PASADENA EDITION

 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2019 

VOLUME 13 NO. 5


Major Orange 
Grove Blvd 
Project to Start

Sierra Madre Residents 
Honored at NAMM Show

 
The first phase of 
Construction involving 
heavy equipment along 
Orange Grove Boulevard 
is set to begin Monday, 
city officials are advising 
residents in the area to 
expect delays.

 The project involves the 
installation of a new water 
mainline under Orange 
Grove from Sunset Ave. 
to Los Robles Ave. city 
officials said all work will 
occur Monday thru Friday 
from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. They 
said the first phase will be 
competed by June. 

 According to officials, 
equipment will include 
excavators, backhoes, 
loaders and trucks, causing 
noise and dust in the 
area. Expect there to be 
constructions signs and 
flagmen. They said there 
will also no parking in 
area.

 They also said, traffic 
signs and delineators will 
be used to minimize the 
impact of traffic. 

 A second phase will 
involve the installation of a 
new transmission mainline 
between Sunset Ave and 
Palo Verde Ave. 

 “The pipelines will 
increase the overall 
reliability and quality of 
water service, officials said.

 The second phase is 
expected to be completed 
by November 15.

 Any questions or concerns 
regarding construction, 
contact Pasadena Water 
and Power at (626) 744-
4138. 

(left to right) Ron Wickersham, Mica Thomas, Tom and Rich 
Seymour Photo D. Lee/MVNews

By Dean Lee

 Long time Sierra Madre 
resident Tom Seymour and his 
son and Rich Seymour were 
honored last week at this year’s 
National Association of Music 
Merchants show for 50 years 
of being in the retail music 
business. The two own and run 
the legendary Fret House music 
store in Downtown Covina.

 Tom Seymour said 1969, the 
year he opened, was a good 
year for music, “There was a 
big expansion in the mid to late 
60s and there has been some 
retrenchment in the last 10 
years.” 

 He said they started the 
store in 1969 with six acoustic 
guitars, “four of them came 
from my home living room.”

 He said before that he was 
teaching guitar while in college.

 Both Tom and Rich Seymour 
said about NAMM “We are 
looking for innovations in the 
lines that we carry and new 
products that are introduced 
and things that are new to the 
marketplace. 

 They said this year C.F. Martin 
let them choose the wood for 
their guitars “We went with 
high altitude Swiss spruce top 
and Guatemalan rosewood for 
sides and back.”

 Tom Seymour also said 
the new Fender American 
Acoustasonic Series, A hybrid 
acoustic/electric guitar was 
interesting 

College Celebrates Jackie Robinson

 By Dean Lee 

 Flanked by family members, 
Pasadena City College officials 
honored legendary baseball 
player Jackie Robinson 
Thursday, on the late athlete’s 
100 birthday.

 “The training, discipline and 
guidance of their mother, Mallie 
Robinson, gave to, not only 
Jackie but Mack Robinson, all 5 
of the kids were very athletic in 
all activities from the beginning 
of school.” said Delano 
Robinson, Jackie Robinson’s 
sister-in-law.

 Newly hired PCC President 
Erika Endrijonas said, “What an 
ambitious beginning to being 
president here at Pasadena City 
College. Today we are going 
to pay tribute to his [Jackie 
Robinson] legacy at PCC and 
beyond.”

 Endrijonas said Robinson 
played at PCC, then called 
“Pasadena Junior College,” in 
1937 and 1938.

 “While he was here, he 
didn’t just excel at baseball, 
he also excelled at basketball, 
football and track and field, 
which means he was really and 
underachiever,” she joked.

 She said he led all the team to 
state championships. The PCC 
Robinson football stadium is 
named after him and his older 
bother Mack Robinson. 

 Endrijonas also said the women’ 
and men’s PCC baseball teams 
will wear commemorative hats 
and visors with “JR 100.”

 “So we are going to celebrate 
Jackie Robinson all spring,” she 
said.

 Dyan Miller, PCC dean of 
kinesiology and athletics said 
“The cultural impact of Jackie 
Robinson had on the nation 
had on African Americans and 
Major League Baseball extends 
beyond sports. As the sacrifices 
and struggles were a precursor 
to the Civil Rights movement. 
Jackie Robinson may have 
been one of the first African 
Americans to participate in 
activism that we still see to this 
day. 

 She continued, “Today we 
come here to celebrate Jackie 
Robinson 100 birthday, and as 
we stand upon his shoulder, 
as he fought for Civil Rights... 
we need to continue that fight. 
As Martin Luther King Jr 
so eloquently said ‘Injustice 
anywhere is a threat to justice 
everywhere.’”

 Pat McGee, PCC baseball 
coach said “We brag yearly, 
daily, weekly about our 
association with Mr. Robinson 
and how it’s a privilege to have 
that association.”

 In honor of Robinson’s 100 
birthday 100 cupcakes were 
handed out at the event. 

(Continued page 3)

Rose Queen Siskel Named 
25th State Senate District 
Women of the Year

Holden’s 
Statement 
on PG&E

 
Senator Anthony Portantino 
announced Monday he has 
selected Rose Queen Louise 
Deser Siskel of San Marino as 
the 25th State Senate District 
2019 Women of the Year. Every 
year during the California State 
Legislature honors one woman 
from each district and honors 
then in a ceremony. 

 “I am very honored and excited 
that Louise has agreed to come 
to Sacramento to represent our 
district. She has distinguished 
herself as an amazing leader, 
not just displaying poise while 
the entire world watched her 
in the Rose Parade but through 
her trailblazing leadership. She 
embraced the responsibility 
of being selected Rose Queen 
with a bold civic agenda, 
impressed everyone who has 
encountered her during this 
past year and exemplified 
intelligence, confidence and 
maturity,” commented Senator 
Portantino.

 In a very heartfelt Op-ed 
for the Los Angeles Times, 
Louise introduced us to depths 
of the Royal Court that are 
often out of the pageantry, a 
multidimensional personal 
story. Through Louise’s 
leadership, young women 
in the LGBTQ and Jewish 
communities have a new 
and dynamic role model. In 
addition, something as simple 
and commonplace as wearing 
glasses took on greater cultural 
significance in the year 2019.

 “I am grateful to Senator 
Anthony Portantino for 
nominating me for the 
California Legislative Women’s 
Caucus Woman of the Year 
award. I feel lucky to be 
honored among a group of 
truly dedicated women who 
make the world a more kind 
and welcoming place. This year, 
as the 101st Rose Queen, I had 
the opportunity to promote 
scientific thinking, education, 
and inclusion. This recognition 
encourages me, and I hope will 
encourage others, to advocate 
for these values.” commented 
Louise Deser Siskel

 The California State 
Legislature first recognized 
March as Women is History 
Month in 1987 and has 
continued the tradition. Each 
year, members of the State 
Legislature recognize the 
exceptional women in their 
district with a celebration 
commemorating their 
accomplishments and positive 
impact on our communities. 
This year, Senator Portantino 
is recognizing Louise as 
his district honoree. The 
ceremony is set for March 4th. 
Louise and her parents will fly 
to Sacramento for the event. 
Louise is a high school senior at 
Sequoia School and resides in 
San Marino.


Pasadena Playhouse 
Block Party Returns

 Pasadena Playhouse – 
State Theatre of California 
is announcing the return of 
the Playhouse Block Party, in 
partnership with the Playhouse 
District Association, after last 
year’s blockbuster inaugural 
event. This all-day event, free 
to the public, is from 12-noon 
to 10:00pm on Saturday, 
June 8 on El Molino Ave. 
at Colorado Blvd. There 
will be more than twenty 
performances on two 
different stages – a Main 
Stage and a Family Stage 
-- during the course of 
the day, in addition to 
activity booths hosted 
by some of Pasadena’s 
most celebrated arts 
organizations, theatre 
tours, a silent disco, and 
more. 

 Danny Feldman, 
Producing Artistic 
Director of Pasadena 
Playhouse said, “Over 
12,000 people joined us 
last year from all over 
Southern California to 
help us celebrate the 
theatre’s Centennial 
anniversary. We saw 
people arrive in the 
morning and stay all day 
enjoying the Playhouse 
campus and the 
Playhouse District. This 
Block Party fulfills a core 
tenant of our mission to 
serve as a gathering place 
for the community. It 
also allows us to celebrate 
all of the rich culture that 
Pasadena has to offer, 
and provide it free of 
charge to everyone.”

 Pasadena Playhouse 
has a team that has been 
working on the Block 
Party since the day 
after last year’s event, 
and is again assembling 
all things Pasadena 
for June 8, including 
two stages with live 
music, professional bands 
and performances; interactive 
exhibits; food and libations; 
guided tours; and much, much 
more. Beginning at noon, 
families can enjoy activities in 
the Kids’ Zone centered around 
the Family Stage on El Molino. 
In late afternoon and early 
evening, the focus will shift to 
a “street party” feel with live 
music and bands, silent disco, 
food, drink, and more fun.

 Playhouse District Association 
Executive Director Brian 
Wallace said, “We’re thrilled 
to welcome the community 
back to the Playhouse District 
for this all-ages event, which 
celebrates creativity from 
throughout our city. With 
Pasadena Playhouse as our 
partner, this first-rate event 
helps broaden our identity as 
Pasadena’s home for arts and 
culture.”

The lineup for this year’s Block 
Party will be announced in 
the coming months. Last 
year’s performances included 
Athletic Garage Dance Center, 
Ballet Folklorico Quetzal, 
Blue13 Dance Company, Bob 
Baker Marionettes, Creating 
Arts Company, Los Angeles 
College of Music, Makoto 
Taiko, Nine O’Clock Players, 
Pasadena City College Theatre 
& Opera, PCDA (Professional 
Child Development Associates) 
Youth Choir, Pasadena Civic 
Ballet & Musical Theatre, 
Pasadena Conservatory of 
Music, Pasadena Dance 
Theatre, Pasadena Master 
Chorale, and School of Rock 
Pasadena. 

 The second annual Block 
Party will also see the return 
of special guided tours of 
the Pasadena Playhouse, 
including backstage access and 
production departments, a 
highlight of last year’s event.

 For more information, please 
visit www.playhouseblockparty.
org.

 Pacific Gas and Electric 
Company (PG&E) 
on Tuesday filed for 
Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 
Assemblymember Chris 
Holden issued the following 
statement:

 “It was always my hope to 
see PG&E not find itself in 
a position where they would 
file for bankruptcy as the 
impacts to fire victims and 
ratepayers may be severe. 
Our goal all along was to 
protect the most vulnerable, 
but now the bankruptcy 
court will be managing 
the future of PG&E and 
its creditors, including the 
damages of fire victims for 
which the utility is deemed 
responsible.

 I will continue to work 
with my colleagues in 
the Legislature and the 
Governor to consider all 
the options that protect the 
interests of fire victims and 
meet ratepayer expectations 
for safe, affordable, reliable 
power which also maintains 
California’s environmental 
goals. We will help to 
provide direction to the 
Public Utilities Commission 
who will be representing 
Californian’s interests in the 
bankruptcy proceeding.

 At the same time, we must 
continue to address fire 
threats in the state as well 
as the safety of the utility 
infrastructure to protect 
the public and avoid this 
situation in the future.”

CALENDAR Pg. 2

MORE PASADENA NEWS

 Pg. 3

SAN MARINO/SO. PAS

Pg. 4

SIERRA MADRE Pg. 5

ARCADIA Pg. 6

MONROVIA 

EDUCATION/YOUTH

Pg. 7

FOOD & DRINK Pg. 8

THE GOOD LIFE Pg. 9

WORLD AROUND US 

 Pg. 10

 BEST FRIENDS Pg. 11


SECTION B: 

AROUND SAN GABRIEL 
VALLEYB1

THE ARTS B2

BUSINESS NEWS

B3

OPINIONB4

LEGAL NOTICES B5


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