Midge Morash
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SHOP LOCAL AND SAVE ! CHECK OUT LOCAL RETAIL COUPONS IN THIS EDITION! SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2011 VOLUME 5 NO. 31 SIERRA MADRE PD MEETS WITH NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH CAPTAINS MIDGE MORASH -SIERRA MADRE’S Upcoming Release of CA Prison Inmates May Impact City Crime Story by Chris Bertrand RENAISSANCE WOMAN PASSES AWAY On Monday evening, officials from by notice of another crime with a On Saturday, July 23, Sierra Madre Police Department block of the first attempt: 2011, Midge Morash, met with Neighborhood Watch “On Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at one of the most Block Captains in the first of loved, admired, and periodic meetings. Earlier this year, about 9:41 a.m., an attempted residential burglary occurred in the cherished residents of the officials met with the Business Sierra Madre passed Community in a similar format. 500 block of West Highland Ave. Suspect #1 repeatedly rang the door away. At age 88, Chief Marilyn Diaz, Larry she had struggled in Giannone, Len Hundshamer and bell at the front door. The resident, an adult male, was home but did not recent months with Ruben Enriquez each delivered her health. parts of the presentation. They answer the person at the front door. A few minutes later, the resident covered current burglary patterns Midge was and recommendations to minimize heard someone trying to open an unlocked window to the rear affectionately known a home’s exposure, the expected as “Mother Nature” local impact of the upcoming state of the house. The resident yelled out and startled the suspect. The in environmental mandated downgrade of certain circles because of nonviolent crimes to reduce the suspect ran to the street and into an awaiting car occupied by two more her commitment to prison population, the EVG scandal protecting the earth, update and other topics. males. The suspects are described as young males, possibly Hispanic especially Bailey SMPD Expects October Inmate with shaved heads. The vehicle is Canyon. In fact, she Release Will Impact City Crime described as a silver, 4-door sedan, was instrumental in Levels with a rear spoiler. The car was last developing the first Chief Marilyn Diaz spoke about the seen eastbound on Highland Ave. trails at Bailey Canyon impact of AB 109 & 117 legislation, toward Lima St. Park in the 60’s. the State Public Safety Realignment. Midge Morash,originally from Northern California, moved to Sierra Madre almost 50 The main components of public Officers suggested that when an Midge was honored years ago. She and her husband Tal, raised four children, John, Kim, Anne and Paul safety realignment are twofold: unknown person comes to the by the city for her work and three grandchildren. it defines local custody for non- door, to at least acknowledge that as the developer of the In addition to her volunteer work with SMEAC and Bailey Canyon, she is also an violent, non-serious, non-sex someone is home, though not Nature Awareness accomplished artist. Her homes were filled with sculptures. “I like faces”, she once offenders; and it makes changes to interested in whatever is offered, Program more than said of her work. Much of her work reflects that interest, such as the bust of a state parole and creates “local post- hopefully deterring this crime 30 years ago. That gentleman shown below. release community supervision.” scenario being played out again program included field also passed away. These changes are to take place locally. trips once a year for all third graders She is survived by two October 1, 2011. Residents Encouraged to Sign Up in town, and the recruiting and daughters, Kim Lazaro of training docents for the program. Poway and Anne Johnson of At the meeting and in a follow for Online Reports of Local Crime Events Rancho Cucamonga and a up interview for this article, Diaz She was one of the founders of son, Paul Morash of Evanston, stressed that Sierra Madre expects Capt. Giannone alerted the the Sierra Madre Environmental Wyoming. When the Morash to see the impact in increased Neighborhood Watch Captains Action Council (SMEAC) in children were small, she also property crimes. “These are often that a free online service is now 1972 and designed three of their volunteered “in all the usual drug-related crimes. “For instance, available to Sierra Madre and brochures and helped develop school functions” and was a when people need money for drugs, other communities. Individuals information for the kiosk at Bailey leader for Brownie and Girl they steal. Burglars often strike on can sign up to receive alerts of Canyon. Scout troops for years. streets in proximity to corridors crimes reported in their area, and/ like Sierra Madre Boulevard, or a relative’s area, or other location She also devised a trail guide for The recipient of numerous Michillinda Ave., Orange Grove of concern, like a school or a Live Oak Nature Trail and Canyon awards and honors over the Ave., and Grandview Ave. We are neighborhood being considered for View Nature Trail in Bailey Canyon, years, in 2009, she was the preparing for this prospect when home purchase or lease. The website with assistance from Eaton Canyon Sierra Madre 4th of July Parade thousands of offenders will be is www.CrimeReports.com and Nature Center. Grand Marshal. In 2000, she released statewide. Police chiefs requires only about two minutes was the Sierra Madre Older have been meeting regularly to plan to setup a customized alert sent by For several years, along with American of the Year. for the impact of prisoner release to email, or to view crime information her volunteer work, she was lab our communities.” online. technician at the hospital when it “A True Renaissance Woman” Diaz continued, saying we will Filters are available to determine was located in town. thereafter moved to The Oaks in need to draw on the eyes and ears exactly how often residents receive Pasadena, her residence at the time Dear friend Fran Garbaccio of her death. of the Neighborhood Watch and updates, and even on what types In an interview with Midge two described Midge as a “true the community, to pay attention of crimes they wish to hear about. years ago, she said her focus has renaissance woman”, because of her Services for Midge will be held to things that seem amiss, and call Chief Diaz also recommended forever been on nature. “I have a many talents. For, in addition to on August 27, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at them in. Enriquez stepped in with that residents check their Megan’s passion for nature and teaching the countless volunteer hours spent the Sierra Madre United Methodist success stories of alert neighbors Law website, www.MegansLaw. others about nature. Kids have to protecting, nurturing and teaching, Church. Rev. Mark Trotter will calling in suspicious activity, ca.gov to update themselves on learn respect for nature and the Midge was an incredible artist. Her preside. including a recent case where a sexual offenders living in an area of knowledge of the environment, Sierra Madre home, and later her Story & Photos by Susan Henderson truck with two men pulled up to concern. and to live respectfully.” home at The Oaks in Pasadena, was an adjacent home. After a knock on filled with her creations. the door received no response, they SMPD Seeks Feedback on Midge and her husband Tal who CORRECTION: broke into the back of the home, Operations and Personnel preceded her in death, were the The correct date for the tribute Giannone pointed out that the On February 13, 2009, Midge fell taking personal property. parents of four children. Tal passed and broke her pelvis, and shortly for Ralph McKnight is FRIDAY, Chatty Burglars Share Their MO police department is very interested away in 1988 and their son John AUGUST 12, 2011 at the Levitt with SMPD after Arrest. in getting feedback on how they Pavillion at 7:00 p.m. before the are doing, especially when it the Billy Mitchell concert. When the PD caught up with them observations (positive or negative) ELVIS WAS IN THE HOUSE! later, the duo shared their criteria for are recent, and can be tied to the choosing a target home: Morning event or officer for follow-up. While Inside This Edition... hours after people go to work allow on this topic, Giannone remarked burglars to work uninterrupted and that the PD sometimes receives CALENDAR Page 2 unnoticed for many hours; Homes negative comments about officers with long driveways and old, easy observed pulling motorists over for Sierra Madre News Page 3 to pry windows attracted their possible offenses. He commented Pasadena/Altadena Page 4 attention; and using a vehicle that that the officer has the discretion downgrades suspicion, like a pickup to write and file a warning or a Around San Gabriel Valley Page 5 with a lawn mower in the back. citation, and a passerby will not Arcadia Page 6 Diaz told of another hair raising necessarily be aware which is being story involved another morning given. Monrovia/Duarte Page 7 attempted burglary. A resident was SMPD Seeks More Neighborhood showering when someone came Watch Groups and Captains Education & Youth Page 8 to the door. By the time he came The PD welcomes the opportunity SUMMER FUN Page 9 downstairs from the shower, he to offer as many Neighborhood viewed two burglars headed to his Watch meetings as a group would Good Food & Drink Page 10 back door, one pulling on gloves. like to have, according to Giannone. With the presence of mind to hide Many of the groups represented Arts & Entertainment Page 11 in the bathroom with the shower had been about two years since a Legals Page 12 on, suggesting his inattention to the neighborhood meeting was held.