Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, April 27, 2019

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SIERRA MADRE COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Mountain View News Saturday, April 27, 2019


To the good readers of Mountain View’s 
Newspaper: Last week I made a blunder and 
inadvertently sent some half baked Easter 
sermon notes instead of the Easter article we 
wrote for the Mountain View’s News. To my 
great embarrassment, it went to print before we 
discovered the error! The correct article is printed 
below. Enjoy! 

Easter is a time for family, coloring eggs, and 
chocolate bunnies. It is about springtime, 
baby ducklings, and new life. These are 
all well and good. But to stop here misses the point. Easter is the day 
Christians celebrate the historical claim that Jesus of Nazareth—who was 
put through the rigors of crucifixion, died, and was buried in a tomb for 
three days—was raised bodily from the grave. Easter is not an ancillary 
holiday in Christianity, rather, it is at the center of the world’s largest 
faith. Because the resurrection and the faith it spawned (Christianity) 
has had such a deep impact on world history, it is appropriate to ask, 
“Did it really happen?” 

For understandable reasons, many find it difficult to believe in the 
resurrection. But we must not think this is simply because we live in an 
age of science. Doubt is not a modern thing. First century people knew 
that dead people stay dead. Just like today, the original announcement 
of the resurrection was met with skepticism. In fact, the Gospel writers 
record that some of Jesus first followers found it difficult to believe.

The most well known example is “Doubting Thomas.” He scoffed when 
his fellow disciples reported seeing the risen Jesus, retorting, “Unless I 
see the nail holes in his hands, put my fingers in the nail holes, and stick 
my hand in his side, I won’t believe.” Note that Thomas’s refusal to believe 
without empirical proof was not due to his immersion in Enlightenment 
philosophy or exposure to the Scientific Revolution. Resurrection in the 
first century was also met with incredulity. 

Of course, belief in the modern West does have its challenges. Ours is 
not only a politically polarized culture, where the alt-right and far-left 
clash, but a religiously polarized culture, where fundamentalist believers 
and fundamentalist unbelievers (i.e. “The New Atheists”) clash. Because 
these clashes grab the headlines, it is easy to think there are only two 
options: belief or skepticism. But, as philosopher Charles Taylor notes, 
fundamentalist believers who reject all doubt as groundless, and 
fundamentalist unbelievers who reject all faith as wish fulfillment, are 
the minority. Most people are somewhere in the middle. Believers find 
themselves in moments of doubt. And skeptics, at times, wonder if there 
might be something more. a greater “fullness,” rather than a purely 
immanent, closed universe. 

The story of doubting Thomas suggests a third way beyond doubtless 
faith and unflinching skepticism. Thomas’s faith was not forged in the 
absence of doubt, but through doubt. When Thomas does come to faith, 
his confession stands out in the New Testament as one of the boldest. 
Thomas says, “My Lord and My God!” Church history indicates that 
Thomas ultimately dies for his faith in the resurrected Jesus. By being 
honest about his doubts, Thomas came to believe the world is far more 
strange, more wonderful, more surprising than he had previously 
imagined. His initial skepticism ultimately yields to a deep conviction 
that the love and power of God did indeed break into the world through 
the resurrected body of Jesus. 

This brings us back to our original question. Did Jesus of Nazareth 
actually rise from the dead? Regardless of where you find in the 
continuum of belief or unbelief, the resurrection of Jesus is undoubtedly 
worth investigating. One place to begin the investigative journey is to 
visit an Easter Service at one of the churches in our community. Another 
might be to pick up the book Resurrection of The Son of God, by First 
Century Historian, and former lecturer at Oxford, Cambridge, N.T. 
Wright. For if the unthinkable actually happened—if Jesus was raised 
from the dead—then life not death, love not hate, light not darkness, has 
the final say. 

 Weather Wise


DOUBTING EASTER

6-Day Forecast Sierra Madre, Ca.

 Sun Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s 

 Mon: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s

 Tues: Sunny Hi 80s Lows 60s

 Wed: Sunny Hi 80s Lows 60s

 Thur: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 60s

 Fri: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 60s

Forecasts courtesy of the National Weather Service

Josh Swanson, Pastor

Christ Church Sierra Madre

SIERRA MADRE CITY MEETINGS

 

CALENDAR 

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings listed below are held at 
City Hall 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, Ca. 

626-355-7135

 CITY COUNCIL

MAY 14TH, 2019 AT 6:30PM

MAY 28ST, 2019 AT 6:30PM

JUNE 11TH, 2019 AT 6:30PM

JUNE 25TH, 2019 AT 6:30PM

PLANNING COMMISSION 

MAY 2ND, 2019 AT 7:00PM

MAY 16TH, 2019 AT 7:00PM

JUNE 6TH, 2019 AT 7:00PM

JUNE 20TH, 2019 AT 7:00PM

COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMISSION 

MAY 20TH, 2019 AT 6:30PM

JUNE 17TH, 2019 AT 6:30PM

SENIOR COMMUNITY COMMISSION 

MAY 2ND, 2019 AT 3:00PM

JUNE 6TH, 2019 AT 3:00PM

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MAY 22ND, 2019 AT 7:00PM

JUNE 26TH, 2019 AT 7:00PM

ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, AND NATURAL 
RESOURCE COMMISSION 

MAY 15TH, 2019 AT 7:00PM

 JUNE 19TH, 2019 AT 7:00PM 


 Can’t make it to the meeting, but still want to share your thoughts? 
You can mail or drop off a written statement to City Hall or email city@
cityofsierramadre.com before 30 the night of the meeting and your 
statement will be delivered to all the Council Members.Sierra Madre City 
Hall 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, CA 91024 (626) 355-7135 

1630 AM EMERGENCY RADIO & 

Free on-air publicity for local events

 Sierra Madre’s EMERGENCY radio station is now accepting scripts 
for Public Service Announcements (PSAs) about community events. 
PSAs will be broadcast on the air at no charge. The station operates 
24/7 and can be heard at 1630 on the AM dial.

 Any local non-profit or non-commercial organization can have their 
event information broadcast to the public on Sierra Madre Community 
Information Radio. The station covers the city of Sierra Madre, plus 
surrounding areas of Pasadena, Arcadia, and Monrovia. 

Your event must:

• Benefit a non-commercial or non-profit entity
• Be open to the public
• Be of general interest to local citizens


Just 
write a Public Service Announcement that describes your event 
and e-mail it to radio@cityofsierramadre.com. 

KIWANIS CLUB OF 

SIERRA MADRE

Since 1927!

We meet every Tuesday at Noon

33 E Sierra Madre Blvd, 

 Sierra Madre

Enjoy a wonderful meal prepared by 

SIERRA MADRE CATERING COMPANY

Lunch Begins at Noon and costs $10 - 

Programs begin at 12:30 and are free! 
FOR LUNCH RESERVATIONS 

PLEASE CALL: 626-688-2273


SIERRA MADRE POLICE BLOTTER

April 14 to April 21, 2019 
During this period, the Sierra Madre Police Department responded to 
approximately 298 day and night time calls for service. 

Monday, April 8 (hold over) 
Sometime between 2:30PM and 2:55PM, a grand theft occurred in 
the 200 block of N. Grove Street. The suspect(s) removed the victim's 
gardening equipment, a lawnmower, edger and trimmer taken from the 
victim's vehicle and placed it into the suspect vehicle.
The suspect(s) then fled the scene.
Case to Detectives

Wednesday, April 17 
In the area of the Chantry Flat entrance at about 11:49PM, officers interviewed 
a driver following a traffic stop for a vehicle violation. During 
the interview, officers observed a BB gun that resembled a firearm 
in plain view. A high risk stop was conducted, the vehicle was searched 
and the following items were found: illicit weapons, illicit narcotics, and 
items commonly used to sell illicit narcotics. The driver was arrested 
and transported to Pasadena Jail for booking. 
Case to Detectives 

Friday, April 19 
A case was filed utilizing SMPD’s on-line reporting system that between 
3:35PM on 4/18 and 11:00AM on 4/19, unknown suspect(s) vandalized 
a vehicle by smashing the rear window. The vehicle was parked in the 
300 block of E. Grandview Ave. 
Case pending further information. 

4TH OF JULY GRAND 
MARSHAL NOMINATIONS

The Volunteer Sierra Madre 4th of July Committee is seeking 
nominations for the 2019 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal. 
The Parade will be held as always the morning of July 4th. 

Parade Grand Marshal Nominees should embody the spirit 
of Sierra Madre, be an active volunteer in any of the local 
nonprofit organizations or in some way contributed to the 
betterment of Sierra Madre. Nominees may be an individual 
or volunteers or an organization. 

Nominations must be submitted in writing by Tuesday, 
April 30th and should be sent to the 4th of July Committee, 
PO Box 1073 Sierra Madre CA 91025 or emailed to 
4thofjulysierramadre@gmail.com. Nominations should be 
no more than 1 page but at least a paragraph explaining why 
the honor should be given including contributions to the 
Sierra Madre community. 

Previous Grand Marshals have included 2018 Steve Heydorff, 
2017 Derek Podrebarac, 2016 Pete Siberell and Hometown 
Hero Kris Lowe, 2015 Clem and Nina Bartolai, 2014 Pat & 
DeAlcorn & Hometown Heroes Sierra Madre Search and 
Rescue, 2013 VFW Post 3208 & Hometown Hero Mama 
Pete; 2012 Nel and Bob Soltz (Wistaria Vine owners); 2011 
Gayle Bluemel & Hometown Hero John Shear; 2010 Lew 
Wantanabe; 2009 Midge Morash; 2008 Sierra Madre Fire 
Department; 2007 Ward Family (E. Waldo Ward & Sons); 
2006 Judy Webb Martin & Toni Buckner & Hometown Hero 
Barbara Wamboldt; 2005 Police Chief Wayne Bailey; 2004 
Doug Berkshire; 2003 John Grijalva; 2002 Bob Quamstrom; 
2001 Ty Gaffney; 2000 Dr. Bill White; and 1999 Jim & 
Barbara Heasley. 

This All-American friends and family event is made 
possible through the wonderful contribution of donors 
and sponsors. If you’d like to help please visit http://www.
sierramadrefourthofjuly.com/ or follow us on Facebook 
http://www.facebook.com/4thofJulyInfo


Hosted by the 

Senior Community 
Commission and the 
Community Services 
Department 

 Saturday, 

June 1, 2019

8:00AM to 12:00Noon

Sierra Vista Park 

611E. Sierra Madre Blvd

 Registration begins at City Hall 

Monday, April 8 -Thursday, May 16, 2019

 Call the Community Services Department 
for info and space reservations at (626) 355 
5278


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