Monrovia's AeroVironment Gets Oregon Contract

Monrovia-based AeroVironment has been selected by the Oregon Department of Transportation to supply, install, operate and maintain electric vehicle charging stations along major highways. http://goo.gl/PH4r7

Monrovia Patch Owner, AOL, Having Financial Troubles

AOL, the owner of the Patch local-news sites, including the Monrovia Patch, is having financial troubles. This article by Bloomberg ( http://goo.gl/asgX0 ) suggests that AOL may be a takeover target, and this New York Times article ( http://goo.gl/eho5x ) says some people are thinking Patch may need to be closed. All speculation, mind you, nothing official.
 
Opinion: I hope Patch survives. Relative to MonroviaNow, Patch has more depth in its articles, but I have fun trying to be first getting an article on line -- though they often beat me there as well. But, anyway, it wouldn't be much fun without you guys. Best wishes, Patch!
 
- Brad Haugaard

STAR Test Results for Monrovia Schools | Study Supports Portantino

~ STAR test results for Monrovia schools. http://goo.gl/o2XlR


~ Stanford research supports the claim of Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) that the California Assembly's finances are opaque. It concludes that in at least one case, spending by an assemblyman is more than eight times higher than claimed. http://goo.gl/FHqWe


- Brad Haugaard

Fixing Riparian Habitats to Improve Innovation in California

Monrovia's assemblyman, Anthony Portantino, sent out a press release this morning saying that he supports the California Council on Science and Technology's just-released report on improving innovation. He said it "reflects California's unique way of addressing challenges and solving problems."
 
A summary of the report - which I found here: http://goo.gl/yQQ4A - calls California's situation "alarming," and compares us unfavorably with Texas, Virginia and Washington. The solution? 1) a privately-funded "California Innovation Corporation" to help academia and industry work together, 2) broadband Internet access for K-12 students, and 3) "publicprivate partnerships" to monitor and control water usage and quality, and to restore "watersheds and riparian habitats."
 
Opinion: Regarding solution 2 - Does this mean the state is going to quit stealing money from school districts so the schools will have the cash to install broadband? Regarding solution 3 - I agree water management is critical, but to suggest that water management is a key to improving innovation is just totally bizarre.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Run Over by a Rover - Unity Center's Back-to-School Event


At the August 18 Back to School Fair - organized by Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center - low-income children will receive school supplies and have a chance to feel the suspension wheels of a Mars Rover run over their bodies as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory brings a model rover to the event.
JPL will also bring an eight- by twenty-foot three-dimensional image of the McMurdo Panorama, the highest-resolution image ever taken of Mars, and will get to inspect a full-scale inflatable model of Curiosity, the rover for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission, slated for launch this November.
Children will also get to talk with experts from ITT  Corporation, which handles operation and maintenance of the antennas, equipment, and facilities of the Deep Space Network (DSN) and provides mission operations support to JPL and NASA.
- Brad Haugaard (from press release)

Monrovia's AeroVironment Plans Vertical Takeoff Aircraft

Monrovia's AeroVironment is considering creating a vertical takeoff and landing craft. http://goo.gl/NiXGM

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Book Sale | New Elected Representatives? | Portantino

~ In August, Friends of the Library is having is Yellow Dot sale. All adult books and media with a bright yellow dot on the spine are half-price. The Friends Store is in the Library. http://goo.gl/OR0Gg
 
~ Possible Monrovia representatives after redistricting. http://goo.gl/ykeLU
 
~ Portantino-Perez feud continues. http://goo.gl/EhYdw
 
- Brad Haugaard

September 11 Remembrance in Monrovia | Community Center Maintenance

~ A tenth anniversary remembrance of the 9/11 attacks will be held at the Monrovia Fire Department at 1 p.m., Sept. 11. Details: http://goo.gl/Ou1VC
 
~ Dates of facility maintenance at Monrovia Community Center: http://goo.gl/Cx1T9
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Gets Huge Order | City Split in Redistricting | Flame Broiler Restaurant Opening

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment gets $65 Million order for its unmanned aircraft systems. http://goo.gl/PRDXA
 
~ Redistricting chops Monrovia in two for congressional representation. http://goo.gl/jjhJH 
 
~ A Flame Broiler fast-food restaurant that serves up healthy alternatives like grilled chicken teriyaki bowls is opening soon in the Henry's Market complex. http://goo.gl/etDzR 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Registration

Monrovia High Registration - Aug. 16 for Seniors, Aug. 17 Juniors, Aug. 18 Sophmores, Aug. 19 Freshmen. Aug. 22 Make-up Day. Students need TDAP shots to register. Details: http://goo.gl/rh4e5


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's World Vision Helping Somalia

Monrovia's World Vision delivers tents for Somalia refugees. http://goo.gl/EMbo8
 
- Brad Haugaard

Olympic Speakers in Monrovia


Monrovia Reads is sponsoring a Distinguished Speakers Series, featuring Olympians Louis Zamperini, John Naber, Mark Crear, and Kim Rhode. They'll speak at the Monrovia Library Community Room, from 7–9 p.m. on Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Feb. 9, 2012, and March 8, 2012. All proceeds benefit Monrovia Reads. Details here: http://goo.gl/KyXJV
- Brad Haugaard

A Taste of Old Town Monrovia

Monrovia Kiwanis Club is sponsoring an event to let Monrovia restaurateurs show off their culinary skills. Food and music and proceeds go to benefit the YMCA. October 16, 5-8 p.m. on Myrtle between Lime and Olive. Tickets $50 in advance, $60 at the door. Details: http://goo.gl/JZXVR
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Makes Drone-Bomb

The Economist Magazine describes drone-bombs called "Switchblade" being developed by AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/7mGTC

- Brad Haugaard

Decoding Monrovia Street Lights | Motorcycle Crash | Why Hunt Was Selected as Police Chief

Selections from Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa's weekly report:


~ In case you were wondering how to tell streetlights that are owned by Monrovia from streetlights owned by Southern California Edison, well, all wooden and metal poles are owned by SCE, except for the green metal poles in the Old Town area around Myrtle Avenue. The remaining poles (concrete) are primarily owned by the City. So if you see any burned out bulbs, now you know who to tell. City Public Works: (626) 932-5575; SCE: (800) 611-1911


~ The Fire Department responded to 66 emergency calls from 8 a.m. August 2, to 8 a.m. August 9, including helping Arcadia treat a motorcyclist involved in a crash on the 210 on August 6. The cyclist "received traumatic injuries when he fell from his motorcycle. The victim was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital Trauma Center where he is expected to recover from his injuries."


~ Jim Hunt got the job as police chief, Ochoa writes, because of his "knowledge of the Department, personnel and community, his vision of the future of public safety in Monrovia, his proven leadership over the years, and his engaging management style earned him the job. ... [H]e is a Five Tool Player: he Thinks, he Leads, he Communicates, he knows our Operations, and he is a dedicated Public Servant."


- Brad Haugaard
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