PASADENA EDITION


SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2017

VOLUME 11 NO. 9

Police Still 
Looking 
for Missing 
Elderly Man

Last Candidate Forum Held Before Election 

Metro to Hold 626 Golden 
Streets Event this Sunday


By Dean Lee

 Candidates running for 
Pasadena City Council Districts 
3, 5 and 7 held their last debate 
ahead of Tuesday’s election —
issues ranged from legalized 
marijuana to clean energy.

 And, although he is running 
unopposed, District 3 
Councilmember John Kennedy 
took part in the debate held Feb. 
23 at Throop Church saying he 
thought it best. 

 “It was important for me to be 
here because this is serious work 
that I believe many for you are 
engaged in, he said. 

He added that his goal was 
to unite the city into “one 
Pasadena.”

 “If you look to your right and 
look to your left, you will notice 
that there are not a lot of African 
Americans in this room.” He 
said. “That is a problem in terms 
of sustainability, so I invite all 
of the candidates and those in 
the room, in terms of building 
coalition, to reach out to 
everyone and bring them under 
the umbrella of sustainability 
and moving towards zero waste 
in our community.”

 In relation to sustainability, 
the candidates were asked if 
they would support the city 
transitioning to 100 percent 
renewable energy by 2035, why 
or why not? 

 In the race for Districts 7 
Bryan Witt twisted the question 
saying that first the city could 
not rely on federal funding 
because of the new Presidential 
administration.

 “I see that the new Trump 
administration and some of the 
issues of sanctuary cities we may 
find ourselves cut off from some 
funding,” he said. “It looks like 
it might be $34 million. So, we 
want to try and do as much as 
we can locally to solve all of 
these problems without having 
to go to Washington with our 
hat in our hand.”

 He said the city needs to 
create its own banking system 
something he said works in 
other cities such as Oakland.

Sheena Tahilramani quickly 
said she supported the idea but 
cautioned on cost and feasibility. 
“We need to look at what impact 
that will have on our larger 
budget.” Tahilramani worked as 
chief of staff to Karl Rove.

 Phil Hosp, a lawyer, also 
favored the idea but questioned 
the money involved, “We need 
to look at how much it would 
jack up the rates.” 

 Incumbent Andy Wilson said 
the city was making progress 
including the number of homes 
adding solar power. Attorney 
Alejandro Menchaca said 
he favored getting a panel of 
experts to research the issue. 

 Districts 5 incumbent Victor 
Gordo said the issue was 
complex, “the reality is we will 
get, with the state, to 50 percent 
by 2030.”

 Districts 5 candidates Kristal 
Lopez Padly a writer and Aida 
Morales an activist both made 
similar comments as the others. 

 With the exception of Witt, 
all of the candidates for 5 and 
7 favored keeping a current 
zoning rule that prohibits 
medical marijuana dispensaries 
in the city. 

 “I’m absolutely in favor of 
lifting the ban,” Witt said to 
cheers from the audience. “I 
think there is an institutional 
hysteria when it comes to the 
use of cannabis.” 

 Kennedy said he had not 
decided if the city should allow 
medical marijuana use. 

 Candidates simply anwered 
“yes” to whether climate 
change was a pressing issue 
to all levels of government. 
Only Tahilramani passed on 
answering the question.




 On the one year anniversary 
of the Foothill Gold Line 
Extension grand opening, 
Metro will hold the Metro 
Open Streets Program 626 
Golden Streets, a once.in.a.
lifetime opportunity this 
Sunday to walk, bike, run, 
skate, scoot, dance and play 
on over 18 miles of car.free 
open streets.

 This free family.friendly 
event will connect much 
of the (626) area code, 
linking seven Foothill 
cities and six Gold Line 
stations. The festivities will 
kick off at 8:45am with an 
official Opening Ceremony 
at Mission St./Meridian 
Ave. in South Pasadena 
featuring special guests, 
giveaways, a free bike raffle, 
performances, and start of 
the Train Run Challenge 
, the San Gabriel Valley’s 
first 7.city, point.to.point 
half marathon from South 
Pasadena to Duarte.

 Attendees can start and stop 
at any point along the route, 
and explore as much or as 
little of the event route as 
they wish Along the 18 plus 
mile route, check out activity 
zones where you can enjoy 
live music, free fitness and 
dance classes, pop.up art 
installations, kids play zones 
and more. Participants are 
encouraged to travel across 
the event route by foot, bike, 
skates, skateboard, scooter, 
penny farthing, or any other 
type of human.powered 
vehicle.

Golden Streets was first 
envisioned by AQMD Board 
Member and South Pasadena 
City Mayor Michael 
Cacciotti, “who recognized 
the once-in-a-lifetime 
opportunity to do something 
truly special in conjunction 
with the opening of the 
Foothill Gold Line Extension 
to Azusa.” Particapating 
cities include San Marino, 
Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, 
Irwindale, Azusa, and South 
Pasadena.

 The event is a partnership 
with Bike San Gabriel Valley 
(BikeSGV).

 BikeSGV is a community.
based organization
committed to realizing a 
more bicycle, pedestrian 
and transit.friendly San 
Gabriel Valley, and lead 
organizer of this open 
streets event. BikeSGV offers 
programs and advocates for 
the development of people 
friendly streets and a more 
active, transit-friendly 
SGV. BikeSGV offers FREE 
year.round programming, 
including; SGV Bicycle 
Education Center (Low.
cost bicycles, repairs, 
and workshops); Cycling 
Without Age; Bike Train 
& Rides (Monthly Rides in 
30 SGV cities); Women on 
Wheels; Free Bike Classes 
(Learn to Bike, Active 
Commuting and Safety) and 
Volunteer Opportunities. 
For more information visit 
bikesgv.org.

 For a complete list of route 
closures See Page 4.

 The Pasadena Police 
Department is seeking the 
public’s help locate a senior 
missing since February 7. The 
elderly man is Dawud Qayyim 
Karriem, Black male, 87 years 
old, 5’7, and approximately 
140 pounds. 

 Karriem is commonly called 
“Al” by friends and family. 
Karriem has poor eyesight, 
but otherwise is described as 
healthy and active. He does 
not own a car but frequently 
takes walks in Pasadena 
utilizing a cane. It is unknown 
what he was wearing at the 
time he went missing. Karriem 
was last seen by neighbors on 
Feb. 2.

 The family has said that 
Karriem has never gone 
missing before and unusual for 
him to be away from his home 
for such a long time. Foul play 
has not been ruled out. 

 Anyone with information 
should contact the Pasadena 
Police Department at (626) 
744-4241.


For the Love 
of Women 
Benefit at 
Brookside

Descanso Gardens Expands 
Cherry Blossom Festival

Protesters 

Call for 
Sanctuary City

 Hundreds of people in 
Pasadena marched in the 
streets Monday calling on 
the city council to declare 
Pasadena a Sanctuary City 
and not to enter into any 
agreements between Federal 
immigration officials and 
Pasadena police. “We want our 
communities to be safe and 
not in fear,” protesters said.

 The organization 
Soroptinist of Altadena-
Pasadena will hold their 2nd 
annual Making a Difference 
Benefit Luncheon, “For the 
Love of Women” Sunday 
March 11 at Brookside at 
the Rose Bowl. 

 The event will honor the 
work of extraordinary 
women in the community, 
hear from honoree, Lena 
Kennedy, organizer, So 
Cal Women’s Health 
Conference and Expo, 
founder Community 
Women-Vital Voices. 
Honoree and Guest 
Speakers, Vital-Voices, 
Senator Carol Liu and from 
former Pasadena Library 
Director Jan Sanders. The 
work of two important 
agencies who address the 
needs of the under-served 
women and families of 
our community will be 
rewarded. Don’t miss this 
rare opportunity to see 
and hear from leaders all 
dawning one stage for a 
pivotal event.

 Vendor Shop n’ Mingle 
opens at noon Luncheon 
served at 1:00 pm Raffle and 
Easter Parade of Hats and 
Bags. Seats start at $55.00 
per person. Purchase online 
at soroptimistaltapas.org. 

 All proceeds benefit 
Soroptimist International 
of Altadena-Pasadena 
charities including Door of 
Hope, The Women’s Room 
at Friends In Deed and 
Scholarships for Deserving 
Women.

 Brookside is located 1133 
Rosemont Ave. Pasadena. 

 For more information call 
Brenda Sharp at (626) 398-
5667. 

 Descanso Gardens will again welcome springtime with its annual 
Cherry Blossom Festival. Due to overwhelming popularity, the 
festival will expand to two weekends, including today and 
Sunday and March 11-12. Reservations must be made in 
advance at descansogardens.org.

 “Over the last several years, the flowering cherry trees have 
been stars of the spring show at Descanso Gardens,” said 
David R. Brown, Descanso Gardens executive director. “Last 
year, the Cherry Blossom Festival weekend was the single 
busiest of the entire year, and we are pleased to be able to 
extend the festival to two weekends. While cherry blossom 
viewing and spring partying beneath the flowering trees 
originated in Japan, people of all cultures and traditions enjoy 
the stunningly beautiful display of white and pink flowering 
trees popping against the dark green of the camellia and oak 
forest.”

 As always, this year’s celebration will feature entertainment, 
Japanese cuisine, origami and more. Activities include the 
following and are free with admission unless noted: Cherry 
Tree Sale. March 4 & 5 only, 10 am to 4pm. Shop early: These 
flowering trees sell out fast! Discovery Stations. All days, 
10am to 4pm. Learn about cherry trees and related plants at 
these exploration tables.

 Cherry Blossom Walk. All days, 11am & 2pm. Take a guided 
walk with our experts and learn about cherry blossoms and 
other flowering trees.

 Origami. All days, 11am to 3pm. Try the traditional art of 
paper folding with help from experts.

 Camellia Lounge. All days, 10am to 4pm. Purchase 
Japanese-influenced cuisine, including tempura and sushi 
selections. Beverages and snacks in Japanese Garden tea 
house, full menu on main lawn.

 Performance by Minyo Station. Saturday, March 4, 11am, 1 
pm & 3 pm. Minyo Station presents a jazzy style of Japanese 
folk music that blends Minyo, traditional Japanese music, 
with various genres of Western music. Performance by 
June Kuramoto. Sunday, March 5, 11am, 1 pm & 3 pm. June 
Kuramoto performs on the koto, the national instrument 
of Japan. A classically-trained musician, she is a founding 
member of the Japanese-American fusion ensemble 
“Hiroshima.”

 Performance by On Ensemble. Saturday, March 11 & Sunday, 
March 12, 11am, 1 pm & 3 pm. On Ensemble (pronounced 
“Ohn”) is at the forefront of a growing artistic movement 
in the taiko (Japanese ensemble drumming) world. On 
Ensemble has made a name for itself by infusing the 
powerful rhythms of taiko with overtone singing, odd 
meter grooves and soaring melodies.

 For more information call (818) 949 -4200 or visit 
descansogardens.org.

PUSD Seeks 
Applicants 
for Seats on 
Measure TT 
Committee

 The Pasadena Unified School 
District (PUSD) Board of 
Education seeks applicants 
to fill two vacant seats on its 
Measure TT Citizens Oversight 
Committee. The volunteer 
committee is responsible 
for monitoring project 
management and expenditures 
for the $350 million local 
school facilities bond passed by 
voters in November of 2008.

 State law requires that the 
members of the Citizens 
Oversight Committee include 
parents, representatives from 
the business community, 
senior citizen groups, taxpayer 
organizations, and individuals 
experienced in finance and 
construction.

 Applicants must complete 
an application available at 
www.measurett.org or the 
Facilities Office located at 740 
W. Woodbury Road, Pasadena, 
CA.

The application and résumé 
must be submitted no later than 
4:00 p.m. on March 14, 2017:

 Via mail to Chief of Facilities, 
Pasadena Unified School 
District, 740 W. Woodbury 
Road, Pasadena, CA 91103

Via email to zendejas.nadia@
pusd.us.

CALENDAR Pg. 2

MORE PASADENA NEWS

 Pg. 3

SAN MARINO/SO. PAS

Pg. 4

 Applications must be 
submitted by 4:00 p.m. 
March 14

SIERRA MADRE Pg. 5

ARCADIA Pg. 6

MONROVIA 

EDUCATION/YOUTH

Pg. 7

FOOD & DRINK Pg. 8

THE GOOD LIFE Pg. 9

WORLD AROUND US 

 Pg. 10

 
BEST FRIENDS Pg. 11

SECTION B: 

AROUND SAN GABRIEL 
VALLEYB1

THE ARTS B2

BUSINESS NEWS

B3

OPINIONB4

LEGAL NOTICES B5