Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 12, 2013

A4

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 12, 2013 


Farmers to 
Celebrate 
Teachers, 
Cancels 
Rose Parade 
Weddings

Wicked Lit again Bring 
Classics to Halloween

By Dean Lee

 Set in Altadena’s Mountain 
View Mausoleum and 
Cemetery, this year’s Wicked 
Lit, the popular horror story 
adaptation series, features a 
world premiere adaptations 
of H.P Lovecraft’s “The 
Lurking Fear” and Sir Arthur 
Conan Doyle’s “The New 
Catacomb” as well as a revival 
of Washington Irving’s “The 
Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” 
The production runs through 
November 2.

 Audiences experience the 
three short plays, as they are 
led, throughout the grounds 
of the mausoleum by story 
guides. As well as the three 
plays, the audience also 
experiences singers, dancers 
and improvisational actors 
as part of the “The Masque of 
the Red Death Experience,” 
inspired by Edgar Allan Poe.

 “We are defiantly the first 
to start using the term 
“Immersive Theater,” said 
Wicked Lit Co-Artistic 
Director, Jeff Rack. “I don’t 
know if it’s just that it seems 
the right adjective, or people 
have seen it in our literature, 
but the term now crops up in 
articles.”

Co-Artistic Director, 
Paul Millet, said there are 
some challenges in doing 
nontraditional theater, “We 
basically have to create a 
performance space in a place 
that’s not made for it or set 
up for it.”

 Rack said everything has 
to be brought in, from the 
lighting to the sound, “not 
overtaxing the power grid on 
these older buildings can be 
challenging.”

Millet said a lot goes into 
choosing the stories.

 “For us what’s important is 
that the story fits the venue,” 
he said. “We don’t want to 
shoehorn, or force a story 
into a venue… we do a lot 
of reading to figure out 
want would work and then 
something will resonate with 
us and then we work to adapt 
it.”

 Rack said this is one of the 
reasons they decided to again 
do, Sleepy Hollow. They had 
done the story at Greystone 
Mansion in Beverly Hills in 
2009. 

 “We now have a full 
cemetery for the epic horse 
chase at the end, which was 
originally set in a cemetery, 
how cool is that.” 

 For more information 
and show times visit; 
unboundproductions.org.


Council Looks to Stop Avon from Closing

By Dean Lee

The city council used a rare city 
ordinance Monday night to 
approve a Sales Tax Increment 
Reimbursement Agreement 
with Avon Products, Inc. to keep 
the company open—extending 
Avon’s operation in the city for 
the next three years. 

Avon announced in January 
they were set to close and leave 
Pasadena in 2014.

According to staff, the city will 
reimburse Avon up to 40 percent 
of the sales tax generated by the 
company after July 1; the date 
Avon’s operation would have 
shut down.

“The reimbursement will not 
exceed $600,000 in any one year, 
and will not continue after $1.8 
million is reimbursed or three 
years have passed, whichever 
comes first,” the staff report 
states.

Under the agreed resolution, the 
tax money will go to preserving 
jobs and economic activity now 
provided by Avon in its current 
location, installing the necessary 
equipment and upgrades to 
continue operation at its current 
location, and extending Avon’s 
operation in Pasadena for three 
years.

Avon currently employs 200 
people in Pasadena. 

Tom Kerr, Avon Products 
Executive Director, said 
“Without repair and 
maintenance of that equipment, 
in addition to the equipment 
that is being brought in from 
the Atlanta [Georgia] facility 
we would need to accelerate 
our departure from Pasadena, 
earlier than if that repair is not 
made.”

Kerr said there are three 
significant areas the company 
is investing, “its literature 
dispensing, so automated 
brochures that go into the 
packages, we do some of that 
now, we will be more than 
doubling that, it’s also for doc 
manifesting, so that architecture 
and infrastructure in that 
facility currently cannot support 
growing needs so we can invoice 
and document accurately to our 
transportation companies, the 
third is in mechanical assembly 
where we dispense product, the 
machinery that is in Pasadena, 
currently, is obsolete, much of 
it is expiring in this timeframe.”

City Manager Michael Beck said 
if the city did not act the sales 
tax generated would be $0. 

Councilmember Gene Masuda 
said the agreement also gives 
the city time to figure out what 
future use the 353,000-square-
foot building at 2940 Foothill 
Blvd could be used for if Avon 
does not stay after three years.

 Farmers Insurance did 
an about-face Wednesday 
morning by announcing a 
complete change in the theme 
for their float in this year’s Rose 
Parade, canceling a contest, 
where three couples would be 
married on the float, opting 
instead to honor teachers. 

 The news comes just one 
week after launching a “Picture 
Perfect Weddings Contest.”

 In a statement, the company 
said, ”Inspired by successful 
launch of its ‘Thank a Million 
Teachers’ initiative, Farmers 
Insurance has made the 
decision to celebrate America’s 
teachers on the Farmers float 
in the Rose Parade on January 
1, instead of conducting the 
Picture Perfect Weddings 
Contest as previously 
announced.”

 “The “Thank a Million 
Teachers” initiative encourages 
everyone to take a moment 
to say a heartfelt “thanks” to 
teachers for their ongoing 
dedication to our children’s 
growth and development,” 
they said.

 “We believe that Farmers’ 
55-year presence in the Rose 
Parade offers the ideal and 
unique platform to honor and 
draw attention to America’s 
teachers, who touch millions 
of lives by making us all 
smarter and more responsible 
citizens.”

 Chris Harrison, host of ABC’s 
The Bachelor, was to officiate 
the weddings atop the Farmers 
Insurance “Love Float.” 

 The insurance company also 
took down a Facebook page 
were couples could submit 
a “picture perfect” photo 
of themselves and sharing 
their love story, as part of the 
contest.

OFFICER

INVOLVED SHOOTING 
LEAVES MAN 
HOSPITALIZED

 Yellow police tape surrounded 
the Kings Villages apartment 
complex Friday morning after 
police short a man, alleged to have 
flashed a gun, in the parking area 
at the location.

 Police said at 10:00 a.m. 
uniformed Pasadena police 
officers were on routine patrol 
when they made an enforcement 
stop on a 23 year old man. The 
suspect then fled to a nearby 
housing complex near Hammond 
St. and Morton Ave. 

 Police said the suspect allegedly 
showed a handgun in a threatening 
manner. One of the officers fired 
hitting the suspect. He fell to the 
ground. A firearm was recovered 
in close proximity to the suspect 
according to a released statement. 

 Paramedics responded and 
transported the suspect to a 
nearby hospital. 

 The suspect has been identified 
as Paris Holloway (Black male-23 
and Pasadena resident). Pasadena 
Homicide/Assault Detectives are 
on scene and actively conducting 
the investigation. The Los Angeles 
County District Attorney’s Office 
was notified of the OIS and 
investigators are responding. 
Persons who may have witnessed 
the incident are asked to contact 
the Pasadena Police Department 
at (626) 744-4241 or a report can 
be made anonymously through 
Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS 
(8477) or http://lacrimestoppers.
org (insert key word Pasadena).


Royal Court Selected


The Lurking Fear

Firefighters to go Pink

 Pasadena Firefighters will 
turn in the black and blue 
uniform shirts Friday for 
pink to raise awareness of 
breast cancer and cancer 
research. 

 Fire personnel will forego 
uniform shirts for pink 
ones with the International 
Association of Firefighter’s 
and Pasadena Fire 
Department logos. Shirts 
will also be sold to the public 
and all the money raised will 
be donated to the Huntington 
– Hill Breast Cancer Center 
which provides supportive 
groups and treatment from 
diagnosis to recovery.

 Firefighters will also again 
hold Fill the Pink Boot 
Monday, Oct. 21st 8:00 a.m.-
11 a.m. at both the corners of 
Arroyo Parkway and Del Mar 
(west-end) and Rosemead 
and Foothill (east-end). 100 
percent of the proceeds will 
be donated.

 “As public servants, 
Pasadena firefighters have 
the opportunity to lead by 
example in the community 
everyday which enables 
them to promote awareness 
and support a cause that has 
affected every member of the 
department,” officials from 
the department said.

 The seven members of the 2014 
Tournament of Roses Royal 
Court were announced Monday 
at Tournament House. Selected 
from a group of 30 finalists, 
the Royal Court will attend 
more than 100 community 
and media functions, acting as 
ambassadors of the Tournament 
and the Pasadena community at 
large. Their reign will culminate 
with the 125th Rose Parade and 
the 100th Rose Bowl Game.

 The Tournament’s Queen 
and Court Committee made its 
selections based on a number 
of criteria including poise, 
speaking ability, academic 
achievement, and community 
and school involvement.

 The seven Royal Court 
members are From left to right: 
Jamie Ann Kwong, 17, La Salle 
High School; Sarah Elizabeth 
Hansen, 19, Pasadena City 
College; Ana Marie Acosta, 17, 
Polytechnic School; Katherine 
Diane Lipp, 17, La Cañada High 
School; Elyssia Hadi Widjaja, 
17, San Marino High School; 
Elizabeth Katie Woolf, 17, La 
Cañada High School and Kayla 
Diyana Johnson-Granberry, 17, 
Pasadena High School. 

 “The Queen and Court 
Committee this year had the 
opportunity to meet many, 
many impressive young 
women,” said Alex Young, 
chair of the committee. “We 
are confident that the seven 
young women we selected for 
the 2014 Royal Court will be 
outstanding role models who 
inspire the public.”

 The 2014 Rose Queen will be 
announced and coroneted on 
October 24 at First Church of 
the Nazarene of Pasadena; the 
event is sponsored by Citizens 
Business Bank. A limited 
number of tickets are available 
for purchase from Sharp 
Seating Company.

Pet of the 
Week

Pasadena 
Economic 
and Business 
Summit 


Hugo Schwyzer Resigns

 

 Pasadena City College has 
accepted the resignation of 
Hugo Schwyzer, he relinquished 
the position effective Tuesday.

 In September, Schwyzer, a 
Humanities instructor at the 
college, released statements 
publicly on the internet that he 
has had sexual relations with 
his students as recently as 2011 
while teaching at the college.

 PCC officials said this brings to 
conclusion all matters relating 
to Schwyzer’s employment 
at PCC. The investigation 
being conducted under the 
supervision of outside counsel 
will not proceed any further. 
Schwyzer expresses his 
appreciation and thanks to his 
students and colleagues at PCC.

 Luncheon at University 
Club will feature a panel 
of local industry leaders

 The Economic and Business 
Development Committee of 
the Pasadena Chamber of 
Commerce invites leaders 
of business and industry in 
Pasadena discuss our local 
economy, local industries 
and the future of business in 
Pasadena at the first Pasadena 
Business and Economic 
Summit on Thursday, 
October 24, at 11:30am at the 
University Club at 175 North 
Oakland Avenue in Pasadena. 

 Cost to attend the inaugural 
Pasadena Business and 
Economic Summit is $45 and 
includes the program, lunch 
and valet parking. A corporate 
table of eight, which includes 
signage and recognition on the 
program, costs $400. 

 Keynote Speaker will be Bill 
Allen, President and CEO of 
Los Angeles County Economic 
Development Corporation,. 

 In addition to the keynote, 
the summit will include 
presentations by local leaders. 

 Featured panelists include 
Zareh Astourian of TTG 
and William Chu of Singpoli 
Capital, and Park Place 
Commercial, LP, Andy 
Ogden, Chair of the Graduate 
Department of Industrial 
Design at Art Center College 
of Design and Dr. Michael 
Giardello, CEO of Materia 
and Co-chair of Innovate 
Pasadena.

 Mayor Bill Bogaard will 
provide an update on City 
finances and priorities.

Villa-Parke Softball Field to 
get $153,000 Renovations

 Topher is a three-month-
old Chihuahua puppy. He 
loves to play with toys and 
has lots of puppy energy. 

 Topher’s adoption fee 
is $125, 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 
A339910, 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

 

 Significant improvements 
are coming to the Villa-Parke 
Community Park, 363 E. 
Villa St., including a $153,000 
renovation of the softball field 
and a community-led effort 
today to enhance a sustainable 
family garden for fresh 
vegetables. 

 Little Green Fingers, 
an innovative non-profit 
organization dedicated to 
creating sustainable gardens, 
invites you to work alongside 
your friends and neighbors 
to renovate the garden space 
near the Villa-Parke Head Start 
playground area from 8:00 a.m. 
to Noon. 

 Patricia Ferber, a ceramics 
instructor, will be there to work 
with children in the Community 
Center’s auditorium to 
construct wind chimes for use 
in the garden. Breakfast and 
lunch will be served. 

 The project is funded by 
First 5 LA to provide healthy 
fruits and vegetables to young 
children and their families 
and is open to all ages. The 
Pasadena Community Gardens 
Conservancy also has provided 
funding and coordination for 
the project. For more details, 
contact Rozanne Adanto at 
(626) 744-6522 or by email to 
radanto@cityofpasadena.net. 

 Beginning in October, the 
City will be doing extensive 
improvement work on the 
Ville-Parke softball field to 
enhance the play surface and 
field areas, including removal 
and replacement of 40,000 
square feet of existing turf; plus 
adding new soil, infield brick 
dust, player benches, backstop, 
dugout and an irrigation 
system. The work reflects the 
City’s ongoing commitment 
to upgrading the maintenance 
of parkland and recreational 
facilities throughout Pasadena. 

 During this time, the public 
is asked to stay out of the 
fenced construction areas while 
work is being completed. The 
public will have access to the 
remaining amenities in the 
park during construction. The 
renovation is expected to be 
finished by February 2014. 

 PK Construction, a Pasadena-
based contractor, will 
complete the improvements 
under management by the 
Department of Public Works. 
For information on the 
Department of Public Works, 
visit www.cityofpasdena.net/
publicworks.

 In anticipation of Pasadena 
Media opening new studios at 
150 S. Los Robles Ave, they are 
offering free television-training 
program for producers. Plan 
to attend an orientation to 
discover the right classes for 
you. Producers’ Training 
teaches how to produce shows 
for The Arroyo Channel. Studio 
Production/Equipment training 
is also offered to volunteer 
crewmembers. In addition, 
on-going training will soon be 
available in citizen journalism 
and digital film groups. Call the 
office (626) 794-8585 or go to 
PASADENAMEDIA.ORG and 
explore what Pasadena Media 
has to offer.


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

Field Production Training

Monday, Oct 14 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Stage Manager Training

Tuesday, Oct 15 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Character Generator Training

Wednesday, Oct 16 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Video Tape Op. Training

Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 

Studio Orientation Training

Monday, Oct 21, 2013 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 

Citizen Journalism coming soon

Digital Film Group coming soon