Daily Archives: March 26, 2012

Life-Long Burbanker Ross Happy to Have Stadium Back

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Vernon Ross

When Memorial Field was unveiled on the Burroughs campus several weeks ago, Vernon Ross, 75, showed he was still true to his school by wearing a red blazer to the dedication.

The 1955 Burroughs grad had a plaque under his arm that featured a piece from one of the old wooden bleachers. The school had sold 200 plaques as a fundraiser and Ross bought number 95, he said.

“My distinction is that I have attended all but three Burbank Burroughs football games,” he said.

He missed one in 1950 because there was a huge rain storm and he couldn’t get a ride. Then he missed another in 1962. And in the early 1980s he missed the game because he was working the swing shift at Lockheed.

He goes to most of the home games every season, he added.

Ross has lived in Burbank his whole life.

“My parents bought the house I live in brand new when I was 5 years old,” he said.

Vernon Ross sits in the new bleachers at Memorial Field with his plaque adorning a piece of the old bleachers. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Vernon Ross takes a glimpse of the new scoreboard and new field at JBHS's Memorial Field. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Latest Closures and Construction Delays For I-5 Freeway

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The California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) will close the following lanes, ramps, and connectors of the
Golden State Freeway (I-5) and the Ventura Freeway (SR-134) as part of a
$57.8 million improvement project to construct High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV
or carpool) lanes in each direction along I-5 between SR-134 and Magnolia
Boulevard. Closures are subject to change. Detours will be signed.

Golden State Freeway (I-5) Closures

Friday March 23 through Monday April 2, 2012

▪   Northbound I-5 Connector to Westbound SR-134
TIME: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 7 a.m. Saturday March 24th &31st)(Until 9
a.m. Sunday March 25th & April 1st)

▪   Southbound I-5 Connector to Eastbound SR-134
TIME: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 7 a.m. Saturday March 24th &31st) (Until 9
a.m. Sunday March 25th& April 1st)

▪   Westbound SR-134 Connector to Northbound I-5
TIME: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 7 a.m. Saturday March 24th &31st) (Until 9
a.m. Sunday March 25th& April 1st)

▪   Westbound SR-134 Northbound and Southbound San Fernando Road On Ramp
TIME: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 8 a.m. Saturday March 24th & 31st)
(Until 9 a.m. Sunday       March 25th & April 1st)

▪   Northbound I-5 Western Avenue Eastbound and Westbound On Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th, Sunday
March 25th, Saturday March 31st and Sunday April 1st)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Western Avenue Eastbound and Westbound Off Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th, Sunday
March 25th, Saturday March 31st and Sunday April 1st)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Western Avenue Eastbound and Westbound On-Ramps
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 10 a.m. Saturday March 24th &31st) (Until
12 p.m. Sunday March 25th & April 1st)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Western Avenue Westbound and Eastbound Off-Ramps
TIME 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 10 a.m. Saturday March 24th &31st) (Until 12
p.m. Sunday March 25th & April 1st)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Olive Avenue/Verdugo Avenue Off
Ramp
TIME: 9p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 9 a.m. Saturday March 24th  and 10 a.m.
Sunday March 25th & April 1st)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Olive Avenue/Verdugo Avenue Off
Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 31st and Sunday
April 1st)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Olive Avenue/Verdugo Avenue On
Ramp
TIME: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 10 a.m. Saturday March 24th &31st) (Until
11 a.m. Sunday March 25th & April 1st)

▪   Northbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Olive Avenue/Verdugo Avenue On
Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th and Sunday
March 25th)

▪   Northbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Alameda Avenue Off and On
Ramp
Time: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th, Sunday
March 25th, Saturday March 31st and Sunday April 1st)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Alameda Avenue Off and On Ramp
Time: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th, Sunday
March 25th, Saturday March 31st and Sunday April 1st)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Eastbound and Westbound Burbank Boulevard On Ramp
Time: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 9 a.m. Saturday March 24th & 31st) (Until
10 a.m. Sunday March 25th & April 1st)

·       Northbound I-5  Westbound Colorado Boulevard On Ramp
Time: 10p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 7 a.m. Saturday March 24th  and 9 a.m. on
Sunday March 25th & April 1st)

▪   Northbound I-5 from Colorado Boulevard to SR-134
TIME: Up to two lanes – 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 9 a.m. on Saturday March
24th & 31st) (Until 10 a.m. on Sunday March 25th)
Three lanes – 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 from SR-134 to Burbank Boulevard
TIME: Up to two lanes – 10 p.m. to 6a.m. (Until 9 a.m. on Saturday March
24th & 31st) (Until 7 a.m. on Saturday March 31st)(Until 10 a.m. on
Sunday March 25th & April 1st)
Three lanes  1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 from Burbank Boulevard to SR-134
TIME: Up to two lanes – 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 7 a.m. on Saturday March
24th &31st)(Until 9 a.m. on Sunday March 25th & April 1st)
Three lanes –1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

 

The California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) will close the following lanes and ramps of the Golden State
Freeway (I-5) as part of a $121 million improvement project to construct
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV or carpool) lanes in each direction along I-5
between SR-170 to Buena Vista Street. Closures are subject to change.
Detours will be signed.

Golden State Freeway (I-5) Closures
Friday March 23, through Friday March 30, 2012

▪   Southbound I-5 Roscoe Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound On-Ramp
TIME:  7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 10a.m. on Saturday March 24th and Sunday
March 25th)

▪   Northbound I-5 Roscoe Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound Off-Ramp
TIME:  7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th and Sunday
March 25th)

▪   Northbound I-5 Sunland Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound Off-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th and Sunday
March 25th)
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Sunland Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound On-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th and
Sunday March 25th)

▪   Southbound I-5 Sunland Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound Off Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 10 a.m. on Saturday March 24th and 12 p.m.
on Sunday March 25th)

▪   Southbound I-5 Sunland Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound On Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 9 a.m. on Saturday March 24th and Sunday
March 25th)

▪   Northbound I-5 from Penrose Street to Sheldon Street Laurel Canyon
Boulevard
TIME: Up to Two lanes: 10p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 8 a.m. on Sunday
March 25th)
Three lanes: 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Penrose Street Eastbound and Westbound Off-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th and Sunday
March 25th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Tuxford Street Eastbound and Westbound
On-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th
Sunday March 25th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Lankershim Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound On-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th   and
Sunday March 25th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Penrose Street Eastbound and Westbound Off-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th and Sunday
March 25th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Penrose Street Northbound and Southbound On-Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.  (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th
and Sunday March 25th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Lankershim Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound Off Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th and
Sunday March 25th)

▪   Southbound I-5 Lankershim Boulevard Eastbound and Westbound On Ramp
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th and
Sunday March 25th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 Sheldon Street/Laurel Canyon Boulevard Eastbound and
Westbound
Off and On Ramps
TIME: 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Saturday March 24th and
Sunday March 25th)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 Buena Vista Street Eastbound and Westbound On Ramp
TIME: 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Until 10 a.m. on Sunday March 25th)

▪   Northbound I-5 Hollywood Way Eastbound and Westbound On Ramp
Time: 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Until 12 p.m. on Sunday March 25th)

▪   Southbound I-5 Hollywood Way Eastbound and Westbound Off Ramps
Time: 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. (Until 9 a.m. on Sunday March 25th)

▪   Southbound I-5 Hollywood Way Eastbound and Westbound On Ramp
Time: 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 from Buena Vista to Penrose Street
TIME: Up to Two lanes: 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Three lanes: 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 from Sheldon Street/Laurel Canyon Boulevard to Penrose
Street
TIME: Up to Two lanes: 11 p.m.  To 6 a.m. (Until 8 a.m. on Sunday
March 25th)

▪   Southbound I-5 from Sheldon Street/Laurel Canyon Boulevard to Buena
Vista Street
TIME: Up to Two lanes: 8 p.m.  To 8 a.m.(Until 10 a.m. on Sunday
March 25th)
Three lanes: 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.

▪   Northbound I-5 from Buena Vista Street to Sheldon Street/Laurel Canyon
Boulevard
TIME: Two Lane: 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. (Until 10 a.m. on Sunday March 25th)
Three Lanes: 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.

▪   Southbound I-5 from Penrose St to Hollywood Way
TIME: Up to Two lanes: 11 p.m.  To 6 a.m.(Until 8 a.m. on Sunday March
25th)

BurbankNBeyond Readers Invited to a Screening of the New Movie “LOCKOUT”

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LOCKOUT follows a wrongly convicted man (Guy Pearce) who will win his freedom if he rescues the president’s daughter (Maggie Grace) from an outer-space prison that has been taken over by violent inmates.

BurbankNBeyond readers are invited to a promotional screening of the movie in Los Angeles on Friday, March 30th at the AMC Century City at 9:00PM.  Screening details below:

 

LOCKOUT

Friday, March 30th

AMC Century City

10250 Santa Monica Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90067

9:00PM

If you would like to attend, you may get your completely FREE tickets HERE!

 

Rep. Schiff: Oral Arguments on Health Care Law Should Have Been Broadcast Live

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Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) issued the following statement as oral argument on the health care law begins today before the Supreme Court:

“While we may disagree about the benefits of the health care law that passed more than two years ago, we should all agree that every American deserves the opportunity to listen to the Supreme Court oral argument on the law. I was disappointed to learn that the Supreme Court declined requests to broadcast and live stream the oral argument. Every citizen should be able to watch to the Supreme Court hearings just like they tune into C-SPAN to listen to Congress debate legislation.

“Chief Justice John Roberts has already implemented many changes in how the Supreme Court operates, including posting audio recordings from hearings every week, but he can and should do more to move the Court into the 21st Century. Allowing cameras in the nation’s highest court would increase Americans’ confidence in their government and judicial system. And while Chief Justice Roberts acknowledged the importance of this specific case by promising same-day release of audio recordings, that is a poor substitute for watching the proceedings live.

“I support the legislation currently pending in the Senate that would allow cameras in the courtroom – it’s time for the Supreme Court to open their doors, not just to those that are able to attend in person, but everyone across our nation.”

The Supreme Court announced that it will not broadcast the oral argument on the health care reform law. However, the Court will release same-day audio recordings for the arguments, which are expected to last six hours over the course of three days (March 26th through 28th). Many news organizations and press freedom groups had made requests to televise the arguments. Currently, legislation is pending before the Senate, The Sunshine In The Courtroom Act of 2011 (S. 410), which would permit the Chief Justice to allow cameras into the courtroom. Two Supreme Court Justices, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, have both stated that they support broadcasting oral arguments in the Supreme Court. In 2010, Schiff questioned Justice Stephen Breyer during a Congressional hearing about increasing the use of cameras in the courtroom, especially in the Supreme Court.  Click here to watch video of the hearing.

Schiff has long been an advocate of open courts, authoring legislation (S.B. 1391) while in the State Senate to open the juvenile dependency courts and continuing to be active on the issue while in Congress.

Dodgers to Once Again Offer Express From Union Station for Fans

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The Los Angeles Dodgers and Metro will once again offer Dodger Stadium Express bus service from Union Station to Dodger Stadium this season through a grant approved by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC). Service will begin on April 3 before the Dodgers’ exhibition game against the Angels and continue throughout the season.

For the third consecutive year, a grant of $300,000 was awarded to Metro by the MSRC in support of clean fuel transit service to link Union Station to Dodger Stadium. Funding under the grant will be used to offset the cost of fares on the Dodger Stadium Express bus service for passengers possessing a Dodgers ticket. Dodger game tickets will be honored as fare payment to ride the bus service and those without a ticket will pay the regular one-way fare of $1.50.

Last year, the Dodger Stadium Express bus service transported more than 116,000 fans with 68 percent of those riders using public transportation from their place of origin to get to Union Station to take advantage of the special bus service to the games.

The Dodger Stadium Express will pick up fans at the Patsaouras Bus Plaza adjacent to the east portal of Union Station and continue to Dodger Stadium via Sunset Blvd. and Cesar Chavez Avenue. Passengers will be dropped off and picked up in Dodger Stadium’s parking lot G in center field. Service will start 90 minutes prior to the beginning of the games and will end 45 minutes after the end of the game. Shuttles will run every 10 minutes before the game and run approximately every 30 minutes after the game starts.

Metro will deploy state-of-the-art 40-foot clean burning compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, as MSRC funding is awarded within the South Coast Air Basin from a portion of the vehicle registration fee set aside for mobile source projects that result in emission reductions. The Dodger Stadium Express bus service will be provided by Veolia Transportation under contract to Metro.

Patrons are encouraged to use the many transportation alternatives that serve Union Station and will connect them to the Dodger Stadium Express. For specific route and schedule information visitwww.metro.net. More information about the Dodger Stadium Express can also be found atwww.dodgers.com/express.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto Honors Burbank Resident Helena David as Woman of the Year

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Helena David

Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) has honored Helena David of Burbank as the 43rd Assembly District’s Woman of the Year. Ms. David is the founder of Those Who Care, a non-profit whose mission is to provide local food pantries and homeless shelters with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Ms. David founded Those Who Care after noticing trees in her neighborhood were bursting with unharvested fruit. So, along with long her husband Scott and son Aaron, she began seeking homeowners, one by one, that would allow their trees to be picked. Those Who Care then donates the fresh produce to local food pantries and shelters, which results in far more nutritious and fresh meals than the traditional canned food on which such entities depend. In just one year’s time, Helena and her team surpassed their goal of donating 100,000 pieces of fresh fruit.

“Helena has helped solve the problem of hunger and nutrition in the most creative way,” said Gatto, “After she identified the problem, she rolled up her sleeves to solve it, and did so in such a way that ensures that our community does not waste the resources that are staring us right in the face. Everyone in Southern California has seen the trees full of unpicked grapefruits and oranges, and even apples and avocados. Helena David makes sure that this otherwise wasted produce gets to those who need it.”

The Assemblyman learned of Helena’s efforts after reading an article by Joyce Rudolph, printed in the Glendale News-Press. Immediately, he knew he wanted to honor her. “Helena represents the best of Burbank. She encompasses the generous and creative spirit of the 43rd District, and it is my privilege to recognize her for her dedication to serving others,” said Gatto.

Ms. David will be recognized as a part of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus’ annual “Woman of the Year” celebration on March 26, 2012 at the State Capitol at 10:00 AM. Spending the day with Assemblyman Gatto, Helena will be treated to a brunch reception with other statewide honorees, and will be honored on the Assembly Floor for her generous contributions to the community.

Burbank Temple Seeks Gently Used Women’s Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

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Burbank Temple Emanu El seeks the community’s help and is looking for donations of gently-used women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. Designer labels are encouraged and the temple has already received donations of Coach, Guess, St. John, Tahari, Feragamo, Oleg Cassini, Escada from temple members. Now the temple is asking for the community’s help. Donated items can be dropped off at Burbank Temple Emanu El office located at 1302 No. Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504.

The temple will send a driver in the local community to pick up women’s clothing and accessories after an estate or garage sale, or if a donor is house-bound or there is large amount to be move. All clothing and accessory donations are tax deductible and donor names will be entered in a drawing to win a prize.

“Designer styles are still fashionable the ‘Second Time Around,’” says Joan Kagen, “So while we want gently used women’s items, we are really seeking those designer labels that people will show up for.”

The community is also invited to Burbank Temple Emanu El’s first ever Second Time Around High End Boutique, slated for Sunday, May 6th from 9 am to 3 pm, in the temple social hall.

Sales from the Second Time Around Boutique will help support temple programs and Burbank affiliations. Unsold professional attire will be donated to Dress for Success, a Los Angeles philanthropy outfitting business attire to women returning to the workforce.

Other unsold items will be donated to the Discovery Cancer store in Burbank. The Burbank Temple Emanu El Sisterhood committee putting on this community-wide event, include: Tobi Lippman, Philleen Meskin, Esther Kastan, Ruth Bader, Joyce Feinsibur, Laura Snow and Joan Kagan.

For more information on the Second Time Around Upscale Boutique, contact Laura Snow at 818-307-0271 or laurasnow@protectarps.com, or the BTEE office at 818-845-1734.

Burbank Middle School Students Meet With Congressman Schiff

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Congressman Schiff meets with Luther Middle School Students

Middle school students from Burbank paid a visit to Representative Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) this past week, while they were touring the nation’s Capitol during their spring break from school.

On March 21, Schiff met with 20 eighth grade students from Luther Burbank Middle School.  During their half-hour meeting with the Congressman on the steps of the Capitol, the students had an opportunity to ask the Congressman about his positions on various issues that affect his district.  Questions were asked about the issues he works on daily, and about his travel to and from Burbank to Washington.

Jordan Middle School Students listen to Congressman Schiff

The following morning Schiff met with 40 student in the 7th and 8th grades from David Starr Jordan Middle School.  For over 20 years, students from the school have visited Washington, D.C. while on spring break.  During their meeting with the Congressman, they asked about the votes that were being taken that day in the House of Representatives.    The high gasoline prices, and the federal budget process were also discussed.

“It was great this week to meet with Burbank students from both Luther Burbank and Jordan Middle Schools in Washington, D.C.,” said Schiff, adding, “These young students asked such good questions, were curious about every aspect of government, and incredibly eager to learn.   It was a privilege to speak with them, and I hope they all had a memorable visit to our nation’s Capitol.”

Jordan Middle School Students pose with Congressman Adam Schiff during their trip to Washington DC

Rain Creates Havoc on the Streets and Freeways

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Burbank Firefighters needed the 'Jaws Of Life' to free the victim from this crash that occurred on the I-5 @ Scott Rd. off ramp. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Fire Fighters needed the ‘Jaws Of Life’ to extricate the driver of this car after he lost control on the northbound I-5 near the Scott Road off ramp and crashed into a large tree. Firefighters were challenged with the rescue as the victim’s leg was trapped against the door post and the base of the tree. California Highway Patrol closed the freeway for a short period during the rescue. Once the paramedics had the victim freed they transported him to Providence Holy Cross trauma center with injuries.

 

Burbank Firefighters needed the ‘Jaws Of Life’ to free the victim from this crash that occurred on the I-5 @ Scott Rd. off ramp. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Firefighters needed the 'Jaws Of Life' to free the victim from this crash that occurred on the I-5 @ Scott Rd. off ramp. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Firefighters needed the 'Jaws Of Life' to free the victim from this crash that occurred on the I-5 @ Scott Rd. off ramp. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Photo By Ross A. Benson

Burbank Firefighters needed the 'Jaws Of Life' to free the victim from this crash that occurred on the I-5 @ Scott Rd. off ramp. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)