Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 2, 2011

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Mountain Views News Saturday, April 2, 2011 

Spring Kids Retreat!

The Recreation and Community Services Department is 
offering a Spring Kids Retreat at the Dana Gym, 1401 S. First 
Ave. This camp is open to elementary school age children 
in grades 1-5 and provides a safe, supervised, kid friendly 
retreat during spring vacation. The dates are April 4, 5, 6, 7 
and 8, Monday – Friday from 9am-5pm.The cost is $20.00 
per day. Children can attend the full week or just come 
have fun on chosen days. The camp is filled with fun group 
activities including crafts, cooking, board games, movies, 
snacks and more. Supervision is generally on a ratio of one 
Recreation Leader for each group of 10 children. Groups 
will be organized by age and grade level. To register go 
to the city’s website at www.ci.arcadia.ca.us under the 
Recreation and Community Services Department, print out 
the registration form to fax or mail in or come by our office, 
375 Campus Drive. Any questions, please call 626.574.5113.

Winter Break 2010. My 7-year 
old son Evan was sitting with 
his friend watching TV. A 
commercial came on for a 
children’s hospital with a young 
boy and a famous actress. My 
son’s friend laughed and said, 
“Hey, he’s bald! He’s funny 
looking!” I was shocked and 
hurt. After his friend had 
left, I talked to Evan about the 
incident. I asked him, “You do 
know why that little boy was bald 
don’t you?” His simple response 
was “Yes. He has cancer.” As his 
mom, I was struck by how much 
he had to grow up by seeing me 
go through treatment for cancer. 
Most 7-year olds don’t know 
what cancer is, much less know 
how treatment affects a person. 
I was taken back to the day both 
of my sons (my younger son was 
3 ••• at the time) saw me for the 
first time with my newly shaved 
head, (after my hair had started 
falling out, I elected to have my 
head shaved). I took my wig off 
and their reaction was, “It’s OK 
Mommy, you still look the same.” 
What brave boys they were. If 
they could look at their bald 
mom and stay strong without a 
single teardrop, I could handle 
anything—and that is how I 
approached my treatments. So 
began my journey with cancer 
and my relationship with the 
American Cancer Society.

 When the Chairman of the 
Arcadia Relay for Life, Carter 
Spruill, told me he wanted to 
bring Relay to the schools, 
I jumped at the chance to 
spearhead the event. I didn’t 
realize how important this 
event was until that fateful day 
last December. I want kids 
to know what cancer is, how 
they can prevent it, but most 
of all, to understand and show 
some empathy when they see 
someone who is bald and going 
through treatment. 

 I started at Camino Grove 
because that is my children’s 
school. I met with Dr. Brook 
Reynolds to see if we could 
hold the ACS event at Camino 
Grove. He agreed and discussed 
the event at a principals meeting 
to see if the other elementary 
schools would like to be 
included. Not only did the five 
other principals enthusiastically 
agree, they offered to rotate 
hosting the event each year. 
Next, Dr. Reynolds reached out 
to his faculty to get involved. 
“Everyone in this room has 
been affected by cancer,” he said 
at a faculty meeting. At the same 
meeting, he shared how both 
of his parents had died from 
cancer.

 After that, Camino Grove 
parent and teacher committees 
formed. I am very fortunate 
to have some of the school’s 
amazing “power moms” – 
talented, organized, committed, 
and energetic go-getters on 
my committee who are full 
of fabulous connections and 
resources in Arcadia’s generous 
and caring business community. 

 At the first committee meeting, 
at least one teacher from each 
grade level attended, ready 
to give his/her full support 
in promoting the event, and 
helping plan and host activities 
at the Mini-Relay.

When I look back to 
the day that I received 
my life-changing breast 
cancer diagnosis (April 
7, 2009 – the day 
before my 9th wedding 
anniversary), I realize 
how much I have grown 
and changed. My breast 
cancer is what’s known 
as ‘triple negative,’ a 
rare and aggressive 
type that does not 
have any drugs that I 
can take to stave off 
recurrence post-chemo 
treatment. (Only 15% 
of breast cancers are 
triple negative – which 
means they do not have 
the typical receptors 
that fuel breast cancer 
– estrogen, progesterone, or 
human epidermal growth factor 
receptor 2 (HER2). I’ve learned 
to ‘live in the moment’ and take 
it ‘one day at a time’-- things I 
had no time to do before.

 The American Cancer Society 
(ACS) is a huge support for 
cancer survivors and their loved 
ones. Every dollar raised in this 
Mini-Relay will go to support 
ACS programs and fund much 
needed research. I have become 
a strong ACS advocate - in 
addition to participating in the 
Arcadia Relay for Life on June 
25-26, 2011 (at the Santa Anita 
Race Track), I am a Reach to 
Recovery volunteer – helping 
support newly diagnosed breast 
cancer survivors. Since the 
American Cancer Society is the 
“official sponsor of birthdays,” 
I want to help them reach that 
goal by putting an end to cancer. 
Won’t you help me? Join the ACS 
Mini-Relay for Life at Camino 
Grove on Friday, June 3rd from 
3-6PM. For more information 
on the ACS Mini-Relay event, 
check out our website at http://
arcadiaminirelay.org. You 
can also e-mail me at jonie.
tsuji@verizon.net, if you have 
a question not addressed on 
the website. (For additional 
information on the Arcadia 
community Relay event, to be 
held at the Santa Anita Race 
Track on June 25-26, visit http://
relayforlife.org/arcadiaca.) 

 Let’s strive for the day when 
no child has to grow up fast 
because of seeing someone he 
loves ill from cancer. 

FROM CANCER PATIENT TO CANCER ADVOCATE 

What led Camino Grove Parent to become Arcadia ACS Mini-Relay for Life Coordinator By Jonie Tsuji


You’re the Detective in this 
Story: Genealogy Workshop

Jack McCrea will be offering a beginning workshop for the 
amateur genealogist on April 9 from 1:30-3pm at the Arcadia 
Historical Museum. Jack, a volunteer at the Museum, has 
some great tips to help you find a way through the daunting 
process of beginning to research your family tree. 

The Arcadia Historical Museum is located at 380 W. 
Huntington Drive, immediately behind the Community 
Center. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is always free. 

A Short History of the 
Southwest Museum

On April 21 at noon, Former Director of the Southwest 
Museum Jerry Selmer will be the guest speaker at this Brown 
Bag Lunch Talk at the Arcadia Historical Museum. Bring 
your lunch and dress appropriately according to weather 
conditions, as the talks are held outside on the Museum 
patio. You won’t want to miss this talk about the history of 
the Southwest Museum! 

The Arcadia Historical Museum is located at 380 W. 
Huntington Drive, immediately behind the Community 
Center. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is always free. 

Arcadia Police Blotter

For the period of Sunday, March 20, through Saturday, March 26, 
the Police Department responded to 845 calls for service of which 139 
required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of 
the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, March 20:

1. Between 8:00 a.m. and 8:21 a.m., a residential burglary and 
grand theft auto occurred in the 900 block of Derek. Unknown 
suspects entered an open garage, took car keys that were placed on 
a hook in the garage, and stole an Acura and Lexus. The Acura was 
recovered on March 22 in El Monte, and the Lexus was recovered in 
Baldwin Park on March 26.

2. A traffic stop was initiated around 3:50 a.m. at Santa Anita 
and 210 Freeway for an equipment violation and for swerving 
between lanes of traffic. A 25-year-old male Hispanic driver was 
arrested for DUI.

Monday, March 21:

3. A vehicle theft occurred in the 2400 block of South Sixth 
between 7:05 a.m. and 7:17 a.m. An unattended Mercedes was left 
running to warm up in the driveway when it was stolen. 

4. Shortly after 6:00 p.m., units responded to the 2300 block 
of Greenfield regarding a man and woman jumping over a fence to 
enter a residential construction site. Upon arrival, officers found a 
24-year-old female Hispanic in the passenger seat of a vehicle, and 
a 32-year-old male Hispanic was seen exiting the house. Stolen 
property was found in their vehicle, and the woman also had 
methamphetamine and a glass-smoking pipe in her possession. 
The female suspect was arrested for commercial burglary, receiving 
stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, and possession 
of drug paraphernalia; the male suspect was arrested for commercial 
burglary, receiving stolen property, and felony parole violation.

Tuesday, March 22:

5. Around 2:28 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block 
of North Alta Vista regarding a robbery that occurred at Foothill and 
Santa Anita. The victim claimed that while he was walking, two male 
Hispanic suspects approached and demanded money and property. 
One suspect, armed with a knife, even lunged at the victim resulting 
in a cut to his hand. Fearing for his safety, the victim gave them his 
wallet.

6. Units were sent to CVS, 9952 Las Tunas, around 7:28 p.m. in 
reference to theft that just occurred. Three female Hispanic juvenile 
suspects entered the store and selected merchandise. One suspect 
left the store with stolen property and when she was confronted by 
a store employee, she handed over two of the items and then fled 
on foot. A 15-year-old also left the store with over $90 in stolen 
merchandise. When she was confronted, she said that she was 
not going to pay for the items and then used her fist to punch the 
employee in the abdomen. A private person’s arrest was made, and 
she was taken into custody for robbery, commercial burglary, 
and petty theft. She was later cited and released to her mother.

Wednesday, March 23:

7. A grand theft occurred at Victoria’s Secret 
located at Westfield Mall between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Two 
female African-American suspects worked in concert to steal 
about $2,500 in merchandise. 

8. Around 9:44 p.m., units responded to Westfield Mall 
regarding a theft that occurred between 4:20 p.m. and 4:26 
p.m. at Fashion Town. The victim left her wallet at the store, 
and she later checked her bank accounts online and discovered 
eight unauthorized transactions on her credit and debit cards. 
She went back to Fashion Town to review their surveillance 
video and saw a female Caucasian suspect, 30-40 years of age, 
heavyset, blonde curly hair, take her wallet.

Thursday, March 24:

9. While patrolling the Motel 6 parking lot, 225 Colorado, 
at 9:44 a.m., an automated license plate reader alerted officers 
to a stolen Volkswagen Jetta parked at the location. A 
surveillance of the vehicle was made, and a man and woman 
entered the vehicle and drove away from the scene. A felony 
traffic stop was conducted at Colorado and Baldwin, and a 
24-year-old male Hispanic driver and a 20-year-old female 
Hispanic passenger were taken into custody for vehicle theft.

10. Between 8:10 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., a residential burglary 
occurred in the 1700 block of Orangewood. Unknown 
suspect(s) pried open a backdoor to gain entrance into the 
residence. Once inside, the suspect(s) ransacked rooms, 
forced open two safes, and stole a large amount of gold/silver 
coins and a Rolex watch.

Friday, March 25:

11. Shortly after 2:00 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop at 
First and Bonita for a code violation. Four male occupants were 
contacted and investigation revealed that they may have been 
involved in an auto burglary that just occurred in the 400 block of 
California. Mail and checks belonging to other individuals, stereo 
equipment, a laptop computer, and other property were found in 
the vehicle. Two Hispanics, ages 23 and 26, and a 20-year-old Asian 
were arrested for auto burglary and receiving stolen property. A 
36-year-old Hispanic was arrested for the same charges, along 
with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug 
paraphernalia.

12. A residential burglary occurred in the 200 block of San Luis 
Rey between noon and 1:45 p.m. Unknown suspect(s) removed a 
window screen and then slid open a window to enter the house. 
The suspect(s) ransacked rooms and stole a laptop computer and a 
safe.

Saturday, March 26:

13. Shortly after 2:30 a.m., a traffic stop for an equipment 
violation was initiated at Live Oak and Fourth. Officers detected 
the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from the vehicle. An 
open bottle of rum was found on 
the passenger side floorboard and 
numerous empty beer bottles littered 
the rear floorboard. A field sobriety test 
was conducted and it was determined 
that the 19-year-old male Hispanic 
driver was operating the vehicle while 
intoxicated. He was arrested for DUI 
and minor driving under the influence.

14. Units responded to Claire’s 
located at Westfield Mall around 4:35 
p.m. in reference to two female juveniles 
detained for theft. The girls, ages 13 and 
14, selected 10 items, removed the sales 
tags, placed them in a shopping bag that 
they had brought with them, and then 
left the store without making payment. 
A private person’s arrest was made, and 
the girls were taken into custody for 
petty theft. They were later cited and 
released to their mothers.

2011 ADULT SPRING CLASSES!

Spring is in the air the flowers are in bloom and our spring 
registration is in full swing. No matter what your interests are we 
have the class for you. Come out and join your favorite activity. 
We have multiple dance classes including salsa, ballroom, belly 
dancing and the newest craze ZUMBA. For the creative and artistic 
we have a variety of painting, cooking, sewing, photography, and 
jewelry making classes. Interested in sports? Come out and play 
some volleyball, badminton, golf or tennis. Get your exercise on 
with some kick boxing, aerobics and yoga. So, get a spring in your 
step and come join us for all the fun and action.

You can register now on-line, by mail, by fax @ 626.821.4340 or in 
person! For times, location, fees and to download the registration 
form go on-line to the City of Arcadia’s website: www.ci.arcadia.
ca.us or stop by the office, 375 Campus Drive. 

For more information please call 626.574.5113!


50% off 2 months rent