Monrovia Rotary/Kohl's Provide Socks and Underwear to Needy

Janie Duncan of Foothills Kitchen, Dr. Sylvia Domotor and club president Bill Shieff.

Monrovia Rotary Club recently worked with Kohl's Department Store on its Santa Clothes project. Event chairperson Dr. Sylvia Domotor met with Jamie Duncan of the two-year-old Foothills Kitchen project based at the Methodist church and decided to spend the $1,148 Kohl's credit on socks and underwear. Ms. Duncan thanked the “Monrotarians” and explained that the Foothills Kitchen’s mission has expanded from its initial objective of providing meals for those in need to making other essentials such as clothing and blankets available. The Foothill Kitchen is a non-denominational organization with members from various congregations and lay organizations thruought Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

Heavy Rain Today | Water Swamping Monrovia Backyard

~ 100% chance of "heavy rain" today in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/VnR5SB

~ Video of water inundating Monrovia backyard. http://goo.gl/iExeoG

- Brad Haugaard

Fellowship Monrovia Hosting Blood Drive

Fellowship Monrovia is hosting a blood drive with Huntington Hospital on Jan. 10 from 7:45 .a.m - 1:45 p.m. in the Monrovia High parking lot. Details: http://goo.gl/2zjfGz

- Brad Haugaard

Evensong at St. Luke's Church

The first Evensong of 2016 will be sung at Saint Luke's Episcopal Church on Sunday, Jan. 17, at 4 p.m. The choir will sing for Epiphany, joined by guest singers, including a contingent from Grace Episcopal Church, Glendora. Selections will include British composer John Linton Gardner's "Entry of the Three Kings." Jacqueline Stong will be oboist. An offering will be taken. Wine and cheese reception after the service. The church is at 122 S. California Ave. at Foothill Boulevard.

- Brad Haugaard

4th Dimension/Community Center | Iris Sculpture

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/6Hc6O6 ) City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

- There will be a Special Study Session on Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Library Community Room to consider the proposed 4th Dimension/Community Center project. And speaking of which, the 4th Dimension nightclub has ceased operations.

- As part of its low-water re-landscaping in front of City Hall, a purple iris sculpture (Monrovia's official flower) has been installed at the southwest corner of City Hall.

- Brad Haugaard

Sand Bags Available

Mayor Tom Adams writes that the city has gravel bags available for residents at the following locations:

• Public Services Corporate Yard (600 S. Mountain Avenue, from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday)
• Community Center (119 W Palm Ave from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; and 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Friday)
• Monrovia Fire Stations on Saturday and Sunday

Please note… residents may request up to 25 bags per resident, however, special circumstances may allow for the distribution of additional bags

Gravel is available on a self-service basis (residents need to bring a shovel, safety goggles, and gloves) for resident use in a containers located at the following places:

• 900 Block of Crescent (between Madison and El Nido) 
• 352 Hill Street (North-East corner of Hill Street and Prospect Avenue)
• Recreation Park (near Barney Glen Baseball Field Parking Lot)

Please note… City staff will be on-call and available to help with filling gravel bags for residents in need of assistance. Please call (626) 932-5575 for additional information.

Monrovia Considering Smoking Ban in City Parks

There will be an open Community Services Commission meeting to discuss a proposed ban on smoking in Monrovia parks at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27 in the Monroe Room of the Community Center at 119 W. Palm Avenue. For questions, call Tina Wells at the Monrovia Community Center, 256-8234.

- Brad Haugaard

Chef To Speak at Monrovia Rotary Club

Chef Alexander Reyes from the Saute Culinary Academy will speak Jan. 5 at the Monrovia Rotary Club. Details: http://goo.gl/2H3TMl

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Stolen Car Rolls Over; Car Window Busters; Hit and Run - Walking Dog Without Dog; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 28 – January 3, 2016. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Vandalism
December 28 at 9:02 a.m., a vandalism incident was reported in the 500 block of Parkrose. An unknown suspect shattered the driver-side window of the victim’s vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
December 28 at 4:58 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 700 block of West Foothill. A 2001 Saturn was taken from the rear carport of the property sometime between 5:20 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
December 29 at 9:15 a.m., an officer responded to the report of a vehicle burglary in the 700 block of South Myrtle. An unknown suspect shattered the right rear window of the victim’s vehicle and stole a purse and other miscellaneous items that were left in the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
December 30 at 9:48 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Huntington on the report of a vehicle burglary. The victim parked and locked his vehicle in a parking lot and went into a business. He returned approximately 40 minutes later and found his rear hatch door ajar and the third row seat had been stolen from his vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Weapons Offense – Suspect Arrested
December 31 at 12:27 a.m., a suspicious person was reported in the 800 block of Ridgeside. The subject was seen coming out of the backyard of a home where the residents were on vacation. Officers responded and located a vehicle leaving the area. The driver matched the description of the suspicious subject reported. The officer stopped the vehicle and the investigation revealed the subject was in possession of a loaded firearm that was concealed in his vehicle. He was arrested for the weapons offense. No crime could be confirmed at the residence on Ridgeside. The suspect was later released with a citation to appear in court on the weapons charge.

Grand Theft Auto
December 31 at 8:35 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 700 block of Wildrose. A family member’s vehicle was missing from the residence. The vehicle owner was contacted and confirmed the vehicle had not been loaned out to anyone. The vehicle was entered into the stolen vehicle database. The stolen vehicle is a silver, 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
December 31 at 9:37 a.m., the victim called police to report that his vehicle was stolen from in front of his residence in the 800 block of West Walnut on December 30. He did not report the theft right away, as he initially thought someone was playing a joke on him. The vehicle is a silver, 2002 Ford Escort. The vehicle was entered into the stolen vehicle database and the investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
December 31 at 11:39 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of East Colorado. The victim said the vehicle was locked and he had no idea how the suspects gained entry. Several tools were taken from the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered – Suspects Arrested
December 31 at 3:24 p.m., a stolen vehicle was located in the 1800 block of South Myrtle. Officers followed the vehicle as it entered the 210 Freeway at Myrtle Avenue, heading west. Officers coordinated their traffic stop and the vehicle was directed to exit the 210 Freeway at Huntington. The officers detained and arrested three subjects: one was held for the stolen vehicle charges, one was held on fraud charges, and the third subject was later released. The vehicle was inventoried and released back to the victim.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision/Trespassing – One Suspect Arrested
January 1 at 1:00 a.m., police received a call reporting a hit and run collision in the area of Montana and Bonita. The resident stated that their parked vehicle had been struck by a vehicle that fled the scene. Police received a second call from another resident indicating their parked vehicle was also struck. The occupants were last seen walking away from the vehicle.

Officers searched the area and located a subject on the railroad tracks nearby. The subject indicated he was walking his dog, but he didn't have a dog with him. The vehicle was registered to a Monrovia residence. Officers went to the residence and found the owner, who indicated he did not know his vehicle was missing. The investigation is continuing. The subject located on the train tracks was arrested for trespassing on railroad property. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
January 1 at 11:10 a.m., the victim reported his vehicle was stolen from in front of his residence in the 500 block of South Magnolia Avenue. The vehicle was taken sometime between 7:30 a.m. and 11:10 a.m. The vehicle is a silver, 1996, 4-door, Honda Accord. The driver-side doors are blue and grey. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto/Vehicle Pursuit/Hit and Run Collision
January 2 at 2:45 a.m., a stolen vehicle was located in the 1800 block of South Myrtle. Officers followed the vehicle as it entered the 210 Freeway and the driver fled from officers. Officers pursued the vehicle, which exited in Pasadena. The driver headed south on El Molino and tried to make a turn onto Huntington, where his vehicle collided into a vehicle making a u-turn. The suspect vehicle rolled several times. The driver was able to get out of the car and flee on foot. An area search was conducted, but the driver was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
January 3 at 10:24 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of Highland called police to report their home had been burglarized sometime between 4:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Entry was made by force through a rear window and the residence was ransacked. Some jewelry was taken. The investigation is continuing.

'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' at Monrovia Library

Monrovia Providers Group will present a free screening of the British Comedy, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG-13) on Saturday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Monrovia Public Library. A multi-generational event for baby boomers, friends and family. Light refreshments and aging information and resources. For free tickets call 205-4308 or email movie@monroviaproviders.org

Man Shot in Unincorporated Monrovia | Mt. Sierra College Moving Across Town

~ Man was shot Sunday night while sitting his car in an unincorporated area of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/Bi8o5A

~ Monrovia's Mt. Sierra College is moving from Huntington Drive to a new campus on Royal Oaks. http://goo.gl/OhexQf

- Brad Haugaard

Rain Forecast for Monrovia

Rain shouldn't be too intense in Monrovia today, but tomorrow, Tuesday, there is the possibility of more than an inch of rain ( http://goo.gl/VnR5SB ). Areas below burn areas should prepare for possible mudslides. Overall, a rainy week. This might be a good time to remind folks that the city has a "Sandbag Saturday" event planned for Jan. 9: http://goo.gl/zgjb3V

- Brad Haugaard

Rain Coming Next Week to Monrovia

Looks like a rainy week coming up. Monday 60%; Tuesday 100%; Wednesday 90%; Thursday 60%; Friday 50%; Saturday 20% and next Sunday 50%. http://goo.gl/VnR5SB

The National Weather Service warns of flooding around burn areas from recent fires. I suppose that applies to sections of North Monrovia as well: http://goo.gl/fnIZfr

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at 38 Degrees Ale House

Dinner recently at the new 38 Degrees Ale House, just east of Myrtle on the south side of Colorado. Got the pork schnitzel ($17) and a 12 ounce beer for $7. All very tasty. And Happy New Year, by the way!

- Brad Haugaard 

Politics Over Monrovia

Don't know if you can read this picture I just snapped, but it says "America is great! Trump is disgusting." Well, Happy New Year to you too.

Followed just now by: "Trump loves to hate anybody but Trump. US  Trump is delusional"

Hmm. I'm beginning to think somebody doesn't like the man.

- Brad Haugaard

Happy New Year - Good Chance of Rain Next Week

Good chance of rain Tuesday (60%), Wednesday (80%) and Thursday (60%). That's a good way to start the new year. Happy New Year! http://goo.gl/VnR5SB

- Brad Haugaard

New Year's Eve Celebration on Myrtle

Live music on Myrtle as part of the New Year's Eve party. 

- Brad Haugaard

New Year's Eve Party Tonight In Old Town Monrovia!

New Year's Eve party tonight on Myrtle Avenue, 7 to midnight! Beer, wine, snacks, music, restaurants open. http://goo.gl/NJ2arI

- Brad Haugaard

Nominate Someone as Monrovia Neighbor of the Year

Monrovia Area Partnership is looking for a Monrovian whose volunteer efforts combat crime and blight while encouraging participation in the community. The award honors a person who makes everyone feel welcome, goes above and beyond to help make the neighborhood better. Nomination form here: http://goo.gl/OGqFET

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia State Senator Reports on Her Bills That Have Become Law

State Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, reports that nine of her bills were signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown this year. Here are six she highlights:

• SB 64 requires the California Transportation Commission to provide specific recommendations to the Legislature and Governor for improving the California Transportation Plan. The Plan is updated every five years to improve the state’s highway, passenger rail and public transit systems and integrate transportation planning with greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability planning. Comment: It's kind of a sorry situation when you have to require a state agency to do something that should be one of its basic functions.
• SB 68 expands the time that juvenile courts can provide to reunify teen-age parents with their children who have been placed temporarily in the Foster Care system.
• SB 172 suspends the outdated California High School Exit Exam and directs the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to convene a task force to recommend an updated exam linked to current Common Core public education standards.
• SB 219 streamlines a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation program that helps nonviolent, low-risk offenders complete their sentences and re-enter society as productive citizens.
• SB 445 will let homeless youth stay in the school where they are currently enrolled if they find housing in another area. This is the same enrollment security that Foster Care Children receive when they change places of residence.
• SB 675 will make sure hospitals identify a caregiver and engage that person in discharge planning to assure patients receive proper care when they return to their home.

Source: Liu press release - http://goo.gl/Mslv4G

- Brad Haugaard