Military Personnel

Discounted hotel rates for military personnel The Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center is offering discounted hotel rates for current and former members of the U.S. armed forces on weekends through Aug. 31 through an Internet rate promotion called Summer Service Salute. Through the promotion, military personnel and their families can stay at the Burbank Airport Marriott for a reduced rate of 20% off the published government rate. The deal is available for active, reserve or retired military personnel and their families.

Discounted hotel rates for military The Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center is offering discounted hotel rates for current and former members of the U.S. armed forces on weekends through Aug. 31 through an Internet rate promotion called Summer Service Salute. Through the promotion, military service people and their families can stay at the Burbank Airport Marriott for a reduced rate of 20% off the published government rate. The deal is available for active, reserve or retired military personnel and their families.

Members of a Burbank entertainment group returned earlier this month from Bosnia, Sarajevo and Kosovo, where they presented shows to U.S. military personnel. The company, Dial M Produc- tions, sent 11 performers who presented two shows. "A Dial M Murder Mystery" is an audience participation whodunit. The group also performed "Here's to America," which producer Peggy Phillips described as a song-and-dance show. "What [the troops] really love, besides the shows, is that we hang out with them and sign autographs," Phillips said.

Molly Shore A brighter holiday season is on its way to military personnel stationed in Afghanistan, thanks to the handiwork of school librarian Penny Austin and Washington Elementary School students. Knowing that armed forces personnel stationed overseas cannot be home for the holidays, Austin asked students to create wreaths and write letters to send to them. Many classes created wreaths using green Styrofoam bases or artificial pine needles with green paper Christmas trees, red paper hearts and holiday ornaments.

Military veterans and active service members who have signed on to help Burbank on Parade organizers launch this year's event — themed "Saluting those who serve" — are adding strength to the troop of parade volunteers. Though the exact number of participating past and present military service members will not be known until the event on Saturday, more than 100 veterans have called Burbank on Parade organizers to express interest, said Mickey DePalo, of the Burbank Veterans Commemorative Committee.

Chamber mixer is Thursday MEDIA CITY CENTER -- A cash drawing of $175 will be up for grabs at the Burbank Chamber of Commerce's monthly mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Chevy's Mexican Restaurant, 701 N. San Fernando Blvd. The event features a happy-hour buffet, margaritas, draft beer and wine. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for prospective members. For reservations and more information, call 846-3111. Burbank Macy's honors 'Star Dad' MEDIA CITY CENTER -- Burbank Macy's will recognize its store manager, Del Hernandez, for his outstanding achievements at home, the workplace and in the community.

Burbank mayor visits Joslyn Swinging Seniors Dance Club Burbank Mayor Todd Campbell dropped by the recent All-Nations Dance on Sept. 21 presented by the Joslyn Swinging Seniors Dance Club at the Joslyn Adult Center. He was welcomed by club President Joyce Bergloff and program organizer James Van Niekerk . During the event, Campbell asked club member Virginia Hummer to dance. Performing the music was Clyde Reasinger and his Big Band with Lee Roberts , vocalist.

Laura Sturza BURBANK -- Between 300 to 400 military personnel will be receiving care packages from Burbank residents and businesses with the city's recent first shipment. When the program started in early February, organizers hoped to "adopt-a-platoon" of about 30 service people. The community's outpouring led to the program's expansion to reach additional units including the 101st Airborne Division stationed at Kandahar Air Base, organizer Marc Cutter said.

On a beautiful late summer day in Washington, families from all 50 states gathered on the steps of the nation's capitol. They were recognized in a nationwide event honoring American families with children adopted from other countries. Rep. Adam Schiff had invited Burbank's Karen Christoffersen and John Capellaro, who nine years earlier adopted a 3-year-old girl from Russia. When John and Karen arrived in Russia for the adoption, they soon found the girl had brothers. “In 1992 we went from zero to four kids,” Karen said.

BURBANK ? Banners honoring Burbank residents serving in the military will soon decorate Third Street between Olive Avenue and Amherst Drive. The banners are intended to show appreciation for men and women in the military and offer support for family members who have relatives overseas, said Brady Griffin, senior recreation leader for the Department of Parks and Recreation. "Anyone who is part of the cause ? whether they are in school, out of the country, or in basic training ?

On a beautiful late summer day in Washington, families from all 50 states gathered on the steps of the nation's capitol. They were recognized in a nationwide event honoring American families with children adopted from other countries. Rep. Adam Schiff had invited Burbank's Karen Christoffersen and John Capellaro, who nine years earlier adopted a 3-year-old girl from Russia. When John and Karen arrived in Russia for the adoption, they soon found the girl had brothers. “In 1992 we went from zero to four kids,” Karen said.

BURBANK — Mike Boyd felt helpless when he watched news reports of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. “I would look at the news every day and see kid, after kid, after kid dying,” Boyd said. “I felt so much for our U.S. troops who were dying.” Instead of wondering what he could do to help the troops, Boyd went into to action. He founded a series of “American Soldier Thank You” concerts to help raise funds for military personnel. “It was something I needed to do for them, knowing all the things they have done for us,” said Boyd, the founder of Burbank-based Singboy Productions.

Discounted hotel rates for military personnel The Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center is offering discounted hotel rates for current and former members of the U.S. armed forces on weekends through Aug. 31 through an Internet rate promotion called Summer Service Salute. Through the promotion, military personnel and their families can stay at the Burbank Airport Marriott for a reduced rate of 20% off the published government rate. The deal is available for active, reserve or retired military personnel and their families.

Discounted hotel rates for military The Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center is offering discounted hotel rates for current and former members of the U.S. armed forces on weekends through Aug. 31 through an Internet rate promotion called Summer Service Salute. Through the promotion, military service people and their families can stay at the Burbank Airport Marriott for a reduced rate of 20% off the published government rate. The deal is available for active, reserve or retired military personnel and their families.

A squadron of World War II-era aircraft soared over Olive Street late Saturday morning, prefacing the patriotic atmosphere of the 25th annual Burbank on Parade. City officials, local business leaders and a host of eclectic presentations marched down the normally quiet community street with horses, carriages, marching bands and the Batmobile in honor of the nation's troops. And the fly-over by the Van Nuys-based Condor Squadron, a group of military enthusiasts with vintage aircraft, set the stage.

Military veterans and active service members who have signed on to help Burbank on Parade organizers launch this year's event — themed "Saluting those who serve" — are adding strength to the troop of parade volunteers. Though the exact number of participating past and present military service members will not be known until the event on Saturday, more than 100 veterans have called Burbank on Parade organizers to express interest, said Mickey DePalo, of the Burbank Veterans Commemorative Committee.

Burbank mayor visits Joslyn Swinging Seniors Dance Club Burbank Mayor Todd Campbell dropped by the recent All-Nations Dance on Sept. 21 presented by the Joslyn Swinging Seniors Dance Club at the Joslyn Adult Center. He was welcomed by club President Joyce Bergloff and program organizer James Van Niekerk . During the event, Campbell asked club member Virginia Hummer to dance. Performing the music was Clyde Reasinger and his Big Band with Lee Roberts , vocalist.

BURBANK ? Banners honoring Burbank residents serving in the military will soon decorate Third Street between Olive Avenue and Amherst Drive. The banners are intended to show appreciation for men and women in the military and offer support for family members who have relatives overseas, said Brady Griffin, senior recreation leader for the Department of Parks and Recreation. "Anyone who is part of the cause ? whether they are in school, out of the country, or in basic training ?

Chamber mixer is Thursday MEDIA CITY CENTER -- A cash drawing of $175 will be up for grabs at the Burbank Chamber of Commerce's monthly mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Chevy's Mexican Restaurant, 701 N. San Fernando Blvd. The event features a happy-hour buffet, margaritas, draft beer and wine. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for prospective members. For reservations and more information, call 846-3111. Burbank Macy's honors 'Star Dad' MEDIA CITY CENTER -- Burbank Macy's will recognize its store manager, Del Hernandez, for his outstanding achievements at home, the workplace and in the community.