Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, July 22, 2023

6

ALTADENA - SOUTH PASADENA - SAN MARINO

Mountain View News Saturday, July 22, 2023 

San Marino Upcoming 
Events & Programming

Perseverance Rover 

Sees Mars in a New Light

Book to Art: Something 
Wicked This Way Comes 

 In its first 400 days on Mars, 
NASA’s Perseverance rover may 
have found a diverse collection 
of organics – carbon-based 
molecules considered the 
building blocks of life – thanks 
to SHERLOC, an innovative 
instrument on the rover’s 
robotic arm. Scientists with 
the mission, which is searching 
for evidence that the planet 
supported microbial life billions 
of years ago, aren’t sure whether 
biological or geological sources 
formed the molecules, but 
they’re intrigued.

 Short for Scanning Habitable 
Environments with Raman & 
Luminescence for Organics & 
Chemicals, SHERLOC helps 
scientists decide whether a 
sample is worth collecting. This 
makes the instrument essential 
to the Mars Sample Return 
campaign. The Perseverance 
rover is the first step of the 
campaign, a joint effort by 
NASA and ESA (European 
Space Agency) that seeks to 
bring scientifically selected 
samples back from Mars to 
be studied on Earth with lab 
equipment far more complex 
than could be sent to the Red 
Planet. The samples would need 
to be brought back to confirm 
the presence of organics.

 SHERLOC’s capabilities center 
on a technique that looks at 
the chemical makeup of rocks 
by analyzing how they scatter 
light. The instrument directs an 
ultraviolet laser at its target. How 
that light is absorbed and then 
emitted – a phenomenon called 
the Raman effect – provides a 
distinctive spectral “fingerprint” 
of different molecules. This 
enables scientists to classify 
organics and minerals present 
in a rock and understand the 
environment in which the rock 
formed. Salty water, for example, 
can result in the formation of 
different minerals than fresh 
water.

 After SHERLOC captures a 
rock’s textures with its WATSON 
(Wide Angle Topographic 
Sensor for Operations and 
eNgineering) camera, it adds 
data to those images to create 
spatial maps of chemicals on 
the rock’s surface. The results, 
detailed in a recent paper in 
Nature, have been as promising 
as the instrument’s science team 
had hoped.

 “These detections are an exciting 
example of what SHERLOC 
can find, and they’re helping us 
understand how to look for the 
best samples,” said lead author 
Sunanda Sharma of NASA’s 
Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 
Southern California. JPL built 
SHERLOC along with the 
Perseverance rover.

 NASA’s Curiosity rover, which 
landed on Mars in 2012, has 
confirmed the presence of 
organic molecules several times 
in Gale Crater, 2,300 miles 
(3,700 kilometers) away from 
Perseverance. Curiosity relies 
on SAM, or the Sample Analysis 
on Mars, an instrument in its 
belly that heats up powderized 
rock samples and performs 
a chemical analysis on the 
resulting vapor.

 Because Perseverance’s 
scientists are looking for rocks 
that may have preserved signs 
of ancient microbial life, they 
want to leave the samples intact 
for closer study on Earth.

Getting to the Core

 The new Nature paper looks 
at 10 rock targets SHERLOC 
studied, including one 
nicknamed “Quartier.”

“We see a set of signals that are 
consistent with organics in the 
data from Quartier,” Sharma 
said. “That grabbed everyone’s 
attention.”

 When data that comes back 
from SHERLOC and other 
instruments looks promising, 
the science team then decides 
whether to use the rover’s drill to 
core a rock sample that’s about 
the size of a piece of classroom 
chalk. After analyzing Quartier, 
they took rock-core samples 
“Robine” and “Malay” from 
the same rock – two of the 20 
core samples collected so far 
(learn more with the sample 
dashboard).

 Picking out a good target to 
collect a sample from isn’t as 
simple as looking for the most 
organic molecules. Ultimately, 
Perseverance’s scientists want 
to collect a set of samples that’s 
representative of all the different 
areas that can be found within 
Jezero Crater. That breadth 
will provide context for future 
scientists studying these 
samples, who will wonder what 
changes occurred around any 
samples that might indicate 
signs of ancient life.

 “The value comes from the 
sum rather than any individual 
sample,” Sharma said. 
“Pointillism is a good analogy 
for this. We’re eventually going 
to step back and see the big 
picture of how this area formed.”

More About the Mission

 A key objective for 
Perseverance’s mission on 
Mars is astrobiology, including 
the search for signs of ancient 
microbial life. The rover will 
characterize the planet’s geology 
and past climate, pave the way 
for human exploration of the 
Red Planet, and be the first 
mission to collect and cache 
Martian rock and regolith 
(broken rock and dust).

Subsequent NASA missions, 
in cooperation with ESA 
(European Space Agency), 
would send spacecraft to Mars 
to collect these sealed samples 
from the surface and return 
them to Earth for in-depth 
analysis.

 For more about Perseverance: 
mars.nasa.gov/mars2020.

 In celebration of Ray 
Bradbury’s birthday on 
August 22, the South 
Pasadena Public Library will 
host a Book to Art Program 
featuring Something Wicked 
This Way Comes by Ray 
Bradbury. Patrons are 
invited to read the book and 
participate in a mini paper 
carousel art project and 
book discussion on Saturday, 
August 26 at 2:00 PM in the 
Library Community Room 
located at 1115 El Centro 
Street, South Pasadena, CA.

 Attendees are encouraged, 
but not required to read 
Something Wicked This Way 
Comes.

 This program is intended 
for adult audiences. All 
supplies will be provided. 
Registration is required. 
Sign up for this event at 
www.southpasadenaca.gov/
register or call us at (626) 
403-7359. 


Smarter Living Series: Medicare & Long-Term Care

Wednesday, July 26 at 1 PM, Barth Community Room

 In this free workshop, Gilda Moshir will help to educate 
participants about Medicare and what is covered in relation 
to long-term care. Registration is not required.

NEW Walking Book Club

Friday, July 28 at 9:15 AM, Lacy Park

 Let’s walk and chat about the books you’re reading! Led 
by the librarians from Crowell Public Library, patrons are 
invited to meet at the War Memorial to stroll the paths in 
Lacy Park. This walking discussion will center around the 
latest books everyone is reading, all the while helping to get 
your steps in for the day. Registration is not required, but a 
signed liability waiver is required for participation.

National Night Out on August 1

 Come join the San Marino Police Department for our 
annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, August 1, 
from 4 PM - 8 PM! There will be games, tours, a corn toss 
tournament, demonstrations, and more!

 National Night Out is an annual community-building 
campaign that promotes police-community partnerships 
and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods 
safer, more caring places to live. Millions of neighbors take 
part in National Night Out across thousands of communities 
from all fifty states, U.S. territories, and military bases 
worldwide on the first Tuesday in August.

 If you would like to join the annual Corn Toss Tournament, 
contact Commander Tim Tebbetts at TTebbetts@SMPD.us. 
We hope to see you all there!

Final Portion of Annual Street Rehabilitation Project 
Complete

 All American Asphalt, the City’s contractor for the 
Annual Street Rehabilitation Project, recently completed 
the installation of striping and pavement markings on 
eastbound Huntington Drive between Virginia Road and 
the San Marino Center. This portion of the street had been 
repaved earlier in the project, and the striping represents 
the final portion of the City’s Annual Street Rehabilitation 
Project, pending completion of punch list items. In total, 31 
City streets have been resurfaced and re-striped and over 
13,000 linear feet of curb and gutter have been replaced as 
part of this project.

Annual Sidewalk Replacement Program to Begin

 In the coming weeks, the City will begin the Annual 
Sidewalk Replacement Program. Each year, this program 
replaces approximately 1 mile of sidewalk at various locations 
throughout the City. The work includes replacement of 
sidewalk, driveway approaches, curb ramps, and curb and 
gutter. Residents on impacted streets will be receiving 
notices from the City’s hired contractor, CJ Concrete, with 
additional details about the project timeline, what residents 
can expect during the project, and what the project’s impact 
to the neighborhood will be. The City appreciates resident 
cooperation, as the sidewalk program helps improve the 
City’s infrastructure and resident safety.

Recent Happenings

 Over the past week, Parks and Public Works maintenance 
staff worked on the following tasks: removing fallen tree 
branches, palm fronds, and other debris from the public 
right-of-way; replacing streetlight bulbs and street signs; 
performing minor trimming of tree limbs and vegetation; 
repairing pavement and concrete; and performing various 
repairs at City facilities. Public Works maintenance staff also 
responded to multiple call-outs for fallen trees in the public 
right-of-way over the past week, and ensured the area was 
cleared in a safe and timely manner. Residents who wish to 
report non-emergency issues in the public right-of-way or 
City streets may do so via the San Marino Service Request 
Center: cityofsanmarino.org/report. 

Library Board of Trustees

Monday, July 24 at 8:00 AM; Barth Room and Zoom (Public 
Access)

Planning Commission Meeting

Wednesday, July 26 at 6:00 PM; City Hall Council Chambers 
and Zoom (Public Access)

City Council Meeting

Friday, July 28 at 8:30 AM; Barth Room and Zoom 

Holden’s Bill Ensuring Safe 
Drinking Water For School 
Children Passes Committee

 Last week, Assemblymember 
Chris Holden’s legislation, 
Assembly Bill 249, which would 
establish a system to identify 
excessive levels of lead in water 
systems servicing California 
schools, passed the Senate 
Education Committee with 
bipartisan support. 

 “In 2018, I authored AB 2370, 
requiring all licensed child care 
centers to test their drinking 
water for lead by 2023. The 
results are in and the numbers 
are scary. It’s clear that with 1 in 
4 child care centers containing 
alarming levels of lead in their 
water, we need to take action 
immediately. AB 249 is the 
first big step to reeling this 
problem in and correcting it,” 
said Assemblymember Chris 
Holden.

 “Lead is a neurotoxin that can 
permanently damage young 
children’s nervous systems,” said 
Susan Little, Environmental 
Working Group’s senior 
advocate of government affairs 
in California. “Even small 
amounts of lead can lower 
a child’s intelligence, cause 
behavior and learning problems, 
slow growth and harm hearing. 
The Centers for Disease Control 
states that there is no safe level 
of lead. This harmful substance 
doesn’t belong in the drinking 
water children consume at 
school.”

 “Lead exposure is a health, 
education, and racial justice 
issue for our kids,” said Ted 
Lempert, president of Children 
Now, a statewide children’s 
advocacy organization. “We 
thank Assemblymember 
Holden for authoring this 
legislation to protect students 
from lead in drinking water, and 
we are pleased to partner with 
Environmental Working Group 
to co-sponsor the bill. Children 
Now is committed to ensuring 
that schools have the supports 
and resources they need to keep 
kids safe.”

 While there is no safe amount 
of lead content in drinking 
water, children are particularly 
vulnerable to elevated levels of 
lead exposure, which can lead 
to adverse cardiovascular, renal, 
reproductive, immunological, 
and neurological effects, and 
cancer. AB 249 requires water 
utilities to test water faucets and 
fixtures in K-12 schools for lead 
concentrations greater than five 
parts per a billion (5 ppb) over 
the next four years and replace 
fixtures that test above the 5 ppb 
standard.

 “Even small amounts of lead 
can lower a child’s health 
and ability to learn. Lead is a 
harmful substance that has no 
place in any drinking water, 
especially our children’s water,” 
said Holden.


Free Summer 
Concerts 

at the 

Senior Center

City Recognizes E.R. Ruiz 
with Robert Gorski Award

 The Pasadena Senior 
Center, 85 E. Holly St., 
will host live summer 
entertainment for members 
and nonmembers of all ages 
Mondays, Aug. 14 to Sept. 
4, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

 Three of the four free 
concerts will be performed 
on the center’s spacious, 
tree-shaded patio; the 
fourth, a Labor Day event, 
will be in the Scott Pavilion. 
Each concert date will 
feature two sets by the 
same musical group: one 
at 5 p.m. and the second at 
6 p.m. The concert series 
will showcase a variety of 
professional musical groups 
with styles that range from 
Jazz to Big Band to R&B 
and more. Bring your own 
snacks, beverages and/or a 
picnic dinner for the perfect 
summer experience with 
family and friends of all 
ages. Neither residency in 
Pasadena nor membership 
in the Pasadena Senior 
Center are required. 

Monday, Aug. 14: Dad’s 
Band Plus One will play 
festive and traditional 
Dixieland Jazz. 

Monday, Aug. 21: JazzZone 
will put on a show of classic 
Jazz, Funk and R&B. 

Monday, Aug. 28: The Susie 
Hansen Latin Band will 
perform fiery Salsa. 

Monday, Sept. 4: The Great 
American Swing Band will 
deliver a Labor Day concert 
that will feature music 
from the Big Band era and 
beyond. 

 Reservations are not 
required for the concerts. 

 For more information 
visit: pasadenaseniorcenter.
org or call 626-795-4331. 

Los Angeles Police Museum Ghost Walk

 The City of Pasadena 
announced Monday the 
recognition of E.R. Ruiz as the 
2023 recipient of the Robert 
Gorski Access Award—an 
award established by the City 
of Pasadena Accessibility and 
Disability Commission. This 
award is presented annually 
to a Pasadena resident with 
a disability who has made 
a significant contribution 
toward improving accessibility 
and quality of life for people 
with disabilities and the 
City of Pasadena’s disability 
community. E.R. Ruiz will be 
honored at the Pasadena City 
Council meeting on Monday 
and will be presented an 
award by the City Council and 
Accessibility and Disability 
Commission.

 E.R. Ruiz, actor and burn 
survivor, is an unsung hero 
in that he advocates behind 
the scenes for improving 
accessibility and quality of life 
for people with disabilities. 
He was born in Los Angeles, 
California, and his acting career 
includes the role of Gillon in 
the F.X. original series Sons of 
Anarchy in which he played the 
role of a member of the One-
Niners. Most recent projects 
include BET+’s “The Family 
Business,” Stephen King’s 
“Lisey’s Story” on Apple+ and 
“Worth” with Michael Keaton, 
directed by Sara Colangelo.

 He is the son of Eddy Ruiz 
Sr. and Mary Mosley, nephew 
of Jack Mosley, and cousin 
to boxing champion “Sugar” 
Shane Mosley. As a child, Ruiz 
sustained severe burns to over 
40 percent of his body from 
smoke inhalation while he was 
asleep. However, E.R.’s uncle 
David Mosely (a well–known 
portrait artist) saved him from 
the fire. Besides saving his life, 
E.R. credits his uncle David for 
his love of the arts and music 
and his cousin Sugar Shane 
Mosely for being a fighter in 
spirit.

 E.R. is a hero and an advocate 
behind the scenes, on the big 
screen, and in his community 
for improving accessibility and 
the quality of life for disabled 
individuals. E.R. worked as 
an EMT in the past and has 
continuously led by example. He 
has worked with and volunteered 
for various organizations 
such as Firefighters Quest 
for Burn Survivors, World 
Boxing Council, and Pasadena 
based Alisa Ann Ruch Burn 
Foundation (AABRF). Ruiz 
supports the AABRF and 
participates in their annual 
programs and events such as the 
“Burn Firefighters Relay.” He 
also served as the Emcee to the 
organization’s 50th Anniversary 
Virtual Gala.

 Ruiz’s community work 
extends to local government 
as well and he participated in a 
meeting at the City of Pasadena’s 
Accessibility and Disability 
Commission to educate and 
speak about his experiences 
with services from the Alisa 
Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.

 His main goal was to help bridge 
the gap and spotlight other burn 
survivors, so they feel seen and 
heard since disabled individuals 
are not monolithic.

The museum is located 6045 York Blvd . Across the Arroyo Seco from South Pasadena (take 
Pasadena Ave. West). For more information and tickets visit: laphs.org.


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