21 Bistro Being Acquired by Mooncat

Apparently the little restaurant, 21 Bistro, on the south side of Lime just east of Myrtle, is being acquired by the Japanese restaurant, Mooncat, which is right next-door. This sign is in the window. Comment: Too bad, I always liked 21 Bistro.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Mooncat

Lunch at Mooncat, south side of Lime just east of Myrtle. Japanese food. Got the sushi and tempura bento box ($12) and an iced oolong tea ($3.50). Came with miso soup and rice. Very nice. 

- Brad Haugaard

Ridgeside Entrance to Monrovia Hillside Preserve Reopened

The Ridgeside Drive entry point to the Monrovia Hillside Wilderness Preserve, which was locked briefly, has been reopened.

Opinion: Thank you very much to Director of Community Services Tina Cherry, City Manager Oliver Chi and anybody else who was involved in reconsidering this decision (which I fussed about here: http://goo.gl/jZf1b2 ).

- Brad Haugaard 

Roof Added to Historic Monrovia Fountain

The roof has just been replaced on the historic drinking fountain that had to be rebuilt after a car accident destroyed it. The fountain is at the southeast corner of Library Park. The roof tiles, however, still need to be replaced. 

Jim Wigton, of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, writes: "The replacement Spanish tiles have not yet been delivered to Public Works (we are getting them from Architectural Detail in Pasadena)..  When they are, we will be re-installing them on the roof so that the fountain will look almost exactly the same as before the accident."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Christmas Parade

Nice crowd tonight at the Monrovia Christmas parade.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Lights Its Christmas Tree

After a song by Centre Stage students about wanting a hippopotamus for Christmas, and opening remarks by Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, children from the Canyon Early Learning Center lit the Monrovia Christmas tree in Library Park. 

- Brad Haugaard

Santa's Monrovia Schedule

This year, Monrovia will continue its tradition of celebrating the Christmas season by touring Santa Claus around city streets on top of a fire engine.  Escorted by a police car and a decorated public works sleigh, Santa will provide candy canes to the public.  City employees will, again, volunteer their time to help make the program fun and successful.

Last year’s event was a great success!  This year’s Santa Tour will be another exciting and fun time for members of our community when they see Santa visiting their neighborhoods.  Everyone is encouraged to come out and wave to Santa.

Monday, Dec. 15 – will tour city streets south of Huntington, west of Myrtle to Fifth, north of southern city boundaries.

Tuesday, Dec. 16 – will tour city streets east of Myrtle, north of Foothill.

Wednesday, Dec. 17 – will tour city streets west of Myrtle, north of Foothill. 

Thursday, Dec. 18 – will tour city streets east of Myrtle, south of Foothill, north of Duarte Road, west of east city boundaries.

Friday, Dec. 19 – will tour city streets west of Myrtle, south of Foothill, north of Huntington to Mayflower, between Myrtle and Fifth.

Assembly Time: 5:00 p.m. assembly at the City Hall parking lot, 415 S. Ivy, Monrovia, CA  91016

Tour Hours:   5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The police car will be driven by volunteer police officers who will lead the procession using their red lights and siren.  Christmas carols will be played over the police car’s P.A. system.  

The fire engine will be driven by volunteer firefighters, who will follow the police car.  Santa will ride on top of the fire engine with spotlights shining on him as he wishes everyone a merry Christmas.  The fire engine will be decorated with hundreds of Christmas lights.

The public works truck will be driven by volunteer public works employees.  Our reindeer sleigh, bright with over 1500 Christmas lights, will play Christmas carols.  Community members are welcome to ride with city employees and their families on back of the truck and trailer during the tour.  Space is limited and participation is first come first served.  Parents are reminded that children must be accompanied by an adult.

To all Monrovians:  Venture outside, welcome Santa, and enjoy his candy canes!  MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and have a safe holiday season. 

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Shop Monrovia Selfie Contest

Post a "selfie" (picture of yourself) while dining, shopping or doing business in Monrovia and you could win a prize in the Shop Monrovia Month Contest. This week's prize is a $25 gift certificate to The Dollmakers' Kattywompus. Post on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #ShopMonroviaSelfie.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Mental Evaluation; Stolen Bike Arrest; DUI; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 1-3. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 323 service events, resulting in 51 investigations.

Traffic Collision
On December 1 at 12:11 p.m., officers responded to a traffic collision in the area of California and Lemon. An elderly female failed to stop for the stop sign at the intersection and was struck by a motorist traveling south on California. The victim in the other vehicle sustained minor redness and complained of pain and dizziness. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Driving Under the Influence of Drugs / Mental Evaluation – Suspect Arrested
On December 2 at 10:16 a.m., officers were dispatched to the corner of Lime and Ivy, where a male subject had driven his car on the wrong side of the street, exited his car, and began yelling, frantically, that someone was shooting at him and trying to kill him. He fell over the curb, then stood up and tried to open the doors to the Police Department Emergency Operations Center. When he could not get the doors open, he ran to the front of City Hall and entered, still yelling that someone was trying to kill him. He was detained by officers. He was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and for driving under the influence of drugs. Later in the evening at 7:53 p.m., the jailer requested the subject be reevaluated for mental issues. After talking to the subject and having him checked by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics, it was determined that the subject fit the criteria for a mental evaluation. The subject was taken to a hospital, where he was held for a 72 hour mental evaluation.

Attempt Residential Burglary / Hot Prowl
On December 2 at 6:54 p.m., a resident in the 800 block of West Colorado called police to report an attempt burglary. The resident woke up upon hearing noises at the door. A check of the door revealed the framing around the door was broken as if someone tried to break into the home. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Bicycle – Suspect Arrested
On December 4 at 3:58 a.m., a bicycle was reported stolen from the front of a business in the 400 block of West Foothill. The bicycle is a higher-value mountain bike. The bicycle was locked and secured to a concrete trash receptacle. As patrol units were searching the area for the bike, an officer saw a male subject riding the stolen bike in the 1200 block of Encino. The suspect rode the bike up the driveway of a residence. As the officer pulled up to the residence, he saw the suspect walking out from the side of the garage. The suspect was arrested and the stolen bicycle was recovered.

Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On December 4 at 5:19 a.m., officers were dispatched to a traffic collision in the 1200 block of South Alta Vista. A vehicle had collided into a parked car. Upon investigation, the driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Monrovia's AeroVironment Wins Army Contract

Monrovia's AeroVironment announced today that it has won a $4.3 million cost-plus fixed-fee award and a $7.1 million option for Switchblade tactical missile system support services from the United States Army. http://goo.gl/WtnpbJ

Share Home Grown Produce in Library Park

The last Produce in the Park of the year this Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9-11 a.m. at the corner of Lime and Myrtle in Library Park. Share home-grown produce.

- Brad Haugaard

Santa Paws at Wonder Dog Ranch Today

Santa Paws will be at Wonder Dog Ranch (220 Taylor Street, Monrovia) today Dec. 3, 2014 for photos with your dog from 4-8 p.m. Free event, but contributions to the Pet Food Bank of the Foothill Unity Center welcome - unopened dog or cat food, or cash. You'll get one digital copy of a great picture of your dog with Santa. Please bring dogs on a short leash.

- Brad Haugaard

Seidner’s Collision Centers Presents Cars to Veterans

Seidner’s Collision Centers along with the Auto Club of Southern California and California Casualty presented two vehicles to local military veterans enrolled in Citrus College Veterans Success Program through the National Auto Body Council, Recycled Rides program. Citrus serves the Monrovia area.

Veteran Ashley Bozeman, U.S. Navy, got a a 2013 Kia Rio donated by the Auto Club, and Allan Weaver, U.S. Army, got a 2010 Toyota Camry, donated by California Casualty.

Ashley served in the Navy from 2007-2011 aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. In Japan she was exposed to radiation and has suffered many illnesses related to the exposure. Later she was sent to the Persian Gulf during the Iraq invasion where she again was injured. Ashley is taking courses at Citrus College towards her AS degree and holds a 3.7 GPA. She also volunteers with many non-profits in the area and helps tutor veterans.

Allan served in the Army for over 7 years, joining right after 9-11. During his deployment in Iraq, Allan was injured. After returning home in 2008, he struggled to find a job and eventually became homeless. Six years later Allan remarried, has a 2 year old son and is pursuing a degree in business at Citrus College. Allan lends a hand to the elderly or disabled with home and car repairs.

- Brad Haugaard

Santa Story Time at Monrovia Library

Children's story time with Santa at the Monrovia Public Library on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. Stories, film, snacks, crafts and Santa. http://goo.gl/M22b6r

- Brad Haugaard

Stock in Monrovia's AeroVironment Tumbles

The stock of Monrovia's drone maker, AeroVironment, has been having a rough time since it released disappointing financial results for its second quarter. The stock is down from about $30.65 on Nov. 25 to $26.32 today. http://goo.gl/OsBJj4

- Brad Haugaard