Lunch at Market Grill

Lunch at Market Grill, at the corner of Shamrock and Colorado across from Recreation Park. Got a Chicken California sandwich for $8.95 and I upgraded to the split pea soup as my side dish for a buck. And an iced tea for $2.25. Don't come here looking for ambience, but in the food department, it's delicious! You can hardly go wrong, no matter what you order.

- Brad Haugaard

Tiger Mosquitoes in Monrovia? | Mail Theft Arrest | Girls' Tennis Over La Salle

~ A resident reports on Facebook being bitten by the large Asian tiger mosquito (black and white striped) while at Recreation Park. The mosquito can carry West Nile Virus.

~ Glendora Police have arrested a couple suspected of stealing mail from Monrovia, Azusa and Glendora. Contact Glendora PD at 914-8288. if you've been the victim of mail theft. http://goo.gl/LY9GDR

~ Monrovia girls tennis over La Salle, 12 to 6. http://goo.gl/YwJ91O

- Brad Haugaard

Celebrate the Arts Event In Monrovia's Library Park

Featured artist Elizabeth Butterfield. Photo by Frank Zgonc

Free "Celebrate the Arts" event Sept. 26 and 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Library Park, by Monrovia Association of Fine Arts. Monrovia's first ChalkFest with cash prizes. Art, sale items, kids coloring contest, kids chalk art activities, silent auction and raffle to support local arts, food trucks. Also, fine art and chalk art by Mt. Sierra College students; and ceramics, sculpture, fine art and urban art by Monrovia High students.

Entertainment: Min W Dance, The Locke Brothers, When Pigs Fly, Wild Mountain Mystics, Tim Tedrow

Groups represented: Monrovia Garden Club, Monrovia Rock Hounds, Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, and writers Groups Nuvein and Coffee House Writers Group.


- Brad Haugaard

Bill By Monrovia Representative to Open Water Board Meetings Passes Legislature

A bill by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, to expand access to mutual water companies' board meetings through teleconference and internet streaming has passed the Legislature. AB 1077 strengthens the Mutual Water Company Open Meeting Act by requiring all shareholders to be guaranteed, at a minimum, the right to teleconference into any meeting and prohibiting the water company's board from meeting exclusively in executive session.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Jewish Federation Presentation: Play On!

Monrovia's Jewish Federation reports that the JFed Players will present Play On!, a farce, by Rick Abbot, that traces a community theater group's "progress" rehearsing and presenting a new play written by one of their own. At the Clarke Center, 400 Rolyn Place, Arcadia. Performances Saturday, October 10 and 17 at 8 p.m., Sunday, October 11 at 2:30 and 7 p.m., Thursday, October 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 18 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets at www.jewishsgpv.org/forms . 445-0810 for information.

- Brad Haugaard

New 'Clearinghouse Merchandise Scam' Hits Monrovia

From Monrovia Police Department:

A new scam targeting the elderly has surfaced in Monrovia. Recently, a card was mailed to a Monrovia resident indicating the United Merchandise Clearinghouse had a parcel waiting for him and he was to call an “800” number in order to have the package sent to him. When the victim dialed the number, the person on the other end asked for a credit card number to pay for shipping so the package could be delivered to the resident. The suspects then have the victim’s name and credit card information to make fraudulent purchases. The suspects in this new scam appear to be targeting elderly victims. Please inform your loved ones and neighbors of this new scam, especially the elderly, so they don’t become a victim.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Warrant Arrest; Drug and Driving Arrest

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 31 – September 2. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 414 service events, resulting in 62 investigations.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
August 31 at 9:02 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Longden and Myrtle when he saw a female he recognized at a gas station. He knew the female had an outstanding warrant. A computer check confirmed the warrant, which was issued out of Orange County. The officer contacted the female; she was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Possession of Marijuana / Warrant – Suspects Arrested
September 1 at 9:44 p.m., an officer observed an illegally parked vehicle occupied by two females in the 2600 block of South Myrtle. A DMV computer check of the license plate revealed the registered owner had a suspended driver's license and an outstanding warrant for her arrest. As the officer was checking the plate, the females drove away in the vehicle. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and found the registered owner was the passenger and her friend was driving the vehicle without a license. The driver was issued a citation for driving without a license and during an inventory search of the vehicle prior to storing it, several pipes used for smoking methamphetamine were found, along with 60 grams of marijuana. Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Monrovia-based AeroVironment Stock Takes Big Hit

Monrovia-based AeroVironment lost 9.07 percent of its stock value on Wednesday, ending the day at $21.26 per share. It was one of the biggest losses for the day on the Russell 2000 index. http://goo.gl/x7ZoQJ

- Brad Haugaard

Old Newspapers Help Fill Gap in Monrovia History

According to the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, it recently received two years of old Monrovia newspapers, which it has turned over to the Monrovia Public Library to be digitized. The library's collection of newspapers was unfortunately missing papers from 1891 to 1907, and the new gift fills part of that gap, from April 2, 1891 to December 22, 1892. The papers were from Dorothy Waterman, of Oregon, whose stepfather, John Russell Read, had been in the newspaper business.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Class of 1970 Reunion

The Monrovia High Class of 1970 will hold its reunion on Saturday Sept. 12. from 5-10 p.m. at the Monrovia Tennis Club, 158 N. Sunset Pl. in Monrovia. Alumni from '68, '69, '71, and '72 are also invited. Tickets are $60 each and available online at Eventbrite: https://goo.gl/83oKp2

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Water/Sewer Rate Meetings; Dirt Removal; Retiring and Promotion; Sidewalk; Steps; Last Concert

From City Manager Oliver Chi's weekly report ( http://goo.gl/kJKPmE ):

~ If you want to have your say regarding proposed water and sewer fee increases (to repair roads, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and water and sewer systems), here are two meetings: Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Library Community Room, and Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers (415 S. Ivy Avenue).

~ City crews have been removing dirt and debris from below the Madison Fire burn area along Highland Place and Crescent Drive, specifically from a property on Highland Place just south of Scenic Drive, and from a property on Crescent Drive between Madison Avenue and Avocado Place. Both basins were in danger of overflowing onto city streets if we have a big rain.

~ Community Development Director, Steve Sizemore, is retiring at the end of the year and Craig Jimenez, the current Planning Manager, will be the next Community Development Director.

~ The sidewalk at 135 Foothill Boulevard that collapsed around a month ago due to a large underground air conditioning vault is going to be fixed. During the week of Sept. 7 the hole will be filled and the a/c system moved.

~ Thanks to Eagle Scout candidate Austin Che from Troop 349 for his Eagle Scout project in Canyon Park. He directed his troop in creating new steps to an educational site

~ Last free summer concert Series this Sunday, Sept.r 6. 7 p.m. in Library Park, featuring Top 40 and disco music from, "Basix." At the Rotary Club Bandshell in Library Park. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

~ If you want to be involved in city government, there are vacancies on the City's Historic Preservation Commission and the Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board. Details: http://goo.gl/CvdX6v

- Brad Haugaard

Old Car Show in Monrovia

25th Annual Old Car Show in Old Town Monrovia on Saturday, Sept. 12 starting at 7 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council Approves Deal For Two Companies To Run Street Fair

After LA PartyWorks and Green Leaf Events said they could work together to put on the Friday Night Street Fair, the Monrovia City Council tonight voted to approve that approach. Earlier the Council had considered letting LA PartyWorks go and taking on Green Leaf to manage the event, but decided instead that the two companies working together could each contribute its own strengths to the event.

Interesting comment: Mayor Tom Adams said he doesn't think anybody can make money at running the street fair without cheating the system. He said it should get back to its original intent - not to make money but to benefit the local merchants.



- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Reports Loss

Monrovia's AeroVironment drone company reported a fiscal first-quarter loss of $7 million, or 30 cents a share, on sales of $47.1 million. Its stock dropped sharply in after-hours trading: http://goo.gl/GVOu4n

- Brad Haugaard

Senior Property Tax Relief Bill by Monrovia Representative Awaits Governor's Signature

A bill by Assembly Majority Leader Chris Holden to provide property tax relief for California seniors was approved today in the state Senate on a vote of 36 to 0 and now goes to the Governor's desk for signature. Holden represents Monrovia. AB 1378 would allow each person over age 55, or the disabled, to transfer the base value of their property to a new residence as long as the new house cost less than the old residence's sale price. Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Gold Line Station Dedication Sept. 12

Monrovia's Gold Line Station Dedication will be dedicated (not opened for use) Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. Politicians in attendance will be Congress Member Grace Napolitano, Congress Member Judy Chu, State Senator Carol Liu, State Assembly Majority Floor Leader Chris Holden, along with various Foothill Gold Line and Metro board members. Minister Terrence Brown will be providing the invocation and the Monrovia High Band, along with Boy Scouts from Troop 141, will present the colors. http://goo.gl/PcnLAq

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Driving While Drugged; Driving While Asleep

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 27-30. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
August 27 at 10:10 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Myrtle and Central when he stopped a motorist for multiple vehicle code violations. The officer conducted a consensual search of the vehicle and found a baggie of methamphetamine. The driver was arrested and charged for possession of a controlled substance and the vehicle code violations.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
August 28 at 1:29 a.m., an officer stopped a motorist for a vehicle code violation in the 200 block of South Ivy. The investigation determined the subject was driving under the influence of alcohol. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
August 28 at 2:46 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Longden and Live Oak when he stopped a motorist for a vehicle code violation. The investigation revealed the subject was driving under the influence of alcohol. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Traffic Collision
August 30 at 6:06 a.m., a traffic accident was reported in the 500 block of East Foothill. Officers arrived and saw five parked vehicles that had been struck. The driver of the vehicle that struck them had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Monrovia Democrat Club Endorses Senate Candidate

In his run for State Senate in the 25th Senate District, which includes Monrovia, Anthony Portantino - who previously represented Monrovia in the State Assembly - has announced that the Foothill Community Democrats of Monrovia, along with six other Democratic clubs, have endorsed him. Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Providers Group Fundraiser for Seniors

The Monrovia Providers Group will host its annual grant fundraiser, Wine Not?, to support its senior grant program which supplies funds for one-time emergency needs to Foothills seniors.

The event will be held at Westminster Gardens, 1420 Santo Domingo Avenue in Duarte on Friday, September 18 from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and the event will feature samplings of specially chosen wines, hors d'oeuvres, raffle prizes and a special non-alcoholic "mock-tail" for those who don't care for wine.

Additional sponsorship opportunities and information, as well as event tickets, are available by emailing: info@monroviaproviders.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door with cash or by check.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Art: Movie Themed Bronze Statue Proposed for Myrtle Avenue

Sketch of proposed bronze statue on Myrtle.

Monrovia's Art in Public Places Committee wants a life-size bronze statue on Myrtle Avenue of an old fashioned movie director, a free standing movie camera and a tall director's chair. (The money is in an account accumulated from a tax on developers.)

The committee wants to use sculptor Daniel Stern, who did two bronze statues for Temple City, Red Car Man and Red Car Woman which whimsically depict passengers and reference the history of the site along the Pacific Electric Railway.

"The director's chair is designed to be interactive and you will actually be able to sit in it and have your picture taken. The art has movement, whimsy and ties into the history and present of the City. The Art in Public Places Committee recommended that 'The Monrovia Feature Film Company' and the 'The Argonauts of 49,' which was filmed in Canyon Park, be incorporated into the piece. The art will be located on the east side of Myrtle Avenue in the mid 400 block." http://goo.gl/Gi5Qfb

The City Council will consider the request at its Sept. 1 meeting: http://goo.gl/HvKcMJ

- Brad Haugaard