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Mountain View News Saturday, August 2, 2025

A MOUNTAIN VIEWS NEWS EXCLUSIVE*:

NEWS BRIEFS

“CAMINO DE SANTIAGO-MY JOURNEY MY WAY IN 29 DAYS

April 17-May 15, 2025”

by: Lorie Veiner-Clause

“Surviving on the Camino”

Life on the Camino is living out of a backpack. Learning to survive. The daily grind of getting acclimated.

Getting to know my backpack. Hidden spaces and pouches.

My new best friend.

Honesty here. I have spoken to my new purple best friend many times.

Weight distribution. Heavy items in the middle of the backpack verse the bottom.

Wet laundry clothes were shifted to the exterior bottom pouch.

And the hidden real estate mystery at the very bottom.

That space occupied the backpack cover for rain and poncho protection.

Bulky toiletry items were challenging to occupy their residency in my backpack house. Excited when empty bottles got 
pitched to relieve the weight.

Familiarity of daily priorities received occupancy on top. Sleeping bag liner. Towel. Toiletries. Clothes shifted daily due to the 
weather.

Various emergency items were placed in the first aid kit including the life saver ace bandage.

Swelling in my small foot occurred a few days after walking on the Camino journey. My pilgrim talents expanded as I wrapped 
my foot daily in the dark for a month.

Let’s talk about food. 

Hoarding food became my pilgrim survival mentality.

Running gels and almonds were the source of food for my sensitive stomach. Had enough for a week. 

Emergency apples were stored in the exterior pouch.

The side of the backpack held leftover baguette bread I could hoard. Stale bread became routine for this pilgrim.

Mercado is the Spanish market. Transitioning from English to French to Spanish. This pilgrim quickly learned the basic words 
of food survival. Lunch meat turkey is pavo. Pollo is chicken. Queso is cheese. Almendras are almonds. I bought a few items 
at a time. Stored them in a hidden pouch for easy access. 

I rewarded myself with rationing food as I walked many kilometers daily. Several days might drift away before seeing another 
mercado. 

Carrying a water bottle. Refilling it along ‘The Way’. Swallowing liquid IV to prevent dehydration.

Weight loss occurred rapidly. Dropping 10 lbs. Hip bones protruded. Malnourished was the physical appearance my petite 
body visibly projected. A real pilgrim indeed.

Did I officially start my Camino?

#Loriescaminojourney #caminodesantiago #camino2025 #camino #caminofrances #caminodesantiagofrances #caminopilgrim 
#caminoespiritual #americanpilgrims #caminodesantiagoallroutes #caminasabuddysystemforwomenonthecamino #americanpilgrimsonthecamino 
#pilgrimsofsantiago #womenonthecamino #lamarathon #parismarathon #parismarathon2025 #pasadenapacers 
#AzusaPacers #whittierpacers #sierramadre #sierramadrecommunity #sierramadrecalif #sierramadrestrong 
#ilovesierramadre

*This is the sixth in a series by Sierra Madre resident Lorie-Veiner-Clause's incredibly courageous journey. Follow 
her recollections of 'Camino' each week.. By the way, if you aren't familiar with the Camino Santiago, you will be!

S. Henderson, Publisher/Editor


WEST NILE VIRUS DETECTED IN EL MONTE 
- SEASONAL ACTIVITY RETURNS TO SAN 
GABRIEL VALLEY

A positive West Nile virus mosquito sample was collected in El Monte

West Covina, Calif. (July 29, 2025) — The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & 
Vector Control District (SGV Mosquito/District) has confirmed West Nile 
virus (WNV) activity in its service area for the first time this season. The 
virus was detected in a mosquito sample collected from a surveillance trap in 
the city of El Monte.

“West Nile virus is a recurring concern in our region,” said Director of Scientific 
Programs Tristan Hallum. “It’s endemic to the San Gabriel Valley, meaning 
we expect to detect it every year in mosquitoes, birds, and occasionally 
humans. The key to staying protected is avoiding mosquito bites.”

West Nile virus is most often detected during the warmer months, when 
higher overnight temperatures accelerate mosquito breeding and viral transmission. 
SGV Mosquito will continue monitoring disease activity and controlling 
mosquitoes in public spaces through routine inspections and necessary 
treatments, but residents should take precautions to protect their health.

Mosquito control is a shared responsibility. The District urges residents to 
take an active role in reducing the threat of WNV in their communities by 
taking the following actions to stay healthy and bite-free:

Tip out stagnant water around the home weekly;

Toss unused containers that can hold stagnant water; and

Protect against bites by using insect repellent containing any one of the following 
CDC-recommended ingredients: Picaridin, DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 
(or PMD), or IR3535.

“There is no vaccine or cure for West Nile virus in humans,” said Hallum. 
“The best method of protection is prevention.”

For more information, residents can contact the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito 
and Vector Control District at 626-814-9466, online at SGVmosquito.org, or 
on social media: Facebook, X, and Instagram.

GASOLINE PRICES ARE UP AGAIN

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve

regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose today for the third consecutive 
day

after dropping to its lowest amount since Jan. 15, increasing two-tenths of a

cent to $4.473.

 The average price has increased eight-tenths of a cent over the past

three days, including a half-cent Thursday, its largest increase since June 23,

according to figures from AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.

SAN MARINO MOTOR CLASSIC

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S PREMIER AUTOMOBILE SHOWCASE

Only four weeks until the 14th annual San Marino Motor Classic returns to Lacy Park on August 23-24, 2025. End 
the summer in style by joining us for this classy Classic weekend of events.

The San Marino Motor Classic is a prestigious Concours d’Elegance where many of the world’s finest classic cars 
are on display and are judged. This year there will be 35 very diverse car classes that will be of interest to everyone.

Cars are on display on Sunday, August 24th from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Bring the family to see automotive history 
and enjoy offerings from vendors, food trucks or the VIP area. General admission is $45 in advance, $50 event 
day – children under 12 are free. Purchase a VIP Ticket ($175 – must be purchased in advance) and enjoy the VIP 
Reception, a great place to enjoy a gourmet lunch, adult beverage at the hosted bar and sit under umbrella covered 
tables and watch the awards presentation.

The 2025 Motor Classic weekend begins with the Symphony of Cars Gala, and the Automotive Fine Arts Society 
exhibit on Saturday, August 23rd.

The Automotive Fine Arts Society Annual Art Expo and Sale opens on Saturday afternoon from 4:00PM to 
6:00PM. 

Twelve automotive artists will display their artwork, that is available for purchase. Admission is FREE! Wine and 
snacks will be served.

The elegant Symphony of Cars Gala will be held on Saturday evening, August 23, 2025 at 6:00PM. This event includes 
a hosted cocktail hour, the Symphony of Cars presentation of 16 cars that will be described, along with the 
playing of a musical composition written in the year of the car’s manufacturer.

Following the presentation will be a three-course gourmet dinner with paired wines. The cost is $300.00 per 
person – must be purchased in advance. The proceeds benefit Cancer Support Community of the Greater San 
Gabriel Valley.

The Motor Classic a non-profit organization that raises and donates funds to 
Charities. A winning combination: a wonderful event that supports our community. 
Become a Sponsor or Donor and support charities.

Motor Classic Beneficiaries - Pasadena Humane Society, Cancer Support Community 
of the Greater San Gabriel Valley, San Marino Rotary Charities, Give Mentor 
Love Foundation, Shriners Hospital for Children, Rose Bowl Aquatic Center.

For further information, and to purchase tickets, see our web site. https://sanmarinomotorclassic.
com

ELKS ANNOUNCE AVAILABILITY OF 
MOST VALUABLE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP 
APPLICATIONS: 

The Arcadia Elks Lodge 2025 is excited to announce that the Elks 
Most Valuable Student Scholarship (MVS) applications are now available 
on line. The applications are due at the Arcadia Elks Lodge on 
November 1, 2025. 

In the past, the Arcadia Elks Lodge has had many MVS applicants’ application 
reach the national level. High School seniors can access and 
complete the applications at elks.org/enf/scholars/MVS. 

This year 500 MVS Scholarships will be awarded at the National level 
for a total of $2,520,000. 20 MVS Scholarships will receive $30,000 
and 480 will receive $4,000, which is paid over a four year period. In 
addition local, district and state Lodges may provide awards.

In addition to scholarships offered at the national level, the California-
Hawaii Elks Association also offers Vocational Grants for technical 
and vocational training. Information about these two year vocational 
grants is available at CHEA-ELKS.org/Youth/Activities/Scholarships. 

These grants are for students of any age who are not going to a four 
year college and who want to learn a trade.

The California-Hawaii Elks also offers a scholarship for students with 
disabilities. The scholarship covers academic expenses which include 
tuition, books, lab fees and on-campus room and board. 

Applications are available at chea-elks.org/youth-activities/scholarships. 
The Elks scholarship for students with disabilities provides 
$1,000 to $2,000 and may be renewed each year for four years for 
qualified students. 

Applications for these scholarships open November 15, 2025. The 
applications must be received at the California-Hawaii Elks office 
5450 E. Lamona Avenue, Fresno, CA 93727-2224 post-marked before 
March 15, 2026 and received in the office by April 1, 2026. 

Applications can be found at chea@chea-elks.org. This application 
requires that an applicant obtain Elks sponsorship by contacting a Local 
Elks Lodge and requesting an elected officer to sign and complete 
the sponsoring Lodge section of the application. 

The Arcadia Elks Lodge 2025 will be happy to help and can be contacted 
at the number below.

You do not have to be related to an Elk to participate in the scholarship 
programs. It is also important to check out the scholarship web 
site to confirm deadlines for completing the scholarship applications.

For more information on the Arcadia Elks Lodge, please email the 
Lodge at artemp2025@aol.com or call the Lodge at (626) 445-2025.


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