Monrovia Church in Spotlight for Joplin Efforts

Monrovia's New Beginnings Family Church is getting a lot of press for its efforts on behalf of Joplin, Missouri. Here's a Star-News article ( http://goo.gl/b6is9 ) and I understand there will also be a report about it on CBS2/KCAL tonight (May 31).

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Bills Go to Full Assembly

Several education bills - and one on rape kits - authored by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, will be voted on by the full State Assembly. http://goo.gl/mT9NT

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board to Evaluate Itself

The Monrovia School Board will have a 5 p.m. study session tomorrow (Wednesday, June 1) to "review board roles, responsibilities and leadership," and to do a "self-evaluation." http://goo.gl/8x0rb

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager on Budgeting and Pension Costs

In his weekly report, Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa called budgeting a "full-contact sport" and said the city will negotiate with employee groups to reduce pension costs.  http://goo.gl/VnUOX

 

~ In discussing the Monrovia City Council's budget study session at 6 p.m. tonight (May 31), Ochoa says: "These unprecedented economic times in California - if nothing else - make budgeting a full-contact sport as we try to slip between the obstacles posed by the State."

 

~ Also, Ochoa addressed pension reform, saying, "[W]e will negotiate with employees to absorb increasing amounts of their own retirement costs, until they have reassumed the entire employee share; and we will adjust the structure by which employees accrue bankable hours and expend such hours." He writes that a few years ago, the pension system's investments were doing great, but not so any more, and Monrovia's employee groups and management team "all appear to understand the new economic reality."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman Challenges Feds to Take Illegal Immigrant Inmates

In light of the U.S. Supreme Court-ordered release of California prisoners due to overcrowding, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents Monrovia, is challenging the federal government "to either fully fund the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program or take the illegal immigrant inmates [approximately 17,000] into federal custody for the duration of their sentences." http://goo.gl/BqDhf

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Writing Workshop | Memorial Day Flyover Picture

~ Writing workshop tomorrow, June 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Monrovia Library. http://goo.gl/Tfrja

~ Picture of the planes in the Memorial Day flyby over Monrovia. http://goo.gl/k0sna

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Memorial Day Salute | Major Huntington Disruptions | Shaw Honored | Librarian

~ Memorial Day salute today at 10 a.m. at Live Oak Memorial Park. http://goo.gl/CfX8M

~ There are already disruptions on Huntington because of construction, but now the city is warning that there will be "major" disruptions. Details: http://goo.gl/ttGrd

~ Councilman Clarence Shaw given Renaissance Award. http://goo.gl/Uhp1f

~ Monrovia librarian to attend national youth conference. http://goo.gl/7ET3Q

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Aztec Hotel in Dispute

The Aztec Hotel, at the corner of Foothill and Magnolia, is in court dispute ... and it needs a new roof. http://goo.gl/zpkAV

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Senator's Bill Moves to Senate Floor

A bill to allow school employee volunteers to help epileptic pupils who suffer seizures while on campus (sponsored by Monrovia's State Senator, Bob Huff) has moved to the Senate floor despite "heavy union-led opposition." http://goo.gl/ek5lk

- Brad Haugaard

Fiesta at Immaculate Conception

Neat photo of the fiesta at Immaculate Conception this weekend. http://goo.gl/2kAKe

- Brad Haugaard

Photo of Monrovia's First Fire Truck

A picture and bit of history about Monrovia's first fire truck, "Tommy," come home to be restored. http://goo.gl/yJLW7

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Church Helps Joplin

New Beginnings Family Church, of Monrovia, is gathering a supplies to deliver to Joplin, Missouri ( http://goo.gl/p1Vju ). Church website: http://goo.gl/zMaa2

 

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Burger Shack

This used to be Tom's, at Foothill and Madison. It has been very nicely fixed up. I got a Greek Burger with feta cheese. Nice.

- Brad Haugaard

Adoptable Cats and Dogs | Monrovia VFW

Holly, at the Inland Valley Humane Society in Pomona, would love Monrovia. http://goo.gl/27kSf

~ Here's where to find a friend. IVHS - Cats ( http://goo.gl/tdJ5K ), dogs ( http://goo.gl/H3Iey ), other critters ( http://goo.gl/YQmf6 ). San Gabriel Valley Humane Society: http://goo.gl/LGcwg

~ For Memorial Day the Monrovia VFW will place wooden crosses on veterans' graves at Live Oak Park Saturday. http://goo.gl/4A2bc

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Budget Study Session | Miyachi Opens Brazil Office

~ The Monrovia City Council will hold a study session to look at the 2011-2013 fiscal years budget at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31. http://goo.gl/D3eIC

 

~ Monrovia's Miyachi Unitek Corporation, which specializes in welding, soldering and cutting, is opening a new office in Brazil. http://goo.gl/YKtxb

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia PD: DUI, Hit and Run, Burglary, Theft, Robbery

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May. 19-25. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 520 service events, resulting in 95 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

 

False Information to a Peace Officer / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Warrant - Suspect Arrested

May 19 at 2:50 p.m., an officer on patrol in the 200 block of West Foothill stopped a bicyclist for a violation.  The officer had suspicions that the bicyclist did not provide his true name.  The officer's fingerprint reader revealed the suspect did give a false name.  The suspect was found to have a warrant out for his arrest and a search revealed a small package of methamphetamine on his person.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

 

Felony Evading / Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

May 22 at 2:35 a.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Duarte Road and Sixth noticed his radar activate, which indicated a vehicle was approaching at a high rate of speed.  The vehicle passed by and the officer went in pursuit, attempting to stop the vehicle.  The driver failed to stop and made numerous sharp turns in an attempt to get away.  The driver finally stopped at the 210 Freeway and was detained.  During the investigation, the driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested. 

 

Outstanding Warrant - Suspect Arrested

May 22 at 9:35 a.m., an officer was patrolling a business parking lot in the 100 block of West Foothill when he saw a male subject loitering in front of a store.  He recognized the subject and knew he had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest for possession of methamphetamine.  He detained the subject and confirmed the warrant, then arrested him without incident. 

 

Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested

May 23 at 5:00 a.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm at a business in the 300 block of West Huntington.  Upon arrival, they found someone had forced a back window open and entered the location.  There was no evidence of any property taken.  One of the officers noticed a suspicious person on a bicycle leaving the area of Cypress and Magnolia.  The bicyclist was detained and found to be in possession of numerous packages of cigarettes.  A search of the area revealed that a neighboring business was also burglarized by a suspect using a cutting tool to create a crawl space into the location.  The investigation revealed that the cigarettes found in the suspect's possession were stolen from that business.  The suspect was arrested.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

May 23 at 6:17 a.m., an officer was dispatched on the report of a vehicle burglary that occurred in the 200 block of West Lemon.   The window on the victim's vehicle was broken and items inside the vehicle were stolen. 

 

Grand Theft Auto

May 23 at 7:12 a.m., a victim called to report his green, 2005 Honda Pilot had been stolen sometime during the night.  The victim's son parked and secured the vehicle in front of the residence the night before.  He believes this is related to a burglary at his residence in which his extra keys to his vehicle were taken.  There were no signs of forced entry. 

 

Theft from a Vehicle

May 23 at 11:22 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of North May called to report a theft from her vehicle.  The suspect took checks and other items from the vehicle during the night.  The victim believes she left the doors unlocked. 

 

Robbery - Suspect Arrested

May 23 at 4:18 p.m., loss prevention officers from a business in the 700 block of East Huntington called regarding a female subject they detained for shoplifting.  The female would not comply with the loss prevention officer's request to walk back inside the store.  After several attempts, the loss prevention officer tried to take the female's hand to control her and she began to fight him.  As they fell to the ground, the suspect kicked at the loss prevention officer.  A police officer arrived and the female suspect was taken into custody without further incident. 

 

Residential Burglary

May 23 at 4:49 p.m., a resident in the 800 block of Oakdale Avenue called to report that someone had broken into her home.  She had left the location and had been away from her home overnight.  When she returned the next day at about 4:30 in the afternoon, she found the rear, sliding glass door had been smashed.  Officers arrived and checked the premises.  Miscellaneous items, jewelry, and a rifle and revolver were taken. 

 

Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Evading Police / Attempt Suicide / 72-Hour Mental Evaluation

May 23 at 11:55 p.m., police received a call reporting a man and woman arguing in the area of Palm and Canyon.  Officers arrived and contacted the female subject.  She said she had been arguing with her boyfriend, who then left her there and drove away.  An officer saw the boyfriend driving north on Primrose from Colorado, then east on Lemon.  The officer attempted to make a traffic stop, but the man drove through the red light at Myrtle.  He continued east on Lemon and ran the stop sign at Ivy.  He lost control of his vehicle and collided into a parked car in the 200 block of East Lemon.  The suspect fled the accident scene on foot.  The suspect was not located, but his identity was determined.  Officers attempted to locate the suspect at his home, but he was not at the location.   

The next morning at 8:18 a.m., officers were dispatched to the suspect's residence in the 200 block of Poinsettia.  The 19 year old suspect had returned and was threatening suicide.  Officers arrived and were told the suspect locked himself in his room and he had two knives with him.  The suspect refused to open the door for officers.  Officers forced entry through the door and detained the suspect without further incident.  He was taken to a hospital, where he was held for mental evaluation.  Charges will be filed with the District Attorney's Office. 

 

Vehicle Burglary

May 24 at 6:29 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of McKinley called to report that someone had broken into her vehicle.  An officer was dispatched to the location and found that the suspect had broken out a rear passenger window.  The victim had left her purse in the vehicle and it had been taken by the suspect. 

 

Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested

May 25 at 1:59 p.m., loss prevention from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington reported that a female subject had taken merchandise and exited the store without paying.  She fled in a black vehicle driven by a male subject.  Loss prevention officers obtained the license plate number.  An officer responded and contacted the loss prevention officers, who provided the license plate number of the vehicle and a photo of the female suspect.  A DMV check of the license plate indicated the vehicle is registered to a residence in the county area of Arcadia.  The officer contacted the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and requested they drive by the location to check for the vehicle.  The vehicle was located at the residence.  Monrovia officers went to the location and contacted the female suspect.  She was arrested for burglary without incident. 

Free Monrovia High Concert | School Librarians | Unity Leaders Honored| Stolen Laptop

~ The Monrovia High Band will perform at the fountain in Library Park this Friday (May 27) at 6 p.m. Bring dinner, chairs and blankets. Soft drinks, coffee and pastries will be for sale. It is a free concert, but donations are welcome and greatly appreciated!

~ Parents ask for school librarians to be retained. http://goo.gl/AziCx

~ Foothill Unity Center Executive Director, Joan Whitenack, and board member Lois Gaston were honorees at the "2011 Fifty Fabulous Women" event in Pasadena. More than 250 women were nominated for this year's group of women who give back to the community in exceptional ways. http://goo.gl/jkNSo

~ Lorraine Delgado, who had her laptop stolen from her car would like to hear from anyone who may have seen anything. The passenger window of her car was broken into between 11 p.m. May 20 and 6 a.m. May 21 and her Macintosh lG4 laptop was stolen. Thes theft occurred on the 600 Block of King Street, north of Huntington between Monterrey and Mayflower. If you have information, please contact Lorraine at mindescapedesign@yahoo.com .

- Brad Haugaard

Army Orders Planes from Monrovia's AeroVironment | Football Schedule

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment has received $8.4 million Army order for hand-launched Raven mini-spy plane. http://goo.gl/duZfU

~ Monrovia Wildcat football schedule. http://goo.gl/GdMqi

- Brad Haugaard

Will Monrovia School Libraries Be Cut?

Parents are concerned that Monrovia school libraries remain intact. http://goo.gl/hxgG3
I totally sympathize with the parents. I love libraries. I haunted my junior high library. But I also sympathize with the dilemma of the Monrovia School Board. As long as money is not coming from the state (and I don't see much more coming any time soon) I fear that not cutting in one place will simply mean cutting more in another place. I'm afraid it is not a question of whether school programs are hit, but which school programs are hit.

Many years ago, school districts controlled their own money. As I recall, they had taxing authority and raised their own funds. Then a judge ruled that it was unfair because poorer districts couldn't spend as much as wealthier districts, so all state education funds would be collected by the state and distributed "fairly." Well, you know what happened. The state decided this was its money.
I think that back then all the state's school districts should have banded together and fought to collect and disburse education tax money themselves, rather than ceding that authority to the state. When a governmental entity gives up its taxing power, it becomes a begging, insignificant pawn.
I know, I know. 20/20 hindsight.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Senator Huff: Governor 'Moving In Right Direction'

Not exactly love and kisses, but Republican State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, is making some positive noises about Democratic Governor Jerry Brown's latest budget:
 
"Senate Republicans believe that the Governor is moving in the right direction by making education and law enforcement funding a top priority. We're also pleased that the Governor chose to embrace Republican proposals to pay down state debt and, at the same time, provide some badly needed job-creation incentives."
 
But, he adds, "the Governor's proposal still sets the state on a course of unsustainable spending growth in the future."
 
Source: http://goo.gl/5vdRh
 
- Brad Haugaard

Eat Pizza, Help Unity Center | Computer Stolen

~ Eat CPK pizza on June 6 to raise money for Foothill Unity Center.

~ Laptop computer stolen from newly unemployed woman. http://goo.gl/Qr3L2

- Brad Haugaard

No Monrovia High Senior Ditch Day

Parents of MHS seniors, the high school has a warning:
"Senior ditch day is not a school endorsed activity. If your child participates in such a given activity with an unverified absence, he/she will lose their senior privileges which include grad night, senior breakfast and graduation. Refunds will not be given if tickets are already purchased. All absences must be cleared by Friday at 3:00pm."
http://goo.gl/lkbNh

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia FD Gets Back Its Very First Fire Engine

Monrovia is once again in possession of its very first fire engine, a 1917 Seagrave. It's a mess, but the Fire Department wants to restore it, and is beginning to look for donations.

 

Here's the story, from the City Manager's weekly report:

 

"Ninety-five years ago, on May 3, 1916, Monrovia's La Vista Grande Hotel was destroyed by a fire. As a result, Fire Chief George C. King began asking the City trustees for a more effective apparatus and with support the first piece of mechanized equipment the City ever purchased, a 1917 Seagrave Fire Engine, was placed in service. The City trustees authorized the purchase of a 350 gallon capacity six-cylinder Seagrave motor-pumping fire engine, combination hose, truck and chemical, for $5,000. The engine was a front line piece of equipment and served the City well until it was eventually taken out of service here in Monrovia and replaced.

 

"While currently in a state of disrepair, the engine has changed hands many times and saw service in several communities, including the famous collection at Harrah's in Reno. In 2003, local resident, Susan Motander tracked down the engine in Nevada and purchased it from the previous owners.

 

"Earlier this year Susan graciously donated the engine to the Monrovia Fire Department.

 

"Now begins the campaign to raise the funds necessary to restore the engine, which has a working name of "Tommy" in honor of a former Monrovia Firefighter Tommy Knowles. It is estimated that the 1917 Seagrave will need considerable restoration work to bring it back to its original condition."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Plans $39.6 Million Land Sale to Gold Line

Monrovia plans to sell properties near California Avenue and Duarte Road to the Metro Gold Line for $39.6 million. The matter will be considered at the City Council's June 7 meeting.

If you want to see the proposed sales agreement between the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency and the Gold Line, here it is: http://goo.gl/abNxd . There will be a public hearing on the matter at the same meeting: http://goo.gl/gLw6z

In his weekly report, City Manager Scott Ochoa says that, "No doubt, the consideration of this proposed agreement will ratchet up the legal maneuverings by the party already suing both the City of Monrovia and GLCA on this matter." http://goo.gl/i9DGt

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Where to Cut | MHS Sign | Rock Store

~ Monrovia School Board member Alex Zucco writes that she hopes people will come to the next school board meeting with "ideas/suggestions of what their cuts would be...sports, a school, buses, more teachers?" But, she wrote, she'd like people to have "already bombarded their State lawmaker with complaints because Schools only have as much money as the State gives them." She said the district is $700k short and "The State is crippling public schools".

~ Photo of the new electronic sign at Monrovia High. http://goo.gl/jPAI5

~ Profile of Monrovia rock store owners Anthony Arreola Lailani Leyden. http://goo.gl/VBO9g

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Chief Search | Aztec at Night

~ More on search for new Monrovia Police Chief. http://goo.gl/0CtwM

 

~ Beautiful picture of the Aztec Hotel at night. http://goo.gl/RkM8i

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia FD Checking Buildings for Fire Safety

Monrovia Fire Department checking for fire safety this month - especially brush around buildings. http://goo.gl/OTjEu

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Lunch Prices Up, Re-Roof Mayflower, Plymouth toTraditional Schedule

At its Wednesday, May 25, meeting ( http://goo.gl/pS9Wx ) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider some changes to the construction project at Monrovia High and also ...
~ Consider raising school lunch prices from $2.25 to $2.50 for elementary lunches and from $2.50 to $2.75 for secondary school lunches. And apparently this is required by the federal government. http://goo.gl/wodpV
~ Hear a budget report that says finances look slightly less dire than last time the board got a report, but still nasty. In order to come up with a balanced budget, Director of Fiscal Services David Conway says "additional budget adjustments will likely be necessary." http://goo.gl/CkGde
~ Consider spending up to $10,000 to re-roof four buildings at Mayflower School, from July 13 to August 12. http://goo.gl/g3PXJ
~ Consider switching Plymouth Elementary back to a traditional schedule. Apparently this will save money, but in the short run it'll cost $159,012. Yikes! http://goo.gl/yOtNq

- Brad Haugaard

Breakfast at JB Burgers

At the corner of Myrtle and Olive. Nothing elegant here, but nice chorizo for breakfast.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Film at Monrovia Library | Writing Workshop

~ Free writing workshop, May 25, June 1, and June 8, at the library. http://goo.gl/LDUNY

~ Foreign film, "Cape No. 7," with English subtitles at 2 p.m. this Saturday at the Library. http://goo.gl/1cyBx

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Biggest Loser | Artist Susan Dobay

~ Here are Foothill Unity Center clients, Franklin Quan and Claudia Pelaez Quan, on The Biggest Loser. Just click on "Jillian Michaels Gives Back." http://goo.gl/MbTd6

~ Susan Dobay's work at Monrovia's Scenic Drive Gallery. http://goo.gl/TYbVI

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Theft, Attempted Suicides, Assaults, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 12-18. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 533 service events, resulting in 88 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

 

Grand Theft Auto / Vehicle Burglary

May 13 at 9:12 p.m., police responded to the report of a stolen vehicle in the 900 block of South Primrose.  The victim parked his 1994 Honda Accord at the location.  When he returned to where he parked his vehicle, approximately an hour later, he discovered his vehicle was missing.  The victim did not know his license plate number.  The vehicle was located an hour later, half a block away in an alley.  The stereo and speakers were missing from the vehicle.

 

Attempt Suicide / Mental Evaluation

May 13 at 9:29 p.m., a female subject came to the police department lobby to report her ex-husband had stated that he was going to commit suicide.  He had grabbed the garden hose and left the location in his truck, which has a camper shell.  When his son called him, he stated that he was going to park somewhere, connect the hose to the exhaust pipe, and die of carbon monoxide poisoning.  The ex-wife had driven around searching for the ex-husband, but when she was unable to find him, she came to the police station.  The father refused to tell his son where he was parked. 

 

Police dispatchers where able to locate the vehicle by using the cell phone and discovered the vehicle was parked in a parking lot in the 400 block of East Foothill.  Officers arrived and located the vehicle with the hose attached to the tailpipe, leading into the camper shell.  The officers opened the rear hatch and smelled a strong odor of carbon monoxide.  The subject was lying in the bed of the truck, lethargic.  Paramedics responded and took the subject to a hospital for treatment, where he was held for 72-hour mental evaluation. 

 

Assault  with a Deadly Weapon - Suspect Arrested

May 13 at 10:14 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Montana regarding a large party at the location, and someone reported seeing a firearm on a subject.  A few seconds later, dispatch received a second call reporting a fight at the location and someone had been stabbed in the neck.  Officers arrived and saw numerous subjects running from the location.  A stabbing victim was found on the ground.  Witnesses reported seeing the victim fighting with another male subject.  Sometime during the fight, the suspect stabbed the victim.  The suspect was last seen running south through the property.  Containment of the area was established.  During the investigation, police received a call from a business reporting a subject lying on the ground in front of their establishment between two vehicles.  Officers responded and noticed the subject matched the description of the suspect from the stabbing incident.  The subject was positively identified as the suspect, and he was arrested and held for bail.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Assault with a Deadly Weapon - Suspect Arrested

May 15 at 10:31 a.m., officers responded to the area of Mayflower and Evergreen, where a fight between two male subjects had just occurred.  One of the subjects had a pocket knife and slashed at the victim, causing a laceration to the victim's arm.  The suspect ran north on Mayflower, where he was detained by an officer.  The suspect still had the knife in his pocket.  The suspect had gone to the location to drop off his child and an argument ensued between the suspect and the boyfriend of the child's mother, which escalated into a fight.  The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injury.

 

Attempt Suicide / Mental Evaluation

May 15 at 2:31 p.m., a female subject called to report she had received a telephone call from her mother, who told her she had taken an entire bottle of pills.  The mother hung up the phone and then would not answer.  Officers responded to the residence located in the 400 block of East Foothill and were able to gain entry through an open sliding glass door.  They searched the house, which was empty except for one bedroom that was locked, and no one was answering inside the room.  An officer forced entry into the room and found the woman unresponsive.  The officer performed first responder emergency aid until paramedics arrived.  She was then taken to a hospital for medical treatment and held for 72-hour mental evaluation. 

 

Vandalism / Emergency Restraining Order Issued

May 16 at 8:01 a.m., police responded to the 800 block of West Olive regarding a disturbance.  An adult male that had just moved in with his grandparent's became verbally abusive toward them and his mother.  The police were called to mediate the situation.  While police were at the residence, the subject broke the bathroom window with his fist.  He refused medical treatment and was placed under private person's arrest by his family.  He was taken into custody and booked.  When he was released from custody, he went directly back to his grandparent's house, where he began yelling at them again.  The grandmother called back and said she was scared and didn't want him there.  She requested an emergency protective order against him and a judge immediately issued a protective order.  Officers served the order and removed the male from the home without incident.

 

Commercial Burglary - Suspects Arrested

May 19 at 6:19 p.m., a business in the 700 block of East Huntington advised a theft of alcohol had just occurred.  The male and female suspects fled in a black Honda.  A witness followed the suspect's vehicle and directed officers to them by phone.  Officers apprehended the suspects on the 210 Freeway.  The investigation revealed they had stolen alcohol from multiple stores.  Four subjects were in the vehicle and all four were arrested and booked for burglary.  Several of the suspects were admitted gang members or gang member associates and said they had taken the alcohol for a party.  One of the male subjects is on parole for burglary and the female had recently been arrested for theft.

Monrovian Makes Sitcoms International | Patch Plans to Influence Election

~ Profile of Monrovian John Vorhaus, who adapts American TV sitcoms for remakes in other countries. http://goo.gl/rxVM6

~ The family of Patch news websites, one of which is in Monrovia, hopes to play a roll in next year's presidential election, according to next-door Sierra Madre Patch ( http://goo.gl/n4mST ). The headline says Patch - headed by left-leaning Arianna Huffington - is expanding "Into Three Key 2012 Election Primary States" (New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina) and the story adds that "the sites weren’t chosen at random. Those three are key early primary states in the 2012 presidential election."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Chamber has Free Speedway Tickets

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce has free tickets for Saturday May 21, 2011, Armed Forces Appreciation Night at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale. Call now 626 358-1159 to reserve yours. The Chamber hours are Mon - Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. http://goo.gl/VaiZa

- Brad Haugaard

Donnelly Accuses Brown, Challenges Him to a Debate

State Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents Monrovia, has accused Governor Jerry Brown of breaking a campaign promise not to raise taxes without the people's approval and of rejecting reform proposals. He offered to debate Brown: "I challenge you to meet me anywhere, anytime to debate the best way to solve our state's problems." http://goo.gl/mEFKd

- Brad Haugaard

Aerovironment & BMW | VegeUSA Vegan Chicken

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment gets a deal to provide electric-car chargers for BMW. http://goo.gl/G7csd

 

~ VegeUSA, right next to the 210 Freeway, has introduced vegan kung pao chicken and vegetarian ginger chicken. http://goo.gl/uIYR5

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Softball :-) | Police Tweets?

~ Monrovia High tops Gabrielino in Softball 6-4. http://goo.gl/H7nRB

~ Monrovia PD may use Twitter and Crimemapping.com. http://goo.gl/wvbOD

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Unity Center & Biggest Loser / Gov. Brown Attending Huff's Prayer Breakfast

~ Claudia and Franklin, two clients of Foothill Unity Center, will tell their story tonight on NBC's The Biggest Loser as part of the program's Pound for Pound Challenge, an effort to raise awareness of hunger in America and encourage involvement in finding solutions. The program airs at 8 p.m. (Report from Linda Taubenreuther.)

~ State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, announced that Governor Jerry Brown will be attending the California Prayer Breakfast that Huff is co-hosting. http://goo.gl/subM6

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayor Annoyed by Governor's Budget / Football / Cool and Wet

~ Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz is annoyed that in his revised budget, Governor Jerry Brown "STILL wants to eliminate Redevelopment Agencies." http://goo.gl/7j4Ye

~ A look at Monrovia's football team for the upcoming season. http://goo.gl/iqG3E

~ Seems an awfully cool, wet year we're having. A good chance of rain today and tomorrow: http://goo.gl/L5KKn

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Race Winners / Portantino Bill Passes Assembly

~ The full list of winners of the Fountain to the Falls race. http://goo.gl/TIf3z

~ Assemblymember Anthony Portantino. who represents part of Monrovia, had legislation passed in the Assembly making it illegal to carry an unloaded gun in public. http://goo.gl/5zdqH

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Gold Line, New Chief, and Arts Supporter

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/BZieL ) Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa wrote that:

 

Despite the lawsuit against the Gold Line rail project, the city "will move forward with considering the transactions that we have negotiated in good faith with GLCA, and allow both the Gold Line and the plaintiff to decide upon whatever course of action they propose to take."

 

~ He hopes to have a new police chief to replace retiring Roger Johnson by September. Captain Jim Hunt is interim Chief of Police.

 

He congratulates City Council member Clarence Shaw, who was recognized May 7, as the Renaissance Award recipient by Monrovia Association of Fine Arts. He said, "Clarence has been a driving force in developing and supporting the arts in Monrovia."

 

- Brad Haugaard

John Wilson of Monrovia Boys & Girls Club / New Stayhealthy Chairman

~ Profile of John Wilson, head of the Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills. http://goo.gl/E2fR6

~ Stayhealthy, Inc., of Monrovia, has announced that Tommy G. Thompson, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and governor of Wisconsin, has been elected to serve as the company's chairman of the board.
http://goo.gl/cpKms

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Home Ownership Increases

Monrovia and 11 other local cities buck the trend; increase the percentage of owner-occupied houses compared to 2010. http://goo.gl/kvp6C

Spacecraft Landing Site to be Discussed in Monrovia

NASA's Mars Science Laboratory Landing Site Workshop will be held tomorrow (Monday, May 16) through this coming Wednesday at the Doubletree Hotel in Monrovia. The meetings start at 8:30 a.m., and a friend of mine, Roger Wiens, Genesis Project Leader at Los Alamos National Labs, said that as long as there is room, the public can attend. The topics look very technical ( http://goo.gl/S4ltd ), but if the discussion on where to land a spacecraft on Mars is of interest, you may want to attend.

- Brad Haugaard

Man Arrested in Monrovia Stabbing Incident

A Covina man has been arrested in connection with a stabbing during a knife fight in Monrovia. Wounded man should be okay. http://goo.gl/WOwEp

- Brad Haugaard

Runners at Monrovia Race

Runners going up Myrtle on Fountain to Falls Run.

- Brad Haugaard

School Honoree / Debit Card Fraud

~ Martha Moncada, school/community liaison for Monroe Elementary School, will be honored as the Classified Employee of the Year at a joint meeting of the Board of Education and Personnel Commission. http://goo.gl/oodzf

~ The Wall Street Journal reports that thieves stole debit card info at Michaels arts-and-crafts stores across the country, and part of the money was withdrawn here in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/vdHpE

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia First Presbyterian Church at Odds with Denomination

The pastor of Monrovia First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Anthony Osimo, has written a letter to his congregation indicating that he is "deeply saddened" by a recent decision of the church's denomination, Presbyterian Church USA, to eliminate its requirement that church leaders live "in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness."

 

He said church leaders are discussing the MFPC's options, said that the church is in discussions with other concerned churches, and added that there will be a national meeting to "consider options for those churches who cannot in good faith uphold the new ordination standard."

 

Source: http://goo.gl/Js59K

 

- Brad Haugaard

 

Lunch at Monrovia Mimi's

Mimi's for lunch. Got the $10.99 "Provence" special: tomato basil bisque soup and Le Grande Bleu Burger with chips (burgers are very French). Bisque was very good. A little Tabasco on the burger and it was just to my taste.

- Brad Haugaard

Progress on the Sorta-Monrovia Park

Star-News opinion editor, Steve Scauzillo, is making progress in his push to get local communities to adopt the Peck Road Water Conservation Park, which is in county area just a smidge below the Monrovia border ( http://goo.gl/Gw3Wz ).

At his suggestion, I went and looked at the park and have two observations: 1) It is indeed a beautiful park with a nice lake. 2) The front gate is ugly and easy to overlook - a plain sign next to a scruffy chain-link fence. (See here: http://goo.gl/Id2zU ).

Maybe a good first project would be to make the entryway easier to notice and more attractive. Unless he had told me that there was a beautiful park back there I'd have never known. I even passed it by when I was looking for it.

Neat project!

- Brad Haugaard

Mariachis / Lice

I saw School Board President Ed Gililland at the Monrovia Parade, and he had two interesting things to say:

~ As a mariachi band went past during the parade, it reminded him that he wants to get a student mariachi band going at Monrovia High School.

~ Perhaps you recall ( http://goo.gl/hu6TF ) that the Monrovia School District did not meet its goal of increasing student attendance (which means more money from the state). One reason, according to Gilliland, is that there was an outbreak of head lice at one school and students had to stay home.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Favorite Bear on Parade

The Monrovia Day Parade was kind of an unveiling of the Samson the Bear statues that will be placed around town. I snapped these pictures, though there were more.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Day Parade

Some pictures of the Monrovia Day Parade. That's City Council member Becky Shevlin, by the way.

- Brad Haugaard

Next Up at the Monrovia City Council

At the next City Council meeting ( http://goo.gl/kFoto ), May 17, 6:30 p.m., the Council will consider ...

~ Hiring some technical consultants, and extending a contract with a graffiti-removal contractor.

 

~ Adopting an ordinance governing cell-phone towers. http://goo.gl/JIcEv

 

~ A city staff recommendation that the Council oppose a California bill that makes it harder for cities to go bankrupt, and another bill that would require voters to approve any city plan to provide library services through private contractors. Also, staff recommends supporting a redevelopment-reform bill (temporarily dead but resurrection can happen). http://goo.gl/qObh3

 

- Brad Haugaard

Huff's Teacher-Layoff Bill Dies in Sacramento

Senator Bob Huff, representing Monrovia in Sacramento, had his bill to allow school districts to lay of teachers based on performance rather than seniority shot down in a Senate education committee. http://goo.gl/SUsWh

 

- Brad Haugaard

Eat for the Monrovia Band

Support the MHS Wildcat Band and Color Guard on Saturday, May 14 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. T Phillips will donate 15 percent of all purchases with the attached flyer. MHS Jazz Band will perform from 6 to 7 p.m. http://goo.gl/kNy6i

- Brad Haugaard

Miss Myrtle - Monrovia's Myrtle Avenue

Did you know that Myrtle Avenue was named for Myrtle Monroe, elder daughter of William and Mary J. Monroe? That and more in this brief history of Monrovia, by Steve Baker, for Monrovia's 125th birthday: http://goo.gl/Jc5Oo

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Unlawful Sex, DUI, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for May 5-11 – Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 556 service events, resulting in 96 investigations. Following are the last week’s highlighted issues and events:

Vandalism

May 6 at 3:45 a.m., an officer was flagged down regarding a shattered front window at a business in the 300 block of West Foothill. The owner of the business was notified and an investigation was conducted. It was determined that there was no theft at the location.

Outside Assist – Alhambra Police Department – Suspect Arrested

May 6 at 9:49 p.m., a subject entered the Monrovia Police Department lobby requesting advice from an officer regarding a dispute he had with his girlfriend in Alhambra. While talking with the officer, the subject stated he had been involved in a minor altercation in Alhambra. Alhambra was contacted and advised the officer that the subject was wanted for assault with a deadly weapon involving a firearm. The subject was detained for Alhambra Police Department. A search of the suspect’s vehicle in the parking lot rendered the recovery of the firearm. The suspect was taken into custody by Alhambra Police Department.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

May 7 at 2:42 a.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Myrtle and Evergreen observed a suspicious vehicle. The driver was leaning to one side as he drove the vehicle. The officer stopped the driver when he failed to use a turn signal in the 100 block of Montana. During the investigation, it was determined that the driver was under the influence and the driver was arrested.

Unlawful Sexual Intercourse – Suspect Arrested

May 8 at 2:45 a.m., officers responded to a hotel in the 1100 block of East Huntington after receiving a 911 call from a citizen. The citizen reported hearing a female screaming for someone to get off of her from inside the hotel room. Officers arrived, contacted several subjects, and discovered a 19 year old male who admitted to having consensual intercourse with a 16 year old female. The suspect was arrested. The female subject was later released to a guardian.

Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

May 9 at 12:51 a.m., officers responded to a solo vehicle traffic collision in the 500 block of West Duarte Road. The vehicle had crashed into a light pole and a tree on the south sidewalk. The driver was identified and officers determined he was under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested.

Possession of Burglary Tools – Suspect Arrested

May 9 at 9:02 p.m., the manager of a business in the 900 block of West Huntington called to report a subject on their roof. He was concerned because of recent burglaries at their store, so he called the police. Officers arrived and were informed that a male, white, subject, thin build, and balding had just left on a bike. Officers checked the roof area and found a storage shed, which is normally kept closed, was now open and several backpacks were found. The backpacks contained burglary tools, including a lock-pick set. A male subject matching the description of the suspect was detained within minutes by officers. The subject was known by the officers to have recently been arrested for possession of burglary tools. He told the officers the bags and contents on the roof of the business were his. After being identified by a witness who saw him in possession of one of the bags a short time earlier, he was arrested and charged for possession of burglary tools.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayor on Caltrans Audit / Volunteers / Book Sale

~ Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, speaking as a member of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, said the organization would have an official comment later on what the Star-News says is a "scathing audit" by Caltrans alleging mismanagement of funds. http://goo.gl/ThFNr

~ Early-bird volunteers needed to pass out t-shirts and runners’ bags at the fountain at Library Park at 5 a.m. this Saturday, May 14. http://goo.gl/Nx6BN

~ Huge Friends of the Library book sale Saturday, May 14, from 10 a,m, to 5 p.m. in Library Park. From 3-5 p.m. it's "$2 a Bag." http://goo.gl/81LyX

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Day This Saturday, May 14

In addition the Fountain to the Falls race ( http://goo.gl/XIN5u ), Monrovia Day festivities this Saturday - from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., - include:

- Food (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Game booths and activities at Library Park.
- A spelling bee at 11 a.m. in the Community Center.
- A concert at Library Park, starting at 4:30 p.m.
- Balloons and a balloon artist for kids.
- Free Samson the Bear Face Painting.
- More

See more here: http://goo.gl/tgaXP

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over Temple City :-)

Baseball - Monrovia 4, Temple City 2. http://goo.gl/rwNE7

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Day Parade, Thursday at 7 p.m.

The Monrovia Day Parade this year - featuring Monrovia's mascot, Samson the Bear, or, rather, seven decorated Samsons, and, of course, bands and floats - will begin at 7 p.m. this Thursday, May 12, at the corner of Myrtle and Chestnut, and travel north to Myrtle and Palm.

 

More 125th Birthday details: http://goo.gl/tgaXP

 

- Brad Haugaard

Help Monrovia Post Office Feed Poor

Help the U.S. Postal Service this Saturday, May 14, in its huge food drive. Leave one or more bags of nonperishable food next to your mailbox and your letter carrier will pick it up and the food - locally - will given to Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center to feed those in need. Also, the Center could use a few more volunteers Saturday. If you want to help, email: volunteer@foothillunitycenter.org 

Source: http://goo.gl/Vjt1g

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Roads Closed Saturday for Race

Fountain to the Falls Race route. 

Here are the roads NOT to drive on this Saturday morning. And be careful not to get trapped if you live along one of these roads and need to get out early. They will be closed for the Fountain to the Falls run, from 6-10 a.m.:

- Myrtle from Lime to Foothill - both lanes.

- Foothill Blvd. from Primrose to Ivy – both lanes.

- Myrtle from Foothill to Hillcrest – Northbound lane only.

- Hillcrest from Myrtle to Canyon – Eastbound lane only.

- Canyon Blvd. from Hillcrest to North Canyon Blvd. –Northbound lane only.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Historic Aztec Hotel For Sale

The historic Aztec Hotel, at the corner of Magnolia and Foothill, is in foreclosure and will go up for sale. http://goo.gl/Jwvd3

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High in Top 20% of California Schools

Announcement on Monrovia High web page: "Congratulations to the Wildcat Family. The Department of Education released the state rankings for all California Schools last week. I'm proud to announce that MHS ranks in the TOP 20% of schools in California. Way to go CATS!" http://goo.gl/3AYVQ
- Brad Haugaard

Interesting Old Monrovia House / MAFA Gala

~ Interesting old Monrovia house. I wonder if it is still around. http://goo.gl/AAklz

~ Monrovia Association of Fine Arts gala. http://goo.gl/mkulp

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Wet Monrovia Mothers Day

Have a wonderful Mothers Day! Kind of wet as we're starting out. Maybe a good day for a hot tea or bowl of soup.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Ice Cream for Monrovia Moms

ColdStoneSoCal is tweeting that there is free ice cream for moms this Mother's Day at Cold Stone Creamery (right by the theater on Myrtle).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Student Artist

Evan Cook, Monrovia Association of Fine Art’s Student Artist of the Year. http://goo.gl/hRrjJ

- Brad Haugaard

Park Survey / Girl Scouts / Track & Field / Park Renamed / New Restaurant

~ Monrovia Public Works Department wants to know what you think about the city parks. Survey here: http://goo.gl/S0O94

~ Girl Scout Troop 2831 hosted a pet food drive at Petco in Pasadena and collected an entire pallet of much-needed supplies for Foothill Unity Center's Pet Food Bank. http://goo.gl/c1hCb

~ Monrovia's Amanda Mansoorbekht breaks 30-year record at track and field finals. http://goo.gl/W5hGx

~ Monrovia's Olive Park renamed for Latina civil rights leader. http://goo.gl/2snLl

~ Max's Mexican Restaurant on Huntington now open. http://goo.gl/36VlN

- Brad Haugaard

Donnelly Objects to Aid for Illegal Immigrant Students

California Assembly Member Tim Donnelly, who represents Monrovia, objects to extending financial aid to illegal immigrant students: http://goo.gl/rPhcH

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools May Charge Foreign Students / MHS Almost Done

Here is the agenda for the May 11 Monrovia School Board meeting (7:30 p.m.): http://goo.gl/30qbf . And here are a couple items:

~ The Monrovia School Board will consider charging international students (not immigrant students). Why? Because of the district's tight budget. http://goo.gl/FdTMz

~ The Monrovia High School renovation has a few more big items left to do, but it is scheduled to be done by this July. Big items: Old Ceramics building, old science building, front entrance, Mid-Campus Building (Building M). http://goo.gl/GDqwv

- Brad Haugaard

Attendance Slips at Monrovia Schools

A 2010-11 goal for Monrovia Schools was to improve attendance. (Remember, attendance isn't the same thing as enrollment.) Well, didn't quite work out. The elementary and middle schools actually went down in attendance, but this was almost made up by increases at Monrovia High and Mountain Park School. (The district is comparing against 08-09 because there was a flu epidemic in 09-10 that would mess up the stats.) http://goo.gl/tmV6S

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Peach Cafe

Just east of Myrtle on Colorado. I like the Southwestern Salad with cornbread. Got some gazpacho to go with it. Yum.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Redevelopment History / Carbon Monoxide

~ A video history of redevelopment in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/qzk1G

~ A new California State Law requires homeowners to install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes by this July. Details: http://goo.gl/OcuNf

- Brad Haugaard

Produce Exchange and Worm Tea

Swap fruit and vegetables at Monrovia Library Park tomorrow (Saturday, May 7). Plus, free "worm tea." Yum. http://goo.gl/nUVV0

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Chief Retires / Free Cold Drink

~ Monrovia Chief Johnson retires after 32 years of service. http://goo.gl/dNuyj

 

~ Free cold drink. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (corner of Myrtle and Foothill) is giving away a free 12-oz. ice-blended drink (Cookies & Cream, Mocha Mint Chip, or Espresso Cream)  on May 10, 4-7 p.m. The card says to RSVP at Facebook.com/theCoffeeBean , but I can't tell if it is a requirement and I can't tell how to do it. Grrr.

 

- Brad Haugaard

May in Monrovia / Baseball / Old Car Dealership

~ Charlotte Schamadan reports on the busy month of May in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/mr3Cm

~ Wildcats over South Pas in baseball. :-) http://goo.gl/wXJom

~ Neat old picture of Bob Longpre Pontiac dealership in Monrovia (You'll have to scroll down.) http://goo.gl/K7DMU

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Tourist Bear / Book Sale / SciFi Monrovia

~ Another decorated Monrovia bear spotted. This one: "Samson the Tourist Bear." http://goo.gl/S0hEM

~ Friends of the Monrovia Library will have a huge book sale Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Library Park. $2 a bag from 3-5 p.m. ( http://goo.gl/DGhcW ). Also, the Friends could use volunteers: http://goo.gl/POefr

~ I just had coffee with Monrovian Rob McClinton, who represents TownLoop.com (a Pasadena company coming soon to Monrovia to benefit schools) and is a part owner of ScienceFiction.com.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Jobs / Aerosmith

Monrovia jobs workshop details: http://goo.gl/TfRL0

 

Band, Aerosmith, held jam sessions in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/VvESE

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Musicians / Book Club / Dog Wash / Huff Annoyed

~ Monrovia Superstars of Music. May 19. More than 300 district music students showcasing their talents. http://goo.gl/oY4I1

~ Monrovia Library is forming a new monthly book club. http://goo.gl/dzgZ8

~ Get your dog washed at Dog Zone to support Wounded Warriors. May 15. http://goo.gl/Tppfq

~ State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, is annoyed that legislation he authored "to root out and dispose of any and all state regulations that hinder new job and business development" was killed on a party-line vote. http://goo.gl/K4Stf

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Accomplishments

~ The Monrovia High dance team competed at Knott’s Berry Farm in the Sharp International State Championships and the hip hop team came in 1st and the dance team scored their highest points of the season.

~ The Monrovia High drumline took third place at the American Drumline Association Championships in open class this past weekend, and it was promoted this year to a higher division.

~ In track and field, tenth grader Amanda Mansoorbakht is ranked first in league in the 800 and mile and ranked in the top five in the school's division. Eleventh grader Max Armenta is ranked second in the 800 and mile and in the top ten in the school's division.
Source: http://goo.gl/vhM1w
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company Gives Money for Milk / Curb Painting

~ Prolacta Bioscience of Monrovia is donating $22,000 to the "Susan G. Komen for the Cure" organization, $1 for every ounce of breast milk it collected through March of this year. Prolacta makes human milk fortifier for critically ill, premature infants. http://goo.gl/kmnXe

 

~ A reader asks if the curb-painting organization, Canning Hunger, is legit. I asked the City and was told it does have a license. 

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Parasoft Founder Dies / Baseball / Run / Sangria

~ Dr. Adam Kolawa, founder and CEO of Monrovia's Parasoft Corporation of Monrovia, has died. http://goo.gl/n4JSV

~ Not looking so good for Monrovia High baseball. :-( http://goo.gl/wEDRS

~ If you are thinking about doing the May 14 Fountain-to-the-Falls run, you need to sign up by May 11, here: http://goo.gl/o0one

~ Monrovia School Board member Alex Zucco likes white sangria. http://goo.gl/rqql6

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Captain on Bin Laden / More on Cinco de Mayo / Disaster Prep / Sponsor Fireworks

~ Monrovia National Guard Captain Robert C.J. Parry, who served in Afghanistan, on Bin Laden: "A huge morale boost for us" and "a huge morale blow to the enemy." And for soldiers on the ground: "Yeah, he's dead! Now get on your gear. Time to go on patrol." http://goo.gl/UmAIQ

~ More coverage of Monrovia's May 1 Cinco de Mayo, from Monrovia Weekly ( http://goo.gl/KFxvI ) and from Mayor Mary Ann Lutz: http://goo.gl/u4tt0

~ Earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan, tornadoes and floods in the south. It's crazy out there, so the City of Monrovia has tips on being prepared for disaster: http://goo.gl/zDqWY

~ Businesses, help sponsor the Fourth of July fireworks show. Hey, I'll be there! Loved it last year. Here's how: http://goo.gl/u1vga

- Brad Haugaard

Cheap Chiliburger in Monrovia / Monrovia Day Video

~ Get a 65-cent chiliburger at the Monrovia Tommy's Tuesday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. by saying "Chili Fans" when you order. It's part of Tommy's 65th anniversary celebration. http://goo.gl/LFqlc

 

~ A KGEM public service video about everything going on during the Monrovia Day celebration. http://goo.gl/g946f

 

- Brad Haugaard

Mylar Balloons Caused Monrovia Power Outage

City Manager Scott Ochoa reported that mylar balloons whacked the power from parts of Monrovia Thursday ("from Mountain to Myrtle, Lime to Colorado").

Ochoa writes: "They [the balloons] got caught in the lines near the California-Jasmine Avenue neighborhood and caused the transformer to blow. The power lines actually ended up on the ground. Fire and Police units responded immediately; however, we are fortunate that no one was hurt. Mylar balloons - don't buy them. Get your special someone a book, or a card, or savings bond - just no more metallic balloons."

Source: http://goo.gl/mlbFS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Should Recover 'Sooner than Most'

In his weekly report, Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa reports that at a meeting with Monrovia business leaders, Dr. Nancy Sidhu, Chief Economist of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, said the recession is easing, but "housing, construction and government employment were still significant drags on the recovery."

Ochoa added: "Given the increase in activity we have seen in Monrovia - the relative lack of commercial vacancies in our office buildings, the steady business among our restaurants and retailers and the stabilization of the housing market - I believe that we are indeed emerging from recession. What's more, I believe our economic diversity will bring us back sooner than most and stronger than most."

Source: http://goo.gl/mlbFS

- Brad Haugaard

Shooting Suspect Dead / Green Dot

~ Shooting suspect found dead, apparently from a self-inflicted wound. http://goo.gl/kb8fH

 

~ Monrovia's Green Dot signs deal with Rite Aid. http://goo.gl/Jmv62

 

- Brad Haugaard

Trail Above Monrovia Closed

Police are looking for a man in connection with a murder in the mountains. I suspect that is why the Ben Overturff Trail has been closed. - Brad Haugaard

Murder Suspect in Monrovia Mountains? / Sports Outreach

~ Police looking for murder suspect in mountains above Monrovia, Arcadia. http://goo.gl/AnZmZ

~ Calvary Chapel of Monrovia is working with with the Santa Anita Family YMCA to provide a sports outreach for local 5th through 8th graders on July 5-8. For more information or to enroll, contact the church. http://goo.gl/4UzI1

- Brad Haugaard

Cinco de Mayo Festival

Vendors and food and music this afternoon on Colorado just east of Myrtle. An early Cinco de Mayo. - Brad Haugaard