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Monrovia BurgerIM Restaurant to Close July 31


The BurgerIM restaurant on Fifth just south of Huntington has announced that its last day of operation will be July 31. In a post the restaurant wrote: “We tried hard to keep going but in this economy it feels nearly impossible for a small restaurant to survive.”

- Brad Haugaard

Committee Planned to Protect Local Trees

Local residents are invited to an organizational meeting for a tree committee on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at One Earth Garden, 777 E Greystone, Monrovia. The committee aims to address tree removals in Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte, and Bradbury, particularly those caused by development following SB9 and SB10. Goals include documenting tree removals, educating the public on tree importance and care, and advocating for tree protection and planting. 

- Brad Haugaard

Auction July 22-28 to Support Parks, Wilderness, and Recreation Foundation


Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, and Recreation Foundation will hold an online auction July 22-28. Here's a preview of the items that are up for auction. Items range from a chocolate cake to bar-tending lessons, to a day excursion to the Channel Islands to gift cards to local restaurants.

- Brad Haugaard

Sunset is a Tail-Wagging Machine


Sunset is guaranteed to make your nights and days so much more fun! This sweet, adorable pit bull mix is a tail-wagging machine who makes friends wherever she goes.

Sunset is the perfect size for hiking and playing all day, and then curling up on the couch all night. She weighs just over 50 pounds and can curl herself up into a lap-sized ball whenever a lap presents itself. 

She has been a favorite of the volunteers at Pasadena Humane who have spent time with her - she loves going on walks and playing in the yard. She has the uncanny ability to go from zooming around the yard to flopping over for a belly rub in the blink of an eye. She’s also very smart and has shown great focus in learning new tricks. Sunset is a beam of sunlight who can’t wait to light up your life! 

Sunset and all other dogs over 40 pounds can be adopted at no charge during Pasadena Humane’s Big Dog Summer adoption event, happening 7/11 - 7/25. 

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 2:00 – 5:00. For those who prefer, adoption appointments are available daily from 10:30 – 1:30, and can be scheduled online. 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

Free Movie for Veterans July 20 at Theater


Free Movie Matinee for Veterans at LOOK Cinemas on Saturday, July 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Veterans and service members invited to enjoy a free screening of Twisters (tornado chasing in Oklahoma) with one guest. Registration required by July 19. While ticket supplies last. Register here. For more information contact kgally@monroviaca.gov or call 256-8268.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School District Welcomes Three New Assistant Superintendents

 Monrovia Unified School District welcomed three new assistant superintendents:

Dr. Landesfeind

Dr. Vanessa Landesfeind, the new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, previously served as Director of Student Support Services at Centinela Valley Union High School District and has experience as a principal and assistant principal. She holds a doctorate from USC and degrees from CSULB, where she's been an educational administration lecturer since 2009.

Dr. Drake

Dr. James Drake, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, brings more than 20 years of experience in school finance and operations from various states. He joins MUSD from Monterey County, where he served as the associate superintendent of business/HR and chief business official. He holds multiple degrees from Northern Illinois University and Governor State University.

Dr. Zamarripa

Dr. Geoffrey Zamarripa, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, is a long-time Monrovia resident with 29 years in education. His career includes roles as director of special education in Temple City, principal at Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School in Monrovia, and various positions in the El Monte City School District. He holds a Doctorate in Education from USC.

Details.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: 1900 Monrovia High Class Picture

1900 Monrovia High School class picture. L to R: Front Row: Josie McKeller, Edna Walker, Clara Rooksby, Adelaide Babbit. Man on left with dark moustache is T.H. Kink, the principal, and next to him is Geo. Walter Monrovia the science teacher. On extreme right next to top row is Myron Burr. 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

Teen Game Hangout at Library This Friday


Teen Game Hangout at Library. Friday, July 19, 3 to 5 p.m. Nintendo Switch games like Mario Kart & Smash Ultimate, board games. Snacks. Drop-in event for grades 6-12. Contact Teen Librarian Amanda at 256-8274 or acarey@ci.monrovia.ca.us for information.

- Brad Haugaard

Magic Show at Library Wednesday


Arty Loon Magic Show at the Library, Wednesday, July 17, 4 to 4:45 p.m. Juggling, illusions, and comedy. For all ages. Children must be accompanied by adult; no drop-offs. For more information contact: mplyouthservices@ci.monrovia.ca.us or 256-8274.

- Brad Haugaard

Bookstore Cafe and 'Superfood' Restaurant Planned for Monrovia

 A new bookstore cafe and a 'superfood' restaurant are planned for Monrovia.

The Black Cat Bookstore & Cafe plans to locate at 415 S. Myrtle, between Lime and Lemon. The cafe will also have books and a reading area, and will host workshops focused on arts and crafts for adults. Details.

TruBowl Superfood Bar plans to locate on the west side of the Huntington Oaks Shopping Center. Details. TruBowl is a chain with 12 locations, including one in Azusa, and features a line of health food snacks. Here's the company's signature bowl, Ez-TRŪ, "acai, cold oats, og chia pudding, hemp granola, strawberry, banana, blueberry, almonds, hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, coconut, almond butter, pink salt, date honey…" Small for $11.

The Development Review Committee (agenda) will consider sign requests for these buisineses at its next meeting. - Brad Haugaard


Reunion in the Park - Food, Music, Car Show - July 13


The Monrovia-Duarte Black Alumni Association (MDBAA) will hold its annual Reunion in the Park at Recreation Park, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 13. The event features food, music, vendors, raffles, games, robotics, and a car show, and raises funds to support education. Donations can also be sent to MDBAA at P.O. Box 1638, Monrovia, CA 91017 or through Zelle at mdbaainfo@gmail.com.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Firefighters at Shelly Fire


A four-person Monrovia Fire Rescue team is in Siskiyou county for the Shelly Incident Brush Fire. The Shelly Fire started on July 3, has burned an estimated 9,234 acres and is zero percent contained.  The crew is currently assigned to structure protection near Mugginsville.

- Brad Haugaard

City Council to Consider Designating Side-by-Side Early Homes as Historic Landmark


At its next meeting (agenda here) the City Council will consider designating the two houses on former City Historian Steve Baker's property (508-512 South Ivy) as an historic landmark. The Blair and Brossart houses were built by early Monrovians. The houses are being renovated to be a bed and breakfast. Details

- Brad Haugaard

New Alexan Marmont Apartments Now Leasing


The newly completed 436-unit luxury apartment complex on South Magnolia, at the west end of Pomona Avenue near the train station, is now leasing. The Alexan Marmont has units ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, from 491 to 1,545 square feet. Units feature 9-foot ceilings, kitchens with stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops, full-size washers and dryers, and keyless entry. Details

 - Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Lots of Drunks and Drugs; Blown Tire Flips Car; Sleeping Driver Stops When Hits Stop Sign; and More ...

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 3 – 10. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 633 service events, resulting in 130 investigations.

Grand Theft
July 3 at 2:49 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Royal Oaks reported a catalytic converter stolen from his vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
July 3 at 9:37 a.m., a solo vehicle traffic collision was reported in the area of Foothill and Grand. Officers arrived and determined that the driver fell asleep and collided into a stop sign. There was no indication the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
July 3 at 2:35 a.m., while patrolling the area of Peck and Camino Real officers saw a vehicle in violation of vehicle code and conducted a traffic stop. The driver parked the vehicle and was attempting to walk away, but officers were able to detain him. The driver displayed symptoms of being under the influence. A DUI investigation determined the driver was under the influence. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Robbery – Suspect Arrested
July 3 at 2:47 p.m., a theft in progress was reported in a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and determined the suspect assaulted an employee before fleeing the store. Officers located the suspect and made contact with her. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
July 3 at 3:44 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Mayflower and Huntington regarding a traffic collision. Officers arrived and made contact with the driver who caused the collision. The driver displayed symptoms of being under the influence. 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.

Drug Arrest / Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
July 3 at 11:35 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of Myrtle and Live Oak saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation. The officer conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver. A computer check revealed the driver had a warrant for his arrest. The female passenger was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and had a warrant for her arrest. They were both arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft
July 4 at 9:45 a.m., a victim in a hotel in the 700 block of W. Huntington reported the wheels of his car were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Medical Assist
July 4 at 11:23 a.m., a caller in the 600 block of S. Shamrock reported a male subject suffering medical emergency. Officers arrived and began to administer CPR successfully. MFD arrived and transported the male subject to a hospital.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
July 4 at 7:12 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 600 block of S. Primrose where a vehicle collided into two parked vehicles. Officers arrived and made contact with the driver who displayed symptoms of being under the influence. 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.

Fireworks – Suspect Arrested
July 5 at 12:34 a.m., a caller notified MPD Dispatch that several subjects were lighting fireworks at a park in the 900 block of California. Officers arrived and located the subjects lighting fireworks. The subject was arrested, cited, and released at the scene.

Injury Traffic Collision
July 5 at 2:57 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of S. Myrtle regarding an injury traffic collision. A vehicle lost control after a tire blew out, collided with two parked vehicles and flipped over. The driver only sustained minor injuries and declined medical assistance.

Grand Theft
July 6 at 7:21 a.m., an employee from a business in the 1400 block of California called to report a grand theft of copper wire. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
July 6 at 8:27 a.m., an officer patrolling the area of Myrtle and Lime conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a violation. The officer made contact with the driver who displayed symptoms of being under the influence. A DUI investigation confirmed the driver was under the influence. She was arrested and transported to the MPD Jail to be held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
July 6 at 9:30 p.m., while patrolling the 600 block of S. Myrtle officers contacted two subjects who were passed out on a sidewalk from being heavily intoxicated. Both subjects were unable to care for themselves. They were arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrest
July 6 at 10:51 p.m., a caller in a store in the 900 block of W. Duarte reported a subject passed out in his vehicle. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject who appeared too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
July 7 at 2:38 p.m., a caller in a business in the 400 block of S. Myrtle reported a disturbed subject inside. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. Officers determined the subject was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Drunk In Public – Suspect Arrested
July 8 at 2:01 p.m., an employee from a business in the 400 block of S. Myrtle a male subject in the business bothering customers. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. Officers determined he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period. 

Theft from Vehicle
July 8 at 4:14 p.m., a victim walked into the MPD lobby to report that her purse was stolen from a vehicle parked in the 300 block of W. Palm and her cards were being fraudulently used. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Tampering / Burglary Tools – Suspect Arrested
July 9 at 5:53 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Duarte and 8th regarding a male subject sleeping in a truck with some miscellaneous property lying around the truck. The owner of the vehicle confirmed that the male subject did not have permission to be in the vehicle. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
July 9 at 11:03 a.m., a caller in the 100 block of Lincoln reported a female subject walked onto her front porch and stole property. Officers arrived and located the female subject. An investigation revealed the shoes were returned to the owner by bystanders. A computer search of the female subject revealed she had an outstanding warrant. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
July 9 at 12:34 p.m., a witness in the area in the area of Myrtle and Duarte reported a male subject walking around hitting vehicles. Officers arrived and located the male subject who they recognized from previous contacts for being drunk in public. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Missing Person
July 9 at 12:45 p.m., a resident in the 1700 block of Nichols Canyon reported his brother who lives in Hollywood has been missing for two weeks. Report was taken and he was entered as missing. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
July 9 at 1:56 p.m., an employee from a company in the 1400 block of California reported two commercial trucks stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Drinking in Public – Suspect Arrested
July 9 at 7:35 p.m., several callers in a park in the 300 block of S. Myrtle reported a male adult subject drinking liquor. Officers arrived and found the subject with an open liquor bottle. He had just been released from the MPD Jail after sobering up. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Brandishing a Replica Firearm – Suspect Arrested
July 9 at 8:03 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Primrose walked outside his home and saw a male adult on the street flashing a gun at him. Officers arrived and located the suspect who was found to be in possession of a replica firearm. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Fraud
July 9 at 9:47 p.m., a caller in the 500 block of E. Walnut reported an unknown female subject who he was communicating with him via text convinced him to purchase items for her and that she would repay him, however, no payment was returned to the resident. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
July 10 at 8:06 a.m., a victim in the 500 block of W. Duarte reported an unknown subject used his information to open a phone account. This investigation is continuing.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
July 10 at 10:59 a.m., officers were dispatched to a traffic collision in the area of Tenth and El Norte regarding a hit and run traffic collision with a parked vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
July 10 at 11:29 a.m., a traffic collision was reported in the area of Myrtle and Evergreen. Officers arrived and an investigation revealed that that the driver at fault failed to stop for a red light and complained of pain. The driver at fault was cited and released at the scene.

Injury Traffic Collision
July 10 at 1:34 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Foothill and Alta Vista regarding a traffic collision with complains of pain. The collision caused one of the vehicles to hit a stop sign and up over the curb into the wall of a business. The driver at fault was cited.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
July 10 at 5:02 p.m., a caller in the area of Lime and Primrose reported a female subject sitting on a bench crying. Officers arrived and made contact with her, she admitted to being under the influence of a narcotic. She was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Dinner at Merengue


Dinner at Merengue Bakery and Cafe, on the west side of Myrtle right across from the theater. Got the Cuban Sandwich (pork, ham, pickles, and Swiss cheese) with plantain chips for $10.25 a soda for $3. It was good. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Mini-Husky Reese Would Like a Quiet Home


Reese is a fun guy who has been flying under the radar at Pasadena Humane for too long! This handsome three-year-old husky is ready for his time to shine.

Reese was initially very nervous at the shelter and would sometimes hide in the back of his kennel. Thankfully, he has come out of his shell a bit and is now very happy to see the volunteers who take him out for exercise. He walks along by their sides, tail happily wagging as he prances along.

Reese weighs about 45 pounds, so he is smaller than an average husky. He packs a lot of fun and entertainment into his petite body, though. He loves playing with toys - he will often play fetch with himself - throwing the toy into the air to chase it without needing anyone to throw it for him.

He would love a quieter home as he will probably take a little time to get acclimated to the new surroundings. Once he’s made himself at home, he’s going to be the most fun dog you can imagine! Come meet this sweet guy today!

Reese and all other dogs over 40 pounds can be adopted at no charge during Pasadena Humane’s Big Dog Summer adoption event, happening 7/11 - 7/25.

The normal 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 2:00 – 5:00. For those who prefer, adoption appointments are available daily from 10:30 – 1:30, and can be scheduled online. 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: The Old Monrovia High School, Around 1912

The south side of the old Monrovia High School, built in 1912. It was at the northeast corner of Ivy and Palm, where Clifton Middle School is now. 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

Explore Math for Children at Library July 12


Mathnasium Meetup at the Library on Friday, July 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. STEM program for kids ages 6-12. Explore mathematics through games and activities at various stations. Hands-on learning experiences. Contact: Ms. Annette, 256-8269.

- Brad Haugaard

Family Craft Session July 11 at Library


Craft-tastic program at the Library on Thursday, July 11 from 12 to 2 p.m. Weekly summer craft sessions for families. July's first session: making paper toys. Designed for children with accompanying adults. No drop-offs. Contact: Ms. Ashley, 256-8274.

- Brad Haugaard