Monrovia Historical Society to Host Talk on the "Safer Aeroplane Company" by Local Historian

Historian Paul R. Spitzzeri will give a free talk on April 6 at 2 p.m. at the Monrovia Public Library about the short life of Monrovia's "Safer Aeroplane Company," a 1914 aviation company that promised great things with its “tandem monoplane” design.

Sponsored by the Monrovia Historical Society, the talk, titled "‘It Will Cause a Sensation in the World of Aviation Someday’: The Brief History of the Safer Aeroplane Company of Monrovia, 1914,” will be presented by Spitzzeri, Museum Director at the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum and a recognized historian of California, with writings published in numerous historical journals and anthologies.

The Monrovia Historical Society brings Monrovia history to the public through special events; the Legacy Project, its online database of images and documents; and through The Anderson House, which it maintains and furnishes to portray Monrovia life in the late 1800s.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: First photographed land sale in Monrovia

The "Ocean View" Subdivision sale pictured here included the area bounded by what is now known as Hillcrest, Greystone, Myrtle and Canyon Blvd. See Monrovia Planet Sept. 24, 1887 Hotchkiss excerpts p. 79. Opening Myrtle Ave Subdivisions. This is the earliest picture of a land sale in Monrovia; the first actual land sale was May 17, 1886 for lots for the Town of Monrovia -- 'Monrovia townsite.' From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See details here and more 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

Update on Measure K sales tax money

Although Monrovia's Measure K sales tax revenue for 2024-25 is down $967,012 -- from $7,780,539 in 2023-24 to $6,813,527 in 2024-25 -- the fund still has $24.2 million in the kitty. Sales tax  is down statewide.

The image above shows what the money is going for. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Elementary Olympics this Thursday

The Monrovia Elementary Olympics will be held this Thursday, March 27, starting at 9 a.m. at Monrovia High School. Allow time to find street parking and to enter the stadium.

If you are cheering for a specific school, these are the school colors:    

• Bradoaks--red shirts
• Mayflower--purple shirts
• Monroe--yellow shirts
• Plymouth--green shirts
• Wild Rose--blue shirts 

Suggestions for what to bring:

• seat cushion
• snacks
• water bottle
• sunscreen, hat, spray bottle, sunglasses
• cash for concessions/lunch
• bag for trash

- Brad Haugaard

CHP looking for missing man last seen in Monrovia

California Highway Patrol has issued a Silver Alert for Aurelio Gallegos, last seen around West Walnut and Monterey avenues in Monrovia.

UPDATE: Located.

- Brad Haugaard

Makerspace for teens, March 26 at Library

Pop-up Makerspace for Teens, Wednesday, March 26, 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Library’s Teen Area. Grades 6–12. Drop in for supplies, tools, coding with Sphero Mini Bots, and 3D art pen projects. Sponsored by  Friends of the Library. For more information email acarey@monroviaca.gov or call 256-8274.

- Brad Haugaard

Veterans Meetup March 25

Monthly Veterans Meetup, Tuesday, March. 25, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Starbucks at Huntington and Magnolia. Free coffee, connection, and story sharing for veterans and military service members. For more information email mcross@monroviaca.gov or call 256-8294.

- Brad Haugaard

Superintendent invites community to help select new Monrovia High leadership

Following is a letter from Monrovia Schools Superintendent Dr. Paula Hart Rodas inviting the community to help select new leadership at Monrovia High School.

Dear Monrovia Unified Community,

At Monrovia Unified School District, we are committed to ensuring that Monrovia High School continues to thrive and provide an outstanding educational experience for our students. As we look ahead, we are in the process of selecting new leadership for the high school, and we value the voices of our students, families, staff, and community members in this important effort.

We are excited to collaborate with you in this process and invite you to share your thoughts on the qualities and priorities that matter most in our next school leaders. Your input is invaluable, and we encourage you to complete a brief survey to help guide our selection.

MONROVIA HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP SEARCH SURVEY

In addition to the survey, we will be hosting Listening Sessions in the near future to gather further feedback and ensure this process reflects the needs of our entire Monrovia High School community. More details will be shared soon.

Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Your voice will help shape the future of Monrovia High School, and we appreciate your partnership in building a bright path forward for our students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Paula Hart Rodas

Superintendent

Learn about Monarch butterflies at Garden Club meeting

Learn about Monarch butterflies with speaker Susie Vanderlip at the Monrovia Garden Club meeting on March 25 at 6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall (101 E. Foothill Blvd). Includes insights on their life cycle and gardening tips to attract them.

- Brad Haugaard

Plants that don't go in the green waste container

If you thought (like me) that drought-tolerant plants like palm fronds, yucca, cacti, bamboo, and succulents should be disposed in the green trash can. Wrong! They should go in the black trash container because their tough, fibrous makeup disrupts composting equipment and decomposes too slowly.

- Brad Haugaard

Youth Commission April activities

This April the city's Youth Commission will host these events for teens...

• A Bob Ross painting activity on April 9 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
• A meeting at Rotary Park on April 15 at 4:30 p.m.
• A service project April 23 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• An Easter Egg Hunt on April 19
• Arbor Day and Earth Day on April 26. 

If interested, contact the Community Center at 256-8233.

- Brad Haugaard

Nominations open for Older Monrovian of the Year Award

Nominations are open for the 2025 Older Monrovian of the Year Award. The Community Center is seeking individuals 60 or older who contributed to the community in 2024. Submit nomination forms to Lauren Pagliotti at the Community Center, 119 W Palm Ave, or email lpagliotti@monrovica.gov. Nomination form here. 

- Brad Haugaard

Trail restoration work begins Monday

Trail restoration in the Hillside Wilderness Preserve begins Monday, March 24. Contractors will repair damage from fire-related dozer lines by reshaping trails, reinforcing edges, and installing drainage features. Work will take several weeks and some trails will close intermittently for safety.

Comment: I'm up there frequently and while the trails need a bit of work, they're actually in pretty good shape.

- Brad Haugaard

Many Altadena fire pets need new homes

If you need a pet, more than 1,000 animals entered the Pasadena Humane Society shelter after the Altadena fire. Though many have been reunited with families, others were surrendered by displaced owners and need permanent or foster homes. City Manager Dylan Feik suggests adopting if you can, or donate to the Pet Food Pantry , or support the Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High principal, two assistant principals likely being terminated; also other non-teachers

 

The Monrovia High School principal and two assistant principals are likely being terminated. The decision must be approved by the school board, but the item is on the "Consent Agenda," which are items that staff believes are almost certain to be approved, and which are usually all approved by a single vote.

According to the district's Personnel Assignment Report, these terminations are by "voluntary resignation." Layoffs in the financially hurting school district have affected teachers and now non-teaching staff as well. The same report indicates that six other non-teaching staff will be leaving: a campus assistant, special ed instructional assistant, instructional aide for those with severe disabilities, a school/community liaison, special education instructional assistant, and a kindergarten instructional aide. Details.

- Brad Haugaard