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sierramadreweekly.com
Thursday, December 31, 2015 - January 6, 2016
Your Voice, Your Community
Since 1996
COMPLIMENTARY COPY VOLUME 19, NO. 53
Soaring Over Paradise in 127th Rose Parade in Pasadena BY TERRY MILLER
In a few hours, all the floats participating in the annual Rose Parade will be tooling down Colorado Blvd. in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, still cameras, and television crews sending images to audiences the world over. But what makes all these floats so unique is the volunteer effort that put the finishing touches to the major designs at the two major float builders, as well as the smaller float builders like Sierra Madre Rose Float Association. Hundreds of hours are devoted each year to the tiniest details; using seeds and flowers to create the designer’s vision. It is estimated that it takes 60 volunteers working 10 hours a day for 10 days to decorate one float. Every square inch of the exposed surface of a float entered in the Rose Parade must be covered with flowers or other natural materials. The rules are strict. These other decorative applicants include bark, seeds, SEE PAGE 4
Volunteers work on the intricate details of the Dole float at Fiesta Floats in Irwindale Monday. The pressure is on for the completion by New Year’s morning for the world to see. – Photo by Terry Miller
Harabedian Seeks Re-Election in Sierra Madre
Former Sierra Madre Mayor and current Councilmember John Harabedian has announced that he plans to seek reelection to the Sierra Madre City Council in the upcoming April 12, 2016 election. Harabedian, along with Mayor Capoccia, was elected to a four-year term on the City Council in April 2012, and desires to return for a second term. “It’s been an honor to serve Sierra Madre over the past four years,” Harabedian stated. “During that time, we have made great strides in solving some of the real challenges facing the City–
including our budget and water issues – and I believe we need experienced leadership over the next four years to finish the job. That’s why I am running for reelection.” “The City would be lucky to have Mayor Capoccia for another four years on City Council,” Harabedian noted. “I hope the citizens give both of us the opportunity to continue the work we have been doing on Council since being elected in 2012.” The nomination period for two four-year City Council seats opened on Dec. 21, 2015, and closes on Jan. 15, 2016. Capoccia and Har-
abedian both have pulled nomination papers.
John Harabedian. - Photo Courtesy Facebook
Duarte Residents Invited to Provide Input During Parks Community Workshop Duarte residents are invited to participate in a Parks and Facility Needs Community Workshop on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016 beginning at 7 p.m. and ending no later than 9 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Duarte Community Center located at 1600 Huntington Drive. A delicious dinner and refreshments will be served. Day care will be available and opportunity drawings will be held throughout the program for present attendees to win
various prizes. This meeting will be used to identify Duarte’s community-specific needs and determine priority projects. The County of Los Angeles is conducting a countywide assessment of the need for parks and recreation in both cities and unincorporated areas. The goal of the Park Needs Assessment is to engage all communities within the County in a collaborative process to gather data and input for future decision-making on parks and
recreation. The Park Needs Assessment will increase the County’s understanding of existing park and recreation assets, and help to determine how to improve, expand, and make them more accessible. Specifically, the final report will determine Study Areas and will identify, prioritize and outline costs for potential park projects within each Study Area. For additional information and to RSVP please call (626) 357-7931 extension 201.