Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 17, 2011

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

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AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 17, 2011 

“What’s Going On?” 

News and Views from Joan Schmidt


Supervisorial Redistricting:

Only ONE Choice: PLAN A-3

Last week, I was one of 
800 people who attended 
the special Board of 
Supervisor’s Meeting re: 
Supervisorial Redistricting. 
There are three choices. 
Supervisor Gloria Molina’s 
and Supervisor Mark 
Ridley- Thomas’ plans, T-1 and S-2, would 
move nearly 3.5 MILLION people from one 
supervisorial district to another! Plan A-3, 
submitted by Don Knabe, and favored by 
80% of attendees calls for the least amount of 
redistricting. Most people who live in districts 
served by Don Knabe, Mike Antonovich, and Zev 
Yaroslavsky favored the A-3 Plan.

I entered the meeting, unsure of choices.. After 
3 hours of one- minute speakers, I left with a 
better understanding and a great respect for 
Supervisors Knabe and Yaroslavsky

Here is a brief overview of my time at the 
meeting. I sat with a wonderful group from the 
Rowland Heights/Hacienda Heights area; they 
were Anglo and Asian. They said Knabe had 
done SO MUCH for their areas and that Gloria 
was unacceptable, so they supported A-3. They 
came on a bus and brought a youth group formed 
because of Knabe. Then “Robert Thome” one of 
the AWESOME artists from Rancho Los Amigos 
in Downey, came to support Plan A-3, because 
Knabe supports their program at Rancho Los 
Amigos. 

Next were the Zev Yaroslavsky supporters. I 
had NO idea of his vast area and the impact he has 
had. His area includes the San Fernando Valley, 
Agoura Hills, Calabasas, North Hollywood, 
Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Malibu. 
Aleksander Rekhtman from the Valley, points 
out that “plans T-1 and S-2 would move nearly 
3.5 million people from one district to the other, 
destroying established relationships and seriously 
setting back progress on important community 
issues. Speakers from Santa Monica, Malibu and 
Calabasas all spoke of their unique geographic 
areas with their specific issues/problems(fires, 
flooding) which Zev has addressed on so many 
occasions! Why would anyone clump together 
different areas with different needs? Nancy 
Helsley of Calabassas said the redistricting 
proposals submitted by Supervisors Molina and 
Ridley-Thomas are” greatly gerrymandered”.

Our Fifth District WANTS to keep Supervisor 
Antonovich. Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte Town 
Council Chair, David Hall said, “Twenty years 
of a wonderful working relationship with 
Supervisor Antonovich, we are indebted to him 
for the progress in the Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte 
county areas …three diverse communities 
working together. 

Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz spoke of her 
concern of the “split” that Monrovia would have 
to endure. “We are unique in that we collaborate 
and work with our unincorporated areas…we are 
ALL Monrovians.” Mary Ann spoke of close to 
twenty years that we have worked together and 
Supervisor Antonovich was the catalyst in this.

Steve Baker, Monrovia’s Treasurer and 
Historian spoke of how Arcadia-Monrovia-
Duarte all came together. Years ago, the residents 
all attended MAD High School. “We have such a 
good relationship with Arcadia, our neighbor-we 
don’t want to be split from them.”

Jim Kirchner, former Mayor and City Council 
Member from Duarte, approached the issue from 
a different prospect-an economic one. The San 
Gabriel River seems to separate us from areas 
East. He mentioned the proximity of the Arcadia-
Monrovia-Duarte areas and the shopping, 
businesses, socializing among the three. He 
DOESN’T want Monrovia and Duarte pulled 
away from Arcadia.

The Board of Supervisors will hold another 
meeting-September 27 to discuss this issue. 
FOUR County Supervisors MUST vote on a plan 
for it to be adopted. I am afraid only three will. 
Then the vote is passed on to a three member 
panel, District Attorney Steve Cooley, Sheriff Lee 
Baca, and L.A. County Assessor John Nogues. 

SANTA ANITA TO HOST PHOTOGRAPHY DAY OCT. 7, 
BEGINNERS, PROS INVITED TO ALL-DAY EVENT

ARCADIA, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2011)—Santa Anita 
Park has announced that it will stage its second 
Photography Day, on Friday, Oct. 7, beginning 
with registration for all participants at its popular 
Clockers’ Corner area, at 7:30 a.m. 

Santa Anita is once again inviting professional 
and novice photographers with an interest in 
racing to take part in this one of a kind event that 
will include photographic opportunities at one of 
the world’s most spectacular sporting venues. 

After registration, all participants will be 
able to photograph morning workouts, which 
conclude at 10 a.m. At this time a breakfast 
buffet will be served and a question and answer 
session with track photographers, trainers and 
management will follow. 

First race post time is 1 p.m., and all participants 
will be granted access to the track’s paddock and 
winner’s circle throughout the afternoon. “We 
held our first Photography Day back in March 
and it far exceeded everyone’s expectations,” 
said Santa Anita Director of Group Sales Chris 
Quinn. “With the mountains in the background, 
and Santa Anita’s unique architecture and 
landscaping, our Thoroughbreds complement a 
tapestry that cannot be duplicated. 

“I think all of our fans, including those with 
photographic interests, deeply appreciate our 
world renowned aesthetics and appreciate the 
fact that we look forward to doing more of these 
kinds of events and being able to share some of 
these beautiful photographs with everyone via 
our website, www.santaanita.com.” 

Quinn noted that all photographers will be 
invited to submit photos at the end of the race 
day and that a wide variety of shots would then 
be selected for website display. A modest $20 
registration fee covers admission, parking, 
breakfast and press credentials for the day. For 
more information and to purchase tickets, fans 
are encouraged to visit www.santaanitaevents.
com, or to call Group Sales at (626) 574-6400.


La Salle’s Crystal Circle Honors Julie and Walter Williams

Pet of the Week

Johnny Walker: Animal ID #433508

Meet a gentleman of true class, the very suave 
Johnny Walker (A4335087). Johnny Walker 
is a soulful six-year-old black and white male 
Labrador Retriever/Sharpei mix who was found 
in El Monte on September 4th and brought 
to the Baldwin Park shelter. Weighing eighty 
pounds, this mellow boy walks well on the 
leash and is well socialized. Quiet and polite, 
Johnny Walker has a medium-to-low energy 
level and seems to be at his happiest when he 
is lying at your feet! The ultimate companion, 
Johnny Walker will make a wonderful buddy 
for a senior citizen as well as a great indoor pet 
for a family living in a private home. To watch 
a video of a volunteer interacting with Johnny 
Walker, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=iJRr2IpX6hE

To meet Johnny Walker in person, please see 
him at the Baldwin Park Shelter, located at 4275 
N. Elton, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-
430-2378). He is currently available now. For any 
inquiries about Johnny Walker, please reference 
his animal ID number: A4335087. 

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 
Johnny Walker 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 dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes 
available for adoption in local shelters, visit 
http://www.unitedhope4animals.org/about-us/
shelter-support-program/.


Pasadena, CA – La Salle High School honored 
Julie and Walter Williams with the Distinguished 
Lasallian Award during the 23rd annual Crystal 
Circle Dinner. The reception and dinner was held 
at the Westin Hotel in Pasadena on September 
11. This prestigious award is given annually to 
an individual or organization that has greatly 
contributed to the enrichment of a Catholic 
education for La Salle High School students.

President of La Salle, Dr. Richard Gray and 
Principal, Patrick Bonacci, AFSC presented the 
award to Julie and Walter Williams. Walt and 
Julie were founding members of the Board of 
Regents. Walt is the Mission Support Committee 
Chair and Julie is the chair of the Board 
Development Committee. Both have participated 
in the annual Mission Effectiveness Workshop 
as well as WCEA/WASC visitations. Their son, 
Andrew graduated from La Salle in 2004. 

The Crystal Circle at La Salle recognizes the 
generosity of individuals and organizations 
whose tax-deductible contributions and new 
pledges during the year total $1,000 or more. 
These donors play a critical role in strengthening 
the current programs for our students and 
helping La Salle plan for the future. 

Founded in 1989, the Crystal Circle had 11 
individuals, couples, and organizations as 
members in its initial year. For 2010-2011, 379 
individuals, couples, and organizations comprise 
the membership of this most prestigious order of 
donors.

BUSINESS TODAY

The latest on Business News, Trends and Techniques


Astronomy Talk at Altadena Library Saturday Sept. 24th

Don Nicholson to Speak on “Mount Wilson 
Astronomers I Have Known; Some of Whom Have 
Known Me”

The public is invited to attend an astronomy 
lecture at the Altadena Public Library, Saturday, 
Sept. 24, at 2:30 p.m. Don Nicholson will speak 
on “Mount Wilson Astronomers I Have Known; 
Some of Whom Have Known Me.” This lecture 
is free of charge, and all are welcome. There will 
be light refreshments beginning at 2:00 p.m. 

Don Nicholson is Associate Deputy Director for 
External Affairs of the Mount Wilson Institute, 
which operates Mount Wilson Observatory. The 
son of Dr. Seth B. Nicholson of the Mount Wilson 
Observatory, he has had a lifelong association 
with that Observatory. His present interests are 
the history of astronomy in the 20th century 
and the encouragement of public interest and 
participation in astronomy.

Don spent much of his youth at the Observatory 
and met many of the legendary figures who 
worked there. He graduated from Pomona 
College with a major in physics and received a 
Masters Degree in meteorology from Caltech. 
After serving in the U.S. Army Air Force, he 
worked for Technicolor, Northrop, and The 
Aerospace Corporation, where he led the Optical 
Systems Department. Since retiring, he has 
been active in public outreach for astronomical 
organizations. 

In 2007, Don was presented a Commendation 
by the Pasadena City Council for his many years 
of service to the community, after which Mayor 
William Bogaard commented that Don might be 
the only person still alive who has actually met 
George Ellery Hale!

The Altadena Public Library is located at 600 
E. Mariposa Street in Altadena, two stop signs 
west of Lake Avenue at the corner of Mariposa 
and Santa Rosa Avenue (“Christmas Tree Lane”). 
Exit the 210 freeway at Lake Avenue in Pasadena 
and go about 2.5 miles north to Mariposa Street 
in Altadena. Turn left on Mariposa, go to the 
second stop sign, turn left on Santa Rosa, and 
turn into the parking lot at the first driveway 
on your right. The lecture is in the library’s 
Community Room.

This talk is sponsored by the Mount Wilson 
Institute. For more information, including how 
to become a member of Friends of Mount Wilson 
Observatory (FOMWO), see the Observatory’s 
website www.mtwilson.edu or contact lecture 
coordinator Bob Eklund, beklund@sprynet.com, 
(310) 216-5947. 

BUSINESS DECISION-MAKING

By LaQuetta Shamblee

 No matter whether economic 
times are good or 
bad, making sound business 
decisions will always work 
to your advantage. Need to 
increase sales, launch a new 
product line, move into a 
smaller office or perhaps 
speak with an employee 
about being late to work. 

 It is important to proceed 
with a clear decision whenever 
you are faced with an 
opportunity that is likely 
to make your business operations 
stronger or increase 
your bottom line. There are 
two things that will indicate 
the clarity and strength of 
your business decisions: 

 1) Establishing a timeline 
for following through with 
what’s needed to support 
your decision and 

 2) If applicable, determining 
the budget that is needed 
to take the decision to its 
conclusion.

 It is not usual for a business 
owner to have an emotional 
attachment to things that 
may need to be changed. For 
example, let’s consider the 
layout for a menu, the cousin 
that they hired as the receptionist 
or the décor in their 
retail site. If the business 
owner has professional training 
or a natural talent for the 
respective element, these 
things might be perfect. Obviously, 
Debbie Fields had 
the perfect recipe for cookies 
that were key to launching 
her company in 1977 and 
building a sweet empire that 
she later sold for millions. 

You can bet that there were 
professionals with expertise 
brought in to inform, set-
up or manage other critical 
areas of the business. Being 
decisive is another of the 
traits that distinguishes successful 
entrepreneurs.