Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre edition

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Inside this Week:

Community Calendar:
SM Calendar of Events

Sierra Madre:
Walking SM … The Social Side

Shop Local:

Pasadena – Altadena:
Altadena Police Blotter
Pet of the Week

Arcadia · Monrovia · Duarte:
Arcadia Police Blotter

Education & Youth:
Golden Words: Dr. Dan's College Corner

Best Friends and More:
The Missing Page
Happy Tails
The Joy of Yoga
Katnip News!

Food & Drink:
Chef Peter Dills
Table for Two

The Good Life:
Senior Happenings

The World Around Us:
Looking Up
Christopher Nyerges
Out to Pastor

F. Y. I. :

Section B:

Arts and More:
Jeff's Book Pics
All Things
Family Matters
Business Today

Opinion:
Will Durst
Dick Polman
Michael Reagan
The Funnies

Legal Notices (1):

Legal Notices (2):

Legal Notices (3):

Legal Notices (4):

Support Our Local Businesses:

Columnists:
Jeff Brown
Deanne Davis
Peter Dills
Bob Eklund
Marc Garlett
Dan Golden
Lori A. Harris
Chris Leclerc
Christopher Nyerges
La Quetta M. Shamblee
Rev. James Snyder
Keely Totten

Recent Issues:
Issue 49
Issue 48
Issue 47
Issue 46
Issue 45
Issue 44
Issue 43
Issue 42
Issue 41
Issue 40
Issue 39

Archives:
MVNews Archive:  Page 1

MVNews this week:  Page 1

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017 
VOLUME 11 NO. 50 
SIERRA MADRE EDITION 
SIERRA MADRE CANDLELIGHT WALK 
DECEMBER 17TH 7:00 PM 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017 
VOLUME 11 NO. 50 
SIERRA MADRE EDITION 
SIERRA MADRE CANDLELIGHT WALK 
DECEMBER 17TH 7:00 PM 
THE FATE OF THE SIERRA MADRE LIBRARY 


As 2017 comes to an end, there have been a number Sierra Madre Recreation Center on East Sierra Madre 
of changes in Sierra Madre. Several of the city’s top Blvd. That would include expanding the currentmanagement have left us: City Manager Elaine Aguilar,Recreation Center. This option would be funded byPublic Works Director Bruce Inman and a little over selling the current Library building and the back lota year ago this week, SMPD Chief Larry Giannone.with no tax increase to residents.1 
However, with those retirements new leadership2. Keep the Library at its current location and movecame forward, City Manager Gabe Engeland, Publicsome services and events/programs to other cityWorks Director Chris Cimino and SMPD Chief Joe venues. Fund repairs by selling the back lot with noOrtiz. All have brought in a new era of transparency,extra tax burden on residents.2 
all making responding to the concerns of the citizenry3. Enhance and expand the current Library at itstheir priority. One such effort to reach out to the existing location, expand services and programmingpublic currently underway by Engeland… What to doby funding with a property tax increase.3with the Sierra Madre Public Library?4. Significantly reduce Library services, limit public

In January, residents will receive in the mail a surveyaccess to areas of the Library which are not safe untilin which they are asked what the fate of the Libraryalternative funding is available and do not sell anyshould be. According to staff reports, this survey willcity-owned property and do not increase propertycost the city approximately $16,000 and will cometaxes for Library services.4from the city’s general fund. It is hoped that theThe Sierra Madre Library Board of Trustees andresults will give the city some direction as to what itThe Friends of the Library all recognize the need toshould do. There are four courses of action the citycome up with a solution that will enable the facilitycould take and they will be presented to the public into continue to serve the 6,000+ patrons that use thethe survey.library every month. They are asking are residents to

Currently located on W. Sierra Madre Blvd. sincegive the choices serious consideration and respond1955, the current structure does not currently meetaccordingly when the survey arrives after the holidays.
American Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, is notearthquake safe, and needs extensive repairs on theS. Henderson/MVNewsroof, windows, electrical and heating/air conditioning.
There are other issues confronting the current library.
Namely, it is not large enough. There is not adequatespace for the storage of valuable archives, nor is it largebout the Sierra Madre Public Library:
enough to adequately handle the amount of patronThe Sierra Madre Public Library, begun in 1887, is thetraffic. fourth oldest city library in Los Angeles County and

Says Library Trustee Barry Ziff, “we need a placethe tenth oldest in Southern California. The current 
that is safe and complies with all State and Federalbuilding of 8,762 square feet houses a collection ofrequirements.” about 70,000 cataloged items, a historical archives

collection, free Wi-Fi, eBooks and DVDs. The LibraryWhat should the city do?Services Department is one of seven departments of

None of the solutions are without expense. Theythe City of Sierra Madre and offers a wide range ofrange from moving the library to a new locationlibrary services to adults, teens and children. Servicesto doing absolutely nothing. The latter guaranteesare expanded through participation in the Southernunpredictable financial emergencies and potentialCalifornia Library Cooperative, a network of 39 arealitigation. The choices are below: libraries. 

1. Move the Library from its current location to the 
The season of Christmas reminds us of that 
glorious child who entered the world.

The Candlelight Walk is held each Christmasseason to celebrate the journey Joseph and Marymade to Bethlehem where Jesus was born over 
2,000 years ago. With “Mary and Joseph” leadingthe way, the procession will begin at St. Rita’sCatholic Church in Sierra Madre, accompaniedby participants holding candles and singing 

traditional Christmas carols. The processionwill end at Kersting Court in the center of townwhere the Christmas story will be read from theScriptures.

The event begins at St. Rita traveling downBaldwin to Kersting Court. It is recommended 
to arrive at 6:45p.m., as the walk will beginpromptly at 7:00 p.m 

‘TIS THE SEASON….TO BE SAFE 

Residents Urged To Protect Against Burglaries, Packagethe house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lockand Identity Theft This Holiday Season your doors.

3. Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going
At press time, Sierra Madre experienced at least oneto be away for a length of time, connect some lamps toburglary and one attempted burglary on opposite sidesautomatic timers to turn them on in the evening and offof town. Unfortunately, incidents such as these areduring the day.
occurring far too often, especially during the holidays.4. Keep your garage door closed and locked.

The Sierra Madre Police Department and the5. Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers ordepartments of all the cities surrounding Sierra Madre,flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with thehave been admonishing citizens to be alert, to “seePost Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend orsomething, say something”. That becomes even more neighbor to take them regularly.
important in the next few weeks as thieves step up their6. Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are goingefforts to violate unsuspecting residents.away for an extended time.

There are a number of things that can be done as a7. Check your locks on doors and windows and replacedeterent however. The following list is compiled fromthem with secure devices as necessary. Pushbuttona variety of Police Departments on how to protect yourlocks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Installbelongings:deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.

1. Make your home look occupied, and make it8. Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks aredifficult to break in. available for better security.
2. Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave 9. Don’t Tempt a Thief: (CONT. ON PAGE 2) 
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

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Mountain Views News 80 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. #327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.604.4548 www.mtnviewsnews.com