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Albertson's Becoming 'Monrovia Landing'; Invasive Mussels; Fire Trucks; Montgomery Honored

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

~ Staff at Metro is interested in Monrovia's proposal to let people use the Metro parking garage during non-peak hours and will take the proposal to the full Metro board. Chi estimates the program could be in place by late this summer.

~ Monrovia will participate in the National League of Cities 6th Annual National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. Individuals who enter the contest could win a new Toyota Prius. You can enter the contest here: https://goo.gl/KlCCrC

~ The former Albertson's Center will be renamed as Monrovia Landing. The planned Aldi Supermarket, TJ Maxx/HomeGoods should open this October.  [Comment: I guess "Landing" is appropriate since it is near the site of the old Monrovia airport.]

~ The invasive mussel species Quagga and zebra have been detected in the California water supply. The mussels attach to hard surfaces and can damage water delivery systems. Fortunately, the problem appears to localized and Metropolitan Water District and the state are keeping an eye on the situation.

~ Monrovia is planning to replace worn out Fire Truck 101. Ordering an building a new truck can take a year and a half.

~ And speaking of fire trucks, if you want to help refurbish the 100-year-old Seagrave fire engine that began its life serving Monrovia, you can contribute here: https://goo.gl/C107vS

~ Monrovian Gayle Montgomery has been selected by Assembly member Chris Holden as Monrovia’s Woman of Distinction for her service in the community.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council Race Now Uncontested - Only Choice is for Mayor

A lightly contested Monrovia City Council race has now become uncontested. Challenger Clifford De Costa has dropped out ( https://goo.gl/NEybTB ). The only contest now is on the mayoral side of the race, with incumbent Tom Adams facing challenger Mark Harris.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drugs and Fighting; Wouldn't Pay for Dinner; Bathing And Counterfeit Money; Vehicle Vandalism

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 2-5. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Battery / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrants – Suspects Arrested
March 2 at 5:29 p.m., dispatch received several calls reporting two male adults fighting in the 100 block of Norumbega Drive. Officers arrived and located one male adult, and while speaking with him, discovered he was on probation. During a pat-down search, he was found to have drug paraphernalia in his possession. Another officer located the second male suspect nearby, who was found to have several warrants. While speaking with the second suspect, a female approached. She was found to have several warrants and had methamphetamine in her possession. All three suspects were arrested.

Theft From a Vehicle
March 2 at 7:25 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 900 block of Crescent. The vehicle was parked in the victim’s driveway with the doors unlocked. The suspect entered the vehicle and took a backpack containing miscellaneous school supplies and a bag containing clothing that was going to be donated. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
March 3 at 3:30 p.m., officers responded to the report of a male adult slumped over the wheel of a parked vehicle in the 200 block of Linwood Avenue. Officers located the vehicle and an adult male inside, who was unresponsive. The officers made entry into the vehicle and saw a loaded syringe sticking out of the inner thigh of the driver. Officers were able to revive the subject, who admitted to being addicted to heroin. The suspect was arrested and the vehicle was stored.

Defrauding an Innkeeper
March 3 at 10:14 p.m., a male subject ordered a dinner meal at a restaurant in the 800 block of W. Huntington and then left the location without paying. The investigation is continuing.

Defrauding and Innkeeper
March 3 at 11:27 p.m., a male subject ordered food at a restaurant in the 1100 block of E. Huntington and was unhappy with the order. He was given a discount on his bill, but still left the location without paying. The investigation is continuing.

Suspicious Subject / Warrant / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
March 4 at 12:54 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of W. Huntington regarding the report of a suspicious subject in the area. They arrived and contacted the subject. A computer check revealed he had an outstanding warrant and he was arrested. While searching the suspect, he was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Weapons Offense
March 4 at 11:13 a.m., a security guard from a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill flagged down an officer who was driving by on Myrtle. He informed the officer that a subject in a silver Charger had just sped through the parking lot and almost hit him. The officer turned into the parking area to look for the vehicle and was stopped by a patron, who reported that the same subject in the silver charger had tossed a handgun out of the vehicle window as it sped through the parking lot. The officer recovered the weapon, which was not registered, and an extensive search was conducted for the vehicle, but it was not located. Neighboring agencies were contacted to see if they had any reports of a recent shooting. The investigation is continuing.

Battery / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspects Arrested
March 4 at 3:04 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of Norumbega on the report of a family disturbance. Officers arrived and separated three adults and spoke with them. They were all disruptive and combative with each other. One subject was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and a second was arrested for battery.

Counterfeit Currency / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 4 at 4:13 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of W. Huntington on the report of subjects bathing outside. The officers arrived and located several subjects possibly involved in the reported activity. While speaking with the subjects, the officers located counterfeit U.S. currency belonging to one of the subjects. He was arrested and taken into custody. He was also found to have an outstanding warrant.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
March 4 at 10:07 p.m., an intoxicated female in a vehicle was reported at a business parking lot in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. Officers arrived and located the subject. After investigation, the female driver was arrested for driving under the influence and was taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
March 5 at 12:24 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 900 block of W. Huntington. The victim parked her vehicle in the parking lot and when she returned, she found the driver side window had been shattered and her purse, which she left in the vehicle, was gone. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
March 5 at 6:15 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 1600 block of Royal Oaks. The resident parked and locked her vehicle in front of her home. She looked out the window and noticed a subject standing by her vehicle and pulling a toolbox from the back seat. The suspect fled in a vehicle. The victim went out to her vehicle and found the rear window had been smashed, allowing the suspect to gain access. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
March 5 at 12:19 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Myrtle called police to report a vandalism incident. Sometime during the early morning hours, an unknown suspect shattered the front passenger side window of his parked vehicle. No property appeared to have been taken. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
March 5 at 12:55 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of W. Foothill parked his vehicle in front of his apartment complex and went in for the night. When he returned in the morning, he found one of his tires had been slashed with a sharp object. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
March 5 at 7:57 p.m., a traffic collision was reported at Myrtle and Duarte Road. The two vehicles involved were traveling north on Myrtle, approaching Duarte, when the lead vehicle slowed down for the red light and was rear ended by the second vehicle. The drivers pulled into a parking lot to exchange information. Officers arrived and contacted the drivers. The driver who rear ended the other vehicle was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication
March 5 at 9:21 p.m., a caller reported a male subject at Myrtle and Central trying to get into vehicles in the area. Officers arrived and located the subject. He was determined to be extremely intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety. He was arrested for public intoxication.

Vandalism
March 5 at 9:24 p.m., a vandalism incident was reported at a residence in the 400 block of Almond. A white, late 1990's Jeep Cherokee was seen pulling up to the home and two teenage male suspects exited. They walked up to the victim's truck and broke a window, then walked up the driveway and broke a window on the victim's Toyota Camry. They fled in their vehicle. The suspects never tried to get into the vehicles to take anything. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia to Developers: One-Time Fee or Regular Tax? Pick One

At its Tuesday, March 7 regular meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/rW4drs ), the Monrovia City Council will consider a proposal by city staff to give developers of residential units the option to opt out of the one-time Art in Public Places and Fire Services fees "if the developer forms and elects to be a part of a CFD [Community Facilities District] to fund ongoing City services into the future." So, as I understand it, they could get out of one-time fees by agreeing to a permanent tax. https://goo.gl/WbYjjP
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council To Study Marijuana

The Monrovia City Council will study marijuana at a special 6 p.m. session (agenda https://goo.gl/GaJNZA) before its regular session this Tuesday. More specifically, it will get an update on Proposition 64 and consider "possible next steps." Prop 64, as a reminder, Proposition 64 made it legal under California law for adults to use and grow marijuana, with the sale of marijuana to go into effect January 1, 2018. https://goo.gl/Bc9tCk

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Clifton School Is 'A School to Watch' | Yuille Honored | School Finances Okay

At its Wednesday meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia Board of Education will, among other things ...

~ Honor Principal Jennifer Jackson and the teachers and staff of Clifton Middle School for being named a “School to Watch,” by the California Distinguished Schools Association.

~ Honor 2017 Golden Apple recipient Joannie Yuille, for her service to the community and students.

~ Certify, as required by law, that it can meet its financial obligations. The board is going to say that yeah, it can, that "we are able to meet our financial obligations for the current and subsequent two fiscal years."

- Brad Haugaard

Pajama Game Performances This Month At Monrovia High

The Pajama Game will be performed this month at the Taylor Performing Arts Center at Monrovia High. Performances are Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 25 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 26 at 5 p.m. Seats are $30 ($15 for children under 12). The performance is The Shakespeare Club's 70th Annual Benefit Production.

A union strike at a pajama factory generates plenty of steam heat in this toe-tapping, comedic love story. The Pajama Game features songs and dances that have become musical theatre standards, including "Steam Heat," "Hey There," and "Hernando's Hideaway." Proceeds will provide scholarships for graduating seniors in the Pasadena Unified School District. Tickets at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2710430

- Brad Haugaard

Suit Bots Robotics Team Closing in on $10,000 Goal

"Team Mom," Miriam Childers, of the Suit Bots, one of Monrovia High's robotics teams, has asked me to "convey our immense gratitude to the community" for contributing to the team's expenses in traveling to the Western Super Regional Championships in Tacoma Washington. She writes that, "In just three days we are up to $6785!!!!" (Actually, now it is up to $7,285). If you'd like to help them meet their $10,000 goal, click here: https://goo.gl/jXpucP

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Shrimp House

 
Dinner last night at the Shrimp House, at the corner of Myrtle and Live Oak. Got the seafood sampler with a dinner salad ($16.29) and an iced tea ($2.69). The sampler came with scallops, shrimp and cod. All very good but shrimp were my favorite. Fast and pleasant service, too. I came away happily stuffed.

- Brad Haugaard 

Police Looking for Man Missing From Monrovia Hotel

Arcadia Police are looking for a 52-year-old man, possibly suicidal, who is reported missing from a Monrovia hotel. Details: https://goo.gl/kKStSb

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company Reports Smaller Q4 Loss

Monrovia's Staar Surgical reported a smaller net loss for the fourth quarter of 2016 than for the previous year's fourth quarter; $200,000 compared to a loss of $800,000 the previous year. Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $800,000 compared with an adjusted net income of $500,000 for the same quarter in the prior year. For the full year, the company had an adjusted net loss of four cents per share. https://goo.gl/mORw5p

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Dentist Nominated For Grammy


Monrovia Dentist, Michael Khanchalian (on the far right), was one of five Grammy nominees for Best Historical Album for his leadership in compiling a 400-page book with four hours of ancient and rare sound recordings called, "Waxing the Gospel: Mass Evangelism and the Phonograph, 1890-1900." The project took more than ten years and involved assembling gospel recordings from old wax cylinder recordings. He did not win, but said he was honored just to have their work recognized. Note: I know Mike and recall him telling me that his dental skills helped him figure out ways to repair broken wax cylinders. Cool how seemingly unrelated skills can cross over in some interesting ways.

Source: Monrovia Historic Preservation Group newsletter

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Tour for Home Energy Savings

There will be a home energy tour of two Monrovia homes sponsored by The Energy Network to help homeowners learn about available statewide rebates for home energy upgrades and see how their homes can become energy efficient.

On March 12 and March 26 from noon to 3 p.m., community members can walk through two homes that were recently upgraded using statewide rebates and incentives through the Energy Upgrade California Home Upgrade program.

Homeowners Mary Ann and Corey Lutz and John and Katie Watson will answer questions about the upgrade process and their before-and-after experiences. Although each home had different needs, Home Upgrade offered them rebates for such upgrades as insulation, water heater, air conditioner, and windows.

To RSVP for the tours and learn the home addresses, visitors go to http://tenres.com/Monrovia .

The Energy Network is administered by Los Angeles County and funded by California utility ratepayers under the California Public Utilities Commission. For more information about The Energy Network events, call (877) 785-2237 or email homeupgrade@theenergynetwork.com.

- Brad Haugaard

Women's Evensong Invitational at St. Luke's Church

St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Monrovia will present its tenth annual Women's Evensong Invitational on Sunday, March 19, at 4 p.m. at the church, 122  S. California Ave. at Foothill Boulevard. The performance will spotlight the women of the choir, along with invited guest singers. Music will include Denis Mason's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, Luigi Cherubini's Like as a Father, and the Monrovia Preces and Responses, written for this group by Kent Bennett Jones, Music Director. A freewill offering will be taken, and a wine and cheese reception in Guild Hall will follow the performance.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Man Buys iPhone With Fake Bills; Car Window-Smash Burglary; Bear Under House; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for February 27- March 1. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 338 service events, resulting in 66 investigations.

Fraud Report / Counterfeit Currency
February 28 at 7:39 p.m., a victim of fraud came to the police station lobby to report the incident. He was trying to sell an iPhone on a website. He made a deal with the suspect to sell the iPhone for a cash amount. He met the suspect at a fast food restaurant in the 400 block of W. Huntington. The suspect handed the victim the money for the phone in $20 dollar bills. After the suspect left the location, the victim realized the money was all counterfeit with matching serial numbers. The Secret Service was contacted and the investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
March 1 at 7:22 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of W. Lemon Avenue. The victim reported that sometime during the nighttime hours, someone smashed the window of his parked car and stole items from inside. The investigation is continuing.

Bear Sighting
March 1 at 1:00 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of Oakglade Avenue called to report a bear that was in his yard and was now sleeping in the crawl space of his neighbor’s home. The Department of Fish and Wildlife was contacted and took control of the investigation.

Theft of Mail
March 1 at 6:32 p.m., an officer was dispatched to an apartment complex in the 300 block of Genoa regarding a theft of mail. The victim went to retrieve her mail from her mailbox and the main door to the mailbox was open and mail was missing. There are a total of 14 mailboxes for the complex. There was no sign of forced entry. It appears the suspect may have used a mail service key to gain entry. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
March 2 at 3:42 a.m., dispatch received a report of an alarm activation at a business in the 300 block of W. Foothill. Officers arrived and found the front door wide open. The building was searched, but no suspects were located. The investigation revealed the rear door had been pried open and the cash register was found on the ground. The investigation is continuing.

How Do You Say 'Monrovia' In Russian?

At my job I had to do some work with a Russian search engine and decided to take a look at Monrovia on a Russian map. Here it is. If you'd like to explore a bit more: https://yandex.ru/maps/

- Brad Haugaard

History: Japanese Family's Experience Farming in Monrovia

Story of how a Japanese family grew and sold strawberries in Monrovia and their internment experience during World War II. Here.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Suitbots Robot Team Raising Funds to Compete in Super Regional Championships

The Suitbots, of the Monrovia High School Robotics program, have advanced to the Western Super Regional Championships in Tacoma Washington where on March 9-12 they will be up against 79 teams from the 13 western states for a slot at the World Championships. The money will be used for transportation, lodging, meals and competition fees. Click here to contribute.  Tax-deductible robot sponsorships are available.  Call 841-1956 for details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Officers' Association Raises Money For Specialized Wheelchair


Monrovia Police Officers' Association presented Jose De Anda, a young man with muscular dystrophy, with a specialized wheelchair to increase his mobility. The police department's School Resource Officer, James Ruano, learned of De Anda's situation and led a campaign to raise money for the chair. In addition to the Police Officers' Association, other contributors were the Monrovia Fire Fighters Association, Monrovia Kiwanis, personal donations from Monrovia's mayor, council members, city manager and city employees. Also, Rifton Equipment, the manufacturer, gave "a very large discount on the chair" and its employees donated their time to build it. https://goo.gl/Oax27j

- Brad Haugaard

Urinetown Play at Monrovia High


Monrovia High School's Theater Department will perform the musical, Urinetown, on March 9,10 and 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. The play has won three Tony Awards. It is a comedic satire of the legal system, social irresponsibility, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, and musical theater. Music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Greg Kotis, and directed at MHS by Nathanael Overby. The play features a full student cast and student orchestra. Tickets ($10 pre-sale and $15 at the door) are available from www.wildcattheater.com or any cast member or parent volunteer.