On the Town: A pair of parties raises greenbacks

Backers of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce and the St. Francis Xavier Elementary School Lancers sports programs staged respective fundraisers this past Saturday evening.

More than 300 members of the chamber, representing local and area businesses, were welcomed to the organization's annual gala in the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Universal Hotel by chamber staff members Shari Rang, Melinda Martin and Kimberly Thompson. To open the event, which was staged under the theme of Party Gras, chamber President Gary Olson encouraged attendees to take leave of their concerns for an evening of New Orleans-style fun. “Tonight, we ask that you put aside the worries about our economy and enjoy yourselves,” he said as he invited the assemblage to partake of the various food stations and gaming tables.

Among the sponsors and chamber board members who made this year's event a success were board Chairman Charles Rosen, executive committee members Barry Burnett, Tom Smith, Michael Thomas, Terry Walker, Tom Whelan and Lee Wochner, and board members Charles “Bud” Alleman, Jr., Ernie Burger, Darin Chase, Ray Cruickshanks, Cathy Ellis, Mike Flanagan, Eric Foster, Vic Georgino, Joan McCarthy, Janet McIntyre, David Nos, Jim O'Neil, Pat Patterson, Lisa Rawlins, Scott Rife, Scott Scozzola, Tony Tartaglia and Riche Roche.

Special guests in attendance included Mayor Jess Talamantes and his wife, Sandy, former mayor and current Airport Commissioner Bill Wiggins, School Board Members Larry Applebaum and Ted Bunch, School Superintendent Stan Carrizosa and Airport Commissioners Don Brown and Sue Georgino, Bob Hope Airport Director Dan Feger, Woodbury University President Ken Nielsen and Burbank Leader Editor Dan Evans.

Others who enjoyed the evening were Dave Malone, Dan Soderstrom, Pete McGrath, Katherine Richards, Sharon Olson, Angela Burnett, Heather Scozzola, Marilyn Wiggins, Victor Gil and Lucy Burgdorf.

Saturday evening also saw parents and supporters of the kids of St. Francis Xavier Elementary gather at the Scott Road campus for their Blue and Gold auction and dinner. Proceeds from the evening, which included gourmet fare provided by various food trucks, will benefit the school's Lancers sports and cheerleading, along with other programs.

Chaired by JoDee Geryak, others who helped make this a successful fundraiser included Shereen Gustad, Kristal Leonard, Sharian Jones, Kellie Kozonis, Alicia Oberlander, Jeannine Kinney, Laura Tressel, Diana Egenberg, Jenn Segal, Alicia Edler, Natalie Augustine, Stephanie Valle, Cathy and Charlie Perkins, Carrie Poole, Melinda Kenney, Nancy Rizko, Brad and Rita Recker, Ron and Theresa Smith, Janet Ward, Hugh and Melanie Le Fevre, Tracee Porras, Laura Walsh, Lisa Spellman, Jane Morejon, Diana Callahan, Rose Sorenson, Rosie Roope, Olivia Boyce, Kelly Roebuck, Maureen Trainotti, Kathy Wipff, Elaine Hodges, Rene Haynes, Jennifer and Scott Doyle, Theresa Zapate, Marianne Kam, Marla Carlton, Cindy Giraldo, Stephanie Valle, Lisa Gallagher, Kim and Mike Mai, Nancy Willard, Patty Sordis, Rebecca Quacarini and Ann Howard.

DAVID LAURELL can be reached by email dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.