SIERRA MADRE PASADENA/ALTADENA ARCADIA EDUCATION & YOUTH MONROVIA Sierra Madre School Canyon Zone Ordinance Students Raise Money Principal To Retire Postal Service Changes MTA Votes To Cut To Fight Cancer Concerned About Workforce Housing Service Nuclear Disaster In Page 7 Neighborhood Meeting No. 1 In Pedestrian Japan? ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Fatalities Rich Johnson Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 9 SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011 VOLUME 5 NO. 13 EVEN ON A RAINY DAY....Hundreds Attend Wistaria Festival Despite Torrential Rains, Cold and Strong Winds, Many Were Determined To See Sierra Madre’s Historical Vine Visitors waited patiently in pouring rain to view Sierra Madre’s historical Old Fashioned California Trolleys were scheduled to take visitors from Wistaria Vine. Although there have been other rainy festivals in other downtown Sierra Madre to the vine. Trolley service continued until a combi- years, this was the heaviest rainfall in the festival’s history. nation of the winds and rain made the trip to the vine too risky. Tour buses from various parts of the state also made the journey to Sierra Madre. The rains never stopped for more than a few moments all day. “What’s a little rain?”, said this attendee as she rode her scooter down Sierra Madre Blvd. A little rain was not a problem. A LOT of rain was but not for these Girl Scouts. (below) The vine, from the Sols’ home was prepared for the day, however, Mother Nature had other plans. Below, visitors didn’t seem to care about the weather. Bottom - Sierra Madre Rotary prepares their famous brisket hoping that the dry weather was coming soon! Above, local businesses prepared for what they hoped would be thou- sands of visitors. On av- erage, (and on a dry day) the festival draws more than 7,000 people to town. However, with the heavy rain, thunder, light- ening, cold and windy conditions, the festival was compelled to shut down five hours early. Approximately 100 vol- unteers were on hand. At right, three of the bus docents stop to smile for the camera. Never letting the rain wipe the smiles off their faces. The true spirit of Sierra Madre was evident with every cold, shivering and wet vol- unteer who stayed until Mother Nature finally said ‘no more’. Photos & Captions by S. Henderson/MVNews Read The Paper Online At: www.mtnviewsnews.com 2 Mountain View News Saturday, March 26, 2011 CALENDAR Weather Wise VOLUNTEER BEST USED BOOK SALE 5-Day Forecast OPPORTUNITY Spring Break is almost upon us, and you may need a good book to pass the time! Sierra Madre, Ca. TRAFFIC VOLUNTEER Plan on visiting the Friends of the Sierra Madre Library Mon: Showers Hi 60s Lows 40s Police Department Traffic Volunteers will serve at com- Ptly Cldy Best Used Book Sale for an excellent selection of books at Tues: Hi 60s Lows 40s munity-wide special events and in emergency situa- reasonable prices. The sale will be held Friday April 1st, Wed: Showers Hi 60s Lows 40s tions assisting with directing traffic at intersections and 3pm to 7pm and Saturday April 2nd, 10am to 2pm. Thur: Ptly Cldy Hi 60s Lows 40s on streets, staffing barricades, and assisting pedestrians Showers Fri: Hi 60s Lows 40s crossing in crosswalks. Traffic Volunteers will be trained Your Spring Break options will include a beautiful collec- Forecasts courtesy of the National Weather Service to in the proper procedures for directing traffic and pro- tion of coffee table books - American Indians, art, specialty vided uniforms for their service. cookbooks, new fiction, offerings from The National -Geo CITY OF SIERRA MADRE graphic Society, health books for women and Twilight Se- CALENDAR OF EVENTS DUTIES: ries for your teens. Collectors of vintage reading will find Unless otherwise noted, all meetings listed below are held at City Hall 232 a selection of old and noteworthy books. As always, tables W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 626-355-7135 - Assist with traffic control at events or in emergency outside the library will be filled with hardback fiction and situations. NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING: non-fiction for $1.00 each, paperbacks for 25 cents (or 5 for April 12, 2011 6:30 pm - Direct traffic by voice, hand or other signal. $1.00) Also, check out a new selection of children’s books. - Follow applicable City safety rules and regulations. - Inform staff of any issues that may arise. April 7 @ 3pm - Senior Commission The Friend’s Best Used Book Sale continues to be the orga- - Interact with the public sometimes under stressful cir- nizations major fundraiser to support the on-going library cumstances in a fair, calm and understanding way. April 18 @ 6pm - Community Services Commission needs for equipment and programs. For the best finds shop in and outside the library and visit early. The Sierra Madre QUALIFICATIONS: April 19 @ 6:30pm - UUT Oversight Committee Public Library is located at 440 W Sierra Madre Blvd. Have a valid Class C California driver’s license for the April 20 @ 7pm - Tree Advisory Committee City of Sierra Madre Community Arts Commission Presents: past five years as well as the ability to maintain insurabil- An Exhibition By Paul Fairbanks ity under the City’s Vehicle Usage Policy. Must possess a April 21 @ 7pm - Planning Commission You are invited to view the latest work of the Artist, Paul current American Red Cross certificate in First Aid/CPR/ Fairbanks, who hails originally from the land of the Bean AED for Schools and the Community, or the equivalent, April 26 @ 6:30pm - City Council and the Cod. His natural ability to capture nature in its within three months of appointment. Must be available changing moods over the course of 48 years has allowed to volunteer evenings, weekends, and holidays. Must April 27 @ 7pm - Library Board of Trustees him to be represented in many private collections. Enjoy complete a background verification process and success- the fruits of his adventure! fully complete the training provided by the Department. Paul Fairbanks' Exhibition thru April 1, 2011 April 28 @ 7pm - Green Advisory Committee Please visit the city’s website at www.cityofsierramadre. Sierra Madre City Hall - 232 West Sierra Madre Bl. com for more information and to download a flyer and Sierra Madre, CA 91024 HUCK FINN FISHING application. SPRING LAP SWIM DERBY AND CAMPOUT The Community and Personnel Services Department will be offering a spring lap swim program for the 2011 season. It’s not too late to 1630 AM This is a great opportunity for low impact aerobic exercise. register for the Huck Free on-air publicity for local events The spring season begins on Monday, March 14 and runs Finn Campout on through Sunday, June 12. Springs hours are as follows: Sun- Friday, April 1, 2011. Sierra Madre’s new community radio station is now accepting day, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 12:00pm- scripts for Public Service Announcements (PSAs) about 2:00pm and Tuesday and Thursday 7:00pm-9:00pm. Spring Campsites are still community events. PSAs will be broadcast on the air at no available! Registration charge. The station operates 24/7 and can be heard at 1630 on season passes are $100 per person with no daily admissions. for the campout is $45 the AM dial. Registration for the spring lap swim program can be made at the Community Recreation Center located at 611 E. for a family of six and Any local non-profit or non-commercial organization can have Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. For more includes fishing derby their event information broadcast to the public on Sierra Madre information please call 626-355-5278 fees. Community Information Radio. This new radio station covers Please visit the the city of Sierra Madre, plus surrounding areas of Pasadena, LYRIC SLAM FOR TEENS AT Community Services Arcadia, and Monrovia. Office, located at 611 In a nutshell, your event must: SIERRA MADRE LIBRARY E. Sierra Madre blvd., • Benefit a non-commercial or non-profit entity If you are an aspiring poet or lyricist between the ages of 12- • Be open to the public 17, you are invited to bring your original material to a Lyric to save a spot for the • Be of general interest to local citizens Huck Finn Campout. Slam for Teens at Sierra Madre Public Library, 440 W. Sierra The Huck Finn Fish- Just write a Public Service Announcement that describes your Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, on Friday, April 1, at 7:00 p.m. ing Derby is on Satur- event and e-mail it to [email protected]. This is a great opportunity to meet other writers, make new day, April 2, 2011. The friends and share your work with others. Compositions can be in any style—rap, rock, pop, free verse or rhymed—the 2010 Participant - What A Catch! fishing derby begins sky’s the limit, and any and all styles are welcome. at 7:00am and runs What D0 YOU Think? through 11:30am. Youth ages 3-16 years may participate This will also be a unique opportunity to have your in the fishing derby for a fee of $7 per child. material put to music by accomplished musicians. Guest The Sierra Madre settling basins will be stocked with performers Dawn Bishop (keyboards and vocals) and Brian rainbow trout and no fishing license is required. There Coe (percussion), will improvise a song on the spot using is no need to pre-register for this event. Entrance to the participants’ lyrics. fishing derby is located next to Dapper Field, at Sierra Everyone is invited to come as they are, or to mix it up and Vista Park.