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Audition for Neil Simon's 'Fools' at Jewish Federation Office

Auditions for Jewish Federation SGPV's JFed Players' Fall 2018 production of Fools, will be held on July 29, 30, and 31, with performances in September.

Fools is a comic fable by Neil Simon, set in the small Ukrainian village of Kulyenchikov, around 1890. The story follows Leon Steponovich Tolchinsky, a schoolteacher, new to the village, who becomes tutor to Sophia, the daughter of Dr. Zubritsky and his wife, Lenya. Leon senses something odd about the little hamlet and soon learns that there is a curse on the village that makes everyone in the town stupid and unable to fall in love until the curse is broken.

Complications ensue when Leon falls in love with his pupil.

Audition dates and times:
Sunday, July 29, 2-4 p.m.
Monday, July 30, 7-9 p.m.
Tuesday, July 31, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

All auditions will be held at the Jewish Federation, 114A Lime Ave., in Monrovia.

More information can be found at https://www.jewishsgpv.org/our-community/community-calendar or by contacting the Jewish Federation at 445-0810.

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Reports Great Quarter; Stock Jumps

Monrovia drone maker, AeroVironment, has reported fourth-quarter net income of $18.3 million, or 85 cents per share, exceeding Wall Street’s guesstimate of 52 cents a share. https://goo.gl/pqjKWd

As a result the company’s stock jumped up today, by 6.83 percent at this writing. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Meeting Set To Explain Making Primrose and Ivy One Way; GoMonrovia Plan is a Model for Others; Art Walks


Monrovia's one-way street proposal.

In his weekly report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ If you are interested in hearing about the city's plan to make one-way streets out of sections of Primrose and Ivy,  the city will explain at a block party on Saturday, June 30 at 10 a.m., on the 100 block of East Fig Avenue, just off Ivy Avenue. The idea of one-way-streeting Primrose and Ivy between Lime and the 210 Freeway is to make room for physically separated bicycle lanes, in an effort to connect Old Town with the train station.

~ Chi writes that the city has learned that its "GoMonrovia partnership program is officially the biggest partnership program that has been developed by Lyft.  Ever!" He adds: "In total, over 7,000 people have signed up for the GoMonrovia program through Lyft, and the participation rate has both stunned and delighted Lyft, who are using Monrovia as a model for how to engage effective mobility partnerships!"


~ Monrovia Association of Fine Arts will host Art Walks along the sidewalk in the 400 block of South Myrtle on the last Saturday evening of June (on June 30), July (on July 28), and August (on August 25).

- Brad Haugaard

Max the Chihuahua Needs a Home


Max (A460360) is a friendly, 4-year-old Chihuahua who’d love a new home. Max enjoys going for walks in the park and hanging out with volunteers. He’s very treat motivated and eager to learn. Sadly, Max came to the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, along with his 14-year-old doggie sister, Nana (A460359), because his owner could no longer care for him. Max is ready and waiting for his second chance. Could it be with you?

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.

* Looking to add a new furry friend to your family? The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA will hold its 5th Annual “Free Adoption Day” on June 29. Adoption fees for all available animals— including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, pocket pets and reptiles—will be subsidized. The shelter, located at 361 S. Raymond Ave in Pasadena, will be open for adoptions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Joseph Play Coming Up in July



July 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th at the Louise Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka Monrovia High auditorium). Details: https://goo.gl/ogdTFg

- Brad Haugaard

Moon and Jupiter at Myrtle and Lime - Saturn Later

The sidewalk astronomers will have their telescopes set up at the corner of Myrtle and Lime this evening about 8 p.m. to view the moon, and, if I understand, Jupiter.

Jane Houston Jones of the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers adds, "Saturn won't rise until about 8:30 tonight, and won't be visible above the Myrtle Street rooftop and trees until after we shut down. So, if you step out at home after 10:30 p.m you'll see Saturn to the Southeast (left of) Jupiter and the moon. It's a gorgeous lineup."

- Brad Haugaard

Summer School Schedule for Monrovia Schools

Monrovia summer school schedule (https://goo.gl/Ythk8y):

Canyon Early Learning Center - June 14-July 12, 8:30-11 a.m. 

Plymouth Elementary School - June 14-July 12, 8 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Wild Rose Elementary School - June 14-July 12, 8 a.m.-noon.

Clifton Middle School - June 14-July 12, 7:45 a.m.-noon. 

Monrovia High School - first term, June 14-29, 7:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m.; second term, July 2-18, 7:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner at Sakura Sushi


Dinner at Sakura Sushi House, on Foothill at May. Had the Seafood Salad for $14.95 and a beer for $3.95. Very nice.

- Brad Haugaard 

Uber Fat Cat Adopted by Monrovia Woman

Monrovia woman adopts 29 pound Internet rock star cat ... nicknamed Chubbs. https://goo.gl/XLpYLE

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Screwdriver Robbery at Train Station; Store Robbery; $60,000 Embezzlement; Motorcycle Wheelie Injury; Victim Beats Up Robber

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 14–20. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 425 service events, resulting in 75 investigations.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
June 14 at 6:24 p.m., employees of a store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported a male suspect had just ran out of their store with stolen merchandise. Officers searched the area and apprehended the suspect. The merchandise was returned to the store and the suspect was arrested.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
June 14 at 9:44 p.m., security at a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported that they were following a male suspect who had just stolen merchandise from their store. Officers arrived and apprehended the suspect. The merchandise was returned to the store.

Violation of Court Order – Suspect Arrested
June 14 at 10:00 p.m., residents in the 100 block of N. Encinitas reported two suspicious subjects loitering on the street. Officers arrived and contacted both subjects. A computer check revealed one had a domestic violence restraining order against the other. The offender was immediately arrested.

Warrant / Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
June 15 at 12:25 a.m., a sergeant was patrolling the 300 block of W. Evergreen when he saw a female subject run into the yard of an abandoned house. The subject was detained and a computer check revealed she had a warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody. She was also found to be in possession of a pipe that had been used to smoke methamphetamine, which was added to her charges.

Residential Burglary
June 15 at 6:53 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of E. Greystone reported someone had gained entry into her home and the locked home safe. The suspect took jewelry and miscellaneous important paperwork from the safe. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
June 15 at 7:04 p.m., a resident in the 1600 block of S. Mayflower reported her boyfriend had just hit her after they had been arguing. Officers responded, and after an investigation, they arrested and took the male subject into custody. The female subject was provided domestic violence victim’s resources.

Vehicle Burglary
June 15 at 7:33 p.m., the customer of a store in the 700 block of W. Huntington exited the store after shopping for a few minutes and found her vehicle’s window had been shattered. The suspect stole her backpack containing a camera, money and her work identification. Officers searched the area for a suspect, but did not locate anyone. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
June 15 at 10:05 p.m., a caller reported someone yelling at a house in the 200 block of Valle Vista. Officers arrived and contacted the male and female residents, who had been arguing. After further investigation, it was discovered that the female had hit the male numerous times, so she was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 16 at 9:08 a.m., a caller reported seeing a male subject looking into car windows in the 600 block of W. Foothill. Officers arrived and located the subject. A computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest, so he was taken into custody.

Counterfeit Money
June 16 at 11:33 a.m., a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported one of their customers had used a counterfeit bill to pay for services. The bill was not discovered immediately. Officers responded and collected the bill. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
June 16 at 6:56 p.m., security at a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a female subject had entered their store, took jewelry from a counter and left the store without paying. She refused to stop for store security. Officers responded and apprehended the suspect. She was arrested and the jewelry was returned to the store.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 16 at 8:53 p.m., residents in the 700 block of Wildrose reported that their son was standing in their driveway refusing to leave. They said he does not live at their house. Officers arrived, and a computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrant and taken into custody.

Shoplifting / Fraud / Drug Possession – Suspect Arrested
June 17 at 10:25 a.m., employees of a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a male subject was removing security tags from merchandise. Officers responded and stopped the subject as he was leaving the store with the stolen merchandise. The subject was also in possession of methamphetamine and someone else’s identification. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Armed Robbery – Suspect Arrested
June 17 at 12:16 p.m., a male subject reported he was just robbed at the train depot in the 1600 block of S. Primrose. The suspect had threatened to stab the victim with a screwdriver, then took personal property from the victim. Officers responded and apprehended the suspect. The stolen property was returned to the victim and the suspect was arrested for armed robbery.

Trespassing – Suspects Arrested
June 17 at 7:37 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of Wildrose reported their son had previously been advised not to return to the property or he would be charged with trespassing, but he was back in their front yard. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, then placed him under arrest for trespassing.

Strong-arm Robbery
June 18 at 10:31 a.m., a male subject entered a store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain with a receipt. He removed items from a shelf that matched the items on the receipt, then attempted to return the items for cash. When the cashier called store security, the subject forced the merchandise from the cashier’s hands and ran out of the store with it. Officers responded and stopped the subject. The merchandise was returned to the store and the subject was arrested.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
June 18 at 12:33 p.m., a caller reported a male subject was behaving strange, punching trees in the parking lot of a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. Officers located the subject and found him to be heavily intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety. The subject was arrested for public intoxication and taken into custody.

Embezzlement
June 18 at 3:41 p.m., the owner of a company in the 200 block of E. Huntington reported one of the employees was taking money from the company. The theft was discovered to be over $60,000. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
June 18 at 7:25 p.m., an employee of a business in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle reported an intoxicated male subject in their parking lot that was refusing to leave. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. They found him to be too intoxicated to care for his own safety, so he was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
June 18 at 7:25 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 500 block of W. Duarte when he saw a bicyclist commit a violation, so he was stopped. The bicyclist was found to be in possession of a pipe that had been used to smoke methamphetamine, so he was arrested and taken into custody.

Under the Influence of Narcotics – Suspect Arrested
June 18 at 10:44 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 700 block of W. Duarte when he saw a male subject behaving suspiciously. He stopped to speak with the subject and found him to be under the influence of narcotics. The subject was arrested.

Mail Tampering
June 19 at 9:52 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Foothill discovered all her apartment complex mailboxes had been forced open sometime during the night. Officers arrived and found that two residents in the building had their mail stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
June 19 at 11:42 a.m., a motorcyclist accelerated too fast through the intersection of Myrtle and Huntington, causing the front of the motorcycle to lift off the ground. The rider was thrown from the bike, causing injuries. Officers and paramedics arrived. No other vehicles were involved. The rider was transported to a nearby hospital.

Robbery
June 19 at 12:30 p.m., a resident in the 900 block of W. Duarte agreed to sell his phone to a stranger he met on a phone app used to sell items. They met in front of the victim’s residence. The buyer took the phone, but refused to pay for it. The suspect ran and the victim chased after him. A fight ensued and the victim was able to regain possession of his phone. Officers responded to the area, but the suspect could not be located. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 19 at 2:50 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of W. Foothill when he saw a male subject he recognized from previous contacts. A computer check revealed he had several warrants for his arrest. The subject was arrested for the warrants and taken into custody.

Vehicle Pursuit / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
June 19 at 7:46 p.m., an officer was patrolling the area north of Foothill when he saw a motorist fail to stop for a stop sign. He attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver accelerated, leading the officer into a pursuit. The vehicle yielded eventually in the 1000 block of Briarcliff. The driver had recently been arrested and was out on bail. A computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest and he was found to be in possession of a pipe that had been used to smoke methamphetamine. The driver was arrested.

4th of July in Monrovia



Monrovia’ Staar Surgical Gets All Clear Signal From FDA

Monrovia’ Staar Surgical, which had received a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration, has now received a letter from the FDA lifting the warning letter, and its stock bounced up more than 11 percent today at this writing. 

“The lifting of the Warning Letter is the result of a comprehensive remediation program that not only addressed the issues raised by the FDA in the 2014 Warning Letter, but included the assessment, remediation and upgrade of all aspects of STAAR’s quality systems to assure compliance with Quality System Regulations (QSR),” said Caren Mason, President and CEO. “We have steadfastly initiated and promoted a Culture of Quality which emphasizes prevention and accountability throughout the organization. We are committed to continuing and strengthening this companywide emphasis on excellence.”  https://goo.gl/sseoHN

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Author Describes Finding Hope Following Throat Cancer Diagnosis

Monrovia author describes finding hope following throat cancer. https://goo.gl/Rz5Vi8

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Has Largest Graduating Class Ever

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, celebrated a record-breaking number of graduates during its 102nd annual commencement ceremony on June 16.

With 1,674 students applying for graduation, the Citrus College class of 2018 includes 270 more students than the class of 2016, which holds the previous college record. This is the largest graduating class in the college's history.

Source: Citrus College press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Cat Wants Monrovia Home


Abbey (A456125) is a 3-month-old domestic shorthair looking for a new home. She was found as a stray in Monrovia about a month ago and has been looking for the right people to come along to take her home. She currently has two roommates whom she likes to cuddle and play with. She is a bit timid, but enjoys ear and face rubs. Come visit Abbey and her kitten friends today at the Pasadena Humane Society.

The adoption fee for cats is $75. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.

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.

* Looking to add a new furry friend to your family? The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA will hold its 5th Annual “Free Adoption Day” on June 29. Adoption fees for all available animals— including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, pocket pets and reptiles—will be subsidized. The shelter, located at 361 S. Raymond Ave in Pasadena, will be open for adoptions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Source: Pasadena Humane Society

- Brad Haugaard

Big Developments Planned; One-Way Streets; Tattoos; Higher Trash Fees; 4th of July


AvalonBay (top) and TownPlace (bottom), two new planned Monrovia developments.

In his weekly report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O), City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

~ The Planning Commission unanimously approved a 296-unit multi-family housing development for just south of the Gold Line station. The City Council will consider the proposal on July 3.  Also, two more big projects (shown above) are in the works: a 113-room Marriott TownePlace Suites Hotel on the southwest corner of Myrtle and Huntington, and a 154-unit AvalonBay project on the northwest corner of Myrtle and Chestnut.

~ Here’s a new web page the city has set up to track development projects: https://goo.gl/RZQnpn

~ There will be a block party at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 30 “to facilitate gathering community feedback” on making South Primrose Avenue and South Ivy Avenue one way streets to add bicycle lanes. It will "likely take place off of Ivy Avenue by East Fig Avenue," but details next week.

~ The Planning Commission unanimously approved regulations that would allow tattoo services in Old Town. They will have to be a secondary service of non-tattoo businesses, they’ll need a conditional use permit (i.e. special permission) from the city, and they’ll need the building owner’s permission. 

~ Trash fees are going up 5 percent starting July 1 - by $1.50 for a typical residential customer, from $30.03 to $31.53 a month.

~ The 4th of July Concert and Fireworks Show will be held at Library Park. The Stefan Poole Band will perform at 7 p.m. followed by a free 20-minute fireworks show at 9 p.m. 

- Brad Haugaard

Amada Miyachi Appoints Stephen Shea As New Sales Manager

Monrovia-based Amada Miyachi America Inc., a leading manufacturer of resistance welding, laser welding, marking, cutting, and micro machining equipment and systems, announces the appointment of Stephen F. Shea as Southern Regional Sales Manager. Mr. Shea will provide sales and technical support for all products in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas.

Prior to joining Amada Miyachi America, Shea served as president of Shea Manufacturing Solutions, an authorized representative for Amada Miyachi products and a provider of comprehensive contract engineering support in the areas of lean manufacturing implementation. Mr. Shea has a Six Sigma Black Belt, and significant lean manufacturing experience focusing on operations, quality, and continuous improvement. He has been responsible for high volume production floor operations for more than 20 years.

"We are so pleased to welcome Steve, who has been an Amada Miyachi sales representative for four years and a customer for more than 10 years," said Kurt Tolliver, Vice President Sales. "Steve has used the company's equipment on a variety of automotive sensor assembly lines, and will be able to help customers select the right equipment to optimize their processes."

Source: Amada Miyachi America press release

- Brad Haugaard

Free Fuzzy Friend Adoption Day June 29

Looking to add a new furry friend to your family? The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA will hold its 5th Annual “Free Adoption Day” on June 29. Adoption fees for all available animals--- including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, pocket pets and reptiles—will be subsidized. The shelter, located at 361 S. Raymond Ave in Pasadena, will be open for adoptions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As the shelter fills to capacity during the warmer months, it is important to find new homes for pets as quickly as possible. This is especially true before 4th of July, when dogs, cats and other animals are easily frightened by the loud booms and bursts of fireworks and may run away. The shelter hopes to free up as much kennel as possible to prepare for the increased number of stray and lost pets arriving around the 4th of July.

Free Adoption Day is the shelter’s largest adoption event of the year. In 2017, 152 pets - 71 cats, 56 dogs and 25 critters - found a home on Free Adoption Day. The shelter hopes to exceed that number in 2018.

“Visit us on Free Adoption for the best deal of the year,” says Julie Bank, President/CEO of the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA. “Not only are you saving the life of a homeless pet, but you are bringing home a new family member.”

All dog and cat adoptions include the spay or neuter surgery, a microchip and age appropriate vaccines.New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam, as well as a packet filled with information about how to care for your pet.

The event is open to residents of any city looking to adopt a pet. Regular adoption process applies. To expedite the adoption process, print an adoption application in advance on the organization’s website. To view animals at the shelter or to make a donation towards a subsidized adoption, visit pasadenahumane.org.

Source: Pasadena Humane Society

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council to Consider $40 Million Budget

At its next meeting (https://goo.gl/Er6dG5) the Monrovia City Council will consider...

- a 2018-19 budget of about $40 million. Property tax is a strong revenue source, as is retail sales tax, however, “Consumer goods sales are starting to level out, as more sales shift to online sales.” Details: https://goo.gl/Er6dG5

- Consider a three-year lease and operating agreement with Community Media of the Foothills, which runs KGEM, so it will continue broadcasting city meetings and events. This will cost the city $160,000 in FY 2018/19, $175,000 in FY 2019/20, and $190,000 in FY 2020/21. Details: https://goo.gl/uGTz3Z

- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner at Mikomi Sushi

Dinner at Mikomi Sushi, on the east side of Myrtle just south of Line. Got the Salmon and Avocadi Sashimi Salad for $16.50 and a beer for $3.95. Delish!

- Brad Haugaard