“How much plinth could a plinther print, if a plinther could print plinth?”
monroviaweekly.com
FREE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2009 VOLUME 14, NO. 75
MUSD Health Monrovia Man Charged Pasadena Water Network to Sponsor with Murder and Torture Bills Escalate to All-time Highs Walk to School Day in Death of Girlfriend Counting Steps toward Healthier Students
Joshua Schery, 6th grade, and his brother David, 8th grade were the first two area kids to receive computers in the Beacon Media/Priceless Computer Back to School Computer Giveaway. On Monday the delighted boys came to Beacon’s offices in Monrovia to claim their prize
Two Brothers Start School Year with Digital Upgrade BY JOHN STEPHENS & TERRY MILLER
When Fidel Schery told his two sons last week that they had won our first essay
contest, they thought he was kidding. And when he went on to say that they had each won a computer and monitor to keep as their own, Schery said
that was when they “knew” he was lying. “When we got the call, we were completely shocked”
Continued on 17
Ramadan Event Features Talks on METHODIST CELEBRATES Diversity, Healthcare, Immigration 20TH YEAR OF NEONATAL Rep. Judy Chu Visits San Gabriel Mosque There was a flurry of activity in the parking lot of the San Gabriel Mosque as the clock neared seven p.m. on Saturday. Table settings were laid out in four rows on the floor where mosque members and friends sat, prepared to end the day of fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan. As a call to prayer marked the time to break the fast, guests began feasting on plates filled with dates, fruit and garbanzo beans topped with onions, tomatoes and spices, for appetizers. Though the mosque provides meals to break the fast daily throughout the thirty days
Continued on 12
On Friday, September 11 Brandon Lee Randone called 911 to report that his girlfriend Felecia Lee, 31 was not breathing. Paramedics and a Monrovia police unit were sent to the scene. The police officers called detectives who felt that the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau needed to be called. Monrovia Police Detective Rich Doney said that the condition of the victim indicated that her death might be a murder. On Tuesday, Randone, 45, Lee’s boyfriend who called 911 was charged with her murder and torture according to Sheriff’s homicide detective Brian Schoonmaker. “The autopsy listed homicide as the cause of death which was the result of suffocation and blunt force trauma,” he said. Monrovia, like many
Continued on 12
Pasadena Plinther Ponders Pottery, Poetry and Pigeons Across the Pond Federal Funds
Flow to Valley Water Program
BY TERRY MILLER
of Ramadan, the guests that day included many members from outside the Muslim community there to celebrate an interfaith dinner – including Congresswoman Judy Chu. Following the prayer and
Continued on 12
Continued on 16
The City of Pasadena water rates have been set to go to all-time highs since the Pasadena City Council approved rate increases in its basic water rates of 35% and changed its tiered usage system to tighter levels which will result in higher charges for water usage. Management of the municipallyrun utility held several public hearings and the Council deliberated about rates and their affect on residents. But finally, increased fixed costs, a massive increase in charges by the Metropolitan Water District, and MWD’s cut in the city’s allocation of water to be received in the coming year, made the decision unassailable. The basic charge is listed on billings as D&C and FPS, standing for Distribution and Customer Charge and Fire Protection Surcharge. These charges cover the utility’s “fixed-costs”; the second is for fire protection and possible excess water usage.
Continued on 3
INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Smiling healthy children and adults who once were very sick patients at Methodist Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit mingled with doctors and nurses at the Arcadia Community Center on Sunday a f ter noon. T he i n fa nt s, children and adults, who attended with their families, took the event as an opportunity to show how t hey had beat t he odds and are thriving today. The expressions on the parents’ faces said it all: This was a time for joy for everyone who had experienced difficult and emotional days in the Methodist NICU. Over
BY SAMEEA KAMAL
Mon rov ia Un i f ied School District’s Network for a Healthy California w ill encourage st udent s and parents of Bradoaks, Ca nyon Ea rly Lea r ning Center, Monroe, Plymouth and Wild Rose Elementary to walk to school. On October 7th, from 7:15-7:45 a.m., about 1000 school children ages 3-11 along with Monrovia Unified School District Superintendent and staff members will walk to their school campuses as pa rt of Internat iona l Walk to School Day. The event is expected to bring out hundreds of students, parents, district staff, and community leaders to walk across our community on their way to school. Upon
BY BILL PETERS
BY SUSAN MOTANDER
Dreier Continues Push to Fund Decontamination BY NINA HAUPTMAN
asked people to occupy the empty Fourth Plinth located at Trafalgar Square in London, a space that is normally
On July 17th, Congressman David Drier (R - San Dimas) voted to provide $4 million in federal funding to the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund. The fund, which is run by the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority (WQA) together with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, finances decontamination of drinking water in the San Gabriel and Central Groundwater Basins.
Continued on 5
Continued on 3
Frank Gallagher is pictured outside his studio in San Marino where he is preparing for his London debut on the fourth Plinth in Photos by Terry Miller Trafalgar Square.
BY TERRY MILLER
This summer, sculptor Antony Gormley invited people in the UK to help create unique living monument. He
Buy online
SAVE $5 off
$45 General Admission www.tasteofarcadia.com