EF ROAD TO RECOVERY Page 2 
More Sierra Madre News Page 3 
Pasadena Page 4 
Education & Youth Page 5 
Puzzles For You Page 6 
Food -Wine & Fun Page 7 
Good Life Page 8 
SECTION B 
Around SGV Page B1 
He Was Somebody 
Best Friends Page B2 
Fitness & Healthy Living Page B3 
Opinion Page B4 
Legal Notices Page B5-7 
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES! 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026 VOLUME 20 NO. 8VOLUME 20 NO. 8 
WORLD-FAMOUS SIERRA MADRE WISTARIA 
FESTIVAL RETURNS SPRING 2026 
ASM. HARABEDIAN’S BILL 
TO ELIMINATE “FAIL-FIRST” 
BARRIERS FOR MENTAL 
ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE 
USE DISORDER TREATMENT 
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember John 
Harabedian (D-Pasadena) introduced AB 1970: 
Ending Fail-First for Behavioral Health Medica-
tion, legislation designed to prohibit health in-
surers from mandating step therapy– commonlyknown as “fail-first”– for medication that harms 
those with serious mental illness or substance 
abuse disorder. 
AB 1970 prevents health care insurance compa-
nies from requiring step therapy for prescription 
drugs used to treat those suffering from serious 
mental illness or substance use disorder. Step 
therapy requires patients try lower cost medica-
tions that insurers prefer and to fail treatment 
on it before covering the originally prescribed 
medication. 
“AB 1970 removes unnecessary administrative 
barriers and puts patient care first,” said Assem-
blymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) . “If 
we are serious about addressing mental health 
and homelessness, we must ensure people receive 
the treatment their providers prescribe without 
delay. We need to focus on the root causes – and 
that starts with making sure individuals have 
the proper care when they need it. Ending step 
therapy for those suffering from substance abuse 
disorders and serious mental illnesses is a critical 
step in that effort.” 
“The California Behavioral Health Association 
strongly supports Assemblymember Harabedian’s 
bill to ban step therapy for behavioral health con-
ditions. This legislation is a critical step towards 
protecting patients and ensuring timely access 
to medically appropriate mental health and sub-
stance use disorder treatment,” said Dr. Le Ondra 
Clark Harvey, CEO of the California Behavioral 
Health Association. “ In behavioral health, those 
delays can be dangerous, often leading to relapse,
hospitalization, homelessness, or worse.” 
This bill establishes clear prohibitions, ensur-
ing treatment can be administered as prescribed 
by doctors. Ensuring those with serious mental 
health illness and substance abuse disorder can 
receive proper care to avoid becoming unhoused. 
“This bill restores decision making where it be-
longs: between patients and their providers. Men-
tal health care is health care, and people should 
not have to get sicker before they can get better,” 
further commented Dr Le Ondra Clark Harvey. 
The bill will be heard in Assembly policy commit-
tees 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, Cla-
remont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills,
Piñon Hills and Phelan. 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026 VOLUME 20 NO. 8VOLUME 20 NO. 8 
WORLD-FAMOUS SIERRA MADRE WISTARIA 
FESTIVAL RETURNS SPRING 2026 
ASM. HARABEDIAN’S BILL 
TO ELIMINATE “FAIL-FIRST” 
BARRIERS FOR MENTAL 
ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE 
USE DISORDER TREATMENT 
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember John 
Harabedian (D-Pasadena) introduced AB 1970: 
Ending Fail-First for Behavioral Health Medica-
tion, legislation designed to prohibit health in-
surers from mandating step therapy– commonlyknown as “fail-first”– for medication that harms 
those with serious mental illness or substance 
abuse disorder. 
AB 1970 prevents health care insurance compa-
nies from requiring step therapy for prescription 
drugs used to treat those suffering from serious 
mental illness or substance use disorder. Step 
therapy requires patients try lower cost medica-
tions that insurers prefer and to fail treatment 
on it before covering the originally prescribed 
medication. 
“AB 1970 removes unnecessary administrative 
barriers and puts patient care first,” said Assem-
blymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) . “If 
we are serious about addressing mental health 
and homelessness, we must ensure people receive 
the treatment their providers prescribe without 
delay. We need to focus on the root causes – and 
that starts with making sure individuals have 
the proper care when they need it. Ending step 
therapy for those suffering from substance abuse 
disorders and serious mental illnesses is a critical 
step in that effort.” 
“The California Behavioral Health Association 
strongly supports Assemblymember Harabedian’s 
bill to ban step therapy for behavioral health con-
ditions. This legislation is a critical step towards 
protecting patients and ensuring timely access 
to medically appropriate mental health and sub-
stance use disorder treatment,” said Dr. Le Ondra 
Clark Harvey, CEO of the California Behavioral 
Health Association. “ In behavioral health, those 
delays can be dangerous, often leading to relapse,
hospitalization, homelessness, or worse.” 
This bill establishes clear prohibitions, ensur-
ing treatment can be administered as prescribed 
by doctors. Ensuring those with serious mental 
health illness and substance abuse disorder can 
receive proper care to avoid becoming unhoused. 
“This bill restores decision making where it be-
longs: between patients and their providers. Men-
tal health care is health care, and people should 
not have to get sicker before they can get better,” 
further commented Dr Le Ondra Clark Harvey. 
The bill will be heard in Assembly policy commit-
tees 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, Cla-
remont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills,
Piñon Hills and Phelan. 
InSIDE THIS WEEK 

A Free Community Celebration Honoring One of the World’s Largest 
Flowering Plants 

Sierra Madre, CA — The beloved Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival will return on Saturday, March 28,2026, inviting visitors from across Southern California and beyond to celebrate the breathtakingbloom of the historic Sierra Madre Wistaria Vine. The festival will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 

p.m. throughout downtown Sierra Madre, including Baldwin Avenue, Sierra Madre Boulevard,
and the Montecito Arts Shopping area.
This free, family-friendly event celebrates small-town charm, local businesses, art, music, food, anda natural wonder that has captivated visitors for more than a century.
A Living Piece of History

Planted in 1894, the Sierra Madre Wistaria Vine spans more than one acre and is recognized bythe Guinness Book of World Records as one of the largest flowering plants in the world. Eachspring, its cascading lavender blooms transform the surrounding neighborhood into a stunningfloral showcase and serve as the heart of this cherished annual festival. 

Festival Highlights

Attendees can enjoy a full day of activities, including:

• 
Guided Wistaria Vine Viewings (ticketed, via shuttle)
• 
Arts & crafts marketplace featuring local artisans and nonprofits
• 
Food vendors and local eateries 
• 
Live music and entertainment 
• 
Family-friendly activities
Wistaria Vine Shuttle Tickets 

While festival admission is free, access to the historic vine—located on private property—is limitedto protect this treasured site.

• 
Shuttle tickets are required to visit the vine
• 
Advance purchase is strongly recommended
• 
Walk-up tickets may be limited or unavailable
• 
Last shuttle departs downtown at 4:00 p.m.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-wistaria-festival-shuttle-tickets-tickets1981866619409?
aff=oddtdtcreator 

Group & Tour Bus Arrivals

Group travel is welcomed with advance coordination. Due to limited capacity, only buses with prereserved 
arrival times will be permitted to transport guests to the vine. Unscheduled bus arrivalscannot be accommodated. 
Vendors & Exhibitors - The festival marketplace will feature a vibrant mix of artisans, specialtyretailers, and community organizations. Arts, Crafts & Commercial Vendors - Vendorregistration: https://forms.gle/kwpowQBthCzXwaN4A 

Classic Car Show - A longtime crowd favorite, the Classic Car Show will return in 2026. Car showregistration: https://forms.gle/egBEEAAPfX4yhaQRA 

The Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival is a celebration of history, community, and natural beauty—anunforgettable spring tradition rooted in more than 130 years of wonder. Visitors are encouraged toplan ahead and join the community for this truly unique “Wonder of the World” experience. Moreinformation can be found at www.sierramadrechamber.com 

Just Listed 
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. 

354 N Cañon Avenue 

Sierra Madre 

Listed for $2,949,000 

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

Open 2/21 & 2/22, 1-4pm 

Judy Webb-Martin 
626.688.2273 

DRE #00541631