On The Town: Holiday parties abound

While the Grinchy-Scrooge-types will simply never get it, the song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” perfectly captures the reasons why those of good cheer love the month of December. With hearts glowing, mistltoeing, friends coming to call and parties for hosting, it truly is “the hap-happiest season of all” for those who harbor the true spirit of love and caring.

In the days leading up to Christmas, that spirit was well and alive at parties respectively hosted by Councilman Dave Golonski and his wife, Barbara Sykes, Roger, Chuck, Michael, Charlie, Evelyn and Caroline Cusumano of the Cusumano Real Estate Group, and Pacific Western Bank Senior Vice President Jory Potts.

In a tradition that is closing in on the two-decade mark, Golonski and Sykes opened their Magnolia Park home for their annual party that benefits the children of Five Acres, the Kids International Foundation, the El Faro and Hacienda Orphanages of Tijuana and the Burbank Coordinating Council’s Holiday Basket Program.

Among the hundreds of guests who enjoyed the holiday cheer and donated gifts and monetary donations to help purchase much-needed food and medicine for needy families were Mayor Anja Reinke, former-Mayor Mary Lou Howard, Councilman Jess Talamantes, City Manager Mike Flad, Airport Commissioner Don Brown and Park Board member Garen Yegparian.

Always well attended by city staff and leaders of the business and nonprofit community, Golonski and Sykes also served as host to Ron and Cheryl Davis, Laurie Bleick, Janice Lowers, Tom and Linda Jamentz, Mike Chapman, Linda Walmsley, Candy Horwitz, Tim Murphy, Greg and Carolyn Jackson and Burbank Leader Editor Dan Evans and his wife, Donna.

Another Burbank tradition is the holiday soiree staged by the Cusumano family. This year’s bash, held at the newly opened Flappers Comedy Club, saw the family welcome numerous city officials both past and present including former-mayors Vince Stefano and Michael Hastings. Other notables from the city and local business and charitable organizations in attendance included Jack O’Neill, David and Kim Nos, Barbara Howell, Shanna Warren, Tim and Paula Davis, Gary and Tracy Canfield, Terre Hirsch, and Michael and Joy Forbes.