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Brio Closes Retail Shop - Moves to Warehouse


Brio Electric Bikes, which was on Olive just east of Myrtle, has apparently closed it's doors. However, it is now located in a warehouse and is open by appointment only, according to its website: http://goo.gl/wGatla . Thanks to Brad Hori for the tip.

- Brad Haugaard

Glendora Fire Seen from Monrovia


There is smoke billowing into the air east of Monrovia at about 6:45 this morning. View from Pavilions parking lot.

Update: People on Twitter say it is at Colby Ridge located above Glendora.

Update 2: A Star-News editor writes that homes are endangered.

Update 3: Glendora schools closed. ABC report: http://goo.gl/lhDrRU 

Update 4: Three people in custody. http://goo.gl/ODq7uJ

Update 5: the city of Monrovia has sent two firetrucks to help with the fire.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Albertsons Supermarket Closing

The Monrovia Planning Department reports that the Albertsons supermarket on East Huntington will be closing in February. Details: http://goo.gl/DNTQOw . A web search suggests that Albertsons is closing a lot of stores.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fire (and Rescue) Department to Get New Logo

Proposed new logo. Comment: I like it! Classy.

At its next meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/TX1W1V ), the Monrovia City Council will consider adopting this new logo for the Fire Department.

In his report ( http://goo.gl/JGfuYv ) Fire Chief Christopher Donovan writes that the Fire Department also performs rescues, and the new logo emphasizes that.

- Brad Haugaard

AOL Mostly Sells Its Patch News Websites

A company called Hale Global is taking over the Patch family of news websites. Monrovia has a Patch website. AOL will keep a minority ownership. Hale specializes in turning around online media companies. http://goo.gl/Nlkv65

- Brad Haugaard

Panera Bread Holds Its Official Grand Opening


Panera Bread has been open for a while, but held its official grand opening today. Lots of city and Chamber if Commerce folks showed up. The company is going to be donating to Foothill Unity Center. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assembly Member Introduces Bill to Let More High School Students Take College Courses

Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has introduced AB 1451, which would expand opportunities for high school students to enroll in community college courses. It would also encourage students who need help passing the California High School Exit Exam and students who traditionally do not attend college. Details: http://goo.gl/ZW1yX6

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Assemblyman Introduces Tax Hike Bill

Monrovia's assemblyman, Chris Holden, has introduced a bill into the legislature that could increase the taxes on employers in enterprise zones who do not pay their "qualified" employees over $2,000 a month. Because it is a tax increase, it will require a two-thirds vote. http://goo.gl/DtZEdX

- Brad Haugaard

Historic House No. 1 Goes on Sale in Monrovia

Real estate broker, Century 21 Adams & Barnes, notes that the house designated "Historic Landmark #1" is going on sale in Monrovia tomorrow. If I'm not mistaken, this house is at the corner of Primrose and Oaks. Here it is. http://goo.gl/DDxufv

- Brad Haugaard

Holden Bill on Mentally Ill Gets Bipartisan Support | Holocaust Survivor at Monrovia VFW

~ Assemblymember Chris Holden's measure to prevent last-minute dumping of seriously mentally ill inmates on county streets, passed its first committee test today. This measure passed with unanimous bipartisan support out of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. Holden represents Monrovia. AB 1065 provides county probation departments with more time to identify, and plan for more intensive treatment and supervision of released offenders who were formerly classified as a mentally disordered offender.

~ Holocaust survivor to speak at Monrovia VFW Post. http://goo.gl/FMctKu

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia Restaurant: Copper Still Grill to Replace Sam's Kabob Room

A new restaurant called the Copper Still Grill will be going in at 608-610 S. Myrtle, the site of the former Sam's Mediterranean Kabob Room. At its next meeting the Monrovia Planning Commission was going to consider granting a conditional use permit for the restaurant to serve alcohol, but the floor plan isn't ready, so the item is being continued until the February 12 meeting. Sounds like a micro-brewery kinda place. http://goo.gl/SC5lZ6

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drugs and Alcohol and Burglary Tools

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 9-12. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.  To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to the City of Monrovia website and click on the crime mapping link.  Sign up to follow us on Twitter for police notifications.

Possession of Burglary Tools – Suspect Arrested
January 9 at 8:20 p.m., dispatch received a call of a suspicious person on a curb in the corner of Beechworth and Prospect, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt.  This area was subject to an attempt hot prowl burglary the week prior.  The suspicious person was located and found with components to a slide hammer in his pocket and gloves in his sock.  A slide hammer is a mechanic’s tool commonly use in vehicle burglaries.  The suspect was arrested for possession of burglary tools.

Drunk in Public – Suspects Arrested
January 9 at 11:30 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of South Myrtle regarding the report of two intoxicated subjects.  The two subjects were located.  Officers determined them to be drunk in public and they were arrested and taken into custody.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
January 12 at 1:19 p.m., an officer was checking an area known for drug activity in the 600 block of West Lemon when he observed two subjects walking, nearby.  He recognized one of the subjects as an active gang member.  The officer stopped and spoke with both subjects.  The officer determined that one of the subjects was displaying symptoms of being under the influence of drugs.  The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

View from the Top of Newly Opened Clamshell Road

I went up to the top of the newly-opened Clamshell Road and took this video. It pans from the east, looking back towards the entryway off of Ridgeside Drive, then looks to the west, where the road descends towards the not-yet-open Cloverleaf entry point. It is a nice bike ride or hike.

Here is how to get there: http://goo.gl/CTvm1t

- Brad Haugaard

Hazardous Waste Pick-Up

Once a year Monrovians can get a household hazardous waste pick-up, according to Monrovia's Recycle News newsletter. They'll come get paint, batteries, TVs, old medicine and other stuff. Up to two 30-gallon trash bags and up to 10 items of e-waste. Call WM Curbside at 1-800-449-7587 to schedule a pick-up and for details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board: Objecting to Erosion of Local Control; Congrats to Coach Maddox and Football Team; Etc.

At its Jan. 15 board meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/9QaCrg ) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

- Consider sending a letter to the State Board of Education objecting to a proposed expansion of state control of local education. It is worded rather diplomatically, but I think that is the thrust of it. http://goo.gl/VIMK4e

- Congratulate the Monrovia High School Varsity Wildcat Football Team and its coaching staff, including Varsity Head Coach Ryan Maddox "as he expands his professional capacity at Monrovia High School."

- Receive an auditor's report for the 2012-13 fiscal year. http://goo.gl/8rAsqb

- Hear a report on technology in the district.

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Weather Watch in Monrovia Area

National Weather Service has the San Gabriel Valley and a bunch of LA County on Fire Weather Watch. "Moderate Santa Ana winds" and "extremely low humidity." http://goo.gl/jvswNX

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Claim Jumper


Lunch at Claim Jumper on Huntington. Got a Widow Maker Burger for $12.99, a cup of potato cheese soup ($4.99) and an iced tea ($2.89). Plus tax and tip. Very pleasant atmosphere and ... yikes! that's one huge burger! And after I ate the soup! It had everything, including bacon, avocado and a fried onion ring. Really great but more than I bargained for.

- Brad Haugaard

Get Ready for Four-Month Closure of Myrtle Near Duarte Road

Detour map.

Beginning Monday, Jan. 20, Myrtle Avenue at the railroad crossing will be closed to through-traffic for approximately four months to allow crews to construct grade crossing improvements.

To prepare the street for the long-term closure, the Myrtle Ave/Duarte Rd Intersection will be closed nightly on Saturday, January 18 and Sunday, January 19, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday morning, January 20, Duarte Road will re-open to through-traffic; while Myrtle Ave will remain closed for four months at the railroad crossing (just north of Duarte Road).

Detour routes will be in place and signage will be posted to guide motorists and trucks (see above). Pedestrians will be provided a crossing area on one side of Myrtle Ave throughout this construction work.

Source: Metro Gold Line Construction Authority press release

- Brad Haugaard

Reseeding Monrovia Hillsides from the Air

Monrovia may try aerial reseeding to replant the burned-off hillsides above Monrovia, according to Interim City Manager Fran Delach. He said the project would need approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Until native plants are back growing in the area, there is a danger of non-native plants getting a foothold in the unoccupied area, according to Senior Park Ranger Hector Inzunza.

Source: Interview with Delach and Inzunza

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Businessman Running for Congress

Monrovia businessman Jack Orswell plans to run against Judy Chu for the 27th Congressional District seat, which includes the top edge of Monrovia, roughly from Hillcrest/Grand/E. Greystone north. http://goo.gl/4OanHx

- Brad Haugaard