teams in the past. We want to use that volleyball IQ to our advantage.”

The Bulldogs are off for a week before resuming league play with a match against Claremont at home on March 17.

“This team could be just amazing,” Lance said. “When we are clicking, we are really good. We need to improve when we are not clicking. It was our first home match so we were pumped for this game.”

The post Burbank Boys Volleyball Sweeps Hoover to Begin League Action appeared first on myBurbank.com.

(Photo Courtesy Chester Brown)

The Burbank Police Department is sending out an advisory the community of a traffic situation for Thursday, March 12.

In an effort to assist the public to avoid possible traffic congestion as the President of the United States travels through Burbank, the following areas of the City should be avoided when possible to prevent travel delays for community members:

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Northbound & Southbound Hollywood Way from Empire Avenue to Glenoaks Boulevard

Will affect all surrounding side streets:

• Thornton Avenue
• Burton Avenue
• Tulare Avenue
• San Fernando Boulevard
• Cohasset Street

Closures will be in effect starting at approximately 4:00 p.m. through approximately 5:30 p.m.

(Photo Courtesy Chester Brown)

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A colorful floral and paisley decorated VW Bus, along with groovy 1960s costumes galore, transported the supporters and parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and Elementary School back in time during the school’s annual costume and dinner auction gala.

Held Saturday, March 7, in The Castaway’s large ballroom atop the Burbank Verdugo Hills, the “Sizzling 60s Dinner Auction” drew approximately 180 guests, according to event chair Heather Thimes.

Jerry and Nancy Willard, Brad and Rita Recker and Diana Egen. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The event continues to be St. Francis Xavier School’s largest fundraiser annually. More than 260 items were auctioned off, including a $1200 Hotel Del Coronado package, a Taylor Swift autographed hat and Tiffany and D.W. Henderson jewelry.

Although the final tally of funds raised won’t be known for a few weeks, according to Thimes, she felt the well-attended event was successful. The school’s PTO will announce the amount raised to the school community when available.

Designers of the flower bus were Nelly and Jose Ramirez. ( Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The annual dinner auction raises money for capital improvements for the school campus, explained Thimes, and goes towards the playgrounds and shading for sports and playground equipment.

“Our annual dinner auction event brings together fun, friendship and fundraising for the St. Francis Xavier community with the objective of improving important aspects of our school that will benefit our children’s development,” she commented.

Xavier Ortiz and Jason Murtha sported the 60s look for sure. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

St. Francis Xavier School is located on an eight and one-half acre plot of land in the Verdugo Hills.  According to the school’s website, the grounds were donated by the Cabrini Nuns in 1954 to start St. Francis Xavier Parish. Mother Cabrini’s order, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, established St. Francis Xavier School in 1956 and ran the educational programs until the order was called back to New York in 1970.

The elementary school is comprised of students in Kindergarten through eighth grade.

Chairs of the event Heather Thimes and De Dollak. ( Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Helping at the Welcoming table were Stacy Stanley and Ellen Petty. ( Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

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“Lovin’ is really my Game” Pop Show 36 wowed packed Burroughs Auditorium audiences this past March weekend, belting out great tunes in full leonine roar and also creating moments of lamb-­‐y sweetness. John Burroughs High School Vocal Music Association (JBHS VMA) had all musical guns firing: Powerhouse, Sound Sensations, Sound Waves, Decibelles, Vocal Ensemble, Muses, Men@Work and Dance Ensemble.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The solos and duets were without exception good enough to swivel a few chairs on The Voice, and many were good enough to stand comparison with the top 12 on American Idol. This includes the ‘mazin Robin Mazer, Nick Nikoian’s big league rendition of Feelin’ Good, and the blow-­‐you-­‐away powerful voices of Brighton Thomas and Cassidy MacNeill.

A stand out performance among the stand-­‐outs has to include the barbershop beauty About That Bass, with sonic stylings by Marvin Dela Cruz, Nick Nikoian, Jeremy Moran, Joshua Strobi and Jasiri Booker.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Throw in great choreography, superb dancing, back flips that don’t miss a beat, and attention to detail that even makes the segues entertaining.

And then there’s the Tech Crew doing professional-­‐level sound and lighting effects. Not even Glee had it this good. Forget the fast track. The crewmates (high school students, you have to keep reminding yourself) are on the bullet train to great tech careers in the industry.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

First-­‐rate sound and lighting can cut both ways for performers. Mistakes will be amplified just as much as talent. But the cast more than lived up to the tech support. And as a bonus, those going on to a post-­‐high school career in live performance won’t be thrown by the big stage. They’ve already been there.

VMA Director Brendan Jennings is too modest to say that Burroughs is the top show choir in the country, since, like with college football, there’s no clear-­‐cut path to being recognized as the indisputable “number one.” But he readily agrees that Burroughs would be on anyone’s “top three list” of USA high school show choirs. Anyone seeing the forest of first place trophies Burroughs has garnered in various competitions might be forgiven for narrowing that list down to one high school.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

But the real point is not the ranking but the audience. People attend Pop Show 36 not just to dutifully cheer on a son or a granddaughter. They’re looking forward to a evening of great entertainment.

After the Saturday night performance, several dozen singers descended on the Coral Cafe with that electric, winner’s excitement that you normally see in high school only after winning the big game. And it seems that sustained practice is as important on the stage as on the field. One of the singers pointed out that Pop Show rehearsals start well before the holidays. The chorographers put their heads together for the large-­‐scale sets, but the soloists can pick their own songs. Then come the weeks of hard work and back-­‐and-­‐forth with the Tech Crew.

From time to time, educators have wondered at least once what it would be like if students were as dedicated to any subject-­‐-­‐take-­‐your-­‐pick-­‐-­‐as they are to sports. And what would it be like if their community were as supportive of the performing arts as, say, the typical Texas town is of its high school and junior high school football programs?

What would it be like? Pop Show 36 is what it would be like. Along with a yearbook-­‐quality program thick with individual and business contributors. That’s what it would be like.

And that’s because loving young adults into excellence is really, truly VMA’s game.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

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Motorcades transporting President Barack Obama and wife Michelle drove through Burbank yesterday causing some people temporary headaches during their passage.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

In the morning hours Michelle Obama landed at Bob Hope Airport and departed with a motorcade heading south to Warner Brothers Studio at the home of the Ellen DeGeneres Show. There were only a few vehicles involved in this motorcade and didn’t cause many delays.

Meanwhile, President Obama landed at Bob Hope Airport with three Osprey helicopters along with the White House Press Crew at approximately 4:10 p.m. That was followed by Marine 1 & 2 carrying the President.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Once the President was on the ground his motorcade exited the airport at Winona Avenue and Hollywood Way and headed northbound toward Glenoaks with more than two dozen support vehicles proceeding and following the President.

Twitter lit up when people attempted to exit the I-5 at Hollywood Way and were stuck on the off ramps for over 30 minutes. People couldn’t figure why they were not warned before entering the exits.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Police issued several warnings to the public on the day of and the day  before that traffic was going to be disrupted in the afternoon because of the President’s arrival.

They provided locations of streets that would be closed from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. when the motorcade was going to be on the Burbank streets. The freeway on and off ramps are normally controlled by California Highway Patrol, who were occupied leading the Presidential escort.

The President proceeded through Burbank without any delays via Hollywood Way to Glenoaks then out to the 170 Freeway to his final destination at the Jimmy Kimmel Show in Hollywood.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

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The rivalry continues on April 23 and May 13 between the two talented ballclubs (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

By Rick Assad
Special to MyBurbank

For Burbank High and Burroughs the race to the Pacific League girls’ softball title doesn’t begin until March 31 when the visiting Bulldogs take on Glendale, while the Indians face Pasadena. And though Burbank is the favorite to claim the banner, Burroughs will have something to say about the matter.

The Bulldogs are coming off a season in which they went 24-4, 14-0 and first place in league for the second consecutive campaign, and advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division III second round where they lost to Palos Verdes, 5-2.

The Indians were 19-7, and 11-3 in league for second place, dropped a 6-3 decision to Bishop Amat in the opening round, and led the division in scoring with 264 runs.

“We have that target on our back,” said second-year Burbank coach Mike Delaney, who also skippered Village Christian’s program for nine years. “Championships are made when the stands are empty. These girls are focused on a goal, and that’s to play our best at the end of the year. We need to play at our best level.”

Delaney feels the squad will live up to the lofty expectations.

“Our team is extremely competitive,” he said. “They hate to lose to each other in scrimmages. I told them don’t worry about what other teams are doing. The second round is nice. I’m not taking away from anyone else, but we set our goal to win the CIF championship game.”

Burroughs feels equally justified in thinking it has a legitimate claim to the banner given that the Indians have secured three of the last five.

“We have a tremendous amount of respect for Burbank,” Burroughs fifth-year coach Doug Nicol said. “I love our team. It’s going to be a tremendous challenge. It’s good for the city of Burbank. We still believe we are the team that’s going to work the hardest. We feel good about our chances. We think we’re going to be right there.”

Burbank-

On paper the Bulldogs, who owned a 24-game winning streak last season, have an advantage over the field because of pitcher Caitlyn Brooks, who powered her way to a 21-4 record and a 1.18 earned-run average.

Notre Dame commit and All-CIF pitcher Caitlyn Brooks (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Brooks, a senior right-handed hurler who will be attending the University of Notre Dame, struck out 258 and walked 22 in 160 innings.

Brooks’ off-the-field honors included league Player of the Year, along with being named to the prestigious National Fast-Pitch Coaches Association All-American third team.

“I’ve challenged her to step up this year,” Delaney said. “I know she can be that Division I pitcher. She’s very poised and always ready for a new challenge.”

Brooks isn’t just a decorated hurler, but a highly-productive hitter who batted .513, swatted a club-best five home runs with 25 walks, and had a team-high 42 runs batted in.

“Caitlyn is a phenomenal hitter,” Delaney noted. “In this day and age, it’s rare to find a humble athlete who works hard. Caitlyn is just that.”

Backing Brooks in the circle will be senior Hanna Moulton, who tossed 20 innings and posted a 1.47 ERA with 21 strikeouts and five walks.

“Hanna’s in a real tough spot because Caitlyn is the No. 1 pitcher,” Delaney pointed out. “She doesn’t get a lot of chances to pitch, but when she does, she does well. She works hard at pitching and can also play second base.”

Brooks and Moulton are supported by a stellar infield that includes junior first baseman Julia Duarte, who has committed to the University of Pennsylvania.

Duarte, who played in 28 games, made all-league first team, batted .374 and blasted four home runs with 34 RBIs.

“She’s a really good kid and a very good player,” Delaney said. “Julia understands situations and knows all aspects of the game.”

To Duarte’s right will be junior second baseman Cailey Stevenson, who will bat leadoff, finished with a .296 average and was selected to the second team all-league.

Sabrina Steward

“We expect a breakout year from Cailey,” Delaney offered. “She’s very aggressive, has really improved and has lots of range.”

Junior Sabrina Steward will play shortstop. “Sabrina’s a phenomenal athlete and has lots of talent. She works hard at shortstop,” Delaney said.

At the plate, Steward, a transfer from Burroughs, has enormous potential. “She played in only 16 games and batted .282,” Delaney said. “She had limited at-bats, but is going to have a big year.”

Senior Lily Winn is the third baseman, was highly decorated, garnering NFCA All-Regional first team, and made all-league first team.

Lily Winn

“Lily batted .535, drove in 34 runs and had three home runs,” Delaney said. “In 98 plate appearances, she didn’t strike out even once and led us with 12 stolen bases.”

Senior Bridgette Pisa is the catcher, played in 28 games and made all-league first team along with NFCA All-Regional first team.

“Bridgette batted .410 and is smart behind the plate,” Delaney said. “She’s the emotional leader.”

Senior Jazmin Orozco will play left field and is the backup catcher. “Jazmin is good enough to be the starting catcher on most teams,” Delaney said. “She has a good eye at the plate, batted .360, and was an all-area honorable mention.”

Senior Allyson Capili is the center fielder, but was limited to five games due to injury. “Allyson’s extremely fast and is a lefty slapper. She’ll bat No. 2 or No. 9.”

Junior Isabelle Frias will patrol right field and finished with a .313 batting average. “She has a lot of potential and is a fundamentally smart player,” Delaney said.

Senior Mandy DeLeon, who hit .312, will battle Steward for the shortstop position. “She works real hard and does a good job,” Delaney said.

Junior Amber Ingram is an outfielder who primarily plays right field. “Amber’s a phenomenal player who has good bat speed, is a solid outfielder and a good base runner,” Delaney said.

Freshman Anysia Gonzalez rounds out the squad and will be a utility player. “Anysia is the only freshman on the team and that can be tough, but she’s very mature. She’s played in our scrimmages and done well. She’s very talented and there’s a tremendous upside.”

Burroughs-

The Indians have their own power keg in senior third baseman Michelle Santiago, who will see time as a catcher, has signed with Saint Peter’s College in New Jersey, and was tabbed first team all-league three times.

“Michelle batted .531 and has struck out only once in her career as a freshman,” Nicol said. “She’s one of the five best hitters in our region. She’s focused and determined. If the pitcher makes a mistake, she’ll hit it.”

Burroughs senior class: (L-R) Tara Seavey, Michelle Santiago, Maile Tanigawa, Delaney Nicol, Kailanie Oasay, Tori Talavera, DJ Santos (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Junior Kaitlin Okimoto is a three-year starter who batted .485, was second on the club with 27 RBIs, selected second team all-league, and will bat No. 3, No. 4 or No. 5 in the lineup.

Senior first baseman Tori Talavera, who signed with Colorado State in Pueblo, is another key.

“Tori batted .298 and is a three-year varsity player and a two-year starter,” Nicol said. “I think she’s going to have a good year and has made a lot of improvement.”

Sophomore Lauren Lopez will play second base and is an all-around solid performer. “Lauren can hit, play defense, will get down and dirty and has a great motor,” Nicol noted.

Junior Brianna Devellano is the catcher and had a .300 batting average in her initial stint at the varsity level.

“Brianna played 16 games as a catcher,” Nicol said. “She played travel ball so she has lots of experience.”

Presley Miraglia

Burroughs has a pair of freshmen leading the pitching brigade, and they are power-hurler Presley Miraglia, who has played in 25 scrimmages and travel ball.

“We feel like she’s a sophomore because of all this experience,” Nicol said. “She’s a quality kid, has very good skills and a bright future.”

Nicol envisions a rosy career for Miraglia, who can play second base. “She’s up to the challenge, but she isn’t going to do it alone,” Nicol said. “The girls are going to support her. I love what Presley brings to the table. I wouldn’t trade her for any pitcher in the league. I have a lot of faith in her.”

Hannah Talavera, who can play center field, is the other first-year pitcher. “Hannah does not have the same power that Presley does, so she’s going to have to hit her spots,” Nicol said.

Senior D.J. Santos is the left fielder. “D.J. batted .417 and stole eight bases in eight attempts,” Nicol said. “We expect her to double that and she has a good short game.”

Senior Delaney Nicol will patrol center field, and just concluded her stint as the point guard on the basketball team which lost in the CIF semifinals.

“Delaney is a four-year varsity player and a three-year starter,” Nicol said of his daughter. “She’s good at tracking the ball and is a gap-hitter who batted .342.”

Nicol, a leadoff hitter who signed with Hamilton College in New York, was named honorable mention as a junior, and was chosen first team all-league as a sophomore. She hasn’t committed an error in her varsity career.

Brianna Johnson

Senior Kailanie Oasay is the right fielder and batted .304. “She’s a tough-luck kid,” Nicol said. “She blew out her knee and shoulder. We’re trying to keep her healthy. Along with D.J., Delaney and Kaitlin, she’s one of the fastest runners on the team.”

Junior Daisy Rodriguez played first base on the junior varsity, has a great work ethic, and will see action at first base.

Sophomore Destiny Velazquez, who hit .375, will divide her time behind the plate and third base.

Sophomore Amanda Flores participated in 19 games, batted .308 and played second base and shortstop.

Sophomore Brianna Johnson was a member of the JV where she toiled at third base, shortstop and catcher.

Senior outfielder Maile Tanigawa suffered severe knee injuries during her junior and sophomore campaigns.

“Maile shows a great deal of heart and dedication,” Nicol said. “She could have quit a long time ago, but she’s shown what type of person she is.”

Senior Tara Seavey is a reserve outfielder who is willing to doing whatever the coaching staff asks. “Tara has been a surprise for us,” Nicol said. “She’s a captain, a great kid, has a great work ethic and never quits.”

Junior Sophia Odio is a backup outfielder. “She’s working hard and adjusting to the speed of the varsity,” Nicol said.

Two teams. Two journeys. The best is yet to come. Stay tuned.

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Vendors who create their own merchandise are showing their wares this weekend in the center court on the first floor of the Burbank Town Center Mall.

The pop-up show features artists who are members of the SoCal Etsy Guild, a team of more than 2,500 local artists based throughout Southern California, said its founder Stephanie Payan.

The purpose is to create consumer awareness of shopping local and buying handmade goods, she said.

While the guild is separate from the online retailer Etsy, which sells handmade and vintage merchandise, art and supplies, Etsy allows the guild to use its name in its business title and is a sponsor providing guild members with workshops, educational materials and supplying give-away items for pop-up events.

Guild members participate in pop-up shows in Burbank, San Diego, San Pedro, downtown Los Angeles and Riverside.

Plans are to make Burbank a quarterly stop on the circuit, Payan said.

On Friday, a handful of artists were showing their unique wares.

“It’s a well-rounded variety,” Payan said. “I think people have this misconception that handmade is only jewelry and when they think of a crafter, they think your grandma selling her knitted stuff. But it’s very much not that. I think it’s a really progressive movement going on and people are becoming really conscious of buying handmade and getting one-of-a-kind of items. So we have all kinds of items — we have sunglasses and art, clothing, skin care and body care, hats.”

Every vendor participating in the event on Friday makes their livelihood selling their handmade merchandise. Other vendors on Saturday and Sunday work regular jobs Monday through Friday, Payan said.

There will be 25 total vendors showing on Saturday and 20 on Sunday in the Town Center Center Court.

“Some of the people who are our vendors are following their dream or they lost their job — for whatever reason — they want to start their own business,” she said.

Payan started primarily making jewelry and she’s expanded to clothing, home decor — like throw pillows — and cuff links. Everything she does is unisex.

“This is how I started the guild because I was a handicrafter but it was just hard to find events to sell at,” she said. “My main focus is the guild and putting on events but this is what I like to do — sitting home sewing, knitting and making stuff — it clears out my brain.”

Vanessa Cotto, owner/designer of Paola Loves To Shop, designs rings, necklaces and chokers.

“The cuffs are all vintage brass and I wrap stones around them and they are all adjustable,” she said. “I make alien rings and have a lot of items made of quartz. These are chokers but they are worn as tiaras too.”

She also sells vintage tattoo chokers that were popular in the 1990s when they could be purchased from vending machines, Cotto said.

“They started coming back and I updated them with little charms,” she said.

Cotto said the tattoo chokers were vintage — more than 20 years old. The woman she purchased them from bought them from another woman who had stored boxes and boxes of them for 20 years.

Another vendor, Jay Choi, was letting shoppers try samples from his beauty line Bon Bliss Bath and Body Treats.

One shopper was amazed at how soft her hands became after using the Scrub-2-Go product in Mango Sorbet flavor.

Choi’s wife Elissa, developed the product that is made of natural products including exotic butters and skin nourishing oils.

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Traffic along the I-5 freeway was stopped for more than an hour after four power poles supporting high voltage electricity over the freeway at Alameda Street were snapped off leaving energized power lines on top cars and trucks.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Burbank Fire Department responded to the incident at 1:07 a.m. Saturday along with Burbank Police and closed both directions of the freeway along with both directions of Alameda Street under the I-5 Freeway.

There were several cars and trucks on the freeway with power lines across them, causing a total shut down of the freeway in both north and southbound lanes.

Burbank Water and Power Crews responded and cut the power at the  poles at Alameda Street and Lake Street and at Alameda Street and Flower Street. Crews then had to remove the wires across the freeway.

Cars stranded on the freeway were turned around in the wrong direction and led off the freeway at the Western and Verdugo on-ramps.

Burbank Water and Power Crews were going to have to spend the night cleaning up the shattered wood, insulators and other debris from the traffic lanes on Alameda Street.

Until the power was cut, any motorist stuck in their car remained there. No injuries were reported.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

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The construction activities and closures listed below will occur March 15-20, 2015, as part of the I-5 Empire Project in Burbank, a series of freeway improvements between Magnolia Boulevard and Buena Vista Street. All work will occur during daytime hours unless otherwise specified.

More information about the project is here. Construction activities, closures and schedules are subject to change.

Major Construction Activities for March 15-20, 2015  

• Leland Way Channel Cap: Concrete pour for soundwalls, striping and drilling. Flaggers will be on site to ensure street and driveway access at all times.

Parking Restriction Switch: The street parking restriction will switch to the north end of Leland Way the week of March 16, 2015. On the north end of the street, between University Avenue and Broadway, parking will be restricted on both sides of the street at all times. On the south segment (the cul-de-sac end), parking will be permitted on the residence side only. The switch is expected to be fully implemented by March 17. Signs will be posted. See the attached notice for more information.

• Empire Avenue Interchange/Undercrossing: Through the end of March, crews are installing metal plates and beams for shoring on the southbound I-5 shoulder near the old San Fernando tunnel. The work is necessary to construct the new Empire Avenue interchange. This operation will occur at night, Sunday through Thursday, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Residents may notice some noise and/or vibration while this work is underway.

• Lincoln Street/Victory Place Improvements: Paving and striping operation. Lincoln Street at Victory Place, which has been closed during the construction, will OPEN the week of March 16. Temporary stop signs will be installed on Lincoln Street.

• Temporary Railroad Tracks: Drilling and installation of metal plates for the shoring wall needed for the temporary tracks by Empire Avenue. There may be some noise and vibration associated with this work. Also, grading between Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Way.

• Retaining Wall/Soundwall Work (excavation, concrete pours): Work will occur at the following locations:

o   Between Empire Avenue and the southbound I-5 Burbank Boulevard off-ramp

o   Near the southbound I-5 Empire Avenue on- and off-ramps

o   Southbound Burbank Boulevard off-ramp

o   Old Southbound Scott Road off-ramp

What to Expect: Residents and businesses close to the freeway may notice vibration and construction noise, but it will not exceed levels permitted by state, federal and local regulations. Also, the contractor is using approved dust-control measures to minimize airborne particles, but some dust is expected.

Please be attentive to closures, slow down, and watch for workers in construction zones.

Additionally, motorists should be attentive to new traffic patterns created by restriping of travel lanes and concrete barriers. Please proceed cautiously and watch for workers.

Closures for March 15-20, 2015

• One lane of southbound I-5 will be closed between Buena Vista Street and Burbank Boulevard from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Lincoln Street will be closed at Victory Place through March 17.

• Intermittent daytime closures of one lane of northbound Buena Vista Street between Winona Avenue and San Fernando Boulevard.

Resources for Motorists

• Project Information: Information about the project is here.

• Closure Information: Closure information for this and other freeway projects is also available on the Caltrans website and the I-5 website.

• Real-Time traffic Information: Visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov, go511.com, or call 5-1-1.

• I-5 Info Line: (855) 454-6335. Live help – not a recording.

For the safety of the construction crew and motorists, please be attentive to closures, slow for the cone zone, and move over one lane where possible.

Caltrans thanks motorists for their patience and understanding during construction. For more information, visit My5LA.com.

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At the March 5th Board of Education meeting, Dr. Oscar Macias, Assistant Principal of Instruction at John Burroughs High School, was appointed Principal of Luther Burbank Middle School. Oscar will continue working in both roles during the transition.

Macias earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Criminology from California State University, Northridge. He earned a Master of Education degree specializing in Cross-Cultural Teaching from National University. Recently, he just completed the doctoral program in Educational Leadership at the USC Rossier School of Education.  His dissertation summary was recently published in the January 2015 issue of EdCal.

He started teaching in the Burbank Unified School District at Community Day School in 2000.  There he taught all math subjects to the at-risk student population.  He also served as Teacher on Special Assignment for BUSD for two summer schools where he was inspired to pursue school administration. In 2007, he entered into school administration at John Burroughs High School. During his tenure at JBHS, he has served as an assistant principal in the areas of Discipline, Guidance, and for the last five years, Curriculum and Instruction. Macias has also successfully served as a Summer School principal for BUSD for three years.

A hard-working instructional leader who always advocates for students, parents, and teachers, Macias is an active member of many District committees and task forces that influence curriculum and instruction. He is also an active member and supporter of the Burbank Association of School Administrators and the Association of California School Administrators. He has served as a Charter President and was recognized by his peers with the Charter Leadership Award in 2014.

His education philosophy revolves around the concept that the purpose of education is to provide learning experiences which enable all students to achieve at the highest level possible.  As an education leader, Oscar believes it is his responsibility to create a school environment which is supportive but challenging and governed by constructive feedback and research-based best practices and procedures.

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A 19 year-old Los Angeles man better go back to school to learn some better Photoshopping skills after he arrested Saturday after trying to use a fake receipt at Costco.

Dashgombo Munkhbayar was arrested Saturday around 2:30 pm after police were called to Costco at Burbank and Victory after officers discovered that the male had generated a fake receipt that resembled Costco’s.

Munkhbayar  took the receipt into the store, picked up the items he had listed on the receipt, and attempted to walk out of the store with over $1,400.00 of unpaid merchandise.  The employee who verifies receipts noticed the receipt was not authentic, and store security took the suspect into custody until police arrived.

The officers determined the suspect entered the store with the intent to steal.  Munkhbayar was then taken into custody and transported to Burbank jail where he was booked.  His bail was set at $ 20,000.00.

Munkhbayar posted bail, and is scheduled to appear in court on April 9

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