[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 26-29. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Fraud Incident
October 26 at 1:58 p.m., an elderly female victim was approached by a female suspect outside of a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. The suspect told the victim if she gave her money she would be able to make more money for her. The victim drove the suspect to various banks, withdrew money and gave it to the suspect. The suspect took the money and fled. The investigation is continuing.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 26 at 8:15 p.m., police dispatch received a call reporting a female subject passed out on the sidewalk in the 200 block of Foothill. When officers arrived, they found an extremely intoxicated female subject and determined she was too intoxicated to care for her own safety. She was arrested for being drunk in public and held for a sobering period.
Warrant / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspects Arrested
October 27 at 12:50 a.m., an officer stopped two subjects on bicycles for a traffic code violation. A computer check of the subjects revealed one of them had a warrant and a consent search revealed the other one was in possession of methamphetamine. They were both arrested and taken into custody for the charges.
Commercial Burglary
October 27 at 2:18 a.m., police dispatch received an alarm activation call at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington. When officers arrived, they found the front door window had been smashed. They cleared the building and saw the cash register had been removed. The investigation is continuing.
Injury Traffic Collision
October 27 at 8:50 a.m. an elderly driver was attempting to park in a parking lot in the 100 block of E. Lime and inadvertently hit the gas pedal instead of the brakes. The vehicle collided into the north wall of the movie theater. The driver was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Critical Missing Adult – Subject Located
October 27 at 10:57 a.m., an elderly male subject with the onset of dementia did not return to a retirement home in the 100 block of S. Myrtle. Officers responded and searched the area, but did not locate the subject. Public notification was made on Twitter and a Silver Alert Notification was made to CHP and broadcast out to the Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties. The subject was also entered as a critical missing into the law enforcement missing persons system. On October 28 at approximately 11:00 a.m., the Monrovia Police Department was contacted by the Los Angeles Police Department Central Division, stating they found our missing person.
Injury Traffic Collision
October 27 at 11:31 a.m., a bicyclist was traveling south along the sidewalk at Myrtle and Huntington. As he rode down the apron of the sidewalk into the street, a driver was making a right turn and collided with the bicyclist. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet and complained of pain to his head and leg. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Criminal Threats
October 27 at 11:33 a.m., police dispatch received multiple calls from a subject who was threatening to kill people at a construction site at Primrose and Pomona, as well as at the Metro Station, if officers did not respond within three minutes. During these calls, the suspect also made statements that he was planning to kill police officers. Monrovia officers and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputies responded. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department simultaneously had reports of a suspicious package on the train platform. A containment of the area was set up and a search of the construction site and Metro Station platform was conducted. The Sheriff's Special Enforcement Bureau canine officers also responded to assist in the search of the large construction complex. Once officers were on scene at the construction site, no additional calls were received from the suspect. A thorough search was conducted, however, no one was located. The investigation is continuing.
Shots Fired
October 28 at 5:02 a.m., several calls were received reporting shots heard in the 300 block of North Canyon and the 300 block of Prospect. The callers also reported they heard a male subject yelling for help. Officers arrived and narrowed the search to a residence in the 300 block of Prospect. They could still hear a male subject asking for help. They yelled out to him and he said he was on the second floor and needed help. Officers forced entry, cleared the residence and located the subject in his bed upstairs. The subject didn't have a phone and needed medical attention, so he fired 4 to 5 shots into the ground from his balcony off his bedroom to get help to come. He was treated by paramedics and taken to a hospital. His gun was taken for safe keeping.
Vehicle Burglary
October 28 at 8:30 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 300 block of W. Central. The victim parked his vehicle in his driveway in the evening. When he returned to the vehicle in the morning, he found the rear sliding window on his truck had been forced open. The victim's wallet was taken from the cab of the vehicle.
Lost Hikers Located
October 28 at 6:43 p.m., two hikers were reported lost above Canyon Park. The caller was a friend of the hikers who had been in touch with them on their cell phones. Dispatch attempted to call the lost hikers and to pin point the coordinates of their phone, but were having problems locating them. Los Angeles County Fire and Sierra Madre Search and Rescue were notified. Monrovia park rangers went up on an all-terrain vehicle and eventually located the hikers on the side of the hill. The Los Angeles County Fire helicopter responded and had to hoist the two hikers to safety. They were not injured.
Grand Theft Auto
October 28 at 9:13 p.m., a pizza delivery person was delivering a pizza to a residence in the 500 block of W. Duarte and left his vehicle running with the keys in the ignition. When he came back out to his vehicle, he saw it traveling east on Duarte Road and out of sight. Officers conducted an area check, but were unable to locate the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.
Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 28 at 11:37 p.m., a solo vehicle traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Myrtle and Duarte. When officers arrived, they saw a vehicle had struck the traffic signal pole on the southwest corner of the intersection. Witnesses reported that the male subject who was driving the vehicle left, walking west from the scene. He was located a short distance from the scene and brought back to the location. The driver displayed signs of being under the influence. After further investigation, he was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested and taken into custody.
Commercial Burglary / Grand Theft Auto
October 29 at 10:00 a.m., an employee from a car dealership in the 1400 block of S. Mountain called police to report the front locking system on their building had been cut and the front glass was broken out. Officers responded and cleared the interior of the building. A 2018 Mini Cooper Countryman was stolen from the location. The investigation is continuing.
Petty Theft – Suspect Arrested
October 29 at 1:40 p.m., a petty theft was reported at a business in the 400 block of W. Huntington. The theft had just occurred and the suspects were fleeing in a vehicle with the stolen merchandise. An officer in the area responded and stopped the vehicle at Cypress and Primrose. The suspect was positively identified and arrested.
Veterans’ Thanksgiving Breakfast
Free Thanksgiving Day drop-in breakfast in honor of veterans on November 11, 8-11 a.m. at Monrovia’s Calvary Road Baptist Church, 329 W. Olive Ave. 357-2711
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Book-y Book Return Boxes
I like the new paint job on the library book return boxes on Lime. - Brad Haugaard
Trump Administration Decision May Mean More Business for Monrovia's AeroVironment
A Trump administration decision to allow local communities to set their own rules for testing drones may result in more business for Monrovia-based drone maker, AeroVironment. https://goo.gl/vLFWqB
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Dinner at Bella Sera
Dinner at Bella Sera, on the east side of Myrtle just below the theater. Got the Chicken Marsala for $21 and a beer for $8. The meal came with bread and seasoned butter. Delicious!
- Brad Haugaard
Help Enrolling in Low- Or No-Cost Insurance
ChapCare will host a health insurance enrollment event On Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at its Monrovia office, at 513 E. Lime Avenue, Suite 102. Counselors will answer questions and help people enroll in low or no-cost health insurance plans. To enroll in a health insurance plan bring: identification (driver's license, state ID, passport); proof of California residency (driver's license/ID, utility bill); proof of current income (recent pay stubs, last year's tax return); proof of legal residency (Social Security card, naturalization certificate, employment authorization card, residency cards); birth date and home zip code.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Fifth and Huntington Apartment Complex About Done
It appears that Areum, the huge apartment complex at Fifth and Huntington, is almost complete. A sign says it is now “preleasing.”
- Brad Haugaard
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Planned
"Living in Gratitude with Compassion," a Thanksgiving celebration with seven faith communities sharing a program of prayer and music, will be held Thursday, Nov. 16 from 7-8 p.m. at The Parish of St. Luke - The Physician Episcopal Church, at 122 S. California Ave. Reception to follow. Donations accepted for the Foothill Unity Center. Sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Monrovia.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Pedestrian Hit by Car; Drive-Through Customer Exposes Himself; Car Abandoned After Crash
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 23-25. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 426 service events, resulting in 81 investigations.
Theft – Suspect Arrested
October 23 at 2:46 p.m., a theft was reported at a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. Officers were dispatched to the location regarding a suspect who put items into his backpack and a shopping cart, and then left the store without paying for the merchandise. He was detained by store security. The suspect was arrested for the theft.
Traffic Collision – Vehicle vs. Pedestrian
October 23 at 5:48 p.m., officers responded to a traffic collision on Mayflower, south of Huntington, regarding a vehicle vs. pedestrian. The pedestrian, a 60-year-old male, was crossing the street mid-block. A vehicle exited a driveway was traveling in the center median, merging into the number one lane, when the vehicle struck the pedestrian. The victim sustained broken bones and a head injury. He was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision
October 23 at 7:25 p.m., a traffic accident was reported at the intersection of Mountain and Huntington. One of the drivers involved was complaining of pain and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The other driver caused the collision and fled the scene. A witness was able to obtain a plate and the investigation is ongoing.
Indecent Exposure
October 23 at 10:48 p.m., a female employee at business in the 700 block of E. Huntington called police to report an indecent exposure incident. A male customer exposed himself in front of her while in the drive-thru at the location. The suspect then fled the location in a silver Toyota Prius. The investigation is continuing.
Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
October 24 at 10:10 a.m., an officer responded to the 700 block of S. Fifth Avenue regarding a female subject loitering on private property. During the investigation, the subject was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a drug pipe. The suspect was arrested for possession of drugs and taken into custody.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision
October 25 at 3:25 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Genoa and Mayflower when he located an unoccupied vehicle in the middle of the road. The vehicle had collided into an electrical pole and was now abandoned. Officers were not able to locate the owner, so the vehicle was impounded. The investigation is continuing.
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 426 service events, resulting in 81 investigations.
Theft – Suspect Arrested
October 23 at 2:46 p.m., a theft was reported at a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. Officers were dispatched to the location regarding a suspect who put items into his backpack and a shopping cart, and then left the store without paying for the merchandise. He was detained by store security. The suspect was arrested for the theft.
Traffic Collision – Vehicle vs. Pedestrian
October 23 at 5:48 p.m., officers responded to a traffic collision on Mayflower, south of Huntington, regarding a vehicle vs. pedestrian. The pedestrian, a 60-year-old male, was crossing the street mid-block. A vehicle exited a driveway was traveling in the center median, merging into the number one lane, when the vehicle struck the pedestrian. The victim sustained broken bones and a head injury. He was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision
October 23 at 7:25 p.m., a traffic accident was reported at the intersection of Mountain and Huntington. One of the drivers involved was complaining of pain and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The other driver caused the collision and fled the scene. A witness was able to obtain a plate and the investigation is ongoing.
Indecent Exposure
October 23 at 10:48 p.m., a female employee at business in the 700 block of E. Huntington called police to report an indecent exposure incident. A male customer exposed himself in front of her while in the drive-thru at the location. The suspect then fled the location in a silver Toyota Prius. The investigation is continuing.
Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
October 24 at 10:10 a.m., an officer responded to the 700 block of S. Fifth Avenue regarding a female subject loitering on private property. During the investigation, the subject was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a drug pipe. The suspect was arrested for possession of drugs and taken into custody.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision
October 25 at 3:25 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Genoa and Mayflower when he located an unoccupied vehicle in the middle of the road. The vehicle had collided into an electrical pole and was now abandoned. Officers were not able to locate the owner, so the vehicle was impounded. The investigation is continuing.
Cell Tower About to be Installed Near Canyon Park
This cell phone tower is ready to be installed next to the dam keeper’s old house next to Canyon Park. I think it is going to be disguised as a tree.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Will Have to Change Its Election Dates; Halloween Events; Free Compost; Walk Through the Library Online
In his weekly update (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...
~ The state is requiring all cities that have “a significant decrease in voter turnout” for municipal elections to consolidate their elections with a statewide election. Since that describes us, Monrovia will have to consolidate its elections from March in odd numbered years to either November or March in even numbered years. Chi said the City Council prefers March "to try and keep local municipal elections as non-partisan as possible. The council plans to discuss this issue in greater detail at its November 7, meeting.
~ Halloween in Old Town will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 3 to 6 p.m. in Old Town and Library Park. Costume judging (including for dogs), activity booths and a photo booth. sponsored by the Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board. More than 4,000 kids participate annually and this year at least 28 merchants are participating, more than ever before.
~ Monrovia Canyon Park is hosting a Build-a-Bat-Box event at the Nature Center in Canyon Park (1200 N. Canyon Blvd.) on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. Bats eat mosquitoes - yum! Park staff will provide supplies, tools, and instructions. Supplies limited. For more information, call Canyon Park Rangers at 256-8282.
~ Compost and mulch giveaway event with Athens Services from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Oct. 29, at the City's Public Works Yard (600 S. Mountain Ave.). All Monrovia residents are eligible for this self-serve event. Bring a copy of your ID or your Athens bill, and your own containers (no plastic bags). For questions call the Public Works Division at 932-5575.
~ Google has added a "street view" of the inside of the Monrovia Public Library. If you haven't been there you can wander into the adult and children's section right here: https://goo.gl/buUnbf
- Brad Haugaard
~ The state is requiring all cities that have “a significant decrease in voter turnout” for municipal elections to consolidate their elections with a statewide election. Since that describes us, Monrovia will have to consolidate its elections from March in odd numbered years to either November or March in even numbered years. Chi said the City Council prefers March "to try and keep local municipal elections as non-partisan as possible. The council plans to discuss this issue in greater detail at its November 7, meeting.
~ Halloween in Old Town will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 3 to 6 p.m. in Old Town and Library Park. Costume judging (including for dogs), activity booths and a photo booth. sponsored by the Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board. More than 4,000 kids participate annually and this year at least 28 merchants are participating, more than ever before.
~ Monrovia Canyon Park is hosting a Build-a-Bat-Box event at the Nature Center in Canyon Park (1200 N. Canyon Blvd.) on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. Bats eat mosquitoes - yum! Park staff will provide supplies, tools, and instructions. Supplies limited. For more information, call Canyon Park Rangers at 256-8282.
~ Compost and mulch giveaway event with Athens Services from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Oct. 29, at the City's Public Works Yard (600 S. Mountain Ave.). All Monrovia residents are eligible for this self-serve event. Bring a copy of your ID or your Athens bill, and your own containers (no plastic bags). For questions call the Public Works Division at 932-5575.
- Brad Haugaard
Trick or Treat at Huntington Oaks
Trick or Treat party at Huntington Oaks Shopping Center, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m. Music, sing-alongs, scary stories, and participating merchants will be handing out candy. https://goo.gl/orHaXC
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Learn About (And Buy) Less Thirsty Plants
There will be a water-wise gardening fair and native plant sale at Library Park on Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Stolen Cars; Drunk Drivers; Shoplifters and So Forth
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 19-22. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 19 at 7:38 a.m., an employee from a business in the 800 block of E. Huntington reported a disturbing subject walking in and out of the business. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. A computer check of the subject revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested for the warrant.
Trespassing / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
October 19 at 8:20 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of S. Fifth Avenue regarding a subject causing a disturbance. The subject had a no-trespassing order signed against him and was not supposed to be at the location. Officers arrived and located the subject. He was arrested for trespassing and was also found to be in possession of narcotics, which was added to his charges.
Grand Theft Auto
October 19 at 9:37 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 400 block of Pearl Avenue. The vehicle is a white BMW and it was taken sometime during the night. All keys are accounted for and the investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting / Grand Theft Auto – Suspects Arrested
October 19 at 8:25 p.m., loss prevention at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report two female subjects that had just stolen items and left the business without paying. Officers arrived and detained the two subjects in the parking lot. The vehicle they were in was reported stolen out of Linwood. One of the subjects was arrested for shoplifting and the other was arrested for grand theft auto.
Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspects Arrested
October 19 at 9:37 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported at California and Walnut. A vehicle struck two parked cars and continued driving away from the scene. A second caller reported that the suspect had stopped in the roadway near Shamrock and Central and was now walking north on Shamrock. Officers arrived and located the suspect and the suspect vehicle. The suspect was not injured and no other occupants were inside the vehicle. Through investigation, the driver was determined to be intoxicated. The suspect was arrested for driving under the influence, held for a sobering period and later released on a citation to appear in court on the charges.
Injury Traffic Collision
October 20 at 1:58 a.m., a solo vehicle, roll-over traffic collision in the 900 block of W. Olive was reported to police. Officers arrived and saw the driver standing outside of the vehicle. The driver had a minor cut on his wrist and refused to be taken to a hospital. The driver said he lost control of the vehicle as he turned the corner. The driver was released at the scene with a citation.
Shoplifting
October 20 at 1:07 p.m., loss prevention at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report a theft. Two female suspects were seen concealing items inside bags in the store. They exited the store without attempting to pay for the items. The suspects fled the area in a vehicle before officers arrived. An area search was conducted, but the suspects were not located. The investigation is continuing.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 20 at 7:41 p.m., a female subject was reported lying on the sidewalk at Alta Vista and Duarte with her feet hanging off the curb into the street. The caller was concerned for the subject's welfare. An officer responded and located the subject sleeping on the sidewalk. The officer determined the female was too intoxicated to care for herself. She was arrested for public intoxication and taken into custody. She was held for a sobering period and then released on a citation to appear in court.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 21 at 2:30 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation and contacted the driver, who displayed signs of intoxication. A DUI investigation was completed and the subject was arrested, booked, and held for a sobering period. The suspect was later released with a citation to appear in court on the charges.
Grand Theft Auto Recovered
October 21 at 10:34 a.m., a caller reported a vehicle that was parked on the street in a no parking zone in the 800 block of E. Lime. An officer was dispatched and through a computer check, discovered the vehicle was reported stolen. The officer recovered the vehicle and removed the vehicle from the stolen vehicle system.
Grand Theft Auto
October 21 at 7:45 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1600 block of S. Mountain. The victim reported her white Honda Civic was taken while she was at work. All keys are accounted for and the investigation is continuing.
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 19 at 7:38 a.m., an employee from a business in the 800 block of E. Huntington reported a disturbing subject walking in and out of the business. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. A computer check of the subject revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested for the warrant.
Trespassing / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
October 19 at 8:20 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of S. Fifth Avenue regarding a subject causing a disturbance. The subject had a no-trespassing order signed against him and was not supposed to be at the location. Officers arrived and located the subject. He was arrested for trespassing and was also found to be in possession of narcotics, which was added to his charges.
Grand Theft Auto
October 19 at 9:37 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 400 block of Pearl Avenue. The vehicle is a white BMW and it was taken sometime during the night. All keys are accounted for and the investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting / Grand Theft Auto – Suspects Arrested
October 19 at 8:25 p.m., loss prevention at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report two female subjects that had just stolen items and left the business without paying. Officers arrived and detained the two subjects in the parking lot. The vehicle they were in was reported stolen out of Linwood. One of the subjects was arrested for shoplifting and the other was arrested for grand theft auto.
Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspects Arrested
October 19 at 9:37 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported at California and Walnut. A vehicle struck two parked cars and continued driving away from the scene. A second caller reported that the suspect had stopped in the roadway near Shamrock and Central and was now walking north on Shamrock. Officers arrived and located the suspect and the suspect vehicle. The suspect was not injured and no other occupants were inside the vehicle. Through investigation, the driver was determined to be intoxicated. The suspect was arrested for driving under the influence, held for a sobering period and later released on a citation to appear in court on the charges.
Injury Traffic Collision
October 20 at 1:58 a.m., a solo vehicle, roll-over traffic collision in the 900 block of W. Olive was reported to police. Officers arrived and saw the driver standing outside of the vehicle. The driver had a minor cut on his wrist and refused to be taken to a hospital. The driver said he lost control of the vehicle as he turned the corner. The driver was released at the scene with a citation.
Shoplifting
October 20 at 1:07 p.m., loss prevention at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report a theft. Two female suspects were seen concealing items inside bags in the store. They exited the store without attempting to pay for the items. The suspects fled the area in a vehicle before officers arrived. An area search was conducted, but the suspects were not located. The investigation is continuing.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 20 at 7:41 p.m., a female subject was reported lying on the sidewalk at Alta Vista and Duarte with her feet hanging off the curb into the street. The caller was concerned for the subject's welfare. An officer responded and located the subject sleeping on the sidewalk. The officer determined the female was too intoxicated to care for herself. She was arrested for public intoxication and taken into custody. She was held for a sobering period and then released on a citation to appear in court.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 21 at 2:30 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation and contacted the driver, who displayed signs of intoxication. A DUI investigation was completed and the subject was arrested, booked, and held for a sobering period. The suspect was later released with a citation to appear in court on the charges.
Grand Theft Auto Recovered
October 21 at 10:34 a.m., a caller reported a vehicle that was parked on the street in a no parking zone in the 800 block of E. Lime. An officer was dispatched and through a computer check, discovered the vehicle was reported stolen. The officer recovered the vehicle and removed the vehicle from the stolen vehicle system.
Grand Theft Auto
October 21 at 7:45 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1600 block of S. Mountain. The victim reported her white Honda Civic was taken while she was at work. All keys are accounted for and the investigation is continuing.
Citrus College Ranks High in Making Student Transfers Easy
Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, ranks fifth among California's 113 community colleges for producing associate degrees for transfer (ADT), a state program designed to make it easier for students to transfer. This has again earned the college recognition from the Campaign for College Opportunity, a California-based nonprofit research and advocacy organization.
Source: Citrus press release
- Brad Haugaard
Source: Citrus press release
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Historical Tour; TJ's Recalls Veggies; Another Bear Video
~ Learn why Monrovia was the fourth city incorporated in LA County, which public vote in Monrovia's history was unanimous, and more during a two hour walk through downtown Monrovia with the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group. $5 per person. Meet at the southeast corner of Palm and Myrtle Avenues on Saturday, November 4, at 10 a.m. https://goo.gl/I9gLrc
~ Vegetables sold by Monrovia-based Trader Joe's (also Walmart) recalled. Possible listeria. https://goo.gl/naeUKN
~ Yet another video of yet another family of bears bathing in yet another Monrovia pool. https://goo.gl/kCWPBZ
- Brad Haugaard
~ Vegetables sold by Monrovia-based Trader Joe's (also Walmart) recalled. Possible listeria. https://goo.gl/naeUKN
~ Yet another video of yet another family of bears bathing in yet another Monrovia pool. https://goo.gl/kCWPBZ
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School Board: 'Screenagers' and 'Building Assets, Reducing Risks'
At its next meeting (agenda) the Monrovia School Board will consider...
~ Purchasing three screening permits for the film "Screenagers," one each for Monrovia High ($550), and for Clifton and Santa Fed middle schools ($250 each). Screenagers "probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including the director's own, and depicts messy struggles, over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through surprising insights from authors and brain scientists solutions emerge on how we can empower kids to best navigate the digital world." Here's the movie's website: https://www.screenagersmovie.com/
~ Approving a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation for the implementation of the Building Assets, Reducing Risks model in two Monrovia schools. I found this about the program: "BARR is a whole-school model for grades 6-12 that provides schools with a comprehensive approach to meeting students' academic, social and emotional needs." And here is it's website.
- Brad Haugaard
~ Purchasing three screening permits for the film "Screenagers," one each for Monrovia High ($550), and for Clifton and Santa Fed middle schools ($250 each). Screenagers "probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including the director's own, and depicts messy struggles, over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through surprising insights from authors and brain scientists solutions emerge on how we can empower kids to best navigate the digital world." Here's the movie's website: https://www.screenagersmovie.com/
~ Approving a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation for the implementation of the Building Assets, Reducing Risks model in two Monrovia schools. I found this about the program: "BARR is a whole-school model for grades 6-12 that provides schools with a comprehensive approach to meeting students' academic, social and emotional needs." And here is it's website.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High Student is National Merit Scholar Semifinalist
Monrovia High senior Nathan Nakamura has been named as a National Merit Scholar semifinalist for earning a score on his PSAT that places him in the top 1 percent of high school seniors nationwide. Also, five Monrovia High students were named as commended scholars and three earned a place in the National Hispanic Recognition Program. https://goo.gl/GNCdU8
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Review of ‘Renaissance Years: A History of Modern Monrovia’
Many years ago I was attending a city-sponsored meeting in Arcadia as a reporter for the Arcadia Tribune newspaper. At this meeting a prominent Arcadia businessman exploded in frustration: "Why can't we be more like Monrovia!?"
Well, the just-published, Renaissance Years: A History of Modern Monrovia, by Richard Singer, explains what happened in Monrovia that made Arcadians envy us.
Singer is well positioned to write this history as he is a former public information officer for Monrovia, and before that executive director of the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce, and before that editor of the Foothill Intercity Newspapers, four newspapers, including the Monrovia News-Post and the Arcadia Tribune. (I worked as a reporter for him just in case you want to adjust your assessment of this review.)
This is not a coffee-table picture book, it is a scholarly 369 pages (or 407 if you include references and index) of mostly text, though it does include a nice selection of pictures. It is well researched and nicely written.
It is also opinionated, though in a mild way, but you probably won't have trouble determining Singer's estimate of people (for example, I don't think he and Richard Mountjoy ever got together for a casual beer and a laugh), but he warns you in the introduction that this will be the case. He writes: "There may be times when you'll find yourself thinking, 'Well, that's his opinion,' and you'll be right. It is."
The book traces Monrovia from its beginnings to 2017, focusing initially on race relations since they - along with economics - played a part in creating the problem that Monrovia not only recovered from, but soared above.
But that is just setting the stage. The meat of the book is the story of the politics of redevelopment and to a lesser degree of reform at the school district.
I learned a lot. For instance:
- How a saloon and local Baptists hurried Monrovia along the path of incorporation.
- How Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley helped Monrovia get the Huntington Oaks shopping center built.
- How Monrovia butted in front of a line of about 200 people (literally, not figuratively) to get a grant. Hmmm. Effective but doesn't seem exactly cricket.
- How Director of Community Development Don Hopper ordered the utilites turned off for a recalcitrant business on Huntington Drive, but accidentally gave an address on Foothill Boulevard, a building that belonged to ...
- How Monrovia came to have a directly elected mayor (most cities our size just rotate the mayor's office among the council members).
- About a candidate who had a stroke during a candidates forum, and later died from it.
Notice I'm not telling the whole story? That's so you'll buy the book.
Anyway, Renaissance Years is a great, professionally written record of the politics of a very important period in Monrovia history. Though some may disagree at points I would not quibble about the elements of the story I know first-hand, though there were instances where I believe there was more that could be said, but ... well ... it's already a pretty big book.
Finally, though it is very well written, I still think the best thing Singer has written was a column for the Monrovia News-Post about buying his wife a B-29 bomber control stick for her birthday. Maybe that will be in his next book.
You can get Renaissance Years at the Monrovia Historical Museum, through the Monrovia Historical Society, at The Dollmakers in Old Town, and at the Library. It should be on Amazon after the first of the year. The full $30 cost goes to support Monrovia historical projects, such as the museum, the Anderson House and the Legacy Project.
- Brad Haugaard
Dinner at Hon Sushi
- Brad Haugaard
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