Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 28, 2015

5


Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 28, 2015 

City Okays 
$10.8 Million 
Bridge 
Renovation


PCC Hosts Mayoral Debate

By Dean Lee

 After being given the chance, 
only one contender in the 
Pasadena mayoral race opted 
to talk about police oversight 
and public safely during a 
debate Thursday night at 
Pasadena City College —
the second to last scheduled 
candidate forum before the 
March 10 election.

 Towards the end of the well-
attended two hour forum, 
the moderator, former State 
Assembly member Anthony 
Portantino gave each of the 
candidates a choice to answer 
one of two questions. The first 
option was to answer; what 
are the two most unsolved 
challenges in Pasadena?, and 
the second question dealt 
with police oversight, public 
safety and how they would 
address that. 

 “As far as the police oversight, 
I am the current chair of the 
Public Safety Committee and 
a member since 2007,” said 
current Vice Mayor Jacque 
Robinson, the only mayoral 
candidate to directly answer 
Portantino’s question. “I’m 
currently not in favor of a 
police commission proper 
but Pasadena is a city that 
thrives on community input 
and city engagement and I do 
think that there is a place for 
some type of advisory body 
to the police chief and the 
Public Safety Committee.”

 Most of the other candidates 
focused on the $6.4-million 
embezzlement scandal that 
rocked city hall after being 
announced late last year.

 “Certainly the embezzlement 
stands the forefront of 
everything else,” said 
candidate Bill Thompson, a 
current PCC Trustee. “It’s got 
to be resolved and we’ve got 
to figure out, how this can go 
on for 11 years?” 

 Candidate Allen Shay 
suggested removing all the 
top officials from city hall.

 “If we are going to try and 
rebuild with the current 
administration then it’s going 
to be an uphill battle…, 
because everybody and 
everyone has been exposed 
to this embezzlement,” Shay 
said. 

 Candidate, and publisher of 
The DENA Magazine, Jason 
Hardin mentioned public 
safety but only as it relates 
to volunteerism and not the 
police, “If we get the public 
involved we can tackle public 
safety,” he said.

 Candidate and current 
District 7 Councilmember 
Terry Tornek was also the 
only contender to suggest 
development was an unsolved 
Pasadena challenge, “there is 
a tremendous difference of 
opinion among the citizens 
of Pasadena, as to how much, 
how much is enough, what it 
should look like, what kind 
of development we should 
have… he said. 

 Other questions ranged 
from the ARTS buses to 
education to homeownership. 
Candidate Don Morgan, 
a local community 
development consultant did 
not attend the debate.

 The next and last mayoral 
candidate debate— this will 
be a youth candidate forum—
is set for Wednesday night 5 
p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Day One, 
175 N Euclid Ave. 

 The city council voted 
unanimously Monday night 
to move forward with the 
reconstruction of the La 
Lorna Road Bridge Project 
authorizing City Manager 
Michael Beck to accept a 
$10,815,000 bid submitted by 
OHL USA, Inc. for seismic 
retrofit and rehabilitation of the 
bridge spanning the Arroyo in 
West Pasadena.

 The bridge, originally 
constructed in 1914, will 
be closed for 18 months. 
Construction is set to start 
in April and be completed in 
December 2016.

 The project was approved 
during the city council’s regular 
meaning, as part of the Consent 
Calendar, with no one from the 
public wishing to speak. 

 According to a city council 
agenda report prepared by 
Pasadena Department of Public 
Works Principal Engineer 
Steve Walker the proposed 
project will provide “adequate 
seismic stability for the bridge 
structure should a maximum 
credible earthquake occur and 
to widen each side of the bridge 
by one foot to meet current 
American Association of State 
Highway and Transportation 
Officials (AASHTO) design 
standards,” he wrote.

 According to Walker, seismic 
retrofit strategy will strengthen 
and reinforce the piers, arch 
ribs, arch struts, spandrel 
columns, footings, transverse 
floor beams, and expansion 
joints, to prevent the bridge 
form collapsing during a large 
earthquake.

 A geological study in 2000 
found the Eagle Rock fault 
running directly under the 
bridge. According to well-
known local seismologist Lucy 
Jones, the northeast dipping 
thrust fault is active.

 City staff said the project could 
result in 18 new hires, of which, 
ten haven been indicated as 
Pasadena residents.

 The total budgeted fund for 
the project is $13,157,842 
through the use of local and 
federal funds. The project 
is in collaboration with the 
California Department of 
Transportation.

Pictured (Left to right), Jason Hardin, publisher of The DENA Magazine; Terry Tornek, District 7 
Councilmember; Jacque Robinson, Vice Mayor and District 1 Councilmember; Anthony Portantino, 
moderator, former State Assemblymember ; Allen Shay, Vice Chair of the Northwest Commission and 
real estate finance entrepreneur ; Bill Thomson, Pasadena City College Trustee and President of the 
Pasadena Educational Foundation. Photo D.Lee/MVNews

 
USC Pacific Asia Museum 
announced last week the 
openings of two new exhibitions 
drawing from the museum’s 
permanent collection of more 
than 15,000 objects from Asia 
and the Pacific Islands spanning 
more than five thousand years. 
Curated by Yeonsoo Chee, 
USC PAM Assistant Curator, 
Visualizing Enlightenment: 
Decoding Buddhist 
Iconography, presenting Amida 
Buddha, a recent gift to the 
museum, will be on view in 
the Focus Gallery from March 
20 - August 2, 2015 and Ikko 
Style: The Graphic Art of Ikko 
Tanaka, the museum’s first-time 
exhibition of Ikko TANAKA’s 
work, one of the leading graphic 
designers in Japan in the second 
half of the 20th century, will 
be on view in the Changing 
Exhibitions Galleries from April 
2 - August 2.

 Visualizing Enlightenment, 
March 20 - August 2, presents 
exceptional Amida Buddha 
in USC Pacific Asia Museum’s 
collection from the Kamakura 
period (1185-1333) in Japan. 
At over six-feet tall, Amida 
Buddha is a rare example of 
large-scale sculpture from the 
period, and was executed using 
the yosegi technique, in which 
a single image is carved from 
multiple pieces of wood and 
then joined together from the 
inside. Buddhist art comprises 
a tremendous range of objects 
from paintings to sculpture to 
ritual objects. 

 Focusing on the core of his 
artistic practice, poster design, 
Ikko Style, April 2 - August 2, 
will provide a colorful look into 
how Ikko TANAKA’s ideas were 
visualized and transmitted to a 
broad audience. Over 30 posters 
will be on view, all of which are 
part of the museum’s permanent 
collection and will be exhibited 
for the first time. 

 The Members’ Reception 
for both exhibitions will be 
on Friday, April 3, 2015 from 
6-7PM at USC Pacific Asia 
Museum at 46 North Los Robles 
Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.

 Image credits: (left) Ikko 
TANAKA (1930-2002),

Close-up of Japan, London 1985 
(Detail), Japan, 1985, Offset. Gift 
of Tanaka Ikko Design Room, 
1990.9.5. (top) Amida Buddha 
(Detail), Japan, Kamakura 
Period (1185-1333): First half of 
the 13th century, Wood, lacquer, 
gilt and pigments, Gift of Sharon 
Pierce in loving memory of her 
son, J. Christopher Johnson. 
Conservation funds provided by 
Sharon Pierce and the Collectors’ 
Circle, 2013.6.1.

USC Pacific 
Asia Museum 
Announces 
New Spring 
Exhibitions

Survey Shows 
Need for 
Additional 
MTA Security

PCC’s Freedom Writers to 
Travel to Washington, D.C.

 
A Los Angeles 
County Metropolitan 
Transportation Authority 
customer survey— 
announced last week and 
detailed in news reports— 
shows that 22 percent of 
passengers experienced 
unwanted sexual advances 
or behavior on buses and 
trains over the last six 
months. 

 “The findings of this survey 
reveal a disturbing trend 
facing Metro customers and 
further proves the vital need 
to increase - not decrease 
- the level of security on 
our trains and buses,” 
said L.A. County Mayor 
Michael Antonovich, an 
MTA Director. “Providing 
a safe environment for 
our passengers is our 
responsibility.” 

 The survey showed that 
more than one in five 
Metro passengers were 
subjected to unwanted 
sexual advances or behavior 
while riding Metro trains 
and buses in Los Angeles 
County during the first half 
of 2014. 

 Anyone who sees 
inappropriate behavior 
should call 911 or the 
sheriff’s hotline: (888) 950-
SAFE (7233).

 Pasadena City College 
English Department associate 
professor in Dustin Hanvey, 
and 19 of his “Freedom Writers” 
students will travel across the 
country to Washington, D.C. 
on March 8. The weeklong trip 
will serve as a culmination 
of activities in Hanvey’s two-
semester Stretch Accelerated 
Composition (STACC) course, 
which he modeled after author 
Erin Gruwell’s best-selling book 
“The Freedom Writers Diary.” 
The trip is funded entirely by the 
students themselves.

 The students documented their 
classroom experience in diaries, 
even dubbing themselves 
“Freedom Writers” in homage 
to the early 1960s civil rights 
activists “The Freedom Riders.”

 Hanvey incorporated Gruwell’s 
non-fiction book into his 
own course curriculum and 
mirrored some of her in-class 
methodology and out-of-class 
activities, which included 
writing a diary and taking a 
field trip to the Museum of 
Tolerance. The students also 
wrote self-reflective essays and 
letters to politicians as part of 
the composition exercises.

 “The students responded 
very well to the book,” said 
Hanvey, who has been teaching 
at PCC since 2004. “Many of 
them were able to relate to it 
because they came from similar 
backgrounds.”

 Roxanne Jodi Ochoa, a 
freshman kinesiology major 
who will be going on the trip 
to D.C., said “Freedom Writers” 
had an immediate impact on her 
life. A native of the Philippines, 
she moved to the United States 
three years ago and is bilingual.

 “One of the diary entries in the 
book that really got to me was 
a student who had a learning 
disorder. He was laughed at and 
bullied. I’ve experienced being 
bullied as well because of my 
accent, so it made me realize 
that a lot of people go through 
that in their lives.”

 While there, the group plans on 
visiting museums and historical 
landmarks. They were also able 
to book a tour of the White 
House. “They sent background 
checks on everyone – it was 
interesting experience,” said 
Vega, the primary organizer of 
the fundraisers.

Pet of the 
Week

 
Patty is a six-year-old 
female chocolate point 
Siamese mix. She is 
confident, friendly, and 
enjoys attention. Patty also 
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. Patty 
is already spayed which 
means she can go home 
with you today!

 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. 

Learn How to Produce 
Your Own TV Show

March Events At Pasadena Senior Center

 There is something for 
everyone in March at the 
Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. 
Holly St. All events listed are 
free.

 You do not have to be a 
member to attend. Some events 
require advance reservations as 
noted.

 Cardmaking Workshop – 
Monday, March 2, from noon 
to 2 p.m. Surprise a special 
someone with a personalized, 
handmade greeting card. 
Whether it’s a happy birthday, 
thank you, thinking of you or 
other sentiment, you’ll create 
a decorative card in your own 
unique style and have fun 
discovering your creativity 
while workshop leaders help 
you bring your ideas to life. All 
materials will be provided.

 Taxi Vouchers – Tuesday, 
March 3, at 9 a.m. – Low-
income seniors 50 and older can 
get two taxi vouchers the first 
Tuesday of every month. Bring 
a photo ID and proof of income 
and residence in the Pasadena 
area. For more information call 
626-685-6732.

 Stay Connected with 
Social Media – Tuesdays and 
Thursdays, March 3 to 26, from 
9 to 11 a.m. Learn how to keep 
in touch with family and friends 
via email, Skype, Facebook and 
other forms of social media 
during a 30-minute, one-on-
one meeting with an instructor. 
Bring a laptop or use one of the 
onsite computers. If you have 
an email address, bring it and 
your password. Sign up with 
Edison at the Welcome Desk.

 Smart Phones, Tablets and 
Computers – Any Questions? – 
Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 
3 to 26, from 10 to 11 a.m. Get 
the answers you need about 
technology devices, whether 
you own them already or are 
considering a purchase. Learn 
how to text, check voicemail, set 
an alarm, navigate the Internet, 
download apps and more.

 Caregiver Education and 
Support Group – Wednesdays, 
March 4 and 18, from 1 to 2:30 
p.m. This twice-monthly group 
provides information, resources 
and emotional support for 
caregivers in all types of 
situations, whether caring for 
an aging parent or disabled 
spouse. You have a challenging 
role and you are not alone. The 
group meets the first and third 
Wednesday of every month.

 Loving Someone Who Has 
Mental Illness – Thursday, 
March 5, at 10 a.m. Learn 
about common mental health 
conditions and how you can 
gain the communications 
skills you need to make your 
relationship more enjoyable 
for you and more beneficial for 
your loved one. Presented by 
National Alliance on Mental 
Illness (NAMI).

 Rediscovering Hope – 
Thursdays, March 5, 12, 19 and 
26, at 3 p.m. – Rediscovering 
Hope is a support group for 
members grieving the death 
of a loved one. Walk-ins are 
welcome. For more information 
call Jody Casserly at Vitas at 
626-918-2273, ext. 7455.

 Chess Classes – Fridays, 
March 6 to April 24, from 3 to 
4:45 p.m. Chess is a fun board 
game that challenges minds 
and contributes to mental and 
social lives. In this beginner 
class people 50 and older will 
learn to play a full game with 
others. Often misunderstood, 
chess is actually an easy game 
and anyone can learn in a few 
lessons. The class is open to 
beginners as well as anyone 
who wants to join and play. 
The instructor is Harry Chen, a 
10th grade student at Flintridge 
Prep.

 For more information visit 
www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org 
or call 626-795-4331.

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

Class offerings days and nights weekly

Station Schedule 

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.

Producer Training

Wednesday March 4, at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Studio Cameras & Floor Manager

Wednesday March 4, at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Citizen Journalism Training

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