News: brad.haugaard@gmail.com   •  Restaurants   •  Library Catalog   •  Library Activities  •  History   •  Facebook / X/Twitter / RSS

Dial a Ride Usage Up | Santa at the Library

~ Ridership for Monrovia Transit (Dial-a-Ride) increased 12% in this October compared to October 2010, with more than 4,600 trips. More than 18,450 trips have been made by Monrovia Transit in Fiscal Year 2011-2012, which is a 10% increase over the prior fiscal year to date. Ridership complaints are few, and on-time performance is around 98%.
 
~ Santa at the Library on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. Stories, songs, a film, and a craft. Designed for children in fourth and fifth grade, but for the whole family. No registration required. Call (626) 256-8274 for more info.
 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fire Department Deep-Fried-Turkey Tips

1. If you are planning on frying your turkey this year, prepare in advance, and use proper equipment. Use a specially designed outdoor cooker/deep fryer with a perforated basket insert. The cooking pot should be ten gallon or more capacity and stand three feet high, hooked up to a propane gas cylinder. The propane cylinder must be separated by a minimum of two feet from the fryer. Read and follow the manufacturer's directions and safety instructions. Place the fryer on a flat and level surface. Be aware of your clothing around the hot oil, which can spatter, and the open flame, which could ignite clothing. Roll sleeves up and tuck away loose clothing. Be sure you are strong enough to lower the turkey into, and lift it from, the 350-degree oil safely.
 
2. Keep heated items (hot oil and propane cooker) away from anything that can burn. The entire area for at least 10 feet in all directions must be fireproof. Never deep fry a turkey indoors, in a garage, on a porch, on a deck, or in any other structure attached to a building. Keep children and pets away from the cooking area. Never leave the hot oil unattended. The deep-fryer unit should be positioned so wind will direct the heat away from the gas cylinder, people, and structures.
 
3. Watch what you heat and cook. Deep fryers must always be attended during cooking. Never use a frozen turkey because the ice crystals can cause it to "explode" when it comes in contact with hot oil. Oil should not be allowed to go over 350 degrees; oil can ignite at 375 degrees. Allow oil to cool completely before disposing or storing. Never cover the deep fryer because this could cause overheating, or boiling over of the hot oil. Should a fire start, clear all people from the area and call 911.
 
4. Recycle that oil. Cooking oil can be recycled at recycling centers or household hazardous waste sites. These facilities will usually accept up to five gallons of cooking oil per resident per day during their regular hours of operation.
 
5. Enjoy your turkey when you're done.

 
- Brad Haugaard

Rose Court to Visit Unity Center Food Distribution Project

The 94th Rose Queen Court will visit Foothill Unity Center's 17th Annual Thanksgiving Distribution tomorrow (Nov. 22) between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at Ayers Hall at the Arboretum in Arcadia.
 
The Center will distribute Thanksgiving food for nearly 2,000 local low-income families. Each family will take home a food box packed to their family’s size.
 
All the Center’s programs are supported by donations of food, funds and volunteer time. http://foothillunitycenter.org/
 
- Brad Haugaard

Integration Plaintiff Dies | Missing Man

~ Monrovian Pat Rostker has died at age 90. The former Pasadenan was a plaintiff in the 1967 case that forced the integration of Pasadena schools. http://goo.gl/NHgJ9
 
~ Sheriff's Department wants help finding missing man last seen near Chantry Flat. http://goo.gl/wRsZh
 
- Brad Haugaard

Church Basement Coffee Bar

The newest coffee bar and music venue in Monrovia is in the basement of the First United Methodist Church, on Palm. http://goo.gl/PCXSG
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over Pomona :-)

Monrovia over Pomona in Football, 24-7. http://goo.gl/h0XC3
- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Bridge | Monrovia PD Retrieves Stolen $28k Chinese Vase |Felicia Lee Murder Trial


Holding the dirt back during freeway bridge construction.

~ The Gold Line bridge construction crew installed 18-foot tall shoring plates this week to prevent earth from falling into the construction site as crews prepare to work on the south side abutment.

~ Monrovia Police retrieve stolen $28,000 Chinese vase. http://goo.gl/8TJtg

~ Testimony in the Felicia Lee murder trial. Medical examiner: She was in a struggle. http://goo.gl/m4NFl

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's World Vision Works to Prevent Food Crises

Monrovia's World Vision International (WVI) and the Food and the Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have signed a memo of understanding to promote global food security by improving early warning systems, preparedness in emergency responses, and gender and nutrition programs ( http://goo.gl/2LP53 ).

And speaking of hunger, World Vision warns that insects and inconsistent rains could result in a "devastating food crisis to West Africa within the next two to six months." ( http://goo.gl/pwwoR )

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Chicken King


Had lunch yesterday at Chicken King Express on Foothill near Mayflower. It's a Mediterranean place. Got the Chicken Tarator. It's a cold dish. I wasn't expecting that, but okay, and filling.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia vs. Pomona Football Preview

Video chat on the Monrovia-Pomona football game: http://goo.gl/vhG7P
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical - Waiting on the FDA

Profile on Monrovia's STAAR Surgical. It's new product has been approved for sale in Europe, but not in the U.S. Still waiting on word from the FDA. http://goo.gl/f8s4I
 
- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Tightens Its Travel Reimbursement Requirements

The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority Board of Directors is tightening its guidelines for out-of-state travel expenditures by Board members and Authority employees and clarifying reporting requirements for all expenses. Only reimbursement for business-class hotels; travelers should take public transportation when available; no reimbursement for first class or business class air fares; a $90 daily max for food and expenses; and no reimbursement for personal expenses, such as movie rentals.


OPINION: Well... good. Rather bizarre that the Gold Line sent this out to the world as a press release, and it makes me wonder what prompted it, but still... good.

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino to Battle Liu to Represent Monrovia in State Senate

Democratic State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino will challenge Democrat Carol Liu for her seat in the State Senate, according to an informed source. Although Liu's district does not currently include Monrovia, with redistricting, it will.


According to the source, who prefers to remain nameless, Portantino - though he has not officially announced his candidacy - has been quite open about his intentions, attempting to secure endorsements from prominent Monrovians.


Portantino and Liu are both Democrats, and the one who wins would presumably face a Republican in the general election.


- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia PD: Domestic Violence with Child Endangerment, Senior Citizen Scam, Shorts in the Rain, Vandalism, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 10-16. - Brad Haugaard]
 
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 509 service events, resulting in 97 investigations.  Following are the highlighted issues and events.  To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to http://www.crimemapping.com/map/ca/monrovia for crime mapping.
 
Domestic Violence
On November 10 at 10:36 p.m., police responded to the 100 block of South Alta Vista regarding a domestic disturbance.  The disturbance was between a male and female who have a four-year-old child together and are in the process of separating, but still live together at this time.  The male subject was upset and pushed the female out the front door and down a small flight of stairs.  When she hit the ground, she struck her head and sustained other visible injuries.  The male subject disabled all of the phones so the female could not call police.  He grabbed the small child and held her as he yelled threats to the victim, stating he would harm or kill her.  The child was traumatized by the incident.  Police arrived and arrested the suspect without further incident.  He was booked for domestic violence, criminal threats, disabling the phones, and for child endangerment. 
 
Grand Theft Auto
On November 12 at 1:01 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen in the 200 block of Los Angeles.  The vehicle was a white, 1994 Honda Civic.  The vehicle was stolen some time between 11:00 p.m. on November 11 and 1:00 a.m. on November 12.
 
Mental Evaluation
On November 12 at 4:00 a.m., an officer on patrol in the 900 block of South Mountain saw a male subject walking in the rain wearing only shorts.  The subject told officers he had not slept for three days, he had not taken his medication, and he did not know where he was or where he was going.  He was taken to a hospital, where he was held for mental evaluation.
 
Residential Burglary - Senior Citizen Scam
On November 12 at 11:24 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of North Magnolia regarding a theft report.  The theft had occurred the day before at the home of a senior citizen couple in their late 80's.  On November 11 at 5:00 p.m., the female victim answered her door to two male, White suspects in their late 20's.  She recognized the suspects as two subjects who had come to their home a month prior, soliciting car service.  The two suspects actually did minor repair work at the home on the couple's vehicle.  The victim's husband was not home, so the suspects asked to leave their phone number.  When the victim walked to her kitchen and told them to wait while she got a pen and paper, they followed her inside, uninvited.  One suspect asked to use the restroom while the other distracted the woman, but instead of using the restroom, he went into her bedroom and stole money and all of her jewelry.  The two suspects left and the victim did not discover the theft until later that evening.  The suspects were driving a black, Ford F150 truck with chrome wheels.
 
Commercial Burglary
On November 12 at 11:46 a.m., police responded to a burglary that occurred in the 400 block of South Myrtle at a private business.  The business is only accessible from the rear alley and one must walk up a flight of stairs.  The suspect(s) forced a window open to gain entry and stole money and a laptop. 
 
Attempt Armed Robbery
On November 12 at 6:06 p.m., a male subject in his late 20's approached a woman in a parking lot in the 600 block of West Huntington.  The suspect displayed a black handgun and demanded the victim give him her purse.  The victim refused to give up her purse and the suspect turned and fled on foot, heading east.  The suspect is described at a male Hispanic, wearing blue jeans and a grey shirt with a graphic design on the shoulder.  Officers responded and conducted an area search for the suspect, but were not able to locate him.  There was no harm to the victim and no loss.
 
Vehicle Burglary
On November 14 at 7:45 p.m., police responded to the report of a window-smash vehicle burglary that occurred in a business parking lot in the 700 block of East Huntington.  The crime occurred between 6:20 and 7:35 p.m.  There was no loss.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vehicle Burglary
On November 14 at 10:01 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting a window-smash vehicle burglary that occurred in a business parking lot in the 500 block of West Huntington.  The crime occurred between 6:00 and 10:00 p.m.  There was no loss.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vehicle Burglary / Grand Theft Auto Recovery
On November 15 at 1:13 a.m., a 1993 Honda Accord was reported stolen from the front of a residence in the 1400 block of South Magnolia.  The crime occurred between 9:30 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.  The vehicle was found and recovered a short distance away.  The GPS system and a toolbox had been stolen from the vehicle.  Investigation continuing.
 
Possession of Narcotics / Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested
On November 16 at 7:05 p.m., police received a call reporting a suspicious vehicle parked at Greystone and Ivy.  Officers arrived and found the male occupant was preparing to ingest heroin.  He was arrested for possession of narcotics and narcotics paraphernalia and taken into custody.
 
Serial Vandalism - Suspects Arrested
On November 16 at 8:09 p.m., police received a call reporting a vandalism incident that had just occurred in the 300 block of East Colorado.  Two male suspects were seen "tagging" a wall and fleeing on foot.  Officers arrived and began a search of the area.  A witness told an officer the suspects ran through an apartment complex.  Officers entered the complex and were seen by the suspects, who immediately attempted to run away.  They were detained quickly and positively identified by the witness.  Through investigation, it was learned that these two suspects are responsible for an extensive series of recent vandalism.  The suspects each confessed to other crimes and led officers to additional unreported vandalisms.  Also discovered during the investigation, were the identities of two previously unknown suspects.  These two have also been responsible for many recent vandalism incidents.  The suspects, a male juvenile and male adult, were booked for vandalism.  The juvenile was cited and released to his mother.  The adult was booked for felony vandalism and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.  Other charges are pending on all four suspects.

Monrovia's AeroVironment on Cover of Time | Murder Trial | Huff 'Job Champ'

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment makes the cover of Time magazine for its hummingdrone: http://goo.gl/U3UCX


~ Opening statements in trial of Brian Lee Randone, charged with killing Monrovia woman. Prosecution: http://goo.gl/jFemB - Defense: http://goo.gl/GrTUY


~ Monrovia's state senator, Bob Huff, named "job champion." http://goo.gl/vwTuI


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Medical Device Company May Sell in Europe

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical has received permission to sell its inside-the-eye lens in Europe. http://goo.gl/lHDuI
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Christmas Tree Lighting and Home Decorating Contest

~ The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. in Library Park, followed by the holiday parade - "Santa, Snowmen and Song" - at 7 p.m.
 
~ There will also be a holiday home decorating contest. Details here ( http://goo.gl/jx3ID ), at the bottom of the page, and here is the application form: http://goo.gl/LJq5I
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's State Senator Backs Off High-Speed Rail

State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, said he likes high-speed rail in concept, but with details of the LA-to-San Francisco plan now public, "I can no longer support this project as it is now framed." He said it costs too much ($98.5 billion), would not be finished until 2033, and early construction would be "far away from the state’s major population centers." He says the project needs to be scaled back or modified: http://goo.gl/0q13g
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia CEO is Entrepreneur of Year | Paintings by Cynthia Britain | Monrovia Hummingbird Wins Award

~ The CEO of Monrovia's Green Dot, Steve Streit, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year in the Financial Services sector by Ernst & Young. http://goo.gl/CbQmK
 
~ Works by oil painter Cynthia Britain now on display at Segil Fine Art, 110 W. Lime. Here's an article about her in American Art Collector Magazine: http://goo.gl/P88Ux
 
~ AeroVironment's nano hummingbird drone wins one of Popular Science's "Best of What's New" awards ( http://goo.gl/ITTWK ). And here's a write-up in Patch: http://goo.gl/U1g6h

- Brad Haugaard

The New Monrovia High School

At the ribbon-cutting tonight for the refurbished Monrovia High School, Board of Education President Ed Gililland called it "a world-class school for world-class students."Pictures show the computer lab in the new science building (that's Mayor Mary Ann Lutz looking on), the refurbished cafeteria, and the refurbished auditorium.

- Brad Haugaard