Cowan

BURBANK — A day after General Motors filed for bankruptcy, confidence was booming at Community Chevrolet on West Olive Avenue. The 50-year-old dealership received a notice early Tuesday that, despite plans from the troubled Detroit automaker to terminate thousands of dealer contracts nationwide, GM plans to renew its contract as the city’s lone new-car outlet, said General Sales Manager Roger Cowan. Sales at the site have slumped by more than 30% over the last year, matching the drop in consumer interest seen at other regional auto dealerships.

Sang Lee GROSS PARK -- It might be a little unfair for Providence High softball team to judge its season in wins and losses. Considering almost the entire team is new to the program, the Pioneers' 5-3 nonleague loss to Bellarmine-Jefferson High on Friday at Gross Park was not all that bad. "We played very well and inspired ball," Providence Coach Tony King said. "Half these girls couldn't catch [the ball] at the tryouts. And people who didn't think they would make the team are now starting."

Gary Moskowitz SOUTH SAN FERNANDO DISTRICT -- McKinley Elementary School's auditorium was a feast for the eyes Tuesday, as about 300 students put on handmade holiday costumes and sang seasonal songs for teachers and parents. Lisa Meza, pianist for the show and parent of second-grade McKinley twins Karley and Sarah, said the show gives students a chance to perform in front of their peers and celebrate different cultures during the holiday season. "They love working together and singing with each other, because they feel like they are a part of something," Meza said.

National Charity League Ticktockers presented The National Charity League Burbank Chapter had its Senior Presentation for the Class of 2004 at the Sheraton Universal. The master of ceremonies was Bruce Osgood, principal of Burbank High School. The Ticktockers presented were Kristina Marie Barragan, daughter of Ruben and Karen Barragan; Stefanie Judit Cowan, daughter of Eugene and Maritza Cowan; Briana Nicole Cwik, daughter of Ronald and Carol Cwik; Jacqueline Michele Goglia, daughter of Donald and Jeanette Goglia; Ashley Christine Kurges, daughter of Robert Kurges and Sharon Kurges; Kelly Kimie Reinig, daughter of Patrick and Gail (Hamanaka)

From the dawn of each year on through the end of February, just about every imaginable award, from Oscars and Grammys to the certificates of recognition of local organizations, is bestowed upon those who have made a significant contribution throughout the previous year. This past Sunday evening, while the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was doling out its annual accolades on the south side of Mount Lee, congregants and supporters of Burbank’s Temple Emanu El gathered in the Castaway Restaurant overlooking Lee’s northern exposure to honor Jerry and Barbara Starkand as their Couple of the Year.

Charity League has membership tea The members of the Burbank Chapter of National Charity League are busy planning their annual Membership Tea to welcome the chapter's newest mother and daughter members. Under the leadership of Chairwoman Nancy Baylon, the members will transform a hall at St. Francis Xavier Church into a tropical paradise and extend an "aloha" to these new members. The membership drive, headed by Membership Vice President Jamie Reeves, is underway.

Jeff Tully Earlier this season, the Providence High softball team was ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division VI. However, some struggles during Liberty League play knocked the Pioneers out of the top 10. In a first-round playoff game Friday, Providence took on the top team in the division, and the result wasn't good for the locals. With some of its players missing because of prom, visiting Providence was defeated by Capistrano Saddleback Valley Christian, 9-0, to end the Pioneers' season.

Diane Ribeiro Young, Valedictorian Ellen Marie Garrett, Salutatorian Elizabeth Tai Acosta Kenneth James Agner Vahe H. Akopian Jayne Marie Allen Dantonio Jose Alvarez Daniel Franklin Ambrose Mikhail Lester Gonzalez Antonio Sydon R. Arroyo Vartkes Artinian Shunt Christopher Ashdjian Fred Aziz Shannon Marie Babick Robert Badmagharian Christine Marie Baluyot ...

SOUTH GLENDALE ? Frustrated auto dealers struggled with the overwhelmed ?cash for clunkers? online system Monday, scrambling to remain eligible to receive rebates for cars sold under the federal program. Dealers feared that missing the deadline could cost them tens of thousands of dollars in losses for cars they had already moved off their lots, but had yet to register into the system. Worries about potentially lost rebates spurred a nationwide frenzy to access the Internet portal for the Car Allowance Recovery System, which was so overloaded in advance of the government?

Members of the American Business Women?s Assn. staged their annual fashion show and luncheon on Saturday under the theme ?Glitz and Glamour? in the Starlight Room of The Castaway. Among those whose work and dedication attributed to the event?s success were the afternoon?s mistress of ceremonies, Nicola Keller , the organization?s president, Donna Hempel , association officers Corinna Brown, Elysa Rosenfield- Ortiz, Lynn White- Shelby and Maria Tapang , and production staff Andrea Manning, Marty Preciado, Natalie Froidevaux, Grace Walker, Cristy Jennings, Marcia Mullins, Myrna Bunzey, Tricia Rumery, Brandi Hackitt, Kathy Dupree, Nancy Johnson and Karen Moran . Others whose commitment and attendance contributed to the event were Melanie Avanessian, Brianna Bell, Valerie Dennison, Nicole Froidevaux, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Vivienne Keller, Alicia Mauricio, Kristina Ortiz and Jayne Reimel . ?

BURBANK — A day after General Motors filed for bankruptcy, confidence was booming at Community Chevrolet on West Olive Avenue. The 50-year-old dealership received a notice early Tuesday that, despite plans from the troubled Detroit automaker to terminate thousands of dealer contracts nationwide, GM plans to renew its contract as the city’s lone new-car outlet, said General Sales Manager Roger Cowan. Sales at the site have slumped by more than 30% over the last year, matching the drop in consumer interest seen at other regional auto dealerships.