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Walking Tour Of Old Monrovia July 2

The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group will conduct a walking tour of downtown Monrovia on Saturday, July 2, at 10 a.m. The tour lasts about two hours, and participants will be walking 8 city blocks. Cost is $5 per person, and reservations are not necessary. Meet at the SE corner of Palm and Myrtle Avenues.

- Brad Haugaard

The Origin of Monrovia's Box Clock

Photo courtesy Monrovia Historic Preservation Group.

The latest issue of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group's newsletter examines the origin of the Box Jewelry Store clock on Myrtle.

"Originally, the clock was located on the west side of the street where Glenn L. Box had a jewelry store (he arrived in Monrovia in 1921). In 1931 he moved his business (and, it is assumed, the clock) to 518 S. Myrtle."

The clock was made by the Brown Clock Company, and Monrovia’s clock is one of only four Brown clocks still remaining in California.

Over the years the dial has been changed and the iron scroll work that you see at the top of the clock in this picture has been replaced with neon lettering.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Isaiah Ramos Named Baseball Player of the Year

Monrovia High School pitcher Isaiah Ramos has been named the Pasadena Star-News baseball player of the year. http://goo.gl/19gYBV

- Brad Haugaard

More Trash Services, Higher Price; 4th of July; Leak Fixed; Pacific Plate Honored; Etc.

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ The city has worked a deal with our trash disposal company, Athens, for the company to provide free mulch to residents twice a year, free hillside brush clearance, pick-up from trash cans at bus stops, unlimited bulky-item pick-ups for free. Free, however, is going to cost more. Starting this July 1, trash costs will go up a per-month average of $4.99 for homes, $28.53 for apartments/condos, and $31.60 for businesses.

~ The 4th of July Concert and Fireworks Show will be held in Library Park beginning at 7 p.m. with a performance by Person to Person, followed by a free 20 minute fireworks show will at 9 p.m. You may reserve a space no larger than 10 x 10 feet, which must be supervised at all times.

~ The city had to fix a major water leak on Magnolia Avenue between Lemon Avenue and Lime Avenue on June 18. It was a six-inch crack in a water main. Workers Steve Hardman, Michael Troncosso, Gerry Acosta, Alonzo Alatorre and Scott Hallimore got it fixed.

~ SGV Economic Partnership will recognize Monrovia-based Pacific Plate Brewing Company as its Small Business of the Year. Here's the company: http://goo.gl/3DcD0j

~ In partnership with Looplink, the city is offering a new service showing all available retail / commercial properties in Monrovia, here: http://goo.gl/Ym41yv

~ Assembly member Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has introduced a measure into the Assembly to request that the federal government provide money for LA-area cities to pay for federally-mandated storm water clean-up. Currently the burden on Monrovia to clean up its storm water is $231 million.

~ The fire is 62% contained and blocked from homes. It has burned about 5,285 acres, and about 923 individuals were fighting the blaze this past weekend. Privately operated drones have been getting in the way of fire-fighting aircraft and air operations had to be suspended on June 25.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Trader Joe's Fined Over Greenhouse Gas

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's fined $500,000 for refrigerators that leak Freon, a greenhouse gas. http://goo.gl/5D15RZ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Dump Truck vs. Car; Sleeping at the Wheel; Bears; Indecent Exposure; Fake Fifty; Domestic Violence

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 23-26. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Vehicle Burglary
June 23 at 6:29 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 900 block of W. Hillcrest. The victim parked and locked his truck in front of his home in the evening. When he returned to the vehicle in the morning, he found someone had broken into the vehicle. The driver's door lock was punched and his tools had been stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Traffic Collision
June 23 at 12:53 p.m., an officer responded to a traffic collision at the intersection of Myrtle and Huntington. A large dump truck was following too close and collided into a passenger vehicle. The dump truck driver was driving without the appropriate license certification and was issued a citation. The driver of the second vehicle complained of neck and back pain, but refused medical treatment.

Traffic Collision
June 23 at 1:33 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 500 block of E. Foothill. Two vehicles were involved in the collision. One of the drivers fell asleep at the wheel and collided into the other vehicle, which was making a parking maneuver.

Bear Incident
June 23 at 2:00 p.m., a bear was sighted in the 400 block of N. Canyon. The resident called to report a bear in his front yard that was aggressive. The resident came in contact with the animal as he exited his home. The resident reported that the bear was agitated. It growled at the resident, but then left the area back into the foothills. The Department of Fish and Wildlife was notified.

Indecent Exposure
June 23 at 7:16 p.m., two adult females were walking east on Hillcrest, approaching Heather Heights, when they walked by a grey pickup truck that was parked with the passenger window open. Both females looked inside the truck and saw a white, adult male, mid to late 20s, sitting in the driver's seat, exposing himself. They attempted to get a photograph of him with their phone, but he quickly drove away, heading south on Heather Heights. However, since Heather Heights is a dead-end street, he was required to drive by them again as he drove back onto Hillcrest. The male driver looked at the females, waved at them, then drove away out of sight. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
June 23 at 10:05 p.m., an officer responded to the report of a residential burglary in the 700 block of E. Foothill. The residents had left the home locked and secured to go out to dinner at 6:30 p.m. When they returned at 10:05 p.m., they discovered their house had been burglarized. The suspects broke into the home through a bathroom window. The suspects ransacked the entire house, then fled prior to the family returning. It is unknown what exactly was taken. The victims will conduct an inventory of their personal possessions. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
June 23 at 11:53 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 400 block of Wildrose. The resident left her house to go out with friends. At 11:00 p.m., she returned home and discovered the house had been ransacked. There was no one inside the home. The backdoor was open and she realized she had left it unlocked. The loss is unknown and the investigation in ongoing.

Petty Theft
June 24 at 6:50 a.m., a resident in the 1200 block of S. Mayflower Avenue called police to report a theft. The resident parked his vehicle in his detached garage in the evening and left both the garage and his vehicle unlocked. He returned to his vehicle in the morning and found his briefcase had been stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
June 24 at 10:36 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of Norumbega reported a suspicious person in the area. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, who was determined to be under the influence of narcotics. The subject was arrested, taken into custody and held for a sobering period.

Counterfeit Currency
June 24 at 6:43 p.m., a male adult suspect entered a business in the 400 block of W. Foothill and attempted to purchase merchandise with a fraudulent $50.00 bill. The employee checked the authenticity of the bill and determined it was fraudulent. The employee called police, but the suspect left the business prior to police arrival and was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Bear Sighting
June 24 at 8:06 p.m., the homeowners of a house in the 300 block of N. Encinitas called police to report a bear in their backyard. Officers arrived and flushed the bear off the property and back into the foothills.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
June 25 at 11:03 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a hit and run traffic collision that occurred in the 200 block of E. Colorado. The victim parked her vehicle in front of her home and went inside for the night. She went out to her vehicle in the morning and found the front of her vehicle had been damaged. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
June 25 at 11:58 a.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of E. Cherry Avenue. The residents were leaving for the weekend. They locked the front door, but left a bedroom window open. The caretaker later arrived to check on the home and found the front door ajar and a bedroom ransacked. The loss could not be determined until the owners can take inventory. The investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
June 25 at 3:33 p.m., an officer responded to the report of an injury traffic collision in the 200 block of E. Foothill. A vehicle traveling on Foothill slowed to make a left turn and was rear ended by a second vehicle. Three passengers complained of pain and were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Domestic Violence
June 26 at 1:25 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a hospital, where a female adult had checked herself in for injuries she had just sustained at her house. She told the officer that she was home with her child when the father of the child arrived to visit. They began to argue, and the male suspect hit the female victim in the head with his fist, causing a visible injury. The suspect then left the house. A want for domestic violence was issued for the suspect.

Domestic Violence
June 26 at 6:45 p.m., police received a report of a disturbance at a location in the 1800 block of S. Peck. Officers arrived and separated a male and female who have been in a relationship for over 10 years. The female sustained a visible injury to the top of her head during the altercation. The male was arrested for domestic violence.

Dinner at Cafe X2O


Dinner at Cafe X2O, on the north side of Foothill just west of Melrose. I got the Lule Kebab, $11, a lightly seasoned ground beef roll, and a beer at the special Thursday half-off-with-a-meal price of $3. Food was good.
- Brad Haugaard 

626 Golden Streets Event Postponed

The 626 Golden Streets event which was scheduled for this Sunday has been postponed. The festival website says "the 18 mile open streets event and all associated activities scheduled for June 26th 2016 will no longer be held this Sunday. The event is being postponed; a future date is not available at this time." http://www.626goldenstreets.com/

Thanks to Brad Hori for the tip.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Plans 91016 Zip Code Day


The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce asks you to save the date 9/10/16 (Sept. 10, 2016) as Zip Code Day for Monrovia and to "Stay tuned for more information."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Thefts from Vehicles; Stolen Golf Clubs; Not Drunk, Diabetic; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 21-23. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 458 service events, resulting in 72 investigations.

Grand Theft Auto
June 20 at 8:19 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of S. Myrtle regarding the report of a stolen vehicle. The victim stated his motorcycle was stolen from the apartment parking structure. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery
June 20 at 4:58 p.m., a resident called police to report a vehicle had been abandoned along a red curb in the 1800 block of S. Mayflower for two days. Officers responded and the investigation revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Downey Police Department.

Theft From a Vehicle
June 21 at 9:22 a.m., the victim of a vehicle burglary called police to report a theft from his vehicle in the 100 block of N. Encinitas. The victim parked his vehicle and left his golf clubs inside. The vehicle was left unlocked. When he returned to his vehicle the next day, he found the back passenger door open and noticed his golf clubs were missing. The investigation is continuing.

Theft From a Vehicle
June 21 at 9:50 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 100 block of N. Mountain. The victim left his vehicle unlocked and when he returned, he discovered his center console had been ransacked. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
June 21 at 12:18 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 1300 block of S. Mayflower. The caller reported he found his garage open and several items were missing. The investigation is continuing.

Medical Assistance
June 21 at 10:37 p.m., a motorist called to report a possible DUI driver on Scenic and Canyon. The driver was driving wrong way in opposing lanes of traffic. An officer responded and located the driver and vehicle. The driver was found to be diabetic and in need of medical help. Paramedics responded and treated the driver.

Three New Monrovia Historic Structures

The Monrovia City Council has added three more buildings to its list of historic structures. Pictures here: http://goo.gl/jIJsZI

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Should Be Blocked From Monrovia By Tonight

Monrovia is reporting that "there is no immediate direct fire threat to Monrovia, and we remain cautiously optimistic that the San Gabriel Complex Fire will not impact the City." And, that fire crews are blocking off the western edge of the fire, which poses the greatest threat to Monrovia. "[F]ire officials are hopeful that the entire western flank of the fire will be boxed in and contained by the evening tonight." http://goo.gl/wVtF9Z

- Brad Haugaard

Current Extent of Fire

The current extent of the San Gabriel Complex fire, from Supervisor Michael Antonovich's office. http://goo.gl/99QWXm

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Optimistic, But Has Fire Evacuation Plan Ready Just in Case

Tan is first evacuation group. Red is second. Details below.

Based on all the latest intelligence information available, officials have identified that there is no direct fire threat to Monrovia at this time.  However, while the City remains cautiously optimistic that the fire will not impact our community moving forward, the flames are moving slowly in a southwesterly pattern, which could eventually impact residents living in the neighborhoods around the northeastern part of Monrovia.  In particular, the residents living in and around the Norumbega Road area are the most likely to be affected.

It is important to note that if City officials determine that the fire could cause any impact on residents or property in Monrovia, we will order mandatory precautionary evacuation procedures for all impacted residents.  Based on the current fire movement pattern, if the precautionary evacuations are ordered, it is estimated that the soonest that such an order would be issued is later this evening.

To that end, all residents living in the northeastern part of Monrovia are encouraged to remain vigilant and ready to be evacuated.  Should an evacuation order be given, we will be coordinating evacuation procedures as follows:

§  First Evacuation Phase – all residents living east of Norumbega (where it parallels Sawpit Wash) and north of Greystone Avenue

§  Second Evacuation Phase – all residents living east of Myrtle Avenue and north of Greystone Avenue, and east of Shamrock and north of Foothill


In addition, the attached map outlines the areas of Monrovia that would be evacuated, and also the evacuation phasing plan.  Also, should an evacuation order be issued, the City has made all of the necessary preparations to establish the Monrovia Community Center (119 West Palm Avenue) as our primary evacuation site. 

With regard to other local fire impacts, fire officials believe that the Fish Fire in Duarte and the Reservoir Fire in Azusa will merge today, and to that end, the overall response to the incident has been combined and the fire will be known as the San Gabriel Complex Fire moving forward.  In total, the San Gabriel Complex Fire has burned around 5,400 acres, and while no structures have been damaged, around 770 homes have been evacuated in Azusa and Duarte.

Firefighting crews made good progress last night containing the portion of the San Gabriel Complex Fire closest to Monrovia.  The weather helped, as a significant marine layer crept into the area last night that helped to put the fire down, and while it is expected that the blaze will become more visible as the day progresses, our reports from the fire command station indicates that as of now, firefighting crews do have a good handle on the situation.

Throughout the day, there will be a significant push by those coordinating the firefighting response to further contain the San Gabriel Complex Fire and push it away from residential areas.  To that end, we have confirmed that the following heavy equipment will be deployed today to fight the fire:

§  5 Type-1 Helicopters
§  6 Type-2 Helicopters
§  10 air tankers (will be put in use as soon as weather conditions permit)
§  2 bulldozers cutting fire breaks in the mountains entered the area through Canyon Park
§  Several hundred firefighters from the US Forest Service and LA County are battling the blaze

However, it is important to note that the current weather forecast calls for a shift in winds at around 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.  This will be an important time for Monrovia, as the changing winds could cause the fire to act unpredictably.

Again, the current situation should allow us to feel cautiously optimistic that Monrovia will not be impacted by the fire, but we are taking all necessary precautions here locally.  In particular, we have recalled all available Monrovia Fire Department personnel and have implemented an operational plan that allows for all normal service delivery to occur, while also setting up the following additional firefighting support functions:

§  Monrovia Fire Department Brush Task Force… this team will be monitoring our highest fire danger zones throughout the day.  This monitoring will take the form of sweeps conducted by Monrovia Fire Department personnel in the north-eastern quadrant of the City, with a special focus on Norumbega Drive, Ridgeside Drive, Oakglade Drive, and Canyon Park.

§  A Special Liaison Team… this team will remain in constant communication with the US Forest Service and L.A. County Fire Department command staff personnel.  This liaison team will be receiving constant real-time updates to monitor the progress of the overall San Gabriel Complex Fire to assess potential impacts on Monrovia.

In addition, the City has continued to maintain the closure of Canyon Park, Trask Boy Scout Camp, and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve, and we have ensured that all City reservoirs are filled at 100% capacity in the event that we need to access water for firefighting activities.

All residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and on alert.  To stay up to date on the status of the overall situation here in Monrovia, we encourage everyone to check the City's website (www.cityofmonrovia.org), or subscribe to Nixle Alerts by texting 91016 to 888777.  We will continue to post updates throughout the day as the local fire conditions change.

Source: Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Restaurants To Get Grease Inspection; Police Awarded Grant; Scout Rehabs Picnic Area

In his weekly update ( http://goo.gl/52hLQQ ), City Manager Olive Chi reports that ...

- Following a letter to restaurant owners, Monrovia restaurants will get a visit to inspect how they dispose of fats, oils, and grease. When disposed of improperly, they clog sewer pipes. Chi writes that "the goal of these inspections is to educate businesses on the proper ways to dispose of fats, oils, and grease, and not to impose harsh penalties."

- The Monrovia Police Department was awarded a $193,171 Strengthening Law Enforcement and Community Relations Grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections. It was one of only ten agencies awarded this grant in California. Its purpose is to fund the police department's Achieving Community Trust program. ACT is aimed at strengthening law enforcement and community relations and building trust.

- Boy Scout Dylan Che from Boy Scout Troop 349 earned the rank of Eagle Scout by completing his Eagle Scout project in Canyon Park. "Through Dylan's efforts, we were able to rehabilitate a picnic area in Canyon Park. The Malcom Packer Mesa picnic area was in need of restoration from decomposing picnic benches and fallen dead pine trees."

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Evacuations Unlikely in Monrovia

Monrovia is reporting that "it is extremely unlikely that Monrovia will need to engage in any evacuation procedures tonight for any locations in the City." However, if winds kick up, all bets are off, so stay alert. Follow city updates here: http://goo.gl/wVtF9Z

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Burglar on Bike; Seats Stolen from Vehicle; Twice!; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 16-20. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Bicycle Theft / Possession of Burglary Tools / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
June 16 at 8:44 a.m., an officer responded to the report of a bicycle theft that just occurred in the 2100 block of S. Myrtle. The officer located the suspect on the bicycle and detained him. The suspect was also in possession of burglary tools, narcotics and drug paraphernalia. After investigation, the suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
June 16 at 9:06 a.m., the victim of a vehicle burglary called police to report his vehicle had been broken into and miscellaneous items were taken. The vehicle burglary occurred in the 100 block of Mauna Loa. The investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary
June 16 at 11:26 a.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 300 block of N. Alta Vista. The victim called to report her house alarm had been activated. She returned home and found the rear sliding door on the home had been smashed and the residence was ransacked. The loss could not be determined and the investigation is continuing.

Driving the Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
June 16 at 10:50 a.m., a driver on the 210 Freeway called to report a possible subject driving under the influence who exited at Huntington Drive. An officer located the vehicle in the 1800 block of S. Alta Vista and conducted field sobriety tests. The driver was arrested for DUI and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto Recovered
June 17 at 1:16 p.m., a private tow company was recovering an abandoned vehicle from a parking lot in the 2600 block of California. The driver of the tow truck called police to report the impound and it was discovered that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of the City of Hawthorne. Officers recovered the stolen vehicle and the victim was notified.

Grand Theft Auto
June 17 at 9:25 p.m., the victim parked his vehicle in a parking lot in the 3300 block of S. Peck and went inside a business. He returned to his vehicle three hours later and it was gone. The investigation is continuing.

Attempt residential burglary
June 17 at 9:25 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of W. Lime called police to report that someone had attempted to pry open the windows to his home while he was away from the location for less than an hour. No entry was made into the home and the investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
June 17 at 10:51 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 600 of W. Huntington. The victim called to report his vehicle had been broken into while he was inside a restaurant. The third row seats were taken from the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
June 18 at 8:11 a.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 600 block of W. Palm. The home is under construction. A construction worker left the location and returned the following morning to find someone had broken into the home. Tools and miscellaneous items were being stored inside the home during the construction, but no loss could be determined. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
June 18 at 8:34 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a hotel parking lot in the 900 block of W. Huntington Drive on the report of a vehicle burglary. The victim parked her vehicle in the parking lot overnight. When she returned the next morning, she found her third row seats had been stolen. The suspect forced entry into the vehicle through the rear hatch door, allowing the suspect to enter and take the seats. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
June 18 at 11:19 a.m., loss prevention from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain Avenue called police to report a burglary that had just occurred. A suspect entered the store and selected merchandise from a shelf, then approached the return desk and produced old receipts to return the merchandise for cash. Loss prevention followed the suspect while calling police, but lost sight of the suspect prior to police arrival. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
June 18 at 5:48 a.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 1700 block of Rosewood. The victim left his residence for approximately 20 minutes while he went to the grocery store. When he returned, he found his home had been broken into and miscellaneous items were stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
June 19 at 5:44 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 800 block of E. Olive. As he drove by the park, he observed graffiti on the building near the baseball field. Graffiti was spray painted in four separate places. The investigation continuing.

Vehicle Burglary – Suspect Arrested
June 19 at 9:20 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of W. Olive parked and locked her vehicle on the street in front of her house. The following morning, she went out to her car and saw a male suspect inside her vehicle, rummaging through it. The suspect made eye contact with the victim, then exited the vehicle. A neighbor also saw the suspect exiting the vehicle. The suspect began walking away and the victim yelled at him to stop, but he refused and left the area. The neighbor knew who the suspect was and identified him to the victim. The suspect had taken the victim's wallet, a pair of sunglasses, the valet key to the vehicle and some cash. The wallet was later found discarded in a park.

At 7:57 p.m. that evening, an officer saw the known suspect walking in the 400 block of E. Lemon. He detained the suspect and arrested him for the burglary without incident.

City of Monrovia Reaction to Fire

Photo courtesy of Jim Wigton.


Based on the most recent available reports, there are two separate brush fires currently burning in Los Angeles County near Monrovia, including the Reservoir Fire (in Azusa) & the Fish Fire (in Duarte).  The Reservoir Fire is estimated to be 1,200 acres in size and the Fish Fire is estimated to be 1,000 acres in size.

At this point in time, the fires are burning away from Monrovia.  However, City personnel have taken a series of fire prevention measures, including the following:

  • We have closed Canyon Park, Trask Boy Scout Camp, and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve.

  • At the Fire Department, we have called back an extra engine company to allow for advance firefighting preparatory work while also maintaining our normal service levels.

  • As we track the fire, we are also working to establish a fire break at the Rincon Ridge and Mt. Bliss Road.

  • We have made preparations at the Community Center in the event that we need to order evacuations in Monrovia.

We are monitoring the situation very closely, and it is important to emphasize that at this point in time, both the Reservoir Fire and the Fish Fire are burning away from Monrovia.  However, given the time of day, our personnel are monitoring wind patterns, and while we are hopeful that the fire will continue to push away from Monrovia, we are taking precautions in the event that the situation changes.  Furthermore, should the conditions change at all, the City has made plans to coordinate the activation of our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) later this evening.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Burning Rapidly Near Highway 39

It appears the fire visible to the east of Monrovia is along Highway 39, which goes up from Azusa into the mountains.

- Brad Haugaard

Saturn Tonight in Monrovia

Monrovia's Sidewalk Astronomers will be out tonight with their telescopes to show Jupiter, Mars and Saturn, and the moon. "Sunset is at about 8 p.m. so wander by our Sidewalk Astronomy corner -- Myrtle and Lime streets in Monrovia between 8 and 9:30 p.m. It should cool to about 79 or 80 degrees by sundown."

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Council: New Street Fair Operator; Increasing Speed Limits; Historic Homes; Etc.

At its June 21 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/qFozRd ), the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider approving a contract with Raw Inspiration to operate the Friday Night Family Street Fair until June 30, 2021.

~ Consider increasing speed limit on Madison Avenue between Foothill and Colorado from 25 to 30 mph, except, if I understand, keeping it 25 mph while school is in session. Also, increasing limit on Violet Avenue between Foothill and Colorado from 25 to 30 mph. http://goo.gl/2Pabql

~ Consider designating three homes as historic landmarks: 126 Poppy Ave., 805 S. Shamrock Ave., 177 Acacia Ave.

~ Consider approving contracts with various companies to do work on Monrovia Renewal, which involves replacing sewer and water lines, sidewalks, etc.

- Brad Haugaard

City To Consider Requiring Special Permission To Demolish House More Than 49 Years Old

There will be a special joint study session of the Monrovia City Council and Monrovia Historic Preservation Commission in the city's council chambers (415 S. Ivy) on Monday, June 20 at 7 p.m. to discuss old house preservation.

Staff is proposing that anyone who wants to demolish a home built 50 or more years ago (before 1967 currently) be required to get a special demolition permit, for which he would have to submit "a formal written historic building assessment prepared by a qualified historic preservation consultant."

After that, "The Assessment would be presented to the Historic Preservation Commission for their review."

Details: http://goo.gl/09jkGt

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at The Diplomat


Dinner at The Diplomat, on the north side of Lemon just a few doors east of Myrtle. Judging from the name it sounded kinda dress-up so I wore my best blue jeans, but I needn't have worried as it is quite casual.  Got the chicken kebab for $11 and a nice craft draft beer ($7), of which they have a good selection. Food was good. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Murder Suspect Arrested; Homeless Living in Rental Car ... For Too Long; Sexting Assault; Assault on Semi; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 13-15. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 419 service events, resulting in 91 investigations.

Transportation of a Controlled Substance / False Information to a Peace Officer / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
June 13 at 12:00 p.m., and officer on patrol observed a suspicious vehicle in the 500 block of Fano. When the driver saw the officer, he sped off and attempted to evade the officer. The officer temporarily lost sight of the vehicle, but eventually located it in 1300 block of Linda in Arcadia, as residents flagged the officer down and reported that the vehicle had pulled into their driveway. The officer contacted the driver and after the investigation was complete, the driver was arrested for an out-of-state warrant, providing false information to a peace officer, and transporting a controlled substance, which was located inside his vehicle during a consent search.

Bicycle Theft
June 13 at 1:35 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the report of a stolen bicycle in the 200 block of W. Cherry. The victim reported his blue, Kent bicycle with gold rims was stolen out of his backyard sometime between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery – Suspect Arrested
June 13 at 3:21 p.m., officers located a stolen vehicle in the 400 block of W. Foothill. The vehicle was parked in a business parking lot and was occupied by two suspects. The officers detained the suspects and the driver was arrested for grand theft auto.

Residential Burglary
June 13 at 8:56 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of Los Angeles on the report of a possible burglary in progress. A white Saturn or Nissan backed into the property and three male suspects with hoodies were seen loading items from the house into the vehicle. The property owner was not home and the suspects had fled the scene prior to police arrival. On arrival, police discovered a window was open, the screen had been cut and the backdoor was wide open. A search of the interior revealed the home had been burglarized. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto – Suspect Arrested
June 13 at 11:57 p.m., officers located a stolen rental vehicle in the 100 block of E. Lime Avenue in the parking lot north of the police station. An officer watched the vehicle from a distance to see if anyone returned to it. A female suspect eventually returned and entered the vehicle. She drove off and the officer stopped the vehicle in the 500 block of S. Myrtle, where the suspect was taken into custody. The suspect said she did not return the vehicle because she was currently homeless and was living out of it. She was arrested and taken into custody for grand theft auto.

Residential Burglary
June 14 at 7:08 a.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 1800 block of S. Tenth Avenue. The suspects entered the garage and then entered two vehicles inside. They ransacked the vehicles and stole cash and a garage door opener. The investigation is continuing.

Theft from a Vehicle
June 14 at 8:00 a.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 1600 block of Alamitas. The victim parked his vehicle overnight. When he went out to his vehicle in the morning, he found that it had been ransacked. An electronic tablet and a small amount of cash was stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Theft from a Vehicle
June 14 at 9:44 a.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 900 block of W. Duarte. The victim reported that his vehicle had been broken into while it was parked. An iPad and headphones that were left in the vehicle were stolen.The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
June 14 at 2:55 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Grand Avenue in response to an alarm activation. The resident had arrived home about the same time as the officers were arriving on scene. The glass to the rear door had been shattered. The house had been slightly ransacked. It was unknown if items were missing. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
June 14 at 5:18 p.m., loss prevention at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police regarding a theft that had just occurred. A male suspect was leaving the store with a stereo and he had not paid for it. Officers arrived on scene and saw store loss prevention personnel chasing the male suspect south on Mayflower. The officer stopped and detained the suspect. After investigation, he was arrested and taken into custody for the theft.

Identity Theft / Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Evading a Peace Officer – Suspects Arrested
June 15 at 12:10 p.m., officers responded to the report of a forgery in progress at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington Drive. When officers arrived, they saw the suspect vehicle back up and almost run over the loss prevention agent as he ordered repeatedly for the vehicle to stop. The suspect then fled and was involved in a short pursuit with a Monrovia motor officer. The female suspect was stopped and arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and evading an officer. A second suspect involved had fled the store on foot. He was located, detained and arrested for identity theft.

Assault – Suspect Arrested
June 15 at 8:35 p.m., a fight in progress was reported in the 800 block of W. Colorado. It was reported that someone in the fight was possibly stabbed. The suspect was seen fleeing the area on a bicycle. An officer arrived and detained the suspect. Further investigation revealed there was no stabbing. The suspect and victim know each other and the suspect had been texting sexual messages to the victim's girlfriend. The victim confronted the suspect to talk to him and during the conversation, the suspect punched the victim in the face and both started fighting. The suspect then pulled out a knife and attempted to stab the victim several times, but was not successful and the victim ran away. The suspect was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.

Vehicle Tampering – Suspect Arrested
June 15 at 10:51 p.m., police received a call reporting a disturbing subject in the 200 block of Railroad. The subject was banging on the side door of a semi-trailer truck. When the officer arrived, the suspect fled on foot, but fell and cut the palm of his hand. He was detained by the officer. Further investigation revealed a male and female were sleeping in the truck. The female was in the front seat and the male was in the sleeper section. The suspect approached the truck and began staring at the female subject. The suspect then climbed onto the back of the truck and disconnected the airlines. The suspect then started banging on the passenger door, telling the female to open the door. She called the police. The suspect was arrested for vehicle tampering and outstanding warrants for his arrest.

Murder Suspect Arrested
June 15 at 1:23 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 400 block of Hurstview when he attempted to contact a male subject. As he approached, the subject abruptly took off running and jumped a fence, heading south towards Euclid. The officer believed the subject was a known, possibly armed, gang member wanted for a murder that occurred in the City of Duarte. Officers quickly set up containment of the area. Temple Sheriff’s Department sent two units and Irwindale Police Department sent three units. The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter also responded to assist. The suspect was last seen running through the rear yard of a residence in the 500 block of Euclid. Officers searched the residence and found the murder suspect hiding in the backyard. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

Injury Traffic Collision/Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
June 15 at 3:31 a.m., officers responded to Fifth and Chestnut regarding a rollover traffic collision with a subject trapped inside. The driver tried to flee the scene and was being restrained by witnesses. The suspect driver appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Fire personnel were able to free the female passenger. Both the suspect driver and passenger were taken to a hospital for their injuries. The driver was charged with felony driving under the influence.

Finding Nemo Movie At Monrovia Library

Free screening of Finding Nemo movie, Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m. at Monrovia Public Library. Reserve free tickets at 205-4308 or email movie@monroviaproviders.org. Light refreshments and senior resources. Presented by Monrovia Providers Group, City of Monrovia, Foothills Resources for the Aging.

- Brad Haugaard

Celtic Woman star Chloƫ Agnew and Tenor Dermot Kiernan in Concert

"Ireland's Celtic Songbird" Chloƫ Agnew, a founding member of Celtic Women, and tenor Dermot Kiernan will perform in concert on Saturday, July 2, at 8 p.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Monrovia. Ticketsare $15 at ticketleap.com.

The artists will perform an evening of their favorite Irish tunes, along with light classical pieces and well-loved standards.

A performer since childhood, Chloƫ Agnew appeared in the PBS special Celtic Woman at age fourteen. The US response to the special led to a debut album that remained on the Billboard World Music Chart for 81 weeks. This and their second and third albums went on to hold the top three positions on the chart. Agnew was named 2012 Female Vocalist of the Year at the Irish Music Awards. In 2013, she moved to Los Angeles to launch a solo career. Her appearances have included touring internationally with some of America's most distinguished orchestras.

Dermot Kiernan has toured extensively with Dublin's Pro Cathedral and Christchurch Cathedral Choirs, appearing as a featured soloist for their recordings and concerts worldwide. In 2009, he joined The Celtic Woman Aontas Choir and toured with the production in the US, Australia, Japan and Europe. He was later named its choir leader/director. Kiernan holds Masters degrees from the National University of Ireland and The Sorbonne in Paris. Now based in Los Angeles, he performs, directs and teaches across the country.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Garden Club Celebrates 85th Birthday

The Monrovia Garden Club will celebrate its 85th birthday at its annual potluck dinner. The meeting, the last until fall, will be held on June 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church. Visitors are welcome. monroviagardenclub@hotmail.com

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia May Be Hit By Blackouts This Summer | Late Gas Bills | Brews & Books | Restrooms | West Side Story

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/YjnAkU ), City Manager Oliver Chi reported:

- Last week, Southern California Gas Company Edison told the City that because of restricted operations of the company's Southern California Gas Company's Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility, there is an increased risk that we will experience rotating blackouts this summer. City staff has corresponded with SCE to determine what measures, if any, can be taken to mitigate the potential of such rolling blackouts. Comment: Sorry 'bout that.

- Southern California Gas Company notified Monrovia that some residents may receive delayed bills. This means a bigger bill later.

- Brews and Books on June 23, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Station Square Promenade by the Metro Parking Structure. Open to adults 21 years and older with a valid ID. Sample lagers and ales from local brewer, Pacific Plate Brewing, and discover books written by the brew masters.

- The city has installed new restroom partitions at the city-owned Boys and Girl Club of the Foothills. Existing partitions in both the boys and girls restrooms were in need of replacement due to wear and tear.

- Taylor Performing Arts Center will be presenting West Side Story, opening on July 14, for 5 performances on July 14, July 15, July 16 and July 17, at 8 p.m. each day and also a 2 p.m performance on July 16. http://goo.gl/2JhO1w

- Brad Haugaard

Fourth of July in Monrovia

Monrovia's 4th of July Concert and Fireworks Show is scheduled to take place on Monday, July 4, in Library Park (321 S. Myrtle Ave.). Live Entertainment will begin at 7 p.m. with a performance by Person to Person. Following the concert, a free 20 minute Fireworks Show will begin at 9 p.m. That according to City Manager Oliver Chi.

He also says that spectators may reserve a park space no larger than 10 x 10 feet which must be supervised at all times. This event was made possible by sponsorships from Samuelson & Fetter, Monrovia Old Town Merchants, Wendy's Hamburgers, Diane Balsamo of Prime Lending, Larry Davis of Prime Lending, and the Sierra Family of Dealerships. The City will be once again encourage spectators to participate in the Patriotic Canopy Decorating Contest, where the most festive canopies will win prizes.

For additional information, please contact the Monrovia Department of Public Services at 256-8246.

- Brad Haugaard

Soulful Celebration Concert in Monrovia

The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company presents "A Soulful Celebration!" on June 25 at 7 p.m. at St. Luke Church. The concert will feature performances of classic soul hits by Michael Jackson, Etta James, Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, and Bill Withers, in addition to spirituals and gospel songs. The performance will be accompanied by a live band, will include guest soloists, and will include "Kids in Concert!" The evening will also include a silent auction fundraiser.

Tickets at the door are $20 ($15 seniors/students, $5 children under 12). Also at http://www.sgvccsingers.org or by check (SGVCC; P.O. Box 2225; Monrovia, CA 91017). Tax-deductible donations to SGVCC are accepted online and by check.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Adoption Day at Humane Society


The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, which serves Monrovia, will hold its third annual “Free Adoption Day” on June 23. Adoption fees will be waived for all available animals - dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, pocket pets and reptiles - for the entire day. The shelter, at 361 S. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena, will be open for adoptions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As the shelter fills to capacity during the warmer months, it is important to find new homes for pets as quickly as possible. This is especially true before Fourth of July, when animals are easily frightened by the loud booms and bursts of fireworks and may run away. The shelter hopes to free up as much kennel as possible to for the increased number of stray and lost pets arriving around the Fourth of July. The 2015 “Free Adoption Day” resulted in the adoption of 46 cats, 18 dogs, three rabbits and one iguana.

Regular adoption policies and screening apply. To expedite the adoption process, print an adoption application in advance on our website. If you rent, bring proof you are allowed to have a pet at your residence. Ample parking is available onsite. View all animals at the shelter at pasadenahumane.org/adopt.

- Brad Haugaard

Medical Fundraiser for Carmen Martinez | Free Football Camp

~ Fundraiser for medical expenses of Monrovia resident Carmen Martinez Friday, June 24, 6-8 p.m., at United Methodist Church (140 E. Palm). http://goo.gl/QCz0kr

~ Learn basic football skills from Wildcat coaches and players. Free camp for kids ages 6-14. Wednesday, June 29 at 5-6 p.m. at the Monrovia High Football Field. For registration information email Monroviafoobtall2016@gmail.com





Toasty Days! Record 107 Degrees Expected for Monrovia Monday

Toasty days coming. It is expected to reach 103 degrees on Sunday and 107 next Monday. Make a pitcher of lemonade! ( https://goo.gl/0qMTb8 )

The National Weather service says this is "potential record heat" and recommends: "Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid being outside during the warmest part of the day. If working outside...work with a buddy and take frequent breaks. Provide water and shelter for animals. Check on family... friends... neighbors and animals. Also remember to never ever leave children... pets and the elderly unattended in vehicles... even with the windows down." NWS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Marching Band & Color Guard Awards Banquet

On May 28 the Monrovia High School Marching Wildcats Band & Color Guard held its annual awards banquet to celebrate an outstanding year in youth music and performance at Embassy Suites Arcadia. Among the awards given that night, Director of Bands Daniel J. Magallanes presented the John Phillip Sousa and the Louis Armstrong awards, as well as a new award, The Jackie Farrow Memorial Scholarship.

- The Louis Armstrong award is a nationally recognized award presented to a graduating senior for dedication and excellence in jazz. Nathanial Young is this year's recipient.

- The John Phillip Sousa award is a nationally recognized award for students who exhibit superior musicianship and outstanding dedication in band. Joseph Garcia is this year's recipient.

- The Jackie Farrow Memorial Scholarship is a new award presented by the band booster board members to an exemplary graduating senior who has dedicated him- or herself to service to others in the band program. Emily O'Pray was awarded the scholarship.

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Graduates Record Number of Students

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, reports that its Class of 2016 is nearly 25 percent larger than that of the previous year and breaks a 100-year record for the total number of students receiving associate degrees.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Indecent Exposure; Pedestrian Hit; Another Bear; Not a Burglary, a Party; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 9-12. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Vehicle Burglary
June 9 at 7:31 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 2500 block of S. Peck Road. The victim parked and locked his vehicle on the street in front of his residence the evening prior. When he returned to his vehicle in the morning, he discovered the passenger window had been shattered. The suspect entered the vehicle and rummaged through the glovebox and center console. The victim did not know exactly what was taken, if anything. The investigation is continuing.

Indecent Exposure
June 9 at 12:30 p.m., a female victim reported an incident of indecent exposure that had just occurred at Mayflower and Walnut. The female victim was walking at Mayflower and Walnut when a faded, pale green, four-door SUV stopped next to her. The male driver asked for directions. As she approached the vehicle to give him directions, she saw he was exposing himself. She immediately turned and walked quickly back to her place of business. She had security call police to report the incident. The victim described the suspect as a male white in his late 30's to early 40's with dark brown hair, average build, a pointy nose, and wearing a dark colored t-shirt. The investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
June 9 at 7:45 p.m., officers responded to the report of an injury traffic collision at the intersection of Foothill and Canyon. Witnesses reported that a vehicle heading east on Foothill Boulevard ran a red light and struck a male, adult pedestrian in the crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained several breaks in his left leg, a broken nose and several lacerations. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Vehicle Burglary
June 10 at 10:22 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of N. Myrtle. The vehicle was broken into sometime overnight. There were no signs of forced entry. Miscellaneous items were taken. The investigation is continuing.

Bear Incident
June 10 at 10:29 a.m., a bear was reported in the 600 block of Hacienda going yard to yard. The Department of Fish and Wildlife responded, tranquilized the bear and took it back into the foothills, where it was released. The bear was a 200 pound female in good health that had not been tagged.

Trespassing – Subjects Advised
June 10 at 8:54 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residential burglary in progress in the 1100 block of Norumbega Drive. The reporting party was house sitting for the resident. When she arrived at the location, she saw the lights inside turn on and off. She then saw a male subject exit the front door and she called police. Officers responded and two male juveniles were located on the property with the assistance of the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter. Through investigation, officers discovered the residence had been listed on social media as having a house party. The homeowner was contacted and told that his teenage son had given permission to friends to have a party while he was on vacation. The owner refused to prosecute; all parties were advised.

Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
June 10 at 9:17 p.m., a fight in progress was reported in the 100 block of W. Foothill. Bike patrol officers arrived and located a subject matching the description of one of the reported subjects involved in the fight. While speaking with the subject, a female subject approached. Both subjects were extremely intoxicated and determined to be unable to care for themselves. Police were unable to substantiate that a fight had taken place. Both suspects were arrested for public intoxication and held for sobering.

Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested
June 10 at 9:15 p.m., a female victim called police to report that her estranged husband has been verbally threatening her. The victim showed the officers text messages she had recently received from him that threatened he was going to kill her and that she was about to die. Officers searched for the suspect at local locations and found his vehicle parked in the 600 block of E. Cypress. The suspect was inside the vehicle and was detained. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded firearm. The suspect was arrested for criminal threats and taken into custody.

Warrant – Suspects Arrested
June 10 at 9:30 p.m., two suspicious subjects were reportedly breaking into a vehicle in the 300 block of S. Myrtle. The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter was nearby and guided officers to the location of the suspicious subjects. The subjects were located inside their own vehicle and one of the subjects had a warrant for his arrest. No vehicle burglaries were located. The suspect was arrested for the warrant.

Vehicle Burglary
June 11 at 2:49 a.m., a vehicle with a shattered window was reported in the 700 block of W. Huntington Drive. Officers arrived and found the vehicle had been broken into and the contents were strewn about inside the vehicle. Officers were unable to locate the registered owner. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
June 11 at 3:25 a.m., a homeowner in the 400 block of E. Almond Avenue called police to report her residence had been burglarized. Police responded and found the interior of the residence had been ransacked. A small safe had been broken into and the contents were missing. The home was empty during the time of the burglary. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
June 11 at 9:45 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1800 block of Encino. The vehicle is a gray Toyota Camry and it was stolen from the driveway of the residence sometime overnight. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered – Suspect Arrested
June 11 at 8:33 p.m., officers located a reported stolen vehicle in a parking structure in the 100 block of W. Colorado. The vehicle was believed to be stolen by two subjects that have been committing vehicle burglaries in town. Officers watched the vehicle hoping the suspects would return. At 1:50 a.m., one of the suspects returned and attempted to drive the vehicle out of the parking structure. The vehicle was stopped by officers and the suspect was taken into custody. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
June 11 at 9:00 p.m., a resident in the 1800 block of Tenth Avenue called police to report his home had been burglarized while he and his family were out of the country. He indicated they have been gone for the past four months traveling. The rear window to a door was shattered and the home had been ransacked. A list is being compiled of the stolen property. The loss was extensive and the investigation is continuing.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
June 12 at 7:00 a.m., a caller reported suspicious subjects in the stairway of a parking structure in the 100 block of W. Colorado. When officers arrived, they saw a male adult drop a meth pipe on the ground. The suspect was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested for the charges and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
June 12 at 9:54 p.m., officers responded to the report of possible domestic abuse. They arrived and determined that there had been an argument between family members and the husband punched the wife in the face. He was arrested and an emergency protection order was obtained.

OSH Monrovia Store Having a Hiring Event

Orchard Supply Hardware will have a hiring event at its new Monrovia Store (700 W. Huntington) on June 16-17 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. The company is building a team for the store, which opens in late July, and wants cashiers, sales associates, receiving specialist, clerical support associates, assistant store manager, sales lead, front end lead and support team lead. Applicants must complete an online application prior to interview at: http://www.osh.com/hiring-event-monrovia . Available positions will be involved in setting up the store.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Lab Discovers Preventive Measure Against HIV

Researchers at Monrovia'S Oak Crest Institute of Science have demonstrated for the first time that two powerful antiretroviral drugs can provide complete protection against HIV. http://goo.gl/cKOC2V

- Brad Haugaard

Metro To Charge for Some Parking Spots at Monrovia Station

Metro is going to begin charging for some of the parking spots at the Monrovia train station, as well as at the Irwindale, Monrovia and Downtown Azusa stations. For $39 you get a monthly permit that allows you to park in designated spaces if you arrive between 4 and 10 a.m. Permits available on a first-come, first-served basis. http://goo.gl/wiKUcP

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Bridge Named Top Architectural Project

The Gold Line bridge over the 210 freeway has been named one of ArchDaily's top 100 architectural projects: http://goo.gl/IURfAJ

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Myrtle Tree Garden Cafe & Market


Had lunch yesterday at the new Myrtle Tree Garden Cafe & Market, on the west side of Myrtle just below Lime. Got a smoked salmon sandwich for $10 and an ice tea for $2.50. Very similar to its predecessor, Le Gourmand. Sandwich was tasty. 

- Brad Haugaard

Summer Enrichment for Students; Library Activities; Golden Streets

- Monrovia Schools Foundation is offering a Summer Enrichment program for K-12 students. Elementary and middle school classes $375 per course and the high school classes are $400 per course. Details: http://goo.gl/RHwSS0

- This June at Monrovia Library, actitities for children to adults (Highlights: children - Barks and Books, read to a dog; adult - Korean food, taste and learn): http://goo.gl/Mxsx6S

~ 626 Golden Streets. Sunday June 26, (626) Day! Free, family-friendly ciclovia opening streets to Walk, Run, Skate, Bike, Ride and Explore the 626! 17 miles of open streets linking 6 Gold Line Stations and 7 San Gabriel Valley cities. Comment: Wikipedia, ciclovia, "a Spanish term that means 'cycleway', either a permanent bike path or the closing of certain streets to automobiles for cyclists and pedestrians." http://goo.gl/nU3PTU

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Mountain Lion; Bean Bagging a Bear; Burglar Has Keyless Key; Swearing While Drunk; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 6-8. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 484 service events, resulting in 84 investigations.

Commercial Burglary
June 6 at 6:36 a.m., an employee at a business in the 3000 block of S. Peck Road called police to report a burglary. They opened up the business in the morning and discovered someone had cut their office alarm system, then cut a hole through a wall of their office trailer. The suspects rummaged through the office. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
June 6 at 6:39 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of N. Grand Avenue reported that three of his vehicles had been burglarized. The suspect entered by unknown means into all three locked vehicles and took miscellaneous items belonging to the victim. The investigation is continuing.

Mountain Lion Sighting
June 6 at 6:57 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of Monroe reported seeing a mountain lion in their backyard. When officers arrived, the mountain lion was gone. They checked the area, but could not locate the lion.

Vehicle Burglary
June 6 at 7:40 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of Scenic walked outside his home to go to work and discovered two of his vehicles and his neighbor’s vehicle had been burglarized. He parked his car the day before at approximately 3:00 p.m. He advised the officer that he definitely had locked his car, however, there was no sign of forced entry. Officers believe the suspect had some type of keyless entry device to overcome the lock. The suspect took miscellaneous items from the vehicles. The investigation is ongoing.

Shoplifing – Suspect Arrested
June 6 at 2:32 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington regarding a male adult who was being detained for shoplifting. The suspect had stolen miscellaneous clothing and had been detained outside the store with the stolen merchandise. Officers arrived, investigated and arrested the suspect.

Injury Traffic Collision
June 6 at 5:05 p.m., officers and Fire Department personnel were dispatched to an injury traffic collision that just occurred in the 200 block of N. Primrose. The investigation revealed the driver of a red vehicle traveling northbound at a high rate of speed lost control and swerved into a parked truck, then continued north on Primrose, leaving several feet of skid marks and crashing into an Edison light pole. Edison responded to repair the pole. The driver was charged with multiple vehicle code violations.

Driving Under the Influence/Evading a Police Officer – Suspect Arrested
June 7 at 12:11 a.m., a female adult called police to report that her purse had been stolen by a suspect who was driving a stolen vehicle in the 700 block of E. Huntington. She was following the suspect in her friend's vehicle. Officers responded and located the stolen vehicle near Huntington and Mount Olive. The driver failed to yield to officers. He eventually stopped near his residence in Duarte. The driver was found to be driving under the influence and was too impaired to drive a motor vehicle safely. He had taken the vehicle without his in-law's permission. The owner of the vehicle did not want to prosecute and the female victim’s purse was not found in the vehicle. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence and evading officers.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
June 7 at 2:10 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of Venice Avenue. A resident in the area called police to report a suspicious male subject walking around their street. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. As they were approaching, they saw the subject throw a methamphetamine pipe on the ground. The subject was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
June 7 at 6:41 p.m., loss prevention personnel at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report a theft. A male and female suspect entered the store and selected clothing merchandise. The suspects entered the dressing room, concealed merchandise on their person, and then left the store without paying. Loss prevention personnel were able to write down the license plate of the suspect vehicle. Officers located the vehicle at a residence in the City of Montebello and contacted the two suspects. The suspects admitted to the crime and the merchandise was recovered. The case will be presented to the District Attorney seeking theft charges against the suspects.

Bear Incident
June 8 at 10:08 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 900 block of Norumbega regarding the report of a large bear in a backyard. Officers arrived and deployed two beanbag rounds at the bear, which caused the bear to climb a tree in the yard. Officers advised residents to stay indoors and wait for the bear to come down. Officers received a second call hours later when the bear was in the yard again. They responded and were able to persuade the bear to go back up into the foothills.

Grand Theft Auto
June 8 at 2:30 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 800 block of W. Olive Avenue. The victim parked his vehicle across the street from his residence in the evening and went to bed. The victim awoke to the sound of his vehicle engine being started. He jumped out of bed, looked out the window and saw his vehicle being driven away. The investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
June 8 at 6:40 p.m., officers were sent to the 400 block of S. Myrtle regarding a disturbing female subject who was swearing at passersby. Officers contacted the subject and determined she was too intoxicated to care for herself. The suspect was arrested and held for a sobering period. She was later released with a citation to appear in court.

Vandalism
June 8 at 7:01 p.m., the caretaker of a church located in the 100 block of W. Palm came to the police station to report a vandalism. A suspect wrote graffiti on a staircase wall with a marker. The investigation is continuing.

False Information to a Peace Officer
June 8 at 9:57 p.m., officers were dispatched to the parking lot of a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain Avenue regarding three subjects who appeared to be selling merchandise from the trunk of a parked vehicle. Officers made contact with the subjects, but they denied selling items without a permit. During the investigation, one of the subjects could not produce any form of identification. He verbally provided false information to the officer in attempts to elude an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He admitted to lying to the officer and was arrested for providing false information to a peace officer and the outstanding warrant.

Monrovia Releases Bicycle Master Plan


Proposed Monrovia Bikeways: Green - bike and pedestrian paths; Blue - bike lanes on roads; Purple - markings indicating shared bike/vehicle roads; Orange - bike lanes physically separated from traffic. (Solid color indicates existing, dashed indicates proposed. Dashed lines on shaded background of same color indicates proposal is being studied.)

The City of Monrovia has released a 20-year bicycle master plan with a vision of encouraging walking, biking and the use of "other non-motorized devices," "especially as a means to connect with the new Metro Gold Line station."

Ideas:
  • Bike detection at actuated (not timed) traffic signals.
  • Maps and "wayfinding" assistance to show bicyclists the best way to get places.
  • Bike parking facilities. Racks, bike corrals, lockers and rooms.
  • Bike/pedestrian paths, bike lanes on roads, painted markers to indicate shared bike/vehicle lanes, bike lanes on roads but fully separated from vehicle traffic.

Here's the plan. See chapter 5 for details: http://goo.gl/vO0I4q

- Brad Haugaard


Monrovia's Boys & Girls Club, With Taco Bell, Honor High School Grads

On June 8, Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills will host an event in honor of the local high school club members who graduated in the Class of 2016. The celebration, at the Mary Wilcox Youth Center in Monrovia, was made possible through a grant from the Taco Bell Foundation. Festivities will include a DJ, Taco Bell catering, games, and special awards for 8th graders and graduating seniors.

"Our goal for every child who walks through our doors is that they stay on track to graduate from high school on time, prepared for higher education and a successful career," says John Wilson, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills. "We appreciate the Taco Bell Foundation for recognizing and celebrating our new grads and committing to our future ones through the Foundation's long-term support right here in Monrovia."

The grant to Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills is part of a partnership between the Taco Bell Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of America that is expected to raise $30 million to support more young people through high school graduation and beyond.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Area Partnership Celebrates Tenth Birthday

Monrovia Area Partnership is celebrating turning 10 this year with a Block Party and Movie Night on Saturday, July 9 at 6 p.m. in Julian Fisher Park.

MAP began in 2006 with city staff partnering with residents, businesses and local service organizations to build community by decreasing crime, blight, and resident apathy through civic engagement. The MAP kick-off was focused on MAP Area #1 where (at the time) there was a significant increase in crime, blight and apathy. In an effort to assess resident needs and gain trust, block parties, called "Hot Dogs, Hot Links and Hot Topics," were held in this neighborhood. The meetings allowed residents to safely and comfortably meet and get to know city staff and to interact with their neighbors again. Feedback from those block parties helped to form the MAP program into the citywide program and philosophy we have today of "Partnering Together for a Better Monrovia."

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Meetings On How To Elect Mayor; Preservation Meetings; No Swimming Etc.

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

- The city's Directly Elected Mayor Advisory Review Committee will hold public meetings to hear what people think about switching back to a rotating mayor. The meetings are:
June 9 at 7 p.m. in the Library Community Room; June 14 at 8 a.m. at the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce (620 S. Myrtle);
June 22 at 7 p.m. at the Wine of the Month Club (former Calvary Chapel) at 123 W. Pomona Ave. Chi writes that any change will have to be approved by a citywide vote.

- The City Council and Historic Preservation Committee will meet together June 20 at 7 p.m. In the Council Chambers to discuss possible changes to the historic preservation ordinances. 

- If you were looking forward to using the Monrovia High pool this summer, sorry. Delays. Plastering will not begin until June 20 and all the work is not expected to be completed until August.

- A franchise agreement with Raw Inspiration will be ready for City Council consideration at its June 21 meeting. 

- City staff has been touring other community centers in the area to get ideas for improving Monrovia's community center.

- The city is looking for a company to help update Monrovia's Park Master Plan.

- Monrovia Library is working with Mt. Sierra College on ARTPal, a program to introduce Monrovia K-12 student to art by matching them with Mt. Sierra students. The two will create a project and enter it in a contest. For more information, visit the Library or call 256-8274

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Truck Crunches Traffic Signal; Embezzlement;Shoplifting; Etc.

Monrovia Police activity for June 2-5. 

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
June 2 at 12:32 p.m., an officer responded to Fifth and Huntington regarding a hit and run traffic collision. A witness reported that an 18 wheeler truck turned the corner too sharp and knocked the signal down on the northwest corner, causing the traffic lights to malfunction. The truck did not stop for the collision. While the officer was investigating, the truck driver returned to the scene. The driver claimed he wanted to get something to eat before returning. The driver was issued a citation.
Fugitive Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 2 at 2:10 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Myrtle and Cherry when he saw a subject that he knew was wanted. The suspect had a federal fugitive warrant for his arrest. The suspect was in a vehicle with two other occupants. The officer confirmed there was a full extradition weapons warrant for the suspect’s arrest. He contacted the occupants in the vehicle. The suspect was arrested on the warrant and a female occupant in the vehicle was arrested for identity theft.

Embezzlement – Suspect Arrested
June 2 at 2:40 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding an employee being detained for embezzlement. The detained employee was a head cashier. The employee was processing fictitious customer return receipts and keeping the return money. The employee was arrested for embezzlement and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
June 3 at 12:16 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation in the area of Peck Road and Live Oak. When the officer contacted the driver, he noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle. Through investigation, the driver was determined to be driving under the influence. He was arrested and held for a sobering period. He was later released on a citation to appear in court.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
June 3 at 8:50 p.m., a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report a theft. The suspect shoplifted from the store and fled the area. After investigating the crime, officers checked the area and located the suspect. He admitted to the theft. Over $500 in stolen property was recovered and the suspect was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
June 4 at 1:00 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 500 block of W. Huntington when he observed a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road, traveling west in the eastbound lanes. He stopped the vehicle, and the investigation resulted in the driver's arrest for driving under the influence. The driver stated he had been drinking at home and had taken prescription medication. He was arrested and held for a sobering period. He was later released on a citation to appear in court.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
June 4 at 6:40 p.m., officers were dispatched to California and Walnut regarding a hit and run traffic collision. The suspect vehicle was traveling south on California and struck a parked vehicle and a tree. The suspect vehicle fled the scene. Officers located the suspect vehicle and interviewed the driver. The driver admitted to fleeing the scene. The case will be submitted to the District Attorney's office for filing consideration.

Fraud / Identity Theft – Suspects Arrested
June 4 at 8:54 p.m., staff from a hotel in the 1100 block of E. Huntington called police to report a subject that rented a room using a stolen credit card. The officers contacted the two occupants of the room and gained consent to search the room. The officers found stolen mail, stolen checks, and equipment used to alter and make access cards. The two suspects were arrested for mulitple charges of fraud and identity theft.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
June 5 at 12:48 a.m., officers responded to the police department lobby regarding a battery that had just occurred. The investigation revealed that the victim was involved in a dating relationship with the known suspect. The two had been involved in an argument and the suspect grabbed the victim by the arms and pulled her hair. Officers contacted the suspect at his residence and arrested him for domestic violence.

Grand Theft Auto – Suspect Arrested
June 5 at 8:42 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen in the 100 block of East Cherry. The victim resides in the same house as the suspect. The suspect took the vehicle without permission sometime during the night. The victim has never allowed the suspect to use his vehicle and he desired prosecution. Officers searched the area and found the suspect walking a block away. The vehicle was also located several blocks away parked on the street. The suspect denied having possession of the vehicle, but witnesses stated she gave them a ride that night in the stolen vehicle. The suspect was arrested for grand theft auto.

Vehicle Burglary
June 5 at 7:30 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 1300 block of S. Magnolia Avenue. Several items were stolen from inside the victim’s locked vehicle. There were no signs of forced entry, but a metal rod was located near the vehicle that could have been used to wedge the door open to gain access. The investigation is continuing.