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Handel's Messiah at Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church

Handel's Messiah - and other Christmas choral pieces - will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Monrovia Presbyterian Church (Myrtle and Foothill) by more than 60 voices coached by Dr. Peter J. Green - Chair of the Visual & Performing Arts Division and Professor of Music at Glendale Community College - The choir will be accompanied by harpsichord, organ, small orchestra and soloists. There will be child care and a reception with food afterward in the church basement and a free-will offering to support future Christmas and Easter concerts.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Kicking Out Car Windows - From the Inside; Strong Arm Robbery; Drunk Driving; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 21-24. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

No-Bail Felony Warrant - Suspect Arrested
November 21 at 12:38 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of South Magnolia called police and reported a male subject in their alley who they knew had a warrant for his arrest.  Officers arrived, detained the subject, and a computer check revealed the subject did have an outstanding, no-bail felony warrant for his arrest for a past drug offense that he failed to answer to in court.  He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
November 22 at 12:55 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle for committing several traffic violations. When officers contacted the female driver, they noticed that she exhibited signs of intoxication. Through investigation, she was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Violation of Domestic Violence Protective Order / Felony Vandalism - Suspect Arrested
November 22 at 9:41 p.m., officers responded to Almond and Shamrock regarding an altercation between a male and a female subject.  When officers arrived, it was determined the subjects involved were boyfriend and girlfriend.  The female subject was trying to get the male subject out of her vehicle.  He was refusing to get out and began kicking the doors and windows from inside the vehicle, vandalizing the car.  The female has a Domestic Violence Protective Order against the male.  The male subject was arrested for felony vandalism and for violating the Domestic Violence Protective Order.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
November 23 at 9:40 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Duarte Road and California when he saw a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed heading east on Duarte through the posted 25 miles per hour Metrolink construction zone.  He saw the vehicle swerve off the road, passing vehicles on the right, and then it turned south on Shamrock.  The vehicle was stopped and the officer could smell a strong odor of alcohol.  He conducted field sobriety tests and determined the driver was driving under the influence.  A computer check revealed the driver's license was currently suspended for DUI.  The driver was arrested.

Strong Arm Robbery - One Suspect Arrested
November 23 at 6:02 p.m., a male victim called police and reported he had just been robbed in the 400 block of East Duarte Road.  The victim was walking to work on Duarte Road with his headphones on when two male subjects passed by him.  After they passed, the two subjects ran back up behind the victim and grabbed him.  They pushed him into a parking lot, where one suspect held him, while the other suspect took his cell phone and wallet from his pockets.  The suspect took cash from the wallet, threw it on the ground, and then both suspects ran west on Duarte Road.  A description of the suspects was broadcast, and an officer in the area detained two subjects at California and Duarte that matched the description.  The victim was able to positively identify one of the suspects and he was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested
November 23 at 11:18 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle on Live Oak, just west of Myrtle.  Through investigation, the male driver was determined to be under the influence of drugs and was arrested.  A vehicle search revealed several syringes and a baggie containing a powdery white substance, later determined to be methamphetamine.  He was arrested for the above listed charges.

Felony Driving Under the Influence Traffic Collision / Public Intoxication - Suspects Arrested
November 24 at 2:17 a.m., officers responded to the area of Hillcrest and Madison on the report of a traffic collision.  They arrived and saw a front fender on the street and a vehicle with two female occupants that had collided into a parked vehicle.  The driver was taken to a hospital, but refused medical treatment.  The passenger was slightly hurt, scraped knees and forehead, but also refused medical treatment from paramedics.  The driver was arrested for felony driving under the influence traffic collision. The passenger was arrested for public intoxication.

Monrovia Police Urges You to Buckle Up for Holiday Driving

During Thanksgiving time Monrovia Police Department reminds travelers to buckle up.

"The risk of being involved in a serious or deadly car crash increases when the number of cars on the road increases, and the long Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year," said Police Traffic Sergeant Daniel Verna. "So we want to remind everyone that your seat belts can save your life – and those you are traveling with."

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts saved almost 12,000 lives nationwide in 2011. Research shows that with proper seat belt use, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.

Such a simple step can save a life, but too many lives are being lost because some have still not gotten the message. During the 2011 Thanksgiving period, 249 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. Fifty percent of those killed were not wearing seat belts. California witnessed 24 passenger vehicle occupants killed that same year, with 10 of those found to have died without using their safety restraints.

In 2011, 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle crashes were NOT wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. In California, 27 percent of the 1,597 vehicle occupants were killed while not using their occupant restraints; a total of 434 deaths.
Nationally in 2011, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in nighttime crashes were not wearing their seat belts, compared to 43 percent during the daytime hours.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Sailor Helps With Philippines Relief


PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 24, 2013) Yeoman 3rd Class Dakota Hillman of West Minister, Md. and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Kelly Southwick of Monrovia, Calif., assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), load supplies onto the ship during a vertical replenishment. Germantown and USS Ashland (LSD 48) along with embarked Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11, Naval Beach Unit 7 and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are in The Leyte Gulf in The Republic of the Philippines in support of Operation Damayan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tony DeFilippo/Released)

Source: Navy press release

- Brad Haugaard

Video of Monrovia Prayer Breakfast | Shop Monrovia

~ Video of the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast is now on-line: http://goo.gl/8nG8Xb . The main speaker, Albert Tate, of Fellowship Monrovia, begins here: http://goo.gl/gCOeGR

~ Monrovia City Council names December as "Shop Monrovia" Month. http://goo.gl/77BEaW

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia In Semifinals with 41-6 Victory :-)

Monrovia advances to the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs with last night's 41-6 victory over Montebello. http://goo.gl/84yiKD

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Mimi's


Lunch at Mimi's. Got the bouillabaisse ($13.59) and a hot tea ($2.49). Plus tax and tip. With the cool weather and clouds, it seemed like a soupy kind of day.

- Brad Haugaard

Ann Roy - 102 Year Birthday


Department of Community Services Friendly Crafters group celebrated Ms. Ann Roy's birthday on Wednesday, Nov. 20.  Ms. Roy turned 102 years old on Wednesday, November 13.  A group of 20 fellow Crafters celebrated this special day with her, enjoyed cake, sang Happy Birthday and wished her well on this very special birthday. http://goo.gl/Crpvur

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Residents: Decorate Your K-Rail! And Houses, Too

There is a new contest category for the Monrovia Holiday Home Decorating Contest: Best Decorated K-Rail (That's those ugly concrete flood-control wall things around where the fire burned off. They need some decorating.)

Applications for the contest are available at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 West Palm Avenue, or on the City’s website at http://www.cityofmonrovia.org. Judging will take place Monday, Dec. 16.  Award winners will be recognized during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 17, at City Hall in Council Chambers.

The 13 judging categories are:
• Best Still Display
• Best Outdoor Display
• Best Decorated Outdoor Tree
• Best Window Display
• Holiday Spirit Award
• Most Effective Use of Lighting a house
• Toyland Award
• Children’s Choice Award
• Best Neighborhood Effort
• Snowman Award
• Judges Award
• Best Decorated K-Rail
• Tim McKeehan “Best of Season” Award

For more information, call the Department of Community Services at 256-8246.

Source: http://goo.gl/Crpvur

- Brad Haugaard

Update on E. Coli Outbreak | World Vision Opens Safe Space for Philippine Children

~ Update on E. coli outbreak suspected of coming from salads and wraps sold by Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's is based in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/mMpJzc

~ World Vision opened on Wednesday its first dedicated 'safe space' for 400 children affected by Typhoon Haiyan. World Vision's international office is based in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/NvmEvN

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center Needs Donations For Holidays | First Presbyterian Collects for Philippines

~ Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center is seeking donations of food, funds and volunteer time for its holiday season distributions. Funds may be donated online at foothillunitycenter.org. Food and checks may be dropped off weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 415 W. Chestnut Ave. Call 358-3486 for information.

~ First Presbyterian Church Monrovia (Myrtle and Foothill) is collecting for Philippines relief through Presbyterian Mission Agency: http://goo.gl/u4S4BJ

- Brad Haugaard

Community Services Director April Soash Retiring after 32 years in Monrovia

On Saturday, November 30, 2013, Monrovia Community Services Director April Soash retires from public service. Ms. Soash has served the majority of her career in the City of Monrovia, rising from a Recreation Supervisor in 1981, to Community Services Division Manager in 1990, Assistant Director in 1994 and finally to Director of the Community Services Department in 1996. Her official last working day is Friday, November 22.

Throughout her career, Ms. Soash has overseen the annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting in Library Park, the annual Spring Egg Hunt, Summer Concerts in the park, Halloween events and Canyon Park's Haunted Hikes, Summer Extravaganza, literacy and cultural programs at the Library, and the former Monrovia Soap Box Derby. She directed City rentals, contract classes, outdoor education programs, youth sports, shelters for emergencies, and published the quarterly Community Services brochure.

Over the past 32 years, she has served nine City Managers, five Mayors, and eighteen City Councilmembers, worked with four City Clerks, five City Treasurers, and seven City Attorneys, and attended over 776 City Council and Community Services Commission Meetings.

Ms. Soash has a Recreation Administration degree from Pepperdine University and has used that knowledge to its fullest extent in Monrovia. Her legacy can be seen in the new Public Library, the Wilderness Preserve, the Mary Wilcox Youth Center, and the Monrovia Skate Park.

Soash said, "So much of what I have done in Monrovia involves family. I met my husband here and raised my children here. I have loved the opportunities the City has brought me, and it has been an honor and privilege to serve Monrovia. I am excited to now focus my free time on my family."

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Two Hours in the Dressing Room; Cell Phone Grabbing; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 18-20. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 468 service events, resulting in 88 investigations.

Robbery
November 18 at 3:40 p.m., a robbery occurred in the 1100 block of South Myrtle.  The victim was walking south on Myrtle with his cell phone in his hand and his head down.  The suspect walked past the victim, grabbed the victim’s phone out of his hand and ran north on Myrtle.  The victim chased after the suspect, but when the suspect verbally threatened to beat him up, he stopped.  The suspect is described as an African American male, 20 to 30 years old, short hair cut, a goatee, approximately 6 feet tall, average build, wearing a green hooded sweatshirt with yellow writing and possibly matching green sweat pants.  Investigation continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
November 19 at 3:40 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting a subject having difficulty parking a vehicle on the street in the 500 block of East Walnut.  The caller stated that the person possibly struck a parked vehicle and drove up on the curb.  The driver got out of the vehicle and walked away.  

When officers arrived, they saw the parked vehicle with recent collision damage.  There were no other vehicles in the area that appeared to have damage caused by this vehicle.  As officers were taking pictures of the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle exited his residence.  The subject had a laceration over his left eye.  The subject started cursing at officers and displayed signs of intoxication.  There were no witnesses that could identify the suspect as the driver, and the vehicle was legally parked.  Officers took pictures of the vehicle and the suspect was arrested for being drunk in public.

Burglary / Possession of Burglary Tools / Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested
November 19 at 10:46 p.m., a female subject entered a business in the 500 block of West Huntington and selected several items of clothing and merchandise.  She entered the changing room, where she stayed for two hours.  When she exited the changing room, loss prevention personnel discovered several metal clothing sensors cut into pieces.  The suspect exited the store and walked to a fast food restaurant, where she entered the bathroom.  Officers arrived and when the suspect exited the bathroom, she was detained.  The wire cutters used to cut off the metal sensors were found in the bathroom, and the suspect was in possession of the stolen property.  The suspect was arrested.

Residential Burglary
November 20 at 6:58 p.m., police dispatch received a call from an alarm company reporting that the residential burglary alarm had activated at a residence in the 300 block of North Madison Avenue.  Officers responded and discovered a shattered rear sliding-glass door.  A search team entered and cleared the residence; no suspects were located inside.  The homeowner was contacted and indicated he was out of town. The investigation is continuing.

Pasadena Star-News Introduces a Pay Wall

The Pasadena Star-News, the daily newspaper that serves Monrovia, has decided to introduce what is commonly known as a "pay wall" for its online edition, meaning that you can't access all of it - or more than a set number of articles - without paying. Paper newspaper subscribers will get it without further cost. Star-News President and Publisher Ron Hasse announced the move in today's newspaper.

Opinion: This is a risky move. Some newspapers have had success with it, but I suspect the successful ones are publications that publish critical and unique information that is not easily available elsewhere. Best wishes, Star-News!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Church to Provide Two Prayer Breakfast Speakers; Plans to Open Sister Church in Ecuador

Fellowship Monrovia church will provide speakers at not one, but two local Mayors Prayer Breakfasts. Albert Tate, senior pastor, will speak at the Monrovia breakfast (Nov. 22), and Michael Fields, associate pastor, will speak at the Duarte breakfast (Nov. 27).

Also, the church hopes to open a sister church in Ecuador, and plans to expand locally to serve Duarte and Los Angeles areas.

Source: The Weekly Star, Nov. 21. http://goo.gl/qchCPd

- Brad Haugaard

Rain Causes Small Monrovia Power Outage | Toy Drive for Philippines

~ A small power outage in Monrovia this morning. Southern California Edison said it affected 23 customers and was caused by equipment damaged by rain. The crew is completing repairs. http://goo.gl/IwML3H

~ The Monrovia High Filipino club is hosting a toy drive to donate to needy children in the Philippines. Details: http://goo.gl/3NYqzr

- Brad Haugaard

Assemblyman Chris Holden Visits Monrovia's Canyon Oaks School


Assemblyman Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, posts on Facebook: "Had a great time speaking with the high school students at Canyon Oaks School in Monrovia today."

Comment: Canyon Oaks is truly an amazing school. I did a story on its amazingness some years ago, which you can read here: http://goo.gl/NIRc6I

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center: Its Client Base Has Tripled in Five Years

In a fundraising letter, Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center notes that its "client base has more than tripled over the last five years," while "donations and grant funding remain significantly down. Our small staff has been stretched as far as it can go." The center is "the primary provider of food, case management/crisis help, and access to health care resources for 11 San Gabriel Valley communities." If you would like to donate money, you can do so here: http://goo.gl/baw8Sb

- Brad Haugaard

Is This Your Beagle?


Jen Havens is trying to find the owner of this female beagle found running around close to Foothill and Primrose. "She appears to be an unspayed adult (maybe 5 years old?). Not microchipped and no collar. If you have any idea where she belongs, text or call 626-673-7978."

Update: Jen writes: "Brad, thank you so much for posting on Monrovia Now! We think we found her owner because of your post :-)"

- Brad Haugaard

See's Candies Opens on Huntington Drive in Monrovia


A new See's Candies store has opened in the Huntington Oaks shopping center on Huntington Drive just in time for the holidays. Brad Hori writes that it is "conveniently sandwiched between Lindora  and Kirkland's Home." (Thanks, Brad!)

- Brad Haugaard