Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, August 20, 2022

Mountain View News Saturday, August 20, 2022 7ALTADENA - SOUTH PASADENA SAN MARINO 
Mountain View News Saturday, August 20, 2022 7ALTADENA - SOUTH PASADENA SAN MARINO 
Letter by Pasadena Mayor:
San Rafael Elementary School

 To the residents of our community and the parents of the 
children who attend San Rafael Elementary School: 

 As Mayor of Pasadena, and as an alumnus of PUSD schools, 
I represent a very diverse population and feel it’s imperative to 
address the actions of San Rafael Elementary School Principal 
Rudy Ramirez. 

 On Sunday, August 14, a resident called the Pasadena Police 
Department, believing a possible crime was in progress at the 
neighborhood elementary school. Our Police Department 
responded as they will with every call for help received, and 
located an individual on the campus who was later identified 
as the school custodian. In the context of what has happened 
recently in schools across the country, it is appropriate for our 
officers to respond to all concerns involving our schools and 
school children. 

 While I was not there, I reviewed all videos and reports of 
the incident. Our Police Department did detain the custodian, 
subsequently verified his identity, and he was released within six 
and half minutes. We believe our officers acted professionally, 
respectfully, and with caution while responding to a call by a 
resident. 

 As leaders of our City, school district, and schools, it is our 
collective responsibility to act professionally and work together 
to resolve issues. Our comments are a reflection of ourselves, 
and as leaders we need to set an example for the students and 
young persons in our community. We represent the people of 
our community, and there is no place for divisive statements or 
jumping to conclusions before facts are made clear. 

 Principal Ramirez made very derogatory racial remarks that 
were caught on camera and recorded in a report by the school 
district’s security officer. He made remarks that were not factual 
and were inflammatory. As a leader, mentor and supervisor, he is 
held to a higher standard, and should be held accountable for the 
impact his behavior has caused. A school principal is a leader and 
educator of educators who ultimately shape the minds and views 
of our children. Whether during work hours or responding after 
hours, his demeanor, professionalism and judgement should not 
deviate.

 Race-based denigrating statements are never appropriate. Biased 
statements directed or intended to denigrate people based on skin 
color were wrong in times long past, wrong on Sunday, and will 
always be wrong. There is no place in our society for these types 
of statements, and certainly not in Pasadena. These denigrating 
biased statements made by Principal Ramirez are offensive, and 
on behalf of my constituents, I have a difficult time accepting his 
apology. 

 The City of Pasadena will continue to work diligently to build 
trust and communication between our police, the school district 
and our community. We will continue our commitment to 
supporting our school district so they may provide students 
with the best educational opportunities possible, as education 
is the key to stomping out ignorance, hate, and systemic racism 
wherever it exists. The answer to past racism is not more racism. 
We should always denounce hate and racism whenever and 
wherever we encounter it. 

Victor Gordo Pasadena Mayor 

Dine Aug. 24 to SupportPasadena Senior Center

 Leave the dinner Benefit PSC. 
preparation to Edwin “Teddy, the owner of Edwin 
Mills by Equator, 22 Mills Mills, has been a generous 
Alley in Old Pasadena on supporter of the Pasadena 
Wednesday, Aug. 24, from Senior Center, from 
3 to 11 p.m. and support the making sizable donations 
Pasadena Senior Center at to personally delivering 
the same time. meals to our staff during the 

 Featuring New American pandemic,” said Akila Gibbs, 
cuisine such as potato-executive director of the 
wrapped snapper, sweet center. “I really encourage 
chicken, short rib tacos the people of Pasadena to 
and more, the restaurant show some support of Edwin 
will donate 15 percent of Mills by Equator on Aug. 24, 
that evening’s profits to the which also will help support 
Pasadena Senior Center the Pasadena Senior Center.” 
on behalf of everyone who Anyone who cannot dine 
prints out the flyer from the at Edwin Mills by Equator 
PSC website and hands it to a on Aug. 24 will still have 
server or cashier. Diners can an opportunity to support 
eat at the restaurant or order the center by visiting the 
takeout. The menu can be Pasadena Senior Center 
found at www.edwinmills. website and clicking on 
com. Donation & Membership. 

 To download the flyer, For more information visit 
visit: pasadenaseniorcenter. the PSC website or call 626org 
and click on Dine Out & 795-4331. 

Huntington Acquires theArchive of LA Architects 
John and Donald Parkinson 


John Parkinson

 The Huntington Library, 
Art Museum, and Botanical 
Gardens has acquired the 
archive of notable early 20thcentury 
Los Angeles architects 
John and Donald Parkinson. 
The little-known cache contains 
more than 20,000 items, 
including drawings, blueprints, 
office records, photographs, and 
ephemera. Adding dramatically 
to The Huntington’s growing 
strength in Southern California 
architectural history, this 
acquisition was made possible 
by the donation of Wm. 
Scott Field, a restoration 
architect who took great care 
in stewarding the archive for 
decades.

 “The Parkinson archive unlocks 
the process behind the creation 
of some of the most iconic 
buildings in Los Angeles,” said 
Erin Chase, assistant curator of 
architecture and photography 
at The Huntington. “Spanning 
100 years, and chronicling 
the firm’s work in such detail, 
the collection will be the 
cornerstone of our Southern 
California architecture 
and planning materials 
documenting the growth of 
our region in the early 20th 
century.”

 The firm’s landmark buildings 
in LA include Bullocks 
Wilshire; Braly Block, the city’s 
first skyscraper; the Homer 
Laughlin Building (now Grand 
Central Market); Los Angeles 
City Hall; the Memorial 
Coliseum; and Union Station, 
in addition to the campus 
master plan for USC. These 
buildings were either designed 
by John Parkinson and his 
partner Edwin Bergstrom 
(Parkinson and Bergstrom, 
1905–1915) or by John and 
his son, Donald Parkinson 
(Parkinson and Parkinson, 
1920–1935). The archive spans 
from 1894 to 1994, during 
which John Parkinson and his 
successors developed more 
than 400 structures. The wealth 
of materials from the early 
1900s to the 1930s demonstrate 
the rapid growth of Los Angeles 
at that time.

 “Walking in downtown 
Los Angeles, one can see a 
Parkinson building in almost 
every direction,” said Stephen 
Gee, author of Iconic Vision: 
John Parkinson, Architect of 
Los Angeles. “The Parkinson 
collection is a treasure trove 
of rare materials that tells the 

Donald Parkinson 

story of an architect considered 
by many historians to be one 
of the founders of modern 
Los Angeles. This archive is an 
incredible tool for researchers 
and scholars who want to 
understand how Los Angeles 
grew from an outpost to a 
major metropolis on the West 
Coast.”

 The Parkinson archive 
includes nearly 20,000 original 
ink-on-linen detailed drawings 
and blueprints created by the 
firm, as well as books from 
the firm’s architecture library, 
business records, project 
photographs and slides, 
and ephemera. It enhances 
The Huntington’s existing 
Los Angeles architecture 
collections, which include the 
papers of architect Wallace 
Neff; the Foss Construction 
Company; and the Morgan, 
Walls, and Clements firm.

 “Forming the core of this 
collection are thousands of 
original drawings created 
by the firm,” said Sandra L. 
Brooke, The Huntington’s 
Avery Director of the Library. 
“These are one-of-a-kind, 
richly detailed renderings that, 
for many buildings, cover the 
entire scope of the project—
from elevations and floor plans 
to technical specifications 
and design details. They are 
in extraordinary condition, a 
testament to the donor who 
took great care in managing 
the archive for decades. We 
couldn’t be more delighted with 
this landmark acquisition.”

 The collection will open to 
researchers after it has been 
processed.

 The Huntington Library, 
Art Museum, and Botanical 
Gardens is a cultural and 
educational institution of global 
significance. Building on Henry 

E. and Arabella Huntington’s 
renowned collections, The 
Huntington supports research 
and promotes education in 
the arts, humanities, and 
botanical science through 
the growth and preservation 
of its collections; the 
development of a community 
of scholars, school programs, 
and partnerships; and the 
display and interpretation of 
its extraordinary resources 
for diverse audiences. The 
Huntington is located at 1151 
Oxford Road, San Marino, 
California, 12 miles from 
downtown Los Angeles. Visitor 
information: huntington.org. 
South Pas 
LibraryCommunityBlood Drive 

 
Tuesday, August 30 from 
Noon to 6:00 p.m.

 To schedule your lifesaving 
appointment, please 
visit RedCrossBlood.org 
and enter sponsor code: 
SOPASLIB 

 ON THE DAY OF THE 
DRIVE: Streamline your 
donation experience and 
save up to 15 minutes by 
visiting RedCrossBlood. 
org/RapidPass to complete 
your pre-donation 
reading and health history 
questions.

 The Library Community 
Room is located 1115 El 
Centro St. 

 For more information 
about the South 
Pasadena Library visit: 
southpasadenaca.gov. 

San Marino UpcomingEvents & Programming 

Family Storytime

Tuesday, August 23 at 10:30 AM, Children’s Area

 Storytime features activities for children ages 5 and under 
that will promote early literacy and lifelong learning through 
songs, movement, fingerplays, and books. Storytime is 
also an opportunity for caregivers to learn ways they can 
incorporate learning activities into everyday routines. 
Storytime occurs weekly on Tuesday through October 4. 
Registration is not required. Please watch our social media 
for cancellations. 
Recent Happenings

 The City’s tree maintenance contractor, Mariposa 
Landscaping, is currently working on a one-time cleanup 
of City medians along Huntington Drive, Sierra Madre 
Boulevard, and Old Mill Road. This involved mowing, 
edging, spraying, and weeding the medians to ensure 
they remain safe and aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, 
Mariposa recently completed pruning and shaping of trees 
along Mission Street. In the coming weeks, they will complete 
additional raise pruning to ensure Fire Department vehicles 
have sufficient clearance when driving on City streets.
Ongoing Maintenance

 Public Works staff completed tasks such as removing 
fallen tree branches, palm fronds, and other debris from 
the public right-of-way, replacing streetlight bulbs and 
street signs, repairing pavement, and completing minor 
repairs at different City facilities. Additionally, staff is 
currently trimming the oleander bushes along westbound 
Huntington Drive between Granada and Los Robles to help 
ensure they are not encroaching into the road and impacting 
traffic safety. Residents who wish to report non-emergency 
issues in the public right-of-way or on City streets may 
do so via the San Marino Service Request Center: www.
cityofsanmarino.org/report. 
Fall Community Services Guide

 Check out the latest Community Services Guide to see 
Fall offerings and get details on upcoming events, classes, 
and lectures. Hard copies will be delivered to San Marino 
households in the next few days. Registration for begins on 
August 22 for residents and August 29 for non-residents.
Fire Department

 On Saturday, August 13, the San Marino Fire Department 
said goodbye to one of our members. Firefighter/Paramedic 
Robert Corral, who joined the department in 2020, 
recently accepted a lateral position with the Corona Fire 
Department. We wish all the best to Firefighter Corral as he 
starts a new career with the City of Corona. Recruitment for 
the position of Firefighter/Paramedic is currently open and 
accepting applications.

 On Monday, August 8, the San Marino Unified School 
District hosted a safety summit for teachers and staff in 
preparation for the new school year. Fire Chief Rueda 
and Police Chief Incontro, along with Dr. Tony Beliz and 
Superintendent Linda de la Torre, participated in a panel 
about preparation and response to potential safety issues.

 Members of the Fire Department conducted wildland 
training for the department’s three probationary firefighters. 
As part of the California Office of Emergency Services 
mutual aid system, the San Marino Fire Department may be 
dispatched to respond to wildland fires throughout the state. 
In 2021, San Marino firefighters responded to the Dixie, 
Caldor, and Beckwourth Complex incidents in Northern 
California, and provided more than 4,000 personnel hours 
in mutual aid response.
Safe Driving in School Zones

 With the new school year underway, the Parks and Public 
Works Department would like to remind residents of the 
importance of traffic safety and driving with caution near 
schools. Please be sure to obey all speed limits (especially 
the 20 MPH speed limit in school zones) and traffic signage, 
and to be particularly mindful of pedestrians and bikers 
crossing the road near schools. Safe driving can help ensure 
all members of the community are safe when driving, 
walking, or biking.
MeetingsLibrary Board of Trustees MeetingMonday, August 22 at 8 AM; TeleconferencePlanning Commission MeetingWednesday, August 24 at 6 PM; Teleconference 

South Pasadena LibraryScary Story Contest for Kids 

 
The entries will be judged 

 In celebration of Halloween, by the Children’s Services 
the South Pasadena Public librarians and by special 
Library will hold the Second judge, Xanthe Pajarillo, a 
Annual Scary Story Contest. director-writer, podcaster 
Children and teens in grades and Air Force veteran from 
Kindergarten through 12th Germany and Virginia. She 
grade are invited to submit directed the 2021 Fangoria 
entries to the South Pasadena Chainsaw Awards on Shudder, 
Public Library from now has written for Fangoria and 
through Saturday, September Bloody Disgusting and with 

10. Submissions should be her 13-year old niece, co-hosts 
delivered to the South Pasadena a kids horror podcast titled 
Public Library Children’s Kindergeist which explores 
Services desk. The winners will horror through fun, inspiring 
be announced in mid-October. and meaningful dialogue. 
Submissions must include She received her MFA from 
an official entry form, which USC’s School of Cinematic 
are available on the Children’s Arts, her BFA from CalArts, 
Services web page at www. and is an intern alumni of 
southpasadenaca.gov/children HBO, Will and Jada Smith’s 
and in the library, starting on Overbrook Entertainment 
Monday, August 15. Submitted and Michel Gondry’s Partizan 
stories can be up to 300 words, Entertainment. 
or 1 page typed. One entry per The Scary Story Contest is 
person. No weapons may be sponsored by the Friends of the 
used in the story. All entries South Pasadena Public Library, 
must be the original work of the Inc. 
student. Parents may transcribe The South Pasadena Public 
a young child’s story. Entries Library is located at 1100 Oxley 
will be judged for creativity Street in South Pasadena. 
and originality. The winning Visit the Library website at: 
compositions will be featured southpasadenaca.gov/library 
on the library’s website and for information about services 
social media. and programs. 

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