Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 18, 2012

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Mountain Views-News Saturday August 18, 2012 

SENIOR CENTER AWARENESS EVENT 
& CAROTID ARTERY SCREENING

September is National Senior Center Month which gives Arcadia 
Senior Services the opportunity to showcase their senior 
citizen activities at the Arcadia Community Center which 
is located at 365 Campus Drive, Arcadia. The senior center 
awareness event will be held Friday, September 14, 2012 from 
10am– 2pm. This event is a collaborative effort between the 
City of Arcadia and Methodist Hospital. There will be two featured 
guest speakers; Dr. Valerie Wren; Associate Clinical Professor 
at Western University. Dr. Wren will be presenting, “Vision 
and Fall Prevention” at 10:00am. Dr. R. G. Apelian, Board 
Certified Neurologist will speak on, “Understanding Stroke 
and How to Prevent it”. He will discuss risk factors for stroke, 
how to help prevent a stroke, warning signs, and how Methodist 
Hospital can help you if you have a stroke. This informative 
health presentation will take place from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. 

There will also be carotid artery screenings available and appointments 
begin at 9:00am and there is a $7.00 fee. Other 
health screenings include: balance & mobility, blood pressure, 
memory, vision and more. Support groups present will include: 
BRAILLE Institute, Mended Hearts, Stroke, Cancer, Diabetes, 
Caregiver (Santa Anita Family Services), Parkinson, Grief and 
Diabetes. Each vendor will have informational tables. The 
Community Services class instructors (zumba gold, aerobics, 
yoga and tai chi) will be giving short demonstrations. Lunch 
will be available from 11:30am – 12:30pm and tickets can be 
pre-purchased for $5.00. There are limited appointments available 
for the carotid artery screening and lunch so sign up early! 
This event is geared towards individuals age 50 and over. 

For additional information and to register for the lectures 
please call the Arcadia Community Center at 626.574.5130. 

From Best of Arcadia

DANA ANCHOR MONUMENT SUNK

A Facebook group started in late June that quickly attracted 448 members registering protests and seeking information 
about this summer’s destruction and removal of the iconic concrete monument topped by an iron anchor in the courtyard 
of Dana Middle School finally got an official answer today, Tuesday, Aug. 14, from School Board President Joann 
Steinmeier.

In a letter from Steinmeier to Rory Bennett, the primary leader of the campaign who posted the letter on the Facebook 
Group she started — Friends of the Dana Middle School Anchor (Arcadia, CA) — Steinmeier said the anchor (impedes) 
the flow of student traffic on the newly reconfigured campus (artist rendering at right). Dana is the second of all three 
middle schools to undergo a major face-life as part of the quarter-billion dollar Measure I bond issue.

Steinmeier said 
the anchor itself, 
which sat atop the 
monument, has 
been preserved and 
will be showcased 
in a fenced area in 
a slightly upright 
position in a new, 
smaller courtyard 
outside of the new 
library facing First 
Avenue closer to 
the completion of 
overall construction. 
That is, pending 
board approval 
of the $25,000 cost 
to do so.

Commenters to 
Steinmeier’s letter on Facebook seemed only partially mollified, suggesting that the $25,000 expenditure is excessive and 
would not have been necessary if the monument had not been destroyed in the first place. Many feel it could have easily 
and respectfully been incorporated into the new courtyard design.

“Like you, we believe this to be an important symbol for the 
students of Dana now as in the past,” Steinmeier wrote.

When word and photos of the demolition of the monument 
emerged in mid-June, Bennett — a Dana Junior High 
cheerleader in 1972-73 and 1976 recipient of an Arcadia 
Alumni Association Scholarship – and dozens of others expressed 
a sense of loss as well as anger and frustration that 
alumni and others with an emotional stake in memories of 
the monument had not been alerted or consulted and that 
no information about the fate of the fixture was made available 
upon requests in July. Dozens of personal and yearbook 
photos dating back for decades were posted of students and 
groups posing in, on, and around the monument.

Steinmeier’s letter was in response to Bennett’s letter summarizing 
the concerns expressed in the Facebook group 
over the loss of the half-century-old monument that represented 
what is described as a symbol of school pride not 
unlike USC’s Tommy Trojan or the UCLA Bruin. In addition 
to a favorite spot for photo ops, it also provided a physical incarnation of the rite of passage for upper class Dana 
Mariner students who, according to tradition, earned the right to sit on the monument during lunch break. The monument 
and the tradition provided a source of pride and confidence. “Friendships were forged on it, school dances were 
staged around it and first kisses were shared on it,” Bennett wrote. – By Scott Hettrick


Artist rendering of renovated courtyard at Dana Middle School

LOCAL GIRLS “CAMPED IN” AT 
WHITTIER COLLEGE

Home from AAUW-California’s Tech Trek Science/Math 
Camp this summer at Whittier College are thirteen girls 
from local middle schools. Seated (l. to r.) are Marina 
Orozco and Alexis Kimes, Monrovia; Ann (Yin Yi) Chen and 
Wendi Segura, El Monte City Schools. Standing (l. to r.) 
are Brianna Chandra, Irene Wang, Frances Aguilar, and 
Sai Katapalli, Arcadia; Christine Choy and Candice Lau, 
Temple City; and Alexandria Constanzo and Frida Franco, 
El Monte City Schools. The Arcadia Branch of AAUW is 
sponsor for the local students. (Not pictured: Kimberly 
Rubio)

No, they don’t have their college degrees yet, but thirteen local 
middle-school girls completed a successful week this summer 
on the Whittier College campus, exploring futures in science, 
math, and technology. Under the sponsorship of the Arcadia 
Branch of the American Association of University Women 
(AAUW), the thirteen girls attended Tech Trek Science/Math 
Camp for Girls, a summer program for eighth-grade girls. 
The goal of Tech Trek Camp is to help young women entering 
eighth grade in the fall to develop interest, excitement, and 
self-confidence in the fields of math and science. 

 Representing Arcadia were Brianna Chandra and Irene 
Wang from Dana Middle School, as well as Frances Aguilar and 
Sai Kottapalli from First Avenue Middle School. El Monte City 
School District was represented by Ann (Yin Yi) Chen, Gidley 
School; Kimberly Rubio and Wendi Segura, Potrero School; 
Alexandria Constanzo, Rio Hondo School; and Frida Franco, 
Frank M. Wright School. Santa Fe Middle School, Monrovia, 
sent Alexis Kimes and Marina Orozco. Christine Choy and 
Candice Lau were selected from Oak Avenue Intermediate 
School, Temple City.

 These young women received a preview of college life 
while learning that math and science can be fun. They lived 
in dorms on the Whittier College campus for the week. They 
attended classes taught by credentialed middle-school teachers 
in classes emphasizing hands-on experiments. Professional 
women in the fields of math, science, and technology were 
guest presenters. Highlighting the activities were field trips 
to Jet Propulsion Lab, forensics labs, water reclamation plants, 
and other related science and technology centers. AAUW 
volunteers served as camp directors, nurses, and chaperones.

 Students are nominated by teachers to attend the 
science, math, and technology camp. The local branch of 
AAUW that provides the funding for the students to attend 
makes the final selection of “campers.” AAUW-Arcadia Branch 
is supporting this endeavor, along with contributions from 
community donors. Major donors this year are the Arcadia 
Chinese Association, the Hakka Foundation, Soroptimist of 
Altadena/Pasadena, the Wayne C. Clayton Foundation, and El 
Monte City Schools.

Tech Trek had its beginnings at Stanford University in 1998, 
with initial funding from the AAUW Educational Foundation. 
This year there were ten camps: CSU-Fresno, Sonoma State 
University, Stanford University (two weeks), UC-Davis, UC-
Irvine, UC-San Diego, UC-Santa Barbara (two weeks), and 
Whittier College. Tech Trek is continuing proof that AAUW 
puts its mission—to support equity and education for all 
women and girls—into action.

To support programs like Tech Trek or to learn more about the 
American Association of University Women, please contact Tech 
Trek Coordinator Phyllis Howard at (626) 359-3525


Photo from Friends of Dana Anchor Facebook group

For the period of Sunday, August 5th, through Saturday, August 11th, the Police Department responded to 864 calls for service of which 124 
required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, August 5:

1. Around 5:13 p.m., an officer responded to Abercrombie & Fitch at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in reference 
to a theft report. A loss prevention officer observed a group of five male subjects walking throughout the store and recognized them from 
previous theft incidents. A short foot pursuit resulted in the arrest of one 37-year-old Hispanic male for Burglary and an outstanding felony 
warrant. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 


2. At approximately 9:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Huntington Drive and Santa Clara Street regarding a disturbance. 
Officers discovered a female victim with one eye bruised, bleeding, and swollen shut; however, she did not require medical attention. An 
investigation revealed a known male adult beat and robbed her for her wallet. The 36-year-old Hispanic male was arrested and transported 
to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 


Monday, August 6:

3. At about 8:30 a.m., officers responded to the 600 block of Naomi Avenue in regards to a commercial burglary report. The victim 
explained unknown suspect(s) forced entry into his residence and stole various construction tools worth over $8,000. No one saw or heard 
anything suspicious. 
4. Around 8:44 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of South Fifth Avenue regarding a robbery that had just occurred. 
The Arcadia Fire Department was on scene treating the victim for a bloody nose. An investigation revealed two unknown Hispanic males 
attacked the victim while he was riding his bicycle and knocked him to the ground. A bystander helped the victim call 911 and observed the 
suspects as they fled on the victim’s bicycle, northbound on Fifth Avenue. 


Tuesday, August 7:

5. Shortly after 1:30 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a motorcycle for equipment violations in the parking lot of 7-Eleven, 2 
East Duarte Road. The officer discovered the driver had a suspended license and was in possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, 
and dangerous weapons. The 37-year-old White male was arrested, transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking, and his motorcycle was 
impounded. 


6. At about 7:23 p.m., officers discovered a vehicle with a warrant attached as they patrolled the 000 block of Las Tunas Drive. Upon 
contact with the driver, the officer noticed a strong odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. A search revealed large amounts of 
marijuana for sales and numerous baked goods, which also contained a controlled substance. The 18-year-old Hispanic female driver and 
29-year-old Hispanic male passenger were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 


Wednesday, August 8:

7. At almost 2:00 p.m., an officer made consensual contact with a male subject walking in the 700 block of Fairview Avenue. The officer 
discovered he was under the influence of a controlled substance. The 27-year-old male of unknown race was arrested and transported to the 
Arcadia City Jail for booking. 


8. Shortly after 7:50 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Macy’s at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a theft 
report. A female adult removed security sensors from various items, concealed the merchandise inside a used shopping bag, and exited the 
store without making payment. The 19-year-old Chinese female was arrested for Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools, and transported 
to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 


Thursday, August 9:

9. At approximately 9:51 a.m., an officer responded to the 900 block of Coronado Drive in reference to an identity theft report. The 
victims discovered unknown suspect(s) filed a tax return using their exact names, address, and social security numbers. They had no idea 
how their information was compromised. 


10. Around 6:24 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the Arcadia Police Department front counter regarding a theft report. The victim 
explained her wallet was stolen while she was shopping at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue. She recalled leaving her stroller 
unattended while inside Gymboree. No one saw or heard anything suspicious. 


Friday, August 10:

11. At about 8:29 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a red Acura Integra for a broken taillight, in the area of Second Avenue 
and Bonita Street. The officer discovered the driver was on parole, did not have a valid license, and was in possession of narcotics and drug 
paraphernalia. The 55-year-old Hispanic male was arrested, transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking, and placed on a parole hold. 


12. At almost 8:50 p.m., an officer responded to the area of Las Tunas Drive and Baldwin Avenue regarding a two-party traffic collision. 
The officer determined party-one caused the collision by changing lanes without sufficient clearance. Although both parties pulled over to 
the side of the road, party-one refused to provide his personal information and left the scene. No injuries were reported. 


Saturday, August 11:

13. At about 2:40 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Huntington Drive and La Cadena Avenue when he observed a vehicle with 
two flat tires blocking the roadway. An investigation revealed the driver and passenger were under the influence of alcohol and unable to 
care for themselves. The 21-year-old Hispanic males were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail. 


14. Shortly after 8:43 p.m., officers were dispatched to Macy’s at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to two 
females detained for theft. A mother and her daughter concealed merchandise inside used shopping bags and exited the store without 
making payment. The Armenian females, 46 and 27-years-old, were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 


ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER