Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 20, 2013

5


Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 20, 2013 


DOO DAH 
MADNESS 
SET TO 
INVADE 
EAST 
PASADENA

Local Public TV Station 
to Close as Part of Move

 In a letter to producers 
and volunteers last week, 
Pasadena Media Executive 
Director Keri Stokstad 
announced that the public 
access station would be 
shutting down this week in 
perpetration of a planned 
move to a new bigger facility.

 “Pasadena Media must 
vacate our Hen’s Teeth 
location on North Los 
Robles entirely by May 1,” 
She wrote. “Our last studio 
production day at that 
location is Tuesday, April 
23rd but we will make every 
effort (including providing 
on site personnel and 
venue location options) to 
accommodate your reserved 
programs.”

 Stokstad went on to say 
that Pasadena Media has 
outgrown the location 
with the high volume of 
programming. The station 
operates four local cable 
channels including KPAS, 
The Arroyo Channel, KLRN 
and PCC tv. 

 “The community channels 
and programming will have 
minimal, if any, disruptions 
during the move to our new 
facility,” she said. “We look 
forward to giving everyone 
a tour of Pasadena Media’s 
new home very soon.”

 The studios and 
administrative offices will be 
located at: Pasadena Office 
Tower 150 S. Los Robles Ave., 
Suite 450. Although some 
staff is currently working at 
the new location, the studios 
will not be open for at least 
three months. Stokstad said a 
ribbon cutting ceremony will 
mark the opening.

 For more information 
and/or updates visit 
pasadenamedia.org.

 Star-News Editor 
Chosen Doo Dah 
Thorny Rose

JPL Suspends Popular Open House

 Through an official 
announcement made on jpl.
nasa.gov website, officials from 
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
confirmed that a decision had 
been made Tuesday to suspend 
a popular open house usually 
scheduled for a weekend in late 
May or June.

 In the past, the two day event 
has attracted upwards of 40,000 
potential and current scientists 
to the 177 acre campus near the 
North West edge of Pasadena.

 According to several reports 
the decision was made based on 
federal spending cuts, as part of, 
the sequestration which took 
effect March 1.

 Officials said the event could 
still be held later in the year 
after they knew more about the 
effects of the cuts.

 Congressman Adam Schiff said 
Thursday he was disappointed 
with the cancelation calling 
the sequestration a poor fiscal 
policy. He also said the open 
house was an important part of 
NASA’s outreach and education 
programs. 

 Advocacy and Outreach 
Strategist for The Planetary 
Society, Casey Dreier also 
expressed disappointment.

 This is, to say the least, a very 
depressing announcement,” he 
wrote on The Planetary Society’s 
website. “NASA’s recent 
directives cutting down on 
travel and education and public 
outreach are really starting to 
be felt. It seems like every day 
another conference is canceled 
or a public event gets suspended 
indefinitely.”

 On Friday Representatives 
Schiff and Senator Dianne 
Feinstein sent a letter to NASA 
Administrator Charles Bolden 
calling on him to keep any 
operating plan for the fiscal 
year consistent with the funding 
levels and allocations directed to 
it by Congress earlier this year.

 In the letter, the congressional 
leaders wrote: “While we fully 
understand that the funding 
levels enumerated in the bill and 
report are subject to change to 
reflect the across the board and 
sequester cuts, we expect that 
the balance among programs 
will remain consistent with the 
structure directed by Congress.”

 JPL officials said they were 
unaware of any federal cuts to 
their education programs.

 Once again the very local Doo 
Dah parade will bring out all 
the weird wackiness the event 
is known for down Colorado 
Boulevard in East Pasadena 
—the parade is sometimes 
referred to as the alter-ego 
of the prim and proper Rose 
Parade. 

 The 36th Occasional Pasadena 
Doo Dah Parade takes place on 
Saturday, April 27th, stepping 
off at 11am. Bring a camera 
and a lawn chair. The event is 
always free.

 Led by this year’s Queen 
Susann Edmonds and Grand 
Marshal Alan Zorthian, 
spectators will be startled 
and amused by Flying Baby 
Hammer, A Moveable Feast 
(based on a Hemingway novel), 
Ace Ketchum-Professional 
Vampire Fisherman, The Great 
Firewall of China, The LOH 
Down on Science (featuring 
NPR personality Sandra Tsing 
Loh), Suffer Jet-Set Planet for 
David Bowie, Camp Bimbo, 
World’s Tallest Girl Scout, 
Jiffy Pop! Happy Howard’s 
Harlequin, The Bearded 
Ladies, Long Beach Ukelele 
Club, Johnny Skunkmobile, 
Fashion on the Fly, Drunk 
in the Garage Band, Zombie 
Training Camp, Arrow Sign 
Spinners, and The Army of 
Toy Soldiers.

 This year’s recipient of the 
Thorny Rose is Pasadena Star 
News editor Frank Girardot. 
The honor is bestowed 
annually by a secret panel of 
judges to a local personality 
who has generated significant 
controversy in the greater 
Pasadena community.

 “If the day comes that those 
traits [political correctness] 
define him, it will be time 
for a huge reality check,” said 
parade organizers. “Frank is 
definitely a throwback to the 
days when reporters dug in to 
get their story. In so doing, he 
has ruffled plenty of feathers 
along the way.”


Police, Zero 
Tolerance 
Distracted 
Driving

Pasadena to Open State’s 
First City-Run Dental Clinic


Hen’s Teeth Studios

Schiff Calls on Obama to 
Recognize Genocide

 As part of April’s Distracted 
Driving Awareness Month 
campaign, the Pasadena 
Police Department will be 
actively ticketing those texting 
or operating hand-held cell 
phones on Monday, April. 
Police say drivers who break 
the law will be cited with no 
warnings. 

 “We all know that talking 
on our cell phones while 
driving is distracting, but 
that doesn’t stop some people 
from continuing to do it,” said 
Pasadena Police Department’s 
Chief, Phillip Sanchez “This 
effort is intended to educate 
our community about the 
dangers of cell phone use while 
driving. We hope that once 
people see the statistics and 
realize the danger involved, 
they will change their 
driving habits to help protect 
themselves, their families, and 
others on the road.” 

 He further explained, drivers 
who use hand-held devices 
are four times as likely to get 
into crashes serious enough to 
injure themselves. Younger, 
inexperienced drivers under 
20 years old have the highest 
proportion of distraction-
related fatal crashes. In 
addition, studies show that 
texting while driving can delay 
a driver’s reaction time just 
as severely as having a blood 
alcohol content of a legally 
drunk driver.

 To avoid a distracted driving 
ticket or crash, the Pasadena 
Police Department offers 
drivers the following tips:

 • Turn off your phone and/
or put it out of reach while 
driving

 • Include in your outgoing 
message that you can’t answer 
while you are driving

 • Don’t call or text anyone at a 
time when you think they may 
be driving

 According to police the 
current minimum ticket cost 
is $159, with subsequent 
tickets costing at least $279. 
Last April, over 57,000 tickets 
were written statewide for 
texting and hand-held cell 
use. There were nearly 450,000 
convictions in 2012. Whether 
it’s a ticket or a crash, as the 
campaign theme states, “It’s 
Not Worth It!” 

 Funding for this program 
was provided by a grant from 
the California Office of Traffic 
Safety, through the National 
Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration.

 

 Adam Schiff, called on 
President Barack Obama 
Wednesday to recognize the 
Armenian Genocide on April 
24th. Each year, Obama has 
issued a statement marking 
the anniversary of the start 
of first genocide of the 20th 
Century, but has consistently 
failed to properly refer to 
this campaign of killing 
as“genocide.”

 In the letter to Obama, 
Schiff states: “I urge you to 
acknowledge the Armenian 
Genocide in your statement 
this year, to call genocide, 
genocide, and to stand with 
the ever-dwindling number 
of survivors, as well as the 
descendants of those who 
were lost, and who must 
otherwise continue to suffer 
the indignity, injury and 
pain of denial.”

 

 Pasadena is set to celebrate 
the opening of the first, city-
operated public health dental 
clinic in California during a 
special Open House Wednesday 
at the City’s Public Health 
Department, 1845 N. Fair Oaks 
Ave. The public is invited to the 
Open House celebration and to 
tour the new clinic.

 The event begins at 11:30 a.m.

 First District City 
Councilmember Jacque 
Robinson and Los Angeles 
County Board of Supervisor 
Michael D. Antonovich are 
scheduled to be keynote 
speakers. The City of Pasadena 
Michael D. Antonovich Dental 
Clinic is a brand new, state-of-
the-art facility to help improve 
access to oral health services for 
HIV-positive persons. Services 
will eventually be expanded to 
the homeless, seniors, young 
children and other underserved 
populations in Pasadena and 
the Greater San Gabriel Valley 
area.

 Pasadena is one of three city 
public health departments, in 
addition to Long Beach and 
Berkeley. While some county 
health departments maintain 
dental services, this is the 
first municipal-based clinic in 
California.

 The Pasadena Public Health 
Department received more 
than $795,000 to establish the 
new dental clinic, including 
$365,387 from Supervisor 
Antonovich’s Office; $358,625 
for operating costs from the Los 
Angeles County Department 
of Public Health Division of 
HIV/STD Programs (Ryan 
White Funding); $40,000 from 
the Pasadena Community 
Foundation Center; $30,000 
from the Patron Saints 
Foundation, and $1,500 from 
Pastor Eisenlord with Good 
Shepherd Church in Pasadena. 
Additional assistance was 
received from the City’s 
Community Development 
Block Grant program.

 The dental clinic will be 
open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 
p.m., Monday, Tuesday and 
Thursday; 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 
p.m., Wednesday and from 8:00 
a.m. to 4:00 p.m., alternating 
Fridays. Services are free or 
at reduced fees for income-
qualified patients.

Caltech Interim 
President Begins July

The Caltech Board of Trustees 
unanimously agreed late last 
month to appoint Edward 
Stolper to the role of interim 
president, effective July 1, 2013. 
He will assume the post from 
Jean-Lou Chameau, whose last 
day as president of Caltech will 
be June 30, 2013.

 Over the past few weeks, the 
presidential search and selection 
committees have initiated the 
process of defining the qualities 
and range of experience that 
we will be looking for in the 
Institute’s next leader. 

“Our priority is to find the best 
next president for Caltech, and 
also to ensure that the Institute 
remains vital and growing 
during this transition.”

 “Ed has been an outstanding 
provost and partner during 
my tenure at Caltech,” said 
President Chameau. “I have 
learned a lot from him and 
am delighted that he will be 
leading the Institute as interim 
president.”

 “I am humbled and honored to 
be asked to serve in this interim 
role,” said Stolper. “Caltech is in 
a very strong position thanks to 
Jean-Lou’s six years of dedicated 
leadership of the Institute, and I 
am committed to continuing its 
progress and momentum.”

 “On behalf of the Board of 
Trustees, I want to express our 
gratitude to Jean-Lou for his 
excellent service to Caltech and 
to Ed for agreeing to take on this 
responsibility. We are confident 
that naming Ed to the interim 
post will ensure the continued 
excellence of the Institute until 
the search committees have had 
the chance to find and name 
the next permanent president 
of Caltech. As you know, Jean-
Lou is fully engaged in the life 
and leadership of the Institute 
and will remain so until his 
final day at Caltech. Over the 
next few months, we will have a 
variety of celebrations to mark 
Jean-Lou’s great contributions 
to the Institute and to thank 
him for being a vibrant part of 
our community for these many 
years.”


Pet of the 
Week


MTA Heightens Security in 
Wake of Boston Bombing

 In the wake of the Boston 
Marathon bombing, 
Metropolitan Transportation 
Authority (MTA) has 
heightened security and 
additional inspection of the 
MTA bus and rail system. 

 “This senseless terrorist 
bombing that has claimed 
lives and injured many serves 
as a reminder to everyone 
to maintain a vigilant and 
dedicated security presence on 
our bus and rail systems,” said 
Chairman Antonovich. “MTA 
and Metrolink are coordinating 
efforts to heighten security on 
our system and perform the 
necessary inspections to keep 
the public safe.” 

 Riders on the MTA bus or rail 
system can take the following 
actions to alert authorities to 
suspicious activity:

 - Alert deputies or Metro 
personnel

 - Press the emergency intercom 
in the stations or on the trains

 - Inform bus operators 

 - Call LADS at (323) 563-5000

 Symphony is a 2-year-old 
brindle Staffordshire terrier. 
She’s very friendly and 
well-behaved. She’s also a 
volunteer favorite. 

 Symphony’s adoption fee 
is $120, which includes 
her spay 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 
A322954, 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.

Learn How to Produce 
Your Own TV Show

Holden Bill to Boost State 
Agriculture Moves Forward

 Pasadena Media offers 
a free television-training 
program for volunteers. 
Various Areas of training 
are available to Pasadena 
residents. Plan to attend 
an orientation to discover 
the right classes for you. 
Producers’ Training teaches 
citizens how to produce their 
own show for The Arroyo 
Channel. Studio Production/
Equipment training is 
also offered for volunteer 
crewmembers. In addition, 
on-going training and 
memberships are available in 
our citizen journalism and 
digital film groups. Call the 
office (626) 794-8585 or go 
to PASADENAMEDIA.ORG 
explore all that Pasadena 
Media has to offer.

 


 The Assembly Agriculture 
Committee today heard 
Wednesday testimony on 
Assemblymember Chris 
Holden’s legislation to ensure 
that California fruit, nuts, 
livestock and vegetables are 
given priority when it comes to 
state purchasing.

 Under Holden’s AB 199 
Choose California Act, state 
agencies would be required 
to give California agriculture 
producers priority when 
purchasing food products if 
the price is within 5% of the 
lowest out-of-state competitor. 
School districts would have 
to purchase California grown 
products as long as they aren’t 
more expensive than out-of-
state products.

 “AB 199 uses the state’s 
purchasing power to bolster 
California’s Agri-business 
and that means more jobs 
and more revenue and that’s 
good for California’s bottom 
line,” said Assemblymember 
Holden. “This bill is a win-
win for everyone. The public 
institutions get a locally-grown 
product, we’re helping create 
opportunities for our farmers 
and a new appreciation for 
local food helps stimulate the 
economy.”

 “California Citrus Mutual 
is excited to support this 
legislation as it puts before our 
young people and population 
the wonderful bounty we 
produce in California. To have 
this focus is a win for agriculture 
and a win for our state.” Joel 
Nelsen, President, California 
Citrus Mutual

 The Agriculture Committee 
voted unanimously (7 
to 0) in favor of AB 199. 
Earlier in the session the 
measure was approved by 
the Assembly Accountability 
and Administrative Review 
Committee. It now moves to 
Assembly Appropriations for 
fiscal consideration.

Three from 
JPL Make 
Time ‘Most 
Influential’ List

Class Offerings 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Nightly

Orientation: 1st & 3rd Monday

Producers’ Training 2nd & 4th Monday

Camera 1st & 3rd Tuesday

Character Generator 2nd & 4th Tuesday

Lighting 1st & 3rd Wednesday

Audio 2nd & 4th Wednesday

Video Tape Operator 1st & 3rd Thursday

Technical Director 2nd & 4th Thursday

Stage Manager 1st & 3rd Friday

Teleprompter 2nd & 4th Friday

Citizen Journalism Every Tuesday

Digital Film Group Every Thursday

 The 2013 list of the 100 most 
influential people named by 
TIME Magazine includes 
three men from NASA’s Jet 
Propulsion Laboratory. The 
list announced this week by 
TIME Magazine includes Don 
Yeomans, Pete Theisinger and 
Richard Cook

 “We are honored to have three 
distinguished individuals from 
JPL on the TIME list of most 
influential people,” said JPL 
Director Charles Elachi.