p5, v5.33 — Around The San Gabriel Valley

Around The San Gabriel Valley

Mountain Views News Saturday, August 13, 2011

MVNews this week: Page 5

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

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Mountain Views-News Saturday, August 13, 2011

4th ANNUAL ARMENIAN IDENTITY FESTIVAL

GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH

“What’s Going On?”

News and Views from Joan M. Clayton

THE COLLINS TWINS COME TO TOWN

Last Friday, I had the
pleasure of meeting two
remarkable men, NBA
players, and twins, Jarron
and Jason Collins. These
fine men from Northridge,
California were standouts
at Harvard-Westlake
High School and Stanford
University. They came to
Northview Middle School in Duarte as Guest
Speakers at the end of a special week-long
basketball clinic.

A Game Fundamental Basketball Clinic is the
brainchild of Rodney Jefferson, Duarte High
School’s current Head Basketball Varsity Coach.
Mr. Jefferson, a motivational speaker and
intercultural mediator has worked as a liaison
between city officials and at-risk youth to reduce
gang violence. He’s also worked with businesses
to develop strategies to provide job training and
increase opportunities. During the summer, Mr.
Jefferson holds a special non-profit basketball
clinic to help develop skills. But the youth learn
much more. They learn the value of hard work,
setting goals and working as a team. This year’s
clinic ran from 9am-1:30pm, August 1-5. The
youths learned many skills, team work; they were
given shirts, and lunch was provided each day.
Friday’s ending festivities included games and
competition between team and individuals. Then
the certificates, awards, and trophies were passed
out. So many wonderful dignitaries/friends came
out! From Supervisor Antonovich’s office, Field
Deputy Brian Mejia, a proud new father, who
was beaming! From the City of Duarte, Chamber
Director Jim Kirchner and his lovely wife, Kathy;
Mayor Pro Tem Lois Gaston and Council Member
Margaret Finlay; School Board Members Ken
Bell and Rose Brooks-Mitchell; Duarte High
Principal, Eric Barba; and Duarte Coordinating
Council Member Dorothy Smith. From the City
of Monrovia, Mayor Mary Ann Lutz and Council
Member Becky Shevlin. As a retired MAD Town
Council member, I represented the county area!

The Collins were introduced and took turns
speaking. They talked about the importance of
family and sacrifices their parents made, so they
would be where they are, today. The men told the
youth to turn around and look at their families
and to appreciate them, their support and
sacrifices. Setting goals and working hard are an
important prerequisite to success. Early on, Jason
said they realized their parents couldn’t afford to
send both to college. They had to be successful in
the classroom. As far as athletics were concerned,
Jason said there was no substitute for practice
and hard work. He wanted to do his best; he
challenged himself to do better.

Jarron reiterated what Jason said. Jarron
was not an “A” student in all subjects. He was
having difficulty in one subject, so he met with
his teacher. He asked about extra credit. Most
importantly, he set aside time every day to do his
homework. Again, one must set goals and follow
them to succeed.

There were many interesting questions and
comments. Mr. Bell remembered that the Collins
boys’ team beat Duarte H.S. twice! Mrs. Gaston
said she remembered their years at Stanford and
asked why that university was chosen. The answer
was “for a number of factors including excellent
athletic and EDUCATIONAL programs, and for
family. Their grandparents lived in the Bay area
and their grandfathers attended all their games
at Stanford!

When you apply at universities for a sports
scholarship, you sign an “intent to play” and
it’s a given you’re in the university/college. Not
Stanford. One must fill out the forms and go
through the entire process and meet educational
requirements!

A question was asked about the Collins parents’
height. Mom was 6ft.1; Dad was 6ft. 4! The twins
had a young growth spurt. By 8th grade, they
were 6’6 and could dunk!

“How many MVP’S did you receive?” was
presented as a question. It couldn’t be answered.
Yet every team award- whether on the high school,
collegiate, or pro TEAM award came to mind.
That was the important goal: “TEAM”. It didn’t
matter what one scored. Rebounds, passing to
other players-that’s what counted! John Stockton
once said, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish
when no one cares about themselves,”

The Collins Twins graciously sat down,
signed autographs, and posed for photos with
EVERYONE who asked-young and old alike
even if you hadn’t been at the clinic! We headed
outside for a barbecue and as I walked out with
some parents, I listened to their comments.
“What PERFECT role models the Collins are!
They stressed the importance of education.”
“FAMILY was a factor in their decision to attend
Stanford. They told the youths to appreciate
their families and the sacrifices their families
make!” “The Collins gave good practical advice:
Set goals, study hard, set aside time each day for
homework!”

Thank you, Rodney Jefferson for a wonderful
clinic for area youth. They not only learned skills,
but many important life lessons. Thank you
Jarron and Jason Collins for being the kind of
role models I would want for my grandchildren.
You both know what it really important in life.

The 4th Annual Armenian Identity Festival
took place on Sunday July 31st, from noon to 8:00
p.m. at Pasadena’s Victory Park. The 4th Annual
Armenian Identity Festival was arranged by the
Armenian Community Coalition. Appointed
as master of ceremony was Mary Agulian, who
enthusiastically communicated with the patrons
of the event. The success of this year’s festival was
calculated by attendees reaching over 3,000.

The festivities kicked off at 2pm with the
presentation of the colors by members of the
United States Marine Corps. Ara Sahagian
did the honors of singing both the American
and Armenian national anthems. To Celebrate
Pasadena’s 125th Anniversary city dignitaries,
including Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, Pasadena
Police Chief Phillip Sanchez and wife Debora,
Pasadena City Councilmember Gene Masuda,
PUSD Board member Ramon Miramantes, Robin
Salazar, and ACC Chairman Khatchik “Chris”
Chahinian sliced a celebratory cake to honor
Pasadena. Prior to cutting the cake Ara Sahagian
also had the honor of singing “Happy Birthday,
Pasadena.”

Live musical entertainment was provided
by Sahag Sislian, Kevork Chakmacyan, Nshan
Tchaghatsbanian and Khatchig Nahabedian
throughout the day. People enjoyed the ethnic and
local foods, while children participated in various
activities. There were many exhibitions, including
classic cars and local organizational booths. Nor
Serount children’s Dance group, choreographed
by Lilian, presented Armenian folk dances, and
the Macarena. As the day progressed, Hye Kempo
karate students performed.

Part of the festivities included a raffle for
both a watch and a gold pendant; the watch was
donated by Tic-Time, of Glendale Gallery. The
gold and diamond pendant donated by Albert
Tchoukadarian of Noble Jewelers in Monrovia
was the grand prize of the raffle. Congratulations
to both winners, the Grand Prize winner was
Sarkis Sahagian of Pasadena.

On behalf of the Armenian Community
Coalition, Chairman Khatchik “Chris” Chahinian
presented two plaques of appreciation. The first
plaque was presented to Mayor Bill Bogaard and
the other to the United States Marine Corps, in
appreciation for their service to the USA.

The Armenian Community Coalition is
working hard to commission and bestow a
Genocide Monument in the city of Pasadena, in
honor of 1915 Genocide victims. For this project,
six artists displayed and presented designs for
the proposed monument. A petition campaign
has begun to collect signatures to encourage the
placement of a genocide monument. The Mayor,
Councilman Masuda, and the Police Chief were
among the first to sign the monument petition.

The Armenian Community Coalition of
Pasadena is composed of schools, churches, and
cultural organizations. Its mission is to bring
the Armenian community together and work
with other public groups to improve education,
increase employment opportunities, and enhance
living conditions in Pasadena.

What better way than a scoop of ice cream
with a little fudge sauce on top to savor
women’s right to vote?

To celebrate the momentous day 91 years
ago when women gained full participation
in democracy with the passage of the 19th
amendment, the League of Women Voters
Pasadena Area is throwing an ice cream
social for the whole family on Sunday, Aug.
28, 4:00-5:30 p.m., at the historic Hillmont
House, 939 N. Hill Ave.,

Pasadena.

Ragtime music by Dad’s Band Plus One,
games and activities for children and plenty
of Carmela’s ice cream on the lawn of a Victorian
landmark promise and old-

fashioned good time. Children under 13 are
free. Everyone else pays only $5.

Reservations and further information
about the League are available by calling
626-798-0965.

Reservations and tickets also are available
online: http://www.lwvpasadenaarea .org/
donate.html.

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S

EQUALITY DAYAUGUST 28

Board of Forestry & Fire Protection Moves Forward
with State Responsibility Area Fee Regulation

PET OF THE WEEK

Benny: Animal ID #A4316365

Sacramento – The Board of Forestry and
Fire Protection (Board) today directed staff to
move forward with the drafting of emergency
regulations in accordance with Assembly Bill
AB X 1 29, State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fees,
for the full board to consider at a special public
meeting to be held in Sacramento on August 22,
2011.

Executive Officer George Gentry presented the
Board with a comprehensive overview of the new
law that requires the Board to adopt emergency
regulations to establish a fire prevention fee of
up to $150 to be charged on each “habitable”
structure within the over 31 million acres of SRA
on or before September 1, 2011.

Among the items the regulations need to
address are refining the definition of “habitable
structure” as it relates to the law and a
determination of the scalability of the fee based
on prevention measures already in place.

Board Chairman, Stan Dixon expressed his
appreciation for the thorough report provided by
Mr. Gentry and noted that, “the law requires the
Board to act and we will continue to move ahead
with this task.”

The next meeting of the Board will be Monday,
August 22, 2011 in the first floor auditorium of the
Resources Building located at 1416 9th Street in
downtown Sacramento.

Meet Benny, a debonair gentleman (A4316365).
Benny is a handsome, three-year-old, white male
Lab/Shepherd/Chow Chow mix who was found
as a stray on the streets of the City of Industry
and came to the Baldwin Park shelter on July
26th. Weighing thirty-six pounds, Benny finds
the shelter a bit overwhelming and is a little
shut down. With a little attention and patience,
he warmed up to United Hope for Animals
volunteers, and his many fans see this boy a great
dog ready to blossom with some tender loving
care. Benny will be a grateful, loving, indoor
pet for anyone willing to give him the chance he
richly deserves. To watch a video of volunteers
interacting with Benny, please visit: www.
youtube.com/watch?v=a3Wrjw06RQ0

To meet Benny, please visit him at the Baldwin
Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. Elton, Baldwin
Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-430-2378). His
adoption fee is $100 and he is currently available
now. For any inquiries about Benny, please
reference his animal ID number: A4316365.
The shelter is open seven days a week, 12 pm-7
pm Monday-Thursday and 10am-5pm Friday-
Sunday. This is a high-intake shelter with a
great need for adoptions. For more information
about Benny or the adoption process, contact
United Hope for Animals Volunteer Adoption
Coordinator Samantha at samanthasayon@
gmail.com or 661-309-2674. To learn more about
United Hope for Animals’ partnership with the
Baldwin Park Shelter through its Shelter Support
Program, as well as the many dog of all breeds,
ages, and sizes available for adoption in local
shelters, visit http://www.unitedhope4animals.
org/about-us/shelter-support-program/.

25% Off Purchases of $50 or more....

AUGUST IS BACK TO SCHOOL MONTH

OFFER EXPIRES 8/31/11

Board of Forestry & Fiare Protection Moves Forward
with State Responsibility Area Fee Regulation

The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
(Board) today directed staff to move forward
with the drafting of emergency regulations in
accordance with Assembly Bill AB X 1 29, State
Responsibility Area (SRA) Fees, for the full board
to consider at a special public meeting to be held
in Sacramento on August 22, 2011.

The next meeting of the Board will be Monday,
August 22, 2011 in the first floor auditorium of
the Resources Building located at 1416 9th Street
in downtown Sacramento.

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