Plates

GLENDALE — The following are updates on area players in Major League Baseball .   Freddy Sanchez (Glendale Community College, 1998) Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman: Since his return to the starting lineup on Monday, Sanchez has gone six for 12 at the plate with two runs batted in, three runs scored and his eighth home run of the year. Following a five-game layoff to recover from a back injury he sustained during a game on July 27, which was also the day he was dubbed the Pirates’ leadoff hitter, Sanchez first returned to action on Sunday and went 0 for one as a pinch hitter in an 8-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Local residents shared a meal together Tuesday so neighbors in need might be able to access a meal more easily in the coming year. Patrons of the annual salad bar benefit luncheon organized by Church Women United of Glendale strolled the length of two long tables at First United Methodist Church, crafting a lunch out of dozens of salads, deviled eggs and breads. The food donations came from community members, area restaurants and members of Church Women United of Glendale.

The nation’s Catholic bishops followed through on their desire to put forward an initial statement opposing embryonic stem cell research. They voted almost unanimously — 191 to 1 — to approve the statement at their annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. The seven-page policy statement from the Committee on Pro-Life Activities calls embryonic stem cell research “a gravely immoral act” that crosses a “fundamental moral line” by treating human beings as mere objects of research.

If you believe there is a harmonious balance in the universe, a sort of yin-yang going on right here in Burbank, you might be on to something. We have great parks and tall buildings, fine restaurants and old coffee shops. We definitely have some excellent New York pizza here, but Boston’s best pizzeria? Maybe that’s too much yin-yang. With my beloved A-Rod jersey on and faded Yankees cap pulled down, I sat down at North End Pizzeria, Boston’s Finest. But I warn you, the first mention of Big Pappi or Fenway’s Green Monster and I’m out of here.

SOUTHEAST GLENDALE — From the onset of Tuesday afternoon’s Crescenta Valley High at Glendale softball game, it quickly became clear that the question at hand wasn’t how the Pacific League contest would end, but rather when it would end. It came after five innings, as the first-place Falcons rolled to a 14-0 mercy-rule win over the Nitros on the strength of four no-hit innings in the circle by Crescenta Valley junior hurler Heather...

Families in need will have a happier Thanksgiving due to the efforts of Crescenta Valley public and private schools. Local students gathered food and other items for distribution this holiday season. Lincoln Elementary students collected canned and boxed food earlier in November to donate to local families in need through Glendale Healthy Kids. The students rallied together to collect enough food to make a total of 36 large boxes that will be given away. Additionally, students collected quarters for fire victims.