- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Company Patents Hydrogen-Powered Airplane
Monrovia's AeroVironment has been issued a patent for a "hydrogen powered aircraft," invented by Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, and Kyle D. Swanson. http://goo.gl/YynxS
Three Bridge Foundations Done - Abutments Next
The three foundations for the Gold Line bridge near Santa Anita Avenue have been poured. Here's a report from Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian
"Early this morning, Skanska completed the last of three deep (110 foot deep, 11 foot diameter) foundations for the I-210 Bridge - a significant undertaking. Each deep hole was reinforced with 60-ton steel cages that had to be brought to the site in two large segments and permanently joined on-site. Once lowered into place, close to 450 cubic yards of concrete was poured into each reinforced hole – requiring 45 truck-loads of Irwindale-produced concrete. Most of this work was done late at night, from Midnight to 5:00 a.m., requiring multiple closures of the eastbound I-210 Freeway and coordination with Caltrans, CHP, City of Arcadia Police Department, and others.
"In addition to the fact that the amount of steel used in the three reinforcing steel cages is enough to circle the Santa Anita main racetrack three times, it is also interesting to note that what is intertwined into that steel makes each column "smart." As discussed in this article, wires were embedded into each reinforcing steel cage capable of sending electrical impulses through the foundation’s structure. In the event of an earthquake, these impulses will be utilized to identify if any damage has occurred to the foundations. This technology, called Time Domain Reflectometry, has been utilized in landslide prone areas to detect earth movement and is being used for the first time in a bridge with this project. Without this state-of-the-art technology, the only way to check the impact of an earthquake on the foundations would be to physically excavate them.
"Skanska will now focus on building the bridge abutments, or the ingress/egress points to the bridge on either side of the freeway. They will also start work on the three iconic, basket-themed columns (being built above the three deep foundations) that are certain to become the hallmark of the gateway bridge."
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Enrique's
- 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.
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)
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