Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 24, 2015

6


Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 24, 2015 


SPECIAL 
VETERANS 
DAY 
CEREMONY

Gold Line Extension Begins 
Service to Azusa in March

By Dean Lee

 During a quick press conference 
Thursday, Los Angeles County 
Metropolitan Transportation 
Authority officials announced 
that the $957 million Gold Line 
extension from Pasadena to 
Azusa will begin service to the 
public March 5, a date they said 
was on schedule.

 “The Foothill Gold Line 
Construction Authority, which 
has turned over to Metro a state 
of the art light rail project and 
it’s a big deal,” said Los Angeles 
County Board of Supervisors, 
Mark Ridley-Thomas. “Its $1 
billion invested in a line that 
will carry our riders 12 more 
miles east from the existing 
terminus at Sierra Madre Villa, 
all the way to Azusa.”

 Ridley-Thomas said the 
extension is expected to serve 
12,600 riders daily, and during 
peak hours trains will run every 
12 minutes. 

 “When this opens this will be 
an extension of 12 additional 
miles to our network it will 
bring the official number to 
the Metro Rail to 99 miles and 
brand new communities in the 
San Gabriel Valley, Arcadia, 
Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale 
and Azusa,” said Metro CEO 
Phil Washington.

 Washington said from now 
until March they will be testing 
the line, training operators and 
supervisors, maintenance and 
safety. He also said they have 
begun testing new rail cars. 

 In a statement, MTA Director 
Mayor Michael Antonovich 
said “the Gold Line will be the 
backbone of our transit system 
in the San Gabriel Valley for 
many years to come, linking the 
rest of the county to the many 
businesses, cultural venues, and 
downtown areas of the Gold 
Line corridor cities.” 

 He added, “We will work 
together as a region to build 
on the success of the Gold Line 
to go beyond Azusa and on to 
Claremont -- and ultimately 
Ontario Airport in San 
Bernardino County.”

 In related news

 The Metro Board of Directors 
approved Thursday morning 
a Pasadena Express bus with 
service between two Gold Line 
stations (Del Mar and Memorial 
Park) and North Hollywood, 
with stops in Burbank and 
Glendale. The NoHo-Pasadena 
Express, a pilot program, will 
be funded for 180 days to see 
how it performs. If successful 
the route could become a rapid 
transit service with dedicated 
bus lanes. The NoHo-Pasadena 
Express pilot will also open 
March 5.

 The community and all current 
and former members of the 
U.S. military and their families 
are invited to join other local 
veterans, City officials and 
community leaders for a special, 
free Veterans Day ceremony 
NOv. 11 on the steps of historic 
City Hall, 

 Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek 
and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. 
Garth P. Massey will lead the 
poignant ceremony honoring 
the sacrifices made by the 
military’s men and women, and 
their families, in service to our 
country and protection of our 
freedoms. 

 A flyover of City Hall by historic 
military aircraft will occur. 
Displays of military vehicles; 
music by the Pasadena City 
College Pep Band; uniformed 
attendance by local high 
school ROTC units and free 
refreshments sponsored by 
Farmer John, Wheatland and 
the International Association of 
Fire Fighters Local 809 will be 
available.

 Guests include Pasadena area 
veterans, Pasadena City College 
veteran students, Pasadena 
Police and Fire departments and 
the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines.

 On Nov. 13, Pasadena Fire and 
Police departments will be staffed 
for all patrol, jail, fire, paramedic 
and other emergency services. 
For life-threatening emergencies, 
always call 9-1-1. For non-
emergencies, remember, “If You 
See Something, Say Something” 
by calling police at (626) 744-
4241.

 Pasadena residents and 
businesses with any power 
emergencies should call 
Pasadena’s Water and Power 
(PWP) Department at (626) 
744-4673 and for water-related 
emergencies call (626) 744-4138. 

 All parking meters will be free 
and parking time limits will not 
be enforced only on Nov. 11. 
All other parking regulations, 
including red curb violations and 
blocking fire hydrants, will be 
enforced both days. All parking 
meters will be enforced on Nov. 
13.

 All Pasadena Public Library 
sites will be closed on Nov. 13. 

 Pasadena City Hall is located at 
100 N. Garfield Ave, 

Tournament of Roses Names Queen

 The Tournament of Roses 
named Erika Karen Winter 
as the 98th Rose Queen in an 
official ceremony Thursday 
night at the Pasadena 
Convention Center. 

 “Leading up to America’s 
New Year Celebration, Rose 
Queen Erika Karen Winter 
and the six Rose Princesses 
will serve as ambassadors 
for the Tournament of Roses 
and the City of Pasadena,” 
said Tournament of Roses 
President Mike Matthiessen, 
who presented the crown to 
the queen. “Rose Queen Erika 
and each member of the Royal 
Court have embarked on an 
exciting adventure and we are 
eager for them to encourage 
others to find their adventure 
throughout the community.”

 Winter, 17, is a senior at 
Flintridge Preparatory School 
and lives in Pasadena. Erika 
is part of the cheer and dance 
team, student senate and is a 
middle school commissioner. 
The announcement concludes a 
month-long process that began 
with more than 900 Pasadena-
area young women who 
participated in the Royal Court 
tryouts. The ceremony was 
emceed by KTLA Rose Parade 
host and television personality, 
Stephanie Edwards.

 Above: Rose Queen Erika 
(second left) and members 
of the Royal Court. Photo 
Courtesy of the Pasadena 
Tournament of Roses.

October 
Domestic 
Violence 
Awareness 
Month

 Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek 
presented a proclamation 
Monday night to city leaders 
declaring October as Domestic 
Violence Awareness Month. 

 Tornek presented a 
proclamation, during the city 
council’s regularly scheduled 
meeting, to City Attorney/
City Prosecutor Michele Beal 
Bagneris, Chief Assistant City 
Prosecutor Will Rivera, Police 
Department staff and local 
domestic violence service 
provider Peace over Violence 
to symbolize the city’s support 
for renewed efforts by the 
city prosecutor to eliminate 
domestic violence and educate 
victims.

 “The city reaffirms its 
dedication and commitment 
to ensuring that no one in the 
Pasadena community suffers 
the pain and hardship caused 
by domestic violence,” Tornek 
said. “This is also an excellent 
time to thank and recognize 
those who work tirelessly 
every day to provide hope 
and healing to survivors and 
victims of domestic violence.”

 The City Prosecutor’s Office 
is ramping up its efforts to 
address a 10 percent year-
over-year increase in domestic 
violence referrals from the 
Police Department.

 Chief Assistant City Prosecutor 
Will Rivera will work to 
ensure City prosecutors in the 
domestic violence courtroom 
at the Pasadena Courthouse 
advocate for tougher sentences 
on domestic violence 
cases, according to the City 
Prosecutor.

 For more information contact 
the City Attorney Office at 
(626) 744-4611.


Retro ’80s Punk Rocker 

to Reign over Doo Dah


Metro Board Members 

City to Hold Fall Festival 

 

 Residents are asked to dress 
in their best costume reflecting 
a “Heroes and Villains” theme 
during this year’s Fall Festival 
Saturday, Oct. 31, at Victory 
Park, 2575 Paloma St. the 
festival runs 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 
Costume contests begin at 7:30 
p.m. for youth, teens, adults, 
families and even dogs.

 The annual event features a 
variety of safe, fun activities 
for all ages including live 
entertainment, games, face 
painting, arts and crafts, a 
doggy zone and agility course, 
pony rides provided by Tom 
Sawyer Camp and a train ride 
around the park. Satisfy your 
hunger with savory delights for 
purchase from local food trucks 
Pie & Burger and The Lobos 
Truck, and indulge in other 
mouthwatering treats including 
waffles and kettle corn!

 Admission is free. Tickets 
will be sold on-site for main 
attractions including the train 
ride around the park and select 
games and activities.

 Participating departments 
include Human Services and 
Recreation, Police, Fire, Public 
Works and Public Library. 
Additional sponsorship is 
provided by Options for 
Learning Full-Day Preschool, 
the Pasadena Humane Society 
& SPCA and the Armory 
Center for the Arts.

 For more info about the 
Fall Festival, call Victory 
Park Recreation Center at 
(626) 744-7500 or visit www.
cityofpasadena.net/fallfestival.

Queen Veronika MeowMeowz Photo D. Lee /MVNews 

 East Pasadena post-punk 
rocker and alternative clothing 
shop owner Veronika Sorrow 
“MeowMeowz” became this 
year’s Doo Dah Queen —to 
reign over as this year’s parade 
monarch. Sorrow, known as, 
Queen Veronika MeowMeowz 
wooed over 30 judges Sunday 
night by performing a song 
from her former band Untoward 
Children, full of daring, 
energetic, uncompromising 
sound reminiscent of Siouxsie 
Sioux. 

 Upon receiving the royal 
nod, Sorrow said she has 
been supporting the Pasadena 
community for years as 
a teacher, musician, and 
entrepreneur. She has “always 
loved the Doo Dah Parade and 
feels this is beyond an honor. 
Yes, I’m ready for the crown,” 
she said. 

 Sorrow is the owner of 
MeowMeowz, a vintage clothes, 
records, CDs and art store on 
Colorado Blvd in East Pasadena.

 Many more Queen Hopefuls 
threw their hats in the ring 
and provided hours of raucous 
entertainment to the audience 
packing into the American 
Legion hall. These include 
1st Runner up - Jim Marrin, 
“One is the Loneliest Number,” 
2nd Runner up - Meg Cole, 
“Meg Does the Ocean” of 
Malibu, 3rd Runner up - 
Marsha Berger, “ADA Wonder 
Woman.” Other contestants 
included American Legion 
Wienie Slinger 50/50, Cookie 
the Psychic Dog, Colorful Guy, 
Homeless Hoarder Louise, 
Perdue the French Maid & 
The Butler, I am a Big Woman, 
Diana Dream, Count Smokula, 
Bootsy Sterling, Candy From 
Strangers, Horny Hermie, and 
Kristal Kira.

 All the Queen contestants 
will be seen again as part of 
the Queen’s Royal Court at 
the 38th Pasadena Doo Dah 
Parade taking place on Sunday, 
November 22nd in East 
Pasadena. The Parade, known as 
the twisted sister of Pasadena’s 
more traditional Rose Parade, 
steps off at 11am, is always free-
of-charge to the public.

 For more details on the parade 
contact Patricia Hurley, Light 
Bringer Project at (626) 590-
1134.

Pet of the 
Week


Altadena: Mandatory 

Cat Spay/Neuter Program

Medicare 
Resource Fair 
and Lecture

 On a motion by Mayor 
Michael Antonovich, the Board 
of Supervisors unanimously 
approved Tuesday amending 
Title 10 of the Los Angeles 
County Code to require the 
mandatory spaying or neutering 
and microchipping of cats in 
unincorporated Los Angeles 
County, including Altadena.

 “Focused on reducing the 
uncontrolled breeding of cats 
that can turn into a severe 
public health concern, this 
action will help identify the 
owners of the nearly 29,000 cats 
that are impounded annually 
and prevent them from being 
euthanized.” In Fiscal Year 
2014-2015, the Department 
impounded 28,911 cats of 
which 21,055 were euthanized. 
Moreover, only 1.6 percent of 
cats turned in to animal care 
centers were reunited with their 
owners.

 Gizmo (A385023) is a 
three-year-old, spayed 
female, brown tabby 
domestic Shorthaired cat. 
She can be very sweet and 
affectionate when she is 
in a calm environment. 
Because of this, we think 
Gizmo would be best suited 
to a quiet, single-cat home. 
For the month of October, 
Gizmo’s adoption fee is 
reduced to $10 for our Fall 
in Love Cat Special. Come 
meet Gizmo and make a 
new forever friend!

 The regular cat adoption 
fee is $70 which includes 
the spay or neuter surgery, 
microchip, vaccinations, 
and a free follow-up health 
check at a participating vet.

 New adopters will 
receive complimentary 
health and wellness 
exam from VCA Animal 
Hospitals, as well as a goody 
bag filled with information 
on how to care for your pet. 

 Call the Pasadena 
Humane Society & SPCA 
at 626.792.7151 or visit 
at 361 S. Raymond Ave. 
in Pasadena. Adoption 
hours are 11-4 Sunday, 
9-5 Tuesday –Friday, 9-4 
Saturday. Pets may not be 
available for adoption and 
cannot be held for potential 
adopters from phone calls 
or email. 

Directions and photos of all 
pets can be found at www.
pasadenahumane.org.

 A resource fair Wednesday, 
from 9 a.m. to noon at the 
Pasadena Senior Center, 86 
E. Holly St., will focus on 
Medicare, the federal health 
insurance program for people 
65 and older.

 With open enrollment 
for 2016 from now to 
Dec. 7, seniors will receive 
information they need to make 
informed decisions about the 
medical and prescription plans 
that are best for them.

 Health plan representatives 
will provide information 
and answer questions about 
Medicare plans and services. 
Those health plans include 
AARP California, Applied 
General Agency, Blue Shield of 
California, CareMore Health 
Plan, Health Net, Humana, 
Inter Valley Health Plan, 
Kaiser Permanente, LA Care 
Health Plan and United Health 
Care.

 At noon a one-hour lecture 
on Medicare program issues 
and upcoming changes for 
2016 will be presented by the 
Health Insurance Counseling 
and Advocacy Program. 
While reservations are not 
required, free box lunches will 
be provided after the lecture 
to the first 50 people who call 
626-795-4331 to confirm their 
attendance.

 For more information call 
(626) 685-6730 or visit www.
pasadenaseniorcenter.org.

PCC Gets $2.6 Million Grant

Free Upcoming Events at 
Pasadena Senior Center

 

 The U.S. Department of 
Education has awarded 
Pasadena City College a $2.6 
million grant to strengthen 
and expand educational 
opportunities for Hispanic and 
low-income students the school 
announced last week.

 PCC was one of 96 colleges 
nationwide to receive the 
Hispanic-Serving Institution 
Title V grant, which will 
provide the college $525,000 
annually for the next five years. 
The grant is meant to assist 
schools in the development of 
faculty, curriculum, academic 
tutoring, mentoring, and other 
services.

 “I am thrilled that Pasadena 
City College has been awarded 
this grant to help reach more 
students,” said Rep. Judy Chu 
(D – 27th District). “The 
opportunity to take part in an 
equitable education – regardless 
of race, zip code, or background 
– is one of the best ways to break 
the cycle of poverty and build a 
brighter future. It’s an honor 
to represent a school like PCC, 
and I will continue to support 
their work in providing high-
quality education to everyone 
in our area.”

 A HSI is defined as an eligible 
institution of higher education 
that has at least 25 percent 
Hispanic full-time equivalent 
undergraduate enrollment. 
As of fall 2015, 49 percent 
of PCC’s student body is 
Hispanic, making it the largest 
demographic at the college.

 With the grant, PCC plans to 
leverage the funds to further 
develop the highly successful 
PCC Pathways Program and 
its Second-Year Pathway 
component, which was piloted 
last year with 450 students. This 
year, 750 students are enrolled.

 For more information on the 
PCC Pathways program, visit 
www.pasadena.edu/pathways.

 
There is something for 
everyone in October at the 
Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. 
Holly St. Events lare free. You 
do not have to be a member. 
Some events require advance 
reservations as noted.

 Stay Connected with 
Social Media – Tuesdays and 
Thursdays, from 9 to 11 a.m. 
Learn how to keep in touch 
with family and friends via 
email, Skype, Facebook and 
other social media during 
a 30-minute, one-on-one 
meeting. You choose which 
applications you want to learn. 
Bring a laptop or use one onsite. 
If you have an email address, 
bring it and your password. Sign 
up with Edison at the Welcome 
Desk.

 Smart Phones, Tablets and 
Computers – Any Questions? 
– Tuesdays and Thursdays, 
from 10 to 11 a.m. Get the 
answers you need about 
technology devices, whether 
you own them already or are 
considering a purchase. Learn 
how to text, check voicemail, set 
an alarm, navigate the Internet, 
download apps and more.

 A Matter of Balance – 
Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 
1 to 3 p.m. Are you concerned 
about falling? Ease your fear 
by attending this class that 
combines discussion, video 
and exercise so you’ll improve 
your balance and activity levels. 
Registration is required: 626-
685-6732.

 Flu Shot Clinic – Wednesday, 
Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
The Pasadena Public Health 
Department will sponsor this 
clinic for anyone over the age of 
6 months. Appointment cards 
are available at the Welcome 
Desk or by calling 626-795-
4331.

 Veterans Services – Thursday, 
Nov. 5, at 10 a.m. Learn about 
eligibility, priority groups and 
health care issues related to 
seniors and aging services 
within the U.S. Department 
of Veterans Affairs system. 
Community living, adult day 
care, tele-health services and 
palliative and hospice care for 
veterans also will be discussed. 

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