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Monrovia Band and Colorguard Win | Collection for Philippines | Christmas Light Exchange

~ The Monrovia High Wildcats Band and Colorguard reports on Facebook that "with the best band score in Monrovia history, the Marching Wildcats win 1st place in division 2A Band, Color Guard, and Drum Line at the Savanna Field Tournament. - at Savanna Field Tournament." Here's a Facebook video: http://goo.gl/Ccsb9z

~ Today, First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia will collect an offering for the Philippines and the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Source: Facebook posting.

~  At the Monrovia Street Fair on Nov. 22, the San Gabriel Valley Energy Wise Partnership will offer SCE customers a new ultra-efficient light string in exchange for an old incandescent Christmas light string.  Bring your SCE bill to show eligibility.  Each qualifying customer can exchange one string of lights per household, while supplies last. http://goo.gl/DTZXvl

- Brad Haugaard

Old-Toy Buyers Coming to Monrovia

If you have old toys (mid 1970s or earlier) that you would like to have priced, or possibly sell, there will be a toy-collectors gathering at the Courtyard Marriott at 700 W. Huntington Drive on Nov. 20 and 21, Wednesday and Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission and parking. Call 561 628-1990 for questions about the kinds of toys they are looking for. Source: Ad in Saturday Star-News.

- Brad Haugaard

Obamacare: What Monrovia's Congress Members Have Said About It

In light of the national discussion about the rollout of Obamacare (aka the Affordable Care Act), I thought I'd go back and see what our two members of Congress have had to say about it over the past few years by reviewing their press releases.

Neither Congress member representing Monrovia has issued a press release about Obamacare since the roll-out, and, interestingly, I cannot find any press releases on the topic at all from Grace Napolitano (D) - who represents most of Monrovia, south of Hillcrest/Grand/E. Greystone. In terms of press releases, at least, she seems to have been silent on the matter.

On the other hand, Judy Chu (D) - who represents the top slice of Monrovia - north of Hillcrest/Grand/E. Greystone - has had a lot to say.

On the critical side, she said she would have preferred Obamacare have "a stronger government plan with the power to better negotiate rates and help keep overall premiums down" and "I am also disappointed that under H.R. 3962, legal immigrants will still have to wait five years before being able to access Medicaid or Medicare benefits." http://goo.gl/f1B7RW

But Chu was mostly enthusiastic about Obamacare. Following the House passage of the bill she predicted: "I am confident that when the president signs this bill into law, and its effects begin to immediately be felt across the nation, even those who have vehemently opposed this bill will realize what hundreds of my constituents who have spoken out at town halls in my district already know: that this bill is a win-win for our seniors, for our families, for our doctors and for America.

"With today's House vote, we are just a few steps away from changing our health care system for the better and ensuring that America treats its people with the respect, dignity and compassion they deserve." http://goo.gl/GPw5z8

And, in another press release, she predicted that Obamacare "will provide coverage to 32 million more Americans, prevent insurance companies from discriminating against or dropping coverage for patients with catastrophic illness or preexisting conditions, and reduce the federal deficit by $138 billion over the next 10 years and $1.2 trillion the following 10 years." http://goo.gl/1lFcDe

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Walks Over Sierra Canyon | Photo Winner

~ Monrovia Rolls Over Sierra Canyon, 62-10, in the first round of the CIF-SS Mid-Valley Division. http://goo.gl/6Y44Mw

~ Monrovia resident Pajitno Hadinata received an honorable mention for this travel photo: http://goo.gl/yMfDQL

- Brad Haugaard

Broken Ankle in Monrovia Hit-and-Run | Tiles for Monrovia Train Station

~ Monrovian suffers broken ankle in hit-and-run Thursday night. http://goo.gl/UPXSoV

~ Monrovia train station artist Cha-Rie Tang visited the historic Santa Fe depot this week to collect molds of old tiles from inside the building. These tile samples, along with many other samples collected by Cha-Rie from around the community, will be featured in the design of the future Gold Line station in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/gicTVJ

- Brad Haugaard

Free Memory Screening at Monrovia Library - Don't Forget!

At 11 a.m. on Tuesday Nov. 19, the non-profit organization Family Peace will hold a free and confidential Memory Screening in Monrovia Community Center's Iris Room in honor of Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. Contact Rebecca Romero (626-256-8232) for an appointment.

- Brad Haugaard

Pavilions Center Changes Signs


The Pavilions shopping center is changing its business signs. New style on the left, old on the right.

- Brad Haugaard

Chu Introduces Bill to Overrule State Regulations on Abortion

Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents the top edge of Monrovia (from Hillcrest/Grand/E. Greystone north), has helped introduce a bill that would overrule "restrictive regulations and laws - such as those in place in states including Texas and Wisconsin" on abortions. http://goo.gl/vddsdb

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Subway


Lunch at Subway, in the Pavilions shopping area. Got a six-inch club sandwich on wheat bread ($6.95) and a small iced tea ($1.50). Plus tax. Subs are always good for a quick lunch. 

- Brad Haugaard

California and Duarte Intersection Closed Tomorrow

The California Ave. and Duarte Rd. intersection will be closed tomorrow, Nov, 16, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to allow crews to reconfigure the traffic lanes and re-stripe the road. California Ave. south of Duarte Road will remain closed through early-February 2014.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Seminar in Monrovia on Keeping Teens Safe on Facebook

Assemblymember Chris Holden is teaming up with Facebook and Assemblymembers Ed Chau and Roger Hernández for a free seminar called, "How to Keep Teens Safe on Facebook," Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. at Mt. Sierra College Auditorium, 101 E. Huntington Drive, Monrovia. Facebook recently changed its privacy settings to allow teens more access. Parents, teens and community members will learn about reporting tools, new privacy settings and bullying prevention.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Quest for a Four-Peat Championship | World Vision Supplies Arrive in Cebu

~ In a relief operation by Monrovia-based World Vision, four trucks hauled 25 tons of supplies into remote villages in the hills of Tabugon Municipality, on the island of Cebu, the Philippines. http://goo.gl/doHIwY

~ Tonight, Monrovia begins its quest for a four-peat championship. Playing Sierra Canyon at 7 p.m. at Monrovia High. http://goo.gl/TP4W8U

- Brad Haugaard

Santa Coming to Monrovia: Schedule

Santa will be touring Monrovia, Dec. 16-20, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Fire Station 101. Schedule:

- Monday, Dec. 16: South of Huntington, west of Myrtle, to Fifth Ave. on the west and south city border. Also, Valley Circle.

- Tuesday, Dec. 17: East of Myrtle, north of Foothill.

- Wednesday, Dec. 18: West of Myrtle, north of Foothill.

- Thursday, Dec. 19: East of Myrtle, south of Foothill, north of Duarte Road, to east city border.

- Friday, Dec. 20: West of Myrtle, south of Foothill, north of Huntington, to Fifth Ave.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Public Hearing on Landmark Status for Alta Vista Property

At its Nov. 19 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/KooVZC ) the Monrovia City Council will hold a public hearing about whether to grant Historic Landmark status for the property at 505 N. Alta Vista Ave.

- Brad Haugaard

Partial Opening of California and Duarte Intersection by Mid November


The northern half of the intersection of California Avenue and Duarte Road will be accessible by mid November. The whole intersection will open by early February. In other words, California Avenue will be blocked off on the south side of the intersection.

Source: Metro Gold Line Construction Authority

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Friends Fight with Knives; Drugs; Vehicle Burglaries

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 11-13. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 434 service events, resulting in 76 investigations.

Vehicle Burglary
November 11 at 9:36 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 100 block of McKinley.  Sometime during the night, the victim's locked vehicle was broken into and burglarized.  The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
November 11 at 9:48 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 800 block of West Foothill. During the evening, the victim's locked vehicle was broken into but nothing appeared to have been stolen.  The investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
November 11 at 10:28 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of West Palm regarding a subject possibly under the influence of drugs.  The officers contacted the subject at his home and determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance.  The subject consented to a search of his room and a small quantity of heroin was found.  The subject was arrested for possession and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Violation of Court Order / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested
November 11 at 11:02 a.m., a caller reported a subject that was causing a disturbance at a business in the 100 block of West Foothill.  When the officer arrived, he saw the subject near a fast food restaurant and knew the he possibly had a restraining order against him.  Dispatch checked the subject's name and confirmed there was a restraining order against the suspect being at the shopping center.

An officer arrived and approached the subject to detain him for violating the restraining order and he immediately ran from the officer.  A foot pursuit ensued, but patrol officers apprehended the suspect about three blocks away.  The suspect was arrested for violating a court order and resisting arrest.

Stolen Vehicle
November 11 at 5:55 p.m., a motorcycle was reported stolen from the 700 block of South Myrtle.  The victim's BMW motorcycle was taken from his apartment building parking structure.  The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglaries
November 11, three vehicle burglaries were reported in the early evening hours.  The burglaries occurred in the 100 block of North Mayflower, 100 block of North Primrose, and the area of Eldorado and Fifth.

While officers were investigating the vehicle burglary in the 100 block of North Mayflower, dispatch received a call from a resident in the 400 block of Concord reporting a male subject hiding under the caller’s vehicle.  Officers responded and detained the subject.  The investigation is continuing.

Receiving Stolen Property / Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Suspects Arrested
November 12 at 11:37 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting two male subjects preparing to fight in the 400 block of East Foothill.  One of the suspects possibly had a knife.  Officers responded to the location and detained two suspects.  Through investigation, they learned the subjects were friends.  One of the subjects, the suspect, had burglarized the other one’s home, taking property from the home in the 200 block of Valle Vista.  The victim of the burglary suspected his friend.  The victim confronted the suspect with a knife at his home.  The suspect ran, taking a backpack with him; the victim chased the suspect and a fight ensued in the 400 block of East Foothill.

The suspect sustained a 4-inch cut on his upper arm.  He was found to have heroin, methamphetamine, and all of the stolen property in his backpack.  Paramedics responded to the scene and treated the suspect for his injury.  The suspect was arrested for possession of heroin, methamphetamine and possession of stolen property.  The friend/victim in this case was arrested for assaulting the suspect with a knife.  The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia Company Going Public

Monrovia based Xencor, a biotech firm, is planning to become a publicly traded company with an initial public offering. It plans to raise $75 million. It has recently increased the number of shares it is offering and has lowered the opening price. http://goo.gl/rDmZeQ

- Brad Haugaard

Harvest Lunch Sunday at Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church

Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church will hold a potluck Harvest Lunch this Sunday (Nov. 17) after the church service, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. "Bring your favorite soup, chili, or fall dish to share." There will be a corn toss and photo booth. http://goo.gl/vebzHM

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Swordman Goes for Burglar | Cruise Line Helps With Philippines Relief | Elise McCarthy Plans to Play for Northridge

~ Monrovian goes after burglar with a sword. http://goo.gl/awTBbY

~ Royal Caribbean Cruises has pledged to $250,000 to support World Vision's relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. World Vision's operations headquarters in in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/5OayHj

~ Elise McCarthy, sister of former Monrovia defensive tackle, Ellis, has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Cal State Northridge. http://goo.gl/vlYZvE

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library Honors Volunteers


Monrovia Library is honoring volunteers Maria Legg and Niki Latsko for creating "order out of record-keeping chaos." They tackle special collections, are active on the Volunteer Management Team that oversees volunteer operations and recognition events. Maria also serves as a tutor for our Literacy Services Department - all this after her full-time job is done for the day. Both Niki and Maria are active in the community and attend Commission meetings, City Council meetings, and a host of events. "Thank you Niki and Maria, for making the Library your pet project."

Source: Monrovia Library Facebook post

- Brad Haugaard