Smoking Still Permitted in Parks

In his weekly report, City Manager Scott Ochoa said that although city staff had proposed banning smoking from all parks, because of discussion during the last City Council meeting, staff "will drop the smoking ban in urban parks from the proposed ordinance unless and until Council expressly directs otherwise."
 
He said there are two sides to this philosophical argument, which are:

"'Tobacco is legal, adults have the right to use it or not, and a park is a public place.' The counter argument usually revolves around the notion that 'Your freedoms end where mine begin, and vice-versa; second-hand smoke can cause cancer; the park is open to non-smokers and smokers alike.'"

Source: http://goo.gl/qEKM

- Brad Haugaard

Hope for Monrovia Economy

In his weekly report, City Manager Scott Ochoa is relieved to report that ...

"[T]here is reason to be mildly optimistic. We have characterized FY 2010-11 as a 'recovery year' - although we defined 'recovery' as simply no more negative growth. I am pleased and relieved to report that the last two quarters' receipts - which help as indicators for the following four quarters - indicate that our sales tax revenues have bottomed out and we are seeing slight growth.

"With all eyes on the 4th quarter of 2010 (holiday shopping) as an important test of consumer confidence, I can tell you that our auto dealers are doing better than they were a year ago, and that Kohl's and Living Spaces are providing the bump that we anticipated. Some of our business sectors are still weak, but similar tax generators in different markets are reporting that they are returning to normal; thus, we are hopeful to have the same experience."

Source: http://goo.gl/qEKM

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company Tests High-Altitude Robo-Plane

Global Observer, an unmanned, hydrogen-powered military aircraft designed to operate at stratospheric levels and developed by Monrovia's AeroVironment, has successfully completed initial flight tests at Edwards Air Force Base.

Source: http://goo.gl/E1tt

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Running From California To New Jersey

Wow! Fifty six-year-old Monrovian John Radich is running from California to New Jersey. He appears to be in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the moment.

http://goo.gl/sF2l

Secret Art

Stop in the lobby of Focus One (now First City) Credit Union at 404 E Huntington. Some nice art by local folks, right in the lobby.

- Brad Haugaard

Anti-Bullying Club

Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz reports that Monrovia High School is starting an anti-bullying club. I hope the first people it recruits are members of the football team.

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween Roundup

- Old Town Trick-or-Treating on Friday, October 30, from 3-6 p.m. along Myrtle Avenue.
 
- Halloween Stories on Saturday, October 30, from 2-3 p.m. in the library's Story Time Room. "Gruesome goblins and fierce Frankensteins are invited to an afternoon of stories, songs, craft and film celebrating all things Halloween! Wear your costume."
 
- Costume Contest on Saturday, October 30, from 3-6 p.m. in Library Park. Also, a Parade of Characters and Pumpkin Carving Contest. For information, call (626) 256-8246. Read more: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_16447861#ixzz13lcz4nCL

- Vendors at Market in the Park (Library Park) will distribute candy from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31.

- Dia De Los Muertos Turner & Stevens Mortuary, November 2, from 7-10 p.m. 200 E. Duarte Road. http://goo.gl/Qopq
 
- Brad Haugaard

Swap Candy for a Shot at a Bike

The Monrovia YMCA will accept candy from kids in trade for a raffle ticket to maybe win a new bike. The candy? It goes to Camp Pendleton.
 
http://goo.gl/DTm2
 
- Brad Haugaard

Schamadan: "For Lease" Signs around Town

Charlotte focuses on the different kinds of signs around town.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_16388584

- Brad Haugaard

More on Old Monrovia Airport

Here's more Monrovia Airport info for you history buffs:

http://goo.gl/py21

- Brad Haugaard

Ask a Pharmacist

Do you have questions or need one on one time with a pharmacist? Walgreens Pharmacy Manager, Stuart Lee will be available for a FREE personal consultation at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm Avenue on Thursday, October 28 at 1:30 p.m. Reservations are suggested. For additional information and reservations please call the Monrovia Community Center at 626.256.8246.

- Brad Haugaard

Football: Monrovia 56, San Marino 0 :-)

Star-News article: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_16413309

- Brad Haugaard

Football: Monrovia 56, San Marino 0 :-)

Star-News article: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_16413309

- Brad Haugaard

School Enrollment Declines

The Monrovia School District's October Enrollment Report shows enrollment for 2010-11 year declined by 52 students. Not good, but the district had figured on losing 70, so better than expected.
Source: http://goo.gl/Sb0G
- Brad Haugaard

School Enrollment Declines

The Monrovia School District's October Enrollment Report shows enrollment for 2010-11 year declined by 52 students. Not good, but the district had figured on losing 70, so better than expected.
Source: http://goo.gl/Sb0G
- Brad Haugaard

Go-Between for Builder and School District?

At its Oct. 27 meeting (7:30 p.m.), the Monrovia School Board will consider hiring two Owner's Representatives "to provide enhanced communication and additional oversight of the construction project currently underway at Monrovia High School."
It'll cost the district $80 an hour and travel expenses.
Details: http://goo.gl/gaLG
- Brad Haugaard

Go-Between for Builder and School District?

At its Oct. 27 meeting (7:30 p.m.), the Monrovia School Board will consider hiring two Owner's Representatives "to provide enhanced communication and additional oversight of the construction project currently underway at Monrovia High School."
It'll cost the district $80 an hour and travel expenses.
Details: http://goo.gl/gaLG

- Brad Haugaard

When MHS Projects Should Be Done

According to a report to be discussed at the Oct. 27 School Board meeting (7:30 p.m.), construction at Monrovia High should be completed on this schedule:

- Science building, stadium, track and field - November 2010.
- Modernization (of various buildings, I believe) - March 2011.
- Mid-Campus Building (Building M) - June 2011.
- Front entrance improvements - June 2011.

Source: http://goo.gl/paK9

- Brad Haugaard

School District: State Using 'Accounting Gimmicks'

Monrovia Schools' Director of Fiscal Services, David Conway, strongly criticized the California State budget in prefacing remarks to a revised school district budget.

Conway said: "As has become standard practice in recent years, the State Budget is balanced using accounting gimmicks, funding shifts, dubious economic forecasts, the assumption of revenue from the Federal government that may not be realized, and an increase in the deferral of state apportionments into the next fiscal year."

He wrote that because the state budget has been balanced in this way, along with the possibility of cuts to educational funding, it is likely the Monrovia School District's estimated budget of about $49 million may soon be deemed to be out of balance.

Here is the full document: http://goo.gl/xSBA

UPDATE: And later, at the board meeting where this information was presented, the board was VERRY ticked off at the state: http://goo.gl/vb1U


- Brad Haugaard

Entertainment Books Support Unity Center

If you use those Entertainment Books for coupons, you can buy the 2011 San Gabriel Valley Entertainment Book ($25) from Foothill Unity Center to help support the Center. The book contains hundreds of 50-percent off and two-for-one discounts on dining, groceries, shopping, services, attractions, plus discounts on travel, home goods, more. You can get them at 415 W. Chestnut Ave., Monrovia - two blocks N. of Huntington, just E. of Mayflower.

Source: http://goo.gl/TI1f

- Brad Haugaard