Burbank

When politicians want to attack the other side, they start smearing. When anti-Walmart people want to keep Walmart out, they are smearing. A Walmart will increase the crime rate (“How to keep Walmart out,” Dec. 11)? What a crock. I've asked my wife several times over the years, “Why does Panorama City have a Walmart, and not us?” God bless you Walmart, and welcome to Burbank. Steve Urbanovich Burbank

An independent audit of the city's 2010-11 finances gave Burbank the highest possible rating. Financial Services Director Cindy Giraldo said the audit by the accounting firm McGladrey and Pullen was completed in December. The review also included the Redevelopment Agency, but a more complete report on the agency and its future will go to the City Council on Jan. 31. A Comprehensive Annual Financial Report will be submitted to the Government Finances Officers' Assn. for consideration of an annual national achievement award.

BOYS' WATER POLO Burbank in El Rancho Tournament : The Bulldogs played well and captured their first championship in the tourney Saturday. Burbank was paced by Sam Akopian, who was named the tournament's most valuable player. Akpoian tallied six goals in the final match, as the Bulldogs defeated Cypress, 18-12. Zach Card added four goals. In the semifinal match against host El Rancho, Akopian scored five goals and Sean Savoy added four in a 16-11 victory. The Bulldogs opened the event by beating El Rancho,16-1.

“Happy birthday Burbank.” When I came to California more than 50 years ago, Burbank was hometown U.S.A. - people were coming from all over the country for jobs and the good life. But Burbank has since become a multicultural city and has lost its hometown charm. It is sad. I long for the old Burbank. Don Larsen Burbank

I see Walmart fitting in very well with this community. It will also bring more people into the city. We used to travel outside of Burbank to shop at Walmart. With the addition of Walmart, it will bring better prices to the area and other stores. Sure, it will force pressure on some of the other stores, but nothing stays the same forever. When Target came to Burbank, I stopped shopping at Kmart. Why was there not the same stink raised? The only ones I see complaining are the unions and high-priced labor.

Burbank artist Charla Puryear won second place for her painting “Wintered Beach,” exhibited in an online competition by the Light Space & Time, an online gallery. In total, there were 394 entries from artists who created work using various media from 13 countries around the world. The exhibit is on display through September. Visit www.lightspacetime.com . Puryear's paintings were also selected by another online gallery for an exhibit that lasts through October. The Caladan Gallery selected Puryear's paintings entitled “Seed,” “Rock,” and “Six of Swords” in its juried exhibition named “Surface Pattern.” The exhibit features the art of 23 artists, national and international alike.

Burbank resident Margaret Culver turns 100 years old on Feb. 2. She was born Margaret Emaline Culver on Feb. 2, 1912 in Winslow, Ariz., five days before Arizona was declared a state. She is the daughter of Eli Lichtenburger Hosler and Gillia La Prade. Her ancestors emigrated to the United States in the early 1700s. Her father's family was from Switzerland and mother's family from France, with five generations of ancestors being born in the United States. Culver is the oldest of three sisters who include Thalia who is deceased and Geraldine who is 85 and lives in Arizona.

The Burbank Police are having a problem with their troops, but not a problem with the crime level. The overall crime rate in Burbank has dropped in 2011, a trend police credited to targeted efforts and strong community investment. Serious crimes have dropped by 6% in Burbank, according to the latest statistics. The key is to be able to intervene rapidly, spotting crime trends before they become more serious. To combat a spree of auto burglaries in Burbank, the police increased their number of sting operations and issued crime alerts to residents and local businesses.

Dick Clark may be remembered most for hosting "American Bandstand" and counting down to the New Year on television every year, but he also made a considerable impact in Burbank. When the news broke that he died Tuesday at 82, residents shared their memories of working with him or seeing him around television studios in the city. RELATED: Dick Clark remembered for dedication to Providence neuroscience program Dick Clark dies at 82; he introduced America to rock 'n' roll Photos:  Dick Clark | 1929-2012 -- Tiffany Kelly, Times Community News Twitter: @LATiffanyKelly

More Burbank residents were unemployed and without health insurance last year than in 2007 and 2009, respectively, according to 2011 census estimates released this week. Unemployment among Burbank workers reached 8.4% in 2011, up from 5.2% in 2007, highlighting the crippling effects of the economic crisis, which has cost millions of Americans their jobs and homes. But Burbank workers proved to be better off than Americans nationwide, as the national unemployment rate reached 10.3% last year, according to estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man who bit a 20-year-old cosmetics employee at the Burbank Town Center -- after he tried to kiss her. Investigators are concerned the man “may act out again,” or have other victims, according to Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn. The man visited Simply Mica, a makeup kiosk inside the mall in the 200 block of East Magnolia Boulevard, to buy what he said were cosmetics for a family member. He asked the employee about the lipstick she was wearing and requested to “bite those lips,” Ryburn said.

A 45-year-old Sun Valley woman on Tuesday intentionally spilled Slurpee mix on the floor inside a 7-Eleven, allegedly punched the worker who tried to stop her and then hid atop a nearby roof, Burbank police said. Brenda Lara was arrested on suspicion of battery following the bizarre series of events, which began about 5:10 p.m. at the convenience store in the 600 block of North Glenoaks Boulevard, according to Burbank Sgt. Darin Ryburn. The convenience store worker confronted Lara as she allowed the Slurpee mix to just spill on the floor, he said.

The city will continue to operate after-school programs at various Burbank Unified sites when the academic year begins anew in August despite losing roughly $200,000 on the program each year. The decision to maintain the status quo came this week during budget discussions at City Hall, and with the caveat that city and school officials would discuss ways to cut down on costs for the service for about 600 children each year. The City Council on Tuesday voted in favor of maintaining the after-school programs rather than contracting out to Burbank Unified, the Boys & Girls Club or the YMCA, the three other after-school providers in Burbank.

The Walt Disney Studios unveiled the release dates of several highly anticipated movies to hit theaters this year and 2014. “Saving Mr. Banks,” starring Tom Hanks , Emma Thompson and Colin Farrell , will be widely released on Dec. 20. The movie is about how “ Mary Poppins ” was created and the challenging relationship Walt Disney had with the book's author P.L. Travers and how Disney struggled to make the movie. Hanks is playing Walt Disney. Kermit the Frog , Miss Piggy and other members of the Muppets gang come back next year in the “Muppets Most Wanted ,” a sequel to the 2011 movie “The Muppets.” It will arrive in theaters March 21. The movie stars Tina Fey , Ricky Gervais and Ty Burrell . Continue reading > > -- DiAngelea Millar, Los Angeles Times ALSO: After bridging $2.5 million gap, Burbank expects new budget to fare better Burbank to charge more for police response to false alarms AMC to add surcharge at Burbank theaters  

Burbank Unified officials have recommended five architectural firms as potential partners to help the district complete millions of dollars in school renovation projects with the $110 million in available bond funding. The district's recommendation was made after nearly a dozen firms participated in interviews with school officials who wanted the firms to have at least 10 years of experience in California. The district also wanted firms that have helped design at least five school modernization or construction projects in the last 10 years and that are located within 40 miles of Burbank Unified.

As a longtime Magnolia Park browser, I just wonder how accurately the “Best of Burbank” reflects the area's merchants. To me, it seems based on those who recruit the most votes and stores that are one-of-a-kind do not have to compete with another like-company to get that vote. Categories missing from the “Best of Burbank” ballot are “Best Printer” and “Best Musical Instrument Store.” Sadly, ABC Music went out of business. As much as I like filling out the ballot every year, I'm not sure if this contest is in the best interests of Burbank's merchants.

BURBANK - The Burbank High baseball program was definitely headed in the right direction when it captured its first league championship in 22 years this past season. However, the Bulldogs graduated 16 seniors, and if the winning is to continue, Burbank is going to have to do that with a crop of fresh faces next season. Some of those young players are getting the chance to gain some much-needed experience playing in the Valley Invitational Baseball League. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, when they took on the Cleveland Rojos on Friday evening in a VIBL game, four players were missing.

A spike in the number of false-alarm calls made to Burbank police in recent years prompted harsher penalties to recover response costs this week after officials said the trend is tying up resources needed for true emergencies. According to a new fee schedule approved by the Burbank City Council on Tuesday, the penalty for generating more than two general false alarms in a calendar year will double to $150 starting in July. The penalty will be assessed for the third and each subsequent general call.

The City Council on Tuesday adopted a $149 million General Fund budget that was balanced on $2.5 million in spending cuts across multiple departments. City Financial Services Director Cindy Giraldo said officials project a $3.9 million surplus in the General Fund by the end of the 2013-14 year, due in part to a mix of reduced expenditures, higher fees and a projected 1% increase in sales and property tax revenues. The General Fund pays for most public services, including libraries, police and firefighters and public works.

Burbank - Brothers Ian and Sam McKinnon are used to a little friendly competition. As baseball players for Burbank High this past season, the brothers got a healthy dose of competition while helping lead the Bulldogs to their first Pacific League championship since 1991. Ian, a recent graduate, and Sam, who will be a senior in the fall, will get a chance to compete against international competition when they take part in a tournament next month. The brothers have been selected as members of Team USA and will participate in the 19th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 18-30.