Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, writes that he is "proud to author a bill (AB 1672) that will help more students stay in the classroom and out of the courtroom."
"If schools aren't tracking what students are missing you won't be able to effectively fix the problem. Second graders are missing school and arriving late for very different reasons than 11th graders. Requiring County Offices of Education to forward the complete reports to the Dept. of Education will allow them to identify trends and find best practices to address this crisis.
"AB 1672 requires local Student Attendance Review Boards (SARB) to report information on student enrollment, absence and truancy rates, referrals to the district attorney and intervention outcomes. Current SARB reports provide minimal information about intervention outcomes, so it is difficult to get the full picture."
Text of law with the additional things schools would need to report: http://goo.gl/DBU4Ku
Source: Holden press release
Comment: I'm kind of torn on this. It seems it might be a good thing if additional information can help reduce truancy, but it bothers me that this is yet another example of the state placing more and more requirements on local school districts, as if they don't have enough to do already. UPDATE: See knowledgeable response by "Alex" in comments.
- Brad Haugaard
2014 Monrovia Older American of the Year Award
The City of Monrovia, Department of Community Services, is accepting nominations for the 2014 Older American of the Year Award. This award is presented to a Monrovian 60 years of age or older, working or retired, and still actively involved in volunteer service in Monrovia. The purpose of this award is to honor and encourage older individuals to remain active in the community.
Nomination applications are now available [ here: http://goo.gl/E7J6pw ] and must be returned by Monday, March 31, to the Department of Community Services; 119 West Palm Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016 - Attention: Rebecca Romero. A committee will review the applications and select an award recipient by Monday, April 7.
Individuals who submit nominations must provide their name, address and phone number for Staff to contact them if further information is necessary. For additional information, please contact the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246.
The City of Monrovia will recognize the Older American Award recipient at the following events:
- Senior Recognition Luncheon, Thursday, April 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 West Palm.
- The 49th Annual Older Americans Recognition Day Awards on a date to be decided at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Music Center Grand Hall in Los Angeles.
Source: City of Monrovia press release
- Brad Haugaard
Nomination applications are now available [ here: http://goo.gl/E7J6pw ] and must be returned by Monday, March 31, to the Department of Community Services; 119 West Palm Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016 - Attention: Rebecca Romero. A committee will review the applications and select an award recipient by Monday, April 7.
Individuals who submit nominations must provide their name, address and phone number for Staff to contact them if further information is necessary. For additional information, please contact the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246.
The City of Monrovia will recognize the Older American Award recipient at the following events:
- Senior Recognition Luncheon, Thursday, April 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 West Palm.
- The 49th Annual Older Americans Recognition Day Awards on a date to be decided at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Music Center Grand Hall in Los Angeles.
Source: City of Monrovia press release
- Brad Haugaard
Horse Painting Exhibit at Monrovia's Segil Fine Arts
Approaching the Racecourse, 9x12, acrylic
"Horses of Different Colors," an exhibit of horse racing pictures by Robert Zirillo. March 15 - Aprill 26 at Segil Fine Art, 110 West Lime. http://goo.gl/BOMq2k
- Brad Haugaard
Help Monrovia Robotics Team | Bookmark Contest | Tax Prep | Fish Dinner | Benefit for Centre Stage
~ Monrovia High robotics team, The Kings and Queens, is halfway to its goal of raising the funds to go to the Western U.S. Championship Tournament in Sacramento later this month. http://goo.gl/Pa7lD9
~ Friends of the Monrovia Public Library Bookmark Contest. Entry form at the Youth Desk. Design a bookmark and return it to the library by April 12. Winners are printed and distributed to the public during the 2014 Summer Reading Club. Winners chosen from five age categories and receive 50 of their printed designs. Open to all ages.
~ Monrovia's Tzu Chi offers free tax preparation to families earning less than $52,000 a year.
~ Monrovia Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Dinners; every Friday through Good Friday. 130 West Pomona. Dinner served 5:30-8:30 p.m. Adults $9; child $6; grilled cheese $4. Details: 359-6489
~ Benefit to replace equipment stolen from Centre Stage. Thursday, March 20 and Fri, March 21. "The Lights of Broadway," at Arcadia Christian Church 1900 S. Santa Anita Ave. Arcadia.
Thanks to Becky Shevlin for several of these items.
- Brad Haugaard
~ Friends of the Monrovia Public Library Bookmark Contest. Entry form at the Youth Desk. Design a bookmark and return it to the library by April 12. Winners are printed and distributed to the public during the 2014 Summer Reading Club. Winners chosen from five age categories and receive 50 of their printed designs. Open to all ages.
~ Monrovia's Tzu Chi offers free tax preparation to families earning less than $52,000 a year.
~ Monrovia Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Dinners; every Friday through Good Friday. 130 West Pomona. Dinner served 5:30-8:30 p.m. Adults $9; child $6; grilled cheese $4. Details: 359-6489
~ Benefit to replace equipment stolen from Centre Stage. Thursday, March 20 and Fri, March 21. "The Lights of Broadway," at Arcadia Christian Church 1900 S. Santa Anita Ave. Arcadia.
Thanks to Becky Shevlin for several of these items.
- Brad Haugaard
Moon Gazing in Monrovia
Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers were at the corner of Myrtle and Lime this evening. I stopped by to take a look at Jupiter and the moon. Beautiful! The club comes to Old Town about one Saturday a month, depending on weather conditions and other stuff. Here is the club's website: http://otastro.org
- Brad Haugaard
Look at Jupiter Tonight at Monrovia's Library Park
"Int'l Sidewalk Astro Night Saturday March 8! Monrovia, CA Myrtle & Lime Streets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Starring the moon & Jupiter." From a Twitter post.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School Board: Wiring the Campus, Honorees, Etc.
At its March 12 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/LpNb05 ), the Monrovia School Board will ...
~ Consider purchasing a variety of electronic services, such as VOIP (phone calls over Internet), fiber optic wiring, networking equipment, wifi, and cell phones.
~ Consider applying for money from the state to pay for the technology improvements.
~ Honor lots of people, including science teams and those who contributed to them, student Youth of the Year finalists, and those who supported them, the Monrovia High Boys Varsity Soccer Team since they're the 2013-14 Rio Hondo League champions, the Healing Connections Committee for its coordination of the "March 4 Balance" Campaign.
(Here, by the way, are the finalists in Monrovia's Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year competition: Canyon Oaks High student Donye Neal, Monrovia High student Samantha Rodarte, and Monrovia High student Margarita Sandoval. Sandoval moves on to the Los Angeles County competition for Youth of the Year.)
~ Consider new chemistry and English classes.
- Brad Haugaard
~ Consider purchasing a variety of electronic services, such as VOIP (phone calls over Internet), fiber optic wiring, networking equipment, wifi, and cell phones.
~ Consider applying for money from the state to pay for the technology improvements.
~ Honor lots of people, including science teams and those who contributed to them, student Youth of the Year finalists, and those who supported them, the Monrovia High Boys Varsity Soccer Team since they're the 2013-14 Rio Hondo League champions, the Healing Connections Committee for its coordination of the "March 4 Balance" Campaign.
(Here, by the way, are the finalists in Monrovia's Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year competition: Canyon Oaks High student Donye Neal, Monrovia High student Samantha Rodarte, and Monrovia High student Margarita Sandoval. Sandoval moves on to the Los Angeles County competition for Youth of the Year.)
~ Consider new chemistry and English classes.
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Flamzz Pizza Restaurant
Lunch at the new Flamzz pizza restaurant at the corner of Ivy and Colorado. Simple, clean atmosphere. Got a BBQ chicken pizza ($7.50) and a soda ($1.95). Plus tax and tip. Very tasty. Kind of like California Pizza Kitchen.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Considers Julian Fisher Park Playground Equipment, and Park Fees
At its March 11 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/mlPr7D ), the Monrovia Community Services Commission will consider recommending the city buy playground equipment for Julian Fisher Park, and that it raise the per-use rental fee for the Library Park bandshell to $90 and the Recreation Park gazebo to $75. http://goo.gl/Plr53m
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Teen Stabbed | More on New Monrovia Football Coach | Fish Fry
~ Teen stabbed in possible gang crime. http://goo.gl/Ofb2IG
~ New Monrovia football coach: "My job is to go in there and not change anything." http://goo.gl/LVCy4B
~ VFW Fish Fry, Friday, March 7th, 5-7 p.m. $7 for Fish n Chips, $5 for Chicken n Chips. Every Friday til Easter. St. Patrick's Day, Corned Beef n Cabbage, Monday, March 17th.
- Brad Haugaard
~ New Monrovia football coach: "My job is to go in there and not change anything." http://goo.gl/LVCy4B
~ VFW Fish Fry, Friday, March 7th, 5-7 p.m. $7 for Fish n Chips, $5 for Chicken n Chips. Every Friday til Easter. St. Patrick's Day, Corned Beef n Cabbage, Monday, March 17th.
- Brad Haugaard
'Massage Envy' Coming to Monrovia
A company called, "Massage Envy" (apparently a local chain: http://goo.gl/PL91tZ ) is coming soon to a portion of the former Blockbuster video location on Foothill, according to Monrovia's Community Development Department. The department also reports that during tenant improvements a Ford logo was discovered beneath an interior veneer. Click to see: http://goo.gl/Ps9Hnw
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Former Monrovia Assemblyman Files to Run for Governor
Tim Donnelly (R), who represented Monrovia in the State Assembly before redistricting, announced on Facebook today that he has officially filed to run for governor. He writes: "Today I filed to become the 40th Governor of the Great State of California."
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police Will Be Watching for Drunk Drivers on St. Patrick's Day
On Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, the Monrovia Police Department will be participating in the regional “AVOID the 100” Anti-DUI Campaign. Officers will be deployed to provide DUI enforcement to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers in the Department's ongoing traffic safety campaign.DUI saturation patrols will deploy on March 17, 2014, between the hours of 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.
If you are hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party:
- Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you serve is involved in an impaired driving crash.
- Make sure all your guests designate a sober driver in advance or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
- Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
- Keep the phone numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving impaired.
Also, if you are attending a St. Patrick’s Day Party:
- Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
- If you do not have a designated driver, call a cab, sober friend, or family member to pick you up.
- Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive drunk.
- Always buckle up.
- Alcohol, not only dangerously impairs your driving skills, it impairs your judgment. If you see a friend under the influence of alcohol – don’t let them get behind the wheel.
Source: Monrovia Police Department
- Brad Haugaard
If you are hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party:
- Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you serve is involved in an impaired driving crash.
- Make sure all your guests designate a sober driver in advance or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
- Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
- Keep the phone numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving impaired.
Also, if you are attending a St. Patrick’s Day Party:
- Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
- If you do not have a designated driver, call a cab, sober friend, or family member to pick you up.
- Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive drunk.
- Always buckle up.
- Alcohol, not only dangerously impairs your driving skills, it impairs your judgment. If you see a friend under the influence of alcohol – don’t let them get behind the wheel.
Source: Monrovia Police Department
- Brad Haugaard
How Monrovia Ranks for Car Insurance | Evensong Performance | Chu Amendment Defeated
~ Apparently Monrovia is one of the more expensive California cities in which to purchase car insurance, ranking from cheapest (Calexico, number 1) to most expensive (Glendale, number 210), Monrovia ranks 165th. http://goo.gl/eCFIpf
~ The women of the choir of St. Luke's (at Foothill and California) along with guest singers, will present a free performance of its Seventh Annual Evensong Invitational for Women's Voices on Sunday, March 16, at 4 p.m., followed by a wine and cheese reception. The choir, conducted by Music Director and composer Kent Bennett Jones, will perform Denis Mason's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, Malcolm Archer's Preces and Responses, and the anthem Mary and Martha and the Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light) by Jones. The Director will accompany on the pipe organ.
~ Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Monrovia, offered an amendment that "would raise the federal government's goal of contracts awarded to women-owned small businesses from 5% to 6%." It was defeated on a party-line vote. http://goo.gl/7uUx9e
~ The women of the choir of St. Luke's (at Foothill and California) along with guest singers, will present a free performance of its Seventh Annual Evensong Invitational for Women's Voices on Sunday, March 16, at 4 p.m., followed by a wine and cheese reception. The choir, conducted by Music Director and composer Kent Bennett Jones, will perform Denis Mason's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, Malcolm Archer's Preces and Responses, and the anthem Mary and Martha and the Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light) by Jones. The Director will accompany on the pipe organ.
~ Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Monrovia, offered an amendment that "would raise the federal government's goal of contracts awarded to women-owned small businesses from 5% to 6%." It was defeated on a party-line vote. http://goo.gl/7uUx9e
Monrovia Police: 12 Pounds of Marijuana; Stealing from Store
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 3-5. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 404 service events, resulting in 60 investigations.
Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
March 3 at 2:30 p.m., loss prevention from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington phoned police to report a female subject inside the store that was concealing merchandise. Police arrived and waited outside for the subject to leave the store. The female exited the store and was detained by loss prevention. She was escorted back into the store by loss prevention and a police officer. The female subject was arrested for burglary.
Possession of a Controlled Substance / Recovered Stolen Firearm – Suspect Arrested
On March 4 at 12:43 p.m., a parking control officer was dispatched on a parking problem in the 900 block of Diamond. When she arrived, she had dispatch run a computer check on the license plate of the vehicle. She discovered the computer return on the license plate did not match the type of vehicle. An officer was requested and when he arrived, he smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officers opened the vehicle and saw marijuana mulch in a box. They inspected the vehicle further and recovered 12 pounds of marijuana. In the trunk, they located a honey oil extraction lab and equipment, along with 14 grams of honey oil product. They located the owner of the vehicle and were given consent to search the residence. They recovered a stolen firearm from inside the residence. The suspect was arrested and held for bail.
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 404 service events, resulting in 60 investigations.
Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
March 3 at 2:30 p.m., loss prevention from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington phoned police to report a female subject inside the store that was concealing merchandise. Police arrived and waited outside for the subject to leave the store. The female exited the store and was detained by loss prevention. She was escorted back into the store by loss prevention and a police officer. The female subject was arrested for burglary.
Possession of a Controlled Substance / Recovered Stolen Firearm – Suspect Arrested
On March 4 at 12:43 p.m., a parking control officer was dispatched on a parking problem in the 900 block of Diamond. When she arrived, she had dispatch run a computer check on the license plate of the vehicle. She discovered the computer return on the license plate did not match the type of vehicle. An officer was requested and when he arrived, he smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officers opened the vehicle and saw marijuana mulch in a box. They inspected the vehicle further and recovered 12 pounds of marijuana. In the trunk, they located a honey oil extraction lab and equipment, along with 14 grams of honey oil product. They located the owner of the vehicle and were given consent to search the residence. They recovered a stolen firearm from inside the residence. The suspect was arrested and held for bail.
Monrovia Churches Present Easter Musical
International Full Gospel Fellowship and Restored Life Fellowship, which meet together at the church building at the corner of Primrose and Palm, across from Library Park, will present an Easter musical called, "Coming Home," featuring Scott Priest, who played Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables" in Sydney, Australia. Performances are April 11, 12, 18, and 19. Tickets and details here: http://goo.gl/fUpk7O- Brad Haugaard
Bitcoin Inventor Lives Near Monrovia
According to Newsweek ( http://goo.gl/wgDzMH ), the inventor of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto (a name once thought by many to be a pseudonym), actually lives very privately nearby in Temple City. Okay, okay, this has nothing to do with Monrovia, but it's local and I thought I'd report it since I think I'm the first in the area to do so.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Gets New Football Coach | Photos on Display
~ Monrovia chooses Ontario Christian's Chris Stevens as its new football coach. http://goo.gl/66mDIw
~ For your calendar: Works by Southern California photographers will be on display April 19 at Paint 'n Play Art Studio and Gallery, 418 S. Myrtle in Old Town. http://goo.gl/nm4Bkt
- Brad Haugaard
~ For your calendar: Works by Southern California photographers will be on display April 19 at Paint 'n Play Art Studio and Gallery, 418 S. Myrtle in Old Town. http://goo.gl/nm4Bkt
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High Administrators Hand Out 'Tickets' | Water for the Reservoirs
~ Monrovia High administrators are walking around school handing out "tickets." From the announcement: "They're looking to catch us being thoughtful, throwing away trash, kind, following the rules in general, and being positive citizens. They each have a fist full of tickets. If you're 'caught' you'll get a ticket to fill out and it will go into a weekly drawing for some pretty groovy things!! You'll have to get a ticket to find out just how groovy the awards are. Be aware, the administrators are here and want to thank us for the great things we do!" ( http://goo.gl/QRnJq7 ) Comment: "Groovy" is back?
~ Recent storms fill reservoirs in San Gabriel Mountains. http://goo.gl/quMjuf
- Brad Haugaard
~ Recent storms fill reservoirs in San Gabriel Mountains. http://goo.gl/quMjuf
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Trader Joe's Number Two in Customer Experience
Monrovia-based Trader Joe's has been rated second in customer service experience for U.S (I think) companies. The top is H.E.B., then Trader Joe's, followed by Chick-fil-A, Publix, and on down. http://goo.gl/dGngjD
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
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