Monrovia Company Going Public

Monrovia based Xencor, a biotech firm, is planning to become a publicly traded company with an initial public offering. It plans to raise $75 million. It has recently increased the number of shares it is offering and has lowered the opening price. http://goo.gl/rDmZeQ

- Brad Haugaard

Harvest Lunch Sunday at Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church

Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church will hold a potluck Harvest Lunch this Sunday (Nov. 17) after the church service, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. "Bring your favorite soup, chili, or fall dish to share." There will be a corn toss and photo booth. http://goo.gl/vebzHM

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Swordman Goes for Burglar | Cruise Line Helps With Philippines Relief | Elise McCarthy Plans to Play for Northridge

~ Monrovian goes after burglar with a sword. http://goo.gl/awTBbY

~ Royal Caribbean Cruises has pledged to $250,000 to support World Vision's relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. World Vision's operations headquarters in in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/5OayHj

~ Elise McCarthy, sister of former Monrovia defensive tackle, Ellis, has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Cal State Northridge. http://goo.gl/vlYZvE

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library Honors Volunteers

Monrovia Library is honoring volunteers Maria Legg and Niki Latsko for creating "order out of record-keeping chaos." They tackle special collections, are active on the Volunteer Management Team that oversees volunteer operations and recognition events. Maria also serves as a tutor for our Literacy Services Department - all this after her full-time job is done for the day. Both Niki and Maria are active in the community and attend Commission meetings, City Council meetings, and a host of events. "Thank you Niki and Maria, for making the Library your pet project."

Source: Monrovia Library Facebook post

- Brad Haugaard

Are We About to Get a New Monrovia City Manager?

It sounds as if the Monrovia City Council is ready to appoint a new city manager. It is holding a special closed-session meeting this Friday (Nov. 15) at 1:30 p.m. with this agenda item: "Public Employee Appointment Pursuant to Government Code §54957: City Manager". http://goo.gl/LdyV7b

UPDATE: Nope. I was waaaay too eager. It's too early in the search process.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Scout Raising Funds and Supplies for Students Around World

For the fourth year, Grayson Wade - who lives in Monrovia, goes to school in Sierra Madre, and is in an Arcadia Boy Scout Troop - is collecting money and donations and spreading awareness about Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. OCC sends shoeboxes filled with school supplies, hygiene items, toys, games and clothing to children in need throughout the world. Grayson, whose collection boxes are in various local businesses, has walked neighborhoods and spoken at Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, schools, Boy Scout troops, and has been a speaker at meetings of the Operation Christmas Child San Gabriel Valley Team. This year he is focusing on promoting youth awareness about giving to children in need.

Grayson's goal is to raise $5000 in order to pack 250 shoeboxes. In addition to raising funds, he hopes many kids will join this campaign in the future. Samaritan's Purse will be sending over 520,000 shoebox gifts to children in the Phillipines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.

Source: His parents

- Brad Haugaard

Video Report on Monrovia K-Rails | Police Merit Pay Okay | Thanksgiving for Kids

~ ABC video report on K-rail being installed to prevent flood damage after fire. http://goo.gl/sGOscn

~ Monrovia Police can get merit pay increases now. http://goo.gl/lKwJn3

~ Thanksgiving Bookfeast for children 4 years old through fifth grade at the library. Nov. 23 , 2-3 p.m. http://goo.gl/diA2Y9

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus Dental Assisting Program Gets 7-Year Accreditation

The Registered Dental Assisting Program at Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has been accredited for another seven years by the American Dental Association. The employment rate for graduates of the program is at 85 percent and the dental student's average pass rate on the State Board Exam is 100 percent on the written exam and 93 percent on the practical exam - the state average is 80 percent.

Source: Citrus College press release

- Brad Haugaard

Robledo Predicts Monrovia Will Lose Championship

Sports reporter Fred Robledo is predicting San Dimas will beat out Monrovia for the Mid-Valley Division football championship. http://goo.gl/G31dcD

Comment: Booo!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Residents Give Opinions on Train Station | Holiday Home Decorating | Blood Pressure

~ Report on meeting to get Monrovians' opinions on Gold Line station project. http://goo.gl/2NXjWk

~ If you'd like to enter the holiday home decorating contest, deadline to apply is Friday, December 13. Details ( http://goo.gl/CGg3lH ); application form ( http://goo.gl/yzGwPB ).

~ Blood pressure screenings for seniors 50 years and older on the second Tuesday of each month (next would be Dec. 10), from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., at the Community Center, 119 West Palm Avenue.  Call 256-8246 for details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Machete Robbery; Meth Suspect Calls Police; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 7–10. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Commercial Burglary

November 8 at 1:40 p.m., a male suspect walked into a business in the 500 block of West Huntington and went straight to the jewelry section. He immediately began to stuff his pants with jewelry and then ran out of the store. Store security followed the suspect and called police. Officers arrived and saw the suspect riding a bicycle south on Mayflower. When the suspect saw the officers, he jumped off the bike and ran through a condominium complex and out of sight. Officers attempted to surround and contain the area, but the suspect was not located. The investigation is continuing

Petty Theft / Warrant – Suspect Arrested

November 8 at 6:55 p.m., a petty theft was reported at a business in the 500 block of West Huntington. Loss prevention personnel had detained an adult female outside the store after they observed her place several items inside her purse. She paid for a couple of items, but did not pay for the more expensive items she had concealed in her purse. Officers responded and upon further investigation, discovered the suspect also had an outstanding warrant for theft. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Methamphetamine – Suspect Arrested

November 9 at 1:07 a.m., police dispatch received a phone call from a male subject at a hotel in the 900 block of East Huntington. He stated that several armed men had broken into his hotel room and he was barricading himself in the bathroom. The subject was ranting and seemed incoherent. Officers arrived on scene and surrounded the location. They called to the subject and told him to exit the hotel room. He did not respond immediately and was acting strange, but he eventually exited the room. The subject was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Officers made a protective sweep of the hotel room and no other subjects were in the room. The officers discovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the room. The subject was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

November 9 at 1:08 a.m., an officer observed a driver make several vehicle code violations and conducted a traffic stop. When contacting the driver, the officer suspected the subject had been drinking. After investigation, the subject was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Shots Heard

November 8 at approximately 1:29 a.m., dispatch received numerous calls reporting two loud bangs, possibly shots heard, in the area of the 200 block of North Myrtle. No further information was given from any caller. At the time officers were working two separate crimes and both locations reported hearing the possible shots. An extensive area search was conducted with negative results.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested

November 10 at 1:25 a.m., a family disturbance was reported at a residence in the 500 block of South California. Officers arrived and determined that during an argument, the male subject grabbed the female by the jacket and pushed her against the wall. No injuries occurred. The male subject was arrested for domestic violence.

Armed Robbery

November 10 at 6:04 p.m., a robbery was reported at the skate park in the 800 block of East Olive. Three male Hispanic suspects, ages 16 to 20 years old, were at the skate park when one of the suspects confronted the victim with a machete and demanded the victim's laptop computer and wallet. The suspects fled the area in a silver Honda Civic, heading southbound on Shamrock towards Huntington. Officers responded and searched the area, but the suspects were not located. The investigation is continuing.

Special Enforcement Team Activity

On November 8, while on patrol, Special Enforcement Team officers cited one subject for drinking alcohol at a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle.

- Brad Haugaard

NBA and NBPA Donate to World Vision for Philippines Relief

The National Basketball Association and the National Basketball Players Association have joined to make a $250,000 contribution to World Vision to support relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. World Vision has its operations office in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/GTp6YL

- Brad Haugaard

Newspaper Apparently Drops Monday Editorial Page

The Pasadena Star-News, the daily newspaper that covers Monrovia, has apparently dropped its Monday editorial page. I thought it might just be a temporary expedient last Monday, but today, again, it is gone. The paper had earlier dropped its Saturday editorial page.

- Brad Haugaard

Cookbooks at Friends of Monrovia Library Store

The Friends of the Monrovia Public Library has acquired a large cookbook collection from a professional cook, now on sale in the Friends' Store in the library. Examples: "The Joy of Cooking," "Larousse Gastronomique," and "The Gourmet Cookbook." New selections will be added weekly through December. From one dollar up. Proceeds benefit the library. The Friends' Store is open Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday noon to 5 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Honoring Vets at Monrovia's Library Park

Celebrating Veterans Day at Library Park.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Local Jewish Federation Raising Money for Haiyan Victims

The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys has opened a Philippines Typhoon Relief Fund to raise money for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

If you'd like to contribute you can mail, call or drop-off contributions at the Jewish Federation (Attn: Typhoon Haiyan Relief, 550 S. Second Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006 or call 445.0810). Donate online here: http://goo.gl/A8hCFS

The Federation will absorb administrative costs so 100% of all donations go directly for aid. For more info call 445.0810 or email federation@jewishsgpv.org.

- Brad Haugaard

E Coli Outbreak May be Linked to Trader Joe's Salads

An E Coli outbreak may be linked to Trader Joe's prepared salads: Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken, and Mexicali Salad with Chili Lime Chicken. Trader Joe's is based in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/FzvmQT

- Brad Haugaard

Vets Day Food and Celebration

~ A whole list of restaurants offering meal deals to vets. Including lots of locals, such as: Applebee's, Chili's, Olive Garden, Starbuck's, Outback, BJ's, Denny's, California Pizza Kitchen. http://goo.gl/VHiJyz

~ There will be a Vets Day celebration at 11 a.m. in front of the Library.

Comment: Happy Veterans Day my fellow vets!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Gets Top Seed for Playoffs

The Monrovia Wildcats were given the No. 1 seed in the Mid-Valley Division for the playoffs. They'll go against Sierra Canyon this Friday. http://goo.gl/J1qlQB

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's World Vision Ships Supplies to Philippines; Plans Major Relief Effort

The first relief flight by Monrovia's World Vision - loaded with emergency supplies - will arrive in Manila, the Philippines, tomorrow, Monday. The initial shipment includes 5,000 blankets and 3,000 plastic sheets to be used to help survivors build temporary shelters.

As the death toll climbs and the devastating impact of Typhoon Haiyan becomes evident, World Vision is launching one of its largest relief operation in the country's history, mobilizing staff across the country to respond to nearly 400,000 people affected by the disaster. World Vision has launched a multi-million dollar fundraising appeal to help meet the needs of the response.

More: http://goo.gl/c94PW7

- Brad Haugaard