American Beauty by Chinese Artist; Monrovia Gallery Looking for New Owner; Avoid Second and Huntington

Yacht Harbor Near Newport Beach, 22x15, $3,600 oil by Xugang

~ Monrovia's Segil Fine Art, 110 West Lime, will present "American Beauty, American Impressionism by a Chinese Master," an exhibition by artist W. Jason Situ. Xugang is a premier painter in his homeland of China. Exhibition runs from August 5-30. Opening reception Saturday, August 9, 5-7 p.m.

~ Segil Fine Art is moving to the State of Washington, but owner Laura Segil writes that this "doesn't mean the gallery has to close!  I am looking for just the right person, or art group to take over my space." Interested? Contact her at info@segilfineart.com.

~ If you're going through Arcadia, avoid the intersection of Huntington and Second from this Friday, Aug. 8, through Tuesday, Aug. 12. It'll be totally closed to install bridge girders. Then, for six weeks on Sundays through Thursdays from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., either the east- or west-bound side of Huntington will be closed. Source: Gold Line Construction Authority.

- Brad Haugaard

Playground Equipment Dedicated at Monrovia's Julian Fisher Park

A whole new set of park playground equipment was dedicated today at Julian Fisher Park, which is a block north of Huntington on California. The park is named after Julian D. Fisher, who moved to Monrovia in 1910. He was the first African-American male to graduate from Monrovia High, was a member of Bethel AME Church and was Monrovia's first African-American police officer, serving here for 30 years. He died in 1976. 

- Brad Haugaard

Mariachi Music Sunday at Monrovia's Library Park

Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m., the Mariachi Divas at the Library Park Bandshell.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Sidewalk Astronomers Saturday

The Monrovia Sidewalk Astronomers should be out tomorrow night, Saturday evening, Aug. 2, about 8 to 10 p.m. at Library Park at the corner of Myrtle and Lime. That is, as long as the weather is clear. They'll let you look through their telescopes to see whatever cool planet or moon is in view. 

Update: Cancelled due to clouds. 

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Veranda Mediterranean Cuisine

Lunch at Veranda Mediterranean Cuisine (the former Meridian restaurant) at the corner of Myrtle and Lime. The sign isn't up outside yet. Got the buffet for $9.95 and an iced tea for $2. Food was quite good. Hours for buffet are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and people were going back for seconds, so I think it is all you can eat. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Meridian Restaurant Now Called Veranda

Meridian, the Mediterranean-style restaurant at the corner of Myrtle and Lime, has apparently been reborn as "Veranda Mediterranean Cuisine" ( http://goo.gl/TE1atr ) and is appearing at the Development Review Committee to get an okay on its proposed new sign. http://goo.gl/lPGBCX

- Brad Haugaard

Water Restrictions Coming to Monrovia

At its next meeting, the Monrovia City Council will likely declare that the city has a "Water Shortage Emergency" and impose Phase 1 of the city's emergency plan. This means ...

1. No person shall hose wash any sidewalk, walkway, driveway, parking area or other paved surface, except as required for sanitary purposes.

2. Washing of motor vehicles shall be done only with a hand held bucket or a hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle.

3. No water shall be used to clean, fill or maintain levels in decorative fountains (water features) unless the water is part of a recycling (recirculating) system.

4. No restaurant, hotel, café, cafeteria, or other place where food is sold, served, or offered for sale shall serve drinking water to any customer unless expressly requested by that customer.

5. All customers shall promptly repair all leaks from indoor and outdoor plumbing fixtures within 48 hours of discovery.

6. All lawns, landscape or other turf area shall be watered down not more than every third day, with the watering only during the hours between 5:00 PM and 10:00 AM.

7. No person or customer shall cause or allow water to run off landscaped areas onto adjoining streets, sidewalks, or other paved areas due to incorrectly directed or maintained sprinklers or as the result of excessive watering.

Details here: http://goo.gl/OB9JZ3

Comment: Unlike the plastic grocery bag ban, which I continue to regard as an intrusive imposition by the city in response to a nonexistant problem, I believe the water shortage is very real and even though these measures are also an imposition, I believe they are necessary and I support the city on this. I bike in the mountains above Monrovia and while there is still water flowing in the lower part of Monrovia Canyon Park, all three of the feeder streams between there and White Saddle are bone dry, and have been so for a long time.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Water Emergency; City Manager; Police Contract

At its August 5 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/huu3Ii ), the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider declaring a "Water Shortage Emergency" and implement a water conservation plan.

~ Continue, in closed session, talking about getting a new permanent city manager.

~ Consider declaring that the city and police union have reached an impasse and unilaterally impose the city's "last, best and final offer" for fiscal year 2014-15, as it did for fiscal year 2013-14. http://goo.gl/iKoCkP

- Brad Haugaard

Apparently No Poached Bear in Monrovia

A reader wrote to ask about a rumor he heard that a poacher killed a bear here in Monrovia and took her paws, leaving her cubs to dig in the trash. I spoke with a couple people at the Police Department, and nobody there has heard of any such incident, so unless someone knows something more specific, I think the rumor is incorrect.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Bear in Pools; Drugs; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 28-30. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 357 service events, resulting in 58 investigations.

Possession of Stolen Property / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Warrants / Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor – Suspects Arrested
On July 29 at 9:27 a.m., while on patrol in the 900 block of East Huntington, officers observed a suspicious vehicle that had indicators of being stolen. The car was parked in a motel parking lot. Through investigation, officers learned the car belonged to a subject in one of the motel rooms. The officers made contact with several subjects in the room, including one minor, and several arrests were made. The owner of the vehicle in the parking lot, a male adult, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Two female adults were arrested for warrants, possession of stolen property, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The minor was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and was taken into protective custody.

Stolen Vehicle
On July 29 at 6:48 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 400 block of West Huntington. The victim parked his vehicle in a business parking lot and went into work. When he returned to his vehicle after work, it was gone. He said he did not lock his vehicle and he does not know who would take the vehicle. The vehicle is a black, 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The investigation is continuing.

Bear Incident
On July 30 at 1:32 p.m., police received three calls from residents in the 500 block of Terrado Drive, 500 block of Sombrero Road, and the 600 block of Vaquero Road reporting a bear in their yards. The bear was moving from yard to yard and jumping in pools in the area. For safety reasons, officers asked the people to leave the area and the bear eventually retreated back into the foothills.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
On July 30 at 8:56 a.m., police received a call reporting a possible stolen vehicle parked in a parking lot in the 800 block of East Olive. There was a screw driver outside the vehicle and items from inside were strewn on the ground around the vehicle. The vehicle was reported stolen from Hacienda Heights. The vehicle was recovered.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
On July 31 at 4:02 a.m., a resident from the 400 block of Monrovista called police to report a male subject yelling in his backyard. The subject was yelling that someone was trying to kill him. He kept repeating this and then attempted to get into the resident’s backdoor. Officers responded and located the subject. After investigation, it was determined the subject was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Action on Film Festival Coming Back to Monrovia

The Action on Film festival is coming to Monrovia's Krikorian Theater again, this August 22-30 ( http://goo.gl/nb7zVC ), and I'm starting to get press releases for the films. This is "Daisy's", by first-time director, Ciera Danielle. It follows Daisy, a young woman from an abusive past hitchhiking to Nashville to become a "major music sensation."
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Station Square Update

 The City of Monrovia presented a progress report on the Station Square project to the community Wednesday night at the Library. Station Square will be the new train station and accompanying developments.

Highlights:

~ The development includes the Gold Line station, a three-story parking garage for 350 vehicles, a plaza, the old Santa Fe depot, a promenade, and a park.

~ Construction begins this September. It should be completed at the end of 2015, and the Gold Line should begin operation in early 2016.

~ It is the largest public works project in Monrovia's history.

- Brad Haugaard

Produce in the Park Saturday

Produce in the Park this Saturday, August 2, 9-11 a.m. in Library Park, at the corner of Lime and Myrtle. Share your home-grown produce and pick up some of your neighbors' extra veggies.

- Brad Haugaard

Interview with Homeless Father and Daughter in Monrovia's Library Park

Video interview with father and daughter who have been homeless for four years and living in Library Park. http://goo.gl/r2L0u6

- Brad Haugaard

Horse Racing Film to Benefit Monrovia Rotary Service Projects

Action on Film will present "Behind the Gate", a documentary film which examines the changes in the horse racing industry. Narrated by Joe Pesci, the film also features some of the biggest names in the industry, many of them local to the San Gabriel Valley, including Oscar De La Hoya, Bob Baffert, Doug O'Neill, Laffit Pincay and Gary Stevens, and many others.

The screening on Saturday August 23, 2014 at 4pm at the Krikorian Theater in Monrovia will benefit the Monrovia Rotary Club's community service projects, including Santa Clothes, Essay, Music & Speech Contests, Camp sponsorships for 8th and 11th graders, Interact Club at Monrovia High School, as well as contributing to worthy local organizations such as Boys & Girls Club, "Yes" Program through City of Monrovia, Girl and Boy Scouts, Santa Anita Family YMCA and many more. See a more complete listing at http://www.monroviarotary.com

Tickets may be purchased here - http://goo.gl/gPFMTw - for $15/person.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Librarian Writes Book

Monrovia Library's Elizabeth Schneider, librarian for teens, has written a book about putting on teen programming in libraries called, "Create, Relate, & Pop @ the Library." At the July 24 Library Board meeting, she was recognized for her work and did a mini book signing. City of Monrovia Photo.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Nighttime Bedroom Pants Burglar; Intoxication; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 24-27. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events. 

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
On July 24 at 4:01 p.m., officers were on patrol in the 100 block of West Foothill when they observed a male subject run out of a grocery store being chased by store loss prevention officers. The subject ran toward a van that was parked south of the business with its sliding door open. The male driver of the vehicle and the subject who ran out of the store were both detained, and the stolen property was recovered. After investigation, it was determined the two suspects had conspired together to commit the burglary at the business. The suspects were arrested and taken into custody. 

Possession of Marijuana – Suspect Arrested
On July 25 at 10:03 p.m., an officer stopped a driver for a vehicle code violation at Mayflower and Diamond. As he approached the vehicle, he smelled the odor of marijuana from inside. During a pat-down search, one of the passengers was found to be in possession of marijuana. He was issued a citation to appear in court. 

Driving Under the Influence / Injury Traffic Collision
On July 26 at 12:11 a.m., officers responded to Foothill and El Nido regarding a vehicle that crashed into a light post. The driver was injured and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The officer saw signs of intoxication, and the driver admitted to having smoked honey oil. DUI Charges will be submitted to the court for filing. 

Drunk in Public / Possession of Marijuana – Suspect Arrested
On July 26 at 12:36 a.m., officers responded to the 600 block of South Myrtle regarding an intoxicated female lying by the curb. The female was accompanied by her boyfriend and they were waiting for a cab. The officer arrived and determined the subject was too intoxicated to care for herself as she could not stand. She was arrested and taken into custody for sobering. During a pat-down search, she was found to be in possession of marijuana. 

Residential Burglary
On July 26 at 4:16 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of South Encinitas called to report his house had been burglarized. He stated that the crime had occurred between midnight and 3:00 a.m. He was asleep, and awoke to find that his pants, which contained his wallet, camera and a flash drive, were missing from the chair where he had placed them. He noticed that his bedroom window was missing the screen and he called police. Nothing else seemed to have been taken. The investigation is continuing. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On July 26 at 5:43 a.m., a caller reported a vehicle partially blocking the southbound lane of Bradoaks at Greystone. Officers responded and, after investigation, determined the driver was intoxicated. He was arrested for driving under the influence and was taken into custody.

Drunk in Public / Possession of Tobacco Products / Located Missing – One Suspect Arrested
On July 27 at 12:17 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of West Olive regarding subjects possibly fighting. The officer arrived and saw two subjects walking; one of the subjects was staggering. The subjects were detained. The subject who was staggering was found to be a juvenile. He was extremely intoxicated and was taken to a hospital. A computer check revealed the juvenile had been reported missing four days ago out of Temple City. Charges will be submitted to the court for filing on the juvenile. The second subject, an adult who was also intoxicated, was arrested and taken into custody for sobering.

Disturbing Subjects / Warrants – Suspects Arrested
On July 28 at 2:42 a.m., officers responded to a call reporting disturbing subjects at an apartment in the 800 block of West Duarte. A male and female were detained. A computer check revealed that both subjects had outstanding warrants for their arrest. Both were arrested and taken into custody. 

Lawsuit Filed Against Monrovia Company

A lawsuit has been filed against Monrovia's STAAR Surgical over alleged violations of Federal securities laws. http://goo.gl/sE52TL

- Brad Haugaard

Weekend Music in Monrovia

~ There will be an Art Walk in Old Town Monrovia from 7-10 p.m. today. Art on the sidewalks. The Mill Creek Boys (traditional bluegrass) and the Kattywompus String Band (folk/international) will be performing.

~ Tomorrow, Sunday, July 27, The Answer (classic rock), will perform at the band shell in Library Park, 7-8:30 p.m. Bring a chair or towel.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Merengue Moving; Ale House Coming

Merengue Bakery and Cafe, currently on Colorado just east of Myrtle, will be moving onto Myrtle, just across from the theater, in the space formerly occupied by Allure, according to a Merengue employee, and the current Merengue will be replaced with 38 Degree Ale House. 

- Brad Haugaard