English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6QRC9SS
Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/6W8KNSX
Mandarin: https://zh.surveymonkey.com/r/CCYBCHG
More information about the search for the next superintendent on the district website: https://is.gd/RhqH2e
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch today at Los Gueros, on the north side of Huntington just west of Magnolia. Got the chorizo and egg burrito for $10.95 and a beer for $5.25. I’d definitely get that again. Very good. The 2021 MOHPG Virtual Home Tour is from May 1-9 If you would like to watch the tour (Seven homes will be visited plus there is an introductory video; the videos can be watched anytime from May 1-9, 2021), you must register for the tour. An optional $20 donation is requested when you register. To register go to: https://2021mohpghometour.eventbrite.com
- Brad Haugaard
At approximately 5:25 PM, Monrovia Police responded to the 100 blk. Los Angeles Ave., Monrovia, regarding a shots heard call. When they arrived, they found a male Black adult suffering from several gunshot wounds to the upper and lower torso.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
There is no known motive or suspect information at this time. The investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information available at this time.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Source: LA County Sheriff's Department: http://nixle.us/CMKAG
Note: There was another homicide on Los Angeles Avenue in February. https://is.gd/3IXNQG
Update: The victim has been identified as Darione Tyrone Jones, 25, of Arcadia. https://is.gd/3Enr9U
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
COVID information, Report by City Manager Dylan Feik and Assistant City Manager Lauren Vasquez, hidden art at Station Square, etc.
Click to register: https://is.gd/Srl09F
- Brad Haugaard
Betty’s parents, Jack and Marian Zelkowitz first came to Monrovia in 1926. They opened a haberdashery at the southeast corner of Lemon and Myrtle, which they soon converted into a shoe store – Jack’s Quality Shoes -- and operated for twenty years. (It remains a shoe store today, operated by a new owner) Jack later opened a real estate business and owned many downtown properties. Betty and her sister Charlotte were fixtures in Monrovia as children – napping in Library Park, riding on floats in Monrovia Days, and performing on their accordions around town.
Betty married Jules Sandford and they became a team. Jules became a law partner at Patten, Faith and Sandford, a pre-eminent law firm in Monrovia, doing much pro-bono work.
Betty was instrumental in founding, shaping and/or supporting most of Monrovia’s community organizations over a 60-year span. Representatives from some of these spoke at the March 24th event, including from the MUSD School Board, City Council, Centennial Committee, Monrovia Reads, Santa Anita Family Service, Quota, P.E.O., Santa Anita Family YMCA, Foothill Unity Center, Boys and Girls Club, Monrovia Theatre Arts, and Monrovia Fine Arts. Mayor Tom Adams spoke as did Darrell Carr, brother of former Mayor Bob Bartlett, and Marty Faith, whose husband Eric served on the City council. Bob Bartlett, Eric Faith and Pat Ostrye were the slate that Betty and Jules helped get elected to change the City Council, which caused Monrovia’s renaissance.
In addition to the speakers, videos of her life were shown. The best video was of Betty practicing the jazz drum in her late 80s. She took lessons until last year (!) from professional musician Roy McCurdy, who also spoke. Ulises Gutierrez, Ishika Muchhal, Marvin “Oka” Inoye and Councilmember Larry Spicer, people Betty mentored as teenagers, movingly told of her influence on them; one, Ishika performed a stunning live dance to Tony Bennett’s “There Will Never Be Another You”.
The event was hosted by the Monrovia ChangeMakers, an organization Betty created when she was nearly 90. She worked to combat bigotry and foster social justice all her life; it was a cause she felt strongly about. Betty formed Monrovia ChangeMakers to honor people who had fought against bigotry and segregation in our community and continue to work to combat prejudice. The group published a book, stories of past changemakers, recognizing Betty and others. It can be downloaded or read online on the Monrovia ChangeMakers website.
The event was assisted by iTeens-tech.org, a group of Monrovia High students, who volunteered their time to make the complicated aspects of technology run smoothly.
One of the advantages of a virtual event is that members of the Sandford family – children, grandchildren and even a few great-grandchildren were able to participate from a distance. With someone whose life has touched so many, even those most close to her heard few stories of her powerful guidance that were new to them.
A video of the entire event will be available for everyone to watch on Monrovia ChangeMakers YouTube channel.
To contact Monrovia Changemakers: Lois Gaston, President 827-6732, website: https://www.monroviachangemakers.com, email: monroviachangemakers@gmail.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMakers2/
Source: Monrovia ChangeMakers press release
- Brad Haugaard
A video tribute to the Monrovia Canyon Park volunteers.
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 a virtual adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every day at 5:00 p.m. for the following day.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
- Brad Haugaard
Today, March 29, marked a milestone we have been anxiously awaiting. For the first time in over a year, Monrovia Unified welcomed elementary students back to school for in-person instruction from their teachers.
While I wish we were able to welcome all students back safely, for now, I am simply happy I was able to experience the excitement during drop off as we began our first in-person instructional day.
I saw kindergarten students seeing their classmates for the first time in person. I saw parents giving that final hug and letting go; and, I saw teachers warmly greeting their students and leading them - for the first time - into their classrooms.
I also saw how much work went into preparing for this day. Everyone contributed to the realization of this goal.
The Elementary Task Force did foundational work to establish a viable model. Our Technology Department has been working tirelessly to make sure teachers have the right equipment - and that it is set up correctly. Our Instructional Specialists have been working with teachers to ensure instruction and technology merge seamlessly. Our support staff have filled so many gaps - from home calls to class breaks, whatever was needed to make things work. Our Food Services Department continues to forge ahead through every transition. Principals have been reviewing every detail to ensure a smooth operation. Teachers have taken that leap of faith, hoping their skill and their will, more than meet the challenge of today.
Congratulations on a great first day! I look forward to the day when I once again take for granted that our students are in the classroom, together with their teacher and their peers.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katherine Thorossian
Superintendent
Band in front of the Gem City Hotel at 627-1/2 S. Myrtle c. 1930. See full details here. From the William Ward collection. Identifying information from Kim Ward Anderson.
- Brad Haugaard
Got dinner tonight at La Adelita, on the south side of Colorado about a half block east of Myrtle. Got the soft taco with carne asada plate for for $10.95, and an ice tea for $3. Very nice. If you would like to join the Betty Sandford Virtual Memorial (Wednesday, March 24 at 6 p.m.), there is now a second way to do so if you don't have access to Facebook. You can also join in on the ChangeMakers Zoom meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87454265049?pwd=UGEybHp0Y0grS3d5ZFJjdytuNlZCUT09
Meeting ID: 874 5426 5049
Passcode: 712476
And if you do have access to Facebook, you can participate here: facebook.com/ulises.gutierrez.5095
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
The adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat 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 a virtual adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every day at 5:00 p.m. for the following day.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
- Brad Haugaard
200 Block of S Myrtle 1927 with Maxwell Chrysler car dealership and realty companies. See full details here. From the William Ward collection. Identifying information from Kim Ward Anderson.
The corporation, like other theater chains, has been suffering due to the COVID pandemic. https://is.gd/vzUnpc
- Brad Haugaard
At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/JyReRX) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...
~ Renting parts of Monrovia High for the filming of a Disney movie called Cheaper By the Dozen, based on a 1950 biographical book about two parents, 12 kids, and - the New York Times said - "a life of cheerfully controlled chaos." It has been made into movies before. Filming starts March 30 and will last 12 days. The district will get $5,500 for set-up and break-down days, and $11,000 for each filming day. Sounds like about $121,000 total. https://is.gd/KVci4K
~ Approving the proposed Secondary Hybrid Instructional Model for all secondary schools. https://is.gd/Zi0mCt
- Brad Haugaard
~ The Monrovia Community Center Passport Office, at 119 W. Palm Avenue, will reopen on Monday, April 19, for passport services by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 932-5598. Appointments are available on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Agents vsm assist with new passport applications and answer questions about renewals and other passport questions.
~ Spring classes (virtual and a few in-person) will start on Monday, March 22. Classes include: Dance, Dog Obedience, Education, Exercise, Yoga/Qigong, Community Events, Special Event, Youth Classes, Educational, Exercise, Golf, Martial Arts, Soccer, Youth Programs, Junior Resercher Academy, Youth Sports. https://is.gd/9gaMks
- Brad Haugaard
By Ulises Gutierrez
Betty was born June 18, 1927 in Monrovia and lived there for more than 90 years. Like her parents, Jack and Marian Zelkowitz, and her husband Jules Sandford, she loved this community and spent a lifetime helping make Monrovia a better place to live, work and raise a family.
She was an activist who saw wrongs and took actions to right them. Betty took on monumental projects and provided the leadership and resources, both human and financial, to guarantee success. Her determination and organizational skills made her community better and improved the lives of others, especially the youth and disadvantaged.
"The MAP Neighborhood Conference’s goal is to provide the entire community, including the surrounding areas of Monrovia, an opportunity to gain education, information, training, resources, and build relationships with individuals and groups from all different walks of life. In return, we want everyone in attendance to take what they have learned and share it within their community, their work, their neighborhoods, or anywhere it might be needed."
- Brad Haugaard
Former Monrovian and noted football coach, Wayne Benjamin Nunnely, who died on February 16 of this year, will be buried in Live Oak Park on Duarte Road in a private service on March 26.
Nunnely grew up in Monrovia, played football at Monrovia High and at UNLV, then had a career coaching at UCLA, USC, UNLV, then with The New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, and Denver Broncos. He was the first African American head coach on the West Coast.
Partial source: https://is.gd/4SASOa
- Brad Haugaard
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 a virtual adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for the following week.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
- Brad Haugaard
Eva C. Rehrman and friend c. 1922 looking east on W. Palm (now occupied by the Community Center) toward Myrtle Ave. with Woman's Clubhouse in background and Methodist Church (right). See full details here. From the Rehrman family collection.
~ Consider a new city entry sign at the west side of town at Huntington Drive and Fifth. It'll cost about $204,000, to be paid for from the Art in Public Places Fund, which was, in turn, funded by the builders of the Areum condo project. The sign will echo the "MONROVIA" sign at City Hall and have the leaves motif you can see at the eastbound freeway exit at Myrtle. https://is.gd/rUhy7q
~ Consider increasing the size of Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board from five to seven people. City staff is making no recommendation on what to do. https://is.gd/gXgKQU
~ Hear a report on a new program to encourage bicycle riding in the city. https://is.gd/B5BBjI
- Brad Haugaard
As part of the GoMonrovia transportation program, the city is planning to promote bicycle riding in Monrovia with "a 'Ride-to-Own' bicycle pilot program, which includes dedicated bike programs for residents, commuters, restaurants for delivery services, bike shops (rentals/repairs), as well as a digital platform and a budget for infrastructure updates and marketing."
The program is designed to "alleviate safety and financial barriers to owning and riding bikes in Monrovia."
Also, the city is working to get the Monrovia Transit vehicles (for handicapped individuals) onto the Lyft app so people can order a ride just as Lyft riders do.
The matter will be reported on at the next City Council meeting: https://is.gd/SUPuXX
Source: https://is.gd/B5BBjI
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Wikipedia calls InfoWars a "far-right conspiracy theory and fake news website."
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovian Yi Chen, also known as “Brian Chen," 33, has been charged in a 21-count grand jury indictment, along with a San Gabriel man, with running "educational consulting" companies in Alhambra and Arcadia that guaranteed admission to US colleges to foreign students. Both men have pleaded not guilty. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges that the company used fake or altered transcripts and hired people to impersonate the applicant to take standardized tests, such as the test of English as a Foreign Language. https://is.gd/cpJfVA
- Brad Haugaard
The adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat 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 a virtual adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for the following week.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
“This was a decision that was not made lightly. Simply put, I love Monrovia and will always remember the team and the community,” said Sullivan. “Throughout the past five years, I have worked alongside amazing people and I could not be more proud of the work and contributions of everyone on the Monrovia team. This is truly a bittersweet moment, but I am excited at the opportunity to begin the next chapter of my family’s adventure.”
As the Public Works Director, Sullivan led the largest public works project in the City’s history. Known as Monrovia Renewal, this multi-year infrastructure improvement initiative was designed to prioritize repairs and restore the City’s aging infrastructure that was plagued by a backlog of deferred maintenance. This $55.2 million project aim to upgrade and repair water and sewer pipelines, water facilities, streets, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters. After the Bobcat Fire, Sullivan coordinated post-fire mitigation efforts, including k-rail installation and debris removal after a major rainstorm.
“It has been an honor working with Sean,” said Dylan Feik, Monrovia City Manager. “His passion to serve the Monrovia community inspired many, including myself. His family has deep ties in the Big Bear Lake community and the opportunity to continue his career there has special meaning for him. I, along with the entire team at the City of Monrovia, wish nothing but the best for Sean and his family.”
Sullivan joined the City in 2015 and held titles of Public Works Director and Public Works Manager. His last day with the City will be April 1, 2021. The City will be conducting a recruitment for the next Public Works Director in the coming weeks.
Source: City of Monrovia press release
- Brad Haugaard
~ Hiring Leadership Associates, of Santa Barbara, a company that specializes in executive recruiting for educational organizations, to help the district find a new superintendent to replace retiring Katherine Thorossian. If approved, the district would pay the company $25,000. https://is.gd/13OwCI
~ Creating a new high school course called Popular Singing. https://is.gd/Aq1LfQ
~ Renaming the Wellness Center at Monrovia High School after former administrator Susan Hirsch.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
~ "Over the past several months, residents on Norumbega Drive repeatedly found bags of chicken, which some believe to be poisonous. At this time, the Monrovia Police Department will continue to look into these reports. Those who have seen any suspicious activities related to bags of food left on properties are encouraged to contact Sgt. Donchig at 256-8020 or Officer Vanderburg at 256-8036."
~ The City of Monrovia is looking for a Director of Public Works who is "a mentor and a team builder who prioritizes people and enhances the needs of the team." Pay, by the way, is $158,862 to $212,890. https://is.gd/JHD70C
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
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