Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 30, 2011

5

 
Mountain Views News Saturday, April 30, 2011 

From Arcadia’s Best:

City seeks commissioners

DEALING WITH TWO KINDS OF PINK

A final reason why a Camino Grove teacher got involved with 

Arcadia ACS Mini-Relay for Life coming June 3

– By Scott Hettrick

If you’ve ever wanted to serve on one of the 
Arcadia city commissions that help guide the 
direction of everything from city planning, 
landscaping, and senior services to library and 
museum operations, now is the time to apply for 
the volunteer positions.

Arcadia is inviting citizens to get involved and 
help make decisions on critical issues affecting the 
City by applying to join a board or commission. 
To participate, applicants wishing to serve must 
be 18 years or older, a registered voter and a 
resident of the City of Arcadia. Applications 
are due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2011. 
Appointments are expected to be made at the 
June 21 City Council meeting and terms vary in 
length from two to four years.

“Residents should get involved and serve 
because it’s an opportunity to make a difference 
in the community, provide leadership as to the 
future direction of our City, said Recreation 
and Community Services Commissioner Steven 
Phillipi, “and make Arcadia a better place to live.”

More than 40 residents currently serve as 
Boards and Commission members as volunteer 
advisors and provide critical input. According 
to former Historical Museum Commissioner 
Margaret Barrows, “Each of us has a little 
different perspective on things. In this very 
diverse community it is important to understand 
others and to bridge and embrace this diversity.”

Vacancies currently exist in the following 
Boards/Commissions:

Arcadia Beautiful (3) 

Human Resources (1) 

Library Board (1) 

Planning (1) 

Recreation and Parks (2) 

Senior Citizens’ Commission (1) 

“One of the benefits of being a commission 
member is how informed you become about 
the City,” stated Patti Anderson, Recreation & 
Parks Commission member. “It has been a very 
interesting learning experience!”

Applications can be obtained at the City Clerk’s 
Office at Arcadia City Hall, 240 W. Huntington 
Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 or downloaded from 
the City’s website at www.ci.arcadia.ca.us.

A strong advocate of participation is elected 
City Clerk Jim Barrows, who previously served 
on two commissions said: “With pride, you look 
back and know that you were a part of the solution. 
Many things in the City (dog park, bridges, Dana 
Gym, soccer field, library improvements and 
historical items) all had their beginnings with 
a Board or Commission. Walt Disney once said 
that Disneyland would never be complete as long 
as there was imagination. I feel the same about 
Arcadia. I strongly urge everyone to consider 
joining the City family and bring your ideas and 
strengths.”

Please contact the City Clerk’s office at (626) 
574-5455 or visit the City Clerk’s page on the City’s 
website for more information about Board and 
Commission service in the City of Arcadia.

By Helen Simmons Conroy

Okay, by now you’re probably sick of reading 
about my various reasons for becoming involved 
with the upcoming American Cancer Society’s 
Mini-Relay for Life, hosted by Camino 
Grove Elementary School on June 
3. You might think I am just trying 
to be some sort of noble “goodie two 
shoes” who has nothing better to do 
than inundate you with my stories.

However, I beg of you to follow 
me this one last time, as I share the 
biggest reason why I got involved. I 
guarantee my honesty in unveiling 
this largest motivation will dispel 
any myths of me being a “goodie-
two shoes” that might have started to 
formulate in your minds. The biggest 
(not so noble) reason why I got involved 
with the ACS Mini-Relay was 
to distract myself from focusing too 
much on the possibility of losing my job. I am one 
of the 65.57 teachers throughout Arcadia School 
District who have been “pink slipped” due to budget 
cuts. I felt that if I became a part of this cause 
I would not be tempted to bathe in the depression 
that threatened to engulf me the last time I was 
given a lay-off notice by the district, two years ago. 
Luckily, that year, I was able to save my job by the 
skin of my teeth due to caring parents who contributed 
to AEF and caring teachers who voted for 
a slight pay reduction. Our district was also not as 
bad off financially then as it is now. 

 

There you have it. I needed something to take 
my mind off of being pink slipped. Go ahead and 
make your judgments about this selfish motivation. 
But also know that I really do care about the 
cause. As a breast cancer survivor, I wear my pink 
ribbon proudly (pink represents breast cancer/
brown represents lung cancer, Kelly green represents 
kidney cancer, etc.). I have committed to 
promoting cancer awareness and 
education at my elementary school, 
have dispelled cancer myths and rumors 
(having cancer is not an automatic 
death sentence and no, I am 
not dead, Dana Middle School), and 
am living proof that you can go on 
to lead a happy, healthy life as a cancer 
survivor. 

Lastly, I offer this perspective as 
a cancer survivor, in my final plea 
for your involvement. Getting cancer 
stops you from taking life for 
granted and forces you to look at the 
“big picture” – that without life, you 
have nothing – no children to hug, 
no husband to kiss, no corgi to walk, 
no sister to call, no students to love and teach. Arcadia 
elementary school parents and students, remember 
the “big picture.” Our district needs your 
help to fight pink slips, but our world also needs 
your help to fight cancer. Support the upcoming 
American Cancer Society’s Mini-Relay for Life. 
Get involved because you care about fighting cancer 
and stopping it before it touches you or someone 
you love, if it hasn’t already. The event will 
take place on Camino Grove Elementary School’s 
field, June 3, from 3 – 6 p.m. For more information, 
check out our website at http://arcadiaminirelay.
org. If you have a question not addressed on 
the website, feel free to contact ACS Mini-Relay 
Coordinator, Jonie Tsuji, at jonie.tsuji@verizon.
net or me at hconroy@ausd.net. 


Helen Conroy with 
photos of her children

Arcadia Police Blotter


For the period of Sunday, April 17, through Saturday, 
April 23, the Police Department responded to 
857 calls for service of which 98 required formal 
investigations. The following is a summary report 
of the major incidents handled by the Department 
during this period.

Sunday, April 17:

1. About 2:23 p.m., officers were dispatched to 
the Santa Anita Inn, 130 West Huntington Drive, 
regarding the theft of two flat screen televisions. 
The investigation revealed the 42-year-old female 
white suspect was an occupant in the room 
earlier that day. When housekeeping went to 
check the room at about 1:30 p.m., the televisions 
were missing. A follow-up investigation is being 
conducted by the detective bureau.

2. Shortly before 3:00 p.m., units responded to the 
800 block of West Foothill Boulevard regarding 
a restraining order violation. The restrained 
person, a 44-year-old white female, was found 
approximately 15 yards in front of the property. 
A records check revealed a valid restraining order 
and she was placed under arrest for disobeying a 
court order.

Monday, April 18:

3. About 11:15 a.m., officers were dispatched to 
Motel 6, 225 Colorado Place regarding a suicide. 
Officers found a 59-year-old white female 
hanging by her neck from a clothes rack. She was 
pronounced dead by Paramedics and her family 
was notified. There were no signs of foul play.

4. Between 6:40 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., a residential 
burglary occurred in the 300 block of Monte Vista 
Road. Unknown suspect(s) cut the power to the 
house as well as the telephone lines. The suspect(s) 
then attempted to pry open the glass door, but 
were unsuccessful and entered the home by 
shattering a window. Once inside, the suspect(s) 
ransacked the master bedroom and stole cash and 
jewelry for an approximate loss of $8,725. 

Tuesday, April 19:

5. Between 12:30 p.m. and 1:10 p.m., a residential 
burglary occurred in the 2500 block of Lee Avenue. 
The suspect (described as a Male Asian, 5’06”, 
thin build, 40-42 years of age, dark brown hair, 
brown eyes and wearing green hospital scrubs) 
entered through an unlocked side gate. He turned 
off the main power to the house at the circuit 
breaker, before prying the screen to the master 
bedroom. The suspect entered the home through 
the unlocked window, ransacked the house, and 
stole a watch and checks for an approximate loss 
of $3,300. He was seen leaving in a newer model 
Black Nissan Altima. 

6. Between 12:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m., an auto 
burglary occurred in the 100 block of Campus 
Drive. Unknown suspect(s) tampered with the car 
door lock and stole the stereo, a black wallet and a 
California Driver’s License.

Wednesday, April 20:

7. Shortly after 10:00 a.m., a traffic stop was 
initiated on Orange Grove at Baldwin Avenue for 
a lighting violation. When the officer activated 
his emergency lights, the car rapidly accelerated 
away. A pursuit was initiated and ended up on 
the westbound 210 freeway. The occupants, two 
male Hispanic juveniles ages 14 and 17, two 
male Hispanic adults age 18, and one male Black 
juvenile age 16, exited the moving vehicle. The car 
continued across all four lanes of traffic and came 
to a stop when it collided with the center medium. 
A passing LAPD motor officer stopped and 
assisted the APD officer while additional units 
arrived. The suspects were arrested for felony 
evasion, burglary, receiving stolen property and 
possession of burglary tools. Only one suspect 
sustained minor injuries and no officers or passing 
motorists were hurt. 

8. Around 6:25 p.m., officers responded 
to the Westfield Shopping Center, 400 South 
Baldwin Avenue, in reference to a vehicle being 
vandalized. An investigation revealed a verbal 
dispute over a parking stall between a 31-year-old 
female of unknown race and an unknown white 
female 20-24 years of age, resulted in a broken 
driver’s side mirror. The 20-24 year old suspect 
was seen breaking the mirror with her hands and 
leaving the scene in an early model silver Toyota 
sedan.

Thursday, April 21:

9. A traffic stop conducted around 4:30 p.m., on 
Colorado east of First Avenue, led to the arrest of 
the backseat passenger. A 42-year-old Hispanic 
male was taken into custody for possession of 
methamphetamine and a hypodermic needle/
syringe. 

10. Between 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 20th 
and 8:00 a.m. Thursday, April 21st, a residential 
burglary occurred in the 1000 block of west 
Duarte Road. Unknown suspect(s) forced open 
a locked laundry room door and stole a bicycle. 
The approximate loss is $400.00.

Friday, April 22:

11. Around 6:45 p.m., loss prevention personnel 
from JC Penney advised they had detained a 
juvenile for theft. The suspect took merchandise 
into a fitting room, concealed the property, and 
left the store without making payment. A private 
person’s arrest was made, and the 17-year old 
Hispanic female was taken into custody for petty 
theft.

12. Between 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 21st 
and 8:00 a.m. Friday, April 22nd, unknown 
suspect(s) collided with the light pole on the 
northwest corner of Santa Anita Avenue and 
Sycamore Drive. There were no witnesses to the 
incident at the time of the report.

Saturday, April 23:

13. A traffic stop was conducted shortly before 
1:00 p.m. on Mountain View east of Michillinda 
for no license plates. A records check of the 
driver revealed he was on parole for identity 
theft. A parole search of the vehicle revealed a 
hidden compartment containing marijuana, a 
digital scale, empty Ziploc baggies and a fake 
“Arizona Tea” drink container designed to 
conceal paraphernalia. The 30-year-old Hispanic 
male was placed under arrest for possession of 
marijuana with intent to sell and a felony parole 
violation.

14. About 10:25 a.m., officers were dispatched 
to Salon Ibarra, 159 east Huntington Drive, in 
reference to a vandalism report. An investigation 
revealed that sometime between 7:30 p.m. 
on Friday April 22nd and 7:30 a.m. Saturday, 
April 23rd unknown suspect(s) vandalized 
a glass window of the business by carving 
undistinguishable letters or symbols into it.

The City of 

Arcadia 

Recreation and 

Community 

Services 
Department

Summer 2011 
Registration 

Begins in May!

Pick up the latest copy of 
“The Peacock Buzz” to find 
out what is going on in the 
City of Arcadia! Copies are 
available at the City of Arcadia 
Recreation Office, Library 
and City Hall or by going 
to the city website at www.
ci.arcadia.ca.us under the 
Recreation and Community 
Services Department.

On-line registration for 
classes and activities begins 
May 2nd for Arcadia residents 
ONLY at www.ci.arcadia.
ca.us! May 9th open registration 
begins which includes 
on-line non-resident 
registration along with ALL 
walk-in, mail-in and fax-in 
registration. Summer activities 
fill up quickly so get your 
registration requests in to 
assure your spot! For new 
registrants, please remember 
to include your proof of residency/
child’s birth with your 
forms and on-line submittals. 
This information is required 
and will delay the process if 
not provided. 

For questions and on-line 
Log-in ID information for active 
accounts, please contact 
the Recreation Department at 
626.574.5113.

ROOM TO RUN™ Dog 
Park Appreciation 
Project


WHAT: 

The Nutro Company’s ROOM TO RUN™ 
Dog Park Appreciation Project

To support community dog parks and 
off-leash areas, The Nutro Company has 
teamed up with the City of Arcadia to 
host the ROOM TO RUN™ Dog Park 
Appreciation Project on May 7, 2011. Led by associates from 
The Nutro Company in partnership with City of Arcadia and 
members of the community, the ROOM TO RUN™ Project is a 
nationwide effort to enhance and revitalize dog parks in 30 cities 
across the U.S. and Canada. This year the dog park in Arcadia 
has been chosen to be a part of the program. Last year, volunteers 
spent more than 1,500 man hours improving parks in their 
communities. So, roll up your sleeves and come join us this year!

ROOM TO RUN™ projects will vary by location, but park projects 
may include painting fences, providing benches, picking up trash 
and landscaping. In an effort to focus on enhancements and for 
the safety of the dogs, pet owners may want to consider leaving 
their four-legged pals at home during the enhancements and 
bring them to the park following the event.

WHERE: Arcadia Dog Park (Eisenhower Park) located on 
the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Second 
Avenue

WHO: Local community of dog owners (and lovers!) and 
The Nutro Company & the City of Arcadia’s Recreation and 
Community Services Department 

WHEN: May 7, 2011Check in begins at 8am, event is from 9am to 12pm


Recreation 
and 
Community 
Services 
Department

Community 
Bike Ride

Saturday May 7, 2011 7:30am

The Arcadia Recreation & Community Services 
Department and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles’ new 
Ambulatory Care Center in Arcadia present the Annual 
Community Bike Ride on May 7, 2011 at 7:30am. 

Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, founded in 1901, is one 
of the nation’s top children’s hospitals and is acknowledged 
worldwide for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent 
health. The new center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – 
Arcadia, is proud to be a part of our local community and 
is sponsoring this family event. The center is excited to have 
this opportunity to provide quality care for our children as 
well as promote good health and fitness.

Please join us for a leisurely ride through some of Arcadia’s 
most beautiful neighborhoods. This slow paced, seven mile 
excursion, is geared toward families and organized in an 
effort to create a positive tradition and promote healthy 
living. Meet in the Community center parking lot at 
7:30am for check in, bike ride begins at 8am. Helmets are 
required and there will be NO bicycles with training wheels 
permitted. Children under thirteen must be accompanied 
by an adult. Bike ride takes place rain or shine.

The first 100 people to check in will receive a ticket to the 
Arcadia Firefighters Association Pancake Breakfast also 
being held on that same day at Station 106. Tickets for the 
breakfast can also be purchased at the station for $5.

No registration necessary. For more information please call 
626.574.5113 or go on-line to the City of Arcadia’s website: 
www.ci.arcadia.ca.us. 

50% off 2 months rent
A HISTORY OF PHARMACY IN ARCADIA

On May 19 at noon, Stuart Henderson, former owner and pharmacist of King Pharmacy in Arcadia, 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 Pharmacy in Arcadia! 

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.