Culver City

GIRLS? BASKETBALL Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy 69, Sacred Heart of Jesus 48 : The Tologs won their season opener on Tuesday, with Vanessa Romero scoring 24 points in the nonleague contest. Lana Haddad added 12 points, while Dana Budvyn scored 11 and Ivy Fitzgerald put up 10. Flintridge Prep 51, Gabrielino 34 : The Rebels won their season opener at the San Gabriel Classic, as Megan Musashi scored 18 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and added eight steals. Kelsey Merchant added 14 points.

GLENDALE — An additional tax that could steer Glendale and Burbank school districts away from a looming funding cliff has piqued the interest of administrators, especially with the latest warning coming down from Sacramento. A parcel tax, which recently won in Culver City and failed in Long Beach, could preserve teaching jobs, class sizes, and arts and athletic programs that might otherwise face additional cuts as state financing fails to meet budget projections. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger predicted Tuesday that there would be additional cuts in education and other funding as the state continues to grapple with a budget cap between $5 billion and $7 billion.

Eleanor Wacker has given back to the community not only by helping keep the city clean, but by acting as an adoptive mother to numerous families as well. Wacker has been a member of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce for 21 years, serving as president twice, and now sits on the board of directors. The 45-year La Crescenta resident dedicates long hours to the organization because she said she feels as though it’s time to repay the community for embracing her family when she first moved into the neighborhood.

For the first time in the region’s soccer history, the Glendale AYSO Under 14 (U14) boys section All-Star team has won the California State Championship last weekend. Glendale handily won first-place honors followed by San Luis Obisbo which took second place. Balboa, another San Fernando Valley team, came in third and fourth place went to Southgate. Glendale was dubbed as a “classy team” after the match. “Their entire season was played with great skill and outstanding sportsmanship.

During these tough economic times, the families of St. James the Less Catholic School opened their hearts and their wallets to help spread Christmas cheer to those less fortunate by continuing the tradition of Adopt-A-Family at Christmas time. Wish lists sent from families at St. Augustine?s in Culver City were given to each grade at St. James with the hope of making their holiday wishes come true. These are families that regardless of the economic climate will struggle this holiday season.

NORTHWEST GLENDALE — Much like its current surroundings, the Hoover High girls’ water polo team finds itself under construction. With the Hoover High campus undergoing massive repairs and improvements, the Tornadoes opened their season on Tuesday afternoon hoping to do much of the same. “As long as we progress, [in] time, by [Pacific] League, we should be ready to compete,” said second-year Hoover Coach Ara Oganesyan shortly after his team fell in its season opener, 13-5, to visiting Culver City in a nonleague match.

GLENDALE — The city has been awarded two grants totaling $650,034 to continue to develop its interoperable communication systems that allow police, fire and city workers to better connect with one another and with other cities. The 2008 Community Oriented Policing Services Technology Program grants will be used to upgrade the city’s radio technology that is used by city workers, such as Glendale Public Works, and the Glendale Police and Fire departments, Glendale Police Capt.

Today’s economic circumstances demand that we save where we can, and if we can save money by making the Glendale Fire Department more efficient, we must. My idea is that trimming fire staffing from four to three is a safe and effective path to saving precious tax dollars. It seems like simple math: A four-person engine company is safer and better than a three-person team. But, the math is misleading. Research indicates that the majority of the Glendale Fire Department’s emergency responses back up an ambulance on a single-person medical call.