Forest Service Asking for Comments on Proposed Changes to Forest Fees Near Monrovia

The U.S. Forest Service is asking for comments on its plan to reduce the area for which it collects fees in the nearby San Gabriel Canyon area ( http://goo.gl/aszjNd ) to just the more heavily used areas right along the roads that follow the east and west forks of the San Gabriel River. (You drive up Azusa Canyon to get there.) The slightly-shaded part of this map (click to enlarge) shows the old fee-collecting area; the deep green is the proposed fee-collecting area. (If you are interested in other parts of the mountains, details here: http://goo.gl/cGuROm )

Comment: Hmm. This seems like just a cosmetic change since the new fee area seems to include virtually all the driving and parking areas. So, how exactly do you get to the no-fee area without parking in the fee area?

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Food Distribution | Missing Pet Dog

~ Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center will hold a Christmas food distribution on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 9 a.m. to about 4 p.m. at the Arboretum in Arcadia, for approximately 1,300 low-income families, including more than 1,700 children, who are pre-registered with the center. Each family will take home a family-size food box with a meat and the makings for a traditional dinner. Families with children will also take home bags of unwrapped gifts specifically requested by their kids through the Center's Adopt an Angel program.

~ Have you seen this missing white German Shepherd? http://goo.gl/YPxe9t

- Brad Haugaard

What Is that Bunker Next to the Freeway?

The "bunker," outside and in. 

If you have driven on the south-side freeway-access road between Magnolia and Myrtle (Evergreen), you may have seen this bunker thingy. A couple of people have asked me what it is.

Well, Planning Division Manager writes that it is "a drainage structure being built to accommodate and infiltrate runoff from the freeway to meet the new storm-water requirements."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia House for Sale at About $5 Million | New Japanese Restaurant

~ Monrovia house for sale at almost $5 million. Looks pretty elegant. It even has a Japanese Teppanyaki Seafood Bar made in - no, not Japan - but ... Germany. http://goo.gl/n1egNs

~ New Japanese restaurant to open on Myrtle. http://goo.gl/fjPJeC

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Trustee Montgomery Becomes Citrus VP

At its annual reorganization meeting on Dec. 3, the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees voted in new Board. Trustee Joanne Montgomery, who represents Monrovia and portions of Duarte, will serve as board Vice President.

Source: Citrus press release

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Registration Starting

Students at Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, can begin viewing their Spring Semester 2014 registration appointment times starting Monday, Dec. 16, and enroll in classes as soon as Tuesday, Jan. 7.

New students must submit an online application to the college, which is available at www.citruscollege.edu/ar.

Classes begin Wednesday, Feb. 19. Saturday classes start Feb. 22.

The schedule of classes is available at www.citruscollege.edu.

- Brad Haugaard

Miracle on Myrtle and More Holiday Events

~ Tonight, Miracle on Myrtle, by Fellowship Monrovia church. Library Park at 5 p.m.

~ Holiday benefit for Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center. Tomorrow, Dec. 14, from 5–9 p.m. at The Lodge at Sierra Madre, 33 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Call 355–7801 for details.

~ Storytime at Monrovia Library, tomorrow, Dec. 14 from2–3 p.m. Good little boys and girls are invited to a special Christmas program filled with holiday stories, songs, short film, snacks and our traditional Bead Fusion craft ornament (younger children will need assistance with the craft). For ages 4 years to 5th grade.


- Brad Haugaard

Breakfast at LeRoy's


Breakfast at LeRoy's, on Huntington. I got two eggs with bacon and hash browns, $7.25, with coffee ($1.95). Plus tax and tip. Traditional American style food. They loaded me up with bacon. Come hungry. It's good.

-Brad Haugaard

Christmas Season Safety Tips from Monrovia Police

Tips from Monrovia Police on how to to keep your home safe during the Christmas season:

- 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 Honored as a 'Gold' City for Saving Energy

Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz wrote on Facebook that: "This afternoon the City of Monrovia was honored by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, Southern California Edison and The Gas Company by naming it a Gold city with the Energywise Partnership. Over the past few years we have saved over a million kilowatts in our city by becoming more energy efficient - that means we're saving $!"

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Mom - and Daughter in Stroller - Hit by Vehicle; Possession of Broad-Tip Marker; DUI; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 9-11. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 368 service events, resulting in 78 investigations.

Vehicle vs. Pedestrian Traffic Collision
December 9 at 8:55 a.m., a traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Myrtle and Foothill.  A mother was pushing her daughter in a stroller south on Myrtle, crossing Foothill, when a vehicle traveling south on Myrtle turned east onto Foothill and struck them.  Both were taken to a hospital, the mother for complaint of pain and the daughter for evaluation.

Hazmat Spill
December 9 at 11:13 p.m., police received a call of a possible hazmat spill at a business location in the 100 block of Railroad.  Monrovia police officers established a perimeter, while Monrovia fire personnel responded and conducted an assessment of the spill.  Approximately 300 employees were evaluated at the scene, with about 100 receiving triage, and 7 were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

Trespassing / Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer
December 10 at 1:17 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of East Walnut regarding a subject seen going into a residence, which was later determined to be a neighbor's residence.  Officers responded and contacted the subject who appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.  The subject resisted and struggled with officers as they attempted to detain him.  The subject was eventually taken into custody.  He said he entered the residence while the resident was away to get his computer.  The suspect was arrested for the above listed charges.

Minor in Possession of a Broad-tip Marker – Suspect Cited
December 10 at 7:29 p.m., two male juveniles were seen on the top level of a parking structure in the 100 block of West Colorado looking at the walls.  Officers arrived, questioned the subjects and discovered they were looking for a place to write graffiti.  One of the subjects was in possession of three broad-tip markers.  The juveniles were released to their parents.  The subject in possession of the markers received a citation to appear in court.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 11 at 12:30 a.m., a male subject was reported to have fallen asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle with the engine running at a gas station at Myrtle and Evergreen.  The vehicle was next to a gas pump with the hose still attached to the vehicle's gas tank.  When officers arrived, they discovered the male was heavily intoxicated and was determined to be DUI.  The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Monrovia City Council Agenda

At its Dec. 17 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will ...

- Hold a study session at 6 p.m. to take a look at the city's reserves, fees and charges. http://goo.gl/GLjlf0

- Have a light agenda (agenda: http://goo.gl/wJQJM8 )for the regular 7:30 p.m. meeting, mostly honoring community members and organizations, including: winners of the home decorating contest, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and Rebuilding Together, for their support of Make A Difference Day.

- Brad Haugaard

Alex Zucco Selected as New Monrovia School Board President | Final Tally on People Sickened from Food

~ Alex Zucco writes: "So excited and very honored to be have been elected Monrovia Board President for 2014...congratulations as well to our new Board VP, Ed Gililland, and our new Board Clerk, Rob Hammond."

~ The final tally on people affected by the problem of food contamination from food believed to have been sold at Trader Joe's (the chain is based in Monrovia) is 33 people sickened in four states, seven hospitalized. http://goo.gl/bMlFj3

- Brad Haugaard

Blimp over Monrovia | Old Town Decorations and Sing-Along


~ MetLife blimp over Monrovia this morning. (I think I need a telephoto lens.)

~ Photo of Old Town's decorated gateway. http://goo.gl/BH6BEk

~ A holiday sing-along tonight, Dec. 11, 7-8 p.m. in Old Town's Lemon Avenue courtyard. http://goo.gl/nxRYJi

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Party for Live-Alone Seniors at Monrovia Community Center

A Christmas party for live-alone seniors 60 and older, Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm. Free turkey dinner with prizes and entertainment. For transportation call Monrovia Transit (358-3538) the day before. RSVP to Bill at (818) 371-9302 by Dec. 16 to be entered in a drawing.

- Brad Haugaard

Eleven Were Hospitalized in Monrovia HazMat Event | Avoid Wasting Natural Gas | Christmas Wiring Tips

~ Eleven people went to the hospital as a result of the chemical fumes yesterday. http://goo.gl/ct0E2Z

~ Gas Company gives tips on how to avoid wasting gas during cold snap. http://goo.gl/VpyuJW

~ Some electrical safety tips for Christmas lighting from Southern California Edison. http://goo.gl/zuYzcV

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia HazMat Incident Caused by Chemical Reaction

As of now, the HazMat incident has stabilized and all emergency resources have been released.

A manufacturing company (Air Logistics) on Railroad Avenue was batch mixing three chemicals and at some point there was an adverse reaction causing the chemicals to heat up and off gas into the air. The chemicals were never unstable, but were superheated.

The chemicals identified were: Cyclo Aliphathic resin, Boron trifluoride, and Ancamine.

Symptoms from employees who reported feeling ill were chest pains, asthma, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Monrovia was able to avail itself of many of the local resources in the area including fire mutual aid, Health HazMat and AQMD and it is business as usual here.

Some pictures: http://goo.gl/dDjZCi

Source: City of Monrovia

- Brad Haugaard

More on Monrovia Hazardous Waste Spill

150 people have been sickened from a chemical spill near Railroad Ave. http://goo.gl/as2Se8

Hazmat investigating.

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Freeway Bridge is First Artist-Designed Transit Bridge

The Gold Line Construction Authority reports that, for California, the freeway bridge at Santa Anita Avenue is the first ever artist-designed transit bridge and the largest, single public art/transit infrastructure project.

- Brad Haugaard

Help Monrovia Area Vets

The Monrovia VFW (825 S. Magnolia) will hold a barbecue fundraiser dinner to help local homeless, elderly and needy vets, this Friday, Dec. 13 starting at 11 a.m. $10. RSVP to Brian Hanley at 234-0489. With radio host Bryan Suits of "The Dark Secret Place."

- Brad Haugaard
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