Taking the Train to Work

I took the train to work in Pasadena today, from the Monrovia station to Memorial Park station. Parking is free at the Monrovia station and parking slots are nice and wide. 

It was standing room only when I got on the train about 7:35 or so and I stood all the way to Pasadena. (Metro reported later that the Irwindale parking garage was packed by 7 a.m. I believe it.) Otherwise, the ride was beautiful. At exactly 45 minutes door to door, it took about 10 to 15 minutes longer than by car, but on the other hand, no battling traffic. On the way home (I left at 5:08) it was crowded but I had no trouble finding a seat. It took 41 minutes door to door - pretty close to driving time.

My one complaint is with the Tap card ticketing system. It is far better than when I took the train from the Sierra Madre Villa station several years ago, but is still pretty poor. It appears Metro knows how poor its system is because it had an employee helping people figure out how to use it. I would have held up the line for ten minutes if I'd had to do it myself. As I walked up in the morning a woman finishing said to the Metro employee, "Pretty confusing." Indeed it is. Unlike the last time I used the system, at least this time there were some instructions, but they are unhelpfully placed AFTER you encounter the machines. You could decipher them to guess (I'm still not sure this is true) that you don't exactly buy a ticket to a destination but I think you buy for a certain amount of time... maybe just  one way. Very confusing but I'm sure you get used to it.

Anyway, I had a good time overall, but then I love trains. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Art Show in Monrovia

A tour of some of the finest California and US artists on Wednesday, March 16 at John Moran Auctioneers, 145 E. Walnut Ave., in Monrovia, with wine and hors d'oeuvres by The Kitchen for Exploring Food. The event will benefit the at-risk teen art workshop program of Monrovia Association of Fine Arts and the Make a Difference Day outreach of the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley. Art work will span the last century and each attendee will receive an auction catalogue and will be able to preview the sale. Tickets are $50 at www.moranprivatepreview.eventbrite.com or at the door. For more information contact Christine Geltz at 483-0560 or at christine@monroviafinearts.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Fixing Train-Caused Traffic Problems; Monrovia Days Parade Returning; Easter Egg Hunt; Etc.

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

~ The city and Metro have been working to fix the "tremendous traffic impacts" associated with new train service. Chi says top priority is that, "The train stop arms need to function correctly." And, "We also need to develop better traffic signal light coordination, which is a more complex issue that requires coordination between the City, Metro, LA County, and CalTrans."

~ Monrovia Days Parade will return as part of Monrovia Days this year., May 13-15. Community activities May 13, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; parade Saturday, May 14 at 9 a.m.; music May 15, noon to 7 p.m. in Library Park.

~ The Library Board is hosting a planning meeting on Sunday, March 13, at 2 p.m. at the Community Center (119 West Palm Avenue) to develop a strategic plan for the library.

~ The unveiling of a new mural "that incorporates art, books, recycling, and whimsical fun" will be on Friday, March 11, at 6 p.m. at the Monrovia Public Library. Light refreshments.

~ Easter Egg Hunt and Healthy Kids Day Event at Recreation Park on Saturday, March 26. To participate, make sure you show up at Recreation Park when registration begins at 9:45 a.m.

~ Monrovia Area Partnership's Care for Your Neighbor Program helped a senior couple fix up their property at 222 East Cypress Ave. The couple's health had prevented them from maintaining the property themselves.

~ Teen Movie Mania Night on Friday, March 11, from 7-9 p.m. Sixth to 12th graders can enjoy popcorn and snacks while watching. Call the Monrovia Public Library at 256-8274, to find out the name of the movie.

~ Monrovia is accepting nominations for the Monrovia 2016 Older American of the Year Award, presented to a Monrovian 60 years or older who is involved in volunteer services for our community. Suggest a nominee to Rebecca Sandoval at 256-8246 or rsandoval@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

- Brad Haugaard

Women's Evensong at St. Luke's

St. Luke's Episcopal Church will present its ninth Women's Evensong Invitational on Sunday, March 20, at 4 p.m. at the church, 122 South California Avenue at Foothill Boulevard in Monrovia. Music will include Suscepit Israel (the trio from Bach's Magnificat) and the premiere of the Monrovia Preces and Responses by Kent Bennett Jones. Mezzo soprano Sarah Reynolds will be the cantor, and St. Luke's Deacon Ann Dumolt will be the officiant. A freewill offering will be taken, and a wine and cheese reception will follow.

Monrovia Police: Busted for Cigarette Lighter; Mountain Lion; New-Car Fire; Woman Found; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 3-6. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

False Gun Scare
March 3 at 12:20 a.m., officers responded to the high school in the 700 block of Colorado regarding a student that possibly had a gun in his backpack. Officers detained the student to determine if there was a gun. The investigation revealed the student had a cigarette lighter that was shaped like a gun. The student received a citation for the lighter.

Critical Missing Adult Located
March 3 at 8:00 p.m., the family of an 88-year-old female contacted Monrovia Police Department to report her missing. The subject left her residence in the 200 block of West Evergreen Avenue at 4:00 p.m. in her vehicle and had not returned. The subject has minor dementia, is diabetic and takes medication. The subject does not usually drive at night and becomes disoriented. An area check was made for the subject and local hospitals were checked, but the subject was not located. A Silver Alert was put out on Freeway signs through the California Highway Patrol, all Southern California law enforcement agencies were notified, and the subject was entered into the missing person’s database, along with her vehicle information.

On March 4 at approximately 3:00 p.m., the critical missing subject was found in Newport Beach and was reunited with her family.

Mountain Lion Sighting
March 3 at 11:09 p.m., officers were dispatched to the report of a mountain lion carrying a domestic cat in the area of Stedman and Scenic. The mountain lion was located north of the reported area. Officers were able to confirm that it was an adult female mountain lion. The mountain lion was persuaded to go north, back into the hills.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
March 4 at 2:25 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Monterey and Bonita when he observed a vehicle commit a vehicle code violation. The officer conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver. He immediately noticed signs of intoxication. The driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested. The driver was held for sobering.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
March 5 at 8:28 p.m., an officer observed a suspicious male and female looking into a parked vehicle in the 900 block of Fifth Avenue. Officers contacted the subjects, who were now sitting in a vehicle. Investigation revealed one of the subjects was in possession of smoking paraphernalia; she was arrested and taken into custody. The subject was booked and later released with a citation to appear in court.

Vehicle Fire
March 6 at 1:12 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of Diamond called to report his vehicle was on fire in his driveway. Officers responded and located the vehicle, which was fully engulfed in flames and parked near the garage. The intense flames were near the roof of the structure. Officers used two fire extinguishers to hold down the flames until the Monrovia Fire Department arrived. The vehicle was recently purchased and had been parked at the location for several hours prior to catching fire. The quick reactions of the officers kept the home from catching fire. The vehicle was a complete loss; the cause is believed to be an electrical malfunction.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
March 6 at 8:36 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Montana regarding a domestic dispute. When they arrived, they determined a male and female adult were involved in an argument. During the argument, the male struck the female in the face with an open palm. The male subject was arrested for domestic battery.

Metro Line Reopens | Limiting Monrovia Home Size | Day of Prayer

~ If you are thinking of taking the Gold Line to work today, service from Monrovia is operational again, according to a Twitter post by Metro. Service on the track was halted on the first day of paid service (Sunday) after a semi crashed through the freeway barrier into the track area. Metro tweets: "GOLD LINE: Resumes normal weekday service; minor inbound speed restriction in repair segment near SMV."

~ The Monrovia Planning Commission will hold a study session this Wednesday at 6 p.m. to consider a set of regulations that would reduce the size of new home construction in the city. (Agenda: http://goo.gl/PMGzMP ). And here are the details of the plan: http://goo.gl/h1xU62

~ All community "National Day of Prayer Program" sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Monrovia on May 5 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Mountainside Communion Church - 303 West Colorado Blvd. Finger-food reception following. Any donations taken will go to Foothill Unity. For information call 804-3494.

Monrovia School Board Meeting

At its March 9 meeting, the Monrovia Board of Education will honor the Monrovia High Boys and Girls Varsity Soccer teams and coaches as Rio Hondo League champions, and honor students who participated in the First District PTA Reflections Competition. Also, among other things, it will consider naming the baseball field at Monrovia High as the "Dave Moore Baseball Field." Agenda: here

- Brad Haugaard

Full Train Service Comes to Monrovia

First train rolls in to Monrovia. 

The first full-service train arrived at the new Monrovia station at 12:11 p.m today, heading into LA.. Rides as far as Union Station and back are free today until midnight. Also, information  booths and live music. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police Officers Association Appreciates Trump Police Comments

The Monrovia Police Officers Association (the police union), while emphasizing that it is "NOT" an endorsement of Donald Trump, tweets that it supports his comments (in a video) about the need to respect police officers: https://goo.gl/uL9Nq8

- Brad Haugaard

Train Station Audio Art Tour and Book; Missing Woman; 'Parchment' Opens; Women in Government

~ If you take a free Gold Line ride tomorrow you can listen to an audio description of the art work at the various stations that you'll see along the way. Here: http://goo.gl/Xl1JCc

~ Also, the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority has released "Art of the Journey: the Foothill Gold Line," a commemorative book describing the artwork and artists of the 11.5-mile, six-station light rail project.

~ Police are seeking Mary Cerchio, a missing 88-year-old Monrovia woman. http://goo.gl/rUOmJ2 (Update: Found in Newport Beach: http://goo.gl/Ud5mPx )

~ The former Friends Cafe on Myrtle has reopened as "Parchment," still serving coffee. http://goo.gl/AOhhdS

~ This month, Women's History Month, the Monrovia Library will have displays honoring women in public service and government.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Cafe Mundial

Dinner last night at Cafe Mundial, on the east side of Myrtle north of Colorado. Got the Seared Ahi (tuna) for $22, and a beer for $7  It came with bread and humus dip. Elegant, and food was fine. 

  

- Brad Haugaard

Free Ride on Gold Line This Saturday - 12 to 12

Reminder: Free rides on the Gold Line into downtown LA (and back) starting from noon until midnight on March 5. A nice Q&A here: http://goo.gl/82kwB7 . Also, ribbon cutting on March 5 for Monrovia Gold Line Station at 11:30 a.m. for the first day of public train service. Also, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. - Music, crafts, games, booths, giveaways, food, trackless train rides. Free shuttle between Old Town Monrovia and Station Square. Noon - Live entertainment begins by the band, Person to Person.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Brandishing Knife at Skateboarder; Cash Taken From Unlocked Vehicle; Drugs; Alcohol

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for February 29 – March 2. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 427 service events, During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 427 service events, resulting in 60 investigations.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
February 29 at 9:27 p.m., an officer responded to a business in the 400 block of West Huntington. Staff at the business reported that a subject was possibly using drugs inside their restroom. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, who admitted he had drug needles in his possession. He was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Theft of Vehicle Parts
March 1 at 8:36 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of West Evergreen regarding a theft of vehicle parts. The suspect entered the work yard and used tools to remove a 52 inch LED light bar from the top of one of the trucks in the lot. The employees were working inside the building during the theft. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
March 1 at 7:34 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 700 block of East Huntington. The victim arrived at the parking lot and went into the gym to work out. When she returned to her vehicle approximately an hour later, she found that someone had punched the driver side door lock to open her truck. She discovered a pair of sunglasses were missing from her vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Brandishing a Weapon
March 2 at 4:30 p.m., officers responded to a skate park in the 800 block of East Olive on the report of an altercation where a male adult brandished a pocket knife at a skateboarder. Officers arrived and determined the subject brandished the knife from a distance. The subject was interviewed and displayed behavior of mental illness. He was taken to a local facility and held for a 72-hour mental evaluation. The subject does not reside in Monrovia.

Grand Theft from Vehicle
March 2 at 6:17 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported at a hotel parking lot in the 900 block of South Fifth Avenue. The victim was checking into the hotel two days ago. While she was checking in with the office, someone took cash from her unlocked vehicle. She delayed reporting the theft because she thought she had just misplaced the money. The investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
March 2 at 10:18 p.m., an intoxicated subject was reported at a business in the 300 block of West Huntington. He was following employees around in the parking lot. An officer arrived and arrested the male adult subject, who was determined to be too intoxicated to care for himself. He was held for a sobering period.

Possession of a Controlled Substance/Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
March 3 at 12:43 a.m., a citizen called police to report a male adult subject running in the street at Palm and Ivy, acting unusual. Officers arrived and saw the subject throw something onto the ground. The subject was detained. An officer located an object containing a white powder substance on the ground near the subject. A search of the subject revealed a baggie containing what the officer believed to be a controlled substance. The suspect was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and being under the influence of a controlled substance. The substance tested positive for cocaine.

The Diplomat Restaurant Opening in Monrovia

Old Town merchant Pam Fitzpatrick reports that a new restaurant, called The Diplomat, will open on East Lemon (where Bull Taco was) in about three weeks. http://goo.gl/AQr9Va

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Staar Surgical Doing Better

Monrovia-based STAAR Surgical, a manufacturer and marketer of implantable lenses and delivery systems for the eye, is reporting a full year net loss for 2015 of $0.17 per share vs. prior year net Loss of $0.22 per share. For the fourth quarter the net loss was $0.02 per share vs. a net loss of $0.07 per share for the same period in 2014. http://goo.gl/aeOWiY

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Boys and Girls Club Open House

Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills invites community members to visit this Monday, March 7, during its open house.  Tour the facilities and learn more about the club's life-changing work with youth. 3:30-6 p.m., 600 S. Shamrock Ave. RSVP to anavar@foothillsbgc.org

- Brad Haugaard

KGEM Gets Big Donation From Monrovia's Mt. Sierra College

Monrovia's Mt. Sierra College has just given KGEM TV the largest donation the cable television station has ever received - $60,000, to implement a collaboration between the station and Mt. Sierra College film students. http://goo.gl/PJqatk

Skylights at Station Square; Monrovia Bucks Upward Crime Trend; Honorees; Baseball Field Improvements

In his weekly update ( http://goo.gl/F5q8Ee ), City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

~ Skylights (city photo above) were installed last week at the Station Square Bandshell.

~ For 2015 California suffered a dramatic increase in crime rates for both violent and property crimes, but Monrovia "experienced no increase in our violent crime rates, and a 2% decrease in property crime rates."

~ Monrovia Station Square Project and City Council Member Gloria Crudgington will be honored at the California Association of Park and Recreation Commissioners & Board Members  awards event on March 10 in Long Beach. Station Square won the group's 2016 Outstanding Project Award and Crudgington won the President's Award for chairing the Measure A and Measure B Committee that resulted in the creation of the Hillside Wilderness Preserve. Comment: It would be nice if the city would finally open the Cloverleaf gate and let the citizens who paid for the thing actually enjoy it. A 16-year wait is FAR too long, but I'm hopeful the gate will be open soon.

~ The city and Monrovia Youth Baseball League have been making improvements to Barney Glenn Baseball Field at Recreation Park.

- Brad Haugaard

Yes, There Are Bad Delays At Monrovia Rail Crossings

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi acknowledged that the Gold Line trains have been disrupting Monrovia traffic. He writes that once the trains began running on their actual schedule, "the City began noticing that there were several prolonged traffic delays," particularly at Myrtle and Duarte Road.

He adds that, "the City and Metro are working collaboratively to develop options that will minimize the traffic impacts on the community. Furthermore, the City's Traffic Engineer is performing an independent assessment of the issues at hand to further develop traffic improvement measures."

If you want to report a problem with traffic signals or rail crossings, call the City at 932-5575, or Metro at (800) 396-2166.

- Brad Haugaard

Printable Gold Line Schedule | Good Chance of Rain for Monrovia

~ If you are thinking of taking the Gold Line regularly, here's a printable schedule: http://goo.gl/KaO8DQ

~ 80% chance of rain Sunday. Trailing off to 70% Monday. https://goo.gl/0qMTb8

- Brad Haugaard