Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 11, 2012

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Mountain Views News Saturday, February 11, 2012

PRESENTATION BY 
ARCADIA CHINESE 
ASSOCIATION 
AND TRIBUTE TO 
TWO FINE MEN AT 
ARCADIA CITY 
COUNCIL MEETING

By Joan Schmidt

 Over the years, I have heard mention of 
a Chinese Association working on various 
fundraisers, offering financial support 
with educational programs, and doing just 
kindnesses! When I was involved with the 
Sheriff’s Department, one branch offered 
financial assistance with special educational 
prevention programs. Then on another 
occasion, I learned that on 9/11, they 
brought a special meal to Temple Station 
personnel. (This was prior to the 9/11 
tragedy. This was to thank Temple station 
for its response on 9-1-1 calls, hence the 
annual 9/11 treat.) 

 At a recent Arcadia City Council meeting, 
the Arcadia Chinese Association did just 
that. President Josephine Louie (right)made 
a special presentation of car wash tickets 
to City Employees. Mayor Gary Kovacic 
thanked Josephine and told everyone how 
much this great nonprofit organization has 
done for the Arcadia community. Founded 
in 1982, the Arcadia Chinese Association 
has dedicated its services and support to 
an array of different programs, service 
departments and organizations within 
the community. Its mission is to help the 
community better understand and give 
respect for its cultural diversity in hopes of 
promoting community development and 
peace.

 During the meeting, there was also 
a report on the “Sustainable Arcadia” 
program, which directs City efforts and 
actions on environmental programs. This 
program was adopted by a vote of 5-0. 

 We all know that City Redevelopment 
Agencies are being phased out. To me, 
it’s mindboggling. Every city close to 
us has done so much because of their 
redevelopment agency. Now there is the 
issue of how to phase them out. Also at the 
Arcadia City meeting, there was mention 
of an “Oversight Board” which is to have 
seven members. The Mayor is to appoint 
two members; Supervisor Antonovich, two 
members, and the last three by the State 
Chancellor, County Office of Education, 
and County Sanitation Department. This is 
all confusing- what this board will exactly 
do, but it’s supposed to be ready by May 1.

 The meeting was adjourned in memory of 
two men, Fire Captain Andy Troncale and 
Ed Schreiner. First, Mayor Kovacic read a 
beautiful tribute of Fire Captain Troncale’s 
life and career. (Last week Fire Captain 
Troncale’s tribute was in this paper.) Then 
Mayor Kovacic then read one about Ed 
Shriner. Ironically, Ed also succumbed to 
cancer at the age of 68. 

 Ed Schreiner was born at St. Luke’s 
Hospital in Altadena. He spent his entire 
life in Arcadia raising a family, working, 
owning businesses and volunteering his 
time, talents and skills to the community. 
Ed owned Arko’s at the corner of Foothill 
and Santa Anita from 1971-1984. He was a 
member of the Army National Guard, and 
later an Arcadia Reserve Police Officer from 
1983-1991. He lent his talents to the Youth 
Safety run sponsored by the Police Advisory 
Council, spent a decade as a Pasadena 
Tournament of Roses float mechanic and 
worked for the Arcadia Unified School 
District in the warehouse and print shop.

 Ed spent the last several years of 
his life working with the Arcadia High 
School Band Percussion teams. He 
assisted in transporting equipment and 
greatly supported the marching band and 
percussion by serving on the Pit Crew and 
traveling to events all over the country.

 This awesome man also is given credit 
for the great relationship between Arcadia 
H.S. and the White Mountain Apache Tribe. 
During the holidays, over a ten-year period, 
Ed collected and donated AUSD jackets 
and toys, thus establishing good will and 
personal bonds with the Apache tribe. Ed 
even was invited to special celebrations and 
cultural traditions in Arizona.

 Ed is survived by his wife Terry, 
daughters Anne, Sandra, Carol and Sarah, 
three granddaughters and many friends 
and family members who will greatly 
miss him. A celebration of Ed’s life will be 
held Sunday, February 12th at 1pm at the 
Arcadia High School North Gym. In lieu 
of flowers, donations made be made to the 
Arcadia High School, designated for the Ed 
Schreiner Percussion Scholarship.


ARCADIA (Feb. 9) – According 
to the Arcadia Association 
of REALTORS®, 
California’s housing affordability 
rose to its highest 
level in fourth-quarter 2011, 
matching a record high set in 
2009, thanks to lower home 
prices and record-low interest 
rates. This information 
was obtained from reports 
furnished by the CALIFORNIA 
ASSOCIATION OF 
REALTORS® (C.A.R.). 

The percentage of home 
buyers who could afford to 
purchase a median-priced, 
existing single-family home 
in California rose to 55 percent 
in the fourth quarter of 
2011, up from 52 percent in 
third-quarter 2011 and from 
50 percent in the fourth 
quarter of 2010, according to 
C.A.R.’s Traditional Housing 
Affordability Index (HAI). 
The index was the highest 
since C.A.R. began tracking 
this statistic in 1988, and 
equaled a high set in first-
quarter 2009.

C.A.R.’s HAI measures the 
percentage of all households 
that can afford to purchase 
a median-priced, single-
family home in California. 
C.A.R. also reports affordability 
indices for regions 
and select counties within 
the state. The Index is considered 
the most fundamental 
measure of housing well-
being for home buyers in the 
state.

Home buyers needed to earn 
a minimum annual income 
of $57,750 to qualify for the 
purchase of a $282,350 statewide 
median-priced, existing 
single-family home in 
the fourth quarter of 2011. 
The monthly payment, including 
taxes and insurance 
on a 30-year fixed-rate loan, 
would be $1,440, assuming 
a 20 percent down payment 
and an effective composite 
interest rate of 4.31 percent. 
The effective composite interest 
rate in third-quarter 
2011 was 4.63 percent and 
4.62 percent in the fourth 
quarter of 2010.

Visit http://www.car.org/
marketdata/data/haitraditional/ 
to see C.A.R.’s historical 
housing affordability 
data. For first-time buyer 
housing affordability data, 
visit http://www.car.org/
marketdata/data/ftbhai/.

Representing local Realtors
® and home owners in 
the San Gabriel Valley for 88 
years, the ARCADIA ASSOCIATION 
OF REALTORS® 
(www.TheAAR.com) is one 
of the oldest trade organizations 
in CA. The AAR is 
dedicated to the advancement 
of professionalism in 
real estate and is an advocate 
for private property rights. 
A.A.R. is headquartered in 
Arcadia.

CALIFORNIA HOUSING 

AFFORDABILITY IMPROVES, 
MATCHING PREVIOUS 

RECORD HIGH

PARTICIPATE IN READ ACROSS AMERICA 

Children and their families are invited to listen to stories read by Arcadia’s own fire fighters on Wednesday, February 29 at 10:30 a.m. 

 Come join in on the celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday as readers and listeners across the country participate in this nationwide event. 
What better way to send a message that reading is fun and important! It’s always a fun time and one you won’t want to miss! 

For more information, please call (626) 821-5566 or visit the Arcadia Public Library’s website at http://library.ci.arcadia.ca.us . You can 
now also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. The Arcadia Public Library is located at 20 W. Duarte Rd. Arcadia.

HEART AWARENESS MONTH

 Arcadia Senior Services in partnership with Methodist 
Hospital is having a special health presentation 
on Tuesday, February 28th at 1:30pm. This 
informative lecture will take place at the Arcadia 
Community Center, 365 Campus Drive. February 
is designated as “Heart Awareness Month”. Noted 
Cardiologist, Dr. Terrence Baruch will speak on the 
symptoms, diagnosis, and new treatment options of 
a heart attack. 

 Dr. Baruch will also talk about the STEMI program 
and the new 911 transfer program Methodist 
Hospital is now offering that may save your 
life. A heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI), 
can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle. 
More than one million Americans have heart attacks 
each year making it the number one killer for 
both men and women. 

 There is limited space for the lecture so pre-registration 
is required. Call Arcadia Senior Services 
626.574.5130 to reserve your space before February 
22nd

COMEDIAN’S TIPS ON PUBLIC 
SPEAKING BY ICE HOUSE 

VETERAN 
SCOTT 
SHIMAMOTO 

You may not think it’s 
too funny if you get 
nervous speaking in 
front of a group, but 
local comedian Scott 
Shimamoto will give 
you a good laugh as he 
provides tips on public 
speaking at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s 
monthly Networking Breakfast at 
7:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16.

Shimamoto, who has performed stand-up 
comedy at many venues in the region, such 
as The Ice House, and who produces numerous 
comedy show benefit fundraisers, is 
also a home mortgage consultant at Franklin 
Loan Center.

He will discuss how to overcome your fears, 
and techniques for using a microphone and 
working a crowd.

Networking Breakfasts, sponsored by Rose 
Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary, are held 
on the third Thursday of each month at 
the Santa Anita Golf Course club house on 
Santa Anita Avenue. A distinguished business 
leader of the community is featured 
each month, and attendees are invited at 
the beginning of each program to introduce 
themselves and say a few words about their 
business or organization.

Tickets are $15 for members who RSVP 
in advance and $20 for non-members. To 
make a reservation, contact the Chamber 
office: 626-447-2159 or by e-mail: info@ArcadiaCaChamber.
org.

Arcadia Police Blotter


For the period of Sunday, January 29th, through Saturday, February 4th, the Police Department responded to 903 
calls for service of which 104 required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of the major 
incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, January 29:

1. At about 12:40 a.m., an officer, working a DUI checkpoint on Santa Anita Avenue at Santa Clara 
Street, contacted the driver of a grey Saturn. The driver provided the officer with false identification. An 
investigation revealed the subject was driving under the influence of alcohol and had three outstanding 
warrants. The 42-year-old White male was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 
2. At approximately 6:17 p.m., an officer responded to H&M at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South 
Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a theft report. Two female juveniles concealed several items inside 
their purses and exited the store without making payment. The 13-year-old and 14-year-old Hispanic 
females were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. Both were later released to 
their parental guardian. 


Monday, January 30:

3. Shortly after 12:13 p.m., an officer observed a male subject standing with his bicycle in the 
middle of Santa Rosa Road, near Colorado Boulevard. The officer made contact with the subject 
who explained he skipped school to hang out with friends. The officer located marijuana and drug 
paraphernalia inside his backpack. The 17-year-old White male was cited for the listed charges and 
released to his father.
4. Around 9:12 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Sephora at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South 
Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a female adult in custody for theft. The suspect concealed a perfume 
inside her purse, and another perfume inside her bra. A search of her purse revealed two inactivated 
credit cards issued to different names. The officer searched her vehicle and discovered additional 
inactivated credit cards still glued to their approval letters, two possible stolen laptops, and mail 
containing the personal identifying information of other people. The 23-year-old Black female was 
arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 


 

Tuesday, January 31

5. At approximately 9:33 a.m., an officer responded to the Arcadia Police Department front 
counter in regards to an identity theft report. The victim received a Target credit card statement in 
the mail for an account he did not open. The victim has no idea how his personal information was 
compromised and is desirous of prosecution. 
6. At about 2:25 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the intersection of Huntington Drive and 
Baldwin Avenue regarding a two-party traffic collision. Party-two was driving on northbound Baldwin 
Avenue when he was struck by Party-one, traveling westbound on Huntington Drive. An investigation 
revealed Party-one failed to stop for a red signal. No major injuries were reported.


 

Wednesday, February 1:

7. Around 1:01 p.m., an officer responded to the 000 block of West Leroy Avenue, in regards to 
a residential burglary report. The victim received a phone call from his alarm company indicating his 
front door alarm had activated. He returned home and discovered his front door had been forced open. 
He observed the door was damaged; however, no property was missing. It appeared the unknown 
suspect(s) became startled at the sound of the alarm and fled the scene undetected. 
8. At approximately 5:28 p.m., an officer responded to H&M at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 
South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a female adult and female juvenile detained for theft. A loss 
prevention officer observed the female adult select numerous items of clothing, and watched her carry 
the merchandise to a secluded area of the store with her 11-year-old daughter. The suspect placed 
the merchandise on a wall display and proceeded to walk away, after which the juvenile placed all of 
the merchandise in an empty Hollister shopping bag. Both suspects exited the store without making 
payment. An investigation revealed the suspects also stole items from Claire’s. The 32-year-old Hispanic 
female was arrested for Commercial Burglary and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. A 
report was made to the Department of Child and Family Services, and the juvenile was later released to 
a parental guardian. 


Thursday, February 2:

Shortly after 1:31 a.m., officers conducted a bicycle traffic stop on southbound Santa Anita Avenue 
at Le Roy Avenue for not having a safety reflector. A records check revealed the bicyclist was on 
parole. The officer searched his person and recovered methamphetamines inside his pants pocket. 
The 23-year-old Hispanic male was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance. 

9. Around 6:25 p.m., an officer responded to the 1000 block of South First Avenue in regards to 
a structure fire. When the officer arrived, the residence was fully engulfed in flames and personnel 
from the Arcadia Fire Department and Monrovia Fire Department were already on scene. The fire 
was successfully extinguished; however, at the time of the report the cause of the fire was unknown.


Friday, February 3:

At approximately 9:12 a.m., an officer responded to the Arcadia Police Department front counter 
regarding a theft report. The victim explained he received a call from a male subject who identified 
himself as his son. The subject requested a wire transfer via Western Union to bail himself out of jail 
in Panama City, Panama. The victim believed the subject and completed the wire transfer. A short 
time later, the victim received a phone call from her actual son who explained he was at home, and 
never went to Panama. The victim is desirous of prosecution for Theft by False Pretense. 

10. At about 8:00 p.m., an officer responded to the area of Oakwood Avenue and Virginia Road, 
in regards to an auto burglary. The victim discovered unknown suspect(s) stole her Luis Vuitton 
purse from inside her vehicle, which also contained a large amount of cash and checks. The officer 
did not locate any signs of forced entry. 


NOMINATIONS FOR 2012 

SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR!

Applications are available at the Arcadia Community 
Center front desk for nominations for the 2012 
Senior Citizen of the Year! Do you know someone 
who is: caring and at least 55 years of age; an Arcadia 
resident; actively involved in volunteer work; 
invaluable to your organization and deserving 
of recognition? If so, then nominate that special 
person for the 2012 Arcadia Senior Citizen of the 
Year Award. Recipient of the award will be honored 
at the Arcadia Rotary Club’s Salute to Seniors 
luncheon on Tuesday, May 8th. Nominations must 
be submitted by Tuesday, February 21, 2012 to the 
Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive, 
Arcadia, CA 91066-6021.

 For more information, please call 626.574.5130.