Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 12, 2011

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Mountain Views News Saturday, March 12, 2011

The King, The Queen and Their Court

Best of Arcadia - Scott Hettrick

Good for Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson. 
Good for the protesters of his choice of 

a speaker from Focus on the Family. 

And good for Arcadia.


Friday morning’s Mayor’s Breakfast was a 
terrific event that drew a sellout crowd of about 
300, most of whom were part of a standing 
ovation at the end. It also drew about 90 people, 
some from Arcadia, who stood outside in a quite 
orderly and civil manner to the side of the main 
front entrance of the Community Center.

Even though at least one City Councilman 
opted to enter through the back door, no one 
entering the building was harassed or made to 
feel uncomfortable by those opposing the speaker 
because his organization, which was founded 
in Arcadia in the 1970s but has been based in 
Colorado Springs for 20 years, is believed to 
oppose gay marriage. Arcadia police not only 
maintained control of the group but did so 
without sparking any friction while allowing the 
protesters to make their point and generate media 
attention.

Meanwhile, it was like an alternate universe 
inside, with very few people even mentioning 
the protesters or the word “gay,” and everyone 
enjoying a program filled with singing and lots of 
laughter and poignant anecdotes.

Mayor Amundson introduced four local 
speakers to offer their thoughts on families in 
Arcadia: Rose Princess Tatyane Anaid Berrios, 
incoming school board member Kay Kinsler, 
Arcadia Chinese Association president Edward 
Wong, and police volunteer / library board trustee 
/ newspaper columnist Dorothy Denne. Berrios 
expressed her gratitude and respect for her family; 
Kinsler defined the meaning of family in her 
own terms; Wong offered examples of how good 
families begin with good parenting, including 
one anecdote that drew a big laugh, and Denne 
described her unique non-biological family that 
includes police chief Robert Sanderson, who 
needed a “heart mother” when she needed a 
“heart son.”

The Arcadia Ward Choir of the Church of Jesus 
Christ of Latter Day Saints and soloist Catherine 
Stringer provided lovely music.

Mayor Amundson broke up the crowd several 
times with humorous references to challenges 
with his teenage son and, when presenting a key 
to the city, noting that even as Mayor he doesn’t 
even have a key to the restroom.

But it was Rev. London, a former pastor in 
Pasadena, who got the biggest reactions from 
the audience, beginning with a reference to the 
controversy generated by his appearance that 
immediately put the audience at ease. Jokes 
no doubt sharpened in many sermons drew 
enormous laughter. And though there were 
multiple references to God, his message was 
focused on the importance and value of family, 
no matter what form it may take. He even talked 
about unconditional love and acceptance, which 
seemed to be in stark contrast to the concerns of 
protesters just outside the doors.

Wherever each side may draw the line on 
tolerance and acceptance, it was nice to see so 
many people handling themselves with such 
dignity Friday morning. Regardless of what 
you may think of the Focus on the Family 
organization, I give three cheers to Mayor 
Amundson for having the fortitude to stand by 
his choice and his convictions and to put together 
such an enjoyable and successful program that 
generated a very good feeling among seemingly 
everyone in attendance.

King Dave and Queen Grace Cashion, along with the Royal Court, strut their stuff at the 
2011 Mardi Gras fundraiser for Emergency Services for Methodist Hospital. The event was 
chaired by Jan McEachern and Cheryl Wolf, and was as lively and fun-filled as its counterpart 
in other places around the world, PG rated, of course. Photo by S. Henderson/MVNews

Arcadia Police Blotter

For the period of Sunday, February 27, through Saturday, March 5, the Police Department responded to 910 calls 
for service of which 142 required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of the major incidents 
handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, February 27:

1. A traffic stop was conducted at Baldwin and Huntington around 1:48 a.m. when officers observed a 
car swerving between traffic lanes. A 24-year-old male Hispanic driver was arrested for driving while under the 
influence of alcohol; a 34-year-old male Caucasian passenger was arrested for disorderly conduct/drunk in public 
and possession of cocaine; a 26-year-old male Caucasian passenger was arrested for disorderly conduct/drunk 
public.

2. Units responded to the 1200 block of Magnolia around 5:40 p.m. in reference to a suspicious male subject 
inside a gated residential construction site. The suspect took lighting fixtures and power tools and then fled in a 
vehicle. Officers subsequently located the vehicle and arrested a 30-year-old Caucasian for commercial burglary, 
possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, suspended driver’s license, and a $5,000 outstanding 
warrant.

Monday, February 28:

3. Around 8:23 a.m., officers were dispatched to Arcadia High School in reference to an intoxicated male 
subject causing a disturbance. When the 22-year-old male Hispanic was confronted by campus security, he pushed 
and scratched a security guard. A private person’s arrest was made, and the suspect was taken into custody for 
battery on a school employee with injury and refusal to leave the school grounds.

Tuesday, March 1:

5. Shortly after 9:00 a.m., a grand theft auto was reported in the 00 block of West Leroy. A 1997 black Pontiac 
Trans Am was stolen from the location.

6. Around 6:30 p.m., units were sent to the 700 block of West Naomi in reference to an auto burglary that just 
occurred. While the victim was exercising at LA Fitness, a suspect broke into her vehicle and stole her purse from 
the trunk. During the investigation, Dispatch advised that Pasadena PD officers had detained a 27-year-old male 
Hispanic who was in possession of the victim’s property. The suspect was taken into custody for auto burglary, 
receiving stolen property, an $115,000 felony warrant, and felony parole violation.

Wednesday, March 2:

7. A solo hit-and-run traffic collision was reported at Baldwin and Gate 7 around 2:44 a.m. A vehicle 
had struck a tree in the center median, but the driver was not found at the scene. Further investigation revealed that 
the registered owner of the vehicle was employed at the racetrack. A 25-year-old male Hispanic was later found in 
the stable area and he had bruises to his forehead, shoulder, and a cut hand.

8. Between 9:30 p.m. on March 1 and 4:30 p.m. on March 2, an auto burglary occurred in the 600 block of 
West Fairview. Unknown suspect(s) stole a catalytic converter from a truck.

Thursday, March 3:

9. A male subject, who matched the description of a suspect who had stolen merchandise from various 
stores at Westfield Mall, was seen entering Brookstone. He carried a large empty shopping bag and concealed 
merchandise in the bag. A 58-year-old male African-American was contacted outside the store and was arrested 
for commercial burglary, receiving stolen property, possession of burglary tools, obstructing/resisting, and 
felony parole violation. 

10. Shortly after 3:00 p.m., a 19-year-old male Hispanic suspect was arrested at Baldwin and Fairview after 
stealing a $2,299 wedding ring from Ultra Diamond located inside Burlington Coat Factory.

Friday, March 4:

11. Around 5:30 p.m., units were dispatched to Abercrombie & Fitch in reference to a theft and hit-and-
run accident in the parking lot. A man and two women entered the store with shopping bags and attempted 
to steal six bottles of men’s cologne. When they realized that they were being observed, the two women left a 
bag with the stolen property and walked to the food court area where they were detained. A 35-year-old female 
Hispanic was arrested for commercial burglary and possession of burglary tools; a 27-year-old female Hispanic 
was arrested for commercial burglary, possession of burglary tools, and possession of a fraudulent California ID. 
The male suspect fled in a vehicle and he also struck a parked vehicle while leaving the scene.

12. Officers responded to Wells Fargo Bank, 444 East Huntington, around 5:45 p.m. regarding a fraud in 
progress. A 39-year-old female Caucasian was taken into custody for attempting to cash a fictitious check. A 
search incident to her arrest revealed additional fictitious checks in her possession.

Saturday, March 5:

13. Around 1:50 a.m., units were sent to Baldwin and Arcadia in reference to a fight in progress. Most of 
the involved parties had fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival, but a 22-year-old male Hispanic was arrested for 
4 outstanding misdemeanor warrants totaling $85,824.

14. A traffic collision involving two vehicles occurred at Golden West and Arcadia around 1:47 p.m. An 
18-year-old male Asian driver was contacted and officers determined that he was operating the vehicle while 
under the influence of drugs. A search of the vehicle revealed marijuana, several hundred Ecstasy pills, Xanax 
pills, and a book containing drug sale information. The man was arrested for DUI, possession of marijuana and 
a controlled substance, and unlawful transport and sale of marijuana.

CREATIVE HISTORY CONTEST TIED TO LOCAL FOREST

The Arcadia Historical Society‘s third annual 
Creative Expression Contest is underway and 
focused on the 75th Anniversary of the Adams’ 
Pack Station and that area of the Angeles 
National Forest of the San Gabriel Mountains 
near Chantry Flat with the theme of “History 
Lives Here: In the San Gabriels.”

In addition to being open to students attending 
school in Arcadia, as always, this year the contest 
is also open to adult residents of Arcadia. The 
deadline is March 29 to turn in your poem, 
essay, painting, drawing, photography, video, 
PowerPoint, or deliver your live performance 
relating to the theme.

Two prizes in each category range from $25 to 
$125. (Contest details and entry form here.)

Winners will be determined by April 15 with 
some entries being displayed during a Historical 
Marker dedication and 75th Anniversary 
celebration at Adams’ Pack Station at 2 p.m. 
Sunday, April 17, and most entries being put on 
exhibit at Arcadia Historical Museum exhibit May 
7 – 28.


Free Kaleidoscope 
Concert to feature 

West African 
Drumming Group

Steve Biondo will perform with 
his West African Drumming group, 
Sökö Ensemble on Wednesday, 
April 20 at 7:00 p.m. In the last of 
this season’s Kaleidoscope Concert 
series, enjoy an evening of exciting 
and exotic rhythms and learn about 
the wondrous sounds from the 
instruments of the Malinke: the 
djembe, the dununs, and various 
shakers and bells.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and 
seating is limited so please come 
early. You are also cordially 
invited to meet and speak with 
the musicians. Coffee, provided 
courtesy of Starbucks, and light 
refreshments will be served. 

Funded by the Arcadia Public 
Library Foundation, the concert 
is free and no reservations are 
necessary. 


Around the World in 127 Acres: 

A Look at the Arboretum’s Truly Cosmopolitan Plant Collections

Saturdays, 1:30-3pm - see dates below

$5 member per class / $7 non-member per class

Please call 626.821.4623 or you may pay at the class

Meet in the Arboretum Library, rain or shine.

Instructor: Frank McDonough

This class is held in the garden, and requires walking throughout the collections. 

The Arboretum’s collection of over 18,000 plants is divided into five geographic sections, two greenhouses, 
and other specialty exhibits. Botanical Information consultant Frank McDonough will take 
you onto the grounds to learn more about these extensive collections. Be sure to wear comfortable 
shoes, a hat and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty—and bring drinking water.

March 12 Plants That Changed the World: A tour that takes a look at plants in the Arboretum 
collection that have had dramatic effects on the history of human beings.

March 26 Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice: An in-depth look at the Arboretum herb 
garden—a collection of culinary, medicinal, dye, fiber, sacred and spiritual plants.

April 9 Survivor-plant: Swamp: You are a garden petunia dropped into the everglades of 
Florida; what structures and strategies do you evolve to survive?

April 23 “Ant’ics: Ants have incredibly interesting relationships with plants; we’ll look at some 
of the more unusual ones that are connected to the Arboretum’s collection.

May 7 Cape Coolness: South Africa has long been source of fascinating ornamental plants 
for Southern California—this tour looks at our extensive South African collection and how it paved 
the way for today’s water-conscious landscaping.

May 21 Mexican Marvels: Hidden on the back-side of Tallac knoll is a fascinating collection 
of plants from south of the border. This tour takes a look at that collection and some that may even 
be candidates for Southern California landscapes.