Monrovia Reads Kicks Off Mobile Literacy Program

Monrovia Reads is kicking off its mobile literacy and recreation program with a visit to Greater Ambassador Church, 420 Monrovista, Thursday, May 29, 3:30-5 p.m. Reading, tutoring, sports, arts and crafts, board games, health and wellness, character development, guest speakers, etc. (City of Monrovia photo.)

- Brad Haugaard

Trader Joe's Hummus and Dip Recalled

Hummus and 5-layer dip from Monrovia-based Trader Joe's is being recalled. Possible listeria contamination: http://goo.gl/GLv2X1

- Brad Haugaard

Festival of the Foothills Today and Tomorrow at Monrovia's Immaculate Conception Church

Immaculate Conception Church, on Shamrock, is holding its Festival of the Foothills today and Sunday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and 1-11 p.m. Sunday. Live bands, rides, games, food and craft beer.

- Brad Haugaard

Myrtle Avenue Sunrise

I saw this sunrise from the Pavilions parking lot a couple months ago and painted it. It is looking east from the Starbucks toward Myrtle.

- Brad Haugaard

Picture of Paint n' Play Burglary Suspect

Picture of the man suspected of ransacking Monrovia's Paint n' Play: http://goo.gl/QqJjtS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School District: Add Jobs? AP Classes; Governor's Budget

At its next regular meeting on May 28, 7 p.m. (agenda: http://goo.gl/g6zKre ), the Monrovia School Board will ...

~ Consider adding four new clerical positions to the district's Human Resources department. http://goo.gl/u547UJ

~ Hear reports on Advance Placement U.S. and European history and a K-5 math curriculum.

~ Hear about Governor Jerry Brown's budget proposal, which affects the schools. The report addresses the state's $74 billion unfunded liability for teacher retirement, establishing a rainy day fund, and the expiration of Prop 30 taxes. http://goo.gl/GLGedV

- Brad Haugaard

The Bear Went Over the Mountain

Video of a bear crossing Mountain Avenue. I can't quite place where it is on Mountain, but looks like it may be close to Foothill. http://goo.gl/9el7EC

- Brad Haugaard

Memorial Day Ceremony at Monrovia's Live Oak Memorial Park

There will be a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 26, 10 a.m. at Live Oak Memorial Park and Mortuary (200 E. Duarte Road) with the Upper San Gabriel Valley Allied Veteran's Council. All are welcome.

The local VFW Post 2070 maintains a Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor all those from the local area who have died while defending our country. Details: http://goo.gl/WPp1Vy

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Budget Study Session | Unity Center Fundraiser | Chu Anti-Hazing Amendment

~ Special City Council study session on the budget, Tuesday, May 27, at 5:00 p.m. http://goo.gl/geJIxN

~ Fundraiser for Foothill Unity Center Auxiliary on Tuesday, May 27, 3-9 p.m. at Paco's Mexican Restaurant on Foothill in Arcadia. Ten percent of all dining proceeds, whether dining in or out, go to help low income families through the Unity Center.

~ An amendment by Congresswoman Judy Chu to the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act would require the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on anti-hazing efforts of each branch of the military. The amendment also requires updated reports from the service branches on their hazing prevention and response efforts. Her amendment was approved by a voice vote. Chu represents part of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/2BeILS

- Brad Haugaard

The Folks Who Keep Monrovia Clean and Working

As part of National Public Works Week, May 18-24, Monrovia is recognizing the importance of its public works people. These men and women oversee the streets, sidewalks, traffic systems, water system, sewer system, trash pickup, street sweeping, parks and more. City of Monrovia photo.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Wang's Place

Lunch at Wang's Place, Chinese restaurant on Lemon just east of Myrtle. Got the nine dollar lunch special with Kung Pao chicken, white rice and hot-and-sour soup.  Plus a beer for $5. Came with Japanese tempura, so it was kind of fusion-y. Really good. Liked it a lot. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assembly Member's Grease Law Passes Assembly

A bill by Assembly member Chris Holden to combat the growing problem of kitchen grease theft has passed by unanimous vote in the Assembly and now heads to the Senate. Holden represents Monrovia.

"Restaurants are finding that their used kitchen grease is a hot commodity that has sparked grease wars in a battle over who can cash in on the 'liquid gold' that is then converted into biodiesel fuel," explained Assemblymember Holden. "This bill closes a loophole in enforcement code that will make it easier to stop the bad players."

According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, a typical fast-food restaurant produces 150-250 pounds of grease a week and a fully loaded pumper truck could bring in as much as $900 at a recycling center. Thieves often strike in the night and syphon off the used grease and sell it on the black market.

AB 1566 gives law enforcement the tools they need to stop modern-day oil rustlers by beefing up requirements for licensed haulers, increasing the penalties for stealing grease and allowing law enforcement to impound vehicles for up to 15 days.

About 3 billion pounds of used oil is produced in the U.S. each year. Biodiesel is a product of vegetable oil or animal fat mixed with alcohol that can be turned into usable engine fuel or added to regular diesel.

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

War Amputee Soccer Demonstration at Monrovia's Library Park

International Full Gospel Fellowship / Restored Life Fellowship (i.e., the church at Primrose and Palm) will hold a summer kick-off on June 1, 2-5 p.m. with a party in Library Park. There will a special soccer demonstration by young people who had limbs amputated, as shown in the movie "Blood Diamond." Also, live music with The Johnnies, taco truck, games, free car wash. For more information, call 358-7700.

- Brad Haugaard

Possibility of Severe Thunderstorm

The National Weather Service is predicting the possibility of a "severe thunderstorm" (one-inch hail and gusts to 60 mph) in effect until about 4:15 p.m. today for northeast LA County. It seems this is probably referring to the north side of the mountains, but couldn't hurt to carry an umbrella. http://goo.gl/PL16Ok

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Resident on Let's Make a Deal

CBS has written me a note to say that Monrovian George Brown will be on CBS’ Let's Make a Deal on Thursday, May 29.

 

- Brad Haugaard