Troubles at Burgerim

Once upon a time Monrovia was going to get two Burgerim hamburger restaurants. I'm not aware that either has opened. The company has been having very serious problems. Here's a quote from an article in Restaurant Business titled "The Burgerim Disaster":

"Burgerim was once one of the hottest, fastest-growing brands in the U.S. Then its founder left the country, leaving behind a wreckage of unpaid workers, bankrupt franchisees and others struggling to make it work."

Source: https://is.gd/WHeLIS

- Brad Haugaard

KABC Report On Monrovia's Hippie Bots Robotics Team as It Prepares for International Competition in Spain

This is the KABC report on Clifton Middle School's Hippie Bots robotics team, which is heading to Spain as the only team from the United States invited to compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge Barcelona Championship.

- Brad Haugaard

Mayoral Candidate Grollnek Endorses Mayoral Candidate Taylor

Stephen Grollnek is running for mayor of Monrovia in a three-way contest with incumbent Tom Adams and challenger Melissa Taylor. But what's weird is that he has lawn signs for Melissa Taylor (also running for mayor) in his front yard, and none for himself.

Why?

Grollnek told me that he was thinking of running for mayor but found out that if he was the only challenger that the city would have to pay 80-some thousand dollars for an election.

So at first he decided not to run, but then he heard that Melissa Taylor had filed to run, so the election was on regardless.

So he decided to run.

Then he met Taylor, found that they agreed "on everything except global warming," and decided she would make a good mayor.

So why not drop out?

He said at this point he can't get his name off the ballot, and besides he wants to be at the Feb. 5 candidates forum so he can publicly come out in favor of Taylor at that time.

(Note: With 10 comments on the Monrovia Now blog or MonroviaNow's Facebook page, I think I've met the requirement to publish this. If you don't understand what I'm talking about, it really doesn't matter.) 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company Getting Into Cannabis Distribution Business

Monrovia-based Sugarmade, Inc., is getting into the cannabis delivery business and moving away from hydroponics for cannabis cultivation.

It's newly redesigned web site says, "Enjoy California's Newest Premium Cannabis Delivery Service."

Sugarmade CEO Jimmy Chan said, "We see significantly larger opportunities in the California cannabis distribution arena and have entered into advanced talks to make a strategic move into this area." https://is.gd/sNFdaT

The company's stock dropped today and closed at less than a penny per share.

- Brad Haugaard

Why Is One Mayoral Candidate Displaying the Lawn Signs of Another Mayoral Candidate?

Well, here's something you don't see every day.

Stephen Grollnek is running for mayor of Monrovia, in a three-way contest with incumbent Tom Adams and challenger Melissa Taylor.

So, since Grollnek is running against Melissa Taylor, why is he displaying HER signs in his front yard?

I called him up to ask.

He told me the whole reason but then asked me not to publish it yet unless at least 10 people comment on this article.

Hoo Boy!

Anyway, please comment so I can write the rest of this story. I think either here or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/monrovianow/) will work fine.

- Brad Haugaard

Artist Eric Watkins Paints Utility Box

Artist Eric Watkins is painting a utility box at the corner of Foothill and Magnolia with the founding fathers of Monrovia. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Artists, You Can Paint a Utility Box; Read in a Monrovia Classroom; Construction on Ivy; Canyon Park Volunteers

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

~ The utility box painting program - Art on the Box - is returning. Want to paint a box? Applications are being accepted through March for artists of all ages. General information: https://is.gd/Mx7eqY and application form: https://is.gd/EE4tMv

~  Monrovia Reads will host Read Across Monrovia on Thursday, March 5, at 8 a.m. If you would like to read a story in a classroom, fill out this application: https://is.gd/thI41S. If you need help picking a book, the Library can help.

~  Monrovia Canyon Park recognized three volunteers:  Cree Horner, Joanie Ruggles, and Carl Jack. Cree "brings a great attitude and positive vibes to our hard-working crew of trail builders." Ruggles does "everything" with a "great smile and a passion to serve." Jack has been involved in numerous projects at Canyon Park "for nearly two decades."

~  Beginning Feb. 3, SCE and other contractors will be working around Ivy next to City Hall to make improvements to aging underground equipment and infrastructure. The project should last through March and will require traffic lane and sidewalk closures. Those affected will be notified of two planned power outages. For questions call Public Works at 932-5575.

- Brad Haugaard

Sky Cat: Friendly to Everyone

Tian Mao is two years old and loves to play. Her name means "Sky Cat" in Chinese, which may be due to her owl-like features (didn't you know that owls are the cats of the sky?). This gorgeous kitty isn't just playful, she's also very friendly with everyone, even people she's just met. And unlike the owl that lives in the tree outside your house, Tian Mao loves to be pet (disclaimer: don't pet wildlife.). If you're looking for a cat that checks all the boxes, Tian Mao is the sky cat for you.

The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.

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 at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

YMCA Senior Summit Luncheon

Santa Anita Family YMCA senior community will hold its second Annual Senior Summit on Friday Jan. 31 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Monrovia Y's Multipurpose room.

Executive Director, Eric Boyd, and the leadership team will discuss the plan for year 2020. Free food and drinks. Sign up today at the Welcome Center in person or email julieflores@ymcala.org. Call the Y at 359-9244 for details.

- Brad Haugaard

Police Trying to Find Arcadia Resident

The Arcadia Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in locating Charles Henry Washington, a 70-year-old Arcadia resident.

On Sunday Jan. 19, at approximately 8 a.m., Washington checked out of a local hospital against medical advice. Washington returned to his home, in the 800 block of West Duarte Road. At approximately 6:30 p.m., Washington was last seen walking eastbound in the 800 block of West Duarte Road. Washington requires daily medication. Neighboring law enforcement agencies and hospitals were contacted; however, Washington has not yet been located.

Washington is described as a male, Black, 6'01" tall, 250 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Washington was last seen wearing a blue and green colored button-down shirt, blue jeans, and white shoes.

Contact Arcadia Police if you have any information: (626) 574-5151

- Brad Haugaard

Financial Auditor Gives Monrovia Schools a Thumbs Up

Monrovia School District's auditor reports that the district's finances appear to be correctly stated in its financial documents.

These statements, according to auditor Nigro and Nigro, "present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, business-type activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of Monrovia Unified School District, as of June 30, 2019." https://is.gd/57YMlm

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Nano Cafe

Lunch at Nano Cafe, at the corner of Mayflower and Duarte Road. Got the fried chicken off the lunch specials menu for $12.99 and an iced tea for $2.79.Came with a cup of soup (I got split pea), which was delicious, as was the rest of the meal

- Brad Haugaard 

Council to Consider 310-Unit Apartment Complex Near Train Station, Adding to Wilderness Preserve; Evaluate City Manager

At its next meeting (https://is.gd/0N3Lic) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider okaying a seven-story mixed-use residential/commercial development which would include 310 apartment units, 10,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, and a three-level (two underground) 479-space parking garage. It would be take up the block just west of Myrtle and immediately south of the freeway. https://is.gd/mVLHZo

~ Consider changing the zoning for two north Monrovia properties off Highland Place (which were donated to the city) from residential to Hillside Wilderness Preserve, which basically means nobody can build on them. https://is.gd/pxzdlF

~ Evaluate (in closed session) the city manager. https://is.gd/XE8hfF

- Brad Haugaard

Clifton's Hippie Bots Is Only US Robotics Team Selected to Compete in Spain!

The 2019-20 Clifton robotics team, Hippie Bots, has been chosen as the sole representative of the United States in the FIRST Tech Challenge Barcelona Championship in Vic, Spain in February, 2020. If you'd like to help the team get to Spain (i.e. - give money), click this link: https://is.gd/NxbEAW

- Brad Haugaard

Workshop on Tree Trimming, Fruit Growing, Grafting on Saturday

Learn about tree trimming, growing fruit and grafting this Saturday at Monrovia Community Garden (at Mountainside Communion Church at Colorado and Magnolia), from 9-10:30 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard