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Woman Robbed / Gym Opens Tomorrow / Oscar Movies

~ A woman robbed on Huntington near Mayflower last night. http://goo.gl/l188l
 
~ Monrovia High gym to open Friday. http://goo.gl/iY8zB
 
~ The Monrovia Library presents Road to the Oscars movie nights, on January 24, January 31, and February 7. Movies start at 6 p.m. in the Library Community Room. This series is free and is sponsored by the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library. For film titles and descriptions, please call the Library at 626-256-8274 and ask for the Adult Reference Desk. http://goo.gl/b7ntC
 
- Brad Haugaard

Yard Sales / No Review of Conviction / No Contest

~ Cool, a list of yard sale locations in Monrovia for Jan. 10-16. http://goo.gl/pUPVw
 
~ State Supreme Court will not review conviction in the stabbing deaths of a Monrovia couple. http://goo.gl/eyNWa
 
~ Monrovian enters no contest plea in killing of Arcadia man. http://goo.gl/sSUf6
 
- Brad Haugaard

Loopnet Leaving Town / Monrovia Spy Plane

~ Loopnet, a Monrovia-based online real estate listing service, is moving to Glendora. http://goo.gl/merWc
 
~ More on huge spy plane built by Monrovia's AeroVironment: http://goo.gl/zAG58
 
- Brad Haugaard

Tom Adams - Mayor of Bras


Not only is Tom Adams Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Monrovia, but according to his Twitter postings he is also "mayor" of various businesses and organizations around town, including Little Caesars, Monrovia Community Center, and, of course, Wizard of Bras.

Congratulations, Tom!

Actually, he is just using an online game/tool called foursquare.

And just kidding, Tom. That's okay isn't it Tom? Tom?

- Brad Haugaard ( See Tom's comment ===> )

What's Objectionable about 'Rent' Play?

Since the Monrovia School District thought the play Rent was inappropriate for a high school play, I thought I'd skim through it to see what might be objectionable. You can read it yourself, here: http://goo.gl/M2GEe

UPDATE:I should make clear that this is from a script I found on the Internet. If the play the High School was thinking of putting on has been modified, then the information below may not fully apply.

Well, it is certainly very racy and gritty. There are scenes that are distinctly sexual. Not something I'd go to. Here are a few clips and comments about the script, and note that the stuff below is pretty strong in itself:
 
~ It uses very crude language in places. It lets you know right away it's not Oklahoma! You run into your first "sh_t" in the opening lines and in various places thereafter, and there is the "f" word in its various iterations, including the one with "mother" in front of it.

~ There is drug abuse and drinking. Quoting from the script: "April buys a packet of white powder from a dealer, THE MAN, a sinewy, greasy, sleazy dope dealer" and "A heavy rain. Roger and April shoot heroin beneath a fire escape" and, as part of a toast, "To marijuana" and "Wine and beer" and, after a funeral, "C'mon. Let's go get drunk."

~ There are sex scenes and sexy scenes. From the script: "Roger and April make love." and "Maureen and Mark are making love." and "Maureen is just grinding as she dances with another guy." and "Maureen shares a passionate kiss with the man, then turns, shares another with the woman" and "Angel lies face down on the table. Mimi mimics giving it to her from behind."

~ There is suicide: "April's lifeless arm dangles over the side. A heavy stream of blood mingles with the bathwater, spilling over onto the floor."

~ There are references to various forms of sexuality: Maureen works at a sex club that features bondage. "Handcuffs. Leather. Whips." and - as part of the toast referenced above - "To sodomy. It's between God and me." and "To S and M!" and there are references to dildoes and masturbation and cross-dressing and a lesbian relationship.

~ There is Santa Claus in drag.

~ There is a crude reference or two to the birth of Christ. A song says "In this week when we celebrate the birth ... / In that little town of Bethlehem, we raise / our glass, you bet your ass to ... /
[The song is interrupted as "Maureen moons Benny's table." Then is continued by Mark] / "La Vie Boheme!"

~ A guy kills someone's pet dog by throwing it from a 23rd story window.

~ There is a strip scene, though it appears the audience only sees the backs of the actors: "Mimi and Angel throw off their leather. All bra and panties. Mimi and Angel whip off their bras. We see them from behind."

~ There is a reference to sucking on a cow's udder. [Not sure how to classify that.]

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Spy Plane / STAAR Revenue Down

~ Spy Plane - Giant AeroVironment spy drone (almost the wingspan of a 747) takes a test flight in the Mojave. Can stay in the sky for days. http://goo.gl/cCSPt
 
~ Declining Revenue - Monrovia's STAAR Surgical expects to report $14.2 million in revenue in the fourth quarter, a decrease of 28 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009. http://goo.gl/H76In
 
- Brad Haugaard

Yet More on Rent Play

~ Statement from Monrovia High principal - http://goo.gl/E0Qvq
~ Will the ACLU get involved? http://goo.gl/BUiJW
~ More details - http://goo.gl/GkKLv

What do you think?

~ Should the district consider the content of a play before allowing it to be performed?
~ Should the district ever overrule a drama teacher?
~ What guidelines, if any, should be used to determine which plays are performed at Monrovia High?

Add a comment.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Traffic Advisory

Beginning tomorrow, January 11, a long-term public works project starts on Myrtle Avenue at both the Huntington Drive and Chestnut Avenue intersections. The project will run to May 2. Work hours are between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
 
More details here: http://goo.gl/RBQsE
 
- Brad Haugaard

Hillside Ground Cover for Monrovia Area

If you want to cover a hillside with a ground-cover plant, here is a list of recommended plants compiled by the Monrovia Fire Department. The department suggests a mix of species with varying root depths for best erosion control. For more information, the department recommends this website: http://www.theodorepayne.org/ . [Posted by Brad Haugaard, Source: http://goo.gl/9sru5 ]
 
 
NOTE: Asterisk indicates plant is combustible and may need extra maintenance.

KEYS TO FLOWER COLOR: B = Blue; V = Violet/Purple; R = Red; 0 = Orange; G = Green; W = White; P = Pink; Y = Yellow

Groundcovers (for surface soil retention)
- *Achillea millefolium, Yarrow P/R/W - full sun or part shade; spreads
- Baccharis pilularis ‘Twin Peaks' or ‘Pigeon Point', Dwarf Coyote Brush W
- Ceanothus griseus horizontalis ‘Yankee Point' B
- Grasses with tough fibrous root systems (many choices)
- Mimulus spp., Monkey Flower O/P/R/Y
- Salvia spp., Groundcover Sage Varieties such as ‘Gracias,' ‘Pt. Sal,' ‘Bees Bliss'
- Epilobium canum and E. canum latifolia, California Fuchsia P/R/W (white form requires some shade)

Small Shrubs (for soil retention and limited hillside stabilization)
- *Artemisia californica, Coastal Sagebrush G/Y - aromatic, super-tough plant for dry spots
- Brickellia grandiflora, Brickell Bush W - easy to grow and tough; good for partially shaded dry spot
- Encelia californica, California Bush Sunflower Y - fast-growing and easy; reseeds; seeds appeal to birds
- *Eriogonum spp., Buckwheat P/W - especially E. fasciculatum, California Buckwheat
- Fallugia paradoxa, Apache Plume W/Y - tough plant with lovely tufted seedheads
- Isocoma menziesii, Coast Goldenbush Y - cheerful fall bloomer
- Isomeris arborea, Bladderpod Y -bright yellow flowers attract hummers and bumblebees; interesting seed pods
- Iva hayesiana, San Diego Marsh Elder - crisp green color, soft texture; spreads, takes sun or shade
- Romneya coulteri, Matilija Poppy W/Y - tough root system spreads by rhizomes
- Salvia spp., Sages B/P/R/V/W - shrubs such as Black and White Sages, Cleveland Sage, San Miguel Mtn. Sage
- Trichostema lanatum, Wooly Blue Curls B/V - likes a dry sunny spot with excellent drainage
- Yucca whipplei, Our Lord's Candle W

Large Shrubs And Trees (for hillside stabilization)
- *Adenostoma fasciculatum, Chamise W - tough-as-nails, with striking white flower clusters in spring
- Aesculus californica, California Buckeye W - one of the most ornamental native shrubs/trees
- Arctostaphylos spp., Manzanita P/W - very deep root system; many stump-sprout after fire
- Ceanothus spp., California Lilac B/V/W - especially local species; hybrids best with a little afternoon shade
- Cephalanthus occidentalis, Button Willow W - ornamental ball-shaped flowers; deciduous; likes water
- Heteromeles arbutifolia, Toyon W - excellent for screen or bird habitat; adaptable to wet or dry, sun or shade
- Juglans californica, Southern California Walnut - excellent small- to medium-sized shade tree; edible nuts
- Rhus spp.: *Laurel Sumac, Lemonadeberry, Sugar Bush P/W -- drought-resistant, aromatic, attaining large size
- *Pinus coulteri, Coulter Pine; at higher elevations: P. jeffreyi, Jeffrey Pine or P. ponderosa, Ponderosa Pine
- Quercus spp. (Oak) such as Q. agrifolia, Coast Live Oak; Q. dumosa, Scrub Oak; Q. wislizenii, Interior Live Oak
- Sambucus mexicana, Elderberry W/Y - pretty flower clusters and berries; takes moisture or drought

Shrubs And Trees For Erosion Control In Dry Or Moist Shade
- Alnus spp., Alder - moisture to get established
- Brickellia grandiflora, Brickell Bush W - dry
- Calycanthus occidentalis, Spice Bush R - dry or moist
- Cercis occidentalis, Western Redbud P - dry
- Cornus spp., Dogwood W - moist
- Euonymus occidentalis, Burning Bush P - moist
- Iva hayesiana, San Diego Marsh Elder - dry or moist
- Quercus chrysolepis, Canyon Live Oak - dry or moist
- Ribes spp., Currants and Gooseberries - dry or moist
- Rosa californica, Wild Rose P - moist; tolerates dry
- Salix spp., Willow - moist or wet
- Spiraea douglasii, Spiraea P - moist
- Symphoricarpos mollis, Snowberry P - dry or moist
- Umbellularia californica, CA Laurel W - dry or moist

Notes: The listed species of yarrow, sagebrush, buckwheat and grasses have fine foliage or flowers which, when dry, are easily ignitable. These species should not be planted unless you can commit to extra maintenance - regularly remove spent flowers and any dead material, train plant as a low groundcover, and keep a clear buffer zone around the patch.

Chamise is on most fire-prevention agencies' lists of fire-hazardous plants, so it is best to avoid planting it within 200' of any structure. If it is already growing in your yard and serving a good erosion-control function, just maintain it assiduously free of any dead or dying material and leaf litter, well-pruned into a light, open form, or trained low as a groundcover, and isolated from other potential fuels.

The same advice goes for laurel sumac - if it is thriving on your hillside, retain enough of it to keep serving your erosion control needs, but maintain it "lean, clean and green", as described above for chamise. If you are replacing a laurel sumac bush, try one of the other "Rhus" species listed - lemonadeberry or sugarbush, which are less resinous than the sumac.

Pines are also on most lists of fire-prone trees, and they are not well-adapted to Monrovia's warmth and dryness. Many cities and individuals are currently spending large amounts of money to remove pines that have become overgrown, so it is not recommended that you plant a pine. To maintain an existing pine, keep the pine needles cleaned up and limb the tree up to at least 6' from the ground (but no more than 1/3 of the tree's height) to prevent a fire ladder and prune away any branches that come within 10 feet of a structure.

Fire Department Gives Toys and Money

The Monrovia Fire Department received 620 toys and $1,250 in cash donations during the holiday season. Most of the toys went to the Foothill Unity Center, and some going to three local schools. The $1,250 collected was donated to the California Community Foundation. Firefighter Ernesto Moreno put in the extra work to coordinate the department's efforts.
 
Source: http://goo.gl/9sru5
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager Nervous About State Budget

Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa said he is afraid California Governor Jerry Brown may propose changing redevelopment law to help balance the state budget. He thinks eliminating redevelopment agencies could even be unconstitutional. He writes:

"This week, during Governor Brown's swearing-in, the curtain was partially pulled back to reveal some of the strategy that will be employed to help curb a mammoth $25 billion budget shortfall over the next two years. While I expect that any real solution will involve both revenue increases and service reductions - and possibly even significant structural changes in the governance and administration of the State - I was disappointed to see the wholesale elimination of the California Redevelopment Law was floated as a trial balloon. To me, this signifies more of the same short-sightedness that helped to get us into the fix we're currently in. Properly run redevelopment agencies - and the large majority of them are indeed operated ethically, responsibly and effectively - are catalysts for job creation and growth, investment, the creation of affordable housing and the elimination of blight. To eliminate redevelopment agencies in order to redirect their funding to counties in order to help pay the State's financial obligation to education is irresponsible and, probably, unconstitutional."
 
Source: http://goo.gl/9sru5
 
- Brad Haugaard

State Budget and Monrovia Clinic

A look at a Monrovia clinic that could have funding cut under Brown budget. http://goo.gl/mRwgE
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Calendar Available


A calendar featuring celebrating Monrovia's 125th birthday is now available at the Monrovia Community Center and the Dollmaker’s Katywompus in Old Town for $10.

Source: http://goo.gl/NYKpM

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia School Administrators

Two new school administrators are joining the Monrovia Unified School District this month. They are:

~ Dr. Julie Vitale, the new Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services. She began with the district on January 3. http://goo.gl/NVOA9

~ Ms. Connie Wu, the new Chief Business Officer. She will be starting January 10. http://goo.gl/gusQM

- Brad Haugaard

Completion Schedule for Monrovia High Projects


If you are wondering when the various projects will be completed at Monrovia High, this image spells it out.

Also, here is the full school board agenda for the Wednesday, Jan. 12 meeting. http://goo.gl/BIe5b

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Falls Pix / Wrestlers Edged by La Canada / Wiz of Bras

~ A very cool comparison picture showing the waterfalls at Monrovia Canyon Park in 1890 and today. Amazing difference (I mean, aside from color vs. black-and-white): http://goo.gl/Ovauj
 
~ Monrovia Falls Pix / Wildcat Wrestlers Fall to La Canada / Wiz of Bras
 
~ Interview with owner of The Wizard of Bras. http://goo.gl/qcpNS
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Celebrates Wildcat CIF Victory

Monrovians gathered at Library Park Thursday night after a parade from Monrovia High School to celebrate the first Monrovia Wildcat football CIF championship since ... well ... EVER!

There were speakers from the city (including Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, shown here) and the school district. The crowd, some of whom had waited many long years for a Wildcat football championship, appeared to be delighted, and the football team most thrilled of all.

More coverage: http://goo.gl/adWwe and http://goo.gl/k5Z4C .
 
- Brad Haugaard




Parade Tonight / Xencor Deal / Tour Idlewild Home

~ Football Parade ~ Monrovia is celebrating the Monrovia High football championship tonight. Parade starts at MHS at 6:30 p.m. and travels along Colorado to Myrtle, then north of Myrtle to Library Park for the festivities.
 
~ Monrovia-based Xencor has entered a development deal with Amgen to produce a treatment for autoimmune diseases. Amgen has the option to an exclusive worldwide license on the treatment. http://goo.gl/e4b4q


 ~ See the historic Idlewild home during the Mother's Day Old Home Tour. http://goo.gl/lgUM0 , http://goo.gl/UCd8W


- Brad Haugaard

Police Report: Fall from Roof, Drinking and Driving, Theft, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Dec. 30-Jan. 5. - Brad Haugaard]
 
During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 480 service events, resulting in 100 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
 
Medical Assist
December 30 at 8:04 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 700 block of East Los Angeles regarding an employee who had fallen off the roof.  Officers requested paramedics while en route to the location.  On arrival, the subject was stable and breathing.  Apparently, the 70 year old maintenance worker was climbing a ladder up to the roof, lost his footing and fell to the ground.
 
Death Report     
December 30 at 11:04 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of South Madison reported that her neighbor's front door was open, the dogs were barking, and no one would answer the door.  Officers responded and found an elderly female subject on the floor and unresponsive.  The Coroner's Office was contacted since the deceased did not have any known family.
 
Vehicle Burglary
December 30 at 1:24 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 400 block of North Canyon regarding a vehicle burglary.  The victim told the officer she went out to her vehicle and saw the driver's side door window broken out and her GPS was missing.  No suspects were seen or heard.  Investigation continuing.
 
Grand Theft
December 30 at 4:16 p.m., an officer went to a business in the 300 block of West Huntington.  The reporting party told the officer two male subjects, one with a goatee, gray polo, and black jacket, and the other wearing a beanie went into the store.  One subject distracted the employee, while the other looked at some items in a case.  The two subjects met by the case and made their way out the front door.  They got into a black Audi with no plates and left eastbound.  The loss was two iPods and an iPad.  Investigation continuing.
 
Driving Under the Influence Checkpoint
On December 30, the Monrovia Police Department held a Driving Under the Influence Checkpoint in the 300 block of West Huntington.  During the event, there was one subject arrested for driving under the influence, two citations issued for unlicensed drivers, two cited for expired licenses, and one cited for no license in possession.  One driver was cited for possession of marijuana.
 
Grand Theft Auto - Suspect Arrested
December 31 at 11:36 p.m., an officer was driving west on Cypress when he noticed a suspicious lone male subject in a vehicle.  The officer requested a computer check on the license plate of a black Honda, which returned stolen out of West Covina.  During the investigation, it was discovered that the suspect had methamphetamine in the vehicle and he had been trying to sell it to a nearby resident.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.
 
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
January 1 at 2:57 a.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Huntington and Mayflower noticed a speeding vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.  During the investigation, it was determined that the driver was under the influence of alcohol.  The subject was arrested.
 
Driving Under the Influence / Evading - Suspect Arrested
January 1 at 8:47 p.m., an officer was flagged down by an employee of a business in the 400 block of West Foothill.  The employee pointed out a vehicle that was backing out of a parking stall.  The officer ordered the driver to stop his vehicle, but the driver sped out of the parking lot.  The officer believed a crime may have just occurred and went after the vehicle.  The driver turned off the vehicle headlights and sped up to approximately 70 miles per hour on a residential street.  The driver failed to stop for a stop sign and then collided into three parked vehicles.  The driver was ordered out of the vehicle, and during the investigation, the driver stated that he fled because he had been drinking.  The driver was arrested for driving under the influence and was also charged with evading.  No injuries were reported.
 
Trespassing / Mental Evaluation / Restraining Order Issued
January 3 at 10:18 a.m., a 16 year old male subject was waiting outside of a teenage girl's house.  The girl had broken up with the boy, but he would not leave her front porch.  The boy had been ordered off the property by officers earlier that day.  He was arrested for trespassing and brought to the Monrovia Police Department, where he was released on a citation to his mother.  At 12:35 p.m., the boy had returned to the girl's house again and refused to leave without seeing the girl.  The boy made statements to officers that he was depressed.  He was taken into custody and taken to a hospital for mental evaluation.  The girl's mother obtained a restraining order against the boy.
 
Stolen Vehicle Recovered - 4 Suspects Arrested

January 3 at 10:25 a.m., an observant neighbor in the 800 block of West Olive watched several young people remove a license plate from a vehicle and replace it with paper plates.  The subjects drove off in the vehicle, but returned shortly.  The witness called police, who responded.  The witness was able to identify all the suspects, including a suspect who walked away prior to officers arriving. The vehicle had been stolen out of Azusa and the owner was unaware it had been taken.  All four suspects were arrested.
 
Vandalism
January 5 at 1:08 a.m., officers drove by the high school and noticed the sign in front of the school was spray painted with letters written in black spray paint.  Officers took a report and notified the school.  The report will be forwarded to the Special Enforcement Team for further investigation.

Rent Play Update

~ Lousy Play? KPCC weighs in on the nixed "Rent" play: "The story is obvious, the characters are obnoxious, and the music isn't very good." http://goo.gl/z1dQD

~ Protest Retirement? Monrovia High drama teacher prevented from putting on "Rent" play may retire next year in protest. http://goo.gl/9bRcK

- Brad Haugaard