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Monrovia Employment Seminar | Sacramento Stuff | Girls' Tennis | Art in Park | UPS Store | Halloween

~ Steps to Employment seminar at the library Oct. 18. http://goo.gl/9Zgx9
 
~ Governor Brown signs a bill by Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia. It allows door-to-door household hazardous waste collection programs. http://goo.gl/j8lse
 
~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, is unhappy that Governor Brown approved the DREAM Act. "California is billions of dollars in the hole ... Yet, he has found a slush fund of $42 million to hand to illegal aliens?"
 
~ You can support the Monrovia High Girls' Tennis team by printing this coupon and having a meal at Panda Express on Oct. 13. http://goo.gl/tIDgL 
 
~ Community art in the park. http://goo.gl/DYwNK
 
~ A UPS Store has opened in the Paragon building on Myrtle. http://goo.gl/t8ZeV
 
~ Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee, Library Park, on Halloween. The first 50 registrants will receive a free pumpkin. Details: http://goo.gl/45IFX
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Grad Wins Nobel Prize

1961 Monrovia High grad, Thomas Sargent, has won a Nobel Prize in economics. http://goo.gl/V2o4i

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Money for Energy Upgrades | Health Screenings | Fire and Deer Plants | Kid's Book Club | Philippines

~ If you are "income qualified," you may be eligible for money to upgrade your house with "residential energy saving devices" and to create jobs of low-income youths, who will - I take it - be installing the devices. Call Dan McConnell at City Hall - (626) 932-5504 - and ask about the GREEN (Green Residential Energy Efficiency Neighborhoods) grants.
 
~ Life Line health screenings on Friday, Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Single screenings from $35 to $60 and packages from $129 to $159, which include four screenings of the carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and atria fibrillation. To register, contact Life Line Screening at (888) 653-6441.
 
~ Information from Monrovia Fire Department on deer and fire resistant plants (scroll down after clicking here): http://goo.gl/AXbz9
 
~ A Kid's Book Club will be held on Monday, Oct. 10, at 3:30 p.m. The program, titled Animals, Animals, Animals, is for Kindergarten through first grade children. Register at www.monroviapubliclibrary.org or call the Library at (626) 256-8274.
 
~ There will be a free cultural Library program about the Philippines, with story, song, craft and film, on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m. Treats, too.

 
- Brad Haugaard

Governor Approves and Vetoes Portantino Bills

Governor Jerry Brown has signed one bill by Anthony Portantino - who represents part of Monrovia - and vetoed another. Brown signed the bill criminalizing openly carrying an unloaded handgun in public ( http://goo.gl/IsWCV ) and vetoed a bill designed to encourage college students to get federal loans ( http://goo.gl/XcCeV ). Brown said that could be left to the colleges.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Nominate a Great Monrovian | Football

~ Know some high-quality Monrovians? Nominate them for one of these three awards: Monroe Award, Iris Award, and Dick Lord Award. Details here: http://goo.gl/LR8b0
 
~ A look at Monrovia's (and other teams') chances in football. http://goo.gl/MrkKi
 
- Brad Haugaard

Change in Monrovia School Start Date for 2012

For the 2012 year, Monrovia schools will begin on August 13, pending ratification by the Monrovia Teachers Association. According to the report ( http://goo.gl/HROnG ), "The earlier start date is being recommended in order to accommodate the needs of secondary students to complete the first semester before winter break." [Thanks to Vicke Thrower and Alex Zucco for pointing that out to me. I had missed it.]
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board Candidate Forum


There are quite a few Monrovia school board candidates this election (more than I've ever seen). Here's a good opportunity to get to hear them.
- Brad Haugaard

Shots Fired | Monrovia Over Paramount :-) | Governor Signs Gold Line Exception Bill

~ Shots fired on 200 block of E. Colorado Blvd. early Saturday morning. http://goo.gl/Gnz6v
 
~ Monrovia Wildcats beat Paramount in football. http://goo.gl/f3xUS
 
~ Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a measure that will allow elected officials along the Gold Line to serve on its board. That had been challenged by a property owner fighting against having his property taken by eminent domain. http://goo.gl/v4sTT 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monday Freeway Closures | New Monrovia Church | School Board | Epilepsy Law Signed | Lawsuits

~ Monday, Oct. 10, there will be more lane closures for the 210 Freeway bridge so the construction crew can remove the big crane in the center divider. Up to three lanes will be closed on the 210 eastbound from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Oct. 11.


~ Here is what will apparently be the web page  ( http://goo.gl/yhy9t ) of a new Monrovia church - Fellowship Monrovia - that will be founded by Albert Tate (currently a pastor at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena). Website is clearly not quite ready for prime time, but these three videos by Tate are: http://goo.gl/BnknW


~ The next school board meeting is Oct. 12. I checked the agenda and there do not appear to be any killer items that will be discussed, but here's the agenda if you are interested: http://goo.gl/6vkHz


~ Senator Bob Huff's law permitting trained school employees to give emergency aid to epileptic students has been signed into law. http://goo.gl/LoIUG


~ More lawsuits filed against city to prevent eminent domain being used to take private property for a Gold Line maintenance yard. http://goo.gl/aLXIp 



UPDATE on schools from Vickie Thrower:



Wanted to let you know that Alex Zucco emailed to let me know that there will be an announcement at the 10/12 School Board Meeting – the 2012/2013 School year will start on August 13, 2012.  The end date of that school year will not be decided until this coming January.

Also, wanted to let you know that there is a School Board Candidate Forum scheduled for Oct 19th.  I am the President of the Monrovia PTA Council and we are one of the Co-Sponsors of this event, being moderated by the League of Women Voters.



- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Senator: Is California Neglecting the Trades?

State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, thinks the idea that college is for everybody is mistaken and that California education has neglected the trades (wood shop and auto mechanics), apprenticeships, "and other hands on learning opportunities with actual businesses and industries." For the whole thing, scroll down to "Preparing students for an ever-shifting world" - http://goo.gl/PGNGi

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company Patents Hydrogen-Powered Airplane

Monrovia's AeroVironment has been issued a patent for a "hydrogen powered aircraft," invented by Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, and Kyle D. Swanson. http://goo.gl/YynxS
 
- Brad Haugaard

Three Bridge Foundations Done - Abutments Next

The three foundations for the Gold Line bridge near Santa Anita Avenue have been poured. Here's a report from Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian

"Early this morning, Skanska completed the last of three deep (110 foot deep, 11 foot diameter) foundations for the I-210 Bridge - a significant undertaking. Each deep hole was reinforced with 60-ton steel cages that had to be brought to the site in two large segments and permanently joined on-site. Once lowered into place, close to 450 cubic yards of concrete was poured into each reinforced hole – requiring 45 truck-loads of Irwindale-produced concrete. Most of this work was done late at night, from Midnight to 5:00 a.m., requiring multiple closures of the eastbound I-210 Freeway and coordination with Caltrans, CHP, City of Arcadia Police Department, and others.
 
"In addition to the fact that the amount of steel used in the three reinforcing steel cages is enough to circle the Santa Anita main racetrack three times, it is also interesting to note that what is intertwined into that steel makes each column "smart." As discussed in this article, wires were embedded into each reinforcing steel cage capable of sending electrical impulses through the foundation’s structure. In the event of an earthquake, these impulses will be utilized to identify if any damage has occurred to the foundations. This technology, called Time Domain Reflectometry, has been utilized in landslide prone areas to detect earth movement and is being used for the first time in a bridge with this project. Without this state-of-the-art technology, the only way to check the impact of an earthquake on the foundations would be to physically excavate them.
  
"Skanska will now focus on building the bridge abutments, or the ingress/egress points to the bridge on either side of the freeway. They will also start work on the three iconic, basket-themed columns (being built above the three deep foundations) that are certain to become the hallmark of the gateway bridge."
 
- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Enrique's


Lunch at Enrique's Mexican Cuisine, at Colorado and Ivy. Got a lunch special, a carnitas soft taco and tortilla soup. It was very good. I tried this place a couple years ago and wasn't impressed. Now I am. Nice!

- Brad Haugaard

No Bodybuilding Show at Monrovia High | Prayer Breakfast

~ No bodybuilding competition at Monrovia High because of scantily clad women. http://goo.gl/yZBpC . UPDATE: Or maybe the School Board will consider it: http://goo.gl/zC9kP


~ The 46th annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast will be at 8 a.m. on Nov. 18, with Damon Colaluca of the Santa Anita Family YMCA will speak on "Achieving Your Life's Dreams." At the Courtyard by Marriott, 700 W. Huntington. $25 per person. RSVP to the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce - 626 358-1159 - by Nov. 14.


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical - Double Digit Revenue Growth


Monrovia's STAAR Surgical has seen a big jump in its stock price, which appears to have begun when it reaffirmed back in early August that it expected "double digit growth in revenue." As you can see, its price has jumped from around $5 to up near $8 in just a couple months. http://goo.gl/GfXVo
- Brad Haugaard 

Video of Gold Line Bridge Construction

Video of the 210 Gold Line bridge construction. Nothing really new but some nice footage of the construction in progress. http://goo.gl/fLiSe
 
- Brad Haugaard

Oil Painter's Work on Display at Monrovia Gallery


Sunday Morning

Oil paintings by artist W. Jason Situ on display at Selig Fine Art, 110 West Lime Ave. Oct. 8 - 29. Artist's Reception Saturday, October 8,5-7 p.m. Here's more of his work: http://goo.gl/cIsE0
- Brad Haugaard

Adams: Time to Buy a House | Monrovia Bikers | Audition to Sing

~ Monrovia City Councilman Tom Adams (speaking as a real estate agent) says now is the time to buy a house. http://goo.gl/cgcoc
 
~ Monrovia bikers win state titles. http://goo.gl/UF5qR
 
~ Audition to sing with San Gabriel Valley Choral Company at Monrovia First Presbyterian Church. http://goo.gl/o0YEm
 
- Brad Haugaard

Does Monrovia's McCarthy Favor USC?

Is football star Ellis McCarthy favoring USC? http://goo.gl/91gjX

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia PD: Bite Attack, DUI, Vandalism, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for September 29 – October 5 – Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 518 service events, resulting in 114 investigations. Following are the last week’s highlighted issues and events:

Battery With Serious Bodily Injury / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested

On September 29 at 8:41 p.m., callers reported a fight in the 400 block of Hurstview. Two male subjects were arguing and began to fight. The suspect moved aggressively toward the victim, and the victim struck the suspect once in the head to defend himself. The suspect then grabbed the victim and viciously bit the victim multiple times causing visible wounds that may require further treatment. Officers arrived and detained both subjects. While being detained, the suspect suddenly raised his arms in an attempt to go after the victim again and struck the officer in the face with his arm. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody without further incident. The officer was not injured.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

On September 30 at 1:58 a.m., officers observed a vehicle straddling lanes while sitting at the light on Duarte at Myrtle. They watched as the light cycled three times without the driver moving. The officers approached the car and observed the driver slumped over in his seat. They alerted the driver and he jolted awake. They told him to turn the car off, but he put it in neutral and the car rolled slowly back and bumped the police unit behind it. No damage was sustained after the slight bump between vehicles. The driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested.

Fight in Progress

On September 30 at 2:37 a.m., callers advised dispatch a fight was in progress in the 300 block of Norumbega. Officers arrived and detained four subjects. They determined the subjects were family members and had been involved in a heated discussion, which resulted in one family member getting extremely upset. As they tried to get him back in the car they had been driving in, he resisted them. The investigation revealed that no crime had occurred and there were no injuries, and no one desired prosecution.

Commercial Burglary – Suspects Arrested

On September 30 at 8:52 p.m., police responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a burglary. Store loss prevention observed a male and female subject enter the store. The male subject selected a pair of shorts and put them on under his pants. He then left the store without paying. He went to a car outside the store and waited. The female concealed about $400 worth of jewelry on her person and entered the dressing room. Officers arrived and detained the male suspect, locating the stolen property. The female continued to shop and was seen removing tags and concealing more items. The female was detained inside the store. All of the items she had removed tags from were concealed in a bag she was carrying. Neither subject had money or any means of paying for the items. After review of the facts and interviews with the suspects, they were both arrested and charged with commercial burglary.

Vandalism

On October 4 at 11:12 a.m., a city employee reported vandalism at a park in the 300 block of East Lime. An officer responded and found the suspect(s) had written gang graffiti at several locations throughout the park. Investigation continuing.

Vehicle Tampering

On October 4 at 3:15 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 700 block of South California. The victim reported that her white Honda, which was parked in the rear carport, had been tampered with during the night.

Grand Theft Auto

On October 4 at 3:33 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1400 block of South Shamrock regarding a stolen vehicle. The reporting party last saw the vehicle on Sunday, October 2. The vehicle is a Black, Chevy Silverado truck with no license plates on it.

Receiving Stolen Property – Suspect Arrested

On October 5 at 3:30 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a subject at Foothill and Mountain for a traffic violation. The officer obtained consent to search the vehicle from the solo occupant. A Kindle electronic book was found, prompting a suspicious story from the driver. Evidence indicated the device belonged to a female subject from Duarte. The female subject was contacted and confirmed her Kindle was reported stolen to the Sheriff’s Department a week prior. The suspect was arrested for receiving stolen property.

Suspicious Circumstances / Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested

On October 5 at 4:50 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation at Foothill and Mountain. He contacted the two male occupants, who said they were from Covina. The subjects had no reason to be in the area at that time of the morning. The driver was driving on a suspended license and was found to be on parole for receiving stolen property. He had a large butcher knife in the door panel of the driver’s side door. The passenger was found to be in possession of a methamphetamine pipe. The vehicle was searched and the following suspicious items were found: A realistic-looking black pellet pistol, bandanas, a baseball bat, and both subjects had latex gloves in their possession. State parole was contacted. The passenger was arrested for possession of narcotics paraphernalia and the vehicle was impounded. Investigation continuing.