PLAYHOUSE

Continued from Page 1

A public hearing was held at the regular 
City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 23, 
2024, to hear testimony and consider the 
adoption of Resolution 24-48, designating 
the property as a historic landmark. Senior 
Planner Joshua Wolf, David Gordon, and 
Artistic and Executive Director Matt Cook 
gave presentations during the hearing. 

“It’s not just a building; it’s a live institution,” 
Gordon said, pointing out the many messages 
that graced the marquee touched the 
community, whether it displayed uplifting 
words during the COVID pandemic, powerful 
statements like “I can’t breathe” after the 
death of George Floyd, or showing support for 
local firefighters. 

Matt Cook pointed out the Playhouse's 
progression from a place to see plays to a place 
to see many forms of the performing arts, such 
as dance, live music, and standup comedy. 
According to Cook, in a June 2024 survey, 80 
percent of performances were sold out, and 
70 percent of those who attended were new to 
the Playhouse. In July, they sold more tickets 
than in the last three years. A total of 140 
performances will have taken place at Sierra 
Madre Playhouse by the end of 2024. 

The Playhouse has been featured in many 
publications, including the Los Angeles 
Times, Pasadena Weekly, and, of course, 
Mountain Views News. Its photo donned the 
cover of Southern California Story: Seeking a 
Better Life in Sierra Madre (Zack, 2009). 

The goal of getting the historic label has 
already cleared one hurdle after the Planning 
Commission passed Resolution 24-10 
recommending that the City Council approve 
the designation. 

Historic Designation Findings

After their June 20, 2024 meeting, the 
Planning Commission submitted its findings, 
finding that the Sierra Madre Playhouse 
meets one of the two recommended criteria 
for becoming a designated historic landmark. 

Criterion A - That the site is associated 
with local, state, or national cultural, social, 
economic, political, or natural history, 
events, or persons significant to the history 
of Sierra Madre, or it reflects significant 
geographical patterns, including those 
associated with different eras of settlement 
and growth, particular transportation modes, 
or distinctive examples of park or community 
planning.

Criterion B—That the architectural style 
is representative of the work or is one of 
a few remaining examples of a notable 
builder, designer, or architect, or it embodies 
distinctive characteristics of a style, type, 
period, or method of construction, or it is a 
valuable example of architectural achievement 
or innovation, such as the use of Indigenous 
materials or craftsmanship.

The Planning Commission’s findings showed 
that The Playhouse met Criterion A. Here 
are the findings, according to the staff 
report. “Since 1924, the site of Sierra Madre 
Playhouse has operated as a venue for cultural 
performing arts. Beginning as a silent movie 
theatre and quickly adapting to the rapidly 
growing entertainment industry, the site 
brought the performing arts of the times to 
the Sierra Madre community. In doing so, 
the site contributed significantly to Sierra 
Madre’s early cultural and economic growth. 
The Sierra Madre Playhouse is associated with 
persons who made significant contributions 
to its development and transitively in 
contribution to the Sierra Madre community: 
Dale White, Ward Calaway, George Enyedi, 
Barry Schwam, Stan Zalas, Verna Chilton, 
Bob Hackman, and Charles Andrese.”

The Commission noted, however, that the 
structure did not qualify under Criterion B. 
“Although the building is a modest example 
of the Art Deco architectural style, it does not 
rise to the level of significance to be deemed 
architecturally significant in history. Since 
the building’s original construction, it has 
been modified and altered many times to 
meet the needs of its use. The building does 
not possess high artistic value and does not 
embody the distinctive characteristics of 
a type, period, or method of construction. 
Additionally, the building is not known to be 
the work of a master architect or craftsman,” 
their report stated. 

The Playhouse Today

The Playhouse underwent a few renovation 
phases after establishing a Board of Directors 
in 1996. In 2002, a second stage was added, and 
Verna Chilton joined the Board and brought 
her Hollywood production of The Importance 
of Being Earnest to the Playhouse. In 2005, 
Tom Pendlebury designed a façade remodel 
based on The Great Man’s Lady, and neon 
lights were added. The latest facelift came in 
2021 when the Marquee was refurbished. 

Upcoming events include music by Vicki 
Ray, “Nacht und Träume,” on August 3, 
and GAAYATRI -Hindustani Classical, on 
August 31. You can also plan and get tickets 
for Bob Baker Marionette Theater as they will 
be presenting “The Nutcracker” starting in 
November. 

But, despite the show going on, Gordon points 
out that more refurbishments will still be 
needed. “We are not ADA compliant. ADA 
bathrooms don’t exist. If we have somebody 
in a wheelchair, they have to be taken across 
the road to The Only Place (in Town) to use 
the restrooms,” Gordon stated. Gordon noted 
that a plan is in the works for these upgrades, 
and they should have an estimate of costs by 
Fall. 

In the meantime, some good news: The City 
Council unanimously approved Resolution 
24-48, designating the Sierra Madre Playhouse 
as a historic landmark. This means they 
will qualify for a Mills Act Contract, where 
property owners can apply for this agreement 
with the city to undertake restoration tasks 
and maintain the landmark in exchange for a 
reduction in property taxes. Also, owners may 
be exempt from permit and plan check fees. 

So, to paraphrase a line from Caddyshack, “so 
they got that going for them, which is nice!”

2

Mountain View News Saturday, July 27, 2024

MORE SIERRA MADRE NEWS

GET TO KNOW YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERSGET TO KNOW YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS

OFFICER JONATHAN TURNER 

10 QUESTIONS

For the next several months Sierra Madre’s Police and Fire 
Departments will be running a weekly segment titled, “Get 
to Know Your Public Safety Officer” in the Mountain View 
News. The purpose of this special segment will focus on our 
police and fire department employees and all of us to learn 
a little bit more about the men and women who serve our 
community. 

For week three of this special segment, we feature Officer 
Jonathan Turner

Officer Jonathan Turner has almost 7 years of law 
enforcement experience, and has been employed with the 
Sierra Madre Police Department since September 2022. 
Prior to that he worked at the Arcadia Police Department 
and City of Los Angeles. Jonathan has a reputation 
amongst his peers for being one of the most dedicated and 
committed officers in the Sierra Madre Police Department, 
and is one of many key members that will play a vital role 
in the future success of the agency. Jonathan is currently 
assigned to patrol and serves as a Field Training Officer, 
where he assists with the training and development of new 
officers. He recently went through rigorous and extensive 
training to become a drug recognition expert, and is 
currently in the process of becoming a department Use 
of Force and Arrest and Control Instructor. Jonathan is 
also a leading candidate for our department to serve as an 
operator on F.S.E.T. (Foothill Special Enforcement Team), 
a regional S.W.A.T. unit that services portions of the San 
Gabriel Valley. 

1. Why did you choose to work for the Sierra Madre Police 
Department? 

I had five years of law enforcement experience at a 
neighboring agency but I left in 2021. In September 2022, 
I started as a reserve police officer at SMPD. As I worked 
patrol, the city and department started growing on me 
and I knew I wanted to serve this community in a fulltime 
capacity. It was an honor to be selected for the fulltime 
position. I absolutely love my job, coworkers, and this 
community which is why I chose to be here. 

2. When did you know you wanted to be a police officer?

It was always in the back of my mind, but I didn’t think I could do it and made excuses to justify not trying. 
In 2015 I was working as a mechanic and I was encouraged to apply by a sergeant at my former department 
to apply. With his guidance and support the dream suddenly became a tangible reality. I knew it was going 
to be a hard road to get to wear the uniform and perform the job, but at that moment I knew I wanted to be 
a police officer and accepted the challenge. 

3. What do you like best about your job? 

Cliché as it is, I love everything about my job. I have so much fun coming into work. I truly enjoy the 
camaraderie with my coworkers, answering calls for service, investigations, and helping people. To me this 
is certainly not a job; it is a passion.

4. What do you find most difficult about being a police officer?

Keeping up with changes in laws, ordinances, practices, and case law. It can be pretty tedious. 

5. We understand you have interest in becoming an operator with F.S.E.T. for our readers, briefly describe what 
criteria and the training is for making this elite team?

FSET requires all members to be physically and mentally fit. Physical fitness and endurance are top priorities 
because an operator wears multiple pieces of heavy body armor, carries a rifle, a shield, and/or breaching 
tools during training and operations. Mental fitness is also on the top of the list because the operator needs 
to act calm in the face of dangerous and chaotic situations and be able to respond appropriately in those 
situations.

 

6. Tell us a little about your family? 

I am married to my beautiful wife Michelle and we are the proud parents of two kids, Danielle and Jason. 

7. Favorite place you frequent in Sierra Madre: 

Something Healthy! They have the best sandwiches and protein shakes.

8. What is the last book you read?

Sound Doctrine: A Tactical Primer by Charles “Sid” Heal

9. What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve experienced on the job?

When I first started, my field training officer and I were about to start our shift and loading up our gear into 
the patrol car. He left a file box full of paperwork on top of our vehicle. I drove away from the station and 
the box flew off the vehicle and all of the paperwork covered the street behind us. I then had the pleasure 
of cleaning up the mess and getting an earful of properly checking our vehicle before leaving the station. 
Looking back, it’s funny now but at the time I was super embarrassed.

10. What activities do you like to do when you are not serving our city as a police officer?

Spending time with my family, camping, shooting, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu


SMPD Officer Jonathan Turner

SIERRA MADRE POLICE BLOTTER


The following represents a summary report of some of the major 
incidents handled by the Sierra Madre Police Department during 
this period. This list is not intended to be considered exclusive or 
all-inclusive.

Monday, July 15 Fraud

At approximately 2:45 PM, officers responded to the police station 
lobby to meet with a citizen reporting fraud. The victim’s social 
security number was compromised. Officers took a crime report and provided the citizen with 
a financial pamphlet. 

Thursday, July 18 Impounded Vehicle

At approximately 9:00 AM, officers were on scene Park Ave. and Orange Grove Ave. when 

they conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle with expired registration tabs. The vehicle was towed 
for having an expired registration over 6 months. 

Thursday, July 18 Battery

At approximately 1:00 PM, officers responded to the police station lobby to meet with a citizen 
reporting a domestic violence complaint. The reporting party described incidents of physical 
and verbal aggression from their ex-partner. The case was forwarded to the LA Court District 
Attorney’s Office for filing considerations

Thursday, July 18 Impounded Vehicle

At approximately 7:30 PM, officers were on scene at the 200 block of Grove St. when they 

conducted a vehicle inquiry for registration status on a vehicle displaying current registration 

tabs. The vehicle inquiry returned for a vehicle with expired registration tabs. The vehicle was 

towed for having an expired registration over 6 months and the false registration tabs were 

seized. The case has been forwarded to the Detective’s Bureau for a follow up. 

Saturday, July 20 Vandalism

At approximately 8:00 AM, officers responded to the 300 block of W. Highland Ave., to meet 

with a citizen for a vandalism report. Citizen reported graffiti on the rear of the house. Citizen 

stated four males wearing dark clothing in a black pickup truck were seen East of the 

residence the night prior to the incident. Officers took pictures of the vandalism. No other 

damages nor any signs of forced entry. 

Saturday, July 20 Aggravated Assult

At approximately 4:00 PM, officers responded to the 700 block of Valle Vista Dr. for a domestic 

dispute involving two parties that escalated into physical violence. Both parties sustained 
minor injuries and were evaluated by the Sierra Madre Fire Department. One of the parties 
was arrested for assult with a deadly weapon. The case was forwarded to the LA Court 

District Attorney’s Office for filing considerations