4th of July Party Poopers

     It just wouldn’t be the 4 th of July without fireworks. The City of Burbank has been very good about putting on free fireworks displays. Watching them is a tradition that everyone has enjoyed for many years.
     Since it first opened, I realized that the Burbank Mall was a great place to watch the fireworks. I call it the “Burbank Mall,” but I think its official name (at least this month) is the Burbank Town Center. It was once the Media City Center. Whatever they are calling it these days doesn’t really matter, it is still the “Burbank Mall” to those of us who actually live here. Back then, I personally drove up there and checked out the parking structures to find the best view. The structure by Sears and Macy’s was found to offer the best view.
     So many years ago we ventured up there on the evening of July 4 th. Parking at the very top of the structure, we got out our folding chairs and waited for the show. A few of our friends joined us too. We all had young children then who were eager to see the fireworks. Each year we returned, along with more and more people. Last year there must have been more than 100 cars filled with families up there.
     Problems have been few or non-existent. When they did occur, we dealt with them ourselves. A couple of times some adults have set off those so-called “safe and sane” fireworks. We simply talked to them and told them they would ruin it for everyone by doing that, so they quit. It was a party atmosphere up there, but hardly what you would call “partying.”
     Naturally, this year we planned on doing the same. But apparently the “party poopers” who manage the mall had other plans. When I drove up into the parking structure, I found the two roads leading up to the top blocked with cones and caution tape. Eventually I saw a security guard who informed me that the top of the structure was closed to the public because, “We don’t want anyone partying up there.” Of course he was only following orders, and there was no one at the mall to actually talk to about the problem.
     Now it is their mall, and the management can do what they want with it. But their actions on the 4 th of July were just down right unfriendly, if not unpatriotic. They allow folks to park up there any other time, so it really can’t be a liability issue. Apparently they just want to keep the great view of the fireworks for themselves. I thought we should boycott the mall, but then I realized that hardly anyone shops there anyway, so what’s the point. I guess it is time to see how the view of the fireworks is from the Empire Center --- if we could find an empty space there considering everyone DOES shop there.
     Although the party poopers at the mall did spoiled our 4 th of July plans, we did manage to see the fireworks. A bunch of us joined about 100 other people over at Memorial Field at Burroughs High. The view was great, even if the fireworks were a lot farther away.
     I think the mall management made a big mistake. Perhaps they will rectify it next year by opening the parking structure to the public again. If you are one of the hundreds who came up there in years past, let them know how you feel. You can reach their offices at 566-8556.

      --- Stan

Questions or Comments email Stan at Burbank Blog.Com