Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 28, 2012

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Mountain Views-News Saturday July 28, 2012 

 
In a local paper and on Patch, it was 
mentioned that Monrovia’s Kim Rhode 
was going to her fifth Olympics. Kim is 
a current resident of Monrovia but she 
does call herself, an “El Monte Girl”- 
that’s where she was born and raised. 
Her parents still live in El Monte. Her 
grandfather graduated from El Monte 
High School and both Kim and her dad 
graduated from Arroyo High School. 
(She also attended Cherry Lee and 
Durfee Schools)

 I met Kim MANY years ago- back in 
1996 when an awesome seventeen-year-
old received a gold medal in trap! She 
came to our Route 66 Parade in Duarte 
along with Dr. Tommy Lee and Rafer 
Johnson. Mary Barrow Sommerlott 
always finds AWESOME Parade Grand 
Marshalls, and that year it was honoring 
Olympian Gold Winners! In the next 
three Olympics, Kim also earned 
medals. In 2000, Kim won a bronze 
medal in double trap, in 2004 a gold 
medal in double trap, and in 2008, a 
silver medal in skeet.

 When and how did Kim begin 
shooting? Kim has been shooting 
since she was seven years old, growing 
up with a fishing rod in one hand and 
a gun in another. This was all part of 
a family tradition-going back to her 
grandparents’ generation. Every year the 
family hunted deer and bears, and fished 
for catfish. She picked blackberries and 
made jam with her grandmother.

 At age seven, Kim actually shot her 
first two doves in Arizona. The game 
warden didn’t believe she could shoot, 
but when two flew by and her dad 
alerted her, she did it, and the game 
warden was a surprised believer. 

 At ten, Kim began shooting a 
competitive 22 rifle. First she won 
competitions in club shoots, and then 
moved on to the State Finals for six-
and-a-half years. 

 How does one become so talented? 
It takes A LOT of practice. Try about 
25,000 targets every year for four years, 
1500 rounds a week! Consequently most 
of the day is spent standing up. How 
about carrying a nine-and-a-half pound 
shotgun and five to ten pounds of ammo 
in your front and back pockets? Special 
molded ear plugs, as well as computer 
chips, are used to deaden sounds.

 When I saw Kim several months ago 
at the El Monte Historical Museum, 
she related that it was A LOT different 
shooting in damp London as opposed 
to sunny California. And then there are 
THE RULES! There are rules pertaining 
to clothing, color of clothing, and even 
equipment checks! Kim said that every 
time you competed, a sticker was put on 
your shotgun. Kim had many stickers 
and they were a great record of all her 
competitions. I remember her shotgun 
was stolen several years ago, and I was 
glad when it was retrieved. However I 
didn’t know anything about the stickers 
and all the stickers had been removed.

 Kim felt the toughest challenge 
was when she was forced to switch to 
International Skeet. No more double 
trap.

 One of her greatest moments was 
“in Atlanta in 1996, when all the United 
States participants were lined up and 
all the audience was chanting, “USA”. 
Complete strangers hugging each 
other-it was so touching, standing there 
representing your country and recalling 
all the hard work to get there”.

 Last week, when my husband received 
his latest issue of Sports Illustrated, it 
predicted Kim will win the Gold! In 
USA Weekend, there also was mention 
of Kim. She’s quoted, “Every Olympic 
journey is unique. That’s what flashes 
when you’re up there on the Podium 
watching the American flag go to the 
top of the pole-of course, with the 
anthem playing. Personally, that’s why I 
keep coming back.”

 And Kim is coming back for the 
FIFTH consecutive Olympics. Good 
luck to her as most of El Monte and 
Monrovia watches. Bring home the 
gold!

EL MONTE’S OWN KIM RHODE SEEKING 
FIFTH OLYMPIC MEDAL By Joan Schmidt 

CONGRESSIONAL 

CANDIDATES TO SPEAK AT 
CHAMBER AUGUST 2

Meet the candidates who will represent Arcadia in the 
United States Congress at the Chamber’s monthly Government 
Affairs Forum at 8 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 2.
Longtime Arcadia resident and Republican candidate Jack 
Orswell is confirmed to speak, and Democratic candidate 
and current Congresswoman Judy Chu hopes to attend as 
well.

 The Government Affairs Forum is inviting the candidates 
for State Senator and the California Assembly to speak at 
the September and October programs.

 Also on the agenda for the Aug. 2 Forum is a 10-min presentation 
on the proposed 710 freeway extension’s environmental 
study relating to the potential impact on traffic 
throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

 Additional brief updates will be provided by the representatives 
from City, County, and State government offices, the 
Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension and the San Gabriel 
Valley Business Coalition. Join us to hear informative presentations 
at the monthly Government Affairs Forums led 
by co-chairmen Pete Ulrich, former Arcadia City Councilman, 
and Mary Dougherty, former President of the Arcadia 
School District Board of Education. The Forum, held 
the first Thursday of each month, is free and open to the 
public. RSVPs are appreciated to the Chamber office: 626-
447-2159 or info@ArcadiaCaChamber.org.


Kim Rhodes, left, and friend

ARCADIA – FAMILY FLICKS ON 
THE PROMENADE

WEDNESDAYS!

Once again, this year, the City of Arcadia and Westfield Santa 
Anita are teaming up to bring you a new program called Family 
Flicks on the Promenade (upper level of the mall) 400 S. Baldwin 
Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007 . Family fun starts at 6:30pm with 
pre-show entertainment and activities with Radio Disney Street 
Team, as well as exclusive dining discounts and fabulous prizes. 
All movies are shown on Wednesdays beginning July 11th.

Movies begin at dusk*.

August 1 Winnie the Pooh (G)

August 8 Cars 2 (G)

August 15 Zookeeper (PG)

* Titles subject to change. Visit Westfield.com for more event 
information.

It is a completely free event and no registration is required. For 
more information, please

contact the City of Arcadia Recreation and Community Services 
Department at 626.574.5113


MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER

Remembering a friend:

LILLIE B. JEFFERSON

September 13, 1931 - July 2, 2012

By Joan Schmidt 

Lillie Bell Jefferson was born in Hollinsville, Oklahoma on September 13, 
1931 to Hardie and Leora Lee. Lillie was the second eldest daughter of eleven 
children; she attended grammar school in Duarte and graduated from MAD 
(Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte) High School.

Lillie married L.J. Jefferson in 1958, and they were blessed with one daughter, 
Jennice and two sons, Rodney and Curtis.

Lillie accepted Christ at an early age and was an active member of the First 
Baptist Church of Duarte, where she was an usher for over thirty years and 
participated in Bible Study and Woman’s Fellowship. She was an active bowler 
until 2000. After retirement from Rain Bird, she continued working at Adam’s 
Rite for ten years and then did adult caregiving until her passing.

Lillie’s deep faith sustained her. Lillie was preceded in death by her parents, 
Hardie Sr. and Leora, as well as two brothers, Wafford and Hardie, Jr., and two 
sister, Cora and Rosie. Also her son Curtis preceded her in death, which is very 
hard for a parent. But Lillie had a loving supportive attitude and could change the atmosphere with her humor 
and giving nature towards family and friends.

Her service (“Home going Celebration”) was beautiful. Minister Leslie Monroe offered a Prayer of Comfort, 
reminding us that Lillie had gone home to Heaven, followed by Minister Richard Spicer’s Scripture Reading. 
Yolanda Crocker reminded us that “Sister Lillie made me my birthday cake every year”, and gave a moving 
rendition of Because He Lives. One of Lillie’s granddaughters, Monique Jefferson, read a poem that she had 
written for her grandmother, and it brought tears to many people. There also was a solo by Delores Sanders and 
Elder Bradford Graves gave the Eulogy/Gospel Message, which was very comforting. His message reminded us 
that God is waiting for us and has a place for us. Final Closing Prayer was by Pastor Ronnie Herrell.

When someone’s life is being celebrated, and there is standing room only, that speaks volumes of the person. 
So many came out to send this special lady home. I sat with Duarte School Board Member Ken Bell and his 
wife. School Board President Reyna Diaz and Council Member Margaret Finlay also attended. From Monrovia, 
I noticed Mayor Mary Ann Lutz and former Mayor Bob Bartlett. Also Terrence Williams from the Monrovia-
Arcadia-Duarte Town Council. 

When it was time for people to come up and speak of Lillie, two neighbors did. They said when their elderly 
mother was ill, Lillie was at their home, every day, from 6AM- 6PM. There was mention of Rodney Jefferson, 
whom EVERYONE in Duarte knows-he is the High School Coach. Rodney also does the special basketball camp 
for youths during the summer. Rodney is such a great mentor and this is what he learned from his mom.

What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady, a life well spent serving Jesus and others. Everyone left the service 
thankful that they had Lillie had been a part of their lives.


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 536 service 
events, resulting in 86 investigations. To see a complete listing of crimes reported, 
go to http://www.crimemapping.com/map/ca/monrovia for crime mapping. For 
Police Department news and information, visit our website at www.monroviapd.
org and follow us on Twitter for police notifications.

Vehicle Burglary / Fraud

On July 19 at 10:10 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 800 block of 
West Foothill. Sometime between 5 p.m. on July 18 and 10 a.m. on July 19, 
suspect(s) used an unknown object to break the front passenger window, reach 
in and remove the victim's purse from the front seat. The suspect(s) attempted 
to use the victim's credit cards that were in the purse at several locations in 
town and made an online purchase. Investigation continuing.

Domestic Violence

On July 19 at 1:06 p.m., officers responded to the report of domestic violence 
in progress in the 100 block of Melrose. The female victim and her boyfriend 
were arguing, and the argument led to the male striking the female on the 
forehead and on the right side of her torso. The male subject left the location 
prior to officers arriving. The female complained of pain to her right side. She 
was checked by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics and taken to a local 
hospital. A wanted person entry was completed for the suspect. Investigation 
continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

On July 20 at 7:03 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 400 block of 
Meadow Lane. The victim parked the vehicle in the street in the evening and 
returned to the vehicle the next morning to find a window had been smashed. 
An Ipod was taken from the vehicle. Investigation continuing.

Forgery / Counterfeit Money - Suspect Arrested

On July 20 at 9:45 p.m., a 16-year-old male suspect passed a counterfeit $20 
bill at the Monrovia Family Festival at a business on Myrtle and Lemon in 
exchange for merchandise. The clerk confronted the juvenile suspect and he 
ran east on Lemon. A group of citizens chased the suspect and detained him. 
Friday night bike patrol officers were first to arrive at the location and took 
custody of the suspect.

Subsequent investigation revealed the suspect was in possession of 9 additional 
counterfeit $20 bills. All of the bills were of poor quality and several of them 
had identical serial numbers. The suspect was arrested and the Secret Service 
was contacted. Investigation continuing.

Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor - Suspect Arrested

On July 21 at 12:50 a.m., officers responded a residence in the 200 block of 
Valle Vista regarding juveniles consuming alcohol at the location. Investigation 
revealed an 18-year-old male subject was hosting a gathering of 11 minors 
at his residence while his parents were out of town. Several of the minors were 
consuming alcohol at the location. Empty beer cans and plastic cups were 
found. The 18-year-old resident did not have any identification in his possession. 
He was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Threats / Annoying Phone Calls

On July 23 at 5:09 p.m., a mental health facility in the 2600 block of South California 
called to report a disturbed client who was making threatening phone 
calls and was now at the facility. The client is a 42-year-old, male Hispanic 
subject. He was upset at his doctor and was demanding a termination of service 
form. The subject is schizophrenic, off his medication, and was acting 
oddly and making wild allegations. Officers responded, but the subject left the 
location prior to their arrival. The suspect was not located. The investigation 
is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

On July 24 at 8:58 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in a business parking 
lot in the 700 block of East Huntington. The burglary occurred between 7:15 
and 8:45 p.m. The victim left the windows of the vehicle down 4 to 5 inches. A 
wallet and the car stereo were stolen. Investigation continuing.