John Muir

?Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.? That quote from famed naturalist and conservationist John Muir is an example of the depth he felt for nature and open spaces. It is that essence of activism and environmental intellect that actor Lee Stetson brings to his role in the one man show, ?John Muir Is Back (And Boy, Is He Ticked Off)? that will be performed at 7 p.m. on March 22 at the Alex Theatre.

Alecia Foster Colorful costumes and traditional songs were all a part of John Muir Elementary School's Multicultural Celebration Tuesday evening. The event, which drew hundreds of parents, highlighted the varied cultures of the school's students. The celebration began last year as a way to encourage students to learn about and respect different cultures, said Vartkes Ghazarian, a sixth-grade teacher at the school. Tuesday's celebration showcased the American, Armenian, Filipino and Latino cultures.

ELKS ANNOUNCE HOOP SHOOT WINNERS The Glendale High School gym was the site for this year?s annual Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Competition, drawing boys and girls from Glendale?s elementary schools. Winners of the lodge competition were boys ages 8 to 9: Andrew Ginkel (Monte Vista), first place; Trey Ballard (Valley View), second place; and David Lewis (Dunsmore) third place. Girls ages 8 to 9: Nariseh Haratounian (John Muir), first place; Alana Hipolito (John Marshal)

Gary Moskowitz SOUTHEAST GLENDALE -- Matt Birtle, a fourth-grade teacher at John Muir Elementary School, knows that something as simple as cornmeal can teach students about history. At Muir's annual open house Thursday, Birtle and 29 of his students demonstrated for parents what native Americans would have eaten at early California missions of the late 1700s. Parents were served o7 atolef7 , a cornmeal soup, and o7 pozolef7 , a vegetable stew, at Thursday's open house.

The Glendale High School gymnasium was the site for this year’s annual Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Competition, drawing boys and girls from Glendale’s elementary schools. The contest was open to youngsters from ages 8 to 13. Winners of the lodge competition in boys, ages 8-9 were: Andrew Ginkel of Monte Vista who took first place; Trey Ballard of Valley View nabbed second place; and David Lewis from Dunsmore took third place. Girls ages 8-9 division winners were: Nariseh Haratounian of John Muir who captured first place; Alana Hipolito of John Marshal took second place; and Jessica Yzaguirre from Dunsmore was third place winner.

La Crescenta of the 1890s was a haven for the literate of the west, who were attracted to its climate and clear air. Retired professors, writers, singers and artists enjoyed the solitude of the beautiful Crescenta Valley, as did others of education and refinement in towns along the Arroyo Seco, like Altadena, Pasadena, and South Pasadena. On Monday evening, April 16 the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley will celebrate the historic role and literary accomplishments of Margaret Collier Graham, an early pioneer of this region who established a reputation as the "first literary lady of the foothills."

Actor Lee Stetson has been performing his one-man John Muir shows for visitors at Yosemite National Park since 1983 in an attempt to keep the spirit of the famous naturalist alive. For the first time this month, he will bring his performance, ?John Muir is Back (And Boy, Is He Ticked Off!),? to the Alex Theatre. Stetson continues to perform not only because he enjoys his work, but because he has recognized that Muir?s message of environmental responsibility is still pertinent today.

Alecia Foster SOUTHWEST GLENDALE -- The first day back to school for John Muir Elementary School students was a little different than in the past. "Everyone got bubbles!" said an excited Anthony Mugae, a fourth-grader at the school. His friend, Erick Boiakhtchian, chimed in: "Even the teachers were blowing bubbles!" Principal Amaly Avakian said she just wanted to do something a little exciting for the students this time around. The students at Muir were among those at nine of the district's year-round schools beginning a new session Monday.

Tim Willert DOWNTOWN -- Raysa Puig will do whatever it takes to make learning English easier, including singing, chanting and rhyming. "When you sing silly songs, it's a good way for them to get used to new words and phrases," said Puig, who teaches Limited English Proficient second-graders at Cerritos Elementary. Toll Middle School English Language Development teacher Darise Kiesendahl prefers relaxation as a teaching technique. "You want to lower their level of stress and make them feel comfortable," Kiesendahl said.

Burbank Unified School District principals returned to work on Monday to get ready for the new school year, which begins Sept. 1. Among them were Anita Schackmann, the new principal at Luther Middle School, and Heather Haug, the new assistant principal of discipline at Burbank High School. "I'm kind of old, but new," said Haug, who previously taught science to Burroughs High School students. "The district is familiar with me, I've worked with a lot of people, but Burbank High School is brand new. Meeting the staff and the new students will be the best part of the job."

Merrill R. Francis, October 1, 2012 at age 80.  Merrill was born in Humboldt, Iowa, and lived in Rochester, NY, and Kenosha, WI, before moving to California.  He graduated from John Muir high school in Pasadena. He later attended Pomona College in Claremont, where he studied Economics, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and graduated in 1954.  While in the U.S. Navy he was posted to the Naval District Headquarters, Seattle, WA, as a supply officer. Upon discharge he attended Stanford University Law School where he graduated in 1959.   He joined the firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter, and Hampton in 1959 and spent his career there, retiring in 2001.

PASADENA - There are only a few miles between Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and Muir High, but the Mustangs girls' basketball team put some distance between themselves and the Tologs on the court Thursday. The Mustangs did so at home in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA playoffs through their constant pressure defense, rebounding and balanced offense, as they defeated Sacred Heart, 65-30. That's just Muir basketball, Mustangs senior guard Shaela Flynn said.

Ken Howard, facing battery charges for allegedly slamming a teenager against a row of lockers, is receiving a show of support from John Muir High alumni, who are selling t-shirts in support of the embattled football coach. The Pasadena Star-News reported the sales are being led by Adam Conover, from the class of 2002, and Dennis Robinson, from the class of 2004. The shirts read: "#Team Coach Howard We Got Your Back. "  Howard has been on indefinite leave from his football duties following the Sept.

So this group of residents who decided to roll the dice on staying at their properties and putting their neighbors’ properties on the line as well (“In prevent defense,” Sept. 7) gave themselves a nifty name. How foolish. Since they decided to become fire and weather experts, I wonder how they would have faced their neighbors had the firemen spent time rescuing and helping these people get out at the last minute when conditions changed. After all, there were a reported dozen of these residents who would have clogged the streets with their departing cars.

A white-bearded actor with a Scottish accent bolstered excitement about environmental preservation Monday, while playing John Muir during a solo act at Muir Elementary School. Actor Lee Stetson took on the role of the Scottish-born environmentalist who helped establish Yosemite National Park as a wildlife preserve. Stetson explained that Muir was born 170 years ago in Scotland and moved to Wisconsin at 11, living with his family in a wooded area that helped foster his interest in exploring the outdoors.

?Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.? That quote from famed naturalist and conservationist John Muir is an example of the depth he felt for nature and open spaces. It is that essence of activism and environmental intellect that actor Lee Stetson brings to his role in the one man show, ?John Muir Is Back (And Boy, Is He Ticked Off)? that will be performed at 7 p.m. on March 22 at the Alex Theatre.

Actor Lee Stetson has been performing his one-man John Muir shows for visitors at Yosemite National Park since 1983 in an attempt to keep the spirit of the famous naturalist alive. For the first time this month, he will bring his performance, ?John Muir is Back (And Boy, Is He Ticked Off!),? to the Alex Theatre. Stetson continues to perform not only because he enjoys his work, but because he has recognized that Muir?s message of environmental responsibility is still pertinent today.

ELKS ANNOUNCE HOOP SHOOT WINNERS The Glendale High School gym was the site for this year?s annual Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Competition, drawing boys and girls from Glendale?s elementary schools. Winners of the lodge competition were boys ages 8 to 9: Andrew Ginkel (Monte Vista), first place; Trey Ballard (Valley View), second place; and David Lewis (Dunsmore) third place. Girls ages 8 to 9: Nariseh Haratounian (John Muir), first place; Alana Hipolito (John Marshal)

The Glendale High School gymnasium was the site for this year’s annual Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Competition, drawing boys and girls from Glendale’s elementary schools. The contest was open to youngsters from ages 8 to 13. Winners of the lodge competition in boys, ages 8-9 were: Andrew Ginkel of Monte Vista who took first place; Trey Ballard of Valley View nabbed second place; and David Lewis from Dunsmore took third place. Girls ages 8-9 division winners were: Nariseh Haratounian of John Muir who captured first place; Alana Hipolito of John Marshal took second place; and Jessica Yzaguirre from Dunsmore was third place winner.

How about Lawler for Town Council? I was surprised to read in your article (“Group questions Town Council,” Nov. 25) that there is growing discontent with the Crescenta Valley Town Council. I sure didn’t know it, nor have I ever heard of the Crescenta Valley Civic Assn. I have, however, heard of Mike Lawler of the Historical Society. I think he has done a great job revealing the history of the Crescenta Valley, and I’ve appreciated all his hard work on it. However, I don’t recall seeing Lawler’s name on the ballot at the recent election for Town Council members.