Closing in on a Superintendent | Monrovia Summer School | Baseball Bat Arrest | Book Sale

~ The Monrovia school board will hold a closed session meeting June 3 at 9:30 a.m. to narrow down a list of candidates to interview. The winner will replace Linda Wagner as Superintendent. http://goo.gl/BjmpI

~ Details on Monrovia Schools Foundation summer enrrichment program. http://goo.gl/3wQjB

~ Suspect arrested in string of baseball bat robberies, including one in Monrovia.

~ Throughout June Friends of the Monrovia Public Library bookstore (in the Library) will have adult books and media with a light green dot on the spine are half-price. Regular prices are from $0.25 to $2.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assembly Member's Bills Pass Assembly

Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, had two bills approved by the Assembly. They will now go to the State Senate. They are:

- AB 143, which will to give active duty military personnel a tax break when they are transferred into California. The Military Use Tax Exemption would eliminate use taxes - a type of sales tax - on personal property purchased by an active duty military member who has been transferred into the state.

- AB 250 establishes an iHub ("innovation hub") program to help start-up companies and creates the iHub Accelerator Fund as part of the state treasury to accept private funding to operate the program. It was approved on a vote of 63 to 2. Holden said establishing the fund "will allow the state to compete for grant funding from the federal government, private sector and foundations."

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Search and Rescue | Monrovia City Link Starting | The Accursed

~ AeroVironment apparently thinks its drone aircraft would be useful for search and rescue. It announced on Twitter that it is "excited to exhibit at the National Assoc for Search & Rescue Conf (May 30 - June 1)."

~ Monrovia City Link is a new mentoring project that connects a high school student with a college student, and that college student with a professional adult. City Link is looking for students and professionals to be part of the pilot program. Former School Superintendent Linda Wagner helped start the program. http://goo.gl/HWPGb

~ On June 25th, Novel T's, a book club at the Library, will discuss "The Accursed" by Joyce Carol Oates, a Gothic mystery described as "Ragtime" in Dracula's castle. All are welcome. Discussion begins at 6:45 in the Library Community Room. Light refreshments.

- Brad Haugaard

Assembly Approves Bill by Monrovia's Assemblyman to Encourage Governments to Buy California Food

The Assembly today unanimously approved a bill by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, to promote California livestock, vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Under Holden's AB 199 Choose California Act, state agencies, public schools districts and public colleges would be encouraged to give California agriculture producers priority when purchasing food products.

"This bill would help 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," stated Assemblymember Holden.

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.

AB 199 passed on a vote of 70 to 0. Earlier in the session the measure was approved by the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee and the Assembly Agriculture Committee. It now moves to the Senate.

Source: Holden press release

Comment: This bill has been vastly improved. It was originally terrible because it would have forced various California governments to pay more for food. But it has been amended so now it simply "encourages" the purchase of California food. No problem with that. http://goo.gl/dICtM

- Brad Haugaard

The Artist at Work on Monrovia Train Station | Market Grill Number 1 | Head Start Program Hit

~ At work on the art of the new Monrovia Gold Line station. http://goo.gl/PXsBE

~ Monrovia's Market Grill, first stop on an LA hamburger tour. http://goo.gl/X1Blk

~ Monrovia Head Start program affected by sequester. http://goo.gl/p0f07

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Fundraiser: Chuck a Pie at a Teacher

Monrovia High Interact Club has what should be a very successful fundraiser planned for tomorrow, May 29: "Come to the quad Wednesday at lunch to throw a pie at a teacher. It is $1 for one pie, or $2 for three. All proceeds go to the Monrovia Relay for Life, to help fight cancer." http://goo.gl/OoYsD

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Chasing a Cop Till He Catches You; Man Walks Home, Flusters Family; DUIs; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 23-26. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Commercial Burglary – One Suspect Arrested

May 23 at 1:54 p.m., a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain called to report a shoplifter in custody. Two suspects, a male and a female, entered the store, while a third suspect waited in a vehicle outside. The male suspect selected merchandise and handed it to the female, who then concealed the property inside her purse. The female suspect exited the store without paying for the merchandise. A loss prevention officer detained the female, but the male suspect was not located. The male suspect and the suspect waiting in the car fled the scene before police arrived. The female suspect was arrested for burglary and two outstanding warrants. A computer check revealed she is currently on parole for burglary and has two outstanding drug related warrants. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs / Possession of Marijuana – Suspect Arrested

May 24 at 12:16 a.m., an officer noticed a vehicle traveling north on Peck Road with a broken taillight, following too close to a vehicle, and changing lanes without signaling, so he conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle struck the curb while pulling over for the officer. When he approached the vehicle, he noticed the driver appeared to be under the influence of drugs. The officer conducted a DUI investigation and subsequently arrested the driver for DUI. During a search of the vehicle, he located a useable amount of marijuana in the vehicle.

Vandalism

May 25 at 12:06 a.m., an officer responded to the report of vandalism in the 700 block of California. The victim parked his Chevy Tahoe in an alley. Suspect(s) in a white, two-door vehicle, possibly a Honda, drove by the Tahoe and struck the vehicle with a baseball bat. The Tahoe was hit two times within a 30 minute period. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested

May 25 at 10:24 a.m., officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Primrose and Pomona. Upon arrival, they located a converted school bus, now being used as a motor home, with several subjects inside. Officers contacted the subjects and determined one of them had an outstanding warrant for petty theft. The subject was taken into custody for the warrant.

Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer by Means of Threats – Suspect Arrested

May 25 at 1:42 p.m., officers were completing a call and, as the last officer drove away, two subjects from the incident began yelling obscenities at the officer. One of the subjects chased the officer's police vehicle on foot, while yelling and challenging the officer to fight. The officer approached a stop sign, approximately 300 feet away from the original call, and saw the subject was still chasing and challenging him, and was now approaching his patrol vehicle.

The officer positioned his vehicle several feet away from the subject, requested backup, and exited his vehicle to deal with the subject. The subject continued running towards the officer, threatening to fight him. The officer drew his Taser and the subject stopped. The suspect was arrested for resisting and delaying a peace officer by means of threats.

Warrant / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested

May 26 at 1:11 a.m., police received a call reporting three subjects acting suspicious around a vehicle in the area of California and Colorado. Officers arrived and contacted three subjects. One of the subjects was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest. When the officer attempted to arrest the suspect for the warrant, he tensed up and struggled with the officer, attempting to pull away. Another officer had to assist in taking him into custody. The suspect was arrested without further incident.

Driving Under the Influence / Obstructing and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspects Arrested

May 26 at 3:10 p.m., an officer on patrol noticed that a vehicle traveling south on Myrtle almost struck a detour sign, so he conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The female driver appeared to be under the influence. The male passenger exited the vehicle and became argumentative with the officer and removed his t-shirt. The officer requested backup and removed his Taser. The suspect told the officer to go ahead and Tase him, but when he saw assisting officers approaching, he placed his hands behind his back. He was arrested for obstructing and delaying an officer without further incident.

The officer then completed his investigation on the female driver and determined she was driving under the influence; she was arrested. The passenger later admitted that he thought if he was arrested, it would distract the officer away from the DUI driver, his girlfriend.

Critical Missing Located

May 26 at 6:40 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 400 block of West Huntington regarding a missing person. A 65-year-old male was shopping with his family at the business and he became bored and wanted to go home. His family told him to wait by the door and they would be out soon. When the family was ready to leave they could not find him. They looked all over the store and then called police. Officers responded and searched the area, put out a missing person's flyer, and contacted surrounding agencies. Just after 8:00 p.m., the family called and said he had returned home. The man had walked home from the store in Monrovia to his home in Rosemead.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered

May 27 at 2:13 a.m., an officer on patrol in the 3300 block of South Peck Road observed a white van parked on the street. He ran a computer check on the van and found it was reported stolen out of Pico Rivera. The van was recovered.

Assemblymember Holden's Water District Bill Heads to the Governor's Desk

A bill by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, to standardize the start date of newly-elected Municipal Water District Directors has been approved by the State Legislature and is now on its way to Governor Brown for signature. It is the first bill from freshman Assemblymember and Majority Whip Holden (D-Pasadena) to pass the legislative process.

Holden applauded his colleagues' bipartisan support "for this common sense, good government bill designed to limit the 'lame duck' term for outgoing Water District Directors." Holden added, "This bill will ensure water districts are able to move swiftly between terms and critical business is not delayed unnecessarily."

Here's the problem: Newly elected directors of California Water Districts take office on the first Friday in December, while those elected to Municipal Water Districts must wait until the first Monday after January 1st, making it difficult to proceed with municipal water business until new members are seated some 60 days later.

Testifying in favor of the bill was sponsor, Three Valleys Municipal Water District President Bob Kuhn, who noted following the hearing, "We are pleased with the Legislature's positive response to AB 72. The bill establishes good governance for all Municipal Water Districts and we urge the Governor to sign this valuable piece of Legislation."

AB 72 passed the California Senate on May 24th by unanimous consent. It was approved in the Assembly earlier this year. If signed by the Governor, it would go into effect January 1, 2014.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia HIV Lab Trying to Raise $30 Million | City Budget Study Session

~ Immunotech Laboratories of Monrovia, which is researching treatments for diseases such as HIV, has signed a deal with investment banking firm, Curing Capital, which will attempt to raise $30 million for the company. http://goo.gl/SqhlB

~ There will be a study session at the Monrovia City Council about the city's 2013-2015 fiscal budget. May 29, at 4 p.m. in the Council Chambers. You can chime in if you want as there is time on the agenda for public input. http://goo.gl/21nXW

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia has New Electric Bike Shop

New electric bike shop on E. Olive. http://goo.gl/Tq90J

- Brad Haugaard

Vintage Planes do Memorial Day Fly-Over

If you missed the Memorial Day fly-over, here is a great picture of the planes. Look like WWII era to me. http://goo.gl/5mv8L

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia: Favorite Downtown, Best Air Conditioning Company

Today's Star-News (May 26) has a "San Gabriel Valley's Best" magazine insert with readers choice awards. Monrovia has two bests-in-the-valley:

- Air-Tro is the "Best Air Conditioning and Heating Company."

- Old Town Monrovia is the "Favorite Downtown," yet Glendora somehow has the "Best Downtown." Huh?

And you'll be interested to know that California Institute of Advanced Management - ever heard of it? - is the "Favorite College/University" while PCC is the "Best College/University." Uhh. I think I'll consider this a just-for-fun survey.

- Brad Haugaard

Beating on Sequoia Circle in Monrovia

A Twitter report of seven people beating up on one, on Sequoia Circle, which is off Royal Oaks just east of Mountain. This evening.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Mosley in CIF State Meet | Paul Dols - Teacher of the Year

~ Monrovia High's Sidney Mosley to compete at CIF State meet. First time in 32 years. http://goo.gl/YblYU

~ Monrovia High's Paul Dols - district's teacher of the year. http://goo.gl/ggaHD

- Brad Haugaard

Remembering a Monrovian for Memorial Day

Remembering Monrovian Bettie Mae Scott, who died in service to her country during World War II. http://goo.gl/VW8RH

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Bella Sera

Lunch yesterday at Bella Sera, on Myrtle in Old Town. Got the Emiliana panini, prosciutto ham, mozzarella and basil ($11.95). And an iced tea ($2.50). Plus tax and tip. A white-tablecloth kinda place. Nice fresh bread with oil and vinegar for appetizer. I dipped the sandwich in the vinegar. Gave it a nice tang. Good. 

- Brad Haugaard

A Boost for Restoring Monrovia's Old Fire Engine?

Jim Wigdon, president of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, writes that things may be looking up for the restoration of the city's ancient fire engine:

"With Chris Kidd of Tired Iron Works [auto restoration, on Foothill] getting behind the effort to raise funds to restore the 1917 Seagrave pumper, one of Monrovia's first fire engines, perhaps momentum will now accelerate to bring this project to fruition."

- Brad Haugaard

'Kit Homes' in Monrovia

A kit home on Encinitas.

Monrovia is home to an as-yet unknown number of "kit homes," houses that actually came in a kit for the owner to assemble, often from catalog retailers such as Sears or Montgomery Ward.

In the latest issue of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group's newsletter, Sylvia Dohnal writes that they were developed in 1906 by Aladdin Homes of Bay City, Michigan, and were popular for about 30 years.

She writes that in Monrovia there are two on El Nido, as well as models on Myrtle, Encinitas, Ivy, Primrose, Palm, Lime, Canyon and Wildrose. And likely others.

- Brad Haugaard

Weekend Festival | Blood Drive

~ Festival of the Foothills, 740 S. Shamrock. Carnival rides, food, games, bands. May 24-26. Friday 6-11 p.m., Saturday 1-11 p.m., Sunday 1-11 p.m. http://goo.gl/5FYZh

~ Mt. Sierra College blood drive, May 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. http://goo.gl/5FYZh

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Competing to Get a Facelift

Old Town Monrovia is the only Southern California "Main Street" competing for a facelift - including paint for facades, porches, railings, shutters and other exterior building trims - against 100 cities across the country.

On Wednesday, Benjamin Moore, a paint manufacturer and color authority, announced its biggest initiative ever to revitalize communities across North America through the launch of "Main Street Matters," according to a press release issued by the paint company.

The campaign asks consumers around the country to cast their vote online for which 20 Main Streets should be revitalized of the more than 100 North American cities nominated at www.paintwhatmatters.com. Monrovia was selected by the company, though representatives did not indicate why Monrovia was chosen. The other California cities are Martinez, Gilroy and Eureka.

Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said she was very excited to learn about the opportunity - especially when public funds that used to be available to assist with these types of facade improvements have been harder and harder to come by in recent years.

"We are very grateful to be included in this program, and are hoping that Monrovians and all Southern California residents will cast their votes for our beloved Old Town," Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said.

Old Town Monrovia is the symbolic heartbeat of the community, and has proven to be a regional attraction because of its weekly Friday Night Family Festival, beautiful Krikorian Move Theater, and an abundance of quaint stores, eateries and public amenities such as the public library.

The effort will be undertaken with the help of multiple partner organizations around the country, including Make It Right, a long-time partner of Benjamin Moore that was founded by actor-philanthropist Brad Pitt. Brad Pitt will be lending his voice in support of the effort that Benjamin Moore is undertaking with Main Street Matters.

In addition to partner organizations, this effort will be brought to life with local Benjamin Moore dealers and in conjunction with local municipalities, small businesses and local Chambers of Commerce. The effort will begin this summer and the work on repainting these Main Streets will be completed over the next year.

"Our Main Streets are the vital hubs of our communities - and Benjamin Moore and our network of independent dealers have always been integral parts of Main Street," said David Melançon, Chief Marketing Officer of Benjamin Moore. "This investment we're making in communities around North America is core to our business and to who we are; Main Streets make us who we are and we're proud to honor that with this effort.

Benjamin Moore will not only provide the paint and supplies needed for facades, porches, railings, shutters and other exterior building trims, but its color experts will consult on the best choices to enhance the architectural style, regional influences and historic references in each community. Skilled professional painters, many of them members of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America, will be hired, putting another segment of local business to work along with the local Benjamin Moore retailer who will be mixing the paints that are used.

The communications portion of "Main Street Matters", which allows local businesses and community members to tell their stories, includes not only the online component, but also is being supported by an aggressive advertising program. A mix of national and local market TV, radio, online and print ads will hit North America starting in May as part of the company's overall increase in marketing, which is up 61% compared to the previous year.

Voting began at 12:00 a.m. EST on May 16, 2013 and will end at 11:59 p.m. EST on June 30, 2013. Benjamin Moore will post the final list of Main Streets and towns to be repainted on www.paintwhatmatters.com in July.

For more information and a list of nominated cities across the U.S. and Canada, please visit www.paintwhatmatters.com.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard