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Monrovia's AeroVironment Builds Brainy Drone

Monrovia's AeroVironment builds an autonomous drone with a brain-like chip. http://goo.gl/zJZWo7

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line: Track Yes, Trains No?

It appears that while the Gold Line may be completed on time next year, the Metro system may not have enough rail cars to fully service the new lines. http://goo.gl/ZTGau4

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Real Estate Sales Halted? | MonroviaNow Calendar | Evensong

~ Monrovia real estate sales have come to a "swift halt," according to Monrovia real estate agent Donna Baker. No buyers from China? http://goo.gl/dCTgyb

~ I've added a calendar of events at the top of the MonroviaNow.com website. It is not comprehensive, but any upcoming event I enter as a regular post should hopefully (if I programmed it correctly) appear in the calendar. New events are added just after midnight daily. I should have had this earlier, but I didn't want it to be any extra work, and it takes a lot of effort to be lazy :-) http://goo.gl/U0EitH

~ St. Luke's Episcopal Church will hold its Eleventh Annual Men's Evensong Invitational on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 4 p.m., 122 S. California Ave. Selections include Jones: Phos Hilaron, Preces & Responses, and Nunc Dimittis; Willan: Magnificat; and Dawson: There Is a Balm in Gilead. Wine and cheese reception will follow.

- Brad Haugaard

Smart Gardening Workshop at Monrovia's Recreation Park

A Smart Gardening Workshop, designed to reduce yard waste, save water and encourage composting and grass recycling, is scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2014 in front of the Boys and Girls Club (600 S. Shamrock Avenue) located in Recreation Park. Free mulch donated by Cal Blend Soils and transported by Athens Services will also be available while supplies last. Bring a shovel, gloves and a container to take home this valuable resource for your gardens and landscaped areas.

The workshop is being sponsored by the City of Monrovia and the Los Angeles County Smart Gardening Program. It will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Participants will learn about composting, grasscycling, fire resistant and water-wise gardening. Composting bins will be available to residents for purchase at a reduced price. For more information, call Environmental Services at (626) 932-5553 or 932-5556.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

Monrovia Police: Domestic Violence; Intoxication; Stolen Bike Recovered

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 30 - November 2 . - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Domestic Violence / Warrant – Suspect Arrested 
On October 30 at 10:00 a.m., an officer responded to the 400 block of East Walnut regarding a domestic dispute. Officers arrived and determined the male was the primary aggressor and had caused minor visible injury to the female. A computer check revealed he also had an outstanding warrant. He was arrested for domestic violence and the warrant.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested 
On October 30 at 6:34 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a welfare check. When they arrived, they found a male subject passed out and too intoxicated to care for his own safety. The male subject was arrested for public intoxication and taken into custody. A computer check also revealed an outstanding warrant for his arrest; he was arrested for public intoxication and the warrant.

Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested 
On October 30 at 8:47 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers responded to the 2000 block of Broderick in the city of Duarte regarding a bicycle theft that occurred in Monrovia. Upon arrival, the officers recovered the stolen bicycle and arrested the suspect, who later admitted to stealing the bicycle.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Warrant – Suspects Arrested 
On October 30 at 9:25 p.m., an officer stopped a motorist for a vehicle code violation in the 800 block of East Huntington. Upon investigation, the driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested. His passenger was found to have an outstanding warrant and was also arrested and taken into custody.

Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested 
On October 31 at 1:14 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting a traffic collision in the area of Huntington and Monterey. The male driver rear ended a vehicle, which continued forward and struck another vehicle. The driver of the first vehicle struck had redness to the face, possibly from striking the steering wheel. They also had soreness in the head and neck area. The male driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol. The suspect was arrested for felony driving under the influence, due to the traffic collision with injuries.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested 
On November 1 at 12:05 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of West Cypress on a hit and run traffic collision. The suspect struck an unoccupied, parked vehicle and fled the scene. Officers conducted an area check and located the suspect passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle in the 100 block of East Cherry. The suspect was intoxicated and was arrested at the scene.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested 
On November 1 at 4:10 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation in the 800 block of West Colorado. Through investigation, the officer determined the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol. The officer arrested the driver and she was taken into custody.

Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested 
On November 2 at 1:15 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the area of Myrtle and Lime regarding a man down in the street. When the officer arrived, he found an intoxicated subject passed out in the street. His brother was with him, but he was also intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety. Both subjects were arrested for public intoxication and taken into custody, where they were held for sobering.

Domestic Violence / Child Endangerment – Suspect Arrested 
On November 2 at 3:00 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of West Duarte regarding a domestic violence incident. During an argument, the male suspect pulled his girlfriend to the floor by her hair while she was holding their 11-month-old baby in her arms. The girlfriend sustained red marks on her shoulder and complained of pain to the back of her head, where her hair was pulled. The baby was not injured. The suspect was arrested.

Upcoming Monrovia Events

~ Foothill Pregnancy Center fundraising gala, Monrovia Community Center, Friday, Nov. 7, 6-9 p.m. Info: http://goo.gl/SY0VgO

~ American Legion Pancake Breakfast, Immaculate Conception Church, 726 S. Shamrock, Sunday, Nov. 9, 8:30-11:30 a.m.

~ Maryknoll Sisters Annual brunch, bake sale, boutique. 340 Norumbega, Sunday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. Call 358-1825.

~ Monrovia's Military History, Douglass & Zook Chapel of the Foothills, 600 E. Foothill. Sunday, Nov. 9, 3 p.m. Keynote speaker: Steve Baker.

~ Veterans Day event, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. at Library Park.

~ Knights of Columbus spaghetti and meatball dinner, to support Carmelite Sisters candidacy program. Friday, Nov. 14, 5:30-8:30 p.m. 130 W. Pomona Ave. Info: John Black pjduibh415@msn.com

~ Black Alumni Black Alumni scholarship dinner, Saturday, Nov. 15. Details, call Eloise Hard (760) 669-0669.

~ Interfaith Thanksgiving program, "Gratitude." St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Nov. 20, 7-8:30 p.m.

~ Meet Me in St Louis at Taylor Performing Arts Center (at Monrovia High). Nov. 20-23. Details: http://goo.gl/P1MjBv

~ Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, "Oasis in the Drought," at Courtyard by Marriot. Nov. 21, 8 a.m. Speaker, Albert Tate of Fellowship Monrovia. Tickets from Chamber of Commerce: 358-1159.

~ Help Foothill Unity Center pack and distribute food for Thanksgiving, Saturday, Nov. 22 through Nov. 25. Details: http://goo.gl/2KNS4l

Thanks to calendar-keeper Becky Shevlin for these events.

- Brad Haugaard

Tiles for Historic Monrovia Library Park Drinking Fountain Located - Can Be Completed

You may have noticed that while the granite supports of the historic drinking fountain have been completed (using the original stonework, which was not damaged) there is still no roof. Well, the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group reports that finally, the rare style of roof tiles have been located (about 100 are needed) so the the fountain can now be completed, just as it originally appeared more than 100 years ago.

- Brad Haugaard

Will Monrovia City Council Adopt a Moratorium on Demolition of Old Homes?

According to an historic preservationist writing on the Nextdoor network, Monrovia's Historic Preservation Commission decided at its Oct. 29 meeting to postpone a decision on the status of a craftsman-style house at 118 N. Alta Vista until after the Nov. 4 City Council meeting at which, she said, Councilman Tom Adams plans to propose a demolition moratorium. She encouraged preservationists to attend that council meeting to influence city policy on pre-1940 homes.

Comment: I'm kind of middle of the road on preservation; I think some old buildings should be preserved and I think others are junk, but it would help me - and perhaps others - to understand why preservationists are using 1940 as a cutoff. Is that a special year in architecture? Is a date even the right approach? or should we try to protect buildings on the basis of historical significance, noteworthy architecture, or other non-date reason? I'm not saying, I'm just asking. Feel free to respond in comments section.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Beats La Canada in Football

Monrovia over La Canada, 24 to 7. Wins Rio Hondo League title. http://goo.gl/cYM0yH

- Brad Haugaard

100% Chance of Rain for Monrovia: Tonight After Trick-or-Treating

Chance of rain tonight starting at 40 percent at 9 p.m., rising to 100 percent by 2 a.m. Sounds like most of the trick-or-treating should be done by then. http://goo.gl/6b2wQh

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween at Monrovia's Library Park



Doggy dress-up for Halloween at Library Park. Lots of fun for kids, too. 

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Bull Taco

Lunch at The new Bull Taco, on the north side of Lemon near Myrtle. Minimalist  decor. Got a California Burrito ($8) and a Diet Coke (1.50). The burrito (I took a couple bites before snapping this picture) has carne asada, tater tots and avocado in it. Came with chips and quite spicy salsa. Satisfying burrito. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Construction Will Affect Traffic at Myrtle and California

- From Nov. 3 to May 2015 traffic lanes at California and Myrtle will be affected. Expect delays and use alternate routes when possible. The streets will remain open to through traffic but street parking will not be available. They will be down to one lane each way for a limited time during construction.

- The Monrovia Park & Ride Lot at the southwest corner of Myrtle and Pomona Ave will be for the most part closed starting Nov. 10 to May 2015. The contractor will be building the Monrovia Transit Plaza and Park.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Wildfire Protection Plan; Friday Family Festival

At its November 4 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/ZYcl6n ) the Monrovia City Council will ...

- consider adopting a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, to protect homes threatened by fires. "Monrovia has 1,450 homes in the very high fire zone and 3,500 homes in the ember zone, meaning there are 4,950 homes at some level of risk from wildfire." http://goo.gl/94itc4

- consider adopting an agreement to extend for 6-months Family Festival Productions' contract to produce the Friday Night Family Festival in Old Town, while at the same time asking other companies for proposals on how they would manage the festival. http://goo.gl/9BMEuk

- Brad Haugaard

Naked Woman Running on Foothill | Another Monrovia Football Title? | STAAR Q3 Report

~ Naked woman running on Foothill Boulevard this morning. http://goo.gl/19p8XM

~ Monrovia about to wrap up another league title? http://goo.gl/5fqvMy

~ Monrovia's STAAR Surgical, which makes implantable eye lenses, today reported third quarter revenue of $18.2 million, a 6.3% increase over $17.1 million reported for the third quarter of 2013. http://goo.gl/sZBeXk

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Teen Driver vs. Pedestrian; Bear on Roof; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 27-29 2014 . - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 387 service events, resulting in 61 investigations.

Traffic Collision – Vehicle vs. Pedestrian 
On October 28 at 7:29 a.m., a traffic collision was reported in the area of Myrtle and Foothill. A teenage driver hit a pedestrian. The pedestrian was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Suspicious Noises / Bear Incident 
On October 28 at 8:47 p.m., police received a call from a resident in the 400 block of North Primrose reporting suspicious noises on their roof. An officer responded, along with the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter, and they discovered a bear on the roof of the residence. The bear was left alone and eventually left the area.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested 
On October 28 at 10:38 p.m., officers responded to a 9-1-1 hangup call involving a family disturbance in the 900 block of West Olive. An officer arrived and spoke to a male adult, who stated his 17-year-old stepson was arguing with him and took off, jumping over walls to get away from him. A computer check of the juvenile revealed he had a no-bail juvenile warrant for his arrest. Officers eventually located the subject hiding in the bed of a pickup truck in a hotel parking lot. The juvenile was arrested and taken into custody. He was taken to Eastlake Juvenile Hall.

Under the Influence of a Contolled Substance / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspects Arrested 
On October 29 at 11:40 a.m., acting on evidence gathered from a grand theft auto incident earlier in the week, officers went to a location in the 600 block of West Palm to further the investigation. At the location, officers discovered drugs, drug paraphernalia, and a suspect under the influence of a controlled substance. Three suspects were arrested.

Mental Evaluation 
On October 29 at 11:01 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of North Grand Avenue to keep the peace. An 18-year-old, male subject was out of control in the residence. The subject was distraught over a breakup with his girlfriend. He was taken to a hospital, where he was held for mental evaluation.

Sunrise over Monrovia

Sunrise over Monrovia. Looks like a beautiful day. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia California Prepares for Ebola | Rain?

~ While downplaying the possibility of Ebola hitting the Monrovia area, Fire Chief Christopher Donovan says the city is getting ready anyway. Special protective gear, ambulance and hospital procedures. Comment: Good! Better safe than sorry. Details: http://goo.gl/EfGXYl

~ National Weather Service predicting rain for California this Friday and Saturday, though not much for the Monrovia area. http://goo.gl/ntCfZ5

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Annual Award Winners

The recipients of the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce is annual awards for 2014 are:

- Iris Award, Citizen of the Year, Pam Fitzpatrick.

- Monroe Award, Business Person of the Year, Ron Ross of Wendy's Monrovia.

- Dick Lord Award for outstanding contributions to the Chamber, Jason Landes.

- Military Service and Stewardship Award, Rob Hammond.

- Brad Haugaard

Sign Being Removed | Monrovia City Hall Closed for Vets Day

~ I saw this sign at the entrance to the Monrovia Hillside Preserve just off of Ridgecrest. Since this isn't Forest Service land I asked Director of Community Services Tina Cherry why it was there. She said the Forest Service "has used this access point in the past" but is no longer using it, "so the sign will be removed."

~ Monrovia City Hall will be closed for Veterans Day, Nov. 11. http://goo.gl/iLJKyE

- Brad Haugaard