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Monrovia Cookie Exchange for MS

The Royal Order of the Daffodils Red Hat Society will host a cookie exchange to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Group of the San Gabriel Valley on Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall downstairs at the United Methodist Church at Ivy and Palm. (Use the west-side doors.) Bring six-dozen preferably homemade cookies (or individually wrapped candy - cookies or candy canes - if you are not a baker) in a disposable container and bring another container to take home five-dozen cookies. The remaining dozen will be a gift for a holiday luncheon for the Multiple Sclerosis Group. Also, raffle tickets for $1 each or 6 for $5. All proceeds go to the MS Group. Contact Janie Duncan with questions: 358-8157 or janieduncan@altrionet.com.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Teen Board Hosting Food Drive

The Monrovia Public Library Teen Advisory Board is hosting a food drive for the holidays in partnership with the Foothill Unity Center. Types of food needed include: cake/brownie/cookie mixes, canned fruit, canned meats, canned soups, canned veggies, canned yams, cereals, cornbread mix, frosting, gravy, Jell-O, mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, salad dressing, stuffing mix, etc.

Donations can be dropped off in the lobby of the Library from Nov. 5-Dec. 18.

For more information, contact the Elizabeth Schneider at the Library at 256-8275.

- Brad Haugaard

Dramatic Drop in Revenue for Monrovia's Xencor

Monrovia's Xencor reports disappointing third-quarter financial results.

The company says: "Revenues for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014 were $0.8 million, compared to $3.2 million in the same period of 2013. Revenues for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 were $3.9 million, compared to $8.4 million for the same period in 2013."

It says it "expects to have sufficient cash to fund research and development programs and operations through 2016."

Xencor is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergic diseases, and cancer.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Don't Wanna Go to School! Credit Card Forgery; $100 for Reporting Graffiti; Kidnap/Rape Suspect Arrested

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 6-9 . - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Battery on a Peace Officer / Delaying & Obstructing a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested 
On November 6 at 1:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 400 block of Monrovista regarding a 16-year-old male who was refusing to go to school and causing a disturbance. When officers arrived, the juvenile refused to obey the officers’ commands and became combative with them. The subject pushed one of the officers and a struggle ensued. The other officer deployed the Taser. The juvenile was arrested and taken into custody without further incident. No one was injured.

Vehicle Burglary 
On November 7 at 6:41 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 900 block of West Huntington. The vehicle was parked in a hotel parking lot and sometime during the night, the suspect(s) forced entry through the rear lift gate. The suspects took the third row seats, luggage, and camera lenses from the SUV. The investigation is continuing.

Fraud / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Five Suspects Arrested 
On November 7 at 9:59 p.m., officers went to a motel in the 700 block of West Huntington regarding subjects occupying a motel room using possible fraudulent identification. The officers went to the room and contacted the subjects. They found five subjects inside, two of whom were attempting to hide possible contraband under the bed. Several of the subjects were in possession of false identification cards and had warrants for their arrest, and one subject was in possession of methamphetamine. The room was determined to be rented using false identification information.

Officers searched the room and found evidence of a credit card fraud/forgery operation, including over 100 modified, altered, and blank debit cards, credit cards, and gift cards, as well as an embossing machine, two credit card stripe readers, and machinery for effacing credit cards. The officers also found two vehicle titles with the information bleached out, drug paraphernalia, several computers, cell phones, and USB drives. All five suspects were arrested. During the booking process, officers discovered several of them had given false information regarding their identities; the additional offence was added to their charges.

Vandalism 
On November 8, several incidents of vandalism were reported throughout the city. The suspect used black spray paint to write graffiti on homes, vehicles, walls, etc. The suspect has not yet been identified. The Special Enforcement Team officers have been notified. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Bicycle – Suspect Arrested 
On November 8 at 2:30 p.m., police were alerted to a stolen bicycle taken from the area of Alta Vista and Huntington. The bicycle and suspect were located in the 100 block of West Cypress. The bicycle was recovered and the suspect was arrested. The suspect was taken into custody and housed pending his court appearance date.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested 
On November 8 at 5:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business parking lot in the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a hit and run traffic collision. The accident was minor, and the victim did not desire prosecution for the hit and run. An officer had located the suspect driving in the area of Huntington and Myrtle and stopped him. The driver was found to have two no-bail warrants and was arrested for the warrants only.

Vandalism – Suspect Arrested 
On November 9 at 12:25 a.m., a citizen called police to report a male subject vandalizing their neighbor’s residence in the 200 block of Madeline. Officers responded to the area to search for the suspect. An extensive area search was conducted and the suspect was located. The witness positively identified the suspect. The reporting party will be contacted and informed of the Monrovia Police Departments Graffiti Bounty program; they will be rewarded with $100.00 for reporting this vandalism incident, which led to the arrest of the suspect.

Petty Theft 
On November 9 at 7:23 p.m., a petty theft of a cell phone was reported at a business in the 100 block of West Foothill. The victim reported the suspect had just stolen her cell phone off a table inside of the business and fled the location, heading west towards Linwood and into an apartment complex. Officers arrived and searched the area, but were not able to locate the suspect. The investigation is continuing.

West San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Task Force Apprehends Suspect Wanted for Kidnapping and Rape 
On Tuesday, November 4, 2014, members of the West San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Task Force apprehended suspect Benny Torres in East Los Angeles. Torres was wanted by the Monterey Park Police Department for kidnapping and rape. The Task Force, comprised of detectives from Pasadena, South Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, El Monte, Monterey Park, and Los Angeles County Probation, conducted an exhaustive week-long search for Torres. The Task Force observed Torres in East Los Angeles and he was taken into custody without incident. He is currently being held in custody on a 2.35 million dollar bail.

Ragtime Club Performance in Old Monrovia

The Rose Leaf Ragtime Club meets on the last Sunday of every month. Its next musical event is Sunday, November 30, at Wang's Place, 120 E. Lemon. Ragtime and other music. $2 donation requested from non-performers. http://goo.gl/Qp90IL

Monrovia Schools: Renovation of School Fields; Work on MHS Building O; More Pay for Commissioners

At its Nov. 12 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/jo6wj7 ), the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Consider hiring NAC | Architecture for architectural and engineering services for field renovations at Clifton and Santa Fe middle schools and Mayflower Elementary School. http://goo.gl/6noXBo

~ Consider awarding a $190,000 contract to Caltec Corporation for seismic refitting and reroofing of Building O at Monrovia High. http://goo.gl/LTUlXg

~ Consider doubling the payment per commissioner per meeting for the district's Personnel Commission from $25 to $50: http://goo.gl/Bqz6cC

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Wienerschnitzel


Lunch at Wienerschnitzel, on south side of Huntington just west of Mountain. Got a Polish Sandwich ($2.59) with sauerkraut ($0.40) and a small iced tea ($1.69) and fries ($1.59). Fast food but not bad. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Jewish Foundation Launches PJ Library

To strengthen Jewish life, the Monrovia-based Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys has launched PJ ("pajamas") Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation of Massachusetts for families raising Jewish children from age six months through eight years. Interested families living in the area can sign-up at www.pjlibrary.org. PJ Library's first community program will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, 3-5 p.m., at the Monrovia Public Library. The Community Room will be turned into a setting for Hanukkah and will include a story time featuring books from the PJ Library, music, crafts for the family, food and more. For more information contact the Jewish Federation at 445-0810 or federation@jewishsgpv.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Where is the Monrovia Time Capsule Hidden?

Where is the mysterious Monrovia time capsule hidden? It was buried in 1909 and is supposed to be at the now-being-reconstructed wishing well at the southeast corner of Library Park. http://goo.gl/kIAt41

Will Monrovia's Aztec Hotel and Restaurant Open in Early 2015?

According to a report to the Monrovia Planning Commission, the Aztec Hotel (Foothill and Magnolia) hopes to open in early 2015, and will include a restaurant that will serve alcohol and have live entertainment. The hotel has conditional use permits from the Commission for alcohol and live entertainment and the Commission will consider granting a one-year extension to those permits at its Nov. 12 meeting. http://goo.gl/r4IfDh

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Lost and Confused; Burglary; Hit Skateboarder Gets Licence Plate Number; Robbery

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 3-5 . - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 349 service events, resulting in 70 investigations.

Critical Missing – Subject Located 
On November 3 at 1:49 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting that a bipolar female adult with diabetes was missing in Canyon Park. The subject had been walking with her husband and a friend, and had walked ahead of them. They had walked this area many times before and the subject had always waited at a certain place. This time, she took a different turn and may have gotten confused. Officers and Park Rangers responded and began a search of the area. A helicopter and Sierra Madre Search and Rescue were requested, but the missing person was located before they could respond. The subject was found near the dam on the paved road within 40 minutes of the initial report. She was in good condition, just a little confused.

Residential Burglary 
On November 3 at 4:46 p.m., a burglary was reported in the 400 block of North Primrose. The residents left at 8:00 a.m. and returned after 5:00 p.m. When they left, their home was locked and secured. They returned to find a rear window forced open, and the suspects had taken a safe, jewelry and coins. They exited the home through the entry point. It appears they backed into the long driveway near the entrance they used. The victim reported that the safe had no valuables inside.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision – Vehicle vs. Skateboarder 
On November 3 at 5:53, a hit and run traffic collision involving a skateboarder was reported to police. The skateboarder was crossing Foothill at Mayflower on a green light in the proper crossing area, when a vehicle turned left and failed to stop, hitting the skateboarder. The skateboarder went over the hood of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle did not stop to help the juvenile skateboarder and fled the scene. Paramedics were summoned, but fortunately, the victim was only scraped up and received no serious injuries. The victim was able to remember the license plate of the car, which returned to a Toyota sedan out of the Altadena area. The officer was able to identify the driver and obtain his home address. Night watch officers went to Altadena and located the suspect. He admitted to being at the location, driving the car that hit the child, and driving away. The investigation is continuing.

Robbery 
On November 5 at 9:32 a.m., police responded to the report of a robbery at a business in the 500 block of West Huntington. A male and female entered the business and loaded multiple items of clothing into a mesh bag; they were observed by loss prevention. The male left the store with no items. The female left the store a few minutes later with the bag full of clothes and made no attempt to pay. The male had pulled a vehicle up to the curb and the female started to get in with the bag of stolen merchandise. The loss prevention officer identified himself and attempted to get the bag. The female slammed the door against the loss prevention officer’s arm and the male pulled the vehicle forward, causing the loss prevention officer to fall. The suspects fled the area. The investigation is continuing.

Maryknoll Holiday Brunch

Monrovia's Maryknoll Sisters will hold a holiday brunch, bake sale and boutique on Sunday, November 9, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 340 Norumbega Dr. $15 per adult, $7 per child under 12. Eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs, sausage links, mashed potatoes and gravy, carved turkey and ham, salads (green, three-bean and others) stuffing, dinner rolls, and desserts, including pumpkin pie. Items for sale at the boutique include handcrafts, fruit preserves and home baked goods. A handmade rose afghan, crafted by the Sisters, will be raffled, and there will be a drawing featuring a $1000 grand prize.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Builds Brainy Drone

Monrovia's AeroVironment builds an autonomous drone with a brain-like chip. http://goo.gl/zJZWo7

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line: Track Yes, Trains No?

It appears that while the Gold Line may be completed on time next year, the Metro system may not have enough rail cars to fully service the new lines. http://goo.gl/ZTGau4

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Real Estate Sales Halted? | MonroviaNow Calendar | Evensong

~ Monrovia real estate sales have come to a "swift halt," according to Monrovia real estate agent Donna Baker. No buyers from China? http://goo.gl/dCTgyb

~ I've added a calendar of events at the top of the MonroviaNow.com website. It is not comprehensive, but any upcoming event I enter as a regular post should hopefully (if I programmed it correctly) appear in the calendar. New events are added just after midnight daily. I should have had this earlier, but I didn't want it to be any extra work, and it takes a lot of effort to be lazy :-) http://goo.gl/U0EitH

~ St. Luke's Episcopal Church will hold its Eleventh Annual Men's Evensong Invitational on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 4 p.m., 122 S. California Ave. Selections include Jones: Phos Hilaron, Preces & Responses, and Nunc Dimittis; Willan: Magnificat; and Dawson: There Is a Balm in Gilead. Wine and cheese reception will follow.

- Brad Haugaard

Smart Gardening Workshop at Monrovia's Recreation Park

A Smart Gardening Workshop, designed to reduce yard waste, save water and encourage composting and grass recycling, is scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2014 in front of the Boys and Girls Club (600 S. Shamrock Avenue) located in Recreation Park. Free mulch donated by Cal Blend Soils and transported by Athens Services will also be available while supplies last. Bring a shovel, gloves and a container to take home this valuable resource for your gardens and landscaped areas.

The workshop is being sponsored by the City of Monrovia and the Los Angeles County Smart Gardening Program. It will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Participants will learn about composting, grasscycling, fire resistant and water-wise gardening. Composting bins will be available to residents for purchase at a reduced price. For more information, call Environmental Services at (626) 932-5553 or 932-5556.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

Monrovia Police: Domestic Violence; Intoxication; Stolen Bike Recovered

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 30 - November 2 . - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Domestic Violence / Warrant – Suspect Arrested 
On October 30 at 10:00 a.m., an officer responded to the 400 block of East Walnut regarding a domestic dispute. Officers arrived and determined the male was the primary aggressor and had caused minor visible injury to the female. A computer check revealed he also had an outstanding warrant. He was arrested for domestic violence and the warrant.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested 
On October 30 at 6:34 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a welfare check. When they arrived, they found a male subject passed out and too intoxicated to care for his own safety. The male subject was arrested for public intoxication and taken into custody. A computer check also revealed an outstanding warrant for his arrest; he was arrested for public intoxication and the warrant.

Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested 
On October 30 at 8:47 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers responded to the 2000 block of Broderick in the city of Duarte regarding a bicycle theft that occurred in Monrovia. Upon arrival, the officers recovered the stolen bicycle and arrested the suspect, who later admitted to stealing the bicycle.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Warrant – Suspects Arrested 
On October 30 at 9:25 p.m., an officer stopped a motorist for a vehicle code violation in the 800 block of East Huntington. Upon investigation, the driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested. His passenger was found to have an outstanding warrant and was also arrested and taken into custody.

Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested 
On October 31 at 1:14 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting a traffic collision in the area of Huntington and Monterey. The male driver rear ended a vehicle, which continued forward and struck another vehicle. The driver of the first vehicle struck had redness to the face, possibly from striking the steering wheel. They also had soreness in the head and neck area. The male driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol. The suspect was arrested for felony driving under the influence, due to the traffic collision with injuries.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested 
On November 1 at 12:05 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of West Cypress on a hit and run traffic collision. The suspect struck an unoccupied, parked vehicle and fled the scene. Officers conducted an area check and located the suspect passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle in the 100 block of East Cherry. The suspect was intoxicated and was arrested at the scene.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested 
On November 1 at 4:10 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation in the 800 block of West Colorado. Through investigation, the officer determined the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol. The officer arrested the driver and she was taken into custody.

Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested 
On November 2 at 1:15 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the area of Myrtle and Lime regarding a man down in the street. When the officer arrived, he found an intoxicated subject passed out in the street. His brother was with him, but he was also intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety. Both subjects were arrested for public intoxication and taken into custody, where they were held for sobering.

Domestic Violence / Child Endangerment – Suspect Arrested 
On November 2 at 3:00 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of West Duarte regarding a domestic violence incident. During an argument, the male suspect pulled his girlfriend to the floor by her hair while she was holding their 11-month-old baby in her arms. The girlfriend sustained red marks on her shoulder and complained of pain to the back of her head, where her hair was pulled. The baby was not injured. The suspect was arrested.

Upcoming Monrovia Events

~ Foothill Pregnancy Center fundraising gala, Monrovia Community Center, Friday, Nov. 7, 6-9 p.m. Info: http://goo.gl/SY0VgO

~ American Legion Pancake Breakfast, Immaculate Conception Church, 726 S. Shamrock, Sunday, Nov. 9, 8:30-11:30 a.m.

~ Maryknoll Sisters Annual brunch, bake sale, boutique. 340 Norumbega, Sunday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. Call 358-1825.

~ Monrovia's Military History, Douglass & Zook Chapel of the Foothills, 600 E. Foothill. Sunday, Nov. 9, 3 p.m. Keynote speaker: Steve Baker.

~ Veterans Day event, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. at Library Park.

~ Knights of Columbus spaghetti and meatball dinner, to support Carmelite Sisters candidacy program. Friday, Nov. 14, 5:30-8:30 p.m. 130 W. Pomona Ave. Info: John Black pjduibh415@msn.com

~ Black Alumni Black Alumni scholarship dinner, Saturday, Nov. 15. Details, call Eloise Hard (760) 669-0669.

~ Interfaith Thanksgiving program, "Gratitude." St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Nov. 20, 7-8:30 p.m.

~ Meet Me in St Louis at Taylor Performing Arts Center (at Monrovia High). Nov. 20-23. Details: http://goo.gl/P1MjBv

~ Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, "Oasis in the Drought," at Courtyard by Marriot. Nov. 21, 8 a.m. Speaker, Albert Tate of Fellowship Monrovia. Tickets from Chamber of Commerce: 358-1159.

~ Help Foothill Unity Center pack and distribute food for Thanksgiving, Saturday, Nov. 22 through Nov. 25. Details: http://goo.gl/2KNS4l

Thanks to calendar-keeper Becky Shevlin for these events.

- Brad Haugaard

Tiles for Historic Monrovia Library Park Drinking Fountain Located - Can Be Completed

You may have noticed that while the granite supports of the historic drinking fountain have been completed (using the original stonework, which was not damaged) there is still no roof. Well, the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group reports that finally, the rare style of roof tiles have been located (about 100 are needed) so the the fountain can now be completed, just as it originally appeared more than 100 years ago.

- Brad Haugaard

Will Monrovia City Council Adopt a Moratorium on Demolition of Old Homes?

According to an historic preservationist writing on the Nextdoor network, Monrovia's Historic Preservation Commission decided at its Oct. 29 meeting to postpone a decision on the status of a craftsman-style house at 118 N. Alta Vista until after the Nov. 4 City Council meeting at which, she said, Councilman Tom Adams plans to propose a demolition moratorium. She encouraged preservationists to attend that council meeting to influence city policy on pre-1940 homes.

Comment: I'm kind of middle of the road on preservation; I think some old buildings should be preserved and I think others are junk, but it would help me - and perhaps others - to understand why preservationists are using 1940 as a cutoff. Is that a special year in architecture? Is a date even the right approach? or should we try to protect buildings on the basis of historical significance, noteworthy architecture, or other non-date reason? I'm not saying, I'm just asking. Feel free to respond in comments section.

- Brad Haugaard