Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 6, 2014

4


Mountain View News Saturday, December 6, 2014 


Pasadena 
News Briefs

City Spreads 
the Holiday 
Cheer with 
Tree Lighting, 
Santa Village

Pasadena Named as a 
‘Top Ten’ Digital City

Free WiFi in Old 
Pasadena

 A four block stretch of the 
Rose Parade route —along 
Colorado Boulevard in Old 
Pasadena— will now have 
free Wi-Fi available as part 
of a partnership between the 
city and AT&T. The service 
is available to all users, 
regardless of wireless carrier, 
from Pasadena Avenue to 
Arroyo Parkway. City officials 
said the wireless hotspots are 
located at 14 access points in 
public common areas in Old 
Pasadena. Users can access the 
Wi-Fi network by searching 
for the SSID “attwifi.”

Pasadena Couple 
Cleared of 
Starving Daughter 
to Death

 A Pasadena couple, arrested 
last year in the country of 
Qatar in connection with the 
malnutrition death of their 
8-year-old daughter, arrived 
home Thursday after an 
appeals court cleared them of 
any wrong doing. 

 “I am thrilled to announce 
that the Huangs are leaving 
Qatar after having the 
travel ban lifted,” said Justin 
Brooks, Director of the 
California Innocence Project 
at California Western School 
of Law in San Diego. “They 
are innocent, they have been 
proven innocent, and they will 
finally be reunited with their 
children.”

 According to reports, Matthew 
and Grace Huang were first 
charged with premeditated 
murder accusing the couple 
of buying children, starving 
them, to later sell their organs 
on the black market—the 
offense is punishable by death. 

 A family member said 
cultural misunderstandings 
led to the ordeal.

PCC Fires Police 
Chief, Looks for 
Replacement 

 The Pasadena City College 
Board of Trustees voted late 
last month to fire police chief 
Don Yoder after placing 
him on paid administrative 
leave pending a conduct 
investigation in May. 

 PCC Trustee and Board 
President Anthony Fellow said 
the reasons for the decision 
over Yoder’s termination are 
confidential. The decision was 
made at a Nov. 17 meeting.

 Gail Cooper, legal counsel 
for the college said Sgt. 
Steven Matchan is serving as 
acting chief of police until a 
permanent chief is selected.

 
Pasadena recently was named 
as one of the “Top Ten” digital 
cities in the nation by The 
Center for Digital Government. 
This was the first time Pasadena 
has been recognized as a 
technologically progressive and 
innovative city when compared 
to other cities of similar 
population size as part of the 
2014 Digital Cities Survey, 
www.digitalcommunities.com/
survey/cities/?year=2014.

 Pasadena ranked eighth in 
the 2014 survey for cities with 
a population between 125,000 – 
249,999 residents.

 “Pasadena is investing in 
many technology initiatives 
to improve service delivery to 
residents and increase citizen 
engagement,” said Phillip 
Leclair, Chief Information 
Officer. “The survey’s focus on 
transparency, open government 
and data, and mobile 
applications aligns directly with 
the City’s digital strategy. This 
award is a great honor and an 
outstanding achievement for 
the City.”

 The Center for Digital 
Government is a national 
research and advisory institute 
on information technology 
policies and best practices in 
state and local government.

 “This year’s Digital Cities’ 
winners brought about 
impressive change across 
all aspects of government 
by leveraging information 
technology investments to 
expand open government, 
citizen participation and shared 
services,” said Todd Sander, 
Executive Director of the 
Center for Digital Government.

 Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard 
(pictured right) lit the official city 
“Holladay” tree for the last time as 
mayor during a ceremony Friday 
night that included honoring him 
for his service. 

 During the celebration Santa 
Claus made his way there riding 
on a city fire truck. Event goes 
were able to get photo (pictured 
right bottom) with him. 

Councilmembers, Jacque 
Robinson (pictured right), Terry 
Tornek and John Kennedy also 
attended the event.

 The Pasadena Fire Department 
also collected new, unwrapped 
toys as part of the annual “Spark 
of Love” Toy Drive.

 The event will be rebroadcast 
during the holidays on Charter 
Channel 3 and Channel 99 for 
AT&T U-Verse or online at www.
pasadenamedia.org.


Residents Invited to Job 
Recruitment for Pipe Fitters 

Fire Department Offers 
Christmas Tree Safety Tips

Chamber 
Honors 
Tournament 
President

 


 Christmas trees are among the 
most flammable items in homes 
and businesses at this time of 
year. A dry tree may literally 
explode and be consumed by 
fire in a matter of seconds.

 When the trees are placed in 
any area where the public may 
gather, the California Code 
of Regulations requires that 
they be treated with a flame-
retardant solution or process 
approved by the State Fire 
Marshal.

 The Pasadena Fire Department 
requires that the following 
regulations be observed 
regarding the use of Christmas 
trees in areas of public 
assemblage, including schools, 
institutions, retail stores, public 
areas in hotels, apartment 
houses, and office buildings:

 · Flame retardant, applied 
by an operator licensed by the 
California State Fire Marshal’s 
Office, is required for all holiday 
trees in public buildings.

 · Per the fire code, trees and 
other decorations cannot block 
or obstruct any exit way or 
pedestrian path of travel.

 · The tree shall bear a tag 
approved by the California 
State Fire Marshal’s Office 
indicating the date, type of 
retardant, name of the concern 
that applied the retardant and 
the license number.

 · Candles are prohibited on 
trees and wreaths.

 · Wreaths must be properly 
treated with a flame retardant 
approved by the State Fire 
Marshal’s Office and so tagged.

 · The support device that holds 
the tree is an upright position 
must be of a type that is stable 
and of adequate size to avoid 
tipping over of the tree and 
capable of containing enough 
water to cover at least two 
inches of the tree stem.

 · The bottom of the trunk 
must be immersed in at least 
two inches of water at all 
times. Immediately prior to 
immersion, the trunk must be 
cut off at least one inch above 
the original cut.

 · No readily combustible 
materials may be placed on, 
under or within four feet of 
the maximum horizontal 
projection of any tree, including 
live specimens.

 · No tree or decoration may be 
displayed in a way that impedes 
or affects any exit.

 · No tree may be displayed for 
more than 30 days.

 · Only use electrical lights that 
are UL listed for use on indoor 
trees. The Fire Department 
recommends that low-heat 
mini-lights be used for all trees.

 For more information call 

 The City of Pasadena is hosting 
an apprenticeship recruitment 
on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, 
at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall, 100 
N. Garfield Ave., for Pasadena 
residents interested in working 
on the Glenarm Repowering 
Project as union pipe fitters.

 The recruitment will be held in 
the City Hall Grand Conference 
Room, Basement S038. Parking 
will be validated for attendees 
who park at the Paseo Colorado 
parking garage, 300 E. Colorado 
Blvd. The recruitment event 
is provided through the City’s 
“Pasadena First: Buy Local” 
initiative.

 As part of its long-term power 
supply plan, the City is replacing 
an aging power generating 
unit at the historic Glenarm 
Power Plant with more efficient 
and environmentally friendly 
technology. The upgrade will 
reduce the plant’s emissions, 
improve reliability and provide 
a backup for intermittent 
renewable resources, such as 
wind and solar.

 An agreement between the 
project’s prime contractor and 
the unions calls for at least 25 
percent of the project’s payroll 
to be allocated for Pasadena 
residents. At least 15 percent 
of the subcontracting and 
procurement is designated for 
Pasadena businesses.

 As of Oct. 10, 2014, Pasadena 
residents accounted for 
32.5 percent of the reported 
certified payroll, and Pasadena 
businesses accounted for 27.3 
percent or $451,208 of the total 
contracting and procurement.

 During the recruitment event, 
Pasadena residents can learn 
about two union pipe fitter 
apprentice programs:

 Steamfitter and Industrial 
Pipefitter Apprenticeship 
Training Program provides on-
the-job training and technical 
instruction. For application 
information, call (310) 323-
4475.

 Sprinkler Fitters UA Local 
709 Joint Apprenticeship 
Training Center provides 
training to install and service 
fire suppression systems in 
commercial, residential, and 
industrial sites. For details call 
(562) 907-7622.

 Hundreds of Pasadena job 
seekers have already registered 
for job referrals with help from 
Flintridge Center, Foothill 
Workforce Investment Board, 
Los Angeles Urban League 
and Women at Work. Visit 
PWPweb.com/GT5 for more 
information about this event.

 For more information about 
PWP, visit www.PWPweb.
com or follow @PWPnews on 
Twitter. 

 The Pasadena Chamber 
of Commerce honored 
Tournament of Roses 
Association President 
Richard Chinen Thursday 
at the organization’s annual 
President’s Breakfast.

 Chamber members, friends 
and the general public were 
invited to share Inspiring 
Stories, the theme for the 
2015 Tournament of Roses. 
Honored guests included 
the Royal Court, as well 
as Tournament presidents 
past, present and future.

 Chinen shared his 
experiences representing 
the Tournament and Rose 
Bowl Game.

 Chinen has been a 
volunteer member of the 
Tournament of Roses 
Association since 1989 and 
was elected to the Executive 
Committee in 2007. 
Throughout his extensive 
Tournament career, Mr. 
Chinen has served on and 
chaired various committees 
including Alumni, Float 
Entries, Judging and Queen 
and Court.

 Chinen was born in Tokyo 
and raised in Hawaii.

Pet of the 
Week


Free December Events at 
Pasadena Senior Center 

Learn How to Produce 
Your Own TV Show

 

 There is something for 
everyone in December 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.

 Cactus Garden Project – Dec. 
12 and 16, from 1:30 to 2:30 
p.m. Help eighth graders from 
Westridge School for Girls 
create a cactus garden in the 
courtyard patio at Pasadena 
Senior Center. Bring your 
creativity and garden tools! 
To volunteer, contact Raul 
Martinez at 626-685-6706 or 
raulm@pasadenaseniorcenter.
org.

 Friday Movie Matinees – 
Fridays, Dec. 12 and 26, at 1 
p.m. Movies can take us to other 
places and times like nothing 
else. Dec. 12: The Red Shoes 
(1948) starring Moira Shearer 
and Anton Walbrook. Dec. 26: 
“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947) 
starring Edmund Gwenn and 
Natalie Wood.

 Coin Collectors Workshop – 
Monday, Dec. 8, at 4 p.m. Coin 
expert Charles Leathem will 
evaluate coins and provide tips 
on the best ways to sell them 
and how to learn more about 
their history. He will also give 
away books on coins and raffle 
off silver coins. 

 U.S. Wars After 1945 – 
Mondays beginning Dec. 8, 
from 3 to 5 p.m. This reading 
and discussion group will 
focus on U.S. foreign policy 
after World War II and the 
involvement by the U.S. in five 
wars since 1945. A relevant 
book will be assigned each 
month and discussed at group 
meetings. Sessions will be led 
by Kenneth Barkin, professor 
emeritus of history. 

 Learn How to Use Metro – 
Thursday, Dec. 11, from 9:30 
to 11:30 a.m. Learn how to use 
Metro buses and trains safely 
and discover where you can go! 
After a 30-minute presentation, 
participants will go next door to 
the Metro Gold Line Memorial 
Park Station to learn how to 
use TAP card machines and 
then board the train, travel the 
distance of two station stops and 
return. For more information 
call 626-685-6730.

 Understanding Parkinson’s 
Disease – Thursday, Dec. 11, at 
noon. One million people in the 
U.S. have Parkinson’s Disease 
and more than 50,000 new 
cases are diagnosed annually. 
Learn the symptoms and what 
to expect, how to get care and 
deal with activities of daily life 
and quality of life issues. A 
boxed lunch will be provided 
to the first 50 people who have 
made confirmed reservations at 
626-795-4331.

Library Opens 
Author Fair 
Sign Ups

 Juno is a 4-year-old brown 
tabby shorthair cat. 

Juno loves attention and 
enjoys being pet. She may 
be a little bit shy at first, but 
very sociable and friendly 
once she gets to know you!

 The regular cat adoption 
fee is $70 which includes 
the spay or neuter surgery, 
microchip, vaccinations, 
and 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 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 crew members. In 
addition, on-going training 
will soon be available in 
citizen journalism and 
digital film groups. Call the 
office (626) 794-8585 or go 

Pasadena Public Library will 
host their Second Annual 
Author Fair on Saturday, 
February 21, 2015 from 10 
a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central 
Library, 285 E. Walnut 
Street. If you are interested in 
participating in the upcoming 
Author Fair, please sign up at 
www.pasadenapubliclibrary.
net/author_fair_2015/. 
There is no fee to participate. 
Space, however, is limited. 
Registration is on a first come/
first served basis.Each author 
will receive display space to 
promote his/her book. There 
will also be author readings, 
interactions and panels offered 
in the Studio on 4th. Authors 
may sign up for a ten minute 
time slot. If you are interested 
in participating in one of 
these, please indicate so when 
you register. Display spaceand 
author readings, interactions 
and panel assignments will 
be made by Pasadena Public 
Library staff.Participating 
authors must be residents of 
the San Gabriel Valley and 
have published a book.

Class offerings days and nights weekly

Station Schedule 

Studio Camera & Floor Manager

Monday December 8 at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Producers Training

Monday December 8 at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Pasadena Social Media Group

Tuesday December 9 at 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Citizen Journalism Training

Wednesday December 10 at 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Audio Basic Training

Thursday December 11 at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.