Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, June 23, 2018

SECTION B

SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

“What’s Going On?”

News and Views from Joan Schmidt

UPPER DISTRICT ANNOUNCES 
WINNERS OF THE 2018 “WATER IS LIFE” 
STUDENT ART CONTEST

HE’S BACK AND WHAT A WELCOME! 

Last Sunday, the Media was 
given a wonderful opportunity to 
witness Justify’s return home to 
Santa Anita. On hand were trainer 
Bob Baffert and of course Hall of 
Fame Jockey Mike Smith. 

 Mike joins fellow Santa Anita 
Jockey Victor Espinosa in winning 
the elusive, coveted Triple Crown. Three years ago, 
many disbelievers said it couldn’t happen -a Triple 
Crown Winner-there had been a 37 year drought. 
But American Pharoah, Victor Espinosa and Bob 
Baffert did it!

 And now history repeats itself. Many said it was 
unlikely to happen again. Three races in such a short 
time frame are too much for any horse. But Bob 
Baffert achieved the seemingly impossible- a Triple 
Crown again, thanks to a beautiful strong horse, 
Justify, and the great jockey Mike Smith- one of the 
nicest human beings I know.

 There were numerous members of the Press and 
I even saw TVG Commentator Simon and Santa 
Anita’s Mike Willman with phones out getting 
photos of the beautiful Justify! What a welcome!

MONROVIA, CA – On July 19, 2018, the Board 
of Directors for the Upper San Gabriel Valley 
Municipal Water District (Upper District) honored 
20 San Gabriel Valley students who submitted 
award-winning entries to Upper District’s annual 
“Water is Life” art contest. 

For over 14 years, the Upper District’s “Water 
is Life” art contest has helped raise water 
conservation awareness while educating students 
on the importance of preserving our most precious 
natural resource. Each student’s artwork conveyed 
a unique expression of water as being vital to 
our livelihood and securing its availability for 
the future. This year the Upper District received 
170 submissions from 25 schools throughout the 
service area of the district. All eligible art entries 
were displayed at Upper District to allow Board 
members, staff, and members of the public the 
opportunity to vote by ballot for their top choices 
in each student category...


NEW MOSQUITOES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Global travel and trade have opened doors to 
invasive mosquitoes. Three new species making 
Southern California their home are the Asian 
tiger (Aedes albopictus), yellow fever (Aedes 
aegypti), and Austalian backyard (Aedes 
notoscriptus) mosquitoes. These mosquitoes 
adapt very well to urban environments. Once 
introduced, they can thrive in our neighborhoods. 


How are they threats?

 Disease carriers — The Asian tiger mosquito 
and yellow fever mosquito have the potential to 
transmit debilitating viruses such as dengue, yellow 
fever, zika virus and the painful chikungunya virus. 
These diseases have not been transmitted locally. 
However, if a person with the virus spends time in 
an area where these mosquitoes are found, there is 
an increased chance of an outbreak occurring in 
Los Angeles County. Currently, many cities across 
the country are reporting many chikungunya 
cases from travelers coming back to the U.S. from 
Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The 
Australian backyard mosquito is a concern for the 
veterinary community since it can transmit canine 
heartworm.

 They can bite during the day — These 
bloodsuckers can ruin a family get-together 
or a warm day at a park. Normally, we expect 
mosquitoes to bite from dusk to dawn – 
not so with these invasive mosquitoes. 
Please report black and white, daytime-biting 
mosquitoes to the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & 
Vector Control District at 626-814-9466.

 They can lay eggs in small containers and thrive 
indoors — Do you have an old tire in your yard? Or 
maybe some plant cuttings in a bucket of water in 
your kitchen? These mosquitoes can lay their eggs in 
stagnant water sources as small as a bottle cap! There 
have been reports in Los Angeles County of these 
mosquitoes biting people inside offices and homes.


M.A.D. AREA NEWS

So much happening in our tri-city/county areas! Duarte 
Superintendent Mucerino moved to Alvord USD, but 
all are grateful for his insight and transformation of 
Duarte Schools. We are losing Probation Officer Kevin 
Paris at Pamela Park. He had so many wonderful youth 
programs- life skills/making better decisions for girls 12+, 
mother-daughter activities self esteem building, programs 
for the boys and parenting classes and much more! Please 
contact Chief Probation Officer Terri McDonald, Los 
Angeles County Probation, 9150 East Imperial Highway 
Downey, CA 90242 and ask her to reconsider

 UPDATE: Ana Estevez, the brave mother, whose son 
Piqui was killed by his own father traveled to Sacramento 
June 21. 42nd Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio presented 
Resolution #HR113, calling for all court-related 
professionals to be trained in recognizing, evaluating 
and understanding evidence and impacts of domestic 
violence and child abuse. Piqui died because red flags 
were ignored.

 Very Special Thanks to Supervisor Barger-the great 
Veterans Fair, Trace Atkins’ phenomenal Arboretum 
concert, and the weekly showers, and services, such as 
counseling for the homeless.

 Sixty-eight residents attended the June Town Council 
Meeting. Dennis Cavallari, Steelwave, the company 
developing the former mobile home park on Live Oak 
Avenue spoke. In 2012, this site was purchased; the 
Board of Supervisors approved the plan, which never 
materialized. Then Steelwave purchased the property 
with the intent of building beautiful Santa Barbara style 
housing. Steelwave had photos of the proposed housing. 
There will be FIFTEEN LESS units than permitted. There 
will be a senior portion, rentals, plenty of parking, a 
swimming pool, clubhouse and more. Mr. Cavallari’s 
email is DCavallari@steewavellc.com. You may email him 
for more info.

 Temple Station’s Captain Dave Flores attended, 
mentioned an increase in crimes, but many arrests have 
been made. He is VERY GRATEFUL to Supervisor Barger 
for funding our area’s Summer Team. (a Sergeant and two 
deputies) .Deputy Nelson reminded us: FIREWORKS: 
illegal ALL UNINCORPORATED areas!

 Lastly I want to give a shout out for “WONDER 
WOMAN”, that is Supervisor Barger’s Senior Deputy, 
Debby Mendelsohn. She was in charge of the Veterans 
Fair and when contacted about two issues resolved them 
in under 24 hours!

 COUNTY RESIDENTS: You are making a terrible 
mistake not coming to the once-a-month Town Council 
Meeting. LASD, Debbie Mendelsohn, LA County Parks 
& Rec.CHP & Library reps come and explain ALL 
HAPPENINGS and future events. See you JULY 18, 
7PM, ALL NATIONS CHURCH, 1948 PECK ROAD 
MONROVIA and

AUGUST 15, 7PM, ANNUNCIATION CHURCH, 1307 
E. LONGDEN AVE. ARCADIA.


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Jan Greteman626.975.4033Jan@JanGreteman.comJanGreteman.com#01943630Judy Webb-Martin626.688.2273Judy.Webb-Martin@podley.com#00541631 
Katie Orth626.688.0418 
KatieO@podley.com#00942500 
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