A great event for a great city

In its second year, the Taste of Burbank Thursday night was a rousing

success. It not only raised funds for a great cause -- the Burbank

YMCA -- but also brought people together for a fabulous evening,

creating a great sense of community spirit.

More than 30 restaurants in the Downtown Burbank area set up

booths along San Fernando Boulevard from Magnolia Boulevard to Orange

Grove Avenue. Babies, children, parents, grandparents and even pets

were seen strolling along, trying delectable bites.

Fuddruckers’ employees were dishing up their delicious hamburgers

and French fries. Johnny Rockets created mini chocolate shakes topped

with whipped cream. Picanha Brazilian Grill offered two meat samples

and cheese rolls. Tony Roma’s had their famous ribs. And completing

the array were creamy ice cream samples from Cold Stone Creamery --

the perfect finish for the balmy evening.

And while savoring the food, many enjoyed the live music by Cold

Duck, playing 1960s music, followed by Burbank’s favorite -- Captain

Cardiac and the Coronaries. Dressed in their red-sequined jackets and

black pants, the group crooned 1950s and ‘60s tunes with some of the

band members coming out to twist with dancers on the dance floor. A

couple had brought their dog who shuffled along the slick floor, as

if keeping time to the music.

The beer and wine garden offered a selection of fine wine and

specialty beers for the discriminating audiences and the KidZone kept

the youngsters happy.

Funds raised will go to scholarships so that more people can enjoy

the programs at the Burbank Community YMCA. The facility has a pool,

gymnasium, child care center and offers programs like camping

experiences for children and teens.

The child care center is a good one, according to one father, who

said there is nothing more stressful than dropping off your young

child to their first child-care experience. It was nice to know they

were in a safe environment at the Burbank Community YMCA, he added.

One woman, a longtime Burbank resident, remarked what a wonderful

job the city has done bringing the AMC theaters, Burbank Town Center

and new restaurants to town and organizing so many community events

in the Downtown area, like the summer dance parties.

Where people were spread out over the city before, these events

have brought them together. The result, she said, is a great sense of

community. We couldn’t agree with her more.

The city needs more events like this one.