Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 21, 2015

4

Mountain View News Saturday, February 21, 2015


Pasadena 
News Briefs

Rose Parade Float Designer 
Raul R. Rodriguez Passes

 World famous artist and 
designer Raul R. Rodriguez, 
best known for his 
breathtaking float designs in 
the annual Tournament of 
Roses Parade, passed away 
Wednesday in Pasadena. He 
was 71. Always valiant, Raul 
was surrounded by the things 
he loved, his art, mementos 
of his parents, his spouse, 
his sisters and Sebastian, 
his vibrant hyacinth macaw 
who accompanied him as he 
rode one of his client’s Rose 
Parade float each year.

 A classically trained artist 
in drawing and painting, 
Raul studied at the Art 
Center School of Design, 
and graduated from Cerritos 
College, and California State 
University Long Beach, 
where he was honored as 
“Distinguished Alumnus” 
for the College of the Arts. 

 A third generation native of 
Los Angeles, Raul’s artistic 
career began at the age of 
fifteen, when he created his 
first Rose Parade float design 
for the city of Whittie. Raul 
won more Tournament 
of Roses awards than any 
other designer in the 125+-
year history of the Parade. 
In 2012 Raul presented his 
500th design in the Rose 
Parade. His last appearance 
in the annual parade was on 
January 1, 2013, when he and 
Sebastian rode the Dole float. 

 Services will be held 
on March 7th 2015 at St. 
Andrew Catholic Church 
in Pasadena, CA on 11:00 
am. At 10:00 am a Rosary 
will precede the funeral 
Mass. Burial services will be 
private. 

Man Fires Into Crowd

 A woman suffered only minor 
injuries after a man opened 
fire into a group of people 
Tuesday night, near a carport 
in the 400 block of North 
Los Robles Ave. Police said 
the 46 year-old woman was 
not the intended target of the 
gunfire first reported around 
6 p.m. The woman was taken 
to a local hospital and release 
later that night. No one has 
been arrested and the incident 
remains under investigation.

Lincoln Crossing Shopping Center Sold 

Former Employee 
Accused of 
Embezzling Millions 
Released on Bail 

 A Los Angeles Superior 
Court Judge agreed Friday to 
reduce former city employee—
accused of embezzlement— 
Danny Wooten’s bail from 
$1.75 million to $650,000. 
Wooten was release hours later 
after posting the bail. Superior 
Court Judge Sergio C. Tapia II 
also agreed to lift a hold on his 
funds after the judge declared 
the money was not related 
to the embezzling charges. 
Wooten is scheduled back in 
court Wednesday for pretrial. 
Wooten, along with two others 
are accused of embezzling $6.4 
million from the city. Tyrone 
Collins, 55, and Melody 
Jenkins, 46, also remain free 
on bond. 

By Dean Lee

 Representatives of a private 
family trust said, last week, they 
have finalized the purchase of the 
long embattled 43,108-square-
foot Altadena shopping center, 
Lincoln Crossing, for a little 
more than $15.2 million. The 
deal was announced Feb. 11.

 The shopping center, 2230-
2268 Lincoln Avenue at the 
corner of Woodbury Road was 
built in 2006 and includes, Bank 
of America, 24 Hour Fitness, 
Subway, Verizon Wireless 
and Panda Express as notable 
tenants. Bank of America, 24 
Hour Fitness and Subway were 
not part of the sale although 
Super King Markets was 
according to a statement from 
the Encino based Real Estate 
Investment Brokerage Company 
Marcus & Millichap.

 “Altadena Crossing is anchored 
by Super King Markets, the 
area’s top-performing grocer,” 
Martin Agnew, Marcus & 
Millichap vice president of 
investments said in a statement. 
“With virtually no available 
land for new development, the 
center is insulated against future 
competition.” 

 Neither the new owners nor the 
sellers were named. 

 Just last May, The Altadena 
Town Council’s Land use 
Committee heard plans by, 
Dorn Platz & Co., the original 
developer of Lincoln Crossing, 
for a new Building 5 on 
Woodbury Road just east of the 
24 Hour Fitness parking lot.

 Dorn Platz has a long history 
with West Altadena residents, 
who prior to 2005, had been 
waiting three decades for 
redevelopment of the area. 
They said the area was riddled 
with rundown storefronts, old 
church buildings, liquor stores 
and crime. 

 Due to multiple delays, 
including bankruptcy by Dorn 
Platz some stores never opened, 
others quickly closed after being 
orders to make renovations, 
including Bessie’s Daughter’s 
Soulful Tacos and BJR Postal/
Copy, owned by longtime 
Altadena resident and former 
Town Councilman Bobby 
Thompson.

 Both Helga Kuhn, owner of 
Bessie’s Daughter’s Soulful 
Tacos and Thompson said they 
were evicted by Dorn Platz after 
complying in 2008 that the smell 
from a faulty sewer was driving 
customers away.

 Steve Dassian manager of 
the former Farm Fresh Ranch 
Market said, also at the time, 
that backdoor deals with Super 
King market and Dorn Platz 
forced them out of the shopping 
center.

 Lincoln Crossing was also 
part of a County of Los Angeles 
Community Development 
Commission five year 
plan for the west Altadena 
redevelopment project area 
from 2009 until last year. 

 Goals for the plan included 
eliminate and prevent the 
spread of blight, provide for 
opportunities for minority 
business enterprises to remain, 
expand, and participate in 
the redevelopment of the 
project area and promote 
the development of local job 
opportunities among others.


Symphony 
Announces 
Expanded 
Season

 Renews artistic contracts 
With David Lockington 
and Nicholas Mcgegan 
through 2019

 The Pasadena Symphony 
announces the expansion of 
its 2015-16 season with an 
increase to seven concert 
weekends beginning fall. 
Backed by strong single ticket 
sales and subscriber loyalty, 
its Singpoli Classics series 
will increase to six-concerts 
(from five) with both 2 p.m. 
and 8 p.m. performances 
at Pasadena’s historic 
Ambassador Auditorium. 
The expansion also includes 
the annually sold out Holiday 
Candlelight Concert on 
December 19 with both 4 p.m. 
and 7 p.m. performances at All 
Saints Church. The Pasadena 
Symphony also cements its 
artistic leadership plans with 
an eye for long term stability 
in its artistic leaders – Music 
Director David Lockington 
and Principal Guest Conductor 
Nicholas McGegan - who have 
also renewed their contracts 
with the Pasadena Symphony 
through 2019.

 The 2015-16 Season kicks off 
on October 10 with Dvorák’s 
New World Symphony and 
Bella Hristova performing 
Pulitzer Prize winning 
composer Kevin Puts’s lyrically 
beautiful Violin Concerto. 
Billboard’s 2014 top selling 
Classical Instrumentalist 
Anne Akiko Myers will bring 
her Vivaldi’s Four Seasons 
on November 7 - which she 
recorded with Lockington and 
debuted #1 on the Classical 
Billboard Charts. Other 
season highlights include 
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto 
No. 5 “Emperor,” Tchaikovsky 
Violin Concerto with Jennifer 
Frautschi, an alumnus of the 
Pasadena Youth Symphony 
Orchestras program, Nicholas 
McGegan’s masterful 
interpretation of Mozart 
Symphony No. 40 alongside 
David Lockington performing 
the Sawyer’s Cello Concerto 
and a French themed season 
finale in April 2016 with An 
American in Paris and Cliburn 
Silver medalist Joyce Yang in 
Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G 
Major. 

 Six-concert subscription 
packages start at $180, 
regular individually priced 
tickets start at $35 and may 
be purchased online at www.
pasadenasymphony-pops.org 
or by calling (626) 793-7172.

Police Seize 35 Kilos 
of Cocaine during 
Raid 

 On February 12, Pasadena 
Police detectives assigned 
to the Special Investigation 
Unit (SIU) along with officers 
from the Special Enforcement 
Section (SES) served a 
narcotic search warrant in the 
1000 block of North Raymond 
Avenue. The warrant was based 
on an ongoing drug trafficking 
investigation. During the 
search of the residence, 35 
kilos of cocaine (77 lbs.), a 
semi-automatic handgun, and 
a large amount of currency 
were recovered. It is likely 
the cocaine was destined 
to the streets of Pasadena 
and surrounding cities. One 
suspect was taken into custody 
with incident.

Rose Parade Float Designer Raul R Rodriguez

Status of Pasadena Women 
Report Soon to Be Released

 The public is invited to join 
Pasadena’s Commission on the 
Status of Women for the release 
of its 2015 “Status of Women” 
report at a free reception and 
panel discussion from 9:30 to 
11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, 
at the Pasadena Central Library, 
Donald R. Wright Auditorium, 
285 E. Walnut St.

 Panelists discussing the 
report findings include 
representatives from Peace 
Over Violence, the Pasadena 
Police Department, Union 
Station Homeless Services, 
the California Department of 
Veteran Affairs (CAL VET) and 
the U.S. Department of Labor. 
For event information and to 
RSVP, call the Human Services 
and Recreation Department at 
(626) 744-4386.

 The 2015 report will be released 
in time for Women’s History 
Month to raise awareness about 
women’s needs and challenges. 
Copies of the report will be 
available at the event while 
supplies last. The report will be 
posted online starting March 4. 
Look for the link on the City’s 
website at www.cityofpasadena.
net/HumanServices.

 The report highlights four 
key areas and challenges 
that Pasadena women face, 
including:

 Employment and Earnings 
– The annual gender earnings 
gap is $0.91 for women ages 16 
and older who work full-time. 
When including the salaries 
of part-time workers, the 
annual gender earnings gap is 
significantly larger at $0.79.

Housing and Homelessness – 
Thirty percent of households 
are headed by women with 
no spouse present; women 
constitute 35 percent of the 
homeless population; and 
women constitute 23 percent of 
the unsheltered homeless adult 
population.

Women Veterans – Women 
make up only 8 percent of 
the veteran population but 
constitute 12 percent of the 
homeless veteran population.

Domestic Violence – Women 
are victims in 84 percent of the 
domestic violence cases filed.

 The report also includes 
Los Angeles County statistics 
on human trafficking, with 
California reporting 16 percent 
of human trafficking cases 
between 2008 and 2012, the 
highest in the nation, and 
the county reporting 1,300 
trafficking victims between 
2010 and 2012.

 The annual report was 
produced by Pasadena’s 
Commission on the Status of 
Women in partnership with 
Mount St. Mary’s University. 
The Commission includes 
nine women appointed by 
the Pasadena City Council. 
During the past 30 years, the 
Commission has provided 
pertinent information regarding 
issues affecting women and has 
made recommendations on 
local programs and legislation 
to promote and ensure equal 
rights and opportunities for 
Pasadena girls and women.


Free April 
Conference 
on Healthy 
Aging 

 

 

 Seniors ages 50 and older will 
learn to fine-tune their lives, 
health, safety, relationships and 
more at the free 2015 Pasadena 
Conference on Healthy Aging 
on Saturday, April 11, from 8 
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at First Church 
of the Nazarene, 3700 E. Sierra 
Madre Blvd.

 Dr. Laura Mosqueda, 
professor of family medicine 
and geriatrics and dean of 
primary care at USC’s Keck 
School of Medicine, will open 
the conference with a keynote 
address titled “Joyful Aging.”

 The popular annual event 
features a full slate of workshops 
focused on common interests 
and concerns among seniors 
of all ages, backgrounds and 
abilities.

 
Workshop topics will include 
boosting your brain power, 
romance after 50, finding work 
after 50, housing options, early 
memory loss, caregiving, senior 
cyber safety and more. Free 
health and fitness workshops 
and wellness screenings will be 
offered as well.

 While there is no cost 
to attend the conference, 
registration is required. Visit 
www.pasadenaseniorcenter.
org/COA or call 866-402-6797. 
Complimentary lunch will be 
included with registration.

 The conference is presented by 
the Pasadena Senior Center.

Pet of the 
Week

Dr. Laura Mosqueda

 
Tex is a seven-year-old 
male blue pit bull. He is 
very mellow, friendly, and 
affectionate. He enjoys 
going for walks and is just 
a really sweet fellow. Tex 
qualifies for the Seniors 
for Seniors program which 
waives the adoption fee for 
adopters age 60 and up. The 
mandatory microchip fee 
of $20 still applies. Tex is 
also already neutered which 
means that he can go home 
with you today.

 The regular dog adoption 
fee is $125 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.

St. Patrick’s 
Day Tea 
Dance at 
Senior Center

Citizenship 
Classes at the 
Senior Center

Learn How to Produce 
Your Own TV Show

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

 Sure and begorrah, the Scott 
Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior 
Center, 85 E. Holly St., will 
come alive with shamrocks, 
leprechauns and pots of gold 
Sunday, March 15, from 2 to 
4 p.m.

 Ticktocker junior volunteers 
with the National Charity 
League will serve tea 
sandwiches and sweet treats 
and the Great American 
Swing Band will perform 
musical favorites for listening 
pleasure and dancing.

 The cost is only $2 for 
members and non-members 
of the Pasadena Senior Center. 
Reservations must be made 
at the Welcome Desk or by 
calling 626-795-4331 no later 
than Thursday, March 11. 
Space is limited to 175 people.

 Founded in 1959, the 
Pasadena Senior Center is 
an independent nonprofit 
agency that offers recreational, 
educational, wellness and 
social services to people ages 
50 and older in a friendly 
environment. Services are also 
provided for frail, low-income 
and homebound seniors.

 

 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 
to PASADENAMEDIA.ORG 
and explore what Pasadena 
Media has to offer.

Mayor Bill 
Bogaard 
Celebration

 Citizenship preparation 
classes Tuesdays, March 3 to 
May 26, will be offered at the 
Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. 
Holly St., in conjunction with 
the San Gabriel Valley Literacy 
Council.

 The class series will cover 
the three basic components 
necessary to pass the 
interview successfully, 
including instruction, review 
and preparation for the 
Application for Naturalization, 
the civics test (U.S. history and 
government) and the English 
test (speaking, reading and 
writing).

 The series is open to all 
adults; most materials will 
be provided free of charge. 
Register at the Welcome Desk 
or by calling 626-795-4331.

 For more information call 
626-685-6706.

Bogaard's last day as 
Mayor will be May 4.

 The public is invited to celebrate 
with Mayor Bill Bogaard, the 
first citywide elected Mayor, 
on Saturday, April 25th, 3-5 
p.m. at Centennial Square in 
front of City Hall. This is a 
casual afternoon with music, 
art, food trucks, and more 
to express appreciation to 
the Mayor for his 16 years 
of dedicated service. Share 
your personal reflections 
of “Moments with Bill” by 
providing your message below 
or by dropping off letters or 
notes at any Pasadena Library 
beforehand or bring them to 
the celebration.

Class offerings days and nights weekly

Station Schedule 

Pasadena Media’s Member Meet-Up

Tuesday February 24, at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Citizen Journalism Training

Wednesday February 25, at 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Orientation & Tour

Monday March 2, at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

PCAC Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday March 3, at 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Citizen Journalism Training

Wednesday March 4, at 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.