4th of July Committee Seeking Grand Marshal Nominations - The Volunteer Sierra Madre 4th of July Committee is seeking nominations for the 2013 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal. The Parade will be held as always the morning of July 4th.
Parade Grand Marshal nominees should embody the spirit of Sierra Madre, be an active volunteer in any of the local nonprofit organizations or in some way contributed to the betterment of Sierra Madre.
Nomination form should include in no more than one page how the nominee has fulfilled the above criteria and any other pertinent information. Additionally, please include name, address, phone number, and email for both the person submitting the nomination and the nominee.
Nominations must be submitted in writing by Thursday, May 2nd and should be sent to the 4th of July Committee, PO Box 1073, Sierra Madre, CA 91025 or emailed to 4thofjulysierramadre@gmail.com.
This All-American friends and family event is made possible through the generous contributions of donors and sponsors. If you’d like to help, please contact us through the information above or follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/4thofJulyInfo.
(Mod: The one question I would have here is what exactly does it take to embody the spirit of Sierra Madre? Wouldn't you say that properly observed that spirit would not fit into any subjective categories, but rather be as original and free-spirited as the town itself? Is there a list of criteria available somewhere that would help in judging whether someone actually has it?)
Ways to Observe Earth Day In and Around Sierra Madre - Earth Day is Monday, April 22nd. The Sierra Madre Green Advisory Committee would like you to know of a few events that will be happening in and around Sierra Madre for those who would like to observe and benefit from this year’s event.
Compost Giveaway sponsored by Athens Services
Saturday, April 27th from 9:00am to noon – Athens Services is inviting residents of Sierra Madre to pick-up compost for their landscaping and gardening needs. The compost is made from food and green waste collected by Athens. The compost is OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) and approved to be used in agricultural operations that are certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program. The collection event will be held at Sierra Vista Park (601 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.) and located by the tennis courts. Please bring your own containers and please understand that this is a “self-serve” event. There is a 30 gallon limit during the first hour, then no limit starting at 10:00am while supplies last. No plastic bags are allowed.
County of Los Angeles Smart Gardening Workshop
Saturday, April 27th from 9:30am to noon – Smart Gardening is an easy way to get a really great looking yard while using less water, energy and wasting fewer resources. You save yourself time and money while doing something that helps keep the County a nicer place to live and work. Yard waste adds to our landfills and diminishes their capacity. However, yard trimmings are valuable resources to compost and nurture our own backyards. When you practice the techniques of Smart Gardening, you will conserve water and energy, save time and money, improve your yard and garden, recycle yard waste and kitchen scraps, reduce waste going to our landfills, and help preserve the environment. These simple practices do not take much time, and help you develop healthy and beautiful lawns and gardens to enjoy. The workshop will be held in the western side of Sierra Vista Park (601 E. Sierra Madre Blvd-close to compost giveaway).
High Efficiency Toilet Exchange
Saturday, April 27th from 9:00am to 11:00am – Sponsored by the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District and the City of Sierra Madre. Sierra Madre water customers are welcome to pick up a new water efficient toilet. Please bring a copy of a current or recent water bill to the event. Toilets will be loaded into cars by local volunteers of the Interact Club (Sierra Madre Rotary). Residents are required to install their new toilets within two weeks, and are required to return their old toilets on Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 9:00am to 11:00am. The event will take place at Alverno High School (200 N. Michillinda, Sierra Madre).
South Coast AQMD Electric Lawn Mower Exchange Program
While supplies last! Trade in your old, operable gas-powered lawn mower, replace it with a high-performance electric mower, and score up to 75 percent in savings. Choose from two brands and five models. They’re cordless, more than 50% quieter than traditional gas-powered mowers, environmentally friendly and lighter for easier operation. You must pre-register to cash in on this great offer. Visit www.aqmd.gov or call 1-888-425-6247.
(Mod: There you go. Armed with a low flow toilet, an electric mower, some free compost and a smart garden, you too can be Green Committee correct. Even if you do have to flush more than once.)
Holden’s Bill to Boost California Agriculture Passes Second Committee - The Assembly Agriculture Committee today heard testimony on Assemblymember Chris Holden’s legislation to ensure that California fruit, nuts, livestock and vegetables are given priority when it comes to state purchasing.
Under Holden’s AB 199 Choose California Act, state agencies would be required to give California agriculture producers priority when purchasing food products if the price is within 5% of the lowest out-of-state competitor. School districts would have to purchase California grown products as long as they aren’t more expensive than out-of-state products.
“AB 199 uses the state’s purchasing power to bolster California’s Agri-business and that means more jobs and more revenue and that’s good for California’s bottom line,” said Assemblymember Holden. “This bill is 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.”
“California Citrus Mutual is excited to support this legislation as it puts before our young people and population the wonderful bounty we produce in California. To have this focus is a win for agriculture and a win for our state.” Joel Nelsen, President, California Citrus Mutual
The Agriculture Committee voted unanimously (7 to 0) in favor of AB 199. Earlier in the session the measure was approved by the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee. It now moves to Assembly Appropriations for fiscal consideration.
(Mod: There is no better judge of fruits and nuts than Assemblyman Holden.)
Monrovia Hillside Brush Fire at Madison and Crescent Avenues - At 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, the Monrovia Fire Department responded to a call of a brush fire in the Monrovia hillside at 322 N Madison Avenue. As of 1:45pm, the fire covers 15 acres and is 10% contained. So far 25 fire engines, three helicopters, and three brush crews have responded. Several Fire agencies including the US Forest Services are cooperating to contain the fire.
Residents will be notified of evacuations through door-to-door efforts by the Monrovia Police Department.
Temporary shelter will be available at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 West Palm Avenue, Monrovia, CA. The Community Center can be reached at (626) 256-8246. Water, food and some activities will be available.
No reported strucutres damage or injuries have been reported. There is some concern about wind patterns picking up around 2 pm. “As long as we don’t have the winds, we will be fine, but its not a Santa Ana day. This is very old brush, over 55 years old, and a lot of fuel, but we have crews working very hard to contain the fire,” said Monrovia Fire Chief Chris Donovan.
The Monrovia Fire Department will give another briefing around 2:45pm. Residents can stay updated on the event on the City website, or by following @MonroviaCA on twitter or the City of Monrovia on Facebook.
(Mod: According to one article I read this fire was started with a weed whacker. I am not sure exactly how someone would do that.)
Doo Dah Parade Next Weekend - WHAT: The twisted sister of the other Pasadena parade, takes its own brand of raucus eccentricity East. WHEN: Saturday, April 27th, parade steps off at 11:00 am.
WHERE: The parade starts at Vinedo St. and Colorado Blvd., goes in both directions, on Colorado, between Altadena Dr. and San Gabriel Blvd. Bring your lawn chairs and grab a good spot.
OTHER INFO:Plenty of free parking in the surrounding area. Featuring All-American festival food at down home prices at the Robin’s Woodfire BBQ Booth centrally located on the parade route. Signature 2013 Doo Dah T-shirts, get one for the whole family. After parties galore!
COST: Absolutely Free
Featuring: Dozens of inventive, if zany, art cars and floats will accompany a legion of frolickers past the mom-n-pop shops along East Pasadena’s shady tree-lined streets. Led by this year’s Queen Susann Edmonds and Grand Marshal Alan Zorthian, spectators will be startled and amused by public radio personality, Sandra Tsing Loh, with her LOH Down on Science, Flying Baby Hammer, A Moveable Feast (based on a Hemingway novel), Worlds Tallest Girl Scout, Jiffy Pop! The Bearded Ladies, The Billionaires, Johnny Skunk & his Skunkmobile, The BBQ & Hibachi Marching Grill Team, L.A. Derby Dolls, Veggies of Laguna Beach, Zombie Training Camp, Champion Sign Twirlers, Dr. Steele & the Army of Toy Soldiers, and the immortal Doo Dah House Band, Snotty Scotty & the Hankies and much more! Known as the twisted sister of the conventional Rose Parade, the Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade began as a grassroots event in 1978 to gain national attention for its eccentric and, often, irreverent satire. The parade which has spawned numerous off-beat replicants across the country was named by Readers Digest as “America’s Best Parade,” and was recently featured in the book 50 Places You Must Visit Before You Die! Yes, another Doo Dah is here to help you forget your humdrum existence! Contact: To still enter the parade simply go to the website and get your entry form there, and please call us at (626) 590-1134; Public Parade Information Hotline: (626) 590-7596.
(Mod: As much as I enjoy the Doo Dah Parade, and definitely plan to go, I have yet to figure out why some find the Rose Parade to be any less funny. Especially the politicians. Perhaps we should consider having a Doo Dah 4th of July Parade Grand Marshall?)
And so we have now gotten through another Sunday post.
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