Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Fest on April 29

The Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Association will host its signature event, Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Cultural Art and Music Festival Sunday, April 29 from 12 pm until 9 pm on Myrtle Avenue in Old Town Monrovia.  This free, all-ages Old Town street festival features musical performances from popular local and international artists, a children’s area, over 100 booths featuring local artists, a canned food drive benefiting the Foothill Unity Center, and more.  

 Over 15,000 people are expected to attend the second year celebration. Monrovia will join over 100 US cities celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Puebla.

 The all-day festival kicks-off with ballet Folklorico and traditional Oaxacan calenda dance performances. Followed by musical renderings by La Santa Cecilia, whose unique sound blends Pan-American rhythms like cumbia, bossa nova, rumba, and tango with modern rock and jazz. The fiesta continues at the children’s stage where circus clowns, a bubble and exotic animal show and more await kids partaking in the festivities. Attendees will also be treated to Monrovia’s own Delgado Brothers performing their Latin infused blues and have the opportunity to savor many flavors of Mexican cuisine from local area favorite, Rudy’s Mexican Food as well as other delicious cuisine from participating restaurants.

 The cultural and arts festival will also include performances from Juan Carlos Quintero, Los Dominantes and Potro Norteno. The celebration will culminate with a very special performance from ranchera Mexican crooner Hector Dominguez and Los Caporales de Santos Beccerra belting out heartfelt ballads and classics.

 “The Monrovia Cinco De Mayo Cultural Art and Music Festival in 2011 began as a way to showcase local talent, build community, and celebrate the many historic   contributions Mexican Americans and all Hispanics have made to this great country. I am thrilled at the amazing response the event garnered last year and am excited to continue and expand this wonderful cultural celebration," said  Rutilio  Castrellon, President of the Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Association.

 In addition, the Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Cultural Art and Music Festival will involve a philanthropic aspect to the celebration. With the events strong ties to the community a can food drive will take place at the event to benefit the Foothill Unity Center. The Foothill Unity Center provides food, crisis assistance and access to health care resources to San Gabriel Valley families. All services are free. Last year, the Foothill Unity Center helped over 12,000 families.

The public is encouraged to bring canned foods to the event. The goal is to collect over 5,000 canned goods and non-perishable food items at the event.  

 The second year, Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Cultural Art and Music Festival is a high-spirited affair that celebrates community, music, and philanthropy. The focus of Monrovia’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration is to bring the community together for a fun-filled, family event while celebrating the beauty and rich-history of the city.

 For more information on the Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Cultural Arts and Music Festival, please visit www.monrovia5demayo.org.

 Source: Press release

 - Brad Haugaard

 

Monrovia Gardens on Tour | Shevlins Honored | Rain Postpones Games | Gold Line Wins Website Award

~ 9th Annual Theodore Payne Garden Tour this Saturday and Sunday. Pix of the Monrovia gardens here: http://goo.gl/wVjXO

 ~ Monrovians Chris and Becky Shevlin will be honored with the Mary Wilcox Youth Advocacy Award at this year's Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills. http://goo.gl/PBP4p

 ~ Rain postponed a couple Monrovia games. http://goo.gl/kLjsU

 ~ The Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority has received the 2011 Service Industry Advertising Merit Award for website design: http://goo.gl/ehO6r

 - Brad Haugaard

Republicans Ask Brown for Help Against Democrats Against Brown

State Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (who represents Monrovia) and the Republican Senate leadership, have sent a letter to Governor Jerry Brown asking for his leadership in urging his Democratic colleagues and the members of the Conference Committee on Public Employee Pensions to allow an up or down vote to be taken on Governor Brown’s “Twelve Point Pension Reform Plan” at the committee’s hearing on Friday, April 13th.  http://goo.gl/l8Bjg

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Year Could be Cut | Boot Camp Bill

~ Monrovia school year could be cut by 21 days. http://goo.gl/1qGZ7

 

~ "Boot camps," such as the one run in Pasadena by now-arrested  Monrovian, Kelvin McFarland. Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, is helping push the legislation. http://goo.gl/ug4Zq

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's World Vision Suspends Relief in Mali Due to Insecurity

Monrovia's World Vision has halted its relief efforts in the African country of Mali because of insecurity following a recent coup, but says it will "resume relief work as soon as the security situation allows." http://goo.gl/C1nEk

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Chamber Wants Local Control of Ontario Airport

The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce reports via Twitter that it "is supporting the effort to obtain local control of Ontario Airport." (LA currently controls it.) A petition page: http://goo.gl/ebAER

 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman's Smog Bill Shot Down

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, says a smog-check bill he presented was voted down on a party line vote. Donnelly writes: "Current law requires that a vehicle receive a new smog check both every 2 years and upon transfer of vehicle ownership even if the vehicle being transferred is already in compliance. This duplicative requirement is unnecessary and creates another financial burden for Californians." Source: http://goo.gl/2ZcMq

 

- Brad Haugaard

Job Event | Will Scoby Play for Monrovia? | MHS Scholarship | Mayflower Fundraiser | Biz Showcase | Green-Tech Talk

~ All-day job seekers event from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 5 at the library. Details: http://goo.gl/vdk6L

 

~ Football player Kurt Scoby to Monrovia or Duarte? http://goo.gl/mjmgN

 

~ Monrovia High ASB is raising money for a scholarship in honor of former MHS student, Davien Gram, who was a victim of gang violence. This scholarship will be awarded to a senior who writes an essay best describing how gang violence has affected his or her life. http://goo.gl/HmTxA

 

~ Fundraiser for Mayflower School tonight at Islands Restaurant. Print this coupon: http://goo.gl/ciLAe

 

~ A Business Showcase in Old Town Monrovia on Friday, April 27, in the 700 block of Myrtle Ave., 5-9 p.m. at the Family Festival. Details for exhibitors here: http://goo.gl/HZgfg

 

~ A green-tech talk on Earth Day, 1-3 p.m. April 21 at the Monrovia Library. Speaker is Gale Banks of Gale Banks Engineering. 256-8274 to reserve a spot. http://goo.gl/vjecP

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Craigslist Robbery, Pink-Primer Burglarmobile, Waving a Pistol, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 5-8. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.  

 

Robbery

April 5 at 2:14 p.m., a robbery was reported in the 1600 block of South Mountain.  A female victim went to a business parking lot to meet a subject she contacted on Craigslist.  The victim was purchasing a brand new iPhone from the suspect.  The suspect approached the victim, who was standing outside her vehicle, and handed her a box.  As she inspected the box, the suspect grabbed her money from the front pocket of her sweatshirt, and the force caused her to fall backwards. The suspect fled with the money, running north towards Evergreen.  He was described as a male White, 30 years old, 6'0", 180 pounds, black spiked hair, wearing a grey sweatshirt.  Investigation continuing.

 

Residential Burglary

April 5 at 5:42 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of Mountain reported that someone had broken into their home.  The suspect entered the location through a front window and ransacked the home, taking jewelry, a safe, and other miscellaneous items.   A neighbor saw a possible suspect on the property.  The suspect is described as a male Hispanic or Filipino, 25 years old, 5'5", thin build, wearing glasses, a tan sweater and blue jeans. The suspect was driving a white, 2 door, older model Acura, with pink primer around the doors and a black paper license plate with the word "power" written on it.  Investigation  continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

April 5 at 5:54 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 300 block of South Canyon.  The victim parked her vehicle on the street at 7:30 p.m. and returned to her vehicle the next morning at 9:00 a.m.  There were no signs of forced entry, and the victim did not realize a seat was missing from the vehicle until 5:00 p.m. that day.  She then reported the burglary to police.  Investigation continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

April 6 at 10:48 a.m., a vehicle was reported burglarized in the 1800 block of Sixth Avenue.  The vehicle was parked in the street in front of a residence at 1:00 a.m. and locked.  The victim returned to vehicle 10:30 a.m. and found the passenger door unlocked.  The glove compartment was ransacked and her purse was taken from the trunk.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Brandishing a Handgun in a Threatening Manner

April 8 at 7:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Los Angeles Street regarding a suspect that drove by in a black Nissan Altima, brandishing a handgun in a threatening manner.  The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter was monitoring the radio frequency and located the suspect vehicle.  The helicopter directed responding units to the vehicle and it was stopped at Ivy and Cypress.  The victim positively identified the vehicle and the driver, as the suspect, but she did not desire prosecution.  The vehicle was searched, but the gun was not located.  The driver was unlicensed and did not have valid identification.  He was arrested and later released upon verifying his identity.  A passenger was arrested for violation of Monrovia's gang injunction and was taken into custody.  Two other occupants in the vehicle were identified and released.

 

 

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

 

Weapons Violation - Suspect Arrested

April 7 at 8:20 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Treelane and Camino Real because the license plate was found to have a warrant associated to it.  Upon contacting the female driver, she was found to be unlicensed.  A search of the vehicle revealed a small amount of marijuana inside the vehicle and a handgun was found concealed in the engine compartment; the gun was wrapped in a white towel and wedged against the vehicle battery.  The male passenger is the registered owner of the vehicle.  He was arrested and charged for possessing the firearm.  He was also found to be in possession of a stolen access card.

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