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Monrovia Supports Monterey Park


As a mark of respect for the community of Monterey Park, the City of Monrovia will fly all flags at half-staff until January 26.

- Brad Haugaard 

COVID Booster Shots Available Jan. 28

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: A 16th Birthday Party in 1943

Betty and James Wilson lived on Fig Street. He was a jockey. When the house was cleaned out, Betty Thomas picked up some photographs that were being thrown out. These are the girls (including Vivian Fisher and Juanita Gardner) at Wilsons' son's 16th birthday. In 1943. From the Susie Ling 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

Grand Reopening of Historic 1886 Anderson House Feb. 19


The Monrovia Historical Society (not to be confused with the Monrovia Historical Museum) will hold a grand reopening to celebrate the completion of repairs to the 1886 George H. Anderson House (215 E. Lime) on Sunday, February 19 from 2-4 p.m. with a ribbon cutting at 2:15. The house is now presentable after years of work, including a new roof, plastering, woodwork repair, and cleaning. Refreshments will be provided. RSVPs are not necessary. Admission is free and all are welcome.

- Brad Haugaard

Battle of Badges Blood Drive; Black History Month Events; Old Town Tree Trimming; Historical Museum Repair

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

~  Monrovia Police Department will host Battle of the Badges Blood Drive on Thursday, February 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Community Center (119 W. Palm Avenue). To schedule an appointment go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code "BOB23" or call (800) 733-2767.

~ The Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association will host these Black History Month events in February: Kickoff (t.ly/XI-e); Health Fair & Workshops (t.ly/fT9P); Reading, Music, Arts & Crafts (t.ly/iL5t); Children's Art Festival (t.ly/VlrU); Luncheon / Art Exhibit (t.ly/R_JP).

~ West Coast Arborist crews will be trimming trees in Old Town Monrovia between Foothill and Huntington Drive from January 23-27, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

~ Next week city contractors will be at the Monrovia Historical Museum repairing exterior woodwork and stucco,  repainting the outside, and repair the museum's garage roof. Expect restricted access to the museum through February.

- Brad Haugaard

Valentine's Day Romantic Carriage Ride

- Brad Haugaard

Canyon Park Will NOT Reopen Jan. 23

Canyon Park will not reopen Monday due to new damage. Here is what Recreation Manager Rebecca Sandoval writes:

"The reopening of Canyon Park has been postponed for about 4 to 6 weeks. The latest storms created emergency conditions across the state and included local, state, and federal disaster proclamations. The storms caused additional damage to areas that clearly present dangerous conditions. For example, there are new washouts of the roadway near culvert crossing #2. There are several large drops adjacent to the road, walkways, and trail. LA County Public Works is also conducting major hauling operations within their debris basin, so Canyon Boulevard has heavy truck traffic. This activity presents another concern, which places walkers and pedestrians along the park entrance during increased hauling activities. Thank you for understanding and your patience as we work hard to reopen our beloved park."

City Manager Dylan Feik adds:

"During an inspection of our progress and after receiving information from our engineer and construction team, I would not feel comfortable hiking with my own children in the park, so I cannot, in good conscience, feel good about reopening just yet. So many people have been working hard to reopen, and so many of you are eager to visit. That will happen, and it will happen soon, just not yet! "

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Seven Catalytic Converters Stolen; Intoxicated Drivers; Perfume Thief; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 12 – 18. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 311 service events, resulting in 81 investigations.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
January 12 at 9:44 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle in the area of Huntington and Encino. The officer made contact with the driver who was found to have two outstanding warrants. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
January 13 at 12:55 a.m., while on patrol, an officer stopped a vehicle for a moving violation in the area of Magnolia and Duarte. The driver was suspected to be driving under the influence of alcohol. An investigation revealed the driver was intoxicated. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
January 13 at 2:04 a.m., a caller reported hearing a car crash in the area of Genoa and Rosewood. Officers arrived and found a large portion of a gate had been damaged and the vehicle was no longer at the scene. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
January 13 at 7:27 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of Highland called to report that the catalytic converter on his vehicle was taken sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
January 13 at 8:02 a.m., a caller in the 400 block of Concord reported that the catalytic converter on his vehicle was taken sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
January 13 at 8:24 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of Oaks called to report that the catalytic converter on his vehicle was taken sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
January 13 at 8:47 a.m., a caller in the 100 block of Greystone called to report that the catalytic converter on his vehicle was taken sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Grant Theft
January 13 at 9:07 a.m., an employee from a business in the 900 block of W. Huntington called to report that construction material was taken from the site. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
January 13 at 9:17 a.m. a resident in the 200 block of N. Myrtle called to report that the catalytic converter on his vehicle was taken sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
January 13 at 10:23 a.m., a caller in the 400 block of Oakcliff called to report his home was burglarized. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication / Resisting Arrest – Suspect Arrested
January 13 at 4:45 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Grand called to report a suspicious vehicle with two occupants yelling at each other. Officers arrived and spoke with the two occupants. The passenger was intoxicated and attempted to exit the vehicle and leave. He was detained and would not cooperate with officers. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Theft
January 13 at 5:41 p.m., a caller from the 1400 block of Magnolia reported someone stole his electric scooter. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
January 13 at 8:08 p.m., a caller in the 200 block of W. Lime reported his fence had been kicked causing damage. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
January 14 at 1:29 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 300 block of E. Palm when he saw a motorist commit a driving violation. The motorist was stopped and appeared to be intoxicated. A DUI investigation revealed that the driver was intoxicated. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
January 14 at 3:10 a.m., while on patrol, an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Alta Vista and Concord. The driver showed signs of being intoxicated. A DUI investigation revealed that the driver was intoxicated. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
January 14 at 4:11 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 1600 block of S. Primrose and saw subjects in a park after hours. The officer contacted the subjects and found that one of the subjects was in possession of drugs. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
January 14 at 4:19 a.m., an officer detained a subject for being in a park after hours in the 1600 block of S. Primrose. The subject was found to be in possession of drugs. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collision
January 14 at 8:37 p.m., a three vehicle collision was reported in the area of Huntington and Monterey. A party reported injuries and was treated at the scene.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
January 14 at 11:38 p.m., an officer saw a vehicle driving the wrong way in the 100 block of W. Lime and conducted a traffic stop. The driver showed signs of intoxication and a DUI investigation ensued. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
January 15 at 2:19 a.m., while on patrol, an officer saw a vehicle commit a violation in the area of Maple and Alta Vista. The officer conducted a traffic stop. The driver was suspected of intoxication and a DUI investigation ensued. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Grand Theft
January 15 at 11:37 a.m., a caller reported his vehicle's catalytic converter was stolen in the 700 block of S. Shamrock. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
January 16 at 11:24 am, a resident in the 600 block of E. Colorado reported her vehicle had been ransacked and was missing property. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
January 16 at 11:51 a.m., an employee from a business in the 1100 block of E. Huntington called to report that one of their vehicles had not been returned. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
January 16 at 12:24 p.m., the victim reported that someone cut off the catalytic converter to her vehicle in the 400 block of Montana. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
January 16 at 3:49 p.m., the reporting party called from the 900 block of E. Huntington and stated they have been receiving multiple fraudulent prescriptions. Investigation continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
January 16 at 10:07 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle in the 100 block of W. Foothill for a traffic violation. The driver displayed symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. A DUI investigation revealed that the driver was intoxicated. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Mental Evaluation
January 16 at 10:58 p.m., a caller in the 500 block of E. Olive reported an unknown female subject was knocking on the door and refusing to leave. Officers arrived and made contact with the female subject. Officers determined that she needed to be transported to a hospital for a mental evaluation.

Mental Evaluation
January 17 at 2:01 p.m., a caller in the 1800 block of S. Fifth reported that she was going to harm herself. Officers arrived and located her. Investigation revealed she was a danger to herself and was transported to a local hospital for a mental evaluation.

Theft
January 17 at 4:29 p.m., a business from the 700 block of East Huntington called to report that a few hours prior, a subject stole several fragrances. The incident was captured on surveillance footage. Investigation continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
January 18 at 12:08 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of S. Myrtle regarding suspicious subjects. As officers were arriving, one of the subjects fled. The second male and female subjects remained at the business and were detained by officers. The female had a warrant. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
January 18 at 9:05 a.m., a witness called from the 700 block of W. Foothill to report that he saw a vehicle side swipe a parked vehicle and did not stop. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
January 18 at 9:10 a.m., officers conducted a consensual contact on a subject in the area of Lemon and Primrose. A computer check revealed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Petty Theft
January 18 at 12:20 p.m., loss prevention called from the 1600 block of Mountain to report that a subject stole items. Loss prevention made contact with the subject and retrieved the merchandise. The subject left before police was called. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
January 18 at 2:04 p.m., an officer was flagged down by a citizen in the area of Shamrock and Cypress for a male subject in the area acting erratically. The officer located the subject. The subject displayed signs and symptoms of intoxication. The citizen positively identified the subject. Further investigation revealed that the subject drove while under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Commercial Burglary
January 18 at 4:50 p.m., the victim reported that someone broke into her storage unit in the 100 block of E. Lime. This investigation is continuing.

Opportunity to Make Sure School District's Bond Money Is Spent Properly

If you are interested in making sure the $75 million of bond money the Monrovia School District recently had approved is properly spent, consider applying to be on the district's Citizens' Oversight Committee. Details and application form here: t.ly/zLyN

- Brad Haugaard

KGEM Videos Finalists for WAVE Awards

KGEM reports that five of its videos have been chosen as finalists for the WAVE awards, given in honor of excellence in community media programming.

- Brad Haugaard

Clifton Middle School Designated As a 'School to Watch'

Clifton Middle School has been redesignated as a School to Watch for 2023 by The California League of Educators(CLE).

CLE established the Schools to Watch Program to recognize middle schools that are academically excellent, developmentally responsive, socially equitable, and highly collaborative. Selected schools serve as models and mentors to other middle schools throughout the state and nation.

“It really validates all of the hard work that the staff and students have put in to make Clifton excel in all areas,” said Clifton Principal Scott Moses. “I am thrilled as I know what an exemplary school environment we have, and I am just honored to be the instructional leader. This team makes achieving this recognition possible.”

Clifton is recognized for its highly successful push-in/co-teach collaborative teaching model, school-wide PBIS program, Spanish dual immersion, family engagement, and more.

Moses said he and his team were thrilled to get the good news once the California League of Educators officially announced it.

“It has really been great to have so many programs to build on and such a receptive staff to incorporate fresh and positive behaviors and strategies,” he said. “Developing the report was not without challenges as we were coming off obstacles such as the pandemic and school closures, which resulted in a dynamic shift in focus, but our team pulled through.”

“California Schools to Watch” is a statewide program implemented by the California League of Schools, California Department of Education, California Middle Grades Alliance, National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, and the California Schools to Watch model schools. For more information, visit www.leagueofschools.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at KBOP Korean Kitchen


Dinner at the new KBOP Korean Kitchen, in the Sprouts shopping center on Huntington. Got the Bibimbop Bowl on a salad base for $12 and a small drink for $2.49  Tasty  

- Brad Haugaard 

MAFA Art Exhibit January 29, 2-5 P.M.

From 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, January 29 there will be an artist reception at the Community Center exhibiting the works of four Monrovia Association of Fine Arts (monroviafinearts.org) artists. Artists are Dorothy Gonzales, Alixandria Hughes, Jennifer Watkins, and Rick Wise. There will also be classical and popular music performed by the String Quartet of the Pasadena Youth Orchestra, artwork by more than 60 students from Clifton and Santa Fe middle schools, and refreshments from Rivanis Baking Company and Wine of the Month Club. The event will also feature a silent auction of MAFA artists' work.

- Brad Haugaard

Chamber of Commerce GoFundMe for Steve Baker Bear Statue


The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce has created a GoFundMe page to raise $3,500 for a painted bear statue in honor of former City Historian, Steve Baker - presumably with top hat and tails. The project is being supported by several local organizations Baker was involved with. More here: t.ly/lSwQ

- Brad Haugaard

Topaz - After This Wallflower Warms Up She's Curiosity and Affection


Topaz is more than a gem of a dog - she’s a shining star! Four-year-old Topaz was found in a local park. She was initially very withdrawn at the shelter, but now she has started to come out of her shell, much to the delight of staff and volunteers.

Her nervousness has been replaced by an adorable mixture of curiosity and affection. She loves gentle scratches and pets and has also shown an affinity for training. She is a master at “sit” and “down” and much more she just hasn’t shown off yet.

This wallflower may need some time to warm up in a home, but once she does, this lady is sure to be a jewel!

Topaz is available for a 14-day adoption trial! This is a great opportunity to see if she’s the right fit for your home.

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: 1940s Service Station

Henson's Service Station, around 1940, on west side of Myrtle between Walnut and Olive. At Walnut was the Blu Seal Laundry, Gas Station, Red's Trolley Car Restaurant, Happy's Liquor Store, and a used furniture Store at Olive. Howard Henson sold this station and bought the gas station at 721-729 S. Shamrock. From the Kim Anderson 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

GrowMonrovia Raising Funds to Fight Bradbury Street Widening

GrowMonrovia is trying to raise $20,000 to pay legal fees to prevent the City of Bradbury from widening Bradbury Road where it turns into Wildrose Avenue. GrowMonrovia objects to Bradbury removing the trees on the east side of the street. GoFundMe page: t.ly/Z-3U

- Brad Haugaard

School Board: Field Trip to High-Speed Rail Site; Adding Entrepreneurship and Engineering Courses; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda: t.ly/6CYa) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Allowing high school students to take an extended field trip to a California High-Speed Rail construction site and to the Fresno State University Engineering Department. t.ly/w1cB

~ Add Entrepreneurship 1 as a high school course. Students "put together customer and competitor profiles, marketing campaigns, and a financial analysis to support their claims about the feasibility of their business idea. Towards the end of the school year, students have opportunities to pitch their business opportunities to judges in local, regional, and national competitions." [Comment: Awesome idea!] t.ly/zNWK

~ Adding a new high school course, Honors Project Lead the Way Principles of Engineering. In the program "students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of materials and structures, automation, and kinematics." t.ly/NbAs

~ An agreement to let California State Long Beach students have counseling internships in Monrovia for three-years. t.ly/0P1R

- Brad Haugaard

Gravel Bags Available, City Closed for King's Birthday, State of the City Address

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

~ With a storm expected this weekend, gravel and gravel bag materials are available at Recreation Park. First come, first served; provide your own shovels, gloves, and eye protection. Bags available at the Monrovia Public Works Yard, 600 S. Mountain Ave. For questions contact the Public Works Department at 932-5575.

~ Monrovia City Hall, Public Works Yard, Community Center, and Library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

~ Annual State of the City event to be held on Feb. 13 at LOOK Cinemas at 6 p.m. City Council will provide updates on accomplishments in 2022 and plans for 2023.

- Brad Haugaard

Library Has New Collection of Nintendo Switch Games - And Other Games

Monrovia Public Library has a new collection of Nintendo Switch games, board games, and puzzles for checkout starting Jan 20, a variety of new and classic games for all ages. Update or sign up for library card to check out games.

- Brad Haugaard