Christmas Eve Service at St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Christmas Eve service at St. Luke's Episcopal Church features the choir performing a 7:30 p.m. program of Anthems and Carols, including "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" by Ralph Vaughan Williams with baritone David Kress, who also performs with the Los Angeles Master Chorale. At 8 p.m. a Holy Eucharist featuring a lighthearted yuletide play about the keeper of the inn where Christ was born. 122 S. California at Foothill. Source: Press release
Citrus Ranks High in Preparing Students in Tech Jobs
Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has been ranked among the top 125 of 1,600 participating U.S. colleges and universities in preparing students for technology jobs. Victory Media, specializing in higher education and employment recruitment, named the school a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Jobs Approved College for 2015. Citrus is the only California community college on the list. The company ranked institutions based on public data and responses to questions concerning three indicators of success: STEM job alignment, STEM job placement, and diversity in STEM programs.
Source: Citrus press release
- Brad Haugaard
Source: Citrus press release
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Rain Report: Possible Flash Floods
The National Weather Service is again warning of possible flash floods below burn areas, such as in Monrovia: http://goo.gl/O7DeFZ . Also, the NWS says: Rainfall totals with this system from Thursday afternoon through Friday night are expected to range from 1 to 2 inches for coastal and valley locations and 2 to 4 inches across the foothills and mountains." http://goo.gl/YIYyjb
The prediction (at the moment) is 10% chance of rain this Thursday, Dec. 11, and 90% Friday. http://goo.gl/qHZq84
- Brad Haugaard
The prediction (at the moment) is 10% chance of rain this Thursday, Dec. 11, and 90% Friday. http://goo.gl/qHZq84
- Brad Haugaard
Christmas Lights in Monrovia
I saw this beautiful tree on Lemon just west of Magnolia.
- Brad Haugaard
Gold Line 80% Done; Art Tiles About Ready to Install at Monrovia Station
Cha-Rie Tang discusses the tiles that will be installed at the Monrovia station.
The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority reports that the historically-inspired tiles for the Monrovia Metro station should be ready to be installed at the Monrovia station in early 2015, as will the art for all the new Gold Line stations.
The 11.5-mile Foothill Gold Line from Pasadena to Azusa is now more than 80% complete. All 28 miles of light rail track are now installed; all 14 at-grade crossings are complete; and the project’s 24 bridge structures are finished. Last month, the final traction power substation was installed and all ten substations are being prepared for service. These substations convert the electricity provided by the local utility company into the type needed to power the Overhead Catenary System, which then delivers power to the trains.
Source: Press release
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Public Works Director Out - Is It About Halloween Costumes?
Public Works Director Carl Hassel is no longer working for Monrovia.
Yesterday I got an email from an anonymous and quite upset person who said he (or she - I don't know which) is a city employee. This person said Hassel has been let go because he "did not encourage Public Works Staff to compete in the City staff Halloween Costume Contest".
This is a personnel issue and by law the city is very limited in what it can say, but still I checked and confirmed that Hassel is no longer working for the city and Community Services Director Tina Cherry is now, as my anonymous source said, the acting public works director.
Here is what Human Resources and Risk Management Division Manager Danielle Tellez wrote back:
- Brad Haugaard
Yesterday I got an email from an anonymous and quite upset person who said he (or she - I don't know which) is a city employee. This person said Hassel has been let go because he "did not encourage Public Works Staff to compete in the City staff Halloween Costume Contest".
This is a personnel issue and by law the city is very limited in what it can say, but still I checked and confirmed that Hassel is no longer working for the city and Community Services Director Tina Cherry is now, as my anonymous source said, the acting public works director.
Here is what Human Resources and Risk Management Division Manager Danielle Tellez wrote back:
Mr. Hassel is no longer employed by the City of Monrovia as the Public Works Director effective Monday, December 8, 2014.UPDATE: City Manager Oliver Chi denies that a Halloween party had anything to do with it: http://goo.gl/Tvbytt
Ms. Tina Cherry was appointed to an interim position of Acting Public Works Director effective Tuesday, December 9, 2014. In the interim, all public works projects are proceeding without interruption. There will be no disruption in public services.
City staff was notified first thing the morning of Tuesday, December 9, 2014 of the staffing change. As you acknowledged below [in my email], this is a personnel matter and the City cannot comment on the reasons for separation.
- Brad Haugaard
Gold Line Construction Authority Now Testing Track
The test train that rolled in to Monrovia yesterday will continue on today from California Avenue in Monrovia to the San Gabriel River Bridge in Irwindale.
Over the next two weeks, the test train will be used to test clearances at stations and with the Overhead Catenary System (OCS), wheel/rail interface, rail switches, and more. This phase of testing will also include live wire testing of the OCS system within the segment of the line where power is now energized.
"This is just the beginning of several months of testing ahead that will ultimately test every aspect of the light rail line and its safety and communications systems," said Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority CEO Habib Balian. "We will continue testing from now until substantial completion next September, when we will be turning the line over to Metro for pre-revenue service."
Source: press release
- Brad Haugaard
Over the next two weeks, the test train will be used to test clearances at stations and with the Overhead Catenary System (OCS), wheel/rail interface, rail switches, and more. This phase of testing will also include live wire testing of the OCS system within the segment of the line where power is now energized.
"This is just the beginning of several months of testing ahead that will ultimately test every aspect of the light rail line and its safety and communications systems," said Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority CEO Habib Balian. "We will continue testing from now until substantial completion next September, when we will be turning the line over to Metro for pre-revenue service."
Source: press release
- Brad Haugaard
100% Chance of Rain | Robot Competition at Monrovia High | Brush Clearing Scam
~ Rain coming! 20% chance on Thursday; 100% chance of heavy rain on Friday; 20% chance on Saturday: http://goo.gl/12GO8M
Also, From National Weather Service: 2 to 4 inches across the Foothills and mountains between Thursday and Friday night. "Since this storm system has the potential for greater dynamics and instability...as compared to last week's system...rainfall rates around one half inch per hour will be possible with the front." Also, "Isolated thunderstorms...potentially producing localized rainfall rates in excess of one half inch per hour. Rainfall rates of this intensity could bring a threat of flash flooding along with mud and debris flows in and near recent burn areas. http://goo.gl/mlnquf
~ Robot competition at Monrovia High. http://goo.gl/vKZkJG
~ If a company comes to your door saying it is working on behalf of the Monrovia Fire Department to clear brush around your house, that's not true. Details: http://goo.gl/BMZE5Q
- Brad Haugaard
Also, From National Weather Service: 2 to 4 inches across the Foothills and mountains between Thursday and Friday night. "Since this storm system has the potential for greater dynamics and instability...as compared to last week's system...rainfall rates around one half inch per hour will be possible with the front." Also, "Isolated thunderstorms...potentially producing localized rainfall rates in excess of one half inch per hour. Rainfall rates of this intensity could bring a threat of flash flooding along with mud and debris flows in and near recent burn areas. http://goo.gl/mlnquf
~ Robot competition at Monrovia High. http://goo.gl/vKZkJG
~ If a company comes to your door saying it is working on behalf of the Monrovia Fire Department to clear brush around your house, that's not true. Details: http://goo.gl/BMZE5Q
- Brad Haugaard
First Train Comes into Monrovia on Gold Line Tracks
"At dawn, a light rail vehicle from Metro’s fleet entered into the Foothill Gold Line project jurisdiction for the first time. The vehicle, a $4 million AnsaldoBreda P2250 weighing over 100,000 pounds, was outfitted with specialized gear to test clearances, wheel/rail interface, rail switches, and the Overhead Catenary System. The testing will take place over the next two weeks between Arcadia and Irwindale and include live wire testing between California Ave in Monrovia and the San Gabriel River Bridge in Irwindale, where power is now energized."
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Door-Busting Burglary; Victim Recovers Stolen Bike; Fake ID; Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 4-7. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Residential Burglary – Suspect Arrested
December 4 at 6:30 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of West Duarte Road on the report of a burglary in progress. The suspect forced entry into the victim's home by kicking the front door open. The victim locked his bedroom door and went out to his balcony, where he immediately called the police from his cell phone. The suspect then kicked open the bedroom door and entered the bedroom closet to search through it, as the victim watched through the sliding glass door. Officers arrived and found the suspect in the victim's kitchen. The suspect was arrested for burglary and taken into custody.
Traffic Collision
December 4 at 11:59 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 400 block of South Magnolia. A driver crashed into a parked car and then fled the scene. The driver was found several blocks away and taken to a hospital for treatment. A blood sample was drawn to support a DUI investigation. No arrests were made pending the results of the blood test.
Warrant – Suspect Arrested
December 5 at 8:15 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 400 block of West Duarte Road when he observed a male subject he knew had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. A warrant check confirmed the subject had a $50,000.00 warrant for his arrest. The officer contacted the subject, confirmed the warrant and the subject was arrested.
Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
December 6 at 2:47 p.m., a business in the 600 block of West Huntington called police to report a male subject attempting to make a purchase using a fake California driver's license with one of their customer's names on it. Officers arrived and detained the suspect. He was positively identified by his true California driver's license. The suspect was arrested for fraud and commercial burglary.
Grand Theft
December 8 at 3:30 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of Oaks called police to report a grand theft. The resident woke to a loud noise coming from outside his residence. He went outside and found his garage door open. He looked in and saw his mountain bike was missing. He ran down his driveway and saw a male suspect riding away on his bike. The victim went after the suspect in his vehicle. The suspect saw he was being chased, jumped off the bike and fled through side yards. The victim recovered his property, returned home and called police. Officers responded and searched the area on foot and by vehicle, but the suspect was not located.
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Residential Burglary – Suspect Arrested
December 4 at 6:30 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of West Duarte Road on the report of a burglary in progress. The suspect forced entry into the victim's home by kicking the front door open. The victim locked his bedroom door and went out to his balcony, where he immediately called the police from his cell phone. The suspect then kicked open the bedroom door and entered the bedroom closet to search through it, as the victim watched through the sliding glass door. Officers arrived and found the suspect in the victim's kitchen. The suspect was arrested for burglary and taken into custody.
Traffic Collision
December 4 at 11:59 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 400 block of South Magnolia. A driver crashed into a parked car and then fled the scene. The driver was found several blocks away and taken to a hospital for treatment. A blood sample was drawn to support a DUI investigation. No arrests were made pending the results of the blood test.
Warrant – Suspect Arrested
December 5 at 8:15 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 400 block of West Duarte Road when he observed a male subject he knew had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. A warrant check confirmed the subject had a $50,000.00 warrant for his arrest. The officer contacted the subject, confirmed the warrant and the subject was arrested.
Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
December 6 at 2:47 p.m., a business in the 600 block of West Huntington called police to report a male subject attempting to make a purchase using a fake California driver's license with one of their customer's names on it. Officers arrived and detained the suspect. He was positively identified by his true California driver's license. The suspect was arrested for fraud and commercial burglary.
Grand Theft
December 8 at 3:30 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of Oaks called police to report a grand theft. The resident woke to a loud noise coming from outside his residence. He went outside and found his garage door open. He looked in and saw his mountain bike was missing. He ran down his driveway and saw a male suspect riding away on his bike. The victim went after the suspect in his vehicle. The suspect saw he was being chased, jumped off the bike and fled through side yards. The victim recovered his property, returned home and called police. Officers responded and searched the area on foot and by vehicle, but the suspect was not located.
Citrus College Fined for Violating Student's Free Speech
Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, will have to pay $110,000 to a student for violating his First Amendment right to free speech by telling him he could not collect signatures outside of the college's designated "free speech" zone. This is the second time Citrus has lost a free-speech zone lawsuit. The previous time it had to pay $24,500. http://goo.gl/1EH51K
Comment: Twice, Citrus? Are citizens' constitutional rights so dangerous that you are willing to repeatedly pay fines to restrict them?
- Brad Haugaard
Comment: Twice, Citrus? Are citizens' constitutional rights so dangerous that you are willing to repeatedly pay fines to restrict them?
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Schools: New Stagecraft Class; Finances Okay
At its Dec. 10 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/zvf8qA ) the Monrovia School Board will, among other things, consider ...
- offering a course in Stagecraft and Design to high school students. http://goo.gl/mp6z4X
- certifying, according to state law, that the district can meet its financial obligations for the current year and following two years. And, yup, the staff report says it can. http://goo.gl/7YJldA
- Brad Haugaard
- offering a course in Stagecraft and Design to high school students. http://goo.gl/mp6z4X
- certifying, according to state law, that the district can meet its financial obligations for the current year and following two years. And, yup, the staff report says it can. http://goo.gl/7YJldA
- Brad Haugaard
French Market Saturday
Dec. 6, the Monrovia French Market's Winter Wonderland Holiday Show - nearly 50 specialty vendors. 122 S. California Ave. http://goo.gl/rN3sBX
21 Bistro Being Acquired by Mooncat
Apparently the little restaurant, 21 Bistro, on the south side of Lime just east of Myrtle, is being acquired by the Japanese restaurant, Mooncat, which is right next-door. This sign is in the window. Comment: Too bad, I always liked 21 Bistro.
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Mooncat
Lunch at Mooncat, south side of Lime just east of Myrtle. Japanese food. Got the sushi and tempura bento box ($12) and an iced oolong tea ($3.50). Came with miso soup and rice. Very nice.
- Brad Haugaard
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