Boy Scouts

Laura Sturza BURBANK -- Nearly 100 homebound senior adults had a complete, hot Thanksgiving dinner delivered to their home Thursday by Boy Scouts and other community volunteers. The McShane family has been volunteering with the program for four years. Carol McShane, 44, said she sees the deliveries as "a real education," because her 15-year-old son, J.P., doesn't have the opportunity to interact with older people very much. J.P. is a scout with Burbank Troop 209. "We see a part of our community that otherwise remains hidden," she said.

BURBANK -- It was an effort that warmed the hearts -- and stomachs -- of 85 Burbank residents who might otherwise have gone without this Thanksgiving. A few dozen local Boy Scouts, their families and city employees fanned out across Burbank Thursday, volunteering their time to deliver freshly prepared Thanksgiving meals and a bit of holiday companionship for seniors and other residents whose conditions prevent them from easily leaving their homes.

EDWARD HEADINGTON Burbank Civitan Club has its 33rd annual St. Patrick's Day Champagne Brunch and silent auction this month. The emerald-laden event raises money for the developmentally disabled by donating the proceeds to A Place to Grow (formerly the Burbank Center for the Retarded), the Special Olympics, and the Civitan International Research Center. Entertainment will include the award-winning O'Connor School Irish Dancers and the Sentimental Journey singers.

Girl Scouts hit the cookie-sale trail Burbank Girl Scouts gathered at the home of Robert and Dena Taylor on March 1 to pick up their boxes of cookies for the annual sale. Officials from the Girl Scouts of the San Fernando Valley headquarters believe selling the cookies helps girls gain real-life skills such as money management, decision-making and goal-setting. Former Scouts who are today's businesswomen have told Girl Scout officials selling cookies was their first step toward successful careers.

Cadet Kenneth William Wainwright Jr., son of Dr. Kenneth and Beatrice Wainwright of Burbank, has won the prestigious Marshall Scholarship at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. Wainwright has the opportunity to further his education for two years at a university of his choice in Britain. Wainwright, who attends West Point, will study Middle Eastern history at Durham University in England. He plans to follow a military career specializing in the Middle East and eventually teaching at West Point.

Hood-jumping leads to family dispute MEDIA CITY CENTER -- A 15-year-old Burbank boy was cited after he and other children were found jumping on the hoods of cars inside a parking structure at the Media City Center. The boys were upset over the cancellation of football practice Wednesday, Burbank Police Sgt. John Dilibert said. The boy was cited and released. Later that day, his grandmother was angry about the boy's troubles, and hit the boy's 39-year-old aunt in the head with a music stand and candle holder.

Jacqui Brown Taylor Barlow, 14, has a sash full of merit badges he's earned through his two-year participation in the Boy Scouts. The silver-edged ones are the most important right now, because they're what he's already earned in his attempt to move up the ladder to the coveted Eagle Scout status. That's the one badge he wants to see on the sash. It's the one that will set him on equal ground with his two older brothers, who have already received that honor.

TODAY The D'Argenzio Winery presents the grand opening of its Wine Tasting Enoteca (wine room) from noon to 9 p.m. at the winery, 1204 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank. Come for tasty Italian appetizers and try the award-winning Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Wine Tasting Enoteca will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (818) 846-Vino. The Orchid Society of Southern California continues its 65th season with its annual orchid auction from 2 to 5 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 221 S. 6th St., Burbank.

Jay Johnstone returns as auctioneer Famed Major League baseball great Jay Johnstone will step up to the plate again this year as auctioneer for the Big Strike Auction Dinner of the Verdugo Hills Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The 29th annual event will be March 22 at the Hilton Glendale. "The overwhelming success of last year's auction dinner for the Verdugo Hills Council is attributable in large part to Johnstone's entertaining and enthusiastic participation in the evening's live auction activities," Council Executive Director Andrew Messer said.

SCOUTS LANDSCAPE YMCA PARKING LOT Boy Scout Troop 209, sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Burbank, completed the landscaping on the Burbank Community YMCA’s new parking lot in October. YMCA Chief Executive JC Holt, former board President Vic Georgino and contractor Mark Bethanis were all on site as the project got underway. “It’s terrific to see Matthew Kaufman, his fellow Boy Scouts and his family out here volunteering their time,” Holt said.