Monrovia School Board Member Alex Zucco Resigning

Monrovia School Board Member Alex Zucco will be resigning from the Board, effective May 20, 2016. See item 9.2 on the agenda: here.

UPDATE: I asked her why, and here is her answer:

I was offered a job with the CA PTA as a Policy Consultant -- working on the LCAP statewide with PTA units and specifically, encouraging more Title I schools to add more of the arts to improve achievement and each unit having a point person on the PTA board for LCAP and the arts.

Also, she forwarded this letter from Superintendent Katherine Thorossian:

Dear MUSD Family,

Please join me in congratulating seasoned Board Member, Mrs. Alexandra Zucco, with her selection as the California State PTA Policy Consultant.  Unfortunately, this notable position requires her to move to Sacramento.  Thus, it is with mixed emotion that I share the news of Alexandra Zucco's resignation.  Her tenure, which began in 2009, will end  May 20, 2016.

Mrs. Zucco has been a staunch proponent of public schools, tirelessly working on behalf of students to provide the very best education for the children of Monrovia.  Whether serving in the PTA, Girl Scouts, the League of Women Voters, or the National Women’s Political Caucus Greater Pasadena Area, Mrs. Zucco has championed social justice issues and, through her work as the Health and Education Deputy for Assembly Member Chris Holden, been able to advocate for change through public policy.

Alex and her husband, Joe, have lived in Monrovia since 1996.  Their children, Zoe and Bonnie, remain proud Wildcat alumni as they pursue their own college paths, at Marist and George Washington University respectively.

On a more personal note, it has been a privilege to work with Alex Zucco.  Her perspective has helped shape the direction, and driven the continued progress, of our district. Even during the most challenging budget analyses, I could always count on Alex to blurt out the funniest (and most accurate) commentary.

I am confident that she will give the PTA the same remarkable stamp that she has imprinted on the walls of this district.

Alex, you will be missed.

Warmly,

Kathy


- Brad Haugaard

See Jupiter and Moon Tonight From Old Town Monrovia

Tonight, April 16, the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers will be at the corner of Myrtle and Lime from 7-9:30 p.m. sharing views of the moon and Jupiter.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Making Train Depot Historic Landmark, Encourage Higher Sales Tax, License Plate Readers, 'Sign Management', Buying Water, Etc.

At its April 19 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/BtRhgx ), the Monrovia City Council will ...

- Consider designating the old Monrovia Santa Fe Depot as a local historic landmark. http://goo.gl/f2T9ha

- Consider a request by Mayor Pro Tem Larry Spicer to encourage the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors to place a measure on the November 2016 ballot to raise sales tax by half cent for more transportation projects. http://goo.gl/1I7foN

- Review Monrovia Police Department policies on automated license plate readers, of which the city has five, three mobile and two on Myrtle, one south of the train station and one north of the station. http://goo.gl/Hxxt4r

- Consider paying 3M $80,200 to put together a "Sign Management System" to keep track of the city's 6,500 signs. http://goo.gl/59oTcA

- Consider leasing 700 acre feet of water production rights from the Azusa Valley Water Company and the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster for $476,748. That's actually 435 acre feet less than the city needed last year. http://goo.gl/tsR2rg

- Consider naming the circular driveway at Recreation Park as American Legion Way. http://goo.gl/llwD8k

- Consider buying three replacement handheld water meter readers from Inland Valley Water Works Supply Company for $13,859.51. http://goo.gl/mR9r9U

- Also, at 5 p.m., before its regular meeting, the council will consider a list of applicants to build a hotel in town. The agenda is pretty vague, but it is likely referring to the property at the southwest corner of Myrtle and Huntington. http://goo.gl/eA9jVe

- And, at 6:30 p.m. (also before the regular meeting) the council will honor the students who were graduated from the Monrovia Area Partnership's Youth Leadership Academy Graduation. http://goo.gl/EMXcKZ

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Domenico's

Dinner Wednesday at  Domenico's, on Huntington just east of Magnolia. Got the lasagna with a side of minestrone soup for $16.99 and a pint of beer for $5.75.  Very nice service. This is old-style Italian; cheese and red sauce. The soup was especially good On occasion old style I s just what I want. It was very nice. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovian Kim Rhode and the Stigma Attached to Olympic Shooting

A Wall Street Journal article about Monrovia Olympics shooting medalist Kim Rhode and about how shooters are stigmatized because their sport involves guns. http://goo.gl/J8AEkB (Thanks to Robert Parry for the tip).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Teacher Raises Funds to Send Student to Thomas Land

Bradoaks teacher wants to send a young autistic student to Thomas Land (that's Thomas the Tank Engine) because he wants to be an engineer. http://goo.gl/rVSWVu

- Brad Haugaard

Former Monrovia High Princess and Manson Follower May Be Released From Prison

A parole panel has recommended release for Leslie Van Houten ( http://goo.gl/RTcufp ), a former Charles Manson follower who has been in prison for decades because of her involvement in multiple murders in 1969. Houton attended Monrovia High School was twice elected a homecoming princess ( http://goo.gl/7SJm9F ).

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Woman Killed in Glendale Accident

Monrovia woman killed in Glendale after being hit by a car. http://goo.gl/qEakn4

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Trader Joe's Drops To Third Place In Favorite Market Survey

In a new survey, Monrovia-based Trader Joe's market has dropped from first to third place as people's favorite grocery store. http://goo.gl/4OSbd1

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Meeting About 17-Mile-Long Street Fair

Meeting about 626 Golden Streets at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm (just across from the Library on the north side) on April 26, 6:30-8 p.m. 626 Golden Streets is a 17-mile-long street festival for pedestrians and bicyclists connecting six San Gabriel Valley Gold Line stops. It will take place on Sunday, June 26 along a car-free stretch of streets from Azusa to South Pasadena. About 626 Golden Streets: http://www.626goldenstreets.com/

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman's Bill - Increase Housing Density In Trade For Special-Needs Housing

A bill by Monrovia's assembly member, Chris Holden, to expand housing for former foster youth, homeless and disabled veterans, AB 2442, passed the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee with a 6-1 vote today. AB 2442 allows housing developers to obtain multiple density bonuses from local government if the development sets aside ten percent for former foster youth, disabled veterans, or formerly homeless individuals. "A multiple density bonus is a zoning tool that enables developers to build more units than normally allowed." Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Wilderness Area to Fully Open; Bob Bartlett Mosaic; Trees; Kindnesses; Etc.

In his weekly report (not on line yet) City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

~ The city is "now 3-6 months away from completing the final improvements required before final resolution of the issues at hand, which will pave the way to opening the Cloverleaf Access Point for public access."

~ The Bob Bartlett Memorial Committee is looking for an artist to develop a mosaic mural at Station Square to honor the late Bob Bartlett.

~ Public Works Division field crews planted three drought tolerant Crape Myrtles and one Strawberry Tree in the Duarte Road median just West of Mountain Avenue. Also, 7 boulders and 25 yards of mulch.

~ Last Saturday Kiwanis Club cleared the hillside areas of Grand Avenue Park of dead branches and debris.

~ The MAP "Care for Your Neighbor Program" helped a Monrovia family in need by cleaning the property at 345 Genoa Street. Poor health kept the resident from doing it.

~ Jehovah's Witnesses recently informed the city that they want to place literature carts at several locations around tow. Each cart would be staffed with two people.

~ Representatives of LabLaunch Monrovia (a biotech-startup firm) reports it has signed up several new companies to work at their facility, which is now half-full.

- Brad Haugaard

Four Companies That Could Run Monrovia Street Fair

Here are the four companies Monrovia is considering to run the Friday night street fair (from City Manager Oliver Chi's weekly report):

Coastal Pacific, LLC

• Based out of Ventura, CA
• Operating for over 13 years
• Currently operate 5 weekly farmer's market / family festival events: Northridge Certified Farmers' Market & Family Festival located at Northridge Mall, featuring organic fruits / vegetables, dining options, and entertainment; Simi Valley Certified Farmers' Market with 45 vendor market featuring fruits / vegetables, food options, and crafts; Canoga Park Certified Farmers' Market with 35 vendor market featuring fruits / vegetables, food options, and crafts; Galleria @Tyler Riverside Farmers' Market with 35 vendor market featuring fruits / vegetables, food options, and crafts

GreenLeaf Events, Inc.

• Based out of Monrovia, CA
• Operating for around 1 year
• Currently operate 5 weekly farmer's market / street fair events: Monrovia Street Fair with
• 200 vendor market featuring fruits / vegetables, food options, crafts, and entertainment; Rosemead Farmer's Market with 30 vendor market featuring fruits / vegetables, food options, crafts, and entertainment; Baldwin Park Street Fair & Farmer's Market with 60 vendor market featuring fruits / vegetables, food options, crafts, and entertainment; Santa Fe Springs Farmer's Market with 50 vendor market featuring fruits / vegetables, food options, crafts, and entertainment; Harbor City Farmer's Market with 25 vendor market featuring fruits / vegetables, food options, and crafts

LA PartyWorks

• Based out of South El Monte, CA
• Operating for over 25 years
• Currently does not operate any weekly farmer's market / family festival events
• Prior operator of Monrovia Friday Night Family Street Fair from July 2015 - October 2015
• Self-identified relevant experience includes work done for the City of Duarte, Metro Gold Line, Foothill Unity, Vans, and other clients

Raw Inspiration

• Based out of Calabasas, CA
• Operating as a not-for-profit company for over 15 years
• Currently manages more than 20 markets throughout LA County and several in Ventura County, including: Pacific Palisades Market, voted best market to purchase fresh local produce in LA by Jonathan Gold of LA Times; Brentwood Farmer's Market, a ¼ mile long weekly farmer's market offering premium certified farmers, grass raised meat vendors, sustainable fish / honey vendors, and high quality artisans; Channel Islands Harbor Market - in addition to managing the farmer's market, also coordinates special events for the Harbor; Partnership with Rick Caruso to produce farmer's market events.

- Brad Haugaard

Mental Health & Wellness Seminar at Monrovia High

Parent and Youth Academy "Mental Health & Wellness," with speaker Alize Neal, Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills Youth of the Year, Saturday, April 16, 8:30-11 a.m. at Monrovia High School room 908. Call Susan Hirsch at 471-2776 or 926-6832 for more information. http://goo.gl/egPMbB

Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte Battle of the Bands

The 12th Annual MAD (Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte) Battle of the Bands will be held this Friday, April 15, at Monrovia High School in the Louise K. Taylor Auditorium. This scholarship fundraising event began in 2005 with only Monrovia-area talent; in 2015 it was opened up to include Arcadia and Duarte High bands, hearkening back to the years prior to 1954 when the school district was composed of Monrovia, Arcadia and Duarte residents. Tickets are $5 from band members or at the door. More information, history and a gallery of pictures at http://www.mhsbattleofthebands.com.

- Brad Haugaard