Mario Kart Tournament at Library Jan. 26

Casual Mario Kart video game tournament for adults,  Friday, Jan. 26,   5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Library.  Compete in a low stakes tournament or watch the competition unfold on the big screen. For information email aloera@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 256-8274.

- Brad Haugaard

Nominees Wanted for Woman of the Year

Assembly member Chris Holden is seeking nominations for his annual 41st Assembly District’s Woman of the Year and Women of Distinction celebration.  Nominees must live, volunteer, or work in the 41st Assembly District, which includes Monrovia. Deadline to submit nominations is Thursday, February 15 at 5 p.m. and can be submitted here.

- Brad Haugaard 

People Counter To Be Installed at Wilderness Preserve; Council Approves Satoru Park; Gravel, Bags Available; Learn Beer Brewing; Garden Plots Available

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

~ A people-counter device will be installed at the Ridgeside access point for the Hillside Wilderness Preserve to better understand how the trials are being used. An invisible beam and detect hikers and bicyclist as they pass by. The device will not take pictures. For questions contact Canyon Park and Hillside Wilderness Preserve Staff at 256-8282.

~ The City Council has approved naming Monrovia's new park Satoru Tsuneishi Park to honor him, his family and Asian Americans. Hale Corporation donated the land behind the new Chick-Fil-A to the city for the park.

~ In anticipation of this weekend's storm, gravel and gravel bag materials will be available at the Recreation Park parking lot off of Olive, near the skate park. Self serve. Bring your own shovel, gloves and eye protection. For information call Public Works at 932-5575 or email pwcomments@ci.monrovia.ca.us. 

~ Be a Monrovia brew master. Each week participants will meet at a Monrovia brewery, sample beers, and learn about beer making. Light snacks at each stop. Participants must be 21 or older. $100 per person (plus $10 for non-residents). Fee includes a flight of beers each week and a Monrovia Brew Masters t-shirt. Register here  (click on Adult Classes > Education). For more information contact the Community Center at 256-8246. 

~ One Earth Community Garden now has garden plots available. For more information visit the Grow Monrovia website here. 

- Brad Haugaard

Workshop on Tree Pruning Tomorrow, Saturday

There will be a fruit tree care and pruning mini-workshop tomorrow, Jan. 20 at 9 a.m. at the Monrovia Community Garden (303 W Colorado Blvd). Free. For more information, email info@monroviacommunitygarden.org 

- Brad Haugaard

Parking Lots South of Library Park To Be Repaired

The two parking lots directly south of Library Park between the 100 blocks of Lime and Lemon will be closed between Jan. 22-26 for demolition, then will be repaired in February. For details call Public Works at 256-8224.

- Brad Haugaard

Compostpalooza Feb. 17

Compostpalooza. There will be a free seminar on food waste and the new SB 1383 composting law with booths on Saturday, February 17 at noon. Crafts, worm bin, and compost. Register here. 

- Brad Haugaard

State of the City Address Feb. 13

2024 State of the City Address will be at LOOK Cinemas in Old Town on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 5 p.m. City Departments will be hosting booths with activities and information, followed by the address at 6 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Historic Anderson House Museum Open Sunday Afternoon

The historic Anderson House Museum (215 E. Lime), will be open on January 21, from 1-4 p.m. The house shows what life was like in Monrovia in the late 1800s. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Driver Shoots Up Another Car; Woman Sets Her Clothing on Fire; Seller Conned With Counterfeit Money; Threatening With Gun; Drunks and Drugs; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 11 – 17. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 333 service events, resulting in 69 investigations. 

Domestic Violence / Wanted Person – Suspect Arrested
January 11 at 4:18 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 600 block of S. Mountain when he saw a motorist commit a driving violation. A computer search of the license plate revealed the motorist was wanted for a domestic violence incident. The officer made contact with the motorist and confirmed the motorist was a wanted person. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Mental Evaluation
January 11 at 6:58 a.m., a caller in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle reported he wanted to harm himself. Officers arrived and located to subject and detained him. Officers determined he was a danger to himself. He was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
January 11 at 3:39 p.m., a caller in the area of Chestnut and Magnolia called to report a possible DUI driver in the area. Officers arrived and located a vehicle stopped illegally in the roadway. The driver was contacted and signs of intoxication were present. A DUI investigation determined the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Attempt Burglary
January 12 at 8:57 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Willowbrook called to report that someone tried breaking into his home. Two male subjects walked onto his property, into his backyard, turned off the resident’s electric power, and looked through a window. The resident yelled and the suspects fled the area. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
January 12 at 10:20 a.m., a caller in the area of Mountain and Lemon reported a vehicle blocking traffic in the area of Mountain and Lemon. Officers arrived and located the vehicle, and made contact with the driver. The driver displayed sings of being under the influence. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Vandalism
January 12 at 11:03 a.m., a passerby reported vandalism on a plaque in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
January 12 at 1:07 p.m., a welfare check was requested in the 200 block of E. Foothill regarding a subject passed out on the floor. Officers arrived and located the subject. A computer check revealed the subject had a no bail warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
January 12 at 3:32 p.m., an employee from a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington called to report a shoplifting incident. Officers arrived and located the subject. He was arrested, cited, and released at the scene.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
January 13 at 12:52 a.m., officers patrolling the area of Myrtle and Walnut saw two subject lying on the ground and made contact with the subjects. An investigation revealed the subjects were too intoxicated to care for themselves. They were arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Warrant / Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
January 14 at 12:15 a.m., while patrolling the 3100 block of S. Peck an officer saw a bicyclist commit a traffic violation. He was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
January 14 at 1:21 a.m., a caller reported a vehicle driving erratically. Officers arrived, located the vehicle in the area of Shamrock and Evergreen and conducted a traffic stop. A DUI investigation showed the driver was operating the vehicle while impaired. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Vehicle Burglary
January 14 at 3:18 a.m., a victim in the 100 block of W. Pomona called to report that his vehicle had been broken into. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Dispute – Suspect Arrested
January 14 at 8:37 a.m., a caller in the 100 block of N. Garfield reported his niece was being physically abused by her partner. Officers arrived and made several attempts to have any occupants come outside. As she walked outside, a nearby resident reported a suspicious subject in their backyard. Officers arrived and located the suspect who was determined to be the partner. A computer revealed she had a warrant for her arrested. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto
January 14 at 10:01 a.m., a resident in the 1000 block of E. Royal Oaks called to report her vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Weapon Offense
January 14 at 6:18 p.m., a victim was inside a business in the 400 block of W. Foothill when he had a disagreement with a male subject. The subject threatened to shoot the victim, and flashed a gun. The suspect left prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing.

Ex-Felon with Ammo – Suspect Arrested
January 15 at 12:15 a.m., a resident in the 900 block of S. Fifth reported a male subject was at her residence in violation of a court order. Officers arrived and determined a court order did not exist and an investigation revealed the male subject was an ex-felon in possession of ammunition. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalism
January 15 at 9:32 a.m., a caller in the 1200 block of S. Primrose called to report that someone had thrown a beer bottle through her window. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
January 15 at 10:45 a.m., an employee from a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington called to report that a number of propane tanks had been stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Illegal Fire / Warrants / Drugs – Suspect Arrested
January 15 at 12:32 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of W. Pomona on a report of a subject setting a fire. Officers arrived and located a female subject had set her clothing on fire. A computer search revealed she had numerous warrant for her arrest and was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
January 15 at 4:12 p.m., officers were dispatched to a store in the 100 block of W. Foothill regarding a theft. The suspects involved were detained nearby. The store did not want prosecution for the theft, but one of the subjects involved had a bench warrant. She was arrested for the warrant and taken into custody.

Elder Abuse – Suspect Arrested
January 15 at 4:43 p.m., a resident in the 1000 block of S. Mountain called to report that she'd been battered by her daughter. They had been having arguments all night and throughout the day. When officers arrived the daughter had fled the location and they could not locate her. While the handling officer was obtaining an emergency protective order for the mother, the daughter returned. Assisting officers were able to locate and detain her. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Attempt Murder
January 15 at 6:38 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Alta Vista and Central regarding shots fired. An investigation determined two vehicles were involved in a road range incident and the driver of one of the vehicles shot at the victim vehicle numerous times. The occupants of the victim vehicle had two adults and three children. No injuries were reported. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
January 16 at 2:52 p.m., a business in the 800 block of S. Shamrock called to report an unknown subject loitering. Officers arrived and located the subject, who was known to the officers from prior contacts. A computer search revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto
January 16 at 9:22 p.m., a resident in the 800 block of E. Foothill said he parked vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
January 17 at 7:00 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of W. Duarte regarding drug activity. An officer arrived and located the subjects. A computer search revealed one of the subject had a warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Mail Theft
January 17 at 8:02 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Duarte called to report that mailboxes had been broken into and mail stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Counterfeit
January 17 at 10:49 p.m., a victim arranged to meet a male subject in the 100 block of Oak Grove who was interested in buying shoes from the victim. After the exchange the victim realized that the money used to make the purchase was counterfeit. This investigation is continuing.

Dinner From B&C Teriyaki

Got dinner from B&C Teriyaki, at the northwest corner of Foothill and Madison. Got the chicken curry bowl for $8.15 and a drink for $2. Nice and reasonable price. 

- Brad Haugaard 

School District to Hire Company to Help Find New Superintendent

This Thursday - 1 p.m. in the board room - the Monrovia School Board will interview four executive search firms to find one to help the district hire a new superintendent (details). This will be followed at 5 p.m. by board consideration of the companies. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Playful Chet Is Life of the Party - Dog Party or People Party

 Chet is the life of the party wherever he goes! This handsome two-year-old extroverted husky is ready to make you his new BFF!

Chet knows how to work a room. He basks in attention from adults, kids, and other dogs. He is happiest when someone is petting him, brushing his luxurious coat, or, if you’re a dog, playing with him! He wants to play with nearly every dog he sees!

It appears that Chet is house-trained, and he has been working on training cues with the volunteers at Pasadena Humane. He’s not particularly treat-motivated, but he hasn’t found a toy that he doesn’t love, and he’ll go through all his tricks until you give it to him.

Chet is energetic, so having another large dog for him to play with would be nice. He has bonded quickly with some of the dogs he’s spent time with while out on field trips.

Chet is an all-around fun dude and he's ready to brighten up your days!

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. Limited same-day appointments are available during weekend Visiting Hours. Check website for times. 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: 1948 MAD High School Football Rally Parade

Monrovia Arcadia Duarte High School Band at a MAD. High School football rally parade Nov. 19, 1948, a few hours before winning the San Gabriel Valley Championship. Myrtle Avenue, looking toward intersection with Lemon. J.C. Penney at left. Baxter Building at right with Hotel sign. From the Thelma Thompson 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

Designs to Honor Former Mayor Pat Ostrye As Neighborhood Treasure

At its next meeting (agenda here), the Art in Public Places Committee will consider five designs to honor the next Neighborhood Treasure, former Monrovia Mayor Pat Ostrye, who was selected by the committee last January.

Ostrye was born in Minnesota in 1924. In 1944, she joined the Navy Women and was accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) and was stationed in San Diego. In 1974, she successfully ran for Monrovia City Council. She was the first woman to serve on the City Council and, in 1978, the first elected woman mayor of the city. During her leadership, she brought Meals-on-Wheels, Dial-a-Ride, home library and a federally funded senior lunch program to the city. In 1980, at the end of her mayoral term she was elected City Clerk and held that position until retiring in 1986. In 1992, she ran unopposed for the part-time position of City Treasurer, thus having served in all four of the City's then elective offices. The amount budgeted for the Neighborhood Treasure is $19,500. One of the designs is shown here, the others are here.

- Brad Haugaard

Space Exploration Event for School-Age Children Jan. 17

Monrovia Public Library, with Sidewalk Astronomers and Monrovia High Astronomy Club, will host a space exploration event this Wednesday, Jan. 17, 6-8 p.m. It will feature learning stations and telescope viewing of the moon and planets in Library Park. Suitable for school-aged children and families, and requires no reservation. If weather is cloudy, the event will be rescheduled for Feb. 15. For more information emai asimpson@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 256-8269.

- Brad Haugaard

Veterans Breakfast and Historical Museum Tour

- Brad Haugaard 

Fellowship Church Moves to Smaller Venue

On Jan. 27, Monrovia's Fellowship Church, which has met in the Monrovia High School Auditorium for years, will be changing locations to Fellowship Center, the church's administrative offices at the northeast corner of Huntington and California. The letter announcing the move said the new space will be "intimate." The move to a smaller venue follows internal turmoil last year involving the main pastor being disciplined for sexting, for complaints about an unfriendly work environment and about how church funds were used.

- Brad Haugaard 

School Board To Consider Contract With Company to Haul Away Old Furniture

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

~  Consider contracting with Furniture Reuse Solutions Inc., for  $170,617 to remove unneeded old furniture from Monrovia schools. Details.

~ Honor its January Employees of the month:  Susana Reveles, Teacher, Plymouth; and  Heena Merchant, Instructional Aide, Plymouth.

- Brad Haugaard

City Council to Consider Streamlining Housing Development Process; Charge Developers More to Minimize Traffic Impact

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

~ Streamlining the review of multi-family residential developments, as required by state law. The proposal would eliminate the conditional use permit requirement in zones that allow multi-family developments, and get rid of the requirement for some projects to be reviewed by the city's Development Review Committee. Details.

~ Increasing the amount it charges developers to minimize the traffic impact of their developments. City staff recommends increasing the Traffic Impact Fee to "$2,575 per net new afternoon peak hour trip." Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Water and Sewer Rates Will Likely Go Up; Blood Drive Jan. 25; Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Will Screen Film

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

~ The Monrovia City Council will consider raising water and sewer rates, which have not been adjusted since 2018 for water rates and 2020 for sewer rates. Feik cites a recent study that notes high inflationary costs of operating public utilities. The adjustments will support sewer and water infrastructure, and will fund capital improvements. Monrovia, which he said has some of the lowest water and sewer fees in the region, will continue to offer discounts to seniors, veterans, and Lifeline customers. Feik did not indicate how much fees might go up.

~ The Monrovia Police Department will host this year's Battle of the Badges Blood Drive on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Community Center. Those who give blood will be entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, with access to day-of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the Super Bowl, round-trip airfare to Las Vegas, three-night accommodations, plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. To schedule an appointment,  go here , enter sponsor code “BOB24" and scroll down to January 25. Or, call (800) 733-2767. 

~ This Sunday, January 14, at 2:30 p.m., the Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association will show the film "100 Years From Mississippi," a true story about Mamie Kirkland and Sun Tarabu Batserai- a story of resilience, forgiveness, memory, and hope.

- Brad Haugaard