By Mary O’KEEFE

The suspect that led law enforcement on a vehicle and foot pursuit in La Crescenta last week was arrested by Burbank police on Tuesday after a similar chase.

Burbank police noticed Lang Patrick Martinez, 37, of Simi Valley outside the Target department store at 1800 W. Empire Avenue in Burbank. Officers attempted to stop him; he did not comply with the request and drove off. Similar to the pursuit in La Crescenta on Jan. 24, the police gave chase; the suspect was involved in a collision with another vehicle while he was fleeing from officers. At some point Martinez got out of his vehicle and a foot pursuit began, according to a Burbank police spokesman.

They eventually captured and arrested him for burglary, evading a law enforcement officer and for violating
parole.

Martinez’s chase was almost a mirror image of the incident that occurred in La Crescenta. The suspect allegedly stole tools from Orchard Supply Hardware and as he was driving away California Highway Patrol attempted to stop him. He fled in a similar manner as the Burbank incident. A foot pursuit took place but Martinez eluded law enforcement.

Crescenta Valley Sheriff detectives did recover Martinez’s van that reportedly contained stolen items from OSH.

Martinez is being held without bail. His court date has yet to scheduled.

By Charly SHELTON

Cavalia was like a dream. We were in the Roman Colosseum, floating through space, but space was tie-dyed.

Horses were running around everywhere while chiseled men and beautiful women shouted orders to them from the backs of other horses and then, in a flipping jump, landing in the center of the arena. This even sounds like a dream.

But if you had this dream
you would probably go to a shrink the next day to ask what it all meant. What it means to us is that Cavalia is back in town.

Cavalia is like Cirque du Soleil on horses. Amazingly talented riders and gymnasts display their talents on horseback, swinging from trapeze, and jumping off trampolines to launch across the stage. In the beginning, the feats of athletic prowess are just amusements. But as the show progresses, it becomes “Jackass” on horses – let’s see how far we can push this, or let’s see how many ways I can ride this horse, or how many horses can I ride at once.

It starts with one rider jumping a horse over a pole. Then it becomes a rider jumping a horse over a pole while standing on its back. Then it’s a rider on two horses, then four, then six horses at once. One rider standing on six horses jumping over two consecutive poles while another rider is on his horse upside down, and the horse in the middle is dancing.  It was amazing.

Tickets range from $49 to $239 a pop, so there are many different options on when and how to see the show.

Valentines Day is coming up, so as a reminder to all those significant others who are usually last minute shoppers, if you are planning on doing Cavalia for your sweetie, make reservations now because I’m sure they will book up fast.

Cavalia is showing in downtown Burbank in those big, white tents next to the freeway from now through Feb. 15. Visit www.cavalia.net for more information, or scan the code in the top photo.

By Brandon HENSLEY

In 2003, Normand Latourelle and his show “Cavalia” set out to give audiences a dream-like experience – a spectacle where horses and humans unite.

Latourelle hoped it would last two or three years. As it turns out, the show is still going strong, and since its original production in Quebec, Canada, more than 2.5 million people in North America and Europe have enjoyed “Cavalia.”

“Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Horse and Human,” is a show combining equestrian arts, visual effects, and dance and acrobatics. It is held under a transportable tent called the White Big Top. On Jan. 19, “Cavalia” is coming to Southern California. It will be held in downtown Burbank at 777 N. Front St.

“I’m very excited to bring the show back to California,” said Latourelle last week. The show was in Los Angeles in 2004.

“People here in California are open-minded,” he said. “They look for great entertainment and every time we came to California we had great success.”

Latourelle is a co-founder of Canada’s famed Cirque Du Soleil. After five years with the show, he broke away. He said

he wanted to try something new and was inspired by a past Cirque Du Soleil performance involving a horse.

“I said, ‘Oh my gosh, this is a beautiful animal,’” Latourelle recalled. “They’re very proud, very noble. They’re very powerful at the same time.”

He was surprised to see more people being entertained by the horse than the performers. So he read up on everything involving horses, including their history and their nature. What he learned was that horses have a two-track mind: they want to eat and drink, and they also want to play.

“They are the most playful animal that exists on earth,” Latourelle said.

Because of that, “This is where I’ve decided to push the limits of performing arts, bringing horses to the stage.”

And what a big stage it is. The White Big Top is 110 feet tall. It has a stage that is 160 feet wide, and a 210-foot wide screen that is a backdrop for the projections and special effects. It took seven trucks to move the White Big Top from Denver to Burbank.

Latourelle said he didn’t want a circus-like space for the horses. He wanted space so they could roam. Having a tent that big isn’t always the best thing because of how much work it takes to get it ready. “At the same time, it’s something just to witness as a spectator,” Latourelle said.

Latourelle set up his vision for what he wants people to experience during the show: “A moment where at the same time you are going to laugh, you are going to cry, and be touched.

“You don’t need to be a horse person to like the show, you just need to let yourself go into a dream for two hours, and after you leave you feel the dream end.”

On Jan. 20, there will be a fundraiser for the Larry King Cardiac Foundation to pair with the opening of the Burbank show. King attended “Cavalia” previously and became a huge fan.

“We always try to associate our show with a cause,” Latourelle said. “For me it’s just a treat to be a link with him and to try to give something with the cause.”

Tickets for “Cavalia” generally range from $69 to $139.

For more information on the show and the Larry King fundraiser, call (866) 999-8111 or go to www.cavalia.net.

By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

The summer Burbank basketball league kicked off Tuesday night with the Falcons, 8-4-0 league, faced off against the Simi Valley Royals.

The Royals, who finished league 4-10-0, is traditionally one of the Falcons most worthy opponents. However, by the end of the first half with Crescenta Valley leading by 10 points, it seemed that the Royals left their ‘A’ game in Simi. Strong offensive and defensive playing by the Falcons, particularly by Cole Currie and Dylan Kilgour who stayed in for most of all four quarters, left the Royals scratching their heads as they headed into the locker room at the half.

Returning to the boards it was a revitalized team that quickly narrowed the Falcons’ lead. Strong handling by the Royals with an aggressive offensive took the Falcons from a comfortable10 point lead to just three at the bottom of the third, 30-27.

Unfortunately for Crescenta Valley, this was just the beginning of Simi turning on the heat. Christian Misi tried for two but missed leaving an opportunity that Royal didn’t waste, tying the game.

Kilgour continued pounding the boards, taking a shot, grabbing two before being fouled. Regrettably, he didn’t make either.

Royal continued pouring it on, nailing a two-pointer, again tying it with a little more than three minutes
on the clock 36-36. Misi picked up two on a foul but Royal wasn’t about to be shut down and at 1:21 nailed another two again tying the game.

With the clock running down, Kilgour got caught traveling and Royal took possession capturing three points, 38-41. At :30, Royal was fouled by Kilgour but missed the point, however at the next foul seconds
later Royal sunk both its shots bringing the score to 38-43.

Hope was briefly reignited when Currie was fouled and made both his shots, but with :09 left, Royal was again fouled grabbing another two, 38-45. Currie wasn’t about to give up, nailing a three pointer at :03.

But it was over. Royal took the opener 43-47.

CV’s Head Coach Shawn Zargarian recognized his team’s strength in the first half. “We had a lot of energy the first half,” he said. “But we’re out of shape which hurt us in the long stretches. But we played hard and gave a good effort.”

Image of beloved entertainer unveiled at Burbank airport as family and admirers look on.

By Mary O’KEEFE

On Tuesday a sculpture honoring entertainer Bob Hope was unveiled at the Burbank airport that bears the actor’s name.

The sculptor Don Wiegand was on hand for the unveiling.

The art that highlights one of the most famous profiles in history stands at seven-and-a-half feet tall and weighs in at about 425 pounds. Placing the artwork on the wall was a task set to La Crescenta resident Paul Mattersteig and Roy Westhoff of Sierra Pacific Constructors.

The two worked closely with the airport engineer.

“We used the existing structure to hang the sculpture,” Westhoff said.

Mattersteig added they had never installed a work of art of that magnitude, especially one that was so heavy and with so many eyes watching them.

There were several news agencies at the unveiling in addition to dignitaries and Hope’s daughter Linda and son Kelly looking on.

“I was a little nervous,” Mattersteig said after the unveiling.

The event began with Joyce Streator, president of the Bob Hope Airport Authority, welcoming Hope’s family and giving a bit of the history of his connection to the airport and the San Fernando Valley.

“In December of 2003 the airport’s name was changed to the Bob Hope Airport to honor a man so well known to all of us. We share a common history. Mr. Hope came to the valley during the same time the airport was [established] in the 1930s,” Streator said.

She spoke of his fame and his dedication to the men and women serving in the military around the world through his travels with the USO.

Linda Hope talked of her father and mother’s strong connection to the area.

“One of the things I think that is important to remember is that Dad traveled all over the world so it is very fitting that an airport would bear his name,” Hope said.

Bob Hope is known as an actor in movies especially with his road shows with Bing Crosby and in television with his many specials. He is also remembered as a strong force behind the USO. For years Hope traveled the world to bring a bit of home to military troops. The sculpture shows Hope with shirtsleeves rolled up and a USO patch on his arm.

“It depicts Bob at his best, in the field with the troops,” said Sloan Gibson, president and chief executive officer of the USO.

The depiction is the same that is on the medallion given to recipients of the Spirit of Hope Award that is presented to distinguished Americans whose patriotism and service to the troops reflects that of Bob Hope.

On the medallion Hope is standing in front of the ever-present microphone on stage entertaining the troops.

Sculptor Wiegand said the family liked the image and wanted to extend it to the airport.

“I began talking with the family and [airport officials] in 2002 and then began sculpting in 2007,” he said.

Passengers and visitors can see the new artwork as they walk through the main entrance of the airport.

“After today the four to six million passengers who pass through this terminal each year will capture and enjoy the spirit of Mr. Hope,” Streator said.

By Mary O’Keefe

A car chase that began with an armed robbery in Burbank raced through Sunland, Crescenta Valley and ended at the Americana in Glendale.

The saga began at a liquor store in the 2000 block of North Glenoaks, Burbank. The employee of the store noticed a suspicious man, later identified as Alexander Moya, 19, of Los Angeles, enter her store.

“She was a little nervous because the store had been robbed the week earlier,” said Sgt. Robert Quesada of the Burbank Police Department.

The employee called the police but as they were en route they received a call that the store had been robbed and the suspect had a gun. When police arrived they noticed the vehicle driven by a woman, later identified as Christina Tristan, 22, of Burbank, speeding away and gave chase.

The driver led the Burbank police on a chase through Sunland, Sun Valley and through La Tuna Canyon.

“She was driving recklessly and had hit another vehicle,” Quesada said.

She entered the Foothill (210) freeway at La Tuna and continued westbound. Once on the freeway her speed increased to at times 110 miles per hour, he said.

The driver traveled southbound on the Glendale (2) freeway, then to the westbound Ventura (134) freeway exiting onto Central Avenue. She then traveled southbound crashing into a vehicle and coming to a stop at the Americana.

Moya, in the front passenger seat, jumped out and ran. Tristan and Joseph Hernandez, 18, of Burbank who was a passenger in the back seat of the vehicle, were arrested.

Glendale police joined Burbank in a search for Moya, said Sgt. Tom Lorenz of the Glendale police. A SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) unit and K-9 units assisted in the search.

“They found the suspect crouching down in a corner in the parking garage at the Americana,” Lorenz said.

Police believe the suspects were the ones who had robbed the same liquor store last week.

Moya was arrested on four counts of robbery, Tristan was arrested on three counts of robbery and felony evading and Hernandez was arrested for robbery.

By Charly SHELTON

Census Day is April 1, 2010 – no fooling. In preparation, a new census office was opened with much fanfare on Jan. 20 in Burbank.Located at 2727 W. Alameda Ave., the opening ceremony included many distinguished speakers, including Greg Krikorian of the Glendale Unified School District and a blessing by the Armenian Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. After the ceremonies, attendees were invited on a tour of the new facility that will service the Burbank and foothill communities in the census effort.

America has held a census only 1790 when federal marshals traveled door to door recording each head of household and the number in the family. In 1902, the Census Bureau became a federal agency and a census has been held every decade ever since.

It is much easier today than it was in 1790 to conduct the census. Going door to door for 3.9 million people was tough, but doable. By the 2007 American Community Survey, the nation had jumped to 301,621,159 people. That’s a lot more time and effort knocking on each door. So for this year’s census, a mailer is being sent out. It is one of the shortest surveys to date. Being only 10 questions, it takes roughly 10 minutes to complete.

It doesn’t take long, but representatives insist that the information makes a big difference. Just because Census Day falls on April 1 – April Fool’s Day – that doesn’t mean fooling around on the forms is OK. This data will be used to determine House representation, overall population for studies, and will help divide up the over $400 billion a year that the federal government gives out to state, local, and tribal governments based on their census population count and data.