Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California

Monrovia School Board Member, Former Mayor on Canada-to-Mexico Bike Trip

The bikes loaded for the trip.

Monrovia Board of Education member and former Mayor, Rob Hammond, took off this morning on a
Canada-to-Mexico bicycle trip. He has been practicing for this trip for months and is apparently driving to Canada and then will take off from there on two wheels. He writes: "We left this morning on time. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers for safety."

His route is from Port Angeles, through Victoria BC, then south along US 101 and 1 to the US Mexican border.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblymember's Innovation-Promotion Bill Passes Legislature

A bill to expand the state's iHub innovation network has been approved by the Legislature and now goes to the Governor for his signature. Assembly Bill 250 is by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia.

It establishes the California Innovation Hub (iHub) Program and creates an iHub Accelerator Fund in the state treasury to accept private sector funding to operate the program.

The fund will allow the state to compete for grant funding from the federal government, private sector and foundations to encourage innovation.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Feature Story on Monrovia's Pacific Plate Brewing Co.

The Star-News puts Monrovia's new Pacific Plate Brewing Co. on the front page. Pacific Plate "chose to locate in Monrovia in part to avoid the red tape and expense of opening in L.A. and because the city was welcoming." http://goo.gl/NbTQhE

Opinion: The State of California should be required to write that line 400 times on a blackboard.

- Brad Haugaard

New Homes Being Built at Ivy and Olive

New homes under construction at Ivy and Olive. http://goo.gl/L0ygnT

- Brad Haugaard

Golf to Support Monrovia Youth Baseball League

Golfers, time to sign up for the Monrovia Youth Baseball League golf tournament, to be held October 25 at California Country Club in Whittier. Proceeds for snack bar renovations, field improvements, player scholarships. To sign up: Jack Taylor, 315-1103 or musipooh@aol.com. Sponsorship info: Fil Lujan, 297-6141 or fil801@gmail.com. Details: http://goo.gl/6QdGO2

- Brad Haugaard

Sampling Monrovia's Beers

I tried a sampling of beers produced by Monrovia's new micro-brewery, Pacific Plate, located in a light industrial facility at 1999 S. Myrtle, a couple blocks south of Duarte on the west side. My favorites: Mango IPA, Copa de Oro, and Horchata Stout, the top three in this photo. Thanks to Brad Hori for the invitation, the beer, and good company.

- Brad Haugaard

Library Closed Monday

Monrovia Library closed Monday. Labor Day. http://goo.gl/rvVO0u

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia API Scores Slip

API scores for Monrovia schools dip, but still meet target level. http://goo.gl/8AVX2p

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at S'Links Gourmet Hot Dogs

Lunch at the new S'Links Gourmet Hot Dogs at Myrtle and Olive. Got the Sonoran (aka LA Street Dog) combo ($9.79). It was a dog, bacon, pinto beans, grilled onions, avocado, tomatillo salsa, cheese, tomatoes, onions, mayonnaise, mustard. This is an eat-with-a-fork dog and it's delicious. Buns are fresh made by Monrovia Bakery.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Joins Fitness Challenge

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz reports on Facebook that Monrovia has joined other foothills cities in a competitive "fitness challenge" sponsored by City of Hope. Details: http://goo.gl/TTz3VL

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council May Impose Settlement on Police Union

Monrovia has been unable to reach a work agreement with the police union and is "at impasse," so at its Sept. 3 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/YJmj3K ), the City Council will consider a "Unilateral Implementation of Last, Best and Final Offer."

The offer "includes the suspension of merit salary adjustments and the Longevity/Performance Bonus Program. In addition, sworn members will pay the full 9% of the employee cost of the Public Employees' Retirement Benefit and non-sworn members will pay the full 8% of the employee cost of their plan. This will eliminate the Employer Paid Member Contribution (EPMC) benefit."

The city report says that, "While the City's financial outlook has modestly improved over the last two years, without concessions from employees to further assist with funding the cost of retirement benefits, the City's budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year will not be balanced." http://goo.gl/M0efvM

- Brad Haugaard

What to Do at Myrtle and Huntington? The City Council Considers

Rendering of the proposed Mt. Sierra project.

At its Sept. 3 meeting, the Monrovia City Council, wearing its "Successor Agency" hat (which replaced the now-banned Redevelopment Agency) will consider what to do with the property at the southwest corner of Myrtle and Huntington. There are five proposals:

- An already-rejected multi-residential project.

- A campus for Mt. Sierra College with a cool design, but the city would like some retail there as well.

- A four-star, 120-room hotel proposed by the company, Singpoli. Potentially the highest revenue generating project.

- A 24-Hour Fitness with two restaurant/retail sites, proposed by Evergreen Development. The 24-Hour Fitness at Huntington and Shamrock would move there.

- Two restaurant/retail uses, proposed by Festival Companies. Possible restaurants for the site: Longhorn Steakhouse, Lucille's Bar-B-Que, Domenico's Italian Restaurant & Lounge, Corner Bakery, 85 Degree Café International, Blaze Pizza, and Five Guys.

More detail than you probably want, here: http://goo.gl/D3Eefk

- Brad Haugaard

Friends of the Monrovia Library - Cheap Books!

In September adult books and media with a pink dot on the spine are half-price at the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library Bookstore (in the Library). Most regular prices range from 25¢ to $2.

Then, on Oct. 11-13, the Friends will hold its Fall Book Sale, with more than 5,000 books. Hours:

Friday - noon-5 p.m. Saturday - 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday - 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The $2-a-Bag Sale will be on Sunday from 4-5 p.m.

Prices for regular books and media range from 25¢ to $2. Collectibles are priced from $5 to $40. While book sellers are welcome, scanners are not permitted.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Trader Joe's May Cut Healthcare Contributions in Face of Obamacare | Students Slip on Exit Exam

~ Monrovia-based Trader Joe's may cut back on its employee healthcare contributions in the face of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), but "the company's contribution would remain generous by industry standards." http://goo.gl/2ijx1o

~ Percentage of Monrovia students who pass California High School Exit Exam slips. http://goo.gl/W7eUhq

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drug Bust, Stuff Stolen from Vehicle

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 26-28. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 540 service events, resulting in 83 investigations.

Petty Theft with Priors / Possession of Methamphetamine / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspects Arrested

On August 27 at 4:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding burglary that just occurred. Both suspects were being detained by loss prevention officers. A record check revealed both suspects had been arrested for prior thefts. A search was conducted, which revealed one suspect to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary

On August 27 at 11:02 p.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of North Canyon regarding a vehicle burglary The victim parked and locked his 1996 Acura in front of his residence. A short while later, the victim returned to his vehicle and saw it had been burglarized. The items stolen from his vehicle were bank checks and a GPS system. The investigation is continuing.

More on Lile Retirement | Monrovia Battery Tech | Brewery | Sidewalk Astronomy

~ Reaction to the retirement of Monrovia City Manager Laurie Lile. http://goo.gl/KUMZjQ

~ I didn't know Monrovia had a battery-technology development company - CODA Energy. http://goo.gl/j5H5wf

~ Two videos about Pacific Plate Brewing of Monrovia, opening Aug. 30 and premiering six new craft ales. http://www.tout.com/m/qry8tv and http://www.tout.com/m/v8wxhy (I can't get them to work but maybe they'll treat you better.)

~ A story about the sidewalk astronomers who set up in Monrovia's Library Park. http://goo.gl/rQ0UPB

- Brad Haugaard

Painting Exhibit, Mini Monrovia Power Outage

"Goose," oil painting by Jean Osher

~ "Eye Candy," an exhibition of paintings by Lynn Gertenbach, Jean Osher and Esther Engelman, Sept 7-28, at Monrovia's Segil Fine Art Gallery, 110 West Lime.

~ Southern California Edison reports a mini power outage affecting eight of its Monrovia customers. http://goo.gl/mlRvki

- Brad Haugaard