Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 30, 2015

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AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Mountain View News Saturday, May 30, 2015

THE TOURNAMENT OF ROSES® FOUNDATION HONORS 
REPRESENTATIVES FROM 42 ORGANIZATIONS IN THE SAN 
GABRIEL VALLEY SELECTED AS ITS 2015 GRANT RECIPIENTS.


PASADENA COMMUNITY 
ORCHESTRA’S FREE CONCERT 
IN THE PARK IS A RELAXING 
EVENING OF LIGHT MUSIC 

AND PICNICKING ON THE LAWN 
FOR ANYONE AND 

EVERYONE TO ENJOY

Enjoy “User-Friendly” Classical Music 

in a Laid-Back Setting

PASADENA, CA – -- Pasadena Community Orchestra’s summer 
Concert in the Park presents a rare opportunity for the whole 
family to enjoy accessible orchestral music for free in an easygoing 
environment. Long-time Sierra Madre resident Bethany Pfleuger 
leads these accomplished amateur musicians in a program of light 
classics, film scores and Americana in the band shell of Sierra 
Madre Memorial Park. Picnics on the lawn, kids playing or taking 
a close-up look at the musicians on stage, and even a kid-centric 
“children’s march” around the park mean there’s something to 
please everyone.

 As far as summer entertainment goes, it’s kind of the Hollywood 
Bowl for the rest of us: The venue is easy to get to and parking and 
admission are free; you can listen to enjoyable, light classical music 
with family and friends while lounging on the lawn, and your kids 
can get up and get the wiggles out whenever they need to. They 
(and you) can also get a casual introduction to classical music (they 
can even talk with the musicians afterwards). 

 This year’s program includes music from Superman by John 
Williams, part of the William Tell Overture (the loud part!) and a 
medley of beloved American folk songs. American composers John 
Philip Sousa, Leroy Anderson and Scott Joplin are represented. And 
as always, the orchestra will play a “children’s march,” welcoming 
every child in the audience to join the impromptu parade. It’s a 
perfect start to a SoCal summer.

 For 32 years, PCO has been bringing fine classical music to the 
community free of charge (donations are welcome). Well-trained 
musicians provide a high-quality musical experience. Sierra Madre 
Memorial Park is located at 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., one block 
east of Baldwin Ave. Street parking is free (arrive early for closest 
parking). Bring your own picnic, and chairs or blankets for sitting.

 For further information, please contact PCO at 626.445.6708 
or publicity@pcomusic.org, or visit us at http://www.
pcomusic.org and https://www.facebook.com/pages/
Pasadena-Community-Orchestra/125809577468516.

PASADENA, Calif. – The Tournament of Roses Foundation is 
pleased to announce the 2015 grant awards totaling $200,000 
presented to 42 civic, educational and cultural organizations in the 
San Gabriel Valley. Ten of the 42 organizations funded are first-
time grant recipients. These organizations are: About Productions, 
American Composers Forum of Los Angeles, Jericho Road Pasadena, 
Life Skills FORE Pasadena Youth, Inc., Mark Keppel High School 
Drama Boosters, Marshall Music Boosters Inc., Monrovia Wildcats 
Band Booster Club, Pasadena Girls Softball Association, Pasadena 
High School Instrumental Music Club, and The Pasadena Musical 
Theatre Program.

 Since its inception in 1983, the Tournament of Roses Foundation 
has funded more than $2.7 million in charitable contributions on 
behalf of the Tournament of Roses Association. The amount awarded 
in 2015 is $100,000 more than the amount funded in 2014 – a 100 
percent increase. The Foundation assists charities in the Pasadena 
area by funding sports and recreation, visual and performing arts, 
and volunteer motivation and leadership development. These grants, 
ranging from $1,500 to $10,000 will help support new and ongoing 
programs benefiting children, teens, adults and seniors.

SALUTE TO VETERANS AND 
THEIR FAMILIES

“What’s Going On?” 

News and Views from Joan Schmidt


Once again Supervisor Mike 
Antonovich honored our 
Veterans with his annual 
Salute to Veterans and their 
families at Arcadia County 
Park.

 The Master of 
Ceremonies was Channel 
4’s Meteorologist, Fritz 
Coleman, a sought-out 
speaker who often has his 
audience in stitches. But Fritz, a Navy Veteran who served 
on the USS John Kennedy during the Viet Nam War, 
was somber. He reminded us of the great sacrifices our 
servicemen and women as well as their families, had made 
on behalf of our great country. Freedom is NOT free and 
many have paid with their lives. Fritz also told us we must 
embrace our Veterans- 50% of Post Traumatic Syndrome 
deals with not feeing connected to the community after 
their return home. Fritz also explained that when he wa 
sin the Viet Nam War, you served one tour and returned 
home. Today it’s not uncommon to serve FOUR and FIVE 
tours in Afghanistan. 

 There were two remarkable women guests, Rear 
Admiral Sandy Adams, Deputy Commander of the 
Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and Retired 
Brigadier General Ruth Wong, who heads the LA 
County Military Affairs Department. Admiral Adams 
was the keynote speaker. She included Missing in 
Action Personnel and how difficult it is for their families. There was 
a table with a white cloth and various items on it for those MIA. 
Admiral Adams mentioned what each stood for and of course the 
white candle representing hope that they would be brought home. 
General Wong accepted the American Flag after it had been folded 
and explained what each fold represented. What stays in my mind 
are the folds that represent mothers and fathers. Losing a child is 
the most difficult thing to deal with.

 There was so much information available. Representatives from 
various county agencies answered questions and explained available 
services/programs. All our armed forces had reps also available. There 
were free health screenings, live music- a band prior to the ceremony 
and the wonderful CA National Guard 40th Infantry Band performed 
during the ceremony. Lutheran High School‘s ROTC Members were 
the Honor Guard and did the 13-Folds Flag Ceremony.

 There were skydivers, a flyover, food booths, children’s area, and 
so many info booths that had little give-aways. Also present were 
the Arcadia Fire Department and Police Department. I saw former 
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson, Jack Orswell and his lovely wife and 
Burton Brink. Monrovia’s Becky Shelvin arrived late-she had been 
at the Gold Line Maintenance Yard Open House. There were several 
Veteran events that day, so I believe that’s why there were no other local 
officials except for Linda Sells from the Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte 
Town Council.

 Thank you Supervisor Antonovich and your deputy Debra 
Mendelssohn for such a great event that benefitted so many Veterans 
and their families! 


FREE HOUSEHOLD 

HAZARDOUS WASTE 

DISPOSAL, E-WASTE 

RECYCLING 

JUNE 6, 2015

PASADENA, Calif.—Residents can safely dispose of household 
hazardous waste and recycle electronics from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 
Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Parking Lot K, south of the Rose Bowl 
Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr. The free event is sponsored by the Los 
Angeles County Department of Public Works in cooperation with 
the City’s Department of Public Works.

 Household hazardous waste and e-waste collection sites will 
be arranged at different stations in Parking Lot K. Motorists are 
advised to use caution while traveling through the area and to 
follow instructions given by event staff. Please be advised that 
document shredding will not be provided at the event.

 Household hazardous waste items include used motor oil, oil 
filters, antifreeze, automobile and household batteries, paint, 
brake fluid, paint thinner, cleaners with acid or lye, pesticides or 
herbicides, expired pharmaceuticals and fluorescent light bulbs. 

 E-waste items include computers, keyboards, printers, monitors, 
laptops, docking stations, scanners, shredders, fax machines, 
computer mice, telephones, televisions, flat screens, VCRs, DVD 
players, PDAs, cassette players, tape drives, stereos and household 
batteries. Many of these products have parts that can be recycled. 
Please do not bring explosives, radioactive materials, trash and 
tires, controlled substances and household appliances.

 The public can bring a maximum of 15 gallons of household 
hazardous waste and 125 pounds of e-waste. For more information 
about the free event, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/PublicWorks/
One-dayE-WasteCollectionEvents. For more information about 
the Los Angeles County hazardous waste disposal program, call 
(888) Clean LA, (888) 253-2652, or (800) 238-0172.

 Stay connected to the City of Pasadena! Visit us online at www.
cityofpasadena.net; follow us on Twitter @PasadenaGov, www.
twitter.com/pasadenagov, and like us on Facebook at www.
facebook.com/cityofpasadena. Or call the Citizen Service Center, 
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (626) 744-7311.

REP. NAPOLITANO PRAISES EPA’S CLARIFICATION 

OF FINAL CLEAN WATER ACT RULE


(Washington, DC) Today, Rep. 
Grace F. Napolitano (D-El 
Monte), the Ranking Member of 
the House Transportation and 
Infrastructure Subcommittee 
on Water Resources and 
Environment, praised the public 
release of the final Clean Water 
Protection rulemaking by the 
Obama administration. This 
rulemaking fulfills the requests 
of members of Congress, state 
and local officials, industry, 
agriculture, and environmental 
organizations to clarify the 
scope of Clean Water Act 
protections over our nation’s 
rivers, streams, and wetlands. 

 “We have waited 12 years 
for clarity. For 12 long years, our nation’s streams and rivers have 
been vulnerable to pollution and degradation, and for 12 years, 
farmers, industry, and developers have been wasting valuable 
time and money navigating through the regulatory morass on the 
Clean Water Act left behind by the U.S. Supreme Court and the 
Bush administration. The Obama administration, and especially 
EPA Administrator McCarthy and Assistant Secretary Jo-Ellen 
Darcy, should be commended for their dedication to provide a 
clear, predicable, and comprehensive way of protecting our nation’s 
waters,” said Napolitano. 

 Today’s final rulemaking to define the term “waters of the United 
States” is the culmination of 12 years of debate, over one year 
of public comment, and unprecedented outreach by the Obama 
administration to provide additional clarity and certainty on the 
scope of waters protected by the Clean Water Act. During that 
time, as administration witnesses testified before the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure, the EPA and the Corps 
of Engineers received over 1,000,000 public comments on the 
proposed Clean Water Protection rulemaking, and held over 400 
public meetings to discuss the proposed rulemaking, and to solicit 
recommendations for additional clarity and certainty. 

 “I, for one, am pleased with the changes this administration 
committed to make to address concerns raised by our constituents 
on the April 2014 proposed Clean Water rulemaking, especially 
ensuring that the rulemaking did not, inadvertently, change the 
status of municipal stormwater conveyances, water recycling or 
groundwater recharge areas. It is apparent that this administration 
heard these concerns, listened to them, and made appropriate 
changes in the final rule to address these concerns. This final rule 
is significantly improved from the April 2014 proposed rule, and 
provides a more definitive, more measurable, and clearly limited 
scope of Clean Water Act authority, based on the science and the 
law,” noted Napolitano. 

 “Over the past year, the administration has highlighted the 
importance of protecting our rivers, streams, and wetlands to 
protect our water, our Nation’s economy, and our cherished way of 
life – not only for current generations, but for our children and our 
grandchildren. As the events of the past few years in the West have 
demonstrated, water is a precious resource that deserves critical 
protection. In fact, the 99.2 percent of Californians that drink water 
from public systems that rely on the seasonal, rain-dependent, and 
headwater streams will greatly benefit from this final rulemaking 
in the protection of these critical resources,” added Napolitano. “As 
we ask the average Californian to be mindful of his or her daily 
water usage, we need to ensure that upstream interests share in this 
effort – this is a fundamental premise of this final rulemaking.”; 

 “The Obama administration has met its commitment to protect 
our precious water resources for generations to come; now it is our 
turn to fulfill our duty to protect these resources. I only hope that 
those groups that have historically been opposed to reinvigorated 
protection of our nation’s rivers, streams, and wetlands, take the 
time to read this final rule BEFORE they consider opposing it,” 
concluded Napolitano. 

 Napolitano is the top Democrat on the House Transportation and 
Infrastructure Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee. 
The Subcommittee has Congressional jurisdiction over the Clean 
Water Act and this finalized rule.

 EPA’s Clean Water Act Webpage - http://www2.epa.gov/
cleanwaterrule 


COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE 
TEAMS HONORED FOR NEPAL 
EARTHQUAKE DEPLOYMENT 

Mayor Antonovich and Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY — Mayor Michael D. Antonovich, 
Supervisor Hilda Solis and the Board of Supervisors honored the 
Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue 
Team, California Task Force 2, and members of the Department of 
Health Services’ doctors and nurses who deployed to Nepal after a 
7.8 magnitude earthquake struck and killed over 8,600 people and 
injured over 17,000 others. 

For 19 days, 57 members of the Urban Search and Rescue Team, along 
with 6 doctors and nurses, rendered aid to the sick and wounded -- 
including a 15-year old boy stuck under a pile of rubble for five days 
and a 41-year old woman who was pulled from a collapsed four-story 
building after a 7.3 aftershock.