SIERRA MADRE WISTARIA FESTIVAL HISTORY -SECTION B 
VOLUME 20 NO. 12VOLUME 20 NO. 12SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026 
SIERRA MADRE WISTARIA FESTIVAL HISTORY -SECTION B 
SIERRA MADRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 
ANNOUNCES 2025 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 

The Sierra Madre Chamber 
of Commerce is proud 
to announce the Sierra 
Madre Playhouse as the 
2025 Business of the Year. 

A true cultural cornerstone 
of our community, 
the Playhouse offers programming 
for all interests 
and ages. This vibrant and 
welcoming venue reflects 
the unique character and 
diversity of Sierra Madre. 
Guided by its theme, 
“Small Stage, Big World,” 
the Playhouse presents an 
exceptional range of experiences—
from children’s 
performances and classic 
films to classical music, 
jazz, comedy, and dance. 

As they so beautifully describe their mission, their performances are “curated to con-nect you 
with artists and stories from across continents and cultures.” 

In 2025, the Sierra Madre Playhouse experienced an extraordinary year marked by both artistic 
growth and deepened community engagement. Building on its long-standing tradition 
of excellence, the Playhouse has fully realized its vision as a multidisciplinary performing arts 
center, expanding its programming while strengthening its connection to the community. 

This renewed vision has led to impressive results. Revenue has doubled through in-creased 
attendance and significant foundation support, and the Playhouse welcomed a record-breaking 
16,000 guests this year. Its continued success reinforces its role as a cultural anchor, enriching 
civic life and contributing to the vitality of Sierra Madre’s downtown. 

The Playhouse’s impact has also been recognized beyond our community, including be-ing 
named Nonprofit of the Year in the San Gabriel Valley by Congresswoman Judy Chu in 2023, 
and Best Small Theater by Pasadena Weekly in 2025. 

The Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce proudly recognizes the Sierra Madre Playhouse for 
exemplifying the creativity, collaboration, and civic pride that define our lo-cal business community. 
Please join us in congratulating the Sierra Madre Playhouse on this well-deserved 
honor. 

L to R Former Mayors Garcia, Kriebs,Arizmendi, SMPH President David Gor-
don, Former Mayors Gene Goss, Playhouse Director and Former Mayor John 
Capoccia, Assemblynan and Former Mayor John Harabedian and SMPH Vice 
President Ward Calaway. 


In Escrow
354 N Cañon Avenue 
Sierra Madre 
Listed for $2,949,000 

4 BD | 4 BA | 3,006 SF | 38,897 SF LOT 

Judy Webb-Martin 
626.688.2273 

DRE #00541631 

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equa

Housing Opportunity laws. Lic. #01991628. All material presented herein is intended for

informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been

verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No

statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage

are approximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation. 

SUPERVISOR 
BARGER ISSUES 
STATEMENT ON 
LAKE HUGHES 
ANIMAL RESCUE 
EFFORT 

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn 
Barger issued the following statement 
regarding today’s large-scale animal 
rescue operation in Lake Hughes,
CA.: 

“This is a heartbreaking situation. I 
want to recognize the dedicated personnel 
from theLos Angeles CountyDepartment of Animal Care and Control, 
along with our partner agencies, 
who are working tirelessly today under 
extreme heat and challenging conditions 
to carry out a massive rescue operation 
in Lake Hughes. 

Animals in urgent need of medical attention 
are being transported to veterinary 
hospitals for immediate care, 
while others are being safely relocated 
to Los Angeles County animal care 
centers and partner facilities, including 
sites in Kern County. Every stepis being taken to ensure these animals 
receive the compassion and treatment 
they deserve. 

It’s also important for the public to understand 
that the court plays a critical 
role in this process. A court order is 
required before these animals can be 
made available for adoption, and we 
will continue working closely with the 
judicial system to move that process 
forward as swiftly as possible. 

To help create space for the incoming 
animals, Los Angeles County Animal 
Care Centers will be open this Sundayfrom 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to encourage 
adoptions of animals currently in 
our care. 

This effort will help ensure we have the 
capacity to properly shelter and treat 
the animals being rescued, which will 
be placed across all seven of our County 
animal care centers. 

I also want to acknowledge the critical 
support from the District Attorney’s 
Office that helped make today’s action 
possible. That urgency stands in stark 
contrast to prior inac-tion, when requests 
for accountability were repeatedly 
met with delays and charges were 
declined under former District Attorney 
George Gascón. 

Today’s operation shows what’s possible 
when agencies work together with 
urgency and resolve to protect vulnerable 
ani-mals. 

Our focus now must remain on supporting 
the care, recovery, and safe 
placement of these animals—and 
on ensuring accountability movingforward.” 

Los Angeles County operates seven 
animal care centers located in Agoura, 
Baldwin Park, Carson/Gardena, Castaic, 
Downey, Lancaster, and Palmdale, 
all of which are playing a role in supporting 
this large-scale rescue effort 
and the ongoing care of animals in the 
County’s system.