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Monrovia Woman Charged With Assaulting Postal Carrier

A Monrovia woman has been arrested by postal inspectors and charged with assaulting a postal carrier with pepper spray in Pasadena. https://goo.gl/cmb5nb

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Wild Rose Elementary Receives Its Third State Award

Monrovia's Wild Rose Elementary School, a Gold Ribbon School, was honored today for its Exemplary Arts Education Program Award and as a Title I Achieving School by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

Of 5,580 elementary schools in California only 38 were honored for having Exemplary Programs in Arts Education or Physical Education. Last month, Torlakson honored 779 schools with the Gold Ribbon Award, and Wild Rose was one of the recipients. Of those schools, 496 received the Title I Achieving Schools Award, and Wild Rose received that honor as well.

At Wild Rose, students are exposed to dance, instrumental music, choir, vocal lessons, drama, and visual arts. Ninety students in grades 1-5 are preparing for a drama production of "School House Rock Jr. Live" on May 19 at 6 PM and May 20 at 9:20 AM, 10:40 AM, and 6:00 PM in the school's cafeteria. The production is being coordinated by the music teacher, the office manager, and a retired teacher. The production is based on the award-winning 1970s cartoons which features fast-paced musical lessons with clever, catchy tunes to support history, grammar, and many other academic concepts.

All fourth grade students participate in a dance program one hour per week through the California Dance Institute (CDI). The Boone Foundation, a private and local donor that supports arts education in the area, funds this program to schools with low socioeconomic demographics who also have a high percentage of English language learners. This $10,000 gift allows the students access to an experience they may not be able to afford outside of the school setting. Thirty students participate in an after school dance club called SWAT and will perform in a culmination performance on June 2 at 4:00 PM and 6:30 PM at Clifton Middle School.

Students at Wild Rose receive visual arts instruction weekly. The school district and the school's PTA fund two visual arts teachers. As you drive by the perimeter of the school, you see three murals painted by fifth graders as the annual tradition of leaving their mark on their school. These murals are done in the likeness of famous masterpieces at the Huntington Library.

In Torlakson's press release, he stated,"I'm delighted to honor these schools and programs which are doing a tremendous job preparing our students for 21st century opportunities and graduating lifelong learners in the process." Likewise, Stacy Ayers, Wild Rose School Principal stated, "We are so proud our students have the opportunity to show off their talents and creativity when test scores are so often the focus in schools. It's important to give all students a chance to shine and showcase their strengths."

Wild Rose has about 525 students, approximately 78% of whom are disadvantaged. One-third of the students speak English as a second language. Despite these challenges, Wild Rose is a California Gold Ribbon School and a four time award winning Golden Bell School.

Source: Wild Rose press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council to Meet With Assemblyman About Stormwater, Policing

The Monrovia City Council and State Assemblyman Chris Holden (who represents the city) will hold a special meeting Thursday, May 5 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss two issues the city has been very bothered about: "MS4 Permit Concerns," which, I believe, is that whole "clean up your storm-water even though it'll cost several times your annual budget" thing, and "Proposition 47 and Law Enforcement Legislative Impacts." Police Chief Jim Hunt has been extremely critical of the law, which makes a lot more crimes misdemeanors. Here's a minimalist agenda: http://goo.gl/C83pB3

- Brad Haugaard

Municipal Services Discounts for Monrovia Seniors, Veterans, Low Income Residents

Did you know that Monrovia residents may be entitled to discounts of 5% or 25% off their municipal services bill? Yup. 5% off for seniors (65 and older) and 25% off for veterans and low income residents. Here's the sign-up form: http://goo.gl/iIZYVh . Thanks to former City Council candidate Stephan Grollnek for the tip.

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Training Exercises Above Monrovia; New Fire Division Chief; Movies in the Park; Clear-Your-Brush Letters

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/h2MVgG ), City Manager Oliver Chi reported these things ...

~ LA County Fire Department will be coordinating a training exercise on Friday, May 6, from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Helispot 44-B in Monrovia, located north of Norumbega Drive (past Valmont Drive) just below Sawpit Dam.

~ The city has selected Jeremy Sanchez as its newest Fire Division Chief. He will be overseeing emergency preparedness, policies, technology, volunteer services, and brush clearance.

~ The Schedule for summer-time Movies in the Park. (All movies at dusk, about 8 p.m.)
- AntMan (PG-13), Saturday, June 18, Monrovia Historical Museum.
-  Hotel Transylvania 2 (PG), Saturday, July 9, Julian Fisher Park
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PG-13), Saturday, July 23, Station Square Park
- The Good Dinosaur (PG), Saturday, August 6, Grand Ave Park

~ The City sent out almost 1,500 brush inspection reminder letters this past week to remind hillside residents about removing dry brush.

- Brad Haugaard

Ferris Bueller's Day Off Movie at Library

Free screening of the modern film classic, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m. at the Monrovia Public Library. To reserve free tickets call 205-4308 or email movie@monroviaproviders.org. Light refreshments and aging resources. Presented by Monrovia Providers Group: www.monroviaproviders.org

Monrovia Old Homes Tour A Success

Monrovia Historic Preservation Group reports that its old homes tour was a success, with more than 450 people attending. http://www.mohpg.org/

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Flying Car Lands in Front Yards; Stolen Make-Up Bag; Domestic Violence; Keying Car; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 28 – May 1. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Vehicle Burglary
April 28 at 1:02 p.m., an officer responded to the 300 block of W. Maple regarding a vehicle burglary. A witness heard the sound of a window shattering. The witness saw a heavy-set, male Hispanic, 20-40 years old, reach in through the shattered window of a parked vehicle. A white, newer-model truck with no plates pulled up next to the male, blocking the view, so the witness could not see if he took anything from the vehicle. The male suspect entered the passenger side of the truck and they fled west on Maple, then north on Mayflower, out of sight. Officers searched the area for the truck, but were unable to locate it. The victim arrived and told officers her makeup bag was stolen from the driver's seat of the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
April 29 at 5:32 a.m., officers were dispatched to the report of a male and female involved in an argument, which had escalated and become physical. Officers arrived and interviewed the subjects. They determined the male subject had physically injured the female and was the primary aggressor. The male subject was arrested for domestic violence. The female was advised of her rights and available assistance.

Vehicle Vandalism
April 29 at 7:25 p.m., a vehicle vandalism was reported at a business parking lot in the 300 block of W. Huntington. The victim was inside the business shopping and upon exiting the store, he observed the suspect key his vehicle. The suspect is a former roommate the victim had evicted several months prior. The victim believes the suspect is now homeless. The suspect was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
April 29 at 8:40 p.m., the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter observed a vehicle that was traveling at a high rate of speed lose control at the intersection of El Nido and Hillcrest and it landed in the front yards of two properties. Officers responded and located the vehicle and the driver. The driver said he was traveling 40 to 50 miles per hour, heading east on Hillcrest. When he passed El Nido, he lost control and went airborne. He landed onto two properties in their front yards. Police received several calls from residents who heard the accident. No one was injured.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
April 30 at 2:25 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle drive through a stop sign at the intersection of Magnolia and Evergreen. He conducted a traffic stop and discovered the driver had been drinking. After performing field sobriety tests, the driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and held for a sobering period.

Shoplifting – Suspects Arrested
April 30 at 12:38 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding a theft of tools that just occurred. The two adult, male suspects were detained by officers, driving away from the scene in a white Chevrolet Tahoe. The tools were recovered and returned to the store. The two suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Family Disturbance / Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
May 1 at 12:25 a.m., officers were called to a residence in the 900 block of S. Mayflower where a family was involved in a verbal argument. One of the subjects had left prior to police arriving, but she was located on an adjacent street talking on her cell phone. The subject was found to be extremely intoxicated and unable to care for herself. She was arrested for being drunk in public and held for a sobering period.

Monrovia Council: Regulating Massage Establishments; Hotel at Myrtle and Huntington; Etc.

At its next meeting ( http://goo.gl/d3tnaN ) the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

- An amendment to the Monrovia Municipal Code to regulate "Massage Establishments and Massage Practitioners," bringing it into compliance with current state law. (It looks as if the amendment would tighten regulation of massage.) http://goo.gl/wJbuXz

- An exclusive negotiating agreement with Tharaldson Hospitality Development to build a hotel at the southwest corner of Myrtle Avenue and Huntington Drive. http://goo.gl/SK1P1u

- Granting a conditional use permit for a 12-unit residential condominium development at 530 Fano Street. http://goo.gl/Te71GT

- Leasing 200 acre feet of Main San Gabriel Basin water production rights from the Azusa Valley Water Company for $128,248. http://goo.gl/EYn0uh

- Renaming Grand Avenue Park to Kiwanis Park at Grand Avenue since the service club has done a lot of work for the park. http://goo.gl/2h0VZF

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Taqueria El Diablo


Dinner last night at Taqueria El Diablo, at the corner of Myrtle and Olive. Got a chorizo burrito for $8 and a medium watermelon agua fresca for $3.50. Good. 
- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia High Football Star Going to Air Force Academy

Monrovia High football running back Lawrence Spicer has accepted a scholarship to the Air Force Academy. http://goo.gl/wbDBwY

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Adds Encrypted Communication to Military Drone

Monrovia-based drone maker, AeroVironment, has integrated an encrypted communication link into its Switchblade drone. Comment: Uh, maybe I'm missing something here, but was Switchblade - a military drone - actually communicating in the clear before? http://goo.gl/MiydHa

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Injury Accident; Bike Theft; Truck Theft; Graffiti

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 25-27. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 431 service events, resulting in 65 investigations.

Grand Theft Bicycle / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 25 at 7:06 p.m., an officer was dispatched on the report of a bicycle theft that just occurred at Mayflower and Huntington. As the officers were responding, they saw the suspect with the stolen bike at Fano and Alamitas, and they detained the suspect. The suspect was arrested for grand theft and an oustanding warrant.

Traffic Collision with Injuries
April 27 at 2:39 p.m., a traffic collision was reported at Foothill and Mayflower. A female passenger was seen running from the scene. Officers located the female, who claimed she ran to avoid the police. The male driver was contacted and taken to a hospital for a head injury, which was sustained in the accident. He was later released. The other driver sustained no injuries.

Vandalism
April 27 at 5:17 p.m., a witness called police to report two juveniles writing graffiti on a fence in the 200 block of W. Cypress. Officers responded and located a male and female juvenile. The male subject was found to be in possession of a marker and admitted to writing the graffiti on the fence. He was arrested and later released on a citation to appear in court.

Vehicle Theft
April 28 at 5:31 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of E. Los Angeles returned to his vehicle that had been parked in front of his residence and found it had been stolen. The vehicle taken was a Chevy Silverado SS. The investigation is continuing.

Hero Cub Scout Honored at Monrovia City Council

Cub Scout William Kurutz was honored at Monrovia City Council meeting for his actions to help his mother in a life-threatening situation. http://goo.gl/139mHf

- Brad Haugaard

CPR on the Sidewalk

Monrovia Fire & Rescue will provide free hands-only CPR training on Sidewalk CPR Day, Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Library Park from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Last year, more than 17,000 people in Southern California learned how to save a life in just five minutes with a quick lesson from local firefighters and medical professionals through the coordinated LA County- wide Sidewalk CPR Day program.

"Thanks to easy access to training, Citizen CPR is rapidly growing as a way to empower bystanders to save a life when someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest," said Captain Chris Huson. "We are glad to team up with the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency and the American Heart Association to bring Sidewalk CPR to our local community. With 80 percent of all cardiac arrests occurring at home, we need to help family and friends learn how to double or triple their loved one's chance of survival."

Learning hands-only CPR helps local emergency responders by focusing on the first few critical minutes following a cardiac arrest.  Since the lungs and blood contain only enough oxygen to keep vital organs healthy for that amount of time, bystanders become heroes until emergency responders arrive on scene. With each chest compression using hands-only CPR, ordinary citizens can easily provide the ongoing blood flow needed to give the patient a much better chance of survival once responders arrive.

Once trained, citizens are encouraged to download the PulsePoint app, which was activated in Los Angeles County last August. More than 33,000 CPR-trained citizens have downloaded this lifesaving app to receive notifications that someone nearby is in need of CPR.  To learn more, visit the PulsePoint Foundation website at www.pulsepoint.org.

Only 32 percent of victims receive CPR from a bystander. Don't be a bystander in a cardiac emergency, be a lifesaver! For more information about this upcoming training, contact Captain Chris Huson at (626) 256-8119 or chuson@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

Source: Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Historic Homes Tour (Not on Mother's Day!) | Letter Carrier Food Drive

~ Monrovia Historic Preservation Group's Historic Homes Tour on May 1 (not on Mother's Day), 10 a.m. top 4 p.m. See five homes and two museums, including Spanish Colonial Revival, Craftsman, and English Tudor Cottage. Details and tickets here: http://goo.gl/ZoqfQj

~ National Letter Carrier's Food Drive, Saturday, May 14. Leave non-perishable food by your mailbox and your letter carrier will take it to the Post Office where Foothill Unity Center will gather it. Details: Betty McWilliams at betty@foothillunitycenter.org

UPDATE: I accidentally had the food drive on the wrong day. It is on May 14. Changed it to be correct. Sorry 'bout that.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Baseball Headed For Championship? | 38 Degrees Review

~ Monrovia over La Canada. "The Wildcats are marching toward their second consecutive league championship." http://goo.gl/MQ5CJ7

~ Merrill Shindler review of Monrovia's 38 Degrees restaurant. Summary: He likes it. http://goo.gl/JPcY7I

- Brad Haugaard

Zip Code Day in Monrovia?

Kelly, a reader of MonroviaNow, suggests that Monrovia should celebrate Zip Code Day - 91016. In other words, September 10, 2016. My ever-practical wife asked, "What do you do on Zip Code Day?" I love the idea of Zip Code Day, but ... I dunno, what do you do on Zip Code Day? Anybody have any ideas?

- Brad Haugaard

261-Unit Apartment Complex Next to Monrovia Train Station

Details about the 261-unit apartment complex planned for next to the Monrovia train station. http://goo.gl/2lOVSB

- Brad Haugaard

Highways and Byways Art Exhibit at Monrovia Gallery


Saga Fine Art, 110 W. Lime Avenue, across the street on the south side of Library Park, has a new exhibit, Highways & Byways, Freeways & Footpaths, running through May 30. Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 1-6 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard