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Wildcat Football Pictures

Some nice Wildcat football photos.

http://goo.gl/9DiJ

- Brad Haugaard

Got a Convertible?

If you own a convertible and would like to drive in the Monrovia Holiday Parade on Thursday, December 2 at 7 p.m., then contact Lisa Hansberger at the Monrovia Community Center (626) 256-8246.


- Brad Haugaard

Dental Clinic Pictures

Pictures of the dental clinic, sponsored by Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center, USC, and the Monrovia Unified School District.

http://goo.gl/GnjD

One hundred elementary students received care at the clinic, valued at between $1,500-$2,000 per student.

Key contributors included San Marino Women’s Club, Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park and a individual contributors. Help is still needed to cover $8,000 in costs. If you'd like to help, contact Cathy Klose at 626-359-1777 or cathy@foothillunitycenter.org.


- Brad Haugaard

Sentencing Scheduled for Murder

Two cousins face life in prison after being convicted of 2008 murder of Monrovian Sammantha Salas.

http://goo.gl/zVk5

- Brad Haugaard

Couple Charged With Involvement in Kidnap Case

Monrovia couple have been charged with helping kidnap young boys.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_16320113

- Brad Haugaard

'Gentleman Joe' Ragsdale Dies

The Rotary Club of Monrovia announced the death of long-time member Joe Ragsdale, known affectionately to his friends in Rotary as "Gentleman Joe" Ragsdale. Ragsdale was Rotary President for 1955-1956 and remained an active member until 2010. The club's Facebook page says, "Joe will be missed by many in the community from many walks of life. A celebration of his life is being planned but a date has not been set."
 
Mayor Pro Tem Tom Adams added that Ragsdale "was unlike any other, a real class act."


- Brad Haugaard

New Management

Interesting and humorous banner on Monrovia First Methodist Church.


- Brad Haugaard

City Manager: Time Running out for Golden State

Methinks City Manager Scott Ochoa is not impressed with the latest California state budget.

From his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/AGJD ):

"It appears as though the State of California will have a budget some time this weekend. Approximately 100 days late, predicated on less-than-conservative revenue estimates, and a yet-unseen-commitment of significant additional federal aid, it would seem that - once again - the Legislature is passing a 'get out of town' budget that will simply carry over an estimated $10 billion deficit to the 2011-12 fiscal year. California was dysfunctional before the Great Recession. If this prolonged fiscal crisis cannot rally and sustain some form of interest (let alone action) from an engaged electorate, then I fear we are approaching a threshold at which - absent significant and meaningful reform - California will no longer be able to succeed in spite of itself. It is not yet too late, but without real leadership - meaning having a Governor and Legislators who will confront and openly and practically address our most pressing issues - time will run out for the 'Golden State'."

- Brad Haugaard

City Manager Supports Prop 22

Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa appears to support Proposition 22, which he says "would close a loophole that still allows the State of California to steal local monies." He adds: "[J]ust this past year, the State demanded $3 million from the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency (whose annual budget is a little over $8 million). As you may remember, we refused because we did not have $3 million simply lying around..."

Details: http://goo.gl/AGJD

- Brad Haugaard

Talent Show Pix

Pictures of the Monrovia Rotary Club's Talent Show: http://goo.gl/Rgfp

My favorite picture: http://goo.gl/E5sH

- Brad Haugaard

Bears Near Mayflower School?

Monrovian Carol Hinds writes to the Star-News (second letter down) saying bears have taken up residence near Mayflower Elementary School and asks if they can't be moved.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/letters/ci_16303750

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Man Arrested in Kidnapping Case

A Monrovia man was arrested Sunday on charges he helping abduct two Anaheim boys.

Details: http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvcrime/monrovia/

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Arts Festival

Pictures from the Arts Festival today.




- Brad Haugaard

Celebration of Native American Heritage

Wednesday, October 13, 2-3:30 p.m. Native American drummers, dancers, and storytellers under the Morton Bay Fig in Library Park.

http://monrovialiteracy.wordpress.com

Football: Monrovia Over Paramount :-)

27-7 nonleague victory over Pirates.

http://goo.gl/M5xt

- Brad Haugaard

School Goal: Schools at or above 900 API by 2015

At its Wednesday, October 15 meeting, the Monrovia School board will consider a vision statement, five-year goals, building and modernization progress at Monrovia High, and various other stuff. If you want to attend, the public session starts at 7:30 p.m. Full agenda here (PDF): http://goo.gl/VkmS
Here is the Mission Statement:
By working actively and cooperatively, as students, staff, parents, and community, the Monrovia Unified School District is committed to devoting its energy, resources, and support to provide:
- Academically rigorous educational programs which foster the maximum development of each student's potential.
- A challenging, supportive, safe, orderly, and positive learning environment.
- Quality staff
- Quality service

And here are the 2015 Goals (I'm summarizing a bit):
1. All eligible schools become California Distinguished Schools and National Blue Ribbon Schools.
2. All schools get to 900 or higher on the state API score. [800, by the way, is the score that makes Sacramento happy, so this is shooting nicely higher.]
3. 75 percent of high school grads satisfy A-G requirements for admission to UC and CSU; opportunities for students to participate in advanced coursework increase 100 percent; 100 percent of grads will be prepared to "enter college, advanced training, or a career."
Here's a link to the full mission statement/goals document (PDF): http://goo.gl/q1i2
- Brad Haugaard










October Book Topic: The Odd and Eerie

The Monrovia Book Club's topic of the month is scary stuff. You can contribute your favorite books (especially the shivery ones) at the Book Club's blog, here:

http://goo.gl/3con

- Brad Haugaard

Volleyball: La Canada over Monrovia :-(

Star-News game story: http://goo.gl/6zJ1 ...

and shots of the game: http://goo.gl/AFKk

- Brad Haugaard

More on Tomorrow's Art Festival

Lots more information on the Art Festival this weekend at Library Park (along with the Friends of the Library book sale).

Featured Artist is Ginger Van Hook, a photographer working in silver based media and digital. One of the musical groups that will be playing is the indy rock band Secret Citizen.

More here: http://goo.gl/cun4

- Brad Haugaard

Schamadan: Santa Fe Breaks 800 on API Test

Monrovia columnist Charlotte Schamadan reports that Santa Fe Middle School has for the first time broken the magic 800 score on the API tests. Congrats to Santa Fe!

Also, she gets some action from Disney on closed-caption videos.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_16277898