VOLUME 6 NO 44

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2012

BREAKING NEWS: ARREST MADE IN PASADENA ARSON

On Friday evening, Pasadena Police acknowledged the arrest of Garth Allen Brooks, age 49 as a suspect in the arson fire that ocurred earlier 
in the week. The fire resulted in the death of two residents of an adult living facility on El Sereno in Pasadena. 

Robbins, who is white, is accused of causing the death of a white male and an African American. Their names had not been released at 
press time Another resident is hospitalized in serious condition. Officials said Friday the injured survivor, identified by police as 65-year-
old Perry Simons, was expected to survive.

Police took Robbins into custody early Friday morning at about 5:42 a.m. after officers recognized him at a local restaurant. Investigators 
said suspicious circumstances led them to believe the fire at the adult living facility may have been set by Robbins in a room he rented at 
the location. He was booked at the Pasadena City Jail for murder without bail. The investigation is on-going and the case will be presented 
to the District Attorney’s Office for consideration of filing.

Robbins has a prior conviction in 2009 for a violation of Pasadena’s municipal code, but no other criminal history is listed under that name. 
(See related story on page 4). 

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Pham at (626) 744-4522. 

ASCENSION CHURCH 

HOLIDAY MUSICAL EVENTS

Sierra Madre’s Village Church – Ascension - invites the 
community to an amazing musical event in observance 
of All Saint’s Day. On Sunday, November 4 the 10:15 
service will feature Gabriel Faure’s incomparable Requiem 
in D Minor, Op. 48. 

Presented by Ascension’s choir and soloists Susan Beach, 
Ben Bliss and Charley Noecker, and conducted by Dr.

Debora Huffman, Ascension's Director of Music and 
Organist, various movements of the work will be sung at 
their corresponding liturgical moments. The foremost 
French organist and composer of his time, Faure (1845-
1924) wrote Requiem between 1887 and 1890. 

The best known of Faure’s larger works, its most famous 
movement is the soprano aria, Pie Jesu. Additional 
movements include Introit and Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus 
Dei, Libera Me, and In Paradisum. Be sure to arrive 
early – Libera Me will be sung as the opening choral 
voluntary!

Then just four weeks later, to kick off the Holiday season 
on December 2, the first Sunday of Advent will be 
celebrated by the presentation of An Advent Service of 
Lessons and Carols.

Incorporated into the Liturgy of the Word of the 10:15 
worship service, six Scripture lessons will be read, each 
followed by a choral anthem or hymn. All are welcome 
to attend this service of waiting for the Christ child. 
Come share with us the beauty of this traditional service.

The Church of the Ascension is located at 25 East Laurel 
Avenue in Sierra Madre. For more

information, please call (626) 355-1133 or visit: www.
ascension-sierramadre.com.

LOCAL REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS JOIN FORCES

Partisan differences aside - community leaders gather to support candidates for the State Senate and Assembly

 
In an unusual display of unity this election season, two well 
known Sierra Madre civic leaders, Former Mayors Enid Joffe, a 
Democrat and Bart Doyle, a Republican, hosted a pre-election 
‘meet and greet’ for 41st California Assembly District candidate 
Chris Holden, and 25th State Senate District Incumbent Carol 
Liu.

 The event, which was held in the home of Joffe gave the candidates 
the opportunity to speak to a politically diverse group and 
share their plans should they win the election.

 Both candidates have a long history of public service. Holden 
was elected to the council when he was just 28 years old. He 
was elected Mayor in 1997. In addition to serving on the city 
council, he is on the Glendale-Burbank Airport Authority and 
planned an important role in the expansion of the Metro Gold 
Line project.

 Carol Liu, who is running for election to a newly drawn Senate 
District, also currently holds elected office. She is a State Senator 
in the 21st Senatorial District. Liu has served in both the 
State Assembly and Senate. 

 Both candidates have made education a 
major priority in their time in office and 
spoke in great detail about the state’s 
current financial crisis and its impact on 
the states schools, including the junior 
colleges.

 Above, l to r. Enid Joffe, Chris 
Hoden and Bart Doyle. Left, Carol 
Liu captures the attention of the attendees, 
which included Monrovia 
Mayor Mary Ann Lutz.