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Night Hikes in Monrovia Canyon Park | Cheaper Ad

~ Hike through Monrovia Canyon Park at night with a ranger. Details: http://goo.gl/iD6QfP

~ Price of the second ad space on the left on MonroviaNow has now dropped below $100, to $90. It'll drop another $20 tomorrow if nobody takes it.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Candidates


On Thursday, Feb. 6, three local Youth of the Year candidates will be recognized by the Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills for their outstanding contributions to their community, and one will be named the 2014 Youth of the Year.

This year’s local honorees include Donye Neal, a senior at Canyon Oaks High School, Samantha Rodarte, and Margarita Sandoval, both seniors at Monrovia High School.

The Youth of the Year program recognizes club members who, with the help of their Club, have met obstacles head-on and, despite the odds, have given back to their Club and community. Youth of the Year winners demonstrate service to Club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability. Our local Youth of the Year winner receives a $500 scholarship and goes on to compete at the county level.

John Wilson, Executive Director, said: “Our judges had a difficult task in selecting a winner, and I’m glad I didn’t have to make that decision.”

BGCF also honors individuals and business that have been instrumental in the Club’s success. This year, BGCF will be recognizing Panda Express with its “Community Partner of the Year” award for its continued commitment to the BGCF with ongoing professional guidance and support in addition to its sponsorship of the annual holiday party.

BGCF is also honoring “Volunteer of the Year,” Denise Weaver, and “Employee of the Year,” Hayley Vasquez.

To make a reservation to attend the Youth of the Year awards ceremony on February 6 at the DoubleTree, please email Amanda Navar, Director of Development, at anavar@foothillsbgc.org.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus Competing for Aspen Prize | Monrovia/Duarte Youth Summit

~ Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, is one of 150 community colleges out of more than 1,000 across the nation, to be selected for a chance to compete for the $1 million 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, which spotlights "community colleges that deliver exceptional student completion outcomes."

~ The Fourth Annual Monrovia/Duarte Youth Summit will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Monrovia High. Activities are designed to connect youth with career professionals, higher education and internship opportunities and dynamic leaders. Registration at the Community Centerat 119 West Palm. For more information call the Department of Community Services at 256-8246.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Market Grill

 Lunch at Market Grill, in the little market at the corner of Shamrock and Colorado, where it dead ends at Recreation Park. Got The Mad Dog ($6.45) with a special pork-chili stew as the side, plus a small drink for $1.50. Plus tax. Always busy here. Wow! The stew, just a side dish, was both a lot and delicious. The dog was great, too. I like the grilled bun, plus bacon, green chili, grilled onion, and spicy ketchup.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Whacks Robber with Skateboard | World Vision to Work with HarvestPlus | Nutrition

~ Monrovia teen whacks knife-wielding robber with skateboard. http://goo.gl/DXgH9m

~ Monrovia-based World Vision, reports from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that it and HarvestPlus have "signed a memorandum of understanding at the World Economic ForumExternal Link in Davos, making a commitment to work together to improve nutrition for hundreds of millions of people around the world who suffer from hidden hunger." http://goo.gl/DLSwUV

~ Nutrition Science Workshop, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, Tanner Research, 825 S. Myrtle. To sign up, call 471-9718. http://goo.gl/t3hDg5

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Elder Abuse - Threatening Police with Ice Pick; Swiping Cable Box Batteries; $100 for Reporting Graffiti

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 20-22. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 349 service events, resulting in 77 investigations.

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
January 20 at 2:04 p.m., loss prevention personnel from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called police to advise they had a male suspect in custody for theft.  Officers arrived and discovered the subject had no identification and would not provide his name.  He was arrested for the theft and for establishing his identity.  At the police department he provided a name and was eventually identified and found to be on parole.

Petty Theft / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
January 20 at 8:13 p.m., loss prevention from a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain called police to report a subject had taken merchandise and left the store without paying for it.  The same subject was seen in the parking lot looking into vehicles.  Officers responded and detained the subject.  The male subject attempted to discard an item as the officers were detaining him.  The object was found to be a Garmin GPS device.

As the officers were detaining the suspect, a customer of the business approached the officers and said someone had entered his unlocked vehicle and took his Garmin GPS.  The victim saw the Garmin device the suspect had discarded and said it belonged to him.  The suspect admitted he had stolen the GPS and it was returned to the victim.  The suspect was also found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest.  He was arrested and taken into custody.

Elder Abuse / Criminal Threats / Barricaded Suspect – Suspect Arrested
On January 21 at 1:13 a.m., a 71-year-old female called police for help because her mentally ill, 51-year-old son had physically abused her the day before, causing injuries, and he was currently yelling, incoherently, and banging on the walls of their home.  She was afraid he was going to hurt her or himself.  When officers arrived, the male subject barricaded himself inside his bedroom, blocking the door.  Officers could see him through his bedroom window, pacing back and forth, holding a large ice pick, and he had a knife holstered to his belt.  The subject yelled at officers and told them to enter the bedroom so he could kill them with the ice pick.  He also said he had a gun in the bedroom and was going to shoot the officers.  The subject has a prior history of physical violence, physical violence toward officers, and weapons violations, so the regional Foothills Special Enforcement Team was requested to assist in apprehending him.

The Foothill Special Enforcement Team responded to the location.  The suspect tried to exit a bedroom window to accost officers outside and was quickly taken into custody by Special Enforcement Team officers.  No one was injured in the incident and the suspect was arrested.

Vehicle Burglary
January 21 at 6:50 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 700 block of East Huntington Drive.  The victim parked and went into a business at the location.  When she returned to her vehicle, she found the passenger window shattered and her purse and cell phone were missing.  The items were visible from outside of the locked vehicle.  The investigation is continuing.

Theft of Batteries From Cable Relay Boxes
January 21, in the afternoon, two cable service providers called police to report their cable relay boxes had been broken into and the batteries had been taken.  The thefts occurred in the 300 block of East Walnut and the 100 block of E. Greystone.  The investigation is continuing.  The Monrovia Police Department is seeking the public's help and requesting that anyone who sees any suspicious persons or activity near this type of cable relay box in your neighborhoods please call police and report it right away.

Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer / Warrants – Suspects Arrested
January 21 at 4:50 p.m., police received a call reporting a subject with an outstanding warrant for his arrest was in the area of Fifth and Huntington.  The caller provided a vehicle description and the location of the suspect.  Officers responded and located the vehicle.  The suspect was seen at a nearby business and fled on foot when he saw the officers.  An officer went in foot pursuit of the suspect, who fled across Huntington drive through four lanes of traffic.  As officers attempted to detain him, the suspect resisted, but was eventually taken into custody without further incident.  The suspect’s girlfriend was located in the same parking lot and was also found to have an outstanding no-bail warrant for her arrest.  Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalism / Graffiti in Progress – Suspect Arrested & Graffiti Bounty Rewarded
On January 22 at 2:48 a.m., a caller reported a female subject spray painting something on a wall.  Police responded and located the suspect and the spray paint can.  The suspect had sprayed graffiti on the wall.  The suspect was positively identified.  She was arrested and taken into custody.  The caller was given the $100 Graffiti Bounty cash reward for reporting the graffiti, which led to the arrest of the suspect.

Science Fair at Citrus College

On Saturday, Feb. 8, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Campus Center, the Citrus College Research in Science and Engineering team will hold a Science and Technology Day event to support its research and future outreach efforts. Citruss serves Monrovia. The fundraiser is a day of creative thinking, activities and bonding with college physics students while learning about rocketry, catapults and miniature go-karts. There will also be a raffle and egg drop competition. For registration information, call 626-914-8763 or email lriderer@citruscollege.edu.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Wins $25,000 Grant

Monrovia Mayor, Mary Ann Lutz, reports on Facebook that the city has won a "$25,000 grant for our colaborative healthy eating recreation programs from the American Beverage Association [at the] US Conference of Mayors."

- Brad Haugaard

Chinese Students Visit Monrovia School | MHS Over South Pas. | 33rd Anniversary

~ 40 Chinese elementary school students visit Monrovia's Immaculate Conception School. http://goo.gl/tZ6uOS

~ Monrovia High Boy's Soccer defeats South Pas. http://goo.gl/z6nwtp

~ Monrovia's General Heating & Air Conditioning celebrates 33 years in business. http://goo.gl/x1q6V2

- Brad Haugaard

Route 66 Curio Shop Opens in Aztec Hotel


A new curio shop, "Get your Kicks On Route 66" has opened at the Aztec Hotel. It sells Aztec Hotel Souvenirs, Aztec/Mayan Cultural items, greeting cards, Route 66 curios, vintage items, curiosities, collectibles and gifts. To reflect the connection the hotel has to its past Hollywood travelers, the shop also has a selection of celebrity-themed items featuring Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, Audrey Hepburn, James Dean, Bettie Page, The Wizard Of Oz, Betty Boop and other TV, Music and movie pop culture icons.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Lung Association Gives Monrovia an F

The American Lung Association has awarded Monrovia an F for its efforts to reduce smoking ( http://goo.gl/v5GlXH ).

Comment: Well, good for Monrovia! I believe smoking is just as unhealthy as the ALA says it is, and I believe restrictions on smoking in enclosed public places are a very good idea, but things have gone too far. Smokers are chased away from public places, often including open parks, and there are even moves to prevent them from smoking in their own homes. Isn't dying early enough punishment? Must they also be treated as pariahs?

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Relay for Life Kick Off Tonight

Kick off event for the ninth annual Relay For Life of Monrovia, an American Cancer Society fundraiser, will be held upstairs tonight at the Krikorian Theater, from 5:30-7 p.m. The event raises funds for patient advocacy, treatments, research, programs and more. Details: http://goo.gl/YW0u3A

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus Selects New College Administrator

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has selected an administrator with more than 16 years of experience in community college finance as the school's next VP of finance and administrative services. Claudette Dain - a certified public accountant and longtime financial administrator in the North Orange County Community College District - will replace Carol R. Horton, who recently retired from her post after 18 years of service. Dain will begin her duties on Feb. 3.

Source: Citrus College press release

- Brad Haugaard

Dawn in Monrovia


It looks like a beautiful day in Monrovia. Too bad, we could use some rain.

– Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Events for Black History Month

- Saturday, Feb. 1. 5-8 p.m. Free movie, "The Butler" at the Mary Wilcox Center, 848 East Olive. Bring a chair. Food/snacks available for purchase.

- Saturday, Feb. 15. 2:30-4 p.m. Celebration of the arts "Through the Eyes of the Movement" at Monrovia High Professional Development Center, 845 W. Colorado Blvd.

- Sunday, Feb. 23. Luncheon and Program, "The Civil Rights Movement in America"; Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm; 3-6 p.m. Luncheon 3-4 p.m.; program 4-5 p.m. reception 5-6 p.m. Adults $10, Children 3-10 years, $5.

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia City Manager by Mid February? | Peeing in the Park | Drought

From tonight's Monrovia City Council Meeting ...

~ The Monrovia City Council should be able to pick a new city manager by mid-February, according to Interim City Manager Fran DeLach. He said there is a pool of 94 applicants for the position, including "very strong A caliber" candidates.

~ Former City Council candidate Robert Perry said he complained about homeless people in Library Park several months ago but the city has done nothing about it. Most recently, he said, he and his wife saw a man urinating on a tree in Library Park and drinking beer. With a library full of kids, he said, it is only a matter of time before "something tragic happens." Interim City Manager Fran DeLach said police are doing all they legally can do; Shevlin said she'd like a staff report on the issue; Councilman Alexander Blackburn said he'd like to see a community committee come up with recommendations and a budget for the problem; and Councilman Larry Spicer said kids being harassed at the park is "just a part of life" and "they [the homeless] can't just be pushed out of the park - they're human." He said fixing the problem will take time.

~ City Councilwoman Becky Shevlin asked for a report from city staff on how the drought affects Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

Myrtle Closed Near Duarte | Youth Leadership | Boston Terrier | Prison for McFarland

~ Picture of Myrtle, now closed near Duarte Road. http://goo.gl/h0oOPL

~ Monrovia's Youth Leadership Academy will begin in March. For details: http://goo.gl/N9neMJ

~ You missing a Boston terrier? http://goo.gl/PNYrOv

~ Monrovian Kelvin Bernard McFarland, 43, sentenced to prison. http://goo.gl/EjvMWj

- Brad Haugaard

Pro Wrestling Coming to Monrovia


Quintessential Pro Wrestling is hosting Well Worth The Wait at the Monrovia Masonic Center on Saturday Feb. 1st at 8 p.m. $20 at the door.

According to Quintessential spokesman Andy Roy, "A number of these wrestlers (Brian Kendrick and Brian Cage) have former ties to the WWE, Joey Ryan is a TNA alumni, and Kevin Steen and Kyle O’Reilly are staples of Ring of Honor (and are regarded as two of the biggest names in independent professional wrestling). In other words, this should be an exceptional show and very entertaining for any past, present or future wrestling fans."

Source: Quintessential Pro Wrestling press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Vehicle Rollover; Rubber Ducky of Meth; Woman Stabbed; Grand Theft Batteries; Etc.

 [Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 16-19. - Brad Haugaard]
 
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Injury Traffic Collision
January 16 at 8:23 a.m., an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle rollover was reported in the 600 block of East Foothill.  Officers arrived and determined two vehicles were involved. The first vehicle was headed southbound on Poppy and the second was headed westbound on Foothill.  The first vehicle did not stop for the stop sign and broadsided the second vehicle, causing it to spin, roll onto one side, and then right itself.  The two drivers were taken to a hospital for minor injuries.

Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested
January 16 at 11:50 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 800 block of El Dorado regarding a family disturbance.  When they arrived, they learned two brothers were involved in a fight inside their apartment.  The suspect armed himself with three knives from the kitchen and threatened to kill his brother.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Fire
January 17 at 3:27 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Highland Place along with Monrovia Fire Department personnel regarding a vehicle fire.  Upon the officer’s arrived, the fire had been extinguished by the owner of the vehicle.  It appeared that electrical wires touching the exhaust had caused the fire.

Residential Burglary
January 17 at 4:14 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of North Madison.  The resident secured the home prior to leaving her house at 7:00 a.m.that morning.  She returned around 4:00 p.m. and found the backdoor had been kicked open and someone had attempted to pry open the sliding door.  The home was ransacked, so the loss will be reported after the resident takes inventory of the home.  The investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
January 18 at 11:28 a.m., police received a call reporting a male subject possibly urinating or defecating in a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle.  Officers arrived and detained three subjects.  The caller also reported seeing the subject discard something by a tree.  Officers checked the area by the tree and located a methamphetamine pipe and a small rubber duck that contained methamphetamine that the suspect had discarded.  The suspect was arrested for the above listed charges.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon – Suspect Arrested
January 18 at 9:59 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of South Alta Vista regarding the welfare check of a male subject who was possibly stabbed.  The victim had reportedly been stabbed by his girlfriend at her residence in Monrovia.  The caller, who was in Pasadena, did not have an address, but identified the subjects and police were able to locate an address for the girlfriend.  The victim had called his friend in Pasadena and told him he had been stabbed by his girlfriend.  

Officers located the victim and suspect at the girlfriend’s residence in the 500 block of South Alta Vista.  The victim had been stabbed three times in the abdomen, had slash marks on his arms and chest, and a puncture wound on his back.  The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of his wounds, which do not appear to be life threatening.  The suspect and victim were both uncooperative with officers and gave conflicting information.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Commercial Burglary – Suspects Arrested
January 19 at 5:23 p.m., police received a call from loss prevention personnel at a store in the 500 block of West Huntington reporting a female subject preparing to leave the store with merchandise without paying.  The suspect left the store and walked to a nearby business.  The loss prevention officer followed the suspect and saw her conceal merchandise from that store.  The loss prevention officer also saw the suspect make contact with two subjects in a vehicle in the parking lot, which he reported to police with a description of the vehicle.

Officers arrived, located the vehicle and detained two suspects. The officers then heard the security alarm of the second store go off, indicating someone had gone out the emergency doors to the south of the store.  They located the female suspect in the service alley and she was detained.  All subjects were arrested for burglary.

Grand Theft
January 19 at 6:40 p.m., a suspicious white van was reported in front of a residence in the 300 block of East Walnut.  The driver of the van was seen tampering with the electrical box for the residence.  The electrical box contained six backup batteries for the cable and telephone service.  The suspect left in the van prior to the officer’s arrival.  The officer determined the suspect bent back the sheet metal on the box and removed all six batteries.  The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
January 20 at 12:15 a.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 900 block of East Lemon.  The victim arrived home and discovered his house had been burglarized.  The suspect used a patio chair to stand on and gain access through a small bathroom window.  The suspect took jewelry, money, and then exited through the sliding door.  The investigation is continuing.

New Ad Position Open on MonroviaNow

The second ad space on the left (the red block in the illustration, not to scale) is now for sale. It is 300 pixels tall and 160 wide and is sold on a per-month basis beginning in February with a three month minimum and a 12-month maximum, payable in advance. The ad is text unless you have an image you would like to use.
To price the ad, I'm using a reverse auction. Jan. 21 it was $150 per month (again, three-month minimum, so $450 up front). If it doesn't sell, tomorrow I'll lower the price by $20 per month ($390 total), and so on daily until it sells or gets too cheap for me to bother. The price will appear on the ad itself.

For reference, in December MonroviaNow had 17,956 page views and for this month I guesstimate it will have 18,263 page views.
Interested? Send me an email: brad@bradhaugaard.com
- Brad Haugaard