Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 23, 2023

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 23, 2023 


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges [www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]

[Nyerges is the author of “Urban Survival Guide,” and other books. More 
information at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]


MOLLY, 
MADISON, 
SWEETIE, & 
MIDNIGHT

, 3 shades of 
torties and one 
tabby! Make 
your Christmas 
merrier! They are 4 of the sweetest, most 
cuddly and loving little girls ever! Molly is a 
gray tortie, very quiet and loves to just settle 
in on a lap. Madison the gray tabby loves to 
park herself on my neck or chest and rest. 
Sweetie is the tortie with the yellow triangle 
on her forehead. She too is very calm and 
just wants attention. Midnight has a very 
active personality and wants to be the cen-
ter of attention at all times." We recommend 
that they be adopt-ed in pairs, as Molly & 
Madison sleep together, and Sweetie & 
Midnight sleep together. Foster mom, Janet, 
will advise. From Lifeline for Pets. Contact 
626 351-8442 to learn more. Born 7/2023.


A CHRISTMAS MEMORY

Yes, we all want happy memories, but life isn’t always “happy.” This is one 
of those holiday memories that I wish I didn’t have, but I do.

It was early December after Dolores died, and I was withdrawn and 
depressed. The weather turned wet and cold, and I was asked to help tarp 
the roof the tall building next door which housed the non-profit I worked 
with. I thought it would be good to get out of the house and do something useful, so I said 
yes.

I climbed up the steep ladders onto the highest part of the roof. I actually enjoyed being up 
so high, though I was not there for the view.

My job was to open up at least two very large plastic tarps, position them where they would 
stop the leaks, and then secure the tarps in place, somehow. It was not easy task putting 
large tarps on a steep roof as rain began. I had to constantly work to keep my balance. 

The roof had been under re-construction so there were many problem areas where water 
leaked inside. The idea was to cover the whole roof and then to fix the many leaks sometime 
after the rainy season. I had to secure the tarp in place, no easy task. 

Once the tarp was spread, and more or less secured, I had to get down, and this was also 
challenging to walk on top of wet plastic. I slipped on the wet tarp as I was trying to get 
down, and in an effort to secure myself, my right hand slapped hard to support myself, but 
my hand hit onto some piece of exposed metal that was part of the roof construction. It was 
a bad cut to the palm of my hand, and I was able to quickly get off the roof, wrap my hand, 
and asked a friend – Prudence – if she would drive me to the nearby hospital for stitches. 

Oddly, I began to feel better once the stitching was done. I was soon dry and I realized that I 
had friends I could call up on at a moment’s notice for assistance. But I was still depressed, 
withdrawn, and now my hand needed ginger care during the healing process, which was at 
least two or more weeks. I was not upset that others could do the emergency roofing work 
since I now had an excellent excuse with my damaged hand.

A few weeks later, I went back to the non-profit building to help two other members fix 
another problem on of the roof. I was not a happy camper. 

We set up some tall ladders along the east side so we could reach the problem area – as I 
recall, we were attempting to adjust the very tall TV antennae and its complicated wiring. 

It wasn’t raining at the time, and we figured it would be an easy fix. The long ladders were 
close to the east overhang, and I was up on one ladder, sweeping abundant leaves off the low 
overhang.

Prudence set up her ladder and started up to the top of the ladder. Julie was there working 
too, and I think she was on the ground when Prudence went up her ladder. Prudence 
neared the top and then everything seemed like a dream.

We heard a yell and what appeared to be a scene from a comic book played out: The ladder 
was slowly falling backward and Prudence was being propelled off the top of the ladder, 
as if she were a cannonball that had been catapulted outward. She later told us that she 
instinctively rolled her body into a ball for protection when she realized she was falling. 

It only lasted a few seconds, but I’ll never forget the sight of Prudence flying outward in 
space. Julie reported that those few seconds were the most distressing – seeing Prudence 
flying through the air like a cannonball and not knowing what would happen. 

Prudence fell onto the ground as the tumbling ladder noisily fell to the side. The ground 
was a patchwork of bricks, plants, trees, lumber for projects, river rock, cement planters– 
lots of stuff. Julie and I rushed to Prudence who seemed to have miraculously landed in the 
only relatively safe spot, though she had a cut on her forehead. One of the cement planters 
was very near her head, but she only hit the rocks with her shoulder.

Prudence lay there for the longest time and we talked to her. She never passed out. She 
said that nothing was broken, just damaged. Needless to say, we quit work for that day. 
We tended to Prudence’s wound, and talked about how we’d do it different the next time, 
presumably by not having a ladder so steep, or by securing it with rope.

Though the sight of a human body 
being propelled through the air was 
startling, almost funny, I realized 
that Prudence could have died that 
day if she hit some object the wrong 
way. I’m sure that experience made 
me a bit more weary of heights, and 
made me even more keenly aware 
to avoid dangerous situations. It 
also made me feel more acutely 
aware of the preciousness of life, 
both mine and everyone around me. 
Slowly, because of this and other 
experiences, I found myself become 
more and more concerned about the 
health and safety of those around me, which is a good thing.

I recall Prudence’s natural hesitation to ever go up on that roof again, and the roof gradually, 
bit by bit, got repaired, though it took much longer than it should have.


Pet of the Week

 
This pint-sized pup is adorable Alesana, a one-year-old 
Staffordshire terrier mix. 

 Alesana is incredibly affectionate. She loves sitting by your 
side to get pets and give you gentle kisses. Her tail wags non-
stop, especially when she gets some scratches or pets. 

 She has lived with other dogs and would probably do best 
with dogs her own size or larger. She’s very playful, but she 
doesn’t know her own size!

 Alesana has working on her training cues and is very good 
at “sit”. Her fetching game needs a little work- she likes the 
idea of chasing a ball, but immediately returns to the person 
trying to play because getting pets is much easier, and more 
fun!

 She is the perfect size to go for a hike with you on a trip to the beach. She won’t take up a lot of 
room in the car or on the couch for a cuddle when you’re back home!

 Alesana and all other dogs can be adopted at no cost during the Roses and Wet Noses 
promotion going on at Pasadena Humane from 12/15 - 12/31. The promotion is sponsored by 
Pet Care Foundation, and hopes to highlight some of the amazing large dogs who are in need 
of adoption. Alesana would love to cuddle up with you on the couch and watch the Rose Parade 
in a couple weeks!

 New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal 
Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet. 

 View photos of adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.
org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every 
Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. 

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone 
calls or email.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE 

SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE


Our holiday show begins this Friday! Cori Cable Kidder's Holiday Spectacular: A 1940s Christmas 
Revue will play on our stage from Nov 24 (the day after Thanksgiving) through Dec 23.

These original WWII-era military-themed holiday concerts star Sierra Madre Playhouse's Patsy 
Cline, Cori Cable Kidder, who received an Ovation nomination for her 2015 Sierra Madre Playhouse 
performance following a four-month run of sold-out performances of Always...Patsy Cline. 
You won't want to miss Cori performing military and holiday classics of the 1940s, with live musical 
accompaniment by Sean Paxton on piano and a 3-piece band. 

MJ THE MUSICAL

The perfect last minute Christmas Gift!


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The smash-hit musical, MJ will play the Hollywood Pantages Theatre for a limited 
six-week engagement this holiday season from December 20, 2023 - January 28, 
2024. 

Ticket prices start at $39. Additional ticket information at www.
BroadwayInHollywood.com. 

Jackson is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique 
and unparalleled artistry comes to Los Angeles as MJ, the multi Tony Award®-
winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World 
Tour, begins a tour of its own. 

Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon 
and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular 
moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and 
collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status.

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