Halloween Night in Monrovia

The pirate ship on Hillcrest is a big hit. Pirates and skeletons and even a broadside of cannons. Hundreds of people crowded around to see.

The Harvest Festival at Calvary Chapel Monrovia was crowded with families enjoying games, food, music, and a petting zoo.

As always, Alta Vista north of Hillcrest was blocked off and the street hosted a party.

- Brad Haugaard

Fluffy Tito - Couch Potato and Walking Buddy

Tito is a 12-year-old Australian Shepherd/Chow mix. His soft and fluffy fur makes him ideal to cuddle with, and his energy level is just right for anyone who wants a couch potato sometimes, and a good walking buddy at other times.

What really gets him excited and playful is playing fetch. He loves chasing tennis balls, and prances back to you with a look of pride that he is still able to catch a bouncing ball just like a young pup.

Tito looks like a large dog, but he is only about 55 pounds under all that fur. He’s an ideal size for trips in the car, going on hikes or just hanging out on the couch.

Senior pets like Tito can easily get overlooked, but this sweet guy will has all the best qualities that any pet parent is look ing for- he's loving, friendly, and a great companion. Tito is ready to make himself right at home with you!

Pasadena Humane’s Seniors for Seniors program allows all dogs and cats over five years old like Tito to be adopted for free by anyone over sixty.

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

Monrovian Makanvand Opens Financial Services Business

Lifelong Monrovia resident Eva Del Real Makanvand has opened M.A.H.B. Financial Services at 423 E Huntington Dr. The business provides financial services including investment advice, estate planning, and insurance. Makanvand, a Monrovia High School graduate with more than 10 years of financial services experience, wants to help Monrovia residents achieve financial goals regardless of background or income. M.A.H.B. Financial Services is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Makanvand has volunteered at Foothill Unity Center, belongs to the Monrovia and Arcadia chambers of commerce, and mentors those pursuing financial careers.

Source: Chamber of Commerce Press Release

- Brad Haugaard

Native Plant Sale Nov. 4

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Laurel and Hardy at Monrovia Airport

Comedians Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy with Al Blackburn and Bud Hanser at the Monrovia Airport in approximately 1943 or 1944. Gary Boen writes that the two comedians were at the airport for the filming of the Big Noise. The plane in the background, he writes, is a Waco Cabin; the old mechanic later said the plane was being repaired, which is why the wings are off. It started on fire by accident; the right wing was on fire on the ground. Blackburn was owner of the Monrovia Airport. From the Gary Boen 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

Adult Game Night at Library Nov. 8

Monrovia Public Library is hosting a game night for adults on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the community room. The event features the Nintendo Switch and a variety of tabletop games. Contact aloera@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 256-8254 for more information.

- Brad Haugaard

Learn How to Run for Monrovia Office; Prayer Breakfast; O2breathe Walk; Historic Walking Tour; Easy on the Sprinklers; Digging on Lemon

~ Learn how to run for a Monrovia office, Thursday, Nov. 2, in the Monrovia Community Center: the nomination and filing process, campaign reporting requirements, financial disclosures, and other election specifics. The nomination period begins Nov. 13 and runs through Dec. 8. Details.

~ The 57th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast will be held on Friday, Nov. 17, at the Courtyard by the Marriott Hotel. Theme is "Faith in an Anxious World," and the speaker will be Brad M. Griffin, Senior Director of Content & Research at the Fuller Youth Institute. Registration is $40 per person, and is open until Friday, Nov. 10. Details.

~ The Pulmonary Hypertension Association will hold its 10th Annual Monrovia O2breathe Walk on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 8:30 a.m. - noon at Library Park. Free, but donations are welcomed. There will be raffle prizes, informational booths, and live entertainment by the Licata Brothers. Details.

~ Monrovia Historic Preservation Group's Last Walking Tour of 2023 is tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. The tour lasts two hours and costs $5 per person. Meet at the SE corner of Myrtle and Palm at 10 a.m. to learn more about Monrovia's past.

~ With the rainy season coming up, the city would like you to switch off sprinklers while it is raining and for 48 hours after the rain ends to conserve water. It also recommends installing weather-based irrigation controllers that automatically shut off sprinklers when it rains, using barrels to capture rainwater for later landscaping watering use, and installing drought-tolerant landscape.

~ From Oct. 30 through Nov. 3, there will be digging and pipe laying on the 700 block of W. Lemon and S. Sunset Pl., and digging potholes to locate underground utilities on the 300 block of W. Chestnut. For questions contact Chris Castruita at Monrovia Public Works at 256-8224.

- Brad Haugaard

More Native and Mediterranean Vegetation in Front of Monrovia High

Monrovia High is undergoing a landscaping project to create a greener campus. The project is being carried out by Amigos de los Rios, which brought in arborists to assess the health of the four oak trees. To support these trees, irrigation has been removed from around their roots and they have been surrounded with high-grade mulch. The grass in front of the school is being removed to make space for native and Mediterranean plants.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Man Arrested for Attempted Murder; Bear Breaks Into House; ATM Skimmers; Electric Bike Stolen; Bicyclist Hit By Vehicle; Catalytic Converters Stolen; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 19 – 25. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 388 service events, resulting in 72 investigations.

Fraud
October 19 at 9:00 a.m., an employee from a bank in the 200 block of S. Myrtle called to report that two adult male subjects pulled a skimmer device off an ATM machine. Officers arrived and contacted a bank employee who had retrieved the skimming device. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
October 19 at 10:10 a.m., officers were dispatched to a bank in the 400 block of W. Foothill regarding a skimmer device on an ATM machine. Officers arrived and made contact with a bank employee who was in possession of the skimming device. This investigation is continuing.

Burglary
October 19 at 7:09 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 400 block of Violet. Officers arrived and made contact with the owner who reported tools were taken. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
October 19 at 8:48 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 1600 block of S. Mountain when he saw a suspect being chased from a store by employees. The officer joined the pursuit on foot and caught the suspect. The suspect was found to be in possession of stolen goods. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Theft
October 20 at 6:09 a.m., a victim in the 100 block of N. Primrose called to report a window of his vehicle was smashed and items were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
October 20 at 10:34 am, a caller in the 500 block of W. Lime reported the catalytic converter to her vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Theft
October 20 at 11:37 a.m., a victim parked his electric bike in front of a store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain, when he walked out of the store his electric bike was gone. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 20 at 3:08 p.m., an injury traffic collision was reported in the area of Mountain and Central. One of the parties involved complained of pain.

Missing Person
October 20 at 4:33 p.m., while patrolling the 1600 block of S. Myrtle, an officer was flagged down by an adult female subject. She said her son was missing. Officers went to numerous locations, but were unable to locate him. He was entered as a missing person.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 20 at 8:34 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 900 block of E. Lemon regarding a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist. The bicyclist suffered injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
October 20 at 11:46 p.m., a caller in the 500 block of S. Myrtle called to report a trail of blood leading into a business. Officers arrived and discovered the business had a damaged window. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Hit and Run Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
October 21 at 2:13 a.m., an officer patrolling the 100 block of W. Foothill heard a disturbance in a nearby restaurant drive-though. An investigation revealed a hit and run traffic collision. The suspect vehicle was located nearby and the driver was located a short distance away. 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.

Mental Evaluation
October 21 at 4:46 p.m., a subject walked into a business in the 900 block of E. Huntington and told an employee that he was suicidal. Officers arrived and located the subject. It was determined he was a danger to himself. He was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 21 at 5:27 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Encinitas called to report that a family member was inside his home and was refusing to leave. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. A computer check revealed the subject had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Bear
October 21 at 7:21 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of Norumbega called to report that a bear broke into the house. Officers arrived and reported the incident to CA Fish and Game.

Weapon Offense
October 21 at 7:58 p.m. a caller in the 700 block of W. Huntington called to report that a vehicle drove alongside him and an occupant pointed a firearm at him. This investigation is continuing.

Attempted Murder – Suspect Arrested
October 21 at 9:27 p.m., officers were dispatched to a hotel in the 900 block of S. Fifth regarding a female heard screaming and a baby crying on the phone. Officers arrived and located a female, children, and a male subject. The female had injuries to her face and neck caused by the male subject. The weapon was located. The male subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
October 22 at 1:00 p.m., a caller in the 400 block of W. Palm reported a vehicle crashed into several vehicles during the night and fled the scene. This investigation is continuing.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
October 22 at 1:44 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported in the area of Mountain and Royal Oaks. The caller stated that someone had sideswiped him while he was driving and then left the scene. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
October 22 at 2:49 p.m., a caller in the 900 block of Genoa reported that she was having thoughts of harming herself. Officers arrived and determined she was a danger to herself. She was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.

Mental Evaluation
October 22 at 11:32 p.m., witnesses called to report seeing a male adult subject jump from the 210 freeway overpass retaining wall onto Mountain. Officers arrived and located the subject inside a nearby business. He had shattered the front window to the business before crawling inside. It was determined the subject was a danger to himself. He was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.

Burglary
October 23 at 2:49 a.m., officers responded to an alarm activation at a business in the 300 block of W. Huntington. When officers arrived they found the front window shattered and the interior of the business had been ransacked. No one was found in the business. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
October 23 at 12:15 p.m., a dealership employee in the 1300 block of S. Mountain called to report an embezzled vehicle. Earlier in the week a subject came into the dealership and used someone else's identity to purchase a vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft / Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
October 23 at 1:28 p.m., a caller in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report they were following a suspect who just stole items from their store. Officers arrived and located the suspect. The stolen item were recovered. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon

October 23 at 10:42 p.m., a victim walked into the MPD lobby to report someone had pointed a gun at him a few minutes earlier at the intersection of Lime and Primrose while he was stopped at a stop sign. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate a suspect. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 24 at 12:48 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of California and Huntington when he saw a motorist commit a driving violation. The officer conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver. The driver displayed signs of being intoxicated. 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.

Domestic Violence
October 24 at 7:08 a.m., a domestic violence was reported in the 800 block of W. Walnut. An ex-boyfriend and ex-girlfriend got into an argument and one of them became aggressive. This investigation is continuing.

Embezzlement
October 24 at 9:42 a.m., a business in the 800 block of W. Foothill reported that an employee had been embezzling funds. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
October 24 at 12:34 p.m., a victim in the 1600 block of S. Mountain discovered his jacket had been stolen with his car keys inside. This investigation is continuing.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
October 24 at 1:03 p.m., a vehicle in a parking lot in the 700 block of W. Huntington was struck by the suspect vehicle, who fled the scene. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 24 at 1:23 p.m., an injury traffic collision was reported in the 1400 block of California. One party complained of pain, but refused to be transported to a hospital for treatment.

Vehicle Burglary
October 24 at 5:13 p.m., a victim in the 400 block of W. Duarte discovered her vehicle had been burglarized while parked. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 25 at 8:01 a.m., a caller reported from the 800 block of W. Colorado that a male adult subject was walking around campus carrying an open container. Officers arrived and located the subject. An investigation revealed he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Grand Theft
October 25 at 12:40 p.m., a witness in the 2600 block of S. Myrtle called to report several suspects removing a catalytic converter from a vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
October 25 at 12:42 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in a parking lot in the 400 block of W. Duarte. The victim reported that when she returned to her vehicle he noticed it had been burglarized, her wallet was stolen, and unauthorized charges were made on her credit card. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
October 25 at 3:01 p.m., a victim found his apartment's storage unit in the 700 block of W. Foothill had been vandalized. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
October 25 at 3:33 p.m., a caller in the 200 block of W. Palm reported her phone had been hacked and an unknown suspect attempted to steal her identity. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
October 25 at 4:16 p.m., a resident in the 2800 block of Peck reported that the catalytic converter was stolen from his vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
October 25 at 4:49 p.m., a caller in a gas station in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle reported an adult male subject was harassing customers. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. An investigation revealed that the subject was in possession of a controlled substance and he had several warrants. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Amazing Pirate Ship Halloween Decoration

This is the best Halloween decoration I think I’ve ever seen at a home. Can’t wait to see it on Halloween night. On the south side of Hillcrest between Madison and McKinley. 

- Brad Haugaard

Harvest Festival Oct. 31 at Calvary Chapel Monrovia

Calvary Chapel Monrovia (Myrtle and Cherry) will hold a Harvest event on October 31 from 6-8 p.m. as an alternative youth event to Halloween. There will be free games and free candy as well as food, a petting zoo and more.

- Brad Haugaard

Breakfast at Peach Cafe

Had breakfast recently at the Peach Cafe, on the north side of Colorado near Ivy. Got the Nuts and Bolts for $13.95, scrambled eggs, toast, fruit, and bacon (Yum!), and a cup of coffee. All excellent!

- Brad Haugaard 

Halloween Arty Party Oct. 28

Ten percent of meal sales will go to Monrovia Association of Fine Arts’ art education programs in the community.

- Brad Haugaard 

Gentle Chester Dressed for Early Halloween

Chester is a gentle senior Labrador mix who is looking for a comfortable bed in a loving home. Chester is nine years young, and just hitting his stride. He enjoys going for walks in the park so he can smell all the smells and plod happily along. 

This handsome guy is also fun- he likes playing in the yard, exploring and having a laugh, even if that means wearing a cow Halloween costume. 

Like most dogs his age, Chester loves having a place to nap in the sun. He has spent some time in a foster home and the foster family reported that he is housetrained, likes to sleep on the couch and enjoys a nice belly rub. What a good boy! 

Chester is one of many dogs over 31 pounds that can be adopted for only $10 during the Adopt-a-Boo promotion. 

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 

Credit Card Skimmers Found at Monrovia Locations

 Credit card skimmers found at Monrovia Bank of America and 7-Eleven.  Details.

- Brad Haugaard 

More Players Need for Monrovia Historical Trivia Game

Monrovia Historical Trivia Game this Sunday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Monrovia Public Library‘s Community Room. Prizes and fun as you try to answer questions about Monrovia history. More players needed to make the game exciting. RSVP by October 25 to Penny Zuk at pennyzuk@aol.com or call or text 274 7568. Sponsored by Monrovia Historical Society. 

UPDATE: Event has been cancelled.

- Brad Haugaard

Neighborhood Treasure Unveiling, Party

Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

Learn Tree Grafting at Garden Club

Speaker “AJ” on tree grafting at next Garden Club meeting, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 101 E. Foothill. AJ was born and raised in Southern California, grew up in a neighborhood full of fruit trees: persimmon, avocado, fig, citrus, guava, loquat, apple, and banana trees were everywhere. After harvesting the fruits from his first avocado tree, gardening became an obsession. He discovered grafting and set out to learn everything he could about it. His first successful graft began on his avocado tree, after which he began grafting onto every tree in his yard. He now has a number of multi-grafted trees in his yard, and has created multi-grafted trees for his family and friends.

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Councilman Larry Spicer in 1956

Larry Spicer on Maple Avenue in 1956. Larry Spicer's parents, Samuel and Geneva, came from Farrell, Mississippi in the 1950s - following Uncle Enoch. Eight Spicer siblings came to Monrovia. Larry at Grandmother Julia Spicer's house on Maple. Since 2012, Larry has served Monrovia City Council. He has been a longtime member of Second Baptist Church. 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

Spooktacular Stories at Library Oct. 31

Spooktacular Stories at Monrovia Public Library on Oct. 31, from 3-6 p.m. Old Town trick-or-treating, costume contests, a Parade of Characters, photo booth, arts and crafts, and spooky stories. Details.

- Brad Haugaard