Monthly Archives: April 2012

BURBANK ARTS FOR ALL FOUNDATION HOLDS INAUGURAL PARTY ON THE PLAZA GALA EVENT

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Hosted by NBC4 Weatherman Fritz Coleman, the night commenced with a distinctive reception followed by a silent auction leading to a seated dinner and awards presentation.  This year’s award

Award Recipients Warner Bros Lisa Rawlins, Barbara Miller, and Beth Morrison. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

recipients were: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc; Educator Beth Morrison; and PTA Council President Barbara Miller. Art teacher Jonelle Pickett and her Burbank High School sculpture students, Annelle Charles and Sun Mo Koo, created the special awards. Cocktail reception entertainment was provided by the Burbank High School Jazz Ensemble and the event portion by the popular band Splash. A spectacular night was shared with art professionals and enthusiasts from all disciplines with proceeds benefiting the Burbank Arts For All Foundation.

The Party on the Plaza gala event marked the Burbank Arts for All Foundation’s sixth year as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing grant funding to support arts education as a core curriculum in Burbank’s public schools and supporting the Burbank Unified School District’s Arts for All plan. Since it was founded in 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than $150,000 in grant funds supporting projects like new musical instruments, artist in residency programs, professional development for teachers, a new kiln, an animated P.S.A. workshop, auditorium and sound system upgrades and many dance, theatre, music and art productions and projects.

Event sponsors included The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Deluxe, mOcean, Woodbury University, Shamrock Holdings Inc, Poquito Mas, Community Chevrolet and more.   Cocktails were courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka

Alexandra Helfrich and Craig Murray, co-chairs, Burbank Arts For All, stated, “We are honored to recognize Warner Bros. with the inaugural Patron of the Arts Award. They established Burbank Arts For All Foundation in 2006 and have continued to give both of their time and generosity in order for arts programs to thrive in all of Burbank public schools,” said Helfrich and Murray in making the announcement. “Additionally, Burbank Arts For All Foundation could not think of two more deserving and inspirational individuals to honor than Beth Morrison and Barbara Miller. They have

Warner Bros V.P. of Government Affairs Lisa Rawlins. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

raised the bar in the advancement of arts education and have given so much of their own time which has directly benefited our schools and profoundly impacted the lives of Burbank kids. We are thrilled to pay tribute to them for their remarkable achievements at this special event.”

 

Patron of the Arts Award: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.

Honored for establishing the Foundation, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. received the Patron of the Arts Award which is presented to a local business or corporation whose support has made a significant impact on the Foundation’s mission.

 

Arts For All Educator Award: Beth Morrison

This award is presented to an educator who dedicates their own personal time to enrich the lives of all Burbank students through their exceptional commitment to furthering arts education for all.

Beth Morrison, a highly regarded and gifted fine arts teacher at John Burroughs High School, was honored with the Arts For All Educator Award for going above and beyond instructional work. She teaches her students that by leveraging their talents, interests, passions, and time, individually and collectively, they can make very positive contributions to the world… and that art is a powerful vehicle that has the potential to change the world. She has introduced her students to fundraising for important causes through their artistic endeavors that have helped raise thousands of dollars in funding for numerous organizations including The Keep A Breast Foundation (a model and inspiration for their Breast Cancer Awareness projects), the Susan B. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer research, St. Joseph’s Breast Health Center and other breast cancer related organizations.

Her students have also raised money for the Burbank Arts For All Foundation. She collaborates with many core subject teachers at JBHS so they can better integrate visual arts into their curriculum. She also enjoys working with kids and adults involved in the BYSTI program over the summer. A frequent grant recipient, Ms. Morrison embodies the spirit of Burbank Arts for All Foundation by continuing to give back to students in Burbank schools through arts education.

 

Champion of the Arts Award: Barbara Miller

This award is presented to an individual or organization whose volunteer commitment to providing equitable access to the arts has made a significant impact on the students of Burbank Unified School District and the Burbank community.

Honored for her tireless dedication to the advancement of the arts in the Burbank community, Burbank PTA Council President, Barbara Miller, will receive the Champion of the Arts Award. She is an invaluable resource and works with the California State PTA to follow legislative and budget changes regarding all areas of education and in particular the arts. This dedicated mother of three also serves on the BUSD Facilities Oversight Committee, the Superintendent’s Finance Advisory Committee and the Burbank Arts for All Summer School Advisory Committee. Her dedication bridges the mission of Burbank Arts For All Foundation and the PTA and she was instrumental in both organizations becoming Allied Agencies. Through Mrs. Miller’s on-going commitment to arts education as well as her untiring volunteerism efforts, she continues to be an extraordinary advocate for Burbank Arts for All Foundation.

 

To learn more about Burbank Arts For All Foundation please contact Trena Pitchford, Executive Director of Development at trena@burbankartsforall.org

More Great Pictures From Ross A. Benson

Remembering Frank Pawluc

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Burbank Review
by Stan Lynch

My friend Frank Pawluc, who died April 1, was quite a guy.  He was always involved in some worthwhile activity or another to help the community.  He also had a knack for helping others.

I first met Frank back in the late 1960’s when he was involved with the Exchange Club of Burbank.  Frank was the manager of the Republic Federal Savings & Loan office in Magnolia Park.   We became friends, a friendship that lasted over 40 years.

Frank’s philosophy of helping others had a practical side.  He was good at finding jobs for other people.  A number of folks who needed a job found work thanks to Frank.  Sometimes he helped people in ways that even they didn’t realize.

When Frank bought his home on Rose St. in Magnolia Park, he decided to make a major addition to the home, adding a second floor and completely remodeling the house.  I, along with my friend Bill Stevens, and several other members of the Magnolia Park Exchange Club volunteered to help Frank.  Among the things we did to help, was nail up all the drywall in the house.  We spent many a night, and several weekends doing the work.  We loved to kid Frank about buying “defective” nails.  We would hold up a nail, turn it backward, and tell Frank the head of the nail was on the wrong end.  He would retort that those were the nails for the “other side” of the wall.

We still joke about what a great guy Frank was to give us all “free drywall lessons.”   We did all the work for free, but in hindsight it was Frank who did us a favor.  The practical knowledge we picked up helping build his house has served us all well over the years.

A few years later I was with a group of high school kids from church during Easter vacation.  We were given the task of hanging drywall on the ceiling of a community center on an Indian reservation in central California.  No one was quite sure how to do it, but I knew, thanks to Frank.   And when my friend Bill made a major addition to his home in Burbank some years later, he and I knew exactly how to do the drywall.  Again, thanks to Frank.

Frank Pawluc was one of the good guys.  If the large turnout of friends recently for a celebration of Frank’s life was any indication, a lot of people were touched by his life.   The community will miss him, and so will I.

(Frank J. Pawluc Obituary)

Mayor Puts Ball in Cup as Term Begins to Wind Down

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The Burbank Sunrise Kiwanis Club held its 15th Annual Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament at the DeBell Golf Course on Friday, April 27.

Burbank Mayor Jess Talamantes joins Golf Chair Mike Caggiano and Vice Mayor Dave Golonski. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Some of the organizations that benefit from the Mayor’s Cup are the Burbank Boys and Girls Club, Burbank Family Service Agency, Burbank Police Youth Outreach Center, Outreach for Community Support of Underprivileged Children, Children’s Hospital, Boy Scouts of America, Salvation Army, Bret Harte Elementary School, and De Bell Junior Golf and First Tee.

Besides the current mayor, Jess Talamantes, other former mayors  that attended this year’s event included Gary Bric, Vincent Stafano, Dave Golonski, and Mary Lou Howard.

Mike Caggiano was the Golf Chairman this year, and a fun time was had for all.

The Burbank Sunrise Kiwanis meets Wednesday mornings at 7 a.m. at the DeBell Golf Club Clubhouse. For more information, contact Donna Anderson at (818) 238-5880 or at danderson@ci.burbank.ca.us.

Viacom Gives Family Service Agency a Helping Hand

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By Joyce Rudolph

 

Employees of Viacom celebrated a day of giving back to the community by adding their creative touches to Linden House, a transitional facility for young adults run by the Family Service Agency of Burbank.

Alexis Block, left, and Rory Patterson prepare the water feature for the zen garden in the front yard of Linden House. (Photo by Joyce Rudolph)

It is an annual event that brings together employees from the companies under the Viacom umbrella, including Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank and Nickelodeon Games in Glendale, VH1 and Comedy Central, according to Carson Smith, human resources manager at Nickelodeon in Burbank. The cost of materials is covered by Viacom.

“One day a year we go out in the community and do something good,” Smith said. “It is an opportunity to reach out in the community, where we work and many of us live, to help.”

So on April 20, a team of more than 25 employees got an early start at 7:30 a.m. to work their magic in several locations at Linden House.

Working on the mural in the exercise room at Linden House are from left Emily Asaro, Kim Neebe and George Nachev. (Photo by Joyce Rudolph)

Emily Asaro, a production assistant who works on “Dora the Explorer”, was working on a mural on the walls in the garage, which will become a workout and social area.

“One of our painters George Nachev designed it,” she said. “It’s an abstract design.”

Story board artist Ysty Veluz liked the colors in the design — olive, gray blue and flesh tones with white intersecting lines.

“The color scheme is not too loud,” she said. “The design is dynamic with muted colors. I think it’s appropriate for the age group.”

In the front yard Alexis Block and Rory Patterson were installing a water feature — a big orange ball that would become a water fountain. A few feet away Mardine Pouryousef, Eric Swanborg and David Wigforss were building a wooden bench.

Ysty Veluz paints the mural in the workout room at Linden House. (Photo by Joyce Rudolph)

Linden House is a partnership between the Family Service Agency and the Burbank Housing Corp., according to Judith Arandes, executive director of the city’s housing corporation.

“We buy neglected properties and we rehabilitate them,” she said. “As a nonprofit we get good loans from the City of Burbank and that enables us to keep the rents low and rent them to lower income families.”

Seven years ago, the corporation started a partnership with the Family Service Agency to create living spaces for special needs populations. The first project was CARE Cottages, which provides housing for women and children who were victims of domestic violence. The second joint venture was Home Front Project, a residential program for homeless families.

Linden House is a transitional home for young adults, ages 14 to 24, who are homeless, at risk of being homeless and/or have aged out of the foster care system. Over their two years at Linden House, they receive counseling through Family Service Agency, and are given the tools to become self-sufficient.

George Nachev paints the abstract design he created for the workout room of Linden House. (Photo by Joyce Rudolph)

Within six months of moving in, they must have found a part-time job and be in school full time or in some career/job training program, said Laurie Bleick, executive director of the Family Service Agency.

“These young adults are survivors and they can teach us something about getting through the day,” Bleick said. “We want them to take a moment and breathe in a safe environment where they can think beyond tomorrow, that they can start planning for a year from now … 20 years from now and think about what they want from their lives and be able to construct a life that is beyond survival.”

Each participant in the program has their own individualized treatment plan. They have a therapist through Family Service Agency and participate in support groups. Most of them are utilizing some form of art therapy or non-verbal ways of communicating the traumas they have experienced before coming to Linden House. They all complete a financial planning class, life skills class, and participate in communal activities.

“We are now moving the kids toward coming up with a project every year that they will give back to the community, and they will begin to learn not just receiving but giving back, and they are excited about that,” Bleick said. “So, Linden House is not just about individual treatment but about building community.”

Building a bench with slatted cover are from left, Mardine Pouryousef, Eric Swanborg and David Wigforss. (Photo by Joyce Rudolph)

BURBANK FALLS TO CV

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BURBANK HIGH — Winners of four straight behind stellar pitching the Burbank baseball team went into Friday night’s contest against Crescenta Valley hoping to get back into the Pacific League’s title picture.

Burbank High's Daniel Starkand took a tough loss Friday. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Bulldogs had the right guy on the mound in lengthy lefty Daniel Starkand who had been the winner of so many close games this season. Unfortunately, at some point a championship team needs at least a little offense to win against other teams with championship aspirations.

Starkand did his thing, throwing seven innings of one-run ball, however, he left with a no-decision and the Bulldogs eventually stranded 13 runners in a 10-inning loss to the Falcons, 2-1.

CV’s Ted Boeke drove in Bryan Wang with one out in the top of the 10th inning to lift the visiting Falcons to hard-fought victory against Burbank.

The loss drops Burbank to 6-3 in the Pacific League standings which means they are now two game behind CV (8-1 in league) and three behind league leading Arcadia (9-0 in league). With six games remaining on the schedule it all but assures the Apaches and Falcons will battle it out for the league championship again with the Bulldogs hoping to keep a lock on third place — which would be their best finish since coming to the league in 2006.

Burbank dropped an 8-5 game at CV last month after leading 5-3 after five innings of play. It lost a 2-1 contest to Arcadia earlier this month so no matter things end-up Burbank will be left wondering what might have been.

Missed opportunities may have haunted the Bulldogs this season, that wasn’t the theme on Friday night so much as it was “bad luck.” Burbank nearly won in the bottom of the seventh when pinch-hitter Angel Villagran delivered deep blast  to right-center field. The ball just hit off the top of the fence and he was held to a very long single.

“That missed going out by about two feet,” Burbank Coach Bob Hart would say later. Following two walks, the Bulldogs had the bases loaded and two outs. Paul Frias lined out hard shot to third base.

In the ninth inning, Dylan Mersola walked and Harrison Hernandez follwoed with a single before a punchout thwarted the threat.

Even the winning single by Boeke was a break for the Falcons as he chopped the ball towards Burbank second baseman CC Okimoto and took a high hop just as the infielder was about to make the play. The ball rolled out into left-center field and Wang was able to reach home without a play.

On the flip side the Burbank offense was MIA again as its only run came on consecutive errors by the Falcons’ infield in the third inning. It never solved CV starter Kyle Murray or reliever Troy Mulcahey who held Burbank to five hits and no player had multiple hits.

Starkand threw seven innings, striking out four and allowing five hits.

Former Burroughs Football Coach Dies In Iowa

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Leon Shortenhaus photo from the 1961 John Burroughs Akela yearbook.

Former John Burroughs High School teacher, counselor, and football coach Leon Shortenhaus, died April 13, in Souix City, Iowa.   He was 85 years old.

Mr. Shortenhaus was born in Buffalo Center, Iowa.  After graduating from high school in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II in the Philipines.  Following his discharge in 1946, he attended Morningside College, where he played football under NFL Hall of Fame coach George Allen, who went on the coach the L.A. Rams and Washington Redskins.  Mr. Shortenhaus was captain of the football team and named to the All Conference Team in 1949.  He graduated from Morningside with a bachelor of science degree in 1949.

After teaching and coaching at high schools in Iowa, Mr. Shortenhaus and his wife, Ruth, moved to Burbank in 1956.   He taught history at Burroughs, as well as coaching football.  His last game as head varsity coach was the Burbank-Burroughs game in November 1960.   Coach Shortenhaus was selected by the senior class of 1961 as the school’s teacher of the year.  He was inducted into the John Burroughs Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

The Shortenhaus family moved back to Iowa in 1967.  Mr. Shortenhaus worked as a junior high school counselor in Souix City until 1980, when he joined the faculty of Morningside College.  He was the college’s assistant football coach and associate director of admissions until he retired in 1997.

Mr. Shortenhaus and his wife celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2011.  They attended the 50th Reunion of the John Burroughs High Class of 1961 last October.

Funeral services were held at the Grace United Methodist Church in Souix City, Iowa, where Mr. Shortenhaus had been a longtime member.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Leon Shortenhaus

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Leon Shortenhaus photo from the 1961 John Burroughs Akela yearbook.

Former John Burroughs High School teacher, counselor, and football coach Leon Shortenhaus, died April 13, in Souix City, Iowa.   He was 85 years old.

Mr. Shortenhaus was born in Buffalo Center, Iowa.  After graduating from high school in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II in the Philipines.  Following his discharge in 1946, he attended Morningside College, where he played football under NFL Hall of Fame coach George Allen, who went on the coach the L.A. Rams and Washington Redskins.  Mr. Shortenhaus was captain of the football team and named to the All Conference Team in 1949.  He graduated from Morningside with a bachelor of science degree in 1949.

After teaching and coaching at high schools in Iowa, Mr. Shortenhaus and his wife, Ruth, moved to Burbank in 1956.   He taught history at Burroughs, as well as coaching football.  His last game as head varsity coach was the Burbank-Burroughs game in November 1960.   Coach Shortenhaus was selected by the senior class of 1961 as the school’s teacher of the year.  He was inducted into the John Burroughs Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

The Shortenhaus family moved back to Iowa in 1967.  Mr. Shortenhaus worked as a junior high school counselor in Souix City until 1980, when he joined the faculty of Morningside College.  He was the college’s assistant football coach and associate director of admissions until he retired in 1997.

Mr. Shortenhaus and his wife celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2011.  They attended the 50th Reunion of the John Burroughs High Class of 1961 last October.

Funeral services were held at the Grace United Methodist Church in Souix City, Iowa, where Mr. Shortenhaus had been a longtime member.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Two Power Outages Keeps Crews Busy Wednesday and Thursday

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Burbank Police handled traffic after a palm tree toppled into some high-tension power lines in the 200 block of Lake Street at Olive Wednesday afternoon. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Burbank Water and Power Department was busy on Wednesday.  In the afternoon, a palm tree toppled into a high-tension wire in the 200 block of South Lake St. causing a small outage in the area.  Crews were quickly dispatched to the area and quickly fixed the problem.

A second larger incident occurred Wednesday night just after 11pm in the area bordered by Burbank and Magnolia, and San Fernando and the I-5.  A switching device failed, resulting in an outage that impacted the businesses and apartment buildings in the vicinity.

Once again crews responded immediately, diagnosed the problem, and replaced the failed equipment with service being restored around 9am.  There was no fire associated with this event – the switching device melted and there was smoke, but no burning flames.  Everything was contained within the switching enclosure.

SPORTS SHORTS

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Burbank Top Glendale

The Bulldogs’ baseball team continued to roll Wednesday, beating Glendale, 7-1, in a Pacific League game at Glendale High School. Burbank just missed its third straight shutout when the Nitros pushed across a meaningless run in the final inning.

Harrison Hernandez was 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBI to lead the Bulldogs, who are now 9-7 overall and 6-2 in league play. The win keeps Burbank two games back of first place Arcadia and a game back of second place Crescenta Valley. However, Pasadena’s upset of Burroughs moves Burbank two games up on the Indians (4-4 in league) for the third place spot.

Shaun Troy threw five strong innings for Burbank against Glendale, with Angel Villagran pitching the final two frames. Troy struck out ten and walked none, while scattering four hits.

Dylan Mersola added two hits and a RBI for Burbank.

Burroughs Drops Third Straight

The Indians began the second half of league play in horrific fashion, dropping a contest at Pasadena, 5-3, April 25. Burroughs pushed a run across in the top half of the first inning, but allowed three runs in the bottom half of the inning to trail 3-1.

“That was big. We had bases loaded and only one out but managed only a sacrifice fly and a run,” Holmes said. “Instead of being up a couple we were down a couple and we never really recovered.”

Starting pitcher Dillon Disiere’s sacrifice fly did give the Indians a 1-0 lead, however, he struggled with control in the bottom of the inning walking a pair of batters and falling behind in counts.

“He had a little trouble with the mound and a little trouble with his offspeed stuff in general at the start, then he was effective the rest of the way,” Holmes said. “Unfortunately we did not support him much.”

It was the third straight loss from the Indians, a senior dominate team coming off a disappointing 2011 campaign. The loss put Pasadena within one game of Burroughs for the fourth and final playoff spot out of the league. It also dropped Burroughs to 7-12 overall.

Indians Pummel Pasadena

Burroughs blasted the Bulldogs by a football score on the softball diamond Wednesday, April 25, 27-0, in a contest at Pasadena to maintain their spot atop the league standings at 17-3 overall and 8-0 in league.

The Indians scored three in the first, eight in the second and nine in the third en route to an easy win called after five innings due to the league’s ten-run mercy rule.

Eight players had multiple hits, led by Shannon Trujillo’s 4-for-5 performance with two RBI and three runs scored. The senior is batting .442 this season with 15 RBI and 22 runs scored.

Burbank Also Wins Big

The Bulldogs also steamrolled their competitors on Wednesday, blasting the Nitros, 22-0, in a game also called in five innings due to the league’s ten-run mercy rule. Burbank stayed just one game back of rival Burroughs, improving to 15-3 overall and 7-1 in league.

Burbank scored 12 runs in the fourth to open-up a game already heading to an early finish. Katie Hooper led the Bulldogs with two home runs. Hooper was 5-for-5 with four  RBI, five runs scored and the homers. She is now batting an incredible .558 on the season as she continues to make her case as the league’s best offensive player.

Crystal Diaz also homered for Burbank and drove home three RBI on three hits.

Summer Day Camps At Nature Center

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The Stough Canyon Nature Center will again be offering Summer Nature Camps for children ages 3-10.

For younger campers, 3-5 years old, there is the Little Rangers Club.  Each weekly session meets 3 mornings  between 9 a.m. and noon.  Verdugo Mountain Explores is for 6-10 year-olds.  They meet Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to noon during each weekly session. Each session has a theme, and includes crafts, hiking, and fun.

The camps are held at the Nature Center, which is located in the Verdugo Mountains above the DeBell Golf Course, at 2300 E. Walnut Ave.   Some of the activities are also held in Wildwood Canyon.   There will be four separate  Little Rangers Club session, and five Verdugo Mountain Explorers’ sessions.

Little Rangers Club camps are $40 per session.  The Verdugo Mountain Explorer camps are $55 each session.  Online and mail-in  registration begins Friday, April 27, through May 4.   Walk-in registration begins at 8 a.m. May 15, if space is available.   Campers need to be potty trained, and a copy of birth certificate is required to verify age.

For more information go to http://www.burbankca.gov/index.aspx?page=939, or call the Nature Center at  818-238-5440.

Pancake Breakfast Helps Fund Community Events at Methodist Church

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Two youth organizations have joined partnership with a community breakfast event, being held this coming week-end, Saturday April 28th, at the Magnolia Park United Methodist Church of Burbank, 2828 W. Magnolia Blvd., from the hours of 7AM to 1PM, according to leader of the Scout Crew Jenny Deahl.

Serving Breakfast at last year's "Mega Breakfast" event. L/R top. Jacob Hall, Corbin Hovind, Anthony Tello (Member of Boy Scout Venture Crew 201 of Burbank) Host L/R Seated. Ryun Hovind, Danielle Krattiger, Mikki Hall (family members of the Venture Crew) (Photo By James Etter)

For a $5 or more donation we serve a hot fresh breakfast, starting with the multiple stack order of a variety of Pancakes, ranging from Banana, Blue Berry, Chocolate Chip. “Corn Fritters” and the old stand-by regular buttermilk. According to Jenny Deahl.

The Pancake breakfast has been applauded in the past as not only great “all you can eat” Pancakes, but for the cooked to order eggs, sausage and sides of sliced oranges, juice and the never empty coffee pot, also real butter and brand names syrups. Serving “sugar free” for the diet conscious patron.

The “Early Morning Special” starting at 7AM to get the busy family going, you will find a fresh local newspaper on your table. Coffee, Tea or Hot Chocolate, with whipped cream, served while your order is prepared. No steam table or limp pancakes served by the Scout Crew and Church Youth at their Café. These kids are proud of what they do!

The Boy Scout Venture Crew are Boys and Girls ages 14 through 20 who have joined with the Church Youth (SWAT) in raising funds for a 22’ by 12’ (wide screen projection system), with theatrical sound. Helping local youth and residents escape the high price of theater tickets, the two joined youth organizations will bring

everything from “Laurel & Hardy” to modern films to the community and youth this summer.

Rep. Schiff Prepares Amendment to Cyber Security Bill

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This week, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), a senior Member of the Intelligence Committee, will offer an amendment to address concerns raised by the Administration, civil liberties groups and Internet users with the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA). The House is slated to take up the bill along with a host of other cyber security bills later this week.

“Throughout the cyber security debate, my priority has been addressing the gaping holes in our cyber defenses,” Schiff said. “It is important to move forward with a cyber security bill to address information sharing, but we must make sure that it includes strong protections for the civil liberties and privacy of Americans. I appreciate the good work of the Chair and Ranking Member, and will continue to work with my colleagues on the Intelligence Committee to make improvements to the bill before it comes to the floor later this week. Along these lines, I am preparing an amendment which will address many of the concerns raised over the past month. I believe that my amendment would narrowly tailor the bill to its purpose of protecting us from attacks on our cyber infrastructure and protecting trade secrets while protecting the privacy and civil liberties of ordinary Americans.”

Schiff’s amendment would require the development of policies and procedures to minimize the impact of information sharing on privacy and civil liberties, specifically minimizing the collection of personally identifiable information. It would also narrowly define and tailor the purposes for which the government can use information obtained from private entities under the legislation, while including exceptions for information that directly relates to a crime or a specific national security threat.

The amendment would:

  • Adopt privacy language requiring the development of policies and procedures to minimize the impact of information sharing on privacy and civil liberties, including by minimizing the collection of publicly identifiable information as included in Senator Feinstein’s draft. The procedures would have to be reviewed and approved by the U.S. Attorney General within one year of their development;
  • Narrow the purposes for which a Federal agency may use cybersecurity information obtained under the Act. Allow for the use of cyber security information if the information discloses a specific threat to national security or is considered foreign intelligence information; and
  • Use Lieberman/Collins/Feinstein definitions for Cybersecurity Threat, Cybersecurity Threat Information, and Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence, while also adopting a number of other definitions that are necessary to define those terms.

Burroughs Instrumental Music Association Sets Plans for Outdoor Concert

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The John Burroughs High School Instrumental Music Association invites Burbank residents to its 4th Annual “LIVE! At The Burroughs Bowl” outdoor concert and picnic on Friday, May 4th, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Burroughs’ award-winning Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble will perform famous scores from popular Hollywood feature films and television shows including “Jaws,” “Star Trek” and a Pixar movie medley.

“We are so excited to again perform our very own mini-Hollywood Bowl concert. Filled with high-quality, memorable music in a wonderful outdoor setting, our annual ‘Live!’ event is the perfect way for our student musicians to end the school year, and promises to be a fun evening for the entire family,” said Tana Barnett, director of bands at John Burroughs High School.

Taking place in the outdoor amphitheater at Burroughs High School (entrance through Indian Alley on Parish Street), attendees are welcome to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase at the event.

Presale tickets are available through May 2nd for a discounted rate of $10 adult general admission seating, $7 for students and senior citizens. Tables, accommodating up to 8 guests, can be reserved for $15 per person. Tickets will also be available at the door: $15 general admission and $10 for students and senior citizens.