Dinner at the new Tacos and Papas, on the east side of Myrtle just north of Lemon. (Opens at 4:30 p.m.) Got the three-fish-taco plate for $10.95 and a horchata for $3. Very nice meal. - Brad Haugaard
Dinner at Tacos and Papas
Dinner at the new Tacos and Papas, on the east side of Myrtle just north of Lemon. (Opens at 4:30 p.m.) Got the three-fish-taco plate for $10.95 and a horchata for $3. Very nice meal. 
Calm Bernie Would Like a Warm Lap and a Warm Sunbeam
Bernie is thirteen years young and is looking for his forever lap. Bernie is a calm, relaxed kitty, and will seek out attention with a soft meow or a gentle glance in your direction. He enjoys attention and just can’t get enough love! Bernie would enjoy a quiet home where he can snuggle up with you on the couch, or take long naps in a warm sunbeam.
The adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat 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 and schedule a virtual adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every day at 5:00 p.m. for the following day.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.\
- Brad Haugaard
A Moment in Monrovia History: Immaculate Conception Church
Postcard of the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Shamrock. See full details here. From the William Ward collection. Identifying information from Kim Ward Anderson.
Tuskegee Airman to be Honored
At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/EIqvmA) the Monrovia City Council will ...
~ Discuss a report about District Attorney George Gascón, who has been criticized for his nine "Special Directives," which appear to some to lean too far in favor of those accused of crimes. According to the city staff report, Gascón has written that his policies "are, by any measure, major departures from how this office has approached this work previously." A resident requested the council pass a "Vote of no confidence" in the DA. Arcadia, Azusa, Beverly Hills, Covina, Diamond Bar, La Mirada, Lancaster, Manhattan Beach, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs and Whittier have already passed such resolutions. https://is.gd/ZEEtaD
~ Consider spending $15,500 to honor Leroy "Buster" Criss as the next "Neighborhood Treasure." Criss was a Monrovian, attended Monrovia Arcadia Duarte High School, and took flying lessons at the Monrovia Airport. He served with the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators. During World War II, the American military was racially segregated. Later he worked for 37 years as a high school teacher in the Los Angeles area, but could not teach in Monrovia because of the color of his skin. Monrovian Donna Hargett, a professional artist, will create the nine-foot-tall and 40-inches-wide monument, which will be made out of pressed metal and molded resin. It will be placed in the 200 block of East Maple, where Criss lived, at the end of July. https://is.gd/XUfiTF
- Brad Haugaard
Virtual Learning Will Continue for Monrovia Students Who Prefer It
A district press release says:
"For our students who thrive in an independent, online environment, Mountain Park School will continue offering such opportunities. Through our virtual academy and independent study, our students will have the option of continuing their studies remotely."
For more information, visit Mountain Park's website or call (626) 471-3002.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Area Partnership Wins National Awards; Seminar on Landscaping to Defend Against Wildfire
~ Monrovia has received two national awards at the Neighborhoods USA annual conference for the Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) program om competition with cities across America. The city received first place for its newsletter and second place for Best Neighborhood Program.
~ If you live near the hills, you may be interested in a seminar on how to landscape your property so it looks good and best defends against wildfire. Monrovia and Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District will present "Firescaping the Foothills" on Thursday, June 24 from 5 to 6 p.m. on Zoom. Details: https://is.gd/oo5VfD
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Music Students Bring You 'Superstars of Music Showcase 2021'
Monrovia School District music students join to bring you, virtually, "Superstars of Music Showcase 2021."
- Brad Haugaard
Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 12 New Cases; No New Deaths
Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m.,
05/26/2021. Changes since
05/19/2021.
City of Monrovia: 3,190 cases (up 12), 78 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 376 cases (up 1), no deaths
- Brad Haugaard
City of Monrovia: 3,190 cases (up 12), 78 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 376 cases (up 1), no deaths
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School Board Selects Dr. Ryan Smith as New Superintendent
The Board of Education has selected Dr. Ryan Smith as the District’s new Superintendent, bringing nearly 25 years of education experience to the District. Smith is scheduled to begin his position on July 1.
The Board unanimously approved a contract with Dr. Smith during its May 26 meeting, where he was formally introduced to the school community via livestream.
“I am truly honored to be selected by the Board of Education as the next Superintendent of Monrovia Unified School District,” Smith said. “Monrovia Unified is a district with a reputation for excellence and tremendous community support. Its outstanding academic programs are well known throughout Los Angeles County, the state, and beyond and are complemented by its fantastic offerings in the arts, athletics, wellness and mental health, and more. I am very excited to begin meeting with teachers and staff, parents and families, community members and organizations, and those who matter most – our students.”
During the selection process, input sessions were held with administrators, staff, parents, and district stakeholders in order to learn about the qualities they wanted in a new superintendent.
Additionally, the school community was invited to fill out an online survey. Using this information, Leadership Associates – Monrovia Unified’s search firm – conducted an extensive search. The Board was presented with an impressive list of candidates, ultimately selecting Dr. Smith.
Smith earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California. He also holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership from Chapman University and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from California State University, San Marcos.
Smith comes to Monrovia Unified after five years in the Paramount Unified School District, where he served as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Educational Services and led the entire Educational Services division.
During his time in Paramount, Smith oversaw a variety of key initiatives, including the development and implementation of the district’s first strategic plan, the expansion of instructional technology to include a 1-1 Chromebook program for all district students, and the creation of the district’s first new high school, Odyssey STEM Academy.
Additionally, Smith worked to expand access to and develop new Career Technical Education programs, build partnerships with local colleges and universities, and increase access to the Advanced Placement program and other rigorous courses.
Smith has been married to his wife Jennifer for over nine years; they are excited to relocate to the Monrovia area from Orange County soon.
The District will host a Superintendent Roadshow throughout July, which will serve as a meet-and-greet opportunity for stakeholders with the new superintendent. More information on the Superintendent Roadshow will be shared when details have been finalized.
On behalf of the Board of Education, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ryan Smith as our new Superintendent, and look forward to all of the wonderful things he will do for Monrovia Unified. Dr. Smith has an extensive background in education, bringing with him years of experience and a strong passion for student success. We strongly believe he will be a great fit for Monrovia Unified School District.
Sincerely,
Maritza Travanti, President
MUSD Board of Education
Source: Monrovia Schools press release
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Victim Locates His Stolen Bike; Resident Receives Packet of Meth; Theft From Cars; Drunk Driving; Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 20-26. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 340 service events, resulting in 72 investigations.
Battery / Mental Evaluation
May 20 at 3:03 p.m., an employee from a business in the 200 block of W. Huntington called to report a subject at the location was being aggressive and acting strange. The subject walked up to an elderly customer and pushed him down. Officers arrived and detained the subject. He was acting paranoid and talking to imaginary people. He said he was hearing voices. The victim of the battery refused prosecution. It was determined that the subject was a danger to himself and others, and needed to be evaluated by a mental health professional. He was taken to a local hospital.
Residential Burglary
May 20 at 4:51 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of N. Bradoaks called to report his neighbor's rear sliding door had been shattered. The house has been vacant for several months. Officers arrived and determined there was no one inside the house. Several rooms inside appeared to have been ransacked. This investigation is continuing.
Theft – Suspect Arrested
May 20 at 6:33 p.m., the victim of a bicycle theft that occurred earlier in the day called police to report seeing the suspect riding his bicycle near the intersection of Colorado and Second. Officers arrived and detained the suspect. Both the suspect and bicycle were identified by the victim. The property was returned to the victim and the suspect was arrested.
Vehicle Burglary
May 20 at 6:58 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 700 block of W. Huntington. The victim reported that she parked her vehicle and went into a business. When she returned, she saw a window on her vehicle had been smashed and a male suspect was running away. The suspect fled in a black Chevy Tahoe. Officers checked the area, but did not locate the vehicle or the suspect. Two cell phones were taken from inside the vehicle. This investigation is continuing.
Hit & Run Traffic Collision
May 20 at 7:13 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported in the in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. The victim parked her vehicle and went into a business. When she returned to her vehicle, she saw it had been struck. Officers arrived and saw extensive damage along the entire side of the vehicle. This investigation is continuing.
Stolen Vehicle Recovered
May 21 at 10:40 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of W. Maple called to report a vehicle parked and unattended in the area. Investigation revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen out of El Monte. The vehicle was removed from the stolen vehicle system and returned to the registered owner.
Suspicious Package
May 21 at 6:24 p.m., a resident in the 900 block of Norumbega called police to report a suspicious package. When he opened his mail, one of the envelopes contained a white powder-like substance with a note. The envelope was addressed to a different name and address, but had the homeowner's return address listed on it. The homeowner called and stated he was fearful of the powdered substance. Officers arrived and requested Los Angeles County Hazmat to respond. Once they arrived, the envelope was collected and tested. The substance tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine. This investigation is continuing.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
May 21 at 9:37 p.m., officers conducting a traffic collision investigation near the intersection of Foothill and Mayflower saw an intoxicated female adult carrying an open container of alcohol and stumbling down the sidewalk. Officers contacted the female and determined she was too intoxicated to care for her own safety. The female was arrested for public intoxication and possession of an open alcoholic container in public. She was held for a sobering period and then later released on a citation to appear in court on the charges.
Hit & Run Traffic Collision
May 22 at 1:10 a.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported in the 1900 block of S. Myrtle. The victim was driving south on Myrtle when the vehicle next to her merged into her lane and collided into her vehicle. The collision caused her vehicle to violently swerve across northbound lanes, and she collided into a wall. The suspect failed to stop and fled the scene. The suspect vehicle was described as a black, pickup truck with tinted windows. This investigation is continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
May 22 at 4:56 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 100 block of S. Fifth. The victim reported that sometime during the night his truck was broken into and his passport was taken from inside. This investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 22 at 10:54 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of Acacia called to report a vehicle was parked in front of his residence and it appeared to have traffic collision damage. When officers arrived, they found a subject passed out behind the wheel. The rubber was missing from the passenger wheel, and it appeared the driver had driven for some distance before stopping on the residential street. An area search was conducted, but no other vehicles appeared damaged. Investigation revealed the subject had been driving while under the influence. He was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.
Lost / Stolen License Plate
May 23 at 10:12 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of Fano called police to report that his license plates were stolen from his vehicle sometime during the week. The license plate number was entered into the system as lost/stolen.
Vandalism
May 23 at 10:29 a.m., a vandalism incident was reported in the 2600 block of S. Myrtle. The victim reported that an unknown subject shot a BB gun at his vehicle, striking the window and damaging it. This investigation is continuing.
Vandalism
May 23 at 12:34 p.m., a vandalism incident was reported in the 100 block of W. Colorado. The victim reported that the windows on two of his vehicles had been smashed. One vehicle had the driver's side window smashed and the other the right rear passenger. The investigation determined that no entry was made into the vehicles and that nothing was stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 23 at 5:18 p.m., an employee of a hardware store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called police to report a shoplifting incident. The suspect entered the business, concealed merchandise in his backpack, and then exited the store without making an attempts to pay for the items. Officers arrived and located the suspect nearby. After an investigation, the suspect was arrested for shoplifting.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 23 at 8:28 p.m., an employee at a brewing company in the 1900 block of S. Myrtle called to report an intoxicated customer that was arguing with other patrons. As the subject attempted to leave in his vehicle, he backed into another vehicle in the parking lot and then fled the area. Officers responded and stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Camino Real and Tenth. A DUI investigation was conducted and it was determined the driver had been driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.
Domestic Violence Warrant – Suspect Arrested
May 24 at 1:20 p.m., an officer was checking a location in the 100 block of E. Lemon for a wanted subject. The subject was wanted for domestic violence and was located at his workplace. The officer confirmed the warrant and arrested the suspect without incident.
Vandalism
May 25 at 7:13 a.m., officers on patrol in the 500 block of E. Maple observed a vehicle that had the front passenger window and right portion of the windshield shattered. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft Auto
May 26 at 7:44 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of W. Cypress called police to report his Chevrolet pickup truck had been stolen. Officers searched for the vehicle, but could not locate it. The vehicle was entered into the law enforcement stolen vehicle system. This investigation is continuing.
Vandalism
May 26 at 8:38 a.m., the owner of a hair salon in the 300 block of W. Huntington arrived to work and discovered a hole in the glass front door that was not there the day before. It appeared as if something similar to a BB or bullet went through the glass; however, the projectile was not located. This investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 26 at 7:40 p.m., officers responded to a department store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding a theft of merchandise that just occurred. A male suspect entered the store, selected a large amount of items, and then left the store without paying. An officer arrived and detained the suspect on Mountain. The suspect was identified by employees and was arrested for petty theft.
Twelve Monrovia Police Department Employees to be Honored
2019 Awards
Distinguished Service Medal
- Detective Damien Bartholomy
- Agent Juan Huerta
- Agent Cody Wilkins
- Officer Seth Hermes
- Retired Officer John Jefferson
Life Saving Award
- Sergeant Gerald DeHart
- Sergeant Yolanda Juarez
- Agent Travis Ortega
- Officer Joshua Granger
2020 Awards
Medal of Merit
- Officer Rosendo Ramos
- Officer Ian Vanderburg
Distinguished Service Medal
- Officer Joshua Granger
- Police Communications Operator Erin Maller
Source: Monrovia Police press release
- Brad Haugaard
Bio of Monrovian Fair Hooker
BrownsNation, a sports news website devoted to the Cleveland Browns football team, has a lengthy biographical article on Fair Hooker, a Monrovia High School student in the mid-1960s who later had a career with the Browns. https://shrtm.nu/I085
- Brad Haugaard
Pasadena Man Arrested in Monrovia Killing
Tanaj Johnson, 22, of Pasadena, has been arrested and charged in the death of Darione Tyrell Jones, 25, of Arcadia. Jones was shot in the 100 block of East Los Angeles Avenue in Monrovia on March 29. Johnson has been charged in the shooting along with an unidentified man and a 17-year-old teenage boy. https://shrtm.nu/1l8N
- 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 chicken for $9.25 and a peach ginger iced tea for $2.75. I’ll take their word that the sandwich was healthy but I can testify that it was delicious. - Brad Haugaard
Havanah Could Be a Patient Person’s Best Friend
Two-year-old Havanah is full of energy and ready to jump right into your heart! This active dog loves playing fetch with her favorite toys, and sometimes will get the “zoomies” around the play yard. Havanah needs a patient adopter who will give her the time she needs to get to know them, but she loves attention and has the potential to be someone’s very best friend. If you’re a dog-savvy person with no other pets, Havanah would be a great fit for your life.The adoption fee for dogs is $150. 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 and schedule a virtual adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every day at 5:00 p.m. for the following day.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
- Brad Haugaard
A Moment in Monrovia History: Looking South on Myrtle
Postcard looking south on Myrtle from Lemon. See full details here. From the William Ward collection. Identifying information from Kim Ward Anderson.
Monrovia Schools Graduation and Promotion Schedule
- Monrovia Community Adult School - May 27; 9 a.m.
- Santa Fe CSMS - June 8; 8:30 a.m. & 10 a.m.
- Clifton MS - June 8; 8 a.m. & 9:30 a.m.
- COHS - June 8; 5:00 p.m.
- Bradoaks ESA - June 9; 8:30 a.m.
- CELC - June 9; 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 4 p.m.
- Mayflower - June 9; 9:30 a.m.
- Monroe ES - June 9; 8:30 a.m.
- Plymouth - June 9; 8:30 a.m.
- Wild Rose - June 9; 9 a.m.
- MHS - June 9; 5 p.m.
- Brad Haugaard
Anti-Burglar Tips for Summer Months
As we all know, warmer weather is just around the corner. During warmer weather its not uncommon for many of us to leave windows and doors open. This is also a good time for criminals looking for easy targets.
The Arcadia Police Department wants to share some crime prevention tips to help our community stay safe and avoid being the victim of a burglary.
Remember the basics first: LOCK your doors, CLOSE your windows, and SET your alarm.
Here are some other tips to help keep your home safe:
- Close and lock your windows and doors! Thieves look for an easy target.
- Install surveillance cameras (to the front, side, and rear of your house, if possible)
- Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed so that windows and doors are visible.
- Maintain your home and make it looked lived in. Arrange for care if you leave on vacation.
- Don't leave newspapers, mail, and door hanger materials in place. Arrange for a trusted friend or neighbor to collect these items for you.
- Know your neighbors! Be familiar with cars, faces and who belongs in your neighborhood.
- Leave different lights on when you’re away. Use timers when gone overnight.
- Leave a radio or television on inside when you’re away.
- Use window stops/pins to prevent windows and sliding doors from being opened.
- Get an ALARM. Even simple alarms that are not connected to a central system are a deterrent.
The suspects in recent residential burglaries have accessed homes by shattering rear sliding glass doors or windows. We encourage our residents to have lighting, and if possible, surveillance cameras in these areas.
There are companies who make a security film you can apply to a window or sliding glass door, that will keep the shattered glass intact, detouring or preventing a criminal from gaining access.
These are just a few tips to help prevent crime. One of the biggest things we rely on is YOU. It’s important to report suspicious activity. If you see something or someone suspicious, report it as soon as possible. The quicker you call us, the quicker we can respond.
- Brad Haugaard
Former School Board Member Bryan Wong Now Leading Local Habitat for Humanity
After 17 years on the Monrovia School Board, I’m excited to transition to San Gabriel Valley Habitat as the new Executive Director. As we all know, our MUSD families have had a challenging year. Similarly, many families across the San Gabriel Valley have faced overcrowded, unaffordable and unsafe living conditions—which the pandemic has only made worse. The dream of home ownership is now even more out of reach with median sales prices skyrocketing over 28% to $707,000 in the last year.
In my short time here at SGV Habitat, I have met home buyers who are able to overcome these challenges thanks to our affordable home ownership program. Just a few days ago, I was speaking to E’Tiffany, a hardworking mom of four, who always wanted to become a homeowner. She did not have that opportunity until she discovered SGV Habitat. Now, she is a few weeks away from purchasing her very own Habitat home in Monterey Park. Finally, what was once the impossible dream will become a reality for E’Tiffany and her children.
Through our three-year Expanding the American Dream campaign, we will help 100 families, just like E’Tiffany’s, build or repair their very own home . We will accomplish this through the generosity of donors, volunteers, and organizations along with support from a variety of federal, state, and local agencies.
I am proud to be part of an organization that helps families and individuals across San Gabriel Valley build and buy or repair their own safe and affordable home. Together we will build stronger neighborhoods and communities. I enjoyed working with all of you as a school board member and invite you to join me in the mission of building homes, community, and hope. To get involved, please visit sgvhabitat.org.
Sincerely,
Bryan Wong
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