Celebrate New Playground at Monrovia's Grand Avenue Park

Celebration of the new playground at Grand Avenue Park, at Grand Avenue and Prospect Avenue, Saturday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. To noon. Music, games, snacks and fun. For more information contact Community Services at 256-8246
 
- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia's Salsas Taqueria Now Taqueria el Diablo



The former Salsas Tacqueria, at the corner of Myrtle and Olive, has become Taqueria el Diablo. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Native Plant Sale at Monrovia Library

Native California plants for sale in front of the Monrovia library, today until 2 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard 

Resume Workshop at Monrovia Library

Resume Workshop, Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to noon. Monrovia Library Community Room. Types of resume, make your resume stand out, transferrable skills, cover and follow-up letters. Contact Rebecca Elder at 256-8268 or relder@ci.monrovia.ca.us

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Defeats Don Lugo in Playoffs

Monrovia defeats Don Lugo in football in overtime play, 26-20. http://goo.gl/GEia0S

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council Will Consider Moratoriums on Home Demolition and Construction Permits

At its Nov. 18 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/7MnsQI ) the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

~ Establishing a 45-day moratorium "prohibiting the demolition or structural alteration of any main building on a property in the city constructed prior to January 1, 1940, while the City undertakes a comprehensive advanced planning process for the preservation of neighborhood character." http://goo.gl/o47Eyz

~ Establishing a 45-day moratorium "prohibiting the issuance of permits for the construction of new residential dwellings or specified substantial additions to residential dwellings and accessory structures, while the City undertakes a planning process to analyze techniques that can be implemented to preserve neighborhood character." The staff report says the logic of this is that: "Neighborhood character can be diminished each time a new dwelling is constructed to be significantly larger than other homes in the neighborhood." http://goo.gl/ifopbf

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Mikomi Japanese Restaurant


Lunch at Mikomi Japanese restaurant, just south of the theater on Myrtle. Busy at lunch time and nice atmosphere. Got the, ahem, Yo, Sexy Sexy roll ($12.95) and an iced tea ($2.50). Came with very nice miso soup. The roll has yellowtail, avocado and fried jalapeño. Not exactly authentic but if it tastes good I say phooey on authentic. Anyway, roll was very good, as was the food I snitched from the other plates at our table. Service good, too.

-Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Church Moves to Duarte

Calvary Chapel of Monrovia is now meeting in Duarte. The church had to move from its building at 123 W Pomona Ave. (next to the Chevron station on Myrtle on the south side of the freeway) to make way for development around the Gold Line station. It is now meeting at the Duarte Performing Arts Center at 1401 Highland Avenue in Duarte. http://goo.gl/OIjP4X

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Burglary Prevention Tips

Some tips from the Monrovia Police Department on how to prevent home burglaries:

  • Lock all of your doors and windows when you are not home. Leave any exterior lights on if they are not sensor activated.
  • Make sure that all side gates are locked and secured. 
  • If you have an alarm system, activate it, even if you will be away for just a few minutes.
  • If you have surveillance cameras affixed to the exterior of your property, make sure you periodically check them to ensure they are working properly.
  • Ensure that all of your hedges and or bushes are trimmed from the front of your residence so that your house is not concealed from the street. 
  • Never leave old newspapers, mail or door leaflets piled up on the front steps of your residence. 
  • Never leave valuables in plain view from the outside. 
  • If you have valuables, please secure them in either a safe or safe deposit box at your local bank. 
  • Always take an active role in getting to know your neighborhood. 
  • Keep your eyes open to suspicious activity in your neighborhood and always do your part as a good witness. Never attempt to stop a crime; always call 911. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Keep-Away Leads to Groin Kick; Shoplifter Comes Back Too Often; Doggie-Door Burglar; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Highlighted Activity for November 10-12 . - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 402 service events, During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 402 service events, resulting in 70 investigations.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested 
On November 11 at 1:51 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington on the report of a suspect that had just stolen merchandise. The suspect grabbed merchandise from the store and ran out the door without paying and continued running. Officers arrived in the area and he was quickly apprehended nearby. The property was recovered and the suspect was arrested.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested 
On November 11 at 3:55 p.m., officers were dispatched to a house in the 500 block of East Cypress regarding a disturbing the peace incident. When they arrived, they contacted a belligerent, intoxicated male who seemed to be the cause of the disturbance. A computer check revealed the subject had five outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken to jail, where he was housed until his court appearance.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested 
On November 11 at 4:16 p.m., a 45-year-old male suspect entered a business in the 500 block of West Huntington. He was recognized by store security for committing previous thefts at the location. Security watched him take items into a bathroom and come out without them. He had cut the security tags off the items inside the bathroom and concealed the items under his clothing; he then exited the store without paying. The suspect was stopped and arrested for shoplifting.

Residential Burglary 
On November 11 at 6:09 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 100 block of Mauna Loa Drive. The victims left their home at 7:30 a.m. with all windows and doors secured. They returned home at 5:30 p.m. and saw drawers, cabinets, and closets throughout the home had been ransacked. The sliding glass door in one of the bedrooms was ajar and the front door was closed, but now unlocked. Some plants used to cover a doggie door to the rear of the home were pulled away from the house and the panels covering the doggie door were removed. It appears the suspect(s) entered the home through the doggie door. The suspects took several pieces of jewelry, some cash, and other miscellaneous items. The investigation is continuing.

Daytime Residential Burglaries 
On November 12, three daytime residential burglaries were reported to police in the afternoon hours. The burglaries occurred in the 200 block of North Magnolia, the 200 block of McKinley Place, and the 400 block of Todd Lane. Entry was made through open windows and, in one case, through a door leading from an attached garage. All three houses were ransacked and small, high-value items were taken. The investigations are continuing.

Suspicious Circumstances / Warrant – Suspect Arrested 
On November 12 at 4:27 p.m., police received a call reporting two suspicious male subjects that were loitering near a red vehicle. The reporting party believed one of the male subjects was possibly reaching for a gun. Officers arrived and detained the subjects. The subjects were extremely uncooperative with police. One subject was determined to have a no-bail warrant for auto theft from Glendale Court. He was arrested and taken into custody without incident. No gun was located.

Vehicle Burglary 
On November 12 at 8:47 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business in the 700 block of East Huntington. The victim was in a gym working out when the suspect(s) gained entry through the driver-side door. Once inside, the suspect(s) took the victim's purse, cell phone, watch and credit cards. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested 
On November 12 at 11:00 p.m., police responded to a domestic violence incident in the 300 block of East Lime Avenue. A male and female who are in a dating relationship were involved in an argument. The male subject took the female subject’s cell phone. He held the phone over his head so she could not get it. She then kicked him in the groin and grabbed her phone. Once she had her phone, she took his phone from his pocket and threw it down on the ground, breaking the phone. Officers arrived and determined the female subject to be the aggressor; she was arrested. Both subjects signed refusal to prosecute forms.

Stolen Vehicle 
On November 13 at 2:41 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from a residence in the 400 block of West Palm. The victim’s wife was arriving home at about 2:00 a.m., and as she was pulling up, her husband's truck was pulling away from the curb. She called her husband to ask him why he was leaving for work so early and found he was still in bed. They reported the vehicle stolen to police and the investigation is continuing.

Fill a Monrovia Fire Truck with Toys

On Black Friday, Nov. 28, and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the Monrovia Fire Department will have a fire engine on Myrtle next to the Krikorian Theater for its "Spark of Love" toy drive. Stuff the engine with toys to help make a child's Christmas more enjoyable - and support local small businesses. For information call Firefighter Ernie Moreno at 256-8181. http://goo.gl/CjRwtE

Monrovia High Drama Presents The Crucible

Monrovia High's Wildcat Drama will present a play called The Crucible on Dec. 4, 5, and 6. Only 50 seats are available per night. http://goo.gl/KwpXWV

VFW Thanks Monrovia Community

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2070 thanks the members of the community who made donations or dropped by the Post to express their support for men and women in uniform on Veterans Day.

Among the notable donations:
 
- The Monrovia Garden Club dropped off six bouquets of flowers for decorations
 
- Leven Oaks delivered a large tray of cupcakes, as did the parishioners of First Lutheran Church
 
- And a local resident came by the Post Canteen (bar) in the evening, and bought drinks for every veteran in the place.

The Post thanks the entire community for its continuous support for those who stand (or stood) a watch in defense of this country.

Source: Robert Parry, VFW

- Brad Haugaard 

Diamondbacks Baseball Executive Buys House in Monrovia

Arizona Diamondbacks executive Tony La Russa buys a house in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/gOCI5p

- Brad Haugaard

Mudslide in North Monrovia



A leak in a 3/4-inch PVC pipe, part of a gardening system, let loose a small mudslide this morning on a spur of North Canyon Blvd. just north of Scenic Ave. That according to a fire official at the scene. 

- Brad Haugaard 
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