Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 21, 2015

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Mountain View News Saturday, March 21, 2015 

Walking Sierra Madre…The 
Social Side by Deanne Davis

REMEMBRANCE

“Jack” (John) DeWitt Tierney passed away quietly at 
home from a long term illness on Thursday March 12. 
He was 77 years old.Born and raised in Pasadena, Jack 
had called Sierra Madre “home” for the last twenty some 
years. During his many years here, he touched so many 
lives. To anyone who frequented Bean Town during that 
time, he was well known as a fixture there. More than just 
one of the many recognizable faces, he was the very heart 
of the Bean Town community. He loved people, and his 
outgoing and warm personality drew in anyone who had 
a moment to chat...friend or stranger. He had a genuine 
fascination with everyone’s “story”, and his child-like 
enthusiasm about about what anyone brought to the table 
served to motivate each of us to be all that he saw us to be. 

 He also was the hub of his church’s community. He was 
very active in Grace Pasadena Church and he derived 
great joy out of knowing and supporting the children in 
the church. Church members remember Jack as a firm 
believer in Jesus Christ and how he regularly shared 
stories about how God intervened in his life, dramatically 
changing him and his lifestyle. 

 Jack was incredibly fit for his age. An avid cyclist, he 
biked many miles a week. He was a founding member of the local bike club “The Chain Gang” who 
cycle the San Gabriel Valley and the local mountain roads, frequenting favorite food establishments 
along the way. 

 It was Jack’s desire that we let people know how much he appreciated us all and how much joy 
others brought to his life. It was also his desire that we all come together to celebrate his life. He made 
arrangements for that to happen before he passed on. There will be a memorial party for him at Bean 
Town on Sunday, March 29th from 3 to 6 pm. All who knew Jack are welcome to attend. 

 In Jack’s memory, we will be collecting used bicycles, bicycle parts, and cash donations to be donated 
to Bike San Gabriel Valley, a group who is establishing a bike co-op in El Monte that is geared toward 
getting kids on bikes and encouraging cycling as a more economical and enjoyable alternative for 
local transportation. The co-op will offer a more affordable place for bike maintenance and repair, 
community education for cyclists, and a hub for the local cycling community and cycling clubs. Please 
drop off all bike and part donations to 565 Woodland Drive in Sierra Madre between now and Sunday, 
March 29th. Monetary donations will be collected at the memorial party on March 29th. A member of 
the co-op will be on hand to accept the donations. 

 Jack is survived by his sister, Sandra Cooper of Stockton, his brother, Wayne Tierney of Santa Cruz, 
his aunt, Betty Ryan, his daughter, Debbie Tierney, and his son, RIck TIerney. He will be deeply missed 
by his family and by members of each of his communities. We all wish him peace and will carry him in 
our hearts forever.


“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.