Arroyo August 2018

FINE LIVING IN THE GREATER PASADENA AREA
August 2018
READ ON!
Tips for Enticing Your Tween
To Love Books
GRANDFAMILIES
TO THE RESCUE
WHY MORE SENIORS ARE
RAISING THEIR GRANDKIDS
A PUBLIC SCHOOL
IMPRESARIO
Meet Monrovia’s Patrick Garcia
TELESCOPES TO GO
Pasadena’s Marja Seidel
Teaches Astronomy in the Amazon

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arroyo
VOLUME 14 | NUMBER 8 | AUGUST 2018
11
PHOTO: (Top) Courtesy of Marja Seidel; (bottom left) Ilsa Setziol; (bottom right) Courtesy of Patrick Garcia
31 42
FAMILY & EDUCATION
11 HEAVEN AND EARTH
Pasadena’s Marja Seidel travels to Earth’s most remote spots, explaining our
unique place in the universe to underserved children.
—By BETTIJANE LEVINE
17 GRANDFAMILIES TO THE RESCUE
More grandparents are raising grandkids as drug addiction ensnares their own
children.
—By KATHLEEN KELLEHER
31 READ ON!
Ideas for middle grade readers and their parents
—By ILSA SETZIOL
42 RENAISSANCE MAN
Led by Patrick Garcia, arts education in the Monrovia Unifi ed School
District isn’t just an option — it’s an imperative.
—By NOELA HUESO
DEPARTMENTS
09 FESTIVITIES Hillsides’ “Farm to Table” dinner, Muse/Ique celebrates Bernstein’s
birthday, Judy Chicago comes to town
22 ARROYO HOME SALES INDEX
45 KITCHEN CONFESSIONS Hot enough for ya?
46 ARROYO COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH Raspberry-peach cocktail popsl
47 THE LIST The Mask, CatCon, Man of La Mancha and more
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EDITOR’S NOTE
I still remember the table of colorful Dick, Jane
and Sally books in my fi rst-grade class. Each
book was covered in construction paper, the
color indicating the degree of diffi culty. The
prospect of sailing through that rainbow of
starter books seemed so exciting to me and,
well, grown up.
Needless to say that was well before the
Internet, which experts have linked to the
country’s Attention Defi cit Disorder epidemic.
Indeed, there are real benefi ts to hunkering
down with good, old-fashioned books, not the least of which is, reading them
makes you smarter, according to a UC Berkeley study.
To encourage good reading habits early on, Ilsa Setziol guides parents
in exciting their tweens about diving into books that broaden their horizons,
and she offers specifi c recommendations. Setziol’s expertise? She’s a
mom of a tween herself and producer of the Book Club for Kids podcast
(bookclubforkids.org), hosted by her former KPCC colleague, Kitty Felde. (By
the way, Setziol writes that one of her favorite young-adult authors is Richard
Peck — who happened to be my 10th-grade English teacher. Just goes to
prove my theory that after the age of 40, everybody knows everybody [or
about everybody].)
In this Family & Education issue, we also examine a troubling trend — the
rise in grandfamilies. Kathleen Kelleher explores the increase in grandparents
raising grandkids, largely due to their own children’s drug addiction. She
explains the struggles grandfamilies can face and cites nonprofi ts and
Facebook groups that can help.
We also talk to two extraordinary Arroyoland educators, who are breaking
new ground in different ways. Patrick Garcia’s innovative strategies for funding
expanded arts offerings to students in the Monrovia Unifi ed School District
inspired MUSD to create a position for him — director of performing arts and
producing artistic director for the district’s Taylor Performing Arts Center. Noela
Hueso talks to Garcia about his techniques, which may serve as a model for
other cash-strapped public schools.
Another stand-out is Pasadena astronomer Marja Seidel, who totes
telescopes to remote places around the world to expose underserved
children to the wonders of our place in the universe. She told Bettijane Levine
that astronomy “can lead to this feeling of global citizenship, where you feel
part of one humanity.” That’s a great lesson for us all.
—Irene Lacher
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Irene Lacher
ART DIRECTOR Stephanie Torres
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Richard Garcia
PRODUCTION DESIGNERS Rochelle Bassarear
EDITOR-AT-LARGE Bettijane Levine
COPY EDITOR John Seeley
CONTRIBUTORS Denise Abbott, Leslie Bilderback,
Léon Bing, Martin Booe, Michael Cervin, Scarlet
Cheng, Richard Cunningham, Noela Hueso,
Kathleen Kelleher, Jana Monji, Brenda Rees, Ilsa
Setziol, John Sollenberger, Nancy Spiller
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Brenda Clarke,
Leslie Lamm, Alexandra Valdes
ADVERTORIAL CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Bruce Haring
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER Andrea Baker
PAYROLL Linda Lam
CONTROLLER Kacie Cobian
ACCOUNTING Perla Castillo, Yiyang Wang,
Quinton Wright
OFFICE MANAGER Ann Turrietta
PUBLISHER Dina Stegon
arroyo
FINE LIVING IN THE GREATER PASADENA AREA
SOUTHLAND PUBLISHING
V.P. OF OPERATIONS David Comden
PRESIDENT Bruce Bolkin
CONTACT US
ADVERTISING
dinas@pasadenaweekly.com
EDITORIAL
editor@arroyomonthly.com
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(626) 584-1500
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MAILING ADDRESS
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Pasadena, CA 91105
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©2018 Southland Publishing, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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FESTIVITIES
PHOTOS: Hillsides Farm to Table: Courtesy of Hillsides, Limitless/Lenny: photos by Tim Norris, Rachel Fine: photo by Luke Fontana, Judy Chicago: photo by Janice Ngan
Viki Thompson Wylder, Susana Smith Bautista and Judy Chicago
Rachel Fine
H100 members gathered at the historic Pasadena home of Chelisa
and Jim Vagim June 24 for the Hillsides support group’s ninth annual
“Farm to Table” dinner en plein air. After dining family-style on salads,
teriyaki steak and mahi mahi catered by Claud & Co., guests listened
to Hillsides’ Amy Cousineau explain how their donations — for foster
kids’ birthday parties, Christmas gifts, Easter baskets and more —
help “rewire kids’ brains” for the better. “It’s important for us to create
memories for these kids,” Hillsides CEO Joe Costa told Arroyo Monthly…
Sponsoring patrons and special guests gathered for receptions flanking
Muse/Ique’s lively tribute to the centennial of composer Leonard
Bernstein’s birthday at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and
Botanical Gardens on June 30. “Limitless/Lenny” was conducted by
Artistic Director Rachael Worby and sponsored by Pasdena’s East West
Bank…Feminist art icon Judy Chicago visited the Women’s City Club of
Pasadena July 7 to discuss her work in the current Pasadena Museum
of California Art exhibition Judy Chicago’s Birth Project: Born Again,
which runs through Oct. 7, when the museum closes permanently…
Pasadena’s Rachel Fine has been promoted to executive director and
CEO of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly
Hills. She had been serving as managing director since 2015.
Rachael Worby (third from left) at “Limitless/Lenny”
Kristin Thorell, Ava Herrera, David Hitchcock, Annie Brose, April Danz and Jennifer Brian
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HEAVEN AND EARTH
Can astronomers help save our planet? Pasadena’s Marja Seidel travels to Earth’s most
remote spots, explaining our unique place in the universe to underserved children.
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Marja Seidel
now, we are spinning at around 800,000 kilometers per hour around
the center of our galaxy, and at around 100,000 kilometers per hour around
“Right
the sun. And every day we follow our routines and forget how lucky we really
are to be living on this unique planet.” That’s astronomer Marja Seidel introducing a short
film about one of her recent expeditions to very remote areas of the globe, helping others to
understand the uniqueness of our planet, its place in the universe and the need to preserve it.
Seidel, 29, has reached thousands of people on five continents with her unusual outreach
missions, bringing knowledge of the universe to those who otherwise have no access to such information.
A newly minted resident of Pasadena, she was born in Waltrop, Germany, received
her bachelor’s degree in physics and earth and space sciences at Jacobs University in Bremen and
in October, 2015, received her Ph.D. in astrophysics at Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
on Spain’s Canary Islands. Earlier this year she finished a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at
Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, where her research focused on the formation of galaxies
and the influence of dark matter. Seidel has just signed on as a scientist with Caltech’s IPAC
division, which partners with NASA, JPL and the worldwide research community to advance
exploration of the universe and provide information-outreach programs for the public.
We spoke with Seidel for this family and education issue not because of her career per se,
but because of her distinctive extracurricular accomplishments, spreading what she has called
“visions of the cosmos” near and far. Last summer, while pursuing her postdoctoral research, she
organized a project for underserved schoolchildren here in Pasadena, so they could learn about
BY BETTIJANE LEVINE
the Great American Eclipse and then observe it through glasses and telescopes she had donated
for the occasion. “Even in a place like California, resources can be scarce,” she said. “Some
schools might not even have funds for a science teacher in certain grades. Cooperating with
the Pasadena United Schools District [PUSD], we identified five schools that had a focus on
STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics), but were located in underprivileged
areas. The idea was to provide them with telescopes, education material and workshops
to fully take advantage of the eclipse with their students and to possibly continue astronomy
education at their schools.”
On one recent global expedition, Seidel and an ecologist friend traveled for two months
by horseback and paraglider to remote villages in Colombia’s Andes. In their backpacks they
carried telescopes, binoculars, inflatable models of the solar system, Play-Doh and other crafts
items to help inspire villagers, particularly children, with the joy of discovery. Joy seems to be a
key component in her outreach missions, which combine a love of nature and adventure sports
with a passion for science. The aim of the Colombia project, titled “Cielo y Tierra (Heaven
and Earth),” was not to hold formal classes in astronomy or ecology, she says, but simply to lead
entertaining experiments and exchanges that open people’s minds to all the wonders out there
for them to discover. Seidel’s own joie de vivre is evidenced in the short film of this odyssey
at cieloytierra-project.com, which shows the two women gliding above the clouds, trekking
on horses through spectacular terrain and connecting with villagers who may have no access
to technology, may never have seen a telescope or binoculars before and have certainly never
–continued on page 13
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–continued from page 11
encountered young women scientists gliding down from the sky to explain our unique planet and
its relationship to the heavens.
From Seidel’s profile page on a couch-surfing website, we learned that in addition to paragliding
and horseback riding, she climbs mountains and volcanos, surfs, hikes, scuba dives, skydives,
has a pilot’s license, plays saxophone, has been in several bands, plays “a bit of guitar,” speaks five
languages, has lived in five countries and has visited 30, which she lists alphabetically.
We first contacted Seidel while she was working with Carnegie Observatory’s telescope in
Chile’s Atacama Desert, then talked with her a few days later via Skype when she was visiting
Germany.
YOU’VE WRITTEN THAT EVEN AS A CHILD, YOU KNEW YOU WANTED TO BE AN
ASTRONOMER. WERE YOUR PARENTS SCIENTISTS, OR HOW DID THAT HAPPEN
AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE?
My parents weren’t scientists. I think there were many triggers. It happened that at
a very young age I experienced some comets, and then some other public observations,
and so I started reading about astronomy at around 10 years. I actually started reading
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking and I didn’t understand much because I
was so young still, but I found it very fascinating. Where I lived in Waltrop is densely
populated, so the skies are not very clear, but when we went to more remote places during
the holidays I could see the stars. And the light from the stars is basically millions
and millions of years old — you are looking into the past of the universe. This was all
fascinating, and so I started going to youth astronomy camps at about 15. The first was
in Germany, then some international astronomy youth camps in the Czech Republic,
Poland and other places.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT SCIENCE OUTREACH WAS NECESSARY, AND
YOU WANTED TO VISIT REMOTE PLACES TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE?
I have always had a passion to share what I’m doing. In high school and as an undergraduate
I already was involved in social outreach activities, reaching out to communities
–continued on page 15
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–continued from page 13
with very low resources. This kind of led me to know that there is a need, that there are
many people in this world who do not have the same starting position and a lot of things
need to be done [to assist them]. I think education is a key to making society evolve, and
astronomy is a very powerful visual tool to get people interested in science. You have a
telescope and just let people observe, and then ask questions. Not that they, in the end,
have to study astronomy, but just to get them curious about science and know there is so
much out there to discover.
So going to remote areas was a decision made after doing some research on where
NGOs [nongovernmental organizations] are going. I found there is a huge difference
between urban and rural areas. There are not many organizations that go to remote and
rural areas of developing countries. And in those areas, so many children still drop out
of primary school because they are not encouraged to get an education. They’re told the
only things they can do is to work in the fields or, in the worst case, go into drug trafficking.
So that was something we wanted to address.
YOU’VE REFERRED READERS TO CARL SAGAN’S 1994 PALE BLUE DOT BOOK
IN SOME OF YOUR WRITING AND TALKS. HE SAYS THAT ASTRONOMY IS A
HUMBLING AND CHARACTER-BUILDING DISCIPLINE THAT REMINDS US WE
ARE JUST THIS TINY PLANET SPINNING IN ONE SMALL GALAXY AMONG TRIL-
LIONS OF GALAXIES IN A VAST COSMOS, AND YET WE’RE THE ONLY PLACE
KNOWN SO FAR TO HARBOR LIFE. PHOTOGRAPHED FROM SPACE, EARTH
HAS NO BORDERS, NO NATIONALITIES. WE HUMANS ARE ALL ONE SPECIES,
AND WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER AND OF OUR PLANET OR ALL
HOPE IS LOST. YOU FEEL THAT’S RELEVANT FOR TODAY?
Yes, this is definitely my philosophy, and something that motivates me. I actually
learned about Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot rather late, when I was already over 20, and I
realized I had written down very similar thoughts. Astonomy offers a very different
perspective on life here on earth. What we often do as an inquiry activity is build a solar
system to scale...and we see how little the solar system is in our galaxy and how little our
galaxy is compared to all the billions and billions of galaxies in the universe. This really
gives a sense of scale and perspective and can lead to this feeling of global citizenship
where you feel part of one humanity, which is on this little space ship called Earth. I
definitely am convinced that if we do not start thinking that everyone on Earth is just
one humanity, if we do not stop thinking about the differences between us, but about
how similar we all actually are...and that from space, the earth is seen really without
any physical borders...if we do not start thinking in that direction, then I don’t see that
there’s a future for humanity.
DO YOU SEE MUCH HOPE?
If we do start thinking that way, then yes. I think this is a very [assertive] step we
must take as humans, to start thinking of us as one humanity. When I talk to businesspeople,
I sometimes ask them: If you have a company and everyone works against each
other in all the departments, does the company run well? No. So the departments all
have to work together as one company. Well, the earth is like one company. We have to
work together instead of against each other.
YOU VISIT THESE CHILDREN IN REMOTE PLACES, WHERE THEY HAVE SO LITTLE
FORMAL EDUCATION. I KNOW YOU BRING CRAFTS AND TELESCOPES, BUT
IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE TO ENLIGHTEN THEM ABOUT SUCH COMPLICATED
THINGS AS THE SOLAR SYSTEM AND OUR PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE?
It’s possible anywhere. Imagination is never limited just because your resources are
limited. Everyone, even in the most remote areas, has a lot of imagination and dreams.
I think when you learn about something like astronomy, you think, wow, this has
changed me. Just because of this one experience, this one little match being lit, my life
has changed. They can see there are lots of other opportunities and things to think about
in life. Maybe different types of jobs they never imagined before. These people always
have very interesting questions, and we are staying in touch with some of them and trying
to train local collaborators where possible to continue the work.
IF YOU HAD ONE THING TO SAY TO NONSCIENTISTS, WHO RARELY THINK
ABOUT ALL THIS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Never stop being curious and surprised at what the universe might give you. And really
start appreciating our planet’s place in the universe and how very special our planet
is. Keep thinking about that! ||||
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GRANDFAMILIES
TO THE RESCUE
More and more grandparents are raising grandkids
as drug addiction ensnares their own children.
BY ILSA SETZIOL
When Mike and Amber St. Germain were anticipating retirement, they
envisioned traveling a couple times a year to Italy and other dreamy
destinations. But in 2012, their daughter, then 18, had a baby. She
moved in with her parents — her baby, Addison, and Addison’s father in
tow. After stealing from a neighbor, Addison’s father disappeared, and
her mother, who had a substance abuse problem, was incapable of
taking care of her.
So the St. Germains moved Addison’s crib into their bedroom,
and their daughter moved out when she refused to follow
“house rules” or take care of her baby; the grandparents established
guardianship in 2013. Their daughter consented, said Mike St. Germain,
because she knew her “lifestyle” was unhealthy for a baby. Now 5
years old, Addison knows her grandparents as the only parents she’s had. “She
is a fantastic child,” said Mike St. Germain, 46, who retired from his job as a UPS
regional manager in 2014 and lives outside of Atlanta with wife Amber, 45, two sons
in their 20s and Addison.
“Initially, there was a lot of struggle, which is why we started a closed support group
on Facebook [Grandparents Raising Grandchildren], so we could all talk to each other,” he
said.
The St. Germains have plenty of company. About 2.6 million American children are
being raised by their grandparents or other older relatives in what social scientists times describe as “grandfamilies.” Experts say this number is rising sharply as the opioid
epidemic and other kinds of substance abuse devastate families and communities across the
country. A newly released book — You’ve Always Been There for Me: Understanding the Lives
some-
of Grandchildren Raised by Their Grandparents (Rutgers University Press) by Rachel fon — analyzes data gathered from grandfamilies in New York to determine their distinct
challenges and strengths.
Duni-
Dunifon, a professor of policy analysis and management and chair of the human ecology
department at Cornell University, notes that grandchildren benefit from the time-accrued
maturity, wisdom and patience of grandparents who are raising children for a second time.
But she notes there also can be struggles stemming from a sizable generation gap, agerelated
health problems, increased stress and worries over finite finances. Grandfamilies,
a growing variant of the American family, are largely invisible to the public eye and rarely
–continued on page 18
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–continued from page 17
get the assistance they need from social service agencies, policymakers and family
researchers.
“I would like to see how best to support this new family system, grandparents,
the adult children and grandchildren, so that all are getting the support they need
in this new phenomenon,” said Annette Ermshar, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and
neuropsychologist with practices in Pasadena and San Marino. “The percentage of
grandparents who have taken over parenting has doubled. U.S. Census data says that
in 2012, 10 percent of grandparents lived with their grandchildren compared to 3
percent in 1970. There is not a lot of research in terms of the mental health of the
grandparents and the grandchildren.” In Los Angeles alone, some 300,000 grandparents
are raising children, according to the L.A.-based Alliance for Children’s Rights.
With the opioid addiction crisis fueling the rise of grandfamilies, help arrived by
legislative action last month. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) who chairs the Senate
Special Committee on Aging and ranking member Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) co-authored
the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act. The move followed
a May 2017 hearing featuring testimony from grandparents and others about the
pressing need for older caretakers to have easy access to resources that would assist
them.
The bill, signed into law last month by President Donald Trump, will create a
one-stop shop of resources to support grandparents and other relatives (so-called
“kinship families”) raising grandchildren. A federal advisory committee, led by the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will be established to identify,
promote and distribute crucial information about the best ways to help caregiving
relatives meet the unusual health, educational, psychological and nutritional needs
of children they’ve taken in. A grandparent and another older relative raising a
grandchild will be part of the committee. A report will be issued to Congress after
six months, and again in two years on best practices and resources, along with noted
gaps in services.
Caregivers’ need to maintain their own physical and emotional and mental
well-being will also be addressed. Forty advocacy groups for older adults and
children supported the bill. “Many of today’s low-income grandparent caregivers
— sometimes great-grandparent caregivers — find themselves forced to cut their
own retirement finances and defer their dreams” to care for their grandchildren,
Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United, a Washington, D.C.–based
nonprofit that promotes policies and programs to assist grandfamilies, wrote in Forbes
Magazine after the bill was signed into law.
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Caring for grandchildren may come at a high cost to grandparents, but it provides
a huge savings for the government. Older relatives providing safe haven to their
imperiled grandchildren saves the U.S. government $6 billion a year, according to
The Conversation (theconversation.com), an independent nonprofit online source
of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Custodial grandparents
raising grandchildren are overrepresented in racial and ethnic minority groups, and
67 percent are younger than 60, while 25 percent live in poverty even though half
of custodial grandparents are still working, according to the website. For grandparents
worried about outliving their financial resources, the added expense of raising
a grandchild adds layers of stress, worry and anxiety. But out of love, and without
regard to the cost, grandparents swoop in because there is no other option.
Indeed, with the rise in heroin addiction and other substance abuse, grandparents
taking charge is often precipitated by devastating struggles with their own adult
children that leave them emotionally wrung out — whipsawed between anger,
sadness and exhaustion. Like the St. Germains’ daughter, Judi LeCompte’s daughter
moved in immediately after giving birth to Gianna in 2008. When LeCompte’s
daughter, who had an oxycodone addiction, tried to put
Gianna, a, then 18 months old,
in a booster seat instead of a car seat for a ride in a Honda Civic with four adults and
two other kids in car seats, LeCompte e “lost it.”
“WITH THE RISE IN HEROIN ADDICTION AND
OTHER SUBSTANCE ABUSE, GRANDPARENTS
TAKING CHARGE IS OFTEN PRECIPITATED
BY DEVASTATING STRUGGLES WITH THEIR
OWN ADULT CHILDREN THAT LEAVE THEM
EMOTIONALLY WRUNG OUT — WHIPSAWED
BETWEEN ANGER, SADNESS AND EXHAUSTION.”
“I just went insane,” said
LeCompte, who is 60. “It was a nightmare. I just said,
‘You
no longer live here. She is mine.’ So we had to figure it out. Either Gianna lived
with us or she went to foster care.” LeCompte, who lives in a Philadelphia suburb
with her husband, Karl, 65, called state Children and Youth Services and the next
day, an order was drawn up limiting Gianna’s mother to supervised visits with her
daughter twice a month for three hours. The court also gave LeCompte the right to
drug test her daughter anytime she wanted.
LeCompte said she has legal guardianship of Gianna, now 9. A federal bankruptcy
manager for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Philadelphia, she said she will not
adopt Gianna out of fear it would push her daughter, who suffers from mental health
issues as well as addiction, over the edge. LeCompte also has a second daughter who
is a heroin addict currently in jail on a felony drug conviction, although she has tested
clean for over a year. That daughter’s child, Arianna, lived with LeCompte for nine
months along with Gianna. Arianna now lives with her paternal grandparents. “You
cannot imagine how tragic this is unless you are in it, every day,” said LeCompte.
When a parent is struggling with addiction and mental illness, it leaves grandparents
with a whirl of decisions to make — most often in a moment of crisis. For
many, postponing retirement, navigating school systems, securing custody through
the court system, finding mental and emotional-health supports and overcoming
a generation gap are part of a web of challenges that accompany a second round
of parenthood. The grandchildren are often fragile and damaged from what they
been through. Grandparents are “replacing traumatic pasts with loving and hopeful
–continued on page 20
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–continued from page 19
futures,” as Sen. Collins told AARP.org.
“These children have emotional baggage,” said Carmen Hoffman, director of the
Los Angeles chapter
of Grandparents as Parents (GAP), a program of OneGen-
eration, a Van Nuys–based nonprofit supporting seniors and grandfamilies, which
last month added GAP, a 31-year-old nonprofit, to the organization’s offerings of
resources. “They don’t know why they feel this way. And these grandparents, it is all
new to them, the technology has changed, everything has changed [since they raised
their children].”
OneGeneration’s GAP program runs 10 support groups throughout L.A. County
(a Pasadena group disbanded due to poor attendance; the closest one is in Pomona).
The groups are free and vital to grandparents who often feel isolated in their plight
and in great need of peer-to-peer counsel with the guiding hand of a facilitator. The
power of shared experience diminishes those feelings of isolation, said Hoffman, who
runs a group in Santa Clarita where the majority of grandparents are raising young-
sters whose parents have succumbed to opioid addictions. Facebook support groups
like St. Germain’s Grandparents Raising Grandchildren have provided a powerful
place to share and vent, especially for people with no access to in-person grandfam-
ily support groups. Websites and Facebook pages like The Addict’s Mom, The Par-
ents of Drug Addicts and Before The Petals Fall are also helping to fill that void.
After the CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes ran a segment in May on grand-
parents raising grandchildren due to the ravages of the opioid epidemic, St.
Germain said his Facebook group almost tripled within a month, increasing to
2,000 from 700. There are now 4,500 members with more joining at a rate of
15 to 20 a day. The group is closed, meaning people have to request permis-
sion to join. In a 28-day period last month, St. Germain, the group administrator,
said there were 138,000 posts from grandparents raising
grandchildren and that 90 percent have adult children in the grip
of addiction to opioids, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines or
“all of the above.”
“Sometimes they post just to vent, sometimes it is to share infor-
mation — look what I found on this website, or about a book,” said St.
Germain. “Especially with children of addicts, they have all these unique
issues. Some are developmental delays, Asperger’s, autism, physical disabili-
ties. Some are as
simple as ‘How in the world do I potty train this child?’”
Though grandparents can apply for Temporary Assistance For Needy Families
(TANF), foster care
payments, subsidized guardianship, child support payments,
social security benefits or tax credits, navigating a bureaucratic maze is complex and
daunting. Each funding source has advantages and disadvantages and should be
evaluated for what best fits a grandfamily’s particular needs, according to Genera-
tions United. GAP did have a staff member assigned to the Edmund D. Edelman
Children’s Court in Monterey Park to assist grandparents establish guardianship, but
the post has not been staffed due to lack of funding. In lieu of a personal navigator,
Hoffman recommends downloading the Resource Family Approval Toolkit at kids-
alliance.org, the website of Alliance for Children’s Rights.
Many of the government-funded assistance programs require grandparents to
adopt rather than establish guardianship, which can create an additional hurdle. Judi
LeCompte will not adopt her granddaughter Gianna because her daughter refuses to
agree to it, and that means that her Social Security benefits cannot go to Gianna. This
is a source of deep worry, she says.
For Mike St. Germain, anything that compromises his daughter recovering from
her addiction, getting
back on her feet and becoming a healthy mother to Addison
is not an option. He
and wife Amber fear that if they apply for government help, the
state or federal government could seek child support payments from their daughter,
whose addiction started when she began stealing her father’s pain pills prescribed for
his back and graduated to benzodiazepines. She’s currently on probation following
incarceration for credit card theft and must test drug-free to stay out of jail. Said Ger-
main: “I tend to not want to step over that line because it will just make her position
that much more difficult.” ||||
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arroyo
~HOME SALES INDEX~
HOME SALES June June
2017 2018
-1.69%
AVG. PRICE/SQ. FT.
0.69%
525
HOMES
SOLD
ALHAMBRA JUNE’17 JUNE’18
Homes Sold 48 39
Median Price $667,000 $680,000
Median Sq. Ft. 1607 1347
ALTADENA JUNE’17 JUNE’18
Homes Sold 46 41
Median Price $792,500 $760,000
Median Sq. Ft. 1696 1507
ARCADIA JUNE’17 JUNE’18
Homes Sold 39 35
Median Price $968,000 $1,032,000
Median Sq. Ft. 1859 1675
EAGLE ROCK JUNE’17 JUNE’18
Homes Sold 25 14
Median Price $815,000 $931,250
Median Sq. Ft. 1152 1384
GLENDALE JUNE’17 JUNE’18
Homes Sold 118 96
Median Price $801,000 $830,000
Median Sq. Ft. 1567 1520
LA CAÑADA JUNE’17 JUNE’18
Homes Sold 32 27
Median Price $1,837,500 $1,701,500
Median Sq. Ft. 2725 1540
PASADENA JUNE’17 JUNE’18
Homes Sold 168 148
Median Price $819,500 $1,701,500
Median Sq. Ft. 1491 1540
SAN MARINO JUNE’17 JUNE’18
Homes Sold 12 9
Median Price $2,546,000 $1,930,000
Median Sq. Ft. 2785 2163
SIERRA MADRE JUNE’17 JUNE’18
Homes Sold 15 8
Median Price $975,000 $1,434,000
Median Sq. Ft. 1761 2163
SOUTH PASADENA JUNE’17 JUNE’18
Homes Sold 22 19
Median Price $1,070,000 $1,430,000
Median Sq. Ft. 1694 1917
TOTAL JUNE’17 JUNE’18
Homes Sold 525 436
Avg Price/Sq. Ft. $585 $1,893
436HOMES
SOLD
HOME SALES ABOVE $1,000,000
RECENT HOME CLOSINGS IN THE PASADENA WEEKLY FOOTPRINT
source: CalREsource
ADDRESS CLOSE DATE PRICE BDRMS. SQ. FT. YR. BUILT PREV. PRICE PREV. SOLD
ALHAMBRA
236 West Main Street 06/01/18 $4,900,000 0 1750 1921
829 North Monterey Street #A 06/25/18 $1,710,000 9 4240 1970 $1,270,000 10/01/2015
711 South Palm Avenue 06/04/18 $1,392,500 0 17160 1984 $288,000 03/30/1984
815 North Story Place 06/06/18 $1,149,000 3 2000 1948 $506,500 06/03/2002
930 North Bushnell Avenue 06/12/18 $1,100,000 5 1952 1909 $670,000 03/04/2005
ALTADENA
2101 Midlothian Drive 06/25/18 $3,425,500 4 5558 1931 $3,257,000 10/28/2014
664 East Sacramento Street 06/05/18 $1,800,000 7 3552 1924 $425,000 08/08/2001
1340 East Altadena Drive 06/08/18 $1,776,000 4 4012 1989 $1,460,000 07/28/2006
2010 Mendocino Lane 06/19/18 $1,650,000 3 2896 1967
822 West Gabrielino Court 06/25/18 $1,530,000 4 3662 1997 $1,300,000 02/03/2016
1275 New York Drive 06/11/18 $1,508,000 4 2721 1921
1277 Boston Street 06/14/18 $1,375,000 6 3310 1919 $532,000 06/02/2016
1411 East Altadena Drive 06/22/18 $1,282,000 3 1845 1959 $425,000 04/17/2000
55 West Altadena Drive 06/25/18 $1,200,000 4 2603 1910 $800,000 09/30/2013
819 Morada Place 06/06/18 $1,180,000 5 2102 1952 $525,000 10/10/2014
2175 North Altadena Drive 06/18/18 $1,180,000 3 2361 1939 $915,000 03/05/2013
1248 East Mendocino Street 06/12/18 $1,125,000 3 2005 1955 $690,000 02/22/2010
ARCADIA
1415 Oaklawn Road 06/18/18 $5,200,000 5 6381 2014 $5,350,000 12/04/2015
640 Arbolada Drive 06/22/18 $4,250,000 0 0 $1,900,000 01/15/2014
288 North Santa Anita Avenue 06/05/18 $3,000,000 0 0
1104 Rancho Road 06/01/18 $2,680,000 3 2871 1957 $1,850,000 02/26/2007
1757 El Vista Circle 06/01/18 $1,680,000 3 1436 1951 $1,080,000 05/25/2017
1621 South 6th Avenue 06/26/18 $1,670,000 8 2739 1934 $455,000 10/16/1998
1106 Junefl ower Avenue 06/08/18 $1,600,000 5 3783 1999 $675,000 06/22/2001
37 Sierra Madre Boulevard 06/05/18 $1,568,000 3 2890 1950 $1,025,000 11/18/2005
2177 Highland Vista Drive 06/08/18 $1,360,000 4 2521 1961 $1,350,000 07/28/2015
1024 Don Alvarado Street 06/28/18 $1,276,000 5 3118 1969
150 Alice Street #A 06/12/18 $1,200,000 3 2480 2010 $790,000 12/28/2010
1110 South 6th Avenue 06/05/18 $1,180,000 2 2319 1948 $390,000 08/23/2001
1700 Watson Drive 06/07/18 $1,060,000 3 1280 1951
1742 El Vista Circle 06/26/18 $1,032,000 2 1378 1951
EAGLE ROCK
1727 Hill Drive 06/26/18 $2,078,000 5 3417 1937 $1,600,000 09/30/2016
4912 Neola Place 06/04/18 $1,825,000 2 1384 1950 $900,000 05/19/2017
4912 Neola Place 06/04/18 $1,825,000 2 1384 1950 $900,000 05/19/2017
1156 Oak Grove Drive 06/20/18 $1,465,000 7 3394 1923 $1,110,000 07/24/2007
4963 Sierra Villa Drive 06/29/18 $1,150,000 3 1712 1919 $720,000 10/20/2016
GLENDALE
3220 Menlo Drive 06/06/18 $1,994,000 4 3094 1956 $876,000 11/12/2010
928 Chudleigh Lane 06/07/18 $1,825,000 7 4293 1965 $1,644,000 12/30/2016
722 West Kenneth Road 06/01/18 $1,725,000 4 3142 1922
2427 Flintridge Drive 06/07/18 $1,674,500 5 4000 1979
1734 Hillside Drive 06/06/18 $1,600,000 7 3320 1929 $1,782,000 04/17/2018
2065 West Mountain Street 06/15/18 $1,550,000 2 2418 1960 $875,000 05/13/2003
1559 Grandview Avenue 06/19/18 $1,525,000 5 2984 1926 $970,000 01/18/2011
2055 Eleanore Drive 06/28/18 $1,411,500 8 3596 1965
924 Calle Canta 06/25/18 $1,399,500 5 3272 1994
1011 Calle Azul 06/18/18 $1,395,000 3 3074 1989 $1,200,000 02/28/2006
3820 Santa Carlotta Street 06/06/18 $1,361,000 4 2787 1962 $859,000 10/15/2010
1633 Santa Barbara Avenue 06/22/18 $1,350,000 2 2467 1925 $793,000 05/30/2003
1755 Rohr Street 06/14/18 $1,325,000 6 3333 1977 $850,000 05/07/2015
3401 Oakmont View Drive 06/18/18 $1,290,000 4 4672 1985 $124,950 04/13/1984
1630 Puebla Drive 06/06/18 $1,275,000 4 2423 1959 $1,095,000 10/23/2014
1630 Puebla Drive 06/06/18 $1,275,000 4 2423 1959 $1,095,000 10/23/2014
3149 Dragonfl y Street 06/22/18 $1,255,500 4 3070 1986 $929,000 03/03/2005
3745 San Augustine Drive 06/12/18 $1,237,000 4 2123 1968 $365,000 09/24/1997
3609 Fullmoon Drive 06/07/18 $1,170,000 3 2080 1973
1216 Oak Circle Drive 06/22/18 $1,160,000 3 1503 1949 $790,000 04/22/2005
1315 Cordova Avenue 06/11/18 $1,150,000 3 2259 1926
2230 Chevy Oaks Circle 06/15/18 $1,130,000 3 2036 1965 $735,000 08/31/2010
1610 Cleveland Road 06/25/18 $1,115,000 3 1858 1932 $511,000 02/26/2002
1434 Lee Drive 06/14/18 $1,100,000 2 1829 1939 $692,000 09/30/2008
2455 Delisle Court 06/22/18 $1,100,000 3 2460 1963 $245,000 07/02/1986
1239 Vista Superba Street 06/14/18 $1,059,500 3 2124 1958 $550,000 01/12/2010
2328 Del Mar Road 06/04/18 $1,050,000 3 2253 1930
1207 Tyler Street 06/12/18 $1,050,000 3 2354 1954 $765,000 05/22/2014
The Arroyo Home Sales Index is calculated from residential home sales in Pasadena and the surrounding communities of South Pasadena, San Marino, La Canada Flintridge, Eagle Rock, Glendale (including Montrose), Altadena, Sierra
Madre, Arcadia and Alhambra. Individual home sales data provided by CalREsource. Arroyo Home Sales Index © Arroyo 2018. Complete home sales listings appear each week in Pasadena Weekly.
22 | ARROYO | 08.18

ADDRESS CLOSE DATE PRICE BDRMS. SQ. FT. YR. BUILT PREV. PRICE PREV. SOLD
GLENDALE
2568 St. Andrews Drive 06/12/18 $1,050,000 3 1964 1962 $829,000 02/15/2018
3448 Las Palmas Avenue 06/21/18 $1,050,000 2 1429 1926 $695,000 11/14/2014
1143 North Howard Street 06/12/18 $1,015,000 3 1670 1927 $110,000 01/12/1983
318 East Mountain Street 06/22/18 $1,000,000 2 916 1921 $200,000 06/07/2005
LA CAÑADA
800 Inverness Drive 06/12/18 $4,188,000 5 6353 1983 $173,000 07/27/1983
502 Dartmouth Place 06/11/18 $3,299,000 4 4552 1986 $3,495,000 08/22/2006
4054 Forest Hill Drive 06/08/18 $2,900,000 6 3608 1954 $1,700,000 06/30/2010
4321 Bel Aire Drive 06/21/18 $2,650,000 2 927 1925 $873,000 02/13/2015
1428 Hacienda Drive 06/04/18 $2,405,000 4 3637 1965 $1,626,000 06/28/2007
2015 Tondolea Lane 06/05/18 $2,275,000 4 3639 2005 $1,977,000 08/14/2007
2094 Via Venado Street 06/07/18 $2,180,000 4 3448 1997
4359 Fairlawn Drive 06/15/18 $2,025,000 4 2973 1955 $540,000 11/04/1991
4734 Alminar Avenue 06/07/18 $2,010,000 4 2577 2001 $1,630,000 07/17/2007
4932 Viro Road 06/15/18 $1,950,000 4 2317 1950 $977,500 08/01/2003
4714 Hayman Avenue 06/01/18 $1,806,000 4 2218 1959 $1,805,455 06/01/2018
5721 Summit Crest Drive 06/07/18 $1,701,500 3 2381 1965 $467,500 02/12/1993
4800 Hampton Road 06/05/18 $1,700,000 3 1972 1939 $1,310,000 07/15/2015
661 Inverness Drive 06/04/18 $1,600,000 3 1850 1951
5741 Summit Crest Drive 06/25/18 $1,485,000 3 2622 1966 $588,000 02/15/2000
4527 Commonwealth Avenue 06/15/18 $1,185,000 3 1400 1950 $421,000 08/13/1998
4508 La Granada Way 06/05/18 $1,175,000 3 1541 1974 $875,000 04/11/2006
4508 La Granada Way 06/05/18 $1,175,000 3 1541 1974 $875,000 04/11/2006
1224 Journeys End Drive 06/29/18 $1,100,000 4 3112 1949 $1,100,000 06/29/2018
2072 Hilldale Drive 06/06/18 $1,090,000 3 1865 1948 $725,000 02/16/2016
4513 Palm Drive 06/22/18 $1,051,500 3 1548 1955 $675,000 12/16/2003
4534 Leland Place 06/15/18 $1,010,000 2 1293 1940 $265,000 07/31/1998
4409 Wyncrest Way 06/18/18 $1,000,000 3 1504 1962
PASADENA
835 Linda Vista Avenue 06/06/18 $5,000,000 7 5677 2016 $1,658,500 10/25/2013
3544 Lombardy Road 06/05/18 $4,525,000 4 4631 1949
1053 South San Rafael Avenue 06/07/18 $4,100,000 2 6907 1991 $2,193,500 10/17/2013
1233 Wentworth Avenue 06/12/18 $3,552,000 4 6319 1917 $4,239,500 06/27/2014
1265 Hillcrest Avenue 06/15/18 $3,225,000 5 3324 1925 $2,450,000 08/01/2011
810 Fairfi eld Circle 06/14/18 $3,100,000 3 3131 1959 $2,400,000 12/17/2013
555 Fillmore Street 06/25/18 $2,661,000 4 4600 1914 $2,450,000 10/23/2015
615 Prospect Boulevard 06/13/18 $2,500,000 5 2994 1911
345 East Colorado Blvd. #506 06/01/18 $2,300,000 3 3560 2007
1361 Ontario Avenue 06/14/18 $2,100,000 0 0 $576,000 06/01/2016
467 South El Molino Avenue 06/05/18 $2,010,000 5 4004 1946
423 Lakeview Road 06/08/18 $1,950,000 6 4224 1976 $985,000 06/21/2002
103 North Catalina Avenue 06/05/18 $1,775,000 9 3270 1925 $880,000 03/28/2003
1345 Court Terrace 06/08/18 $1,770,000 4 4314 1978 $1,393,636 07/31/2015
176 North Michigan Avenue 06/01/18 $1,712,500 9 3506 1898 $1,190,000 09/30/2016
577 Bradford Street 06/05/18 $1,670,000 3 2210 1953 $690,000 10/10/2000
1279 North Garfi eld Avenue #12 06/13/18 $1,600,000 11 5780 1890 $1,397,000 08/29/2017
1675 Knollwood Drive 06/06/18 $1,550,000 3 2295 1955 $425,000 12/13/1990
ADDRESS CLOSE DATE PRICE BDRMS. SQ. FT. YR. BUILT PREV. PRICE PREV. SOLD
PASADENA
988 North Holliston Avenue 06/25/18 $1,500,000 3 2323 1916 $945,000 10/31/2008
1155 Linda Vista Avenue 06/28/18 $1,450,000 2 1402 1910 $1,249,000 04/21/2017
1597 La Loma Road 06/08/18 $1,331,000 3 2471 1947 $1,265,500 10/07/2016
448 Laguna Road 06/13/18 $1,315,000 3 1764 1931
2277 East Orange Grove Blvd. 06/12/18 $1,265,000 4 2526 1927 $720,000 06/22/2010
872 Victoria Drive 06/22/18 $1,255,000 3 2177 1928 $810,000 05/20/2014
733 West Washington Boulevard 06/26/18 $1,250,000 4 1960 1978 $690,000 06/17/2013
77 West Glenarm Street 06/01/18 $1,250,000 4 2160 1928 $980,000 08/28/2014
3180 East California Boulevard 06/08/18 $1,250,000 3 1932 1952
1 South Orange Grove Boulevard #12 06/01/18 $1,239,000 2 1760 1980 $1,000,000 09/18/2015
3175 Sunnyslope Boulevard 06/08/18 $1,220,000 2 1527 1952
3323 Barhite Street 06/01/18 $1,215,000 5 2715 1952 $290,000 09/30/1983
2115 Paloma Street 06/15/18 $1,185,000 3 1934 1927 $690,000 09/17/2004
1634 Oakdale Street 06/22/18 $1,175,000 2 1466 1955 $284,500 02/15/1994
191 South Berkeley Avenue 06/05/18 $1,134,000 3 1764 1922 $675,000 08/10/2006
2001 Santa Rosa Avenue 06/12/18 $1,125,000 3 2426 2005 $212,000 10/01/2002
821 East Howard Street 06/12/18 $1,110,000 4 1568 1929 $360,000 02/28/2001
1105 Bell Street 06/28/18 $1,105,000 4 1692 1904 $749,000 10/19/2007
3600 Landfair Road 06/05/18 $1,100,000 4 2121 1951
595 Mercedes Avenue 06/11/18 $1,050,000 2 1613 1938
1508 South Marengo Avenue 06/01/18 $1,025,000 4 1756 1958 $859,000 02/24/2011
539 North Los Robles Avenue 06/11/18 $1,011,500 4 2448 1908 $965,000 01/08/2015
20 West State Street 06/07/18 $1,000,000 4 2192 1941 $220,000 11/17/1995
SAN MARINO
1480 Old Mill Road 06/11/18 $4,388,000 5 5398 1928 $255,000 08/08/1975
1660 Oak Grove Avenue 06/15/18 $3,900,000 5 3508 1926 $4,050,000 12/07/2016
1735 Chelsea Road 06/15/18 $3,030,000 4 3192 1931 $2,888,000 07/28/2017
2640 Melville Drive 06/01/18 $1,930,000 4 1996 1940 $1,250,000 07/12/2011
2310 Brentford Road 06/13/18 $1,870,000 4 2048 1939 $575,000 06/01/2001
1954 Endicott Road 06/08/18 $1,750,000 3 1750 1942 $1,050,000 01/25/2007
2600 East California Boulevard 06/14/18 $1,720,000 2 2163 1955 $1,720,000 10/19/2016
2830 Somerset Place 06/05/18 $1,700,000 4 2311 1942 $1,650,000 11/08/2013
SIERRA MADRE
2225 Santa Anita Avenue 06/01/18 $1,800,000 3 2290 1935 $1,600,000 07/28/2016
580 North Hermosa Avenue 06/19/18 $1,600,000 2 2002 1949
463 Auburn Avenue 06/22/18 $1,568,000 3 3271 2005 $1,498,000 09/05/2006
270 Grove Street 06/28/18 $1,300,000 2 1957 2009 $960,000 03/14/2014
SOUTH PASADENA
2050 Ashbourne Drive 06/18/18 $5,100,000 6 5282 1927
801 Montrose Avenue 06/01/18 $1,880,000 4 1840 1930
602 Indiana Place 06/15/18 $1,705,000 5 2798 1978 $174,500 06/28/1979
1655 Indiana Avenue 06/08/18 $1,685,000 4 2287 1964
1645 Huntington Drive 06/07/18 $1,650,000 8 4070 1908 $294,000 12/29/1987
549 Camino Verde 06/08/18 $1,650,000 3 2345 1969
1011 Garfi eld Avenue 06/12/18 $1,549,000 3 1640 1932
1635 Via Del Rey 06/04/18 $1,430,000 5 2878 1964 $1,430,000 03/17/2016
921 Indiana Avenue 06/08/18 $1,325,000 3 1612 1908
1147 Pine Street #A 06/21/18 $1,135,000 3 1819 1988 $709,000 06/28/2013
08.18 ARROYO | 23

ARROYO
HOME & DESIGN
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
POOL SAFETY HAS LOW AND
HIGH TECH SOLUTIONS
Summer is a dangerous time for young swimmers. Here are a few tools that may help
BY BRUCE HARING
–continued on page 26
24 | ARROYO | 08.18

08.18 | ARROYO | 25

—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT—
–continued from page 24
Let’s call this family the Browns. They had a backyard above-ground pool and
thought that they had it perfectly sheltered from any unauthorized access. They
had a fence around their yard, and a high fence around the pool. They also had a
child-proof step-lock on the ladder into the pool.
One Tuesday, Darryl Brown got off early from work, and went into his backyard
to pick up a tool that he had left out there. Imagine his horror when he saw
the three-year-old child from next door perched on top of the pool ladder, shakily
wavering toward the water.
Fortunately, Darryl managed to grab the wayward child before something terrible
happened. But then he realized, even with all the protections in place around
the yard, their safety defenses were still defeated. And if he had been delayed
by even 10 minutes - stuck in traffic, stopped for something on the way home,
dropped off a friend - there may have been a tragedy.
The Browns, whose name has been changed, are my relatives. This incident
actually happened, and it was only through good fortune that a happy ending
resulted. Despite the best of intentions and positive actions, a determined threeyear-old
child had defeated the best-laid plans, managing to escape his own
yard, climb two fences and a ladder, and was ready to make a tragic mistake..
The American Red Cross reports that more than 200 young children drown in
backyard swimming pools each year. In the years 2001-200, the Center for Disease
Control reported 775 children ages 14 and under died from drowning, making it the
second-leading cause of injury-related deaths for that segment.
Children ages 1-4 are most susceptible to backyard pool drownings, according
to the CDC statistics (older children are more susceptible to natural bodies of
water like lakes or oceans).
–continued on page 28
26 | ARROYO | 08.18

08.18 | ARROYO | 27

—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT—
–continued from page 26
Of those home pool deaths, 65 percent occurred at the child’s own home,
and it’s also worth noting that most of the toddlers were last seen in the home, had
been out of sight less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents
at the time. More than two-thirds (69 percent) were not expected to be in or at the
pool.
But even one such death is too many.
THE STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
Most homeowners are smart enough to take the standard precautions. This
includes securing barriers around their pool, including fences that have a self-closing,
self-latching gate. Some cities and counties mandate fences.
Good fences are the main layer of protection around a pool, and it’s recommended
that four-sided fences rather than three are installed. Most counties
recommend a four-sided fence at least 48-inches tall with slats no wider than 3-4
inches.
It’s also recommended that a safety cover be placed over the pool or the hot
tub when not in use, and that ladders or other access tools be taken away from
easy access. There are more elaborate safety features available as well, including
domed pool covers and enclosures that resemble a greenhouse that can be
placed around the pool, further restricting access.
Of course, active supervision is recommended, including never allowing
anyone to swim alone and staying in arm’s reach of children. A life jacket is also
recommended for those who have not had swimming lessons. Yet it only takes a
few moments for things to go bad - a distraction or moment of inattention that will
forever haunt the person in charge.
Fortunately, technology is helping families make safe environments even safer,
devising ways to keep unknowing children away from the drowning danger and
help parents stay aware of what’s going on in their space.
TECH AND NON-TECH DEVICES
Alarms are a parent’s best friend when it comes to the pools. As anyone with
a child knows, they have a way of ghosting away within seconds, and in a situation
where access to a pool is easy, that means trouble. There is also a trend in the swimming
pool industry toward darker-colored tiling, which may make it more difficult to
see a child if they slip under the water.
Experts recommend a series of alarms. First, have one installed on the gate
surrounding the pool, using a code that is needed in order to unlock. It would also
help to have a rigid, power safety cover over the pool, a way to ensure that access
to the water is denied without the proper authorization, thereby eliminating temptation
and potential tragedy.
For extra precautions, safety experts recommend an underwater motion swimming
pool alarm. As the name suggests, this attaches to the side of the pool and
detects motion under the water, rather than surface movement, which can be trig-
28 | ARROYO | 08.18

—ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT—
gered by wind moving the water.
A unique new touch to the alarm system is an alarm that attaches to a child’s
wrist in a manner akin to a wristwatch. These sound an alarm if the wristband gets
wet, or if the band has been underwater for a few seconds.
One final key element to pool safety is to have all the tools you will need at the
pool location. A first aid kit is among the most basic necessities, as having one on
the scene will prevent having to go into the house and potentially abandon your
supervision for the time it will take to retrieve it.
Life jackets and floatation devices should also be close at hand, particularly if
you have novice swimmers. Keeping kids afloat is a priority, and although your child
may not like them, consider it part of your safety duty to enforce it, much like wearing
a seatbelt in the car.
Some home pool owner locations even have a spine board, particularly useful
if you have a diving board and will need to carry someone out of the area; and
what’s known as a Shepherd’s Crook, a long pole that can be extended toward
those floundering in the water in order to pull them to safety without entering the
water.
An extra precaution are swimming pool rope float dividers. These will help visitors
and inexperienced swimmers know where the shallow part of the pool ends and
the deep part begins.
All of the above are good starts. But ultimately, the one safety device that everyone
needs is an attention span. It’s hard to maintain on a lazy summer day, but it’s
a necessary part of being a lifeguard at your own pool. Keeping a close eye out for
problems is the best defense to making sure they never happen. ||||
08.18 | ARROYO | 29

30 | ARROYO | 08.18

READ
ON!
Ideas for Middle Grade Readers and
Their Parents
BY ILSA SETZIOL
When my son was a tot, I delighted in reading to him from my favorite picture
books — Frog & Toad! Stuart Little! — and zealously sought out new titles for
us both to enjoy. Even when he could read without my help, I spent a lot of
time scoping out books for him. But I knew less about what he was actually reading.
Then along came Harry. My son devoured the Potter books and was eager to discuss
them. My husband and I wanted to know what the hoopla was all about, so we headed to
Hogwarts ourselves. Our 9-year-old would beg us to catch up — but not read ahead of
him.
Thus was launched an explosion of middle-grade book reading in our house. We all
read Rick Riordan’s The Red Pyramid, then we split off, the boys reading the action/adventure
titles, mom and son discussing realistic fiction.
For too many kids, reading for fun drops off in the tween years, says my colleague
Kitty Felde, host of the Book Club for Kids podcast, which I produce. “Middle school is the
battleground where we lose readers,” she says, “so if we can hook them there, we’ve got
them for life.”
–continued on page 33
08.18 | ARROYO | 31

32 | ARROYO | 08.18

Mr. Waffles with
author Stuart Gibbs
Mr. Waffles and his friends Vivien and Luna
–continued from page 31
PHOTOS: Ilsa Setziol
In school, young children first learn to read, but as they get older they read to learn.
The more your child reads, the more fluent he becomes, so, dear Reader, I offer some
suggestions:
READERS IN CHIEF
The best thing you can do to support your child is read yourself. “If you’re a reader
and you are talking about how fabulous it is,” says Carrie Ann Johnson, reading specialist
and adjunct professor at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, “that really sets the
tone for the household, especially if you have both parents as readers.” She adds that
it’s also important to tell kids about your experiences not liking a book: “Then reluctant t
readers get the idea that it could just be the book, it’s not just me.”
Parents frequently run on empty, and reading middle-grade and young-adult (Y.A.)
novels yourself is an energy-efficient strategy. Plus, there’s a lot of writing talent here,
including Linda Sue Park, Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Applegate, Kwame Alexander
and Avi. Granted, you will find some of your kid’s favorites insufferable, but you’ll get a
better sense of her interests and gain insight into the minds of tweens and teens.
To find the good stuff, I scour The New York Times Book Review, two bookstores
— Vroman’s in Pasadena and Once Upon A Time in Montrose — online lists of
funny middle grade books and the library. I also listen to the recommendations of kids
featured on the reading podcast at BookClubforKids.org, and I charmingly (embarrassingly)
interrogate my kid’s friends.
When a book seems like it might interest my kid — let’s call him by his podcasting
handle, Mr. Waffles — I’ll dive in. If I like it, I’ll keep reading and recommend it to
Waffles. Many books are rejected: too scary, too mature, not interesting. I don’t finish
most of them, but usually I’ve read enough to pass some on with a comment such as:
“You might like this, it’s about a dragon whose best friend is a mouse.”
SO MANY BOOKS
Johnson says the financial success of J.K Rowling’s books prompted publishers to
invest in middle grade and Y.A. books: “So there is a plethora of material — the variety
is immense.”
Mr. Waffles enjoys a wide range of books, although mostly fiction. His favorite
genres are fantasy, animal stories, realistic fiction and some historical fiction. Other
kids, however, are tougher customers. “This is why you need to be an expert in the
market, so you will have the knowledge to pull the book that will be perfect for your
child,” Johnson says.
You can also outsource — librarians are eager to help. “Our goal is to match your
child with books they enjoy,” says Katherine Loeser, head of the Glendale Library
Children’s Department. “It’s not that you are ever interrupting us, we are just keeping
busy until you come and see us.”
Fantasy is an especially popular genre these days. But some of these books can be
intense — loaded with conflict and violence, so you might want to review them first.
Don’t shy away from historical fiction, though: You’ll learn something you can discuss
with your kid.
Mr. Waffles especially appreciates well-written funny books. Authors we recommend:
Richard Peck, Stuart Gibbs, Gordan Korman, Jennifer Holm and Jack Gantos.
Which reminds me, just because your kid can read a book targeted at older kids
doesn’t mean she should. In particular, so-called high-low books are designed for older
kids who aren’t strong readers. They’re a good choice for reluctant readers, but can be
too mature for younger kids.
And while I’m at it, please don’t assume your child will only enjoy books about kids
like himself. The popularity of R.J. Palacio’s Wonder shows us that kids appreciate stories
that find the common humanity among diverse people. Mr. Waffles loves the young
reader’s edition of Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai’s autobiography, I Am Malala, as
well as William Kamkwamba’s autobiographical The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.
IT’S ALL GOOD
Another hot genre is the graphic novel. Just because it’s popular with reluctant
readers doesn’t mean it’s for dummies. In addition to great art, many graphic novels use
sophisticated vocabulary and cover complex topics. Also, the pictures help readers interpret
the text. Johnson says studies have shown that kids who love graphic novels often
become superior readers in the long run. “So it’s actually an excellent choice,” she says.
Now that you’ll be auditioning a lot of books, I’ve got a few financial tips. One, the
Pasadena Public Library will transfer books from any Pasadena or Glendale library to
your nearest branch, no charge. Two, ThriftBooks.com has a giant selection of used
books for around $4 apiece. (But please frequent your local bookstore; there’s no substitute
for the advice you’ll get there.) Three, swap books with friends.
–continued on page 34
08.18 | ARROYO | 33

Carrie Johnson with her brood
–continued from page 33
READING LEVELS
While a reading level can help you identify a book that’s in the ballpark, especially
for beginners, once your child is a solid reader, you need only scan the first few pages to
see if it seems right.
Insisting that your child stick to books that are challenging is a good way to kill his
enthusiasm. “The accelerated reading has taken the pleasure out of some books,” says
Loeser, referring to a system of rating books and rewarding students for reading more
difficult ones. It saddens her to watch children “who [want] a 3.5 book put it back to
find a 4.5 because they’ll get more points.”
If your child reads a lot, she’ll be exposed to a wide vocabulary, so there’s no need to
strong-arm her into reading fewer, more difficult books. “Reading specialists will argue
if the child is truly passionate about and compelled to read a book, that is the book they
should be reading,” says Johnson.
BEYOND BOOKS
Reading material is everywhere, so load your child with opportunities. Some popular
options at our house: the new monthly kids’ section in the Sunday New York Times,
Los Angeles Times Sunday comics, magazines like National Geographic Kids and Muse in
the car and newspaper articles for discussion at the dinner table (check out the website
Newsela.com).
Audiobooks! Mr. Waffles has been an ardent Audible subscriber for nine of his 11
years. He likes to revisit books he’s already read and finds some nonfiction content more
palatable in audio form. “There are amazing audiobooks out there, and there are highlevel
actors who are now [voicing] audiobooks,” Loeser says.
YET MORE TIPS
Meeting a favorite (or soon-to-be favorite) author can be inspirational for kids. Mr.
Waffles even cadged an interview for his book podcast, The Book Meese.
Loeser attributes her love of books to a mother who continued to read to her long
after she could do it herself. Johnson also endorses reading aloud to older children; she
expands the material her 11-year-old twins are exposed to by reading noteworthy books
to them.
Sometimes kids just need a little boost, so reading even the first pages of a book to
your child can help him get hooked.
Still, even voracious readers have days when they’d rather be playing video games.
So here’s my final tip: snacks. When encouragement is needed, invite your kid to join
you for popcorn while you take turns reading an exciting new book. ||||
If your child, school or library is interested in participating in the Book Club for Kids
podcast, email me at bookclubforkidsproducer@gmail.com. More information
at BookClubforKids.org. You can find Mr. Waffles’ middle-grade books podcast
(SoundCloud.com/BookMeese) in iTunes podcasts and on the RadioPublic and
KidsListen apps.
MORE BOOKS TO CHECK OUT
THE ETHAN I WAS BEFORE by ALI STANDISH. Twelve-year-old Ethan struggles
with grief and guilt in the aftermath of a tragedy. Standish beautifully balances the
pathos with lighter moments. This book offers compelling characters, a story of
friendship, and an unfolding mystery. (Learn more on Book Club for Kids, episode
64.)
I’M JUST NO GOOD AT RHYMING: AND OTHER NONSENSE FOR MISCHIE-
VOUS KIDS AND IMMATURE GROWN-UPS by CHRIS HARRIS. The title pretty
much says it all. Have your kid read some to you. When you laugh, he’ll keep at it.
THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM — 1963 by CHRISTOPHER PAUL
CURTIS. The Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan, trick out their car with a turntable
and head to Birmingham, Alabama. Although they narrowly escape a tragedy, the
book is also very funny. The Watson family will jump off the pages and into your
heart.
THE CROSSOVER by KWAME ALEXANDER. Book Club for Kids host Kitty
Felde says, “The writing certainly deserved its Newbery Medal, but I also love the
discussions the book inspired about siblings and rivalry and unexpressed love for our
brothers and sisters.” (Book Club for Kids, episode 2)
ONE CRAZY SUMMER by RITA WILLIAMS GARCIA. Eleven-year-old Delphine
and her sisters travel to California, where they’re hoping to go to Disneyland. Instead,
their mom enrolls them in a camp run by the Black Panthers. “I like how this
book showed Delphine’s point of view,” says Mr. Waffles. “The author understands
what an 11-year-old would do. The book also makes you wonder what it would be
like if the story was told from Vonetta’s or Fern’s point of view.”
THE GLENDALE LIBRARY CHILDREN’S DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS: Hello,
Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly; the Track series (Ghost, etc.) by Jason Reynolds; The
Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser; When You Reach Me by Rebecca
Stead; Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass; and Roller Girl by Victoria
Jamieson.
PHOTO: Ilsa Setziol
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Altadena Children’s Center
At Altadena Children’s Center, the families of the children in our programs who range
in age from 2 months to prekindergarten fi nd programs that meet the needs of the
whole child within a developmentally appropriate framework. Our family-centered
approach helps to nurture healthy partnerships between teachers and parents as
we all work together to support the children. We are eager to help families from
diverse backgrounds to discover that Altadena Children’s Center is the best place
for their child’s early education.
Contact Director Toni Boucher at (626) 797-6142 or visit accc-kids.org.
Barnhart School
We believe that education is a lifelong comprehensive human experience; that social
and emotional learning is as important as academic learning. Accredited by the
California Association of Independent Schools and Western Association of Schools
and Colleges, Barnhart is distinguished through its focus on Early Literacy, Writers’
Workshop, the Virtues Program, conversational Spanish at all grade levels, daily PE
and a stellar middle school program where students are graduating with acceptance
to their top choice high schools. In addition to a robust and rigorous academic
base of subjects, we provide a full range of co-curricular programs including
music, art, technology, Spanish and PE. In middle school, we further extend learning
to include classes in public speaking, life skills, woodshop, theater arts, yearbook
production, student leadership and much more. Barnhart is known as a “down to
earth”, diverse community. We invite you to take a tour and talk with our parents
and students. Come meet our dedicated team of professionals, spend some time in
our community, and watch our students in action!
240 W. Colorado Blvd., Arcadia (626)446-5588 barnhartschool.org
Bishop Alemany High School
Founded in 1956, co-ed since 1970, Bishop Alemany is a beautiful, sprawling campus
with a diverse student population over 1,150. Offering a full Honors and AP curriculum,
in addition to college-prep, including Engineering, Robotics, and Biomedical
Science program. We are one of the few schools in the LA Archdiocese with the AP
Capstone distinction. We maintain the optimum blend of study and athletics, competing
in 22 different sports, many at the Division 1 level. On-site facilities include multiple
athletic fi elds and courts; a swimming pool; gym; a 3,000 sq. ft. dance studio; a
student art gallery; and, coming soon, an advanced manufacturing machine shop.
Our commitment to excellence is built upon all of this and a community of faith and
devotion to service.
11111 N. Alemany Drive, Mission Hills (818) 837-5222 alemany.org, admissions@alemany.org
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Chandler School
Chandler School is a co-educational, independent school in Pasadena serving 450
students in grades K-8. Chandler adheres to its mission to provide each student with
the highest quality and most academically-challenging education in a nurturing,
balanced and diverse environment. A Chandler education seeks to develop good
character, self-reliance and a commitment to community in students as a foundation
for academic and personal success. Chandler offers engaging classes taught
by dedicated teachers whose average length of service to Chandler is 10 years.
Chandler students benefi t from exceptional educational facilities, as well as robust
arts, athletics and after school programs, all provided on a safe campus. Chandler
families come from 48 different zip codes in the San Gabriel Valley and beyond.
(626) 795-9314 - chandlerschool.org
Clairbourn School
Founded in 1926, Clairbourn School is a top independent provider of full-spectrum
education for preschool through eighth grade students, with an experienced,
professional teaching staff. The 8-acre campus, with state-of-the-art security, is
welcoming, beautiful, and spacious, and the classrooms are equipped with the latest
educational technology. Current parent Shelley Coolidge, describes Clairbourn
as, “…a school with both a high academic standard as well as a supportive and
nurturing environment. Clairbourn emphasizes character, respect for one another,
and responsibility for one’s community, as well as giving back—qualities the leaders
of tomorrow most need. My children have thrived in this kind of school environment.
Clairbourn students are well-educated, well-spoken, well-rounded, and well-prepared
for high school.” Clairbourn is fully accredited by CAIS and WASC.
To book a tour online visit http://tinyurl.com/bookatour4me, or call admissions at
(626) 286-3108 to request an individual family tour. For more information, visit Clairbourn’s
website at clairbourn.org.
Emmaus Lutheran School
For 77 years, Emmaus Lutheran School has nurtured children from Preschool through
Eighth grade. Rigorous academic standards and Christian-based life skills produce
well-rounded students. Graduates go to universities including Johns Hopkins, MIT,
West Point, Oxford College, USC, UCLA and other UC campuses. Before and after
school care, sports, student government, fi eld trips, music, art, Spanish and technology,
with SMALL CLASSES and INDIVIDUALIZED CARE help students achieve. Several
afterschool enrichment classes available on campus. Please call to tour our campus.
Emmaus can issue form I-20 for international students wishing to study in the US
and all our teachers have training in English Language Learning including one full
time dedicated ELL teacher.
Learn more at: emmausalhambra.org or visit 840 S. Almansor St., Alhambra (626)289-3664
Flintridge Preparatory School
Find Your Home at Flintridge Prep. Located in La Cañada Flintridge, Flintridge
Preparatory School is an independent school that serves boys and girls in grades
7-12. Students attend Prep from 96 schools across greater Los Angeles. Integrated
into the liberal arts curriculum are programs that emphasize STEAM, leadership and
global perspectives. The school’s schedule encourages collaboration with a weekly
77-minute community block period. Classes are small, and the faculty-student ratio
is 8:1.Prep is ranked among the top independent schools in the region and nationally,
and our success comes from the fact that students are asked to question and
analyze concepts rather than focus on test scores. Prep faculty encourage joyful
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–continued from page 37
discovery and creative problem solving. Human development programs, activities
and athletics foster an integrated experience. Join us for our Admissions Open
House on Sunday, December 2, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
For more information, visit fl intridgeprep.org.
The Gooden School
Located in Sierra Madre, The Gooden School has been offering a strong educational
foundation using both traditional and progressive approaches since 1975.
Since its founding, The Gooden School has been committed to empowering young
people to improve the fabric of society. This is accomplished by focusing all aspects
of the school experience on the school’s core values of Respect for Self, Respect for
Others, Respect for the World. The school’s administration and faculty are committed
to knowing each child individually, meeting each child where he or she is
academically and emotionally, and offering every student chances to excel every
day, whether that success is in the classroom, onstage, or on the athletic fi eld. As an
independent Episcopal school, students are also given opportunities to grow ethically
and morally through the school’s twice a week chapel and service-learning
programs. While immersed in this supportive environment, students study not only
traditional academic subjects but each child also learns Latin and Spanish and all
students play a musical instrument.
Please join us for an open house on Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to
12:00 p.m. and Wednesday, January 16, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more
information please call (626) 355-2410 or visit our website at goodenschool.org.
High Point Academy
What makes High Point unique? Our mission is dedicated to awakening the joy of
learning and inspiring every student to reach his/her fullest potential in a collaborative
and stimulating community of caring and academic excellence. Our devoted
and talented faculty provides a strong, challenging, and enriched K-8 curriculum
that, in addition to the core academics, includes Spanish or French, vocal and
instrumental music, art, library, the latest in technology and innovation, and daily
physical education. This grounding of critical thinking and social and emotional skills
paves the way for our students entering high school with the best possible foundation.
Last year, our graduates gained entrance into local independent high schools
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and earned over $700,000 in merit scholarships. Please come and visit during our
Open House or tours this fall to see our diverse and close-knit community and be
sure to visit our website to learn more about our academic programs.
highpointacademy.org
Immaculate Heart High School & Middle School
Founded in 1906, Immaculate Heart offers beloved traditions and a distinguished
history with more than 10,000 graduates. Now in its 113th year, the Catholic, private,
college preparatory school remains committed to the intellectual and spiritual
development of young women in grades 6-12. Its campus, centrally located in the
Los Feliz foothills, welcomes students of geographic, ethnic and religious diversity.
Virtually 100 percent matriculate to college. The high school’s curriculum features 18
Advanced Placement courses, including AP Capstone, 14 honors classes, and STEM
offerings such as “Engineer Your World.” IH fi elds teams in basketball, cross country,
diving, equestrian, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & fi eld, and volleyball.
Students participate in community service, retreats and liturgies, theatre, visual arts,
and more than 30 clubs. Bus transportation serves the Pasadena area!
5515 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles (323) 461-3651 immaculateheart.org
Los Angeles Children’s Chorus
First Experiences in Singing
Los Angeles Children’s Chorus’s First Experiences in Singing (FES) classes introduce
children to joyous vocal expression appropriate for the children’s age and developmental
stage. These classes are non-auditioned, non-performing groups that
introduce six- to seven-year-old children to the fundamentals of singing. No prior
musical experience is required. LACC developed this three-level, sequential course
to impart the foundational elements of musicianship and bel canto choral technique,
while engaging the whole child in fun, interactive musical learning. Classes
prepare children for auditions for LACC’s award-winning core ensembles.
For more information, visit us at lachildrenschorus.org/fes
Pacific Oaks Children’s School
We provide a fertile place for young children’s curiosity and imagination to thrive.
Exploration and play come naturally to children and so we capitalize on that. It’s
play with a purpose. We encourage children to speak up for themselves, ask ques-
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–continued from page 39
tions, and decide—to stretch their minds and have fun learning together. Our curriculum
is “emergent,” meaning that teachers use the particular interests of children in the
class. This remains a constant feature across all our programs. Together, these create
a solid foundation for a lifetime of learning. That is why, at Pacifi c Oaks we pay close
attention to what and how we teach. We know that today’s experiences set the stage
for all that follows.
714 West California Blvd., Pasadena (626) 529-8011 pacificoakschildrensschool.org/
Pacifica Graduate
Pacifi ca Graduate Institute is an accredited graduate school offering masters and doctoral
degree programs in the traditions of depth psychology. Our educational environment
nourishes respect for cultural diversity and individual differences, and our students
have access to an impressive array of educational resources on Pacifi ca’s two campuses,
both of which are located a few miles south of Santa Barbara, California. Join us for
a One-Day Introduction to Pacifi ca’s graduate degree programs in Depth Psychology,
Humanities and Mythological Studies. The event offers prospective graduate students
a comprehensive introduction and orientation to the distinctive educational features
of the Institute. This Introduction provides an excellent opportunity to Experience Pacifi
ca’s unique interdisciplinary graduate degree programs through faculty-led, programspecifi
c information sessions and presentations, hear from Pacifi ca students and alumni
about their experiences and career outcomes, explore the grounds of the Ladera Lane
campus & learn more about the admissions process & fi nancial aid.
Saturday, August 25th from 10:00am-4:00pm. Pacifica.edu.
Pasadena Waldorf School
Early Childhood through High school
Discover why Waldorf Education looks different. See how robust and rigorous academics
and immersion in the arts work together by taking a tour. Personal and formal tours
are available throughout the year. Offering High school; grades 1-8; kindergarten; preschool;
and a Parent Child program. Full and half day schedules available for preschool
and kindergarten. Tuition range from $13,330 - $25,980. Tuition assistance is available.
Call the Admissions Office to learn more and schedule a tour. (626) 794-9564 ext. 209
San Gabriel Mission High School
Established in 1949, San Gabriel Mission High School is a Catholic parish secondary
school which commits itself to the mission of Christian Education dedicated to the Dominican
Charism of “The Search for Truth Together.” The school offers a college preparatory
program to young women of diverse backgrounds. We are a college-preparatory
Catholic high school located on the historic grounds of the San Gabriel Mission. Our
faith-driven community provides a safe environment for young women to grow as
spiritual, intellectual, creative, and athletic leaders. Our fi nancially accessible opportunities
serve a diverse and inclusive student body of local, commuter, and international
students in the Greater Los Angeles area.
254 S. Santa Anita Street, San Gabriel (626)282-3181 sgmhs.org
Stratford Schools
Stratford School provides an unparalleled education where children are inspired to be
creative problem solvers, innovators, and leaders. These 21st century qualities provide
children with the knowledge, confi dence, and ingenuity to help them excel in future
careers! Stratford’s accelerated curriculum from preschool through eighth grade
emphasizes STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) while incorporating
music, physical education, foreign language, and social skills development.
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O O S
By combining a safe and nurturing learning environment, Stratford teachers ensure a
stimulating and balanced curriculum while cultivating a child’s natural joy of learning.
Evident at all its schools is the Stratford motto, “Summa spes, summa res,” meaning
“Highest hopes, highest things.” Grades: Preschool-8th.
2046 Allen Ave., Altadena (626) 794-1000 stratfordschools.com
Walden School
Walk through the hallways and yards of Walden School and you’ll see something magical:
children of all ages and backgrounds engaged in learning. You’ll see artists at
work, writers drafting a story, musicians practicing a song, scientists verifying principles
and mathematicians solving problems. You’ll see students who respect themselves
and their environment. You’ll see active, inquisitive learners who are thriving in a safe,
community-oriented place. You’ll see teachers, parents and administrators encouraging
curiosity, nurturing talents and promoting creativity. Walden is a small environment
where big things happen: questions are posed, solutions are explored and answers are
discovered by our youngest learners to our 6th graders preparing for their next challenge
in middle school. Our forward-thinking program helps children develop the foundation
that will support them for a lifetime, understanding that we all have stewardship
for the world in which we live.
75 South San Gabriel Blvd., Pasadena (626) 792-6166 waldenschool.net. ||||
08.18 | ARROYO | 41

RENAISSANCE MAN
Led by Patrick Garcia, arts education in the Monrovia Unified School District
isn’t just an option — it’s an imperative.
BY NOELA HUESO
Patrick Garcia is a storyteller, and in telling the story of his life and how he
became the director of performing arts for the Monrovia Unified School District
(MUSD), he has a lot of great stories. It’s not lost on him how myriad things
have happened in his life that are interconnected and have led him to this point.
Because of that, his stories are rich in detail. It’s impossible for him to leave anything
out because he’s grateful for everything — even those moments that, at the time they
happened, he could have done without.
Before the district created the job of director of performing arts for the charismatic
Garcia in 2012, there were no arts programs at MUSD’s five elementary schools
because of budget cuts made in the mid-2000s. Today, thanks to his tireless efforts and
the school board’s commitment to making the arts a priority in Monrovia, there are
robust arts programs in every one of the district’s schools, from preschool through high
school, and a series of professional theatrical productions that Garcia, as producing
artistic director, presents twice a year at Monrovia High’s Louise K. Taylor Performing
Arts Center; the shows help bring revenue to the district while expanding local culture
offerings and creative learning experiences for MUSD students.
It’s a strategy that is innovative, resourceful and successful enough to serve as a
model for other cash-strapped school districts, says MUSD Superintendent Katherine
Thorossian, Ed.D., who notes that Garcia’s salary is paid partly by the district and
partly from the performing arts center’s rental revenue. “The strength of Patrick’s
strategy lies within its vision and the collaborative process he used to develop it... His
leadership plays a critical role in our success.”
The seeds for MUSD’s arts renaissance were planted in 2009, when voters approved
a multimillion-dollar bond to restore the high school and its nearly 1,700-seat performing
arts center; the 1928 building was designed by John C. Austin, the architect
behind L.A.’s City Hall, Griffith Observatory and Shrine Auditorium. The restoration,
completed in 2011, included the installation of a state-of-the-art sound system and a
new name in honor of former MUSD Superintendent Louise Taylor. Then-Superintendent
Linda Wagner “realized that there was an opportunity, if she could find the right
person, to begin looking at this performing arts center as a space that could be used for
more than just the spring musical,” Garcia says.
It turned out that Garcia, already on staff, was the right person. A former musicaltheater
performer and a passionate, lifelong lover of the arts, he had been with the
district since 1990 in various teaching and supervisory capacities before becoming
director, and he was brimming with ideas not only for the future of the performing arts
center, but for the district’s arts programs as a whole.
After Garcia assumed his director role, he met with principals, teachers, parents
and district administrators for two full days to create a five-year strategic plan to support
their joint commitment to the arts and their desire to expand the district’s arts
offerings. “Our school board and superintendent have been incredibly supportive of the
work we’re doing,” Garcia says. “I’ve been able to sit down with them and make suggestions
that have been listened to.”
Ongoing financial support for some of Garcia’s goals would have to come from outside
sources, however, so fundraising was high on the list of priorities; so was building
relationships with the community. The arts needed to reclaim their place as an integral
part of elementary school programs. That meant curricula, such as the band and strings
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Patrick Garcia
42 | ARROYO | 08.18

program, needed to be connected at every grade level so that students moving from
primary grades through middle and high school would have a cohesive learning experience.
The consensus was that the high school drama department should be expanded
and that an arts conservatory should eventually be created for the high school as well.
Garcia took the five-year plan and ran with it. He began fundraising for the professional
productions. The idea was that entertainment industry professionals, from actors
to set designers, would come together to create shows for the community. The bonus
— productions would also present learning and mentorship opportunities for high
school students accepted as crew and cast. Among the entities he reached out to was
the Boone Family Foundation, which was, and continues to be, a great supporter of
the visual and performing arts in Monrovia. When the inaugural performance of The
Music Man was announced in 2013, Nick Boone, president of The Boone Foundation
started by his late SoCal real-estate-developer father, George, shared the organization’s
mission statement: It “provides opportunities to encourage young people in
Southern California to lead creative and productive lives. The Boone Foundation
believes in excellence and strong leadership and we have put our faith and trust in
Patrick Garcia.” The philanthropic family is also memorialized in the Huntington’s
MaryLou and George Boone Gallery.
Garcia returns the compliment. “They were the first to offer their support for the
productions,” he says. “Nick Boone and the entire Boone family are wonderful people
who care deeply about providing opportunities for our students and this community.”
In the past five years, Garcia has raised roughly $600,000 for non-equity productions
of White Christmas as well as The Music Man (2013); The Wizard of Oz and Meet
Me in St. Louis (2014); Thoroughly Modern Millie and Hairspray (2015); West Side
Story and Side by Side by Sondheim (2016); and The King and I and Beauty and the Beast
(2017). The most recent production, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, took place
in July, featuring Monrovia High School actress Valeria Muñoz in an adult role and
several Monrovia elementary students in the 30-plus-member children’s chorus. This
year’s second show, slated for the holiday season, will be announced soon.
Whenever possible, Garcia likes to invite high-profile guests to join in the fun.
When they staged Meet Me in St. Louis, for instance, Garcia brought actress Margaret
O’Brien, who starred opposite Judy Garland in the 1944 film version, to speak to the
audience, meet students and sign autographs.
Monrovia residents have embraced the productions, Garcia says, because they not
only provide entertainment for the community, they help support local restaurants,
hotels and other businesses, too. “I’ve had people tell me, ‘I’m canceling my membership
to the Pantages; we’re just going to support your musicals,’” he adds.
To solicit additional financial support for the productions, Garcia took the unusual
step of throwing his first public-school gala last year, themed “Stars That Light Up the
Sky,” at Monrovia’s DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. It was attended by Monrovia Mayor
Tom Adams, Superintendent Thorossian, the school board, principals, local elected
officials and business owners. “Dream With Us,” the second gala, was held earlier this
year at the home of Monrovia residents Tony and Judy Sarsam. “It’s powerful to have
200 people who love the arts in the same room at the same time,” Garcia says. “You
can feel the energy in the room; everyone who [has] attended [knows] they were at
something very special.”
While foundations and other nonprofits often spearhead similar drives, Thorossian
says she is not aware of any school districts having such fundraisers. “The galas Patrick
throws are probably the best I’ve ever seen,” Thorossian says. “They’re filled with the
arts, music, dance…They showcase [both professional and] student performances and
everybody participates in one way or another. [Last year] board members even came
up with two of the auction items. Everybody wants it to be successful because it’s a
valuable program and it provides something more…it’s value added.”
To bolster his many initiatives, Garcia has also established ongoing relationships
with nonprofits arts organizations such as downtown L.A.’s 24th Street Theatre,
Pasadena’s lauded A Noise Within classical repertory company and The Huntington
Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens (“all places where I have wanted our
kids to experience the love and the joy of the arts,” he says). The goal is to give students
face-to-face interaction with live theater and works of art.
Monrovia High School
–continued on page 44
08.18 | ARROYO | 43

THE MAKING OF A
PUBLIC-SCHOOL IMPRESARIO
–continued from page 43
For example, the district’s Artist in Residence Masterpiece Mural Program, guided
by Garcia, selects works of visual art that are placed on display at the Huntington
and recreated on Monrovia schools’ exteriors. Then, to make that connection to the
art form even deeper, students take field trips to the Huntington to see the originals.
In the summer months, students are given passes for another visit “so that they bring
their families and show them around…then they can be the experts,” Garcia says.
He’s excited about developments at Wild Rose Elementary, which will become a
dedicated school for the arts at the start of the upcoming school year. The school will
produce two annual musical productions and the arts will be integrated into every
subject. “Connecting the arts to the [curriculum] gives the learning meaning and
depth,” Garcia says. “Wild Rose has some extremely talented teachers who have taken
this idea and are running with it. They have stepped up to be directors, music directors,
choreographers and set designers. [Teachers are] excited and reinvigorated about
bringing the arts to life [there].”
He’s proud, too, that this past year, he was able to have the formerly after-school
band and strings program incorporated into the school day at two schools so that more
students could participate. “Sometimes the students who need [the arts] the most are
the kids who can’t stay after school because they ride the bus or because their parents
don’t have the availability to pick them up,” Garcia says. “That’s not an issue anymore.”
Along the way, Garcia has developed support from such allies as the Hutto-
Patterson Foundation in San Marino, the Monrovia Schools Foundation, the L.A.
County Arts Ed Collective, the Pasadena Showcase House of the Arts, the L.A. Arts
Commission and the L.A. County Office of Education. The latter granted $25,000,
which the MUSD matched, for a new elementary choir and general music classes at
the elementary level.
While Garcia has seen some competition from the California School of the Arts,
a new charter school in Duarte — “Yes, we’ve had some families that felt that was a
good place for their children to go,” he says — he notes that he and the MUSD established
their five-year plan before the offshoot of Santa Ana’s Orange County School
of the Arts arrived in the San Gabriel Valley in 2017. “I know there have been some
families that have moved to Duarte and have been happy there,” he says, “but we’ve
also had some people who moved to Duarte and then came back to us; all we can do is
keep doing the good work that we’re doing.” ||||
Patrick Garcia’s passion for arts education comes from a very personal place. He
was the first in his family to graduate high school and go to college. Growing up in a
working-class Mexican-American family in Denver, the youngest of three children,
he knew he was different from the other neighborhood boys — they wanted to play
football, but his interests lay elsewhere. He loved to draw. He loved to write. He
begged his parents for piano lessons when he was 10 and convinced them, “against
their will,” he says, to rent a piano for him.
His parents were supportive of his artistic tendencies but pragmatic nonetheless.
To them, a career in the arts was unrealistic; for Garcia, there was no other choice.
“I once told my mother that I wanted to be a painter,” he recalls. “She said, ‘Great,
you’ll be a house painter, you’ll make money, that’s a good trade.’ And I was like, ‘No,
mom, I don’t want to be house painter, I’m talking about being an artist.’” It wasn’t
until 10th grade, he says, when he and his mom went to his high school’s spring
musical, a production of Hello, Dolly!, that everything fell into place. “These were my
people,” Garcia says. “For the first time, I realized that’s who I was.”
The following year, he performed in the spring musical production of Showboat
and there was no turning back. After high school, he graduated from Loretto
Heights College, a small liberal arts school in Denver, with a degree in music
and theater. Envisioning a career as a performer, he jumped at the opportunity to
audition for L.A.–based Princess Cruises. “They needed 14 people and I was number
317,” Garcia recalls of the audition. The odds weren’t great, but “when I got back to
Denver, the phone rang and they said, ‘Can you be here in 12 days?’”
In 1986, he moved to L.A., where he roomed with a cruise-ship coworker
who lived in Duarte, and for the next four years, he worked in the entertainment
industry. When he wasn’t on a cruise ship, he was performing in local stage
productions — Show Boat, 42nd Street, Evita, My Fair Lady, The King and I, Camelot,
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Mame among them — and booking commercials.
At a neighbor’s suggestion, he investigated becoming a substitute teacher with
MUSD, a job he could take on between gigs, and by 1990 he was teaching special
education classes with an emergency credential. Little by little, his focus shifted.
He started working toward his master’s degree at Cal State L.A. and in 1993 won
a Fulbright scholarship for a year in London, where he worked with the Royal
Shakespeare Company and BBC Radio. He taught in MUSD for the next 10 years
after that, took a two-year sabbatical and returned to the district in fall 2007.
A big motivation for Garcia is making sure children don’t feel isolated or
confused the way he did growing up. “It feels right and good to be able to provide
opportunities for these kids, to give them experiences that I know they wouldn’t
otherwise have,” he says. “It’s not about getting credit, it’s just knowing that
something is changing.”
“He really is extraordinary,” Thorossian says. “He finds a way. He’s so excited and
enthusiastic [when he brings up a new idea], you can’t help but say, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah,
let’s do that!’” — N.H.
44 | ARROYO | 08.18

Green gazpacho
KITCHEN
CONFESSIONS
Hot Enough For Ya?
WHILE FLEEING YOUR HOT KITCHEN THIS SUMMER, BE THANKFUL FOR EATERY STAFF STUCK IN THEIRS
BY LESLIE BILDERBACK
Today it was 85 degrees at 7 a.m. And the air conditioner broke last night. So
there is no way I want to cook.
Scrolling through Instagram I see images of my chef friends in their kitchens,
showcasing their beautiful breads and pastries and creative dinners, and I am reminded
of how horrendous it is to work in a professional kitchen in a heat wave. It’s right up there
with dry cleaning, construction and Caltrans sign work. No one wants to cook at home
when the weather is like this, so up-and-running restaurants are essential. I wanted to
take a minute to remind you about these steadfast workers the next time you throw in the
kitchen towel in favor of a night out in an air-conditioned restaurant.
First of all, it’s hard for anyone to look good in the heat, and your waitstaff is suffering
more than most. Hustling from table to table makes one break a sweat even in the winter,
so imagine what it’s like in August. They know that a clean, pressed waiter gets better tips
— no one wants their meal served by a sweat monkey. So when the temperature spikes,
your servers need a chance to cool their jets. In a heat wave there is no relief in the kitchen
(which, on a good night, is 15 degrees hotter than the dining room), making it unavailable
as the preferred spot to hide from customers. The only option is the back alley, which
usually smells like cigarettes and dumpster.
Not a respite.
The walk-in refrigerators and freezers shift from being the place of clandestine
rendezvous to being the de facto break room for the kitchen staff. That leads to a lot of
opening and closing of the big door, which raises the temperature and makes its primary
job (keeping food from spoiling) that much harder. I once had to make a run for dry ice in
a heat wave because even the freezer could not set my panna cotta.
Not efficient.
And any kind of baking is particularly difficult in the heat. A shiver just went up my
spine from a memory of reaching in and out of a deck oven to rotate a batch of baguettes
on a hot day. In a hot kitchen the buttercream gets runny, yeast doughs ferment too fast
and chocolate melts prematurely. Laminated doughs are particularly challenging. If you
have ever tried to make puff pastry at home, you know it’s already anxiety-inducing. Now
add volume and heat. We know y’all want your breakfast croissants, but folding layers of
butter into dough in triple-digit weather is messy at best. Each layer needs to be chilled
extra long, which makes the process longer and strains the fridge even more.
Not worth it.
By far the worst place to be in a heat wave is over the grill. Flipping burgers and patty
melts is always a hot station. It’s not like your backyard, where you get an occasional breeze
as, beer in hand, you tend to your four steaks. The grill station is a full-time job. It’s an entire
shift of blistering heat. Dunking a neckerchief in ice water offers temporary relief, but the
only real solution is to go back to school and get a degree, so you never have to do that again.
Not really always feasible.
I have never been a fan of the chef uniform, but it is extra awful in the heat. It protects
the cook from fire and grime, but unless you are the boss sporting a special summer coat
made of Egyptian cotton, it is usually long-sleeved and polyester. Even worse, uniforms are
usually communal. “Lucky” cooks work in a shop with a linen service that provides a clean
jacket every day. But in my experience, you are only really lucky if you have the early shift,
when the regular sizes are available. Afternoon workers are either floating inside an XXXL
coat or stuffed into the XS like an andouille sausage. Liberal kitchen managers allow tank
tops and shorts in a heat wave, although I wouldn't recommend it. Bare arms expose the
cooks to injury and diners to our sweat and body hair. An unappetizing thought, I know.
–continued on page 46
08.18 | ARROYO | 45

KITCHEN
CONFESSIONS
ARROYO COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH
–continued from page 45
I wore shorts in a heat wave only once. My apron was longer, so I looked pantless, and at
the end of the shift my bare legs had taken the brunt of spills.
Not a good look.
In a heat wave the ice machine is at a premium. Ice not only cools your beverage but
also chills stocks, stores fish, shocks blanched veggies and keeps your crème anglaise out
of the danger zone during service. On more than one hot night I have had to run out for
auxiliary bags of ice.
Not economical.
The heat also tends to drive pests inside. In food service, that’s a code red. Ants are
particularly ruthless and will go to any length to get to the sugar bin. (I would counsel
against ordering anything with “poppy seeds” in a heat wave. They might have legs. I
fully expect to find a line of those industrious bugs zigzagging through the kitchen every
morning during a hot spell. But insecticides wreak havoc on the palate, so I have tried
everything from chopped mint to magic ant chalk to keep them at bay. The only thing
that ever really worked was moving the sugar to the walk-in (which hogs up precious
breakroom space).
Not ideal.
There are times — many of them — when I miss restaurant life and question my
decision to retire. But not in the summer. Not in a heat wave. I understand the inclination
to dine out in this kind of weather. And you should, because these folks still need to
make a living, even when they’d rather stay home and sit in a backyard kiddie pool. But
I implore you — remember their suffering when you tip. Give ’em a little extra bump.
They’ve more than earned it, just by showing up. ||||
GREEN GAZPACHO
Everyone turns to gazpacho when considering cold soups in hot weather. But red
gazpacho brings back some unpleasant memories for me. My grandmother (not a good
cook) served it often in the summer. But her version consisted of a pack of Lawry’s taco
seasoning stirred into a can of cold Campbell’s tomato soup. As a result, I have always
searched for alternatives. This herby green version is thickened with bread like its white
cousin, ajo blanco, but has a fresher, brighter flavor. Find this and several other hot-weather
recipes in my book, Salt: The essential guide to cooking with the most important ingredient in
your kitchen (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2016).
INGREDIENTS
2 to 3 cups diced French or Italian-style
bread, crust removed
¼ cup sherry vinegar
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 cup buttermilk or sour cream
2 tomatillos, roughly chopped
½ cup chopped almonds, toasted and kept
warm
4 English or Persian cucumbers
1 large Anaheim chile, fi re-roasted
2 scallions, chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup watercress or spinach leaves
1 cup cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 ripe avocado, seeded and diced
METHOD
1. In a large bowl combine bread with sherry, lemon zest and juice, buttermilk and tomato. Set aside
for 30 minutes to soak.
2. In a blender pulverize the warm almonds as finely as you can get them. Add cucumbers, chile,
scallions, garlic and half-teaspoon salt. Pulse the blender to create a chunky purée. Add the watercress,
cilantro and spices. Continue to purée, adding cold water by the tablespoon as needed to
facilitate a smooth consistency. Pass through a fine mesh strainer, and chill for at least 30 minutes
(or overnight).
3. Before serving, purée again with avocado to create a thick soup consistency. Season again with
salt and lemon juice as needed. Pour into chilled soup bowls and garnish with chopped green onions,
a dollop of sour cream and another pinch of salt. Serve with crusty French bread.
Leslie Bilderback is a chef and cookbook author, a certified master baker and
an art history instructor. She lives in South Pasadena and teaches her techniques
online at culinarymasterclass.com.
RASPBERRY-PEACH
COCKTAIL POPS
As summer heat kicks in, a classic ice pop helps kick the heat out — not to
mention making you feel like a kid again. Spike the ice pop, and you’ll also
please the adult.
It may seem easy to make an ice pop with alcohol in it — take fruit juice, add
booze and freeze, right? Take that to a higher level. Make your DIY creation
something creative and light, and since it’s summer, fruit is of the essence. Though
there are many complex recipes in this category, we wanted something simple,
not filling, easy to make in 10 minutes with ingredients that are readily available.
The following recipe is for ice-pop sleeves that are three inches long. The prosecco
provides a hint of carbonation, while the sweetness comes from the sugared ice and
the acidity comes from the fruit itself. This drink freezes in a crystalline fashion so
it’s icy and cold, but the fruit expresses itself beautifully and the mild prosecco buoys
your mood. ||||
INGREDIENTS Raspberry layer
1 cup frozen raspberries
cup La Marca Prosecco
INGREDIENTS Peach layer
1 cup frozen peaches
cup La Marca Prosecco
STORY AND PHOTO
BY MICHAEL CERVIN
RASPBERRY-PEACH COCKTAIL POPS
7-ounce bottle Sparkling Ice Grape Raspberry
1 tablespoon sugar
7-ounce bottle Sparkling Ice Peach Nectarine
1 tablespoon sugar
METHOD
1. Purée raspberries, prosecco, Sparkling Ice Grape Raspberry and sugar in a blender. Fill each ice-pop
mold halfway. Freeze 20 minutes while you make the peach purée.
2. Purée peaches, prosecco, Sparkling Ice Peach Nectarine and sugar in a blender. Pour peach mixture
over raspberry mixture to fill molds. Freeze until firm, at least three hours.
46 | ARROYO | 08.18

A SELECTIVE PREVIEW OF UPCOMING EVENTS
COMPILED BY JOHN SOLLENBERGER
THE LIST
Try Tree Art at The
Huntington
Ongoing through
Aug. 26 — Out of the
Woods: Celebrating
Trees in Public Gardens,
a traveling exhibition of 43 contemporary
botanical artworks curated by the New
York Botanical Garden and the American
Society of Botanical Artists, continues
through Aug. 26. Weekend days from noon
to 4 p.m. feature artmaking workshops facilitated
by members of the Botanical Artists’
Guild of Southern California. Guild members
demonstrate media and art techniques,
including working with watercolor,
pen and ink, etching and graphite. Adults
and children are also guided through leafrubbing,
sketching, drawing and observing
plant structure under magnification. Free
with regular Huntington Library, Art Collections
and Botanical Gardens admission of
$29, $24 for seniors and students and $13 for
youth 4 to 11; children younger than 4 are
admitted free.
Aug. 9 — The Huntington presents a
garden talk, plant sale and tour of the
nursery, at 2:30 p.m. Visitors can pick up
tips on propagation, watering techniques
and more. Attendees receive a 20 percent
discount on plant purchases. Admission is
free; no reservations are required.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections
and Botanical Gardens is located at 1151
Oxford Rd., San Marino. Call (626) 405-2100
or visit huntington.org.
Crafts in Park
at Jackalope
Aug. 3 and 4 — The
Jackalope Indie Artisan
Fair makes its Central
Park debut as a night
market for handcrafted goods from more
than 200 curated vendors. Food and drink
are also available for purchase. Admission
to the family-friendly event is free. Hours
are 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 3 to 10 p.m.
Saturday.
Central Park is located at 275 S. Raymond
Ave., Pasadena. Visit jackalopeartfair.com.
Pasadena Pops
Fête Fab Four
Aug. 4 — The
Pasadena Pops comes
to the Arboretum for
an orchestral concert
BOSS BLUES AND MORE
AT THE ROSE
The Rose in Pasadena hosts hit makers from the distant and recent past. Doors open
at 6 p.m., and headliners start at 9 p.m.
Aug. 4 — Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes recreate their ’60s sound with hits including
“Baby, I Love You,” “Walking in the Rain,” “Be My Baby” and more. Tickets are $28
to $48.
Aug. 11 — Blues Hall of Famer Buddy Guy (above) delivers the goods with his
Chicago Blues sound, which influenced Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and
Stevie Ray Vaughan. Tickets cost $88 to $108.
Aug. 16 — R&B and rock guitarist Jonny Lang hit the scene at age 15, boasting abilities
of a more seasoned performer. Some 20 years later, he’s still selling out shows.
Tickets are $38 to $68.
Aug. 17 — Air Supply founders Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock perform “Lost
in Love,” the world’s fastest-selling single in 1980, among other tunes. Tickets cost $68
to $98.
The Rose is located at 245 E. Green St., Pasadena. Call (888) 645-5006 or visit
roseconcerts.com.
of such Beatles hits as “Can’t Buy Me
Love,” “Hey Jude,” “Here Comes the Sun”
and others. Fronting the performance
is Classical Mystery Tour, a band of four
musicians who look strikingly like the original
Beatles. Larry Blank conducts. Gates open
for picnicking at 5:30 p.m. and the concert
starts at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices start
at $25.
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic
Garden is located at 301 N. Baldwin
Ave., Arcadia. Call (626) 793-7172 or visit
pasadenasymphony-pops.org.
CatCon Comes to
Pasadena
Aug. 4 and 5 — The
Pasadena Convention
Center is the scene
of CatCon, where
popular culture and cat culture converge.
The event showcases cat-oriented merchandise,
seminars with cat experts and
adoptions from the Pasadena Humane
Society & SPCA. The convention runs from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $9 to $100.
The Pasadena Convention Center is
located at 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Visit
catconworldwide.com.
Folk Classics
Revisited at
Caltech
Aug. 4 — The
Pasadena Folk Music
Society presents a
monthly concert in Caltech’s Beckman
Institute Auditorium (not to be
confused with the larger Beckman
Auditorium nearby), featuring Mother’s
Boys (above) at 8 p.m. The relatively
new band performs music of the Carter
Family, whose most famous member was
June Carter Cash, wife of Johnny Cash.
The Carters elevated country music to
national prominence from the 1920s to
1950s. Tickets cost $20, $5 for Caltech
students and children younger than 12.
Visit bluegrasswest.com/mothers_boys.
html for information.
Beckman Institute Auditorium is located
at 400 S. Wilson Ave., Pasadena. Call
(626) 395-4652 or visit pasadenafolkmusicsociety.org.
Travel Funny – A
Book Signing
July 14 — Arroyo
Monthly contributor
and author Michael
Cervin will sign copies
of his latest comedy travel book, Santa
Barbara Know-It-All: A Guide to Everything
That Matters (Reedy Press), at Distant Lands
Bookstore from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The event is
free, the information…priceless.
Distant Lands, A Traveler’s Bookstore &
Outfitter is located at 20 S. Raymond Ave.,
Pasadena. Call (626) 449-3220 or visit www.
distantlands.com
Victory Park Puts
on The Mask
Aug. 4 — Street
Food Cinema screens
The Mask (1994) in
Pasadena’s Victory
Park at 8:30 p.m. The film is the story of
bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey), who
is transformed into a manic superhero.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and live music
by Night Market starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets
cost $6 to $22; children 5 and under are
admitted free.
Victory Park is located at 2575 Paloma St.,
Pasadena. Visit streetfoodcinema.com.
Cal Phil Salutes
Bernstein,
John Williams
All California Philharmonic
concerts are
preceded by a 1 p.m.
talk by Maestro Victor Vener, with 2 p.m.
performances at Walt Disney Concert
Hall. Tickets cost $54 to $140.
Aug. 12 — The Cal Phil lauds the centennial
of Leonard Bernstein’s birth with
–continued on page 48
08.18 | ARROYO | 47

THE LIST
–continued from page 47
“Beethoven Celebrates Bernstein’s 100th
Birthday,” a concert featuring excerpts
from West Side Story and Beethoven’s
Ninth Symphony. Featured vocalists are
tenor Orson Van Gay II, soprano Emily
Dyer Reed and bass baritone Cedric
Berry, joined by the Cal Phil Chorale.
Aug. 19 — The orchestra performs some
of John Williams’ most beloved movie
themes, including Star Wars, E.T., Raiders
of the Lost Ark, Harry Potter and others.
Featured soloists are Katia Popov, Dennis
Karmazyn, Michael Arnold, Marie Matson,
Valerie King, Loren Marsteller, Fred Greene,
Miles McAllister and Andrew Radford.
Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111
S. Grand Ave., L.A. Call (323) 850-2000 or
visit calphil.com.
Summer
Screenings at
Union Station
June 9 — Historic
Union Station in
downtown L.A. hosts a free screening of
I Am Love, featuring Academy Award–
Winning actress Tilda Swinton. Luca Guagadino
(Call Me by Your Name) directs.
The 2009 film set in Milan follows a family
through changing times and fortunes.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the film starts
at 8 p.m. An eclectic selection of food
trucks will be on hand.
Union Station is located at 800 N. Alameda
St., L.A. Visit unionstationla.com.
Ed Sheeran Rocks
the Rose Bowl
Aug. 18 — English
rocker, singer, songwriter,
guitarist, record
producer and actor
Ed Sheeran performs at the Rose Bowl at
7 p.m. The concert features music from his
latest disc, Divide, which debuted at No.
1 in the U.K. Tickets cost $39 to $125. Visit
edsheeran.com.
–continued on page 50
MAN OF LA MANCHA
MOUNTED AT A NOISE WITHIN
Aug. 16 — A Noise Within presents Man of La Mancha through Sept. 9. The hit musical,
with a book by Dale Wasserman, was originally produced in 1965 by Albert W. Selden
and Hal James, based on Cervantes’ 1600s novel Don Quixote. It takes place during
the Spanish Inquisition, focusing on a man in prison forced by other inmates to act out
parts of Don Quixote. Man of La Mancha is a story-within-a-story of Quixote’s musical
misadventures, teeming with love, chivalry and four-armed giants, morphing into a
transcendent tale of hope in a dire world. The production opens at 7:30 p.m. today
and continues at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2
p.m. Sundays through Sept. 9. Tickets start at $25.
A Noise Within is located at 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Call (626) 356-3121 or
visit anoisewithin.org.
48 | ARROYO | 08.18

08.18 | ARROYO | 49

THE LIST
–continued from page 48
The Rose Bowl Stadium is located at 1001
Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena. Call (626) 577-
3100 or visit rosebowlstadium.com.
Art Talk, Poetry at Brand Library
Free public programming is presented in
conjunction with the Brand’s current art
exhibitions: Joshua Hagler’s The River Lethe
and Elizabeth Dorbad’s Itinerant Architectures.
Aug. 18 — Allison Benis White and Vandana
Khanna read from their poetry collections,
including White’s Please Bury Me in This
and Khanna’s The Goddess Monologues,
followed by a Q&A with poet Colette
LaBoff. The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m.
Aug. 23 — Artist Joshua Hagler discusses his
work with Ignacio Valero, associate professor
of humanities and sciences at California
College of the Arts.
Brand Library and Art Center is located at
1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale. Call (818)
548-2051 or visit brandlibrary.org.
Tommy Lasorda
Fêted at Glendale
Golf Classic
Aug. 20 — L.A.
Dodgers Hall of Fame
manager Tommy Lasorda (above) is set to
receive the Celebration of Life Award at
the second annual Fred Claire Celebrity
Golf Classic at the Oakmont Country Club
in Glendale. Proceeds from this year’s
event benefit City of Hope head, neck
and thyroid cancer programs. A celebrity
will play in each foursome, followed by a
reception and dinner, with auction and
awards program included. Check-in starts
at 9 a.m., shotgun start is at 11 a.m. and a
cocktail reception at 4:30 p.m., followed by
the dinner events at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $1,250
per single player, $5,000 for a foursome;
dinner-only tickets cost $100.
Oakmont Country Club is located at 3100
Country Club Dr., Glendale. Call (626) 218-
4506 or visit fredclairegolf.com. ||||
BREAKFAST FOOD TOUR
IN ARCADIA
Aug. 25 — The Westfield Santa Anita shopping center hosts monthly food tours of
four or five eateries through early fall. This month’s experience, “Brunch Munch”
led by Michael Lin, includes samples of French toast, dim sum, eggs and more.
Guests meet at 9:30 a.m. in front of Westfield Santa Anita’s Din Tai Fung Restaurant
on Level 2, near Nordstrom. The cost is $59.
Westfield Santa Anita is located at 400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Call (626) 445-
3116 or visit westfield.com/santaanita.
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