STNC SHOWS ITS RACIST COLORS! See below
FREE
FRIDAY • JUNE 13, 2014
INSIDE: Delphi Academy 2014 Graduation ................
THE PAPER WITH AN ATTITUDE!
s-t RaCIST An investigation
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Alex Theatre Re-Opens! ................
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Pena’s Tacos ................ Starbucks Drive-by Shooting ................
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Violence Escalates Against Homeless ................ Wrecks of the Week ................
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NEW! Foothills Pet Page ................
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Thumbelina! ............
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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
Joe Barrett who has nothing, wants to make sure that no one else gets anything. Barrett has filed an “Appeal by a person, other than applicant, claiming to be aggrieved.” And the lies continue. By Bonnie Corwin After reading every single word of a 100-plus-page Appeal against Professor Ali Akbar Mahdi supposedly written by STA officer Joe Barrett, the motive behind yet another appeal against this property owner appears to be found on page 14. Joe Barrett, hit man for the Cleghorn machine, and others on the STNC are basing their Appeal(s) on racism. “GOAL 1 A SAFE, SECURE AND HIGH QUALITY RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL ECONOMIC, AGE AND ETHNIC SEGMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY.” Professor Mahdi, a PersianAmerican, is trying to build a home on a piece of property that he has owned on Sister Elsie’s for years. This man is a pillar of society, a professor at a major University in Southern California, a scholar who has written many works that can be found on the Internet. His area of expertise? Sociology. So what happens when you mix a normal individual who has studied and taught Sociology for years and combine him with residents of Sunland-Tujunga? It turns into a massive disorganization having the potential to cause serious damage, or a disastrous situation that re-
sults from the cumulative errors of several people or groups–STA, STNC–again in this case, clearly racism. Bigotry really gets us nowhere. It is an emotional reaction and not logical. But then, when have our community leaders shown logic? We interviewed Professor Ali Akbar Mahdi on June 4, in one of the local restaurants. Since 2009, this man has tried to build on his property. He claims to have been forced to jump through every hoop imaginable created by angry homeowner Paolina Milano. The pain in his eyes of the torment that he has suffered is evident, as he explains everything that he has gone through, along with the financial costs he has paid–just wanting to provide a beautiful home for his family like any man would. It is the United States Constitution, and not some competitive agglomeration of communities or constituencies, that makes a citizen the sovereign of his own home and privacy. There is absolutely no legal requirement to be polite in the defense of this right. And such rights cannot be negotiated away. Try telling that to the STNC when in 2010 they voted to recommend opposition to the see s-t RaCIST, page 10
VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 12
2 — FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 12
Delphi Academy Holds 2014 Commencement Area Students Graduate USD A snapshot of the Head of School and graduates at the Commencement Exercises of 2013. Delphi Academy of Los Angeles invites the local community to join them for the Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2014 on Saturday, June 14th at 10 a.m. It will be held on their beautiful campus, nestled in the foothills of the Angeles National Forest in Lake View Terrace. Graduates from the 20132014 school year will be speaking about their gains from the Delphi Program, which focuses not only on a high standard of academics, but on teaching leadership skills as well as ethics and responsibility. The High School program tailors each student’s individualized program toward whatever goals the student strives for. This in turn, gives them a head start to accomplishing what they want to in life. There will also be a keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Mitri, a Delphi Alumnus from the graduating class of 2000, who followed his dream of becoming a doctor and is now an OB/GYN practicing in Los Angeles. Here is an excerpt from the speech one of our graduates gave to our student body a few weeks ago when he finished the Delphi Program: “I changed from a student who showed up, did his work, and went home, to someone who truly began to grow as a result of the Delphi Program. In Student Government, my ability to lead rose from nearly non-existent to become a powerful tool I can use in a variety of situations. My ability to learn also ex-
panded, and I found myself using this ability to quickly learn subjects in a variety of situations as I prepared to submit my college applications. “Now, after twelve years at Delphi, I truly understand what this school is all about, and I know that each of you, with time, come to enjoy the benefits that this school so determinedly offers to each of its students. But remember that any program, any school, depends on what you make of it. You have the opportunity to be here and study here, so make the most of your time at this school. You will be pleased with the result.” –Adnan Abdeen, Class of 2014. A reception will be held for the graduates immediately afterward, which everyone is invited to attend. Delphi Academy of Los Angeles was originally established in La Canada, CA in 1984 and moved to its current nine-acre campus in Lake View Terrace, CA in 2003. It is a private, co-educational, non-denominational school offering school year and summer programs for students from Preschool and Kindergarten through High School. The Delphi Program™ and its proficiency-based graduation requirements are based on several educational cornerstones, each step helping prepare students to lead a responsible and productive life. For international students, the school also offers special camps in the winter, spring and summer.
Adnan Abdeen, pictured with his family, after receiving his High School Diploma.
SAN DIEGO, CA—The following students graduated from the University of San Diego on May 25: Kelsie Bishop of Shadow Hills graduated the University of San Diego on May 25. Bishop earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Bishop graduated cum laude. Julianne Sermak of Sunland graduated the University of San Diego on May 25. Sermak earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. •••
Students named to SAU President’s List for Spring 2014
MAGNOLIA, AR—Southern Arkansas University has announced the names of 253 students who qualified for the President’s List following the Spring 2014 semester. The following area students were included to the President’s List: Angela Gaignard of Sunland,
Calif., who is a senior Athletic Training major. Cambria Martin of Tujunga, Calif., who is a senior Exercise Science major. •••
Free Glendale Noon Concerts
FREE ADMISSION GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS Every FIRST & THIRD WEDNESDAY at 12:10-12:40 pm 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 JUNE 18: SUZUKI-LoGIUDICE DUO James MacMillan A Different World (1995) Cesar Franck Sonata for violin & piano in A major JACQUELINE SUZUKI - violin ROSA LoGIUDICE - piano JULY 2: Improvisations BILLY CHILDS - piano MAKSIM VELICHKIN - cello
JULY 16: KATHY MARSH Solo Recital: Works for solo flute and solo piccolo by MISHKAR NUNEZ-MEJIA and FREDERICK LESEMANN AUGUST 6: Voice Recital MICHAL DAWSON CONNOR - bass-baritone TWYLA MEYER - piano CONCERT UPDATES: http://www.glendalenoonconcerts.blogspot.com/ •••
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Glendale’s Alex Theatre Grand Re-Opening Features Martin Short Glendale Arts will celebrate the completion of the landmark Alex Theatre’s multi-million dollar expansion and renovation when Emmy and Tony Award-winning performer Martin Short joins artistic director and conductor Matt Catingub and the Glendale Pops Orchestra for a special evening of comedy, music, song and dance at the Theatre’s Grand reopening Saturday, June 21st. The Alex Theatre is located at 216 North Brand Boulevard in Glendale. Recalling the glamour of ‘Old Hollywood’, guests will walk the red carpet in true Alex Theatre style, as they enter the event, which will include a pre-and post-theatre reception and guided tour of the Alex’s new 6,600 square foot expansion (for VIP ticket holders). The pretheatre reception will be held at 6:30 p.m., prior to the show at 8:00 p.m. An elegant dinner, catered by premier Mediterranean caterer Anoush and a silent auction will immediately follow the performance in a specially
Martin Short. designed tent behind the theatre. VIP tickets are available for $150 per person. Tickets for the concert and performance only are available for $85 per person. For tickets and more information, call (818) 243-ALEX (2539) or visit www.alextheatre.org. Proceeds from the event will support the programs and services of Glendale Arts, a private non-profit organiza-
tion which manages the Alex Theatre and coordinates resources designed to benefit Glendale based artists, arts organizations, businesses, government agencies and local schools. Over the past decade, Glendale Arts has generated over 9.5 million in earned income in the City and hosted more than 2,500 community and professional performances.
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 — 3
VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 12 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
Yes, I broke Willis Edwards’s rule of “Playing The Game.” But what the hell, I live in S-T and yes, our elected leaders have made it into a Septic-Tank. But it’s all a game. It is really incredible to see our “leaders” literally screwing their neighbors. I should have the K-Y Jelly franchise it’s so bad. I had my hand slapped last week when talking to an older woman; I referred to another FB manipulator as a “deformed mutant with training wheels.” Yes, I was wrong. For everyone here, in spite of their problems, they are still human, and they still feel. So it amazes me that they could attack our local homeless so viciously and without remorse. It now appears that the new STNC board really isn’t as astute as I thought they’d be.
I sent each and every one of them an e-mail (through secretary Sandra Baugus) explaining why I felt that the board term limits were not being adhered to and this was in violation of the STNC by-laws. I received ONE response from Mark Seigel. ONE out of how many? And against all rational thought, past president of the C of C Sonia Tatulian, is actually coming across as an intelligent person. Of course we lost every local event that she ever participated in…But what the heck, we’re forgiving aren’t we? Currently, we have the re-invigorated Sunland-Tujunga, Shadow Hills Community Fund (and it’s secret Oversight Committee) running the 4th of July Fireworks and Parade. So much for them being our Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club events. Let’s face up to it. The
Community fund went bankrupt along with the service organizations. Even to the point of “borrowing” money from the kid’s activities they were supposed to promote. But not to worry. Everybody is hiding behind the big lie, and they have now brought Dan (the man) McManus to give them an aura of respectability. Remember The Voice of the Village that was created to destroy The Foothills Paper? Do you really think that after the Chamber went broke, there would be enough money to keep it going? Think again boys and girls, I wonder if the YMCA board members know how much money they’re throwing into the Voice to keep it going. And speaking about money, elsewhere you will read about how a small group of racists are attacking a neighbor because he
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ROCK wouldn’t succumb to their demands for a bribe. And don’t let me forget to say that those involved were previously officers of the STNC and a oneman front organization called the Sunland-Tujunga Alliance. Yes boys and girls, even though I’ve been warning you for the last decade, some of you persist in drinking the Water!
The Foothills Letters & Perspectives Is Voice Limited to One View? 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! 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
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Dear Editor, In the May issue of the Voice of the Village, the editor printed an opinion from Ms. Dee Monroy racially profiling a group of Armenian men cutting plantation for profiting at local little markets. I had written a response to this accusation and sent it in on the due date to be in the June newspaper as my opinion. I have attached both the articles for you to read and see. The editor of the Voice of the Village sent me an e-mail to contact him regarding my response and after my conversation with him, he was protecting Ms. Monroy saying this was her observation and refused to print my response. I am sad to say that I cannot support any business that advertises in a racist paper. We had crossed this path in 2006 with The Foothills Paper and that I will be reaching out to our community regarding this issue. Sonia Tatulian •••
What’s Fishy on Foothill? Dear Editor, I have been a resident of Sunland-Tujunga for over 45 years. I went to school here and was an honor student. I worked here as a teenager until I left for college. I was here when the Hells Angels called this town home. I was even
here when the drive-in was still around. This town was a large part of my past and continues to this day. I used to be proud of this place. Now, it has become a town of shortlived businesses that really have no business being in a small town to begin with. The last time I looked, S-T was a valley town. A lot like any other small town in the general area. But we have now become the little Carolina’s. Tobacco shops line the streets from the very beginning to the very edge of the four-mile stretch of Foothill Boulevard. At last count, 22 tobacco and hookah shops have popped up in between video, couture clothing and cell phone accessory stores. All of the latter have failed and closed, but somehow find their way back and re-open to little or no business. But why?
Why bring back stores that succumbed to terrible sales, no foot traffic and-out-of date products. I can only speculate, but I think a lot of us know why. We’re just too afraid to ask the question. Tobacco smoke shops seem to have a way of finding every little tiny shack around town, propping up a cigarette sign and they’re open for business. But I find it odd that we have these 22 shops in such a small amount of space and they all are maintaining enough customers to make it profitable enough to pay their own rent. How is that possible? Excluding all the other places in town to purchase tobacco product such as gas stations, liquor and grocery stores, each one of these 22 shops would need to do an average of about $1,800.00 per day in order to turn enough profit to stay
afloat. But every time I drive by (and I drove by a lot), there is little to nobody in each one. Most of the time, the proprietor is lounging outside his store with his friends, puffing away. Where are all these customers? How do they ALL make a buck? Every person in Sunland-Tujunga, kids included, would have to purchase at least a pack a day to keep all 22 stores humming along. But that just is not the case. Something is a little fishy on Foothill and I think the district hierarchy needs to look into this further. To do this, I’ve dispatched a letter to Assemblymen Bocanegra to ask for additional review of this issue. We’re a small town that does not need this sort of back-room juggling to go on. Time to stand up. A Concerned Sunland Tujunga Resident
4 — FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 12
Pena’s Taco: from Food Truck to Restaurant! Bill to Increase Penalties for Hit-and-Run Drivers Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s (D-Los Angeles) legislation to increase penalties for those who flee the scene of an accident cleared its biggest legislative hurdle yet, passing the Assembly by a vote of 74-4. 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 the 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 Assembly passed the legislation one week after a hitand-run collision, less than a mile from Gatto’s home, left an 18-year-old boy in a coma. Police are seeking information about a white BMW involved in that incident. Individuals with information are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or text a tip to 274637 (tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous). “Victims and families 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.”
Only Successful Businesses advertise in The Foothills Paper!
What used to be one of Sunland’s favorite food trucks has become the newest addition to the Century 21 Crest mall. Owner Arturo Pena says starting out as a food truck was the perfect stepping stone to opening a full restaurant. “This was always the plan. I always wanted to put our food out there and get a response,” Pena said. And what a response he got. Regulars to Pena’s old food truck parked in the Century 21 parking lot were more than ready for The Pena’s Tacos to open. “He definitely created a loyal following that had been waiting for him to open this restaurant,” customer Tim Stasic said. “We’ve all been chomping at the bit.” “In the beginning it was the food trucks versus restaurants on Foothill Blvd., and the battle went on for a couple of years. What started out as a good idea of Sonia Tatulian and Tomi Lynn Bowling had many repercussions, but it also drew people out to try new food from the trucks and gave the local kids a place to go on Wednesday nights. For aspiring restaurateurs,
Arturo Pena, the proud owner of Pena’s, begins his success story. fore you open,” Pena said. food trucks can serve as a test of their skills, a revenue genera- “You have to get into a food tor, or both. Some, like Pena, truck idea with your eyes wide are able to turn successful food open and know that you will trucks into permanent locations. be spending a minimum of “People don’t realize the $50,000 to see if you’re going overhead of a food truck, yet to make it.” in comparison to owning a res- Take Dad to Pena’s for a taurant the overhead is probaMacho Nacho on Father’s day. bly half for a food truck, and it Pena’s Tacos is at 8319 Footis a great way to test your food hill Blvd., Sunland in the Cenideas and build a following be- tury 21 Crest mall.
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THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 — 5
VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 12 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
French Toast Soufflé
Artfully
Have you enjoyed French Toast stuffed with cream cheese? Here’s an easy, quick to prepare and fun alternative. Make it the day before and the next morning just bring it to room temp, pop in the oven and enjoy. What an easy way to put smiles on the faces of your friends and family.
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Price and Value
Ingredients: 1 loaf unsliced bread (cut into 1-inch cubes) 8 ounces cream cheese (room temp) 8 large eggs 1 ½ cups whole milk 2/3 cup half and half 1 ¼ cups grade A maple syrup ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees when ready to bake. Place bread cubes in a lightly greased 9x13 baking pan. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each ad-
y
dition. Stir in milk, half and half, ½-cup of the maple syrup, and vanilla until mixture is smooth. Pour this mixture over the bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove soufflé from refrigerator, and let stand at room tem-
perature for 30 minutes. Bake uncovered, for 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Pour remaining ¾-cup maple syrup over soufflé while still warm. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired!
See Chef Randy’s food blog for more recipes at
http://valley-vegetarian.com
photos: David Zinn
Starbucks Drive-by Shooting in S-T
Last Saturday about 7:30 p.m., someone shot a pellet at the Starbucks window causing it to shatter. Christina Loukatos, a person that was almost hit by the projectile said “My sister and I were sitting at that table when the window shattered. Very frightening! Thank God we only got a few small cuts from the glass!” It was quite a mess to sweep up as the safety glass shattered into 1/4-inch fragments.
“That which costs little is less valued.” -Miguel De Cervantes This is a sticking point and a very touchy subject. In a nutshell, I have exhibited in galleries; shown my work in street fairs and on the Internet, and I have also sold my work at both ends of the monetary spectrum; for what I believe the work is worth. I’ve lowered my prices in slow times and conversely, I’ve inflated my prices in good times. Fault me on this count if you wish. One truthful axiom that never seems to fail is-- if it’s priced cheap, it seems cheap. The problem, for me, is what to price a work that makes the public understand it’s worth that price. I have heard and appreciate that price is relative. I’ve had people tell me the price on a work for sale was ridiculous only to have it sell later, in the same day, to someone willing to see the value in the work. I’ve had works priced very low only to return home without one sale at the end of the day. On other days I’ve inflated the prices only to see quite a few sell. So, what’s the answer? As odd as it seems, people, in more cases than not, do know what they like. And they will buy it if they want it bad enough and truly know it is worth the price. There are the cases which are becoming more and more frequent lately, where no matter the price;
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buyers will always try and barter a better price, especially if the artist is doing the selling. And mind you, when I sell my own work I am more inclined or should I say agreeable to entertain a lower price if it’s not too ridiculously off base. (I hope I am not shooting myself in the foot by writing this publicly) But, there is a limit to how low I will adjust a price especially after considering the person’s attitude and the circumstances. Be that as it may. What is an artwork worth? I am not talking the price of famous or infamous dead artists or large Auction house sales through Sotheby’s, where the price is more attributed to ego, status and portfolios. I am talking about work in the range of say $500.00 to $10,000.00; art of and for the people, if you will. Remember art is not a sandwich, not a hammer, not a car or boat. When people consider buying art it is because they want to be uplifted, transformed by the work. I suggest painting the best work you can and price it as you will. Be realistic and honest in your pricing. Don’t offer every work ever created up for sale. Always offer your best work. Set your price and wait. If after a good period of time has passed, reevaluate. Try going up (not down). You will sell at your price, only if it’s deemed valuable work by the public.
Bandito Anniversary
Seen at Bandito Park. Happy Anniversary!
6 — FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 12
Charles E. Miller Interview, pt. 2 By Charlene Garcia-Lockhart
April D.I.S.A.R.M. Sweeps Net 47 PROBATIONERS 6 Weapons and $1 Million in Illegal Drugs and Money During the month of April, officers from the Los Angeles County D.I.S.A.R.M. conducted 1,011 searches and confiscated 28 weapons including 13 handguns, 1 assault rifle, 5 shotguns, and over $36 million in illegal drugs and drug money, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. In conjunction with local law enforcement, probation officers conducted searches of probationers who, as a condition of probation, are subject to unannounced searches targeting guns, drugs and other contraband. Nearly 10 percent of probationers searched in
this program were out of compliance with the terms of their probation. Since its implementation in February of 2000, the D.I.S.A.R.M. program has seized over 9,403 weapons and more than $487 million in illegal drugs and drug money and made nearly 20,000 arrests. D.I.S.A.R.M was initiated by Supervisor Antonovich following the tragic August 1999 shootings at the North Valley Jewish Community Center and the murder of a postal worker by Buford Furrow, an armed felon on probation from Washington State.
Black License Plates Returning To California In 2012, when Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) introduced AB 1658 and created the California Legacy License Plate Program, he wanted to do something nice for those who preserve California’s classic-car heritage. Such enthusiasts often view Sacramento as the source of pesky regulations. But even peskier is the fact that after completing a full restoration of that classic Mustang, a car owner had to affix a sevendigit, bright-white, out-of-period license plate on it. That changed this week. Monday, the DMV announced that California’s historic black plates with yellow lettering are headed to the presses, and will soon return to California’s roadways. Gatto’s AB 1658 of 2012, the California Legacy License Plate Program, had instructed the DMV to reissue iconic plates from California’s past. According to the DMV, the black plates, which were originally issued from 1963-1969, were among the fastest specialty plates ever
to achieve the 7,500 applications necessary to be issued. The Department has therefore begun preparing for the issuance of the plates and expects to begin sending them in the months ahead to those who preordered. “California motorists are excited about classic license plates,” said Gatto. “Aside from not salting our roads, California doesn’t often do much for automobile enthusiasts. This is an easy way for the state to enable everyone from the backyard restorer, to the nostalgic, to the purchaser of a retro-styled automobile to add that extra bit of detail for those of us who appreciate the classic era of automobile design.” In addition to the black plates with yellow lettering, the Legacy License Plate Program also offers yellow plates with black lettering and blue plates with yellow lettering. The application for all three classic plates can be found here: http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/ forms/reg/reg17L.pdf
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Meeting and speaking with Charles E. Miller has been a pleasure. The kind of pleasure your grandma’s peach cobbler brings. The kind of pleasure watching movies, a double feature none the less, at Sunland Drive-in. Watching with my dad and my children on the hood of his blue Travelall. The twinkle in his eyes while he speaks with the voice of our forefathers. The voice reminds me of Clint Eastwood’s or my father’s when I slammed the drive-in speaker against the window. Miller certainly makes any person’s day. The kind of pleasure of hanging out at Winchell’s Doughnuts with your friends. All innocent good fun. The pleasure of driving up in the canyon to hike, to swim, to go to the falls, and hang out. Pleasure of ease and happiness, the welcome of the canyon, joyful relaxing. Going over to Carrol’s hamburgers, across the street from Sunland Park. The burgers were 19 cents–a reminder that even when the first inhabitants moved to Tujunga, most of them were poor. Yes, spending time with Miller has brought me memories of reminiscence that can be can be recalled as an im-
print of joy in one’s minds. Miller brings stories of an easier time in which we were able to entertain ourselves without video games, without phones in our pockets, without constant computers. It let us be ourselves and develop relationships that were strong and that continue because we actually listened to someone speak.
I am not saying that it is not an important thing, the development of the digital age etc. I am saying that it’s okay to look back and see a simpler time that brings important lessons in itself–like his writing about Tujunga’s “Notorious nine”, Tujunga’s very first baseball team. see Miller, page 9
Plowing Dirt, Hard Work and Red Ants By Charles E. Miller From True Grit, originally published in 1986 Plowing and dirt and hard work and red ants constituted a large portion of life in Tujunga, right after the turn of the century. Nobody had much money up here. The land was presumed too poor to support much more than ground squirrels and field mice. Tujungans, most of them, were as poor as Job’s turkey and sometimes the butt of unkind jokes among the more land affluent. Yet in the face of skepticism, the seeds of township were planted. The smells of the mountain chaparral and damp wash grasses filled warm nights. And the rain always wore down the hillsides just a little more, especially after the big 1914 fire. Yet folks in Tujunga assumed that if God had made “happenings” that way, it was up to them to bring forth from the “spirit of the soil.” Lydia Grosvenor came up here as a child. She links her life in Tujunga for her husband’s that of Harry Grosve-
An early mule team ready to start the day nor, a vanguard player on Tujunga’s “Notorious nine”, first baseball team. “Harry’s family came up here to Sunland in 1912. And he and his brother, they lived in an orange grove down in Sunland, in a tent.” Tent dwellers were scattered over the local landscape then. The early settlers who came to stay, erected tents for their first habitations. “Their first tent blew down,” Lydia remembers-fierce Santa Ana winds played havoc with tents and tarpaper shacks. “And they had to find another headquarters. And they moved in with the Kirschman family,
on Walnut Grove, “which is today Mt. Gleason Avenue.” Lydia Grosvenor is telling her reminiscences before the April 12th, town meeting gathered to celebrate Bolton Hall’s 73rd Cornerstone anniversary. “No, it’s was Kirschman. Kirschner,” she replies, “they lived up the (Tujunga) Canyon.” Anyway “they had a barn. My husband bought a team of horses, he did all the ploughing around. Some of these men are laughing because they remember Harry plowing in their vineyards.” Fred and Domisee True Grit, page 9
VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 12 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
WreckS O Ff T H E W E E K
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 — 7
Violence Escalates Against Homeless
Slow down and live...
Now you know what driving in “The Blind Spot” really means.
Close up of the bogus notice. In a call to LAPD Foothill Division, we were told that they “never leave a blank notice without a LAPD logo, officer’s name or contact number.” By David “Doc” DeMullé
A Volkswagen pulling out from the stop sign did not see the utility vehicle going east and was struck broadside. LAFD 74 responded
There were way too many accidents to cover here; visit
Tomi Lynn Bowling—who answers to no one—had a good idea. The original idea was for neighbors to take photographs of suspected homeless/ transients in our community. Sounds good, but in practice, she has created an attack force of geriatrics and malcontents that are driving around taking pictures of anyone that looks “different.” Not concerned about consequences, the Bowling vigilantes are putting themselves in harm’s way, invading the privacy of our homeless population and causing a wave of anger on both sides. Fuentes’ “eyewash” homeless group accomplishes nothing but create an elitist group of people pre-
tending to know what is really going on in our community. It’s time that we defuse this ticking bomb before the violence escalates. Friday, a BOGUS LAPD NOTICE was placed on some “non-grocery carts” parked on private property on Foothill Blvd. These notices supposedly from the LAPD gave the owners time to remove their possessions. On the morning of June 8, one of the vigilantes turned over Tim’s carts, stole his food, 40 pounds of dog food and his clothing. They also took another person’s toys that he had for his daughter. It’s getting ugly out there. There is just so much that they will continue to tolerate. Are you ready for the backlash?
Facebook.com/thefoothillspaper
.75 DRIVE SAFELY EVERY DAY
Fake LAPD notices. Could these be similar to impersonating a peace officer?
Cleaning up the mess.
8 — FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 12
Foothills Pet Page HARMONY FARMS IS SPONSORING A PET APPRECIATION DAY ON JUNE 21 and requesting donations of pet food and toys for the pets of our local homeless
Please help us help them! Their pets need love and food. Von’s-Tujunga, Harmony Farms, and Wag My Tail-Sunland have donation boxes at their stores.
Pet Seat Belts Save Lives By Kim Salerno
Traveling with pets has never been more popular amongst pet parents. Traveling by car is by far the most common mode of pet travel and dogs are the most frequent travelers. “Want to go for a ride?” is music to a dog’s ears. They go just about everywhere with their parents...running errands around town, to beaches and parks, going on family vacations, and staying in pet friendly hotels. If pets are welcome—they come along! Unfortunately, most pet parents do not properly secure their pets when riding with them in their vehicles. They love their pets and would do anything for them...but probably don’t realize that they are putting their pets at great risk. Did you know that at only 35 mph, a 60 lb. pet becomes a 2,700 pound projectile and that
unsecured pets commonly escape from vehicles and run off post-accident? How often are you distracted by your excited or rambunctious pet while driving? Did you know that driver distraction causes more accidents than anything else? Securing your pet during car travel is essential to ensuring their safety. There are many ways to properly secure your pet in a vehicle. Buckling them up in pet seat belt is a very easy and affordable way to help ensure that your pet stays safe while traveling in your vehicle. Pet seat belts range in price from about $9-$40. They come in different sizes to accommodate most all sized pets and most are adjustable. Most pet seat belts attach onto your vehicle’s seat belt. Other pet seat belts have leads that have a loop at one end in which you put your vehicle’s seat belt
strap through and the other end has a clip which attaches to a harness. If you choose to give your pet more freedom in the back seat, you can get a pet seat belt that has a zip line which attaches between the two rear passenger side handles, creating a tether which attaches to your pet’s harness. No matter what type of pet seat belt you choose, you must always use a harness—never a collar. A collar can easily choke or strangle your pet if you stop fast or are in an accident. In addition, pets should never ride in the front seat. Deployed airbags can seriously injure pets. With pet travel growing by leaps and bounds, pet parents must step up and be sure to take the necessary measures to ensure their pet’s safety. Pet seat belts are an effective way to do this. Safe travels and please buckle up your precious pets!
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 — 9
VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 12 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
st RaCIST, from pg 1 building of a single family residence for engineering, geotechnical engineering (soils), analysis, hydrology, construction operations, setbacks, survey of the land, utilities and public safety, all the while obviously hiding behind racism. They electronically mailed their letter to then-councilman Paul Krekorian. And of course, who did we have spearheading this letter and the several subsequent appeals? Why, none other than Tomi Lynn Bowling, the then-VP Community Improvement/LUC Chair and STNC vice-president Paolina Milana, a neighbor. Milana just completed her term with the STNC. This is the same organization that wants to improve the quality of life in Sunland-Tujunga, but only on their terms. Obviously, if you are not the “proper ethnic segment” of this community, as they obviously believe they are, then everyone else, it seems, can just go to hell. And if they do not go to hell, the STNC is going to make sure one is in hell by fighting them every step of the way. So how did Joe Barrett, a known homeless individual but still obviously in the good graces by being a part of the “proper ethnic segment,” pay the filing fees and copying costs? Filing fee: $106.80. For 15 copies of the appeal, two-sided color, the cost is close to $1,268 as quoted to us from a local printer, plus eight copies of the Master Appeal Form, Justification/Reason for Appealing document, and the Original
Determination Letter. (Professor Mahdi won the last appeal). All in all, it’s a pretty impressive amount of money for Joe who is clearly and sadly disabled and homeless. The STNC would not take city money to fund something as frivolous as this, would they? Why do we say frivolous? The first reason is at the latest LUC meeting, The Foothills Paper learned from an attendee at that very meeting that the members and individuals of interest stated “that no one would build on their mountain”—you know the safe, secure and high-quality ethnic-segmented mountain on Sister Elsie’s. When looking at maps, it was determined that these individuals do not own said land they are “defending” against someone that is not of their conceived correct ethnicity. The second reason? Professor Mahdi has met every single city requirement requested since 2009. In April, he was awarded the latest appeal and then another was filed by Barrett on May 22 against him. The Paper has now come to the logical conclusion that the “interested parties”–Barrett, STNC, some neighbors, and the STA–will keep appealing in the hopes that Professor Mahdi will just give up, thus saving their “safe ethnic segment.” One would believe these continuous appeals to be embarrassing to this multi-cultural city. Hopefully, when everything is brought out into the open with the city, the city will stop this insane show of bigotry before anything further escalates.
Miller, from pg 6 In the evenings Miller states they would sit around in the evenings, by the fireplace–reading and swapping stories from the day. The first settlers were actually tent dwellers. The Little Landers were people who came to Tujunga to buy land. They didn’t have money and they didn’t have Mr. Hartranft (an early developer), to put the project on. Small places and small little houses. They got a grubstake and they got going. Kerosene lanterns are what they read by, the light they needed. Coal oil was purchased at The Rowley’s General Store in Sunland. Electricity came in around 1913 or 1914. Music became a big part of family life. The children would go outside and find animals ribs. They would make homemade castanets out of them. Sticks or bones, are a common instrument in
True Grit, from pg 6 nick Petrotta owned vineyards; so, too, did Harry V. Zitto. Present. “A lot of the kids would get rides home when he’d come back with his team and his wagon. The kids would get on the wagon, then went on home. “We had two children, both of them were born here in Tujunga, up on Apperson and Commerce-that old rock house that they just tore down. That’s a long time ago. My son is now 59 years old.” “Harry and I were married in 1926, and we lived in the same house that I am living in now. That’s over 60 years ago.” “Oh, I have a picture here of Harry and his team. When we annexed to Los Angeles, I guess they had a parade at that time. And he showed his team. He had a big sign on the side of his wagon and it said ‘VOTE YES.’” Marlon Rowley, a contemporary, urges her friend Lydia to go on. “She celebrated her 90th birthday there,” says Rowley. “And there were a lot of people came to help her celebrate. One circle at the (Methodist) church is called the ‘Lydia Circle.’ They’ve contributed an awful lot of work there through the years,” Rowley applauds. At the family table sits Chan Livingston, source of considerable detail about early Tujunga, “About Harry Grosvenor,” he remarks, “I would say he was one of the best tobacco chewers this side of Sunland.” “And I would like to say, folks, that those old ladies of many, many years ago, what a life they lived under. If it wasn’t for those pioneer ladies there would be no Tujunga today. Because I don’t think those old pioneer men would have been able to stand up under the strain. “You carried your water. There was no refrigeration. You cooked on an open stove. You fought the red ants. You fought the scorpions. You fought the rattlesnakes,” Livingston goes on.
Appalachian bluegrass festivals. “Playing the bones” it was called. In the evenings, one can almost imagine hearing faint sounds of castanets on the hills around camp fires, next to the tents. In those days if people came to visit they would stay a week or ten days because of the time it took to travel and because it was a respite from hard life to have a guest. One would need to find a place for mules and wagons and all the people visiting. The Zachaus, a pioneer Tujunga family, “they lived on the slopes above Sunland-Tujunga. He was a grape grower.” There is a street after the Wagon Wheel market named after the family. People would go up to the Zachau’s, he was German and she was French. Soon the sticks would be going, the voices ringing through the slopes. Mules and wagon wheels would be scattered here and there. Looking on the hillsides one would see mules plowing dirt. “And that’s the life of those old ladies of many, many years ago. My mother was one of them, and everyone sitting here, what a hard life it was. I would also like to say, I remember the day when I worked for her husband a carried the rocks across the street-Commerce Avenue that runs in front of Bolton Hall.” “And I made a dollar a day, and he made 20 cents an hour for ten hours, two dollars a day. Ten hours of work for that team of horses. Mr. Harris picked up some of those rocks that’s in this very building.” George Washington Harris was an early builder, stone mason and architect in Tujunga. “But I would like to say this, there are some of you folks who’ve made this hall possible again. You have reincarnated it. And there are many of you, there was John Whelan, there was Mel Carlson, there was Tom here (Theobald). Mary Nelson and Jane Boales. Those are people who’ve actually put this hall together to what it is today.” “We’re carrying on the memories of the early, early pioneers whose memories are reincarnated in these walls”. “In closing I would like to say this, that they have given to this community the memories of early Tujunga in the same manner that Independence Hall in Philadelphia gives to our nation.” And be it known, by the above, that men of high character and strength of purpose and determination peopled early Tujunga, drove through the streets, erected the best stone houses they knew how to build, brought in water, grew grapes and reared families. And they did it all with a certain good humor and flair native of their character, and that ability and inexhaustible spirit applied to new challenges which seem to be the heritage of all of us. And one might note, they also enjoyed speech-making, especially when surrounded by native granite boulders that grow in abundance on Tujunga hillsides.
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10 — FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
S-T Crime Stats
Theft 05/21/14 04:00 PM 00 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL AND RIDERWOOD Theft 05/25/14 04:00 PM 7700 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL Theft 05/25/14 05:30 AM 7100 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL Burglary 05/26/14 11:00 PM 6200 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL Robbery 05/27/14 07:30 AM 00 BLOCK OF ORO VISTA AND BIG TUJUNGA CANYON BL Theft 05/31/14 09:30 PM 10500 BLOCK
OF FLORALITA AV Theft 05/31/14 10:00 PM 10900 BLOCK OF FLORALITA AV Theft 06/01/14 01:00 PM 7700 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL Theft 06/01/14 03:00 PM 6500 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 12
Where is the Bolton Hall Bell? One of Sunland-Tujunga’s best qualities is our history. Our Bolton Hall bell was removed during remodeling fifty-some years ago and “loaned” to the Griffith Park Travel Town “Little School House.” When the school house display was removed, the bell disappeared.
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Theft 06/02/14 08:30 AM10300 BLOCK OF WHITEGATE AV
Call for a quote today:
Robbery 06/05/14 04:10 PM 8200 BLOCK OF DAY ST Theft 06/07/14 08:00 PM 8600 BLOCK OF HILLROSE ST
The Board of Public Works exchanged custody of the bell from S-T to the City Parks & Recreation Dept. WE WANT OUR BELL BACK! If anyone has information on where our bell is, please contact Lloyd Hitt at Bolton Hall or the Editor of The Foothills Paper.
(818) 635-1110 ot l h sakeng. l a i Smcold serv 2014. , or per ne 30 u J ¢ 1 Exp.
Attention All Veterans, Sons, Daughters and Wives of Veterans Come and Enjoy your local American Legion Post Help support Veterans & Veterans’ Causes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ American Legion Post 377 10039 Pinewood Ave., Tujunga
(818) 353-9856
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
Events open to the Public
Saturday, June 14, 2 p.m. Flag Retirement Ceremony Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Potato Salad and chips for $6 Saturday, June 14, 1 p.m. Boy Scout Car Wash $5 Wash • $10 Wash & Vacuum Saturday, June 21st • Birthday Dinner
$10 OFF 1-800-567-PEST (7378)
ANY SERVICE AIRTIGHT ENVIRONMENT PEST CONTROL
with the Working Stiffz Band Canteen Hours - 7 days a week, 2- 10 p.m.
For Hall Rental, call Commander Dan 818 521-1127
(818) 768-3549 Rats • Earwigs • Fleas Ants • Cockroaches • Spiders
TEN DOLLARS BUG BUCKS
Referred by
Foothills Paper
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 — 11
VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 12 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
EnterShamement: Amy G, Revolutionary Cabaret Comedian By Bonnie Corwin What do a skater, slapstick diva, clown, spectacular singer, comedienne, chicken and three kazoos being played simultaneously by one person (use your imagination), have in common? Amy G performing Entershamement, that’s what. We were entertained by Amy G at The Carrie Hamilton Theatre at The Pasadena Playhouse this past Friday, March 30, 2014. We laughed throughout the entire show. As a masterful entertainer, Amy G has charm and charisma through the entire one-person show. There is never a dull moment, and it is rare that one person can successfully write and perform their own show. She has an artistry that surpasses many entertainers with her unique style and communication with the audience. One does not feel that they are just observing an entertaining show. We
became participants in many ways, never feeling left out or in the dark about what was going on. Amy G realized that shame gets in the way of enjoying ourselves and attacks. Her slapstick show, full of ridiculous song-and-dance numbers, show a genuine human frailty. As a comic actress, she has graced stages in 36 countries across five continents. She has made numerous appearances on British, French, German and Austrian TV, as the subject of documentaries, comedy specials and general intrigue. Although one of a kind, Amy G is inspired by and reminiscent of Carol Burnett, Liza Minelli, Buster Keaton, Julie Andrews and the Muppet Show. The newly renovated Carrie Hamilton Theatre will support new play development, thrilling artistic work, the work of their community partners and programming for youth. If Amy G’s Entershamement
Amy G. is any indication, then everyone needs to check out the Carrie Hamilton Theatre. For more information about upcoming shows go to: www.facebook.com/theCHTatThePlayhouse
12 — FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 12
Tiny Fairy Makes Big Show! You would never suspect that the black and chrome Harley-Davidson Softail Deuce parked in front of California DanceArts in La Canada, would belong to the composer of a new ballet. When Dwight Bernard Mikkelsen, of Lakeview Terrace, walks into a rehearsal with long hair, tattoos, an earring, jeans, leather boots and a denim vest covered with patches, he looks oddly out of place among the leotard clad, leggy ballerinas. The school’s resident company, California Contemporary Ballet and its Artistic Director, Aerin Holt, enlisted Mikkelsen to compose this ballet which debuted in June 2013. The story of Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen was one of Holt’s favorite fairy tales. “I have always dreamed of creating a ballet from the story”, says Holt. Since its sold-out premier in 2013, the company has been buzzing about whether the ballet would be seen again. But after the show’s success last spring and constant requests for the ballet to return, Holt was persuaded to present the ballet for a second time this June. For Mikkelsen, a profes-
sional composer for films and many Classical artists, creating the musical score for Thumbelina required his creative energies for five months. He composed the music for a fairly traditional orchestra: 9 Woodwinds, 11 Brass, 3 Percussionists, Timpani, 2 Harps and a large String section. Mikkelsen says, “Of all possible venues, Ballet is my preference. And working with Aerin makes it even more delightful. Her realizations are always surprising, yet when I look back, they appear inevitable and perfect. Then there are the CCB dancers! My, oh my! They are, one for one, light, lithe, strong and committed, and their characters are always wholly convincing.” Holt says, “I think it is a very fortunate situation when a choreographer and composer work so well together. He has a knack for composing music that breathes movement.” Ms. Jaclyn Stryker, a resident of La Crescenta, is returning to the starring role as the tiny fairy, Thumbelina. Ms. Stryker, a professional dancer who has enjoyed roles with companies locally and in San Francisco, honed her
Composer Dwight Bernard Mikkelsen sits amongst his creations technical skills as Holt’s remarkably gifted dance student. Jaclyn is now one of California Contemporary Ballet’s leading performers. Ms. Stryker will be on stage throughout the entire ballet, as she encounters both friend and foe, based on the story’s characters. Ms. Stryker will face a toad who steals her away to a swamp, and a swarm of nasty beetles. She meets a matchmaking mouse performed by Julia Houser, a La Canada resident and graduating senior at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. She also meets a spider that performs high in the air on an aerial net, performed by professional danc-
er, Alyssa Thompson, from Canyon Country. Finally, she will dance with a Swallow performed by Kelinda White, of Los Angeles, who whisks her through the air to a handsome Prince, performed by Nicholas Zerman, of Altadena. In addition to the music, choreography and characters, the ballet features large sets created to maintain a tiny fairy-like perspective. This includes 12-foot-high flowers, 5-foot-high toadstools, and the large tulip from which Thumbelina is born. The tulip operates by means of a hydraulic system, enabling its petals to open at the appropriate moment. To boot, these
large sets were offered as a donation, giving Holt the impetus needed to go forward with her production and demonstrating that a tiny fairy can make a big show! With a melding of contemporary dance, classical ballet and aerial arts, this ballet is a sure springtime bet for the entire family. Thumbelina by California Contemporary Ballet premieres at Glendale Community College (1500 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, California) on June 27 at 7:30 p.m., June 28 at 2 p.m. and June 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20-$30 at www.CalBallet. com. Group ticket prices are also available. Call 818-5837406.
Aerin Holt Presents
in association with California Contemporary Ballet
creators of “The Snow Queen” ballet
A tiny girl goes on a BIG adventure. With set design perfectly suited for a fairy, you don’t want to miss this summertime ballet!
Fri. June 27, 7:30pm Sat. June 28, 2:00pm Sun. June 29, 2:00pm Glendale Community College Theater
1500 N. Verdugo Rd, Glendale, CA 91208 Reserved Seating: (advance tickets) $25 adults/$20 for children (16 & under/Seniors) At the Door: $30 / $25 More Information & Tickets available at
CalBallet.com or call 818-583-7406
“From the opening moments to the grand finale, I was transported into a world of living enchantment!” --P. B.