Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 27, 2016

5


Mountain View News Saturday, August 27, 2016


STRETCH OF I-210 NAMED 
AFTER JACKIE ROBINSON

PASADENA 
DOCTOR 
SENTENCED IN 
HEALTHCARE 
SCHEME

 
The State Assembly officially 
named a stretch of Interstate 
210 Tuesday after Brooklyn 
Dodgers Hall of Famer and 
second baseman Jackie 
Robinson, of Pasadena. 

 By a unanimous vote, the bill 
creates the “Jackie Robinson 
Memorial Highway,” a 4.2 
miles stretch of Interstate 210 
between Gould Ave and Orange 
Grove Blvd, a commonly used 
route to Dodger Stadium for 
fans coming from Eastern Los 
Angeles County.

 “This is another great honor 
and tribute to a man who 
made a major impact on our 
nation,” said Naomi Rodriguez, 
Dodgers’ Vice President 
of External Affairs and 
Community Relations. “It is 
certainly fitting that this stretch 
of freeway is in Pasadena, where 
Jackie grew up.”

 Jackie Robinson is best known 
for breaking the color barrier 
in baseball when he debuted 
with the Brooklyn Dodgers 
in 1947 and for having his 
number, “42” retired by all of 
Major League baseball. But 
before becoming a big-leaguer, 
Robinson excelled in basketball, 
football, baseball, and track at 
John Muir (Pasadena) High 
School and Pasadena City 
College. He then transferred to 
the University of California at 
Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1939, 
where he became the first Bruin 
to letter in four sports: baseball, 
basketball, football, and track.

 ACR 197, was authored 
by Assemblyman Mike 
Gatto (D-Los Angeles) and 
co-authored by Pasadena 
Assemblyman Chis Holden. 

 “It’s only fitting to honor 
Jackie Robinson by naming 
this stretch of highway near the 
home he grew up and lived in,” 
said Gatto. “The sacrifices and 
differences he made will always 
be remembered.”

Doctor falsely claims 
healthy patients as 
terminally ill in $8.8 
million scheme

 A doctor from Pasadena 
who falsely certified that at 
least 79 Medicare and Medi-
Cal patients were qualified 
for hospice care because they 
were terminally ill – when, in 
fact, the vast majority of them 
were not dying – has been 
sentenced last week to four 
years in federal prison.

 Boyao Huang, 43, was 
sentenced on Aug. 15 by 
United States District Judge 
S. James Otero. In addition 
to the prison term, Judge 
Otero ordered Huang to pay 
$1,344,204 in restitution.

 At the conclusion of 
a two-week trial in May, 
Huang was found guilty of 
four counts of health care 
fraud for participating in a 
scheme related to the Covina-
based California Hospice Care 
(CHC). Between March 2009 
and June 2013, CHC submitted 
approximately $8.8 million in 
fraudulent bills to Medicare 
and Medi-Cal for hospice-
related services, and the public 
health programs paid nearly 
$7.4 million to CHC.

 “This scheme preyed 
upon dozens of patients and 
their families who were led 
to believe that their worst 
nightmare had come true – that 
they had life-ending illnesses,” 
said United States Attorney 
Eileen M. Decker. “Criminals 
such as the defendants in this 
case who steal from taxpayers 
by defrauding the Medicare 
system and who victimize 
vulnerable individuals like 
medical patients deserve 
significant prison sentences.”

 By the time the scheme 
was shut down in June 2013, 
Medicare and Medi-Cal 
had paid millions of dollars 
for medically unnecessary 
hospice-related services.

 The investigation 
into California Hospice was 
conducted by the United 
States Department of Health 
and Human Services, Office of 
Inspector General; the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation; the 
California Bureau of Medi-Cal 
Fraud & Elder Abuse; and IRS 
Criminal Investigation.

PUBLIC BIDS FAREWELL TO LIBRARY DIRECTOR

By Dean Lee

 After 11 years as Pasadena 
Director of Libraries and 
Information Services and 45 
years in library leadership, Jan 
Sanders, said goodbye during 
a public celebration for her 
retirement —Friday was her last 
day in the office.

Over those years, Sanders said 
she has seen a dramatic change 
in Libraries.

 “The first big inception was the 
internet, we didn’t have internet 
when I started.” she said. “Just 
having that as a resource.”

She also said, right now, the roll 
of libraries in the community 
has changed, “from being a 
repository of materials to being 
really community centered, 
using it for meeting, creation, all 
kinds of stuff”

 Sanders said their involvement 
with Art Night would be a good 
example.

 Sanders said she felt she was 
leaving the Libraries in a good 
position, “they are ready to go.”

 Of the things she said she would 
miss, the staff topped her list, “I 
will miss being around this great 
swath of people, we have really 
exemplary professional staff,” 
she said.

 Sanders said she will not 
miss the 24 hour, seven day 
commitments she makes, 
“I’ve been really involved in 
the community and its often 
four nights a week and all day 
Saturdays and it will be nice to 
set a different pace.”

 Sanders said she plans to stay 
in Pasadena and will continue 
to be active in the community, 
“Just not government, I’ll still be 
active in Rotary and things.”

 Recent retired Library Director 
for the Rancho Cucamonga 
Public Library, Robert Karatsu 
will serve as Interim Library 
Director. Sanders said she 
knows Karatsu very well. 

 Pasadena City Manager 
Steve Mermell said they hope 
to have the director position 
permanently filled by the end of 
October.

 “We got a bunch of applicants 
and we cut that down to six or 
seven to do interviews and we’ll 
be doing those within the next 
couple of weeks,” he said. “So we 
could know by early October, 
then we have to negotiate 
contract.” Pictured (Middle) Jan 
Sanders, (left) Steve Mermell 
and (right) Pasadena Fire Chief, 
Bertral Washington. Photo, D. 
Lee/MVNews.

New Views from Mars Rover 
Shows ‘Murray Buttes’

Reward 
Offered in 
Shooting 
Death of 
4-Year-old

 
The Los Angeles County 
Board of Supervisors 
announced Thursday they are 
offering a $20,000 reward for 
information leading to the 
arrest of those responsible for 
the shooting death of a 4-year-
old Altadena boy last month.

 Investigators said an 
unidentified man fired at least 
13 shots, around 10:30 p.m., 
July 5 as he walked up and 
fired at victims on the porch 
of a home in the 300 block of 
Figueroa Drive. The boy, later 
identified as Salvador Esparza 
III, was pronounced dead at a 
nearby hospital. 

 Investigators believe the 
shooting was retaliation for 
an argument between the 
boyfriend of the child’s mother 
and other individuals.

 “We don’t have much of a 
description right now,” said 
Lt. John Corina Homicide 
Detective for the L.A. County 
Sheriff’s “we have a male 
black suspect who got into a 
dark colored car and drove off 
southbound on Olive Avenue.”

 Anyone with more 
information is asked to 
call Los Angeles County 
Sheriffs at (323) 890-5500. Or 
anonymous at Crime Stoppers 
(800) 222-8477.

 

 JPL Scientists revealed new 
photographs last week that 
show eroded mesas and 
buttes, reminiscent of the 
U.S. Southwest, in the latest 
360-degree color panorama 
from NASA’s Curiosity Mars 
rover.

 The rover used its Mast 
Camera (Mastcam) to capture 
dozens of component images of 
this scene on Aug. 5, four years 
after Curiosity’s landing inside 
Gale Crater.

 The visual drama of Murray 
Buttes along Curiosity’s 
planned route up lower Mount 
Sharp was anticipated when 
the site was informally named 
nearly three years ago to honor 
Caltech planetary scientist 
Bruce Murray (1931-2013), a 
former director of NASA’s Jet 
Propulsion Laboratory. JPL 
manages the Curiosity mission 
for NASA.

 The buttes and mesas are 
capped with rock that is 
relatively resistant to wind 
erosion. This helps preserve 
these monumental remnants of 
a layer that formerly more fully 
covered the underlying layer 
that the rover is now driving on.

 Early in its mission on Mars, 
Curiosity accomplished its 
main goal when it found and 
examined an ancient habitable 
environment. In an extended 
mission, the rover is examining 
successively younger layers as it 
climbs the lower part of Mount 
Sharp. A key goal is to learn 
how freshwater lake conditions, 
which would have been 
favorable for microbes billions 
of years ago if Mars has ever had 
life, evolved into harsher, arid 
conditions much less suited to 
supporting life. The mission is 
also monitoring the modern 
environment of Mars.

 These findings have been 
addressing high-priority goals 
for planetary science and 
further aid NASA’s preparations 
for a human mission to the Red 
Planet.

 The sweeping view that marks 
Curiosity’s arrival at “Murray 
Buttes” on lower Mount Sharp 
is online at: jpl.nasa.gov/
spaceimages.

POPS, Close Summer with 
a Salute to Warner Bros.


Todd Murray

Allison Briggs

 Pasadena Pops will close the 
summer with an annual movie 
night, September 10, paying 
tribute to the music inspired 
by the movie magic of Warner 
Bros. In typical Feinstein 
fashion, this sensational season 
finale will feature a showcase of 
singers and dancers recreating 
songs from films adapted 
from your favorite Broadway 
musicals including The Music 
Man, 42nd Street and Gypsy 
among others. 

 The orchestra will perform 
timeless silver screen classics 
from every decade of the 
Warner Bros. vault with 
“Hooray for 
Hollywood,” John Williams’ 
theme from the original 
Superman and many more. 

 Gates open at 5:30 for 
picnicking. Concert begins 
at 7:30pm at the LA County 
Arboretum, 301 N Baldwin 
Avenue. 

 Along with Michael Feinstein, 
Principal Pops Conductor, 
the event will feature Alan 
Bergman, Allyson Briggs, 
Lorna Luft and Todd Murray.

 For more information or tickets 
visit pasadenasymphony-pops.
org.

Pet of the 
Week


Free Events Roundup at the 
Pasadena Senior Center

‘The Tuners’ 
to Play Free 
in Altadena

 There is something for 
everyone at the Pasadena 
Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St. 
You do not have to be a member 
to attend. Some events require 
advance reservations. 

 Lower Your Cancer 
Risk Through Nutrition – 
Thursday, Sept. 1, at 10 a.m. 
Nutrition, weight management 
and a healthy lifestyle play 
active roles in lowering the 
risk of developing cancer. 
Learn about American Cancer 
Society guidelines for cancer 
prevention. Presented by Adern 
Yu, City of Hope.

 Friday Movie Matinees 
– Fridays, Sept. 2, 9, 16 and 
30, at 1 p.m. Everyone enjoys 
movies and the pleasures they 
bring. Sept. 2: “Me Before You” 
(2016, PG-13) starring Emilia 
Clark and Sam Claflin. A 
young woman in a small town 
forms an unlikely bond with a 
recently paralyzed man when 
she becomes his caretaker. Sept. 
9: “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 
2” (2016, PG-13) starring Nia 
Vardalos and John Corbett. A 
Portakalos family secret brings 
the beloved characters back 
together for an even bigger 
wedding. Sept. 16: “Casablanca” 
(1942, PG) starring Humphrey 
Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. 
A cynical American expatriate 
meets a former lover in Morocco 
in 1941 with unforeseen 
complications. Sept. 30: “The 
Letters” (2014, PG) starring 
Juliet Stevenson and Rutger 
Hauer. The life of Mother Teresa 
is explored through letters she 
wrote to her longtime friend 
and spiritual advisor Father 
Celeste van Exem over a nearly 
50-year period.

 Concerts in the Park – 
Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. at 
the bandshell at Memorial Park 
behind the Pasadena Senior 
Center. The summer concert 
series concludes with The Great 
American Swing Band featuring 
the sounds of big band, rhythm 
and blues, jazz and Dixieland. 
Bring a lawn chair or a blanket 
plus a picnic.

 Smart Phones, Tablets and 
Computers – Any Questions? 
– Tuesdays and Thursdays, 
Sept. 6 to 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. 
Learning how to text, check 
voicemail, set an alarm, navigate 
the Internet and download apps 
is easier than you may think!

 What’s New in Dentistry? 
– Thursday, Sept. 8, at 12:15 
p.m. Dentistry has changed 
dramatically over the years. 
New technology has changed 
how teeth are repaired or 
replaced. Learn the latest 
information for keeping your 
teeth healthy and happy. Boxed 
lunches will be provided to the 
first 50 people who have made 
confirmed reservations by 
calling 626-795-4331. Presented 
by dentists Roger Anderson and 
Joel Henriod.

 Founded in 1960, the 
Pasadena Senior Center is 
an independent, nonprofit 
organization that offers 
recreational, educational, 
wellness and social services to 
people ages 50 and over.

 Toby (A391224) is a 
10-month-old, neutered 
male, white pit bull mix with 
adorable black-spotted ears. 
This energetic pup walks 
very well on a leash, a skill 
he loves to demonstrate on 
walks in the park. He enjoys 
play time, especially with a 
rubber ball. He still has a lot 
of great puppy energy, so 
Toby is looking for an active 
home who can provide him 
with plenty of exercise and 
affection.

 The adoption fee for 
dogs is $125, which 
includes the spay or neuter 
surgery, microchip, and 
vaccinations.

 New adopters will receive a 
complimentary health-and-
wellness exam from VCA 
Animal Hospitals, as well 
as a goody bag filled with 
information about how to 
care for your pet.

 Call the Pasadena Humane 
Society & SPCA at (626) 
792-7151 to ask about 
A391224, or visit at 361 S. 
Raymond Ave. in Pasadena. 
Adoption hours are 11 a.m. 
to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. 
to 5 p.m. Tuesday through 
Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Saturday.

 Pets may not be available 
for adoption and cannot be 
held for potential adopters 
by phone calls or email. 

Crime Blotter for Altadena 

Monday, August 15th

12:00 AM – A theft from an 
unlocked vehicle occurred in 
the 2600 block of Lake Avenue. 
Stolen: black Tom Tom, brown 
Michael Kors sunglass case and 
brown Michael Kors sunglasses.

5:02 AM – Pedro Orozco, 
22 years old of Altadena was 
arrested in the area of Figueroa 
Drive and Olive Avenue for 
robbery. Suspect Orozco was 
armed with a knife.

12:47 PM – A battery occurred 
in the 2200 block of Fair Oaks 
Avenue. Suspect described as a 
black female, 25 – 30 years old, 
between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 
feet 5 inches. The suspect was 
last seen entering a grey Jeep 
Cherokee being drive by a black 
male. 

Tuesday, August 16th

5:00 PM – A residential burglary 
occurred in the 3400 block of 
Chaney Trail. Suspect(s) entered 
the location via the garage door 
by using bodily force. Stolen: 
weed wacker, grinding machine 
and a welding torch. 

Wednesday, August 17th

4:01 PM – Tina Picinisco, 
49 years old of Hesperia was 
arrested in the 900 block of 
Beverly Way for possession of a 
controlled substance.

5:14 PM – A vehicle was 
reported stolen from the area of 
Lake Avenue and Morada Place. 
Vehicle described as a gray 2014 
BMW X1.

10:30 PM – Harvey Anthony, 
30 years old of Pasadena was 
arrested in the 800 block of E. 
Sacramento Street for vehicle 
vandalism.

Thursday, August 18th

9:36 PM – An assault with a 
firearm occurred in the 400 
block of West Mariposa Street. 
When deputies arrived, they 
spoke to a male who told them 
an unknown person in a vehicle 
fired six shots at him and a 
friend as they were walking. 
The victim was uncooperative 
and the other male ran away 
before deputies arrived.

Friday, August 19th

1:00 AM – An attempted 
robbery occurred at Hill Avenue 
and New York Drive. The victim 
met a female there through an 
on-line dating service. Both 
decided to go for a walk when 
an unknown person grabbed 
him from behind and held a 
knife to his neck. The suspect 
demanded the contents from 
the victim’s pockets, but he 
fought back and took the knife 
away from the suspect. The 
suspect ran west on New York 
Drive and out of sight.

Saturday, August 20th

2:08 AM – Following a rescue in 
the mountains at Lake Avenue 
and Loma Alta Drive an 18 y/o 
male and 19 y/o male hikers 
were arrested and cited for 
providing alcohol to minors. 

7:12 PM - A vehicle was 
reported stolen from the 1900 
block of Midlothian Drive. 
Vehicle described as a bronze 
2000 Jaguar XJ8 with Arizona 
license plates.

 Creedence Clearwater 
Revival tribute band, The 
Tuners is performing a FREE 
concert at Farnsworth Park 
Saturday tonight at 7:00 pm. 
Farnsworth Park located at the 
top of Lake Avenue at 568 E. 
Mount Curve Ave.

 The Tuners are brothers 
of different mothers, (and 
fathers!). Rick Dunham, Rob 
Heard, and Gary Watson 
starting performing together 
in high school. Their passion 
is the same today as it was 
when they were young musical 
heroes performing for school 
dances and local concerts. 
They still can’t get enough of 
playing live music.

 Rick and Rob meet in 
Whittier, CA at age 15, young 
musicians with very different 
musical influences. Rick played 
bluegrass guitar and banjo. 
Rob was a hard rock guitarist. 
They began getting together to 
jam, became friends, but had 
little in common musically. 
Rob solved this problem by 
loaning Rick a Vox bass guitar 
and some records of bands like 
Mountain, Led Zeppelin, CCR, 
and The Who, suggesting they 
start a rock band. 

 When country music 
became popular in Southern 
California in the early 80’s, 
the band played OC country 
music clubs The Cowboy, The 
Silver Bullet, The Crazy Horse, 
and more, becoming one 
on the busiest bands on the 
circuit.

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