Victory Boulevard

JOINT AIR SUPPORT The council will listen to a report from Burbank Police Department officials over a proposal to join the Burbank and Glendale Police Department Air Support services. Since the 1990s both agencies have conducted separate air operations out of the Bob Hope Airport, but each unit has provided service to the other in a joint agreement. WHAT TO EXPECT Combining the resources of the air services agencies would save funds for both cities by requiring fewer personnel, a smaller number of helicopters and less hours flown.

The following items were taken from Burbank Police Department reports: 1800 block of North Bel Aire Drive : The theft of a ring and a gold watch from a residence was reported on Saturday. The items have a combined value of $1,500. 2000 block of Hollywood Way: A 35-year-old Mojave woman was cited at the Bob Hope Airport on Saturday on suspicion of possession of a switchblade at an airport. 100 block of North San Fernando Boulevard: A 20-year-old Glendale man was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance.

With the bright blue door of his auto shop's office wide open, Antonios Papanikolaou leaned back in his chair. At 66, with more than 36 years of mechanical know-how and the struggle of immigration behind him, the Burbank business owner said he had no cause for worries and was ready to retire. "It's time," Papanikolaou said. "I've worked enough." The Greek-born Burbank resident will relinquish his post at 607 S. Victory Blvd. in Burbank at the end of this month to the owners of Glendale-based Commercial Automotive Corp.

India Penny is wrong on a number of counts ("Market would be good for the neighborhood," Dec. 13, Community Commentary). Our community has suffered from the increased traffic. I know our area has. Our streets haven't been quiet for many years and will get much worse if a business that wants to bring thousands of customers from outside areas onto a two-lane street gets its way. Folks also seem to leave certain people out of the equation... those of us who live just outside the so-called Rancho area.

Martino's Bakery has been serving up baked goods to Burbank residents for generations. The business started in a garage where the owners made pies some 80 years ago and has had its share of ups and downs. Today, Martino's is a full-service bakery with a new location on Victory Boulevard. The new location includes café tables inside and out, coffee, espresso and fountain drinks as well as a cold-drink case. What better way to enjoy their pastries, muffins, or — what the heck — an entire pie?

Martino's Bakery, a long-time fixture of Burbank's business landscape, has taken up new digs on Victory Boulevard after a more than 60-year presence in the city. The business has taken many forms since Burbank High School pals Victor Martino and Amerio Corradi founded the bakery in 1945. The two worked in Martino's father's bakery until they were drafted into World War II. After Martino's father, Victor Sr., died, they took over his bakery and kept it up and running, Corradi said.

In the April 8, 2006 edition of the Burbank Leader, two residents expressed their reservations regarding the proposal to place an Art in Public Places piece at the corner of Victory Boulevard and Burbank Boulevard, stating that the $300,000 set aside for the art piece could be better utilized. While I certainly agree that there are countless important issues to which the city should dedicate funds, I would like to clarify how public art pieces are funded in Burbank. The city does not have to take money away from other critical programs in order to spend funds on art pieces.