~ A report on Make a Difference Day. http://goo.gl/kTNer
~ La Cañada over Monrovia in water polo, 27-0. http://goo.gl/e6O5r
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Unity Center Needs Help | Hidden Freeway Signs
~ With holiday events coming up, Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center is looking for volunteers. Needed: Thanksgiving food (non-perishable and frozen turkeys), volunteer time, fulfill children's gift wishes, funds. For more information contact Raina Martinez at 626 358-3486 or raina@foothillunitycenter.org
~ Freeway signs hidden at the corner of Magnolia and Chestnut. http://goo.gl/1Xest
- Brad Haugaard
Opinion: In Defense of Trader Joe's
There is a lame commentary over at Monrovia Patch today ( http://goo.gl/EG8fa ) criticizing Monrovia's Trader Joe's. (I intend no criticism of Patch, by the way, as it is simply doing its job by providing a forum for the writer to express herself on a local topic.) Anyway, the writer lays into Trader Joe's because it "had not agreed to pay the penny extra a pound for tomatoes" to benefit tomato pickers in Florida.
So, right off, the writer ignores what even the workers' union itself stated in its own press release just a few days ago: that Trader Joe's has already agreed to pay an extra penny a pound for tomatoes. It just isn't going to sign the union's contract.
And frankly, I don't understand what the whole issue has to do with Trader Joe's at all.
Unless there is something I'm missing, Trader Joe's does not employ the tomato pickers, so why don't the workers ask their own employers for an extra penny a pound for tomatoes and then their employers can pass the cost along to Trader Joe's and other buyers? Why should Trader Joe's pay someone else's employees? What would you think if employees at the supermarket where you shop demanded that you pay extra money directly to their union? And what if you -- sweetheart that you are -- agreed, but then your word wasn't good enough for them so they demanded that you sign a contract to that effect?
Further, the writer of the opinion piece completely ignored Trader Joe's response ( http://goo.gl/M0OGG ). But if just half of what the company says is true, it is even more justified in rejecting a contract that it should not feel obliged to sign even under the fairest of circumstances.
Here is just one of the six points Trader Joe's makes:
"The draft agreement contains a requirement that Trader Joe’s somehow will pay the total premium whether or not the supply of Florida Tomatoes is sufficient to meet our demands or regardless of where we actually buy the tomatoes. This, of course, is a ridiculous requirement to which no serious business would agree."
So... if Trader Joe's buys tomatoes in Texas it has to pay workers in Florida!?
I beg your pardon?
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Assemblyman Seeks to Overturn Dream Act | Women Pilots Talk
~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, is collecting voter signatures to try to overturn the Dream Act, which allows undocumented students to compete for state money. http://goo.gl/FMBJD
~ Hear the stories of women pilots (including Amelia Earhart) from members the San Gabriel Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, a women pilots organization. Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m. at the Library Community Room. Details: http://goo.gl/7Dwik
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovian Invents Quick Collapsing Goalposts
Monrovian solves problem of celebrating fans knocking down goalposts and getting hurt. http://goo.gl/mUX2t
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia - Football Goliath? | Top Band | Flame Broiler
~ Is Monrovia a football Goliath? http://goo.gl/O81iz
~ Monrovia High has the top band. http://goo.gl/2WAIZ
~ Monrovia Flame Broiler is now open. Near Sprouts. http://goo.gl/sa17T . And here's the menu: http://goo.gl/PW2VI
- Brad Haugaard
Pink Firefighters
Next week, the Monrovia Fire Department will be participating in the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink t-shirts. The crews have been given permission to wear the special pink t-shirts while on duty to raise awareness of the disease and support cancer awareness. It was the idea of the Monrovia Firefighter's Association. http://goo.gl/KAi9u - Brad Haugaard
Halloween Costume Tips From Monrovia FD
~ When choosing a costume, stay away from billowing or long trailing fabric. If you are making your own costume, choose material that won't easily ignite if it comes into contact with heat or flame. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so they can see out.
~ Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
~ Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.
~ It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candles in a jack-o-lantern. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns, use long fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
~ Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
~ Tell children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. (Have them practice stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with hands, and rolling over and over to put the flames out.)
~ Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating walkways and yards. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters whose costumes may brush against the lighting.
~ If your children are going to Halloween parties at others' homes, have them look for ways out of the home and plan how they would get out in an emergency.
Source: http://goo.gl/KAi9u
- Brad Haugaard (from Monrovia Fire Department)
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Doing Well | Make a Difference Day
~ Monrovia's STAAR Surgical, which makes implantable eye lenses, reported third quarter revenue of $15.3 million, 16 percent more than the third quarter of 2010. http://goo.gl/oTGGR
~ Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa wants everybody to pitch in for Make a Difference Day this Saturday. He quotes Shakespeare, "How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in weary world." http://goo.gl/KAi9u
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia City Councilman Unhappy About Handicapped Spaces
Monrovia City Councilman Tom Adams is apparently unhappy with the city's Pavilions supermarket. This comment was posted on the Internet service "foursquare."
- Brad Haugaard
Enrollment Up at Monrovia Schools | No Redevelopment Money for Schools - Yet | Agenda
~ Enrollment for Monrovia Schools is unexpectedly up for October. The district was predicting a loss of 112 students but instead gained 122.
~ Not only is the transfer of Monrovia property to the Gold Line on hold pending the outcome of a lawsuit by cities against the state's new rules on redevelopment, but now the Monrovia School District reports that the same hold is preventing any redevelopment money from coming to the schools. http://goo.gl/blZGR
~ Here is the agenda for the next School Board meeting, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at the district offices: http://goo.gl/khUOZ
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Chevy Dealer's Salesmen to be 'Prince Charmings'
The owner of Sierra Chevrolet is going to Disneyland to learn how to turn "car salesmen into personable Prince Charmings." http://goo.gl/XF8Ni
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Los Gueros
- Brad Haugaard
Protesters March to Trader Joe's Monrovia HQ
The Florida labor group wants Trader Joe's to pay an extra penny a pound for tomatoes it picks, to benefit the pickers. Trader Joe's says it is already doing that but won't sign the agreement because "the agreement that Trader Joe’s has been asked to sign is overreaching, ambiguous and improper."
Details from both sides at these links:
~ Coalition of Immolakee Workers: http://goo.gl/rEisD
~ Trader Joe's response: http://goo.gl/M0OGG
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical - Making Money
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical expects revenue to be up 16 percent for third quarter. http://goo.gl/23DnT
- Brad Haugaard
Bridge Work | Maranatha Over Monrovia? | Walmart Employees Get Sick
Working on the 210 Gold Line bridge abutments.
~ Star-News Sports Writer picks Maranatha over Monrovia in football. http://goo.gl/XVIFL
~ Walmart employees get sick after handling money. http://goo.gl/I9tem
- Brad Haugaard
$7.3 Million Army Contract for Monrovia Company | Prolacta Collects $100k for Breast Cancer Research
~ Monrovia's AeroVironment gets a $7.3 million Army contract for support services for its Puma drone. http://goo.gl/bNjKS
~ Prolacta Bioscience of Monrovia has collected more that $100,000 since October 2010 for breast cancer research. http://goo.gl/oZhNZ
- Brad Haugaard
More on Monrovia Crime Mapping
The Monrovia Police Department has taken a step forward to better inform the public about crimes that are occurring in the City by making their crime data available online to the public. Any resident with access to the Internet can map out and analyze recent crime activity in their neighborhood. CrimeMapping.com also offers free Crime Alerts which help keep the community well informed by distributing incident reports via e-mail to anyone that subscribes to the system. Monrovia residents and business owners can now stay up to date regarding what is happening near their home, work or child's school. The fifteen crime types displayed are those most often requested by the public and include such reported incidents as robbery, assault, burglary and theft. Citizens can turn crime types on and off depending on what they are interested in learning about and activity can also be queried by date as there is a rolling ninety days of information available at CrimeMapping.com. Simple reports and charts which help depict current trends can be instantly accessed based on a buffer distance
or the visible map area. CrimeMapping.com has proven effective in reducing crime by increasing the number of eyes and ears out there aware of local activity. The department will be able to use CrimeMapping.com live at community meetings to help provide reliable crime information and encourage citizens to report offenses. You can access CrimeMapping.com through a link on the City of Monrovia website. The department also has a link to an informative video that explains how to use all the features on the crime map. To learn more about crime mapping visit the website at www.cityofmonrovia.org. - Brad Haugaard (from city press release)
or the visible map area. CrimeMapping.com has proven effective in reducing crime by increasing the number of eyes and ears out there aware of local activity. The department will be able to use CrimeMapping.com live at community meetings to help provide reliable crime information and encourage citizens to report offenses. You can access CrimeMapping.com through a link on the City of Monrovia website. The department also has a link to an informative video that explains how to use all the features on the crime map. To learn more about crime mapping visit the website at www.cityofmonrovia.org. - Brad Haugaard (from city press release)
Monrovia PD: Investigation of Mayflower Shooting, Purse Tug of War, 'Everyone's Going to Die', Drugs, Alcohol, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Oct 13-19. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 551 service events, resulting in 91 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
Vehicle Burglary
On October 13 at 9:49 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a hotel parking lot in the 300 block of West Foothill. During the investigation, the officer checked video surveillance of the location. He observed a male Hispanic subject approach the victim's vehicle and enter through the passenger door. The window had been left cracked open and the suspect reached in and unlocked the door. He then removed the car stereo and a cell phone, which was left on the passenger seat. The suspect was last seen getting into a tan SUV and leaving the area. The investigation is continuing.
Homicide Investigation
On October 14 at 5:18 a.m., the Monrovia Police Department received a 911 call from a resident in the 200 block of North Mayflower reporting a shooting. The Monrovia Police Department responded to the location and discovered a 63-year-old male had been shot inside the house. The Monrovia Fire Department also responded. The victim was pronounced deceased at 5:29 a.m. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau was called and assumed the primary investigative responsibility with the Monrovia Police Department's detectives assisting. There were no arrests made in the case and the case will be presented to the District Attorney's office for filing consideration once the investigation is completed.
Attempt Strong-arm Robbery
On October 14 at 1:29 p.m., an attempt robbery occurred at a fast food restaurant in the 300 block of West Huntington Drive. A female subject was sitting by herself inside the location with her purse on the table in front of her. A male Hispanic in his late teens entered the restaurant, approached the female and grabbed her purse. The female immediately grabbed her purse, as well, and the two were struggling for it. The female was pulled to the ground during the struggle, at which time the suspect gave up and ran outside. A witness followed the suspect outside and saw him get into the rear passenger side of a newer-model, blue, 4-door Nissan Altima, driven by a male black. The suspects fled east on Cypress, out of sight. The suspect had facial hair and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with "Monrovia" printed on the front in white, as well as black shorts and black Vans type shoes. Officers, including the Special Enforcement Team and the Foothill Air Support helicopter, searched for the suspect vehicle, but it was not located.
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
On October 15 at 12:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 900 block of West Duarte regarding a possible drunk driver. The reporting party followed the vehicle off the freeway and informed dispatch of his direction of travel. Officers located the vehicle in the 900 block of West Duarte, and after investigation, determined the driver to be under the influence. The driver was arrested.
Medical Assist / Drug Overdose
On October 15 at 1:42 a.m., officers responded to a medical assist in the 300 block of North Encinitas and found the victim had overdosed on Heroin. He was transported to a hospital for treatment. Officers recovered drug paraphernalia, along with Heroin, which was next to the victim when they arrived. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, being under the Influence of a controlled substance, and possession of a syringe.
Traffic Collision / Driving Under Influence - Suspect Arrested
On October 15 at 4:30 a.m., a traffic collision occurred in the area of Mountain and Olive involving a possible drunk driver. Officers arrived on scene and determined the driver was intoxicated and he was arrested for driving under the influence.
Mental Evaluation
On October 15 at 12:50 a.m., a subject entered a night club in the 300 block of South Myrtle without paying and immediately became aggressive with the patrons. Security guards had to physically remove him from the location. When officers arrived and contacted the subject, he was extremely delusional and continued to exclaim that everyone was going to die. The officers detained the subject and he was taken to a hospital, where he was held for 72-hour mental evaluation.
Medical Assist / Air Rescue - Monrovia Falls
On October 16 at 2:00 p.m., a medical assist was requested for a female adult that was hit in the head with a rock at Monrovia Falls. Monrovia Fire Department paramedics responded and handled the call. Police were called back to the falls regarding a 49- year-old male subject that decided to climb above the falls to find the subject(s) that dislodged the rock. The male subject got stuck on a ledge and could not go up or down. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department responded with a helicopter and removed the male subject from the rocks.
Embezzlement
On October 19 at 9:52 a.m., the victim/owner of a business in the 300 block of West Maple and a witness came into the lobby of the police station to file an embezzlement report. On October 14, they found a piece of paper in their copy machine that had been altered to the benefit of a female employee. They became suspicious, conducted audits, and put together packages of checks from different banks that had been altered to the benefit of the same employee. The employee has defrauded the company of a large sum of money. The investigation will continue.
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