Daily Archives: May 18, 2012

Roaring Twenties’ Once in a Lifetime Roars to a Great Finish

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By Greg Simay
BurbankNBeyond

JBHS Drama Presented "Once in a Lifetime" in the Burroughs Auditorium. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The John Burroughs High School Drama closed its season with Once In a Lifetime, a knowing and witty look at “the business” whose Burbank/Hollywood epicenter is but a few miles away. The time is the late 1920’s when a the achievement of motion picture sound caused an earthquake in the industry, causing some acting careers to tumble and others to suddenly rise up.

In OIAL, A trio of desperate vaudevillians heads west to Hollywood to start a “school of elocution” for actors having to make their uncertain way from the “silents” to the “talkies”. Their fast-buck journey slams them into many of the industry types—like frantic producers and wide-eyed naifs–that many in Burbank may have encountered professionally.

Last Saturday night’s performance illustrated the actors’ journey: going from humdrum to magical. Act One started out so-so. The mechanics of the acting craft was there. No one in the cast forgot their lines (or at least covered well if they did), and that’s no mean feat when it comes to the play’s many rapid-fire lines. No one left their partner in the lurch. But, the characters had not yet grabbed hold of the actors.

Brennan Flynn plays the part of Beelboy/Fulton. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

By the end of Act One, that was beginning to change. Perhaps the spectacular set of a swank hotel room (and great costuming) helped put them into the moment. In Act Two, there was definitely more energy, more snap.  Real characters were emerging.

By Act Three, the magic fully kicked in. The cast was no longer “acting”.  They fully inhabited their characters, and I forgot that the actors were in fact much younger. I got caught up in the story’s hilarious wind up and bring-down-the-house ending.

If OIAL is any indication, the JBHS Drama program is a great success.  Fledgling actors come to know what it’s like to make the playwright’s words fly off the page and into an audience’s heart and funny bone. Doing that consistently, from the beginning, play after play, is the work of a lifetime.

“Once In a Lifetime” is an apt phrase for the seniors who are about to exit the High School stage. Yes, on the world’s wider stage, they will go on to other successes and form other bonds. But judging from the “Senior Goodbyes” that were included in the program notes, they take with them
special friendships and treasured memories.

In the words of one senior, JBHS Drama “hasn’t only allowed me to develop my acting skills—as a matter of fact, it changed me as a person”.

Special Kudos to ROBBY MOTZ (playing the trio’s good-hearted fool, George Lewis) and EVAN PHILPOT (playing the manic producer Herman Glogaure) for jump starting the cast into high gear.

JBHS Drama Presented "Once in a Lifetime" in the Burroughs Auditorium. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Pair Robbed While Sitting at Car Eating at Carl’s Jr.

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Two victims came into the Burbank Police station early Thursday morning to report they had been robbed.  Both victims were sitting in their vehicle in the parking lot of Carl’s Jr. eating when they were approached by two males.

One of the suspects approached the driver side door, produced a handgun, and asked the driver, “Do you want to die?”  One of the suspects then demanded his wallet and cellular phone.  The second suspect approached the other victim on the passenger side and demanded his cell phone and wallet too.

Fearing for their safety both victims provided the items demanded of them.  Both suspects fled to a nearby vehicle and out of the area.

Officers were able to provide the suspect’s descriptions and vehicle description to nearby agencies.

A short time later the vehicle was located, with one occupant, in the Los Angeles area by CHP Officers.  It was later determined that the vehicle was stolen and had been taken in a recent carjacking.

Arrested for carjacking was  Adrian Guerrero, 18 yers-old, from Los Angeles.  The other suspect remains on the loose.

 

Boys & Girls Fundraising Gala Proves to be Big Success

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Boys & Girls Club benefits from the 17th annual fundraiser Gala Saturday at the Burbank Airport Marriott.  Funds raised support after-school programs for more than 2,000 children a year.  Special
recognition was given to entertainment companies that provide items and services to the club.

By Joyce Rudolph
BurbankNBeyond

Executive Director Shanna Warren with a couple of Silent Auction items. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

It was both surprising and exciting to see how youth members took such an active role in the Boys & Girls Club’s 17th annual fundraiser Gala Saturday night at the Burbank Airport Marriott.

Appropriate to the theme, “That’s Entertainment,” the club members from age 6 to 18 sang and danced on stage but also were part of producing the videos shown throughout the evening that showcased the activities that keep them busy during the week at the facility.

The club provides a place afterschool where kids can get help with homework, play sports, participate in art and dance and spend time on computers in the tech lab, Sherine Saad said in her welcome speech.

Two years ago the club launched the first free teen program for ages 13 to 18 that offers a place to hang out in the evenings. The program draws 200 teens, she said. The club also continues to operate the only deaf and hard of hearing afterschool program for grade-school children.

“All this is possible because of you,” Saad told the more than 250 people attending. “Your generous donations keep our doors open~helping us provide the quality programs that support over 2,000 children a year while filling a valuable need for parents.”

Former Mayor Jess Talamantes bids for a Disney Art Piece during the Silent Auction. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The theme gave the club and its board of directors a chance to honor the entertainment businesses that play a huge part in the success of the club, namely The Walt Disney Co., Entertainment Partners, Cartoon Network, Hub and NBC Universal.

“Their ongoing support allows us to provide high quality programs and services to over 1,250 youth each day,” said Shanna Warren, chief executive officer. “These companies help make it possible for these children to pursue academic success, develop good character and citizenship, and lead healthy life styles.”

Disney continues to help the club by funding the Boys & Girls Clubs of America national campaigns, donating toys and supplies, lending a hand with club beautification projects and other programs.

Entertainment Partners provides professional payroll services to the club. Cartoon Network Studios provides arts grants and employees spend time mentoring club members. Artists visit and conduct workshops on drawing the network’s characters.

Hub provides financial sponsorships and service projects that benefit the club members and their families. NBC Universal gives the club financial support and partnerships through NBC entities.

Boys & Girls Club Youth of The Year Andrea Baghaee. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

During the evening, the Youth of the Year ~ Andrea Baghaee ~ was introduced and she explained how the Boys & Girls Club had inspired her to decide on a career goal. A senior at Burbank High School, Andrea has been a member of the club since first grade. She leads the Teen Leadership program, is president of the Keystone Club, is involved in the financial literacy program and her participation in the club’s programs Career Launch and College Bound have helped her to
prepare for attending Cal State Northridge in the fall.

When she is not tutoring younger club members or participating in the teen programs she helps the club’s staff members in the office. As a result of that experience, she started taking finance classes in high school and plans to major in that in college, she said.

Burbank's City Manager Mike Flad, Deputy City Manager Joy Forbes & City Attorney Amy Albano watch there bids during the silent. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“It was the club’s administration that gave me self-confidence and encouraged me to make goals that would lead me to a career,” she said.

The evening started with a silent auction of items ranging from restaurants to golf packages and beautiful original artwork by the club members. Throughout dinner, club members also entertained guests with a segment called Beachside Beauties and later a colorful ribbon dance, which led into the live auction.

Those taking home great items were Mitchell Weiss, who will fly in a World War II-era AT-6 with the Condor Squadron out of Van Nuys Airport; and Terri Shapiro, who will see the Jay Leno Show in person and take a tour of the Big Dog Garage in which Leno keeps his prized collection of vehicles and motorcycles. Thank you to donor NBC!

The kids handed out Red Roses to all the Mothers in attendance for Mother's Day. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Planning the gala along with Sherine Saad were Leena Mathew, Dan Stillwell, Dave Augustine, Darin Ryburn, Lynn White-Shelby, Michael Walbrecht, Michelle Bouse, Robin Tarufelli, Zachary Hult and Barbara Sykes.

The evening culminated with a sweet gesture, in honor of Mother’s Day.  The youngest members of the club presented all the moms in attendance a red rose.

Carrizosa to Step Down as Burbank Unified School District Superintendent

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Stan Carrizosa, who was announced last week as a finalist for the job of President of the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California, has sent out a letter Friday morning that he

Burbank Unified School District Supt. Stan Carrizosa (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

has been selected and will accept the job.

Carrizosa came to the BUSD during a troubled time and worked hard to repair damage with both classified and non-classified workers during a turbulent budget crisis.  He released the following letter Friday morning:

I would like to share that the College of the Sequoias Board of Trustees has selected me to serve as the new President of the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California, effective July 1, 2012. I am humbled and honored to have this opportunity to move to a new level of educational leadership and to continue to learn and grow personally and professionally.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served with Burbank Unified School District these past two years. I have never left a position after such a short tenure so the unexpected timing of this change is a new experience for me. In this short time however, I have learned what many of you know so well and that is how unique and special this community is and the vital role BUSD plays in shaping this wonderful culture.

I want to thank our School Board for their leadership and support. They are the best School Board I have ever served with and we will all work together now to assure a positive transition over the next few weeks for our students, staff, and school community. 

Most sincerely,
Stan A. Carrizosa

 

Burbank School Board President Debbie Kukta released the following statement from the Board:

 

On behalf of the School Board, I would like to congratulate Mr. Carrizosa on his appointment as president of College of the Sequoias. Stan has had a very positive impact on our District in many areas – staffing, finances, facilities, community relations. We are sorry to see Stan leave, but understand this is a growth opportunity that was difficult to pass up.  

The Board would like our school community to know that we are already working on a transition plan and have a special meeting scheduled for this Sunday, May 20, at 3:00 p.m. in the District Office boardroom.  We will be providing updates as soon as they are appropriate.  

We thank Mr. Carrizosa for the time he has spent here in Burbank. Due in large part to his efforts, the District is well positioned to continue our forward movement as we strive for excellence in education.

Sincerely,
Debbie Kukta
Board President

INDIANS KNOCK-OFF KNIGHTS

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It was Michelle Santiago and Haley Schulman who delivered for Burroughs in the regular season’s final game to clinch a third consecutive Pacific League championship.

Locked in a battle with Knight to open the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs on Thursday, May 17, the two delivered once again. Starting pitcher Schulman escaped several jams and went the distance while Santiago delivered the final blow to the Hawks chances by blasting a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to help lead the Indians (24-3) to a 3-0 victory.

Santiago’s heroics followed Megan McKenna’s sacrifice fly to score Davina Del Castillo to break a scoreless tie. Brice Edrington, who had singled, came home on Santiago’s home run.

Del Castillo had reached on an error and was sacrificed to second by Cheyenne Steward. She moved to third on the Edrington’s single and scored on the McKenna sac. It was the type of manufactured run that the Indians have delivered in close contests all year.

Schulman struck out seven, including striking out the side in the third to escape a two-on jam. She also zoned-in after allowing lead-off batters to reach base in four out of seven innings but never surrendered a run.

“I am just proud of the girls, all of them, because we have been finding a way to win close ones all year,” head coach Doug Nicol said. “That takes a real team to do that.”

Nicol’s squad won a sixth straight contest that included five straight league games in a season in which they went 13-1.

Burroughs will play South High of Torrance on Tuesday. The Indians swept South in a double header during the regular season — 7-6 and 2-1 — back on March 15. The Spartans were 19-10 in the regular season and come from the highly regarded Pioneer League.