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Mountain View News Saturday, May 3, 2025

Pasadena to 
Host Older 
Americans 
Month 
Celebration

Letter to the Editor: 
Remembering Ann Erdman


By Akila Gibbs 
(Executive Director of 
the Pasadena Senior 
Center)

 

 We are deeply saddened 
to share the passing of 
Ann Erdman yesterday, 
surrounded by love. She 
was embraced by her 
daughter, Jessica, and 
Jessica’s wife, Trina, with 
Ella Fitzgerald’s Misty 
playing in the 

 background—an 
atmosphere of grace and 
warmth that reflected Ann 
herself. 

 Ann dedicated decades to public service, managing the Public 
Affairs Office for the City of Pasadena since 1991. With integrity and 
transparency, she shaped communication in Pasadena, serving as a 
trusted voice to the media, the mayor, city council, and countless 
residents. Dubbed the “Minister of Truthiness” by the *Pasadena 
Weekly*, Ann set the standard for honesty and clarity in her work. 

 After retiring in 2012, she continued to lend her talents to nonprofits, 
including the Pasadena Senior Center, where we were privileged to 
have her expertise, even if our resources never matched her worth. 
Regardless, she gave her all—telling stories with precision, grace, 
and unwavering commitment. She was a true professional, but 
beyond that, she was a joyful soul, a woman of faith, and someone 
who faced challenges with humor and determination. 

 Ann wasn’t just a master of public affairs; she embraced Pasadena’s 
culture with unparalleled enthusiasm. Having worked under former 
Palm Springs Mayor Sonny Bono, she brought her deep expertise to 
Pasadena, where she became an integral part of its traditions—both 
grand and unconventional. In 2012, she made local history as the 
first person to ride in both the Rose Parade and its wildly spirited 
counterpart, the Doo Dah Parade. But her Doo Dah involvement 
started long before that. Over the years, she took on roles ranging 
from Dorothy from *The Wizard of Oz* to Elvis, a baby in a giant 
high chair, a captain of industry, and even a motorcycle mama. No 
matter the costume or occasion, Ann never said no—because, as 
she put it, “if there’s one thing I think I have, it’s guts.” 

 And guts she had. Ann faced numerous illnesses over the years, yet 
through it all, she relied on her faith, humor, and the unwavering 
support of her family and friends to carry her forward. She fought 
to stay alive, and her resilience was a testament to her spirit. The 
family has not announced the cause of her passing, but what 
remains clear is her legacy—a life lived fully, courageously, and 
with deep dedication to the community she loved. 

 Her impact on our community, and on all of us who had the honor 
of working alongside her, will not be forgotten. Have memories 
of Ann to share with the family? Please do so on Facebook or 
Instagram by using a hashtag in your post: #ministeroftruthiness.

 
The City of Pasadena 
Parks, Recreation and 
Community Services 
(PRCS) Department, Senior 
Commission, and Pasadena 
Village will host the City’s 
fourth annual celebration of 
Older Americans Month on 
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 
from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Victory 
Park, 2575 Paloma St. The free 
event will highlight Pasadena’s 
array of resources for older 
adults and offer giveaways, 
food, presentations and much 
more! The event will begin 
with remarks from several 
public officials. Registration, 
more information, and a list of 
exhibitors are available here.

 “The Older Americans 
Month event at Victory Park 
fosters intergenerational 
connections, awareness, 
and education through 
meaningful celebration,” said 
Koko Panossian, Director of 
the PRCS Department. “In its 
fourth year, we are confident 
that this will be the biggest 
celebration yet.”

 Older Americans Month 
is celebrated nationwide in 
May. The 2025 theme is Flip 
the Script on Aging, which 
focuses on transforming 
how society perceives, talks 
about, and approaches aging. 
It encourages individuals and 
communities to challenge 
stereotypes and dispel 
misconceptions.

 “We’re so proud to showcase 
all that Pasadena has to offer 
older adults at this event,” 
said Katie Brandon, Senior 
Commissioner and Executive 
Director of Pasadena Village. 
“From the programming at 
the Pasadena Senior Center, 
the facilities at Huntington 
Hospital, the community 
building at Pasadena 
Village, our many parks and 
recreational facilities, and 
our vibrant arts and culture 
community, opportunities and 
support for older Pasadenans 
abound. We’re excited to 
welcome our neighbors of all 
ages to come learn more about 
these incredible resources.”

 This event is made possible 
with in-kind support from 
Pasadena Village, Home 
Instead-Pasadena, UCLA 
Health, Villa Gardens, and 
other generous sponsors.

 For more information visit 
CityOfPasadena.net/OAM or 
call (626) 744-7300.

Chalk Festival set for Father’s Day Weekend

 Event organizers announced 
that Pasadena’s beloved Chalk 
Festival returns to celebrates 
its 32nd year in the civic 
center on June 14 and 15. 
Over 500 artists from all over 
Los Angeles and Southern 
California will gather to create 
spectacular murals on over 2 
football fields of pavement.

 Referred to as A Museum 
Without Walls, the festival 
will be staged at, The Paseo, 
the front concourse of the 
Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 
and on Garfield Avenue, 
extending toward City Hall.

 Thousands of art lovers, 
family members and visitors 
will experience the creation 
of images in every style 
and artistic genre; these 
will include animation, 
renderings of masterpieces, 
fantasy, humorous and 
inspirational art, icons 
of popular culture, and 
3-dimensional illusionary art. 
All of these will be completed 
over the two-day weekend in 
brilliant technicolor.

 The Pasadena Chalk 
Festival benefits the arts 
and educational programs 
of Light Bringer Project, a 
Pasadena-based nonprofit 
that has produced this unique 
public art event since its 
inception. A silent auction 
of affordable art, created by 
festival participants, will 
benefit Light Bringer Project 
programs.

 On Saturday the Pasadena 
Police Department Classic 
Car Show will take place on 
Colorado Blvd., adjoining the 
festival, featuring hundreds of 
classic custom automobiles 
throughout the decades.

 Pasadena Chalk Festival 
will be open to the public 
from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 
on both weekend days. It 
will also feature a live deejay 
and other concessions, along 
with the retail entertainment 
opportunities, and an awards 
ceremony Sunday for artists 
that present the best of the of 
show. 

 For more information visit: 
pasadenachalkfestival.org.

Bricks & 
Minifigs 
Pasadena 
Celebrates 
One Year

Special Workshop for Seniors 
with Reverse Mortgages 
Impacted by the Eaton Fire

 
Los Angeles County officials 
announced Thursday that the 
county is hosting a special 
workshop Saturday May 10, 
in response to the needs of 
older adults affected by the 
recent Eaton Fire, to support 
residents aged 62 and older 
who hold reverse mortgages 
and are facing property 
damage or loss. 

 “The workshop will help 
participants take the first steps 
to better understand their 
existing reverse mortgage 
agreements and the financial 
and legal implications tied 
to disaster-related property 
damage,”they said.

 A group workshop will be led 
by Aimee Williams, Associate 
Vice President of Justice for 
Tenants, Homeowners, and 
Unhoused Individuals at 
Bet Tzedek Legal Services. 
Williams will provide 
critical guidance and answer 
questions related to reverse 
mortgages in the context 
of disaster recovery. There 
will also be representatives 
from various housing and 
legal services agencies–
including the Federal 
Housing Administration, U.S. 
Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, and 
pro bono legal private firms–
on hand to help with more 
individualized consultations.

 “Seniors navigating the 
aftermath of the Eaton 
Fire shouldn’t have to face 
uncertainty alone—especially 
when it comes to complex 
issues like reverse mortgages,” 
said Los Angeles County 
Board of Supervisors Chair 
Kathryn Barger. “That’s why 
I’ve brought together the Los 
Angeles County Department 
of Aging and Disabilities, 
the Los Angeles County 
Development Authority, and 
the Department of Consumer 
and Business Affairs to 
partner with local experts for 
this workshop. Our goal is to 
offer clarity, guidance, and 
trusted advice to help seniors 
make informed decisions 
during a challenging time.”

 Participants will gain 
insight into their rights, 
responsibilities, and next 
steps as they recover from the 
fire and assess the impact on 
their homes and finances she 
added.

 The event will take place 
from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 
p.m. at MonteCedro Senior 
Living Community, located 
at 2212 El Molino Avenue 
in Altadena. Spanish and 
Armenian translation 
services will be available to 
ensure broader access for 
attendees.


Asian American and Pacific 
Islander Heritage Month

 The City of Pasadena is 
celebrating Asian American 
and Pacific Islander 
(AAPI) Heritage Month by 
recognizing the contributions 
and influence of Asian 
Americans and Pacific 
Islanders to the history, 
culture and achievements of 
the United States with a series 
of virtual programs, events 
and activities for all ages. 
Sponsored by The Friends of 
the Pasadena Public Library. 

The first week of events 
include:

For all ages unless specified.

American Mah Jongg Club

Mondays (except May 26) • 
12:30 – 2:30 p.m. • Lamanda 
Park Branch Library, 140 S. 
Altadena Dr.

 Join us for an afternoon of 
this wildly popular game. All 
levels of players are welcome. 
Bring your Mah Jongg set 
and yearly game card or use 
the library’s. For ages 18+.

Traditional Chinese Music

Saturday, May 3 • 2 p.m. • La 
Pintoresca Branch Library, 
1355 N. Raymond Ave.

 Enjoy an afternoon of 
traditional Chinese music 
presented by the Chinese 
Music Association of 
Southern California.

Chinese and Korean 
Cultures and Crafts with 
Hera Yuan

Monday, May 5 • 4 p.m. • La 
Pintoresca Branch Library, 
1355 N. Raymond Ave.

 Girl Scout and Polytechnic 
High School student Hera 
Yuan will share facts about 
Chinese and Korean cultures 
and lead you in several fun 
art projects. You’ll make 
colorful toys and crafts, learn 
new words, and expand your 
world. To attend, call (626) 
744-7268. For families with 
children ages 0-12.

For more information visit: 
cityofpasadena.net.

 Bricks & Minifigs 
Pasadena is celebrating 
their one year anniversary 
this Star Wars weekend 
(May the 4th be With 
You) where store owners 
Betty and Rob Poquez 
announced they will be 
dropping lots of Star Wars 
and other rare and iconic 
Lego sets, along with an 
anniversary Minifig give-a-
way exclusive to Pasadena.

 There will also be a meet 
and greet with voice actor 
Sam Witwer who is the 
voice of Darth Maul, 
Emperor Palpatine, and 
other iconic Star Wars 
characters. Witwer will 
be at the store today from 
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. they 
said. 

 Bricks & Minifigs is a buy-
sell-trade aftermarket Lego 
store. The store is located 
at 350 S. Lake Ave #110 
Inside the Colonnade Mall. 

 Store Hours are Sat 10.a.m 
to 7p.m. and Sun 11a.m. to 
6p.m.

 For more information 
visit: facebook.com/
BAMPasadena.

Fair Oaks 
Full Street 
Closure

 Director of Pasadena Public 
Works, Greg De Vinck, 
announced that Fair Oaks 
Avenue is closed to all traffic 
from California Boulevard 
to Bellefontaine Street this 
morning and will be closed 
through Monday at 1:00 
a.m. for the construction of a 
tower crane. The crane will 
be located at 786 S. Fair Oaks 
Avenue with detour routes 
for the full street closure to 
include Raymond Avenue, 
Glenarm Street, Bellefontaine 
Street, Pasadena Avenue, and 
California Boulevard.

 Through traffic will not 
be permitted during the 
specified period. All affected 
properties, including a nearby 
active construction site at 
590 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, 
Burger King, and Huntington 
Hospital, have been notified of 
the closures by the contractor, 
Layton Construction. 


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