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Transportation Board Ponders New Approach

Margaret McAustin

A board made up of officials from Pasadena and nearby cities is crafting a new strategic plan, potentially expanding its role in coordinating transportation initiatives in the area.
Members of the governing board for the Arroyo Verdugo Communities Joint Powers Authority expressed interest Aug. 6 in moving beyond traffic and infrastructure concerns to consider other types of transportation, such as light rail and bicycles, for local development, as well as environment-related projects.
The joint powers authority was formed in 2017 and includes officials from Pasadena, South Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Burbank and the Los Angeles County Fifth Supervisorial District. Councilwoman Margaret McAustin represents Pasadena on the board, but she announced during the meeting that this would be her last term on the authority’s panel, as she is not running for re-election to City Council.
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Pearl Marie Riedel

Pearl Marie Riedel

Pearl Marie Riedel, 93, of Selma, California, passed away on May 13 after complications from pneumonia. Jack, 96, her husband was by her side.
She was born in Minneapolis, on May 16, 1926, and raised by her parents, George and Doris Rooney. At age 20, they moved to Pasadena, near extended family. She worked as a telephone operator during World War II, when she was introduced to Air Force pilot Jack Riedel. They were married in 1946 in Pasadena and raised their family in South Pasadena until moving to Selma in 1974.
Pearl and Jack raised six boys, Bob, Rich, Tom, Will, Ron and John. She is survived by her husband, Jack, of 74 years of marriage; her six sons; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren with more on the way; and her sister, Pat Nagel of Huntington Beach.
Pearl was immensely proud of her family and loved all the daughters-in-law and all the children and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories. Being involved with the boys’ schools, Cub Scouts, church functions and being with all her friends she had made over the many years were some of her most cherished memories. With her kindness and devotion to her family and friends, she touched each one of us and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.
An intimate funeral took place on May 26 in Selma.
A celebration of her life will be scheduled after the current COVID-19 issues subside.

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Clergy, Civic Leaders Unite Peaceful Protests for Justice

Photo courtesy Erin Rodick
An estimated 1,500 people, united by diverse clergy and civic organizations throughout the city, came together for a candlelight vigil and protest on Sunday in memory of George Floyd and to urge change against systemic racism.

As protests rocked the nation this week in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who perished after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes, Pasadena clergy, civil rights and social justice groups joined peacefully to decry police brutality on people of color — nationally and locally — and demanded civilian oversight for the city’s police department.

Photo courtesy Luwin Kwan

Despite reports of protests turning violent across Los Angeles County over the weekend, with Gov. Gavin Newsom declaring a state of emergency and county officials issuing local curfews, an estimated 1,500 people convened on the steps of Pasadena’s City Hall on Sunday evening to express outrage and urge justice for Floyd.
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Outlook Newspaper Group Purchases Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and La Cañada Valley Sun

Charlie Plowman

LOS ANGELES – Outlook Newspapers, owned by Charlie Plowman, has agreed to purchase three community news titles, the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and La Cañada Valley Sun. California Times, the previous owner of the titles, recently announced that the three papers were being closed due to the challenging business environment and unforeseen economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Now, the publications are part of the Outlook Newspapers group, with the La Cañada publications being combined and renamed the La Cañada Outlook Valley Sun. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are thrilled to have acquired three iconic newspapers with deep roots and historic legacies in their respective communities,” Plowman said. “I heard the outpouring from local residents, as to how much they love these publications, and want to support them.

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Porch Music Spreads Joy in Time of Confinement

OUTLOOK photo
Beong Kim and his wife, Bonnie Wongtrakool, have been putting on weekly porch concerts for their Pasadena neighbors to help spread some cheer during social distancing.

For those strolling the tree-lined knolls surrounding Pasadena during this time of social distancing, you might just happen upon a bit of live classical music, wafting delicately through the air.
It’s not an illusion brought on by cabin fever or a child practicing his instrument, as city Councilmember Andy Wilson initially thought when he first heard neighbor Beong Kim playing his cello out on his front porch.
“I thought I heard live music playing, and assumed some kid was practicing, but then I realized, ‘Hey, that’s not a hack job, that’s really pretty good,’” Wilson laughed.
Toward the end of “confinement, week no. 1,” a certain silence prompted Beong Kim to take up his cello, an instrument he’s played on and off over the years ever since studying music at the Colburn School, years before he decided to pursue law as an academic track.
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City Urges Face Masks, Social Distancing as COVID-19 Cases Grow

With a dramatic rise among Pasadena residents testing positive for COVID-19 this week — totaling 179 cases and 12 deaths associated with the disease as of Tuesday — city officials said they are monitoring social distancing and the use of face masks to try and slow the spread of the virus, as well as continuing to plan for alternate care sites if necessary.
About 47.5% of the confirmed COVID-19 cases were among Pasadena residents 60 years and younger. All the fatalities were of people between 49 and 93 years old, and were associated with long-term care facilities as residents or employees, and had underlying health conditions, the city said in a statement.
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Faith Helps Local Caterer Endure Challenging Times

By Kristi Scott
Special to The Outlook

Tony Lancaster,Owner and Chef of HOPE Cafe & Catering

Many supporters of Door of Hope, a Pasadena-based nonprofit which helps families transition out of homelessness, are familiar with the organization’s meal donor program. The popular program, which allows volunteer groups to serve a prepared dinner to the families at Door of Hope’s transitional housing locations, has been temporarily halted because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Last year, nearly 300 people volunteered as Door of Hope meal donors. And on nights when meal donors are not available, parents take turns cooking for all of the house’s residents.
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Pasadena Celebrates Its 132nd Birthday

Photo courtesy Marlyn Woo / Joanne Wilborn State Sen. Anthony Portantino (from left), City Councilman Gene Masuda, Assemblyman Chris Holden, Pasadena Museum of History President Bill Thomson, City Councilman Tyrone Hampton and Mayor Terry Tornek presided over the ceremonial cake cutting for the city’s birthday.
Photo courtesy Marlyn Woo / Joanne Wilborn
State Sen. Anthony Portantino (from left), City Councilman Gene Masuda, Assemblyman Chris Holden, Pasadena Museum of History President Bill Thomson, City Councilman Tyrone Hampton and Mayor Terry Tornek presided over the ceremonial cake cutting for the city’s birthday.

The city of Pasadena recently celebrated its past and envisioned the future with a free community party that showcased an emphasis on science, technology and creativity. Mayor Terry Tornek, state Sen. Anthony Portantino, Continue reading “Pasadena Celebrates Its 132nd Birthday”

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Biomedical Research Facility Opens in Pasadena

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek were on hand for the recent opening of Huntington Medical Research Institutes’ new biomedical research facility to the public.
The 35,000 square-foot project — designed by architecture firm Perkins+Will —is the newest addition to nonprofit HMRI’s portfolio of facilities throughout the Pasadena area. The facility consolidates HMRI’s operations on one campus and houses state-of-the-art clinical spaces, seminar, training, auditorium, laboratory and office space dedicated to the research and mission of the institute. Patient-focused research programs target conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, migraine, traumatic brain injury, cardiovascular disease, liver diseases, pre-eclampsia and sleep apnea. Continue reading “Biomedical Research Facility Opens in Pasadena”

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Elizabeth House Gala is April 28

Photo by Carin Yates / OUTLOOK David and Mary Sue Scheidler were joined by Janet and Jack Orswell at a previous Elizabeth House Gala. This year’s event is being held on Saturday, April 28.
Photo by Carin Yates / OUTLOOK
David and Mary Sue Scheidler were joined by Janet and Jack Orswell at a previous Elizabeth House Gala. This year’s event is being held on Saturday, April 28.

Elizabeth House, based in Pasadena, is hosting its annual gala on Saturday evening, April 28, at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale. The reception and silent auction begin at 5:30 p.m.; the dinner and program are at 7 p.m.
Dr. Lisa Masterson of “The Doctors” television show will be the honoree at this 15th annual gala.
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