Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 8, 2014

Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 8, 2014 3 Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 8, 2014 3 
WISTARIA THRIFT SHOP SPRING EXTRAVAGANZA 
MARCH 27, 28, 29, 2014 

The Wistaria Thrift Shop, run by the Sierra Madre Woman’s Club at 550 W. Sierra Madre, will hold 
their Spring Extravaganza on Thursday, March 27, Friday March 28, and Saturday, March 29. Hours 
are from 9am to 2pm. 

The largest part of the huge event has been moved into their vintage clubhouse, Essick House, with 
every room in the historic building will be filled with a quantity of merchandise at bargain bottom 
prices. Clothing for all family members, a multitude of household and kitchen items, books, toys, 
craft supplies, gift items and so much more. Shop Chair, Elma Flores, says the variety and quality of 
merchandise will give shoppers an early start on Easter buying. 

All proceeds support club philanthropies. For more information call the shop at 626 355-7739. The 
Wistaria Thrift Shop at the rear of the Essick House will also be open 

ONE BOOK 
ONE CITY 
FINISHES ON AN 
INSPIRING NOTE 

Author Brings Her BookAlive to capacity crowd 

Maisie Dobbs, the Sierra MadrePublic Library 2014 One BookOne City choice, concluded amonth of exciting free eventswith an extremely well-received 

appearance by the author 
Jacqueline Winspear. 
Winspear spoke about 

World War I and its effect on 
England, and its setting forher mystery novel featuring 
an extraordinary youngwoman living in World WarI era England and France. Areception followed the talk and 
copies of books in the MaisieDobbs series were available for 
purchase and signing by theauthor. 

2014 marks the 100th 
anniversary of the start of 
World War I and Winspear’stalk capped a month of 
programs with a World War Itheme. 

A Children’s Airplane FlyingContest, and Jim Constantianwith his 1916 Victrola 
phonograph and originalrecordings from the era, started 
the month’s celebration. The 
Library displayed artifacts 
from World War I, World WarI award-winning poetry byChristopher “Kit” Adde, andthe Teen Docents conducted 
virtual tours of Sierra Madre in 
the World War I period. 

Other events included: 
Catherine Adde’s “tour” of 
Cambridge, London, the 
English countryside and the 
battlefields of France where 
the story took place. Wings, an 
epic World War I silent actiondrama that featured spectacularaerial sequences of vintage dogfighting and a romantic anglefeaturing Clara Bow. The Sierra 

Madre Historical Preservation 
Society presentation of authorand historian Michele Zack 
who spoke about life in Sierra 
Madre during the years up to,
including, and following WWI. 

“Thanks from the Library’s One 
Book One City Committee goto the Sierra Madre CommunityFoundation, the Sierra MadreCivic Club and the Sierra 
Madre Rotary Club for theirfinancial support, and to theHistorical Society for their 
program featuring Michele 
Zack, and the Woman’s Club,
the Sierra Madre Playhouse, &
The Gooden School for lettingus use their fine facilities for 
programs,” said Rob StocklyOBOC chair and Board of 
Trustees chairman. 

Sierra Madre Public Library,
440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.,
Sierra Madre, CA 91024, 

(626) 355-7186, www. 
cityofsierramadre.com/
departments/library. 
Sierra Madre Police Blotter 


During the week of Sunday, February 23, to Sunday March 2nd, the Sierra Madre Police Department 
responded to approximately 300 calls for service. 

Monday February 24, 2014 
At 8:39 am, Sierra Madre Police responded to the 400 block of Ramona Ave. regarding theft of 
figurines from a front yard. The location was monitored by a security camera system, which revealed 
to Police Officers that the incident actually occurred on Monday, February 17, 2014 at approximately 

4:00 pm. Two suspects were seen entering the yard and removing the figurines. Vehicle and suspects 
were seen leaving location east bound on Ramona and out of sight.
Later that day officers found the vehicle and the suspects were taken into custody. 
Tuesday February 25, 2014At 5:03 pm, Sierra Madre Police responded to the 200 block of Mariposa Ave. regarding a theft of 
United Parcel Service packages. Victim advised Police that several packages were stolen from resident’s 
front porch. An area check was conducted for any evidence or leads, but no suspects were found. 

Sunday March 2, 2014At 3:19 pm, Sierra Madre Police responded to the 100 block of Colony Drive, regarding an attempt 
break in to a residence. Victim advised incident occurred between Thursday, February 27, 2014 and 
Friday February 28, 2014. Resident discovered that a screen had been removed from her window, 
another screen had been cut, and there were pry marks on the window. Suspects were unable to gain 
entry into the residence. 

WALKING SIERRA MADRE……THE SOCIAL SIDE 



By Deanne Davis 

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life 
off our souls.” Pablo Picasso 

“Every artist was first an amateur.” 

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

“Creativity takes courage.” Henri Matisse 

Had an amazing time Monday, touring the 
Creative Arts Group. You know, that nice 
building on North Baldwin with the big suns out 
in front. If you haven’t been there, you need to 
check it out. Executive Director, Kristin Naran, 
graciously took me all over their facility and I 
saw so many exciting, beautiful and affordable 
things. There is currently a new show going on at 
the CAG Gallery: the “Faculty Show” which will 
continue through March 28th where 
the teachers are exhibiting their 
own work in ceramics, glass fusing, 
painting, enameling and more. If you 
recall last Friday night, even though 
it was pouring on a Noah’s Ark scale, 
Kristin was happy to report that they 
had an excellent showing of guests 
for the Faculty Show opening.! 

Creative Arts has been in Sierra 
Madre since 1960 and in their current 
location since the ‘70’s. They own 
their entire property and have added 
a building with spacious classrooms 
behind the gallery. Here’s something 
I bet you didn’t know, Creative Arts 
Group does wonderful things with 
our local schools to introduce young 
students to the joys of art. 

Soozee VanDyke Woods, who 
specializes in ceramic tile, each piece 
of which can be an art statement 
on its own or part of a fireplace 
or backsplash, but so vivid and 
unique, teaches a class for 5-8 year 
olds on Mondays called “Mid-Day 
Mud!” where these little people 
are introduced to the joys of clay. 
Soozee is also part of the ImaginArt 
Program in our local elementary 
school. First through fifth graders 
walk over from Sierra Madre School 
and have the opportunity to work 
with clay on projects connected to 
their curriculum. During my tour 
with Kristin, I got to see some of the 
projects the kids have been working 
on, for instance, tradition has it that 
third graders get to work on witches 
and they can’t wait to get to third grade 
to create their own Halloweenish 
witch. I saw a bird (or guinea fowl) 
which will eventually be fired in one of 
the three kilns (two gas, one electric) 
which will have small holes for each 
young potter to insert feathers into his 
or her bird’s back. There were three-
dimensional fish with open mouths, 
and each piece was so very different, 
so very singular…just like the kids 
who are making them. Kristin also 
told me that all the projects for the 
ImaginArt Program are supported by 
donors such as The Spero Foundation, 
Civic Club, Rotary, Sierra Madre 
Community Foundation, Kiwanis and 
the Creative Arts Group Alliance. I 
liked that! Here’s something else cool: All the 
clay is recycled to create new clay. Nothing is 
wasted. 

Soozee VanDyke Woods and her partner, Tracy 
Chamberlin, are also the force behind Ramona-
Paloma Tile Studios right here in Sierra Madre. 
Soozee is passionate about exposing young 
people and adults, too, to art. Here’s a calendar 
item for you, Mid-Day Mud will be happening 
again this spring. 

Also met Debbie Schweiner, who teaches 
ceramics/wheel-throwing/sculpture. She got her 
start at Creative Arts Group taking classes as a 
child and has been teaching for the last twenty 
years. Her favorites are the kids, nine+, as 
these are the ones who really have an interest in 
ceramics. Debbie says the children are so creative 
and innovative and they continually surprise her 
with their take on each project. Debbie is also on 
the Creative Arts Group Guild Board and is Vice-
President this year. Her very first ceramics class 
teacher, Jean Taylor, is still teaching in La Canada 
as she approaches her 90th birthday. Apparently, 
Art can keep you young! 

Walking through the Creative Arts Gallery, I saw 
so many things that I wanted to take home with 
me right that minute! Glassware that would make 

a glass of milk an experience, and a glass of wine 
an epiphany; pottery, vases, no two things alike. 
Paintings in every medium: acrylic, watercolor, 
oil. A tiger in black and white and a lion so lifelike 
I expected him to leap off the canvas! Creative 
Arts is very involved in featuring emerging 
artists like 15-year old Camellia Steele, whose 
brilliant acrylic works are hanging now. The 
lighting is perfection, showcasing each piece and 
painting and jewelry! Oh My! Jewelry! Earrings, 
necklaces. And they have puppet classes! There 
was a marionette, a large bird with many moving 
parts that seemed to be begging for some young 
person to be pulling her strings. The next 
puppetry class starts the week of April 7th and it 
will be Alligators & Crocodiles! Off loom weaving 
with Ferne Jacobs, renowned fiber artist, will be 

coming up in the spring session. So many things 
to do, to learn at Creative Arts Group. One of 
the most exciting places in town, especially now 
during the Faculty Show. 

Next time you need to gift shop, go to Creative 
Arts! I certainly intend to. In fact, there will be 
a special sale of student work in the front patio 
during the Wistaria Festival, which is coming up 
the weekend of March 16th. And my birthday is 
very soon… think I’ll suggest that the adorable 
John stop in at Creative Arts Group! 

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, 
and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” 
Leonardo da Vinci 

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to 
remain an artist once he grows up.” 

Pablo Picasso 

Check out my book, Walking Sierra Madre friends!
“A Tablespoon of Love, A Tablespoon of Laughter.” 

 It’s available on Amazon.com and at the following 
link: https://www.createspace.com/4561071And at the bookstore at Pasadena First Church 
of the Nazarene 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. 
Pasadena! 

Teacher, Debbie Schweiner; Executive Director, Kristin Naran 
& Teacher, Soozee VanDyke Woods 


Above - 3D Fish in the making by grade school students . Bot-
tom Wall hanging by Debbie Schweiner 


We’d like to hear from you! 
What’s on YOUR Mind? 
Contact us at: editor@mtnviewsnews.com or 
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Twitter: @mtnviewsnews 
CHOICE-(cont.from pg. 1) 

Nevertheless, the higher payhas allowed the Sierra Madre 
police department to attractbetter candidates and raise the 
standard for professionalismand integrity. We now have 
a better police department asa result. The UUT increase 
also allowed us to fully fundour Paramedic program, thecost of which is approximately 
$500,000 per year, to betterserve our increasingly agingpopulation. The number of 
paramedic-only calls has beenincreasing steadily year overyear, and our response timesare superlative, an average ofjust over 4 minutes. 

We all dislike paying taxes. As 
a fiscal conservative, I abhor 
waste and inefficiency, and 
cringe every April after filing 
my tax returns and thinkingthat my tens of thousands ofhard-earned dollars goes tofederal and state programs thatI don’t believe in. As a Council 
Member, I resent having to 
comply with state mandates thatwaste your tax dollars, provide 
a comfortable living for bloated 
bureaucrats, and consume 
our City’s precious staff time.
However, at the local level, andespecially here in Sierra Madre,
your tax dollars provide for yoursafety and security, commonpublic facilities and community 

programs. Your local tax 
dollars are used efficiently foryour benefit, and are spentprimarily on basic services that 
you collectively value. 

Next week, I’ll take a closer lookat our what your tax dollarsprovide for you and yourcommunity. Then I’ll reviewour revenue prospects otherfactors and will summarize myview. 

I’d love to discuss with you and 
hear your ideas on the best wayto manage the Sierra Madre’s 
resources. If you’d like, pleasecall me on 355-6407, or youcan email me on jcapoccia@
cityofsierramadre.com.