It was time to head up to the hill after the last coupe of reviews in the valley and you can’t get higher on the hill then DeBell Golf Club, home of the Canyon Grille.

I had not been inside since the ownership change a couple of years ago and there were a couple differences then the past – more giant TV screens and a lighter atmosphere.

But first let’s get to the real meat of the article, the burger!

The Canyon Grille only has one burger on their menu, the Canyon Angus Burger. There are add-ons and I picked both cheddar cheese (a no brainer) and avocado as well as asking for a medium rare patty. I also went with the fries for a side – or course, well done on the fries.

Canyon Angus Burger

Upon arrival, it looked great, starting with the hand made patty. They offered the usual condiments and with a very dry bun, it needed something. My first choice is always thousand island dressing but mustard and ketchup also work.

First bite in and I could taste the flavor. The burger was nice and large and yes, it was medium rare which meant it was juicy. Not a big fan of the large lettuce leaf (shredded iceberg is always a plus) but it did not bother the overall taste. I also would have preferred a bit more avocado but for only an additional 50 cents it was OK.

The bun was good and a good size for the burger. Near the end of my inhaling of the burger I did start to notice that the bun was just a little soggy on the bottom. Not enough for it to come apart (which I absolutely HATE), but enough to be soggy.  I actually chalk that up to the burger being medium rare and very juicy but a second or two more being toasted would also work.

I really did enjoy the burger and thought it would not only make a good meal for a golfer fresh off he course, but for anyone else in Burbank to take a drive up into the mountains for a good burger. Price of the burger (with skinny fries which were also good and well done to my liking) was $10.95 which is not a great price, but acceptable.

The Canyon Grille at DeBell Gold Club

Back to the atmosphere. Not only was it a great burger, but being up on the hill let us watch some of the golfers teeing off on the first hole and there was also a deer that stopped by outside in the middle of the day, not bothered by the strange two legged creatures swinging metal sticks. Did not see any unicorns, however.

Canyon Grille’s staff is also extremely friendly. They make you feel more like you are at home then at a restaurant. It really seemed to be very relaxed inside. It seemed that all of the employees not only liked each other, but also their jobs. They have a nice full menu and I am going to have to go back up that hill again to try some of the other selections.

The Canyon Grille is located inside the clubhouse at De Bell Golf Course
1500 Walnut, Burbank 818 736-5530

Monday – Wednesday: 6am to 6pm, last seating 5:30 pm
Thursday: 6am to 7pm, last seating 6:30pm
Friday & Saturday: 6am to 8pm, last seating 7:30pm
Sunday: 6am to 7pm, last seating 6:30
Sunday Brunch: 9am to 2pm

The Canyon Grille 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)

If you would like us to consider a location for a review – let us know HERE

The post Burger Review – Canyon Grille appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Senior quarterback Steven Hubbell completed his first four passes, including a 66-yard touchdown toss to senior wide receiver Cade Borland (five receptions for 110 yards) and 5:17 left in the first quarter for Burroughs High in Friday night’s nonleague football game against Santa Fe at Memorial Field.

Hubbell would throw three more scoring passes as the Indians manhandled the Chiefs, 42-3, and now head into Pacific League play next week.

Burroughs (2-1) simply and thoroughly wore down Santa Fe in what was a physical match and saw Santa Fe senior wide receiver Jake Risdall suffer a head and neck injury late in the third quarter. The game was delayed for nearly a half hour, and Risdall was taken to a local hospital for observation.

Junior tailback Chance Bell (22 carries for 136 yards) would make it 14-0 with 10 seconds left in the same quarter and finalize a 69-yard, six-play drive.

Tailback Chance Bell was integral in the 42-3 win over Santa Fe. (Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

The Chiefs (1-3) would finally get on the board when senior Alex Moreno booted a 38-yard field goal and 9:05 left in the second quarter.

Burroughs responded three series later with a seven-yard pass from Hubbell to senior wide receiver Erick Hernandez and 2:15 remaining before the break to pull in front, 21-3.

“We’re a senior-heavy team and we have a lot of leaders,” said Hernandez, who caught two passes for 16 yards. “I’m one of the leaders. I get vocal when I have to. I just want to help the team any way that I can.”

Hernandez spoke about the league portion of the schedule: “It’s a long season and now we start league. We just want to take it one game at a time. We take each step one at a time. We know the Burbank game [Nov. 6] is a long way off, but we think we’re going to have a good team.”

Burroughs will next play always-tough Muir at home next Friday, and Coach Keith Knoop cautioned his team against being over confident after the 39-point thumping of the Chiefs.

“Muir always has great athletes,” Knoop said. “They always cause problems. But we like to think that we’re a good team, and that we’re going to do well against them. This is going to be a good league. You saw what Burbank did to Canyon (35-6 rout of the Cowboys the night before]. We have to be prepared.”

Defensive back Robert Awunganyi returns a punt against the Chiefs. (Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Hubbell, who completed 11 of 17 passes for 238 yards, came into the contest with five touchdown tosses and no interceptions. Hubbell was picked off twice in the opening half.

The Indians (390 total net yards) took command 28-3 with 5:44 left on the clock in the third quarter when Hubbell drilled senior wide receiver Hunter Guerin (66 yards on three receptions) all alone with a 41-yard strike, capping a two-play, 50-yard march.

With 1:48 left in the third quarter, Burroughs struck again, this time a one-yard run by Bell as the Indians forged a 35-3 lead. The drive consumed six plays and covered 36 yards.

On the next possession, Burroughs bolted ahead, 42-3, when Hubbell unloaded his final scoring toss, a 31-yard bomb to senior wide receiver Torin Harris (38 yards and two catches) with 11:11 remaining in the fourth quarter.

 

The post Burroughs Football Hammer Santa Fe, 42-3 appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Entering Thursday’s Pacific League girls’ volleyball match, Burroughs High was winless in three nonleague matches, while visiting Pasadena divided two.

Sometimes records don’t matter as the Indians easily turned away the Bulldogs, 25-11, 25-13, 25-17, in a Pacific League encounter behind sophomore middle blocker Marin Grote’s match-best 12 kills and senior outside hitter Danielle Ryan’s nine winners.

Starting from the opening stanza, the Indians controlled the tempo with crisp passing, solid defense and well-placed shots that Pasadena had difficulty defending.

“We did a real good job of serving today,” Burroughs coach Edwin Real said. “Danielle did a good job, especially in the first game and the third game.”

The Bulldogs’ best effort came in the third game which was tied at 2-2, 4-4, 5-5, 9-9, and 10-10, before the Indians pulled ahead 18-10 on kills from Grote that made it 12-10, Ryan’s two consecutive aces that made it 13-10 and 14-10, Grote’s blast that made it 15-10, and Ryan’s three straight aces.

Burroughs’ middle blocker Caleigh Paster (#33) and Nia Cathcart meet at summit. (Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

The Bulldogs (1-2 and 0-1 in league) came within 18-12, before Burroughs went on a five-point blitz to make it 23-12 on Ryan’s kill, junior opposite hitter Sophia Rizzotti’s winner, and senior defensive specialist Zoe Baer’s three straight service aces.

Pasadena came within 23-17 on Artemesia Meier’s block, but Burroughs scored the final two points on winners from Grote.

“Marin is one of our ‘go-to’ hitters,” Real said, “and so is Danielle. They’re both high-percentage hitters. Our setters did a real good job of getting them in position to score.”

The opening frame was knotted at 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, and 9-9 on a smash from Indians’ junior middle blocker Caleigh Paster.

From that point forward, it was all Burroughs (1-3 and 1-0 in league), which tallied the next dozen points. Some of the highlights included two winners and a block from Rizzotti, two kills from Ryan, two winners from Paster, and sophomore setter Lauren Zedlar’s ace.

Pasadena’s Sophia Courtney (#5) tries for a point. (Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

The Indians took four of the next six points as Ryan delivered a kill to make it 22-10. Grote’s winner gave Burroughs a 23-11 lead, and an ace from senior defensive specialist Katheryn Dominguez made it 24-11. Sophomore outside hitter Julianna Cottrell’s rocket gave the Indians the game.

A similar pattern held for the middle game as it was tied at 1-1 and 3-3, but Burroughs’ dominance became evident as the Indians went on a seven-point spurt to move in front 10-3 with Grote contributing four kills, Cottrell one winner, sophomore setter Payton Jensen one kill, and senior opposite hitter Jessica Rury one smash.

Burroughs dashed in front 16-6 on Ryan’s kill and moved ahead 17-9 on Ryan’s bullet. The Indians led 24-10 on Dominguez’s three aces, Rizzotti’s kill, Ryan’s slam and Grote’s winner.

Pasadena rallied and pulled within 24-13 on Sophia Courtney’s service ace, but the Indians scored the final point on a kill from Grote.

The post JB Girls’ Volleyball Squad Sweeps Pasadena appeared first on myBurbank.com.

When a school is coming off winning the CIF Southern Section championship, placing well with excellent times becomes somewhat routine, which has been the case for the Burroughs High cross country team.

On Saturday, the senior boys’ placed first, the junior boys’ took second, and the sophomore boys’ grabbed second at the Mount Carmel Invitational Meet in San Diego.

Some of the fastest times included Emily Virtue’s first in a clocking of 15 minutes and 55 seconds in the girls’ sophomore division, and Alexander Hirsch’s first place (15:52) in the boys’ sophomore division.

Justin Villagran took first place (16:01) in the boys’ senior division, and Timothy Wells was second in the boys’ junior division (16:11).

Adam Villalpando snared 11th (16:47) in the boys’ senior division, Evan Thomas took 12th (16:47), Manne Green got 13th (16:48), Seth Battilana placed 23rd (17:11), Christian Fuentes was 28th (17:28), Trent Harrison finished 44th (17:58), David Olympia was 51st (18:13) and Eduardo Cabrera grabbed 71st (19:08).

And they’re off. Burroughs fared well at the Mt. Carmel Invitational in San Diego. (File photo by Dick Dornan)

Eileen Eckles was 23rd (18:24) in the girls’ senior division and Betsy Ramirez took 24th (18:25), while Daniel Fendrich was ninth (16:55), Javier Hurtado got 22nd (17:33), Patrick Wells garnered 24th (17:35) and Cobie Cortez was 60th (18:22) in the boys’ junior division.

In the girls’ junior division, Heidi Eligio finished 10th (17:27), Jailene Diaz got 33rd (18:43) and Ariel Ramirez took 83rd (20:49).

Jagdeep Chahal was eighth (16:35) in the boys’ sophomore division, Chris Hoxsie took 18th (16:48), Andrew Hoxsie grabbed 22nd (16:57), Asif Chowdhury snared 44th (18:03), Ethan Brown was 50th (18:10), Jerry Hoxsie took 74th (19:01), Charanpreet Singh placed 75th (19:03) and Sameh Gharieb was 82nd (19:12).

In the girls’ sophomore division, Sapphire Sandoval was 19th (18:27), Kenna Guzman took 59th (20:08) and Catrina Villalpando finished 75th (20:42).

In the boys’ freshman division, Zander Tassart was 31st (18:42), Peter Lainson took 77th (20:32) and Johnny Padungyothee placed 111th (21:32).

In the girls’ freshman division, Lakely Nealis was seventh (17:53), Phoenix Reivers took 43rd (19:33) and Julianna Navarro garnered 61st (20:04).

The boys’ course is 2.95 miles long, while the girls’ trek is 2.75 miles. The Indians will be in action next on Thursday at the first Pacific League meet at Arcadia Park.

The post Another Sterling Effort By JB Cross Country Team appeared first on myBurbank.com.

A mother of two and victim of domestic violence, WINGS grant recipient Noelia Miller is changing her life story.   Zonta Club of Burbank Area awarded Miller a WINGS grant to help her reach her goal of becoming a vocational nurse.

Twice a year, the Zonta Club offers grants up to $2,000. Application deadlines are April 30^th and September 30^th. Miller is the recipient of the April 2015 award. The WINGS grant is offered to women 21 years and older, who have endured a life altering setback/experience and seek to improve their status through education. The grants offer one-time financial assistance to the recipients.

Information and an application may be obtained by visiting www.zontaburbank.org for the upcoming September 30^th deadline. Completed applications and supporting documents may be submitted via email as directed. First priority is given to Burbank residents, but applications will be considered from Glendale, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, Sun Valley, Sunland/Tujunga, Studio City, Shadow Hills, Panorama City, Pacoima, Arleta and other areas of the San Fernando Valley east of Van Nuys Blvd.

With the help of programs provided by Family Service Agency (FSA) in Burbank, Miller realized she is free, independent and capable of making a secure and happy home for herself and her children, without the domestic violence she previously endured. Miller believes the WINGS grant is…” a way to believe in me; to make a better life for my children, giving them education and motivation; to make a better world starting at home”.

The post Zonta Club Offers Grants appeared first on myBurbank.com.

In California, to pass the contents almost any asset—a bank account, a multi-million-dollar stock account, a car of any value—upon death, all an individual needs to do is fill out a simple “Payable On Death” form.  However, for most middle-class Californians, there is no easy way to transfer the title for a house.  Homeowners currently face two costly options: hire an attorney to draft a trust (which typically costs homeowners between $2,000 and $6,000) or force surviving loved ones to weather the probate process (with an average cost of $26,000).

Today, Governor Brown signed Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s (D-Burbank) legislation to create a “Revocable Transfer on Death Deed,” which will save millions of households from probate and attorney’s fees.  AB 139 simplifies the way Californians transfer real-property assets upon death through use of a simple form.  The legislation will be the most affordable alternative available to hiring an estate-planning attorney or facing the daunting and bureaucratic probate process.

For these reasons, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association said in committee, “Other than Prop. 13, there is no greater bill that we support than AB 139 for this year.”

“One of the primary roles of the legislature should be to simplify life for Californians,” said Assemblyman Gatto. “By helping homeowners avoid costly probate fees and unintended burdens on family members, AB 139 will do just that.”

More than twenty-five other states allow use of this tool.  The measure had been introduced into the California State Legislature four times in the last ten years, but AB 139 marks the first time the bill has been passed by the legislature.

The bill will take effect January 1, 2015.

The post Revocable Transfer on Death Deed Bill Signed appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Grads were treated to a blast from the past when the Burbank-Burroughs Alumni Assn. threw the party of the year at the Castaway on Sept. 12.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

The crosstown rivalry takes a backseat to what’s more important — creating a Burbank family, said lead organizer Gilbert Tobon, from Burroughs’ 1979 class.

Whether one is wearing the admission wristband in Burroughs red or Burbank blue, grads joyfully come together to reminisce, see old friends and make new ones.

“I give people the freedom and ability to smile, say hi to each other, give each other hugs and tell people they love each other,” Tobon said. “In life, that’s kind of a rare thing, but because we have the Burbank bond and connection, it works. I don’t know too many towns that do this and can pull it off like we do.”

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

It’s also an opportunity to get to know a person from another school or another grade, he added.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

This is the fifth annual reunion Tobon has organized. New this year, Tobon teamed up with the Burbank-Burroughs Alumni Assn. steering committee to coordinate the party. He is a member of the steering committee and is chairman of the association’s subcommittee that puts on the yearly Castaway event.

Also serving on the steering committee are President Joanne Lento Miller, Roberta Grande Reynolds, Connie Barron Trimble, Kimberley Clark, Kathy Lawrence, Kathie Brown and Steve Ferguson. Emilio Urioste, Burbank Adult School director, is the liaison between the school district and the alumni association.

Others helping are Larry O’Brien, from Burbank High Class of 1969; Jim Schmidt of Burbank High Class of ’77; and Dennis Stirling, Burroughs Class of ’79.

Tobon is posting photographs of the evening on the alumni group’s Facebook page. The photos show classmates hugging, kissing and dancing to the live music of the ’60s and ’70s played by Green Central Station. The DJ Jesse A. Cisneros played recorded music during the band’s breaks. White-gloved waiters passed hors d’oeuvres.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Grads had fun with the new feature this year — the photo booth. Men wrapped feathered boas around their necks and donned silly hats while women slipped on over-sized sunglasses or Minnie Mouse ears.

Tobon relayed some of the fun stories about graduates he heard that evening.

One married couple attending was Mike and Kri “Davis” Arredondo. He graduated from Burbank High in 1974 and she is from Burroughs’ 1986 class. They were introduced by a mutual friend at a work party for someone who was leaving the company.

During the reunion, Mike ran into Katrina “Persitza” Mallia from Burbank High Class of ’75, who he took to the prom 41 years ago. Kri snapped a picture of them and later posted it along with their prom photo on the alumni website.

The funny thing was Mike was so shy back then, that he had his cousin, Tony, call her and say he was Mike, and invited her to the prom. So, it was a big relief when Mike finally told her the truth at the reunion party, he said.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

About eight former cheerleaders from Burroughs’ Class of 1976 came, and Tobon said, it was so much fun watching them interact and dance together. There was also a woman who didn’t go to her high school prom, so this event made up for that.

“This was their time to feel pretty, to just enjoy themselves and finally attend a special school event because back then, they didn’t feel they belonged,” he said.

People came from as far away as Oregon, Washington State, Idaho, Utah, New Jersey, Colorado and Vancouver Canada.

Some come to dance and others like to sit and watch the crowd. Some have never attended their own reunions. For the shy alumni, just walking through the front door is a challenge.

“They are very brave souls and they have a good time most of the time,” Tobon said.

The reward of putting on an event like this is seeing Burroughs and Burbank grads talking to each other.

“I could tell what school they were from by the color of their name tags,” he said. “So that old rivalry is gone.”

Tobon wants to promote the alumni association, which is in its second year and is doing good things in the community, he said. The nonprofit group raises scholarship funds for graduating seniors from both schools and coordinates the alumni tailgate event prior to the Burbank- Burroughs Homecoming Football Game. For more information, email bhsjbhsalumni@gmail.com.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Grads we spoke did a lot of re-connecting during the evening.

Dianne Hart would have gone to Burbank High School but her family moved to San Francisco halfway through her fifth-grade year while she was attending Horace Mann Elementary School. She has kept in contact with a lot of her friends, including Mary Rutherford Gray, a graduate of Burbank High Class of 1973.

Hart was visiting from Mammoth and Gray invited her to come. It was great, she said, because she re-connected with a friend from her fifth-grade class.

“It’s totally fun! I’m glad to be here,” Hart said about the reunion party. “I had my eighth birthday, that would have been 1963, here at the Castaway with two friends — I have a picture –and we went to Pickwick ice skating afterward.”

Gina Geraci and Diane Calascibetta, both grads of Burroughs Class of 1978.

It was Geraci’s third time at the reunion and she was there to see someone special, but she wouldn’t divulge his name.

Wayne Herron, a graduate of Burroughs Class of 1983, was his first time attending the alumni party.

“I think it’s marvelous,” he said. “I kinda got disconnected with a lot of my friends so this is a chance to reconnect after many years, but I’ve been going to my individual class reunions.”

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

It was also the first time at the combined reunion for Lucian Bartoletti, a member of Burbank High Class of 1958.

He admitted that he was kind of a rascal during high school. Nothing bad, we always bent the rules, he said. His fond memories of high school included playing football, going to Bob’s Big Boy after the games, racing around town.

Bartoletti lamented his car wasn’t anything special — but he paid for it himself, he said.

The post Bulldogs and Indian Alumni Come Together for Huge Reunion appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Burbank may be known for a lot of things, but now you can add the ” Nutella Waffle Incident” to the hallowed crimes in the Media City.

On Sunday, September 20, 2015, at about 10:50 am, Burbank Police Officers were dispatched to the Burbank Costco, 1051 West Burbank Boulevard, regarding a fight in progress.

When they arrived, officers found a 78 year-old man who had suffered a significant laceration above his left eye and swelling around the same area of his face.  The elderly man and witnesses told officers he was reaching for a Nutella waffle at a sample table when another man, identified as Derrick Gharabighi; a 24 year-old Burbank resident, took multiple samples off the table.

The elderly victim told Mr. Gharabighi that he wanted a sample and he shouldn’t take so many.  Mr. Gharabighi then struck the victim on the face, causing the described injuries. There was no report if Gharabighi reached for more samples after the punch.

The victim was transported to a local hospital by Burbank Fire Department Paramedics, where he was treated and released.

Mr. Gharabighi was booked into the Burbank City Jail on $50,000 bond.  He remains in-custody. Police did not say if Gharabighi would be served any Nutella for his jail meal dessert.

Earlier today, September 22, 2015, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed felony elder abuse [368(b)(1) PC] and personal infliction of great bodily injury against a person over 70 years of age [12022.7(c) PC] against Mr. Gharabighi.  He was due to be arraigned this morning in the Burbank Branch of the Los Angeles Superior Court.

There is no video footage of the incident available.

The Burbank Police Department does not release booking photos of suspects and there is no truth to the rumor that the suspect had Nutella all around his mouth like a three year-old.

The post Free Nutella Sample Causes Man to Punch Another appeared first on myBurbank.com.

A few months after the city proclaimed May to be Walk Bike Month, the city council will take up the issue of extending a dedicated, off street bike path that proponents say is vital to offering residents and those in the surrounding county more opportunities for getting out of their cars.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

On Thursday, the city council could determine the route for phase two of the Burbank Channel Bikeway. Phase one was completed in 2011, and extends from Alameda Avenue to Victory Boulevard. Phase two of the project would extend the bikeway from Alameda to the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station, itself an important regional connection.

“One of the things this project is doing is helping to implement the bicycle master plan for the city, and implementing a local and regional bike and pedestrian path network,” said Ross Young, real estate and project manager in the Community Development Department who is spearheading the project.

“It is a critical link in a regional bike network,” Young said. “In the future, it could connect the west valley with Downtown Los Angeles if these small critical gaps could be built.”

The Channel Bikeway will end at the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station, the second busiest Metrolink Station in the five county, Southern California region, Young said. Union Station in Los Angeles is the busiest.

Phase two of the bikeway is .79 miles long, phase one is 1/4 mile and runs along the Burbank-Western Flood Control Channel, a tributary of the L.A. River. The Channel bikeway is considered a Class 1 bike path since it is a dedicated, off street bike path. Bike lanes are considered Class 2 and Class 3 are shared lanes with vehicles, Young said.

“From a regional standpoint, we see this path as a convergence of two regional paths, the Chandler Bike Path (also called the Orange Line Bike Path because as you get further west into the valley, it veers off Chandler and follows the Orange Line) and the L.A. River Bike Path,” Young said.

The L.A. River path eventually takes pedestrians and cyclists to the ocean, and along the route, there are a lot of small gaps, Young said. If, over time, they could be completed, one could literally go from Seal Beach to the West Valley.

Two of those small gaps are in Burbank, one is in Glendale and the other is a gap near the 110 and 5 freeways, along the L.A. River path, Young said.

One of the two Burbank gaps is Phase II of the Channel Bikeway; the other gap in Burbank is the connection to extend Chandler Bikeway to the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Young said the city just received grant funding for Chandler.

“The Chandler Bikeway Extension Project is a new bicycle project that was funded through the 2013 Metro Call For Projects grant program,” Young said in an email. “This $3.3 million project would extend the Chandler Bikeway from its current eastern terminus at Chandler Boulevard and Mariposa Street to the future San Fernando Bikeway, located along the west side of the Burbank Western Channel. At the channel, the bikeway will extend to the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station and connect to the proposed Burbank Channel Bikeway project. Once the City receives funding from Metro in the Fall of 2018, it is anticipated that it will take four years to design and construct the [Chandler] bikeway.”

As for the price tag of the Channel Bikeway, a $2.7 million Metro grant will cover a portion of the $4.4 million cost, Young said. About $982,000 will be paid for by a grant administered by the California Natural Resources Agency. The Metro grant requires a 20% match, and the city will put $680,000 from development impact fees toward the project. The development fees are paid by those who develop in the city, and are to be used to offset any impacts on transportation, Young said.

The city council will examine five possible routes, although Young said two seem feasible.

Proposed Burbank Channel Bikeway Project (Phase 2) Concept Route (Courtesy City of Burbank)

City staff walked the neighborhood on four separate Saturdays, gathering feedback, Young said. The majority of people are supportive but there are some concerns from neighboring property owners about the proximity of the path to their property. If the project is approved, city staff will work with those neighbors to address any concerns, Young added.

If the council selects a path at Thursday evening’s meeting, construction would start in summer 2016, and could be completed in approximately eight months.

More information is available at: http://burbankca.gov/departments/city-clerk-s-office/meeting-agendas-minutes

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Mary Jane Strickland, founder of the Burbank Historical Society and the Gordon R. Howard Museum, died Sept. 18 in a Burbank hospital, just seven weeks after her husband Harry Strickland’s passing. She was 90.

Harry and Mary Jane Strickland, shown surrounded by family, were honored on Burbank Historical Society’s 40th Anniversary. (Staff Photo)

Her parents, George and Blanche Cole, were longtime Burbank residents and George was the first chief of the Burbank Police Department in 1923. Mary Jane Strickland was born while her parents were visiting family in Texas.

She attended elementary, middle and high schools in Burbank and went to work for the city of Burbank in 1956. She started out working for the library and then became the public information officer for the city and continued in that role until she retired.

Former librarian Marsha Bell worked with Mary Jane Strickland at the Burbank library and called her a wonderful wife and mother as well as the strongest woman she has ever known.

Mary Jane Strickland had a talent for making beautiful display cases and because of her love of art, she encouraged artists to show their works and started the art exhibits in the library auditorium, Bell said.

She would help Bell with the Summer Reading Club, creating wall displays that inspired children to read. Their names would be placed on one side of a map and when they finished a book, their name would move to the next station, so they could see their progress.

While employed at the library, Mary Jane Strickland would receive donations of photographs of early Burbank. When she ran out of space for the donated items, she thought the city needed a place to preserve such important documents and, in 1973, the historical society was born.

“She was the driving force behind the historical society. It wouldn’t exist without her,” Bell said. “I remember when they brought that little Victorian house over [to the park] and she decorated it and she and Harry painted it. She started the museum there and people saw how dedicated she was to the project and they gave her money to build the museum complex. It was all because of Mary Jane.”

Mary Jane Strickland had a persuasive charm, said her daughter Penny Rivera.

She inspired businessmen in town to donate funds to the society. Gordon R. Howard donated apartment buildings to the society and those were sold to raise money to start building the museum complex.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Over the years, she received many accolades for her volunteerism and the Zonta Club of the Burbank Area honored her as its Woman of the Year

What Rivera remembered most about her mom was her fortitude. If she wanted something, she got it.

“She had a strong will,” Rivera said. “But she was kind. People liked her and she liked people. She was my world.”

She was also very considerate of other people, Rivera added.

One time on a family vacation, she stepped in a hole and twisted her ankle. Other people would have ended the trip early. But not Mary Jane Strickland. She wore a cast but finished the trip, because she didn’t want to spoil it for everyone else, Rivera said.

Mary Jane Strickland was predeceased by her husband of 64 years Harry Strickland. She is survived by her daughter, Penny Rivera (Tony); granddaughter Michelle Rey (Peter); and three great-grandchildren Shaye and Robert Herriford and Jesse Rey-Gutierrez.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Gordon R. Howard Museum. Parking is available in the lot at 1100 W. Clark Ave. In lieu of flowers, make donations to the Burbank Historical Society or a favorite charity.

The post Mary Jane Strickland, Founder of the Burbank Historical Society, Passes Away appeared first on myBurbank.com.

It took 62 minutes for the Burroughs High girls’ volleyball team to vanquish host Hoover, 25-9, 25-17, 25-9, in a Pacific League match on Tuesday.

The Indians started quickly and ended the same way as the Tornadoes were hit with multiple blitzes and couldn’t recover. The only game Hoover played reasonably well was the second, but in the other two were overrun by the Indians’ passing, defense and hitting.

As usual, Burroughs was paced by sophomore middle blocker Marin Grote, who finished with 13 kills, while senior outside hitter Danielle Ryan had six kills.

“Every match, every practice, we want to get better,” Burroughs coach Edwin Real said. “We’re making our passes better and we’re getting good passes from our setters. We want to spread the ball around so that we can score from anywhere on the floor.”

JB girls’ volleyball Coach Edwin Real wants continued improvement. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Indians led 3-0 in the middle game on a winner from Grote, but Hoover (1-5 and 0-2 in league) tied it at 4-4 and led 5-3, before Burroughs went on a 6-1 run for a 9-6 lead on Ryan’s smash.

“Our whole team has to play at a high level,” Grote said. “We have to give a good effort every time. I thought I played at a B-plus because I could have been more of a leader. I had one pass and I didn’t do a very good job. I thought that I could have done more.”

Burroughs moved in front 13-8 on a service ace from sophomore setter Lauren Zedlar, and led 15-9 on junior middle blocker Caleigh Paster’s kill.

After Ryan’s smash made it 20-15, it became 22-16 on senior defensive specialist Samantha Sullivan’s ace. From there, the Indians outscored the Tornadoes, 3-1, with Paster’s block being the game-clincher.

“Sammy passed real well today,” Real said of Sullivan. “She’s at 80 percent, which is real good. That means she’s hitting the target at a high rate.”

The third game saw Burroughs bolt ahead 6-2 on an ace from sophomore setter Mia Staub, and led 10-6 on senior opposite hitter Jessica Rury’s kill.

It became a flood of points for the Indians, who outscored the Tornadoes, 10-2, and included sophomore setter Payton Jensen’s ace for a 12-6 lead, and Ryan’s service ace that made it 14-7.

Senior middle blocker Febbie Santa Isabel’s winner put the Indians ahead, 15-8, senior defensive specialist Katheryn Dominguez’s consecutive aces made it 16-8 and 17-8, Grote’s winner put the Indians in front, 18-8, and Dominguez’s back-to-back aces put the visitors in front, 19-8 and 20-8.

The Indians (2-3 and 2-0 in league) went on a 5-1 spurt as Grote’s kill made it 21-9, Staub’s ace made it 22-9, Rury’s kill made it 23-9, and Grote’s two points gave Burroughs the lead at 24-9 and 25-9.

JB Coach Edwin Real’s team swept Hoover on the road in a Pacific League match. (Photo by Dick Dornan)

Hoover led 1-0 in the first game and it was tied at 1-1 on Grote’s winner. What followed was a 6-2 blitz that included two aces from senior defensive specialist Zoe Baer that made it 2-1 and 3-1, while sophomore outside hitter Julianna Cottrell’s kill made it 4-3, and Jensen’s ace gave the Indians a 5-3 cushion.

Grote’s kill made it 6-3, Rury’s cross-court rocket put the Indians ahead 7-3, and Jensen’s ace gave Burroughs an 8-3 lead.

The Indians raced in front 11-5 on Sullivan’s ace, and 13-6 on Ryan’s smash. It ballooned to 16-8 on Paster’s kill, and consecutive service aces from Ryan gave the Indians a 21-8 advantage.

Burroughs outscored Hoover, 4-1, to clinch the game and received points on Paster’s block that made it 22-9 and 23-9 on Grote’s kill.

The post Burroughs Sweeps Hoover In Girls’ Volleyball Match appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) announced that he is circulating a letter among his colleagues addressed to the Nobel Committee to nominate Pope Francis as the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.  The letter, which will be distributed to both Democratic and Republican Members of Congress before His Holiness’ address to Congress on Thursday, highlights the Pope’s commitment to peace, his leadership in taking on the challenges facing our planet, and his courageous stand for human rights, his pleas on behalf of refugees, and his condemnation of all genocides.

The full letter began circulating today, and is below:

Dear Nobel Committee,

As Members of the United States Congress and supporters of the historic mission of the Nobel Foundation, we write to nominate Pope Francis as the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. With unsurpassed eloquence, humility and compassion, the Pope has used his pulpit to exhort people and nations around the world to conduct their affairs with spirituality, morality and integrity. Pope Francis is an articulate and effective voice for fundamental human rights and is highly deserving of recognition by the Nobel Committee.

Pope Francis has been a powerful advocate for peace, urging an end to conflict and support for constitutive ties among nations. He has called on the world to use diplomacy and discussion to solve disputes, rather than military force, coercion or intimidation. This commitment to nonviolence, which the Pope has put into practice every day through his words and actions, is at the core of the principles behind the Nobel Peace Prize.

Pope Francis has also worked to galvanize the international community to take on global problems, such as the changing climate and environmental degradation. Pope Francis has brought together at the Vatican policy makers from around the world to build support and consensus around the need for a global response to the challenges facing our planet. Through his stature as a spiritual figure, Pope Francis casts the issue of an unhealthy earth in religious terms, emphasizing our joint duty to care for the world and to pass on an unspoiled environment to future generations.

Finally, Pope Francis has distinguished himself through his courageous stand for human rights and his condemnations of all genocide, both past and present. Most recently, in condemning the persecution of Christians and other minorities in Syria and Iraq, the Pope has spoken out against the darkest chapters of human history made possible “by general and collective indifference.”

As the world struggles to cope with a flood of refugees not seen since the end of World War II, the Pope has emerged as perhaps the leading advocate for relief. The Pontiff has called on the international community to respond meaningfully to this unsurpassed humanitarian disaster. His compassion has also taken the concrete form of inviting a Syrian refugee family to reside in his residence at the Vatican.

For all these reasons and many more, we thank you for your consideration of our nomination of Pope Francis for the Nobel Peace Prize. The receipt of such an award would be a profound recognition of the Pope’s commitment to furthering the cause of peace around the world.

The post Schiff Circulating Letter Among Colleagues to Nominate Pope Francis for 2016 Nobel Peace Prize appeared first on myBurbank.com.

John Burroughs High School Junior State of America (JSA) hosted a mock presidential election during lunch on Tuesday, September 22, at John Burroughs High School. The results were: Bernie Sanders 64 votes, Donald Trump 37 votes, Hillary Clinton 25 votes, Jeb Bush 12 votes, Ben Carson 6 votes, Marco Rubio 2 votes, and Lincoln Chaffee and Rand Paul each with 1 vote.

John Burroughs JSA also held a voter registration drive in conjunction with the mock election. Voters were registered for the upcoming presidential election. This is the first of many voter registration events. Chapter President Lulu Debretsion commented, “Burroughs JSA plans on giving those students that will turn 18 by the next election opportunities throughout the school year to register to vote using new and creative ways to publicize this historic presidential election.”

John Burroughs High School Junior State of America is in its tenth year. The Junior State of America is the nation’s oldest student-run organization. Junior State of America is a non-partisan organization dedicated to educating high school students about the institutions of a democratic society. For 80 years, Junior State of America has not only brought high school students together to debate and discuss important societal issues, but also fostered these concepts by giving students the opportunity to learn through civic leadership.

The post Bernie Sanders Wins Burroughs Vote for President appeared first on myBurbank.com.

The new Western Channel Bikeway Phase II pathway planned along Burbank’s Western Flood Channel will be a much greater unifying factor for this community than the new Caltrans I-5 HOV lanes currently being built over Burbank.  When completed, the pathway promises to greatly improve active mobility access for those who travel in Burbank by making walking and riding a bike safer and easier, especially for seniors, women, children, disabled-users and families.

Final approval for completion of this totally-funded new section of pathway comes before the City Council at Thursday’s special meeting.

It’s encouraging to see city leaders moving forward with the plans approved some time ago by the Burbank Bicycle Master Plan, completing important pedestrian and bicycle connections to Burbank’s transit hubs and working/living locations.  Developed with community input, this final section of pathway is a well-conceived project that helps unify a neighborhood and a city, while providing viable transportation choices to many more people.

Victory Boulevard and Lake Street are the current main arterial streets in that area connecting people to housing, jobs, goods, services, and transit hubs, but neither are well-suited for making those connections on your bicycle.

By completing this project, the City will be taking a step closer to realizing the vision set forth in the Bicycle Master Plan to integrate a unified network for safe, easy biking in Burbank connecting to regional bike routes and local transit.

Active-transportation infrastructure is more than a practical, cost-effective solution to many municipal challenges. It’s an opportunity to make our community a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike — a place where people don’t just live and work, but thrive.

Patrick Dickson
Burbank

The post LETTER: New Bikeway Unifying Factor for Community appeared first on myBurbank.com.

When it comes to recycling, no one does it more elegantly than the members of La Providencia Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

La Providencia Guild officials are, from left, Summer Meeting chair Ann O’Donnell-Gardner, thrift shop chair Lorelei Kelley, President Joan Chandler and Summer Meeting co-chair Deborah Spang. (Photos by Joyce Rudolph)

From fashions to centerpieces and silent auction prizes everything had been donated to the thrift shop on Burbank Boulevard and re-purposed for the Summer Meeting appropriately themed “Everything Old is New Again.” The event took place on Sept. 12 at the Oakmont Country Club in Glendale.

President Joan Chandler welcomed the more than 130 members and guests attending.

The meeting kicked off with an update on Children’s Hospital Los Angeles presented by Suzanne Lapis, director of associates and affiliates at the hospital. Among the news Lapis shared was that Paul Viviano has succeeded Richard Cordova as president and chief executive officer.

Fashion coordinators Rosemarie Witten, left, and Sue Ann Gordon, right, welcome Suzanne Lapis, director of associates and affiliates at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Viviano is very visible at the hospital, Lapis said, and recently sent an email himself to announce that the hospital has received the National Research Path to Excellence Award for being the top-performing facility in pediatrics in the nation. The award was presented by the National Research Corp., an organization dedicated to improving the quality of care provided in the healthcare industry.

The hospital is very devoted to family-centered care and including the parents in every decision about their children, Lapis said.

La Providencia Guild is one of 26 associates groups that help raise funds for the hospital. At this time, the groups are committed to raising a total of $6 million for the Associates Rehabilitation Center Caregiver Wing and the Associates Endowed Chair in Sarcoma.

Summer Meeting Chair and mistress of ceremonies Ann O’Donnell-Gardner sings “Everything Old is New Again”.

The rehabilitation center team treats stroke, brain and spinal cord injuries, brain tumors, bone tumors, seizures, spinal disorders and rheumatology disorders. Some children who have been in accidents or have a brain tumor have to relearn all their skills — to walk, to eat. Young patients stay from one to five months at the rehabilitation center receiving care and then continue as an outpatient.

The associates are just over half way to the $3 million goal for the caregiver wing and will begin fundraising in February for the $3 million endowed chair in sarcoma, Lapis said.

“It’s really exciting and you are all working so hard and I really want to thank you for all your efforts. This is such an important unit in the hospital,” she said.

A shimmering black evening gown is modeled by Michelle Chavoor, daughter of former guild president Veronica Chavoor.

There is an art, music and therapy program at the hospital. Music is very healing, she said, and a nurse told Lapis about an infant who was in the neonatal intensive care unit at the hospital. He was in a comatose-like state. A music therapist came to the room, and sang the only song he knew — “La Bamba” — and the baby opened his eyes.

“We are really actually just way in the forefront of caring for children,” Lapis said.

The delightful lunch of Iceberg wedge, chicken-stuffed crepes and cheese cake was a soothing transition to the fashion show aptly commentated by Ann O’Donnell-Gardner, who chaired the event with Deborah Spang.

The clothes were modeled by members and ran the gamut of casual to dressy. Looking stunning in everything were Daina Burness, Courtney Burness, Michelle Chavoor, Sandra Kelley, Jill Kessler, Nancy Lee-Wintering, Kathryn Levine, Carrie McCoy, Irene Metzger, Casey Schwartz, Andrea Seward, Sharon Terranova and Rosemarie Witten. Loretta Donnelly provided lovely background music as models weaved around the tables.

A fashion show highlight was a ruby gown fit for the red carpet shown by Jill Kessler, who has just joined the guild.

Highlights were a ruby gown fit for the red carpet donned by Jill Kessler, who just joined the guild, and a shimmering black gown worn by Michelle Chavoor, daughter of former guild president Veronica Chavoor.

Working on the committee were thrift shop chair and Second Vice President Lorelei Kelley, reservations chair Veronica Chavoor, Oakmont liaison Sharon Terranova, fashion coordinators Sue Ann Gordon and Rosemarie Witten, silent auction chair Sandra Kelley, centerpieces co-chairs Debra Dee Dee Rowlands, Donna Salant, programs and invitations chair Deborah Spang and thrift shop treasurer Sue Meckley.

Other officers attending were First Vice President Lynn White-Shelby, Secretary Glenda Jones, Treasurer Tanya Karn and Public Relations chair Dorothy Austin.

Helping behind the scenes were Nanci Ortega, models hair; Fanny Belle Mound, model wrangler; and Cynthia Faust, Roxanne Gunther, Darlene Lucas, Malena Tappan, Teresa Garcia and Janet Puchlik, Brooks Gardner, Ron Spang, Mark Sadusky and Mary Jo Hjelmstrom.

Irene Metzger models several items from the La Providencia Guild thrift shop benefiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Sandra Kelley did double duty at the Summer Meeting. She was a model and coordinated the silent auction.

The post Everything Old is New Again With La Providencia Guild appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Dr. Michael Bertram, Principal of Burbank High School, informed the Superintendent’s Office this morning that a Burbank High School student reported receiving a text from an unknown telephone number mentioning a bomb with no specific details.

The concerned Burbank High student who received the text message immediately reported to the school’s administration. Students are encouraged to always share any threat immediately with the school’s administration.

Burbank High administrators contacted the Burbank Police Department who determined the phone number was voice over IP (a computer-generated phone number, which was not traceable)

The Superintendent and Burbank High Administration worked together with the Burbank Police Department to determine that this was not a credible threat.

“The District takes every precaution to keep everyone on our campuses safe. Please take this time to have a conversation with your student/students that we take these matters seriously and continue to encourage open communication between students, staff, and parents.” said Kimberley Clark, Public Information Officer of the District.

The post Text Bomb Threat at Burbank High School Unfounded appeared first on myBurbank.com.

On Sunday, October 4th, a local 5k run/walk will take place inside Griffith Park with all of the proceeds from the event going directly to The DFCC at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center.

The Disney Family Cancer Center here in Burbank is a state of the art facility dedicated to the treatment of cancer patients in and around our community. What they’re really known for is using integrative medicine in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments.

The Rose Run was started in 2009 when Burbank resident, Jessica Cribbs, lost her mother, Rose, to breast cancer at the age of 54.

“Cancer affects all of us, in one way or another.” Jessica says. “My mother was so amazing, I couldn’t not do something to help other families interrupted by cancer. She has inspired all of this.”

She started a small run in her hometown of Petersburg, Michigan but also hosted a community run with A Runner’s Circle here in Los Angeles. This year, The Rose Run is getting a face-lift…it will be a chip timed run with sponsors backing the philanthropic efforts. Sponsors such as North Hollywood Toyota, Walgreens, Del Real Foods and many more!

To date, The Rose Run has raised over $75,000 for breast cancer research and other cancer patient services.

The proceeds from the run on October 4th will go to the “Thrivorship Program” at the Disney Family Cancer Center, a program dedicated to helping cancer patients thrive after their treatment is complete.

Both Cheerleading squads from Burbank and Burroughs High School’s are volunteering their time to cheer these walkers and runners on. As is local Burbank Girl Scout Troop 46, a local DJ and run clubs around the Valley.

To register for the 5k run/walk or the Kids’ 1k fun run, you can visit the website at TheRoseRun.com. It’s not too late to volunteer or sponsor this event either.

“What I love about living in Burbank is the community,” Cribbs says. “Although I’ve been here for 13 years, I’ve never felt far away from my small town roots…because it’s still right here where I’m raising my kids. It makes me proud to live here.”

The Rose Run 5k Run/Walk & Kids’ 1k Fun Run
Sunday, October 4th 7:30am
Griffith Park
For more information and to register, visit TheRoseRun.com

The post Residents Encouraged to Join ‘Rose Run’ October 4 appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Sports Editor

Competition is the lifeblood of sports, and when it comes to cross-town high school rivals Burbank and Burroughs, it can mean even more.

The myBurbank.com Cup has been around two years, and for the second time the Indians have taken the prized trophy which was presented to the school recently at the Burroughs’ athletic department office. Burroughs defeated Burbank, 96-56.

Points are awarded based on head-to-head competition with the winning team getting one point in sports contested more than once, and two points when the sport is contested once.

From left: Rick Assad, Marty Garrison, Kenny Knoop, Deborah Madrigal and Matt Chambers hold the myBurbank.com Cup. (Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

If a team sweeps, it gets one point. If a team wins the league title, it receives four points, and an undefeated league title means five points. Add one point for a CIF Southern Section playoff appearance, two if the team wins one playoff game, three for two playoff victories, five for three playoff wins, seven for four wins, eight for four wins and a CIF title, and 10 points for five wins and a CIF crown.

If a team makes a state appearance, an additional two points are earned, four if the squad wins a state contest, six for two state victories, eight if the team wins a Southern California Regional game, and 12 points if the team takes the state championship.

“I’ve been part of athletics at Burroughs for a long time,” said Kenny Knoop, Assistant Principal of Athletics and Activities. “I was a football player. I’m a coach and I’m in the athletic department. I know everybody in the athletic department works really hard and the kids work really hard.”

Knoop went on: “When I played football here, we didn’t win many games. Wins were the icing on the cake. But I look at it as at least I got a chance to play, and I was blessed. It’s good to see so many of the programs successful. Of course, football gets a lot of attention because it’s the first sport starting the school year.”

Burroughs Principal Deborah Madrigal was thrilled her school prevailed over rival Burbank in claiming the myBurbank.com Cup, which is presented by Trophy King & Gifts.

“I’m definitely proud of all the students who helped us win,” Madrigal said. “There’s a lot of hard work that goes in and working together to create the results. It’s the students, the staff and the coaches that helped us win.”

Madrigal believes winning the myBurbank.com Cup keeps school spirit alive and thriving. “It’s always nice to win,” she said. “When you win, the morale on campus is happy.”

Matt Chambers, Assistant Principal, was effusive in his praise for all concerned in helping Burroughs claim a second myBurbank.com Cup.

“I think the credit for our success in winning this trophy has to go to the athletic department,” he said, “and that’s Athletic Directors Jose Valle and Marty Garrison, along with athletic secretary Debbie Gudzin.”

Chambers added: “They have great support, but it starts at the top and it trickles down to the coaches and the athletes. There’s stability in the athletic department and with our coaches. There are 18 different coaches, and most of them have been around for many years. There’s continuity here and that helps being successful.”

Garrison has been a fixture at Burroughs for three decades. “For me, it’s about having great leaders,” he said. “People like Jon Lloyd and Brian Hurst. I think since 1948 until now, we’ve had five athletic directors. The guys stick around here. Everybody bought in here. We have stability. We teach more than winning. We don’t always have winning teams, but we have successful people.”

Garrison pointed to the cramped office he occupies and noted. “We do a lot with the space we have,” he said. “There’s a lot of dedication here.”

The post Burroughs Can Keep Hold Of myBurbank.com Cup appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Wednesday night around 10:10 pm a Burbank Police officer was patrolling the Ramada Inn parking lot at 2900 N. San Fernando Boulevard. According to police, the officer saw a male and female walking in the lot and as he got closer to them, the officer noticed the odor of marijuana emitting from them.

The officer got out of his car and approached the couple, finding the odor was stronger from the male, who police identified as 28 year-old Cody Carter from Sun Valley.

The officer attempted to detain Carter, but he kept walking and when the officer saw Mr. Carter reach for his waistband,  the officer grabbed Carter’s arm, fearing he was reaching for a weapon. Carter pulled away, at which time the officer saw the grip of a handgun in Carter’s waistband.

The suspect’s female companion, 28 year-old Yessinia Ventura from Sun Valley, reached for Carter’s waistband in an attempt to retrieve the handgun. The officer was then able to pull Carter away from Ventura as the struggle continued.

The handgun, which was later determined to be loaded, fell to the ground and Ventura fled on foot.

The officer was able to handcuff Carter,  who stopped struggling shortly after the gun fell to the ground.  Another responding officer responding to the scene was able to stop and apprehend Ventura as she ran through the parking lot.

Officers found Carter to be also in possession of marijuana.

A search of the bags that Ventura was carrying revealed a second unloaded handgun and 73 pages of identity theft paperwork. The paperwork included bank account, credit card and personal information belonging to numerous victims.

Police have made continuous patrols of the Ramada Inn since the death of Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka in 2003. Numerous arrests for drug violations at the hotel.

The post Police Arrest Two at Ramada Inn After Gun Struggle appeared first on myBurbank.com.

Burbank Police on Thursday afternoon unveiled their latest piece of technology, a 38-foot long vehicle that is essentially a command center on wheels, which cost almost half a million dollars.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Officially called a Mobile Communication and Command Vehicle, or mobile command post, about $350,000 of the $488,000 cost of the vehicle and communications equipment was covered by an Urban Area Security Initiative Federal Homeland Security Grant, police said. The remaining costs were paid from replacement funding accumulated over 20 years from the previous vehicle.

“The older vehicle only had a fraction of the capabilities and space the new one does,” said Police Sgt. Claudio Losacco, spokesperson for the department. “It did not have the ability to take advantage of the available technology today or into the future.”

With an opportunity to use grant money to purchase the vehicle, the department and the city council believed procuring the new command post was a prudent decision, Losacco said.

Dispatcher Michelle McCord monitors the action of the city inside the new command post during Thursday’s unveiling.(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

“We need to be able to take everything we do at the police station out to a scene,” Losacco said. “Whether it’s a crime scene, natural disaster or any other mutual aid incident, this vehicle allows us to do everything we can do at the police station in the field.”

Indeed, the mobile command post includes four, 911 capable emergency dispatch consoles and 13 LCD monitors. There are three additional monitors and police said they are able to connect another eight computers. The vehicle seats 15 people, and also comes equipped with a scanner/fax/copier machine.

The monitors are TV broadcast capable, meaning in addition to watching newscasts, police can also watch live feeds from a helicopter before the information is streamed to the public. And Burbank police have the ability to see what their own helicopter pilots are seeing.

Yet another plus is access to regional information with the vehicle’s technology.

“Burbank is part of a bigger area, and in the case of a disaster or other major issue, we work with other agencies, and other entities, such as public works, water and power and other police and fire departments,” Losacco said, making access to the Los Angeles Regional Common Operating Picture Platform (LARCOPP) significant.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

The vehicle also comes with a satellite phone, of extreme importance if police are in an area where there is no cell service. Should cell towers go down in an emergency or natural disaster, police are still able to make calls.

Losacco said mobile command vehicles have been in use since the 1990s. Burbank had the old mobile command post for 20 years and utilized a trailer prior to that.

“We expect this MCCV to be used for 20-plus years, depending on technological advancements,” Losacco added.

The current MCCV was ordered in November 2014, and police took possession of it in July, Losacco said. Plans for ordering and obtaining specs for the vehicle started in mid-2012.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Other features of the new vehicle include a 90-gallon diesel tank and a 20 kw generator. It weighs under 26,000 pounds, and is a V10 with 362 horsepower.

The mobile command vehicle also features a kitchenette and coffee maker, but no restroom. Police will have mobile restrooms, or portable toilets, delivered to locations where the MCCV would be used.

This afternoon’s event provided a peek inside the vehicle to the media and city officials.

The post Burbank Police Unveil New Command Post appeared first on myBurbank.com.