Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California

Monrovia Choral Company Presents Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Project

The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company begins its twenty-first season with a historic concert: "The Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Project: A Musical Legacy in Concert." The concert will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Monrovia (122 California Ave.) at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 - the 140th anniversary of Coleridge-Taylor's birth. In his time, African British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) was affectionately referred to as the African "Mahler." Because of his incredible success in a field dominated by white males at a time when racism in America was peaking, Coleridge-Taylor's influence on African American artists and intellectuals was powerful and far-reaching. The artistic director of SGVCC, Dr. Zanaida Robles, created the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Project to perpetuate the study and performance of the music of this celebrated composer and others of African descent. Other composers programmed on this concert include William Grant Still, Margaret Bonds, Jester Hairston, Zanaida Robles, Robert Owens, Joshua Uzoigwe, and Sydney Guillaume.

Founded in 1995, SGVCC is a mostly volunteer ensemble based in Monrovia. In 2012, conductor and soloist Dr. Zanaida Robles took over as SGVCC's artistic director. Having recently earned her Doctorate in Musical Arts in Choral Music at the University of Southern California, her prior credits include serving as director of classical choirs for the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts as well as preparing elite choirs for performances with such greats as Josh Groban and Kristin Chenoweth.

This is a free concert with a suggested donation of $20. Tickets are not necessary. Donations to SGVCC, a non-profit organization, are also gladly accepted online ( http://www.sgvccsingers.org ) and by check sent to San Gabriel Valley Choral Company; P.O. Box 2225; Monrovia, CA 91017.

- Brad Haugaard

Photography, Jazz And Ceramics Sept. 12

An Evening of Imagination, Saturday, Sept. 12 from 7-10 p.m. Photography, jazz, and ceramics, plus food, wine, raffle drawings and a pottery wheel demonstration. At Paint 'n' Play Art Studio, 418 S. Myrtle. For information contact Lia Barrios at 256-4848 or at paintnplaystudios@gmail.com

- Brad Haugaard

Join Monrovia Mayor For Community Bike Ride

Join Mayor Tom Adams on the first Community Bike Ride, this Saturday, August 29. A family-friendly ride from Library Park to Station Square and back. Meet at Library Park at 8 a.m. Wear a helmet.

- Brad Haugaard

Saute Culinary Academy Now Open: Offers Cooking Classes

Partial list of classes for October

Saute Culinary Academy is now open at 150 E. Colorado. Cooking classes for adults and children. Also, adult and children birthday parties, team building and private cooking parties. Here is the phone number and website: 626-429-2323, http://www.sauteacademy.com

- Brad Haugaard

Does Monrovia-Based Trader Joe's Raise Property Values Nearby?

Not only does Monrovia-based Trader Joe's sell groceries, but according to one study, it also increases the property values nearby. http://goo.gl/6t1SVk

- Brad Haugaard

Music on Myrtle, This Saturday

Traditional Music Gathering, August 29, 7-9 p.m. 412 S. Myrtle in Old Town. Windy Ridge Bluegrass and Katywompus. http://goo.gl/nfU60I

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Gets Big Drone Order

Monrovia's AeroVironment gets orders for $47 million worth of drones. http://goo.gl/KwxOgd

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Apartment Fire; Stolen Rifle; Woman Beaten; Intoxication; Scooter Found; Scooter Stolen

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 20-23. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Structure Fire
August 20 at 1:47 p.m., officers responded to an apartment structure fire in the 500 block of West Foothill. The apartment complex consisted of four units, but the fire was contained to only one unit. No residents were home, but three dogs were rescued from the fire and suffered smoke inhalation. The fire started in a bedroom and was possibly caused by electrical failure. No residents were injured.

Residential Burglary
August 20 at 7:33 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 100 block of McKinley. The investigation revealed the suspect entered the victim's home by prying open the rear door. The suspect took camera equipment from the location. The burglary occurred sometime between 12:00 and 7:00 p.m. The investigation is continuing.

Theft of a Firearm
August 21 at 3:00 p.m., the theft of a firearm was reported in the 300 block of Prospect. The victim stated his rifle was lost or stolen during shipping. The victim shipped his rifle and scope to Missouri. The sealed package arrived, but the rifle and scope were missing. The rifle was entered into the stolen firearm system. The investigation is continuing.

Receiving Stolen Property/Possession of Marijuana – Suspect Arrested
August 21 at 9:47 p.m., an officer responded to the 900 block of Ocean View on the report of a suspicious person riding a motorized scooter in the area. Upon arrival, the officer contacted the subject and discovered the scooter had been reported stolen. The subject claimed he rented the scooter for $40.00 from an unknown subject at a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle. The subject was also in possession of marijuana. The subject was arrested for receiving stolen property and taken into custody.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
August 21 at 10:11 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Madeline regarding a suspicious female loitering in the area. Upon arrival, the officer contacted the subject and discovered she had a warrant for her arrest. The subject was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant. She was later released to the Temple Sheriff’s Department, as the warrant was from their agency.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
August 22 at 2:03 a.m., officers on patrol observed a vehicle in the area of Palm & Magnolia commit a vehicle code violation and stopped the vehicle. Through investigation, it was determined that the driver of the vehicle had been drinking and, after field testing, he was arrested for driving under the influence.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
August 22 at 2:24 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 block of West Lemon when he saw a subject displaying signs of intoxication. Upon contacting the subject, it was determined he was too intoxicated to care for his own safety. The subject was arrested for public intoxication, taken into custody and held for sobering.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
August 22 at 6:53 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Violet on the report of domestic violence in progress. They contacted the victim, who had significant visible injuries to her face. The suspect had left the location. The victim was taken to a hospital for medical treatment, where she was admitted for her injuries. The suspect's vehicle was entered into the law enforcement system as a felony vehicle. Hours later, Huntington Beach Police Department notified Monrovia police that they had the vehicle and suspect detained. Monrovia officers responded to arrest the suspect. The suspect was taken into custody and held pending his court appearance.

Theft of a Motor Scooter
August 23 at 6:54 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting a stolen motor scooter from the 300 block of South Shamrock. The victim parked his Yamaha scooter in front of the location at 12:30 p.m. on August 21. When he returned to where he parked the scooter on August 23 at 7:15 p.m., the scooter was gone. The investigation is continuing.

Non-Injury Hit & Run Traffic Collision
August 23 at 8:02 p.m., an officer responded to the 400 block of East Maple regarding a hit and run traffic collision investigation. During the investigation, a witness was interviewed and a suspect vehicle was identified. The investigation is continuing.

Dinner at Wingstop

Dinner last night at Wingstop, in the Pavilions shopping center. I got a 10 piece combo with half lemon pepper and half the new Serrano pepper, for $9.99, and a beer for $4.49. Tasty and messy. I think I still like the lemon pepper best.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Firefighters Rescue Dogs | Monrovia Art on The Web | See The Heavens

~ Monrovia firefighters rescue dogs from apartment fire: http://goo.gl/IEhjCJ

~ Monrovia's Planning Department has started an Instagram page to display pictures of art from around Monrovia ( http://goo.gl/cfkom8 ), including pictures you take. If you have an Instagram account, all is easy, but if you don't it is a bit obscure how to see the art. To make it easy, just use this link: https://instagram.com/artinmonrovia/

~ Come see the heavens. This Saturday night the sidewalk astronomers will be at the corner of Lime and Myrtle from sunset (a little before 8 p.m.) until about 9:30 or 10 p.m. depending on the crowd Saturday night.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Man Run Over By His Accomplice During Meth Bust; Catalytic Converter Stolen; Burglaries

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 17-19. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 417 service events, During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 417 service events, resulting in 85 investigations.

Injury Traffic Collision
August 17 at 1:15 p.m., an injury traffic collision was reported at California and Evergreen. A driver turned in front of an oncoming vehicle and was broadsided. The airbags deployed in the driver’s vehicle. The driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Grand Theft
August 18 at 11:10 a.m., the theft of a catalytic converter was reported in the 500 block of West Duarte Road. The victim went to the vehicle to go to work and realized the catalytic converter had been removed sometime over the previous 10 hours. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery/Transportation of Narcotics for Sales – Suspects Arrested
August 19 at 12:10 p.m., police were notified of a suspicious vehicle traveling north in the 2000 block of South Myrtle. They located a vehicle matching the description at Myrtle and Huntington. A computer check revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle; however, the male driver, along with his two male passengers, evaded officers by traveling at a high rate of speed west on Huntington Drive. They were forced to stop on Huntington due to traffic at a red light. When they stopped, the two passengers exited the vehicle and laid face down in the street. Once the traffic cleared, the driver accelerated forward, running over the leg of one of his passengers. The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter followed the suspect vehicle to where it collided into a wall at a dead end in the 500 block of West Olive Avenue. The driver threw a black backpack out of the vehicle and then gave up. Officers recovered the bag, which contained a large quantity of methamphetamine and liquid GHB. The driver admitted he and the passengers were transporting the narcotics to sell.

The driver was arrested and the vehicle was impounded. The driver was charged with possession of narcotics for sale, felony hit and run, felony evading, and driving a stolen vehicle, as well as having a no-bail felony warrant. A warrant was obtained to search the vehicle. Officers located an additional large quantity of methamphetamine in the trunk of the vehicle inside luggage. The injured passenger told police that the luggage belonged to the non-injured passenger. The non-injured passenger was charged with possession of narcotics for sale. The injured passenger was taken to a hospital for treatment and will not be charged at this time.

Residential Burglary
August 19 at 11:26 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 600 block of Shady Oaks. The victim left the house at 5:30 p.m. to do errands and have dinner, and thought the front door was locked. When the victim returned home at around 11:20 p.m., they found the front door unlocked and two upstairs bedrooms ransacked. The loss is undetermined at this time. There were no signs of forced entry into the home. This investigation is continuing

Residential Burglary
August 19 at 11:47 p.m., officers responded to the report of a residential burglary in the 300 block of North Grand Avenue. The victim left home at 5:00 p.m. and locked the front door. When they returned home at around 11:30 p.m., they discovered the front door open and the window next to the door had been shattered. A video game console was taken, along with several video games. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia Leadership Training | ChapCare CEO Wins Award

~ Leadership training from Monrovia Area Partnership. It shows participants "how to network with existing City resources to improve their neighborhoods." http://goo.gl/KQBRs0

~ Margaret "Margie" Martinez, CEO of ChapCare (which has a Monrovia office), has received a Durfee Foundation Sabbatical Award, which offers up to six individuals stipends and expenses to travel, reflect or otherwise renew themselves. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Occidental College and a Masters in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley, Margie has led a variety of community-based organizations that promoted health care access and workforce development. In 1994, she was named Executive Director of Clinica Romero, a health center serving the immigrant community in downtown Los Angeles. In 1999, Margie was selected to lead ChapCare. During her sixteen year tenure she has overseen ChapCare's transition from a hospital-affiliated clinic to an independent nonprofit health center. She guided ChapCare's application and designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center and directed the implementation of Electronic Health Records. She is currently developing strategies to expand ChapCare's service delivery reach and capacity through ChapCare's municipal partnership model. Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Providing Drones For Spanish Military

Monrovia's AeroVironment has received a contract from the United States Army totaling $3.4 million for RQ-11B Raven drones to supply the Spanish Ministry of Defense. http://goo.gl/4NJ08t

- Brad Haugaard

Feature Story on Monrovia Quarterback

A feature story on Monrovia quarterback Asaph Zamora. http://goo.gl/V3XUeN

- Brad Haugaard

Duke Energy Testing Drones Made By Monrovia's AeroVironment

Duke Energy of North Carolina is testing drones made by Monrovia-based AeroVironment to see if they can help better check its power lines, solar facilities and other equipment.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Renewal Project - $14 Per Household; Crime Map; Pickleback Shine

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reports ( http://goo.gl/7IWHRe ) ...

~ Monrovia staff is considering a 3-5 year citywide "Monrovia Renewal" project beginning in the first quarter of 2016. It'll cost around $51.7 million; $14.8 million for street repairs, $23.3 million for water system repairs, and $13.7 million for sewer repairs. Cost to homeowners would be about $14 a month. It will repair or replace:

- Every street with a pavement condition index (PCI) rating of less than 70
- All necessary water transmission pipes and water production facilities
- All necessary sewer lines

~ I've mentioned this before, but Chi says that if you'd like to see Monrovia crime on a map, here it is: http://goo.gl/ZDeTEQ

~ This Sunday, August 23, at 7 p.m. country music by Pickleback Shine in Library Park. Sponsored by Cathy Teegarden and Tricia Harding of Distinctive Properties.

- Brad Haugaard