Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 22, 2011

6


Mountain Views News Saturday, January 22, 2011


SAFYMCA Kicks Off 2011 

Support Campaign For 

Financial Assistance Program

Monrovia Business Leaders Diane Balsamo and 
Julie Gentile Co-Chair Campaign

32 Minutes of Greatness

Daniel McLaurin III, author of 32 Minutes of Greatness, reveals 
the untold story of basketball triumph in an era of blatant racial discrimination. 
The author was part of a team of star athletes at Hillside 
High in Durham, North 
Carolina in the mid-1960s. 
His basketball team persevered 
in the face of racist 
coaches from other schools, 
averaged 100 points or 
more per game, and became 
the hottest ticket in town for 
basketball. Nicknamed the 
Pony Express, their inspiring 
story was featured on 
ESPN’s Outside the Lines, 
which will be shown. A 
documentary is currently 
being filmed to acknowledge 
the remarkable achievements of dedicated players. 

Meet the man who was determined to have their story heard and 
his teammates given the recognition they so richly deserve.

 Registration is encouraged. Stop by the Adult Reference Desk, 
call 626-256-8274, or visit www.monrovialibrary.org and click on 
the calendar icon on the top right of the page. Find February 16 and 
click on the event to sign up. Walk-ins welcome.

 

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 

Library Community Room 

6:30 until 7:30 p.m. 

Free 

Sponsored by Friends of the Monrovia Public Library

MONROVIA, CA, With two of Monrovia’s most active and financially 
savvy businesswomen at the helm as co-chairs, the nonprofit 
Santa Anita Family YMCA has kicked off the 2011 support campaign 
for its Financial Assistance Program. 

SAFYMCA board members Diane Balsamo, a home loan consultant 
for Bank of America and Julie Gentile, a partner in Gentile, McCloskey 
and Company, are leading the campaign to raise $160,000 
to help the Y provide programs and services for youths, teens, families 
and seniors regardless of their ability to pay full fee. Helping 
them toward the goal will be a team of 100 volunteers including 
community members, board members and staff. 

 “It is especially at times like these when many families are experiencing 
economic hardship that the programs and services of the 
Y become even more important, a lifeline to the health of the community,” 
said Balsamo. 

Gentile notes that as the need for programs and services increases 
so does the demand for scholarship assistance. “Kids are especially 
at risk. This year’s campaign theme is ‘Ensure a Brighter Future’. 
Thanks to generous donors, the Y can be counted on to provide a 
place where kids can enjoy being a kid, swim, go to camp, play a 
sport, or get help with their homework,” she said.

Last year nearly 15% of the 535 kids participating in the Y’s day 
camp and after school programs were able to participate because of 
the Financial Assistance Program. In addition, 1,850 youths participated 
in YMCA youth sports and mentoring programs and 1,170 
seniors improved their health through fitness classes and workouts 
in the wellness center.

The six week support campaign runs to March 3. Several local 
businesses, organizations and families have stepped up to support 
campaigners by sponsoring weekly pledge drop-off dinners. Sponsors 
are Gentile, McCloskey and Company, Ed Hotchkin, Caracci-
Collins & Co., Adamson Chiropractic, Jesus is Lord Christian Center, 
Mora and Gutierrez Family, and Bank of America. 

For information about contributing to the Y Financial Assistance 
Support Campaign, or to learn more about any of the programs or 
services offered by the Y, call Cheryl Reynolds at (626) 359-9244, or 
visit the website at www.ymcala.org/santaanita. The Y is located at 
501 S. Mountain Ave. in Monrovia. 

MONROVIA, CA, January 21, 2011 – Local business leaders 
Diane Balsamo and Julie Gentile are co-chairs of the 2011 Santa 
Anita Family YMCA Support Campaign for the Y’s Financial 
Assistance Program. They and a team of more than 100 campaign 
volunteers kicked off a six-week effort to raise $160,000 to help the 
Y provide programs and services for youths, teens, families and 
seniors regardless of their ability to pay full fee. 

Afternoon Movie 

Munchies For Seniors

Celebrate the New Year with “Afternoon Movie & Munchies” presented 
in the Library’s Community Room at noon on the last Friday 
of each month. On January 28, enjoy the comedy antics of Caroline 
Goodall in, My Life in Ruins. Take advantage of this free movie, 
meet new friends and look through the Library’s inventory of movies 
available for rent. This program is open to Monrovia seniors 50 
years and over. For additional information please contact the Department 
of Community Services at 626.256.8246.

Road to the Academy Awards!

Monrovia Police Blotter

Sponsored by Friends of the Monrovia Public Library

January 24– Inception

In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind 
through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final 
chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest 
job to date. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-
Levitt and Ellen 
Page, 148 minutes, 
Rated PG-13 for 
sequences of violence 
and action 
throughout.

January 31– The 
Social Network

A story about the 
founders of the 
social-networking 
website, Facebook. 
Starring Jesse 
Eisenberg, Andrew 
Garfield and Justin 
Timberlake, 120 
minutes, Rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug and alcohol 
use and language.

February 7– Winter’s Bone

An unflinching Ozark Mountain girl hacks through dangerous 
social terrain as she hunts down her drug-dealing father 
while trying to keep her family intact. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, 
John Hawkes and Garret Dillahunt, 100 minutes, Rated 
R for some drug material, language and violent content. 
Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Library Community Room

6:00, FREE

MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY

321 S. Myrtle Avenue · 626.256.8274

www.monroviapubliclibrary.org

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 512 service 
events, resulting in 117 investigations. Following are the last week’s highlighted 
issues and events:

Grand Theft from Vehicle

On January 6 at 6:51 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 700 block of 
Wildrose regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim reported that his truck was 
broken into sometime during the night. The victim had parked his truck in 
his driveway, but did not lock it. He returned to it in the morning and discovered 
the loss. Investigation continuing.

Outside Assist

Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task 
Force (LA IMPACT) - 5 Suspects Arrested. On January 6 at 1:02 p.m., an officer 
responded to the 800 block of West Duarte Road to assist LA IMPACT 
personnel on a residence check. As they arrived at the residence, a vehicle 
was exiting the garage. The vehicle was stopped. A large amount of marijuana 
was located in the vehicle. Five suspects were detained and arrested; one subject 
ran and was not located.

Vehicle Tampering - Suspects Arrested

On January 6 at 7:31 p.m., a witness reported two male juveniles seen 
checking car doors on several vehicles on Foothill near Shamrock. Officers 
responded and the two were stopped and subsequently arrested for vehicle 
tampering. The investigation determined no burglaries or thefts had occurred, 
probably because all the doors were locked. The two juveniles were 
later released to their parents with citations.

Attempt Burglary

On January 6 at 11:34 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 
700 block of East Huntington. An employee of a business reported that a 
male subject had just broken the front, glass door to an adjacent business. 
When the suspect saw the employee, he left walking west on Huntington. An 
officer responded and found the suspect at California and Huntington in a 
parking lot. When the suspect saw the police car, he fled through the parking 
lot. Containment was set up with the assistance of Arcadia police officers 
and the El Monte Police Department helicopter; however, the suspect was 
not located.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon / False Imprisonment - Suspect Arrested

On January 7 at 6:59 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 200 
block of West Olive regarding a fight in progress. When they arrived, a female 
subject exited the house and ran to the officers. Her hands had been tied 
behind her back with a belt and she was screaming for help. Her mother was 
with her and the mother’s finger had been cut. The two subjects were at the 
location visiting an aunt, who lives in the garage, which has been modified 
into a dwelling space. An argument had begun with residents in the backhouse 
as to whether or not they had a right to be there. The male resident 
from the backhouse grabbed the daughter by the hair and pulled her into his 
house, where he tied her up, then wielded a knife and slashed at the mother 
who was trying to protect her daughter. The officers arrested the suspect. An 
I.C.E. hold was placed on the subject, as he was found to be illegally in the 
United States.

Driving Under the Influence / Hit and Run Traffic Collision - Suspect 
Arrested

On January 7 at 11:41 p.m., officers responded to the report of a traffic 
collision at Alamitas, just north of Diamond. A driver struck a fire hydrant 
with his vehicle. There was no damage to the hydrant; however, there was 
extensive damage to the vehicle. The driver lost his front bumper as he fled 
the scene. He drove around the corner to his home on Montana, followed by 
a witness. As he parked in his driveway, officers arrived and saw him enter his 
home. He was located hiding in a small cabinet next to the backdoor. He was 
positively identified by the witness and was determined by officers to have 
been driving under the influence. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Conspiracy to Commit a Crime / Participation 
in Criminal Street Gang / Violation of Gang Injunction - Suspects 
Arrested

On January 8 at 8:02 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 100 
block of Montana regarding several victims being attacked by gang members. 
The victims alleged they were standing in the carport area of the location 
when a black SUV approached and four gang members exited the vehicle. 
One of the gang members was armed with a machete and another was holding 
a handgun. The gang members chased the victims for a short distance, 
but returned to the SUV without further incident. No shots were fired and no 
one was injured. Approximately 30 minutes later, an officer located the SUV 
at Peck and Longden. One of the suspects fled on foot through residential 
yards. The Foothill Air Support helicopter arrived and directed officers to the 
suspect, and he was taken into custody. The suspect is a juvenile gang member 
who had a no-bail warrant out for his arrest. During the foot pursuit, a 
high-risk stop was conducted on the SUV. Three additional suspects were 
detained. The victims positively identify the suspects and their vehicle. The 
weapons were not recovered.

Parole Violation / Possession of Methamphetamine Pipe / Possession of 
Marijuana - Suspect Arrested.

On January 9 at 2.55 a.m., an officer stopped a suspicious person parked 
behind a business at Pomona and Myrtle. Upon contacting the subject, a subsequent 
investigation revealed he was on parole for arson. The officer found 
a glass methamphetamine pipe, marijuana, a folding knife and a laptop computer 
that is believed to be stolen. The subject was arrested and a parole hold 
was obtained.

Vehicle Burglary

On January 11 at 5:52 a.m., two male suspects wearing dark clothing and 
black beanies were seen smashing the window on a vehicle. The suspects were 
seen removing a GPS from the vehicle. They fled and were last seen getting 
into an older Honda with a roof rack. The incident is under investigation.

Robbery

On January 12 at 11:06 p.m., a robbery was reported at a business in the 
500 block of West Huntington in the parking lot. A female employee had just 
ended her shift and was walking to her car. An older, grey, four-door Honda 
Civic with tinted windows approached her. The vehicle was occupied by two 
male subjects, possibly gang members. The passenger exited the vehicle and 
approached the victim with a knife in one hand and a small black club in the 
other. When he demanded the victim’s money, she told him she did not have 
any. He then demanded her cell phone, which she gave to the suspect. The 
suspects fled southbound on Mayflower. Investigation continuing.


CELEBRATE MONROVIA’S 125th 

ANNIVERSARY WITH MONROVIAOPLY 
AND A COMMEMORATIVE CALENDAR

The limited edition game, featuring Monrovia locations, has been 
created in celebration of the community’s 125th birthday. It can be 
purchased for $25 at City Hall, the Monrovia Community Center, 
Friends of the Library Bookstore and at select Old Town Monrovia 
businesses.

The calendar, with historic photos and facts and a listing of upcoming 
civic events, is $10 and on sale at the Community Center 
and Dollmakers Katywompus in Old Town.

Monrovia Yard Sale Permits

Monrovia: Community Development Offers Free Yard Sale 
Permits

As part of the City of Monrovia New Year’s Resolution “Reduce 
Your Waste Line” event, the Department of Community Development 
offered free yard sale permits for residents throughout the 
City. This was a one-week effort as part of the reuse undertaking 
going on all across the City. Community Development pitched in 
by not only encouraging residents to host yard sales, but advertised 
them online through the City website and with hand-out 
lists at the public counter. Many residents responded and were 
excited to get involved in the Go Green effort. The “Reduce Your 
Waste Line” event continues the entire month of January, which 
focuses on donations (January 17-23) and recycling (January 24-
30). Check the City of Monrovia website to see how you can get 
involved as well. 


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