Monrovia May Be Hit By Blackouts This Summer | Late Gas Bills | Brews & Books | Restrooms | West Side Story

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/YjnAkU ), City Manager Oliver Chi reported:

- Last week, Southern California Gas Company Edison told the City that because of restricted operations of the company's Southern California Gas Company's Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility, there is an increased risk that we will experience rotating blackouts this summer. City staff has corresponded with SCE to determine what measures, if any, can be taken to mitigate the potential of such rolling blackouts. Comment: Sorry 'bout that.

- Southern California Gas Company notified Monrovia that some residents may receive delayed bills. This means a bigger bill later.

- Brews and Books on June 23, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Station Square Promenade by the Metro Parking Structure. Open to adults 21 years and older with a valid ID. Sample lagers and ales from local brewer, Pacific Plate Brewing, and discover books written by the brew masters.

- The city has installed new restroom partitions at the city-owned Boys and Girl Club of the Foothills. Existing partitions in both the boys and girls restrooms were in need of replacement due to wear and tear.

- Taylor Performing Arts Center will be presenting West Side Story, opening on July 14, for 5 performances on July 14, July 15, July 16 and July 17, at 8 p.m. each day and also a 2 p.m performance on July 16. http://goo.gl/2JhO1w

- Brad Haugaard

Fourth of July in Monrovia

Monrovia's 4th of July Concert and Fireworks Show is scheduled to take place on Monday, July 4, in Library Park (321 S. Myrtle Ave.). Live Entertainment will begin at 7 p.m. with a performance by Person to Person. Following the concert, a free 20 minute Fireworks Show will begin at 9 p.m. That according to City Manager Oliver Chi.

He also says that spectators may reserve a park space no larger than 10 x 10 feet which must be supervised at all times. This event was made possible by sponsorships from Samuelson & Fetter, Monrovia Old Town Merchants, Wendy's Hamburgers, Diane Balsamo of Prime Lending, Larry Davis of Prime Lending, and the Sierra Family of Dealerships. The City will be once again encourage spectators to participate in the Patriotic Canopy Decorating Contest, where the most festive canopies will win prizes.

For additional information, please contact the Monrovia Department of Public Services at 256-8246.

- Brad Haugaard

Soulful Celebration Concert in Monrovia

The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company presents "A Soulful Celebration!" on June 25 at 7 p.m. at St. Luke Church. The concert will feature performances of classic soul hits by Michael Jackson, Etta James, Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, and Bill Withers, in addition to spirituals and gospel songs. The performance will be accompanied by a live band, will include guest soloists, and will include "Kids in Concert!" The evening will also include a silent auction fundraiser.

Tickets at the door are $20 ($15 seniors/students, $5 children under 12). Also at http://www.sgvccsingers.org or by check (SGVCC; P.O. Box 2225; Monrovia, CA 91017). Tax-deductible donations to SGVCC are accepted online and by check.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Adoption Day at Humane Society

The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, which serves Monrovia, will hold its third annual “Free Adoption Day” on June 23. Adoption fees will be waived for all available animals - dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, pocket pets and reptiles - for the entire day. The shelter, at 361 S. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena, will be open for adoptions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As the shelter fills to capacity during the warmer months, it is important to find new homes for pets as quickly as possible. This is especially true before Fourth of July, when animals are easily frightened by the loud booms and bursts of fireworks and may run away. The shelter hopes to free up as much kennel as possible to for the increased number of stray and lost pets arriving around the Fourth of July. The 2015 “Free Adoption Day” resulted in the adoption of 46 cats, 18 dogs, three rabbits and one iguana.

Regular adoption policies and screening apply. To expedite the adoption process, print an adoption application in advance on our website. If you rent, bring proof you are allowed to have a pet at your residence. Ample parking is available onsite. View all animals at the shelter at pasadenahumane.org/adopt.

- Brad Haugaard

Medical Fundraiser for Carmen Martinez | Free Football Camp

~ Fundraiser for medical expenses of Monrovia resident Carmen Martinez Friday, June 24, 6-8 p.m., at United Methodist Church (140 E. Palm). http://goo.gl/QCz0kr

~ Learn basic football skills from Wildcat coaches and players. Free camp for kids ages 6-14. Wednesday, June 29 at 5-6 p.m. at the Monrovia High Football Field. For registration information email Monroviafoobtall2016@gmail.com

Toasty Days! Record 107 Degrees Expected for Monrovia Monday

Toasty days coming. It is expected to reach 103 degrees on Sunday and 107 next Monday. Make a pitcher of lemonade! ( https://goo.gl/0qMTb8 )

The National Weather service says this is "potential record heat" and recommends: "Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid being outside during the warmest part of the day. If working outside...work with a buddy and take frequent breaks. Provide water and shelter for animals. Check on family... friends... neighbors and animals. Also remember to never ever leave children... pets and the elderly unattended in vehicles... even with the windows down." NWS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Marching Band & Color Guard Awards Banquet

On May 28 the Monrovia High School Marching Wildcats Band & Color Guard held its annual awards banquet to celebrate an outstanding year in youth music and performance at Embassy Suites Arcadia. Among the awards given that night, Director of Bands Daniel J. Magallanes presented the John Phillip Sousa and the Louis Armstrong awards, as well as a new award, The Jackie Farrow Memorial Scholarship.

- The Louis Armstrong award is a nationally recognized award presented to a graduating senior for dedication and excellence in jazz. Nathanial Young is this year's recipient.

- The John Phillip Sousa award is a nationally recognized award for students who exhibit superior musicianship and outstanding dedication in band. Joseph Garcia is this year's recipient.

- The Jackie Farrow Memorial Scholarship is a new award presented by the band booster board members to an exemplary graduating senior who has dedicated him- or herself to service to others in the band program. Emily O'Pray was awarded the scholarship.

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Graduates Record Number of Students

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, reports that its Class of 2016 is nearly 25 percent larger than that of the previous year and breaks a 100-year record for the total number of students receiving associate degrees.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Indecent Exposure; Pedestrian Hit; Another Bear; Not a Burglary, a Party; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 9-12. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Vehicle Burglary
June 9 at 7:31 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 2500 block of S. Peck Road. The victim parked and locked his vehicle on the street in front of his residence the evening prior. When he returned to his vehicle in the morning, he discovered the passenger window had been shattered. The suspect entered the vehicle and rummaged through the glovebox and center console. The victim did not know exactly what was taken, if anything. The investigation is continuing.

Indecent Exposure
June 9 at 12:30 p.m., a female victim reported an incident of indecent exposure that had just occurred at Mayflower and Walnut. The female victim was walking at Mayflower and Walnut when a faded, pale green, four-door SUV stopped next to her. The male driver asked for directions. As she approached the vehicle to give him directions, she saw he was exposing himself. She immediately turned and walked quickly back to her place of business. She had security call police to report the incident. The victim described the suspect as a male white in his late 30's to early 40's with dark brown hair, average build, a pointy nose, and wearing a dark colored t-shirt. The investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
June 9 at 7:45 p.m., officers responded to the report of an injury traffic collision at the intersection of Foothill and Canyon. Witnesses reported that a vehicle heading east on Foothill Boulevard ran a red light and struck a male, adult pedestrian in the crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained several breaks in his left leg, a broken nose and several lacerations. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Vehicle Burglary
June 10 at 10:22 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of N. Myrtle. The vehicle was broken into sometime overnight. There were no signs of forced entry. Miscellaneous items were taken. The investigation is continuing.

Bear Incident
June 10 at 10:29 a.m., a bear was reported in the 600 block of Hacienda going yard to yard. The Department of Fish and Wildlife responded, tranquilized the bear and took it back into the foothills, where it was released. The bear was a 200 pound female in good health that had not been tagged.

Trespassing – Subjects Advised
June 10 at 8:54 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residential burglary in progress in the 1100 block of Norumbega Drive. The reporting party was house sitting for the resident. When she arrived at the location, she saw the lights inside turn on and off. She then saw a male subject exit the front door and she called police. Officers responded and two male juveniles were located on the property with the assistance of the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter. Through investigation, officers discovered the residence had been listed on social media as having a house party. The homeowner was contacted and told that his teenage son had given permission to friends to have a party while he was on vacation. The owner refused to prosecute; all parties were advised.

Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
June 10 at 9:17 p.m., a fight in progress was reported in the 100 block of W. Foothill. Bike patrol officers arrived and located a subject matching the description of one of the reported subjects involved in the fight. While speaking with the subject, a female subject approached. Both subjects were extremely intoxicated and determined to be unable to care for themselves. Police were unable to substantiate that a fight had taken place. Both suspects were arrested for public intoxication and held for sobering.

Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested
June 10 at 9:15 p.m., a female victim called police to report that her estranged husband has been verbally threatening her. The victim showed the officers text messages she had recently received from him that threatened he was going to kill her and that she was about to die. Officers searched for the suspect at local locations and found his vehicle parked in the 600 block of E. Cypress. The suspect was inside the vehicle and was detained. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded firearm. The suspect was arrested for criminal threats and taken into custody.

Warrant – Suspects Arrested
June 10 at 9:30 p.m., two suspicious subjects were reportedly breaking into a vehicle in the 300 block of S. Myrtle. The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter was nearby and guided officers to the location of the suspicious subjects. The subjects were located inside their own vehicle and one of the subjects had a warrant for his arrest. No vehicle burglaries were located. The suspect was arrested for the warrant.

Vehicle Burglary
June 11 at 2:49 a.m., a vehicle with a shattered window was reported in the 700 block of W. Huntington Drive. Officers arrived and found the vehicle had been broken into and the contents were strewn about inside the vehicle. Officers were unable to locate the registered owner. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
June 11 at 3:25 a.m., a homeowner in the 400 block of E. Almond Avenue called police to report her residence had been burglarized. Police responded and found the interior of the residence had been ransacked. A small safe had been broken into and the contents were missing. The home was empty during the time of the burglary. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
June 11 at 9:45 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1800 block of Encino. The vehicle is a gray Toyota Camry and it was stolen from the driveway of the residence sometime overnight. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered – Suspect Arrested
June 11 at 8:33 p.m., officers located a reported stolen vehicle in a parking structure in the 100 block of W. Colorado. The vehicle was believed to be stolen by two subjects that have been committing vehicle burglaries in town. Officers watched the vehicle hoping the suspects would return. At 1:50 a.m., one of the suspects returned and attempted to drive the vehicle out of the parking structure. The vehicle was stopped by officers and the suspect was taken into custody. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
June 11 at 9:00 p.m., a resident in the 1800 block of Tenth Avenue called police to report his home had been burglarized while he and his family were out of the country. He indicated they have been gone for the past four months traveling. The rear window to a door was shattered and the home had been ransacked. A list is being compiled of the stolen property. The loss was extensive and the investigation is continuing.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
June 12 at 7:00 a.m., a caller reported suspicious subjects in the stairway of a parking structure in the 100 block of W. Colorado. When officers arrived, they saw a male adult drop a meth pipe on the ground. The suspect was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested for the charges and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
June 12 at 9:54 p.m., officers responded to the report of possible domestic abuse. They arrived and determined that there had been an argument between family members and the husband punched the wife in the face. He was arrested and an emergency protection order was obtained.

OSH Monrovia Store Having a Hiring Event

Orchard Supply Hardware will have a hiring event at its new Monrovia Store (700 W. Huntington) on June 16-17 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. The company is building a team for the store, which opens in late July, and wants cashiers, sales associates, receiving specialist, clerical support associates, assistant store manager, sales lead, front end lead and support team lead. Applicants must complete an online application prior to interview at: http://www.osh.com/hiring-event-monrovia . Available positions will be involved in setting up the store.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Lab Discovers Preventive Measure Against HIV

Researchers at Monrovia'S Oak Crest Institute of Science have demonstrated for the first time that two powerful antiretroviral drugs can provide complete protection against HIV. http://goo.gl/cKOC2V

- Brad Haugaard

Metro To Charge for Some Parking Spots at Monrovia Station

Metro is going to begin charging for some of the parking spots at the Monrovia train station, as well as at the Irwindale, Monrovia and Downtown Azusa stations. For $39 you get a monthly permit that allows you to park in designated spaces if you arrive between 4 and 10 a.m. Permits available on a first-come, first-served basis. http://goo.gl/wiKUcP

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Bridge Named Top Architectural Project

The Gold Line bridge over the 210 freeway has been named one of ArchDaily's top 100 architectural projects: http://goo.gl/IURfAJ

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Myrtle Tree Garden Cafe & Market

Had lunch yesterday at the new Myrtle Tree Garden Cafe & Market, on the west side of Myrtle just below Lime. Got a smoked salmon sandwich for $10 and an ice tea for $2.50. Very similar to its predecessor, Le Gourmand. Sandwich was tasty. 

- Brad Haugaard

Summer Enrichment for Students; Library Activities; Golden Streets

- Monrovia Schools Foundation is offering a Summer Enrichment program for K-12 students. Elementary and middle school classes $375 per course and the high school classes are $400 per course. Details: http://goo.gl/RHwSS0

- This June at Monrovia Library, actitities for children to adults (Highlights: children - Barks and Books, read to a dog; adult - Korean food, taste and learn): http://goo.gl/Mxsx6S

~ 626 Golden Streets. Sunday June 26, (626) Day! Free, family-friendly ciclovia opening streets to Walk, Run, Skate, Bike, Ride and Explore the 626! 17 miles of open streets linking 6 Gold Line Stations and 7 San Gabriel Valley cities. Comment: Wikipedia, ciclovia, "a Spanish term that means 'cycleway', either a permanent bike path or the closing of certain streets to automobiles for cyclists and pedestrians." http://goo.gl/nU3PTU

- Brad Haugaard