Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 25, 2014

GROW HOUSE (cont. from pg. 1)

investigation is continuing into the identification 
of the responsible parties.”

Upon further investigation by the Mountain 
Views News, it was learned that the location first 
came to the attention of authorities as a result of 
the brush fire last month. (http://mtnviewsnews.
com/v08/htm/n38/index.htm). The area where 
that fire, which is believed at this point to have 
been started by a mylar balloon hitting the 
wires, is north of the Grandview property.

According to sources, as Edison attempted to 
restore power to the area and firefighters began 
to make certain there were no other ‘hot spots’, 
it was discovered that one of the downed lines 
was on the Grandview property. Edison also 
learned at that time, that the power had been 
diverted from the meter for the property and 
was running directly from the pole. That set off 
the first warning to authorities that something 
was amiss.

As Edison and the Sierra Madre Police 
Department investigated further, they noticed 
other signs that a possible grow house was on 
the property. The placement of air conditioning 
ducts and the distinct odor of marijuana, which 
was confirmed by a drug sniffing canine, led 
to an attempt to get a search warrant from the 
courts.

Despite the statements of three officers, 
including at least one member of the Los Angeles 
Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension 
Crime Task Force (LA IMPACT*), and a drug 
sniffing dog, the request for a search warrant 
was denied.

SMPD continued their efforts to gain access to 
the home as Edison was still concerned that the 
bypassed electrical connection was a serious fire 
hazard.

When SMPD contacted the owner of the 
property, they were informed that the units were 
leased, however the owner had not heard from 
the tenants for several months. The owner was 
in fact, in the process of executing an unlawful 
detainer action against the tenants.

The owner, who public records list as Arbab 
Vida, stated that she was totally unaware of any 
illegal activity. 

At that point, Vida, along with Southern 
California Edison, The Sierra Madre Police 
Department and SM Public Works Department 
and LA Impact entered the home at the 
homeowners request and out of concern for the 
safety of the public. It was then that the SMPD’s 
initial suspicions were confirmed and the 
marijuana growing operation was uncovered.

Captain Carlos Islas of the SMPD indicated 
that it is the trend for illegal drug operations to 
settle in upscale neighborhoods. He encouraged 
residents to be observant and report suspicious 
activity to the authorities. He mentioned a few 
indicators that something illegal may be going 
on:

 1. When compared to average homes in the 
area, inconsistencies in resident/visitor patterns, 
ranging from irregular hours by the ‘residents’ to 
frequent visitors for short periods of time. 

 2. Windows are covered with black plastic, heavy 
curtains pressed against the windows or blinds that 
are tightly shut and pressed against the windows to 
prevent light from entering or escaping.

 3. The unique smell of rotting cabbage or skunk-
like odor mixed with a sweet vegetable smell. Moth 
balls, chlorine, manure, soap and air fresheners 
are frequently used to mask the smell of growing 
marijuana.

 4. Outdoor/indoor lights, radio/television 
operating 24 hours a day; unretrieved flyers in 
the mailbox or on the porch; children’s toys/bikes 
left outside residence with no evidence youngsters 
reside/visit there; 

In the event you suspect such activity, contact 
your local police department.

At press time, no arrests have been made in 
this case.

*LA Impact is a compilation of numerous 
federal, state and local law enforcement agencies 
in Los Angeles County. The primary focus of LA 
IMPACT is to investigate major crimes, with an 
emphasis on dismantling mid to major level drug 
trafficking organizations. LA Impact has specialized 
proficiency in the following areas: major drug 
trafficking organizations, money laundering, covert 
operation information development, clandestine 
laboratory investigations, transportation and parcel 
interdiction and gang enforcement.

S. Henderson/MVNews

3


Mountain View News Saturday, October 25, 2014 

REMEMBERANCES

Joy Phillips passed peacefully on 
Oct. 8 while in hospice at Silverado 
Convalescent home in Azusa, CA. She 
was 82. Joy was very active in her home 
until she was stricken with dementia after 
a fall at a local gym. While in hospice, 
she continued to visit with friends and 
family and do her daily exercises.

 Joy was born in Cook County 
Hospital, Chicago, IL to a single mother. 
Joy was raised in Chicago, and succeeded 
in school despite her parent’s 
absences. She left Chicago 
by train to seek more secure 
home and better opportunities 
in Los Angeles. She met and 
married Michael Cimarusti 
who worked for the Los Angeles 
Times. They lived in Alhambra 
and raised their sons while Joy 
attended Cal State Los Angeles. 

 She obtained a teaching 
credential, and thus began her 
28-year career of teaching. 
She taught English at Schurr 
High School in the Montebello 
School District. She was very 
encouraging to her students, 
and they felt their lives started 
off better because of her. One 
student became a journalist for 
the Times and later an English 
teacher, using Joy’s techniques 
from the classroom, including 
“the read-around” – a student-
based critique and grading 
system.

 She enjoyed bird watching, and 
traveled to Costa Rica for a scientific 
observation of local birds in the cloud 
forests. She adored hummingbirds. She 
also traveled to Kenya to study insects. 
She went on several Earth Watch trips, 
including the North Sea to study the 
travel pattern of Minke whales.

 Joy learned to design homes in the 
Owner-Builder camp during a 3-week 
study in Grass Valley, CA. Although 
fearful of saws at first, she became a 
leader in the classroom. She assisted 
with the design/build of her and Jay 
Whitcraft’s Sierra Madre home.

 Joy was passionate about improving 
the quality of life in Sierra Madre as a 
result of her travels to Europe. She wrote 
letters to the City Council to encourage 
them to bring outdoor dining to Sierra 
Madre. She was also a Treasurer of the 
Home Owner’s Club of Sierra Madre, 
and helped to create ordinances for the 
Tree Preservation Commission and the 
Planning Commission.

 Joy surmounted the challenges in 
her life to become a loving mother, wife 
and companion. She was generous, 
trustworthy and cared deeply about 
mankind. 

 Jay Whitcraft, her long-time 
companion, loved her immensely and 
trusted her more than anyone he’s ever 
known. After her injury, they spent every 
day together, as Jay was her caregiver. 
Prior to her that, Jay and Joy maintained 
separate homes in Sierra Madre.

 Joy was predeceased by her mother 
Muriel, and her son Greg. She is survived 
by her son Kevin (Rene) Cimarusti and 
grandchildren Michael and Kristen, and 
also long-time companion Jay Whitcraft.

 Donations in Joy’s memory can be sent 
to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 
96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. 

 Joy’s memorial service will be held 
on Saturday, November 01 at 1pm at 
Ascension Episcopal Church, 25 E. 
Laurel Ave., Sierra Madre.

Walking Sierra Madre…The Social Side 

by Deanne Davis

JOY JUANITA PHILLIPS

April 28, 1932 – October 08, 2014


“When witches go riding, 
and black cats are seen,

The moon laughs and 
whispers,

‘tis near Halloween!” 

 Author 
Unknown

 Halloween is just a week 
away and walking ‘round 
town is purely a delight. 
There are ghosts and goblins, 
skeletons and gargoyles, 
ferocious pumpkins and 
giant spiders all over the 
place. Just yesterday a 
chain-gang of tiny people 
all holding hands, walking 
nicely with a teacher fore and 
another aft, came by to look at 
the pumpkin scarecrow next 
door. They were fascinated 
with her outfit, straw-stuffed 
arms and fabulous hair. Just 
wait a week, kids, there will 
be horrors galore all over 
Alegria as the residents take 
a look at the amazing stuff 
they did last year and then outdo themselves 
this year. Our store of candy is ready, having 
hit Smart & Final hard to bring home the most 
and the best possible. I have had to restrain 
myself as our bags of candy feature those cute 
little boxes of Dots. I love Dots. I really do and 
I’ve managed so far not to devour even one of 
those little boxes. However, it’s been hard. 

Trick or Treat! Give me something good to 
eat!

Crackers, fruit will not do,

Give me candy, I want two!

Candy! Candy! I want four!

Candy! Candy! Give me more!

 We can’t help but rejoice in October and 
November! Reveling in these delightful 
months when pumpkins rule the world—
prominently displayed everywhere. 
Overflowing bins of tiny pumpkins, giant 
pumpkins, white, varicolored, and downright 
creepy strange pumpkins grab our attention 
the minute we enter our local market. 
Pumpkin patches with pony rides, hot apple 
cider, carving kits, and face painting appear 
overnight in dark, vacant lots. Jack-o-Lantern 
and costume contests abound and scarecrows 
are everywhere around town. Can’t wait to see 
who the winners will be. I still love the Postal 
guy up in the canyon.

 Fall is definitely here, finally, and hopefully, 
the heat is behind us. I’m actually making apple 
butter today and the house smells wonderful. 
Remember Robert Duval in Apocalypse Now 
saying, “I love the smell of napalm in the 
morning!” I love the smell of apple butter in 
the morning and I bet Mr. Duval would, too. 
The nights are cooler, air has a nice brisk tang 
to it and leaves are starting to fall and crunch 
pleasantly underfoot. All those people who 
say we don’t have fall color are just wrong!

 Legendary Bingo in support of the Sierra 
Madre Rose Float was a big success. They sold 
a ton of pizza and all the games and prizes 
were a huge hit. Our Rose Princesses have 
been crowned and the float is moving toward 
completion. Have you noticed gas prices? My 
truck-drivin’ walkin’ partner, John, and I look 
and gasp when we pass the local station. What 
an improvement!

 Think about hot spiced apple cider! Pour a 
gallon of cider in your big coffee urn, cut an 
orange into quarters and put it in the coffee-
holding part, along with a handful of whole 
allspice, a bunch of cloves, a few sticks of 
cinnamon and let it perk. Smells almost as 
good as apple butter and is a nice thing to 
have as you’re passing out the candy to all the 
little goblins, ghosts, and princesses. Happy 
Halloween!

 

 If you like Walking Sierra Madre, you oughta 
take a look at my book!

 “A Tablespoon of Love, A Tablespoon of 
Laughter” is available on Amazon.com or at 
https://www.createspace.com/4561071

JIM H. KUHN, affectionally known as loving 
Husband, Dad, and Grandpa passed away at home 
in Glendora on October 19, 2014 after battling heart 
disease and kidney failure. He is survived by his 
wife of 58 years, Barbara. Daughters Kelley Weber 
of Topeka, Kansas and Kacy Welte of Glendora, 
Son-in-laws Vince Weber and Scott Welte, and seven 
grand-children, Morgan, Galyn, and Alexander 
Weber; Brock, Blake, Brooks, and Burke Welte. 

Jim was a talented Architect and served on several 
civic and charitable boards and committees in the 
City of Arcadia where he resided for over 40 years. 
Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, 
October 29, 2014 at the Church of The Good 
Shepherd, 400 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia at 10 A.M. 

JIM H. KUHN

June 4, 1936 - October 19, 2014

LIBRARY HOLDS SILENT AUCTION OF COLLECTIBLES

The Friends of the Sierra Madre Library 
is pleased to present a Silent Auction of 
collectible books from November 3 - 
December 1, 2014. There will be some 
very interesting volumes including several 
signed, first, and limited editions. We 
have a signed J.M. Barrie novel, which 
he has inscribed “Fondly, J.M. Barrie” as 
well as Mary Pickford’s novel, titled “The 
Demi-Widow”, also signed. 

 Of particular interest is the Collector’s 
Edition of “Visions of Armageddon”, 
signed by Jerry Bruckheimer after the 
movie was finished. It was planned as 
a Limited Edition to be signed by both 
Bruckheimer and Michael Bay, the 
director. They had a falling-out and Bay 
refused to sign the books. Many unsigned 
ones were destroyed; we have one of the 
remainders.

 The Silent Auction will 
begin Monday, November 3. Books 
will be shown in the Display Case in the 
library, 440 West Sierra Madre Blvd. 
and will be available for inspection on 
Saturdays, November 8, 15, 22 from 1-2 
p.m. and Monday, December 1 from 7-8 
p.m. Bids may be entered on bid sheets 
in the notebook on the Service Counter 
and the auction will be closed at 8 p.m. on 
Monday, December 1. At that time, the 
highest bidder will be awarded the book. 
If not present, winners will be notified by 
phone and will have 10 days to claim the 
book. (Partial Listing)

THE DEMI-WIDOW

Mary Pickford - Signed First Edition

Bobbs-Merrill 1935

SENTIMENTAL TOMMY – THE STORY 
OF HIS BOYHOOD

J.M. Barrie - Signed

Charles Scribner’s Sons 1901

TAU ZERO

Poul Anderson - Collector’s Edition

Easton Press 1994

LES FLEURS DU MAL, VIGNETTES DE 
GALANIS

Charles Baudelaire -

Edition Emile-Paul Freres 1942

Limited Edition, in French 

BRAVE NEW WORLD

Aldous Huxley

The Heritage Press 1974 - With slipcase

WILDFLOWERS ACROSS AMERICA

Lady Bird Johnson and Carlton B. Lees

Signed - Abbeville Press 1988

ABRAHAM LINCOLN (6 volumes)

Carl Sandburg 

Harcourt, Brace and World 1939

THE INN AT LITTLE WASHINGTON 
COOKBOOK

Patrick O’Connell - Random House 1996

DRESSED: A CENTURY OF HOLLYWOOD 
COSTUME DESIGN

Deboarah Nadoolman Landis - Collins 2007

The Friends of the Sierra Madre Library is a non-
profit organization and all proceeds benefit the 
Sierra Madre Library. For more information visit 
our website at www.sierramadrelibraryfriends.
org, or call the library at 626-355-7186.


The Sierra Madre Interact Club joined members of the Sierra Madre 
United Methodist Church to prepare and serve dinner to homeless 
families in the Family Promise support program. The Sierra Madre 
Interact Club is a Rotary-sponsored community service club for young 
people ages 13-18. The club meets on Monday evenings at 7:15PM, across the hall 
from the choir room in the United Methodist Church at the corner of Sierra Madre 
Blvd and Michillinda Ave. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com