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Sampling Monrovia's Beers


I tried a sampling of beers produced by Monrovia's new micro-brewery, Pacific Plate, located in a light industrial facility at 1999 S. Myrtle, a couple blocks south of Duarte on the west side. My favorites: Mango IPA, Copa de Oro, and Horchata Stout, the top three in this photo. Thanks to Brad Hori for the invitation, the beer, and good company. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Library Closed Monday

Monrovia Library closed Monday. Labor Day. http://goo.gl/rvVO0u

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia API Scores Slip

API scores for Monrovia schools dip, but still meet target level. http://goo.gl/8AVX2p

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at S'Links Gourmet Hot Dogs


Lunch at the new S'Links Gourmet Hot Dogs at Myrtle and Olive. Got the Sonoran (aka LA Street Dog) combo ($9.79). It was a dog, bacon, pinto beans, grilled onions, avocado, tomatillo salsa, cheese, tomatoes, onions, mayonnaise, mustard. This is an eat-with-a-fork dog and it's delicious. Buns are fresh made by Monrovia Bakery.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Joins Fitness Challenge

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz reports on Facebook that Monrovia has joined other foothills cities in a competitive "fitness challenge" sponsored by City of Hope. Details: http://goo.gl/TTz3VL

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council May Impose Settlement on Police Union

Monrovia has been unable to reach a work agreement with the police union and is "at impasse," so at its Sept. 3 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/YJmj3K ), the City Council will consider a "Unilateral Implementation of Last, Best and Final Offer."

The offer "includes the suspension of merit salary adjustments and the Longevity/Performance Bonus Program. In addition, sworn members will pay the full 9% of the employee cost of the Public Employees' Retirement Benefit and non-sworn members will pay the full 8% of the employee cost of their plan. This will eliminate the Employer Paid Member Contribution (EPMC) benefit."

The city report says that, "While the City's financial outlook has modestly improved over the last two years, without concessions from employees to further assist with funding the cost of retirement benefits, the City's budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year will not be balanced." http://goo.gl/M0efvM

- Brad Haugaard

What to Do at Myrtle and Huntington? The City Council Considers

Rendering of the proposed Mt. Sierra project.

At its Sept. 3 meeting, the Monrovia City Council, wearing its "Successor Agency" hat (which replaced the now-banned Redevelopment Agency) will consider what to do with the property at the southwest corner of Myrtle and Huntington. There are five proposals:

- An already-rejected multi-residential project.

- A campus for Mt. Sierra College with a cool design, but the city would like some retail there as well.

- A four-star, 120-room hotel proposed by the company, Singpoli. Potentially the highest revenue generating project.

-  A 24-Hour Fitness with two restaurant/retail sites, proposed by Evergreen Development. The 24-Hour Fitness at Huntington and Shamrock would move there.

- Two restaurant/retail uses, proposed by Festival Companies. Possible restaurants for the site: Longhorn Steakhouse, Lucille's Bar-B-Que, Domenico's Italian Restaurant & Lounge, Corner Bakery, 85 Degree Café International, Blaze Pizza, and Five Guys.

More detail than you probably want, here: http://goo.gl/D3Eefk

- Brad Haugaard

Friends of the Monrovia Library - Cheap Books!

In September adult books and media with a pink dot on the spine are half-price at the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library Bookstore (in the Library). Most regular prices range from 25¢ to $2.

Then, on Oct. 11-13, the Friends will hold its Fall Book Sale, with more than 5,000 books. Hours:

Friday - noon-5 p.m. Saturday - 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday - 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The $2-a-Bag Sale will be on Sunday from 4-5 p.m.

Prices for regular books and media range from 25¢ to $2. Collectibles are priced from $5 to $40. While book sellers are welcome, scanners are not permitted.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Trader Joe's May Cut Healthcare Contributions in Face of Obamacare | Students Slip on Exit Exam

~ Monrovia-based Trader Joe's may cut back on its employee healthcare contributions in the face of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), but "the company's contribution would remain generous by industry standards." http://goo.gl/2ijx1o

~ Percentage of Monrovia students who pass California High School Exit Exam slips. http://goo.gl/W7eUhq

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drug Bust, Stuff Stolen from Vehicle

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 26-28. - Brad Haugaard]
 
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 540 service events, resulting in 83 investigations.
 
Petty Theft with Priors / Possession of Methamphetamine / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspects Arrested
On August 27 at 4:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding burglary that just occurred.  Both suspects were being detained by loss prevention officers.  A record check revealed both suspects had been arrested for prior thefts.  A search was conducted, which revealed one suspect to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody.
 
Vehicle Burglary
On August 27 at 11:02 p.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of North Canyon regarding a vehicle burglary  The victim parked and locked his 1996 Acura in front of his residence.  A short while later, the victim returned to his vehicle and saw it had been burglarized.  The items stolen from his vehicle were bank checks and a GPS system.   The investigation is continuing.

More on Lile Retirement | Monrovia Battery Tech | Brewery | Sidewalk Astronomy

~ Reaction to the retirement of Monrovia City Manager Laurie Lile. http://goo.gl/KUMZjQ

~ I didn't know Monrovia had a battery-technology development company - CODA Energy. http://goo.gl/j5H5wf

~ Two videos about Pacific Plate Brewing of Monrovia, opening Aug. 30 and premiering six new craft ales. http://www.tout.com/m/qry8tv and http://www.tout.com/m/v8wxhy (I can't get them to work but maybe they'll treat you better.)

~ A story about the sidewalk astronomers who set up in Monrovia's Library Park. http://goo.gl/rQ0UPB

- Brad Haugaard

Painting Exhibit, Mini Monrovia Power Outage

"Goose," oil painting by Jean Osher

~ "Eye Candy," an exhibition of paintings by Lynn Gertenbach, Jean Osher and Esther Engelman, Sept 7-28, at Monrovia's Segil Fine Art Gallery, 110 West Lime.

~ Southern California Edison reports a mini power outage affecting eight of its Monrovia customers. http://goo.gl/mlRvki

- Brad Haugaard

Women Invited to Newcomers Group Meeting in Monrovia

Newcomers and Friends of San Gabriel Valley, a local women's group, will have a Meet-and-Greet Coffee on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 10 am to noon, at a member's home in Monrovia. Contact sgvnewcomers@yahoo.com for details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager Resigning

Monrovia City Manager Laurie Lile is resigning, moving to Nevada with her husband. http://goo.gl/6xsU5C

- Brad Haugaard

West Nile Virus Next Door in Arcadia

West Nile virus discovered next door in Arcadia. Watch out for mosquitoes! http://goo.gl/5GC9Rp

- Brad Haugaard

Army Buys AeroVironment Switchblades | Casino Night | Bills to Governor

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment gets $15.8 million in orders from the Army for its Switchblade Tactical Missile Systems. http://goo.gl/2fJz8P

~ Rotary Club's 2013 Old West BBQ & Casino Night Fundraiser is coming up Sept. 7, 6-10 p.m. $70 for dinner, four drink tickets and 250 playing chips. At Monrovia Community Center, 119 W Palm Ave. For tickets call 893-3580.

~ Three bills by Monrovia's state senator, Carol Liu, have been approved by the legislature and have been sent to the governor for his signature. They would "assist food banks, enhance interagency collaboration at the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and help promote arts in schools." http://goo.gl/oZF90K

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Officer of the Year | The Y Grows

Among other things, the latest Monrovia Today magazine reports that ...

~ Agent John Donchig has been named Monrovia PD's Officer of the Year. Donchig, the article says, is "a model of hard work, initiative and leadership."

~ Since 2005 the Monrovia Y's membership has jumped from 1,600 to 3000; class participation from 2,000 to 5,000; and its budget has risen from $1.1 million to $2.3 million.

- Brad Haugaard

Tiles in the Monrovia Train Station

Samples of Cha-Rie Tang's reproduction Batchelder tiles. (Photo: MHPG)

According to the newsletter of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, the city's Gold Line station will feature reproductions of Ernest Batchelder tiles. Batchelder lived in Pasadena early in the 20th century and his tiles were part of the Craftsman movement. Artist Cha-Rie Tang is making the reproduction tiles herself, and some of them use designs copied from Batchelder tiles in Monrovia homes.

- Brad Haugaard

Trader Joe's vs. Pirate Joe's | Metro Train Design

~ Monrovia-based Trader Joe's is suing Vancouver's Pirate Joe's, which says it would be happy to close up shop if only Trader Joe's would come to town. http://goo.gl/kJ5hJJ

~ New design for the Metro railcars that will be pulling into Monrovia sometime soon. Yellow and white. http://goo.gl/3q7WSh

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Scoby Looks at Schools | AeroVironment Revenue Down

~ Monrovia running back Kurt Scoby is starting to look at colleges. Arizona this weekend. http://goo.gl/JCX7px

~ Monrovia-based AeroVironment reported "revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was $44.1 million, compared with first quarter fiscal 2013 revenue of $58.7 million. The decline in revenue resulted from decreased sales in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) segment of $13.6 million and in the Efficient Energy Systems (EES) segment of $1.0 million." http://goo.gl/PEYG6i

- Brad Haugaard