Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 10, 2010

5

 
Mountain Views News Saturday, July 10, 2010

Court Oks Playhouse Reorganization

Sanchez to 
be Sworn in 
Monday


By Dean Lee

 The Pasadena Playhouse 
came one step closer 
Wednesday to reopening, 
possibly in fall, as the 
United States Bankruptcy 
Court in Los Angeles 
approved the theater’s plan 
of reorganization. The 
Playhouse closed Feb. 7 after 
owing almost 2.3 million in 
debt.

 In a statement released 
Thursday morning, 
Playhouse Executive 
Director, Stephen Eich 
expressed appreciation to the 
legal team, financial advisors 
and the Playhouse Board of 
Directors. The theater was 
in Chapter 11 for almost two 
months.

 “We are deeply grateful for 
the collective support that 
has allowed the Playhouse to 
expeditiously move through 
this difficult and sometimes 
painful process,” Eich said. 
“On this journey we found 
a new meaning to the word 
collaboration.”

 He added, “Although we 
will be moving slowly in the 
future to ensure financial 
responsibility and stability, 
we will in fact be back.”

 All 37 employees were laid off 
in February. At the time Eich 
said that included himself. 
It was not said if anyone 
would be rehired although 
the statement expressed that 
future plans, including a Fall 
2010 production, will be 
announced at a later date. 

 He also said the Playhouse’s 
loyal subscribers and donors 
were key to their survival. 

 “Without these loyal people, 
we would not be able to get 
through this difficult phase 
of the theatre’s rebirth. 
Their generosity - both 
monetary and in spirit - have 
underscored the tremendous 
support and need for our 
Theatre and have helped 
us to keep moving forward 
towards our goal of restoring 
the Playhouse to the premier 
theatrical destination for 
both the City of Pasadena 
and the State of California.”

 Playhouse also received, 
earlier this year, a matching 
pledge of $1 million by 
anonymous donors. “It was 
the donors’ want and need 
to help with the emergence 
of Pasadena Playhouse and 
their hope that others will 
step forward immediately 
to support the Playhouse’s 
essential on-going 
fundraising efforts to match 
or exceed their $1 million 
gift.” 

 Pasadena Playhouse Artistic 
Director, Sheldon Epps said, 
“We cannot fully enough 
express our profound 
gratitude to the precious 
anonymous $1 million 
donors, whose remarkably 
generous gift – and indeed 
the challenge to match that 
gift which comes with their 
pledge – will allow our 
beloved theatre to stand 
strong and proud as we move 
forward. All of this supernal 
effort from so many who care 
deeply about our theatre – 
which includes the artists 
who work here and our 
loyal audience and generous 
donors – is a great reminder 
of how valuable and 
important this theatre is to so 
many. This care and concern 
for this theatre and our work 
will allow the Playhouse to 
very soon get back to what it 
does best, which is filling our 
beautiful and glorious house 
with the art of the theatre.”

 Eich has been the theater’s 
executive director for less 
than a year.

 
To some it felt like it would 
never happen but after eight 
months of searching for a 
new police chief Phil Sanchez, 
Former Deputy Chief of Police 
in Santa Monica, will be sworn 
in Monday as the city’s next 
top cop.

 Sanchez will be Pasadena’s 
second chief to come from 
Santa Monica and the first 
Latino to head the department.

 Former Chief Bernard 
Melekian, who led the 
department for 13 years 
was also from Santa Monica 
then hired in 1996. Both 
Melekian and Sanchez are 
strong believers in community 
policing. 

 City Manager Michael J. Beck 
made the announcement last 
month.

 “Phil Sanchez has a strong 
background in police 
management and a reputation 
as a leader who is sensitive to 
community issues,” Beck said. 
“I am confident he will be 
well-received in the Pasadena 
community and the Pasadena 
Police Department.”

 Beck said Sanchez, 53, had 
served with the Santa Monica 
Police Department for 30 years 
including a stint with Melekian 
when both were detectives.

 Melekian left Pasadena to 
head the US Department of 
Justice Community Oriented 
Policing Services (COPS).

 According to Beck, Sanchez 
is among the founders of Santa 
Monica’s Chronic Homeless 
Project, a collaborative 
program of police, the Santa 
Monica Community and 
Cultural Services Department 
and social service agencies that 
work strategically to improve 
care and referral services for 
homeless persons. 

 He was instrumental in 
developing the Community 
Forum on Gang Violence, a 
series of workshops in Santa 
Monica that provided an 
opportunity for residents and 
other stakeholders to work 
collaboratively to reduce 
youth violence, increase 
communication and improve 
relationships between 
law enforcement and the 
community. 

 Sanchez has received the Santa 
Monica Police Department’s 
Medal of Courage twice for 
heroic actions during tactical 
operations. He served as the 
incident commander for 
several critical incidents, 
including a hostage situation 
at the Santa Monica Pier in 
2004. He also is the recipient 
of the department’s Medal 
of Merit for development of 
Special Weapons and Tactics 
(SWAT). He has been honored 
as Officer of the Year by the 
Rotary Club of Santa Monica 
and the Optimist Club of Santa 
Monica.

Crowd leaves last performance of “Camelot,” Feb 7. 

 Photo D.Lee/MVNews

Sketch Released of 
Missing Woman

 Skull and bones found in 
Angeles National Forest after 
Station Fire.

 Officials are now seeking the 
public’s help in identifying 
the remains of a woman 
whose skeletal remains 
were found off the Angeles 
National Forest Dec. 26. She 
is being referred to only as 
she’s Jane Doe No. 87. 

 The Los Angeles County 
Coroner’s Office on 
Wednesday released an 
artist’s sketch of what they 
believed the, white or 
Hispanic, 20 to 40 year-old 
may have looked like. 

 A gold-colored necklace 
and three rings with colored 
stones were also associated 
with the body investigators 
said. 

 The bones were found near 
Lucas Creek north of La 
Cañada-Flintridge just days 
after hikers found the skull 
of a man in the same area. 
Investigators say the man 
may have been shot. 

 They hope someone, a 
family member or friend, 
of the woman, will come 
forward.

Doo Dah Parade Photo 
Exhibition and Contest

 Professional and amateur 
photographers are invited 
to submit their best 
photographs of the 2010 
Occasional Pasadena Doo 
Dah Parade in a contest. All 
photographs will be exhibited 
at McGinty’s Gallery at the 
End of the World in Altadena 
6 p.m. to midnight July 17, 
during which trophies will 
be awarded in a number of 
categories, with the “Spirit 
of Doo Dah” as top prize. 
In addition, images will be 
featured in next year’s Doo 
Dah Parade Program!

 The official photo contest 
entry form, with complete 
submission requirements, is 
attached to this e-mail. It is 
also available for download 
here or at http://www.
julieklima.com/news.html. 
Your $5 submission fee 
includes free admission to the 
exhibit! 

 In addition to the photos on 
display, you can view royal 
gowns, portraits, and more. 
Chico’s Bail Bonds will treat 
you to blues, while The Subs 
will keep the beat with a 
repertoire ranging from folk 
and rock to R&B and dance. 
Reigning royalty Queen Erica 
will serve up some sweet 
guitar licks, Queen Naughty 
Mickie will awe you with 
her sword dance, and Queen 
Skittles will be offering her 
talents to take your photo 
with the Doo Dah denizen 
of your choice (For a small 
donation, you’ll get to keep 
the print).

 For more information about 
the photo contest, e-mail 
Gary Barbuto, coordinator, 
at garyb@recycler.com. Note: 
Photo submission deadline 
has been extended to Tuesday, 
July 13.


Bridge Party before the Bridge Party

 
Thousands of spectators took advantage of 
Pasadena’s lesser know Forth of July hangout, 
the Colorado Street Bridge. They brought 
pets, chairs, blankets and even homemade 
food as they watched, with a clear view, as 
the Rose Bowl lit up with an estimated 3,000 
fireworks shooting skyward. The Americafest 
Independence Day celebration lasted 28 
minutes featuring lots of red, white and 
blue. At one point fireworks shaped as red 
harts littered the sky to a sheering crowd. 
Thousands will again party on the bridge this 
Saturday night as part of Pasadena Heritage 
annual Celebration on the Colorado Street. 
There will be live music, dancing, antique 
cars, children’s activities, no-host festive 
foods and beverages. At the gate: Adults $15 
Children (7-12 years) $7. 

 All proceeds go to Pasadena Heritage 
funding local historic projects. 

Cars whiz by as fireworks form the Rose 
Bowl entertain thousands of spectators 
watching from the Colorado Street Bridge 
Sunday night. Photo D.Lee/MVNews 

Police Department Looking for Volunteers

 

 Assistance is needed with the Citizens 
Assisting Pasadena Police (CAPP) in patrol, 
Youth Accountability, Values-Based Review 
and Use-of-Force boards, Parade Watch, Safe 
Shopping detail, Missing Persons Volunteer 
Investigators Unit, Chaplains, Equestrian 
Unit, and Community Response to Eradicate 
and Deter Identity Theft (CREDIT) team.

 Volunteers are screened and trained during a 
12-week Citizen Police Academy, which gives 
a behind-the-scenes look at the department’s 
many functions. After successful completion 
of a background check, you’ll get hands-on 
training by department staff when you begin 
your specialized assignment.

 More than 140 active volunteers help with a 
variety of tasks in about a dozen sections of 
the department, logging nearly 16,000 hours 
last year alone. 

 The demand for police volunteers has never 
been higher and new opportunities are 
growing. Learn more by e-mailing nbazzo@
cityofpasadena.net or calling 744-7652.


PCC Library Technician 
Honored with Hero Award

Pet of the 
Week

 Deborah Smith, a 
technician in Pasadena City 
College’s Shatford Library, 
was recently honored 
by the PCC Academic 
Senate with the Unsung 
Hero Award. The unsung 
hero award is presented 
to a classified employee 
who has made significant 
contributions to the college 
and the community, while 
maintaining a good work 
record.

 “I feel honored to be 
acknowledged in this way,” 
Smith said. “However, I feel 
like I am just doing a job 
that I enjoy. It is always my 
pleasure to help where I can. 
I know that my goal is always 
to help the students and 
provide them with what they 
need to succeed.”

 Smith has been with the 
PCC library for 28 years. 
She currently manages the 
acquisitions department 
where she purchases, 
receives, and tracks funds for 
all of the books, magazines, 
journals, software, and 
media that enter the library.

 For more information, 
contact the Academic Senate 
at (626) 585-7211.

 
Matilda, a two-year-old, 
tortoise shell cat is very 
loving and oh so cute in 
person. She gets along 
with other cats and would 
be a great companion for 
someone in an apartment or 
condo. Matilda is already 
spayed and can go home 
with you today!

 The regular cat adoption 
fee is $70 which includes 
the spay or neuter surgery, 
microchip, vaccinations, 
and a free follow-up health 
check at a participating vet.

 Please call 626-792-7151 
and ask about A270204 
or come to the Pasadena 
Humane Society & SPCA, 
361 S. Raymond Ave , 
Pasadena CA , 91105 . 
Our adoption hours are 
11-3 Sunday, 9-4 Tuesday, 
Wednesday, Thursday, and 
Friday, and 9-3 Saturday. 
Directions and photos of 
all pets updated hourly 
may be found at www.
pasadenahumane.org

Baseball Reliquary, in 
partnership with the 
Pasadena Central Library, 
will present Shrine of the 
Eternals 2010 Induction Day, 
honoring the 2010 class of 
electees to the Pasadena-
based organization’s Hall of 
Fame on Sunday, July 18 at 
2 p.m. in Central Library’s 
DRW Auditorium, 285 E. 
Walnut St . This year marks 
the 12th anniversary of the 
Shrine ceremony. 

 The 2010 class of electees are 
Roger Angell, Pete Rose and 
Casey Stengel. David Kipen, 
author and former Director 
of Literature for the National 
Endowment for the Arts will 
be the Keynote Speaker.

 Roger Angell, a self-
described baseball “reporter” 
whose elegant and masterful 
prose, and remarkable power 
of observation, on display for 
years through his books and 
essays in The New Yorker 
magazine, established a 
new standard for baseball 
journalism.

 Pete Rose, the inimitable 
“Charlie Hustle” began his 
assault on the record books 
in 1963 as the first piece of 
what would become the Big 
Red Machine; his prowess at 
hitting a baseball would be 
matched only by his penchant 
for generating controversy, 
and, in the eyes of many, 
his eventual placement on 
baseball’s ineligible list and 
banishment from the Hall 
of Fame made what he had 
achieved between the white 
lines seem irrelevant. Casey 
Stengel, nicknamed “The Old 
Perfessor”, for his sharp wit 
and ability to talk at length on 
anything baseball - related. 
Stengel was an American 
Major League Baseball player 
and manager from 1912 
until 1965. Although his 
baseball career spanned a 
number of teams and cities, 
he is primarily associated 
with clubs in New York 
City . Between playing and 
managing, he is the only man 
to have worn all four of New 
York ‘s major league clubs’ 
uniforms. He was the first to 
manage both the New York 
Yankees and New York Mets.

 For more information 
on this event call (626) 
744-7270. For additional 
information on the Shrine 
of the Eternals, visit the 
Baseball Reliquary website 
at www.baseballreliquary.
org or contact Terry Cannon, 
Executive Director at (626) 
791 7647 or terymar@
earthlink.net.

Baseball 
Reliquary, 
Shrine of the 
Eternals 2010 
Induction 
Day

Citizen Journalism Boot Camp 

 


 
Get hands-on multimedia 
journalism training! What 
makes news? Is it better to 
use a video instead of a still 
photo? How can I get this 
story out?

 Pasadena Community 
Network and this newspaper 
are holding a seminar on 
Citizen Journalism. Putting 
the news in your hands. 
Learn how to find the story, 
the tools needed to capture 
the story and the means 
to tell the story using the 
power of video, audio and 
print along with the internet. 
First class starts soon, class 
from 11a.m.- 1p.m. at the 
PCN studios 2061 N. Los 
Robles Ave. #109. For more 
info contact Aaron Wheeler 
(626) 794-8585. Cost of the 
six week camp is $10 which 
covers all instructional 
materials and equipment. 

 Learn not just how 
to blog but how to 
report the news

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com