Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California

Music Man Production Coming to Monrovia

A professional production of The Music Man will be presented at the Louise K. Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka the Monrovia High auditorium) on July 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and on July 20 at 2 and 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students and children age 12 and younger.

Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more and for seniors age 65 and older. VIP tickets, center section, rows 2 through 6 are available for $35. Rush tickets in the first row are $10 and will be sold on a first come first served basis before each performance.

Patrick Garcia, director of performing arts for the Monrovia School District, said this is a professional production, being produced with a hired creative team, with financial help by the music-oriented Boone Foundation. Garcia hopes to put on two or three professional productions each year. For tickets, call 800 838-3006 or get 'em here: http://goo.gl/onFCu

- Brad Haugaard

Motorcyclist Hits SUV at 100 MPH

Motorcyclist seriously hurt after slamming into SUV. http://goo.gl/P21wf

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia Schools Superintendent: Official Announcement

On Wednesday, June 26th, the Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. Katherine Thorossian as Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Thorossian will begin her duties on Monday July 1st.

Dr. Thorossian is currently serving as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in the Glendale Unified School District. She has served in this position since July 2008. Prior to that she was the Principal of Glendale High School from 2005-2008. From 1995 to 2005, Dr. Thorossian served as an Assistant Principal and Counselor at Diamond Bar High School in the Walnut Valley Unified School District. She also taught English in grades 9-12 at Diamond Bar High School from 1986 to 1995.

Dr. Thorossian earned her Doctor of Education Degree from the University of Southern California in 2009. She also earned a Masters of Science Degree in Counseling from California State University Los Angeles in 1986 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University California Los Angeles in 1984. She also completed the Association of California School Administrators' Superintendent's Academy in 2009.

Some of her honors include the Davidian Mariamian Educational Foundation Educator of the Year in January 2012 and the Glendale Council of Parent-Teacher Associations Honorary Service Award in January 2011. In 2009 She was awarded the Armenian-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles Women in Business Excellence award.

Dr. Thorossian is an active member of the Association of California School Administrators. She has also served as a YMCA Board Member, and is affiliated with the Sunrise Rotary International of Glendale, the Glendale Healthy Kids Board, and the Glendale Adventist Hospital Civic Advisory Board.

Source: Monrovia School District press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Theft from Unlocked Car; Purse Stealing; Burglary; Motorcycle Crash, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 24-26. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 510 service events, resulting in 92 investigations.

Theft From a Vehicle

June 24 at 1:37 p.m., a theft from a vehicle in the 1000 block of Oakleaf was reported to police. The victim parked her car in front of her house the previous night. When she returned to her vehicle the next afternoon, she noticed the glove compartment was open. A small amount of currency and miscellaneous items were taken. The victim had left the vehicle unlocked. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

June 25 at 1:00 p.m., a female subject was attempting to deliver documents to a business in the 800 block of West Foothill. She walked from her car to the front of the business and left her purse in the car. She found the business was locked. A male subject who had just exited his vehicle told her she could deliver her package to the rear of the business, as the backdoor was open. The woman went to the back of the building and found it was locked, also.

When she returned to the front of the business, she saw the male subject with her purse in his hand. He casually got into his car with the purse. She confronted him at his car demanding her purse. The subject started his car and drove away. The suspect is described as a male White in his thirties, driving a silver Mitsubishi with Carmax paper plates. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

June 25 at 6:21 p.m., police were dispatched to a residential burglary that occurred in the 1200 block of South Alta Vista. The victim came home from work and found the apartment had been broken into. Officers responded and cleared the apartment. No suspects were located and the investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

June 25 at 6:38 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 500 block of Parkrose. The victim parked his car in his driveway and believes he locked it with the alarm remote, but was unsure. He went inside his home for the evening. When he went to his car the next morning, he noticed some paperwork had been moved, but didn't think anything of it and drove to work. On his way to work, he noticed other items were missing from the vehicle. He called police and notified them of the burglary. When he returned home that evening, police responded and searched the vehicle for evidence. Investigation continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision

June 26 at 7:47, police responded to a traffic collision involving a bicyclist and a vehicle. The bicyclist was riding west on Royal Oaks, approaching Bradbury, when he was struck by a motorist who was turning left onto Bradbury. The motorist told the officer he could not see the bicyclist due to sun in his eyes. The bicyclist appeared to have minor injuries, but was taken to a hospital for exam as a precaution. The driver of the vehicle was cited for failing to clear the intersection before turning.

Injury Traffic Collision

June 26 at 11:49 p.m., an injury traffic collision involving a motorcycle was reported near the intersection of Peck and Live Oak. An Arcadia police officer was northbound on Peck, south of Clark. As he approached the intersection, a motorcycle quickly shot out of Clark to northbound Peck. The motorcycle continued to accelerate to a high rate of speed. As the officer caught up to the motorcycle and started to turn on his lights, the motorcycle locked up, began to skid, and hit an SUV. The motorcyclist was thrown from his motorcycle and hit the street. Monrovia police officers responded to the scene as the accident occurred in the City of Monrovia. The subject was taken to a hospital with head injuries. Investigation continuing.

Monrovia Schools Get New Superintendent from Glendale

http://goo.gl/RJEl5

New Monrovia Schools Superintendent is Katherine Thorossian, currently an assistant superintendent at Glendale Unified ( http://goo.gl/Jex7l ) and Deborah Collins is retiring ( http://goo.gl/F7ubW ).

Here is a list of current responsibilities I found for her at Glendale Unified. http://goo.gl/zJ6Ho

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Wilderness Preserve Finally Opens - Sort Of

The Sleepy Hollow access point to the Monrovia Wilderness Preserve, though unmarked, is now open (I'll tell you how to get there in a moment), but City Manager Laurie Lile said our recent forest fire means the Highland Place access point is still closed. She writes:

"Since we exchanged emails a few months ago, the situation has changed with the Highland Access. Because of the fire damage and potential debris in the area, that area is closed indefinitely until we can assess the situation and make the area safe for public access.

"The Sleepy Hollow access point is already open and accessible. Installation of the entry signage was delayed; however we estimate that will be completed by mid to late August. So far, this location has very few visitors except for people from the surrounding neighborhoods. As word spreads, the number of visitors will increase. However, because there is no parking provided at this access point and the signs are still under construction, we have not provided wide-spread notification that the Sleepy Hollow access point is now open.

"As previously indicated, I do not have estimated dates for opening the access points at Ridgeside and Cloverleaf."

Finding the Sleepy Hollow access point is a bit tricky. I saw no sign that says "Sleepy Hollow," and while the city website says it is "west of Starlit Lane" on Norumbega, which it is, I did not see a sign when I drove by for Starlit Lane. Perhaps the best way to show where it is is with a map:

View Sleepy Hollow Trailhead in a larger map

- Brad Haugaard

Bicyclist Hit on Royal Oaks | Earnings Down, Stock Up | Shop Chico's for Monrovia's Unity Center

~ Bicyclist hit on Royal Oaks. Minor injuries. http://goo.gl/yycfx

~ AeroVironment lost money but its stock is up. Why? Because analysts were expecting it to lose more, so in a funny way, it is good news. http://goo.gl/5cjjR

~ Shop at Chico's in Santa Anita Westfield Mall this Friday, June 28, from noon to 4 p.m., and the store will donate 10% of your total purchase to Foothill Unity Center. But you gotta mention Foothill Unity Center at the register.

- Brad Haugaard

Toasty Hot! | Evaluating Monrovia City Manager, Attorney

~ The National Weather Service has predicted it is going to be toasty hot - maybe over 100 - later this week and into next week. Monrovia will provide a cooling station at the Community Center, 119 West Palm. Details here: http://goo.gl/brJ2m

~ The Monrovia City Council will evaluate the City Manager and City Attorney at a special closed meeting this Thursday. http://goo.gl/lGnIH

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Reports Loss

The Wall Street Journal reports Monrovia's AeroVironment had a fiscal fourth-quarter loss of four cents per share: http://goo.gl/BTloM

LA Times adds that revenue was down 51 percent in the company's fourth quarter: http://goo.gl/BCoAI

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman Disappointed in Supreme Court Decision

A statement by Assemblyman Chris Holden:

"I am disappointed by today's Supreme Court Decision to invalidate the formula used to assess states' and counties' application of the 1985 Voting Rights Act. The Court focused its decision on the fact that the "racial gap in turnout" had been reduced in states subject to oversight since the 1980's.

I believe this is evidence that the Voting Rights Act has been working as intended and should have been left alone. The court's dissent noted that 700 state and local voting changes were rejected by the Department of Justice between 1982 and 2006-strong evidence that the coverage formula and federal oversight has averted minority voter suppression of various forms.

I certainly believe that the future of the Voting Rights Act is at risk. I call on Congress to set aside partisan difference and come together to redraft the coverage formula to restore this important piece of Civil Rights Legislation."

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library: More Computer Users Than Book Readers

Went to the adult section of the Monrovia Library this afternoon and took a flash count - 33 people using computers and 11 with a book, magazine or newspaper. And that 11 would have been even lower if it wasn't for students studying textbooks. I wonder where libraries are going.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Offers Dog Poop Disposal as an Advertising Opportunity

The City of Monrovia's Recreation Division has an advertising opportunity for local businesses - sponsor a dog-poop disposal-bag dispenser box. $425 to sponsor a "Mutt Mitt" box for one year. Details (bottom of page): http://goo.gl/OSLmn

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Driving Under the Influence; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 20-23. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Drugs – Suspect Arrested
June 20 at 11:27 p.m., police received a call from a citizen reporting a possible drunk driver in the area of Myrtle and Foothill. Officers responded and observed the driver swerving on the roadway and conducted a traffic stop. Through investigation, officers determined the driver was under the influence; the driver was suspected of being under the influence of both alcohol and prescription medication. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Unlicensed Driver / Possession of a Dangerous Weapon / Carrying a Concealed Firearm in Vehicle / Possession of Narcotic Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
June 21 at 8:52 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of California and Monrovista conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a vehicle code violation and discovered the driver was unlicensed. As he was conducting an inventory search to store the vehicle, he located a baton, a loaded semi-automatic pistol under the driver's seat, and a glass pipe used for smoking methamphetamine. The driver was subsequently arrested for the above listed charges.

Drones Spread from Military to Civilian Use

An article on drones in general and Monrovia-based AeroVironment in particular. http://goo.gl/iHMNL

- Brad Haugaard

Opinion: Monrovia, Please Don't Ban Plastic Bags

A Monrovia woman is planning to ask the City Council during its July 2 meeting to impose a ban on plastic bags in the city, according to a posting in the Nextdoor.com system.

Opinion: I really hope the Monrovia City Council does NOT do this. Why? 1. Because I don't think it is any of the city's concern if a business wants to use plastic bags and I don't like the current wave of governmental butting in to people's lives. 2. I have heard complaints by people who shop in Pasadena about its ban. If they are out and want to buy some stuff and they forgot to bring their tote-bag, tough, or they have to buy a bag. 3. There are health concerns with banning plastic bags because the alternative, re-usable bags, may spread disease. From a study of San Francisco's ban: "There is evidence, however, that reusable grocery bags, a common substitute for plastic bags, contain potentially harmful bacteria, especially coliform bacteria such as E. coli." http://goo.gl/dLYFX

- Brad Haugaard

Do We Have a Monrovia Schools Superintendent Candidate?

The Monrovia Board of Education will hold a special, closed meeting this Monday, June 24 ( http://goo.gl/ooSEq ), to discuss contract provisions for a new superintendent. After the closed session the board will publicly announce what it did in the closed session. Comment: Hmmm. Just guessing, but I wonder if the board has a candidate now and will make that person a contract offer in the closed meeting.

- Brad Haugaard

Layoffs at Monrovia Schools, Compensation for Teachers, Rules for Students, The Budget

At its Wednesday, June 26 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/INH9U ), the Monrovia School Board will consider, among other things ...

~ Laying off 10 part time classified employees (equivalent to 6.66 full timers) for lack of work ( http://goo.gl/Mzgll ), and hiring one new full time person in food services ( http://goo.gl/sRvYh ).

~ A compensation package for Monrovia teachers. Basically, it appears the teachers will get a boost in their health/welfare plan, but nothing else. For 13-14, 4.67%, for 14-15, 4.46%, for 15-16, 4.27%. http://goo.gl/q8NQo

~ A board policy for student conduct. A couple interesting items: no laser pointers except for instructional purposes, and no using electronics in class. http://goo.gl/yyao9

~ A board policy on nondiscrimination and harassment ( http://goo.gl/eo3QT ). Comment: I've always been wary of these things going overboard and essentially outlawing free speech and criminalizing disagreement, but this policy seems to limit violations to "severe" problems. Still, I would like to see a line that says something like, "Nothing in this policy shall be deemed to prohibit non-threatening discussion or disagreement."

~ The 2013-14 budget. http://goo.gl/mfeVS

- Brad Haugaard