All materials supplied. All are welcome.
School District Wants Your Thoughts for Its Search for New Superintendent
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 at Los Gueros
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. - Brad Haugaard
City Manager on Homicide on Los Angeles Ave. - More Patrols, Cameras
A notice from City Manager Dylan Feik about the new shooting on Los Angeles Avenue.
Hello Monrovians,
On March 29, the Monrovia Police Department responded to a shooting in the 100 block of Los Angeles Avenue (116 Los Angeles). Upon arrival, officers located one adult male, and a dog, who had been shot. The individual was pronounced deceased by Monrovia Fire & Rescue while residents transported the dog to receive treatment. The suspects had already fled the area in a vehicle. While this incident remains under investigation, it is also the second homicide at this address since January 29, 2021. As with any homicide investigation in the City, investigations are conducted by the LA County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and will remain active and ongoing for some time. I anticipate few, if any, details from the ongoing investigation will be released by the Sheriff’s Department until they are prepared to release that information.
Obviously, criminals committed another tragic and senseless act of violence in our community. A family is grieving the loss of a son, brother, father, and cousin. Neighbors are scared by another night of gunshot sounds while the City of Monrovia is diligently doing everything we can to serve and protect our community. Our Community Policing Bureau is working with neighbors and regularly asking for your help to solve these crimes. Our patrol units are running extra patrol and, as with Monday night, they were immediately on scene once the call came. From the time Police Dispatch received the first call from a resident at 5:24 p.m., patrol units were on scene by 5:27 p.m. Air Support, LA County Sheriff, and police departments from Sierra Madre and Arcadia also arrived to support. More than 35 law enforcement officers were on scene while the City utilized a different team of officers for all other ongoing activities across the City.
The City is increasing patrols in the area of Los Angeles Avenue and neighboring side streets. Investigators have available camera footage from the crime scene and we will be installing additional cameras in the area over public spaces. Many detectives are working tirelessly across the region to address these recent homicides. During the same time period in 2020, LA County Sheriff’s investigated 25 homicides in LASD jurisdictions and 5 homicides for third party agencies like Monrovia. In 2021, they have 75 homicides (300% increase, or 3x more) in their jurisdiction and 10 homicides for third party agencies, including three in Monrovia. The entire region is definitely on an uptick.
I am confident in LASD and MPD efforts because I see how hard they work and how much they care to bring justice to the victims and those impacted. The men and women of your Monrovia Police Department will always remain committed to serving you.
Should you have any questions, or like to speak w/ myself or Chief Alan Sanvictores, we are always available and here to serve.
Sincerely,
Dylan
dfeik@ci.monrovia.ca.us
Office: (626) 932-5585 | Cell (801) 821-1734
Alan Sanvictores, Chief of Police
asanvictores@monroviapd.org
626-256-8056
Introduction Video for Virtual Old Homes Tour
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
Second Homicide on Los Angeles Avenue in Two Months
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
Monrovia Superintendent Thorossian Honored for Women's History Month
The Ball/Frost Group has honored Monrovia Schools Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian, and other local women superintendents, as part of its tribute to women leaders in public education during Women's History Month. The Ball/Frost company (https://is.gd/mSbwl8) is a governmental lobbying group for public schools.
- Brad Haugaard
Registration Open for MAP Neighborhood Conference
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
Tribute to Betty Sandford
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
Video Tribute to Monrovia Canyon Park Volunteers
A video tribute to the Monrovia Canyon Park volunteers.
- Brad Haugaard
Bree Is a Strong Dog for a Strong Person
Bree is a happy dog who loves meeting new people and playing with toys. This one-year-old pup is pretty smart, and already knows her “sit”! She’s a strong dog who’s excited about walks, so she needs a strong person who can hold her leash. Bree would do best as the only dog in the home so she doesn’t have to share her bandana collection. Bree has a lot of fun puppy energy, and can’t wait to find her special someone to play and snuggle with!
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
Elementary Students Back in School - Physically - Starting Today
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
A Moment in Monrovia History: Band In Front of Gem City Hotel About 1930
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.
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
Hybrid Schedule for Monrovia Secondary Schools
The Monrovia School Board has approved the hybrid schedule for secondary schools, with a proposed start date of April 19. If you find the schedule doesn't work, your student can return to distance-only instruction at any time.Students will be divided into Cohorts A, B, and C, following a three 90-minute block schedule. In-person instruction will take place two days a week for Cohorts A and B, with the remainder of the days completed in distance learning.
- Cohort A: In-person instruction Monday and Tuesday
- Cohort B: In-person instruction Thursday and Friday
- Cohort C: 100% Distance Learning
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High Mountain Bike Team Looking for Girls to Join Team
Pre-Covid picture, by the way.
- Brad Haugaard
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