Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 12, 2015

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 12, 2015 


ROYAL COURT, INTERVIEWS, 
TRYOUTS START TODAY

NEW PUBLIC 
HEALTH 
DIRECTOR 
APPOINTED

 Thousands of Pasadena-
area young women are 
expected to be interviewed, 
starting today, for the 
opportunity to be part 
of the 2016 Tournament 
of Roses Royal Court. 
Hopeful participants from 
Pasadena and surrounding 
communities will vie to 
represent their communities, 
schools and the Tournament 
of Roses as ambassadors 
– making as many as 100 
appearances leading up to 
New Year’s Day. Seven young 
women will be named to 
the 2016 Royal Court on 
October 5, 2015. Of the 
seven, one will be named 
and crowned the 98th Rose 
Queen on October 22.

 The 2016 Rose Queen 
and Royal Court will reign 
over the 127th Rose Parade 
and attend the 102nd Rose 
Bowl Game on January 1, 
2016. America’s New Year 
Celebration will be seen by 
millions of people around 
the world.

 Participants can pre-
register for the 2016 Royal 
Court Tryouts by submitting 
an application at http://bit.
ly/1G2cpJQ.


Long Awaited Desiderio Project Kicks Off

 City Manager Michael Beck 
announced, late last week, 
the appointment of Michael 
Johnson as the new Director 
for the Pasadena Public Health 
Department (PPHD). As 
the Public Health Director, 
Mr. Johnson is responsible 
for the overall planning, 
administration and operation 
of the PPHD. He is expected 
to begin his duties effective 
Sept. 14, 2015.

 “Mr. Johnson has a history 
of successfully managing and 
implementing public health 
programs at both the county 
and city level,” City Manager 
Beck said. “His extensive 
experience at various levels 
within public health gives 
him special insight into 
effectively directing our health 
department and building on 
the department’s reputation of 
excellence in public health.”

 Johnson’s appointment capped 
nearly a year-long nationwide 
recruitment process by the 
City. Johnson has been the 
Assistant Director for the 
Merced County Public Health 
Department in Merced, Calif., 
since 2013. 

The new Public Health 
Director said he was “honored 
and excited to serve the 
Pasadena community” as the 
new PPHD leader. “I look 
forward to working with the 
department, City officials 
and most importantly the 
community to continue 
Pasadena’s tradition of 
protecting the public’s health 
and quality of life.”

 The maximum annual salary 
for the Director of Public 
Health is $194,212, according 
to information on the City’s 
website. Contract terms will 
be finalized prior to the start of 

By Dean Lee

 With a golden sledgehammer 
gripped in their hands, 
Councilmember Steve Madison 
along with civic leaders, 
kicked off, Thursday, the 
Desiderio Army Reserve Center 
demolition and transformation.

 “What we will have after 
the demolition and the site 
preparation, ultimately this 
concept of a joint neighborhood 
park, open space and the 
affordable housing by Habitat 
for Humanity of San Gabriel 
Valley,” Madison said.

 He explained that about 25 
percent of the property along 
the Arroyo hillside will be nine 
single-family bungalow homes. 
The remaining 75 percent will 
be for a park, most of that will 
be an open space meadow, “I’ve 
referred to that, many times, as 
the repatriation of this space 
through the Arroyo, just as it 
should be.” Madison said.

 Madison said that earlier this 
year they finalized the transfer 
of the land from the federal 
government, “It’s ours now and 
there’s really no stopping us,” he 
said. 

 Madison also said there would 
be a plaque in honor of Captain 
Reginald Desiderio, whom the 
area is named, killed in the 
Korean War. He posthumously 
received the Medal of Honor in 
1950.

 City Manager Michael Beck 
called the project an oasis 
in the middle of an urban 
environment,” you’ve got the 
beautiful Colorado Street 
Bridge, staring up at the 
amazing [federal] courthouse in 
Pasadena,” he said. 

 Demolition of the former 
U.S. Army Reserve Center is 
expected to be completed in 
December.


PWP to 
Discuss 
Pasadena 
and the 
Drought

2015 Rose Queen and Royal Court

Rueibin Chen to Perform 
at Autumn Moon Gala

Chamber Votes to Oppose 
Minimum Wage Increase

 Interim General Manager for 
Pasadena Water and Power, 
Eric Klinkner, will kick off 
the start of the new club 
year for The Women’s Civic 
League of Pasadena with a 
presentation on “Pasadena 
and the Drought” on Monday, 
September 14 at noon. 

 A 23-year veteran in the 
utility industry, Klinkner has 
been with Pasadena Water 
and Power since 1995, a 
community-owned utility 
serving more than 125,000 
customers. His utility 
experience covers a wide range 
that includes power generation, 
transmission, trading and 
scheduling, water and power 
conservation, renewable 
resource procurement, and 
environmental and strategic 
policy development. Early 
in his career, Klinkner was 
instrumental in preparing 
Pasadena’s electric system for 
deregulation and participation 
in the California Independent 
System Operator markets. In 
2000, Klinkner was promoted 
to Assistant General Manager 
of Power Supply where he 
guided Pasadena through 
the energy crisis and was 
instrumental in diversifying 
Pasadena’s power supply to 
include a variety of renewable 
sources and more efficient local 
generation. In 2004, Klinkner 
was selected as Deputy 
General Manager, where 
he spearheaded significant 
increases in Pasadena’s energy 
efficiency, water conservation, 
and solar incentive programs. 
Today, Pasadena ranks 
amongst the highest levels 
of energy efficiency and 
renewable resource goals in 
the state.

 Klinkner serves on the Board 
of the Southern California 
Public Power Authority, 
the Intermountain Power 
Authority Coordinating 
Committee, and is a member 
of the Pasadena Rotary Club.

 The Women’s City Club of 
Pasadena, is at 160 N. Oakland 
Avenue.

 For more information, 
contact Catherine Haskett 
Hany (626) 793-7454

 The USC Pacific Asia Museum 
announced Wednesday that 
celebrated classical pianist 
Rueibin Chen will be the 
featured performer at their 38th 
Annual Festival of the Autumn 
Moon Gala on October 3, 
2015, an event that honors the 
Museum and its devotion to the 
arts of Asia and the Pacific Rim.

 Art lovers, donors, and 
collectors from throughout 
Southern California will 
gather to support USC PAM 
and the arts. This year’s theme, 
“Celebrating the Future and 
Honoring the Past,” highlights 
the upcoming special exhibition 
Royal Taste: The Art of Princely 
Courts in 15th Century China, 
opening February 2016, 
and commemorates two key 
Museum leaders who passed 
away this year: founding 
board president Margaret 
“Peg” Palmer (1915-2015) 
and founding director Lennox 
Tierney (1914-2015).

 


 

 At a recent meeting, the Board 
of Directors of the Pasadena 
Chamber of Commerce, 
voted unanimously to oppose 
increasing the minimum 
wage in Pasadena. Citing two 
studies performed for the 
Chamber and a peer-review 
of that work, Board members, 
representing small, medium 
and large businesses in diverse 
sectors of our local economy, 
cited potential negative impacts 
on the local economy, risks to 
employment, impacts on the 
local retail, hospitality and 
healthcare industries, as well as 
youth employment, in making 
their decision.

 Pasadena Chamber Board 
members clearly stated that 
imposing the Los Angeles 
minimum wage model in 
Pasadena would harm workers, 
local small businesses and pose 
a threat to our local economy.

 “Recognizing that only 13,700 
Pasadena residents work in the 
city, and that a much smaller 
subset of those are breadwinners 
that earn minimum wage, 
Chamber Board members 
chose to support the Pasadena 
economy in opposing the Los 
Angeles minimum wage model 
here,” said Pasadena Chamber 
CEO and President Paul Little. 
“We received analysis from 
graduate scholars at Johns 
Hopkins University and Boston 
College, and requested a peer 
review by a retired Ph.D. in 
economics. The conclusions 
were the same: raising the 
minimum wage in Pasadena, 
following the Los Angeles 
model, would be detrimental to 
our local economy, negatively 
impact a significant portion 
of our small, locally owned 
businesses, result in fewer 
employment opportunities for 
our economically impacted 
residents. Raising the minimum 
wage here, following the LA 
model, would have little, if any, 
impact on poverty in our city.”

 The Pasadena Chamber 
polled its members about 
the impact of importing the 
Los Angeles minimum wage 
model to Pasadena. While not 
a scientifically valid poll, 69.4 
percent of the respondents 
indicated the increase to $15 
per hour by 2020 would have 
a negative impact on their 
businesses. When asked, 
Chamber member companies 
said they would cope with the 
increased costs by reducing 
their workforce, cutting hours 
for existing workers, raising 
prices and not filling vacant 
positions.

 Loss of jobs, decreased 
hours for workers, 
negative impact on 
small business and 
local economy cited as 
determining factors in 
decision

Free Upcoming Events at 
Pasadena Senior Center

 

 There is something for 
everyone in September 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.

 Stay Connected with 
Social Media – Tuesdays and 
Thursdays, through Sept. 
29, 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. 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, 
through Sept. 29, from 10 to 
11 a.m. Get the answers you 
need about technology devices, 
whether you own them already 
or are considering a purchase.

 Memories in the Making – 
Mondays, Sept. 14 to Oct. 
19, at 10 a.m. This fun and 
engaging activity can turn into 
your new hobby! Memories 
in the Making is a program 
developed by the Alzheimer’s 
Association for people with 
early stage dementias so they 
can preserve distant memories 
and capture precious moments 
through art. Instead of teaching 
new concepts, this program 
focuses on skills that remain. 
No previous artistic experience 
is necessary. Reservations are 
required: 626-685-6733.

 Parkinson’s Education Group 
– Tuesdays, Sept. 15, 22 and 
29, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. This 
education and support class 
explores diagnosis, treatment, 
maintaining mobility and 
quality of life. Speakers will 
include speech, occupational, 
physical and speech therapists. 
Registration is encouraged but 
not required. 626-685-6730. 
Walk-ins are welcome.

 Chair Yoga – Wednesday, 
Sept. 16, at 1 p.m. Improve your 
balance, strength and flexibility 
at this gentle and meditative 
class taught by Kathy Eastwood, 
a certified yoga instructor and a 
registered nurse at Huntington 
Hospital. Due to popular 
demand, this class is limited to 
the first 25 participants. Register 
in advance at the Welcome Desk 
or by calling 626-795-4331.

 Five Wishes/Advance 
Directives – Thursday, Sept. 
17, at 10 a.m. Do you know 
what kind of care you want if 
you become seriously ill? By 
filling out a simple form, you 
can tell your family and friends 
about your healthcare wishes 
ahead of time and spare them 
the uncertainty and confusion 
that can be associated with 
trying to make decisions 
without such a directive. Learn 
how a healthcare power of 
attorney is used in California 
and how to communicate your 
wishes using a concise yet 
comprehensive document. This 
class will highlight Five Wishes, 
the advance directive used by 
most doctors and health plans. 
Attendees will receive forms 
at no cost. Presented by Vitas 
Innovative Hospice Care.

 Low Vision Screenings – 
Thursday, Sept. 17, from 10 
a.m. to 2 p.m. Low vision 
screenings are designed to assist 
partially sighted people in the 
selection of magnifiers and other 
devices to improve reading and 
other visual tasks. Registration 
is required in advance for one-
hour appointments: 626-795-
4331. Presented by the Braille 
Institute.

 Health Fair – Friday, Sept. 
18, from 9 to 11 a.m. A new 
medical safety identification 
plan, sponsored by New York 
Life, has been added to the 
popular monthly health fair. 
Bring your list of medications, 
doctors and emergency contacts 
and they will be placed on a 
personal identification card 
at no cost. Other health fair 
services include glucose, blood 
pressure and hearing screenings 
as well as counseling and health 
and community resources. For 
more information call 626-685-
6732.

Pet of the 
Week

 
Marigold (A383273) is 
a gorgeous two-year-old 
black and white female DSH 
who is as outgoing as she 
is pretty. She is definitely a 
super social and affectionate 
cat! This love bug also 
gets along with other cats! 
Marigold is already spayed, 
microchipped, and fully 
vaccinated so she is ready 
to go home with you today. 
Get your lap ready for some 
cuddle time! Marigold is 
available for adoption at Pet 
Food Express, 320 S Lake 
Ave, Pasadena. 

 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.

Public Library to Showoff 
Array of Electric Cars

 Pasadena Public Library 
is Exploring New Roads in 
technology, with sustainable 
and alternative fuel vehicles on 
Saturday, September 19 from 1 
to 5 p.m. at Central Library, 285 
E. Walnut St. Join us to see an 
array of electric cars up close, 
including a TESLA, a 2016 
Chevy Volt, Pasadena Water 
and Power’s (PWP’s) BMW i3 
and Prius, and Caltech’s Electric 
Go-Kart. Enjoy presentations 
by alternative-vehicle experts 
(see the schedule below), and 
browse through special exhibits 
provided by Pasadena’s Water 
and Power and Transportation 
Departments. A new electric 
car charging station will be 
unveiled in Central Library’s 
north parking lot.

 Special Presentations

 New Technology at Pasadena 
Public Library

 Library Director Jan Sanders 
highlights the library’s recent 
technological advancements. 1 
p.m. 1:15 p.m. Donald Wright 
Auditorium

 Formula SAE Electric

 Presented by the Caltech 
Sustainable Vehicle Club 
1:15 p.m. Donald Wright 
Auditorium

 Future of Transportation 
Design

Presented by Stewart Reed, 
Chair, Transportation Design, 
Art Center College of Design

2 p.m. Donald Wright 
Auditorium

 Video: “What is the Electric 
Car?” followed by highlights 
from the new book, What is 
the Electric Car? 72 Reasons 
to Drive Electric Presented 
by Scott DuPont, Producer 
and Author, followed by Q & 
A. Books will be available for 
sale. 3 p.m. Donald Wright 
Auditorium

Reimagine Electric

Presented by TESLA Car 
Company 4 p.m. Donald 
Wright Auditorium

 For more information contact 
cakk (626) 744-7076. 

Working 
With Home 
Remodeling 
Contractors

 Looking to remodel your 
home? Join us on Saturday, 
September 26, 3 p.m. at Linda 
Vista Branch Library, 1281 
Bryant Street and pick up tips 
on working with contractors 
from the experts at Slate Ltd.

 This free educational seminar 
provides homeowners with 
information critical to the 
success of a home remodeling 
project from finding and 
hiring the right contractor to 
on-time, in-budget quality 
outcomes. 

 For more information contact 
Deborah Takahashi at (626) 
744-7278 or dtakahashi@
cityofpasadena.net or Robin 
Reidy at (626) 744-7278 or 
rreidy@cityofpasadena.net.

Mountain Views News 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