2013_03_14_Pasadena Independent

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pasadenaindependent.com Thursday, MARCH 14 - MARCH 20, 2013

Monday’s earthquake reminds us to take precautions An earthquake rolled through Southern California Monday morning at 9:55AM but there were no immediate reports of damage. The quake had an estimated magnitude of 4.7 a seismic analyst at the California Institute of Technology's seismological laboratory said. The initial temblor was reported as a 5.1 and about 50 ‘aftershocks’ were also reported. The epicenter was about a dozen miles from the desert town of Anza, about 100 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The temblor was felt sharply in the local area and caused a swaying or rolling motion in Los Angeles and San Diego. Defining Quakes: To understand earthquakes, here is a short primer on some of the terms scientists use and what they mean: Earthquake: An earthquake is the sudden slip of one block of the earth’s crust past another that produces shaking as one of its effects. Just like the slip of one finPlease see page 16

Annual Wistaria Festival - Sunday March 17 Sierra Madre's record holding blooming plant center of festivities

The annual Wistaria Festival proves to be a swinging time for one and all this weekend in Sierra Madre. -Photo by Terry Miller

The Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Wistaria Festival on Sunday, March 17, 2013. The festival first began in the early 20th century, drawing as many as 100,000 people over an extended period of time. Now the vine, which is on private property, is available to the public for viewing only one day a

year. The Guinness Book of World Records has certified the vine as the world’s largest blossoming plant, and estimates that at its peak, the vine had as many as 1.5 million blooms, weighed 250 tons, and covered more than an acre of ground. The vine is so large that it encompasses the better part of two

Rosemead Real Estate firm dental apologizes for breach of hygienist contract and defamation – arrested Court awards $385,000 to Singpoli Pacifica

-Courtesy Photo

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau facilitated Please see page 9

Volume 18, No. 11

Community News, Arts & Opinions Since 1996

Singpoli Pacifica, LLC and its CEO Kin Hui announces the receipt of a letter of apology and $385,000 from Los Angeles-based real estate brokerage firm Charles Dunn Company as part of a lawsuit settlement. On December 10, 2010, Plaintiffs Kin Hui and Singpoli Pacifica, LLC filed an action against defendants Charles Dunn Company, Inc. and Robert

properties. At one point the vine, which was originally planted in 1894, actually destroyed a structure on one of the properties, which crumbled under its weight. In addition to the vine viewing, downtown Sierra Madre is transformed into an arts and craft fair for the day, with 100 artisans and crafters displaying

their work at booths on the town’s two main streets, which are closed off to traffic for the day. This compliments well the charming village shops that line the downtown area, offering those in attendance a great opportunity to find just the right gift, that special item for the home décor, or a Please see page 14

PUSD chief facilities officer quits amid scandal Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Chief Facilities Officer David Azcarraga has submitted his resignation from the district effective March 12, 2013. According to a press release, “this is a personnel matter, the district will make no further comment on the resignation.” However there has been considerable speculation and scandal regarding Measure TT funds. An informer advised PUSD officials some time ago that some of the contractors were not exactly ‘above board’ for Measure TT construction jobs. Other individuals directly involved will also lose their contracts according to PUSD officials. Measure TT which was supposed to be a $350 million improvement bond program passed by Pasadena district voters in 2008, is the funding source for several local school projects, including the still desolate Sierra Madre Middle School. Parents and concerned citizens in Sierra Madre have voiced complaints for years that there wassomething amiss with the contractor(s).

Reps. Judy Chu and Adam Schiff denounce sequester and its impact on local education

Harrison in Los Angeles Superior Court, (Case No. BC 451003) for breach of a written contract and defamation. The lawsuit was precipitated by alleged false statements made by Defendant Robert Harrison against Plaintiffs Kin Hui and Singpoli Pacifica, LLC. Robert Harrison had ap-

Friday morning, Representatives Judy Chu (CA-27) and Adam Schiff (CA-28) were joined by Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard and Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Jon R. Gundry at a press conference and other leaders outlining the negative impact of sequestration on local education. Both Chu and Schiff have been outspoken critics of the mandatory across-theboard budget cuts, known as sequestration, and have

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Rep. Judy Chu makes a point at Mother’s Club last week. -Photo by Terry Miller


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