A Major Void
How do you describe a person who has made a major impact on so many lives and on our community? How do you describe a person who is always there to volunteer and put in whatever time and effort is required? How do you describe someone who always made you feel as though you are the most important person in this world? How do you describe someone who has put in many hours helping the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce in many, many of their labor-intensive events? How do you describe this person who was many times seen pushing very heavy tables up Ramsdell Avenue because they were borrowed from GUSD by the chamber for the annual fireworks event? How do you describe a person who attended, supported, and helped decorate so many CVCC banquets, luncheons, installations, even though never a board member?

How do you even begin to describe a person who seemed to know and be known to everyone in our community? A physical education instructor for many years at La Cañada High School, who was loved and remembered by students and faculty alike. A person who was also loved by students of Glendale Unified School District. A warm and caring person who was married to the long time principal of Crescenta Valley High School.

There is no one else who can possibly fit this description or rise to the level of the influence that she brought to all of us. We are all better people for having known her. We are all better people because of the wonderful example she set for all of us to emulate.

There are two words that can describe this amazing person:

Patricia “Pat” Biermann.

The world lost Pat on Jan. 28, 2016 after a seven-month-long illness.

Pat, you will be sorely missed. We love you.

R.I.P.
Eleanor Wacker
La Crescenta

Quality of Life Must be Considered
Soon many condos/apartments will be built on the vacant piece of property on Pennsylvania Avenue at the 210 Freeway. It is possible that more are in the planning for the property on Honolulu that was formerly Lady Jane’s. Will every piece of property in the Glendale area that does not already have a building on it be turned over to developers and construction?

More buildings, more people and people need green spaces for peace and quiet and relaxation from a busy city. The historic Rockhaven property is just waiting to become a park – a quiet refuge for the many people who live and work in the Glendale and county areas. A small plot of land with greenery and benches and tables and perhaps someday small shops in the existing buildings to enhance the experience of a restful few minutes or hours of chatting with friends, playing chess or just reading quietly. This could be possible if the city council would release some of the income they receive from the Trader Joe’s property, as was the agreement when they purchased the land.

Our city council members must consider quality of life for people and the need for green spaces and give the people of the Montrose, Verdugo City, Sparr Heights, La Crescenta, North Glendale as well as all of Glendale a park for the soul now that we have so many buildings for the body.
Marian Westerholm
La Crescenta

Is Museum a Duplicate Effort?
Regarding “Armenian (American?) Museum” [Letters, Jan. 28], there used to be a manifestly “swimmingly” valued public swimming pool right around that proposed museum spot. All ethnicities appreciated it. Armenians/Armenian-Americans did too; they no doubt would again.

Now, museum plans no doubt include areas that would be devoted to educating visitors about the Armenian Genocide. However, there are already plans in progress to build such a “Man’s Inhumanity to Man” room at the under renovation Glendale Central Library.

By the way, there is frequently afternoon weekday congestion, etc. on a good half of that main library’s public computers because one of the two computer-filled rooms is then designated as a so-called “learning center” first and foremost. But this, for some strange and unsettling reason, results in a strictly Armenian language use of many such computers during these repeated, lengthy periods of time.
Harvey Pearson
Los Feliz

Applauds Glendale Armenian American Museum
I believe Glendale will be well served by the proposed Armenian American Museum. I have attended many Armenian Genocide Commemoration events over the past several years and have been impressed at the coverage of man’s inhumanity to man in many contexts unrelated to Armenia and the widespread Armenian diaspora. In particular, last April I attended “Sharing Our Stories: Voices of Survivors” with heartbreaking life stories from survivors of the Rwandan, Bosnian, Cambodian, and anti-Jewish Nazi German genocides, as well as descendants of survivors of the Armenian Genocide 100 years ago. A basic theme throughout the panel discussion was the commonality of horror visited on innocents and the amazing ability of humans to overcome such treatment to heal.

Our local Armenian American community stood with our Korean American community in support of the statue honoring the WWII Comfort Women in Central Park. The AAM is akin to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles focusing on the Holocaust. There is a Japanese American Museum and a Korean American Museum in L.A. In addition to L.A.’s Plaza de Cultura y Artes, there are Mexican American Museums in Chicago, San Francisco, and Austin.

I like the AAM design and think it nicely mirrors the floating building aspect of our Municipal Services Building. The proposed location near Glendale Community College, which is interested in acquiring the Civic Auditorium from the city, will allow jointly sponsored events and sharing of facilities. Of course consideration should be given so that the neighbors to the west are disturbed as little as possible. Suggestions that the museum should be downtown don’t take into consideration the lack of any available land in that area. The traffic is even worse downtown than around the college. Better public transportation is sorely needed in all parts of Glendale, whether or not the museum is built where proposed.

Hopefully kind hearts will prevail and the AAM will come to fruition.
Sharon Weisman
Glendale

‘Angel’ Watched Over Errant Toddlers
I am writing to inform you of an incident that occurred recently that could have had a tragic ending were it not for the quick actions of a CV resident, Magda Neil.

Two toddlers under the age of 2 were seen walking in the middle of the street on Community and La Crescenta avenues. The longtime La Crescenta resident and grandmother of two immediately stopped her car and ran into the street to prevent them from being struck by a car just as it turned onto Community from La Crescenta. The commotion caused one of the caregivers from the Baptist church to come outside and say, “Those belong to us!”

After a lot of back and forth, it was still unclear how the two toddlers were able to walk away from their caregivers at the church. Foothill sheriffs took a report and the children were returned to the care of the center.

At this time, it is still unknown if the parents were informed of the fact that their babies were nearly killed were it not for this angel.
Dr. Tanya Chaldaris
La Crescenta

Between A Rock and A Hard Place
Recently, Glendale City Council approved preliminary plans for the proposed Armenian American Museum. It was also reported in [another newspaper] that  Glendale City Council  wants to sell the historic Glendale Civic Auditorium to Glendale College.

Why do we need to sell the historic auditorium? We need the money! The unfunded pension debt for current city retirees is $440 million.

Both entities will disrupt the serenity of the nearby communities. But the college plan would have a greater impact on the community. The college intends to install a huge four-story, 655 space parking structure topped with lighted tennis courts. Security lights would have to stay on until 11p.m. five days a week at the corner of Verdugo Road and Mountain Street. This mammoth edifice will become the light beacon for the college and neighborhood.

Most importantly, once the City sells the auditorium and surrounding parking lots to the college, the state of California will become the new property owners. Glendale citizens will no longer have input or control on how the property is used in the future. The college dream of expansion will be completed. More buildings, thousands of additional students, faculty and probably, in the future, becoming a university.

If a museum were located in Glendale there are many examples where cities, counties and states donate or lease land for a couple of dollars per year and private funds build and maintain the cultural institution.

Unlike the sale of the auditorium to the college, the proposed Armenian American Museum will be leased land from the city, built with private funds and the property will always be owned by Glendale citizens.

But let’s get to the real issue here! Why do we need to sell our historical assets to pay CALPERS?
Mike Mohill    
Glendale

Looking Out for A Little
A few days ago as I drove up New York Avenue I noticed several cars stopped in the middle of the street and in the intersection at Santa Carlotta. Drivers were leaping out of their cars and rushing to the tiny toddler who was about to step off the curb – alone. The little angel seemed determined to cross the street.

Her guardians came running and all was well. What a wonderful town!
Anne McNeill
La Crescenta