VOTE ON TUESDAY, APRIL 12th AS IF THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE 

DEPENDS ON IT................BECAUSE IT DOES! See Page 4 for more information


SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2016

VOLUME 10 NO. 15

SIERRA MADRE CELEBRATES EARTH DAY

OPPONENTS OF SIERRA MADRE UTILITY TAX 
TERMINATE CAMPAIGN BEFORE ELECTION DAY

This April 22nd is Earth Day. 
The City is inviting residents to 
join a number of environmentally 
sustainable events occurring 
in Sierra Madre throughout 
the next few weeks. 

 

Saturday, April 9th – 

Free Water Efficient Toilet 
Exchange 

Sierra Madre residents are 
welcome to pick up their free 
water-efficient toilets at Alverno 
High School located at 
200 N. Michillinda Ave. The 
event takes place from 9:00 – 
11:00AM. Sierra Madre Rotary 
Club’s Interact Club members 
will be on hand to load your free 
toilet. Residents must install 
their toilets within three weeks 
and return their old toilets to 
the same location between the 
hours of 9:00 - 11:00AM on Saturday, 
April 30. Click here to 
learn more. 

 

Saturday, April 23rd – Bailey Canyon Clean-Up 
Event 

For several years, the Sierra Madre Environmental 
Action Council (SMEAC) has coordinated two 
clean-up events per year. The next event takes 
place on April 23 from 8:00AM – 12:00PM. Volunteers 
are asked to wear closed-toed shoes and 
comfortable clothing, and bring gloves and garden 
tools. Bailey Canyon Wilderness Park is located at 
451 W. Carter Avenue, at the top of Grove Street. 

 

Saturday, April 23rd – Free Compost Give-a-Way 

Athens Services is pleased to provide free compost 
to Sierra Madre residents. On April 23 from 
9:00AM – 12:00PM, Athens will provide compost 
that is a blend of organic material, including food 
waste. It is OMRI Listed, licensed by the California 
Department of Food and Agriculture and approved 
for use in agricultural operations certified 
organic under the USDA National Organic Program. 
Residents will need to bring their own sturdy 
containers. Plastic bags are not allowed. This is 
a self-service event and shovels will be provided. 
There is a 30 gallon limit during the first hour, and 
then unlimited compost until supply is gone. The 
compost will be located in Sierra Vista Park (611 
E. Sierra Madre Blvd.) on the western portion of 
the park near the tennis courts, just below the 
Rose Float Building. 

 

Sunday, May 22nd – Free Electronic Waste 
Recycling 

Alverno High School (200 N. Michillinda Ave.) 
will be the site of the upcoming free “E-Waste” 
recycling event. Details are still being worked out 
as for the time of the event, so please save the date 
and contact Alverno High School for additional 
information. 

 

Sierra Madre’s “Fantastic Front Yards” 

You may have noticed some of the beautiful 
drought-tolerant landscaping that has evolved 
throughout our community. Throughout Sierra 
Madre residents are doing their part to conserve 
water and working towards getting the City back 
onto its own source of drinking water. The Energy, 
Environment & Natural Resources Commission is 
seeking to compile a list of these wonderful sites. 

 

The Commission is now accepting nominations 
and contact information for residents that would 
like to be part of a future water conservation campaign 
that may include: a tour of drought-tolerant 
landscapes, website gallery, print brochure, and/
or other recognition. Locations will require the 
permission of the owner to be included in any future 
publicity. To nominate your beautiful front 
yard, or to nominate that great looking yard you 
see every day on your way to work or school, 
please email James Carlson at: jcarlson@cityofsierramadre.
com or call 626-355-7135 ext. 803. 

 
Suspicions abound that the termination is a move to discourage voter 
turn out.

 Earlier this week, Sandra Siraganian, Treasurer for the “Citizens For An Affordable Sierra Madre 
No On Measure UUT 2016” campaign filed the termination report with the Sierra Madre City Clerk 
Nancy Shollenberger a move which generally indicates that a campaign has abandoned their efforts. 
The committee, which lists no other officers, lists a Pasadena address and has an email address that has 
been associated with the Pasadena TeaPac. 
The group did distribute a mailer with their position and there are signs throughout Sierra 
Madre showcasing the NO on Measure UUT position. Sources have indicated that the belief is that if 
residents feel that the opposition has withdrawn, voter turnout will be low and the measure may not 
pass. In 2014, the previous attempt to modify the existing UUT failed with less than 75 votes. 
Campaign officials for YES on UUT say they will continue to educate residents on the merits 
of a Yes vote and the consequences should the measure fail. 
It should be noted that of the six contributors to the No of Measure UUT effort, two, 
Mike Amerior and Barry Gold, are running for elected office. Neither indicated their position on the 
measure in the ballot statements presented to the public.

RAIN OR SHINE, HUCK FINN IS THIS 
WEEKEND 

 We aren’t letting a little rain get in the way of a fun weekend. Rain or shine, Huck Finn events will 
continue as planned! So far lightning 
storms are not predicted in the forecast, 
which is the only potential cause for 
cancellation. 

 Fishing Derby 

Saturday, April 9 

Time: 7:00AM – 11:30AM 

On-site registration is $12 per youth 

Open to participants 3-15 years of age 

Certificates and trophies awarded to participants 
who catch the heaviest fish 

Fly fishing demonstrations from the 
Pasadena Casting Club 

Food provided by the Sierra Madre 
Kiwanis Club available for purchase 

Family Fishing 

Saturday, April 9 
12:30PM – 4:00PM 

Sunday, April 10 
7:00AM – 1:00PM 

$22 for a family of four (separate admission 
required for each day) 

Open to participants of all ages 

No catch limit 


By Donna Packer 

Expansive lawns are disappearing and gardens 
are evolving and adapting to a new 
normal of limited water resources. Landscapes 
are reduced to the basic elements 
of sun, soil, rocks, plants, trees and water. 
And here-in lies the hidden gem, the ingenuity, 
the inspiration and the art of the 
garden. 

Creative Arts Group’s 22nd annual “Art of 
the Garden” tour will take place Sunday, 
April 17th from 10:30-4:30 pm. Six gardens 
representing Pasadena, La Canada, 
Altadena and Sierra Madre will be showcased 
featuring the best in drought-tolerant 
design, lush verdant landscapes and 
everything in between. 

Textures play an important role in dry-climate landscapes. 
Plants are featured when placed in pockets of decomposed 
granite. Combinations of native and sun-loving non-native 
shrubs provide year-round interest and soften contoured 
swales designed to capture run-off and return it to the water 
table. Trees provide shelter from the sun and a welcoming haven 
for birds. Recirculating water features create an oasis in a 
dry climate and lend a musical note to the garden. Innovations 
such as subterranean irrigation which delivers water directly 
to plant roots will be featured by leaders in 
drought-tolerant design. 

Exotic plants and lush grounds are the garden 
domain of passionate collectors and provide a 
different kind of oasis. Landscapes that transport 
you to a different era slow down the hurly 
burly pace of life, enveloping and restoring a 
sense of calm. Rooms defined by plant specimens 
open up one onto another and beckon 
you into a verdant world that invites curiosity 
and wonder. Formal parterre gardens, classic 
sculpture, exuberant and colorful flora invigorate 
and complement an historic estate. 

A world of garden designs exist between these 
divergent landscapes. Lawns still provide 
green space for entertaining or play, but are 
increasingly designed as an accessory rather 
than the focus of a landscape. Dining terraces, 
fireside seating and intimate areas for entertaining 
extend our living space and coax us outdoors in our 
mild year-round climate. Inspiration abounds in these six 
landscapes featured on this year’s tour. 

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the tour. For 
more information call Creative Arts Group at (626) 355-
8350 or visit us at 108 N. Baldwin Ave. in the foothill village 
of Sierra Madre, or online at www.creativeartsgroup.org 


ELEMENTS OF STYLE – GARDENS RE-IMAGINED