Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 29, 2012

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Mountain Views News Saturday, December 29, 2012


LAS POSADAS IN DUARTE By Joan Schmidt

 On last Saturday morning, we attended a Simbang Gabi Mass in Arcadia and enjoyed a 
celebration in the Hall provided by our wonderful Filipino community. That evening, we went a few 
blocks to Duarte where Reyna and Ruben Dias hosted a Posadas celebration.

 If you are not aware of this wonderful Mexican/ Latin custom, it begins on December 16th 
and lasts nine days. The word “posadas” means lodging and marks the journey that St. Joseph and 
Mary took to Bethlehem and searched for lodging. I had a vague idea/knowledge of the custom when 
we moved to California. However it wasn’t till after the Town Council formed and I met my friend, 
Reyna Diaz did I completely grasp how it was observed.

 First I need to say Reyna is the awesome member of the Duarte School Board (First Latina 
elected to the position) and one of the funders of our Town Council. She was the interpreter at early 
meetings and has done SO MUCH to pull our community together.

 Reyna, with her husband Ruben, was the catalyst who started the Posadas in the Duarte 
County area. Each night, the celebration was hosted by a different family. The procession would 
begin at the host’s house. Many came at the beginning and others joined the procession along the 
way. Sometimes there would be children dressed as St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother. At each house, 
they would sing the question, in Spanish, “Is there lodging”? At each house, the answer was “no” 
until they had returned to the host’s house. There would be prayers or a rosary said, followed by 
refreshments. It could be simply Mexican Hot Chocolate and sweet rolls or a fantastic spread like this 
past Saturday at Reyna’s. There also could be a piñata.

 Years ago, three hundred showed up for Reyna’s posada. Usually Margaret Finlay, Duarte’s 
Mayor and her family. Even then- State Senator Bob Margett attended. This past Saturday’s 
celebration also had a great crowd. Attending were Monrovia Council Member Becky Shevlin and 
Ulises Gutierrez from the Life Project, Monrovia. I also saw Samuel and Martha Martinez, the parents 
of Francisco Martinez of Duarte-I believe he was the fourth to die in Iraq and the Duarte Post Office 
has been renamed for him. (It’s been eleven years since Francisco died.)

 Assisting Reyna were Pepe and Norma for the delicious tacos and many others brought food. 
What is so gratifying to me is that this amazing couple has done so much for the less fortunate all 
these years. It began with taking 2000 toys to either Mexico or El Salvador and their charity spread. I 
remember Margaret Finlay’s children one year asked for only ONE Christmas present. They wanted 
the money that would be spent on many gifts to go to the poor children in Latin America. In fact I 
remember Margaret, her husband Brad, her parents Ed and Helen Fergusson and her brother and 
his family trekked down there themselves-they were a caravan-it was awesome. Vicki Gutierrez of 
Temple City and her late husband Ruben donated all kinds of baseball equipment- kids there had 
their first baseball, a mitt and bat. 

 Joining Reyna and Ruben at Saturday’s celebration were Fr. Ramon Marti from our Church; 
he was so relaxed and having a great time. (Father Marti is originally from Spain so participating in 
this special evening meant a lot to him.)

 In keeping with the spirit of giving, donations were made to the Duarte Kiwanis or Rotary 
Clubs. Thanks to ALL readers for these contributions and also to toys’ drives, Foothill Unity Center, 
Salvation Army and your local Church. Feliz Navidad and may God bless you and your family in the 
New Year.


Reyna Dias and FatherRamon Marti

Monrovia Police Blotter

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of December 17-19, 2012

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 410 service events, resulting in 76 
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 http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/city-government/departments/police-department-homepage 
and follow us on Twitter for police notifications.

 

Monrovia Police Department Providing Police Presence at City Schools

Our hearts go out to all touched by the tragedy that has occurred in Newtown, Connecticut. This horrific 
event has affected us all. Safety in our schools has always been, and continues to be, a high priority 
for law enforcement. In response to this senseless act of violence, the Monrovia Police Department 
is providing an increased police presence at schools throughout the city. Patrol officers have been 
instructed to periodically visit and touch base with all schools in the city during daytime hours. The 
visits will be random and will occur at various times and locations. This increased visibility is meant 
to help comfort and calm the fears of the children, parents, and school staff, alike. 

The Monrovia Police Department trains annually to deal with incidents of violence that might occur 
at a school. The department has a tremendous collaborative working relationship with the Monrovia 
Unified School District. Police Department and school staff meet and train regularly to ensure employees 
are prepared to deal with these rare, but critical, types of incidents. Police officers conduct 
scenario training, yearly, at actual school campuses throughout the district, and each school in the 
district has prepared a crisis response box for the Police Department with information necessary to 
deal, immediately, with any incident at any school. 

Theft of Packages

December 17 at 3:15 p.m., a theft of packages was reported in the 500 block of Terrado. The victim 
had packages delivered and they were left on the front porch. A neighbor saw a white Chevy Silverado 
drive up quickly to the front of the victim's home. The suspect exited the truck and ran up to the 
home, grabbed the two packages and ran back to the truck. The vehicle fled southbound, out of sight. 
The suspect is described as a young, male, African American. Investigation continuing.


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LOOKING FOR PLANS TO RING IN 2013? TRY NEW 
YEARS EVE IN OLD TOWN!

Head to Old Town Monrovia on Myrtle Avenue for the 2nd Annual Monrovia New Years 
Eve celebration! Ring in 2013 from 7p.m. to midnight with a live band, ball drop and a beer 
and wine garden. Bring the whole family!

 

FOR YOUR CALENDAR - MONROVIA HOLIDAY CLOSURES 

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31– NEW YEARS EVE; CITY HALL, CORPORATE YARD, COMMUNITY 
CENTER & LIBRARY CLOSED

MONDAY, JANUARY 1– NEW YEARS DAY; CITY HALL, CORPORATE YARD, COMMUNITY 
CENTER & LIBRARY CLOSED

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CANCELLED

Tuesday, January 15, 7:30 p.m. City Council Meeting