Monrovia-based Trader Joe's Is Favorite Market

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's is consumer's favorite market, according to a recent survey: http://goo.gl/XVRCrm

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Club Donates for Kids | Assembly Approves Holden Bills

~ Club Cure, of Monrovia High, has donated $150 to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and $150 to Make a Wish Foundation.

~ Two bills by Monrovia's Assemblyman, Chris Holden, have been approved by the Assembly. AB 1586, approved 52-23, would move unemployed Californians to the front of the hiring line by requiring certain state contractors to give priority to workers who are receiving unemployment benefits or to workers who have exhausted unemployment benefits. AB 1921, approved 55-15, requires contractors doing business with the state in excess of $25,000 to provide records on how that money is being spent.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fine Arts Awards

At its awards dinner, Monrovia Association of Fine Arts will honor Sal Perez, Monrovia High Art Teacher, Katie Gundersen, MAFA Board Treasurer, and first-grader Troy Hsiao for having his birthday guests contribute to MAFA instead of buying him gifts. Also, the Association will award art scholarships to: Annis Munoz, Canyon Oaks High; Sarah Hickey, Monrovia High; Taylor Figueroa, Monrovia High; Jonathan Walter Bailey, Monrovia High. The dinner is June 6 at the Monrovia Doubletree. Call 605-3148 for details and tickets.

- Brad Haugaard

Memorial Day Flyover over Monrovia

Memorial Day flyover by World War II era airplanes. I was kind of surprised to see German markings on a couple of them, though you can't make it out from this poor photo.

Update: Michael Sheehan has a better photo, and you can see the German markings: http://goo.gl/fbFprJ

- Brad Haugaard

Is This Your Missing Dog?

Whose puppy is this? Found near Bradoaks School in Monrovia. Wonder Dog Ranch is taking care of him: http://goo.gl/lBLY4X

- Brad Haugaard

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