If God Used Twitter | Monrovia Holiday Events | Holiday Sounds | Baseball Fundraiser

~ First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia will have a series of Christmas sermons entitled, #HowChristmasMightHaveBeenIfGodUsedTwitter. Hark, I Bring You Good Tweets of Great Joy! http://goo.gl/JgZqM

~ Holiday events in Monrovia. Christmas tree lighting, holiday parade, home decorating, Santa tours: http://goo.gl/D0wxJ

~ Classical holiday sounds at the Monrovia Library, Dec. 8, 1-3 p.m. Le Petit Duo, violinist Paul Stein, and the Sterling Flute Choir. Free.

~ Monrovia Youth Baseball League will have a fundraiser Dec. 1 and 2 at the California Pizza Kitchen parking lot at 110 S. California Ave., in West Covina. 20% of your check will go to the league. Info: (626) 814-4400. You need to print out this flyer: http://goo.gl/NeIIY

- Brad Haugaard

Plan Monrovia - What Should the City's Priorities be in the Next Five Years?

The City of Monrovia would like residents thoughts about what its priorities should be over the next five years. Here is the press release, and ways to comment at the bottom.

Monrovia, CA – The City of Monrovia is pleased to announce the launch of Plan Monrovia, a strategic planning process that engages and solicits community feedback to build a roadmap for Monrovia for the next five years.  Using a new comprehensive community engagement website, developed by MindMixer, citizens can engage, communicate and collaborate with city leaders and other residents on future planning for the city.  

Plan Monrovia is about understanding and voicing the highest priorities for the community and developing City services that meet those needs.

Along the way, the Plan Monrovia website will be used as an online tool to generate new ideas and feedback from citizens to help the city prioritize projects. The goal is to obtain widespread input because as the city moves forward, leaders want to know what is important to every citizen in Monrovia. 

Feedback from the engagement website will be used by the city manager and other planners in order to create a roadmap for Monrovia’s programs and services for the next five years. 

While Monrovia’s budget is structurally balanced, since 2008, the City has seen a 17% reduction in staffing positions, a $2 million cut of expenditures to some of the city’s key programs.  Sales tax revenues have been down 25% and property taxes remain flat.  This means that the city must prioritize the programs and services it provides and take a new look at what Monrovia could be doing. 

“We are looking to the community to help answer the question, ‘What are the most important things the City should focus on over the next five years,’” said City Manager Laurie Lile.  “Like most cities in California, our resources are more limited now, which means we may not be able to provide all of the services we used to or perhaps not in the exact same way. The purpose of this process is to engage our residents, businesses, students, and all Monrovians in discussion about how City resources should be allocated to the community.” 

Plan Monrovia gives contributors a chance to share new ideas, second others’ ideas, expand upon existing ideas and give feedback on initiatives, working with the city on a variety of topics online anytime, anywhere. 

The discussion will start with topics like these, and branch off from there based on contributor input: 

• What are your priorities for Monrovia?
• For every $1,000 of city funds, how would you divvy up the money? 

Plan Monrovia measures and tracks participation, identifying the most interested citizens and most compelling topics. MindMixer’s tools make it easy for administrations to communicate back with citizens, and they deliver measurable results and invaluable insights for the city. 

“Monrovia is committed to making this process transparent and interactive.  We are listening and eager to hear your thoughts and ideas,” says Mayor Mary Ann Lutz.  “I hope everyone in our community gets involved in this process, and I encourage all Monrovians to sign on to PlanMonrovia.org.  All of the ideas and community voices expressed go into how the City Council makes decisions about programs and services in our upcoming 2013-2015 budget.” 

Nick Bowden, CEO of MindMixer, says, “Our tools go beyond just technology. Our mission is to build community contributors. Ideas, voices and perspectives are shared to facilitate deeper and better conversations that yield actionable insights and a stronger community.” 

As part of its service, MindMixer consults and collaborates with clients to identify issues that are critical to stakeholders in order to update topics and content for their websites.
Apart from the PlanMonrovia.org, the City of Monrovia is offering a myriad of high and low tech ways for Monrovians to get involved and discuss what they value about Monrovia:

“What are the most important things the City should focus on over the next five years?” 

Community Workshops
December 11, 2012
Tuesday, 7-9pm
Monrovia Community Center
119 W Palm Ave, Monrovia, CA

January 12, 2013
Saturday, 9-11am
Calvary Chapel Monrovia
123 W Pomona Ave, Monrovia, CA

Email us
PlanMonrovia@ci.monrovia.ca.us

Call us
(626) 932-5555 x1402

Text in your answers
(626) 219-0845
(text messaging rates apply)

Follow us on Facebook & Twitter
City of Monrovia,
@MonroviaCA, #PlanMonrovia

Monrovia Police: Backflow Valve Swiped, Fighting Over Child, Electronics And Car Stolen, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 20-25. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the highlighted issues and events for November 20-25.

 

Theft From a Vehicle

November 21 at 2:13 a.m., police dispatch received an alarm activation from a car dealership in the 1400 block of South Shamrock.  Officers responded and detained a male suspect at the location without incident.  The suspect stole CD's and coins from a vehicle that had been left at the dealership for repairs.  Investigation continuing.

 

Theft of a City Backflow Valve

November 21 at 10:30 a.m., a City backflow valve was reported stolen from the 300 block of West Cypress.  The theft occurred sometime during the night.  Investigation continuing. 

 

Criminal Threats / Battery on a Peace Officer / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer - Suspect Arrested

November 21 at 3:00 p.m., officers responded to a report of criminal threats in the 800 block of Alta Street.  The suspect was sitting on a car that belonged to the female victim's son.  When the victim asked the suspect to leave, he threatened to kill the victim and then tried to force his way into the victim's house.  Officers arrived and detained the suspect.  Once the suspect was told he was being arrested, he began to fight with the officers and attempted to run from them.  The suspect was taken into custody and arrested for the above listed charges.

 

Grand Theft Auto

November 21 at 4:15 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 400 block of East Huntington.  The vehicle is a white, 1999 Honda Civic.  Investigation continuing.

 

Fire Assist

November 23 at 2:22 p.m., police dispatch received a call reporting a possible structure fire.  When officers arrived, they found a wooden fence on fire as a result of a resident cooking a turkey in a deep fryer.  Apparently, oil spilled over and caught a portion of the fence on fire.  A neighbor then decided to protect his side of the fence with a garden hose, which made the situation worse.  Monrovia Fire Department personnel responded and managed to put the fire out, limiting the damage to about 15 feet of fence, only. 

 

Child Endangerment / Domestic Battery / Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

November 24 at 9:29 p.m., officers were on patrol in the area of Shamrock and Huntington when they saw a female exit a vehicle and take a child out of the backseat of the vehicle.  The male driver then exited the vehicle, approached the female, and began trying to take the child from her, pushing her.  Officers detained them and learned they had left a party due to an argument, which continued as they were driving home.  The female said she did not want the child witnessing them arguing so she took the child out of the car.  The driver of the vehicle was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested for the above listed charges. 

 

Domestic Battery - Suspect Arrested

November 25 at 2:20 a.m., officers responded to the 300 block of East Lime Avenue regarding a boyfriend and girlfriend fighting.  Officers arrived and determined the male subject was intoxicated.  He and his girlfriend got into an argument and he hit his girlfriend in the head with his fist, causing a large bump.  The male suspect was arrested for domestic battery.

 

Residential Burglary / Grand Theft Auto

November 25 at 8:37 p.m., a burglary was reported in the 1100 block of Sesmas Street.  The residents were away from their home for a day and returned to find all of their electronics missing, which included two big screen TV's, DVD players and a PlayStation. The suspect also took a set of car keys and stole the victim's Nissan Maxima.  The suspect(s) cut the screen on a back window that leads into a bedroom.  The window had been left unlocked.  It appears the suspects exited through the front door.  The investigation is continuing.

Holiday Books and Media at Friends of Library Bookstore

The Friends of the Monrovia Library Bookstore will begin selling holiday books and media Monday, Nov. 26. The childrens' books apparently are very quick to go. The Friends bookstore is right in the front door of the Library.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Wins, In Title Game | Fried Fence

~ Monrovia Wildcats win over Sierra Canyon Trailblazers, 42-31. Will face Paraclete in next Friday's title game. http://goo.gl/XwWcH

~ Fried fence for Thanksgiving. http://goo.gl/zOapC

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Football: 'First Real Challenge' | Gourmet Hot Dogs Coming | Library Closed

~ Monrovia football gets its "first real challenge" tonight. http://goo.gl/i3MbM

~ S'Links Gourmet Hot Dogs coming to Monrovia next year. At Myrtle and Olive. http://goo.gl/UzwDX

~ Library will be closed until Monday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Thanksgiving, Monrovia!

There's lots to be thankful for, including just living in Monrovia, which I think is a great town!

- Brad Haugaard

Will Monrovia Councilman Joe Garcia Retire?

Will Monrovia Councilman Joe Garcia retire at the end of his current term? http://goo.gl/wUZ3L

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Five-Year Plan Tool | City Commissions to Discuss Plan | Antonovich

~ Monrovia is inviting residents to use the tools at http://www.planmonrovia.org/ to indicate what they believe the priorities of the city should be. "Your ideas and the ideas of your neighbors will add to the planning process, as part of the city's five-year plan."

~ There will be a joint meeting of the city's various commissions at the Library to discuss strategic planning for the city on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. http://goo.gl/qaqYI

~ The City Council will hold a special meeting at the Library with Supervisor Michael Antonovich on Nov. 28 at 8 a.m. to discuss items of interest to both the city and county. Details: http://goo.gl/TkxiJ

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Thanksgiving from Monrovia's Mayor

On her Facebook page, Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz writes:

"Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Let us not forget the original Thanksgiving first celebrated in 1621 when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians shared a fall harvest. This is the basis of our country, everybody working together to harvest and everyone sharing in the celebration! God Bless Amercia!"

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia 12-Year-Old Gathers Gifts for Poor Children Around the World

Grayson with the gifts he has collected for poor children around the world.


Twelve-Year-Old Monrovian Grayson Wade has collected donations and packed 128 shoe-boxes with gifts for needy kids around the world.

His mother writes ...

"Grayson first became aware of Operation Christmas Child when he was a Cub Scout and his group each packed a box.  Last year he set a goal to pack 50 boxes and ended up packing 64.  This year he set a goal of 75 and ended up with 130.  For several months he collected donations from family, friends, and local businesses.  Carmine's Restaurant in Arcadia also allowed him to have donation boxes at their counters this year and last.

"This past Sunday was the big drop-off day for the packed shoeboxes. Arcadia Presbytarian Church is a major drop-off and collection point for our area.  Grayson arranged for his Boy Scout patrol to spend the afternoon assisting with the collection.

"Samaritan's Purse is a great organization that has many different charitable programs, and this year they're delivering the 100 millionth shoebox as part of their annual Operation Christmas Child program.
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php

"Grayson is turning 13 in December and is in the 7th grade at St. Rita's Catholic School in Sierra Madre.  His Boy Scout troop is Arcadia Troop 111."

COMMENT: Congratulations, Grayson. Well done!

- Brad Haugaard

Cookie Exchange for Multiple Sclerosis

Cookie Exchange for Multiple Sclerosis, Dec. 8 at United Methodist Church, 140 East Palm (downstairs). Bring six dozen cookies, take home five dozen and the rest go to MS Group of San Gabriel Valley. More than 100 raffle prizes; all proceeds to MS. For info, contact Janie Duncan (626)358-8157 or janieduncan@altrio.com. Source: Becky Shevlin

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Looking Good in Semifinals | Democrats to Select Representatives

~ Monrovia looking good for football semifinal. http://goo.gl/OhCCz

~ Plan Ahead: 41st Assembly District Democrats will meet Jan. 13 at the Teamsters Local 572 (518 W. Duarte Rd., Monrovia) to select 12 people to represent the 41st at the 2013 and 2014 State Conventions. To participate you gotta be a citizen, Democrat, registered, and living in the 41st. Details (Facebook): http://goo.gl/iYNVq

- Brad Haugaard

World Vision Evacuates Threatened African City

As rebels threaten the safety of the city, Monrovia-based Christian relief organization, World Vision, has evacuated staff from the eastern city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its program activities in Goma have been suspended. http://goo.gl/9VqV0

- Brad Haugaard

Mexican Restaurant Proposed for Monrovia's Aztec Hotel | Santa

~ A new Mexican restaurant is being proposed for the Aztec Hotel in the location previously occupied by the Brass Elephant. http://goo.gl/2JP4b

~ Santa Claus arrives in Old Town Monrovia at 10 a.m. this Friday. Live music and candy canes.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Davien Graham's Story, Sleeping Driver, Intoxicated Driver, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 15-19. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Gang Violence Reduction - A Success Story

On Sunday, November 18, 2012, the Los Angeles Times ran a two-part article in the local section about a young man, Davien Graham [Video here: http://goo.gl/y93AZ ], who in 2008 was the victim of a gang shooting in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County adjacent to Monrovia.  He was the victim of gang violence between two gangs that operated in the City of Monrovia and the unincorporated county areas adjacent to Monrovia and Duarte.  The article recounted his experience of being the victim of gang violence and of the subsequent trial where he testified against the suspect.  Davien showed strong character throughout his ordeal as he moved forward with his life and assisted Sheriff's investigators with the investigation and prosecution of the case.  The suspect, a Monrovia Nuevo Varrio gang member, was convicted of attempted murder earlier this year.

 

The article includes video and an interactive map about all of the violence that occurred in the region from 2006 to 2008.  The author talks about Davien's ordeal and the great strides he has made in his life, but leaves the reader with no understanding of the concerted efforts the community has made to reduce gang violence in this area. 

 

I would like to take this opportunity to inform the residents of Monrovia, Duarte and the surrounding unincorporated areas about the tremendous strides this area has made in reducing gang violence in this region.  These changes were accomplished through the cooperative efforts of the community members, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the Monrovia Police Department, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and city leaders from Monrovia, Duarte and the County of Los Angeles.  The collaborative efforts of everyone in our community have resulted in unprecedented reductions in gang violence in our area.  From 2008 to 2011, we have seen a 64% decrease in gang crime in the City of Monrovia.  The unincorporated county areas of Monrovia and Duarte have also seen significant reductions in gang crime.

 

In 2007, gang violence had escalated between three gangs that operated in the unincorporated areas around Monrovia and Duarte, the City of Duarte and the City of Monrovia.  Two of the gangs are primarily Hispanic: Duarte Eastside and Monrovia Nuevo Varrio.  The third gang is primarily an African-American gang, the DuRoc Crips.  The violence was primarily between the DuRoc Crips and the two Hispanic gangs.  In an effort to confront this increase in violence, the community members from all three jurisdictions came together in an unprecedented collaborative effort to reduce gang violence and stop the gangs from recruiting more children into their ranks.

 

We came up with a three-part strategy to reduce the gang violence that included prevention, intervention and suppression.  The Monrovia Police Department came up with an innovative crime suppression strategy to immediately stop the violence.  In collaboration with 18 of our surrounding San Gabriel Valley police agencies, we were able to provide extensive gang enforcement in the area.  These 18 agencies each provided officers to this region over a period of several months, while investigators worked diligently to get these violent gang members in custody.  The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department provided additional gang units to work the area and the California Highway Patrol provided a team of 18 officers to provide extra patrol in the area, as well.

 

All of these resources working together as a Monrovia/Duarte Gang Task Force were able to immediately stop the gang violence.  In the first 18 months, the task force was able to take over 40 violent gang members out of our community and successfully prosecute them for their crimes. 

 

The City of Monrovia and the County of Los Angeles, with the help of Supervisor Michael Antonovich, worked together to obtain a civil gang injunction against the Monrovia Nuevo Varrio and DuRoc Crip gangs.  The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office was instrumental in helping us obtain the gang injunction and trained Monrovia police officers and sheriff's deputies in the enforcement of the injunction.  This gang injunction has been a significant tool to help reduce gang violence in the City of Monrovia and the unincorporated county areas.

 

Prior to the increase in violence, community members from Monrovia who lived in the affected areas had become local neighborhood leaders as part of a new program called the Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP).  MAP leaders were instrumental in their neighborhoods to bring neighbors together, working on solutions to help stem the violence.  They went door-to-door in their neighborhoods talking to residents to dispel any rumors and providing them facts about crimes that were occurring.  They were also a big part of the organization of several peace rallies that occurred in Duarte and Monrovia.

 

Community church leaders were also instrumental in reducing fear and violence.  They hosted several community meetings to provide information to our citizens about resources available to individuals who would like to get out of the gang lifestyle and information on the gang injunction.  Community leaders from the City of Duarte and the City of Monrovia came together and created the Community Mediation Team (CMT).  The CMT met regularly to discuss strategies to reduce the violence, dispel rumors and bring all the resources of the community together to help at-risk youth.

 

Supervisor Antonovitch was instrumental in having this area designated as one of four trial sites for Los Angeles County's gang violence reduction efforts.  This program resulted in a number of prevention and intervention programs and resources being dedicated to our community.  Many meetings were held to obtain feedback from the residents on ways to reduce gang violence and prevent youth in our community from joining gangs.  All of the resources available to our community were identified through these meetings.  A Los Angeles County probation officer was assigned to work as a coordinator for our area.  This officer was also instrumental in obtaining funding for additional prevention programs.

 

The Monrovia Police Department created three innovative programs aimed at intervening in the lives of at-risk youth and preventing youth from going down the wrong path.  One program called the Chaplains for At-Risk Youth (CARY), utilized Monrovia Police Department chaplains to help families of children who were at risk of joining a gang.  When police officers would encounter or identify a child who was at risk, they would give this information to a police chaplain, who would then contact the child and their parents.  Many times the parents were unaware of their child's at-risk behavior.  However, chaplains were able to direct parents to resources in the community for counseling, substance abuse, after school care and tutoring.  Many families welcomed the help from the chaplain, where they may not have been so open to help from a police officer.  Another program we created in collaboration with the Monrovia Unified School District is the Monrovia Anti-Gang Intervention Committee (MAGIC).  MAGIC consisted of school counselors, police chaplains and gang officers.  This committee identifies at-risk youth in the schools and works collaboratively to provide resources to the families of these at-risk youth.  The third program is called the Formative Years Project.  The Formative Years Project is a parenting program aimed at parents and children in the first through third grade-children still young enough to listen to advice from parents, teachers and police officers.  Police officers provide training for the parents and the children to keep them safe and help prevent them from going down the wrong path.  Teens from local youth groups and school leadership groups help mentor these young children and work with officers as positive role models for these kids.

 

In our community, these three innovative programs have been instrumental in preventing kids from joining gangs and they continue to help us to intervene with kids who we identify that are at risk.  In 2010, the Monrovia Police Department won an international community policing award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police for these programs.  In 2011, the Monrovia Police Department won the James Q. Wilson Award from the California Regional Community Policing Institute for our Project Safe Neighborhoods, which included these intervention programs and our gang task force efforts.

 

Two summer programs to provide activities for youth at parks in the affected areas were created.  In the unincorporated county area of Pamela Park, the County of Los Angeles provided the Parks After Dark program.  This program was instrumental in providing a safe place for youth to come together with positive activities on weekend evenings.  In the City of Monrovia, a YMCA program offered positive activities for youth in Library Park on Friday evenings.  The County of Los Angeles also funded the Y-Life Project, which is a gang violence reduction initiative.  Intervention workers receive formalized training to work with youth probationers and local gang members to help them find jobs, get education, receive substance abuse counseling and direct them to resources helping them get away from a gang lifestyle.

These are just some of the many programs that are available in our community that have helped reduce gang violence and provide positive alternatives to joining a gang.  The collaborative efforts of everyone in our community have resulted in unprecedented reductions in gang violence in our area. 

 

These results could not have been realized without the collaborative efforts of everyone in this community, particularly of people like Davien Graham who stood up and did the right thing, helping law enforcement and prosecutors prevent gang members from victimizing others in our community.

 

Domestic Violence Warrant Arrest - Suspect Arrested

November 15 at 11:30 a.m., officers went to a residence in the 600 block of South Primrose to serve a domestic violence warrant.  When they arrived, the suspect was located and identified.  While officers were attempting to arrest the suspect outside of his residence, the suspect tried to get away from officers by running and jumping a fence.  A brief struggle ensued, but the suspect was taken into custody.  As a result of the struggle, the suspect and officers sustained minor injuries.

 

Residential Burglary

November 18 at 6:02 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of Monterey.  Upon arrival, they found the suspect(s) had entered the residence through the window of a backdoor and ransacked the home.  A family member who responded did not know what had been taken.  The owner was away at the time of the burglary.  Investigation continuing.

 

Injury Traffic Collision

November 18 at 7:52 p.m., police responded to an injury traffic accident in the 400 block of East Colorado.  A driver fell asleep at the wheel and struck a parked vehicle, which then pushed two other cars into each other.  The driver complained of pain to the wrist, but declined medical treatment after being examined by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics. 

 

Injury Traffic Collision

November 19 at 2:17 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 1500 block of California regarding an injury traffic accident.  A driver fell asleep while driving home from work and he struck a tree.  The driver was taken to a hospital for treatment. 

 

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision

November 19 at 4:49 a.m., a driver collided with a parked vehicle in the 200 block of Magnolia.  Officers responded and conducted a DUI investigation.  The suspect was arrested for driving under the influence.  Investigation continuing.

 

Ex-Felon With a Firearm

November 19 at 9:44 p.m., a witness called police to report seeing a man stash something in the bushes along a driveway in the 800 block of West Duarte Road.  The man returned a few minutes later and was detained by officers.  A loaded pistol was found in the bushes; the suspect was arrested for ex-felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Car Show Visits Monrovia | Food Distribution | Girl Scout Bake Sale

~ Video: The show, My Classic Car, comes to Monrovia "to have a peek at some vintage Mopar muscle cars at the legendary Pomona drags." http://goo.gl/bRmSH

~ Photos of Foothill Unity Center's Thanksgiving food distribution. http://goo.gl/dnmUF

~ Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bake sale and craft items for sale to benefit Monrovia-Duarte Girl Scouts. Handmade crafts by Girl Scouts and their families. First Baptist, 223 Encinitas, Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Shot in 2008 Discusses His Fears

Video: Man shot in 2008 in front of Monrovia church discusses his fears: http://goo.gl/ukWgA

- Brad Haugaard

Bright Light in Monrovia Sky

UPDATE: Explanation to letter below, from Lori LeVeque, of the Monrovia Police Department: "[W]e have reports of a transformer blowing that evening right about that time in the area of 5th and Huntington."

I just received this email from a reader. Did anybody else see this? Let me know. brad@bradhaugaard.com

"I arrived to my home in Monrovia around 1230am [last night, I assume], stepped out of my car, and while walking to the door there was an extremely bright light which lit up the entire sky and my street. I stood with my mouth open, because wtf, and then within a few seconds it happened again. Bright enough to light the street (reflection from cloud cover, but jeez). A blueish tinted white light. It originated pretty far west of my location (Mountain/Foothill).

"I listened for some kind of sound that would indicate an explosion/firework but did not hear anything.

"Is this something that you can find out about?

"I'm a nurse, I'm not too crazy. No gods, ghosts, or aliens. Just curious. Please let me know if you hear anything! Thank you."

COMMENT: I have an email in to the police department, but in the meantime I have a guess but I'd love to know if anybody else saw it. I would say it was distant lightning since the possibility of thunderstorms was predicted, and perhaps it was regular lightning, though  the silence doesn't seem to match that.

Here is a weird extra guess: When I was hiking in the mountains many years ago I saw ball lightning ( http://goo.gl/eb6Ox ). It was a ball of lightning that just drifted down from the clouds and then silently fizzled out, though I guess some explode.

Monrovia 43-6 Over South El Monte :-)

Monrovia victorious over South El Monte. http://goo.gl/9M0vj

- Brad Haugaard