Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, May 19, 2018

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Mountain View News Saturday, May 19, 2018 

Mars Helicopter to Fly 
on Next NASA Mission

Six Pasadena Unified 
Schools Win Awards

Holden Welcomes Ann 
Marie Hickambottom to 
His Local District Staff

 
Six Pasadena Unified 
School District schools 
have been awarded national 
and state honors: two high 
schools won U.S. News & 
World Report silver medals 
and have been named 
among the top high schools 
in the country; another four 
have been named Honor 
Roll schools by a California 
alliance of business and 
education leaders. The 
PUSD announced this week.

 Marshall Fundamental 
Secondary School and 
Pasadena High School 
have once again earned 
U.S. News & World Report 
silver medals as part of the 
magazine’s 2018 Best High 
Schools annual ranking that 
highlights the country’s top 
public schools. Rankings 
are based on student 
achievement and college 
readiness data, including 
Advanced Placement test 
participation and passage 
rates.

 Don Benito Fundamental, 
Hamilton Elementary, 
Pasadena High, and Willard 
Elementary have been 
named California Honor Roll 
Schools by the Educational 
Results Partnership (ERP) 
and its Campaign for 
Business and Education 
Excellence (CBEE), an 
alliance of California 
business and academic 
leaders. Schools receiving 
the honor roll distinction 
have demonstrated 
consistently high levels 
of student academic 
achievement, improvement 
in achievement levels over 
time, and reduction in 
achievement gaps among 
student populations. For 
high schools, the honor 
roll recognition also 
includes measures of college 
readiness.

 “Congratulations to 
students, faculty and staff, 
and families of Don Benito, 
Hamilton, Willard, Marshall 
and Pasadena High School!” 
said Superintendent Brian 
McDonald. “These awards 
demonstrate that our schools 
are delivering excellent 
educational opportunities 
that are preparing students 
to succeed in college and the 
workplace.”

 The U.S. News rankings 
include data on more than 
20,500 public high schools in 
the 50 states and the District 
of Columbia. Schools were 
awarded gold, silver, or 
bronze medals based on 
their performance on state 
assessments, graduation 
rates, and how well they 
prepare students for college. 
For more information about 
the U.S. News and World 
Report Best High Schools, 
visit www.usnews.com/
highschools.

 Marshall fundamental 
and Pasadena high 
school named 2018 silver 
medalists by US News & 
World Report

 Assemblymember Chris 
Holden announced 
Wednesday that community 
leader Ann Marie 
Hickambottom has joined 
his district office staff. 
Hickambottom brings a 
wealth of knowledge of the 
Pasadena and Altadena 
community where she and 
her family have deep roots, 
and has executive experience 
in organizational and 
program development from 
a long career in nonprofit 
management Holden said.

 “I’ve personally known 
Ann Marie for decades, and 
she is a proven leader who 
has already made a positive 
impact in the community 
through her long history 
of civic engagement 
and volunteerism,” said 
Assemblymember Chris 
Holden. “We’re lucky to have 
her – her leadership qualities 
and experience addressing 
important local issues is a 
huge asset to my team and 
every constituent in the 41st 
Assembly District.”

 Hickambottom currently 
serves on the board of 
directors for the Pasadena 
Community Access 
Corporation, which is 
responsible for providing 
community access to 
broadcast programming 
on the city’s public access 
channel and the Robinson 
Park Renovation Task Force.

 She attended PUSD schools 
from elementary school to 
high school and is a proud 
alumna of John Muir. She 
attended Pasadena City 
College before graduating 
from UC Santa Barbara, 
and further expanded her 
knowledge of public policy 
by completing the Coro 
Fellows Program.

 Her portfolio of civic and 
professional engagement 
includes involvement 
with the City of Pasadena 
Planning Commission, Rose 
Bowl Operating Company, 
City of Pasadena Affirmative 
Action Commission, City 
of Pasadena Bicentennial 
Committee, Abode 
Community Housing, 
Shelter Partnership, and 
More Than Shelter for 
Seniors.

 
The Mars Helicopter, a 
small, autonomous rotorcraft, 
will travel with the agency’s 
Mars 2020 rover mission, 
currently scheduled to launch 
in July 2020, to demonstrate 
the viability and potential of 
heavier-than-air vehicles on the 
Red Planet. 

 “NASA has a proud 
history of firsts,” said NASA 
Administrator Jim Bridenstine. 
“The idea of a helicopter flying 
the skies of another planet is 
thrilling. The Mars Helicopter 
holds much promise for our 
future science, discovery, and 
exploration missions to Mars.”

 Started in August 2013 as 
a technology development 
project at NASA’s Jet 
Propulsion Laboratory, the 
Mars Helicopter had to prove 
that big things could come in 
small packages. The result of 
the team’s four years of design, 
testing and redesign weighs in 
at little under four pounds (1.8 
kilograms). Its fuselage is about 
the size of a softball, and its 
twin, counter-rotating blades 
will bite into the thin Martian 
atmosphere at almost 3,000 
rpm -- about 10 times the rate 
of a helicopter on Earth.

 “Exploring the Red Planet 
with NASA’s Mars Helicopter 
exemplifies a successful 
marriage of science and 
technology innovation and 
is a unique opportunity to 
advance Mars exploration 
for the future,” said Thomas 
Zurbuchen, Associate 
Administrator for NASA’s 
Science Mission Directorate 
at the agency headquarters in 
Washington. “After the Wright 
Brothers proved 117 years ago 
that powered, sustained, and 
controlled flight was possible 
here on Earth, another group 
of American pioneers may 
prove the same can be done on 
another world.”

 The helicopter also contains 
built-in capabilities needed for 
operation at Mars, including 
solar cells to charge its lithium-
ion batteries, and a heating 
mechanism to keep it warm 
through the cold Martian 
nights. But before the helicopter 
can fly at Mars it has to get 
there. It will do so attached to 
the belly pan of the Mars 2020 
rover.

 “The altitude record for 
a helicopter flying here on 
Earth is about 40,000 feet. The 
atmosphere of Mars is only 
one percent that of Earth, so 
when our helicopter is on the 
Martian surface, it’s already at 
the Earth equivalent of 100,000 
feet up,” said Mimi Aung, Mars 
Helicopter project manager at 
JPL. “To make it fly at that low 
atmospheric density, we had to 
scrutinize everything, make it 
as light as possible while being 
as strong and as powerful as it 
can possibly be.”

 Once the rover is on the 
planet’s surface, a suitable 
location will be found to deploy 
the helicopter down from the 
vehicle and place it onto the 
ground. The rover then will be 
driven away from the helicopter 
to a safe distance from which 
it will relay commands. After 
its batteries are charged and a 
myriad of tests are performed, 
controllers on Earth will 
command the Mars Helicopter 
to take its first autonomous 
flight into history.

 “We don’t have a pilot and 
Earth will be several light 
minutes away, so there is no way 
to joystick this mission in real 
time,” said Aung. “Instead, we 
have an autonomous capability 
that will be able to receive and 
interpret commands from 
the ground, and then fly the 
mission on its own.”

 The full 30-day flight test 
campaign will include up to five 
flights of incrementally farther 
flight distances, up to a few 
hundred meters, and longer 
durations as long as 90 seconds, 
over a period. On its first flight, 
the helicopter will make a short 
vertical climb to 10 feet (3 
meters), where it will hover for 
about 30 seconds.

 As a technology 
demonstration, the Mars 
Helicopter is considered a high-
risk, high-reward project. If it 
does not work, the Mars 2020 
mission will not be impacted. 
If it does work, helicopters may 
have a real future as low-flying 
scouts and aerial vehicles to 
access locations not reachable 
by ground travel.

 “The ability to see clearly 
what lies beyond the next hill 
is crucial for future explorers,” 
said Zurbuchen. “We already 
have great views of Mars 
from the surface as well as 
from orbit. With the added 
dimension of a bird’s-eye view 
from a ‘marscopter,’ we can only 
imagine what future missions 
will achieve.”

 Mars 2020 will launch on a 
United Launch Alliance (ULA) 
Atlas V rocket from Space 
Launch Complex 41 at Cape 
Canaveral Air Force Station 
in Florida, and is expected to 
reach Mars in February 2021.

 For more information about 
NASA’s Mars missions, go to: 
nasa.gov/mars.

 NASA is sending a 
helicopter to Mars

Hickambottom

Altadena Summer Reading

 Stories have the special 
ability to transport even 
the most reluctant traveler 
to places they could never 
imagine! Join us this 
summer as we lean into 
the transportive power 
of books and let “reading 
take us everywhere!” 
Online registration for this 
year’s Summer Reading 
program, themed “Reading 
Takes You Everywhere,” 
opens Saturday, June 2 at 
altadenalibrary.beanstack.
org, and special summer 
reading “passports” will 
soon be available for pick-
up at our Main Library and 
Bob Lucas Branch. Packed 
full of events tailored for 
each age group and details 
of our exciting prizes, your 
passport is your key to 
unlocking all that Summer 
Reading has to offer. Collect 
stamps as you reach reading 
milestones and earn prizes 
along the way.

 Main Library is located 600 
E. Mariposa Street.

 Bob Lucas Branch - 2659 
Lincoln Avenue.

 For More information call 
(626) 798-0833.

Pet of the 
Week

 Paloma (A451821) is a 
2-year-old playful cat who 
knows how to fetch! Yes, you 
read that right; if you throw 
toys for her she will bring 
them back to you over and 
over again. She is also a very 
talkative cat who loves to 
have long conversations. She 
is a friendly cat who likes to 
greet you with a kiss on the 
nose and would enjoy sitting 
next to you on the couch 
while you read a book or 
watch TV. Check out more 
about Paloma today!

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

 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.

 View photos of adoptable 
pets at pasadenahumane.
org. 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.


‘Can We All Get Along?’ 
Work-in-Progress Screening

 Can We All Get Along? is a 
film for anyone who believes 
that diversity and excellence 
are important elements to 
good public education. It 
tells the story of John Muir 
High School, focusing on 
the unique community 
that the school has come 
to represent for almost 90 
years. Through the stories 
of John Muir High School, 
much is revealed about 
the lost potential of a well-
funded and diverse public 
education. Join us for a 
work-in-progress screening 
of the film on Saturday, May 
26 at 3:30pm . Because of 
limited seating capacity, 
RSVP by May 20 to pablo@
arroyosecofilms.org.

Chu Responds to John Kelly’s 
Remarks on Immigrants

Free Monthly Events at 
Pasadena Senior Center

 

 In an interview last week, 
White House Chief of 
Staff John Kelly said that 
immigrants crossing the 
border would not assimilate 
into the United States, that 
they don’t integrate well, 
and they don’t have skills. 
Rep. Judy Chu released 
the following statement in 
response:

 “If John Kelly thinks 
immigrants don’t integrate 
well and don’t have any 
skills, then he needs to visit 
California, where we are a 
majority minority state and 
thriving with one of the 
strongest economies in the 
world.

 “John Kelly’s understanding 
of immigrants in America is 
inaccurate and it relies on 
old assumptions. With every 
new wave of immigrants 
in our country’s history, 
xenophobes have used 
the exact same charge as a 
weapon to galvanize nativist 
opposition. And every time, 
they were proven wrong. 
That’s the history and reality 
of the United States – a 
nation of immigrants. 

 “In every sector, 
immigrants continue to be 
a source of strength for our 
country. But at every turn, 
the Trump Administration 
has sought to deny those 
contributions by falsely 
painting immigrants as 
criminals and degenerates. 
It was only a few months ago 
that I sat at a table with Mr. 
Kelly and explained that his 
‘chain migration’ slur was 
not only offensive, it was 
not factual. I explained how 
family migration is part of 
the reason immigrants rely 
less on government services 
and own homes in greater 
numbers than native born 
individuals.

 “The fact is, all he has to do 
is go into any community 
in America and he will 
see Americans from every 
background and every 
religion working and 
living together. Other than 
indigenous Americans, 
we are all the children of 
immigrants. And had the 
John Kelly’s of their day 
triumphed, none of us would 
be here. We cannot let that 
change now.

 “Ironically, this is the start 
of Asian Pacific American 
Heritage Month, a chance to 
celebrate the contributions 
of Asian Americans and 
Pacific Islanders, 60 percent 
of whom are immigrants. 
Next week, I’ll be celebrating 
their accomplishments in 
the United States Capitol. I 
urge Mr. Kelly to join us to 
see another side.” 

 

 There is something for 
everyone in May 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.

 A Toast to the Joys of Music – 
Tuesdays to May 29, from 9:30 
to 11:30 a.m. Tom Campbell 
returns to play his guitar and 
sing covers of traditional 
country, country rock, blues, 
folk, gospel and classic rock 
music made famous by The 
Grateful Dead, Vince Gill, 
Merle Haggard, B.B. King, 
Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, 
The Rolling Stones and others.

Taxi Vouchers – Tuesday, May 
1, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Qualified 
low-income adults who are 
50 and older and live in the 
Pasadena area will receive two 
vouchers for taxi rides. Proof 
of income and a California ID 
are required. Quantities are 
limited.

 Scenic Walkers Club – 
Wednesdays to May 30, at 
10 a.m. Join members of the 
Pasadena Senior Center’s 
Scenic Walkers Club for walks 
to scenic local places to enjoy 
the great outdoors and get some 
exercise. For more information, 
including where to meet up 
each week, contact Scenic 
Walkers Club coordinator Alan 
Colville at alancolville@charter.
net.

 Domino Club – Thursdays 
to May 24, at 1 p.m. Rollicking 
games of chicken foot dominoes 
will have you laughing as the 
tiles cascade! This game is 
easy enough for beginners 
yet challenging enough for 
seasoned players. For more 
information call Vicki Leigh at 
(928) 478-4654.

 LA Opera Talk: In Love 
with Mozart – Monday, May 
21, at 1 p.m. An LA Opera 
community educator will 
explore the reasons Wolfgang 
Amadeus Mozart has been 
beloved by people from all 
walks of life for more than 200 
years.

 Estate Planning Basics, Part 1 
– Thursday, May 24, at 10 a.m. 
Learn the basic facts everyone 
should know about trusts, wills 
and probate issues. Presented 
by the Law Offices of Geoffrey 
Chin.

 Estate Planning Basics, Part 2 
– Thursday, May 31, at 10 a.m. 
Learn the basic facts everyone 
should know about estate taxes, 
conservatorships and durable 
powers of attorney. Presented 
by the Law Offices of Geoffrey 
Chin.

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

 Founded in 1960, the 
Pasadena Senior Center is 
an independent nonprofit 
agency 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. 

Parson's Nose Theater: 
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

 Parson’s Nose Theater, the 
acclaimed classical comedy 
theater company, opens 
“Clearly Classic: Shakespeare’s 
Twelfth Night” this weekend. 
“Clearly Classic” is a new 
PNT series which includes a 
brief introduction to a classic 
play’s characters, language, 
and themes, enhancing its 
enjoyment for today’s audience. 
This is an original 90-minute 
adaptation by Artistic Director 
Lance Davis.

 “O, had I but studied the arts!” 
–Sir Andrew Aguecheek

 “The classics are classics 
because they continue to 
show us ourselves,” says Davis. 
“Welcome to Twelfth Night, 
a 400-year-old play about 
people seeing what they want 
to see, instead of what is. We 
all see ourselves in Twelfth 
Night: Wise fools, foolish sages, 
true lovers, false lovers, brave 
women, and cowardly men. All 
ruled by Fortune, or Chance, or 
Karma – a whirligig of Time, 
which, as it turns, eventually 
brings all things ‘round. Sit 
back and enjoy some of the 
most beautiful language ever 
written, in one of the most 
charming stories ever told.”

 “Clearly Classic: Shakespeare’s 
Twelfth Night” is partly 
sponsored by the City of 
Pasadena Cultural Affairs 
Commission of LACAC.

 Parson’s Nose Theater presents 
“Clearly Classic: Shakespeare’s 
Twelfth Night”.

Runs: Tonight through June 10. 
Friday and Saturdays at 8pm, 
Sundays at 3pm.

Post-show Q&A’s will be held 
with the cast after performances 
on May 25th & June 2nd.

 Parson’s Nose Theater is 
located at 95 N. Marengo Ave. 

 Parson’s Nose Theater presents 
“Clearly Classic: Shakespeare’s 
Twelfth Night” as part of their 
Full Production Series. Ticket 
prices are $30 for Adults, 
$20 for Seniors, and $15 for 
Students. Reservations online 
at www.parsonsnose.com or by 
calling 626-403-7667. 

 Preview Performances are Pay 
What You Will. Ages 12 and up.


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