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Route 66 Curio Shop Opens in Aztec Hotel


A new curio shop, "Get your Kicks On Route 66" has opened at the Aztec Hotel. It sells Aztec Hotel Souvenirs, Aztec/Mayan Cultural items, greeting cards, Route 66 curios, vintage items, curiosities, collectibles and gifts. To reflect the connection the hotel has to its past Hollywood travelers, the shop also has a selection of celebrity-themed items featuring Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, Audrey Hepburn, James Dean, Bettie Page, The Wizard Of Oz, Betty Boop and other TV, Music and movie pop culture icons.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Lung Association Gives Monrovia an F

The American Lung Association has awarded Monrovia an F for its efforts to reduce smoking ( http://goo.gl/v5GlXH ).

Comment: Well, good for Monrovia! I believe smoking is just as unhealthy as the ALA says it is, and I believe restrictions on smoking in enclosed public places are a very good idea, but things have gone too far. Smokers are chased away from public places, often including open parks, and there are even moves to prevent them from smoking in their own homes. Isn't dying early enough punishment? Must they also be treated as pariahs?

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Relay for Life Kick Off Tonight

Kick off event for the ninth annual Relay For Life of Monrovia, an American Cancer Society fundraiser, will be held upstairs tonight at the Krikorian Theater, from 5:30-7 p.m. The event raises funds for patient advocacy, treatments, research, programs and more. Details: http://goo.gl/YW0u3A

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus Selects New College Administrator

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has selected an administrator with more than 16 years of experience in community college finance as the school's next VP of finance and administrative services. Claudette Dain - a certified public accountant and longtime financial administrator in the North Orange County Community College District - will replace Carol R. Horton, who recently retired from her post after 18 years of service. Dain will begin her duties on Feb. 3.

Source: Citrus College press release

- Brad Haugaard

Dawn in Monrovia


It looks like a beautiful day in Monrovia. Too bad, we could use some rain.

– Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Events for Black History Month

- Saturday, Feb. 1. 5-8 p.m. Free movie, "The Butler" at the Mary Wilcox Center, 848 East Olive. Bring a chair. Food/snacks available for purchase.

- Saturday, Feb. 15. 2:30-4 p.m. Celebration of the arts "Through the Eyes of the Movement" at Monrovia High Professional Development Center, 845 W. Colorado Blvd.

- Sunday, Feb. 23. Luncheon and Program, "The Civil Rights Movement in America"; Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm; 3-6 p.m. Luncheon 3-4 p.m.; program 4-5 p.m. reception 5-6 p.m. Adults $10, Children 3-10 years, $5.

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia City Manager by Mid February? | Peeing in the Park | Drought

From tonight's Monrovia City Council Meeting ...

~ The Monrovia City Council should be able to pick a new city manager by mid-February, according to Interim City Manager Fran DeLach. He said there is a pool of 94 applicants for the position, including "very strong A caliber" candidates.

~ Former City Council candidate Robert Perry said he complained about homeless people in Library Park several months ago but the city has done nothing about it. Most recently, he said, he and his wife saw a man urinating on a tree in Library Park and drinking beer. With a library full of kids, he said, it is only a matter of time before "something tragic happens." Interim City Manager Fran DeLach said police are doing all they legally can do; Shevlin said she'd like a staff report on the issue; Councilman Alexander Blackburn said he'd like to see a community committee come up with recommendations and a budget for the problem; and Councilman Larry Spicer said kids being harassed at the park is "just a part of life" and "they [the homeless] can't just be pushed out of the park - they're human." He said fixing the problem will take time.

~ City Councilwoman Becky Shevlin asked for a report from city staff on how the drought affects Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

Myrtle Closed Near Duarte | Youth Leadership | Boston Terrier | Prison for McFarland

~ Picture of Myrtle, now closed near Duarte Road. http://goo.gl/h0oOPL

~ Monrovia's Youth Leadership Academy will begin in March. For details: http://goo.gl/N9neMJ

~ You missing a Boston terrier? http://goo.gl/PNYrOv

~ Monrovian Kelvin Bernard McFarland, 43, sentenced to prison. http://goo.gl/EjvMWj

- Brad Haugaard

Pro Wrestling Coming to Monrovia


Quintessential Pro Wrestling is hosting Well Worth The Wait at the Monrovia Masonic Center on Saturday Feb. 1st at 8 p.m. $20 at the door.

According to Quintessential spokesman Andy Roy, "A number of these wrestlers (Brian Kendrick and Brian Cage) have former ties to the WWE, Joey Ryan is a TNA alumni, and Kevin Steen and Kyle O’Reilly are staples of Ring of Honor (and are regarded as two of the biggest names in independent professional wrestling). In other words, this should be an exceptional show and very entertaining for any past, present or future wrestling fans."

Source: Quintessential Pro Wrestling press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Vehicle Rollover; Rubber Ducky of Meth; Woman Stabbed; Grand Theft Batteries; Etc.

 [Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 16-19. - Brad Haugaard]
 
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Injury Traffic Collision
January 16 at 8:23 a.m., an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle rollover was reported in the 600 block of East Foothill.  Officers arrived and determined two vehicles were involved. The first vehicle was headed southbound on Poppy and the second was headed westbound on Foothill.  The first vehicle did not stop for the stop sign and broadsided the second vehicle, causing it to spin, roll onto one side, and then right itself.  The two drivers were taken to a hospital for minor injuries.

Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested
January 16 at 11:50 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 800 block of El Dorado regarding a family disturbance.  When they arrived, they learned two brothers were involved in a fight inside their apartment.  The suspect armed himself with three knives from the kitchen and threatened to kill his brother.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Fire
January 17 at 3:27 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Highland Place along with Monrovia Fire Department personnel regarding a vehicle fire.  Upon the officer’s arrived, the fire had been extinguished by the owner of the vehicle.  It appeared that electrical wires touching the exhaust had caused the fire.

Residential Burglary
January 17 at 4:14 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of North Madison.  The resident secured the home prior to leaving her house at 7:00 a.m.that morning.  She returned around 4:00 p.m. and found the backdoor had been kicked open and someone had attempted to pry open the sliding door.  The home was ransacked, so the loss will be reported after the resident takes inventory of the home.  The investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
January 18 at 11:28 a.m., police received a call reporting a male subject possibly urinating or defecating in a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle.  Officers arrived and detained three subjects.  The caller also reported seeing the subject discard something by a tree.  Officers checked the area by the tree and located a methamphetamine pipe and a small rubber duck that contained methamphetamine that the suspect had discarded.  The suspect was arrested for the above listed charges.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon – Suspect Arrested
January 18 at 9:59 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of South Alta Vista regarding the welfare check of a male subject who was possibly stabbed.  The victim had reportedly been stabbed by his girlfriend at her residence in Monrovia.  The caller, who was in Pasadena, did not have an address, but identified the subjects and police were able to locate an address for the girlfriend.  The victim had called his friend in Pasadena and told him he had been stabbed by his girlfriend.  

Officers located the victim and suspect at the girlfriend’s residence in the 500 block of South Alta Vista.  The victim had been stabbed three times in the abdomen, had slash marks on his arms and chest, and a puncture wound on his back.  The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of his wounds, which do not appear to be life threatening.  The suspect and victim were both uncooperative with officers and gave conflicting information.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Commercial Burglary – Suspects Arrested
January 19 at 5:23 p.m., police received a call from loss prevention personnel at a store in the 500 block of West Huntington reporting a female subject preparing to leave the store with merchandise without paying.  The suspect left the store and walked to a nearby business.  The loss prevention officer followed the suspect and saw her conceal merchandise from that store.  The loss prevention officer also saw the suspect make contact with two subjects in a vehicle in the parking lot, which he reported to police with a description of the vehicle.

Officers arrived, located the vehicle and detained two suspects. The officers then heard the security alarm of the second store go off, indicating someone had gone out the emergency doors to the south of the store.  They located the female suspect in the service alley and she was detained.  All subjects were arrested for burglary.

Grand Theft
January 19 at 6:40 p.m., a suspicious white van was reported in front of a residence in the 300 block of East Walnut.  The driver of the van was seen tampering with the electrical box for the residence.  The electrical box contained six backup batteries for the cable and telephone service.  The suspect left in the van prior to the officer’s arrival.  The officer determined the suspect bent back the sheet metal on the box and removed all six batteries.  The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
January 20 at 12:15 a.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 900 block of East Lemon.  The victim arrived home and discovered his house had been burglarized.  The suspect used a patio chair to stand on and gain access through a small bathroom window.  The suspect took jewelry, money, and then exited through the sliding door.  The investigation is continuing.

New Ad Position Open on MonroviaNow

The second ad space on the left (the red block in the illustration, not to scale) is now for sale. It is 300 pixels tall and 160 wide and is sold on a per-month basis beginning in February with a three month minimum and a 12-month maximum, payable in advance. The ad is text unless you have an image you would like to use.
To price the ad, I'm using a reverse auction. Jan. 21 it was $150 per month (again, three-month minimum, so $450 up front). If it doesn't sell, tomorrow I'll lower the price by $20 per month ($390 total), and so on daily until it sells or gets too cheap for me to bother. The price will appear on the ad itself.

For reference, in December MonroviaNow had 17,956 page views and for this month I guesstimate it will have 18,263 page views.
Interested? Send me an email: brad@bradhaugaard.com
- Brad Haugaard

Mayan Grill Area for Lease | Bone Marrow Drive | Digital Marketing | Band Fundraiser

~ The never-opened Mayan Grill in the Aztec Hotel is now available for leasing. Details: http://goo.gl/j3Nqhn . Thanks to Gem City Images for the tip: http://goo.gl/zBm3Cb

~ Monrovia bone marrow drive successful. http://goo.gl/pP31BR

~ Monrovia business seminar: Digital Marketing Do's and Dont's, Feb. 6. Details: http://goo.gl/GJ8dKn

~ Wildcats band and color guard fundraiser Saturday, January 25 at Walgreens on Foothill (next to Ralph's), 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Suggested donation $6 for cars $8 for trucks and SUVs.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Halfway Mark in Police Bike Ride | South African Flag

~ Monrovia marked the halfway point in Sunday's Chino police bike ride for fallen officers. http://goo.gl/ZguiX6

~ South African flag on display at City Hall for the month. Honoring Nelson Mandela. http://goo.gl/TzaoBQ

- Brad Haugaard

Myrtle Ave. Closing for Four Months | Tom Sawyer Musical

~ Myrtle Closes near Duarte Road for most of the day starting today and Sunday, and then it is closed full time for four months starting Monday. Details: http://goo.gl/SHgSTM

~ The Broadway musical, Tom Sawyer, presented by Monrovia's Centre Stage, at the Louise Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka Monrovia High auditorium) Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 1, 2. Details: http://goo.gl/NQcVEF

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia Pizza Place - Flamzz; And Loteria Moving to Myrtle

Flamzz Stone Fire Pizza to replace Loteria Cantina at corner of Colorado and Ivy. Loteria moving to Myrtle. http://goo.gl/DOplZH

- Brad Haugaard

Ramen & Yakitori Restaurant Coming to Monrovia


A new restaurant, Ramen & Yakitori, is coming to Monrovia. It's in the old Oh My Goddard Gallery on the east side of Myrtle, a half block north of Olive.

Update: Got a report in that it should open Feb. 5.

-Brad Haugaard

New Bike Shop on Myrtle

Empire Bikes, a new bicycle shop on Myrtle specializing in Giant and Intense bikes is now open. Just north of Olive on the west side.

-Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Jake's Roadhouse


Lunch at Jake's Roadhouse. Got a Polish sausage sandwich ($9.45) and an iced tea ($1.59). Plus tax and tip. Nice. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Canyon Park Featured on KPCC | School Board Honors Maddox

~ Monrovia Canyon Park was recently featured on KPCC as a place to take out-of-towners when they come to visit. You gotta scroll down a bit: http://goo.gl/hjDw2g

~ Video of Monrovia School Board honoring Coach Ryan Maddox for a good season. http://goo.gl/f2mx5f

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: BMW Stolen, Partly Stripped; Drugs; Theft; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 13-15. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 373 service events, resulting in 89 investigations.

Grand Theft Auto / Vehicle Recovered
January 13 at 6:17 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 400 block of East Greystone.  The victim parked her vehicle, a 2006 BMW, in front of her residence in the evening.  When she returned to her vehicle the following morning, she discovered the vehicle was missing and called police.   Later that day, El Monte Police Department advised that they had recovered the vehicle in their city.  The vehicle was partially stripped.  The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft - Suspect Arrested
January 13 at 10:11 a.m., loss prevention from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called police to report a theft.  A male adult subject walked into the business and selected a pair of desktop speakers and jeans.  He took the items into the dressing room and removed the tags.  The subject left the store without paying for the merchandise and fled on a bicycle.  Loss Prevention followed the suspect, called police, and waited for officers to arrive.  The officers recovered the property and arrested the suspect.

Family Disturbance / Under the Influence of Drugs - Suspect Arrested
January 13 at 6:26 p.m., officers were dispatched to a house in the 800 block of West Olive regarding a family disturbance.  When they arrived, they discovered the 28-year- old male resident was causing the disturbance.  He was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance and was in possession of methamphetamine and a smoking pipe, as well.  He was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Battery - Suspects Arrested
January 14 at 7:19 p.m., a male and female were reported to be fist fighting and yelling at each other in the middle of the street in the 500 block of East Cherry.  When officers arrived, they detained both subjects.  The two had been in a relationship for 15 years and it was determined they had been fighting each other equally.  A computer check revealed the female also had a no-bail warrant for her arrest.  Both suspects were arrested and held for court.

Vehicle Burglary
January 14 at 11:00 p.m., a subject staying at a local hotel in the 700 block of West Huntington went to their locked truck and discovered the left rear window shattered.  The doors were still locked, but the victim's black leather briefcase had been taken from the rear floorboard.  The victim had parked his truck earlier that night and went into the hotel.  The investigation is continuing.

An officer checked the hotel parking lot discovered a second vehicle with a shattered rear window and the doors still locked.  Officers attempted to contact the owner, but were not successful.  At 12:31 a.m., the owner contacted the police to report the vehicle burglary.  The victims said they parked their vehicle at 8:15 p.m. and then went shopping.  Three men's suits were taken from the rear hatch area of the vehicle, below the shattered window.

Outstanding Warrant / Under the Influence of Narcotics - Suspects Arrested
January 15 at 8:08 p.m., officers were dispatched on the report of subjects trespassing inside a vacant house in the 100 block of East Cypress.  When they arrived, they located a male and female subject.  The female was found to have an outstanding warrant for her arrest and the male was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance.  Both subjects were arrested and taken into custody.

Violation of Domestic Violence Restraining Order - Suspect Arrested
January 15 at 10:23 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle at Peck and Camino Real.  A computer check of the male driver had a domestic violence restraining order to stay away from the female who was sitting in the passenger seat.  The male was arrested for violation of the restraining order and taken into custody, where he was held until court the next morning.

No-Bail Felony Burglary Warrant - Suspect Arrested
January 16 at 1:53 a.m., an officer observed a male subject he recognized walking into a convenience store at Huntington and Mountain.  He knew a no-bail warrant had been issued for the subject for felony burglary.  The officer confirmed the outstanding warrant and waited for assisting officers to arrive.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody without incident.