E-Waste Round-Up Sept. 29 at Monrovia's Mt. Sierra College

There will be an e-waste round-up from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 29 at Mt. Sierra College (101 E. Huntington). It accepts electronic devices that plug in or take batteries. Not accepted: batteries, fluorescent lights, wood, glass, tires or large appliances. ACTS Thrift Store will donate to Foothill Unity Center for each pound of electronics donated.

- Brad Haugaard

Donnelly's '10 Worst Bills' | Mei Mei Huff's Radio Program

~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, has come out with his list of "2012's Top 10 Worst Bills," which he wants Californians to petition Governor Brown not to sign. They range from "prohibiting law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities" to a measure that "increases taxes on lumber products." http://goo.gl/TMMR7

~ Mei Mei Huff, the wife of State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, has a new Mandarin-language radio program in the LA area on KAZN AM1600 at 7 p.m. Saturdays. Huff said on Facebook that she will discuss politics "from a pro-jobs, limited government viewpoint, but what did you expect?"

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia 52, Arcadia 17 :-)

Monrovia over Arcadia in football. http://goo.gl/9loQR . Details: http://goo.gl/b67b0

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Finances, Purchase of iPads, School Facilities Use

At its Sept. 12, 7 p.m. meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/IxUPZ ), the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Review its "Unaudited Actuals - Annual Statements of the revenue, expenditures and the ending fund balances for all district funds for the 2011-12 fiscal year." http://goo.gl/5et0X

~ Consider buying Apple iPads for classroom use, for $238,509.38. http://goo.gl/uLw2g

~ Consider policies on the use of school facilities.

- Brad Haugaard

Detail Being Revealed on 210 Bridge | Blood Drive

 

~ Architectural elements of the 210 Gold Line bridge, designed by artist Andrew Leicester, are being revealed as the "falsework" (scaffolding) is being removed. Spokesman Habib Balian says it will take several more weeks of consecutive night closures to complete the removal process. He adds that off-site work continues on fabrication of the baskets that will soon sit atop the bridge's main columns.

Also, he reports that eastbound closures of the 210 "will start again late Sunday night, and continue through next Friday morning. Closures start around 9 p.m. each night with nearby on-ramp closing first, then individual lanes begin to close around 10 p.m. Full closure of the eastbound freeway starts at Midnight, and all lanes reopen by 5:00 a.m. the following morning."

 

~ Community blood drive, Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 800 Royal Oaks Drive in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/DPaMb

 

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Tastee Express

Lunch the other day at Tastee Express. That's the little hot dog stand out front of Home Depot. There are some tables with umbrellas so don't worry, you won't have to sit on the curb. Got the Polish dog combo for $6.95. Hey! That was really a great dog! This is across town for me but if I'm in the mood for a Polish dog I think I'll be back.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Albertson's Appears to Survive

Albertson's is closing stores in Southern California, but apparently the Monrovia store is a survivor. At least I don't see it mentioned as closing. http://goo.gl/C54nE

- Brad Haugaard

White in Two | Electronics Recycling

White in Two

~ This new artwork is on the garage at the house on the corner of Magnolia and Hillcrest. It is called "White in Two" and owes its inspiration to Paul Morphy. I know because I painted it.
  

~ Electronics recycling at Bradoaks Elementary School at 930 E. Lemon Ave. (cross street is Mountain Ave.) on September 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be recycled and Bradoaks PTA will earn money.
   

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Stock Drops | Monrovia FD to Remember 9-11

~ The market was apparently not impressed with the performance of Monrovia's AeroVironment - which had a first quarter net loss - as its stock fell 6.36 percent today. http://goo.gl/IaYUl

~ At 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11, the Monrovia Fire Department will join 43 other area fire departments to raise and lower the flag to half-staff in honor of the 343 firefighters and 72 police officers died in the 9-11 terrorist attack. http://goo.gl/RXt3K

- Brad Haugaard

Candidate Judy Chu Speaks at Democratic Convention | City to Repeal Food Truck Ban

~ Video: Congresswoman Judy Chu, who is running for Congress in a district that includes Monrovia, speaks at the Democratic National Convention, endorsing President Barack Obama and criticizing Mitt Romney. http://goo.gl/Vzudk

~ City to repeal ban on food trucks. http://goo.gl/X7GA1 . Suit costs city more than $200,000. http://goo.gl/jFMd2

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Unlocked Car Leads to Missing Purse, Mountain Lion Tips

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 3-5. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 422 service events, resulting in 64 investigations.

 

Theft From a Vehicle

September 6 at 1:41 a.m., a theft from an unlocked vehicle was reported in the 300 block of East Hillcrest.  The vehicle was parked in the victim's driveway.  The victim heard noises, looked out his window and saw an unknown suspect exit his vehicle and run eastbound.  A purse was stolen from the vehicle.  The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 25-30 years old, medium build, wearing a white shirt, white shorts and white shoes.  The investigation is continuing.

 

 

Tip of the Week: Living With Mountain Lions

There has been very little research on how to avoid mountain lion attacks.  But mountain lion attacks that have occurred are being analyzed in the hope that some crucial questions can be answered.  Following are safety tips and information provided by the California Department of Fish and Game.  For further, more detailed, information click on Living With California Mountain Lions.   

 

Do Not Hike Alone:  Go in groups, with adults supervising children.

 

Keep Children Close To You:  Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to children.  Keep children within your sight at all times.

 

Do Not Approach a Lion:  Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation.  Give them a way to escape.

 

Do Not Run From a Lion:  Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal.  Make eye contact.  If you have small children with you, pick them up, if possible, so they don't panic and run.  Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.

 

Do Not Crouch Down or Bend Over:   A person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal.

 

Do All You Can To Appear Larger:  Raise your arms.  Open your jacket if you are wearing one.

 

Fight Back If Attacked:  Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back.  Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice.  The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it.

 

Immediately Report All Encounters or Sightings.

Talk By True Crime Author Chip Jacobs

A talk by true crime with author Chip Jacobs, writer of The Ascension of Jerry. Bumbling hit men. Burning corpses. A threatened son. Life in hiding. Tuesday, September 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. http://goo.gl/FQu88

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment gets $16.5 Million from Army - Plus Lots More Later

AeroVironment gets $16.5 Million from U.S. Army for Raven drone system with miniature swiveling payload. Total projected value of the project is $65,889,191. http://goo.gl/yDw53

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council Member Becky Shevlin Wins Woman Achievers Award

The City of Monrovia is pleased to announce that City Councilwoman Becky A. Shevlin has been recognized as one of Business Life Magazine's recipients for their 23rd annual woman achievers award. Councilwoman Shevlin is being recognized for her outstanding positive contributions to her community. She is also being recognized for being a mentor to other women throughout her community.

 

Upon hearing of her selection Shevlin said, "I am truly honored to be recognized by Business Life magazine for making a difference in Monrovia. As Council members we serve our communities in an effort to continually improve the way of life for our residents." Shevlin also stated "Throughout my life I have always strived to be a positive influence." 

 

Business Life's "Saluting Woman Achievers" awards luncheon and ceremony will be held at the Glendale Hilton Hotel on September 27th. The event will be hosted by Co-Chairs Supervisor Michael Antonovich and Christine Antonovich and the Honorable Senator Carol Liu.

Go to www.businesslife.com for more information on this event.

 

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Holding No-Questions-Asked Prescription Drug Collection

On September 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Monrovia Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Bring your medications for disposal to the Monrovia Community Center at 119 W. Palm Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016.  The service is free and anonymous; no questions asked.

During the previous four take-back events, 774 tons of prescription drugs were collected nationwide, of which more than 58 thousand pounds were collected in the greater Los Angeles area, alone. 

 

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards. 

 

Four days after the first take-back event in September 2010, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an "ultimate user" of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them.  The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long-term care facilities to dispose of their residents' controlled substances in certain instances.  DEA has begun drafting regulations to implement the Act, a process that can take as long as 24 months.  Until new regulations are in place, local law enforcement agencies like Monrovia Police Department and the DEA will continue to hold prescription drug take-back events every few months.

 

For additional information, please contact Sergeant Glen Coleman at (626) 256-8020

 

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Reports a Loss, But an Expected Loss

Monrovia's AeroVironment reports net loss, as anticipated, for its first quarter ending July 28:

"Fiscal 2013 is unfolding consistent with our range of expectations for the year. We anticipated a typically low revenue first quarter would produce a net loss because we are staffed and investing to achieve the growth we expect in the second half of this year and beyond," said AeroVironment chairman and chief executive officer Tim Conver. "First quarter revenue of $58.7 million was about $3 million less than we expected, attributable to contract timing, and produced a loss per share of $0.06." http://goo.gl/BTBd8

- Brad Haugaard

Hot Rod Show, Free Oil Filters

The city will be handing out oil filters and recycling kits a at the 22nd Annual Hot Rod and Custom Car Show in Old Town. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8 http://goo.gl/9E2TM

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Credit Rating Cut by Standard and Poor's

Standard and Poor's credit rating agency has cut Monrovia's credit rating to BBB-plus from A and put the city on negative outlook, meaning there may be further cuts in its rating. http://goo.gl/U7l62

Jack in the Box Proceeds

Looks as if framing is about done on the Jack in the Box that is replacing the old Pottery Barn. http://goo.gl/agRn1

- Brad Haugaard

Funny in Russian | Selena Gomez | Huff vs Tax Measure

~ "But It's Funny in Russian: My adventures in sitcom overseas." Workshop with author and TV writer John Vorhaus. Free. October 6, Library Community Room, 1-3 p.m.

~ Selena Gomez filming "Feed the Dog" in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/BG3ay

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff (who represents Monrovia) objects to a measure to raise taxes on business by more than $1 billion to pay for spending for scholarships. Huff said it would blow a $900 million hole in the budget. The measure failed. http://goo.gl/vJcX1

- Brad Haugaard