Monrovia's AeroVironment Gets Oregon Contract
Monrovia-based AeroVironment has been selected by the Oregon Department of Transportation to supply, install, operate and maintain electric vehicle charging stations along major highways. http://goo.gl/PH4r7
Monrovia Patch Owner, AOL, Having Financial Troubles
AOL, the owner of the Patch local-news sites, including the Monrovia Patch, is having financial troubles. This article by Bloomberg ( http://goo.gl/asgX0 ) suggests that AOL may be a takeover target, and this New York Times article ( http://goo.gl/eho5x ) says some people are thinking Patch may need to be closed. All speculation, mind you, nothing official.
Opinion: I hope Patch survives. Relative to MonroviaNow, Patch has more depth in its articles, but I have fun trying to be first getting an article on line -- though they often beat me there as well. But, anyway, it wouldn't be much fun without you guys. Best wishes, Patch!
- Brad Haugaard
STAR Test Results for Monrovia Schools | Study Supports Portantino
~ STAR test results for Monrovia schools. http://goo.gl/o2XlR
~ Stanford research supports the claim of Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) that the California Assembly's finances are opaque. It concludes that in at least one case, spending by an assemblyman is more than eight times higher than claimed. http://goo.gl/FHqWe
- Brad Haugaard
Fixing Riparian Habitats to Improve Innovation in California
Monrovia's assemblyman, Anthony Portantino, sent out a press release this morning saying that he supports the California Council on Science and Technology's just-released report on improving innovation. He said it "reflects California's unique way of addressing challenges and solving problems."
A summary of the report - which I found here: http://goo.gl/yQQ4A - calls California's situation "alarming," and compares us unfavorably with Texas, Virginia and Washington. The solution? 1) a privately-funded "California Innovation Corporation" to help academia and industry work together, 2) broadband Internet access for K-12 students, and 3) "publicprivate partnerships" to monitor and control water usage and quality, and to restore "watersheds and riparian habitats."
Opinion: Regarding solution 2 - Does this mean the state is going to quit stealing money from school districts so the schools will have the cash to install broadband? Regarding solution 3 - I agree water management is critical, but to suggest that water management is a key to improving innovation is just totally bizarre.
- Brad Haugaard
Run Over by a Rover - Unity Center's Back-to-School Event
At the August 18 Back to School Fair - organized by Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center - low-income children will receive school supplies and have a chance to feel the suspension wheels of a Mars Rover run over their bodies as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory brings a model rover to the event.
JPL will also bring an eight- by twenty-foot three-dimensional image of the McMurdo Panorama, the highest-resolution image ever taken of Mars, and will get to inspect a full-scale inflatable model of Curiosity, the rover for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission, slated for launch this November.
Children will also get to talk with experts from ITT Corporation, which handles operation and maintenance of the antennas, equipment, and facilities of the Deep Space Network (DSN) and provides mission operations support to JPL and NASA.
- Brad Haugaard (from press release)
Monrovia's AeroVironment Plans Vertical Takeoff Aircraft
Monrovia's AeroVironment is considering creating a vertical takeoff and landing craft. http://goo.gl/NiXGM - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Book Sale | New Elected Representatives? | Portantino
~ In August, Friends of the Library is having is Yellow Dot sale. All adult books and media with a bright yellow dot on the spine are half-price. The Friends Store is in the Library. http://goo.gl/OR0Gg
~ Possible Monrovia representatives after redistricting. http://goo.gl/ykeLU
~ Portantino-Perez feud continues. http://goo.gl/EhYdw
- Brad Haugaard
September 11 Remembrance in Monrovia | Community Center Maintenance
~ A tenth anniversary remembrance of the 9/11 attacks will be held at the Monrovia Fire Department at 1 p.m., Sept. 11. Details: http://goo.gl/Ou1VC
~ Dates of facility maintenance at Monrovia Community Center: http://goo.gl/Cx1T9
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's AeroVironment Gets Huge Order | City Split in Redistricting | Flame Broiler Restaurant Opening
~ Monrovia's AeroVironment gets $65 Million order for its unmanned aircraft systems. http://goo.gl/PRDXA
~ Redistricting chops Monrovia in two for congressional representation. http://goo.gl/jjhJH
~ A Flame Broiler fast-food restaurant that serves up healthy alternatives like grilled chicken teriyaki bowls is opening soon in the Henry's Market complex. http://goo.gl/etDzR
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High Registration
Monrovia High Registration - Aug. 16 for Seniors, Aug. 17 Juniors, Aug. 18 Sophmores, Aug. 19 Freshmen. Aug. 22 Make-up Day. Students need TDAP shots to register. Details: http://goo.gl/rh4e5
- Brad Haugaard
Olympic Speakers in Monrovia
Monrovia Reads is sponsoring a Distinguished Speakers Series, featuring Olympians Louis Zamperini, John Naber, Mark Crear, and Kim Rhode. They'll speak at the Monrovia Library Community Room, from 7–9 p.m. on Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Feb. 9, 2012, and March 8, 2012. All proceeds benefit Monrovia Reads. Details here: http://goo.gl/KyXJV
- Brad Haugaard
A Taste of Old Town Monrovia
Monrovia Kiwanis Club is sponsoring an event to let Monrovia restaurateurs show off their culinary skills. Food and music and proceeds go to benefit the YMCA. October 16, 5-8 p.m. on Myrtle between Lime and Olive. Tickets $50 in advance, $60 at the door. Details: http://goo.gl/JZXVR
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's AeroVironment Makes Drone-Bomb
The Economist Magazine describes drone-bombs called "Switchblade" being developed by AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/7mGTC - Brad Haugaard
Decoding Monrovia Street Lights | Motorcycle Crash | Why Hunt Was Selected as Police Chief
Selections from Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa's weekly report:
~ In case you were wondering how to tell streetlights that are owned by Monrovia from streetlights owned by Southern California Edison, well, all wooden and metal poles are owned by SCE, except for the green metal poles in the Old Town area around Myrtle Avenue. The remaining poles (concrete) are primarily owned by the City. So if you see any burned out bulbs, now you know who to tell. City Public Works: (626) 932-5575; SCE: (800) 611-1911
~ The Fire Department responded to 66 emergency calls from 8 a.m. August 2, to 8 a.m. August 9, including helping Arcadia treat a motorcyclist involved in a crash on the 210 on August 6. The cyclist "received traumatic injuries when he fell from his motorcycle. The victim was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital Trauma Center where he is expected to recover from his injuries."
~ Jim Hunt got the job as police chief, Ochoa writes, because of his "knowledge of the Department, personnel and community, his vision of the future of public safety in Monrovia, his proven leadership over the years, and his engaging management style earned him the job. ... [H]e is a Five Tool Player: he Thinks, he Leads, he Communicates, he knows our Operations, and he is a dedicated Public Servant."
- Brad Haugaard
Portantino's Transparency Legislation
[Press release from Assemblyman Anthony Portantino's office. Portantino represents part of Monrovia.]
Continuing his efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the State Legislature, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) has introduced an Amendment to the Standing Rules of the Assembly (HR20) calling for all Assembly financial records to be made public.
“Californians deserve the respect of the legislature by having access to how their money is being spent,” said Assemblymember Portantino. “We have used the better part of this legislative year legislating good practices in cities such as Bell and Vernon. We need to lead by example and not shroud our budgets in secrecy.”
HR 20 requires all current financial records to be made available to the public, not a year from now, but immediately. The resolution also provides for fairness in budgeting for all members’ office expenses and precludes leadership from either rewarding or punishing a member for voting their conscience. There can no longer be arbitrary budget action under HR 20. In addition, it requests that the State Controller conduct annual financial audits.
“Assembly leadership has refused to release current budget details and has not conducted a Performance Audit as required by law,” explained Portantino. “Further adding insult to the process, the incomplete information released by the Assembly Rules Committee for last year has been discredited by the press. Unfortunately, Leadership needs to be brought into the sunshine kicking and screaming. Under HR20, the adoption of members’ budgets would be done in an open and public hearing instead of behind closed doors. Not only will members’ budgets be made available, but, all Assembly leadership, committee, caucuses and all administrative budgets for the Assembly will have to be disclosed in comprehensive detail. It is outrageous, unacceptable and wrong to keep the public in the dark when it comes to spending their money.”
The Sacramento Bee and the Los Angeles Times have filed suit against the Assembly Rules Committee for keeping comprehensive budgets secret from the public. Like the press, Portantino’s requests for comprehensive budget information have also been denied.
- Brad Haugaard
Ten-Year-Old Monrovia Boy Honored for Cancer Work
Nathan Hickey, 10, of Monrovia, has been honored by Kids Who Give, an organization that recognizes "young people who put their time, energy and hearts into helping people and making the world a better place."
Nathan formed Mountain Biking for Pablove to show support for kids with cancer. He rides his mountain bike for Team Pablove in races from March until September, and in October for Pablove Across America. Nathan races to raise awareness of childhood cancer, and in 2009 he raised almost $2,000 with his fundraising campaign.
For more about Kids Who Give, visit www.kidswhogive.com.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia a Leader in Curbing Gangs | Portantino | Adult School | Homeboy
~ According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Monrovia is "emerging as a leader on how to quell gang crime." Baldwin Park is asking for advice. http://goo.gl/9DYm1
~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) defies his own Assembly Democratic leadership by pushing bill to make legislative expenditures public. http://goo.gl/Xoc4S
~ Registration is now open for classes at Monrovia Community Adult School. http://goo.gl/jkB2P
~ Father Gregory Boyle, of Homeboy Industries, will be speaking at the library this Saturday. http://goo.gl/bW8kE
- Brad Haugaard
Upstream at Monrovia Library Park
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Baldwin's
- Brad Haugaard
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