Monrovia’s Staar Surgical Reports Profit

Monrovia’s Staar Surgical, maker of replacement eye lenses, reports earnings of one cent per share for its first quarter. It had a loss for the same period last year. https://goo.gl/KcRBJ3

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Rotary Awards Scholarships

Monrovia Rotary Club has awarded scholarships to 19 local students: https://goo.gl/7KjhPx

- Brad Haugaard 

Funny Video: German Coast Guard

This has absolutely nothing to do with Monrovia, except that I think it is the funniest video I've seen in a year and, well, I live in Monrovia, so that's the Monrovia connection. And besides, I run this site so I figure I can take liberties. Although it is several years old, it's the first time I've seen it. Hope you enjoy it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MUsVcYhERY

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Protection Seminar This Saturday

This Saturday, May 5,  11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Monrovia Community Center, the Monrovia Fire Department will teach a class on how to assess the fire vulnerability of your home.  To RSVP, or for questions, call 256-8109.

- Brad Haugaard

TV Show ‘Restored’ Needs Monrovia Home; Goodbye Liquidambar Trees; Super Senior; capturing Stormwater; Etc.

In his weekly report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O), City Manager Oliver Chi repotted...

~ The HGTV series Restored is planning an episode of a home restoration in Monrovia this year, and they need to find a home to restore. It’s got to be a pre-55 home and you’ll need to put up at least $55,000. Details: https://goo.gl/aOqX7O. 

 

~ in South Monrovia, along Myrtle Avenue and Peck Road, “there are liquidambar trees that are notorious for causing damage to the infrastructure and are in failing health.” So, the city is going to take some of the trees out, but will leave the holes for new trees. 

~ Also, the city is going to drill dry wells to divert storm water underground, where, presumably, we can reuse it. Chi writes: “Water will be collected in new catch basins that will be installed on the streets and connected by pipeline to these drywells.” The drywells will be installed on: Atara Street, Diamond Street between Alamitas Avenue and Mayflower Avenue, El Dorado Street between 5th Avenue and Encino Avenue.

~ Ms. Joyce Leeman was been selected as Monrovia’s Older American of the Year  She recently celebrated her 10th year as a driver for the Foothill Unity Center, she is active in her church (foreign missionary board member, led youth ministries, founded the food pantry Loaves and Fishes), organized food drives that fed several Monrovia families, housed foreign exchange students, assisted with outreach programs, is

on the board of directors of Children of the Shepard Los Wise Compassionate Center (which assists the homeless), provided care packages overseas, assists seniors get around to meetings and voting polls, assisted in hospice care of two neighbors. Comment: I’m tired just reading this. 

~ Early-bird pricing still available for the 2018 Fountain to the Falls Run/Walk & Health Fair, the 6.38 mile out-and-back race from the Library Park Fountain to the Canyon Park waterfall.  The race will be held on Saturday, May 12, at 7 a.m. Early registration fee is $35 and event day registration is $45. Details: https://goo.gl/JfrpHu

- Brad Haugaard 

Rob Hammond Bikes Into Louisiana

Cross-country bike rider, former mayor and current school board member, Rob Hammond, has crossed from Texas into Louisiana on his San Diego to Florida bicycle ride. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Pet of the Week: Larry the Dog

Larry (A452618) is a 2-year-old pit bull who loves toys. He can hear a squeaky toy from a mile away and will stop whatever he is doing and perk up. His absolute favorite toy is the Jolly Ball. Our volunteers have noticed he has good focus and is good with commands. While out on our Wiggle Waggle Wagon, he has met many children and is friendly to people of all ages. Larry has received his blue ribbon, so he knows his “sit,” “down,” and “stay” and is ready to find a home. 

 

The adoption fee for dogs is $130. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home. 

 

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. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

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

 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Days Coming Up

Monrovia Days is coming up, May 18-20. Carnival, music, book sale, performances by Center Stage, and a pie eating contest. Details here: https://goo.gl/Pxdrg3

- Brad Haugaard 

Inside Monrovia's Trader Joe's

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's has created a five part podcast called Inside Trader Joe's, which takes listeners inside the company for the scoop on what makes Trader Joe's – Trader Joe's. https://goo.gl/HaLPsE

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Faults

Northwest Monrovia fault zones.

Northeast Monrovia fault zones.

Is your house close to a fault line? Or in an area that could experience landslides or soil liquifaction if an earthquake happens?

The State Department of Conservation has an interactive map that shows the earthquake fault lines running through Monrovia, which are mostly along the edge of the mountains and most extensive in Northeast Monrovia. The fault lines are in black and the fault zones in yellow.

Those aren't all the earthquake dangers; There are also potential areas of soil liquifaction and landslides, which you can switch on and off. (Off in these photos.)

You can check it out here: https://goo.gl/dhXohn

Thanks to James Brown who brought this to my attention by posting it on Facebook.

- Brad Haugaard

Firefighters Pancake Breakfast

May 12 is the annual pancake breakfast at fire station 101, 141 E Lemon, sponsored by the Monrovia Firefighters Association.. From 7-11 a.m. there will be a bounce house, live demonstrations, a Jr. Firefighter challenge and pancakes.  $5, kids 3 and under eat free. Proceeds benefit Monrovia charities. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Council Will Consider Buying More Water

The City Council will get an update on water consumption during a study session at 6 p.m. prior to its regular session this coming Tuesday, then at 6:30 will honor graduates of the Monrovia Area Partnership Youth Leadership Academy. 

During its regular session at 7:30 (agenda: https://goo.gl/6THK3c) the council will consider spending $734,160 to lease 1,000 acre feet of Main San Gabriel Basin water production rights from the Azusa Valley Water Company and the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster “to meet our current customer demand.” https://goo.gl/Tfs15U

- Brad Haugaard 

Origin of ‘Two Buck Chuck’

An interesting story in Reader’s Digest on the origin of Monrovia-based Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw wines, more popularly known as “Two Buck Chuck.” https://goo.gl/NxpwKc

- Brad Haugaard 

Free Compost and Mulch Today

Free compost and mulch, today, April 28, 8 a.m. to noon at Monrovia Public Works Yard, 600 S. Mountain. Self serve. Bring ID or Athens bill, sturdy container. Shovels provided. While supplies last. Compost is a blend of organic material, including food waste.

- Brad Haugaard

Rocket Launch Visible on May 5

On May 5 there will (probably} be a Vandenberg Air Force Base rocket launch visible from Monrovia, as long as you can see north to south 1/3 up from the horizon at 4 a.m.

InSight, NASA's next lander on Mars, will launch May 5 at 4:05 a.m. (3 hour window), then several minutes later each day for about a month if the launch is no-go on the 5th. 

Source: Jane Houston Jones of the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers

- Brad Haugaard 

Breakfast at Mimi’s

Breakfast at Mimi’s, at the corner of Mayflower and Huntington. Got the Pork Sausage and Eggs for $9.99 and coffee for $3.49. Very tasty. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Citrus College Offering Low-Or No-Cost Enrollment

Local students will soon be able to enroll at Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, for little to no cost through Citrus College Promise, a program designed to cover enrollment fees and other college costs for first-time students.

To be eligible for the Citrus College Promise, high school seniors must participate in Citrus College's Early Decision program at a district high school. Home school and private school students who live in the college's service area and have signed up for an on-campus Early Decision event are also eligible.

- Brad Haugaard

Fritz Coleman at Fundraiser for Foothill Unity Center

Fundraiser for Monrovia’s Foothill Unity Center on June 2, 6 p.m. at The Ice House in Pasadena. Tickets $20 - $27. Fritz Coleman “proves that aging isn’t pretty….but, it’s funny!” Tickets: https://goo.gl/gxTBrd

- Brad Haugaard 

Pirate Themed Fundraiser at Mayflower School Tomorrow

Mayflower Elementary's PTA will hold an Anchors Away Family Fun Night tomorrow, April 28, 4 p.m.-8pm.  This Pirate theme event will include games, music, bingo, food trucks, silent auction and more. The school is at 219 N. Mayflower Ave.

Landlubbers of all ages are invited to help celebrate, as the school sets sail into Spring to raise funds to enhance children's education. "Money from this event will assist with literacy programs, afford to send children on field trips and assist with ensuring classrooms have needed supplies" said Faith Mellinger, Mayflower PTA president." We invite all the community to help their local school by joining us on this special night," she added.

Pre-event donations of $8 per person include unlimited rides, games, and bingo can be made through Eventbrite at

www.eventbrite.com/e/mayflower-family-fun-night-tickets-440-2463553?ref=estwevent

Or, at the Friday Monrovia Street Fair during the month of April.  Tickets will also be available at the door.

A suggested donation per person at the door is $5 and cost for unlimited rides will be $10. Bingo is $20. Children under the age of 5 are free.  Food and other activities are not included in either entrance donation.

Sponsorships and volunteer opportunities are also available.  For more information, to give a donation or to learn more about how you can support Mayflower PTA, visit the Mayflower PTA Facebook page at Mayflower PTA.

- Brad Haugaard

Bill By Monrovia's State Senator Would GPS-Monitor Paroled Burglars

Senate Bill 1266, by Monrovia's State Senator, Anthony Portantino, would require anyone convicted of burglary to be subject to GPS monitoring as a condition of parole. Upon release law enforcement would monitor the offender's activity. The bill has passed committee and now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

- Brad Haugaard