American Red Cross

Jackson Bell An Avalon Hotel tenant, who pleaded no contest to starting a fire that destroyed 10 rooms there, and caused at least $250,000 damage, apparently set the blaze because his roommate told him to move out, authorities said. Benjamin Bolock, 41, who lived at the hotel for about six months, entered his plea Tuesday at Burbank Superior Court and will return Dec. 20 for his sentencing, officials said. Bolock was arrested in Corona May 2, the day after starting the blaze at the hotel, 126 E. Olive Ave., authorities said.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY American Cancer Society is seeking volunteers to help plan the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Burbank event at 8 a.m. July 10. Meetings will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month, in the Police Community Room at the Police Station, 200 N. 3rd St. For more information, call Evelyn at 841-2994. HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL The Hoover High School Alumni Assn. Is seeking alumni and former Purple Circle members who would like to serve on the Official 75th Anniversary Committee.

A 41-year-old Burbank man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in connection to a fire at the Avalon Hotel. Benjamin Bolock was arrested Saturday on suspicion of starting the blaze that caused at least $250,000 damage to the hotel, 126 E. Olive Ave. Bolock, a long-term resident at the hotel, is being held in a county jail on $250,000 bail, officials said. The fire broke out about 8:30 p.m. in one of the hotel's rooms, Fire Marshal Dave Starr said. Ten of the 18 residential units were engulfed by the fire, Starr said, adding that businesses on the building's first floor were also damaged.

Molly Shore Every 56 days, Burbank resident Ernie Weckbaugh donates a pint of blood at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. Brian Cook, a registered nurse and the clinical specialist at the hospital's Ralph M. Parsons Blood Donor Center, wishes there were a lot more people like Weckbaugh out there. That's because Providence St. Joseph, like many hospitals in Southern California, is facing a severe shortage of blood. "If more people do not come forward to donate, there is a real danger that blood will not be available if someone needs it," said Tim Smith, the medical center's blood donor recruitment coordinator.

Soldiers, sailors and airmen are heading home from Iraq. But someone has to go to bring the heavy equipment back. Midshipman Tormod Engvig, 20, a John Burroughs High School graduate, left the United States on Good Friday with two other midshipmen from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy to go to Dubai in the Persian Gulf. The son of Mona and Olaf Engvig of Burbank will serve on the Sealift Command's Patuxent, a 42,000-ton oil tanker, and bring the ship back to the United States.

LILLY EVELYN FESPERMAN Lilly Evelyn Fesperman, 91, died March 14, 2003, in Burbank. Born June 27, 1911, in Santa Rosa, she was a 51-year Burbank resident who worked as a secretary at Lincoln Elementary School for 10 years. Mrs. Fesperman was a member of the La Cadena Women's Club of Burbank and volunteered at the Burbank Temporary Aid Center and the American Red Cross. She is survived by one son, Ken; granddaughter Kelly Oliveira; and two great-grandchildren.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT TV weatherman Fritz Coleman will be taking jabs at the funny side of life around Burbank and Southern California when he performs a 45-minute stand-up routine during a benefit at 5 p.m. Sunday for the Burbank United Methodist Players. BUMPs, as it is more commonly known, is celebrating its 10th anniversary as the official performing arts group of Burbank First United Methodist Church. Members organized the show, "One Night Only! An Evening With Fritz Coleman," to honor and pay tribute to the Rev. Dr. Larry L. Stamper to thank him for his support over the years.

RUTH MARTIN Ruth Martin, a longtime Burbank resident, died June 16, 2002. Mrs. Martin was born Dec. 29, 1917. Prior to retiring she worked at Lockheed Corp. After her retirement she volunteered with the American Red Cross, Burbank Historical Society, Burbank Coordinating Council, Woman's Council, Family Service and the Salvation Army. She is survived by her husband, Clarence; and son, Kenneth. Private funeral services will be held. BARBARA ANN RALPH Barbara Ann Ralph, 64, a longtime Burbank resident, died June 14, 2002.

Laura Sturza MAGNOLIA PARK -- The American Red Cross will offer a CPR workshop that will teach techniques and skills to help save the life of an adult or child. For a donation of $10, people can become certified for one year, which can be applied to California teaching credential and continuing education credits. Two sessions are offered at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. March 23 at John Burroughs High School, 1920 Clark Ave. Early arrival of 30 minutes before the start of each class is suggested.

Gary Moskowitz HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- On the day after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School decided they had to do something to help. So with the help of teachers, parents and staff, students started collecting their dollars, quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies to raise funds for the American Red Cross. And the pennies have added up. Students donated their snack money and did odd jobs around the house for loose change, and they have managed to collect $2,414.