Uchida, Russo lift 'Dogs

SOFTBALL: Burbank earns mercy-rule win at home against Hoover, 10-0.
By Jeff Tully
Published:Friday, March 26, 2010

MCCAMBRIDGE PARK — It was a battle of young pitchers in their first season with their respective programs when the Burbank High softball team took on Hoover Thursday in a Pacific League game. With the Bulldogs’ No. 1 pitcher, freshman Chrystal Diaz, sidelined with an ankle injury, fellow freshman Ashley Russo got the start against the Tornadoes. Hoover started sophomore Briana Manzanero, a transfer from Burroughs.

Russo, who enjoyed success in the Burbank Little League program before coming to Burbank, had a no-hitter through four innings and gave up just one hit in helping the Bulldogs roll to a 10-0 victory at McCambridge Park. The game was called in the sixth inning because of the 10-run mercy rule.

Burbank Coach Nicole Drabecki said she was pleased with Russo’s performance.“She has pitched in four of our 10 games, so she’s had some experience,” said Drabecki, whose squad is 7-3, 2-0 in league. “She had the no-hitter going and was doing well. I just think she got a little tired in the later innings and she was leaving the ball up a little.”

Hoover (3-3, 0-2) was coming off a fine effort against Arcadia. The Tornadoes were leading in Tuesday’s game, only to lose to the Apaches, 5-4.“We were hoping to build on what we did against Arcadia in this game,” Hoover Coach Rich Henning said. “But we just weren’t able to do that.“We are still taking baby steps, and I am happy with the way we’ve improved this season. We’ll get there.”The Tornadoes’ only hit was a single by senior Vanessa Dorado in the fifth inning.

Russo had three strikeouts and walked two. Read Full Story

Charles Richard Bond 1924-2010, BHS 1942

CHARLES RICHARD BOND
SEPT 16, 1924 - MAR 12, 2010

Charles Richard Bond passed away Friday evening 12 March 2010 in his home in Hughson, California after spending the day with friends. Charles Richard 'Dick' Bond was born in the family home in Burbank, California on 16 September 1924 to Henry Bond and Essie Gibson Bond. Charles, the youngest of four children loved travel, boating, and adventure. He was an engineer who loved to tinker. He built boats and before the war and worked for the phone company. During WW II he joined the Army Air Force, trained as pilot, was a commissioned officer, and a decorated P-47 'Thunderbolt' fighter pilot flying many missions from Britain over France and Germany. Charles was recalled into the U. S. Air Force as a flight instructor during the Korean conflict. He choose a military career and worked for the Air Force Space System Division until his retirement as in 1969. Upon retiring he worked in the aerospace industry.

He attended Burbank High School and studied aeronautical and electrical engineering at Caltech and at Oklahoma State University. In 1949 he married Gloria Gyllberg of Pomona. She bore him two sons, Steven in 1952 and Timothy in 1956. In 1967 he married Barbara Meza in San Jose and adopted her children Barbara, Deirdre, and Peter, as his own. In 1968 Barbara bore him a daughter, Leslie.

His career moved him from southern and northern California, to Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and eventually to Hughson, California in 1980 where he had lived since. For the last 25 years, he was the adopted grandfather of Veronica, Enrique, Israel, Lilliana, Elena, and Ruben, the children of Francisco and Maria Gonzalez of Hughson. Of him, they knew of no one before who gave so much without ever expecting anything in return.

He is remembered for his emphasis on self-reliance. He encouraged all his children to achieve independence and to learn and improve themselves. He pushed all his children to explore questions to arrive at an answers independently, and to make their decisions early, move forward, to deal with the consequences as they arose. He insisted that no child will be a quitter'' and counseled that our sorrows keep us humble''. He nurtured the importance of a meal together as a family to maintain the unity of family. He championed alternative medicine and nutritional therapy as preferable to the established medical industry. He was skeptical of all pharmaceuticals. He remained mentally acute and physically independent until his last day.

And, on his last day, he spent the time visiting friends and family in his home. He smoked his pipe a last time while relaxing in his chair. Then, as though taking a nap, he quietly departed this world. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sister: Frank, Robert, and Margie, and just last year by his son Timothy living in Kansas. He is survived by all his other children, grand children, and great grandchildren. www.modbee.com/obituaries

1992 Student suspension cleared for Sweat Shirt Honoring Kenny Caldera.

GIRL'S SUSPENSION OVER SWEAT SHIRT CLEARED FROM RECORD

Daily News of Los Angeles (CA) - Saturday, February 15, 1992
Author: Russell Rian Daily News Staff Writer

The school district has cleared a suspension from the records of a Burbank High student who was sent home for wearing a sweat shirt with lettering that officials associate with gangs, the student's mother said Friday. The student, 15-year-old Monica Marquez, was informed of the decision in a letter of apology from Superintendent Arthur Pierce of the Burbank Unified School District.

A claim filed Feb. 3 by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Marquez asked for the suspension to be cleared from records and $50,000 for emotional distress. "We won the first battle," said the student's mother, Ruth Cisneros. ''But the district is still denying her the right to wear the shirt, which we feel is anti-gang and has nothing to do with gangs." Pierce confirmed that he sent the letter but refused further comment on the case.

Marquez was suspended Dec. 19 for wearing a black sweat shirt with white Old English-style lettering stating "In Memory of Kenny Caldera , in Christ Hands Now." Caldera is a former Burbank High School football star who was killed last August during a drive-by shooting in Panorama City. Police said Caldera was not a gang member, but was mistaken for one.

School officials object to the Old English-style lettering, saying it is sometimes used to convey gang messages and therefore violates the district's ban on gang-related clothing. Pierce said Friday that the district's policy has not changed. "After a review of all the circumstances concerning the suspension, I have ordered that the suspension of two days be reversed," Pierce said in the letter. "All record of Monica's suspension will be expunged from her files. She will be treated as if no suspension occurred. "I regret that the suspension occurred under all the circumstances, but the administrators of Burbank High were motivated by concerns over the continued safety of Monica and other students," the letter said. See my previous post on Kenny Caldera

Justice for Kenny Caldera

Not guilty plea in 1991 slaying

ATTACK: Victim was football player, homecoming prince
By C.J. Lin Staff Writer
03/26/2010, Los Angeles Daily News

Nearly two decades after a Burbank high school football player was killed in a drive-by shooting in Van Nuys, his accused killer pleaded not guilty Friday to murder.

Defendant Rodolpho Gallegos, 35, who fled to Mexico sometime after the shooting, was arrested there in October 2008 and extradited to the U.S. in March 2009.

Gallegos was 16 on Aug. 24, 1991, when authorities allege he opened fire at a car, killing Kenneth Anthony Caldera, 16, and wounding two of the four other people in the vehicle.
Gallegos is charged with one count of murder and four counts of attempted murder, each of which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Wearing a blue jumpsuit and handcuffed to a chair, he stayed silent through the short hearing. Public defender Brock Hammond entered the not guilty plea on his behalf.

Gallegos, who in 2002 was ranked second on the the LAPD Valley Division's most-wanted list, is being held on $2 million bail.

Caldera had been voted most valuable player by his teammates at Burbank High and Homecoming Court Prince the year he died, his father, Kenneth Caldera Sr., wrote in an open letter to Gallegos in 2001.

"You murdered him 10 years ago, he was 16 years old at the time, you were about the same age," he wrote. "This person was a sweet young man, a son any parent would be proud to have."

The younger Caldera was riding in the back seat of a car that passed through Blythe Street Gang territory on the way home from a swimming party, officials say. Gallegos, who was in another asked Caldera's group where they were from – a traditional gang challege. Prosecutors say that Gallegos pulled a gun and fired at the occupants of the first car as they tried to tell him they were not gang members, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Rick Bernard, BHS 1978 enjoying Sweet 16 ride

Enjoying the Sweet 16 ride

Burbank graduate and former St. Mary’s player Rick Bernard relishing in the Gaels’ NCAA success in men’s basketball

Published: Tuesday, March 23, 2010, Burbank Leader

A standout college basketball player out of Burbank High, Rick Bernard used to sheepishly tell people the name of the college he attended. “When they would ask me, I would usually say ’St. Mary’s’ kind of under my breath,” Bernard said. “Some people weren’t even familiar with the school at all.” After the Gaels’ exceptional play in this season’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Bernard can proudly profess to be a former St. Mary’s player. And with the team’s historic rocket ride to the Sweet 16, St. Mary’s is no longer an unknown to many sports fans.

Barnard, who played for St. Mary’s from 1973-78 and was inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 2008, has followed the team devoutly this season. The No. 10-seeded Gaels upset No. 2 Villanova, 75-68, on Saturday and are on to Houston for the NCAA Division I South Regional semifinal at Reliant Stadium.

The Gaels (28-5), from Moraga, east of Oakland, will play third-seeded Baylor (27-7) at 4:27 p.m. on Friday. The game will be aired live on CBS the only time the Gaels advanced past the first round in the NCAA tournament was 1959, when there were only 23 teams in the field. They beat Idaho State to advance to the Elite Eight.Baylor (27-7), which has established a new school record for single-season victories, will make its first Sweet 16 appearance in school history. When Baylor made the Final Four in 1948 and 1950, the NCAA tournament featured only eight teams.

Bernard, whose alma mater upset Gonzaga to win the West Coast Conference championship — a tournament he attended in Las Vegas earlier this month — has followed the Gaels’ progression through the NCAA tourney.“I think I get more nervous now watching the games than I did when I played, because I have no control,” said Bernard, who has established a successful acupuncture practice in San Jose. “It’s actually a bit nerve wracking, and I actually find myself leaving the room during the games.” READ FULLY STORY

Burbank High Class of 1980 30th Reunion

BHS Class of 1980 Announces 30 Year Reunion!
The reunion will be held on August 6-7, 2010. For information and registration please visit the official reunion website by clicking on: http://www.bhsclassof1980.com

BHS Choir Comes To The Rescue!

There has always been a big cross-town rival with Burroughs High but on February 27 that all disappeared when the Burbank High School Choir came to the rescue of the John Burroughs High School Choir.

When the truck carrying the JBHS choir equipment back from a competition on Feb 27, ran off the road; Burbank High's choir came to the rescue.

Late on that Saturday the Burroughs truck carrying all their choir equipment slid off the rain slick transition road from the 605 to the 5 freeway, landing on its side down a very muddy embankment. The driver was not hurt which was the good news. The bad news was that a cart that held the choir's risers had broken loose and tore through the roof of the rental truck. A tow truck was called and when the tow truck pulled the truck back onto the roadway, all of the choir's equipment spilled out into the mud and rain.

Soon the word of the accident spread quickly by cell phone when Gary Stevens a choir parent whose brother , Sean Stevens, was driving the Burbank High Choir truck back home from the same competition called him. Sean turned around and came back to the scene of the accident to see if he could help. Realizing they would need a truck for all the equipment, he drove back to Burbank High, but no one to let him in so he drove to Burroughs and unloaded the BHS equipment on the Burroughs stage and then drove back to the accident scene. By this time a group of about 10 choir dads , along with the choir director, were carrying the muddy equipment up the enbankment. The exhausted group got back to Burroughs at 6 in the morning, where they parked the truck, and went home to get some sleep.

That afternoon a large group unloaded the truck and cleaned off the equipment and then loaded up the Burbank High choir equipment and put it back into the Burbank High rental truck and drove it back to Burbank High and unloaded. A couple pieces of the Burrough equipment needed some welding which one of the dads did and so their was only two pieces of equipmet that would need to be replace at several hundred dollars, but overall they were lucky as it could of been worse.

By the following day, a new rental truck was parked next to the Burroughs Auditorium, being loaded for the choir's next competition.

Larry L. Maxam Park Update 3/20/10

Here is some photos I took last Saturday of the construction going on at Pacific Park. The city is getting the park ready for the re-naming of Pacific Park to the Larry L. Maxam Park in memory of BHS alumni Cpl. Larry L. Maxam who was killed in action in Vietnam and received the Medal of Honor. The Dedication Ceremonies are going to be held on April 17th at 11:00 at Pacific Park in Burbank.

In Memory of Frank Mullins, Jr. BHS 1940

Los Angeles Daily News.
FRANK MULLENS JR.

FRANK ARNOLD MULLENS, JR. Passed away on March 11 in Thousand Oaks, California, at the age of 88. Frank was born in Burbank, California, and graduated from Burbank High School. A long-time resident of Encino, California, Frank and his wife, Violet, retired to Paradise in 1989 whe re they were members of Craig Memorial Congregational Church and the Paradise Lodge of the BPO Elks. They had recently returned to Southern California and were residing in Thousand Oaks.

Frank was an Eagle Scout and proudly served his country in the Air Force during WWII. In the late 1940's, Frank played semi-professional baseball for the Vancouver Capilanos. He joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1949 and retired as a lieutenant in 1978, at which time he joined the California State Bar and worked as an investigator until 1985. He played baseball for the LAPD until 1968 and competed in the LAPD Olympics.

At the age of 46, Frank began running and competed in 10K runs and several marathons. In addition, he participated in three LAPD cross country goodwill relays during the 1970's. In May 1977, Frank was awarded the Medal of Valor from the LAPD. Never forgetting his love for baseball, Frank coached Encino Little League. He also enjoyed working with his hands and was an avid woodworker through out his life. He volunteered by building sets for the Encino Community Playhouse and Encino Elementary School. After retirement, he turned beautiful bowls and created many works of art for family and friends.

Frank is survived by his wife of 53 years, Violet; four children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. A public visitation will be held at Newton-Bracewell Funeral Home at 7655 Skyway, in Paradise, on Sunday, March 21, from 3-5 PM. Donations may be made in Frank's memory to the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Paradise Lodge #2026.

BHS Class of 1955 Announces 55 Year Reunion!

BHS Class of 1955 Announces 55 Year Reunion!

A 55 reunion is being planned for the Burbank Burbank High School Class of 1955 at the beautiful Marriott Hotel, Burbank Airport. It promises to be a very fun reunion with live music, great buffet with red/white wine and tropical/island theme.

It will be held on Friday, September 10, 2010, starting at 6:30 with a no-host cocktail party. Invitations will be mailed mid- February.

Contact: Jincie Campbell Williams at Burbank552010@aol.com for further information.

Bulldog Freshman Win 8 - 2

The Burbank High School Freshman Baseball Team scored an 8 to 2 win over Cathedral High School Phantom's last Thursday evening at the Burbank High Baseball field. The Bulldog freshman played some pretty good ball and had some very good pitching. The Bulldogs were able to have some solid hitting from the team for the win. WAY TO GO BULLDOGS!

Varsity loses home opener 3 - 0

The Burbank High Varsity Baseball Team lost their home opener to the Arleta Mustangs 3 to nothing last Monday night. The game had been postphoned from Saturday due to rain. Both teams played well, but the bulldog pitching had a rough second inning walking batters and giving up some hits and the Mustang's took advantage of it, scoring the three runs. It was all that they needed as the Bulldogs were not able to muster any runs. They had a couple of chances to score but hit into a double play with runners on first and third with one out. The Bulldogs also had a couple errors.

Junior Pitcher Javier Lopez threw a complete game 4-hitter with 11 K's and 1 walk 1 HBP. Junior 3rd baseman Ivan Ceja had an rbi double to give the Mustangs the lead. For the Bulldogs, Lonnie Kauppila had a double.

The Bulldogs went on to play Notre Dame on Wednesday the 10th and lost to them 16 to 8. It may be a long season for the Bulldogs, but still early in the season.

Larry L. Maxam Memorial Park Construction Update

I went by Pacific Park last week before the rain to see if they had started the construction to change the name to Larry L. Maxam Park and the big concrete sign that said Pacific Park had been removed and in the grass and dirt the city had spray painted with color paint where the pieces of the memorial will be laid out once it is done. I took some photos. Hope they get it done by the April 17th Dedication Ceremony at 11:00 a.m.

Amerio Corradi BHS 1941 passes away

Amerio Corradi

Corradi, Amerio November 10, 1922 - February 17, 2010

Hail to the King of Tea Cakes Amerio Corradi, known in Burbank, for fifty years, as the King of Tea Cakes has passed away at the age of 87. Blessed with an irrepressible lust for life he brought to generations of Angelenos the taste of pleasure and comfort which grew into the cult of the Tea Cake.

Born in 1922 to Italian immigrant parents Rudolpho and Francesca Corradi, Amerio lived and worked his entire life in Burbank. He attended Burbank High School when he met his wife Mary. In 1943 they married before he began his World War ll service in the Army Corps of Engineers. Amerio distinguished himself in service during his participation in the landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day June 6, 1944. He subsequently, acted as an outstanding member of his company which liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp.Returning to Burbank in 1945 Amerio went into business with his life long, best friend and partner Victor Martino, Jr. at Martino's Bakery which would become the largest diversified commercial bakery in Southern California with fresh daily deliveries via more than sixty trucks to the greater So. Cal. and Nevada areas.

Martino's Bakery became a competitive force to be reckoned using the slogan "a tasty pie, a tender crust". But the enduring legacy of Amerio Corradi and Martino's Bakery is the Tea Cake. The Tea Cake was developed by Amerio and his partner Victor at the behest of client looking for a special light and airy cake, buttery and delicious. The result has been enjoyed by legends of people for more than fifty years. Martino's Bakery was sold to Campbell's Soup/Pepperidge Farms in 1979. Amerio stayed on with Pepperidge Farms as a consultant for ten years. At which time he kept his creative needs satisfied by financing and directing a retail bakery in Burbank called The Original Martino's Bakery where Tea Cakes continue to satisfy the public each and every day.

Amerio had continued to be the driving force- working daily from early in the morning until very recently when he began to contemplate retirement. He is survived by countless friends and family, his loving and supportive wife Mary, son Dennis, his wife Erika; son Gerald, his wife Christie and his grandchildren Jesse, Alexys and Aron. Services will be held Saturday February 27, 2010 at noon Old North Church/ Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills/ 6300 Forest Lawn Dr. LA 90068. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to the charity of your choice in honor of Amerio Corradi.

Published in Los Angeles Times on February 23, 2010

JV'S lose 9 to 1

The Burbank High Boys Junior Varsity lost 9 to 1 against Granada Hills at Burbank High School last Friday evening under cloudy skies.

Both teams were pretty even in the hits department with Granada Hills having eight hits to the bulldogs 6 hits. But the big difference was in the pitching and errors department. The bulldogs had four errors and their pitchers struggled all night giving up a lot of walks during the game. I lost track how many pitchers they used but I know it was about four different pitchers.

The bulldogs got some good solid hits, but with few runners on base and when they did geting runners into scoring position they hit into a double play.

If the Junior Varsity is to advance in league play they will have to improve on their pitching and to not make so many errors if they want to stay in contenton. It is still early in the season and the team has some great players and hopefully as the season progresses so do the players.

Still too earley to tell how they will do but they have a lot going for them and a lot of support from coaches, family and friends as there were a lot of people cheering them on in the stands. GO BULLDOGS!

De Forrest "Dick" Young BHS 63 Passes Away

I received this email from Pam Kirkwood and finally got around to posting it!

Sad news from Pam Kirkwood (BHS '64)... Here is more on the passing of De Forrest "Dick" Young BHS '63...I received this from Hugh Cannon '63...If you click on Dick's sons' blog link, there is a very nice obituary about him and some pictures...Pam

Hi Pam! I have sad news. I don't know whether you heard that DeForrest ("Dick") Young ('63) died a few days ago of kidney failure, associated with acute diabetes. He was a dear friend to many of us. The word has gotten around to many of Dick’s Mormon friends through their network, but I'm sure there are a lot of others who remember him fondly and haven't heard. I was thinking may some of our Burbank "Loopers" would want to know. His son posted a blog with pictures and a memorium here.

Larry L. Maxam Memorial Park Dedication Ceremony, April 17

The City of Burbank and the Veterans Commemorative Committee Proudly Present Larry L. Maxam Memorial Park Dedication Ceremony

Saturday, April 17, 2010 11:00 a.m.
Pacific Park - 3715 Pacific Avenue

Please join us for the renaming of Pacific Park in honor of Corporal Larry L. Maxam, Medal of Honor Recipient, posthumously. Ceremony will include entertainment, guest speakers, unveiling of the new park signage, and much more.

Corporal Larry L. Maxam

Larry Maxam was born on January 9, 1948 in Glendale, California. He attended Emerson Elementary School, John Muir Middle School and Burbank High School, in Burbank, California, leaving the latter in 1964. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Los Angeles in 1965 and served with the Marine Aviation Detachment, Naval Air Technical Training Center in Jacksonville, Florida. He was promoted to private first class on April 1, 1966, and to Lance Corporal on January 1, 1967. Lance Corporal Maxam next served as a rifleman with Company F, Battalion Landing Team 2/8, in the Caribbean. In July 1967, he arrived in the Republic of Vietnam and served as a rifleman, radioman, and squad leader with Company D, 1st Battalion 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He was promoted to Corporal on October 1, 1967. While participating in Operation Kentucky on February 2, 1968, he was killed in action at Cam Lo District Headquarters in Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam. Corporal Maxam was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon for his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.”

Corporal Maxam was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Oahu, Hawaii.

BHS Baseball Alumni Game, Varsity 6, Alumni 5

The Burbank High School's first Alumni game was scheduled for last Saturday and had to be cancelled at the last minute because of rain and was rescheduled for Monday night March 1st. There was a BBQ at 5:00 and the game started at 6:00. The alumni players were from the 1950's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's and the 2000's. There were no alumni from the 60's which I thought was disappointing.

A GREAT TIME was had by all who showed up to cheer on both teams. There was a very large turnout and from what I heard they made over $500.00 in donations. The BBQ was great and the food good. The game was even better!

The Burbank High Alumni scored first and it was 2 to 0, when the alumni added a couple more runs to lead 4 to 0. But the Burbank High Varsity players never gave up and soon the score was tied in the last inning when the Alumni pitcher started to get tied and walked and aloud a double and then loaded the bases when he hit the batter causing the winning run to come in and the Varsity won 6 to 5.