Forms Being Set for Freeway Bridge | Back-to-School | Monrovia Couple Celebrates 72 Years of Marriage




~ Forms being built for the 210 Gold Line bridge. Later this month, 600 cubic yards of concrete will be poured into these forms. http://goo.gl/SZmx1

~ If you'd like to contribute to Unity Center's back-to-school drive, here's what they need. http://goo.gl/JbVZC

~ A Monrovia couple is celebrating 72 years of marriage. http://goo.gl/EBwQu

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at London Gastropub



Lunch at London Gastropub, on Myrtle in Old Town, yesterday. Very nice ambiance and excellent food! I got a pulled pork panini sandwich and some sweet potato fries. Sandwich came with a nice salad. Everything was really delicious. Cost $9 for the sandwich, $4 for the fries and $2.50 for iced tea, plus tax and tip.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia to Consider Agreement with Employees: 3% Cost of Living Increase, Etc.

At its July 17, 7:30 p.m. meeting, the Monrovia City Council will consider, among other things (agenda here: http://goo.gl/2TyPZ ), adopting an agreement with the Monrovia Municipal Employees' Association for fiscal years 2012-2014.

The city report says that "compensation adjustments are [now] based solely on the City's ability to pay" and not on what other cities are paying.

Summary:

"The proposed two-year agreement provides for a 3% Cost of Living adjustment and reinstatement of the performance/longevity program. Additionally, MMEA members have agreed to pay an additional 5.5% of salary towards the cost of retirement benefits, resulting in a total contribution amount of 9.946%. These changes will take effect during the first year of the agreement. The second year of the agreement does not include any further adjustments to salary or benefits."

Source: http://goo.gl/2LsNA

- Brad Haugaard

Thunderstorm Possible | Suicide

~ Possible thunderstorms tonight in San Gabriel Valley. http://goo.gl/LPe0H

~ Teen suicide in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/aX4w7

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Cuts Energy, Saves Money - You Can, Too

The City of Monrovia reports that from 2010-2011, it saved more than $140,000 by cutting back its energy usage. "But the City only accounts for 5% of all of Monrovia's electrical use." http://goo.gl/RFPAq

If you'd like to pocket a little extra change, yourself, the city suggests:

- Turn off lights when not in use.
- Install motion-sensor lighting to light areas only when in use.
- Seal air and duct leaks.
- Insulate attics, walls and hot water pipes.
-  Use blinds, shades or curtains to repel heat.
- Replace older light bulbs with energy-efficient ones.
- Use drip irrigation or other water-conserving irrigation systems.
- Use a variable speed pool pump.

- Brad Haugaard

Mount Sierra Commencement | MOHPG Potluck | E-Waste Recycling

~ Commencement at Monrovia's Mount Sierra College. http://goo.gl/1qihN

~ Monrovia Old Homes Preservation Group will have its annual potluck dinner July 28, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Community Center (139 W. Palm). President Jim Wigton will give updates on the Aztec Hotel and Santa Fe depot. It's potluck, so if you want to come, bring a dish. If your last name starts with A-Ha, bring salad; He-Sa, main dish; Sc-Z, dessert.

~ Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. -3 p.m. July 28-29, Electronic waste recycling at Monrovia Park N Ride (corner of S. Myrtle and W. Pomona Avenues). Proof of California residency required. For more info call (909) 591-8408. (Thanks to Becky Shevlin for this)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Guard vs. Skateboarder, Battery on Buttocks, Under the Influence, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 9-11. - Brad Haugaard]
 
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 569 service events, resulting in 81 investigations.
 
Battery - Suspect Arrested
July 10 at 4:44 p.m., police were dispatched to a business in the 400 block of West Huntington regarding a battery incident.  A male adult subject walked past a female adult subject and intentionally brushed his hand on her buttocks.  The woman immediately called police, who responded and located the suspect.  Video surveillance of the business shows the suspect intentionally touch the victim.  He was arrested, booked and released on citation for misdemeanor battery.
 
Vandalism
July 10 at 5:18 p.m., a vandalism incident was reported in the 400 block of West Walnut.  Suspect(s) smashed two windows on a car, which was parked off an alley.  The windows of the vehicle were smashed, but there was no loss of property.  The female victim does not know why anyone would have vandalized her property.  Investigation continuing.
 
Petty Theft / Drunk in Public - Suspect Arrested
July 10 at 11:52 p.m., employees at a business in the 100 block of East Olive called police and reported that a suspect had just stolen a purse and ran out the door.  Two employees chased the suspect west on Olive and then south on Myrtle, where they detained him.  Officers arrived and arrested the suspect for petty theft of a purse and being drunk in public.
 
Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Vandalism - Suspect Arrested
July 11 at 7:06 a.m., dispatch received a call from a business in the 100 block of West Foothill reporting a male suspect attempting to assault a security guard.  Officers arrived and detained a male suspect who was holding a large wooden post in his hands.  The suspect refused to stop skateboarding in front of the business, where people were walking, and made threats to return and harm the security guard after he was told to leave the premises.  The suspect then walked to a city park, broke off a wooden tree support post and returned to confront the security guard.  He made attempts to intimidate the security guard by acting like he was going to strike him with the post.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody for assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism.
 
Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested
July 11 at 7:19 a.m., officers responded to the 800 block of West Olive regarding a subject who was acting odd and hearing voices.  Officers detained a known subject who has a history of drug use.  He was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance.  His family stated he had been up for most of the week.
 
Traffic Collision
July 11 at 5:09 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting a UPS vehicle striking a fire hydrant.  Officers responded and determined there were no injuries involved.  The Fire Department and Water Department were requested to assess the damage and handle the large amount of water streaming from the damaged hydrant.
 
Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested
On July 11, Special Enforcement Team officers observed a possible narcotics transaction and drug use in a park located in the 300 block of South Myrtle.  Officers detained a subject who was found to have a methamphetamine pipe in his possession.  He was arrested and charged with the offense. 
 
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
July 11 at 10:41 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at Myrtle and Camino Real and determined the driver was intoxicated.  He was arrested and taken into custody.

Monrovia's Fashion Cuts Gets Renovation

Old Town salon, Fashion Cuts, getting a renovation to reveal distinctive arched windows. http://goo.gl/oEgBU

- Brad Haugaard

Living With Monrovia's Wildlife

With local wildlife getting pretty bold (I just saw a bear the other day), Monrovia is offering some wisdom on living with wildlife:

~ Bear-resistant trash cans from Athens: http://goo.gl/HBFDR
~ Living with wildlife pamphlet: http://goo.gl/uQ067
~ Feeding wildlife (summary: Don't): http://goo.gl/0IDgd
~ Living with bears: http://goo.gl/7FpXN
~ Mountain lions: http://goo.gl/ob4KO
~ Other wildlife: http://goo.gl/ROvju

Opinion: Gonna need a pamphlet on peacocks pretty soon.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Drink at Starbucks This Friday

Get a free "tall" size "Refreshers" drink his Friday, noon to 3 p.m. at Starbucks (621 W. Huntington and in the Pavilions lot on Foothill). Starbucks says the new drinks are made with unroasted green coffee extract, fruit and fruit juices. No coffee taste. Opinion: I tried a sample today: It has a light, fruity taste. Nice.

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Meeting Tonight | Free Slurpees

~ The Gold Line Construction Authority will have a board meeting today at 7 p.m. at the Arcadia City Hall, Council Chambers, 240 W. Huntington Drive. Open to the public.

~ 7-Eleven is celebrating its birthday today and is handing out free Slurpees from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ( http://goo.gl/OCX3i ) There is a 7-Eleven at 400 W. Foothill Blvd. (at Alta Vista).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Cheryl Reynolds Wins Woman in Business Award

Cheryl Reynolds, of Monrovia's Santa Anita Family YMCA, has been selected as an Honnoree for the Thirteen Annual Women in Business Awards as the recipient of the Outstanding Non-Profit Employee Award. According to a Facebook posting by the Y, "This award highlights her significant professional accomplishments as well as her outstanding commitment to our community. The YMCA is so proud to have Cheryl as part of our team."

The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce adds that: "Each year, the Women in Business Awards honor local women whose exceptional abilities have contributed to the economic vitality and diversity of the 21st State Senate [Carol Liu] and 43rd [Mike Gatto] and 44th [Anthony Portantino] Assembly Districts."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council Accused of Violating Open Meeting Law

Monrovia City Council accused of violating California's open meeting law. http://goo.gl/WySur
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Parasoft in the Top 100

Monrovia's Parasoft Corporation, which helps organizations efficiently deliver defect-free software, has been named by SD Times as one of its 100 industry leaders in Quality Assurance and Security. http://goo.gl/Nkmsu

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia 'Pub Crawl' for the Arts

The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts is sponsoring a "Pub Crawl" on Saturday, July 28, 5-9p.m. You get a drink at Jake's, Sena, T Phillips, Rudy's, and London Gastropub for $35. Tickets here: http://goo.gl/Qw4aw

Opinion: Hmm. I think I'll pass. Five drinks and I'd need a cab ride home.

- Brad Haugaard
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