Posted on

Virtual La Cañada Spring Home Tour

Soon, you’ll probably be done with your Netflix shows and seen all HGTV has to offer. How about tuning in to this year’s reinvented Virtual La Cañada Spring Home Tour? This annual fundraiser for La Cañada High School is going digital on May 1 — with tours of four beautiful local homes to enjoy, from the comfort of yours. Despite social distancing, we can still come together as a community for some spring fun and a welcome distraction. The funds raised are crucial to LCHS 7-12 in 2020-21. Visit lacanadahometour.com for tickets and sponsorships.

Posted on

Joy Wilson – Obituary

Aug. 3, 1933 – March 30, 2020

Joy Wilson

Joy Wilson, of La Cañada Flintridge, passed away on Monday, March 30, at the age of 86.

Joy was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Aug. 3, 1933. She was the eldest of four children born to Fred and Eva Pfiester. She grew up in Cincinnati and attended Withrow High School before entering the University of Cincinnati. She was an active member of many organizations while at the university and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She served as vice president of her senior class and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Arts.

Continue reading “Joy Wilson – Obituary”

Posted on

Joel A. Thvedt – Obituary

Joel A. Thvedt

Joel A. Thvedt, age 57, died peacefully at home on Saturday, Feb. 8, in Altadena after a five-year battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare progressive neurological disease. He was born on May 14, 1962, in Newcastle, Wyoming, the son of Pastor James and Gloria Thvedt.

Joel grew up in Sisseton, South Dakota, and attended the University of Chicago, receiving his bachelor’s degree with honors in political science in 1984. He then headed west for law school and graduated from UCLA School of Law, where he was a member of the UCLA Law Review and a board member of El Centro Legal, a network of student-run legal aid clinics. While at UCLA, Joel met his wife, Patricia Libby, who was a fellow student, and they married on Aug. 9, 1986.

Continue reading “Joel A. Thvedt – Obituary”

Posted on

Vernon Charles Sanders – Obituary

Vernon Charles Sanders

With great sadness, the family of Vernon Charles Sanders announces his passing on Jan. 10 at age 89.
Born on March 21, 1930, in Ventura, Vernon was adopted by Gertrude and the Rev. Charles Sanders, a Baptist minister. Along with sister Betty, they settled in Venice, California.
A smart, precocious child and teen, Vern tells the tale of riding his motorcycle through the halls of Venice High School, only to escape to the beach to play volleyball with his buddies.
He attended Santa Monica City College and USC, and enlisted in the Navy in 1949, serving aboard the USS Springfield and USS Gen. H.W. Butner until his honorable discharge in 1952.
Continue reading “Vernon Charles Sanders – Obituary”

Posted on

Older Adulthood Should Be Embraced, Celebrated

By Sandy Greenstein
Special to The Outlook

Photo courtesy Pasadena Senior Center
Sandy Greenstein, president of the Pasadena Senior Center board, is pictured with the organization’s executive director, Akila Gibbs.

Myths, assumptions and stereotypes about older adults abound, even two decades into the 21st century: Most are disconnected from the mainstream, stuck in the past, a crotchety and feeble bunch, no longer bring value to the workplace … and the list goes on. The fact is that older Americans today in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond are leading longer, healthier lives than their parents and grandparents ever could have hoped for.
Even the terminology has changed: Terms such as “elderly” and “senior citizens” now bear the stigma of dependence and being pushed aside. These terms have been largely replaced by “older adults,” which translates to independence, experience and wisdom. Language matters.
Continue reading “Older Adulthood Should Be Embraced, Celebrated”

Posted on

L.A. County Announces Three New Deaths Related to Coronavirus

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed three new deaths and 138 new cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). All three individuals that died were over the age of 65 and had underlying health conditions.
One individual resided in Gardena, one in Wilmington and the other case is still under investigation. Additional information regarding some of the new cases is pending further investigation. Over the last 48 hours there have been 266 new cases.
Continue reading “L.A. County Announces Three New Deaths Related to Coronavirus”

Posted on

LCUSD Superintendent’s Message on Status of District

By Wendy Sinnette, Special to The Outlook

Wendy Sinnette

I hope everyone is managing during these unprecedented times as we engage with Gov. Newsom’s “Safer at Home” order and work together to flatten the curve of infection with the COVID-19 virus. I am grateful to The Outlook and Charlie Plowman for giving me the opportunity to update the larger community regarding the status of our schools in the La Cañada Unifed School District.
I have been regularly emailing district families, students in grades 7-12 and staff, but given the support that the community of La Cañada Flintridge continually demonstrates for its schools, it is important to keep everyone informed regarding district updates. Our schools closed on Friday, March 13, in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Teachers were provided two days to prepare for distance learning, which officially commenced on Tuesday, March 17. Our teachers and students have access to Google Classroom, and student textbooks and learning apps are stored in Classlink, an online centralized platform. Other resources available for distance learning opportunities are Screencastify, Google Hangouts, Zoom, YouTube and EdPuzzle. Teachers are designing lessons according to their instructional style and working hard to ensure a continuation of learning throughout the school closure period.
Continue reading “LCUSD Superintendent’s Message on Status of District”

Posted on

Judges, Courtroom Staff, Attorneys Must Quarantine for 14 Days

Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile recently announced that a judge assigned to a Dependency department in the Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Courthouse in Monterey Park notified the court Tuesday of being diagnosed with symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Although the judge has not been tested, in an abundance of caution, the court has asked the affected judge and court staff to self-quarantine. Due to privacy issues, names will not be released.
The court also has notified the agencies and attorney offices assigned to handle the cases in the affected department, including the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services; Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers; Children’s Law Center; Office of the Los Angeles County Counsel; and the Sheriff’s Department.
After receiving notification from the judge, the court cleaned and disinfected the courtroom and the judge’s chambers according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The courthouse, which handles adoptions and juvenile dependency, will remain open. The court will make every effort to advise all people who may have been exposed to the affected judge.
For the latest updates on coronavirus-related impacts to court operations, consult the court’s COVID-19 News Center located at the top of its homepage at lacourt.org.

Posted on

Take Steps to Protect Your Mental Health in Stressful Times

By Annette Ermshar, Special to The Outlook

Annette Ermshar

The coronavirus has triggered surprising behavioral responses, including panic buying and convincing yourself that a throat tickle might mean a fatal illness. But equally concerning is the increase in mental health symptoms.
Self-isolation, loss of freedom, uncertainty and fear about what is ahead, and a change in routine and schedule are all contributing to increased stress, anxiety and feelings of helplessness.
Uncertainties can instill a deep sense of fear. They include such questions as:
What protective steps can I take?
How extreme should we be in our response?
Are increased hand-washing and avoiding crowds sufficient, or should we self-quarantine?
Should we move forward with our planned vacation?
Should I close down my office or business?
Should I cancel my spring wedding?
It is this uncertainty that drives anxiety, because people fear the unknown. When we don’t know what steps to take or we have a substantial shift in our routine, we feel vulnerable because we all like to plan ahead. Yet we are faced with significant and unpredictable disruptions to our routine and way of life. Uncertainty exceeds the medical issues at hand, and these disruptions have broader implications.
Continue reading “Take Steps to Protect Your Mental Health in Stressful Times”

Posted on

COVID-19: Don’t Forget the Basics of Prevention

By Mary Virgallito, Special to The Outlook

Mary Virgallito

During a time of heightened anxiety and uncertainty, I’d like to take this opportunity to review what is currently known about COVID-19 and provide a refresher on the basics about preventing the spread of respiratory diseases. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 and so the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed.
How it is spread: COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses or inhaled into the lungs of people within close contact (about 6 feet) of an infected person who has produced these droplets. Surface-to-person transmission of COVID-19 has not yet been documented but current evidence suggests that the virus can remain viable for hours to days on a variety of surfaces. Therefore, it is recommended to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily, including tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work for this purpose.
Continue reading “COVID-19: Don’t Forget the Basics of Prevention”