Automated Car Wash to Go in East Monrovia

There will be a new automated car wash going in where Angelo's Burgers used to be, at 935 East Huntington, over near Duarte, according to notes from the Monrovia Planning Commission. Plus, a number of new residential developments. Details: http://goo.gl/DyZO2

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Infected City Website Should be Fixed Soon

Monrovia city spokesman Dan Bell said the problem of the city website being infected by a virus that turns the web pages into promotions for Viagra and Cialis "should be resolved shortly." No specific deadline at this point, he said, but soon.

Also, he adds, the whole site is being redesigned and will be replaced in the near future.

Previous articles: http://goo.gl/qDSkB

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Post Office Grow Your Business Seminar

The Monrovia Post Office will hold a free ‘Grow Your Business’ seminar about EDDM Retail, eBay shipping and other topics at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Monrovia Post Office, 225 S. Ivy Ave. To reserve a spot visit USPS.com/growyourbusinessdays .

"Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) Retail offers a reach unparalleled by any other method to build traffic and find new customers. Now the local butcher, baker and pizza pie maker can reach every mailbox on a local neighborhood delivery route with EDDM Retail using a simplified address of 'Postal Customer.'

"And for eBay sellers, USPS has simplified shipping merchandise to customers. Without leaving your home or office you can order free shipping supplies, download postage and print shipping labels, schedule a free package pick up and more."

"EDDM Retail allows businesses to mail small volumes (200 - 5,000 pieces) within an area serviced by a single Post Office at the retail counter using cash, check, or debit card. Save time on mail preparation and save cost with no bulk permit fees or mailing list needed. Businesses just need to register to utilize EDDM Retail. For additional information businesses can visit uspseverydoor.com or call USPS Business Development Specialist Alexandra Uyleman at 323-586-1473.

Source: USPS press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Car Left with Motor Running Driven Away, Electronics Burglaries, 3:30 A.M. With a Crowbar

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 5-7. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 469 service events, resulting in 90 investigations.

 

Residential Burglary

November 5 at 3:55 p.m., police responded to a residence in the 300 block of Greystone.  The resident came home and found a large quantity of items had been gathered by the suspects, but was left near the front door.  It appears the suspects were scared off and left the items behind.  A laptop computer and PS3 video game were taken.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Domestic Violence / False Imprisonment / Assault With a Deadly Weapon / Attempted Robbery - Suspect Arrested

November 5 at 11:06 p.m., a domestic violence incident was reported in the 400 block of Monrovista.  A 19-year-old male subject held a knife to the throat of his girlfriend as he restrained her and demanded money.  She was not injured during this crime; however, during the investigation, it was learned the suspect hit the victim in the face earlier that day in the City of El Monte, which caused an injury.  The suspect was arrested without incident.

 

Residential Burglary

November 6 at 5:55 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of Mountain View Avenue.  A residential burglary had occurred sometime between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  Unknown suspect(s) gained entry by climbing through a window.  An IPAD, X-Box, two Laptops, and two handguns were stolen.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Grand Theft Auto

November 7 at 7:51 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of East Los Angeles Street.  The victim left his vehicle running in his driveway while he was moving some equipment from his house to his car.  While he was inside the house, he heard the sound of his vehicle being driven away.  He tried to locate the vehicle with negative results.  A firearm was in the car when it was taken.  The vehicle was later recovered in the City of El Monte.  The vehicle had been set on fire and burned.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

November 7 at 7:13 p.m., an officer responded to a vehicle burglary report in the 100 block of Orange Court.  The victim parked his vehicle and locked the doors at around 9:00 p.m. in the evening.  He returned to the vehicle at 8:00 a.m. in the morning and saw his vehicle had been ransacked and items were taken.  The Items taken were golf clubs, workout clothing, a watch, and sunglasses.  Investigation continuing.

 

Burglary / Possession of Burglary Tools - Suspect Arrested

November 8 at 3:27 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a suspicious subject in the area of 200 North Grand.  Due to the time of morning and the area having many recent burglaries, the officer stopped to talk to the subject.  During the contact, the officer found the subject was in possession of a crow bar, car stereo, and other burglary tools.  An area check was conducted for evidence of a crime and a vehicle missing a stereo was found a short distance away.  The owner of the vehicle confirmed his vehicle had been burglarized and the stereo found on the suspect detained was, in fact, the one missing from his vehicle. 

Police Officer's Gun, Badge and Car Stolen

Reserve El Monte police officer who lives in Monrovia has his car, containing gun and badge, stolen from in front of his house. http://goo.gl/amWZI

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment May Have Deal with Fiat

Monrovia's AeroVironment has installed more than 10,000 residential car chargers in the US, and may get a deal with Fiat. http://goo.gl/X6GqH

- Brad Haugaard

See Hacked City of Monrovia Web Pages for Yourself

I have an email in to the City of Monrovia asking about the city's hacked website, and I'll let you know what I hear back. But I'm beginning to wonder if anybody even believes me that the website actually has been hacked (earlier articles: http://goo.gl/9NznM and http://goo.gl/KIyuV ). So, if you want to see the hacked pages for yourself in your browser, the easiest way is to just look at what Google found when it visited the pages. We do that by looking at Google's cache.

Again, the pages below do not appear hacked for a regular visitor to the website, just for Google, so ...

Here is one of the city's Viagra pages as it appears to you ( http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/monrovia-public-library ) and here is the same page as Google sees it: http://goo.gl/x847G

Here is a city Cialis page as it appears to you ( http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/city-government/elected-officials ) and here is the same page as Google sees it: http://goo.gl/4rgZu

Here is a whole set of Google results with dozens of infected pages. (Roll over the almost invisible >> button to the right of each search result, then click on the "Cached" link.): http://goo.gl/AqPRk

Also, you can view the pages directly by changing the user-agent on your browser to "googlebot" ( http://goo.gl/Jxh3i ), but I'd avoid that unless you're a techie.

- Brad Haugaard

Video of 210 Bridge Artist's Sketchbook | Rita's Italian Ice | Stuff the Monrovia Fire Engine

~ A short video of award-winning artist Andrew Leicester's Gold Line Bridge design sketchbook on display as part of Pasadena Art Center's "Pages" Exhibition. http://goo.gl/b45HI

~ Rita's Italian Ice (apparently popular on the East Coast) store may be coming to Monrovia area. http://goo.gl/MY5Yg

~ Stuff the Monrovia Fire Engine to make a child's Christmas more enjoyable. Nov. 23-24 in front of the Krikorian Theater. For details contact Firefighter Ernie Moreno, 256-8181.

- Brad Haugaard

Freeway Lane Closure | Vets Day | City Survey

~ Nov. 8, from 2 a.m. to 1 p.m. two eastbound 210 lanes will be closed for bridge crews "to remove the last remaining falsework from the freeway median."

~ On Facebook Mayor Mary Ann Lutz invites you to a Veterans Day observance at Library Park on Monday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m.

~ Monrovia wants your thoughts for direction in its planning, so look for a survey in your water bill, call 932-5555 x1402, text 219-0845 or e-mail planmonrovia@ci.monrovia.ca.us , or attend a meeting. Two listed here: http://goo.gl/ydrVx

- Brad Haugaard

The Local Winners

Soon serving Monrovia ...

- Judy Chu (D) [over Jack Orswell (R)] in Congress (27th District), handling the of top Monrovia, roughly from Hillcrest/Grand/E. Greystone north.

- Grace Napolitano (D) [over David Miller (R)] in Congress (32nd District), handling the rest of Monrovia.

- Carol Liu (D) [over Gilbert Gonzales (R)] in the State Senate.

- Chris Holden (D) [over Donna Lowe (R)] in the Assembly.

Also, Measure J passed, meaning we will continue to pay the transportation tax begun under Measure R. (Update: Oops! I stand corrected. It got a majority but not the required two-thirds.)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Area Election Results

Results after polls close at 8 p.m.

Here are links to results for our local races:

Results for 27th District U.S. House of Representatives
Note: This is the top sliver of Monrovia, roughly from Hillcrest/Grand/E. Greystone north.
Jack Orswell (R) vs. Judy Chu (D):
http://rrccmain.co.la.ca.us/charts/0012/0012CD27.htm

Results for 32nd District U.S. House of Representatives
Note: This is the rest of Monrovia, roughly from Hillcrest/Grand/E. Greystone to the south.
David Miller (R) vs. Grace Napolitano (D):
http://rrccmain.co.la.ca.us/charts/0012/0012CD32.htm

Results for 25th State Senate District
Carol Liu (D) vs. Gilbert Gonzales (R):
http://rrccmain.co.la.ca.us/charts/0012/0012SD25.htm

Results for 41st Assembly District
Chris Holden (D) vs. Donna Lowe (R):
http://rrccmain.co.la.ca.us/charts/0012/0012AD41.htm

Results for Measure J
http://rrccmain.co.la.ca.us/charts/0012/0012CMMJJ.htm

Results for anything else you'd like to track
http://rrccmain.co.la.ca.us/

- Brad Haugaard

News Photographer Finds Trouble at Polls | Election Day Giveaway | Native American History

~ Press photographer told he was not permitted to take pictures in Monrovia polling place. Poll worker backs down. http://goo.gl/uDE0K

~ Election day giveaway, a beautiful photo of Monrovia at night. http://goo.gl/awz7I

~ Monrovia Historic Museum is featuring Native American Heritage this month with exhibits from the early 1900s, exhibits honoring our schools, the Pottenger Health Sanatorium, Native American and natural history artifacts from the city's 120 year history. Details: 357-9537 or (909) 297-6356. Hours: Thursday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Free.

- Brad Haugaard

Voting Day in Monrovia

Vote today! Haven't had time to vote yet but it looked pretty busy as
I drove by my polling spot. The before-work crowd.

- Brad Haugaard

A State Bowl Game for Monrovia? | Business Stats

~ Sports writer Steve Ramirez wonders if there is a state bowl game in Monrovia's future. http://goo.gl/kilqY

~ Some interesting stats about business from the latest Monrovia Today magazine:

- There are 1,300 businesses in town that create 18,000 jobs and pay $8 million in sales tax. - The top 50 employ nearly 7,400 people and pay $5.2 million in sales tax, or 65% of the sales tax. - Top three business categories (by revenue) are autos (50%), retail and grocer (36%), manufacturing (7%).

Comment: I like that Monrovia actually seems appreciative of its businesses, unlike a certain state government I could mention, which seems to want to burden and threaten them at every step.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Switchblade is 'Invention of the Year' | Donate by Text | Job Videos

~ Time magazine calls the Switchblade drone, made by Monrovia's AeroVironment, one of the best inventions of 2012. http://goo.gl/osXPG

~ Monrovia Presbyterian Church is suggesting its members donate $10 to Presbyterian Disaster Relief to help Hurricane Sandy relief efforts by sending a text saying "PDA" to 20222. The church says "Presbyterian Disaster Assistance ... gives 100% of the funds to help those in need." http://goo.gl/4Jwy2

~ Monrovia Library adds "Soft Skills" videos to its Job and Career Center. http://goo.gl/GjUEP

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Xencor Has Anti-Tumor Drug | Help Hurricane Victims | Black Alumni Banquet | Fire Danger Today

~ Monrovia's Xencor and its German partner are reporting encouraging signs for its new anti-tumor drug for some types of leukemia and lymphoma. http://goo.gl/BsNUD

~ Monrovia Mayor suggests a donation to help Sandy hurricane victims through the Red Cross. 1-800-HELP-NOW or www.redcross.org/abc .

~ Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association will honor James Mikell and William Hale, Jr. at a scholarship dinner-dance Nov. 17 at Embassy Suites in Arcadia. Call Eloise Hart at 529-5671 for ticket info.

~ Fire danger today. http://goo.gl/xzgSS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Trying Out a New Shotgun, Rock vs. Truck Window, Stolen Acura

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 1-4. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Vehicle Vandalism

On November 2 at 5:57 a.m., a vehicle was reported vandalized in the 700 block of West Huntington.  It was determined that a rock was used to break the window of the victim's Dodge RAM truck.  The victim has no idea who would vandalize his truck as he is not from this area.  Investigation continuing.

 

Grand Theft Auto

On November 4 at 2:52 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of South Shamrock.  The victim parked the vehicle on the street at 11:00 p.m. in the evening and locked the doors and windows.  The victim looked outside the window at about 2:30 a.m. and saw vehicle was missing.  The vehicle stolen was a 1996 Silver Acura.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Unlawful Discharge of a Shotgun / Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On November 4 at 10:01 p.m., a 45-year-old male subject was in an alley in the 200 block of West Lime and he unlawfully and intentionally fired his new shotgun in the air.  He then drove away from the scene in a blue jeep with the shotgun.  He had been visiting family in the 200 block of West Lime and was returning to Los Angeles.  Officers located and stopped the male subject a couple blocks from the scene and found the shotgun in the vehicle.  The subject was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol.  The ejected shotgun shell casing was found in the alley next to the house he had been visiting.  The suspect was arrested for negligent discharge of the weapon and for driving under the Influence of alcohol.

The Big One? | Aztec Hotel Meeting | Local Artists Work on Sale | Monrovia vs. Calabasas | Forest Service Building | Unity Needs Volunteers | Christmas Tree Lighting

~ Is the "big one" coming? Earthquake consultant April Keley told the Monrovia Coordinating Council today that it looks like "the trend line is toward a tipping point." She said in a big quake there could be a 30-foot offset to Cajon Pass with all power and water cut off. "Don't expect any help for two weeks." Only 10 percent of people have made any preparation, she said.

~ Monrovia Historic Preservation Group will have a meeting at 5 p.m. this Wednesday (Nov. 7) at the Aztec Hotel about the preservation of the hotel.

~ Art for sale from local Monrovia Association of Fine Arts artists, Nov. 24, noon to 8 p.m. at 418 S. Myrtle. Featuring Stephen Coleman's photos of spaceship Endeavor coming to Los Angeles.

~ Monrovia School Board member Ed Gililland said Monrovia is playing Viewpoint (Calabasas) in football playoffs this Friday at Monrovia.

~ Also, Gililland, retired from the Forest Service, said the new Forest Service office at Santa Anita and the freeway should be opening Dec. 11.

~ With holidays coming up, Foothill Unity Center needs help for food distributions. If you would like to help, call Raina at 358-3486 or email volunteer@foothillunitycenter.org.

~ The tree-lighting ceremony for Monrovia's new Christmas tree (at northeast corner of Library Park) will be at 6 p.m. December 6. Parade to follow at 7 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Lawn-Sign Poll

In a pre-election unscientific lawn-sign poll, I wandered around
Monrovia and looked at signs to get a feeling for how the city will
vote on the candidates. I went up and down on Magnolia and California
and wandered at north and south ends of town.

I didn't see a single candidate sign south of Duarte Road, just anti-32 signs.

I saw two Obama signs south of Huntington and north of the freeway,
but most signs for both parties were above Foothill.

Overall I saw 12 signs for Republican candidates and 10 for
Democratic candidates.

Totally unscientific.

- Brad Haugaard

Land Clearance for Monrovia Gold Line Project

The land just west of The Home Depot is being cleared for the Gold Line.

- Brad Haugaard