Dinner at Knightcap Monrovia


Dinner at Knightcap Monrovia, a Mexican restaurant on the east side of Myrtle just a few doors up from the theater. I got the happy hour quesadilla with asada for $8 and a beer for $5 Nice service and tasty quesadilla.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Gets Two New Basketball Coaches

Left, Alon Margalit; right, Remy Hare.

Monrovia High School has two new basketball coaches: Alon Margalit will lead Boys Basketball and Remy Hare will take charge of Girls Basketball.

Margalit previously served as Head Varsity Boys coach at  Blair High School in Pasadena, Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary in Montebello, Renaissance Academy in Altadena, and Academy of Sports Science Prep in Corona. He has had two appearances as a CIF Southern Section Championship Finalist, clinching one CIF Southern Section Championship title, and led his team to one State CIF Division 1 Regional Final. Margalit has consistently delivered seasons marked by 20 or more victories.

Hare previously served as Junior Varsity and Varsity Assistant Coach at Monrovia High School. An MHS grad, she excelled in basketball at the collegiate level, competing for Mount San Antonio College, Westcliff University, and La Sierra University. She also has a teaching credential and is committed to a dual career path as educator and athletic coach.

- Brad Haugaard

Cuddle Dog Sir Henry - At 10 Years Still Full of Energy


Sir Henry is an adorable and cuddly guy who is looking for a nice lap or comfy bed to call his own. At 10 years young, he is still very much full of energy and fun.

He was found at the Rose Bowl, and while we have no idea how he managed to arrive there, he has quickly charmed everyone at Pasadena Humane with his good nature and constantly wagging tail. He immediately loves everyone he meets, and the feeling is definitely mutual!

Henry has been out on a few field trips with volunteers- they report that he is exceptionally cuddly and can usually narrow down the coziest blanket in the house with ease. He has also been exposed to other dogs and he seems to like them almost as much as he likes people!

Like any senior dog, Henry has some minor issues that will need to be managed. One thing that is still working perfectly is his exhuberant love of people!

Sir Henry is eligible for the Seniors for Seniors program. This means his adoption is free to anyone over 60!

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.

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.

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

- Brad Haugaard

Groundbreaking on Monrovia Canyon Park Enhancements


The city held a groundbreaking ceremony today for the upcoming work on Canyon Park. The plan is not just to restore the park, but to enhance it. Hopefully everything will be open by this December. Here are the planned enhancements:

  • More parking
  • Educational center with amphitheater style seating
  • Enclosed rangers’ kiosk at the park entrance
  • At the park entrance
  • Enhancing the space around the existing veterans memorial 
  • Overlook with bench and telescope to view Monrovia
  • Rest area
  • Picnic benches
  • Drought, tolerant landscaping

- Brad Haugaard

Fruit Tree Expert to Address Garden Club

The next Monrovia Garden Club meeting will feature Gulliver Erickson, an expert in fruit tree and oak tree care. April 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church, at Myrtle and Foothill. Erickson, who has more than three decades as an arborist, will discuss selecting, planting, feeding, pruning, and troubleshooting common disorders and infestations with fruit trees.

- Brad Haugaard






STAR Awards Honor Top School District Employees


Monrovia School District recently celebrated its second annual STAR (Spectacular, Terrific, Amazing, and Remarkable") Awards on April 10, honoring more than 40 employees . One nominee from each category was named as the person of the year and will go on to represent the district in county-wide recognition events if applicable.

Videos of employees of the year:

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Police Chief Scott in 1927

Monrovia Chief of Police Frank L. Scott in 1927. 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 Night at Library Friday, April 19


Teen Game Hangout at Library April 19, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Community Room. For teens in grades 6-12, features Nintendo Switch games like Mario Kart and Smash Ultimate, along with board games. No registration required; participants can drop in anytime. Snacks will be provided. Contact 256-8274 or acarey@ci.monrovia.ca.us for more information.

- Brad Haugaard

Innovation Lab for Kids at Library April 17


Innovation Lab at Library. STEAM-related activities for children aged 6-11 on April 17, from 3 to 4 p.m. Accompanying adults must be present. Contact 256-8274 or jtuszynski@ci.monrovia.ca.us for more information.

- Brad Haugaard

Art Committee to Select Bridge Artist Finalists, Utility Box Designs

Previous work of one artist applying to decorate Huntington Drive Pedestrian Bridge.

At its next meeting (agenda here) Monrovia's Art in Public Places Committee will select five finalists for the Huntington Drive Pedestrian Bridge (just a bit east of Myrtle). Here are all the artists applying to decorate the bridge:

Chelsea Hart

Cheyne Ellett

Donna Hargett 

Hannah Maximova

Jaylin Walker 

Joy Bushmeyer 

Katie McGuire

Kenny McBride

Marmalade Mural Company

Ryan Burch

Victor Fung 

The committee will also select five utility box designs. Here's one example:

See the full selection of utility box submissions on this page.

- Brad Haugaard

Santa Anita 210 West On-ramp Closures

I have several times been prevented from getting on the 210 Freeway going west from the southbound Santa Anita Avenue onramp in Arcadia because of road work. It appears the work may be completed on April 19 since nothing is scheduled thereafter, but here are the days and times that ramp will be closed between now and then. Source

Monday
04/15/24 08:01 AM to 03:59 PM
04/15/24 07:01 PM to 04/16/24 05:59 AM

Tuesday
04/16/24 08:01 AM to 03:59 PM
04/16/24 07:01 PM to 04/17/24 05:59 AM

Wednesday
04/17/24 08:01 AM to 03:59 PM
04/17/24 07:01 PM to 04/18/24 05:59 AM

Thursday
04/18/24 08:01 AM to 03:59 PM
04/18/24 07:01 PM to 04/19/24 05:59 AM

Friday
04/19/24 08:01 AM to 03:59 PM
04/19/24 07:01 PM to 04/20/24 12:59 PM

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Board of Education May Go to Elections by District Instead of At-Large; New High School Courses; Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Consider switching to have School Board members elected by districts (or, "trustee areas" as the district calls them), rather than at-large, and to have the process ready for the November 2024 election. This would involve dividing the area covered by the school district into smaller sections, each of which would elect its own school board member. Details

~ Consider approving new high school courses:  Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Physical Anthropology, Introduction to Physical Anthropology Lab, Motion Picture Appreciation, Physical Geography, Introduction to Psychology, and Marriage, Family, and Intimate Relationships. See here.  And  Entrepreneurship 2 and Personal Finance 

~ Receive a presentation from PBK Architects for the fencing design for three school sites, and receive a presentation on the upcoming summer school program.

~ Consider recognizing April 21-27 as "Administrative Professionals Week," and Wednesday, April 24, as "Administrative Professionals Day."

~ Recognize April "Employees of the Month": Lorena Loera and Lydia Sanchez from Monroe Elementary School, serving as a teacher and instructional aide, respectively. From Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School, Heather Gac has been recognized as a teacher and Mildred Ramos as the Food Services Manager. 

- Brad Haugaard

City Council to Discuss Mental Health at Study Session

The City Council will get an update on the city's mental health programs at a study session at City Hall this Tuesday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m. This is an open meeting; the public may attend. Details

- Brad Haugaard

City May Institute New Rules for Auto Repair Businesses; Developer Fees; Contract to Manage Farmers' Market

At its next meeting (agenda here  the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

 ~ Establishing new rules for auto repair businesses. The city may allow some exceptions by permit, but basically the rules are:

A. All repair activities must be conducted inside an enclosed building; new outdoor hoists are not allowed.

B. Vehicles awaiting repair must be parked out of public view on the repair facility's property, not stored for over 60 days, and not parked on public streets overnight or near residential areas.

C. Wrecked and dismantled vehicles must not be parked on public streets.

D. Repairing vehicles on public streets is forbidden.

E. Designated exterior parking areas are for employee and customer parking only, not for vehicle repair, finishing, or long-term storage.

F. Vehicle hoods must be kept closed when parked outside awaiting repair.

G. The repair facility must be maintained in a neat, orderly, and reasonably good fashion.

H. Signs about private parking must be posted as required by the Development Review Committee.

I. Storing equipment, vehicle parts, and machinery in public view outside an enclosed building is prohibited.

Details

~ Consider establishing fees for developers to reimburse costs directly incurred by the city. Details

~  Consider approving an exclusive franchise with Raw Inspiration to manage the Monrovia Farmers Market at Station Square. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Free Neighborhood Conference April 27 - Workshops, Meals, Raffle, Yoga, Etc.


The free 14th Annual Neighborhood Conference, with workshops on such topics as organic waste, local development, and police etiquette; plus breakfast and lunch, a keynote speaker, a raffle, and yoga, will be held April 27 at Second Baptist Church (925 S. Shamrock). Hosted by Monrovia Area Partnership. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard
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