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SATURDAY DECEMBER 18, 2010


VOLUME 4 NO. 50

RAINY WEATHER CAUSE FOR 
CONCERN

City of Sierra Madre on Green Flag Alert 
- expects to issue Yellow Flag Alert before 
weekend is over.

In a press release sent out early today, the City of Sierra 
Madre notified residents that the city will remain under the 
Green Flag alert that was issued on Friday. “However, the 
City is anticipating the possibility of issuing a Yellow Flag 
Alert for mudslides and debris flows in the hillside communities this evening or 
Sunday.”

The National Weather Service is predicting continued rain through Wednesday 
with the heaviest rain expected on Sunday and Monday. The hillsides that were 
burned two years ago in Sierra Madre have not had time to revegetate thus raising 
concerns over mudslides and debris flow.

Local TV news channels are watching the town closely. On Friday, Channel 7 
news interviewed three residents about the rain and what impact it might have on 
them. Sierra Madreans Nora Crest and Bill Robinson along with local business 
owner Ed Rey spoke with reporter Elex Michaelson about the wet forcast. All 
were reasonably concerned and looked forward to the storm passing.

The City has identified a number of streets that will need to be clear of all vehicles 
during a Yellow Flag or Red Flag alert. The affected streets are: Mount Wilson 
Trail, Churchill Rd., Skyland Dr., Fern Glen, Fern Dr., Idlehour Ln., Canyon Crest 
Dr., Orange Dr., Woodland Dr., Brookside Lane, Sunnyside Lane, Sturtevant 
Drive, and Yucca Trail. The Yellow and Red Flag Alerts will trigger vehicles being 
towed from these streets at the owners’ expense.

 “NO PARKING” RESTRICTIONS MAY GO INTO EFFECT THIS WEEKEND.

Should the City order evacuations, please plan to be as self-sufficient as possible 
with important paperwork, medications, and clothing for at least seven days. It is 
important anticipate a possible evacuation order, and make plans for your pets in 
advance.

Please note that Public Safety Officials do not take evacuation orders lightly and 
residents should heed these orders. Once mud begins to flow, Emergency Responders 
will NOT rescue those who failed to evacuate until the mud has stopped 
flowing and it is safe for responders to enter the mud flow areas.

For more information about mudslide and debris flow preparations, please visit 
www.cityofsierramadre.com and click “Emergency Preparedness Information” 
and on the home page. Updates will also be issued on SMTV3 (Time Warner-
channel 3), Sierra Madre Community Radio (AM 1630), eBlasts, and the City’s 
Emergency Blog (http://sierramadrepio.blogspot.com).

About the Alerts:

GREEN FLAG - Activated under a prediction of 80% - 100% chance of precipitation. 
Affected residents should get “READY” for potential evacuation. This includes 
keeping a close watch on weather forecasts.

 YELLOW FLAG - Activated with an LA County Phase 1 mudflow forecast, or 
deemed consistent with the County’s forecast thresholds. This is described as 
small, isolated debris and mudflows possible at specific locations. Affected residents 
should get “SET” to leave their homes and may choose to voluntarily evacuate. 
Please note that all vehicles must be 
off the streets in potential mudflow areas 
during Yellow Flag alerts.

RED FLAG - Activated with an LA 
County Phase 2 or 3 forecast. Phase 2 
includes moderate debris and mudflows 
at more widespread locations. Phase 3 - 
the potential exists for significant debris 
and mudflows to be widespread. Affected 
residents should “GO”, meaning they 
should immediately evacuate, and vehicles 
should not be parked on the streets.

Holiday Decorating Award Winner!


MOUNTAIN VIEWS NEWS BEST OF SIERRA MADRE AWARD WINNER - 171 W. Orange Grove. For a 
complete list of winners go to “One Of A Kind” on page 13. All photos by Chris Bertrand

It's the "Sierra 
Madre History 
Book!"

Discussion and Book Signing 
with Michele Zack!

Tuesday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Sierra Madre Books

52 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Sierra Madre, CA 91024

(626) 836-3200

Copies for signing may be 

purchased at the presentation or in 
advance at Sierra Madre Books.

BURGLARY SUSPECTS TO FACE JUDGE

Burglary suspect Jason Andrew 
Mora, age 21, along with co-defendant 
David Wells, 20, are scheduled 
to appear before Judge Stan Blumenfeld 
on Monday, December 20, 
2010 in Pasadena/ 

 Wells is currently out on a $50,000 
bail, however Mora remains in custody 
at press time with a $100,000 
bail.

 Both men face two counts of 
felony burglary. They are accused 
of breaking into homes in Sierra 
Madre.

 As reported in this paper last 
week, the accused were apprehended 
by the Sierra Madre Police Department 
as they were leaving the 
area. An alert resident notified the 
SMPD of a burglary in progress in 
the 1900-2000 block of Vista Street.

When the suspects were arrested, 
police recovered what is believed 
to be stolen property from the 
suspects vehicle. At the time they 
were driving a silver Honda CRV.

 It was revealed that the twosome 
may be responsible for other daytime 
burlaries in Sierra Madre and 
the Hastings Ranch area of Pasadena. 
Both men are from Pasadena.

 The number of burglaries appears 
to have increased in the last six 
months and residents should take 
precautions to make certain that 
their homes and cars are secure. In 
at least two of the recent burglaries 
in Sierra Madre, entry to the home 
was gained through an unlocked 
window.

 The swift action that lead to the 
arrest of the men is attributed to the 
areas Neighborhood Watch Program. 
If your area does not have 
an organized Watch Group, you are 
encouraged to contact the Sierra 
Madre Police Department for assistance. 
S. Henderson/MVNews


Inside This Week...

CALENDAR Page 2 

SIERRA MADRE Page 3

PASADENA/ALTADENA

 Page 4

ARCADIA Page 5

MONROVIA/DUARTE

 Page 6


Let It Be Now

Just in time for Christmas, the Rev. George 
R. Crisp, Pastor of Sierra Madre United 
Methodist Church, has released a CD for 
the season.

Let It Be Now is a collection of 18 original 
songs for Christmas. As a spiritual 
discipline, Rev. Crisp has written a hymn 
or song for Christmas each year, and many 
have been used in worship. The collection 
includes “Magic of That Sacred Night,” “The 
Miracle of Grace,” “Magnify the Love,” 
“Source of Redeeming Hope,” “Peace Is In 
the Air,” and this year’s addition, the title 
track, “In the Distance (Let It Be Now).”

Let it Be Now is now available at the Cokesbury Bookstore, 478 E. Colorado 
Blvd., Pasadena, or through the office of Sierra Madre UMC, 695 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. For more information call (626) 355-0629. The 
cost of the CD is $15. Buy one for yourself and then additional copies to give 
as gifts this Christmas.

FEATURES

Education & Youth Page 7

Good Food & Drink Page 8

Legals Page 9

Left Turn/Right Turn Page 10

Opinion Page 11

The World Around Us Page 12

The Good Life Page 13

Homes & Property Page 14

SPORTS Page 15

 Bobby Eldridge - On The Course

 FYI Page 16 

Rev. Crisp, Pastor, Sierra Madre 
United Methodist Church

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