Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 15, 2012

PASADENA NAACP TO PRESENT DUARTE 

COUNCILMEMBER TZEITEL PARAS-CARACCI 
WITH CIVIC AWARD

DUARTE RESPONDS TO NBC NEWS REPORTS

Film Permit for Anti-Islam Production Lists Blue Cloud Movie Ranch 
in Santa Clarita, not Duarte, as Filming Site

On September 12, 2012, the City of Duarte via its’ public information officer Karen Herrera, issued 
the following statement, “The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, investigating a report by NBC 
News, on behalf of the City of Duarte, that the anti-Islam film "Innocence of Muslims" that sparked 
violence in Egypt and Libya, was not filmed at a studio in Duarte, as previously reported. This information 
has been substantiated by a film permit that names Blue Cloud Movie Ranch located at 20000 Blue 
Cloud Road in Santa Clarita, CA as the site of the film production. The company named in the NBC 
report, Media for Christ, is listed as the company that requested the film permit, according to FilmL.A., a 
private, nonprofit organization that coordinates and processes permits for on-location motion

picture, television and commercial productions. 

 According to the City of Duarte, Media for Christ has had an active business license in the City 
since 2006. Sheriff's Department will be conducting periodic patrol checks of the Media for Christ offices 
and surrounding areas over the coming days.”

 However in a LA Times story the next day, the following appeared: “But Duarte’s deputy city manager 
said she had been told by sheriff’s officials that the permits to shoot the movie had been issued to 
Media for Christ. An actor who appeared in the movie, Tim Dax, said he was paid $75 a day in checks 
drawn on the bank account of Abanob Basseley Nakoula — a name linked to the Cerritos property 
where Nakoula Basseley Nakoula resides. The home’s distinctive front door with triangle windows in 
a half-circle pattern is visible in the 14-minute trailer for the movie posted on YouTube. 

Joseph Nassralla Abdelmasih is the President of Media For Christ of Duarte. He has been linked to 
Nakoula Basseley Nakoula of Cerritos. Both men have been linked to the production of the film. 
Both men are Egyptian immigrants.

In the Times article, Media for Christ obtained permits to shoot the movie in August 2011, and 
Nakoula provided his home as a set and paid the actors. That has also been confirmed by government 
officials and those involved in the production.

Described as a “sleepy suburb of Los Angeles”, Duarte may now have to deal with the dubious distinction 
of being the home of one of the persons associated with creating a disturbing, anti-Muslim film 
that is causing unrest around the world. S. Henderson/MVNews

 Duarte City Councilmember Tzeitel Paras-
Caracci will be one of 15 local community leaders 
to be presented with awards at the Pasadena 
Branch of the National Association of Colored 
People NAACP’s 27th Annual Ruby McKnight 
Williams Awards Dinner, Sept. 13 at the Pasadena 
Hilton Hotel International Ballroom.

 Paras-Caracci will receive one of two 
Civic Awards to be handed out that evening. 
Pasadena Fire Chief Calvin E. Wells will receive 
the other. 

 Councilmember Paras-Caracci has lived 
in Duarte for over 27 years and has served on the 
Duarte City Council since 2001. Being a proud 
Duarte High School graduate, she spearheaded 
the creation of the Duarte’s Mayor’s Youth 
Council and Youth and Families Master Plan 
in 2008. She has served as Mayor in 2006 and 
2011, and as a Board of Director for the National 
League of Cities, League of California Cities and 
the L.A. County Sanitation District. 

 For the past 8 years, Paras-Caracci 
has worked as a Senior Program Director for 
the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles - 
Pasadena and Santa Anita Family branches. 
Councilmember Paras-Caracci is humbled by 
the NAACP honor and continues to work toward 
leaving a legacy for youth and families in Duarte 
and the surrounding communities. 

 Other prominent community leaders to 
be honored for demonstrating an above average 
commitment and excellence in various areas 
of endeavors, are: Raphael Henderson, vice 
president General Banking Group, Wells Fargo 
Bank, and James M. McLamb, Sr., vice president 
Clark Construction Group, Corporate Award; 
Beverly White, reporter NBC4, Betty Sanford, 
and Frank Giradot, Editor of the Pasadena Star 
News. Community Award; Manuel Rustin, 
teacher and 
John Muir 
High School, 
Education 
Award; Rev. 
Dr. James E. 
Stevenson, 
Senior Pastor, 
Scott United 
Methodist 
Church, 
Faith Award; 
Michele 
Bagneris, City 
Attorney, City 
of Pasadena, 
Jeanette Mann, 
Trustee, 
Pasadena Area 
City College District, President’s Award; Kevin 
McDonald, Deputy Executive Director, Foothill 
Transit; Damon Zumwalt, CEO, Contemporary 
Services Corp., Vincent Pao, president, Bravo 
Travel. Volunteer and community activist, Betty 
J. Ford will be presented with the Pasadena 
NAACP’s highest honor, the Ruby McKnight 
Williams Award.

 For reservations and information, call 
(626) 793-1293. 


MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER

FRIENDS OF THE MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY FALL SALE

 

 MONROVIA - Friends of the Monrovia Public Library announce the Friends Fall Sale, on October 
13 & 14. The sale is open to the public in both Library Park and the Library Community Room from 
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday with our famous $2.00 a Bag Sale Sunday 3-5 p.m. 
100% of the proceeds benefit the Monrovia Public Library. Our volunteers operate the only book 
store in Monrovia. 

 

On October 13-14, more than 5,000 books will be available for purchase – 90% of them donations 
from the public. Prices for regular books and media range from 25¢ to $2. Collectables are individually 
priced from $5 to $40. While book sellers are welcome, scanners are not permitted. 

 

The Friends of the Monrovia Public Library promote the Library by stimulating a greater use and 
appreciation of the literary, educational, and cultural advantages the library offers throughout the 
community. 

 

Monrovia Public Library 321 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016. For more information, call 
(626) 932-5555, Ext. 3124 or visit www.friendsofmonroviapubliclibrary.org

Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of September 6-12, 2012

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events. To see a complete listing of crimes reported, 
go to the City of Monrovia website at www.monroviapd.org and click on the crime mapping link. Sign 
up to follow us on twitter for police notifications.

Gang Injunction - Suspects Arrested

On September 7 at 8:56 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of East Duarte for 
a littering violation. Upon contacting the occupants, the officer found the three occupants to be in 
violation of Monrovia's gang injunction. The occupants were arrested for the violation and later released 
on a citation.

Burglary

On September 7 at 10:44 p.m., police responded to a business in the 100 block of West Foothill regarding 
a burglary. A security guard in the parking lot observed two females exit a vehicle and place 
black tape across the rear license plate to obstruct it. The two females entered the business and the 
guard remained in the parking lot to monitor the vehicle.

 Several minutes later, the two females exited the market with a shopping cart full of store merchandise. 
As the females approached their vehicle, they saw the security guard and fled on foot, leaving 
the merchandise and their vehicle behind. The officer who responded recovered enough evidence 
to establish a burglary and to possibly identify one of the suspects. The vehicle was stored and the 
investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglaries

On September 8, four vehicle burglaries were reported throughout the day. The burglaries occurred 
in the 400 block of East Cypress, the 800 block of West Hillcrest and in the 600 and 700 blocks of West 
Foothill. The entry into the vehicles appears similar and was possibly made by the same suspect(s). 
The door locks on all four vehicles were broken to gain entry. The investigation is continuing.

Felon in Possession of Body Armor - Suspect Arrested

On September 10 at 4:20 p.m., a speeding vehicle in the 2100 block of South Myrtle was stopped by 
an officer on patrol. The driver was identified and found to be on felony probation. A consent search 
of the vehicle was conducted and a bullet resistant vest was found in the vehicle. The suspect was arrested 
for the charge of felon in possession of body armor.

Fire Assist

On September 10 at 10:09 p.m., officers responded to a local private college in the 100 block of East 
Huntington due to smoke coming from the roof of the building. The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter 
was on scene as officers arrived to check for flames. Air Support advised that the smoke was 
coming from the northwest corner of the roof. Officers evacuated the entire building and stopped 
northbound traffic on Myrtle and westbound traffic on Huntington. The Monrovia Fire Department 
arrived and located an air conditioning unit on the roof that was on fire and put the fire out. There 
were no injuries involved.

Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested

On September 11 at 4:01 a.m., an officer on patrol stopped a male adult riding a bicycle at Peck and 
Longden for a traffic violation. Prior to any search, the subject stated he was on parole and had methamphetamine 
in his pocket. The officer retrieved a small plastic container that contained methamphetamine. 
The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested

On September 11 at 10:08 a.m., a couple was arguing in the lobby of a hotel located in the 900 block 
of West Huntington and police were requested. The subjects left the location prior to officers arriving, 
but were found nearby in a parking lot. The officers contacted the subjects and determined the male 
subject to be under the influence of drugs. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Burglary

On September 11 at 9:58 p.m., a male subject at a gym in the 700 block of East Huntington put his 
property in a locker and secured it. When he returned to the locker, he found his lock missing and 
his wallet stolen. Investigation continuing.

Possession of a Methamphetamine Pipe / Driving on a Suspended Driver's License - Suspect Arrested

On September 12 at 3:57 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers on patrol observed a driver acting 
suspiciously in the north end of the city. While the officers were following the suspect, they saw the 
driver throw a glass pipe out of the vehicle. When the officers tried to stop the vehicle, the driver 
slowed down, but did not stop for several hundred yards, eventually stopping at Foothill and Heliotrope. 
The suspect was also found to be driving on a suspended license. He was arrested for the above 
listed charges without further incident.

$5.00 off any service(at regular price)
THE MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL HOST 
SOCIAL MEDIA: A TWO PART EVENT 

Thursday October 4, 2012 

This program will be held at the library located at 321 South Myrtle Avenue and is supported in 
whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. 

Part one: “Social Media Marketing Made Simple” is presented by Kelly Flint, who will provide insight 
on social media and its value to small businesses. Kelly will provide strategies and best practices on 
how to evaluate what’s best for your business and how to create content for marketing campaigns. 
This free workshop will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Pre-
registration is encouraged. Stop by the Adult Reference Desk, call 626-256-8274, or visit www.monroviapubliclibrary.
org and click on the Library Calendar and follow the registration link. 

Part two: “Facebook for Business” is an optional fee-based Boot Camp program sponsored by SCORE 
Los Angeles. The hands-on program is presented by David and MJ Finstrom, owners of HUTdogs. 
This session focuses on using Facebook pages for business and non-profits. Coaches will help attendees 
move forward with their Facebook page. Bring your own laptop. The fee-based Boot Camp will be 
held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. The $139 fee is payable in advance 
or at the door. Pre-registration is encouraged online only. Visit www.monroviapubliclibrary.org, click 
on the Library Calendar and follow the registration link. 

Thursday October 4

Library Community Room

12:00 pm to 4:30 p.m.

Part 1: Free - Part 2: $139.00

NEIGHBORHOOD 

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: 
REGISTER TODAY!

 

Join the ever-growing MAP Network by attending 
the Neighborhood Leadership Academy. This 
free Academy is a 6 week course that will guide you 
through local government, community resources 
and your potential as a pillar of positive change in 
the community - a MAP Neighborhood Leader. 

The Academy gives participants the unique opportunity 
to meet city staff and officials, get a tour of Monrovia 
and dialogue with other community leaders.

After the Academy, Neighborhood Leaders are invited to quarterly trainings, networking opportunities 
and receive invitations to participate in other leadership roles in the community.

Click here to learn more or to fill out an application!

Day/Hour: Thursdays, 7pm - 9pm

Dates: September 20 - November 1

Location: Monrovia Community Center

Fee: FREE

Ages: 18+