Monrovia Schools Seeks Comment on Local Control Plan

Monrovia School District invites you to comment on its Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) plan. Here's the detail: https://goo.gl/yZwPDr . Click on Thought Exchange to comment.

- Brad Haugaard

Afro-Latin Ensemble Under Direction of Monrovia Resident Releases Second Album

Under the guidance of Monrovia resident and band director Professor Paul De Castro, the Cal State LA Afro Latin Ensemble has released its second album, Setenta, a compilation of classics and new compositions.

A Cal State LA press release describes it as "a passionate, sophisticated work that revels in its cultural tradition. Breezy flutes and bright trumpets, nimble and intricate percussion work and a sultry modern take on Leonard Bernstein's 'Maria' are just a few of the delights this joyful album packs."

"The goals were very high. I didn't accept second-rate anything," De Castro said of the album. "We had the best arrangements, great guest stars, and I put the pressure on the students."

The group began in 1999 as a Latin jazz ensemble, founded by students who sought the advice of De Castro, a Cal State LA alumnus and faculty member in the College of Arts and Letters.

As a scholar of Afro Latin music and a professional pianist, De Castro was an ideal faculty advisor for the fledgling Latin jazz ensemble. He incorporated traditional Caribbean rhythms, particularly those from Cuba, and invited vocalists to join the group.

Wearing signature guayabera shirts featuring the Cal State LA logo, the ensemble has played at venues such as the Autry Museum and Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. In 2000, the 22-person ensemble performed in Cuba, and 10 years later, they played before an audience of 2,000 in China.

"Our main goal," De Castro says, "is to make people feel happy, to make people want to move and dance."

Here's a taste of the music: https://vimeo.com/318-59163

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Health Fair at Unity Center

Health and Resource Fair at Foothill Unity Center (790 W. Chestnut) on March 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Medical screenings, food, raffle, health insurance enrollment, food bank, more.

- Brad Haugaard

Arsonist? Second House Fire in Two Days

Another house fire, last night. This time on Walnut west of Monterey. The street is blocked off at Monterey. Arson?

Update: person of interest detained - https://goo.gl/d7DB7u

- Brad Haugaard

Jewish Food Festival April 7 at Library Park

On Sunday, April 7, the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys will present the Jewish Food Festival at Library Park in Monrovia, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. This event will celebrate the diverse culinary traditions of Jewish communities throughout the world and throughout history.

The festival will feature favorites such as Matzah Ball Soup, Brisket Sandwiches, Falafel, Black and White cookies, Noodle Kugel and others. Food demonstrations will include pickle making, challah braiding and soft matzah. There will be a special Kids Zone area with bounce houses, craft projects, face painting, balloon artist, a chance to explore a fire truck and police car, and a couple places for kids to read to dogs. Other opportunities include a Beer and Wine Garden, and a Visual Arts Exhibition showcasing local Jewish artisans.

Musical performances will take place throughout the day and will be headlined by Mostly Kosher, the acclaimed klezmer gypsy-rock band that spent the past two years as part of Disney's Festival of Holidays, and children's recording artist Jason Mesches.

The event is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at the festival or online at www.jewishsgpv.org/jewish-food-festival or by calling 445-0810. For more information about the Jewish Food Festival, please call the Jewish Federation at 445-0810.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Destroys Monrovia Home Under Construction

Last night a fire destroyed a large Monrovia house under construction on West Colorado, just east of Monterey. https://goo.gl/Mft6Rh

- Brad Haugaard

Elementary Co-Ed Flag Football and Cheer

Co-ed 4th and 5th grade flag football and cheer. Registration now open. Details: https://goo.gl/oGh6H5

- Brad Haugaard

Get $250 Worth of Low-Water Plants for Free

The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, which serves Monrovia, is now offering a Plant Voucher Program, giving residents up to $250 dollars worth of water efficient plants from Garden View Nursery in Irwindale.

When applying, you will be asked to provide a water bill to verify residency within the service area. Once verified, you'll get a voucher number which you can present at the nursery for plants.

For additional information or to apply, go here: https://goo.gl/XFeTgx. For questions email plantvoucher@ecotechservices.net.

- Brad Haugaard

Elementary School Math Bee

Monrovia Unified School District will hold its second annual Next Generation Elementary School Math Bee for students third to fifth grade on Wednesday, March 27 at Monrovia High School, Room 210, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The event is aimed at nurturing mathematical skills in elementary school students, and stimulating enthusiasm and a passion for mathematics. https://goo.gl/WJZ6Gd

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus Top Two-Year College for Awarding English and Literature/Letters Degrees to Minorities

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has been ranked first among all public two-year community colleges in the United States for the number of associate degrees awarded in English language and literature/letters to minority students, according to "Top 100 Associate Degree Producers," published by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Trader Joe's to Cut Down on Plastic Usage

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's has announced it will be cutting down on its use of single-use plastics. https://goo.gl/9mhVYd

- Brad Haugaard

Meeting About Proposed Sales Tax; County Area Out of GoMonrovia; Treasures Program is a Finalist; Community Gardens; Pam Fitzpatrick; Youth Sports

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports:

~ There will be an open meeting to talk about adopting a sales tax for Monrovia. The meeting will take place at the Library Community Room on Monday, March 11, from 6-7 p.m. The idea is to max out the allowable sales tax for the city so if - as city officials believe is highly likely - the county adds a new tax, it won't get anything because Monrovians would already be paying the top allowable rate, and all the bucks would be going to Monrovia instead of to the county.

~ County area adjacent to Monrovia will no longer be part of the GoMonrovia Lyft-car program. The county declined to pony up the necessary money. Also, the big dial-a-ride buses for handicapped residents will be replaced by smaller vans (Comment: Good!). They're $3.29 an hour cheaper to operate.

~  Monrovia's Neighborhood Treasures program has been chosen as one of seven finalist - out of 30 entries - in the Best Neighborhood Program competition by Neighborhoods, USA. Monrovia's program displays public art in the neighborhoods of residents who have contributed to the community.

~ The Monrovia Community Garden Pilot Program is set to launch in May or June at Mountainside Communion Church at the northwest corner of Colorado and Magnolia. There will be private raised beds for rent, educational workshops, and public demonstration gardens. There will be an informational meeting on Saturday, April 13, in the Library Community Room from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 

~ An Old Town Memorial Bench in honor of Pam Fitzpatrick will be unveiled on March 8 (her birthday) at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Dollmakers store on Myrtle Avenue.

~ Registration is now open for the new Youth Sports Program featuring Flag Football and Cheer. The program, at Recreation Park, is open to fourth and fifth grade boys and girls. Details: https://goo.gl/oGh6H5

- Brad Haugaard

Shy But Affectionate Kitty Needs Home

Cookie (A472816) is a 4-year-old brown tabby who is a little shy at first, as you can see, but is very affectionate. Volunteers say once they approach slowly and she gains trust, she comes up to you and allows you to pet her. She was unfortunately turned in with a sister, Ginger (A472817), when their owner needed to move and couldn’t care for them any longer. They would prefer to be adopted together so they are a little bit more confident upon entering their new home. Visit Cookie and Ginger at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA.

The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Hirsch Opens 23rd Branch in Monrovia

Hirsch Pipe & Supply has opened its twenty third Southern California location in Monrovia. The new branch is at 1726 S. Myrtle Ave. Phone at 406-1136 and fax at 406-1137.

Throughout March customers can hand in their business cards for a a chance to win a $50 gift card, which will be raffled off during weekly Friday BBQs with vendors such as Kohler, Bradford White, Sloan, Liberty Pumps, American Water Heaters, Takagi Tankless, Nortiz and others.

- Brad Haugaard

March

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current and new customers alike can hand in their

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Monrovia Color Guard Takes Third Place

The Monrovia Color Guard took third place at the WGASC (Winter Guard Association of Southern California) Signature Show North, with its performance of Starry Starry Night, Saturday March 2, at the MHS Event Center. Watch here: 

https://youtu.be/6tmersnvEUc