Congrats to the BHS Grads of 2010!

Graduates Mary Beth Medina, left, and Amelia Nino snap a photo together at the Burbank High School Graduation held at Starlight Bowl Friday. (Alex Collins)

Burbank High School: 'This is it' for 670 students

By Max Zimbert
May 29, 2010
Burbank Leader

Ani Vertanous and Sabina Agazarian said they've been friends since middle school, but walking up the hill to the Starlight Bowl for their Burbank High School commencement Friday, they started yelling.

They weren't going to be sitting next to one another for the ceremony, but they said that didn't take away from their sense of accomplishment, relief and joy.

"It feels amazing," Vertanous said. "It's the end, and I accomplished everything."

The two will be going to Pasadena City College next year, representing two stories among the almost 670 graduating seniors who became alumni Friday night.

"Senior year was the best year," said Tyler Wells, who'll be enrolling at Glendale Community College.

His family flew in from the Bay Area. For his mother, Fran Wells, reflecting on her son's accomplishments and growth in the last four years almost made her cry, she said.

"I'm so proud and excited for him," she said. "And he's going to be around, and we're happy to have him."

While Tyler Wells will be in the neighborhood next year, the commencement theme "This Is It" rang true for many others who'll be moving far from home, like Aaron Frank.

"In ninth grade we had a speaker who said, 'No regrets,'" said the incoming Syracuse University freshman. "I pushed myself and made sure I never regretted any decisions I make."

Same with Sophie Irwin, who'll be going to college in Alabama. Her father, Steve, said he's gotten accustomed to not seeing Sophie much.

"This year, we barely saw her," he said. "She'll be back on major holidays. We have a small house, the extra elbow room might be nice."

Baseball teammates Sam Levitt and Lonnie Kauppila said that with several graduating seniors, the lineup is likely to enter a rebuilding phase. Kauppila will be playing baseball at Stanford University next year, while Levitt enrolls at UCLA.

"I'll see him when he's in town [playing UCLA]," Levitt said. "It hasn't hit me yet. I'm looking forward to the future, but I'm trying to remember everything that happened during high school."

Clad in blue caps and gowns, students milled around the grass behind the bowl's seats, taking pictures and celebrating their final moments in Burbank Unified.

"They are so close with one another and friendly, and just really nice kids," said Carolyn Grogan, an English teacher.

For Daniel Flores, one of the student speakers, it was a moment he wasn't sure he'd see.

Freshman year was his low point, he said. The next year, he transferred to Monterrey High School, made up 127 credits and returned to Burbank High, giving up horseplay for career goals.

"The message is, no matter who you are or what you want to do, you can do it," he said. "This is a very special moment for me right now."

That's what "This Is It" was all about, said Mary Beth Medina, the school's student board member and a graduation speaker.

"This expression depends on every senior here," she said in her address. "It's not what you say, it's about what you do . . . We made it through. Now, welcome to your future."

LINK: http://www.burbankleader.com/news/blr-burbank052910,0,4118279.story

Burbank's Kessler Jewelers Closing

Sorry to read this today...


Allen Kessler helps Carol Nerone with a ring at Kessler Jewelers on Tuesday. The family-owned jewelry store that has been doing business for the past 43 years at the same location is going out of business. (Scott Smeltzer/The Leader)

Jeweler forced to close
Business that has been in Burbank since 1967 falls on hard times.

By Christopher Cadelago
May 26, 2010

Kessler Jewelers, the family-owned business that for more than 40 years has been a fixture of the downtown shopping district even as everything around it changed, will close its doors for good next month, the family said.

An award-winning shop whose grand opening in 1967 coincided with the opening of the Golden Mall, Kessler served as the last remaining holdout of an era that saw seven downtown jewelers shut down in the last 50 years.

A sluggish economy, Internet competition, soaring downtown rents and the mass migration of buyers from brick-and-mortar jewelers to big-box chains have made for an especially tough last three years, the family said.

"Ever since the writers strike, things have been really tough," said Barry Kessler, 50, who began working for his father, Allen Kessler, at age 16. "Put simply: The rent went up, and what didn't go up was our profit margin."

Kessler Jewelers, whose four full-time employees boast a combined 135 years of experience in the business, has remained in the same building for the last 43 years. Founded by Allen Kessler, the company survived lean times by handcrafting and customizing much of its retail offerings.

Customers personally designed and altered everything from engagement rings and wedding bands to pieces for newborns, children and sweet 16s. Other customers brought in watches to repair and rings, necklaces and bracelets to clean.

"They've been an institution in Burbank for decades," said Gary Olson, president and chief executive of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce. "As far as the business community is concerned, it's a big loss."

The closure will mean a personal loss for Olson, one of the shop's regular customers. But with the price of gold steadily increasing, Kessler was done in by what one expert called the "Costco-Wal-Mart-Internet Complex."

The megachains and discount and tax-free online retailers have the buying power to make good margins even in rough times, pushing mom-and-pop retailers to the periphery, said Bruce Ackerman, president and chief executive of the Valley Economic Alliance.

"All of a sudden, customization and craftsmanship become secondary," Ackerman said.

Sales and holidays, of late, have done nothing to increase profits, Barry Kessler said. Christmas sales figures were down 70% compared with the previous year, and Valentine's Day, the annual high-water mark for jewelry sales, was "virtually nonexistent," he said.

The suffocating effect of the Great Recession only amplified the other impacts, he said.

"When it's a discretionary purchase — something you don't absolutely need that starts to fall into the 'want' category — I suspect it gets much more difficult," Olson said.

Despite the grim pronouncements, the only indication of the shop's impending closure this week were the dozens of signs alerting customers of "Nothing Held Back! Selling out to the bare walls," as well as "Doors closing forever. Save up to 70% off."

A clerk offered everything from a 2 1/2 -carat diamond ring to $200 and $300 earrings.

Joe Kovach, of Glendale, has visited the store about four times annually for the last 40 years.

On Tuesday, he browsed the selection with his sister, Rosemary Kolegraff, of Sylmar.

"You trust the family," he said, explaining why he's returned after so many birthday and holiday gifts. "They're just really good people."

Barry Kessler breezed through the showroom and toward his father, a magnifying glass in one eye, working to the very end. Allen Kessler was the 2008 recipient of the Robert B. Westover Distinguished Service Award by the California Jewelers Assn. A graduate of Los Angeles High School, Allen Kessler was a freshman at UC Berkeley when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He came home and took a job at another jewelry store before deciding to open his location in the 300 block of San Fernando Boulevard.

For the family, no job was too big — or too small. In the ensuing years the staff grew to include three graduate gemologists, including Barry Kessler.

He said one of the family's favorite stories dates all the way back to the store's opening, when a rival jeweler walked into Kessler and noted the carpeting and chairs spread out in front of eye-level glass cases. The competitor looked around and said: "Oh, that's for Beverly Hills. That's not for Burbank."

Barry Kessler said that at the time most shops were barren.

Allen Kessler, 80, plans to finally retire. Barry Kessler said he'll keep customers informed of his next move, which will include an online component to Kessler Jewelers.

"Jewelry is something given between people who love each other," he said. "Daily, we see customers that are saddened by the news of our closing. We're going to really miss the customers and the people of Burbank."

http://www.burbankleader.com/news/blr-jewels052610,0,2108557.story

Kessler's Website: http://www.kesslerjewelers.net/

ebay: Burbank High 1962 Class 45th Reunion Booklet

From BHS Class 1962

From ebay: "This is a booklet from the 45th reunion of the Burbank High (Burbank, Ca.) class of 1962. For some reason my wife received 2, so if you're from that class and didn't receive a book, here's your chance to get one. It has been put away is in new condition - stored in a non-smoking home. There are 7 pages of pictures from the reunion as well as a class directory. Shipping is $1.25 USPS first class mail in the lower 48 states. I ship within one day of receiving cleared payment, and pack every item I sell carefully. I ship to the US, Canada,and most European Countries.E-mail me for a shipping rate out of the US. Thanks for looking!!!"

MORE BURBANK HIGH EBAY ITEMS

1961 Ceralbus on E-Bay

CLICK HERE for E-Bay.

And CLICK HERE to see BHS Class '61 Senior Photos!

Beautiful Downtown Burbank

Found this postcard pic on Wes Clark/Mike McDaniel's wonderful Burbankia website. One of my first jobs a loooong time ago was at Burcal during Christmas break in the 60's!

Remembering downtown of yore

By Richard Tafilaw
Published: Last Updated Tuesday, March 30, 2010 10:00 PM PDT
source

Would you believe there once was an empty lot where, only a few decades ago, a traveling circus would arrive, set up a genuine “big top” and proceed to joyfully entertain Burbank residents young and old for a couple of weeks each year? Welcome to Beautiful Downtown Burbank, 1975.

The ultra-modern Golden Mall, one of our town’s great commercial failures, began where Macy’s now meets Cypress Avenue.

Mall organizers took six blocks of San Fernando Boulevard, blocked off automobile traffic and tried to make the old shopping district a user-friendly shopping experience with trees, fountains, grassy areas, benches and, of course, a wide variety of stores. It sort of succeeded for a while, but then that 800-pound gorilla — the Glendale Galleria — opened up. A noble effort, nonetheless.

Let’s reminisce a bit. Right across from today’s California Pizza Kitchen on Cypress was the Burbank Surplus & Western Wear store, where yours truly once picked up a pair of Levi’s bell-bottom patch pocket jeans, and I mean to tell you I looked “hotter than Georgia asphalt” in them!

Where the AMC Theatre in the Town Center mall now sits was a Goodyear Tire Center, and up by Magnolia Boulevard, in place of the Pomodoro Restaurant, my entire life savings safely rested inside the trusted vaults of Gibraltar Savings & Loan, sometimes as much as $400.

Directly across Magnolia was a favorite stop for many an anxious child with a complicit parent in tow — the Thrifty Drug Store with its low-cost scoops of delicious ice cream, and right next door, the shop now occupied by Urban Outfitters was the ever-fascinating J.J. Newberry’s — sort of a hybrid mixture of a five-and-dime store and a department store.

Across the way sat the venerable J.C. Penney’s building with, I’m not making this up, folks, a genuine elevator inside. Just in front where traffic flows freely today was a children’s playground and a convenient men’s and women’s washroom. How very thoughtful — today’s urban planners, please take note!

Continuing on south, you’d pass a Hallmark Shop and Kessler Jewelers. No, wait! Time out on the field! Kessler Jewelers? Is this 1975 or 2010? Yikes, it’s both — they’re still here today! Congratulations, guys, you get a longevity award.

Meanwhile, what’s that up ahead? Two delightful water fountains adjacent to the very popular Burcal Store at Palm Avenue! Burcal? I wonder how they came up with that catchy name. Kitty corner was a Sav-On drug store, and just west of that in the space now occupied by the AMC Theatre complex was the old Elks Lodge.

Farther south we encounter a Pep Boys and a Singer Sewing Center on our right and a classic Woolworth’s at the next corner on our left, now taken up by a Mairinello School of Beauty.

In the middle of Orange Grove, set back toward the east side of the mall, was a hexagonal public pavilion of sorts that was used for special occasions such as “Come Meet the Easter Bunny,” art exhibits, karate exhibitions, and I clearly remember seeing an Irish clog-dancing show there long before Riverdance came along.

Reaching Olive Avenue, in the spot today filled by the Universal City Studios Credit Union was a Wells Fargo Bank with a small Gas Company office next door, where I would pop in once a month and pay my bill in cash. Remember cash?

Across San Fernando Boulevard where the Tnn Mobile outlet now is was a variety store, but the real draw for me was stepping into a building some sources contend to be the oldest continually operated commercial building in the city. OK, maybe it’s not the Bradbury Building, but it’s all we’ve got.

I know I’ve missed more than a couple of favorite stops with friendly names like Al’s Bootery, Mamselles Shoes, Ed’s For Men & Young Men and Doty Lee’s, but cut me some slack — it was long ago and far away.

Unlike Pasadena’s Colorado and Glendale’s Brand boulevards, Burbank never opted to widen its main business thoroughfare, and it remains today a rather sleepy area during the day, but with the popularity of the AMC Theatre it does seem to do a respectable business in the evening and on weekends.

I do wonder what it will all be like in another 35 years, but I’ll be long gone then, and you’ll have to write that one.

RICHARD J. TAFILAW is a Burbank resident, small-business owner and freelance writer. He can be reached at tafilaw@hyjacks.net.

Burbankers Remember

Burbankers Remember
Edited by Wes Clark

An old TV show began, "There are eight million stories in the naked city. This has been one of them." If this is the case for New York City, there must be over 90,000 stories for Burbank!

The idea of this page is to capture some of the memories, lore and interesting tales about life lived in Burbank. The criterion for inclusion is that the tales be specially about life in Burbank - there are other forums for the San Fernando Valley and elsewhere. And, after all, the web site is named "Burbankia", right? I'm looking for things like using old Lockheed linen for dresses, or Burbank's Breathing Bush, or Love From Above... stuff like that.

To submit your Burbank stories contact me!

Wes

May 2 - Family Fun Night

Received this email from Carol Hill Olmstead (BHS '61) today:

To keep my friends is my delight
So every chance I will invite
YOU...
to each event we host nearby!

The next opportunity is now!
COME TO A SPECIAL FAMILY FUN NIGHT
It's for ages 3 to 103

Play with words. Play with money.
Play with puzzles. Meet other families
Play with each other. See how you measure up,
Join a 2 Headed Snake Dance.

Prizes, soda pop, cheese pizza and ice cream dessert provided
SUNDAY MAY 2, 2010
5:30-7:30PM
ROUND TABLE PIZZA
In the Landmark Center
Corner light at
Victory and Buena Vista, Burbank, California

Please ask if you have questions.
Tell me you're coming:
Carol Hill Olmstead (Burbank High class of 1961): 408 828-2403
carol.h.olmstead@juno.com

Delta Theta Chi Sorority - California Rho Chapter
It's a non-collegiate, educational, nonprofit sorority, open to new members: ladies ages 18-108 who have similar interests.
Dues $60 annually. Membership not necessary for most events.
http://www.deltathetachi.org/

BHS '62: Fredrick A Mehling's Memorial

BHS '62 Senior Photos

Please remember Rick's family in prayer...

Just received this from former Burbank Fire Dept. Battalion Chief Darryl Forbes...

Richard...Fredrick "Rick" Mehling was a former Burbank Fire Fighter and was BHS Class of 1962...

Pam

--- On Wed, 4/21/10, Darryl Forbes wrote:

From: Darryl Forbes
Subject: Fredrick A Mehling's Memorial
Date: Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 12:01 PM

Pam: I just received this so am forwarding it to you. It went to all Burbank Fire Retirees so is public information.

Darryl

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Date: Wed, Apr 21, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Subject: Fredrick A Mehling's Memorial

Last Friday, April 16, 2010, Rick Mehling passed away at his home due to complications of cancer. In the following weeks, after cremation, his ashes will then be distributed by family members. Betty has requested this event to be a family affair only.

On Sunday, 23 May 2010, there will be a memorial service for Rick at the Burbank Fire Department Training Center, to start at 10:30 am. This service will be non-religious, a casual celebration of Ricks life.

A buffet lunch will be severed after the service.

RSVP's are requested by 10 May 2010, and should be sent to:
Robert Lanning, lanningfam@sbcglobal.net or
BC Tom Lenahan, tlenahan@ci.burbank.ca.us.

After short eulogies by Betty, family members, Chief Krakowski, Davis and Walbert, the floor will be open for remembrances.

Pictures of Rick are requested for a video montage and should be sent Bob Lanning,

In lieu of flowers, the family agrees that Rick's preference would be contributions to:

Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors
1146 N. Central Ave. #398
Glendale CA 91202-2506

an organization that Rick proudly held a position on the Executive Board and happily volunteered for them until his diagnosis made him unable.