Joaquin Miller Elementary held its first Bike And Walk To School Day on Wednesday, May 6. More than 300 families gave permission for their children to bike, walk or scooter to school, according to event coordinators.
The Miller Elementary Bike and Walk to School Day was organized by Anna Tagmazyan, Miller Elementary School Community Resource Assistant along with Burbank Transportation Management Organization (BTMO) Executive Director Kyle Maetani.
Free event t-shirts, bike lights and reflective wrist bands were provided by BTMO and Nickelodeon.
“This is the first year Miller Elementary participated in Bike and Walk to School Day and it was a huge success,” commented Tagmazyan. “Parents, grandparents and caretakers walked to school with students.”
“Students were greeted by our principal Judy Hession and were super excited when I started to hand out the wristbands and the bike lights,” she added. “This event encouraged kids to walk more in order to stay healthy.”
On Friday morning a domestic dispute starting in Foothill Division’s area ended peacefully within the Burbank Town Center complex with the capture of a suspect thought to be armed with an unknown weapon.
As LAPD officers responded to a call for assistance, the suspect attempted to flee the scene, ultimately leading LAPD to the parking structure adjacent to Burbank’s Colony Theater. Burbank Police responded to support LAPD, and established a safety perimeter around the Burbank Town Center area, which included securing Burbank High School and surrounding areas.
The suspect was apprehended, with support of a Burbank Police K9 unit at approximately 12:45 p.m., and the suspect was taken into custody inside a Colony Theater prop room at N. 3rd St. and E. Cypress Ave.
Burbank Police provided more than 25 officers, including SWAT support, joining a large number of LAPD officers in the suspect’s apprehension.
LAPD had earlier learned the suspect had warrants in both Los Angeles and Burbank, increasing the urgency to apprehend the suspect, who has not yet been identified. As the suspect was brought out of the Colony Theater entrance, officers from both police departments were clearly disturbed the incident had escalated to such a level. The suspect was placed into a single LAPD car, and quietly departed the scene, as Burbank’s city center slowly returned to business.
NOTE: In an era where police and citizen contact has often escalated into unneeded violence and conflict between citizens and law enforcement, it is encouraging to have witnessed what this reporter can only characterize as a professional police action by both LAPD and the Burbank Police department. While the response may have appeared overwhelming, in reality the police knew the suspect had a record of arrests, was allegedly armed, and was intentionally evading arrest. Both departments protected the citizens of Burbank, and peacefully apprehended the suspect, providing a result which is the best for both the city and the suspect, who will have his day in court.
This story will be updated once the suspects name and city of origin is confirmed and any other information is supplied by LAPD.
myBurbank staff members Craig Sherwood and Ross Benson contributed to this story.
Like a light drizzle that becomes a steady downpour that turns into a deluge, so to was it for the Burroughs High boys’ volleyball team that started slowly before becoming a whirlwind in Saturday’s CIF Southern Section Division II quarterfinal match against visiting Camarillo.
It was a four-game extravaganza that the No. 3 seeded Indians pulled out 26-24, 20-25, 25-20, 25-8, behind the usual suspects and advanced to next Wednesday’s semifinal clash on the road versus Valencia, the No. 2 seed and No. 1 team from the Foothill League.
Bailey Carter, shown here against West Torrance, had eight kills vs. Camarillo (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Junior middle blocker Andrew Dalmada led the way with a team-best 16 kills, followed by senior outside hitter Max Chamberlain and junior outside hitter Cameron Capili with 13 kills each.
Junior middle blocker Bailey Carter chimed in with eight kills and three blocks, and senior libero Matt Kim had 11 digs.
“We just wanted to reset and clean up our mistakes,” said Dalmada of the second game. “We didn’t want to underestimate them and come in cocky. This was a good test for us.”
If Burroughs (30-3 overall and 12-0 in the Pacific League) had not taken the initial game, and had the other three gone the way they did, the Indians, who have won six consecutive league titles, a fifth game would have been necessary.
“We saw growth out of our guys,” said Burroughs coach Joel Brinton. “We followed the game plan. We made a bunch of errors in the first game. This was a big step forward.”
Cameron Capili, shown here against West Torrance, slammed 13 kills vs. Camarillo (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Burroughs, which knocked off La Sierra in four games in the second round and West Torrance in three in the opening round, found a way to capture the first game, and despite losing the second game to the Scorpions, bounced back and grabbed the next two.
Camarillo (21-12) led 2-0 on senior outside hitter Ethan Tendler’s kill before it was knotted at 6-6 and 7-7.
The Scorpions pulled ahead 13-9 and 17-14 on a winner from senior outside hitter Matt Yoshimoto, who had a match-best 19 kills, and will likely play for Moorpark College after being shown interest from several Division I programs such as the University of San Francisco, Cal State Northridge, and UC Santa Barbara.
Sensing that the game was slipping away, the Indians buckled down and tied it at 18-18, 19-19 and 21-21 on Chamberlain’s winner. The Scorpions leveled it at 22-22 when Chamberlain’s serve crashed into the net.
“We knew No. 3 [Yoshimoto] was their best player,” said Chamberlain, who will play volleyball for Pepperdine. “We wanted to try and shut him down early. I think that we need to work on our communication. I need to spend more time with the starting group.”
It was even at 23-23 and 24-24 on Yoshimoto’s two kills, before the Indians picked up a point on Carter’s rocket and junior setter Ryan Van Loo’s tapper that clinched the game.
Not wanting to fall behind two games to none, Camarillo, seeded No. 10, led 11-2 as Tendler had a kill and four service aces during this stretch.
Bailey Carter and Cameron Capili, shown here against West Torrance, had strong games vs. Camarillo (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
The Indians came back and won six consecutive points that trimmed the margin to 11-8 with Dalmada getting a kill and a service ace, while Capili added a kill and Van Loo, who finished with 41 assists, contributing a block.
The other two points came when sophomore setter John Paul Dillard and Yoshimoto each rifled the ball out of bounds.
Camarillo, which finished tied for second in the newly-formed Coastal Canyon League at 4-5, then took five of the next eight points and charged ahead 16-11 on Tendler’s wallop.
The Indians cut into the lead and made it 17-13 on Dalmada’s kill, and then went on a 5-1 blitz that evened it at 18-18.
The Scorpions took a 21-18 advantage when Capili’s drive sailed into the net, and sealed the Indians’ fate by capturing four of the next six points, with Yoshimoto making it 24-20 and Tendler’s game-winner.
“I thought our confidence level was good in the first set, but then it started to slip away,” Camarillo coach Rob Vandermay said. “We needed to get our confidence and energy level up. It seemed like we lacked consistency in the third and fourth sets, and Burroughs took advantage of that.”
Burroughs never trailed in the third game and led 11-5 on Dalmada’s bullet and 13-8 when Yoshimoto’s rocket drifted out of bounds.
The Indians forged ahead 16-11 on Dalmada’s smash, before pulling ahead 20-14 on Chamberlain’s hammer.
Camarillo would edge to within 24-20 on Yoshimoto’s block, but it would be over for the Scorpions when Dalmada responded with a game-clinching kill.
“I thought we were too one dimensional,” Vandermay said of Yoshimoto and Tendler, who had seven kills. “We were too predictable. But at least I know that we got beat by a good team. We made errors, but they beat us.”
After the fourth game was level at 3-3 on Dalmada’s long serve, the Indians jumped in front, 11-5, and then outscored the Scorpions, 12-2, that made it 23-7 and included Capili’s three kills.
Match time is set for 7 p.m. at Valencia on Wednesday. This is the furthest a Burroughs boys volleyball team has ever advanced.
Students in John Muir Middle School’s Vocal Music Association presented a check for $800 to Burbank Temporary Aid Center (BTAC) director Barbara Howell on Monday, May 18. Nearly 60 students in the Pop Show/Dance Ensemble group raised the funds to help those in need.
The students wore shirts designed by their choreographer, Gina Bishop, celebrating BTAC. The Pop Show/Dance Ensemble members performed a dance as part of the presentation and sold additional tee shirts to benefit BTAC.
“The students are very proud of themselves, that they alone could raise this money for BTAC,” commented Penny Zambrano, John Muir Middle School VMA treasurer.
The annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is the local version of the Presidential Prayer Breakfast held annually in Washington D.C. Here in Burbank, the Master’s Men have held the event for the past 40 years. This year’s event was held at the Pickwick Gardens with more than 100 guests in attendance.
Guest speaker Bruce Osgood with Burbank Mayor Bob Frutos at Prayer Breakfast 2015 (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Every May 1st Burbank holds it’s City Council reorganization meeting and one of the first duties of the new Mayor is to give the welcome at the yearly Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.
This year Burbank’s new Mayor Bob Frutos gave the welcome and shared that in his daily profession as a Los Angeles Police Officer he recited the “Police Officer’s Prayer” that was located in his locker. It reads:
‘Lord I ask for courage…Courage to face and Conquer my own fears…Courage to take me where others will not go…I ask for strength…Strength of body to protect others…And strength of spirit to lead others…I ask for dedication…
Mayor Bob Frutos showing his a ‘Police Officers Prayer’ that hangs in his locker and is recited daily (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Dedication to my job, to do it well…Dedication to my community to keep it safe… Give me Lord, concern…For others who trust me…And compassion for those who need me…And please Lord through it all be at my side.’
Following the Mayor’s welcome and comments, Darrell Taylor of Burbank’s Master’s Men introduced this year’s guest speaker Bruce Osgood. Osgood, a long time Burbank school administrator as Principal of John Muir Middle School and then Burbank High School, left the district recently to become the Principal of Village Christian School in Sun Valley.
Guest speaker Bruce Osgood spoke at this year’s Mayor Prayer Breakfast as Pastor Ross Purdy and Mayor Bob Frutos listen (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Osgood’s presentation for this year’s Breakfast was “The Wrong Question” siting several passages from the Bible and experiences he has seen in his career as a principal and teacher over the years.
Guests who attended this year’s breakfast included Los Angeles County Mayor Michael Antonovich, several City officials, school district administrators, and members of most of Burbank’s Service Clubs.
Renee Gorsey, Amy Gillette, Paul Cady, Lloyd Pedersen and Janet Wood (photo courtesy Doug Engalla)
“In a Different Light” A man and a woman who were lovers back in their college days meet by chance in Paris 20 years later. Both of them were hoping the City of Lights would brighten their dimming marriages, but it seems to have relit their feelings for each other instead. Starring PAUL CADY, AMY GILLETTE, RENEE GORSEY, LLOYD PEDERSEN and JANET WOOD.
“Two Lives” Two women who are best friends find themselves in a Chicago hospital after a terrible car accident. The staff thinks they’re brain dead, but the women know it’s their grieving loved ones that need reviving. Starring MICHELE BERNATH, KATHLEEN CHEN, LLOYD PEDERSEN, LAUREN PETERSON, ANDREW CURTIS STARK, DEBI TINSLEY.
“Forget-Me-Not” A middle-aged Sacramento couple find themselves sandwiched between memory-challenged parents and car-crazy teenagers, and their lettuce is getting scarce. But they’re considering an idea that just might be crazy enough to work. Starring MICHELE BERNATH, PAUL CADY, AMY GILLETTE, LLOYD PEDERSEN, ANDREW CURTIS STARK, ELIJAH TOMLINSON, JANET WOOD.
DOUG HAVERTY (Book/Co-Lyricist) and ADRYAN RUSS (Composer/Lyricist) have done it again, crafting another great musical that can stand alongside their highly successful Inside Out (recently at the Grove Theatre Centre in Burbank.)
Lloyd Pedersen, Andrew CurtisStark, Elijah Tomlinson (photo courtesy Doug Engalla)
A special bow to versatile actor LLOYD PEDERSEN, who is equally at home with physical comedy and deeply affecting pathos.
And kudos to The Group Rep/Lonny Chapman Theatre for continuing to bring first-rate theatre to greater NoHo.
Continues through June 28 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, located at 10900 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Talk back after the Sunday shows on May 24 and June 7. General admission, $25; seniors and students, $20; and groups of 10+, $15.
John Muir Middle School students learned about Greek, Asian and Egyptian cultures during the annual Muir Day of the Ancients held Friday, May 15. Sixth grade students participated in activities and workshops connected to the ancient culture they had studied during the school year.
Actors from the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum presented three short plays based on Greek myths focused around two characters, including Echo and Narcissus, Apollo and Daphne and Pyramis and Thisbe.
Students learned more about yoga, astronomy and constellations, drum circle percussion, origami, Greek art, drama, Chinese cooking, wreath making, abacus, tangrams and chess in the teacher-led workshops.
In the past, Day of the Ancients was called “Greek Day” at Muir Middle School and focused only on Greek culture, according to sixth-grade history teacher Eric Blinder.
This year, teachers expanded the event to “Day of the Ancients” to cover all of the ancient cultures studied in sixth grade history.
“Students were highly engaged throughout the entire day,” commented Blinder. “From costume contests, to teacher-led workshops, to sword fighting demonstrations, to Greek plays, students had a fun day that was educational and directly related to their history classes.”
Willie Perryman 9 kills; Aram Krakirian 8 kills and 6 digs; Zach Cranmer 5 kills; Paul Shim 13 assists; Isaiah Torres 11 assists. Bulldogs finish the season 16-10 and third place in league.
CIF Playoffs- Boys Tennis
Division 2:
Villa Park 13 Burroughs 5
Baseball
Burroughs 3 Burbank 1 (see story)
Indians end the regular season 23-4 overall and 13-1 in league by sweeping the season series from Burbank. Burroughs earns three points in the “myBurbank CUP” race.
Burroughs 4 Arcadia 0
It’s time to party like it’s 1997!
The Indians won the Pacific League title outright with another shutout. Danny Bustos threw a complete game four-hit shutout walking none and striking out four. Ryan Galan went 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored and Max DeAmicis singled in two runs as Burroughs rolled to its 12th straight win and 22nd victory of the season in championship style!
Burbank 5 Hoover 4
Garrett Dolan and Henry Leake (win) combined on a seven-hitter for BHS.
Burroughs 13 Muir 4
For the first time in 18 years, the Burroughs Indians are league champions. Jason Whaley went 2 for 3 with a home run, double, two runs scored and three RBIs to lead JB to at least a share of the Pacific League title. Anthony Pelayo had two hits and a RBI in the 15-hit effort by the Indians. Whaley also struck out the side to end the game. Jesse Galindo and Kyle Nicol combined to throw five innings giving up one hit and striking out 12 batters.
Crescenta Valley 2 Burbank 0
The Bulldogs’ Ryan Porras fired a one-hitter but it wasn’t enough as the Falcons slid by……barely.
Burroughs 4 Hoover 0
The Indians won their 20th game of the season behind a complete game five-hit shutout from Danny Bustos. Max Haddad, Tyler Lewis, Max DeAmicis and Anthony Pelayo each drove in a run and Roy Hirota had two hits including a double.
Burbank 6 Muir 2
Rory Roughtean earned the win; Randy Higgens hit a home run and Ozzie Dominguez had three hits for the Bulldogs who kept their playoff hopes alive.
Burroughs 4 Crescenta Valley 3 (see story)
The Indians sweep the Falcons for the first time ever in the Pacific League!
Pasadena 12 Burbank 2
Leading 2-0 after three innings, Burbank gave up seven runs in the 4th inning and five more runs in the 5th in the tough loss on the road.
Burroughs 2 Glendale 1
The Indians’ mastery of pitching continued behind the excellent effort from spot starter Jesse Galindo who threw four innings and allowed three hits and no runs. Danny Bustos threw two scoreless innings and Max DeAmicis got the save getting the final out with runners on first and second. Aidan Anding and Chris Peres each had two hits for the Indians who scored single runs in the first and second innings to maintain their hold on to first place heading into the showdown at Crescenta Valley on Friday night at 7 pm.
Burbank 4 Arcadia 3
The Bulldogs playoff hopes stayed alive with a huge walk-off win against Arcadia. The win moved BHS into a 3-way tie for third place along with Arcadia and Pasadena. Randy Higgens had three hits including the game-winning RBI. Ryan Porras added two RBIs and Henry Leake earned the win on the hill in relief of an outstanding effort from Porras.
Softball
Burroughs 1 Burbank 0 (8 innings) see story
The Lady Indians earn a share of the league title by snapping the Lady Bulldogs’ 41-game league winning streak in dramatic fashion. Brianna Johnson’s walk-off RBI single wins it for Burroughs. Both teams finish 13-1 in the Pacific League. Indians gain a point in the “myBurbank CUP” race.
Burbank 8 Hoover 1
The Lady Bulldogs won a share of their third consecutive league title and notched their 41st straight win in league. Hanna Moulton hurled six innings and gave up one run on three hits. Caitlyn Brooks went 2 for 3 with a two-run home run and RBI double. Bridgette Pisa was 2 for 3 with a RBI double. Sabrina Steward had two hits and two RBIs and Cailey Stevenson had two hits and two stolen bases.
Burroughs 5 Arcadia 0
Presley Miraglia tossed a complete game four-hit shutout and hit a three-run home run to lead the Lady Indians. Michelle Santiago had a double and home run and Kaitlin Okimoto added two hits for JBHS who stayed within a game of Burbank for the league title. Burroughs scored five runs in the fifth inning to break a 0-0 stalemate.
Burbank 3 Crescenta Valley 2
Sabrina Steward’s two-run home run in the fifth inning broke a 1-1 tie and propelled the Bulldogs to a victory. Bridgette Pisa added two hits and Caitlyn Brooks pitched a gutty seven innings giving up nine hits, one earned run, one walk and fanned 11 batters as Burbank won its 40th straight league contest.
Burroughs 20 Muir 0 (5 innngs)
Hannah Talavera tossed three innings and gave up one hit, no runs and struck out three. The Indians recorded 19 hits and plated 20 runs as they rolled the Mustangs. Kailanie Oasay and Lauren Lopez each had three hits and three RBIs and Brianna Johnson added three hits including a home run and two RBIs. Lopez and Johnson also scored four runs apiece as the Indians won their 20th game of the season.
Burbank 17 Muir 1 (5 innings)
The Bulldogs scored 17 runs on 17 hits in the easy win. Hanna Moulton tossed a one-hitter through four innings striking out seven. Lily Winn had a double, triple and home run and two RBIs. Bridgette Pisa and Anysia Gonzalez each had three RBIs.
Burroughs 10 Hoover 0 (5 innings)
The Indians scored 10 runs on 17 hits in the easy win. Presley Miraglia fired a complete game one-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts. Miraglia and Lauren Lopez (two doubles) each had three hits and Kaitlin Okimoto had two hits and two RBIs.
Burbank 9 Pasadena 0
Caitlyn Brooks and Hanna Moulton combined on a two-hitter as the Bulldogs posted their eighth straight shutout. Brooks went 4 for 4 with a home run, double and four RBIs and Julia Duarte was 2 for 3 with three RBIs. The Bulldogs scored four runs in the fifth to jump ahead 8-0 en route to their 38th consecutive league victory.
Burroughs 8 Crescenta Valley 5
Presley Miraglia fired a two-hitter giving up three earned runs and striking out two. Kailanie Oasay was 3 for 3 with an RBI; Tori Talavera went 2 for 3 with two RBIs; and four other Lady Indians had two hits apiece as Burroughs pounded out 15 hits. The Lady Indians scored four runs in the first and three more in the third to take a commanding 7-2 lead en route to the win.
Burbank 4 Arcadia 0
Caitlyn Brooks tossed a complete game two-hit shutout walking one and fanning 10 batters. Lily Winn had two hits and two RBIs and Bridgette Pisa recorded two hits and two runs scored as the Lady Bulldogs won their 37th consecutive league game.
Burroughs 4 Glendale 0
Delaney Nicol went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and Presley Miraglia bounced back with a complete game shutout allowing five hits and striking out two. The Lady Indians scored three runs in the top of the sixth to break open a close contest.
Burroughs 9 Canyon 8 8 innings (Game 1)
Presley Miraglia went 3 for 5 with a home run and 4 RBIs and freshman Nikki Ricciardella had three hits including a double. Freshman Gabby Perez scored 3 runs as the Indians won in extra innings in the first game of the doubleheader.
Canyon 7 Burroughs 3 (Game 2)
Brianna Johnson had a 3-run home run in the fourth inning but the Indians fell behind 6-0 after three innings and couldn’t rally in game two of the double dip.
Boys Volleyball
Burroughs 3 Claremont 0 (25-11, 25-8, 25-16)
Bailey Carter (3 blocks) and Cameron Capili each had 8 kills; Ryan Van Loo had 19 assists and Skyler Bercini had 6 digs as the Indians went undefeated (12-0) in the Pacific League.
Burbank 3 Glendale 1 (25-23, 25-20, 22-25, 25-19)
Willie Perryman 18 kills; Patrick Lance 14 kills and 13 digs; Zack Cranmer 10 kills; Isaiah Torres 19 assists
Burroughs 3 Crescenta Valley 1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-22)
The Indians won their 6th consecutive league title with a monster win on the road. It was the 30th straight league victory for Burroughs as well. Pepperdine-commit Max Chamberlain had 16 kills and three aces; Ryan Van Loo dished out 33 assists to go along with four blocks; Andrew Dalmada had 13 kills and Matt Kim added 12 digs. Burroughs, ranked No. 2 in CIF Division 2, improved to 22-1 on the season and 11-0 in league.
Burbank 3 Golden Valley 1 (25-21, 25-19, 22-25, 25-21)
Two Burbank school choirs earned two top prizes each at the A Cappella Scholarship Festival presented by Verdugo Hills Chorus on Saturday at Glendale High School.
John Burroughs High School Powerhouse choir received $7,000 plus the $500 Fan Favorite honor voted on by the audience.
The high school groups were expecting top prize to be $5,000, so it was a real surprise when it was announced that figure had increased to $7,000, said Burroughs choir Director Brendan Jennings.
A Cappella Scholarship Festival Chair Pat Kahmann, left, presents trophy to Brendan Jennings, director of John Burroughs Powerhouse choir, which took home $7,500 on Saturday. (Photos by Joyce Rudolph)
“I near passed out,” he said. “It’s going to be so helpful for our program. We have really, really been trying to raise money for our program this year and it’s been a rough couple of years with the economy. This is really going to lift us up at the end of the year. We are so grateful.”
Jordan Middle School, directed by Christine DeMore, received $5,000 and also was named Fan Favorite, netting the group an additional $500.
Also winning funds were John Muir Middle School, which received $2,500; Burbank High School, $3,500; and Providence High School, $2,000.
Five middle schools and 10 high schools competed for a total of $65,000 in grant funds donated by the John C. Hench Foundation. Hench, who passed away in 2004, worked at The Walt Disney Studios for more than 65 years. His contributions spanned from many facets of animation to theme park creation with Disney Imagineering, said festival chairwoman Pat Kahmann.
Verdugo Hills Showtime Chorus a cappella festival Chair Pat Kahmann, left, presents trophy to Christine DeMore, director of Jordan Middle School’s Madrigals, on Saturday at Glendale High School.
“This is our 11th year of the event and thanks to the John C. Hench Foundation for the grant,” she said. “This year it was $65,000. And it’s just an absolute honor that Verdugo Hills Chorus has been asked to hostess this. The rewarding thing is that they’ve gone back to their schools and purchased pianos and costumes. They pay for travels to Europe with the grant money they are receiving.”
Kahmann has served 10 years as festival chair for the Verdugo Hills Chorus, an adult female choir that is a member organization of Sweet Adelines International.
Westminster Chorus, an adult choir directed by Justin Miller, entertained before intermission and the Verdugo Hills Chorus was the finale act.
Kahmann started to tear up when expressing the support the students impart to Verdugo Hills Chorus when the all-female four-part harmony group takes the stage. There are thunderous cheers that rock the walls.
“It’s the most rewarding thing ever,” she said. “They are just screaming out there. We’d love to take them with us. They are just fabulous.”
Participating in the festival allows students to learn from each other, Jennings said.
“Every group was really beautiful and there were so many different styles and genres of music, so I think our students had a great time listening to all the other groups,” he said.
Students also see firsthand that singing is a joy that can continue long after graduation, Kahmann said.
“We are hoping that they see there is music after middle school when they see the high schools perform. And then the high school students see the barbershop choruses like us perform and its shows them that it doesn’t stop. There is always a place for them to sing.”
The entire month of May has been proclaimed as “Walk Bike Month” in Burbank by a recent City Council proclamation.
In making this proclamation, the City officially recognized recent improvements in infrastructure and community access for walking and biking options. This proclamation also helped celebrate and draw additional attention to active transportation choices and their immediate practical benefits to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists in Burbank.
Members of the local Walk Bike Burbank chapter of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition were on hand to accept the Proclamation, which was presented at the May 12th City Council meeting – and to present the Mayor of Burbank with a new Mayor’s bicycle, which became the newest official vehicle in the City’s municipal fleet. Mayor Bob Frutos accepted the bicycle, vowing to use it for many upcoming community events and bike rides.
The Mayor’s new bike, which was designed in Burbank by Pure City Cycles, was purchased as a winning bid at the Burbank Temporary Aid Center’s annual fund-raising auction. It was then donated to Walk Bike Burbank to be held and made available for official City and Mayor-designated uses.
Through this proclamation, the City also recognized an increased number of bicycles sharing local streets. It has become all the more commonplace in Burbank today – along bike lanes and city streets – to see all types and ages of people on their bikes, pedaling places.
A recent walk down Chandler Bike Path on Bike to Work Day, May 14th, revealed a variety of users ranging in age from about eight to 80, equally enjoying and utilizing the public bike/pedestrian pathway.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
On this National Bike to Work Day, there were plenty of seasoned bike commuters using the path between Downtown Burbank and the Red and Orange Line stations in North Hollywood. But there also appeared many people new to the experience of bicycling as transportation, actively giving bike commuting a go.
Even the City’s former Mayor, Marsha Ramos, was spotted riding her bike to work in Glendale following the Mayor’s Pray Breakfast. She currently is Burbank’s representative on the Metropolitan Water District Board making the most of her own new Pure City bicycle for practical local transportation.
Newcomers and old hands weren’t the only ones pedaling their way to work on Bike to Work Day. Many previous bike riders could be found taking up their old activities, as well.
“It’s reassuring seeing adult ‘re-beginners’ using the Chandler Bike Path, returning to the joy of riding their bicycles while regaining youthful stamina and confidence once thought lost to time,” reflected Burbank Transportation Commissioner Patrick Dickson.
“The notable increase in bicycles and pedestrians in Burbank is directly connected to increased route safety and connecting bike path options. Increased safety emphasis at local crosswalks, increased transit choices, and more Burbank Bus service isn’t just a boon for some,” Dickson said. “It increases mobility access for everyone.”
“We estimate more than $100,000 in net revenues were raised to support our grant making program, operations and community outreach efforts,” said BAFA Executive Director Trena Pitchford, who was thrilled by a “wonderful feeling of community support for arts education.”
BAFA 2015 Party On The Plaza Honorees: volunteer Debbie Wade, Carson Smith (Nickelodeon Animation Studios) and teacher Jonelle Pickett.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)
“It’s difficult to adequately express the depth of our gratitude to our Burbank community,” commented Pitchford. “From our sponsors to our guests, from our volunteers to our Board of Directors, so many wonderful moments stood out in the evening.”
“The fact that Carson Smith [Human Resources Manager from Nickelodeon] auctioned off his own shoes and socks [for $1200] and left the evening barefoot to support more arts education in our schools is an example of the amazing commitment from our Burbank community.”
“We are at a critical time in public education, rebuilding what was lost so long ago and still reaching for what’s yet to come,” Pitchford added. “Our Foundation is committed to our District, our students and our teachers to help them rebuild and grow sequential, sustainable arts education programs for every student. Every. Single. One.”
“We look forward to putting these funds to work in the coming year and we extend our deepest thanks to everyone who supported our Party On The Plaza!”
Pitchford acknowledged the presence of BAFA’s partners, the Burbank Unified School District, including current Superintendent Dr. Jan Britz and future Superintendent Matt Hill. Many BUSD administrators, staff, parents and teachers also attended the event.
Burbank Arts For All Foundation Chair Carrie Brown, Party On The Plaza Co-Chair Cathy Stevens, Party On The Plaza Co-Chair Joan McCarthy, BAFA Executive Director Trena Pitchford. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
The entire Burbank Board of Education attended: President Charlene Tabet, Vice President Larry Applebaum, Clerk Steve Ferguson and Board members Roberta Reynolds and Armond Aghakhanian.
Congressman Adam Schiff, former Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, former Mayor Jef Vander Borght and his wife Susan, award-winning artist and bestselling author David Shannon, Jack O’Neill, Charles Cusumano and Emmy Award-winning actress Valerie Mahaffey also attended the Party On The Plaza, along with City of Burbank Mayor Robert Frutos, Vice Mayor Jess Talamantes, City Council Member Emily Gabel-Luddy and City Attorney Amy Albano.
Burbank Board of Education member Roberta Reynolds, incoming BUSD Superintendent Matt HIll and wife Karen and Board member Larry Applebaum. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Pitchford also thanked the event’s sponsors including The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Entertainment, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Cusumano Real Estate Group.
Nickelodeon Animation Studios Senior Vice President of Content Relations David Katz along with Smith and Boris Beaubien, Vice President of Television Production Technologies were there to accept Nickelodeon’s Patron of the Arts award. Several creators, artists and producers of Nickelodeon’s animated television shows also attended in a show of support.
After silent and live auctions, honorary presentations, dinner and dessert, members of Band From TV including Scott Grimes, Bob Guiney, Eddie Mattos, Brad Savage, Barry Sarna, Chris Kelley, Chris Mostert and Efren Ramirez kept people dancing until late in the evening.
It was a season to remember for Burroughs (Photos by Dick Dornan)
By Dick Dornan MyBurbank Sports Editor
One match won’t define a season of excellence. The Valencia boys volleyball team proved to be too much to handle for Burroughs on this evening as the Vikings rolled to a 25-19, 25-19, 25-14 victory over the Indians Wednesday night in the CIF Division 2 semifinals.
Burroughs (30-4, 12-0) made history this year as they advanced further than any other boys’ volleyball team in school history. The Indians won a sixth consecutive league title en route to 30 wins. Much to their chagrin, they ran into a buzz-saw in Valencia that played at a high caliber of volleyball that frustrated visiting Burroughs throughout the match.
Andrew Dalmada serves for the Indians (Photo by Dick Dornan)
The Indians only led twice in the match (1-0 in game 1, 12-11 in game 2) as the Vikings controlled the net with their superior blocking skills and pin point accuracy in kills. Meanwhile, the Indians never found their rhythm or chemistry that were their staple points in a year to remember.
“It was a really bad night to not play very good volleyball. They (Valencia) forced us to do some things we normally don’t do,” Burroughs coach Joel Brinton said. “Their blocking was disciplined. Our passing wasn’t consistent which led Ryan (Van Loo) trying to figure out what to do. That’s where the chaos came in. We are not used to getting blocked like that. We were searching for answers out there on the court.”
When the match had ended, a group of Indians felt the pain of not advancing to the CIF Finals to continue their phenomenal season. Reality had set in that there was no more volleyball to be played and for the seniors their careers had come to a close.
Max Chamberlain goes up for a kill (Photo by Dick Dornan)
The memories will last forever for each member of this year’s squad.
“It has probably been the most special thing to be a part of. This team is a big family. We do everything together,” Bailey Carter said. “I’ve never worked harder in my life with other people. It’s been a great experience and a great season. It was a great bonding experience with my brothers.”
Max Chamberlain and Andrew Dalmada each had nine kills. Ryan Van Loo added 21 assists and two blocks.
For Brinton, it was a season to savor as his program serves as a blueprint for success at Burroughs.
“There was big rise of maturity that helped us get here,” he said. “It’s been a great year. 30-4 is awesome. A lot of teams would die to be in our position here in the semifinals.”
Congratulations to the 2015 Burroughs Indians boys volleyball team. Pacific League champs for a sixth straight year and CIF semifinalists!
Trying to score against Burroughs High freshman pitcher Presley Miraglia has been a tall order, but the right-hander has been especially difficult recently, having tossed five straight shutouts including one against Beaumont, which fell, 3-0, to the Indians in a CIF Southern Section Division III first-round playoff game on Thursday at Olive Park.
Miraglia, who has six pitches at her disposal and faced 24 batters in seven innings, was perfect through four frames and didn’t allow a hit until senior Khassidy Valdivia singled to right field with one out in the top of the fifth. Miraglia settled down and struck out junior Micah Stamper and freshman Alyssa Gonzalez.
The Cougars (12-15) also mustered senior Jackie Reilly’s two-out single to right in the sixth inning, but Miraglia escaped unscathed after striking out sophomore Mikayla Mendoza.
The other hit Miraglia yielded was Valdivia’s two-out single to center field in the seventh inning, but then fanned Stamper.
“I wasn’t nervous at all,” said Miraglia, who lowered her earned-run average to 2.03 of her initial playoff outing, and is 20-4 with 104 strikeouts and 22 walks. “I know it was a big game, but I wanted to take it like it was another game.”
Miraglia, who can throw a fastball, curveball, changeup, screwball, drop and rise, finished with nine strikeouts and no walks.
“I wanted them to hit my pitches,” she said. “You need to get first-pitch strikes.”
Burroughs coach Doug Nicol echoed Miraglia’s sentiment, and will get his troops prepared to play at Laguna Hills in a second-round match next Tuesday.
Besides Miraglia, Nicol’s pitching staff includes freshman Hannah Talavera (3-0), and has produced 15 shutouts as a team.
The Indians didn’t make an error, and now have an eight-game winning streak that included snapping Burbank’s 41-game Pacific League mark with a 1-0 extra-inning triumph to end the regular season, along with a 13-game run earlier in the campaign. Burroughs earned a share of the league title with the Bulldogs.
“The way Presley is pitching you had to feel good about the game,” Nicol said. “We feel if we play good defense and score a couple of runs, we’re going to be successful. I’m so happy with the win. We’re taking it one game at a time. It’s survive and advance.”
All the Indians’ runs came in the fifth inning off sophomore hurler Jaymee Rhodes (8-9), who surrendered six hits across six innings, striking out one and walking one.
No. 5 seed Burroughs (23-4) can employ the long-ball approach or small-ball. In this case, the latter sufficed as eight batters came to the plate against Rhodes, who entered with a 3.42 ERA, and walked senior Tori Talavera, the leadoff hitter. Sophomore Lauren Lopez, who singled in the third inning, followed with a bunt and was safe, while senior Kailanie Oasay also bunted and reached base. Senior Delaney Nicol reached first base on a fielder’s choice, which made it 1-0.
Kaitlin Okimoto followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0, and Miraglia’s line-drive single to left field gave the Indians a 3-0 edge.
Miraglia, who also had an infield single in the fourth, fanned Reilly and freshman Rachel Knerr in the first inning, and induced senior Marissa Knowles to pop up in the infield, which she snagged in front of home plate.
Junior Natalie Giroux grounded to second baseman Lopez and Valdivia flied to right fielder Oasay, before Miraglia struck out Stamper to end the second inning.
Gonzalez and sophomore Savannah Flinn each flied to Oasay in the third inning, and Miraglia struck out senior Taylor Smith.
Reilly lined to left fielder Dominique Santos, who singled to right center in the sixth, Knerr fouled to third baseman Brianna Johnson, and Knowles grounded to Miraglia to finish the fourth.
“I knew that we would give a good effort,” Beaumont coach Frankie Fuimaono said. “They [Burroughs] played really good defense. We made a few errors. This was a tough loss for the seniors.”
The Cougars committed an error in the first inning when Nicol reached base, but Okimoto lined out and Miraglia grounded out, and another miscue in the fourth when Johnson was safe, but didn’t score.
The oldest art gallery in Burbank lies hidden in the back of an electronics repair shop on Magnolia Boulevard. Burbank-based director and editor Ric Serena stumbled across ARC TV & VCR Repair and its owner Bill Czappa one day and the short documentary film Czappa was the result.
Czappa was accepted in the 18th annual Dances With Films festival, a Los Angeles area, independently-spirited film festival. A preview of the short documentary can be seen here.
Bill Czappa builds the title art for the short documentary “Czappa.” (Photo Courtesy of Ric Serena)
Since ARC TV & VCR Repair opened in 1983, the repair shop has functioned as a way to finance the owner’s sculpture, a style Czappa calls “California assemblage.” A selection of the artist’s works and more information about the gallery, which is free to the public and open Monday through Saturday, can be found at this link.
“I’ve walked past his shop for the past 10 years,” commented Serena. “Always curious by the art in the window, but I never stepped in.”
Serena credits his wife Jennifer as the motivation for Czappa.
Bill Czappa in a scene from the documentary short “Czappa.” (Photo Courtesy of Ric Serena)
“Jen shot stills with Bill for her HOMEGROWN photo project that featured small business owners,” he explained. “She came back from the shoot and said, ‘You have to go meet this guy. He’s great.’ Lesson learned. Step inside.”
Serena’s wife helped him produce the short film; she sorted out the logistics, handled all the promotional materials and assisted him in setting up camera and lighting for all the stop-motion segments he shot for the film.
“We typically help each other out on our passion projects, but let the other take the lead,” Serena added.
Jennifer and Ric Serena of Serena Creative, located in Burbank’s Magnolia Park. (Photo Courtesy of Serena Creative, Inc.)
In the seven-minute film, audiences meet Czappa and see a snapshot of his artistic life and works. While the shop functions as a source of income and materials for Czappa’s sculptures, financial pressures mount as consumers nowadays tend to replace electronics rather than have them repaired.
Czappa’s sculptural homage to Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” created out of thousands of tiny nails and parts is captured in the documentary short, along with many of his creative and cheeky artworks.
Serena has been editing for the past 15 years and directing professionally for the past five years. While he finds a steady stream of work directing, producing and editing promos for the such outlets as Nickelodeon, Super Bowl 50, ABC Family and CBS, the award-winning filmmaker has made a lot of shorts and documentaries.
“I have a fascination with the exploration of the artistic process,” he explained.
Burbank-based director Ric Serena on the set of his short film “Trigger Happy” with actor Nakia Syvonne Secrest. (Photo Courtesy of Serena Creative, Inc.)
Serena has submitted Czappa to seven film festivals, including the Burbank Film Festival.
“Mile… Mile & a Half, a feature-length documentary Jennifer and I were a part of, premiered at Dances With Films in 2013,” Serena commented. “The festival is an incredibly well run event, so I wanted to submit the newest doc there.”
Czappa screens Tuesday, June 2, at the Hollywood TCL Chinese Theaters at 2:45 p.m., showing in a group of short documentaries. Individual tickets are $12 before May 28 and $14 after and are available at this link.
It isn’t every day that a hitter at the bottom of the lineup comes through with the game-winning hit.
But it was the ninth and last hitter in Burbank High’s lineup that came up big Thursday as the Bulldogs pulled out a 3-1 win over visiting La Mirada in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division III softball playoffs.
Left-handed hitting Allyson Capili hit a bases loaded two-out double to left field in the bottom of the sixth inning to score Julia Duarte and Jazmin Orozco and give the Bulldogs the upper hand.
“I was planning on fouling it off until I found the right pitch to hit,” said Capili.
No. 3 seed Burbank (21-4) moves on to the second round Tuesday where it will travel to La Puente to face Bishop Amat High School.
Burbank pitcher Caitlyn Brooks, who finished with nine strikeouts, had two in the seventh and final inning.
The win was certainly a relief for Bulldogs coach Mike Delaney, as the two teams appeared to be headed to extra innings.
“She shortened up on her stroke. She got up on the plate like we asked her to,” Delaney said of Capili. “She took the pitch outside with her. I figured if she didn’t hit that pitch the next one was going to be inside.”
Burbank got on the board in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Lilly Winn drew a walk and one out later Brooks also reached base on a walk. Duarte singled home Winn.
La Mirada (14-16) was much tougher than its record might suggest.
The Matadors had five hits against the University of Notre Dame-bound Brooks.
They tied the score in the third inning as Nikki Barrow had a two-out bloop double and scored on a single by Angel Urbina.
Capili said her team certainly was concerned.
“We’re a little nervous. A lot of us are seniors and it could be our last game,” she said.
Offensively Burbank did not get a runner past second base in the second through fifth innings.
“They were a good team. That kid threw hard and she had a lot of movement,” Delaney said. “We just had to find our pitches. Like I told the girls we left too many girls on base when we had the opportunity early in the game to put them away. It was good that Allyson came through in that bases loaded situation.”
Delaney said playoff games are often difficult and unpredictable.
“It’s really tough when you don’t know your opponent as well,” he said. “You’re going off MaxPreps and what people know. It’s really difficult in some instances where you face a team like that. I don’t think we faced a team with that many (left-handed hitters). We knew they had some lefties and what they were going to do. But it’s hard to replicate that in practice.”
Max Haddad leads off second base after a double (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
By Dick Dornan MyBurbank Sports Editor
Burroughs took the field Friday afternoon on a 13-game winning streak highlighted by a league title. The stands were full, alumni and friends gathered behind home plate, distinct guests dotted the surroundings, and excitement wafted through the air. Ahh…it must be playoff time.
Picking up where they left off, the Indians played a stellar game in all phases en route to a 3-2 first-round victory over the Paramount Pirates. No. 5 seed Burroughs (24-4) advances to play Moorpark at JBHS at 3:15 pm on Tuesday.
It was Burroughs’ first playoff win in the first round in more than a decade. The Indians do own wild card victories in 2008 and 2013. Burroughs hasn’t reached the CIF Quarterfinals since 1998. A victory over Moorpark would match that feat 17 years ago.
Thomas Wilson won his ninth game of the season (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
“Every game is tough. It’s emotion, it’s concentration, it’s all those things,” Burroughs coach Craig Sherwood said. “It’s the playoffs. It’s the greatest time in the world. It’s what you work for nine months of the year.”
“We came out fired up and we knew we had to win this game,” Indians’ second baseman Max Haddad added. “I felt we took pretty good at-bats at the plate and hit balls hard. We just need to stick with the same approach and let the baseball gods do the rest.”
Entering the game having won 19 of their last 20 contests, the Indians received another quality outing from Thomas Wilson (9-0) who threw a complete game five-hitter. Wilson also induced two key double play ground-outs that ended potential Pirate threats. Burroughs’ defense shined again.
The infield duo of Haddad and shortstop Ryan Galan turned two crisp double plays to thwart Paramount (16-17) in the second and fourth innings.
“Wilson throws a lot of ground balls so we have to be ready for the double plays,” said Haddad. “We work every day on infield. We take ground balls and work on those double plays. Hard work pays off.”
Haddad and Roy Hirota each had two hits apiece as the Indians mustered just enough runs to slide by their first round opponent.
Roy Hirota smashed a two-run double (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Chris Peres drove home the Indians’ first run on an RBI groundout scoring Max DeAmicis who had doubled. Hirota’s towering blast over the Pirates’ leftfielder plated Anthony Bocanegra and Peres giving Burroughs a commanding 3-0 lead at the end of four innings.
“He’s capable of doing that. He’s got a little bit of power,” said Sherwood of Hirota’s blistering double. “He’s an overlooked player that schools should be looking at now.”
Paramount rallied in the fifth inning scoring two runs on three hits to cut the deficit to one run.
The Pirates made one last attempt to upset the champions of the Pacific League in the top of the seventh. A single, sacrifice bunt and passed ball had the tying run 90 feet away. True to form as he has done all season, Wilson dug deep and recorded a 6-3 groundout to end the game.
Legendary coach Scott Muckey watched the Indians survive and advance (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Galan’s smooth fielding and accurate throw across the diamond sent the Indians into the second round to face the Musketeers who beat JBHS 7-3 back on March 5 in the Easton Tournament.
With graduation set for May 28 and the playoffs still ongoing, this is quite the exciting time for the 15 Burroughs seniors.
“It feels great. Just happy to play another high school game,” Haddad said. “None of us want it to be our last. We are going to keep grinding and pushing to the end.”
Walk Bike Burbank (www.walkbikeburbank.org), local chapter of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (www.la-bike.org), is sponsoring a free community bike-safety check this Saturday at the Burbank Farmers’ Market under the Community Services tent.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Everyone is encouraged to bring their bikes to this Saturday’s event and have them quickly safety-checked for free while shopping the market’s wares. Walk Bike Burbank is sponsoring this community bike-safety check in advance of Sunday’s CicLAvia Pasadena – Presented by Metro (www.ciclavia.org/ciclavia_pasadena).
Professionally trained and fully equipped bike mechanics will be on-hand this Saturday to quickly get bikes ready for Sunday’s 13th CicLAvia and a summer of fun – all for free.
On Sunday, Pasadena will be transformed into a safe, car-free space for walking, bicycling, skating, jogging, and seeing Colorado Boulevard differently during CicLAvia Pasadena.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Beginning at 9:00 AM, a three-and-a-half-mile section of Colorado Boulevard will be closed to motorized traffic in Old Towne, opening up instead to bikes and pedestrians.
In addition to this main route on Colorado, several offshoots will link together through Pasadena, including a route to the South Lake Avenue District.
This will be the first time Pasadena has played host to the epic Los Angeles event, which has attracted as many as 100,000 participants in the past.
“CicLAvia shows us how neatly bicycles can be used for local transportation in LA, as well as for healthy recreational enjoyment. Businesses naturally flourish when their parking accommodates ten times the number of vehicles,” says Patrick Dickson, Planning and Policy Director for Walk Bike Burbank, “and we’re proud to be doing our part to ensure everyone interested in participating in CicLAvia is able to safely.”Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Walk Bike Burbank is a local citizen-based advocacy organization whose mission is to make Burbank streets safe and welcoming for bicyclists and pedestrians by promoting safe riding practices, traffic law enforcement, safer crosswalks, better sidewalks, bicycle lane and path creation, additional bicycle rack and parking placement, education, and community group rides.
“We are committed to working with our neighborhoods, city groups, schools, and elected officials to help assure the City of Burbank’s active transportation emphasis is positively maintained and the city’s approved Bicycle Master Plan is effectively implemented,” says Mike Hollis, one of the co-founders of the group. “CicLAvia, in particular, gives people a unique opportunity to ride with family and friends and explore new shopping and entertainment areas. It helps everyone see and imagine the city in a whole new way.”
The group, whose membership is open to anyone through the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (www.la-bike.org/membership), is interested in promoting and experiencing the most of local active transportation and transportation choices. It is made up of bicyclists, multi-modal commuters, parents, teachers, health professionals, business and studio people, planners, and advocates for what they say is the full potential of active mobility access for Burbank.
Walk Bike Burbank will be on hand for free safety-checks from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM on Saturday, May 30 at the Burbank Farmers’ Market. Information on Walk Bike Burbank, LACBC, and repair and personal maintenance of bicycles will also be available.
May 26, 2015, was not a day to rejoice in Burroughs or Burbank sports history. However, the season as a whole was one to celebrate for everyone.
In a matter of 10 minutes of each game being played, all three local teams suffered excruciating defeats in the second round of the CIF Playoffs. One-run losses doomed the Indians and Bulldogs as their seasons came to a screeching halt.
We applaud each team for a fantastic season!!!
Baseball–
Moorpark 1 Burroughs 0
Musketeers scored their lone run on a single, sacrifice bunt and RBI single in the fifth inning to prevail. JB pitcher Danny Bustos threw a complete game 5-hitter allowing one run, no walks and striking out five batters.
Burroughs ends the season 24-5 (school record for wins) and 13-1 in league (first place- league champions for the first time since 1997). Congrats to Coach Craig Sherwood, his staff and the Indians on a memorable season!
The Lancers scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to come from behind and stun the Bulldogs. Notre Dame-bound Caitlyn Brooks recorded her 1000th strikeout of her career in the game.
Burbank ends the season 21-5 and 13-1 in league (first place- league champions for a third consecutive year). Congrats to Coach Mike Delaney, his staff and the Lady Bulldogs on a great season!
Laguna Hills 4 Burroughs 3
The Hawks scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to come from behind and stun the Indians.
Burroughs ends the season 23-5 and 13-1 in league (first place- league champions for the first time since 2012). Congrats to Coach Doug Nicol, his staff and the Lady Indians on a phenomenal season!
The Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley honored its founders during its “Great Futures Gala — Celebrating 20 Years” at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Hotel in mid-May.
Founders attending were Dave Augustine, the Rev. Dr. Jerry Jones, Tim Murphy, Marsha Ramos, Jack Reardon and Al Shapiro.
“Our founders had a vision and made it a reality,” said Chief Executive Officer Shanna Warren. “Our club would literally not exist without them. The most amazing part is how they all still support the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley.”
The idea to bring the after-school program to Burbank was initiated by former mayor Tim Murphy.
While working as a public defender, Murphy met Clay Holopeter, program director of the Boys & Girls Club of El Monte.
“He would come up to me and say ‘I can help that kid’ ” Murphy said.
Murphy went to the program to see what is was all about.
“Program leaders were trying to get into the hearts and souls of the kids and get them out of the gang lifestyle,” he said.
When Murphy was voted onto the Burbank City Council in 1989, he said he had no interest in starting a Boys & Girls Club program until he started talking to a lot of the senior citizens who had complaints about the graffiti and gang activity.
He did research on what programs were effective at keeping kids from a negative environment and Boys Scouts and Boys & Girls Club came out on top for that. He talked to the national Boys & Girls Club and they put him in touch with the local representative. A study was conducted by the organization and it concluded that a club was needed.
Murphy started working on getting the legal paperwork started in 1991 and put together a board of directors. It took about three years to open the doors, he said. They needed a place, money and an executive director. The city leased the former fire station on Buena Vista Street and San Fernando Road at $1 a year to the club.
Murphy started talking to people who were interested in serving on the city’s boards and commissions. Coming on board during those three years were Marsha Ramos, Barbara Sykes, the Rev. Dr. Jerry Jones, Kevin McKenna, Dave Augustine and the late Liz Shapiro
“Liz donated a lot of money and resources,” he said. “She forced her husband and son to join the board.”
The board members got their hands dirty cleaning up the old fire house.
“We were painting and scraping and then we were getting computers and hooking them up and having garage sales and bake sales to raise money,” he said.
Even some of the kids came to help because they wanted a club in Burbank.
The Rev. Dr. Jerry Jones served three terms as president of the board, Murphy said, and he brought a lot of energy and leadership to the board. Jones came up with the idea to have each board member take charge of one room of the fire station and see it to completion.
Local businessman Jack Reardon owned a glass business and donated glass work to the clubhouse. Ramos had a contact with an asphalt business that had done a lot of work for the city of Burbank. They repaved the asphalt over the outdoor play area for free and in exchange, the board allowed them to store their machinery there overnight so they didn’t have to transport it back to the office in Santa Clarita.
Jack O’Neil helped with securing surplus portable classrooms from the NBC property that were turned into computer labs for kids to do homework at the clubhouse.
The business community continues to support the club, Murphy said. Cartoon Network employees give time on the weekends to paint the clubhouse. Nike donated a rubberized asphalt for the outdoor court.
The board of directors continues to raise funds and the major fundraiser is the annual gala. This year, master of ceremonies was Mario Solis, NBC4 Southern California sports anchor and reporter. Kurt Long, from the Disney Channel’s “Liv and Maddie”, was auctioneer during the live auction. Gala co-chairs were Leena Mathew and Joan Ortiz.
This year’s live auction was a recording-breaking event. Overall, more than $200,000 was raised with proceeds going directly to the club’s education programs, including but not limited to: After School Enrichment, Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program, Creative Arts, Athletics, College Bound, STEM and Teen Programs.
There were interactive play stations set up at the event, illustrating program areas that allowed guests to have a club experience. And, just to add more fun to the jam-packed evening, a grand stakes opportunity drawing took place and Marsha and Dave Ramos were the lucky winners of $10,000 in prize money.
Sponsors were Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., Cusumano Real Estate Group, The Walt Disney Company, Midnight Oil and Dave and Pat Augustine.
Members of the Creative Arts Program and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing students performed live, and Sapphyre Price, the Youth the Year, got a standing ovation from the crowd after announcing that she was recently awarded a full scholarship to Cal State Northridge.
“She had been in a single-parent home — her mother with three siblings — they were homeless for four years and lived in their car for one year,” Murphy said.
They were all members of the club, he added, because no youngster is ever turned away, even if they don’t have the means to pay the membership fee.
“Sapphyre is on her way,” Murphy said. “She told the audience that the club meant everything to her and her siblings and she said we saved their lives. That’s the greatest reward. Our product is kids and we are saving them everyday.”
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