PARK (continued from page 1). t

to address the Commission with a brief slide presentation 
about the park, to be located at 700 N. Sunnyside Avenue. 

Frankel noted two amenities that the Planning Commission 
was adamant about, which this new public park must have: a 
bathroom and parking and loading accommodations for the 
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Frankel encouraged 
feedback from the community and input from the Community 
Services Commission for all other amenities. Those could 
include walking trails, benches, paths, lawn areas, kids' 
playgrounds, picnic tables, interpretive signage, a dog park, 
BBQs, and even more elaborate options such as a labyrinth or 
design features tied to the history of Mater Dolorosa.

Some charts are on display in the foyer outside the City 
Council Chambers. The public is welcome to put green stickers 
on various park amenities they want to see to give feedback to 
the developers and Commission. 

The proposed picnic areas could have grass or a drought-
tolerant landscape, though not having a picnic area was also 
an option. Two separate play areas were among the options for 
the kids, one for toddlers and the other for ages 5-10. The play 
areas can also offer a nature theme with logs to crawl through 
and walk on. 

The interpretive signage would feature descriptive botanical 
and wildlife highlights to inform visitors what plants, birds, 
and other animals they may see in the area. The labyrinth 
option can offer quiet reflection and meditation, which aligns 
with the monastery's theme. 

During the first discussion on the matter led by the Community 
Services Commission Chair, Ann Palmer, some members, 
such as Vice Chair Lisa Carlson, were against the idea of BBQs 
because The Meadows is in a high-fire danger area. Also, there 
was some apprehension about picnic areas with the ongoing 
bear situation in Sierra Madre. 

Some community members praised the idea of kids' play areas 
and picnics. In contrast, others expressed concerns about 
adding noise to their ordinarily quiet neighborhood, pushing 
for no picnic areas, kid’s play areas, or bathrooms. 

Former Planning Commission members Peggy Dallas, John 
Hutt, and Bob Spears showed the same concerns as the 
Community Services Commission over using BBQs in a high-
fire risk area; they agreed that this public park should be for 
everyone to enjoy, including children and their families. 

With feedback from the Commission and the community, 
Frankel and his team will create three design options to present 
before the Commission during their next meeting. Then, a 
final choice will be offered for approval at a third meeting. 
Check the city’s website (www.cityofsierramadre.com) for 
more information. 

3

 
Saturday, May 4, 2024 


Weather Wise

WALKING SIERRA MADRE - The Social Side

by Deanne Davis


6-Day Forecast Sierra Madre, Ca.

“May, the month of sunshine, blooming flowers, and endless possibilities."

“May the month of May be a month of sunshine, happiness, and endless blessings."

“Tra la! It's May!

The lusty month of May!

That darling month when ev'ryone throws

Self-control away.

It's time to do

A wretched thing or two,

And try to make each precious day

One you'll always rue!

It's May! It's May!

The month of "yes you may,"

The time for ev'ry frivolous whim,

Proper or "im."

It's wild! It's gay!

A blot in ev'ry way.

The birds and bees with all of their vast

Amorous past

Gaze at the human race aghast,The lusty month of May.”

 (“It’s May” from Camelot the 1960 musical by Lerner and Lowe)

“It’s May! It’s May!” Made me think of the movie, “Camelot” from 1967 with Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave and Franco 
Nero. It was on Turner Classic Movies a few days ago and I just couldn’t help myself, I sat and watched it all. Some of the most 
horrible mis-casting ever made with Vanessa Redgrave as Guinevere, Richard Harris as Arthur and Franco Nero as Lancelot. 
Richard Harris was great but I don’t know what Josh Logan was thinking when he cast Vanessa Redgrave as Guinevere and 
Franco Nero as Lancelot. When it’s too hot to do much else, an old movie helps. 

We’re probably not going to throw all self-control away and do a wretched thing or two, but we probably are going to cut some 
roses from our garden and put them on the kitchen counter, like the ones in today’s picture. Our roses still look healthy and 
happy as those pesky aphids, thrip, scales and other noxious rose destroyers haven’t settled in for the summer just yet. The roses 
look so beautiful and are blooming with exuberance as it’s not too hot for them and the pests are still on their way to settle into 
our gardens for the summer. Not to wander too far off the path, it occurs to me that if Eve hadn’t listened to that sneaky snake, 
and bit into that apple, we wouldn’t have aphids and thrips, black mold and tomato worms. 

It’s May, It’s May, it’s almost my son, John’s birthday. We won’t disclose any exact dates here, but he was born on Mother’s Day 
and his birthday will be on Mother’s Day again this year. Have you ever noticed that you go along with just a birthday or two 
each month and then a month like this May crops up and you’ve got seven birthdays, two anniversaries, and you’re totally 
unprepared for any of them! So grateful for Amazon gift cards. The newest baby in our family, Brannan Johnson, will be one! 

Mother’s Day is just a few days away on May 12th and if you haven’t ordered flowers or some-thing for your mom, you better 
get on it! One of the best Mother’s Day cards I ever got had this lovely thought on it: “Family is love and laughter, strength and 
smiles, hope and happiness. Every Mother’s Day is a gift – a chance to go back through the memories of the heart and say thank 
you. For a home that was warm and welcoming and filled with life and laughter – where each day seemed to hold some small 
adventure and something new to learn. For a family that loves being together, that cares for each other and helps one another 
through all the big and little ups and downs of life...for a connection that gives meaning and purpose and joy to every day.”

While you’re at the Art Fair this weekend, look for something special for your mom. There will be so many beautiful things 
on display, I’m sure you’ll see that one perfect gift that will please her. Weather should be lovely and you can spend the day at 
Memorial Park where you’ll run into eve-ryone you know…which will be nice!

Tra la, it’s May, the busy month of May! And just to make you smile, school will be out shortly for summer vacation! 

My book page: Amazon.com: Deanne Davis

Where you’ll find “Sunrises and Sunflowers Speak Hope”

And “A Tablespoon of Love, A Tablespoon of Laughter”

Take a look at both of these books, stuffed with hope and the

Occasional good recipe, which would make fabulous Mother’s Day gifts!!

 Sun Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s 

 Mon: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s 

 Tues: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s 

 Wed: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s

 Thur: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s 

 Fri: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s

Forecasts courtesy of the National Weather Service

SIERRA MADRE CITY MEETINGS

SIERRA MADRE CITY 

COUNCIL MEETING

MAY 14, 2024 5:30pm

THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD 
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS!

As part of the City of Sierra Madre’s 

COVID-19 transparency efforts and The 
Brown Act provides the public with an opportunity 
to make public comments at any 
public meeting. Public comment may also be 
made by e-mail to PublicComment@CityofSierraMadre.
com by 3:00 p.m. on the day of 
the meeting. 

Emails will be acknowledged at the Council 
meeting and filed into public record. The 
public may also comment in person at the 
meeting.

The meetings will be streamed live on Foothills 
Media website at foothillsmedia.org/sierramadre 
and broadcast on Government 

Access Channel 3 (Spectrum)..



1630 AM EMERGENCY RADIO & 

Free on-air publicity for local events

 Sierra Madre’s EMERGENCY radio station is now accepting scripts for 
Public Service Announcements (PSAs) about community events. PSAs 
will be broadcast on the air at no charge. The station operates 24/7 and can 
be heard at 1630 on the AM dial.

 Any local non-profit or non-commercial organization can have their 
event information broadcast to the public on Sierra Madre Community 
Information Radio. The station covers the city of Sierra Madre, plus 
surrounding areas of Pasadena, Arcadia, and Monrovia. 

Your event must:

• Benefit a non-commercial or non-profit entity
• Be open to the public
• Be of general interest to local citizens


Just 
write a Public Service Announcement that describes your event and 
e-mail it to radio@cityofsierramadre.com. 


DISTURBING DISCOVERY IN 
RESTROOM IN MEMORIAL 
PARK

On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the body of an 
unresponsive adult female was discovered in the 
Women's Restroom near the tennis courts in Memorial 
Park. Sierra Madre Police and Fire Department were 
called, fire pronounced the female as deceased.

According to Sierra Madre Police Sgt. Chuck 
Kamchamnan, the woman has been identified as 
Amanda Pruess of Sierra Madre. 

He also noted that the death was not the result of foul 
play.

 


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