SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2014

VOLUME 8 NO. 25

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER BRINGS 
EXTREME FIRE DANGER

Fire officials, lawmakers and scientists gathered Friday to warn of what could be the worst 
summer for wildfire after years of drought —making this year the driest on record. 

 Full Story on Page 4 

CITY HIRES ENVIRONMENTAL 
ENGINEER TO FIND WAYS TO 
IMPROVE WATER QUALITY

By Susan Henderson

 As residents continue to struggle with 
the quality of the imported water from the 
Metropolitan Water District, the City Council 
approved the hiring of an Environmental 
Engineer to work with staff on finding 
solutions to the city’s water discoloration 
problem and more importantly, to assist 
with the development of a Nitrification Plan. 
Nitrification is a by product of chloramine 
treated water. Nitrification is the conversion 
of ammonia to nitrate which depletes oxygen 
in water. This stimulates plant growth and 
causes toxicity to aquatic life. It also presents 
a public health hazard and affects the reuse 
of wastewater for reuse purposes on Water 
Treatment. *www.anua-us.com).

 With the drought that has no apparent end in 
sight and the probability of the continued use 
of imported water treated with chloramine, 
Public Works Director Bruce Inman and 
Water Superintendant Jose Reynoso stressed 
the need for the city to be proactive and 
work on solutions that would resolve the 
long term effects of using chloramine treated 
water. Those solutions include evaluating the 
possibility of blending imported water with 
local groundwater, reviewing the city’s existing 
Nitrification Plan and doing a Corrosion 
Control Study, in an effort to provide residents 
with the best quality water possible.

 Selected as the consultant was Dr. Helene 
Baribeau, Ph.D.,P.E. Her firm, Baribeau 
Environmental Engineering (BEE) has 
extensive experience in Disinfectants and 
Disinfection By-Products, Distribution System 
Water Quality Nitrification, Water Systems 
Master Plans, and Vulnerability Assessments.

 Dr. Baribeau obtained her undergraduate 
and graduate degrees from the department 
of Civil Engineering – Environment of École 
Polytechnique of Montréal, Québec, Canada. 
She is a registered professional civil engineer in 
the state of California, USA, and holds a Water 
Treatment Operator - Grade 3 license from 
the State of California, Department of Public 
Health. She is a member of the American Water 
Works Association (AWWA).

 The contract awarded to BEE will cost the city 
approximately $50,000.00, funds that will be 
paid by the Water Company.

 The council voted unanimously to approve the 
contract. 


SEARCH FOR MISSING FIREFIGHTER CONTINUES

Off Duty Arcadia Firefighter /
Paramedic Michael Herdman, 
36, who disappeared last Friday 
night, June 13th still had not been 
located at press time.

The weeklong search is a 
collaboration of several agencies 
in the Los Padres Na-tional 
Forest, where Herdman and a 
friend, Taylor Byars had been 
backpacking.

The search has been difficult due 
to the rough terrain of the area 
and, according to the Los Angeles 
Times, three workers have been 
injured during the search. One of 
the injured remains in intensive 
care following a bite from a 
rattlesnake. Heat exhaustion and 
a leg injury incapacitated the other 
two rescuers. 

Helicopters and drones are also being used to 
try to locate Herdman who, although he has 
extensive training in survival skills, is “running 
out of time”, news sources have said.

Herdman ran off to catch his dog, Duke said 
Byars who was with him. Duke was spotted and 
almost captured late in the week, however the 
dog remains in the forest. Speculation is that 
the dog is probably in close proximity to where 
Herdman is. Herdman is a seven year veteran of 
the Arcadia Fire Department.

MVnews/Arcadia’sBest


Dr. Baribeau has an extensive 
professional profile. She has 
worked with the Pasadena Water 
and Power and NASA. To learn 
more about her and BEE, go to http://
baribeauenvironmental.com/

WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE TO BE REVIEWED

Sierra Madre, CA. – June 20, 2014 – The Energy Environment and Natural Resources Commission 
has begun its review of the water conservation ordinance. The regular commission meeting of July 
16th has been set aside by the Commission for the sole purpose of discussing the current ordinance. 
Public participation in the meeting is desired by the Commission in an effort to capture as many 
constructive ideas as possible. In order to generate participation in the meeting, the Commission and 
staff will publicize the meeting to the greatest extent possible. 

Commission study of the ordinance will include review of ordinances from other cities, community 
input, analysis of the effectiveness of the current ordinance, study of building code amendments 
to include water conservation measures such as gray water use and water conserving fixtures, and 
analysis of the effectiveness of public education efforts. The Commission expects to present its 
recommendations to the City Council in October.

SIERRA MADRE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2014 
INCLUDES (partial listing):

 * 2013-2015 Biennial Budget

 * Contract For Development of 186 W. Highland

 * Building Moratorium

 * 2014-2015 Budget Reductions/UUT Sunset

6:30 pm City Council Chambers 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre

WALKING SIERRA 
MADRE……

The Social Side By Deanne Davis

Inside this week: 

 

CALENDAR Pg. 2

SIERRA MADRE NEWS

 Pg. 3

“Tea is a bridge over the physical body, the spirit and 
the mind.” Aruna Kumar

That’s what Aruna Kumar, right, said when I was 
chatting with her in her lovely new tea room, 
T-Neer, which is at 142 West Sierra Madre Blvd., 
a door or two down from our new Subway and 
i-fruggie. Just walking in the door was a calming 
experience with the sound of a water fountain in the 
background, couches and overstuffed chairs, which 
provide the perfect background for tea. As Aruna 
says, “tea should be sipped slowly, one should relax 
over their tea.” At T-Neer, that is entirely possible. 
When one walks in the door, a sense of quiet comes 
to meet you. The interior of T-Neer is painted a 
fresh grass green and there is a whole wall of tea 
canisters, 123 of them to be exact! Aruna has white 
teas, green teas, oolong teas and Pu-Erh Teas. This 
particular tea is a special category of tea, called 
“China’s Mystery Tea.” Made from black, green or 
white teas, the processing of Pu-Erh tea involves a 
secondary fermentation. That sounds inscrutable, 
intriguing and delicious.

“The sounds of the tea being made invite the peach 
blossoms to peep in through the window. ~Uson, 
quoted in Sasaki Sanmi, Sadô Saijiki”

Aruna, who has the most delightful smile, is 
originally from Sri Lanka. Her parents are still 
there and, with the continual political unrest in Sri 
Lanka, they are always on her mind. Aruna and her 
family live in Arcadia, but she chose Sierra Madre 
for her new business as she loves the view of the 
mountains from her store, the people are friendly 
and she really likes the neighborhood. Aruna 
has two children, a 19 year old who is in college 
studying fashion design, who works with her mom 
at T-Neer when she has free time; and a 15 year old 
who is still in high school.

I asked Aruna what made her decide on a tea room 
and she said she has always had a passion for tea 
and her family going back to her great-grandparents 
have been tea planters. Her teas are from exotic 
places around the world: India, China, Japan, Sri 
Lanka and Taiwan, where her oolong teas originate. 
Sitting on a comfy stool at the bar in the back of 
T-Neer, where Aruna brews her teas, I asked her 
how she does it. She said her mother taught her how 
to brew tea and she made it clear that tea is more 
than just a drink, it is a balm for the spirit. 

“A cup of tea is a cup of peace.” ~Soshitsu Sen XV, 
quoted by Kenneth S. Cohen

Tea is the most widely consumed 
beverage in the world, next to 
water. At T-Neer, each order of tea 
is brewed singly for each customer, 
and that includes iced tea. She’s got 
dozens of small white teapots that 
are just waiting for you to try a pot 
of Passionate Pomegranate white tea, 
or Orange Sunset, or maybe Timeless 
Love, which is white tea, chocolate 
chips, chrysanthemum petals, 
peppermint leaves with chocolate and 
peppermint flavors! You could try 
the Organic Jasmine Pearls, which is 
green tea rolled with jasmine flowers, 
or Harmony, which is Jasmine green 
tea, houjicha, sencha and light citrus 
flavor. Don’t these sound wonderful!

T-Neer opens at 7:30 a.m. and they 
have a fabulous and healthy breakfast 
to go with your tea: Chick peas with 
herbs, veggies and chicken, OR chick 
peas with herbs, veggies and bacon, 
OR chick peas with herbs, veggies 
and eggs, served with freshly steeped 
loose leaf tea, hot or iced. There 
was a gentleman in T-Neer enjoying 
his breakfast and, let me tell you, 
enjoying is the absolute right word!

If you come in after 11:00, T-Neer has 
a lovely selection of great things to go 
with your tea, including sandwiches 
on toasted bread (cucumber cream 
cheese with dill and mint; tuna 
melt cheese which includes sun-
dried tomatoes; chicken salad with 
almonds and cranberries; and 
more). Mini scones with jam and 
cream, and your choice of cakes, (lemon olive oil, 
cinnamon buttermilk, and flourless chocolate…
these are served with fruit salad). There are fresh 
garden salads, and other delightful choices you can 
make. This makes me hungry just writing about 
all T-Neer has to offer. Hope it makes you hungry 
reading it! My walking buddy, the always ready to 
try something new, John, and I will be visiting for 
breakfast soon!

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the 
axis on which the world earth revolves — slowly, 
evenly, without rushing toward the future. ~Thich 
Nat Hahn

T-Neer is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.. 
Saturdays: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Sundays 9 a.m. to 4 
p.m.

Look through the Mountain Views News for a 
coupon which is good for 10% off your first visit. 
T-Neer has been open since June 2nd and, already, 
Aruna tells me, she has a nice group of regular 
customers who stop in frequently for tea and a 
moment of peace. Take a friend and stop in for tea 
and a little something to nibble. You’ll walk away 
refreshed and relaxed. Guaranteed!

 “A Tablespoon of Love, A Tablespoon of Laughter.” 

My own personal book, is available on Amazon.com 
and at the following link: https://www.createspace.
com/4561071 


PASADENA/ALTADENA

 Pg. 4

ARCADIA NEWS Pg. 5

MONROVIA/DUARTE 

 Pg. 5

PUBLIC NOTICE

 Pg. 6

EDUCATION & YOUTH

 Pg. 7

FOOD & DRINK

 Pg. 8

BEST FRIENDS

 Pg. 9

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

 Pg. 10

THE GOOD LIFE

 Pg. 11

SMTV CHANNEL 98

 Pg. 12

Aruna Kumar

SECTION B 

AROUND SGV Pg. B1

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE WORLD AROUND US

 Pg. B2

 BUSINESS NEWS Pg. B3

 OPINION Pg. B4

 LEGALS Pg. B5