Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, June 24, 2017

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Mountain View News Saturday, June 24, 2017 

Memories of Octavia Butler

USC Pacific Asia Museum 
to Install HVAC System

Free Events Roundup at the 
Pasadena Senior Center

 

 Author of Pasadena’s 2006 
One City, One Story, Kindred

Join fellow Pasadenans in 
celebrating local author Octavia 
Butler (1947-2006) today from 
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pasadena 
Central Library’s Studio on 4th, 
285 E. Walnut St.

 Inspired by the books she read 
at Central Library, Butler broke 
new ground both as a woman 
and as an African-American 
in the realm of science fiction. 
She was a multiple recipient 
of both the Hugo and Nebula 
awards and in 1995 she became 
the first science fiction writer 
to receive the MacArthur 
Fellowship, otherwise known 
as the “Genius Grant.”

 The celebration will kick 
off with a performance by 
Lineage Dance followed by 
readings from Kindred and the 
sharing of personal memories 
of Octavia Butler by those 
who knew her and her work. 
Presenters include columnist 
and poet Dr. Gerda Govine-
Ituarte; author, professor and 
executive director of Literature 
for Life/Locavore Lit Jervey 
Tervalon; Huntington Library 
Octavia Butler Archive reader 
Connie Samarars; award-
winning science fiction author 
Steven Barnes, and L.A.-based 
journalist and essayist Lynell 
George. Attendees will also 
have an opportunity to offer 
their own personal tributes to 
Octavia Butler. 

 While Butler’s first stories 
featured horses, followed by 
romance, it was the B movie 
Devil Girl from Mars (1954) 
that inspired her to write 
science fiction. The celebration 
will conclude with a special 
screening of this cult classic 
science fiction film.

 There is something for 
everyone in July 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, July 5 to 26, 
at 10 a.m. Enjoy a series 
of leisurely walks to enjoy 
the great outdoors, make 
new friends and get some 
exercise. July 5: Monrovia 
Canyon Falls. July 12: Los 
Angeles County Arboretum. 
July 19: Descanso Gardens. 
July 26: Lower Arroyo Seco 
Trail. To sign up, email 
alancolville@charter.net or 
call 626-221-3741 for the 
meeting location for each 
walk, a list of items to bring 
and what to expect.

Free Taxi Vouchers – 
Thursday, July 6, at 9 a.m. 
Qualified low-income adults 
who are 50 and older and 
reside in the Pasadena area 
will receive two vouchers for 
taxi rides. Proof of income 
and photo ID are required. 
Quantities are limited. 
For more information call 
626-685-6732.

 Know Your Numbers – 
Thursday, July 6, at 10 a.m. 
If you or someone you care 
for has been diagnosed 
with diabetes, high blood 
pressure or high cholesterol, 
learn what a BMI is, whether 
your numbers are too high, 
too low or just right, and 
more. Presented by Regal 
Medical Group.

 Diabetes Empowerment 
Education Program – 
Thursdays, July 6 to Aug. 24, 
from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. If 
you or someone you care for 
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 overall health. 
Presented by Health Services 
Advisory Group.

 Friday Movie Matinees – 
Fridays at 1 p.m. Everyone 
enjoys movies and the 
pleasures they bring. July 
7: “Lion” (2016, PG-13) 
starring Dev Patel and 
Nicole Kidman. Twenty-five 
years after getting lost on 
the streets of Calcutta and 
adopted by an Australian 
couple, a young Indian 
man sets out to find his 
family. The Domino Effect 
– Thursdays, July 6 to 27, at 
1 p.m. If you’ve never played 
Chicken Foot dominoes 
before, or even if you have, 
come join the fun as Vicki 
Leigh leads participants in 
a rollicking version of the 
game that is easy enough for 
beginners yet challenging 
enough for more seasoned 
players. Oh, and please 
excuse the laughter every 
Thursday…it’s contagious! 
For more information call 
Vicki at 928-478-4654.

 A Toast to the Joys of 
Music – Tuesdays, July 11 
to 25, from 9:30 to 11:30 
a.m. (Please note the event 
will be canceled on July 4.) 
Tom Campbell will play 
guitar and sing songs in the 
Senior Center Lounge. Stop 
by and enjoy his covers of 
traditional country, country 
rock, blues, folk, gospel and 
classic rock originally made 
famous by Willie Nelson, 
Merle Haggard, Vince Gill, 
Elvis Presley, B.B. King, 
Neil Young, The Grateful 
Dead, The Rolling Stones 
and many more.Founded in 
1960, the 

 Pasadena Senior Center 
is an independent, nonprofit 
organization that offers 
recreational, educational, 
wellness and social services 
to people ages 50 and older in 
a welcoming environment. 
Services are also provided 
for frail, low-income and 
homebound seniors.

 
USC Pacific Asia Museum, the 
only museum dedicated to the 
arts and culture of Asia and the 
Pacific Islands, has announced 
that it has received a generous 
grant from The Ahmanson 
Foundation for the Museum’s 
Permanent Collections Storage 
Renovation Project. The grant 
will be used to install a heating, 
ventilation and air conditioning 
(HVAC) system and controls 
to transform the Museum’s 
permanent collections storage 
into a state-of-the-art facility.

 Three separate collections 
storage rooms, optimized for 
temperature and humidity 
controls will be created. A 
compact shelving system, 
funded by the Institute for 
Museum and Library Services, 
will optimize storage space and 
further secure collection items. 
The completion of this project 
will result in dramatically 
enhanced collection care 
capabilities and practices.

 “We are extremely grateful 
to The Ahmanson Foundation 
for its generosity and for 
recognizing the unique value 
that USC PAM brings to our 
community,” said Dr. Christina 
Yu Yu, USC PAM Director. 
“The Grace Nicholson Building 
that houses the museum, it’s 
collection and staff, is one of 
the most precious artifacts in 
the museum’s collection and its 
needed renovation will support 
the museum’s future growth 
and excellence.”

 The museum temporarily 
closed in July 2016 to 
commence the first phase of 
the USC PAM Master Plan that 
includes a yearlong seismic 
renovation of its historic 
building and construction of 
a modern collections care and 
conservation center. Developed 
in association with architect 
Kelly Sutherlin McLeod, FAIA, 
the USC PAM Master Plan 
will realize physical, system 
and equipment enhancements 
that will bring the museum to 
current standards for public 
access and collections care. 
Phase I addresses the most 
pressing needs, including 
seismic retrofitting, foundation 
reinforcement, water proofing, 
installation of modern HVAC 
and electrical systems, and 
creation of a modern collections 
storage facility. Phase II will 
enhance exhibition galleries 
and staff working areas and 
transform guest amenities, 
including a 1,544-sq. ft. roof 
top terrace overlooking the San 
Gabriel Mountains and a 1,544-
sq.ft. multi-purpose event 
venue and conference center.

 Structural, electrical and 
HVAC systems upgrades 
realized in the museum’s 
basement will serve as the 
foundation for completing 
Phase II of the master plan 
by supporting architectural 
and systems enhancements 
throughout the museum that 
will enhance museum and 
exhibition experiences for 
guests; increase the museum’s 
access to important museum 
and collections loans for staging 
special exhibitions; and expand 
the museum’s capacity to host 
symposia, conference, cultural 
festival and special events.

 HVAC system and control 
upgrades begin immediately 
and will be completed for the 
reopening activities planned 
in Fall 2017 and the opening 
exhibition Winds from 
Fusang: Mexico and China in 
the Twentieth Century, as part 
of the Pacific Standard Time: 
LA/LA Celebration Beyond 
Borders exploration of Latin 
American and Latino Art led 
by the Getty.

 For more visit 
pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu.

Deadline to Apply for PUSD 
Advisory Committee on 
Boundary Realignment 
and School Consolidation

 Deadline to Apply for Pasadena 
Unified’s Advisory Committee 
on Boundary Realignment and 
School Consolidation.

 Applications are due June 22, 
2017, to serve on the Pasadena 
Unified School District 
(PUSD) Superintendent’s 
Advisory Committee to 
review school attendance 
boundary realignment 
and school closures, and 
make recommendations on 
the disposition of district 
properties. PUSD is seeking 
applications from parents, 
community members including 
representatives from each 
Board of Education district, 
and district employees.

 The Board of Education 
approved the formation of 
the committee in April 2017, 
pursuant to Education Code 
Section 17387, to advise the 
Superintendent and the Board 
on the development of district 
wide policies and procedures 
governing the use or disposition 
of school facilities not needed 
for school purposes. The intent 
is to involve the community 
before decisions are made 
about realignment of school 
attendance boundaries and 
school consolidation.

 The selection of committee 
members, along with a list 
of specific charges for the 
committee to undertake with 
regard to school closures 
and attendance boundary 
realignment, will be brought 
back to the Board of Education 
for approval.

 Applications are available 
online at pusd.us/facilities 
Completed applications must 
be submitted by 4:00 p.m. 
on June 22, 2017, by mail 
to Nelson Cayabyab, Chief 
Facilities Officer, Pasadena 
Unified School District, 740 
Woodbury Rd., Pasadena, CA, 
91103, or via email to cayabyab.
nelson@pusd.us

Pet of the 
Week


Fourth of July Lunch Party 
at Pasadena Senior Center

 Gentle Ginger (A418537) 
is a 2-year-old orange tabby 
gal. This sweet momma cat 
was abandoned outside of 
the shelter with five young 
kittens. All her kittens have 
been adopted, but Ginger is 
still waiting for her forever 
home. Ginger is a super 
sweet and friendly girl. She 
can be a bit shy at first, but 
soon she’ll be rubbing up 
against you and bumping 
her head against your hand. 
She’s currently at our offsite 
adoption location at Pet 
Food Express, 320 S. Lake 
Ave., Pasadena.

 The adoption fee for cats 
is $75. All cats are spayed 
or neutered, microchipped, 
and vaccinated before being 
adopted.

 Adoption fees for all pets 
will be waived on Thursday, 
June 22 from 9am to 5pm 
during the 3rd Annual Free 
Adoption Day sponsored by 
Carol Ann Kirby. 

 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 
A418537, 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.

 

 Celebrate our nation’s 
independence during a 
lunch party Tuesday, July 
4, at noon at the Pasadena 
Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St.

 The Scott Pavilion will be 
adorned with patriotic red, 
white and blue décor as 
everyone enjoys barbecue 
beef brisket, grilled herb 
chicken, grilled vegetables, 
three different salads and 
a special cake. The Great 
American Swing Band will 
perform patriotic favorites 
as well as nostalgic tunes, 
courtesy of the Pasadena 
Showcase House.

 The cost is only $10 for 
members and $12 for non-
members of all ages. Prepaid 
reservations are due at the 
Welcome Desk by Friday, 
June 30.

 For more information visit 
www.pasadenaseniorcenter.
org or call 626-795-4331.

PUSD Names 
Elizabeth 
Blanco Assistant 
Superintendent 
of Special 
Education

 Pasadena Unified School 
District (PUSD) Superintendent 
Brian McDonald today 
announced that he has named 
Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D., as 
Assistant Superintendent of 
Special Education and Director 
of the district’s Special Education 
Local Plan Area (SELPA). Dr. 
Blanco previously served as 
Executive Director of Special 
Education in PUSD from 2009-
2011, and returns to Pasadena 
from the San Francisco Unified 
School District where she has 
been Chief of Special Education 
Services since leaving Pasadena.

 “Dr. Blanco’s extensive 
experience in special education 
and strategic planning and her 
track record of strengthening 
collaborative relationships 
with parents while improving 
the organizational efficacy 
of the division make her 
uniquely qualified to lead the 
restructuring of the district’s 
special education services,” said 
Superintendent McDonald. “I 
am pleased to welcome her back 
to PUSD.”

 As Assistant Superintendent 
of Special Education, Dr. 
Blanco will be responsible for 
administering all programs 
and services for children 
with disabilities, cross-
departmental planning, 
working collaboratively with 
families to serve children, 
and delivering consistent and 
standardized procedures and 
training. She will also serve as 
director of the district’s SELPA 
and coordinate with schools 
and the Los Angeles County 
Office of Education to provide 
a continuum of programs and 
services for disabled individuals 
from birth through 22 years of 
age.

 “It is truly an honor and 
privilege to return to PUSD and 
serve the Pasadena, Altadena 
and Sierra Madre communities,” 
said Dr. Blanco. “Inclusive 
education is a civil right, and I 
envision the Special Education 
Department as an integral part 
of an equitable, coherent system 
that creates opportunities 
for both general and special 
educators to proactively work 
together and provide services 
for students and families.”

As Chief of Special Education 
Services of San Francisco 
Unified, Dr. Blanco provided 
leadership and oversight of the 
redesign of Special Education 
Services (infant, preschool, 
K-12 and adult), including 
cross-departmental planning, 
negotiated agreements, parent 
and community advisory 
committees, and board 
relations. As a key leader in the 
superintendent’s cabinet, she led 
systemic change in the district 
to increase equity, access, and 
student achievement for all 
students.

 During her previous time 
in PUSD, Dr. Blanco focused 
on strategic planning for the 
Special Education Department, 
the delivery of academic 
programs and services for 
students with special needs 
and the strengthening of 
collaborative partnerships with 
parents. She established Focus 
Point Academy, the small, 
highly structured program that 
incorporates daily supportive 
counseling and specially 
designed academic instruction 
for students diagnosed with 
emotional disturbances and 
specific learning disabilities; and 
the Adult Living Skills Center, 
the program that prepares 
young adults with intellectual 
and developmental disabilities 
for independent living and 
employment.

 Dr. Blanco holds a doctorate in 
education in Urban Educational 
Leadership from the University 
of Southern California, Master 
of Arts degrees in Educational 
Administration and in Special 
Education from California 
State University, Los Angeles 
(CSULA), and a Bachelor of 
Arts in Child Development, also 
from CSULA. 

 Superintendent McDonald 
announced in May that the 
Special Education Department 
would be restructured to better 
serve students and employees.

Wiggle Waggle Walk 
Registration is Open

 Registration is now open 
for the 19th Annual Wiggle 
Waggle Walk. Join our 
community of animal lovers in 
raising funds for the Pasadena 
Humane Society & SPCA 
by participating on Sunday, 
September 24 at Brookside 
Park at the Rose Bowl. Register 
today as an individual, create 
or join a team, and invite your 
friends and family to join the 
fun. All registrants receive an 
official Wiggle Waggle Walk 
t-shirt, participant bib, and 
bandana for your dog. You don’t 
need a dog to take part, just a 
desire to help animals in need. 
Start your fundraising journey 
today by registering or finding 
a team or walker to support at 
wigglewagglewalk.org.

T-Shirt Design Contest

 The Pasadena Humane Society 
& SPCA is calling all artists 
to submit a T-shirt design 
for this year’s official Wiggle 
Waggle Walk t-shirt, given to 
everyone who registers. PHS 
will select the winning design 
based on originality, content, 
and visual appeal. The winning 
design will be featured on the 
Wiggle Waggle website and 
the winner will receive a prize 
package, free entry to the 2017 
Wiggle Waggle Walk, two 
event t-shirts, and recognition 
during opening ceremonies. 
Deadline is midnight (PST) 
Friday, July . To learn more go 
to: pasadenahumane.org.

Barger States Confidence in 
LA County Coroners Office

 Supervisor Kathryn Barger 
expressed confidence in the 
appointment of Dr. Jonathan 
Lucas to serve as Coroner-
Medical Examiner for the 
County of Los Angeles. 

 “L.A. County has the 
nation’s largest coroner’s 
office with a committed 
staff charged with an often 
under-appreciated -- but 
vital -- function in public 
service,” she said. “Dr. 
Lucas brings new leadership, 
vast experience, and the 
strong skillset necessary 
to meet the ever-changing 
technological, medical, 
scientific, and administrative 
needs of this department. I 
am confident in his ability 
to determine accurately 
the department’s strengths 
and weaknesses in order to 
effectively address current 
challenges and prepare for 
future developments.” 

 Barger added, “Acting 
Chief Medical Examiner-
Coroner Christopher B. 
Rogers, M.D. has done a 
great job filling a temporary 
leadership role in order to 
continue the department’s 
operations between 
directors. I also appreciate 
the efforts of former 
Chief Medical Examiner-
Coroner Dr. Lakshmanan 
Sathyavagiswaran 
who helped guide the 
department during this 
time and under whose 
leadership the Coroner’s 
Office was acknowledged 
by the National Association 
of Medical Examiners 
and accredited by the 
American Society of Crime 
Laboratory Directors from 
the Institute for Medical 
Quality of California for its 
role in continuing medical 
education.

Public Library Celebrating 
National Health Month

 Pasadena Public Library is celebrating National Health 
Month with weekly film offerings and programs focusing 
on specific health issues. Stop in this month to learn more.

• Film - Living Proof NR

 The 2008 film follows the story of Dr. Dennis Slamon who 
helped develop the breast cancer drug 

 Herceptin, from 1988 to 1996. 

 Wednesday, June 28, 1 p.m., Central Library/Donald 
Wright Auditorium, 285 E. Walnut St.

• Lecture - Know the 10 Signs of Alzheimer’s 

 If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss 
or behavioral changes learn what is involved 

 in getting a diagnosis, what the risks are associated with 
Alzheimer’s, benefits of early detection and 

 available drug therapy and clinical studies. Q&A follows. 
Presented by the Alzheimer’s Association. 

 Thursday, June 29, Central Library/Donald Wright 
Auditorium, 285 E. Walnut St.

 Reception, 6:30 p.m. and Presentation, 7 p.m.

For more information call (626) 744-7076 or email creeder@
cityofpasadena.net.

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