Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 14, 2012

3


Mountain Views-News Saturday July 14, 2012 

Sierra Madre 

Search & Rescue Log

REMEMBRANCE

ROTARY CLUB TO HOST 

AUTHOR AND ROCKET 

SCIENTIST AT UPCOMING 
EVENTS

 Have you ever wonder what happened to The Boat People? 
Now the author of this best selling book is coming from 
Australia, Carina Hoang to make a special one time appearance 
for Rotary of Sierra Madre on July 17 at 7 AM at 
the Hart House, 222 W. Sierra Madre Bl. Sierra Madre. The 
event is free and includes breakfast. Do not miss this once 
in a life time experience.

 USC has been a great influence in our community.Perhaps 
you are a graduate have attended games, classes or used the 
campus in some capacity. It is a sought after university from 
around the world. On July 17, Mr. Tom Tomilson will be 
presenting a history of USC. Please do not miss this speaker. 
7 AM at the Hart House.

 Mr. Alan Unell, a current rocket scientist working on projects 
at JPL will be presenting a talk on July 31 at 7 am at the 
Hart House. All meetings include Breakfast. 

Contact Peggybeau@gmail.com for more info.

KALEEN MARIE HARFMAN 

(May 17, 1967 - July 1, 2012) 

Long time Sierra 
Madre resident, Kaleen 
Marie Harfman, 
passed away Sunday, 
July 1, 2012 following 
complications from 
her last open heart 
surgery performed on 
June 13, 2012. Kaleen 
was surround by her 
family when she joined 
her Lord. She was born 
with a congenital heart 
defect that led to numerous 
surgeries over 
her 45 years of life. Kaleen 
was well known 
in town and had many, 
many friends. Anyone 
who was blessed to 
have known her knew 
of her feisty nature, her 
spunk and her love of life. 

She is survived by her parents, Dennis Harfman, Judy and 
Allen Troutt; sisters, Kathy Harfman, Jennifer Kenyon, Carrie 
Bell and Ashley Harfman; brothers, A.J. and Jake Harfman; 
step-brothers, Allen Troutt, Jr. and Daniel Troutt; 
niece, Charlcie Harfman; and nephews, Ryan, Dylan and 
Colby Kenyon, Ayden and Sylis Ortega, and Cody Bell. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 14 at 3:00 PM 
at Bethany Church located at 93 N. Baldwin Ave. in Sierra 
Madre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 
American Heart Association. 

During the month of June, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue (SMSR) 
responded to 18 calls for assistance. Details on a selection of the 
calls are described below.

A Busy June 3rd: The afternoon of June 3rd turned out to be very 
busy for SMSR. The afternoon started with the rescue of a hiker 
suffering from chest and abdominal injuries near Hermit Falls. 
While rescuers were responding to the initial call, rescuers received 
word of two hikers in distress near Roberts Camp. Shortly 
after the conclusion of the first two calls, SMSR was paged to respond 
to the Sturtevant Falls area for a hiker who had suffered a 
severe ankle injury while hiking with her family. Personnel from 
the Los Angeles County and the Sierra Madre Fire Departments 
joined SMSR in treating and transporting a total of four people to 
local hospitals. 

 Even though the 3rd had already been a busy day, it wasn’t over 
for rescuers. Early in the evening, SMSR was requested as a mutual 
aid resource to support the Montrose Search and Rescue 
Team in the search for 4 overdue backpackers in the Switzer Falls 
area. Search crews worked late into the night before bivouacking 
in the field and resuming search assignments at dawn. The 
subjects were successfully located just before noon on the 4th and 
escorted out of the area. 

 June 23rd – A repeat of June 3rd? With the 3rd having kicked off 
June as the busiest month of 2012 to date, the 23rd began to shape 
up as another very busy day ultimately resulting in three back to 
back operations. 

 On the first operation the Team responded to the Upper Winter 
Creek trail above Chantry Flat to evacuate a hiker with an injured 
ankle 2 miles up canyon from the trailhead. 

 As members were returning to town, the Team was requested to 
assist Altadena Mountain Rescue with a rescue in Eaton Canyon. 

 At the conclusion of the Eaton Canyon assist, SMSR received 
another mutual aid request from the Montrose Search and Rescue 
Team in the search for Ertug Ergun, a hiker who had gone 
missing in the Stoneyvale Campground area. Team members responded 
at “first light” on 6/24 to search several canyons in the 
Mt. Lukens area. SMSR personnel continued to join the search effort 
throughout the week. Sadly, Mr. Ergun was located deceased 
on June 30th.

 Now that schools are out for the summer and temperatures on 
the rise, outdoor recreationalists are reminded that being prepared 
is crucial for a safe trip into the mountains. Always carry 
the 10 essentials and make sure someone knows where you’ve 
gone and when you will return. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s 
Department’s Hiker Plan is a good way to document your plans.

 For over 60 years the all-volunteer Sierra Madre Search and Rescue 
team has been responding to calls for help in the local mountains 
and beyond. Funded entirely by private donations, SMSR 
provides a range of public programs on wilderness safety in addition 
to its search and rescue activities. The Team never charges 
for any of its services. 

For more information, including how to arrange a wilderness 
safety demonstration for your school or group, visit www.smsr.
org.


Waterworks Aquatics 
Mentorship Volunteer 
Program 

Waterworks will be accepting participants for the 
Mentorship Volunteer Program. This program is similar to 
the Junior Lifeguard Program that the City of Sierra Madre 
offered in the past. 

Program Details: 

• For ages 11-15 years old 
• There is NO CHARGE for this program
• Dates and times will be discussed between each 
participant and Waterworks Aquatics. Each shift will be 2 
hours or longer 


The program will include: 

• Learn the operations by observing and assisting 
lifeguards, swim instructors, and office staff 
• Will greet and act as host for users of the facility 
• Assist with retail & snack shop sales 
• Assist with swim competitions and swim team 
• Will assist with facility upkeep 


If you are interested, please contact the Waterworks 
Aquatics front desk at 626-836-1200 or by sending them an 
email at info@waterworksswim.com.


CREATIVE ARTS GROUP TO LAUNCH SIERRA MADRE SCARECROW FESTIVAL THIS FALL

 Plans are in the works for a contest in October where residents will recieve “Crow Awards” for 
the most creative scarecorws in the “humorous” and “scariest” categories for residents and for 
businesses, for having the most creative scarecrow(s) representing their business. 

 Currently plans are for life sized scarecrows and according to Executive Director Jackie Raymond, 
“We envision residents and guests driving through the town” in a manner similar to 
when people view Christmas or Halloween decorations. “It will bring families of Sierra Madre 
together and promote our business.”

 Don’t know how to make a scarecrow? Creative Arts will be hosting a FREE Scarecrow Making 
Workshop at Creative Arts Group Saturday, September 15, 2012 from noon to 7 pm, to the first 
60 families. 

 Workshop participants need to bring clothes and accessories for their scarecrow. Everything 
else will be provided. These scarecrows are life-size, so bring appropriate items. You might want 
to bring pants or stockings to create legs and gloves to create hands for your scarecrow. 

 The workshop is free, but you must register (626-355-8350) LIMITED ENROLLMENT. To 
participate in the contest applications are due on September 25th. Scarecrows will be displayed 
October 1st through October 31st at residents and businesses. 

 On Friday, October 5th and awards ceremony will be held at Creative Arts for the winners of 
the residents and businesses.

 For more information, contact the Creative Arts Group via email at foothillcreativeartsgroup@creativeartsgroup.org or call 
626-355-8350.


Staying Cool This Summer for Seniors

The Community Services Department and the Senior Community Commission would like to 
remind local seniors that during this time of hot weather that they should follow these tips to stay 
cool and safe.

• Slow down, avoid strenuous activity. Do not try to do too much on a hot day.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors will 
reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature. 
• Protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat.
• Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you do not feel thirsty. 
Attempt to stay hydrated.
• Stay indoors as much as possible. If you do not have air conditioning, stay 
on your lowest floor, out of the sun or go to a place where you can get relief from 
the heat, such as air conditioned, library, theaters and other community facilities 
that may offer refuge during the warmest times of the day. 
• Electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help evaporate perspiration, 
which cools your body.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, 
awnings or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a 
home by up to 80 percent.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors. 
• If you believe you, or anyone you are with, is experiencing a heat-related 
medical emergency, promptly call 911, and if possible, move to a cooler place.


If seniors do not have air conditioning in their homes, the City welcomes seniors to 
visit one of the following City facilities to stay cool. 


• Hart Park House Senior Center – 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. – Monday 
through Thursday, 9:00am-2:00pm & every other Friday, 9:00am-2:00pm. 
• Sierra Madre City Hall – 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. – Monday through 
Thursday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm & every other Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. (626) 355-
7135
• Sierra Madre Public Library – 440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. – Monday through 
Wednesday, Noon to 9 pm, Thursday & Friday, Noon to 6 pm and Saturday, 10:00 
am to 6:00 pm. (626) 355-7186
• Sierra Madre Community Recreation Center – 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. – 
Monday – Thursday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm & every other Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. 
(626) 355-5278.