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Lunch at Thai Divine

Lunch at Thai Divine Bistro, which appears to be the new name for Chang Thai Bistro, on the east side of Myrtle just north of Olive, but it seems pretty much the same except the new name. Got the Chicken Satay lunch for $8.95 and an iced tea for $3.50. Came with a green salad, and was all very nice. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Who Serves the Best Pizza in Monrovia?

Vote on which restaurant serves the best pizza at the top of the page at MonroviaNow.com.

NOTE: You may not see the survey if you are using a mobile device. Try a standard computer, and next time I'll try to find a better survey system.

- Brad Haugaard

Cycling School Board Member Now in New Mexico


Transcontinental bicycle rider and former mayor and current school board member, Rob Hammond, reports he has crossed the Continental Divide and is now in New Mexico in his San Diego to Florida ride.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Bicyclist Stopped for Vehicle Code Violation; Senior Bilked by Publishers Clearing House Scam; Cell Phone Tracks Down Suspect; Lots of Car Windows Busted; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 5 - 11. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 440 service events, resulting in 91 investigations.

Violation of Restraining Order – Suspect Arrested
April 5 at 12:38 a.m., residents in the 200 block of N. Shamrock heard a male and female yelling inside one of the houses on their block. Officers responded and located the two subjects. A computer check revealed the male subject had a valid restraining order against him which prohibited him from being around the female subject. He was taken into custody.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
April 5 at 10:46 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of W. Duarte when he saw a bicyclist commit a vehicle code violation. He stopped the bicyclist and found the rider was in possession of an open container of alcohol, as well as drug paraphernalia. The rider was arrested.

Violation of Restraining Order – Suspect Arrested
April 6 at 8:26 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of Montana reported a male subject pacing back and forth on the street. She had a valid restraining order against the male, who was prohibited from being anywhere near the residence. Officers arrived, located the subject and took him into custody.

Fraud
April 6 at 11:12 a.m., an elderly resident in the 600 block of E. Olive received a telephone call from someone telling her she had won a sweepstakes from Publishers Clearing House; however, to receive the money she would have to purchase $15,000 worth of gift cards, then provide the caller with the gift card numbers. The resident complied with their request, but never received the prize money she was promised. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
April 6 at 2:08 p.m., a caller reported a male and female fighting at a residence in the 500 block of Sombrero. Officers arrived and located the two subjects, who are living together and in a dating relationship. An investigation revealed the female subject had bitten the male, so she was taken into custody.

Fraud – Suspect Arrested
April 6 at 8:09 p.m., a sergeant was patrolling the 700 block of E. Foothill when he saw a vehicle in front of him with current registration tabs; however, a DMV computer check revealed the registration was actually expired. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was arrested for fraud.

Burglary / Grand Theft Auto
April 6 at 10:03 p.m., a resident in the 1100 block of S. Fifth returned home after spending several days in the hospital and discovered her home had been burglarized. Several designer clothing items had been stolen, as well as one of her vehicles. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
April 6 at 10:18 a.m., a sergeant was patrolling the 800 block of W. Duarte when she was stopped by a resident who said they had just found their parked vehicle’s window had been shattered. The resident was inside her home when she heard the vehicle’s alarm activate, so she went outside and saw the damage. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant / Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
April 6 at 11:04 p.m., a sergeant was patrolling the 1700 block of S. Magnolia when he saw a male subject he recognized from previous contacts. A computer check revealed the subject had a warrant for his arrest, so the sergeant took him into custody. A search incident to arrest revealed the subject was also in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Commercial Burglary
April 7 at 6:36 a.m., the owner of a business in the 300 block of W. Huntington arrived to work and discovered one of the windows to the building had been shattered. When she went inside the business, she found that it had been burglarized, with several packages of merchandise taken. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
April 7 between 8:30 and 9:41 a.m., residents in the 900 block of Monterey and the 300 block of N. Grand walked outside their homes to go to work and discovered windows to their vehicles had been shattered. Two vehicles had been burglarized sometime during the night. A laptop computer and a backpack were taken. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of Stolen Property – Suspect Arrested
April 7 at 4:32 p.m., the victim of a vehicle burglary in the City of Duarte had their cellphone and other items stolen. The victim used the phone’s tracking system to locate the phone inside a house in the 1400 block of Encino. Officers responded and the phone and other stolen property was recovered. The person who was in possession of the stolen property was arrested.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 7 at 10:14 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 700 block of W. Huntington when he saw a female subject lying across the sidewalk. The officer stopped to see if she needed medical assistance, but found she was only sleeping. A computer check revealed she had a warrant for her arrest, so she was taken into custody.

DUI / Warrant – Suspect Arrest
April 7 at 10:27 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of W. Walnut, when he saw a motorist weaving back and forth along the road. He stopped the vehicle and found the driver to be intoxicated. After field sobriety tests were conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI. A computer check revealed the driver also had a warrant for his arrest.

Under the Influence of Drugs – Suspect Arrested
April 7 at 11:47 p.m., a sergeant was patrolling the 800 block of S. Fifth when he saw a male subject walking in the parking lot of a business that was closed. The male was behaving suspicious. The sergeant stopped the subject and found him to be under the influence of drugs, so he was arrested.

Petty Theft
April 8 at 12:05 a.m., an employee of a restaurant in the 600 block of W. Huntington walked outside to his car and found someone had stolen one of the wheels off his vehicle. The car was propped up on a jack. This investigation is continuing.

DUI – Suspects Arrested
April 8 between 1:34 and 2:09 a.m., officers stopped two separate vehicles, one in the 2000 block of S. Myrtle and the other in the 900 block of S. Alta Vista for vehicle code violations. Both drivers were found to be intoxicated, so field sobriety tests were conducted. Both subjects were too intoxicated to operate a vehicle safely, so they were arrested for DUI.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 8 at 3:05 a.m., a resident in the 1100 block of Sesmas heard someone knocking on the front door to her home. When she looked outside, she did not recognize the male subject, so she called the police. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. A computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest, so he was taken into custody.

DUI – Suspect Arrested
April 9 at 12:06 a.m., a sergeant was patrolling the 2600 block of S. Myrtle when she saw a vehicle traveling north on Myrtle, swerving back and forth. She stopped the vehicle and found the driver to be intoxicated. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the driver was arrested for DUI.

Vehicle Burglary
April 9 at 8:33 a.m., a resident in the 1200 block of Encino walked outside his home and discovered that sometime during the night someone had shattered two of his car windows. He looked inside his car and found that his laptop and wallet containing credit cards had been stolen. He called his credit card companies and was told the cards had already been used at several different stores in various cities. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
April 9 between 1:10 and 2:48 p.m., employees of a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported two incidents of shoplifting. The suspects in the first incident stole over fifty pair of jeans, then fled the store. The investigation in this incident is continuing. In the second incident the suspect was detained by store security, and after police arrived, the suspect was arrested.

Vehicle Burglary
April 10 at 8:09 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of S. Mountain walked outside his home and discovered someone had shattered his car window sometime during the night. Several items from inside the vehicle had been stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 10 at 9:00 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of W. Foothill when he saw a subject loitering whom he recognized from previous contacts. A computer check revealed the subject had several warrants for his arrest. The officer contacted the subject and took him into custody.

Shoplifting
April 10 at 12:23 p.m., an employee of a store in the 100 block of W. Foothill saw a female subject enter the store, removed items from a shelf, then run out of the store without paying for the merchandise. He saw her get into a vehicle and drive out of the parking lot. Officers were called and a search was conducted, but the suspect was not located. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 10 at 3:01 p.m., a sergeant contacted a male subject in the 400 block of S. Myrtle to see if he needed medical help. The sergeant found that the subject was actually heavily intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety. The subject was taken into custody. A computer check revealed he also had a warrant for his arrest.

Grand Theft
April 10 at 8:27 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of E. Evergreen called the police to report his UPS package containing a Harley Davidson wheel had been stolen from his front porch sometime during the day. He had called UPS and confirmed that the package had, in fact, been delivered. This investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
April 11 at 11:26 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Lincoln arrived home from working all morning and discovered someone had broken a window to their home and gained entry. It is unknown what was taken.

Vehicle Burglary
April 11 at 3:40 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of W. Foothill walked outside his home and discovered someone had burglarized his vehicle sometime during the day. Several items were stolen from inside the vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
April 3 at 8:09 p.m., a resident in the 900 block of W. Foothill walked outside his home and discovered someone had entered his unlocked vehicle. His laptop computer was stolen from inside the vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
April 4 at 4:01 a.m., the owner of a business in the 100 block of S. Myrtle received an alarm activation on his cellphone for his business. His phone was connected to his store’s surveillance system, so he could see two suspects inside his store attempting to steal the office safe. Being unsuccessful, they fled within one minute after entering. This investigation is continuing. 

Monrovia's Pacific Plate Brewing Named One Of Fastest Growing Craft Breweries

Pacific Plate Brewing Company of Monrovia was one of the fastest craft breweries in the country in 2017, according to the Brewers Association. https://goo.gl/EzNZ6q

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company's Stock Jumps More than 17% Today

The stock in Monrovia's AeroVironment jumped up 17.06% today, to $54.28, on news "that it conducted a successful maritime demonstration of a Puma-Switchblade automated sensor-to-shooter capability from a US Navy Coastal Riverine Craft." https://tinyurl.com/y7wghl33

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assembly Member: Reimburse Disability Service Businesses For Higher Local Minimum Wages

Assembly member Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has introduced legislation (AB 2623) to increase state reimbursement to developmental disabilities service providers so they can meet local minimum wage laws when those laws require a higher minimum wage than the state minimum wage.

"Time is running out," said Assemblymember Chris Holden. "Without an increase to reimbursement rates to meet local mandates, many developmental disability service providers may have to shut their doors, leading to a shortage of services available to people with disabilities throughout our state."

A Holden press release reports the bill was approved unanimously with bipartisan support in the Assembly Committee for Human Services.

Comment: It sounds as if this bill is designed to solve a problem created by cities that raised their minimum wage. Minimum wage increases are always accompanied by protestations that businesses can easily meet the increase, but here we have Assembly member Chris Holden saying these higher minimum wage laws may force disability service providers "to shut their doors."

It really isn't rocket science: If apples cost more, people buy fewer apples; if employees cost more, employers hire fewer people, or, as Holden suggests, they may just go out of business.

- Brad Haugaard

GoMonrovia Program 'Very Popular,' Tip-A-Cop' for Special Olympics; Neighborhood Conference; Serve on a City Board

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

~ GoMonrovia is "very popular" just a few weeks into the program. The program offers $.50 rides with the car-sharing provider, Lyft, and $1 30-minute rides with the dock-free bike share provider, LimeBike.

You can get three free rides on LimeBike by downloading the LimeBike app, signing up, then clicking the "present" icon to share a referral code with a friend. That'll give you both free rides. The city is working with the company to improve rearranging of the bikes and move them when they're badly parked. You can report an illegally parked bike in the app by clicking the "!" on the home page.

To get the discount on Lyft, enter the promo code "GOMONROVIA" before requesting a ride, make sure your pick-up and drop-off locations are within the Monrovia service area, and make sure that you have selected "Lyft - 4 seats".

The current dial-a-ride program will continue for riders with ADA-related and wheelchair needs, but the fare to ride now costs $.50.

~ The Monrovia Police Department will host a Tip-A-Cop fundraiser to benefit the Special Olympics this Thursday at Claim Jumper Restaurant at 820 W. Huntington Drive, from 5 to 9 p.m. Monrovia Police Officers and LA County Deputies will be servers and all tips will be donated to the Special Olympics.

~ Ninth Annual Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) Neighborhood Conference s scheduled for Saturday, April 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Topics: De-Escalation Simulation with Monrovia Police Department, Neighborhood Treasures with Neighborhood Services Division, GoMonrovia for Suburban Mobility with City Manager Oliver Chi, Building a Better Monrovia with Public Services Director Tina Cherry. Register here: https://goo.gl/8Q9GB7

~ The City is accepting applications to fill positions on the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Community Services Commission, and Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board (MOTAB). Details: https://goo.gl/DzJJEa

- Brad Haugaard

Rat Terrier Seeks Good Home



Inez (A452468) is a sweet 8-year-old rat terrier mix. She is the definition of a lap dog. She loves your warmth and affection, and enjoys being petted. She greets every visitor with a wagging tail and enjoys the treats the volunteers give her. Inez came to us a few weeks ago from the Downey Shelter and is looking for a new loving home.

The adoption fee for dogs is $130. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

** The Pasadena Humane Society is launching “Kitten Week,” a week-long awareness and action campaign held April 23-29, to encourage community members to spay/neuter, adopt, and get involved. You can find more information at pasadenahumane.org/kittenweek.

The Pasadena Humane Society serves Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Compost and Mulch

Free compost and mulch, Saturday, April 28, 8 a.m. to noon at Monrovia Public Works Yard, 600 S. Mountain. Self serve. Bring ID or Athens bill, sturdy container. Shovels provided. While supplies last. Compost is a blend of organic material, including food waste.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Customer Protests By Pulling Down Her Pants; Bicycling While Stoned; Drunk Driving; Burglaries; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 29-April 4. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 488 service events, resulting in 92 investigations.

Petty Theft / Possession of Methamphetamine - Suspects Arrested
March 29 at 9:38 a.m., employees of a store in the 800 block of W. Foothill reported a male and female subject had just taken the employee tip jar full of cash, then fled the area. Officers responded and located the two subjects. The Suspects were also in possession of methamphetamine and a syringe. Both suspects were arrested and the money was returned to the store.

Battery / Violation of Restraining Order
March 29 at 12:11 p.m., a resident in the 1400 block of S. Magnolia called the police to report her adult daughter was physically fighting her. When officers arrived, the suspect had fled the area. The suspect was also in violation of a restraining order that the family had obtained against the suspect. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of Methamphetamine – Suspect Arrested
March 29 at 9:11 p.m., a sergeant was on patrol in the 900 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a bicyclist commit a riding violation. He stopped the subject and further investigation revealed he was in possession of methamphetamine. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrants – Suspect Arrested
March 29 at 11:55 p.m., an officer stopped a bicyclist in the 1600 block of S. Mayflower for a riding violation. Further investigation revealed the subject had multiple warrants for his arrest. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
March 30 at 10:10 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 800 block of S. Mayflower. The resident parked the vehicle outside of their home and discovered it had been burglarized sometime during the night. The suspects took a drill and the vehicle’s stereo. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary – Suspect Arrested
March 30 at 11:03 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of W. Foothill. The caller reported a male subject kicked the back door open and entered the home. The suspect was holding a knife and when he saw the resident inside the home the suspect ran outside. Officers located suspect and arrested him.

Indecent Exposure – Suspect Arrested
March 30 at 3:11 p.m., a customer at a business in the 300 block of W. Huntington was angry at not being able to schedule an appointment. The subject began yelling at staff then lowered her pants and exposed herself.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
March 30 at 9:26 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 800 block of S. Mayflower when he saw a male and female subject yelling at one another. He stopped and contacted both subjects. One of the subjects was found to be heavily intoxicated and unable to care for her own safety. She was taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
March 30 at 9:57 p.m., a caller reported an intoxicated driver. Officers located the vehicle in the 100 block of Montana and found the driver to be asleep at the wheel and heavily intoxicated. After an investigation was conducted, the driver was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.

Vehicle Burglary
March 30 at 11:29 p.m., an employee of a store in the 900 block of W. Huntington called to report her vehicle had been burglarized. Her backpack and laptop computer were stolen. The suspect entered the vehicle by breaking one of the car windows. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
March 31 at 2:25 a.m., an officer on patrol in the 100 block of N. Mountain stopped a bicyclist for a vehicle code violation. The investigation revealed the bicyclist was found to be under the influence of marijuana. The subject was arrested and taken into custody. 

Petty Theft from a Vehicle
March 31 at 3:02 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of King was awoken to the sound of his car alarm activated. He went outside and found the driver’s door open and his backpack missing. Later that morning another resident in the same block reported a theft from their unlocked vehicle as well and money missing. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
March 31 at 10:25 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Duarte reported his vehicle stolen. He walked outside his home and found his 2001 Chrysler Town & Country had been stolen from his apartment complex’s parking lot sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
March 31 at 3:41 p.m., the caretaker of an estate in the 100 block of N. Garfield arrived at the home to water the lawn and discovered the rear sliding glass door had been shattered. The interior of the home was ransacked. It is unknown what was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of Methamphetamine – Suspect Arrested
March 31 at 6:51 p.m., officers were on patrol in the 400 block of S. California when they saw a male subject they recognized from previous contacts. They contacted him and found he was in possession of methamphetamine. The subject was arrested.

Warrants – Suspect Arrested
April 1 at 1:30 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 1800 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a male subject he recognized from previous contacts. Further investigation revealed the subject had multiple warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 1 at 1:44 p.m., employees of a store in the 600 block of W. Huntington reported two suspicious subjects in their store. Officers arrived and contacted the subjects. One of the subjects had multiple warrants for her arrest, she was taken into custody.

Grand Theft
April 1 at 3:41 p.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Walnut called to report a theft. The victim reported her wedding ring had been stolen from a dresser drawer in her bedroom. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto / Fraud / Possession of Drugs – Suspects Arrested
April 1 at 4:20 p.m., the employees of a store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report two suspicious subjects. Officers located the subjects next to a vehicle that did not belong to them and had been reported stolen by the owner. The subjects were found to be in possession of methamphetamine, false identification and personal identifying information belonging to other people. The suspects were both arrested and taken into custody.

Recovered Stolen Property
April 1 at 6:55 p.m., an officer was patrolling the north alley of the 500 block of E. Huntington when he saw a backpack in the roadway. He was able to identify the backpack and contents as belonging to a resident in the 500 block of King. They had previously reported the items as stolen from their vehicle. The officer returned the stolen property to the owner.

Warrants – Suspect Arrested
April 2 at 8:46 a.m., an employee of a coffee shop in the 600 block of W. Huntington reported a male subject was disturbing customers. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. A computer check revealed he had several warrants. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Mail Theft
April 2 between 10:12 a.m. and 3:35 p.m., several residents in the 600 block of Willowbrook and Laurel, the 800 block of Ridgeside, and the 900 block of Briarcliff, reported their mail had been stolen from their mailboxes. Some of the stolen mail was located in the 1100 block of Briarcliff. This investigation is continuing.

Violation of Restraining Order – Suspect Arrested
April 2 at 1:58 p.m., a sergeant stopped a vehicle in the 700 block of E. Huntington for a vehicle code violation. Further investigation revealed the male occupant had a court order to stay away from the female occupant. The male subject was arrested for violation of the restraining order.

DUI – Suspect Arrested
April 2 at 8:32 p.m., a caller reported seeing a motorist drive over a curb at Primrose and Palm. Officers located the vehicle in the 500 block of S. Primrose and conducted a traffic stop. After an investigation, the driver was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
April 2 at 9:08 p.m., a customer at a bar in the 600 block of S. Myrtle reported a male subject causing a disturbance inside the business. Officers responded and when the subject saw the officers, he ran from them. Officers located and arrested the subject who was found to be heavily intoxicated and not able to care for his own safety.

Possession of Methamphetamine / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
April 3 at 11:50 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks when he stopped a motorist for a vehicle code violation. A computer check revealed the driver had multiple warrants. During the investigation the officer found the driver in possession of methamphetamine.

Grand Theft
April 3 at 8:09 p.m., a resident in the 900 block of W. Foothill reported a vehicle theft. The resident had parked his vehicle outside his home and discovered someone had stolen his laptop computer from inside the vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
April 4 at 4:01 a.m., the owner of a business in the 100 block of S. Myrtle received an alarm activation on his cellphone for his business. His phone was connected to his store’s surveillance system, he could see two suspects inside his store attempting to steal the office safe. The subjects left within one minute after entering. This investigation is continuing.

GTA / Possession of Methamphetamine / Fraud – Suspects Arrested
April 4 11:33 a.m., residents in the 900 block of Royal Oaks reported a suspicious vehicle parked on their street occupied by two male subjects. Officers arrived and contacted the two subjects. A computer check revealed the vehicle did not belong to the subjects and been reported stolen. Both subjects had several warrants for their arrest and were in possession of methamphetamine as well as stolen property and other people’s personal identifying information. Both subjects were arrested.

Warrants – Suspects Arrested
April 4 between 7:38 p.m. and 8:32 p.m., two male subjects walked into the police department lobby to report they were turning themselves in for warrants they had issued to them for their arrest. Computer checks confirmed the warrants and the subjects were taken into custody.

Dinner at Los Gueros


Dinner at Los Gueros, on the north side of Huntington just west of Magnolia. Got the Special Burrito with carnitas for $11.95 and an iced tea for $2.75. Very good and if “burrito” means little donkey I think I got a full burro, because it was Big! Also, if you come here get the made-at-your-table guacamole; I was scraping the last bits from the bowl with my finger. It’s that good.

- Brad Haugaard

Biking School Board Member Crosses into Arizona


Rob Hammond at Arizona border.

Monrovia school board member and former mayor, Rob Hammond, has crossed into Arizona on the San Diego to Florida bicycle ride he began on Easter Day.

In 2013 Hammond rode his bicycle from Canada to the Mexican border.

You can follow his progress and donate to the Monrovia PTA at this site: http://www.irideforyou.com/track-my-ride.html

- Brad Haugaard

The Homeless and Rotating Churches

I was talking to a friend who attends Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, who said something interesting that I think might be relevant to the homeless problem in Library Park.

Apparently a number of churches in Pasadena feed the homeless, but they take turns, and they don't do the feeding in one place, but at each of the churches.

This taking turns part interests me.

Not that Pasadena is generally a model to be emulated, but I wonder if by taking turns the churches there tend to ensure that the homeless do not all congregate in one area, making life difficult for people who live and work in that particular area. One place doesn't become too much of a problem.

I'm not suggesting this approach solves the problem, but I wonder if it might help.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Women Invited to Tomorrow's Meeting Of Arcadia Woman's Club

Monrovia women are invited to attend tomorrow's meeting of the Arcadia Woman's Club on Wednesday, April 4 at 11 a.m. in its clubhouse, 324 S. First Ave., Arcadia. The meeting will have a baby shower theme with attendees encouraged to bring baby layette items to benefit the Pregnancy Help Center of San Gabriel Valley. Along with games, prizes and cake associated with a baby shower, the meeting will include a social time, business meeting and luncheon, for $15. Reservations may be made with Linda Mokler at 287-0261. More about the club at www.arcadiawomansclub.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Homeless in Park Will Probably Stay; Oak Tree in Park Will Go; New Sign for Studio Movie Grill; Money for Home Security Gone; More

New theater facade.


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

~ As currently written, the city ordinance against "camping in city parks" is "unenforceable and unconstitutional." The main difficulty in creating a new ordinance is in providing an alternate place for homeless people to go. Chi said that means "it would be unconstitutional for the City to simply say 'get off my lawn' and start pushing homeless people out of the park."

"[I]t is increasingly clear," he writes, "that there is no simple law that can be adopted to make homeless people disappear. Ultimately, adopting the law is easy, enforcing it is hard. The status of homelessness cannot be criminalized, and efforts to simply make homeless individuals go away through any means necessary will likely violate those individuals' constitutional rights if not done carefully and compassionately. Both state and federal courts have made these points exceedingly clear recently."

There will be a City Council study session on the matter today at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

~ A new facade and signage have been approved for Studio Movie Grill. The theater is also working on interior upgrades of food and beverage service areas. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in mid-summer.

~ The Cork Oak tree at Library Park (just east of the fountain) is dying due to a pinhole borer beetle infestation and will have to be removed. The dying tree will be replaced with two new Cork Oak trees.

~ You know the city program to help residents pay for home security systems? Well, it was popular and the money has run out, so it's all over for now.

~ During Spring Break this upcoming week, the Monrovia Library, in partnership with Oak Crest Institute of Science, will be holding daily programs on a variety of scientific and engineering fields. There will be a small Open House event, scheduled for this Thursday, April 5, 2 to 3 p.m.

~ Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills will be honoring outstanding youth. Details: https://goo.gl/S7ci5A

~ Monrovia Garden Club is planting a new Engelmann Oak tree at Kiwanis Park at Grand Avenue today.

~ Monrovia Police Department is participating in Autism Awareness Month. T-shirts are now available (1 for $20, 2 for $30) at the Police Department. For questions contact Seth Hermes at SHermes@monrovia.laclen.org.

~ Monrovia Reads has been added to a new entry sign logo on Huntington Drive, along with the other service clubs in town.

- Brad Haugaard

Volunteers Needed to Pack Food at Post Offices

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center needs volunteers to pack up food gathered by letter carriers as part of The National Letter Carrier Food Drive on Saturday, May 12. People who can handle physical labor can volunteer here: https://goo.gl/d0V1yf

- Brad Haugaard

The Chief Dog


Puppy alert! Say hello to Chief (A452766), a fun 8-month-old shepherd puppy. Playful Chief is an enthusiastic young pup who already knows his sit command. He loves to run around and chase squeaky toys. If you are looking for an active dog to add to your family, stop by and ask for Chief.

The adoption fee for dogs is $130. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

** The Pasadena Humane Society is launching “Kitten Week,” a week-long awareness and action campaign held April 23-29, to encourage community members to spay/neuter, adopt, and get involved. You can find more information at pasadenahumane.org/kittenweek.

The Pasadena Humane Society serves Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

Talk on 'Freedom is Ours Now' at Myrtle Tree Cafe


Christian Science practitioner Patricia Woodard will give a talk, "Breaking News: Freedom is Ours Now", Monday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. at The Myrtle Tree Garden Cafe at 405 S. Myrtle. She will explore the practicality of Christ Jesus' life and works as recorded in the Bible and as discussed in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, written by the founder of the Christian Science movement, Mary Baker Eddy.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Easter, Monrovia. He Has Risen!


“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come see the place where he lay.” - Matthew 28:6

See, the tomb is empty!

This is the Easter setup at our house. A paper mache cave that held “Jesus,” wrapped in tissue and closed off with a coffee coaster (usually we use a grapefruit), and guarded by our son’s old Lego soldiers.

Now, as you can see, the soldiers are out cold and Jesus has arisen (Don’t tell but he’s now on top of the fireplace mantle). We’ve done this since our kids were little and they had fun trying to figure out where Jesus had arisen to.

Happy Easter, Monrovia!

- Brad Haugaard