Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, February 4, 2017

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Mountain View News Saturday, February 4, 2017 

Free Events Roundup at the 
Pasadena Senior Center

A Noise Within Announces 
25th Anniversary Season

Altadena House Fire 
Reveals Drug Laboratory

 
A Noise Within (ANW), the 
acclaimed classical repertory 
theatre, announces two 
spring productions in their 
25th Anniversary Season, 
Shakespeare’s King Lear 
and Man of La Mancha by 
Dale Wasserman, music by 
Mitch Leigh and lyrics by 
Joe Darion, and based on 
Cervantes’ Don Quixote. 
ANW Artistic Director Julia 
Rodriguez-Elliott directs 
both productions. Lear 
performs February 12-May 
6, 2017; La Mancha performs 
March 26-May 21, 2017.

 “In Lear, this personal 
journey of a family dealing 
with an ailing patriarch has 
global implications,” says 
Rodriguez-Elliott, “The 
breakdown of a nation 
runs concurrent with Lear’s 
mental decline. At the 
beginning of the play, see 
a man at the zenith of his 
power, a modern day dictator 
who is feared and has never 
heard the word NO. The 
world we enter is a violent, 
callous one. At the end, we 
see a man transformed.” 

The world of La Mancha 
is similarly violent and 
callous – and ripe for 
transformation. “Though 
many often associate Man 
of La Mancha with elaborate 
set pieces and fanciful 
costumes,” says Rodriguez-
Elliott, “Its earliest stagings 
were sparse, encompassing 
the spirit of a rag-tag band of 
prisoners putting on a play 
with found objects. I wanted 
to return to those roots. 
Based off real third-world 
prisons, the conditions 
we’ve created for Cervantes 
and his fellow inmates are 
recognizable and terrifying.”

 Artistic Director Geoff 
Elliott takes on the challenge 
of playing both Lear and 
Cervantes/Don Quixote. He 
says, “I feel that I know Lear. 
He is stripped of everything, 
and must face his worst 
demons to find tenderness 
and uncompromising love 
in a very violent world. Lear 
spends so much of the play 
terrified of losing his mind. 
Anyone who goes through 
a similar self-investigation 
can’t help but ask ‘am I sane?’ 
as so much of the world we 
live in seems insane.”

 Elliott continued, “In his 
way, Cervantes/Don Quixote 
is Lear’s doppelganger. As he 
assumes Quixote’s persona, 
Cervantes gains the courage 
and the strength needed to 
face the uncertain future of 
the inquisition. He – along 
with his fellow prisoners 
and, ultimately, the audience 
– are transformed.”

 Julia Rodriguez-Elliott’s 
references this quote by 
Pablo Picasso: “We artists 
are indestructible; even in a 
prison, or in a concentration 
camp, I would be almighty 
in my own world of art, even 
if I had to paint my pictures 
with my wet tongue on the 
dusty floor of my cell.”

 “La Mancha is about the 
power of imagination – and 
how important it is onstage 
and in our own lives. It’s a 
play that truly represents 
the transformative power 
of the theatre; a perfect 
way to end our 25th 
Anniversary season,” 
says Rodriguez-Elliott.
For a complete listing or 
Tickets and information go 
to anoisewithin.org or call 
626-356-3100.

 

 There is something for 
everyone in February at the 
Pasadena Senior Center, 85 
E. Holly St.

 You do not have to be a 
member to attend. Some 
events require advance 
reservations as noted.

 Scenic Walkers Club 
– Wednesdays, through 
Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. Join 
this new group for a series 
of leisurely walks to enjoy 
the great outdoors and get 
some exercise. Alan Colville 
will give you a list of items 
to bring, let you know what 
to expect, provide detailed 
itineraries and arrange 
transportation. For more 
information or to sign up, 
email alancolville@charter.
net or call 626-221-3741.

 Tax Time – Wednesdays 
and Fridays, through 
April 14, from 9 to 10:30 
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. Please note 
there is no age limit for this 
service.

 Diabetes Empowerment 
Education Program – 
Thursdays, Through 
March 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. 
Whether you or someone 
you care about is diabetic 
or pre-diabetic, this series 
will encourage you to make 
lifestyle changes while 
learning more about your 
diabetes and how it affects 
your health. Workshop 
topics include diet, exercise, 
medication issues, managing 
complications and the 
impact of diabetes on eyes, 
teeth and feet. Reservations 
are required: 626-685-6732.

 Friday Movie Matinees 
– Fridays, Feb. 10 and 17, 
at 1 p.m. Everyone enjoys 
movies and the pleasures 
they bring. Feb. 10: “The 
Girl on the Train” (2016, 
R) starring Emily Blunt 
and Justin Theroux. A 
divorcee becomes entangled 
in a missing persons 
investigation that promises 
to send shockwaves 
throughout her life. Feb. 17: 
“Sleepless in Seattle” (1993, 
PG) starring Tom Hanks and 
Meg Ryan. A widowed man’s 
young son calls a radio talk 
show with a wish that his 
father will find a new wife.

 Cardmaking Workshop 
– Monday, Feb. 6, from 
noon to 2 p.m. Surprise 
a special someone with a 
personalized, handmade 
greeting card. Whether 
it’s happy birthday, happy 
holidays, thank you, 
thinking of you or other 
sentiment, you’ll create a 
decorative card in your own 
unique style and have fun 
discovering your creativity 
while workshop leaders 
help you bring your ideas 
to life. All materials will be 
provided.

 

 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s 
deputies responded last week 
to the 1800 block of E. Midwick 
Dr., in Altadena, to investigate 
a person heard screaming —
when they arrived they saw a 
male adult badly burned and 
flames coming from the rear of 
a house.

 On Jan. 27 at approximately 
4:10 p.m., deputies along with 
the Los Angeles County Fire 
Department extinguish the fire 
and treated the victim. Deputies 
discovered a large number of 
containers and equipment they 
recognized as a manufacturing 
laboratory. Several windows 
of the house were blown out 
possibly from an explosion. 

 The laboratory appeared to be 
used in the extraction of THC 
from marijuana. Typically the 
processes use highly flammable 
liquids police said.

 LA County hazardous materials 
teams, narcotics detectives, 
along with the Department 
of Justice investigated and 
decontaminated the area. 

 The male adult was transported 
to a local hospital for severe 
burns to approximately 40 
percent of his body. The 
decontamination of the 
scene finished at 6:00a.m., 
Saturday. This is an ongoing 
investigation; the male adult 
has been identified and may 
be facing several charges police 
said.

Black History Parade, 
Special Events Announced

 Celebrate Black History 
Month by attending the parade 
and other special events, 
lectures and activities in 
Pasadena now through Sunday, 
March 19. Pasadena’s Black 
History Month Parade is one 
of the largest and oldest in the 
U.S. and will be held from 10 
a.m. to about 1 p.m., Saturday, 
February 18. Another special 
highlight this year is the 
Community Groundbreaking 
Celebration for the Robinson 
Park Recreation Center project 
at 1 p.m. The schedule of 
events is listed below and 
online at www.cityofpasadena.
net/PasadenaBlackHistory 
and www.cityofpasadena.net/
Library. All events are free 
unless otherwise noted.

 Saturday, Feb. 4

 “Red, Black & Green Honors 
Dinner” Black History Parade 
& Festival Planning Committee 
honors parade grand marshals 
and presents community 
service awards, 7-9 p.m., 
Noor, Paseo Colorado, 300 E 
Colorado Blvd #200, Call (626) 
744-7300, to purchase tickets, 
$65 per person.

 Pasadena African-American 
Genealogy Group helps you 
search out your heritage and 
recover the past, 2:30 – 4:30 
p.m., Lamanda Park Branch 
Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr.

 “42: The True Story Of An 
American Legend” special 
film screening of the dramatic 
and moving story of Jackie 
Robinson’s courageous 
fight to desegregate major 
league baseball, 3:30 p.m., La 
Pintoresca Branch Library, 
1355 N. Raymond Ave.

 Friday, Feb. 10

 Young people 5 and up 
celebrate Black History Month 
with all-day crayon-coloring 
event featuring the portraits of 
prominent African-Americans, 
10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Villa-Parke 
Branch Library, 363 E. Villa St.

 Saturday, Feb. 11

 “Matters of the Heart: A 
Morning of Nutrition and 
Exercise” Come together and 
embrace wellness, 9-11 a.m., all 
fitness levels welcome, Jackie 
Robinson Community Center, 
1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.

 “Only the Ball Was White” 
screening & discussion of 1981 
film documenting legends of 
the Negro Leagues who were 
denied opportunity to play in 
the Majors, including Satchel 
Paige, Buck Leonard, Jimmy 
Crutchfield and many others. 
Ken Solarz, filmmaker, writer 
and producer is featured 
speaker. Presented by the 
Baseball Reliquary, 2-4 p.m., 
La Pintoresca Branch Library, 
1355 N. Raymond Ave.

PUSD All-District Music 
Festivals to be Held

 The Pasadena Unified 
School District’s (PUSD) 
All-District Music Festivals 
featuring choral, band, and 
orchestra concerts will be held 
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, and 
Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at 
Pasadena High School, 2925 E. 
Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena. 
The festivals bring together 
more than 1,000 middle and 
high school students from 
bands, orchestras, and choirs 
across the district. 

 The Choral Festival, held Feb. 
8, features guest conductor 
Lauren Buckley of the Pasadena 
Master Chorale. PUSD music 
teachers and staff will conduct 
performances at the Band and 
Orchestra Festival on Feb. 9.

 Held annually to showcase 
the talents of young PUSD 
musicians, the All-District 
Music Festivals also provide 
valuable performance 
experience for middle and high 
school music students. 

 Instrumental music 
instruction is offered by PUSD 
music teachers starting in 
the third grade, with whole-
class instruction in violin, and 
band and orchestra options for 
fourth and fifth grades.

 Through partnerships with 
music education organizations 
such as the Pasadena 
Conservatory and Education 
Through Music-Los Angeles, 
elementary general music is 
offered in grades K-5 at select 
elementary schools. After-
school orchestras are thriving at 
Field Elementary and Jackson 
STEM through Pasadena 
Youth Symphony Orchestra, 
and at Longfellow through The 
Harmony Project.

 Annual spring festivals of 
choral, band, and orchestral 
music showcase the talents of 
student musicians from across 
the district.

Storms Filled 37 Percent

of CA Snow-Water Deficit

 

 The “atmospheric river” 
weather patterns that 
pummeled California with 
storms from late December to 
late January may have recouped 
37 percent of the state’s five-year 
snow-water deficit, according 
to new University of Colorado 
Boulder-led research using 
NASA satellite data.

 Researchers at the university’s 
Center for Water Earth Science 
and Technology (CWEST) 
estimate that two powerful 
recent storms deposited 
roughly 17.5-million acre feet 
(21.6 cubic kilometers) of water 
on California’s Sierra Nevada 
range in January. Compared to 
averages from the pre-drought 
satellite record, that amount 
represents more than 120 
percent of the typical annual 
snow accumulation for this 
range. Snowmelt from the 
range is a critical water source 
for the state’s agriculture, 
hydropower generation and 
municipal water supplies.

 To derive the estimate, the 
researchers combined data from 
NASA’s Moderate Resolution 
Imaging Spectroradiometer 
(MODIS) instruments on 
NASA’s Aqua and Terra 
spacecraft; a computer 
model jointly developed by 
the University of Colorado 
and NASA’s Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory, Pasadena, 
California; and ground-based 
snow sensor data from the 
California Department of 
Water Resources, Sacramento. 

 Snow-water deficit is the 
deficit in water stored in 
snowpack compared with the 
annual average water stored in 
snowpack before the drought 
began in 2012. On average, 
California experienced a snow-
water deficit of approximately 
10.8-million acre feet (13.3 
cubic kilometers) per year 
during the drought years of 
2012 through 2016. The total 
deficit over that five-year 
period is roughly 54 million 
acre feet (67 cubic kilometers). 
The recent storms appear to 
have reduced that total by 
roughly 37 percent in less than 
one month.

 Atmospheric rivers -- such as 
the so-called Pineapple Express 
phenomenon that affects the 
U.S. West Coast -- funnel large 
amounts of moisture out of the 
tropics and bring heavy rain 
and snow over short periods 
of time. In January, most of the 
higher elevations in northern 
California received more than 
10 feet (3 meters) of snow in 
just over two weeks, with some 
locations receiving more than 
20 feet (6 meters).

 “Early in the January 
storm cycle, lower mountain 
elevations received some 
rain, but the vast majority of 
the mountain precipitation 
has come as snow -- which is 
exactly the way we need this 
precipitation,” said Thomas 
Painter, a snow scientist 
at NASA’s Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory, Pasadena, 
California, and principal 
investigator of NASA’s Airborne 
Snow Observatory. “As snow, 
it releases to reservoirs and 
ecosystems more gradually and 
efficiently over the summer 
months.”

 Noah Molotch, who led the 
new study, cautioned that 
there is still a long way to go 
before California makes up its 
snow-water deficit completely. 
Molotch is director of CWEST 
and a research scientist at JPL.

 “When the snow stopped 
falling five years ago, the state 
had to tap into its groundwater 
reserves to keep up,” Molotch 
said. “One snowy winter won’t 
be able to entirely reverse that, 
but there is, at least, some 
cautious optimism.”

 Molotch indicated that, with 
the much-needed snow, the 
recent storms also brought 
some flood risk.

 “The concern moving forward 
relates to what happens with 
the weather for the rest of 
the winter,” said Molotch. 
“Reservoirs across the Sierra 
foothills are now relatively 
full. If we get another intense 
atmospheric river with warmer 
air temperatures, that could 
lead to melting of the snowpack, 
and the risk for rain-induced 
flooding is considerable.”

 “The start to winter has been 
the best California has seen 
since 2011 and gives water 
managers hope for relief from 
what has been a historically dry 
five-year period,” said David 
Rizzardo, chief of Snow Surveys 
and Water Supply Forecasting 
for the California Department 
of Water Resources. “The 
valuable data gathered by 
the CWEST and NASA 
Earth science teams gives the 
California Department of Water 
Resources a broader sense for 
how much water is being stored 
in our snowpack, allowing us to 
fine-tune vital seasonal runoff 
estimates, which are used by 
water managers and reservoir 
operators across the state.”

Pet of the 
Week

 Sulu (A411776) is a 
3-month-old, neutered 
male, brown tabby kitten 
who loves to play! You 
can often find him batting 
around his cork toy in his 
kennel, pouncing on it to 
his heart’s content. Sulu also 
enjoys affection. He like 
head rubs and petting, and 
in his less energetic moods, 
he even enjoys a good 
snuggle! Although Sulu has 
only one eye, he doesn’t let 
that slow him down for even 
a second. This rambunctious 
kitty can’t wait to light up 
your home.

 The adoption fee for cats 
is $70, which includes the 
spay or neuter surgery, 
microchip, and vaccinations. 
And on February 4 and 5, 
adoption fees for all animals 
will be waived thanks to an 
anonymous donor as part 
of our Kitten Bowl Tailgate 
Party!

 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 
A411776, 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. 
Directions and photos of 
all pets can be found at 
pasadenahumane.org.


Fire Department Announces 
New Medical Director

 The Pasadena Fire 
Department has named 
Dr. Roger Yang as the new 
Medical Director. In this 
position, Dr. Yang provides 
advice and coordinates the 
medical aspects of field care 
as defined by the Los Angeles 
County Department of 
Health Services Agency. He 
provides medical expertise 
to enhance the Emergency 
Medical Service (EMS) 
provided by the Pasadena 
Fire Department (PFD). 
The Medical Director 
advises the PFD in planning 
and evaluating the delivery 
of pre-hospital medical care 
by Firefighter Emergency 
Medical Technicians and 
Firefighter Paramedics 
in collaboration with the 
Paramedic Coordinator 
EMS Educator. This position 
reports directly to the 
Pasadena Fire Department 
and works closely with the 
Fire Departments EMS 
Coordinator and the EMS 
Educator. 

 Dr. Yang grew up in 
Chicago. He graduated from 
Washington University in 
St. Louis, Missouri with 
the highest honors in 
Biochemistry and Applied 
Physics. He holds a medical 
degree and a Master’s of 
Science in Cellular and 
Molecular Physiology. He 
came to southern California 
for his internship and 
residency in emergency 
medicine at Harbor-UCLA 
Medical Center. In 1999, 
Dr. Yang began his work in 
the emergency department 
at Huntington Hospital. 
He has held many chair 
and vice-chair positions 
in his time at Huntington 
Hospital including Chair, 
Pharmacy, Therapeutics 
and Diet Committee and 
Chair, Emergency Services 
Committee.

In his spare time Dr. Yang 
enjoys spending time 
with his wife, Rebecca, a 
Pharmacist, who graduated 
from the same class at USC, 
and his two kids: Zackary 
(12) and Zoey (8). They 
enjoy taking vacations 
together to tropical places. 
He stays active by playing 
tennis and lifting weights. 

 The Pasadena Fire 
Department is one of only 42 
fire departments worldwide 
who have achieved both 
Accredited Agency status 
from the Commission on 
Fire Accreditation and a 
Class 1 rating from the 
Insurance Services Office 
(ISO). “We are excited to 
have one of our highly 
qualified, local physicians 
join our team as we strive 
to maintain our status as 
a world-leader in the Fire 
Service, and provide the 
highest quality of services 
and care to our community,” 
states Fire Chief Bertral 
Washington.

ALTADENA POLICE BLOTTER

Monday, January 23rd

10:30 PM – A petty theft 
from an unlocked vehicle 
occurred in the 2300 block 
of Tanoble Drive. Stolen: 
credit cards.

Tuesday, January 24th

12:33 AM – Hiram Cormier, 
40 years old of Hawthorne 
was arrested in the 1200 
block of N. Catalina Avenue 
for driving a vehicle without 
the owner’s consent. 

Wednesday, January 25th

6:30 PM – Sergio Huezo, 
39 years old of Altadena 
was arrested in the area 
of Fair Oaks Avenue and 
Calaveras Street for public 
intoxication.

Thursday, January 26th

12:00 PM – A package theft 
occurred in the 1400 block of 
Crest Drive. Stolen: iPhone.

Friday - Saturday no 
significant incidents.

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

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