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Wildcat Color Guard Takes First Place | Be On a City Board

~ The Monrovia High Marching Wildcat Color Guard hosted 70 Southern California color guards this weekend in the WGASC LA/Ventura Invitational, and took first place in regional division AA. http://goo.gl/HNlJPZ

~ Monrovia is accepting applications to fill positions on the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Community Services Commission, Library Board and Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board. Details: http://goo.gl/e7YhnV

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia VFW Hosting Seminar for Vets

VFW Post 2070 will host a seminar and Q&A session with a representative of the Veterans Administration at the Post Hall, 825 S. Magnolia, in Monrovia, on Thursday, March 27 from 5:30-7:30PM.

Topics to be covered include all aspects of veterans benefits, including education, healthcare, housing and disability, among others.

All veterans and/or their families in the San Gabriel Valley are invited to attend. The Post equally encourages all current and former military personnel from all eras of service, from World War II to present day, whether the veteran served in combat or not. Refreshments will be served, and the event is scheduled concurrent to the Post's weekly burger feast, so dinner will be available. Families are welcome to attend, especially if seeking help for a veteran who resists assistance.

For more information, contact Post 2070 Service Officer Robert Parry at (626) 698-0878 or rcjparry@yahoo.com

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Gang Stabbing, Vehicle Burglary

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 6-9. - Brad Haugaard]

Gang-Related Stabbing
March 6 at 6:25 p.m., Monrovia Police Department received a call reporting a possible victim of a stabbing in the area of Magnolia and Montana. Officers were dispatched to the area to search for the victim. A 19-year-old, male Black victim was found in the 1300 block of South Magnolia with two, non-life-threatening, stab wounds to the chest. The victim told officers he had exited the bus at Magnolia and Huntington and started walking south on Magnolia on the west side of the street. The victim reported that he was approached by two male Hispanic suspects, approximately 19 years old. One of the suspects yelled out a gang slur and then stabbed the victim twice in the chest. The suspects then ran north on Magnolia towards Huntington. The victim flagged down pedestrians and told them he had been stabbed. Additional officers and Special Enforcement Team members searched the area for the suspects, but they were not located. The investigation is continuing. 

Vehicle Burglary
March 7 at 4:45 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of West Huntington regarding the report of a vehicle burglary. Unknown suspect(s) broke out the windows of two parked cars belonging to patrons of a hotel. The suspect(s) removed personal property from the vehicles. The investigation is continuing. 

Monrovia High Locked Down While Cops Search for Burglar

Monrovia High is on lockdown as police search for a nearby burglary suspect. Apparently police have now taken the suspect into custody. From Twitter postings.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman Advocates Replacing Current Massage Parlor Law

Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, writes that the state should consider allowing a state law that regulates the massage industry to expire and "replace it with something that will allow our communities to regain control over businesses who continually flout the law."

He said that, "While there are many legitimate massage operations, sex trafficking and prostitution have become big business in California with prostitutes as young as 12 or 13 working in illicit massage parlors."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman Holden Authors Bill to Fight Truancy

Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, writes that he is "proud to author a bill (AB 1672) that will help more students stay in the classroom and out of the courtroom."

"If schools aren't tracking what students are missing you won't be able to effectively fix the problem. Second graders are missing school and arriving late for very different reasons than 11th graders. Requiring County Offices of Education to forward the complete reports to the Dept. of Education will allow them to identify trends and find best practices to address this crisis.

"AB 1672 requires local Student Attendance Review Boards (SARB) to report information on student enrollment, absence and truancy rates, referrals to the district attorney and intervention outcomes. Current SARB reports provide minimal information about intervention outcomes, so it is difficult to get the full picture."

Text of law with the additional things schools would need to report: http://goo.gl/DBU4Ku

Source: Holden press release

Comment: I'm kind of torn on this. It seems it might be a good thing if additional information can help reduce truancy, but it bothers me that this is yet another example of the state placing more and more requirements on local school districts, as if they don't have enough to do already. UPDATE: See knowledgeable response by "Alex" in comments.

- Brad Haugaard

2014 Monrovia Older American of the Year Award

The City of Monrovia, Department of Community Services, is accepting nominations for the 2014 Older American of the Year Award.  This award is presented to a Monrovian 60 years of age or older, working or retired, and still actively involved in volunteer service in Monrovia.  The purpose of this award is to honor and encourage older individuals to remain active in the community.

Nomination applications are now available [ here: http://goo.gl/E7J6pw ] and must be returned by Monday, March 31, to the Department of Community Services; 119 West Palm Avenue, Monrovia, CA  91016 - Attention:  Rebecca Romero.  A committee will review the applications and select an award recipient by Monday, April 7.

Individuals who submit nominations must provide their name, address and phone number for Staff to contact them if further information is necessary.  For additional information, please contact the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246.

The City of Monrovia will recognize the Older American Award recipient at the following events:

- Senior Recognition Luncheon, Thursday, April 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 West Palm.

- The 49th Annual Older Americans Recognition Day Awards on a date to be decided at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Music Center Grand Hall in Los Angeles.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Horse Painting Exhibit at Monrovia's Segil Fine Arts


Approaching the Racecourse, 9x12, acrylic

"Horses of Different Colors," an exhibit of horse racing pictures by Robert Zirillo. March 15 - Aprill 26 at Segil Fine Art, 110 West Lime. http://goo.gl/BOMq2k

- Brad Haugaard

Help Monrovia Robotics Team | Bookmark Contest | Tax Prep | Fish Dinner | Benefit for Centre Stage

~ Monrovia High robotics team, The Kings and Queens, is halfway to its goal of raising the funds to go to the Western U.S. Championship Tournament in Sacramento later this month. http://goo.gl/Pa7lD9

~ Friends of the Monrovia Public Library Bookmark Contest. Entry form at the Youth Desk. Design a bookmark and return it to the library by April 12. Winners are printed and distributed to the public during the 2014 Summer Reading Club. Winners chosen from five age categories and receive 50 of their printed designs. Open to all ages.

~ Monrovia's Tzu Chi offers free tax preparation to families earning less than $52,000 a year.

~ Monrovia Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Dinners; every Friday through Good Friday. 130 West Pomona. Dinner served 5:30-8:30 p.m. Adults $9; child $6; grilled cheese $4. Details: 359-6489

~ Benefit to replace equipment stolen from Centre Stage. Thursday, March 20 and Fri, March 21. "The Lights of Broadway," at Arcadia Christian Church 1900 S. Santa Anita Ave. Arcadia.

Thanks to Becky Shevlin for several of these items.

- Brad Haugaard

Moon Gazing in Monrovia


Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers were at the corner of Myrtle and Lime this evening. I stopped by to take a look at Jupiter and the moon. Beautiful! The club comes to Old Town about one Saturday a month, depending on weather conditions and other stuff. Here is the club's website: http://otastro.org

- Brad Haugaard


Look at Jupiter Tonight at Monrovia's Library Park

"Int'l Sidewalk Astro Night Saturday March 8! Monrovia, CA Myrtle & Lime Streets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Starring the moon & Jupiter." From a Twitter post.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board: Wiring the Campus, Honorees, Etc.

At its March 12 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/LpNb05 ), the Monrovia School Board will ...

~ Consider purchasing a variety of electronic services, such as VOIP (phone calls over Internet), fiber optic wiring, networking equipment, wifi, and cell phones.

~ Consider applying for money from the state to pay for the technology improvements.

~ Honor lots of people, including science teams and those who contributed to them, student Youth of the Year finalists, and those who supported them, the Monrovia High Boys Varsity Soccer Team since they're the 2013-14 Rio Hondo League champions, the Healing Connections Committee for its coordination of the "March 4 Balance" Campaign.

(Here, by the way, are the finalists in Monrovia's Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year competition: Canyon Oaks High student Donye Neal, Monrovia High student Samantha Rodarte, and Monrovia High student Margarita Sandoval. Sandoval moves on to the Los Angeles County competition for Youth of the Year.)

~ Consider new chemistry and English classes.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Flamzz Pizza Restaurant


Lunch at the new Flamzz pizza restaurant at the corner of Ivy and Colorado. Simple, clean atmosphere. Got a BBQ chicken pizza ($7.50) and a soda ($1.95). Plus tax and tip. Very tasty. Kind of like California Pizza Kitchen.
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Considers Julian Fisher Park Playground Equipment, and Park Fees

At its March 11 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/mlPr7D ), the Monrovia Community Services Commission will consider recommending the city buy playground equipment for Julian Fisher Park, and that it raise the per-use rental fee for the Library Park bandshell to $90 and the Recreation Park gazebo to $75. http://goo.gl/Plr53m

- Brad Haugaard

Teen Stabbed | More on New Monrovia Football Coach | Fish Fry

~ Teen stabbed in possible gang crime. http://goo.gl/Ofb2IG

~ New Monrovia football coach: "My job is to go in there and not change anything." http://goo.gl/LVCy4B

~ VFW Fish Fry, Friday, March 7th, 5-7 p.m. $7 for Fish n Chips, $5 for Chicken n Chips. Every Friday til Easter. St. Patrick's Day, Corned Beef n Cabbage, Monday, March 17th.

- Brad Haugaard

'Massage Envy' Coming to Monrovia

A company called, "Massage Envy" (apparently a local chain: http://goo.gl/PL91tZ ) is coming soon to a portion of the former Blockbuster video location on Foothill, according to Monrovia's Community Development Department. The department also reports that during tenant improvements a Ford logo was discovered beneath an interior veneer. Click to see: http://goo.gl/Ps9Hnw

- Brad Haugaard

Former Monrovia Assemblyman Files to Run for Governor

Tim Donnelly (R), who represented Monrovia in the State Assembly before redistricting, announced on Facebook today that he has officially filed to run for governor. He writes: "Today I filed to become the 40th Governor of the Great State of California."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Will Be Watching for Drunk Drivers on St. Patrick's Day

On Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, the Monrovia Police Department will be participating in the regional “AVOID the 100” Anti-DUI Campaign. Officers will be deployed to provide DUI enforcement to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers in the Department's ongoing traffic safety campaign.DUI saturation patrols will deploy on March 17, 2014, between the hours of 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.

If you are hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party:

- Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you serve is involved in an impaired driving crash.
- Make sure all your guests designate a sober driver in advance or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
- Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
- Keep the phone numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving impaired.

Also, if you are attending a St. Patrick’s Day Party:

- Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
- If you do not have a designated driver, call a cab, sober friend, or family member to pick you up.
- Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive drunk.
- Always buckle up.
- Alcohol, not only dangerously impairs your driving skills, it impairs your judgment. If you see a friend under the influence of alcohol – don’t let them get behind the wheel.

Source: Monrovia Police Department

- Brad Haugaard

How Monrovia Ranks for Car Insurance | Evensong Performance | Chu Amendment Defeated

~ Apparently Monrovia is one of the more expensive California cities in which to purchase car insurance, ranking from cheapest (Calexico, number 1) to most expensive (Glendale, number 210), Monrovia ranks 165th. http://goo.gl/eCFIpf

~ The women of the choir of St. Luke's (at Foothill and California) along with guest singers, will present a free performance of its Seventh Annual Evensong Invitational for Women's Voices on Sunday, March 16, at 4 p.m., followed by a wine and cheese reception. The choir, conducted by Music Director and composer Kent Bennett Jones, will perform Denis Mason's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, Malcolm Archer's Preces and Responses, and the anthem Mary and Martha and the Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light) by Jones. The Director will accompany on the pipe organ.

~ Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Monrovia, offered an amendment that "would raise the federal government's goal of contracts awarded to women-owned small businesses from 5% to 6%." It was defeated on a party-line vote. http://goo.gl/7uUx9e

Monrovia Police: 12 Pounds of Marijuana; Stealing from Store

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 3-5. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 404 service events, resulting in 60 investigations.

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
March 3 at 2:30 p.m., loss prevention from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington phoned police to report a female subject inside the store that was concealing merchandise. Police arrived and waited outside for the subject to leave the store. The female exited the store and was detained by loss prevention. She was escorted back into the store by loss prevention and a police officer. The female subject was arrested for burglary.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Recovered Stolen Firearm – Suspect Arrested
On March 4 at 12:43 p.m., a parking control officer was dispatched on a parking problem in the 900 block of Diamond. When she arrived, she had dispatch run a computer check on the license plate of the vehicle. She discovered the computer return on the license plate did not match the type of vehicle. An officer was requested and when he arrived, he smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officers opened the vehicle and saw marijuana mulch in a box. They inspected the vehicle further and recovered 12 pounds of marijuana. In the trunk, they located a honey oil extraction lab and equipment, along with 14 grams of honey oil product. They located the owner of the vehicle and were given consent to search the residence. They recovered a stolen firearm from inside the residence. The suspect was arrested and held for bail.