Former Assemblymember Representing Monrovia Launches Talk Show

"The Question Is," a current events program with Anthony Portantino, who formerly represented Monrovia in the state Assembly, premiered this month on the Charter Communications' California Channel 101.

Two shows have been completed. The first dealt with HIV and AIDS and the second will be a discussion of AB 109, the controversial prison realignment plan implemented for California. Was it good public policy? Is it working? And how is the system dealing with the reentry of so many former inmates?

"Before I go back into politics," Portantino said, "I want to share as much information on hot topics as I can. ... 'The Question Is' will endeavor to ask and answer questions about issues that the public should hear about and that no one else is digging into. I'm not shy and the questions will be tough on policy and opinion makers on The Question Is."

The show will air on California Chanel 101 Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30 pm.

Here is the first show on YouTube: http://goo.gl/JTxd9

Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's State Senator Liu Announces Money for Energy Improvements at Local Schools

Senator Carol Liu (who represents Monrovia) announced that roughly $47 million is being made available by the state to fund energy efficiency and clean energy projects for schools in the 25th Senate District, which includes Monrovia.

Also, nearly $50 million will be provided to fund energy projects at California's 112 community colleges. These projects provide a triple benefit by reducing energy bills, improving school conditions and providing jobs to help employ the 400,000 plus unemployed construction workers in the state.

As a main recipient of funds from the Proposition 39, public schools will benefit from long-term energy savings. Clean energy projects will help reduce energy and utility bills due to inefficient lighting, heating, insulation, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Each school district will be provided a funding allotment based on the average daily attendance and weighted for poverty.

Source: Liu press release

- Brad Haugaard

Is Sam's Kabob Getting a New Owner?

Sam's Mediterranean Kabob Room on Myrtle, recently featured on Kitchen Nightmares, may be changing hands. http://goo.gl/NaSta

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia TV Host: Zimmerman's Acquittal 'Heart-Wrenching'

Monrovia KGEM cable-television host, Ralph Walker, said it is "heart-wrenching" that Floridian George Zimmerman was acquitted in the death of Trayvon Martin. He compared the case to one in 1955 in which a black 14-year old was killed and two white suspects were found not guilty by a white jury. http://goo.gl/IOhSy

- Brad Haugaard

Electronic Waste Roundup in Monrovia

If you can prove you are a California resident, you can get rid of old electronics (but not batteries or light bulbs) Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28 at the corner of Myrtle and Pomona (a block south of the freeway). Details: http://goo.gl/shmBy

- Brad Haugaard

Marilyn Monrovia for President! | McFarland Pleads No Contest | Salsa Sunday

~ Marilyn Monrovia is running for the presidency of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). Just thought you'd want to know. http://goo.gl/gE9nY

~ Boot camp leader, Kelvin Bernard McFarland, of Monrovia, has pleaded no contest in molestation, kidnapping cases. http://goo.gl/nQ4PT

~ "Salsa Steel," Calypso music, tomorrow, Sunday, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Library Park band shell. http://goo.gl/OpLDU

- Brad Haugaard

World Vision Staff Members Killed | Shop for Unity Center

~ Two staff members of Monrovia-based World Vision were killed in South Darfur. http://goo.gl/m5RtT

~ You can support Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center by shopping at Acts Thrift Store in Pasadena for its third anniversary tomorrow, Saturday 9 to 6. The Center writes on Facebook that there will be live music by Rich Kasten Band and International Superstars of Rock, Pie N' Burger Food Truck, raffle drawings and more. ACTS gives Unity Center store vouchers for our clients in exchange for items our friends donate on behalf of the Center. Acts is at 1382 Locust, just west of Hill and north of Walnut. And here's a coupon for the store: http://goo.gl/RxHWD

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Troy Donut and Burger

Lunch this week at Troy Donut and Burger on Myrtle just south of Duarte Rd. Got the Pastrami Sandwich Combo for $6.89, plus tax. It was fine.

- Brad Haugaard

Framing Goes Up for Monrovia Restaurant Building | Obamacare and Your Business | Spying on Sheep

~ Framing goes up for the replacement restaurant building where Acapulco used to be.

~ How Obamacare will affect your business, a seminar at the Libary, August 7, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Speaker, George N. Papacalos, Regional Sales Executive for Kaiser Permanente. http://goo.gl/gXfda

~ Drones made by Monrovia's AeroVironment to spy on big horn sheep in Nevada. http://goo.gl/aKeRM

- Brad Haugaard

New Mediterranean Restaurant Coming to Myrtle | Blood Drive

~ The Monrovia Planning Commission has approved a conditional use permit for a new restaurant, a Mediterranean restaurant called Meridian at 343 S. Myrtle, to serve beer and wine. The restaurant will also serve kabobs, fattoush, hummus, gyros and other stuff. http://goo.gl/eZXaZ

~ There will be a blood drive sponsored by Family Festival Productions and City of Hope. A bloodmobile will be parked at the corner of Colorado and Myrtle on Friday, July 26, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Cars - Goodie Boxes for Thieves, Busted for Breakers,Grand Theft of Sister's Car

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 8-10. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 571 service events, resulting in 82 investigations.

Theft From Vehicles

July 9, four thefts from vehicles were reported throughout the day to police. The thefts occurred overnight and were not discovered by the victims until the morning hours. The thefts occurred in the 600 block of West Foothill, 700 block of Oakglade, 900 block of West Hillcrest and 800 block of Ridgeside. In three of the incidents, the vehicles were left unlocked and items left in the vehicles were taken. The investigation is continuing.

Family Dispute / Grand Theft Auto – Suspect Arrested

July 9 at 10:52 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of East Royal Oaks regarding a family dispute at a residence. The suspect was angry and he was yelling at his family members. He asked family members to give him a gun. He took his sister's purse from her bedroom, which had her car keys inside, and then took her car and drove to a convenience store in Duarte to meet his fiancé to talk.

Officers went to the location and found the suspect with three other male subjects, who were friends of his fiancé. The subjects appeared to be in fighting stance; all four subjects were detained. The three subjects are witnesses to a criminal threats incident involving the suspect that is being investigated by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. The suspect was arrested for grand theft auto and the victim desires prosecution.

Commercial Burglary – Suspects Arrested

June 10 at 5:00 p.m., two male subjects entered a business in 1600 block of South Mountain, took over 600 dollars worth of electrical breakers and then ran out of the store. They were apprehended by the store's loss prevention and the police were called. The subjects had no means on their person to pay for the items. They were arrested and charged with burglary.

Schamadan Slams Monrovia Board of Education

As part of her column in The Weekly Star newspaper (supplement to the Star-News), Monrovia columnist Charlotte Schamadan slammed the Monrovia Board of Education. From the tone of her column, it appeared she would have preferred the board to select Dr. Debby Collins as the next superintendent of schools. Collins had served the district for 27 years and was the interim supervisor. Shamadan said the board did not express a word of thanks. She writes, "Even the newly hired superintendent briefly expressed her thanks to Debby, but the board members sat silent on the subject."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Helping Old Town, Energy Program, Police and Fire Unions, Helping the Chamber

At the Monrovia City Council's July 16 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/dCmga ) the council will ...

- Hear a report about Old Town. Among other things, the city wants to recruit national retailers for the area, "specifically those in the categories of nationally recognized bookstores, specialty gourmet food stores, retail wine stores, and gaming stores." Here's the report (It's pretty interesting): http://goo.gl/qydzB

- Consider a California program allowing residential, multifamily, and commercial property owners to participate in a clean energy program. Advantages to homeowner: cheap loans, lower energy costs, etc. http://goo.gl/bakC1

- Have more private discussion about a deal with the police union and firefighters union. http://goo.gl/5o4uq

- Consider a one-year "Support Services Agreement" with Monrovia Chamber of Commerce for $43,819.

- Brad Haugaard

73rd Wedding Anniversary for Monrovia Couple | Gourmet Dogs

~ Monrovia couple celebrates 73rd anniversary. http://goo.gl/aPAfD

~ S'Links hot dogs opens in Monrovia this August. http://goo.gl/qpRdl

- Brad Haugaard

A Mini on the Wall | Monrovia Train Maintenance Yard

~ The Monrovia Design Review Committee has approved a plan to put a car on the wall of the Mini dealership at Mountain and the 210 Freeway (1451 S. Mountain Ave ). http://goo.gl/z97PR

~ Update photo of progress on the Monrovia Gold Line maintenance yard. http://goo.gl/uJ4Ur

- Brad Haugaard