~ Wonder Dog Ranch, a new doggie day care center, has opened in Monrovia at 220 Taylor Street (a couple blocks south of Duarte Road just off of Myrtle). http://goo.gl/mr8MU
~ A pie contest to help battered-women programs. http://goo.gl/dxCe1
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovian is New Arcadia High Principal | Memorial Day
~ Monrovian takes over as principal at Arcadia High. http://goo.gl/2hXLH
~ Monrovia city and school offices will be closed on Memorial Day, May 28. A Memorial Day Program will be held in Monrovia's Live Oak Memorial Park. http://goo.gl/GKW6r
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia city and school offices will be closed on Memorial Day, May 28. A Memorial Day Program will be held in Monrovia's Live Oak Memorial Park. http://goo.gl/GKW6r
- Brad Haugaard
Patch Websites Doing Better Financially
AOL, the owner of the Patch websites, such as Monrovia Patch, reports that "Patch grew traffic and advertisers over 40% year-over-year and revenue over 100% year-over-year." http://goo.gl/DZXxy
Comment: Is Patch going to make it? I'm still dubious, but I hope it does. The country needs local journalism and this is one of the great experiments in providing it in the Internet age.
- Brad Haugaard
Comment: Is Patch going to make it? I'm still dubious, but I hope it does. The country needs local journalism and this is one of the great experiments in providing it in the Internet age.
- Brad Haugaard
Deadline to Be On Monrovia Board or Commission
If you would like to be on a Monrovia board or commission, applications are due Thursday by 6 p.m. Turn them in at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 415 S. Ivy. Applications available at City Hall or online at www.cityofmonrovia.org
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Dueling Pancake Breakfasts in Monrovia
This Saturday, May 12, both the Monrovia Fire Department and Centre Stage are holding pancake breakfasts. The Fire Service Day Pancake Breakfast is at Station 101, 141 E Lemon, from 7â€"11 a.m. and Centre Stage's Pancakes & Popstars (with carnival games and auction items) is at First Presbyterian Church at Foothill and Myrtle from 8 a.m.â€"1 p.m.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Baseball Championship: Monrovia vs Temple City
It'll be Monrovia vs Temple City for league baseball championship. http://goo.gl/Q4k3i
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
AeroVironment's Tom Herring Becomes Monrovia Company's Chief Operating Officer
Monrovia's AeroVironment creates Chief Operating Officer position and promotes Tom Herring to fill that role. http://goo.gl/U2zwI
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
AeroVironment Wins Seattle Airport Contract | Monrovia High's Ranking | Recent Filming | Unitek | Candidates
~ Monrovia's AeroVironment has won an $8.8 million contract to install electric chargers at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. http://goo.gl/K0pHG
~ Monrovia High is 1,083-best high school in the country, and 217 within California. http://goo.gl/YELqT
~ Recent filming in town. http://goo.gl/lH2Jz
~ Monrovia's 3M Unitek today launched the Unitek Treatment Management Portal, "an advanced orthodontic software platform that combines the latest in digital model imaging with state-of-the-art interactive technology to enable customized treatment planning for orthodontic patients." http://goo.gl/3EL0r
~ Assembly district candidate's forum. http://goo.gl/p9Qwk
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia High is 1,083-best high school in the country, and 217 within California. http://goo.gl/YELqT
~ Recent filming in town. http://goo.gl/lH2Jz
~ Monrovia's 3M Unitek today launched the Unitek Treatment Management Portal, "an advanced orthodontic software platform that combines the latest in digital model imaging with state-of-the-art interactive technology to enable customized treatment planning for orthodontic patients." http://goo.gl/3EL0r
~ Assembly district candidate's forum. http://goo.gl/p9Qwk
- Brad Haugaard
Barbecue for Babies at Monrovia's Recreation Park
Help impoverished babies with cleft lips and palates to receive the special baby bottles they need. Come to the Barbecue for Babies on May 30 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Recreation Park on the corner of Shamrock and Olive in Monrovia. This effort is supported by Kiwanis of Monrovia.
While in language school in Guatemala, School Superintendent Linda Wagner first encountered the need for help for cleft lip babies in Guatemala. There, cleft lips and palates are often not fixed due to the cost of these specialized surgeries. As a result, children and adults grow up disfigured and malnourished. Touched by the significant need to help these children at the earliest possible age, Dr. Wagner began fundraising to provide these specially designed baby bottles to babies in the hospital in Guatemala. Last year, Monrovians funded more than 100 bottles and 6 life altering surgeries for these babies in need.
You can help by attending the barbecue or by simply sending a check to pay for a baby bottle. The bottles are purchased from a medical distributor and cost $25 each. 100 percent of the proceeds go directly to the purchase of the baby bottles.
Contact: Linda Wagner, linwagner1@dslextreme.com. Make checks payable to The Kiwanis Foundation and mail them to Kiwanis Foundation, c/o Linda Wagner, 710 S. Myrtle #340, Monrovia, CA 91016.
Source: press release
Monrovian Losing Weight for $10,000 Prize
Rich Marshall of Sonic Automotive in Monrovia is part of a weight-loss team competing online for a $10,000 prize. http://goo.gl/WdmHF
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police Honorees, Pancakes, Volunteers, Donnelly
Winners of Monrovia Police Department awards (details: http://goo.gl/jPqeh ). Top Row (L to R): Officer Richard Schneider, Officer John Jefferson, Detective Heath Harvey, Sergeant Nicholas Manfredi, Officer William Burkhalter. Bottom Row (L to R): Agent Javier Leon, Communications Operator Mary Taylor, Agent Luis Villalobos, Officer Gerald DeHart. (Thanks to Alexis Newell for the pix).
~ The city is looking for people to help along the Fountain to the Falls race route. Volunteers will receive a special volunteer shirt. If you are interested, contact Lisa Hansberger at lhansberger@ci.monrovia.ca.us or at 626.256.8230.
~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, has introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 38, "urging Congress and the President to fully reimburse the State of California for funds spent to incarcerate illegal alien felons within the state prison system." http://goo.gl/3FvAB
- Brad Haugaard
Betty McWilliams New Executive Director of Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center
Betty McWilliams, new Executive Director
Foothill Unity Center Deputy Director Betty R. McWilliams has been chosen from a field of over 20 candidates to assume leadership of the organization effective June 4. She succeeds Joan E. Whitenack, who is retiring after nearly 17 years as head of the agency.
As a key member of the Center's management team for 14 years, McWilliams has played a pivotal role in its growth into one of the most effective nonprofit agencies in the area. In partnership with Whitenack, she led the expansion of its program service area from three cities to eleven, now providing services to more than 4,000 unduplicated very low income local families and homeless each year. She was instrumental in securing the Center's federal designation as Community Action Agency for the Foothill Area and in the success of its major annual fundraising event, the Golden Plate Awards Dinner. In addition to overseeing the Center's day-to-day operations, McWilliams has helped to develop many of its client programs, including Health Services, Pet Food Bank, Senior/Disabled Home Delivery, case management and much more. She has also been instrumental in the planning and execution of its annual Back to School, Thanksgiving and Holiday Distributions. Prior to joining the Center, McWilliams served as Executive Director of the Pasadena Senior Center for six years and held other administrative positions in the private sector.
"After a months-long search and the review of a strong field of final candidates, Betty emerged as the hands-down choice of our Executive Search Committee," said David Steinmeier, President of the Center's Board of Directors. "As Foothill Unity Center enters a new era of helping local families in need, we are fortunate and proud to have Betty's exceptional leadership skills, seasoned experience, caring and passion at the helm."
NOTE: A retirement party for Joan Whitenack is planned for Thursday evening, June 28, 5 – 8 p.m. at the Double Tree Hotel in Monrovia. For information and reservations ($10 per person), contact Barbara Rolf at the Center, 626.358.3486 or email barbara@foothillunitycenter.org
Source: Press release
- Brad Haugaard
MAD Town Council to Meet in Monrovia
Representatives of unincorporated areas of Monrovia, Arcadia and Duarte (the "MAD Town Council") will hold its first in-Monrovia public meeting, Wednesday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at Plymouth Elementary School (1300 Boley St.). Representatives of the LA County Supervisors Office, LA County Sheriff's Department, Monrovia Police and Fire Departments, and Highway Patrol will be available to answer questions.
Source: press release
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Laser at Helicopter, GPS Finds Stolen Car, Windshield Wiper Vandalism, Gang Arrests, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 3-6. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
Gang Activity / Gang Injunction Violations - Four Suspects Arrested
May 3 at 4:27 p.m., a female subject called police and reported shots fired in the 600 block of East Lemon. Officers arrived on scene and confirmed no shots had been fired; however, a vehicle occupied by four male subjects had driven by yelling out gang slurs. The vehicle was located and stopped by officers, who conducted a felony stop. Officers recognized two of the subjects in the vehicle as suspects in an assault with a deadly weapon incident that occurred in the City of Duarte, and the vehicle matched, as well. Sheriff's deputies responded and took custody of the two suspects. Monrovia police officers arrested the other two subjects and each was charged with three counts of violating the Gang Injunction. One of the subjects is currently on parole and a parole hold was obtained.
Fraud / Forgery / Impersonating / Conspiracy - Suspects Arrested
May 3 at 3:26 p.m., a victim of fraud came to the police department to report the crime. The victim had made a purchase at a business in the 600 block of West Huntington. The next day a fraudulent online purchase was made on his card at the Pasadena location of this business. The crime was discovered by the credit card holder through notification from his credit card company. The victim notified the store and filed a report with police.
Store personnel called the suspects and advised them they did not have the item ordered on-line, but they could pick one up at the Monrovia Store. The suspects said they would go to the Monrovia store and pick up their purchase. Officers were dispatched to the location when the suspects showed up. The suspects entered the store, signed for the merchandise, and walked out of the business. Officers stopped the suspects before they drove away. The two suspects were arrested and taken into custody.
Pointing a Laser at Aircraft in Flight - Suspect Arrested
May 5 at 12:38 a.m., a subject standing in a parking lot with a few friends pointed a green laser into the sky. He saw a helicopter in flight and aimed the laser at the helicopter and tracked it for about three seconds. The laser struck the cockpit of the police helicopter, causing the pilot to suddenly divert from his flight path. The pilot and observer saw the path of the laser and were able to locate the point of origin. They saw the suspect get into a vehicle. The helicopter followed the vehicle and directed Monrovia officers to the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped on the 210 Freeway, just east of Santa Anita. The suspect admitted to aiming the laser at the aircraft, and he still had the laser in his possession. He was arrested.
Stolen Vehicle Recovered
May 6 at 8:07 a.m., a vehicle GPS monitoring company advised Monrovia Police Department they had located a stolen vehicle registered with them in an alley near the 200 block of West Walnut. Officers responded to the location and recovered the vehicle. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department in Lancaster was notified, as they took the original stolen vehicle report, and they requested the vehicle be held for fingerprinting.
Theft From a Vehicle
May 6 at 12:38 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 600 block of West Lime. The victim left her vehicle unlocked and her purse was taken from the vehicle with her wallet in it. She reported the theft to her credit card companies and was advised the suspect had used one of the cards at a fast food restaurant in Monrovia at 7:56 a.m. and then at another at 8:04 a.m. The suspect also attempted to use the debit card at an ATM, unsuccessfully. Investigation continuing.
Vandalism / Vehicle Tampering
May 7 at 2:20 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of East Lemon reported the windshield wipers on his vehicle had been vandalized. An officer responded to the location and discovered approximately 20 additional vehicles with similar damage. The majority of damage to the vehicles was bent antennas and windshield wipers. The vehicles vandalized were primarily parked on Lemon, between Shamrock and Hacienda. The investigation is continuing.
Portantino Is Junior Leagues' Legislator of the Year
Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, was honored today by the Junior Leagues of California as "State Legislator of the Year" for introducing several bills over the last several years in the areas of health, education and violence prevention. He was also cited for his work with the Junior League of Pasadena, including Kids in the Kitchen, Community Expo and reading at the Mothers Club.
Source: Portantino press release
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Six-2-Six Store Expanding
Six-2-Six jewelry and accessory store in Old Town is growing. http://goo.gl/wb4dt
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Still-Amazing Continuation High School
Joy Dunn, a counselor at Monrovia's Canyon Oaks (continuation) and Mountain Park (independent study) schools, told the Monrovia Coordinating Council today about the success the schools have had.
Continuation high schools are typically, as School Board Member Ed Gilliland chimed in, "warehouses," but Canyon Oaks has gone from that to making very successful students.
Successful like this: Last year 75 percent of of its grads - and it graduates approximately as high a percentage of students as Monrovia High - went on to post-secondary education or into the military; 30 percent went directly to four year colleges; Canyon Oaks' classes are now certified by the UC system as "college prep;" the school has the maximum six-year accreditation awarded by the standard accreditor, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (fewer than 3 percent of WASC visits result in that level of accreditation); the school has been named a "Model Continuation High School" for California; and, Dunn said, students even transfer in to the Monrovia school district from other parts of the San Gabriel Valley simply so they can attend.
Dunn said Canyon Oaks and Mountain Park, which share a campus, "feel like a private school," and now, she said, the school is setting up a scholarship fund to help students with college (Rotary Club is chipping in).
Opinion: Who in the world transfers to a school district to attend that district's continuation high school? What continuation high school has even had one percent of its grads go on to college? What percentage of continuation high students even graduate at all? What percentage of continuation schools are accredited at all, not to mention for the maximum six years. Compared to that, Wow! I wrote about the schools here ( http://goo.gl/gW2e2 ) long ago. I was so amazed that I sent a note to newspapers, educational journals, and major education bloggers, but for reasons that still baffle me, I never saw anything as a result.
- Brad Haugaard
Continuation high schools are typically, as School Board Member Ed Gilliland chimed in, "warehouses," but Canyon Oaks has gone from that to making very successful students.
Successful like this: Last year 75 percent of of its grads - and it graduates approximately as high a percentage of students as Monrovia High - went on to post-secondary education or into the military; 30 percent went directly to four year colleges; Canyon Oaks' classes are now certified by the UC system as "college prep;" the school has the maximum six-year accreditation awarded by the standard accreditor, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (fewer than 3 percent of WASC visits result in that level of accreditation); the school has been named a "Model Continuation High School" for California; and, Dunn said, students even transfer in to the Monrovia school district from other parts of the San Gabriel Valley simply so they can attend.
Dunn said Canyon Oaks and Mountain Park, which share a campus, "feel like a private school," and now, she said, the school is setting up a scholarship fund to help students with college (Rotary Club is chipping in).
Opinion: Who in the world transfers to a school district to attend that district's continuation high school? What continuation high school has even had one percent of its grads go on to college? What percentage of continuation high students even graduate at all? What percentage of continuation schools are accredited at all, not to mention for the maximum six years. Compared to that, Wow! I wrote about the schools here ( http://goo.gl/gW2e2 ) long ago. I was so amazed that I sent a note to newspapers, educational journals, and major education bloggers, but for reasons that still baffle me, I never saw anything as a result.
- Brad Haugaard
Pancakes and Popstars
Pancakes and Popstars, May 12, 8 a.m to noon in the Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church. Entertainment, food, shopping to support the Centre Stage, which will be putting on Bye Bye Birdie in July. $5.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Peacocks Invade Monrovia
Comment: First pea-hens ( http://goo.gl/Xv0Ch ) and now peacocks. One or the other is tolerable and temporary, but having both sounds like trouble to me.
UPDATE: I just heard a report (May 7) of two peacocks on North Canyon near Scenic.
- Brad Haugaard
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