2009_03_26_Sierra Madre Weekly

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WHAT’S IN A NAME? INDYMAC IS NOW ONEWEST BANK

Ten things from the City Council meeting that stood out for me:

•By Terry Miller• and •John Stephens•

in the air from area fires, Marathon organizers were going to run this second try no matter what happened.

The day started off with a sea of cyclists splashing their way through the course in Pasadena, some at speeds above and beyond the call of duty. There was one unique cyclist who literally was above all others as his bicycle was a custom frame welded upon another bike frame …how he ever mounted the cycle for the race is

Some banking customers who lost a great deal of money during the failure of IndyMac Bank last year have a new name to lambaste as late Thursday the sale of the thrift was finalized under the new name OneWest Bank.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said late Thursday it had completed the sale of IndyMac Federal Bank, one of the largest casualties of the housing disaster and rash of bank closures last year. Local officials including Adam Schiff have called for an investigation into the Office of Thrift Supervision for failed oversight of the bank. Despite or perhaps in addition to the culpability of Washington regulators, many in the banking and financial services industry have long seen IndyMac’s heavy investment in an inf lated and unpredictable Southern California real estate market as unwise and unwieldy.

The new brand OneWest was formed by an investor group and is to be managed by Terry Laughlin, former Chairman and CEO of Merrill Lynch Bank and Trust is a division of Merrill Lynch, Inc., a brokerage bought by Bank of America at the first of the year after BofA had received some $45 billion in TARP bailout dollars.

In a story reminiscent of that currently involving black hole insurance monster AIG, though with considerably less media bombast, a judge Wednesday ordered the release of materials related to bonuses paid by bailed-out BofA to Merrill executives just before the January takeover.

BofA had been sparring with New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo as they sought to keep the documents private.

The OneWest group agreed last December to purchase the failed California lender for $13.9 billion after the FDIC had to take over the bank and issue partial refunds of depositors’

Marathon on 5

Indy on 9

1) I lost a $20 bet. I said Joe Mosca would vote against smoking restrictions.

Turns out he was among the most eager to pass them.

2) A six foot, 4-inch guy weighing about 230 pounds and wearing military fat ig ues a nd A r my boot s revealed that his feelings have been hurt by people making coughing sounds at him when he smokes

Smoking on 12

SIERRA MADRE SURPLUS

Now it Turns Out That Might Not Have Been The Case Despite years of dire warnings about the parlous state of our fiscal affairs, it turns out that the truth is actually something quite different. Through 2007 Sierra Madre’s finances are $1,036,000 to the good. In other words, we had a nice little surplus that year. How is it that I know about this unexpected news?

From the City of Sierra Madre Agenda Report: “Management has concurred that information presented in the basic financial statement is a true reflection of the City records as of June 30, 2007.

The fund balances represent the records at the close of this period. In looking at page 7 of the report, the General Fund has an increase in fund balance of $1,036,795 (less $200,000 for interest allocation). The total General Fund reserves as of

Surplus on 12

News, Arts, Opinions and Community Events Since 1996

$0.00

THURSDAY, MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009 VOLUME 14, NO. 13

SMOKING ORDINANCE PASSES UNANIMOUSLY

Sierra Madre Voted For The UUT Tax Hike Because We Were Supposedly Going Broke

THURSDAY EDITION

Beatles Pillow Fight @Harry Benson 1964 . This photo by Harry Benson was shot in a hotel room in Paris circa 1964

Renowned Scottish Photojournalist Harry Benson Visits Pasadena Benson Came to America with the Beatles in 1964 ĆBy Terry MillerĆ I wanted to meet Harry Benson for many years. My

father used to speak of Harry when they were both covering some of the most appalling news stories of the day in the mid to late 1960’s. Harry Ben-

son is a photojournalist and my late father was a writer, a Foreign Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph of London.

I was familiar with Har-

ry’s photography from many years ago when I first started in the newspaper business as a young photographer. And

Benson on 3

PASADENA’S INAUGURAL MARATHON ORGANIZERS HAVE SEEN FIRE AND RAIN 9000 Plus entered the First Ever Pasadena Marathon

-Photo By Terry Miller

Despite a rather maddening male Marathon announcer who said it might

be a good time for a wet-tshirt contest, Sunday morning’s Inaugural Marathon

in Pasadena went off like clockwork in the face of the heavy downpour. Just in case you were outside in it, and hadn’t noticed the wet stuff coming down like cats and dogs, that same grating announcer also advised us that “…They’re Running in the Rain, They are running in the Rain…….” He repeated this FOX-like news flash on the minute every minute as the main event began.

On the heels of a race that was doomed last year due to the excessive smoke

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009 2

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All in the Family

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EDITORIAL

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Remember when I wrote that I just seemed to be wa nder ing through life unintentionally creating subject matter for Dorot hy’s Place?

EDITOR John Stephens PHOTOGRAPHER Terry Miller CONTRIBUTORS Susan Motander Juanita Harris Sandy Gillis Tom Gammill Deborah Ann Neely Justin Rykowski Sue Behrens Candyce Columbus Meg Galli Greg Aragon Eric Maundry Emilo Santoyo Jeff Couriveau COLUMNISTS Dorothy Denne Floretta Lauber Lou Perlin Wally Hage PRODUCTION

production@beaconmedianews.com

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I’ve discovered it must run in the family.

I received a letter from an 87 year-old cousin.

She is recovering from an accident.

She was run down by a motorized wheel chair.

This very socially active cousin was standing talking with a friend at a club luncheon. In the same room was an agitated lady trying to manipulate her motorized wheelchair into position at one of the luncheon tables.

In her frustration, the agitated lady pushed her reverse button too hard, careened across the floor and flattened my cousin.

She says, “My bruises have cleared but the nasty gash on my leg is still very obvious and my dignity may never return.”

However, the return of her dignity was helped along by two events. She has been named the big winner in all three of her Canasta groups, and she just got her driver’s license renewed. At 87, that ain’t bad!

I have another cousin, a male, who is a member of the All American Amateur Baseball Association’s Hall of Fame. He is very proud of that fact. I think he should be but I think he should be just as proud of the fact that recently, when I flew back to Ohio for a high school reunion, he decided, at 89, to drive up alone from his home near Miami, Florida. He said, “It was no trouble. I just got on the highway, put ‘er in cruise control and relaxed ‘til I got to Zanesville.”

His trip went so well that, on his return from Ohio to Florida, he took a side trip through Pennsylvania to attend the AAABA convention.

This time he did hit a truck that got in his way. His only comment, “That’s why I would never drive a little car.” At 89, that ain’t bad either.

I hope it does run in the family!

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009

Benson from 1 though the Fleet Street days are long gone, they are most certainly not forgotten, thanks to the timeless work of people like Harry Benson.

The soft spoken, whitehaired Benson spoke Sunday as part of the Professional Photographers’ of California fourday conference at the Pasadena Civic Center.

Benson uses Canon camera equipment now and was sponsored by Canon USA for this particular trip to Pasadena.

Canon Mark IID and Mark IIID digital cameras are Benson’s choice of weapons these days, but for some of the more historic images, long before digital was even a blink in anyone’s eye, a Rolliflex camera was one of Harry’s favorites.

Benson was no stranger to the big story. He was in Los Angeles at the Ambassador Hotel the night Bobby Kennedy was assassinated. Harry was there, on the plane when the Beatles arrived in New York in 1964.

Indeed, it seemed he covered everything in the 1960’s, and his images have graced hundreds of magazine covers with iconic moments such as the time the Beatles were having a pillow fight in a Paris Hotel moments after they discovered they had a number 1 hit in the USA. Benson said this was his favorite photograph.

That iconic image, a moment frozen in our collective memories, was featured among other rare images of the Beatles in a book published on the lads from Liverpool available through his website, harrybenson.com Benson told a crowd Sunday of the time he wanted to photograph the Beatles with Mohamed Ali ( Ali was then know to the world as Cassias Clay), but John Lennon wanted to meet Sonny Liston instead.

Benson said he arranged to take them to see Ali a ny way after hearing t hat Liston wasn’t a big fan of t he Fab Four. The images Benson made that day, again, are etched in my memory forever - even more so now that I have heard, from the man himself, the story behind those images.

There is another classic image of silver screen legend Greta Garbo that Harry shot while he was aboard a yacht on assignment. When asked how he got that particular shot, Harry said “I’m on this yacht, and there she was… just floating by.”

After the slide show of extraordinary iconic images spanning 5 decades, Benson opened up for some questions.

One of the first questions from the audience was what advice might he give to a young photographer starting out. He quipped “sell your camera and

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buy a guitar.” After the laughter died down a bit, Benson proceeded to discuss some of the more serious details of the work and how he approached heads of state and celebrities alike with grace, professionalism and kindness - all without getting too close. Benson was as at ease with Richard Nixon as he was with Paul McCa r t ney and John Lennon.

It became quickly apparent to me that his demeanor was also part of his success as a photojournalist. A truly kind and gentle nature comes across well in times of trouble and a sense of calm and charm helps garner trust in those you wish to photograph as well as the gatekeepers who try and protect them from the dreaded press.

I had the opportunity to ask Benson what he thought about newspapers and how the new media touts the demise of the printed page. He said he loved newspapers and thinks that they’ll never go away completely, as some have predicted.

He did note however, that the larger dailies are obviously having difficulties with some even folding under the weight of rising expenses and declining ad revenue. But he also noted the irony of such troubles often helping smaller markets like local weekly newspapers.

(Ahem..) The big papers just don’t cover any local news any more, according to Benson. So perhaps I needn’t dust off the old guitar just yet.

A recent book Harry Benson: Fifty Years in Pictures (Abrams) is a fantastic chronicle of our turbulent times that Harry was there to see and chronicle. He has covered every president since Eisenhower, the first U.S. casualty in Bosnia, firefights in Kosovo, and September 11. Photographer Bill Eppridge remembers, in a passage from John Loengard’s “What They Saw”, a history of the exploits of LIFE magazine’s staff photographers: “I [was in the press pool] at J.F.K. [airport, and] introduced myself to the photographer next to me. He was Eddie Adams from the Associated Press.

I said, ‘If you had your choice,

what position would you like to have?’ We both agreed we would want to be right behind the Beatles as they came out of the plane, looking down, across them, over this whole huge mob. “ T h e pla ne pulls up to t he ra mp,” Ep pridge continues, “and the door opens. A Pan Am stewardess comes off, and out come the four Beatles. Then this character comes out right behind them, and he -Photo By Terry Miller starts posing them. Eddie and I looked at each other and said, ‘Who is that?’ We had no idea. It was Harry Benson’s

first trip to the United States.

It’s been going on like that for years. Every time you’d know what the best spot is, who shows up in that spot? Harry Benson.”

Working for LIFE and Vanity Fair, as well as countless other magazines and newspapers, Benson has photographed cultural luminaries (Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Bill Clinton), scoundrels (CIA double-agent Aldrich Ames, terror-cleric Omar Abdul Rahman) and embattled patriots (TWA hostage Peter Hill, Irancontra pin-up Oliver North), not to mention Michael Jackson’s Neverland, drug dens in Brooklyn and the Milwaukee Brewers’ dressing room. And Benson shows no signs of slowing down.

As he moved seamlessly from question to question in Pasadena on Sunday, Harry

Benson on 5

Now...Go Metro with TAP Metro is replacing all of its paper passes with TAP, the eco-friendly fare card you can use again and again.

TAP recently replaced Metro’s disposable paper Day Pass. Please remember that Senior, College/Vocational and Students need to submit an application for a TAP card to continue receiving their discounts. Learn more at metro.net.

$950 Million In Stimulus Funds Sought For LA County Metro moved swiftly to secure up to $950 million of stimulus funding to preserve and create jobs for LA County under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 recently signed by the president. The Metro Board called for a 135-day deadline for submitting all highway and transit projects which began March 3.

Trains Return To East LA, 46 Years Later The last time a streetcar ran on 1st Street in East LA was on March 31, 1963. Well, they’re back now and residents are being urged to use caution as the trains test along the route of the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension in preparation for the grand opening in mid 2009.

Connect To Gold Line On Line 177 Metro Local Line 177 o=ers convenient connections between Pasadena’s Metro Gold Line Sierra Madre Villa Station and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada Flintridge, with service to Pasadena City College and Cal Tech. Check out the route and timetable at metro.net.

Metro Vanpool Network Hits Milestone Why commute alone when you could join one of the more than 800 vanpools that are now part of the growing Metro Vanpool family? Get up to $400 a month toward the lease of a van plus the time and money savings that vanpoolers already enjoy. Visit metro.net/vanpool for more information.

Balance today’s uncertainties with guarantees.

If you’d like to know more, please call us at 1.800.464.2111, or visit metro.net.

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Guarantees apply to certain insurance and annuity products (not securities, variable or investment advisory products) and are subject to product terms, exclusions and limitations and the insurer’s claims-paying ability and financial strength. © 2008 Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York, NY 10166. ©UFS L09086150[exp1209][All States][DC]

Send us your thoughts: Letters@BeaconMediaNews.com

SGV-LE-09-010 ©2009 LACMTA

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009

ART OF LIVING

Art of Living

FREEDOM CONCERT HONORS THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY

EARTH HOUR When The Lights Go Off Again •By Fran Syverson•

“Oh, golly, we’re seven minutes late! Quick, turn off the lights!” And so we began running around the house, shutting off lights.

It was Earth Hour! And here we were—late!

One day last March, I’d read about Earth Hour, just a small notice in the newspaper. On a whim, I decided my husband and I should join in this symbolic gesture for saving the Earth from global warming. Now that the moment was here (or indeed had already been here for seven minutes) we felt singularly unprepared.

It was easy enough to hit “off” on the light switches. But if we were going to be serious about it, should we be shutting off appliances with their little red winking lights?

The coffee maker, for example…or the microwave…or our computers? We decided that was carrying the symbology too far, and settled for simply becoming an unlit house.

Then what? We sort of felt our way along to the davenport, sat down, and let our eyes become accustomed to looking at—blackness! The fireplace was a few feet away, but totally invisible. We were side by side, but could tell it only by our voices.

If we had been prepared…if we had thought this thing through…we’d have scrounged up our emergency flashlights to have at hand, lest we trip over furniture.

And we’d have put a couple of candles on our coffee table. And some matches. And some wine. Then we at least could have created a romantic ambience while we did our part to save the Earth.

It was eerie, sitting there together with nothing to do. An unaccustomed quiet softly surrounded us like a fog resting on our shoulders. As we settled slowly into the davenport—and also into this hiatus in our harried lives—we became more comfortable with the dark and the quiet. We pondered why people all over the world were so touched with the idea of joining together that they, like us, would do this simple act to further the cause of fighting global warming.

That morning I’d been startled when I sat down to my computer and went to Google. Its homepage was a solid black background. Google as one of the sponsors worldwide of Earth Hour had gone dark from the stroke of midnight until Earth Hour ended at 9 o’clock that evening. What a definitive gesture! I later learned that their tagline was “We’ve turned out the lights. Now it’s your turn—Earth Hour.”

And turn them out they/we did, all around the globe. In 2007, its first year, the main focus was in Australia and New Zealand. Word spread, and last year more than 400 cities and 50 million people became involved. Just think—we were two of those people! Lights went out in such iconic U.S. landmarks as the Empire State Building, Sears Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, and Seattle’s Space Needle. Elsewhere, Stockholm’s Royal Castle, Rome’s Colosseum, Sydney’s Opera House, London’s City Hall, and Bangkok’s Wat Arun Buddhist Temple went dark for the appointed hour. As did our little home!

Where did Earth Hour come from, and what does it accomplish? World Wildlife Fund created it to raise awareness of the need to take action on climate change by asking households and businesses to turn off non-essential electricity for one hour on the last Saturday of March. One goal this year is to influence international agreements on climate change that will be negotiated in Copenhagen in December.

Does it help? Is our Earth less threatened by climate changes because we turn off our lights for an hour a year? Some statistics show decreases in consumption of electricity. Claims are made that the effort equals thousands of cars taken off the road. But these statistics are neither conclusive nor uncontested.

Perhaps awareness is the main thing Earth Hour accomplishes. It makes us think: of what we use, what we take for granted, and how we—the individual and collective “we”—can reduce our usage of coal-generated electrical power.

Earth Hour on 9

S. Robert & Denise Zeilstra will present the Freedom Concert at the new Pasadena Convention Center, in collaboration with Pasadena-based redwhite+bluezz, LA’s premier Jazz Club, and Pasadena Entertainment.

The Zeilstra’s are sponsoring this concert as an opportunity to thank the men and women of the armed services, as well as those who serve in our police and fire forces for their commitment and dedication in protecting our country and local communities.

The invite-only concert will feature some of the world’s most renowned musical artists across all genres and will be the inaugural event in the new Grand Ballroom

at the recently renovated Pasadena Convention Center. The concert will be free for any veteran or active service person and guests will be treated to a light dinner served with a variety of wine and champagne.

A s t he of f icia l lau nch of t he redwhite+bluezz CD The Experience, the first half of the concert will feature redwhite+bluezz artists showcasing their songs from the album. The second half of the program brings to the stage an all-star line-up of some of today’s most talented artists of all musical genres, with musical accompaniment from the redwhite+bluezz orchestra.

Performers and celebrities will include Sheila E, Montell Jordan, Molly Ringwald, and the USC Marching Band!

The redwhite+bluezz orchestra will feature Byron Miller on electric bass, Ryan Cross on stand-up bass, Brandon Coleman on piano, Kenneth Crouch on keyboards, Darrell Crooks on guitar and Greg Porée on lead guitar, Munjungo Jackson on percussion and Gerry Brown on drums.

Additional redwhite+bluezz artists performing this evening include: Robert Kyle on saxophone, Jacques Lesure on Guitar and Bryan Pezzone on piano.

“We are honored to put on this concert for the men and women who protect and serve our country,” says Robert and Denise Zeilstra. “The sole purpose of this concert is to thank them.”

Dates: Saturday, April 4th, 2009 Daytime Hours: Doors open at 7pm; Concert begins at 8pm.

Venue: Pasadena Convention Center Address: 300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101

Angling for Control in the Sea of Social Networks: The Future of Venturing in the Community Internet

L L

ike remoras around whales such as MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn, hundreds of thousands of smaller social networks flourish or struggle, based on diverse affinities of politics, hobbies, tastes, professions, and, of course, shared dislikes!

“Socnet” proliferation

amplifies issues that increasingly worry users—“What access do friends of friends have? Is my content still mine?

What about advertisers?”

Along the way they become weary of repeated data entry, leery of ever-proliferating and incomprehensible “Terms of Service,” and angry when a site overreaches.

Mea nwh i le, sma l ler socnet sites want to exploit the behemoths’ reach while hoping for standards, the big guys seek to define the standard, and most all want maximal use if not control of user data.

Combining these concerns with blogs, Twitter,

social shopping, and wikis yields today’s rich but uncertain techno-brew. Against this background of interaction and tension, today’s keynote, entrepreneurs and panelists will explore where we are going, including issues such as whether OpenSocial, data portability and other initiatives will succeed, how individual socnet sites survive and flourish, and the nature of infrastructural and other opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Saturday morning, April 18, 2009. Registration and Continental Breakfast: 8:00

Social Sea on 6

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009 5

ART OF LIVING

beaconmedianews.com

Marathon from 1

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Cover Story -Photos By Terry Miller

beyond imagination.

Motorists around Pasadena were getting a little irate at Allen and Orange Grove as police from La Verne and other cities stopped traffic to allow participants to cross without delay. Some started blowing their horns while they waited for officers to allow the south and northbound traffic to pass.

Meanwhile back at the beginning of the race, there was a house fire on Del Mar a block away from the start line. This time another outof-town police officer, this time from Burbank, rushed into the burning home to save the elderly resident.

Two cats died in the early morning fire and one was resuscitated by a paramedic at the scene.

Rogers of South Pasadena, and third place went to Blue Benadum of Malibu.

For full race results see: http://www.pasadenamarathon.org

The race went on otherwise without a hitch and even though the climate was less than conducive, the majority of the participants seemed happy with the overall event.

The rains and cool temperature didn’t deter Jacques Sallberg of Pasadena, coming in first as overall winner 2:25:49 Number 2 was Joss

Benson from 3 Benson continued showing some of his favorite images, and with each image he offered a comment: “I liked Nixon, he liked photographers,” or “He was a nice guy, “referring to Ronald Reagan.

“I wanted Hillary to win”, he said when an image of the Clintons appeared, the couple about to kiss as Bill was lying on a hammock.” I wanted her to win ‘cause this photo would have been worth a lot of money,” he joked.

This humble and modest photojournalist was also a friend and colleague of my late father who was known as just “Harry” back on Fleet Street (his real name was Henry Miller). Benson and my father were on many assignments together in the Americas in the mid sixties through the 80’s and shared a drink from time to time after the deadline was met. One can only imagine the great stories these two veterans could tell.

Asked when he plans on retiring, he said “I’m lucky enough to do what I want now.

I’m now doing what some people hope to do when they retire. Why should I stop doing what I love?”

When asked what his next assignment was. Benson sheepishly said in soft Glaswegian accent “It’s a secret, I can’t tell you!” “I can, however, tell you that it’s something about art theft.”

I got a good glimpse of Benson’s work ethic Sunday, and that was truly invaluable.

I wish I could tell my Dad that I finally met his old friend Harry Benson. Perhaps I already have.

Wearin’ of the green.

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009 6

Skate Shoe and Outlet Sale!!!

Social Sea from 4

PAUL FRANK

Skate Shoes: $40.00-$42.50 a pair.

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FOR THE BEST SELECTION OF PANTS, TEES, JACKETS, SWEATS, HATS, BAGS AND FIRST QUALITY SAMPLES. ALSO, OVERSTOCKED AND PAST SEASON GOODS.

Saturday, March 28th (Rain or Shine)

10am-2pm

a.m. Baxter Lecture Hall.

Program: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Baxter Lecture Hall.

Networking: 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Baxter

Arcadia High School Orchestra

The Baxter Lecture Hall is on the campus of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

Cost: $40 on-line regis-

tration fee. $50 at-the-door. $10 for students with fulltime student ID (must show at door); free to Caltech students.

Letters&Comments Dear Editor:

626-357-2335 MON.-FRI. 8-6PM SAT. 8-2

535 West Huntington g Drive in Monrovia

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In your recent front page story about the Ficus trees in Sierra Madre and Pasadena, I think you really missed the big picture, or maybe you have a short memory. How easy it is to forget the day-after-day, week-after-week of the county sanitation district trucks being parked on Sierra Madre Blvd. and Baldwin Ave. trying to keep the main-line sewer drains open.

More than once, stores on the south side of Sierra Made Blvd. had to close to be sanitized as a result of mainline back-ups. The sanitation

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engineers reported that the Ficus’ roots had an uncanny ability to penetrate the sewer lines and completely block them.It seemed at one time the trucks were almost a permanent fixture. It amazed me that the district did not propose a special emergency tax on our city to recover the costs of the extra needed service. I think if we had not removed the trees that would not have been long in coming..

Look around, several cities have taken the same approach to minimize sidewalk and sewer damage.

George A. Maurer Former Sierra Madre Mayor

and which has, because of the delay, deteriorated to a point where it will be much more expensive to repave than it would have. I am sure that everyone in town can point to comparable examples in streets and less visible things.

Before anyone makes any decisions to, in effect, “give away� any such funds, we should perform the work that should have been done years ago before matters get even worse.

Eric Olson Sierra Madre

Dear Editor, Re:The“Extra�

1,000,000 To: Mayor and City Council of Sierra Madre Cc: City Manager, Finance Director I am not entirely clear whether the recent audit as reported means we have an “extra� $1,000,000 or not.

If we do, however, I want to remind everyone where it came from, which is to say “savings� from not performing over-deferred maintenance of our infrastructure. One example is my street which was scheduled to be repaved years ago

I can’t tell you how pleased I was to see your Weekly on the newsstands in Sierra Madre with Sir Eric Maundry’s columns.

At least half a dozen friends called and told me they picked up the paper!

Some people don’t have computers to go online and while they have heard of Sir Eric’s columns, they don’t really get much chance to read them. Now they can!

Thanks so much, I will patronize your advertisers and spread the word!

Best regards, Diane Shear Sierra Madre

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7

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009

Music News •By SierraMadreSue Behrens• Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. Blues, R&B, Zydeco.

SAT. 3/28

- OLD CALIFORNIO @ THE BUCCANEER LOUNGE IN SIERRA MADRE, 9pm. 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. No cover, full bar, cheap drinks. I can’t wait to see this show! I’ve been listening to their soon-to-bereleased CD, “Westering Again” for the past several days (thank you Kim!) and loving it.

Great original songs with true California heart and soul, “that combine the very best in folk and rock and country.”

SAT. 3/28

Shakespeare Style!

- WRECK ‘N’ SOW @ THE PIKE IN LONG BEACH, 9pm - 1am. 1836 E. 4th St. 562-4374453. Fun Bluegrass stuff w/great harmonies & snazzy overalls! The Dupuy brothers, etc. http://www. wrecknsow.com/index.htm

SUN. 3/29

That’s my 12-year old nephew MAX BEHRENS, who will be starring in the title role of MACBETH at ST. RITA’S SCHOOL this weekend. Seeing as how I never read any Shakespeare, I will be there to fi nd out if Maxbeth succeeds in taking the throne from the king or not. I did catch a bit of their dress rehearsal last Friday, and if Lady Macbeth has anything to say about it, they will be royalty one way or another! Two performances of class and culture (or should I say murder and mayhem?) for a mere $3, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. See complete details below...

FRI. 3/27 - “SWING DANCE

PARTY” with FLAT TOP TOM @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8pm.

322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414.

Full bar and great Italian food. www.fl attoptom.com

FRI. 3/27

- The MELLOW D’z (DAVE OSTI AND DEANNA COGAN) @ THE MAYAN BAR (inside the Aztec Hotel) in MONROVIA, 6 - 9pm Happy Hour. 311 W. Foothill Blvd. 626-358-3231. NO COVER. Full bar, food, coldest beer in town!

Acoustic Guitar, vocals. “Hot Chick, Cool Dude & Music to suit your mood!” http://www.myspace. com/themellowdeees

- BARRY “BIG B” BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm.

1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443 . All ages. BLUES Brunch under a big breezy tent. http://www.bigbbrenner.com/

SUN. 3/29

- THE MERCY POWELL QUARTET @ SANTA ANITA RACE TRACK FOR THEIR 2nd ANNUAL “UNCORKED” EVENT, 12 - 4:30pm. A grand culinary festival featuring fine wines, cuisine sampling from popular local restaurants, the Paddock Art Show and a full day of races. Tickets are $60 and include parking, clubhouse admission, official race program, wine tasting, cuisine sampling, art exhibit, souvenir wine glass and an excellent seat for live racing. Tickets can be purchased from: Arcadia Rotary 626-447-0236 or Wine of the Month Club 626-303-1690 or Santa Anita on-site ticket office. Call 626-574-RACE or 800-574-6401.

Visit www.santaanita.com for more information. Mercy, Josh, Marc & Peter Burke doin’ some standards & jazzy stuff for your dining & listening pleasure!

SUN. 3/29

FRI. 3/27

- GRANT PARK SOFTBALL - ALL ARE WELCOME! NOT A LEAGUE - JUST FOR FUN & THE LOVE OF THE GAME! CORNER OF CORDOVA & MICHIGAN IN PASADENA, 3 BLOCKS WEST OF PCC. BATTING PRACTICE 12:30, GAME TIME ASAP. BRING YOUR GLOVE, BAT, CHAIR, ICE CHEST, GUITAR, UKULELE, ETC.

- RICK SHEA @ THE FULLERTON MUSEUM, 7pm. 301 N. Pomona Ave. 714-738-6545. “Fullerton Unplugged Spring Concert Series” acoustic show. $12 general admission/$10 members. Beer & wine available for purchase.

Americana/Country. http://rickshea.com/

- I think there’s a Gospel thing goin’ on @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE. Call to confi rm: 626-836-5414. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Full bar and great Italian food. No cover, all ages. (Mercy is at the races today! see above.)

FRI. 3/27

- HELLO FROM RENO @ THE BUCCANEER LOUNGE IN SIERRA MADRE, 9pm. 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. Full bar, no cover, pool table. Power Pop originals, and no - they’re not from Reno! Mario & Larry from Cafe 322’s band FATSO JETSON goes on late - 11:30ish. http://www.myspace.com/therealhellofromreno

SAT. 3/28

- BARRY “BIG B” BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm.

1009 El Centro. 626 - 441-2443 . A ll ages.

Saturday BLUES Brunch under a big breezy tent. The Mission St. Gold Line station is just a short walk away, and makes for a nice outing. http://www.bigbbrenner.com/

SAT. 3/28

- 7pm AND SUN. 3/29 - 2pm - ST. RITA’S DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS “MACBETH”, starring my 12-year old nephew MAX BEHRENS in the title role! 322 N. Baldwin Ave. - in O’Malley Hall, downstairs from the Church. $3 admission, or FREE if you’re wearing a kilt (no kidding!) Bob Matheson is a likely candidate for that!

SAT. 3/28

- THE SUPERSTITIONS @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8:30 - 11:30pm. 322 W. Sierra

SUN. 3/29

SUN. 3/29

- THE DRIVE @ CHRONIC CANTINA IN UPLAND, 3 - 6pm. 220 N. Central Ave. 909-9314410. Keith Neal on Guitar & vocals, Javany Martinez on Bass & vocals, Buggs Manocchi on Drums & vocals. Classic Rock Music. Starting a weekly gig.

SUN. 3/29

- “OPERA TO BROADWAY” VOCAL PERFORMANCES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 7pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-8365414. Full bar and great Italian food. Every Sunday evening. Get there early - they pack ‘em in!

3/31

- “TAPAS TUESDAY” @ MARY’S MARKET & CANYON CAFE IN SIERRA MADRE CANYON with SHIVAL REDWINE, 6 - 7pm (Reggae) and STEVE VARGAS on acoustic folk/rock guitar & vocals, 7 - 9pm. 561 Woodland Ave. 626-3554534. Cozy venue, YUMMY FOOD!

FRI. 4/3

- The MELLOW D’z (DAVE OSTI AND DEANNA COGAN) @ THE MAYAN BAR (inside the Aztec Hotel) in MONROVIA, 6 - 9pm Happy Hour. 311 W. Foothill Blvd. 626-358-3231. NO COVER. Full bar, food, coldest beer in town!

Acoustic Guitar, vocals. “Hot Chick, Cool Dude &

Music News on 9

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009 8

L a Petite France Bakery and Cafe 411 E. Huntington Drive # 101D Arcadia, CA 91006 Tel: (626) 445-0392 Fax: (626) 445-0235 pastrybakery.com

Plan ahead for Easter! At La Petite France Bakery, we offer the traditional Hot Cross Buns, Chocolate Easter Eggs, Easter Cookies and more! For special orders, contact Chef Daniel and he will suggest great Easter treats for your family and friends to enjoy!

Traditional Thai Cuisine

3500 E. Colorado

Cheesy Corn Cups | Serves: Plenty

(Between Madre & Rosemead)

(626) 568-9288

American Fare

RecipeBox Reflections

By Deborah Ann Neely

Distinctive Food at Moderate Prices

Pad Thai

AtoZDining

Appetizers

I received d a new bag b from a friend who works at the Merchandise Mart in Atlanta and I love the saying on the front of the bag.

“Why limit happy to an hour?” I just smile every time I look at the bag and I packed this bag full of ingredients for a fun happy evening at the lake with a group of friends. We all went to the same college

and started getting together again when our kids arrived at our alma mater. This group of friends grew from a bunch of fraternity brothers and then included wives and then included our children as we attended Parent Weekends and reconnected with our own old friends. Old is not a good word to use but it is fairly accurate.

As we gathered at the lake this weekend, our arthritis may be flaring up but our minds felt like we were twenty one again. Conversations were divided into two groups as the “girls” hung around the kitchen table and the “boys” watched the many basketball games of the night. There was lots

of laughter and of course there was lots of eating!!

Finally I had to get pen and paper to gather the new recipes for appetizers as we stuffed our faces. We were venturing from our usual glass of merlot and trying new martini recipes.

The laughter increased and our diets were all but forgotten!!

We passed around recipes as the martinis were stirred and I want to share one of my favorites that I admit I have taken to the last four or five occasions.

These cheesy cups are a hit with all ages and even the guys hovered around the platter until the last bite.

Source: Rachel Ray magazine

Cups n r o C y s e e h C , softened e s e e h c m a e r 1 (8 ounce) c cheese with k c a J y e r e t n d Mo 1 cup shredde jalapenos corn w o ll e y t e e w s ó cup frozen 1 egg lapenos 1 jar sliced ja Scoops s o t i t s o T g a b 1 6070 N. Irwindale Ave., Suites A-D · Irwindale, CA 626.969.6100

“Where Great Food is a Work of Art!” TM

Place Your Ad Here!

Call Andrea @ 626.301.1010 or aolivas@beaconmedianews.com FOR AMAZING RATES!

California Cuisine Picasso’s Café, Bakery & Catering Co. Try our upscale fast casual gourmet Restaurant and Bakery, conduct business in Picasso’s Private Dining Rooms, or explore other fresh food choices with our Corporate Catering division. Celebrating 20 Years of Business, and Awarded San Gabriel Valley’s Small Business of the Year 2008, we are focused on providing quality food products and events, consistent service, and competitive prices.

Experience our ever-growing selection of menus, services, presentation styles, and creativity; at Picasso’s, Great Food is a true “work of art!” Catering Available 24/7 at www.picassoscafe.com or (626) 969-6100. 6070 N. Irwindale Ave., Suite A-D Irwindale, CA

Coffee, Sweets & Such La Petite France Bakery Not just cakes and desserts but a plethora of choices even not on the menu! Just ask for Chef Daniel and he will immediately come up with catering ideas from breakfast, lunch to a sumptuous cavalcade of home-cooked Mediterranean cuisine.

411 E. Huntington Dr. Arcadia, (626) 445-0392.

Patticakes: The dessert Company Located in Altadena and featuring such heavenly and huge dessert delights as: Truffle dark chocolate flourless cake with dark chocolate truffle cream. finished with chocolate curls. Or if that’s not quite your cup of tea, try their old fashion :four layers of Devil’s Food chocolate cake with a white chocolate mousse center. Glazed with dark chocolate ganache. 1900 North Allen, Altadena (626) 794-1128

Greek

www.picassoscafe.com M - F 7:00 AM - 2:30 PM Catering Available 24/7

Cameron’s Seafood With porthole shaped mirrors and wallmounted fish (sorry, no singing ones) giving this place the classic feel of a seaside fish camp, you’re sure to forget your an hour from the coast. Dine in or take home cuts from the seafood market. 1978 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 793-FISH Shrimp House Casual, comfortable, simple, and family operated for over 48 years. If you’re tired of the typical chain dining experience, give the little guy a try! Daily hand-breaded, huge Jumbo Shrimp, will haunt your taste buds for the rest of your days. Soon you will join generations of Shrimp House fanatics. It’s seafood you will crave. Shrimp, fish filets, steaks, chicken, salads, and food to go. 4488 E. Live Oak Ave, Arcadia (626) 445-6369, (626) 448-8742, www. originalshrimphouse.net

Mix together your cheeses and the egg until well blended. Now add the cup of frozen corn.

Blend well. Cover your largest cookie sheet with aluminum foil and begin placing your Scoops on the pan. Choose Scoops that are not broken and place a jalapeno slice in the bottom of each. Take a teaspoon and drop a serving of your cheese mixture on top of each

Scoop with jalapeno pepper.

Now cook these treasures in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 23 minutes.

You will have people lined up at the oven waiting for the next batch to come out. I always make twice the recipe because the mixture can be stored for a week in your refrigerator. If you have a few sissies in your crowd then you can leave out the jalapeno pepper and the corn cup is still delicious! I like to

have a plate of each kind if I do not know my crowd well. Oh! These delights go well with martinis and wine and beer for your next party.

It is great to get together with “old” friends and I recommend it as a powerful antidote for a long week of watching our retirement funds or what is left of them anyway. Good friends and food always raise your spirits.

Share your recipes with us send them to recipebox@beaconmedianews.com

Corfu Restaurant Family owned Greek and International homestyle cuisine set in a casually comfortable décor. Dishes range from waffles to rack of lamb with everything prepared from scratch. 48 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, (626) 355-5993

Italian

Restaurant Lozano A menu peppered with Italian and Mexican dishes like a crispy goat cheese quesadilla with baby spinach accentuate Lozano’s elegant creativity. 44 N. Baldwin Ave., Sierra Madre, (626) 355-5945

Thai

Pad Thai You can’t go wrong with the namesake dish at this colorful place with pink booths, bright blue table cloths and red napkins.

The garlic pepper mushroom entrée is a favorite among vegetarians. 3500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 568-9288 President Thai Spacious, elegantly attired where hospitality reigns and classic cuisine rules. Wide range of selections from apps to entrees and unique specials. 498 S. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 578-9814

9

Crossword

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009

Music News from 7

Earth Hour from 4

Music to suit your mood!” http://www.myspace. com/themellowdeees

This year when I Google Earth Hour, I find that more than 1800 cities in 80 countries to date are actively supporting Earth Hour. Even more fun, I find loads of nuggets on their web site of what to do to celebrate Earth Hour… gaze up at the stars in a much darker sky…fondue your dinner (no electricity needed)…organize a party for your school or club…play charades by candlelight…or just settle down on your davenport and quietly chat and cuddle!

There is, however, an ironic twist to all this. How well I recall a popular sentimental song from World War II, born of blackouts in many cities. Exuding hope for peace, it went, “When the lights go on again all over the world….”

Well, the lights went on, but now, because there are so many of us and we all use so much light, and because we’ve learned that everything we do creates an effect, often unintended, millions of us are joining hearts and hands to take part in Earth Hour.

So, come the last Saturday night in March at 8:30, we’ll be in on the effort, prepared this time with our flashlight, candles, matches and wine, to join others “…when the lights go off again all over the world…” for just one hour.

Will you?

FRI. 4/3

- the SUNDOWNERS & JETSTREAM @ THE BUCCANEER LOUNGE IN SIERRA MADRE, 9pm. 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045.

Full bar, no cover, pool table. Both bands from Altadena. Rock, Blues, Psychedelic Jams. Cool hippie stuff!

SAT. 4/4

- BARRY “BIG B” BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm.

1009 El Centro. 626 - 441-2443 . A ll ages.

Saturday BLUES Brunch under a big breezy tent. The Mission St. Gold Line station is just a short walk away, and makes for a nice outing. http://www.bigbbrenner.com/

SAT. 4/4

- Open Mic Night @ the FRETHOUSE in Covina. 309 N. Citrus Ave. (626) 339-7020. Always on the fi rst Saturday of the month, and just one dollar for performers or audience. Signup starts at 7:30. If there aren’t enough slots for everybody they’ll make a list for the next month, and call you. Each act gets two songs or ten minutes, whichever comes fi rst. The show starts at 8:00. They’ll have desserts and coffee ready. Bring your friends and family and join the show! www.covina.com/frethouse/

SAT. 4/4

- LISA FINNIE & FRIENDS @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. No cover, all ages. Country/Western/ Jazz torch singer and guitar player.

Indy... OneWest Bank from 1 Indy

SAT. 4/4

- MERCY & THE MERKETTES @ THE BUCC A N EER LOU NGE IN SIER R A M A DR E , 9:30pm. 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Full bar, no cover, pool table, free parking. 21 & over. Packed house. R&B, Funk, Disco, Motown, Rock.

SAT. 4/4

- MARTINI DIARIES featuring JEFF STETSON & friends @ COLOMBO’S ITALIAN STEAK HOUSE IN EAGLE ROCK, 10pm - 1am. 1833 Colorado Blvd. 323-254-9138. Full kitchen & bar. Jeff sez: fi rst set will be Jazz & then evolve into “Acid-Lounge-Jazz-Rock!” 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month.

SUN. 4/5

- BARRY “BIG B” BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm.

1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443 . All ages. BLUES Brunch under a big breezy tent. http://www.bigbbrenner.com/

SUN. 4/5

- Have Lunch with NEW ASTROTURF @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 1:30 - 4:30pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food in a comfy setting.

Bring the family! Acoustic Folk/Rock, Classic Country.

SUN. 4/5

- THE DRIVE @ CHRONIC CANTINA IN UPLAND, 3 - 6pm. 220 N. Central Ave. 909-9314410. Keith Neal on Guitar & vocals, Javany Martinez on Bass & vocals, Buggs Manocchi on Drums & vocals. Classic Rock Music. Starting a weekly gig.

SUN. 4/5

- OLD CALIFORNIO, I SEE HAWKS IN L.A., and WHISPERING PINES @ THE GRAND OLE ECHO IN ECHO PA R K , 5pm. 1822 Sunset Blvd., L.A. First show of the season.

Free admission, all ages. BBQ on the patio.

Americana, Alt-Country. OLD CALIFORNIO’s CD release party.

SUN. 4/5

- “OPERA TO BROADWAY” VOCAL PERFORMANCES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 7pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-8365414. Full bar and great Italian food. Every Sunday evening. Get there early - they pack ‘em in!

Please remember to call and verify all info. before making plans. Everything is subject to change. This is show biz, after all...

Hope to see you out & about, SierraMadreSue sierramadresue@yahoo.com

accounts up to what was then a $100,000 limit. Just weeks later in October of last year the FDIC announced an increase in its insurance limit on depositor accounts to $250,000, a move befuddling to many local Indymac depositors who have called for retroactive enforcement of the new limit or, in many cases, complete refurbishment of their former balances. The group, IndyMacDepositors.com, blames failed government oversight as well as lack of full disclosure about insurance limits

by Indymac workers when issuing new accounts to depositors.

OneWest will assume all deposits of IndyMac’s 33 branches, which will reopen as branches of OneWest on Friday, with deposits continuing to be insured by the FDIC. Following the Wednesday announcement of the sale’s finalization, an FDIC statement announced that it would issue no more capital repayments to Indymac depositors.

Until then, it had been issuing payments of up to 50 cents on the dollar for every one above the insurance limit.

As of Jan. 31, IndyMac had total assets of $23.5 billion and total deposits of $6.4 billion, about half the company’s total at the time of its failure. OneWest has agreed to purchase all deposits and about $20.7 billion in assets at a discount of $4.7 billion.

Cover Story

T

H

Across

E

W

E

1 5 9

4 8

4 3 7 9

9 3 4 6 8

Fill the 9 X 9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3 X3 regions contain the digits from 1 to 9 only once each. Solutions run the following week.

8 Last Week’s Solution

5 6 4 1 7 9 2

9

9. French military cap 10. Close.fitting dress 11. Clydesdale, e.g.

12. “Rule Britannia” composer 13. Overtime cause 21. Witty remark 22. Nocturnal tropical lizard 26. Dug in 27. Whiplash 28. Title bestowed upon the wife of a raja 29. Singer DiFranco 30. Dissolve 31. ___ sow, so shall...

32. Hawaiian outdoor feast 33. A party to 34. Hardening of body tissue 35. Revenuers, for short 38. Showed over 39. Samuel’s teacher 40. Coffee dispenser 45. Distant 46. Like Abner 47. Prayer 49. Traditional portion of Muslim law 50. Musical study piece 51. Covered on the inside 52. Surgery souvenirs 53. Juniors, perhaps 54. Home to most people 55. Untidy condition 56. Enticement 57. Garage event 58. Bring civil action against;

Down

Or, “the numbers must occur only once”

8

L Y

Last Week’s Solution 1. Freedom from war 2. Caper 3. First prime minister of India 4. Camaro model 5. Decorative pillar 6. Stigma 7. I could ___ horse!

8. Northern arm of the Black Sea

Sudoku

6 1

K

48. Actor Stephen 49. McCartney title 50. Golfer Ernie 53. Tending to sleep walk 58. Nothing special 59. Actor Penn 60. Sweatbox 61. Single entity 62. The doctor ___ 63. More mature 64. “___ quam videri” (North Carolina’s motto) 65. Hammett hound 66. Food and water

1. Overwhelming fear 6. Bill 10. Move off hastily 14. Diciembre follower 15. Tear down 16. Mata ___ 17. Playwright Fugard 18. Riding 19. Sea eagle 20. Sail completely around 23. Euro forerunner 24. Vespa rider, perhaps 25. Biblical verb ending 26. Hill dweller 27. Chronic eye infection 32. Catalog 35. Express gratitude 36. Legal matter 37. Informally 41. Part of many e.mail addresses 42. Nicholas Gage book 43. Network of nerves 44. Infallible 46. Actor Chaney

4

E

2

3 8 1 4 2 7 6 5 9

9 2 4 6 5 3 8 7 1

6 7 5 1 8 9 2 4 3

5 3 2 7 6 8 9 1 4

7 9 6 5 1 4 3 2 8

4 1 8 3 9 2 5 6 7

1 6 7 9 3 5 4 8 2

2 5 3 8 4 1 7 9 6

8 4 9 2 7 6 1 3 5

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009 10

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE A confident self-starter who can work in a fast-paced deadline oriented environment.

Provide solutions for their advertising and marketing needs.

Products offered are Newspaper advertising and Internet advertising.

Join our team and be part of our next exciting phase of expansion.

Independent PASADENA

Sierra

Call us at 626.301.1010 Send Resumes to resume@beaconmedianews.com

Madre

Tribune TEMPLE CITY

Flying, Bowling and More at Universal CityWalk Hollywood

DR. JOSEPH ABE, D.D.S. Complimentary Comprehensive Exam ($165) Value

Free Limited time offer. First time patients.

Patients Speak “Dr. Joe Abe has been my family dentist for over 20 years. He and his cheerful staff make every visit a pleasant experience. I began taking my kindergarten classes to his office on field trips several years ago at Dr. Abe’s invitation. The children get to operate the office equipment: chair buttons, water sprays, suction tubes (snakes), and even the drills (on fake teeth!). It’s always a wonderful adventure for the children and accompanying parents.

They go home with their arms full of goodies (non-edible!) and smiles on their faces. Even those who’ve previously had unpleasant dental experiences have been able to relax and have fun at Dr. Abe’s office!”

“When people ask us why we drive so far to have our dental work done, we say the long drive down, and the cost of gas is nothing when you have such confidence in your doctor.

“We also appreciate the wonderful atmosphere throughout the office as shown by your efficient staff.

“Thank you again.”

— Miriam & Walther Smith, Yucaipa

Pet of the Week

— Debbie Isenberg Lake Ave Church School

eak ts Sp

JOSEPH E. ABE, D D.D.S. DS 65 North Madison Avenue, Suite 506 Pasadena, California 91101 626-795-3301

i t for

For those who have dreamed of flying in a fishbowl or bowling with a ball in one hand a barbecued rib in the other, I think I’ve found what you are looking for. It is Universal CityWalk Hollywood, a 3-block-long pedestrian promenade full of restaurants, theatres, shops, street performers, virtual reality rides, arcade games, neon signs, dancing water fountains, a bowling alley, an indoor skydiving adventure and much more.

A friend and I recently spent the day at CityWalk, where we experienced the thrill of indoor skydiving at iFly Hollywood, bowled a few frames with dinner at Jillian’s, and strolled in and out of numerous fun stores.

Our getaway began Thursday afternoon when we arrived at iFly 40 minutes before our scheduled flight time to prepare for the adventure. The place was easy to find because it was surrounded by scores of curious spectators watching in amazement as average people of all ages were flying atop powerful jets of air inside a large wind tunnel.

The fishbowl-like tunnel is made of clear plexiglass so everybody can get a good look at the action and take pictures.

To get ready for the flight, we watched a short film and learned from our instructor about the different body positions and hand signals used inside the tunnel. We learned that the key to a good, level flight is watching your instructor, following his hand signals, and keeping your chin up, your arms out in front of you and your legs slightly bent.

After the orientation, we put on a jumpsuit, helmet, earplugs and goggles, and then made our

Taking a T Stand Against Dental Disease JOSEPH E. ABE, D.D.S.

way to the vertical wind tunnel.

Our group was made up of first- By Greg Aragon timers, ranging from little kids to older adults.

At the tunnel we took a seat and then one by one entered through an open door, where our instructor guided us in. When it was my turn, I folded my arms and fell forward at which point the multiple fan-powered wind instantly lifted me. With the instructor’s guiding hand steadying me, I got into flying position and experienced the unforgettable magic of body flight.

I “flew” twice, with each experience lasting about one minute, which is about how long the freefall lasts during actual skydiving. If you want the fun of skydiving without the terror of jumping from a plane, I recommend iFly. After our flights, we browsed around Citywalk for about an hour and then headed to Jillian’s, a two-story restaurant with a bar, arcade games, pool tables and bowling alley. We began our visit downstairs at the open-air bar, where we enjoyed cold beer while watching crowds of Citywalk visitors pass by. We then headed upstairs for bowling and dinner at Jullian’s hip, retro bowling alley. With beer, barbecued ribs, shrimp and steak by our side, we bowled on bright neon lanes topped by giant screen TV’s.

For more info on visiting Universal Citywalk or dining at Jillian’s, visit www. citywalkhollywood.com. For more info on iFly, visit www.iflyhollywood.com or call (818) 985-4359.

Baxter from last time is still available.

Selina, a beautiful, eight month old kitten is not only pretty but very loving. She is social and will purr and rub against your hand for attention. Selina will be spayed before going to a new home but she is available for adoption now!

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.

Please call 626-792-7151 and ask about A246822 or come to the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, 361 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena CA, 91105. Our adoption hours are 11-3 Sunday, 9-4 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 9-3 Saturday. Directions and photos of all pets updated hourly may be found at www.phsspca.org

11

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009

Reni Rose (626) 355-8400 110 Coburn, Sierra Madre N PR EW IC E

Home & Garden

Top 1% of Prudential Realtors Nationwide

Offered at $1,365,000.

A Perfect 10 -- Stunning is the only way to describe it - Built in 2004, this magnificent 3500+ sf home is one of a kind. There are 3 large master suites (one downstairs) including an impressive secluded master with sumptuous bath and tranquil view of the mountains/valley, plus the Jack & Jill bedrooms and 5 baths.

Other features include soaring ceilings, expansive windows, large family room, gourmet kitchen & breakfast area with window seating, wood flooring, plantation shutters & more. Call today for more details and for a private showing of the PERFECT 10!

838 Wick Lane, Glendora Offered at $1,295,000.

A SC RC HO AD OL IA S

Country living just 30 miles from Los Angeles! Build your dream home on this wonderfully private and secluded property which is zoned for horses and consists of about 8 acres with approximately 2.2 of them being on a gentle slope. There is a possible development opportunity to build 2 to 3 homes. Buyer to verify with the City of Glendora.

2075 Santa Anita Avenue Offered at $1,195,000.

Special Financing creates an awesome opportunity to own this prestigious home in North Sierra Madre and an added bonus of ARCADIA SCHOOLS. Even Julia Childs would love the remodeled kitchen and new appliances. With over 3,000 sf of luxury on a 15,000 sf lot you can enjoy the sounds of the backyard waterfall or simply relax in the spa. Your family and guests will arrive on the circular driveway and enter to enjoy the many amenities including 2 family rooms, wood flooring, plus 5 spacious bedrooms and 3 updated baths. Call for details on the special financing being offered.

The Ojai Foundation Council House is as Earth-conscious as it is lovely. Solar-heated water circulating beneath the “green” wood floor heat its main room, and a “living roof ” of tiny plants protect it from Ojai’s 100-degree summer days. The Council House will be kept cool by thoughtful design and partnership with nature, rather than mechanical air conditioning.

LI N E ST W IN G

1946 Alta Oaks, Arcadia

Thursday Garden Talks with Lili Singer at the Arboretum

Trees for Urban Gardens with Tim Lindsay - April 9 This illustrated lecture offers a variety of ornamental trees that thrive in our Mediterranean-climate. Enticing choices for large and small gardens will be included. Tim is superintendent of the Virginia Robinson Gardens in Beverly Hills.

Offered at 1,075,000.

Extraordinary in Detail – This house has a rich blend of history and craftsmanship. It was built in the 1890’s and its design reflects discriminating taste and art. The master suite is enhanced with a spectacular view from the balcony and steam sauna. You can entertain handsomely in the large country kitchen or around the saltwater pool and spa. Additional features include: family room, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2,621 sf home, 12,297 sf lot, tranquil mountain view and detached music room. If character, privacy and warmth are in your plans, this home is just right for you! Call to preview before it is too late.

www.australianplants.com

2025 Carolwood, Arcadia, Ca Offered at $1,048,000.

A Sense of Place and a Passion for Plants with Judy Horton - April 23 To make a garden is to make a unique place. Discover one celebrated designer’s process as she discusses gardens she has created, gardens she has admired and how plants she loves can be used to create spaces that speak to the local climate and landscape. Judy is a lifelong gardener who has been designing gardens in Southern California for over 15 years. Her work has been featured in numerous local and national publications.

Creating Eco-friendly Water Gardens with Steve Sandalis - May 7

Situated in Highland Oaks with awarding winning Arcadia Schools, this home offers: : 2,985 sq.ft. (which includes the 664 sq.ft. of basement) with a 22,440 sf lot., 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, family room, 2 fireplaces, 2-car attached garage & a 664 sf finished basement currently being used as a media room and 5th bedroom.

1912 S. 7th Place, Arcadia LI NE ST W IN G

Irises are among the world’s most beautiful, useful and beloved flowers. A diverse array of amazing irises, many in bloom, will be described and sold this morning.

John is the owner of Greenwood Daylily Gardens (www.greenwoodgarden.com), a world-renowned grower of daylilies, irises, geraniums and more. He also holds a degree in landscape architecture and has more than 25 years experience in landscape construction and management.

321 E. Grandview, Sierra Madre

Offered at $848,000.

Situated on a large 11,134 sf lot, this property is for those who love to entertain. Spacious living room w/vaulted ceiling and fireplace.

Large kitchen opens to Family Room. Kitchen has wood flooring, Sub-Zero refrigerator,water purifier, self-cleaning double ovens, built-in desk. Sliding doors from Family Room to deck w/large lattice covered patio and private rear yard. Master Suite w/his & hers closets. Home is 2,222 sf, 4 Bedrooms, 2 Updated Baths, 3-Car Garage w/storage & work bench.

1745 La Cresta, Pasadena

Field Trip: Australian Native Plants, Ventura, and Ojai FoundationÊs Council House Green Roof - April 16 - 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Offered at $848,000.

Owner remembers the architect as being a Frank Lloyd Wright understudy. This home offers wonderful tranquil views of the mountains and Brookside Golf Course. For those who love to golf, this property is conveniently located just one mile from the Brookside Country Club. The floor plan is open and spacious and offers pleasant views from almost every room of the home. There are modern touches, walls of windows, new carpeting and new interior paint. 2,238 sq. ft. home, 3 beds, 2.5 baths, 2250 sq.ft.lot

50 W. Dayton, Pasadena Offered at $798,000 or lease $3,200/mo.

Old Town Pasadena – truly urban living at its finest! This dramatic loft-style, single level condo located on the top floor is just steps from fine dining, shops, theaters and the Gold Line. The complex epitomizes today’s trend of a live/ work lifestyle – ideal for the sophisticated buyer looking for an ultra modern living environment complete with industrial design elements. Features: soaring 14-foot ceilings, fireplace, stainless steel accents, GE Monogram stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, separate laundry room, 1379 Sq. Ft., 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, 2 Balconies, 2 parking spaces.

180 Santa Anita Court, Sierra Madre LI NE ST W IN G

The first stop on this botanical adventure is Jo O’Connell’s Australian Native Plants, a gem of a nursery specializing in fabulous flora from Down Under. Carpooling is encouraged, but do save room for plant purchases! Next, we’ll visit the Ojai Foundation’s Council House to see its new green roof, and learn all about it from the designer Christopher Bysshe. Don’t miss this stimulating and fun spring session!

Offered at: $848,000

Close your eyes -- and picture your special home. This lovely updated home is really something special. Located in the much sought after Arcadia School District, this open and airy home features 3 fireplaces, a master suite with walk-in closet and luxurious new bath, Jack & Jill bedrooms, an oversized garage with tons of storage and a sparkling pool. Offers: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2,355 sf home, a 7,196 sf lot, updated with copper plumbing, electrical, a new roof and is ready for you to just move in! To see this special home call 626-355-8400.

324 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

N PR EW IC E

Irises for Southern California with John Schoustra - April 2

Offered at $1,150,000.

Offering Arcadia Schools, this home is located is the highly desirable “Highlands” community of North Arcadia. It has been lovingly maintained for the past 44 years and was updated in 1997. The rooms are spacious and light filled. The 12,781 sf lot offers a spacious back yard with sparkling pool, mountain view, lanai and patio. The home is 2,217 sf with a family room, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 fireplaces and CA & heat. This one won’t last!

Arboretum on 15

Offered at $608,000

This cottage has loads of curb appeal and is located just a short walk to the quaint village of Sierra Madre & Sierra Vista Park.

The inviting and open floor plan will inspire you to entertain or simply have a quiet evening at home. This 1165 sq. ft. home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The lot is 6,318 sq. ft. There is a 400 sq.ft. attic which will be great for storage. The yard has been professionally landscaped and has auto sprinklers.

Email: Renirose@aol.com • Website: Renirose.com

CITY NEWS

12 MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009

Surplus from 1 June 30, 2007 are $3,408,285 (less $200,000 for interest allocation ...)

So here’s the deal. While it is good that the City is not broke, there is a big problem that needs to be discussed. I’m going to break this one down slow and easy, because we are talking about a very serious situation, a breach in the public trust that is almost unprecedented. You remember that during our last election there was something called Measure U on the ballot, right? This measure, if passed (which it was, overwhelmingly, and in spite of my vociferous and often stated objections), would raise our User Utility Taxes (UUT) substantially. And why did taxes supposedly have to be raised? Because we were supposedly well on our way to fiscal collapse. And you heard this everywhere. So-called “responsible” officials trumpeted it, the Police Department’s union campaigned for it, our mailboxes were stuffed full of cloying junk mail proclaiming it, and hundreds of trusting people put yard signs out announcing their support for Measure U, the “common sense solution” to our fiscal problems.

Here’s a passage from Bill Coburn’s April 2008 editorial supporting the tax hike, typical of the thinking that carried this debate: “The City’s costs are going up, and its revenue is not. Somehow, more money has to be found to continue to fund City services. The POA has signed a memorandum of understanding that will increase their salary. The City has started paramedic services, the last City in L.A. County to provide this essential service for its residents ... But there’s no money to pay for that service after 2009, since it was funded for only two years when started ... And there’s no money to pay the POA salary increase. So the Ad Hoc Finance Committee, which reviewed the City’s budget and found that there was no way to fund these items without essentially eliminating all other City services such as Library and the Community and Personnel Services Dept., recommended this UUT increase ...”

Bill thought we were going broke because

that’s what he was being told. John Buchanan, pretty much the author of that official line, was interviewed by his fanzine, the Mountain Views “Observer,” in October of 2007. He had this erroneous information to share with the people of Sierra Madre: “What we also know is that at the end of two years current revenue streams will not cover the cost of existing general fund services. Revenue increases do not keep pace with the cost of delivering existing services.”

So how can it be that such esteemed local gents as these two could be so mistaken on this matter? How is it that Mayor Enid Joffe, along with former Mayor John Buchanan, individuals who should have had at least some understanding of City budgetary finances, could have been so completely wrong? So wrong that they actually helped engineer a tax hike based on City Hall provided junk information, information that led so many to believe that the city was sinking into financial ruin?

The answer lies in something that I wrote about on The Foothills Cities blog on several occasions in the run up to the April 2008 elections.

At the time that the Ad Hoc Finance Committee was deliberating about city finances, this town was in serious default on a very important Sacramento obligation. In the years 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, and 2006-07, the City of Sierra Madre, despite very specifically worded State of California laws, had not supplied the financial audits on its budgets to the State Comptroller’s Office. For each of the first three years Sierra Madre was fined $5,000 for this lapse, with $10,000 being the damage for the year 2006-07.

In other words, and I think this is safe to assume, Sierra Madre did not have its books in order, and anything that the trusting souls on the Ad Hoc Finance Committee were being fed by City Hall was based on guesswork, or worse. From the administration of Mayor Enid Joffe back to whatever was running the place in 2002, Sierra Madre’s finances were being handled at a hillbilly level of competence. Only 3 incorporated townships in the entire State of California had

defaulted on this obligation to the Comptroller’s Office in Sacramento four years in a row, with the other two having an average per capita income of under $30,000 per year.

And this is what Mayors John Buchanan and Enid Joffe based their call for a tax increase upon. Information proven by these now completed audits to have been utterly without merit.

MaryAnn MacGillivray, along with Don Watts and Kurt Zimmerman, made the need to clean up the auditing process a top priority when they assumed control of our City government last year. And the results of that hard work are now available for all to see. But these results are shocking. They tell the tale of a city once so blind to its true fiscal condition that its former leadership actually believed it had to coerce the voters of this town into approving a tax hike.

One that, as it now turns out, we never actually needed.

I wanted to speak with a city official before releasing this article, and Mayor Kurt Zimmerman was kind enough not only to share his thoughts, but to be frank about the city’s predicament. He admits that this is very discouraging because, as a community, we were voting on a UUT tax hike when the audits were not done.

Audits that should have been completed by previous city administrations, but who somehow chose to not honor this extremely important obligation to both the State of California and the taxpayers of this town.

You can only wonder what it is that these people found to be more important.

The encouraging news is that we are actually in good financial shape. And while the police pay increase and paramedic salary costs (among other things) are chewing up a significant part of these newly revealed surpluses, at least we are living within our means. With no tax hike needed.

I asked Mayor Zimmerman about the User Utility Tax and Measure U. What becomes of that? Kurt’s answer was clear and simple. “We need to consider getting rid of it.”

Kurt pointed something out to me that I want to share here. In a handout from a couple of years back entitled “Six Mayors Say ‘No!’ Do Not Sign The 2-30-13 Petition,” local comedian Glenn Lambdin had this to say. “Initiative 2-3013, no matter how its intent is disguised, will break the back and the bank of Sierra Madre’s struggling economy. We’re struggling to pay for our roads, other infrastructure projects, our new Paramedic Program, police library, Senior Center, and Youth Center, etc, etc, etc ...” Strange that the argument against Measure V sounded so very similar to the arguments favoring Measure U. With both being based on financial data now proven to be absolutely false.

Smoking from 1 downtown.

3) The printed survey detailing the opinions of Chamber of Commerce members was not received with quite the same level of veneration shown for medical studies on the effects of tobacco use.

4) The art director from the MountainViews “Observer” shouted something about “Comrades!” at the City Council members as she left the room. Proving yet again that cigarette smokers are running dog lackeys of insidious reactionary corporatism.

5) The apparently black clothes only dress code of the “Stop The Smoking Ban” people made them look a little bit like Siouxsie and the Banshees devotees on band fan fest day.

6) The people who talked at the podium about people being angry over the smoking issue were by far the angriest looking folks in the room.

7) So now it appears that Sierra Madre will not become the Tobacco Sin City for the San Gabriel Valley. Watch out, Monrovia.

They are many, they have limitless leisure, and you are their last hope!

8) Several of the younger gentlemen from the Congregational Church have hair styles that hearken back to the salad days of Bobby Sherman. Verily He anointeth them with Breck.

9) A lot of people stayed all the way to the vote on the smoking ordinance. Meaning, I guess, that nobody felt confident about how the vote would go. That it ended up a 5 to 0 tally was a surprise to a lot of people, including me.

10) The gentleman who made the remark, “You hear complaints about obese people being unhealthy, but you never hear about anybody getting cancer from second hand food,” is an argument for the City Council giving out medals for well delivered one-liners. Rewarding humor in those speaking from the podium would be a definite way to encourage people to take a lighter approach when preparing their remarks.

What a town. Good night, Gracie.

Sir Eric Maundry is the Editor of the Sierra Madre Tattler and a former contributor to the Foothill Cities Blog. His contributions to this newspaper are met with great thanks from its Editor, who only wishes he was as funny as the author.

Members of the Charcuterie staff join members of the Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in congratulating Chef Scott May (3rd from left) and Bill May (2nd from right) in celebrating Charcuterie’s first anniversary at Thursday’s Chamber mixer. The actual anniversary date is March 24th.

Photo by Matthew Krantz

The Gold Standard AGENT OF THE WEEK

AGENT OF THE WEEK

CENTURY 21 ADAMS & BARNES (626) 358-1858

CENTURY 21 EARLL, LTD. (626) 301-1888

AGENT OF THE WEEK

AGENT OF THE WEEK

Joe Garcia

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CENTURY 21 LUDECKE INC. (626) 445-0128

E US M HO 1-4 P N Y E OP RDA TU SA

E US HO -4 PM N 1 E OP DAY N SU

STUNNING TUSCAN ESTATE

$1,899,000

2002 BELLA VISTA AVENUE, ARCADIA.Stunning Tuscan masterpiece on estate sized lot. Cathedral ceilings, foyer w/ custom iron front door, grand master suite with retreat, formal dining room with coffered ceilings. Excellent Arcadia schools. (B2002)

CENTURY21ADAMS&BARNES•(626)358-1858

PASADENA

O SU PEN ND HO AY US 2-4 E PM

$1,099,000

1250 Canedo Place. This wonderful family home with 3bdrm 2bth is located in the San Rafael Hill Area. This home offers privacy & seclusion. Charming updated interior, warm, sunny, extra large windows and French doors, lush green views, remodeled gourmet kitchen, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, custom cabinetry, hardwood floors, formal dining room, patio w/BBQ, direct access garage and so much more. Must See!!! (C1250)

CENTURY 21 LUDECKE, INC. (626) 445-0123

CENTURY 21 VILLAGE, INC. (626) 355-1451

ED UC D RE

GREAT INVESTMENT

$829,000

5 units in a great location.1 bedroom, 1 bath.Total 2148 sq. ft. Lot size 7,971 sq. ft. (S609)

GORGEOUS CUSTOM HOME

$818,000

Located in Glendora and featuring 2 master bedrooms, one for her and one for him, walk in closets, top of the line construction, oversized double garage, concrete fire retardant roof, beautiful private backyard with huge patio for entertaining and RV parking. (M1664)

CENTURY21ADAMS&BARNES•(626)358-1858

CENTURY 21 VILLAGE, INC. (626) 355-1451

MOUNTAIN VIEWS

2 ON A LOT

SE OU N H . 1-5 E OP SUN

W NE TING S I L

UNDER A SPRAWLING OAK

$759,000

No. San Gabriel location. Spacious 3BR, 2BA with master suite, formal dining room, kitchen that opens into family room w/ fireplace. The home is built around a central patio with large oak tree. Ready to sell. (S601)

CENTURY21ADAMS&BARNES•(626)358-1858

UNSURPASSED QUALITY

$715,000

540 Trayer Ave. Beautiful 3bdrm 2bth home remodeled w/marble counters, dual sinks, ceramic floor, high quality appliances, solid maple cabinets, granite countertops, breakfast area, dining room w/ FP, living room w/double entry doors, separate laundry room, 3 car garage, Mountain Views, Turnkey home ready to move-in. (T540)

CENTURY 21 LUDECKE, INC. (626) 445-0123

$688,000

This beautiful 4bdrm 2bth home has mountain views, sparkling pool, 2 fountains, covered patio, topiary and sego palms located on a quiet cul-de-sac. Two master suites, large foyer, formal dining room, FP, kitchen w/modern appliances & eating area ceramic tile counters, 2 first floor bdrms and upstairs family room w/balcony. (File #A8815)

CENTURY 21 LUDECKE, INC. (626) 445-0123

$639,000

Fantastic Opportunity to own 2 homes on a lot, adjacent to Arcadia, on a 10,000 sq. ft. lot. Each home has a nice size yard and own parking. Please call agent for viewing. (WAL)

CENTURY 21 EARLL, LTD. 626-301-1888

E US HO 4 PM EN Y 1P O DA N SU

AFFORDABLE CONDO

$465,000

T h i s 3 b d r m 2 b t h To w n H o m e i s a n e n d u n i t c l o s e to restaurants and transportation. Very well maintained, hardwood floors in the entry & dining area, large master suite, south facing unit and low HOA fees. (M320)

PASADENA CONDO

$458,000

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL

$438,000

GREAT LOCATION

$419,000

Two bedrooms, one bath, living room with lots of windows, indoor laundry room, updated plumbing & electrical, newer roof, detached garage, close to park, Old Town, shopping and transportation. (O633)

This executive style condo shows like a model home.

Located in a beautiful, well maintained gated complex. Kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances. Nice patio for outdoor dining. (ORA)

966 SWISS TRAILS ROAD, DUARTE. Turn the key and movein to beautiful 4 BR, 3 BA townhouse. Cathedral ceilings, beautiful floors, updated kitchen with granite counters, spacious yard & all appliances included. Won’t last! (S966)

CENTURY 21 LUDECKE, INC. (626) 445-0123

CENTURY 21 EARLL, LTD. (626) 301-1888

CENTURY 21 ADAMS & BARNES •(626) 358-1858 CENTURY 21 VILLAGE INC. (626) 355-1451

HEART OF PASADENA

NICELY REMODELED

$378,000

2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, condominium in the heart of Pasadena.

Close proximity to Old Town Pasadena and the South Lake street, park your car and walk to all the restaurants, shopping and coffee shops. Open floor plan. Renovated complex with pool, spa, gum and recreation room. Low association. Great price. (M355)

CENTURY 21 VILLAGE, INC. (626) 355-1451

$348,800

This home is move-in ready. Property is NOT an REO or short sale. Features two large bedrooms, 2baths one with huge master bath, very large kitchen with breakfast nook, bar counter, and a eating area for the dining room table, perfect for entertaining, large service/laundry room that can be used as a third bedroom if converted and laundry put in garage. (E142)

CENTURY 21 LUDECKE, INC. (626) 445-0123

MOVE-IN CONDITION

$330,000

This beautiful home features 2 bedrooms and 1 remodeled bath. Newly installed bamboo hardwood flooring throughout, new paint inside and out, newer roof, FA/ CA and much more! Close to City of Hope. (BRO)

CENTURY 21 EARLL, LTD. (626) 301-1888

CORNER LOT HOME

$328,800

Spacious 5 bedrooms, 2 baths, remodeled living room, dining room, Kitchen. New wood flooring, new carpeting, scrapped ceilings.

Master bathroom is in the middle of updating, needs shower, sink and flooring, backyard with RV parking, patio and pool that needs resurfacing, double detached garage. (E1951)

CENTURY 21 VILLAGE, INC. (626) 355-1451

W NE TING LIS

GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD!

325,000

This 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath is in good condition and features large family room with fireplace, covered patio and 2 car attached garage.

Large yard located on a cul-de-sac with nice curb appeal. (MAS)

CENTURY 21 EARLL, LTD. 626-301-1888

UPPER HASTINGS!

$314,999

Great 2 bedroom unit in terrific neighborhood. Master Bedroom with large closet and 3/4 bath. Full bathroom in hallway. Living room with large windows, dining area and kitchen with lots of storage space. Two underground garage parking spaces with storage compartments. Near shopping and La Salle High School. (MIC)

CENTURY 21 EARLL, LTD.

(626) 301-1888

CENTURY 21 Adams&Barnes

CENTURY 21 EARLL, LTD.

GORGEOUS HOME

$224,900

Situated on a cul-de-sac with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, vaulted ceilings,fireplace, dining area, upstairs family room, technology room, master suite with sitting room, walk-in pantry, laundry room leading to 3 car garage, covered patio, beautifully landscaped.

(K6343)

BEAUTIFUL 2 BEDROOM

$140,000

Very clean 2 bedroom, 2 bath home in the Village Gates!

Tons of amenities for the price. Granite counter tops in bathrooms and kitchen with covered parking. (C1830)

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Home Prices are at a five year low!

Saturday, April 4th 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm Donations $15 ¶

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•FIND OUT HOW TO GET UP TO $85,000 FOR A DOWN PAYMENT AND CLOSING COSTS* • GET PERSONALIZED ADVICE FROM A LENDER, REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY, FINANCIAL PLANNER & HELEN LAM, YOUR LOCAL REAL ESTATE BROKER

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Proceeds go to: Fathers Storehouse Food Pantry Monrovia Health Starts Program JTRA Food Bank, New Orleans Kiva.Org

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HOME WITH A WARM HEART

$988,000

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TWO ON A LOT

$725,000

Located in Sierra Madre front home has 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, living room, dining room, laundry/utility room, central air & heat, bamboo and hardwood floors, dog run, yard and basement. Rear home has 1 bedroom,1 bath, tile floors, newer kitchen and detached laundry/storage room. Charming cottage style 1246 sq.ft. on 6615 sq.ft. lot. (G241)

CENTURY 21 VILLAGE INC. (626) 355-1451

$625,000

Pre-foreclosure! Horse Ranch, working Equestrian Dressage Farm located near PGA Golf Course. Five acres with Craftsman style home, 4bdrms 3bths, FP, dining room, recreation room, professional Dressage training and instruction. USDF qualified training facilities, 17 boarding stalls, a circular arena. Lots of income potential. (C38834)

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LOTS OF EXTRAS!!!

$429,000

This great 3 bedroom features family room wired for surround sound, second floor has large, loft type room that could be a nice guest room with its own entrance from outside. Two car garage with attached workshop. Large lot with pool, RV parking, nice curb appeal and so much more! (LIM)

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SPACIOUS AND ATTRACTIVE

$414,910

INVESTORS OR FIRST TIME BUYERS! $203,900 Great duplex in the city of Pomona. Investors or first time buyers here’s your chance to purchase income property at way below the market! Front unit has 2BR, 1BA. Two rear units are 1BR, 1BA. Close to Civic Center and downtown Pomona area. (L639)

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CENTURY21ADAMS&BARNES•(626)358-1858

This Bank Owned home has it all. Vaulted ceilings, spacious living room, a dream kitchen with granite counter tops, built-in cook top/chef’s island, opens up to the family room, fireplace and built-in aquarium. Upstairs laundry room, 4 spacious bedrooms with master suite including private bath, walk in closets and balcony. Relaxing backyard, covered patio, fountain and built-in BBQ. Attached double garage, close to schools & shopping. (C30511)

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433 WEST FOOTHILL BLVD., MONROVIA

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38 W. SIERRA MADRE BLVD., SIERRA MADRE

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HOME & GARDEN

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009 15

Arboretum from 11 The class covers basic design and construction of water gardens, ponds and lakes – correctly constructed water features that can be very low maintenance. The key: create a water feature that works with Mother Nature, not against her. Steve is the engaging owner of Mystic Water Gardens (www. mysticwatergardens.com).

His work has been featured on TV and in print, and he was awarded “Best Water Feature in the State of California” by the California Landscape Contractors Association in 2006.

Field Trip: Mia Italia, Sierra Madre, with lecture by Christopher Bysshe May 14 - 10:00 a.m.-Noon

OTHER UPCOMING ARBORETUM EVENTS

The spring series ends with a special tour of the Italian Renaissance garden of Mia Italia, a recently updated, historic Sierra Madre property. The landscape’s designer will be our guide and discuss issues and guidelines for working with historic sites. Chris is the owner of Christopher Bysshe Landscape Design (bysshedesig n.com). His work integrates art, beauty and the environment with architecture and landscape traditions.

The Great Easter Egg Hunt--April 11 Exploring the Arboretum Library--April 18 LA Garden Show “A Festival of Flavors” A celebration of edible plants--May 1-3 Mother’s Day -- Celebrate History at the Arboretum--May 10 Summer Nature Camp begins--June 15 Cal Phil’s Festival on the Green begins--June 27

WE HAVE “SOMETHING” YOU NEED

Send us your thoughts: Letters@BeaconMediaNews.com

PET JUNGLE Same Family Ownership Since 1963

• Full Line Pet Shop • Full Service Grooming

Open 7 Days

OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH 512 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia (626) 447-7690

Cost for the sessions is $100 for the series, $20 per class. Reservations are available or you may pay at the door. Information and registration can be found by calling 626-821-4623 or sending an email to jill.berry@ arboretum.org

PASTOR ROGER SONNENBERG HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE - CHILD CARE AVAILABLE

• Individual Door Alarms • Coded Gate Access • Video Surveillance • Roll-Up Doors • Covered Loading Area • Climate-Controlled Units • Business or Personal Storage and more!

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JEAN GOUDY

Professionally Managed by TNT Self Storage Management

years, at one time running two snack bars as well as helping with the annual pancake breakfasts and the Christmas tree lot. She also volunteered time to the Boy Scouts and the Election Board, and could be found some-times going door to door collecting for various charities.

Jean is survived by her sister, one daughter, three sons, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Prudential

11:15 AM

11:15 AM

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Rev. Paul S. Beck • Senior Pastor

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California Realty

PASADENA SIERRA MADRE MONROVIA

(626) 355-1600

OPEN HOUSE SUN. 1-4PM 101 ESPERANZA UNIT B SIERRA MADRE

A Perfect 10 – Stunning is the only way to describe it – Built in 2004, this magnificent 3500+ sf home is one of a kind. There are 3 large master suites, and gourmet kitchen. 5bd, 4.5ba, on a 10,498 sf lot. At this new price, it won’t last! SIERRA MADRE $1,365,000 (COB)

OPEN HOUSE SUN. 1-4PM 440 N. MYRTLE AVE.

Location-location-location - This home is perfectly located. It sits at the base of Gold Hill and is within walking distance to Old Town, Markets and Transportation. You can sit on the wood deck and watch the wild life or sip tea on the side patio. This home shows a lot of character with its Bachelder fireplace, hardwood flooring and French doors. You could get an $8,000 tax credit when buying this home. MONROVIA $599,900 (MYR)

Thanks to all our loyal clients!

(626) 447-0579 or (626) 447-5974 124 W. Las Tunas Dr., Arcadia ( West of Santa Anita Ave.)

•Obituary• Jean Goudy died peacefully at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 13, 2009, surrounded by her family.

Jean, along with her husband Joe Goudy, lived in Sierra Madre for 23 years. During those years she volunteered much of her time to many different organizations.

She was a past president of the PTA and the Civic Club. She was a part of the Athletic Association for many

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Sunday Worship: 8 and 10:45 a.m.

Sunday School: (all ages) 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Eve - “Praise” Worship 7:00 p.m. or Monday Worship - 7:00 p.m.

Spring garden talks are held Thursdays, March 19 – May 14 from 9:30am–Noon, unless ot her w ise noted.

Please note special times for Field Trips; Field trips are self- driven and require pre- registration

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Splendid in the City - Just a short distance from downtown. This 1787 sq ft townhome has been tastefully remodeled. Gourmet kitchen, master with vaulted ceilings opens to a veranda like balcony. Located inside a gated complex you will feel secure inside this 3 bed 2.5 bath beauty. Find out why we call this special. SIERRA MADRE $649,000 (ESP)

OPEN HOUSE SUN. 1-4PM 265 E. MONTECITO AVE.

This beautifully maintained Madison Heights home in pristine condition.

Front corner unit, vaulted ceilings, lots of windows, plantation shutters, skylight in kitchen. Upstairs loft style bedroom with full bath. Direct access garage. Relax on the patio, or enjoy the pool. PASADENA $299,000 (GLE)

DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE OVER 100 HOMES PRICED UNDER $500,000 AVAILABLE IN THE SIERRA MADRE, ARCADIA, MONROVIA AND PASADENA AREA?

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Love the Lot - Fruit trees and oaks with a mountain view cover this 17,000 sq ft lot. Entertain from the privacy of the secluded deck and prepare your feast from a designer kitchen. Maple floors and plantation shutters adorn this traditional 3 bed/1.75 bath home. Tired of hunting? Come and see this treasure.

SIERRA MADRE $998,000 (MON265)

LOOKING FOR A CHANGE OF CAREER? FREE REAL ESTATE SCHOOL* MONDAY EVENING FROM 6-30PM • 8-30PM At the Sierra Madre Office • 115 W. Sierra Madre Blvd Call 626 355-1600 • *Call for details

16

COMMUNITY

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1 , 2009

School•Religion•Community Activities•Social

DIVERSE GENERATIONS AND CULTURES MEET ACROSS THE TABLE TENNIS NET On Tuesday, March 17, a group of Pasadena middle school youth brought their Table Tennis paddles and balls to the Pasadena Senior Center and the Pasadena Table Tennis Club for a chance to perfect their technique and show off their skills with experienced senior citizen players.

Part of a pilot program created by one of this year’s Leadership Pasadena teams, the clinic is the last in a series of three clinics designed to introduce youth from underserved communities to a nontraditional sport. Inspired by the cross-cultural, cross-generational and cross-ability play at the Pasadena Table Tennis Club, which meets

at the Pasadena Senior Center introduced the youth to the idea of seniors as athletes and to people of diverse backgrounds and cultures who share a love of the sport.

Invited youth from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Pasadena and Washington Middle School were each given their own paddle and balls to keep, and began the program with a visit to the California Institute of Technology and the chance to study with Caltech Table Tennis Instructor and Coach Wei Wang by attending her beginning table tennis class along with her undergraduate students. Ms. Wang is a former US National Champion and member of the US Olympic

-Photos by Terry Miller

Diego Schaaf teaches a student the finer points of table tennis, while above Fidel Vargas works out with another young middle school student

table tennis team.

Prior to the table tennis class, as part of their Caltech experience, the students toured the Spitzer Science Center, and interacted with the infrared camera. “Because in the infrared, we appear to have a whole other set of distinguishing characteristics, the infrared camera experience was a great fit with the goals of our project, which is to challenge perceptions of age and culture,” explained Project team member James Maloney, who coordinates science in the classroom outreach for Caltech. “Table tennis is played all over the world, although it is more prominent in other countries. Many of the seniors that play at the Senior Center and the Table Tennis Club come from all over the world, and many have played table tennis since their youth,” explained Maloney.

The March 17 clinic was the second of two clinics at the Pasadena Senior Center, in which seniors from the Center’s table tennis program, the Pasadena Table Tennis

Club which meets there, and from the Senior Olympics and area retirement communities, volunteered to coach the youth.

At the final clinic, Pasadena Table Tennis Club President Diego Schaaf, in addition to coaching the youth, met with them in small groups to talk about his work as a consultant, along with his wife Wei Wang, on Hollywood films such as the recent comedy, “Balls of Fury,” in which they also appeared. He also shared footage from a recent “Battle of the Sexes” table tennis tournament in which a Chinese woman player bested a highly ranked male player. The youth also had the chance to interview some of the senior players on their experiences with table tennis, including how and when they first started learning the sport.

The project will conclude with an invitational tournament on Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Boys and Girls Club Slavik Branch on E. Del Mar Blvd, will give the youth the chance to

use their skills in a competitive format. The senior volunteers, along with representatives from various community organizations, such as the Pasadena Fire Department and JPL have also been invited to field players for an adult bracket with the senior participants, and to cheer on the youth for the final rounds.

“Inviting the community also gives the youth a sense of the diversity of table tennis players, from firefighters and police to scientists,” explained Project team member and Tournament Chair Brett Gibson, a Pasadena Fire Department Battalion Chief.

“It’s our hope that the seeds planted and relationships established with this pilot program will inspire our community partners, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the City of Pasadena Department of Human Services and Recreation, the Pasadena Senior Center, the Pasadena Table Tennis Club, Caltech, the City of Pasadena Fire Department, Washington Middle School, to continue and expand the program in the future,” observed Project team member Kim Kenne.

“And with the senior coaches, and even the receptionist at the Senior Center, asking ‘When are the kids coming back?’ we are confident that it will.”

COMMUNITY

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009 17

TheGoodLife

By Wally Hage

April Fools Day This is one of those special holidays that most everyone looks forward to and enjoys the pranks! It always takes very special planning in order to effectively pull off an April Fools Day Joke.

Last year a major strip mall was planning a summer opening. The major tenant, a large sports chain, had already opened but the promoter was keeping silent on who would be occupying the various other retail stores. The somewhat hostile residents of the area were constantly pressing the promoter to find out what type stores were being planned for their community. Rumors were flying about every conceivable type of tenant from a pawn shops to adult book store that the promoter was planning to open in the mall. This was the talk of the town and complaints were inundating the city planning commission with objections.

Now this set the stage for one of the funniest April Fools Day pranks that I have ever heard about. Some very ingenious and imaginative prankster had a giant Grand Opening sign strategically placed in the mall area for all to see. It read: Coming Soon “Hooters Restaurant”. Needless to say the indignant residents pounced upon everyone who was even slightly involved with the opening of this major strip mall.

Well, it was weeks before the storm settled and everyone was able to snicker about the unknown prankster’s clever April Fool Joke played upon the concerned residents.

Now this brings to mind the most outrageous things that my quiet, demure, insensitive life partner could have ever conceived to play upon me on April

Fools Day, last year.

Since I had carried out a rather simple April Fools Day prank the previous year in which I had hid her coveted crossword puzzle section of the morning newspaper, she spent the year planning revenge. Her premeditated prank involved secretly stitching closed the flap of my under shorts. Obviously my visitation to the busy men’s restroom at work, was quite a surprise and rather unnerving.

Now, that act of revenge was not all that I was in store for. She knew that I was taking my secretary to a birthday lunch that day so she purposely removed all of the money in my wallet and left a note saying, sorry honey I took your money as I forgot I had to pay the neighbor boy for mowing the lawn last month.

Now that seems rather simple to cope with as you are going to pay the luncheon check. But surprise, surprise ... my “Cunning Cutie” had replacing the credit card in my wallet with an outdated card. The results of having to ask your secretary to pay for her special birthday luncheon was somewhat annoying.

But the problem did not stop there.

You see my secretary does not carry a credit card and only had enough money to pay the bill and therefore had to borrow money from other office personnel so that she could get home that evening. The rumors abounding around the office of the incident were indescribably uncomfortable for the boss and ...

Oh Yes, that April Fools Prankster will also remember, that April Fools Day too!

E-mail comm ent s to wal lythegoodlife @ at&t.net

MAJOR BOGAARD DECLARES “ NOROOZ IS NOW A PASADENA TRADITION” Iranian New Year Celebrations at All Saints Church Draw Large Crowd Tradition.”

The two key speakers this year were renowned British Archeologist Dr. David Stronach and JPL Astronomer Trina Ray who discussed her view of the Vernal Equinox.

Stronach held the audience’s attention with a slide show and short film of some of his work in Iran in search of Cyrus.

Cyrus was the first Achaemenian Emperor of Persia, who issued a decree on his aims and policies, later hailed as his charter of the rights of nations. Inscribed on a clay cylinder, this is known to be the first declaration of Human Rights, and is now kept at the British Museum. A replica of this is also at the United

New Year on 18

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GRADUATION ISSUE 2009

Calling all Proud Parents of Local Soon to be Graduates!

Now is the time to show your new graduate just how proud of them you are! A congratulatory advertisement in your local community newspaper is the perfect way to highlight the accomplishments of your graduate as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives.

Published in our special Graduation Recognition section on the week of their big day, this exciting keepsake will keep the memories alive for years to come.

TO PHO

Way to go Kiddo!!

PHOT O

Cla ss of 2 9 00

•By Terry Miller•

Nazee Rofagha,D.C. is a local woman, a visionary who hopes to bridge the geographic gap. She had the foresight three years ago, for local people with ties to Iran and those who are interested in the culture of Persian people as well as its history, to get together while celebrating the New Year, or vernal equinox.

Each Spring, Dr. Rofagha celebrates the Iranian New Year, or Narooz, at a location in Pasadena. The event is always peppered with traditional dance, music, food and interesting speakers.

This year was no exception. As Mayor Bill Bogaard proclaimed in the beginning of the program that “Narooz is now a Pasadena

beaconmedianews.com

TO PHO

Class of

2009 To the love of our life! We are so proud of all you have T achieved. Keep reaching for Saturn!!

Way to go Kiddo!!

To the love of our life! We are so proud of all you have achieved. Keep reaching for Saturn!!

Love Mum and Dad!! *Not actual size

Don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Call Andrea for more information at:

Tel: (626) 301-1010

Love Mum and Dad!!

18

COMMUNITY

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1 , 2009

New Year from 17 Nations in New York.

Cyrus (580-529 BC) was the first Achaemenid Emperor. He founded Persia by uniting the two original Iranian Tribes- the Medes and the Persians. Although he was known to be a great conqueror, who at one point controlled one of the greatest Empires ever seen, he is best remembered for his unprecedented tolerance and magnanimous attitude towards those he defeated.

Upon his victory over the Medes, he founded a government for his new kingdom, incorporating both Median and Persian nobles as civilian officials. The conquest of Asia Minor completed, he led his armies to the eastern frontiers. Hyrcania and Parthia were already part of the Median Kingdom. Further east, he conquered Drangiana, Arachosia, Margiana and Bactria. After crossing the Oxus, he reached the Jaxartes, where he built fortified towns with the object of defending the farthest frontier of his kingdom against nomadic tribes of Central Asia.

As people mingled before the official program, a woman dressed in traditional Iranian robes served tea as she sat in the middle of a table elaborated decorated with sterling silver tea service and plates of traditional

-Photos By Terry Miller

cooks and sweets. As she served tea to visiting dignitaries such as Carol Lui and Anthony Portantino, guests grazed on a selection of Persian foods .

After the guest speakers, Narooz vistors were treated to a dance and music performance by Robyn Friend accompanied by Neil Siegel and Rowan Storm.

The concept behind this celebration is to bring closer the diverse cultures of the United States and Iran and ultimately promote peace with all mankind by better understanding each other.

Dr. Nazee Rofagha has been organizing this celebration three years now in Pasadena and hopes to expand on the celebration every spring.

Business leaders from the Duarte Chamber of Commerce toured the Santa Anita Family YMCA’s new weight room and celebrated the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Duarte Chamber president Debbie Gewertz of the Old Town Sign Co is flanked

by SAFYMCA board members Julie Roybal (left) and Pat Barnes and Steve Baker (right).

Standing behind Gewertz is SAFYMCA CEO Damon Colaluca. In addition to a roomful of new ergonomically designed weight equipment, the nonprofit SAFYMCA offers a variety of classes and activities for all ages and abilities. And no one is ever turned away for an inability to pay full fee. Classes include Yoga, Pilates, Water Exercise, Arthritis Exercise, MS Exercise, Silver Sneakers, Parkinson’s Exercise, and Youth Fitness. The Santa Anita Family YMCA is located at 501 S. Mountain Ave. in Monrovia. For more information, call (626) 359-9244 or visit the website at www.safymca.org

The Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following for their support of the 2009 Wistaria Festival Owners Bob and Nell Solt Dan and Dana Dorrance For opening your property and your vine to us, (and others) not just the day of the event, but for all the preparations leading up to it.

Sponsors Host Hotel - DoubleTree Monrovia, Luis Plascencia Stage Sponsor - Athens Services, Chris Carlos Stage Sponsor - Sharp Seating Company, Syndee Riboli Bronze Sponsor, Arcadia Gardens Retirement Hotel, Bronze Sponsor - Café 322, Mario Lalli Bronze Sponsor - Gail Franconi, Coldwell Banker, Arcadia Bronze Sponsor - Jan's Towing, Annette Osterhaus Bronze Sponsor - SCE, David Ford Bronze Sponsor - The Gas Company, Helen Romero Shaw For being good partners Wistaria Committee Halcyon Koerber Lisa Spigai -Perez Sue Levoe Carol Canterbury Mario Lalli Susan Henderson Rosemary Morabito Janette Ledea Bill Peters Janet Peters Sue Lamb Chuck Kamchamnan Ron Brandley Susan Clifton For sitting through months of meetings Vine Docents Co-Chair Lisa Spigai -Perez Co-Chair Halcyon Koerber Phyllis Chapman - Historian Glenn Putnam Amy Putnam Beverly Clifton Anita Thompson Colleen McKernon Georgette Dunlay Shirley McGillicuddy Pat Karamitro Bill Thompson Judy Kendall Margaret Switzer MaryLou Caldwell

Vine Docents (Cont.)

David Hartman aurora Varela Jan Reed Pat Alcorn Kelly Hartman Jean Colema n Gretchen Kelly Ellen Munoz Heidi Hartman Sue Lamb Paige Terry Karlene Englert De Alcorn Bill Peters Ward Calaway Judy Skiff Enid Joffe Janet Peters Gail Gutierrez (SMRFA Princess) Linda Saurenman Hilda Pittman Laura Cipolla (SMRFA Princess) Ann Palmer Terri Cummings Joan Glasford Emmett McGuire Steve Prefontaine Steve Paszek Mary Bickel Rosemary Burnett Sheila Woehlner Joy Barry Melinda Monachino Betsy Abbe Vickie Ann Barwick Marie Paszek Nina Bartoli Madison Hopkins Jeanne Peterson Bob Burnett Joe Mosca For teaching, coordinating, guiding, and directing Bus Docents/Bus Line Co-Chair Carol Canterbury Co-Chair Sue Levoe Jeanette Feeney Fallon Garcia Sebastian Garcia Bob Schulman Sue Stapp Cherie Coakes Judy Webb-Martin Roya Miller Sandy Schulman Jennifer Howes

Bus Docents/Bus Line (Cont.)

Ryan Howes Joel Ingram For remaining patient despite long lines City Folks Mayor Kurt Zimmerman Mayor Pro Tem Maryann MacGillivray Council Member John Buchanan Council Member Joe Mosca Council Member Don Watts City Manager Elaine Aguilar Director of Comm. And Personnel Services Elisa Weaver City/Festival Liaison Susan Clifton James Carlson - delivery of two port-apotties mid-event, how'd you do that?

Susan McConnell Chief Marilyn Diaz Chief Steve Heydorff SMPD SMVFD Dept. of Public Works For your help with permitting, approvals, operations and logistics Ticket Booth George Maurer Elaine Aguilar Katie Coburn Marie Senese Sue Lamb Jay Senese Bill Peters Janet Peters For ably selling tickets and handling will call Information Booths Sue Lamb Snookie Greger Mama Pete Jan O'Day Gerri Frasier Sheila Pierce Bonnie Garner Leo Brodovsky Tunde Law Amber Bilow Joohee Lee Nina Huang Christine Lenches Hinkel For helping people to find what they were looking for Park Volunteers Chair Sus an Henderson Fred Thomas Jim Moran For keeping it all under control…

Set-up Volunteers Ron Brandley David Brandley For taking charge and preventing chaos in the early morning rain.

Music/Entertainment Volunteers Chair Mario Lalli Steve Vargas Dave Culwell Tim Tutweiler Midge Matheson SierraMadreSue Behrens Ron Longo Michael Zubia Sean McCue Michelle Beauchesne Murphy’s Flaw Len Michael Too Many Guitars Mellow D’s Horses on Astroturf Snotty Scotty and the Hankies The Sheds Ron & Veronica Ota The Aluminum Marshmallow DC3 Jazz Duo Kay Martin Thee Superstitions Mercy Powell Jazz Quartet Tim Tutweiler, Acoustic Rock Reno Jones Crown City Blues Band Adam Wood Deerheart Jessica Felman Scott Hildebrandt Jenni Alpert Big Joe Hurt Banna Beag Mall Les Amis Vin Fizz Flyers Charcuterie Lunch Salon Colbert Salon Murphy Architecture For keeping things properly tuned SM Emergency Communication s Team Harry Brumer Mary Carney Dave Felt John Gollihugh Dave Gross Tim Li Marca Robert Ross Susan Ross Sharon Spinnler

SMECT (Cont.)

Merry Suydam Fred Wesley Allen Wolff For your assistance with logistics and communications Barricades SMPD Jim Moran Chief Steve Heydorff Ron Brandley David Brandley Steven Yelich Ray Loesch and Boy Scout Troop 110 Teresa and Michael Murphy Kate Emerson and Payton Davina Duncan and Brianna Eric and Tracy Jost Naomi and Melissa Trevor Robinson Brian Lenney and Bethany Youth Group Claude Shannon James Shannon Ryan Asbury Mary Patano Leo Rein Kiwanis De Alcorn Mark van Cleave Pat Birdsall Joe Pergola Arcadia Key Club Elaine Yao (Key Club Coordinator) Hanson Ton Elaine Bang Josephine Bang Hanson Ton Jinnee Lee Catherine Lee Stephanie Huang Carpus Tin Mikey Liu Regina Fang Kristy Hsu Roger Bill Harvey Priscilla Harvey Hannah Doumit Emma Dangar d Louise Deitz-Henderson Jan Scalise Ann Ingles Bill Ingles Ann Marie Atwan Tori Dutcher -Brown Stephanie Hardin Jay Copti

Barricades (Cont.)

For staying alert despite long periods of inactivity Organizations Sierra Madre Police Dept.

Sierra Madre Fire Dept.

Pasadena PD Volunteers Civic Club Sierra Madre Woman's Club SMECT Kiwanis Arcadia Key Club Sierra Madre Bright Ideas Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Rotary Club Interact Sierra Madre Historical Preservation Society Sierra Madre Rose Float Association Sierra Madre Garden Club Bethany Youth Group Gooden School St. Rita's School Alverno High School Sierra Madre Middle School For all your efforts, and for sharing your members Business Contributors Mailbox & Postal - Window Flyers, Ticket Arnold's Frontier Hardware - Toilet paper donation Village Auto - Parking lot use offered SM Independent Honda - Parking lot use offered Mike Eing - Parking lot use offered Arcadia Party Rentals Neil Vance Photography - Poster printing/ mounting Press Fran Syverson Bill Peters Beacon Media News Mt. Views Observer Pasadena Weekly KCAL 9 TV, Cater Lee and John KCBS 2 TV KFWB, AM KOLA 99FM, Brian Casey, Patti Banner, Jill Longo and Dylan Pasadena Star News The Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce extends its thanks to all of the above for their assistance in presenting the 2009 Wistaria Festival. Every effort has been made to include all those who participated, but in an event of this size, we may have missed someone. If so, our sincere apologies.

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20

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009

MULTI- AGENCY GRAFFITI TASK FORCE SWEEP NETS 42 ARRESTSAT ABOUT 6AM

POLICE

ARCADIA

Sunday, March 8:

-Photos By Terry Miller

•By Andrea Olivas•

At about 6am Wednesday, three divisions of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department along with Pasadena, Burbank, and Glendale Police Departments as well as other law enforcement agencies , conducted a county wide probation compliance check. The sweep was in relation to gang, vandalism and graffiti. A total of 164 locations were targeted in over 88 cities conducted by 12 units totaling over 300 personnel involved. 42 suspects were arrested, 30 of them had felony counts and 12

with misdemeanors. 23 were in violation of probation terms and 1 in state parole violation.

15 weapons were recovered, including several different types of rifles, knives, hand guns, mace, an assault rifle and a couple single ball battle bace. There were also narcotic seizures mainly methamphetamine and marijuana. 4 investigations were initiated by the Department of Children and Family services from the sweep. The highlight of the morning was in the arrest of Richard Perez also known as “Asko” or “Sloter” who was vandalized over 88 MTA buses with damages totaling over $7,000. Sheriff Lee Baca had this message to convey to those who graffiti, “…For those who like to tag with their logo. If you don’t think for one minute that we’re not going to be able to find out who you are…we will eventually find out who you are… Stop destroying people’s property”

Units responded to Foothill and Dexter around 4:26 a.m. in reference to a solo traffic collision. The vehicle had collided into a tree but no one was located at the scene. An area search was made and the 23-yearold male Hispanic driver was found walking down the street. A field sobriety test was conducted, and it was determined that he was operating the vehicle while intoxicated. The man was arrested for DUI without incident.

Around 6:26 a.m., officers saw a possible stolen vehicle leave the Motel 6 parking lot and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The male Caucasian or Hispanic driver failed to yield and a pursuit ensued.

The suspect driver ran several red lights and traveled between 70-75 mph on city streets. He later drove onto the eastbound 210 Freeway traveling between 90-125 mph and was weaving in and out of traffic lanes. The pursuit was subsequently terminated by the 57 Freeway.

Monday, March 9: A commercial burglary occurred at the County golf course maintenance yard located at 210 West Huntington between 8:00 a.m. on March 8 and 5:00 a.m. on March 9. Unknown suspect(s) broke into the facility and removed power tools and mechanical equipment totaling almost $7,500.

Around 6:00 p.m., a commercial burglary occurred at Victoria’s Secret located at Westfield Mall.

Four male Caucasian or Hispanic suspects entered the store; two acted as lookouts while the other two concealed over 70 bras into bags. The suspects then all left the store together with about $3,000 in merchandise.

Tuesday, March 10: Units responded to Longden and Eighth around 12:45 p.m. in reference to an assault and robbery that occurred around midnight on March 3. The victim advised that he was on the horse trail when a male African-American transient confronted him and tried to start an altercation. The victim wanted to avoid a fight so he walked away. The suspect then struck him with a blunt object in the abdomen, punched him several times in the face, and stole his bicycle. The victim went to the hospital and was treated for broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

Between 2:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., an auto burglary occurred at El Dorado and First. Unknown suspect(s) broke a window and stole a GPS unit that was attached to the windshield.

Wednesday, March 11: A victim came to the station around 3:48 p.m. to file an identity theft report. He advised that he had filed a tax return but it was rejected by the IRS. When he contacted the IRS, he was told that a tax return had already been filed with the same personal information, but with a different address. Unknown suspect had obtained the victim’s personal information by unknown means and used it to file a tax return.

A strong-arm robbery occurred at 556 Las Tunas around 8:30 p.m. The victim was waiting to enter the locked building when a male suspect approached from behind and grabbed her purse. He then ran to a waiting dark blue or dark green, four-door vehicle driven by another suspect. Officers conducted an area search, but the suspect vehicle was not found.

smashed a rear window to enter the location and stole a flatscreen television.

A residential burglary occurred in the 1700 block of Rodeo between 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Unknown suspect(s) made forced entry via the front door and ransacked rooms. The victims will provide a list of stolen items at a later date.

Friday, March 13: A known female subject with an outstanding warrant was seen exiting a vehicle at Santa Anita Inn, 130 West Huntington, around 1:50 p.m. The 46-year-old Caucasian was contacted and a search subject to arrest was made. White crystalline substance, resembling methamphetamine, and syringes were found on her person and inside her vehicle. She was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and outstanding misdemeanor warrant.

A commercial burglary occurred in the 2100 block of Canyon Road between 4:00 p.m. on March 12 and 6:30 a.m. on March 13. The house is under construction and unknown suspect(s) may have used a key to enter the location in order to steal a $2,400 paint sprayer.

Saturday, March 14: Shortly before 2:00 a.m., units were dispatched to Baldwin and Woodruff in reference to a traffic collision. A 22-year-old female Asian driver struck two parked vehicles and a brick and wrought iron fence.

Officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath, and a field sobriety test revealed that she was operating the vehicle while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. During the booking process at City jail, a baggie containing a white powdery substance resembling cocaine was found in her pocket.

She was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance in prison, DUI, driving with a suspended license, and traffic accident.

Shortly after 11:00 a.m., officers responded to Wells Fargo Bank, 1038 South Baldwin, regarding an identity theft report. The bank manager indicated that the victim wanted him to file a report on his behalf since he was out of the country. The victim had discovered over $31,250 in unauthorized purchases were made using his account. The bank manager advised that an unknown suspect had added his/her name onto the victim’s accounts by using his personal information.

MONROVIA Vehicle Burglary.

On March 12 at 8:08 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of East Palm regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim reported that someone broke the rear window of her black Hondo Pilot during the night. The suspect gained entry and stole an expensive piece of medical equipment. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto.

On March 12 at 8:30 a.m., an officer went to the 600 block of East Palm regarding the report of a stolen vehicle. The victim told the officer he parked his vehicle in front of his residence at about 7 p.m. When he went out the next morning, his truck was gone. It is unknown how the suspects gained entry. Investigation continuing.

Thursday, March 12:

Domestic Battery Arrest.

Between 9:30 p.m. on March 11 and 6:30 a.m. on March 12, a commercial burglary occurred at Merrill Lynch, 801 West Huntington. Unknown suspect(s)

On March 12 at 8:09 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of Genoa regarding a female subject screaming for help. Bystanders pointed out a male

BLOTTERS subject in the pool area of an apartment complex and the officers detained the suspect. It was determined the subjects had been arguing, and the suspect grabbed his girlfriend by the hair and neck and would not let go of her. The girlfriend scratched the suspect’s face and was screaming in an attempt to get away. The suspect was arrested and held for the likelihood of reoccurrence. A report was prepared for filing and the suspect was taken to court the next morning.

Mental Evaluation.

On March 12 at 9:44 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of Fowler Drive on the report of a despondent minor who stated he wanted to kill himself. The officer handling the incident met with significant delays trying to place the juvenile, but eventually found a local mental health facility to accept the subject. The juvenile will be held for mental evaluation.

Grand Theft Auto.

On March 13 at 9:14 a.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of Los Angeles regarding a vehicle theft. The victim parked and locked her vehicle on the street in front of her home on March 12 at about 11:00 p.m. She discovered her vehicle missing the next morning. The vehicle taken was a 1994 Acura Integra. Investigation continuing.

Credit Card Fraud Arrest.

On March 14 at 1:25 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 600 block of West Huntington regarding a fraud in progress. They arrived and detained a female suspect who was visiting from New York.

The suspect tried to purchase two IPod systems with fraudulent credit cards. The suspect was arrested without incident.

Burglary / Conspiracy to Commit Burglary / Two Suspects Arrested.

On March 14 at 7:50 p.m., loss prevention officers at a business in the 100 block of West Foothill detained a female suspect who was attempting to steal high-priced alcoholic beverages. A male suspect was also detained in the parking lot as he was attempting to put stolen alcohol into a vehicle, but could not because the female suspect had the keys. The investigation revealed the male and female suspects were working together.

Stolen alcohol bottles were located outside the suspect’s vehicle, and a search of the vehicle revealed more stolen alcohol inside. The male subject admitted to stealing alcohol from several stores. He told officers they steal alcohol from 10 to 20 stores each week. Both suspects were arrested and booked for the above listed charges. The male suspect also had a warrant for his arrest.

Criminal Threats Warrant Arrest.

On March 14 at 10:12 p.m., officers responded to a disturbance call in the 1100 block of Starlit Lane.

Partygoers at a small gathering pointed to a male subject standing out front who they claimed was causing the problem. A computer check of the subject revealed he had a warrant out of Pomona for criminal threats.

He was booked, housed and picked up by Pomona Police Department.

Critical Missing Person Found.

On March 16 at 3:54 p.m., a woman suffering from Alzheimer’s walked away from her husband at a business in the 1500 block of South Mountain in

Duarte. Her husband reported her missing to the Monrovia Police Department because he wanted something done right away and they live in Monrovia. The Sheriff’s Department was dealing with the containment of a suspect and had no units available to help search. Monrovia officers made an extensive area search which resulted in finding the missing woman at Ivy and Los Angeles. She was found unharmed and was returned to her home in Monrovia. The husband was given information on “Project Life Saver,” which is a program Monrovia Police Department offers to help find loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia related illnesses who walk away from family members.

Grand Theft Auto.

On March 17 at 5:10 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of East Evergreen reported her vehicle had been stolen. She was wakened by the sound of a tow truck operating outside. When she looked out, she saw a tow truck driving away with her vehicle. She has only had the car for a few months and insists she is current on her payments. The initial investigation could not verify repossession, so a stolen vehicle report was taken.

SIERRA MADRE Tuesday, March 10th: 3:03 PM – Arrest, Disorderly Conduct/Drunk in Public, 87 West Sierra Madre Blvd. An intoxicated man was reported walking down the middle of West Sierra Madre Blvd. Officers stopped the man in front of the playhouse. During the investigation, he was found to be under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested for public intoxication and transported to the Pasadena Jail for remand.

7:03 PM – Petty Theft, 100 block North Baldwin Ave. A white cast iron umbrella stand was taken from the front patio of an apartment. The crime occurred Tuesday, 3/10/09 between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. The umbrella stand was valued at $120.00.

Thursday, March 12h: 7:57 AM – Auto Burglary, 500 block West Sierra Madre Blvd. The owner of a black Toyota discovered the passenger side window shattered and a personal planner was taken. The crime occurred between 6:30 pm Wednesday, 3/11/09 and 7:30 am Thursday, 3/12/09. The planner was valued at $10.00 and the cost of the broken window was estimated at about $150.00.

8:23 PM – Arrest, Possession of a Switch Blade Knife, Santa Anita Canyon Road. Three men were detained at the entrance of Chantry Road. The road is closed for traffic after 8:00 pm. During the investigation one of the men was found to be concealing a butterfly knife with a blade over 2 inches in length. The man was arrested and transported to the police station, booked and released on a written promise to appear.

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Friday, March 13th: 4:52 PM – Hit and Run Traffic Collision, 800 block East Grandview Ave. The left front fender of a red Toyota, Tundra, 4-door, pick-up truck was damaged. The truck was parked on East Grandview Ave west of Chantry Drive. The collision occurred Friday, 3/13/09 between 10:00 am and 4:52 pm. No loss estimate was available.

Saturday, March 14th: 11:31 PM - Disturbance, 200 block San Gabriel Court. A loud party was reported at the home. Officers arrived and found the party attended by approximately eighteen people, ranging in age from 14 to 18 years-old. During the investigation two sisters, ages 15 and 18, were found to be under the influence of alcohol. Due to the level of intoxication, the 15 yearold girl was transported to the hospital by the Sierra Madre Fire Dept Paramedics for treatment.

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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING CALL (626) 301-1010 FOR ADVERTISING PLACEMENT INFORMATION EMPLOYMENT Beacon Media, publisher of San Gabriel Valley’s fastest growing group of newspapers, currently has the following position available: Advertising Sales Rep. You must have excellent interpersonal communication skills, both written and verbal. You will work directly with clients to

LEGALS CITY OF ARCADIA NOTICES CITY OF ARCADIA NOTICE INVITING BIDS APRIL 2009 The City of Arcadia (Owner) will receive sealed bids for the TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODIFICATION AT HUNTINGTON DRIVE AND FIRST AVENUE AND SANTA ANITA AVENUE AND SANTA CLARA STREET Project. The Project, which involves furnishing and installing traffic signal poles, vehicle and pedestrian indications, LED’s, video and ILD detection, safety lighting, conduits, conductors, signage and pavement striping and markings, must be completed within 90 calendar days, as provided in the Bid and Contract Documents. Bidders are strongly encouraged to review the Bid Documents (including the more detailed Notice Inviting Bids included therein) for more complete information regarding the Project and submission of bids.

provide solutions for their advertising needs and to help design advertising campaigns that will best showcase the client’s products and services.

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cell phone.

This position is commission only. Send cover letter and resume to resume@coremg.net or fax to 626-301-0445.

Bids must be submitted to the Owner on the Owner’s Contract Bid Forms. Prospective Bidders may obtain Bid Documents only from the DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT/ ENGINEERING DIVISION at the following address: 240 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA. 91066-6021, (626) 574-5486.

Please contact the DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT/ ENGINEERING DIVISION for more information, including availability of Bid Documents and mailing costs.

One or more Pre-Bid Conference and Site Walks will be held on the date(s), at the time(s) and under the conditions indicated in the Bid Documents. Bidder SHOULD attend.

an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the submitted Total Bid Price. Prior to award of the Contract, the successful bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bond and a Payment Bond, each in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the Total Bid Price, on the forms provided and in the manner described in the Bid Documents.

Contractor shall comply with PCC § 4108 with respect to subcontractor bond requirements.

All Bids must be addressed, sealed in an envelope and received by the office of the CITY CLERK no later than 11:00 a.m. on April 21, 2009.

All Bids will be publicly opened, examined and read aloud at the CITY CLERK’S OFFICE at that time. Bids shall be valid for 60 days after the bid opening date. Bids must be accompanied by cash, a certified or cashier’s check, or a Bid Bond in favor of the Owner in

FOR SALE Drum Kit w/ Cymbals 5 piece drum kit with 2 cymbals + hi-hat. Kit has everything you need and more: throne, drum and

Pursuant to B&P Code § 7028.15 and PCC § 3300, Contractors shall possess the following California Contractor’s license(s) in order to perform the Work: C-10.

Subcontractors must possess the appro¬priate licenses for each specialty subcontracted.

Bidders are advised that this Contract is a public work for purposes of the California Labor Code, which requires payment of prevailing wages. Owner has obtained from the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations the general prevailing rates, and will place them on file at the Owner’s office and make them available to any interested

cymbal noise-dampening pads, all cymbal stands and bass pedal. Everything works well. It’s an off-brand (Pulse Percussion), and could maybe use some heads, but all in all this is a very decent setup for the price. Call John at 626.789.6169.

Mountain Bike Trek 4300 hardtail mountain bike with front fork shock absorber. Purparty upon request.

Pursuant to PCC § 22300, the successful Contractor may substitute securities equivalent to monies withheld by the Owner.

Owner reserves the right to reject any or all Bids, to waive any informality or irregularity in any Bid received, and to be the sole judge of the merits of the respective Bids received.

CITY OF ARCADIA Publsih March 26 & April 2, 2009

OTHER PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE TS No. 08-0029020 Title Order No. 08-8-126091 APN No. 8517015-015 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 07/17/2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER.” Notice is hereby given that RECONTRUST COMPANY, as duly appointed trustee pursuant to the Deed of Trust executed by JUAN C CASTRO, AND LAURA E CASTRO,

chased in 2005, the bike has very limited wear. Two sets of tires come with the bike as well. Costs $480 new, asking $200. Email jbstephens@gmail.com 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan Minivan. Auto, low mileage, front/rear/a/c, many extras. Great Soccer mom car. $9,000 obo.

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HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT TENANTS, dated 07/17/2006 and recorded 07/26/06, as Instrument No. 06 1651533, in Book , Page ), of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of Los Angeles County State of California, will sell on 04/02/2009 at 1:00PM, At the front entrance to the Pomona Superior Courts Building, 350 West Mission Blvd., Pomona at public auction to the highest bidder for cash or check as described below, payable in full at time of sale, all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust, in the property situated in said County and State and as more fully described in the above referenced Deed of Trust.

The street address and other common designation, if any of the real property described above is purported to be: 505 EAST WALNUT AVENUE, MONROVIA, CA, 91016. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrect-ness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein.

The total amount of the unpaid balance with interest thereon of the obligation secured by the property to be sold plus reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $469,358.20. It is possible that at the time of sale the opening bid may be less than the total indebtedness due. In addition to cash, the Trustee will

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accept cashier’s checks drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. Said sale will be made, in an “AS IS” condition, but with out covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession or encumbrances, to satisfy the indebted-ness secured by said Deed of Trust, advances thereunder, with interest at provided, and the unpaid principal of the Note secured by said Deed of Trust with interest thereon at provided in said Note, plus fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. If required by the provi-sions of section 2923.5 of the California Civil Code, the declaration from the mortgagee, beneficiary or authorized agent is attached to the Notice of Trustee’s Sale duly recorded with the appropriate County Recorder’s Office.

DATED: 07/04/2008 RECONTRUST COMPANY 1757 TAPO CANYON ROAD, SVW-88 SIMI VALLEY, CA 93063 Phone/ Sale Information: (800) 281 8219 By: Trustee’s Sale Officer RECONTRUST COMPANY, is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. FEI # 1006.27813 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/2009

23

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2009

The Doozies

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