Clean-Air Parking Spots

I had never seen parking spots reserved for clean-air vehicles. They have them now at Huntington Oaks shopping center.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Panera Bread

Lunch at the new Panera Bread in the Huntington Oaks shopping center. Beautiful new facility with lots of breads. Got a ham and Swiss cheese sandwich ($6.29) and an iced tea ($1.99). Plus tax. It was very fresh and nice. Also... I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I got a chocolate chip cookie. I had absolutely no intention to get one but when I placed my order  I was told I was "eligible" to get a pastry for 99 cents. Oh, boy! Eligible! Well, I'm wiser now, but anyway, it was a very good cookie. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Cookie Exchange for Multiple Sclerosis

Cookie Exchange for Multiple Sclerosis, Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall downstairs at the United Methodist Church of Monrovia, 140 East Palm at the corner of Ivy and Palm Avenues. Use the doors on the West side of the building and go downstairs. Wheelchair access from the alley on the eest end of the building. Friends and family are welcome (men are welcome!).

This is how it works. Each person brings 6 dozen (preferably homemade) cookies. I suggest bringing them in a disposable container. You need to bring another container to take home 5 dozen cookies. The remaining dozen will be packaged at the end of the exchange for a special holiday gift for the people who attend the Multiple Sclerosis Group of the San Gabriel Valley Luncheon the following Monday in Monrovia. If you wish to bake extra cookies especially for MS you may put them in the kitchen at the church the day of the exchange. The MS group is coordinated by Aynn and Tom Freeman for over 38 years. For many people who attend the MS Luncheons this is their only party and the gift of homemade cookies means a lot as many are confined to wheelchairs or due to physical limitations are unable to bake.

Some of the cookies will be distributed to nursing homes and hospitals. We will have complementary beverages. Raffle tickets are for sale $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. All proceeds go to the MS Group. If you would like to donate a raffle prize please bring it with you or drop them of at Janie’s. Please wrap your raffle prizes. Gift baskets and gift cards are also appreciated. If you know someone that has MS and would like to attend the Luncheon please talk to Aynn Freeman. The Luncheons is a great support group.

Last year we had over 4,000 cookies. In order to have enough cookies left for the MS Group I need to have as many people as possible in attendance. Please invite relatives or friends to come with you. If you are not a baker please bring individually wrapped colorful candy, cookies or candy canes. They make a nice addition to the packages. If you are unable to attend and would like to donate cookies to the cause you may drop them off Saturday after 1 p.m. Please do not drop off containers that need to be returned.

You do not need to RSVP. Call me, Janie Duncan, with any question at 358-8157 or email janieduncan@altrionet.com. Please put cookie exchange in the subject line.

Matthew 25:40 I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. I hope to see you there!

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

E-Waste Recycling | Monrovia Youth Baseball | Christmas Events

~ E-Waste recycling tomorrow and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Myrtle and Pomona. Details: http://goo.gl/Pcs7ku

~ Christmas season events in Old Town. http://goo.gl/eTdX0M and http://goo.gl/KcCPQj

~ Monrovia Youth Baseball signup. http://goo.gl/cEHifG

~ Gingerbread House Party, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2-4 p.m. in the Monrovia Library Community Room. Use candy and frosting to build a festive masterpiece while watching a holiday movie. For 6th through 12th grade.

- Brad Haugaard

Help Monrovia's Centre Stage - Eat at Rudy's or Shop at Six 2 Six

As you may have heard, the Monrovia theater group, Centre Stage, had about $30,000 of lighting and audio equipment stolen, so Rudy's Mexican Food (602 S Myrtle) and Six 2 Six (522 S. Myrtle) are holding a fundraiser to help out. Eat at Rudy's or shop at Six 2 Six on December 10 and they will donate 20% of their sales to Centre Stage. But you gotta bring this flyer to Rudy's: http://goo.gl/c1ZMfO

- Brad Haugaard

Good Chance of Rain Saturday | Veggie Exchange in Monrovia's Library Park

~ Good chance of rain tomorrow, 70 percent. http://goo.gl/4ISKXO

~ Produce in the Park, tomorrow, Dec. 7, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at the southeast corner of Library Park, at the corner of Lime and Myrtle. Share your extra fruits and veggies, or just browse. (Hope the rain holds off until they're done.)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Christmas Parade

Fun Christmas parade this year but a little bit cold. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Lights It's Christmas Tree

After a few words from Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, the Monrovia Christmas tree was lit. The parade starts at 7 p.m. if you want to come watch.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Indecent Exposure at the Library; Son 'Finds' Mom's Car, Arrested; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Dec. 2–4. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 365 service events, resulting in 70 investigations.

Vehicle Burglary

December 2 at 7:38 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 700 block of Bonita. The victim parked her vehicle in front of her residence 5:30 p.m. When she went to her vehicle the next morning, she noticed her driver's door was open. The loss was a pair of shoes, sunglasses and CD case. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

December 2 at 7:42 a.m., a vehicle was reported burglarized in the 800 block of West Olive. The victim parked her vehicle in the rear carport area at 9:00 p.m. and returned to her vehicle in the morning at 6:00 a.m. She discovered the front door and trunk open. The loss was a laptop computer. The victim believes she locked her vehicle, but was not sure. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary

December 2 at 8:09 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting a burglary at a business in the 1800 block of California. The business was closed and locked the day before at 3:00 p.m. When the reporting party arrived at the business at 8:00 a.m., they noticed the lock to the back gate had been cut. The loss was several hundred pounds of steel. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle

December 2 at 11:44 a.m., a vehicle was stolen from a business parking lot in the 300 block of West Huntington. The victim parked his vehicle, a white Honda CRV in the lot and entered a store. He returned approximately 30 minutes later and discovered his vehicle was missing. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary – Suspects Arrested

December 2 at 12:18 p.m., a burglary was reported at a business in the 500 block of West Huntington. Two adult males entered the store; one was wearing a backpack. Both selected merchandise and concealed it in the backpack and then exited the store without paying. Once outside, they were detained by officers and both were arrested.

Indecent Exposure – Suspect Arrested

December 2 at 7:11 p.m., a woman inside the library in the 300 block of South Myrtle saw a male subject sitting in a chair in the adult section of the library, exposing himself. She immediately called the police. Officers responded and the suspect was detained, positively identified and arrested for indecent exposure.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered – Suspect Arrested

December 3 at 11:00 a.m., the victim's son called to report that he saw his mother's stolen vehicle, which was stolen the day before Thanksgiving, in a business parking lot in the 700 block of West Huntington. He claimed he saw two male suspects exit the vehicle and get into a blue Honda that headed west on the 210 Freeway.

An officer responded to the location and found the vehicle parked, but he noticed the hood of the vehicle was not hot. The officer checked with gardeners that were working in the area, and they said they saw the vehicle parked since 8:00 a.m. when they arrived. The officer questioned the mother and suspicion was raised that her son may have stolen the vehicle. Officers questioned the son, who denied taking the vehicle at first, but later admitted to the theft, and said he was under the influence of drugs at the time. He felt it was time to return the vehicle and created the story of seeing the suspects. The son was arrested and taken into custody.

Missing Juvenile Located

December 3 at 3:41 p.m., a 16-year-old male juvenile was reported missing to police by his father. The father dropped his son off at high school in the 800 block of West Colorado in the morning. On his way to pick him up after school, the father received a text message from the son stating that he no longer wanted to be a burden. The father arrived at the school, but his son was not at the designated location. He checked the school with school staff and then went home to check there, but did not find his son. He then went to the police department. Officers began an investigation and conducted an area check, but the subject was not located.

Later that evening, the missing juvenile called his father and said he was ready to come home. When the father asked him where he was, the son told him he was on the sidewalk across the street from their house. The son was located outside by his father.

Number of Visitors to MonroviaNow Increases

This November MonroviaNow.com had almost 15,000 page views, which I believe is its highest number ever. All those page views could have been from one very neurotic person, but I think not. This number does not include subscribers to the site's email newsletters, its Facebook page or Twitter feed. Comment: So, thanks to all of you who make a point of visiting! I'm pretty pleased.

- Brad Haugaard

Suspicious Package Leads to Evacuation of Some Buildings in Old Town Monrovia

Jennifer Stone reports on Facebook that a suspicious package was left in front of the Wells Fargo bank in Old Town, resulting in the temporary evacuation of several nearby buildings. Facebook folks say all clear now.

- Brad Haugaard

Preview Lunch at Monrovia's New Smashburger

Had a free preview lunch at the new Smashburger in Monrovia, at the old Acapulco restaurant site on Huntington. It opens to the public tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 6. Why "smash?" Because they smash a fresh - not frozen - ball of beef, or piece of chicken, on the grill. We got a sampler menu, which included fried pickle slices. Never had those. Everything tastes better when it's free, but really, everything was very, very tasty!  I think I liked the truffle mushroom burger (shown here) best, but the BBQ bacon burger was mighty good. Even the veggie spicy black bean burger was very good, and I'm not a vegetarian. If you prefer chicken, try the avocado club sandwich. Great shakes, too! Former City Councilman Joe Garcia, who helped bring Smashburger to town, showed up as well. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Ceramics, Crafts and Baked Goods Sales

~ Monrovia Adult School Wheelhouse Ceramics Sale Friday, Dec. 6, 4-9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 1831 Santa Fe Place (behind AMMCO & Toy's Donuts) Handcrafted pottery created by local artisans. For information call 471-2771.

~ Girl Scout handmade crafts and baked goods sale Dec. 7 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: http://goo.gl/DPqxFD

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High's Kurt Scoby is MVP

Monrovia High Senior, Kurt Scoby, has been selected by the coaches of the Rio Hondo League as the League's most valuable player: http://goo.gl/QGfCU8

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Bridge Getting Another Award

Habib Balian, spokesman for the Gold Line Construction Authority, writes that:

"The Construction Authority, Skanska and AECOM will be receiving the "Best Project in Southern California, Highways/Bridges" from Engineering News-Record for the Gold Line Bridge tomorrow. This is the fifth award received for the bridge since it was completed on time and on budget in December 2012. Awards have been in both the engineering and construction sectors, and remind us that this unique structure was not only a challenge to design, but also to build."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Representatives Promoted

~ Monrovia's Assembly member, Chris Holden, reports that Assembly Speaker Perez has appointed him to the Select Committee on Local Emergency Preparedness.

~ Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents the north edge of Monrovia, announced on Facebook today that she has been selected by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, to join the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.

- Brad Haugaard

Small Art Show | Marvelous Monrovia! | Commercial Drones | Interfaith Council | City Council Meeting

"Ginger Jar and Lemons" by Dee Kirkham

~ Selig Fine Art (110 W. Lime) will hold its 11th Annual Holiday Small Works Show this Saturday, Dec 7, 4-7 p.m. with more than 80 artists and over 150 works of art, jewelry, wine, food and live music by John Volk.

~ "Marvelous Monrovia!" is how KTTV reporter Hal Eisner describes the city's revived bond rating. http://goo.gl/P9gi1X

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment plans to build drones for commercial use. http://goo.gl/AoWVUJ

~ Pasadena Humane Society will have a vehicle in the Monrovia Christmas parade. The Pasadena Humane Society is taking over animal control for the city. http://goo.gl/IDc2wr

~ Report on the Interfaith Council of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/diuyUx

~ Video of the Dec. 3 Monrovia City Council meeting is now online: http://goo.gl/ktgW0V

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Chipotle Opens Dec. 12

It appears Chipotle restaurant is opening on Dec. 12. On Huntington next to Chili's. 

- Brad Haugaard

Watch Out for the Utility Bill Scam!

Southern California Edison is warning customers against scammers who demand immediate payment on past due utility bills.

"SCE will never call a customer to collect or demand money for past due bills," according to SCE's Consumer Affairs Manager Marlyn Denter.

Tips:

- Ask for the person's name and call back number, a supervisor's name, how much money they are requesting, and the method of payment.

- Check the area code of the number you are getting a call from. If it is not an 800 number, the call is fraudulent.

- Call SCE directly at 1-800-655-4555 to ask about your bill.

- Contact local authorities if you suspect the phone call is fraud.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Rotary Club Providing Clothing for Needy Children

The Rotary Club of Monrovia will once again be helping out local children in need for the holiday season. On December 7th, 50 disadvantaged children identified by Santa Anita Family Services will get a special treat this holiday season. Through the assistance of the Rotary Club of Monrovia, Kohl's and Wells Fargo, the 50 students will get the opportunity to shop for new clothing and shoes. Each child will be paired with a Monrovia High School Interact Club member, adult Rotarian, or adult Wells Fargo staff member to assist with their shopping and will be able to purchase $125 worth of school appropriate clothing.

This is the second year that the Rotary Club of Monrovia has offered the Santa Clothes project to less fortunate children in the Monrovia area. Last year the program was able to assist 30 children with $120 each and we are very happy to be able to extend the benefit to 50 children this year at $125 each. Monrovia Rotarian Karen Lujan stated "I was personally able to assist two children last year to pick out clothes and shoes and it was one of the most rewarding things I haven done all year. The parents were so appreciative of the program and the kids faces beamed as they showed us all their purchases (some even wearing them out of the store)."

Tax deductible donations (501(c)3 EID: 51-0656409) are being accepted online for the Santa Clothes project to help fund more children at http://www.monroviarotaryclub.com/donations/. Please help if you are able to. Just click on the button with the Santa hat to help contribute to this great project. The more money we can raise, the more kids we can assist this holiday season.

Source: Rotary press release

- Brad Haugaard