Krikorian Theater in Chevy Ad | UFO Over Monrovia?

~ Monrovia's Krikorian Theater featured in a Chevy Cruze commercial, in Spanish. http://goo.gl/XFo4EL

~ UFO over Monrovia? Bright, white, and ping pong ball-ish. http://goo.gl/EFtqrv

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman's Education Bill Approved by Committee

Assembly Bill 1451, by Assemblymember Chris Holden - who represents Monrovia - has been unanimously approved in the Senate Education Committee. The bill encourages school districts and community colleges to enter into partnerships to let high school students take college courses or career tech classes. Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Lowers Filming Fees

At its June 17 City Council meeting, the Monrovia City Council voted to lower Monrovia filming fees from $780 per issuance to $500- a reduction of over 35 percent.

The City of Monrovia has always been friendly to filming. Over the years commercials, music videos, feature films, independent films and photo shoots have used Monrovia as a backdrop. Movies like Lethal Weapon, Grosse Point Bank, and Legally Blond, and TV Shows like Revenge, CSI, Mad Men and the entire Picket Fences series all have scenes based out of Monrovia.

Filming brings in revenue to the City, local businesses and residents who offer up their locations for film shoots or staging areas. After a significant drop in film requests starting in 2012, the City Council contracted with Film L.A. in January 2014 to handle film permits and attract more filming to the City. Since that time, Monrovia has seen filming begin to pick up.

"As states and cities around the country begin to see the benefit that filming brings to local economies, we are watching our beloved film industry leave California for places that offer better rates," said Mayor Mary Ann Lutz. "Monrovia is an ideal film location for so many reasons, and we want to be more competitive to keep our film industry here in town."

Special event permit fees in Monrovia also decreased 50% from $50 to $25.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Employees Receiving Distinguished Service Medal

The Monrovia Police Department will recognize the accomplishments of six employees on Thursday, June 19, at 5 p.m., in the City of Monrovia Council Chambers. The six recipients will be awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for their exceptional work, their dedication to the Monrovia Police Department and their commitment to the community of Monrovia.

Honorees are:

- Detective Roberto Wilken
- Detective Sarah Bushmeyer
- Detective Stewart Levin
- Officer John Jefferson
- Officer James Ruano
- Jailer Christine Garland

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

St. Francis Stolen | Monrovia Giraffe

~ According to this Twitter post, apparently someone stole a small statue of St. Francis from the Upton Sinclair home on North Myrtle. http://goo.gl/YJw1KW

~ Metal giraffe outside condos in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/qXglSI

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Having Difficulties Hiring New City Manager; Trying Again

Following a complaint by Monrovia City Council member Tom Adams at tonight's council meeting that the city is not doing well with only a part-time interim city manager, Mayor Mary Ann Lutz reported that the city hopes to hire a new full-time manager "in a month or so."

She said since former City Manager Laurie Lile retired last October the city has gone through a search process and made offers to two candidates, but couldn't agree with either of them on a salary. So, she added, the city is now going through the search process again.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council Again Votes to Ban Plastic Grocery Bags

The Monrovia City Council again adopted a ban on plastic grocery carry-out bags on a 3-2 vote, with Mayor Mary Ann Lutz and council members Larry Spicer and Alexander Blackburn in favor and council members Tom Adams and Becky Shevlin voting against. The only change from the previous time the council voted for the ban is that the enforcement date will be later, on Jan. 1, 2015.

Interesting points:

- A representative of a grocers association said its members support the plastic bag ban, but just want the ban to be uniform throughout local communities. Also, Mayor Lutz later said she contacted several local grocers and found they were all in favor of the ban. Council member Adams said that is hardly surprising since a ban would mean the cost of the bags would be shifted from the markets to their customers.

- Councilmember Becky Schevlin said she was bothered that the ad hoc plastic bag committee approved the ban with only two members voting. Mayor Lutz responded by quoting council member Tom Adams, who said at a previous meeting that if you don't show up, you don't get to vote.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's McCarthy Player of Year | Curio Shop Gone

~ Monrovia's Elise McCarthy named player of the year. http://goo.gl/fWNhlC

~ Route 66 Curio shop gone from Aztec Hotel. http://goo.gl/ScHTt5

- Brad Haugaard

Opinion: How Big a Problem are Plastic Bags for Monrovia?

The Monrovia City Council will again consider a ban on plastic carry-out grocery bags this evening (7:30 p.m. if you want to show up and have your say), so I thought I'd make the following point.

One of the core unaddressed questions in the entire plastic bag ban discussion is this:

What percentage of Monrovia's trash volume is made up of plastic grocery store carry-out bags?

I have not seen the answer to this question, and if the city cannot show that plastic grocery store carry-out bags comprise a significant percentage of its trash volume, then a ban is an utterly unwarranted governmental intrusion into the itty-bitty details of people's lives.

- Brad Haugaard

Electricity Rates Going Up | Monrovia Helping Test Backflow Devices | Plastic Bag Ban

~ It appears electricity rates will go up this summer. Southern California Edison doesn't exactly say "go up," but does say rates will "change." Reasons: The cost to generate or buy power is increasing; SCE is updating the grid; high-usage customers are subsidizing low-usage customers and this will spread costs more evenly. http://goo.gl/s1A0pM

~ Monrovia Today magazine reports that Monrovia is partnering with USC and a number of backflow prevention device makers to test new backflow devices. These things prevent water (usually contaminated) from flowing the wrong direction in pipes. [Comment: Kinda nice to live in a quiet town where backflow prevention devices can make the news.] http://goo.gl/w4xU6d

~ At its 7:30 meeting tonight, the Monrovia City Council will again consider whether to ban plastic grocery store carry-out bags. [Comment: Just got back from a trip and those bags are great for storing dirty clothes so they don't mess up clean clothes. Please, no more nonsense about these bags being single-use.]

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Summer Activities

Lots of fun activities and classes in the summer calendar which should have been mailed to you as part of the Monrovia Today pamphlet, but which is here in case you missed it: http://goo.gl/w4xU6d

- Brad Haugaard

For Your Calendar: Monrovia Summer Concerts in the Park

Sunday evenngs, 7-8:30 p.m. at the bandshell at Library Park.

July 13 - Jumpin' Joz Band (Jazz)

July 20 - Lily Wilson (Folk Pop)

July 27 - The Answer (Classic Rock)

August 3 - Mariachi Divas (Mariachi)

August 10 - Person to Person (Top 40)

August 17 - The Yari More Latin Band (Salsa)

August 24 - The Undercover Girls (80s)

August 31 - Doo Wah Riders (Country)


For more info call Department of Community Services at 256-8245. http://goo.gl/w4xU6d

- Brad Haugaard

Did You Lose a Dog?

Is this your dog? Amanda Wray reports that "a friend found this little dog running loose around Olive and Shamrock. It has a collar and looks cared for but no tag. Does anyone know the owner?

"If so, please contact Kelly at 626-802-7278"

- Brad Haugaard

Wrong-Way Driver on Freeway | Monrovia Explorers

~ Wrong-way driver causes freeway crash in Monrovia. Some injuries. Man arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. http://goo.gl/pYJlvd

~ Photo of Monrovia grads of the San Gabriel Valley Law Enforcement Explorer Academy. http://goo.gl/Q7ywx0


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fourth of July Celebration Linked to Friday Night Family Festival

The City of Monrovia's 4th of July Concert and Fireworks Show is scheduled for Friday, July 4th, in Library Park; located at 321 South Myrtle Avenue.

For the first time in Monrovia history, the 4th of July event will be held in conjunction with the very popular Friday Night Family Festival. After saving seats for the Fireworks show, those who attend the event can look forward to great shopping and dining along Myrtle Avenue, kids' activities, arts and crafts vendors, and a farmers' market. The Family Festival will run from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Live entertainment in Library Park will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a performance by "Stone Soul" followed by the free 20 minute Fireworks Show at 9:00 p.m.

Spectators may reserve a park space no larger than 10 x 10 feet which must be supervised at all times.

This event is made possible by: Presidential Sponsor - Mary Ann and Corey Lutz, Wendy's Hamburgers, Samuelson & Fetter, Monrovia Old Town Merchants, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, The Sierra Family of Dealerships, and Ducommun AeroStructures.

Come celebrate our Nation's Independence Day in the Star Spangled City of Monrovia! For additional information, please contact the Monrovia Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Dollmakers Kattywompus Named Business of the Year

A longtime Monrovia business has been named Small Business of the Year for the 41st Assembly District. At the California Small Business Day ceremony in Sacramento today, Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) recognized Pam Fitzpatrick as owner of The Dollmakers Kattywompus. The annual awards program honors small businesses throughout the state.

"I am pleased to honor Pam Fitzpatrick not only for all her hard work, but for her civic commitment as well," said Assemblymember Holden. "Pam is a success not only because she's a good businesswoman, but because she gives back to the community. Businesses like hers are the backbone of the community and it is important that we recognize their contributions to the economy of California."

"I was both surprised and honored to receive the phone call that our family business had won this award. And it makes me smile every time I think about it: it IS possible to pursue your dream and succeed, and it IS possible to do it with your family," said Pam Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick, the owner of The Dollmakers' Kattywompus, has been a part of the Monrovia business scene since 1991 when the store first opened in Old Town. Since then, her doll and retro toy store has expanded to offer music lessons and free Friday night concerts. Fitzpatrick is also very active in her community and has helped many non-profits by donating toys and giving of her time and energy. Her sister and co-owner, Jennifer Ranger accompanied her to Sacramento.

She was nominated by Becky Shevlin, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Monrovia who stated, "Pam Fitzpatrick is beyond tireless in her pursuit to not only promote her own family business but to also promote and protect the interests of other businesses in Monrovia Old Town."

source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Police Follow GPS Signal to Make Arrest; Child Abuse; Drunk Driving; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 12-15. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events. 

Stolen Vehicle Recovered / Receiving Stolen Property – Suspect Arrested
On June 13 at 7:00 a.m., a stolen vehicle was recovered in the 100 block of West Colorado. The vehicle was a rental and was stolen out of Pasadena. At 1:53 p.m., the owner of the vehicle came to the police station to report that his GPS tracker was stolen from the vehicle. Police were able to track the GPS unit to the 200 block of West Chestnut. Officers followed the GPS signal to a motor home parked at the curb. A subject answered the door to the motor home and allowed the officers to search the motor home. The GPS unit was recovered, along with other possible stolen property. The suspect denied all knowledge of the GPS and the other property. He was arrested for receiving stolen property and taken into custody. 

Commercial Burglary / Robbery – Suspect Arrested
On June 13 at 8:17 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a burglary. The suspect was seen selecting merchandise and concealing it in his backpack. The suspect walked out of the location without paying and was approached by loss prevention. The suspect tried to strike one of the loss prevention officers and managed to retrieve a pocket knife, but dropped it. Loss prevention backed away and the suspect fled on foot. He was detained by arriving officers on a nearby street. Loss prevention positively identified the suspect and he was arrested. 

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspects Arrested
During the evening of June 13 and early morning hours of June 14, officers stopped five separate vehicles for driving under the influence of alcohol in the city. The drivers were arrested and taken into custody.

 

The Monrovia Police Department would like to remind the public of the danger and consequences of driving under the influence. Not only are you putting your life in danger, but you put the life of others in danger when you choose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. If you see a driver that appears to be driving under the influence, call 911 and report their location to police. 

Child Abuse – Suspect Arrested
On June 15 at 10:52 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of Monterey regarding possible child abuse that had just occurred. The suspect had fled in a vehicle, but was apprehended by officers on the 605 Freeway at Arrow Highway. Officers arrived at the residence and discovered that a 13-year-old female had been strangled by her father, after he became upset with her for not helping with housework. The child sustained injuries. The father was arrested for child abuse and taken into custody. Paramedics responded and examined the child and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services was notified. 

Family Disturbance / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
On June 15 at 12:55 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 800 block of West Olive regarding a male subject who was reported by his family to be out of control and possibly on drugs. He had been yelling at everyone in the house. As officers were responding, the family reported that the subject had fled the home in a white vehicle. The vehicle was located and the subject was detained. He was not determined to be under the influence of drugs; however, he did have a felony warrant for his arrest with a bail set at $300,000 for assault, which was a Monrovia case. The suspect was arrested. 

Look at the Sun - Safely, at Monrovia's Library Park

Your mother always told you to never look directly at the sun, and she was right, except for this day.

Sunday June 22nd is International SUNday.

Come out to Library Park and look at the sun through several specialize solar telescopes.

One is for white light, which you will see sunspots.

The second one is for Hydrogen Alpha or Ha.

This one will show a very active spectrum of the sun where you will see filaments, prominence and spicules.

After looking at our nearest star, you will never see the sun in the same way.
Unlike looking at the Moon or Saturn through a telescope at night, which will look the same for the most part, the sun can and will change every hour, and sometimes even minutes.

I'll have some freebies like solar (sun) glasses that you can use to look directly at the sun.

Sometimes you can see sunspots with them if they are large enough.

I will be at the park around 9 AM to 4 PM on the 22nd near the corner of Myrtle Ave and Lime Ave, on the grassy area. If you are not going to be able to make it Sunday, I'll also be in Pasadena on the 28th.

This is part of the Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project, a non profit Internet outreach club.

Source: Brad Hori


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Freeway Crash Kills One

Man killed in freeway crash in Monrovia. Collision between car and big rig. http://goo.gl/tyfePV

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Chicken King Express

Lunch at Chicken King Express, at the shopping center at the northeast corner of Mayflower and Foothill. Got the falafel plate ($7.95) and a lemonade ($2). Friendly guy at the counter and food was fine.

- Brad Haugaard