Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, April 15, 2023

9

ALTADENA - SOUTH PASADENA - SAN MARINO

Mountain View News Saturday, April 15, 2023 

San Marino Upcoming 
Events & Programming

Input Sought for Permanent 
Outdoor Dining in Areas of 
Unincorporated L.A. County

Ingenuity Mars Helicopter 
Completes Its 50th Flight

 NASA’s Ingenuity Mars 
Helicopter has completed its 
50th flight on Mars. The first 
aircraft on another world 
reached the half-century mark 
on April 13, traveling over 
1,057.09 feet (322.2 meters) in 
145.7 seconds. The helicopter 
also achieved a new altitude 
record of 59 feet (18 meters) 
before alighting near the half-
mile-wide (800-meter-wide) 
“Belva Crater.”

 With Flight 50 in the mission 
logbook, the helicopter team 
plans to perform another 
repositioning flight before 
exploring the “Fall River Pass” 
region of Jezero Crater.

 “Just as the Wright brothers 
continued their experiments 
well after that momentous 
day at Kitty Hawk in 1903, the 
Ingenuity team continues to 
pursue and learn from the flight 
operations of the first aircraft on 
another world,” said Lori Glaze, 
director of the Planetary Science 
Division at NASA Headquarters 
in Washington.

 Ingenuity landed on the 
Red Planet in February 2021 
attached to the belly of NASA’s 
Mars Perseverance rover and 
will soon mark the two-year 
anniversary of its first flight, 
which took place on April 19, 
2021. Designed as a technology 
demonstration that would fly 
no more than five times, the 
helicopter was intended to prove 
powered, controlled flight on 
another planet was possible. But 
Ingenuity exceeded expectations 
and transitioned into being an 
operations demonstration.

 Every time Ingenuity goes 
airborne, it covers new ground 
and offers a perspective no 
previous planetary mission 
could achieve. Imagery from 
the helicopter has not only 
demonstrated how aircraft 
could serve as forward scouts 
for future planetary expeditions, 
but it has even come in handy 
for the Perseverance team.

 By testing the helicopter’s 
limits, engineers are gathering 
flight data that can be used by 
engineers working on designs 
for possible future Mars 
helicopters. That includes the 
people designing the Mars 
Sample Return campaign’s 
proposed Sample Recovery 
Helicopters.

Riskier Terrain

 Since leaving the relatively flat 
confines of Jezero Crater’s floor 
on Jan. 19, Ingenuity has flown 
11 times, setting new speed and 
altitude records of 14.5 mph (6.5 
meters per second) and 59 feet 
(18 meters) along the way.

 Although the deep chill 
of winter and regional dust 
events (which can block the 
Sun’s rays from reaching the 
helicopter’s solar panel) have 
abated, Ingenuity continues to 
brown out at night. As a result, 
the Helicopter Base Station 
on the rover needs to search 
for the rotorcraft’s signal each 
morning at the time Ingenuity 
is predicted to wake up. And 
when the helicopter does fly, it 
now must navigate rugged and 
relatively uncharted terrain, 
landing in spots that can be 
surrounded by hazards.

“We are not in Martian Kansas 
anymore,” said Josh Anderson, 
Ingenuity operations lead 
at NASA’s Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory in Southern 
California. “We’re flying over 
the dried-up remnants of an 
ancient river that is filled with 
sand dunes, boulders, and rocks, 
and surrounded by hills that 
could have us for lunch. And 
while we recently upgraded the 
navigation software onboard to 
help determine safe airfields, 
every flight is still a white-
knuckler.”

Frequent Flyer

 Beyond facing more challenging 
terrain, Ingenuity will also 
fly at a greater frequency in 
the coming days because the 
helicopter needs to remain 
within electronic earshot of 
the rover. With its AutoNav 
capability, Perseverance can 
travel hundreds of meters each 
day.

 “Ingenuity relies on 
Perseverance to act as a 
communications relay between 
it and mission controllers here 
at JPL,” said Anderson. “If the 
rover gets too far ahead or 
disappears behind a hill, we 
could lose communications. 
The rover team has a job to do 
and a schedule to keep. So it’s 
imperative Ingenuity keeps up 
and is in the lead whenever 
possible.”

 Perseverance recently 
completed exploring “Foel 
Drygarn,” a scientific target 
that may contain hydrated 
silica (which is of strong 
astrobiological interest). It is 
currently headed to “Mount 
Julian,” which will provide a 
panoramic view into nearby 
Belva Crater.

Feats of Ingenuity

 Built with many off-the-
shelf components, such as 
smartphone processors and 
cameras, Ingenuity is now 23 
Earth months and 45 flights 
beyond its expected lifetime. 
The rotorcraft has flown for over 
89 minutes and more than 7.1 
miles (11.6 kilometers).

 “When we first flew, we 
thought we would be incredibly 
lucky to eke out five flights,” said 
Teddy Tzanetos, Ingenuity team 
lead at JPL. “We have exceeded 
our expected cumulative flight 
time since our technology 
demonstration wrapped by 
1,250% and expected distance 
flown by 2,214%.”

 Surpassing expectations 
like this comes at a cost, 
however. With some helicopter 
components showing signs of 
wear and the terrain becoming 
more challenging, the Ingenuity 
team recognizes that every great 
mission must eventually come 
to an end. “We have come so 
far, and we want to go farther,” 
said Tzanetos. “But we have 
known since the very beginning 
our time at Mars was limited, 
and every operational day is a 
blessing. Whether Ingenuity’s 
mission ends tomorrow, next 
week, or months from now is 
something no one can predict 
at present. What I can predict is 
that when it does, we’ll have one 
heck of a party.”


The history-making 
rotorcraft has recently 
been negotiating some of 
the most hazardous terrain 
it’s encountered on the Red 
Planet.

Plant Propagation Station

Tuesday, April 18 at 3 PM, Schow Patio

 Get ready for Earth Day by exploring plant propagation, 
or the process of growing a new plant from parts of other 
plants! Teens in grades 6-12 will get to take home a brand-
new potted plant. All materials will be provided. Registration 
is not required.

Spring Tree Walk

Wednesday, April 19 at 9:30 AM, Lacy Park

 Enjoy a morning learning about trees in Lacy Park with San 
Marino’s Urban Forester, Lora Hall. The Walk will highlight 
some of the more unique trees in the collection, including 
rare native species as well as exotic specimens from all over 
the world. Registration is required.

Mad Science: What Do You Know About H2O?

Saturday, April 22 at 2 PM, Barth Community Room

 It’s Earth Day at the Library! Mad Science will be here to 
dive into water conservation and the three states of matter. 
Participants ages 3 and up will help the Mad Science 
instructor demonstrate surface tension, and how water is 
actually sticky! Registration is not required.

Donate Life Month and National Library Week

 Wednesday the City Council issued a proclamation in 
recognition of Donate Life Month. Darlene Pacillas, a former 
city employee, received the proclamation in honor of her 
mother, Erma Saldate, who was a donor and former employee 
of San Marino. Observed in April of each year, Donate Life 
Month helps raise awareness about donation and to encourage 
individuals to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors. For 
more information, check out: donateLIFEcalifornia.org.

 A proclamation was also issued in recognition of National 
Library Week, which celebrates our nation’s libraries, library 
workers’ contributions, and promotes library use and 
support. National Library Week takes place this year from 
April 23,-29, 2023. Thank you to all those who support 
and make Crowell Public Library a great place to be! More 
information about National Library Week can be found here.

Girl Scout Flag Retirement Ceremony

 Join the Girl Scouts for a beautiful ceremony to help properly 
dispose of used, worn and damaged American flags. It will 
take place on Thursday, April 27, from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM at 
Hill Harbison House. You may drop off worn American flags 
at Hill Harbison House before April 24th. Please place them 
inside the collection bin on the front porch. For questions, 
please email joycenoser@gmail.com.

DID YOU KNOW?

 Close friends are good for your health! Friends help celebrate 
good times, provide support during bad times, increase a 
sense of belonging and purpose, boost happiness, reduce 
stress – and they operate San Marino’s hidden gem used book 
store, the Book Shoppe!

 Come celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Friends of 
the Crowell Public Library on April 21 at the Library with 
dinner and entertainment. Through fundraising efforts and 
operating the Book Shoppe, the Friends provide financial 
support which enriches community programming and 
supports collection development. Tickets are available 
through April 18 at the Crowell Public Library or online.

Meetings

Special Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Monday, April 17 at 8:00 AM; Barth Room and Zoom (Public 
Access)

Public Safety Commission

Monday, April 17 at 6:00 PM; City Hall Council Chambers 
and Zoom (Public Access)

Special Recreation Commission Meeting

Tuesday, April 18 at 6:00 PM; Barth Room and Zoom (Public 
Access)

Design Review Committee

Wednesday, April 19 at 6:00 PM; Barth Room and Zoom 
(Public Access)

 Los Angeles County Supervisor 
Kathryn Barger applauded 
a new county-led effort that 
launched community input 
sessions to inform a forthcoming 
permanent outdoor dining 
program proposal for 
unincorporated communities 
including Altadena . 

 “Restaurants were hit hard by the 
pandemic and are still struggling 
to get their footing, so every 
table counts,” said Supervisor 
Kathryn Barger. “Designing 
a permanent solution can be 
a lifeline for many who can’t 
afford to lose the revenue that 
outdoor operations yield. I’m 
pleased that a dedicated team 
of county professionals from 
the Department of Economic 
Opportunity, Regional 
Planning, Public Works and 
Public Health are committed 
to listening to the community’s 
input as they design a permanent 
solution. I encourage the public 
to participate so our county’s 
permanent outdoor dining 
plan is balanced and reflects the 
perspective of those who live 
and work in our unincorporated 
areas.” 

 The COVID-19 Emergency 
Order and the Temporary 
Outdoor Dining Program 
expired on March 31, 2023. Los 
Angeles County is currently 
offering an interim process 
so restaurants can still offer 
outdoor dining. 

 There are three community 
input sessions taking place in 
the coming weeks. The first will 
take place on Thursday, April 
13 at 9 a.m. More information 
about the additional listening 
sessions and a registration link 
are available at: kathrynbarger.
lacounty.gov. 

 Brick-and-mortar restaurants 
can also provide their feedback 
by completing a survey that is 
now available online. A separate 
survey for residents and other 
types of retail businesses is also 
available. 

 Supervisor Barger previously 
authored two motions related 
to outdoor dining – one co-
authored with Supervisor Janice 
Hahn in 2020 that established 
a temporary outdoor dining 
program with fast tracked 
approvals for restaurants and a 
second motion in August 2022 
that extended all conditional use 
permits issued to restaurants in 
unincorporated communities 
for 18 months. 

Caltech Free Film Screening 
of ‘Small Island, Big Song’

 A free screening of this 
enchanting yet compelling film 
and performance, Small Island, 
Big Song, will be presented at:

Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium 
[Bldg. #91], located near the 
center of campus, in Pasadena

Tuesday, April 18, at 7:00pm

Parking is free in Caltech 
structures after 5:00pm

A Question & Answer session 
with director Tim Cole and 
producer Baobao Chen will 
follow the film.

 As part of Earth Week, Caltech’s 
Movies that Matter will screen 
the film, Small Island, Big Song, 
which addresses the South 
Pacific and Indian Ocean island 
nations that are under the most 
immediate, urgent threat of 
being submerged by sea water 
as oceans rise, caused in part by 
climate change.

 Movies That Matter is a 
series created by Caltech in 
response to the pandemic, when 
attendance at live performances 
was suspended by presenters 
across the country. The series 
focuses on documentary and 
dramatic films that address 
current scientific and civic 
issues, and always includes a 
Questions and Answer session 
where the audience can engage 
in conversation with the 
individuals involved in making 
the film and with the relevant 
Caltech experts. Beginning in 
2023, the series became a ‘live-
only’ presentation.

 For more information visit: 
smallislandbigsong.com

 To reserve tickets in advance, 
visit: caltechlive.wufoo.com.


Mayor’s 
Interfaith 
Prayer 
Breakfast

Thursday, May 4

7:30 – 9 a.m.

Pasadena Convention 
Center, 300 E. Green St.

 
Join Mayor Victor M. Gordo, 
Pasadena residents, local 
leaders, and members of the 
interfaith community for a 
morning of peace, prayer and 
reflection. This event is hosted 
by Friends In Deed.

 For additional details, 
including ticket information, 
visit: 

 FriendsInDeedPas.org/MIPB

Free E-waste 
and Paper 
Shredding

Tournament House Opens 
Doors for Free Public Tours

Saturday, May 27 

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Brookside Park, 360 N. 
Arroyo Blvd., Parking 
Lot I

 The Pasadena Tournament 
of Roses Association started 
opening its doors to the public 
for guided tours every Thursday, 
at no cost. Experience the 
rich history of Pasadena and 
Tournament House, as you are 
invited to take a peek at the 
Tournament House, uncover 
the stories and see this iconic 
landmark.

 On this intimate tour, discover 
hidden details, little-known 
facts and endearing trivia about 
the Pasadena Tournament 
of Roses® Association and 
Tournament House. You will 
learn about the history of the 
house and hear more about the 
traditions of the Rose Parade® 
and Rose Bowl Game®. Led 
by volunteer Members of the 
Heritage Committee, one-hour 
tours are offered every Thursday 
at 2 p.m. through August 31.

 Located in Pasadena, the house 
was once home to chewing 
gum mogul William Wrigley Jr. 
and his wife Ada. Upon Ada’s 
death in 1958, the Wrigley 
family presented the property 
to the city of Pasadena with the 
request that it become home 
for the Tournament of Roses. 
Since then, the house has served 
as headquarters for the Rose 
Parade and Rose Bowl Game.

 Surrounding Tournament 
House is the Wrigley Gardens, 
which spans four and a half acres 
and features more than 1,500 
varieties of roses, camellias 
and annuals. The building, the 
grounds and the gardens are 
beautifully maintained and are 
well worth the visit.

 Reservations are required 
for the complimentary tours. 
Reservation link and answers 
to frequently asked questions 
available at: tournamentofroses.
com/house-tours.

 Guests are asked to arrive 
ten minutes prior to the start 
time. For groups of 10 or 
more, please call 626-449-
4100 or email membership@
tournamentofroses.com.

 The Pasadena Tournament 
of Roses Association is a 
volunteer organization that 
hosts America’s New Year 
Celebration® with the Rose 
Parade® presented by Honda, 
the Rose Bowl Game® and a 
variety of accompanying events. 
The Association’s 935 volunteer 
Members will drive the success 
of 135th Rose Parade themed 
“Celebrating a World of Music,” 
on Monday, January 1, 2024, 
followed by the 110th Rose Bowl 
Game. For more information, 
visit: tournamentofroses.com.

 Pasadena residents 
are invited to bring old 
electronics and up to 
THREE legal size boxes 
of documents to this free 
e-waste recycling and paper 
shredding event. Proof of 
residency required.

Acceptable electronics 
include:

• Cable/TV equipment

• Cell phones and 
telephones

• Laptops

• Computer monitors

• Computer peripherals

• Copiers

• Printers

• Scanners

• Fax machines

• Radios

• TVs

• DVD players and VCRs

• Microwave ovens

• CFL bulbs and batteries

 The duration of this event 
is subject to truck capacity. 
If you have questions, 
please email recycle@
CityOfPasadena.net or call 
(626) 744-7311.

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