Recreation Department Classes | Monrovia High Exit Exams | Businesses We Want

~ If you are dying to learn Zumba, or any of dozens of other useful skills, Monrovia Recreation Division has classes for all ages. Here's the newest list: http://goo.gl/w9WWp . And here is a sign-up form: http://goo.gl/gb6Eg

~ How Monrovia High did on High School Exit exams. Short answer: better. http://goo.gl/1AgWy

~ Here are the businesses people want in Monrovia. Number one: a bookstore. Lotsa luck with that. I think bookstores are, sadly, going the way of newspapers. http://goo.gl/wpo8b

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Gets Audit of High Repair Bills

At the request of Assembly member Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, the state's Joint Legislative Audit Committee today agreed to investigate charges of overcharging for repair work in state-owned properties along the 710 Freeway corridor. Portantino requested the audit into how Caltrans has managed state properties along the 710 Freeway right-of-way in the Pasadena area, after the LA Times reported finding roof repairs costing “four to five times what most homeowners could expect to pay for a new roof”.

 

- Brad Haugaard (from Portantino press release)

Monrovia Hillsides Presentation | MHS Auditorium

~ Presentation on Draft Environmental Impact for Monrovia hillsides. http://goo.gl/Yyb0L

 

~ I hear that the revamped Monrovia High School auditorium is opening this Friday and that it is "beautiful."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Canyon Rattlers

This rattlesnake (in Monrovia Canyon Park) took a lunge at my biking buddy today. I think they were both surprised. We saw two rattlers within three minutes. This one is the biggest I've ever seen.

Sacramento Acts Against Possible Gold Line Lawsuit

The Gold Line is getting support from Sacramento in its battle with a Monrovia property owner, with legislators introducing legislation to permit local city council members to sit on the Gold Line board, and also by appealing to the state Attorney General not to allow the property owner's lawsuit to proceed. Habib Balian, of the Gold Line, writes:

"As many of you know, legislators representing the corridor are supporting legislation in Sacramento to respond to technical challenges being made by a local property owner trying to slow down or stop the project. The allegations he makes relate to the issue of 'incompatible offices,'  suggesting that local officials have a conflict of interest by serving on the Gold Line Board. However, as Assemblywoman Torres  points out in the article 'The best qualified folks to sit on these types of boards are the ones who sit on local city councils.' This LA Times article outlines the issue and the work led by Assemblywoman Norma Torres and Senators Hernandez and Huff."

- Brad Haugaard

Henry's to Become Sprouts

Henry's Farmers Market, on Huntington, is switching its name to Sprouts Farmers Market, as part of a merger between Henry's and Sprouts. http://goo.gl/FrmZv

- Brad Haugaard

Ramirez in Monrovia Football Lineup

De'Shawn Ramirez back in lineup for Wildcats football. http://goo.gl/4bDcL

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia FD Uses Jaws of Life | Have a Home Escape Plan

~ Monrovia Fire Department responded to 95 emergency calls from 8 a.m. August 9 to 8 a.m. August 16, 2011, including an early Sunday morning collision in which firefighters used the Jaws of Life to rescue a female from a vehicle. She suffered a broken leg and was transported to a trauma center in stable condition. http://goo.gl/4EBty 

~ Also, the Monrovia FD recommends creating a home escape plan. Scroll down a bit to see the instructions on making one: http://goo.gl/4EBty 

 

- Brad Haugaard

Mayor on How Monrovia is Helping Air Quality

Video of Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz being interviewed by the Air Quality Management District's "On the Air" program, discussing how Monrovia is helping improve local air quality. http://goo.gl/pBr8g

- Brad Haugaard

Popular Pastor to Start Church in Monrovia

Albert Tate, a popular pastor at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, is starting a new church in Monrovia that will hold its first service Jan. 15, 2012. Tate is dividing his time between serving at Lake Avenue Church (the large church at Lake Avenue and the 210 Freeway) and this new venture. He is looking for a building in Monrovia and will spend several months in New York, where he will study how to start churches.

Tate is known for his humorous and congregation-involving style. A sermon clip ( http://goo.gl/bT7UO ) and a one-on-one chat ( http://goo.gl/HEP34 ).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Killed

Monrovian killed in North Hollywood shooting. http://goo.gl/FsQ56

UPDATE: Police searching for gunmen. http://goo.gl/1Wy2w

- Brad Haugaard

Star-News Editorial Page

For the second Saturday in a row, the paper Star-News (which covers Monrovia) has not had an editorial page. Last Saturday I thought maybe it was just an emergency problem fitting it in to the paper - though I had never seen it missing in decades - but now, twice in a row, I think maybe it is going away on Saturdays. Too bad.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Construction at Old Spire's Site

Construction appears to have begun on what I've heard will be a Chase Bank at Huntington and Monterey. At the old Spire's restaurant site.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Chili's

Got the Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla with a bowl of chili. $7. Very good. Been to Chili's many times and they've never disappointed me.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Quarterback | More Portantino | And Now Donnelly, Too

~ Monrovia High quarterback: http://goo.gl/IqWpj

~ Portantino vs. Perez - columnist says it's about Congress: http://goo.gl/0gFgZ

~ And now Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (who also represents part of Monrovia) and two other Republicans have released their full office budgets in defiance of Assembly leadership and in support of Democrat Portantino. [How about that - bipartisanship.] Donnelly said voters would be angry if they knew how the legislature spends its money. http://goo.gl/qxW58

- Brad Haugaard