Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, March 2, 2019

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Mountain View News Saturday, March 2, 2019 

Pharmacy 
Owner 
Sentenced In 
Health Care 
Scheme

City to Celebrate 100 Years 
of Women’s Right to Vote

 
Pasadena city Councilmember 
Margaret McAustin is 
spearheading a committee 
comprised of City 
representatives, in collaboration 
with the Commission on the 
Status of Women, to recognize 
the centennial passage of 
the 19th Amendment which 
guarantees equal voting rights 
to American women.

 Passed by Congress in 1919 
and ratified in 1920, the 19th 
Amendment was achieved after 
decades of protest and struggle 
to ban discrimination. The 
City of Pasadena’s celebration 
of this landmark victory 
for women will kick off in 
March 2019, joining other 
efforts throughout the city 
commemorating Women’s 
History Month. The committee 
hopes to build momentum in 
2019, culminating with a wide 
variety of events in 2020.

 The City is calling on both 
women and men to join in the 
national celebration and take 
pride in the 19th Amendment’s 
passing and its impact on our 
country. The goal is to highlight 
women’s accomplishments 
over the years in various fields, 
including government, science, 
literature, and the arts. Other 
community partners include 
Vision 2020; Pasadena Museum 
of History; Pasadena Unified 
School District; One City, One 
Story; Tournament of Roses; 
and others yet to be announced.

 “We want to collaborate with 
city stakeholders to not only 
reflect on the past 100 years 
and the changemakers who 
broke barriers but also to 
remind ourselves that there is 
still much work to be done to 
achieve full equality for women 
and girls in this country,” said 
Councilmember McAustin.

As part of the kick off, the City 
will unveil a commemorative 
logo at the March 4 City 
Council meeting. The logo was 
designed by Sonia P. Rodriguez, 
a graphic artist with the City’s 
print shop, in coordination with 
Councilmember McAustin and 
committee members. The logo’s 
colors have both historical and 
symbolic significance, paying 
homage to the women’s suffrage 
movement. The Suffragist, 
Vol. 1 No. 4, published on 
December 6, 1913, describes 
the symbolism of the colors. 
“Purple is the color of loyalty, 
constancy to purpose, 
unswerving steadfastness to a 
cause. White, the emblem of 
purity, symbolizes the quality of 
our purpose; and gold, the color 
of light and life, is as the torch 
that guides our purpose, pure 
and unswerving. The City’s 
signature rose is also proudly 
highlighted in the logo.

 A list of local programs 
and events commemorating 
the 100th anniversary of 
the women’s right to vote is 
forthcoming and will be posted 
on the City of Pasadena’s 
website: cityofpasadena.net.

 A Pasadena pharmacy owner 
was sentenced to 48 months 
in prison Monday for her role 
in a Medicare fraud scheme 
involving more than $1.5 
million in fraudulent claims 
for prescription drugs. 

 According to the Department 
of Justice, Tamar Tatarian, 39, 
of Pasadena, was sentenced 
by U.S. District Judge John F. 
Walter of the Central District 
of California, who also ordered 
Tatarian to pay $1,537,710 
in restitution to Medicare. 
On Dec. 14, 2018, Tatarian 
was convicted of one count 
of health care fraud and two 
counts of wire fraud following 
a four-day jury trial. 

 Tatarian was an owner 
of Akhtamar Pharmacy 
in Pasadena. According 
to evidence presented at 
trial and sentencing, from 
approximately October 
2015 through June 2018, 
Tatarian engaged in a scheme 
involving the submission of 
fraudulent claims to Medicare 
Part D plan sponsors for 
prescription drugs that 
Akhtamar Pharmacy never 
ordered from wholesalers, 
and thus never dispensed 
to Medicare beneficiaries. 
Tatarian attempted to conceal 
the fraud through the creation 
of fake invoices, reflecting 
wholesale drug purchases by 
Akhtamar Pharmacy which 
had, in fact, never taken place, 
the evidence showed. As a 
result of this scheme, Tatarian, 
through Akhtamar Pharmacy, 
submitted claims to Medicare 
for more than $1.5 million in 
prescription drugs that she 
never purchased or dispensed 
to patients, the evidence 
showed.

 The case was investigated by 
the FBI and HHS-OIG. Trial 
Attorney Alexis Gregorian and 
Assistant Chief A. Brendan 
Stewart of the Criminal 
Division’s Fraud Section are 
prosecuting the case.

Norma Coombs Celebrates Opening

 Norma Coombs Elementary 
Celebrates Opening

Students, staff, and families of 
Norma Coombs Elementary 
School celebrated Wednesday 
the grand opening of two new 
buildings and other campus 
improvements. A ribbon 
cutting ceremony marked 
the occasion. Also at the 
event were Pasadena Unified 
School District (PUSD) 
Board of Education President 
Larry Torres, Board Member 
Roy Boulghourjian, City 
Councilman Gene Masuda 
and other officials.

 “The renovations at Norma 
Coombs Elementary build 
on the school’s proud 
history of excellence and 
provide students with an 
enhanced 21st century 
learning experience,” said 
Superintendent Brian 
McDonald. “Our district’s 
building program supports 
academics and demonstrates 
our commitment to 
creating positive learning 
environments for all students.”

 The campus improvements 
consist of two new buildings 
that house classrooms, 
administration offices, a 
science laboratory, and a 
music classroom. A new entry 
and parking lot welcome 
students and visitors. Other 
renovations include the 
replacement of a boiler and 
chiller, which lower energy 
consumption; fire alarms 
and security features; a new 
kiln room for the school’s 
signature ceramics program; 
and additional green space. 
Working with the City of 
Pasadena, a crosswalk was 
relocated. The project won 
a special award for worker 
safety during construction.

 “The new buildings and 
renovations are a dream 
come true for our school 
community. By providing 
this beautiful environment 
with all the modern elements, 
it lets our students and staff 
know we value them!” said 
Principal Dr. Jennifer Smith. 
“The renovations promote 
teaching and learning, and 
provide spaces where our 
richly diverse and talented 
students can develop into the 
leaders of tomorrow.”

 Norma Coombs Elementary 
School serves 385 students 
in pre-Kindergarten through 
fifth grade, and is dedicated 
to developing each child’s 
gifts. The principal, teachers, 
and staff have worked hard 
to establish an environment 
of academic excellence that 
challenges and engages 
all students. The Norma 
Coombs school community 
appreciates the importance of 
providing a well-rounded and 
balanced education rooted in 
academics that also develops 
and exposes students to a 
wide range of experiences. 
The school has implemented 
the “Leader in Me” program 
that develops and empowers 
students with the leadership 
and life-skills they need to 
thrive in the 21st century. For 
decades, the school has offered 
a ceramics program that 
builds students’ motor-skills, 
allows for self-expression, 
and promotes application 
of vital 21st century skills, 
problem solving skills, and 
collaboration.

 The $7 million project was 
funded by Measure TT, a bond 
initiative approved by voters 
in 2008 for construction 
and modernization of 
PUSD schools. Measure TT 
bond funds are targeted for 
capital improvements and 
are separate from district 
operating expenses. For more 
information on Measure TT, 
visit measurett.org.

Photo by D. Lee/MVNews

Judy Chu on 
Gun Violence

 For the first time in 25 years, 
the House of Representatives 
voted Wednesday on a 
major piece of gun violence 
legislation and passed 
H.R. 8, the Bipartisan 
Background Checks Act of 
2019. This legislation expands 
background checks to cover 
all sales, closing the “gun 
show loophole” that allowed 
private dealers to sell guns 
without a background check. 
Rep. Judy Chu issued the 
following statement:

 “Last year, our country 
averaged one mass shooting 
per month. And the attacks 
in Parkland and at the Tree of 
Life Synagogue were among 
the worse in our country’s 
history. But each time, the 
Republicans in Congress 
responded with moments of 
silence followed by months 
of inaction, proposing that we 
turn schools into fortresses 
instead of acting to rein in 
gun violence. But students 
should be practicing math 
and reading, not how to hide 
from an active shooter.

 “That is why I am so 
pleased that today, we 
finally put an end to over 
two decades of inaction and 
passed legislation to require 
background checks for all gun 
purchases. This is common 
sense. We know that lives can 
be saved by keeping the most 
dangerous weapons out of the 
most dangerous hands. And 
that’s what this bill does.

 “Following mass shootings 
in the past, Donald Trump 
has expressed support for 
doing this exact same thing 
and so I am disappointed 
that he has backtracked on 
that to opposed this bill 
in order to stand with gun 
manufacturers.”

Free Monthly Events at 
Pasadena Senior Center

 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. 

 Tax Time – Wednesdays 
and Fridays through April 
12 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. 
Representatives from the 
AARP Foundation’s Tax-
Aide program will assist 
low- to middle-income filers 
in preparing their federal 
income tax returns. There is 
no age limit. Appointments are 
required: 626-795-4331.

 Friday Movie Matinees – 
Fridays, 8, 15 and 22, at 1 p.m. 
Everyone enjoys movies and 
the pleasures they bring. March 
8: “The Old Man & the Gun” 
(2018, PG-13) starring Robert 
Redford and Casey Affleck. A 
lifelong bank robber escapes 
from San Quentin at the age 
of 70 and goes back to robbing 
banks again with a detective in 
hot pursuit. The film is based 
on true events. March 15: “The 
Wife” (2018, R) starring Glenn 
Close and Jonathan Pryce. A 
man with an acclaimed and 
prolific body of work is about 
to be awarded the Nobel Prize 
for Literature when he must 
confront the fact that he and his 
wife, after 40 years of marriage, 
have shared compromises, 
secrets and betrayals. March 22: 
“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.

 Mardi Gras Celebration – 
Tuesday, March 5, from 8:30 to 
11 a.m. In celebration of Mardi 
Gras, come to the Pasadena 
Senior Center coffee bar for free 
coffee and treats, and enjoy New 
Orleans-style music spun by DJ 
Joe in the Lounge. Feel free to 
wear your brightest Carnival 
attire.Screening 

 Mimis Film Discussion Group 
– Tuesdays, March 5 and 19, 
at 1:30 p.m. Diehard film fans 
are invited to watch a movie 
the first and third Tuesday of 
every month, preceded by a 
presentation about the film’s 
hidden history and followed by 
lively discussion. Popcorn will 
be provided. March 5: “Across 
the Universe” (2007, PG-13) 
starring Evan Rachel Wood 
and Jim Sturgess. The music of 
The Beatles and the Vietnam 
War era form the backdrop for 
a romance between an upper-
class American girl and a low-
income Liverpudlian artist. 
March 19: “The Italian Job” 
(1969, G) starring Michael 
Caine and Noël Coward. A 
team of some of England’s most 
notorious criminals devises 
an intricate plan to hijack gold 
bullion from Italy.

 Sages and Seekers – Tuesdays, 
March 5 to April 30, from 3 
to 4:15 p.m. In tribal cultures, 
elders have a vital role as keepers 
of memories and wisdom, and 
younger members learn from 
them. Sages and Seekers is an 
intergenerational program that 
brings together teens and older 
adults to share experiences. 
On a one-on-one basis, sages 
describe highlights of their lives 
and what they have learned 
from their experiences, and 
seekers weave that knowledge 
into essays honoring the sages.

 Elder Care, Medi-Cal and 
Veterans Benefits – Thursday, 
March 7, at 10 a.m. Learn about 
challenges associated with elder 
care, Medi-Cal and veterans 
benefits, how to qualify and 
how to develop a plan for using 
these services. Presented by 
Carlos Arcos, attorney at law.

 Legal Consultations – 
Thursday, March 7, at 10 a.m. 
Legal advice will be provided 
about conservatorship, wills 
and trusts, estate planning and/
or durable power of attorney. 
Appointments are required: 
(626) 795-4331.

 Cultural Thursday: “Ramona” 
– Thursday, March 7, at 2 p.m. 
The 1928 silent film “Ramona” 
starring Dolores Del Rio and 
Warner Baxter was thought 
to be lost for 70 years until a 
print was discovered in 2010 at 
the Národní Filmov. Archiv 
in Prague and restored by 
the Library of Congress. It 
tells the story of a mixed-race 
(native and Scots) girl in early 
California who is raised by a 
Mexican family and suffers 
racial discrimination. The 
screening is a companion 
to the Feb. 26 Master’s 
Series presentation “Saving 
Hollywood’s Lost Treasures” 
(www.bit.ly/1ys3Swh) at the 
Pasadena Senior Center. 
Participation in The Masters 
Series is not a requirement for 
attending the screening.

 Diabetes Workshop – Mondays, 
March 11 to April 15, from 1 to 
3 p.m. If you or someone you 
care about is diabetic or pre-
diabetic, this series encourage 
you to make lifestyle changes 
while learning more about 
your diabetes and how it affects 
your health. Registration 
is required: 626-685-6732. 
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. 

Pet of the 
Week


ALTADENA CRIME BLOTTER

Sunday, February 17th

3:50 AM – A domestic 
violence incident occurred in 
the 2100 block of N. Lincoln 
Avenue. Suspect was taken 
into custody. 

Monday, February 18th

5:00 PM – A grand theft 
occurred in the 3600 block 
of N. Fair Oaks Avenue. 
Stolen: black refrigerator, 
black microwave and 
miscellaneous tools.

6:30 PM – A vehicle burglary 
occurred in the 2100 block of 
Lincoln Avenue. Suspect(s) 
entered the vehicle by 
shattering the window. 
Stolen: brown Coach purse.

10:00 PM – A vehicle 
vandalism occurred in the 
1200 block of E. Altadena 
Drive. Suspect has been 
identified.

Tuesday, February 19th

9:00 AM – A residential 
burglary occurred in the 
2000 block of Glen Springs 
Road. Suspect(s) entered the 
residence by shattering the 
window. Stolen: (3) whiskey 
bottles and (1) bottle of 
Nicolas Catenia Zapata wine. 

12:30 PM – A domestic 
violence incident occurred 
in the 2400 block of N. Lake 
Avenue. Suspect has been 
identified.

9:30 PM – Victor Sanchez, 
56 years old of Pasadena was 
arrested in the 2200 block of 
Crary Street for possession 
of a controlled substance for 
sale.

Wednesday, February 20th

11:19 AM – A grand theft 
of landscaping equipment 
occurred in the 2000 block of 
Mendocino Lane. Suspects 
described as (2) males in a 
silver Toyota truck with no 
tailgate. Stolen: black and 
red Honda lawnmower, red 
TNL weed whacker and 
silver padlock. 

2:56 PM – Clarence Goin, 
46 years old of Pasadena 
was arrested in the area 
of Marengo Avenue and 
Woodbury Road for being 
under the influence of a 
controlled substance.

8:15 PM – Ronal Cisneros, 
32 years old of Ontario was 
arrested in the 2200 block 
of Glenrose Avenue for 
possession of a controlled 
substance.

Thursday, February 21st

2:20 PM – A residential 
burglary occurred in the 
700 block of Alameda 
Street. Suspect entered the 
residence via the unsecured 
window. Suspect described 
as a male Black, 40 years 
old, 6 feet 2 inches and 190 
pounds. Stolen: can of beer.

6:42 PM – Cynthia Chalfin, 
47 years old and Stephen 
Oleary, 59 years old, from 
Pasadena were arrested in 
the 2200 block of Crary 
Street for possession for sales 
of a controlled substance.

Saturday, February 23rd

1:00 PM – A petty theft 
from an unlocked vehicle 
occurred in the 2200 block 
of Pinecrest Drive. Stolen: 
white purse containing credit 
cards and various keys.

 Bobo, the sweet blind Pit Bull, 
is seeking a seeing-eye human 
soulmate. Must love dogs and 
have lots of patience to show 
him around and orient to his 
surroundings. Someone with 
a soothing voice to reassure 
him that he's safe and help him 
feel confident. Bobo is blind 
and hesitant at first, but with 
a little help he can figure it out 
and resume his dog duties. 
This 3-year-old boy loves 
affection from all of his staff 
and volunteer friends, enjoys 
laying on his doggy bed, and 
loves filling his tummy with 
yummy dog treats.

 The adoption fee for dogs is 
$140. 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.

St. Patrick’s 
Luncheon 
and Dance

 Shamrocks, leprechauns 
and pots of gold will be in 
abundance Saturday, March 
16, from noon to 2 p.m. in the 
Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena 
Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St.

 Food will be served by 
National Charity League San 
Marino Chapter mothers and 
daughters.

 The Great American Swing 
Band will perform musical 
favorites for listening pleasure 
and dancing.

 The cost is only $10 for 
members of the Pasadena 
Senior Center and $12 for 
non-members of all ages. 
Reservations may be made at 
the Welcome Desk no later 
than Thursday, March 14.

 For more information about 
the programs and services of 
the Pasadena Senior Center 
visit: pasadenaseniorcenter.
org or call 626-795-4331. 

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