Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, April 30, 2022

ALTADENA-SO. PASADENA-SAN MARINOALTADENA-SO. PASADENA-SAN MARINO Mountain View News Saturday, April 30, 2022 7 ALTADENA-SO. PASADENA-SAN MARINOALTADENA-SO. PASADENA-SAN MARINO Mountain View News Saturday, April 30, 2022 7 
Portantino Statement on 
$6.8M Measure W Fundingfor Descanso Gardens 

restoration, enhanced water 

Senator Anthony Portantino, conservation, and habitat 
on Thursday, issued the considerations. In addition,
following statement on the the plan works towards long-
recent approval of $6.8 million term resilience by reducingin Measure W funds by the off-site dependency on water. 
Upper Los Angeles River The projects include water 
Watershed Area Steering capture and reuse for irrigation,
Committee for Descanso increased green space and 
Gardens. The funding will shade, and an improved lake 
prioritize projects that address environment. Descanso 
the environmental priorities Gardens is an integral part of 
of Los Angeles County and the community and I believe 
State of California such as that these projects will greatly 
sustainability, conservation, benefit the Gardens and the 
and growth. community for many years 

“As a frequent visitor and to come. I was very pleased 
supporter, I appreciate to have strongly advocated in 
Descanso Gardens for its support of Descanso Garden’s 
one of a kind distinctive application for Measure W 
and multifaceted landscape, funding.” 
bridging culture and nature, Descanso Gardens is located 
as well as our past, present in La Cañada Flintridge and 
and future. The Measure W operated by the Descanso 
funds are necessary for water Gardens Guild, Inc., a 501(c)
infrastructure improvements (3) nonprofit organization, in aincluded in the Master Plan. public-private partnership with 
Their recent Master Plan Los Angeles County. 
prioritizes to protect and For more information about 
enhance the Gardens’ natural Descanso Gardens visit: 
assets through ecological descansogardens.org/ 

Cosmic Cocktail Hour 

he has devoted his careerJames Webb Space and beyond to the study of 
Telescope: Searching galaxy evolution, changes in 
galaxy structure and form,for Our Origins in and the pace and nature ofStars and Galaxies star birth. Even before the 
Hubble Space Telescope 
launched in 1990 with its 7.8NASA’s 
James Webb Space foot mirror, Dressler chaired 

Telescope (JWST), successfully a Carnegie committee that 
launched on Christmas day proposed a “next generation 
2021, is the farthest seeing space telescope” that would 
telescope humankind has ever be a successor to Hubble and 
built and will usher in a new age powerful enough to see the first 
of discovery in astrophysics, stars and galaxies that existed 
astronomy and planetary in the universe. The committee 

science. 

called on NASA to fund and 

For the Carnegie Observatories create what would become the 
Cosmic Cocktail Hour James Webb Space Telescope, 
presented by the Pasadena which will travel a distance of 
Senior Center on Wednesday, one million miles from Earth 

May 11, at 4 p.m. via Zoom, Dr. while Hubble is 340 miles 
Alan Dressler will review the 

from earth. Dressler earned his 

history of the JWST project, the bachelor’s degree in physics at 
challenges faced by thousands UC Berkeley in 1970 and his 
of engineers and scientists and PhD in astronomy at UC Santa 
the success to date in activating Cruz in 1976. 
and calibrating the telescope The cost of Cosmic Cocktail 
and spacecraft. A Q&A period Hour is only $7 for members 
will follow the presentation. of the Pasadena Senior Center 

Several Carnegie astronomers and $10 for nonmembers 50 
will be among the first to and older. To register, visit: 

lead projects using data from pasadenaseniorcenter.org and 
JWST observations. Their click on Lectures & Classes, 
planned investigations will then Cosmic Cocktail Hour or 

span the breadth of expertise at call 626-795-4331. 
Carnegie Observatories and its Then pour your favorite 
Earth and Planets Laboratory beverage on May 11, sit back 

– from experiencing the and enjoy the astronomical 
makeup of distant worlds to trip.
revealing the secrets of ancient Everyone who registers will 
galaxies and seeking answers to receive an email link to access 

cosmological questions. this Zoom event. Pasadena 

Dressler is staff scientist/ Senior Center membership is 
astronomer emeritus for not required, and participants 
Carnegie Observatories where do not have to live in Pasadena. 


Former Caltech Postdoc 
Launches Into Space 

of planetary science and 
associate director of the Keck 
Institute for Space Studies. 
Ehlmann joined Grotzinger 
in Florida over the weekend 
for a friends and family“wave across” event—where 
the sequestered astronauts 
got an opportunity to wave 
Jessica Watkins, who 
worked on the Mars 
Curiosity rover mission 
while at Caltech, makes 
history as the firstBlack woman on the 
International SpaceStation 

at loved ones and colleagues 
Jessica Watkins, formerly from a distance prior to 

launch.

a Chair’s Postdoctoral 
Scholar in the Division of “We are incredibly proud 

Geological and Planetary to see Jessica launch to 
space as part of Crew-4

Sciences (GPS) and 

California Alliance for and continue exploration of 
Graduate Education and the solar system as a NASA 
astronaut,” Ehlmann says.

the Professoriate (AGEP)

Fellow, launched to space During astronaut training, 
aboard a SpaceX Crew-4 Watkins and her fellow 

astronauts from the 2017

mission from Launch Pad 

39A at NASA’s Kennedy class received training on 
Space Center at 3:52 am how to make geological 

observations from the

Wednesday. 
When Watkins was selected International Space Station 
for the 2017 astronaut class, (ISS) from Caltech alumna 

Lauren Edgar (MS ‘09,

she had just spent two years 
working at Caltech on the PhD ‘13), now a research 
Mars Science Laboratory geologist at the USGS 

Astrogeology Science

(MSL) mission’s Curiosity 
rover with John Grotzinger, Center. Though Watkins 

the Harold Brown Professor is a trained geoscientist, 
the majority of astronauts

of Geology and Ted and 
Ginger Jenkins Leadership are not. Edgar, who had 

Chair for GPS. previously worked with 
Watkins and Grotzinger

“Jess Watkins is a force of 

nature who simply wills on MSL, also traveled to 
herself to success in her own Kennedy to wish her good 

luck.

quiet way,” says Grotzinger, 

who traveled to Florida to “It was great to be there to 
see Watkins off and watch support Jessica and to see 
how happy and calm she

the launch. “She passed on 
an almost certain berth to seemed prior to launch,” 

the USA women’s Olympic Edgar says. “We are all very 
excited to have a friend and

rugby team in order to learn 

more about Mars—to prep fellow geologist flying to 
the ISS! Jessica is a fantastic

herself for selection to the 

teammate, and I can’t wait

astronaut corps. She knows 

to see what Crew-4 will

what she wants.” Watkins 
was one of 12 individuals accomplish. She’s going 

to have some incredible

selected for the astronaut 

program out of a pool more views of the Earth from her 
than 18,000 applicants. vantage point, and hopefully 
she’ll remind her crewmates

Prior to her postdoctoral 

research fellowship with of their geology training 
Grotzinger, Watkins— while they’re working up 
there!” 

then a graduate student 
at UCLA—spent time Written by 
at Caltech working with Robert Perkins 

Caltech

Bethany Ehlmann, professor 

LitFest Pasadena Kicks Off 


Now in its 10th year,
LitFest Pasadena launches 
today with bestselling crime 
fiction authors Michael 
Connelly and GreggHurwitz conversing at Cecil 

E. Bryan’s 1923 stunning 
architectural masterpiece, 
Mountain View Mausoleum 
in Altadena. The day’s 
program also includes an 
incredible line-up of diverse, 
local, and acclaimed authors. 
Hear about mystery 
with Wendy Heard and 
Joe Ide, speculative fiction 
with Natashia Deón, the 
Geography of Crime with 
Steph Cha, true crime with 
Jillian Lauren and Christine 
Pelisek, horror with Carlos 
Allende and Peter Atkins, 
and a celebration of 
Pasadena’s own Octavia E. 
Butler with Ashaki Jackson 
and Shonda Buchanan. 

LitFest Pasadena is a 
free event, no registration 
is required. Masks are 
encouraged, but not 
required. Panels taking 
place simultaneously in two 
locations: Chapel of the 
Gardens and Old Radiance 
Hall, beginning at 2pm, 
with the last event starting 
at 7pm.

 On-site and street parking 

are ample and free. Flintridge 
Bookstore is selling authors’ 
books and Ramirez Tacos is 
providing sustenance (cash 
and card). Come for one 
panel, stay all day!

LitFest Pasadena is 
produced by Light Bringer 
Project, a nonprofitorganization that delivers 
unique arts and learning 
programs throughout 
Los Angeles County. The 
organization produces 
LocavoreLit LA, an online 
journal and classroom 
resource designed to provide 
relevant reading and writing 
experiences for youth in 
public schools.

Joining longtime LitFest 
Pasadena partners Red Hen 
Press, Vroman’s Bookstore, 
Playhouse Village 
Association, and OmegaSci Fi Awards are many 
new collaborators: Open 
Book, Flintridge Bookstore,
Once Upon a Time, The 
Ripped Bodice, Mountain 
View Mausoleum, Pasadena 
Presbyterian Church, and 
Altadena Library.

Check the website 
for four more LitFest 
Pasadena event days in 
May: LitFestPasadena.org/
schedule. 

San Marino UpcomingEvents & Programming 

Brain Aerobics & Lip Reading

Monday, May 2 from 12:30 – 2:30 PM;
Tuesday, May 3 from 9:30 – 11:30 AM at the Barth 
Community RoomThis popular class led by Francine Katz (MA, SLP, & CCC) 
concentrates on lip reading and memory. She provides 
seniors a fun way to fight the common problems of 
diminished hearing and memory as people age. Registration 
is not required, but regular attendance at sessions is 
encouraged.

AAPI Heritage Storytime

Saturday, May 7 from 11 AM – 12 PM at the Barth 
Community RoomIn celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI)
Heritage Month, the Library will host community readers 
sharing stories and crafts appropriate for children in 
kindergarten through 3rd grade.

Crain Art Gallery Reception for April Drew Foster

Sunday, May 8 from 2 – 4 PM at the Barth CommunityRoom 
April Drew Foster’s lush watercolors, painted in a softly 
realistic style, will be on display in Crowell Public Library’s 
Crain Art Gallery from April 23 through June 3. Believing 
that art should evoke the beauty and pleasure of natural 
forms, Foster strives to bring the joy of her artistic journey 
to her painting. Stop by and visit anytime during regular 
Library hours. 

Tournament of Roses Holds 
Youth Empowerment Forum 


The Pasadena Tournament Attendees were also 
of Roses last week hosted presented career 
more than 250 Southern opportunities in science, 
California youth for technology and art, and 
#ThisGen2022, a youth how their talents can be 
empowerment forum used in the professional 
presented by East West world. Attendees left feelingBank. empowered, inspired and 

The half-day forum excited to tackle what comes 
brought together a diverse next. 
group of inspiring speakers “My favorite moment was 
who gave attendees insight when Johnathan spoke 
into breaking barriers, to the kid who got open 
overcoming obstacles and heart surgery. It was reallyfollowing their passions. The emotional. I also liked 
panels featured professionals Anedra with her tips into 
from premier companies editing. This really is a 
and organizations in good guide to what steps 
sports, entertainment I can take for my future,” 
and technology including #ThisGen attendee Charlette 
Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Browning, Ontario Christian 
Television Animation High School. 
Studios, the Los Angeles #ThisGen2022 was a forum 
Dodgers and LA Rams. to empower youth and we 

“The more you realize are grateful to East West 
you have a superpower Bank for their continued 
and lean into it, the more partnership and their role as 
things happen and the presenting sponsor. 
more authentic it is,” said “East West Bank is proud 
#ThisGen panelist Jeff Stern, to yet again be a presentingApatow Productions. sponsor of #ThisGen and 

The event featured three be a part of our youth’s 
panels: “Hustle & Motivate,” journey to reach further in 
“Victory Lap” and “The their professional lives,” said 
Blueprint.” Speakers focused Janie Beaman, First Vice 
on following your dreams, President, Senior Manager, 
finding success doing Communications and 
what you love, confidence Media, at East West Bank. 
and networking to help “Our young people are our 
build future goals and future leaders, innovators, 
leveraging your talent in the and changemakers, and we 
professional world. hope that they will leave this 

“We are extremely proud forum hopeful and ready to 
to bring together students tackle whatever challenges 
and professionals for such come their way.” 
an inspiring event,” said #ThisGen2022 was hosted 
Pasadena Tournament by the Pasadena Tournament 
of Roses President of Roses, a volunteer-driven 
Amy Wainscott. “These non-profit organization 
professionals are from a that produces the annual 
variety of industries and Rose Parade and Rose Bowl 
backgrounds which after Game. 
today, have given these For complete panelist 
young people fun and bios, please visit: 
exciting ideas for their tournamentofroses.com/
future.” event/this-gen-2022/. 

Mt Lowe Chamber PlayersConcert: Woodwind Quintets

 Join the Altadena Library as the MT LOWE CHAMBER 
PLAYERS perform from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Main 
Library on Sunday, May 1.

They will present a program that includes “Wind Quintet” 
by Carl Nielson, “Sea Shanties” by Malcolm Arnold, “3Pièces brèves” by Jacques Ibert, “Piccola offerta musicale” 
by Nino Rota, and “Three Brazilian Choros (arr by Frank 
Morelli).

Musicians include Larry Kaplan (flute), Michele Forrest 
(oboe), Jim Foschia (clarinet), Phoebe Ray (bassoon) and 
John Mason (horn).
Sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena LibraryFor More information visit: altadenalibrary.org. 

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