Happy Halloween

 A giant Tesla coil shoots out giant sparks to celebrate Halloween. At Brad Hori’s house on Maple Street just off Hwy Esplanade. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Biggie - Will Sit for Ear Scratches

Since October is National Pit Bull Awareness Month, we would like to highlight Biggie (A467297) this week! He is an adorable 2-year-old not-so-small Pit Bull who was found as a stray in Arcadia at the beginning of the month. He is a good boy who knows how to sit on command, knows how to shake with both paws and responds well to clicker training. He just wants a little bit of praise and some ear scratches in return. Come to the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA and meet Biggie and his other Pit Bull friends today.

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.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's 5-Year Homelessness Plan On-Line; Library Enhancement Project Kick-Off; City Kinda-Sorta Approved for $4 Million Transportation Grant; Etc.

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

~  Monrovia's 5-year Plan to Prevent and Combat Homelessness is now online here: https://goo.gl/C8fbaJ . Program goals: Be "relentless" in staying in contact with homeless people; expand coordination of homelessness programs; promote the Coordinated Entry System (area-wide Internet tool to coordinate homelessness services); develop educational materials; develop a Monrovia-centric giving campaign; develop a Housing Displacement Response Plan.

~ The city has kicked off its Library Enhancement Project. The preliminary designs should take 3-5 months. Plans:  Unique places for kids; enclose outdoor area on the north and south wings of the building; address security concerns; enhance landscaping; install a Portland Loo restroom near the playground; develop a Memorial Walk; connect historic features.

~ Election Day is coming up on Nov. 6 and Lyft and LimeBike are offering cheap and free rides to your polling place. Lyft: 50% off on your ride to the polls on Nov. 6 with promo code VOTECA3. LimeBike  - Enter code LIME2VOTE18 in the Lime app on Election Day to unlock a bike for a free ride to and from your polling station.

~  Police Lieutenant Tom Loy is preparing to retire after 32 years of service to Monrovia. Tom was instrumental in administering the gang injunction program, and served for 14 years as sergeant in charge of the Special Enforcement Team. A celebration of his career is scheduled for Nov. 29, at the Marriott Hotel. To RSVP for the event, contact Lori Le Veque at 256-8098, or at lleveque@monrovia.laclen.org.

~  The Library has completed 64% of its 5-year strategic plan goals in the first year, including: five-times faster Internet; sent Monrovia Reads van to local schools; celebrated Library Card Signup Month with promotions and 396 new library cards; expanded outreach and services to local senior facilities.

~ Monrovia's request for a $4 million grant to make freeway underpass and Station Square traffic improvements has been recommended for formal approval. The money would come from Measure M, the half-cent sales tax increase approved by voters in 2016.

~  To celebrate National Veterans Month, the City is inviting military service members and their adult loved ones to Veterans Paint & Sip, an evening to create a piece of art and enjoy a glass of wine, Thursday, Nov. 1, 7-9 p.m., at Paint N' Play Studio (418  S. Myrtle).  Only open to Veteran adults 21 and older. Register here: https://goo.gl/q4SJ8N

~  Monrovia recently received a California Preservation Foundation Award for its rehab of the Santa Fe Depot.  The California Preservation Foundation Awards showcases the best in historic preservation.

~  During Make A Difference Day this past weekend Monrovia Fire personnel were able to inspect 105 homes and install 45 smoke alarms in 17 homes, many in homes with elderly adults and children that had inoperable devices or no fire detectors.

~  In coming weeks the city owned property at the Myrtle entrance to Gold Hills will get a clean-up, pruning of overgrown bushes, removing unhealthy plants, water-efficient sprinklers, and deer tolerant plants.

~  The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Parade will be held on Thursday, Dec. 6. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with the tree lighting in Library Park, then the Holiday Parade will begin at 7 p.m., traveling north on Myrtle from Chestnut to Palm.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Department Receives Traffic Education and Enforcement Grant

On September 30, 2018, the Monrovia Police Department was awarded an $80,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long enforcement and public awareness program. The traffic safety program is intended to educate the public on safe roadway habits and deter people from violating traffic laws or practicing other unsafe behaviors that lead to injuries and fatalities.

“Our goal is to maintain Monrovia’s status of having zero traffic related fatalities,” said Captain Robert Wilken of the Monrovia Police Department.

The grant from OTS will fund various education and enforcement activities for the 2019 federal fiscal year (October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019):

    • DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols to take suspected alcohol/drug-impaired drivers – and those unlicensed or with a revoked/suspended license – off the road.
    • Traffic safety education presentations for youth and community members on distracted, impaired and teen driving, and bicycle/pedestrian safety.
    • Patrols at intersections with increased incidents of pedestrian and bike collisions.
    • Checking for seat belt and child safety seat compliance.
    • Motorcycle safety operations in areas with high rider volume and where higher rate of motorcycle crashes occur.
    • Speeding, red light and stop sign enforcement.
    • Warrant service operations targeting multiple DUI offenders.
    • Compilation of DUI “Hot Sheets” identifying repeat DUI offenders
    • Probation supervision for high-risk DUI offenders.
    • Specialized DUI and drugged driving training to identify and apprehend suspected impaired drivers.
    • Court “stings” to cite individuals driving from DUI court after license suspension or revocation.

In 2016, 3,623 people were killed in crashes across the state, a 7 percent increase from 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Particularly alarming is the rise in pedestrian deaths, with 867 pedestrians killed on California roadways in 2016, a nearly 33 percent increase from 2012. Along with the growing dangers of distracting technologies like phones and drug-impaired driving, this grant funding will provide opportunities to combat these dangerous and illegal behaviors.

“Almost all crashes are preventable,” OTS director Rhonda Craft said. “Education and enforcement go hand in hand helping change behaviors that cause devastating crashes.”

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For additional information, please contact Lieutenant Tom Loy at (626) 256-8031

Source: Monrovia Police Department press release

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween Bash This Wednesday in Library Park and Old Town

- Brad Haugaard

November Events at the Monrovia Library

Here's what's coming up at the Monrovia Library in November: link

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Boys & Girls Club Holds 'Lights On Afterschool' Event

Monrovia's Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills sponsored a Lights On Afterschool event yesterday, one of roughly 8,000 such events across America organized by the Afterschool Alliance to celebrate afterschool programs. The event included an open house for family, teachers, and members of the community.

"We are participating in Lights On Afterschool to invite family and friends from the community to be a part of what we do here at Boys & Girls Club", said Monrovia Site Director of Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills, Peter Mejia. "A safe place like this can truly change someone's life, and that's why after school programs are necessary. We are proud to celebrate this organization and other programs that care so much about the lives of kids."

Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills promotes educational enrichment and school engagement. The Lights On Afterschool event spotlighted the range of programming available at BGCF, including homework help and tutoring, STEM activities, arts and crafts, structured sports and recreation, mentoring and character-building programs. Tours of the facility were given by members themselves, who were excited to share their favorite parts of the Club with visitors.

Source: Boys & Girls Club press release

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Los Victor’s

Lunch at Los Victor’s, at the corner of Foothill and May. Got three tacos for $2.80 apiece and a medium Diet Coke for $1.90. Very nice. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Band and Color Guard Selling Wreaths ant Trees

Monrovia High School Band and Color Guard is selling wreaths and trees this year, fresh from Oregon. Order by Nov. 12 for pick-up at MHS Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon. Also selling Trees for Troops. S tax deductible donation of $68 will send a tree to a military family.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Credit Card Skimmer Placed in Card Reader; Fraudulent Anti-Fraud Scheme; Vehicles Stolen, Burglarized, Scratched; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Highlighted Activity for October 18–24. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 399 service events, resulting in 79 investigations.

Fraud
October 18 at 9:03 a.m., the owner of a business in the 800 block of E. Huntington arrived at work and discovered the credit card reader at the front counter had a credit card skimming device attached to it. Officers arrived and collected the device. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
October 18 at 1:59 p.m., a victim of a phone scam came into the police lobby to report the fraud incident. The victim received a call from the suspect stating that he was a representative in the fraud department from her bank. He told her someone was attempting to use her debit card to purchase a high priced item in Colorado. The victim told the suspect that she had not attempted to purchase anything in Colorado. The suspect told her he needed her personal information in order to make sure the transaction did not go through. The victim gave the suspect her personal information.

Later that evening, the victim received an alert through her email that her checking account balance was below $60.00. The victim checked her account and found that $6,300.00 was withdrawn from her account. The victim called her bank and they told her she was a victim of identity theft. The representative told the victim that this scheme has been an ongoing issue at the bank. This investigation is continuing.

Wanted Person / Resisting Officers – Suspect Arrested
October 18 at 4:51 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers went to a residence in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle to search for a person wanted in connection with a crime. When the suspect saw the officers, he ran from them. Officers ran after the suspect and were able to take him into custody.

Commercial Burglary
October 19 at 7:46 a.m., the owner of a business in the 400 block of W. Maple arrived to work and discovered one of the building’s windows was broken. She entered the business and found that someone had gained entry during the night and took money from the cash register. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Motorcycle
October 19 at 9:23 a.m., a resident in the 1400 block of S. California walked outside his home to go to work and discovered someone had taken his motorcycle sometime during the night. He had parked it in his driveway the night before. This investigation is continuing.

Suspicious Person / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 19 at 6:14 p.m., a resident in the 1400 block of Encino reported a male subject walking around her neighborhood for several hours, carrying a backpack. She did not recognize this subject as living in the area. Officers responded and located the subject, who did not have a verifiable reason for loitering in the area. A computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest, so he was taken into custody.

Violation of Domestic Violence Restraining Order – Suspect Arrested
October 20 at 10:29 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 1600 block of S. Mountain when he saw two subjects walking together whom he recognized from a previous domestic violence incident. A computer check revealed one of the subjects was ordered by a judge to stay away from the other subject; this person was stopped and taken into custody for violation of the order.

Grand Theft Automobile
October 20 at 12:52 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of Monrovista walked outside his home and discovered someone had taken his white Honda Accord sometime during the night. Officers responded to investigate. The vehicle was entered into the law enforcement stolen vehicle system. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
October 21 at 6:03 p.m., a resident in the 1800 block of Eighth parked his car on the street and went into his home. A few minutes later, he walked outside and saw someone rummaging through his vehicle. As he approached his car, the suspect saw him and fled the area in another vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
October 22 at 2:33 a.m., a female subject was walking to her car in a business parking lot in the 400 block of W. Huntington when she noticed a male subject following her to her car. She immediately called the police. Officers responded and detained the male subject. The subject was found to be under the influence of methamphetamine. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
October 22 at 12:18 p.m., employees of a store in the 900 block of W. Foothill reported a male subject had just left their store without paying for merchandise he had taken. Officers responded and apprehended the subject outside the store. The merchandise was returned and the subject was arrested.

Attempt Residential Burglary
October 22 at 4:39 p.m., residents living in the 500 block of N. Myrtle returned home and discovered their backdoor window had been shattered. Officers responded to investigate and found that no entry into the home appeared to have been made. The suspects had been deterred from going into the home by an audible alarm that activated when the glass broke. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
October 22 at 5:36 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of W. Cherry walked outside her home and discovered someone had scratched the entire length of her vehicle with a sharp object. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
October 22 at 5:49 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of W. Foothill had received a fraudulent check in the mail. He received the check as payment for a computer he was attempting to sell, using a cellphone application designed for buying and selling items. This investigation is continuing.

Open Alcohol in Public – Suspect Cited
October 23 at 9:05 a.m., a caller reported a male subject loitering in the 100 block of S. Primrose drinking alcohol in public. Officers responded and located the subject. He was issued a citation for having an open alcoholic beverage in public.

Public Disturbance / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
October 23 at 11:00 a.m., employees of a coffee store in the 100 block of W. Foothill reported a male subject inside their store causing a disturbance. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. A computer check revealed he had several warrants for his arrest; he was taken into custody for the warrant.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon
October 23 at 11:24 a.m., a caller reported that six days earlier he and a friend were walking in the 1800 block of S. Fifth through a construction zone. They didn’t realize they were walking on freshly poured concrete. One of the construction workers began yelling at them to get off the concrete, and then swung a hammer at them. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
October 23 at 8:46 p.m., a vandalism incident was reported at a business parking lot in the 400 block of S. Myrtle. The victim had been inside a business, and when he returned to his parked vehicle, he discovered someone had scratched one entire side of the car with a sharp object. This investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
October 23 at 10:55 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported at a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington. A motorist collided into the front doors of the business and drove away. There was minor damage to the front doors. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
October 24 at 11:10 a.m., security for a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a male subject had left the store without paying for merchandise he had taken. Officers responded and contacted the subject. The merchandise was returned and he was taken into custody for shoplifting.

Public Disturbance / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 24 at 2:14 p.m., several callers from the 300 block S. Myrtle reported a male subject in Library Park that was yelling and causing a disturbance. Officers responded and contacted the subject. A computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest; he was arrested and taken into custody.

Here's How to Be Part of Make a Difference Day

- Brad Haugaard

Lowest Groundwater Level Ever; Fixing Mayflower/Huntington Intersection; Honoring Bettie Mae Scott; Community Garden

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

~  Our underground water level has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded for the San Gabriel Basin - 171 feet. If the level falls below 165 feet at the Key Well, then 10% of all production wells in the Main San Gabriel Basin will fail, and water production output will decrease by 30%. The city is planning a new, deeper well and is planning how best to use water imported from Metropolitan Water District.

~ The intersection of Mayflower and Huntington is pretty confusing - northbound drivers can easily get trapped into going where they don't want to go, or as Chi puts it, "the current layout of the intersection does cause some confusion that could be mitigated with better design." So a better design is in the works.

~  Monrovia's third Neighborhood Treasure (Monrovia heros) will be Bettie Mae Scott, and a block party to commemorate her has been scheduled on Saturday, Nov. 17, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the 500 block of West Maple Avenue (between Mayflower Avenue and Hwy Esplanade). Bettie Mae was born in 1921 and was the daughter of the Monrovia Police Chief, Frank Scott. She trained with the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) as a ferry and test pilot. In July 1944, she was killed in Waco, Texas, while testing a repaired BT-13, two weeks before her 23rd birthday, and shortly before her planned wedding. On the day of her funeral many Monrovia businesses closed and the Police and Fire Departments escorted her body to Live Oak Cemetery.

~  There will be a study session at the Nov. 6, City Council meeting to consider several locations for a community garden. One possibility: the west end of Lucinda Garcia Park, but area residents already have a nopales cactus garden there. Another possibility, Mountainside Church, at 303  W. Colorado Blvd.  Mountainside is interested in a public gardening program on its property, and representatives from the church could help manage the garden.

- Brad Haugaard

The Kitty in the High Tower ... Would Like a Home

Daniel (A464854) is a handsome black and white boy who is about 5 years old. He likes to sit high on his tower in the cat room to watch over everyone with his bright green eyes. Daniel likes to keep his social circle pretty small so it takes a few minutes for him to warm up to you. If you give him a chance, in his own time, he’ll slowly come over to you and head butt you on the forehead to say hello. Visit Daniel today in one of our cat communal rooms.

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.

- Brad Haugaard

Second Annual Monrovia Sidewalk Poetry Contest

The City of Monrovia and Art in Public Places Committee is announcing the Second Annual Sidewalk Poetry Contest!

In 2018, we started the Sidewalk Poetry contest as a part of the Monrovia Renewal project. The poems could appear anywhere around the city – a wonderful surprise to anyone out for a walk.

The contest is open to all residents of Monrovia—young and old.  Poems must be in English and  shouldn’t exceed 200—225 characters,  including spaces and punctuation.  Poems must be original work by the  entrant and the content must be appropriate for the general public.  You may submit two poems for consideration.

Contest ends December 31st. 

Contact Ariel Tolefree-Williams at 932-5563 or atolefree@ci.monrovia.ca.us or by stopping by City Hall (415 S Ivy) for more information and to submit your poem.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Help Foothill Unity Center Distribute Food

Here's how to help Foothill Unity Center with its Thanksgiving Packing Day and Family Distribution events. Click here for more information.

- Brad Haugaard

Arroyo Over Monrovia by ... a Lot

Arroyo triumphed over Monrovia in football by ... are you sure you want to read this? Okay, don’t say I didn’t warn you ... 79 to 10. Ouch! link

- Brad Haugaard 

New Fake Grass at Monrovia High Field; Updated Sex Ed Rules; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda: here) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Replacing the field turf at Monrovia High using upgraded materials with an 8-year warranty. Link

~ Adopting modified district rules on sex education. Link and link

~ Adopting a memo of understanding with USC to have its education students - as part of their education, I take it - assist Monrovia teachers. Link

~ Add a course in cultural geography. Link

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween Approaches!

Top: This incredible pirate ship (on Hillcrest just east of Madison) is getting ready for Halloween night. Bottom: This dentist (on Foothill just west of Myrtle) is getting ready for the day after. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner at Rudy’s Mexican Food

Dinner at Rudy’s Mexican Food at the corner of Myrtle and Colorado. Got the two-item combination with beef taco and chicken enchilada for $10.95. Very tasty. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Statements of Candidates for Monrovia School Board

Here are links to statements from each of the four candidates for the Monrovia Board of Education, in the order I received them:

Maritza Travanti
Terrence Williams
J. Christian Holt
Selene Lockerbie

There are two seats being contested, so you can pick two.

- Brad Haugaard