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Mountain View News Saturday, February 15, 2025

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY NEWS BRIEFS

MONROVIA

Notice of Temporary Traffic Lane Closure on East Huntington 
Drive Between South California and Shamrock Avenue

 We are thrilled to share that the Route 66 Huntington Drive Pedestrian Bridge Public 
Art Project is nearing completion! To facilitate the final phase of this project, the City will 
implement single-lane closures on East Huntington Drive between South California and 
Shamrock Avenues. Please note that only one traffic lane will be affected in each direction 
at any given time.

The lane closures will take place from through Friday, February 21, 2025, between 9:00 
a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check out the stunning artwork coming to life on the 
Hunting-ton Drive pedestrian bridge—it’s truly impressive! We appreciate your understanding 
and patience during this period. For additional information about the project, 
please contact Kerri Zessau at kzessau@monroviaca.gov or 626-932-5564.

ALTADENA

Sisterhood in Action: “Lunch with Love” to Support Women Affected 
by Altadena Fires

Pasadena, CA – In the spirit of compassion and unity, a sisterhood of dedicated women is 
coming to-gether to support those impacted by the devastating Altadena fires. Committed 
to service and love, this group is hosting a special event, “Lunch with Love,” aimed at 
uplifting women who have lost their homes and providing a space of comfort and hope.

The luncheon is more than just a meal—it is a heartfelt gesture of solidarity and encouragement, 
a re-minder that no one faces hardship alone. Through this gathering, the sisterhood 
seeks to foster a sense of community and remind these women that they are seen, 
supported, and surrounded by care.

Event Details:

Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025

Time: 1:00 PM PT - 4:00 PM PT

Location: Alkebulan Cultural Center

Address: 1435 North Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103

“Lunch with Love” embodies the mission of this sisterhood: to stand together in times of 
need and extend hands and hearts to those facing adversity. By creating an environment 
filled with warmth and encouragement, they aim to inspire hope and healing for those 
affected by the fires.

The sisterhood invites the community to join them in this effort of compassion and solidarity. 
Together, they seek to make a meaningful impact and reaffirm their dedication to 
service and love.

For more information, please contact:

Laverne Gray Davis

Email: lavernegraydavis@yahoo.com

ASSEMBLYMEMBER JOHN HARABEDIAN 

INTRODUCES THE INSURANCE PAYMENT 

PROTECTION ACT TO PROTECT POLICYHOLDERS 
FROM UNFAIR FEES AND PRICE 
GOUGING

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) introduced AB 
597 to protect policyholders from unfair fees and price goug-ing by public adjusters after major 
disasters.

"Public adjusters should help wildfire survivors rebuild, not wreck their recovery. Some public 
adjustors will charge excessive fees or take a portion of homeowners’ insurance payouts 
through unfair practices. I’m proud to partner with Commissioner Lara on AB 597 to ensure 
wildfire survivors get every dollar they deserve to rebuild their lives," said Assemblymember 
John Harabedian (D-Pasadena).

"As disasters become more frequent and severe, my responsibility is to assist wildfire survivors 
in their recovery. This proposal is designed to safeguard them from unfair charges and 
exploitation, ensuring that consumers keep as much of their insurance claims as possible to 
support their recovery and rebuilding efforts. I am proud to collab-orate with Assemblymember 
Harabedian on this vital consumer protection bill," said Commissioner Lara, sponsor of 
the legislation. 

In short, this bill will do the following: 

• AB 597 - The Insurance Payment Protection Act: prevents unfair fees and price gouging 
by adjustors, particularly after major disasters, and applies to resi-dential properties and certain 
commercial properties. Inspired by the need to safeguard policyholders during vulnerable 
times, this bill also allows policyhold-ers to cancel contracts if the public adjuster violates the 
law or solicits business during prohibited periods. Additionally, public adjuster contracts must 
clearly out-line the services being provided, including the specific claims or coverages they will 
handle. By ensuring transparency and fairness, AB 597 strengthens consum-er protections and 
protects wildfire victims.

This bill is sponsored by the California Department of Insurance. The bill will be heard in 
Assembly policy committees during the spring. 

#####

Assemblymember John Harabedian represents the 41st District composed of the cities of La 
Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, San Dimas, La 
Verne, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills, Piñon Hills and Phelan.


DR. DENISE KWOK DEPUTY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR INTERNAL 
OPERATIONS AND SENIOR WOMAN ADMINISTRATOR AT 
USC TO SPEAK AT USC TROJAN AFFILIATES PROSPECTIVE 
MEMBERSHIP MEETING ON MARCH 6TH 

 Dr. Denise Kwok, Deputy Athletic Director for Internal Operations and Senior Woman 
Administrator at USC, will speak to the USC Trojan Affiliates on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at The 
Hill -Harbison House, (Girl Scout House), 1841 Alhambra Road, San Marino. The meeting will 
begin with hearty refreshments at 6:30 p.m. followed by the program at 7:00 p.m.

Dr. Denise Kwok was promoted to Deputy Athletic Director for Internal Operations 
and Senior Woman Administrator in October 2023, overseeing athletics admissions, academic 
advising and support, personal and career development, student services, department Title IX and 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming. Kwok is the primary point of administrative contact 
for USC Athletic Medicine (sport psychology, nutrition, athletic training) and Office of Athletics 
Compliance and serves as the sport administrator for beach volleyball. In the critical role of Senior 
Woman Administrator, Kwok represents the department on Conference matters.

Kwok’s career includes more than twenty years of service at USC. Her previous roles 
include Interim Executive Administrator, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-
Athlete Development, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services, Assistant 
Athletic Director and Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Programs at USC.

Kwok earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at USC Rossier School of Education in 
2004. Originally from Tiburon, California, Kwok is married to Dr. Roy Fu and has two children, 
Madelyn and Tyler.

 USC Trojan Affiliates, a women’s organization located in the San Gabriel Valley, supports 
the University of Southern California and welcomes all interested women to attend its meetings and 
events. This meeting will focus on new member recruitment and all women parents, alumni, and 
friends of USC are encouraged to attend. The group meets five times a year at various homes and 
locations within the San Gabriel Valley and hosts additional social and cultural events while raising 
needed scholarship funds for USC students. It currently supports scholarship for six students who 
attended local San Gabriel Valley high schools.

 USC Trojan Affiliates is in its ninth year of contributing money to its scholarship 
endowment fund of $100,000, (now well over the initial funded amount) using these dollars to 
support its scholars. Money is also raised from selling unique USC products --- jewelry, scarves, 
clothing, tablecloths, towels, handmade signs, and more. Members also volunteer at the Pasadena 
Showcase House to earn funds and participate in the USC Women’s Conference (March 7), USC 
Day of SCervice (March 22), Swim With Mike (April 5), USC Homecoming (Fall), Town and Gown 
of USC Holiday Boutique (Fall), and USC Trojan Affiliates Holiday Boutique (November), and 
programs to support the University and its students.

 Past meetings have included the February 6th meeting featuring local author Lian Dolan, 
who reviewed her book The Marriage Sabbatical and delighted the members with highlights from 
her past books, life issues, and humor. Her next book Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding will 
be available May 20, 2025. The last meeting of the 2024-2025 program year will take place on 
Thursday, May 1st at Matt Denny’s Restaurant in Arcadia. The guest speaker will be announced 
shortly.

 Trojan Affiliates President Ayuko Siegel, of Glendale, and the Board of Directors, 
look forward to welcoming prospective members to this Prospective Membership Meeting. For 
information and reservations please contact Trojan Affiliates Membership Chairman Kandi 
Wopschall by March 3rd at wopschall@earthlink.net or (818) 790-1970.


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