13-Year- Old Emilie’s Experience of Growing up in a Hostel P. 13
monroviaweekly.com
Thursday, February 26, 2015 - March 4, 2015
Volume 19, No. 9
Community News, Arts & Opinions Since 1996
Pasadena’s 2015 Black History Month Parade Celebrates Diversity
LOCAL NEWS
Girl Scout Troop Explores Leadership at the Disneyland Resort P. 15
By terry miller
Another Successful Care Café P. 14
SPORTS
Monrovia, Advances to Second Round of CIF Playoffs P. 17
Maranatha to Advance to CIF Semifinals P. 18
ENTERTAINMENT With A Bounty Of Babies At The L.A. Zoo P. 11
The annual Black History Parade in Pasadena Saturday was a time for healing and reflection.
Art Matters in Monrovia Schools
The Madwoman of Chaillot Closes this Weekend P. 12
BUSINESS
Pasadena Sandwich Company Celebrates 20 Years P. 20
West Coast Port Employers, Dockworkers Reach Tentative Deal P. 20
EDUCATION
Jaime Escalante: Exhibition at Pasadena City College P. 27
California has Nation’s Highest Statewide Child Poverty Rate P. 26
- Photo by Terry Miller
by susan motander
W
hen schools face budget restrictions, very often the first items on the chopping block are what many people consider the “nonessentials.” Quite often, these are subjects such as art and music. Fortunately, for the schools in the Monrovia Unified School District, the Boone Foundation is providing funding for a very important art program, a mural project, returning balance and beauty to the schools. Now in its second year, the mural project is being undertaken at all five Monrovia elementary schools. Under the direction of the district’s resident artist, Shannon Fitzpatrick, students are painting murals at their own schools, Dr. Katherine Thorossian, the superintendent, praised the program saying “The world as seen through the eyes of an artist provides deeper insights and allows those who are exposed
SUNDAY, MARCH 1st at 7PM
SEE PG. 15
to great art a rare opportunity. Shannon Fitzpatrick has created such opportunities for our students.” Fitzpatrick has writ-
ten several books about art, its role in history and in education. She has helped to create more than 75 murals in schools
Shannon Fitzpatrick guides 4th grader Ava Shechtman at Monroe Elementary School on the Art Matters Mural project Tuesday. The students are recreating a Diego Rivera masterpiece. – Photo by Terry Miller
At the brand new “E SPOT LOUNGE” at Vitello’s
ICH, CATALINA ARA BRIGHTON, MERLE KREIB RB BA N, STO ON BR E YTH ED HONOREES: , Ann Mack, Jackie Gibson, Martha Taylor LaCAroix ia, arc al-G Seg hy Cat , nor cial Appearance by Corky Hale! Con Spe Cat FEATURING: Bird Wolfe & Ada ite, Wh ren Lau , uill Spr nie pha Dolores Scozzesi, Ste
SEE PG. 16
Monrovia Celebrates Black History Month Monrovia had a long list of activities in conjunction with Black History Month this year. The Monrovia Historical Museum and the Monrovia-Duarte Black Alumni Association organized visits from artist Hope Demetriades, Dr. Wilma Ellis Kazemzadeh, and the New Buffalo Soldiers. On Feb. 22nd, Dr. Wilma Ellis Kazemzadeh spoke to a mixed crowd about the urgency to remember Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. “We cannot retire from this work,” said the former administrator of Spelman College. The stage also featured a rendition of “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” by the Second Baptist Church Choir. This historic Church is celebrating their 113th anniversary. Hope SEE PG. 14
Benefit for Barbara Fiametta
A E LOS ANGELES JAZZ SCENE: IA TH OF N ME WO E TH ES AT BR POPESCU, CATHY SEGAL-GARC ZZ DEL CORAZON CELE
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The 33rd Annual Black History Parade was celebrated last Saturday with a huge show of community spirit, local leaders and celebrities. Hundreds of people lined Fair Oaks to cheer on such notables as Councilwoman Jacque Robinson, Former State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, as well as Phillip Sanchez, Pasadena’s Chief of Police who was out in force with his key staff shaking hands with as many people as possible. The community policing such as Chief Sanchez is spearheading was very well-received in the community that has seen a lot of violence in recent months, particularly shootings. Sanchez and the Pasadena PD made it loud and clear that they are here to protect everyone in the community. One
FORD BELL
Produced by JACKIE GIBSON & CLIF Featuring STEVE RAWLINS TRIO
COVER CHARGE: $20.00 PLUS FOOD / DRINKS MINIMUM 4349 Tujunga Ave. | Studio City, CA 91604 RSVP: (818)769-0905 Tickets available at www.vitellosrestaurant.com