Dinner at Monrovia Pizza


Dinner at Monrovia Pizza, in the shopping mall at the corner of Mayflower and Duarte Road. I got a mini pizza with cheese and sausage for $8.59 and a soft drink for $2.99. Very nice. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Dark Chocolates - Including Those From Trader Joe's - Test High for Lead, Cadmium


A Consumer Reports study indicates that a number of brands of dark chocolates - including Dark Chocolate and The Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate from Monrovia-based Trader Joe's - have excessive levels of toxic lead and cadmium. t.ly/bLnd

- Brad Haugaard

Too Early To Tell How Big a Dent Storm Has Made in Drought

Picture from  Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster

In response to my question about how big a dent today's storm has made in the drought, Monrovia Interim Director of Public Works Alex Tachiki said it's a bit early to tell. Here's what he wrote ...

"Unfortunately, I don't think we'll have an answer on how big of a dent this recent storm or even the last few storms until later this month or early February. Typically, the water from these types of storms take at least 30 days to infiltrate or percolate into the groundwater table. Since Monrovia gets our water through what's known as the Main San Gabriel Basin, the agency that oversees the basin is the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster (https://www.watermaster.org/). Their website will update the current level of what they refer to as the "key well", which is where our water comes from. The key well level gives us a local snapshot into how well we are doing with the current drought conditions.

"From a statewide perspective, the Governor's Office and the State Water Resources Control Board would be the governing agencies. Since the various parts of the State are experiencing different types of storms, it is hard to say if drought conditions will improve for the long-term or even medium-term. Obviously, this amount of rain will be good for the short-term but we've experienced conditions like this where the year starts off well with several storms and then goes very dry."

- Brad Haugaard

Big Penelope Also Has a Big Heart


It’s hard to tell what Penelope’s biggest feature is, her extra-long tongue, or her ginormous heart! Topping the scale at 85 pounds, this girl is extra-large all over!

Penelope is known for her constantly wagging tail. She happily greets her friends with enthusiastic wiggles and is always ready for a walk or a romp in the play yard. Her joy is infectious and makes everyone smile!

Penelope feels strongly that good things come in big packages. Come meet this plus-sized love bug today!

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 an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. 

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

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Dam Filled With Water


Monrovia’s Sawpit Debris Basin, just below Canyon Park, is filled with water. The first time in years.

… and plenty flowing downstream. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner

Register here: t.ly/i-ea

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Girls' Basketball in 1903

Orange Avenue School Girl's Basketball Team around 1903. 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

Evensong at St. Luke Church


St. Luke Episcopal Church will present the second in this season's series of choral evensongs on Sunday, January 15, at 4 p.m. The church is  at 122 S. California Ave. at Foothill Boulevard.

 Evensong, or Evening Prayer, is a centuries-old Anglican service created from the sevenfold monastic cycle of prayer, combining the offices of Vespers and Compline. St. Luke's Choir, with guest singers, will sing the service with pipe organ accompanyment.  

Selections will include Magnificat by William Crotch, Nunc Dimittis by John Blow, and "Anthem: Entry of the Three Kings" by John Gardner. Oboist Nathaniel Moore will join the group for the anthem. A wine and cheese reception will follow. Both choir and congregation will be masked.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Students Display Art in 'Better Together' Arts Project at SoFiStadium


Monrovia students displayed several of their works of art at the Better Together Arts Project at SoFiStadium. (Above is one example.) The school district says, "This project celebrates artwork that exemplifies learning within the classroom through Visual Arts. The pieces tell a story of what "Better Together" means to each student."

- Brad Haugaard

Walking Tour of Historic Monrovia

Monrovia Historic Preservation Group is hosting another walking tour this Saturday, January 7, at 10 a.m., featuring two hours of Monrovia's history, past and present. $5 per person. Meet at the southeast corner of Palm and Myrtle. 

- Brad Haugaard

Community Meeting on Dog Waste Clean-Up, Wildlife, Veterinary Resources


The first Monrovia Area Partnership Community Meeting of 2023 will be held at the Library Community Room Thursday, January 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Pasadena Humane Society will discuss dog concerns and dog waste clean-up, wildlife encounters, and veterinary resources. For questions, contact the MAP team at map@ci.monrovia.ca.us. Register here: t.ly/Z_hy

- Brad Haugaard

Volunteers Needed for Homeless Count on Jan. 24

Monrovia will participate in the Homeless Count coordinated by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority on Tuesday, January 24 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Volunteers will cover Monrovia and other areas of the San Gabriel Valley to determine how many people are homeless. The data will be used to better design programs and deploy resources. Register (required) here: t.ly/xw2_. For questions contact the Community Center at 932-6609.

- Brad Haugaard

Expect Huge Natural Gas Rate Increases in Weeks Ahead


Monrovians who use natural gas can expect way higher gas bills in the upcoming weeks. If your winter peak bills were around $65 last year you can expect to see bills closer to $160 this year. Similarly, if bills were around $130 last winter, you'll see a bill closer to $315 this year.

This is because of below-normal temperatures, high natural gas consumption, reduced natural gas flows, and pipeline constraints, including maintenance in West Texas.

Here are some helps from SoCalGas:

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Today Winter Issue Is Out


You should have already received the Monrovia Today Winter issue, featuring events in early 2023, but it is also online here: t.ly/6Qsc

- Brad Haugaard

State of the City Presentation Feb. 13


The State of the City presentation, on Feb. 13 at Look Cinemas, will provide an update on 2022 accomplishments and a give a glimpse of what to expect in 2023.

- Brad Haugaard

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