THE FOOTHILLS PAPER Dec 12, 2014

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM US TO YOU! We get to go on vacation!

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FRIDAY • DECEMBER 12, 2014

TELLING THE TRUTH FOR OVER 10 YEARS!

High Speed Rail Proceeds and Perplexes Community

By David DeMullé “Well, it sure seemed like a good idea at the time,” said one S-T resident, “but that was back in 2008 when the economy was tanking and the project offered the prospect of more jobs and money put into our town.” Local activist groups have their hands full with all the projects that are just now coming to fruition.

It really all started with the Whitebird Project, escalated to the Snowball Project, and now they have their hands full with the Save the Big-T project.

And it just keeps on going.

About two weeks ago, the project scored a victory when a California appeals court ruled that the California High Speed Rail Authority (HRA) can finance the project by issuing $8.6 billion in bonds, say-

ing that because the funding is preliminary, the HRA does not yet have to detail its reasons for approving the bonds.

And while that marked a victory for the project, which was initially approved by voters in 2008, it still faces several lawsuits and roadblocks, including opposition from Kern County and environmental groups, including the Transportation Solutions Defense and Education Fund.

CD-7 Councilman Felipe Fuentes is caught in the middle. On one hand it will bring state, county and federal funding into the area such as jobs and commerce for our local merchants. On the other hand, it looks like it might endanger the fragile eco-system we have in our mountains.

Depending on where the

railway actually ends up going, it could require the obtaining of local residents’ properties through eminent domain—a scary prospect for those who own ranches and homes in the rail’s right-of-way. Opponents claim that the tunneling will destroy the local mountain ranges and threaten the wildlife. Proponents claim that the underground rail will actually protect the environment and will help the community. But no one has to provide any actual proof until the funding is actually granted and the bonds can be sold. Six years has gone by and it is now coming to the funding stage.

This is not unlike the 710 extension that the citizens of South Pasadena are battling.

The difference there is that CalTrans bought all the see Rail, page 11

VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 25

Los Angeles Recognizes 10 Years of Service to The S-T Community!

In a fun ceremony at North Valley City Hall, a Certificate of Congratulations from CD-7 Councilmember Felipe Fuentes was presented to Doc and The Foothills Paper staff for 10 years of service to the community.

INSIDE:

Remembering Michelle WinCentsen ................

7

Santa at C21! ................

6

Dance-off! ............

12

DEPARTMENTS What Folks Are Doing........... 2 View from the Rock.............. 3 Letters and Perspectives........ 3 Entertainment....................... 4 Chef Randy........................... 5 S-T Crime Stats..................... 6 Pets Page............................. 8 Take My Card..................... 11

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2 — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014 • PAPER THE FOOTHILLS PAPERMAY 27, 2011 — 11 THE FOOTHILLS • FRIDAY,

Family A Tradition Join the parade

family video store recently opened in my neighborhood.

At a time when video stores head toward extinction it makes you question the logic behind such a move.

Since Netflix has come along it doesn’t make sense for a person to leave the comfort of home to go rent a movie. Video stores are just one of the many long standing cultural symbols that march in the parade toward extinction.

It’s our annual family tree one has to put their best Thanks to GPS people no longer need maps. Because of my tradition to decorate the trees ornament forward, shall I GPS I can now travel from point a to point b; just don’t ask together. We bought our first say. You can’t hang the ugly, me how I got there cause once I shut the GPS I would be hard tree the year before we were broken ornaments in the back pressed to remember the name of every road taken and every married. I knew the tree and because eventually the back street I turned on. Regardless, I give a warm embrace to my ornaments I wanted, waited becomes the front. It all has GPS and wave goodbye to the map as it marches in the parade for the post Christmas sales to be good. toward extinction. and bought them all the day On the stationary tree we TV Guide magazine is also slowly fading from the landscape. after Christmas.

Since we hang the ugly and broken Growing up in a household where money was not squandered were yet married and due with ornaments in the TV back. We on thenot frivolous we made the newspaper had no place to call home, don’t want to get of them supplement. I can recall the first time I got up closerid and we stored the goods in my (why, I don’t know), and personal with the magazine edition. Adrenaline coursed father-in-law’s garage.

Some yet, we don’t want them through my veins as I held it and ran my hands across the women of their wedshowing, we compromise cover. I dream was captivated by the colors.

I wassoseduced by the ding day; I dreamed of my and hang them they celebrity photos. And when I was done reading itwhere I rejoiced first Christmas tree.

Kinda won’t be seen.

My kids for my fingers were ink-free. Only now that cable has replaced weird, huh? Since then have learned to takealongside their the traditional guide it will take its place and march we’ve addedand ontomaps our family personalized ornaments video stores in the parade. and multiplied our trees. andaway hangand them front and The phone book is quietly fading I believe will one day Webehave two trees: one that center.

They’ve the displayed in the Smithsonian representinglearned primitive rotates and one that doesn’t. stories that go with certain tools for information gathering. As a child I guess you could A of nervousness ornaments. learned saywave the phone book was my booster seat as I They’ve sat on one when swells in my throat when the retelling of the story is we went to the movies. My mother snuck in more than candy we decorate the rotating one tradition.

They’ve learned under that oversized trench coat she wore. Today, I use the because it’s like theand thethat like decorating phone book as a getting doorstop Internet to provide the me tree, with house for company—it Christmas is all about tradiphone ready numbers. must lookimportant good, lestphone it be numbers tion; matter where you All my areno stored in my phone’s judged.

With the rotating hang the ugly ornaments. speed dial. It wasn’t until the other day when I was asked what my son’s new number was that I realized, thanks to speed dial, I didn’t know it, or half the other numbers listed. Why bother to memorize a number when you can simply press a button?

So the phone book brings up the rear in the parade.

It’s depressing to admit time has caused my body to go soft and modern technology has caused my brain to go soft. What’s next? Do I join the parade and march toward extinction? Do I throw in the towel? I wish I could remember where I put the towel!

••• Cindy’s book, A Little Humor, is a collection of 50 columns that’ll make you laugh and forget your troubles for just $10.

Visit www.cindyargiento.com or call (336) 601-6696.

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 25

Jewel City Knitters’ Meetings

Julebord Celebration for Christmas

Jewel City Knitters will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday, Jan. 7 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m at Scholl Canyon Estates, 1551 E Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale.

Membership is free. Knitters, crocheters and those who wish to learn are welcome. For more information, visit www. jewelcityknitters.com or email susandietel@yahoo.com.

Jewel City Knitters will hold its monthly meeting, JCK Charity Knit & Crochet on Saturday January 10, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the Chevy Chase Library, 3301 E. Chevy Chase Dr., Glendale. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of knit, crochet and conversation. For more information, visit www.jewelcityknitters.com or email sandra.canfield@yahoo. com.

Julebord celebration for Christmas, Saturday, December 13, 6:30 p.m. with the Sons of Norway Edvard Grieg Lodge, special program, and traditional Norwegian and American Christmas carols, smorbrod pot luck, everyone is welcome: family, friends and children.

Meeting at the Lutheran Church of the Foothills Fellowship Hall, 1700 Foothill Blvd., La Canãda. Call Cara Clove (818) 279-7371.

•••

Free Glendale Noon Concerts Free Admission to Glendale Noon Concerts every first and third Wednesday at 12:10-12:40 p.m. at the sanctuary at First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise St. (at Wilson), Glendale, CA 91206. For more

information, please call (818) 242-2113.

On Dec. 3: Duo Recital with works by CYRIL PLANTE (Premiere) and YORK BOWEN. CATHERINE DEL RUSSO (oboe) MARK ROBSON (piano) Dec. 17: Chamber music by composer/bassoonist DAMIAN MONTANO http://www.damianmontano. com/Damian/Biography.html Jan. 7: Solo Recital HAROUT SENEKEREMIAN - piano. http://www.haroutsenekeremian.com/ Jan. 21: Solo Recital by CAROLE MUKOGAWA viola. http://carolemukogawa. bandcamp.com/ The Sanctuary at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GLENDALE 209 N. Louise St. (at Wilson) Glendale CA 91206 818 242 2113 Map & venue info http:// fbcglendale.net/ More info email matt. andrews@fbcglendale.net.

Off-Roading in The Mud

With the rains came the wonderfully slippery, slidey mud. Running up and down the fire road was a fun event as long as you had the right equipment. Oro Vista at the Big-T.

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Errors &N C orrections 6-month subscription, only $25

Name Address City State, Zip Mail yourLAST check or money order The Foothills Paper, P.O. Box 550, IN THE EDITION OFtoTHE PAPER, I misspoke and said that Councilman Fuentes was not at the Oro Vista Park Tujunga CA 91043, or bring it to 7125 Foothill Blvd. in Tujunga. (818) opening. That was wrong, he was there and he made his pres951-0943. ence known by sharing his ideas and thoughts of what this park would become. -Doc

Children carol at the Juleford Celebration.

New Marketing Initiave Banners The Sunland-Tujunga Area Reality Show (STARS) continues. Now don’t get me wrong, these new banners look pretty good. But when you click on www.mysunland-tujunga.com you get this message. No one wants to admit that Paolina Milano got these put up as a fundraiser for her “Branding Initiative.”

It’s all about the money and being in bed with certain people in the chamber. When you call the president of the neighborhood council, he “mis-speaks” and says that he doesn’t have a phone number for the past VP of the council.

Can’t anyone tell the truth here? But either way, they still look good. Let’s see, no one uses Vaseline any more...

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014 — 3

VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 25 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

Wow! With this kind of weather for Christmas, maybe we should be decorating cacti? But this is California where one season blends into another, just like our politics. Not long ago, Proposition 47 was passed and people are already calling in saying “My car got broken into last night. That Prop. 47 freed all the criminals!!!”

We’re talking pot, not meth. Mellow people don’t break into cars.

But then again, we’re pretty well known for our knee-jerk reaction to things here in S-T. Sometimes good, most times bad. But I’ve got a feeling that this is going to be the “Year That Was.” So many things are going on in a positive vein that some are going to come to fruition. Look at the Commerce Plaza with its new tenants. The Backdoor Bakery moving into the old Starbucks building, people getting together to celebrate the holidays, yes this is a great start.

I’ve noticed that a lot of the hate blogs have subsided, and everyone seems to think that they can run a profitable newsletter in our community. We have got to be the best-informed people in California. The Marketing Initative has got some really neat-o banners out there, and it’s a shame they cost so much. At half the cost, more local businesses could participate.

The Little Landers Historical Society have put together so many really great show this year. They could probably take them on the road. I’ve never seen so many talented local people in one place, doing something that looked like so much fun. Our Councilmember Fuentes has been working behind the scenes to make sure that we are getting the kind of programs we need here and with the coming of the High Speed Rail and out-ofcontrol developers, I think he is going to make a real name for

himself here.

Behind the hills and over the bend still lurks the Whitebird Project and the Snowball Project.

In plain sight is the development of the Big-T. Maybe this will be your year to get involved and save Sunland-Tujunga? If you live long enough to get from Point-A to Point-B on Foothill Boulevard, that is. I have to ask myself (and anyone who will listen): How come we don’t have people getting together to demand a TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM here? I’ve been going through my over 5,000+ accident photos that I’ve taken over the past years and it’s frightening. How many of your families have lost a loved one to a traffic death? And why aren’t you beating the drum and demanding that something be done?

This is the eighth anniversary of Michelle Wencentsens death on LaTuna Canyon Road. And the

VIEW

ROCK deaths keep piling up. But what the hell, more parents will be giving their kids Mercedes and BMWs for Christmas and the numbers will continue to climb.

PLEASE DRIVE DEFENSIVELY. They are out to get you, and when you get hit, you won’t be able to say, It’s The Water!

The Foothills Letters & Perspectives El Heffe Fuentes means bussiness!

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 is a nonprofit newspaper produced by the OSS-Spectrum group.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR/PUBLISHER Dr. David DeMullé

editor@thefoothillspaper.com TECHNICAL EDITOR Randall Fleming ftp@thepaper.ws WITH THANKS TO The ILS Foundation for Their Support

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER TheFoothillsPaper.COM P.O. Box 444, Tujunga CA 91043 818-951-0943

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Dear Editor, There’s a new guy in town, and he’s mean! He says what he means and he means what he says.

“You mean Councilman Phillipe Fuentes?”

Nah, don’t count on seeing his face around here much.

I hear he works overtime at L.A. City Hall chairing something called, ‘The Homeless Committee’. Meanwhile his assistant, Wesly, is running the Sunland-Tujunga Councilman’s Office (just east of the Library and Fire Station).

And that’s the problem! Wesly is consorting with this lean lookin’ dude, Eric Montoya, who emits a sort of cool laid back basketball player vibe!

He’s comin’ into S-T City Hall Wednesdays and Fridays workin’ behind the scenes.

Wearing a chain ... of keys ... people have been disappearing right and left, taken right off the streets. Now some say he’s lockin’ them up. But no one yet has filed a police report.

In fact, the lead officers seem to be in on it. They even say a City Attorney has been assigned to our area to help with these missing persons from our community.

So I went to Doc ‘cause Doc De Molay knows everything.

It seems that Councilman Fuentes has commandered this Eric Dude, Outreach Director from LA Family Housing, (you know, the folks who built Day Street through HUD), to help navigate some of our S-T homeless off the streets and

into housing as well as other housing solutions.

“Oh, now I get it. Our homeless have been disappearing into transitional and permanent housing. Hey, I’d like to know more about it!”

Ok well, Councilman Fuentes in collaboration with LAFH, thinks this is so important, that they are inviting all of us Sunland Tujunga citizens to attend a Homeless Myth

Buster Presentation at the S-T Neighborhood Council Meeting Wednesday, January 14 at 7 p.m. You won’t want to miss this brief informative segment featuring in part the well renown 60 Minutes TV show. So if you want the skinny on how you can be a part of the solution of the 100,000 Homes Campaign, then plan to attend this informative meeting as well as save the dates January

27 through 29 to be trained to assist in counting and assessing our homeless to get them ready for services and housing.

The only requirement is an open mind and a willing heart.

Call Wesly Hernandez 818-352-3287 for more information. So I hope to see you there.

“You bet.”

Amelia Anderson

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

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 25

E ntertainment S ection

“Behold the Lamb of God” Premieres at New Hope Church It’s hard to believe, but worship arts director Tim Borquez of New Hope Community Church starts thinking about concepts for their annual Christmas/Holiday Show the day after Easter Sunday.

“Some people call it kooky”, explains Borquez, “You see, our Tapestry Worship Team has just come off of a crazy but fulfilling Easter Sunday that begins at 3:30 a.m. with leading worship at the Sunrise Service on McGroarty Peak and then at our home church for 9:30 a.m. Easter Service in the New Hope sanctuary. But there I am, Monday morning, with a cup of coffee in hand, at my laptop, researching what would be the most exciting way to tell the Christmas Story in a fresh way that would engage our Tapestry Arts Team and the community at large for the upcoming December.”

It seems this ritual has

definitely inspired fresh productions over the past few years. Borquez recalls, “Last year’s production of ‘Between The Giants’ was definitely a challenge. We had a great collection of newer contemporary music and songs, by many different artists that we wanted to present, but didn’t have a clue on how to connect them to each other in an engaging way for the audience, until I found this tiny little play called ‘Between The Giants’. It was a story set in a coffee shop back East, in the midst of a snowstorm. It had strong characters that inspired me to arrange songs and music to fit perfectly with each character and the story.

It worked out great and the audiences loved it!”

The experience of looking for newer contemporary holiday material has led Tim to select New Hope Church’s see “Behold”, page 9

Los Angeles Master Chorale’s “Rejoice: A Cappella Christmas” at Walt Disney Concert Hall The Los Angeles Master Lux (from Lux Aeterna); composer Matthew Brown.

Chorale’s holiday offerings Poulenc’s exuberant Four “Rejoice! A Capella Christcontinue with “Rejoice!

Motets for Christmas, which, mas” is the third of four A Cappella Christmas,” although written in Paris in holiday programs presented showcasing the Chorale’s 1952, is infused with Renais- by the Los Angeles Master astonishingly pure sound sance and Baroque spirit; Chorale at Disney Hall in and exquisite balance in an Franz Biebl’s Ave Maria, December. The choir’s other all a cappella program that the German composer’s seasonal offerings include celebrates the 20th anniverbest known work; Swedish the 34th Annual “Messiah sary of former composer-incomposer Jan Sandström’s Sing-Along,” December 7, residence/National Medal Lo, How a Rose E’er Bloom- 7 p.m.; Festival of Carols, of Arts recipient Morten ing, a widely-performed December 13, 2 p.m.; and Lauridsen’s monumental O twelve-part a cappella setting two concert performances of Magnum Mysterium, on Sun- written in 1990; and former Handel’s Messiah, December day, December 14 at 7 p.m., assistant conductor Ariel 17, 7:30 p.m., and December at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Quintana’s richly layered 21, 7 p.m.

Written for and premiered Hodie Christus natus est, Tickets range from by the Chorale in December Ave maris stella and Quem $29 - $119. Group rates 1994, it has since become vidistis pastores, all comare available. For tickets one of the most frequently posed in the past 10 years. and information, please performed choral works in Adding a delightful twist to call (213) 972-7282, or modern history. In addition, the repertoire is 16th-century visit www.lamc.org. (Tickets Artistic Director Grant Spanish composer Tomás cannot be purchased at the Gershon conducts a wide Luis de Victoria’s sublime Walt Disney Concert Hall range of a cappella works O Magnum Mysterium, as Box Office except on concert from around the globe, inwell as a newer setting of the days starting two hours cluding Lauridsen’s O Nata same text by LAMC tenor/ see Chorale, page 9

Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director) and Lythgoe Family Productions (LFP) announce cast members for this year’s Panto at the Playhouse Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight.

The cast will feature Disney Recording Artist Olivia Holt as “Aurora” (Disney’s “I Didn’t Do It”), Lucy Lawless as “Carabosse” (“Xena: Warrior Princess,” “Spartacus”), David Engel as “Nanny Tickle” (Broadway’s “La Cage aux Folles,” “Seussical”), Ta-

myra Gray as “The Good Fairy” (“American Idol,” Broadway’s “Bombay Dreams” and “Rent”) and returning from last year’s Panto at the Playhouse production of Aladdin and His Winter Wish, Ben Giroux as “Silly Billy” (CW’s “Hart of Dixie).

Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight opens December 10, 2014 and plays through January 4, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse.

Also returning from last year’s hugely successful Panto at The Playhouse production see Winter, page 9

Lucy Lawless.

CCRC Rotary Helps Local Kids in Need!

Last night we had our annual Crescenta-Canada Rotary Christmas (CCRC) Party and, as for many years previous, we made the “admission fee” toys for the sheriff’s toy and food drive. We were able to fill up the trunk and some of the back seat of a deputy’s cruiser.

Representing the LASD at our meeting was Lieutenant Chad Sauter. We were very pleased to have him as our guest. He was articulate, friendly and most impressive with his acceptance of the gifts for persons who are in need.

Rotary President Lynn Chen, Deputy Sauter and Rotary District 5280 Governor Else Gilham with some of the toys donated to the La Canaña Sheriff’s Department.

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014 — 5

VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 25 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

Cranberry-Oatmeal Christmas Cookies

This is not your traditional Christmas sugar cookie recipe.

This is a healthier recipe that’s still festive and nutritious featuring oatmeal and dried cranberries. Substitute vegan egg replacer for the eggs and this is a vegan recipe.

Ingredients: 1 cup vegetable oil (or use butter) 2 cups coconut sugar (or use 1 cup each brown and cane sugar) 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 3 cups old fashioned oats ½ cup walnuts (chopped) 1 cup dried cranberries

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oil and sugar. Mix

Artfully

SPEAKING

b

y

R

i

c

k

R

o

t

a

n

Art of Christmas thoroughly. Beat in the eggs and then the vanilla extract. Set aside.

In a separate, larger bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and oats. To this bowl add the walnuts, cranberries and sugar/egg mixture.

Mix well. This mixture will be very thick so be sure to scrape

down to the bottom of the mixing bowl so that everything gets mixed thoroughly.

To make the cookies, drop two tablespoons of the mixture on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Continue until the sheet is full.

Bake for 15 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown.

See Chef Randy’s food blog for more recipes at

http://valley-vegetarian.com

AN C I R E AM LE! A S N LEGIO

The holidays are a blessing in disguise. I know we celebrate with gift giving and parties with family and friends.

We wear funny hats and clothes. Many dress their houses as well with lights and statues of the Nativity scene or jolly ole’ Santa and his reindeer. Boughs of fresh holly now hang from the doors to welcome those who stop by.

There is eggnog to consume and hordes of freshly baked cookies and candies to be eaten. And gifts are finally taken from their hiding places and displayed under the tree or on the fireplace mantle.

Some organize groups to sing carols in their neighborhoods or at the office before everyone finally heads home to friends and family. Some areas get that very special gift of snow lightly covering the rooftops and streets.

But these are not the blessing to which I am referring.

The real gift is generosity.

We see it at this time of year everywhere we turn. Municipalities like Police and Fire Departments cooking food to those without a hot meal, or organizing toy drives for children who would otherwise get no gifts; ordinary people going out of their way for total strangers who have fallen on hard times. Hard earned money given to charities. I realized that these gifts should be given all year round, but the holidays make it all worth doing for some reason.

Hearts that are locked up

t

e

the rest of the year willingly open. Maybe that’s the true gift of Christmas. It gives us a reason to be the sort of person we might not otherwise be.

And we can be renewed and enriched without mockery or suspicion. Dance or sing in the streets without ridicule.

Christmas comes but once every year. Without this wonderful short event, would we take the chance to open our hearts and give freely to others?

This is the time of year where many of the problems troubling us, seem to get put aside just for a little while.

We turn our attention to the idea of celebration and thankfulness. The idea of Christmas and what it represents is a fitting end to every year.

Even if you are not one to celebrate the meaning intended at this time, think of it as your opportunity to forget about yourself and consider others.

If there is art in our life at all, make it the art of appreciating the year gone by and use this time to re-evaluate our purpose and make changes.

This holiday above all others is the one chance we get to do things right. To feel we can make a difference and put our prejudices on hold. To make amends to those we hurt and give forgiveness to those who hurt us. I’m not sure how to label the feeling that pervades us at this time of year. If we could bottle it and sell it throughout the year, the world would certainly be a better place for us all.

6 — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 25

Theft 11/30/14 07:00 AM 10100 BLOCK OF SUNLAND BL

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Burglary 12/03/14 10:40 AM 8600 BLOCK OF HILLROSE ST Burglary 12/03/14 05:00 PM 9900 BLOCK OF PALI AV Theft 12/05/14 04:45 PM 8400 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL Theft 12/05/14 04:10 PM 6600 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL

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THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014 — 7

VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 25 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

Best of WreckS O Ff T H E W E E K Slow down and live...

It wasn’t even raining—so neither one stopped at the stop sign.

Lest We Forget!

On December 12, 2006, my life as an editor changed. Michelle Wincentsen was killed in a head-on collision on LaTuna Canyon Rd. by a teen-aged driver. This driver had previously been seen driving through stop signs and driving at high rates of speed on Foothill Blvd. Because I called him out and asked for my readers to join with me to stop him, certain individuals called for a boycott of The Paper, my resignation from the STNC and an apology. All well and good for them, but their loved one did not die in this crash.

I made both enemies and friends in the community, but I continued my campaign to stop stupid drivers.

Every issue I ran a “Wreck of the Week.” Then it became “Wrecks of the Week,” and now it’s up to “Best of Wrecks of the Week.” But nothing was learned from this carnage.

How long are you going to tolerate this situation? During this holiday season, please slow down—you might live until next year.

When the rain started, people started playing slip and slide.

Aerin Holt presents

The chilling soul of the winter winds!

In association with

The road turned but he didn’t.

California Contemporary Ballet Original Choreography by

Aerin Holt

Original Music by

Dwight B. Mikkelsen

A n ew original ballet created as a prequel to CCB’s successful 16 year running ballet of

The Snow Queen Two Performances Only

Sat. Dec 20, 2:00pm Sun. Dec 21, 2:00pm Same story, only he hit a telephone pole.

There were way too many accidents to cover here; visit

Facebook.com/thefoothillspaper

1500 N. Verdugo Rd, Glendale, CA 91208

Glendale Community College Theater

Purchase tickets at CalBallet.com or call 818-583-7406 l Info only 818-790-7924

8 — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 25

Foothills Pet Page Now Here’s Ivy!

By Lee Daley

Holiday Pet Safety Tips As we enter the holiday season, there are steps you should take to ensure it’s a happy, healthy and safe season for both you and your pets. The holiday season means you may be doing a lot of entertaining at home. If you do any cleaning beforehand, be sure to keep all household chemicals out of your pet’s reach.

Speaking of guests, odds are you’ll have lots of company entering and leaving your home. Be sure you know where your pets are at all times. We don’t want them slipping out the door!

Be sure you and your guests don’t overfeed your pets... particularly with table scraps from those holiday dinners. Turkey is in abundance during these holidays-especially during Christmas.

Turkey bones lodged in tiny throats can be disastrous so safeguard your garbage cans and leftovers.

Be sure to keep those holiday chocolates out of reach. Chocolate, which contains theobromine, can be particularly toxic to our fourfooted friends. Also of concern are goodies containing Xylitol, a common sugar substitute found in sugar-free candies, gum and baked goods. Holiday plants such as poinsettias and mistletoe can be deadly, so keep them out of your pet’s reach. If you receive a plant as a gift and you are not sure of its toxicity, check with your local garden center.

Christmas trees are tempting to our pets, especially our curious felines. To ensure that your tree is not knocked over, tie it to a railing or secure it to a banister.

Avoid using tinsel when decorating your tree as it can become stuck in your pet’s throat.

When decorating your tree, place all breakable ornaments towards the top of the tree... out of your pet’s reach. Remember, glass ornaments and Christmas tree lights can cut tiny paws if they shatter. Place only unbreakable items on the bottom of your tree.

Speaking of holiday lighting, your pet may try to chew on the extra extension cords used with holiday lighting. Keep your eye on Fluffy or Fido and, if necessary, spray the cords with a deterrent product such as Bitter Yuck. If you are using a live tree, do not add chemical preservatives to the tree’s water. Your pet may drink the water and the chemicals might be toxic.

Finally, there’s nothing like a roaring fire on a cool night. If you intend to use your fireplace or wood-burning stove, use a protective screen to prevent your pets from being singed.

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.

Ivy was born in a doghouse at my daughter’s home when another pregnant feral mother cat from the neighborhood wandered in and made herself at home. Ivy had four other siblings in the littler which were adopted out to caring neighbors, but I immediately fell in love with this female orange tabby ball of fur. She lives with me (grandma) in Sunland and two other cats, Twiford and Smoke. Ivy spends the day playing, sleeping and hiding in a kitchen drawer. Even though she is not feral, it is still hardwired into her.

My daughter did end up trapping and fixing the mother cat

so she could have not more babies. Did you know female cats are capable of producing hundreds of offspring? It is very important to get all kitties fixed. In Sun Valley, we are lucky enough to have a wonderful non-profit organization called Fix Nation where they

fix feral kitties and offspring for no or very low cost.

I was surprised to learn that most orange tabbies are male— but not Ivy. This makes her special.

Well, the holidays are upon us again! I’m getting Ivy some catnip and kitty litter.

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014 — 9

VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 25 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

Winter, from pg. 4 of Aladdin and His Winter Wish, will be director Bonnie Lythgoe (“So You Think You Can Dance”), choreographer Spencer Liff (Emmy nominee “So You Think You Can Dance”) and musical director Michael Orland (“American Idol”). The book is by Kris Lythgoe, scenic and costume design by Lythgoe Family Productions, and the LFP producers include Kris Lythgoe, Bonnie Lythgoe, Becky Lythgoe and Jason Haigh Ellery.

Lythgoe Family Productions produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids. The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together. Past Panto at The Playhouse productions include: A Snow White Christmas starring Ariana Grande and Neil Patrick Harris and Aladdin and

“Behold,” from pg. 4 current holiday production of Andrew Peterson’s “BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD: The True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ” or BTLOG as he calls it, to be performed from December 19 until Dec. 21. Borquez explains, “I heard one stand-alone song by contemporary Christian artist, Andrew Peterson, called ‘Labor of Love’, a song about Mary the night she gave birth to Jesus and what intrigued me most about the lyric and haunting arrangement was the

to the forum.” – Los Angeles Times.

Before every performance, guests and their families are invited to enjoy a “Winter Wonderland” event in The Playhouse’s Engemann Family Courtyard, complete with holiday carolers, crafts, activities, games, Santa Claus and photo opportunities.

Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight will play from December 10, 2014 until January 4, 2015. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.

His Winter Wish starring Ben Vereen, Bruce Vilanch, and Ashley Argota.

Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps says “I am very pleased to continue our much cherished collaboration with Lythgoe Family Productions with this year’s exciting panto version of Sleeping Beauty. I know that we will once more have holiday magic, music, and enchantment on our stage with this production. We are beginning to put together a wonderful cast and creative team that I know will deliver this material with great style, wit, and theatricality.”

“We are so excited to be back for our third installment of Panto at The Playhouse! We continue our drive and passion, along with Sheldon Epps and Elizabeth Doran, to introduce new and young audiences to the theatre through Panto. With such a great cast, Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight is set to become the most successful Panto yet.

The must see magical event for families this holiday season,” adds LFP producers Kris and Becky Lythgoe.

An updated version of the classic Grimm fairytale, in the style of a traditional British family Panto, Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight is a

singing and soaring winter adventure that features family-friendly magic, with a comedic twist, dancing (with “So You Think You Can Dance” alumni), a live pony, interaction with the audience and contemporary music from Jessie J’s “Domino” to John Legend’s “All Of Me,” Pharrell Williams “Happy” to Survivor’s “Eye of The Tiger” and more. A Panto is known for its interactive style and humor that appeals to everyone from ages 2 – 102! “Those who have never been to a panto will have a glorious introduction

emotional “word pictures” he was painting for the listener.”, he continues, “As I dug deeper into his material, I discovered that this song was from a collection of folk-rock-Americana songs he had composed for a “concept album” he recorded in 2006. Every year thereafter, Peterson and fellow musicians have toured and performed this set of music for a few weeks during the Christmas season. The project and the material have morphed into a wonderful experience for the audience, but also for the musicians on the stage performing.”

We asked Borquez what made him decide on this piece and he replied, “It was an elevated artistic challenge that would bring fresh new music, musicians, vocalists and storytelling all together for just three evenings, and an opportunity for our church team to gather the community in celebration of the Christmas Story in a novel way. I believe this will also be the San Fernando Valley Live-Premiere of this piece, which is really exciting.

We want the evening to be a casual concert experience, with refreshments and people and families from our

community coming together to hear and celebrate the Christmas Story, through some fantastic folk-rock music, performed by an awesome collection of musical performers.”

“Behold The Lamb Of God” will be performed at New Hope Community Church, 10438 Oro Vista Avenue, Sunland on Friday and Saturday, December 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, December 21 at 6:00 p.m. Seniors and Students under 18 are FREE and Adults 18 and over are $5.00. Refreshments will also be available at the performances.

Chorale, from pg. 4

300 concerts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at both Disney Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, and has toured with the orchestra to Europe and New York City. It has also appeared at the Ojai Music Festival, the Great Performers series at Lincoln Center, the Ravinia Festival and the Overture Center in Madison, Wisconsin, as well as in leading venues throughout the Southland. Its discography includes five commercial CDs under Gershon’s baton. The latest, released in 2012 on Decca, features three works by Polish composer Henryk Górecki. In addition, in 2013, as part of its 50th anniversary season celebration, the Chorale released a digital recording featuring signature a cappella works available online-only at LAMC.org, iTunes and Amazon. com. LAMC previously released three CDs under former Music Director Paul Salamunovich on RCM, including the Grammy-nominated Lauridsen-Lux Aeterna. The Chorale is also featured with Gershon on the soundtracks of such major motion pictures as Lady in the Water and License to Wed. Serving more than 30,000 audience members of all ages annually, the Los Angeles Master Chorale also provides education outreach to some 6,000 students each year.

Coyote Stalks Man With Dog

Last week as I was driving down St. Estaban, I saw a man walking his Maltese dog near the intersection of Hains Canyon. About 30 feet from him was this well-fed coyote pacing them. When the coyote saw me taking pictures, he ran up the driveway.

Lost his dinner. Maybe next time.

prior to the performance.) The Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 South Grand Avenue at First Street in downtown Los Angeles.

Giving a voice to Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Grammy-nominated LOS ANGELES MASTER CHORALE is led by Artistic Director Grant Gershon. Proclaimed “the nation’s most pioneering major chorus” (Los Angeles Times), it has also been hailed as “inspired” (The New York Times), “magnificent” (Chicago Tribune) and “a superb vocal ensemble” (The New York Observer). The Chorale is currently in its 51st season as a resident company of The Music Center of Los Angeles County and its 12th as the resident chorus at Disney Hall. Presenting its own concert series each season, it performs choral music from the earliest writings to the most recent contemporary compositions. To date, the choir has commissioned 45 and premiered 92 new works, of which 62 were world premieres, and has been awarded three ASCAP/Chorus America Awards for Adventurous Programming as well as Chorus America’s prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence. The Chorale has performed in more than

10 — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 25

$450 REWARD

for identification of this man and where he lives.

He was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Tujunga on 09 Oct. 2014. All responses will be kept confidential. Call or e-mail Doc at The Paper.

818-951-0943

Attention All Veterans, Sons, Daughters and Wives of Veterans Come and Enjoy your local American Legion Post Help support Veterans and Veterans’ Causes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday Night Football & Pot Luck Dinner

sign up at the bar to bring a Pot Luck dish

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday December 20, 6 - 8 p.m.

Santa for Neighborhood Kids Please donate toys for the Post

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve Singles’ Dinner by Tom Smoker

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday, December 31 7 p.m. New Year’s Eve Party and band

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

American Legion Post 377 10039 Pinewood Avenue, Tujunga

(818) 353-9856 Events open to the Public

Canteen Hours - 7 days a week, 2- 10 p.m.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For Hall Rental, call Commander

Dan at (818) 521-1137

HAPPY

S Y A D I HOL from

Star H

h s a W r and Ca

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014 — 11

VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 25 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

Rail, from pg. 1 properties and allowed the owners to stay in their houses at 1970s rates for 40 years.

That would not be the case here. The agency would make its route determination like it did with the 210 freeway: buy the property and kick everybody out for the next five years of construction. Opposition is mounting and CD-7 councilman Fuentes sent a letter to the HRA.

Ralph Earl Perry

A long-time resident of Sunland-Tujunga passed away on October 29, 2014.

Born January 2, 1934.

He is survived by his wife Joyce Perry, children Sandra Perry Gordon, Brenda Perry Carlson, Melissa Perry Hand, Ralph Perry Jr., and Ruth Perry. 13 Grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.

12 — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 25

Weed Makes You Dopey

from The Record Ledger, Thursday, Oct. 15, 1970

By Rebecca L. Mate Marijuana is harmful physically.

That was the message of two doctors of philosophy and one medical doctor at a recent Ambassador Hotel news conference.

Max Rafferty, state superintendent of public instruction was one of the three. He stressed that his press conference was non-political, although it came in the closing month of his bid for re-election.

The other PhD was Dr. Hardin Jones, professor o f medical physics at the University of California at Berkeley.

The MD was Dr. John Saunders, chancellor emeritus of the UC Medical School.

From my limited observation, I agree with their theses that smoking marijuana is harmful mentally and physically. It makes you dopey. But a press conference isn’t much fun when everybody agrees, so I played the devil’s advocate.

To my annoyance when I pinned the two UC teachers to the wall with a series of short punchy questions, it developed that neither of them had done any actual research to substantiate their claims that marijuana actually hurts the smoker. I was disappointed for I started out believing they spoke from actual experience.

DR. JONES GETS TOUCHY Dr. Jones got sort of touchy about it.

He said he had “analyzed the available information.” When pressed about physiological observations to back up his statement he said rather indignantly: “I don’t do laboratory experiments by giving marijuana to young subjects.”

When he threw in “young” it was obvious to me he had been hit on a sore spot. He was trying to excuse his

lack of actual experimentation. I personally didn’t care if he gave marijuana to young or old subjects, but would have felt better about quoting him if he had done some actual observation himself.

Dr. Saunders in response to my questions about physiological observations said that in marijuana smoke is something called the Carbinol group.

He said this active substance is pulled down into the lungs by the smoker and gets into the blood stream. From there it can be traced to the brain.

I asked how it can be traced and he said by using radioactive substances, Carbon 12 I think it was he mentioned.

I asked to what areas of the brain it was traced and he said mostly the hypothalmaus, the emotional centers.

That sounded persuasive and I let him off the hook momentarily so other reporters could ask questions along the lines of their own interest.

These were mostly sociological, such as how can we stop the importation of the weed when poor countries like Mexico and Turkey grow it as a cash crop. There weren’t any good answers to this though obviously the solution lies in federal action at the borders.

Then a television reporter asked why the U.S. Narcotics Bureau is so difficult about allowing use of marijuana in experiments. From this question it developed that most of the stuff Saunders and Jones had told us came from experiments abroad.

That was when I asked where the radioactive experiments took place and if the two “experts” had done any active research themselves. It developed what they had done what is called “secondary research.”

That means reading the writings of others.

It doesn’t take an expert to do that, in my opinion.

However, I wasn’t finished with them yet.

SMOKERS BECOME ANTI-SOCIAL In a position paper read at the start of the session, Dr. Rafferty said that marijuana smokers tend to be anti-social.

“They tend to withdraw from meaningful communication with each other” he said.

He also said that marijuana use “is cumulatively dulling to the mind.” The average effect is known as “pot-headedness, a condition marked by lack of perception, lack of ability to concentrate and to care, and inability to make or keep long-term commitments.”

If this was so, I asked, and users don’t care about others and don’t communicate, how did it happen that marijuana users as a class are enthusiastic missionaries trying to spread the use of the weed?

Both Saunders and Jones took a crack at answering this and I must admit they sounded reasonable. They said in essence: “The average marijuana user has a guilt feeling. He wants to spread the use because misery loves company.

“Also users are facing arrest so they are very highly motivated to try to legalize marijuana.

“It is largely a question of self-justification. They may not care about much else but when it comes to their weed they can get interested and excited.”

EXPERT NOW OPPOSES MARIJUANA Rafferty quoted Dr. D. Harvey Powelson of UC Hospital in Berkeley, saying this gentleman once held that marijuana was not harmful, but has now

changed his mind.

Powelson says users gets paranoid and walk in a strange manner due to physiological changes in their bodies.

“I have seen how people who for long periods of time have used nothing but marijuana in large doses, that is, who are marijuana heads, show the same long-term effects as people who have taken LSD or other toxic drugs,” said Powelson.

Rafferty points out that as a medical doctor working with Berkeley students, he “has had ample exposure to the problem.”

Rafferty quoted an American Psychiatric Association report on conditions in L.A. County as follows: “It is of interest that despite claims that marijuana is an innocuous drug, 1887 patients with adverse reactions to marijuana were seen over 18 months in Los Angeles County.”

Rafferty quoted Dr. Andrew T. Weil as finding some marijuana users afflicted with a panic reaction. Said the education: “They think they are dying or losing their mind. Dr. Weil observed the panic reaction among 75 per cent of the cases studied and he warned that physicians will see more of them as the use of the drug increases and reaches new areas of society.

There were several Negro reporters at the Ambassador news conference and they asked numerous questions relating to racial usage of drugs.

The three newsmakers, who sat in front of the room at a table full of microphones, said “The black community is way ahead of us in alarm.”

They said this was so because drug use was threatening the entire younger generations of blacks.

They said drug use among Negroes was five times worse than in other segments of society.

Woodcraft Rangers’ Winter Jam Dance Competition The Woodcraft Rangers’ NVISION programs held their Winter Jam Dance Competition at Plainview Elementary in the San Fernando Valley which took place last Saturday December 6th. The event hosted a full house of parents, family members, and principals from a multitude of schools.

The Winter Jam Dance Competition, which streamed live online to hundreds of spectators, allowed the viewers to engage with the competition by voting for the “People’s Choice Award”.

Even Mexico and Canada participated. Woodcraft Rangers holds events such as this to engage the community and their partners, and showcase the students’ hard work.

With a difficult decision by the three guest judges, awards given to the top performing schools based on their overall scores. An online vote was also conducted as nearly a thousand votes were recorded to award Sunland Elementary the “People’s Choice Award”.

This generated more viewers and allowed the community and online spectators to participate in the competition.

A parent from Sharp Elementary commented “It is great that Woodcraft Rangers can broadcast an amazing performance like this. I have family in Canada and they were able to see my daughter and her school perform.”

Events such as these provide a safe and educational place where kids can showcase their

talents and display what they have learned while attending the Woodcraft’s NVISION program.

Plainview Elementary Principal Kenneth Johnson said, “It was an honor to be a guest judge and see the amazing work they have done.

Woodcraft Rangers is such a valuable asset to our schools and we relish our partnership with them.”

CEO Chris Johnson added “We give our students opportunities to grow through our programs. We challenge our youth to be skillful and take pride in their accomplishments and events such as this are the perfect way to show those achievements.” The Winter Jam event featured those achievements by the students.

Plainview students strut their stuff!

With the agency dance competition, Spirit Jam, coming soon, Woodcraft Rangers will feature over 40 schools in attendance and thousands of parents supporting the event.

For further information contact, (213) 249-9293 or woodcraft@woodcraftrangers. org. To learn more about Woodcraft Rangers go to www. woodcraftrangers.org.