Video of Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz's State of the City speech has been uploaded, if you'd like to watch it: http://goo.gl/68CuQQ
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Market Grill in Top 100
Monrovia's Market Grill makes the top 100 restaurants in the United States list, on Yelp.com. Number 75 to be exact. Good restaurant! http://goo.gl/Fl3nFR
- Brad Haugaard
Winning Monrovia Robotics Team Needs Support
Brian Johnson writes:
"The Monrovia High robotics program needs the Community's help! Our team "The Kings And Queens" was the top team out of a field of the best 48 teams in Southern California at the Los Angeles FTC Robotics Regional Tournament on Saturday 2/22 and earned a spot in the Western U.S. FTC Championship Tournament to be held in Sacramento on Mar 20-22.
"The cost to send the Kings And Queens to the Sacramento tournament is over $3000 for the entry fee, travel costs, needed parts for the robot, and materials to build a team display booth. We need your donations and business sponsorships to make this happen. Business owners - for a donation of $500 we will prominently feature your company's logo and information on our honored supporters board in our display area, and for a donation of $1000 we will also place your company logo right on the robot for everyone to see. If you would like to be a sponsor or make a tax-deductible donation, please contact Tom Dobson at MHS at 626-471-2800 x7243. If you want to support the team and don't need a tax receipt, please donate to our "Go Fund Me" campaign at http://www.gofundme.com/75ehc4. The girls have been amazing ambassadors for Monrovia at tournaments throughout Southern California and Nevada demonstrating everything that is good and special about our wonderful little city. Help them continue to represent us to the Western U.S., and hopefully to the World."
- Brad Haugaard
"The Monrovia High robotics program needs the Community's help! Our team "The Kings And Queens" was the top team out of a field of the best 48 teams in Southern California at the Los Angeles FTC Robotics Regional Tournament on Saturday 2/22 and earned a spot in the Western U.S. FTC Championship Tournament to be held in Sacramento on Mar 20-22.
"The cost to send the Kings And Queens to the Sacramento tournament is over $3000 for the entry fee, travel costs, needed parts for the robot, and materials to build a team display booth. We need your donations and business sponsorships to make this happen. Business owners - for a donation of $500 we will prominently feature your company's logo and information on our honored supporters board in our display area, and for a donation of $1000 we will also place your company logo right on the robot for everyone to see. If you would like to be a sponsor or make a tax-deductible donation, please contact Tom Dobson at MHS at 626-471-2800 x7243. If you want to support the team and don't need a tax receipt, please donate to our "Go Fund Me" campaign at http://www.gofundme.com/75ehc4. The girls have been amazing ambassadors for Monrovia at tournaments throughout Southern California and Nevada demonstrating everything that is good and special about our wonderful little city. Help them continue to represent us to the Western U.S., and hopefully to the World."
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Warning: Watch Out for Flash Floods!
City of Monrovia warns residents living in the Madison Fire area (north of Hillcrest between Madison Avenue and Alta Vista Avenue), to watch out for flash floods: http://goo.gl/uDlwsR
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Did You Lose a Tortoise? | Monrovia Librarian
~ Jen Havens has this tortoise, found at Mayflower and Foothill, about to go into Foothill traffic. Call or text 673-7978 if you are the owners. UPDATE: Happy ending. The tortoise was reunited with his family.
~ A brief history of a Monrovia librarian: http://goo.gl/0igiS2
- Brad Haugaard
Diamond Bar over Monrovia :-( | 100% Rain
~ Diamond Bar over Monrovia in soccer. http://goo.gl/6cwHg7
~ Wow! Chance of rain Friday is 100%, and 70% on Thursday and Saturday. http://goo.gl/QnmsD9
- Brad Haugaard
~ Wow! Chance of rain Friday is 100%, and 70% on Thursday and Saturday. http://goo.gl/QnmsD9
- Brad Haugaard
Rainstorm Power Safety Tips from Edison
With the approaching rainstorm, Southern California Edison has some tips on power-related safety issues that may occur because of the storm. http://goo.gl/RyTorH
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Roundup
Household hazardous waste and e-waste roundup on Saturday, March 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Myrtle Avenue Park and Ride Lot at the corner of South Myrtle and Pomona Avenue. Details: http://goo.gl/hGA0We
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Church Renting Krikorian Theater for New Movie
The Monrovia church, Fellowship Monrovia, is renting out the Krikorian Theater for an exclusive showing of the new movie, The Son of God, on Feb. 27. http://goo.gl/lDDHQS
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Foothill Unity Center: New President is Monrovia Mayor; Honorees
Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, on the board of Foothill Unity Center, has been selected as the new president of the board, according to a Facebook posting by the Center.
Also, at its Fabulous '50s Golden Plate Awards benefit on April 24, Foothill Unity Center will honor ...
- Cynthia Kurtz, president and chief executive officer, San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
- Colleen McEvoy, longtime Center supporter.
- Simplicity Bank
- Jewish Federation of the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, Temple Beth David, Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, Weizmann Day School
Tickets to the event at The Trinity Ballroom in Pasadena are $150 per person. There will be a showing of classic cars, silent and live auctions, and oldies music. Center is seeking sponsorships and items for auctions. For information: www.foothillunitycenter.org.
- Brad Haugaard
Also, at its Fabulous '50s Golden Plate Awards benefit on April 24, Foothill Unity Center will honor ...
- Cynthia Kurtz, president and chief executive officer, San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
- Colleen McEvoy, longtime Center supporter.
- Simplicity Bank
- Jewish Federation of the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, Temple Beth David, Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, Weizmann Day School
Tickets to the event at The Trinity Ballroom in Pasadena are $150 per person. There will be a showing of classic cars, silent and live auctions, and oldies music. Center is seeking sponsorships and items for auctions. For information: www.foothillunitycenter.org.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Company: Peanut Butter Pretzel Monopoly? | Fundraiser for Reading
~ Does Monrovia-based Trader Joe's have a monopoly on peanut butter pretzels? http://goo.gl/ezQInL
~ Monrovia Reads is having a fundraiser March 13, 6-9 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel. Details: http://goo.gl/XzMyFr
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia Reads is having a fundraiser March 13, 6-9 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel. Details: http://goo.gl/XzMyFr
- Brad Haugaard
Crutchfield New Monrovia Football Coach? | Holden: Make Obama Prominent in State Textbooks
~ Star-News sports writer Fred Robledo wonders in a Twitter posting, whether "former Duarte coach Wardell Crutchfield be the next head football coach at Monrovia? Rumor is that he's interested."
~ Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has introduced a bill, AB 1912, called the "President Barack Obama Curriculum Act," that a Holden press release says "would be the first step toward acknowledging President Obama's legacy for generations to come." Specifically, the bill "would encourage the State Board of Education to provide academic curriculum on the election of President Obama and its historical impact of overcoming our nation's past and educating children to embrace diversity." The bill: http://goo.gl/b069hw
- Brad Haugaard
~ Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has introduced a bill, AB 1912, called the "President Barack Obama Curriculum Act," that a Holden press release says "would be the first step toward acknowledging President Obama's legacy for generations to come." Specifically, the bill "would encourage the State Board of Education to provide academic curriculum on the election of President Obama and its historical impact of overcoming our nation's past and educating children to embrace diversity." The bill: http://goo.gl/b069hw
- Brad Haugaard
Drought and Dymondia
We're having a drought in California, and if you go up into Monrovia Canyon Park, you will find evidence of it. The stream at the bottom of the park continues to flow, though it is a bit low, but if you take the trail up to White Saddle, all three of the higher streams are bone dry. You can see one of the streams in the top half of the photo.
Anyway, with water conservation in mind, I planted a couple flats of a plant called Dymondia in a corner of our yard a few months ago as an experiment. You can see in the bottom half of the picture that it is starting to grow together. It's a ground cover that drinks very little water, stays close to the ground, and never needs mowing. We'll see how it works. Dymondia: http://goo.gl/Czi4cv
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Threats Against Girlfriend; Swipe and Return; Assault with Toy Truck; Thefts from Vehicles; Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for February 20-23. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
Grand Theft Auto – Suspects Arrested
February 20 at 3:40 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 300 block of Genoa when he located a stolen vehicle. The stolen vehicle went westbound on Genoa and the occupants exited the truck and ran. They ran south between two apartment buildings. An officer located the suspects in a parking garage and ordered them to stop, but they decided to run. Both were detained in the rear of the building and arrested.
Theft From a Vehicle
February 20 at 12:23 p.m., police received a call reporting a theft from a vehicle in the 200 block of North Encinitas. The victim had miscellaneous clothing items stolen from two of his cars. Both vehicles had been left unlocked in the driveway. The investigation is continuing.
Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested
February 20 at 9:43 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 400 block of West Foothill regarding a family disturbance. The male suspect was intoxicated and forced entry into his girlfriend's bedroom, threatening to harm her. The suspect left several voice messages threatening to kill the victim. The suspect was arrested for Criminal Threats and taken into custody, where he was held pending his court appearance.
Petty Theft - Suspect Arrested
February 21 at 4:31 p.m., loss prevention from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called police to report a suspect making a fraudulent return. The suspect entered the store, selected an item, and then went to the return desk and returned the item for cash without paying for the item. The loss prevention officer observed the suspect making the fraudulent return and waited until the transaction was completed. The suspect then went to the jewelry department. Officers arrived and the suspect was arrested.
Theft From a Vehicle
February 21 at 5:32 p.m., the victim of a theft from her vehicle came into the police department to report the crime. The incident occurred in the 500 block of East Lime sometime overnight. The vehicle was left unlocked and the victim’s wallet and passport were stolen from the center console. Charges had already been made on her credit cards. The investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
February 22 at 7:21 a.m., police dispatch received a call reporting a vehicle with front end collision damage heading east on Duarte from 4th Street. Officers arrived and located the vehicle. After investigation, the male driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested. The driver could not recall what he had collided into to cause the damage to his vehicle. An area check was conducted, but no signs of a collision were located.
Thefts From Vehicles / Vehicle Burglary
February 22 in the early morning, three thefts from a vehicle and one vehicle burglary were reported to police. The incidents occurred in the 800 block of Crescent, the 800 block of West Foothill, and the 600 block of East Lemon. In three of the incidents the vehicles were left unlocked and in one a window was smashed to gain entry. In all four incidents valuables were taken that were left in the vehicles.
Theft From a Vehicle
February 23 at 9:30 a.m., police received a call reporting a theft from a vehicle in the 900 block of West Huntington. The victim parked his vehicle in a hotel parking lot and secured it. He returned to his vehicle the following morning and found the back seats missing. The lift gate rear window had not been locked. The investigation is continuing.
Domestic Battery – Suspect Arrested
February 23 at 10:10 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of West Duarte Road regarding a report of domestic violence. The female suspect and male victim have been living together for many years and have two children together. The suspect threw a toy truck at the victim, bit him, pushed and slapped him, and then broke a glass picture frame over his head. She was arrested for domestic battery and taken into custody.
Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Methamphetamine - Suspect Arrested
February 24 at 2:30 a.m., a male subject called police to report his girlfriend had just left the residence and was on her way to Foothill and Grand. He told police that she was pregnant and was under the influence of heroin. An officer located and detained the female subject at Grand and Foothill. She was determined not to be under the influence of drugs and said she was trying to get away from the male suspect. While the officer was talking to the female, the male suspect arrived. His actions indicated and officers determined him to be under the influence of drugs. He was arrested. He told the officer he was bringing the female subject's methamphetamine to her. He was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, which was added to his charges.
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
Grand Theft Auto – Suspects Arrested
February 20 at 3:40 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 300 block of Genoa when he located a stolen vehicle. The stolen vehicle went westbound on Genoa and the occupants exited the truck and ran. They ran south between two apartment buildings. An officer located the suspects in a parking garage and ordered them to stop, but they decided to run. Both were detained in the rear of the building and arrested.
Theft From a Vehicle
February 20 at 12:23 p.m., police received a call reporting a theft from a vehicle in the 200 block of North Encinitas. The victim had miscellaneous clothing items stolen from two of his cars. Both vehicles had been left unlocked in the driveway. The investigation is continuing.
Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested
February 20 at 9:43 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 400 block of West Foothill regarding a family disturbance. The male suspect was intoxicated and forced entry into his girlfriend's bedroom, threatening to harm her. The suspect left several voice messages threatening to kill the victim. The suspect was arrested for Criminal Threats and taken into custody, where he was held pending his court appearance.
Petty Theft - Suspect Arrested
February 21 at 4:31 p.m., loss prevention from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called police to report a suspect making a fraudulent return. The suspect entered the store, selected an item, and then went to the return desk and returned the item for cash without paying for the item. The loss prevention officer observed the suspect making the fraudulent return and waited until the transaction was completed. The suspect then went to the jewelry department. Officers arrived and the suspect was arrested.
Theft From a Vehicle
February 21 at 5:32 p.m., the victim of a theft from her vehicle came into the police department to report the crime. The incident occurred in the 500 block of East Lime sometime overnight. The vehicle was left unlocked and the victim’s wallet and passport were stolen from the center console. Charges had already been made on her credit cards. The investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
February 22 at 7:21 a.m., police dispatch received a call reporting a vehicle with front end collision damage heading east on Duarte from 4th Street. Officers arrived and located the vehicle. After investigation, the male driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested. The driver could not recall what he had collided into to cause the damage to his vehicle. An area check was conducted, but no signs of a collision were located.
Thefts From Vehicles / Vehicle Burglary
February 22 in the early morning, three thefts from a vehicle and one vehicle burglary were reported to police. The incidents occurred in the 800 block of Crescent, the 800 block of West Foothill, and the 600 block of East Lemon. In three of the incidents the vehicles were left unlocked and in one a window was smashed to gain entry. In all four incidents valuables were taken that were left in the vehicles.
Theft From a Vehicle
February 23 at 9:30 a.m., police received a call reporting a theft from a vehicle in the 900 block of West Huntington. The victim parked his vehicle in a hotel parking lot and secured it. He returned to his vehicle the following morning and found the back seats missing. The lift gate rear window had not been locked. The investigation is continuing.
Domestic Battery – Suspect Arrested
February 23 at 10:10 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of West Duarte Road regarding a report of domestic violence. The female suspect and male victim have been living together for many years and have two children together. The suspect threw a toy truck at the victim, bit him, pushed and slapped him, and then broke a glass picture frame over his head. She was arrested for domestic battery and taken into custody.
Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Methamphetamine - Suspect Arrested
February 24 at 2:30 a.m., a male subject called police to report his girlfriend had just left the residence and was on her way to Foothill and Grand. He told police that she was pregnant and was under the influence of heroin. An officer located and detained the female subject at Grand and Foothill. She was determined not to be under the influence of drugs and said she was trying to get away from the male suspect. While the officer was talking to the female, the male suspect arrived. His actions indicated and officers determined him to be under the influence of drugs. He was arrested. He told the officer he was bringing the female subject's methamphetamine to her. He was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, which was added to his charges.
Monrovia High School Robotics Team Wins Highest Honor at Los Angeles Regional Tournament
Five young women from Monrovia High School and their rhinestone-encrusted robot won the Inspire Award, the highest honor given at the Los Angeles FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) Regional Championship Tournament held at Monrovia this past Saturday. Along with six other teams from cities ranging from Santa Barbara to San Diego, they advance to compete with top teams from eleven western states, Alaska and Hawaii in McClellan, CA, near Sacramento on March 20-22, 2014 at the West Super-Regional FTC Championship.
These five junior class women – the “Kings and Queens” team – designed and built their own 18 by 18 inch robot from Tetrix parts, plexiglass, and machined aluminum to compete with alliances of robots on a 12 by 12 foot field. They stand out not just for their driving, design prowess, and their robot’s ability to raise a flag and pull itself up on a bar. Heads turn as they drive their purple robot “Your Highness” while wearing their signature costumes of purple-velvet-and gold-embroidered renaissance dresses. They also spread the word of robotics design as they share their robot adventures with elementary and middle-school students around Monrovia.
Engineer and computer programming judges from major regional companies chose the team from among a field of the top 48 FTC robotics teams from throughout Southern California as the "role-model" team for their on-field success, teamwork, inspiration to others, representation of the First Robotics program to their school and community, and embodiment of "Gracious Professionalism," the core value of the FIRST program.
This win is the first Regional champion from Monrovia High School in its four-year-old FTC robotics program, supported by company sponsors and members of the community and led by physics teacher Tom Dobson. Monrovia High School advanced four teams to the Los Angeles Regional Championship, which drew winners from eight qualifier competitions from Los Angeles out to the High Desert. This high school FTC after-school program is one of many opportunities supporting STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math) in conjunction with Monrovia’s Math and Science Academy. A second of Monrovia High's four FTC Robotics teams, "Team R.E.D.,” won an alternate spot for the Super-Regional tournament.
Winning teams in the West Super-Regional Competition will advance to the international championships in St. Louis, MO on April 23-26, 2014. The Monrovia High School FTC robotics program welcomes tax-deductible donations and company sponsorships to help cover the cost of traveling to Sacramento and hopefully on to St. Louis.
Source: Press release
- Brad Haugaard
History of Former Monrovia Library | Water Wise Gardening
~ Interested in water wise gardening? The Monrovia Library has some books to recommend: http://goo.gl/1SIvmY
~ A bit of history about the former Monrovia Library. http://goo.gl/ph1gZl
- Brad Haugaard
~ A bit of history about the former Monrovia Library. http://goo.gl/ph1gZl
- Brad Haugaard
High Chance of Rain in Monrovia Starting This Wednesday
Rain coming up for Monrovia. 10% chance on Wednesday, 30% Thursday, 90% Friday, 70% Saturday, then 20% Sunday through Tuesday and 10% Wednesday ( http://goo.gl/s8UaLX ). And National Weather Service says ( http://goo.gl/5nz0fY ), "A dramatic change in the weather is expected the second half of the week as a couple of winter storms are forecast to move across southwestern California. These two storms will bring significant rainfall...high elevation snow and gusty winds." Opinion: Well, good! We can use it.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Upton Sinclair in Monrovia
Pulitzer Prize winning author, Upton Sinclair, who wrote the novel, "The Jungle," lived in Monrovia for a while. Here's a bit about him and his house from the Monrovia Library: http://goo.gl/TlLXUe
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Schools: Enrollment a Bit Down, But Up Nicely for Kindergarten; Computer Equipment; Honors
At its Feb. 26 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/d1ued0 ) the Monrovia School Board will do this stuff ...
~ Receive a report indicating that enrollment has slipped slightly since 2009, however: "kindergarten enrollment (including Transition Kindergaten) is at its highest level since 2000-01. This could portend well for district enrollment trends in the future." http://goo.gl/4TyCge
~ Consider buying computer equipment so the district can administer the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress for less than $1 million, to be paid for by one-time state funds. http://goo.gl/VMpbhu
~ Join with the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce to recognize these Employees of the Month for outstanding service: Jan Marlia, School Office Manager, Clifton Middle School; Tomeika Carter, Teacher, Clifton Middle School; Felicia Richardson, Clerical Assistant III, Monrovia High School; Sandra Duff, Teacher, Monrovia High School. Also, the board will honor Monrovia High School student Kevin Lee, a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, and Roy Lamb, the Monrovia School District's 2014 Golden Apple Recipient. And, it will recognize the Monrovia/Duarte Black Alumni Association for coordinating Black History Month Activities following the theme of "The Civil Rights Movement in America".
- Brad Haugaard
~ Receive a report indicating that enrollment has slipped slightly since 2009, however: "kindergarten enrollment (including Transition Kindergaten) is at its highest level since 2000-01. This could portend well for district enrollment trends in the future." http://goo.gl/4TyCge
~ Consider buying computer equipment so the district can administer the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress for less than $1 million, to be paid for by one-time state funds. http://goo.gl/VMpbhu
~ Join with the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce to recognize these Employees of the Month for outstanding service: Jan Marlia, School Office Manager, Clifton Middle School; Tomeika Carter, Teacher, Clifton Middle School; Felicia Richardson, Clerical Assistant III, Monrovia High School; Sandra Duff, Teacher, Monrovia High School. Also, the board will honor Monrovia High School student Kevin Lee, a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, and Roy Lamb, the Monrovia School District's 2014 Golden Apple Recipient. And, it will recognize the Monrovia/Duarte Black Alumni Association for coordinating Black History Month Activities following the theme of "The Civil Rights Movement in America".
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Miyachi at Science Expo
Monrovia's Miyachi America Corporation, a manufacturer of welding, marking and micro machining equipment and systems, will be participating in the Monrovia High School Math & Science Academy Science Expo tomorrow, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Monrovia High School Science Building quad. The event is free and fun for all ages! Miyachi will demonstrate its laser marking systems, and distributing unique giveaways.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
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