Monrovia Church Sponsors All-You-Can-Eat 'Throw Down' | Citrus Board Gives School's President Raise

~ Monrovia's Greater Ambassador Church of God in Christ is sponsoring its second all-you-can-eat 'Throw Down,' August 4, 2-6 p.m., at the church, at 420 Monrovista Ave. The best cooks, bakers and chefs are welcome to compete. Registration for cooks is $7 per food category. For eaters, advance ticket price is $10; $13 at the gate. For information contact Rosie Herrin at 626-316-0943.

~ The Citrus College Board voted 3-2, with Monrovia's representative Joanne Montgomery voting with the majority, to give the school's president a raise to bring the salary up to $251,000 in four years. http://goo.gl/wZa6U

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Bond Repayment Problem May be Resolved

Monrovia's legal difficulties in paying its bond debt, caused by the state's elimination of redevelopment agencies, may be resolved soon. http://goo.gl/PMXhs

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Accuses Metro of Violating Law | Monrovia Linebacker to Northwestern | Batathon | Freeway Lane Closures

~ The Gold Line Construction Authority complained to the LA Board of Supervisors today that the Metro is violating the law on a number of counts, including the Metro funding transportation projects that were not authorized by Measure R before funding a project that was authorized by Measure R, that is, the Foothill extension to Claremont.

~ Monrovia linebacker Brett Walsh has committed to Northwestern. http://goo.gl/grHJi

~ Batman marathon at the Krikorian Thursday. http://goo.gl/qPqrC

~ Starting at 10 p.m. tonight, up to three WESTbound lanes will be closed on the 210 for Gold Line bridge construction. Source: Gold Line press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Congressional Candidates Forum | Shaw Returning to City Council

~ Candidates for the 27th Congressional District (If you live on the north side of Hillcrest, that's your district) will probably be speaking at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce's monthly Government Affairs Forum at 8 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 2. The Arcadia Chamber says, "longtime Arcadia resident and Republican candidate Jack Orswell is confirmed to speak, and Democratic candidate and current Congresswoman Judy Chu hopes to attend as well." Source: press release

~ Monrovia City Council member Clarence Shaw should be back on the City Council (he's on active military duty now) by September or October. http://goo.gl/F2e1a

- Brad Haugaard

Filming in Monrovia's Library Park

Filming this morning in Library Park. I was told it was for a show called News Readers.

- Brad Haugaard

Julie Roybal takes Helm of Rotary Club of Monrovia - Plans Service Projects

Julie Roybal took up the gavel this week as new president of the Rotary Club of Monrovia in the humanitarian civic group's annual changing of the guard.

She said: "We are a very energized and excited club with lots of good ideas. The highlight for us this year is the Service Saturdays that we will do throughout the year. We currently have the following projects planned for the coming year: Clean Up Monrovia, paint the Rotary Bandshell in Library Park, Christmas program at Monrovia Memorial Hospital, as well as programs in conjunction with the Monrovia Fire Department, School District and City to address the needs of our community."

Roybal brings with her experience as a YMCA Board Member at Large, Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, Arcadia Association of Realtors Affiliate and Monrovia Rotary Board member for the past three years.

She has been a member of the Monrovia Rotary Club for the past four years and is a licensed Property and Casualty /Life and Health Insurance Broker for Bolton & Co. in Pasadena and is an active volunteer in the community.

Roybal is single and lives with her Cocker Spaniel, Lola.

Outgoing president Thomas Hould handed over the reins to Julie Roybal at the traditional demotion party. Thomas Hould left a strong legacy in the club, including our biggest scholarship year ever. The Rotary Club of Monrovia gave away $22,700 this past year to local students.

The Rotary Club of Monrovia meets at Tuesday’s at noon at The Monrovian Restaurant. For more information visit http://www.rotaryclubofmonrovia.com or call 626‐415‐7404.

Source: Rotary Club press release

- Brad Haugaard

Revamping Monrovia Restaurant

The old green awning is now gone over Sam's Kabob Room. Chef Gordon Ramsay of "Kitchen Nightmares" is giving the restaurant a make-over. I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Wildlife: A Chimney Raccoon

 

Very unconcerned, these raccoons. Here is one camped out on our chimney today, not at all bothered by the people below.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Home Invasion Robbery, Faucet Theft, Child Endangerment, Etc

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 12-15. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Grand Theft From a Vehicle

July 12 at 9:47 a.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 200 block of West Palm.  The victim parked her vehicle in the rear parking area of her complex for the evening.  She is unsure if she locked the vehicle.  She returned to the vehicle in the morning and discovered her work laptop was missing.  There were no signs of a break-in.  Investigation continuing.

 

Commercial Burglary

July 12 at 2:36 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a commercial burglary.  A male and female suspect had stolen merchandise from the Glendora location of the business.  The items taken were two bathroom faucets.  The suspects were in a silver Chevy Impala with tinted windows.  The two suspects showed up at the Monrovia store and were trying to return the stolen merchandise.  Loss prevention personnel from the Monrovia store called police to report the suspects were in a vehicle leaving out the main entrance.  An officer responded, but the vehicle had already left the location.  The female suspect had returned the items and was given store credit.  She had presented her driver license at the time of the return.  An officer completed a want for the female suspect that was entered into the computer system.  Investigation continuing.

 

Grand Theft

July 12 at 3:37 p.m., a robbery occurred at a business parking lot in the 300 block of West Huntington.  The victim was placing groceries in the trunk of her vehicle when the suspect approached her on a bicycle.  He asked her if she knew of a video store nearby.  The victim turned to look and point at a video store across the parking lot, and when she turned to look back at the suspect, she saw him take her wallet out of her open purse, which was in the front of the shopping cart.  The suspect rode away on the bicycle, south on Magnolia.  The suspect is described as a 16 or 17-year-old male White with red hair, freckles, wearing a light blue t-shirt and jeans.  Investigation continuing.

 

Injury Traffic Collision - Vehicle vs. Pedestrian

July 12 at 6:51 p.m., officers responded to the 800 block of South California regarding a traffic collision with injuries.  A 16-year-old male was riding his bike east on Walnut, approaching California, when he entered onto California without making the stop or checking northbound traffic.  He collided with a vehicle traveling north on California.  The juvenile sustained some bruises and abrasions, and he bumped his head.  He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

 

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol - Suspect Arrested

July 13 at 2:27 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle in the 2200 block of South Myrtle Avenue for speeding, and the driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and drugs.  He was also driving with a suspended license and has two prior incidents of driving under the influence.  The driver was arrested.

 

Stolen Vehicle

July 13 at 8:27 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1300 block of Monterey.  The victim parked her 1992, four-door, burgundy Honda Civic on the street in the evening.  She returned to it the next morning and found it missing.  The victim locked the vehicle, but the front passenger door on the vehicle does not lock.  Investigation continuing.

 

Grand Theft Auto

July 13 at 5:10 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 600 block of West Lemon.  The victim left for work at 6:30 a.m. in the morning and left his 2006, black Isuzu Ascender parked in the driveway.  All of the doors were locked and a club steering lock was in place.  He returned home at 5:10 p.m. and found the vehicle was missing.  There was no broken glass on the driveway.  Investigation continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

July 13 at 10:32 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 100 block of West Lemon.  The victim parked her vehicle in the parking garage of her apartment complex and locked it.  When she returned to her vehicle, she found the passenger side rear window down and her garage clicker and wallet were missing from the center console. The victim reported that her window was broken and could be slid down easily.  Investigation continuing.

 

Strong-Arm Robbery - Suspect Arrested

July 14 at 12:22 a.m., an officer responded to a strong-arm robbery that occurred at Mayflower and Huntington.  The victim was on his bicycle waiting for the light to change when approached by a suspect who told him to give him his bicycle.  When the victim asked why he should give him the bicycle, the suspect pushed the victim off the bike, causing him to fall to the ground.  The suspect then fled westbound on the bicycle.  Officers arrived and spotted the suspect on the bike, but he was able to elude them. Officers continued searching the area and eventually found him behind a business in Arcadia.  The suspect was positively identified by the victim.  He was arrested and taken into custody.

 

Theft From a Vehicle

July 14 at 3:42 p.m., a vehicle theft was reported in the 200 block of East Scenic. The victim parked his vehicle on the street in front of his residence at 1:30 a.m.  He returned to the vehicle at 12:30 p.m. the next day and found the center console and glove compartment open.  He reported a brown leather wallet missing from the center console containing identification and a debit card.  Other miscellaneous items were taken from the glove box.  The windows were left rolled down about two inches and the victim may have left the vehicle unlocked.  Investigation continuing.

 

Child Endangerment - Suspect Arrested

July 15 at 4:24 p.m., a male and female subject arrived at a business in the 700 block of East Huntington with their child from their home in Duarte.  The male is bi-polar and off his medications and had been making threats to the female that he would kill everyone in the house if she ever called the police on him in the future to have him taken to the mental hospital.  The female went into the business alone and called the police for help.  When officers arrived, the male exited the car with the baby in his arms and ran into the business, ignoring officers' commands to stop and put the baby down.  The business was evacuated. 

 

Officers arrived and ordered the male subject to put his baby down, but he refused and yelled at the officers to shoot him.  The officers were able to get the child from the subject.  The suspect was subdued and taken into custody.  An emergency protective order will be obtained for the child and mother.  The Department of Child and Family Services will also be notified regarding the child endangerment. 

 

Home Invasion Robbery

On Sunday, July 15, 2012, at approximately 6:40 p.m., Monrovia police officers responded to the 200 block of East Chestnut regarding a late reported home invasion robbery investigation.  One female adult victim was at home during the incident and she was not harmed.      

 

The victim told officers that at approximately 4:50 p.m., she arrived home and went directly to her upstairs bedroom, when she heard the sound of something being knocked over downstairs.  The victim was in the process of returning downstairs to investigate the sound when she was immediately confronted by a suspect armed with an unknown caliber handgun.  The suspect ordered the victim to lie down on her bedroom floor as he blocked her vision by wrapping a t-shirt around her face.  The suspect remained in the bedroom monitoring the victim as a second suspect ransacked the residence.  The suspects eventually left the location without further incident.  The victim was scared and went directly to a relative's house in Los Angeles before reporting the incident to the police.

 

The investigation revealed that the suspects entered the victim's apartment by removing the exterior living room window screen and pulling the sliding living room window off of the track.  Once inside the residence, the suspects stole a laptop computer, a play station console and a wallet.  The suspects left the location by exiting the front door.  The victim described one suspect as a male black in his early 20's with short black hair, approximately 5'06", and wearing a t-shirt. 

 

 

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

 

Possession of Methamphetamine - Suspect Arrested

July 11 at 4:56 p.m., the Special Enforcement Team was on patrol at a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle.  One subject was arrested for possession of a methamphetamine pipe and one was cited for littering. 

 

Burglary Warrant - Suspect Arrest

July 11 at 7:39 p.m., the Special Enforcement Team stopped two suspicious subjects on Lemon, near Magnolia.  One subject was arrested for an outstanding wanted persons warrant for burglary out of San Dimas Sheriff's Department.  The suspect was arrested and taken to the San Dimas Sheriff's Station. 

 

Drunk in Public - Suspect Arrested

July 12 at 6:04 p.m., the Special Enforcement Team responded to a call of a subject harassing customers at a business parking lot in the 300 block of West Huntington.  The subject was contacted and arrested for being drunk in public.

 

Warrant - Suspect Arrested

On July 14, Special Enforcement Team assisted patrol on the surveillance of a vehicle on Ivy, north of Los Angeles, where the registered owner had several outstanding warrants.  The vehicle was stopped and the female driver was arrested.  The vehicle was stored since her license was expired.

Another Monrovia Football Win? | Green Dot | Huff Vetoed

~ Prediction: Monrovia football isn't finished with winning: http://goo.gl/TXy7R

~ Q2 financial results for Monrovia's Green Dot Q2 on July 26: http://goo.gl/rpvHO

~ Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, laments: "I served as a Joint Author for SB 14, which would have mandated a results based budgeting system known as Performance Based Budgeting among all levels of state government. It's a shame this well-intentioned measure, which had bipartisan support, earned the Governor's veto." http://goo.gl/2Es98

- Brad Haugaard

Opinion: Citrus College Celebrates a Banner Year of Achievements and Accomplishments

By Mrs. Joanne Montgomery, President, Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees

Citrus College has ended the 2011-2012 academic year with a series of celebrations and activities.  There were many wonderful accomplishments to be proud of despite a year of budget challenges.  As president of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, I applaud the college's students, faculty and staff for their tenacity and collaboration, and I am honored to share some of these end-of-the-year highlights.

One week after its 97th anniversary, Citrus College conferred more than 1,300 associate degrees—an all-time high for the second consecutive year.  This historic number of graduates illustrated the fact that more students are choosing Citrus College as the first step in their journey to obtain a college education.  It also reflects a trend among the nation's community colleges that underscores the need for these viable and productive institutions.

For the sixth consecutive year, Citrus College garnered recognition as a national leader among the nation's 1,200 community colleges in awarding associate degrees.   Community College Week magazine's annual "Top Producers" issue listed the college on five of its 44 lists - a record number for the institution.  The rankings and categories included 33rd in associate degrees awarded to Hispanic students, 65th in associate degrees awarded to all minority students and 87th in associate degrees awarded to Asian-American students.  These institutional successes are a direct reflection of our students' stellar academic performances.  

I am very proud of the fact that students from Monrovia continue to excel at Citrus College.  Ryan Keenan, a Monrovia High School graduate, was selected as a Key of Knowledge student, the college’s highest academic honor. A recipient of an American Society of Architects and Engineers scholarship, Ryan will attend Cal Poly Pomona as an architecture major.  Austin Dyche, Christian Hansen, Julia Horejsi and Haley Keavy of Monrovia were honored among the college’s Top 100 Students for their academic achievements.  In addition, Blanca Chanta and Teresa Ibarra Casteneda were among the first class of graduates to receive Associate Degrees for Transfer, enabling them to transfer into the California State University system as juniors.  I congratulate these students for their accomplishments, and I wish them well in their educational and professional endeavors.

As always, it is an honor to represent the Monrovia community as a member of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees. Thank you for your interest and support.

Note: Montgomery represents Monrovia on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees

Kitchen Nightmares in Monrovia

Pictures of filming Kitchen Nightmares at Sam's Kabob Room on Myrtle. http://goo.gl/sSVRG

- Brad Haugaard

Free Fluff Ice Today in Monrovia

Fluff Ice says: "Come celebrate our Grand Opening this Saturday at 12:30pm at Fluff Ice - Monrovia! 346 W Huntington. Free Fluff for first 200 customers!" And: "With an adorable truck and mind-blowing Fluff Ice, we're out to bring happiness to all, one cup of Fluff at a time!"

- Brad Haugaard

Huff Says State Has Given Cities Three Days to Pay Millions in New Fees

Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, reports that one of the "trailer bills" to the state budget, AB 1484, tells counties to take money from cities. Huff says:

"Without warning, the State of California has given cities in the 29th Senate District a three-day notice to pay millions of dollars in newly calculated fees. The sudden and unexpected 'demand for payment' also carries a threat that any delay in payment will result in additional late fees."

Source: http://goo.gl/zWSie

- Brad Haugaard

Forms Being Set for Freeway Bridge | Back-to-School | Monrovia Couple Celebrates 72 Years of Marriage

~ Forms being built for the 210 Gold Line bridge. Later this month, 600 cubic yards of concrete will be poured into these forms. http://goo.gl/SZmx1

~ If you'd like to contribute to Unity Center's back-to-school drive, here's what they need. http://goo.gl/JbVZC

~ A Monrovia couple is celebrating 72 years of marriage. http://goo.gl/EBwQu

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at London Gastropub

Lunch at London Gastropub, on Myrtle in Old Town, yesterday. Very nice ambiance and excellent food! I got a pulled pork panini sandwich and some sweet potato fries. Sandwich came with a nice salad. Everything was really delicious. Cost $9 for the sandwich, $4 for the fries and $2.50 for iced tea, plus tax and tip.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia to Consider Agreement with Employees: 3% Cost of Living Increase, Etc.

At its July 17, 7:30 p.m. meeting, the Monrovia City Council will consider, among other things (agenda here: http://goo.gl/2TyPZ ), adopting an agreement with the Monrovia Municipal Employees' Association for fiscal years 2012-2014.

The city report says that "compensation adjustments are [now] based solely on the City's ability to pay" and not on what other cities are paying.

Summary:

"The proposed two-year agreement provides for a 3% Cost of Living adjustment and reinstatement of the performance/longevity program. Additionally, MMEA members have agreed to pay an additional 5.5% of salary towards the cost of retirement benefits, resulting in a total contribution amount of 9.946%. These changes will take effect during the first year of the agreement. The second year of the agreement does not include any further adjustments to salary or benefits."

Source: http://goo.gl/2LsNA

- Brad Haugaard

Thunderstorm Possible | Suicide

~ Possible thunderstorms tonight in San Gabriel Valley. http://goo.gl/LPe0H

~ Teen suicide in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/aX4w7

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Cuts Energy, Saves Money - You Can, Too

The City of Monrovia reports that from 2010-2011, it saved more than $140,000 by cutting back its energy usage. "But the City only accounts for 5% of all of Monrovia's electrical use." http://goo.gl/RFPAq

If you'd like to pocket a little extra change, yourself, the city suggests:

- Turn off lights when not in use.
- Install motion-sensor lighting to light areas only when in use.
- Seal air and duct leaks.
- Insulate attics, walls and hot water pipes.
-  Use blinds, shades or curtains to repel heat.
- Replace older light bulbs with energy-efficient ones.
- Use drip irrigation or other water-conserving irrigation systems.
- Use a variable speed pool pump.

- Brad Haugaard

Mount Sierra Commencement | MOHPG Potluck | E-Waste Recycling

~ Commencement at Monrovia's Mount Sierra College. http://goo.gl/1qihN

~ Monrovia Old Homes Preservation Group will have its annual potluck dinner July 28, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Community Center (139 W. Palm). President Jim Wigton will give updates on the Aztec Hotel and Santa Fe depot. It's potluck, so if you want to come, bring a dish. If your last name starts with A-Ha, bring salad; He-Sa, main dish; Sc-Z, dessert.

~ Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. -3 p.m. July 28-29, Electronic waste recycling at Monrovia Park N Ride (corner of S. Myrtle and W. Pomona Avenues). Proof of California residency required. For more info call (909) 591-8408. (Thanks to Becky Shevlin for this)

- Brad Haugaard