Daily Archives: March 17, 2012

John Muir Middle School Hosts Annual “Around the World” Event

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Performers Michael John and his wife Nancy demonstrate sword play. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

On Friday, March 16, seventh graders at John Muir Middle School were both educated and entertained at the school’s annual “Around the World” event.

More than 400 students — many of whom wore costumes representing their own culture — spent the day viewing performances by the Imperial Knights Joust Company, the Nigerian Talking Drum Ensemble, the Incan Musical Ensemble, the Taiko Japanese Drummers and a stunt team that took the students through the history of swords.

Student volunteers were often pulled out of the audience throughout the day, giving many of them some hands on experience and the opportunity to impress their classmates.

Giving a demonstration on different weapons used hundreds of years ago is Julie Clark and her competitor Jess Abbott. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Science teacher Heidi Sasaki coordinated much of the event in conjunction with all seventh grade teachers at Muir. Sasha Gorbach, a special education teachers at the school, and Bob Martin. an English teacher, shot hundreds of photos throughout the day and revealed them to students during a slide show the last twenty minutes of the school day.

Math teacher Brad Frank awaited unruly students in “the dungeon,” but he had a lonely day.

“I was all by myself,” he said. “All the students behaved remarkably well. I think it says a lot about how great the demonstrations are and how much our students look forward to the event.”

The school also hosted a “Shrew Day” in January for 8th graders following their reading of the William Shakespeare play, “The Taming of the Shrew.” Next month, 6th graders will enjoy “Greek Day.” The programs are largely funded by the school’s PTA. Principal John Paramo says they bring to life a component of each grade level’s curriculum.

“Our teachers work hard to arrange these days for students, ” he said. “They always bring the curriculum to life with the amazing lessons they develop for their classroom, but the group experience of these events really make it memorable.”

Burbank Elks Know What to Do With Corned Beef and Cabbage

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Elk's Master Chef Jim Ewart prepares over 150 plates for Friday's crowd. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank’s Elk’s held their St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance Friday to a packed house according to Harvey Ryunn.  The crowd of over 150 came to enjoy the music of Lee & The Real Deal and enjoy Elk’s Master Chef Jim Ewart’s fine Corned Beef and Cabbage.

Sporting St' Patrick's green and greeting and collecting for dinner was Woody Bixby, Treasurer.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Burbank Elk’s, located on Hollywood Way, put on dinner dances several times a year in addition to nightly dinners and special lunches.

 

 

 

Lee & The Real Deal preformed to the packed crowd. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Elk's packed the house Friday evening for their St. Patrick's Dinner Dance.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Renovated Stadium Brings Pride to Burbank Community

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On Saturday, February 25th, I had the pleasure of attending the Dedication Ceremony to open the new Memorial Field at John Burroughs High School. The new stadium, running track, and playing field, is truly magnificent. A standing room crowd of residents, and City Officials, joined in the spirited dedication ceremony. A joint effort between the City and the School District, the planning of which began 15 years ago, this facility will be used by the students as well as the residents of Burbank.

Mayor Talamantes spoke of his High School days playing Football on the field. City Manager Flad was very funny, recalling that while a student at Burroughs, he vowed to one day tear down the stadium after Burbank was victorious in the season ending big game rivalry. Much was made of the importance of this project, originally begun by City Manager Ovrom, passed to former City Manager Alvord, and finally to current City Manager Flad. This reflects on the kind of management we’ve had in the City, with officials focused on what’s good for the community. The end result is really good. If you’re on the High School Soccer Team heading to the play-offs, or you’re an athlete like myself, trying to keep your 40 yard dash time in the 5 second range, you can’t help but to excell on this great playing field.

In a project of this magnitude, many people step forward to play a role. There was a long running fund raising effort, headed up by former Mayor Michael Hastings. Hastings, known for his great will to do things for the right reasons, secured donations from the Burbank Health Care Foundation, Burbank Priority in Education, the Walt Disney Company, and the Cusumano Real Estate Group. With a storied history in Burbank, the Cusumano family has given back to this community for decades. A close knit family, all of them are like your neighbors, grounded and sincere. How cool is it that they made a major contribution to this project. They continually work to better our community. I remember sons Michael and Charlie, carrying fond memories of their High School Football days at Memorial Field, suited up, played, and starred in a alumni Football game, something like 15 years after graduating Burroughs. Totally amazing.

Thank you to everyone who has had a hand in the rebuilding of Memorial Stadium.

As a resident I am so glad I live in Burbank.

Joe Hooven

Burbank

Sports Shorts: BMX Event Coming, MVP Basketball Camp

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City, Graceffo to Host Annual MVP Summer Basketball Camps

The City of Burbank’s Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting its 12th annual MVP Summer Basketball Camps for both boys and girls in the second through the ninth grade. The cost is $50 for Burbank residents and $60 for non-residents and will be hosted at Luther Burbank Middle School.

Grades 2-4 will hold camp June 25-29, while grades 5-9 will follow July 9-13. Mike Graceffo will lead instruction at the camp. Graceffo has coached within the city for more than 35 years, including stints with all four high schools in the city. Among his other accolades, Graceffo has coached at the Michael Jordan Basketball Camp in Chicago. Most recently, his Frosh Team at Burbank High School went 20-5 and won a Pacific League Title.

For more information on the MVP Basketball Camps, call Verdugo Park 818.238.5390

 

BMX Bike-Fest

The City of Burbank is also hosting a BMX Spring Bike-Fest at the Bike and Skate Park at 1625 North Valley Street on Saturday, March 24.

The event is a great opportunity for youth in the city to put an exclamation point on their spring break which begins Monday, March 19. It is also part of the city s recent push to spread word about the sport growing in popularity in the city. A BMX stunt team is a joint partner with the city in assemblies to all three middle schools in next month.

The Bike-fest runs from 5:00-9:00 p.m. on March 24 and is free to all. A barbeque, live music, bike inspections and entry to a prize-giveaway is also free to patrons.

All bikers must wear proper safety equipment — a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads and have a waiver on file with the city. For more information, call 818-238-5390.

Bulldog Softball Bulldoze Competitors

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Caitlin Brooks

The Burbank softball team and its coach, Nicole Drabecki, have some high hopes for the season. Among them is topping crosstown rivals, the Burroughs Indians, in the battle in the Pacific League.

After a stunning loss in their season opener, the Bulldogs appear firmly back on track. They dominated Vasquez and Golden Valley highs by scores of 10-0 and 10-1 this past week en route to five straight wins.

Burbank is now 5-1 on the season following the streak and freshman phenom Cailtyn Brooks is 4-0 and coming off 11 strikeouts against Golden Valley — a three-hit shutout.

Against Vasquez, Nalani Hernandez was 2-for-3 with a homerun and teammate Laina Do was 2-for-3 with four stolen bases and two runs scored. Pitcher Crystal Diaz was impressive in the circle to earn her first win.

Brooks helped herself at the plate against Golden Valley, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Katie Hooper was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Do was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles 1 run scored and Diaz was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two stolen bases.

Burbank is among the topped ranked teams in the area with a team average of .419. Its five home runs leads all Pacific League teams. The Bulldogs also boast a .491 on-base percentage, a .615 slugging percentage and 48 RBIs as a squad through six games. Defensively they have a .989 fielding average and their pitchers are averaging just over six strikeouts per game — 37 through six games.

Burbank will play two games on Saturday for the championship game of the 18th Annual High Desert Softball Classic in Lancaster, CA.

Brick Thrown Through Front Window of Councilman David Gordon’s Office

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The front display window of Dr. David Gordan's office with a brick hole in the lower right corner. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

A brick was thrown through the front window of the office Burbank City Councilman Dr. David Gordon, on Friday night.

Gordon and his teenage son were in the rear of the doctor’s optometry office located at 851 N. Hollywood Way around 10:15 p.m., when a brick came crashing though the plate glass window.  Apparently it sounded like someone had fired a bullet through the window, and Burbank Police officers responded with red lights and siren to the location.  The first officer was on scene within about one minute.

Officers determined that no shots had been fired, and that a brick had been thrown through the window.   A check of surveillance tapes showed what police described as a “heavy set” male walking south on Hollywood Way away from the location immediately after the brick was thown.   A search of the area failed to turn up the suspect.

Neither Dr. Gordon nor his son was injured in the incident.   Although there are displays of glasses frames adjacent to the window, but apparently nothing was taken.  Although there was some speculation that perhaps the vandalism was politically motivated, there was nothing to substantiate it.   Police did recover the brick and kept it along with video of the attack for evidence.

Burbank Police officer Sarah Brady takes the brick from from Dr. Gordon's office, in as evidence. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

 

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)