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Lunch at Café X2O

Lunch at Café X2O. What does X2O mean? Two kisses and a hug. This is the former Mediterranean Grill on Foothill, and it is still Mediterranean food but the decor is more hip. Got the chicken kebab ($10) and a beer ($5). Plus tax and tip.  Food was tasty and very pleasant sitting on the semi-outdoor patio on a nice day. 

- Brad Haugaard

Get Trained for an Emergency | Tzu Chi Anniversary

~ If you would like to be trained in emergency response, the City of Monrovia suggesting this program, put on by LA County Fire Department, tomorrow in La Canada. Details: http://goo.gl/14Utf6

~ Tzu Chi Academy of Los Angeles will hold a 20th anniversary celebration carnival on March 16, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Monrovia's Clifton Middle School. http://goo.gl/Rs99st

- Brad Haugaard

Opera of Zombies, Sorcery and Enchantment at Monrovia's St. Luke Church

The LA-area group, Opera Animata, will present its inaugural performance of an extra-creepy version of Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas on Saturday, March 22, 8 p.m., at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 122 S. California Ave., in Monrovia. Free, but a $10 donation is suggested. A reception will follow the performance.

The 1688 Baroque Dido and Aeneas, Purcell's first opera and one of his foremost theatrical works, has always had a hefty helping of sorcery, elves and enchantment. But fearing it might be too mild for modern-day audiences, Opera Animata has added zombies.

The roles of Dido and Aeneas will be sung by Trisha Rivera and Joel Castro. Production director Jenny Ohrstrom will portray Belinda. Other singers include Alyssa Brode, Sarah Reynolds, Kari Burgess, Jennifer White and Steve Nolen. MacKenzie Reed is keyboardist, and LeVanna Atkinson-Williams is Stage Manager.

Source: Press release
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Bear Video

Another Monrovia bear video. This one in a trashcan. http://goo.gl/8WLKkG

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Planning Commission Okays Vehicle Storage Lot for South End of Town

The Monrovia City Planning Commission has approved the use of a property at 3331 Peck Road, at the very south tip of Monrovia, for vehicle storage for "Jorge's Get Around Transport," a private transportation service. http://goo.gl/V5XfrU

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council to Consider Plastic Bags, Fourth of July, Police Vehicle

At its Tuesday, March 18 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/WH1ZSy ), the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider restricting single-use plastic bags. More here: ( http://goo.gl/YQgJH9 )

~ Consider contracting with Pyro Spectaculars, Inc., for $20,500.00 to produce the 2014 Fourth of July Fireworks Show.

~ Consider buying a "Ford Police Interceptor Utility Replacement Vehicle" from Wondries Fleet Group for $29,323.21.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council to Consider Plastic Bag Restrictions

A city-appointed "Reusable Bag Regulation Ad Hoc Committee" is recommending to the City Council that Monrovia follow the lead of Pasadena and other cities by restricting the use of single-use plastic bags. The council will consider a ban at its March 18 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/WH1ZSy).

The restrictions "would affect approximately 34 Monrovia retailers: 8 grocery stores, 3 liquor stores, 3 drug stores, 1 drive-in dairy, 6 gas stations with foodmarts, and 13 miscellaneous food stores," according to the staff report.

Source: http://goo.gl/r4rWV5

Opinion: I have already written of my objections to this type of ban here (http://goo.gl/DdX3sx), but I would like to add some points.

1) Some people say that even supermarkets approve of these bans. Of course! They get to charge extra whenever someone forgets to bring in a reusable bag, and at the same time they can say, "We understand your frustration entirely, but the city is forcing us to do this."

2) In response to objections that multiple-use bags can transmit disease (meat juice leaks out and contaminates the bag), some ban proponents have said, "Well, wash them." But this means using scarce water, and if this is a trivial environmental concern, then single-use plastic bags are even more so.

3) I don't think there actually are any "single-use" bags. People use them for dozens of purposes after they've brought in their groceries, from sharing vegetables with a friend to picking up dog poop.

4) How is it fair to prevent food stores from using these bags but it is okay to let newspapers be delivered in precisely this kind of bag every morning?

- Brad Haugaard

Grow Food With Less Water | Fundraiser for Monrovia Y

~ Learn to grow food with less water. Frank McDonough of the LA Arboretum teaches how. Thursday, March 20, 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Library Community Room. Sign up here: http://goo.gl/kCBJU1

~ Totally 80s fundraiser for Monrovia's Santa Anita Family YMCA, Saturday, March 22, 6-11 p.m. $50 per person. Dress in 80s attire. Buffet dinner, trivia games and more.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Bath Salts and Ice Cream; Assault With Paint Can Opener; Fake Firearm; Arrest in Machete Robbery

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 10-12. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 439 service events, During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 439 service events, resulting in 73 investigations.

Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
March 10 at 1:51 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of South Violet called police and reported a suspect inside a neighbor's house. The suspect was seen leaving the residence holding a tub of ice cream, which he was eating with a spoon. The suspect was reportedly going door-to-door, trying doorknobs to see if he could gain entrance. Officers responded along with the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter, which helped direct officers to the suspect. The suspect had entered several homes ending up at a residence in the 400 block of South Sunset. While officers were checking the rear of the location, the suspect exited the home but would not comply with the officer’s commands. The suspect appeared to be under the influence and took aggressive steps toward the officers. The officers hit the suspect with a beanbag round in an attempt to get him to comply, and the suspect fled back into the residence. Containment of the area was established and Monrovia High School was placed on lockdown by the district as the residence backs up to the school. After a 45 minute standoff, the suspect eventually exited the residence and was taken into custody. He was evaluated by paramedics and taken to a hospital for clearance. The suspect told officers he was under the influence of bath salts. He was later released, brought to Monrovia Police Department for booking, and then taken Los Angeles County Jail for housing.

Burglary / Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
March 10 at 3:45 p.m., police responded to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain. A subject was seen entering the men’s restroom with a can of computer dust cleaner. A loss prevention officer walked in and saw the subject was inhaling the substance. Loss Prevention officers followed the subject as he exited the store. As the suspect exited the store, he noticed loss prevention following him. Before they could detain him, he smashed a passing vehicle's window and then pulled out a paint can opener and threatened to stab the loss prevention officers, who then grabbed acrowbar to protect themselves. They tried to stop the subject, but he fled the location. He was stopped by the responding officers a block away and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
March 11 at 7:40 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of Seymour Place reported a vehicle burglary. Unknown suspect(s) smashed a window on the vehicle and stole items from inside. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
March 11 at 10:14 a.m., a victim came into the police department to report a vehicle burglary. The victim believes the burglary occurred the day prior while he was parked in a business parking lot in the 500 block of West Huntington. The victim parked his vehicle in the lot and went into a restaurant to eat. He believes unknown suspect(s) went into the vehicle, opened the trunk of the vehicle and his tools from the trunk. The victim does not remember if he locked the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
March 11 at 2:50 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the police department lobby on the report of a vehicle burglary. The victim parked her vehicle at her residence in the 200 block of East Lemon. She reported that someone entered her vehicle and took her purse, which she had left on the floorboard of the vehicle under a sweatshirt. She found her purse in the trashcan behind her home. The purse had been emptied out on the ground by the trashcan and her identification was missing from the purse.

Theft from an Unlocked Vehicle
March 11 at 4:15 p.m., a resident from the 100 block of North May Avenue reported a theft from his vehicle. Unknown suspect(s) entered the unlocked vehicle overnight and took the victim’s wallet, which he had left inside.

Commercial Burglary
March 11 at 5:00 p.m., loss prevention from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington phoned police to report a female suspect inside the store, concealing items into her purse and on her person. She emptied the contents of her purse before leaving, but fled the store with the items concealed on her person. She was detained outside the store by responding officers and arrested for burglary.

Brandishing a Replica Firearm – Suspect Arrested
March 12 at 1:00 a.m., security from a bar in the 300 block of South Myrtle called police to report that a 21-year-old male subject had brandished a black handgun at them and yelled at them for no apparent reason. The suspect was last seen entering a bar in the 400 block of South Myrtle. Officers arrived at the location, surrounded the bar and located the suspect in the rear alley. He appeared to drop something in the shadows of the alley when officers told him to stop. The officers detained him and recovered the gun on the ground next to him. It was a black, metal, Airsoft pellet gun, which had the red tip removed. After the suspect was positively identified by the victim, he was arrested for brandishing a replica firearm.

Criminal Threats / Obstructing or Resisting Officers with Violence – Suspect Arrested
March 12 at 10:36 p.m., officers responded to an apartment in the 800 block of West Walnut regarding a 16-year-old male juvenile who had been making threats to kill his family members, as well as punching holes in his bedroom wall. When officers arrived and attempted to speak with the juvenile, he yelled obscenities at them and became physically violent toward them. A struggle ensued during the attempt to arrest the juvenile for criminal threats, but the officers were able to detain the juvenile and took him into custody. Both of the officers sustained injuries during the altercation due to the juvenile flailing around so violently. The juvenile was arrested and taken to Los Angeles County Juvenile Hall, where he will be held until his appearance. During the altercation with the 16-year-old male, one of his sisters outside of the room had to be taken into custody to keep her from entering the room. She refused to cooperate with officers and began yelling obscenities at assisting officers.

Wanted Persons Arrest for Robbery
March 13 at 12:59 a.m., sheriff's deputies stopped a suspicious male subject at Buena Vista and Central. A computer check revealed he was wanted by the Monrovia Police Department for robbery. Monrovia officers responded and took custody of the suspect. The suspect was wanted for a robbery that occurred at a park in the 800 block of East Olive on November 10, 2013. Several suspects had approached the victims at the park. One of the suspects threatened the victim’s with a machete and they took a computer and one of the victim’s wallets and fled the area.

Monrovia's St. Luke Church Broken Into

St. Luke Church, on Foothill, reports that it has been broken into. Here is its Facebook report:

"So our sacristy was broken into, and we have had transients and drug dealers hiding out, shooting up, toking, smoking and sleeping in our outdoor stairwell. Sadly, time to spend more oney on gates, lighting and security. I guess it is part of the mission of the church to make our neighbors as well as parishioners feel safe and secure."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Named 'Woman of the Year'


Judy Cooperman, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and Monrovian Joan Schmidt Clayton

At the Los Angeles County Commission for Women's annual "Woman of the Year" luncheon, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich honored Monrovian Joan Schmidt Clayton and Judy Cooperman, who epitomize the theme: "Educating, Motivating, and Inspiring Women."

A longtime resident of Monrovia, Joan Schmidt Clayton graduated from Mt. St. Mary College in Newburgh, New York and was an educator and influential member of the Monrovia/Arcadia/Duarte Town Council for many years.

She is also a longtime journalist, having written for several papers including the Gem City News, Monrovia Arcadia Weekly, San Gabriel Examiner; and most recently the Mountain View News where she continues to contribute regularly.  She has been honored with the State Assembly District Woman of the Year award and the Duarte Community Service Award.

Judy Cooperberg is a longtime Antelope Valley resident,  Supervisor Antonovich's appointee to the Los Angeles County Mental Health Commission and Executive Director of Antelope Valley Services for Mental Health.

Monrovia Library Playground Closed Thursday | Care Cafe, for Seniors

~ The City of Monrovia announces that Library Park playground will be closed tomorrow, March 13 for maintenance, but will be back open on Friday.

~ Monrovia Providers Group invites local homebound seniors and their caregivers to a morning of fun and relaxation at Care Cafe on Thursday, March 20. Details: http://goo.gl/GYLloz

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Scam Alert - Business Utilities Shut-Off Threat

The Monrovia Police Department wants to alert the public to a scam that has been occurring in the area targeting businesses.

The suspects in this scam call the business claiming to be in billing or collections for Southern California Edison (SCE) and/or Verizon. The caller tells the business their services are going to be shut off within 45 minutes to an hour, and a crew has already been dispatched to cut off the service unless a same-day payment is made immediately. They claim their records show the business is late on their payment and the service to the business will be affected within the hour.

The caller then requests the payment be made by a prepaid VISA or Money Pak Card and then tells the business where they are available. The suspects sound legitimate and are targeting businesses, as businesses typically cannot afford to be without phones or power over the weekend.

It is NOT normal SCE or Verizon protocol to shut off service on the weekends.

The Monrovia Police Department is asking the public to spread awareness to this scam in hopes of preventing this crime from happening and to help keep Monrovia businesses from becoming the victim. Please be aware that utility companies do not work this way and always call the company to verify any information. If you feel something is suspicious, you can always call the Monrovia Police Department at (626) 256-8000.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Still No Trader Joe's in Portland | Schurr Over Monrovia :-(

~ Some folks in Portland, Oregon, are trying to get Monrovia-based Trader Joe's to reconsider its decision not to open a market there, caused by complaints that it would "gentrify" the neighborhood. TJ's says its statement [saying it won't open there] "hasn't changed." http://goo.gl/blvv2e

~ Schurr over Monrovia in softball, 7-6. http://goo.gl/nPv4YV

- Brad Haugaard

Car Wash for Clifton Band and Spirit Marchers

Saturday, March 15, Clifton Middle School's Band and Spirit Marchers are having a Car Wash/Bake Sale at Walgreen's on Foothill Blvd. from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

National Weather Service Says Fire Danger in Monrovia Area Hills

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag alert for the San Gabriel Valley for tomorrow (Wednesday) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. because of gusty winds and low relative humidity. I.e. fire danger. http://goo.gl/YL7LLV

- Brad Haugaard

Support Your Teen at Monrovia High | Giving Hands Needs Volunteers

~ Support Your Teen Night at Monrovia High. Learn about challenges that teens face and resources to help them thrive. http://goo.gl/yT0Y2B

~ Monrovia's Giving Hands Thrift Store, at 925 W. Foothill, is looking for volunteers, men and women 18 or older, to join its street team in staffing informational booths around town. Flexible hours. Contact Arin at 213-248-8186. http://www.givinghandssocal.org

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Arrest Man in Bath Salts and Ice Cream Caper

A burglary suspect under arrest by Monrovia Police was allegedly under the influence of bath salts and had a taste for ice cream. http://goo.gl/HsLAUC

- Brad Haugaard

Wildcat Color Guard Takes First Place | Be On a City Board

~ The Monrovia High Marching Wildcat Color Guard hosted 70 Southern California color guards this weekend in the WGASC LA/Ventura Invitational, and took first place in regional division AA. http://goo.gl/HNlJPZ

~ Monrovia is accepting applications to fill positions on the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Community Services Commission, Library Board and Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board. Details: http://goo.gl/e7YhnV

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia VFW Hosting Seminar for Vets

VFW Post 2070 will host a seminar and Q&A session with a representative of the Veterans Administration at the Post Hall, 825 S. Magnolia, in Monrovia, on Thursday, March 27 from 5:30-7:30PM.

Topics to be covered include all aspects of veterans benefits, including education, healthcare, housing and disability, among others.

All veterans and/or their families in the San Gabriel Valley are invited to attend. The Post equally encourages all current and former military personnel from all eras of service, from World War II to present day, whether the veteran served in combat or not. Refreshments will be served, and the event is scheduled concurrent to the Post's weekly burger feast, so dinner will be available. Families are welcome to attend, especially if seeking help for a veteran who resists assistance.

For more information, contact Post 2070 Service Officer Robert Parry at (626) 698-0878 or rcjparry@yahoo.com

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard