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Friends of the Monrovia Public Library Book Sale

Friends of the Monrovia Public Library will hold a book sale, Saturday and Sunday, October 8-9 in Library Park and the Library Community Room, sharing a weekend event with the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts "Celebration of the Arts." Several thousand books and media will be on sale.
 
Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, the sale will feature the famous “$2 a Bag” sale. Purchase a grocery bag for $2 at the door beginning at 3 p.m. and then fill the bag with your selections.There will also be a repeat of the $5 Bag Sale. Purchase a Friends canvas bags for $5 and fill it with free books. Cash and checks only
 
An exclusive preview sale for members of the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 8. Memberships may be purchased at the door.
 
Sale tables will be restocked daily. The Friends Store will remain open during the sale for additional bargains- some at half-price. 100% of the proceeds benefit the Monrovia Public Library. 
 
For more information, call (626) 932-5555, Ext. 3124 or visit www.friendsofmonroviapubliclibrary.org 
 
- Brad Haugaard (from press release)

Monrovia 30, South Hills 34 :-(

Monrovia football loses third in a row. Sigh. http://goo.gl/3avU9 and http://goo.gl/Li7oF
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Businessman George Horst Has Died


Long time Monrovia resident and businessman, George Horst has died. He passed away peacefully at home on September 15, 2011, under the care of his family and Vitas Hospice. The inurnment took place privately on September 23, 2011 at Live Oak Memorial Park, Monrovia, CA. His memorial service will take place at First Church of the Nazarene, 3700 East Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, CA on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 4:00 PM.
George Horst Machulla was born in Glatz, Germany on August 7, 1941 during War World II. During the invasion by the Russians of the area where he was born, his mother, and grandmother fled with him the area on foot. It took them several months to arrive in Frankfurt, Germany. Life was very difficult in Germany after War World II and through the Lutheran Church they obtained passage as refugees to the United States. A U.S. troop transport vessel by the name of “USS General W. C. Langfitt” was provided to bring all the various refugees coming from Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and after cruising the Atlantic for several weeks they finally arrived in New York on August 1955. The group that arrived on this vessel went through Ellis Island. Once there, George and his mother, Lore, took the train to the West arriving at Union Station in Los Angeles in 1955 and settling in Monrovia, CA.
After graduating in 1959 from Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte High School, George worked for several years for Alta Dena Dairy in Monrovia in the milk plant, and then started his own business. He retired at age 62 and managed his commercial property in Old Town Monrovia.
George is survived by his wife of 46 years, Heidi, two sons, Robert (27) and Reiner (23) his mother, Lore Meyer and a brother, Steven Meyer. Three sisters, Gisela, Ute, and Ingrid, various cousins, nieces and nephews that reside in Germany.
- Brad Haugaard 

Lunch at Archie's Cafe


Lunch at Archie's Cafe, a new place a couple blocks east of Myrtle on Foothill, in the Certified Market center. (Our cat's named Archie and we wondered if he had a business going on the side. No, not him.) Cash only. Got the BBQ beef sandwich and a sweet iced tea, though the specialty appears to be a pastrami dip sandwich. Food was okay.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia vs South Hills | Volleyball | Switchblade | Business Showcase | Discards Fundraiser

~ Football: Tonight Monrovia vs. South Hills at Monrovia, 7 p.m. http://goo.gl/eQMHM
 
~ South Pas over Monrovia in volleyball. :-( http://goo.gl/Pvlr4
 
~ A review of "Switchblade," a killer drone from Monrovia's AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/CE8Ql
 
~ Tonight - with the family festival on Myrtle - a business showcase ( http://goo.gl/s3YIM ) featuring these businesses: http://goo.gl/Uawgg
 
~ Saturday (Oct. 1), bring good, usable discards to Albertson's Monrovia from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and help the Foothill Unity Center Auxiliary make its Goodwill fundraiser a success.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Plans to Buy Six Replacement Police Cars

At its October 4 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will consider buying a Chevy Tahoe and five Crown Victoria Police Interceptors for $152,725 as replacement patrol vehicles, plus spending $23,066 to get them decked out with sirens and lights, and another $1,810 for lettering and graphics. http://goo.gl/mq3Gy

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Bridge Foundations: Two Down, One to Go


The second Gold Line 210 bridge foundation has been completed. (It took the concrete from 45 trucks - 400 cubic yards.) One more foundation to go. Construction on the third foundation begins Friday, Sept. 30. http://goo.gl/korZg
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Walk to School Day

In celebration of International Walk to School Day, Monrovia Unified School District's Network for a Healthy California, the Monrovia Police Department, School Board, and three participating PTAs, are coordinating the walk for Bradoaks Elementary, Monroe Elementary, Plymouth Elementary, Wild Rose Elementary, and Canyon Early Learning Center Preschool.

Walk to School Day, (Oct. 5 from 7:15-8 a.m.) encourages physical activity, promotes safe walking skills, and improves the environment by reducing automobile congestion as well as an opportunity to stress the importance of a nutritious breakfast (kids get a taste of fruit when they get to school).

Visit the official website at www.walktoschool-usa.org.
- Brad Haugaard (from press release)

Monrovia Detective Work Leads to 155-Year Sentence for Child Molestation

A case resulting from investigative work by Monrovia Police Department has resulted in a man (no name given) being sentenced to 155 years to life for molesting his stepdaughter.

From the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 22-28:

"The suspect was arrested on December 15, 2009, for child molestation. The suspect, a registered sex offender, allegedly, had repeatedly molested his live-in stepdaughter over an 8-year period, beginning when she was only 4 years of age.
 
"The case was assigned to a detective for further investigation and the District Attorney's review.  During the course of the detective's investigation, he was able to locate a previous victim of the suspect, an ex-girlfriend's daughter.  She, too, was the victim of repeated sexual molestation by the suspect, which began when she was 6 years old.  This case occurred in West Covina in 1995, while the suspect lived with the victim's mother.
 
"Three felony charges were filed against the suspect for the Monrovia case by the Pasadena Superior Court and a jury trial began on August 10, 2011.  On August 16, 2011, the case went to the jury, and in a short 60 minutes, they returned with a verdict: GUILTY on all counts.  Each of the three counts holds a 25-year-to-life sentence, due to his prior felony sexual assault conviction.
 
"On September 23, the suspect was sentenced to 155 years to life for molesting his stepdaughter.  This case is a result of detailed investigative work by Monrovia Police Department detectives."
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia PD: Lost Cathedral City Woman Found, Punching Street Signs, Jaws of Life, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Sept. 22-28. - Brad Haugaard]
 
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 546 service events, resulting in 94 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
 
Theft from Vehicle
On September 22 at 9:08 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Vaquero reported a theft from his vehicle.  The victim had parked his vehicle during the late night, leaving the vehicle unlocked.  The resident returned to his vehicle in the morning and discovered his vehicle had been ransacked and his wallet was missing.  The wallet contained credit cards and cash.  No suspect(s) were seen or heard.
 
Petty Theft from Commercial Business
On September 22 at 10:47 a.m., a business in the 1500 block of California reported three pressure washers stolen from the property.  The pressure washers were being stored outside the building in the parking lot adjacent to Evergreen.  The equipment was last seen at the close of business.  When they opened in the morning, employees discovered the loss. 
 
Injury Traffic Collision
On September 22 at 3:36 p.m., a Honda Civic was traveling west on Duarte Road. The driver fell asleep and collided head-on into a pickup truck, which was traveling east.  Both drivers sustained injuries.  The driver of the pickup truck had to be extracted from the vehicle by cutting the driver's door with the "Jaws of Life."  Both drivers were taken to a hospital with moderate injuries.
 
Missing Person Located
On September 24 at 4:55 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Foothill and Canyon observed a vehicle impeding traffic.  The officer stopped the driver.  A check on the license plates returned a hit for a missing person, a 78-year-old female out of Cathedral City, last seen two days prior.  The female appeared disoriented and was brought to the police station.  The woman had no family in the area.  Cathedral City Police Department was contacted and took custody of the woman.
 
Spousal Battery - Suspect Arrested
On September 25 at 1:00 a.m., officers responded to a family disturbance in the 400 block of Genoa.  When the officers knocked on the door, it was answered by the 14- year-old son, who appeared nervous.  The son directed the officers to his parents' bedroom, where they found the father hiding under the bed.  A subsequent investigation revealed the father had battered his wife.  He was arrested.  When the suspect was placed in the backseat of the patrol vehicle, he began to bang his forehead against the Plexiglas divider.  Officers had to restrict his movement to prevent him from harming himself.  He was then taken to Monrovia Police Department without further incident.  The suspect did not sustain any injuries.
 
Public Intoxication - Suspect Arrested
On September 25 at 2:15 a.m., officers were contacted by a citizen who reported three male subjects causing a disturbance in the 100 block of West Lemon.  One of the subjects was punching street signs.  Officers located and contacted the subjects.  Two of the subjects were found to be intoxicated and unable to care for themselves, and they were arrested.  The third subject had been drinking, but was not found to be intoxicated.  He was identified and released at the scene. 
 
Commercial Burglary
On September 26 at 7:20 a.m., an officer went to a church in the 100 block of East Foothill regarding a burglary.  The reporting party showed the officer a hinge louver window that had been left unlocked.  This is where the suspects made entry.  The suspect(s) then used a screwdriver or similar type of pry tool to force a number of interior doors open; however, according to the reporting party, nothing appears to have been taken.
 
Gang Vandalism
On September 26 at 8:30 a.m., an officer went to a business in the 900 block of South Myrtle regarding a vandalism report.  The reporting party showed him the north wall of the building, which had gang graffiti written with green spray paint.  The vandalism seems to have occurred between September 24 and 26.
 
Possession of a Controlled Substance / Violation of a Court Order
On September 26 at 5:10 p.m., officers saw a female subject sitting on the curb in front of a residence in the 200 block of East Cherry in violation of a court order.  She was arrested.  A pat down search revealed a small rock of "crack" cocaine in her pant's coin pocket.  She was arrested and taken into custody.
 
Grand Theft Auto
On September 27 at 1:16 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 1300 block of South Fifth regarding a stolen vehicle.  The victim reported that her vehicle was stolen from the street sometime overnight.  The vehicle was locked, but does not have an alarm.  There was no broken glass on the ground where it was parked.  The vehicle is a white, 4-door, 1994 Honda Civic.
 
Death Report
On September 28 at 6:25 a.m., police responded to a residence in the 00 block of Hidden Valley.  The caller reported her 61-year-old sister in the bathtub and not breathing.  Monrovia Fire Department paramedics responded and pronounced the woman.  Los Angeles County Coroner's Office was contacted and responded to the scene. 
 
Theft from Vehicle
On September 28 at 12:10 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Mayflower.  The reporting party had parked his vehicle off the alley by his garage in the evening, but left it unlocked.  He returned to his vehicle at about 11:00 a.m. the next day and found his prescription glasses and GPS missing from the center console.  Investigation continuing.

Samson at the Library | Quota Club Honors Lunch

~ A picture of one of the painted Samson statues, this one called  "Bearlovian Paradise", at its new home in the library: http://goo.gl/44Cf2
 
~ At an Oct. 19 luncheon at the Double Tree, Quota Club of Monrovia-Duarte will honor four people "who serve with distinction." These are Monrovia Firefighter Michael Bailey, Monrovia Police Officer Glen Coleman, Monrovia Teacher Heather Povinelli, and Duarte Teacher Annette Bossi-Solorzano. Cost is $40. Details here: http://goo.gl/92Qgt
 
- Brad Haugaard

Last Day to Comment on Monrovia Hillside Plan EIR

Tomorrow, September 29, is the last day to submit comments about the environmental impact report for the proposed Hillside Wilderness Preserve and Hillside Recreation Area Resource Management Plan. http://goo.gl/DGcsS

Here is a link to the executive summary, if you'd like to get a quick overview: http://goo.gl/wpDSP

You can send comments to: wildernesspreserve@ci.monrovia.ca.us
 
Opinion: The only option for the hillside area that I object to is alternative 5a, the do-nothing option. I know there may be some increase in traffic for people living near the entryways, and that is unfortunate, but my recollection is that the property was purchased by the city, and that means that everyone in the city should be able to easily get to it, and I think this means that there should at least be signage and some parking spaces.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Ellis McCarthy on ESPN | Make a Difference

~ ESPN calls Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy "the man." http://goo.gl/jCjKz
 
~ Make a Difference Day in Monrovia, October 22. http://goo.gl/qXAxv
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Neighborhoods | Hit by a Car? | Chinese Cooking | Senior Assistance | Gold Line Meeting

~ Let Monrovia know how you rank your neighborhood in the Thriving Neighborhood Survey, through October 15.: http://goo.gl/QjeCy
 
~ Was this Monrovia woman hit by a car, or not? http://goo.gl/Ggr8n
 
~ At the library October 4, Chinese cooking with Chef Theresa Lin Cheng. http://goo.gl/ERyBE
 
~ Senior assistance organization opens in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/kp7ev
 
~ The Gold Line Construction Authority Board of Directors will be holding a meeting today (Sept. 28) at 7 p.m. at the Gold Line Offices, 406 E. Huntington Drive, Suite 202, in Monrovia. Here's the agenda: http://goo.gl/PsHVd
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Slips to Fifth | AeroVironment Gets $5.9 Million Order

~ Monrovia High slides to position 5 in football rankings. http://goo.gl/mFKx6
 
~ Monrovia's AeroVironment gets $6.9 million order from Air Force for Raven drone. http://goo.gl/PZ9Ag
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Church QR Code


This is the first time I've ever seen a church using a QR (Quick Response) code. Innovative. Just point a QR reader - on your cell phone - at it and it takes you to the church's website: http://www.fpcmonrovia.org/

- Brad Haugaard

Governor Signs Monrovia Senator's Anti-Mussel Measure

Legislation authored by Senator Bob Huff - who represents Monrovia - to exterminate the invasive quagga and zebra mussels, has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. http://goo.gl/BirYJ

- Brad Haugaard

Supreme Court Halting Gold Line Construction

The California Supreme Court is bringing Gold Line construction to a halt, according to Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa.
 
In his weekly report, Ochoa said the Court - which had frozen redevelopment agency transactions until a lawsuit has been decided - refused to make any exceptions, so the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency can't sell property to the Gold Line for a maintenance yard, and that means the Gold Line can't get new funding, because it needs at least 50 percent of the maintenance-yard property locked up before the money will be released.

Ochoa said the court is not expected to rule until this winter.

 
- Brad Haugaard

Donation Drive for Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center


Foothill Unity Center Auxiliary's donation drive with Goodwill is ending this Sat., Oct. 1.  Shirley Slattery writes that, "We've had a great response for pre-event donations and now want to remind everyone that Oct. 1 is the last day."
- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia Accessories Store | Valley Video

~ New home accessories store, Charlie's House, on Myrtle. http://goo.gl/yaCPl
 
~ First in a series of videos promoting San Gabriel Valley, by the SGV Economic Partnership. No mention of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/ACFZ3
 
- Brad Haugaard