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Lunch at Grey & Cash


Lunch at Grey & Cash, on the west side of Myrtle just north of Lemon. Got the Jive Turkey sandwich for $13.50 and a latte for $4.75. I thought I’d save part of it for later but it was too good and I ate it all 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Historical Society Looking for New Members

Monrovia Historical Society President, Sandy Burud, said that the organization is seeking new members to continue building its online Monrovia historical photo and document collection, the Legacy Project, and to continue restoring the historic Anderson House as a museum of early Monrovia life. 

The Legacy Project (see it here) already has nearly 7,000 historic documents and images available for viewing and downloading, with many more that need to be added. Burud, who succeeds former City Historian Steve Baker as president of the Society, said, "The Legacy Project is a fantastic resource for researching old homes and businesses and learning more about the city’s early days. It is also the basis for SteveBakersMonrovia.com, an Historical Society-supported web app that displays Legacy Project images and facts on a map of Monrovia.

"Our other major project," she said, "is the Anderson House, one of Monrovia's earliest homes. Sadly, it has been closed for several years because it needed a lot of repair. But now the roof has been replaced, the collapsing plaster on the ceiling completely fixed, and the interior and exterior have been painted. It will open again to the public in early 2023.

"We are eager to show what a Victorian parlor, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms were like – this time with even more authentic period furnishings. We also want to show off some of the incredible items recently retrieved from Steve Baker’s private collections -- historic maps, the first phone directories, rare books, photos and ephemera.

"There are so many great things we can do now that we’re over the hump with major repairs.  We want to offer experiences with aspects of Victorian life, like letting kids discover how butter 'happens' by churning it themselves. And involving adults in helping us figure out how to preserve and share all of our new acquisitions.

"We need more people to be involved to accomplish these plans. So, I'd encourage Monrovians with an interest in the town's history to consider becoming a member of the Monrovia Historical Society. The annual membership fee is as low as $20. If you'd like to join us, please visit the membership page on our website, here."

- Brad Haugaard

Simba Is As Playful As They Come


Simba the Siberian Husky may not be the king of the jungle, but he will surely rule your heart. He’s a little over a year old, and this big puppy is as playful as they come. Simba’s favorite thing to do is to happily run around in the play yard, chasing toys and rolling in the grass. 

Simba enjoys walks and hikes and the occasional trip to Starbucks for a puppuccino, but he also needs the opportunity to run. He would love a home with a yard where he can explore and get the zoomies out. Simba can be a little nervous with new people, so it’s important for him to be able to meet strangers slowly and on his own terms.

An active and dog-experienced home would be perfect for this handsome boy. Can you feel the love tonight for Simba?

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: A Mess on Myrtle - The 1938 Flood

1938 Flood. Looking north on Myrtle from Foothill, showing the clearing of mud after the flooding in 1938 that involved washing out of railroad tracks and the collapsing of the bridge over the San Gabriel River. From the Steve Baker collection. 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

Monrovia PD: Drive Sober!

Monrovia Police Department wants to remind the public of the dangers of driving impaired and celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 11,654 people were killed in car crashes nationwide in 2020 that involved an alcohol-impaired driver, or one person every 45 minutes.

The Monrovia Police Department encourages everyone to stay in for the night or have a "go safely" game plan by scheduling a ride or designating a sober driver if you plan to consume alcohol.

Impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Marijuana, prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may also impair. Do your research and understand how certain drugs may affect your driving ability.

"The holidays are a special time of year for many, and we want drivers to act responsibly," Lt. Oberon said. "This enforcement period allows us to get the message out that driving impaired is an illegal, senseless behavior that takes lives."

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard 

Snow Above Monrovia

The rain and cold last night brought snow to the mountains above Monrovia. Picture from the corner of Ivy and Lime.

- Brad Haugaard.

Hay Rides in Old Town This Sunday

 Monrovia Old Town Holiday Hay Rides Sunday, Dec. 11, 3-6 p.m. in front of the Library on Myrtle. $2. Contact Monrovia Community Services at 256-8246 for more information.

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Consider Next Steps for Bond Money; Employees Get 9.5% Raise; Church Rental - $148,720 Per Year; New Positions; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda: t.ly/FLvk) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Receive a report (here: t.ly/nN8q) outlining what might be done with the $81 million the district will receive as a result of Proposition MM passing.

~ Receive a report (here: t.ly/oi_V) on a proposed collective bargaining agreement with various employee unions. Summary: They'll get a 9.5 percent pay raise for the 2022-23 school year.

~ Consider an agreement with Western University of Health Sciences to provide free dental services to district students: t.ly/nBCm

~ Consider certifying that the district can meet its financial obligations for this and the following two years. t.ly/9QwN

~ Consider an agreement with Pasta King for the company to provide food catering for the 2022-23 school year for various school sites. t.ly/wUU6

~ Consider continuing to rent out to Fellowship Church Monrovia High's Louise Taylor Performing Arts Center (the auditorium), 16 classrooms, microphone rental, and heating and air conditioning for $148,720 for 2023. here

~ Consider creating a new position, College Tutor, for English learners. t.ly/nJsS

~ Consider creating a new position, Instructional Aide - Elementary Intervention, to provide "assistance to individual or small groups of elementary-aged children." t.ly/nWy-

~ Consider an agreement with the law firm MusickPeeler to provide training in Conflict Resolution, and Performance Evaluation and Supervision for up to $6,000. t.ly/o5mvP

- Brad Haugaard

Santa Touring Monrovia

Santa Claus, complete with police and fire escort, is making the rounds of Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard.

Winter Concert; Meeting on Dog Concerns; Low-Water Plants; Home Energy Reivew


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

~ Clifton Middle School Band and Orchestra will host its annual Winter Concert on Thursday, December 15, at 7 p.m. at the Clifton Middle School Auditorium. General seating begins at 6:30 p.m., but early admission is available for $5 at 6 p.m.

~ The first MAP-edu community meeting of 2023 will at the Monrovia Public Library's Community Room on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. 8 p.m. Pasadena Humane Society will discuss dog concerns and dog waste clean-up, wildlife encounters, and veterinary resources. For questions contact the MAP team at map@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

~ Winter is the time to establish low-water plants and Monrovia has partnered with the Upper San Gabriel Water District to offer residents a $3 per square foot rebate (subject to available funding) to replace grass with drought-tolerant plants. Details: t.ly/uN2h

~ Free home energy review by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. More information here: t.ly/g6FS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Food and Toy Drives


Local food and toy gatherings

~  Douglas Elliman Real Estate, at 517 S. Myrtle, is collecting non-perishable food items through December 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. All donations go to Foothill Unity Center.

~  Fellowship Church, that meets in the Monrovia High School Auditorium, is holding a toy drive. Bring an unwrapped gift to one of the Dec. 11 Sunday services (9 and 11 a.m.). Here are the toys requested: t.ly/9mvH

~ Monrovia Police Officers' Association, Arcadia Police Officers' Association, and Detail Union are partnering with the Foothill Unity Center for a Toy and Canned Food Drive tomorrow, Saturday, December 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1311 S. Shamrock Avenue.

- Brad Haugaard

Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash

Monrovia Police: Woman at Home Robbed at Gunpoint; Drugs, Drugs, Drugs; Driver Punches Another Driver in Mouth; Burning Trash at Home; Catalytic Converters Stolen; Flasher Arrested; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 1 – 7. - Brad Haugaard]


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 363 service events, resulting in 72 investigations.

Missing Adult
December 1 at 6:02 p.m., a resident in the 1200 block of California reported her adult son missing. The subject was placed into the National Missing Persons System. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
December 1 at 9:43 p.m., while on patrol in the 3300 block of S. Peck an officer saw a bicyclist riding on the wrong side of the roadway. She stopped the bicyclist and found he was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Commercial Burglary / Warrants – Suspect Arrested
December 1 at 10:01 p.m., the manager of a store in the 100 block of W. Foothill reported a male subject left the store with a bag filled with merchandise. Officers located the subject outside the store. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
December 2 at 12:15 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Mayflower reported a male subject outside who appeared intoxicated and was yelling at a female. Officers arrived and located the subject getting into the driver's seat of a parked vehicle. The female was not located. Officers determined the subject was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
December 2 at 12:29 a.m., employees of a fast food restaurant in the 100 block of W. Foothill reported a male subject stumbling near their store. Officers located the subject as he fell into a bush. The subject was heavily intoxicated and could not care for his own safety. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Commercial Burglary
December 2 at 2:17 a.m., an alarm company reported an alarm activation at a restaurant in the 900 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and discovered the front window was shattered. Officers searched the store, but no one was inside. The suspect(s) took cash registers. This investigation is continuing.

False Imprisonment / Kidnapping – Suspect Arrested
December 2 at 10:30 a.m., a caller reported hearing a female scream for help in the 400 block of S. Alta Vista. Officers arrived and saw a male and female, who knew each other, on the ground. An investigation revealed that the male subject locked the female inside the house and refused to let her leave. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Battery
December 2 at 1:59 p.m., an employee from a business in the 200 block of S. Myrtle called to report a battery. A road rage incident occurred at Genoa and Magnolia and when the two vehicles stopped nearby, one of the drivers punched the other in the mouth. The suspect left the scene prior to the police arriving. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
December 2 at 9:08 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 2400 block of S. Peck when she saw a bicyclist commit a vehicle code violation. She stopped the bicyclist and found he was in possession of a pipe that was used to smoke methamphetamine. He was arrested, cited and released at the scene.

Dumpster Fire – Suspect Arrested
December 2 at 10:34 p.m., a passerby reported seeing a trashcan on fire in the 100 block of S. Alta Vista. Officers and MFD arrived and put out the fire. Investigation revealed the homeowner was burning waste at the residence and it caused the trashcan to catch on fire. The homeowner was arrested and released with a citation.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 2 at 11:30 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 500 block of W. Duarte when he saw a motorist commit a driving violation. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was found to be intoxicated. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail and held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence / Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
December 3 at 1:38 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 200 block of W. Central when she observed a motorist commit a driving violation. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was found to be intoxicated and also had an outstanding warrant. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Grand Theft
December 3 at 2:32 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of Norumbega heard drilling noises at a neighbor's house. Officers responded to the location and it was determined that a catalytic converter was stolen from one of the vehicles. No suspect(s) were located. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
December 3 at 9:30 a.m., a storage unit in the 2100 block of S. Myrtle was broken into and several items were taken. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
December 3 at 12:56 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of N. Grand called to report that his catalytic converter was removed from his vehicle sometime overnight. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
December 3 at 2:19 p.m., a caller reported a traffic collision at the intersection of Foothill and Canyon. Officers checked on the well-being of the occupants. One of the drivers had a small cut on her hand. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
December 3 at 5:22 p.m., a caller reported a traffic collision at the intersection of Duarte and Mayflower. A motorist made a left turn in front of another motorist. The driver at fault was issued a citation.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
December 3 at 9:20 p.m., a caller in the 1800 block of Tenth Ave. reported a vehicle crashed into three parked vehicles. Officers arrived and detained the driver for a DUI investigation. An investigation revealed the driver was driving under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Illegal Discharge of a Firearm
December 4 at 12:10 a.m., residents in the 800 block of W. Walnut reported hearing shots being fired. Officers located shell casings and detained several subjects who were later released. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Overdose
December 4 at 9:05 p.m., a caller in the 1000 block of S. Ivy called to report their son overdosed on drugs. The son was conscious and breathing when officers arrived. Monrovia Fire took over and officers cleared the scene. Several minutes later, Monrovia Fire requested our officers back to the location because the subject was becoming combative. Officers responded and assisted getting the subject in the ambulance and transported to the hospital for medical treatment.

Indecent Exposure – Suspect Arrested
December 5 at 7:28 am, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Grand regarding a male subject exposing himself to females as they passed by. One victim was located and identified. The male subject was located, and a field show-up was conducted. He was positively identified by the victim. He was arrested and later cited.

Vandalism
December 5 at 7:34 am, the reporting party stated there was graffiti on playground equipment in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
December 5 at 10:34 p.m., a clerk from a gas station in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle called to report an intoxicated subject inside the store. Officers arrived and detained the subject, who was drunk and could not care for himself. He was arrested and transported to MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Death Report
December 6 at 7:42 a.m., an officer responded to the 1600 block of S. Mayflower regarding a deceased person. MFD was already on scene. The reporting party found her husband deceased in his bed. There were no signs of foul play. A mortuary was notified.

Petty Theft
December 6 at 8:55 a.m., a reporting party in the 300 block of N. Primrose stated that their trash cans was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of Open Container – Suspect Arrested
December 6 at 11:07 a.m., officers contacted a subject outside of a business in the 400 block of W. Foothill who was in possession of an open alcoholic container. While speaking with him, he advised he needed paramedics to treat an old snake bite that got infected. MFD responded. The subject was arrested, cited and released at the scene.

Vandalism
December 6 at 12:23 p.m., the reporting party in the 300 block of S. Shamrock advised that someone damaged the gate to the location. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Hit and Run Traffic Collision
December 6 at 2:40 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a hit and run traffic collision in the 200 block of E. Foothill. A vehicle had struck a parked vehicle. She continued and was contacted by officers. The female subject was too intoxicated to perform any field sobriety tests at the scene. MFD responded to the scene. She was transported to the hospital due to her level of intoxication.

Grand Theft
December 6 at 2:59 p.m., a victim reported that while shopping inside of a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington, a male subject stole her wallet from inside of her purse. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
December 6 at 3:26 p.m., the reporting party in the 100 block of N. Primrose stated her trash cans were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
December 6 at 5:29 p.m., a reporting party at a gas station in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle stated that someone made fraudulent charges on his credit card. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
December 6 at 9:11 pm, an officer stopped a bicyclist for a traffic violation near Huntington and Fifth. The subject was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested, issued a citation and released.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
December 7 at 3:44 am, an officer stopped a subject loitering in the area of Myrtle and Cypress. He admitted to being in possession of fentanyl and a drug pipe. He was arrested, issued a citation and released.

Mental Evaluation
December 7 at 9:05 a.m., staff from a hotel in the 1100 block of E. Huntington called to report that a guest walked into the lobby and said he didn’t want to live anymore. Officers responded with our local Mental Healthcare Worker and made contact with the subject. It was determined he was a danger to himself and was placed on a mental evaluation hold. He was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Resisting / Delaying an Officer – Suspect Arrested
December 7 at 10:00 a.m., a caller stated a subject was in the area of Palm & Primrose watching kids near the playground and appeared to be possibly under the influence. Officers arrived and the subject left the area. As he did, he was walking in the middle of the street and cars had to go around him. As he was being contacted by officers, he resisted and was forced to the ground. He was arrested and taken into custody and later transported to the hospital.

Fraud
December 7 at 11:11 a.m., the manager of an auto parts store in the 700 block of E. Huntington called to report a subject had purchased items in the store and now the charges are being listed a fraudulent. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
December 7 at 11:14 a.m., an ATV was reported stolen from the 1200 block of N. Canyon. This investigation is continuing.

Robbery
December 7 at 4:19 p.m., a victim in the 400 block of E. Cypress came in to report that she had been robbed at gunpoint on December 2nd inside her home. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
December 7 at 6:05 p.m., an employee from a retail store in the 500 block of W. Huntington called to report a male subject took a small axe from the location. Officers located him and detained him. He was positively identified by the witness. The property was recovered. He was arrested, cited and released at the scene

Lunch at Cafe on Lemon


Lunch today at Cafe on Lemon, on the south side of Lemon a bit east of Myrtle. Got the tuna salad for $9.95 and a lemonade for $2.95. Very good.

- Brad Haugaard 

Freeway Dog Nala Ready To Be Your Best Friend


Nala is a one-year-old Shepherd mix who was found running on the busy 210 Freeway. How she got there, we’ll never know, but thankfully CHP was able to catch her and put her in a cruiser until Animal Control arrived. Back at the shelter, Nala was at first a little nervous, but she’s now made friends with some of our volunteers and staff and is ready to be your new best friend.

Nala bonds very quickly with people. She will sweetly follow you around and gently nudge you for pets. When she’s feeling playful she enjoys fetch with a squeaky toy or ball, but she’s definitely more into your attention than the game. 

Nala is a great size for hikes (as far away from the freeway as possible, thank you!) and also for cuddles. She’s ready to be some lucky family’s BFF!

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: Float in 1916 Monrovia Day Parade

Float with the Monrovia Day Committee at Christmas 1916, Monrovia Daily News. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. 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

Monrovia Film Festival Dec 10-11

- Brad Haugaard 

Off For a Summer in the Mountains

Click to enlarge.

This photo, dated 1894, is one of the most recently posted of many photos added to the Monrovia Historical Society's Legacy Project this year.

The picture shows S.M. Sevier (center front) and others preparing to go to their summer home at Deer Park, in the mountains above Monrovia. There were no roads into the canyon - hence the  burros - and a "burrow puncher".

Historical Society President Sandy Burud writes, "Check out the amount of gear required for a summer-long camping excursion. The cooler canyon air presumably made the summer outing worth the effort. Only men are shown but women would have joined the fun (seen in other camping photos in their long dresses) and cooked the potatoes in the bag on the white burro. 

"This remarkable image reveals the goods sold in shops on the west side of Myrtle Ave. at Colorado Blvd. - J.T. Milligan, C.H. Locke Dry Goods (farm implements, stoves, plumbing, tin, hats, shoes and "magic yeast"), and Henry Canoll & Co. Dry Goods."

On the back is written:

"Arrow points to my father (grandpa) S.M. Sevier at stores, packing stores to go to our Summer Home at Deer Park, Monrovia. These were our burrows.  X indicates the burrow puncher who lived with us and did odd jobs. As daddy was away quite a bit on his Rail Road construction jobs, Mamma needed such help as he gave. This was taken 1900 on Myrtle Avenue Monrovia. Corner Orange Avenue, now Colorado Blvd." (The date 1894 is written on the front.) See more here: t.ly/ZK9A

The Monrovia Historical Society relies on membership dues (starting at $20 a year) and donations to support the Legacy Project and its other project. If you'd like to help, click here to join or donate.

- Brad Haugaard

Learn Why There Were Train Tracks Down Myrtle in 1910


Learn why there are tracks down the middle of Myrtle Avenue in this 1910 photo, and more, during Monrovia Historic Preservation Group's  walking tour of Old Town this Saturday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m. The tour begins at the southeast corner of Myrtle and Palm and lasts about two hours. The cost is $5 per person.

- Brad Haugaard

Winter Veggies Workshop Tomorrow


For questions or to register contact Kristin Ritzau at krisritzau@explorefooded.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Improvements Nearly Finished at Lucinda Garcia Park


Most of the $1.8 million in improvements at Lucinda Garcia Park have been completed.

  • Two new age-specific playgrounds with expanded features; 
  • New concrete walkway with enhanced lighting and distance markers meandering through the park, equaling 1/3 mile loop;
  • Park expansion to the west, adding 10,000 square feet of parkland and green space;
  • Five new exercise fitness stations;
  • Two demonstration gardens with interpretive signage;
  • Signage about Lucinda Garcia and the history of the Red Car; and
  • A bike rack with a fixit station and new bottle-fill drinking stations.

- Brad Haugaard