~ Coupons for Cold Stone Creamery. http://goo.gl/ucx11
~ 12th Annual Carden Classic Golf Tournament, supporting Carden of the Foothills School. http://goo.gl/CH7nk
- Brad Haugaard
~ Coupons for Cold Stone Creamery. http://goo.gl/ucx11
~ 12th Annual Carden Classic Golf Tournament, supporting Carden of the Foothills School. http://goo.gl/CH7nk
- Brad Haugaard
~ Remember, the big Monrovia Cinco de Mayo celebration falls on Uno de Mayo. http://goo.gl/EGcQd
~ And another Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, this one on Dos de Mayo, benefiting Monrovia Reads. http://goo.gl/4zucI
~ Starting May 6, Calvary Chapel of Monrovia is sponsoring "Breaking Bread Fellowship," a place to hang out Friday and Saturday nights, 6-10 p.m. Fellowship is at Baldwin’s Sidewalk Cafe, at 110 East Lime Avenue, just east of Myrtle in Old Town. Christian music, fellowship, food. Proceeds support the church's mission programs. http://goo.gl/HaSag
~ Snapshots of the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Networking Lunch. http://goo.gl/KBgdQ
- Brad Haugaard
~ STAAR Surgical of Monrovia gets approval for eye-lens. http://goo.gl/axmkF
~ A couple articles about the new emphasis at AOL's Patch local-news websites (there is a Patch for Monrovia) on using free bloggers. Wired: http://goo.gl/kQOWD Forbes: http://goo.gl/8NFTY
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia football star Ellis McCarthy also does shot put. http://goo.gl/KXMY6
~ April 29, Monrovia High School Battle of the Bands, at Monrovia High, 6 p.m. Information: (626)471-2800. UPDATE: I understand the event will actually be held at Clifton auditorium since auditorium is still not ready at MHS.
~ April 30, Centre Stage Pancakes & Popstars. Entertainment, food and shopping at the First Presbyterian Church, 8 a.m.-noon; $5. Information: (626) 297-4758.
~ May 8, Mother's Day Home Tour. Five Victorian homes built prior to 1893 plus Leven Oaks and the Historical Museum. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets $17 adults, $14 Seniors 65+, $9 Teens; 12 and under free. Purchase at Paint N’ Play, Monrovia Bakery, Monrovia Chamber and, beginning April, 1 at the Friday Family Festival, or on the day of event at Historical Museum, 743 East Lemon Ave.
~ Boys & Girls Club gets beautification award. http://goo.gl/jF3Q8
~ State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, will co-host the California Prayer Breakfast this year. http://goo.gl/wNFMc
(Thanks to Becky Shevlin for the events.)
- Brad Haugaard
~ Author of "Telenovela" will speak at Monrovia Library Community Room on May 2. http://goo.gl/TsqnD
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Opinion: This is interesting because it appears similar to the strategy Arianna Huffington used to build her Huffington Post website, and since she is now in charge of Patch I would guess this move is her handiwork.
Using volunteer writers worked well with Huffington Post, but I suspect that the contributors there built her website because of their political passion (the site leans left), not because they wanted to add to Arianna's millions.
Anyway, there are two things that occur to me:
First, I'm not sure people will be as anxious to work for free for what they may consider to be more of a business (Patch) than a cause (Huffington Post). But, I suppose, we shall see.
Second, I have never understood Patch's business model. Its expenses have always seemed too high. Still, we need good local journalism and Nathan McIntire and his team have been doing it. So I hope this is not an indication that Patch is abandoning professional journalism for mostly-volunteer reporting. I hope that's not happening, but I'm afraid that's how I would bet.
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia High Junior, Cody Phillips, has clinched the title in the SoCal High School Cycling League. http://goo.gl/gLwap
- Brad Haugaard
~ Power outage hits South Monrovia. http://goo.gl/HLWEu
~ If you are looking for a job, check out the Job Seekers event at the Library on May 7. http://goo.gl/CDhKZ
~ Monrovia's Caffe D'Amore joins Kerry Ingredients. http://goo.gl/XBmhl
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
~ On Monday, April 25th the resurfacing project will begin on West Huntington Drive, from Fifth Avenue east to Magnolia Avenue. http://goo.gl/KIioP
~ The Monrovia High Drama Team is presenting "Once Upon a Mattress," opening Thursday May 5 and running Thursday Friday and Saturdays through May 14, 7:30 p.m. at Clifton Middle School. $10. http://goo.gl/6gBhI
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia Art Bear in progress. Looks like it'll be a bear in a tuxedo. http://goo.gl/SHFUJ/
~ If you'd like a free QuickBooks lesson, bring your lunch on Tuesday, April 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to the Library and join Patricia Richardson as she demonstrates the small business accounting tool. http://goo.gl/TGKhU
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia Community Services and the Santa Anita Family YMCA are sponsoring an egg hunt and Healthy Kids Day this Saturday at Recreation Park. Registration at 9:45 a.m. and events from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For information call Community Services at (626) 256-8246 or The YMCA at (626) 359-9244.
~ Get a free tour of the old Aztec Hotel on April 30, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. with Docent Steve Baker. Sponsored by the Monrovia Old Homes Preservation Group.
~ Free gasoline. http://goo.gl/coHCe
- Brad Haugaard
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for April 14-20. – Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 560 service events, resulting in 107 investigations. Following are the last week’s highlighted issues and events:
April 14 at 2:09 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of East Palm regarding the report of a burglary. The victim reported that someone had come into her house through a downstairs window and took her laptop from her second story bedroom. This happened two days prior, but the victim did not report it until convinced by co-workers. While the officer was taking this report, the victim reported that her vehicle was also broken into three weeks prior. The front passenger window was broken out and items were taken.
April 14 at 7:07 p.m., an officer responded to a business in the 3300 block of South Peck Road on the report of two male suspects receiving property over the fence from someone inside the business. The officer arrived at the location and observed the two suspects on the outside of the business and detained them without incident. Assisting officers set up a perimeter and a thorough search of the business was conducted. A canine unit and the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter were utilized in an attempt to locate the suspect, but he was not found. Officers did locate a vehicle filled with used radiators and other copper and aluminum parts. The two suspects were arrested and booked for receiving stolen property, and one of the suspects had approximately ten prior theft convictions.
April 15 at 2:58 a.m., officers on patrol in the area of Magnolia and Huntington observed a disturbance between a male and female subject. They approached the subjects and determined both had been drinking. The officers obtained identification from the subjects. The female presented a driver’s license that did not belong to her and claimed to be that person. Her true identity was discovered when her male companion called her by her true name, she then admitted to giving officers a false name. She was arrested for providing false information to a peace officer. Further investigation will be conducted to confirm if the identification was lost or stolen. The suspect claimed to have found the driver’s license.
April 15 at 4:03 a.m., police received a burglary alarm indicating windows had been broken at a business in the 900 block of West Huntington. A broken window was visible to the first officer on scene. An extensive search was conducted; however, the suspect(s) were gone on police arrival. The suspect(s) used a claw hammer to break the store window and took merchandise, dropping one item as they fled.
On April 15 at 3:10 p.m., a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called to report their loss prevention officers were detaining a subject for shoplifting. The subject was uncooperative and had struggled with the loss prevention officers. The subject was arrested and taken into custody for robbery.
April 15 at 8:39 p.m. a male subject who was distraught after his fiancé called off their engagement, attempted to commit suicide by slitting his wrists. An officer responded and detained him for his own safety. The wounds were not severe. He was treated by Monrovia Fire Department Paramedics and taken to a hospital, where he will be held for mental evaluation.
April 16 at 5:00 p.m., an officer responded to the report of a suspicious vehicle in an alley in the 400 block of East Olive. It was determined to have been taken from the 100 block of East Monrovia behind a restaurant. The steering column was damaged and the pink slip and registration were taken, as well as the stereo. The victim did not yet know his car had been stolen.
April 19 at 6:48 p.m., two male subjects were arguing, when a third subject walked up and struck one of the subjects on the head with a shovel. The victim managed to run away and called police. Officers responded and located the suspect and he was arrested. Monrovia Fire Department paramedics responded and treated the victim, who was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Two other subjects were present, but stated they did not see anything. The investigation is continuing.
April 20 at 7:47 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 700 block of East Huntington regarding two subjects being detained for shoplifting. While investigating, officers learned one of the subjects being detained had methamphetamine in her vehicle. Officers retrieved the substance and arrested her for shoplifting and for possession of a controlled substance.
April 20 at 8:54 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Primrose regarding a fight in progress. The suspect had fled the location in a red truck. The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter was in the area and located the vehicle on Huntington, heading toward the City of Duarte. The driver was detained by officers in front of his home and a field show up was conducted. The suspect was identified and arrested. Apparently the suspect was leaving his parents home when the victim called the suspect a thief. The suspect approached the victim and threw him on the ground.
- Brad Haugaard
1. Digitech Camera Repair, 447 W. Foothill Blvd
2. Dollmakers' Kattywompus, 412 S. Myrtle Ave.
3. Army/Navy Surplus, 626 S. Myrtle Ave.
Details: http://goo.gl/1mFCa
~ Monrovia's AeroVironment has made an $11.5 million sale of tiny airplanes to Army's Special Operations Command. http://goo.gl/b38zt
- Brad Haugaard
~ Free Monrovia Smart Gardening Workshop, hosted by city. Learn about composting, water and fire-wise gardening, grasscycling, how to beautify your home and garden. Saturday, April 30, 2011 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. http://goo.gl/8lXlQ
- Brad Haugaard
~ PetSmart, which would like to move to town, won a first round at the Monrovia City Council meeting over opposition by local veterinarians. But before the store comes to town, the city will study how much noise it'll make. http://goo.gl/jNFY0
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia horse trainer Lou Carno has died at the age of 90. http://goo.gl/bFjrB
~ Read to a dog at Monrovia Library. http://goo.gl/JPKnh
- Brad Haugaard
~ Local Patch Editor, Nathan McIntire, and some of his fellow editors, will speak on "Net Neutrality" to the membership of the Foothill Community Democrats. http://goo.gl/m9Or2
- Brad Haugaard
The Monrovia Fire Department is clearing brush near some hillside neighborhoods and has contracted with "noted local biologist, Daniel S. Cooper, to survey brush-thinning project areas ... to avoid disturbing nesting birds and other environmental values, such as endangered plant species."
The California Fire Safe Council insists on the survey, and since it is paying for the one-time clearance, it gets its way.
Source: http://goo.gl/il9dX
- Brad Haugaard
The Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) program is getting wide notice, according to City Manager Scott Ochoa's weekly report.
MAP staff have met with community groups interested in duplicating the program in Lennox and parts of Huntington Beach.
Source: http://goo.gl/il9dX
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia City staff is recommending that the City Council approve a proposed PetSmart store at its Tuesday meeting. The store - which would be located at at 745 W. Huntington Drive - was challenged at a Planning Commission meeting by local vets.
City Manager Scott Ochoa writes: "At the Planning Commission, testimony was received from local veterinarians regarding the impact that these ancillary services would have on their businesses. Still, the use is allowed on the property and the City is precluded from unjustifiably denying such a seemingly consistent and compliant application."
Assuming it is approved, "the proposed PetSmart will assume the entire 25,000-square-foot retail store, and will also include pet boarding and veterinary services. These ancillary uses, contained within the PetSmart, are allowed by the zoning through a conditional use permit."
Source: http://goo.gl/il9dX
- Brad Haugaard
~ One of the painted bears makes an appearance in town. http://goo.gl/Vmrj9
~ The history of Monrovia's oldest hotel, Leven Oaks. http://goo.gl/GPriC
- Brad Haugaard
~ If you have board games, G-rated DVDs, art supplies and puzzles that are just lying around and need a good home, the Santa Anita Family YMCA would be happy to put them to good use. Contact karenmacnair@ymcala.org http://goo.gl/5rGA4
- Brad Haugaard
~ The Council will consider whether to rename Olive Avenue Park to "Lucinda Garcia Park." Who was she? The city report says: "Mrs. Garcia was a matriarch of the Mexican-American community in Monrovia for decades. Yet it was her efforts to achieve racial equality in Monrovia – in a period well before the American Civil Rights Movement – that made Mrs. Garcia's contributions truly extraordinary and positive."
~ The Council (aka Redevelopment Agency) will consider whether to authorize negotiations to buy the property at the south-east corner of Myrtle Avenue and Duarte Road so Lowe Enterprises Development Group (which appears to be this company: http://goo.gl/1lD6G ) can develop a retail center there.
~ The Council will consider awarding a $20,500 contract to Pyro Spectaculars for this year's Fourth of July Fireworks Show. (If you didn't see the whiz-bang show last year, by the way, it was truly awesome! You gotta go.)
~ A pilot project with the Monrovia School District to open Monroe Elementary School grounds as a weekend park was a success, and city staff is recommending the Council extend the program to all five elementary schools.
~ In closed session the Council will chat about the lawsuit filed against the city by the owner of the property that could be used for a Gold Line maintenance yard.
- Brad Haugaard
Basically, if I understand this, it means Metro trains won't have to share with freight trains.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for April 7-13. – Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 499 service events, resulting in 99 investigations. Following are the last week’s highlighted issues and events:
April 7 at 7:49 a.m., an officer responded to the report of a vehicle burglary in the 900 block of Diamond. The victim had parked her vehicle in the driveway the evening before, locked it and set the alarm. She returned to her vehicle in the morning and found the left rear window shattered. She never heard the alarm activate; however, she did hear a vehicle speed away around 4:00 a.m., but did not think anything of it. The items taken were a computer, a DVD player, and a black wallet and purse.
April 7 at 11:25 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Lemon regarding a burglary. The victim reported that someone broke into his garage overnight. The suspect(s) used some type of pry tool to force open the east door of the unattached studio. It is unknown if anything was taken.
April 7 at 11:30 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 1600 block of Pilgrim on a vehicle burglary report. The victim reported that his vehicle was broken into during the night. The suspect(s) broke the right front passenger window, reached in and removed a radar detector from the windshield, where it had been attached.
April 7 at 1:56 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Shamrock on a residential burglary report. The victim believed his house was broken into between 8:00 a.m. and 1:55 p.m. The officer checked the property and determined the suspect(s) made entry through a closet window. He checked the window and noted the locking mechanism was loose and he wiggled it open. The suspect(s) left through the side kitchen door.
April 8 at 6:44 a.m., an officer went to the 1200 block of South Magnolia regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim had parked his vehicle across the street from his residence in the evening and secured it. He returned in the morning and found the driver side door was unlocked and the interior was ransacked. He checked the trunk and discovered his stereo amplifier and subwoofer were missing. The vehicle does not have an alarm and there were no signs of forced entry.
April 8 at 2:18 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut on a grand theft report. The victim is a gardener and had parked his truck, leaving his gardening tools in the truck. While he was busy working on a client’s house, the suspect(s) removed his equipment and loaded it onto their truck, a white, four-door, crew cab, 2007-2009, Chevrolet Silverado. The suspect vehicle fled southbound on California from the location.
April 10 at 1:30 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a fight in progress in front of a business in the 300 block of South Myrtle and immediately requested additional officers to respond. During the course of restoring order, officers encountered a combative male suspect and his female associate who would not comply with their orders to disburse. Officers used their pepper spray on the suspects and they were detained and arrested. As the officers were attempting to put the male suspect into the back seat of the police vehicle, he continued to struggle and resist. During the struggle, one of the officers received minor injury to his hand.
April 10 at 12:22 p.m., a family looking to rent an apartment in the area of Magnolia and Linwood became distracted and their two year old child wandered off. The boy ran between two parked cars and into the street. He was struck by a vehicle and sustained abrasions and bruises over his entire body. He was conscious and crying when officers arrived and was taken to a hospital.
April 11 at 8:42 p.m., Monrovia Police Department received a DCFS referral and contacted the reporting party by telephone, since she did not reside in Monrovia. Officers learned the victim was at Torrance Police Department filing a report, since the crime occurred in that city, during 2006 to 2008. The investigating detective informed Monrovia Police Department of possible additional victims living in Monrovia at a residence in the 800 block of South Canyon. Officers responded to the location to conduct a welfare check and discovered the possible victims did not reside at the location, but the suspect did. Torrance Police Department requested we arrest the suspect. The suspect was arrested and Torrance Police Department responded to take him into custody for multiple sex crime offenses. The investigation is continuing.
[ 9:46 - Becky Shevlin and Tom Adams win reelection to the Monrovia City Council. So does Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, but that's no surprise since she ran unopposed. The play-by-play is below.]
If you want to follow the Monrovia election returns tonight, click here: http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/elections
~ Monrovia high school age students are invited to attend the Duarte/Monrovia Youth Leadership Summit. http://goo.gl/ZFtSI
~ Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia in the state senate, has introduced legislation to allow government agencies to contract out for supplies and services with private business. http://goo.gl/mRVa5
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
~ Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovitch, who represents Monrovia, objects to Governor Jerry Brown's plan to transfer state prisoners to local jails. http://goo.gl/fX8oK
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia Café-On-Tour. Poetry, music and performance art. Tuesday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Library's Community Room. Free but reserve a spot by calling (626) 256-8274. http://goo.gl/1N01B
~ AeroVironment has been chosen to expand a private electric vehicle charging network in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. http://goo.gl/yjwHC
- Brad Haugaard
~ Baseball: Glendora over Monrovia 15-5. http://goo.gl/u3gPC
- Brad Haugaard
~ If you lost yours, click the link to see a sample ballot for the April 12 Monrovia election. http://goo.gl/Q1HIr
~ City Manager calls proposed new city logo a "good idea gone awry." http://goo.gl/3DRPh
~ Lorraine Pierce, he widow of Bob Pierce, who founded World Vision, in Monrovia, has died. http://goo.gl/WA3Cl
- Brad Haugaard
~ If you have any children's books you can spare, Friends of the Monrovia Public Library could use them. http://goo.gl/FEuM6
- Brad Haugaard
~ SWAT team responds to barricaded suspect in 600 block of Shady Oaks Drive, use tear gas to end standoff, arrest man. http://goo.gl/M6UBs
~ Police car forced to hit tree. http://goo.gl/RZE13
~ Monrovia Bakery and "Iceland" pilot filming. http://goo.gl/7aSYV
~ UPDATE: Oops! I've removed a burglar item from here. It referred to the wrong Monrovia. My goof.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
~ Something went wrong with a test flight of the Global Observer, a robo-plane developed by Monrovia's AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/9d3G6
- Brad Haugaard