Mark Twain Safe

Reader Anna Marie Hetman writes:

“My husband, who shall remain nameless, made sure Mark Twain is safe. Later he noticed people stopping to have their picture taken with him.”

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirrus Count: 128 - Up 2

Monrovia Coronavirus cases today from LA County Department of Public Health (https://is.gd/LcrzHl) :

Monrovia: 128 cases (up 2 from yesterday), 15 deaths (unchanged - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged), 1 death (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: 74 (unchanged), 13 deaths (unchanged).

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  24 cases (up 1) and 2 deaths (unchanged).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools' Video Contribution to Virtual Monrovia Days

Here is Monrovia School District's video contribution to Virtual Monrovia Days:



- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 126

LA County Department of Public Health reports (https://is.gd/LcrzHl) Monrovia Coronavirus cases today:

Monrovia: 126 cases (up 3 from yesterday), 15 deaths (unchanged - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged), 1 death (up 1).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: 74 (up 6 since several days ago), 13 deaths (up 3).

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  23 cases (up 1) and 2 deaths (unchanged).

COMMENT: I have to think that the County is recording cases at Monrovia assisted living facilities separately from cases elsewhere in Monrovia since there are 16 deaths at these Monrovia facilities but only 15 deaths listed for Monrovia, which otherwise doesn't make sense. If that is the case, there is actually a total of 225 cases in Monrovia (242 including unincorporated Monrovia), and 32 deaths.

- Brad Haugaard

No Weekend or Waterfall Access When Canyon Park Opens

Although Canyon Park opens on May 26, the waterfall, the most popular destination, will remain closed. City Manager Dylan Feik writes: "For the time being, the popular Waterfall Trail will remain closed. This trail is narrow and incredibly popular, making it incredibly difficult to ensure safe, social distancing when using the trail."

Also, the park will be closed on its most popular days, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. So it will be open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

It Will NOT Cost $5 to Visit Canyon Park - Just to Park

City Manager Dylan Feik writes:

"The City mistakenly reported that ALL park visitors must pay a $5 parking fee. This fee is a parking fee only and is charged to those parking at the park, not everyone using the park. This was a mistake and I am sorry for the confusion caused as we prepare for the park opening on Tuesday, May 26th.

- Brad Haugaard

Lucy'd Like to Be Yours ... But Don't Check Out Early

After her last three owners passed away, 11-year-old Lucy ended up at the shelter. Understandably, Lucy has some anxiety from losing three of her people, so she needs someone who’s willing to be patient with her, help her work through her anxiety, and give her stability. Lucy is a happy, affectionate dog who loves cuddling and being near her favorite people. She'd be a wonderful buddy for someone who works from home or enjoys a quiet weekend reading books on the couch. She just needs someone to take a chance on her!

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. All dog 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

$5 Reservations Available to Canyon Park; Free and No Reservation for Trask and Beyond

Monrovia is now accepting online reservations to visit Canyon Park. It opens next Tuesday, May 26. The number of visitors is limited to 70, regardless of whether you drive, bike, or hike in, and an entry parking fee of $5 is required.

If you are going to the Trask Boy Scout Camp or beyond, you are exempt from both the fee and the reservation requirement.

Facemasks required, social distancing, some one-way loop trails, and more. See the video or click here for more details.

Hint: If you want to go on a weekend, I'd hop to it and make a reservation now. In pre-virus days it could get quite crowded on the weekends, and I suspect it'll be sold out, though the $5 entry fee will probably put a bit of a dent in the number of visitors.

Note: The city had earlier said the $5 fee would be for entry, but later made it clear it was for parking. I have changed the text here to reflect that. Also, I did not realize it will not be open weekends, so I scratched my comment about weekends.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 123, and 2 More Deaths, Total 15

LA County Department of Public Health reports (https://is.gd/LcrzHl) Monrovia Coronavirus cases today:

Monrovia: 123 cases (up 3 from yesterday), 15 deaths (up 2 - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: For some reason the county has not included this facility for a couple days. When last listed, there were 68 cases and 10 deaths.

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  22 cases (up 2) and 2 deaths (unchanged).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 123

LA County Department of Public Health reports (https://is.gd/LcrzHl) Monrovia Coronavirus cases today:

Monrovia: 123 cases (up 3 from yesterday), 13 deaths (unchanged - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (unchanged).

Brookdale Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: For some reason the county did not include this facility in its listing today. When last listed, there were 68 cases and 10 deaths.

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  20 cases (unchanged) and 2 deaths (unchanged).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Church Services

This is a list of online church services today in Monrovia. There are some I could not find information about or that I just missed. If you know of others, please let me know (Include a link and times of services.)

Calvary Chapel Monrovia, or on Facebook  (1307 S Myrtle) -  10 a.m.

Calvary Road Baptist Church (319 West Olive Ave) 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m.

Fellowship Monrovia (Monrovia High) - 9 and 11 a.m.

First Lutheran (1227 S Magnolia) 9 a.m.

First Presbyterian (Foothill and Myrtle) - 10 a.m.

Hope Unlimited Church (1900 Walker Ave) - 10 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m.

IFGF (Palm and Primrose) 10:30 a.m.

Mountainside Communion Church (Colorado and Magnolia) 10 a.m.

Second Baptist Church, or on Facebook (925 S Shamrock) - 10:45 a.m.

Vineyard (223 S Encinitas Ave) - 10 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 120

LA County Department of Public Health reports (https://is.gd/LcrzHl) Monrovia Coronavirus cases today:

Monrovia: 120 cases (up 6 from yesterday), 13 deaths (unchanged - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 17 cases (up 2)

Brookdale Monrovia: 2 cases (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: 68 (up 5), 10 deaths (unchanged)

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  20 cases (up 1) and 2 deaths (up 1).

- Brad Haugaard

School Board President Urges Monrovians to Protest Shutting Down of Drive-Through Graduation

The LA County Department of Health decided that school districts may NOT have drive-through graduation ceremonies, such as Monrovia is planning  (see here), so School Board President Rob Hammond is encouraging Monrovians to contact County Supervisor Kathryn Barger to urge her to allow the ceremony to go on.

Hammond writes that the planned graduation "adheres to all Health Department guidelines," but at the 11th hour the department ordered that "drive-thru graduation plans are not allowed even if they meet the social distancing criteria we are all abiding by. "

"It's time," he writes, "for our community to advocate for our seniors, 8th and 5th grade promoting classes. The School Board, Superintendent, high school administrators and staff have worked tirelessly to create a safe plan which had been approved by MPD, FPD and the School Board to celebrate our graduating class in a meaningful but safe way.

"The decision [forbidding the ceremony] was made by a non-elected official without the knowledge of LA County Supervisor, Kathryn Barger.  Please let her know how you feel about this decision.  She can be contacted at (213) 974-5555 or (626)356-5407.  I personally have tweeted her @kathrynbarger."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 114

LA County Department of Public Health reports (https://is.gd/LcrzHl) Monrovia Coronavirus cases today:

Monrovia: 114 cases (up 6 from yesterday), 9 deaths (County website fussy, not sure if 9 is accurate - https://is.gd/bmKPBb).

Unincorporated Monrovia: 15 cases (unchanged)

Brookdale Monrovia (assisted living facility): 2 cases (unchanged).

Monrovia Gardens Healthcare Center: 63 (down 1 [Changed to a death?]), 10 deaths (up 1 from yesterday)

Monrovia Memorial Hospital:  19 cases (up 1) and 2 deaths (up 1).

City Council member Becky Shevlin says the county will begin giving "recovered" stats next week. I'll report them.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Hotels Down to 10-15% Occupancy

Monrovia City staff reports that it "recently reached out to each hotel operator to understand the impacts of the Stay At Home Order on their revenues. Based on that contact, hotel occupancy rates have essentially gone from 80-90% occupancy, which is the norm for Monrovia, to 10-15% occupancy."

- Brad Haugaard

Budgeting in a Time of Coronavirus

How do you calculate a city budget in light of the Safer at Home rules?

Well, you can start with, It's not good, or, as a city staff report (https://is.gd/MXA14U) puts it, "it has unfortunately had a negative economic impact on our residents, businesses, and, ultimately, the City of Monrovia."

And, due to these "unprecedented times, there is no previous financial model to use as a guide to project the exact impact on the City's revenues."

So there's a bit of guesswork involved, and city staff guesstimates that if you do not include Measure K sales tax revenue, the city will end the 2019-2020 fiscal year with a deficit of approximately $556,000. If you add Measure K revenue in, it becomes a surplus of $244,000.

A few interesting guesstimates:

~ Regular sales tax will be down by $1.4 million.

~ But the city will get more money from Amazon and other online retailers.

~ Measure K revenue will be $800,000 instead of the expected $1,150,000.

~  Auto dealerships are now open, which will help with sales tax. Monrovia gets about 35% of its sales tax from them.

~ Hotel bed taxes (Transient Occupancy Tax) will fall $575,777 short of the expected $2,253,257.

If you're a financial geek, more here: https://is.gd/MXA14U

- Brad Haugaard

City Council to Consider Virus Relief and a Virus Budget

At its virtual meeting this coming Tuesday (agenda: https://is.gd/nnh8YH) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider how to spend some relief money coming its way. See image above for the proposed plan. https://is.gd/OpFbN8

~ Evaluate (in closed session) City Manager Dylan Feik. https://is.gd/yTK701

~ Consider hiring back the police department's retiring Senior Community Services Officer "as a retired annuitant on a temporary, post-retirement, and interim basis." The officer is retiring on June 20 after 21 years with the city, but the city needs someone in that position and wants the officer to remain until a new person can be hired and trained.  https://is.gd/MNnFL6

~ Consider a new coronavirus city budget. Summary: Not considering Measure K sales tax revenue, the city will end fiscal year with a deficit of approximately $556,000. Add Measure K revenue in, and that becomes a surplus of $244,000. More on this in a separate article, commin' right up. https://is.gd/MXA14U

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Virtual Summer School Program

Here's what summer school will look like during a time of Coronavirus:

K-8 Summer Program: July 6 to July 31
Invitations for K-8 summer programs have been sent out. For additional information or questions about eligibility, contact Jennifer Kwan: jkwan@monroviaschools.net

Programs offered for K-8 students are:

• Junior Camp Read-a-Lot: reading intervention course for grades 1-3.
• Camp Read-a-lot: reading intervention course for grades 4-5.
• Camp Infinity: math intervention course for grades 4-8.
• Middle school Bridge: English language intervention for students grade 6-8

9-12 Summer Program: June 11 to July 15

Our summer program for high school students is offered in partnership with Citrus College. For enrollment and information on credit options, please contact Monrovia High School Summer School Principal Brian Ilharreguy: bilharreguy@monroviaschools.net

• Students can take classes for credit recovery or to get ahead in units. Courses include Integrated Math I, II, and III, World History, Biology, Chemistry, and Economics.

Special Education Extended School Year (ESY)

• TK-8: June 8 to July 6
• 9-12 and Adult Transition Program: June 8 to July 13

All services will be provided virtually with tele-therapy and virtual classrooms. For more information, contact Director of Special Education Jennifer Johnson: jjjohnson@monroviaschools.net

More info here: https://is.gd/N02Wi6

- Brad Haugaard

Thunderbirds Picture

The Air Force's Thunderbirds precision flying team made a salute to Methodist Hospital in a fly-by this afternoon. Gem City Images got a good picture: https://is.gd/sjgKan

- Brad Haugaard

Blood Drive at The Y; Discount Utility Programs

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

~ The coronavirus has resulted in a massive drop-off in blood donations, resulting in severe blood shortages, so Santa Anita Family YMCA is re-purposing its gym to collect blood. Blood drive Monday, May 18, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. If you are 16 or older and have not had contact with a coronavirus patient within 28 days of the event and meet other safety standards, visit RedCrossBlood.org to make an appointment. Use sponsor code: YMCAMONROVIA

~ Discount Programs for Utility Services

SoCalGas’ CARE program. If you’re unemployed or facing financial hardship, you may be eligible to save 20% on your natural gas bill.

Southern California Edison offers two programs: California Alternate Rates for Energy reduces energy bills for eligible customers by about 30%. Family Electric Rate Assistancereduces electric bills for qualified households by 18%.

The City of Monrovia provides municipal utility bill discounts for seniors, low income households and veterans.

Athens Services provides discounts for seniors. To see if you qualify and to apply for the discount,  contact Public Works at 932-5575 or pwcomments@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

- Brad Haugaard