Youth Programs

As the massive crackdown on Armenian Power and its alleged associates this week showed, gangs have changed with the times. The impact of gangs on local communities cannot simply be measured in street muggings, burglaries, tagging and the like — not when they have access to technology that can drain the economy and personal finances. As economic pains push Burbank and Glendale to consider cuts to many social services, including support for after-school programs that serve as important outlets for the youth, we as a community should consider if we’re really saving anything at all. Either we pay for programs that push teens to be the best they can be, or, as this week showed, we pay an even steeper tab further down the road after some youth fall prey to the overtures of enterprising gang members seeking to maintain or increase their ranks.

GLENDALE — Police officials on Tuesday proposed eliminating youth programs, including crime prevention activities for teens and Explorer training, to help balance a citywide budget deficit. Glendale police used overtime funding to staff the Student Training as Role Models and Police Activities League, which were dedicated to keeping at-risk youth out of trouble by engaging them in sports and school activities. The Explorer program allowed students aged 14 to 21 to join the department and experience police work.

GLENDALE — The growing prevalence of childhood obesity has spurred the Glendale YMCA to expand its youth programs, catering fitness to its preteen clientele. A newly outfitted Youth Fitness Center, expected to be unveiled in early February, will provide equipment and exercise that are particularly suited for children between the ages of 8 to 14, said Ryan Nekota, the Glendale YMCA’s wellness director. “Of course the big issue now is youth obesity,” he said.

I recently attended the Glendale Sports Summit at the Civic Auditorium and found myself curiously interested in the individuals who attended, supported and participated in this unique event. I hope that the local middle school and high school coaches and athletic directors take the Victory with Honor Program seriously. I find one underlying and inherent problem with youth sports (from 6-year-olds to high school) and that is the parents. Although AYSO, CSA, Falcon Youth Basketball and Little League allow a great many children to participate in sports, the volunteer parent concept underlines the lack of funds available to these programs.

  Michael D. Rigdon Michael D. Rigdon, age 66, died September 11, 2011 at St. Josephs Hospital in Eureka, Ca, following his brave battle with cancer. He is survived by his mother, his wife Margie, two daughters, three grandsons and five siblings.  He was an alumnus of USC, Cal Berkeley, and the Glendale School of Law. He was deeply involved in both the Boys and Girls Club and The Blue Ox youth programs in Eureka. Donations can be made in his name to these organizations. Celebrating his life on Saturday October 8th, at 2pm, at his home, 215 Ole Hansen Rd., Eureka, CA. Everyone welcome.

ROSE LUNCHEON RAISES FUNDS FOR CHARITY L?aureole?s annual Perennial Rose Luncheon and Fashion Show is March 7 in the Mountain View Room of the Castaway, 1250 Harvard Road, Burbank. Reservations deadline is Friday. Margaret Clarke , president, invites guests to come at 11 a.m. for the social hour. Luncheon will be served at noon. Fashions will be from CABi, Carol Anderson by Invitation. Yvette Mosquera will describe the fashions modeled by Jean Cassidy, Jessica Charles, Shirley de Perini, Margaret Duran, Laurie Guay, Karin Jonke, Kristin Nelson, B.J. Ottenfeld, Shelby Potts, Jennifer Savant and Grace Williams . Music will be by longtime member Ruth Charles . Proceeds will benefit the Glendale Salvation Army youth programs.

With its safety record, bustling business environment and “perfect night-to-day activities” - as a recent Sunset magazine article described it - you can't find too much to complain about in the self-sustaining suburb of Glendale. But when it comes to youth services, the Jewel City is suffering - city documents show they are a high-priority need that's not getting enough attention. Some community leaders fear the absence of programs coupled with economic woes are leading young people to silently fall through the cracks.

The film "Hawaii Paradise" will be presented Sat., Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Flintridge Preparatory School.The third of the 2005 - 2006 Kiwanis Travel Adventure Series will be on Saturday night, Jan. 28, with a film titled "Hawaii Paradise." The film will be narrated by the filmmaker, Dennis Burkhart, an award winning cinematographer whose credits include a wide variety of travelogues and television specials. The film will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Flintridge Preparatory School, located at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Crown Avenue in La Cañada Flintridge.

Community meeting tonight An annual community meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Mann Elementary School on 501 E. Acacia Ave., Glendale. The meeting is an opportunity for community members to talk about their ideas on how to improve their neighborhoods. Also, it will gauge the needs of services and federal funding in the community, according to Moises Carrillo, superintendent of Community Housing and Development. ?This year is different because this year there are a lot of financial issues,?

The City Council on Tuesday is slated to vote on a set of ordinances that would give nearly 2,000 city employees a collective $6.59 million worth of pay raises. The salary bumps, meant to cover cost-of-living increases, are called for in each of the city?s four-year agreements with the four Glendale employee unions, representing police, fire, employees and management. City officials say the salary increases, which range in size from 2% to 5%, are the only way to ensure Glendale remains a competitive employer and can attract top talent, even in hard economic times.

Although Glendale has used tens of millions of dollars on capital projects that benefit youth and families in the past decade, officials say there won't be many opportunities to continue that kind of spending in the near future. “The city currently would not have the resources to expand any youth programs and services,” Community Services & Parks Director Jess Duran said at City Hall meeting last week. “We are struggling to keep the same level of services.” Programs such as the library's Bookmobile, as well as case management for youth and families, have been reduced, Duran told the City Council, who were acting in their dual role as the Housing Authority.

Anyone looking for justification to promote term limits would only need to read Councilman Dave Weaver remarks covered in the Glendale News-Press (“Council speakers not rooted in reality”, Sept. 8). He depicts the weekly public questions and assertions at the council meetings as freewheeling attacks on council members. Imagine that! Weaver, now on his fourth term, can no longer stand the heat that members of the public, like myself, bring to the council to hold them accountable for decisions they've made that have cost the city, its taxpayers, ratepayers and stakeholders dearly in treasure and quality of life.

The highlight of the recent installation luncheon of L'Aureole of Glendale was the presentation of $10,000 to the Glendale Salvation Army. President Kathy Kashuba passed the check to captains Rio and Rachel Ray for their youth after-school Zone Program. These funds were raised by the benefit fashion show at the La Cañada Country Club in April. Past president Jeannine Jones was commentator for a fashion show of apparel provided by Holiday Hats & Gowns of Montrose. The models were Jeri Adamson, Shirley De Perini, Amanda Huddleston, Georgia McAninch, Carol Pickett, Rachel Ray and Susan Skiffington.

With its safety record, bustling business environment and “perfect night-to-day activities” - as a recent Sunset magazine article described it - you can't find too much to complain about in the self-sustaining suburb of Glendale. But when it comes to youth services, the Jewel City is suffering - city documents show they are a high-priority need that's not getting enough attention. Some community leaders fear the absence of programs coupled with economic woes are leading young people to silently fall through the cracks.

Glendale's YMCA gained final approval from the City Council Tuesday night to run a program for at-risk youth that was on the budget chopping block this summer. The Police Activities League, operated by Glendale police, has served at-risk youth with after-school activities for about 15 years, but budget cuts at City Hall this year threatened its existence. “I think it's a great program for young kids to get busy after school,” said Councilman Rafi Manoukian. The city had been paying police officers overtime for the administrative and mentoring work, in which 14- to 18-year-old students participated in boxing or equestrian activities with officers.

  Michael D. Rigdon Michael D. Rigdon, age 66, died September 11, 2011 at St. Josephs Hospital in Eureka, Ca, following his brave battle with cancer. He is survived by his mother, his wife Margie, two daughters, three grandsons and five siblings.  He was an alumnus of USC, Cal Berkeley, and the Glendale School of Law. He was deeply involved in both the Boys and Girls Club and The Blue Ox youth programs in Eureka. Donations can be made in his name to these organizations. Celebrating his life on Saturday October 8th, at 2pm, at his home, 215 Ole Hansen Rd., Eureka, CA. Everyone welcome.

GLENDALE — Police officials on Tuesday proposed eliminating youth programs, including crime prevention activities for teens and Explorer training, to help balance a citywide budget deficit. Glendale police used overtime funding to staff the Student Training as Role Models and Police Activities League, which were dedicated to keeping at-risk youth out of trouble by engaging them in sports and school activities. The Explorer program allowed students aged 14 to 21 to join the department and experience police work.

We have had some very interesting weather lately. One day the temperature shoots up to the 80s, and the next day, we are freezing. But April 29 turned out to be a gorgeous day with the sun shining brightly on the Burbank Sunrise Kiwanis Mayor’s Cup 14th annual Charity Golf Tournament organized by Mike Caggiano. The most important winners of this fundraising event are the 2011-12 beneficiaries of the Burbank Sunrise Kiwanis Foundation’s sponsored youth programs in our fair city. The Flight A winners were Team Comcast NBC Universal (second year in a row!

As the massive crackdown on Armenian Power and its alleged associates this week showed, gangs have changed with the times. The impact of gangs on local communities cannot simply be measured in street muggings, burglaries, tagging and the like — not when they have access to technology that can drain the economy and personal finances. As economic pains push Burbank and Glendale to consider cuts to many social services, including support for after-school programs that serve as important outlets for the youth, we as a community should consider if we’re really saving anything at all. Either we pay for programs that push teens to be the best they can be, or, as this week showed, we pay an even steeper tab further down the road after some youth fall prey to the overtures of enterprising gang members seeking to maintain or increase their ranks.

CITY HALL — The City Council on Tuesday is expected to allocate nearly $400,000 in state funding for youth and adult employment programs. Most of the money, or $300,000, would go to the Glendale Youth Alliance, which would be used to help 90 low-income youth in Glendale, Burbank and La Cañada find work, according to the proposal. The Glendale Youth Alliance, a nonprofit established to provide employment opportunities for at-risk residents ages 14 through 24, place clients in office and retail jobs and a summer brush clearance program.