ON THE TOWN:

The Tuscany region of Italy is known for its magnificent landscapes and artistic legacy. This past week, the Burbank Temporary Aid Center took on a little Tuscan flair as it honored Community Development Director Sue Georgino, whose love of the arts, especially opera, and whose impact on Burbank’s landscape, street scape and skyline will stand as a tribute to her legacy for many years to come.

Georgino and the Burbank Unified School District were presented with BTAC’s Top Award for Citizenship at a gala fundraiser staged Friday evening at The Castaway Restaurant.

“Sue Georgino and the Burbank Unified School District were chosen for their commitment to our community, as they both exemplify the characteristics of good citizenship and support of BTAC for which we are so grateful,” said BTAC board member Maddy Horne.

The program, emceed by Sunder Ramani, included comments by BTAC Executive Director Barbara Howell and the organization’s board president Ron Sorenson,who lauded the outpouring of support BTAC receives from the community.

“This event is our annual opportunity to thank (the community) while raising the funds to continue BTAC’s important work,” Sorenson said.

Among those whose dedication made the evening a success were the event’s chairwoman Vicki Williams,who praised the Burbank Unified School District for the work local schools offer in sponsoring programs for students to support BTAC’s food pantry.

“The teachers and staff are (our) representatives in the community, both leading those in need to us, and helping us to identify families in need,” Williams said.

Among those in attendance were members of the Georgino family, including Sue’s husband Vic, sons Sean and Michael, daughters-in-law Maria and Marinella, and grandchildren Angela, Victoria and Christopher.

Also on hand were Dave and Pat Augustine, Vice Mayor Dave Golonski, Gary and Tracy Canfield, City Manager Mary Alvord, Eric Hansen, City Treasurer Donna Anderson, Brian and Linda Bowman, City Attorney Dennis Barlow and his wife, Annell, Police Commissioner Claudia Bonis, Laurie Bleick of the Family Service Agency, School Board Members Larry Applebaum, Ted Bunch, Dave Kemp, Roberta Reynolds and Debbie Kukta, Lucy Burgdorf, Victor Gill, Airport Commissioner Don Brown, former Mayor Mary Lou Howard, Suzy Jacobs representing State Sen. Jack Scott, Councilman Gary Bric and wife, Shelly, Katherine Richards, City Clerk Margarita Campos and husband Vince.

Also attending were Library Services Director Sharon Cohen, Roger and Evelyn Cusumano, Tim and Paula Davis, former Mayor Jef Vander Borght and wife Susan, Ruth and Linda Davidson-Guerra, Michael and Joy Forbes, Assistant City Manager Mike Flad, Gino Gaudio, Chief Assistant City Development Director Greg Herman, Bob Kaczmarek, Brad Korb, Ellie Knapp, Joan McCarthy of the Walt Disney Co., Jennifer Mack, Jack Lynch, Pete McGrath, Gary and Sharon Olson, Jim O’Neil, Fire Chief Tracy Pansini and his wife, Dana, Lisa Rawlins of Warner Bros., Councilwoman Anja Renike.

Also attending were Judy and Bert Pierce, Mandy Ramani, Nat and Alma Rubinfeld, Management Services Director Judie Sarquiz, Glendale City Attorney Scott Howard and his wife Juli Scott, Tish Sellers, Joel Shapiro, Police Chief Tim Stehr and wife Barbara, Pat Smola, Theresa Zapata, former Mayor Bill Wiggins and wife Marilyn, Lew and Teri Stone, Gail Stewart, Terre Hirsch, Burbank Water and Power General Manager Ron Davis and wife Cheryl, Christine Horne, Taylor Morton and Public Works Director Bonnie Teaford.

Included in the long list of volunteers who assisted were Sarita Ezrol, Susan Borders, Darryl Forbes, Nancy Gams Korb, Dan Linegar, Jennifer Ranney, Will Rogers, Edward Stapleton, Jeanne Leslie, Stacy Schumacher, Harlan Dahlen, Pricilla Davis, Jocelyn Paris, Lynn Talamantes, Anamarie Thomas and Michael Walbrecht of Warner Bros., who served as the evening’s top sponsor.

 DAVID LAURELL can be reached by e-mail [email protected] or (818) 563-1007.