Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, October 7, 2023

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Mountain View News Saturday, October 7, 2023 


GRAND OPENING FOR THE 
JOHN KENNEDY CITY POOL

 
City of Pasadena officials announced 
Friday they are set for the grand opening 
of its newly constructed Honorable John 
J. Kennedy pool named after the late City 
Councilmember. The festivities will take 
place on Saturday, October 14, at 9:30 
a.m. at 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. and will be 
open to the community. Councilmember 
Kennedy strongly advocated for public 
safety, parks, affordable housing, and 
local hiring. The new pool is a state-
of-the-art aquatic facility that is set to 
become a centerpiece of community 
recreation and enjoyment. This exciting 
addition promises to offer residents and 
visitors an oasis of water-based fun and 
fitness, fostering a vibrant and healthy 
lifestyle for all.

 This project provides for a new, 
pool with walk-in access, a new pool 
deck; renovation of the existing pool 
building including accessible showers; 
restroom facilities; new lighting; and 
resurfacing of the parking lot. With the 
completion of the $5.9M renovation and 
expansion of the pool facilities, the Parks, 
Recreation, and Community Services 
Department will offer year-round 
aquatics programming beginning in 
September 2023. Programming includes 
vital swim lessons for all ages (toddlers 
through adults), water aerobics, parent 
and me classes, as well as recreational 
and lap swimming. The operating hours 
are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 
a.m. to 7 p.m.

 The public is invited to attend the ribbon-
cutting ceremony, watch live swim 
demonstrations, listen to remarks by 
dignitaries, and enjoy light refreshments. 
“We are excited to open the doors of the 
Honorable John J. Kennedy Pool and 
provide a space where individuals and 
families can come together to enjoy the 
benefits of water-based recreation and 
fitness,” said Acting Director of Parks, 
Recreation and Community Services, 
Lola Osborne. “This facility embodies 
our commitment to promoting wellness 
and a sense of community, and we can’t 
wait to see the joy it brings to the people 
of Pasadena.”

 For more information, call Gabriel 
Araujo at (626) 744-7330.

PAY LIKE A KING EAT LIKE 
ROYALTY

When I first stepped foot in Pasadena in the early 
1970’s there were just a handful of restaurants, and 
fewer steakhouses. If memory serves, there was the 
Western, Steer and Stein, Monty’s, and of course Sizzler 
on Arroyo Parkway (yes, some considered that a 
steakhouse). Fast forward to 2021 and my, how times 
have changed! I sometimes think that Pasadena is the 
new Mecca for the beloved Cow!! There’s not enough 
space in this article to name all the steakhouses, but 
some are better than others. I often wonder, as I 
am sure you do, is the meat coming from the same 
source, what is the best 2%, and if it’s so special how 
come it’s everyone’s claim to fame? Grass Fed? Corn 
fed? Bone in? Boneless? For me, the way to go is dry 
aged. One of the best steaks I ever made at home was 
from a supermarket 50% off section.

So, what is the best steak house in Pasadena? Well, 
it might not be a “traditional” steakhouse that serves 
clam chowder or gives you a bread basket! Alexander’s 
Steakhouse makes its home at the old McCormick 
and Schmicks location on North Los Robles – it 
has the same floor plan (picture a 60’s James Bond 
Movie Geisha set with a Nuevo Art deco feel). Getting 
to the meat of the matter, a steak can run as much 
three digits, but before you think I’ve lost my 
touch with the everyday working class, I’ve said 
time and time again if you enjoy a meal it’s worth 
it. Alexander’s is a special occasion restaurant, 
but I am not just talking anniversaries or birthdays; 
I am talking about life. You deserve to give 
it a try.

The menu is divided into six sections starting 
with “For the table” (appetizers) and ending 
with Steaks - quite straightforward, I would say. 
I posted a few pictures on Facebook and a few 
comments there suggested Japanese Fusion. I’ve 
never been to Japan, but if that helps describe the 
menu let’s use that term. Daughter Lauren and 
I loved the restaurant from start to finish. We 
started off with Hamachi Shots and dry aged 
tataki (explaining the ingredients and the menu 
descriptions would just be confusing, so just enjoy 
the ride like we did). Like any great restaurant the 
menu is seasonal (my suggestion is to accept the bread 
service and put it on some bread, it’s quite good). I 
think the hit of the night was the little gem salad with 
romaine, let’s call it a close cousin of the Caesar with 
some kick to it. I am coming back just for this salad; it 
was that good. For you seafood lovers there are a few 
items again seasonal. However, we are land lovers 
and that what makes Alexander’s stand high above 
the crowd. I have seen Wagyu steaks on menus at 
LA restaurants that are US-raised, but at Alexander’s 
they have the real deal. All Wagyu is imported from 
Japan except for the Imperial Wagyu; Japanese Wagyu 
is graded A5 - ask your server for the definition. 
Whether it’s chicken, pork, or steak I think the bone 
gives you the most tenderness, and the 18 oz. T-bone 
steak is a winner. Grilled in their open kitchen, it was 
so good I see-sawed about whether to finish it or take 
it home. My decision came easily since we also tried a 
variety of pre-main-course suggestions. The sides are 
traditional in name only; we had the blue lake green 
beans. The restaurant has a full bar with extensive 
wine list, and is only open for dinner. If you are a 
foodie, steak lover, or just want a special night out, I 
gave it two thumbs up. 

Alexander’s offers valet or underground parking. 

111 N. Los Robles Ave. Pasadena (626) 486-1111

Join me every AM 830 KLAA on Sunday at 5 PM, 
reach me at diningwithdills@gmail.com

 

ALL THINGS By Jeff Brown

KEEP SOME IDEAS CLOSE TO 
YOUR HEART!

When you see something beautiful in 
someone tell them.It may take a second 
to say but for them it could last a lifetime. 
You never know when you might 
make someone's day, or even change 
their life” - unknown

"The purpose of our lives is to be happy." 
— Dalai Lama

"You only live once, but if you do it right, 
once is enough." — Mae West

"I am made of blue sky and golden light 
and I shall be that way forever" – Blue 
Sky

“There are only two ways to live your 
life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. 
The other is as though everything is 
a miracle.”― Albert Einstein

"The ideal that marriage aims at is that 
of spiritual union through the physical. 
The human love that it incarnates is 
intended to serve as a stepping stone to 
divine or universal love."

Mahatma Gandhi 

“Do your little bit of good where you are; 
it’s those little bits of good put together 
that overwhelm the world.” 

- Desmond Tutu

“The fact that an opinion has been widely 
held is no evidence that it is not utterly 
absurd.”- Bertrand Russell

"All of a sudden he knew that when one 
woman gives herself to you, you possess 
all women. Women of every age 
and race and kind, and more than that, 
the moon, the stars, all miracles and 
legends are yours. Brown-skinned girls 
who inflame your senses with their play, 
cool yellow-haired women who entice 
and escape you, gentle ones who serve 
you, slender ones who torment you, the 
mothers who bore and suckled you; all 
women whom God created out of the 
teeming fullness of the earth, are yours 
in the love of one woman" - 

Charles Laughton in 1936 Rembrandt 
film

May the long time sun

Shine upon you

All love surround you

And the pure light

Within you

Guide your way on - Song by Snatam 
Kaur


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