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Monrovia Robot Competition | Interviewing for City Manager | Boy & Girl's Club Grows | Unity Center | Thanksgiving Service

~ Monrovia High is hosting a robot competition from area high schools on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the gym (aka "Event Center"). School Board Member Ed Gililland said Monrovia has a "great robotics team."

~ City Council Member Becky Shevlin reports that the city is in the interviewing stage for a new city manager. Current city manager, Laurie Lile, is retiring.

~ The Monrovia Boys and Girls Club is growing. Executive Director John Wilsom reports that there are 75 kids on the waiting list to participate in its programs.

~ With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center could use help in providing food and services to local needy families. It could use food, including pet food, and time. If you'd like to help, call Raina at 358-3486 or email volunteer@foothillunitycenter.org

~ The Interfaith Council of Monrovia will hold a Thanksgiving service Nov. 21 from 7-8 p.m. at Monrovia United Methodist Church at 140 E. Palm. The council represents various religions. Bring a can of green beans for a food collection if you go.

- Brad Haugaard

White Christmas | Hunger Games | Free Movie | Animals

~ The Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka the Monrovia High auditorium) will present Irving Berlin's White Christmas on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m., Dec. 7 at 2 and 8 p.m., and on Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com .

~ Free Hunger Games challenge at the library for 6-12 graders on Nov. 16 from 6-9 p.m.

~ Free Monday movie night at the library, 6 p.m. Nov. 18. About an American Indian princess but library won't give exact name, so you'll have to guess.

~ Free "Animals 101" event at 4 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the library. For grades 1-8 to learn about critters.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Rotary Honors Herb Hezlep and Detro Sells for More Than 50 Years of Service


Herb Hezlep (left) and Detro Sells (right).

The Rotary Club of Monrovia will honor two of its longstanding members on Tuesday November 5, 2013 at Cafe Opera in Monrovia.  Herb Hezlep and Detro Sells each have over 50 years of service to the Monrovia community as members of the Monrovia Rotary club.

Herb Hezlep

Herbert Hezlep has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley. In 1950, he joined his father’s small hardware manufacturing company, Acme General Corporation, which eventually was expanded from its base in Monrovia, California, to Canada and Europe. Herb served as executive vice president, president, and chairman of the board before retiring in 1988. Active in his community, he has served as president and board member of the YMCA of Monrovia and board member of Huntington Medical Research Institutes in Pasadena.

Herb followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Rotary Club of Monrovia in 1958. He became club president in 1964-65, district Group Study Exchange chair in 1967-68, and district conference chair in 1973. Herb has been an active supporter of the Group Study Exchange program over the years and considers it his favorite Rotary Foundation program.

Herb and Elizabeth have been married for over 57 years. They have four children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandson. Liz is a retired society editor for the local newspaper and remains active with the Luminaires, a support group for the Doheny Eye Institute. Herb and Liz support The Rotary Foundation through the Herb Hezlep Endowed Fund.

Detro Sells

Detro Sells was inducted into Rotary Club of Monrovia in 1962 and served as President in 1982-1983.

He graduated from Williamsport, Indiana high school and moved to Detroit looking for work.  There he met Bliss, and they were married in 1941.  When WW II came to the USA, Detro joined the Marines. An exceptional marksman, he was ultimately assigned to the defending headquarters unit for Admiral Nimitz of the United States Navy.  His unit served in Hawaii and Guam and other locations.  Bliss had returned to Indiana while Detro finished his tour of duty.

After the war, Detro and Bliss traded their home and furnishings in Williamsport for a 1947 Pontiac and trailer and headed west.  They arrived in California in 1949, staying first with relatives in Temple City.  Work after the war was very difficult to find but Detro had some skill working on radio cabinets.

During a job search he heard about California Furniture in Monrovia.  He and Bliss visited the town and found ‘an open city with people out and about.’  Detro met the owner of California Furniture, a Rotarian named Neil Hunter.  Neil offered Detro a job paying $55 a week; a few years (and hopefully a few raises) later, Detro became a partner in the firm.  After Hunter’s retirement, Detro and Bliss opened Sells Furniture at 627 S. Myrtle in 1960, and in 1962 Detro joined The Rotary Club of Monrovia sponsored by Neil Hunter.  Sells Furniture prospered until Detro’s own retirement at age 75, in 1997.

In addition to his term as President of the Rotary Club of Monrovia, Detro was President of the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce in 1976 and also served as Chairman of the Monrovia Merchants Association.

Bliss was ‘a jewel’ among the Rotary Anns, organizing blood drives for the Red Cross as well as bake sales and numerous club events.  Detro’s favorite quote at his demotion was from Past District Governor and fellow Monrovia Rotarian George Carlson:  “Detro, I don’t know whether to give this award [The George Carlson Award] to you or to Bliss.”

Detro and Bliss, married since 1941, have been a team of professional success for years.  Detro and Bliss were blessed with four daughters:  Georgia Jean; twins Sandra Leigh and Susan Marie; and Lana Gail.  They have grandchildren and great grandchildren that can’t be counted on fingers and toes.

Source: Rotary press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Commissioned to Build Ship-Launched Drone | Fire Danger | WWII Display | Mayor Interviewed

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment, Inc. has been selected by the federal government's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone designed to operate from small ships to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The contract is worth $2.3 million. http://goo.gl/5kzecN

~ National Weather Service is predicting gusty Santa Ana winds with elevated fire danger starting tonight through Wednesday for the San Gabriel Valley and other areas. http://goo.gl/8eujii

~ The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group reports in its newsletter that the Monrovia Historical Museum has a new exhibit that pays homage to the service men and women who participated in World War II. Items include an autograph by the pilot of the plane that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima.

~ Attorney Patricia Corrales interviews Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz on KGEM. http://goo.gl/7WsssS

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Guts Monrovia Home

Monrovia home on Royal Oaks gutted by fire. Everyone safe. http://goo.gl/pIHNXQ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Art Show | Dia De Los Muertos | Station Square | Vets Day

"A Beautiful Moment" by W. Jason Situ

~ A one-man show of works by W. Jason Situ, Nov. 9-30, at Segil Fine Art, 110 West Lime. Opening reception, Saturday, Nov. 9, 5-7 p.m. Wine, appetizers, live music and the artist.

~ Dia De Los Muertos today (Nov. 2) starting at 11:30 a.m. at Live Oak Memorial Park on Duarte Road. http://goo.gl/J2uFkq

~ The City Council will hold a special meeting about the Station Square Transit Village on Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. Discussion will cover design concepts, timelines, etc. http://goo.gl/rkh1kU

~ Monrovia city offices and facilities will be closed for Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Allied Veterans Council is hosting a Veterans Day event in Library Park at 11 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Democrats Endorse Williams and Zucco

According to a tweet by LA Democrats, the Monrovia Democrats organization has endorsed Terrence Williams and Alex Zucco for School Board.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Jim's Burger


Lunch at Jim's Burger. On Duarte Road near the Arcadia border. Got a pastrami sandwich ($7.25) and small drink (85 cents). Very nice. 

- Brad Haugaard

Benefit Art Show and Scholarship Fundraiser Dance

~ Foothill Pregnancy Resource Center art show with music and auction today, Nov. 1, 7-10 p.m. at Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm. Tickets $50. 358-2122.

~ Monrovia Latino Heritage Society scholarship fundraiser dance, Saturday, Nov. 2, 7:30-11:30 p.m. at Monrovia Masonic Center, 204 W. Foothill. $25 at the door.

Source: http://goo.gl/b0hIb3

- Brad Haugaard

Here's How to Prep for the Monrovia School Board Election

The election for the Monrovia School Board is coming up on Nov. 5. Here are some resources that may be helpful in deciding how to vote:

~ My impression of the candidates at a forum: http://goo.gl/W2qwS7

~ Candidate profiles from Patch: Scott Pomrehn http://goo.gl/c0XXsk , Terrence Williams http://goo.gl/mejnOg , Ruhiyyih Nikole Yuille http://goo.gl/mmrdt2 , Alexandra Zucco http://goo.gl/vGcyo2 .

~ A Star-News overview: http://goo.gl/zTFhRF

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Composting | Free Veggies! | Prayer Breakfast

~ A composting workshop has been scheduled for tomorrow, Nov. 2, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in Recreation Park. Tips for successful gardens, from worms to drought-and-fire-resistant landscaping. Compost and worm bins will be available for Monrovia residents to purchase at a discounted price, and free mulch. http://goo.gl/MMJEo0

~ Produce in the Park, tomorrow, Nov. 2, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the Lime and Myrtle corner of Library Park. Bring spare produce from your garden and take home other people's spare produce.

~ All Nations Church, 1948 Peck Rd., will hold a prayer breakfast Saturday morning. http://goo.gl/ANWxUL

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween in Monrovia


Want to know what a Trunk or Treat looks like? I was wondering myself, so I went down to First Presbyterian Church. Decorated car trunks with goodies for the kids.


Then I dropped by Brad Hori's house, on Maple just west of Hwy Esplanade. This thing jumped out at me from his mailbox and scared my socks off, but not as much as his pet attack-spider.


And of course, Alta Vista north of Hillcrest always does it up big. Scary music, scary fog, scary lights. The street is blocked off to cars, so it's wall-to-wall trick-or-treaters.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Chamber: Great Turnout for Trick or Treat; Winners of Annual Chamber Awards


Monrovia Chamber of Commerce suggests thousands have turned out today for its Old Town Trick or Treat fest. (Photo from Facebook)

Also, the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce has selected winners for its annual awards:

The Iris Award, Citizen of the Year, goes to Mark Still, Curator of Exhibits Monrovia Historical Museum.

The Monroe Award; Business Person of the Year, goes to Diane Balsamo, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

The Dick Lord Award, for outstanding contributions to the Chamber, goes to Shawn Davis, Route 66 Weekly.

Also, two new awards. The winner of the New Member Business of the Year will be announced in December, and the Military Service and Stewardship Award will go to Chuck Keen for his work for veterans.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: City Getting Out of Animal Control Biz; Merit Pay for Cops; Station Square; Etc.

At its Nov. 5 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/QEHXWO ), the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider contracting with the Pasadena Humane Society to provide "full animal control services" for Monrovia. "Effective January 1, 2014, Monrovia will no longer have animal control officers." http://goo.gl/SZMiUj

~ Consider reinstatement of merit step salary increases for members of the Monrovia Police Officers' Association "to reduce the attrition rate of public safety employees and related recruitment and training costs for the City of Monrovia." http://goo.gl/8wv5Mb

~ Have a 5:30 p.m. study session on the Station Square Public Improvements Concept Design.

~ At 7 p.m. recognize graduates of the Monrovia Area Partnership Leadership Academy.

~ Chat in closed session conference with its labor negotiator regarding contracts (I assume) with the Monrovia Firefighters' Association and Monrovia Police Officers' Association.

~ Consider adopting the latest California Building Standards Code. http://goo.gl/HtBlxu

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Congresswoman, Judy Chu, Introduces Veterans Bill

Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Monrovia, has introduced The Veterans Education Counseling Act to improve GI Bill educational benefits counseling process. It directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to differentiate between Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Chapter 36 Educational Counseling. http://goo.gl/clh5ON

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Unity Center Readying for Food Stamp Cut | Halloween Activities, Myrtle Closing

~ Foothill Unity Center writes that with the federal food stamp program facing a $5 billion cut this Friday, "We're bracing for more clients signing up with us - and finding the food and funds to meet their needs."

~ Mayor Mary Ann Lutz writes that Myrtle Avenue in Old Town will close from 2:30 - 6:30 pm. today for Halloween activities, which you can read about here: http://goo.gl/sryM2b

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Burglars Wake Sleeping Woman | Drug Bust


[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Oct. 28–30. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 469 service events, resulting in 70 investigations.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested

October 29 at 3:04 p.m., officers responded to a park in the 400 block of South California on the report of several male subjects in the park involved in drug activity. After investigation, officers arrested one male suspect who was found to be in possession of a glass pipe and methamphetamine.

Hot Prowl Residential Burglary

October 30 at 11:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of North Alta Vista regarding a hot prowl burglary that just occurred. The owners of the residence were away from the location at the time of the burglary and a housekeeper was home, asleep inside one of the bedrooms. She was awakened by two male Black suspects that came into the room. When the suspects saw her, they ran out the backdoor of the residence. The housekeeper called the homeowners, and there was an approximate twenty minute delay until the owners arrived home and called the police. Officers responded and the area was searched, but no suspects were located. A rock had been thrown through the backdoor window to gain entry to the home. The investigation is continuing.

Veterans Day in Monrovia

Monrovia's Annual Veterans Day observance is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Library Park. The event will honor local servicemen and women who served our country in the U.S. military. For details call the Department of Community Services at 256-8246.

- Brad Haugaard

Update on Monrovia Flood Prevention Efforts

In anticipation of rains that could cause flooding, construction should begin on a debris wall at the top of Highland Place (in the fire-burned area) on Saturday, Nov. 2, according to Alexis Newell of the Monrovia City Manager's office. Also, she said, "the K-Rail (portable concrete wall segments) project for the Madison Fire neighborhoods will be discussed, hopefully approved and will start being installed after the Nov. 5 Council meeting."

- Brad Haugaard

Trick or Treat Tips for the Schamadan Household

Monrovia columnist Charlotte Schamadan - who writes for the Star-News insert, The Weekly Star - has some advice for trick-or-treaters coming to her door tonight. Here are a few:

- If you knock on my door and I look out the peephole to see your eyeball looking back at me, you are too old and/or too tall to be trick-or-treating. Go away.

- If you are dressed cute and know how to say please and thank you, here, have some more treats.

- If your dog is accompanying you wearing a costume that makes him/her look like anything other than a dog, that's dog abuse. Funny hats and bow ties are fine. Zombie dogs are not. Go away.

For the rest, pick up the paper copy of today's Star-News.

- Brad Haugaard