On The Town:

While there were two beautiful and famous princesses in attendance, they garnered little attention as the eyes of the black-tied gents and formally gowned ladies focused on the beloved queen as she bid farewell to the kingdom she faithfully served for the past three decades.

The Castaway restaurant was the venue for this stylish send-off as Burbank City Manager Mary Alvord, who abdicated, or rather, retired, this past week, was honored for her 38 years of service to the city of Burbank.

Affectionately known throughout City Hall and the community as “Queen Mary,” the first woman to have served as the highest appointed government official in Burbank was flanked by Disney princesses Cinderella and Snow White as she entered the Starlight Ballroom on Saturday evening.

Her majesty was also accompanied by her longtime prince, Eric Hansen; and royal family members including daughter and son-in law, Jenny and Brady Griffin; grandchildren, Lauren and Colin Griffin, brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Jane Casey, and niece and nephew, Leila and Brian Casey.

Among the 400-plus Burbank movers and shakers in attendance were newly sworn-in City Manager Mike Flad and his wife, Julie; Mayor Dave Golonski; Vice Mayor Gary Bric and his wife, Shelly; and councilwomen Marsha Ramos and Anja Reinke; City Treasurer Donna Anderson; City Clerk Margarita Campos; City Attorney Dennis Barlow; Deputy City Managers Joy Forbes and Justin Hess; Community Development Director Sue Georgino; Public Works Director Bonnie Teaford; Fire Chief Tracy Pansini; Information Technology Director Jennifer Wyatt; Library Services Director Sharon Cohen; Management Services Director Judie Wilke; Park, Recreation and Community Services Director Chris Daste; Police Chief Tim Stehr; and Water and Power General Manager Ron Davis.

This past weekend also saw the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank stage its annual Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament fundraiser at Woodbury University.

Among those on hand hoping for a good hand were the club’s Executive Director Shanna Warren; Candice Moore, who serves as the director of corporate relations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America; the club’s athletic director, Jay “Jax” Jackson; Burbank Police Chief Tim Stehr; Water and Power General Manager Ron Davis and his wife, Cheryl; Police commissioners Claudia Bonis and Elise Stearns-Niesen; Michael Walbrecht; Kent and Heather Vest; Syl Campbell; and Patty Reardon.

 You may contact DAVID LAURELL at: dlaurell@aol.com or 563-1007