Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California

Flamzz Pizza Out of Business

Apparently Flamzz Pizza (southwest corner of Colorado and Ivy) is out of business. Too bad. http://goo.gl/eMIoxk

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College President Honored

Citrus College Superintendent/President Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D. was recently recognized by the national Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society with its Shirley B. Gordon Award for Distinction. Citrus College serves Monrovia. Dr. Perri was the only college leader from California to receive the award, which was presented on April 17 in San Antonio. Every year, presidents and CEOs from the nation’s 1,137 community colleges are nominated to receive the award. Source: Citrus press release

- Brad Haugaard

Yard Sale at Monrovia Church to Support Financial Seminars

Yard Sale at Calvary Road Baptist Church on May 9 from 7 a.m.-noon. To support the Financial Peace University program, a Dave Ramsey class that has been meeting at the Monrovia Library every Thursday night.

- Brad Haugaard

Sausage Sold at Trader Joe's Recalled

The 8-ounce sausage packages of Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage sold at Trader Joe's - based in Monrovia - are being recalled. There may be bits of plastic in the sausage. http://goo.gl/fHkTYj

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over La Canada in Softball

Monrovia victorious over La Canada in softball. 7-1. http://goo.gl/sIF7xY

- Brad Haugaard

May Events in Monrovia

~ Thursday, May 7 - Interfaith Council of Monrovia will hold a National Day of Prayer event at United Methodist Church, 140 E. Palm, 7 p.m. For more information call Bobbi Rahmanian at 215-2704.

~ Saturday, May 9 - Fire Service Day and Monrovia Firefighters Association Annual Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station 101, 141 E Lemon Ave in Old Town; Jr. Firefighter Challenge, Raffles, Displays, Bounce House, Live Demonstrations. Tickets at event; Kids Under 3 eat free. For more info call 256-8181.

~ Saturday, May 9, Fourth Annual Fountain to the Falls 7 mile Run/Walk, starting at Library fountain at 7 a.m. Registration through the City at http://goo.gl/N0dHvs . For more info call Community Services at 256-8246.

~ Saturday, May 9 - The Taylor Performing Arts Center, 845 W. Colorado Blvd., presents Broadway Star and Tony nominee Susan Egan in her award winning one woman show "The Belle of Broadway" for one performance only. MHS music and drama students will perform in several ensemble numbers. 7 pm; tickets available on www.brownpapertickets.com

~ Sunday, May 10 - MOHPG Mother's Day Old Homes Tour - 10 am to 4 pm; Advance Tickes; adults $20; Seniors 65 $15, Teens $15; 12 years and under free; Day of Tour Tickets sold at the Historical Museum, 742 E. Lemon Ave; add $5 to each ticket with kids under 12 being free; advance tickets available at Old Town Friday Festival on S Myrtle 5 - 9 pm from 4/3 - 5/8; Chamber of Commerce, 620 S Myrtle Ave; Dollmakers, 412 S Myrtle; Curves, 1159 E Huntington Dr., Duarte or go to www.mohpg.org to order.

~ Wednesday, May 13 - Monrovia Chamber with the City of Monrovia present "Economic forecast for the SGV" with Cynthia J. Kurtz President and CEO of the SGV Economic Partnership; 11:15 am - 1 pm Location - Contact Chamber (626)358-1159 for more info or go to www.monroviacc.com

~ Thursday, May 14 - Monrovia Providers Group "Mad Hatter Tea"; Monrovia Community Center, 119 W Palm Ave; $5 or free if you wear a tie or a hat! 2 - 4 pm; more information contact Rebecca at the Monrovia Community Center (626)256-8232 ; website www.monroviaproviders.org

~ Thursday, May 14 - The Taylor Performing Arts Center, 845 W. Colorado Blvd., presents "Superstars of Music Showcase" featuring more than 600 vocal and instrumental music Students from Monrovia Unified School District; 6:30 PM; tickets available at the door; all proceeds go to benefit MUSD's vocal and instrumental music programs.

~ Friday, May 15 - 17th Annual Don Montgomery Annual Golf Tournament; Azusa Greens Country Club, 919 W. Sierra Madre Ave, Azusa; 11:30 Registration; 1 pm Shotgun Start; 6 pm Social Hour; 7 pm Dinner Seating; 7:30 pm Awards, Raffle and Live Auction; participate all day or just Come for Dinner and Awards, etc.; reservations/registration please contact Chuck Pollard, 257 Aspen Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016 (626)358-0010

~ Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 - Friends of the Monrovia Public Library Spring Book Sale; Monrovia Public Library Community Room, Friday noon-5pm; Saturday 10am-5pm; $5 Bag Clearance Sale will be Saturday from 4-5pm

~ Saturday, May 16 - Monrovia Historic Preservation Group will host its inaugural Walking Tour of historic Downtown Monrovia. Meet at the SW corner of Palm and Myrtle Avenues at 10 am.; Cost is $5 per person (12 and under free) and reservations are required. Go to the Online Store at www.mohpg.org to reserve a space.

~ Saturday, May 16 - Monrovia Days "Myrtle Madness" featuring live entertainment, games, booths, music, Family fun festival; Library Park 8 am - 3 pm. $7 Pancakes in the morning and BBQ in the afternoon; information go to www.centrestageinc.com or call Keely Milliken at (626) 297-4758

~ Saturday, May 20 - Foothills Pregnancy Resource Center "Mothers & Others" Friendship Tea; shopping, special message, fashion show plus a gold/silver buy back event; United Methodist Church 140 E Palm Ave; 22 am - 2 pm; call for reservations 303-2783 or 358-2122; $10 advance, 2 for $18; $15 at the door.

~ Saturday, May 23 - Gold Line Construction Authority Operations Campus Grand Opening and Veterans Plaza Dedication Ceremonies; Veterans Plaza Dedication 8-9 am at southeast corner of Evergreen and California Avenues; Gold Line Operations Campus Dedication Ceremony 10-11 am and Open House 10 am - 1 pm.

Comment: Many thanks to Becky Shevlin, from whose most excellent calendar I swiped all this stuff.

- Brad Haugaard

Holden Bill Approved by Committee | Roush Joins STAAR | Francis Second in Race

~ The Assembly Judiciary Committee today overwhelmingly approved Assembly Bill 425, co-authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia. AB 525 makes it more difficult for chains to terminate franchise operators by prohibiting corporations from closing a franchise business unless there has been a substantial violation of the contract, the law or local regulations. It also allows franchisees to keep the equity they invested in the event of termination. Source: Holden press release

Comment: You can see the bill here ( http://goo.gl/d8GVBI ). What is interesting is that Holden introduced a bill that would impose higher fines on private investigators (see original: http://goo.gl/TuRt0q ), but then it was apparently gutted by amendment and turned into a bill regulating franchises.

~ J. Steven Roush, CPA, has been appointed to the board of Monrovia's STAAR Surgical. http://goo.gl/mXgZON

~ Monrovia's Empire Bikes reports that its own Scott Francis came in second in the Pro 1-2 at the Los Angeles Circuit Race.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Must Cut Water Usage by 28%; More Ballots to Count; New Company May Run Street Fair; Scaffolding Gone; Skateboarding Crack-Down

In his weekly report, Monrovia City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

- The State Water Resources Control Board has determined that Monrovia must cut its water consumption by 28% below 2013 levels. Glendora really got socked. It has to cut by 36%.

- "We have somewhere between 800 - 900 additional ballots that must be counted before the election results can be finalized." If you want to watch, the count will begin Thursday, April 23, at 8 a.m. in the Police Department Community Room.

- No truth to the rumor that the Friday Night Family Street Fair was going to be terminated as of June 30. But there will likely be a change in the company that runs it. Chi said a city committee is unanimously recommending that LA PartyWorks run the show.

- The scaffolding has finally been removed from the sidewalk at 316 South Myrtle Avenue (across from the Library).

- Extra patrols to crack down on skateboarding in Old Town.

- Brad Haugaard

E-Waste Event at Monrovia High

E-waste event, Saturday, May 30 at Monrovia High. Bring brake fluid, paint, paint thinner, cleaners with acid or lye, pesticides or herbicides, household batteries and car batteries, pool chemicals, motor oil, oil filters, expired pharmaceuticals, anti-freeze, and fluorescent light bulbs, household electronic waste including: computer monitors, televisions, computer CPUs, keyboards, printers, cell phones, etc. Details: http://ow.ly/d/3dDf

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Robbery at Gunpoint; Trailer, Lost and Found; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 16-19. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Residential Burglary
April 17 at 12:15 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of West Lemon. The victim left his residence, locked and secured, at approximately 8:00 a.m. When he returned at around 12:15 p.m., he noticed the front glass sliding door had been shattered. The house had been ransacked and property was stolen.

Stolen Semi-trailer Recovered
April 17 at 5:45 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 1000 block of Wildrose regarding a stolen semi-trailer. The trailer was taken sometime on April 11 or 12. When entered into the computer system, a recent inquiry by Arcadia Police Department was found. The trailer had been tagged as abandoned in their city. The registered owner was notified that the trailer was located.

Petty Theft / Delaying a Peace Officer / Warrants – Suspects Arrested
April 17 at 6:00 p.m., police responded to a business in the 700 block of West Huntington regarding a theft of merchandise by a female and a male subject. The female subject was observed concealing store merchandise in her purse. The subjects purchased other merchandise from the store, but did not pay for the merchandise inside the purse. Officers arrived and detained both subjects outside the location. The female subject was confrontational with officers and would not comply with their commands. Stolen items were located in the female's purse and a stolen box cutter was found in the male subject's back pocket. The female subject also had several warrants for her arrest. She was arrested for petty theft, delaying a peace officer and the warrants. The male subject was arrested for petty theft.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
April 18 at 2:03 a.m., officers saw a vehicle driving erratically in the 400 block of West Huntington and conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, officers determined the driver was intoxicated, and after investigation, the driver was arrested for driving under the influence.

Petty Theft / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
April 18 at 5:14 p.m., police responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a theft. A male subject left the store with stolen jewelry and had entered a car that was now leaving the location. Officers were in the area and observed the vehicle. They conducted a traffic stop and detained the female driver and the male suspect. The female had a suspended license and was cited. There was no evidence that she was involved in the theft. The vehicle was released to a family member. The male suspect admitted to stealing the jewelry. He also had several warrants for his arrest. He was arrested for petty theft and the warrants.

Robbery
April 18 at 12:28 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Myrtle and Foothill on the report of a robbery that had just occurred. The two male victims were walking south in the 100 block of North Myrtle. They noticed a white vehicle parked along the west curb with a female Black subject sitting behind the wheel as the passed by it. They suddenly heard foot steps quickly approaching from behind and were confronted by two male Black suspects. One of the suspects pointed a black handgun at the victims and demanded their wallets. Both victims threw their wallets on the ground. The suspects picked up one of the wallets and fled, getting into the white vehicle. The vehicle was driven away by the female subject. The vehicle was last seen traveling south on Myrtle out of sight. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 18 at 12:29 p.m., officers were dispatched on the report of a suspicious vehicle in the 300 block of West Colorado. They responded and found two subjects sleeping inside the vehicle, one of which was a female juvenile who was in violation of the curfew ordinance. A computer check revealed the juvenile had a no-bail warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Recall of Trader Joe Pastries for 'Undeclared Coconut'

A company selling pastries through Trader Joe's - based in Monrovia - is recalling its "A Dozen Sweet Bites" because of "undeclared coconut." http://goo.gl/i34VbA

- Brad Haugaard

Coffee Shop Coming to Monrovia's Aztec Hotel

A coffee shop called "Aztec Coffee and Games" is moving in to the east corner of the Aztec Hotel, the part labeled "Coffee Shop" in stained glass. It is coming in August and says it will be "San Gabriel Valley's first board gaming cafe. We've created Aztec Coffee & Games to fill a simple need: to have a well-lit and friendly environment to play board games featuring delicious coffee and snacks. We plan to have comfortable chairs, clean bathrooms, and plenty of table space for board gaming with friends and family." The business is raising money on Kickstarter - http://goo.gl/XxIYEV . (Thanks Dave Kepple.)

Comment: Well, blessings on you! May it be a big success.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council May Appoint Subcommittee to Keep an Eye On Station Square Project

At the recommendation of City Manager Oliver Chi, the Monrovia City Council will consider at its April 21 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/MX5oW1 ) whether to create an ad hoc City Council Station Square Construction Monitoring Subcommittee to keep an eye on the project. The subcommittee would last until the project is done and Chi recommended appointing councilmembers Spicer and Blackburn to serve on the subcommittee.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Canyon Park Named as Great Hiking Spot

Monrovia Canyon Park named one of the best SoCal hiking spots. http://goo.gl/CWVwRG (Thanks for the tip, Gem City Images.)

- Brad Haugaard

Night Trains Coming

Nightly train testing for the 11.5-mile Foothill Gold Line light rail project from Pasadena to Azusa will begins today and will continue through early June, Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.

To limit noise during the night testing, the grade crossing bells will be disconnected and Metro train operators will use their optional "quiet-zone" horns, which will sound similar to buzzers and are commonly used in residential areas. Sheriff Deputies will be supporting the effort.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Result of Prop 47 - Crime on the Rise

LA County Supervisor Antonovich, who represents Monrovia, says Proposition 47 is not working out the way it was intended. He says that a preliminary review of crime rates, especially property crime, shows that they "are on the rise." ( http://goo.gl/nhZUZ2 ). Monrovia Police Chief James Hunt was none too happy about the proposition either: http://goo.gl/NJE3r3

- Brad Haugaard