Monrovia Area Partnership Conference

The 7th Annual Monrovia Area Partnership Neighborhood Conference is coming up on April 23, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Monrovia Community Center. It's free. For more information contact Ariel Tolefree-Williams at atolefree@ci.monrovia.ca.us or at 932-5563. http://goo.gl/WUZ5Fa

- Brad Haugaard

Jake's Roadhouse Expanding

Jake's Roadhouse, on Myrtle, is planning to expand into the space currently occupied by the Army-Navy store on its south side. I heard a rumor about that and a server who brought me a very nice breakfast said that is the case.

- Brad Haugaard

Hot in Monrovia, But Possible Rain Thursday | Cage-Free Chickens

~ Could get up to 90 degrees today and tomorrow, with a 70 percent chance of rain Thursday. https://goo.gl/0qMTb8

~ Monrovia-based Trader Joe's has announced it is transitioning to selling only eggs from cage-free hens. Transition should be complete by 2025. http://goo.gl/amNcYW

- Brad Haugaard

Sidewalk Astronomers in Monrovia Old Town Tonight

Members of Monrovia's Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers will be in Library Park, at the corner of Myrtle and Lime Streets tonight from about 6:30 until about 9 p.m. The sidewalk astronomers let you look at the moon and planets through their telescopes.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council to Study Neighborhood Report

Before its regular meeting on Feb. 16 (agenda: http://goo.gl/dvamt6 ), the City Council will hold a study session to discuss the recently completed neighborhood study. At 5:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Café Jimenez

Dinner recently at Café Jimenez, on Mountain just east of the Home Depot. Got the Camarones a la Diabla (spicy shrimp) for $12.95 and an iced tea for $1.95. I asked for "hot" and they took me at my word. My nose is running a bit but it was good and filling. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Champs! | Rain Barrels | State of the City Speech

~ There was a brief mention on Facebook that the Monrovia girl's soccer team is the Rio Hondo league champion. Congrats, Ladycats!

~ Free rain barrels this Saturday at Monrovia High. Details: http://goo.gl/fWEnR5

~ Mayor Tom Adams' State of the City address is now on line if you'd like to watch: https://goo.gl/cwZhBM

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Taking Grandma's Car; Drugs; Defrauding the DMV; Man on Roof; Making a Ruckus; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for February 8-10. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 414 service events, resulting in 70 investigations.

Grand Theft Auto
February 8 at 9:17 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of Genoa. The vehicle is a green, 2-door, 1997 Honda Accord. The investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
February 8 at 11:50 p.m., officers responded to the report of a hit and run traffic collision in the 300 block of South Shamrock. A vehicle traveling north on Shamrock struck a parked vehicle and fled the area. The suspect vehicle was possibly red or burgundy in color. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
February 9 at 2:16 a.m., the victim of a grand theft auto reported her vehicle was taken by her grandaughter, who resides with her. The suspect told her grandmother over the phone that she was in Los Angeles. The vehicle is a silver, 2011 Buick Regal. The vehicle was entered into the law enforcement stolen vehicle system and the juvenile suspect was entered as a missing/runaway. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 9 at 2:51 a.m., a suspicous person, possibly involved in drug activity, was reported in the area of a business in the 100 block of West Foothill. Officers responded, contacted the subject, and a computer check revealed he had two misdemeanor warrants for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrants and was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Commercial Burglary
February 9 at 4:35 a.m., police received numerous calls reporting a burglary in progress at a business in the 100 block of East Huntington. The reporting parties were employees at the business location. They reported that a male suspect broke the glass to the front doors and entered the building, triggering the alarm. Officers arrived on scene and removed the employees from the location. A search of the building was conducted, but the suspect was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
February 9 at 6:48 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1000 block of Orange Avenue. The victim was on vacation and had left her vehicle parked at her residence. When she returned, she noticed her vehicle had been stolen. The vehicle is a white, 4- door, 2011 Honda Accord. The investigation is continuing.

Defrauding the DMV – Suspect Arrested
February 9 at 9:48 p.m., an officer on patrol noticed a vehicle traveling west with its emergency flashers on in the 700 block of West Huntington. The officer completed a computer check of the vehicle, which revealed the registration had been expired since 2009, but there was a 2016 registration sticker on the license plate. The officer stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver, who admitted to defrauding the DMV. The registration tab was from another vehicle he owned. The driver received a citation to appear in court on the charges and was released in the field. The vehicle was impounded for expired registration.

Trespassing/Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance/Violation of Gang Injunction Court Order – Suspect Arrested
February 9 at 11:51 p.m., police responded to a business in the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a subject observed by security personnel climbing to the roof of the location. Officers arrived and, with the assistance of a police helicopter, located the subject on the roof. The officers climbed the fire access ladder and detained the subject. A Monrovia Fire Department ladder truck was called to assist in lowering the suspect and officers from the rooftop. The subject was arrested for trespassing. He was also determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance and in violation of the gang injunction court order, which were added to his charges.

Possession of Stolen Property – Suspect Arrested
February 10 at 4:03 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 900 block of South Mountain and recognized a subject riding a bicycle that was very similar to one that had been stolen the previous day. The officer stopped the bicyclist and confirmed the bike was in fact stolen. The suspect was arrested for being in possession of stolen property and taken into custody. The suspect was later released with a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Warrants – Suspect Arrested
February 10 at 4:12 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 400 block of Hurstview regarding a subject causing a disturbance. The subject was banging on his neighbor’s door. The subject could not give a reason why he was causing the disturbance. He was found to have several outstanding warrants. He was arrested for the warrants and taken into custody.

Weapons Offense
February 10 at 9:50 p.m., a victim used the ATM at a bank in the 100 block of West Foothill. He then drove west in the parking lot, toward Primrose. He stopped at a stop sign in the parking lot and a vehicle traveling east abruptly turned left in front of the victim. The suspect in other vehicle started yelling at the victim through the open passenger window. The victim could not hear what was being said, so he exited his car and approached the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect pointed a black semi-automatic firearm and threatened to shoot the victim. The suspect then fled east on Foothill out of sight.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic in his 20's, wearing a white, short-sleeved t-shirt, dark pants, with short hair and was unshaven. He also had several tattoos on one or both of his arms. The suspect vehicle is described as a silver or gold sedan, possibly a Chevy Malibu. The victim wrote down a license plate, but it returned to a salvaged vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Possible Rain Next Week

60% chance of showers this coming Thursday. https://goo.gl/0qMTb8

- Brad Haugaard

Are Monrovia City Council Members 'Puppets'?

Monrovia Council Member Alexander Blackburn said some "private interests" see council members as "simpleton puppets" swayed by "flattery and sycophantic awards." That approach, he said, is often successful and that the council needs to watch out for that. http://goo.gl/rLm8UA

- Brad Haugaard

Four Monrovia Schools Named As 'Gold Ribbon Elementary Schools'

Monrovia School Board Member Alex Zucco reports that the California Department of Education has named Bradoaks, Mayflower, Monroe and Wildrose as Gold Ribbon Elementary Schools. "And," she adds, "with all the great things happening at Plymouth, we know they won't be far behind."

- Brad Haugaard

Taxes And The Artist Workshop

Feb. 13, this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon, "Taxes and the Artist" Workshop at Monrovia Community Center. Details: http://goo.gl/UzSglO

- Brad Haugaard

Should Monrovia Return to Being a Non-Elected-Mayor City?

I did not get to the State of the City speech by Mayor Tom Adams the other night, but according to Facebook postings, Adams suggested the city return to the old system of just having the City Council select the mayor from among by themselves, which generally (not always) turns out to be a simple rotation.

Comment: As a former reporter I have attended many council meetings in several local cities that are roughly Monrovia's size (Arcadia, Temple City, San Marino, Alhambra, La Verne), and all these cities have (or, perhaps, had) the system Adams is proposing, and I never noticed any real difference between how they were run and how Monrovia is run. I think the elected-mayor system is really better for larger cities, but seems harmless in smaller cities. My one thought is that Monrovia should just do whichever is cheaper.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Film and Aging Resources Information

There will be a free screening "Inside Out," the 2015 Academy Award Nominated Best Animated Film from Disney Pixar, on Saturday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Monrovia Library. Light refreshments and information about aging resources. This is a multi-generational event for baby boomers, friends and family. For free tickets call 205-4308 or email movie@monroviaproviders.org. Presented by Monrovia Providers Group, Foothills Resources for the Aging. More information at http://www.monroviaproviders.org

- Brad Haugaard

Yard Sale at Monrovia's Mountainside Communion Church

This Saturday, Feb. 13, Mountainside Communion Church (at the corner of Colorado and Magnolia), will host a yard sale to help raise funds for its annual retreat. The sale will be in the church parking lot at 303 W Colorado, Monrovia CA from 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Housing Opportunity for Low Income Monrovians

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity is seeking low-income, first-time home buyers, currently living in crowded or substandard housing conditions who are willing to contribute a minimum of 500 hours of Sweat Equity in building their home and the homes of their future neighbors.

Application forms will be available at four informational meetings at the Glendale Recreation Center, 201 E. Colorado St., Glendale, CA 91205:

● Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 7 p.m.
● Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 10 a.m.
● Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 7 p.m.
● Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 10 a.m.

There is no charge for attending. At the information meetings, individuals will learn how to apply to become a Habitat for Humanity Partner Family. City and Habitat representatives will explain all aspects of the application process. Attendees will learn about qualification guidelines and what will be expected of families chosen to become a Habitat Partner Family.

SGV Habitat has completed 37 affordable homes in Glendale and has served the community for 26 years by building and repairing affordable homes for low-income families.

For questions about qualifications, meeting dates, and SGV Habitat for Humanity, please go to www.sgvhabitat.org or contact Marty McBride, Family Services Coordinator: (626) 387-6899 x25 or familyservices@sgvhabitat.org. If you would like to discuss further outreach options, contact Lindsey Lottie, Marketing & PR Manager:  marketing@sgvhabitat.org or (626) 387-6899 x18.

Monrovia Eye Lens Company Partners With Swedish Company

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Company, which makes implantable lenses and delivery systems for the eye, will provide Memira Holding, of Sweden with STAAR's phakic intraocular lenses as a primary and premium option for refractive eye treatment. Memira is the largest refractive eye surgery provider in Scandinavia with close to 50 clinics. http://goo.gl/yNDl9w

- Brad Haugaard

Residents Raising Funds For Second Monrovia Historic District

Residents of the 100 and 200 blocks of North Encinitas are close to submitting an application for historic district status, the second such district in Monrovia. They're trying to raise $11,153 for the application. Those who would like to contribute can do so here: http://www.gofundme.com/savingourblock

- Brad Haugaard

Park Bench Honors Monrovia Rotary Member | New Art Show

~ The Rotary Club of Monrovia has funded a park bench at Rotary Park, at California and Lime, dedicated to Bill Faith, a long-time member of the club. http://goo.gl/CkYitk

~ A new art exhibition at Saga Fine Art (110 W. Lime) features "representational art by contemporary masters." Featuring works by Lynne Fearman, Felice Hrovat, and Laura Wambsgans. Show runs from Feb. 9 - March 18. http://goo.gl/0hrvPr

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Hiding in the Bushes; Controlled Substances

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for February 4-7. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Park Closure Violation – Suspect Arrested
February 4 at 11:19 p.m., officers were using the services of the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter on a call and requested they check the roof of the Library in the 300 block of South Myrtle on their way out of the city. During the check, a subject was spotted in the bushes at the park. Officers responded to the park and located a subject sleeping in the bushes. They arrested the subject for being in the park during closed hours and he received a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
February 7 at 7:28 p.m., an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation at Myrtle and Duarte. During the investigation, the officer determined the driver was under the influence of marijuana. The driver was arrested and later released on a citation to appear in court.

Park Closure Violation/Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
February 7 at 11:41 p.m., an officer was patrolling a park in the 600 block of South Shamrock and found a subject in the park after hours. During the investigation, the officer discovered the subject was also in possession of a controlled substance. The subject was arrested for the charges and was later released on a citation to appear in court.