Volunteers Clean Up After State
The new City Manager's Report is up, here: http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/from-the-city-managers-deskCity Manager Scott Ochoa notes in this report that with the state being pretty much broke and unable to maintain its freeway-right-of-ways (I'm paraphrasing), the city got permission from the state for volunteer city employees and folks from Monrovia Volunteer Center to clean up the intersection of Myrtle and the 210 Freeway. They did that last week. The next state job that the state can't do is to pick up trash and clear weeds on the sides of the freeway between Myrtle and Magnolia avenues. If you'd like to help out (the work day is on October 16) call Dan McConnell at (626) 932-5504 or see the Volunteer Center web page here: http://www.volunteercentersgv.org - Brad Haugaard
Boys and Girls Clubs Golf Fundraiser
If you are a golfer, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Foothills Annual Golf Classic is on for October 4 at the Brookside Golf Course Course in Pasadena.Details and registration info here:http://www.foothillsbgc.com/page191614.aspx- Brad Haugaard
Try Out for Talent Show
If you are a singer, dancer, comedian "or anyone possessing any unique talent" you may win $500 in the Monrovia Rotary Club's talent contest are welcome to audition.
Next audition is September 18 from 1-3 p.m. at the Santa Anita Family YMCA.More details here: http://monroviasgottalent.com/- Brad Haugaard
Less Expensive Freeway Wall?
I don't begrudge Arcadians their wall, but I remember seeing this wall go up block by tedious block for month after month at a time when the state was almost as bankrupt as it is now. And I remember thinking how expensive it must have been to build it.
And then I remembered seeing what seemed to be a much less expensive solution in Illinois, where they also have freeway walls.
Now you know your state is in deep financial trouble when Illinois starts to look financially responsible, but anyway, as best I could tell, the freeway walls in Illinois were - try to picture this - constructed of pillars like fenceposts, but with vertical slots in the sides.
The slots in each pillar faced the slots in the adjacent pillars, so you could simply slide decorative sheets of concrete into them and ... Bingo! Instant freeway wall. And they looked good! Maybe this is an approach our state could use.
- Brad Haugaard
Latino Heritage Art
On September 12 the Monrovia Historical Society will have its first Latino Heritage Art (and music) exhibit.Here's a Star-News article.http://tinyurl.com/23d4phe I couldn't find anything about it at the museum's website, but here's the website if you want to look:http://www.mohpg.org/monrovia-historical-museum/ - Brad Haugaard
STAR School Test Results
At the (special time) 5:45 p.m. Wednesday Monrovia School Board Meeting the board will hear a report on the district's 2010 STAR testing results. And other stuff.
Here's Monrovia school data at the State's STARR web page:
http://tinyurl.com/379w4vw
Also, here's the full School Board agenda (PDF):
http://tinyurl.com/2v5838t
- Brad Haugaard
Here's Monrovia school data at the State's STARR web page:
http://tinyurl.com/379w4vw
Also, here's the full School Board agenda (PDF):
http://tinyurl.com/2v5838t
- Brad Haugaard
The 2010-2011 School Year Begins!
Thanks to Brad for asking me to become an occasional contributor to Monrovia Now.
I imagine many of my postings will revolve around our public schools and the different youth activities available in Monrovia – in addition to being on the Monrovia School Board, I am on the PTA board for Clifton Middle School, I am leading a Girl Scout troop for an 11th year and recently became a Boys and Girls Club Board Member. But every once and a while I might throw in a piece on one of my sister’s new books or the latest new watering hole on Myrtle.
Welcome back Monrovia Unified families! Summer came to an end, probably much earlier than anyone hoped, and the school doors opened once again on Monday, August 30th. This was my first year being a School Board member on the first day of school and I was very excited to receive a tour of our campuses from Deputy Superintendent Debby Collins and see how our schools welcome students back.
What Dr. Collins and I found were 10 campuses with students where they needed to be, staff handling everything with grace and campuses that were clean and orderly…and knowing we were starting our tour at Monrovia High School, I was unsure how our MHS Staff and Students would handle another “1st Day” under construction.
Students at the high school were arriving on the softball field to pick up their revised schedules as they had been directed to, staff was out in force to direct students to new classroom locations and the counseling staff worked through problematic or missing schedules. I even saw a couple of parents accompanying their freshman onto the high school campus for the first time. Listening to parents during this first week of school, you know things get missed (“PE in the wrong period”, “I guess she will be taking Mandarin”, “please no zero period”), but I thank the staff for remaining calm, returning calls so promptly and trying to find solutions for parents and students as they have fewer and fewer resources.
The middle schools welcomed new “Teaching Assistant Principals”: Courtney Glass at Clifton and Megan Esquer at Santa Fe. As we have less and less money, we have to look for creative ways to cut staff/administration while ensuring our students are supervised and the staff is supported. Mr. Glass and Ms. Esquer will be teaching two periods a day and being Assistant Principal for the remainder of the school day. As a high school and middle school parent, I miss the “Welcome Back Coffees” that many of the elementary schools host for parents that first day – a port in the storm for new elementary school parents as they hand off their little ones to the “public school”. Oh how I could have used that when I brought my oldest to “MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!” years ago.
The elementary schools seem to pick up like no time has passed…as I walked into the Mayflower Workroom, a place I have spent hours, days...YEARS! – I see familiar faces already making copies for teachers and going over plans for the first fundraiser. Well-oiled machine! The new immersion program at Monroe was my favorite visit and it was great to see how our parents embraced such a great program. Who knows, maybe next we will offer French at one of our other schools?
I am really looking forward to this school year and hope our parents will keep the good work in everything they do for our students in Monrovia.
Go Wildcats!
Alex ZuccoAuto Theft Suspect Arrested
A Monrovia man was taken into custody Thursday on the 100 block of Central Avenue and charged with auto theft and felony evading.http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_15974039?IADID=Search-www.pasadenastarnews...- Brad Haugaard
Neighborhood Watch Report 09-02-10
[Here are the police activity incidents taken from the Monrovia Police Department's "Neighborhood Watch Report of 09-02-10." - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 536 service events, resulting in 96 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
Firearms Submitted for Safe Keeping / Possible Court Order ViolationAugust 26 at 12:58 p.m., a female subject called and reported her husband had been kicked out of the garage area where he was living in the 400 block of Alta Vista. She reported that there were several firearms there that he was not supposed to have because of a restraining order against him. Officers responded and the firearms were taken for safekeeping. Further action will be determined once all serial numbers have been checked and the court documents researched. Investigation continuing. Vehicle BurglaryAugust 26 at 6:06 p.m., a victim reported their vehicle broken into at a parking structure in the 500 block of South Myrtle. The loss was unknown. Investigation continuing. Weapons Offence - Suspect ArrestedAugust 27 9:32 p.m., an officer responded to a call of a male subject chasing a female in the area of Cherry & Magnolia. The officer located and detained both subjects. The officer questioned both subjects and obtained verbal consent to conduct a pat-down search. On the male subject, he found a loaded large capacity gun magazine and a modified knife blade. The officer obtained a written consent to search the suspect's home in an attempt to locate the gun belonging to the loaded magazine, but the gun was not located. The suspect was arrested for weapons offence. The female subject had not been harmed. Hit and Run Traffic CollisionOn August 28 at 1:30 a.m., an employee of a business in the 100 block of E. Lime parked her vehicle in a public parking lot and went to work. When she returned to her vehicle, she discovered someone crashed into it, causing moderate damage to her rear bumper and driver's side rear corner panel. The suspect vehicle fled without making any attempt to notify the owner. Investigation continuing. Felony Vandalism / Parole Violation / Driving Under the Influence - Suspects ArrestedOn August 28 at 9:04 a.m., officers responded to the report of a male suspect tagging the wall of a business in the 100 block of East Pomona. The witness saw the male suspect enter a light green Jeep Cherokee being driven by a female subject. The tagging was gang related. Officers responded and conducted a thorough area check, but did not locate the suspects or the suspect vehicle. Several vandalisms have occurred recently throughout the city, where gang related tagging with the same type of graffiti has been spray painted. Officers investigating the incidents had gathered enough witness information to learn the license plate number and description of the suspect vehicle, which matched the description in this incident. Later that day at 7:21 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of California and Central spotted the suspect vehicle used in the felony vandalisms. The officer conducted a traffic stop and contacted the female driver and male passenger. The male passenger had green spray paint on his hands which was consistent with the spray paint used in the vandalisms. The female driver was determined to be driving under the influence. The female suspect admitted to several of the vandalisms, but the male suspect chose not to provide any statements. Both suspects were arrested and charged for felony vandalism. The female was also charged for driving under the influence, and the male was found to be on parole, and a parole hold was obtained. Solo Vehicle Traffic Collision / Power OutageOn August 29 at 3:50 a.m., a motorist fell asleep at the wheel and collided into a power pole in the area of Duarte and Pilgrim. His Toyota Tacoma overturned and he received minor injuries. As a result of the collision, the power went out in the southwest area of the city. Edison was contacted, but it took several hours to restore power. Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspects ArrestedOn August 29 at 10:24 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Palm and Primrose saw two suspicious male subjects walking. The officer made contact with the subjects and observed symptoms of the subjects being under the influence of drugs. A subsequent investigation resulted in finding both suspects were in possession of methamphetamine. Both suspects were arrested. Commercial Burglary / Conspiracy - Suspects ArrestedOn August 30 at 11:16 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain. Store security reported three female suspects attempting to steal merchandise. The females were detained exiting the store. One of the females admitted to going to the store to steal merchandise. Surveillance video shows the others suspects selecting items and passing them among themselves. Two of the three females detained had stolen property in their possession. They were charged with burglary and conspiracy.
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect ArrestedSeptember 1 at 9:57 a.m., an employee of a park in the 1200 block of Canyon Blvd reported a male and female in a vehicle drinking beer and throwing the cans out of the window. The vehicle was leaving the park area. An officer located and stopped the vehicle westbound on Hillcrest. The officer determined the male driver was driving under the influence and arrested him.
Possible OverdoseSeptember 1, Monrovia Fire Department requested an officer regarding a possible overdose at an apartment complex in the 700 block of South Myrtle. The subject takes numerous medications for a number of conditions and has been depressed due to a recent breakup. He was transported to a hospital for mental evaluation and treatment.
During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 536 service events, resulting in 96 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
Firearms Submitted for Safe Keeping / Possible Court Order ViolationAugust 26 at 12:58 p.m., a female subject called and reported her husband had been kicked out of the garage area where he was living in the 400 block of Alta Vista. She reported that there were several firearms there that he was not supposed to have because of a restraining order against him. Officers responded and the firearms were taken for safekeeping. Further action will be determined once all serial numbers have been checked and the court documents researched. Investigation continuing. Vehicle BurglaryAugust 26 at 6:06 p.m., a victim reported their vehicle broken into at a parking structure in the 500 block of South Myrtle. The loss was unknown. Investigation continuing. Weapons Offence - Suspect ArrestedAugust 27 9:32 p.m., an officer responded to a call of a male subject chasing a female in the area of Cherry & Magnolia. The officer located and detained both subjects. The officer questioned both subjects and obtained verbal consent to conduct a pat-down search. On the male subject, he found a loaded large capacity gun magazine and a modified knife blade. The officer obtained a written consent to search the suspect's home in an attempt to locate the gun belonging to the loaded magazine, but the gun was not located. The suspect was arrested for weapons offence. The female subject had not been harmed. Hit and Run Traffic CollisionOn August 28 at 1:30 a.m., an employee of a business in the 100 block of E. Lime parked her vehicle in a public parking lot and went to work. When she returned to her vehicle, she discovered someone crashed into it, causing moderate damage to her rear bumper and driver's side rear corner panel. The suspect vehicle fled without making any attempt to notify the owner. Investigation continuing. Felony Vandalism / Parole Violation / Driving Under the Influence - Suspects ArrestedOn August 28 at 9:04 a.m., officers responded to the report of a male suspect tagging the wall of a business in the 100 block of East Pomona. The witness saw the male suspect enter a light green Jeep Cherokee being driven by a female subject. The tagging was gang related. Officers responded and conducted a thorough area check, but did not locate the suspects or the suspect vehicle. Several vandalisms have occurred recently throughout the city, where gang related tagging with the same type of graffiti has been spray painted. Officers investigating the incidents had gathered enough witness information to learn the license plate number and description of the suspect vehicle, which matched the description in this incident. Later that day at 7:21 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of California and Central spotted the suspect vehicle used in the felony vandalisms. The officer conducted a traffic stop and contacted the female driver and male passenger. The male passenger had green spray paint on his hands which was consistent with the spray paint used in the vandalisms. The female driver was determined to be driving under the influence. The female suspect admitted to several of the vandalisms, but the male suspect chose not to provide any statements. Both suspects were arrested and charged for felony vandalism. The female was also charged for driving under the influence, and the male was found to be on parole, and a parole hold was obtained. Solo Vehicle Traffic Collision / Power OutageOn August 29 at 3:50 a.m., a motorist fell asleep at the wheel and collided into a power pole in the area of Duarte and Pilgrim. His Toyota Tacoma overturned and he received minor injuries. As a result of the collision, the power went out in the southwest area of the city. Edison was contacted, but it took several hours to restore power. Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspects ArrestedOn August 29 at 10:24 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Palm and Primrose saw two suspicious male subjects walking. The officer made contact with the subjects and observed symptoms of the subjects being under the influence of drugs. A subsequent investigation resulted in finding both suspects were in possession of methamphetamine. Both suspects were arrested. Commercial Burglary / Conspiracy - Suspects ArrestedOn August 30 at 11:16 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain. Store security reported three female suspects attempting to steal merchandise. The females were detained exiting the store. One of the females admitted to going to the store to steal merchandise. Surveillance video shows the others suspects selecting items and passing them among themselves. Two of the three females detained had stolen property in their possession. They were charged with burglary and conspiracy.
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect ArrestedSeptember 1 at 9:57 a.m., an employee of a park in the 1200 block of Canyon Blvd reported a male and female in a vehicle drinking beer and throwing the cans out of the window. The vehicle was leaving the park area. An officer located and stopped the vehicle westbound on Hillcrest. The officer determined the male driver was driving under the influence and arrested him.
Possible OverdoseSeptember 1, Monrovia Fire Department requested an officer regarding a possible overdose at an apartment complex in the 700 block of South Myrtle. The subject takes numerous medications for a number of conditions and has been depressed due to a recent breakup. He was transported to a hospital for mental evaluation and treatment.
Monrovia Football Preview
The Star-News has a preview of the Monrovia High Wildcats' upcoming football season.
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_15952005?IADID=Search-www.pasadenastarnews.com-www.pasadenastarnews.com
- Brad Haugaard
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_15952005?IADID=Search-www.pasadenastarnews.com-www.pasadenastarnews.com
- Brad Haugaard
Police Arrest Monrovia Man Regarding Car Theft
The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that Arcadia Police arrested a Monrovian on suspicion of auto theft:http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvcrime/2010/09/car-theft-suspect-from-monrovi.html - Brad Haugaard
Lost Poodle?
Did you lose a cute little black poodle?http://www.fidofinder.com/dog.php?id=231025Look here.- Brad Haugaard
Terrorism Theme for Reading Club
The theme for September for the Monrovia Library's Monrovia Book Club, is - not surprisingly - the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. What terrorism book are you reading?http://www.monroviabookclub.blogspot.com/ - Brad Haugaard
Appeals Court Upholds Murder Conviction
A California appeals court panel upheld the conviction of Monrovian Samuel Hernandez for murdering his mother, who was stabbed 86 times.http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_15952860?IADID=Search-www.pasadenastarnews...- Brad Haugaard
Painting of Monrovia
- Brad Haugaard
The Graffiti Problem
Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa reports that in July there were 1,112 graffiti incidents which required over 94 hours of clean-up. If you see anything suspicious, please call 9-1-1 or 626-357-CELL. You may remain anonymous. Plus you'll get $100 if the police arrest someone for vandalism.
- Brad Haugaard
Online Newspaper Coming to Monrovia
A new online newspaper is coming to Monrovia called Patch.com. Patch.com is actually a national chain of publications owned - I believe - by AOL that is opening websites for smaller communities across the nation. The City Manager Scott Ochoa reports that the Monrovia Patch will go live this October.
http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/from-the-city-managers-desk- Brad Haugaard
Hulking Greeter
I see the Hulk acting as a greeter every once in a while at the northeast corner of Alta Vista and Colorado. I wouldn't want to try to crash this party.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Building Character
A nice feature story about Rodney Jefferson, who runs the "A" Game Fundamentals Basketball Clinic in Monrovia. Not just basketball, but discipline, character and life skills."
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_15917785?IADID=Search-www.pasadenastarnews...
- Brad Haugaard
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_15917785?IADID=Search-www.pasadenastarnews...
- Brad Haugaard
Unity Center and Firefighters Events
Charlotte Schamadan reports on Unity Center and Firefighters events:http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_15902815- Brad Haugaard
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