SIERRA MADRE EDITION

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2016VOLUME 10 NO. 23SIERRA MADRE POLICE BLOTTER
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2016

VOLUME 10 NO. 42

SIERRA MADRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 
ANNOUNCES GRANTS

2016 SMCF grants now total $14,825

SIERRA MADRE HONORS ITS VOLUNTEERS 
AT ALVERNO HEIGHTS ACADEMY


By Bill Coburn

On friday at the beautiful Villa del Sol d’Oro on the 
campus of Alverno Heights Academy, the City paid 
tribute to its outgoing Commissioners, volunteers, 
employees and local organizations that contribute 
to making the City the great place to live that it is. 
Mayor Gene Goss also recognized outgoing City 
Manager Elaine Aguilar, Public Safety Director LArry 
Giannone and Public Works Director Bruce Inman 
and thanked them for their years of service to the 
City. Mezzo Soprano Suzanna Guzman was again the 
Mistress of Ceremonies, and food was provided by 
Corfu.

The evening had a baseball theme, in recognition 
of the City’s One Book, One City selection of The 
Natural, and Guzman took advantage of the theme to 
lead the crowd in a chorus of “Take Me Out To The 
Ballgame.” Each attendee received a box of Cracker 
Jacks, there were Baby Ruth candy bars on the tables, 
and Guzman, who recounted having sung the national 
anthem at Dodger Stadium to begin the game three 
times (two wins and a loss), also kept the crowd 
apprised of the Dodger score throughout the night.

But the real reason everyone was there was to pay 
tribute to those who contribute to our City. Recognized 
for their service were:

Outgoing Commissioners Ken Goldstein of the 
Planning Commission, Darlene Mathieson and 
George Siberell of the Community Services Commission, Dorothy Jerneycic, Pat Alcorn and Amy 
Putnam of the Senior Community Commission, and Glenn Putnam of the Library Board of Trustees.

Award winners honored were Erica Whiting, the Community Youth Services Award; Daniel 
Rodriguez, Public Service Award; Officers Henry Amos and Ken Berry, Corporal Charles (Chuck) 
Kamchamnan, Sergeant Edward Delcoure and Sergeant Ruben Enriquez, the Public Safety award; 
The Spero Foundation, Wistaria Award; and Robert (Rob) Stockly, the George Maurer Lifetime 
Achievement Award.

While much has been said of the recent re-staffing of the Police Department with a large percentage 
of new officers, Guzman pointed out that the five officers honored with the Public Safety Award 
represented 90 years of service to the City between them, ranging from 12 to 24 years each.

Congratulations to the awardees, and thank you for your service to all of the honorees.

Recent grants awarded by the Sierra Madre 
Community Foundation (SMCF) will 
provide valuable funding for several local 
emergency services, including the Sierra Madre 
Community Emergency Response Team and the 
Sierra Madre Search and Rescue, to help these 
volunteer organizations acquire and maintain 
the necessary tools and resources to assist with 
emergency response, rescues, and disaster 
preparedness.

 In total, SMCF approved grants totaling 
$5,000 at its September board meeting. Other 
grant recipients were the city’s Sierra Vista Park 
and the Halloween Happenings program.

 “We are so excited to be supporting the 
efforts of these local organizations, who by 
working together with the City help keep 
Sierra Madre safe,” said Michelle Keith, SMCF 
Chair. “Through the generous gifts from Sierra 
Madre residents, local businesses and other 
caring individuals, combined with the local 
oversight from our board, SMCF continues to be 
committed to ensuring Sierra Madre remains a 
unique community and valued neighborhood. 
These grants are great example of Invest Local-
Support Local.”

 Listed below are details of the four new grants:

 1.Sierra Madre Search & Rescue ($3,500)

The grant will be used for cabinetry, including some 
locked storage to protect expensive equipment, at 
the Rescue Station to allow the team to maintain 
and repair radio and electronic equipment. The 
new funding enables the team to maximize 
donations by ensuring a longer life of equipment 
and help the team maintain an improved state of 
readiness. The Sierra Madre Search and Rescue 
Team is a group of dedicated volunteers committed 
to saving lives in the urban interface, such as the 
mountains, and wilderness. Founded in 1951, the 
Team is among the elite Search & Rescue teams 
and has responded to thousands of calls for help 
in the wilderness and saved countless lives. www.
smsr.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.
com/SierraMadreSearchandRescue/

 2.Sierra Madre CERT ($1,000)

The grant will be used to provide recent FEMA-
certified graduates with a CERT backpack 
(@$50 each) containing personal preparedness 
equipment (hard hat, CERT vest, goggles, gloves, 
face masks, knee pads, pry bar, emergency 
whistle, and other items). These tools are 
necessary for the Team to respond in case of 
disasters and incidents that might occur in 
our city, particularly when The Fire and Police 
Departments are prioritizing calls and need 
the support of CERT to help with emergencies 
and minor response needs. Since 2007, the 
Sierra Madre CERT has provided a 20+ hours 
FEMA-certified training course (offered once 
per year), with over 100 local people now trained 
to assist in the event of a major disaster. www.
sierramadreemergency.org

 3.City of Sierra Madre – Sierra Vista Park
($250) At Sierra Vista Park, the grass areas have 
become uneven due to underground animals and 
heavy pedestrian traffic, thus creating a hazard 
to visitors. The requested grant will be used to 
purchase quality top soil to place in the holes and 
help even the surface of the grass areas in the park.

4.City of Sierra Madre – Halloween Happenings 
($250) The grant will be used to purchase 
decorations for the Bandshell in Memorial Park 
and to offset other costs associated with Sierra 
Madre’s Halloween Happenings.

 Grants awarded in 2016 totaled $14,825, a 
47 percent increase from 2015 funding levels. 
Other 2016 grant recipients:

 Sierra Madre Historical Preservation 
Society—Help complete the Lizzie’s Trail Inn/
Richardson Museum Preservation Project.

 Sierra Madre Public Library—Support 2016 
public outreach programs – Kid’s Art & Essay 
Contest, READ Campaign, Library Open House, 
and One Book One City events.

 Mount Wilson Trail Race—Provide T-shirts 
for kids fun run.

 Creative Arts Group—Support the Imagine 
Art Program for 3rd Grade students at Sierra 
Madre Elementary School.

 Huck Finn Derby and Campout—Provide 
funding for event costs, including fish, trophies, 
& ribbons.

 Downtown Repertory Theatre Co.—Provide 
funding for community outreach and publicity 
campaigns for the Summer 2016 Sierra Madre 
Shakespeare Festival.

 The Spero Foundation--Support the July 4th 
Firecracker 5K Fun Run.

About the Sierra Madre Community Foundation:

 Sierra Madre Community Foundation 
(SMCF) is a charity singularly devoted to Sierra 
Madre. SMCF solicits donations to enhance our 
community by making direct grants, both large 
and small, to worthy people and organizations 
that might otherwise be overlooked and also
assists other community groups in collecting and 
distributing funds for programs which help make 
Sierra Madre the unique community that it is. To 
apply for a grant, visit sierramadrefoundation.
org.

Pasadena High School Senior Erica 
Whiting, Recipient of the Community 
Youth Serviice Award 

Photo by Laura Aguilar

DO NOT DISTURB THE BEARS ....
MATING SEASON!

 Earlier in the week, Sierra Madre resident Dan 
Richman was hiking north of Bailey Canyon when 
stumbled on what has been reported as bears about 
to engage in their mating ritual. As reported by 
numerous news sources, including the SMPD and 
the State Fish and Wildlife officials, Richman was 
walking on a trail about two miles north of Bailey 
Canyon Wilderness Park near George’s Cabin when a 
bear appeared ahead of him and stood on its hind legs. 
Richman said he then turned around to leave and saw 
a second bear, which attacked.

Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Andrew 
Hughan said in an email that a game warden believed 
the bears “may have been a mating pair that was 
interrupted.”

 “The hiker probably just surprised the bears and they 
reacted the way an animal with teeth and claws does, 
attack,” Hughan said.

 The bear eventually lost interest and walked away. 
Richman was hospitalized with puncture wounds, 
deep scratches and bruises. Hughan said it didn’t 
appear Richman did anything to provoke the attack.

 Word spread quickly throughout the community 
as reports of people being attacked by local bears is 
unheard of. Residents, after noting that Richman 
would recover from his injuries were then concerned 
that the bear would be euthanized if found.

 Immediately following the incident, Director of 
Public Safety, Larry Giannone issued the following 
statement:

 "There has been a lot of reaction to the bear attack 
yesterday which occurred north of Bailey Canyon Park 
and the misinformation that the Police Department is out 
to kill the bear. I would like to clarify the circumstances 
surrounding this incident. The Police Department 
was involved only to provide safety information to the 
community and to protect our safety personnel as they 
traveled the trails to see if there were any other victims. 
This incident took place several miles north of the City 
limits up in the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service. 
Since the attack involved wildlife and occurred within 
the Federal jurisdiction the Department of Fish and 
Wildlife were called in to ultimately take charge of the 
investigation. The Department of Fish and Wildlife are 
governed by their policies and procedures on how to deal 
with a wildlife animal that has attacked a human being. 
The City of Sierra Madre, the Police Department, nor the 
Police Chief are directing anyone to harm or kill the bears 
in the area. We have no say so in how the members of the 
Fish and Wildlife handle their investigation. Our duty is 
keep our community members safe and informed of these 
incidents such as the one yesterday. Thank you for your 
understanding, we realize what a delicate situation this 
is for all." At press time, the bear had not been located.

SIERRA MADRE KIWANIS CLUB TO HOST

CALIFORNIA BALLOT INITIATIVES ELECTION FORUM



 On Tuesday, October 18th, The Pasadena Chapter of the League of Women 
Voters will present an overview of the statewide measures on the ballot 
November 8th. This election there are 18 initiatives on the ballot. The League 
will help attendees with questions they may have such as what a Yes vote 
means or what a No vote means, along with the arguments for and against 
each measure.

 The Event will be held at The Lodge (formerly the Masonic Temple), 33 E Sierra Madre Blvd., 
Sierra Madre.

 Lunch ($10) will begin at 11:30 and the Forum (Free) will start at noon. If you wish to attend, 
please leave a message at 626-355-0728. 


REMEMBRANCES

BELOVED SIERRA MADRE 
BUSINESSMAN PASSES AWAY


EDWARD “RUIZ” KALADJIAN 

May 21, 1950 - October 4, 2016 

In loving memory of Sierra Madre local Edward “Ruiz” 
Kaladjian. 

 Born May 21, 1950 in Armenia, Edward came to America 
and began his renowned shoe repair business known as “Ruiz’s 
Shoe Repair”. Edward was very loved and respected in the Sierra 
Madre community and it was always in his nature to do more 
for others than himself. It is with great sorrow to announce that 
we have lost such an amazing and giving soul on the morning of 
October 4th, 2016. Edward will always hold a special place in all 
our hearts and we will all miss him dearly.


JAMES “ JIMMY” DUKE

Long time Sierra Madre resident James “ 
Jimmy” Duke passed away August 1.

 Jim had worked at the Jet Propulsion Lab 
in Pasadena for many years. He was also an 
incredible artist and photographer.

 Jim called Sierra Madre home for over 40 
years.

 He was a kind, gentle soul with a dry 
sense of humor. Jim never complained and 
was always there for anyone in need. Jim 
loved the beauty in life and it showed in his 
art and photography.

 He loved music, art, animals and his 
garden. He was a good friend to so many of 
us. He was a true Sierra Madre citizen and 
loved his friends and family.

We all loved him back!

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