Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 14, 2015

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Mountain View News Saturday, March 14, 2015 

Walking Sierra Madre…The Social Side 

by Deanne Davis


“Of Wistaria blooms, I caught sight, today,

And ever since as violet of the deepest hue,

My passion, grows ever more profound!” Ise

That pretty much says it all. Walking Sierra Madre this week, gearing up for the Festival this weekend, we’ve noticed, my horticultural 
expert walking buddy, John, and I, that the wistaria this year all over town is spectacular and the Vine should be absolutely amazing. 
Don’t know if it’s more rain or warmer days, but we saw a wistaria on Laurel today that was beyond beautiful and I hope they took a 
picture of it. It’s all over town, just keep an eye peeled for those lovely purple blossoms.

 This weekend’s activities look to be a lot of fun. The music should be great, too. How can you miss with bands like The Gem City Jazz Cats 
and Chico’s Bail Bonds! This year we’re adding a vintage auto show. I love looking at those pampered beauties which have been restored 
beyond their wildest dreams.

 We don’t know about you, but Daylight Shifting Time last Sunday took the starch out of us for a couple of days. This is one of those 
concepts that has definitely outlived its usefulness. Did you know there are more auto accidents right after Daylight Shifting time than 
usual. Could it be because drivers are crankier than usual and a little off their game, too. Apparently, it was Benjamin Franklin’s original 
idea to save on candles. Probably needed something to fill up a blank spot in “Poor Richard’s Almanac.”

 How did your daffodils do this year? Ours were a little disappointing…well, a lot disappointing, as they put up the usual stalks but 
produced few flowers. The Dutch Iris, however, are looking like they’re planning to give us a bumper crop. 

 St. Patrick’s Day is next week, March 17th, which reminded me of a really splendid family of folk singers, The Galligans, we knew a few 
years ago, who made an amazing Irish Soda Bread.

 You might give it a try to go along with your corned beef and cabbage…

 Put 3 cups of flour in a bowl with 1 TB. of baking powder, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt.

Blend in 4 TB. of soft butter, add 1 TB caraway seeds, 1 cup of currants, 1 cup dark raisins, 1 cup golden raisins. Mix!

 Then add . cup of sugar, one beaten egg and 2 cups of buttermilk. (As few of us have 2 cups of buttermilk lounging around in our fridge, 
try this: 1 TB of white vinegar per cup of milk. Measure the vinegar into the cup then add the milk to get a correct measurement. Let it sit 
for about 10 minutes and…voila! buttermilk.) 

 Pour into a greased iron skillet or loaf pan. Bake 10 minutes at 400 degrees then 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Test with toothpick in the 
center for doneness. Let it cool a bit, spread with butter and enjoy. As Jim Galligan says on his recipe, “Grandma Galligan made it this way 
in Ireland, County Armagh, many years ago.” He never said, “Faith and Begorra!” and probably nobody else Irish does either, but he was a 
fine singer and this is really good bread. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

 We are going to have such great weather for the Wistaria Festival this Sunday. Be sure you plan your day to be there. We’re going to 
check out the music, the Art & Garden Faire and the Vintage Cars. Sorry to see that Sierra Brigante is closed for remodeling so we won’t 
be sitting out on their lovely patio enjoying a snack, a glass of something, and a spectacular view of our own personal mountains. 

 Did you know we have one of those curbside libraries where you can take a book and leave a book? They’re called Little Free Libraries 
and we admired ours this morning. This is such a fantastic thing to do. It’s on Laurel, if you need a book or can give a book. Their selection was excellent, btw.

 

 Why not check out my book page: Amazon.com: Deanne Davis

 Blog: www.authordeanne.com

My book: “Tablespoon of Love, Tablespoon of Laughter” is available there…


Sierra Madre Police Blotter

During the week of Sunday, March 1st, to Sunday, March 
8th, the Sierra Madre Police Department responded to 
approximately 390 calls for service.

Tuesday, March 3rd

 At 9:25 am, Sierra Madre Police responded to the 
station lobby regarding a suspicious incident that had 
occurred on her residence on the 300 Block of North 
Baldwin Avenue. The victim informed Officers that 
on February 28th, between the hours of 6:00 and 7:00 
pm, she left her apartment to go to the laundry facility 
within the apartment complex. The victim stated she left 
her front door open with the screen door closed but not 
locked. She returned a few minutes later and discovered 
her front door closed with the deadbolt locked and the 
blinds on the front door drawn. The victim looked 
between the blinds of the front door and saw her back 
door was open, which was closed and locked prior to her 
leaving the apartment. Nothing appeared to be missing 
from the apartment and she never saw anyone enter 
or leave the area of her apartment. This case has been 
forwarded to the Detectives Bureau.

Wednesday, March 4th

 At 10:18 am, Sierra Madre Police responded to the 
station lobby regarding an identity theft report. The 
victim informed Officers that the night before, she 
attempted to file her income tax online using an online 
software. During the process, she received an alert from 
the software which informed the victim that her social 
security number had already been used in an income tax 
return. This case has been forwarded to the Detectives 
Bureau. 

Saturday, March 7th

 At 5:50 am, Sierra Madre Police responded to the 400 
Block of West Highland Avenue regarding a vehicle 
burglary. The victim informed Officers that earlier that 
morning while he was getting ready to leave for work, he 
noticed the driver side panel of his work utility truck was 
open. The victim inspected the panel and discovered 
several of his tools were missing. Upon inspection, 
Officers discovered the metal hooks to keep the panels 
in place were bent and appeared to be damaged to gain 
access to the interior. Fortunately, the victim had a 
working security camera and recorded the incident. The 
video displayed a newer model dark colored sedan drive 
past his residence, then come back a short time later 
and park in front of the driveway. Two male subjects 
exit the vehicle, wearing grey sweatshirts and jeans, 
and approach the driver’s side panel. The suspects gain 
access to the panels and remove the tools and flee in the 
dark colors sedan. Estimated loss was totaled at around 
$1800. This case has been forwarded to the Detectives 
Bureau. 

 At 9:11 am, Sierra Madre Police responded to the 
600 Block of Valle Vista Dr. regarding a theft report. 
The victims informed Officers that they went out to 
their vehicle earlier that morning and discovered the 
rear passenger door was open. Upon further inspection, 
the victims noticed various small items were missing 
from the vehicle, along with petty cash and coins. The 
husband stated the last person to use the vehicle was his 
wife, who often forgets to lock the vehicle. The estimated 
loss was totaled to be less than $50. This case has been 
forwarded to the Detectives Bureau. 

 At 1:00 pm, Sierra Madre Police responded to 
the 2100 Block of Santa Anita Ave. regarding a theft 
report. The victim informed Officers that earlier that 
day, she came out to her vehicle which was parked 
in her driveway, and noticed the front left door and 
trunk door were open. Upon further inspection, 
the victim discovered her car had been rummaged 
through with the contents of her glove compartment 
being strew all over the vehicle. Other than a $5 
dollar bill, nothing more from the vehicle appeared 
to be missing. The victim informed Officers that she 
never locks her vehicle doors, as there were no signs 
for forced entry. This case has been forwarded to the 
Detectives Bureau. 

Sunday, March 8th 

At 2:40 pm, Sierra Madre Police to the 200 Block of 
North Hermosa Ave. regarding a residential burglary. 
The victim informed Officers that they were contacted 
by the fumigation company that was working on their 
house, after the workers discovered two tears in the 
tarp covering the home, with the both the front and 
back door left open. During the Officer’s investigation, 
it appeared the suspect(s) entered the home by tearing 
the tarp and gaining access through a back door. The 
suspect(s) ransacked several rooms stealing various 
items including jewelry. The suspect(s) then tore a 
second hole and exited the home through the front door. 
Current estimation of loss is totaled to about $1,000. A 
more detailed investigation will occur once the pesticide 
is cleared from the home. This case has been forwarded 
to the Detectives Bureau. 

 

 
EXTRAVAGANZA March 19-21 9 am - 2 pm 
Easter Decorations - Mother’s Day Gifts 
Spring Clothes & Jewelry for the FamilyBooks, DVD's, Pictures, Toys & StationaryMemorial & July 4 Items thKitchen Items, Linens, Home Decorations 
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