PASADENA EDITION 


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 
VOLUME 11 NO. 43 
HAPPY HALLOWEEN 
Local Area 
News Briefs 

 Suspect Arrested for 
Attempted Kidnap, 
Attempted Murder 

 Police arrested a 73 year-
old Pasadena man Monday 
after witnesses said he tried to 
kidnap a woman and her dog 
near the Sierra Madre Gold 
Line station and later cutting 
the neck of a second woman 
600 block of South Arroyo 
Parkway. Police believe 
both attacks were without 
provocation.

 “The quick actions of 
witnesses to aid victims 
and call 9-1-1, and the alert 
observations of the police 
helicopter unit and patrol 
officers in locating and 
apprehending the suspect, 
likely prevented further 
violence by the suspect,” 
stated Police Chief Phillip L. 
Sanchez. 

 Lance A. Semkus, 73 year 
old, Pasadena resident, was 
arrested for attempt kidnap 
and attempt murder. He was 
held with no bail. 
According to police, on 
Monday, at approximately 

4:04 p.m., police responded 
to the 3300 block of Sierra 
Madre Villa regarding an 
attempt kidnap. 
Semkus allegedly attempted 
to drag the first victim and 
her dog toward a black SUV. 
A witness came to the victim’s 
aid, causing the suspect to 
release her and her dog. He 
then fled.

 Approximately an hour and 
a half later, an adult female 
victim was sitting against a 
retaining wall when Semkus 
approached her from behind 
and allegedly attacked the 
victim with a knife cutting 
the area of her neck. The 
victim screamed causing the 
suspect to stop the assault. 

 The second victim was 
hospitalized in stable 
condition. 

Anyone with information 
should call police at (626)7444241, 
or anonymously by 
calling “Crime Stoppers” 
by dialing (800) 222-TIPS 
(8477).

SAN MARINO/SO. PAS 
Pg. 4 
SIERRA MADRE Pg. 5 
ARCADIA Pg. 6 
MONROVIA 
THE ARTS B2 
CALENDAR Pg. 2 
MORE PASADENA NEWS 
Pg. 3 
THE GOOD LIFE Pg. 9 
AROUND SAN GABRIEL 
VALLEY B1 
EDUCATION/YOUTH 
Pg. 7 
BEST FRIENDS Pg. 11 
SECTION B: 
BUSINESS NEWS 
B3 
OPINION B4 
LEGAL NOTICES B5 
FOOD & DRINK Pg. 8 
WORLD AROUND US Pg 10 
By Dean Leetransportation, economic and 

 The Pasadena city council is set land use experts formed the 
Monday night to hear strategies Connecting Pasadena Project. 
for repurposing the SR 710 stub The group’s mission states, “To 
that occupies 50 acres south of reconnect Pasadena by restoring 
Old Pasadena. At issue is what the pattern of city streets and 
to do with the freeway extension replacing the stub highway with 
now that the Metro board and buildings, homes, businesses, 
Caltrans have dropped support parks, gardens.”
of the embattled 710 freeway Connecting Pasadena Project, 
tunnel project.led by architect and urbanist 

 Pasadena Councilmember Stefanos Polyzoides, included 
Steve Madison has said that the two concepts. 
mile long ditch, now being used Alternative 1 —leaves the 
as a concrete batch plant, would ditch of the 710 freeway in place 
become “surplus property” by and works around the existing 
Caltrans and required to be topographic conditions. A 
given back to the city. Madison main parkway is placed in the 
said the city and council could center and at the bottom of the 
take legal action to assure that existing 710 right-of way. All 
happens.thoroughfares are reconnected 

 Last year a group of local and turned into two-way 

Exhibit Celebrates Men 
Who Promoted, ConservedSan Gabriel Mountains

Council to Hear Strategies for SR 710 Stub

early 1900s.
The website was made 
possible with the help of 
a grant from Southern 
Five fascinating men whoexplored, mapped, promotedand conserved the San Gabriel 
Mountains are featured in a 
new exhibit at the Altadena 
Historical Society’s museum 
in the Altadena CommunityCenter.

 The exhibit, “Inspired by theSan Gabriels: Five Men and the 
Mountains,” will be unveiled in afree, public opening event from 2to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4--a rareopportunity for the communityto visit on a weekend, when theCommunity Center is usuallyclosed.

 Thereafter the exhibit will be 
on year-long display during thesociety’s regular hours, 9 a.m. to1 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays andFridays, and by appointment.
Special arrangements can bemade for groups of all ages.

 The Community center is at730 E. Altadena Drive, just westof the sheriff ’s station and across 
the street from Rite-Aid.

 Featured in the exhibit are 
the photos, letters, maps and 
memorabilia of George WhartonJames; Theodore Lukens; WillThrall; Don McClain; and L.T.
Gotchy. Descendants of several 
of the men are expected toattend.

 The Historical Society’s newwebsite on the history of 
Altadena’s Mount Lowe Railwaywill also be launched that 
afternoon.

 The website features scores of 
photos, maps, and newspaperarticles from the AHS archives 
about the incline railway, its 
hotels and attractions, that were 
an internationally known touristdestination in the late 1800s and 

Opening Event 2-4 p.m.

Saturday Nov. 4 Offers Rare

Saturday Opportunity

California Edison Co.

 George Wharton James 
was a writer, lecturer andpublicist for the MountLowe Railway who helpeddraw millions of tourists 
and hikers to the San 
Gabriels. Sometimes called 
“The Father of Forestry,” 
Theodore Lukens and his 
friend John Muir helped 
to build an awareness 
of the need to conserve 
California’s natural 
treasures. 

Altadenan Don McClain 
mapped, photographed 
and named some of the 
area mountains, workingas a surveyor for the ForestService. Will Thrall, who asa young man helped buildthe Mount Lowe Railway,
publicized the pleasures ofmountain hiking in Trailsmagazine and the Los 
Angeles Times.

 L.T. Gotchy lived in atiny mountain cabin and 
was a forest firefighterand a photographer whodocumented the charred 
remains of the Mount 
Lowe Railway and manyother scenes throughout 
California. 
The Altadena Historical 
Society is a nonprofit 
organization founded in 
1935 to gather, preserveand publicize informationabout the people, placesand events that have shapedthe community. It can be 
reached at (626) 797-8016and at Altadenahistorical. 
society@yahoo.com. 

circulation. The volume and 
manner of access to the 134 and 
210 Freeways is maintained and 
neighborhood traffic is slowed 
down and dispersed. There are 
development blocks located on 
either side of the parkway.

 Alternative 2 —fills the entire 
ditch and reestablishes the 
topographic level of the site as it 
existed before the construction 
of the freeway. A major 
boulevard replaces Pasadena 
Avenue and serves to both 
direct traffic going into and out 
of the freeway, and disperse 
traffic to the neighborhoods to 
the south, east and west through 
reestablished two-way streets.

 Along with new park space 
the group envisioned zoning 
for single family housing at the 
south end and commercial and 
office space at the north end —
extending Old Pasadena. 

 The item on the council 
agenda is for information only 
and no vote will be taken. The 
council meets at 6:30 p.m. in 
the Council Chamber, Pasadena 
City Hall 100 North Garfield 
Avenue, Room S249.

 The Connecting 
Pasadena Project Report 
can be downloaded, or 
for more information, at 
connectingpasadena.com. 

High Tea withQueen andRoyal Court

The Scott Pavilion at the 
Pasadena Senior Center, 
85 E. Holly St., will be 
transformed into an elegant, 
beautifully decorated tea 
room Monday, Nov. 20, 
from 3 to 5 p.m. when 
members of the Pasadena 
Senior Center enjoy high 
tea with 2018 Rose Queen 
Isabella Marez and Rose 
Princesses Alexandra 
Artura, Savannah Bradley, 
Lauren Buehner, Georgia 
Cervenka, Julianne 
Lauenstein and Sydney 
Pickering.

 “This is an annual 
tradition that gives our 
members an opportunity 
to meet the seven vibrant, 
exceptional young women,” 
said Akila Gibbs, executive 
director of the Pasadena 
Senior Center. “The Rose 
Queen and members of her 
Royal Court explain their 
personal hopes and dreams 
to our members, who ask 
questions of the young 
women in what becomes 
a lovely, intergenerational 
exchange.”

 Prepaid $15 reservations 
must be received at the 
Welcome Desk or at 
pasadenaseniorcenter.orgno later than Tuesday, Nov. 

14. Attendance is limited to 
200 people. 
For more information call 
626-795-4331. 

Doo Dah Judges Select 
Parade Queen and King 



wasn’t just a challenge, it 

 For the first time in many was almost impossible.” Not 
years, judges and officials only that, Armond’s home 
chose a parade King Sunday lifepresented him with equal 
night along with a Doo Dah difficulties. It was a hyper-
Queen to reign over the 40th masculineenvironment led 
Doo Dah Parade set for next be his father who was an 
month in East Pasadena.auto mechanic and uncle 

 Over twenty-five judges who had played with the 

gathered at the American Buffalo Bills.

Legion Bar to decide who “When I tried out for 

would become this year’s Queen, I was just hoping 

Queen of the Pasadena someone would recognize 

Doo Dah Parade. In an my spark.” Anderson-

unexpected move, the Bell said. “And I believe in 

mysterious Pied Piper of order to wear a crown you 

Pasadena was chosen King have to have gone through 

after being a contestant something and learn 

for Queen. He wowed the humility. I take it seriously. 

judges after explaining his That’s why I’m honored and 

long affiliation with old thrilled to serve as this year’s 

town Pasadena and the early Doo Dah Queen.”

days of Doo Dah. As a 38 year-old community 

 “If you get this guy, you activist, Anderson-Bell, 
get it,” said Tom Coston works with numerous 
president of Light Bringer nonprofit organizations and 
Project the nonprofit initiatives which advocate 
organization behind Doo for LGBT and others’ rights. 
Dah. “I once had people in my life 
As for the Queen, among love me when I didn’t even 

a boisterous crowd of love myself.” He said. “Now 

onlookers and typically I’m truly blessed because 

atypical cast of royal “I’m not only supported by 

hopefuls, Imani Phoenix gay blacks, I’m supported 

wowed everyone over with by whites, straights and the 

her inspirational story and broader community.”

vivacious Aretha Frankli The parade will be held 

impersonation.on Sunday, November 

 Imani Phoenix was born 19, stepping off at 11:00 
Armond Anderson-Bell a.m. on Colorado Blvd. in 
in a South Central L.A. East Pasadena. To enter 
neighborhood where gang the parade, simply go to 
violence was reaching an pasadenadoodahparade.infoall-time high. “This was a for the entry form, or call 
place where being different (626) 590-1134. 

ThanksgivingDinner at the 
Senior Center

 There’s always something to 
be thankful for at the Pasadena 


Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St. all cooked and prepared by 
Everyone is invited to eat, drink Chef Gabby and served by 
and be especially thankful volunteers.
Thursday, Nov. 23, at noon Prepaid reservations must 
when a Thanksgiving feast with be received at the Welcome 
all the trimmings will be served. Desk no later than Tuesday, 
Doors will open at 11:30 a.m.Nov. 21. The cost is only $10 

 Guests will be seated at for members and $12 for non-
beautifully decorated tables and members of all ages.
enjoy a festive meal of turkey, For more information visit 

stuffing, mashed potatoes, www.pasadenaseniorcenter.orgvegetables, salad and dessert, or call (626) 795-4311. 


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