Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 11, 2010

13

THE WORLD AROUND YOU

 Mountain Views News Saturday, September 11, 2010 


JOIN THE WORLD VIEWING THE MOON ON SEPTEMBER 18th

On Saturday, Sept. 18, people around the planet 
will be gathering for the first-ever International 
Observe the Moon Night, a global event meant 
to get people excited about lunar science and 
exploration.

The whole thing started with a national moon night 
in the U.S. last year, spurred by the activities of two 
NASA moon missions: the Lunar Reconnaissance 
Orbiter (LRO) and the Lunar Crater Observation 
and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS). The LRO 
launched on June 18, 2009, and settled into orbit 
around the moon on June 23. The orbiter was 
carrying LCROSS, which got shot into the moon’s 
south pole on October 9 of last year as part of a 
search for water ice in shadowy craters.

Since then, lunar exploration has really 
gone international. Data from India’s lost 
Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter and Japan’s 
terminated Kaguya moon probe are still offering 
scientific riches (boosting those countries’ 
excitement over moon exploration). And China 
is planning to launch its second lunar probe this 
October, possibly followed by a human mission to 
the moon in 2017.

The international astronomy-advocacy group 
Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) is 
partnering with NASA to bring the excitement 
of observing and learning about Earth’s closest 
neighbor in space to the public worldwide. For 
details, see:

http://www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/
projects/intl-observe-moon-night.html

Come See the Moon

For sky-watchers here at home, a 
number of local events are scheduled 
for September 18, presenting our 
“Harvest Moon” in a lovely waxing 
gibbous phase, and offering a chance to 
see plenty of surface features brought 
into sharp relief by shadows.

With a decent telescope, viewers should 
be able to get a good look at features 
such as the Tycho crater, with its deep 
depression surrounded by bright rays 
that dominates the moon’s southern 
face. And higher magnifications will 
reveal mountain ranges, dark lava 
fields, and rippling ridges.

Of the many astronomy events 
scheduled for the Sept. 18-19 weekend, 
the following are close at hand for 
foothill-area residents:

GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY

Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, Public Star 
Party on observatory sidewalks 
and terraces, 2:00-9:45 p.m. Free 
admission.

HUNTINGTON LIBRARY

Spend the evening Sept. 18 with the Old 
Town Sidewalk Astronomers exploring 
the stars, planets, and constellations of 
the night sky. A variety of telescopes will be set 
up on the lawn for viewing, and science buffs can 
also tour the astronomy exhibits in the Library’s 
Dibner Hall. Children must be accompanied by 
an adult. Price per person: Huntington members: 
$12. non-members: $15. Children 2 and under 
free. Tickets: 626-405-2128.

OLD TOWN PASADENA & MONROVIA

The Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers will be split 
at two locations on Sept. 18: their usual Library 
Park corner in Monrovia, 
and the Huntington Library. 
Here’s the weekend:

Friday, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. 
– 9:30 p.m., near Colorado 
Blvd. and Delacey Ave., Old 
Town Pasadena. 

Saturday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m. 
– 9:30 p.m., Myrtyle & Lime, 
Old Town Monrovia. 

Saturday, Sept. 18, 
Huntington Library, San 
Marino.

PACIFIC ASTRONOMY 
AND TELESCOPE SHOW 
(PATS)

The Pacific Astronomy and 
Telescope Show (PATS), Sept. 
18 and 19 at the Pasadena 
Convention Center, will 
also have star (plus sun 
and moon)- gazing for the 
public. In addition, a variety 
of workshops and special 
events will be offered, and 
manufacturers and dealers 
of astronomical equipment 
will be on hand to show their 
wares. There will also a very 
special tour to Mount Wilson 
Observatory on September 
18, hosted by Observatory superintendent Dave 
Jurasevich. More information about PATS is at 
www.rtmcastronomyexpo.org/PATS.htm.

You can contact Bob Eklund at: b.eklund@
MtnViewsNews.com.


KATIE Tse ..........This and That

IT’S BACK!

 The ads have 
been reminding 
us since the end of 
July, and now the 
time has come. Yes, 
it’s “Back to School.” 
We all remember 
the famous Staples 
commercial 
featuring parents 
gaily riding carts 
to the tune of “The 
Most Wonderful 
Time of the Year” as they shopped with sullen 
children for school supplies. Somehow I 
never found that funny.

 In my day, going back to school meant 
new clothes and a pair of tennis shoes that 
stayed immaculate for about a week, if I was 
really careful. One of the first things I got in 
trouble for was smacking the music teacher 
on the butt. I know that sounds bad. I was in 
preschool and the music teacher had given 
us simple, indestructible instruments. I 
happened to be holding rhythm sticks when 
she bent down (probably to tell another 
kid something), sticking her wide rear in 
my face. I was overcome by an irresistible 
magnetism between the stick in my hand 
and her imposing rump. Considering the 
circumstances, you must agree my action 
was understandable. 

 In high school, they sent a list of supplies 
we’d need, and I dreaded what horrible things 
we would have to use a graphing calculator 
for. I swear the manual for that thing was 
bigger than the 
one for my car. An 
essential skill for 
school is knowing 
when to take 
warnings seriously. 
To start off my 
freshman year, 
my school mailed 
a threatening 
letter stating that 
all students must 
wear a particular 
brand of uniform, 
and that skirts 
could not be more 
than one inch 
above the kneecap. 
The uniform pants 
had waistlines 
designed to 
be worn in 
one’s armpits, with pleats big enough to 
accommodate a pregnancy of triplets. 
On top of that, they weren’t cheap. It was 
expensive to look dorky! So, imagine my 
surprise and embarrassment on the first 
day in my granny-pleated khakis when I 
saw girls with their skirts hiked up to their 
unmentionables.

 These days, September brings humorous 
stories from my friends and relatives in 
education. “One of my kindergarteners 
peed his pants on the carpet!” “You don’t 
really have a girl named Honey Butz! How 
can you keep a straight face?” Childhood 
is great and all, but I agree with Maurice 
Chevalier when he sang, “I’m so glad I’m not 
young anymore!” 


RICH Johnson

....ON CONFLICT

 How 
many of 
you out 
there 
believe 
the 
opposite 
of conflict is peace? Most of 
you? I figured so. Do I believe 
that? Nope.

 So, what do I believe? 
The opposite of conflict 
is boredom! If that sound 
preposterous to you consider 
the following: 

 Have you ever played 
video games? Tell me, what 
happens when you master 
the first level? Do you keep 
replaying that level over and 
over again? No. Why not? 
Because it becomes boring. 

 Do you enjoy playing cards? 
How long can you sit and 
play a game of “War” with 
your six-year old grandchild 
without going nuts? And why 
do you prefer to play bridge, 
or gin rummy with someone 
capable of whipping you? It’s 
called challenge/conflict.

 Speaking of conflict, take 
our city council (no quips 
ala Henny Youngman here.) 
Unlike the City of Bell 
elected crooks, our elected 
officials are not in this for 
the money ($250 a month.) 
You do not avoid conflict 
running for office. You thrust 
yourself into the midst of a 
firestorm, knowing full well 
half of us will not like you. 
And the other half will be 
undecided. So, whether you 
agree or disagree with your 
council members, honor 
their decision to enter the 
lions’ den…and stick their 
head in the lion’s mouth.

 I’ll defend to the death 
(metaphorically) your right 
to vociferously disagree 
with anyone. In Sierra 
Madre’s politically charged 
population there is little 
chance of anybody getting 
away with city of Bell-type 
shenanigans. And that’s a 
good thing. 

 Maybe it would be 
appropriate to remind you of 
a handful of “Murphy’s Laws 
of Combat.”

 If the enemy is in range, 
so are you.

 Try to look unimportant. 
They may be low on ammo.

 Teamwork is essential. It 
gives them someone else to 
shoot at.

 Never draw fire. It 
irritates everyone around 
you.

 Never share a foxhole 
with anyone braver than 
yourself.

 Anything you do can get 
you shot, including doing 
nothing.

 If your attack is going 
well, you have walked into 
an ambush.

 The enemy invariable 
attacks on two occasions:

A. When you’re 
ready for them.

B. When you’re not 
ready for them.

 I think our City Council 
may find these “laws” 
helpful. Thank you, all of 
you, for your sacrifice and 
commitment. 

 In conclusion, expect 
and embrace conflict. Work 
through it. After all, it’s 
inevitable and unavoidable. 

“I exhort you also to take part in the great combat, which is the combat of 
life, and greater than every other earthly conflict.” Plato


FAIRY TALE THEATRE

June Chandler and a terrific cast of actors have spent the summer 
creating lifelong memories in the hearts of hundreds of children.

The Sierra Madre Playhouse has played 
host to Ms. Chandler’s Fairy Tale Theater 
offering up a series of four classic fairy 
tales including “Dorothy and the Wizard 
of Oz,” “Treasure Island,” “Sleeping 
Beauty,” and “The Frog Prince.”

Each of the plays has been uniquely 
written and produced inviting interaction 
between the cast and the children. The 
characters routinely move through the 
audience seeking help, advice, and yes 
even more from the kids, like hiding 
Dorothy from the Wicked Witch!

A steady parade of princes and princesses, 
wizards, pirates, ghosts, frogs, dogs, kings 
and queens enchant our young audience 
each week. What’s more the entire cast 
will meet and greet audience members 
after each performance. What a perfect opportunity for kids to have a photo taken with their favorite 
characters.

If your kids, or kids you know have 
not experienced these plays there is 
still time. Showtimes are Saturdays 
at 11:00 and 2:00. Performances are 
45 minutes long.

The Frog Prince hops on stage on 
September 11 at 11:00 and 2:00.

Treasure Island sails on stage 
September 18 at 2:00 only.

Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz takes 
the stage on September 25 at 2:00 
only.

Tickets: $18, children under 12: $12.

Credit Card sales: 

www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

Phone: (626) 355-4318

The Sierra Madre Playhouse is 
located at 87 West Sierra Madre Blvd. 
Sierra Madre, CA, 91024


SIERRA MADRE’S 

FARMERS MARKET

Wednesdays - 4-7pm

 

Fresh vegetables and seasonal fruits from California family farms. 

Specialty foods, vegetarian and vegan dishes, ethnic foods and hot food - 
Everything you’ll find at the farmers market has been made or picked fresh, is 
pesticide-free and preservative-free. Free public parking on Mariposa.