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Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 6, 2024 

BARGER SPOTLIGHTS AVAILABILITY OF FREE 
PARKWAY TREES DURING EARTH MONTH

Now that Earth Month has arrived, Supervisor Kathryn Barger wants residents living in Los 
Angeles County’s unincorporated communities to know they can obtain and plant a parkway 
tree at no cost. 

Parkway trees are defined as trees planted adjacent to the edge of a roadway within the County’s 
road easement and therefore in the public right-of-way. Tree planting services are coordinated by 
Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Works, which has an Urban Forestry Unit that helps 
residents select and plant trees.

“Planting a parkway tree is a wonderful way to celebrate Earth Day and bring even more beauty 
into a neighborhood,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger stated. “The parkway tree program is a great 
way to help expand and renew the urban 
forest. I want to make sure residents in 
our unincorporated communities know 
that they can access parkway tree planting 
services at no cost. Everyone has a role to 
play in keeping our communities green 
and thriving.”

According to the California Governor’s 
Office of Planning and Research, parkway 
trees play a vital role within the urban 
ecosystem, creating a cooler climate as well 
as contributing to cleaner air. They also 
help raise property values.

“Parkway trees bring life and vitality 
to a community and have a critical role 
in supporting sustainability, resiliency, 
and quality of life for all in LA County,” 
said Los Angeles County Public Works 
Director Mark Pestrella, P.E. “In addition 
to their environmental benefit, parkways 
trees improve our mental and physical 
health and can increase a property’s value 
by enhancing its curb appeal.”

The Department of Public Works can help residents get a parkway tree planted along the streets in 
their neighborhood, offering a handy Tree Services Locator that confirms eligible communities 
and equips residents with a menu of trees that are permitted and suitable for their neighborhood. 

Interested residents can dial (626) 300-2080 or visit the Department of Public Works’ tree planting 
webpage to get the process started.

ASSEMBLYMEMBER HOLDEN RECOGNIZES 
THE 41ST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT WOMEN OF 
DISTINCTION

Pasadena, CA – As part of the California State 
Assembly’s annual celebration of Women’s 
achievement and leadership, Assemblymember 
Chris Holden recognizes this year’s 41st Assembly 
District Women of Distinction. These women are 
outstanding leaders, change-makers, and pioneers 
who have worked diligently to help others and 
inspire great change. 

This year’s honorees include: Dorothy Wong of 
Altadena, Dr. Patricia Jessup-Woodlin of Sierra 
Madre, Dr. Sylvia Jauregui of Monrovia, Dr. 
Laurie Leshin of La Cañada Flintridge, Dr. Julie 
Olesniewicz of Alta Loma/Rancho Cucamonga, 
Linda Logan of La Verne, Margarita “Rita” 
Karasik-McGee, Esq. of San Dimas, Amy Fass of 
Claremont, and Mary Locke of Upland.

“It is a privilege to celebrate these outstanding 
women leaders within our District. Their work 
shapes and enriches our communities,” said 
Assemblymember Holden.

Dorothy Wong of Altadena

Dorothy Wong is a community organizer 
specializing in bicycling advocacy, recreation and 
sports, bringing world class bicycle racing to Los 
Angeles and to all of Southern California for well 
over a decade organizing and supporting over 
200+ bicycle events to date. She is a lead instructor 
working with local advocacy organizations: LA 
County Bicycle Coalition, People for Mobility 
Justice, Active SGV as well as with Walk ‘N Rollers 
Bicycling-Pedestrian Safety programs across 
Southern California. She also currently serves 
on the Executive Board of the California Bicycle 
Coalition 2016-present.

Dr. Patricia Jessup-Woodlin of Sierra Madre

Dr. Jessup-Woodlin has authored books 
and published several journal articles on art 
education. She has made numerous presentations 
to local, national and international professional 
organizations in additional to receiving 
numerous grants. In 1996 she received a special 
commendation award from Los Angeles 
Mayor Riordan for "outstanding curatorial and 
educational programs" at the Luckman Fine Arts 
Gallery where, while serving as Gallery Director, 
she curated 25 exhibitions.

Dr. Sylvia Jauregui of Monrovia

Dr. Sylvia Jauregui is a strategic leader and 
first-generation college graduate driven by a 
commitment to advancing educational equity. 
Leveraging policy expertise honed through her 
Ed.D. studies, she partners cross-functionally 
to create more inclusive systems. Most recently, 
Senator Anna Caballero shared a policy brief 
based on Dr. Jauregui’s doctoral research with 
the legislature in support of her bill SB 609, which 
ensures parents and communities have access to 
a school district’s listed goals and the allocated 
funding. The bill passed and this milestone 
demonstrates Dr. Jauregui’s influence as a 
scholar and advocate for uplifting marginalized 
communities throughout California.

Dr. Laurie Leshin of La Cañada Flintridge

Dr. Laurie Leshin, first female director of the 
Jet Propulsion Laboratory since May 2022, is a 
distinguished geochemist and space scientist with 
extensive leadership experience in academia and 
government, including senior NASA positions. 
Leshin was president of Worcester Polytechnic 
Institute from 2014 to 2022 and previously served 
as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute School of 
Science dean. At NASA’s Goddard Space Flight 
Center from 2005 to 2008, she served as director 
of science, then deputy director for science and 
technology, leading strategy, planning, and 
implementation of more than 50 Earth and space 
flight projects. In 2010, Leshin became deputy 
associate administrator of the Exploration Systems 
Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, 
overseeing future human spaceflight.

Dr. Julie Olesniewicz of Alta Loma/Rancho 
Cucamonga

Dr. Julie Olesniewicz formed a women’s leadership 
network, named Powerful Awesome Women, as 
she saw a need for women to hold each other in 
community and work together for the success of 
each other and the school district’s students. She 
invites every female administrator in the district 
to attend monthly meetings geared toward career 
advancement and community development. 
Many female administrators name Julie as their 
mentor. Her ability to build relationships with 
women and hold them in loving accountability 
creates pathways for women leaders to advance 
throughout their careers. She always has an 
open door for those who need her guidance and 
expertise.

Linda Logan of La Verne

In 2019, Linda Logan founded La Verne K-9 & 
Police Foundation and has raised over $160,000 
to date. The La Verne K-9 & Police Foundation 
funded the purchase of K-9 Dino, equipped an 
existing police car with the special items needed 
to transport and help the K-9s work effectively, 
purchased special equipment, leashes, food, and 
training, and paid for medical expenses. Most 
recently the Foundation funded the purchase of 
K-9 Tupelo, a Bloodhound, her special leashes, 
harnesses, a GPS collar, and other special 
equipment for her handler, Officer Weinreb.

Margarita “Rita” Karasik-McGee, Esq. of San 
Dimas

Margarita (Rita) Karasik-McGee is an attorney 
who lives in San Dimas. She is a community 
leader and volunteer that simply makes the City 
of San Dimas better. Rita volunteers with the San 
Dimas Sheriff Boosters, San Dimas Little League, 
the San Dimas Rotary Club, and the local senior 
community as the appointed San Dimas Senior 
Commissioner.

Amy Fass of Claremont

Driven by the belief that every child deserves the 
opportunity to thrive, Amy has led Shoes That Fit 
in its mission to provide properly fitting athletic 
shoes to children in need. Under her leadership, 
the organization has expanded its reach and 
impact, partnering with schools, community 
organizations, corporations, foundations, and 
volunteers throughout the United States to reduce 
barriers that prevent children from being able to 
go to school ready to learn, play and participate in 
sports.

Mary Locke of Upland

As a devoted mother of three children who all 
attended Upland schools, Mary's passion for 
education and community engagement has been 
unwavering. Under Mary's visionary leadership, 
significant strides were made in advancing 
educational opportunities within the Upland 
Unified School District. The introduction of the 
Dr. Loren Sanchez U'College program at Upland 
High School stands as a testament to Mary's 
commitment to providing innovative pathways for 
student success. This initiative enables high school 
students to concurrently pursue college courses 
through Chaffey College on the UHS campus, 
empowering them to graduate with an associate's 
degree alongside their high school diploma. Mary 
also helped launch the implementation of the 
Future Ready Schools initiative, revolutionizing 
educational practices across UUSD's elementary 
schools.

“There are few words that fully capture the extent 
of my appreciation for each of these women. 
My hope is that through this honor, they know 
that their hard work and dedication never goes 
unnoticed,” said Holden.

 
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Here’s What’s Going On 
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ALL THINGS By Jeff Brown 

AWARENESS WITH RUPERT SPIRA, ADYASHANTI & MOOJI 

 “Our essential nature, awareness, is never changed, tarnished, harmed, diminished, aggrandised, aged 
or destroyed by any particular experience”. R.Spira

The discovery that peace, happiness and love are ever-present 
within our own Being, and completely available at every moment 
of experience, under all conditions, is the most important discovery 
that anyone can make. R.Spira

“Because of an innocent misunderstanding you think that you 
are a human being in the relative world seeking the experience 
of oneness, but actually you are the One expressing itself as the 
experience of being a human being.” Adyashanti 

“When we believe what we think, when we take our thinking to 
be reality, we will suffer.” Adyashanti,

“Awareness isn’t something we own; awareness isn’t something 
we possess. Awareness is actually what we are.”Adyashanti,

“The place you are looking for is the place from which you are looking.” Mooji

“There is a presence, a silence, a stillness which is here by itself. There is no doer of it, no creator of this 
stillness. It is simply here in you, with you. It is the fragrance of your own self. There is nothing to do 
about this, it is naturally present. This fragrance of peace, this spaciousness, it is the fragrance of your 
own being.” Mooji

“There is nothing I have to be. I don’t even have to be myself. I am!” Mooji

“Your nature is pure awareness. You are flowing in all things, and all things are flowing in you” Mooji

“What In You Never Changes? That is your True Essence” Mooji


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