Organizations
Burbank author visits Burroughs High School
Christina Moss, author of a series of science fiction books and longtime resident of Burbank, recently visited John Burroughs High School where she talked to students about creative writing and signed books for students.
“It was really an honor to visit Burroughs High,” Moss said. “Not only does the main character of my series reside in Burbank, she and her best friend, Nicole, are students at the local high schools so it was a real pleasure to visit one of the locations I’m writing about.”
Her ongoing series of novels (“Intwine” being the first) is told from the viewpoint of fictitious teenager, Juliette Greenmoss, a senior student of John Burroughs High School. Juliette’s father is a Burbank firefighter and her best friend attends Burbank High School.
The “Intwine” saga is the story of how Juliette’s life is flipped upside-down when she falls in love with an interstellar rock-star prince named Seth.
Residents will notice familiar Burbank locations in Moss’s stories.
“Intwine” was published in June through Adamantine Publishing House. The second in the series, “Insight”, was published in October and the third, “Incircle” is due out in January. All of Moss’s books are available through her website, https://www.christinamoss.com.
Charity League begins member drive
National Charity League’s local membership drive is off to a fast start this year. NCL Burbank launched its annual push to recruit new mother-daughter teams for the community service-oriented group, and already five sets of moms and girls have signed up, according to Laurie Harmon, co-chairwoman of this year’s effort.
Harmon says she hopes to recruit at least 20 mom-girl teams in the drive that runs until Feb. 28. New members of NCL — moms are called “Patronesses” and daughters “Ticktockers” — will be inducted into NCL at the group’s annual Membership Tea, slated for April 17.
Anyone interested in joining this organization, in which women and their sixth through 12th-grade daughters participate in a variety of social and public service activities, should call Harmon at (818) 848-1773.
Members of NCL’s Burbank Chapter have the opportunity to do hands-on work with a number of local philanthropies, including Burbank Community Kids Dental Clinic, BCR “a place to grow,” Burbank Temporary Aid Center and many others.
NCL’s Burbank Chapter was founded in 1960 and currently boasts some 60 mother-daughter teams. The chapter annually provides more than 12,000 hours of community services to 27 different charities in Burbank and Los Angeles.
Zonta stocks new library at Monterey
The Zonta Club of Burbank has donated more than 25 new books for young adults, to help establish a library at the newly renovated Monterey High School. The books were selected based on feedback from the students who like novels that reflect their own life experiences. Many of the books show characters struggling with difficult circumstances, but also show that there is hope and that it is possible to overcome obstacles.
“Zonta is very committed to literacy and it is a great pleasure for our club to be able to make this donation so that students at Monterey will have the opportunity to access books through a school library,” said Brenda Lantieri, president of the Zonta Club.
The donation to Monterey High School extends the Zonta Club’s long-standing commitment to Burbank elementary schools, where books highlighting the achievements of outstanding women in history are presented annually. Improving literacy, particularly for women and girls, is part of the mission of Zonta International to advance the status of women.
The Zonta Club of Burbank Area meets the third Wednesday of the month at the Holiday Inn in Burbank. Anyone interested in attending a meeting or in membership may email mingchuliu2003@yahoo.com.
The Zonta Club of Burbank Area was chartered in 1936 and is a member of Zonta International, a worldwide service organization of executives and professionals working to advance the status of women through service and advocacy.
Business man collects toys for kids
The Boys & Girls Club of Burbank hosted its annual Holiday Party on Dec. 16, thanks in large part to Ken Marinace, owner of Comprehensive Financial Services in Burbank.
Every year, Marinace hosts a holiday dinner for all of his clients at the Oakmont Country Club and all he asks is that they bring a new toy or game for a child at the Boys & Girls Club. Thanks to the generosity of his clients, the Boys & Girls Club collected more than 200 toys and gift cards.
Last year more than 850 deserving children received a gift donated by various individuals and organizations such as Comprehensive Financial Services and this year the organization anticipates it will give gifts to more than 1,000 children. For more information, call Shanna Warren at (818) 842-9333, Ext. 10.