Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, May 13, 2023

6

ALTADENA - SOUTH PASADENA - SAN MARINO

Mountain View News Saturday, May 13, 2023 

San Marino Upcoming 
Events & Programming

PWP Celebrates May as 
Water Awareness Month

Schiff Introduces Hotels 

to Housing Conversion Act

 
Congressman Adam 
Schiff, last week, introduced 
the Hotels to Housing 
Conversion Act. This 
legislation would authorize 
$750 million in funding 
for state governments and 
housing authorities to work 
with local governments and 
community organizations to 
convert hotels, motels, and 
unused residential properties 
into emergency shelters, and 
transitional and permanent 
housing for people 
experiencing homelessness 
or housing insecurity. The 
legislation would also fund 
wrap-around services like 
job placement, mental health 
resources, and legal help.

 Homelessness continues 
to be a growing crisis in 
California. According to the 
Public Policy Institute of 
California, 30% of all people 
experiencing homelessness in 
the United States were living 
in California. A recent report 
from the RAND Center on 
Housing and Homelessness 
in Los Angeles surveyed 
over 400 unsheltered 
people and found that 90% 
of respondents indicated 
interest in receiving housing, 
and 29% reported currently 
being on a waitlist for 
housing. Around 85% of 
respondents said they would 
accept offers of placement 
into permanent supportive 
housing, a hotel or motel, or 
a private shelter—however, 
two of the most common 
reasons respondents cited 
for not moving into housing 
were lack of privacy and 
housing safety. 

 Additional challenges for 
the unhoused include mental 
health, physical health, job 
instability, and the housing 
shortage. The Hotels to 
Housing Conversion Act 
would help mitigate some of 
the barriers to housing by 
providing solutions that are 
private, safe, supportive, and 
responsive to community 
needs.

 “Solving the homelessness 
crisis in California and 
around the nation requires an 
aggressive and collaborative 
effort at the federal, state, 
and local levels. The rising 
costs of living coupled with 
a shortage of affordable 
housing means we must 
use a range of strategies to 
get people into transitional 
and permanent housing. By 
converting hotels and motels 
into housing, and providing 
support services, we can help 
get people off the street and 
back on their feet,” said Rep. 
Schiff. “While converting 
hotels into housing is not 
a panacea, we should take 
solutions that work and put 
more federal funding behind 
those efforts.”

 The Hotels to Housing 
Conversion Act is endorsed 
by the Center for Law and 
Social Policy (CLASP) and 
the National Community 
Development Association. 
The bill is cosponsored by 
Reps. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) 
and Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.).

 The full bill text is available 
at: schiff.house.gov.

Coffee & Crammin’

Monday-Wednesday, May 22-24 from 3:30 – 8:30 PM, Barth 
Community Room

 Drinks and study snacks will be provided for students in 
grades 9-12 using the Community Room to prepare for 
finals. Registration is not required. Note: the session on 
Monday, May 22 will be held in the Thornton Conference 
Room.

San Marino Historical Society: Chuck Thornton

Monday, May 22 from 7 – 8 PM, Barth Community Room

 In its Speakers Series, the San Marino Historical Society 
presents quarterly history talks focusing on topics specially 
selected for our town. Join us to hear from Chuck Thornton! 
Thornton will show a film and speak about the Thornton 
Estate, a local historical landmark formerly known as the 
Katherine Emery Estate. His video presentation will take us 
on a journey of preservation and perseverance and chronicle 
the rich history of the house and the people who have lived 
there since its construction in 1928. Registration is not 
required.

Coffee, Tea, and Chat

Friday, May 26 from 9:30 – 11:30 AM, Thornton Conference 
Room

 Connect with your neighbors to learn more about the 
community and its traditions. This program is presented in 
Mandarin by the United Charity Foundation for ages 18+. 
Registration is not required.

Memorial Day Service

Monday, May 29 at 9 AM, Lacy Park

 Please join us as we pay tribute to the dedication and 
sacrifices the men and women of our Nation’s Armed 
Forces have made. The ceremony will include recognition 
of Veterans, special guest speakers, and patriotic music. The 
event is free and open to the public.

Meetings

Public Safety Commission

Monday, May 15 at 6:00 PM; City Hall Council Chambers 
and Zoom (Public Access)

Library Board of Trustees

Monday, May 22 at 8:00 AM; Barth Room Crowell Public 
Library and Zoom (Public Access)

Planning Commission Meeting

Wednesday, May 24 at 6:00 PM; City Hall Council Chambers 
and Zoom (Public Access) 

Fire Department Recent Happenings

 On Monday, May 1 and Tuesday, May 2, the Fire Department 
hosted the Valentine Elementary 1st grade classes for 
a fire safety demonstration and station tour. The Fire 
Department regularly provides educational demonstrations 
for non-profit organizations such as schools and local youth 
programs. The department also provides quarterly first aid 
and preparedness workshops for San Marino residents of all 
ages. The next first-aid workshop is tentatively scheduled for 
June 2023.

 Training during the week of May 1 to May 8 included 
continuing education with the department’s nurse educator, 
driver operator training, hose lays, ropes, knots, and low-
angle rescue. Fire Department personnel continue to focus 
training efforts on the department’s probationary firefighters. 
Two probationary firefighters have recently completed their 
12-month evaluation. They will each be assigned a special 
project for their remaining four months of probation, and 
complete Driver Operator 1A and 1B certification. 

Gate Upgrades at Lacy Park

 Modifications to three existing metal gates on the north side 
of Lacy Park along Virginia Road were recently completed. 
The modifications to the gates include changing existing 
hinges to reverse the direction of opening towards the street, 
installation of panic hardware with solid panel and kick-
plate, addition of a privacy screen, and repainting of the 
repaired gates. These upgrades were approved at the March 
8th meeting of the City Council, and will improve the safety 
and security of the park’s entry/exit routes for daily park 
users as well as for ingress and egress during special events 
held at Lacy Park. 

 Throughout the month of 
May, Pasadena Water and 
Power (PWP) is promoting 
water awareness through 
educational events, facility 
tours and the reaffirmation of 
the summer outdoor watering 
schedule. PWP urges the public 
to continue water-wise practices 
to help soften the severity of 
future droughts.

 Water Awareness Month is 
a statewide annual outreach 
campaign to spread the word 
about the value of conserving 
water, one of our most precious 
natural resources. This month, 
PWP reminds customers that 
Pasadena is now on the summer 
watering schedule as outlined 
by the Level 2 Water Supply 
Shortage Plan. Even-numbered 
addresses can water on 
Mondays and Thursdays, while 
odd-numbered addresses can 
water on Tuesdays and Fridays. 
Trees are also a precious natural 
resource. Direct hand-watering 
is the ideal way to keep up tree 
care and maintenance.

 “Pasadena residents and 
businesses continue to embrace 
water conservation in our 
great city. Since proactively 
implementing Level 2 of 
Pasadena’s Water Supply 
Shortage Plan in August 2021, 
community members have 
saved more than two billion 
gallons of water,” says PWP 
General Manager Sidney 
Jackson. “We are thankful for 
their ongoing impactful actions 
to save water.”

 In support of Water Awareness 
Month, PWP will be holding 
“Water Cooler Talks,” a weekly 
Tuesday evening webinar on 
water conservation topics 
ranging from turf rebates to soil 
regeneration. On May 20, PWP 
will also host an open house at 
the Monk Hill Water Treatment 
Facility. For more information 
on these events, including 
details on how to RSVP, visit 
PWPweb.com/May.

 PWP is also accepting 
submissions for the annual 
“Water is Life” Student Art 
Contest, sponsored by PWP 
and the Metropolitan Water 
District of Southern California 
(MWD). All K-12 students 
attending school in Pasadena are 
encouraged to submit artwork 
portraying a water-wise theme, 
along with a short message 
about water conservation. All 
entries must be submitted by 
June 2. For contest guidelines, 
visit PWPweb.com/ArtContest.

 Pasadena Water and Power 
(PWP) provides electricity to 
more than 65,000 customers 
within Pasadena. PWP 
delivers water to almost 38,000 
households and businesses 
in Pasadena and adjacent 
communities in the San Gabriel 
Valley. As a community-owned 
utility, PWP is a not-for-profit 
public service owned and 
operated by the City of Pasadena 
for the benefit of its customers 
and the community. Its priorities 
are reliability, responsiveness to 
customers, reasonable rates and 
environmental stewardship.

 Stay connected to the City of 
Pasadena! Visit us online at 
CityOfPasadena.net or call the 
Citizen Service Center Monday 
through Friday during business 
hours at (626) 744-7311.

Pasadena Celebrates 
AAPI Heritage Month

The Reward 
Increased 
for Altadena 
Boy’s Murder

 
LA COunty Supervisor Kathryn 
Barger introduced a motion 
Tuesday to increase and 
extend the reward offered for 
information leading to the arrest 
and conviction of the person 
responsible for the murder 
of four-year-old Salvador 
“Chavita” Esparza III.

 The young boy was shot 
while standing on the porch 
of a home he was visiting in 
unincorporated Altadena on 
July 5, 2016. The County of Los 
Angeles will now offer a $75,000 
reward.

 “Six years ago, little Salvador’s 
life was violently and tragically 
ended,” said Supervisor Kathryn 
Barger. “I am extending and 
increasing the reward amount 
because I have faith that there’s 
someone out there who can help 
bring justice for the Esparza 
family. Every bit of information 
helps, so don’t hesitate to 
reach out. Help us identify 
the perpetrator who robbed 
Salvador of his future and left 
an unfillable void in his family’s 
heart.”

 Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo 
also weighed in, asking the 
community to do their part. 

 “Little Chavita Esparza would 
have been 11 years-old this year,” 
Mayor Gordo said. “Instead, he 
was shot and killed when he was 
just 4 years-old in July 2016. He 
has not been forgotten and we 
are appealing to the public, once 
again, to step up and provide 
needed information to help 
us solve the horrific killing of 
this innocent little boy. We are 
grateful to Supervisor Barger 
for her leadership and support 
in increasing and extending the 
reward monies to help identify 
and arrest those responsible for 
this heinous crime.”

 The murder is being 
investigated by the Los Angeles 
County Sheriff’s Department 
(LASD) Homicide Division. To 
report a tip contact Sergeant 
Dominick Recchia at (323) 890-
5500.

 The City of Pasadena is set 
to celebrate Asian American 
and Pacific Islander (AAPI) 
Heritage Month in May. This is 
a time to honor and recognize 
the contributions of the AAPI 
community that shapes the 
rich cultural tapestry of our 
city and nation. Pasadena 
Public Library, Pasadena Parks, 
Recreation and Community 
Services Department, and The 
Friends of the Pasadena Public 
Library are offering a month-
long series of in-person and 
virtual activities and events to 
celebrate AAPI heritage, history 
and achievements. All programs 
and events are free.

 Programs and events include 
cultural and educational 
activities, workshops, and take-
home craft projects—all of which 
aim to promote understanding, 
appreciation and respect for 
the AAPI community and their 
contributions to the city of 
Pasadena.

Chai & Conversation

Thursday, May 18 • 7 p.m. • 
Zoom

Tea lovers wanted! Join us 
for a chat about Indian tea 
culture, then learn how to make 
traditional chai. Sign up now 
to attend. Program registration 
includes a kit you can pick up 
beforehand that will let you 
taste a shortcut version and tea 
accompaniment. For ages 9+.

Create Your Own Miniature 
Zen Garden

Thursday, May 25 • 4 p.m. • La 
Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 
N. Raymond Ave.

Using recycled materials, 
create your own miniature Zen 
garden. All materials provided. 
To register, call La Pintoresca 
Branch Library (626) 744-7268. 
For all ages.

Just Yesterday – Stories from 
the Past

Saturday, May 27 • 10 a.m. • 
Hastings Branch Library, 3325 
E. Orange Grove Blvd.

Join us and discover the past 
through the personal memories 
and stories of Pasadena’s Nisei 
generation.

Ikebana, the Art of Japanese 
Flower Arrangement

Saturday, May 27 • 3 p.m. • 
Lamanda Park Branch Library, 
140 N. Altadena Dr.

 Join us for an afternoon of 
Ikebana led by instructor Jessica 
Tang, who will introduce you 
to this classical Japanese floral 
art, then demonstrate freestyle 
Ikebana. Create your own flower 
arrangement to take home. All 
materials provided. Sign up now 
to attend or call (626) 744-7266. 
For ages 18+.

TAIKO Project

Tuesday, May 30 • 4 p.m. • La 
Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 
N. Raymond Ave.

 Hear the powerful drums and 
electrifying rhythms that have 
played an important role in 
Japan’s festivals since ancient 
times. TAIKOPROJECT! is 
presented by The Music Center. 
For all ages.

Tapa Cloth

Wednesday, May 31 • 4 p.m. • 
Villa Parke Branch Library, 363 
E. Villa St., 2nd Floor

 Make your own “tapa cloth” 
out of construction paper. Tapa 
cloth or tapa is a barkcloth made 
in the islands of the Pacific 
Ocean, primarily Tonga, Samoa 
and Fiji. All materials provided. 
For ages 5-12.

 For more information or to 
make an accessibility request, 
contact (626) 744-7311 or 
CSC@CityOfPasadena.net. 
Providing at least 72 hours 
advance notice will help ensure 
availability.

 Stay connected at 
CityOfPasadena.net.

Free Musical Performance 
at the San Marino LIbrary

Marc Berger's critically acclaimed album "RIDE," a collection 
of romance songs about the West, has received national 
airplay and been licensed by STARBUCKS for worldwide 
in-store airplay. At this special concert, Marc will perform 
songs from the album and share some unforgettable stories 
about his experiences as an Easterner in remote parts of the 
American West. Registration is required. Register online 
at CityofSanMarino.org/Registration. The Crowell Public 
Library Barth Community Room is located 1890 Huntington 
Dr San Marino.

See flyer below.

Pasadena Celebrates Older 
Americans With Free Event 

 

 The City of Pasadena 
Senior Commission will 
host the City’s second annual 
Older Americans Month 
celebration on Tuesday, May 
23, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 
McDonald Park, 1000 E. 
Mountain St. The free event 
will highlight Pasadena’s 
range of resources for older 
adults and offer giveaways, 
food, presentations and 
more!

 May is Older Americans 
Month as proclaimed by 
the federal Administration 
for Community Living. 
This year’s theme, Aging 
Unbound, provides an 
opportunity to explore 
diverse aging experiences and 
discuss how communities 
can combat stereotypes.

 Pasadena resources for 
older adults include world-
class healthcare facilities, 
a vibrant art and culture 
community, accessible public 
transportation, numerous 
senior living communities, 
and many organizations 
focused on maintaining the 
health and well-being of older 
residents. Organizations 
representing these sectors 
and more will be at the May 
23 celebration.

 Pasadena Transit Dial-A-
Ride is offering free rides 
to residents ages 60+ who 
are Dial-a-Ride members. 
To apply for Dial-A-Ride 
membership, call (626) 791-
7200. For all transportation 
inquiries, visit the Pasadena 
Transit website.

 This event is made possible 
with the support of Pasadena 
Village, Home Instead 
Pasadena, Villa Gardens, 
Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks 
& Mortuaries, Pegasus Home 
Health Care, Han Research 
Lab, and Anthem Blue Cross.

 For more information about 
the event, visit 

 CityOfPasadena.net/OAM 
or call (626) 744-7300. For 
accessibility information 
and requests, contact (626) 
744-7311. Provide at least 
72 hours advance notice will 
help ensure availability.


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