Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 24, 2011

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 24, 2011 

ASSEMBLYMAN PORTANTINO AND CITY OF HOPE 
HOST HIV/AIDS ACTION SUMMIT


By Joan Schmidt

This morning I was privileged to attend an 
inspiring, informative HIV/ AIDS Action 
Summit: Progress and Opportunity presented 
by City of Hope and Assemblyman Anthony 
J. Portantino. Also attending: from Duarte, 
Council Member Lois Gaston and School Board 
Member Reyna Diaz. From Pasadena, Council 
Member Jacquie Robinson, and Blair H.S. 
Health Program members and nursing students. 
I was blown away by the amount of information 
provided and tears came to my eyes as I listened 
to Jake Glaser, son of Paul Michael Glaser (From 
“Starsky & Hutch series) and the late Elizabeth 
Glaser.

Assemblyman Portantino began with the goals 
of the summit: to promote awareness of pediatric 
HIV/ AIDS. What is currently being done to 
prevent pediatric HIV/ AIDS? What progress has 
been made? Why we must continue to alert the 
public and stop the spread of this disease.

The first speaker to give an overview was Dr. 
Alexandra Levine, Chief Medical Officer, City of 
Hope. Every 9 ½ minutes, in the US, one person 
dies from AIDS and each year, 8 million people 
die-the numbers are staggering! Dr. Levine 
explained about the changes over the years. 
Between 1996-1997, drugs were available to treat 
Aids/HIV. In that year, the percentage of deaths 
dropped 80%! Dr. Levine explained how the 
virus attacks healthy cells, and AIDS is spread 
through transfusions with infected blood, sexual 
contact, and an infected mother giving birth. 
The virus attacks our T-cells. Doctors today look 
for signs: HIV in the blood, number of T-cells. 
Over the years, patients are now treated when 
they have a lower cell rate. This has lowered the 
number of deaths. Unfortunately for every 2 
patients who began treatment, 5 had developed 
the infection.

Jake Glaser was the keynote speaker. He began 
with a short video of his mom. She said, “I am 
Elizabeth Glaser. While I was giving birth to my 
first child, Arial, I hemorrhaged. I was given a 
transfusion with infected blood. Not knowing 
this, I breast-fed my daughter, and she caught 
the disease. My son Jake developed HIV in vitro. 
My goal is that all children live long healthy lives. 
More needs to be done.”

It now was time for Jake to speak. After 
composing himself, he said, “This still gets to 
me.” Jake began his story. “Doctors had said I 
wouldn’t live past ten. I stand before you, 26 years 
old- only because of my mother and her work.”

Elizabeth, his mom, found out the terrible 
news- not only was she infected, but her two 
young children also! Their family’s lives would 
never be the same. His Dad was just finishing 
his thirty-year acting career. Their family was 
well-known and because of their popularity, all 
the family’s medical news was given out. “Our 
family reached out to the community. But back 
then, there was NO education about AIDS. 
Four-year-old Ariel’s applications at various 
preschools were denied. 

But Ariel had such a positive attitude-always 
smiling. The beautiful picture with sunshine and 
flowers that she drew is our logo. Ariel passed 
away at seven.” 

1200 infected children are born per year around 
the world. Jake reminded us, “I am alive because 
of my mom. After Ariel passed away, doctors said 
I would die next. She could NOT accept this. She 
saw the need for an advocate. She embraced the 
unknown and her actions saved lives. It began 
in our kitchen- Mom sitting with two friends. 
Something HAD to be done. She had reached out 
to friends in the entertainment community and 
fundraisers were held. But MUCH MORE had 
to be done. In 1988, Mom took her first trip to 
Washington DC when Reagan was president. She 
met with the Researcher of Heath, bringing new 
ideas and refusing to take “no” for an answer. 
After her trip to DC, President Reagan set up the 
first Grant for Research.”

Elizabeth passed away in 1994. At the time, 
she was at home and there were machines and 
nurses. It wasn’t the greatest environment for 
a child. Often Jake spent time with family and 
friends. One day, he and his friend Mike were 
sitting in Mike’s family car, waiting for Mike’s 
dad. They were all going to Hamburger Heaven. 
Mike’s dad came out to the car with a strange 
look on his face. He told Jake “You have to go 
home”. Jake walked down the street to his home. 
When he opened the door, his dad was sitting on 
the steps crying.

Jake spoke of his own life. He tested HIV 
positive at age 10. He grew up angry, lived many 
years in denial, not taking his meds. At 15, it was 
his Dad’s turn. “He knew I needed help. I wanted 
to rebel. He sent me on a journey and at the time 
I hated him for that. But it was the right decision. 
At 16, I had to let go. No more being angry. 
I was in Idaho and working. I loved nature. 
Years passed. I received a call from the CEO of 
Mom’s foundation. I was asked if I’d like to be 
involved…To commit yourself is a hard decision 
to make, but I went to Washington, DC.

 Jake travels and does speaking engagements. 
He wants to continue his mom’s goal. Children 
SHOULD live long, healthy lives.

Pictured abive: Assemblyman Portantino (right) 
and Jake Glaser.


Duarte Unveils New Playground Equipment 

for Glenn Miller Park

DUARTE, CA, September 20, 2010 - It was a 
wild and fun start to the school day for first and 
second graders at Valley School in Duarte who 
were invited to be the first children to enjoy the 
newly installed playground equipment at Glenn 
Miller Park. 

Following a formal ribbon cutting ceremony by 
Duarte Parks and Recreation attended by City 
and Duarte School District officials, the kids were 
let loose to swing, slide and climb the colorful 
new equipment. The $37,000 project was funded 
through the Los Angeles County Regional Park 
and Open Space District Grant, Excess Funds 
– Cities Grant Program. Designed for use by 
children 2 to 12 years old, the playground meets 
all current federal and state standards for safety. 
It has poured-in-place rubber as surfacing, 
allowing the mobility impaired to access the 
equipment, along with swings, slides, climbing 
structures and interactive elements. 

Glenn Miller Park, named after the famed 
band leader who once owned a citrus ranch in 
Duarte near where the park is now situated at 205 
Melcanyon Rd.

For more information, call Duarte Parks and 
Recreation at (626) 357-7931 ext. 201

THIS IS IT! HELP FOOTHILL UNITY TODAY!

Final weekend to help Foothill Unity Center 
Auxiliary raise funds by filling a Goodwill semi 
trailer This Saturday and Sunday, September 24 
and 25, mark the last weekend to collect advance 
donations for Foothill Unity Center Auxiliary’s 
fundraising drive in partnership with Goodwill. 
If the Auxiliary can fill a 28-foot Goodwill semi 
with donated items by 2 p.m. October 1, the 
Center will receive $900 to $1,500. If they can fill 
a 48-foot trailer, the Center will receive $1,542 to 
$2,570. 

The last two-hour pre-collection days will be 
this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and Sunday 
from 2 to 4 p.m. (Other arrangements can be 
made by calling 626 - 387-3906.) The final 
collection hours will be on Saturday, October 1, 
from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All three collection days will 
be held in the parking lot of Albertson’s, 725 E. 
Huntington Drive in Monrovia.

 For information on the event and guidelines 
for donated items, visit www.foothillunitycenter.
org.

City of Monrovia

Public Comment Period

The Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Hillside Wilderness Preserve and Hillside 
Recreation Area Resource Management Plan is available for viewing on the City’s website at 
www.cityofmonrovia.org and at the Monrovia Community Center, Monrovia City Hall, and 
Monrovia Public Library. The Public Comment period is August 1 through September 29. 
Comments may be submitted to Alice Atkins, CMC, City Clerk, City of Monrovia 415 South 
Ivy Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016 (Response to Environmental Plan), or to the City via e-mail 
at: CLOAKING .The Community Services Department will hold a public meeting (open 
house) on Wednesday, September 21, at 7 p.m. at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 West 
Palm Avenue, Monrovia, at which time interested persons may submit written comments on 
the Draft EIR.

Monrovia Police Blotter

During the last seven-day period, the Police 
Department handled 550 service events, resulting 
in 93 investigations. Following are the last week’s 
highlighted issues and events:

Parolee-at-Large - Suspect Arrested

On September 9 at 3:50 p.m., Monrovia’s 
Special Enforcement Team officers, augmented 
by Monrovia, Arcadia, and Baldwin Park police 
officers, and Los Angeles County Sheriff deputies, 
went to the 200 block of Los Angeles to search 
for a parolee-at-large. The parolee was found in 
the attic trying to hide from the officers. He was 
taken into custody without further incident.

Department of Child and Family Services 
Referral / Resisting and Delaying a Police 
Officer - Suspect Arrested

On September 10 at 7:30 a.m., officers went 
to a residence in the 200 block of Madeline to 
investigate a referral from the Department of 
Child and Family Services. Upon their arrival, 
they found the mother of a minor child under 
the influence of alcohol. She was so intoxicated 
she was unable to care for the child. There were 
six additional adults in the residence who were 
all at varying stages of intoxication. The officers 
took the minor into protective custody. The 
mother tried to prevent the officers from leaving 
with the child, and she was subsequently arrested 
for resisting and delaying a police officer. After 
a caseworker from Department of Child and 
Family Services interviewed the child, she was 
released to her father.

Fight in Progress / Possession of a Concealed 
Weapon / Public Intoxication - Suspect Arrested

On September 11 at 1:52 a.m., officers were 
dispatched to the 600 block of South Primrose 
regarding a fight in progress. When officers 
arrived, they detained five subjects and 
conducted pat-down searches on them. During 
the investigation, a female subject was found to 
be in possession of a dagger. She was arrested 
for the weapons violation and for being drunk 
in public. The other subjects were released in the 
field.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision 
- Suspect Arrested

On September 11 at 3:04 a.m., officers on patrol 
in the 100 block of West Huntington heard the 
sound of a traffic collision. The officers observed 
a vehicle leaving the area westbound on Foothill 
at a high rate of speed. An officer followed the 
vehicle and eventually caught up to it as it entered 
into the City of Arcadia. The driver was detained 
and was determined to be driving under the 
influence and was arrested. The investigation 
revealed the driver had fled the scene of a traffic 
collision. It was discovered that the suspect 
struck an unoccupied parked vehicle in the 100 
block of Stedman. The suspect was arrested for 
driving under the influence and hit and run.

Residential Burglary

On September 12 at 3:43 p.m., a resident in the 
200 block of Bradoaks heard noises in her home. 
When she went to check, she found two male 
subjects, approximately 19 years old; one was 
wearing a baseball style hat. The two suspects 
ran from the residence and a white Chrysler 
300 was seen speeding away from the location. 
Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary

On September 12 at 5:06 p.m., a resident in the 
400 block of Oakcliff returned home from work 
at about 5:10 p.m. and found the inside of his 
home ransacked. He looked around his home and 
found the kitchen screen had been taken off and 
a window was open. Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary

On September 13 at 1:09 p.m., a burglary was 
reported in the 500 block of West Maple. The 
resident left for work at 8 a.m. and returned home 
at 1:11 p.m. The victim found the backdoor of the 
residence open. The victim called police and did 
not go inside. Officers responded and checked 
the home to ensure no suspects were inside. No 
suspects were located. Jewelry and a computer 
hard drive were taken. Investigation continuing.

Gang Injunction Violation / Brandishing a 
Weapon - Suspect Arrested

On September 15 at 2:45 a.m., Police received 
a call from a female subject in the 100 block 
of Montana stating her ex-boyfriend, a gang 
member, was in front of her house and was playing 
music loudly. When she asked him to turn down 
the volume, he responded by brandishing a pistol 
in a threatening manner. Officers responded 
and detained the suspect without incident. The 
pistol turned out to be a realistic-looking toy. The 
suspect was arrested for violating the curfew of 
the gang injunction and brandishing a replica 
firearm. Because the suspect was arrested two 
days ago for violating the injunction’s curfew, he 
was held for bail on the likelihood of recurrence.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MONROVIA

Friends of the Library Monday Night Family Movies

The Monday night family movies sponsored by the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library will 
begin on Monday, September 19 at 6:30 p.m. For additional information and movie titles, please 
contact the Library at (626) 256-8274.

Curious George Escapes the Nazis

Everyone’s favorite monkey turns 70 years old this year. The Library will be hosting a very special 
birthday party for Curious George on Tuesday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m. Learn about Curious 
George’s authors Hans and Margret Rey’s daring escape from Paris, just hours before the Nazi invasion. 
Participants will hear stories and watch short films on World War II. This program is free, open to all 
ages and is part of the Monrovia Cultural Series.

Youth Sports Program

The 2011 Fall Youth Sports Program is designed to teach boys and girls fundamental sports skills, 
teamwork, sportsmanship and character building. Flag football and cheerleading are available to fourth 
and fifth grade boys and girls from Bradoaks, Mayflower, Monroe and Wild Rose Elementary Schools. 
Youth must participate at the school which they attend. For example, a student attending Mayflower 
Elementary School must register for the Mayflower team or squad. Registration is being taken at 
the Community Center located at 119 West Palm Avenue. The program fee is $35 per participant. 
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to 20 participants per team or squad. 
For additional information, please contact the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246.

Monrovia Reads and Plays

Monrovia Reads and Plays (MRP) is a mobile Literacy and Recreation Program operated by the 
Community Services Library and Recreation Divisions. This program provides a variety of youth 
and family literacy and recreation programs that build self esteem, promote positive behavior and 
character building. Activities include tutoring for youth and adults, active and passive games, arts and 
crafts, story times, and health and wellness programming. The Monrovia Reads and Plays Program 
operates on the corner of Sherman and Cherry Avenues on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on the corner of Ivy and Los Angeles Avenues on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information regarding the Monrovia Reads and Plays Program, please 
contact the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246.

Great Adventurers - Score with Books! Second through Fifth Grade Students

Great Adventurers, second through fifth grade students, will begin a seven week session on 
Wednesday, September 28, at 3:30 p.m. Sports are the thing this fall as kids explore the Library and 
expand their knowledge through books, games, crafts and more! Attend four of the seven classes and 
receive a free book. Attend one of the seven classes and you will be eligible to join us for the finale 
party. Sign up now, let us know you are coming, and bring a friend. For additional information, please 
contact the Library at (626) 256-8274.

Senior Trip to the Los Angeles County Fair

A senior day trip to the Los Angeles County Fair will be held on Wednesday, September 28. The 
participants will meet at the Community Center at 9 a.m. and are scheduled to return by 2 p.m. Tickets 
may be purchased for $7 at the Community Center. Transportation and admission is included. The 
participants are responsible for lunch on their own. Enjoy the many attractions, eateries, shopping 
and much more, at the Los Angeles County Fair. Senior Days offers free rides on the ferris wheel 
in the carnival area. Space is limited and reservations are required. For additional information and 
reservations, please contact the Department of Community Services, at (626) 256-8246.