Heat Blast As High as 106 Degrees - Friday to Monday

The National Weather Service has issued a heat warning for the San Gabriel Valley from 11 a.m. Friday through 9 p.m. Monday. "Dangerously hot conditions with high temperatures between 102 and 106 expected." https://is.gd/6zpdia

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: Up 6, to 586

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/10/2020. Changes since 8/08/2020.

City of Monrovia: 586 cases (up 6), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 66 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Sushi Nakata Review

Restaurant reviewer Merrill Schindler has a very positive review of the tiny Sushi Nakata restaurant, on the south side of Lime just east of Myrtle. Here: https://shrtm.nu/YPR7

- Brad Haugaard 

Help a Monrovia Scout Help Those Who 'Need a Little Bit of Help'

"My name is Nathan Schwandt and I am working on my Eagle Scout project. I am serving the Foothills Kitchen here in Monrovia, which helps the homeless population. I am holding a donation drive for blankets, sleeping bags, tents, and brand new socks.

"The blankets and sleeping bags can be used, but they must be washed before brought to our collection day. We are going to hold the collection day outside of the Methodist Church At 140 E. Palm Ave., Monrovia CA 91016. We will be out there on August 22 from 10 AM to 2 PM. We will also be collecting monetary donations if you don’t have blankets to give but you want to help. The money will be used to purchase new items that are still needed after the collection day.

"I just graduated from Monrovia High School as part of the Math and Science Academy. I am going to be attending Pasadena City College in the fall. I really like the idea of this project, because it helped so many people who are overlooked in our society. Sometimes people just need a little bit of help, and I am happy to offer that help for them."

If you would like to donate prior to the collection day, please contact Nathan at 253-0185 to arrange a drop-off time. You can also donate to: gofundme – Nathan Schwandt’s Eagle Scout Project

- Brad Haugaard

School Board Member Ed Gililland Won't Run Again - Endorses Jennifer Anderson

School board member Ed Gililland has announced that he will not run again for school board. He writes:

Hello Monrovians!  Contrary to earlier posts I made, I have decided not to run for another term on the Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education.  After 15 years on the Board, making that decision was not easy. MUSD is special, and we have created a District that is recognized for excellence in LA County and also by several nationwide organizations and even internationally. I have felt privileged and proud to be a part of the leadership of this great organization. I will miss that, but have realized that over the next two years I have several personal issues that will require much of my time and will not allow me to give our schools the attention they need and deserve. We have a great Board and am happy that two of our more experienced members are running to stay on the Board. 

I am also happy to put my support firmly behind an outstanding candidate that has given more to MUSD over the last 10+ years than any other volunteer I have ever known. She is smart, dedicated , and a very proud parent of MUSD students. Jennifer Anderson has been a wonderful leader for our PTAs, High ...

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 580 Cases - Up 15 In 2 Days - No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/08/2020. Changes since 8/06/2020.

City of Monrovia: 580 cases (up 15), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 66 cases (up -1), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Barney - It's Time to Settle Down

 

Nine-year-old Barney probably spent his entire life up until now on the streets, and now he's ready to live that cozy indoor life. Even though Barney isn't used to being around humans, he'll still meow and approach people briefly. We can't say for sure whether he'll ever be a lap cat, but with patience and love, Barney still has so much potential to be a wonderful pet. His fur may be a bit ragged, but his eyes are as bright as his future!

The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cat adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

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 and fill out an online adoption application. Adoptions are by appointment only.

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

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Wins Top Credit Rating

The credit rating of the Citrus Community College District, which serves Monrovia, was upgraded to the second highest level, Aa1, this July by Moody's Investors Service. Also, Standard & Poor's reaffirmed the district's AA rating.

Moody's said the district has demonstrated continued growth in its tax base, has a proactive management team, and a conservative approach to budgeting.  Standard & Poor's

- Brad Haugaard

Announcement of School Board Candidacy of Traci Gholar

Following is an announcement by Traci Gholar of her candidacy for the Monrovia Board of Education. Other candidates are welcome to submit announcements. - Brad Haugaard

As a long time Monrovia resident, I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Monrovia Unified School District Governing Board. I have lived in Monrovia for thirty-four years and I have been an educator for thirty-three years.

Prior to being recruited to serve as principal at Samuel Gompers Middle School, I served for twenty years in Monrovia Unified School District. Initially, I was a classroom teacher at Clifton Middle School and then I transferred to Monrovia High School in 1992. While working at Monrovia High, I transitioned from the classroom to administration, first as Activities Director and then, eventually, I became an Assistant Principal. In 2008, I was appointed Principal of Clifton Middle School where I served for three years. My passion in education has been fueled by the moral imperative to cultivate a public school system that functions with collaboration, positive restorative practices, and collective action.

I am looking forward to continuing my service as an educator by seeking a seat on the MUSD Governing Board. Being a member of the School Board will provide me an opportunity to expand my sphere of service from one school site to an entire school system and to help to create positive change for the entirety of Monrovia’s youth.

Now is the time to elect a Monrovia educator. Now is the time for a voice who represents the diversity of our community. Now is the time to bring experience, integrity, and inclusivity to the challenging work of reimaging the Monrovia schools so that they are equipped to meet the needs of our current and future realities. Now is the time to cast your vote for someone who will passionately fight for the education of all Monrovia students.

Please take the time to visit my website at tracigholarmusd.com to learn more about my core values and how you can support my candidacy. I hope to earn your vote on November 3rd.

Monrovia 2120

I'd love to hear Monrovians respond to this question:

What would you like Monrovia to look like in 100 years?

I'm asking you to look beyond the Coronavirus and the November elections and imagine what you would like Monrovia to look like not in your lifetime, or probably even your children's lifetimes, but perhaps in your grandchildren's lifetimes.

Respond in the Comments section below, or on Facebook, here.

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Consider Revised High School Music Courses, Garden Programs, Revised Budget

At its next meeting (https://is.gd/7h0AF8) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ A revised high school stringed instruments course (https://is.gd/pjZ6Gc) and a revised Marching Band course (https://is.gd/4csgAw).

~ A contract with Food ED for an Elementary Garden and Food Education program for Bradoaks and Plymouth elementary schools. $6,000. https://is.gd/pRAZgB

~ Another contract with Food ED, this one to rehab garden areas at Santa Fe Middle School for $7,565, plus annual maintenance of $2,500. https://is.gd/0UDgm5

~ Approving a revised budget for the 2020-21 school year. Income $51.3 million; Expenditures $45.46 million. https://is.gd/rGuiES

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: Up 10 to 565. No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/06/2020. Changes since 8/05/2020.

City of Monrovia: 565 cases (up 10), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 67 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Water Meets 'All Water Quality Standards'; Two-Truck Trash Pick-Up; Water Conservation Campaign

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

~ "We are happy to report that, again, for 2019, the City of Monrovia has met all water quality standards." Here's the report: https://is.gd/YdcAAe

~ Because of the plague Athens was picking up trash and recyclables in a single truck, only sorting recyclables mechanically. But, as of August 1, it has returned to the separate collection of trash and recyclables.

~ Monrovia is again participating in the Wyland National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation. To support the city visit www.mywaterpledge.com and commit to conserving water. The challenge will recognize and award cities with the highest level of pledges.

- Brad Haugaard

Fellowship Church Reports More Than $3 Million Income for First Six Months of 2020

Monrovia's Fellowship Church has released a financial report of its general fund for the first six months of 2020 which shows income of more than $3 million. (The 2019 numbers do not include $545,000 in special gifts to purchase the church's Huntington Drive building.)

The church reports that because of the pandemic, giving is down 4%, but that it was able to reduce its spending by 15%. 

Also, it reports that it has moved its "accountability to the hands of a nationally recognized non-profit CPA firm called CapinCrouse. CapinCrouse performed reviews for 2018 and 2019, and is scheduled to perform a full audit for 2020. They present their findings to the Fellowship Board on an annual basis."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 555, up 9

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/05/2020 . Changes since 8/04/2020 .

City of Monrovia: 555 cases (up 9), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 67 cases (up 1), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard