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Duarte Mesa is a Special Place! Where else in the Los Angeles area can you feel as safe, welcome and at peace with everyone? Where else can you be assured that someone will wave hello to you as you walk or drive along one of our streets? Where else is there an annual pot-luck block party at which young and old alike can share food and entertainment while seated with friendly neighbors? Duarte Mesa is the answer. This jewel of a neighborhood is unique. We are very proud of the many Duarte Mesa residents who generously volunteer their time with youth mentoring programs, toy/food drives, neighborhood watch, graffiti removal programs, serving on the city council and school boards, and many other community activities. Several years ago, when the Duarte library was at risk of closing because of budget problems, Duarte Mesa residents sprang into action by raising funds and organizing a group of volunteers to staff the library during the budget crisis. In 2002, the Duarte Mesa Association donated funds to help Northview Middle School students go to Sacramento. During this holiday season Mesa residents donated 4 large bags of toys and $200 cash for food vouchers to the Duarte community center. Since its inception, the Duarte Mesa Association (DMA) has represented homeowners and other residents who live in this unique part of Southern California. Your DMA Board of Directors represents you at Duarte City Council meetings where new developments or construction projects may change the look and feel of our area. Last year, the DMA Board played an active role in the Committee to Save the Duarte Foothills and was successful in preserving a 320-acre property in Spinks Canyon. Your DMA Board ensures that your voice is heard. Whether it's a neighborhood party, a fund-raiser/food drive for the less-fortunate in Duarte, or a political matter in which we need representation, the DMA is leading the way on your behalf. |
Mesa is Peaceful, but Fire Prone Whether banding together for protection from marauding bears or planning a reception party for a herd of turf-devouring goats, Duarteans who reside on the mesa above town are a special breed of folks. Comprised of approximately 95 homes, these neighbors are known to be dedicated and hard working volunteers in our community. They live in one of Duarte 's most unique areas, commonly referred to as "The Duarte Mesa." Bill and Nita Norgard built their home on the Mesa in 1972. "The area was originally owned by the Spinks Family," says Bill. "There was an avocado orchard and a reservoir at the north end of Spinks Canyon Road ." The Norgards found proof of this historical fact when they uncovered concrete and galvanized pipes for the orchard when they broke ground to build. The Norgards are a good example of a community minded Mesa family. Nita was recently selected by the City of Duarte as its honoree for Older American Recognition Day. And if there is a fundraising effort in town for the Friends of the Library or the Duarte Education Foundation, you can bet the Norgards are on the committee. Unique and peaceful, the Mesa offers spectacular views of the valley. However, it is also an area that is fire-prone. Following the 1980 fire which destroyed many Mesa homes, the residents formed the Duarte Mesa Association, a voluntary organization which originally focused on helping victims rebuild. Today the Association flourishes in many ways, giving opportunity to these close-knit neighbors to share ideas on how to safely co-exist with wildlife, protect their homes from fire, and promote neighborhood watch activities. Currently sixty-six members participate and support an annual summer block party, a winter business meeting and dinner party, a newsletter, and a website. Details on current activities may be found on the Internet at www.duartemesa.org. "When I first moved to California ,"says Carie Osburn, a Mesa resident since 1987, "I lived in Santa Monica where I met only two neighbors in 7 years." Today Carie is pleased to say "What makes the Mesa so special to me is that I know almost every family out of the nearly 100 homes on the Mesa ." She mirrors the sentiments of many Mesa residents when she says she is impressed with her neighbors' "community spirit," a fact that became evident when she helped organize a block party honoring Mesa residents who give back to the community. The list, says Carie, was impressive and included volunteer hours for the Duarte mentoring program, SAT and ACT training, Friends of the Library, school and college boards, public safety, and the Duarte Museum, to mention a few. Recently Mesa residents held a reception to greet a herd of goats hired by the city to clear brush on the hillsides. With the danger of fire high on the worry list of Mesa residents, they welcomed the goat herd which served as a non-polluting, effective method of clearing tinder in the foothills. While enjoying the peaceful beauty of this hilltop community, our Mesa residents have not held themselves apart from the heart of the City, but rather have been an integral part of Duarte 's volunteer force, city council and school boards, community service council and senior center. |
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Bruce Lee Pupil Suggests Tai Chi as Cure for Holiday Stress Need some quiet time after the hectic holidays? Maybe Duartean Dan Lee can help. Born in China, Dan became an amateur boxer and then took up an interest in the martial arts. After moving to the United States in 1952, he was trained in tai chi by the master Bruce Lee, and they shared much more than a common last name. Dan was one of Lee's prized students and for many years while training he posed in magazine articles with Bruce, gaining worldwide attention. Although Bruce has been dead for more than 33 years, one of Dan's chief goals is to keep Bruce's legacy alive. Dan continued his martial arts training, graduated from Utah State University, then earned an advanced degree in electronic engineering at UCLA. He then began teaching tai chi during his 33 years working at JPL, retiring as a senior research engineer in 1992. Now, the 16-year Duarte resident, said he expects to be blessed with a long life, one of the benefits of tai chi. "Bruce Lee's art is known as 'intercepting fist,'" Dan said. In this often hectic and stressful world, "Tai chi helps one relax and maintain mental stability." He explains that tai chi is "mind in action, meditation in motion." Although he respects the art of yoga, tai chi is different because it is based on motion, a series of slow-paced movements which help one maintain their center of gravity. "Tai chi helps one relax and calm down," he said. That's what makes it a perfect cure for frazzled nerves after holiday crowds and traffic. Tai chi is especially beneficial to seniors, Dan claims, because "it helps a person maintain balance which in turn helps keep them from falling." Dan teaches tai chi in Pasadena and his students come from all walks of life. "I teach not only retired people, but also men and women of the business world. My youngest student is 12 years old," he said. "People find a variety of ways to exercise," said Dan. Along the bike trail in Duarte we see bikers, walkers, joggers, skaters, skateboarders, and horse riders. But Dan takes notice that we also often see people who prefer a less vigorous way of exercising, enjoying the slow movements of tai chi. Address correspondence for Claudia Heller to the Weekly Star, 1210 N. Azusa Canyon Road, West Covina, CA 91790. You can also reach Claudia via e-mail at famheller@email.msn.com. |
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Duarte History Museum Needs Volunteers Visitors to the Duarte History Museum see only the surface, the exhibits, and learn what the docents know. But below the surface are lots of activities that would engage members of the Duarte community and provide the satisfaction of knowing that every hour so spent is a contribution to better information and understanding of visitors who will visit in the future. A few categories of Museum-related volunteer work come to mind:
The range of opportunities for Museum-related work is obviously very great. Anyone interested in any of these volunteer activities should contact the Museum (626) 357-9419 or famheller@email.msn.com. |
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Mountain Lion Kills One Dog and Injures Another The City of Duarte is notifying the public of an incident involving a mountain lion in the back yard of a residence in the early morning hours of November 28, 2007 on Cedarwood Ave; near the top of Las Lomas Road. A mountain lion attacked two German Shepards in backyard of the residence. One of the German Shepard was injured and taken to the veterinarian. The other German Shepard was killed, partially eaten and buried by the mountain lion in the general proximity. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies, along with the City of Duarte's Animal Control Officer, responded to the residence as a result of the attack. The California Department of Fish and Game has jurisdiction and authority over these type of incidents and was notified. The California Department of Fish and Game does not see this attack as a threat to public safety and as such their suggested response includes educating and notifying the public of the dangers of this particular type of wildlife and the offering of a depredation permit to the owner of the dogs. . The following recommendations for the public are advisable:
If you sight a mountain lion in your area, please contact the Temple Sheriff Station at 626-285-7171. |
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Bulletins
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4th of July Safety Tips What do you need to know about celebrating the Fourth of July in Duarte?
What else can you do to enjoy a safe Fourth of July?
Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July! |
