THE FOOTHILLS PAPER April 4 2014 by David DeMulle'

WE HAD AN ELECTION! Who really won? See below

FREE

FRIDAY • APRIL 4, 2014

INSIDE: WWII in the Pacific .................

Fashion Show Fund Raiser .................

VHWC Sings in Riverside .................

CCRC Rotary Event .................

Be a Fire Lookout Volunteer! .................

Antique and Plant Sale .................

OLL Fish Fry This Friday .................

Earthquake Prep is Sound Advice .............

DEPARTMENTS What Folks Are Doing........... 2 View from the Rock.............. 3 Letters and Perspectives........ 3 Chef Randy........................... 5 Artfully Speaking.................. 5 Take My Card....................... 9 Auntie Gail’s Pet Corner...... 10

THE PAPER WITH AN ATTITUDE!

VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 7

Billy Martinez Memorial Removed by City of L.A. A roadside memorial to Billy Martinez on Foothill where he was killed by a motorist was removed by the City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Street Services for being a “eyesore and hazard” according to Leticia Reed. A memorial had been set up for Billy by his friends and family and a “ghost bike” marked the site where he was was killed while riding home in the dark. According to ghostbikes.org, a site that chronicles memorials set up in the New York City area and elsewhere, the first ghost bike was created in 2003 in St. Louis Now they’re all over the world —including Southern California. Last fall, a gallery in East Hollywood showcased art related to ghost bikes in the Los Angeles area. Painted completely white, the bikes help bring closure to those who lose friends and family on the road, according to members of the cycling community who erect ghost bikes. Danny Gamboa, who has worked on a 60-minute documentary about ghost

bikes, is one of several activists who create the memorials in the Los Angeles area. Gamboa’s Web site is filled with photos of the memorials. “We’ve placed ghost bikes for cyclists as young as 6-yearolds and as old at 90-yearolds,” Gamboa said. The mission is “to make sure that anyone killed on their bike isn’t forgotten and isn’t dying in vain,” according to a Facebook page for Ghost Bikes-LA. According to federal data, 726 cyclists died in collisions in the U.S. in 2012. As a growing number of Southern California cities seek to add or consider bike lanes and cycling advocates becoming more vocal, such deaths are increasingly in the spotlight locally. The intersection at Mc Vine and Foothill Blvd. is known for it’s accidents. This is the site of the second fatal accident last year. The Ghost Bike memorial creates a lasting impression on drivers and a monument to another family destroyed on Foothill Boulevard.

Ghost Bike Memorial for Billy Martinez

Family and friends gather at the spot where Billy was killed by a motorist.

STNC Term Limits Challenged The neighborhood council elections are over but the challenges continue to be heard by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE). The Foothills Paper filed five separate election violations based on the bylaws calling out term limits for the Sunland-Tujunga board. The bylaws call out a maximum of FOUR terms that any board member can hold. At question are the positions of President Mark Seigel and Cindy Cleghorn who have held board positions since 2003 when the STNC was charted. Independent Election Administrator Jose Sandoval, who receives $7,200 for his services,

possibly gave out wrong information to the candidates and potential candidates. It is now up to DONE to determine if his varying answers as to the time limits, term limits and validity of the “provisional voters” was correct. The STNC board cannot be empaneled before DONE makes its determination. If DONE does not make it’s determination before the board becomes empanelled, there is the possibility that under DONE regulations, the STNC could be DE-CERTIFIED and have to become re-certified again. This would put the 4th of July Fireworks and Parade in jeopardy.

Monthly STNC board meeting.

2 — FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 7

Bill to Force Hit-and-Run Offenders Off California Roadways

Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s (D-Los Angeles) legislation to increase penalties for those who flee the scene of an accident cleared another legislative hurdle today, passing the Assembly Transportation Committee by a vote of 13-1. Gatto’s bill, AB 1532, would expand hit-and-run penalties to include automatic license suspension for motorists who flee the scene of any accident involving another person. “The only way to know if you hurt someone is to stop. The only way to get someone medical help is to stop,” said Assemblyman Gatto. “Allowing drivers who don’t stop to keep their license, adds insult to their victim’s injuries.” Right now, there are few consequences for hit-and-run offenders whose victims are lucky enough to walk away with only minor injuries. The problem with current law is that it sets the penalty based on how bad the victim’s injuries end up being, and there is no way to know that at the moment of impact. The Committee passed the legislation as public-safety organizations and hit-and-run victims like Damian Kevitt an-

nounced renewed efforts to call attention to L.A.s’ hit-andrun epidemic. Kevitt survived a brutal hit-and-run in Gatto’s district last year, which resulted in dozens of broken bones and the amputation of one of Kevitt’s legs. He recently announced that he would return to his bicycle on April 27 for a charity event called “Finish the Ride” which he organized with the help of Gatto’s office, the L.A. County Bicycle Coalition and the office of L.A. Councilman Tom LaBonge. “Victims deserve to know that cowards who drive recklessly, and purposefully avoid responsibility, can no longer drive the streets,” said Gatto. “AB 1532 is a sensible fix to the law that will lead people to think twice before leaving the scene of an accident.” Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the CA State Assembly. He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the L.A. neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake. www.asm. ca.gov/gatto

World War II in the Pacific The Crescenta Valley Sierra Club Group will feature, Bob Ibsen’s World War II in the Pacific, on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m., at the Los Angeles County Public Library, 2809 Foothill Boulevard, La Crescenta, California. (Please enter on La Crescenta Avenue for the meeting room and parking.) Bob Ibsen, a member of the Sierra Club for over 40 years, as historian and world traveler of 192 countries, all the 50 states and nearly all of the National Parks, has much to tell us about his travels. He will take us chronologically from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima, with a multi-

The USS Idaho (BB-42), a New Mexico-class battleship, shells Okinawa on April 1, 1945 tude of stops along the way to most of his life to all those places like Wake Island, Guacountries of the world. dalcanal, Guam and Iwo Jima. Our program begins following news of Outings and Con Bob attended Pomona College and graduated from Clareservation. This is a free event mont Graduate University with and everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served. a degree in U.S. History. He taught at Covina High, Europe- Please contact Wayne Fisher, an and American History for Program Chair, for further information at 818 353-4181. over 35 years. He has traveled

Town Hall Meeting What: The public and members of the local media are invited to attend a “Building Responsible Government” Town Hall with Assemblyman Mike Gatto. On Saturday, April 5, 2014, from 11am to 12:30pm, Assemblyman Gatto will be available to answer questions about community issues, provide updates and information about his 2014 legislation, and discuss suggestions for legislation in 2015. This will be Gatto’s sixth town-hall meeting, issues forum, or listening session in the past twelve months. Town Hall Meeting with Assemblyman Mike Gatto Saturday, April 5, 2014 11am-12:30pm Glendale YWCA Regency Room 735 E. Lexington Drive Glendale, CA 91505

Space is limited. Please RSVP by calling 818-558-3043 or emailing Assemblymember.Gatto@assembly.ca.gov Why: Town-hall meetings provide an opportunity for community members to gather together and speak directly with their elected representatives. Assemblyman Mike Gatto is proud to invite the public to join the conversation at this “Building Responsible Government” town-hall meeting. Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the California State Assembly. He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake. www.asm.ca.gov/gatto

Fashion Show Fundraiser Fun, fashion, food and fundraising was what happened last Saturday, March 15th at the annual Fashion Show hosted by the La Crescenta Woman’s Club. This was the largest fundraiser for the year and it was a great success. The beautiful fashions were supplied by Talbots and modeled by lovely members of the club for all to enjoy. During the festivities, the guests had the opportunity to bid on over 60 silent auction baskets. There was much running back to make sure their bids were still the highest. As if that wasn’t enough to keep them busy, there was an opportunity table with loads of other goodies to place their raffle tickets in to get a chance to take home beautiful and creative items. The guests dined on a delicious chicken entré and

Lovely Ladies of La Crescenta Women’s Club step into spring. ended their culinary experience with a brownie and ice cream dessert. The theme this year was Step into Spring and everywhere you looked there were beautiful shoes with amazing floral decorations in each. The tables were set inviting all to the floral extravaganza. This annual event is the main fund-raiser for the club. It generates the majority of the funds

needed to keep the philanthropic activities flowing to the many local organizations in need of help. The La Crescenta Woman’s Club is a non profit organization working towards the betterment of the community. The opportunity to give back to those in need, is just a call away. If you are interested in becoming a member, contact Cindy Charles at (818) 389-2266.

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 3

VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 7 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

The Neighborhood Council election is over, well almost. Now is the time for the Dept. of Neighborhood Empowerment to go through the challenges and determine if any have merit. Certain proclaimed pundits have lorded over the community forums throwing out their unenlightened wisdom. One such person was Paul Hatfield who writes for CitywatchLA and claimed that “DeMullé came on like Putin in Crimea. On the pages of his paper, he accused certain officers of the current board of misappropriation of funds and suggested one was behind a plot benefitting Scientology. He characterized yet another officer as an Orwellian villain, complete with a caricature that exceeded even the standards of bad taste. There were times when his choice of words in these attacks was crude. When there were references to seemingly legitimate issues, his message was usually wrapped in anger…” WOW! Makes you wonder whose pocket he’s in. It’s really interesting to me how politically correct he is in his statements. Of course, he doesn’t

V IV EIW EW know what he is talking about. How could he? He didn’t have the actual records of how money was passed around the board members, under the table and through a money laundering group called the S-T Shadow Hills Community fund that was set up by past chamber president Sonia Tatulian to disburse money in such a way as to defraud local service organizations. But how could he know? Hatfield only got his information from “mining” the local hate blogs and forums that catered to the vociferous minorities who spent their working hours surfing Facebook. Hatfield’s minion, Denyse Selesnick, was quick to

RO RC K OC K

jump on the bandwagon and repeat, “I personally refuted the financial misappropriation comments since I was familiar with the accounting process followed by STNC’s recent treasurers.” It’s funny that if he was so sure that I was lying, he didn’t know that STNC treasurer Royal didn’t even do the books. They were done by Mark Seigel and Logistics Manager Ed Rock. I guess he also didn’t know that Royal received money from the STNC to put out her annual newsletter. If he did, and he still put out the party line, I guess that makes him suspect. Yes, boys and girls, this was an in-

teresting election. And it will get even better as the month unfolds. Liars telling lies for liars. Damn if that doesn’t sound like the S-T Lions Club and the Watermelon Festival, or the bogus “Best of SunlandTujunga” contest, or the coup d’etat of the Watermelon Festival King, or the Cleghorn machine getting printing jobs to the tune of over $20,000 from the neighborhood councils without going to bid. I just name names and repeat what I’m told. I don’t have to make up lies. But then again, I don’t drink the Water.

Little Landers Historical Society Presents

Saturday April 12th, 2014 1:00 PM Bolton Hall Museum

10110 Commerce Avenue in Tujunga (corner of Valmont & Commerce)

Parking available uphill at the Elks Lodge

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

is published bi-weekly. All contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. All submissions to this newspaper become property of THE FOOTHILLS PAPER and may not be republished in whole or in part. The opinions expressed by contributing writers do not necessarily express the views of the publisher nor staff of this newspaper. TFP is available free of charge. No person may, without prior written permission from TFP, take more than one copy of each edition (stated value: $1). Only authorized TFP distributors may distribute THE FOOTHILLS PAPER. THE FOOTHILLS PAPER has terminated its Non-Profit status so that it can more effectively address political and social problems within our community!

Everyone is Welcome Free Admission Donations gratefully accepted Light refreshments served after the presentation

Our speaker, Ellie Kahn, will screen her acclaimed documentary film Meet Me at Brooklyn & Soto, based on oral histories with former residents of the once thriving Jewish community in Boyle Heights. Brooklyn Avenue (now Caesar Chavez), and its intersection with Soto was the heart of the largest Jewish community west of Chicago from 1920 to the 1940s. After the screening, Ms. Kahn will describe how the project came about and the process of training volunteers to do the initial interviews.

Our programs for April and May focus on the importance of collecting oral histories and saving the stories about our lives, experiences and the times in which we live. Attend one or both of these interesting programs.

Visit our website for much more information.

LittleLandersHistoricalSociety.org (818) 352-3420

EXECUTIVE EDITOR/PUBLISHER Dr. David DeMullé editor@thefoothillspaper.com PRODUCTION and DESIGN Randall Fleming ftp@thepaper.ws WITH THANKS TO The ILS Foundation for Their Support

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER TheFoothillsPaper.COM 6470 Foothill Blvd. Tujunga CA 91042 818-951-0943

L.A. Press Club Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles International Combat Camera Association

Save the Date! On May 10th, Ellie will return to Bolton Hall to offer a hands-on workshop experience in collecting oral histories. Learn the basics of interviewing and sharing experiences in order to collect our personal and family's stories.

Special Business Expo in coming Sept.Paper 18-20 Top 10 Reasons to Advertise The Foothills 1. Read by 6,000+ local readers every two weeks, providing maximum exposure for your business 2. Growing newspaper – We’re not going anywhere. 8+ years 3. Free paper delivery to your place of business to provide to your patrons 4. Advertising increases traffic directly to your business 5. Your business is promoted at our website and on our Facebook page 6. 20,000+ Facebook likes in the last 18 months 7. Facebook activity of over 2,000 views per day and growing 8. National and international exposure 9. Personalized attention and service 10. Local repeat advertisers. Why? Because advertising increased their business traffic Go with a winner – Advertise with The Foothills Paper and watch your business grow! Special Business Expo promotion September 18-20

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE: ASK FOR DETAILS.

818-951-0943

LittleLanders@verizon.net

4 — FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 7

VHWC Travels to Riverside to Sing By Arlene Massimino

Second Mystery Surrounds Sister Elsie’s Peak

The Verdugo Hills Women’s Chorus (VHWC) like many choruses in the California Women’s Chorus, Inc. (CWC) began as PTA Mother Singers almost 60 years ago. They sang under the direction of Betty McGaughy until her retirement in 1999. Since that time, Sharon Schlarb has served as choral director for the VHWC whose membership now totals 35. Women from diverse backgrounds gather together on Monday mornings with a common bond: they love Mia Lundergan (driver), Gale Musker (sticking out of the sunroof), Jean Van to sing. Members who live in La Vlear and Mary Orcutt (putting luggage in the trunk). Crescenta, La Canada, Pasadena, dents studying vocal music. The On Saturday May 3, after a Altadena, Glendale, Burbank good night’s rest, the singers and Sunland-Tujunga rehearse a VHWC, along with members of the eleven other choruses in will be up bright and early and challenging, fun and enjoyable CWC, will travel to the Riverready for a three hour rehearsal array of music and perform in many venues in the Foothill and side Mission Inn for the CWC’s with guest director, Melva 45th Annual Convention, being Morrison leading the almost surrounding communities with Sharon Schlarb wielding the ba- hosted by the Riverside Mission 200 members of the combined Belles on May 2, 3 and 4. Regis- choruses. Melva has said there ton and Diana Tyson accompatration will begin Friday mornis nothing like hearing womnying on the piano. ing, May 2 and will continue en’s voices combined in joyful The VHWC supports the most of the day. Friday night ac- singing. Accompanying them goals of CWC which are twotivities will include a Mexican on the piano will be William fold: to promote choral singing dinner and entertainment by the Brakemeyer. among women and to raise L.A. Ballet Folklorico dancers. funds for scholarships for stusee VHWC, page 11

CCRC Rotary Event By Joe Kroening

Somewhere on Elsie’s Peak is a mysteriously placed flag pole. Amateur astronomer Jack Wollard of Sunland was adjusting his telescope when he made a startling discovery. From the rugged peaks of Sister Elsie’s Peak, he saw a tall pole with an American flag rising high above the ridge. With no easy access up to the peak, it requires a rather hardy soul to climb the mountain. Carting a flagpole and fixings to fasten the pole makes the task that much more difficult. “I’d like to know who put it up there, and when, and why they put it up, and how they got it up there,” said Wollard. And he isn’t the only one. Jack’s discovery is the second mystery surrounding the mountain peak. The first was the naming of the peak. According to legend, Sister Elsie, a Sister of Charity, came to Tujunga between 1850 and 1875, just before the influx of white settlers.

Besides working with Indian children, she planted orchards and pastured cows for the benefit of the parochial school in Pueblo de Los Angeles. One story tells of Sister Elsie’s desire to be buried atop the mountain whose rugged peak strengthened her during troubled times. When she died, somehow, like our mysterious flag raiser, her friends managed to get up there. In another story, two nuns lost their way walking between the San Fernando and San Gabriel Missions. One climbed to the peak for directions and died there of exhaustion. Since the Indians associated all nuns with Sister Elsie, they simply named the peak after the one they knew best. While the first mystery will probably remain so for all time, maybe someone has information that will solve the second.

Interact Club Liaison Officer Rahla Frohlich officially chartered our two Interact Clubs. Rahla has worked very hard for almost a year organizing the Clubs at La Canada and Crescenta Valley high Schools. You could tell by her smile and enthusiastic attitude that she is proud of the Interactors. Rahla downplayed her involvement noting that Bryant Lim was responsible for a lot of the ground work. She also noted that LCHS Principal Ian McFeat (A CCRC Rotarian) and CVHS Principal Linda Junge (A GSR Rotarian) along with LCHS Advisor Brent Beaty and CVHS Advisor Ann Spinks were supporters and helpful organizers. Irene Keller also assisted. Rahla introduced the Club Presidents, Alycia Chung of CV and Elizabeth Hong of LC. They told us their Interactors are working hard doing several

Rotary Interact Presidents Elizabeth Hong (LaCañada HS) and Alycia Chung (Crescenta Valley) each holding her club’s newly signed charter from Rotary International presented by Rotarian Rahla Frohlich.

local projects. They are also volunteering with Aid Africa as their International Service Project. To raise funds for their projects they have a joint inter club talent show coming up on Friday, March 28th at La Canada High School. The clubs meet weekly and their meetings are much like ours. The members are involved and are hard working.

Rahla, assisted by Assistant Governor Zaven Kazazian, presented pins and tee shirts to the Interactors. Zaven then made a great presentation to the Interact Officers challenging them to do well, do good things and become leaders at their schools and beyond. Ian was followed by our own Ian McFeat who noted the Interact see CCRC, page 5

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 5

VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 7 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

Eggs Benedict

Artfully

By Chef Randy

New York’s Delmonico’s Steakhouse Restaurant opened it’s doors in 1837. Approximately 30 years later the first Eggs Benedict were served. Here’s how the story goes according to the Kitchen Project Web site: In the 1860s, a regular patron of the restaurant, Mrs. LeGrand Benedict, finding nothing to her liking and wanting something new to eat for lunch, discussed this with Delmonico’s Chef Charles Ranhofer. . . Ranhofer came up with Eggs Benedict. Here is his original recipe published in 1894: Eggs à la Benedick - Cut some muffins in halves crosswise, toast them without allowing to brown, then place a round of cooked ham an eighth of an inch thick and of the same diameter as the muffins one each half. Heat in a moderate oven and put a poached egg on each toast. Cover the whole with Hollandaise sauce. My vegetarian recipe doesn’t include ham, but even the most hardcore omnivore will love it. Serve with my easy roasted asparagus spears and slices of fresh seasonal melon on the side. Eggs Benedict Ingredients: 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive

SPEAKING

Freedom to Fail oil 5 cups fresh baby spinach leaves 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest (chopped) 2 English Muffins (split in half) Honey Hollandaise Sauce (see below) 1 quart water 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or vinegar) 4 fresh large eggs Salt and pepper to taste Paprika for garnish Directions:

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add fresh spinach and lemon zest and sauté until just wilted – 1 to 2 minutes. Cover to keep warm and set aside. To cook eggs, bring water and lemon juice to a boil, and then reduce heat to simmer. Break eggs into small prep dishes or custard cups. Turn up heat until water just begins to boil and gently pour eggs, one at a time, into water. When all four eggs are in the boiling water, turn off heat, cover pan and set aside for see Eggs, page 11

See Chef Randy’s food blog for more recipes at

http://valley-vegetarian.com

Great Tomato Talk and Spring Plant Sale April 9 On April 9, Tomato Guru Steve Goto shares his growing secrets and top picks for 2014. He is back by popular demand for the 13th year. Join us for his popular, informative and funny lecture at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Goto will share his top tomato picks for 2014 as well as growing tips and the tricks of the trade for planting and har-

vesting the best tomatoes in Southern California. Following the talk, attend the Spring Plant Sale at the Gift Shop patio. Organic heirloom tomatoes, native plants from the Theodore Payne Foundation, herbs, vegetables, flowers and many other seasonal plants will be available for purchase. When: Wednesday to Sunday, April 9-13, 2014 Time: 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

First a talk; Plant Sale follows and continues daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. through Sunday, April 13. Where: Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden 301 North Baldwin Avenue Arcadia, CA 91007 Admission: $9 to $4; Arboretum members free. For more information, visit the Web site at www.arboretum.org or call (626) 821-4623.

Part of the problem as I see it is we don’t play anymore with our work. What I mean is every time we sit at the easel we are in “create for gallery mode” or “I gotta do something great today” mode. The serious mode if you will. Every time we work, there is, in the back of our mind, this idea that we have to succeed. Succeeding isn’t bad, but if every time we attempt a work with the idea of success in the forefront of our mind; more than likely we fall short. We may create something interesting, even worthy, but we are left with a sense of dissatisfaction lurking behind. Like a bad taste in our mouth. What I am suggesting is we need to paint when nothing is at stake. We need to paint for ourselves, not shows, not galleries, not for our spouses and not for greatness or perceived success. We need to paint with the idea of failure. Scary you think? Not really. In reality we fail quite a bit. Many pieces don’t work. Think about it. If, every time you go to work on something, don’t even consider that it will be a “work of art. Just work. I’ve done this in the past and the results have been amazing— at least to me. Eventually, these works were exhibited and some have even sold. And–I had a good taste in my mouth knowing the work came from the heart, not a need to succeed.

I have mentioned in previous columns the need to paint for nothing but the work. I paint every day. I don’t try and make great work; I paint to regain the joy of the process. I paint for no one but me –even if, mind you, I am painting for an exhibit or upcoming show. If while working I begin to feel some selfimposed pressure, I stop and paint something else. It can be a small still life, a selfportrait, my dog, a master copy. Anything where there is no pressure to be right on! There is a different benefit also to doing this. It takes you away from thinking of the “important” gallery work for a while. It allows you freedom to fail on something not as important. I can try new things, experiment and most importantly-fail! When painting becomes your profession or means to make money, we lose the reason for why we loved doing this in the first place. We need to create a space -- to try -- to fail. Not everything I do is for sale. I draw a lot and I never sell these. They are my notes for works, my ideas for future projects. (Since beginning this column several months ago, I have put my drawings up for sale and, surprisingly, they are selling as well as my paintings.) Take the time to paint for yourself. Allow yourself the freedom to fail. Failures encourage success on the “real” work.

CCRC, from pg 4

Rahla closed out our program by reminding us that we now have two Interact Clubs and that we should all support them and she invited the Interactors to feel free to attend any and all of our club meetings and functions.

Clubs were founded by the club members and is run by the club members. He praised the Officers for their leadership and said that he and our CCRC should be most proud of them.

6 — FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 7

Want to be a Fire Lookout Volunteer?

Granny’s Attic Treasures and Plant Sale in April Little Landers Historical Society announces the April revival of Granny’s Attic Treasure Sale and the LLHS famous Plant Sale. Both events, fund raisers for Little Landers and Bolton Hall, will be held at Bolton Hall on April 26. Donations of new, gently used antique and vintage collectibles may be brought to Bolton Hall during public

hours any Tuesday or Sunday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. or on Friday, April 25 from 10 a.m – 3 p.m. For plant donations, please call Bolton Hall to make arrangements. Hall shoppers can purchase lunch at the nearby Elks Lodge Chili Cook-Off on April 26 and return to Bolton Hall for more shopping. Granny’s Attic Treasures and

Oral Histories

Edited By David DeMullé Become a volunteer with the Fire Lookout Host Program. The program started on the San Bernardino National Forest in 1994 with a handful of volunteers and two lookouts. Since then, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our volunteers over the years, we have restored, reopened and now staff seven historical fire lookouts: Strawberry Peak, Keller Peak, Butler Peak, Tahquitz Peak, Red Mountain, Black Mountain and Morton Peak. There are four mandatory training classes that must be completed to be a Fire Lookout Host: Orientation (2 hours), Interpretation/Natural History (3

hours) and Operations (7 hours). We have several dates and locations to choose from (see website). After the classroom training, you will also be required to complete 8 1/2 hours of “InTower” training in the lookout of your choice. This is your first actual shift in a lookout with an experienced lookout host. A Fire Lookout Host is only required to volunteer a minimum of 8 1/2 hours per month in any lookout they choose. Shifts are either 4 1/2 or 8 1/2 hour increments. It sounds like a lot but it’s easy and fun! To learn more about being a fire lookout, visit www.mountainsfoundation.org/fire-lookouts/fire-lookout-hosts.

Little Landers Historical Society announces programs in April and May that focus on the importance of collecting oral histories and saving the stories about our lives, experiences and the times in which we lived. Our guest speaker for both months’ programs will be oral historian and filmmaker Ellie Kahn. On April 12, Ellie will screen her acclaimed documentary film, “Meet Me at Brooklyn & Soto,” based on oral histories with former residents of the once thriving Jewish community of 70,000 in Boyle Heights. The street now known as Cesar

Chavez Avenue was once named Brooklyn Avenue, and its intersection with Soto was the heart of the community. After the screening, Ms. Kahn will describe how the project came about and the process of training volunteers to do the initial interviews. On May 10, Ellie will return to Bolton Hall to offer a handson workshop experience in collecting oral histories. Learn the basics of interviewing and sharing experiences in order to collect our personal and family’s stories. Bring your memories and please join us for one or

Plants on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Avenue, Tujunga, CA 91042. Additional information is available from Little Landers Historical Society via telephone at (818) 352-3420, www.littlelandershistoricalsociety.org or E-mail littlelanders@verizon.net.

both of these special events. Programs are free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome. Saturday, April 12 and Saturday, May 10 at 1 p.m. at Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Avenue, Tujunga, CA 91042. (Parking is available a few doors uphill at the Elks Lodge.) Additional information is available from Little Landers Historical Society via telephone at (818) 352-3420, www.littlelandershistoricalsociety.org or E-mail littlelanders@verizon.net.

California’s Gas Tax Nightmare California taxpayers don’t have to fall sleep to have a nightmare. They experience one each and every day when they encounter a costly, confusing and constantly-changing tax system. Unfortunately, most efforts to change this system only make matters worse. Take the gas tax, for instance. California consumers currently pay 71 cents per gallon in taxes every time they fill up their tanks. That’s the highest gas tax rate in the country. The average American pays less-about 50 cents per gallon. That translates into hundreds of dollars a year in higher taxes for Californians. Adding insult to injury, Californians are double taxed for gas. Sales tax is calculated after excise taxes have already been added. That means we pay a tax on a tax, which is just plain wrong.

Double taxation aside, most California motorists wouldn’t mind paying high gas taxes if it meant we could drive the nation’s finest roads. But that’s not how things work. Instead of seeing our tax dollars invested wisely, we’re constantly told we should pay more. Our freeway system, once the envy of the world, has become an embarrassment. Further complicating matters, in 2010 the Governor and Legislature adopted a convoluted gas tax scheme over my objections. This scheme, known as the “fuel tax swap,” is so confusing even tax experts have a hard time understanding it. Lawmakers didn’t adopt this scheme to make taxes simpler; they did it to move about a billion dollars to the general fund. Although the Board of see Runner, page 10

april

fool

VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 7 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

WreckS O Ff T H E W E E K

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 7

Wanna Go For a Ride? Why Dogs Go Nuts Over Car Rides

Slow down and live...

Shut up and drive!

It was a beautiful day to be riding a motorcycle in the Angeles National Forest. Then—BANG!

Passing a person making a left hand turn is never a good idea. Hillhaven near Apperson

Seeing the NO LEFT TURN sign is no excuse to go straight. Tujunga Canyon and Foothill.

Yup, you really did a job on that car. 210E at La Tuna

There were way too many accidents to cover here; visit

Facebook.com/thefoothillspaper

We’ve all seen it - a dog with his head tilted up, the breeze blowing through his fur, with an unmistakable look of pure joy on his face as he takes a ride in his favorite person’s car. The sight is enough to bring a smile to anyones face. Everyone can identify with that feeling of unadulterated bliss. But what is it about car rides that makes dogs so happy? The truth is, we’ll probably never know for sure, because they can’t tell us! But we’ve dug into the mystery a little bit, and found five plausible reasons for this curious phenomenon.

gering traces of a deer that ran by two hours ago. 3. There’s something new to see everywhere Dogs are easily stimulated by visual cues. You’ve probably noticed this if your dog’s ever gone manic at the sight of a squirrel or rabbit in the yard, or if he sounds off each day as soon as he spots the mail truck. On a car trip, there’s no end to the things that can catch your dog’s attention, from squirrels, to pedestrians, to other doggie passengers. Unlike their human travel companions, who are busy trying to get where they’re going, dogs have the luxury of gazing out the window throughout the whole trip.

1. They like adventures This doesn’t apply to every dog, of course - some dogs are shy and crave comfort -- but in general dogs are highly curious by nature and really en- 4. They’re comforted by the close joy any kind of adventure, from taking presence of their “pack” a new hiking trail, to meeting a new A car creates close quarters, and this canine friend, to exploring that intermakes dogs feel secure. They can see esting-smelling crawlspace under the you, smell you, and be near you, while house. A car adventure is as good as it still getting all kinds of sensory stimugets -- it’s novel, unpredictable, longer lation they wouldn’t at home. In a than many walking adventures, and of- sense, you are a pack on an adventure fers all kinds of opportunities for an together -- just the way things would exciting time. Where will we go tobe in the wild. Except you’re traveling day? Who will we see? in a familiar vehicle, with comfortable spaces your dog can curl up in if he 2. There’s a smorgasbord of smells in gets tired of looking at the scenery. the air Dogs are all about smells, and for 5. It triggers their hunting instinct good reason. According to Nova’s Kevin Behan of Natural Dog Training website, scientists have determined believes that dogs love car rides because it puts them in the same state of that dogs have about 3,000,000 olfactory receptors in their noses, compared euphoria that hunting does. The idea is to our paltry 30,000. Dogs’ sense of that the motion of the car causes synchronized movements among the smell overpowers our own by orders “pack members,” as they sway along of magnitude-it’s 10,000 to 100,000 with the twists and turns of the road. times as acute. What does this mean, These synchronized movements trigexactly in terms of the difference in ger a feeling in dogs similar to that of our abilities? Well, as dog-cognition moving in unison with a pack on the researcher Alexandra Horowitz explains in her book Inside of a Dog, hunt. In addition, to your dog the objects outside the car appear to be movwhile we might be able to sniff out a ing quickly, which can trigger his inteaspoon of sugar in our coffee, our pooches can detect a teaspoon of sugar stinct to give chase. in a million gallons of water. Of course, it’s important for dogs to be safe during car travel. Their head So, when you crack open the car window, you’re cracking open a whole and paws should stay inside the car at fascinating, unseen world for your dog all times, and they should be properly full of novelty and intrigue that could secured for their safety and the safety keep him entertained indefinitely. If of other passengers. This doesn’t he’s happy sniffing out familiar scents mean they will enjoy the ride any in your backyard, imagine how deless—they can still see the sights, sniff lighted he is to sort out thousands of the wind and feel the excitement of a new smells every minute, from the new adventure. It just means you’ll scent of flowers in bloom, to the smell enjoy the ride even more knowing that of food cooking at restaurants, to linthey’re both happy and safe.

8 — FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

OLL Fish Fry This Friday

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 7

Attention All Veterans,

Sons, Daughters and Wives of Veterans Come & Enjoy your Local American Legion Post Help support Veterans & Veterans' Causes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

American Legion Post 377 10039 Pinewood Ave., Tujunga 818 353-9856 Events open to the Public

Saturday, April 19th Dinner Dance $10

Please join us for fun, food, music and dancing to the Working Stiffz

Saturday, May 17, 7pm - Veterans' Open House with music by Clean Slate

May 24, 6:30pm Fun-Raising Fundraiser Birthday Dinner/Dance Monday, May 26, 11am Memorial Day Ceremony at Sunland Park Memorial Day BBQ at Post 377 following ceremony Canteen Hours - 7 days a week, 2- 10pm

For Hall Rental, call Commander Dan 818 521-1137 Just a few of the people having a great time, listening to live music and having a great dinner with friends. The Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) Lenten Fish Fry continues the tradition of giving Catholics an opportunity to observe their meatless Friday while bolstering their sense of community. To a number of Catholics, the fish fry is also something more: a timeworn Catholic tradition that provides a safe haven from divides that have long roiled the U.S. church, a place where traditionalist Catholics, progressive Catholics and everyone in between can sit peacefully at the same plastic tablecloth and have a great meal as prepared

by Carl De Silvera and his helpers. Although Catholics have a long history of living out their faith through practice, many traditions shrank into the background after the modernizing Second Vatican Council of the 1960s. The council emphasized communal worship and the Scripture, and casualties included private devotions, symbols and some strict rules that were felt to be too antiquated for our modern life. Among the practices that fell in stature were fasting, saying the rosary and Eusee Fish Fry, page 11

8459 Foothill Blvd. Sunland, CA

VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 7 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 9

For Breaking DAILY NEWS, follow us on Facebook:

Facebook.com/TheFoothillsPaper

10 — FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 7

Runner, from pg 6

For the Dogs “Though she is but little, she is fierce.” William Shakespeare. This is how I feel sometimes when working with some of the large and extra large dogs that I walk. Although I am a petite woman, I am very physically strong. What I often do with my dog and clients is incorporate several of the dog training techniques I have picked up from watching “The Dog Whisperer.” With Cesar Millan on “the Dog Whisperer”, his work focuses on handling a dog with what he calls “a calm-assertive energy.” He approaches dog behavior by teaching dog owners to understand the natural needs and responses of a dog. His view is for humans to understand that dogs are pack animals, and assist owners in establishing their role as calm-assertive pack leaders. Millan prioritizes fulfilling and balancing a dog’s primary needs: exercise, discipline and affection—in that order. In other words, it is the owner’s responsibility to fulfill the dog’s energy level through challenging exercise; to provide clearly communicated rules, boundaries and limitations for the dog’s behavior; and to give the dog affection at the right time. Millan encourages owners to give affection, but to give affection when the dog is in a balanced state of mind, not when the dog is fearful, anxious, avoidant or excited — when the affection itself can reinforce imbalance. A common pitfall for dog owners is to give a great deal of affection with very little discipline and even less exercise. I agree strongly with this point. I like to emphasize the importance of walking our dogs not only for the dog’s exercise, but for the owner and dog to bond—with the dog ultimately recognizing the owner as its leader. I will watch your dog for subtle cues in the dog’s posture, movement and facial expression—to eliminate poor behavior before it arises or escalates. When I walk client’s dogs, I share information about the way their dog(s) are with me, good, bad, and in between. Especially with puppies and yearlings, I encourage owners to understand the profound effect their own attitudes, internal emotions and physical postures have on a dog’s behavior. When walking we ought to be the Alpha “Bitch” dog, walking with energy that is calm-assertive. I try to be in charge, not your dog. This point goes back to the premise Milan has with dogs that they need exercise, discipline and affection in that order. I do not necessarily or always think that this rigid approach is the best; after all, I can be a pussy cat sometimes, wanting to just shower love on my and your pets. Yet, for all of you out there who leave your dogs in the morning outside to run in the front or back yard, pace in dog runs, and return home after work, there is something you are not seeing. Your dog’s behavior is often crazed when seeing other dogs getting walked. Some bark ferociously, while others I see actually chew at their metal fences, or try endlessly to jump the over them. These are the dogs I wish had owners who used me to walk and work with their dogs. Getting these dogs, yours and my dogs, exercised daily helps them to relax, stay fit, and be better behaved, and more loveable too. Call me, you know you need me to exercise your dogs, and I am licensed, bonded and insured for your ease of mind. ••• Auntie Gail has a B.A. in Philosophy, is a certified veterinarian assistant and has a pet-sitting and dog-walking service in the area. She can be reached for appointments at 818-6059675 or her Web site: www.auntiegailspetsitting.com.

Equalization (BOE) didn’t create the formula, we at the BOE have to live with it. Each year we must adjust the fuel tax rate to ensure the state receives neither more nor less revenue than it would have under the prior tax system. A silver lining to this complicated system is that it can produce a tax decrease when gas prices fall. That’s what happened this year. On February 25, my fellow Board members and I voted to lower the gasoline excise tax 3.5 cents per gallon as of July 1, 2014. Our vote is good news for taxpayers. This much-needed tax relief will arrive as Californians are on the road for summer vacations. Lower gas taxes are good for our economy and good for jobs, but even after this cut takes effect Californians will continue to pay one of the highest tax rates in the nation.

Unfortunately, some in the Legislature want you to pay more taxes, rather than less. Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg has proposed a new “carbon tax” that would raise the taxes you pay on gas by 15 cents per gallon next year and up to 43 cents by 2030. Steinberg argues his new tax would actually be a better deal for motorists, since they already face rising gas prices as a result of the anti-global warming bill AB 32’s cap and trade requirements. His proposal would impose a direct tax in place of the indirect one set to start next year, while also providing an earned income tax credit to low income Californians. In a surprisingly frank confession, Steinberg said, “For climate policy to work, it has to sting. I am concerned about who we sting.” In other words, if you’re not already poor, politicians want to raise your gas taxes enough that you’ll stop driv-

ing your car and start riding mass transit. Rather than plotting to raise taxes at a time when the state is already awash in cash, lawmakers should be finding ways to simplify our tax laws, reduce taxes and make life easier for California taxpayers. Taxes are hard enough to accept, but when they can’t be simply explained and the money is wasted, it erodes public confidence. Lawmakers could start by scrapping the current confusing and complicated gas tax formula and replacing it with one that is simple, straightforward and easy to understand. Taxpayers deserve a tax system they can understand and won’t take them by surprise. People have the right to know how much they’re paying and where those dollars are going. California is a great place to live and work. There’s no reason our tax system needs to be a nightmare.

It’s Almost Tax Time Again

Owe the IRS or State? Call today! Professional bookkeeping services offered for personal and small to mid-size companies. Over 10 years experience. Knowledge of QuickBooks 2003 through 2012.

Call for a quote today:

(818) 605-0640 $10 OFF 1-800-567-PEST (7378)

(818) 768-3549 Rats • Earwigs • Fleas Ants • Cockroaches • Spiders

ANY SERVICE AIRTIGHT ENVIRONMENT PEST CONTROL

TEN DOLLARS BUG BUCKS

Referred by

Foothills Paper

ot l hsake g. l a in Smcold serv 2014. , or per ne 30 u J ¢ 1 Exp.

For Breaking DAILY NEWS, follow us on Facebook: Romy

Facebook.com/TheFoothillsPaper

VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 7 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

VHWC, from pg 5 On Saturday night, chorus members will attend a banquet in the theme of the Sunday afternoon concert, It’s a Musical World. Members are welcome to dress in costumes representing international countries if they choose. Entertainment will be provided by the Jurupa Valley High School Treble Choir,

Eggs, from pg 5 7 to 8 minutes. Toast English muffins. Lightly butter muffin halves and place two toasted halves on each of two plates. Squeeze a couple of drops of honey in the middle of each muffin. Spread one tablespoon of Hollandaise sauce on each muffin then place one fourth of the spinach on top of each. Set plates aside until eggs are ready. To serve, use a slotted spoon and remove eggs from

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 — 11

Sunland-Tujunga Crime Stats

a group of 43 young singers dressed in brilliant blue and directed by Melva Morrison. The convention will wind down and culminate with the 45th annual scholarship concert on Sunday May 4. The public is invited to attend this concert and hear some individual choruses as well as the combined choruses, and the three winners of the scholarship awards.

Tickets are available for an $18 donation pre-sale by contacting Connie Lynch conniepl@verizon.net Tickets are also available at the door of the Riverside Convention Center 3637 Fifth St. in downtown Riverside for a $20 donation. The entire family is encouraged to attend It’s a Musical World.

the water (again, one at a time). Let eggs drain in spoon before placing one egg on each of the spinach-covered muffin halves. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the balance of the sauce over the eggs, garnish with a little paprika, and serve while hot.

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon turmeric 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Other 03/20/14 04:30 PM 3000 BLOCK OF HIGHRIDGE RD

Directions: Heat tofu in microwave on high for 30 to 45 seconds, or until warmed through. Transfer to food processor and purée until smooth. Add lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, cayenne, and turmeric. Pulse until well combined. With food processor running, add oil in steady stream to finish sauce. Keep warm until ready for muffins above.

Theft 03/19/14 07:00 PM 10400 BLOCK OF SUNLAND BL

Hollandaise Sauce Ingredients: 1 12.3 ounce package MoriNu silken tofu 4 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast 1 teaspoon salt

Robbery 03/19/14 04:00 AM 00 BLOCK OF SAMOA AND VALMONT

Theft 03/20/14 08:30 PM 10500 BLOCK OF JARDINE AV Theft 03/21/14 11:40 AM 10400 BLOCK OF SUNLAND BL Burglary 03/19/14 08:30 AM 8000 BLOCK OF ELLENBOGEN ST Theft 03/26/14 09:30 PM 8300 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL Burglary 03/26/14 11:05 AM 9500 BLOCK OF

Fish Fry, from pg 8 charistic adoration, in which the faithful sit in quiet prayer before the sacramental bread Catholics believe is the body of Christ. Now many of those practices are getting a fresh look—and not just from traditionalist Catholics who miss the old ways of doing things, but from Catholics across the spectrum who recognize their value, too. The Lenten Fish Fry is a tradition carried

off

On selected items.

Come check out one of the largest selections of wild game meat!

FRESH FREE RANGE

HARMONY FARMS TURKEY

available for your family dinners - ALL SIZES!

818-248-3068

GLORY AV

Theft 03/26/14 09:30 PM 8300 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL Assault 03/27/14 10:15 PM 7400 BLOCK OF VALMONT ST Robbery 03/27/14 01:50 PM 7700 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL Theft 03/27/14 11:00 PM 10100 BLOCK OF MOUNTAIR AV Theft 03/28/14 03:25 PM 7700 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL Theft 03/28/14 10:00 AM 10500 BLOCK OF FLORALITA AV Theft 03/31/14 07:55 AM 10400 BLOCK OF SUNLAND BL out by thousands of parishes across the nation. At OLL, Pat Kelergren’s Boy Scout Troop helps out and serves the church members and neighbors a fantastic fare created by the Knights of Columbus for the weekly dinner. If you missed the last one, you can come for the next one at the OLL Parish Hall on Friday night from 6:30 until 8 p.m. on 7344 Apperson Street in Tujunga.

12 — FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 7

Earthquake Preparation—Don’t Wait! Seismic experts say we can expect a major destructive earthquake in Southern California and we are long overdue for one. We don’t know when this will happen. But we do live in a region where some of the largest earthquakes in the world occur. When an earthquake occurs, your first warning may be a swaying sensation if you’re in a building, a sudden noise or roar. Next, vibration, quickly followed by rolling up, down, sideways, rotating. It will be scary! It may last a few seconds or go on for a few minutes. The earth won’t open up and swallow you. But you could be hurt by breaking glass, falling objects, and heavy things bouncing around. Be prepared for aftershocks. You can’t prevent an earthquake. But you can: • be prepared to avoid injury; • be prepared to minimize; damage to your home; and • be prepared to survive afterwards for at least 72 hours without help. Preparing now could save your life! An earthquake could hit Sunland-Tujunga at any time, so start preparing by developing your family emergency plan. Your family should prepare and practice what to do during and after an earthquake. Plan your needs. Delegate tasks. Write down and exercise your plan. If you have no family, make your individual plan with neighbors and friends. Know the safe and dangerous places in your home. Safe: under heavy tables or desks; inside hallways; corners of rooms or archways. Dangerous: near windows or mirrors; under any objects that can fall; the kitchen... where the stove, refrigerator or contents of cupboards may move violently; doorways, because the shaking may

slam the door on you. Practice taking cover. Train members of your family to use fire extinguishers. Sign up now for a first-aid course, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Make an appointment now with your insurance broker to talk about your earthquake insurance. Check your coverage... it will affect your loss and financial ability to recover after an earthquake. Plan and practice evacuation. Talk to your children about what to do if they’re at home, at school, if the quake separates your family. Become familiar with the school’s earthquake plan. Arrange an out-of-the-area contact. Each family member should carry the contact phone number and address. Have an alternative family rendezvous if you can’t get home. Remind your family to rely on emergency authorities for guidance. Broadcast reports on radio and television will have instructions. Also remind your family members that emergency phone numbers are in the inside cover of the telephone book. But use them only in an extreme emergency. Your telephone may not work after an earthquake, or it may take a while to get a dial tone. Make sure each family member knows how to shut off the utilities: gas, electricity and water. (Don’t shut off the gas unless there is a leak or a fire. If the gas is turned off, don’t turn it on again... that must be done by a qualified technician). Your plan should include a list of where emergency supplies and equipment are stored. Share your emergency plans with neighbors. Your emergency supplies Be prepared to be on your

own without help for 72 hours or more--- at home, in your car, at work. Assemble these emergency supplies and keep them in your emergency kit, stored in a secure place, ideally accessible from outside. First aid kit and instruction booklet. Shelter- a plastic tarp, a small tent, emergency (“space”) blankets, or even some large garbage bags. Water- at least four litres of water per person, per day, in tight-lidded non-breakable containers. That’s at least 12 quarts per person for a threeday supply. Keep a supply of water purification tablets in your emergency kit. Water also can be made safe to drink by using four drops of liquid household bleach in 5 gallons of clear water or 10 drops in 5 gallons of cloudy water. Replace stored tap water at least every six months. If the water is still running, fill a bathtub and other containers. Remember, there’s water available too in a hot water tank and toilet reservoir. Food- keep a supply of nonperishable food handy, such as canned and dehydrated food, dried fruit and canned juices. Rotate periodically to keep them fresh. Remember a manual can opener. Flashlight and spare batteries. Keep the flashlight near your bed. Batteries should be separate in your kit. Battery AM/FM radio and spare batteries, stored seperately in waterproof bags. Essential medication and supplies for infants, elderly persons and those with special needs. Keep at least a one-week supply in your emergency kit. Include copies of prescriptions for your medicine and glasses. Personal toiletry items- toilet tissue, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.

The aftermath of the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Class ABC fire extinguisher. Keep it in a handy location in your home, after testing according to directions. Wrench (crescent or pipe) to turn off natural gas. Keep it in a handy place or in your emergency kit. Shoes- heavy enough to protect from broken glass and other debris. Keep them handy, wherever you are. Other items you may wish to include: • gloves, outdoor/winter clothing • waterproof matches and candles- but don’t use them if there are gas leaks or spilled flammable liquids • money, including coins (25 cents) for telephones, because banks and credit cards may not be usable • a sleeping bag for each member of your family • garbage bags • a portable toilet • rope, heavy tape • a crowbar or prybar • a gasoline generator and a rated extension cord • earthquake buddies for children (eg: stuffed animal, doll game) • evacuation pack for each person (see below) • vehicle pack for each vehicle (see below) • office pack (see below) • Evacuation pack

If you have to leave your home or apartment, you should have individual packs for each person in your family. You will not be able to get out of town, but you will be able to get to one of our parks or local schools. Remember, the emergencies services providers will not be able to get to everyone. You will have to take care of your family and yourself for at least 72 hours. The items in this list are in addition to the supplies in your home emergency kit. They should be kept in a separate pack (eg., in a tote bag) which each person would take individually if you have to evacuate. Remember packs for small children, the elderly, the handicapped in your home. The evacuation pack should be stored in a secure place with your other emergency supplies. • food- dehydrated, dried fruit, high-energy bars, etcenough for 72 hours • first aid kit and booklets • survival manual • flashlight and batteries • money, including coins • photographs of your family, friends • gloves and other warm clothing.

Lack of Courtesy Delays Emergency Response The Fire Log Comments from LAFD 74 Captain Phillip Dominguez

When the alarm rings at Station 74, firefighters and paramedics are out the door is less than two minutes and can arrive at their destinations in less than five. IF WE DON’T GET IN THEIR WAY! Even a 15-second delay can mean the difference between a person surviving or the complete loss of a house. Yet too often, LAFD emergency vehicles are delayed. Vehicles stop in the middle

of a street or intersection instead of pulling over to the side of the road. Pedestrians cross streets and skateboarders swerve through traffic. Many others are just not paying attention. Others want to beat the emergency vehicles – the same mentality tries to beat trains at the crossroads. Emergency vehicles used to go through red lights and stop signs. Now they have to stop or roll, because of lack of courtesy in a yielding the right-of-way to them. Every year, emergency vehicles end up involved in a couple of dozen accidents. Even though

no one may be seriously hurt, the emergency vehicle has to stop. In our area, it could take 15 minutes to bring another vehicle up here from another station. If 15 seconds makes a difference, what disasters might occur during those 15 minutes? RULES OF THE ROAD When you hear sirens or see emergency vehicles with red lights, pull over to the RIGHT immediately. Allow emergency vehicles 200-300 feet before pulling back on the road. It’s possible they may have to backup

or make a U-turn. When you pull out, watch for the cowboys behind you. Many accidents occur in the wake of a fire engine. When parking, leave 15 feet on either side of a fire hydrant. Firefighters need that water. If they have to, they’ll break the windows in your car and run the hose through it. LAFD responds to over 1,000,000 calls a year. But on each and every call, firefighters and paramedics think about going to “mother’s house,” so they treat every incident with respect and ur-

gency. Next time you see or hear a fire engine or rescue ambulance, you might think the same. After all, they really could be on the way to your house.