Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 13, 2016

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 13, 2016 

COUNCIL 
APPROVED 
LEVEL 4 
WATER 
SHORTAGE

Music Industry Trade Show 
NAMM Goes Island Style


Mayor 
Announces 
Mermell as 
Interim City 
Manager

By Dean Lee

 Among the hundreds of venders 
showing off their latest gear in 
everything from Electric Violins 
to digital audio work stations 
to grand pianos it was some of 
the lesser, but no less important, 
Hawaiian instruments that were 
the talk of this year’s National 
Association of Music Merchants 
show in Anaheim. 

 “I wouldn’t say [ukulele 
popularity] it’s about Hawaiian 
music, although I do play 
that,” local ukulele instructor 
Bartt Warburton said after a 
jam session with a friend at 
the Blackbird Guitar booth. “I 
travel all over the world and its 
popular everywhere because 
it’s very easy to learn, it’s really 
fun to play and if you can pick 
up enough knowledge about 
it to play your favorite songs 
and in a couple of months your 
strumming along.” 

 Blackbird, a San Francisco 
company, is known for making 
ukuleles and other instruments 
out of carbon fiber and a leader 
in non-wood guitars. 

 Other standouts at NAMM 
included companies such as, 
Kamaka Ukuleles, BugsGear 
plastic ukuleles, the magic fluke 
ukulele, Asher Guitars/ Lap 
Steels and Duesenberg Pomona 
6, a lap steel guitar, with an 
easy-slide capo allowing the 
instrument to be adjusted to 
different open tunings. 

 Even Gibson got into the 
Hawaiian grove unveiling a new 
Epiphone Electar Inspired by 
the “1939” Century Lap Steel. 

 Brian Kiernan owner of 
Kiernan Music in Old Town 
Kainaliu–Kona on the Big 
Island Hawaii said, in Hawaii, 
music is a staple of the culture 
but outside the islands Hawaiian 
music’s popularity cycles.

 “Ukuleles are a good example, 
ukuleles have surged in 
popularity four or five times over 
the last 100 years,” Kiernan said. 
“The last 10 years, we’ve seen a 
real resurgence and it doesn’t 
seem like its diminishing. In 
Hawaii we say what trends? It’s 
always been there.” 

 Kiernan said the Hawaiian lap 
steel [a guitar played lying flat] 
has also been a large influence to 
music in general.

 “A lot of people don’t realize 
that the Hawaiian style lap steel 
was adopted by the country 
music community, brought to 
Nashville and evolved into the 
petal steels,” he said. 

 As part of Kamaka ukulele 
celebrating their 100th year 
in business, the company had 
a number of world renowned 
ukulele players perform at 
their both including, Jake 
Shimabukuro and Taimane 
Gardner. Ukulele artist, and 
good friend of Warburton, 
Brittni Paiva also played.

 Kamaka is the maker of the 
original pineapple ukulele and 
the last family run ukulele 
maker in Hawaii with its factory 
in Honolulu. They had their first 
pineapple ukulele on display. 

 Warburton said it was George 
Harrison of the Beatles that 
inspired him to play the ukulele, 
“He played it like I’ve never 
heard and I said, wow I want to 
do that.” 

 He said he teaches Los Angeles 
Unified School District teachers 
how to play the ukulele. He 
also said the plastic ukulele is 
making a big comeback, “One in 
particular I play it’s BugsGear, I 
really dig those, I leave it in the 
car, bring it to the beach, it’s not 
going to get thrashed.” 

 Warburton said there are about 
700 players in his ukulele meetup 
in Altadena at the Coffee Gallery 
Backstage, “thank goodness they 
all don’t go at once because there 
wouldn’t be the room.”

 At Monday night’s Grammys 
two Hawaiian music albums 
are up for awards, “La La La 
La” by Natalie Ai Kamauu 
and “Kawaiokalena” by Keali‘i 
Reichel. 

 This year’s NAMM show ran 
Jan. 21 through Jan.24 at the 
Anaheim Convention Center 
with nearly 100,000 attendees 
and more than 1,700 venders 
showcasing over 5,100 brands. 

 You can find out more about 
the meetups, held the first 
Saturday each month at the 
Coffee Gallery Backstage on 
Lake Ave. by visiting meetup.
com/UkuleleBartt.

 Local Altadena 
Musician “Ukulele 
Bart” explains the 
huge comeback of 
the small Hawaiian 
instrument, the 
ukulele.

 Effective February 25 through 
March 10, the Metropolitan 
Water District (MWD) 
will be shutting down their 
Weymouth Treatment Plant to 
conduct planned upgrades to 
the facility. The shutdown will 
affect Pasadena from receiving 
its imported water delivery, 
which provides 60 percent of 
the City’s overall water supply. 

 The City Council approved 
a temporary adoption and 
implementation of its Level 4 
Water Supply Shortage Plan 
measures during the shutdown 
period. It is critical that 
Pasadena be able to preserve its 
drinking water as it will have 
to rely on local groundwater 
from our wells and water 
stored in our reservoirs. 
Without strong conservation 
during this period, Pasadena 
will not have a sufficient water 
supply during the shutdown 
period. 

 The implementation of 
the Level 4 Shortage Plan 
status prohibits the use of all 
outdoor watering, including 
the use of hand watering. The 
City will continue to do its 
part to conserve water and 
during this time period will 
not conduct any scheduled 
water quality flushing, new 
service connections, and fire 
flow testing. During the last 
MWD Shutdown in 2013, 
a Level 4 Shortage Plan 
was implemented and the 
City received tremendous 
compliance from the 
community. We are asking for 
the same support this year. 

 Although we are prohibiting 
all outdoor watering during 
the 15-day period, below are 
some additional things you 
can do to assist during the 
shutdown. 

 - Take 5 minute showers or 
less. 

 - Do not leave the water 
running when washing dishes. 

 - Do not leave water running 

 Pasadena Mayor Terry 
Tornek announced this week 
that Assistant City Manager 
Steve Mermell has been 
appointed by the city council 
to serve as interim city 
manager. Mermell assumes 
his new duties effective 
Monday replacing outgoing 
City Manager Michael Beck, 
who has accepted a new 
position as Administrative 
Vice Chancellor for UCLA.

 The unanimous decision 
by the council was made 
Monday night.

 “The Council has full faith 
and confidence that Steve 
will continue the tradition 
of providing outstanding 
executive leadership for the 
organization and in service to 
our residents and businesses,” 
Tornek said.

 Mermell has devoted his 
government service career 
to Pasadena, having joined 
the City first in 1989. He 
has served in a variety of 
positions for several City 
departments before being 
appointed in 2008 as one of 
two Assistant City Managers.

 “I’m honored that the City 
Council has appointed me 
to serve as Interim City 
Manager. I want to thank 
Michael Beck for selecting 
me as Assistant City 
Manager seven years ago; I 
would not be in this position 
if not for him. Pasadena is 
an incredible city and I look 
forward to leading our team 
of dedicated employees in 
continued service to our 
community,” Mermell said.

 Mermell was recommended 
as the preferred choice by the 
City Council Ad Hoc Search 
Committee. The Committee 
includes the Mayor and 
Councilmembers Victor 
Gordo, Tyron Hampton 
and Margaret McAustin. 
The appointment was 
unanimously approved by 
the City Council, including 
the setting of an annual 
salary at $260,000.

 At the Council’s Monday 
night meeting, the firm of 
Bob Murray and Associates 
was selected to help in 
the recruitment process 
for a new, permanent 
replacement. ’s Ad Hoc 
Search Committee will now 
focus on the recruitment. 

 The public is encouraged to 
provide their input regarding 
the qualities they believe the 
next city manager should 
have More details will be 
posted soon on the City’s 
website.

Mermell

Beck

Closures and 
Reminders 
for Lincoln, 
Washington 
Birthdays

City’s 34th Annual Black 
History Parade, Festival

 Pasadena residents and 
businesses are reminded 
that City Hall and many City 
services will be closed Friday, 
in observance of Lincoln’s 
birthday, and Monday, F, 
for Washington’s Birthday. 
Specific closures, reminders 
and exceptions are listed 
below.

 The Pasadena City Council 
will not meet Monday, Feb. 15.

 The City’s Citizen Service 
Center, (626) 744-7311, www.
cityofpasadena.net/CSC, will 
remain open both days, 8 a.m. 
to 2 p.m., for calls from the 
public.

 The Pasadena Public Health 
Department’s Travel and 
Immunization Clinic will be 
closed Feb. 15 and will return 
to normal business hours Feb. 
17. For more information, call 
(626) 744-6121.

 Pasadena residents and 
businesses with any power 
emergencies should call the 
Pasadena Water and Power 
(PWP) Department at (626) 
744-4673 and for water-related 
emergencies call (626) 744-
4138. 

 The City’s Municipal Services 
Payment Center at City Hall 
will be closed both days, as will 
the Parking Office, for citation 
payments, at 221 E. Walnut St.

 Trash, recycling and yard 
waste pickups will be on the 
regular schedule, with no 
bulky item pickups on either 
holiday date.

 On Feb. 15 all parking meters 
will be free, and parking time 
limits will not be enforced. 
Parking meter enforcement 
will resume Feb. 16. Violations 
for red curb parking, overnight 
parking and blocking fire 
hydrants will continue to be 
enforced on both holidays.

 All Pasadena Public Library 
sites will be closed Feb. 12 and 
Feb. 15 in observance of the 
holidays.

 All community centers 
operated by the City’s Human 
Services and Recreation 
Department will be closed 
both holidays. All parks will 
be open for picnics, fun and 
play, but no site reservations 
are accepted for the holidays.

 
Celebrate black history, 
culture and achievements at 
Pasadena’s 34th annual Black 
History Parade and Festival 
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 
Feb. 20. The festive celebration 
includes one of the biggest and 
longest-running Black History 
parades in California. Bring 
family and friends to enjoy 
upbeat parade performances 
and plenty of free post-parade 
fun and entertainment. This 
year’s theme is “Footprints in 
the Past – Stepping Stones to 
Our Future.”

 The parade begins at 10 a.m. at 
Charles White Park, Fair Oaks 
Avenue and Ventura Street in 
Altadena; then heads south on 
Fair Oaks Avenue before ending 
at Pasadena’s Robinson Park, 
1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., where 
the festival takes place from 
12-4 p.m. on the north side of 
the park on Hammond Street.

 More than 80 entries will be 
featured in the parade, with 
participants traveling from 
as far as Bakersfield and San 
Diego. Featured acts include 
the Wilson Middle School 
Marching Band, New Buffalo 
Soldiers, local dance and drill 
teams, car and motorcycle 
clubs, musicians, community 
dignitaries and City officials.

 The Celebrity Grand Marshals 
for the parade are members 
of the local rhythm and blues 
group “Troop.” Community 
Grand Marshals are 
centenarians Charles Johnson 
and Corrie Harris, who are 
among the oldest known 
African-Americans residing in 
the Pasadena area.

 The parade will be recorded in 
its entirety by Pasadena Media, 
one of the event sponsors, and 
will air on both KPAS, the 
City government TV station, 
and The Arroyo public access 
station serving Pasadena. 

 The festival begins immediately 
after the parade and concludes 
at 4 p.m. 

 The following streets will 
be closed for the parade and 
festival.

 Hammond Street, between 
Morton Avenue and Fair Oaks 
Avenue, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

 Fair Oaks Avenue, between 
Woodbury Road and Mountain 
Street, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

 Mountain Street, between 
Raymond Avenue and Morton 
Avenue, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

 Morton Avenue, between 
Glorieta Street and Hammond 
Street, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

For more information 
contact the Jackie Robinson 
Community Center at (626) 
744-7300.

Pet of the 
Week

 
Walter (A391266) is a 
seven-year-old, male, 
brown and white tabby 
mix. He is a social and 
affectionate senior, who 
will head bump your hand 
for attention. Even though 
he can be somewhat shy at 
first, once Walter warms to 
you, he will be your new 
best friend! Walter qualifies 
for our Seniors for Seniors 
Program, which waives the 
adoption fee for adopters 
age 60 and up. The $20 
mandatory microchip fee 
still applies. Since Walter is 
already neutered, he would 
be able to 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.

(left) Brittni Paiva and (right) Bartt Warburton aka, UkuleleBartt. 
Photo D. Lee /MVNews 

Free February Events at 
Pasadena Senior Center

 There is something for 
everyone in February 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.

 Senior Safety Awareness – 
Thursday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. 
Safety awareness is vital to help 
you minimize your chances of 
becoming a victim of crime. Sgt. 
Chris Gutierrez of the Pasadena 
Police Department will provide 
tips for staying safe at home, on 
the street and in your car.

 Health Fair – Friday, Feb. 19, 
from 9 to 11 a.m. A medical 
safety identification plan 
sponsored by New York Life 
has been added to our 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.

 Stay Connected with 
Social Media – Tuesdays and 
Thursdays, through Feb. 
25, 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 Feb. 25, from 10 to 
11 a.m. Get the answers you 
need about technology devices, 
whether you own them already 
or are considering a purchase. 
Learning how to text, check 
voicemail, set an alarm, navigate 
the Internet and download apps 
is easier than you may think!

 Tax Time – Wednesdays and 
Fridays, to April 15, from 9 
to 10:45 a.m. Representatives 
from the AARP Foundation’s 
Tax-Aide program will assist 
low- to middle-income seniors 
ages 50 and older in preparing 
their federal income tax returns. 
Appointments are required: 
626-795-4331.

 

 In an effort to make our roads 
safer, the Pasadena Police 
Department is deploying extra 
traffic enforcement officers 
on Friday, to stop distracted 
driving. Pasadena police officers 
are spreading the message that 
distracted drivers are not only 
a danger to themselves, but 
everyone else on the road. 

 According to police, using 
any electronic device, while 
driving, is a serious safety 
problem. In 2012, 3,328 people 
were killed and 421,000 were 
injured nationwide in crashes 
involving a distracted driver. 
That same year, eleven percent 
of fatal crashes were reported as 
distraction-affected crashes. 

In a national survey, almost half 
(48 percent) of drivers say they 
answer their cell phones while 
driving at least some of the time, 
and more than half of those (58 
percent) continue to drive after 
answering the call. Your Police 
Department recommends the 
following safety measures: 

 You can: 

 • turn off electronic devices 
and put them out of reach 
before starting to drive 

 • speak up when you are a 
passenger and your driver 
uses an electronic device while 
driving. Offer to make the call 
for the driver, so his or her full 
attention stays on the driving 
task 

 Parents can: 

 • be good role models for 
young drivers and set a good 
example. Talk with your teens 
about responsible driving 

 • If you know your teen is 
on the road – don’t call or text 
them until you know they have 
reached their destination 

 Employers can: 

 • Adopt, publicize, and enforce 
company policies that prohibit 
employees from texting or 
talking on hand-held cell 
phones while in a company 
vehicle or, in a personal vehicle 
while using a company issued 
cell phone.

Police to 
Look for 
Distracted 
Drivers

Humane 
Society Red 
Carpet Pets

 Join the Pasadena Humane 
Society Oscar weekend to 
celebrate our adoptable Red 
Carpet Pets. Festivities include 
adoption specials, goodie bags 
for new pet owners, and a 
red carpet photo opportunity 
with your newly adopted pet. 
Black tie optional. Adoption 
hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 
p.m. on Saturday, February 27 
and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 
Sunday, February 28. Adoption 
includes the spay/neuter 
surgery, microchip and first set 
of vaccines. Regular screening 
applies. Pasadena Humane 
Society 361 S. Raymond Ave.

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