Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, December 29, 2018

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Mountain View News Saturday, December 29, 2018 

Outgoing PCC President 
Reflections on Progress

Cal Poly Universities Self Built 
Float has Far Out Frequencies

Citizen Scientist: Climate 
Change in the Library

 With the conclusion of the 
fall semester at Pasadena City 
College, and with the selection 
of Dr. Erika Endrijonas as the 
college’s 16th superintendent/
president announced earlier 
this month, outgoing chief 
executive Rajen Vurdien, 
Ph.D., is sharing his reflections 
on his tenure at PCC with the 
community.

 Dr. Vurdien wrote in a “Dear 
Colleagues” letter last week, “I 
would like to take some time 
to express my sincere gratitude 
for all that we have been able to 
accomplish together.”

 The remainder of his letter 
reads as follows:

 Looking back, it is hard to 
believe that I came to Pasadena 
only three and a half years 
ago. Some memories are so 
rich and detailed that they 
suggest an engagement with 
this college that transcends 
time. The achievements we 
have witnessed together during 
my time spent at PCC include 
some of the most rewarding 
highlights of my career, and 
when I consider them as a 
whole the scope of our impact 
becomes clear. In our time 
together:

 We returned the college to full 
accreditation status in a process 
that engaged faculty, staff, 
administration, and students 
across all areas of operation at 
the college.

 We were recognized by the 
Aspen Institute as one of the 
nation’s top ten community 
colleges – not once, but twice! – 
for our tremendous dedication 
to our students’ success.

 We reorganized the college 
structure into academic 
divisions headed by Deans of 
Instruction.

 We demonstrated fiscal 
prudence and stability with 
balanced budgets and three 
consecutive perfect audit 
reports with no findings.

 We represent the pinnacle of 
educational attainment in the 
state of California, emerging as 
the top institution in granting 
associate degrees, associate 
degrees to minorities, and 
Associate Degrees for Transfer 
in the 2017-18 academic year.

 We achieved consistent, 
steady enrollment growth over 
the past three years, even in 
an environment where most 
of our peer institutions were 
struggling to maintain the size 
of their student bodies.

 Earlier this year, we opened 
our fourth site in our district 
at PCC Northwest, on the 
property of John Muir High 
School.

 We brought on new members 
of our faculty and staff that 
more accurately reflect our 
student population, through a 
process that was recognized by 
the state and national observers 
for its commitment to equity 
and diversity.

 We negotiated and successfully 
signed three-year contracts 
with each of our collective 
bargaining units, giving us 
stable ground for future growth.

We were among the first colleges 
in the state to offer a “Promise” 
program guaranteeing free 
tuition to eligible students, and 
among the first again to expand 
that program to cover two years 
of enrollment at our college.

 Next summer, we will begin 
construction on a complete 
replacement of the U Building, 
finally returning much-needed 
facility resources to our 
campus.

 We have invested in renovated 
facilities for students that 
are veterans, former foster 
youth, and undocumented 
and LGBTQ+; those that have 
enrolled in our Pathways 
program or are seeking career 
advice; and any that will come 
for services in our L Building.

 We are working collaboratively 
and collegially towards 
incorporating changes in 
law and policy that govern 
placement and assessment, 
course sequencing, and state 
funding.

 We have nurtured a practice 
of shared governance that 
respects each individual’s right 
and responsibility to contribute 
to the future of our college 
while remaining true to our 
shared values.

 And lastly, we have created 
an environment where we are 
all able to realize a meaningful 
engagement with our students’ 
success.

 These achievements belong 
to all of us, and I am sure you 
will be able to see your role in 
making them possible. I am 
deeply grateful for your support 
of, and engagement with our 
college during my tenure here. 
I will remember our time 
fondly, and the professional 
relationships I have had the 
pleasure of building will 
nurture me throughout my 
retirement.

 Dr. Vurdien will retire from 
California’s community college 
system in mid-January.

 
Dr. Austin J. Minnich, 
Professor of Mechanical 
Engineering and Applied 
Physics at California 
Institute of Technology 
(Caltech) will kick off 2019: 
Year of Science for the 
Pasadena Public Library at 
Linda Vista Branch, 1281 
Bryant St. on Saturday, Jan. 
12, at 11 a.m. Professor 
Minnich will present 
“Citizen Scientist: Climate 
Change in the Library” and 
demonstrate the processes at 
work on our planet with live 
experiments right in front of 
you.

 In 2011, Professor Minnich 
received his doctorate at 
the Massachusetts Institute 
of Technology (MIT). He 
was appointed Assistant 
Professor at Caltech in 
2011 and has received 
several awards including 
the National Science 
Foundation CAREER award 
(2013), Office of Naval 
Research Young Investigator 
award (2015), and the 
Office of Naval Research 
Director of Research award 
(2017). Professor Minnich 
is also founder and Principal 
Investigator of the Minnich 
Group: minnich.caltech.
edu/.

 For more information on 
this and other upcoming 
science programming events 
planned, contact Robin 
Reidy at (626) 744-7278 or 
rreidy@cityofpasadena.net 

 

 Two giant astronauts rock 
out with a group of green 
aliens, sharing a message 
of goodwill, fun and 
unexpected good times.

 That’s the gist of “Far Out 
Frequencies,” the Cal Poly 
Universities’ float for the 
2019 Rose Parade. The 
event’s theme, “The Melody 
of Life,” pays homage to 
music as a language for all.

 At the front of the float 
stands Morgan, a 12-foot 
astronaut who strums an 
electric guitar, and his new 
alien friend “Ketchup,” 
who plays air guitar. 
The space concert also 
includes Astronaut Sally on 
tambourine, two aliens on 
accordion and Tuba Head, 
a little alien whose head is 
stuck inside the instrument.

 “When you combine my 
fascination with space and 
astronauts with a classic 
rock and roll guitar, you 
get my favorite element on 
float, Morgan. He’s in a full 
rock-mode position with his 
left leg resting on his amp 
playing his guitar for the 
aliens that he’s discovered,” 
said Naythan Muro, the 
design chair at Cal Poly 
Pomona.

 The Cal Poly Universities’ 
float is the only student-
designed and student-built 
entry in the Rose Parade. 
A joint effort by students 
at Cal Poly Pomona and 
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 
since 1949, the team has 
won 58 awards including 
the 2018 Past President 
award honoring the most 
outstanding innovation in 
the use of floral and non-
floral materials.

 Besides the featured 
characters playing their 
instruments, animation on 
the 2019 float includes the 
movement of eyes and arms 
on some of the aliens. LED 
lights will add sparkle to the 
planet’s crystal formations 
and the guitar amp.

 The Rose Float team is 
already at work building the 
float. Muro, a senior, has 
been building and shaping 
the front half of the float’s 
base.

 “The best part is making 
sure that this body is safe 
for others to stand and walk 
around on when decorating 
our float in the future. As a 
civil engineer major, I can 
use what I have learned in 
classes to make sure that the 
pod is structurally sound 
and safe,” he said.

 Cal Poly Pomona has 
traditionally built the 
front half of the pod, while 
students at Cal Poly San Luis 
Obispo construct the back. 
The teams will join the two 
halves at Pomona later in 
the fall. When complete, the 
float will be 48 feet long, 23 
feet high and 18 feet wide.

 Between Christmas and 
New Year’s Day, hundreds of 
students and volunteers will 
work around the clock to 
decorate the entire float with 
flowers and other natural 
materials before the entry is 
seen by millions of viewers 
around the world as it rolls 
along the parade route on 
Jan. 1, 2019.

 For more information or 
to volunteer to work on the 
float, visit www.rosefloat.
org.


Pet of the 
Week

 

 Rexi (A468001) is a 4-year-
old puppy who perks up as 
soon as you walk up to her 
kennel and will bounce up 
and down in excitement. 
She takes treats very gently 
from your hand and likes to 
be petted. Belly rubs are her 
favorite! She tends to lean 
into your arms for hugs and 
will lick your face to show 
how grateful she is to be 
around you. Rexi is looking 
for a new best friend today.

 The adoption fee for dogs 
is $130. All dogs are spayed 
or neutered, microchipped, 
and vaccinated before going 
to their new home. 

 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.

ALTADENA CRIME BLOTTER

Sunday, December 16th 

8:45 PM – Clinton Sico, 50 
years old of Altadena was 
arrested in the 200 block of 
Ventura Street for drunk in 
public. 

Tuesday, December 18th 

7:30 AM – A residential 
burglary occurred in the 
200 block of W. Calaveras 
Street. Suspect(s) entered 
the residence via the front 
door. Stolen: currency. 

8:00 PM – A petty theft 
from an unlocked vehicle 
occurred in the 200 block of 
E. Calaveras Drive. Stolen: 
vehicle registration. 

Wednesday, December 
19th 

12:00 AM – A domestic 
violence incident occurred 
in the 2200 block of 
Glenrose Avenue. Suspect 
was identified. 

7:00 PM – A petty theft 
from an unlocked vehicle 
occurred in the 1700 block 
of Veranada Street. Stolen: 
black phone charger, vehicle 
registration and currency. 

Thursday, December 20th 

11:00 AM – A petty theft 
from an unlocked vehicle 
occurred in the 1200 block of 
Sunny Oaks Circle. Stolen: 
brown leather wallet, black 
Samsung Galaxy, checks and 
currency. 

Friday, December 21st 

10:00 AM – A vehicle 
burglary occurred in the 600 
block of Mendocino Street. 
Suspect(s) entered the 
vehicle via unknown means. 
Stolen: brown Michael Kors 
handbag. 

7:20 PM – A domestic 
violence incident occurred 
in the 700 block of E. Pine 
Street. Suspect was taken 
into custody. 

8:30 PM – Jorge Tellez, 27 
years old of Duarte was 
arrested in the 2200 block of 
Lincoln Avenue for drunk in 
public. 

10:22 PM – A residential 
burglary occurred in the 
2400 block of Highland 
Avenue. Suspect(s) entered 
the garage via the window. 
Stolen: black Bodyglove 
wetsuits, drum set and a bag 
containing cymbals. 

Free Monthly Events at 
Pasadena Senior Center

Chamber, City, Partner for 
Shop Pasadena Campaign

 

 There is something for 
everyone in December 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. 

 California Legislation 
that Affects Seniors – 
Thursday, Jan. 10, at 10 a.m. 
Significant progress has been 
made in expanding services 
for older adults in the past 
five years, but recent state 
budget cuts have led to cost-
cutting measures. Learn 
more at this informative talk 
presented by Wise & Healthy 
Aging. 

 Cultural Thursdays – 
Thursdays, Jan. 10 and 17, 
at 2 p.m. Jan. 10: Pianist Bob 
Lipson and commentator/
singer Saul H. Jacobs will 
lead a musical journey 
through the life and works 
of George and Ira Gershwin. 
Jan. 17: Musicians from the 
Pasadena Symphony and 
Pops will perform in concert

 Improvisation for Lifeskills 
PLAYshop – Jan. 11, from 10 
a.m. to noon. Tap into your 
natural, creative talents while 
enhancing your health and 
well-being. This series will 
focus on improv techniques, 
theater games and creative 
drama to increase your 
spontaneity, memory, focus 
and interactive social and 
communication skills in 
a fun, playful and creative 
environment. Sign up at the 
Welcome Desk or by calling 
626-795-4331. Presented 
by Trisha Jauchler, founder 
and director of On Bright 
Wings and Theatre on the 
Threshold. 

 Screening Mimis Film 
Discussion Club – Tuesday, 
Jan. 15, at 1:30 p.m. Diehard 
film fans are invited to watch 
Sinbad the Sailor (1947, NR) 
starring Douglas Fairbanks 
Jr. and Maureen O’Hara. An 
ocean of adventure awaits 
Sinbad as he sets out in search 
of the fabled lost treasure of 
Alexander the Great. The 
film will be preceded by a 
presentation about the film’s 
hidden history and followed 
by a lively discussion. 

 Chair Yoga – Wednesday, 
Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. Improve 
your balance and confidence 
through gentle yoga exercises 
while sitting in a chair or 
standing and using a chair 
for support. 

 My Gift to You: The 
Importance of Planning 
Ahead – Thursday, Jan. 17, 
at 10 a.m. What to do when 
a loved one passes away is a 
difficult topic to discuss, and 
most families spend fewer 
than five minutes talking 
about it. This can cause them 
to be completely unprepared 
and overwhelmed by all the 
details that must be handled. 
A representative from Forest 
Lawn will explain how you 
and your loved ones can plan 
ahead to maneuver through 
this emotional and financial 
experience.

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

 Founded in 1960, the 
Pasadena Senior Center 
is an independent, donor-
supported 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.

 To encourage local residents 
and workers to shop in 
Pasadena, the City of Pasadena 
and the Pasadena Chamber of 
Commerce are collaborating 
on a promotional campaign 
to encourage patronage of 
Pasadena stores during the 
holidays and beyond. Everyone 
who lives, works or does 
business in Pasadena can 
support our local economy 
by spending money in with 
Pasadena businesses. The 
shops, restaurants and services 
that create local jobs and 
provide the financial bedrock 
for Pasadena are dependent 
on local patrons for their 
livelihood.

 The Shop Pasadena campaign 
consists of advertisements 
in local media, which are 
generously donated by media 
partners. The campaign 
features bus shelter ads that 
are on display throughout 
Pasadena through January. 

 The ads were designed in 
partnership with graphic 
design and advertising students 
from Pasadena City College. 
Students in Associate Professor 
Jerry Graves’ Graphic Design 
and Advertising class were 
presented with the challenge 
of designing bus shelter size 
advertising posters that could 
also be scaled to print and 
online media formats.

 “We all have memories of that 
favorite retailer or restaurant 
that is no longer in business. 
Each of those businesses 
translated into employment 
opportunities for residents of 
our community,” said Pasadena 
Chamber President and CEO 
Paul Little. “We should all 
appreciate the importance of 
services provided by the City 
of Pasadena, Pasadena City 
College and Pasadena Unified 
School District who all receive 
a share of local taxes generated 
by Pasadena businesses.”

 Sales tax dollars, business 
license fees, property taxes 
and other assessments paid by 
commercial interests return 
a dividend to the City of 
Pasadena to pay for essential 
services such as police and fire 
protection and also support our 
local public schools, parks and 
Pasadena City College. 

 “This was a great experience 
for the students and a nice way 
to give back to our community” 
said Professor Graves. “It was 
a collaborative process that 
involved working with the 
City and Pasadena Chamber 
representatives in a professional 
setting. The class was presented 
with the challenge - designing 
posters that would engage 
drivers and pedestrians and 
provide a message encouraging 
everyone to shop in Pasadena. 
They each put together 
concepts and refined those 
until we had four that worked 
best for the clients.”

 Four design concepts were 
chosen which reflect different 
aspects of Pasadena. 


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