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Monrovia Assemblyman's Disaster Prep Bill Approved by Assembly Committee

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino's bill to improve emergency and disaster preparedness in California was unanimously approved today 12 to 0 in the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee.
 
AB 1650 requires public utilities to hold comprehensive disaster preparedness meetings every two years with the counties and cities they service in order to improve readiness and better prepare for natural disasters.
 
The San Gabriel Valley was hit hard in early December 2011 by devastating winds that knocked out power to nearly a quarter-of-a-million customers; some of them for more than a week.
 
Source: Portantino press release
 
- Brad Haugaard

Fundraising Hike for Monrovia YMCA

There will be a fundraising hike for the YMCA at 10 a.m. April 28 (Saturday) from Fireman’s Flat to Canyon Park Waterfall, followed by BBQ at noon. Families welcome. $25 Adults, $10 Children, $50 Families. Proceeds will benefit Summer Adventure Camp, Homework Heroes, aquatics program and other youth programming. To register or for more information contact Santa Anita Family YMCA at 359-9244, or Linda Wagner at 350-6247 or lindawagner1@dslextreme.com. - Thanks to Becky Shevlin for this info.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Confusion Meat Explained

Some of you may recall this post ( http://goo.gl/SMMYM ) in which I expressed my confusion at the "Shanghai Confusion Meat" on the menu at Monrovia's Shanghai Dumpling House. Well, a brave soul from LA Weekly has ordered it, and here is a picture and description: http://goo.gl/wf60p

- Brad Haugaard

Coach: Monrovia Seniors Best Ever | Audition for Bye Bye Birdie

~ Monrovia football coach: Next set of seniors is "the best group he's ever had." http://goo.gl/XqxaE
 
~ Audition for Centre Stage's Bye Bye Birdie this Saturday. http://goo.gl/Qg3Y4
 
- Brad Haugaard

Fish Fry

Bethel AME Church (148 W. Lime) is having a fish fry from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, April 13 and April 20. Call 930-1816 for details.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Happy Easter Monrovia!



The sunrise service this morning at Library Park.

- Brad Haugaard

Carrying the Cross for Education | Relay Race | Monrovia Easter Services

~ Carrying the cross from San Diego to San Gabriel Mission to raise money for Monrovia and Arcadia Catholic education. http://goo.gl/AhlVI
 
~ Monrovia wins relay race at Arcadia Invitational. http://goo.gl/OVhRo
 
~ A list of Easter services in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/uTozb
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Siren Arts

A feature story on Monrovia's Siren Arts video and post-production company. http://goo.gl/IMCXn
  
- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Submarine & BBQ Teriyaki


Lunch at Submarine & BBQ Teriyaki, in the Baja Ranch market center. Don't know why the "sub" part of the name. No subs that I can see. Japanese style food. Clean and well kept inside. Got a chicken teriyaki and California roll with vegetable tempura box. Very good!

- Brad Haugaard

How to Chime In on Design of Monrovia's Station Square Project

If you'd like to give your thoughts on the proposed design of the Station Square project (near the coming Gold Line station), you can speak at a City Council study session on Monday, April 9, at 3 p.m. at the Monrovia Community Center Senior Game Room at 119 West Palm Ave. Agenda, such as it is, here: http://goo.gl/ie3L2
 
- Brad Haugaard

State of the Monrovia Schools

The Board of Education invites you to attend the 2012 State of the Schools Report to the Community,Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Monrovia High School, starting at 6 p.m. From 6-7 p.m. Friendship Circle student performances and school displays, then at 7:30 p.m. the State of the Schools Address in the Performing Arts Center.  From Monrovia Schools press release  
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Softball Wins! | Be on 710 Committee | Money for Transportation | Wil's Opening

~ Monrovia High softball team captures Northview Softball Tournament title. http://goo.gl/StAvJ
 
~ If you are interested in being on a Community Liaison Council about the 710 Freeway (the freeway that doesn't go through South Pasadena) "to support the SR-710 Environmental Study team in providing feedback on the technical study and overall outreach efforts," here's some detail: http://goo.gl/hnV7v
 
~ Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian reports that yesterday the Southern California Association of Governments’ Regional Council unanimously approved the 2012-2035 Regional Transportation Plan to spend "$524 billion over the next 25 years to enhance the regional transportation sys­tem," with an emphasis on freeways but with $246 billion for public transportation. Balian added that South Pasadena Mayor (and Assembly candidate for Monrovia's district) Michael Cacciotti "believes that even with these changes the plan continues to place too much emphasis on freeways."
 
~ Grand opening of Wil's Sport and Tackle (fishing gear) at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 13. 310 S. Myrtle. 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Reacting to Violence on Sherman & Neighborhood Tips

In light of recent violence on Sherman Avenue, Monrovia's  Neighborhood Strategy Team will be walking that neighborhood talking to residents. http://goo.gl/rE0QD
 
Tips for neighborhoods from the city:
 
~ Keep your porch and/or alley lights on at night
~ Become familiar with your neighbors
~ Report graffiti immediately (Graffiti Hotline 836-3654)
~ Report suspicious activity: Crime Stoppers (Anonymous tips via call or text) - (800) 222-TIPS; or Monrovia Dispatch (626) 256-8000
~ Don't be silent! If you hear or see something wrong, alert your neighborhood. Call Monrovia Neighborhood Services 932-5563
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Lots of Shots, Burglary Tools, Prowling

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for April 2-4 – Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 473 service events, resulting in 76 investigations.

Shots Fired

On April 2 at 8:40 p.m., dispatch received numerous 9-1-1 calls of shots fired in the area of Sherman and Los Angeles. Officers responded to the area and found six cartridge casings in the street and two bullet holes in a front facing wall in the 1200 block of Sherman. No one was injured. A compact car was seen right after the shooting, driving westbound on Cherry at a high rate of speed. No suspect description. Investigation continuing.

Parolee-at-Large / Possession of Burglary Tools / Possession of a Deadly Weapon

On April 4 at 2:39 a.m., an officer stopped and contacted a male and female walking in the 500 block of Parkrose. Upon talking with them, their statements conflicted as to why they were in the area and where they were going. Further investigation revealed the male subject was a parolee-at-large with an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody. The officer located a large knife and a burglary tool near the area where he arrested the suspect. The suspect later admitted possession of the knife and the burglary tool. He was charged with the additional crimes.

Prowling

On April 4 at 5:35 a.m., officers were dispatched to 600 block of West Olive, where a suspect was seen prowling at a residence. When the resident went outside, the suspect fled, running eastbound through a neighbor’s yard. An area search was conducted for the suspect, but he was not located. Investigation continuing.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Head Shop Moratorium | Drone Fears | Football | STAAR

~ Residents concerned about sale of drug paraphernalia at new shop; city bans new shops for study period. http://goo.gl/NyohV 
 
~ Has Monrovia's AeroVironment unleashed a genie with its mini-drones? Some people think mini-drones could cause privacy problems. http://goo.gl/BJn06
 
~ Monrovia players take part in Nike football camp. http://goo.gl/0yecf
 
~ Monrovia's STAAR Surgical appoints Samuel Gesten as its general counsel and secretary. http://goo.gl/vhXFe
 
- Brad Haugaard

Holden Monrovia Kickoff April 29

Pasadena Councilman Chris Holden is having a kick-off for his race for Assembly on April 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Paint n' Play in Monrovia. Meeting is open to the public. Hosted by Mayor Mary Ann Lutz and Lisa Barrios. Source: Posting by Mayor Lutz on Facebook
 
- Brad Haugaard

Photo of New Monrovia City Manager



Laurie K. Lile, new Monrovia City Manager (Photo from City of Monrovia)

- Brad Haugaard

Meet Indy Car Driver | Let a Monrovia Cop Serve You

~ Meet Indy car driver Simona de Silvestro at an open house at Sir Speedy Printing April 11, 6-8 p.m., 411 W. Maple St. http://goo.gl/RgQDk
 
~ Help Monrovia Police support the Special Olympics by attending the annual Tip a Cop event this Thursday from 5-9 p.m. at Claim Jumper. "Come be served by a cop for a good cause." - From Monrovia PD Twitter posting
 
- Brad Haugaard

New Church in Old Monrovia

Monrovia Word Center, a new church, had its grand opening in Old Town. http://goo.gl/6IFXV
 
- Brad Haugaard

Announcement of Monrovia's New City Manager

The City of Monrovia is pleased to announce the appointment of Laurie K. Lile as their new City Manager. Ms. Lile was selected after an exhaustive and highly competitive selection process.


Laurie comes to Monrovia from the City of Palmdale where she was employed for the past 24 years. She was first hired in Palmdale in 1988 as a Principal Planner. Over the next ten years she progressed through the ranks and was appointed to Assistant Planner, and later to an Associate Planner. In 1998 she was appointed Director of Planning. She served in this role until she was appointed Assistant City Manager in 2006, the position she currently occupies in Palmdale.


Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said, “We interviewed some very qualified individuals during this process, and I feel extremely confident that we have chosen the best candidate. Lutz also said, “I look forward to working closely with Laurie on realizing all of Monrovia’s goals and objectives as we move forward.” Mayor Pro Tem Joe Garcia said, “Laurie has moved through the ranks in Palmdale, and we feel she possesses the right skills to lead our City for a long time.” 


Lile obtained her Bachelor’s of Science degree from UC Davis and an MBA from Pepperdine University in 2010.


Councilman Tom Adams said, “We’re excited to have Laurie leading our City and our staff into the future.” 


Councilmember Becky Shevlin said, “Laurie was the unanimous choice for our Council and we are pleased to have her join our team.”  Councilman Larry Spicer said, “Laurie will bring a nice balance and good leadership to our City.”


Ms. Lile will be replacing former City Manager Scott Ochoa who resigned in December to become the City Manager in Glendale. Administrative Services Director Mark Alvarado has been serving as the Interim City Manager.


Source: City of Monrovia press release


- Brad Haugaard