Water District Sponsoring 'Conserve-a-Palooza' Contest

To celebrate it's 60th anniversary, Monrovia-based Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District is sponsoring a social media "Conserve-a-Palooza" contest - with free water-use efficiency devices as prizes - from now to November 30.

Three winners will be chosen at random and announced every week by an Upper District Board Director during a "WaterSmart Minute" video posted on social media.

Prizes include native plants vouchers, water-efficient washer machines, tickets to the Discovery Science Cube, and 8-station irrigation controllers.

Details: https://is.gd/CIu9pc

- Brad Haugaard

Hazardous Waste Roundup in Monrovia Oct 31.

Household hazardous and electronic waste drive-thru collection Oct. 31, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Monrovia City Yard on Mountain. Waste materials must be in the trunk (or bed of pick-up in a sturdy box (you gotta leave the box) with no other items. No explosives, ammunition, radioactive materials, controlled substances, trash, tires, or large appliances (like refrigerators, stoves and washing machines).

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween Decorating Contest Winners

Here are the winners of the city's Halloween Home and Old Town Decorating Contest.

Home Contest Winners

• Best Inflatable Display - 309 N. Madison Ave.
• Best Light Display - 746 Ocean View Ave.
• Best Pumpkin Display - 802 S. California Ave.
• Judge's Award - 516 E. Foothill Blvd.
• Haunted House Display - 848 Ridgeside Dr.
• Most Creative Display - 125 Acacia Ave.

Business Contest Winners

• Best Pumpkin Display - Puff Monkey, 427 S. Myrtle Ave.
• Judge's Award - Law Offices of Mauro Fiore, Jr. 136 E. Lemon Ave.
• Haunted House Display - Douglas Elliman, 517 S. Myrtle Ave.
• Most Creative Display - Art Time Classes, 162 W. Foothill Blvd.
• Spookiest Display - Hop Secret Brewing at Myrtle Tree Café, 405 S. Myrtle Ave.

Click through for details and a bigger map: https://is.gd/riMCjO

- Brad Haugaard

Gumdrop and Goody Looking for a Home Together

If you’ve been needing something sweet in your life, seven-month-old Gumdrop just might be the kitten for you! Gumdrop and her brother Goody arrived at the shelter as shy kittens, but have been coming out of their shells in their foster home. Gumdrop is the more curious of the two – she loves playing and exploring. She’s also the more confident cat, and she’s showing her brother that humans are great and can provide lots of nice petting and snacks. Ideally Gumdrop would go to a home with Goody since they’re such good friends. And who wouldn’t love that? You can have two beautiful house panthers exploring your home - what a treat!

Gumdrop is eligible for a 30-day adoption trial. Take her home for a month, get to know and love her, and we’ll provide all the supplies. At the end of 30 days, you can make your adoption official. Email foster@pasadenahumane.org to get your adoption trial started!

The adoption fee for cats is $90. 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.

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

No 2020 Alta Vista Halloween Party

Alta Vista, north of Hillcrest, usually puts on a whiz-bang Halloween block party, open to the world. But not this year. 

- Brad Haugaard 

High Winds Predicted Through Tuesday - Fire Weather

The National Weather Service is predicting dangerous fire weather tonight through Tuesday, with high winds and low humidity. 

The service says there will be moderate to strong Santa Ana winds late tonight through Tuesday, "likely the strongest Santa Ana event we have seen so far this season," with "the strongest winds expected late tonight through Monday evening, when damaging gusts of 60 to 80 mph can be expected in the mountains."

"Winds north to northeast 20 to 40 mph with damaging wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph. Winds likely to diminish Monday night into Tuesday morning, with gusts generally 25 to 40 mph, except local gusts to 50 mph in the foothills. Relative Humidity lowering rapidly to 15 to 25 percent late tonight into early Monday morning, then widespread single digit humidities by late Monday Morning through Tuesday. Humidities potentially falling as low as 3 to 5 percent, driest over Los Angeles county."

Increased risk of fire ignitions due to downed trees and power lines. "If fire ignition occurs, conditions will be favorable for very rapid fire spread, long range spotting, and extreme fire behavior which would threaten life and property."

Source: https://is.gd/VZQjIr

- Brad Haugaard

Wilderness Preserve to Open Within 30 Days - Hopefully 'Much Sooner'

 Restoration is proceeding on the trail through the Hillside Wilderness Preserve and Community Services Director Tina Cherry reports that, "We know we will be able to open within 30 days, but we are hopeful that we can open much sooner."

She added that, "The trail restoration crew is working on re-establishing the Coyote Ridge switchbacks [red on map] and our trail crew are conducting some brush clearance and sign repairs. As for the connection from Cloverleaf to Ridgeside, we are pleased with the condition of the connector and we continue to work toward making that loop complete."

"With Canyon Park closed," she said, "we know that the community could really benefit from the access to open space and nature."

- Brad Haugaard

Vineyard Church Offering Free Food on Fridays

Vineyard Church Monrovia, on Encinitas right across from the Post Office, is handing out free food every Friday at 4 p.m. “Lines begin to form at about 3:30 p.m. - but they aren't very long - we have lots of volunteers to help.  We also offer prayer to anyone who requests it.”

- Brad Haugaard

Canyon Park from Above; Pipeline Work on Mountain; E-Books for the Library; Veggie Workshop; Landlord Survey

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

~ Above is an aerial video of Canyon Park after the Bobcat fire.

~ Starting on Monday, October 26, Southern California Gas Company and National Pipeline will begin installing a new distribution line on Mountain Avenue just north of Lemon Avenue. Work will be between 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. and most of the job should be done by November 6. Expect lane closures on the shoulders north and south lanes. If you have questions or concerns, call Public Works at 932-5575 or email pwcomments@ci.monrovia.ca.us

~  The Monrovia Public Library has received $5,000 grant, which it will use to purchase e-books.

~  Monrovia Community Garden will host a Winter Vegetable Workshop on November 14, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. through Zoom. Register by email at info@monroviacommunitygarden.org.

~ If you're a residential landlord, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments - building on the LA County Development Authority's Homeless Incentive Program - wants to hear from you. The survey it has developed typically takes no more than 5 minutes to complete and responses are confidential. Complete survey before October 31 for a chance to win a $25 Visa gift card. Survey: https://is.gd/Zca5ac

- Brad Haugaard

'Trunk or Treat' Event to be Held at Monrovia High

The drive-through "Trunk-or-Treat" event sponsored by Monrovia's Fellowship Church now has a location. It will be held at Monrovia High School on Saturday, October 31, from 1-4 p.m. https://is.gd/FfhOne

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Brothers Painting Dodger Signs on Lawns

Two Monrovia brothers have set up a very successful little business painting Dodger signs on neighborhood lawns. Here's a video report: https://is.gd/ufuOVQ

- Brad Haugaard

Health Department Fines Some Monrovia Restaurants

County health officials handed out fines of up to $500 to several Monrovia restaurants in connection with alleged violations of COVID restrictions, according to an article in the Monrovia Weekly. https://is.gd/h1mI8n

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Coronavirus Count: 26 More Cases, No More Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 10/21/2020. Changes since 10/14/2020.

City of Monrovia: 829 cases (up 26), 41 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 88 cases (up 2), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Peach Cafe

Lunch at Peach Cafe, on the north side of Colorado just west of Ivy. Got the Short Rib Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a side of fruit for $12 and an iced tea for $2.75. Very good!

- Brad Haugaard 

MAP Leaders Provide Socially Distant Parade for Seniors

Leaders in the Monrovia Area Partnership Youth Leadership Academy recently participated in a drive-by parade for two local senior living communities, Leven Oaks and Brookdale. Cars were decorated and horns were honked to celebrate in a socially distant way. https://is.gd/M9WYlp

- Brad Haugaard