Partial Freeway Closures Until Oct. 28

The Gold Line folks are warning there may be partial lane closures on the eastbound 210 near Santa Anita from now through Friday, October 28. If so, they will begin no earlier than 10 p.m. and last no later than 1 p.m. the following day. No total closures. They'll be unloading steel cages to fit in the 18 foundation holes that will anchor the west end of the bridge. There'll be another 18 for the east end of the bridge. After inserting the steel cages they'll pour concrete.

 

- Brad Haugaard 

Florida Tomato Workers to Picket Monrovia's Trader Joe's

A Florida workers-group plans to picket at Trader Joe's Monrovia headquarters at 1 p.m. this Friday "to express their growing impatience" and attempt to persuade the company to sign a contract controlling how much it pays for tomatoes. The contract would also control the company's "supply chain transparency," would enforce on it a "Code of Conduct," and would require "third-party verification," according to a press release from the Florida-based Coalition of Immokalee Workers.

 

According to CIW spokesman Oscar Otzoy, Trader Joe's already says "that it will only buy from Florida tomato growers abiding by the Fair Food Code of Conduct" and "that it is already paying a penny per pound 'Fair Food Premium' to improve tomato pickers wages. But," Otzoy adds, "we have seen no proof of that."

 

- Brad Haugaard 

Wrestling Bears in Monrovia Park - Yawn, More Bears

Mama Bear: Back off!

With heads down, huffing and puffing as we rode our bikes to the top of Monrovia Canyon Park today, we came within 20 feet of a mama and baby bear wrestling in the middle of the road before I glanced up.

"Wait!Wait!Wait!Wait!Wait!" I yelled to my biking buddy.

I snapped some shots as the bears ambled off the road, and then we made our way to the top and I took another picture from above, but mama bear looked like she was getting a bit grumpy (as you can see above), and we were getting a bit nervous, so when the bears decided to check out the nature center, we skittered down the hill.

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia Retail Boutique | Switchblade | Killed Man Identified | Rally at Trader Joe's HQ

~ Michelle's Upscale Resale Boutique has opened in the Paragon building on Myrtle. It sells "new and gently worn designer items handpicked for style and quality." http://goo.gl/Lkx5i

 

~ A Wired Magazine story about the Army getting the Switchblade mini killer-drone, made by Monrovia's AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/RoFDS

 

~ Man shot in Monrovia identified as David Wesley Blair from Tennessee. http://goo.gl/o7CjJ

 

~ Labor organization plans rally at Trader Joe headquarters in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/AADN2

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's McCarthy in All American Bowl

A full story about Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy playing in the Army All-American Bowl in Texas. http://goo.gl/fGGe1

- Brad Haugaard

Taste of Old Town Photo Essay | Townloop and Monrovia High

~ A photo-report on Sunday's Taste of Old Town Monrovia. http://goo.gl/IIyHt

 

~ Monrovia School Board member Alex Zucco reports that Monrovia High is working with Townloop.com, which offers local deals and then hands over 20 percent of the proceeds to local schools. You can sign up here: http://goo.gl/S9Qp2 . 

 

- Brad Haugaard

Historic Oops! | Precautions from Monrovia FD | Halloween Movie

~ City Manager Scott Ochoa writes that even though the city made a mistake in not giving its historic preservation staff a chance to review the remodeling of a Victorian house at 222 Grand Avenue, "were it not for the conscientiousness of the new owners, the structure could have quite literally required demolition because of the extensive water and termite damage." But Ochoa said "it is a mistake not to be repeated."

 

~ The Fire Department wants you to be aware of trees that may overhang your house and drop leaves which can build up and create a fire hazard.

 

~ The City of Monrovia is hosting a Halloween-themed movie night in Julian Fisher Park, showing "Despicable Me" at 7 p.m. in English with Spanish subtitles. 

 

Source: http://goo.gl/uM71O

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager: Don't Panic About Released Prisoners

In his weekly report City Manager Scott Ochoa writes that "now is not a time to panic" about prisoners being released - because the state doesn't have money to keep them locked up - because they "are classified as non-violent offenders." Rather, he says, "now is a time to 'harden the target' and be vigilant - participate and/or activate Neighborhood Watch groups, don't invite property crimes-of-opportunity by leaving valuables in your unlocked car, etc." He said Police Chief Jim Hunt will give a presentation at Tuesday's city council meeting. http://goo.gl/KKx98

 

- Brad Haugaard

Man Airlifted from Monrovia Park | Dental Office to Open

~ Man airlifted from Monrovia Canyon Park. Woman hit with rock. http://goo.gl/HsfIe

 

~ Monrovia Modern Dentistry opening Nov. 15. http://goo.gl/ecHd8

 

- Brad Haugaard

Fellowship Monrovia Holds Preview Meeting

Fellowship Monrovia, which will officially begin holding services in mid January, held a "prequel" service Sunday afternoon at the Monrovia Community Center with about 120 150 people. Additional preview meetings will be held at 4 p.m. on Oct. 23 and 30, Nov. 13, 20, 27, and Dec. 4. all Sundays.

- Brad Haugaard

Setting Up for Taste of Old Town

Crews are busy setting up for tonight's Taste of Old Town along Myrtle.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's State Senator Gets Hacked

Monrovia State Senator Bob Huff had his Twitter account hacked to send out a weight-loss ad.

- Brad Haugaard

Man Says Monrovia Shooting was in Self Defense

Man says Monrovia shooting was self-defense. http://goo.gl/z1IaL

 

- Brad Haugaard

Volunteer at Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center | Downsizing and Leaving | No Haunted Park

~ Foothill Unity Center needs volunteer help with the holiday distributions coming up. Details: http://goo.gl/WCJSt

 

~ Downsizing Monrovia pest control company moving to El Monte. Says economy is bad, too much government regulation, Gold Line is coming through. http://goo.gl/LkcLP

 

~ No haunted Monrovia Canyon Park this year. http://goo.gl/t5x6P

 

- Brad Haugaard

Half Off on Books | Taste of Monrovia Coming Up | Dollar Off

~ Half price on books with a black dot on the spine, at the Monrovia Friends of the Library store (in the Library). http://goo.gl/JQDU2

 

~ A dollar off at the new "$40 or Less" store with this coupon. http://goo.gl/0M7mw

 

~ And don't forget Taste of Monrovia (sample food from local restaurants) this Sunday, October 16, from 5-8 p.m. You'll need tickets. Details: http://goo.gl/HVxu8

 

- Brad Haugaard

Rally for School Board Candidate Williams

Several supporters of Monrovia Board of Education candidate Terrence Williams greeted drivers coming home at Foothill and Magnolia.

- Brad Haugaard

Chase Bank Construction Proceeds

Construction on a new Chase Bank is moving along at the old Spire's restaurant site. Comment: Sigh.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Monrovia Pizza Co.

Lunch at Monrovia Pizza Co., at the corner of Mayflower And Duarte. Got lunch special, a big, tasty slice of pepperoni, a nice salad and a drink for $5. Very good pizza and great price. Oh, and don't be put off by the faded sign out front.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's McCarthy to Visit U of Oregon

Monrovia football lineman Ellis McCarthy will be visiting the U. of Oregon to see if he wants to be a Duck. http://goo.gl/c7nCS

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Shot to Death in Home

Monrovia PD reports man killed on Mayflower, in home across from
school. http://goo.gl/uYT74 and http://goo.gl/W2cUh and http://goo.gl/WWr5m

- Brad Haugaard