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Lunch at Enrique's


Lunch at Enrique's Mexican Cuisine, at Colorado and Ivy. Got a lunch special, a carnitas soft taco and tortilla soup. It was very good. I tried this place a couple years ago and wasn't impressed. Now I am. Nice!

- Brad Haugaard

No Bodybuilding Show at Monrovia High | Prayer Breakfast

~ No bodybuilding competition at Monrovia High because of scantily clad women. http://goo.gl/yZBpC . UPDATE: Or maybe the School Board will consider it: http://goo.gl/zC9kP


~ The 46th annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast will be at 8 a.m. on Nov. 18, with Damon Colaluca of the Santa Anita Family YMCA will speak on "Achieving Your Life's Dreams." At the Courtyard by Marriott, 700 W. Huntington. $25 per person. RSVP to the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce - 626 358-1159 - by Nov. 14.


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical - Double Digit Revenue Growth


Monrovia's STAAR Surgical has seen a big jump in its stock price, which appears to have begun when it reaffirmed back in early August that it expected "double digit growth in revenue." As you can see, its price has jumped from around $5 to up near $8 in just a couple months. http://goo.gl/GfXVo
- Brad Haugaard 

Video of Gold Line Bridge Construction

Video of the 210 Gold Line bridge construction. Nothing really new but some nice footage of the construction in progress. http://goo.gl/fLiSe
 
- Brad Haugaard

Oil Painter's Work on Display at Monrovia Gallery


Sunday Morning

Oil paintings by artist W. Jason Situ on display at Selig Fine Art, 110 West Lime Ave. Oct. 8 - 29. Artist's Reception Saturday, October 8,5-7 p.m. Here's more of his work: http://goo.gl/cIsE0
- Brad Haugaard

Adams: Time to Buy a House | Monrovia Bikers | Audition to Sing

~ Monrovia City Councilman Tom Adams (speaking as a real estate agent) says now is the time to buy a house. http://goo.gl/cgcoc
 
~ Monrovia bikers win state titles. http://goo.gl/UF5qR
 
~ Audition to sing with San Gabriel Valley Choral Company at Monrovia First Presbyterian Church. http://goo.gl/o0YEm
 
- Brad Haugaard

Does Monrovia's McCarthy Favor USC?

Is football star Ellis McCarthy favoring USC? http://goo.gl/91gjX

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia PD: Bite Attack, DUI, Vandalism, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for September 29 – October 5 – Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 518 service events, resulting in 114 investigations. Following are the last week’s highlighted issues and events:

Battery With Serious Bodily Injury / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested

On September 29 at 8:41 p.m., callers reported a fight in the 400 block of Hurstview. Two male subjects were arguing and began to fight. The suspect moved aggressively toward the victim, and the victim struck the suspect once in the head to defend himself. The suspect then grabbed the victim and viciously bit the victim multiple times causing visible wounds that may require further treatment. Officers arrived and detained both subjects. While being detained, the suspect suddenly raised his arms in an attempt to go after the victim again and struck the officer in the face with his arm. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody without further incident. The officer was not injured.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

On September 30 at 1:58 a.m., officers observed a vehicle straddling lanes while sitting at the light on Duarte at Myrtle. They watched as the light cycled three times without the driver moving. The officers approached the car and observed the driver slumped over in his seat. They alerted the driver and he jolted awake. They told him to turn the car off, but he put it in neutral and the car rolled slowly back and bumped the police unit behind it. No damage was sustained after the slight bump between vehicles. The driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested.

Fight in Progress

On September 30 at 2:37 a.m., callers advised dispatch a fight was in progress in the 300 block of Norumbega. Officers arrived and detained four subjects. They determined the subjects were family members and had been involved in a heated discussion, which resulted in one family member getting extremely upset. As they tried to get him back in the car they had been driving in, he resisted them. The investigation revealed that no crime had occurred and there were no injuries, and no one desired prosecution.

Commercial Burglary – Suspects Arrested

On September 30 at 8:52 p.m., police responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a burglary. Store loss prevention observed a male and female subject enter the store. The male subject selected a pair of shorts and put them on under his pants. He then left the store without paying. He went to a car outside the store and waited. The female concealed about $400 worth of jewelry on her person and entered the dressing room. Officers arrived and detained the male suspect, locating the stolen property. The female continued to shop and was seen removing tags and concealing more items. The female was detained inside the store. All of the items she had removed tags from were concealed in a bag she was carrying. Neither subject had money or any means of paying for the items. After review of the facts and interviews with the suspects, they were both arrested and charged with commercial burglary.

Vandalism

On October 4 at 11:12 a.m., a city employee reported vandalism at a park in the 300 block of East Lime. An officer responded and found the suspect(s) had written gang graffiti at several locations throughout the park. Investigation continuing.

Vehicle Tampering

On October 4 at 3:15 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 700 block of South California. The victim reported that her white Honda, which was parked in the rear carport, had been tampered with during the night.

Grand Theft Auto

On October 4 at 3:33 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1400 block of South Shamrock regarding a stolen vehicle. The reporting party last saw the vehicle on Sunday, October 2. The vehicle is a Black, Chevy Silverado truck with no license plates on it.

Receiving Stolen Property – Suspect Arrested

On October 5 at 3:30 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a subject at Foothill and Mountain for a traffic violation. The officer obtained consent to search the vehicle from the solo occupant. A Kindle electronic book was found, prompting a suspicious story from the driver. Evidence indicated the device belonged to a female subject from Duarte. The female subject was contacted and confirmed her Kindle was reported stolen to the Sheriff’s Department a week prior. The suspect was arrested for receiving stolen property.

Suspicious Circumstances / Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested

On October 5 at 4:50 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation at Foothill and Mountain. He contacted the two male occupants, who said they were from Covina. The subjects had no reason to be in the area at that time of the morning. The driver was driving on a suspended license and was found to be on parole for receiving stolen property. He had a large butcher knife in the door panel of the driver’s side door. The passenger was found to be in possession of a methamphetamine pipe. The vehicle was searched and the following suspicious items were found: A realistic-looking black pellet pistol, bandanas, a baseball bat, and both subjects had latex gloves in their possession. State parole was contacted. The passenger was arrested for possession of narcotics paraphernalia and the vehicle was impounded. Investigation continuing.

Produce in the Park | Another South Monrovia | Filming

~ A feature story on Monrovia's Produce in the Park program. http://goo.gl/wd4VK

~ There is a South Monrovia in the Czech Republic? Who knew? http://goo.gl/mkEoC

~ Recent filming in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/k24Ny

- Brad Haugaard

Give Your Thoughts on Monrovia Parks

Have thoughts on Monrovia parks? Parks in general, pocket parks, Julian Fisher Park, Station Square Park? Here are some meetings where you can give the city your ideas:
 
Oct. 11 - Community Center (Community Services Commission meeting), 119 W Palm, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 - Greater Ambassador Church, 420 Monrovista Ave., 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 - Community Center, 119 W Palm, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 - City Hall (Planning Commission Meeting), 415 S. Ivy Ave.,  7:30 p.m.

Nov. 8 - Community Center (Community Services Commission meeting),119 W Palm, 7 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Hammond's Plan for Monrovia Schools

Monrovia School Board candidate (and former mayor) Rob Hammond, has sent out a mailer saying the way to improve Monrovia schools is to persuade students living in Monrovia to attend Monrovia schools (school districts get paid by the state on a per-student basis) by "expanding, not cutting" music, arts and vocational programs. Last year, he said, the district lost $1 million because 112 students went to other districts. Hammond said he'd like to create focus groups at each school to make sure the district is offering what the community wants.
NOTE: I'd be happy to report news from any other school board candidates as well. Just let me know.
- Brad Haugaard

Old Monrovia is Magazine's Cover Story

Old town Monrovia is featured as the cover article in the magazine, "Redevelopment." http://goo.gl/7c46X
 
- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Gets $6 Million from Federal Government

According to Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian, the federal government is giving the line approximately $6 million "for bus/pedestrian interface enhancements around the future Gold Line stations from Arcadia to Azusa." This is in addition to $3 million that was allocated "to study how such enhancements would be integrated into the station areas."
 
- Brad Haugaard (from press release)

Acapulco Restaurant Owner Files for Bankruptcy

Real Mex, the corporate owner of the Acapulco restaurants (Monrovia has an Acapulco) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and hopes to find a buyer for the chain. It says people aren't eating out as often in the current economy. Real Mex also owns Chevys and El Torito. http://goo.gl/AQiMZ
 
Opinion: Sad. In addition to the economy, I suspect that the competition among Mexican-style restaurants is ferocious.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Rain in Monrovia: Sand Bags and Mosquitos

~ If you are nervous about the rain, the city is passing out free sandbags and sand. The sand is available at Recreation Park, between the parking lot and tennis courts on Olive Ave. The bags may be obtained from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at the City Yard, 600 S. Mountain Ave. (across from the park) and after 5:30 on Fridays and weekends at Fire Station 101, on Lemon Ave. between Myrtle and Ivy. Bring your own shovel to fill the sandbags. http://goo.gl/xp4YK
 
~ After the rains are over, make sure to empty standing water from containers. The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control is trying to prevent the spread of the invasive tiger mosquito. More hints here: http://goo.gl/n7KPT
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Survey: Let's Get a Bookstore or Housewares Store

A Monrovia city survey (though of a very small sample, 24) shows most people (i.e. 5 people) want a bookstore and the second most (3) want a housewares store like Crate and Barrel or Williams-Sonoma. http://goo.gl/bNkub
 
- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Claims Victory Over Speaker of Assembly

The staff of Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, will not be furloughed. Portantino is claiming victory in his dispute with Assembly Speaker Perez, who ordered the furlough after saying Portantino had overspent on office expenses. Portantino denied that, saying he didn't overspend and the layoff was because he voted against Governor Brown's budget. Here is Portantino's letter:
 
“This afternoon I received a letter from Speaker Perez indicating that the staff of the 44th Assembly District would no longer face unprecedented furloughs.
  
Though I am thrilled for my staff and district, I am disappointed that the Speaker is holding on to the delusion that this was anything but retaliation for my independent budget vote. 
  
It never made any sense to single out my staff and the half-million residents of the 44th A.D. because I voted my conscience.
 
As always, I remain committed to fighting for the issues that I care about and I’m glad we can now focus on taking care of business.”
 
- Brad Haugaard (from Portantino press release)

Monrovia PD Rounding Up Old Prescription Drugs

The Monrovia Police Department is taking back unwanted prescrition drugs on October 29 at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm Avenue, in Monrovia, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
The Monrovia Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Bring your medications to the Monrovia Community Center. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. 
 
Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
  
- Brad Haugaard (from City of Monrovia press release)

Portantino Challenges Speaker - Again

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, is challenging Assembly Speaker, John Perez, to release information about a transparency task force he, Perez, had created. Portantino wants: to know who is on the task force, when it will next meet ("Thus far," he writes, "There is no evidence that the Task Force has met or is planning on meeting"), and to be assured that the public will be able to give testimony. He says: "There is no doubt that the current effort to keep office budgets secret sends the message that there must be something to hide."


- Brad Haugaard (from Portantino press release)

East Lanes of 210 Closing Tonight | Monrovia Parks Meeting | Monrovia Reads

~ Beginning at 9 p.m. tonight, eastbound lanes will begin to be closed on the 210 near Santa Anita offramp so workers can finish the third foundation pier for the Gold Line bridge. Lanes will be completely closed from midnight to 5 a.m. Oct. 5. http://goo.gl/4EQaE
 
~ Monrovia will hold a "town hall" meeting Oct. 12 to discuss the need for recreational/park space, particularly on the south side of town. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Greater Ambassador Church, 420 Monrovista Avenue. Call (626) 932-5584 for information.
 
~ Spaghetti Western dinner Oct. 6 to benefit Monrovia Reads. $30. Details here: http://goo.gl/oxo1x
 
- Brad Haugaard