News: brad.haugaard@gmail.com   •  Restaurants   •  Library Catalog   •  Library Activities  •  History   •  Facebook / X/Twitter / RSS

Monrovia School Board Election: Williams and Zucco Win

Williams and Zucco win seats on the Monrovia School board.

Final results

Terrence Williams: 1,127
Alexandra Zucco: 933
Ruhiyyih Nikole Yuille: 732
Scott Pomrehn: 493

...with 15 of 15 precincts reporting.

- Brad Haugaard

Former Monrovia Assemblyman Tim Donnelly Announces Run For Governor

Conservative Republican Tim Donnelly, who represented Monrovia in the State Assembly prior to redistricting, has officially announced his candidacy for governor on Facebook. He writes: "Today, I was proud and honored to officially announce my candidacy for Governor of California." He adds, "I'm in it to win." His website: http://goo.gl/2qjzvC

Comment: I think this is a long shot, but then I thought his race for the Assembly was a long shot and he surprised me. Anyway, it will add spice to the governor's race.

- Brad Haugaard

Sports Reporter Picks Monrovia Over San Marino

Star-News sports reporter Steve Ramirez is predicting a win for Monrovia in this Friday's championship football game against San Marino (7 p.m. in San Marino). Steve Ramirez says both teams are good at scoring but Monrovia's defense looks stronger. http://goo.gl/DgefSS

- Brad Haugaard

Voting Day in Monrovia - Two School Board Positions Open

It is voting day in Monrovia. You can select up to two candidates to fill two open positions on the Monrovia School Board. Your voting location is on your voting pamphlet. And if you need a refresher about the candidates, here's some info: http://goo.gl/WOUQXL

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Stabbing on a Bus; Stolen Vehicles; Drugs and Driving; Etc.

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

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Downtown Monrovia Halloween Event
On October 31, over one thousand people dressed in costume attended Monrovia’s Halloween event on Myrtle Avenue.  During the event, one female adult suffered a seizure and was cared for by police explorers until officers and paramedics arrived.  The explorers also assisted in locating a missing purse at the event.  The street was closed from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the Halloween event.

Outside Assist / Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Suspect Arrested
October 31 at 6:02 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting a stabbing on a bus at Longden and Peck, involving two victims.  The suspect was last seen running north on Peck toward a nearby church.  Monrovia Special Enforcement Team officers responded and conducted a search, locating the suspect in the church.  He was detained and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department was notified after it was determined the incident occurred in the county area of Arcadia.

Grand Theft From a Vehicle
October 31 at 10:00 p.m., an officer responded to the 700 block of West Foothill regarding a theft from a vehicle.  The victim reported that someone had entered her vehicle and had stolen her laptop, iPad, and backpack.  The vehicle was parked on the street and had no signs of forced entry.  The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 1 at 2:25 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle at Myrtle and Huntington for a vehicle code violation.  After investigation, the driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Stolen Vehicle – Suspect Arrested
November 1 at 11:00 a.m., an officer was investigating a vehicle theft that had occurred the day before at a business in the 100 block of West Chestnut.  The business owner suspected an employee, as a vehicle had gone missing before.  The vehicle was recovered by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department around the corner from the employee's residence.  The officer spoke to the employee, who admitted taking the vehicle.  He said the vehicle broke down on him and he was unable to return it before the business opened.  The employee was arrested for grand theft auto and held for bail.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
November 2 at 2:32 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle on Huntington and Myrtle for a vehicle code violation and discovered the subject had been drinking.  The driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Stolen Vehicle
November 3 at 2:27 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1000 block of Royal Oaks.  The victim last saw his car in his parking space on November 1.  When he returned to his vehicle on November 3, it was missing.  The victim had left the keys in the car.  The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vhicle
November 3 at 4:35 p.m., an officer responded to the parking lot of a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a stolen truck.  The victim had parked his work truck, a blue, 1999 Nissan containing gardening equipment, in the parking lot.  When he returned to the area where he parked the truck, he found broken glass on the ground and the truck missing.  The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
November 3 at 7:31 p.m., an officer on patrol in the 100 block of West Foothill observed a speeding motorist.  The motorist was stopped and found to be an unlicensed driver.  A computer check revealed the motorist had an outstanding warrant for his arrest issued by the Glendale Police Department and he was also found to be in possession of marijuana.  The subject received a citation for the unlicensed driver and possession of marijuana charges, and the Glendale Police Department responded and took custody of the subject for the warrant.
 
Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity
On November 2, Special Enforcement Team officers conducted an Alcoholic Beverage Control Party Patrol from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.  One male adult was cited for an open container of an alcoholic beverage at a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle.

Monrovia Robot Competition | Interviewing for City Manager | Boy & Girl's Club Grows | Unity Center | Thanksgiving Service

~ Monrovia High is hosting a robot competition from area high schools on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the gym (aka "Event Center"). School Board Member Ed Gililland said Monrovia has a "great robotics team."

~ City Council Member Becky Shevlin reports that the city is in the interviewing stage for a new city manager. Current city manager, Laurie Lile, is retiring.

~ The Monrovia Boys and Girls Club is growing. Executive Director John Wilsom reports that there are 75 kids on the waiting list to participate in its programs.

~ With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center could use help in providing food and services to local needy families. It could use food, including pet food, and time. If you'd like to help, call Raina at 358-3486 or email volunteer@foothillunitycenter.org

~ The Interfaith Council of Monrovia will hold a Thanksgiving service Nov. 21 from 7-8 p.m. at Monrovia United Methodist Church at 140 E. Palm. The council represents various religions. Bring a can of green beans for a food collection if you go.

- Brad Haugaard

White Christmas | Hunger Games | Free Movie | Animals

~ The Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka the Monrovia High auditorium) will present Irving Berlin's White Christmas on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m., Dec. 7 at 2 and 8 p.m., and on Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com .

~ Free Hunger Games challenge at the library for 6-12 graders on Nov. 16 from 6-9 p.m.

~ Free Monday movie night at the library, 6 p.m. Nov. 18. About an American Indian princess but library won't give exact name, so you'll have to guess.

~ Free "Animals 101" event at 4 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the library. For grades 1-8 to learn about critters.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Rotary Honors Herb Hezlep and Detro Sells for More Than 50 Years of Service


Herb Hezlep (left) and Detro Sells (right).

The Rotary Club of Monrovia will honor two of its longstanding members on Tuesday November 5, 2013 at Cafe Opera in Monrovia.  Herb Hezlep and Detro Sells each have over 50 years of service to the Monrovia community as members of the Monrovia Rotary club.

Herb Hezlep

Herbert Hezlep has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley. In 1950, he joined his father’s small hardware manufacturing company, Acme General Corporation, which eventually was expanded from its base in Monrovia, California, to Canada and Europe. Herb served as executive vice president, president, and chairman of the board before retiring in 1988. Active in his community, he has served as president and board member of the YMCA of Monrovia and board member of Huntington Medical Research Institutes in Pasadena.

Herb followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Rotary Club of Monrovia in 1958. He became club president in 1964-65, district Group Study Exchange chair in 1967-68, and district conference chair in 1973. Herb has been an active supporter of the Group Study Exchange program over the years and considers it his favorite Rotary Foundation program.

Herb and Elizabeth have been married for over 57 years. They have four children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandson. Liz is a retired society editor for the local newspaper and remains active with the Luminaires, a support group for the Doheny Eye Institute. Herb and Liz support The Rotary Foundation through the Herb Hezlep Endowed Fund.

Detro Sells

Detro Sells was inducted into Rotary Club of Monrovia in 1962 and served as President in 1982-1983.

He graduated from Williamsport, Indiana high school and moved to Detroit looking for work.  There he met Bliss, and they were married in 1941.  When WW II came to the USA, Detro joined the Marines. An exceptional marksman, he was ultimately assigned to the defending headquarters unit for Admiral Nimitz of the United States Navy.  His unit served in Hawaii and Guam and other locations.  Bliss had returned to Indiana while Detro finished his tour of duty.

After the war, Detro and Bliss traded their home and furnishings in Williamsport for a 1947 Pontiac and trailer and headed west.  They arrived in California in 1949, staying first with relatives in Temple City.  Work after the war was very difficult to find but Detro had some skill working on radio cabinets.

During a job search he heard about California Furniture in Monrovia.  He and Bliss visited the town and found ‘an open city with people out and about.’  Detro met the owner of California Furniture, a Rotarian named Neil Hunter.  Neil offered Detro a job paying $55 a week; a few years (and hopefully a few raises) later, Detro became a partner in the firm.  After Hunter’s retirement, Detro and Bliss opened Sells Furniture at 627 S. Myrtle in 1960, and in 1962 Detro joined The Rotary Club of Monrovia sponsored by Neil Hunter.  Sells Furniture prospered until Detro’s own retirement at age 75, in 1997.

In addition to his term as President of the Rotary Club of Monrovia, Detro was President of the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce in 1976 and also served as Chairman of the Monrovia Merchants Association.

Bliss was ‘a jewel’ among the Rotary Anns, organizing blood drives for the Red Cross as well as bake sales and numerous club events.  Detro’s favorite quote at his demotion was from Past District Governor and fellow Monrovia Rotarian George Carlson:  “Detro, I don’t know whether to give this award [The George Carlson Award] to you or to Bliss.”

Detro and Bliss, married since 1941, have been a team of professional success for years.  Detro and Bliss were blessed with four daughters:  Georgia Jean; twins Sandra Leigh and Susan Marie; and Lana Gail.  They have grandchildren and great grandchildren that can’t be counted on fingers and toes.

Source: Rotary press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Commissioned to Build Ship-Launched Drone | Fire Danger | WWII Display | Mayor Interviewed

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment, Inc. has been selected by the federal government's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone designed to operate from small ships to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The contract is worth $2.3 million. http://goo.gl/5kzecN

~ National Weather Service is predicting gusty Santa Ana winds with elevated fire danger starting tonight through Wednesday for the San Gabriel Valley and other areas. http://goo.gl/8eujii

~ The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group reports in its newsletter that the Monrovia Historical Museum has a new exhibit that pays homage to the service men and women who participated in World War II. Items include an autograph by the pilot of the plane that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima.

~ Attorney Patricia Corrales interviews Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz on KGEM. http://goo.gl/7WsssS

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Guts Monrovia Home

Monrovia home on Royal Oaks gutted by fire. Everyone safe. http://goo.gl/pIHNXQ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Art Show | Dia De Los Muertos | Station Square | Vets Day

"A Beautiful Moment" by W. Jason Situ

~ A one-man show of works by W. Jason Situ, Nov. 9-30, at Segil Fine Art, 110 West Lime. Opening reception, Saturday, Nov. 9, 5-7 p.m. Wine, appetizers, live music and the artist.

~ Dia De Los Muertos today (Nov. 2) starting at 11:30 a.m. at Live Oak Memorial Park on Duarte Road. http://goo.gl/J2uFkq

~ The City Council will hold a special meeting about the Station Square Transit Village on Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. Discussion will cover design concepts, timelines, etc. http://goo.gl/rkh1kU

~ Monrovia city offices and facilities will be closed for Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Allied Veterans Council is hosting a Veterans Day event in Library Park at 11 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Democrats Endorse Williams and Zucco

According to a tweet by LA Democrats, the Monrovia Democrats organization has endorsed Terrence Williams and Alex Zucco for School Board.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Jim's Burger


Lunch at Jim's Burger. On Duarte Road near the Arcadia border. Got a pastrami sandwich ($7.25) and small drink (85 cents). Very nice. 

- Brad Haugaard

Benefit Art Show and Scholarship Fundraiser Dance

~ Foothill Pregnancy Resource Center art show with music and auction today, Nov. 1, 7-10 p.m. at Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm. Tickets $50. 358-2122.

~ Monrovia Latino Heritage Society scholarship fundraiser dance, Saturday, Nov. 2, 7:30-11:30 p.m. at Monrovia Masonic Center, 204 W. Foothill. $25 at the door.

Source: http://goo.gl/b0hIb3

- Brad Haugaard

Here's How to Prep for the Monrovia School Board Election

The election for the Monrovia School Board is coming up on Nov. 5. Here are some resources that may be helpful in deciding how to vote:

~ My impression of the candidates at a forum: http://goo.gl/W2qwS7

~ Candidate profiles from Patch: Scott Pomrehn http://goo.gl/c0XXsk , Terrence Williams http://goo.gl/mejnOg , Ruhiyyih Nikole Yuille http://goo.gl/mmrdt2 , Alexandra Zucco http://goo.gl/vGcyo2 .

~ A Star-News overview: http://goo.gl/zTFhRF

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Composting | Free Veggies! | Prayer Breakfast

~ A composting workshop has been scheduled for tomorrow, Nov. 2, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in Recreation Park. Tips for successful gardens, from worms to drought-and-fire-resistant landscaping. Compost and worm bins will be available for Monrovia residents to purchase at a discounted price, and free mulch. http://goo.gl/MMJEo0

~ Produce in the Park, tomorrow, Nov. 2, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the Lime and Myrtle corner of Library Park. Bring spare produce from your garden and take home other people's spare produce.

~ All Nations Church, 1948 Peck Rd., will hold a prayer breakfast Saturday morning. http://goo.gl/ANWxUL

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween in Monrovia


Want to know what a Trunk or Treat looks like? I was wondering myself, so I went down to First Presbyterian Church. Decorated car trunks with goodies for the kids.


Then I dropped by Brad Hori's house, on Maple just west of Hwy Esplanade. This thing jumped out at me from his mailbox and scared my socks off, but not as much as his pet attack-spider.


And of course, Alta Vista north of Hillcrest always does it up big. Scary music, scary fog, scary lights. The street is blocked off to cars, so it's wall-to-wall trick-or-treaters.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Chamber: Great Turnout for Trick or Treat; Winners of Annual Chamber Awards


Monrovia Chamber of Commerce suggests thousands have turned out today for its Old Town Trick or Treat fest. (Photo from Facebook)

Also, the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce has selected winners for its annual awards:

The Iris Award, Citizen of the Year, goes to Mark Still, Curator of Exhibits Monrovia Historical Museum.

The Monroe Award; Business Person of the Year, goes to Diane Balsamo, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

The Dick Lord Award, for outstanding contributions to the Chamber, goes to Shawn Davis, Route 66 Weekly.

Also, two new awards. The winner of the New Member Business of the Year will be announced in December, and the Military Service and Stewardship Award will go to Chuck Keen for his work for veterans.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: City Getting Out of Animal Control Biz; Merit Pay for Cops; Station Square; Etc.

At its Nov. 5 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/QEHXWO ), the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider contracting with the Pasadena Humane Society to provide "full animal control services" for Monrovia. "Effective January 1, 2014, Monrovia will no longer have animal control officers." http://goo.gl/SZMiUj

~ Consider reinstatement of merit step salary increases for members of the Monrovia Police Officers' Association "to reduce the attrition rate of public safety employees and related recruitment and training costs for the City of Monrovia." http://goo.gl/8wv5Mb

~ Have a 5:30 p.m. study session on the Station Square Public Improvements Concept Design.

~ At 7 p.m. recognize graduates of the Monrovia Area Partnership Leadership Academy.

~ Chat in closed session conference with its labor negotiator regarding contracts (I assume) with the Monrovia Firefighters' Association and Monrovia Police Officers' Association.

~ Consider adopting the latest California Building Standards Code. http://goo.gl/HtBlxu

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Congresswoman, Judy Chu, Introduces Veterans Bill

Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Monrovia, has introduced The Veterans Education Counseling Act to improve GI Bill educational benefits counseling process. It directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to differentiate between Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Chapter 36 Educational Counseling. http://goo.gl/clh5ON

- Brad Haugaard