Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 4, 2013

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Mountain Views News Saturday, May 4, 2013 

 Two years ago after retiring from fulltime 
teaching, I resumed my writing career. Shortly 
after, I met Rodney Jefferson, the Head Basketball 
Coach at Duarte High School. Rodney is an 
awesome man, who has abundant energy and is 
always looking for ways to serve others and help 
the community.

 At that time, Rodney was doing his 
annual A Game Fundamental Basketball Clinic. 
This special non-profit basketball clinic not only 
helps develop skills, but its participants learn 
the value of education, hard work, setting goals 
and working as a team. The clinic lasts a week, 
and Friday’s ending festivities included games 
and competition between team and individuals 
followed by certificates, awards, trophies and a 
guest speaker.

 There were two guest speakers, twin 
brothers and NBA players, Jason and Jarron 
Collins from Northridge, California. They blew 
me away. They spoke of the importance of family 
and the sacrifices their parents made, so that 
they could be where they are today. The Collins 
brothers told the youths to turn around, look 
at their families and to appreciate them, their 
support and sacrifices. Setting goals and working 
hard are an important prerequisite to success. 
Early on they realized their parents couldn’t 
afford to send both to college, so they had to be 
successful in the classroom. As far as athletics 
were concerned, the brothers said there was no 
substitute for practice and hard work. Jason said 
he wanted to do his best and challenged himself 
to do better. One of the brothers was not an “A” 
student in all classes, so he met with the teacher, 
asked about extra credit and set aside time each 
day for homework.

 After their inspirational talk, it was time 
for questions/comments. School Board Member 
Ken Bell remembered the Collins’ high school 
Westlake Village had beat the Duarte High 
School Falcons twice! Lois Gaston, past Duarte 
Mayor remembered their years at Stanford and 
asked why that university was chosen. The answer 
was, “for a number of factors including excellent 
athletic and EDUCATIONAL programs and for 
family.” Their grandparents lived in the Bay area 
and their grandfathers attended all their games at 
Stanford.

 Of course, there was a question about 
their height. Mom was 6’1; Dad, 6’4. By the time 
the twins reached 8th grade, they had had a 
growth spurt, were 6’6 and could dunk.

 When asked about “MYP” awards, they 
couldn’t answer. What they remembered and 
what were the most important awards were 
“TEAM” ones. Scoring didn’t matter, rebounds, 
and passing to other players-that’s what counted! 
John Stockton once said, “It’s amazing what 
you can accomplish when no one cares about 
themselves.”

 The brothers sat down, signed MANY 
autographs, and posed for pictures. I heard 
parents’ comments, “What perfect role models 
the Collins are, stressing the importance of 
education… family being a factor in choosing 
Stanford, appreciate your families and their 
sacrifices.”

 As I drove home, I had such a warm 
feeling in my heart for these two fine men. Then 
last night, Jason’s announcement that he was 
gay, was on the news. I thought, “How nice that 
someone has stepped forward.” (It hadn’t clicked 
yet that it was the Jason I met almost two years 
ago!)Then as they talked about the “Westlake 
Village Star” and repeated Jason’s name, I jumped 
out of my seat. “OMG, that’s one of the awesome 
twins who inspired the participants and parents 
at A Fundamental Basketball Clinic two years ago!

 It seemed only fitting that this fine man 
who spoke of the importance of setting goals 
and education, hard work and appreciating your 
family and their sacrifices would be the first 
person in a major league sport to announce he 
was gay. He has led the way for many others who 
wish to be honest about their sexual orientation. 
Well done, Jason. Thank you.

Monrovia Police Blotter

LEADING THE WAY-NBA STAR JASON COLLINS

Story and Photo By Joan Schmidt

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of April 29 - May 1, 2013

 During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 487 service events, resulting 
in 77 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 and follow us on Twitter for police notifications.

 

Parolee at Large - Suspect Arrested

 April 29 at 9:15 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle at Shamrock and Lime for speeding and running 
a red light. A computer check revealed the 43-year-old, male driver was a parolee at large on parole 
for grand theft auto. After being issued a citation for the traffic violations, he was arrested and taken 
into custody.

 

Child Abuse - Suspect Arrested

 April 29 at 12:58 p.m., an officer was dispatched to an elementary school in the 200 block of Jasmine 
regarding a child abuse report. School staff notified the police after a child reported the abuse to her 
teacher and said she was afraid to go home. The 10-year-old girl was whipped and punched several 
times by her mother, resulting in the child receiving multiple bruises. Officers investigated and eventually 
arrested the mother for causing corporal injury to a child. The Department of Children and 
Family Services took custody of the child.

 

Violation of Restraining Order - Suspect Arrested

 April 30 at 2:54 a.m., a female subject called police reporting her boyfriend was outside her home at 
the front door. She claimed to have a valid restraining order against the subject. Officers located and 
detained the subject at a gas station at Foothill and Madison. A computer check revealed the subject 
had several outstanding warrants. He was arrested on the warrants, and a report regarding the restraining 
order will be sent to the District Attorney for filing consideration.

 

Residential Burglary

 April 30 at 6:57 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of Madeline. A real estate 
agent arrived at the home, which is currently for sale, and noticed the front door ajar; she called 
police. Officers responded and checked the house for possible suspect(s), but no one was located 
inside the home. The property inside the home had all been moved to the center of the living room, 
including the refrigerator. The lockbox was missing and there were no signs of forced entry found. 
The investigation is continuing.

 

Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer / No-Bail Warrant - Suspect Arrested

 May 1 at 1:55 p.m., an officer on patrol observed a wanted suspect in the area of Palm and Shamrock. 
When the suspect saw the officer, he ran west and into the school yard of Clifton Middle School in 
the 200 block of South Ivy Avenue; he ran through the school gym. Responding officers set up containment 
of the area and advised school staff at Clifton and Tzu Chi Preschool to lock their facilities 
down. Clifton students had already gone home for the day. A search was begun.

 

A resident in the 200 block of East Foothill called and reported a subject matching the suspect description 
had run into their garage. Officers responded and checked the residence, but the suspect 
had fled the garage out a side door and over a wall. He fled north onto Foothill and out of sight. The 
schools were advised to release their lock down once officers were convinced he was out of the area. 

The suspect eluded officers for several hours, but at 5:36 p.m., he was located in the area of Jasmine 
and Palm. A perimeter was set up and the Foothill Air Support helicopter responded to assist in the 
search. After several attempts to evade officers, the suspect finally surrendered and was arrested for 
the no-bail warrant and for resisting and delaying officers.

 

Residential Burglary

 May 1 at 7:45 p.m., police responded to the 100 block of Los Angeles Avenue regarding a residential 
burglary. The victim left for work at about 10 a.m. and her home was secured. She returned home at 
around 7:45 p.m. She went inside and noticed her jewelry box was missing and the bedroom window 
was broken and open; she called police. No suspect(s) were located and investigation is continuing.


Richard Blake with Jason and Jarod Collins


FRIENDS OF THE MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY SPRING 
SALE- MONROVIA 

 Friends of the Monrovia Public Library announce the Friends Spring Sale, on Friday, May 17 and 
Saturday May 18 . The sale is open to the public in both Library Park and the Library Community 
Room at these times: Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. , with our famous 
$2.00 a Bag Sale Saturday 3-5 p.m. 100% of the proceeds benefit the Monrovia Public Library. 
Our volunteers operate the only book store in Monrovia. 

On May 17-18 more than 5,000 books will be available for purchase – 90% of them are donations 
from the public. Prices for regular books and media range from 25¢ to $2. 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


Monrovia Sunday Morning 

Farmers' Market

That's right- it's back! From 10am - 2pm on Myrtle Avenue, shop for fresh produce 
at the Sunday morning Farmers' Market in Old Town Monrovia.

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