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Independent
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PASADENA
THURSDAY, JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2009 VOLUME 14, NO. 28
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Colorado Street Bridge Celebration Cancelled
PCC CANCELS WINTER SESSION
BY KYLE KHANDIKIAN Financial strains and budget cuts have led Pasadena Heritage to cancel the annual summer Celebration on the Colorado Street Bridge which attracts thousands to
Pasadena City College has announced the cancellation of its upcoming six-week winter intercession for 2010, in an effort to meet the $7 million budget cut approved by the Pasadena Area Community College District Board of Trustees. As a part of PCC’s “Budget Watch,” PCC President Paulette Perfumo announced in a message that in spite of the “draconian cuts from Sacramento,” additional classes and sections will be added to the school’s spring and fall semesters in order to offset this decision. However, Perfumo did add that the college was in “much better shape than many other community colleges.” The PCC Board of Trustees also approved the reduction of conference and travel expenses, as well as the use of consultants, all by fifty percent.
BY KYLE KHANDIKIAN
the popular block party atop the iconic Pasadena Bridge. Pasadena Heritage, a nonprofit organization aimed at protecting and preserving Pasadena’s
Bridge on 12
Local T.E.A. Partiers Seek “Change” in Economic Policy BY SUSAN MOTANDER
The Monrovia TEA party attendees ranged in age from pre-voting to senior citizens - all of whom had a united message no new taxes and no health care reform. - Photo by Terry Miller
They have been held all over the country: T.E.A. parties. One was held in Monrovia last weekend. T.E.A., in this case, standing for Taxed Enough Already. On Friday, July 3 more than 40 protesters appeared at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Huntington Drive in Monrovia. After a slow start, the group hit its stride about 6 p.m. For a solid hour there was a constant cacophony of horns blowing in support of the protesters. Only one negative reaction was drawn, and this from three young people who waved at the protesters, but did so with only one finger. The other reactions were overwhelmingly positive. Clare Chesley and Mary Winners were the principal organizers of this effort. They described their efforts as grassroots and locally based. “There is no hierarchy in this, “Chesley said; “We don’t agree with the fiscal irresponsibility of our legislators and feel it is time to fight back.” Chesley said their rally was designed to show support for those who are fighting to return America to its libertarian roots. “We are exercising our first amendment right to freedom of speech in an attempt to bring back our economic and individual liberties.” The signs the T.E.A. party attendees waved included those that explained they felt “Taxed Enough Already.” Other signs read ”Cap and Trade, Be Afraid,” “Where’s my Bailout?” and “Give me Liberty, Not Debt.”
T.E.A on 3
Caltrans to Bankroll Million Dollar SCAG “Congestion Study” BY MORGAN CARPENTER At the July 2nd meeting of SCAG, the executive administration committee authorized SCAG to accept $800,000 from Caltrans State Planning and Research Grant Funds. These funds will go to the Regional Congestion Pric-
ing Study, which is a multi-year, multi-phased project focusing on integrated regional solution is “reduce congestion, optimize productivity of the transportation system, reduce emissions, and identify more efficient means of revenue generation.” SCAG also accepted a dona-
tion from Caltrans of $200,000 for the fiscal year 2008-2009 budget, bringing the total cost of the study to $1 million dollars. What is SCAG? It’s an acronym that’s been popping up lately a round Sier ra Madre. SCAG stands for Southern California Associat ion of Gover nment s,
and it calls itself “a forum to develop and foster the realization of regional plans that improve the quality of life for Southern Californians.” While membership is optional and requires dues, every city in San Gabriel Valley with the
SCAG on 3
OLD PAS. FILM FEST STARTS THIS WEEKEND Yearly Festival Brings Celluloid Classics to Urban Setting
The Old Pasadena Film Festival is a free, three-week outdoor venue which will begin on Friday, July 10, 2009, and last until Saturday, July 25, 2009, and will feature many classic, as well as contemporary films, for audiences to enjoy. The screenings of each film will take place outdoors across Old Pasadena, from the roofs of buildings to Pasadena alleyways. This festival will include over twenty screenings, as well as celebrity appearances and a special tribute to Academy Award winner Alfred Newman. Movies will include favorite classics like “Footloose,” musicals such as “West Side Story,” and even a silent film, “Daddy Long-Legs,” which will be accompanied by the Malibu Coast Chamber Orchestra. For more information visit oldpasadena.org