Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 542, Up Zero ... Maybe

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/03/2020. Changes since 8/02/2020.

City of Monrovia: 542 cases (unchanged), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 67 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths

However, the county reports that, "Today's data is incomplete due to delays in the State electronic lab reporting system."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Xencor Reports Larger Loss for Second Quarter of 2020

Monrovia's Xencor Corporation, "a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases," reported a net loss for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020 of $35 million, or 61 cents a share, compared to net loss of $16 million, or 28 cents, for the same period in 2019. It attributed the loss to "lower research collaboration revenue and higher research and development expenses in 2020." https://is.gd/PKqCfY

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Wildcat Masks for Sale

Mina - Love Enough for Two Dogs

Six-year-old Mina loves attention, treats, and toys! Her foster family reports that she loves following everyone around and getting pets. If you stop petting her, she’ll gently put her paw on you to say “please pet me some more”. Mina enjoys walks and exploring, and has a tail that wags so fast, she almost can’t keep it still. Mina would do best as the only dog in the home, but she promises she’ll give you as much love as two dogs. She’s having a great time in her foster home, but she can’t wait to find her forever family soon!

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

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 538 - Up 4; No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/02/2020 . Changes since 8/01/2020 .

City of Monrovia: 538 cases (up 4), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 67 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Trader Joe's Market: 6 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Governor Will Decide Whether to Release Former Monrovian and Manson Follower, Leslie Van Houten

The California Board of Parole Hearings has again recommended that former Monrovian and Charles Manson follower, Leslie Van Houten, be granted a parole for her part in the 1969 killings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. The final decision on whether to release her belongs to Governor Gavin Newsom, who denied her parole in 2019. https://is.gd/IfqfE3

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 534, Up 4

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 8/01/2020 . Changes since 07/31 .

City of Monrovia: 534 cases (up 4), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 67 cases (up 1), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths
Monrovia Trader Joe's store: 6 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

See Dual Spacecraft This Evening

8:45 p.m.	10:21 p.m.

Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers says the crew of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that docked at the International Space Station a few months ago is returning to earth tonight, and you can see the Dragon capsule and the space station go past simultaneously.

There will be two passes, the first at 8:45 p.m. (which will fly from the northwest to the east), and the second pass is at 10:21 p.m. will be from northwest to southeast.

Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers says that, "Seeing both spacecraft go over simultaneously at 17,500 MPH and 220 miles up is super cool, so check it out tonight!"

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 530 Cases, Up 4; No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 07/31 . Changes since 07/30 .

City of Monrovia: 530 cases (up 4), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 66 cases (up -1), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths

Monrovia Trader Joe's store: 6 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 526, Up 7; One More Case at Trader Joe's

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 07/30 . Changes since 07/29 .

City of Monrovia: 526 cases (up 7), 34 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 67 cases (up 1), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths

Trader Joe's Monrovia Store 6 cases (up 1), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Living With Bears Webinar; Tongva Talk

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

~ On Thursday, August 6, at 11 a.m., the California Department of Fish & Wildlife will present a Living with Bears webinar for Monrovia. Safety tips on how to coexist with bears, how they respond to calls, and more. To join in on the webinar, please register here: https://is.gd/RpASyN. If you are unable to attend but have question, send it to pio@ci.monrovia.ca.us. A recording of the webinar will be available.

~ Learn in this video talk how the indigenous people of the LA area, the Tongva, lived here many years ago: https://is.gd/zKacS1

- Brad Haugaard

Trader Joe's NOT Changing Labels On Its Ethnic Foods

According to a report on ABC7, Monrovia-based Trader Joe's is now saying that it does NOT intend to change the labels on its ethnic foods - such as Trader Ming and Trader Jose - based on a petition that said the names were racist, an accusation it denies. Earlier it had appeared the company did intend to change those brand names. https://is.gd/VX3gtJ

- Brad Haugaard

City Manager, Department Heads to Take Pay Cut; 20 Positions Being Left Open; Increased Trash Fees; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/Q8LvTr) the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

~ Adjustments to its budget, especially in light of the Covid virus. A few highlights:

- The city manager and department directors will take a voluntary pay cut through the end of the

fiscal year.

- 20 non-critical positions are being kept vacant.

- Many contracts were reviewed and renegotiated for price reductions.

- There have been some savings from facility closures.

- Non-essential overtime was eliminated.

Lots and lots of financial data here for the money-minded: https://is.gd/B099aU

~ Giving Athens Services a5.66 percent raise for picking up trash. For two reasons: 1) Because California law now requires recycling organic waste, which is more costly, and 2) as an adjustment to the Consumer Price Index (i.e. - inflation). Here's how much of an increase you can expect:

Typical Residential: $ 1.88 / month

Typical Multi-Family: $10.72 / month

Typical Commercial: $10.91 / month

Details: https://is.gd/XEfLEc

~ Pulling out of the Foothill Workforce Development Board (an organization made up of various local cities) that provides job assistance with federal money. However, "the City of Monrovia believes that our community, as well as those of Duarte and Arcadia, have been underserved by FWDB." https://is.gd/phHE1S

~ Temporarily hiring back retiring Neighborhood and Business Services Division Manager Sheila Spicer-Batice - who has been with the city for 38 years - at lower pay. https://is.gd/RmRTwy

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 519 Cases, Up 4; 34 Deaths, Up 1

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 07/29 . Changes since 07/28 .

City of Monrovia: 519 cases (up 4), 34 deaths up 1
Unincorporated Monrovia: 66 cases (up 2), no deaths
Glen Park at Monrovia: 3 cases (unchanged), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner from Sena

Got dinner from Sena, on the West side of Myrtle just south of Lime. I got the short rib tacos for $12 and a side of beans for $2. Very satisfying! And I love the salsa. 

- Brad Haugaard