Something very sad happened here in Burbank a few weeks ago. Sadly it occurs every day all over the country.

A few weeks ago 3 cats were killed while a home was being fumigated. Yes we are angry, yes we are sad, we are looking for blame. But there is no one to blame, except the cats. Can we try to prevent this from happening again? Can we protect our inquisitive  kittens from such a horrible fate? Yes, yes we can, and yes we should.

We are proposing that Burbank require all fumigation companies to give neighboring residents 48 hours notice before fumigating with a lawn sign. A lawn sign would give cat owners, as well as the care takers of stray cats, notice to remove cats from the area and keep them safe. This idea was first proposed in L.A. in 2008,   however, we cant seem to find out if it ever went through. No matter. Burbank is progressive and the catolist for animal rights. No doubt you’ll recall Burbank banned the declawing of animals just a few weeks ago.
We live in a town full of animal lovers and so far the response from City Council has been encouraging. What can you do? You want to help? Show up tonight at the city council meeting. If you can make a less than 5 minute speech, great. If not just show up. A full meeting room brings attention to the issue and lets council know we are serious.
Thanks!

Is it to be more kind or  philanthropic? To get out more , maybe make some new friends? Do you want to have more fun, be more athletic, or at least look it ?

Then get a dog!

Dogs get you up on Saturday mornings to go where  all the sexy people hang out. A dog is pay dirt for someone looking to improve their social life.

That trendy dog park in Silverlake, the one with all the cool people, a dog is your ticket in. You can’t go there with out a dog, you’ll look like a wannabe. The Chandler Walking Path?  Huntington Dog Beach?

Owning a dog says “established” “grown up” “responsible” “not afraid of commitment”. Did I mention fun and athletic?

Dogs are chick and guy magnets, studies show standing next to a dog makes you look 10 years younger and ten pounds thinner.

The question isn’t weather or not you need a dog. The question is, what kind of dog do you need?

Luckily, the Burbank Animal Shelter has a nice selection of dogs at an affordable  price. And even luckier, the newest dog food  store in Burbank show cases these dogs every Saturday. Talk about a happening spot, I’m going just to be seen there.

So, make this your year, go get a dog. Better yet, get one for a friend.

To see video of last years float, look in the January ’08 archives.

OK, now that I’ve got that out of the way, I have a lovely night tonight at the  Burbank Chorale Christmas Concert.

I’d never been before, and of course I was expecting a great time, what I had was a fabulous time.

I’ll post more tomorrow about how fabulous the concert was, but tonight I just wanted to post about your second chance to catch them tomorrow. If you can squeeze them into your day, you’ll really be glad you did.

I went to Glendale, to the Exchange and to the Americana, which, if you haven’t been to, you’ve got to check it out. Parking at the Americana is a little pricey, so it’s best I’ve found to park at the Exchange, where you get 90 minutes free, and walk across to the Americana.

Our coupons lead us to ColdStone Ice Cream and GrandVille Restaurnt, both were “buy one get one free”. I think Grandville maybe my new favorite restaurant, I’ve been to both their locations and have found them to be affordable, with great food, great service and a great atmosphere. I must admit however, that I am partial to the Burbank location’s quieter environment and outdoor fireplace.

Their salads, pastas and burgers are $10-$12, and their specialty items are $17-$26. They also have a great happy hour.

Grandville is a great restaurant to go a get a great meal at a great price, yet nice enough to take that date you’ve been trying to impress. Just don’t let her see your coupon.

If you decide you’d rather go out for a Guinness, Buchanan Arms on Burbank Blvd (at Keystone) has a nice beer selection as well as some great food. If you’re looking for an over 21 crowd, The Snug, on Magnolia will definitely be hopping, and so will Mara, the great bartender.

Enjoy your St Patrick’s Day!

Oh, and if you haven’t been to the new Barneys Beanery in Burbank, you should check it out. Fun atmosphere, great happy hour, huge beer selection.

****************************************************************************************************************************

WANTED 
VOLUNTEERS FOR A FUN CHARITY EVENT!!!! 

WHEN: Thursday, March 26, 2009 
SHIFT: 9:30am to approximately 3:00pm 
(Free lunch included) 

WHERE: Barney’s Beanery 
250 N. 1st Street 
Burbank, CA 91502 

WHAT: The Muscular Dystrophy Association is hosting a fun event to raise money to help out people with Muscular Dystrophy. We have recruited prominent business people in the Burbank area that have agreed to be mock ‘arrested’ for one hour of their day. We will be picking them up at their place of business, putting them in handcuffs, and bringing them to Barney’s Beanery where they will raise their $1600 ‘bail money’ for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. We will feed them and give incentives and prizes to those who raise their bail. As a volunteer, you would do one of the following: 

• Drivers and Vehicles (2 needed) – Help provide transportation for the Lock-Up Event. The drivers and vehicles pick up business executives in the Burbank area only and take them to the luncheon at Barney’s Beanery and back to their place of business. This event will put less than 50 miles on any vehicle. Drivers need to arrive by 10:00 a.m. Drivers will have an arresting officer in their cars, so they can remain with the vehicle at all times if they wish. 
• Arresting Officer (7 needed) – Ride with the driver and actually physically ‘arrest’ our ‘jailbirds’. Enthusiastic, outgoing people are needed to make a big deal out of the fact that the business owner has a big heart. 
• Mug Shot/Check In (2 needed) – Welcome Jailbirds to event, check them in, take jailbirds’ mug shot upon arrival and escort them into jail. 
• Central Booking (2 needed) – Book jailbirds and process their bail money 
• Arranging Arrest (1 needed) – Follow arresting schedule provided and make last minute pick up calls. 

CONTACT INFO: Volunteer positions are assigned on a first come, first served basis. If interested, please contact Kara Lizarraga at the Muscular Dystrophy Association at 818-981-8200 or klizarraga@mdausa.org. All volunteers must be confirmed by Friday, March 20, 2009. 

Pictured below, happy patron enjoying his Barney’s beer tastings.

It is our intention for BurbankSoup to be a helpful, informative site for the Burbank community.  We believe community input is the best way for us to achieve this. In addition to always accepting articles and suggestions from our readers, we invite you to our new  discussion board. He hope to have to some lively conversations going on there, and the best part is, you are free to discuss any topic you’d like. Burbank restaurants, grocery stores, politics, schools, a few blasts from the past are always appreciated too.

You can even list your items for sale.

To join the discussion, click on the “Discussion Board” link above. You will have to sign in with your Burbanksoup account name and password, or you can create a new one.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Check out the website here.

I’m looking forward to the toothless drunks in my face, bland food and bad music. Ofcourse, I probably shouldn’t expect that kind authenticity, this is L.A., not Cleveland.

They are going to have elephant rides though, and pony rides. 

I’m taking my sister and my husband, we’ll drink lots of beer and have a great time, like the Irish folks we are.

Hope to see you there.

Bad News, time for more revealing clothing.  Not to worry, did you know the Burbank Recreation Center offers $5 Dollar exorcise classes?

If you’ve ever looked into these, then you know that exercise classes like these can run up to $20 per class along Ventura or Montrose Blvds. I’ve recently tried them and I can say, I am truly hooked. Women and men of all ages, shapes and sizes are there. I especially like Anne Jackson’s “Butt and Gutt” class. This session she’s adding “wings and thighs” to her Tuesday evening class….I’ve been taking Kim’s Kickboxing just one night a week and I already feel like my clothes fit a little better and I definatley feel better.. Pick up the schedule of classes at the Olive Recreation Center or check out the website here.

Mail in Registration starts this week.

Enjoy your weekend.

(This weekend, after Saturday Night Live, spring them forward)