Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 13, 2013

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, July 13, 2013 

Monrovia Police Blotter

THE 26TH ANNUAL HOMEGROWN MAYFLOWER VILLAGE PARADE

By Joan Schmidt

 Our Annual Mayflower Village 
Parade may not be the largest 
or most spectacular. But it has a 
unique history which began in 
1987 when Liz Alonso decided, 
“I want my children to grow 
up without an attitude, without 
saying things like parades are 
dumb, without the cynicism. I 
want them to grow up to be better 
people.” 

 On that Independence Day, 
Liz dressed up 2-year-old Eric 
and 3-year-old Karen in paper 
hats, gave them flags to wave and 
walked them around the block. 
Since then the community’s 
homegrown expression of love 
of country has blossomed into an 
annual event.

 Back in the 90’s, when I served 
on the Town Council, it seemed 
like EVERYONE in the neighborhood participated. Not only did children decorate their bikes, and parents decorate strollers or wagons 
for the little ones, but even the family pet was decorated! There were tee shirts designed and signed by the neighborhood kids like 
the Vallejo’s and Randal’s; these were sold to raise money for the red, white and blue popsicles handed out after the parade. Lois, the 
puppeteer did a show. (Long-time residents may remember her Honey Bee Beauty Salon in the old Mayflower Market Complex). There 
even was a great talent show.

 Life goes on. People move on. After Liz stepped down, her sister Kathy Robbins oversaw the 
parade for a while. Then Kathy moved out of state. Currently it is Carrie De Ritter in charge and 
the parade is great as ever! Carrie and a friend held the banner at the beginning of the parade. 
Hubby Terry and children, Baily, Shelby and “Tato” (Makenzey) also participated. This year I 
once again had my young grandchildren, Jennifer and Jacob, so we drove down Camino Real, 
parked, and enjoyed the Parade. 

 This year was the 26th year for the parade, and it was spectacular as always. Little Karen is all 
grown-up and lives in South Arcadia. But she came with her husband and represented the family 
who began it all. I also saw Teri and Joe Maltese, parents of my former student, Andrew and Mrs. 
Valiquette with Tiffany and Jack, also former students and all grown up. They had their dog in 
a decorated stroller. Carrie’s sister, Keely was on hand with her hubby and darling children. It 
was so heartwarming to see my former students and their great families. Thank you Carrie, for 
a job well done, and thanks to your Dad, Mr. Baggett for directing traffic! Thanks to the many 
volunteers and participants who made this such a unique parade! All who came out had a great 
time!


Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of July 8-10, 2013

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 
571 service events, resulting in 82 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.

 

Theft From Vehicles

July 9, four thefts from vehicles were reported throughout the day 
to police. The thefts occurred overnight and were not discovered 
by the victims until the morning hours. The thefts occurred in the 
600 block of West Foothill, 700 block of Oakglade, 900 block of 
West Hillcrest and 800 block of Ridgeside. In three of the incidents, 
the vehicles were left unlocked and items left in the vehicles 
were taken. The investigation is continuing.

 

Family Dispute / Grand Theft Auto - Suspect Arrested

July 9 at 10:52 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1100 block 
of East Royal Oaks regarding a family dispute at a residence. The 
suspect was angry and he was yelling at his family members. He 
asked family members to give him a gun. He took his sister's purse 
from her bedroom, which had her car keys inside, and then took 
her car and drove to a convenience store in Duarte to meet his 
fiancé to talk. 

Officers went to the location and found the suspect with three 
other male subjects, who were friends of his fiancé. The subjects 
appeared to be in fighting stance; all four subjects were detained. 
The three subjects are witnesses to a criminal threats incident involving 
the suspect that is being investigated by the Los Angeles 
Sheriff's Department. The suspect was arrested for grand theft 
auto and the victim desires prosecution. 

Commercial Burglary - Suspects Arrested

 

June 10 at 5:00 p.m., two male subjects entered a business in 1600 
block of South Mountain, took over 600 dollars worth of electrical 
breakers and then ran out of the store. They were apprehended by 
the store's loss prevention and the police were called. The subjects 
had no means on their person to pay for the items. They were arrested 
and charged with burglary.


TIP OF THE WEEK

 

DON'T FILL YOUR VEHICLE WITH GIFTS FOR THIEVES! 

Don't Be a Victim!

 

Auto-burglary prevention starts by limiting the criminal's opportunity 
to commit the crime and can be accomplished with very 
little time and effort. Criminals are looking for something to steal 
- don't supply the valuables. Leaving your valuables in your vehicle 
instantly makes your car a target for thieves.

 

It only takes a few seconds for thieves to break into your vehicle 
and steal your valuables.

 

It only takes a few seconds to remove your valuables and secure 
your vehicle.

 

Take a few seconds to prevent auto-burglary!

 

The University of Oklahoma Police Department offers great auto-
burglary prevention tips. Click on The Police Notebook to visit 
their website.

$5.00 off any service(at regular price)
MAP NEIGHBORHOOD 
CONFERENCE IV

Partnering People for a Stronger Monrovia

Monrovia’s Neighborhood Services Division invites you to the 4th 
Annual MAP Neighborhood Conference!

Sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, the MAP Neighborhood 
Conference is a free; all day event that is open to the public and 
will be held on Saturday, August 10 at Monrovia High School 
from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Conference will host 23 exciting 
workshop options educating participants on all kinds of topics 
like:

o Bully & Cyber Bully Prevention
o Emergency Preparedness
o Environmental Services 
o Community Event Planning 
o Gang Prevention & Intervention
o Communication & Leadership Training


…and will even offer a bus tour of Monrovia facilitated by Mayor 
Lutz. Throughout the day, participants will enjoy free food, 
entertainment, workshops and small group discussions with other 
residents, community leaders, city staff and local officials. This 
event is free, fun and a great way to be part of Team Monrovia!

While the MAP Neighborhood Conference is being offered 
free of charge, pre-registration is required and can be found 
online at cityofmonrovia.org, at the front counter of City Hall, 
Community Center or the Monrovia Public Library or by calling 
Neighborhood Services Staff at (626) 932-5525.

This event only comes once a year and it’s not to be missed. Be 
sure to save your spot by registering early and tell your friends to 
do the same. 

MONROVIA CLASSES FOR SENIORS

AARP 55 – Alive Mature Driving Course 

Thursday, July 11 and Friday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Center. 

The two-day course will focus on current driving laws and provide participants with helpful hints to improve 
their driving skills. FEE: $12 for an AARP member and $14 for a non-member; payable by check only to AARP. 
Reservations must be made in advance, please contact (626) 256-8246.

Weekly senior stretching and exercise class.

NEW TIME every Monday at 2 p.m. at the Community Center.

The fee for the approximately one hour class is $2, and includes stretching techniques geared toward seniors over 
50.

Active Adults Stretching & Walking Class

Every Friday at 9 a.m., at the Community Center, $2 per class.

The class meets for approximately one hour and begins with stretching followed by a walk around Old Town 
Monrovia. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing, and bring a towel and bottle of water.

Monthly Blood Pressure Screening, 50 years + 

The free program is hosted by Methodist Hospital, and is offered on the second Tuesday of the month, from 9:15 
a.m. to 10:15 a.m., at the Community Center. 

Weekly Social Crafter’s Class, 50 years +

The program is free and is held every Wednesday, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Community Center. This program 
is designed to provide social opportunities while crocheting or knitting.

Monthly Afternoon Movies and Munchies at the Library

Last Friday of each month at 12 p.m. in the Library's Community Room. 

This month's movie will be screened on Friday, June 28, featuring a British comedy-drama film about a home 
for retired musicians that is soon to play host to a new resident, an eternal diva and the former wife of one of the 
residents; staring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay and Billy Connolly. Can you guess the movie? This program is 
free and open to Monrovia seniors 50 years and older.

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.

We’d like to hear from you! 

What’s on YOUR Mind?

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FRIENDS OF THE MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY MONTHLY HALF-PRICE BOOK SALE 

Friends of the Monrovia Public Library will hold their monthly Half-Price BookSale in the Friends Store throughout the month of July. 
This month, adult books and media with a blue dot on the spine are half-price. While some items are individually 

priced, regular prices range from $0.25 to $2.00 Visit the Friends Store (Monrovia’s only Bookstore!) early for best selection. 

The Friends Store is located inside the Monrovia Public 

Library. Store hours are Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. -5 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday, noon -5 p.m. 

The Friends of the Monrovia Public Library promote the Library by encouraging a greater use and appreciation of the literary, educational, 
and cultural advantages the library offers to the 

community.