Monrovia Weekly monroviaweekly.com
Thursday, NOVEMBER 24, - DECEMBER 1, 2011
Rose Queen and Court Deliver Some Holiday Cheer to Those Less Fortunate
Community News, Arts & Opinions Since 1996
Volume XVI, No. XXXXVII
Local Artists Painstakingly Restore Beloved Holiday Tradition – Nativity Scene Receives Renaissance Touch
Nativity Scene of Sierra Madre artists Patricia Ancona, Carol Adams, David Em and Jeryd Pojawa work to get ready in time for Dicken's Village this weekend in Sierra Madre
Rose Queen Drew Helen Washington, 16, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, and Rose Princesses Morgan Eliza Devaud, 18, La Canada High School; Stephanie Grace Hynes, 18, Maranatha High School; Cynthia Megan Louie, 17, La Salle High School; Kimberly Victoria Ostiller, 17, Flintridge Preparatory
Please see page 2
Small Businesses Fight Back Against Black Friday By susan motander The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday and is the busiest shopping day of the year. It is even said to make some businesses successful. i.e. operating in the Black rather than the Red,
Please see page 6
Patricia Ancona works on Nativity Scene for Kersting Court in Sierra Madre. -Photo by Terry Miller
By Terry Miller This ambitious creche project was placed into Patricia Ancona’s hands after being taken on by the Si-
erra Madre Friends of the Arts. Over the last two and one half months Ancona has been working with three other artists from thre Sierra Madre community Carol
Adams, David Em and Jeryd Pojawa. The much needed repairs and work became an all-consuming activity, from sunrise to sunset, rain
The price tag was switched on this $28,000 vase to $125 - Photo by Terry Miller
On a recent Wednesday in the newly opened Antiques Off Fair Oaks in Monrovia, an alert dealer in the consortium sold what he thought was a vase for $120 cash. The man who sold the vase thought something may have been suspicious about
the sale and he asked for the tag from the new owner of the vase. Jamie Rio also took down the license plate, just in case. After the customer left with his extremely well discounted 19th Century Chi-
Please see page 4
Kings Row Gastropub teamed up with Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena to feed hundreds of people on Thursday November 17. The free lunch for the homeless, taking place during National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week (November 12, 2011- No-
Check out Beacon Media’s
New Food & Dining Section on page 9
in time for Dicken’s Village celebration next weekend in Kersting Court. With the blessing and
Please see page 7
Kings Row Gastropub Helps Feed Homeless
Local Antique Dealers Say Monrovia Cops are Tops By Terry Miller
or shine, every weekend, holidays and a “few hooky days from work” said Anacona. The deadline is fast approaching as they hope to have the completed figures
Brought to you by Howie’s Ranch Market & Alexander’s Prime Meats and Catering
vember 20, 2011), featured some of King’s Row signature dishes including Pulled Pork sandwiches, White Chocolate Mac and Cheese and Cornbread. “We are thrilled that King’s Row is joining forces with Union Station Homeless Services on November 17, 2011, during National
Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week.” said Rabbi Marv Gross, Union Station CEO. “It is this kind of generosity from the people and businesses of Pasadena that reinforce to the homeless in our community that others care about them
Please see page 6
BeaconMediaNews.com
NOVEMBER 24, 2011 - DECEMBER 1, 2011 7
Local Artists Restore Kesting Courts Nativity Scene Continued from page 1 some funding from the Chamber of Commerce, Bill Coburn alerted Beacon Media to this amazing project last week. Upon initial examination of the figures from the creche, the process had to start from the original layer of plaster that had been the outer layer of the figure pulled from a mold. Over the years their last painting, moisture had seeped up through this layer causing shrinkage and weak-
ness. The sanding was done all by hand requiring the use of mask and goggles. Then each figure was repaired, filling missing surface areas, rebuilding broken fingers, design elements, then covered with gesso. Upon the repair of the first figure, Ancona was stunned to discover the amount of detail and design elements that had been lost under the previous three layers of color.
Found also was that one of the angels was actually missing a trumpet. The ever-resourceful Ancona ( who also happens to work for LACMA) managed to track down a replica and a local retail store in Pasadena. Two of these layers had been added after these figures arrived in Sierra Madre. The gesso figure was similar to the Greco Roman sculptures that we now see as white marble. Beautiful flow-
ing robes, facial expression and textile patterns, inspired Ancona to think of the paintings so common during pre and early Renaissance times. During historical times the painting most often called the Adoration of the Magi was a particularly popular theme. In her research Ancona realized that the important characters, Mary and Joseph, wore specific colors of garments the details of which had been lost or painted over
in some cases. Mary’s inside robe was red with an outside layer of blue, Joseph wore a bluegreen inner robe with an outside layer of orange, and the angels sported multi-color wings, like a rainbow. Beacon Media visited Ancona in action on Saturday afternoon . Her entire driveway was filled to capacity with Biblical figures representing the birth of Jesus. One could see the passion
in Ancona’s eyes as she showed how the details have been lovingly restored and subtle colors return to bring life to the timeless nativity scene. Ancona and the other artists are being helped with costs incurred for supplies by the Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce as well as some local churchs such as St. Rita’s; Church of the Ascension; Congreational Church and Bethany.
Patricia Ancona works on the nativity scene figures that she and a few other artists have been restoring for the holiday. –Photos by Terry Miller
CENTURY 21® AGENTS ARE SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER. The Gold Standard E ia US rov HO 3Pm mon EN . 12- Ave., P O UN ista S lta V
SE OU m H N 4P
E OP UN 1
A N. 317
S
moNroVia
$1,145,000
Beautiful Craftsman style home in desirable monrovia Foothills neighborhood. 5 bdrms, 3 full baths and 2 partial baths in 3,300 sq. ft. home w/a 1,100 sq. ft. usable basement. Home was completely rebuilt in 2006 with an attention to modern living. This home is 100% handicap accessible.(A317)
ceNtUrY 21 lUdecke iNc.
www.c21lUdecke.com
(626) 445-0123
dUarte
$965,000
two-foUrplexes
$599,000 each
Beautiful Spanish style 3,470 sq.ft. home on a 53,799 sq.ft. lot, 3 bedrooms, master bedroom with fireplace, 1.5 baths, formal dining room, library, living room with fireplace, hardwood floors, full basement and wine cellar. Plus 1 bedroom, 1 bath, guest quarter above the 2 car attached garage. (R1632)
Located in a great area of monrovia, each complex features 4, 2 bedroom units. These two complexes each have their own address and are to be sold together. Call for more info. (LIm)
ceNtUrY 21 VillaGe realtY
ceNtUrY 21 earll, ltd. (www.ceNtUrY21earll.com)
(626) 355-1451
(626) 301-1888
WANT TO SAVE YOUR HOME? Please Join Us At: Chase Bank 60 E. Huntington Dr. Arcadia, CA 91006 FREE Real Estate Foreclosure Prevention & Home Lending Seminar Sponsored by the Glendale Area CHASE HOMEOWNERSHIP CENTER CENTURY 21 Ludecke, Inc. Saturday December 3, 2011 arcadia home with GUest hoUse
$1,350,000
Large Family Home with Guest House. This unique 5 bedroom, 4 full bath home From 10:00am – 12:00pm alsoPlease has avisit wonderful Guest House with 1 bedroom, bath, living room and full WWW .C21LUDECKE.COM kitchen. Fenced pool. Total of 4453 sq. ft. on 12239 sq. ft. usable lot. This home To RSVP andBaldwin get further information is located in the Stocker Elementary School area. Or call Young at 626-688-07844
ceNtUrY 21 lUdecke iNc.
(626) 445-0123
CenTury 21 earll, lTd.
(626) 301-1888 CENTURY 21 Earll, Ltd 320 e. FooThill Blvd., arCadia Arcadia
www.CenTury21earll.Com 626.301.1888
century21earll.com DRE# : 01154618
commercial lease
$21 sQ. ft.
Excellent location for retail store or office in downtown Alhambra. Near Edward Renaissance Theater, major bank, pharmacy and fitness center. Call for more information. (mAI)
ceNtUrY 21 earll, ltd. (www.ceNtUrY21earll.com)
(626) 301-1888
CenTury 21 ludeCke inC
(626) 445-0123
CENTURY 21 Ludecke, Inc. CENTURY 21 Village Realty Arcadia 20 e. FooThill Blvd. SuiTe 105, arCadia Sierra Madre 626.445.0123 www.C21ludeCke.Com 626.355.1451 c21ludecke.com c21village.com DRE# : 01360316
DRE# : 01360317
chiNo
$249,000
Beautiful single story home on a cul-de-sac street. Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, dual pane windows, central air, cathedral ceilings in living and dining area. motion sensor lighting in hallway, fireplace in family room, two car attached garage. (A6153)
ceNtUrY 21 VillaGe realtY
(626) 355-1451
CenTury 21 villaGe realTy
(626) 355-1451
38 w. Sierra madre Blvd., Sierra madre
www.C21villaGe.Com
SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.