Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 21, 2019


SIERRA MADRE EDITION

 SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2019 

VOLUME 13 NO. 3


SIERRA MADRE FIRE DEPARTMENT 

RESPONDS TO FIRE, FATALITY 


THE KENSINGTON SIERRA MADRE RAISES 
DEMENTIA AWARENESS WITH FREE 
PROGRAM By Kevin McGuire

It’s estimated that over 50 million people 
globally suffer from some form of dementia. 
It’s an alarming statistic considering this is 
more people than the population of Spain. In 
the United States alone, Alzheimer’s disease, 
which falls under the umbrella of dementia, 
is the 6th leading cause of death and affects 
more than 5.5 million people. 

 According to the National Institute on 
Aging, dementia is defined as a cognitive 
loss of functioning and behavioral abilities 
to such an extent that it interferes with a 
person’s daily life and activities. Symptoms 
of dementia can include memory loss, 
problems with thinking, reasoning, 
problem-solving, vision, language skills, and 
self-management. Alzheimer’s disease and 
most forms of dementia are irreversible and 
eventually lead to death. It is basically brain 
damage. Neurons in the brain stop working 
and fail to connect with other cells and die. 

 There are many misconceptions about 
dementia. For example, just because a 
family member suffers with Alzheimer’s 
disease, this doesn’t automatically me you 
will head down the same road. Alzheimer’s 
is not cause by dental fillings, aspartame 
(artificial sweetener) or from drinking out of 
aluminum cans (yes, these were true beliefs). 
Dementia does not only affect persons 65 
and older, as there are cases of people in 
their 30s, 40s and 50s with the disorder. And 
one of the biggest myths about dementia is 
that it’s a normal part of ageing. 

 In response to the growing concerns 
about Alzheimer’s disease, The Kensington 
Sierra Madre kicked off their 4-hour course 
on January 15 titled, “Caring For Loved 
Ones With Dementia.” The free class lays 
out objectives for “normal” aging vs. “not 
normal” aging related to various cognitive 
functions. It is presented by John D. Graham, 
author of “Cheeseburgers for Seniors: Top 10 
Reasons Your Parents Don’t Want to Move 
to Senior Living.”

 On November 13, 2018, Steve Sciurba, 
Director of Community Outreach at 
The Kensington, was presented with a 
proclamation by City Council announcing 
that Sierra Madre will be a dementia-friendly 
city. “[177,000] Angelinos are stricken 
with Alzheimer’s and it’s going to double 
by 2030,” Sciurba said while accepting the 
proclamation. “So, it’s important to be aware 
and learn how to work with them.” 

The program is based on the teachings of 
Teepa Snow, MS, a dementia care specialist 
with over 40 years of clinical experience. 
Some of her teachings include how to 
approach those with challenging behaviors. 
Many times, those with dementia come 
across as aggressive, when they are really just 
frustrated when they don’t get the desired 
results they are looking for when performing 
day-to-day activities. In addition to learning 
about “normal” aging vs. “not normal” 
aging, attendees will study the five sensory 
input and processing systems, highlighting 
the dominant role of vision, and the 
major differences between protective and 
discriminating sensations in each. You will 
also discuss the impact of changing sensory 
awareness and processing as dementia 
progresses. 

 Presenter Graham has spent a lifetime 
in senior services and is said to have a 
“compassionate” voice. 

Sciurba hopes everyone will take advantage 
of this course including individuals, 
businesses, banks, and police departments. 
“We just want to do our part to make 
sure citizens of Sierra Madre are aware of 
Alzheimer’s disease,” Sciurba said. 

 The Kensington is located at 245 W. 
Sierra Madre Blvd. They can be reached 
at 626.355.5700. The next presentation of 
“Caring For Loved Ones With Dementia” 
will take place on February 19th at 1 p.m.

Sources: 

https://www.dementiastatistics.org/
statistics/global-prevalence/

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/
facts-figures

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-
dementia

https://alzheimer.ca/en/Home/About-
dementia/What-is-dementia/Shattering-
the-myths

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/
what-is-alzheimers/myths

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/aging/
docs/Alzheimer%20Association%20Report.
pdf

https://thekensingtonsierramadre.com/
events/caring-for-loved-ones-with-
dementia/

On Thursday, Sierra Madre Fire Department responded to a fire on North Lima. Picture above is 
Engine 41 in the midst of dismantling the equipment after the fire was extinguished. 

Photo courtesy MVNews

Sierra Madre, CA. – January 17, 2019 – 

On January 17, 2019, at 9:02 a.m., Sierra Madre Fire 
Department, with Engine 66 from Los Angeles County 
Fire Department, was dispatched to the 300 block 
of N. Lima Avenue on a reported structure fire. Sierra 
Madre Fire Engine 41 arrived on scene and reported 
heavy smoke coming from the rear of the structure 
and requested a full structure response from Verdugo 
Dispatch. Engine 41 initiated fire attack on the fire 
while Arcadia Battalion 105 assumed command of 
the incident. Sierra Madre Fire Department received 
additional mutual aid assistance from the cities of Arcadia, 
Pasadena, and Monrovia. During the course of 
firefighting operations, it was determined that the occupant 
of the structure was found deceased near the 
fire origin. The fire was contained to the rear part of 
the structure; no other neighboring structures were 
damaged. No other injuries were reported. 

The fire’s cause and origin was investigated by Sierra 
Madre fire personnel, with assistance from Arcadia 
Fire Department Arson Unit. The fire’s cause was determined 
to be accidental. Sierra Madre Police Department, 
with assistance from Los Angeles County 
Sheriff Department, determined that there was no 
evidence of foul play that lead to the fatality of the occupant. 
The fatality was determined to be accidental. 

CHAMBER TO SPONSOR PUBLIC 

FORUM ON SMFD PROPOSED REORGANIZATION

 On Thursday, January 24, 2019, the Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce will host a public forum on the 
proposed reorganization of the Sierra Madre Fire Department. 

 Currently, the Arcadia Fire Department has been asked to analyze the feasibility of Arcadia taking over 
the SMFD out of the AFD station on Orange Grove in Arcadia (http://mtnviewsnews.com/v13/htm/n02/p01.
htm). 

 Because the proposal is opposed by a large segment of the community this event is being held to allow 
residents to discuss the matter with city officials.

 The forum will be held in the City Hall Chambers on Thursday evening, January 24, 2019 at 6:00 pm. 
Residents are encouraged to attend.

 You may review the staff report and proposed agreement on the city's website: http://cityofsierramadre.
hosted.civiclive.com/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=15068446.

SIERRA MADRE NEWS BRIEFS


CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS SHORT 
TERM RENTALS

On Tuesday, January 22, 2019, the SM City Council will 
discuss short term rentals such as Air BNB in the city. 
Council meeting will begin at 6:30 pm.

OLDER AMERICAN OF THE YEAR 
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW BEING 
ACCEPTED.

The Sierra Madre Older American of the Year is an 
honor bestowed upon an individual, couple or group 
that has made significant contributions to the betterment of the Sierra Madre community. Each year 
the Senior Community Commission seeks nominations for this award and a reception is held in the 
recipients honor at the Hart Park House. 2019 Nominations now being accepted. Call 626-355-7135 
for applications.

SIERRA MADRE LAUNCHES EMERGENCY SIREN 

NOTIFICATION PROGRAM

 To ensure the reliability of the Emergency Siren Notification Program, testing of the Emergency 
Siren will occur on the last Tuesday of each month at noon. January 29th will be the first official test. 
The Siren will be sounding for a few minutes to monitor its functions and effectiveness.


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