Monrovia Schools: Still Running Out of Money, Buy Web Hosting and Audio-Visual Equipment

At its Wednesday, 7 p.m., March 14 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/QyRNf ), the Monrovia Board of Education will, among other things ...

 

~ Hear a report saying it won't be able to pay its bills. "We are projecting a negative $1,280,625 Ending Fund Balance at the end of 2013-14. ..." and worse in the future. That estimate assumes voters reject a tax hike.  http://goo.gl/ydVqP

 

~ Consider paying $21,314 for a one-year contract to SchoolLook/SchoolWires to provide "web hosting for student email and parent portal." ( http://goo.gl/bDDEu ) Opinion: I dunno about this. Unless there's something I'm missing, $21k a year seems like way too much money for what sounds like a boilerplate set-up-and-forget portal/email system.

 

~ Will consider buying classroom audio-visual equipment for a cost of $731,367. http://goo.gl/SFnBW

 

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Opportunities for Local Small Biz | Education Cuts Meeting | Huff Commentary

~ The Gold Line and Foothill Transit Constructors (Kiewit Parsons Joint Venture) hosted a "Meet the Primes" networking event for small businesses today. More than 120 people, representing more than 75 local and regional small businesses, attended and learned about opportunities on the project and how they can participate. Gold Line spokesman Habib F. Balian said this was "one way the Authority could help bring small businesses together with the prime contractor, as they aspire to meet the Authority’s 16 percent goal for small business participation in our project."

 

~ Saturday forum on education budget cuts with Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents Monrovia, out in Glendora.  http://goo.gl/3j1sv

 

~ A "Capitol Comment" video from State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia. http://goo.gl/xibbT

 

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Baja Mar

Lunch at Baja Mar Fish Taco, in the Certified Market complex on Foothill. Got a couple fish tacos. Lightly breaded, tasty. It is not an elegant place, but he food was fine.
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia: Deer City USA

I counted 12 deer in this herd this morning, up at the north end of Ivy Avenue. I've seen as many as 16.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Green Dot Buys Loopt - Enters E-Wallet Arena

Monrovia's Green Dot, which specializes in prepaid credit cards, is moving into the "electronic wallet" arena with the purchase - for $43.4 million in cash - of Silicon Valley's Loopt, Inc., "a pioneer in mobile user interface design, real-time location-based mobile rewards marketing, and geo-location application technology." The press release says this will "provide the opportunity for Green Dot to become a leader in mobile wallets, rewards and payment solutions at retailers nationwide."

 

Opinion: Very cutting edge. Basically this means letting you use your cell phone as a credit card and probably giving you the option to get coupons as you walk by various stores.

 

- Brad Haugaard

 

SoCal Gas: Watch for Fakes | Above Monrovia | Baseball :-(

~ Southern California Gas Company is warning of fake company inspectors claiming to be doing leak inspection. Check their ID. http://goo.gl/O2sA2

~ Beautiful picture looking down on Monrovia at night. http://goo.gl/e1KRy

~ In baseball, Monrovia came in fifth in Arcadia Elks Tournament. http://goo.gl/AL7VP

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Graffiti Bounty | Biking Against Diabetes

~ Last year, Monrovia had approximately 7,100 calls reporting graffiti, which cost $70,000 to remove. If you witness vandalism call (626) 256-8000. If police arrest the suspect, you will receive a $100 bounty. For more information on the Graffiti Bounty Program: http://goo.gl/hdoBO

 

~ Cyclists tour Monrovia to raise money to fight diabetes. http://goo.gl/UcCIj

 

- Brad Haugaard

Wall Street Expected More from Monrovia's Staar Surgical | Conviction Upheld

~ Wall Street was hoping for better financial results from Monrovia's Staar Surgical. http://goo.gl/yJwLz

~ An appellate court has upheld the conviction of two gang members in the 2008 killing of a girl in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/pZSgJ . Update: http://goo.gl/9oTtm

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia: Tree City USA

A picture of Mayor Lutz and council members Adams, Shevlin and Spicer holding up the Tree City USA banner at today’s Arbor Day celebration. http://goo.gl/aGUE9

- Brad Haugaard

Historic Pictures of Monrovia

A bunch of great historic pictures of Monrovia. Well worth looking at: http://goo.gl/L0chu

- Brad Haugaard

Summer Enrichment | Sentencing in Hit and Run

~ Summer enrichment classes offered. http://goo.gl/CdyNU

 

~ Sentencing of hit-and-run driver set for Friday. http://goo.gl/d1UmP

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia to Get Hong Kong Supermarket

The Hong Kong Supermarket is coming to the Mon-Arc Center on Duarte Road. http://goo.gl/GzT1r

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Old Homes Tour | Caring for Clifton Teachers | Gerontologist on TV | AeroVironment Earnings Up | STAAR Surgical, Too

~ Tickets now on sale for the 30th annual Mother's Day Old Homes Tour, sponsored by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group. http://goo.gl/Fj9PN

~ Monrovia Presbyterian Church is sponsoring a drive to make the wishes of Clifton Middle School teachers come true. school supplies and stuff. http://goo.gl/tr0Kp

~ KCET will feature Monrovia gerontologist Mary Winners. http://goo.gl/1DLxP

~ AeroVironment reports: "As of the third quarter of fiscal year 2012 our revenue is up 15% and diluted earnings per share have grown by 50% compared to the same point last fiscal year." http://goo.gl/niDtU

~ And, Monrovia's STAAR Surgical reported that revenue for the fourth quarter ended December 30, 2011 grew 14% to $16.4 million. http://goo.gl/8JGyR

- Brad Haugaard

Adopt a Pet | New Owner for Monrovia Salon

Snoopy, at Inland Valley, wants a home.

 

~ Need a kitty or doggy? Monrovia uses Inland Valley Humane Society in Pomona. Cats: http://goo.gl/tdJ5K ; Dogs: http://goo.gl/H3Iey ; Other Critters: http://goo.gl/YQmf6 . Also nearby is the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society: http://goo.gl/LGcwg

 

~ New owner for All About Beauty Supply and Salon. http://goo.gl/aiaV3

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's World Vision Helping Tornado Relief | Learn Facebook

~ Morovia-based World Vision will be assisting in Midwest tornado relief operations with clothing, shoes, toiletries, blankets and cleaning supplies, which will be provided through church partners in Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Alabama and Louisiana. http://goo.gl/tuwuw

 

~ The Monrovia Computer Club will demonstrate some of the cool features of Facebook this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Cookies, too.

 

- Brad Haugaard