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Citrus College Sued - Charged With Limiting Free Speech

A student is suing Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, for limiting free speech to "a small 'free speech area' on the campus quad." http://goo.gl/uhfNwc

- Brad Haugaard

Proposed New Building for Monrovia BMW Dealership


The BMW dealership at 1425 S. Mountain Ave. may get a new building. The Monrovia Design Review Committee recommended accepting a proposed three-story, 208,783 square feet structure. http://goo.gl/zRM2qG

- Brad Haugaard

Will Your Home Be Made Part of a National Recreation Area?


A section of the boundary of the proposed National Recreation Area (the yellow line). The area includes parts of Monrovia - including homes. For a full interactive map (zoom in to see Monrovia): http://goo.gl/WPHmHm

Former State Senator Dick Mountjoy, a Monrovia resident, thanked the City Council for opposing the National Recreation Area proposed by Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents the top edge of Monrovia. He said the boundary for the proposed federal area cuts through his property and that of his neighbors. He asked that the city write a letter to Congress opposing the NRA.

Councilman Tom Adams added that Congresswoman Chu has not responded to the city's request to be excluded from the federal area and asked for a staff report on how to proceed when a congresswoman "ignores a city request."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Plastic Bag Ban Finalized

The Monrovia City Council tonight approved the second reading of the plastic grocery carry-out bag ban, which means the ban will go into effect on January 1, 2015.

Councilmembers Larry Spicer and Alexander Blackburn did not make the same mistake of missing the council meeting. Last time there was a second reading on the ban, they failed to show up and the bag ban was reversed. Blackburn then reintroduce the ban and it was approved tonight. Councilmembers Tom Adams and Becky Shevlin again voted against the ban.

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia Craftsman House | Fourth of July Event

~ Craftsman style house being built at the corner of Foothill and Canyon. Picture: http://goo.gl/IEFJaH

~ Details about Fourth of July concert and fireworks show at Library Park. The band Stone Soul playing from 7-8:30 p.m. A 20-minute fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. http://goo.gl/ZmNSE1

- Brad Haugaard

Three Law Firms Say They Will Investigate Monrovia Company

At least three law firms have announced they will be investigating Monrovia's Staar Surgical in connection with the warning letter the company received from the Food and Drug Administration ( http://goo.gl/E6lxdY ). These are: The Rosen Law Firm ( http://goo.gl/CT0HRX ), the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith ( http://goo.gl/nmlB96 ), and Harwood Feffer LLP ( http://goo.gl/6Y1plj ).

- Brad Haugaard

Jewish Federation Moving to Monrovia

The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys is excited to announce that it has just signed a lease to move to its new offices in Monrovia. The Jewish Federation will be temporary located at Temple Beth David in Temple City while its new offices are being built out. With this move, the Jewish Federation is moving closer to the center of our community – an area from Glendale to Rancho Cucamonga.

The Jewish Federation had been located in Arcadia at the former Congregation Shaarei Torah building on Second Avenue since September 2010, after over 30 years in Covina. During its tenure there, the Jewish Federation was able to expand its programming and the services it offered. With the many events and performances that took place here (An Evening with the Consul General of Israel, plays and musicals, concerts and lectures), our Arcadia location become a center for Jewish life in the greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. As one community member put it, “We now have a place for all Jews from across our community, to come together and feel connected.”

The new facility will allow the Jewish Federation to continue its valuable work it does for and on behalf of the local Jewish community, as well as have a multipurpose room for small meetings and gatherings, along with a rehearsal space for Kol HaEmek (the community’s Jewish community choir), the Jewish Youth Orchestra, and upcoming plays and musicals.

“While the physical space of our new location will have a distinctly different look and feel,” Jason Moss, Executive Director explains, “the Jewish Federation’s Board of Governors and Staff are completely committed to continue providing the services and our current programs that so many people have come to count on.”

Jewish Federation’s new address is 116 W. Lime Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016. The tentative move in date will be August 1, unless the build-out is completed in a shorter period of time.

For more information about the Jewish Federation’s move, or upcoming plans, please contact the Jewish Federation at 626.445.0810 or by email at federation@jewishsgpv.org.

The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys provides programs and services that meet the needs of the local Jewish community – from Glendale to Rancho Cucamonga and south to Whittier – and provides the Jewish voice and leadership in addressing issues that affect the Jewish community as a whole.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

FDA Warns Monrovia's Staar Surgical

Monrovia's Staar Surgical, which makes replacement lenses for the human eye, has received a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration. It appears to be mostly about record keeping. http://goo.gl/E6lxdY

- Brad Haugaard

Old Style Tiles Needed to Restore Destroyed Monrovia Fountain

The historic fountain structure at the corner of Lime and Myrtle that was destroyed by a car accident is about to be rebuilt, and while much of the stonework and timbers were saved and can be reused, many old roof tiles, like these, were broken. If you happen to have a lead on where these may be obtained, contact Monrovia Historic Preservation Group President Jim Wigton, at 599-8187.

Source: Monrovia Historic Preservation Group newsletter

- Brad Haugaard

Swap Produce at Monrovia's Library Park


Picture caption: June's Collard Greens

If you are interested in sharing locally grown food, then come check out the next Produce in the Park meet-up this Saturday, July 5, from 9 AM - 11 AM by the Mark Twain bench in Library Park (on the corner of Lime & Myrtle)! To find out more about us, visit our blog ( http://goo.gl/BDxL1U ) and join emailing list ( produceinthepark@gmail.com ). See you there!

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Curb Abuse; Men and Women Fighting; Hiker Safe; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 26-29. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Found Elderly Couple
On June 28 at 10:53 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of North Mountain regarding an elderly couple inside a truck continuously hitting and running over the curb with their vehicle for approximately 2 hours. Officers arrived and found an 87 and 85 year old married couple. The female believed she was in Oakland and the male did not know where he was. Their son was eventually located in Apple Valley however, could not drive to Monrovia to pick-up his parents. An officer drove the couple home and Adult Protective Services were notified.

Warrant – Suspect Arrest
On June 29 at 1:56 a.m., officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 1100 block of Royal Oaks, where a male was reportedly hitting a female in the complex's parking lot. When officers arrived they determined the two were cousins and had only been yelling at each other. A computer check revealed the male subject had an outstanding warrant. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
On June 29 at 2:28 a.m., officers responded to the rear parking lot located in the 300 block of South Myrtle regarding a male and female possibly fighting. When officers arrived, they found a male, who was so intoxicated he could hardly stand up. After investigating whether they had been fighting or not, it was determined they had not been. The male was arrested for being drunk in public.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On June 29 at 4:45 a.m., a silver car was stopped at Maple and Primrose for a traffic violation. The officer approached the driver and could smell alcohol on the driver's breath. Field sobriety tests were conducted and it was determined the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested.

Outside Assist /Missing Person - Located
On June 29 at 7:20 a.m., dispatch received a call regarding a missing 32 year old female who resides in Pasadena. The missing person told her family she was going hiking Saturday, June 28 at 8:00 a.m., in Monrovia with a co-worker. The family made a missing persons report with Pasadena Police Department when she didn’t return home and she wasn’t answering her cell phone. The missing person left home in her dark grey, Honda Accord. Monrovia Park Rangers were notified and a thorough search was conducted for the Honda, but it was not found. At 1:50 p.m. we received a call from the family stating the missing hiker was located, she was spending time with a friend and had left her cell phone in her vehicle.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-Up: Robbery – Suspect Sentenced
A twenty year old male who has been arrested numerous times for theft and other narcotics offenses was sentenced to five years in state prison this past week for a robbery he committed in May at the Pavilions market. This was a culmination of the collaborative effort of the patrol officers, loss prevention officers and the work of Detectives to finally get a habitual offender off the streets.

Wizard of Oz at Monrovia's Taylor Performing Arts Center



Professional performance of The Wizard Of Oz at the Taylor Performing Arts Center, a.k.a. Monrovia High auditorium, on July 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20. Details:http://goo.gl/FmQlfF 

- Brad Haugaard

New Newspaper Being Distributed on Monrovia


The Los Angeles Register, an offshoot of the Orange County Register, has begun distributing in Monrovia. Well, maybe other people have received it before now, but today they began throwing it on my front yard as a free intro. Has anyone else received it before now?
 
Rather bold to be starting a paper newspaper in a day when newspapers are fading, but interesting. It's "Local" section is, perhaps, local to LA County, but not particularly local to Monrovia. Also it's editorial page is more conservative than the Star-News or Los Angeles Times.
 
Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Starlight Express Chinese Food


Lunch at Starlight Express Chinese Food, in the Pavilions shopping area. Wasn't very hungry, so I got the Starbowl ($4.79),  a rice bowl with veggies and teriyaki chicken. Plus an iced tea for $1.39. Nice. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council Meeting: City Manager, Track Athletes, Plastic Bag Ban

At its meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/1v61Gq ) this coming Tuesday, July 1, the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Continue the process of getting a new city manager. That'll be in closed session before the regular meeting. http://goo.gl/1v61Gq

~ Recognize Monrovia High track athletes for their achievements at 2014 CIF Championships.

~ Vote again (a "second reading," which is sort of a confirmation vote) on the plastic grocery bag prohibition it adopted at the previous meeting.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: 600 Marijuana Plants Seized; Theft from Vehicles; Driving Drunk

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 23-25. - Brad Haugaard]

Comment: In reading these reports week after week, it amazes me how many people leave valuables in locked - and even unlocked - vehicles. That is really not a good idea. - Brad

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 418 service events, resulting in 78 investigations.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Non-Injury Hit & Run Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
On June 23 at 3:21 a.m., officers responded to the area of California and Huntington regarding a hit and run traffic collision. A silver truck collided into another vehicle that was stopped for a red light. The driver and passenger of the truck got out of the vehicle and ran. Both suspects were apprehended by the officers. The driver was intoxicated, so field sobriety tests were conducted. He was arrested and taken into custody. The passenger was also arrested for 2 warrants both for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
On June 23 at 6:45 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting a male subject holding a big stick, talking to himself in the area of Huntington and California. The subject was contacted and found to be in possession of uncapped hypodermic needles. He was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Vehicle Vandalism
On June 23 at 11:12 a.m., dispatch received a call from a resident in the 100 block of Encinitas regarding a vandalized vehicle. The resident reported that one of his vehicle tires was slashed sometime on Saturday and several flower pots were broken. No suspects were seen and the victim claims no one specific is suspected. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
On June 23 at 12:06 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of East Olive called to report a burglary. He parked his work truck in the driveway of his residence leaving the left driver side window down about 5 inches. An unknown suspect reached through the window, activated the garage opener and took a bag containing miscellaneous tools. A work lap top computer from inside an unlocked vehicle in the garage was also taken. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Vandalism
On June 24 at 7:42 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of South Myrtle regarding vandalism that occurred between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. A light fixture on the ceiling above the front door of the business had been pulled down and thrown on the ground. The investigation is continuing

Vehicle Burglary
On June 24 at 10:05 a.m., a passerby called to report broken glass on the ground from a car window in the 900 block of West Huntington. During his investigation, the officer discovered a witness who saw two male Hispanics in a grey sedan, break the window and take luggage from a Buick, and break a window on a Toyota. The investigation is continuing.

Possession for Sales of Concentrated Cannabis and Marijuana – Suspect Arrested
On June 24 at 12:59 p.m., an officer was conducting extra patrol in the area of California and Cherry when he observed a suspicious male seated in a vehicle. Upon approaching the vehicle he immediately smelled a pungent odor of fresh marijuana. During the course of his investigation, he discovered a large amount of concentrated cannabis and marijuana inside of the vehicle. Also discovered were approximately 25 individually packaged items of concentrated cannabis "wax," additional baggies of marijuana and a digital scale. The suspect was arrested for sales of concentrated cannabis and marijuana.

Theft from an Unlocked Vehicle
On June 25 at 8:27 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Lime regarding a theft investigation. The victim parked his vehicle in the parking lot of his complex at approximately 11:15 p.m., but left it unlocked. Upon returning the following morning discovered his iPod, three cell phones and some cash were missing. The investigation is continuing.

Cultivation of Marijuana / Sales / Grant Theft / Conspiracy – Suspects Arrested
On June 25 at 9:33 p.m., Monrovia Special Enforcement Team with the assistance of Los Angeles Inter-agency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force, served a search warrant in the 200 block of West Cypress. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of over 600 marijuana plants, 2 pounds of dried marijuana, 2 vehicles and US currency. Three male adults were arrested and charged for cultivation, sales, grand theft, and conspiracy. Charges will be sought with the Los Angeles District Attorney.

Pets and Fireworks - Keep Your Cats and Dogs Safe

The Pasadena Humane Society, which serves Monrovia, points out that cats and dogs generally don't enjoy Fourth of July fireworks. It recommends:

- Don't take pets to watch fireworks.
- Keep pets inside during fireworks. Playing a radio may help diffuse the sound of fireworks.
- Be certain that pets' ID tags and microchip are current.
- If a pet may become extremely agitated or stressed, consult a veterinarian and discuss sedatives or overnight boarding.
- If a pet runs away, search the shelter closest to home. Many shelters post photos of the animals that come into their facility on their website. PHS' website, www.pasadenahumane.org, is updated hourly. Post signs and visit nearby shelters for at least a month. Animals can run a long way when they are badly frightened.
- If a cat is lost, it may stay in hiding for days or weeks, so leave plenty of food and fresh water outside. (Pick it up at night so unwanted wild animals aren’t attracted.) Post signs and check local and neighboring shelters in person and online; a pet’s description may fit several animals in the shelter.

Source: PHS press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Canyon Park, Preserve, Closed July 3-5

Monrovia's Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve will be closed July 3-5 in anticipation of high fire danger. http://goo.gl/FpMZLb

- Brad Haugaard

When Will Monrovia Dog License Renewals Go Out?

A reader wonders what is happening with dog license renewals now that animal control has been transferred from the city to the Pasadena Humane Society: "Here it is June 23rd and nothing has been mailed out, at least we didn't get anything, about renewing our dog's license."

I asked Alexis Bakofsky, at the Monrovia City Hall. She responds:

"Pasadena Humane Society will be sending out the renewal for dog licenses. We don't have an exact date yet for the mailing, but residents can call PHS at (626) 792-7151. Or if they know they are due they can go there to pay or they can drop off a check or money order at the PD and PHS has an agent pick up payments once a week."

- Brad Haugaard

Kid Movies at Monrovia's Krikorian Theater

Movies for kids at the Krikorian, Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Details: http://goo.gl/cPpc6C

- Brad Haugaard