Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California

Monrovia Rotary Old West BBQ Fundraiser

Rotary Club 'Old West' BBQ and Casino Night fundraiser. Sept. 22. Monrovia Community Center (Old West attire), 119 W Palm Ave, 6-10 p.m. Hor d'oeuvres, dinner, four drink tickets, and 250 playing chips - $70 per ticket. 626-824-2471 or http://www.monroviarotaryevents.com for
tickets.

Activities:

- Casino games (black jack, roulette, and craps)
- BBQ extravaganza, being prepared by Grill-Master Fil Lujan
- Texas Hold’em tournament (sign up early, 20 seats available)
- Great entertainment and line dancing
- Silent Auction
- Prizes, surprises

Proceeds benefit the many projects of the Rotary Club of Monrovia, including:

- College Scholarships for Monrovia Students
- Vocational Scholarships
- Youth Leadership Training
- School Tutoring
- Hermosillo Wheel Chair Project
- Foothill Unity Center
- Monrovia Reads
- YMCA

- Brad Haugaard

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly Article on Colorado Killings and Gun Control

An opinion article by Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, saying tougher gun control laws wouldn't have prevented the Colorado killings. http://goo.gl/TXQKg

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Round Table Pizza

Lunch at Round Table Pizza, in the Huntington Oaks Shopping Center. Got a large regular crust pepperoni and sausage pizza and a couple drinks for about $20. Good, hot, basic pizza. No pretensions. And we took four slices home to our pizza-loving son.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Threatening Phone Calls, Watch Out for 'Distraction' Burglaries

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 23-25. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 536 service events, resulting in 86 investigations.

Threats / Annoying Phone Calls

July 23 at 5:09 p.m., a mental health facility in the 2600 block of South California called to report a disturbed client who was making threatening phone calls and was now at the facility. The client is a 42-year-old, male Hispanic subject. He was upset at his doctor and was demanding a termination of service form. The subject is schizophrenic, off his medication, and was acting oddly and making wild allegations. Officers responded, but the subject left the location prior to their arrival. The suspect was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

July 24 at 8:58 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in a business parking lot in the 700 block of East Huntington. The burglary occurred between 7:15 and 8:45 p.m. The victim left the windows of the vehicle down 4 to 5 inches. A wallet and the car stereo were stolen. Investigation continuing.

Tip of the Week

Distraction Burglaries - Don't Be a Victim

Recently, there have been a number of burglaries in the San Gabriel Valley where suspects have posed as either city workers or utility workers. Please be cautious anytime someone comes to your door claiming to be a utility worker. In these recent cases, the suspect wore a shirt and/or hat that identified him as a worker with a particular city or utility. They convinced the resident to go into the backyard to look at either an electrical pole or some other meter. While the victim is distracted in the backyard, a second suspect enters the home, ransacking various rooms and stealing property. In each case, the suspect has either had a cell phone or wireless headset that allowed him to keep in contact with the second suspect.

Anytime someone contacts you at your residence claiming to be a utility or city worker, request that they show you valid identification. A genuine caller will be happy to comply and there is no need to be embarrassed. Distraction burglars often target single occupant homes and the elderly, but anyone can become a victim if you are not on your guard. Remember, you do not have to open your door to anyone. If you have any concerns about the validity of their employment, please call the Monrovia Police Department and have an officer come out and verify that they are a legitimate utility or city worker.

Huff: State Fails to Address Pension Reform | Copper Theft

~ State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, accuses Governor Jerry Brown and Legislative Democrats of failing to address "the elephant in the room" - public employee pensions - while pushing for a tax hike in November. http://goo.gl/WQqVA

~ Thieves stealing copper wire from city stoplights. http://goo.gl/wgUb5

- Brad Haugaard

Huff: State Fails to Address Pension Reform | Copper Theft

Green Dot Signs Deal, Reports Earnings | Aerospace in Monrovia

~ Monrovia's Green Dot has signed a deal with UniRush, provider of the prepaid Visa RushCard. "The Agreement provides that Green Dot Bank will serve as the exclusive issuer of the retail version of the RushCard.... Green Dot has also agreed to make the product available for sale by select Green Dot retail partners nationwide, which includes many of the leading national grocery, mass merchandise, drug and convenience store chains." http://goo.gl/4NfV6

~ Green Dot has also reported its second quarter earnings. The company "reported a 17% year-over-year increase in non-GAAP total operating revenues to $139.3 million and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.35. GAAP results for the second quarter were $136.7 million in revenues and $0.27 in diluted earnings per share." http://goo.gl/53RWe

~ A brief report from the city about the aerospace industry in Monrovia. It employs about 1,000 people. http://goo.gl/58ARw

- Brad Haugaard

Photo: Monrovian Arrested

Monrovian arrested in parole sweep. http://goo.gl/XP86C

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Vinyl Tech Wins Business Award

Vinyl Technology of Monrovia has been selected by Hispanicbusiness.com as one of its "Top 500 Hispanic Businesses." http://goo.gl/QxFGz

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Spokesman Concerned About Measure R

Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian commented on the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments' (SGVCOG) support of Measure R, saying, "it is unfortunate that Metro continues to deny the Foothill Extension project," and that "the Construction Authority will continue to raise questions about the validity of the approved expenditure plan for the Measure's extension as it relates to our project."

According to this article ( http://goo.gl/ZMmFT ), the reason extending Measure R got SGVCOG's approval is because of an amendment that would allow the Metro to divert highway funds for Metro projects, though not requiring those funds to go to the Gold Line. So, if the Metro board decides to, it might pay to extend the Gold Line past Azusa.

Opinion: As I understand it, the original Measure R mandated the track would go to Claremont. Now, in what appears to be a flat violation of that mandate, Metro is denying the funds to make that happen. So... they aren't even attempting to follow the current law but SGVCOG wants us to give them more money so maybe someday if they feel like it they might extend the track to Claremont? This is highly unpersuasive.

- Brad Haugaard

Pouring the Bridge Deck and Checking Decorative Work Moldings

Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian reports that the formwork for the 210 bridge deck is being completed and concrete will be poured next week. Also, pictures of the bridge team reviewing the materials and sample forms for the decorative baskets on the bridge. Top, Director of Construction, Gary Baker, reviews the sample forms, and below, bridge design concept advisor Andrew Leicester looks over a sample form for the "reeds" that will extend from each basket.

- Brad Haugaard

Digital Storytelling Demo at Library

Demonstration of digital storytelling with DJ Phatrick. Incorporating multi-track recording and music. Saturday, July 28, 1-4 p.m. in Library Community Room. Free but sign up by calling 256-8274.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy Has Knee Surgery

Former Monrovia football player, Ellis McCarthy, has knee surgery,
misses first part of UCLA training. "Nothing serious."
http://goo.gl/7h4qv

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Staar Surgical Stock Drops Sharply | Half-Price Books | Taste of Old Monrovia

~ The stock of Monrovia's Staar Surgical took a dive on July 20 and has been slipping more since. It closed at $5.59 today, down from over $8 on July 19 and earlier.

~ In August the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library store is charging half price on all adult books and media with a yellow dot on the spine. While some items are individually priced, regular prices range from $0.25 to $2. The store is inside the Monrovia Public Library and is open Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Thursday–Saturday, noon–5 p.m.

~ A Taste of Old Town Monrovia, to benefit youth. Save the date: October 14, 5-8 p.m. in Old Town. Presented by the Kiwanis Club of Monrovia - Local merchants and restaurants will participate in a festival of food, music and spirits. All profits to benfit the Santa Anita Family YMCA and other youth programs in the community.

- Brad Haugaard

One Buck Movies at Krikorian | Y Needs Interns | Musician

~ The Krikorian will be showing $1 kid flicks every Tuesday from June
19th through August 21st at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
http://goo.gl/k2hOQ

~ Monrovia's Santa Anita Family YMCA needs 5 to 7 student interns to
assist with Facebook, Twitter, and blog posts. Unpaid. Deadline to
apply is September 1.

~ Local musician uses social media to promote his songs. http://goo.gl/KoLxD

- Brad Haugaard

BMW of Monrovia Honored by BMW USA

BMW of Monrovia has received BMW USA's "2012 Center of Excellence Award," given to about 10 percent of BMW dealerships for "superior customer service and exceptional representation of the BMW brand." http://goo.gl/9XfdR

- Brad Haugaard

Democrats to Celebrate Obama's Birthday, Open New Office

On August 4 Monrovia's Foothill Community Democrats will join other local Democratic organizations to celebrate Barack Obama's 51st birthday and to open the United Democratic Headquarters office. The party, to which "progressive voters" are invited, will be at 519 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena. "The Community Bible Gospel Choir will lead the attendees in singing Happy Birthday to the President while a special Obama birthday cake is presented." Speakers include State Senator Carol Liu, Pasadena City Councilman Chris Holden. Call 626 79-OBAMA (796-2262) if you'd like to attend.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman's Offices Looking for Interns

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, has announced that his district and capitol offices are accepting applications for interns. He writes on Facebook: "If you are a college student or recent graduate interested in expanding your knowledge of state government and exploring a career in public service, please consider applying. If you know of someone who would like this opportunity, please feel free to pass this link along to them." http://goo.gl/0Ovm7

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Not-So-Good Counterfeiting, Getting Minors Drunk, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 19-22. – Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Vehicle Burglary / Fraud

July 19 at 10:10 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 800 block of West Foothill. Sometime between 5:00 p.m. on July 18 and 10:00 a.m. on July 19, suspect(s) used an unknown object to break the front passenger window, reach in and remove the victim's purse from the front seat. The suspect(s) attempted to use the victim's credit cards that were in the purse at several locations in town and made an online purchase. Investigation continuing.

Domestic Violence

July 19 at 1:06 p.m., officers responded to the report of domestic violence in progress in the 100 block of Melrose. The female victim and her boyfriend were arguing, and the argument led to the male striking the female on the forehead and on the right side of her torso. The male subject left the location prior to officers arriving. The female complained of pain to her right side. She was checked by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics and taken to a local hospital. A wanted person entry was completed for the suspect. Investigation continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

July 20 at 7:03 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 400 block of Meadow Lane. The victim parked the vehicle in the street in the evening and returned to the vehicle the next morning to find a window had been smashed. An Ipod was taken from the vehicle. Investigation continuing.

Forgery / Counterfeit Money – Suspect Arrested

July 20 at 9:45 p.m., a 16-year-old male suspect passed a counterfeit $20.00 bill at the Monrovia Family Festival at a business on Myrtle and Lemon in exchange for merchandise. The clerk confronted the juvenile suspect and he ran east on Lemon. A group of citizens chased the suspect and detained him. Friday night bike patrol officers were first to arrive at the location and took custody of the suspect.

Subsequent investigation revealed the suspect was in possession of 9 additional counterfeit $20.00 bills. All of the bills were of poor quality and several of them had identical serial numbers. The suspect was arrested and the Secret Service was contacted. Investigation continuing.

Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor – Suspect Arrested

July 21 at 12:50 a.m., officers responded a residence in the 200 block of Valle Vista regarding juveniles consuming alcohol at the location. Investigation revealed an 18-year-old male subject was hosting a gathering of 11 minors at his residence while his parents were out of town. Several of the minors were consuming alcohol at the location. Empty beer cans and plastic cups were found. The 18-year-old resident did not have any identification in his possession. He was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Video of Re-Do of Sam's Kabob Room

Video of Kitchen Nightmare's re-do of Sam's Kabob Room on Myrtle:
http://goo.gl/5pZYv

- Brad Haugaard