Woodbury University

Woodbury University is extending its reach east, helping to launch a customized MBA program in Beijing that is designed to prepare automobile industry executives for a global economy. The Carl Benz Academy has launched a three-year pilot program in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz China and the Burbank campus, as well as Peking University in China and Free University of Berlin. In an email from the kick-off earlier this week in Beijing, Andre van Niekerk, dean of Woodbury University's business school, said the program facilitates collaboration among faculties of different cultures while allowing them “to produce scholarly work that will enhance their own careers and bring recognition to the school of business.” The first Carl Benz Academy class includes 35 students hand-picked from the employee ranks of Mercedes-Benz China who will follow a customized curriculum that includes traditional classroom learning and distance education.

On a hot afternoon last week, I and several others from the current Leadership Burbank class sat down for a cup of coffee with Mike Nolan, a fixture within the Burbank community and a frequent speaker at City Council meetings. I didn't know what to expect. Nolan never hesitates to speak his mind, and his manner can be gruff. During the Memorial Day ceremony at Larry L. Maxam Park this year, he said I had been dismissive of his concerns about the state's water supply. He then walked away without another word, leaving me confused and annoyed.

HILLSIDE ? Researchers at Woodbury University are gearing up to host a series of public workshops to help homeowners, businesses and developers make educated choices about their energy and water consumption. The Smart Design Strategies for Managing Water + Energy in a Changing Climate series, hosted by the Arid Lands Institute at Woodbury University, begins at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Ahmanson Main Space. Organizers planned to stress local management of rainwater, storm-water runoff and reclaimed wastewater as being crucial to sustaining Western cities, particularly in the face of climate change, said Hadley Arnold, instructor and co-director of the program.

SINGERS ENTERTAIN OVER THE HOLIDAYS The Van Bloem Singers kept busy entertaining organizations in Burbank and Glendale over the holidays. They performed at the Holiday Inn, Media Center, during the city of Burbank?s 12 Days of Christmas. The singers entertained at nine other venues during December, including the Burbank Coordinating Council, the Joslyn Adult Center, the Burbank Retired City Employees, The Franciscans of St. Francis Xavier and other venues. These performers are completing their 14th season and have performed more than 350 shows for service clubs, retiree groups, volunteer organizations, charitable organizations and senior residences.

DOWNTOWN — The number of people who killed themselves in Burbank this year has more than doubled compared with last year, leaving experts to speculate whether the economic slowdown has played a role. Thirteen people committed suicide since January, compared with six in 2008, according to records released by the Burbank Police Department. Calls for help from victims, family and friends have also increased, Burbank Police Sgt. Robert Quesada said. The calls for help come as a new federal government study showed more than 8 million Americans seriously consider suicide each year.

DOWNTOWN — The number of people who claimed their own lives in Burbank this year has more than doubled compared to last year, leaving experts to speculate if the economic slowdown has played a role. Thirteen people committed suicide since January, compared with six in 2008, according to records released by the Burbank Police Department. Anecdotally, calls for help from victims, family and friends have also increased , Burbank Police Sgt. Robert Quesada said. The calls for help come as a new federal government study showed more than 8 million Americans seriously consider suicide each year.

Woodbury University student Joseph James has his eye on the sky, and he won’t settle for less. James is one of 100 people out of 2,000 who passed an audition to appear on the “Hellbent for Hollywood” reality show, currently in production. The show will combine the excitement of “American Idol” with the competitive challenges of “Survivor,” said Jen Markewych, casting director and producer along with John Mitchell. The competition won’t be exclusively on acting skills, she said.

On the eve of her retirement, Sue Georgino strolled a hallway of the Community Services Building, pointing to photographs of volunteers, smiling families and newly minted residential and business developments. In one, city officials unveil a housing project. In another, children play. “I have said over and over again how lucky we are that our mission statement is two words and it’s the name of our department: Community Development,” she said. “That has given us the opportunity to create such value for this community and this city.

TODAY Kiwanis International, the Burbank Noon Club , meets every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the YMCA in Burbank. For more information, call (818) 954-9294. ? The Toluca Lake Leads Club meets every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at Toluca Lake Tennis Club, 6711 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles. For more information, call Jon Molin at (818) 763-5162, Ext. 134. ? TUESDAY The Burbank Noon Rotary Club meets at noon every Tuesday at the Burbank YMCA, 321 E. Magnolia Blvd.