History tied to inaugural film festival

Films that have historical ties to the area will be screened over two nights in an inaugural film festival at 7:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27 and 28, in the parking lot next to Andersen's Pet Store, 2218 Honolulu Ave., Montrose. The family-friendly screenings will take place on the former site of the Montrose Theatre. Friday's film is singer/actor Dennis Morgan's all-American musical "My Wild Irish Rose." Morgan was a resident of the Alta Canyada area. During the 1940s and '50s he was active in the community. He was honorary mayor of the Crescenta-Canada Valley, founder of the Montrose Christmas Parade and led the fund-raising for Two Strike Park. Saturday's feature "The High and the Mighty" stars John Wayne, who grew up in Glendale. After attending Glendale High School, he attended USC. He became a stunt man in early Westerns and later the biggest star of the genre.

Burbank home is rock solid

[caption id="attachment_19812" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="This home at Olive Ave. and Ninth St. in Burbank was built in 1922 entirely of local river rock and has been declared the first residential landmark in Burbank. (Raul Roa/News-Press)"][/caption] From the Glendale News-Press Owners of a historic home in Burbank with old Glendale ties have taken steps to make sure it remains a showcase for years to come. Known as the Rock House, the home was built in 1922 at 902 E. Olive Ave. in Burbank, and recently became the first residence in the city to be designated as a landmark. The original owner, Orlando C. Lane, whose family moved to Burbank in 1889 and later to Glendale, attended schools in both cities, according to the "Burbank Community Book." ... Continue reading: Rock solid

American Indian culture celebrated at Stough

[caption id="attachment_18275" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Members of the Tongva Dancers, who perform under the auspices of the Gabrielino Tongva Tribal Council, lead guests in a the friendship dance during a celebration of Native American heritage last year at Stough Canyon Nature Center."][/caption] A celebration of American Indian culture will be from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Stough Canyon Nature Center, 2300 E. Walnut Ave., Burbank. There will be a performance by the Tongva Nation Dancers along with food, crafts and games. There is a fee for some food and crafts. The event is hosted by the Burbank Park, Recreation and Community Services Department. For more information, call (818) 238-5440.

Correcting the red car photo

[caption id="attachment_18242" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="This is the Pacific Electric Red Car, Model 530, built in 1909, which is now at the Orange Empire Railway Museum awaiting restoration."][/caption] The photo of Pacific Electric red car 5019, which ran with Katherine Yamada's Verdugo Views column titled "Old line red car unearthed" in the News-Press on Friday, May 18, was not the red car referred to in the column and the caption. The red car described in the column and caption is a Pacific Electric Red Car, Model 530, built in 1909, which is now at the Orange Empire Railway Museum awaiting restoration.

Shedding light on art programs

The 18th annual Pasadena Chalk Festival,  featured in Saturday’s Life and Leisure section, is a fundraiser for the Light Bringer Project, a nonprofit organization that supports community arts programs. One example is the Room 13 Program at Charles W. Elliott Middle School in Pasadena. This program gives students an opportunity to learn hands-on application of art and the business and entrepreneurial skills associated with selling and marketing art, said Principal Peter Pannell. “The program is all student run and our responsibility is to make sure the students are linked with the real world,” he said. “They do that through shadowing professionals, taking field trips to art venues and then the business community comes in and talks about their experiences as business owners and entrepreneurs.” Pannell added that whether or not they go into art as a career, the program allows them an opportunity to enhance their speaking abilities as well as their ability to collaborate on projects and issues. This is the school’s second year to receive a donation from the Lightbringer Project, he added. Donations have been used for class speakers and to purchase art materials, like paper, glue, crayons, pencils, frames and reference books. The Lightbringer donation and support by its president Tom Coston were the catalysts that started the program last year, he said.

New Starlight Bowl website announced

The schedule of summer concerts at the Starlight Bowl is now available at its new website. Tickets can be purchased online or in person starting June 4. Highlights of the season include the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra and Stone Soul on July 4 with the aerial fireworks finale. The Fab Four and The Answer close the season on Aug. 8.

Red Cross to open Burbank district office

The American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles will celebrate the grand opening of its new district office in Burbank at 731 Hollywood Way at 5 p.m.  Thursday. The new office will offer certification courses in CPR, first-aid and more.  It will also be home to Red Cross volunteer trainings and act as a disaster response location for the city of Burbank and its surrounding communities. The grand opening festivities will include a ribbon cutting and short program given by Paul Schulz, chief executive of the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles chapter; tours of the facility; a Red Cross services information booth and refreshments. For information regarding certification course descriptions and schedules, visit www.RedcrossLA.org or call (800) 627-7000.

Orchestra concert features Rossini, Prokofiev

The Glendale College Community Orchestra, conducted by Beth Pflueger, will give a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 16, in the auditorium, 1500 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale. The concert includes Rossini’s “Semiramide Overture,” Prokofiev’s “Lt. Kije Suite,” “Fanfare for the Common Man” and Still’s “Afro-American Symphony.” The works feature the orchestra’s woodwinds, along with brass, percussion, harp and banjo. Tickets are $7, $5 for students and seniors and can be purchased at the door. For more information, call (818) 240-1000, Ext. 5829.

Artists sought for annual Open Studio Tour

Artists and art organizations are being asked to join in the city of Glendale's sixth annual Open Studio Tour scheduled on July 24. The public will be taking a free self-guided tour of artists' studios and art-related facilities. Artists participating will be eligible to exhibit their works in the Brand Library Art Gallery in a related event from July 17 to Aug. 13. Artists from Burbank, Los Angeles and Pasadena can apply and will be provided display space at locations in Glendale. To apply, contact Ripsime Marashian at (818) 548-2780 or e-mail her. Deadline is May 28. The tour is a joint project with the city's Community Services and Parks Department, Arts & Culture Commission, Glendale Public Library and the Associates of Brand Library and Art Center.

U.S.P.S. carriers collecting food

It's time again for the Stamp Out Hunger event conducted by U.S.  Postal Service letter carriers.  Residents may donate nonperishable food items by placing them on their porch by the mail box on Saturday for pick up by U.S.P.S. workers. Locally letter carriers will deliver donations to local nonprofits and charities, like the Burbank Temporary Aid Center. It's a vital campaign, Executive Director Barbara Howell said, given the protracted recession.  The number of BTAC clients have tripled and placed a strain on resources, she added.