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Book Review: 1887 - A Slice of Life from the Year of Monrovia's Founding

If you're a Monrovia buff, 1887: A History of Early Monrovia, by Monrovia author Richard Singer, is for you!

It's a slice of life during the founding days of the city, mostly, as the title says, from the year of its incorporation, 1887.

You'll get to know the founders, what they were thinking, the times they were living in, the land boom and bust, the social events, the births and deaths,  the calls for a sewer system (it was getting stinky), and many more details, such as ...

- The story of a Monrovian to USC for a telescope and a building to house it. There was a drive to get the telescope installed on Monrovia Peak, but we lost. It ended up on top of another local mountain.

- A painful but instructive tale of why not to ship dynamite caps inside a kerosene stove.

- The volunteer fire department that - twice! - couldn't find its wrench to open the fire hydrant while buildings burned down.

- The Monrovia illustrator whose pictures of Spanish atrocities in Cuba helped lead to the Spanish-American War.

- The adventures of William Monroe after he founded Monrovia. From South America to Alaska to prospecting in the Klondike.

1887 is Singer's second book on Monrovia. He earlier published Renaissance Years: A History of Modern Monrovia. See review: https://is.gd/3YrUVg

1887 is available at the Monrovia Historical Museum (open Thursday and Sunday afternoons), or by calling (626) 675-8323 or emailing monroviahistoricalsociety1896@gmail.com. Cost is $30, with the full amount going to support Monrovia history projects.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 431, 31 Deaths - Up 1

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m. July 16:

Monrovia: 431 (up 19 since 8 p.m. July 14), 31 deaths (up 1).
Unincorporated Monrovia: 51 (up 1).
Glen Park (assisted living, 110 N Mountain), 3 cases, no deaths.
Trader Joe's market: 5 cases, no deaths.

- Brad Haugaard

Fellowship Church: No More In-Person Church for the Rest of 2020

Monrovia's huge Fellowship Church has decided there will be no in-person church for the rest of 2020.

A letter to church members says: "For the safety of our church and our communities at large, we have decided to suspend our in person weekend worship services for the remainder of 2020."

And ...

"Being led by love, we believe gathering thousands of us together in person, for an hour a week, isn't the most loving to our community, especially when we can not guarantee to keep you, our volunteers, our staff, and all of our kids safe.

"[W]e've reallocated every staff member towards providing help, care, and counseling to anyone in need, and towards creating content for parents/guardians, kids, youth as well as our daily Good News Today show, midweek message, and weekly services."

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Consider Committee to Check for Inequities; Zoom Subscription; Greening Campuses

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/T9hrxp) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Creating a Policy Review Committee to "review district policies and procedures that may be a potential barrier to equity." https://is.gd/HbsMHh

~ Spending $18,000 for a one-year subscription for Zoom video conferencing software for the 2020-21 school year. https://is.gd/nfecsd

~ An agreement with AMIGOS, a California nonprofit, to implement an urban greening project on the campuses, including, "grass clearing, regrading to create concave rain gardens and bioswales, removal of grass, planting native  and drought‐tolerant  species, removing  hardscape, installing  permeable surfaces, installing trashcans, installing  interpretive  elements, and engaging  local youth and  their families in the design, installation, and monitoring. https://is.gd/nYBeYV

- Brad Haugaard

Free Money - If You Qualify; Online Water Safety Information

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports:

~ If you are "income eligible" and have had your income affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, you can apply for a one-time payment of up to $500 for rental assistance and for a one-time payment of up to $150 for utility assistance, paid for by the federal government. The city will begin accepting applications this Monday, July 20, through Thursday, July 30. Details: https://is.gd/btm0ys

~  The Red Cross wants to help parents, caregivers and kids to learn about water safety. If your child is not able to take formal swim lessons right now, you can still help them learn to be safer around backyard pools, ponds or other natural bodies of water. Videos and activity sheets for kids and free online courses for adults, here: https://is.gd/w4qnvp

- Brad Haugaard

A Bit About Those Big Old Pipes in Monrovia Canyon


If you've been to Canyon Park you may have seen the original pipes that William Monroe put in place to provide the city with water. Hear a bit of the history and pictures of those pipes in this video.

- Brad Haugaard

Adapting to the Plague

Monrovia businesses adapt to the Coronavirus. Top, Foothill Gym has moved its exercise equipment outdoors. Bottom, Peach Cafe has expanded its outdoor seating into the street. 

- Brad Haugaard 

City Council to Consider: Nominees to Equity Committee, Budget, Proposed Condo, Historic Landmarks

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/BlatPh) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider appointing Rev. Neil Tadken, Edward Elizalde, Susie Ling, Henry Olivas, Jr., and Ruhiyyih Yullie to an ad hoc committee to look over city policies, procedures and practices to see if there are any systemic inequities in how the city treats people. https://is.gd/e3Tes4

~ Review the proposed 2020-21 budget. https://is.gd/cLD9Kq

~ Consider a conditional use permit to allow development of a six-unit, two-and-three-story condominum complex at at 910 S. Ivy, a bit south of Chestnut on the east side of Ivy. https://is.gd/rfJcpS

~ Consider declaring properties at 234 W. Greystone (https://is.gd/Aq6sk5) and 408 East Colorado (https://is.gd/mJ6LwY) as historic landmarks.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner from Rudy’s Mexican Food

Dinner tonight from Rudy’s Mexican Food, at the corner of Myrtle and Colorado. Got the carnitas plate for $17.25.  Very tasty and filling and enough for lunch tomorrow. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Arrest for Murder Threats; Cash Register Unattended for Two Hours, $300 Lost; Woman Leaves Car Running, Someone Drives Off With It; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 9-15. - Brad Haugaard]


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 350 service events, resulting in 62 investigations. 

Grand Theft Auto
July 9 at 8:19 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1800 block of California. The victim reported the vehicle belonged to his business and it was stolen off the street sometime during the night. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation. This investigation is continuing. 

Criminal Threats
July 9 at 11:55 a.m., officers responded to the 1300 block of S. Mayflower regarding a subject going into the location and threatening to kill the security guard. Multiple calls on the same subject acting erratically had been made over the last two weeks at the location. A no-trespassing order had also been completed against the subject. Officers tried to locate the subject at his home, but he was not there. Investigation continuing. 

Theft
July 9 at 7:01 p.m., a resident reported that the catalytic converter had been stolen off his vehicle. The vehicle had been parked in the 700 block of S. Ivy. This investigation is continuing. 

Criminal Threats / Wanted Person – Suspect Arrested
July 10 at 8:15 a.m., a security guard for a commercial building in the 1300 block of S. Mayflower reported a male subject who made death threats toward him the previous day had returned. Officers responded, located the subject, and arrested him for making criminal threats. 

Fraud
July 10 at 10:13 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of E. Hillcrest reported that she was a victim of fraud. She had received a telephone call from someone claiming they could remove viruses from her computer, so she gave this person access to her computer, then ended up wiring him $26,000 from her savings account to a bank in Thailand. This investigation is continuing. 

Commercial Burglary
July 10 at 11:06 p.m., a hotel in the 900 block of S. Fifth called to report a burglary. The front desk was left unattended for approximately two hours. During that time, a male suspect entered, looked around for a few moments and then jumped over the front desk. The suspect proceeded to open the register and retrieve money. Approximately $300 was stolen from the register. The investigation is continuing. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
July 11 at 7:13 a.m., a caller reported a vehicle collided into a parked car in the 1100 block of S. Magnolia, then flipped over. Officers and paramedics responded, but the driver was not injured. He was using his cellphone and became distracted, causing the collision. After investigation, the driver was issued a citation. 

Theft from a Vehicle
July 12 at 8:51 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of E. El Norte reported someone had entered her unlocked vehicle which was parked in front of her house and took money and groceries that were inside. This investigation is continuing. 

Vandalism
July 12 at 3:33 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 2600 block of S. Myrtle when he saw graffiti on the side of a building. The officer contacted the owner of the building, but he did not know how long it had been there. The graffiti will be removed. This investigation is continuing. 

Theft From a Vehicle
July 12 at 9:49 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 400 block of W. Huntington. The victim left his vehicle unlocked while he went into a restaurant. When he returned, he found his jacket was missing, along with his wallet containing his credit cards. This investigation is continuing. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
July 12 at 11:58 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of Lotone regarding a male and female yelling at each other. When officers arrived, the female said she and her fiancé were arguing and he choked her multiple times. Officers found there was an existing restraining order issued three months prior, due to a similar incident. The male suspect was arrested for domestic violence. 

Injury Traffic Collision
July 13 at 9:04 a.m., two vehicles collided at the intersection of Foothill and Shamrock. Officers responded along with paramedics from Monrovia Fire and Rescue. One of the drivers was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Theft of a Firearm
July 13 at 5:56 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of E. Palm regarding the theft of a shotgun. The victim allowed a subject to stay at his house overnight. The subject had offered to purchase the shotgun from the victim. The victim refused to sell the shotgun and the next day the shotgun went missing. This investigation is continuing. 

Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Vehicle) – Suspect Arrested
July 14 at 10:12 a.m., a caller reported a traffic collision involving a tow truck near the intersection of California and Evergreen. Officers responded to the scene of the collision. During the investigation, an officer learned the tow truck picked up a disabled vehicle out of town and was towing it to Monrovia, but there was a disagreement regarding the extra fees. The tow truck driver left the shop with the vehicle, and the owner’s husband followed the tow truck. At one point, the husband cut off the tow truck and began to argue with the driver. The tow truck driver backed up his vehicle, and the husband reversed his vehicle and intentionally collided into the tow truck. He was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. 

Grand Theft Auto
July 14 at 11:34 a.m., a female subject called police to report her vehicle was stolen from the 1000 block of S. Canyon. Officers responded and conducted an investigation. The victim left her vehicle running while she dropped off items inside of a building. She was away from her vehicle for approximately three minutes. When she returned, the vehicle was gone. This investigation is continuing. 

Anderson House Gets New Roof

The historic George Anderson House, home of the Monrovia Historical Society, is getting a new roof. The museum is on the north side of Lime just east of Ivy. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 412, Up 10

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m. July 14:

Monrovia: 412 (up 10 since 8 p.m. July 13), 30 deaths (unchanged).
Unincorporated Monrovia: 50 (unchanged).
Glen Park (assisted living, 110 N Mountain), 3 cases, no deaths.
Trader Joe's market: 5 cases, no deaths.

- Brad Haugaard

Calvary Chapel Monrovia to Meet in its Parking Lot

Although the state has re-closed church buildings, Monrovia's Calvary Chapel has announced that it plans to meet government requirements but continue to  meet physically by meeting in its parking lot, perhaps under a tent.

- Brad Haugaard

Online Bugs and Critters Seminar This Saturday

Monrovia Community Garden is holding a seminar on, "All Things Pests, Bugs, and Critters," this Saturday, July 18, 10-11:30 a.m. Send an email to info@monroviacommunitygarden.org with your email and you will be registered for the Zoom meeting.

- Brad Haugaard

School Will Be 100% Online This Fall

In a special meeting Tuesday night the Monrovia School Board voted unanimously to start the school year 100 percent online. https://youtu.be/1xdtMuh_BJI?t=7195

Why Board Member Gililland is upside down I don't know. ;-)

Board President Rob Hammond added in a Facebook post: "We all wanted to be able to welcome your children in August. We worked tirelessly to create a system that would sustain the increased traffic and interaction. While current conditions prevent us from implementing that plan on August 19, we will have it ready for the day conditions do allow it. We start school in this manner with every intention of having our students return as soon as safely possible."

Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 402, 1 More Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m. July 13:

Monrovia: 402 (up 9 since 8 p.m. July 12), 30 deaths (up 1).
Unincorporated Monrovia: 50 (up 3).
Glen Park (assisted living, 110 N Mountain), 3 cases, no deaths.
Trader Joe's market: 5 cases, no deaths.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 370, Up 23 in Two Days

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m. July 12:

Monrovia: 393 (up 23 since 8 p.m. July 10), 29 deaths (unchanged).
Unincorporated Monrovia: 47 (up 1).
Glen Park (assisted living, 110 N Mountain), 3 cases, no deaths.
Trader Joe's market: 5 cases, no deaths.

- Brad Haugaard

Stoney - A Wallflower No Longer


Four-year-old Stoney was a little bit of a wallflower when she came into the shelter as a stray, and also had painful bladder stones. But with surgery and healing, and now lots of treats and play time, she’s really warmed up to our staff and shown her puppy-like demeanor. She has lots of fun romping in the yard during Small Dog Play Group with all her other little dog friends, so she would probably do well with other dogs in the home. She loves play so much, she’s always the one trying to get the other dogs to join her fun and games! Stoney had some trust to build and some healing to do when we first met her, but now she’s ready for her forever home!

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org and fill out an online adoption application. Adoptions are by appointment only.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Old Town Advisory Board to Meet Regarding Outdoor Dining

The Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board will meet Tuesday, July 14, at 9:30 a.m., to further discuss outdoor dining in Old Town. Send comments to tcherry@ci.monrovia.ca.us before 8:30 a.m. on July 14. Comments may be summarized in the interest of time, however the full text will be provided to all members of the board prior to the meeting.

To watch the meeting and/or provide public comment from your computer or smartphone, call (626) 698-8630 or email rsandoval@ci.monrovia.ca.us before 8:30 a.m. on July 14 to get an ID and password. To comment, click the Participants "raised hand" icon at the appropriate time indicated during the meeting, and you will be selected from the meeting queue. Please limit comments to three minutes.

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Discuss School in the Fall, Bill to Require Ethnic Studies Class

The Monrovia Board of Education will hold a special meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. (agenda: https://is.gd/z2YcW5) to discuss:

~ What school is going to look like in the fall. Board President Rob Hammond writes on Facebook that the board wants to give both parents and the district as much time as possible to adapt to whatever plan is adopted.

~ Discuss supporting Assembly Bill 331 (https://is.gd/xKYuhZ), which would require students take a class in ethnic studies as a graduation requirement.

Watch at www.foothillsmedia.org/MUSD. Send public comments to publiccomments@monroviaschools.net

- Brad Haugaard