Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 22, 2011

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 22, 2011 

FOOTHILL UNITY CENTER FRIEND AND FRUIT SUPPLIER ZACH 
SELBY, 17, HONORED AS ONE OF 2011 UNSUNG HEROES OF 
LOS ANGELES

Monrovia City Council Meeting:

Special Presentation by Police Chief Jim Hunt

 Once again, Mayor 
Mary Ann Lutz showed why 
she was the perfect choice 
for the citizens of the City 
of Monrovia. At the October 
18th meeting, there was 
much information given and 
special presentations.

 The Mayor asked 
Monrovia Police Chief for a 
report on the current transfer 
from state prisons to jails and 
being released. Because of 
overcrowded California state 
prisons, (178% as opposed 
to national rate of 110% of 
prisons around the country 
which I reported a previous 
column) , the state is sending 
prisoners to county jails. 
(Felons with short sentences 
and who have not committed 
serious crimes) There 
are parolees being released. 
Chief Hunt said the Monrovia 
Police Department is 
preparing for the release of 
20 state prison inmates back 
into the community over the 
next 12 months. Hunt said, 
“This provides some serious 
concerns at the local level” 
However, he pointed out 
that, “We have a number of 
resources that are available 
here to try and help folks as 
they try to come out and get 
them not to re-offend.”

 Monrovia also has 
a county probation officer 
with an office in town who 
will be keeping an eye on the 
released offenders, which is I 
believe a great help. Monrovia 
residents should feel somewhat 
reassured because their 
Police Department is a fine 
one with many community-
involved programs available 
and their Department always 
responds when situations 
arise like the Grand Avenue 
Park with reports of vandalism. 
A community meeting 
was immediately called and 
residents were advised what 
was going on and for Neighborhood 
Watch to be on the 
alert.

 Lance Mungia, Executive 
Director of Community 
Media of the Foothills 
also gave a special presentation. 
He spoke of how many 
residents utilize KGEM TV 
(almost half) and the company 
has spoken to Temple 
City, Sierra Madre and Baldwin 
Park. They will be televising 
Temple City Council 
Meetings. In the audience 
were Lance’s wife and young 
daughter, who wanted to see 
her daddy’s presentation.

 Residents’ discussion 
included complaints about 
an ice cream truck operating 
with no license, making a lot 
of noise and causing traffic 
problems.

 Several local businessmen 
complained about 
the filming on Myrtle. There 
has NOT been enough warning 
that they were coming. 
They took away a lot of parking 
spots and that causes loss 
of business patrons.

 There was discussion 
on “Historical” houses 
in Monrovia and a BIG 
complaint about 222 North 
Myrtle. (I plan to drive up 
there today and see myself!) 
Apparently the original 
structure was a small 
Victorian Cottage and they 
added “ATROCIOUS-TOO 
LARGE” dormers. There was 
mention of city planning and 
issuing of permits. Can it be 
required that the AGE of a 
house is looked at BEFORE 
permits are issued?

 Everyone’s favorite 
historian, Steve Baker 
also spoke about “Adopt a 
School”- his is Plymouth. 
He also mentioned the grant 
Plymouth received. It was 
one of 80 who participated 
and their school had done 
the MOST hours of physical 
activity. Way to Go, dragons!

 What an enjoyable, 
informative meeting! 
The Monrovia City Council 
meets every 1st and 3rd 
Tuesdays, 7:30 P.M. at City 
Chambers.

J. Schmidt/MVNews 

Zach Selby, a local high school student 
whose grassroots efforts to deliver backyard 
fruit to feed the hungry grew into the 
community-wide program Fruit for All, 
has been honored with the 2011 Unsung 
Heroes of Los Angeles award. The award 
was presented on October 12 in a special 
ceremony at the Los Angeles County Museum 
of Art. Individuals honored in this 
biennial awards program of the California 
Community Foundation (CCF) are 
nominated by members of the public and 
selected by a committee of community 
leaders and CCF board members. 

 Fruit for All was born in 2010 when Zach 
and three family members began harvesting 
fresh fruit from neighbors’ backyard 
trees to donate to local nonprofits and 
food banks. What began as a modest and 
heartfelt effort grew into a community-
wide program staffed by three dozen 
regular volunteers. To date, they have 
picked and donated nearly 35,000 pounds 
of fresh fruit to feed the hungry all over 
Los Angeles County, including clients of 
Foothill Unity Center.

 In the September 20 meeting of the Arcadia 
city council, Arcadia mayor Gary Kovacic 
honored Zach, his brother Jackson, 
and the volunteers of Fruit for All as part of 
the city’s "Believe in Arcadia ... Volunteer!" 
initiative.

 For more on Fruit for All call 626-359-6666, 
email fruitforallkids@gmail.com, or visit 
fruitforallkids.com.

 

About the California Community Foundation 

CCF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to 
strengthening Los Angeles County through effective 
philanthropy and civic engagement. Established 
in 1915, it serves many roles in the community, 
including steward of charitable funds 
and legacies, manager of scholarship funds and 
fellowships, grantmaker to nonprofits, convener 
of thought leaders and decision-makers, and advocate 
for the needs of vulnerable populations in 
Los Angeles County. 

About Foothill Unity Center 

Foothill Unity Center, Inc., has been serving low-
income families and those in crisis for over 30 
years. Founded in 1980 in a church closet to provide 
food to a few hungry families, the Center has 
become the major source of food, health services 
and crisis assistance for over 4,000 low-income 
families in its service area: Pasadena, Altadena, 
South Pasadena, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, 
Duarte, Azusa, Baldwin Park and Irwindale. 
In 1991, the organization was incorporated. In 
2008, it was federally designated the Community 
Action Agency for the Foothill Area.


Monrovia Police Blotter

Neighborhood Watch Report

Beginning November 1, the Monrovia Police Department's 
Neighborhood Watch Report will be available on 
the City of Monrovia website, www.cityofmonrovia.org, 
under the Police Department section. 

Highlighted Incidents

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department 
handled 534 service events, resulting in 111 investigations. 
Following are the last week's highlighted events:

Theft / Receiving Stolen Property - Suspect Arrested

On October 6 at 11:39 a.m., an officer was dispatched 
to a business in the 2000 block of South Myrtle regarding 
the theft of an iron grate from a sewer drain at the 
location. The officer went to the recycling center in the 
100 block of West Duarte to see if anyone had tried to 
get money for the grate, but did not find the grate there. 
While walking back to his patrol unit, he observed a 
male subject pushing a cart with an iron grate on it. 
The grate weighed 125 pounds. During the investigation, 
the suspect admitted to stealing the grate. He was 
arrested and brought to the police station for booking.

Warrant Arrest - Suspect Arrested

On October 6 at 9:09 p.m., officers noticed a suspicious 
subject trying to hide from them as they were driving 
their patrol unit in the area of Alta Vista and Maple. 
The subject was contacted, identified, and found to 
have an outstanding narcotics warrant. He was arrested 
and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On October 6 at 10:08 p.m., officers responded to a gas station in the 800 block of East Huntington on the report 
of a male subject sleeping in his car. The officers arrived and found the vehicle sitting at one of the gas station pumps. The subject was passed out behind the wheel and the engine of his vehicle was running. The officers could smell the strong odor of alcohol emitting from the subject's breath. The suspect was determined to be under the influence and was arrested. 

Shots Fired

On October 8 at 1:30 a.m., an officer reported hearing 
several shots fired east of his location at Ivy and 
Chestnut. He started in that direction immediately. 
Calls came in from the area of 200 East Colorado reporting 
shots fired, but no victim or suspect information 
was given. Officers were in the area very fast and 
the Foothill Air Support Team airship arrived quickly 
and began checking the area. No victims or suspects 
were located and no bullet impacts could be found. 
Area hospitals were also checked, but no victims had 
reported for treatment. 

Weapons Offense - Suspect Arrested

On October 8 at 9:46 p.m., Special Enforcement Team 
officers were working an area regarding gang enforcement 
when they observed several subjects who appeared 
to be gang members walking in the area of 
the Monrovia/Duarte border, at California and Euclid. 
They turned their police unit around to contact 
the subjects, and as they did, they observed a white 
Chevy Lumina occupied by four young male subjects 
and people in the area were running away. Because of 
the suspicious circumstances, they decided to stop the 
car and investigate. Upon contact, the occupants acted 
very strangely. They were nervous and making statements 
about a friend who was stabbed at a location on 
California Avenue. During a pat-down search of one 
of the occupants, the officer located a loaded revolver. 
The suspect was arrested for possessing a concealed 
weapon and was taken into custody. The gun was determined 
to have belonged to a deceased person. The 
suspect was later transported to Eastlake Juvenile Hall. 
Monrovia police were informed shortly after the stop 
that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 
was investigating the stabbing of a young male subject 
by several other males at a party in the 2100 block of 
South California. 

Strong-Arm Robbery

On October 8 at 7:17 p.m., an employee of a business 
in the 400 block of West Huntington was leaving for 
a break when a male subject grabbed her purse and 
pushed her to the ground, causing minor injury to her 
elbow. The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 
wearing blue jeans, a dark hat, a Pendleton-type shirt, 
and white shoes. The victim did not require medical 
attention. Officers responded and made an area check, 
but were unable to locate the suspect or the stolen 
purse. Investigation continuing.

Vandalism

On October 9 at 1:56 p.m., officers located several locations 
in the City of Monrovia that had been vandalized 
with graffiti. Maroon, black, and green paint was 
found at each location. At the end of shift that same 
day, several other locations were discovered. Investigation 
continuing.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon

On October 9 at 11:55 p.m., an officer responded to 
Arcadia Methodist Hospital regarding a victim who 
checked himself in with a stab wound to his right thigh. 
An officer contacted the victim, who stated that he was 
standing in front of his house in the 200 block of West 
Cypress at about 11 p.m. and was drinking a beer. He 
was approached by two male subjects. One of the subjects 
asked the victim to share his beer. When the victim 
refused, one subject punched him in the face and 
the other stabbed the victim in his right thigh with an 
unknown sharp object. Both suspects ran westbound 
on Cypress. The victim reported that he does not know 
the suspects. They are described as two male blacks in 
their 20s; one suspect was wearing a dark baseball cap 
with the letter "D" on it and the other was wearing a 
dark hooded sweatshirt. The victim's injury was minor 
and he was treated and released from the hospital.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon - Suspect Arrested

On October 10 at 7:58 p.m., police received a call from 
Arcadia Methodist Hospital. They had a stabbing victim 
in the emergency room. The victim said he was 
drinking and playing cards with family members at 
a residence in the 800 block of West Olive. He began 
to argue with his cousin/suspect, which escalated into 
a physical fight. Family members broke up the fight 
and they separated. A short time later, the suspect returned 
and began threatening everyone by brandishing 
a knife. The victim and suspect became involved 
in another physical altercation, after which, the victim 
noticed a deep laceration on his left wrist. The suspect's 
brother also suffered a cut on his finger as a result of his 
efforts to break up the fight. Officers went to the location 
and arrested the suspect without incident.

Theft

On October 10 at 8:16 p.m., police received a call reporting 
a victim chasing a suspect on foot in the area of 
Primrose and Lemon. The victim exited a building and 
saw the suspect stripping parts from his bicycle, which 
was locked in a bicycle rack. The suspect stole the front 
wheel, forks, handle bars, and seat. He ran southbound 
through a park and out of sight. He was described as 
a male white, 20 years old, 6'4", thin build, dark curly 
hair, wearing a gray beanie, dark blue windbreaker, 
dark shorts, and he had a black backpack. Officers responded, 
but the suspect was not located. 

Grand Theft

On October 11 at 9:13 a.m., a victim reported the theft 
of a water-tank trailer from a construction site at the 
corner of Magnolia and Chestnut. The reporting party 
told the officer the trailer was stolen from the location 
during the night.

Suspicious Circumstances / HazMat Incident

On October 11 at 6:27 p.m., a caller reported a release 
of some type of chemical at a market located in the 300 
block of West Huntington. The Monrovia Fire Department 
responded and advised they would be handling 
the incident as a bomb threat/HazMat incident. When 
officers arrived, they learned a male suspect, for unknown 
reasons, ran into the store and discharged a 
dry-chemical fire extinguisher. The building was evacuated. 
None of the occupants became ill or showed any 
sign of exposure to anything dangerous. The suspect 
was described as a male white, 25 years old, 5'10", with 
a thin build. He drove away in a peach colored, two-
door vehicle. The HazMat unit from the Los Angeles 
County Fire Department responded and determined 
the substance was non-toxic and the scene was cleared. 
Investigation continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of 
Drug Paraphernalia / Warrant - Suspect Arrested

On October 12 at 8:14 a.m., an officer was dispatched 
to a residence in the 300 block of West Colorado regarding 
suspicious subjects living in a shed. The officer 
arrived and contacted the subjects. He conducted a 
computer check on them and found the female subject 
had a warrant for possession of a controlled substance. 
A search of her property revealed she had a baggie of 
methamphetamine and a drug smoking pipe in a small 
pouch. She was arrested for the above listed charges.

Residential Burglary

On October 12 at 10:22 a.m., a resident in the 400 block 
of North Encinitas was called by his alarm company to 
report an alarm activation at his home. He responded 
to his home and saw the garage door and the rear door 
of his home were open. He then called police. Officers 
arrived, cleared the house and did not find anyone inside. 
The victim did a walk through with the officers, 
but could only determine an Ipad and a watch missing 
at this time. 


DUARTE ELKS LODGE AND MOUNT OLIVE HIGH SCHOOL:

What Could They Have in Common? By Joan Schmidt

 Last Tuesday, I attended a 
Duarte City Council Meeting 
and listened to a presentation by 
Gerald Delker, from the Duarte 
Elks Lodge. Mr. Delker spoke of 
their “Bikes for Kids” Program, 
provided by an Impact Grant 
of $5,400 designed for Elks to 
collect, repair and donate bikes 
to needy students. In addition to 
the 60 bicycles, 200 helmets and 
146 bike locks have also been 
distributed. The Bikes’ Project 
collaborates with Mt. Olive 
High School Volunteer, Sandi 
Patterson, and her students 
assisting with bike repair. 
As a result of this effort, the 
Santa Anita YMCA decided to 
develop a bike lending program 
to get more people onto bikes!

 Mt. Olive High School 
in Duarte is a Model 
Continuation High School 
with a fully accredited program 
for students requiring an 
alternative approach to 
traditional education. Principal 
Kevin Moriss states, “Mount 
Olive is committed to providing 
a quality education to our 
learning community. We take 
personal responsibility for our 
role in promoting academic 
achievement and professional 
growth. Our learning 
environment encourages 
respect, fosters a commitment 
to education and helps prepare 
our students to meet life 
challenges.” The wonderful 
bicycle program is proof of 
their vision. 

 About five years ago, Mt. 
Olive partnered with Triple 7 
Bikes, then located in Duarte. 
Students walked by the shop, 
looked at bikes and were invited 
to observe work on the bikes. 
(Harvey and wife, Mt. Olive 
volunteer, Sandi Patterson own 
and operate Triple 7 Bikes.) 
Recently an electric bike made 
from scratch by Mt. Olive 
students won FIRST PLACE 
in the county fair! The tires 
and motor had been donated. 
This bike program between 
Mt. Olive and Bike 7 has really 
ballooned, and funding by the 
Elks has helped a great deal. 
Students have learned how to 
repair bikes. In the beginning, 
it was simple tasks like fixing 
chains. Mt. Olive students 
went to Maxwell and Andre 
Duarte Elementary Schools and 
repaired bikes. On weekends, 
Mt. Olive students have worked 
either at the school campus or 
at the Patterson’s home. The 
Patterson’s son Shawn has 
also helped. Because of the 
Pattersons, students’ skills have 
expanded to electric and gas. 
There is a bike storage shed at 
Mt. Olive, thanks to the Elks’ 
generosity! This is where bikes 
and parts are stored. In addition 
to the Elks, other companies 
have donated motors, tires 
and parts. Where do the bikes 
come from? The Elks donated 
60 bikes, but citizens like Mayor 
Pro tem, Lois Gaston, donated 
3 bikes! Anyone who has a bike/ 
bikes no longer in use, please 
call Mt. Olive H.S. to donate it! 
(626) 599-5902.

 Beside their Bike Program, 
Elks participate in MANY 
volunteer programs and 
projects to help those in 
need. One example is Delilah 
Hernandez, born premature 
and at 3 months diagnosed 
with cerebral palsy. In 2010, at 
two years old, Delilah began 
physical therapy with the Elks 
Major Project, receiving weekly 
therapy visits. From day one, 
there has been progress. On 
the first visit, she was able to 
roll from stomach to back and 
back to stomach. After many 
therapy sessions, in her pink 
wheelchair, she is learning 
to maneuver and go where 
she wants! She’s learning to 
use arms functionally in fine-
motor skills and spoon feeding. 
Delilah is a bright and persistent 
girl. She continues to improve 
and, because of the Elks and so 
many generous donations, she 
will continue to succeed. Thank 
you, Elks!

 Other charitable Elks 
projects include College 
Scholarships, Disaster Relief, 
Preschool Vision Screening, 
Occupational Therapy-, 
Physical Therapy, and Speech-
Language Therapy.

 The Duarte Elks Lodge 
serves the communities of 
Duarte, Monrovia, Irwindale, 
Azusa, Glendora, San Dimas, 
Laverne and Pomona. If 
you’re interested in a fun place 
to spend time with family 
while helping with charitable 
projects, the Duarte Elks Lodge 
is the place to be. The public is 
welcome for Sunday Breakfast 
Buffet or Monday nights for 
food and fun. Location: 2436 
E. Huntington Drive, Duarte 
or call (626) 357-6771 for more 
info.