Monrovia Saves 11 Percent of Water Usage; Overusage Fines Will Go to Water Saving Programs

Monrovia has saved 200 million gallons of water since the start of its Phase II conservation efforts in March 2022, a reduction of water usage of 11%. It has also collected $907,478 in Excess Penalty Revenue from customers who consumed more water than their target allocations. The money will be used to implement further water saving programs. Photo by David Becker on Unsplash

- Brad Haugaard

New Year's Eve Events Cancelled; Wilderness Preserve Closed Tomorrow

Because of predicted rain, both the mid-day Noon Year's Eve and the evening New Year's Eve events on Myrtle have been cancelled. Also, the Hillside Wilderness Preserve will be closed tomorrow (Saturday). Crews will inspect it, and if safe it will reopen Sunday, Jan. 1.

 

- Brad Haugaard

City Council Member Larry Spicer to Escort Float in Rose Parade

During the Rose Parade look for Monrovia City Council member Larry Spicer riding a scooter. He told me he'll be escorting float number 17 as a member of the Tournament of Roses Association.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Shoplifting; Ex-Boyfriend Won't Leave, Arrested; GPS Tracks Stolen Delivery Van; Peeing in Public; Woman Passing Counterfeit Bills; Hotel Finds Gun On Bed; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 22 – 28. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 325 service events, resulting in 65 investigations.

Driving Under the Influence / Injury Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
December 22 at 12:05 a.m., officers responded to the 300 block of N. Encinitas regarding a traffic collision. Officers arrived and saw a vehicle had crashed into two parked vehicles. The driver displayed symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol, and the front passenger of the vehicle had facial and head injuries. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Battery
December 22 at 1:52 a.m., a caller reported three male subjects fighting outside a business in the 100 block of E. Olive. Prior to officers arriving, the subjects stopped fighting and went back inside. Officers located a victim that had an injury to his lip. MFD responded and treated him for injuries. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
December 22 at 2:58 a.m., officers responded to the 1500 block of S. Myrtle regarding a female acting strange. After speaking with the subject, it was determined she was unable to care for herself. She was transported to a hospital for a mental evaluation.

Shoplifting – Suspects Arrested
December 22 at 2:51 p.m., a loss prevention officer from a store in the 700 block of E. Huntington called to report they had two female subjects shoplifting. He said the suspects had concealed approximately $250 worth of merchandise before exiting the store. Both suspects were detained until officers arrived. Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Activity – Suspects Arrested
December 22 at 3:41 p.m., while investigating a shoplifting in the 700 block of E. Huntington officers made contact with two occupants of a vehicle they believed were involved in the crime. A computer check revealed the driver had a warrant for his arrest. Further investigation revealed the passenger was in possession of a controlled substance. The driver was arrested per the authority of the warrant and taken into custody. The passenger was arrested, cited and released at the scene.

Weapons Offense – Suspect Arrested
December 23 at 2:33 a.m., an officer saw a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot in the 700 block of W. Huntington. He stopped to investigate and saw the vehicle was occupied by a male adult. As he spoke to the subject he saw drug paraphernalia in plain sight. He asked the subject to exit the vehicle and then saw a handgun laying on the seat. The subject was detained and additional drugs and a large amount of money were located. The subject also had a warrant for a prior weapons offense. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Mental Evaluation
December 23 at 9:07 a.m., a caller in the 100 block of N. Mountain reported that a resident was physical with a staff member. The officer determined the resident was a danger to others and he was placed on a mental evaluation hold. He was transported to a local hospital.

Bicycle Theft
December 23 at 9:41 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Colorado called to report that her bicycle was taken from a parking structure sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Death Report
December 23 at 11:25 a.m., a property manager from the 1000 block of Royal Oaks called and reported a tenant was unresponsive in his apartment bathroom. Officers and Paramedics arrived and provided medical treatment. The individual was pronounced deceased by Paramedics. No signs of foul play.

Death Report
December 23 at 12:31 p.m., officers and paramedics responded to the 400 block of Norumbega regarding a call of an unresponsive female. The female was pronounced deceased by Paramedics. No signs of foul play.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
December 23 at 3:24 p.m., an employee from a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington called to report that a shoplifting had just occurred. Officers responded and located the subject. The subject ran and an officer gave chase. A short foot pursuit ensued and the subject was detained. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
December 23 at 7:06 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of E. Olive called to report her ex-boyfriend was inside her residence creating a disturbance. Officers arrived and the resident asked for the ex-boyfriend to leave the property. The ex-boyfriend refused to leave the location. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto
December 24 at 6:19 p.m., a reporting party called advising his delivery van had just been stolen from the 300 block of Genoa. The van was entered into the stolen vehicle system as the delivery company was able to access the vans GPS. The van was located and in El Monte. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
December 25 at 8:43 a.m., a bus driver in the area of Fifth and Huntington reported that a male subject was trying to get on the bus and was causing a disturbance. Officers arrived and the subject was trying to get into vehicles that were passing by. He was detained and determined to be a danger to himself or others. He was taken to a hospital for a mental evaluation.

Grand Theft
December 26 at 7:11 a.m., a victim in the 1400 block of S. Shamrock reported his catalytic converter was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Urinate in Public / Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
December 26 at 11:22 a.m., officers were driving in the area of Myrtle and Chestnut and when they noticed a male urinating in public. They stopped and spoke to the subject, who was intoxicated. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Counterfeit
December 26 at 1:27 p.m., an employee from a business in the 400 block of W. Huntington called stating a female subject was attempting to pay with fraudulent currency. When she was confronted about the bills, she ran off. Officers arrived but were unable to locate her. This investigation is continuing.

Death Report
December 26 at 5:32 p.m., the caller in the 600 block of W. Maple reported that her son was possibly dead. Officers arrived and located the subject. Officers started CPR and paramedics arrived and took over. Shortly after he was pronounced dead. Coroner was notified and responded.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
December 26 at 5:38 p.m., an employee from the 100 block of W. Duarte called to report a male subject inside the location arguing. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. It was soon determined he was intoxicated and couldn't care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Fire Assist
December 26 at 10:52 p.m., a passerby called to report a brush fire near Huntington & the 210 Freeway on-ramp. Officers arrived and CHP assisted with shutting down the offramp. No structures were damaged and the cause of the fire is unknown.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 27 at 12:31 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Live Oak and Lynd for a traffic violation. The driver had a suspended license for a DUI and displayed symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. The female in the front passenger seat was the registered owner of the vehicle, but she was also intoxicated. After a DUI investigation, the driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Found Property
December 27 at 8:27 a.m., the caller reported he located a bag of narcotics in a parking lot in the 200 block of W. Maple. This investigation is continuing.

Death Report
December 27 at 9:24 a.m., officers responded to the 300 block of Terrace Way on a possible death report. When they arrived, the subject was not breathing. They started life saving efforts until paramedics arrived and took over. The subject was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mental Evaluation
December 27 at 11:43 a.m., a representative from medical facility called to request a welfare check on her client in the 100 W. Cherry. Officers arrived and after speaking with the subject, determined he was a danger to himself. He was taken to mental hospital.

Found Property
December 27 at 12:33 p.m., employees from a hotel in the 700 block of W. Huntington were cleaning a room and they located a gun on the bed. Officers arrived and took possession of the revolver. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
December 27 at 12:42 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Shamrock and Huntington regarding a vehicle versus a motorcycle. When the officers arrived, they saw the motorcycle and the rider on the ground. It was discovered the motorcycle was in a solo accident. He had a complaint of pain and was transported to the hospital for further treatment.

Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested
December 27 at 7:54 p.m., a caller reported that a subject had stolen multiple handbags from a store in the 700 block of E. Huntington. Officers arrived and located the subject. He was identified as the theft suspect and the stolen property was recovered. The suspect was arrested, cited and released at the scene.

Petty Theft
December 28 at 1:14 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of S. Myrtle for a theft. The investigation revealed two female subjects and a small child stole numerous items from the location. This investigation is continuing.

Attempt Grand Theft
December 28 at 3:48 p.m., a caller in the 200 block of E. Walnut reported his catalytic converter had been stolen. An investigation revealed that the catalytic converter had not been stolen, but there were signs that it had been tampered with. This investigation is continuing.

Lunch at LeRoy’s

Lunch at LeRoy’s today, on the north side of Huntington just west of Magnolia. Got a Reuben sandwich for $12.95 and an large iced tea for $4.25. Very good.

- Brad Haugaard 

Silly Paco Loves Romping and Back Scratches

Two-year-old Paco is such a happy, wiggly dog! This silly guy loves romping in our play yard, chasing balls, and getting lots of back scratches. You can tell he’s in an extra silly mood when he flops onto his back and starts rolling around in the grass. Be sure to snap some photos – whether gracefully in mid-run or posing for the camera, Paco is extremely photogenic.

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: Girls' Basketball in 1903

The Girls' Basketball team at Orange Avenue School, about 1903. 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

Merry Christmas, Monrovia!

Nativity scene in front of First Presbyterian Church, Foothill and Myrtle. 

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NKJV

Comment: My brother recently told me about an artificial intelligence (AI) website (nightcafe.studio) that can generate images based on a simple phrase you type in. I experimented with “bicyclist on Southern California mountain trail” and got this:

Not perfect but very impressive. If I was a professional artist I’d be worried.

So, what does this have to do with Christmas?

Well, so much of our self-worth is based on some attribute we have: beauty, strength, intelligence, creativity, skill, and so forth. So what happens to us when, one by one, a machine can do - or be - each of these things far better than we can?

I fear it will be very discouraging and traumatic, and to avoid at least some of the trauma I think we need to remember that our core sense of who we are should rest on our relationship with God, that we are beings created in the image of God.

And that we are loved by God. So much so that He sent his only Son to live for us (that’s Christmas) and to die and rise again for us (that’s Good Friday and Easter).  No technological advances change that. And that is very good news indeed.

So, Merry Christmas!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Warning: Don't Drive Impaired - Alcohol, Marijuana, or Drugs

With a commitment to keeping the community safe, the Monrovia Police Depariment 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

Noon Year's Eve and New Year's Eve in Monrovia

Because midnight might be too late for children, Noon Year's Eve, in Library Park 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Activities include live music, arts and crafts, an inflatable obstacle course, games, and a special countdown to Noon Year's Eve.

Then, beginning at 7 p.m., New Year's Eve for adults. Live music, Old Town Monrovia restaurants offering an enhanced outdoor dining and drinking experience, and a celebratory ball-raising at midnight.  Parking can be tight. See here for parking options.

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Tree Recycling - Dec. 26 - Jan. 13

- Brad Haugaard

Winter Edition of Monrovia Today Is Online Now

The Monrovia Today Winter Issue is available online here (t.ly/pas6) and will soon be delivered by mail to homes. 

- Brad Haugaard

Winners of Monrovia Holiday Decorating Contest

Click links to see location on a map. (Look for the red marker.)

Home Entries

Best Viewed at Night

Most Effective Use of Lighting
1621 Pilgrim Way

Holiday Spirit Award
209 S. Sunset Pl.

Best Still Display
308 W. Lemon Ave.

Best Neighborhood Effort
Valmont Drive & Valmont Place

Best Outdoor Display
723 Ocean View Ave.

Santa's Workshop Award
708 Ocean View Ave. (best viewed during day)

Children's Choice Award
619 Bradbury Rd.

Judge's Award
1032 Royal Oaks Drive Unit B


Old Town Monrovia (Business Entries)

Best Viewed During the Day

Most Spectacular
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - 517 S. Myrtle Ave.

Judges Award
Dream Décor - 505 S. Myrtle Ave. #A

Best Holiday Spirit Award
Monrovia Fioral - 119 E. Olive Ave.

Most Creative
Saint Clark Bridal Suite - 519 S. Myrtle Ave.

Canyon Oaks Teacher Daniel Chacon Nominated for Teacher of the Year

Canyon Oaks High School (COHS) Teacher Daniel Chacon has been nominated for the California League of Educators 2023 Educator of the Year Award.

The award recognizes excellence in the classroom. Daniel personifies resilience, determination, and empathy. He is highly artistic, humble, and a relatable educator; an excellent person gifted with musical talent, the ability to differentiate information for his students, and humor.

“I was completely surprised by the nomination, and it was truly an honor to be nominated by one of my colleagues,” said Chacon.

Mr. Chacon teaches various classes such as Drama, Video Production, Drawing, and Spanish.

While he was surprised that he was nominated, it doesn’t surprise Principal Flint Fertig that Chacon was recognized for his fantastic work with students.

“He is an amazing person and educator,” Fertig said. “Mr. Chacon has always been a magnet for kids, and his energy and real-life experience have drawn kids to his programs for years.”

This award recognizes educators who strive to provide their students with equitable pathways to success, actively empowering those they serve to analyze, construct, and maintain modalities that promote critical thinking and constant self-analysis. Mr. Chacon was anonymously nominated by one of his peers.

“It has been a pleasure to work with the students at Canyon Oaks and Mountain Park for the past several years, not to mention stellar administration and an amazing staff.  I am very fortunate to work in a position as an educator who gets to engage students through the arts,” Chacon said. “Helping them discover and hone existing abilities and learn new skills truly enhances their communication, teamwork, creativity, and confidence, as well as their experiences at school and in life.”

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Boys Jump on Hoods of Cars; Drunk Thinks House He’s Trying to Enter is His; Security Guard and Passers-By Catch Man Stealing From Car; And Lots of Drunks

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 15 – 21. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 322 service events, resulting in 75 investigations.

Runaway
December 15 at 7:36 p.m., a caller in the 100 block of N. Fifth reported their juvenile son ran away. Officers exhausted all means to locate the minor, and could not locate him. The juvenile was entered into the missing person’s database. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
December 15 at 7:43 p.m., a witness in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported seeing a male subject acting strange. Officers arrived and located an intoxicated male. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Court Order Violation – Suspect Arrested
December 15 at 10:39 p.m., an employee from a business in the 900 block of W. Huntington reported a male subject enter and he was restrained from the location. Officers arrived and located the male on the business property. He was arrested and taken into custody for trespassing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
December 15 at 11:25 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Fifth and Chestnut when he saw a bicyclist commit a traffic violation. The subject was stopped and a computer check revealed he had two outstanding warrants. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 16 at 12:43 a.m., an officer observed a moving violation and stopped the vehicle near Peck and Duarte. The driver was contacted and he showed signs of intoxication. After a DUI investigation, the driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 16 at 2:09 a.m., while on patrol, an officer observed a moving violation and stopped the vehicle in the area of Myrtle and Camino Real. The driver was contacted who showed signs of intoxication. After a DUI investigation, the driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Battery
December 16 at 4:13 p.m., a witness reported a physical altercation between two subjects in the 200 block of E. Foothill. Officers arrived and spoke with all involved parties. This investigation is continuing.

Robbery – Suspect Arrested
December 16 at 6:04 p.m., a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington, called to report a possible shoplifting in progress. Officers arrived but the female suspect had already fled with the stolen property. Officers located the suspect's vehicle nearby. The suspect was later located and was detained. A field show-up was conducted and she was identified. The stolen property was recovered. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalism
December 16 at 8:07 p.m., a caller reported male juveniles jumping on the hoods of vehicles in the area of Fifth and Walnut. Officers arrived but the juveniles had already fled. Victims were located and a report was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
December 16 at 9:56 p.m., a victim reported a vehicle had just crashed into her and fled the scene in the 700 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and conducted a traffic and criminal investigation. This investigation is continuing.

Missing Adult
December 16 at 11:32 p.m., a mother from the 600 block of S. Fifth called to report her daughter was missing. Officers searched all know locations but could not find her. She was entered into the missing person's database. This investigation is continuing.

Wanted Person – Suspect Arrested
December 17 at 12:09 a.m., officers were in the 800 block of W. Duarte conducting a search for stolen property and located a male subject hiding who was wanted for assault with a deadly weapon and felony elder abuse. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collision
December 17 at 9:22 a.m., a caller reported a traffic collision occurred at the intersection of Mountain and Huntington. Officers arrived and checked on the well-being of the occupants. One of the occupants complained of pain. The driver at fault was issued a citation.

Public Intoxication
December 17 at 12:19 p.m., a caller reported a subject was passed out in the 200 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and contacted the subject who displayed symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. He could not care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD to be held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
December 19 at 3:12 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of S. Magnolia reported a male subject tried to force open the rear door to his home. The resident activated his vehicle's alarm to scare the male subject who fled the scene. Officers arrived and located the male subject in the area. It was determined the male subject lived across the street from the caller and was heavily intoxicated. The male thought he was entering his own home. The subject was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Commercial Burglary
December 19 at 3:31 a.m., an alarm company reported a "glass break" to the front entry door to a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and saw the front door was forced opened. Officers checked the interior and determined the business had been burglarized. No one was located inside, officers searched the area for the suspects, but none were located. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
December 19 at 11:59 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of W. Foothill on a report of an injury traffic accident. They arrived and spoke to both parties involved. The same driver complained of pain to her leg and was transported to the hospital for further treatment. Her vehicle was stored.

Fraud
December 19 at 3:38 p.m., an employee from a business in the 400 block of E. Huntington called to say one of the ex-employees had bought personal items with the company credit card. This investigation is continuing.

Trespass / Mental Evaluation
December 19 at 4:04 pm., the victim called from the 1300 block of S. Primrose saying a male subject opened her door and walked into her house. She asked him to leave and he did. He went to a neighbor’s house and went into an unlocked shed. Officers arrived and detained him. When speaking with the individual, it was determined that he was a danger to himself and other. He was taken a hospital for a mental health evaluation.

Battery
December 19 at 7:29 p.m., a battery was reported in a store in the 900 block of W. Foothill. The victim said she started arguing with another employee and during the argument, she started filming the employee with her cell phone. The employee became upset and hit the phone in her hand. When the victim complained to the manager about the incident, the manager and victim started to argue and the victim punched the manager. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
December 20 at 1:39 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of Fig regarding a subject with a history of mental illness. The subject was threatening to kill family members. MFD responded and transported the subject to a hospital for a mental evaluation.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
December 20 at 10:52 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Monterey and Huntington when he saw a subject slumped over a bus bench. He checked on the well-being of the subject and discovered he had several warrants for his arrest and he was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested, issued a citation, and released at the scene.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 20 at 11:23 a.m., a caller reported a male and female in an argument in the area of May and Foothill. The caller stated the subjects left in a vehicle. Officers arrived and saw the vehicle leaving the scene. A traffic stop was conducted. The driver displayed signs of intoxication. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Vehicle Pursuit
December 20 at 11:56 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of Peck & Longden did a computer check of a vehicle and discovered the driver had a no bail warrant. When the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the suspect fled at a high rate of speed and entered the freeway. The pursuit was canceled and CHP was notified. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
December 21 at 8:19 a.m., while on patrol an officer saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation in the area of Violet and Colorado. A computer check revealed the driver had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested per the authority of the warrant and taken into custody.

Robbery – Suspect Arrested
December 21 at 10:56 a.m., a male subject opened a door to a vehicle in the 900 block of W. Duarte and took property from the center console. He then opened the door to the backseats and attempted to take the phone from the victim in the vehicle. A security guard for the complex saw what was going on and walked to the victim. The security guard and suspect got into a physical fight. Along with a couple of Good Samaritan’s they were able to detain the subject until police arrived. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto – Suspect Arrested
December 21 at 2:35 p.m., the victim in the 700 block of E. Huntington called to say her vehicle had just been stolen from the location. This investigation is continuing.

Hart House Donates to Boys & Girls Club

On Monday, Hart House veggie restaurants (602 W. Huntington locally) held a Holiday Give Back, raising $6,500 from its Monrovia and Westchester locations for Inner-City Arts and Monrovia’s Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills, and it donated toys brought in by guests.

Photo shows Boys and Girls Club members at Monrovia restaurant. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Lunch at Mundial

Lunch at Mundial, on the east side of Myrtle a bit north of Colorado. Got the Monte Cristo sandwich for $13 and a beer for about $7.  Sandwich was really delicious. Excellent! Nice service, too.

- Brad Haugaard 

Limited Opening of Monrovia Canyon Park January 23

Canyon Park will reopen on a limited basis on Jan. 23, 2023. Parts of the park will be open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays by reservation only. Details on how to get a reservation will be announced  

However, work on the park is far from done. The city has been working with a landscape designer and is considering a number of enhancements, including a sculpture honoring fire fighters and park rangers that may be placed near the ranger station, drought tolerant plants, picnic tables, and an enclosed entry kiosk.

Obviously, this will cost money, and City Manager Dylan Feik writes: "I received a message yesterday from Congresswoman Napolitano's Office that a $3m earmark for Canyon Park Repairs is including in the FY23 Omnibus Appropriations Bill (pg 76 here). This is a huge deal for us!"

Proposed Canyon Park enhancements.

Proposed statue honoring fire fighters and rangers.

- Brad Haugaard

Dressed for Snow But Ready for Sun or Rain

Who is ready for these colder temperatures? Neela is! This beautiful Siberian Husky may be dressed for the snow, but she will be just as happy with rain, sunny days orpretty much any weather. In fact, she tells us that her favorite season is “all of them!”

Neela is an excellent loose-leash walkerand an expert at the several tricks. She’s also a huge fan of playing fetch. She has the energy of a puppy when she’s bouncing around the yard after tennis balls. She likes to lay down in the grass and give them a thorough chewing, then she’s ready to fetch again! This dog proves that age is just a number!

It is hard to believe, but Neela is a (young) ten years old, which qualifies her for our Seniors for Seniors Program. This means if an adopter is a young sixty years old, then the adoption is completely free!

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: Interior of Monrovia City Bakery in 1911

Interior of Fork's Bakery. H.E. Fork also was the proprietor of the Monrovia Dairy. In the 1911 City Directory, The Monrovia City Bakery, run by Harry E. Fork at 610 S Myrtle. He resided at 123 W. Walnut Avenue. The dairy was no longer listed as a business in 1911. 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