Archives for May 6, 2025

Southern California is getting a little sweeter with the opening of a new Handel’s Ice Cream, just in time for the brand’s 80th anniversary. The iconic brand will open its latest location at 353 N. Pass Ave. in Burbank and celebrate with a grand opening on Thursday, May 15. To celebrate the first 50 guests will receive free ice cream for a year*!

Husband-and-wife duo Phil and Molly Kaye lead the Burbank Handel’s. The couple opened their first Handel’s in Los Feliz, where they currently reside with their young family. Phil is a professional writer and runs a youth poetry organization called Project VOICE, and Molly is a marriage and family therapist who works with parents and families.

“We opened our first location a year ago in Los Feliz, within walking distance from our home, and we loved it so much, that we wanted to do it again,” said Phil Kaye, Co-owner of the Burbank Handel’s Ice Cream. “Molly and I are finding new things to love in every step of the process. We have an amazing team that’s excited to make and scoop ice cream. They’re just as enthusiastic as we are about connecting with customers and bringing a little simple pleasure and happiness into whatever is happening in their lives.”

The Burbank location spans 2,100 sq. ft. and offers pick-up, delivery with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates, and catering services. Operating hours are Sunday through Wednesday from noon to 10 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. The location features classic and seasonal flavors such as Black Cherry, Blue Monster, Butter Pecan and Rocky Mocha Blast. Each Handel’s shop features 48 rotating flavors that are made fresh daily in-store.

Handel’s promotes a culture of community service. Stores across the country, including the new Burbank location, offer spirit nights, ice cream socials, and other fundraising opportunities to help local causes.

“We’ve worked with schools and young folks throughout our lives, Phil as a poetry ambassador and I as a special education teacher, and we plan to do the same with our new location,” said Molly Kaye, Co-Owner of the Burbank Handel’s Ice Cream. “We look forward to partnering with local schools and organizations to help raise funds on their behalf, all with a little help from ice cream.”

For more information about Handel’s Burbank, including upcoming events, visit https://handelsicecream.com/store/burbank or follow them on Instagram @handels.burbank.

*Must be 18 years or older to receive the Free Ice Cream for a Year offer.

About Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream 

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream has been in the business of making and selling fresh ice cream, handmade in stores every day, since 1945. Founded in Youngstown, Ohio, the Handel’s legacy was created by Alice Handel and Lenny Fisher, who grew the brand from a single Scoop Shop into a flourishing chain using fresh ingredients and upholding a commitment to quality. Each batch of Handel’s ice cream is made fresh daily, using Alice’s original methods and recipes. There are 48 flavors available daily and more than 140 flavors that rotate seasonally.    

In 2023 and 2024, Handel’s ranked in  Franchise Times’ Top 400 list, recognizing the largest franchise systems in the United States, and its “Fast & Serious,” a list of the smartest-growing franchises for the year. The brand is also recognized by TasteAtlas for one of the top 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams of the World.    

Handel’s has been named #1 Ice Cream on the Planet by  National Geographic, one of the Top 10 Best Ice Cream Businesses by  USA Today, one of the Top 500 Restaurants in America by  Nation’s Restaurant News, and Top 500 Franchises by  Entrepreneur Magazine. Handel’s currently has over 150 locations across 15 states and is growing. To learn more about Handel’s franchise opportunities, visit www.handelsicecream.com/franchise.   

Credit: Handel’s.

Popular summer program returns after pandemic hiatus, welcoming all Santa Cruz families

Gateway School in Santa Cruz announced today it’s opening its summer camp program to all Santa Cruz families this summer. Camp Gateway will run for five weeks from June 16 through July 18, with a robust array of enriching activities for all children entering 1st through 5th grades, regardless of school enrollment.

“We’re excited to open our doors to all Santa Cruz families and provide a summer experience that combines fun, creativity, and exploration,” said Gateway Head of School Hannah Wikse. “Our program welcomes children from throughout the community to enjoy engaging specialty classes in the joyful environment that makes Camp Gateway special.”

The camp will offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate family needs:

• Morning session: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Afternoon session: 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Full day: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Camp Gateway will feature specialty classes taught by experienced instructors, including:

• Nature illustration
• Build, paint, create
• Field and gym sports
• Printmaking
• Jiu Jitsu (held at Garth Taylor Jiu Jitsu)
• Jewelry making
• Pottery (tentative)

Afternoon sessions will include counselor-led activities including:

• Field games
• Crafting, scavenger hunts
• Painting and drawing
• Walking field trips
• Paper rocket building, and more

“Camp Gateway returns as a revival of the school’s beloved summer program that ran successfully for many years at our former location,” Wikse said. “After a pause during our campus relocation and the pandemic, we’re thrilled to bring back this Gateway tradition, which has created memorable summer experiences for hundreds of Santa Cruz children over the years.”

Camp Gateway offers competitive pricing with multiple options for families:

• Morning session: $350/week
• Afternoon session: $300/week
• Full day: $550/week

Registration is now open at https://campgateway.campbrainregistration.com. Families are encouraged to secure their spots early, as space is limited.

Credit: Gateway School.

College acceptance and financial aid letters are arriving soon, and high school seniors and college students have a major opportunity to ease their higher education costs through the CalKIDS program. CalKIDS is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships for higher education. This statewide initiative, administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, provides eligible California public school students with CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500—helping them take the next step toward college or career training by easing financial barriers to higher education.

In Los Angeles County, more than $524 million in CalKIDS Scholarships has been made available to public school students over the last three years, providing critical financial support for their higher education. A CalKIDS Scholarship does not require students to submit essays, meet a minimum GPA, or provide recommendation letters. Claiming a scholarship is simple and takes just minutes at CalKIDS.org.

“CalKIDS is an incredible resource for Los Angeles County families,” said State Treasurer Fiona Ma, chair of the ScholarShare Investment Board. “Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is the easiest step students can take on their path to higher education, and we want every eligible student to claim their scholarship account and take full advantage of this opportunity.”

Eligible students can use their CalKIDS Scholarship Accounts for tuition and fees, books and supplies, and computer equipment. Since 2022, approximately $1 billion in CalKIDS Scholarships have been made available to more than 2 million of California’s public high school students.

For Shaniya from UCLA, the funds from her CalKIDS Account made a big impact. “I used my money to pay for my first housing bill and that allowed me to save more money for the next two payments. It made a huge difference to me because by the end of the year I was able to pay for all of my necessities.”

To get the word out about this amazing program in Los Angeles County and ensure students and families are aware of and claim their CalKIDS Accounts, the ScholarShare Investment Board has worked diligently to establish strong partnerships with high schools, school districts, community-based organizations, and financial aid directors at community colleges and universities. Partners like Los Angeles County Office of Education play a vital role in spreading awareness and helping students access the funds available to them.

Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is quick and easy. Families simply need the student’s Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), a ten-digit number which can be obtained by contacting their school directly. Once they have the SSID, parents or students can visit CalKIDS.org to check eligibility and claim a scholarship account in just minutes.

The funds can be used at accredited colleges, universities, trade schools, and career programs across the country. Once enrolled in a higher education program, students can log into their CalKIDS Account to request a distribution directly to their school to cover qualifying educational expenses. 

“Studies show that students with just $500 or less set aside for college are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate,” said Cassandra DiBenedetto, Executive Director. “CalKIDS Accounts are more than financial assistance—they’re an investment in students’ futures, and we want to give every one of these students a reason to believe in their path to higher education.”

With roughly 7 out of 10 of Los Angeles County public school students eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship and key college decisions and financial aid deadlines approaching, now is the time for students and families to check their eligibility and claim their scholarship account.  

For more information on eligibility, scholarship amounts, and how to claim a CalKIDS Scholarship Account, visit CalKIDS.org.

Credit: CalKIDS.