Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 18, 2014

4


Mountain View News Saturday, October 18, 2014 

POLICE 
ARREST 
DOUBLE 
HOMICIDE 
SUSPECT

Doo Dah Parade Brings 
Wackiness Back to Nov.

 


 After years of holding the 
annual Doo Dah Parade— 
known as the twisted sister 
of the traditional Rose 
Parade— in springtime, 
organizers announced that 
this year’s parade will be held 
in November, a throwback 
to the event’s humble 
beginnings.

 According to Parade 
Organizer and Spokesperson 
Patricia Hurley, they moved 
the date of the parade in 
2007. “No Doo Dah Day” 
was celebrated November 
18th of that year, in honor of 
the former pre-Thanksgiving 
parades. The parade was 
moved to January to follow 
the Rose Parade. Two years 
later the parade location was 
moved from Old Pasadena to 
East Pasadena and the date 
was again changed to May. 1. 

 Doo Dah began as a 
grassroots event in 1978 on 
New Year’s Day due to a long-
standing city ordinance that 
prohibits the Tournament of 
Roses from holding a parade 
if Jan. 1 falls on a Sunday.

 Last year, parade entries 
strolled along East Pasadena’s 
shady tree-lined streets, old 
and new entries this year 
include Easy Acres Chicken 
Sitters, combined bands of 
the 35th Dragoon Guards, 
Boo-Boo Kitty, KidSwap, 
Auto Focus-Famous 
Director, A Moveable Feast, 
Pool Balls, Howdy Krishna, 
Girls Drawing Girls Pin-
Ups, Charlie and Pearl 
the Unicorns, Horses on 
Astroturf, Klingon Assault 
Group, among others.

 Queen Narayana will Reign 
over this year’s parade, 
Narayana, a belly dancer, 
has danced down every Doo 
Dah Parade route since the 
parade started Hurly said.

 This year the Doo Dah 
Parade will be held Nov. 
15 starting at 11 a.m. along 
Colorado Blvd between 
Altadena Dr. and San Gabriel 
Blvd.

By Dean Lee

 A Pasadena man was 
charged Wednesday with 
two counts of murder, with 
a special circumstance, in 
the double murder of his 
relatives, the well-known 
general manager, Lawrence 
Bressler, of Chefs Center and 
his wife. 

 Pasadena Police arrested 
Jacob Mallory Bersson, 29, 
for the murder of Bressler, 
50, and Denise Bressler, 64. 

 According to police the 
couple were repeatedly 
stabbed inside the apartment 
they shared with Bersson at 
200 North Madison Avenue. 
Bersson allegedly forced 
his way into a bedroom 
early Monday morning and 
stabbed the couple with a 
kitchen knife. Police said the 
knife was found at the scene. 
Sometime during the assault, 
around 6:15 a.m. Bressler 
called 911 for help and 
identified his cousin Bersson 
as the suspect. Pasadena 
police officers quickly 
responded and located 
Bersson approximately 
one block from the scene. 
Bersson was detained and 
transported to a local area 
hospital due to a laceration 
on his left arm said police. 

 Officers found the couple 
with multiple stab wounds. 
Both died after being 
transported to a local 
hospital. Lawrence Bressler 
died during surgery and 
his wife died shortly after 
arriving the hospital.

 Bersson was booked for 
murder at the Los Angeles 
County Sheriff’s Jail, medical 
facility. He is being held 
without bail. 

 If convicted, Bersson could 
face the death penalty. Police 
are still investigation a 
motive for the attack. 

 A memorial is scheduled 
for the couple on Oct. 26 at 
Chefs Center in Pasadena 
at 3 p.m. The center is 
located 45 North San Gabriel 
Boulevard. Bressler also 
taught at Le Cordon Bleu for 
11 years.

 

 After being on hiatus for a 
year, NASA’s Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory invited the public 
back to its annual open house 
over last weekend. Thousands 
took part in the event, themed 
“Welcome to Our Universe,” 
which invited visitors on a 
“ride” through the wonders of 
space.

 “For those who were in 
attendance, we hope that 
you, your family, your friends 
and all guests had a great 
experience,” event organizers 
said. “We enjoyed having 
you and thank you for your 
continued support.” 

 Highlights included a life-
size model of Mars Science 
Laboratory, demonstrations 
from numerous space 
missions; JPL’s machine shop, 
where robotic spacecraft parts 
are built; and the Microdevices 
Lab, where engineers and 
scientists use tiny technology 
to revolutionize space 
exploration.

 An engineer for the 
Opportunity Mars rovergives 
a demonstration and explains 
to guests how the spacecraft 
works during this year’s JPL 
Open House. 

Photo D.Lee/MVNews

JPL Brings 
Back 
Popular 
Open House

Bullying 
Prevention 
Awareness 
Month Events 

 
The public is encouraged to 
participate in a series of free 
educational events in Pasadena 
through Friday, October 24, 
2014, to learn about the effects 
of bullying and preventive 
measures.

 October was proclaimed 
“Bullying Prevention 
Awareness Month” at the 
Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, Pasadena 
City Council meeting by 
Mayor Bill Bogaard, who joins 
the U.S. Conference of Mayors 
Campaign to End Bullying, 
http://bullyproject.usmayors.
org.

 In the Pasadena Unified 
School District, 20 percent 
of youth ages 11-18 reported 
being bullied during the 
school year, according to 
the City of Pasadena’s 2013 
Youth Master Plan Survey, 
www.cityofpasadena.net/
PublicHealth.

 “I am proud that Pasadena is 
joining the national campaign 
to end bullying,” said Mayor 
Bogaard. “This is a call for 
communities to act with heart 
and soul to ensure the health 
and safety of our children and 
all of our residents.”

 As part of the campaign, 
mayors across the nation are 
hosting screenings of the 
documentary “BULLY” and 
working with community 
leaders to create ongoing, 
citywide bullying prevention 
initiatives. “BULLY” offers an 
intimate, unflinching look at 
how bullying affects five kids 
and their families. The film 
will also air on PBS SoCAL 
Monday, Oct. 13, at 10 p.m. 
PST.

 In addition to the “BULLY” 
screenings, notable Bullying 
Prevention Awareness Month 
events include:

Monday, Oct. 20

 Pacific Oaks College hosts 
a screening of the movie 
“BULLY” to help college 
students and parents of young 
children recognize signs of 
bullying and learn how to 
respond to bullying situations. 
Event starts 5:30 p.m. at 55 
Eureka St.

 Thursday, Oct. 23

Screening of the movie 
“BULLY” 3:30 p.m. at Santa 
Catalina Branch Library, 999 
E. Washington Blvd.

Health Dept. to Celebrate 
Healthy Food Day Pasadena


City Council Votes to 
Support Proposition 47

 

 The Pasadena City Council 
voted last week to support 
Proposition 47, known as 
the Safe Neighborhoods and 
Schools Act. Proposition 47 
is among the statewide ballot 
measures California voters 
can consider for the upcoming 
election Tuesday, Nov. 4.

 If passed, Proposition 47’s 
provisions would reduce from 
felonies to misdemeanors 
certain nonserious and 
nonviolent property and 
drug offenses, such as theft of 
property worth $950 or less, 
shoplifting property worth 
$950 or less and possession of 
most illegal drugs for personal 
use. The measure’s language 
indicates the penalty would 
not change for possession of 
marijuana, which is currently 
either an infraction or 
misdemeanor.

 The reduction in penalties 
would not apply to offenders 
who have previously been 
convicted of serious crimes, 
such as murder, rape, child 
molestation and certain 
gun crimes, according to 
Proposition 47 language.

 Proposition 47 also provides 
that certain offenders currently 
serving felony sentences 
for certain nonserious and 
nonviolent property and 
drug crimes can apply to 
have their sentences reduced 
to misdemeanor sentences. 
Under the measure as written, 
courts are not required to 
reduce the sentence for an 
offender currently serving a 
felony sentence if the court 
finds it likely the offender will 
commit a serious crime.

 Additionally, the proposition 
as written provides that the 
predicted annual savings 
due to penalty reductions, 
as estimated by California 
Governor Jerry Brown’s 
administration, would 
be allocated for the Safe 
Neighborhoods and Schools 
Fund.

 By Aug. 15 of each fiscal year 
beginning in 2016, the state 
Controller would disperse 25 
percent of the available funds 
for K-12 truancy prevention 
in public schools; 10 percent 
for victims services and 65 
percent for mental health, 
drug abuse treatment and 
diversion programs to help 
keep offenders out of prison 
and jail systems, according to 
the proposition.

Pasadena Public Health Department

 The public is invited to 
celebrate healthy living with 
lots of fun activities at Food 
Day Pasadena Friday, Oct. 24, 
2014. The free family festival 
hosted by the Public Health 
Department will take place 
from 12-4 p.m. at 1845 N. Fair 
Oaks Ave.

 Held in conjunction with the 
national Food Day celebration, 
Food Day Pasadena represents 
a local movement for healthy, 
affordable and sustainable 
food for all residents.

 The event will kick off 
with a welcome address by 
Mayor Bogaard, followed by 
live entertainment, cooking 
demonstrations, healthy food 
tastings, children’s activities 
and raffle prizes. The festival 
will also feature information 
booths where the public can 
get details about local healthy 
eating, food assistance and 
urban agriculture.

 At 1:30 p.m., the public can 
attend a community health 
forum on the second floor of 
the Public Health Department, 
Room 2407. Staff will hold 
a discussion on improving 
access to healthy food options 
to create healthier Pasadena 
neighborhoods. Additionally, 
staff will unveil the results of 
a neighborhood assessment 
called Communities of 
Excellence in Nutrition, 
Physical Activity and Obesity 
Prevention (CX3).

Pet of the 
Week


Altadena Crime Blotter

Sunday, October 5th

3:30 PM- A male adult 
was arrested for child 
endangerment near the 1500 
block of Bellford Avenue.

 10:54 PM- Steve Blackmon 
was arrested for possession of 
a controlled substance near 
the 200 block of Figueroa 
Drive.

 Monday, October 6th

3:25 PM- Victim reported 
a grand theft from their 
vehicle near the 1400 block 
of Valencia Drive. A suitcase 
and jewelry were reported 
stolen.

 10:45 PM- A male adult 
was arrested for domestic 
battery near the 600 block of 
Altadena Drive.

 Tuesday, October 7th

2:00 PM- Victim reported 
a fraud incident near the 
2400 block of N. Highland 
Avenue.

5:57 PM- Victim reported a 
theft from their locker near 
the 2100 block of Lincoln 
Avenue “24 Hour Fitness.” A 
purse, currency, and credit 
cards were reported stolen.

 Wednesday, October 8th

8:15 AM- Three separate 
victims reported thefts from 
their unlocked vehicles near 
the 100 block of Reever 
Way. Electronics and 
miscellaneous accessories 
were reported stolen.

 10:52 AM- A residential 
burglary occurred near the 
1500 block of Crest Drive. 
The victim was unsure what 
items were stolen at the time 
of the report.

 4:07 PM- A male adult was 
arrested for domestic battery 
at the 700 block of Altadena 
Drive.

 Thursday, October 9th

10:00 AM- Victim reported 
vandalism to their vehicle 
near the 3800 block of Luna 
Court.

 3:30 PM- Victim reported 
a theft from their locker at 
2180 Lincoln Avenue “24 
Hour Fitness.” A wallet, 
identification, and currency 
were reported stolen.

 9:15 PM- Danielle Oliver 
was arrested for grand theft 
automobile near Lincoln 
Avenue and Stonehurst 
Drive.

 Friday, October 10th

8:30 AM- Victim reported 
an armed robbery at 2462 
N. Lake Avenue “Altadena 
Barber Shop.” A female 
suspect robbed the victim 
using a handgun.

 5:40 PM- Two victims 
reported they were assaulted 
by a male and female near 
the 2800 block of Lincoln 
Avenue.

 Saturday, October 11th

9:35 PM- A residential 
burglary occurred near 
the 3100 block of Marengo 
Avenue. Two bicycles were 
reported stolen from the 
victim’s locked garage.

Learn How to Produce 
Your Own TV Show

 Cleo is a 6-year-old gray 
tabby shorthair. She is 
friendly and easy to hold 
and would love to find a 
“fur-ever” home!

 For the month of October, 
Cleo’s adoption fee is 
reduced to $10, 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 
A361054, 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.

 
New Citizen Journalism 
training starts Wednesday 
nights, learn how to report 
news using social media 
skills.

 

 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 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.

Coronation 
of the T of R 

Rose Queen

 Just weeks after being named 
to the 2015 Royal Court, one 
of the seven princesses will be 
crowned the 2015 Rose Queen 
during a ceremony October 
21, at 7 p.m. at the Pasadena 
Civic Auditorium Plaza. 

 Stephanie Edwards, KTLA’s 
Rose Parade host and television 
personality, will serve as emcee 
of the event. Tournament of 
Roses President Rich Chinen 
will announce and crown the 
97th Rose Queen.

 Together, the Rose Queen 
and Royal Court will reigning 
over the 126th Rose Parade 
presented by Honda and 
attending the College Football 
Playoff Semifinal at the Rose 
Bowl Game presented by 
Northwestern Mutual on 
January 1, 2015.

 Pasadena Civic Auditorium 
Plaza is at 300 East Green 
Street. 

Class offerings days and nights weekly

Station Schedule 

Green Screen - Adv. Training

Wednesday October 22 at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Citizen Journalism Training

Wednesday October 22 at 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Orientation

Monday November 3 at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

PCAC Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

Tuesday November 4 at 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Producer Training

Wednesday November 5 at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.