Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 18, 2012

5

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Mountain Views News Saturday, February 18, 2012

“What’s Going On?” 

News and Views from Joan Schmidt

I-210 BRIDGE 
CONSTRUCTION 
ENJOYS 

FLAWLESS 

SAFETY RECORD

No recordable incidents with 
nearly 30,000 “man-hours” 
logged

 The Metro Gold Line Foothill 
Extension Construction Authority 
(Construction Authority) 
announced today that with 
nearly 30,000 “man-hours” 
completed on the I-210 Gold 
Line Bridge construction project, 
the project has an injury-
free safety record. Construction 
by Skanska USA and its 
subcontractors on the $18.6 
million bridge has been on-
going since April 2011.

 “The success of our safety 
program is the result of careful 
pre-construction planning and 
diligent oversight on behalf of 
Skanska USA and the Construction 
Authority,” said Construction 
Authority Director 
of Construction, Gary Baker. 
“Skanska has created a culture 
of safety on the project – everyone 
on the job site is responsible 
for making sure the site is 
safe, with a unified goal of zero 
workplace incidents.”

 The bridge project is now 
nearly 60% complete, and is 
on schedule to be finished this 
coming summer. During the 
last several months, foundation, 
abutment and column 
work has been completed, and 
work has now begun on the 
superstructure.

 “The risks posed around any 
major construction project 
are real and significant,” said 
Baker. “With this project they 
are intensified because of the 
uniquely confined site, which 
sits adjacent to an active and 
heavily used freeway.”

 Over the next several weeks, 
construction on the I-210 Gold 
Line Bridge will focus on the 
erection of falsework, which 
will temporarily support the 
concrete and reinforcement 
of the superstructure (and 
provide a safe work space for 
crews to perform their tasks). 
The falsework will span the 
eastbound lanes of the freeway, 
requiring up to 20 full 
closures of the eastbound I-210 
Freeway in February and early 
March for this work. The full 
eastbound closures will take 
place between Baldwin and 
Santa Anita Avenues, and occur 
between Midnight and 5:00 
a.m. On nights of full closures, 
eastbound on-ramps at Rosemead 
Blvd., Michillinda Ave. 
and Baldwin Ave. will close at 
approximately 9:00 p.m., lane 
closures will begin at approximately 
10:00 p.m. and all lanes 
will re-open by 6:00 a.m. the 
following day.

 Completion of the Gold Line 
Bridge is scheduled for late 
Summer 2012, and the entire 
Gold Line Foothill Extension 
from Pasadena to Azusa is on 
schedule to be completed in 
late 2015.

About the Foothill Extension 
from Pasadena to Azusa - The 
Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension 
from Pasadena to Azusa 
is a $735 million project fully 
funded by Los Angeles County’s 
Measure R. The light rail extension 
is being overseen by the 
Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension 
Construction Authority 
and is currently undergoing final 
design and construction. Construction 
of the 11.5-mile light 
rail extension is on schedule to 
be completed in 2015, adding six 
new stations along the Gold Line 
in the cities of Arcadia, Monrovia, 
Duarte, Irwindale and 
Azusa. The first element of the 
project to move from design to 
construction is the $18.6 million 
I-210 Gold Line Bridge, which 
will span the Eastbound I-210 
Freeway between Baldwin and 
Santa Anita Avenues, allowing 
connection between the existing 
Sierra Madre Villa Station in 
Pasadena and the future Arcadia 
Station. 

The project is estimated to 
generate nearly 7,000 jobs and 
$1 billion in economic output 
for the region DURING 
CONSTRUCTION.


Y-LIFE PROJECT: 

SANTA ANITA YMCA 
AND LIFE CHURCH 
PASADENA

JOIN HANDS FOR 
COMMUNITY 
OUTREACH

By Joan Schmidt

 There has been much said about prisoner realignment and re-
entry in California. Statewide by June 31st, 24,000 are to be released 
and 3700 in LA County alone! This obviously is a concern 
for everyone.

 At the February 14th Duarte City Council Meeting there was a 
special presentation of the Y-Life Project by Pasadena Life Church 
Senior Pastor Richard Brown, Damon Colalucca, Santa Anita Family 
YMCA and Ulises Gutierrez, Community Mediation Team.

 This special project targets both young offenders and adults. 
How did this come about? Santa Anita YMCA’s Social Services and 
Community Outreach were approached by Los Angeles County to 
do this special program. When prisoners are released, they usually 
don’t have programs to help them make the transition.

 Los Angeles County approached the YMCA and also looked 
for a Church to assist in this endeavor. This is a great idea because 
Churches have positive effects on the community. About twenty 
years ago, there was a shooting in the Duarte County Area and I remember 
the Sheriff’s Department asking Town Council President 
David Hall and Pastor Donnie Williams from the Family Church 
for assistance. There were rumors of violence and these men went 
in with Captain Bob Mirabella and Sgt. Sammy Jones to calm everyone 
down. I also recall attending a special Sheriff’s Conference 
centered on Church ministries about fifteen years ago. There were 
representatives from various churches- different denominations- 
but all that mattered was that these Church ministries were working 
with the Sheriff’s Department helping former prisoners and 
at risk people to turn their lives around and become productive 
citizens.

 Ulises Gutierrez from the Community Medication Team began 
the presentation explaining how these released prisoners/parolees 
needed guidance. He held up a donated backpack. Inside it was a 
$20 Walmart Gift card (Thanks, Duarte Kiwanis) , toiletries donated 
by a hotel, a towel and even a blanket! All of these items were 
donations.

 Reverend Richard Brown, Senior Pastor for nine years at Life 
Church, Pasadena was the next speaker. He feels, “All citizens are 
worthy of a second chance.”

 Pastor Brown explained that his Church is “very interested in 
community involvement”. They have had periodic ministries for 
the homeless, juvenile camps, and even at prison ministries. The 
Life Church’s role is “to help the community”.

 “In our culture, there are broken and hurt young people…Jesus 
was a healer-not only of physical, but also emotional needs…For 
re-entry into society, healing must take place, and education is an 
important part of that process…There is a needed balance of instruction, 
prayer and faith.”

 Pastor Brown also noted there are a great number of volunteers at 
Life Church who help minister to those in need. He went on to say 
his Church was happy to connect with the YMCA as the County 
wanted a faith community involved.

 Another speaker was Ed Cordero from the Los Angeles County 
Parole Office. He spoke more about community partnership. For 
instance, there is a Re-Entry Committee and a Community Mediation 
Team. The Community Mediation Team is a partnership of 
committed Monrovia, Duarte and L.A. County leaders and stake 
holders who assess and address the needs of people who live or 
work in our communities. This is done though effective communication 
and proper resource matching. Lois Gaston, Reyna Diaz, 
Tina Cary, Karen Herrera, Christine Benet, Derek Blow and Ulises 
Gutierrez are among members.

 Ed Cordera also said that when people are released, “We hook up 
with them immediately…but there is a lack of resources for those 
released…They need help…The best outreach comes from community 
Churches who have prison outreach. They offer services so 
the former prisoners won’t reoffend in the community.

 David Calalucca from the YMCA said “We address people who 
really need our help. We re-integrate these young people into our 
community.”

 After learning about Y-life, I felt somewhat relieved about the 
prisoner releases in the county. Our county officials should be commended 
for initiating this pro-active program aimed at helping former 
prisoners integrate into local communities.


PORTANTINO INTRODUCES LEGISLATION DELETING 
THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR RAPE

 Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge), has 
introduced AB 1682, his latest effort to ensure that rapists are ultimately 
caught and convicted in California. “Under current law, there is a ten 
year statute of limitation for the crime of rape. AB 1682 deletes this arbitrary 
time limit and will provide that those who sexually prey on our 
citizens can be brought to justice.

 “I have in the past introduced legislation to ensure that all rape kits 
that are collected in California are tested for evidence of crime. Unfortunately, 
many rape kits are never tested. It is frustrating to know a rapist 
could continue to walk the streets because a vital piece of evidence went 
untested because of the costs of processing these kits.” 

 Under current law, evidence from rape kits is held in law enforcement 
evidence lockers where many languish, oftentimes past the statute of 
limitations for prosecuting the crime. While the number of unopened or 
untested kits throughout the State has been subject to debate, it is clear 
that local resources are not adequate to process rape kits for evidence 
unless there is a determined commitment to do so. “Not testing rape 
kits after a woman has submitted herself to the invasive process of collecting 
a rape kit, betrays the victim’s faith in the criminal justice system, 
Portantino said.”

 AB 1682 will provide a different solution to the problem by deleting the 
statute of limitations for the crime of rape. “While justice delayed, is justice 
denied; a statute of limitations that terminates prosecution because 
we do not want to spend money testing rape kits is unconscionable.” This 
measure will hold accountable those who commit this terrible crime 
whenever it was committed.


PET OF THE WEEK: Dodger: Animal ID #A4390558

Meet the incredibly joyful Dodger 
(A4390558)! Dodger is a phenomenal 
one-year-old tan and black male Cardigan 
Welsh Corgi mix puppy who was found 
in La Puente on January 28th and brought 
to the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center. 
Weighing twenty-five pounds, Dodger 
walks well on the leash and has probably 
been trained. He loves other dogs as much 
as he loves people, which is a lot. With his 
constantly wagging tail and happy-go-lucky 
temperament, Dodger will be the perfect 
indoor pet for anyone in any living situation 
whatsoever, and we think he will be great 
with children. To watch a video of Dodger 
please visit this link: www.youtube.com/
watch?v=6bX7sNzd18c

 To meet Dodger in person, please see 
him at the Baldwin Park Shelter, located 
at 4275 N. Elton, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 
(Phone: 626-430-2378 or 626-962-3577). 
He is currently available now. For any 
inquiries about Dodger, please reference 
his animal ID number: A4390558. 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 Dodger 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/.

A WINTER VISIT by Christopher Nyerges

[Nyerges is the author of “Guide to Wild Foods,” “Enter the Forest,” and “How to Survive Anywhere” who leads regular 
survival classes. For more information, contact him at www.ChristopherNyerges.com or Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 
90041.]

 I had never been to Mount Lowe before, though I'd been to Echo Mountain many times. This was the 
mid-1960s. My friend George from the neighborhood was in the Boy Scouts and he'd been up there 
with his troop. So one winter day he offered to lead the way to the old Mount Lowe Camp.

We hiked to Echo Mountain from the top of Lake Avenue, and then hiked into Castle Canyon. I realized 
I was unprepared for snow when we were about halfway to Inspiration Point and my feet were 
already wet and cold. I was wearing some old suede shoes, which were not waterproof. My friend assured 
me that we were "almost there," but every step was getting more and more difficult, and my feet 
were cold. I also saw the value in snowshoes during that hike, since my feet kept sinking into the holes 
in the snow that I made with every step. I was working hard step by step.

 This is the scene Christopher thought he would find on his first cold trek to Ye Alpine Tavern.

Since then, I have worn cramp-ons on my boots, as well as primitive snowshoes that I have fabricated 
from willow branches. The primitive snowshoes take about an hour or so to make, and you need some 
long flexible branches (I used willow), a knife or clippers to cut the branches, and some sort of cordage. 

 I did not have snowshoes on that first cold day to Inspiration Point and Mount Lowe Tavern. Occasionally, 
where we could not readily see the trail due to the thick drifts of snow, we would step out 
too far and our foot would go right into the ground and we'd have to jump back to keep from falling 
off the cliffs.

My friend began to tell me about the "tavern" -- I had not heard of it before. He was explaining the 
people who went there, and what they did, and for some reason, he did all his explaining in the present 
tense. I had pictures of a modern ski lodge up there, and I was mentally counting the change in my 
pocket and wondering if I'd have enough for a hot chocolate and maybe, just maybe, I'd have enough 
money so I could buy some chicken noodle soup.

 I was looking in the direction of where my friend said 
it was, figuring I'd be the first one to see the smoke coming 
from the chimney. Imagine my great shock when we 
hiked up to the little saddle of Inspiration Point and he 
said, "We're here."

"We're where?" I exclaimed.

"Inspiration Point. This is where it was. And the old tavern 
is actually down where the camp is now." His use of 
tense seemed more accurate now, and after a few questions, 
I realized to my chagrin that I would be having 
no soup or chocolate that afternoon.

 My feet were completely wet, and cold, and only moving 
around kept me feeling somewhat comfortable. It 
seemed a little easier hiking that quarter mile down to 
the old tavern site. There was a lot of snow, and there 
was much more left of the old site back then than you 
will find today. It was a wonderful and mysterious place 
with the stone walkways, and walls, and little trails. Only 
the cold kept me from exploring even more, though I 
returned many times to the tavern site in the years that 
followed.

On that day, we struggled to make a small fire, using 
up our matches. We had a tiny fire, which we fed pine 
needles, and we managed to get it bigger but we didn't 
get any warmer. I think that all the fire we generated was 
merely steaming off the water in the wood, and we felt 
very little heat. George had some dried soup which we tried to cook, and I recall having a "lunch" of 
lukewarm "soup" with crunchy needles. But I was cold and hungry and even crunchy not-hot soup 
was better than nothing.

Occasionally a wind would pass through the area and we'd hear the loud wind in the treetops and lots 
of icicles and snow would drop from the trees. It was very much a Christmas scene. After a while of 
not-getting warm by the not-warm fire, we kicked some snow over it, and ran most of the way back 
down to the city.

 On a more recent visit to Echo Mountain just a few years ago, I was hiking around with my hiking 
class from Pasadena City College. It had been a drizzly and cold day, and after we explored the ruins, 
we went over by the large fireplace area to have our lunch. We were surprised that a man in a t-shirt 
was sitting nearby, and he'd cleaned out the fireplace for his shelter. We started talking, and we were 
admiring all the arrowheads he'd just made from the bits of glass he'd collected from around Echo 
Mountain.

He said he was very skilled in wilderness survival, and he made some sort of a bet with a friend about 
whether or not he could spend 10 days in these mountains with nothing but the clothes he was wearing. 
That was apparently his second day there. He knew about some edible plants, though there wasn't 
much to collect. He had the tools for making fire with a bow and drill, and he'd made a quickie bow 
and some arrows, and had nearly finished making a batch of arrowheads.

 He said he was going to catch squirrels to eat, and maybe other animals. We were all mighty impressed 
and asked him lots of questions. I gave him my magnesium fire starter, and then we departed. 
I told him I wanted to hear how he did in those 10 days, and gave him my address and phone number. 
I never did hear from him again, though I assume that if things got really tough, all he had to do was 
walk a few miles down to the city. It was winter, and some snow had actually fallen close to Echo 
Mountain, so it would have been a cold 10 days.