VOLUME 6 NO 34

SATURDAY AUGUST 25, 2012

AND THE WINNERS ARE......

City Announces 2012 Sierra Madre Honorees

RECEIVER APPOINTED FOR HILDRETH PROPERTY


Sierra Madre Honors… is the City’s 
opportunity to recognize and honor 
the true treasures of Sierra Madre, its 
volunteers, City Commissioners and 
employees. Sierra Madre Honors… 
recognizes all out-going City Commissioners, 
and awardees selected 
from nominations submitted to the 
Mayor’s Ad-Hoc Committee comprised 
of past recipients. The following 
are the awardees for 2012:

George Maurer Lifetime Service 
Award – Marilyn McKernan

Presented to a person/entity that most 
strongly represents a commitment 
to serving and volunteering over the 
course of a lifetime, which is the true 
spirit of Sierra Madre. 

Wistaria Award – Mount Wilson Trail 
Race Committee

In recognition of a City/Community 
partnership, it is presented to a local 
business or organization whose major 
contributions to the City/Community 
of Sierra Madre have demonstrated a 
true partnership which assists in and 
provides services, programs or enhances 
the general welfare of the community 
as a whole.

Police Chief’s Special Award –

Patricia Gonzalez

Presented by the Sierra Madre Chief 
of Police to an individual who has 
demonstrated outstanding dedication 
to duty (employee) or service (community) 
in resolving a community law 
enforcement-related issue. 

Public Safety Award – Todd Conrad 

Presented by the Mayor to an individual, 
either an employee or citizen, who 
took action to protect and maintain 
the safety of the community. 

 Public Service Award – James Carlson 
& Miguel Hernandez

Employee of the Year – presented by 
the Mayor upon the recommendation 
of the City Manager to an extraordinary 
city employee who has represented 
remarkable customer and public 
service as well as dedication to the citizens 
of Sierra Madre over the course 
of a year. 

Community Youth Service Award – 
Aliya Crochetiere

Presented to a young adult in the community, 
18 years of age or younger, 
who demonstrates dedication and outstanding 
service to the community. 

Donor of the Year* – 

Sierra Madre Rotary Club

Presented to a business, organization, 
or individual who made a significant 
donation to the City of Sierra Madre. 

 The 2012 Sierra Madre Honors… Dinner 
and Awards will be held on Thursday, 
September 13th in Sierra Madre 
by invitation only. For more information 
contact City Hall at 626-355-7135.

* New award 

Story and Photo By Susan Henderson

 What is now known as the “Sterling Oak Restaurant & 
Wine Gallery, located under the home of Jeff and Taryn Hildreth 
on E. Montecito, has suffered another legal setback. 
Last month, the City of Sierra Madre was successful in getting 
a reciever to manage the property, in hopes that the 
code violations will be corrected. The action, which is part 
of a lawsuit filed by the city almost two years ago, follows 
efforts by the Hildreth’s to have the court ordered injunction 
set aside.

 According to the documents filed, there are at least 29 code 
violations, the most disconcerting being a hole 15 feet under 
the house that Hildreth dug to house the business.

 in January 2011, the court issued a Preliminary Injunction 
ordering that the Hildreth’s “be enjoined from maintaining 
any violations of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code”; 
be prohibited from “undertaking any grading or other construction 
without permits from the city”; “provide the city 
with all required construction documents”; and prohibits 
the Hildreth’s from maintaining “any legal nuisance at the 
property”. 

 The injunction allowed for the Hildreth’s to correct all of 
the code violations “to either legalize their alterations and 

other construction at the property or in the alternative, remove 
the illegal conditions”. 

 The receivership was granted last month because none of 
the conditions had been addressed. 

 The Hildreth’s have been struggling with this property for 
about 10 years. Initially, when the property was purchased, 
their intent was to put in a Wine Bar and Art Gallery. They 
were issued a Conditional Use Permit in 1999. At that time, 
the area in which the property is located, East Montecito, 
appeared to be developing as a trendy artist/commercial 
area. 

 According to a recent article in the Pasadena Star News, 
Hildreth alleges that Sierra Madre has blocked their attempts 
to comply with the courts orders. “All we want is 
resolution”, Hildreth is quoted as saying.

 Although the issues with the city have gone on since 1999, 
the final straw for the city appear to be when the Hildreth’s 

constructed a deck (shown above) which extends over the 
sidewalk. 

 The receiver has several options in terms of bringing the 
property into compliance. It is not clear if the Hildreth’s will 
have to vacate the premises while the corrections are made.

THE SCARECROWS ARE COMING!

Creative Arts Group presents the1stAnnualScarecrow Festival

This October you won’t want to miss tour the village of Sierra Madre to 
view the life-size 
scarecrows popping 
up throughout 
the town. 

Residents will be 
vying to see who 
can create the 
scariest or most 
humorous scarecrow 
while business 
owners will 
work on images 
to best represent 
their line of work.

Everyone is 

welcome to 

participate in the 
Scarecrow Making 
Workshop, 
however only 
those who live in 
,or own a business 
in Sierra Madre, 
may participate in 
the contest. 

There is no charge 
for the workshop, 
but registration

is required 
due to limited 
enrollment(one 
scarecrow per family or business). 

Participants need to provide clothing and accessories for their scarecrow 
(check out the CAG Flea Market on September 8 for those items).

Everything else is providedthanksin part to the generosity of the Sierra 
Madre Kiwanis Club.

The workshop takes place on September 15, any time between noon to 
7pm. Call626-355-8350 for more information and a registration form.

 
210 FREEWAY TO SHUT DOWN OVERNIGHT

On August 28th and 29th all lanes of the 210 Foothill Freeway will be closed in both directions.

The closure will begin Tuesday and Wednesday evening from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

All eastbound lanes will be closed Thursday night August 30th at midnight thru 5 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31.

Eastbound lanes will be closed from Rosemead Blvd exit to Santa Anita Avenue exit.

Westbound lanes will be closed between Santa Anita Avenue and Baldwin Avenue.

The closure is necessary in order to allow continued construction of the Gold Line train bridge over the eastbound 
lanes of the freeway between Baldwin and Santa Anita Avenues. See map below for detours…


Exclusive: One on One Interview with Kim Rhode......Page 10

This Week’s Highlights: 

Calendar Page 2

Sierra Madre News Page 3

Pasadena/Altadena Page 4

Around San Gabriel Valley Page 5

Arcadia Page 6

Monrovia/Duarte Page 7

Education and Youth Page 8

Good Food & Drink Page 9

Best Friends/Sports Page 10 

Arts/Health Page 11

Homes & Property Page 12 

The Good Life Page 13

Business Today Page 14

Opinion Page 15

Left/Right - SM Notices Page 16

Legal Notices Page 17-19

SIERRA MADRE NEWS

AROUND SG Valley

3

5

Mini Grant Awarded

ARCADIA NEWS

6

PASADENA/ALTADENA

4

MONROVIA/DUARTE

7

710 Controversy


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