Assemblyman plays Santa for youth club

Assemblyman Mike Gatto invited constituents and friends to drop off toys at his office to donate to children at the local Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley.

The toy drive started Dec. 6, and with the support of the local community, friends and partners, Gatto collected more than 100 toys. On Dec. 21, Gatto dressed up as Santa Claus and delivered the toys to all the club members at the Boys & Girls Club.

“We greatly appreciate the support of Assemblyman Mike Gatto and his joyful spirit,” said Shanna Warren, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley.

League seeks questions for forum

The League of Women Voters of Glendale/Burbank is soliciting questions from the public for candidates for the candidates’ forum on Jan. 19 at Burbank City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave. Candidates for Burbank City Council and Burbank Board of Education will participate in the forum at 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers.

Submit questions by phone at (818) 925-4598 or website lwvglendaleburbank.org. Written questions also can be submitted on the night of the forum.

Volunteers help on award-winning float

The Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn. has won the Founders Trophy for Most Beautiful Entry Built and Decorated by Volunteers from the Sponsoring Community or Organization, in this year’s 122nd Rose Parade presented by Honda.

The float, “Centennial Celebration,” which kicked off the city of Burbank’s 100th anniversary of its incorporation this year, was built and decorated by more than 660 volunteers throughout the year, who come both locally and from across the nation. These tenacious volunteers put in more than 15,000 man hours. More than 60,000 flowers were placed on the float by these volunteers, including 19,000 roses, 12,000 carnations, 25,000 mums and 5,000 assorted orchids, iris and other floral varieties.

The float, which featured decorated “florograph” panels depicting the likenesses of Burbank notables such as Johnny Carson, Bob Hope and Walt Disney and Mickey, also featured SpongeBob SquarePants, Bob’s Big Boy, the Warner Bros. water tower, the Disney Animation Building, Bob Hope Airport, a 1932 Ford Hi-Boy Roadster and Burbank City Hall with its famous fountain.

The float is back home at the Burbank Water and Power property in preparation for the deconstruction party and barbecue, where up to 30% of its flora will be recycled and used for future floats.

The Float Deconstruction Work Party and Barbecue, which is open to all volunteers who would like to help prepare the float for the coming month’s construction, is at 10 a.m. today at the Float Barn, 123 W. Olive Ave., underneath the Olive overpass at Flower Street. Parking is available at the Metrolink Station.

For more information, contact Steve Edward at (818) 840-0060 (float site), and at https://www.burbankrosefloat.com, or e-mail info@burbankrosefloat.com.

Burroughs baseball has fundraiser

The John Burroughs Baseball Program will benefit from a Texas hold ‘em Tournament on Jan. 29 at the Elks Lodge, 2232 N. Hollywood Way, behind the Public Storage building. Registration is from 5:45 to 6:25 with tournament from 6:30 to midnight.

For more information, contact Bill Cseh, 5BFC91@sbcglobal.net.