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Monrovia Wrestling | Poor Scott Ochoa | Job Seeker Help

~ Dungeon wrestling at the Masonic Lodge on Foothill at Primrose. http://goo.gl/9miyp
 
~ With Kim Kardashian is thinking of running for the mayor of Glendale (doesn't quite work that way, but whatever - http://goo.gl/CvFPj ), Monrovia School Board Member Alex Zucco remembers that Monrovia has just handed over its former city manager to Glendale. On Facebook she writes: "Poor Scott Ochoa." 
 
~ Looking for a job? From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Monday, you can stop by Monrovia Adult School (920 S. Mountain) to search  job listings on the computers, get tips on resume-writing and interviewing techniques, and more goodies. http://goo.gl/RhKca
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Representative Wants to Tighten Outside-Income Reporting for Legislators

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, has introduced a bill to require state legislators to more precisely identify outside sources of income when they assume or leave office. The press release:

Each year, politicians and public officials must complete what is known as a Form 700 – Statement of Economic Interest.  It gives the public and watchdog groups a way to keep tabs on the outside financial interests of officeholders and other officials to ensure that they avoid conflicts of interest.
 
“The problem with the current form is that it contains income ranges of such wide dollar amounts that it’s almost impossible for the public to decipher our actual outside incomes,” said Assemblymember Portantino. “That’s why I am proposing we modernize and update the reporting ranges to create a more accurate accounting and subsequent accountability.”
 
Portantino’s AB 2162, which calls for updating and restructuring dollar ranges, was approved today in Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee. Currently there are only 4 ranges for investments, property and income. This bill would revise the dollar amounts associated with these ranges to 8 levels for investments and real estate and 10 levels for income ranges.
 
“These forms haven’t been updated in more than 35 years and are way out-of-date. It’s time to make sure the public, good government advocates and the media know where there are potential conflicts,” commented Portantino.
 
The Political Reform Act of 1974 requires persons holding specified public offices to file disclosures of investments, real property interests, and income within specified periods of assuming or leaving office, and annually while holding the office. The act requires the disclosures to include a statement indicating, within a specified value range, the fair market value of investments or interests in real property and the aggregate value of income received from a source.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Students Win Entrepreneurship Award | Bradoaks Auction | Parrot Utility Box

~ Mr. Sorgent's Small Business Management class and the Entrepreneurship Team's venture, Valuepon, won the gold medal in the SkillsUSA State Business Plan and Presentation Entrepreneurship Competition held in San Diego. Winning gold medalists included Amanda Mansoorbakht, Bryan Bravo, Breana Salgado, and Timothy Ramirez. They will compete in late June at the SkillsUSA National Competition in Kansas City, Missouri for the U.S. title as one of the best Entrepreneurship teams in the nation.  http://goo.gl/AELek
 
~ Bradoaks School Wild West auction. http://goo.gl/hEoyW
 
~ A new prettied up utility box. It's got a parrot. http://goo.gl/yOhzz
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman Would Require Legislators to Pay for Vanity Plates

A bill by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino - who represents part of Monrovia - requiring legislators who have legislative vanity plates on their personal cars to pay the same fees paid by the general public for personalized plates, has passed its first legislative hurdle. AB 2068 was unanimously approved by the Assembly Transportation Committee this afternoon.
 
Portantino said: "License plate fees are used to partially fund the California Highway Patrol. So, when legislators don't pay the full fee, they are in effect, stiffing the CHP."
 
Source: Portantino press release
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Spot Welding App

Spot welding? Monrovia's Miyachi Unitek has an app for that. http://goo.gl/UXRx9
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Lots of Graffiti, Fighting (with Bats?), 17 Pairs of Pants, Shoplifting, Drugs, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 5-8. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
 
Vandalism
April 12 at 8:50 a.m., a caller reported an incident of vandalism in the 1800 block of South California.  The suspect(s) used a marker to write on a potted plant in front of a business building and on the windshield of two company trucks.  The investigation is continuing.
                                       
Vandalism
April 12 at 9:36 a.m., an incident of vandalism was reported in the 1800 block of South California.  Suspect(s) used a marker to write on some decorative glass next to the front door of a business.  The investigation is continuing.
 
Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales - Two Suspects Arrested
April 12 at 9:42 a.m., officers were dispatched to a hotel in the 700 block of West Huntington regarding a gun found in a room.  The housekeepers found a loaded gun on the bed in one of the rooms and notified management, who then notified police.  Officers responded and were in the room when the two occupants returned.  Officers received consent to search the room.  Bindles of heroin, cocaine, drug paraphernalia and money were located in the room.  Both occupants were arrested and both admitted the drugs belonged to them. 
 
Vandalism
April 12 at 9:46 a.m., graffiti was reported in the 300 block of Wildrose.  The suspect(s) used white spray paint to write on the south wall of a garage.   Investigation continuing.  
 
Vandalism
April 12 at 11:44 a.m., an officer responded to the report of vandalism in the 300 block of East Lime.  Suspect(s) used white spray paint to write graffiti on playground equipment in a park.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vehicle Burglary
April 12 at 2:58 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a vehicle burglary which occurred in the 500 block of Parkrose.  The victim parked her vehicle and went into the elementary school to pick up her child.  She was gone approximately 10 minutes.  When she returned to her vehicle, she found a window was smashed and her purse, which was on the front seat under a blanket, was taken from the vehicle.  Investigation continuing.
 
Fight in Progress
April 12 at 4:53 p.m., officers responded to the report of approximately 10 subjects fighting at a park in the area of Shamrock and Colorado.  The caller reported some of the subjects were holding bats, and that a tan or brown pickup truck had fled the scene.  Officers arrived in the area, but did not see a fight.  They detained several subjects in the park.  They were identified and released.
 
Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested
April 12 at 7:52 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a male subject in custody for shoplifting.  The subject had entered the store, selected several items which he concealed on his person, and exited without paying.  He was arrested and booked for the charges. 
  
Vandalism
April 13 at 4:36 p.m., graffiti was reported on the northeast curb in the area of Cypress and Sherman.  The suspect(s) had written on the curb.
 
Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested
April 13 at 6:51 p.m., a business in the 300 block of West Huntington reported a subject who had shoplifted went into a location at Magnolia and Chestnut.  The Special Enforcement Team and patrol officers responded, located the suspect and detained him.  He was positively identified as the suspect.  He had no money on his person to pay for the items taken.  The suspect was arrested for burglary and taken into custody.
 
Vandalism - Suspect Arrested
April 14 at 3:39 p.m., police responded to the report of three male subjects acting suspiciously in an alley in the 200 block of South Heliotrope.  One subject appeared to be acting as a lookout.  Officers arrived and found fresh graffiti in the 600 block of Wildrose.  A detective, who was in the area of Wildrose and California, observed three subjects matching the suspects' description and detained them.  
 
One of the subjects detained had a used can of white spray paint in his waistband and fresh paint on his shorts.  The paint matched the fresh paint on the structure in the 600 block of Wildrose.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.  He was later determined to be on probation for a prior graffiti vandalism case.  The suspect is a juvenile and was later released on citation to his mother.
 
The reporting party was advised of the Monrovia Police Department's Graffiti Bounty Program and will be receiving $100 for reporting this incident of graffiti, which led to the arrest of the suspect. 
 
Fraud / Parolee at Large - Suspects Arrested
April 16 at 1:30 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a hotel in the 900 block of West Huntington.  Hotel management was having a dispute with two of their guests about a declined credit card number.  Upon further investigation, the officer discovered the male guest was a parolee at large.  His female companion was found to be in possession of a vehicle filled with fraudulent federal, state, and miscellaneous documents.  Both subjects were arrested for the appropriate charges.
 
 
Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity
 
On April 11, Special Enforcement Team officers stopped a suspicious vehicle leaving a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain for vehicle code violations.  The rear passenger ducked down and hid as the officers attempted to stop the vehicle.  The right rear passenger was found to have a glass cocaine smoking pipe in his possession.  He was arrested for the drug paraphernalia and four outstanding warrants for his arrest.  Seventeen pairs of Dockers pants were recovered from the vehicle, which appeared brand new with labels attached.  The driver and passengers did not claim the pants.  They were taken for observation, pending further investigation. 

210 Closure Tonight

The 210 eastbound will be closed tonight, April 16, for building the bridge mold, into which the concrete will be poured, between midnight and 5 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

From Memphis to Monrovia | Early Monrovia News Clips

~ Video: A Tennessee church, Engage Memphis, helped with the funding to plant the new Fellowship Monrovia church that meets at the Community Center. http://goo.gl/Im1mw
~ Snippets from early-days Monrovia newspapers. http://goo.gl/OBaZS
- Brad Haugaard

Video of Food Truck Association Lawsuit Vs. Monrovia

Video about the lawsuit by the Southern California Mobile Food Vendor's Association against Monrovia. http://goo.gl/jO3zu


- Brad Haugaard

Free Gardening Workshop for Monrovia | World Vision


~ Free Smart Gardening Workshop at Recreation Park, next to the entrance of the Boys and Girls Club on Saturday, April 21, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Info about composting, grass recycling, water and fire-wise gardening, fruit harvesting and native plant selection. Monrovians will be able to buy discount compost bins. Plus, free mulch while it lasts. Bring a shovel, gloves, and containers for mulch. Call Environmental Services at 932-5553 for further details. http://goo.gl/YTq4x


~ Monrovia relief agency, World Vision, reports that "nsufficient rains in Somalia threaten to reverse gains made since last year’s famine." http://goo.gl/R16lu


- Brad Haugaard


Video: Monrovia's Senator Talks About Tax Revenue and Pension Reform

In his Capitol Comment video, Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, talks about lower-than-expected tax revenue and pension reform. http://goo.gl/uhdZm


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Maybe Losing $2.37 Million, Buying iPads,Kindergarten, Honoring Employees


At its Wednesday, April 18, 7 p.m. meeting (agenda here: http://goo.gl/my38G ), the Monrovia School Board will ...

~ Hear a budget report that estimates (assuming Governor Jerry Brown's proposed tax measure fails) that the district will lose $2.37 million for the 2012-13 fiscal year, down to $33.99 million from 2011-12. Lots of detail here: http://goo.gl/hZWzd

~ Consider a resolution allowing Monrovia schools to piggyback on Glendale schools contract with Apple Computer. http://goo.gl/5eFdI

~ And, probably not coincidentally, consider buying Apple iPads and accessories as part of its digital classroom initiative. Cost: $230,398.91. http://goo.gl/15N6x

~ Hear a report on the Kindergarten Readiness Act, which (though I'm not sure I'm reading it right) seems to allow the district to offer kindergarten in 2012-13 to children born between September 1 and December 2, 2007. This would be part of a two-year kindergarten program. And, no, the state is not currently offering any funding for it. http://goo.gl/CQLvP

~ Consider a resolution declaring May 16 as "Staff Appreciation Day," May 9 as "Day of the Teacher," and May 20-26 as "Classified School Employee Week." http://goo.gl/8xIRd

The Underbelly of the Bridge



The Gold Line crew has been installing the formwork for the bridge superstructure over the 210 near Santa Anita. "Here you see how the installed forms are beginning to shape the rounded sides and underbelly envisioned by the design concept advisor." http://goo.gl/i4UDj

Video of Shrike Mini-Copter Made by Monrovia's AeroVironment

Video of AeroVironment's Shrike mini-copter at a demonstration at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri. http://goo.gl/dLYYH

Monrovia Neighborhoods | Quinoa Recipes for Trader Joe's | MWH Labs

~ Monrovia is looking for stories about neighborhoods around town to feature in its Monrovia Area Partnership newsletter. Submit story (50-200 words), full name, physical address, email address, and phone number to MAP@ci.monrovia.ca.us . http://goo.gl/tV9e7
 
~ Monrovia's Trader Joe's has launched its "Quintessential Quinoa Recipe Contest." Winning recipes will be featured on TJ's website to showcase quinoa's versatility. http://goo.gl/htjW9
 
~ MWH Laboratories of Monrovia recently became one of the first water and wastewater laboratories in the US to meet all proficiency testing requirements by the Environmental Protection Agency. http://goo.gl/C5WQM
 
- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Meringue


Lunch at Meringue. Just east of Myrtle on Colorado. Got a soup and half sandwich combo with clam chowder and pan con lechon (pork) sandwich with plantain chips, and since it is mostly a bakery (with Cuban overtones) I got an apple strudel as well. Very nice. I enjoyed it all.

Baseball: Monrovia 2, San Marino 1 :-)

Monrovia Wildcats beat San Marino Titans in baseball. http://goo.gl/DCPAg
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Jazz Band Fundraiser at T Phillips


There will be a fundraiser for the Monrovia High Jazz Band at T Phillips on Thursday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  The Jazz Band will perform from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the Alumni Jazz band will perform from 8 to 9 p.m.  Print out the accompanying flyer to give the band a 15 percent kickback when you eat at T Phillips.
- Brad Haugaard

Fundraiser for Relay for Life of Monrovia | Fishing Shop Opens

~ Relay for Life of Monrovia reports on its Facebook page that Merengue Restaurant, at 110 East Colorado in Monrovia, will have a fund raiser for Relay for Life on Sunday, April 15, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. No flyers needed, just mention Relay when ordering pastries or a meal and a percent will be donated to Relay for Life.
 
~ Wil's Sport and Tackle opens Friday, April 13. The fishing shop is at 310 S. Myrtle. http://goo.gl/Eikve 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Honorees

At its April 17 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will honor ...

~ Firefighter Mike Bailey, who "has always been a hard working, dedicated and giving individual, helping people whenever he can. Those efforts continued through several more projects with Rebuilding Together- Los Angeles and earned him the Martin Luther King Jr. Volunteer Award, as well as a letter of Commendation from President Obama. Mike continues to work with Rebuilding Together- Los Angeles helping preserve affordable housing while revitalizing communities within the region, along with his many success within the Monrovia Fire Department."

~ Girl Scout Leaders Joan Stiegelmar, Vicke Thrower, and Joyce Santillan "for their contributions to the community and its youth through their dedicated service as volunteers and leaders with the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles."
 

- Brad Haugaard