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Mountain View News Saturday, July 26, 2025

A MOUNTAIN VIEWS NEWS EXCLUSIVE*:

NEWS BRIEFS

“CAMINO DE SANTIAGO-MY JOURNEY MY WAY IN 29 DAYS

April 17-May 15, 2025”

by: Lorie Veiner-Clause

WHERE WOULD I SLEEP ON THE CAMINO?

Researching the subject led me to unfamiliar words. Albergue. Municipal. Donavito. 

The question remained. What is that?

Those words remained foreign to me. Research. Questions. Reading articles. The confusion grew 
as this was an important subject to conquer. 

Several Camino de Santiago Facebook groups were helpful in learning about that subject.

I made a reservation for the first 3 nights of my journey. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Roncesvalles. Zubiri. 

My original schedule was to follow the recommended stages listed in the Camino book. Walking a certain number 
of kilometers daily and staying in a specific city.

After a few days of walking along ‘The Way’, my small feet were energetic and excited to move faster. The kilometers 
increased each day, opposed to the books recommended stages of fewer kilometers.

I soon realized it would be impossible to make a reservation daily as my feet pushed my petite body further each 
day. 

Various apps were essential to locate homes for the evening. After a long day of walking, I would seek out the most 
inexpensive place to reside. Donavito or municipal.

Prices varied. Ranging from 8-10 euros for a municipal. Donavitos are a donation. A pilgrim pays what they could 
afford. Albergue’s were more expensive ranging from 14-25 euros. 

Although prices and environment were different, the structure remained the same.

Albergue’s accepted a reservation. Municipals and donavitos did not. 

‘Race for a bed’. The 4-word routine vocabulary. 

Upon arriving at your home in the evening, all places required the same check in process. 

The pilgrim must show both their travel and pilgrim passports where it receives an ink stamp and handwritten 
date.

Payment is made. A white paper bed sheet set with a pillow cover is issued to the pilgrim along with a bed number.

After a long exhausting day of walking 8-10 hours, this pilgrim would struggle walking up many stairs. My small 
feet pushed forward to locate the bed number.

Preparing the bed became routine. Paper sheet. Sleeping bag liner. This pilgrim was ready to reside for the evening.

Did I just officially start my Camino?

Buen Camino

#Loriescaminojourney #caminodesantiago #camino2025 #camino #caminofrances #caminodesantiagofrances #caminopilgrim 
#caminoespiritual #americanpilgrims #caminodesantiagoallroutes #caminasabuddysystemforwomenonthecamino #americanpilgrimsonthecamino 
#pilgrimsofsantiago #womenonthecamino #lamarathon #parismarathon #parismarathon2025 #pasadenapacers 
#AzusaPacers #whittierpacers #sierramadre #sierramadrecommunity #sierramadrecalif #sierramadrestrong 
#ilovesierramadre

*This is the fifth in a series by Sierra Madre resident Lorie-Veiner-Clause's incredibly courageous journey. Follow 
her recollections of 'Camino' each week.. By the way, if you aren't familiar with the Camino Santiago, you will be!

S. Henderson, Publisher/Editor


SOCAL EDISON LAUNCHES COMPENSATION 
PROGRAM FOR ALTADENA 
WILDFIRE VICTIMS

 

 ALTADENA (CNS) - Even as the cause of the Eaton wildfire was still

being investigated, Southern California Edison said today it will offer 
to quickly pay and resolve claims from victims, apparently in an 
attempt to avoid lengthy litigation.

 Edison said it would launch a Wildfire Recovery Compensation 
Program this fall for those who lost homes, businesses or rental properties 
in the fire. Claims would also cover total and partial structure 
loss, commercial property loss, business interruption, smoke and 
ash, physical injury and fatalities, the utility said.

 ``Community members shouldn't have to wait for the final conclusions 
in the Eaton Fire investigation to get the financial support they 
need to begin rebuilding,'' Pedro Pizarro, chief executive of Edison 
International, the utility's parent company, said in a statement.

 ``Even though the details of how the Eaton Fire started are still

being evaluated, SCE will offer an expedited process to pay and resolve 
claims fairly and promptly. This allows the community to focus 
more on recovery instead of lengthy, expensive litigation.''

 The Eaton fire killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,400 
homes and other structures in Altadena.

 SCE said it was working with Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. 
Biros, who helped administer the September 11th Victim Compensation 
Fund, to consult on the design of the program.

 ``The goal for SCE's Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program is 
to model the program after several successful direct claims programs 
we have designed,'' Feinberg said. ``These programs can quickly and 
fairly compensate individuals and businesses that have experienced 
losses resulting from these tragic events.''

 Participation will be voluntary for community members, with no

application fees, administrative costs or legal fees charged by SCE to

participate, according to the utility.

 The program will be set up to ``easily, quickly and equitably''

compensate those who qualify, including those who were insured, 
SCE said, and participation is possible with or without an attorney. 
Additional details on the program, which is expected to operate 
through 2026, will be shared later this summer, according to SCE.

 In the wake of the Jan. 7 fire, dozens of lawsuits have been filed

against Edison. Videos appear to capture the wildfire igniting under a

transmission line in Eaton Canyon.

 ``The architecture and timing of the SCE direct claims program 
will be instrumental in efficiently managing funding resources, mitigating 
interest costs and minimizing inflationary pressures so funds 
can address actual claims and fairly compensate community members 
for their losses,'' Pizarro said.


SOCAL ARTS HOSTS EXCITING OPEN HOUSE 
TO INSPIRE YOUNG DANCERS 

Monrovia, CA – Calling all parents and young dancers! SoCal Arts, 
Monrovia’s premier youth dance studio serving ages 2–18, is thrilled to 
announce its Fall Open House on Sunday, August 10th, 2025. This free 
event invites families to explore the studio, try out sample classes, and 
take part in a day filled with dance, fun, and exclusive perks.

“We’re passionate about providing exceptional mentorship and training 
for young dancers,” says Laura Alexich, owner and director of SoCal 
Arts. “This Open House is a wonderful opportunity for families to experience 
our welcoming community and learn how we help children thrive 
through the joy of dance.”

Families will have the chance to tour SoCal Arts’ spacious studio, meet 
the passionate team of professional instructors, and explore a wide variety 
of dance styles, including ballet, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and 
more. Event Highlights Include: 

 Sample Dance Classes: Children can participate in complimen 
tary mini-classes and discover their favorite styles. 

 Meet the Instructors: Connect with SoCal Arts’ warm and experi 
enced teaching and administrative staff. 

 Exclusive Perks: Save on registration and class packages available 
only during the event. 

 Prizes & Takeaways: Win dance-themed items and studio swag. 

 Snacks & Activities: Enjoy refreshments and family-friendly fun 
throughout the day.

Whether your child dreams of dancing onstage or simply wants a fun, 
creative outlet, SoCal Arts offers a nurturing environment where they 
can develop confidence, discipline, and lasting friendships. RSVP today 
by following the link: https://socal-arts.com/fall-open-house/ 

 Event Details: Sunday, August 10, 2025 Time: 1:00p - 5:00p 

 Location: 415 W Chestnut Ave. Monrovia, CA 91016 

For more information, visit socal-arts.com, call us at (626) 739-8455 or 
follow us on our socials: Instagram: @socal_arts Facebook: SoCal-Arts 
Join us on August 10th and take the first step toward an exciting journey 
in dance!

About SoCal Arts and Directors SoCal Arts is dedicated to providing exceptional 
dance training and mentorship for children ages 2–18. Located in the heart of Monrovia, 
we strive to inspire young dancers to grow in skill, creativity, and confidence 
in a supportive and fun environment.

The studio is proudly led by directors Laura Alexich and Jekyns Pelaez, who bring 
over 30 years of combined experience in the dance industry. As a woman-owned 
business, SoCal Arts is renowned for its expertise in working with children, offering 
unparalleled training and guidance that builds confidence, fosters creativity, and 
develops strong technical foundations for dancers at every level.

Through its nonprofit arm, SoCal Arts also collaborates with local artists and fundraises 
to develop programs and scholarships that support and uplift the next generation 
of young artists


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