On the Town: The Cusumanos host their annual party

When it comes to names that one associates with Burbank, of course you have Dr. David Burbank for whom the city is named, Dan Rowan, Dick Martin and Gary Owens of “Laugh-In” fame who coined and perpetuated the phrase, “Beautiful Downtown Burbank, and “Tonight Show” hosts Johnny Carson and Jay Leno.

Another name that is included in that list is Cusumano. As in the Cusumano Real Estate Group, which hosted its annual holiday soiree at Another Broken Egg Café this past week.

Always well-attended by an eclectic cross-section of Burbank’s governmental and business communities along with longtime Cusumano friends and associates, guests were welcomed to the downtown eatery by hosts, the company’s principals, Chuck, Roger and Michael Cusumano along with Roger’s wife, Evelyn, and Michael’s wife, Caroline.

Since 1959, the Cusumano Real Estate Group has been a family-owned company that has built its reputation on developing, constructing and maintaining quality buildings and interacting in an ethical and respectful manner. Along with their property management, development, construction, and brokerage work, the Cusumanos have also become renowned for their substantial involvement with Burbank civic groups and their philanthropic commitment to the betterment of the city that has included a donation of $1 million to the Hycy and Howard Hill Neuroscience Institute at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center and a contribution of $300,000 for the renovation of Memorial Field at John Burroughs High School.

Always a festive evening, guests attending this year’s party were entertained by the Frank Sinatra-inspired Douglas Roegigers who was joined by Tim Davis in crooning holiday standards along with some of Old Blue Eye’s most recognizable hits.

Among those who enjoyed the evening were City Councilman David Gordon, former City Manager Robert “Bud” Ovrom, who now serves as the general manager of building and safety for the City of Los Angeles, and former Burbank Police Chief Tim Stehr who was joined by his wife, Barbara, son, Cory, and daughter, Jessica.

DAVID LAURELL can be reached by e-mail dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.