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ALTADENA - SOUTH PASADENA - SAN MARINO

Mountain View News Saturday, January 20, 2024 

San Marino Upcoming 
Events & Programming

Restaurants to Celebrate the 
Centennial of Cheeseburgers

Pasadena Public Library 
to Host Books N’Cops

 
Pasadena Public Library (PPL) 
in partnership with Pasadena 
Police Department (PPD) is 
hosting “Books N Cops,” a 
10 month long multi-event 
program series. The program 
series begins Saturday, January 
20 with the police forensics 
division presenting “Crime 
Scene Library: Investigating 
True Crime @ Your Library 
with the PPD Forensics Team” 
at 11 a.m. at Allendale Branch 
Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave.

 Books N’ Cops brings 
together various divisions and 
representatives from Pasadena 
Police Department to a different 
Pasadena library branch, 
January through October. 
Community members of all 
ages are invited to attend, learn, 
play and discover together. All 
events are free, and most do not 
require registration.

BOOKS N’ COPS EVENTS

For all ages unless specified.

Crime Scene Library: 
Investigating True Crime @ 
Your Library with the PPD 
Forensics Team 

Families can learn about 
crime scene investigation 
from forensic experts with 
a hands-on lesson using 
S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, 
engineering, art, and math).

Saturday, Jan. 20 • 11 a.m. • 
Allendale Branch Library, 1130 
S. Marengo Ave.

Game On: Video Gaming Day 
with PPD - Super Smash Bros 
Ultimate Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Enjoy games, bring your friends, 
grab some snacks, or just chill 
out with the PPD. 

Thursday, Feb. 8 •, 4 p.m. • 
Hastings Branch Library, 3325 
E. Orange Grove Blvd.

Behind the Blue: A Candid 
Conversation Celebrating 
Women in Law Enforcement

 Celebrate the incredible 
women in law enforcement 
who work tirelessly to keep 
our communities safe. During 
this event, you’ll have the 
opportunity to hear inspiring 
stories from female law 
enforcement officers, learn 
about their experiences, and 
gain a deeper understanding of 
the challenges they face in their 
line of work. 

Saturday, March 16 • 3 p.m. • 
Hill Branch Library, 55 S. Hill 
Ave.

Donut Décor Showdown with 
Police Chief Gene Harris 
& Library Director Tim 
McDonald

 In this messy, hands-on 
program, Police Chief Harris 
and Library Director Tim 
McDonald and friends come 
together in our very first donut 
décor showdown. Teams 
will use plain donuts, food 
decorations and basic supplies 
to create freestanding structures 
or designs that will be judged 
to name the winners. Fifteen 
decorators are competing this 
year! Registration is required 
for participates in competition. 
The public is invited to help 
judge and enjoy other fun donut 
activities. For ages 12 and up.

Saturday, April 20 • 2 p.m. • 
Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 
E. Villa St.

Sleuths N’ Scoops Escape 
Room

 Stop by the library to enjoy free 
popcorn with PPD detectives. 
Work as a team to solve logical 
puzzles, uncover clues, and 
follow the storyline to unravel 
the mystery. Registration 
required. To attend, sign up 
at https://PasadenaLibrary.
Trumba.com/.

Tuesday, May 14 • 4 p.m. • La 
Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 
N. Raymond Ave.

Parks N’ Books with the Park 
Safety Team 

J oin us for a fun program 
showing what Park Safety does, 
including a mobile command 
unit, crafts, storytime. Meet the 
Park Safety Team. 

Thursday, June 20 • 10:30 a.m. • 
Lamanda Park Branch Library, 
140 S. Altadena Dr.

Bikes N’ Books

Meet the PPD motorcycle 
officers. Join us as they showcase 
their bikes, tell us about their 
jobs and explain bike safety, 
make a motorcycle craft, and 
have fun singing songs. 

Thursday, July 11 • 10:30 a.m. 
• Linda Vista Branch Library, 
1281 Bryant St.

Bored in the Library – 
Skipbo Showdown with PPD 
Detectives and Friends 

 Don’t get bored…get a game! 
Challenge your PPD friends or 
meet some new people to play 
with. Registration required. 
To attend, sign up at https://
PasadenaLibrary.Trumba.com/.

Monday, Aug. 12 • 3 p.m. • San 
Rafael Branch Library, 1240 
Nithsdale Rd.

K9 Tales with Peppa

 Join Peppa and her handler 
Officer Padilla for K9-Storytime 
as they read a few stories and 
shares some fun. 

Friday, Sept.13 • 3 p.m., Santa 
Catalina Branch Library, 999 E. 
Washington Blvd.

H.O.P.E. Team Storytime

 Have a little fun with the 
Pasadena H.O.P.E. (Homeless 
Outreach Psychiatric 
Evaluation) team as we decorate 
pumpkins. Families are invited 
to decorate mini-pumpkins for 
fall or Halloween. Registration 
required. To attend, sign up 
at https://PasadenaLibrary.
Trumba.com/.

Monday, Oct. 28 • 4 p.m. • Villa 
Parke Branch Library, 363 E. 
Villa St.

 For more information, contact 
Tiffany Dueñas - Pasadena 
Public Library – at tduenas@
cityofpasadena.net, or Susana 
Porras - Pasadena Police 
Department – at susanaporras@
cityofpasadena.net.

Crowell Public Library Open House

Saturday, January 27 from 12 – 4 PM, Crowell Public Library

 Join us for the annual Open House event! Explore the Library, 
learn about the services we offer, and participate in a variety of 
entertainment and crafts! This event is free and open to the public. 
Be sure to join us at 1 PM in the Barth Community Room for 
introductions and remarks from the Mayor, recognition of 2023 
Community Partner of the Year: Chinese Club of San Marino, and 
announcement of the San Marino Public Library Foundation's 
Bookmark Contest winners and acknowledgement of sponsors. 
Registration is not required.

Coffee Connections

Weekly on Monday and Wednesday from 8 - 9 AM, San Marino 
Community Center, MPR 3

Come spend your mornings with neighbors, friends, and a hot 
cup of coffee at the newly renovated Community Center! Free 
coffee will be provided. Stay for a variety of organized activities 
like bingo, chair volleyball, and lectures beginning at 9 AM. This 
program is for active adults ages 55+. Registration is required.

Nature Series: Rose Pruning Workshop

Friday, January 26 at 9 AM, Lacy Park, War Memorial

 Join San Marino’s Urban Forester, Lora Hall, for a hands-on rose 
pruning workshop in the Lacy Park rose garden. Learn the basics 
of pruning and training roses for beautiful blooms. Many of the 
same pruning techniques apply to other shrubs and flowering 
plants, so this will be a good foundation for any aspiring gardener. 
Bring your own gloves and hand pruners. Registration is required.

Coffee, Tea, and Chat

Friday, January 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.

Valentine’s Day Grams

 Calling all kids in grades K-8! Help us share some neighborly love 
with a local senior citizen. All it takes is a little creativity! Register 
for a kit online, pick up your kit at the Community Center (1800 
Huntington Drive) between January 22 – February 2, decorate the 
gigantic Valentine's Day Gram, and return your Gram by February 
5. We'll deliver it to a local senior citizen to brighten their day. In 
exchange, participants will receive a free and cool activity kit for 
their random act of kindness. Know a senior citizen in town who'd 
love to receive a Valentine's Day Gram? Let us know by calling 
(626) 403-2200 or emailing recreation@cityofsanmarino.org.

Senior Trip to Paramount Studios Tour

Monday, February 26 from 10:15 AM – 5:30 PM

Cost per person: R $88 / NR $106

 Start your day at Eataly to experience the wonders of Italian 
biodiversity at the many restaurants, counters, and cafes providing 
a taste of foods prepared with the very best ingredients. Shop the 
market and browse a fine selection of Italian wines and bring 
home everything you need to make your own feast. From there, 
you’ll be whisked to historic Paramount Studios. You’ll have the 
opportunity to explore 100 years of movie and television history 
and get an intimate behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood’s first 
studio. Registration is required by January 26.

All City Track and Field Meet

Friday, March 15 at 4 PM, San Marino High School Stadium

 Registration is open now through February 16. Grab your 
sneakers and participate in this year's All City Track and Field 
Meet, sponsored by San Marino Community Athletics Association 
(SMCAA). All students born between 2009-2017 who are San 
Marino residents or attend a San Marino school are eligible to 
participate. Participants can sign-up for a maximum of 2 events 
and 1 relay. The cost per activity is $10; fees are non-refundable.

Earthquake Brace + Bolt Registration Now Open!

 Exciting news for California homeowners: EBB registration is now 
open! Don't miss the chance to secure a $3,000 grant for retrofitting 
your home and fortifying it against earthquakes. Was your home 
built before 1980? Does it have a crawl space under the first floor? 
If so, an EBB retrofit may help prevent your house from sliding or 
toppling off its foundation during an earthquake. Registration for 
an earthquake retrofit grant is open now until February 21, 2024. 
Learn more and register at: ow.ly/2cnH50QrwB7. 

Meetings

Library Board of Trustees

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

Public Safety Commission

Monday, January 22 at 6:00 PM; City Hall Council Chambers and 
Zoom (Public Access)

Planning Commission Meeting

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

City Council Meeting

Friday, January 26 at 8:00 AM; Barth Room and Zoom (Public 
Access)

 Pasadena restaurants are set to 
celebrate the 100 anniversary 
invention of the cheeseburger 
in 1924 during Cheeseburger 
Week. Forty restaurants, burger 
joints and more take part in the 
citywide celebration Sunday, 
January 21 to Saturday January 
27.

 According to organizers, for 
the centennial celebration, 
the Pasadena Chamber 
of Commerce has added 
a Cheeseburger Passport. 
Participants can download 
the passport, go to passport 
participating restaurants and 
get a stamp upon purchase. 
Those accumulating stamps 
will win prizes depending on 
the number of stamps collected. 
Stamps can only be collected 
during Cheeseburger Week.

 Cheeseburger Challenge 
Participants can also vote for their 
favorites in several categories 
at: pasadenarestaurantweek.
com. In addition to Favorite 
Cheeseburger, participants 
can vote for their favorites 
in categories such as 
Favorite White Table Cloth 
Cheeseburger, Favorite Sliders, 
Favorite Lunch Counter Burger, 
Favorite Cocktail with a Burger 
and more.

 In 1924, as legend has it, 
teenaged Lionel Sternberger 
burned one side of a hamburger 
patty at The Rite Spot, his father’s 
roadside stand along Colorado 
Boulevard (then Colorado 
Street) in west Pasadena. Rather 
than throw away the spoiled 
burger, he masked his mistake 
with a piece of cheese and 
served it to a very appreciative 
customer. Word soon spread 
and customers flocked to The 
Rite Spot for The Aristocratic 
Burger, A Hamburger 
with Cheese. Sternberger’s 
achievement is the first verified 
instance of someone serving 
a hamburger with cheese to a 
customer.

 Over the years, Sternberger 
perfected his Aristocratic 
Burger, much to the delight 
of customers at The Rite 
Spot. Sternberger’s culinary 
achievement has been 
documented by Hamburger 
America, the Los Angeles Times 
and even Time magazine in its 
obituary of Sternberger.

 To celebrate Sternberger’s 
culinary masterpiece, Pasadena 
restaurants are offering specials, 
unique creations and the tried 
and true.

 Among the culinary creations 
being offered is the Royal 
Royce Burger at the Langham 
Huntington Hotel Pasadena. 
Made with a prime beef mix of 60 
percent short rib and 40 percent 
brisket topped with a butter-
poached lobster tail, smoked 
chanterelle mushrooms, raclette 
fondue and black truffles in 
a charcoal brioche sprinkled 
with gold leaf. The Royal Royce 
burger is priced at $100 but can 
be had complimentary for those 
who book special rooms at the 
hotel during January. 

 For other special offerings, visit 
the website at: 

 pasadenarestaurantweek.com.

Playhouse Announces 
Summer Theater Camps

 Danny Feldman, Producing 
Artistic Director of Pasadena 
Playhouse, the official State 
Theater of California and 
recipient of the 2023 Regional 
Theatre Tony Award, announces 
two theater camps for Summer 
2024, as part of the Playhouse’s 
ongoing commitment to Youth 
and Family Programming. 
Playhouse Players: Madagascar 
– A Musical Adventure Jr. will 
be offered over two sessions 
this summer for ages 7-12 
with no previous experience 
or audition required. The 
Playhouse will also welcome 
the return of Musical Theater 
Boot Camp. No auditions 
are required for Session 1 
(Beginning/Intermediate) of 
Musical Theater Boot Camp, 
and video auditions are being 
accepted until June 1, 2024 for 
Session 2 (Advanced). Session 
1 for both camps is July 8-19, 
and Session 2 is July 22-August 
2. Decisions will be made on a 
rolling basis until slots are filled. 
Enrollment for both camps 
officially opens Tuesday, January 
16, 2024. Additional details, 
including cost and scholarship 
information for both camps can 
be found at pasadenaplayhouse.
org. 

Pasadena Public Library 
to Celebrate 140 Years

Pasadena 
Looks for New 
Director of 
Transportation

 To celebrate 140 years of 
service, the Pasadena Public 
Library is planning a year-long 
celebration highlighting the 
past, present and future through 
the contributions of trailblazers, 
innovators, and future thinkers. 
“We are excited to celebrate this 
milestone with our community 
and continue the tradition of 
offering impactful service to all,” 
said Pasadena Public Library 
Director Tim McDonald.

 Since first opening its 
doors in 1884, The Pasadena 
Public Library has served the 
community with free and open 
places to commune, connect, 
learn, read and belong. Pasadena 
Public Library has spent 140 
years shaping the past, sculpting 
the present, and building toward 
a brighter future.

 The Central Library stands as 
the cornerstone of the Pasadena 
Public Library, offering vital 
support to its nine branch 
libraries. In May 2021, our 
Central Library temporarily 
closed following a structural 
assessment that uncovered its 
susceptibility to seismic activity 
due to unreinforced masonry. 
Today, as we commemorate 
the rich history of our libraries 
spanning 140 years, discover 
more about the future of the 
Central Library, the necessary 
earthquake retrofit, and the 
significant contributions 
it is poised to make in the 
21st century by visiting: 
cityofpasadena.net/library/
central-library-earthquake-
retrofit.

 With hundreds of on-site 
programs, free Wi-Fi services 
and an extensive collection 
of printed books, periodicals, 
media and cloud-based eBooks, 
the Pasadena Public Library 
serves as a lifelong learning 
center and cultural beacon 
for the greater Pasadena 
community.

 Kick off the celebration by 
picking up a 2024 calendar 
from any branch location and 
participate in a time capsule 
program this morning at 11 
a.m., at Jefferson Branch Library, 
1500 E. Villa St. Community 
members of all ages are invited 
to help draft the story of the 
library’s future with mementoes 
from the present. Bring photos, 
letters, artwork, or trinkets to 
include in the time capsule or 
add the items you make day of. 
The time capsule will remain 
open all month to collect more 
memories before being sealed 
for ten years.

 Throughout the anniversary 
year, Pasadena Public Library 
will host a different feature 
program at each branch 
location, January – October, 
release limited edition 
merchandise, launch a 14 book 
reading challenge to celebrate 
14 decades of library service, 
collect and feature community 
stories of what the library means 
to you, and broadcast videos of 
interviews with library staff. 

 For information visit: 
PasadenaPublicLibrary.net.

 
City Manager Miguel 
Márquez announced 
Monday the recruitment 
process for the next Pasadena 
Director of Transportation. 
Applications for the position 
are being accepted now with 
screening and interviews 
taking place in February.

 The public is encouraged 
to attend a virtual meeting 
to provide input about the 
most important qualities 
that potential candidates 
should have. The executive 
search firm of WBPC, Inc. 
will facilitate the executive 
search and the public 
meeting.

 “Community input 
is incredibly valuable 
in appointing the best 
individual to lead the 
Department, Márquez said. 
“I encourage all members 
of the community to attend 
the upcoming forum and 
share their thoughts on 
the characteristics and 
professional background 
they feel would be most 
important in the new 
director.”

 The community forum 
will take place on Zoom 
Wednesday, January 24 at 
5:30 p.m.

 Anyone who would like 
to offer input but cannot 
attend the meeting can do so 
online at: CityOfPasadena.
net/ Human-Resources/ 
DOTdirector for more 
information.

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