Downtown Burbank

A little sense of humor goes a long way, especially when one is learning to dance. Dance instructor Francisco Martinez uses a lot of it in his dance classes at his school, The Dance Family Studio in Pasadena, and at the Glendale YWCA where he teaches swing, salsa and ballroom on Monday and Wednesday nights. He and his wife and dance partner, Stacey Martinez, are giving free instruction during the Downtown Burbank's Swingin' Sounds from Downtown outdoor concerts each Thursday night in July and August on the AMC Walkway in Burbank.

Burbank chamber to host luncheon The Burbank Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Connection Luncheon the second Thursday of every month at The Castaway restaurant, 1250 Harvard Road in Burbank. Sponsored by the Burbank Leader. This luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Cost is $22 per member, $27 for prospective members. For reservations, call the chamber at (818) 846-3111. Downtown Burbank hosts trick-or-treat alternative Downtown Burbank presents Booo-tiful Downtown Burbank from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 on the AMC Walkway at Palm Avenue and San Fernando Boulevard.

Downtown Burbank presents the East Valley's largest and most diverse fine arts festival representing 60 active West Coast artists and high-quality craftsmen Oct. 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Downtown Burbank Fine Arts Festival is free and open to the public. This two-day outdoor exhibition is a juried collection of art for sale by 60 leading commercial artists, designers, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists and jewelers selected from workshops in California, Arizona and Nevada.

TODAY Downtown Burbank is hosting the Burbank Fire Department display with firefighters and a fire engine on hand from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday on the AMC Walkway. The AMC walkway is on Palm Road between San Fernando Boulevard and First Street. THURSDAY The Burbank Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Connection Luncheon the second Thursday of every month at The Castaway restaurant, 1250 Harvard Road in Burbank. Sponsored by the Burbank Leader.

Burbank Emblem Club presents scholarships Burbank Emblem Club #86 members honored Phyllis Langlois, president of the Emblem Club's California, Nevada, Hawaii State Assn.; Geri Miller, state marshal; and 10 other state officers at the Burbank Elks Lodge. Scholarships were awarded to local high school students, Joanna Tripet-Diel, Ashley Christina McClendon and Lindsey Hoffman Fuglsby, who received the "Arta Dayton" scholarship. Lindsey is the granddaughter of Burbank Emblem Club past president Mary Hoffman.

Fun for the whole family is first item on the menu Thursday at the city's Taste of Downtown Burbank. The city will block off traffic on San Fernando Boulevard between Magnolia Boulevard and Orange Grove Avenue from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday so restaurants from Downtown Burbank can set up booths, offering ticket holders samples of their cuisine. More than 30 restaurants are participating, including California Pizza Kitchen, Ben & Jerry's, the Burbank Bar & Grill, Sushi Zawa and the Picanha Brazilian Grill.

o7The following information was taken from police reports: f7 RANCHO DISTRICT 400 block of Keystone Street: A 37-year-old Burbank man reported to police Friday that his apartment was broken into and electronic equipment with a combined value of $7,600 had been taken. DOWNTOWN BURBANK 100 block of Front Street: A 22-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested Saturday on suspicion of driving while under the influence after his car allegedly struck a fence.

Shoppers in the market for one-of-a-kind, handmade artwork, and families looking for daytime entertainment could satisfy both desires at the Burbank Fine Arts Festival next weekend. The two-day, open-air marketplace on June 21 and 22 will feature more than 100 artists showing their works, which will range from sculpture, photography and oil paintings to handicrafts like jewelry and accessories along San Fernando Boulevard from Magnolia Boulevard to Olive Avenue in Downtown Burbank.

Rosette Gonzales T he annual Downtown Burbank Fine Arts Festival is only two years old, but it's quickly becoming a cultural exchange for artists and residents. About 80 artists will display and sell their work at the event on San Fernando Boulevard, between Magnolia Boulevard and Orange Grove in Downtown Burbank. "I think Burbank has changed so much in the last few years, it's a really great place to do an art show," said Ronda Mills of West Coast Artists, the agency that organized the show.

Restaurant closing downtown location after lease could not be worked out with building owner.DOWNTOWN BURBANK -- Unable to work out a new lease agreement with the building owner, the popular restaurant Tony Roma's is due to shutter its Downtown Burbank location today. The ribs, steak and seafood eatery has been in downtown for more than 10 years in a space that used to be a shoe store. "It's unfortunate the lease came to an end," said Marc Buehler, vice president of marketing for Tony Roma's.

Workers who severed a gas line today in front of the Burbank Police Department headquarters temporarily forced the closure of Third Street. The workers were reportedly planting a tree when the line was severed, prompting Burbank firefighters to close off access to the street while they waited for crews from Southern California Gas to repair the breach. [Updated: 2:21 p.m.] Third Street was repoened about 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon. The gas line has been clamped, and Southern California Gas will repair the break before work continues.

The eighth annual Taste of Downtown Burbank takes place Thursday evening on San Fernando Road. More than 40 restaurants are slated to take part in the event, which is scheduled from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. between Magnolia Boulevard and Olive Avenue. Motorists, however, should note that street closures on San Fernando begin at 6:30 a.m. Thursday from Magnolia to Palm Avenue, said Gail Stewart, business district manager for the city's redevelopment department. Palm to Orange Grove will close at 10 a.m. The street closures will remain in effect until about midnight, she said.

BURBANK — It pays in hot wings to be steady customers of AMC Theatre, one couple learned Monday morning. Matthew Kelsey, 34, of Santa Clarita, and his girlfriend Staci Miyagishima, 24, of North Hills, were first in line Sunday and camped out overnight in front of the new Buffalo Wild Wings location on the AMC Walkway in Downtown Burbank. The restaurant and sports bar, which was established in Ohio, is known for its Buffalo, N.Y.,-style chicken wings and 14 sauces ranging from mild, sweet, to “Blazin.

Shoppers in the market for one-of-a-kind, handmade artwork, and families looking for daytime entertainment could satisfy both desires at the Burbank Fine Arts Festival next weekend. The two-day, open-air marketplace on June 21 and 22 will feature more than 100 artists showing their works, which will range from sculpture, photography and oil paintings to handicrafts like jewelry and accessories along San Fernando Boulevard from Magnolia Boulevard to Olive Avenue in Downtown Burbank.

Let’s face it, every significant event in our lives is celebrated with food or drink of some kind, from birthdays, weddings, graduations and anniversaries to promotions at work, family reunions, and so on. The shared celebration paired with a special meal transcends cultures and generations. When I had the opportunity to sit down with the most important women in my life, my Mom, my Aunt Margie, and my cousin-food mentor Anita, the occasion had to include two things: fine food and good martinis.

Send DATEBOOK items to Glendale News-Press, 221 N. Brand Blvd., 2nd Floor, Glendale, CA 91203 or fax to (818) 241-1975. Submissions must be received two weeks before publication. THURSDAY The Downtown Burbank outdoor concert series will feature live music every Thursday in July and August. The festivities kick-off at 6 p.m. on the AMC Walkway at Palm Avenue and San Fernando Boulevard with free swing and salsa lessons. The bands will perform at 7 p.m. Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums will play this week.

Around noon on Saturday a jazz trio that was set up along San Fernando Boulevard was laying down a swanky rendition of "The Girl from Ipanema" as the baritone sax player was taking indulgent liberties with the melody. And the working combination and contrast of the musical genres seemed to parallel the offerings of the Downtown Burbank Fine Arts Festival, where the community came out to see and purchase the artworks of more than 100 expected artists and artisans. Near Olive Avenue, a man was on his hands and knees using colored chalk to sketch a sidewalk portrait of a striking woman with a mane of blond hair, amber highlights and what was either a Cindy Crawford beauty mark or a tiny particle from a dried tree leaf.