Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 25, 2015

6

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 25, 2015 

REP. ADAM SCHIFF STATEMENT ON THE 

100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

CELEBRATING THE 

LIFE OF MIKE MITCHELL

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), a lead 
sponsor of the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution in 
Congress, released the following statement on the 100th anniversary 
of the Armenian Genocide:

 “One hundred years ago, the Ottoman Empire attempted to 
annihilate an entire race in the first genocide of the last century. 
When it was over, 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children lay 
dead and many thousands of others barely survived. Despite a brutal 
campaign of massacres, forced death marches, lootings and rape, the 
Young Turks failed to destroy the Armenian people as evidenced by 
the vibrant diaspora and Armenian nation. 

 “When this heinous acts crime was committed, an entirely new word 
had to be invented to describe it – genocide. The author of the term, 
Holocaust survivor Raphael Lemkin, specifically cited the campaign 
of murder against the Armenians as an example of what genocide was 
meant to describe. 

 “The horrors of the genocide have been compounded by decades of 
denial by the Turkish government, which continues to fight the truth 
to this day. The United States has become complicit in this denial 
by failing to recognize the genocide for decades – and I was deeply 
disappointed by President Obama’s refusal to use the word ‘genocide’ 
in his statement today. If not this President, who spoke so eloquently 
and passionately about recognition in the past, whom? If not after one 
hundred years, when?

 “The United States must join the world community – as it has in 
speaking out against other atrocities and in confronting painful 
chapters of our own past – in calling the Armenian Genocide a 
genocide. The time for silence is over.”

By Joan Schmidt

 Yesterday I had the privilege of 
attending the Celebration of the Life of 
Mike Mitchell in the Chandelier Room at 
Santa Park. Racetrack fans certainly will 
know this Hall of Fame trainer, but there 
was a lot more to Mike. Perhaps recalling 
the highlights of the service will show the 
many facets of this remarkable man.

 After a beautiful rendition of Amazing 
Grace, Amazing Love, Pastor Albert Tate 
told us that when we celebrate Mike’s 
life, there are three things we learn about 
Jesus: “Mike could spot a diamond in 
the rough…just as Jesus sees good in all 
of us….Whenever Mike saw a horse, he 
staked a claim in it, and had a plan- Jesus stakes a claim in all of us and 
has a plan, and lastly Mike found the Winner’s Circle just as Jesus 
found the winners.”

 After Pastor Tate spoke of Mike’s deep faith, he told us that Mike’s 
family-wife Denise and daughters McCall and Shea-were his “trophies”. 
Even Columnist Art Wilson had dubbed Mike, “The Ultimate Family 
Man”.

 The song Beautiful Things followed Pastor Tate’s uplifting remembrance, 
and then there were several speakers. Trainer Phil D’Amato spoke of 
Mike-“his hero and mentor”, whom he met fourteen years ago. “He gave 
me a week trial, made me part of his stable…a hall of fame guy, who made 
the world a better place.”

 Father-in-law Ralph Weaver spoke of the extraordinary man whom he 
will always love. Gary Jones told us that Mike, a brilliant horseman, was 
like a brother to him, and the “the best thing that ever happened to Mike 
was marrying Denise who brought gold to him.”.

 Scotty McClellan, relayed meeting young jockey Joe Talamo, becoming 
Joe’s agent, and how Mike gave Joe opportunities to workout horses and 
eventually ride them. Scotty had to compose himself a few times during 
his talk-he will miss his friend Mike, who is loved and respected by so 
many.

 Tom Rathman, Running Back Coach of the San Francisco 49ers and 
a former pro football star gave us a look into a part of Mike’s life-pro 
football-that many of us didn’t know about. Tom met Mike in 1994 at 
Santa Anita, and Mike loved pro football. The two became fast friends 
and Mike began advising Tom when Tom was with the LA Raiders on 
coaching players and choosing draft choices!

 Tom said “We talked about ownership, coaches, trainers, horses-all are 
very similar…and the parallels…and Mike stood next to Tom during the 
Playoffs and Super Bowl.”

 A young woman, Casey, had a hard home life, and often was at the 
Mitchells’ home. She told us how Mike was there for her and supported 
her.

 After the speakers, there was a video of highlights of Mike’s life. What 
stood out to me was his deep faith in God- he was Christian and was 
proud to tell that to everyone, and his deep love and commitment to 
Denise and his daughters. What a remarkable man he was- and the great 
turnout- there were many standing in the balcony. Racing legends, Laffitt 
Pincay and Gary Stevens, jockeys Joe Talamo, Aaron Gryder, Martin 
Garcia, trainers Ron Ellis and Art Sherman, TV Commentators, Paul Lo 
Duca and Brittany Eurtin are just a few I noticed. Mike Mitchell, a man 
who lived life to the fullest.


UNION STATION HOMELESS SERVICES BREAKS GROUND 

TO HELP HOMELESS FAMILIES IN PASADENA

PASADENA, CA – On April 14, Union Station Homeless Services joined 
National Community Renaissance (National CORE), representatives of 
Los Angeles County, and the Mayor and Council Members of the City of 
Pasadena to celebrate the ground breaking of Mar Vista Apartments, an 
affordable housing development for low-income, homeless families. Mar 
Vista features 10 one-bedroom and 10 two bed-room units, with four 
units equipped for the mobility impaired and audio or visually impaired, 
and one unit reserved for an onsite coordinator. Other amenities include 
a community garden, tot lot, community room, onsite computer lab, and 
laundry rooms.

 The project, scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2016, is 
a collaborative effort between Union Station Homeless Services and 
National CORE, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit developers of 
affordable housing. Funding for Mar Vista Apartments will be provided 
by Los Angeles Community Development Commission (LA CDC), First 5 
LA, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits through the State of California, and 
the City of Pasadena. Union Station will provide the onsite wrap-around 
services to residents, such as health care, substance abuse counseling, 
mental health counseling, and employment assistance.

 “It all started with a vision from Marv Gross to provide the homeless clients 
they serve at Union Station with permanent housing,” says Julie Mungai, 
VP of Acquisitions with National CORE. The vision became a reality when 
William Huang, Director of Housing for the City of Pasadena, approached 
Union Station and National CORE about the reuse or demolition of the 
former Broadway Apartments, located on North Mar Vista Avenue.

 The previous owner of the apartments had relocated it there from its 
original site near Fuller Seminary. The abandoned apartment complex fell 
into disrepair as efforts to preserve the building as a historic structure were 
constantly delayed. The construction of the Mar Vista Apartments will be 
a positive change for the once dilapidated lot, and will bring change for the 
lives of its future residents.

 “This is an important neighborhood improvement project,” Victor Gordo, 
council member of the City of Pasadena states. “Families will soon come 
here and we’ll be proud when they leave here as successful members of the 
community.”

 For over 40 years, Union Station has worked with the City of Pasadena 
to help individuals and families transition from homelessness. The results 
from Pasadena’s 2015 Homeless Count show a 5% decrease in the overall 
homeless population from last year, with a reduction of 48% within the past 
4 years. However, while the number of people experiencing homelessness 
has decreased, the remaining population has greater and more extensive 
needs, making them more visible to the public.

 “This is a critically important project,” says William Huang, the 
City of Pasadena’s Director of Housing and Career Services. “It will end 
homelessness for 19 families. If you think of 632 homeless people in a city 
that’s only 23 square miles, it’s still way too many people.”

 “This effort has required many hands and many hearts. Mar Vista has 
been a labor of love,” Marv Gross, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services 
addressed the crowd. “We’re groundbreaking today, but this event is 
ground breaking because this is the first purpose built permanent housing 
for families in Pasadena. Families will have the opportunity to rebuild their 
lives. This is something we can all be proud of.”

ARTEMIS “WOMEN IN ACTION” FILM FESTIVAL SUPPORTS GIRLS ON 
THE RUN LA COUNTY AS NON-PROFIT HONOREE 

More than 50 Films featuring “Kick-Ass” Women set for April 24-26 Screenings at the Laemmle Theatre in Pasadena

In a celebration of female empowerment, the inaugural Artemis 
Women in Action Film Festival http://www.ArtemisFilmFestival.
com will open Friday April 24, 2015 at the Laemmle Playhouse 
7 in Pasadena with Girls on the Run LA County as its not-for-
profit beneficiary. The 3-day film fest (April 24-26) will feature 
over 50 narrative, documentary, animated and short films that 
highlight women in action roles. 

 Premiere screenings of “Awaken” starring Darryl Hannah 
on Friday April 24th, and “Two Down” produced by Stephen 
Fry (Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows, The Hobbit: The 
Desolation of Smaug, V for Vendetta) on Saturday April 25th will anchor the 
festival, along with a Friday evening screening of the James Cameron action 
classic “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” starring Linda Hamilton and Arnold 
Schwarzenegger. 

 Tickets are now available for purchase at http://www.WomenKickAss.com 
and the Laemmle Theatre box office, 673 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101.

 As a nod to Girls on the Run, Sunday will feature short films selected to inspire 
girls and their families. The “Just for the Girls” schedule runs as follows:

 Sun. Apr. 26, 10:00am: Just For the Girls, Block 1 of 2

Shorts Block: Two short films in this screening block

 Pretty Tough: 

 Two competitive sisters join the high school soccer team. Cast – Adelaide 
Kane, Krystal Young.

 Red Thunder: A high school teenager sneaks away with her mom’s car to go 
on a date, and she and her date discover the car and her mom are superheros. 
Cast – Allie Grant, Miles Heizer, Karen Strassman, Doug Olear; Alvaro Ron, 
Director & Producer.

 Sun. Apr. 26, 12:10pm: Just For the Girls, Block 2 of 2

Shorts Block: Two short films in this screening block 

Solstice 

A woman decides to push herself to her absolute limit by 
running in her first 100 mile race – over mountains from one 
town to another. Cast – Ashley Lindsey.

Lost Marathon 

A woman who runs marathons finally learns the joy of running. 

Cast – Courtney Kistler.

 While many Girls on the Run participants may run a marathon when older, 
the organization’s focus is for girls ages 8-14 to learn goal-setting and self-
confidence through training to complete a 5K. Whether they run, walk or 
skip along the way, the 5K is the celebratory culmination of a 12-week after-
school program that empowers girls and teaches them to be strong in mind, 
body and spirit. Using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively 
integrates running, Girls on the Run addresses bullying, the importance of 
physical activity, healthy eating, body image, and community service. http://
gotrla.org/ 

 “At Girls on the Run LA County, we are celebrating our 10th anniversary and 
just registered our 5,000th girl,” says Molly Snow, executive director. “We started 
with a small group in the Pasadena area, but now are throughout LA County 
with nearly 70 locations.” Girls on the Run Los Angeles County is a 501(c)(3) 
nonprofit organization. For more information, visit http://gotrla.org/ or email 
info@gotrla.org.


DO YOU WANT TO MEET 

NEW FRIENDS AND JOIN 

IN GREAT ACTIVITIES? 

Newcomers and Friends of San Gabriel Valley cordially invites local 
women to join their upcoming May events. We are primarily a social 
club with a very diverse group of women from all over the SGV. We 
will be having our monthly “Meet and Greet Coffee” at 10 am May 6. 
You must attend a coffee to join Newcomers and attend activities. In 
addition to the coffees held the first Wednesday of each month there 
are luncheons, tours, a garden club, golfing, a book club, a wine tasting 
group, travel, movies, theater, and games such as bridge, pinochle, 
mahjong, scrabble, rummikub, and bunco. The tour in April was to the 
Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. Our “Ladies On The Go” group 
has 1 or 2 interesting activities each month. Most activities are on 
weekdays. 

 Check out our website www.sgvnewcomers.com or email 
sgvnewcomers@yahoo.com for more information or call Teri, 
Membership Chairman, at 323-829-0317.

SOROPTIMISTS TO HOST FASHION SHOW / 

SERVICE AGENCIES EVENT

Please join Soroptimist International of Altadena/Pasadena for its first “Making A Difference: 
Celebrating Service Agencies” luncheon event, to be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at the 
Pasadena Hilton, 168 S. Los Robles, Pasadena. Soroptimists are honoring the Door of Hope and 
The Women’s Room at Friends In Deed, two Pasadena non-profit organizations that support 
women and their families. A boutique will open at 10:30 a.m., with a tea luncheon served at 11:30 
a.m. The awards and a fashion show will follow. 

 You may purchase tickets for this event at $35 through PayPal on the Altadena/Pasadena website, 
http://soroptimistaltapas.org. Or mail checks payable to Soroptimist Altadena/Pasadena, P.O. Box 
66, Altadena, CA 91003. You can also RSVP by phone to Marilyn at (626) 296-0336. Please RSVP 
by May 15th. 

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