Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California

Dinner at JB Burgers

Dinner at JB Burgers, at the corner of Myrtle and Olive. Got the double cheeseburger combo, which comes with soda and fries, for $11.99. There is no pretense of ambience, but the food is reasonably priced and the burger was fat, filling and tasty.

- Brad Haugaard

Handsome Hawkeye Loves Walks, Trips in the Car, and Hiking

Handsome Hawkeye hopes he can be the apple of your eye. Hawkeye is two years old, weighs about 60 pounds and is such a good boy!

Hawkeye got to spend a few days in a foster home, and he was an ideal house guest. He is crate trained, house-trained and loved having someone to snuggle with on the couch. He walks well on a harness and seems interested in meeting similar-sized dogs.

He's also a ton of fun! He loves dissecting plush toys to uncover the squeaker, which he is convinced is the best part. He enjoys walks and trips in the car, so he would be a great hiking or maybe running buddy.

We have found that Hawkeye can be a bit shy with new people, but within a matter of minutes, he’ll attach his head to your lap for as many pets as he can get.

Hawkeye and all other dogs over 6 months old can be adopted for only $25 during the Love is Blooming adoption promotion at Pasadena Humane. The promotion ends on Sunday, April 14.

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

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. Daily adoption appointments can be scheduled online. New adoption appointments are released every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 2:00 – 5:00.

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: Monrovia City Band in 1890

It is believed this photo was taken in 1890 as in June of 1889 The Messenger published the first list of band members"…Monrovia-Duarte Community Book. P. 46. The group is shown in front of the La Vista Grande Hotel. "The first Monrovia band was organized in June of 1889 by A. E. Cronenwett, and contained the following players and instruments: L. T. Graves, drum major Thomas Moore, piccolo; Lawrence Wheeler, B flat clarinet A. E. Cronenwett, E flat cornet; James A. Foshay, solo B flat cornet Sam Wilson, first B flat cornet Seth Hart, second B flat cornet Ralph Ward all, third B flat cornet Kenneth Bowerman, solo alto; Hal Slemmons, first alto Will Lamport, second alto Will Young, third alto; Harry Miller, first B flat tenor Than Johnson, second B flat tenor C. F. Cooke, baritone; Walter Monroe, B flat bass J. W. Harvey, E flat bass; D. A. Dingley, snare drum G. M. Cooper, bass drum Victor Cooper, cymbals. (John Wiley's "History of Monrovia" p 75.) Monrovia Messenger Sept 4, 1890 (p 386): "George King photographed the band in their new uniforms on Saturday last." The Monrovia City Band was engaged to furnish music for the Tournament of Roses at Pasadena on New Years Day (1891) p 401. A note in the Monrovia Messenger for 3/6/90 indicates that the band picture was taken on 3/5/90. 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

Tabletop Game Night at Library April 12

Tabletop Game Night for Adults at Library on April 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a variety of new and social games. For more information email aloera@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 256-8254.

- Brad Haugaard

40th Historic Homes Tour May 5

Tickets for the 40th Annual Historic Homes Tour, organized by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, are now available. The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets available for $25 at Charlie’s House or online here.

- Brad Haugaard

Siblings of Children with Disabilities Workshop Planned

Siblings of Children with Disabilities, a workshop for siblings of children with communication disabilities, will offer peer engagement, support, and connection-making. See online form. For more information contact Justine Sherman & Associates at annag@justineshermanslp.com or by phone at 244-7229.

- Brad Haugaard

Old Town Parking Lots Reopened

The reworked parking lots, just south of the library, between Lime and Lemon, are now open.

- Brad Haugaard

TownePlace Suites About to Open

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that TownePlace Suites Hotel, at the corner of Huntington and Myrtle, is about to open. He said it features an indoor exercise room, breakfast room, lounge area, outdoor pool, and parking with EV chargers.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Azusa Car Chase Ends in Monrovia; Stolen Tailgate; Husband Arrested for Battering; Drunk Drivers; Woman Whacks Man With Bottle; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 28 – April 3. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 426 service events, resulting in 66 investigations.

Outside Assist
March 28 at 2:55 p.m., Azusa PD requested assistance regarding a grand theft auto vehicle pursuit that ended in the area of Myrtle and the 210 freeway in Monrovia. The suspect crashed the vehicle into an uninvolved party and then struck an Azusa PD vehicle. Azusa PD had two suspects detained while two other suspects had fled on foot. With the assistance of MFD one of the suspects was located and the other suspect was located nearby. All suspects were taken into custody by Azusa PD.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
March 29 at 1:12 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of S. Myrtle on a vehicle for a vehicle code violation. Further investigation revealed the driver was too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Grand Theft Auto
March 29 at 9:12 a.m., a caller in the 200 block of W. Colorado called to report that she lost her car keys and that her vehicle had been stolen. The vehicle was entered in the system as stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
March 29 at 10:14 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. The caller reported that tools were taken. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
March 29 at 2:48 p.m., a caller in the 700 block of S. Myrtle reported his bicycle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
March 29 at 4:58 p.m., a petty theft was reported in the 1100 block of S. Fifth. The caller stated that the tailgate to his truck was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
March 29 at 7:59 p.m., a victim in the 300 block of E. Lemon reported her husband battered her. Officers and MFD responded and made contact with the victim who was visibly suffering from injuries. She was treated at the scene. The husband was arrested and taken into custody.

Medical Assist
March 29 at 11:03 p.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Walnut reported that her friend collapsed and was not breathing. Officers responded and found a male adult subject on the ground with bluish skin and barely breathing. After using three separate doses of narcan the male adult subject started breathing normally and was revived. Paramedics arrived and transported him to a hospital for medical treatment.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
March 30 at 2:20 a.m., a collision was reported in the 600 block of W. Duarte. Officers arrived and made contact with the driver who had collided into a parked car and a city sign. The driver was not injured but appeared to be heavily intoxicated. An investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
March 30 at 6:51 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of E. Central regarding a traffic collision. Officers arrived and made contact with the driver who displayed sings of being under the influence. An investigation revealed that the driver was driving on the wrong side of the road and he was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Grand Theft Auto
March 30 at 9:52 a.m., a caller in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks stated her vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft
March 30 at 4:14 p.m., a theft was reported in the 700 block of E. Huntington. The caller reported her wallet stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
March 30 at 7:30 p.m., an employee of a store in the area of 6th and Duarte reported a customer failed to place his car in park and it slowly rolled forward, shattering the front window with the customer still in the vehicle. Officers and MFD arrived, but no one was injured. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 30 at 8:58 p.m., a caller reported two motorists collided into one another in the area of Huntington and California. Officers arrived and found one of the drivers was complaining of pain. MFD responded and provided care for the injured driver. He refused to be transported to a hospital. The driver who was found to have caused the crash was issued a citation.

Vandalism / Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
March 31 at 2:59 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Royal Oaks reported an adult male subject shattered several front windows to their home and left the area. Officers were able to locate the suspect a short distance away. An investigation revealed the suspect was also intoxicated. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Shoplifting / Warrant Arrest
April 1 at 10:10 p.m., a caller in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report a male and female subject walked into the store, the female grabbed merchandise, and left without paying. The male subject dropped the items before exiting the store. Officers arrived and located both subjects a short distance away. The stolen property was returned to the store who refused prosecution. A computer search revealed the male subject had warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Arrest / Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
April 2 at 8:11 a.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington regarding a dispute. The caller reported that a male subject entered the store and was consuming items without paying for them. Officers arrived and located the subject nearby. A computer search revealed he had warrants for his arrest and he was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto
April 2 at 6:55 p.m., a victim in 600 block of W. Huntington called to report his vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision April 2 at 7:44 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision was reported in the area of Myrtle and Mill Run. The caller reported that a vehicle ran into a light pole. The vehicle was gone prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is counting.

Domestic Violence
April 2 at 8:30 p.m., a female called and said she was arguing with her girlfriend and requested police. Officers arrived and while they were talking to the couple, they saw a visible injury on one of the female’s hands. She said the other female threw items at her and hit her hand. The aggressor was arrested and taken into custody.

Disturbing Subject – Suspect Arrested
April 2 at 10:55 p.m., a caller in the 900 block of W. Duarte called to report that a male subject at the location was yelling at customers and jumping in front of vehicles. Officers arrived and identified the male subject who appeared to be under the influence. An investigation revealed he was under the influence of alcohol and a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
April 3 at 6:29 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of W. Duarte called to report that she heard sounds of a possible fight in progress in a nearby apartment. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties. An investigation revealed that an argument between a boyfriend and girlfriend had escalated to a physical assault against the female. The boyfriend was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
April 3 at 5:24 p.m., a caller in the 300 block of E. Colorado reported a male subject had just been struck in the head with a bottle by a female subject. Officers arrived and saw the male subject was laying on the street and the female was in the house. The male subject was treated and transported to a hospital for treatment. The female subject was refusing to exit the home. She was eventually arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
April 3 at 5:59 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Foothill reported a male subject in the area breaking vehicle windows and fleeing on a scooter. Officers arrived and located the suspect near the area. He arrested and taken into custody.

Loitering
April 3 at 11:26 p.m., an officer was patrolling the park in the 700 block of E. Lemon when the officer noticed a male subject who had been contacted several times about loitering in the area. He was cited for being in the park after closing and released at the scene

Snack Time at Dulce Cielo

Had a nice snack at Dulce Cielo, a new little coffee shop and pastry bakery in the Aztec Hotel on the north side of Foothill near Magnolia. Got a latte for $4.75 and a pecan bar for $3.75. The shop has a pleasant neighborhood feeling, a good place to relax for a bit, and the latte and pecan bar were great.

- Brad Haugaard

Historic Trivia Night at Library, April 14

Historic Trivia Night on April 14 at 2 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Open to all, teams of 2-5 can form in advance or on the day. The event is free, with prizes for winners and will feature questions on Monrovia's history. RSVP to Penny Zuk at pennyzuk@aol.com or text 274-7568. Sponsored by the Monrovia Historical Society and Monrovia Historic Preservation Group.

- Brad Haugaard

High Energy Aaron Looking for an Active Companion

Ready for adventure? Aaron sure is! This one-year-old husky is bursting with energy and eager to join an active family. With striking brown eyes and a plush coat, Aaron is not just handsome but a bundle of enthusiasm waiting to be unleashed!

Aaron loves outdoor activities like hiking and playing fetch, making him the perfect companion for someone with an active lifestyle. Despite his high energy, Aaron is incredibly affectionate and will make a great buddy.

Volunteers at Pasadena Humane have been working on basic training cues with Aaron, and he’s a star student. He’s learning a bunch, and seems to enjoy performing, especially with the right motivation (treats!).

If you're looking for a fun-loving, adventure-seeking companion, Aaron is your guy! Come meet him and let the adventures begin!

Aaron and all other dogs over 6 months old can be adopted for only $25 from April 4 – 14 during the Love is Blooming adoption promotion at Pasadena Humane.

The normal adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

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: Bargain Day Parade - 1910

Monrovia Bargain Day Parade April 1910. Julian Fisher on horseback in center front. 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

Current Local Job Opportunities - April

Here are links to the latest job opportunities for Monrovia:

Monrovia School District

City of Monrovia

Private

There is also a group called Monrovia Works. Search for it on Facebook and ask to join it.

- Brad Haugaard

Solar Telescope Viewing at Library April 6

The Life of a Star with Solar Telescope Viewing, April 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Library Community Room. This event, suitable for all ages, offers insights into the life cycle of a star and includes solar observations through a Hydrogen Alpha telescope. Free eclipse viewing glasses will be provided to attendees on a first-come, first-served basis, in preparation for the solar eclipse on April 8. For more information, contact jtuszynski@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 256-8274. (Photo by NASA)

- Brad Haugaard

Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? - At Library April 5

Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? Gameshow Extravaganza, April 5, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Library Community Room. For ages 13 and older. An evening of fun and questions from the fifth-grade curriculum. For more information, contact cescobedo@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 256-8265. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

Teen Laser Tag at Library April 4

Spring Break Laser Tag event for teens in grades 6-12 in the Library Community Room, April 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Contact Amanda, the Teen Librarian, at acarey@ci.monrovia.ca.us or 256-8274 for more details. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

North American Wildlife Presentation at Library April 2

Program on North American Wildlife at the Library, April 2, from 2 to 3 p.m. Presented by the Wildlife Learning Center for children to 11 years old and their accompanying adults. For further information email jtuszynski@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 256-8274.

Photo by Pete Nuij on Unsplash

Adult and Teen Crafts at Library April 2

Spring Crafternoon event for adults and teens 16 and older in the Library Story Room. April 2, 6 to 7 p.m. Create mini terrariums with live plants. Supplies provided, or bring your own materials. For more information, contact kgally@ci.monrovia.ca.us or 256-8268. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Easter, Monrovia!

“He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.” (‭‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

- Brad Haugaard