Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 1, 2012

4


Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 1, 2012 


PCC 
Adopts Debated 
Three-semester Year

JPL HONORS 
NEIL 

ARMSTRONG

 

 The college board of trustees 
voted 5 to 1 Wednesday night 
in favor of adopting a three 
semester calendar year that 
would, according to staff, help 
relieve a $10 million budget 
shortfall although eliminate 
hundreds of classes by cancelling 
the winter intersession.

According to the revised student 
calendar, spring semester will 
begin on Jan. 7, and end on May 
4. 

Trustee Berlinda Brown cast the 
only no vote asking for more 
time to discuss the issue while 
trustee Linda Wah abstained 
from voting. 

According to the agenda 
report, “it is recommended 
that the Board adopt the 
tentative student calendar with 
the understanding that the 
District will to continue with 
negotiations with all affected 
employee organizations and 
does so in good faith after 
the adoption of the tentative 
student calendar.”

The report cautioned that the 
nearly 1,000 students who are 
currently enrolled in basic skills 
math and ESL, would have no 
classes and no instruction from 
December 7, to February 19, a 
hiatus of nearly 12 weeks that 
will be detrimental to their 
success. 

At one point the meeting 
turned ugly as police escorted 
one student out of the room as 
several others chanted, “shame 
on you.”

Lawrence Gandara Jr was later 
charged with misdemeanor 
battery on a peace officer 
according to police. PCC Police 
Chief Stan Perez said Gandara 
attempted to block officers, 
striking one of them, as they 
came near a disruptive woman 
yelling from her seat. 

A number of other meeting 
goers were also removed from 
the room, without incident, 
after they also shouted from 
their seats. Police locked 
the doors shortly before the 
meeting started as protesters 
gathered outside.

The meeting was held at the 
Community Education Center 
in East Pasadena.

By Dean Lee 

 As nearly a hundred Boyle 
Heights students from 
Roosevelt High School 
gathered at JPL Tuesday for 
an educational event featuring 
will.i.am, the afternoon 
stared with a tribute to fallen 
astronaut Neil Armstrong.

Armstrong passed away 
Saturday at age 82. 

 “Neil was the first human 
being to put his foot on 
another surface, the lunar 
surface,” said NASA Associate 
Administrator for Education 
and space shuttle astronaut 
Leland Melvin. “We’re here 
today to help honor his legacy, 
so the students in this room, 
can honor his legacy by being 
the best you can be.”

Melvin continued, “His family 
wants you to be inspired, to be 
motivated, and maybe one of 
you one day could be walking 
on the Martian surface.”

NASA Administrator Charles 
Bolden expressed condolences 
to the Armstrong family.

 “Besides being one of 
America’s greatest explorers, 
Neil carried himself with 
a grace and humility that 
was an example to us all.” 
Bolden said Saturday, “When 
President Kennedy challenged 
the nation to send a human 
to the moon, Neil Armstrong 
accepted without reservation. 
As we enter this next era of 
space exploration, we do so 
standing on the shoulders of 
Neil Armstrong. We mourn 
the passing of a friend, fellow 
astronaut and true American 
hero.” 

 Fellow astronaut Buzz 
Aldrin also issued a statement 
Saturday, “Whenever I look at 
the moon I am reminded of 
that precious moment, over 
four decades ago, when Neil 
and I stood on the desolate, 
barren, yet beautiful, Sea of 
Tranquility, looking back at 
our brilliant blue planet Earth 
suspended in the darkness 
of space, I realized that even 
though we were farther away 
from earth than two humans 
had ever been, we were not 
alone. Virtually the entire 
world took that memorable 
journey with us. I know I am 
joined by many millions of 
others from around the world 
in mourning the passing of a 
true American hero and the 
best pilot I ever knew.”

 On Friday, President Obama 
ordered that flags be flown 
at half-staff. In a statement, 
Armstrong’s family said there 
would be an open memorial 
on Sept. 12 in Washington, 
D.C.

Curiosity Plays First Song from Mars

 

 For the first time in history, 
a recorded song beamed 
back to Earth from another 
planet—”Reach for the Stars” 
by musician will.i.am was 
transmitted Tuesday afternoon 
from the surface of Mars by the 
Curiosity rover. 

 NASA Administrator Charles 
Bolden addressed the crowd in 
a video message encouraging 
students to study science, 
technology, engineering and 
math (STEM). “Mars has always 
fascinated us, and the things 
Curiosity tells us about it will 
help us learn about whether 
or not life was possible there,” 
Bolden said. “And what future 
human explorers can expect. 
will.i.am has provided the first 
song on our playlist of Mars 
exploration.”

 Musician and entrepreneur 
will.i.am shared his thoughts 
about “Reach for the Stars” 
becoming the first interplanetary 
song and an anthem for NASA 
education. The entertainer 
is a well-known advocate 
of science and technology 
education. He said, “Today is 
about inspiring young people 
to lead a life without limits 
placed on their potential and to 
pursue collaboration between 
humanity and technology 
through STEAM education. I 
know my purpose is to inspire 
young people, because they will 
keep inspiring me back.”

 NASA engineers spoke to 
attendees about the Curiosity 
mission, and the systems 
engineering and orbital 
mechanics involved in getting 
the song file back from Mars. 
Students had the opportunity 
to ask questions of all program 
participants. Earlier in the day, 
students received a guided tour 
of JPL to view rover models 
and learn about STEM career 
options.

 During the event, will.i.am’s 
i.am angel Foundation and 
Discovery Education announced 
a $10 million classroom 
education initiative that will 
reach 25 million students 
annually, including many from 
underserved communities. 
Focused on STEAM (science, 
technology, engineering, arts 
and mathematics) educational 
themes, the Discovery 
Education initiative will 
incorporate NASA content and 
space exploration themes as 
part of the curriculum.

Authorities Captures 
Infamous Bear ‘Meatball’


The Department of Fish and 
Game used a trap baited with 
bacon and honey to capture 
a bear early Thursday 
morning that, earlier this 
week, had returned to a 
La Canada Flintridge area 
neighborhood captured on 
video in at least two locations 
and seen in a swimming 
pool. 

 The bear, Known as 
“Meatball” was caught at 
approximately 4 a.m. in the 
5000 block of Ocean View 
Blvd. 

 DFG Information Officer 
Andrew Hughan said the 
bear was transported to 
the Lions, Tigers and 
Bears rehabilitation and 
animal sanctuary in Alpine, 
California, north of San 
Diego, arriving at 1:20 p.m. 

 At this time the bear is 
safe and secure and resting 
comfortably he added. 

 “As a wildlife agency our 
goal is always to keep animals 
wild but in this case the best 
interest of the bear was to 
capture and relocate him to 
a safe and secure facility,” he 
said. 

 Authorities also advised 
residents that;

 Bears and other animals are 
attracted to anything edible 
or smelly. 

 Store garbage in bear-proof 
containers, or store garbage 
in your garage until pick-up. 

 Keep food indoors or 
in airtight and odor-free 
containers. 

 Put away picnic leftovers; 
clean BBQ grills. 

 Keep pet food inside, and 
bird feeders away. 

 Pick up fallen tree fruit as 
soon as possible, or protect 
fruit trees with electric 
fencing. 

 Remove cosmetic fragrances 
and other attractants, 
including bird feeders and 
compost piles. 

 Install or request bear-proof 
trash containers. 

Disaster 
Preparation 
Bill Goes to 
Governor’s 
Desk 

 Assemblymember Anthony 
Portantino’s bill to improve 
emergency and disaster 
preparedness in California 
has been approved in the 
state Legislature and is now 
heads to the Governor’s desk 
for signature. The Assembly 
concurrence vote was 73 to 0. 

 AB 1650 requires investor-
owned electric utilities 
and water companies to 
develop an emergency and 
disaster preparedness plan 
every two years and to hold 
comprehensive disaster 
preparedness meetings with 
the counties and cities they 
service in order to improve 
readiness and better prepare 
for natural disasters. 

 “In the wake of the fierce winds 
and power outages that caused 
so much damage in Southern 
California late last year, we 
need to be better organized for 
the next disaster,” explained 
Assemblymember Portantino. 
“We learned some things from 
the December calamity that 
will forever change the way 
we look at these disasters. 
Like most ratepayers, I know 
that a portion of my bill is 
intended to pay for emergency 
preparedness and response; 
let’s make sure it does. A 
review every two years will 
hold utilities accountable, 
increase coordination, public 
awareness and may save lives. 
It’s a practical and prudent 
course of action.”

 “Under AB 1650, investor-
owned electric utilities and 
water companies will be 
required to begin their disaster 
preparedness meetings within 
three months of the legislation 
becoming law.

 A report commissioned by 
Southern California Edison 
earlier this year said the utility 
could be better prepared for a 
major disaster and could have 
cut its response time to the 
December wind disaster if it 
had been.

Health Department Unveils 
2012 Quality Of Life Index


Citizen 
Journalism 
Meet-up

 The public celebrated the 
Pasadena Public Health 
Department’s 120th anniversary 
Monday of protecting the 
health and wellness of area 
residents during a special event 
in the Central Library’s Donald 
R. Wright Auditorium. 

 Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard 
helped open the festivities along 
with Dr. Eric Walsh, Public 
Health Department Director, 
who talked about the 2012 
Pasadena/Altadena Quality of 
Life Index.

 “As we celebrate 120 years 
of Pasadena’s Public Health 
Department, we are encouraged 
by the great strides for overall 
improved health that has been 
made by the City, yet we are 
looking forward with great 
excitement to what possibilities 
the future holds,” Dr. Walsh 
said.

 “The scientific literature 
around public health has 
increased our understanding 
as to the root causes of many 
chronic diseases and the 
environmental and behavioral 
factors that determine health. 
Our Quality of Life report 
outlines where Pasadena 
and Altadena stands on key 
indicators and helps to begin 
the discussion around how we 
can make improvements.”

 The report looks at income, 
employment, housing and 
education data as key social 
and economic factors that 
affect and influence the quality 
of life and the overall health 
of a community. Among the 
report’s key findings are: There 
has been a 79.3% reduction 
in unhealthy air quality days 
since 2002 in Pasadena, 
the number of high school 
graduates decreased 6% since 
2007, and those with less than a 
high school diploma increased 
four present and almost 25 
persent of the non-elderly adult 
population in Pasadena has no 
medical insurance.

 To download the report, 
or previous issues, go to 
www.cityofpasadena.net/
qualityoflifeindex or call (626) 
744-6177 for physical copies.

Pet of 
the Week

 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 Sep. 4 
from 6: 30 p.m. to 8p.m. at 
the Pasadena Community 
Network - Studio G, 2057 N. 
Los Robles Ave.

 For more info call 
626.794.8585.

 
Sammie is a four-year-
old black and white Cocker 
Spaniel mix. He’s very playful 
and loves people. He’s been a 
star out on our Mobile Unit, 
and is a volunteer favorite. His 
adoption fee is $120.

 Sammie’s adoption fee is $120, 
which includes his neuter 
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, 
as well as a goody bag filled 
with information on how 
to care for your pet. Ask an 
adoptions counselor for more 
information during your visit 

 Call the Pasadena 
Humane Society & SPCA at 
626.792.7151 to ask about 
A312549, or visit at 361 S. 
Raymond Ave. in Pasadena. 
Adoption hours are 11-4 
Sunday, 9-5 Tuesday –Friday, 
9-4 Saturday. Pets may not 
be available for adoption and 
cannot be held for potential 
adopters from phone calls or 
email. Directions and photos 
of all pets can be found at 
www.pasadenahumane.org.

Disaster Preparation Bill 
Goes to Governor’s desk 

 Assemblymember Anthony 
Portantino’s bill to improve 
emergency and disaster 
preparedness in California 
has been approved in the 
state Legislature and is now 
heads to the Governor’s desk 
for signature. The Assembly 
concurrence vote was 73 to 0. 

 AB 1650 requires investor-
owned electric utilities and 
water companies to develop 
an emergency and disaster 
preparedness plan every two 
years and to hold comprehensive 
disaster preparedness meetings 
with the counties and cities 
they service in order to improve 
readiness and better prepare for 
natural disasters. 

 “In the wake of the fierce winds 
and power outages that caused 
so much damage in Southern 
California late last year, we 
need to be better organized for 
the next disaster,” explained 
Assemblymember Portantino. 
“We learned some things from 
the December calamity that 
will forever change the way 
we look at these disasters. Like 
most ratepayers, I know that a 
portion of my bill is intended to 
pay for emergency preparedness 
and response; let’s make sure it 
does. A review every two years 
will hold utilities accountable, 
increase coordination, public 
awareness and may save lives. 
It’s a practical and prudent 
course of action.”

 “Under AB 1650, investor-
owned electric utilities and 
water companies will be 
required to begin their disaster 
preparedness meetings within 
three months of the legislation 
becoming law.

A report commissioned by 
Southern California Edison 
earlier this year said the utility 
could be better prepared for a 
major disaster and could have 
cut its response time to the 
December wind disaster if it 
had been.

City to Monitor West Nile Virus Situation

 Currently, there are no locally 
acquired cases of West Nile 
Virus in Pasadena, The Public 
Health Department is working 
closely with state and county 
health officials to monitor the 
situation and the Department 
is also proactively monitoring 
its local mosquito and vector 
control efforts to help reduce the 
risk of West Nile Virus, which is 
spread to humans from the bite 
of an infected mosquito.

 Officials say the number of 
cases in California are on the 
rise: so far 36 cases statewide 
and five within Los Angeles 
County.

 To help control the local 
presence of mosquitoes, 
Health Department staff travel 
throughout Pasadena at least 
once a week to treat gutters, 
puddles, pools and other free-
standing sources of water 
that serve as prime breeding 
grounds for mosquitoes. More 
than 250 swimming pools have 
been inspected this year.

 In addition, for the past 
decade, the Health Department 
has worked closely with the 
Pasadena Police Department 
in a collaborative “Green 
Pool” initiative in which 
the crews aboard Pasadena’s 
police helicopters use aerial 
observations to spot stagnant 
swimming pools and other 
green-standing (still) water 
sources where mosquitoes 
might be breeding.

 Dr. Eric Walsh, Pasadena 
Health Department Director, 
recommend everyone check 
for, and empty, all standing 
water containers left outside; 
keep swimming pools clean and 
filters in operation; and regular 
check for mosquito larvae in 
bird baths, outdoor ponds and 
other water features.

 When outdoors, the public can 
protect themselves by wearing 
bug repellants containing 
DEET; wearing long-sleeved 
pants and shirts at dusk and 
dawn when mosquitoes are 
most active; avoiding known 
mosquito-infested areas and 
making sure your window 
screens are in good repair to 
prevent entry points into your 
home for insects.

 For more information about 
Pasadena’s vector control 
program, to receive free 
mosquito fish to help prevent 
breeding or to report a stagnant 
swimming pool or other 
still-water source, call the 
Department’s Environmental 
Health Unit at (626) 744-6004.