Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, May 6, 2017

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Mountain View News Saturday, May 6, 2017 

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO GUNS 
CONFISCATED IN SIERRA MADRE

Walking Sierra Madre…The Social Side 

by Deanne Davis


Full List Of Seized Items 
Made Public

Public records recently released show 
the contents of the two truckloads of 
weapons seized in a raid at the Sierra 
Madre home of Pasadena Police Lt. 
Vasken (Kenneth) Gourdikian in 
February, 2017. (http://mtnviewsnews.
com/v11/htm/n07/index.htm), The 
residence contained as many as 62 
items of which 57 were guns. One 
of the items seized, a handgun, has 
been valued at $3,800. Various other 
news sources have placed a total value 
of the guns taken to be between $50- 
$100,000. According one source, 
“A wide range of guns were seized, 
including 34 pistols, valued at about 
$27,900, 21 rifles or rifle receivers, 
valued at about $20,450, and two 
shotguns, valued at about $2,600.” The complete list can 
be viewed at:

https://www.forfeiture.gov/pdf/ATF/OfficialNotification.pdf

 The guns were confiscated as part of a federal 
investigation by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 
Firearms and Explosives. Recently the Los Angeles 
office warned of a “growing trend” of law enforcement 
officers engaging in unlicensed, illegal firearms dealing.

 In March, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF in 
Los Angeles, Eric D. Harden, warned that the agency 
has learned of an “emerging problem” with respect to 
law enforcement officers buying and then reselling 
guns, in possible violation of federal firearms law. The 
involved guns include many which are considered “off-
roster” under California law, meaning that they can be 
purchased only by law enforcement officers and are 

not available to the general public. “In some instances, 
ATF has discovered officers who purchased more 
than 100 ‘off roster’ firearms that were subsequently 
transferred to non-law enforcement individuals,” 
Harden continued. “Such transactions potentially 
constitute violations of federal firearms laws, to include 
dealing firearms without a FFL, and lying on a federal 
firearms form when purchasing said firearm — also 
known as ‘straw purchasing. Whether or not there is 
a relationship between the raid of Gourdikian’s home 
and the advisory sent by the ATF recently is not known.

 

At press time, there have been no charges filed against 
Gourdikian, and because of the ongoing investigation, 
very little information has been made public. 
Gourdikian remains on administrative leave from the 
Pasadena Police Department. MVNews

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist 
expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” 
William Arthur Ward

“A great wind is blowing and that gives you either 
imagination or a headache.” 

Catherine the Great

That pessimist would be me. William Arthur Ward 
was, obviously, not hanging around Sierra Madre 
last week when we had a couple of really windy days, 
which did not inspire imagination in us, but gave us a 
pounding headache when we looked around our yard. 
We didn’t lose any big branches, not too many palm 
fronds, but Oh My Gosh! the twigs, the leaves, the 
unbelievable quantity of stuff we didn’t need all over 
the place. I realize that wind is nature’s way of cleaning 
all the stuff off the trees that needs to go, but still...

 “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.” Bob 
Dylan

 Walking around town, we noticed changes! Citta 
Café is gone and there’s a beer and wine license 
application in the front window! Something new to 
eat... let’s see, that spot has been a sushi place, Vicious 
Dogs, Citta Café featuring bagels and interesting 
wheatgrassy sorts of drinks and now, something new 
is on the horizon. The last remaining bicycle shop next 
door to T’Neer is gone, too. Charlotte’s Jewelry will be 
leaving us later this month, but Sierra Madre is such 
a tremendous place to shop, live and work, we’re sure 
we’ll have exciting new businesses joining us very 
quickly!

 A little note about our Representative, Judy Chu: We 
were delighted to see that she introduced a bill a week 
or so ago to prohibit airlines from forcibly removing 
passengers after they have boarded, except in cases of 
safety or security issues. Good for you, Judy! The very 
idea of someone saying - after I’ve checked my bag, 
found my seat, buckled my seat belt and opened my 
Kindle - that I need to get off now, makes me feel very 
cranky.

 The 55th Annual Art Fair is this weekend. We are 
so jazzed about this and looking forward to seeing all 
the neat things which will be filling up Memorial Park. 
Our featured artist, Karen McLean-McGaw has some 
really beautiful work we are anxious to get a closer look 
at. Every year we, my Art Fair browsing companion, 
John, and I are astonished by the creativity we see in 
each one of the artist’s booths. Again this year, I am 
so hoping that Van Noppen Glass will be back. David 
VanNoppen is the artist who had the fantastic blown 
glass pumpkins two years ago, which I looked at, lusted 
after, thought about and, foolishly, didn’t buy! Looked 
for him last year but, alas, he wasn’t there. Fingers 
crossed that he’ll be back and still be doing pumpkins.

 The Friends of the Library will be hosting 80 artists, 
lots of children’s activities, live music, a silent auction, 
and there will be exciting food, the beer and wine 
garden and the Friends of the Library will be selling 
their special ‘baked by human hands’ breads, while the 
guys from the Historical Society will have lemonade 
made from Rangpur limes. Lime-ade? Anyway, it’s 
today, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and tomorrow, 9:30 a.m. to 5 
p.m. Rumor has it that it will be cooler on Saturday and 
a possible chance of rain on Sunday so don’t wait too 
long to do your Art Fair shopping. In case you didn’t 
know, all proceeds from the Art Fair benefit our own 
Sierra Madre Public Library. The shirt this year is really 
cool, too.

 Mark your calendars for the Chili Cook-off on May 
13th. We will be there, taking pictures, tasting chili and 
– maybe even dancing the night away with JJ Jukebox. 
Peter Dills will be judging and we think it will be a lot 
of fun. It’s 6-10 p.m. on Saturday the 13th in the Sierra 
Madre Room. More about this next week. 

 So here we are in May, friends and neighbors, and 
the next thing you know, school will be out. Yes, I know, 
that’s kind of a shocker as it seems like we just barely 
got past Halloween. Anyway, Here’s a suggestion for 
something for the kids to do other than hang around 
the house and complain they’re bored and there’s 
nothing to do there: Enroll your 4-8 graders in the 
Pasadena Musical Theatre Program! Five weeks – June 
12-July 13, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a performance 
on July 13th. More information online at www.
pasadenamusicaltheatre.org. Miss Emily Clark will 
be the director and it will be held right here at Sierra 
Madre Elementary School in the Bluemel Auditorium. 
Check it out!

 One last thing...Mother’s Day is May 14th. You have 
time to get a card for all the mothers in your life, order 
flowers, make reservations. Here’s a gift suggestion for 
the best gift ever! It’s a digital picture frame. Daughter 
Patti gave us one for our 50th anniversary, an Insignia 
10” and with the insertion of a flash drive, all 565 
pictures taken at our party are on there rotating away! 
We love it!! Yes, they have it at Amazon.com.

See you at the Art Fair!

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


Two truckloads of weapons were seized fromVasken (Kenneth) 
Gourdikian's Sierra Madre home in February

DR. BILL PATZERT TO SPEAK ON 

“DROUGHTS AND DELUGES”


World renowned Climatologist, Dr. Bill Patzert will speak to 
the Sierra Madre Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 
noon. 

 Patzert has been a research scientist in oceanography at 
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of 
Technology, since 1983. He explores the ocean’s role in climate 
variability, seeks to improve climate forecasting using NASA-
generated global data in concert with longer, land-based 
records of temperature and precipitation, and communicates 
scientific knowledge to the general public through popular 
articles and media interviews. Patzert also is a member of 
NASA’s Sea Level Change Team. Prior to joining JPL, Patzert 
was a research oceanographer at the Scripps Institution of 
Oceanography, University of California, San Diego.

 On Tuesday, he will speak on Droughts and Deluges and 
California’s forecast.

 The Kiwanis Club meets at The Lodge, (formerly the Masonic Temple), 33 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra 
Madre. Lunch will be served at noon ($10). The program, which is free, will begin at 12:40. 
For reservations, please contact Kiwanis President Judy Webb-Martin at 626-688-2273.

REMEMBRANCE

MICHAEL J. PARKER


SIERRA MADRE 

POLICE BLOTTER

SIERRA MADRE GARDEN CLUB 
PRESENTS: 

LIVING WITH 
MOUNTAIN LIONS

Long-time Sierra Madre resident Mike Parker passed away 
on March 30, 2017. He was 75. Mike was born in Selborne, 
East Hampshire England on May 25, 1941. He spent his 
childhood in England during WWII and the post-war 
period. After completing his schooling, Mike worked on a 
farm and then for 2 years as a police officer, or “Bobbie”, in 
London. He later joined Morphy Richards, a recreational 
vehicle company, that transferred him to Elkhart Indiana, 
and then to Los Angeles. While in California Mike 
met his future wife Gerd. In 1976, they were married and 
settled in Sierra Madre. In 1990, he opened a home repair 
business, which he successfully operated for the next 20 
years. Also in 1990, Mike joined the all-volunteer Sierra 
Madre Search and Rescue Team, where he was very active for 18 years, serving as a Crew Chief, 
Operations Leader, and member of the Board of Directors. After retirement, Mike and Gerd 
enjoyed frequent excursions with their dog in their 5th wheel trailer in the US and other travel 
abroad. 

 Mike is survived by his wife Gerd, his son Charlie, daughter-in-law Kelly and two granddaughters: 
Kimberly (Kim) and Felicity (Libby). The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be 
made in memory of Mike to the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team, PO Box 24, Sierra Madre, 
91025, or at the Team’s website: WWW.smsr.org

April 23, to April 30, 2017

During this time period, the Sierra Madre Police Department 
responded to approximately 330 day and night time calls for service.

Friday, April 28

At about 10:31 a.m., officers were dispatched to a call regarding a 
passerby who saw two male subjects running from a residence. 
Officers responded to the residence and after further investigation 
determined a burglary attempt had occurred. It appears that there 
was no loss of property.

Saturday, April 29

Officers on patrol observed a damaged vehicle on the northwest 
corner of E. Grandview Ave and Stone House Rd. at about 12:30 a.m. 
After stopping to render aid, it was determined that the driver was 
driving under the influence of alcohol. The Driver was arrested and 
booked at Pasadena Jail.

Case referred to Pasadena DA’s office.

7:51 a.m.

Officers were flagged down by a motorist at who witnessed a 
vehicle collide into a light pole and left the scene at the intersection of 
Michillinda Avenue and Sierra Madre Blvd. The witness gave officers 
a description of the vehicle involved in the traffic collision and the last 
known location. Officers were able locate the vehicle stopped in the 
00 block of S. Sunnyside Avenue. During the investigation, officers 
discovered front end damage to the vehicle. When interviewing the 
driver, he admitted to colliding with a light pole and droving away 
from the scene. The driver was arrested for misdemeanor hit and 
run, driving on a suspended license, and for a $50,000 warrant from 
the San Bernardino Sheriff Department. The driver was transported 
to Pasadena jail where he was booked and later released on a citation.

Case pending

NOTE:

Several citations were issued for unlicensed drivers and/or driving 
without a license, a few resulting in impounding of the driver’s vehicle.

A reminder to be aware of the expiration date of your California 
driver’s license and vehicle registration tags.

REMEMBER!!!

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

You are invited to the Garden Club meeting on May 
8th to learn more about the plight of mountain lions 
in Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Mountains, 
and the quest to build the largest wildlife crossing 
in the world over the 101 Freeway to help save this 
population of cats from extinction. The program 
will include advice on how to be a good neighbor 
to a mountain lion and other wildlife in our area.

 Guest Speaker, Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, is 
California Director of the National Wildlife 
Federation. A lifelong advocate for wildlife, Beth 
has worked in two of the country’s largest national 
parks, Yosemite and Yellowstone. Her conservation 
work has been featured in numerous national 
media sources and her book “When Mountain 
Lions are Neighbors: People and Wildlife Working 
it out in California” was published in 2016.

Beth leads the #SaveLACougars campaign.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR. Everyone is 
invited. Dinner begins at 6:30 P.M.; followed by 
the program at 7:15 P.M. Catered dinner is $11; 
reservations for dinner must be made by May 5th 
by calling 626-836-4945. There is no charge for 
attending only the program. Location: Hart Park 
House, Memorial Park, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., 
Sierra Madre. For information call the reservation 
number or visit www.smgarden.org


INTRODUCTION TO 
RUNNING 

Attention beginning runners! Boost your 
confidence by wearing your running shoes over 
to the Sierra Madre Public Library at 10:30 am 
on Saturday, May 13, 2017. Join runner Chantal 
Cravens, for a brief Power Point Presentation, 
running-related treats, a stretch demo, and a 
short, easy jog from the Library to Memorial 
Park. 

Local running stores and the Foothill Flyers 
Running Club will be part of the event to 
help you get started improving your life with 
running. 

 

Cravens will share the positive impact running 
has had on her life and how it can help others 
with school and self-esteem. A teacher, Cravens 
said physical fitness ties in with standardized 
testing, academic improvement, and a positive 
outlook. 

For more information contact Meegan Tosh at 
the Sierra Madre Public Library, (626) 355-7186 

Read, Discover, Connect @ Sierra Madre Public 
Library

2017 4TH OF JULY 
PARADE REGISTRATION 
NOW OPEN

The Sierra Madre 4th of July Parade is an annual 
tradition that is an integral part of the Sierra Madre 
community! This hometown parade features 
community members, organizations, classic cars, a 
marching band, kids on their decorated bikes and so 
much more. Join us for the 2017 parade on Tuesday, 
July 4, from 10:00am – 12:00 pm. The parade route 
will begin at the corner of Sierra Madre Blvd. and 
Sunnyside Avenue, and will travel the length of Sierra 
Madre Blvd. to Sierra Vista Park.

Parade participation is open to all; young, young-
at-heart, and everything in between. There is NO 
FEE to participate in the parade this year thanks 
to a sponsorship from the The Kensington. If you 
are interested in participating in the 4th of July 
parade, please submit applications online at www.
sierramadre4thofjuly.com. Parade registration is 
now open and all applications must be submitted by 
Wednesday, May 31st. 

****Due to staging concerns, NO LATE ENTRIES WILL 
BE ACCEPTED!****

For more information on the parade and all of 
the happenings please visit our website at www.
sierramadre4thofjuly.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