How Should Monrovia Spend $6 Million Extra a Year? Free Electric Vehicle Charging Extended to Feb. 15; Parade Winners; Sign the Pledge

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

~ The city is still looking for ideas on how to spend the $6 million per year it is raising from the Measure K sales tax measure. You can submit a suggestion online, here, or there are two more community forums planned:  Monday, December 13, 5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Julian Fisher Park; and Wednesday, December 15, 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m, Zoom Meeting ID: 862 1435 6452.

~ The city has extended free electric vehicle charging at its charging stations through February 15. Four public stations are located at 124 E Lemon. More information here, or contact Chris Castruita at (626) 256-8224 or ccastruita@ci.monrovia.ca.us. 

~ The 2021 Holiday Parade Winners are: 

• Best Band - Monrovia High School;
• Best Float - North Pole Support Team;
• Judges Award - Plymouth Elementary School;
• Best Dance Squad - Dancing for His Glory;
• Best Holiday Spirit - Monroe Elementary School.

~ The city is asking residents to sign "Monrovia's Pledge" at the Community Center. It says: "We are honored to be residents, business members and community leaders in the Gem City of the San Gabriel Valley foothills. We are thankful for the opportunity to learn more about our neighbors and grateful for this time to embrace and rejoice our diversity. We are committed to engage in and contribute to the diverse world around us and to facilitate opportunities that result in effective and meaningful participation. We are proud Monrovians!"

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Officers' Toy Drive Tomorrow

The Monrovia Police Officers' Association and Detail Union are partnering with the Foothill Unity Center for this year's Toy Drive on December 11, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The toy drive will be held at Detail Union at 1311 S. Shamrock Avenue. All donations are appreciated, but specifically requested are board games, puzzles, and gift cards.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Spyder Lab Ceremony Shows Off Lab's Equipment

Monrovia High students demonstrate the equipment in the relatively new Spyder Lab,  part of the Career Technical Pathway programs at the school. Students demonstrate how each piece of machinery is used. The lab has multiple 3D printers, a large cutter and printer, a fusion laser, vinyl cutter and a heat press. Although the lab opened in June, because of COVID, the grand opening was delayed until now. 

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: Another Death, 29 More Cases

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 12/8/2021. Changes since 12/1/2021.

City of Monrovia: 4,211 cases (up 29), 87 deaths (up 1)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 468 cases (up 4), 1 death (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Mudflow Not Expected From Today's Rain, But Heavy Rain Expected Monday; Gravel and Bags Available

The city says that LA County Flood Control does not anticipate any debris or mudflows in the recent Bobcat Fire burn areas because of today's rain, however,  Monrovia Canyon Park is closed starting today, and will reopen when weather permits.

Rain is also expected this Monday and Tuesday, December 13-14. "According to the National Weather Service, a powerful storm system will bring periods of heavy rain into the area."

If you need gravel and gravel bags, they are available at Recreation Park (620 S Shamrock) in the parking lot off of E. Olive near the skate park. Self-serve so bring your own shovel, gloves and eye protection. Supplies limited. First come first served. Details here.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Ikonicks

Dinner at Ikonicks, on the east side of Myrtle just south of Lime. Burgers and Nicaraguan food. Got the Pechuga (chicken) en Salsa Jalapena for $16.95 and a beer for the happy hour price of $3.  It came with plantain and a toasted slice of cheese (the toast-looking thing). Different and really excellent!

- Brad Haugaard 

Can You Use Washing Machine Water To Irrigate Your Garden?

With the continuing drought and the city's considering moving from voluntary to mandatory water usage restrictions (fines for people who do not cut their water usage by at least 10 percent) could residents perhaps use what is called "gray water," from -- for example, clothes washing machines -- to water their gardens?

Well, they can, but...

Director of Community Development Craig Jimenez said "Monrovia has adopted provisions for the installation of gray water systems as part of the plumbing code, however we do not get many inquiries about these types of systems.  My guess is that since retrofitting a gray water system is more complex than changing out fixtures, and typically requires hiring a professional to install, that influences residents’ decision to pursue this option (or not)."

The city, he said, has adopted the California Plumbing Code, but, he added, "Over the upcoming year, one of our goals is to provide more building/permitting information on the city’s website. That could be one topic we add."

The basic gray water philosophy in the California Plumbing Code, Section 503.0, is that:

Gray water shall be permitted to be diverted away from a sewer or private sewage disposal system, and discharge to a subsurface irrigation or subsoil irrigation system, or disposal field. The gray water shall be permitted to discharge to a mulch basin for residential occupancies. Gray water shall not be used to irrigate root crops or food crops intended for human consumption that comes in contact with soil.

If you are interested, the relevant section of the plumbing code is here.

- Brad Haugaard

Beautiful Betty - Best Friend for an Introvert

Eight-year-old Betty is a beautiful dog who enjoys getting attention from her favorite people, and would love to sleep next to you on the bed. Betty can be a little shy with new people, so she needs an adopter who will let her go at her own pace and provide her with a calm and quiet environment. She would do best in a home without other dogs and without very many visitors, so she would be a great dog for an introvert who wants a furry best friend!

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 an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

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: 1947 Panorama of Myrtle Avenue

A 1947 panorama of Myrtle Avenue. (Click on image for larger view.) See full details here.

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

Buy a Bag of Groceries For a Family in Need for $5.

You can help Vons help a family in need by purchasing a pre-filled bag of groceries for $5 through December 25. Purchase the bag at the register. The store says that the store has partnered with local organizations so the gift stays local.

- Brad Haugaard

Students May Get Pizza From Pizza Hut; District Considers Online Tutoring Deal

At its next meeting (agenda) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Getting pizza from Pizza Hut for students, at $7.40 to $8 per 14-inch pizza. The company promises, "All dough will be whole grain, and the pizzas will consist of low sodium pepperoni and low moisture lite cheese. Our products will be delivered fresh, hot, and on time." Details.

~ A 36 month contract for online tutoring software for $460,000 with Montreal, Canada, based Paper Education Company. The district can add students for $40 per student. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Girl Scouts Install Mile Markers on Wilderness Area Trail; Money Available for Seismic Retrofitting - Register by Dec. 9

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

~ Girl Scout Troop 2851 has installed mile markers in the Hillside Wilderness Preserve along the path that lead to Sunset Bench, a lookout point. The scouts have been working on the project since October. Amy Crissey and her troop created the project to measure the distance from the Ridgeside access point to the newly installed Sunset bench. Measurements were marked every quarter mile with post and mile markers indicating the remaining distance to the bench. 

~ Monrovia residents have until December 9 to register for the 2021 Earthquake Brace + Bolt program, which provides $3,000 toward a seismic retrofit for houses that qualify. There is also a supplemental grant available for those with a household annual income of $72,080 or less that could pay for up to 100 percent of the seismic retrofit. For details: https://www.earthquakebracebolt.com/

- Brad Haugaard

School District Doubtful That a Threat Was Made Against Monrovia High; UPDATE: Threat Was Fictitious

Superintendent Dr. Ryan Smith posted a statement regarding the alleged threat against Monrovia High School. Here are excerpts:

"The principal at Monrovia High School issued a statement earlier this morning indicating that he and his staff are working with the Monrovia Police Department to investigate a threat made against the school."

"While we are aware of a rumor of a threat being made against Monrovia High School, our investigation together with Monrovia Police Department at this point has neither confirmed that a threat was indeed made, nor has it determined that this rumor is specific or credible. If we believed that anyone was in imminent danger, we would not have allowed school to be conducted.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we will continue to work closely with Monrovia Police Department to investigate this matter and will update all of our stakeholders when appropriate. Classes are continuing at Monrovia High School as scheduled."

Full statement here.

UPDATE: "Our investigation into this matter in cooperation with the Monrovia Police Department has been unable to determine that a threat was ever made against our school. In fact, the alleged circumstances that led to the circulation of this rumor were found to be fictitious." Here.

- Brad Haugaard

Bicycling Every Street in North Monrovia

Dave Brakebush of neighboring Bradbury made use of the streets of north Monrovia in a rather different way.  According to the bicycling app, Strava, on December 1 it appears he rode every street north of Foothill in a little over four hours, riding 53.7 miles and climbing a total of 5,902 feet. Details.

Thanks to David Campbell for the tip.

- Brad Haugaard

Former Monrovian Named by Forest Service to Supervise Lake Tahoe Basin

Erick Walker, who grew up in Monrovia, has been named the new forest supervisor for the US Forest Service's Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. He told SouthTahoeNow.com that "the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles National Forest were in his 'backyard' and are where he sowed his love for and shaped his early experiences with public lands and the great outdoors." More.

- Brad Haugaard

City May Adopt Mandatory Water Restrictions, With Fines For Violations; Report on DA's Special Directives

At its next meeting (agenda) the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

~ Moving from voluntary to mandatory water usage restrictions because of the continuing drought. If the council adopts this measure it means fines for people who do not cut their water usage by at least 10 percent.

From the staff report:

"No person shall spray irrigate any lawn or landscape area between more than every fourth day between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. the following day. This subsection shall not apply to any drip irrigation system..."

[Comment: This is hard to understand and should be reworded. I could interpret it to mean that I could spray water every day as long as I don't do it between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., which is clearly not what is intended.]

"For customers who fail to reduce water usage by at least the required 10%, the proposed resolution would establish a penalty of up to two times the cost of a water billing unit (748 gallons of water) for each billing unit in excess what is permitted. The 90% threshold would be based on the water used during the corresponding billing period for the prior year."

Lots more rules here. 

~ Hear a report by Police Chief Alan Sanvictores on the LA County District Attorney's controversial "special directives." Here's the report. 

- Brad Haugaard

City Council and School Board to Discuss Flashing Stop Signs Around Schools and Other Topics

 The Monrovia City Council and School Board will meet (agenda) in joint session to discuss:

• The use of Measure K funds
• The promotion of outdoor activities and programs to Improve student mental health
• Steps to install flashing stop signs around schools
• Facility use agreements for public open space
• The school resource officer program

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Parade

Monrovia’s Christmas Parade attracted a large crowd. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 19 More Cases, One More Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 12/1/2021. Changes since 11/25/2021.

City of Monrovia: 4,182 cases (up 19), 86 deaths (up 1)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 464 cases (up 3), 1 death (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Domenico’s

Dinner at Domenico’s, on the south side of Huntington just east of Magnolia. Got the Chicken Parmigiana for $17.99 and a beer for $5.75. It came with a dinner salad, a side of ravioli, and garlic bread. (I ate the salad so you don’t see it.) Nice and filling. 

- Brad Haugaard