Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 7, 2014

Mountain Views-News Saturday, June 7, 2014 4 Mountain Views-News Saturday, June 7, 2014 4 
BOTCON SET 
TO INVADE 
CONVENTION 
CENTER 

By Dean Lee

 Thousands are expected 
to show up to this year’s 
BotCon, at the convention 
center later this month, 
celebrating the 30th 
anniversary of the creation 
of the iconic alien robots, 
Transformers. 

 The four day event, 
June 19 to June 22, 
will feature everything 
Transformers “from toys 
collecting, discussions 
with Transformers voice 
actors to a round-table 
featuring The Transformers 
Collectors’ Club,” according 
to event organizers.

 An exhibit hall will 
feature over 200 tables of 
Transformers merchandise 
for sale. “There are 
thousands of items each 
year that trade hands in 
this BotCon focal point,” 
organizers said.

 The event will also 
include a Transformers 
Film Fest displaying the 
fanfiction based talents of 
Transformers fans.

 Autographs will also be 
available. This year’s guests 
include Susan Blu, Michael 
McConnohie, Hal Rayle, 
David Kaye and James 
Roberts and more. 

 There will also be an 
art contest with winners 
receiving show dollars 
that they can spend with 
any exhibitor at the show. 
Entries will be judged 
by Hasbro designers. 
Categories will include 3-D 
custom figures to 2-D hand 
drawn Art. 

General admission is 
available on both Saturday 
and Sunday at $20 per 
day for adults and $10 for 
Children (4 and under 
are free). Event hours are 
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
and Sunday 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 

p.m. Parking is available at 
the Paseo Colorado 
For more information 
visit; botcon.com or call 

(817) 448-9863. 
Pet of the 
Week

 
Blondie is a seven-weekold 
male Labrador retriever 
puppy. He’s very playful, 
sweet and mellow. He’s very 
curious too. This puppy is 
currently living in a foster 
home and is not at the 
shelter. Please contact the 
Foster Care Coordinator 
at foster@phsspca.org for 
more information about 
adoption.

 Blondie’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. 

 Call the Pasadena 
Humane Society & SPCA at 
626.792.7151 to ask about 
A355641, 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.

City Looks to Form 710 Special Task Force 



By Dean Lee

 Councilmember Terry Tornek 
proposed the idea Monday of 
creating a special Pasadena 
centric task force to look at 
alternatives to the proposed SR710 
North Extension project.

 “Metro has delayed the 
issuance of the long awaited EIR 
[Environmental Impact Report] 
that was due in April…,” Tornek 
said. “It seems to me that we 
could potentially replicate the 
model that we just experienced 
with regard to Devils Gate in 
developing a Pasadena preferred 
alternative that would be vastly 
superior to the alternatives that 
are currently under review.”

 Tornek said the new 
task force would have two 
objectives including develop a 
Pasadena preferred alternative, 
“something we can be for or 
against,” he said.
Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard 
said he thought the idea could 
focus city hall’s attention and 
the community’s attention, “on 
this project that now has been 
pending so many years.” 
Councilmember Victor Gordo 
said he thought any alternative 
should be acceptable to the 
region, “unlike Hahamongna, 
the 710 is a regional issue.” 
Gordo said he did not want to 
alienate other communities 
that might think the council’s 
decision is “one city’s idea.” 

“I would like us to agendise 
the discussion to include the 
possibility of setting up a more 

regional approach, working 
with our neighbors and the 
city of Los Angeles or other 
surrounding communities.” 
Bogaard said the city was 
already part of a five member 
coalition of neighboring cities. 

 “This might well be an 
opportunity for the coalition 
in some way to participate and 
demonstrate the existence of the 
coalition and the intention of 
the five cities to work together,” 
he said.

 Before being stopped by city 
attorney Michele Beal Bagneris, 
Gordo said the task force could 
look for things not included or 
alternatives not in the EIR. He 
said that included partnering 
with Los Angeles.

“I think we stand the strongest 
chance of achieving that, with 
real credibility, of we include 
not just the coalition but the 
800 pound gorilla that’s the city 
of Los Angeles.” He referred to 

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti as a 
“friend of the council.” 
Bagneris said the item was 
not on that night’s agenda 
and advised them to stop the 
conversation.

 “This is discussion that’s 
going into various matters that 
members of the public, who are 
interested in the subject, may 
want to participate in,” she said. 

 Pasadena City Manager 
Michael Beck he would bring 
the issue back to the council, on 
the agenda, in about a month. 

Interim Director of 
Public Health Named 

City Manager Michael Beck 
appointed Assistant City 
Manager Steve Mermell last 
week as acting Director of 
Public Health while city does 
a nationwide search for a 
replacement after director Dr. 
Eric Walsh resigned last month.

 “It’s important to note that 
when these vacancies/situations 
occur, it is common for the 
City Manager to ask one of 
the Assistant City Manager’s to 
step in to help,” said Pasadena 
Public Information William 
Boyer. “In turn, it is also 
seen as a great opportunity 
for the department’s upper 


director. Beck also said the 

management staff in terms of 

process would not be open to 

accepting more responsibilities 

the public. 

too.”

Beck also appointed Dr. Yin


 The city has not yet hired a 

Ying Goh as interim health 

search firm to look for a new 

officer. 

More June Events at the 
Pasadena Senior Center

 There is something for 
everyone in June at the 
Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. 
Holly St. You do not have to be a 
member to attend. Some events 
require advance reservations as 
noted. 

Parkinson’s Disease – 
Thursday, June 19, at 10 

a.m. Parkinson’s Disease is a 
neurodegenerative disorder 
of the central nervous system. 
Symptoms can include muscle 
rigidity, tremors and changes in 
speech and gait. This talk will 
help you learn the signs and 
symptoms of this disease and 
what can be done to help you 
or a loved one. Presented by Dr. 
Jerome Lisk. 
Health Fair – Friday, 
June 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. 
Glucose, blood pressure, 
hearing screenings and massage 
are among the servicers offered. 
This month there will also 
be special information about 
keeping your pet at home as you 
age and how to care for older 
pets. Health fairs take place the 
third Friday of every month. 

(626) 685-6732. 
Name That Timeless Tune – 
Monday, June 23, at 1 p.m. This 

fun, upbeat game that combines 
dancing with music trivia will 
help strengthen your body and 
mind as you enjoy your favorite 
oldies and engage in friendly 
competition for prizes. 

Four Ways to Manage 
Diabetes – Thursday, June 
26, at 10 a.m. – Diabetes is a 
group of metabolic diseases that 
create high blood sugar. For 
some people the pancreas does 
not produce enough insulin; 
for others the body’s cells do 
not respond properly to insulin 
that is produced. Learn the four 
key ways you can manage your 
diabetes and live a healthier life. 

Book Club at the Center 

– Friday, June 27, at 1 p.m. 
Read “Where Did You Go, 
Bernadette” by Marie Semple 
and then join members of the 
Senior Center Book Club for a 
discussion. To her Microsoft-
guru husband, Bernadette is a 
fearlessly opinionated partner, 
to fellow private-school moms 
she’s a disgrace, to design 
mavens she’s a revolutionary 
architect and to her daughter 
she is simply a mom. And 
then she disappears. For more 
information call Judy Starlight 
at (626) 685-6706. 

WiretappingBill Clears 
Assembly

Assemblymember Chris 
Holden’s bill to extend 
California’s wiretapping 
“sunset” date for an 
additional five years was 
unanimously approved 75 
to 0 on the Assembly floor 
last week. 
“With the evolution of the 
digital age, lawbreakers 
have become more clever 
and better organized, 
especially when it comes to 
drug and arms trafficking,” 
stated Assemblymember 
Holden. “That’s why it’s 
so important that law 
enforcement officials have 
an equally sophisticated 
response. By extending the 
sunset date, we’ll give our 
law enforcement teams 
additional tools to keep our 
communities safe.” 
California’s wiretap statute 
is set to expire on January 1, 
2015. According to a report 
released by the California 
Attorney General’s 
office, approximately 700 
electronic interceptions 
were approved in 16 
counties resulting in some 
961 arrests were made in 
2012. In San Diego County 
alone, approved intercepts 
resulted in the seizure of 
more than $1.3 million 
worth of drugs and the 
arrests of more than 50 

suspects. 
AB 1526 received 
unanimous, 
support and 
opposition. 
bipartisan 
has no 

Free Nutrition 
Education 
Classes 

 The Nutrition and Physical 
Activity Program is set to 
provide free classes through 
July to promote optimal 
nutrition and increased 
physical activity throughout 
the Northwest Pasadena 
community offering a series 
of five 60-minute classes, 
each fun, interactive and 
informative. 

 Classes are available in 
either English and Spanish. 
Topics covered include: 
United States Department 
of Agriculture (USDA) 
MyPlate; Food groups, 
correct portion sizes, and 
healthier food options, 
Rethink Your Drink for 
healthier beverage options, 
The benefits of physical 
activity, A grocery store tour 
and how to read nutritional 
labels, Defensive dining 
when eating outside the 
home.

 June-July classes are at the 
Pasadena Public Health 
Department starting June 
10th for classes in Spanish 
or June 12th for classes 
in English (English in the 
morning and Spanish in the 
evening).

 The Pasadena Public 
Health Department is at 
1845 N. Fair Oaks Ave. For 
more information call (626) 
744-6000. 

Doo Dah 
Picks its 
Queen 


 Although the Pasadena Doo 
Dah parade is not for another 
five months, organizers, past 
queens and other parade 
notables voted last week 
picking local belly dancer 
Nancy Urbach as queen of 
the 2014 parade slated this 
November.

 Parade organizers held 
auditions at the American 
Legion Hall in East Pasadena 


Queen Nancy

May 25. 

 Urbach won out of a lineup out every year for years, “I 
of 20 queen hopefuls. think she’s been a part of the 
During her reign, Urbach parade since the beginning,” 
will be known as Queen he said. Doo Dah started in 

Nancy.1978. 

 Tom Coston, president of This year’s parade will be 
Light Bringer Project, and Nov. 15 along Colorado 
overseer of Doo Dah said Blvd. in East Pasadena. 
Urbach had been trying 

BOY HIT BY CAR DIES 


By Dean Lee

 A 7-year-old boy was fatally 
struck by a pickup truck last 
Saturday night at Hill Avenue 
and Colorado Boulevard 
about 7:30 p.m. while 
walking with his family.

 According to police, 
Aidan Tam was running 
in the crosswalk when a 
pickup truck traveling east 
on Colorado Blvd. turned 
north onto Hill Ave. striking 
Tam. He was rushed to 
Huntington Hospital by 
paramedics, where he died a 

short time later. 

 The driver, a Pasadena man, 
was not cited or arrested. 
None of the other family 
members were injured police 
said.

 The driver remained at the 
scene and cooperated with 
police.

A number of people stopped 
Monday, placing flowers on 
a roadside vigil that read, 
“Our beloved Aidan Tam.” 
Police at the time were also 
conducting an investigation 
at the scene. 


Pops Presents BroadwayStars and Blockbuster Hits

 The Stars of Broadway are Music Man, Wicked, West Side 
coming out to play with the Story and more. 
Pasadena POPS in their one “How pleased I am to be able 
of a kind, simply cannot miss to present these leading ladies 
popular outdoor summer of Broadway plus one all on 
concert series at the Los the same stage,” says Larry 
Angeles County Arboretum Blank adding “all of them 
on Saturday, June 28th with will be singing songs at the 
“Broadway’s Leading Ladies.” Arboretum that they sang for 
Resident Pops Conductor Broadway audiences night after 
Larry Blank brings Susan Egan night … these are authentic 
(Beauty and the Beast, Cabaret, performances from world class 
Thoroughly Modern Millie, talent. The best of Broadway is 
State Fair), Valerie Perri (Evita, truly coming to the Pasadena 
City of Angels, Jerome Robbins’ Pops.”
Broadway), Christina Saffran Concerts will be held at the 
(A Chorus Line, Sophisticated Los Angeles County Arboretum 
Ladies, Singin’ in the Rain, and Botanic Garden. Grounds 
The Music Man, Drood), Lisa open for picnicking and dining 
Vroman (Phantom of the Opera, at 5:30 p.m. and performances 
Aspects of Love, Les Misérables, begin at 7:30 p.m. 
The Most Happy Fella) and The Arboretum is located 
David Burnham (The Light at 301 North Baldwin Ave., 
in the Piazza, Wicked, Sunset Arcadia, CA. Single tickets 
Boulevard) to sing your favorite starting at $20 are now on sale 
hit songs from legendary and are available by calling the 
musicals such as Cabaret, Evita, box office at (626)-793-7172, 
Chicago, Candide, Funny Girl, online at PasadenaSymphony-
Les Misérables, Phantom of Pops.org or at the Arboretum 
the Opera, A Chorus Line, The on the day of the concerts. 
Learn How to Produce 
Your Own TV Show 

 With the opening of the new 
Pasadena Media studios at 150 

S. Los Robles Ave, they are 
offering free television-training 
programs for producers. Plan 
to attend an orientation to 
discover the right classes for 
you. Producers’ Training 
teaches how to produce shows 
available in citizen journalism 

for The Arroyo Channel. Studio 

and digital film groups. Call the 

Production/Equipment training 

office (626) 794-8585 or go to 

is also offered to volunteer 

PASADENAMEDIA.ORG and 

crewmembers. In addition, 

explore what Pasadena Media 

on-going training will soon be 

has to offer. 

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

Orientation Training 

Monday June 9 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Introduction to Field Production Training 

Wednesday June 11 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 

Producers Training 

Monday June 16 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

Orientation Training 

Monday June 23 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 
Citizen Journalism coming soon 
Digital Film Group coming soon