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Old Style Tiles Needed to Restore Destroyed Monrovia Fountain

The historic fountain structure at the corner of Lime and Myrtle that was destroyed by a car accident is about to be rebuilt, and while much of the stonework and timbers were saved and can be reused, many old roof tiles, like these, were broken. If you happen to have a lead on where these may be obtained, contact Monrovia Historic Preservation Group President Jim Wigton, at 599-8187.

Source: Monrovia Historic Preservation Group newsletter

- Brad Haugaard

Swap Produce at Monrovia's Library Park


Picture caption: June's Collard Greens

If you are interested in sharing locally grown food, then come check out the next Produce in the Park meet-up this Saturday, July 5, from 9 AM - 11 AM by the Mark Twain bench in Library Park (on the corner of Lime & Myrtle)! To find out more about us, visit our blog ( http://goo.gl/BDxL1U ) and join emailing list ( produceinthepark@gmail.com ). See you there!

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Curb Abuse; Men and Women Fighting; Hiker Safe; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 26-29. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Found Elderly Couple
On June 28 at 10:53 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of North Mountain regarding an elderly couple inside a truck continuously hitting and running over the curb with their vehicle for approximately 2 hours. Officers arrived and found an 87 and 85 year old married couple. The female believed she was in Oakland and the male did not know where he was. Their son was eventually located in Apple Valley however, could not drive to Monrovia to pick-up his parents. An officer drove the couple home and Adult Protective Services were notified.

Warrant – Suspect Arrest
On June 29 at 1:56 a.m., officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 1100 block of Royal Oaks, where a male was reportedly hitting a female in the complex's parking lot. When officers arrived they determined the two were cousins and had only been yelling at each other. A computer check revealed the male subject had an outstanding warrant. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
On June 29 at 2:28 a.m., officers responded to the rear parking lot located in the 300 block of South Myrtle regarding a male and female possibly fighting. When officers arrived, they found a male, who was so intoxicated he could hardly stand up. After investigating whether they had been fighting or not, it was determined they had not been. The male was arrested for being drunk in public.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On June 29 at 4:45 a.m., a silver car was stopped at Maple and Primrose for a traffic violation. The officer approached the driver and could smell alcohol on the driver's breath. Field sobriety tests were conducted and it was determined the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested.

Outside Assist /Missing Person - Located
On June 29 at 7:20 a.m., dispatch received a call regarding a missing 32 year old female who resides in Pasadena. The missing person told her family she was going hiking Saturday, June 28 at 8:00 a.m., in Monrovia with a co-worker. The family made a missing persons report with Pasadena Police Department when she didn’t return home and she wasn’t answering her cell phone. The missing person left home in her dark grey, Honda Accord. Monrovia Park Rangers were notified and a thorough search was conducted for the Honda, but it was not found. At 1:50 p.m. we received a call from the family stating the missing hiker was located, she was spending time with a friend and had left her cell phone in her vehicle.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-Up: Robbery – Suspect Sentenced
A twenty year old male who has been arrested numerous times for theft and other narcotics offenses was sentenced to five years in state prison this past week for a robbery he committed in May at the Pavilions market. This was a culmination of the collaborative effort of the patrol officers, loss prevention officers and the work of Detectives to finally get a habitual offender off the streets.

Wizard of Oz at Monrovia's Taylor Performing Arts Center



Professional performance of The Wizard Of Oz at the Taylor Performing Arts Center, a.k.a. Monrovia High auditorium, on July 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20. Details:http://goo.gl/FmQlfF 

- Brad Haugaard

New Newspaper Being Distributed on Monrovia


The Los Angeles Register, an offshoot of the Orange County Register, has begun distributing in Monrovia. Well, maybe other people have received it before now, but today they began throwing it on my front yard as a free intro. Has anyone else received it before now?
 
Rather bold to be starting a paper newspaper in a day when newspapers are fading, but interesting. It's "Local" section is, perhaps, local to LA County, but not particularly local to Monrovia. Also it's editorial page is more conservative than the Star-News or Los Angeles Times.
 
Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Starlight Express Chinese Food


Lunch at Starlight Express Chinese Food, in the Pavilions shopping area. Wasn't very hungry, so I got the Starbowl ($4.79),  a rice bowl with veggies and teriyaki chicken. Plus an iced tea for $1.39. Nice. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council Meeting: City Manager, Track Athletes, Plastic Bag Ban

At its meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/1v61Gq ) this coming Tuesday, July 1, the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Continue the process of getting a new city manager. That'll be in closed session before the regular meeting. http://goo.gl/1v61Gq

~ Recognize Monrovia High track athletes for their achievements at 2014 CIF Championships.

~ Vote again (a "second reading," which is sort of a confirmation vote) on the plastic grocery bag prohibition it adopted at the previous meeting.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: 600 Marijuana Plants Seized; Theft from Vehicles; Driving Drunk

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 23-25. - Brad Haugaard]

Comment: In reading these reports week after week, it amazes me how many people leave valuables in locked - and even unlocked - vehicles. That is really not a good idea. - Brad

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 418 service events, resulting in 78 investigations.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Non-Injury Hit & Run Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
On June 23 at 3:21 a.m., officers responded to the area of California and Huntington regarding a hit and run traffic collision. A silver truck collided into another vehicle that was stopped for a red light. The driver and passenger of the truck got out of the vehicle and ran. Both suspects were apprehended by the officers. The driver was intoxicated, so field sobriety tests were conducted. He was arrested and taken into custody. The passenger was also arrested for 2 warrants both for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
On June 23 at 6:45 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting a male subject holding a big stick, talking to himself in the area of Huntington and California. The subject was contacted and found to be in possession of uncapped hypodermic needles. He was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Vehicle Vandalism
On June 23 at 11:12 a.m., dispatch received a call from a resident in the 100 block of Encinitas regarding a vandalized vehicle. The resident reported that one of his vehicle tires was slashed sometime on Saturday and several flower pots were broken. No suspects were seen and the victim claims no one specific is suspected. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
On June 23 at 12:06 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of East Olive called to report a burglary. He parked his work truck in the driveway of his residence leaving the left driver side window down about 5 inches. An unknown suspect reached through the window, activated the garage opener and took a bag containing miscellaneous tools. A work lap top computer from inside an unlocked vehicle in the garage was also taken. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Vandalism
On June 24 at 7:42 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of South Myrtle regarding vandalism that occurred between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. A light fixture on the ceiling above the front door of the business had been pulled down and thrown on the ground. The investigation is continuing

Vehicle Burglary
On June 24 at 10:05 a.m., a passerby called to report broken glass on the ground from a car window in the 900 block of West Huntington. During his investigation, the officer discovered a witness who saw two male Hispanics in a grey sedan, break the window and take luggage from a Buick, and break a window on a Toyota. The investigation is continuing.

Possession for Sales of Concentrated Cannabis and Marijuana – Suspect Arrested
On June 24 at 12:59 p.m., an officer was conducting extra patrol in the area of California and Cherry when he observed a suspicious male seated in a vehicle. Upon approaching the vehicle he immediately smelled a pungent odor of fresh marijuana. During the course of his investigation, he discovered a large amount of concentrated cannabis and marijuana inside of the vehicle. Also discovered were approximately 25 individually packaged items of concentrated cannabis "wax," additional baggies of marijuana and a digital scale. The suspect was arrested for sales of concentrated cannabis and marijuana.

Theft from an Unlocked Vehicle
On June 25 at 8:27 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Lime regarding a theft investigation. The victim parked his vehicle in the parking lot of his complex at approximately 11:15 p.m., but left it unlocked. Upon returning the following morning discovered his iPod, three cell phones and some cash were missing. The investigation is continuing.

Cultivation of Marijuana / Sales / Grant Theft / Conspiracy – Suspects Arrested
On June 25 at 9:33 p.m., Monrovia Special Enforcement Team with the assistance of Los Angeles Inter-agency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force, served a search warrant in the 200 block of West Cypress. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of over 600 marijuana plants, 2 pounds of dried marijuana, 2 vehicles and US currency. Three male adults were arrested and charged for cultivation, sales, grand theft, and conspiracy. Charges will be sought with the Los Angeles District Attorney.

Pets and Fireworks - Keep Your Cats and Dogs Safe

The Pasadena Humane Society, which serves Monrovia, points out that cats and dogs generally don't enjoy Fourth of July fireworks. It recommends:

- Don't take pets to watch fireworks.
- Keep pets inside during fireworks. Playing a radio may help diffuse the sound of fireworks.
- Be certain that pets' ID tags and microchip are current.
- If a pet may become extremely agitated or stressed, consult a veterinarian and discuss sedatives or overnight boarding.
- If a pet runs away, search the shelter closest to home. Many shelters post photos of the animals that come into their facility on their website. PHS' website, www.pasadenahumane.org, is updated hourly. Post signs and visit nearby shelters for at least a month. Animals can run a long way when they are badly frightened.
- If a cat is lost, it may stay in hiding for days or weeks, so leave plenty of food and fresh water outside. (Pick it up at night so unwanted wild animals aren’t attracted.) Post signs and check local and neighboring shelters in person and online; a pet’s description may fit several animals in the shelter.

Source: PHS press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Canyon Park, Preserve, Closed July 3-5

Monrovia's Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve will be closed July 3-5 in anticipation of high fire danger. http://goo.gl/FpMZLb

- Brad Haugaard

When Will Monrovia Dog License Renewals Go Out?

A reader wonders what is happening with dog license renewals now that animal control has been transferred from the city to the Pasadena Humane Society: "Here it is June 23rd and nothing has been mailed out, at least we didn't get anything, about renewing our dog's license."

I asked Alexis Bakofsky, at the Monrovia City Hall. She responds:

"Pasadena Humane Society will be sending out the renewal for dog licenses. We don't have an exact date yet for the mailing, but residents can call PHS at (626) 792-7151. Or if they know they are due they can go there to pay or they can drop off a check or money order at the PD and PHS has an agent pick up payments once a week."

- Brad Haugaard

Kid Movies at Monrovia's Krikorian Theater

Movies for kids at the Krikorian, Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Details: http://goo.gl/cPpc6C

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Shooting; Drunk Driving; Carport Fire

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 19-22. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On June 21 at 2:10 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 400 block of East Cherry. During the stop it was determined the driver had been drinking. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the driver was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Structure Fire
On June 21 at 8:45 a.m., officers responded to a structure fire in the 800 block of West Duarte. A vehicle caught fire in the carport area of a large apartment complex. The vehicle fire lit the carport on fire which ultimately damaged 6 vehicles. The fire was handled by Monrovia Fire Department and the evacuations were completed by Monrovia Police Department patrol staff. No residential structures were involved and there were no injuries. Monrovia Fire Department is investigating the origin of the fire. No foul play is suspected.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On June 22 at 3:14 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Myrtle and Benrud. During the stop it was determined the driver had been drinking. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the driver was arrested for driving under the influence.

Shooting at a Inhabited Dwelling
On June 22 at 4:19 a.m., a resident called to report the sound of a single shot being fired in the 500 block of East Cherry. When officers arrived, they located a residence with a single gunshot hole through the front door. The round went through the door and struck a kitchen appliance. Nearby residents heard the gunshot, but could not determine where the shot came from. No one inside was injured.Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Possession of an Open Alcohol

Container / Suspended License – Suspect Arrested
On June 22 at 8:06 p.m., an officer observed a vehicle failing to stop for a red light in the area of Myrtle and Longden. The vehicle was stopped and it was apparent the driver had been drinking alcohol. Field sobriety tests were conducted. The driver was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of an open alcohol container in the vehicle and driving with a suspended license. The suspect’s license was suspended due to two previous driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Register for Monrovia MAP Conference

Registration is now OPEN for the 5th Annual MAP Neighborhood Conference, hosted by the City of Monrovia Neighborhood Services Division. The Conference will be held Saturday, August 9, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Monrovia High School Event Center, 845 W. Colorado Blvd. (enter on Madison Ave).

This popular, annual event is open to residents in and out of Monrovia, and participants are encouraged to register early. At the Conference, participants will enjoy free food, entertainment, workshops and small group discussions with other residents, community leaders, city staff and local officials. This event is free, fun and a great way for Monrovia and area residents to learn more about getting involved in the community.

The Conference includes workshops such as: - Resume Builder - The Shaping of Station Square - Taking PLAY Seriously - Immigration Outlook - Therapy Dogs - Save Money, Save the Earth and more

To find out more or register for the Conference, visit www.cityofmonrovia.org, call (626) 932-5563 or e-mail map@ci.monrovia.ca.us

Those interested in the event can register for classes by visiting www.cityofmonrovia.org, Monrovia City Hall, Community Center, or the Monrovia Public Library. For more information, you can also call Neighborhood Services Staff at 932-5563.

Source: Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Xpress Car Wash Now Open in Monrovia


The Xpress car wash is now open in Monrovia. It's on Huntington almost across from Target.

- Brad Haugaard

Art Walk in Old Monrovia

Art Walk - art and music - sponsored by Monrovia Association of Fine Arts. June 29, July 27, and August 31, 7-10 p.m. on Myrtle in Old Town. http://goo.gl/yPt1h4

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Segil Fine Art Gallery Moving to Washington

Laura Segil, owner of Monrovia's Segil Fine Art painting gallery, has announced she and her husband are moving with their gallery to Port Angeles, Washington. She writes:

"Thank you for 10 wonderful years on Lime Avenue in Monrovia! You have helped us grow and become a successful art gallery during some challenging economic times. Now, it's time for a change and we are making it in a big way! My husband, Bill and I have purchased a gorgeous Victorian Bed and Breakfast in Port Angeles, Washington on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula named Sea Cliff Gardens and the gallery will be part of the B&B."

Comment: Monrovia's loss. I've been there many times to enjoy the really excellent paintings by local artists. But I also compared them with my own paintings, and, well, I often joked that I had come in the gallery to be discouraged. Definitely kept me humble. Bon voyage!

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia Coffee Shop Planned on Myrtle

A new coffee shop, called Eureka Coffee Lounge, is planning to open at 415 S. Myrtle. That's a door or two down from Sena, on the west side of the street. I wandered by today and it looks as if it may be some time before opening. http://goo.gl/Tw14he

- Brad Haugaard

Dog Care Class at Monrovia Library Park

4th of July is loud and scary for pets! It's the day/night of the year when a lot of pets are so frightened, they bolt.

Romping Dogs Dog Training and Two Dogs Petsitting have gathered local pet care experts for the first ever Pet Safety Fair in Monrovia!

Bring your well-behaved pets (no lunging, excessive barking, growling allowed) and have Family Dog and Cat Hospital, Pasadena Humane Society, or Best Friends Animal Hospital scan them for their microchip. Best Friends is also offering low cost microchips on site!

Learn how to handle basic pet emergencies from Denise Fleck of Sunny Dog Inc. Learn about car ride safety and travel safety from Two Dogs Petsitting! Romping Dogs Dog Training will teach you how to teach your dog what to do when emergency personnel come to the house or during a house fire or fireworks. The Dog Zone will have Thundershirts and Kongs to assist in keeping your dog calm and occupied during fireworks displays. Wonder Dog Ranch can tell you all about their Fireworks Camp at their boarding facility for the dogs who need to be out of the home on 4th of July!

Lots of vendors, dog games/contests, and plenty of pet experts on hand to answer any and all pet safety questions! Let's work together to keep our community pets healthy and safe :-)

All proceeds will benefit the Emma Zen Foundation. EZF donates pet oxygen masks to first responders all over the world!

If you'd like to be a vendor or donate to our raffles, there's still time. Contact info@petsafetyfair.org and check out the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/petsafetyfairs

Admission is free! The event is at Library Park (fountain side) from 10am-1pm on Sunday, June 29. Pet safety talks by local experts will be from 11am-12pm

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Fighters Extinguish Blaze on Duarte Road | Monrovia's Gillespie Athlete of Year

~ Monrovia firefighters extinguish a multi-vehicle blaze in a parking area on Duarte Road. http://goo.gl/38ZYRB

~ Monrovia's Cravon Gillespie is field athlete of the year. Also, Mike Knowles and Randy Hare, coaches of the year. http://goo.gl/haZG06

- Brad Haugaard