Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California

Cambodian style chicken wings restaurant to open at former BurgerIM

A Long Beach Cambodian-style chicken wings restaurant, called Schlap Muan, is planning to open in May at the site of the former BurgerIM restaurant on Fifth Avenue just south of Huntington. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Trip planned to Renaissance Pleasure Faire on April 25

The Community Center is offering a full-day trip to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire on Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; bus departs the Community Center by 11:30 a.m. Event includes jousting, music, crafts, comedy, and shopping. Lunch not included. $45 residents, $55 non-residents. Call the Community Center at 256-8246 for details. Photo by Fidel Fernando on Unsplash.

- Brad Haugaard

Sweet Chili is a playful, easygoing girl — with just the right amount of spice

Meet Chili — a sweet girl at Pasadena Humane with just the right amount of spice! This 3-year-old Pointer/Pit Bull mix is equal parts playful and easygoing, happiest when she’s lounging by your side or soaking up affection.

Chili loves exploring on walks (with plenty of sniff stops!) and enjoys getting out and about, but she’s just as content relaxing, curled up on the couch. She’s done great while out on foster field trips — calm in public, quiet at restaurants, and a perfect passenger who naps in the car.

Her superpower? Loving people. Chili is gentle, affectionate, and ready to add a little warmth — and spice — to your life. Adopt Chili today!

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

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.

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.

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: Oranges and snow; love and kisses

A California anomaly - snow and oranges. This postcard, printed by the Detroit Publishing Company, was sent from Monrovia and is dated March 27, 1906. "The snows are melting fast and all the streams are swollen by recent heavy rains - Love and kisses Fred."

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

New designs selected for city utility boxes

At its next meeting (agenda here) the Art in Public Places Committee will approve four selected designs reflecting the theme, Monrovia Moments, to paint on city utility boxes. Above is one of the four. See them all here.

- Brad Haugaard

Hillside lots for sale in north Monrovia could accommodate up to 8 luxury homes

Two adjacent hillside properties totaling 19.85 acres are for sale in North Monrovia for $3.3 million. The real estate listing, here, says that together, 537 Cloverleaf Drive and 539 Cloverleaf Drive provide the "potential [with subdividing] for 6 to 8 luxury single-family home lots. The optimal layout would likely include six primary lots, while two additional lots could be achieved with more complex hillside grading and retaining solutions."

Comment: This is directly adjacent to the Hillside Wilderness Preserve. How about if the city buys the properties and adds them to the preserve.

- Brad Haugaard

Szechuan noodle restaurant Coming to Aztec Hotel

A Szechuan noodle restaurant is apparently going to replace the closed Mayan Bar and Grill in the Aztec Hotel.

- Brad Haugaard

Game Night for Adults at the Library, April 24

Game Night for Adults at the Library. board games, puzzles, and Nintendo Switch play. April 24, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room. For ages 18 and older. Bring a favorite game or use those provided. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

STEAM activities for children at the Library, April 15

Innovation Lab, STEAM activities for children at the Library on April 15 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. For ages 6–11 to learn, experiment, and explore through hands-on projects. Registration required, here.

- Brad Haugaard

Quiet library time for neurodivergent children. April 25

Sensory-friendly morning offers a quieter Library experience for neurodivergent children. April 25 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Youth Services Area, the program serves ages 2–11. Sensory toys and art supplies available, along with book checkouts. Registration required here.

- Brad Haugaard

Femineer program to host showcase at high school

The Monrovia Unified School District's Femineer engineering program will hold a showcase event at Monrovia High School on May 4. Fourth through sixth grade students (focusing on females but open to males as well) who are interested in engineering, science, and agriculture have been creating various coding projects.

- Brad Haugaard

Today last day to comment on Monrovia safety and bicycle plans

Today, April 10, is the last day to comment on Monrovia's Draft Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and Draft Bicycle Master Plan Update. Both plans are available for review here. Comments or questions may be sent to ssousa@monroviaca.gov.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police get $1.031 million grant for communication system upgrade

The Monrovia Police Department has been awarded a $1.031 million grant from Congressman Gil Cisneros to upgrade its dispatch and communication system. The current system is outdated and hinders coordination with nearby public safety agencies.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Garden Club program on plant reproduction, April 27

The Monrovia Garden Club will host speaker Sandy Masuo on Monday, April 27, for a program on plant reproduction, covering topics from selfing and cloning to plant-pollinator relationships. Masuo is the botanical content specialist at The Huntington Gardens. The meeting is at Fellowship Hall of the Monrovia Community Church, at the corner of Foothill and Myrtle. Social time at 6:30 p.m.; the program starts at 7 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard