Looking for a Name Worthy of Burroughs

Despite being named for Edgar Rice Burroughs’ vine-swinging fictional jungle man, Tarzana hasn’t historically been known as the most jungle-like of neighborhoods.

That’s been changing recently, however, with the ongoing face-lift of the community’s downtown shopping district--a project with a decided jungle theme. Included in the plans are small sylvan parks, as well as metal silhouettes of monkeys and other creatures that will hang from the street lights.

Now the Tarzana Business Improvement District is inviting creative Tarzan fans to give the district a name that reflects the contribution of novelist Burroughs, who moved to the area from Chicago in 1919 and named his 540-acre estate Tarzana Ranch, after his famous ape-man.

“We’re looking for something that’s creative, catchy and is in good taste,” said Marianne Giblin of the Tarzana Improvement Assn., the nonprofit organization that manages the business district. “They’ve got a lot of upscale communities around here, so they don’t want to make it sound like a theme park. They want to make it sound like a downtown that capitalizes on its unique history.”

Entries are open to all--multiple entries are encouraged--and must be received by Oct. 15. They may be mailed to TIA, 18653 Ventura Blvd., PMB 323, Tarzana 91356, or faxed to (818) 776-0134.

The winner, to be announced by Nov. 1, will receive a $200 gift certificate good at any participating retailer downtown and an engraved brick on one of the new walkways.