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Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, April 22, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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5 Mountain View News Saturday, April 22, 2017 Walking Sierra Madre…The Social Side by Deanne Davis SIERRA MADRE POLICE LOCKDOWN SCHOOLS IN SEARCH OF BURGLARY SUSPECT Just as school was about to be dismissed for the weekend, the Sierra Madre Police Department informed local school officials to lockdown their campuses while the department attempted to apprehend a burglary suspect. The request was sent to all the schools near the 400 block of Auburn and included Sierra Madre Elementary School, Gooden School, and Bethany Christian School. St. Rita School was on spring break and the Sierra Madre Middle School was not near the crime scene. The general public was also advised via social media, to stay away from the area. The lockdown lasted approimately 1/2 hour. SMPD was responding to a burglary that was discovered on Auburn. A large window had been broken, the front door left open and the house had been ransacked. The homeowners were not home a the time. Efforts to catch the thief or thieves included assistance from the joint task force helicopter and the Arcadia and Pasadena Police Departments. A canine unit was also brought in to assist. After the authorities determined that the burglar(s) was no longer in the area, the search was called off and the schools returned to their normal activities. This incident happened around 2 pm on Friday and the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding this crime, please contact the Captain Donna Cayson at the Sierra Madre Police Department 626-355-1414. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING! “Laissez les bon temps rouler!” And the good times did, indeed, ‘rouler’ last Thursday at Sierra Madre Elementary’s Spotlight Show. Gayle Bluemel invited me to share in the good times as the First Graders, about 100 strong of them, took us to New Orleans. Ms. Bluemel and her husband, Dan, laid down some very cool jazz, she on piano, he on bass guitar. The kids were filled with Mardi Gras spirit, draped with Mardi Gras beads, feathered headbands, straw boaters, some excellent white fedoras and assorted t-shirt costumes. This was my second Sierra Madre Elementary “Road Trip USA” adventure, having been to Nashville with the Second Graders and their guest professional musician, Evan Marshall, a few weeks ago. I was wowed then and I was wowed again! The first graders were joined by guest artist jazz cornet- trombone-clarinet player, Corey Gemme. Corey is one of Gayle Bluemel’s former students, having been in her first 5th grade class ever at Washington Elementary in 1973. He is a product of several Pasadena schools, including Muir and PCC, going on to finish at Cal State LA. Corey is a member of about half a dozen groups, including The Wabash Wailers, Corey’s Dixiebop Quartet and – my favorite – Corey’s Rolling Figs Jazz Orchestra. Inspired by the Big Bands radio station his parents listened to, he picked up the trumpet at age ten and hasn’t stopped playing. He credits early influences like Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass and all the great jazz legends, Louis Armstrong, Red Nichols, Harry James, Bunny Berrigan, Bix Beiderbecke, to name a few, for his love of jazz. Needless to say, when Corey joined the First Graders, it was fantastic. They sang “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie,” “Come on, lemme show you where it’s at....I said the name of the place is I Like It Like That!” and so many more. We had a dance break parade off the stage, down in front of the audience complete with tambourines, fringed umbrellas, maracas, triangles, gloves and scarves waving to the beat. I tell you, folks, you had to be there! The program wound up with “When the Saints Go Marching In” and, as we had been given a lesson on how to clap for Jazz music, which, in case you didn’t know, is on beats 2 and 4 as opposed to 1 and 3, which is for Country, this went perfectly. Corey was more fun than you can imagine, playing a different instrument for each song and really enjoying the kids, the music, and the moment. Lynnanne Hanson Miller, the dance instructor for all the schools in the district, who gives classes and designs choreography for special events such as this, loves working at Sierra Madre Elementary as it’s an exceptional school, focusing on positive energy and the arts. Miss Emily, the music teacher, proved once again that she truly is a force of nature, by coaxing some really great singing out of these little guys and gals. Think about it: First Graders are seven years old! They sang and danced a whole lot of exciting music and their stage presence was incredible with all eyes on Miss Emily! I was delighted to see my friend, Lisa Dunn, one of the First Grade teachers, along with Mr. Griffiths, Ms. Keck, Mrs. Richey and Mrs. Spigai- Perez. BUT...the best was yet to come, the Spotlight Awards. Principal Lewis called the names of about fifty students who were each presented with a certificate for achievement in things like: Kindness, Friendly Attitude, Cooperation, Increased Work Production, Polite-Well Mannered & Fair, Cheerful. Yes, there were also awards for math improvement and all those other things, but isn’t it wonderful, friends and neighbors, to see that kids are rewarded for being good citizens, too. You can check out Corey Gemme’s website: coreygemme.com where there is information on his Rolling Figs Jazz Orchestra CD – Gathering No Mold Since 2012 – entitled “Let’s Get Rolling!” Who remembers what station it was that played Big Band music back in the 1970s? KLAC? KMPC? One more thing...You just gotta get to the Sierra Madre Playhouse for “Belle of Amherst” before it closes on April 23rd. We went last Sunday and it was fantastic. Emily Dickinson, portrayed by Ferrell Marshall, will touch your heart, and make you laugh, too. You don’t want to miss this...trust me! My book page: Amazon.com: Deanne Davis Blog: www.authordeanne.com “A Tablespoon of Love, A Tablespoon of Laughter” is now available at Sunrise Books + Coffee at Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene – just down the road on Sierra Madre Blvd. Kindle readers, give yourself the gift of: Noah & The Unicorns...A Fanciful Tale! It’s on Amazon.com on my book page! Follow me on Twitter, too! https://twitter.com/@ playwrightdd JEWELRY STORE CLOSES AFTER 47 YEARS Last week, the Mountain Views News was contacted by the owner of Charlotte’s Fine Jewelry with the sad news that the establishment, which has been in existence for 47 years, was calling it quits. According Charlotte Waddingham, she and the business are relocating to Edmunds, Washington. The store closing may leave the city with another vacant downtown business for a while, however public records show that the building has already been purchased. In the case of Charlotte’s the relocation is unrelated to another problem commercial businesses are having in Sierra Madre, i.e., escalating rents. One business at a recently remodeled location on Sierra Madre Blvd. has already closed its doors and another is rumored to also leaving due to high rents. “Attracting new businesses to Sierra Madre has been a challenge over the past decade and having 3 or 4 empty commercial sites in downtown is certainly not desirable”, said one member of the local chamber of commerce. There was a time in Sierra Madre’s history when downtown offered everything residents needed: (partial listing) a grocery store, a car dealership, a barber shop, a haberdashery, a fresh fish market, a furniture store and much more. Today, with the proliferation of Big Box stores and online retailing, the city will need to maintain and support the kind of brick and mortar businesses that are trendy and attract today’s consumers. In the meantime, according to Charlotte’s Fine Jewelry social media posts, the store will only be opened Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from Noon to 6 pm and Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat. 12 noon to 6 pmis scheduled to officially close its doors on May 17, 2017. Photo by D.Davis/MVNews ATHENS SERVICES HOSTS COMPOST GIVEAWAY THIS SATURDAY Athens’ compost giveaway 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 agriculture operations certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program. For Residents of Sierra Madre Drive Up Only Containers should be 32 gallons in size of smaller Saturday, April 22, 2017 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Sierra Vista Park (West End Parking Lot, by the Tennis Courts) PLEASE REMEMBER: Must be Sierra Madre resident Bring your shovels, dolly, & containers Sturdy containers ( no larger than 32 gallons each due to safety concerns) No plastic bags allowed 30 gallon limit during first hour (no limit from 10:00 am to Noon, while supplies last) 55TH ANNUAL SIERRA MADRE ART FAIR FEATURED ARTIST HAS BEEN SELECTED The Friends of the Sierra Madre Library are proud to announce that the Featured Artist for the 55th Annual Sierra Madre Art Fair is Karen McLean- McGaw. Karen McLean-McGaw, nationally acclaimed artist and Santa Barbara native, has been capturing the essence of California and European landscapes for the past 30 years with her vibrant and sensitive paintings. Her small format paintings are executed “en plein air.” Larger compositions are created in her studio utilizing the small plein air paintings as studies recording her passion for the color and light of each unique landscape. Karen is well known for her sensitive expressive watercolor and oil landscapes of California, Hawaii, Italy and France where she travels annually teaching workshops. She is frequently invited to jury shows and demonstrates her painting techniques. In addition to major corporate and private collections, her work has been featured on magazine covers and has won national awards. “My approach to plein air painting is direct. I strive to convey the uniqueness of the landscape and the feeling of a fleeting moment in time. It may be the angle and subtle color of a shadow or the reflective mesmerizing qualities of water that grab my attention.” Her “Estuary Reflections” watercolor painting will appear on all post cards, posters, flyers, and other promotional materials. This year’s Art Fair is being held in Memorial Park, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd in Sierra Madre, on Saturday, May 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, May 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Be sure to stop by Karen’s booth (#33) to admire and purchase her inspiring creations. All proceeds from this event help support the Sierra Madre Public Library. For more information please visit www.sierramadrelibraryfriends.org or call 626- 355-7186. BAILEY CANYON SPRING CLEAN UP APRIL 29TH! 8:00am to noon Volunteers needed! Please dress carefully, i.e., closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing. You will also need gloves and garden tools. Bailey Canyon Wilderness Park is located at 451 W. Carter Ave., at the top of Grove St. Bring a friend! This event is sponsored by the Sierra Madre Environmental Action Council (SMEAC). 2017 MT. WILSON TRAIL RACE (MWTR) – YOUTH ACTIVITIES Sierra Madre, CA – April 18, 2017 - Today is the last day to submit your Mt Wilson Trail Race T-Shirt Design for the Kids Fun Run Training Days and Kids Fun Run!! Kids’ Fun Run T-Shirt Design Contest Submission Deadline April 18th! Your own artwork can be specially featured on the 2017 Mount Wilson Trail Race Kids’ Fun Run T-Shirt! Youths in Kindergarten – 8th Grade are encouraged to submit their artwork for this contest. The winning entry will have their artwork displayed on the back of the Kids’ Fun Run T-shirt, be recognized at the Mount Wilson Trail Race and receive a t-shirt along with their design. Participation in the contest is absolutely free. Contest application and guidelines are available on the City’s Website, www.cityofiserramadre.com, on the Community Services Department page or at City Hall located at 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Applications are due by Tuesday, April 18th at 5:30 p.m. MWTR Kids’ Fun Run Training Days April 29th and May 13th Join past MWTR Women’s Race Winners, Sharon Pevsner and Jill Liston, as they prepare you for the Kids’ Fun Run. Training Days will be held Saturday, April 29, 2017 & Saturday, May 13, 2017 from at 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 am at Sierra Vista Park – Westside, 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Participation in the training days is free for all, and participants should bring running shoes and water. Learn basic running techniques, complete running drills, and take part in a question and answer session with the hosts. Kids’ Fun Run May 27th Join the Sierra Madre Community Foundation for their 12th Annual 2017 Mount Wilson Trail Race Kids’ Fun Run. This 12-year-old tradition is a free event for youth ages 3-12 yrs. The Kids’ Fun Run will begin at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2017. Youth will have the opportunity to run up and down Baldwin Ave. and finish under the same banner as Runners from MWTR. Youth 3-6 years of age will run a . mile course, while youth 7-12 will run the full mile. All participants must sign up and complete waivers with a parent or guardian beginning at 7:00 a.m. in Kersting Court. First 250 youth to sign up will receive a tshirt and a ribbon for their participation! For more information on any of the 2017 Mount Wilson Trail Race Youth Activities, please contact the Community Services Department at 626.355.5278/ ext. 703 or 704. 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||