Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, September 24, 2022

13 Mountain Views-News September 24, 2022OPINIONOPINION 13 Mountain Views-News September 24, 2022OPINIONOPINION 
MOUNTAIN 

VIEWS 

NEWS 

PUBLISHER/ EDITOR

Susan Henderson 

PASADENA CITY 
EDITOR 

Dean Lee 

PRODUCTION 

SALES 

Patricia Colonello 
626-355-2737 
626-818-2698 

WEBMASTER 

John Aveny 

DISTRIBUTION 

Peter Lamendola 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Stuart Tolchin 
Audrey SwansonMeghan MalooleyMary Lou CaldwellKevin McGuire 
Chris Leclerc 
Bob Eklund 
Howard HaysPaul CarpenterKim Clymer-KelleyChristopher NyergesPeter Dills 
Rich Johnson 
Lori Ann Harris 
Rev. James SnyderKatie HopkinsDeanne Davis 
Despina ArouzmanJeff Brown 
Marc Garlett 
Keely TotenDan Golden 
Rebecca WrightHail Hamilton 
Joan Schmidt 
LaQuetta Shamblee 

Mountain Views News 
has been adjudicated asa newspaper of GeneralCirculation for the County 
of Los Angeles in CourtCase number GS004724: 
for the City of SierraMadre; in Court CaseGS005940 and for the 
City of Monrovia in CourtCase No. GS006989 and 
is published every Saturday 
at 80 W. Sierra MadreBlvd., No. 327, Sierra 
Madre, California, 91024.
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Views News and maybe published in part or 
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by the writersprinted in this paper donot necessarily expressthe views and opinionsof the publisher or staff 
of the Mountain Views 
News. 

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wholly owned by GraceLorraine Publications,
and reserves the right torefuse publication of advertisements 
and other 
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publication. 

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correspondence should 
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Mountain Views News 
80 W. Sierra Madre Bl. 
#327 
Sierra Madre, Ca.
91024 

Phone: 626-355-2737 

Fax: 626-609-3285 

email: 

mtnviewsnews@aol.com 


A member 
of the 
California 
NewspaperPublishers 
Association 

Mountain Views News 

Mission Statement 

The traditions of 

community news


papers and the 

concerns of our readers 


are this newspaper’s 
top priorities. We 
support a prosperous

community of well-
informed citizens. We 


hold in high regard the 

valuesoftheexceptional

quality of life in our 

community, includingthe magnificence of 
our natural resources. 


Integrity will be our guide. 

PUT THE LIGHTS ON

STUART TOLCHIN 
HOORAY?? A Glimpse of Life 


Hooray! The Pandemic is over! At least that’s what I 
heard President Biden say on TV this morning. I had lingered 
to hear the President and caused my wife and I to be almost late 
as we drove to Baldwin Park. We had a scheduled 10 A. M. appointment 
to visit my son’s girlfriend who had recently been 
transferred to a post-operative rehabilitative nursing home hidden 
away in a nearby city with which we were unfamiliar. My 
wife programmed the car computer for directions and the recommendation 
was to avoid the freeway and take surface streets. 
I normally distrust the computer but this time at my wife’s insistence 
we followed the GPS instructions and managed to get lost. 

Eventually, after a pretty heated fight, we managed to find the place.

I was surprised, despite the President’s proclamation of victory, that upon arrival 
my wife and I had to undergo unexpected, (at least for me) procedures before being allowed 
past the receptionist’s desk. First we had to present proof of vaccination; next we had to have 
our temperature taken, after that we had to have nose swabs to demonstrate that we were 
not infected. The procedures were already more confusing than what was necessary to be 
allowed into the Rose Bowl to see the Bruins play. Worse yet the games are not presented 
on my TV. (I present this information to demonstrate the perils of attempting to survive in 
today’s Climate Crisis infected post- Pandemic world.)

Despite the President’s proclamation, the necessary procedures at the nursing facility 
had remained in place. (Perhaps no one had watched TV that morning.) Finally after 
being cleared to proceed to the patient’s room we were instructed to put on hospital gowns. 
I, of course struggled, initially putting the gown on backwards (it is one’s front that is to be 
covered} and after some assistance was finally allowed to enter Elena’s hospital room. My 
wife and I had not been authorized to see her since her fall in January. Subsequent to the 
fall she had remained in great pain and was operated upon twice. Additionally, for reasons 
that have not been adequately explained to me, her mental state was affected and her communication 
skills had vanished. 

Given all this, I had some trepidation as we entered Elena’s room. We entered and 
there Elena sat in her wheelchair next to a window with a very pleasant view. Even though 
she, as well as us, wore a mask I could tell just by her eyes that she was happy. Because of 
my hearing problems and my inoperative hearing aids together with being masked I had to 
rely on my wife to repeat what Elena said. Nevertheless, it was clear to me that Elena’s sense 
of humor and her extraordinary memory had returned. She knew that my wife, son, and I 
planned to attend a wedding next month and she reminded us where my son’s formal clothes 
could be found in his closet. Elena and my son had gone on a cruise about ten years ago 
where formal clothes were required at dinner and now, so many years later, she remembered 
where the clothes were hung.

Frankly I was overjoyed by her spirits and attitude. While we were there my son 
called on the phone and even though I could barely understand the words over the speaker 
phone I experienced how loving he and Elena were toward one another. I should explain 
that both my son and Elena are in, or soon to be in, their fifties. My son’s eye problems and 
his developmental disabilities make it impossible for him to drive to the facility himself and 
he relies on Elena’s sister for assistance. Both Elena and my son are under the supervision 
of the Regional Center and have had very difficult lives. Still they have maintained their 
relationship, although living apart, for over fifteen years. 

As I heard their voices over the speaker phone, I could feel something of their sustained 
love. Tears fell from my eyes to my mask and I felt a strong hooray for them and 
the doctors and the view from the window. I started this article expressing a very cynical 
view of Joe Biden’s, announcement that the Pandemic is over. I know that still almost 500 
Americans continue to die daily from this supposedly defeated Pandemic that has caused 
more deaths in the United States than anywhere else.

Maybe all the world’s leaders have cynically lied to us and continue lie to themselves. 

(Perhaps that’s Mr. Putin’s problem}. Still there is joy to be found in this difficult world and 

I am so gratified to have found some today. 

DINAH CHONG WATSON 


CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE WRONG KIND 

Although I was born and raised above the 49th parallel, in the 
chilly climes of hockey-obsessed Canada, I’ve spent the majority 
of my adult life living abroad, mainly in China. 

My first decade there, China was just emerging from a rigid 
Soviet-style, top down government monopoly, no private enterprises 
were allowed, even as small as a noodle stand. 

With no foreign products to be had, I missed my comfort foods 
from home. I tried to make bagels (not good), pizza (even worse 

with the one available mystery cheese), and soggy French fries (mon dieu!). 

Once a year I’d fly back home, the night before the flight I tossed and turned, my brain neurons 
firing haphazardly in anticipation of the 2 hour layover at the Detroit (DTW) airport. 

The next day, as soon as the plane touched the tarmac of the good old USA, I raced through 
the airport to the food concessions like the devil was behind me. No need for signage, I could 
smell my way to my treasured destination, I gave the counter staff my order and within minutes 
it was hot in my trembling hands, my precious! 

It was awesome, the cheesy, goodness of the Little Cesars personal size pan pizza brought tears 
to my eyes. It was as close to heaven as one could ever get in the cacophonous chaos of the 
DTW. 

Last week, maybe it was the barrage of commercials or the BOGO special that was running but 
I ordered my first Little Cesars pizza since moving to the US in 2017. 

The box with the cartoon toga was the same, the edges of the pizza a little too crispy but still, it 
was my precious. I took a bite, the pizza was definitely not great or even good. 

My precious was no more, only the cherished memory of it. 

My takeaway from this? Just live in the moment and enjoy! 

ELECTION COVERAGE 
On November 8, 2022 the Sierra Madre 
Municipal Election and the Statewide General 
Election will be held. 
For the Municipal election, voters in Sierra 
Madre will go to the polls and 
select three people from a field of five to sit on 
the City Council. Local voters will also vote on the citizens initiative, Measure HR the citizens 
initiative that seeks to rezone the property where the Meadows at Bailey Canyon is to be built 
and as a result of such a change restrict the projects size and scope. 
The General Election ballot will include nominees for U.S. Senate , House of Representatives,
State Assembly and State Senate as well as statewide ballot measures and initiatives. 
In an effort to keep the residents of Sierra Madre informed regarding the Municipal 
Election, The Mountain Views News will provide our readers with weekly coverage. Each 
week, as we have done in the past, we will profile the city council candidates and give each 
the opportunity to introduce themselves to our readers by answering the following questions: 
1. Why are you running for City Council? 
2. What are you going to do for Sierra Madre? 
3. How do you plan on accomplishing your goals? 
(All candidates are being asked to answer the same questions and their answers will be 
published unedited.) 
The candidates running for Sierra Madre City Council are (in alphabetical order) :
COLIN BARR 
EDWARD GARCIA (incumbent)
GENE GOSS (Incumbent)
KRIS LOWE 
CHRISTINE MORAN 
This paper will also review the pros and cons of Measure HR and other election related 
information. 
Coverage will begin in the October 1st , 2022 edition and run through November 5th, 2022. 
It is our sincere hope that each candidate will submit their answers so that we can share them 
with you. A separate letter has been sent to each, asking them to participate. 
Our reporting on this election will be as fair and objective as possible. However, please keepin mind that our columnists are always free to share their opinions. Their opinions are their 
opinions and may or may not reflect the position of the paper. This is true in all things, not 
just this election. 
We will also provide for you the calendar of important dates regarding the election. It is 
our goal to do whatever we can to help you make an informed decision on November 8, 2022. 
Susan Henderson, Publisher/Editor 
RICH & FAMOUS 
GUITAR LESSONS R US! 

Odds are…you have always wanted 
to learn to play the guitar. And now 
you would love to see your kids or 
grandkids learn to play. 


Go for it! You and your offspring. 

I started playing the guitar late in life. I was 12. And very shy. Yes, 
Rich Johnson was a shy 12-year old. Hard to believe. 

My shyness evaporated…once I started strumming the guitar. 
Why? At family get togethers, church picnics, or school parties 
I would bring out my “axe” (guitarist slang for guitar) and start 
playing songs. Within moments, I was the center of attention, surrounded 
by two, four, six or more kids singing along and wishing 
they could play like me. In my mind, I became a rock star lol! A real 
confidence builder. 

So…do you and your family a big favor. go for it! Give the gift of 
guitar lessons. It worked great for local East Pasadena residents Jan 
and Eugenia. They got their two sons Eddie and Alex into music 
lessons at age 6. Their last name, by the way, is Van Halen.
Guitar lessons! So who you gonna call? Call Eric Byak! Eric might 
be the best guitarist I have ever met. And this master is teachingguitar right here in Sierra Madre. 

Eric was discovered by local Sierra Madre resident and business 
owner, Tom Brady. Tom and his bride, Julie stopped in at Bean-
town where Eric & his Brazilian flavored band members were performing. 
Tom was designing websites for Fortune 500 companies 
and asked Eric to create music for his client, American Express. 
(That bit of business afforded Eric the ability to purchase his first 
townhome.) 

Since then Eric has been scoring music for Disney, RCA Columbia 
and other companies movie and television trailers. Majoring in 
studio guitar, Eric received a scholarship from the USC School of 
Music. Later, Eric earned a degree in Sound Engineering. 

He teaches beginning, intermediate, and advanced guitar lessons 
in Pop, Rock, Folk, Brazilian Jazz, and Praise and Worship.
You can reach Eric at (818) 321-1533. Or ericbyak@gmail.com. Or 
his website: ericbyakmusic.com. 

All ages welcome! In-studio, in-home or on-line! 

-Rich 


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