Mountain Views News     Logo: MVNews     Saturday, August 1, 2015

MVNews this week:  Page 4

Mountain Views-News Saturday, August 1, 2015 4 
Deadliest 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, August 1, 2015 4 
Deadliest 
Catch 
Producer 
Found Dead 


McMahon 

Update, police now say

Brandon Rafiepour of

Brentwood, wanted as a 

suspect in the case wasfound dead inside his car 
July 24 from a self-inflicted 
gunshot. 

 Police last week identified 
a man, shot dead July 24, as 
24-year-old Joseph McMahon, 
a former associate producer 
on Discovery Channel’s 
Deadliest Catch. 

 According to police, Temple 
Station deputies responded to 
the 3600 block of Yorkshire 
Road, in East Pasadena, 
at 2:19 a.m. regarding a 
possible gunshot victim. 
When deputies arrived, they 
found McMahon lying on the 
street suffering from multiple 
gunshot wounds. 

 The County of Los Angeles 
of Medical Examiner Coroner 
later identified McMahon. 

 According to reports, family 
members said McMahon went 
outside after hearing a noise 
to investigate. Witnesses said 
they heard seven to eight 
gunshots.

 Police said they found, 
Brandon Rafiepour, a suspect 
in case, inside his car on 
Kenter Ave. near Brentwood, 
later that day around 4 p.m. 

 “Our thoughts and prayers go 
out to his family and to all that 
knew and worked with him,” 
the Discovery Channel said 
in a statement.

 Police said the investigation 
is still on-going. Anyone with 
information can contact the 
Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s 
Department’s Homicide 
Bureau at (323) 890-5500. 
Or provide information 
anonymously, at (800) 222TIPS 
(8477).

Pet of the 
Week

 
Tofu (A380991) is a sweet 
eight-year-old Chihuahua 
and Parson Jack Russell 
Terrier mix. He is calm, 
affectionate, easy going 
senior who loves sitting 
in laps and and going for 
walks. Tofu has been out 
on our mobile unit and 
was loved by all! Tofu also 
qualifies for our Seniors 
for Seniors program which 
waives the adoption fee for 
adopters age 60 and up. The 
mandatory microchip fee 
of $20 still applies. Tofu’s 
regular adoption fee is 
$125, including the spay 
surgery, microchip and a set 
of vaccines.

 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. 

Mountain Views News 

OFFICIALS PREVIOUSLY 
DISCUSSED CITY TREE 
DANGERS DURING DROUGHT 

La Loma Bridge Closes for Retrofit


By Dean Lee

 Although the official cause 
behind why a 70-foot pine 
tree uprooted Tuesday — 
injuring eight children in front 
of KidSpace Museum— is 
expected to be released this 
week, officials working on the 
city’s Urban Forest Management 
Plan said, during a meeting last 
month that the city was looking 
at the dangers of trees during 
prolonged drought.

 Last week, the city hired a 
private, independent arborist 
to inspect the large pine tree to 
help determine why the tree fell 
in Brookside Park July 28.

 City officials said the tree fell 
at about 4:45 p.m., striking a 
group of elementary school-
aged children who were outside 
the museum. Six children were 
treated at the scene and released 
to their parents, while two 
others were transported to LA 
County-USC Medical Center. 
A third child was reportedly 
taken to the same hospital by 
relatives and was later released.

 “On behalf of the city, I 
want to extend our thoughts 
and prayers to the injured 
children, especially those 
still hospitalized, and their 
families. We are praying for 
their full recovery,” Pasadena 
Mayor Terry Tornek said in a 
statement. “Our public spaces, 
especially the Arroyo, are 
unique and draw thousands 
of visitors each day, so it is a 
priority for the city to maintain 

By Dean Leereplacement and widening 

 West Pasadena residents near of the bridge deck, retrofit 
the La Loma Bridge will now of the arches and columns, 
have to find another way around strengthening, removal of the 
it, as the iconic 100-year-old galvanized railing and replacing 
structure close Monday for the the light polls with historic 
next 18 months as part of a railing and streetlights. She said 
$16 million seismic retrofit and they also plan relocating utilities 
rehabilitation project.such as the water lines. 

 “This bridge closure is definitely Madison said most of the 
a very positive event in terms of funding comes from grants 
what’s going to happen here,” and the Department of 
Councilmember Steve Madison Transportation. 
said during a groundbreaking City staff said during 
ceremony last week. “Obviously construction traffic will be 
it’s going to be a little bit of detoured to other bridges across 
discomfort for us for these the Arroyo Seco. Residents 
months going forward… but we will be able to cross using the 
are trying to mitigate that best Colorado Boulevard Bridge to 
we can.”access areas, and will be able 

 Interim Pasadena Public to use the San Rafael Bridge to 
Works Director, Julie Gutierrez access areas south. 
said improvements include Gutierrez said there will be a 

The Gamble House 
Tuesdays Lunch-time Tours

 Advance tickets recommended.

Whether you work here, Tickets also available at (844) 
live here, or are just visiting 325-0812 
Pasadena; whether you’re with Two 20-minute docent-led 
your family, office colleagues, short tours will be given at 
a group of friends or just 12:15 and 12:45 every Tuesday.
passing by; whether it’s winter Every Tuesday, we provide 
or summer, The Gamble House seating on the rear lawn and 
in Pasadena is open for lunch-terrace from 11:30am to 
time tour. With the San Gabriel 1:30pm, and visitors bring their 
Mountains as your backdrop, own lunch. To book by phone 
The Gamble House and garden call ACME Ticketing at (844) 
on Westmoreland Place shelter 325-0812.
you from the noise and worries Advance tickets are highly 
of the workaday world. Parking recommended to guarantee a 
is easy, and you’ll find that the spot. Tickets are sold Tuesday at 
rear terrace is the perfect spot the Gamble House Bookstore, 
to enjoy your brown-bag lunch open at 10am.
(not provided), enjoy the view, Groups of 10 or more may 
and experience one of our book Brown-Bag Tours on 
greatest architectural treasures.Tuesdays and other days by 

 Tickets: Admission is $8 per calling in advance: (626) 793person.
3334, ext.16 

Schiff Secures $5 million for 
Earthquake Warning System 

 Congressman Adam 
Schiff announced that the 
Appropriations Committee, 
late last month, has once 
again included $5 million in 
funding in the Fiscal Year 2016 
Interior and Environment 
Appropriations bill for a west 
coast earthquake early warning 
system. Last year, for the first 
time, Congress appropriated 
$5 million specifically for the 
system. This continued funding 
during a time of severe budget operating and maintenance 
constraints demonstrates the costs of $16.1 million.


importance of the system and “The USGS, in collaboration 
Congress’s commitment to with Caltech, UC Berkeley, the 
seeing the system fully built out.University of Washington, and 

 Earlier this year, Schiff led the University of Oregon has 
a group of 35 Members of developed an Earthquake Early 

Congress – primarily from Warning system that detects 
California, Washington, and waves radiating from the 
Oregon – to request that the epicenter of a quake and would 
committee fund an earthquake provide people in California, 
early warning system for the Oregon and Washington with 
West Coast. A limited system seconds to even a minute 
developed by Caltech, UC-or more of warning. With 
Berkeley, and the University advanced notice, people 
of Washington, in conjunction can take cover, automated 
with the United States systems can be triggered to 
Geological Survey (USGS), has slow down trains and manage 
already been deployed and has the power grid, doctors can 
proven that the early warning pause surgeries, and more. The 

technology is sound. It will technology has been tested and 
cost an estimated $38.2 million proven to work effectively,” 
to build out a full system for Schiff wrote to the committee 
the west coast, with annual members. 

both the beauty and safety of 
our parks and open spaces for 
all to enjoy.”

 The city’s certified arborist 
with the Department of Public 
Works conducted a preliminary 
assessment of the downed tree 
Wednesday but did not find any 
conclusive reasons for its fall, 
so they hired outside help, they 
said. 

The city conducts regular 
maintenance and care for all 
of the city trees. The city has 
continued to maintain the 
grass, trees and vegetation in all 
city parks during the drought 
they added.

 Representatives from the 
environmental and engineering 
consulting firm, Dudek along 
with Darya Barar, an arborist for 
the city said at a meeting July 1, 
that drought is associated with 
tree issues such as, spreading 
fires, insect infestation and 
falling trees. 

 Barar said the city council had 
just approved a plan for all the 
city park trees. They both said 
the city should take up the issue 
of watering all older city owed 
trees sometime she said they 
do not do with trees older than 
three years. 

 Pasadena has an “urban forest” 
of about 60,000 city-owned 
trees in parks, open spaces, 
along city streets and at public 
buildings according to city staff. 

 At press time, 2 of the children 
that were hit by the tree remain 
in the hospital 


temporary tunnel underneath 
the bridge for those jogging or 
walking the trail, “but only on 

Councilmember Steve 
Madison (left) and directorof Pasadena Heritage, SueMossman (far right) alongwith city staff pose during agroundbreaking Wednesday 
for the La Loma Bridge $16million retrofit. Photo, D. Lee/

MVNews.

the east side, all access on top 
of the bride will be closed,” she 
said. 

 Gutierrez said they anticipate 
the bridge opening back up 
December of 2016. 

ARTS Bus 
Service 
Changes

Starting August 3, the city’s 
ARTS buses will see service 
changes on all routes 
including, revised schedules 
with minor adjustments to 

Firefighters help kids after tree falls, photo courtesy Pasadena Fire 

further improve efficiency 


Mann to StepDown As 
PCC Trustee 

 Longtime Pasadena City 
College Trustee, Dr. Jeanette 
Mann, announced last week 
that she will not seek another 
term for the upcoming 
November 3 elections. Mann 
has been on the board 32 years 
representing East Pasadena and 
Sierra Madre. 

 The filing period for the 
November 3 election ends 


and on time arrival of buses 
Route 31/32; Increased 
midday frequency between 

9:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. 
to approximately every 
22 minutes Route 20 
Clockwise and additional 
weekday service between 
3 p.m. and 4 p.m. along 
Arroyo Parkway and Fair 
Oaks. For a complete 
list of revised schedules 
visit: cityofpasadena.
n et/Transp or t at ion/
ServiceChange2015.aspx. 
Free Mulch 

Free Upcoming Events at

Program 

Pasadena Senior Center

New Mulch Pickup 
Location 

 This week the Mulch 
Give-Away program will 
be expanded to include 
Robinson Park. 

 Dates for the Robinson 
Park program are, August 

August 7. Former Pasadena 
Unified School District board 
member Tom Selinske and USC 
adjunct professor Jim Osterling 
have both announced they will 
run for the seat. 


Thursdays, Aug. 4 to 27, at 
noon. Everyone is invited to 
play one of the most popular 
card games in North America. 
Join other players at all levels 
and make new friends. For 
more information call 626-5840413.
by

Concerts in Memorial Park 

- Tuesdays, Aug. 4 to 27, from 
6 to 7 p.m. The band shell at 
Memorial Park, adjacent to the 
Pasadena Senior Center, will 
be hopping with entertainment 
this month! Aug. 4: Billy and 
the Hillbillies. Aug. 11: Inca, the 
Peruvian Ensemble. Aug. 18: 
Lisa Haley and the Zydekats. 
Aug. 25: Alan Chapman’s Movie 
Music Magic. Bring a picnic or 
purchase dinner at the BBQ 
snack bar. Everyone of all ages 
is welcome. 
Hearing Issues: Loss and 
Technology - Thursday, Aug. 
6, at 10 a.m. Learn about your 
ears and hearing, hearing loss 
and hearing aids, the latest 
breakthroughs and how current 
technologies can help you. 
Presented by the HEAR Center.

 Friday Movie Matinees -- 
Fridays, Aug. 7, 14 and 21, 
at 1 p.m. - Aug. 7: Timbuktu 
(2015, PG-13) starring Ibrahim 
Ahmed aka Pino and Layla 
Walet Mohamed (with English 
subtitles). Aug. 14: The Dirty 
Dozen (1967, NR) starring Lee 
Marvin and Charles Bronson. 
Aug. 21: Noah (2014, PG-13) 
starring Russell Crowe and 
Emma Watson. 

28, September 25, and 
October 23, 2015. 

 Robinson Park is located at 
1081 North Fair Oaks Ave 
and the mulch program 
will be located in the park’s 
southern parking lot. 

 Residents will have access 
to mulch during park hours 
which are 6 a.m. through 10 

p.m. while supplies last. 
Mulch Pickup Location 
New loads of mulch will be 
delivered once per month 
on the follow days, August 
14, September 11 and 
October 9.

 The mulch will be available 
from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 

p.m. at Victory Park, 2575 
Paloma Street and located 
in the southeast corner of 
the parking lot adjacent to 
Paloma Street. 
Mulch Benefits

 Moderates the soil 
temperature and retains 
moisture during dry 
weather, reducing the need 
for watering.

 Prevents germination of 
many weed seeds & reduces 
need for herbicides.

 Protects the soil from the 
impact of raindrops that 
can cause crusting and 
prevents the germination of 
seedlings. 

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

 Cardmaking Workshop -- 
Monday, Aug. 3, 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. All materials will 
be provided.

 Stay Connected with Social 
Media --Tuesdays and 
Thursdays, Aug. 4 to 27, from 
9 to 11 a.m. Learn how to keep 
in touch with family and friends 
via email, Skype, Faceboo 
and other forms of social 
media during a 30-minute, 
one-on-one meeting with an 
instructor. You’ll choose which 
applications you want to learn. 
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, 
Aug. 4 to 27, at 10 a.m. Get 
the answers you need about 
technology devices, whether 
you own your own already or are 
considering a purchase. Learn 
how to text, check voicemail, set 
an alarm, navigate the Internet, 
download apps and more. 
Pinochle - Tuesdays and 

 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com