Sow House Becomes Craft Hill

The Sow House restaurant (at the corner of Myrtle and Lime) has changed its name to Craft Hill and changed its menu, which you can see here: https://goo.gl/QfqCT7

Comment: Probably a good thing. It wasn't clear whether it was "sow" as in "sow seeds" or "sow" as in "oink."

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Fire Fighters Collect Toys

 

Monrovia fire fighters are in front of the Krikorian theater on Myrtle today collecting toys for the Spark of Love toy drive, which collects Christmas toys for needy children and teens. 

- Brad Haugaard 

'Annie' at Monrovia Church Dec. 8-11

A stage production of "Annie," by Monrovia's Center Stage, will be held at the International Full Gospel Fellowship church (at the corner of Palm and Primrose) on Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 8, 9, 10, and 11. Showtimes and tickets: https://goo.gl/rDa1UK

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Las Marias

 

Had lunch today at Las Marias, a little restaurant in the 7-Eleven strip mall on Foothill. I got two carnitas tacos and a regular size iced tea for $9.24, including tax. Very fresh and tasty and the staff was friendly.

- Brad Haugaard 

Ceramic Sale to Benefit Monrovia Adult School

Monrovia Adult School's Wheelhouse Ceramics is having its holiday sale on Friday, Dec. 2, from 6-9 p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m,-4 p.m. at 1833 Santa Fe Place (behind AAMCO and Troy's Burgers). Cash or check only. Wheelhouse Ceremics is a non-profit group and proceeds help fund the studio.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Safety Tips Seminar

The Monrovia Police Department will host a holiday safety tips event titled, "Don't Let the Grinch Ruin Christmas" on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 7 to 8 p.m., in the Library Community Room.

This past year, the City of Monrovia has seen an approximate 25 percent increase in crime activity, a situation which law enforcement personnel have attributed to new laws that have been adopted in California.  Those laws include AB 109 and Proposition 47, as well as the recently approved Proposition 57, which will result in an estimated 10,000 incarcerated individuals who will be released from prison during the next few months.

With the increase in crime activities, safety is a high priority for all residents.  Join us as representatives from the Monrovia Police Department address public safety issues, answer questions and concerns, and provide information on ways to stay safe during this holiday season.  

For more information about this event, please contact the Monrovia Police Department at 256-8000.

Source: Monrovia Police Department press release

- Brad Haugaard

Sunny Thanksgiving; Rainy Saturday?

It should be sunny for Thanksgiving and Friday, but then hopefully some rain. 80% chance on Saturday and 40% chance on Sunday. https://goo.gl/0qMTb8

- Brad Haugaard

Crime Up 20% in Monrovia; 10% Off Emergency Supplies; Signs and Seating on Myrtle; Christmas Light Swap; For Vets in Hospitals

In his weekly report ( https://goo.gl/qeE0y1 ), City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

~ Crime is up about 20 percent in Monrovia compared to last year, so the police department will hold a safety seminar Thursday, Dec. 8, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Library. The department says part of the problem is new laws (AB 109 and Proposition 47). Also, newly approved Prop 57 means "an additional 10,000 incarcerated individuals will be released from prison during the next few months, which could further negatively impact crime rates."

~ Monrovia has worked a deal with a couple online emergency-supply stores to help Monrovians with emergency preparations. You can get 10% off on emergency preparedness supplies at Super Gen Products ( http://www.supergenproducts.com - enter promo code MONROVIA at checkout), and at SOS Survival Products ( http://www.sosproducts.com - enter promo code HC02591M at checkout).

~ The city is concerned about outdoor displays, signs, banners, and restaurant seating in Old Town, and will be "working with businesses to ensure that all necessary City reviews and permits have been satisfied."

~ The city and Metro believe they can work out an arrangement by February or March for non-transit parking at the Monrovia Gold Line station during low-traffic times.

~ You can swap incandescent Christmas light strings for new LED light strings on Dec. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Friday Night Family Street Fair. You must be a SCE customer (bring a bill), with valid ID. The strands you turn in must have at least 50 lights. While supplies last.

~ The Library's Veterans Resource Center is collecting new items for veterans in hospitals: White Socks for both men and women; adult coloring books; colored pencils; crayons; markers; board and card games for adults. A donation box is in the library lobby. For information contact Mabel Cross at 256-9294, or mcross@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

Monrovian Collects 1,009 Christmas Gifts for Children Around the World

Sixteen year old Monrovian, Grayson Wade, has been supporting Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child for seven years since being introduced to it as a Cub Scout.  Monday he delivered 1,009 shoebox gifts to the relay center in Arcadia.  From there the shoeboxes are transferred to a collection center in Orange County.  Once processed, they will ship all over the world to children in need.

Grayson's shoeboxes contain school supplies, hygiene items, toys, puzzles, art supplies, games, stuffed animals, musical instruments, clothing, etc.  In addition to the items he places in the shoeboxes, he includes $7 per box for shipping costs, so he needed to raise a substantial amount of money.  Grayson launched an aggressive door to door campaign to raise money for the boxes he packed at home.  Monrovians not only donated money, but also items for sewing kits, toys, stuffed animals, games, as well as packed shoeboxes.  He appealed to Monrovia Rotary Club and Monrovia Kiwanis Club.  Local stores, A Snail's Pace, Payless and Marshall's, saved empty shoeboxes for Grayson.  Also supporting his efforts were kids from scout troops and student clubs from several local high schools, including his own, Bosco Tech.

- Brad Haugaard

Auditions Set in December for 'Curtains' Play

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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 Football on TV News

Monrovia Football on Channel 4 News. https://goo.gl/T02Rae

- Brad Haugaard