Monrovia Street Repair - West Side Huntington Oaks | Unions Oppose Huff Measure

~ Street repair today along Monterey Avenue south of Huntington Drive. (That's on the west side of the Huntington Oaks Shopping Center). http://goo.gl/mkmJf

 

~ State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, said legislation he authored that would allow "school employee volunteers to provide emergency medical assistance to pupils with epilepsy who suffer a seizure while on campus" is being opposed by school unions. http://goo.gl/bTH1g

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fourth of July Fireworks

Big crowd for fireworks. Along Myrtle from north of Palm to south of Lime. Filling the front of Library Park. Maybe 8,000? Mayor Lutz said it's bigger than last year. Yeah, easily. Fabulous show. I think there were some slow fuses for the finale, which went on for several minutes even after the lights went on. Still, I'll bet it is one of the best fireworks displays in the valley, and free is certainly the right price.

The show sponsors deserve some credit: Green Dot Corporation, Old Town Merchants Association, and Mayor Mary Ann and Corey Lutz. Thanks, folks, for a great time!

UPDATE: Oh, a much better picture of the fireworks than my cameraphone shots: http://goo.gl/Jt4Bu

-Brad Haugaard

City of Hope Bloodmobile in Monrovia

Help with summer blood shortages. The City of Hope Bloodmobile will be in the parking lot of Citibank (237 S. Myrtle) this Thursday, July 7, from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, or schedule a time to give blood by calling Jill Schwartz at 626 471-7236 or email her at jschwartz@coh.org. Donate blood and get a free 30-day VIP pass at Foothill Gym, which includes classes and a free session with a personal trainer.

Happy Independence Day! | Loss of Former City Manager | Sena Open

~ Fourth of July Celebration tonight. Should be great fireworks. http://goo.gl/V4mdH

~ A letter from Pat Ostrye lamenting the death of former Monrovia City Manager Rich Beal. http://goo.gl/XHNTd

~ I have it on good word (a friend ate there) that the new Sena restaurant on Myrtle is now open and serves delicious food. http://goo.gl/9F8ir

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia al Quaida Story Spans Globe | July Four Celebrations

~ The story about al Quaida targeting AeroVironment has spread all over, from LA (KTLA http://goo.gl/r32Xw), to Sacramento (Sacramento Bee http://goo.gl/aYz4k), to India (Times of India http://goo.gl/S7FW3). 

 

~ More on Monrovia's Fourth of July celebrations. http://goo.gl/ih45I

 

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Massilia

Had lunch at Cafe Massilia on Lemon, just east of Myrtle. I had the Chicken Dijon. Tasty. Nice for a relaxed, special occasion. Oh, and the chocolate mousse is really delicious!

Monrovia Produce Swap | Huff Charges Wastefulness | Rising Football Star?

~ Swap produce (and "worm tea" and stuff) at the Library Park, July 1 (tomorrow, Saturday) from 9-11 a.m. http://goo.gl/L1Ved

~ State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, charges that the quasi-public California School Boards Association wastes money, with at least one "City of Bell-style" salary, association money spent at a casino, and allegations of kickbacks. http://goo.gl/4Uq5I

~ Monrovia High's George Frazier, a replacement for Nick Bueno? http://goo.gl/3NdWe 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council Date Moved

If you are a Monrovia city council attendee, the July 5 council meeting has been put off until July 6. I assume it will be at 6:30 p.m. Here's the agenda: http://goo.gl/YjS0g

Big item on the agenda appears to be a hearing about the Gold Line property.

Also, staff is recommending the council take a stand on three state measures: oppose a bill making it harder for cities to go bankrupt; oppose a bill requiring an election before cities can contract out library services; and (tentatively) support a bill that would reform redevelopment. http://goo.gl/0dtz3

- Brad Haugaard

Al-Qaida threatens Monrovia's AeroVironment

Al-Qaida threatens 11 executives of Monrovia-based AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/xahLN

- Brad Haugaard

What Happened With Monrovia Pavilions Roof

The Fire Department reports that:

"At 4:45 p.m. on June 23, Engine 101 responded to a reported roof collapse at Vons Pavilions. Upon arrival, firefighters found a large area of ceiling tiles that were buckling or had fallen due to an HVAC unit that had broken loose from the supports."

"According to store personnel, additional solar panels had been recently added to the existing panels. ... Fortunately, a Vons facilities manager was local and he quickly dispatched a shoring company to stabilize the roof."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Sites Closed for the Fourth

~ Monrovia Public Library will be closed Friday, July 1, until Tuesday, July 5.
 
~ Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve will be closed from Saturday, July 2, through Monday, July 4.
 
~ City offices and the Community Center will be closed July 4.
 
Source: http://goo.gl/WtZ3O
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager: The State as Extortionist

In his weekly report (out early this time) the always colorful Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa compares the recent state budget to "extortion as practiced by organized crime as it preys on independent businesses." He said Monrovia would have to pay the state $1.1 million in "protection money" up front and an additional $400,000 every year thereafter.
 
Ochoa is objecting to a pair of bills, one which eliminates redevelopment agencies and the second that restores those that "voluntarily" contribute money to the state. He said the measures are "illegal and unconstitutional" and would be challenged in court.

Source: http://goo.gl/WtZ3O

- Brad Haugaard

Heron in Monrovia Canyon Park

I saw this bird wading in the Sawpit Debris Basin near Canyon Park today. I think it is a heron, but my opinion on such matters is for the birds.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Columnist Objects to Library Cuts

In her regular Star-News column (not yet on line), Charlotte Schamadan objects to the Board of Education's decision to cut library hours at Monrovia schools. She said it is true the board can't raise money, "but they can decide which need gets what percentage from the budget pot. And they shortchanged the libraries. ..."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library Gets Painted Bear | Legal Challenges to Killing Redevelopment | In-N-Out Is Out

~ The painted bear, "Bearlovian Paradise," will find a home in the youth area at the Monrovia Library. The bear is adorned with lots of other animals, including a squashed rat. http://goo.gl/dsYzx

~ Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz comments about the Legislature abolishing redevelopment on her Facebook page:

"The BAD NEWS: The Senate and Assembly voted to Eliminate Redevelopment! We are hopeful legal remedies will correct this. The GOOD NEWS: Monrovia's Representatives - Senator Bob Huff, Assembly Member Tim Donnelly and Assembly Member Anthony Portantino really came through for us. Not only did they NOT vote for AB 1X26 & AB 1X27 (which eliminated redevelopment), they continued to support their local constitutes by NOT voting for SB 87.   Partticularly for Assembly Member Portantino this was a very brave thing to do; to put your constitutes ahead of political powers! Please show them you gratitude! This is the kind of representation we need for our city now and in the future! Join us: protechourlocaleconomy.com THANK YOU!!"

~ An agreement to bring an In-N-Out to town nearly fell apart, but negotiations back on. http://goo.gl/bzQR6 . UPDATE: Oops, negotions did fall apart: http://goo.gl/jPuAj

- Brad Haugaard