Realtors race in amazing fundraiser

If you are familiar with the CBS reality show "The Amazing Race," you are well aware that via planes, hot air balloons, helicopters, boats and rickshaws, contestants are sent to the far corners of the globe to carry out all sorts of wild and wacky tasks at various "pit stops."

A "home version" of the game, with slightly less exotic locales and basic automobile transport, played out locally as the Burbank Assn. of Realtors staged its second annual Amazing Race and Fun-Raiser this past Friday.

Beginning at the association's West Magnolia Boulevard offices, 11 teams made up of local Realtors were sent out to complete 15 tasks at various locations including the Starlight Bowl, DeBell Golf Course, the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, Bob's Big Boy and Barney's Beanery.

At each locale, teams were challenged to complete tasks that ranged from showing their athletic prowess and knowledge of Burbank, to having complete strangers photograph them in crazy costumes. Each team was also required to go to Handy Market, where they were provided with a shopping list and a bag to be filled and delivered to the Burbank Temporary Aid Center.

Chaired by Dana Russo, who oversaw her committee comprising Janet Dubrasky, Renee Hoenig, Lori Icaobellis Nivon Lou Morreale, Shelly Newton-Valencia, Jesse Herrera and association President Chris Habitz, this event also raises funds for the numerous local charities that have been embraced by the Burbank Realtors.

Among those who made up Friday's competing teams were Melissa and Tiffanie Misner, Dustin Warren, Garrett Knowles, Edward Sanchez, Caleb Gonzalez, Judy Tanke, Martin Vu, Danid Shearer, Linda Roberts, Meegan Bevere, Sandra Cusick, M.J. Barnett, Christine Templete, Ed Trevino, Ernesto Flores, Joaquin Murrieta, J.J. Waddell, Dan Bruno, Manny Orreaga and Alex Rodriguez.

Others who tasked their way through the day included James and John Paul, Valen Russo, Danny Tabrizi, Eric Benz, Steve Marx, Lisa Matzner, Mike and Dani DeGrandis, Pat Crouch, Steve Ayers, Oscar Aguilar, Randy Drew, Cindy Laurent, Joseph Zapata, Kathy Francis, Janette Lomeli, Scott Parisen and Eliset Martinez.

Serving as volunteers, at both the home base and at the various locations, were Mo Jones, Marty, Mia and Bella Del Cid, Mary Whittie, Marjie Vieira, Javier Carbajari, Beth Bowles, Alexandra Kelly, Betty Zaun, Jennie Izumi, Linda Barnes, Phyllis Yanasihara and Nicole Adams.

A special guest in attendance for Friday's race, that was won by the Dilbeck Real Estate team, was 15-year-old Brittany Schmalbach of Bogota, Colombia, who is spending her summer in Burbank as the guest of Marty Del Cid of Century 21 Paul & Associates and her family.