Readers’Choice 2012 2013
Tops in the Valley
coming soon!
Thursday, MAY 24 - MAY 30, 2012
A zusa B eacon Community News, Arts & Opinions Since 1996
Pasadena Marathon Attracts 7000 Athletes
Readers’Choice 2012 2013
Tops in the Valley
coming soon!
Volume XVII, No. XXI
State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Reports Record Number of School Districts in Financial Jeopardy State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson warned today that 2.6 million California children now attend schools in districts that are in financial jeopardy—the highest number of financially troubled districts in state history. “This is the kind of record no one wants to set. Across California, parents, teachers, and administrators are increasingly wondering
how to keep their schools’ lights on, their bills paid, and their doors open,” Torlakson said. “The deep cuts this budget crisis has forced—and the uncertainties about what lies ahead—are taking an unprecedented and unacceptable toll on our schools.” The state’s Second Interim Status Report for 201112 also shows a record-high 188 local educational agencies (LEAs) are either in neg-
ative or qualified financial status. That’s up 61 LEAs from the First Interim Status Report for 2011-12 issued in February, and up 45 from the Second Interim Report for 2010-11 issued a year ago. The new report shows 12 LEAs received negative certifications and 176 received qualified certifications. Students in these 188 Please see page 5
Duarte City Council Weighs More Budget Cuts, Reductions, Fees and Taxes Duarte City Council members spent two nights in budget workshop meetings grappling with hard decisions about further cuts and reductions to help balance the 2012-13 fiscal year budget in the wake of the end of redevelopment, a slow economy and continued State budget short-
In the half-marathon, Caltech’s Marlyn Moore completed the race wearing an “Angry Birds” head. -Photo by Terry Miller
Approximately 7,000 ahtletes including runners, walkers and cyclists got up a little earlier than usual last Sunday for the fourth annual Pasadena Marathon. At 5:45 AM the cyclists got off to a safe and
swift start for the tour of Pasadena and at 6:30 the main event, the marathon. This was the first year without rain much to the delight of organizers as well as participants. Except for some timing malfunctions which
caused a little confusion on behalf of some runners, the rest of the day’s events went well according to founder Israel Estrada. Approximately 7,000 runners, walkers and cy-
falls now estimated at approximately $16 billion. With the certain impact of a fourth consecutive year of cuts and reductions on City services, programs, and staffing, the Council is carefully weighing the significant impact on residents of continued deep cuts.
Council members were presented with a preliminary analysis of the 2012-13 General Fund projecting revenues of approximately $11,832,500 million, expenses of $12,529,600 million, and a projected deficit of Please see page 12
2012 Mt. Wilson Trail Race Scheduled for Saturday Morning
Please see page 4
Memorial Day Ceremonies Start Saturday in Arcadia The City of Rosemead will hold their Memorial Day Ceremony at Savannah Memorial Park Cemetery on Monday - May 28, 2012. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 am. The public is invited to attend and pay tribute to all who have sacrificed to keep our nation free. For more information please check out this web site: Memorial Day: Tour of historic Savannah Cemetery Arcadia Park will host 14th Annual event Saturday. -Photo by Terry Miller
Please see page 14
There is also a childrens’ race after the main event. -Photo by Terry Miller
Saturday, May 26 marks the 104th anniversary of the running of the historic Mt. Wilson Trail Race, a grueling 8.6-mile test up to Orchard Camp and back to Kersting Court. Emerson Gray, a
student of Sierra Madre Middle School, will sing the national anthem before the race. Race time is 7:30am. That the race sold out in under eight hours this year is evidence of the
event’s popularity over recent years. Runners and hikers come far and wide to run the Mt. Wilson Trail Race, which is one of Trail Runner Magazine’s TroPlease see page 7