Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California

Small Biz / Schurr Game / Rail Yard / Native Heritage

Small Business Saturday ~ Monrovia businesses are participating in a national movement to encourage shoppers to shop at local small businesses. This year, November 27th is the first Small Business Saturday. http://goo.gl/KVusX

Wildcats vs. Schurr ~ Thoughts on the 11/26 Monrovia-Schurr football game. http://goo.gl/4nhoK and http://goo.gl/nkNRE

Gold Line Maintenance Yard ~ Formerly dubious Monrovia residents near the proposed Gold Line maintenance yard now are more open to the idea. http://goo.gl/PR4JV

Native Heritage ~ There will be stories, songs, a craft and film honoring Native American Heritage Month today, Nov. 23, 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Free for everyone http://goo.gl/kojjL

- Brad Haugaard

Ochoa / Fountain to Falls / Water Use Down / Credit Cards

Ochoa Staying in Monrovia ~ City Manager Scott Ochoa says in his weekly report that he is not planning to leave Monrovia. He said he missed the last City Council meeting "to facilitate a facet of the City's ongoing professional development efforts." That, he said, also let Mark Alvarado get a bit of experience as acting City Manager. "No," Ochoa writes, "I am not leaving Monrovia - and I am reasonably sure that the Council does not desire such a transition." http://goo.gl/1bLzG

Signs for Race ~ The "Fountain to the Falls" fun/run race planned for Monrovia Day 2011 will be enhanced by signs along the trail in Monrovia Canyon Park put up by Jeffrey Ramos as his Eagle Scout Candidate project. The walking/jogging/hiking route, by the way, goes north on Myrtle from the Library Park fountain to Hillcrest, east to Canyon Boulevard, north to the entrance of the Park and from there to the trail that leads to the falls. http://goo.gl/1bLzG

Water Usage Down ~ According to the City Manager's weekly report, "Water consumption is 42 million gallons, a decrease of 10% compared to reported water usage at this time last year." http://goo.gl/1bLzG Interesting. Well, it has been a bit rainy.

Credit Card Use Down ~ Monrovia-based Green Dot says 69% of consumers will not use a credit card for Christmas gifts. http://goo.gl/3DbQP

- Brad Haugaard

Thankfulness / CIF Champs? / Movies

Thankful ~ Members of Monrovia First Presbyterian Church tell what they are thankful for. http://goo.gl/JeAiZ

MHS 'Will Win' ~ Star-News columnist Miguel Melendez is getting mighty confident: "Monrovia High School will win the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division championship." http://goo.gl/8hqm0

History ~ Old Monrovia movie company failed because didn't pay its taxes. http://goo.gl/55GXj

- Brad Haugaard

Rubber Duck Dunk

Rubber duckies at the start of today's YMCA Rubber Duck Dunk fundraiser event.
- Brad Haugaard

Thanksgiving / Leadership

Thanksgiving for Kids ~ This afternoon, Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m., the library will have stories, songs, crafts and a film about the holiday of thanks, turkey, and football! In the Library's Story Room. For information, call 626-256-8256. http://goo.gl/YlZT3

Leadership Camp ~ The Rotary Club of Monrovia has sent five 8th graders to leadership camp this weekend. Two from Clifton Middle School and three from Santa Fe Middle School. http://goo.gl/ntqfv

- Brad Haugaard

Football: Monrovia 42, Gladstone 3 :-)

In the opening playoff game for the CIF Championship the Wildcats walked over Gladstone. http://goo.gl/Qwy3J

Game pix: http://goo.gl/Vx83n

From Star-News comments: "Congrats to those Monrovia guys, It was like a blur." http://goo.gl/79jD9

- Brad Haugaard

Enter Your Home in Decorating Contest

If you are planning to decorate your house for the holidays, you might want to enter the City of Monrovia's Holiday Home Decorating Contest. Applications due Dec. 10; judging Dec. 13. See attached images. http://goo.gl/26olI

- Brad Haugaard

A Mayors' Workshop

Local mayors gather to discuss common issues.

By Mayor Mary Ann Lutz

Information and information sharing is critically important to an elected official. Finding out what works well in some cities – and what doesn’t, and why – helps communities like Monrovia identify new solutions and opportunities. To that end, earlier this year I had an idea to pull together a group of Mayors from our region.

The vision was to have a Mayor’s workshop with our Congressmen David Dreier. A working meeting whereby each Mayor from the 26th Congressional District could sit across from the Congressman and conduct an honest discussion of the challenges facing our communities and how they relate to the Federal Government.

Our City staff and I spent the better part of the summer planning, scheduling and rescheduling this workshop; coordinating with Mayors, the Congressman’s office, and reviewing potential topics for the meeting.

The vision became a reality at the Monrovia Public Library Community Room, on November 1, 2010. Even though this was the day before the mid-term elections, the Congressman and thirteen Mayors of the seventeen cities in the District embarked on this challenging discussion.

During the two hour session, we divided the discussion into four main topics: Transportation and Transit, Job Creation, Public Safety, and Water and Open Space. Ultimately, we covered a wide range of important topics that affect our individual cities, in addition to the region, the state, and in some cases, the nation.

The main themes of the wide-ranging discussion were:

* The inability to return to the former process of using appropriations earmarks to secure federal funding for local projects. That said, the Congressman indicated that the massive transit/transportation appropriation “SAFETEA-LU” must and will move forward;

* The priority that the Gold Line Foothill Extension and Alameda Corridor East (ACE) have been among Congressman Dreier’s key projects. The Congressman will use every effort to close funding gaps for these hugely important projects;

* The harsh reality that some programs – even popular endeavors like the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants, – may be sacrificed in order to help rein in federal spending. However, the Congressman was very interested in hearing from the Mayors about the effectiveness of the COPS program; and

* The need to preserve and protect wildland areas and water resources in our region. Congressman Dreier discussed at length his Wilderness Preservation Initiative, as well as the reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act.

In summary, this workshop provided an excellent forum to have an open and direct dialogue with our Congressman, David Dreier.

The Mayors are grateful for the time the Congressman took away from his busy schedule – on the day before Election Day, no less. I am just as appreciative to the Mayors for their time and invaluable perspective.

The continued vision: that these beneficial workshops continue as we all strive to move our communities, and the nation forward.

Boxing Champ / Win CIF? / Need Turkeys / Lawsuit

Boxing Champ ~ Monrovia guidance counselor wins world boxing title. http://goo.gl/CNlhT

Football Prediction ~ Monrovia High will win the CIF Mid-Valley Division championship. http://goo.gl/aozl4

Turkey SOS ~ Foothill Unity Center needs turkeys! http://goo.gl/my0Pb

Burglary Arrests ~ Sisters arrested on burglary charges. http://goo.gl/AGkcO

Firefighter's Lawsuit ~ A bit more on the lawsuit filed against Monrovia by Fire Captain Dave Rapp. http://goo.gl/lX4vo

- Brad Haugaard

Lining Up for Harry Potter

Library fountain at night, looking towards the Monrovia Krikorian theater. A little closer, people lined up for the midnight showing of the latest Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
- Brad Haugaard

Rubber Duck Dunk / Old-Tech at Schools

Dunk a Duck ~ Santa Anita Family Y is having a Rubber Duck Dunk to support its Youth & Government Program this Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Y. Adopt a duck for $5 for a chance to win more than 20 prizes. http://goo.gl/FTwi9

Old Computers ~ Monrovia schools make do with old-tech. http://goo.gl/JmAs5

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Report - Nov. 11 - 17

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 11-17. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 495 service events, resulting in 102 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Domestic Violence - Suspects Arrested
November 14 at 6:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 900 block of South Ivy regarding a domestic violence incident in progress. Through investigation, it was determined that the ex-husband of the victim and his new girlfriend arrived at the ex-wife's house to return their children. The ex-wife became angry and yelled obscenities at her ex-husband. The ex-husband exited his vehicle and threw his ex-wife to the ground and punched and kicked her. The new girlfriend also exited the vehicle and punched the ex-wife. Family members intervened and broke up the fight. The ex-wife sustained visible injuries to her face and body. The officers arrested the ex-husband for domestic violence and the new girlfriend was arrested for battery.

Mental Evaluation
November 14 at 8:12 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 1600 block of Pilgrim regarding an attempt suicide. The subject had a knife and had cut his wrists and arms. When Officers arrived, the subject had fled the location on foot. Containment of the area was set up and a helicopter was requested to assist in the search. The subject was located and a foot pursuit ensued. The subject was still holding the knife, but tossed it and attempted to jump over a residential wall to get away. The officer maintained a safe distance from the subject and deployed his taser, which had an immediate affect. The subject was apprehended without further incident. The subject was taken to a hospital to be treated for his self-inflicted injuries, which were determined to be superficial. He was held for a 72-hour mental evaluation.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
November 16 at 9:43 p.m., an officer observed a driver turn east off of Canyon into the westbound lanes of Huntington. The driver saw the officer and appeared to hesitate, stopping in the middle of the lanes. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle for driving the wrong way on a divided highway. The officer determined that the driver was driving under the influence. The driver was arrested. The driver's blood alcohol level was found to be more than twice the legal limit.

Grand Theft Auto
November 17 at 12:23 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Norumbega regarding a stolen vehicle. The victim was visiting in the area and came out to find her tan, 2001 Dodge Durango missing from in front of the home. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
November 17 at 12:31 a.m., an officer responded to a business in the 800 block of West Huntington. An employee came out from work and discovered his white, 1990 Honda Accord had been stolen. Investigation continuing.

Alleys of Monrovia

Quite a few classic old vehicles (and other stuff) in the back alleys of Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

McCarthy UCLA Offer / AeroVironment / Decorated Tree / Miss Monrovia

McCarthy ~ Wildcat football player Ellis McCarthy has been offered a scholarship to play for UCLA. http://goo.gl/pDdb2

Electric Charging ~ Monrovia's AeroVironment is teaming up with NRG Energy, Inc. to build the first privately-funded, comprehensive electric vehicle charging ecosystem, which will be located in the Houston area. http://goo.gl/qeoGX

Decorations ~ Library Park tree gets its Christmas clothes. http://goo.gl/IBP9P

Miss Monrovia ~ Briana DeCoster will compete in the Miss California Pageant. http://goo.gl/nhqN9

- Brad Haugaard

Diver / Sergeant / Council / MAP / Wilderness / Another Monrovia

Diver ~ University of Michigan signs Monrovian Emily Boyd to diving team. http://goo.gl/BjKnl

Sergeant Cleared ~ Monrovia police sergeant cleared of abuse allegations. http://goo.gl/cBt0n

City Council ~ The latest Monrovia City Council video is online. http://goo.gl/aQiRV

MAP Grads ~ Pix of the Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) grads: http://goo.gl/dM85P

Wilderness ~ Details on the new wilderness plan http://goo.gl/RsE1G

The Other Monrovia ~ Our namesake, Monrovia, Liberia, has its own unique form of news media. http://goo.gl/Bfbpj

- Brad Haugaard

Mid-Valley Champs? / Track Ready? / Pipe Corral

PREDICTION ~ Monrovia will be Mid-Valley Division champion. http://goo.gl/wtZEi

TRACK WILL BE READY FOR GAME ~ Monrovia High's new track should be ready in time for Wildcats' first CIF game, against Gladstone. http://goo.gl/IsVSE

PIPE CORRAL ~ There is not much left of the old cabin on the Ben Overturf trail, but this pipe corral has stood the test of time. http://goo.gl/Z6ROw

- Brad Haugaard

Turkey / Maggie Clark

SPARE TURKEY? ~ Foothill Unity Center of Monrovia is distributing Thanksgiving food boxes to an unprecedented 1,400 low-income families next week and is still short 300 turkeys. "If you can donate a fresh or frozen bird, or a gift card for one, we'd be grateful if you could drop it off by 5 p.m. Friday at our Monrovia HQ, 415 W. Chestnut. (Feeling extra-sweet? We also need pies!)"

Source: http://goo.gl/cz7Ov

MAYFLOWER TEACHER HONORED ~ Teacher Maggie Clark honored posthumously. http://goo.gl/Xz1e7

- Brad Haugaard