Burbank Mayor Bob Frutos presents IKEA officials commemorating the ground breaking for the new IKEA location (Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

With company representatives, Burbank Mayor Bob Frutos, City Council members, local officials and community leaders on-hand, IKEA the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today officially broke ground where it is constructing a new, larger store in Burbank, less than one mile away from the company’s oldest store in the Western United States.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Until the new, roomier store opens on the new site in Spring 2017, customers can continue to shop at the existing IKEA Burbank.

The current 242,000-square-foot IKEA Burbank, the first IKEA store in California and sixth in the U.S., opened November 1990 on 6.4 acres along I-5 at San Fernando Boulevard. The future 456,000-square-foot store and its more than 1,700 convenient parking spaces will be built on 22 acres west of San Fernando Boulevard and south of Providencia Avenue, providing customers with improved accessibility.

IKEA has contracted with VCC Construction to build the store, and plans reflect the same unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide. Just as the existing store has a solar photovoltaic array atop its roof, IKEA hopes to install a similar solar energy system atop the relocated store.

In addition to the nearly 400 Burbank coworkers already part of the global IKEA family, the new store will generate even more sales and property tax revenue yearly for the City and local schools.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

“We are pleased to be breaking ground today on our commitment to extend our Burbank presence with a new, larger and updated store that will provide an improved experience for our many loyal customers currently shopping at IKEA Burbank,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA US president.

“This new IKEA Burbank store also will help us introduce the latest version of the unique IKEA concept to Southern Californians who value good design, good function and affordable prices, but have not yet had the chance to visit an IKEA store.”

The new, more spacious IKEA Burbank will feature a larger quantity of the nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a larger (600-seat) restaurant serving Swedish specialties.

Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the showroom, baby-care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking. IKEA now offers a product picking and delivery service and an IKEA Family loyalty program, and has begun visiting homes in areas where it has stores so design solutions can better reflect local living situations and needs.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

The post Officials Break Ground on New Burbank IKEA Location appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Burbank police arrested two men after an alert patrol officer early working early morning patrol last Friday spotted two men standing next to a parked vehicle on Cambridge Drive and Sixth Street.

One man was standing next to the driver door, while the other was leaning into the open trunk of the car.  Finding the circumstances to be suspicious at 4 am, the officer drove towards the men.  Upon seeing the officer, both men fled on foot, one carrying duffle bags.

The officer followed the men, eventually catching up to them and directing them to stop.  The men complied.The duffle bags and other property were found near the men and in the immediate area.

Officers made contact with the owner of the car, who is a nearby resident.  The owner told the officers she did not know the men and identified the recovered property, which included the duffle bags, multiple pairs of shoes, clothing and a wardrobe kit, as belonging to her.

The men were both arrested for auto burglary.  They are identified as Richard Brubaker, 24 and  Rene Ruvalcaba, 29, both residents of Sun Valley

The LA County District Attorney’s Office filed one count of auto burglary and one count of petty theft against each suspect.  Burbank Police detectives believe Brubaker and Ruvalcaba are likely responsible for at least a dozen other auto burglaries and thefts from vehicles in the hill area of town since July 11.  The investigation into the other thefts is on-going.

Anyone who may have information on this cases or other thefts from vehicles, is encouraged to contact Burbank Police at (818) 238-3210.

The post Police Arrest Two for Auto Burglaries appeared first on myBurbank.com.

The City of Burbank’s McCambridge Pool may be closed for the winter, but the water that once filled it is now helping ease some of the effects of the ongoing drought.

Photo Courtesy City of Burbank

Each year, following the end of the summer swim season, the City’s Public Works Department empties the pool to reduce operating costs and to allow for maintenance and painting. Last year, Public Works devised a plan to repurpose the de-chlorinated water rather than release it into the storm drain system under a City-issued pool discharge permit.

Based on the success of 2014 efforts, Public Works has again employed the same method of water disposal. Beginning the morning of Tuesday, September 1, 2015, and continuing over the next several days, crews have been draining tens of thousands of gallons of water from McCambridge Pool.

The plan calls for the de-chlorinated water to be repurposed in a number of ways, including watering City park lawns and trees; cleaning City sewers; and for use in dust control and street sweeping.

The post McCambridge Park Pool Water Has One Last Usage appeared first on myBurbank.com.

The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program Advisory Council  sponsored a volunteer recruitment fair on Wednesday to thank our current volunteers for their dedication and support to our community and welcome others to the Burbank Volunteer Program

Both RSVP (55 and over) and our BVP (Burbank Volunteer Program for those under 55)  come together for the first time.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Our volunteer recruitment fair was the perfect occasion for volunteers of all ages to explore volunteer opportunities in this community. Over 35 Non-profit organizations and public agencies made themselves available to inform perspective volunteers of upcoming community service projects. These included Burbank: Police, Fire, Animal Shelter, Historical Society, YMCA, Temporary Aid, and Boys & Girls Clubs. Also “special annual projects” such as: Burbank Tournament of Roses, Burbank on Parade, Bike Angels and much much more.

The Advisory Council even sponsored the In-N-Out truck that provided wonderful food to all the guests.

As volunteers explored the information from agencies, local entertainment was being performing and there were several opportunity drawings!

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Volunteers had the opportunity to network with other volunteers and see what wonderful programs are available in our community.

Students, families and older adults, totaling over 600 people, attended the fair.

We were thrilled with the response and the type of support we had to make this important event happen for our community.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

The post Burbank’s First Volunteer Fair Very Well Received appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Two North Hollywood men were arrested by Burbank Police on Wednesday, September 2, after witnesses identified the men as the individuals taking packages from residential porches in western Burbank. myBurbank first reported on the incident as it unfolded via Twitter.

At approximately 3:35 p.m., “a resident in the 1900 block of North Valley Street called the police to report seeing two males on bicycles stealing delivered packages from their neighbors’ porches,” explained Sergeant Claudio Losacco.

“Officers responded to the area and noticed discarded packaging strewn about.  A short time later, an alert officer saw two people fitting the description of the suspects in the call in the 10500 block of Oxnard Street, in North Hollywood, which is relatively close to the Valley Street location.”

“The males were contacted and found to be in possession of the stolen property,” continued Losacco. “The witnesses also identified them as the people seen taking the packages.”

Jonatan Salguero and Jose Andres Moreno, both 22 years old and both residents of North Hollywood, were arrested for Receiving Stolen Property [496(a) PC]. They were later issued citations and are due in court on September 23.

“Thefts of packages from residential porches continues to be a problem in Burbank and our surrounding communities,” added Losacco. “The thefts have occurred in all parts of the city, generally in the afternoon to early evening hours.  If you see someone following a delivery truck or taking packages from your neighbor’s porch, call the police immediately.”

Burbank Police issued several tips to help residents prevent package theft:

1.  If you are expecting a package, try to have someone at home to accept it.

2.  Some delivery services allow the recipient to sign-up for email or text alerts.  Take advantage of this service and track your package, so it can be received or picked up from the porch ASAP.

3.  If the delivery service allows you to change the delivery date/time of the package to a time when someone is home, do so.

4.  Have the package delivered to a trusted neighbor who is home or request the package require a signature, so it won’t be dropped and you can make arrangements to pick it up or be delivered at a time when someone can sign for it.

5.  Have the delivery service hold the package at their warehouse where you can retrieve it.

6. Consider obtaining a mail dropbox where someone is always present to receive your packages.  You can later go pick-up the items at your convenience.

The post Two Men Arrested For Stealing Packages From Burbank Porches appeared first on myBurbank.com.

2015-2016 marks the tenth year of John Burroughs High School Junior State of America. This year they are celebrating their decennial by continuing the important work of civic education.

In August 2014, the California Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning released Revitalizing K-12 Civic Learning in California: A Blueprint for Action. Burroughs JSA participated in the creation of this document. Burroughs JSA has been implementing many of the recommendations in the document and continues to do so.

Civic Engagement is the one way that every single citizen in this country can seek to improve their community, their own lives, and the lives of those around them.

Burroughs JSA has hosted an extensive speakers program. Speakers have included: California Secretary of State Debra Bowen; State Controller John Chiang; Board of Equalization Member Betty Yee; Congressman Adam Schiff; Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich; State Senator Carol Liu; State Assemblymen Mike Gatto and Matthew Harper; Beverly Hills Mayor Barry Brucker; Cudahy  Mayor Jack Guerrero; Burbank City Council Members Gary Bric, Dave Golonski and David Gordon: Burbank City Clerk Zizette Mullins; Glendale City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian; Anthony Portantino, USC Jesse M. Unruh School of Politics; Dan Schnur, Director, USC Jesse M. Unruh School of Politics; and Loyola Law Professor Laurie Levenson. The Speaker Series will continue this year.

As elections are crucial in a democracy, in 2012 and 2014 Burroughs JSA hosted mock elections where high students voted for President and state offices as part of the California Secretary of State’s MyVote event, while simultaneously registering high school students to vote as they turn 18. Burroughs JSA continues to register young voters.

Burroughs JSA has promoted civic engagement in the community by hosting a candidate’s forum for Burbank Unified School District School Board in 2013. The forum provided an unprecedented opportunity for students to exchange ideas with every candidate running to oversee their school district.

In April 2014, Burroughs JSA conducted a mock city council meeting debating the issue of Walmart locating to Burbank in the actual Burbank City Council Chamber. In the fall of 2014 Burroughs JSA screened “Valentine Road” at the Colony Theatre in Burbank. This screening was open to high school students as well as members of the community and was followed by a student-moderated discussion.

When not hosting a guest speaker or hosting civic engagement events, each Thursday at lunch, Burroughs JSA hosts debates. The debate topics are chosen by students, debated by students, and managed by students. The topics range the gambit of current issues, from the legality of gay marriage to abortion to foreign policy issues. These debates give students a chance to have a voice in a civil and positive forum. This has led to the motto of Burroughs JSA, “Don’t Hate. Debate.”

Burroughs JSA has also given back to those in need. They have raised to date over $4,000 for Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times through their annual fundraising drive. Burroughs JSA will continue to give back in 2015-2016.

During the past decade Burroughs JSA has twice won the Southern California Junior State of America Chapter-of-the-Year (2011-2012 and 2013-2014) and twice won the National Civic Impact Award (2011-2012 and 2013-2014). In May 2013 Burroughs Junior State of America was awarded the Civic Learning Award of Merit by California Judicial Council and the California Department of Education. One of only 22 secondary school in the entire state to win a Civic Learning Award.

The Junior State of America (JSA) is the nation’s oldest and largest student-run youth organization. As a non-partisan organization, JSA has been dedicated to educating high schools students across the country about the institutions of democratic society, and for the last 75 years, Junior State has not only brought high school students together to debate and discuss important issues, but has fostered these concepts by giving students the resources to learn through real-life leadership opportunities.

The chapter of Junior State of America located at John Burroughs High School in Burbank, CA has worked hard these past ten years to provide opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders to gain the skills they need today.

The post Burroughs Junior State of America Club Celebrates 10 Years appeared first on myBurbank.com.

With the recent graduation of five police recruits, the Burbank Police Department is now comprised of 143 sworn officers.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

The department’s budget can accommodate 160, and since January, more than a dozen officers from various ranks have been promoted, leaving openings in their former positions.

Burbank police use shift deployments and pay overtime in an effort to continue to provide the best service possible to the community with less officers, officials said.

Not being fully staffed is due, at least in part, to a shortage of qualified applicants, and the national conversation about police, race and use of force. Police also said fewer people are choosing law enforcement as a career.

“It started prior to Ferguson, and became more intense after Ferguson and the more celebrated incidents,” Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse said. He was referring to the scrutiny placed on police after an unarmed, 18-year-old black male was shot to death by a white police officer in Ferguson, MO in August 2014 . The incident led to protests in Ferguson and cities across the country, and eventually the involvement of the U.S. Department of Justice.

“You don’t have to have an adverse situation in Burbank,” LaChasse said. “If it’s in Ferguson or New York City, people don’t realize there’s a difference among all the various agencies.”

The Beverly Hills Police Dept. and the Santa Monica Police Dept., the highest paid in the county, are also seeing fewer qualified applicants, LaChasse said, adding that Beverly Hills is spending about $100,000 to examine why that is the case.

Photo Courtesy Burbank Police Department

The California Police Chiefs Assoc. acknowledged the difficulty agencies are having recruiting qualified candidates and created a recruitment work group to study the matter and develop a “best/smart practice,” among other goals, LaChasse said.

Burbank, too, is looking at ways to improve recruitment, and training will begin in a few weeks for a special recruitment team of 17 officers.

Police Lt. Eric Deroian said these officers will be very familiar with the recruitment process, and be able to answer detailed questions about retirement benefits, for example, and from those with military backgrounds.

Recruiting a diverse workforce, that mirrors the population of not just Burbank, but the greater L.A. area, was also important, Deroian said. The recruitment team itself will be diverse in terms of age, gender and special assignments.

Mayor Bob Frutos, a former police officer of more than 25 years with the Los Angeles Police Dept., said having less officers on the force can be a challenge for an officer responding to certain calls for service, such as a domestic violence situation, that may require additional assistance.

“If you don’t have extra bodies to go with you, what do you do?” Frutos said.

Frutos also said Burbank is “competing with every other agency in the state of California when there is a shortage of qualified people who want to enter the profession. The LAPD is recruiting; there are [1,300] vacancies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept., and they are actively recruiting; the California Highway Patrol is recruiting. Everybody is seeing this.”

In a news article from May, it was reported that the L.A. County Sheriff’s would need about 1,300 deputies by July to fill a staffing shortage. The issue is not money, rather finding qualified candidates, the article states, adding that it could threaten reform efforts in the nation’s largest sheriff’s department. The sheriff’s union estimated the gap to be even larger, at 1,700 deputies.

The highway patrol in early August released a statement that they would now be accepting online applications for the position of officer on a continuous basis. With this new continuous application process in place, the CHP’s goal is to hire 600 cadets per year.

Burbank too, will soon have a continuous application process, police said.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

But for some, not having sufficient resources remains a concern.

“We’ve been short [staffed] for a number of years,” Lt. Jay Hawver, president of the Burbank Police Officers Assoc., said. “I don’t don’t know if most agencies are fully staffed, but we have been pretty close.”

“At the end of day we would like the department to be fully staffed,” Hawver added. “When we are fully staffed, we can safely and effectively accomplish the goals of the organization. There’s a reason the city chose the sworn numbers [of officers] to be at a certain level, and that’s to meet the expectations of the community…when you don’t have staffing at the numbers they are supposed to be, something will suffer.”

Police response times to “Priority 1″ calls, or those which are life-threatening or involve violent crimes in progress, stands at a little over three minutes through March of this year, according to police. During that same time in 2014, police responded to Priority 1 calls in just under four minutes.

While there has been an uptick in some types of crimes, which is not unique to Burbank either, the organization seems to have gotten past some of the more serious leadership and training issues it struggled with before an outside agency was brought in to keep extra eyes on the organization.

Hawver said that despite these gains and how that may appear on the outside, the organization could not continue at this pace.

“It’s like running an engine at 10,000 RPM, constantly,” he said. “You can’t run at maximum speed without an issue or problems.”

It takes a toll, Hawver said.

Police examine calls for service, historically, and then match personnel accordingly, along with paying out overtime, to handle calls for service with existing staff, said Police Sgt. Claudio Losacco, spokesperson for the department, and a former union president and vice president.

In 2013, the overtime paid out to officers was $80,675.11; in 2014 it rose to $110,941.71, police said.

As of Aug. 1, $70,777.90 has been paid out in overtime.

Losacco said this is a limited snapshot of the overtime paid to sworn members back-filling behind some vacancies in patrol,  and does not account for all the vacancies that need to be covered.

At the moment, there are some detectives who are still working patrol instead of as detectives due to the department not being fully staffed, Losacco said.

Losacco said that compared to previous years, there are fewer officers in the detective bureau, which includes a gang detail.

One of the 16 detectives handles gang cases, but at the moment there is not a gang unit as those officers focus on patrol, to maintain the level of service required by first responders — the men and women driving the black and whites, he said.

“Answering calls for service has to be the department’s primary operational mission,” Losacco said.

LaChasse said he didn’t want the public to think there was a gang problem that was not being addressed.

“Burbank has historically not had a huge gang problem, it’s more graffiti,” LaChasse said. “If it’s developing, we draw resources from other places. We have to be adroit about resources, things ebb and flow all the time.”

LaChasse also said there were vice/narcotics detectives working gangs.

“There are a lot of opportunities this department offers that others don’t offer, and that is because we are more diversified,” LaChasse said. “Another argument is to have everyone do everything well.”

Burbank was among the few police departments in Los Angeles County with an air support unit, LaChasse said. There are also opportunities to work on an integrated task force with federal, state and other municipalities that other police departments have never participated in.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Hawver, the current union president, noted there is a relationship between being fully staffed and special assignments within the department.

“If we are fully staffed, it gives people the opportunity to work special assignments,” Hawver said. “If we are not fully staffed, you don’t have that opportunity. That’s huge for us. This comes back to being competitive.”

Hawver acknowledged some of the reasons behind being short staffed, and that the climate for law enforcement is not a positive one. And the number of college graduates looking to a career in law enforcement isn’t as high as in previous years.

It was important for the department to stay competitive, Hawver said, and pointed to a clause in the union’s agreement with the city that says a survey of 10 other cities would be used to help determine the compensation package.

So how does Burbank rank, compared to the 10 cities in the survey, which include Santa Monica, Long Beach, Torrance and Pasadena?

Hawver prefaced his comment by saying the union and city were in negotiations for a new contract and wanted to be respectful of that process.

He then said: “We rank near the bottom of the list.”

Hawver said that to be fair, most other cities are having an issue attracting qualified candidates. But other agencies may may be having less difficulty.

The net monthly salary for an officer joining the Burbank Police Dept. from the academy is $5,385, or $64,620 a year, police said.

According to a 2013 U.S. News & World Report survey on patrol officer salaries, law enforcement in California are the best paid in the nation. The median annual salary for patrol officers was $56,130 in 2013.

There is “no magic formula” about the number of police to have in a city, LaChasse said.

“West Covina has the same population as Burbank and has less than 100 officers,” LaChasse said. “We need to sit down and look at everything in perspective….we must also continue to vet candidates carefully, we don’t want to buy a problem for the future; we don’t want to hire just to hire.”

When asked if Burbank would be seen as less competitive, LaChasse responded: “If it’s true for us, wouldn’t it be true for other departments?”

It is important not to panic in these situations, LaChasse said.

“We are doing things other departments have copied, including [the implementation of] our mental health team and use of predictive policing and analytics,” LaChasse said. “We can’t continue to operate like we did in 1994 — things are always changing.”

The post Understaffing Still Plagues Burbank Police Department appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Frankie’s Italian Kitchen, long a fixture of homemade, fresh Italian food in Tarzana, opened its second location in Burbank a few months ago. The restaurant already has some devoted clientele, who’ve spread the word on the creative and delicious plates served.

We stopped by for a quick workday lunch the other day, and were in and out in under an hour. Although we didn’t take advantage of the $11 Lunch Box specials, they looked to be another option for a timely meal. Frankie’s also delivers lunch and dinner.

Aby’s Cajun Fried Calamari at Frankie’s Italian Kitchen Burbank. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

Our meal started with some of the best cheesy Parmesan, fresh garlic, herb and butter rolls I have ever tasted. Soft and warm, these rolls are divine.

Frankie’s Italian Kitchen offers the same menu for lunch and dinner, with larger portions and prices for the dinner plates. We enjoyed the very tender Aby’s Cajun Fried Calamari, served with standard marinara and ranch dips. The cajun touch was not heavy, but added a bit of lift to the old standby.

The ever-popular Frutti de Mare and Lionel’s Chicken were absolutely delicious lunch entrees. Even with smaller portions served for lunch, we still had to take some leftovers home.

Frutti de Mare. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

The Frutti de Mare had just the right amount of garlicky goodness. High quality seafood – mussels, calamari, clams and shrimp – were mixed with linguine in a garlic wine sauce.

Lionel’s Chicken was our favorite dish of the meal. A lightly floured chicken breast, pounded thin and lightly fried, was complemented by angel hair pasta and steamed vegetables. Topped with a creamy Dijon sauce for a light lemony mustard kick, the plate was absolutely excellent.

We didn’t have room for dessert and since Frankie’s has a variety of homemade desserts daily, we will have to stop back and give those a try sometime.

Lionel’s Chicken at Frankie’s Italian Kitchen Burbank. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

Our server was very friendly and on top of things. The bathrooms were clean. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. There’s so much more to try here from the extended menu of pizzas, a wide variety of traditional Italian plates and baked dishes, delicious-sounding fresh salads and a good selection of appetizers along with hot and cold sandwiches.

Frankie’s Italian Restaurant receives a Tops In Town for a great first impression, with excellent fresh, high-quality food and service. It’s sure to become one of our regular go-to spots for dining out or getting take away.

Restaurant Info: Frankie’s Italian Kitchen is located at 267 N. Pass Avenue, Burbank, CA, 91505. 818-567-2288. Frankie’s Italian Kitchen Burbank is open Monday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Frankie’s Italian Kitchen receives: Tops In Town

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

The post Frankie’s Italian Kitchen Brings Homemade Freshness And Family-Run Atmosphere To Burbank appeared first on myBurbank.com.

The Burbank High football team has one game under its belt, a 38-20 upset win over highly-ranked Monrovia on the road, while Burroughs scrimmaged at Warren.

Each team will be in action tonight in nonleague matches as the Bulldogs host Ayala at Memorial Field with a 7 p.m. kickoff, and the Indians travel to Calabasas.

Despite the victory, Burbank coach Richard Broussard feels his squad is capable of playing even better against Ayala, which lost to Chino Hills, 31-0, in its season-opener.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson) BHS Coach Richard Broussard seeks second win.

Burbank’s rugged rushing attack churned out 257 yards against the Wildcats, and was led by sophomore Darnell Williams, who ran for a game-high 112 yards on 12 carries.

Williams was assisted by junior Jake Kelley, who added 63 yards on 13 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns, while junior Nick Warren contributed 62 yards on 17 rushes with one score.

 Junior quarterback Guy Gibbs started his first varsity game, and wasn’t especially productive as he completed six of 19 passes for 69 yards with an interception, but did have a pair of scoring passes to wide receiver Max Weisman, who finished with 62 yards on four receptions.

The Bulldogs were stout defensively as they registered five sacks, with senior defensive end Jha’rod Horhn getting two, and junior linebacker Damien Flores helped control the line of scrimmage.

Ayala’s offense was never able to fully get into gear, managing 149 total net yards. If Ayala is to prevail, which doesn’t seem likely, it will need more yards.

Ayala senior quarterback Michael Morales hit seven of 16 attempts for 109 yards with a pick.

Senior wide receiver Erick Rayford snared two passes for 66 yards, and senior running back Jordan Charles grabbed one for 19 yards. Charles was Ayala’s leading rusher, garnering 56 yards on 17 carries, and had a long run of 23 yards.

The Indians will clearly be tested by the Coyotes, who are coming off a 48-14 shellacking of Canyon as junior signal-caller Tristan Gebbia passed for 377 yards, found the target on 17 of 22, and tossed three touchdowns with one interception.

JBHS Coach Keith Knoop Feels Confident.

Gebbia’s favorite target was sophomore wide receiver Brian Hightower, who grabbed five passes for 75 yards.

Junior Darnay Holmes snared three passes for 109 yards with a touchdown, and sophomore Josh Madison collected two passes for 62 yards.

Burroughs’ defense will have to keep a keen eye on Gebbia, and make sure his receivers aren’t able to get free for long gains.

Calabasas amassed 153 rushing yards and was paced by senior running back Erik Hillman, who finished with 154 yards on 29 carries and four touchdowns. Hillman’s best effort was a 20-yard burst.

Burroughs, which placed fourth in the Pacific League a season ago and missed the CIF Southern Section playoffs under longtime coach Keith Knoop, is more than capable of pulling off an upset, but the Indians will have to play mistake-free on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Senior quarterback Steven Hubbell will also need help from junior running back Chance Bell, who accounted for nearly 1,200 yards a season ago, and will be a target coming out of the backfield.

Senior Erick Hernandez is Hubbell’s “go-to” wide receiver, and if Hernandez, who was the most dependable and productive pass-catcher in 2014, grabs at least a half-dozen, Burroughs will have a fighting chance.

It seems, at least on paper, that Burbank has an easier road to a win this week, while Burroughs is in tougher.

The post BHS Football At Home; JB Hits The Road appeared first on myBurbank.com.

The Burbank Arts For All Foundation (BAFA) has issued a call for entries for their third annual Secret Art Show which will be held on Saturday, September 26. Artists of any age are welcome to submit works of art on 4×6-inch cards for inclusion in the Secret Art Show through Friday, September 18.

The Secret Art Show displays art by renowned artists, celebrities, Oscar Award-winning filmmakers, animators, Burbank City officials, along with area teachers and students. The one-night-only event allows patrons to purchase individual artworks for $40 donation each. Upon purchase, the Secret Artist behind the work is revealed.

Those interested in submitting art and become one of hundreds of Secret Artists may visit the BAFA webpage and download the entry packet at http://www.burbankartsforall.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Artist-Entry-Packet-2015.pdf.

“The magic of The Secret Art Show is in the personal charm of each and every one of the secret works of art,” commented Alexandra Helfrich, Co-Chair of the event. “Guests respond to art work from their heart, whether they have chosen a work of art created by a highly collectible artist or an imaginative 10-year-old student,”

“We are extremely excited about the caliber of artists who are returning to participate in our third annual Secret Art Show, as well as the many new artists who are joining us this year.”

For a look at the first gallery of Secret Art Show creations displayed at the event, visit http://www.burbankartsforall.org/preview-1-sas-2015/.

All proceeds will benefit Burbank Arts For All Foundation (BAFA), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure every student in Burbank public schools receives a quality arts education as part of their core curriculum.

“We invite you to celebrate with our community at – quite literally – one of the most colorful events of the season… not to mention FUN… with a hosted wine and cheese reception and a few secret surprises planned for the night,” added Trena Pitchford, BAFA Executive Director. “You don’t want to miss it!”

Tickets for the event cost $50 for VIP entry at 6:30 p.m. and $10 for general admission entry at 7:30 p.m. Entry includes food, drinks, live entertainment and the opportunity to purchase individual miniature works of art.

The Secret Art Show takes place on Saturday, September 26, at ATB Studios, located at 157 W. Providencia Avenue in Burbank, just east of Lake Street, and runs until 10:00 p.m.

More information on the event can be found on the BAFA website here. The 2014 Secret Art Show netted over $30,000 for the nonprofit arts education organization.

The post Third Annual Secret Art Show Call For Entries Announced appeared first on myBurbank.com.

One week after an impressive 18-point victory on the road, Burbank High came crashing to earth, struggling on offense and defense and fell to Ayala, 20-13, in a nonleague football game Friday night at Memorial Field.

The Bulldogs’ 38-20 triumph over highly-ranked Monrovia seemed like a distant memory as they could not find drives or defensive stops in the second half as Ayala scored a pair of touchdowns.

“They punched us in the mouth,” Burbank coach Richard Broussard said. “That’s the formula to beat us. We’ve got to figure it out.”

Burbank (1-1) led 13-7 at the intermission when junior quarterback Guy Gibbs found junior wide receiver Forest Fajardo (game-high 104 yards on five receptions) in the right corner of the end zone on a 17-yard pass for a 6-0 lead and 6:34 left in the opening quarter.

BHS quarterback Guy Gibbs had a 17-yard scoring pass to Forest Fajardo.

When the extra point by senior place kicker Andrew Hank was converted, the Bulldogs pulled ahead 7-0.

The initial points came after Gibbs marched the Bulldogs from the Ayala 47-yard line, and directed his team on an eight-play drive.

It remained 7-0 until 10:30 was left in the second quarter when a 42-yard field goal attempt by Hank, who plays on the soccer team, was mishandled and resulted in a 23-yard pass from Fajardo, the holder, to junior running back Andy Reyes, who caught the toss and raced into the end zone to make it 13-0 after Hank’s point after failed.

After botched field goal, Andy Reyes scores on a 23-yard pass from holder Forest Fajardo.

“We didn’t finish plays and we didn’t finish drives,” Broussard said. “I think we may have read our press clippings and thought we were better than we were. But you can’t just show up and think you’re going to win. You have to go out there and play.”

Broussard, in his second season as Burbank’s head man, added: “This loss is on me. I need to do a better job of calling plays. Things got bottled up. We got complacent. That’s on me. I didn’t do a great job. But we’re going to learn from this and get better.”

With Burbank ahead 13-0, it seemed all was fine but a storm was brewing as Ayala (1-1) then marched down the field 60 yards and capped the 11-play drive when senior fullback Luis Pena (16 yards on five rushes) scored on a one-yard burst and 4:21 showing before the half.

Ayala (281 total net yards), which lost to Chino Hills, 31-0, in its season opener, received the second half kickoff and drove from its 20-yard line, and eventually finalized the nine-play excursion with another one-yard run from Pena and 7:48 remaining in the third quarter for a 14-13 advantage.

“It was one of those things,” Ayala coach Randy Reams said. “The physicality. We ran the ball and we had to be patient.”

On Burbank’s next possession, Gibbs was picked off by cornerback/quarterback Zach Brozick, which then saw Ayala advance the ball from its six-yard line, and 16 plays later senior tailback Jordan Charles (game-best 112 yards on 20 carries) scored on a one-yard scamper that made it 20-13.

Ayala’s junior wide receiver/running back Jacob Mendez-Romo also added 104 yards on 18 carries.

“We got a little bit of pressure on the quarterback, but they battled us,” Reams said. “They’re a great football team, and they’re going to do well in [Pacific] League. They’re well-coached, and they play hard.”

Gibbs, who had an off-night versus the Wildcats, wasn’t pleased with the outcome. “We didn’t play like we should have played,” said Gibbs, who hit 10 of 28 attempts for 132 yards. “We didn’t execute right. We didn’t play with heart. I played horrible.”

If there’s one good thing from the loss, it’s that the Bulldogs, who picked up 240 yards, have next week off which gives Broussard and his staff time to gather their thoughts and prepare for Canyon on Sept. 17 at home.

The post Burbank Football Struggles, Lose 20-13 appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Is there such a thing as a moral victory? Well, if there is, then the Burroughs High football team earned it after playing powerful Calabasas tough for three quarters before eventually falling, 45-25, in a nonleague match Friday night on the road.

“We were leading 25-19 with 6:21 to play in the third quarter,” Burroughs coach Keith Knoop said. “We played with emotion and we gave them a run for their money. We learned a lot.”

In the end, though, Coyotes’ junior quarterback Tristan Gebbia threw for seven touchdowns and 479 yards.

“A lot of those touchdowns were one-yard passes,” Knoop said. “Most teams have a few Division I football players on offense. Calabasas has like 10. But we still played them tough. I was proud of our guys.”

But from that point on with the Indians ahead six points, Gebbia led Calabasas (2-0) to 26 consecutive points.

“Those receivers he was throwing to are future NFL players,” Knoop said. “When you have that much talent, you can’t cover them all. It’s like a dam about to burst.”

Knoop was asked if it’s wise to play a loaded team like Calabasas. With no hesitation, he said that it is.

JBHS Coach Keith Knoop was proud of team.

“We use this as a tool to get better,” Knoop said. “It’s a measuring stick. If you never play a good team, you’re never going to beat a good team.”

The score after one quarter was knotted at 6-6, before the Coyotes led 19-12 at the half.

The Indians, who were playing their season opener, tied it at 19-19 when senior quarterback Steven Hubbell, who hit 11 of 22 pass attempts for 129 yards, found the end zone on a 24-yard run in the third quarter.

“Steven played great after not playing a football game in two years,” said Knoop of his field general, who accounted for three touchdowns.

Hubbell’s six-yard jaunt pushed the Indians ahead 25-19, and before that tally, junior running back Chance Bell, who finished with a team-best 142 yards on 27 carries, dotted the end zone with a three-yard scamper and just over 10 minutes left in the second quarter that cut the Calabasas lead to 19-12.

JB junior running Chance Bell scored a touchdown.

Hubbell also had a 42-yard scoring pass to senior wide receiver Nick Mercado with just under 11 minutes left in the first quarter.

Several players stood out according to Knoop and they included Hubbell, senior nose guard Bryce Martinez, who played offense and defense, Bell, senior linebacker/strong safety Delvin Jimenez, senior defensive end Cole Gurley, “he was hustling and hitting people everywhere,” according to Knoop, and senior wide receiver/free safety Erick Hernandez, who didn’t catch a lot of passes, but did have an interception.

Burroughs’ next game will be on the road against Rosemead on Sept. 10, before playing its first home contest versus Santa Fe on Sept. 18.

The post Burroughs Football Plays Calabasas Tough appeared first on myBurbank.com.

When you do burger reviews you expect to be disappointed way more then made happy. I did not pick The Hollywood Way to be the first of the many to be reviewed burger places on purpose. I knew I was starting this up again after taking six years off and just decided as I walked in the door to make this the first – no matter how good or bad.

We went in around 2:00 in the afternoon and found the place about half full but easily found seating. The waitress was on us fast and we had a menu and drinks within a minute.

Upon ordering there are some words I love to hear “…and how would you like that cooked?” When you hear that you know you are getting a fresh hand packed patty, and I also went with cheddar cheese.  She also asked which kind of bun, their standard brioche bun or their cheesy bun. Of course, being a huge cheese guy, I went cheesy!

When it came in about 12 minutes, it looked like a thing of beauty (see picture!). The bun fit perfectly, did not fall apart at all, the condiments were not over-bearing and the amount of cheese was not stingy, it oozed from the meat.

After one bite I was hooked, the flavor was outstanding. This burger was a star by itself. It was not too big and not out of control. After I finished I was worried that it was going to be hard to find any other burgers that would live up to these standards.

While I tried the Classic Cheeseburger, The Hollywood Way has many more varieties (including sliders) for you to try.

The Hawaii Five-O has teriyaki glaze with a slice of grilled pineapple, the Memphis burger is a half-pound burger piled high with Carolina pulled pork, Cheddar cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon and onion straws topped with Hollywood BBQ sauce.

There are several more including Smokehouse, Black and Blue and the Hollywood Way Hottie which you had better have a lot of cold drink near you before trying.

The Hollywood Way has a full bar and separate seating away from the bar area for families. There are numerous TV’s turned to every sports game on at the time.

Although it really does not count for the burger review, I would be chastised not to tell you about some of the sides. The Onion Straws are outstanding but what I really love are the Kettle Chips which you see in the picture.  They are always made fresh and come to you warm.

The Hollywood Way is located at 1333 N. Hollywood Way – right next to the car wash at Burbank and Hollywood Way. 818 845-4400

The Hollywood Way receives: Tops in Town

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

The post Burger Review – The Hollywood Way appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Burbank Unified Superintendent Matt Hill challenged attendees at the Burbank Arts For All Foundation’s recent Community Meeting to be leaders in the creation of a community vision plan for the arts in Burbank.

Held at the Community Services Building on Wednesday, September 2, the BAFA Community Meeting featured BUSD Superintendent Hill and BUSD Visual & Performing Arts Coordinator Peggy Flynn, who gave an overview of the history of the District’s Arts For All Plan and the creation of the Burbank Arts For All Foundation.

“My challenge for all of us in this room and for the team is, what I want to take to the Board…, is a community vision plan for the arts,” stated Hill.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Hill noted that as he was researching Burbank in preparation for interviewing for the BUSD Superintendent position earlier in 2015, he came across the District’s Arts For All plan. He called it a good, solid, working plan, bringing together partnerships with business and parental involvement integrating the arts throughout the school day.

“We have awards and accolades for Burbank Unified Arts programs. Fantastic. One of the best,” Hill continued. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be the best in the world around the arts.”

“We have to take the time and have meetings like this,” Hill added. “What does it look like for an instrumental program, a drama program?”

“I’m asking for a vision plan,” he said. “We need to push each other to get to that vision.”

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Flynn discussed the recent history of the arts in BUSD. In 2003, there were virtually no arts programs paid for by the District, with only schools in affluent areas providing arts programs paid for by fundraising.

BUSD joined the L.A. County Arts Commission in 2003 and since then, has had a Board of Education whose members have supported the arts in schools, and access for all students to the arts, Flynn noted.

Many gains have been made in the past 12 years, although the recession beginning in 2007 did affect roll out and growth of arts programs.

Currently, for the 2015-16 school year, there has been a strong elementary school music program expansion, with five dedicated music teachers paid for by the district. Instrumental and music programs paid for by Education Through Music – Los Angeles (ETM-LA), a music education nonprofit, serves students at three BUSD elementary schools.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

With the College And Career Pathways program, expanding partnerships with businesses and government officials, artist-in-residence programs, professional development for integrated arts for grades K-12 and new after-school high school classes in Animation and Armenian for college credit, Burbank Unified has come a long way since 2003, Flynn pointed out.

“Having our new Superintendent share the importance of the arts in his own life and his commitment to seeing us continue to realize the goals set in the Arts For All plan was really great to hear,” commented Suzanne Weerts, BAFA Community Outreach Working Group Chair.

“And of course, Peggy’s story of where we’ve been and how far we’ve come, along with the wonderful collaborative partnerships that are currently in the works with the Career Technical Education and the Computer Assisted Drafting, etc.”

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

“Many of us who have been involved with this group ‘pre-foundation’ now have kids who are seniors or just starting college,” said artist and parent volunteer Jamie Butterworth, who opened the meeting with a talk about the importance of making mistakes, taking chances, experimenting and letting go in creating art.

“Art gives us a unique opportunity to make safe mistakes and discoveries, and to have the experience of making mistakes – the practice — so we can go out into the world and be inventive, flexible, creative, and confident — which is what we want for our kids (and ourselves).”

“When our oldest children started in Burbank schools, there were very few arts programs and they were inconsistent across schools,” Butterworth added. “A lot of hard work and dedication has gotten where we are today but there is still much to be done. So, we are thrilled to see many new faces and especially parents with young children who can help take us into the future.”

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

“Burbank Arts for All Foundation is thrilled to begin the school year with a robust discussion about how – together – we can further arts learning opportunities for all students in our public schools,” stated BAFA Executive Director Trena Pitchford. “The Foundation plans to continue to work closely in our partnership with the District to provide resources and funding so that when our Burbank students enter the employment market, they can be successful in whatever career pathway they choose.”

In April 2015, the BAFA Board of Directors added a vision statement to accompany the Foundation’s mission: “Burbank Arts for All Foundation’s vision is to inspire Burbank to build the finest arts education program in the country. We believe that all students should have equal access to a quality arts education that nurtures a balanced approach to life, develops 21st century skills for any career path a student chooses and further enriches a healthy community and creative economy in Burbank.”

Wednesday’s BAFA Community Meeting was attended by BAFA Board Members, Burbank educators, parents, community members, BUSD Board of Education members Larry Applebaum and Charlene Tabet, Burbank City Council member Emily Gabel-Luddy, Mayor Bob Frutos, BUSD Director of Elementary Education Peter Knapik, along with Flynn and Superintendent Hill.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

The post BUSD Superintendent Hill Challenges BAFA And District Personnel To Create Community Vision Plan For Arts appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Documentary Director and Producer Roya Aryanpad’s foray into fictional short films, Jacob Stone, screens Friday, September 11, as an Official Selection of the Burbank International Film Festival. The film has been nominated in the “Best Short Films By Women” category.

Written by David Blacker, Jacob Stone tells the story of an inner-city high school basketball player, portrayed by Nicholas Alexander, as a mistake from his past threatens his future.

“Jacob Stone examines many social issues, such as racial profiling; stereotyping; dysfunctional families; corporate greed; incarceration for non-violent crimes; and the straight men HIV stigma,” commented Aryanpad, noting the film’s message resonates with people from many backgrounds. “These are the challenges that our youth and young adults are facing in 2015, in all parts of U.S.”

Roya Aryanpad directs actor Nicholas Alexander in “Jacob Stone.” (Photo Courtesy of Dream Benders Productions)

“I believe the message of the film is also universal, and not only people at home, but everywhere can relate to and make connection with.”

A former refugee born in Shiraz-Iran, Aryanpad’s directs and produces films that contribute in a positive way to environmental, social, cultural and political issues.

“My own experiences in Iran during the time of the Revolution which led to my family’s exile have made me very sensitive to issues of social injustice, poverty and human oppression everywhere.” Aryanpad also said. “The struggles of African-Americans may not be my own, but I feel a kinship with them, as we are all survivors of oppression. The story of Jacob Stone is one of survival and hope in the face of great obstacles – themes which are very relevant in my own life.”

Nicholas Alexander and Jazlyn Yoder in a scene from “Jacob Stone.” (Photo Courtesy of Dream Benders Productions)

“As a former resident of Burbank for six years, I think the beautiful city of Burbank has a lot to offer, and Burbank International Film Festival (BIFF) is certainly one of them,” Aryanpad commented. “I particularly favored BIFF for having a Short Films By Women category.”

“In a society with an ongoing battle for equal pay for women and in an industry with the percentage of the network and cable shows directed by women being ridiculously low, it is wonderful to have festivals like Burbank International Film Festival to bridge the gap, and celebrate the films made by women,” she added.

Director/Producer Roya Aryanpad. (Photo Courtesy of Dream Benders Productions)

“I’d like to thank Jeff Rector, the president and festival director of Burbank International Film Festival, for making a great difference and providing options for women filmmakers to showcase their work. We are truly grateful for the opportunity and honored to be a part of BIFF this Friday.”

Jacob Stone was shot in Glendale and Los Angeles, because Aryanpad’s Dream Benders Productions crew was able to find the necessary locations in those cities. The film is a true indie production as local independent filmmakers with home studios offered their services for post production work.

“Jacob Stone is a real story, about real people, having real experiences in life. Although we examine many social issues in this film, our writer David Blacker has woven these issues so skillfully into the story that it does not feel preachy at all, and you get so deeply drawn into the story from the get go,” Aryanpad continued. “That was one of the reasons I was also attracted to the script.”

“The performances of our actors are great. The cast was nominated for Best Ensemble at LAIFFA (Los Angeles Independent FIlm Festival),” she said.”Nicholas Alexander and Jazlyn Yoder (our lead actors), Virtic Brown, Deon Lucas, Stephanie Charles, Nathalie Autumn Bennett, James Haley, Crystal Lott, Joe Gabler, Stephen Quadros, Lucas Dean Peterson, Richey Nash and Ashford Thomas are just brilliant.”

(Photo Courtesy of Dream Benders Productions)

“Our Cinematographer Idan Menin and his wonderful crew have created a great look for the film. The excellent quality of the film is attributed to the love and passion the cast and crew have invested in this film. I believe all of these have contributed to the success of the film.”

Jacob Stone premiered at the San Diego Black Film Festival in January 2015. The film has screened at The Alhambra Theater Film Festival, Indie Night Film Festival and Black Cat Picture Show. The short film will screen in coming weeks at the Catalina Film Festival, the International Black Film Festival and Gary International Black Film Festival.

The Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards honored Jacob Stone with the Best Drama Award. The film was nominated for five other categories at LAIFFA, including Best Director (Roya Aryanpad) and Best Actor (Nicholas Alexander.)

Advance tickets for the screening of Jacob Stone at the Burbank AMC Town Center 6 for Burbank International Film Festival, on September 11, at 9:30p.m. can be found here:  http://www.itsmyseat.com/events/322892.html

Next up for Dream Benders Productions, Aryanpad will focus on a full-length screenplay she wrote, based on her experiences as a teenager growing up in Iran, and her family’s escape after Iran’s Islamic Revolution.

The post Former Burbank Resident Directs Film Up For Burbank International Film Festival Award appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Several top times and finishes were turned in by the Burroughs High cross-country teams at the Great Cow Run in Cerritos on Saturday, and they include Emily Virtue’s second-place finish in the girls’ varsity race in a time of 17 minutes and two seconds, Alexander Hirsch’s fifth-place showing in the boys’ varsity race (14:52) and teammate Timothy Wells’ 10th place (15:00).

In the same race, Justin Villagran captured 12th (15:01), while Jagdeep Chahal took first place (15:29), and set the record in the boys’ sophomore division.

Meanwhile, Adam Villalpando grabbed 31st (15:39) and Daniel Fendrich took 39th (15:46) in the boys’ varsity race.

Other finishes in the boys’ varsity trek include Manne Green getting 66th (16:05), Christian Fuentes placing 70th (16:10) and Trent Harrison garnering 87th (16:27).

Patrick Wells grabbed 90th (16:30) and Seth Battilana was 103rd (16:43) in the boys’ varsity division.

JBHS cross country teams had solid times at Great Cow Run in Cerritos. (File photo by Dick Dornan)

Betsey Ramirez was 86th (20:33) and Jailene Diaz came in 128th (21:22) in the girls’ varsity division.

Javier Hurtado finished 14th (17:02) in the boys’ junior varsity race, David Olympia placed 23rd (17:26), Cobie Cortez was 30th (17:39), Eduardo Cabrera was 43rd (17:49) and Branden Sanchez finished 114th (19:11).

Ariel Ramirez placed eighth (21:45) in the girls’ junior varsity run, Graison Anderson was 18th (22:14), Andrea Duran got 40th (23:03), Maddy Davis was 42nd (23:05), Lisandra Contreras grabbed 88th (24:35) and Destiny Velasquez was 145th (29:04).

Chris Hoxsie was sixth (16:02) in the boys’ sophomore run, Andrew Hoxsie placed 10th (16:14), Jerry Hoxsie was 35th (17:10), Asif Chowdhury took 38th (17:14), Ethan Brown was 56th (17:42) and Charanpreet Singh placed 58th (17:43).

Sapphire Sandoval was eighth (20:09) in the girls’ sophomore race, Catrina Villalpando was 35th (21:38), Ana Villalpando took 49th (22:11) and Maya Santos was 111th (24:21).

Ethan Galloway came in 22nd (17:39) in the boys’ freshman race, Zander Tassart was 52nd (18:25), Cade Morgan grabbed 64th (18:43), Johnny Padungyothee took 82nd (19:00), Peter Lainson was 86th (19:04) and Cameron Gomez placed 192nd (21:06).

Lakely Nealis was eighth (19:39) in the girls’ freshman division, Phoenix Reivers finished 20th (21:02), Julianna Navarro was 45th (22:19), Iliana Mendias was 125th (24:44), Jazmend Ortega took 182nd (26:39), Sharai Barrera grabbed 192nd (27:33) and Angelica Thompson was 218th (30:29).

Burroughs’ next cross-country meet will be the Rosemead Invitational this Saturday, and Coach John Peebles is looking for more solid times and finishes.

The post Burroughs Cross-Country Teams Shine appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Remember the excitement of heading back to school? Just because you haven’t been in school since Trapper Keepers were a thing, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun! At Crunch, we’re bringing back that feeling with an awesome lineup of fall classes taught by varsity-level instructors.

To help get your fall workout routine into high gear, Crunch offers more than 70 classes a week. Popular choices include The Ride and Yoga, which will boost your energy better than that second Cup of Joe. And they’ll have you looking like you did in that prom pic (but with better hair).

Looking to learn beyond the basics? A class like POUND® will help you channel your inner rock star by using weighted drumsticks to beat along to a slammin’ soundtrack. Or, get ready for a school-yard brawl with Hard Knocks, the ultimate “in your face” cardio workout fuses the hard hitting power of boxing with the booty dropping swagger of hip hop for one knockout dance party! The bottom line is, no matter what your fall fitness goals are, Crunch can help you make the grade with a schedule chockfull of boutique-style classes that will keep you sweating all season long. Stop by Crunch to check out some of our hottest classes with this 5-day guest pass.

The post Get Classy At Burbank’s Crunch appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Construction activities and closures are subject to change.

Work will occur during daytime hours unless otherwise noted.

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIESSR 134 to Magnolia BoulevardBridge Widening Activities: Removal of bridge falsework on Alameda Avenue under I-5 (night work) and building of supports on pier walls.

Magnolia Boulevard to Buena Vista StreetBurbank Western Channel: Drilling for piles. Work will occur near the south end of the channel on the freeway side (night work).

Old San Fernando Tunnel: Removal of barrier beams.

Empire Bridge: Installation of falsework to support freeway bridge structure.

Victory Place Bridge: Installation of wood plates for bridge abutment.

Railroad Retaining Wall: Pile driving for the railroad retaining wall between Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Way (night work).

Burbank Boulevard at Southbound I-5 Off-ramp: Concrete crushing.

Future New Empire Avenue: Excavation work next to Sharky’s.

Southbound I-5 Retaining Walls: Construction of new retaining walls southbound I-5 between Empire Avenue and Burbank Boulevard.

Utility Work: Underground utility work on Empire Avenue between Valpreda Street and Keystone Street, and on San Fernando Boulevard near Grismer Avenue.

The post Continuing I-5 Improvements from 134 Interchange to Buena Vista Street appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Burbank Unified School District received scores on Wednesday, September 9, for the new Smarter Balanced Assessments. Burbank Unified Common Core scores in subject proficiency ranked higher than Los Angeles County and State of California for all grades tested in English Language Arts, mathematics and science.

“Our number one focus is ensuring all of our students graduate with a degree that prepares them for college and/or their careers,” commented BUSD Superintendent Matt Hill. “While important, these results are just one measure that we look at to ensure we are preparing our students for their futures.”

The overall number of Burbank students who scored proficient or above in English Language Arts was 56%. In mathematics the overall score was 39% proficient or above.

These scores are a baseline and will be used to measure progress from year to year, according to Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Assesment Sharon Cuseo. They cannot be compared to the scores on the previous testing system, as the tests are completely different.

The new California testing system is now known as the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). This test is aligned to the new California Standards, commonly referred to as the Common Core State Standards.

2015 CAASPP scores. (Image Courtesy Burbank Unified School District)

The new assessment required the students to test on computers. In addition, the computer-based assessment was adaptive, which means that the test changed for students based on how they answered questions; the more questions they answered correctly, the more difficult the questions became.

Science, like English Language Arts and mathematics, has new standards. The new science assessment is in development, but will not be ready for administration until the 2017-2018 school-year.

It is important to note that the assessment data is baseline data only and is not being used for state or federal accountability purposes, District officials stressed. The CAASPP assessment is only a snapshot of student performance on a single test. The district uses the results to analyze global areas of success and opportunities for improvement, but primarily relies on data from the classroom to support teaching and learning.

The post Burbank Unified Common Core Scores Rank Higher Than State And County Averages appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Burroughs High’s 20-point loss to Calabasas last week wasn’t as one-sided as the final score would indicate.

In fact, the Indians were ahead by six points midway through the third quarter before the hard-charging Coyotes scored 26 unanswered points.

Tonight’s nonleague matchup against Rosemead on the road should be a great deal easier for the Indians, but nothing is ever guaranteed.

The Panthers are winless after an opening-week setback to Northview, 37-24, and a blanking by Diamond Ranch, 49-0.

Rosemead is more prone to throw the football than run it, so the Indians’ defense will be a key.

Burroughs is in action tonight at Rosemead. (Photo by Craig Sherwood)

Though the defense allowed 45 points to the Coyotes, it’s not likely Rosemead will be able to score that many points against a team that can pressure the quarterback and stop the run.

In the 45-25 loss to Calabasas, senior free safety Robert Awunganyi had three tackles and seven assists, while senior cornerback Jarret Wrobel finished with four solo tackles and three assists.

Senior outside linebacker Nico Frugone picked up eight assists and a solo tackle, senior defensive end Cole Gurley had one and a half sacks and senior strong safety/linebacker Devlin Jimenez collected a sack.

Senior quarterback Steven Hubbell, who hit 11 of 22 passes for 129 yards, was in the middle of three touchdowns for the Indians, including a pair of rushing scores and a 42-yard touchdown toss to senior wide receiver Nick Mercado.

Tailback Chance Bell churned out 142 yards on 27 carries with a touchdown in the second quarter.

Indians’ defense will be key to win versus Panthers. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Bell, a junior, who led the Indians in rushing a season ago, will have to do more of the same, as will senior running back/wide receiver Cade Borland, who had 48 yards on five carries against the Coyotes.

Rosemead’s passing attack is paced by senior quarterback Steven Nava, who has completed 44 of 82 for 435 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in two games.

Nava’s favorite target is junior wide receiver Darien Camacho, who has snared 16 passes for 203 yards with two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Jordan Parham has caught 10 passes for 139 yards.

The Panthers’ running game has averaged 50.5 yards over the two losses, with senior running back Angel Lopez accounting for 68 yards on nine carries and one score.

The post Burroughs Football Looks For First Win appeared first on myBurbank.com.