Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California

Rangers Get Electric Bikes | Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Gets New CFO

~ Monrovia park rangers get electric bikes. http://goo.gl/tl7Eq2

~ Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Company, a developer of implantable lenses for the eye, has hired Stephen P. Brown as chief financial officer. Brown comes from Bausch & Lomb Surgical. http://goo.gl/lnuLCS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council to Consider Interim City Manager

This coming Wednesday the Monrovia City Council will meet in closed session to consider whom to appoint as interim city manager, since City Manager Laurie Lile is retiring. (Agenda: http://goo.gl/a7s6lZ )

- Brad Haugaard

Nominate Worthy Monrovians

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce is opening nominations for three annual awards: the Iris Award (Monrovia Citizen of the Year), Monroe Award (Businessperson of the Year), and Dick Lord Award (Outstanding Chamber of Commerce member). Deadline for turning in nominations is Friday, October 15.

If you'd like to nominate someone, here are the forms:

Iris - http://goo.gl/TpU7zL

Monroe - http://goo.gl/GoZ5Ow

Dick Lord - http://goo.gl/1Kp4jC

- Brad Haugaard

First Time in History - Monrovia High Girls Beat La Canada Girls' Volleyball Team

From a very excited Monrovia High announcement:

"Extra, Extra, Hear all about it! Unbelievable! Monrovia High Girls Volleyball made history this weekend by defeating La Canada Girls' Volleyball team for the first time in Monrovia High History!!! Winning in 3 straight sets (3-0). Scores were 25-21, 25-21, 25-23! Every player contributed to the unbelievable win! Could this be the season? Could this team be the first to bring the Rio Hondo League Banner?"

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman Trying to Prevent Completion of 710 Through South Pas

On his Facebook page, Assemblyman Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, writes: "I want to thank Sen. Carol Liu for her leadership on legislation to ensure the timely sale of "surplus homes" currently owned by Cal Trans in the Pasadena-South Pas - East LA 710 corridor. SB 416, which I am co-authoring made it out of the Assembly late Friday, and also eliminates a proposed surface route from consideration."

The Monrovia City Council recently voted to support completion of the route.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman's Airport Car-Rental Financing Bill Passes Senate

With bi-partisan support, the State Senate has passed Assembly Member Chris Holden's AB 359, to simplify airport car rental facility financing.

Under existing law, California airports seeking to finance the construction of large rental car facilities with a customer surcharge must have an independent financial audit every three years during the life of the bond to determine the reasonableness of the fee.

AB 359 will allow airports to submit audits they already perform to satisfy the law.

The measure goes back to the Assembly for approval of amendments before heading to the Governor for his signature.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Firm Gets $36.7 Million Order

Monrovia's AeroVironment gets $36.7 million order for Switchblade drones from the Army. http://goo.gl/OTn5HS

- Brad Haugaard

Threat to Santa Fe Middle School

UPDATE: No gunman found. http://goo.gl/pzuVPs

Threat to Santa Fe Middle School. School shut down. http://goo.gl/sD6Cer and http://goo.gl/ZtmfJc

- Brad Haugaard

Biker Hammond Takes a Tumble

Former Monrovia Mayor and School Board member, Rob Hammond, took a tumble on his Canada-to-Mexico bike trip and got to visit Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria, Oregon, so he's made it through Washington. On Facebook he writes: "Got stung on the knee by a yellow jacket and fell. Now I get to meet some really nice people in the ER. Mama said there would be days like this."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Candidates | New Priest | Steak Barbecue

~ Monrovia School Board candidates, as listed by the county ( http://goo.gl/jTYKsG ): Scott Kenneth Pomrehn (occupation: Parent); Alexandra Kuser Zucco (occupation: Incumbent); Ruhiyyih N. Yuille (occupation; Speech Pathologist/Teacher); Terrence G. Williams (occupation: Parent/Local Businessowner)

~ St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Foothill has a new priest, Neil Tadken, who wants to get the church more involved in the community, according to a church representative. For starters, the church will be clearing vegetation around its building and planting fruits and vegetables, which it will donate to Foothill Unity Center.

~ Maryknoll Sisters of Monrovia will hold a steak barbecue to celebrate its 60th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 5:30-10 p.m. Adults $15, children under 12 $7.50. 300 Norumbega Dr. Call (626) 622-2837.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Jobs Workshop | YMCA | Hot Rods | Health Expo

~ Free weekly job workshop at Monrovia Adult School. Monday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. Following Mondays at 10:30 a.m. At 920 S. Mountain Ave.

~ Join the Y in September and the Y will pay for your September membership.

~ Custom hot rods, custom cars and motorcycles on Myrtle in Old Town Saturday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

~ Set for Life annual health expo at Second Baptist Church, 925 S. Shamrock. Screenings, workshops, healthy foods, fitness classes, etc. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

~ Santa Anita Y Red Envelope Gala dinner and silent auction, Sept. 26 at Embassy Suites, Arcadia. $75. For details email cherylreynolds@ymcala.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Church Building Sold

Apparently the for-sale church building at the corner of Palm and Primrose, across from the library, has been sold and the purchasing church congregation is talking to Restored Life Fellowship, which is renting the space, about how the two groups might work together. That is according to a member of the Restored Life congregation.

- Brad Haugaard