Monrovia's Former Carden School Combines, Moves to Duarte

The new  Foothill Oaks Academy, in Duarte, combining the previous Anita Oaks School and Monrovia's Carden of the Foothills School, has begun its school year with 133 pre-school through 8th grade students. The school officially opened September 7. From the press release:

"Foothill Oaks Academy is proud to be providing its students a quality academic program along with a full series of enrichment courses, including technology, music, drama, art, foreign language, physical education, after-school clubs and sports, and “beyond the classroom” educational trips. The school is dedicated to educating the whole child, providing children with a well-rounded education and moral and ethical guidance to meet life’s challenges.

"Foothill Oaks Academy would welcome the opportunity to share information and have families and members of the community tour the school. Two Campus Tours Days are scheduled for Nov. 17, 2011 and Dec. 1, 2011. In addition, individual tours can be scheduled by calling (626) 301-9809. Learn more about the school by visiting the website, www.foothilloaksacademy.org"

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Prevention Tips from Monrovia FD

Monrovia Fire Department warns that many fires are caused by power yard tools ( http://goo.gl/A44Ge ). Here are some safety tips:

 

- Work while plants still retain some of their early-morning moisture - generally before 10 a.m.

- Do not work in windy conditions.

- Don't park in dry grass or brush.

- Use lawn mowers for turf only.

- For dry weeds and grass, use weed trimmers or hand tools.

- With string trimmers, use plastic or nylon line only, not any type of metallic material that will be prone to sparks.

- Check in advance for rocks that might spark when hit or thrown by power equipment.

- Use spark arresters on all portable gasoline powered equipment.

- Fuel up away from dry weeds and, of course, don't smoke!

- Have a helper at a safe distance acting as a spotter to watch for sparks, smoke or flame that you might not notice while you're working.

- Moisten the area where you are working and keep a garden hose attached and ready.

- Do not attempt to extinguish a large fire yourself.

- Carry a cell phone to call 911 immediately if there is a fire of any size.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager Confident the DA Will Find No Problem following Complaint

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/A44Ge ), Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa says that he expects the city will be cleared of any wrongdoing in keeping Councilman Clarence Shaw's seat open, since the law permits this. He writes:

 

"[A] resident contacted the Los Angeles County DA's office to allege some wrongdoing in the Council's leaving vacant Councilman Shaw's seat. We expect a conclusion of the investigation imminently, and we expect that the DA will understand and apply the dictates of existing law."

 

- Brad Haugaard

The Interest in Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy

More on the football recruiters' interest in Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy. http://goo.gl/B4TCP

 

- Brad Haugaard

Sports Anchor to MC Unity Center Dinner | Monrovia City Website Down?

~ ABC7 Sports Anchor Rob Fukuzaki to emcee Foothill Unity Center Golden Plate Awards. http://goo.gl/K6bHw

 

~ The City of Monrovia's website appears to be broken. I've had no success reaching it for a couple days. If you want to give it a try: http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/

 

- Brad Haugaard

'Never Forget': Monrovia's New 9-11 Memorial Statue

Never Forget. This statue, in front of the Monrovia Fire Department, was unveiled at the 9-11 ceremony Sunday. It is in memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in New York ten years ago. Donated by the Hoffman family.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board: Wash Your Own Shirts & Facility Use Rates

On the agenda ( http://goo.gl/Gi1OU ) for the Sept. 14 (7 p.m.) Monrovia School Board meeting:

  

~ Groups wanting to use Monrovia School facilities, here are the proposed rules and fee schedule the district will consider at its next meeting. However, long-time groups currently using the facilities will be "grandfathered in" at a different rate. http://goo.gl/T7L6T (Some proposed fee schedules attached.)

~ Here is the agreement Monrovia Schools has tentatively reached with the California School Employees Association. One of the more curious provisions is that CSEA members will wash their own shirts. http://goo.gl/4Cp5i

~ And here is the agreement Monrovia Schools has tentatively reached with the Monrovia Teachers Association. http://goo.gl/HLm3f

- Brad Haugaard

Assembly Comes Through for Gold Line

Earlier this afternoon, the State Assembly passed AB 706 by a vote of 64 to 3. With the Senate’s unanimous approval earlier this week, the bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.

Monrovia Assemblyman Donnelly Urges Brown to Veto DREAM Act

Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia in the State Assembly, is urging Governor Jerry Brown to veto the DREAM Act. http://goo.gl/HytmT

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at VegeUSA

Lunch yesterday at VegeUSA, on Myrtle next to the 210. I had no idea they even served food. Got the BBQ Vegan Chicken with spring salad and a ginger ale. I'm mostly carnivore, but it was really excellent! It tasted like, well, chicken. Highly recommended.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayor Off Gold Line Board | Monrovia Over Glendora :-)

~ Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz resigns as alternate to Gold Line
board. http://goo.gl/ZxGlM

~ Wildcats battle back from poor opening to beat Glendora. http://goo.gl/u19U0

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Gets Support Contract | From M to DoubleTree Logo | Portantino Gun Bill

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment gets $16 million customer support contract
from Army for Raven drone. http://goo.gl/Etiin

~ "M" replaced with DoubleTree logo at hotel. http://goo.gl/Xr9l3

~  Assemblyman Anthony Portantino’s bill (AB 144) making it illegal to carry an unloaded gun in public was approved late today by the State Senate (vote of 21 to 18).

- Brad Haugaard

Public Comment Open for Wilderness Preserve EIR

If you have comments about the draft EIR for the wilderness preserve
area, you can make them orally or in writing at the Department of
Community Services's public meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, at 7
p.m. at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 West Palm Ave., Monrovia.

After the public comment period is over, the City will prepare written
responses to all comments received during the comment period regarding
the adequacy of the Draft EIR under CEQA. Then, the Draft EIR will be
scheduled for review by the Planning Commission at its regularly
scheduled meeting on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at 7:30 pm. The
Planning Commission is expected to make a recommendation to the City
Council on the Environmental Impact Report at that meeting. The
Community Services Commission will review the Resource Management Plan
at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at
7:00 pm. The Commission is expected to make a recommendation on the
RMP to the City Council at that meeting.

The Planning Commission Recommendation on the EIR and the Community
Services Commission recommendation on the Resource Management Plan
will then be considered by the City Council during its regular City
Council meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at 7:30 pm.

All Community Services Commission meetings and Planning Commission and
City Council Hearings will be held in the City Council Chambers at
Monrovia City Hall, 415 South Ivy Avenue.

For more information, please contact the Monrovia Department of
Community Services at (626) 256-8246.

- Brad Haugaard (from a city press release)

Monrovia's AeroVironment Makes Hydrogen Powered Aircraft

Monrovia's AeroVironment has received a patent on a hydrogen-powered
aircraft. http://goo.gl/5MnYs

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Power Outage | Pre-Game Profile of MHS Football Team

~ A power outage hit 524 households last night. http://goo.gl/P9U4n

~ A pre-game look at Monrovia's football team. It's Monrovia vs.
Glendora. http://goo.gl/7AYhO

- Brad Haugaard

Open Auditions to be Held for Monrovia Rotary Talent Show

The Rotary Club of Monrovia is looking for local talent for its annual
talent show and BBQ. Selected performers will compete for the title of
best in town and a $500 grand prize.

Open auditions will be held at the YMCA (501 S Mountain Ave, Monrovia)
on Saturday, Aug. 27, Sept. 10, and Sept. 17 each from noon-3 p.m. for
the annual Monrovia's Got Talent competition. All ages are welcome.

Please RSVP to Denise Harvey (626-483-4861) prior to the auditions to
pre-qualify. All types of acts are welcome, such as singing, dancing,
comedians, instrumentalists, magicians, guitarists, novelty acts, or
any other unique talents.

The annual "Monrovia's Got Talent" show is a fundraiser to support
Monrovia Rotary Foundation's community and international projects.
The event will be held on Saturday Sept. 24, 2011 from 5 p.m. to 10
p.m. at the Monrovia Historical Museum (742 East Lemon).

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by contacting Denise Harvey
(626-483-4861) or Julie Roybal (626-222-0571).

Continually updated information on the event can be found at
http://www.monroviarotaryevents.com/

- Brad Haugaard (from Monrovia Rotary Club press release. By the way,
I'm guessing it is a "$500 grand-prize," not a "$500-grand prize." In
case you had your hopes too high :-)

Monrovia's AeroVironment Makes a Profit

AeroVironment, Monrovia's military drone maker, has reported a first
quarter profit, with a 62% increase in sales. http://goo.gl/JiQu3

- Brad Haugaard

Sacramento Has Two Days to Pass Gold Line Law

Sacramento has only two more days to pass legislation to make it indisputably legal for the Gold Line board to be composed of representatives of cities along the Gold Line route. Otherwise, the measure will need to be reintroduced later.

Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian writes that, "Yesterday, the State Senate unanimously approved AB 706, a bipartisan bill co-authored by Senators Bob Huff and Dr. Ed Hernandez and Assembly members Norma Torres, Mike Eng, Curt Hagman, and Roger Hernandez. The bill now goes to the Assembly for a vote. 

 

"Unfortunately," he adds, "the Legislature is only in session until this Friday, so the next two days are critical. If it doesn’t get approved in the Assembly before the end of the session, a new bill would have to be introduced when the Legislature returns to session next year. We are fortunate to have so many legislators - on both sides of the aisle - supporting the AB 706, and we certainly thank them for taking up the issue quickly. We are hopeful that with their help, this issue will be resolved in the next 48 hours."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Drilling Begins on Gold Line Rail Bridge

Drilling has begun on the foundations for the Gold Line bridge just west of the Santa Anita offramp on the eastbound 210.

According to Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian, Caltrans approved the permit last week and "drilling began yesterday on the first of the three deep foundations. Over the next week, the 11 foot diameter hole for the first foundation (located on the southern shoulder) will be completed,  the reinforcing steel cage will be installed and concrete will be poured and tested. Once drilling is complete on this first foundation, the drill rig and crane will then be moved to the center median of the freeway to start work on the remaining two, 110-foot deep foundations."

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Rape Bill Approved in Senate | City Council Denies Open-Meeting Law Violation

~ A rape-reporting bill by Assembly member Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) was approved by the State Senate Tuesday on a 37 to 2 vote. The bill now goes back to the Assembly for approval of minor changes before heading to the Governor for his signature.

 

~ Monrovia City Council says there was no violation of open-meeting laws in regard to its not replacing Councilman Shaw, who was called to active duty in the military. http://goo.gl/jlfCe

 

- Brad Haugaard