News: brad.haugaard@gmail.com   •  Restaurants   •  Library Catalog   •  Library Activities  •  History   •  Facebook / X/Twitter / RSS

Injured Monrovia Child Home Again / Smoking in Parks

~ An infant injured by a Great Dane is home again.  http://goo.gl/XUWSI
 
~ Smoking remains legal in Monrovia Parks. http://goo.gl/zueyD
 
- Brad Haugaard

Lake Library


Looking out from the front door of the Monrovia Library today. A sea of water.

- Brad Haugaard

Sawpit Debris Basin Full

Sawpit Debris Basin, which was a mere mud puddle before the rains, is now an overflowing lake. (Corrected. I originally labeled this Sawpit Dam.)

-Brad Haugaard




Boys Soccer / Christmas Flash Mob

~ Boys Soccer: Garey 2, Monrovia 0 :-( http://goo.gl/wY5Yt and http://goo.gl/lQJR8

~ Next door in Arcadia, at the Nordstrom in the mall, a "flash mob" began singing Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. If you are not familiar with the flash mob concept, read about it - and see the video - here: http://goo.gl/yaOeT
 
- Brad Haugaard

Wildcat Victory Celebration on January 6

There will be a celebration of the Monrovia Wildcats' football victory on January 6, according to Mayor Mary Ann Lutz.
On her Facebook page, Mayor Lutz said the schedule will be:
- 6:30 pm: Depart MHS with escort of Fire and Police Department apparatus/vehicles. Players and coaches will be riding on decorated vehicles. They will travel east on Colorado, turn north on Myrtle, then circle Library Park (Palm, Primrose, Lime, Myrtle).
- 6:45 pm: The players will be delivered to the mid-300 block of Myrtle Avenue, where the MHS Band and Cheerleaders will already be present. Big M Boosters will be selling pompoms, etc., hot cocoa, etc.
- 7 p.m.: Celebratory program and presentation of the CIF championship trophy.
Source: http://goo.gl/5FY7Z
- Brad Haugaard




MHS Wildcat Parade

Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa said that at tomorrow's city council meeting "the Mayor and Council will outline a community celebration featuring a parade/procession and a rally in Library Park." He guesstimates that the proclamation of "MHS Wildcat Day" will dominate the meeting.
He adds: "Also on the agenda, we have the recognition of the "Holiday Home Decorating Contest" (PR-2), the proposed amendment to the Monrovia Municipal Code relating to mobile vendors (PH-1), the rezoning of recently-acquired hillside property from a residential designation to a Hillside Wilderness Preserve zone designation (PH-2), and the mid-year budget update (AR-1)."
Source: http://goo.gl/m6ED8
- Brad Haugaard

Glowing-Nosed Rudolph


A red-nosed reindeer on N. Canyon in Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Household Tip

I'd like to share today a tip I have learned from painful experience. But because this is a Monrovia blog I'll have to ask you not to share it with anybody living across the border in Arcadia.

Okay? Okay!

So, let's say you have cats (an orange one and a black one in this example) and, further, let's say you like to wear t-shirts, but sometimes you gotta change into a button shirt to go to church or a Christmas party or something. However, the t-shirt isn't dirty yet - you know because you sniffed it (I'm talking to guys, here) - so you lay it on your bed, planning to come back to it after the formal event.

But what happens? The wrong-color cat comes and lays on your t-shirt! (See pictures.) Note that dark cats do NOT lay on dark t-shirts and light cats do NOT lay on light shirts. They know that their fur will not properly show up on a similarly colored shirt.

So anyway, now you have orange cat hair on your black t-shirt and black hair on your white t-shirt. Sigh.

But, here's where this handy household tip comes in.

When you take the t-shirt off, simply flip it inside out and lay it on the bed.

Then the cat comes along all smug-like and lays on the t-shirt and thinks he's getting it all covered with cat hair, but then you come back and - Ha Ha! - flip the t-shirt right-side-out and put it on again. It's a little bit tickley, but not a whisker's worth of cat hair showing!

It's not so hard to trick a cat if you really put your mind to it.

- Brad Haugaard




Home Decorations Map / Food Distribution / Girl's Basketball

~ A list of Holiday Home Winners here: http://goo.gl/OXc96 and here's a map you can print out: http://goo.gl/oNIjz
 
~ Picture of Foothill Unity Center's food distribution. http://goo.gl/NO7Q6
 
~ Girls Basketball: Arcadia 59, Monrovia 38 :-( 38 http://goo.gl/tKkf3
 
- Brad Haugaard

Unity Center Box-a-Thon




Many hands makes light work at Saturday's food boxing for Christmas distribution at Arboretum.
- Brad Haugaard

Rainy Saturday in Monrovia


It's umbrella weather today. Hot soup for lunch?

- Brad Haugaard

One of Biggest Distributions in LA County

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center is "racing to get ready for one of the biggest holiday distributions in LA County Sunday and Monday at the Arboretum. Total signups: 1,852 families, 2,988 children." http://goo.gl/dsWzD

When I contacted the Center I was told there is need for toy-packers this afternoon, starting at noon at the Arboretum and that I could just come on down to help, so I guess if you are an adult you could as well.

- Brad Haugaard

Soggy Santa & Caroling

I caught a few pictures of Santa touring Monrovia. I think you can just see him wearing a yellow raincoat. I don't blame him.

Also, Monrovia First Presbyterian Church friends and family gathered for dinner and caroling at local nursing homes. Here's a video collage: http://goo.gl/dSjNM

- Brad Haugaard




New Gold Line Website and Chairman


The Gold Line Extension folks have launched "a one-stop shop of information about the program of projects underway at the Construction Authority,” according Habib F. Balian, CEO of the Construction Authority. Here is the main page: http://www.foothillextension.org/

Here is the detail page about Phase 2A, which includes Monrovia. The design has parrots on it, which - come to think of it - is pretty relevant, even if they are kinda noisy: http://goo.gl/66PwF

Also, while the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority Board of Directors didn't select a Monrovian as its new chairman of the board, I guess as long as the chairman is from some point to the east of Monrovia (It's Glendora Mayor Pro Tem Doug Tessitor ), that person will be anxious to move the project along. http://goo.gl/j4ruV

- Brad Haugaard

Shopping Monrovia / City Wins Suit / Hoop Shoot / Santa Blast-Off

~ Charlotte Schamadan has a shopping adventure in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/pZa9K
 
~ City wins lawsuit by former deputy fire marshal. http://goo.gl/xUe2l
 
~ Kids can compete for awards in the Elks "Hoop Shoot" Free Throw Competition at the Mary Wilcox Center this Saturday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m. http://goo.gl/MufaO


~ Santa Blasts-Off. Great home decoration. http://goo.gl/Gsmeg
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Finances Improving

At its Tuesday, Dec. 21 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will hear a mid year review by Mark Alvarado, Director of Finance, on the City's financial condition, which - in a word - is "better."

"Overall, our revenue projections (estimated in the Spring) for 2010-11 showed increases in both sales and property taxes. This was the first time we projected positive growth in three years. At this time, we are still anticipating positive growth."

However, this is not the end of pain, and because of shortfalls in the last couple of years city staff is recommending, among other things, "a 2% decrease to each department’s operating budget."

More details here: http://goo.gl/Rt7P2

- Brad Haugaard

Decorating Winners / Serve in Government / Vending Trucks

Home Decorating Contest
At its Tuesday, Dec. 21 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will reveal the winners of the 2010 Holiday Home Decorating Contest. Categories are: Best Decorated Indoor Tree, Most Effective Use of Lighting a House, Best Outdoor Display, Neighborhood Award, Children’s Choice Award, Toyland Award, Snowman Award, Best Still Display, Holiday Spirit Award, Best Window Display, Best Decorated Outdoor Tree, Judges Award and the Tim McKeehan Best of the Holiday Season.

 
Open Slots in Government
If you are interested in serving in the Monrovia City Government, you may be interested to know that there are 11 anticipated open positions on the following boards and commissions: Planning Commission (3), Community Services Commission (2), Historic Preservation Commission (2), Library Board (2), and Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board (MOTAB) (2).

 
Rules for Vending Trucks
At its Tuesday meeting the City Council will consider a first reading of an amendment to the Monrovia Municipal Code regarding regulations for mobile vendors.

"The most significant changes are that mobile vendors will not be allowed in residential areas, Old Town, or within the same block. Ice cream, frozen dessert, and candy vendors will be allowed to vend all year round and not just from June through September, will not be allowed in Old Town or on the same block. Mobile food and ice cream vendors and on-motorized vendors will be allowed with a special event permit for block parties, street fairs and similar events."

Source: http://goo.gl/Rt7P2

- Brad Haugaard

Police Report: Knife Robbery, Drug Arrest, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Dec. 9-15. - Brad Haugaard]
 
During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 490 service events, resulting in 104 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
 
 
Vehicle Burglary
December 9 at 7:50 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of West Lime regarding a vehicle burglary.  The victim reported his vehicle had been broken into during the night and his GPS was taken.  The suspect broke the front passenger window to gain entry.  Investigation continuing.
 
Commercial Burglary     
December 9 at 9:47 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 800 block of South Myrtle regarding a burglary.  The victim reported his locked trailer had been broken into during the night.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vandalism
December 9 at 11:51 a.m., an officer went to Myrtle and Atara regarding two city signs having been tagged with graffiti.  A stop sign and a neighborhood watch sign had graffiti written on them with a black marker.  Investigation continuing.
 
Residential Burglary
December 9 at 4:27 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of North Alta Vista.  The resident had returned and saw someone had broken into the home.  She did not enter the house and called the police.  Officers arrived and made entry, but no suspects were located.  A rear window that is not visible from the street was pried open.  Investigation continuing.
 
Robbery
December 10 at 9:50 a.m., a victim called on his cell phone to report he was robbed at knife point.  He described the suspect as an adult male, mid-20's, with dark curly hair and a blue shirt with a hood.  He was not hurt, but he was confused as to his exact location.  The suspect walked up behind him, threatened him with a knife and took his wallet.  The dispatcher was able to establish the victim's location.  Officers arrived and conducted an area search with the assistance of the Foothill Air Support helicopter, but did not locate the suspect.  However, based on the suspect's description, officers thought they possibly knew the suspect from previous contact.  An officer put together a photo line-up and the victim positively identified the suspect.  A wanted person was entered into the computer system for the suspect.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vandalism / Throwing an Object at a Moving Vehicle / Nighttime Curfew - Suspects Arrested
December 10 at 10:13 p.m., a subject was traveling east on Huntington, approaching Primrose, when he saw five male juveniles standing in front of a fast food restaurant.  As the victim drove by, he saw one of the juveniles throw an object at his vehicle, which shattered the rear window.  The juveniles ran into the restaurant, where they were detained by officers.  The juvenile who threw the object was identified and arrested.  The other four juveniles were brought to the station and cited for curfew violation.
 
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
December 11 at 2:04 a.m., a subject was riding passenger in a vehicle when he saw an officer in a parking lot in the 100 block of West Foothill.  The passenger exited the vehicle and approached the officer.  He reported to the officer that the driver was drunk and refused to let him drive.  He cautioned the officer that the driver had said he had a firearm in the vehicle.  The driver was stopped, and determined to be under the influence.  During a search of the vehicle, officers located an unloaded firearm under the rear seat and two loaded magazines in the glove box.  The driver was arrested and taken into custody.
 
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
December 11 at 3:43 a.m., officers observed a driver northbound on Myrtle from Huntington, driving at a high rate of speed.  Officers stopped the driver and during the investigation, determined the driver was under the influence.  He was arrested and taken into custody.
 
Drug Activity
December 12 at 1:59 a.m., officers responded to the area of Central and Magnolia regarding possible shots heard.  When they arrived in the area, they saw a group of three male subjects.  As they approached, one of the subjects threw an object on the ground, which turned out to be a toy replica of a firearm.  The officers detained the subject who threw the item and discovered he was in possession of methamphetamine.  The subject detained was arrested, and the other two subjects were identified and released.  The shot heard turned out to be a tire blowout on the freeway.
 
Dog Bite
December 13 at 2:45 p.m., a six month old female was taken from the arms of her mother by a 3 year old Great Dane.  The mother and baby both sustained bite injuries. The infant was transported via helicopter to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center. The baby is in stable condition in the neonatal unit.  The investigation is continuing.
 
Attempt Vehicle Burglary
December 14 at 3:01 a.m., an officer saw a male and female walking in the area of Grand and Aspen.  As the officer approached, the female threw something on the ground and quickly walked away from it.  The object was found to be methamphetamine.  The female subject was arrested.

Monrovia's Nick Bueno is MVP / Elves

~ Monrovia wins player awards for Rio Hondo League, including Nick Bueno as MVP. http://goo.gl/xXSJ4
 
~ A picture of some Target store "elves," who helped at the Unity Center. http://goo.gl/Z5Pkj
 
- Brad Haugaard

Dog to Die / Boy's Basketball Loses to Damien

~ Great Dane who attacked infant to die. http://goo.gl/htAVi
 
~ Monrovia boys basketball team loses to Damien High, 63-49. goo.gl/GlAvz
 
- Brad Haugaard