Basketball Court

Janine Marnien James Jenkins once broke his arm trying to dunk on the very basketball court Lincoln Elementary School dedicated to him Friday. But even a broken arm couldn't keep him from the sport he loved, sister Mary Ellen Miller said. "He was proud of it," she said. "He was so competitive, he still played -- cast and all." The dedication ceremony took place on the Lincoln playground and was attended by Jenkins' family, friends, former coaches and educators and current fourth- through sixth-grade students.

This is in response to the letter from Neal Bakke, who questions the News-Press and its reporting of the death of James Jenkins. Would he have had so much reported about his death had he been a chess player or a drama student? I don't think so. Why do we put athletes in star status? I don't know. That's a question man has been asking for generations, and won't be answered today. I'm not qualified to answer these questions. I do know that the letter was insensitive to James' family and friends at this time.

ON THE AGENDA The following items will be considered at Tuesday's Glendale City Council meeting: CARR PARK The council may vote whether to authorize certain improvements and upgrades to Carr Park. Among changes will be the design and construction of a picnic facility and basketball court and installment of some security measures. Security measures could include fences, additional lights and earlier closure of the park. The issue of improving Carr Park has been of concern to some neighbors who say they have noticed criminal activity in the area, thus prompting the security measures.

Clark Magnet High School Robotics Team brought home a second place victory from the Arizona Regional Competition in Phoenix last weekend. Robotics team leader, math teacher Charles DeVore said, "I am pleased with the good result." He added that he is looking forward to the day it takes first place. DeVore said the team had some mechanical and electrical problems, but "that happens to the best of teams." In addition to winning second place the Clark team was also given the "Gracious Professionalism and Sportsmanship Award" because it allowed a competing team to enter the field after its time had expired.

It was a proud day for the students of Harbour View Elementary School. After raising almost $13,000 in donations for Hurricane Katrina relief, the students presented a check to an American Red Cross representative. A crowd of more than a thousand students, teachers and parents gathered on the school's outdoor basketball court to participate in a "Proud To Be an American" assembly. "This is a community that helps people," said Principal Roni Ellis.

Ryan Carter The broker for the owners of a large property Glendale officials envision as a neighborhood park said the owners are mulling over City Hall's most recent bid to buy the property. But he added that a gap still exists between what the city is asking and what owners think they can get for it. The languishing property is a 3.2-acre lot at the corner of Lexington Drive and Glendale Avenue, where a boarded-up Albertsons supermarket has sat vacant for at least 18 months.

Maple Park Recreation Center in Glendale finally opened its doors Saturday morning, sporting a renovated gym, new meeting and classrooms and even an air conditioner. After a year of work, the badly needed repairs are complete. “It was really old, leaking all over the place. There was damage from the water seepage from the roof, no air conditioning, and the plumbing was shot,” said city project manager Adrine Golnazarian. “This was sorely needed, and the public is going to really appreciate having nice cool rooms and plenty of bathrooms.” Around two dozen children and teenagers from the local neighborhood were eager to get onto the basketball court on the second floor, and city officials could not cut the ribbons fast enough for them.

Janine Marnien It's a high school housed on what some considered a middle school campus, but Wednesday the era of cramped quarters officially ended with the dedication of the new Crescenta Valley High School. Even though officials broke ground on the site just three years ago, the goal of a larger campus for Crescenta Valley High School has been around for many years, Co-principal Gary Talbert said. "People living in this community have been dreaming about this for 30 years," he said.

‘Understanding Jewish Prayer’ Rabbi Rick Schechter continues his adult education curriculum at Temple Sinai of Glendale with a four-part series “Understanding Jewish Prayer While Walking Though the New Reform Prayer Book.” The class meets from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 14. There is no charge for the class and all are welcome. The temple is at 1212 Pacific Ave., Glendale.   Mother’s day out offered by Baptists From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday morning, except holidays, First Baptist Church at La Crescenta will provide quality care and activities for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.