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Drones Watch Bunnies | Monrovia Wildflower Tour | Girl Scouts Collect Food | Portantino Honored

~ Raven drones from Monrovia's AeroVironent are being used to keep an eye on little bunny rabbits (See mini-bunny picture at bottom of page). http://goo.gl/Bsfvp

~ Guided wildflower tour of Monrovia hills tomorrow, April 27, 8:30-11 a.m. at Monrovia Canyon Park lower parking lot. Learn why some flowers only appear in certain areas, while others will only appear after a fire. Wear comfortable shoes, bring snacks and water. Register with Community Services at 256-8246. $10 per person.

~ The Girl Scouts and Ralphs Supermarkets will be collecting food for Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center tomorrow, April 27, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For information on how to help, call Raina Martinez or Diane Ortiz at 358-3486.

~ Former State Assemblymember, Anthony Portantino, who represented Monrovia, has received the Marge Wyatt Advocacy Award "for his longtime support of children and families."

- Brad Haugaard

Contemporary-Style Monrovia Church Growing Rapidly

Monrovia's new church, Fellowship Monrovia, got a lengthy write-up in the paper version of the Star-News this morning (I can't find it on line or I'd just link to it). A few blurbs from the article:

- Pastor Albert Tate: "We don't look the same, and we don't vote the same, but we are united as one in the gospel."

- Tate: "If you come and never make a disciple, never reach out to the poor, never share the gospel in the community, we aren't accomplishing our vision."

- The church is known for "dynamic contemporary music and preaching that is relevant and applicable to everyday life."

- The church is developing a network of "intergenerational and multiethnic Life Groups" where people "can be known, cared for, and unleashed to serve others."

- At last Sunday's service, the Monrovia High School auditorium (where the church meets at 9 and 11 a.m.) was "nearly filled."

- Brad Haugaard

Maryknoll Fundraiser | New Member of Board for Monrovia's AeroVironment

~ Spring Flowers Luncheon/Card party to be held on Tuesday May, 14, 2013 at the Maryknoll Center, 300 Norumbega Drive. Card players may come at 10 a.m. Luncheon at 12 noon. Cost is $15 per person. For reservations call 358-1825. Funds raised are for the betterment of the Maryknoll Sisters and their Monrovia residence.

~ Stephen F. Page has been appointed to the board of directors of AeroVironment. Page most recently served on the corporate boards and audit committees of Lowe's Companies, Inc., PACCAR, Inc., and Liberty Mutual Holding Company Inc., where he was lead director, and on the board of trustees at Loyola Marymount University. http://goo.gl/vdOJQ

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Prevention, Fire Fighters, and Monrovia's Older American

'This Week in Monrovia' newsletter, featuring fire prevention tips, a tribute to firefighters, and congratulations to Cajsa Larsson, Monrovia's Older American of the Year. http://goo.gl/rurIJ

- Brad Haugaard

Aerial Photo of Monrovia Gold Line Yard

An aerial photo of the under-construction 24-acre Gold Line maintenance yard. They're working on underground utilities and foundation work. http://goo.gl/YdBNH

- Brad Haugaard

Arrest in Monrovia Burglary | Battle of Bands

~ Baldwin Park man arrested in connection with Monrovia burglary. http://goo.gl/lR84w

~ Battle of the Bands at Monrovia High. http://goo.gl/uq7h5

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Theft of VehicleSeats, Burglary, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 22-24. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 434 service events, resulting in 84 investigations.

Residential Burglary

April 22 at 10:21 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of Poinsettia. The victim left for work at about 8:00 a.m. When she returned home at 10:00 p.m., she found a rear window open. She went to the police station and reported it. Officers were dispatched to the location and cleared the home. No suspects were located. Unknown suspect(s) entered the home and took jewelry and other miscellaneous property. Investigation continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested

April 23 at 1:07 p.m., an officer on patrol stopped a subject on a bicycle in the 400 block of West Duarte Road for a vehicle code violation. A computer check on the subject revealed the he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary

April 23 at 2:05 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a hotel in the 900 block of West Huntington. The vehicle was broken into between 8:00 p.m. the previous night and 8:00 a.m. that morning. The third row seat was stolen from the vehicle. There was no sign of forced entry on the locked vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Burglary

April 24 at 4:53 p.m., police were dispatched to the 700 block of Anita regarding a burglary that had just occurred. The victim walked outside and saw a 30-year-old, male Hispanic subject inside his vehicle. The vehicle was parked inside his attached garage and was unlocked. The victim yelled at the suspect, who ran from the house. The home owner chased the suspect as the police were called, but he lost sight of him. Police apprehended the suspect at Mayflower and Diamond. The suspect was positively identified by the victim and was arrested for burglary. The suspect had an outstanding no-bail warrant for drugs and burglary.

Monrovia Church Goes Live Online

Monrovia's New Beginnings Family Church (Peck Road at Longden Ave.) is now broadcasting its services live online: http://goo.gl/8ZOEE

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fire 100% Contained

On Twitter, the City of Monrovia says: "Chief Donovan has announced, The Madison Fire is now at 100% containment."

- Brad Haugaard

No Tweeting in Class, Monrovia High!

This went out today in the Monrovia High ASB's "Daily Announcements" newsletter:

"Here's the harsh. . . but true facts wildcats! There is no texting, Instagram, Selfees, tweeting, updating your Facebook page, or online gaming..... In plain English, if you have your phone out during instruction time, security will pick it up, and your parents will get a chance to visit 111 and they have a right to check out all of your posts."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board Wants to Know: What Do You Want in a Superintendent?

Dear staff, parents, and community:

As you may be aware, the board of education has selected an executive search firm to assist with the superintendent search process. As part of this process, the board believes it is important to obtain input from staff, parents, and community.

The board would like to invite you to participate in providing your views on the specific experience, leadership skills and abilities desired in a new superintendent.

There are three options for input:

1) An online survey - available on the district homepage or by clicking the link below:

- English Survey: http://questionweb.com/55628

- Spanish Survey: http://questionweb.com/58614

2) A written survey - available at the district office and any school site;

Note: all surveys must be completed and submitted by April 30th.

3) Or, if you feel you have further information that needs to be shared in person with the search firm advisors, you can call now to select a time for an appointment on either Monday, April 29 or Tuesday, April 30.

For further information, or to set an appointment to meet with the search firm advisors, please call Kristin Mariconda at (626) 47i-2010.

Thank you, and we look forward to your input.

Kristin K. Mariconda

Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent



Source: Monrovia School District email

- Brad Haugaard

Disease Prevention Through Diet - Film at Monrovia High

Tomorrow, Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m., there will be a showing of the 90-minute documentary movie, Forks Over Knives - about how nutrition can prevent heart disease and other problems - at the Monrovia High School Auditorium. John Tanner, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Tanner Research in Monrovia, will introduce the film. Tanner suffered a near-fatal cardiac arrest three years ago. Since then, he has studied the causes of heart disease and "found that heart disease can be completely avoided through a proper diet, and that cancer, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, and about 30 other diseases can be reduced, avoided, or reversed by this same diet." The program will end with food tasting in the lobby "to show how delicious truly healthy food can be."

- Brad Haugaard

22 Days to Register for Fountain to Falls Race

The City of Monrovia would like to remind you that there are 22 days left to register for Fountain to the Falls, a seven mile round-trip run/walk from the fountain in Library Park to the waterfall in Canyon Park. Registration at www.active.com through May 16. Race starts at 7 a.m. Registration is $35/person and includes a t-shirt. Awards for top three finishers in each age category. For more information call the Community Center at 256-8246.

- Brad Haugaard

Firefighters Watch for Flare-Ups in Monrovia Fire

Firefighters keeping an eye out for flare-ups. Active firefighting has ceased. http://goo.gl/4Q4qQ

- Brad Haugaard

Kids Book Celebration at Library Park

Book celebration for kids at Monrovia Library bandshell, Saturday, April 27, 1-3 p.m. Bilingual storytelling, Chinese dance. Free book to first 100 families. Free. Details: http://goo.gl/7txEc

- Brad Haugaard

Was Monrovia Fire a Preview?

Was Monrovia fire first in a bad fire season? http://goo.gl/N241M

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Looking for Fire Photos

The City of Monrovia is looking for any photos taken of the Madison Fire as a way to say "Thank You" to all the first responders who sprang to action over the weekend to protect the hillside. Email your photos to jphipps@ci.monrovia.ca.us, with the subject line "Madison Fire Photo," along with your name. Then see the photos displayed at the MFD Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, May 11, from 7-11 a.m. at Station 101, 141 E Lemon Ave. http://goo.gl/AIJGJ (And, by the way, there are lots of great photos at the link.)

- Brad Haugaard

More than 400 Homes Were Threatened During Monrovia Fire

"At the height of the incident, over 400 homes were directly threatened by the fire, and due to the hardwork of Monrovia Firefighters and mutual aid partners from across Southern California, no homes were damaged or destroyed," Monrovia Fire Chief Christopher Donovan said. http://goo.gl/AIJGJ

- Brad Haugaard

Holden Bill Would Prohibit Mail-Only Pharmacy Drug Agreements

Assemblymember Chris Holden's bill to ensure consumers have a choice in their pharmacy health plans has been overwhelmingly approved (7 to 2) in the Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protections Committee. Holden represents Monrovia.

AB 299 follows reports earlier this year that health insurer Anthem Blue Cross was going to require thousands of its California patients with chronic diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and HIV/AIDS to buy prescription drugs from a mail order pharmacy. Anthem has since backed off while they reevaluate the requirement. But Assemblymember Holden felt it was important to go ahead with the legislation to ensure consumers have a choice.

"We want to make sure that people who take specialty drugs are not being discriminated against," said Assemblymember Holden. "Forcing patients to use mail-order pharmacies could create a difficult situation for many patients with severe illnesses. Seniors especially feel comfortable with their local pharmacies because they are part of the community. If you want to order by mail, fine, but consumers should have a choice to buy local."

AB 299 would prohibit any mail-order pharmacy from entering into an agreement with an insurance plan or disability insurer that requires the use of a mail-order pharmacy for drugs or requires the patient to opt-out of the requirement.

"We were pleased to learn of the successful passage of AB 299 today in the Assembly Business, Professions, and Consumer Protection Committee, and we applaud Assembly Member Holden for his leadership on this issue," said Jon R. Roth, CEO of the California Pharmacists Association. "The Committee's action today was a significant victory for patients and protecting consumer choice in pharmacy benefits."

AB 299 is heard in the Assembly Health Committee next week.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

737 Airplane Spoilers - Built in Monrovia

Did you know airplanes have spoilers? Did you know they are manufactured right here in Monrovia, and Ducommun Inc. will be making the spoilers for the Boeing 737? http://goo.gl/IK30C

- Brad Haugaard