Monrovia Police: Drugs and Alcohol and Shoplifting; Thefts from Cars; and So Forth

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 23-29. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 417 service events, resulting in 98 investigations.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On May 23 at 4:20 p.m., a possible drunk driver was reported in the 200 block of E. Greystone. The vehicle was observed driving on the wrong side of the road. Officers responded to the area and located the vehicle. The driver was contacted and he displayed symptoms of being under the influence. The driver was arrested for DUI.

Shoplifting
On May 23 at 6:21 p.m., a shoplifting incident was reported at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington. A male suspect selected various items and exited the store without making any attempt to pay for the merchandise. The suspect dropped three of the four items prior to leaving the scene. Officer’s arrived, but were unable to locate the suspect. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
On May 23 at 7:32 p.m., officers witnessed a subject illegally dumping trash from her vehicle in the area of W. Central and Mayflower. They initiated a traffic stop and discovered the subject also had a warrant for her arrest. She was arrested per the authority of the warrant.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
On May 23 at 9:13 p.m., officers responded to the area of Madison and Colorado regarding a subject who was possibly intoxicated. The subject was located and found to be too intoxicated to care for his own safety. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrant – Suspects Arrested
On May 23 at 10:33 p.m., officers made contact with a male and female subject at a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington. The subjects consented to a search of their persons. The female was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and the male subject was in possession of controlled substances. The male subject also had an outstanding warrant. Both subjects were arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
On May 23 at 11:40 p.m., an officer saw a male subject using the electricity from a business in the 700 block of W Huntington. The subject was contacted and the officer began an investigation. The subject was found to be in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
On May 24 at 12:08 a.m., officers responded to the 600 block of S. Shamrock regarding two parked vehicles that were struck by a third vehicle. Officers conducted an area check and located the suspect vehicle. No driver was found in the vehicle, but the registered owner was contacted. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
On May 24 at 1:27 a.m., officers made contact with a male subject at the rear of a closed business in the 700 block of E. Huntington. He was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. The subject was arrested.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 24 at 1:33 p.m., an employee of a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called police to report a male subject was being detained inside their store for shoplifting. Officers arrived and, after an investigation was conducted, the subject was arrested and taken into custody. The stolen property was returned to the store.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 24 at 5:49 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of Stedman called police to report a suspicious female subject walking on his street and behaving strangely. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, who immediately dropped a bag of methamphetamine on the ground. The officers determined the subject was under the influence of methamphetamine. She was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
On May 24 at 9:43 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of Elfwood regarding a suspicious vehicle. The caller said a person in the vehicle knocked on her door and then fled when she answered. Officers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. A computer check of the subjects in the vehicle revealed the male passenger had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Theft From a Vehicle
May 25 at 1:41 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported at a business parking lot in the 700 block of E. Huntington. The victim had parked in the lot and went into the gym. When he returned to his vehicle, he discovered someone had entered his unlocked vehicle and stole his wallet, which contained several credit cards and his driver's license. This investigation is continuing.

Theft From a Vehicle
May 25 at 1:49 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of Genoa walked outside her home to her vehicle and found that someone had entered it and took vehicle documents. Her AAA card and two pairs of sunglasses were stolen. The vehicle was not locked. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 25 at 10:09 p.m., officers responded to a complaint of an intoxicated subject near the area of Walnut and Monterey. The subject was located and found to be on parole and in possession of a controlled substance. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Residential Burglary
May 26 at 12:55 a.m., a caller reported that items were missing from his residence in the 300 block of Wildrose after returning from vacation. Officers responded and the investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
May 26 at 3:15 a.m., a caller reported an intoxicated subject near their residence in the 400 block of W. Duarte. Officers responded and found the subject in the caller’s backyard. Officers determined the subject was too intoxicated to care for himself. The subject was arrested for public intoxication and held for a sobering period.

Vehicle Burglary
May 26 at 12:50 p.m., a caller reported her vehicle was broken into while parked in the 900 block of S. Shamrock. Her purse was taken and one of her credit cards had been used at a local business. Officers responded and the investigation is ongoing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 26 at 10:30 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a bicyclist for a vehicle code violation in the area of Peck and Longden. The investigation revealed the subject was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
May 27 at 3:37 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of S. Fifth regarding a male and two females smoking a controlled substance in a parked vehicle. Officers made contact with the three subjects and the investigation revealed the male subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and released on a citation to appear in court on the charge.

Theft From a Vehicle
May 27 at 10:55 a.m., a caller reported that his vehicle and another vehicle were entered during the night and miscellaneous property was taken. The vehicles were parked in the 400 block of Scenic Drive and were unlocked. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
May 28 at 7:06 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 400 block of Monrovista. The victim stated that while her vehicle was parked on the street during the night, a window had been broken and property was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
May 28 at 7:42 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 800 block of W. Huntington and saw a vehicle that appeared suspicious. A computer check revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen. The vehicle was recovered.

Vandalism
May 28 at 10:04 a.m., employees working at a business in the 1800 block of S. Myrtle heard their front glass window shatter. None of the employees saw what happened. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
May 28 at 1:01 p.m., a caller reported his vehicle was broken into in the 1800 block of Eighth Avenue and that personal property that was inside the vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Battery
May 28 at 7:58 p.m., officers responded to a domestic disturbance between a father and son in the 400 block of Hurstview. Officers arrived, but the father had left the location. The investigation revealed the father had committed domestic battery against the mother. Officers were unable to locate the father for his statement. This investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
May 29 at 3:18 p.m., a caller returned home to the 200 block of Highland and discovered two male subjects inside her residence. She called police. Officers arrived, but the subjects had already fled the location in a vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 29 at 9:05 p.m., officers responded to a report of shoplifting at a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. They arrived and detained a female subject. She was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and had an open wound from a recent injection. She was arrested and released on a citation. Monrovia Fire Paramedics were called to treat her open wound.

Soapbox Derby May Make Comeback in Monrovia; Sidewalk CPR; Etc.

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports:

~ Monrovia resident Jeff Hunt is working to revive the Soapbox Derby, in partnership with  Hot Rods Forever, which coordinates an annual Monrovia car show. The event will be a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills and is planned for Sept. 7, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.  For more information, contact Soapbox Derby, LLC, at 205-4786.

~ Sidewalk CPR Day Thursday, June 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Library Park. Learn Hands-Only CPR in just five minutes from the pros.  For more information contact Captain Chris Huson at 256-8119 or chuson@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

~ The city's public works inspector, engineering technician, and senior administrative assistant will now have office hours instead of only being available by appointment. The new hours, starting Monday, June 3, are: Mondays and Thursdays - 7 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays - 1 to 2 p.m.

~ The City Council will hold a budget study session today, Wednesday, at 5 p.m. to review  proposed 2019/21 spending.

~  New GoMonrovia pricing begins June 1 - $2.50 shared rides, $5 classic rides, and still 50 cents to and from the Gold Line and Old Town Monrovia.

~ The fourth Neighborhoods Treasure features Japanese Americans in Monrovia. Families like the Uyedas, Tsuneishi, Asanos, Kurimiyas and others built strawberry farms, grocery stores, fruit stands, and more. The celebration and block party will be Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m. at 300 W Cypress. Art unveiling, free food, games, giveaways, city booths. RSVP here: https://is.gd/eyCyT7 or call the City at 932-5563.

- Brad Haugaard

Heros at Heart: Coffee with a Cop

Thursday, May 30, 10-11 a.m. at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, at the corner of Myrtle and Foothill. Meet and greet local police officers who serve the community. Proceeds from the sale of Heroes at Heart Coffee and Tea go to benefit California Peace Officers Memorial, which provides financial assistance, scholarships and support for families of fallen officers. Free coffee and tea samples, raffle entry with any Heroes at Heart purchase.

- Brad Haugaard

Sir Jamie Looking for a New Home

Sir Jamie (A475591) celebrated Memorial Day this year by attending the La Cañada Flintridge Memorial Day parade. He went with the Pasadena Humane Society’s Wiggle Waggle Waggin’ volunteers and a few other dog buddies. Despite his regal demeanor, he enjoyed the festivities. He particularly liked being petted by tons of new people who thought his wrinkly Chinese Sharpei face was adorable. Sir Jamie is a 4-year-old who was found roaming around Glendale about a month ago. He’s now at Pasadena Humane looking for a new home, with new trusting friends, so he can prove his loyalty.

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and- wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.  Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.  Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Learn Portrait Painting This Evening

Learn to draft a portrait using the same technique as Leonardo Da Vinci, Tuesday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. to Paint n Play Studio on Myrtle. Instructor will be Manuel Barillas, longtime commercial and fine artist based in Downey. For more information and to RSVP, please email christine@monroviafinearts.org. Free admission, refreshments served.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Bella Sera

Lunch recently at Bella Sera, on the east side of Myrtle just north of Lemon. Got the Bacon Stacked Scallops for $26 and my wife and I shared a bottle of sparkling water for $7. Delicious!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Sentenced to Life for Multiple Rapes

Monrovian Jason Chung Chien Yu, 43, has been sentenced to life in state prison after being convicted of 12 felony charges Thursday for the kidnappings, assaults and rapes of four women over a five-year period. link

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Historian Steve Baker Wins Statewide Award

Monrovian Steve Baker has just been notified that he will receive the 2018-2019 Waddingham/Doctor Award by the Conference of California Historical Societies, awarded to an individual who has given 25 years or more of consistent and outstanding service to a local historic society.

In Steve’s case, his service has been to four such groups -- MOHPG (the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group), The Duarte Historical Society, the Monrovia Historical Museum and the Monrovia Historical Society.

Steve is a fifth-generation Monrovian who was appointed the Official Historian for the City of Monrovia in 1991, was elected Monrovia City Treasurer in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009, 2013, and 2017. He has been the Treasurer for the Duarte Historical Society and Museum for more than thirty years, he currently serves as President of the Citrus College Foundation Board of Directors, President of the Monrovia Historical Society, Treasurer of the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library, and as board member of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, ChangeMakers and the Santa Anita Family YMCA.

In the past he has served as chair of the Santa Anita YMCA Board of Managers, President of the Monrovia Historical Museum, Treasurer of the Friends of the Duarte Library, member of the Historic Preservation Commission, and Treasurer of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. He was also the Executive Secretary of the Rotary Club of Monrovia for seventeen years.

Thanks to Sandy Burud for this information.

- Brad Haugaard

New Starbucks Open

The new Starbucks at the corner of Huntington and Magnolia is open. Very open, lots of seating inside and out, plus a drive through lane. Very nice. The Starbucks further to the west on Huntington, next to Armstrong's, has closed, so this is not an increase in the number of Starbucks.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Car-Window Smashing Burglaries; Two Women Assault Boyfriends; Police Pursue Driver into El Monte; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 16-22. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 388 service events, resulting in 77 investigations.

Driving Without a License/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
On May 16 at 9:01 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation in the 1400 block of S. Mountain. A computer check revealed the driver was driving without a license and, during a consent search, drug paraphernalia was found inside the vehicle. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft
On May 16 at 5:06 p.m., a grand theft incident was reported at a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. Two suspects entered the business and asked questions about a new phone. Then they forcefully removed three phones from a display case and ran out of the store. They fled the area in a black BMW. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
On May 16 at 9:34 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of N. Ivy called police to report a vandalism to his residence. He left for a short period of time, and when he returned, he saw a hole in the front window of his residence. He found a soccer ball inside his residence that appears to have caused the damage. The investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
On May 17 at 2:22 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 1200 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a female subject, walking alone, who appeared to be having difficulty maintaining her balance. The officer stopped and checked on the subject’s welfare. The subject was heavily intoxicated and could not care for her own safety or the safety of others. The subject was arrested for public intoxication and held for a sobering period.

Package Theft
On May 17 at 7:09 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Canyon walked outside his home and discovered a package that had been delivered that morning on his front porch had been stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Paraphernalia Found
On May 17 at 7:42 a.m., an employee of a store in the 700 block of W. Huntington found a used syringe in front of a neighboring store that is no longer open. The caller requested extra patrol. An officer responded, collected the syringe and disposed of it properly.

Non-injury Traffic Collision
On May 17 at 10:05 a.m., a caller reported that two motorists collided into one another in the 1200 block of S. Myrtle. Officers responded and found that no one was injured. Both parties did not want a police report filed, but instead only wanted to exchange information.

Possession of a Controlled Substance/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
On May 17 at 7:15 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 700 block of W. Huntington when he saw a suspicious person in a hotel parking lot. The officer contacted the subject and a computer check revealed he had outstanding warrants for his arrest. A search incident to arrest located drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine in the subject’s possession. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of a Controlled Substance/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
On May 18 at 1:13 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a subject in a park after closing hours in violation of the City Municipal Code. The officer stopped the subject, and the subject consented to a search of his person. The officer located drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine in the subject’s possession. The subject was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On May 18 at 2:05 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 2600 block of S. Myrtle when he stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation. During the stop, the driver displayed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the subject was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Vehicle Burglary
On May 18 at 12:18 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of N. Canyon reported her vehicle had been burglarized. Her vehicle was parked on the street. She witnessed a male and female subject break her car window. The suspects stole her purse, which was on the front seat, and fled the area in their own vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
On May 18 at 6:25 p.m., officers responded to a residential burglary alarm call in the 500 block of N. Alta Vista and confirmed a burglary had occurred. Officers discovered the point of entry, which was an open second story window. No suspects were located and the investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On May 19 at 2:30 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation in the 1400 block of S. Myrtle. During the stop, the driver displayed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the subject was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Traffic Violation/Vehicle Pursuit – Suspect Arrested
On May 20 at 6:38 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 1500 block of S. Shamrock when he saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation. He attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle continued onto the 210 Freeway. The vehicle failed to yield for several miles, so the officer initiated a pursuit. The pursuit continued into the City of El Monte. The vehicle eventually stopped and the driver was arrested.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
On May 21 at 4:11 p.m., multiple callers reported a female subject hitting a male subject in the 900 block of Monterey. Officers arrived and detained both subjects. The investigation confirmed the female had assaulted her boyfriend, causing visible physical injuries. The female subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Battery – Suspect Arrested
On May 21 at 10:01 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Myrtle called police to report his girlfriend was hitting him. He left the apartment and waited outside for the officers. The female subject retreated into the apartment and would not exit for some time. Officers were eventually able to convince the female to exit. The investigation revealed the female was the primary aggressor in the fight and she was arrested for domestic battery.

Vehicle Burglary
On May 22 at 7:14 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 1100 block of E. Huntington. The victim called to report his vehicle was broken into while he was eating at restaurant. The victim walked outside to return to his vehicle and found a window had been smashed and personal property was taken from inside. Investigation continuing.

Monrovia Transit Program Unpopular With Disabled; Upgrades to Lucinda Garcia Park?

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports:

~ In addition to its Lyft program, the city has a transportation program for the disabled, but they don't like it.  Chi said the "surprising news" from users is that they don't like the smaller vans, though they're easier to get in and out of. So the city is thinking of "bringing in a different type of ADA accessible vehicle" and also addressing some "minor complaints regarding the dispatch operation," which he said, should be "fully resolved here within the next few weeks."

~ The state has $254.9 million available for park and recreation facilities in underserved communities and Monrovia's Lucinda Garcia Park (Olive just west of Mayflower) could qualify. Monrovia will apply for some of the money to: expand the park into adjacent open space, upgrade play equipment, add safety surfacing at the playground area, add exercise equipment, repair the pathway and upgrade the landscaping, among a few other things.

- Brad Haugaard

Officer Montes Appointed Monrovia Schools Resource Officer

Officer Thomas Montes, who has served the city of Monrovia since 2006, has been appointed as Monrovia's new School Resource Officer (SRO) for the 2019-20 school year.

Montes is well-known at Monrovia Unified, having worked closely with many of the District's site administrators in the past, ensuring that Monrovia schools remain a safe and nurturing learning environment for students.

"Officer Montes has been a support to Monrovia Unified schools in his career as an officer, and he has responded to calls from various schools to provide support and guidance during difficult situations," said Jennifer Jackson, Clifton Middle School principal. "He is a professional, calm, and a asset to students and their families, and we are excited for him to serve as our new School Resource Officer."

Montes has a background in psychology and knowledge and experience working with individuals of all ages.

"We are excited to welcome Officer Thomas Montes to Monrovia Unified," Superintendent Katherine Thorossian said. "We are positive that he will provide excellent support to our schools and to our students."

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library Gets Worldwide Recognition

I think Africazine, which focuses on Africa news, thinks we're the Monrovia in Liberia, Africa. Well, nice to get worldwide publicity: https://is.gd/CRqw28

- Brad Haugaard

Free Monrovia Music Fest Returning Sunday, June 2

Monrovia Music Fest is back for the 6th year of free fun and festivities at Library Park, 321 S. Myrtle Ave in Old Town Monrovia, on Sunday, June 2nd, 2019 from 12-7pm. Admission is free!

The event will feature a diverse mix of musical genres throughout the day. Artists will include: virtuosic Latin guitar duets with Carbe and Durand, space reggae with the Lowtops, The Eric Turner Band bringing electric blues, world-renown musical whistling with The Whistling Diva, plus an assortment of Alternative Rock, R&B, Indie, and more. Admission is free.

Festival-goers will love the wide selection of local craft beers from all four Monrovia craft brewers: Hop Secret, Over Town, Wingwalker, and Pacific Plate, as well as 38 Degrees Ale House and Congregation Ale. The craft beer garden also offers a VIP lounge, where you can enjoy preferred seating, an included beer, a commemorative cup, and beer service. VIP tickets are available on MonroviaMusicFest.com - $23 online or $25 at the door.

Monrovia Music Fest also features a curated artisan market, fun activities for the whole family, plus interactive areas with giant bubbles, KROQ, and KTLA. A tasty variety of food trucks are providing delicious sustenance from: Baby's Badass Burgers, Cousins Maine Lobster, Middle Feast  (Food Truck Wars winner), LA Donut, and Dulce Europa Shaved Ice. The Metro Gold Line Monrovia Station on Myrtle Ave brings attendees just a mile down the street from the fun at Library Park.

Monrovia Music Fest is produced by two entrepreneurs from Monrovia: Carole Anne Kaufman, a two-time world champion musical whistler known as “The Whistling Diva,” and Clara Mayer, who survived and is thriving after two massive strokes just two years ago. “We work straight from the heart, our whole objective is to bring communities together through music and art,” said Mayer.

What started as a small community fest in 2014 has grown to become one of the largest free music and art festivals in the San Gabriel Valley, drawing a crowd from all over Los Angeles County. Throughout the years, Monrovia Music Fest has championed regional indie talent, featured a Grammy Award winner and international musicians, promoted local businesses, and partnered with non-profit organizations such as Homeboy Industries and the Boys and Girls Club. This year the Fest has partnered with the Renal Support Network, a nonprofit which provides services for those with kidney disease.

The producers, Studio C Productions, have been awarded by Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, the State Senate, and the Chamber of Commerce for their community contributions. The festival is possible thanks to the support of their Elite Sponsors: The Wizard of Bras, and Cacique, the leading brand of Mexican-style cheeses in the United States, both headquartered in Monrovia, CA.

For more information, please visit the official website of the Monrovia Music Fest at www.monroviamusicfest.com and follow Monrovia Music Fest on Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, YouTube, and Instagram @MonroviaFest. Phone: 626-509-909.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Cheers for Monrovia Schools' Parade Participants

Hundreds of Monrovia community members cheered as students from Monrovia Unified School District performed with their school bands and rode bikes, unicycles, and floats while dressed in spirit gear on May 18 during the Monrovia Days community festival parade.

The three-day festival was hosted by the District, the City of Monrovia, Centre Stage, and the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley. The event featured entertainment by Monrovia scholars, food, games, and carnival rides.

"I am really proud to have performed during the Monrovia Days celebration," said Rhianne Weir, eighth-grader from Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School. "I am happy to have shown the community all of the great things our band teacher, Tony Ellis, has taught us."

Guests enjoyed performances from Santa Fe's advanced band, Clifton Middle School's band, Monrovia High School's marching band, as well as Centre Stage, a theater company that includes many Monrovia Unified scholars.

"Monrovia Days is a celebration of the great things happening in our community and in our District," Board President Ed Gililland said. "It is a delight to see our students embrace this celebration and show their school pride."

In addition to the performances, the District showcased award-winning programs at a series of information booths, including robotics and performing arts.

"Monrovia Days is yet another event that distinguishes Monrovia from other cities," Superintendent Katherine Thorossian said. "We come together to celebrate the City's birthday and showcase the many unique opportunities afforded through our schools."

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Public Library Building Celebrates 10th Anniversary

On May 16, the City of Monrovia celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Monrovia Public Library building.

The 28,000-square foot library held its grand opening on May 16, 2009. Placed in the heart of our community, the building is a welcoming space where our youth, adults and families gather to enjoy enriched experiences.

Originally conceived in 1895, the Monrovia Public Library was founded by a group of Monrovia women and was located in a room in the Granite Bank building. Throughout the century, as the collection of books expanded, the Library relocated and the building was reconstructed multiple times.

In 1997, it was clear that Monrovia had outgrown the small, outdated building. For more than a decade, Monrovians worked with the State to fund a modern library. When the State failed to fund the project after three separate attempts, Monrovians rolled up their sleeves, started over, and did it themselves. In March 2007, overwhelming voter approval of a bond provided the City with $16 million to fund the project and construction began later that year.

The new Monrovia Public Library building is Silver LEEDS certified to be environmentally friendly, and boasts adult, child and teen areas, a large community room, a heritage room and expanded technology. Year round, the Monrovia Public Library holds hundreds of events. In the Adult Services area, the Heritage Room hosts adults participating in Speak Easy, a program for non-native English speakers to learn in a friendly and relaxed environment. Additionally, the Veterans Resource Center is dedicated to assisting local veterans and their families by connecting them to benefits and resources they have earned through their years of service. Lastly, the Youth Services section offers regular Makerspace and SciLab programming, all designed for children.

The Monrovia Public Library building’s 10th Anniversary will be celebrated throughout the year through the sharing of fun tidbits and stories about the Library. To follow along with the celebration, those interested are encouraged to visit the website at www.monroviapubliclibrary.org, follow the Monrovia Public Library on Instagram at www.instagram.com/monrovialibrary or like the Library on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonroviaLibrary.


- Brad Haugaard

Tulip: I'm Shy But I'd Love a Loving Home

A note from Tulip (A464793): Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, but who cares about them ‘cuz Tulips Rule! Hey, guess what? My name is Tulip and I am an extraordinary cat. A rare breed of special loveliness. That’s what the nice volunteers at Pasadena Humane tell me. They have been very patient. When I first got here, I just wanted to hide. I didn’t want treats or pets or even friends, but kind words of encouragement have worked wonders. Believe it or not, I hung out with a few fellow felines the other day in the Cat Communal Room. I have 6 roommates so it was bound to happen. Please visit me at the Pasadena Humane Society. I’m shy, but I’d love to live in a loving home. Do you have one?

The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and- wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.  View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.  Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Unified Offers Students Alternative, Tuition-free Independent Study

Mountain Park School, a K-12 tuition-free Independent Study School option provided by Monrovia Unified School District, offers flexibility to non-traditional students – some of whom are pursuing professional careers in acting or athletics.

Mountain Park exposes students to career pathways, extra-curricular programs, and early college opportunities that exist at Monrovia High School to help with college and career preparation. The school has a full curriculum that meets college admission requirements, is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and approved by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

“Our unique program provides solutions to the common concerns parents have about independent study such as cost, socialization, and college admittance,” Director of Alternative Schools Flint Fertig said. “At Mountain Park School, we are able to address our students’ needs and ensure they are successfully reaching their academic goals.”

The school’s highly-qualified teachers monitor student progress and meet with students weekly to provide on-campus instruction in subjects ranging from math and science to Spanish, drama, and video production. Electives, athletics, and clubs not offered on site – such as band, jazz ensemble, theater, computer coding, robotics, business clubs, and student government – can be taken at Monrovia High School.

“At Monrovia Unified, we strive to ensure all of our students have access to an educational path that works for them,” Board President Ed Gililland said. “Through Mountain Park School, we provide a window of opportunity for students who need a more flexible schedule to accommodate careers, family commitments, athletics, and other needs while in school.”

Mountain Park students include those who balance school with professional acting and athletic schedules, offering flexible options that allow accelerated learning or learning in a more intimate environment than a traditional classroom. For more information, visit: bit.ly/2KVRrqG.

“Monrovia Unified is proud to provide our students with innovative and challenging academic opportunities and offering an alternative to our comprehensive campuses,” Superintendent Katherine Thorossian said. “The team at Mountain Park School is dedicated to student academic and personal success.”

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Will Check Your Seatbelt Starting Today

From May 20 to June 2, Monrovia Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers and passengers who are not buckled up, including drivers who do not secure children in child safety seats. The enforcement effort is part of the national Click It or Ticket campaign focused on increasing seat belt use.

“Seat belts have proven time and time again to be life-savers,” said Sergeant Chad Harvey of the Monrovia Police Department. “Buckling up should be second nature.” At 96.2%, California has one of the highest seat belt use rates in the nation. However, 532 people killed in crashes statewide last year were not wearing a seat belt.

“Putting on a seat belt takes a few seconds and is your best protection in a crash,” said Sergeant Harvey. “We want everyone to be as safe as possible when driving or riding in a car, and wearing a seat belt is the easiest way to do that.” In California, the fine for a seat belt violation is $162, and $490 for failing to secure a child in the proper safety seat. Under California law, children under two years old, 40 pounds and 40 inches are required to be in a rear- facing car seat. Children under the age of eight must be secured in a car or booster seat.

California has a primary seat belt law, which allows law enforcement officers to ticket someone for not wearing a seat belt without committing another traffic violation.

Funding for Click It or Ticket enforcement efforts is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Source: Monrovia Police Department

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Days Is On

Monrovia Days is in full swing. 

- Brad Haugaard