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Smitten on Paper Now Open Saturdays

For the holiday season Monrovia's Smitten on Paper, a custom stationery and paper goods company, will be open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before it was only open Monday-Friday. To celebrate the new hours it will hold a one time Seconds Sale of products with slight flaws. There will be pre-packaged and create-your-own grab bags of paper scraps, envelopes, ribbon, packaging and other retired inventory from $1. "We've had requests to open on weekends since we opened and we're ready to take our business to the next level," says Smitten On Paper Creative Director, Amy Gonzales. The store is at 114 East Lemon Ave., between Myrtle and the Fire station.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Talk on National Parks at Monrovia Garden Club Meeting

Lincoln Fairchild, PhD, will discuss, "National Parks: Americas Best Idea," at the Monrovia Garden Club monthly meeting on Tuesday Oct. 24. The meetings are held at First Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Myrtle and Foothill, in the Fireside Room on the north side of the parking lot. The meetings start at 7 p.m. with a social hour at 6:30 p.m., where light refreshments will be served. Visitors are welcome.

- Brad Haugaard

TJ Maxx and HomeGoods Opening Sunday; Aldi Coming December; And in 2018: Ulta Beauty, My Pet Garden


Warner Pacific Properties, a real estate investment and development company, announced today the opening of a new T.J.Maxx/HomeGoods combo store at the newly repositioned Monrovia Landing at 735 and 737 E. Huntington Drive (Historic Route 66) and S. Shamrock Avenue, in the City of Monrovia, California. The new store will celebrate its grand opening on Sunday, October 22nd, at 8 a.m.

"We're humbled by the community's excitement for this weekend's opening of T.J.Maxx and HomeGoods, and also for the ALDI store opening planned for early December," said Michael Odell, principal and co-founder of Warner Pacific Properties. "These retailers are grateful to finally have stores in Monrovia, and be able to better serve its residents and nearby communities."

Warner Pacific Properties acquired the property in February 2016, and at the time of the acquisition, the 98,000-square-foot retail center consisted of a vacated Albertsons grocery store building and an O'Reilly Auto Parts store and was shadow anchored by Michaels (not included in the sale). Monrovia Landing is part of a larger retail development referred to as the Shamrock Center, which includes a 24-Hour Fitness, Yoshinoya and Taco Bell.

"It's been a collaborative effort, and we're grateful for our tenants and partners, as they quickly bought into our redevelopment vision for this property," said John Odell, principal and co-founder of Warner Pacific Properties. "Our lender, Calmwater Capital, was particularly helpful and, instead of seeing the old building that sat vacant for several years, they immediately recognized this building's potential and they facilitated our business plan. It has been incredibly rewarding to bring an old building back to life, and recycle structures instead of demolishing them."

John Odell added, "The City of Monrovia has been extremely cooperative and we can't thank them enough for their continued assistance."

The retail building was originally developed in 1973 as a Super Kmart and was then acquired by Lucky Grocery Stores in 1997, and then later by Albertsons. One notable historical point, according to Odell, is the mural on the former Albertsons' building that pays homage to the Monrovia Airport that once existed across the street from 1928-1953. Warner Pacific Properties preserved the mural, which has a prominent focal point in the new shopping center.

New tenants, ALDI, a national grocery retailer with nearly 1,700 U.S. stores in 35 states, is slated to open on Dec. 7, and ULTA Beauty, the largest beauty retailer in the U.S., is expected to open in the second quarter of 2018. Additionally, Monrovia Landing will have several smaller shop spaces, including My Pet Garden, a local pet store currently operating in Pasadena.

Warner Pacific Properties has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with ALDI and has facilitated over 100 ALDI projects from coast-to-coast. Brothers John and Michael Odell co-founded Warner Pacific Properties more than 10 years ago, focusing on the acquisition of well-priced properties, special situation properties and properties in need of rehabilitation or repositioning in major metro areas around the country. In addition to the repositioning of the Monrovia Landing shopping center, the company's West Coast office has acquired apartment communities, unanchored retail shopping centers and is evaluating a variety of retail and mixed-use development opportunities.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Dog Park in Monrovia?

Peter Hanley writes on Facebook that City Manager Oliver Chi told the Chamber of Commerce that the city is considering creating a dog park. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Mt. Wilson Fire Not Currently a Threat to Monrovia; Pink Police Car; Lieutenants become Captains; Recliner Chairs at Theater

The city's pink police car.

In his weekly report City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ The city had one of its police cars wrapped in pink to support  the Pink Patch Project, which raises awareness for breast cancer research.

~ The fire near Mt. Wilson is nowhere near Monrovia, and "there is no direct threat to our community now." Still, the city has closed Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve (except for people who have rented a facility or are on a guided tour) but hopes to reopen them tomorrow ... at least if the fire is out by then. "Based on the latest reports we have received, the fire should be put out by this afternoon."

~ With the upcoming retirement of Police Chief Jim Hunt and Captain Nels Ortland and the appointment of Captain Alan Sanvictores as the next police chief,  Lt. Heath Harvey and Lt. Roberto Wilken have been promoted to captain.  Heath  will command the Operations Division, while Roberto will oversee the Services Division.

~ Studio Movie Grill (the former Krikorian Theater) plans to install high-backed recliners within the next week or two. The job should be done within 6-8 weeks. Also, in early 2018 the company plans to convert one screening room to a full kitchen, so there will be 11 screens.

~ The installation ceremony for new Monrovia  Chief of Police,  Alan Sanvictores is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Nov. 7, just before the City Council meeting.

~ Police Agent Michael Garcia, and Fire Captain Brannigan Scott will be recognized  at Congressmember Grace Napolitano's Community Prayer Breakfast, on Nov. 17 at the Pacific Palms Resort in the City of Industry.

~ This year 28 merchants will participate in the Old Town trick-or-treating program, "Halloween Spooktacular." They will be identified on a map and will have a "Candy Stop" sign in the window.

~ Six new "Big Belly" solar compacting trash cans will be installed in late October in  the 100-200 block, 400, 500, 600 blocks and at Library Park. They'll be  wrapped in a collage of historical photos. They can hold five times as much trash, so they have to be emptied less frequently. Also, the cans send a note to city staff when they need to be emptied.

~ The City's first Portland Loo public restroom was installed at  Julian Fisher Park last week.

- Brad Haugaard


Monrovia Canyon Park, Wilderness Area Clised


I would guess this was prompted by last night's fire near My. Wilson. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Fire Above Monrovia


There is apparently a fire above Monrovia. I took this picture at about 5:35 this morning from the Pavilions shopping center. You can see aircraft silhouetted occasionally against the flames. 

Update: KABC reporting it is around Mt Wilson. 

Update 2: 6:30 a.m. and it appears it is either out or close to being out. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Heroin and Fake $100 Bills; Drunk Driving; Shoplifting; Drugs; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 12-15. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Warrants – Suspects Arrested
October 12 at 7:26 p.m., officers completed a location check at a hotel in the 700 block of W. Huntington due to ongoing complaints. During the location check, they contacted four subjects in one of the rooms and a computer check revealed three of the subjects had outstanding warrants for their arrest. The subjects were arrested and held pending their court appearances.

Driving Under the Influence / Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
October 14 at 4:29 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle in the 200 block of E. Huntington for a vehicle code violation. The driver displayed signs of intoxication and further investigation determined the driver was driving under the influence. The driver was arrested for DUI and two passengers were arrested for public intoxication.

Public Intoxication / Warrant – Suspects Arrested
October 14 at 5:09 a.m., officers were dispatched to a disturbance in the front yard of a residence in the 700 block of Montana. They contacted several subjects. One subject was taken into custody for public intoxication and held for a sobering period. A second subject was arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Warrant / Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
October 14 at 8:52 a.m., a former tenant that had been evicted several days earlier had returned to the residence in the 700 block of W. Duarte Road. He has been asked to stay away from the location. He has brought property back to the location and made statements that he is staying there. A computer check of the subject revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrant and served with a no-trespassing order for the location.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
October 14 at 3:06 p.m., loss prevention at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington phoned police to report a subject that had stolen merchandise and when confronted, became combative. Officers responded, confirmed the theft and the suspect was arrested.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspects Arrested
October 14 at 7:56 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 200 block of W. Huntington for a vehicle code violation. The vehicle was occupied by five subjects. One of the passengers had a warrant for his arrest and officers located drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine inside the vehicle. Two subjects were arrested and taken into custody.

Counterfeit Currency / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
October 15 at 10:24 a.m., the owner of a business in the 600 block of S. Myrtle called police to report a subject that paid their bill with a counterfeit $100 bill and left the location. An employee followed the subject outside and called police. Officers arrived and detained the subject. The subject was arrested for possession of a counterfeit bill and was found to be in possession of heroin. He also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested and taken into custody for the charges.

Latino Heritage Fundraiser Dance

Monrovia Latino Heritage scholarship fundraiser dance, 2-7 p.m., Sunday, October. 15, VFW Post 8070, 250 E. first Street, Azusa. $20 in advance; $25 at the door. For information call Louie Romero at (951)  830-9648


- Brad Haugaard 


Calvary Road Baptist Church & Sunday School

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Are you uncertain about the future? Jaded by life? Concerned for the next generation? Disillusioned by the state of our country and around the world? Are you searching for truth and the true meaning of life in this ever changing culture? Come find out the answers to these questions and more as we look closer into God's handbook for life through the Bible. See how spiritual realities are applied to practical daily living covering all aspects of life. Here at Calvary Road Baptist Church you will find appropriate Bible preaching that honors God, exalts the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, empower believers and gives hope to the lost and hopeless.  We are a traditional Christ centered, hymn singing, family values focused congregation of diverse backgrounds and age groups representing the surrounding communities we serve.

Sunday School

Come spend time with us as we prepare today's youth for tomorrow's challenges from 3-4pm

● Activities include Bible lessons, singing, crafts, and snacks.
● Newcomers are always welcome to take part with the many other boys and girls who attend for FREE.
● Your child will be placed in the appropriate age group from K-12 grade with its own regular teacher.
● If transportation is needed we can make arrangements for pick up.
● All teachers are members of the church and have received Sunday School training.
● Each week the children receive a lesson from the Bible. The Sunday School follows the Lessons for Life four-year, structured course of lessons.
● Children will receive a weekly Bible Learning Course leaflet which will indicate what they are being taught.
● Parents are welcome to sit in with their child in any class in our safe and secured facility.
● The church operates a Child Protection Policy in accordance with Government guidelines.

Military-ish Convoy Drives Through Monrovia

Photos of old military vehicles passing through town, from Gem City Images: https://goo.gl/tfEbj4

- Brad Haugaard

New Names in Monrovia


Now the former Krikorian Theater is the Studio Movie Grill. Dinner and a movie - at the same place. 


And here is the former Albertsons. Replaced by a HomeGoods and TJ Maxx, plus, it appears, a couple empty slots. These are not open yet. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Council to Consider Marijuana Regulations

At its next meeting the Monrovia City Council (agenda: https://goo.gl/LxEtYG) will, among other things ...

~ Consider adopting staff recommentdations for new marijuana growing regulations "that (1) prohibit the issuance of a business license for all commercial cannabis activity except for laboratory testing and manufacturing facilities, (2) prohibit all commercial cannabis uses except for laboratory testing and manufacturing facilities, (3) prohibit outdoor cannabis cultivation, and (4) regulate indoor cannabis cultivation in private residences." Some adjustment to the city's regulations are required due to changing state law. The staff recommendaton is more restrictive than the regulations initially proposed by the Planning Commission, which was prepared to allow outside cultivation of marijuana. https://goo.gl/fSKHQ9

~ Consider a "Mills Act Contract" for the historic landmark house at 200 E. Lime (aka the Tillapaugh House), which will give the new owner a tax break: https://goo.gl/xsPf51

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Smashburger Temporarily Closed to Fix Cockroach Problem, Newspaper Reports

Smashburger Restaurant was temporarily closed, from Oct. 4-6, due to cockroaches, according to a report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. The restaurant is at 602 W. Huntington Drive, Monrovia. https://goo.gl/3g5h8r

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Something Healthy



Lunch at Something Healthy, on the east side of Shamrock just north of Huntington. Got the Farmer Sandwich with turkey for $8.59 (it came with a bag of chips) and an iced tea for $1.50. Tasted good. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: No License and She Was Selling Marijuana; Brother-Sister Fight; Gardener Ripped Off; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 9-11. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 412 service events, resulting in 63 investigations. 

Theft of Gardening Equipment

October 10 at 11:03 a.m., a citizen patrol officer was on patrol in the 400 block of Highland when he was flagged down by a gardener. The gardener told him a male suspect in a gray Ford truck just stole his yard trimmer and fled the area. An officer searched the area for the suspect vehicle, but it was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

October 10 at 5:16 p.m., units responded to the intersection of Peck and Live Oak regarding a traffic collision. A male subject in a pickup truck was driving west on Live Oak and collided with a Sheriff’s Department vehicle. There were no injuries. Further investigation revealed the driver of the pickup was driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested for DUI.

Possession of Marijuana for Sales – Suspect Arrested

October 10 at 9:49 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on Duarte at Mayflower. The 17-year-old female driver was found to be unlicensed. She was arrested for driving without a license. During an inventory search of the vehicle, approximately 13 pounds of marijauna and cash was located. The driver was charged with an infraction due to her age for the marijuana, in addition to the unlicensed driver charge. The driver was later released to her guardian.

Battery / Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested

October 10 at 9:49 p.m., police dispatch received numerous calls regarding a disturbance at a location in the 1300 block of Alta Vista. Officers arrived and found a male subject bleeding from a laceration to his head. A female subject was also at the location and was extremely intoxicated. The investigation revealed the two subjects are siblings and were involved in a physical altercation. It was unknown how the male sustained the injury. Both subjects refused prosecution and the male subject was taken to the hospital for treatment. The female was arrested for public intoxication.

 Grand Theft Auto

October 11 at 2:09 p.m., a grand theft was reported in the 100 block of W. Olive. An unknown suspect entered a parking garage at the location and stole a scooter from the garage. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft

October 11 at 4:17 p.m., a grand theft was reported at a hotel in the 900 block of S. Fifth Avenue. A female staying at the location reported that she placed an expensive ring on the kitchen counter in her room and left the location. When she returned in the early evening, the ring was missing. The investigation is continuing. 

New Book Out on Monrovia's Renaissance

Former Monrovia public information officer, Dick Singer, has a new book out, called, "Renaissance Years: A History of Modern Monrovia." Here's a review: https://goo.gl/Y93rDi (Unfortunately the article gives no clue where to get the book. Dick, where can people get Renaissance Years?)

Update: See comments for where to buy the book.

- Brad Haugaard

Canyon Park Open Again


The gate is open again at Monrovia Canyon Park. I guess the fire danger has subsided. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Make a Difference; Family Affair Music Closing? AeroVironment Gets Military Contract

~ Make a Difference Day, Saturday, Oct. 28, from 8 a.m. to noon at Library Park. tools, equipment and lunch provided. Individual, family, and group opportunities. Sponsored by Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley. For more information: 256-8187

~ Family Affair Music in Old Town expects to close after 45 years: https://goo.gl/YVNrRB

~ Monrovia drone-maker AeroVironment got a $2.5 million contract with the military for "multiple Blackwing vehicles, sensor payloads and refurbishment kits." https://goo.gl/ik2x1V

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia - Brew City! Reservoir Upgrade Will Be Tough on Neighbors; Taste of Old Town; Build a Bat House; Etc.

In his weekly update (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O), City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ This coming Wednesday, Oct. 11, the Planning Commission will consider a Conditional Use Permit to allow Wingwalker Brewing to operate a microbrewery at 235  W. Maple Ave. If approved, the craft brewery will make specialty beer and offer samples in a tasting room that will be open to the public. If approved,  Wingwalker Brewing will be the second craft brewery on Maple Avenue, and the fourth craft brewery in Monrovia.  Recently, Over Town Brewing Company was approved to operate at 227  W. Maple Ave.  We also have Pacific Plate and Hop Secret. Chi writes, "It would appear that Monrovia is developing a reputation as a semi-underground but super cool craft brewery scene."

~ The upgrade of Oakglade Reservoir, due to begin in late December or January, will be "very invasive for the residents that live off of Oakglade Drive and Ridgeside Drive," but the city will work with the neighbors. The existing 900,000 gallon Oakglade Reservoir will be replaced with a 1.5-million-gallon reservoir, which will increase supply capacity by 67% and improve emergency water storage requirements.

~ A Taste of Old Town Monrovia is coming up on Oct. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. It will showcase Old Town merchants and restaurants. Tickets: https://goo.gl/qj9125

~ For the Halloween season, Monrovia Canyon Park is hosting a Build-a-Bat-Box event at the Nature Center on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 1-3 p.m. A common little brown bat can eat between 800 and 1,000 mosquitoes in a single night. (Comment: And with the Zika and West Nile mosquitoes coming to town, bats are our friends!)

~ Mayflower Avenue between Foothill and Linwood will be closed from around 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day through the end of October to  replace nearly 600 linear feet of sewer line with larger pipe.  As the sewer line is in the middle of Mayflower, they have to close the whole street, though residents will always have access. Construction should be finished by the end of October.  For questions contact Public Works at 932-5575.

~ Construction crews are completing concrete work at Julian Fisher Park, including a new seat wall, a pathway through the park to the sidewalk, new basketball courts, and the foundation for the new Portland Loo-style public restroom.

~ Irwindale-based Mariposa Landscapes will take on the routine landscape maintenance of the City's parks, medians, right of way areas, and other open spaces, of which the city has approximately 66 landscaped acres. The transition will begin in December.

~ The city has received five new buses to replace buses that were put into service in 2007/8, all of which have over 200,000 miles on them. They should begin operations later this month.

~ Move Monrovia will celebrate the city's Bike Master Plan. Participants can ride to a ribbon cutting celebration of the new Class III Bike Routes, which include new "Share the Road" signs and painted sharrows along the bike path route. Oct. 21, 8 a.m. at Recreation Park.

- Brad Haugaard