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Monrovia School Board to Consider Gardening Program for Wild Rose School

At its next meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/a24BKP), the Monrovia School Board will consider hiring EnrichLA (https://goo.gl/NmhYxQ) for about $5,175 to manage the garden at Wild Rose Elementary School and teach the students.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Rachael Corrales to be in Miss Teen Pagent; Clifton Middle School Completes Science Lab

~ Clifton Middle School celebrated the completion of a science lab on Thursday. Clifton was one of five schools in the country to win the Fab School Labs contest, receiving $100,000 from the Northrop Grumman Foundation for the lab. https://goo.gl/kVpdjN

~ Rachael Corrales of Monrovia has been selected to participate in the 2017 Miss Teen pageant competition that will take place on Sept. 24. https://goo.gl/ahnyti

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Rudy's Mexican Food



Dinner at Rudy's Mexican Food, at the corner of Myrtle and Colorado. Got the Crab Enchiladas for $13.75 And a beer for $4.50 . Very tasty and filling. 


- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Living It Up on Someone Else's Credit Card; Trespassing; Drugs; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 4-6. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 390 service events, resulting in 62 investigations.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
September 4 at 7:21 p.m., officers responded to the 800 block of California regarding a subject causing a disturbance. The subject had been advised he was not welcome at the location, but he refused to leave. The reporting party requested he be arrested for trespassing. The subject was arrested and taken into custody. He was later released with a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Theft of Bicycle
September 5 at 7:16 p.m., a bicycle was reported stolen from the 100 block of W. Palm. The victim reported that he fell asleep sitting on the park bench off of Palm. When he woke up his mountain bike was missing. The investigation is continuing.

Receiving Stolen Property / Warrants – Suspects Arrested
September 5 at 10:39 p.m., officers responded to a hotel in the 900 block of W. Huntington. The hotel contacted police regarding several subjects in two different rooms. The rooms were charged on the same credit card. The subjects were smoking in non-smoking rooms, they had an outstanding food bill and their charge card was declined. The police entered the first room and no one was inside. They attempted to enter the second room, but the subjects had barricaded the door and would not respond.

Police dispatch identified the credit card holder, who lived in Claremont. Claremont Police Department contacted the card holder to see if he had given someone permission to use his charge card at the hotel. Officers discovered his vehicle had been broken into and there had been several unlawful charges on his card. The officers then made announcements at the hotel door that they were going to force entry and the suspects answered the door. Two females and one male were detained. The male suspect had the victim’s blank checks in his pocket and was arrested. One of the females had several warrants and was arrested for the warrants. The other female was identified and released. Items in the room indicated the suspects were producing credit cards. The investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
September 6 at 5:39 a.m., numerous callers advised there was a traffic collision at Foothill and Grand. Officers arrived and discovered it was a non-injury hit and run. The suspect vehicle is a gray Toyota Tacoma that was last seen heading east on Foothill. The vehicle was not located and the investigation is continuing.

Suspicious Vehicle / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
September 6 at 8:15 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Mauna Loa regarding the report of a suspicious vehicle. An officer arrived and contacted the driver, who had drug paraphernalia in plain view in the vehicle. The driver was arrested.

Vehicle Burglary
September 6 at 8:29 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of E. Lemon. The victim parked the vehicle in a carport off the alley. The suspect smashed a window to gain entry and took tools out of the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
September 6 at 1:28 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of W. Huntington regarding a possible shoplifter. The subject was not found to be shoplifting, however, a pat-down search resulted in finding drug paraphernalia. The suspect was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Help Monrovia's Boys and Girls Club Buy a New Van

In his weekly report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O), City Manager Oliver Chi reports that Monrovia's Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills entered the So Cal Honda video contest and won with a remake of the opening rap from Fresh Prince of Bel Air that explains why the club needs a new van. Both of the club's current vehicles are breaking down frequently, and membership has grown so much that they don't have room to accommodate every child who needs transportation. Watch their video and donate $5, $25, or more. Every dollar you donate will be doubled. The video: https://goo.gl/2Moifs

- Brad Haugaard

Santa Fe Begins New Life as Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School

Nice feature story on the former Santa Fe Middle School as it starts its new life as Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School. https://goo.gl/Ly97n1

- Brad Haugaard

Mental Health Bill By Monrovia's Senator, Signed Into Law

A bill by Senator Anthony Portantino, who represents Monrovia, was signed into law by Governor Brown. Senate Bill 565 requires mental health facilities, prior to certification review hearings, to make reasonable attempts to notify family members or any other person designated by the patient of the exact time and place of the hearing at least 36 hours prior to the certification review hearing.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police to Wear Pink Patches During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Monrovia Police Department employees will be wearing pink patches on their uniforms during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. The patches are intended to stimulate conversations within the community and raise public awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment in the fight against breast cancer.

The Pink Patch Project is a collaborative effort between the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs' Association and more than 175 public safety agencies throughout the nation.

The Monrovia Police Department is selling commemorative pink patches to the community, along with Pink Patch Project T-shirts, challenge coins and other items. Proceeds from the sale of Monrovia's commemorative Pink Patch Project items go to fund breast cancer education, research, and treatment at the City of Hope.

Beginning Sept. 1 through Sept. 24, Pink Patch Project volunteers will be manning a booth at the Los Angeles County Fair where they will display pink patches from many of the participating agencies and will be talking to the community about breast health issues. Pink patches and other related items will be available for sale to the public with the proceeds going to the various hospitals and organizations we are supporting.

We invite the public to stop by the Pink Patch Project booth in Exhibit Hall #4, Space D-4432, while visiting the Los Angeles County Fair and to join us in the fight against breast cancer. For more information about the Pink Patch Project, visit www.pinkpatchproject.com.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's State Senator Gets Part of 134 Freeway Renamed After President Obama

The 134 freeway from the 2 freeway to the 210 Freeway interchange will be named the President Barack H. Obama Freeway, according to State Senator Anthony J. Portantino, who represents Monrovia.  In a press release, Portantino said Senate Joint Resolution 8, which he authored, will name that section of freeway after the former president because "Obama used this portion of California's freeway system to travel from his college home in Pasadena to Occidental College."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Ex-Boyfriend Chases Boyfriend With Knife; Ex-Girlfriend Smashes Windows; Hit and Runs; Airbag Stolen; Car That Was Hit Flees

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 31 - September 3. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Loitering / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
August 31 at 9:35 a.m., an officer was dispatched to an apartment complex in the 1400 block of S. Magnolia. Two subjects, a male and female, were sleeping in front of one of the units. Officers arrived and contacted the subjects. A computer check revealed the male subject had three outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

False Information to a Peace Officer / Missing Person Located / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
August 31 at 10:05 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 00 block of Hidden Valley where an audible alarm had sounded, and he saw a suspicious vehicle in the area. He spoke to one occupant of the vehicle, who claimed he did not have any identification and provided a false name to the officer. He was arrested for providing false information to a peace officer and it was later discovered that he was a missing person with a felony warrant for his arrest.

Warrants / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspects Arrested
August 31 at 11:43 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of S. Myrtle and detained two subjects involved in argument. A computer check revealed they had warrants out for their arrest and they were in possession of drug paraphernalia. Both suspects were arrested.

Domestic Violence / Assault With a Deadly Weapon / Robbery / Burglary – Suspect Arrested
September 1 at 1:12 a.m., a female resident in the 300 block of E. Colorado reported that she was assaulted by her ex-boyfriend. She and her boyfriend were asleep in the home when the suspect broke into the home and confronted them. The suspect grabbed a knife from the kitchen and chased the boyfriend out of the house. The suspect took the victims’ cell phones, a computer, and then assaulted the female before he fled the location. The suspect was not located and the investigation continued. On September 2 at 10:30 a.m., the follow-up interview with the victim led to the possible whereabouts of the suspect involved in the crime. Officers of the Orange Police Department were contacted and they detained the suspect at his place of business. Monrovia police officers responded and took the suspect into custody. He was arrested and charged with domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and burglary.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 1 at 11:19 a.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 800 block of California. A vehicle collided into a parked vehicle and fled the scene. Officers located the suspect vehicle and made contact with the driver, who admitted to the hit and run collision. The investigation revealed the driver was under the influence of prescription medication. He was arrested for DUI and fleeing the scene of an accident. The suspect’s vehicle was impounded.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
September 1 at 9:10 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of S. Magnolia regarding a vehicle that struck some parked cars and was trying to flee. Officers located the vehicle and during the investigation, determined the driver was under the influence and driving while intoxicated. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
September 1 at 9:44 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 600 block of W. Huntington. The suspect gained entry into a Chevy Tahoe by tampering with the driver-side-door, locking mechanism. The suspect then removed the steering wheel airbag and fled the scene. The investigation is continuing.

Burglary Alarm
September 2 at 1:57 a.m., police responded to a burglary alarm at a business in the 600 block of S. Myrtle. The suspect gained entry by forcing open a rear door, which activated the alarm. A witness saw a suspect trying to exit from the front door. When he was unable to, he ran out the back door and fled. Officers arrived, but did not locate the suspect. The loss has not been determined and the investigation is continuing.

Burglary
September 2 at 2:22 a.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 400 block of W. Huntington on the report of suspects kicking in the door of the business. Three to four suspects were seen entering the location and quickly exiting. They fled in a grey Nissan. There was no loss and the investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
September 3 at 4:00 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 100 block of N. Fifth Avenue. The victim parked and locked her white Honda Accord inside her unlocked garage at 11:00 a.m. She discovered it missing at 4:00 p.m. Officers conducted an area check for the vehicle, but it was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
September 4 at 12:20 a.m., a vehicle was stopped on Myrtle at Lime, facing north. The driver was attempting to make a left turn, heading against one-way traffic. He realized he couldn’t turn left and made a right turn, colliding with a vehicle to his right. The vehicle that was hit fled the scene. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
September 4 at 5:23 a.m., a vandalism in progress was reported in the 400 block of W. Colorado. The victim called to report that her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend was breaking out the windows on her vehicle. Officers arrived and detained the suspect. She suffered a laceration to her hand from the broken glass. After she was treated by paramedics, she was arrested and taken into custody. 

Pictures of Rehab of Old Monrovia Train Depot

Some great pictures of rehab work at the old Monrovia train depot from Gem City Images: https://goo.gl/vKomR9

- Brad Haugaard

What SMG Has Planned for Krikorian Theater

Here is what Studio Movie Grill (SMG) has planned for the former Monrovia Krikorian Theater:

"In 2018, SMG Monrovia will undergo a transformation as we remodel and improve the traditional theater outing in Monrovia into a full-service, movie-going experience. Your new neighborhood theater will feature the latest digital projection and sound combined with an American Grill menu, premium bar and modern lounge. Enjoy the biggest blockbusters, alternate and family programming from the comfort of custom recliners, and the convenience of in-theater service." https://goo.gl/afjihu

- Brad Haugaard

Saga Fine Art Gallery to Close

Saga Fine Art (http://sagafineart.com/), a gallery on Lime just across the street from the Monrovia Library, will close in two months, according to one of its employees, artist Lynne Schneeman Fearman. Comment: I'm sad about that. The gallery has shown a few of my works over the years, including the one above, just last month.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council to Consider Guestroom Doors at Aztec Hotel; Anti-Hate Resolution; Charging Station Regulations

At its Sept. 5 meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/ZXRHnn) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider an appeal by the owner of the Aztec Hotel, Qin Han Chen, asking the council to overturn the Historic Preservation Commission's decision to require the replacement of hotel guestroom doors with historically accurate doors.  https://goo.gl/UWAb7u

According to the staff report the owner of the Aztec Hotel was told by the commission that the doors to the guest rooms needed to be replaced with historically authentic doors, but then the Monrovia Fire Department "required that the doors be upgraded to comply with new fire safety regulations," so the owner replaced the doors with modern ones. So, city staff is recommending that the owner be allowed to keep the doors on condition that within 18 months he:

  • Repair the pyramidal decorative element on the southeast corner roof parapet.
  • Rehabilitate guestroom windows on the south and east sides of the building.
  • Repair all neon sign lighting on the front of the building.

~ Consider - In light of the events in Charlottesville, Virginia - a "Resolution Denouncing All Forms of Hate and Violence Encouraged by Any Group or Individual and Reaffirming the City's Commitment to Establish a Community Free of Racism, Hatred, and Bigotry." https://goo.gl/XDHRiv

~ Consider regulations to speed up the permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations. https://goo.gl/f6yZyW

- Brad Haugaard

See Saturn Tonight With Monrovia's Sidewalk Astronomers

Update: Cancelled due to clouds.

Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers will be at the southeast corner of Library Park, at Myrtle and Lime, from 7:30 until 9 or 9:30 p.m. tonight, Sept 2.  If you drop by you should be able to see Saturn, the Earth's moon and hopefully Titan, Saturn's largest moon and the second largest moon in the solar system, behind Jupiter's Ganymede, which is just a tiny bit bigger.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Loses to La Salle :-(

Monrovia loses to La Salle 42-40. https://goo.gl/HUo2k1

- Brad Haugaard 

I Don't Think Monrovia's Zip Code Is 91017

This is kinda bizarre. This Star-News article (https://goo.gl/7Le1Mv) says the "Monrovia Post Office will offer a special postmark to commemorate the rare event when the date, 9-10-17, will match the community’s ZIP code 91017."

Since when is Monrovia's Zip code 91017?

Update: Ah! USPS says "This ZIP Code™ used for a specific PO BOX", so I guess the special postmark is to honor PO Boxes.  https://goo.gl/v5i25d

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Domenico's



Dinner at Domenico's, on Huntington just east of Magnolia. Got the Big D Combination with ravioli and lasagna for $17.99 and a large beer for $7.50. The combination comes with soup or a salad, though I ate my salad so it's not shown. Very good and filling and good service. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia's Mayflower Elementary Students Raising Funds for Harvey Relief

The students at Mayflower Elementary School are hosting a penny drive. Bring your coins for Houston. All donations will be sent to the Greater Houston Community Foundation Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.

Donation containers will be outside the main office before and after school Tuesday 9/5-Tuesday 9/12.

Every grade level that helps raise $100 or more will have a free dress day! If the whole school raises over $500 PTA will provide popsicles for all students.

- Brad Haugaard

Fellowship Monrovia Plans to Send People to Assist in Hurricane Harvey Recovery

Fellowship Monrovia church is both raising money for Hurricane Harvey relief, and is planning to send people to the area to help rebuild.

In a message to the congregation, Pastor Albert Tate wrote:

"[W]e're beginning to identify local partners, churches, and ways we can get involved on the ground. We're thinking about how we can send resources, not just money, but also people, to help those affected as they begin to rebuild their lives."

The donation web page for the church is here, although the Hurricane Harvey link has apparently not yet been added: https://madeforfellowship.com/give/

- Brad Haugaard