Microbrewery Coming to Monrovia | Rain Friday? | Football Players Pick Schools

~ Pacific Plate Brewing Company, Monrovia's first microbrewery, to open soon. http://goo.gl/1EF1d

~ A good chance of rain on Friday. http://goo.gl/z4y0H

~ Three Monrovia Wildcat football players make their college picks. http://goo.gl/Cfcn1

- Brad Haugaard

'Another Kid's Treasure' Store Opens

A reader notes a new business, owned by a Monrovian, that I missed. He writes:

It is called Another Kid's Treasure and it is located at 1309 S. Shamrock. It's a consignment shop and deals in clothing, gear, toys and such for babies, kids, and moms, including maternity wear. They have a website at www.monroviakids.com or the store can be visited during its open hours on Wednesdays from 9:30 to noon; Thursday's from 3 to 5:30: Friday's from 11 to 2; and Saturday's from 11 to 4.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fire Department on an Early Call

Photo: Monrovia fire trucks make an early call this morning. http://goo.gl/jz789

- Brad Haugaard

Will Aztec Hotel Shed Shed?

The Aztec Hotel reports on Facebook that it will ask the city's permission to remove this shed on the north side of its parking lot to provide more room for cars.

Monrovia Police: He Wasn't Really Looking for His Dog; Grand Theft Seafood; Burglars in Beemers; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Jan. 31-Feb. 3. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Commercial Burglary - Suspects Arrested

January 31 at 11:11 a.m., two juveniles, 17 and 15 years old, went into a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain. They both concealed Internet cable connectors in their waistbands and were detained by store loss prevention. They admitted their intent to enter the business and steal the items. They were arrested and taken into custody for the offense, and later released to parents.

Residential Burglary - Three Suspects Arrested

January 31, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department contacted a suspicious male subject in the area of Lemon and Ranchito and requested a Monrovia officer respond to the location. The officer responded and contacted the subject. The subject was not from the area and told the officer he was looking for his dog that had wandered away. The subject had no wants or warrants. He was identified and released. The officer had a strong suspicion the subject was lying about his activity in the area and he continued to patrol the area.

A resident contacted the officer and told him the male subject had met up with another male subject in a white shirt and they had left the area together. The officer located a subject in a white shirt who matched the description at a park in the 600 block of Shamrock. He contacted the second subject and while speaking with him, he observed a car with the windows open and keys in the ignition. The officer then left the location.

Believing the subjects were connected with the car, he and another officer watched the car from nearby. Within a short period of time, the two male subjects the officer had contacted and a third male subject ran to the car and got in. The officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle before they could leave the area.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located possible stolen property, including an Xbox and bicycle parts. While they were still searching the vehicle, a police dispatcher advised the officers that a call had been received of a home in the area with the front and rear doors open. The address of the residence matched the address on some documents found in the car the officers were searching. The three suspects were arrested for residential burglary. The suspects had forced entry through a rear door into the home located in the 1000 block of Oak Leaf and had stolen property from the residence.

Residential Burglary

January 31 at 12:39 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 300 block of North Canyon. The suspect(s) entered the home through an unlocked rear door. The loss was jewelry, camera equipment and a laptop. A male Hispanic with short hair with gel in it and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt was seen in the driveway around the time the crime occurred. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 31 at 2:24 p.m., officers responded to the report of a burglary in progress in the 100 block of Norumbega. A female Hispanic in a newer, dark grey BMW with paper plates that read "Discount Auto" was seen leaving the residence. Officers arrived and searched the area, but did not locate the suspect vehicle. Through further investigation, officers learned there were at least two people in the car. Jewelry and other items were taken in the burglary. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 31 at 2:34 p.m., a burglary was reported in the 100 block of North Myrtle. The suspect(s) entered the residence through an unlocked rear window. The suspect(s) gathered costume jewelry into a bag; however, it was left at the scene and no other loss was discovered. The burglary occurred sometime between 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. It appears the suspect(s) were scared off and left the location prior to taking any property. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

January 31 at 4:36 p.m., police responded to a business in the 3300 block of South Peck Road. A silver, 1992 Toyota sedan was stolen from the business lot sometime after 2:20 a.m. The vehicle had traffic collision damage to the right rear quarter panel. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism

February 1 at 9:31 a.m., vandalism was reported at a business in the 900 block of South Myrtle. Suspect(s) etched graffiti into four panes of glass. No suspects were seen. The incident possibly occurred in the evening or early morning hours. Investigation continuing.

Petty Theft

February 1 at 6:05 p.m., a cashier from a business in the 400 block of West Huntington reported that a female Hispanic suspect left the store with a cart full of groceries without attempting to pay for the food. She loaded the groceries into a dark SUV and fled east on Huntington. Officers checked the area, but did not find the suspect. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

February 2 at 10:46 a.m., two commercial tractor trucks with attached trailers loaded with seafood were reported stolen from a business in the 1700 block of South Mountain. The theft occurred sometime after 10 p.m. A white vehicle could be seen in the surveillance video. Four suspects exited and walked out of view toward the trucks. The trucks were started and warmed up, and then driven out. The tractor trucks were a white, 1999 Peterbuilt and a gold, 2004 Peterbuilt. The investigation is continuing.

Armed Robbery / Attempted Carjacking - Suspect Arrested

February 2 at 5:34 a.m., officers were dispatched to a hotel in the 700 block of West Huntington regarding a robbery investigation. The victim arrived in his vehicle and parked in the hotel parking lot. As he exited his vehicle, a male suspect approached and told the victim to give him his cell phone. The suspect brandished a handgun and took the victim's cell phone and car keys. The suspect attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle would not start and the alarm sounded. The suspect exited and left the area on foot, northbound through the parking lot. The suspect took the victim's keys and cell phone. Officers responded and located the suspect in the area and detained him. The suspect was positively identified by the victim and was arrested and taken into custody.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman's 'Choose California' Farm Products Bill

Assemblyman Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has released a statement about his bill that would require government institutions to buy California produce first ( reported on earlier here: http://goo.gl/2ff4h ). The press release says:

Under AB 199, state-owned or state-run institutions would be required to Choose California farm products. Public institutions - such as public schools, prisons or hospitals - would have to buy agricultural products grown in California before buying from out-of-state suppliers.

"It just makes sense to put California-grown crops first," said Assemblymember Holden. "It's a win-win for everyone. The public institutions get a locally-grown product, we're helping create opportunities for our farmers and a new appreciation for local food helps stimulate the economy.

Choose California is similar to the federal Buy America Act that requires government entities to buy American. In order to get preferential treatment, state-grown products must not exceed the price of those grown out-of-state by more than 5%.  School districts must purchase California grown products first as long as they aren't more expensive than out-of-state products.

"California farmers strongly support having California government institutions purchase food grown in our state," California Farm Bureau President Paul Wenger said. "This bill would introduce more Californians to the amazing variety of agricultural products grown in the state and help them develop the healthy habit of seeking out nutritious, affordable California-grown foods, which will have long-term benefits to farmers and the agricultural economy."

According to the Department of Food & Agriculture, California is the number one state in agricultural output with farms and ranches earning a record $43 billion last year.

Comment: The only thing that escapes me about this is: Why is it necessary? Isn't California still an amazing agricultural powerhouse? Isn't it cheaper to ship produce from the Imperial Valley or Central Valley than from out of state? And if so, why is it necessary to force local governments to buy California produce? If for some reason it is cheaper to get produce from out of state, then this seems to be a 5% additional cost on the produce purchased by California schools. Schools aren't on a tight enough budget already?

- Brad Haugaard

Antonovich Provides Quarter of a Million for Monrovia Park

Monrovia City Council Member Becky Shevlin reports that County Supervisor Michael Antonovich has authorized $250,000 to help upgrade Monrovia's Julian Fisher Park. Shevlin said the park actually needs about a $1 million for a full upgrade, but $250,000 is a great start.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Reads Fundraiser | Black History Month

~ Monrovia Reads is having a fundraiser on Thursday, March 7, from 6-9 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Monrovia. Tickets are $50 per person. Call Diane Delmatoff for tickets: 303-6600

~ Celebrating Black History in Film, with the Pasadena Cow Girls. Feb. 9, 5-8 p.m. at Julian Fisher Memorial Park at 915 S. California Ave.

~ Also for Black History Month, "At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality," Feb. 24, 2-5 p.m. at Monrovia United Methodist Church.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Organizations I Hadn't Really Heard About

Organizations I didn't really know about in Monrovia:

- The American Legion (for veterans) meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Community Center.
- Tzu Chi (corner of Palm and Ivy) does relief, medical, educational and cultural projects. It has been involved in Hurricane Sandy relief.
- Moms Club of Monrovia. Playdates, excursions, park days, discussion groups, service projects and more: http://goo.gl/BFZrT

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Maryknoll Card Party

Maryknoll sisters in Monrovia will hold a Happy Hearts luncheon and card party on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the Maryknoll Guild, Annex Building, 300 Norumbega Drive, in Monrovia. Luncheon is at noon and card players may come at 10 a.m. We play all kinds of cards: Bridge, Canasta, Rummy or Cribbage. Single card players will be matched to complete a table of four. $15 per person. Call for reservations: (626) 358-1825

- Brad Haugaard

Skunk in Monrovia to Film Commercial

Skunk Productions films American Express commercial: http://goo.gl/MVbds . Picture: http://goo.gl/Xuf00

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Rubio's

Lunch at Rubio's, the Mexican restaurant next to Toys R Us in the Huntington Oaks shopping center. Got The Original Fish Taco plate for $6.49 and an iced tea for $1.69, plus tax. Nice.

- Brad Haugaard

Artsy Bridge | At the Monrovia Library | Success!

~ Gold Line bridge featured as work of art. Artsy pictures: http://goo.gl/A3GJj

~ Upcoming at the Library this month ( http://goo.gl/735kE ):
 - Feb. 5, noon to 1:30 p.m. LinkedIn for Job Seekers.
 - Feb. 9, 1-3 p.m. Native and Edible Gardens.
 - Feb. 16 1-4 p.m. Using Your Computer to Make Money.
 - Feb. 26, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Novel T's Book Club.

~ Monrovians speak on business success. http://goo.gl/cO0AU

- Brad Haugaard

Will City Settle Developer and Metro Lawsuits? | Bacteria | Urban Rescue Equipment

At its Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/zxDtF ) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider settling three rail-line related lawsuits, two between Monrovia and Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority, and one between the city and developer Samuelson & Fetter, LLC, which initially sued for $106 million ( http://goo.gl/JgdeM ). The staff report, here - http://goo.gl/Nvrgk - gives no detail about the terms of the proposed settlements.

~ Consider an agreement with the Gateway Cites Council of Governments to share costs for cleaning up the LA River (I think the river down the 605 dumps into the LA River), because it has too much bacteria. http://goo.gl/tYbFc

~ Consider whether to use $29,282.94 of Homeland Security money to buy urban search and rescue equipment. http://goo.gl/zaJr4

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Stats | New Dental Office

~ Some interesting statistical information about Monrovia from the latest city newsletter (scroll down a bit): http://goo.gl/BMwup

~ New dental office in town. http://goo.gl/yxB0V

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Police to Destroy Toy Gun, Student Suspended; Car Theft; Residential Burglaries

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Jan. 28-30. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 386 service events, resulting in 80 investigations.

Juvenile Problem

January 28 at 11:42 a.m., officers were dispatched to an elementary school in the 200 block of Jasmine Avenue. A 10-year-old student was found to be in possession of a plastic Airsoft pistol. The student said he left it in his backpack from the day before and forgot he had it in the backpack. He showed it to a fellow student. The fellow student later reported the incident to school personnel. The principal called the student in and retrieved the Airsoft pistol. There were no plastic BB's or magazine clips with the pistol. The student's parent was notified and responded to the school. The parent later surrendered two additional Airsoft pistols and requested Monrovia Police Department have them destroyed. No injuries were reported and the school will be suspending the student. The incident was documented.

Grand Theft Auto

January 28 at 7:11 p.m., police responded to the 600 block of Vaquero on the report of a stolen vehicle. The victim parked and locked her vehicle on the street at 4 p.m. in the evening. She returned to her vehicle the next day a little after 7 p.m. and discovered it had been stolen. The vehicle is a blue, 1991 Toyota Camry. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 29 at 10:33 a.m., police dispatch received an alarm call from a residence located in the 400 block of Parkrose. The alarm was heard by neighbors who checked outside after a few minutes and saw the front door of the residence was open and called police. Officers responded and realized the front door appeared to have been kicked open. Containment of the area was established and the residence checked. No suspect(s) were located or seen by neighbors. It appears the suspect(s) kicked the front door and headed straight to the master bedroom. The loss appears to be costume jewelry. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 30 at 3:54 p.m., police responded to the report of a burglary in the 200 block of North Mountain. The resident left at 7:20 a.m. and returned at 3:30 p.m. Upon her return, she discovered her home had been broken into and ransacked. The loss was jewelry from the master bedroom. The suspect(s) entered through an unlocked living room window and ransacked the entire residence. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 30 at 11:12 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 400 block of Norumbega. The crime occurred between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. The suspect(s) forced open the front door and the house was ransacked. Jewelry was stolen from the location. The investigation is continuing.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Xylem Spa Opening in Old Town Monrovia

Xylem (pronounced zy-lem) Salon & Spa, at 198 S. Myrtle in Old Town, will hold its grand opening celebration on Feb. 10 from 3-7 p.m. It will include a journey throughout the Salon and Spa to experience complimentary Aveda Sensory Rituals for skin, body, hair and make-up, along with complimentary gift bags, and exclusive incentives. To RSVP, call 539-3244.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Talk to Teens About Money

Talking to Teens About Money, a free three-night series. The basics of handling money. Feb. 5, 12, and 19 - all Tuesdays - from 6:30-7:15 p.m. at the Library.

- Brad Haugaard

Overturned Car on 210 Backs Up Homebound Traffic | Chu: Government Cuts Hurt 2012 Economy

~ At this moment an overturned car on the 210 East at Azusa is blocking the middle lane, traffic is backed up to Lake. http://goo.gl/0Byc8

~ Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Monrovia, says on Facebook of the report that the economy declined in the last quarter of 2012: "The fact that GDP growth shrunk shows how cutting government spending hurts the economy. Businesses need certainty to prosper. That's why we must reduce our debt responsibly - but not with draconian sequestration cuts."

- Brad Haugaard

City of Monrovia Waxes Poetic About Unmanned Time Warner Communications Center

The City of Monrovia reports - in poetry, believe it or not - that Time Warner has finished building an unmanned facility at 446 E. Duarte Road. The facility houses electronic equipment necessary to provide video, data, and wire line phone services. http://goo.gl/ggYuV

- Brad Haugaard