SUNLAND TUJUNGA: A REALITY SHOW is on Amazon!
See page 7
FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 16, 2018
TELLING THE TRUTH FOR 13 YEARS!
And Everyone Was Nice!
Arnie Abramyan faced off with Pati McArdel Potter about who was turning in local businesses for sign and building violations. by
David DeMullé
Wednesday’s STNC meeting was touted as being the showdown between the citizens and
INSIDE: The Korean Community ................ The STARS come out ................
the STNC, and it was, sort-a. Everyone showed up and there was only ONE BIG PIZZA, no coffee, no milk and little bitty bottles of water.
see STNC, page 12
The Roof! The Roof! The Roof is on...The Other Roof!
Firefighters from Station. 39 assess the collapse of the roof of the abandoned SCV Hydro Gardens shop on Commerce Avenue last Saturday. Owners of the shop next door reported hear-
ing “a loud boom” about 10 am but didn’t know where it came from. It was only that later in the day they realized that their air conditioner wasn’t working and there was cracks in their ceiling. They then called 911.
City Plays Games With Peoples’ Lives in Tujunga
3 7
“A Raisin In The Sun” ............
This wasn’t looking good. AND THEN CAME DANA STANGEL, president of the neighborhood council.
VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 3
12
DEPARTMENTS Community Help ................... 2 Happenings in The Hills ......... 2 Letters................................. 3 View from the Rock.............. 3 Social Security Matters ......... 4 Keller WIlliams Home Help.... 4 Chef Randy........................... 5 Crime Stats........................... 9 Take My Card..................... 11
The city thinks this is a solution to the problem. by
David DeMullé
Everybody knows that broken sidewalks are a major problem for the elderly and the handicapped, and it has been going on for so many years that people just take them for granted. Los Angeles’s sidewalks are in really bad shape. They’re so bad that, in 2015, in order to settle a neglect lawsuit about
sidewalks, in 2015, the city agreed to spend $1.4 billion repairing the thousands of miles of cracked and broken sidewalks that they are responsible for. And who is really to blame? The city engineering bureau who oversees the maintenance of our sidewalks estimate that they receive over 700 requests see Sidewalks, page 9
OVER 200 DISTRIBUTION SITES IN THE FOOTHILLS AREA
2 — FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 3
Community Help by Amelia
A Mental Health Checkup by
Amelia Anderson
For ourselves and for our families! In terms of New Years Resolutions, how often do we consider the state of our own mental health? The truism, “Prevention is better than cure,” applies to mental well-being as well as physical, “When we think about cancer, heart disease or diabetes, we don’t wait years to treat them. We immediately treat the first stage of disease to reverse symptoms of persistent cough, high blood pressure or high blood sugar. This procedure should also be followed when dealing with mental aberration, claims Mental Health America, a national non-profit founded in 1909 to address the needs of those living with mental illness. This applies to children as well as adults. “The onset of more than 50 percent of all mental illness occurs before the age of 14, and 75 percent of mental illness manifests before the age of 24,” says William Arroyo, M.D., associate medical director of the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health. So, a wife who suffered abuse as a teen, may be diagnosed with bipolar disorder later. “Ultimately, all mental illness starts in the formative years. It stems from loneliness, acute or chronic abuse or trauma, and stress can exacerbate it. By dealing with the issue in time, you can help nip it in the bud.” Even homelessness has been related with childhood trauma. And prolonged stress on the mother of an unborn
child in utero, can directly affect the developing brain, priming that child for a lifetime of adversity. The CDC, Center for Disease Control, estimates that only about 17 percent of U.S. adults are considered to be in a state of optimal mental health. It reports depression as the most common mental illness, impacting more than 26 percent of the U.S. adult population and on track to become the second leading cause of disability worldwide by 2020. Parents need to break the cycle if violence, conflict or mental illness is prevalent, for the sake of themselves, their children and future generations of their family. “If trauma is happening in families homes from kids youngest ages, then it tends to pass from generation to generation,” says Anna Henderson, executive director of the Westside Infant-family Network (WIN) which provides mental-health services to underserved families with young children. “It’s a whole-family issue that crosses economics, cultural and racial bounds.” “It’s not about blaming parents for children’s mental health issues,” she says. “It’s about recognizing that our family secrets are affecting us -and then working with whole families to heal past trauma, repair and support healthy relationships, and prevent transmission of trauma to the next generation. Arroyo says mental health checkups for families with a history of mental illness, a predisposition to substance see Checkup, page 10
Amelia Anderson is a Homeless Advocate elected to both the SunlandTujunga Neighborhood Council and also to Mayor Garcetti’s Homeless Committee.
Crescenta Valley Sierra Club Group The Crescenta Valley Sierra Club will present Bruce Hale’s, “Spain from Bilbao to Gibraltar,” on March 13, Tuesday at 7:30 pm, at the Los Angeles County Public Library, 2809 Foothill Boulevard, La Crescenta, California. Bruce will show slides and provide the commentary from his month-long trip to Spain last fall. Highlights of the program include Bilbao and the Basque Region: the Camino de Santiago the famous pilgrimage route; Madrid, Seville and Granada. During this armchair tour, enjoy Spain’s distinctive culture on the Iiberian Peninsula. Bruce is a long-time Sierra Club member and frequent
program presenter with our group. Our program begins following news of Conservation and Outings. This is a free event and everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served. Please contact Wayne Fisher at 818 3534181, for further information.
Area Students Make Deans’ List at Azusa Pacific U Several residents made the academic Deans’ List at Azusa Pacific University. These students are honored for a fall 2017 grade-point average of 3.5 or better. They are joined by 1,988 students receiving the same honor. • Robert Bieti of Tujunga (91042) a Computer Science major;
• Kelly Fish of Tujunga (91042) a Nursing major; • Natalie Garcia of Sunland (91040) a Commercial Music major; • Gabriella Gettings of Sunland (91040) a Nursing major Jun Kim of Tujunga (91042) a Nursing major; • Abigail Rickett of Tujunga (91042) a Sociology major. Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical Christian university committed to God First and excellence in higher education. With 61 bachelor’s degrees, 40 master’s degrees, 17 certificates, 11 credentials, 8 doctoral programs, and 4 associate degrees, the university offers its more than 10,000 students a quality education on campus, online, and at seven regional campuses throughout SoCal.
AMAC: Illegal Immigration Must be Dealt With by John
Grimaldi
“The plain and simple fact is that illegal immigration is unlawful and those who enter the U.S. unlawfully must face consequences in a fair and just manner. In addition, our government has an obligation to prevent the crime in the first place,” says Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC]. “The issue of criminal migration must be dealt with one way or another. And, those who call on the Congress and the authorities to do otherwise are asking them to commit a grievous breach of their responsibilities that have a serious impact on our ability to control crime,” according to Weber. He says Democrats in Congress who seek extreme immigration reform that aids the cause of illegal immigrants, good or bad, “need to turn down the volume.
They are lawmakers first and Democrats second and they have a responsibility to the citizens they serve in their communities. As it stands, it seems they’d rather put the socalled rights of non-citizens ahead of the genuine rights of the American people who elected them. I’m all in favor of the kind of compassion offered by President Trump in his negotiations with his opponents on this subject. But, that kind of compassion begs compromise from the other side.” Weber is an advocate of the border wall. And, while liberals and progressives may see it as unnecessary, the AMAC chief says that the porous nature of the barriers we have in place now along the Mexican border make it too easy for lawbreakers to get into the country. “How many innocent people need to be killed before the left realizes that some of those crossing our borders illegally
are not really all that eager to live the American Dream. The poem inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty says give us ‘the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.’ It’s an invitation to legally come into the country. It does not invite wretched foreign criminals to come ply their nefarious trade here.” Dr. Ron Martinelli is a nationally renowned forensic criminologist and a Certified Medical Investigator. He recently wrote an opinion article in the Web-based newspaper, The Hill. In it, he noted, “the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Sentencing Commission reported that as of 2014, illegal immigrants were convicted and sentenced for over 13 percent of all crimes committed in the U.S.” Martinelli also pointed out in his report that official government crime statistics show that illegal immigrants make up only see Immigration, page 9
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018 — 3
VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 3 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
What an incredible change has happened in S-T. Last Wednesday night I went to the monthly STNC meeting expecting to see banners and people wearing identical T-shirts and loud proclamations of “We’re not going to take it anymore!” A real Roman circus about building violations and who turned them in. And it was. Sorta, but in this case, they threw the lions to the Christians (and it was Ash Wednesday so you could tell who they were. LOL) The house was packed and there were so many new faces mixed in with the old guard that you really didn’t know what was really happening. My first realization of something different was when the meeting room door opened and it was STNC president Dana Stangel with this really great smile welcoming us in. I like smiles. There are too few of them here. I love going to “civic” meetings. I get to be nice to all the assholes there and they have to be nice to me. People that really don’t like me. And the reason they don’t is
because they did something really stupid and I called them out on it. But what the heck, when they’re nice to me, I go out of my way to be nice to them. Look at Roger Swart, the senior volunteer advisor to Monica Rodriguez. He just can’t keep from telling lies on Facebook and expecting no one to notice. Or Curtles Koesler, who with his lady friends just keep making up stories like a drunk that can’t hold their liquor. You can only laugh at them knowing that they are just part of the S-T culture. I just published a realityshow treatment on Amazon called “Sunland Tujunga: A Reality Show (STARS)” about what has been going on here over the past decade. I’ve even had a couple producers call me to discuss it. But as one producer said, “You really can’t expect those people to want to be in the show after you’ve thrown them under the bus.” Damn, he’s got a point there. It should have been called “Tales of the Tujungas.”
The most interesting thing to me is that it is being sold internationally. I think what is bringing in the sales are the really stupid reviews by people who are too poor to purchase it and so they just make up lies about what they supposedly read. I can’t get better publicity than some of our esteemed citizens spouting out misspelled words and broken statements. It just fits in with what STARS is all about: cyberbullying and “The Big Lie.” It was fun putting it together. You really can’t make up this kind of stuff. But I digress. The STNC meeting went off without a hitch. Even our town snitch, Nina Royal, was making a plea for writers and people to send in events to her biyearly newspaper. You’ve got to give it to her, she may be living a lie, but it’s her lie. Even her best friend and local print shop owner, Cindy Cleghorn, sticks the logo of the NORTH VALLEY REPORTER into publications that have nothing to do with it. But it makes it appear real.
V IEW
ROCK And believe me, appearances do count. What impressed me most about the STNC meeting was how well it went. Everyone got a chance to say their piece. And more important was the fact that the audience listened to what they had to say. And that is what impressed me the most. People were actually civil to each other. I’m looking forward to the next council meeting and I hope that I’ve given you the incentive to go too. This is our community and YOU can make the difference. And who knows, maybe it really was the water!
The Foothills Letters & Perspectives
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
is published bi-weekly. All content is 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.
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THE FOOTHILLS PAPER TheF o o t h illsPape r . C OM
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The Perspective of Korean Community in Sunland-Tujunga Korean people living in LA area spend busy time during the day and night. It can be working for the company or doing their own business. Most of them commute between foothill area and down town L.A near. They have occupations such as running a Korean sushi restaurant, garment factory, cleaner shop, or liquor shop etc. They are very diligent and hardworking people but from the view point of majority of American. They look like living in the closed shell of their own community. That may be true reality. But because they are too busy to work sometimes they do not look around what is going on in the community they are living in. Well, another reason they are reluctant to involve any activities happening around their community can be a language barrier and cultural difference they experience in this country. Many Koreans are well educated and very concerned about teaching their children. In Korea
especially teaching and learning English as a second language are a primary educational goal for the Korean national education system. Even in kindergarten small young children are eager to learn the English language. As a matter of fact their parent is more concerned about the good command of English language of their children. Some Korean people reside in USA experience not just communication problems but the in depth understanding of pure American culture. The people who immigrated from Korea to this country when their ages are approximately over mid 30 years old or 40 years old they can experience some kind of insurmountable amount of cultural dilemma. The relationship and true understanding between the parent and the children who are born in the USA turns into somewhat distant one when their children grows up and accustom to the way of American life. The limi-
tation of language usage and misunderstanding of American culture which h are naturally accepted by young people can cause the disharmony and misunderstanding in the Korean family. The children who goes American school get used to American way of thinking, attitude, value and even the American food does not comprehend or even want to understand parent’s value toward the life which lies ahead for them. The formation of Korean culture can be traces back to over 5000 years of Korean history. The Korean culture was greatly influenced by Chinese traditional educational philosophy which emphasizes the basic responsibilities such as an unconditional subordination between the citizen and the emperor who rules the country, a true trust between friends, and the definite rules to keep even between the husband and wife, and the ultimate respect toward to old folks. This traditional Korean
philosophy always plays important role in the mindset of old people. The children who grow up in USA with Korean parents also experiences cultural dilemma because they see some discrepancy between the way of their parent’ traditional Korean value and the cultural trend they are experiencing in the American soc iety where they are living in. The ideal way to resolve this problem is the compromise between the two different cultures. The acceptance of each culture’s advantage will be a wise decision. Actually I can say that the Korean culture has become more westernizes these days. If anybody had a chance to travel to Korea they might think that they are standing in the city street somewhere in the USA not in the foreign country. You will see the familiar franchise names of restaurant, fast food chain, market place, the American banks, insurance companies and popular brand name see Koreans, page 11
4 — FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
Social Security Matters
Ask Rusty:
Discovering Divorced Spouse Benefits AMAC-Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor by
Dear Rusty: Thank you for your Social Security articles, which a group of friends and I read every week. If it had not been for one of your articles, I wouldn’t have known that I could get benefits on my ex-husband’s record, especially that when I turn 66 I can file to get just spouse benefits and not take my own yet. Some of my friends are also divorced, and most of us don’t understand what we can get from our ex-spouse’s record. Could you explain what kind of benefits we can get being divorced? We have no one to ask and Social Security doesn’t tell you these things. Signed, Divorced & Want to Know Dear Divorced & Want to Know: I’m glad you and your friends are enjoying my Social Security articles. I’ll be happy to focus this one on the benefits available to divorced spouses. For starters, you should know that Social Security’s rules on divorce are “gender neutral”; that is, they apply equally to both divorced women and divorced men. The basis for a spousal benefit is always the ex’s benefit amount at their full retirement age (FRA), even if your exspouse started benefits earlier. In order to be eligible for spouse benefits though, you must be at least 62 and unmarried, you must have been married to your ex for at least 10 years, and your ex must be either already collecting retirement (or disability) benefits or at least be eligible to collect them. If they’re not already collecting but are eligible, you must be
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 3
Five Signs You’re Ready to Sell
by Ed Castellanos www.superliked.com/profile/ed-castellanos
household Are you about to welcome a new baby or take divorced for at least 2 in aging parents? Mayyears. be you’re sending your of your home from the Although spouse beneyoungest off to college. amount you have left on fits are often cited as beIn any event, if your liv- your loan. What’s left ing ½ of the ex’s benefit ing space has become too over is the equity -- or amount, that’s only true cramped or grown bethe amount you’ll have if you have reached your yond your needs, it may post-sale. After you sell full retirement age when be time to make a move. your home, you’ll be a you claim the spouse buyer again, so having benefit. Otherwise, your 2) Plenty of home equity some funds to put down spouse benefit will be 1) Growing or shrinking Subtract the value see Ready, page 10 reduced to something Edgar Castellanos BRE# 01855534 less than 50%, perhaps LAHOMES247.com as low as 32.5% of your ex’s FRA benefit amount 661-510-5762 (depending upon your age when you apply). If you are also eligible for Social Security benefits on your own work record, the spousal benefit must be larger than your by Bob Garver Winchester (Mirren), own for you to get a majority shareholder of “spousal boost” bringing the Winchester Repeating you up to the spousal “Winchester” opened Arms Co. This requires benefit amount. The on a bad weekend, and I him to take up temporary amount of benefit you mean that on two fronts. residence in Winchester get will not affect the Mansion in San Jose, a amount of your ex’s ben- The first is that it’s the weekend of the Super sprawling seven-story efit, nor the benefit of Bowl, so the movie can architectural monstrosity anyone else receiving consisting of dozens of benefits on your ex’s re- kiss its Sunday evening audience goodbye. The randomly-appointed cord. second is that we’re only rooms and undergoing If you were born befour weeks removed from constant renovations. The fore January 2, 1954, “Insidious: The Last movie was filmed at the and you have reached Key,” and the movies actual Winchester Mysyour full retirement age tery House, and I wish the and have not yet applied are awfully similar. For starters, they share an movie would have spent for benefits, you have actor – Angus Sampson more time just exploring the option to take only his wife’s garden room. plays a blowhard ghost the oddities of the house spouse benefits and alHe’s creeped out by the chaser in the “Insidious” than getting bogged down house, sometimes by low your benefit from movies, here he plays a in a by-the-numbers horyour own work record servants who appear construction worker. And ror storyline. grow at 8% per year up out of nowhere and there’s no denying the The people paying until you reach age 70, sometimes by blood that similarities between the Price clearly want him to oozes out of the wall. at which time you can declare Sarah mentally switch to your own ben- fair-haired authoritative But he figures there’s a older women, played unfit to run the company, rational explanation for efit if it is larger. You in “Insidious” by Lin and at first it looks like should also be aware everything, and that he’s Shaye and here by Helen they won’t have to twist that if you take any Sojust hallucinating because his arm too hard to get cial Security benefits be- Mirren. But the most Sarah won’t let him have unforgiveable similarity is that diagnosis. Sarah fore you reach your full his “medication” in the that both films are bump- believes the house is retirement age and also house. The fact that Sarah in-the-night PG-13 horror haunted by the ghosts of work, you’ll be subject is a woman in 1906 who movies that are good for people who have been to an “earnings limit” won’t let a man drink little more than a few killed by Winchester which, if you exceed it, whatever questionable cheap jump scares. rifles. She adds rooms as will result in some of substance he wants (the The movie takes place often as she does because bottle is actually labelled your benefits being in 1906 and stars Jason recreating the people’s withheld. “Poison”) isn’t going to Clarke stars as Eric Price, final resting places allows do her any favors on the If, as a divorced a psychologist who lost them to manifest themspouse, your ex-spouse evaluation. his wife in a botched selves so she can help predeceases you, you You can probably guess murder-suicide. Deeply in them find closure. Price may be eligible for surwhere this is all going. debt, he’s hired to perform thinks this is all madness, Strange things keep hapvivor benefits equal to a psychological evalution of course, but he wonders pening until even Price 100% of what your ex see Divorced, page 8 on reclusive widow Sarah see Winchester, page 9 how Sarah knows about Have you outgrown your home? Or has your home outgrown you and your household? Fewer and fewer families expect to stay in their first or second home for the long haul. Here are some factors to determine if you’re financially and emotionally ready to sell your house:
Movie Review: Winchester
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018 — 5
VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 3 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
Yummy Pasta With QuickRoasted Cherry Tomatoes
Chef Randy
pepper 2½ tablespoons fresh basil leaves (chopped) This is a quick dish for two that is easy to prepare 2½ tablespoons fresh flatand doesn’t heat the kitch- leaf parsley (chopped) ½ cup crumbled feta en much at all because cheese of the quick cook times. If you don’t care for feta Directions: cheese, substitute a mild Preheat oven to 450 deChèvre. This also works grees. with just about any type of pasta. As a changeup, I Cook spaghetti accordlike to substitute penne or ing to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/3 cup rigatoni for spaghetti. of the cooking water. Return spaghetti to pot, covIngredients: er, and set aside. 8 ounces uncooked thin Combine tomatoes, 1 spaghetti 8 ounces cherry tomatoes tablespoon olive oil, vinegar, salt, and red pepper 2 tablespoons extra-virin a large baggie. Close gin olive oil (divided) 2 teaspoons red wine vin- and shake to evenly coat all ingredients. Turn egar out onto a ribbed bak¼ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon crushed red ing sheet and bake for 10 by
For additional recipes, see Chef
minutes or until tomatoes are soft and slightly roasted. Remove from oven and set aside. Add tomatoes and any tomato juice to the pot of spaghetti. Add half of the reserved cooking water and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Heat over medium heat for about 3 minutes; add remaining reserved cooking water and toss lightly. Remove from heat and stir in basil and parsley. To serve, pour into a warm serving bowl. Sprinkle with crumbled cheese and bring to the table while still hot. Tip: If you are really hungry or need a dish that serves 4 adults, this We have a few spots recipe easily doubles. left in our upcoming Printmaking Workshop! Randy’s website at This 8-session workshop will cover the basics of silkscreen printmaking no experience required! You will leave this workshop with several small print editions of your original work. Learn the basics of silkscreen printmaking! Clovis Blackwell is a silkscreen artist with extensive knowledge of the craft. Clovis received his MFA from Azusa Pacific University and his BFA from San Francisco Art Institute. He currently teaches at Azusa Pacific University, and operates Fleur de Boom! Editions. You can see more of his beautiful prints and learn about his publishing project, Fleur de Boom! Editions, on his Web site.
valley-vegetarian.com
Housed in a historic Carnegie-style library building in Northeast LA’s Eagle Rock community, Center for the Arts Eagle Rock presents a diverse array of free or low-cost arts and education programs year-round for audiences of all ages. Our mission is to strengthen and enhance our community through access to the transformative power of the arts. Register today at cfaer. org/printmaking: Printmaking for Teens and Adults, Tuesdays from 4 -6 p.m. February 20 - April 10 Ages 13+ $100 per student, plus $25 materials fee 2225 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 info@cfaer.org (323) 561-3044 www.cfaer.org
6 — FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
Verdugo Hills Liquor Store 7119 Foothill Boulevard LAPD Investigates Trash Can Burn And Melt Incidents
The LAFD rolled on an illegal trash burning incident only to find that an arsonist had set fire to two trash cans on Foothill Blvd.
Thanks to observant witnesses, firefighters were able to catch and detain the arsonist while they waited 25 minutes for the cops to arrive.
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 3
VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 3 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018 — 7
2824 FOOTHILL BLVD. LA CRESCENTA, CA 91214
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★★★ STARS ★★★
The paperback version is now available on Amazon NOW. Just think: seven years of crime and corruption by people we know and love(?) in our little town. People that have torn our community apart for their own personal gain.
Check out where the bodies were found, where the bodies were moved to, where the bodies that weren’t even reported ended up. Police cover-ups (awaiting confirmation by our legal advisers on how much we can show and say.) Did you know that there were TVR gangland hit squads attacking the homeless here? Do you know how many homeless were killed and then are set afire to cover it up? Corruption is Sunland-Tujunga’s middle name. Read about how our council-members raped the system for their own personal gain and destroyed peoples lives for fun and cheap paper certificates of appreciation.
Harmony Farms 2824 Foothill Blvd. La Crescenta, CA
Yes, boys and girls “You can’t tell the players without the S.TA.R.S.” **Note, this is the larger version than the Kindle. Rave reviews are flowing in from the local hate sites as the Facebook Nazis follow the big lie and demand that the video treatment be stopped. Not since the Pentagon papers has there been a book like this. Follow Kurt Koesler and Sonia Tatulian as they steal the local newspapers and get certificates of appreciation from the neighborhood council. It’s corruption at its best. Available at Amazon Books. Search for “David DeMulle” or “Sunland Tujunga” on the Amazon Books site.
★★★ STARS ★★★
For the absolute BEST prime rib for 2018 holidays, you can get it at
8 — FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 3
Hertzberg Applauds Court of Appeal Ruling on Money Bail System Last week, the First District Court of Appeal of California declared current bail setting practices unconstitutional. In its ruling, the court states that legislation is, ?desperately needed? and mentions SB 10, the California Money Bail Reform Act of 2017 authored by Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) and Asm. Rob Bonta (DOakland). Specifically, the San
Francisco court declared it is a violation of 14th Amendment due process rights to detain defendants before being convicted without protections. The court also emphasized the need for courts to consider non-financial alternatives to money bail that can effectively assure both court appearance and public safety. The risk assessment tool proposed in SB 10 is such an alter-
Sidewalks, from pg. 1
these people, especially when one of it’s vigilantes is Maryellen Elthgroth who rides around with “Ratty Patty” Mc Ardle writing up violations? For now, city engineers say they are focusing on requests that come directly from people who have “mobility disabilities.” In a City Council committee meeting last November, deputy city engineer and head of sidewalk programs Julie Sauter said: “Our current budget is not set up to work on any of the requests that are not a part of the mobility disabled requests.” City officials know they’re moving too slowly. That’s why they’re coming up with a new plan designed to make repairs more quickly. Called the Access Request Program (ARP), it will guide the
for them every month. The city is overwhelmed with requests. And that’s where our STNC Land Use Committee (LUC) is supposed to step in and help us out. If they don’t tell our councilwoman that there is a dire need here, no one really knows. For now, our LUC under the direction of Cindy Cleghorn had completely ignored these requests and instead, has directed their efforts against local business’ signs and perceived illegal operations. Right now, the city has received more requests in one month than it can effectively address. These damaged sidewalks on St. Estaban are a major problem for the elderly and the handicapped. How come our LUC isn’t trying to help
native, and would protect public safety without holding defendants simply because they cannot afford bail. In response to the court ruling, Sen. Hertzberg released the following statement: Simply put, the current
lic safety, but on how much you can pay. The decision highlights the urgent need for systemic reform at the statewide level.? SB 10 is currently in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, where it awaits its next hearing.
A typical sidewalk break-up on St. Estaban inTujunga
city as it makes good on the legal settlement it agreed to in 2015 but YOU have to tell them where the problem is. The Access Request Program makes repairs requested by/for people with a mobility disability who encounter physical barriers such as broken sidewalks, missing/broken curb ramps or other
fits past your full retirement age and allow your own retirement benefit to grow, if that was receiving (or entitled to would be to your financial adreceive). In this case there is vantage. In fact, if your survian exception to the age rule which says that you can collect vor benefit is larger than your own retirement benefit, you survivor benefits as early as age 60 (50 if you’re disabled). may continue collecting it for the rest of your life. However, if you take survivor’s benefits before your full retirement age (which as a sur- The information presented in this article is intended for genvivor can be less than your eral information purposes onnormal FRA), your benefit ly. The opinions and interpreamount will be reduced. You may defer collecting survivor’s tations expressed are not affiliated with or endorsed by benefits to let them grow to their full value at your full re- the U.S. gov’t, the SSA, or any state government. tirement age, but they stop growing when you reach your To submit a request, contact the Foundation at info@amacFRA. You can, however, continue to collect survivor bene- foundation.org.
Divorced, from pg. 4
bail system is unconstitutional. That belief is what got me involved in bail reform in the first place. I am encouraged that the Court has joined our Chief Justice in recognizing that the current system? is not based on flight risk or risk to pub-
barriers in the public right of way. The City’s Bureau of Street Services has dedicated crews making these repairs and improving the path of travel for mobility-challenged residents. Through this program, we have received thousands of new requests and are working to making the repairs in a timely
manner and in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California Building Code (CBC) standards. These repairs continue to be the highest priority for the City. To request a repair through the Access Request Program, go online to MyLA311.lacity. org or call 311.
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018 — 9
VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 3 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
Winchester, from pg. 4
Attention All Veterans, Sons, Daughters and Wives of Veterans
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can’t deny that the house is haunted. Most of the spirits don’t want to harm the living, but one wants to bring down the whole Winchester family. The key to resolving the situation lies with Price and his ability to confront his past. He carries around a bullet that played a part in the death of his wife, perhaps it can play a part in saving lives instead of taking them. And when I say “perhaps,” I mean of course it will.
Immigration, from pg. 2 3.5% of the population. But, that they are convicted and sentenced for the crime of murder at a rate three times that of American citizens and legal immigrants. President Trump had in his audience for his State of the Union address at the end of January, Elizabeth Alvarado and Robert Mickens. They are the parents of two teenage girls who were brutally murdered by members of the international MS13 crime gang. The FBI says it is one of the nation’s biggest criminal organization in the U.S.
“Winchester” isn’t without its minor charms. The Winchester House is an interesting setting, the costumes are top-notch, and Clarke and Mirren turn in better performances than the material deserves. But there’s still an unshakeable feeling that we got this movie last month, and it wasn’t terribly original then either. A ghost wants to show up in the background of a quiet scene? We’re expecting the ghost, it would be rude of it not to put in an appearance. with some 6,000 members nationwide. And, too many of them are illegal immigrants. The two girls were among some 17 persons slain on Long Island by MS13 gangsters there in 2016 and 2017. “Yet, liberals – especially some in the media – are quick to dismiss these facts as did MSNBC host Joy-Ann Reid in reporting on the president’s speech. She dismissively told her viewers that when Mr. Trump acknowledged the presence of the distraught parents during his speech, he made it sound like illegal immigrant criminals is ‘the biggest issue in the
“Winchester” is a forgettable, ineffectual film. It didn’t even open to more money than the seventh week of “Jumanji,” so I have a feeling it’s going to become a ghost real soon. Grade: C“Winchester” is rated PG13 for violence, disturbing images, drug content, some sexual material and thematic elements. Its running time is 99 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu. U.S.’ Well, Ms. Reid, I’ve got news for you it is indeed among the biggest issues that face our nation today,” says Weber. ABOUT AMAC The Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members. We act and speak on their behalf, protecting their interests and offering a practical insight on how to best solve the problems they face today. Live long and make a difference by joining us today at http:// amac.us/join-amac.
10 — FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
alcohol dependence or family conflict has a abuse or the stress of good chance of affecting prolonged financial diffi- my child right now and culties are essential. into the future, arms me Awareness and self-mon- with the knowledge that itoring among at-risk in- if I get help, I can make dividuals is the first stage my child’s future better of care. If the person un- as well,” says Henderdergoing symptoms is son. “I can use the opunable to seek help, then portunity to improve our a loved one stepping in relationship and end the would be of significant cycle of impulse issues importance. that may have dated back We need to reverse the before our grandparout-dated stigma of reents.” jecting mental help. In Arroyo says parents this new age of informa- should learn about their tion, protecting the welextended family’s history fare of children can help of trauma, substance motivate parents who abuse or depression to would otherwise shy understand what to look away from seeking help. out for in themselves — “As a parent, just know- and their kids. Then take ing that my depression or steps to create a home
Checkup, from pg. 2
Ready, from pg. 4 is key. 3) Interest from potential buyers You’ll want to list when you know buyers are looking. Some experts say late spring is
the ideal time to sell, but peak seasons vary by region. Milder weather can increase buyer interest, but that also means more competition from other sellers. 4) Changing circumstances
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 3
environment that promotes good mental health. Experts from WIN suggest: Communication: Build an open, honest relationship with your kids through conversation during dinner, car rides, or special events. Consistency: Structure including regular mealtimes, bedtimes, and reasonable consequences for unwanted behavior helps children feel safe and secure. Observation: Watch for behavior abnormality that could be a sign of trauma, stress or abuse. Also, be familiar with your children’s social circles. Modeling: Avoid using
derogatory language. Discuss prevention and treatment of mental illness just as you would physical ailments such as heart disease or diabetes. This makes it easier to open up and ask for professional help. When parents notice change in their child’s behavior and suspect an issue, they can find help within their community, schools and counselors. Wellness centers and family counseling are now popping up to deal with chronic aggression, obsessive or compulsive behavior or separation anxiety. The L.A. County Department of Mental Health also offers a
24-hour helpline (800854-7771) to connect families with mentalhealth services. And the department’s website, dmh.lacounty.gov, features links to mentalhealth resources, community clinics, and a glossary of mental-health terms and stories of people who have found help. For Sunland-Tujunga individuals, I recommend enrolling in a monthly program at Hillview Mental Health Center on Van Nuys Blvd. which will double your chance of selection to a managed care facility like Day Street. Call Laura for intake and give my name, Amelia: (818) 896-1161.
Location matters. Whether your neighborhood dynamics are changing, you’re unhappy with the schools in your area or a new job significantly increases your commute, your community needs to fit your lifestyle.
5) Home improvements Renovations may be a wise investment, but it’s best to avoid listing your home in the middle of a project. If you plan to sell your home as is, completing some minor home updates such as new paint and fixtures
can be a huge selling point. Moving is a big decision, one that requires careful consideration. If your needs have changed since you bought your home, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018 — 11
VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 3 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
They threw the lions to the Christians.
Koreans, from pg. 3 clothing and shoes in show window case. You will notice that the many young people walking around the street in Korea wears and carry American brand name outfits shoes and bags. They like to eat westernized foods such as hamburgers, pizza and donuts instead of traditional Korean food. How about their life time goal and value in the Korean society they are belong to? They have been accustomed to American way of life which is more liberal and freedom oriented as shown in the TV, Internet etc. everyday. So they became almost
like American people? I do not see like that. Underlying deep thought inside in their mind still appreciate the traditional Korean culture which influencing them every day. The Koreans are arguably second to none in their zeal for education. Korean parent considers that educating their children is the utmost important thing that they can do for them. According to prominent Korean newspaper in Korea some 82 percent of Korean high school graduates go on to third level educat ion, more than in any other OECD country include USA. There are more than 400 colleges and universities and 70,000 second-level
private academies called “ hagwon” around the country. This kind of an additional education centers easily can be found along the Foot Hill Street. In La Canada school district there are many Korean student enrolled in the middle and high school. Because the parents wants to teach their young children in the better school system in USA in spite of the high living cost and expenses in this country. But some people point out that the educational success rate for a young student from Korea is not that satisfactory. In Korea high school students consistently out perform their international peers in reading and math. But
with youth unemployment a prominent policy issue and students facing sometimes unbearable pressure to perform, many are questioning the nation’s feverish devotion to academic study. “It is undesirable for there to be so many university graduates,” Ryu Ji-seong of the Samsung Economic Research Institute told Voice. “Currently , only 60 percent of university graduates are employed. There are also few prospects for drastic increases in jobs for university graduates. “While far lower than in most advanced countries. Korea’s youth unemployment rate at 6.7 percent is more than double that of the general
population. To tackle this and encourage manual trade-minded students away from university, the government opened 21 Meister schools in 2010, focusing on technical skills in areas such as shipbuilding and semiconductors. Based on the German model of vocational high schools. The government sees the schools as an antidote to a national obsession with admission to the top three universities. There is a silent, pervasive community within our own community. I asked a Korean resident to tell us about them. He agreed to submit this based on the condition of anonymity.
Please come and support Boy Scout Troop 315 Enjoy a meal at S.O.S. Night! on Saturday, February 24, 7-9 p.m. at the Legion Ha11, 10039 Pinewood Ave., Tujunga. The meal is S.O.S. (chipped beef over toast) with 2 sides and a drink for $15. Dessert sold separately. Thank you for supporting the Boy Scouts’ upcoming Yellowstone trip for Summer 2018
12 — FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 3
A Noise Within (ANW) Presents “A Raisin in The Sun” of personal agency, and the stressors of our environment that push us towards action.” A Raisin in the Sun runs from February 25-April 8. Thursday March 15, A Noise Within hosts The Charles Reese Experience and the Jackie Robinson Humanities and Arts Lecture Series present in conjunction with the A Noise Within Symposium Series: Mamie Hansberry, a pre-performance conversation with Mamie Hansberry, sister of the late Lorraine, from 6-7 p.m. Operating in a state-ofthe-art theatre complex in East Pasadena, A Noise Within annually produces seven mainstage productions. It is a cultural and artistic mainstay in the San Gabriel
made their presentations, and were graciously apAnd the meeting took proved. form, from Dana’s wide THEN, the moment we happy smile to the way were waiting for arrived. she took the reigns and Arnie Abrahamian and guided the meeting, Patty Potter McArdel there was no way anysquared off. It was alone was going to act up. most as if people were Representives from the holding their breath, school district made waiting for sparks to fly. their presentation and in- But it was really peacetroduced the new princi- ful. So peacefull that I pal, then Robert Lindsey thought they’d be giving who is running for Sher- valentines to each other. iff Lee Baca’s slot, All the previous atspoke and then members tacks and rhetoric went of our local organizaout the window. Arnie tions all took the podium, made his presentation
STNC, from pg. 1
photo: Brian Feinzimer.
A Noise Within (ANW) presents A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, directed by Gregg T. Daniel, the sixth production of its 26th season performing February 25 to April 8 Director Gregg T. Daniel said, “I am in awe of the sheer courage, imagination, and intelligence it took to write Raisin — how the mind of a 29-year-old ‘Negro’ playwright was driven to confront issues of Pan Africanism, feminism, and economic, gender and racial equality in such an eloquent and powerful manner.” Geoff Elliott continues: “All season we’ve explored the theme of ‘Entertaining Courage.’ Raisin explores courage, the power of hope, the limits
Raisin in the Sun, first rehearsal at A Noise Within. (l to r) Ben Cain (Walter Lee Younger) and Raisin’s director, Gregg T. Daniel
$25, are available online Valley, and is the largest employer of local Equity at www.anoisewithin.org and by phone by calling Actors in L. A. County. (626) 356-3100. A Noise Tickets for A Raisin in the Sun and all the spring Within is located on the 2018 productions start at corner of Foothill Blvd.
and Sierra Madre Villa Avenue at 3352 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107, just north of the Madre Street exit off the 210 freeway.
while other business meeting by the short and owners sat back in sicurlies and made sensilence. There was no con- ble comments. I’ve often certed effort to make said “Sunland-Tujunga anything happen. Nothis where the women ing until Business Asso- have balls and the men ciation president Sonia don’t!” That came across Tatulian took the podiin spades. um’s spotlight and de Patty Mc Ardle Potter manded that the STNC took the statements that look into what its land were hurled against her use committee was doand like Wonder Woman, ing to local businesses. turned them back on her Sonia made a few point- attackers. “Where are ed remarks, but because your government docuit was during a “public ments?” she asked. comment” segment, no “Where is my signature dialogue was permitted. on any document that The women took the you claim that I filed?”
And there were no answers. But this is Sunland-Tujunga, where you really can’t tell who the players or even the teams are on a weekly basis. And the cookies were pretty good, and I sure wouldn’t buy that pizza again. But it was a great neighborhood meeting, as meetings go, with more than 75 people in attendance. And no, Curtles Koesler was not allowed inside.
Your S-T Neighborhood Council at Work