Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, December 17, 2016

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2016

SECTION B

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY


Gold Line Update

Friends,

 As the Foothill Gold Line Construction 
Authority reaches the end of 2016, there is much to 
celebrate.

 Looking back, we recognize the achievements 
of this past year. The successful opening of the 
Foothill Gold Line segment from Pasadena to 
Azusa in March, which brought ridership on the 
light rail system to historic highs. Completion of 
the Glendora to Montclair segment’s Advanced 
Conceptual Engineering draft documents in 
September; weeks ahead of the November passage 
of Los Angeles County’s Measure M which ensured 
its completion.

 Looking ahead to next year, the Construction 
Authority is preparing the 12.3-mile, six-station 
Glendora to Montclair segment for construction. 
The agency is on schedule to break ground on 
the first of two design-build contracts in late-
2017. This next segment will be significantly more 
complicated to build than the previous two and we 
are currently working closely with each of the six 
corridor cities, two counties, the California Public 
Utilities Commission, Metrolink and others to 
prepare a plan for the construction ahead.

 As we ready the next segment, the need for the 
line only grows. Tens of thousands of students, 
faculty, staff and visitors travel to and from the 
nearly two dozen universities located within a 
short walk, bike or bus ride to one of the six future 
stations. More than one million visitors travel 
to the County Fairplex each year, located at the 
future La Verne Station. And more than 50,000 
new residents and 15,000 new jobs are projected to 
move into the corridor by 2024.

 The Construction Authority is proud to 
have completed the first two Foothill Gold Line 
segments on time and on budget; delivering high 
quality work that has changed the fabric of the San 
Gabriel Valley by spurring growth and providing 
a safe, reliable and environmentally sustainable 
travel option for the region’s residents, workers 
and students. We now look forward to finishing 
what we started; and connecting Los Angeles, the 
San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire by light rail 
in the coming years.

The Journey Continues,

Habib F. Balian

DECEMBER: A TIME OF MANY CELEBRATIONS

By Joan Schmidt

 December is a month of many celebrations. 
Christians around the world celebrate the birth of 
Our Savior Jesus, the Messiah on December 25.

December 8 we attended Mass for the Feast of the 
Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the United 
States. Because of Adam and Eve’s first sin, Catholics 
believe everyone is born with Original Sin, later 
removed by Baptism. The only person born without 
sin is the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1854; Pope Pius 
IX proclaimed her, the Immaculate Conception; 
in1860, when she appeared to Bernadette at Lourdes, 
she said, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” 

 December 12, marks the feast of Our Lady of 
Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. Mass may 
include Mariachi Music and Aztec dancers. On 
December 9, the Blessed Mother appeared to Juan 
Diego, a Chichimeca Indian, on Tepeyac Hill; she 
told Juan to ask the Bishop to build a Chapel. The 
Bishop asked for a sign, and Our Lady told Juan to 
go up the hill and get roses. It was winter, but Juan 
found roses and put them in his tilma (cloak). When 
Juan let his cloak down, the roses dropped to the 
floor and an image of the Blessed Mother was on the 
tilma. 

 In 1966, Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa, 
the first specifically African American Holiday; its 
roots are the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza 
, “the first fruits of the harvest”. This celebration 
evolved to help African Americans reconnect with 
their African Cultural and Historical heritage by 
uniting in meditation and the study of African 
tradition and Nguzo Saba, the seven principals of 
African Heritage”. The seven principals are Umoja 
(Unity) , Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima 
(Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa 
(Cooperative Economics), Nia Purpose), Kuumba 
(Creativity), and Imani (Faith).

 Kwanzaa’s seven days last from December 26- 
January 1. Homes may feature beautiful African 
art, displayed on colorful cloth. On a Mkeka 
(mat), there is a Kinara(candle holder) with 
Mishumaa( seven candles), mazao (crops), Muhindi 
(corn), the Kikombre cha Umoja(unity cup) for 
commemorating and giving shukrami (thanks) to 
African ancestors and Zwadi (gifts). Women may 
wear colorful kaftans and children are included 
in the ceremonies to give respect and gratitude to 
ancestors. Daily observance can include lighting 
a candle, reflecting on that day’s principal, drums 
playing/music, sharing libation with a common 
cup, a feast and gift giving. 

 This year, the Jewish eight day festival of lights-
Hanukkah, (“to dedicate”) begins on December 26. 
Two thousand years ago, the Maccabees, a small 
band of Jewish warriors drove a mighty army out 
of Jerusalem. (Given their size, this was a “miracle”) 
After they took Jerusalem, the Jews rededicated 
their Temple to God. As they cleared the Temple to 
purify it, they found a small container of holy oil-
enough to burn for one day, but lasted eight nights, 
a second miracle! 

 Today many Jewish households celebrate this 
beautiful celebration. Each night, two blessings 
are recited as one candle is lit on the Hanukkiah, 
a meal follows, including food fried in oil such as 
latkes (potato pancakes), pontshkes (doughnuts), 
bimuelas(fritters), cheese and dairy products. 
After they eat, they may play the dreidel (4 sided 
spinning top), and a gift or Hanukkah Gelt (money 
or chocolate) is given.

 The Hanukkah candles are lit for “illumination 
of the house without”-so passersby can see it and be 
reminded of the miracle. 

 May this holiday season be a joyful and 
meaningful one for all my readers as they observe 
their special traditions and their new year be filled 
with good tidings.


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30 N. Baldwin Avenue, Sierra Madre 91024There’s no place like HOMEfor the HOLIDAYS!
Wishing you & your family blessings of 
Health, Happiness & Love this Holiday Season!
IT’S THE SEASON OF LOVE AND GIVING VISIT SIERRA 
MADRE’S VILLAGE CHURCH – ASCENSION FOR 
CHRISTMAS - ALL ARE WELCOME

Many special events take place at Ascension 
during Christmastide. You are invited to join us 
in this glorious season of celebration through 
story, pageant, song, prayer, scripture, and 
candlelight. This year’s schedule of special 
services for Christmas includes:

 December 18th Fourth Sunday of Advent – 
morning services at 8:00 am and 10:15 am and 
the Candlelight Walk down Baldwin at 7:00 pm 

 December 24th Christmas Eve - Family Service 
and Pageant at 5:00 p.m. All children attending 
this service are encouraged to participate in the 
telling of the story of first Christmas. The service 
will also be filled with music provided by the 
children and a musical quartet. 

 December 24th Christmas Eve – Carols and 
Hymns at 10:30 p.m. and Mass at 11:00 p.m. 
Ascension’s late Christmas Eve service features 
the traditional procession, incense, candles, 
prayer, sermon, and the great music of the season 
as the congregation joyously celebrates the birth 
of Christ. 

 December 25th Christmaas Day - 11:00 a.m. 
the Celebration of the Feast of the Nativity.

 January 1 First Sunday after Christmas at 10 
am 

 January 5th the Eve of the Epiphany – Short 
Church and potluck at 6:30 pm

 January 8th the First Sunday after Epiphany 
morning services at 8:00 am and 10:15 am 

 

 Church of the Ascension is located at 25 E. 
Laurel Avenue corner of Laurel and Baldwin 
Avenues in Sierra Madre. For more information, 
please call (626) 355-1133 or visit: www.ascension-
sierramadre.com. 


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