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Produce in the Park Saturday

Produce in the Park this Saturday, August 2, 9-11 a.m. in Library Park, at the corner of Lime and Myrtle. Share your home-grown produce and pick up some of your neighbors' extra veggies.

- Brad Haugaard

Interview with Homeless Father and Daughter in Monrovia's Library Park

Video interview with father and daughter who have been homeless for four years and living in Library Park. http://goo.gl/r2L0u6

- Brad Haugaard

Horse Racing Film to Benefit Monrovia Rotary Service Projects

Action on Film will present "Behind the Gate", a documentary film which examines the changes in the horse racing industry. Narrated by Joe Pesci, the film also features some of the biggest names in the industry, many of them local to the San Gabriel Valley, including Oscar De La Hoya, Bob Baffert, Doug O'Neill, Laffit Pincay and Gary Stevens, and many others.

The screening on Saturday August 23, 2014 at 4pm at the Krikorian Theater in Monrovia will benefit the Monrovia Rotary Club's community service projects, including Santa Clothes, Essay, Music & Speech Contests, Camp sponsorships for 8th and 11th graders, Interact Club at Monrovia High School, as well as contributing to worthy local organizations such as Boys & Girls Club, "Yes" Program through City of Monrovia, Girl and Boy Scouts, Santa Anita Family YMCA and many more. See a more complete listing at http://www.monroviarotary.com

Tickets may be purchased here - http://goo.gl/gPFMTw - for $15/person.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Librarian Writes Book

Monrovia Library's Elizabeth Schneider, librarian for teens, has written a book about putting on teen programming in libraries called, "Create, Relate, & Pop @ the Library." At the July 24 Library Board meeting, she was recognized for her work and did a mini book signing. City of Monrovia Photo.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Nighttime Bedroom Pants Burglar; Intoxication; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 24-27. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events. 

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
On July 24 at 4:01 p.m., officers were on patrol in the 100 block of West Foothill when they observed a male subject run out of a grocery store being chased by store loss prevention officers. The subject ran toward a van that was parked south of the business with its sliding door open. The male driver of the vehicle and the subject who ran out of the store were both detained, and the stolen property was recovered. After investigation, it was determined the two suspects had conspired together to commit the burglary at the business. The suspects were arrested and taken into custody. 

Possession of Marijuana – Suspect Arrested
On July 25 at 10:03 p.m., an officer stopped a driver for a vehicle code violation at Mayflower and Diamond. As he approached the vehicle, he smelled the odor of marijuana from inside. During a pat-down search, one of the passengers was found to be in possession of marijuana. He was issued a citation to appear in court. 

Driving Under the Influence / Injury Traffic Collision
On July 26 at 12:11 a.m., officers responded to Foothill and El Nido regarding a vehicle that crashed into a light post. The driver was injured and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The officer saw signs of intoxication, and the driver admitted to having smoked honey oil. DUI Charges will be submitted to the court for filing. 

Drunk in Public / Possession of Marijuana – Suspect Arrested
On July 26 at 12:36 a.m., officers responded to the 600 block of South Myrtle regarding an intoxicated female lying by the curb. The female was accompanied by her boyfriend and they were waiting for a cab. The officer arrived and determined the subject was too intoxicated to care for herself as she could not stand. She was arrested and taken into custody for sobering. During a pat-down search, she was found to be in possession of marijuana. 

Residential Burglary
On July 26 at 4:16 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of South Encinitas called to report his house had been burglarized. He stated that the crime had occurred between midnight and 3:00 a.m. He was asleep, and awoke to find that his pants, which contained his wallet, camera and a flash drive, were missing from the chair where he had placed them. He noticed that his bedroom window was missing the screen and he called police. Nothing else seemed to have been taken. The investigation is continuing. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On July 26 at 5:43 a.m., a caller reported a vehicle partially blocking the southbound lane of Bradoaks at Greystone. Officers responded and, after investigation, determined the driver was intoxicated. He was arrested for driving under the influence and was taken into custody.

Drunk in Public / Possession of Tobacco Products / Located Missing – One Suspect Arrested
On July 27 at 12:17 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of West Olive regarding subjects possibly fighting. The officer arrived and saw two subjects walking; one of the subjects was staggering. The subjects were detained. The subject who was staggering was found to be a juvenile. He was extremely intoxicated and was taken to a hospital. A computer check revealed the juvenile had been reported missing four days ago out of Temple City. Charges will be submitted to the court for filing on the juvenile. The second subject, an adult who was also intoxicated, was arrested and taken into custody for sobering.

Disturbing Subjects / Warrants – Suspects Arrested
On July 28 at 2:42 a.m., officers responded to a call reporting disturbing subjects at an apartment in the 800 block of West Duarte. A male and female were detained. A computer check revealed that both subjects had outstanding warrants for their arrest. Both were arrested and taken into custody. 

Lawsuit Filed Against Monrovia Company

A lawsuit has been filed against Monrovia's STAAR Surgical over alleged violations of Federal securities laws. http://goo.gl/sE52TL

- Brad Haugaard

Weekend Music in Monrovia

~ There will be an Art Walk in Old Town Monrovia from 7-10 p.m. today. Art on the sidewalks. The Mill Creek Boys (traditional bluegrass) and the Kattywompus String Band (folk/international) will be performing.

~ Tomorrow, Sunday, July 27, The Answer (classic rock), will perform at the band shell in Library Park, 7-8:30 p.m. Bring a chair or towel.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Merengue Moving; Ale House Coming




Merengue Bakery and Cafe, currently on Colorado just east of Myrtle, will be moving onto Myrtle, just across from the theater, in the space formerly occupied by Allure, according to a Merengue employee, and the current Merengue will be replaced with 38 Degree Ale House. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Wins Football Shootout

Monrovia beats Buena Park to win SGV football shootout. http://goo.gl/XIb69W

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Blaze Pizza


Lunch at the new Blaze Pizza, in the Pavilions shopping area at Foothill and Myrtle. Nice and cool inside! Beautiful decor. Kinda loud and chattery in a friendly way. Got the BBQ CHKN (chicken, if you didn't guess) for $7.65 and an iced tea for $1.95. Thin crust, almost crackly. Build your own or get a pre-set one. They come in one size and you can get whatever toppings you like for the same price. Fresh and tasty!

- Brad Haugaard 

17 to 38 Homeless in Monrovia | Station Square Open House

~ A report on homelessness in Monrovia in the Star-News. There are "between 17 and 38 homeless" in the city. http://goo.gl/4R5h6g

~ Station Square Open House on Wednesday, July 30 at the Library. http://goo.gl/92dfap

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Stolen Vehicle Door Handle; Sleeping It Off in Her Font Yard; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 21-23. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 394 service events, resulting in 71 investigations.

Vehicle Tampering
On July 21 at 6:53 p.m., an officer responded to the 200 block of West Walnut regarding a vehicle tampering. The victim went to her vehicle which was parked in the carport area and realized the driver side door handle had been removed from her vehicle. Nothing appeared to be taken except the door handle. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On July 21 at 9:10 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the area of Wildrose and Mountain regarding a male suspect sleeping in her yard. The resident said the suspect appeared to have been drinking. The suspect drove his vehicle to the front of her residence, parked his vehicle and then got out and fell down into her yard. Officers determined the suspect had been involved in a traffic collision and driving under the influence of alcohol. The suspect was arrested.

Residential Burglary
On July 22 at 12:18 a.m., dispatch received alarm activation from a residence in the 100 block of Rose Lane. Officers contained the residence and eventually cleared the home. A rear window was broken and the back door window was shattered. The door was locked and it does not appear entry was made by the suspect. The victim was notified and arrived home. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On July 23 at 9:30 p.m. an officer stopped a driver in the area of California and Huntington for a traffic violation. Upon contacting the driver he displayed signs of intoxication. Field sobriety tests were conducted and it was determined the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested. The passenger in the vehicle had an outstanding warrant for driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested.

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center Collecting for Back-to-School

Monrovia-based Foothill Unity Center is collecting money to provide back-to-school supplies for children whose parents can't afford them. The Center reports that it expects to help 1,500 children grades K-12 at its 16th Back to School Distribution on August 5 at Santa Anita Park racetrack. To donate: http://goo.gl/10nf1g

- Brad Haugaard

Toasty in Monrovia Today; Disney Movie; Big Raffle Prize

~ 102 degrees. Really toasty hot in Monrovia today. http://goo.gl/UP7itf

~ Watch a Disney movie and sing Disney karaoke at the Library Community Room, today at 6 p.m. For teens sixth to 12th grade.

~ Monrovia Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce are doing a "Wine and Dine" Raffle. Top prize is a gift basket that includes $100 giftcertificates to Rudy's Mexican Food, Bella Sera Trattoria. Elements Restaurant & Bar (at the Doubletree), Cafe LuMar, Sena on Myrtle, Jakes Roadhouse, and Wang's. Plus four tickets to this years A Taste of Old Town Monrovia on October 19th, plus 8 tickets to the Krikorian Monrovia Theatre, two Bottles of "Monrovia Station" wine from Wine of the Month Club, four Taste of Old Town wine glasses and more. The drawing is at the October 15th Monrovia Chamber Mixer at the Wine of the Month Club, but you need not be present to win. Raffle tickets are $10 each and you can get them at the Monrovia Chamber office (620 South Myrtle).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Thrift Store Having 55%-Off Sale

Monrovia's Giving Hands Thrift Store, 925 W. Foothill, is having a 55%-off sale, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. now through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

- Brad Haugaard

Story of Monrovia Family and Online Preschool

KPCC story about Monrovia parents whose child attends an online preschool. http://goo.gl/ys2b2k

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Restaurant Round-Up - Free Pizza!

The latest restaurant news:

~ Blaze Pizza - in the Pavilions shopping center - will open this Saturday, July 26, and if you follow the company on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, you can get a free pizza from 11 a.m. to midnight that day. http://goo.gl/JlXTLw

~ Gem City Images reports that a new restaurant plans to open in the old Allure shop on Myrtle. http://goo.gl/mnfqRt

~ And finally, I reported on a new restaurant, called Le Gourmand, going in on Myrtle next to Sena. http://goo.gl/1y5Ofx

- Brad Haugaard

Trader Joe's Recalls Fruit

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's recalls some peaches, nectarines, plums and pluots. http://goo.gl/RS4Jcb

- Brad Haugaard

New Restaurant Coming to Monrovia - Le Gourmand

It appears a new restaurant will be going in right next to Sena restaurant, on its north side, at 407 S. Myrtle. The city's Development Review Committee (DRC) will be looking at the restaurant's proposed plans for outdoor seating at its July 23 meeting. No details on the restaurant in the agenda ( http://goo.gl/Zy6SDi ), but the applicant is Mark Houston, and there is a Mark and Jonnie Houston who operate several LA area restaurants, and of whom LA Weekly says, "the Houston brothers have been redefining L.A. nightlife" ( http://goo.gl/1LKAjn ). Here is Houston Hospitality's website ( http://goo.gl/tRZaVL ). Again, I'm not sure it's the same Mark Houston, but I'll try to check.

UPDATE: Thanks to Planning Division Manager, Craig Jimenez, who writes:

DRC is reviewing an outdoor seating permit for a new business named Le Gourmand. I haven’t seen a menu, but from what I understand, it will be an upscale café and bakery that will also have a small retail component selling prepackaged foods.

The applicant, Mark Houston, is a Monrovia-based designer and contractor who is designing the interior.

- Brad Haugaard

Mountain Lion in Hills Above Monrovia

Photo of mountain lion near Camp Trask, above Monrovia.

Boy Scout dad, Mark D. Peters, writes about encountering a mountain lion near the Scouts' Camp Trask, in the hills right above Monrovia:

While Troop 551 went out for a hike and to work on their Leave No Trace award, they had a pair of eyes watching them, and when hiking back to camp, they came across large drag marks that crossed the road.

Over the edge 551 Troop leaders could see a freshly killed doe. Cub Master Terry Lopez alerted the Camp Master and Scout Master Bill Durini, Webelos Den Leader Erick Bonilla and Asst. Cub Master Mark Peters gathered up the Troop in a tight group and hiked back to camp.

Later I was able to get the shot and show it to the kids as not many of them have ever seen a mountain lion in the wild.

Cub Master Terry Lopez added that, "Unfortunately we had to stay in camp after discovering the Mountain Lion attack, no Saturday night hike, but we saw several fox around our camp...kept us occupied."
Cub Scout Degas Peters, Mark Peter's son.