Monrovia Horse Trainer Dies; One of the 'Winningest' in California

Trainer Mike Mitchell, an iconic and dominant figure on the Southern California horse racing landscape for nearly 40 years, passed away Tuesday, at his home in Monrovia following a lengthy battle with brain cancer at age 66. Santa Anita says that he "ranks among all-time winningest trainers in California."

In addition to his wife and two daughters, Mitchell is survived by a twin sister, Cheryl, and brothers Earl, Jr., Guy and Casey.  Funeral services are pending.

Mitchell, who won his first race at Bay Meadows in 1974, won 19 overall training titles in Southern California.  In addition to his two Santa Anita Winter Meet titles, he won four training titles at Santa Anita’s Oak Tree Meeting; in 1983, 1995, 1996 and 2004.  He also took five overall Hollywood Park titles that included the 1982 Spring/Summer Meet, and Hollywood Park Fall Meets in 1983, 1985, 1993 and 1997.

Del Mar’s all-time leading trainer with 476 seaside wins, Mitchell won seven Del Mar titles; 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 1996 and 2011.  He was also leading trainer at Fairplex Park in 2008.

Source: Santa Anita Park press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Election Results - Apparent Winners: Mayor, Adams; Council Members are Crudgington and Shevlin

Summary: It's not an absolutely done deal since City Clerk Alice Atkins says there are 701 mail-in and similar type ballots to count, but from the numbers tonight, it appears Tom Adams has won the mayor's office and Gloria Crudgington and Becky Shevlin  have won seats on the city council.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Saving More Water than State Average, Plans to Save More | Train Yard Grand Opening | Listen for Fire Alarms | Hirsch Honored | Arbor Day

In his weekly "City Manager's Update," Monrovia City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

~ Monrovia is doing 12.5 percent better than the average for the rest of California in water conservation. He writes: "In California, the per capita water usage per day is 196 gallons. In Monrovia, for all of calendar year 2014, we utilized 174.18 gallons per capita per day, which is 12.5% less than the statewide average."

~ The city is putting together a plan to conserve more water. The plan should be ready for review within the next few weeks. Some ideas:

- Water efficient landscaping contest
- Xeriscape demonstration gardens
- Access to "cash for grass" programs
- Rain barrel rebate programs
- Soil moisture sensor rebate programs
- Water conservation marketing plan

~ Metro Gold Line Construction Authority is planning a grand opening for the maintenance and operations yard on Saturday, May 23.  The event is tentatively scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and last through 1 p.m.

~ If you hear fire alarms coming from city facilities this week, no worries. The Public Works Department is just testing the systems.

~ Susan Hirsch, director of Quest Academy Community Day School at the Monrovia schools, has been named one of Congresswoman Judy Chu's Women of Distinction for 2015.

~ Arbor Day event to take place on April 23, 2015, at 4 p.m. at Rotary Park, at 401 S. California Ave.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Cops Donate Their Tips to Special Olympics

At a "Tip-A-Cop" fundraiser on April 9, Monrovia Police officers and LA County Sheriff's deputies served as waiters at the Monrovia Claim Jumper restaurant and donated all the tips they received, over $3,400, to Special Olympics. http://goo.gl/2UX8Vt

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Election Tuesday

The Monrovia election is Tuesday, April 14 (tomorrow, as I write this) and the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Your  polling place is in a red box on the back of your sample ballot. If you've misplaced it, go to www.lavote.net/locator and type in your address.

You get one choice for mayor (duh) but two choices for city council members as there are two open seats.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Samson the Bear Statue Is Fixed - for a While

Gem City Images reports that the wooden Samson the Bear statue in Monrovia Canyon Park has had its head reattached (It fell of because of termite damage), and looks okay. But Samson's in pretty bad shape and the fix is only for a while. http://goo.gl/JsQaAW

Update: I was just up there and Samson is still wrapped up in black plastic. I guess the glue is still drying.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drunk Youth Not Happy to See Parent - Oops,! Now He's Shoplifting; Assault on Officer; Burglary, Drugs and Alcohol

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 9-12. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Possession of Methamphetamine / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 9 at 7:30 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Shamrock & Walnut when he stopped a motorist for traveling at an unsafe speed. Upon contacting the driver, the officer discovered the driver had an outstanding warrant issued by Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. The officer arrested the suspect for the warrant and upon conducting an inventory search of the vehicle prior to storage, methamphetamine and a glass pipe was found. The additional charges were added.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
April 9 at 8:00 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a disturbing subject. Upon arrival, the officer determined the subject was too intoxicated to care for her safety. The subject was arrested for public intoxication and held for sobering.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
April 10 at 1:31 p.m., officers were called to an apartment in the 800 block of West Olive on the report of a domestic violence incident which had just occurred between a male and female couple who live together. The male subject had left the location prior to police arrival. Officers contacted the female subject and saw that she had visible injuries on her arms. The female victim stated that she and her boyfriend were arguing and he began hitting her. She ran into her bedroom, locked the door and attempted to call the police on her cell phone. The suspect gained entry to her room by punching a hole in the door and unlocking it. He grabbed and threw her cell phone, and then began hitting her again. He then left the location and she called police. Officers called the suspect’s cell phone and convinced him to turn himself in at the Monrovia Police Station for questioning. After investigation of the entire incident, the male suspect was arrested for domestic violence and taken into custody.

Weapons Offense – Suspect Arrested
April 10 at 6:19 p.m., an officer was talking to a citizen in front of the police station when he saw a male subject with an open beer, walking west toward Myrtle. He detained the subject and during a pat down search, found a large kitchen knife concealed in his waistband. The suspect was determined to be a juvenile and under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and later released to a parent. When the suspect walked out of the police station, he ran from his parent. Officers searched for the juvenile, but he was not located.

Shoplifting Offense – Suspects Arrested
April 10 at 9:24 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 300 block of West Huntington regarding two suspects who had just committed a theft and fled the store. Officers located and detained the two male suspects. The investigation revealed the suspects selected and concealed over-the-counter cold medication and fled without paying for the merchandise. A computer check revealed both suspects also had outstanding warrants for their arrest. They were arrested and taken into custody.

72-Hour Mental Evaluation
April 11 at 12:28 a.m. in the early morning hours, police received a call reporting a suspect that had just committed a theft at a store in the 100 block of West Foothill. An officer responded and determined the suspect was the same juvenile arrested for the weapons offense earlier. After investigation, officers learned that the suspect had battered his sister and made statements that he wanted to stab someone. He was placed on a 72-hour mental evaluation hold. Criminal charges are pending.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
April 11 at 1:16 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the area of Myrtle and Colorado. A witness saw a vehicle driving recklessly on the 210 Freeway. The suspect vehicle nearly rear ended the reporting parties vehicle and almost collided into the center divider of the freeway. The suspect vehicle exited at Myrtle, followed by the reporting party who contacted the police department. The vehicle was located parked at Myrtle and Colorado with a male subject behind the wheel and the engine running. The subject was determined to be intoxicated and driving under the influence. He was arrested and held for sobering.

Vehicle Burglary
April 11 at 9:31 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 100 block of West Pomona. A work truck was broken into sometime during the night. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
April 11 at 9:33 a.m., a commercial burglary was reported at a business in the 1300 block of South Mountain. A small glass window was broken out during the night behind a parked vehicle. Based on the initial inspection, there was no obvious property loss, and it is unknown if the suspect(s) actually entered the building. The investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication
April 11 at 2:17 p.m., an officer observed a subject walking with an alcoholic beverage. The officer contacted the subject and determined he was extremely intoxicated and was very agitated. He was arrested for being drunk in public and held for sobering.

Assault on a Peace Officer Resulting in Injury – Suspect Arrested
April 11 at 4:19 p.m., a business in the 400 block of West Foothill called police to report a disturbing subject who was throwing items in the store. The subject left the location and was heading west on Foothill. An officer located the subject several blocks away and attempted to detain him. He exited his car and told the subject to stop. The subject did not comply and yelled at the officer. An assisting officer arrived and the subject was detained. The subject said he did not know who he was and he continued to be verbally abusive and spit at the officers. The subject struggled with the officers as they took him into custody. One of the officers was injured during the struggle.

The subject continued to be verbally abusive and struggle while being transported in the patrol car. He slammed his forehead against the plastic divider several times, causing a cut to his forehead. Once at the station, he was examined by Fire Department personnel for his injury. The suspect continued to verbally assault police personnel and spit at them. He made vague, irrational threats about death and injuries to police and their families. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injury and was cleared and released for booking.

Residential Burglary
April 11 at 11:07 p.m., an officer responded to a residential burglary that occurred in the 100 block of East Foothill. The investigation revealed that entry was made into the home through a second story bedroom window, where the screen was cut. The victim left the window open to ventilate the room. Several items were taken and the investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
April 12 at 12:15 a.m., a citizen called police to report a drunk driver. The caller followed the driver from the 110 Freeway in Pasadena to the 100 block of Stedman. Officers located the vehicle and saw it pull over to the curb on Stedman. They contacted the driver and determined she was intoxicated. She was arrested and held for sobering.

Monrovia's Kings and Queens Robotics Team Needs Money to Get to World Championship

The Monrovia High Kings and Queens robotics team has been vigorously fundraising to cover the cost of the team's upcoming trip to compete in the FIRST Robotics World Championship in St. Louis on April 22-25.  Support from the Monrovia community has been enthusiastic but the team is still short of the needed $12,000 for lodging and transportation for the students, coaches, robot and materials. Please help if you can, and help spread the word.  Donations of any amount will get them closer to their goal.  Businesses who donate $500 or more can have their company logo displayed on the robot "Sir Lancelot" both during the competition and after he comes back to a well-earned retirement to be displayed at school functions.

The team has an online donation site at http://www.gofundme.com/kingsandqueens2015. Donations there can be made a credit card or by transferring funds from a bank account.  GoFundMe keeps about 8% of the funds to cover card and bank charges and their costs.

They also gladly accept checks mailed to the address below.   A note should be written on or included with the check that the donation is for the Kings and Queens Robotics Team:

MHS Math and Science Academy Boosters.
Attn: Monrovia High Robotics Program
PO Box 1887
Monrovia, CA 91017

The Monrovia High Robotics Program is a part of the MHS Math and Science Academy Boosters for tax purposes and all donations we receive pass through them.  The MASA Boosters are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit charitable organization with ID number 27-3072381 and all donations to us are tax deductable and qualify for company matching-gift programs.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Who Knew? Monrovia High's Front Lawn Designed for Overflow Parking

There has been some debate on Facebook after people noticed cars parked on the front lawn of Monrovia High School during this Sunday's meeting of Fellowship Monrovia, the church which meets at the school. Some said it shouldn't be allowed and others said that such parking is regularly allowed for other large events. Then School Board member Ed Gililland posted that:

"The area was considered for pavement, but considering the amount of surface that does not allow rain water to permeate into the ground, the decision was made to put in pavers that allowed grass to grow and water to permeate into the ground. It is designated and designed for overflow parking."

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Train Yard Opening in June | Monrovia Over San Marino

~ Monrovia Gold Line train maintenance yard to open in June. http://goo.gl/O4Bn8S

~ Monrovia over San Marino in baseball - 3-1. http://goo.gl/UkmVSO

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Rotary Club Supports Fountain to the Falls Run/Walk

(This post sponsored by Monrovia Rotary Club)

Saturday, May 9th 2015 will mark the 5th annual “Fountain to the Falls” run/walk from the fountain in Library Park to the water falls in Canyon Park.

The Monrovia Rotary Club intends to lend support for this fun, family event by hosting a health booth and by our Rotarians participating in the race. All fitness levels are welcome. Lynda Linforth, a personal trainer, owner of Trainer on the Run (http://www.trainerontherun.com) and a Monrovia Rotarian, is giving hands on support to the pre-race training.

The Monrovia Rotary Club has agreed to put an emphasis on health and fitness for 2015. A 'biggest loser' competition was started in January for willing participants and is currently ongoing.  “All participants will be able to finish at their own pace but preparation must be done to avoid injuries” said Linforth. The Monrovia Rotary Club is getting together, three times a week to train for the race. Lynda Linforth has presented a day-by-day training program and will be on hand for pre-event stretching and advice. Lynda leads us on a Saturday morning walk in preparation. We also have scheduled walks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

This event is organized by the City of Monrovia and will feature a health fair presented by the YMCA. For more information, please visit www.cityofmonrovia.org.

The Monrovia Rotary Club meets weekly at the Monrovian Family Restaurant (upstairs) Tuesdays at noon.  If you are interested in joining us please contact us at joinus@monroviarotary.com

School Board: Help Students Plan for College; Refinance Bond; Remember Armenian Genocide; Etc.

At the next meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/UxbveM ), the Monrovia School Board will consider ...

- a contract with Naviance, which helps students plan ahead for college: http://goo.gl/bLruft

- refinancing the Measure M bond, since interest rates are now lower. http://goo.gl/CROja7

- adopting a resolution "In Remembrance of the Armenian genocide and Man's Inhumanity to Man." http://goo.gl/Cj7Joq

- and other stuff.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at New Salad Bistro

My wife had lunch recently at the new Salad Bistro on the east side of Myrtle just south of Lemon. (I was busy.) She got the Piccadilly roast beef sandwich for $8.95, and an ice tea for $1.95. She liked it.

- Brad Haugaard

New Gold Line Maintenance Yard is Environmentally Friendly

The 24-acre, $265-million Gold Line Operations Campus in Monrovia, is one of the only facilities of its kind to meet  U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Gold standards, one of the highest levels available, according to Habib F. Balian, CEO of the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority.

The facility will house up to 84 light rail vehicles and nearly 200 employees over several shifts a day. Features built into the facility will reduce water and electricity consumption, as well as capture 100% of the rainfall from the site and infiltrate it into the groundwater aquifers below.  Highlights:

- A 714-panel, 178.5-kilowatt solar panel array has been installed that will generate 22,000 Kilowatt Hours/Month, enough electricity to meet one-third of power needs of the 132,000 square foot Main Shop Building. Excess power will be made available to the local electric grid.

- Water-reduction measures in the Main Shop Building (such as high efficiency fixtures and infrared sensor faucets) will help achieve a 35% water reduction level. Smart sprinkler technology and drought-tolerant plants will reduce landscape water consumption by 50%. The large carwash facility, with average usage of 60,000 gallons of water a day, will use only recycled, reclaimed water.

- A specialized stormwater management system has been installed to capture the first 3/4-inch (112,000 gallons) of a 100-year storm event. The stormwater is treated, then sent to large, open-bottom subterranean chambers below the facility.

- Recycled materials make up nearly 50% of the material used on the campus, and materials were locally sourced to reduce environmental impacts of long-distance transport.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Unapproved $650,000 - In Scope of Plan But Not Referred to Council, as Required

Another letter from Mayor Mary Ann Lutz:

I reported to you Wednesday morning that we had discovered nearly $650,000 in change orders for Station Square construction that went forward without approval from the City Council. I want to update you now on what we have done to investigate and remedy that situation.

The Council met in special session this morning to hear a report from City Manager Oliver Chi on how the procedural breakdown occurred. His report satisfied the Council that the change orders were within the scope of plans presented and approved in study sessions (although not presented to the Council for formal approval as required) and that the contractors had proceeded in good faith based on authorizations from two City employees. The Council then voted unanimously to authorize the additional expenditures.

One of the individuals responsible for bypassing formal Council approval is no longer employed by the City and the department involved has since been reorganized and is under new management. I have asked the City Manager to address the matter of the second responsible party in an appropriate manner. I also asked for and received a public commitment that he and his management staff will see to it that this never happens again.

Additionally, I have asked that the Council establish a committee, including two of its members, to oversee the entire Station Square project. Station Square is the largest such project ever undertaken by the City and has come at a time of reduced staff and resources. It is important, therefore, that the Council engages directly in the oversight process.

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Rotary Donates to Explorers | Police Honored | Gold Line Parking | Hazardous Waste Collection

~ The Monrovia Rotary Club has donated $1,286 to the Monrovia Police Department Explorer Post. http://goo.gl/BvMnnI

~ Mothers Against Drunk Drivers honors Monrovia police for their work. http://goo.gl/chyGmu

~ A nice picture of the parking structure at the Monrovia Gold Line Station: http://goo.gl/LXvCiq

~ Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection Saturday, May 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Monrovia High parking lot off Madison Avenue.

- Brad Haugaard

Walk n' Roll at Monrovia's Bradoaks | Unity Center Auction | Gold Line Parking Structure

~ Heather Mixon Stokes says Bradoaks School's Walk n' Roll is coming up next month and the school is in need of sponsors. Any businesses or families that would like to promote their business and sponsor this year please send an email to Karyn McIntyre Godbold at karyngodbold@gmail.com.

~ Foothill Unity Center is celebrating its 35th Birthday with an online auction. You can participate here ( http://goo.gl/nhbnJO ) "and bid on a wide variety of spectacular goods and services, sumptuous dining experiences and unique adventures."  The Center reports that, "Last year, we assisted 10,288 individuals from almost 5,000 families with food, emergency housing assistance, health services, job training and more."

~ A nice picture of the parking structure at the Monrovia Gold Line Station: http://goo.gl/LXvCiq

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Man Swipes 15 Pairs of Jeans and the Bag to Carry Them; He'll Steal More Beer Later; No Bomb At Monrovia High; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 6-8. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 383 service events, resulting in 62 investigations.

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
April 6 at 9:33 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington. An adult male subject entered the business and stole a Nike athletic bag that he had filled with 15 pairs of jeans. The suspect attempted to flee with the bag, but surrendered to loss prevention when he was stopped. The suspect was arrested and charged with commercial burglary.

Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
April 6 at 4:46 p.m., police responded to the report of a female subject sitting in front of a motel with a pistol under her sweater. Officers were deployed, they stopped traffic in the area and the Foothill Air Support helicopter arrived overhead for assistance. The female was then detained. No pistol was found on the subject, but a pipe for smoking methamphetamine was discovered in the female's property. She was arrested and taken into custody. 72-Hour Mental Evaluation April 6 at 11:38 p.m., a caller reported a female subject with no clothes on, running in the 100 block of West Foothill, attempting to flag people down on the street. Officers responded to the area and located the female. She was taken to a hospital and held for a 72-hour mental evaluation.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
April 7 at 10:45 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of East Duarte Road regarding a shoplifter. The suspect took two packs of beer from the store and fled the location, hiding around the corner. When he was discovered by officers, he had already consumed one can of beer. He told the officers he was going to steal more beer as soon as he was released from custody. The suspect was arrested and held on the likelihood of reoccurrence, pending his court appearance.

Vehicle Burglary
April 7 at 8:13 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 100 block of West Foothill. The victim parked and locked his vehicle in the parking lot and went to work at one of the businesses. When he returned, he noticed the doors were still locked, but the inside of the vehicle had been ransacked. The suspect took a couple sports hats and a backpack that was inside the vehicle. A male and a female subject were seen near the vehicle at the time of the burglary. The investigation is continuing.

False Bomb Threat
April 8 at 8:55 a.m., a female subject called police and claimed a bomb was being placed in the gym at Monrovia High School in the 800 block of West Colorado. The Police Department response was coordinated with the school staff and the gym was immediately evacuated. The gym was thoroughly searched, but nothing suspicious was located. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
April 8 at 11:49 p.m., a grand theft was reported in the 500 block of Linwood. The victim left her iPad inside her vehicle, which was left unlocked. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia Council to Discuss $650,000 in Surprise Expenses | Softball Loss | Fun Day at the Y

~ A special meeting of the Monrovia City Council (agenda: http://goo.gl/vHfPNM ) this Friday at 8 a.m. to discuss the $650,000 in change order expenses for the Station Square project that Mayor Mary Ann Lutz referred to here: http://goo.gl/wCQUzl . Staff is recommending the council authorize the expenses.

~ South Hills over Monrovia in softball. 10-0. :-( http://goo.gl/qwVTn3

~ There will be a day of free family-friendly games including basketball, family Group Ex, swimming and a bean bag toss on Saturday, April 23, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. YMCA program sign-ups, a visit from Stewie the Duck (who will be reading to kids) and community sponsor booths. Santa Anita Family YMCA, 501 South Mountain. 359-9244. http://goo.gl/8bKH8v

- Brad Haugaard

Distraction Burglary in Monrovia

Beware of distraction burglaries. From the Monrovia Bears group on the Nextdoor network:

"Today we were burglarized by being distracted by one man while another ransacked the house. Beware of a man posing to do work on a power pole in your backyard to distract you. Also, they took mainly cash and jewelry but they took my husband's ashes by mistake. The ashes are in a  plain black, wooden box (12"x12"x5")."

- Brad Haugaard