Monrovia Assemblyman's 'Choose California' Farm Products Bill

Assemblyman Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has released a statement about his bill that would require government institutions to buy California produce first ( reported on earlier here: http://goo.gl/2ff4h ). The press release says:

Under AB 199, state-owned or state-run institutions would be required to Choose California farm products. Public institutions - such as public schools, prisons or hospitals - would have to buy agricultural products grown in California before buying from out-of-state suppliers.

"It just makes sense to put California-grown crops first," said Assemblymember Holden. "It's a win-win for everyone. The public institutions get a locally-grown product, we're helping create opportunities for our farmers and a new appreciation for local food helps stimulate the economy.

Choose California is similar to the federal Buy America Act that requires government entities to buy American. In order to get preferential treatment, state-grown products must not exceed the price of those grown out-of-state by more than 5%.  School districts must purchase California grown products first as long as they aren't more expensive than out-of-state products.

"California farmers strongly support having California government institutions purchase food grown in our state," California Farm Bureau President Paul Wenger said. "This bill would introduce more Californians to the amazing variety of agricultural products grown in the state and help them develop the healthy habit of seeking out nutritious, affordable California-grown foods, which will have long-term benefits to farmers and the agricultural economy."

According to the Department of Food & Agriculture, California is the number one state in agricultural output with farms and ranches earning a record $43 billion last year.

Comment: The only thing that escapes me about this is: Why is it necessary? Isn't California still an amazing agricultural powerhouse? Isn't it cheaper to ship produce from the Imperial Valley or Central Valley than from out of state? And if so, why is it necessary to force local governments to buy California produce? If for some reason it is cheaper to get produce from out of state, then this seems to be a 5% additional cost on the produce purchased by California schools. Schools aren't on a tight enough budget already?

- Brad Haugaard

Antonovich Provides Quarter of a Million for Monrovia Park

Monrovia City Council Member Becky Shevlin reports that County Supervisor Michael Antonovich has authorized $250,000 to help upgrade Monrovia's Julian Fisher Park. Shevlin said the park actually needs about a $1 million for a full upgrade, but $250,000 is a great start.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Reads Fundraiser | Black History Month

~ Monrovia Reads is having a fundraiser on Thursday, March 7, from 6-9 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Monrovia. Tickets are $50 per person. Call Diane Delmatoff for tickets: 303-6600

~ Celebrating Black History in Film, with the Pasadena Cow Girls. Feb. 9, 5-8 p.m. at Julian Fisher Memorial Park at 915 S. California Ave.

~ Also for Black History Month, "At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality," Feb. 24, 2-5 p.m. at Monrovia United Methodist Church.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Organizations I Hadn't Really Heard About

Organizations I didn't really know about in Monrovia:

- The American Legion (for veterans) meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Community Center.
- Tzu Chi (corner of Palm and Ivy) does relief, medical, educational and cultural projects. It has been involved in Hurricane Sandy relief.
- Moms Club of Monrovia. Playdates, excursions, park days, discussion groups, service projects and more: http://goo.gl/BFZrT

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Maryknoll Card Party

Maryknoll sisters in Monrovia will hold a Happy Hearts luncheon and card party on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the Maryknoll Guild, Annex Building, 300 Norumbega Drive, in Monrovia. Luncheon is at noon and card players may come at 10 a.m. We play all kinds of cards: Bridge, Canasta, Rummy or Cribbage. Single card players will be matched to complete a table of four. $15 per person. Call for reservations: (626) 358-1825

- Brad Haugaard

Skunk in Monrovia to Film Commercial

Skunk Productions films American Express commercial: http://goo.gl/MVbds . Picture: http://goo.gl/Xuf00

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Rubio's

Lunch at Rubio's, the Mexican restaurant next to Toys R Us in the Huntington Oaks shopping center. Got The Original Fish Taco plate for $6.49 and an iced tea for $1.69, plus tax. Nice.

- Brad Haugaard

Artsy Bridge | At the Monrovia Library | Success!

~ Gold Line bridge featured as work of art. Artsy pictures: http://goo.gl/A3GJj

~ Upcoming at the Library this month ( http://goo.gl/735kE ):
 - Feb. 5, noon to 1:30 p.m. LinkedIn for Job Seekers.
 - Feb. 9, 1-3 p.m. Native and Edible Gardens.
 - Feb. 16 1-4 p.m. Using Your Computer to Make Money.
 - Feb. 26, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Novel T's Book Club.

~ Monrovians speak on business success. http://goo.gl/cO0AU

- Brad Haugaard

Will City Settle Developer and Metro Lawsuits? | Bacteria | Urban Rescue Equipment

At its Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/zxDtF ) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider settling three rail-line related lawsuits, two between Monrovia and Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority, and one between the city and developer Samuelson & Fetter, LLC, which initially sued for $106 million ( http://goo.gl/JgdeM ). The staff report, here - http://goo.gl/Nvrgk - gives no detail about the terms of the proposed settlements.

~ Consider an agreement with the Gateway Cites Council of Governments to share costs for cleaning up the LA River (I think the river down the 605 dumps into the LA River), because it has too much bacteria. http://goo.gl/tYbFc

~ Consider whether to use $29,282.94 of Homeland Security money to buy urban search and rescue equipment. http://goo.gl/zaJr4

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Stats | New Dental Office

~ Some interesting statistical information about Monrovia from the latest city newsletter (scroll down a bit): http://goo.gl/BMwup

~ New dental office in town. http://goo.gl/yxB0V

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Police to Destroy Toy Gun, Student Suspended; Car Theft; Residential Burglaries

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Jan. 28-30. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 386 service events, resulting in 80 investigations.

Juvenile Problem

January 28 at 11:42 a.m., officers were dispatched to an elementary school in the 200 block of Jasmine Avenue. A 10-year-old student was found to be in possession of a plastic Airsoft pistol. The student said he left it in his backpack from the day before and forgot he had it in the backpack. He showed it to a fellow student. The fellow student later reported the incident to school personnel. The principal called the student in and retrieved the Airsoft pistol. There were no plastic BB's or magazine clips with the pistol. The student's parent was notified and responded to the school. The parent later surrendered two additional Airsoft pistols and requested Monrovia Police Department have them destroyed. No injuries were reported and the school will be suspending the student. The incident was documented.

Grand Theft Auto

January 28 at 7:11 p.m., police responded to the 600 block of Vaquero on the report of a stolen vehicle. The victim parked and locked her vehicle on the street at 4 p.m. in the evening. She returned to her vehicle the next day a little after 7 p.m. and discovered it had been stolen. The vehicle is a blue, 1991 Toyota Camry. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 29 at 10:33 a.m., police dispatch received an alarm call from a residence located in the 400 block of Parkrose. The alarm was heard by neighbors who checked outside after a few minutes and saw the front door of the residence was open and called police. Officers responded and realized the front door appeared to have been kicked open. Containment of the area was established and the residence checked. No suspect(s) were located or seen by neighbors. It appears the suspect(s) kicked the front door and headed straight to the master bedroom. The loss appears to be costume jewelry. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 30 at 3:54 p.m., police responded to the report of a burglary in the 200 block of North Mountain. The resident left at 7:20 a.m. and returned at 3:30 p.m. Upon her return, she discovered her home had been broken into and ransacked. The loss was jewelry from the master bedroom. The suspect(s) entered through an unlocked living room window and ransacked the entire residence. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 30 at 11:12 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 400 block of Norumbega. The crime occurred between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. The suspect(s) forced open the front door and the house was ransacked. Jewelry was stolen from the location. The investigation is continuing.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Xylem Spa Opening in Old Town Monrovia

Xylem (pronounced zy-lem) Salon & Spa, at 198 S. Myrtle in Old Town, will hold its grand opening celebration on Feb. 10 from 3-7 p.m. It will include a journey throughout the Salon and Spa to experience complimentary Aveda Sensory Rituals for skin, body, hair and make-up, along with complimentary gift bags, and exclusive incentives. To RSVP, call 539-3244.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Talk to Teens About Money

Talking to Teens About Money, a free three-night series. The basics of handling money. Feb. 5, 12, and 19 - all Tuesdays - from 6:30-7:15 p.m. at the Library.

- Brad Haugaard

Overturned Car on 210 Backs Up Homebound Traffic | Chu: Government Cuts Hurt 2012 Economy

~ At this moment an overturned car on the 210 East at Azusa is blocking the middle lane, traffic is backed up to Lake. http://goo.gl/0Byc8

~ Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Monrovia, says on Facebook of the report that the economy declined in the last quarter of 2012: "The fact that GDP growth shrunk shows how cutting government spending hurts the economy. Businesses need certainty to prosper. That's why we must reduce our debt responsibly - but not with draconian sequestration cuts."

- Brad Haugaard

City of Monrovia Waxes Poetic About Unmanned Time Warner Communications Center

The City of Monrovia reports - in poetry, believe it or not - that Time Warner has finished building an unmanned facility at 446 E. Duarte Road. The facility houses electronic equipment necessary to provide video, data, and wire line phone services. http://goo.gl/ggYuV

- Brad Haugaard