Auditions for Curtains, a JFed Players Community Theatre production, will be held in mid-December with performances scheduled for mid-March. Singers, dancers, actors needed - principally young adult and up. Auditions at 7 p.m. on Sunday-Tuesday, Dec. 18-20, and Thursday, Dec. 22, at the Jewish Federation, 114A Lime Ave.. Performances will be in March at a venue in the San Gabriel Valley. More information at www.jewishsgpv.org or call the Jewish Federation of the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys at 445-0810.
Set in 1959, Curtains is a musical satire of backstage murder mystery plots. The story begins when the untalented star of the musical within the musical, Robbin' Hood of the Old West, is murdered during her curtain call. The plot unfolds as Lieutenant Frank Cioffe, a police detective and musical theatre fan, arrives to solve the case and ends up saving the show and, perhaps, even finding love.
- Brad Haugaard
Christmastime Activities in Monrovia: Toy Drive; Carriage Rides; Tree Lighting and Parade; Santa Breakfasts: Santa Tours City; New Year's Eve
~ Spark of Love Toy drive on the 400 Block of Myrtle on Saturday, Nov. 26.
~ Horse-drawn carriage rides 3-6 p.m. on these Sundays: Dec. 4, Dec. 11, and Dec. 18. Also on Thursday evenings.
~ Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. at the corner of Myrtle and Lime on Thursday, Dec. 1, followed by Christmas parade at 7 p.m. (Parade Route is along Myrtle through Old Town.
~ Santa Claus breakfasts in Old Town: Peach Cafe Dec. 3 and 17 at 8 a.m.; Monrovian Family Restaurant Dec. 17 at 9 a.m.; Jake's Roadhouse Dec. 3 and 10 at 9:30 a.m.; Rudy's Mexican Restaurant Dec. 12 and 17 at 11 a.m.; and Myrtle Tree Cafe Dec. 10 at 10:15 a.m. Contact restaurant for reservations.
~ Santa in a fire truck tours the city. Here's his schedule:
- Monday, Dec 12: south of Huntington, west of Myrtle to Fifth. Also includes Valley Circle.
- Tuesday, Dec 13: East of Myrtle, north of Foothill.
- Wednesday, Dec 14: West of Myrtle, north of Foothill.
- Thursday, Dec. 15: East of Myrtle, south of Foothill, north of Duarte Road.
- Friday, Dec 16: West of Myrtle, south of Foothill to Huntington, between Myrtle and Fifth
For more information, contact The Monrovia Police Department at 256-8000.
~ New Year's Eve in Old Town, with a beer and wine garden (for adults), family fun, and a midnight ball raising.
- Brad Haugaard
~ Horse-drawn carriage rides 3-6 p.m. on these Sundays: Dec. 4, Dec. 11, and Dec. 18. Also on Thursday evenings.
~ Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. at the corner of Myrtle and Lime on Thursday, Dec. 1, followed by Christmas parade at 7 p.m. (Parade Route is along Myrtle through Old Town.
~ Santa Claus breakfasts in Old Town: Peach Cafe Dec. 3 and 17 at 8 a.m.; Monrovian Family Restaurant Dec. 17 at 9 a.m.; Jake's Roadhouse Dec. 3 and 10 at 9:30 a.m.; Rudy's Mexican Restaurant Dec. 12 and 17 at 11 a.m.; and Myrtle Tree Cafe Dec. 10 at 10:15 a.m. Contact restaurant for reservations.
~ Santa in a fire truck tours the city. Here's his schedule:
- Monday, Dec 12: south of Huntington, west of Myrtle to Fifth. Also includes Valley Circle.
- Tuesday, Dec 13: East of Myrtle, north of Foothill.
- Wednesday, Dec 14: West of Myrtle, north of Foothill.
- Thursday, Dec. 15: East of Myrtle, south of Foothill, north of Duarte Road.
- Friday, Dec 16: West of Myrtle, south of Foothill to Huntington, between Myrtle and Fifth
For more information, contact The Monrovia Police Department at 256-8000.
~ New Year's Eve in Old Town, with a beer and wine garden (for adults), family fun, and a midnight ball raising.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Hillside Wilderness Preserve Officially Open
Monrovia City Council members and the Community Services Commission officially and fully opened the Hillside Wilderness Preserve with a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning at the Cloverleaf entry point to the preserve.
Comment: Thank you to the city officials and staff who have finally resolved this issue.
- Brad Haugaard
Dinner at Cafe LuMar
Had dinner last night at Cafe LuMar, on the south side of Colorado a half block east of Myrtle. Croatian food. I got the goulash for $17 and a Croatian beer for $6.50. It came with a little toast and spread appetizer and a tangy cabbage salad. I've eaten here several times and always been pleased and it was just as good this time. I was full but my wife got a dessert crepe. I took one bite: wonderful!
- Brad Haugaard
Christmas Celebration Concert at Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church
Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church is holding a Family Christmas Celebration with Gospel Choir and Orchestra concert on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. Photos with Santa following the concert. The church is at the corner of Foothill and Myrtle.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Assault on Family Member; Wallet Stolen From Kitchen; Victim Finds His Stolen Car; Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 14-16. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Felony Battery – Suspect Arrested
November 14 at 10:58 a.m., dispatch received a call from a resident in the 1200 block of Sherman stating their son was currently at the residence in violation of a court order. Officers arrived and detained the son. Further investigation revealed the son was wanted by the Monrovia Police Department for felony battery for assaulting another family member. The suspect was arrested without incident.
Residential Burglary
November 14 at 7:51 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of W. Lemon and spoke to the victim of a residential burglary. The victim stated he had put his wallet on his kitchen table and then went to sleep. Two hours later, he woke up and discovered his wallet missing. The investigation is on-going.
Public Intoxication
November 14 8:21 p.m., an officer responded to a church in the 700 block of Shamrock regarding some items placed on their property between the buildings. The officer contacted a subject on the property that did not belong there after hours. The subject was too intoxicated to care for himself and was arrested for being drunk in public. He was taken into custody and held for a sobering period.
Injury Traffic Collision
November 15 at 10:50 a.m., a traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Shamrock and Huntington. A vehicle was driving west on Huntington and made an illegal u-turn at Shamrock. The vehicle was hit by another vehicle driving east on Huntington. When the vehicles collided, one of the vehicles went out of control and up into a gas station, where it hit a fire hydrant. Both parties were taken to a hospital for injuries.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Mail Theft / Parole Violation – Suspect Arrested
November 16 at 10:36 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 block of W. Cypress and noticed a suspicious subject sleeping in a parked vehicle. The officer contacted the subject and further investigation revealed the subject was on active parole and a search uncovered stolen mail and drug paraphernalia. The suspect was detained and taken into custody.
Grand Theft Auto Recovery
November 16 at 6:43 p.m., an officer responded to the report of a recovered stolen vehicle on the 1000 block of E. Huntington. The victim had reported his vehicle stolen to Temple City Sheriff’s and called the Monrovia Police Department stating he had located his vehicle.
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Felony Battery – Suspect Arrested
November 14 at 10:58 a.m., dispatch received a call from a resident in the 1200 block of Sherman stating their son was currently at the residence in violation of a court order. Officers arrived and detained the son. Further investigation revealed the son was wanted by the Monrovia Police Department for felony battery for assaulting another family member. The suspect was arrested without incident.
Residential Burglary
November 14 at 7:51 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of W. Lemon and spoke to the victim of a residential burglary. The victim stated he had put his wallet on his kitchen table and then went to sleep. Two hours later, he woke up and discovered his wallet missing. The investigation is on-going.
Public Intoxication
November 14 8:21 p.m., an officer responded to a church in the 700 block of Shamrock regarding some items placed on their property between the buildings. The officer contacted a subject on the property that did not belong there after hours. The subject was too intoxicated to care for himself and was arrested for being drunk in public. He was taken into custody and held for a sobering period.
Injury Traffic Collision
November 15 at 10:50 a.m., a traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Shamrock and Huntington. A vehicle was driving west on Huntington and made an illegal u-turn at Shamrock. The vehicle was hit by another vehicle driving east on Huntington. When the vehicles collided, one of the vehicles went out of control and up into a gas station, where it hit a fire hydrant. Both parties were taken to a hospital for injuries.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Mail Theft / Parole Violation – Suspect Arrested
November 16 at 10:36 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 block of W. Cypress and noticed a suspicious subject sleeping in a parked vehicle. The officer contacted the subject and further investigation revealed the subject was on active parole and a search uncovered stolen mail and drug paraphernalia. The suspect was detained and taken into custody.
Grand Theft Auto Recovery
November 16 at 6:43 p.m., an officer responded to the report of a recovered stolen vehicle on the 1000 block of E. Huntington. The victim had reported his vehicle stolen to Temple City Sheriff’s and called the Monrovia Police Department stating he had located his vehicle.
Monrovia's AeroVironment Has New Drone for Farm, Energy, Transportation Industries | Garden Club Potluck
~ Monrovia-based AeroVironment has a new drone called Quantix out that targets the agricultural, energy and transportation markets. It is equipped with four rotors, two on the ends of a single wing, and takes off vertically. Product line manager Tom Stone said, "If you can draw a box on a screen and push a button, you can fly Quantix. You don't have to learn how to fly it, how to land it, and it'll take off automatically, plan the mission automatically, fly that mission automatically, come back and land, and you can take the data card and put it in this tablet and you can look at the results immediately."
~ The Monrovia Garden Club will hold its Annual Holiday Pot Luck on Tuesday Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church, at Myrtle and Foothill. There will be a silent auction for items donated by members. The meeting is open to the public and starts at 6:30 pm.
- Brad Haugaard
~ The Monrovia Garden Club will hold its Annual Holiday Pot Luck on Tuesday Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church, at Myrtle and Foothill. There will be a silent auction for items donated by members. The meeting is open to the public and starts at 6:30 pm.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Council Officially Makes Hillside Wilderness Preserve a Park ... Well, Kinda
In what Mayor Tom Adams called a "monumental evening," the Monrovia City Council tonight approved making the Hillside Wilderness Preserve sort of a park, which, by the way, officially opens this Saturday, though it is actually open now.
It has been 16 years since Monrovia passed bonds and got grants from the State of California to buy the hillside land. One of the state requirements was that the land be open to the public, a requirement that now appears to be fulfilled.
However, it will not exactly be a park.
City Council Member Gloria Crudgington asked that the area not be declared a "park," since it is a "preserve," but that it have its own designation, so the Council - if I understand correctly - basically duplicated the chapter in the municipal code on parks to create a new chapter for the wilderness area.
Comment: A bit odd, but well, whatever. I'm just delighted that it is open, and want to thank the City Council, City Manager Oliver Chi, Public Services Director Tina Cherry and the staff members who made this happen. Excellent!
- Brad Haugaard
It has been 16 years since Monrovia passed bonds and got grants from the State of California to buy the hillside land. One of the state requirements was that the land be open to the public, a requirement that now appears to be fulfilled.
However, it will not exactly be a park.
City Council Member Gloria Crudgington asked that the area not be declared a "park," since it is a "preserve," but that it have its own designation, so the Council - if I understand correctly - basically duplicated the chapter in the municipal code on parks to create a new chapter for the wilderness area.
Comment: A bit odd, but well, whatever. I'm just delighted that it is open, and want to thank the City Council, City Manager Oliver Chi, Public Services Director Tina Cherry and the staff members who made this happen. Excellent!
- Brad Haugaard
Donations for Animals | Down Home Holiday Show
~ The Pasadena Humane Society, which serves Monrovia, will hold #GivingPawsday to provide food, shelter and medical care to the nearly 12,000 animals taken into the shelter each year. This year's giving day will be Nov. 29. Donations can be made at pasadenahumane.org/givingpawsday or by texting PAWS to 27722. In-kind donations will also be accepted at the shelter. Items in high demand are fleece bedding, pet beds, canned cat food, towels and dog food. The full wish list can be found at pasadenahumane.org/wishlist.
~ The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company will present "Down Home Holiday Show," featuring Kids in Concert and The Susie Glaze New Folk Ensemble on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at Monrovia's St. Luke's Episcopal Church. For tickets: http://www.sgvccsingers.org.
- Brad Haugaard
~ The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company will present "Down Home Holiday Show," featuring Kids in Concert and The Susie Glaze New Folk Ensemble on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at Monrovia's St. Luke's Episcopal Church. For tickets: http://www.sgvccsingers.org.
- Brad Haugaard
Can Non-Riders Use Metro Parking During Off Hours? | Lions Club for Monrovia? | Holiday Home Decorating | Spark of Love | Etc.
In his weekly report ( https://goo.gl/2B7ks1 ), City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...
~ Sixty-four newly designed Blue Star Banners honoring Monrovians serving in the military were installed on Monday, Nov. 7 along Huntington Drive from Mountain Avenue to Fifth Avenue.
~ The city is working with Metro to see if they can work a deal to let non-transit users park in the Metro parking lot during low-traffic times, such as nights and weekends. Chi says "the City has received very favorable feedback that Metro would be amenable to developing such a joint use agreement.
~ Lions Club is trying to start a club here in Monrovia, and plans a meeting at the Santa Anita Family YMCA (501 S. Mountain Ave.). If the Club can find 20 people to participate, then the new club will be formed. Lions has more than 1.4 million members in approximately 47,087 clubs in more than 200 countries. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and serving youth. For more information contact Manny Sanchez at (562) 708-9061, or by email at lionmanny@gmail.com.
~ If you have thoughts on how to improve the Monrovia Community Center, you might want to take this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N2LSTVN
~ Applications for the Holiday Home Decorating Contest are available at the Monrovia Community Center. Judging on Monday, Dec. 5, and award winners will be recognized during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at City Hall in Council Chambers. For details, contact Public Services at 256-8246. Categories:
- Best Still Display
- Best Outdoor Display
- Best Decorated Outdoor Tree
- Best Window Display
- Holiday Spirit Award
- Most Effective Use of Lighting a house
- Toyland Award
- Children's Choice Award
- Best Neighborhood Effort
- Snowman Award
- Judges Award
- Tim McKeehan "Best of Season" Award
For additional information, please contact the Department of Public Services at 256-8246.
~ The Bob Bob Bartlett Memorial Mosaic Committee will meet Nov. 30 to review the final design of the artwork being prepared by Carole Choucair Queijan. This will be "a more refined version of the conceptual actual artwork." Comment: Good, that initial concept design was not as polished as it could have been.
~ An ABC7 news team and filmed Monrovia's firefighters, equipment, and our Fire Station as part of this year's ABC7 Spark of Love Toy Drive, which provides thousands of toys to children that are less fortunate. Fire Engineer Moreno coordinated Monrovia's involvement in this event.
~ The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Parade to take place on Thursday, Dec. 1 with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. and the Holiday Parade at 7 p.m. The parade theme is "A Historic Holiday", honoring this year's Grand Marshals, the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group. Sponsored by the Monrovia Old Town Merchants.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Musicians To Perform Saturday at Pavilions
Come support Monrovia Young Musicians Ensemble, which will be in front of Pavilions supermarket promoting its Carolgrams, holding its Fall Bake Sale, and performing. This Saturday, Nov. 19, and Dec. 3 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Man Robbed in Alley; Rifles Stolen; SUV Seats Stolen; Yelling and Screaming; Kicking Vending Machine
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 10-13. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Residential Burglary
November 10 at 6:24 p.m., a resident in the 1500 block of S. Fifth Avenue called police to report she had just returned home from work and found her home had been burglarized. Although a complete list of stolen property could not be immediately compiled, two rifles were among the items stolen. The investigation is continuing.
Disturbing Subject / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
November 10 at 7:09 p.m., a disturbing subject was reported yelling and screaming in the 700 block of W. Duarte Road. Officers arrived and located a subject matching the description. A computer check revealed the subject had three outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrants and taken into custody.
Loitering / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
November 10 at 8:28 p.m., several subjects were reported loitering in front of a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and found one of the subjects had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody. The subject was held pending his court appearance.
Driving Under the Influence Traffic Collision / Child Endangerment – Suspect Arrested
November 10 at 8:49 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of Longford Place called police to report a vehicle had collided into her neighbors’ yards. Officers arrived and the investigation revealed the driver was extremely intoxicated and had her 16-year-old son in the vehicle at the time of the collision. The suspect was arrested for driving under the influence and child endangerment.
Juvenile Problem / Vandalism / Theft
November 11 at 10:00 p.m., approximately ten juveniles were reported in the 100 block of W. Foothill causing a disturbance in a parking lot. Several subjects entered a laundromat and repeatedly kicked a vending machine, causing damage to where the coins are held. The suspects stole miscellaneous coins from the damaged machine and fled. The investigation is continuing.
Robbery
November 11 at 10:46 p.m., police responded to the report of a robbery in the 400 block of S. Ivy. The victim parked his vehicle on Canyon and the south alley of Lime. He walked west in the alley, heading to the downtown area to meet friends. Two suspects approached, brandished a handgun and pointed it at the victim. The suspects robbed the victim of his cell phone, wallet and miscellaneous personal property, then fled on foot. An extensive search was conducted by officers, but the suspects were not located. The suspects were described as male blacks, but additional description was difficult because their features were concealed by the hoods on their sweatshirts. The investigation is continuing.
Welfare Check / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
November 12 at 10:52 p.m., a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington called police stating there was a subject sleeping on their bench outside their to-go pickup area. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. A computer check revealed the subject had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant.
Vehicle Burglary
November 13 at 1:19 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business parking lot in the 700 block of W. Huntington regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim parked his SUV in the parking lot and locked it. He returned to his vehicle a short time later to discover his vehicle had been broken into and the third row seats had been stolen. The investigation is continuing.
Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrant – Suspects Arrested
November 13 at 6:01 p.m., officers responded to the area of Grand and Foothill regarding possible shots heard. As they searched the area, two subjects were contacted and questioned about the possible shots heard. As the officer approached one of the subjects, he reached into his pocket and dropped items behind a brick wall. The items were found to be a glass pipe for smoking drugs and a syringe. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. During a search of his person, a baggie of methamphetamine was found in his pocket. The other suspect was arrested for an outstanding warrant. There was no evidence of gunshots and only one call was received by police.
Theft
November 14 at 5:14 a.m., a theft was reported in the 500 block of W. Colorado. The victim called police to report that high-value parts were stolen from his motorcycle that was parked in his driveway overnight. The investigation is continuing.
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Residential Burglary
November 10 at 6:24 p.m., a resident in the 1500 block of S. Fifth Avenue called police to report she had just returned home from work and found her home had been burglarized. Although a complete list of stolen property could not be immediately compiled, two rifles were among the items stolen. The investigation is continuing.
Disturbing Subject / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
November 10 at 7:09 p.m., a disturbing subject was reported yelling and screaming in the 700 block of W. Duarte Road. Officers arrived and located a subject matching the description. A computer check revealed the subject had three outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrants and taken into custody.
Loitering / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
November 10 at 8:28 p.m., several subjects were reported loitering in front of a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and found one of the subjects had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody. The subject was held pending his court appearance.
Driving Under the Influence Traffic Collision / Child Endangerment – Suspect Arrested
November 10 at 8:49 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of Longford Place called police to report a vehicle had collided into her neighbors’ yards. Officers arrived and the investigation revealed the driver was extremely intoxicated and had her 16-year-old son in the vehicle at the time of the collision. The suspect was arrested for driving under the influence and child endangerment.
Juvenile Problem / Vandalism / Theft
November 11 at 10:00 p.m., approximately ten juveniles were reported in the 100 block of W. Foothill causing a disturbance in a parking lot. Several subjects entered a laundromat and repeatedly kicked a vending machine, causing damage to where the coins are held. The suspects stole miscellaneous coins from the damaged machine and fled. The investigation is continuing.
Robbery
November 11 at 10:46 p.m., police responded to the report of a robbery in the 400 block of S. Ivy. The victim parked his vehicle on Canyon and the south alley of Lime. He walked west in the alley, heading to the downtown area to meet friends. Two suspects approached, brandished a handgun and pointed it at the victim. The suspects robbed the victim of his cell phone, wallet and miscellaneous personal property, then fled on foot. An extensive search was conducted by officers, but the suspects were not located. The suspects were described as male blacks, but additional description was difficult because their features were concealed by the hoods on their sweatshirts. The investigation is continuing.
Welfare Check / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
November 12 at 10:52 p.m., a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington called police stating there was a subject sleeping on their bench outside their to-go pickup area. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. A computer check revealed the subject had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant.
Vehicle Burglary
November 13 at 1:19 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business parking lot in the 700 block of W. Huntington regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim parked his SUV in the parking lot and locked it. He returned to his vehicle a short time later to discover his vehicle had been broken into and the third row seats had been stolen. The investigation is continuing.
Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrant – Suspects Arrested
November 13 at 6:01 p.m., officers responded to the area of Grand and Foothill regarding possible shots heard. As they searched the area, two subjects were contacted and questioned about the possible shots heard. As the officer approached one of the subjects, he reached into his pocket and dropped items behind a brick wall. The items were found to be a glass pipe for smoking drugs and a syringe. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. During a search of his person, a baggie of methamphetamine was found in his pocket. The other suspect was arrested for an outstanding warrant. There was no evidence of gunshots and only one call was received by police.
Theft
November 14 at 5:14 a.m., a theft was reported in the 500 block of W. Colorado. The victim called police to report that high-value parts were stolen from his motorcycle that was parked in his driveway overnight. The investigation is continuing.
Mosquito Report and Police Trust Meeting at Monrovia Library
The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District will give an update about mosquito activity and mosquito-borne diseases in the area and the Monrovia Police Department will hold a round-table dialogue on improving trust with police. On Saturday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the Monrovia Library Community Room. Call Ariel at 932-5563 or email atolefree@ci.monrovia.ca.us to reserve a spot. https://goo.gl/C7ODO7
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Why There Is Restricted Parking Near Ridgeside Trail Entry Point to Hillside Wilderness Area
Ridgeside Drive just north of the entry point to the the Hillside Wilderness Area.
At its next meeting, on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m., the Monrovia City Council will likely declare the Hillside Wilderness Area an official park and kinda-sorta-ish restrict parking on Ridgeside, next to one of the main trail entrances to the area. (It will also limit parking near other entry points, but those are narrow, twisting roads and I reluctantly understand the need for limiting parking in those areas.)
As you can see in the photo above, this section of Ridgeside Drive next to the trail entrance is flat, wide, straight, long, with no homes on either side, and is even - as best I can tell - out of the line of sight of any local homes, ideal for parking. Nevertheless it is being made parking-by-permit-only. Even some residents of Ridgeside don't want this. So why do it?
I emailed and spoke by phone with City Manager Oliver Chi about this, and the reason is simple: "[T]he establishment of an on-street permit parking program," he wrote, "was a requirement that had to be fulfilled before the City could obtain the easement needed to formalize entry into the Hillside Wilderness Preserve through the Ridgeside Access Point."
In other words, if the city didn't agree to parking-by-permit-only along Ridgeside, it wouldn't have obtained an easement so it could open the gate to the Wilderness Area.
Ah.
Chi added that this "pilot program" will not be a "formal permit parking program managed by law enforcement personnel." Instead, "our initial plans are to enforce the parking restriction on a complaint basis. If a complaint is received, a member of our Public Services Department team will be dispatched to the site and rather than issuing a ticket, we will attempt to resolve the situation by providing background information and education regarding why the pilot permit parking program was instituted."
So, you won't get a ticket for parking there, and probably nobody will complain if you park in the area just north of the entry point (the area I show in the picture above). And if somebody does complain, well, I guess you'll have to move your car a bit.
And just in case you were wondering, there has not been a problem with cars clogging Ridgeside.
Chi again: "[T]here are no significant concerns regarding the parking situation on Ridgeside Drive today. We really have not received complaints regarding those who [are] currently parking on Ridgeside Drive to access the Hillside Wilderness Preserve through the Ridgeside Access Point. The concern that has been raised, and what the proposed pilot permit parking program is attempting to address, is the possibility that with the trail system connecting Ridgeside to Cloverleaf now complete, the use of the Hillside Wilderness Preserve will increase."
I highly doubt this will be a problem, but I'll comment on why I think so below.
However, this is not the end of the story.
"If the parking situation does not change from current usage levels, we do plan on revisiting the matter and we will attempt to make modifications to the pilot permit parking program to ease the restrictions. Conversely, if the parking situation deteriorates and causes a significant impact on the residential neighborhood, we will look to enhance the parking restrictions."
Since I don't think parking will be a problem... Good!
Okay, here are a few more thoughts:
1. The temporary signs that are posted now are posted all the way along Ridgecrest from Canyon Boulevard to Oakglade Drive, however the proposed parking-by-permit area as described in the staff report ( https://goo.gl/pm0gid ) proposes the area only be from Briarcliff Drive to Oakglade Drive, so the signs have been posted outside the designated area.2. I think the permanent signs should be re-written to indicate more specifically that you won't get a ticket for parking in that area. Something like, "This provision is enforced by complaint. Those not in compliance may be asked to move their vehicles."
3. I do not believe the full opening of the Cloverleaf access point to the Hillside Wilderness Area will result in many more people parking on Ridgeside. That may seem opposite of what you would think, so let me defend my assertion.
I think the people who park at Ridgecrest will be the same people who park there now - people who just want to hike to the top of the hill and then back down to their car. Opening Cloverleaf makes no difference to this group of people since they weren't going to Cloverleaf anyway. The situation is totally unchanged for them and there is no reason their numbers would increase in any noteworthy way.
And as for those hikers who are going to hike the full trail, they'll probably get back to their car by making a loop up city streets. But in that case it doesn't really matter where they start. They could park on any street between Cloverleaf and Ridgeside and still walk the same distance. There is no particular attraction to parking on Ridgeside. If you make a loop around a circular track, it doesn't matter where you start, you are going to travel the same distance.
So, anyway, I very much hope the city will revisit this and attempt to work things out, because I really don't see that this should be a problem for anybody.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Voted Mostly for Clinton
Here's an election map from the LA Times showing most of Monrovia and surrounding area. The bluer the more Clinton-ish, the redder the more Trump-ish. https://goo.gl/wwCaHv
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia To Declare Hillside Area a Park and Restrict Parking Near Entry Points
At its next meeting ( https://goo.gl/TZEkgN ) the Monrovia City Council will, among other things, consider ...
~ Adopting the Hillside Wilderness Preserve as an "official park," which will allow the city to establish formal hours of operation and other rules. https://goo.gl/ZZnIRR
~ Implement a parking-by-permit-only program next to the Hillside Wilderness Area entry points, specifically: On Ridgeside Drive between Briarcliff Drive and Oakglade Drive; On Cloverleaf Drive between North Alta Vista Avenue and Hidden Valley Avenue; On Hidden Valley Avenue from Cloverleaf Drive to the terminus of Hidden Valley Avenue. Comment: I am not opposed to some parking restrictions, but this is very excessive. I'll have more to say about it soon. https://goo.gl/pm0gid
- Brad Haugaard
~ Adopting the Hillside Wilderness Preserve as an "official park," which will allow the city to establish formal hours of operation and other rules. https://goo.gl/ZZnIRR
~ Implement a parking-by-permit-only program next to the Hillside Wilderness Area entry points, specifically: On Ridgeside Drive between Briarcliff Drive and Oakglade Drive; On Cloverleaf Drive between North Alta Vista Avenue and Hidden Valley Avenue; On Hidden Valley Avenue from Cloverleaf Drive to the terminus of Hidden Valley Avenue. Comment: I am not opposed to some parking restrictions, but this is very excessive. I'll have more to say about it soon. https://goo.gl/pm0gid
- Brad Haugaard
Joint Monrovia Council-School Board Meeting
There will be a joint meeting of the Monrovia City Council and Monrovia School Board at the City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. to discuss:
1. Myrtle / Duarte Intersection Traffic Update
2. Bioswale Planter Fix at Santa Fe Middle School
3. Monrovia Days 2017 Event Update
4. 4th of July Event Discussion
5. Holiday Parade Update
6. School Resources Officer Program
- Brad Haugaard
1. Myrtle / Duarte Intersection Traffic Update
2. Bioswale Planter Fix at Santa Fe Middle School
3. Monrovia Days 2017 Event Update
4. 4th of July Event Discussion
5. Holiday Parade Update
6. School Resources Officer Program
- Brad Haugaard
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Nov. 17
An interfaith Thanksgiving service, "The Power of Gratitude," will be held on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 7-8 p.m. at St. Luke Episcopal Church, 122 S. California Ave. in Monrovia. Donations will be accepted for the Foothill Unity Center.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Dinner at Chang Thai Bistro
Had dinner last night at Chang Thai Bistro on the east side of Myrtle just north of Olive. Got the Pad Thai ($7.95) and a beer ($4.95). This is a bad picture because I mixed up all the ingredients before I remembered I needed to take a picture. Anyway, it was very tasty ... and, when it started, pretty, too.
- Brad Haugaard
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)