“Local governments, responsible for the safety and well-being of their citizens, were literally left in the dark due to Southern California Edison failing to communicate accurate information about the nature and length of the massive power outage after hurricane winds,” said Cacciotti, who is also a candidate in the upcoming June primary for the new 41st California Assembly District. The district stretches through the communities of South Pasadena, Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, the San Gabriel Mountains, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, and Rancho Cucamonga. It was particularly hard hit by the hurricane force wind storm the evening of November 30th to December 1st.

“Edison should be required to develop a joint response plan with local governments and run regular practice drills to make sure residents are safe during massive and lengthy power outages, which are not unknown along the foothill area, so prone to Santa Ana winds,” said Cacciotti.

He expressed particular concern over how the utility dealt with customers who have special medical needs, such as diabetics who must maintain insulin under refrigeration to keep it from going bad.

“From what I understand, Edison did not make a sufficient effort to inform these customers of when their power would be restored or attend to their needs. California Public Utility Commission rules require utilities to communicate with their so-called medical baseline customers—often old and limited in mobility—to make sure their needs are met during extended outages,” said Cacciotti.

Cacciotti noted the great contrast in Edison’s limited attention to those with medical needs and San Diego Gas & Electric’s efforts during a massive outage in its service territory last fall.

SDG&E, he noted, sent staff to the homes of medical baseline customers to assess their situations when it could not reach them by phone.

Cacciotti said that if Edison had a plan worked out with local police and fire personne,l and communicated with them clearly, local first responders could have assisted people with medical needs.

“In fire, windstorm, and earthquake prone Southern California, we need a collaborative effort between its utilities and local agencies, with an open line of communication, because power outages are inevitable,” Cacciotti concluded. “We need to keep its residents safe.”

Cacciotti also endorsed a bill by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada-Flintridge), which calls for utility emergency response planning.

Michael Cacciotti is a Deputy Attorney General with the California Department of Justice and is currently serving his third term as Mayor of South Pasadena, where he lives with his wife, Annie, and their dog, Winston.

In 2008 at the Beijing Olympics, Jason anchored the Gold Medal-winning 4×100 Men’s Freestyle Relay, coming from behind and taking the Gold from the French. His 100 relay split (46.06) “stunned” audiences and remains the fastest relay split in history. Jason then went on to win the Gold-Medal in the 4×100 Men’s Medley Relay, securing Michael Phelps’ record 8th Gold Medal.

Jason provided insight and ways he has been able to block out distractions during meets and focus on overpowering his competitors. “Don’t psych yourself out,” stated Lezak. “Go up to the block with confidence and do your best. Go up there and think you can beat anybody.” Jason followed up with tips to improve overall performance, personal stories about his Olympic experience and the need to provide team support. “Encourage your teammates. Cheer for everyone and show support.”

“We have the largest number of qualified athletes competing in this year’s Junior Olympics and I know this can be nerve-racking for first-time competitors,” stated Jeff Julian, Head Coach, Swim. “The athletes really responded to Jason’s tips on staying focused and his push to support teammates. It was a great motivator for everyone!”

About the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center Competitive Teams The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center is dedicated to providing the finest aquatic and fitness opportunities through instruction, training and competition. There are over 17 coaches, many with Olympic competitive and coaching experience, that provide direction for over 500 kids who work out daily on the swim team, 220 on the water polo team and 80 on the dive team.

For more information about the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center Competitive Teams, email webmaster@rosebowlaquatics.org or visit www.rosebowlaquatics.org.

The Vietnamese-born Ho, who now resides in Colorado and teaches at the Denver Art Students League, is known for his poetic portraits, landscapes and still lifes, which he creates utilizing both abstraction and impressionistic brush strokes.

“Realism and abstract—it’s all the same to me,” said Ho, who will discuss both his technique and the inspiration for his artwork during the program. “The real essence of painting is the dialogue between shapes, tones, colors, textures, edges, and line,” added the artist, whose clients have included Adolph Coors Company, Safeway, the Colorado Symphony and the Chicago Symphony.

The lecture and demonstration with a live model will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Romanesque Room in the Green Hotel, located at 50 E. Green Street. The admission is $20 for California Art Club members and $25 for non-members.

This program is made possible in part by the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Pasadena Cultural Affairs Division.

For more information on the demonstration or to make a reservation, contact the Club at (626) 583-9009 or visit www.californiaartclub.org.