Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 28, 2012

4


Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 28, 2012 


MAYOR GIVES STATE 
OF THE CITY REPORT

PORTANTINO 
PREPARES 
OPEN CARRY 
BILL BANING 
UNLOADED 
RIFLES

 
Assemblymember Anthony 
Portantino has introduced 
AB 1527, a measure that will 
prohibit individuals from 
openly displaying unloaded 
rifles and shotguns in public. 
Portantino introduced the 
legislation at the urging of law 
enforcement as a follow up to 
last year’s successful AB 144, 
which banned openly carrying 
an unloaded handgun in 
public places.

 In reaction to the enactment 
of AB 144, Open Carry 
Organizations across the State 
began hosting open carry 
events brandishing rifles and 
shotguns in place of the now 
illegal handguns. In at least 
once instance, they showed up 
at a police fundraiser wielding 
unloaded rifles. 

 “Last year, the state made 
it clear that this type of 
behavior had no place on 
Main Street, California,” said 
Assemblymember Portantino. 
“Unfortunately, the Open 
Carry community has 
decided to once again force 
our hand by escalating their 
unnecessary activities and 
entering our communities 
with AR-15s and other long 
guns. I had hoped cooler heads 
would have prevailed and this 
law wouldn’t be necessary, 
obviously that hasn’t been the 
case and I must once again 
take action to ensure the safety 
of our communities.”

 AB 1527 builds on the 
newly enacted law authored 
by Portantino last year and 
provides a similar list of 
exemptions to enable safe 
transportation, lawful hunting, 
and use by law enforcement 
officials.

 “The Brady Campaign 
supports AB 1527,” said 
Dr. Dallas Stout, President 
of the California Brady 
Campaign Chapters. “These 
public displays of shot guns, 
rifles, and live ammunition 
intimidate and scare people. 
This is not the kind of society 
Californians want to live in, 
and we support ending this 
dangerous practice.”

 AB 1527 currently awaits 
referral from the Assembly 
Rules committee and will 
likely be set for hearing in 
the Assembly Public Safety 
committee sometime in late 
March or early April.

 Mayor Bill Bogaard gave 
is annual State of the City 
Report Thursday night to a 
well received crowd of city 
officials, community leaders, 
dignitaries and residents 
coving issues from the Rose 
Bowl renovation to the 
fierce December wind storm 
to The Gold Line Foothill 
Extension.

 Bogaard gave the speech 
“Spotlight on Performance” 
at the newly renovated 
A Noise Within in East 
Pasadena. The 40 minute 
report started with the city’s 
financial situation saying 
Pasadena is preparing for its 
fourth year with a serious 
budget shortfall. 

 “Current projections for the 
City’s operations through 
Fiscal Year 2013 indicate 
a $6 million shortfall in 
the General Fund,” he said 
explaining that in part high 
unemployment, which in 
September in Pasadena was 
9.4 percent and in California 
was 11.4 percent were large 
economic factors. He also 
said the city lost 11auto 
dealerships, resulted in a 30 
present decrease in annual 
sales tax revenues money 
the city relies on for vital city 
services.

 Bogaard also said there 
were a number of unforeseen 
other setbacks including 
that the city could incur 
$17 million in cleanup fees 
from the Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 
windstorm. 

 “City Hall anticipated that, 
with proper documentation, 
the damages suffered in 
the windstorm would be 
recovered from federal 
and state emergency relief 
programs,” He said. “To date, 
however, these losses do not 
appear to qualify for such 
relief.”

 He also said the elimination 
of California redevelopment 
agencies was also a major 
financial setback resulting in 
lost of more than $30 million 
per year.

 “Pasadena’s success in 
becoming a regional 
economic center could not 
have been achieved without 
the use of redevelopment, 
and adapting to the new 
situation where state-
supported incentives for 
investment are no longer 
available poses a major 
challenge,” he said.

 Bogaard said the second 
phase of the Rose Bowl 
renovation started right 
after this year’s Rose Bowl 
game on January second. He 
also addressed the possible 
temporary use of the Rose 
Bowl for professional NFL 
football team saying, ” 
There are no negotiations at 
this time, … but if a strong 
likelihood emerges for such 
temporary use I believe it 
would not be responsible for 
the Council to reject such a 
possibility out of hand.” 

 Bogaard said of The Gold 
Line Foothill Extension, “We 
made significant strides this 
past year to build the next 
11.5 miles of the line, which 
will extend service east from 
Sierra Madre Villa through 
Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, 
Irwindale and Azusa. The 
$735 million project is 
underway, and is on time 
and on budget.”

Sue Mossman

Next Step for YWCA Building 

 Although city officials have not 
finalized the acquisition of the 
historic YWCA building just a 
block away from city hall, that 
did not stop the local historic 
preservation group Pasadena 
Heritage from welcoming public 
opinion Saturday on what to 
do with the 1920 three-story, 
Mediterranean-style building 
designed by architect Julia 
Morgan.

 The group held a tribute to 
Morgan, who was born Jan. 
20 1872, and best known for 
her work on Hearst Castle in 
San Simeon. Sue Mossman, 
executive director of Pasadena 
Heritage said Morgan was the 
architect of over 700 buildings in 
California including Pasadena’s 
YWCA.

 Christopher Smith of 
Architectural Resources 
Group gave an overview of the 
building’s condition, everything 
from the pool and gym to the 
courtyard and roof.

 “What we do as the preservation 
professionals, there are four 
primary issues we need to look 
at to decide what preservation 
treatment we’re going to use,” 
he said. “First is the relative 
importance in history, weather 
its national recognition, local 
recognition, famous architect, 
the architecture itself, its 
physical condition for post use 
of the building…”

 One attendee asked if the 
building can be used for its 
original use, low income 
housing.

 Mossman said “I think all 
possibilities are open, and 
certainly, as the city goes 
forward with acquisition of the 
building, one thing for all of 
us to help contemplate is, what 
kind of uses we would like to 
see there, what would the cost 
be and what is the economic 
feasibility.”

 City Councilmember Terry 
Tornek said one of the early 
discussions was using the 
building as a city hall annex, 
“Take Water and Power which 
is currently renting space, and 
move them in here or the fire 
department headquarters more 
it in here, that is an option.” 

 Tornerk said a Feb. 22 
court hearing will ultimately 
determine what the city pays for 
the building. The city has placed 
$6.5 million in a court-managed 
escrow account to pay for the 
building officials said.

 

Library Exhibit 
Celebrates 
South 

African Jazz

Cheeseburger Challenge 
Results ‘Pie ‘n Burger’ Wins

 A new exhibit showcasing 
iconic photos of the South 
African Jazz Age, Apartheid 
era, and the early life of 
Nelson Mandela is on display 
at the Pasadena City College 
Shatford Library.

 Running through Feb. 27 
in the library’s rotunda, the 
exhibit displays the work of 
Jurgen Schadeberg, recognized 
around the world as a pioneer 
of South African photography. 
It also features native 
beadwork and information 
about literacy and healthcare 
programs involving Pasadena 
teachers and students who 
have traveled to Cape Town, 
South Africa on learning trips.

 The exhibit is presented by 
the Altadena-based nonprofit 
organization Art Aids Art. 
The group serves women and 
children through programs 
in impoverished townships 
surrounding Cape Town.

 Photos and handcrafts are 
available to purchase at the 
exhibit. Income from the sales 
will be reinvested into the 
projects in Cape Town. 

 For more information, please 
call (626) 585-7221.

 According to Paul Little, 
President and CEO of the 
Pasadena Chamber of 
Commerce1236 people took 
the Cheeseburger Challenge 
and voted for their favorite 
cheeseburger during Pasadena 
Cheeseburger Week. Voting 
ended on Sunday with the 
Favorite Traditional Burger 
being Pie ‘n Burger with 183 
votes. 

 Pie ‘n Burger also took Favorite 
Lunch Counter Burger with 278 
votes. 

 The results list the top three vote 
getters in each category. Total 
votes received by each of the 
favorites are listed on the website 
pasadenarestaurantweek.
com under the Cheeseburger 
Challenge header.

 The Counter took second in 
both Favorite Lunch Counter 
Burger and Favorite Traditional 
Burger. 

 Pasadena Cheeseburger Week 
was sponsored by the Pasadena 
Chamber of Commerce with 
support from the City of 
Pasadena and was a California 
Restaurant Month event. 

Professor Writes New 
Book on Hockey


Citizen 
Journalism 
Meet-up

Pet of 
the Week

 
Brian Kennedy, Pasadena City 
College associate professor of 
English, has written a new book 
titled “My Country Is Hockey,” 
which explores how the sport 
became central to the Canadian 
identity, and what it means 
toAmericans who love it.

 “For Canadians, this game is 
so much their identity, and so 
closely tied to who they are, 
you really can’t think much 
about anything—Canadian 
politics, regionalism, the 
French-English issue, violence, 
identity—without hockey being 
at the center,” he said.

Kennedy grew up in Montreal 
playing hockey as soon as he 
could hold a stick. In his spare 
time, he covers the Anaheim 
Ducks and the Los Angeles 
Kings as a freelance writer.

 The book has garnered positive 
reviews. Eric Duhatschek, 
a sports columnist for the 
Canadian newspaper “The 
Globe & Mail,” called the book 
“An intelligent and reflective 
look at hockey’s place in the 
fabric of Canadian society.

 “Might be the best read of 
the current season’s hockey 
offerings,” Duhatschek said.

Kennedy has written two 
books previously: “Growing 
Up Hockey” and “Living The 
Hockey Dream.”

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

 
The Pasadena Community 
Network and this newspaper 
are holding a workshop on 
Citizen Journalism. 

 This group is the place where 
aspiring journalists can learn 
from trained professionals 
and support their local 
community by covering what’s 
really happening in their 
neighborhoods.

 We will put 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 online social media The 
next meeting is Jan. 31 from 6 
p.m. to 8p.m. at the Pasadena 
Community Network - Studio 
G, 2057 N. Los Robles Ave.

 For more info call 626.794.8585 
or visit pasadenan.com.

Elon Musk to 
Give Caltech 
graduation 
Address


PACCD Endorses Student 
Success Task Force

 Darla is a four-year-old 
black and blonde Siberian 
Husky and German 
Shepherd mix. She’s a very 
sweet and active girl who 
loves to be petted. 

 Darla’s adoption fee is 
$120, which includes his 
spay surgery, a microchip, 
the first set of vaccinations, 
as well as a free follow-
up health check at a 
participating vet. New 
adopters will receive 
complimentary health and 
wellness exam from VCA 
Animal Hospitals. Ask an 
adoptions counselor for 
more information during 
your visit.

 Call the Pasadena 
Humane Society & SPCA at 
626.792.7151 to ask about 
A300705, or visit at 361 S. 
Raymond Ave. in Pasadena. 
Adoption hours are 11-4 
Sunday, 9-5 Tuesday –
Friday, 9-4 Saturday. 
Directions and photos of all 
pets can be found at www.
pasadenahumane.org.

 The Pasadena Area 
Community College District 
Board of Trustees voted to 
endorse the findings and 
recommendations aimed at 
improving the educational 
outcomes of community 
college students and the 
workforce preparedness of 
California in the California 
Community Colleges 
Student Task Force report.

 “We will be the statewide 
leader in implementing 
the ambitious reforms 
recommended by Student 
Success Task Force,” said 
Geoffrey Baum, PACCD 
president.

 Taken together, these 
recommendations promise 
to strengthen the community 
college system by expanding 
those structures and 
programs that work and 
realigning resources with 
student achievement. The 
report presents a vision 
for California Community 
Colleges in the next 
decade and focuses on 
what is needed to grow the 
economy, meet thedemands 
of California’s evolving 
workplace, and inspire and 
realize the aspirations of 
students and families.

 The recommendations in 
this report represent policies 
and practices that the Task 
Force believes will help 
the California Community 
Colleges improve student 
success. Some of the 
recommendations reflect 
changes that are already 
underway, while others 
would chart entirely new 
territory. In each case, 
the recommendations 
will require that in-
depth, discrete, and 
specific implementation 
strategies be developed 
in consultation with the 
appropriate practitioners 
and stakeholders.

 The visionary behind SpaceX, 
Tesla, PayPal to inspire Caltech 
grads

 Technology entrepreneur 
Elon Musk will be the 
speaker for the 118th annual 
commencement ceremony 
at the California Institute 
of Technology officials 
announced earlier this month. 

 “Elon Musk is a visionary 
business leader and innovator 
who is spearheading 
revolutionary ideas in 
three global industries—
automobiles, energy, and 
space exploration,” said Jean-
Lou Chameau, president of 
Caltech. “He is a powerful 
proponent of science and 
technology, and will share 
with Caltech graduates his 
perspective on how their 
brilliant, big ideas can and will 
have a positive impact in the 
world.”

 The ceremony will take place 
at 10 a.m. on June 15, 2012, on 
Caltech’s campus. 

Bill Would Increases Breast 
Cancer Early Detection

 Assemblymember Anthony 
Portantino’s legislation to 
ensure that more women have 
access to mammograms was 
unanimously approved today 
by the state Assembly. AB 
137 requires California health 
insurers to provide information 
to women about when they 
should start being screened for 
breast cancer. 

 “There has been a lot of 
confusion in recent years 
over when a woman should 
and shouldn’t begin receiving 
these screenings,” explained 
Assemblymember Portantino. 
“This measure cuts through 
that confusion and gives 
patients and doctors maximum 
flexibility. It’s good for the 
patient and in the long run, 
good for the insurance provider. 
Early detection helps save lives 
and certainly saves healthcare 
dollars.”

 AB 137 also eliminates outdated 
guidelines to the Insurance 
Code that limits coverage for 
mammograms in younger 
women. Instead of basing the 
need for mammograms only on 
a woman’s age, AB 137 allows 
doctors to order diagnostic 
tests based on a more complete 
list of risk factors that are part 
of today’s medical science. 
The existing code requiring 
insurers to provide a baseline 
mammogram beginning at 
age 35, is now outdated. Many 
women who are at “high risk” 
for breast cancer often develop 
cancer in their 20’s and 30’s and 
should be screened at an earlier 
age. AB 137 will allow doctors 
more control in when to order 
this diagnostic test.

 AB 137 now moves to the state 
Senate for consideration later 
this session.

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