News: brad.haugaard@gmail.com   •  Restaurants   •  Library Catalog   •  Library Activities  •  History   •  Facebook / X/Twitter / RSS

Monrovia Historical Society Publishes Photo Book of Early Monrovia


One of the photos in Early Monrovia. This is the Scotia Hotel, which was moved from near Santa Fe depot north to 801 S Myrtle and then burned down, prompting the purchase of the first fire engine.

The Monrovia Historical Society has just published Early Monrovia, a 100-page glossy paperback book by Sandy Burud and Steve Baker, that shows photographs from the Legacy Project collection that captures the story of Monrovia’s beginnings in pictures — what the town looked like, who the real "movers and shakers" were and what people thought was most important (no saloons and great schools).

I got a copy and am enjoying it. I like how each of the 12 sections is prefaced by information about the pictures that follow, so you're never in the dark about how the pictures fit into the context of Monrovia's history.  Topics include everything from Early Settlement to Schools & Churches; Oranges, Oranges, Oranges; Parades!; Transportation; City Government; Library Park; and more.

Early Monrovia costs $30 and can be purchased at City Hall, at the Library’s Friends bookstore, at Dollmakers' Kattywompus (412 S. Myrtle) or from the Monrovia Historical Society (website: monroviahistoricalsociety.org, phone: 675-8323, or email: monroviahistoricalsociety1896@gmail.com).

It will also be available to purchase at the Anderson House at 215 E. Lime on the day of the MOHPG Historic Homes Tour, May 5, or during the Monrovia Days Festival May 18-19 at the Information Booth.

Frank Scott, Chief of Police, 1927

Thanks to Sandy Burud, Vice President, Monrovia Historical Society and Co-Director, Monrovia Legacy Project, for the information.

- Brad Haugaard

Neighborhood Treasure to Honor Japanese Monrovians


Monrovia Area Partnership will unveil its fourth Neighborhood Treasure honoring the Japanese Monrovians. Many Japanese families came to Monrovia to build the strawberry farms and grocery stores. The unveiling will be on June 8, at 11 a.m., at 300 W. Cypress.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Area Partnership Celebrates 13th Birthday


Monrovia Area Partnership will celebrate its 13th year with a block party on Saturday, June 22, 11 a.m. at Julian Fisher Park. Family friendly games, free food and ice cream.

- Brad Haugaard

Lots More Parking Coming to Old Town; Peterbilt Boulders Slow Pipeline Installation; Be On a City Board; Etc.


In his latest report (https://is.gd/JGORRp) City Manager Oliver Chi reports:

~  The city has obtained a lease on two parking lots on Lime just east of Ivy that will add about 150 new parking spaces near Old Town that should be available for public use by the end of May. The smaller of the two lots is located between First Indonesian Baptist Church and the George Anderson House Museum.  The larger of the two lots is just east of the Anderson House. City crews will make minor upgrades to both parking lots (weed control, lights, new painting, etc.) before they are opened.

~ Boulders as large as Peterbilt trucks are slowing the installation of a 16" pipeline along Canyon Boulevard. The project, to improve water flows, pressure, and reliability, was supposed to be done by April 26. New estimate is the week of May 20.

~  Want to be involved in city government? Consider volunteering for a city commission, committee or board. Here are the openings: Community Services Commission (3 vacancies); Historic Preservation Commission (2 vacancies); Library Board (3 vacancies); Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board (2 vacancies); Planning Commission (2 Vacancies). Apply by May 1. Contact the City Clerk's office at 932-5599 for questions. Details: https://is.gd/eS7XGs

~  Chi congratulated the city teams that shut down what he said was an operation at 212 N. Myrtle that was "manufacturing illegal drugs." He said city workers "spent hundreds of hours last week responding to this incident, and we are so pleased with the way that everything turned out.  Many thanks to the vigilant neighbors in the area who alerted the City to the situation, and kudos to our Community Development, Police Department, and Fire Department teams for their excellent work in addressing this situation!"

~ The city is conducting its annual sewer maintenance with a private contractor (Houston Harris) to clean nearly 47 miles of sewer lines, hydro jetting to clear blockages, inspecting the lines with closed circuit video and removing roots and critters.

~ The final sections of K-Rail on Highland Place, Mauna Loa Drive, and Hillcrest, will be removed beginning May 28, and should be gone within 3 days. The K-rail was installed after the 2013 Madison Fire.

~  Ms. Betty Fisher Thomas, Older American of the Year for Monrovia, was honored for her community involvement as a member of several outreach ministries at Second Baptist Church, her 10-year leadership in Monrovia Area Partnership, her service as a nurse and teacher of nursing, her service as a board member of Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association, and her work at Monrovia elementary schools for Black History Month.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Blood Drive


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Xencor Gets Permission to Resume Study of Cancer Treatment

Monrovia's Xencor, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing antibodies for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune, asthma and allergic diseases, announced the Food and Drug Administration has lifted the partial clinical hold that was placed on the Phase 1 study of XmAb14045, an antibody for leukemia patients. The company is using an amended protocol which seeks to enhance the safety of patients in the study. https://is.gd/yQrc8p

- Brad Haugaard

Loni's Gift to Burt Goes to Auction in Monrovia

Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson. Photo by Alan Light.

A Swiss pocket watch with a gold fob bearing an inscription from Loni Anderson to Burt Reynolds will be offered at auction in Monrovia at John Moran Auctioneers​' Fine Jewelry and Timepieces Auction on May 21. The watch was a gift by Anderson to the late Burt Reynolds on the occasion of the couple’s first anniversary in 1982. https://is.gd/YC6BRK

- Brad Haugaard

Metal Is Recyclable; Plastic is Recyclable; But Metal-Plastic is Not


Athens Services, which provides trash collection for Monrovia, explains why chip bags (metallic on the inside, plastic on the outside) are not recyclable. It's because it's too expensive to separate the plastic from the metal. So I guess into the standard trash they need to go.

- Brad Haugaard

Hazel: Shy But Loves Cuddles and Snuggles


Hazel (A475647) and siblings were brought to the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA a few days ago. Most of her siblings were adopted instantly when we opened Tuesday morning.  However, shy Hazel wasn’t one of them. She still loves playing, galloping around her kennel, and play fighting with her siblings, but she’s on the shier side and is waiting to open up her personality to just the right adopter. In the meantime, she’ll take tons of cuddles and snuggles! Visit 3-month-old Hazel at the Pasadena Humane Society today!

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home.

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 at pasadenahumane.org.

Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

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

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church Offers Hurting Parents Support Group

Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church is offering a support group called Hope for Hurting Parents, a "group designed to encourage and support parents or grandparents of children (any age, teen or adult) that suffer from addiction, mental illness, incarceration or any life controlling issue." The group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month from  6:30-8 p.m. in the church's Fireside Room. For further information contact Mary Riker at marylrkr@gmail.com https://is.gd/cinCgi

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Days Coming Up

Monrovia Days is coming up May 17-19. The parade will be Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m., but plenty of other events, such as the pie eating contest. You can buy a wristband to use the carnival rides here: https://is.gd/9v6ImE

Here are the details:

Friday, May 17
5 p.m.: Clifton Drama presents High School Musical, Jr.
5:30 p.m.: Santa Fe CSMS presents Once on this Island
6 p.m.: Wildcat Drama presentation
5 p.m.-10 p.m.: Carnival
5 p.m.-7 p.m.: Community Performances by MUSD & Centre Stage
7 p.m.-10 p.m.: Headline Band

Saturday, May 18
9 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies
10 a.m.: Parade
5 p.m.: Merengue Pie Eating Contest
11 a.m.-10 p.m.: Carnival
11 a.m.-7 p.m.: Community Performances by MUSD &  Centre Stage
7 p.m.-10 p.m.: Headliner Band

Sunday, May 19
11 a.m.-6 p.m.: Carnival
11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Community Performances by MUSD & Centre Stage
3 p.m.-6 p.m.: Headliner Band

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Seasoning Alley

Lunch at Seasoning Alley. Got the Chicken Shawarma plate for $9.99 and an iced tea for $1.99. Tasty and filling. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Community Meeting on New Voting System

The LA County Registrar-Recorder and Monrovia Area Partnership are sponsoring a community meeting on June 6, 6-8 p.m. about Vote Centers, which will be implemented in 2020, LA County. This new system will allow voters to cast a ballot at any center in the county over an 11-day period.

The Monrovia community meeting will be held at Second Baptist Church, at 925 S. Shamrock Ave., and here's a description of the project if you want a bit of before-hand information: https://is.gd/5bPcvr

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Car Chase Leads to Arrest; Manufacturing Drugs; Too-Quick U-Turn; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 18–24. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 391 service events, resulting in 72 investigations.

Theft
On April 18 at 1:11 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of Hill called to report a suspicious vehicle. Officers responded to the location and checked the area. They discovered a vehicle that had the catalytic converter stolen off of it. The registered owner of the vehicle was contacted and notified. Investigation continuing.

Petty Theft
On April 18 at 6:30 p.m., an employee from a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill called to report a petty theft. A male suspect entered the store to purchase a small item. He set a $100 bill on the counter, then distracted the employee with questions and took the $100 bill back while the employee wasn’t looking. He then insisted he already gave the employee the money for the item, so the employee provided him with $92.44 in change. The suspect then left the location with the money and the item. Investigation continuing.

Theft From a Vehicle
On April 19 at 7:11 a.m., a resident in the 900 block of W. Walnut called police to report an unknown suspect entered his unlocked vehicle, which was parked in front of his residence, and took several power tools and numerous hand tools. Investigation continuing.

Theft From a Vehicle
On April 19 at 7:54 a.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 900 block of Monterey. An unknown suspect entered the unlocked vehicle and stole a small purse and money. Investigation continuing.

Violation of Court Order – Suspect Arrested
On April 19 at 8:59 p.m., a resident in the 1400 block of S. Magnolia called to report a subject in violation of an active restraining order on their property. Officers responded and located the subject on the property. The restraining order was confirmed and the subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
On April 20 at 12:34 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of W. Cypress when he saw a bicyclist commit a vehicle code violation. The officer stopped the subject and learned he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant.

Grand Theft Auto Recovered – Suspect Arrested
On April 20 at 1:05 a.m., an officer was on patrol near Foothill and Magnolia when he saw a vehicle traveling with expired registration. A license plate check on the vehicle revealed it had been reported stolen two days prior. The officer stopped the vehicle and the suspect was arrested and taken into custody. The stolen vehicle was recovered.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On April 20 at 2:12 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 2500 block of S. Myrtle for vehicle code violations. During the stop, the driver displayed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the subject was arrested for DUI.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
On April 20 at 9:35 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Cypress called to report a disturbing subject. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, who was found to be too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Suspicious Circumstances / Evading / Outside Assist – Suspect Arrested
On April 21 at 6:50 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Terrado called Monrovia police to report a male subject in a vehicle that was driving erratically, honking his horn and yelling. Officers arrived and began an area check. They contacted a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy in the area, who advised the suspect and vehicle reported to Monrovia police was possibly a suspect that just committed a home invasion in a neighboring jurisdiction. Officers then received information that the vehicle was last seen westbound on Lemon. Within seconds, a Monrovia sergeant who was in the area saw the suspect vehicle in the 200 block of E. Lime. He immediately broadcast the information and began following the vehicle. When he attempted to stop the vehicle, a pursuit ensued which led officers into a neighboring jurisdiction. The suspect eventually turned onto a private roadway and drove through two gates, before coming to a dead end at a residence. Monrovia officers took the suspect into custody without further incident. He was then turned over to Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputies.

Grand Theft Auto
On April 23 at 7:30 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Walnut called to report his vehicle had been stolen. The victim parked his vehicle in front of his resident and locked it. When he returned to his vehicle the next morning, he realized it had been stolen. The vehicle is a gray 2015 Nissan Sentra. It was entered into the law enforcement stolen vehicle system. The investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
On April 23 at 4:26 p.m., a citizen called to report a traffic collision in the 600 block of W. Hillcrest. A motorist was traveling west on Hillcrest and decided to make a u-turn without warning. Another motorist was behind the vehicle and was unable to stop in time. The vehicles collided into one another. One of the drivers had visible injuries caused by the airbags deploying. Investigation continuing.

Manufacturing a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
On April 23 at 6:30 p.m., during a thorough ongoing investigation, Monrovia Police Department, Monrovia Fire Department and Los Angeles County Hazmat personnel discovered that a large amount of chemicals at a residence in the 200 block of N. Myrtle were precursors for making controlled substances. The LA IMPACT lab team responded to the residence and obtained a search warrant for the location. One adult male suspect was arrested for manufacturing a controlled substance.

Non-injury Traffic Collision
On April 24 at 9:55 a.m., a traffic collision was reported at the intersection of California and Huntington. Officers responded and found that no one was injured and the two parties did not desire an investigation. They exchanged information with one another.

Commercial Burglary
On April 24 at 12:50 p.m., a commercial burglary was reported at a storage facility in the 2100 block of S. Myrtle. The victim reported someone had burglarized their unit sometime during the night. Officers responded and found the lock to the storage unit door had been cut and miscellaneous personal property was taken. A couple hours later, a second victim reported their unit was also burglarized sometime during the night in the same manner. This investigation is continuing.

Betty Fisher Thomas Named Monrovia's Older American of the Year

Monrovia Area Partnership leader, Betty Fisher Thomas, has been honored as Monrovia's 2019 Older American of the Year. https://is.gd/f2Nzuc

- Brad Haugaard

Wheelhouse Spring Ceramic Sale May 3,4

(It's a block west of Myrtle just south of Duarte Road.)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Man Arrested, Charged With Making Illegal Drugs

According to CBS News, an unnamed man who lived at the home in which chemicals used in the manufacture of illegal drugs has been arrested and charged with manufacturing of a controlled substance.

The chemicals could be used to make the hallucinogenic drugs MDMA, GHB, Ketamine, and DMT. https://is.gd/uunIYS

UPDATE: The Star-News reports the chemicals were discovered because of their smell, that the arrested man is Branden Doane, 27, of Monrovia, and that his bail is set at $75,000. https://is.gd/8ouUj4

- Brad Haugaard

Santa Fe Students Study Brain and Lung Specimens


Sixth-grade students from Monrovia Unified's Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School learned about brain and lung specimens on April 23 during a crash course with Sonia Maljian, director of laboratory services at Methodist Hospital.

Students also learned about other organs such as the heart and liver and closely observed samples that were brought into the classroom.

"We are lucky to have had the chance to host Sonia Maljian at Santa Fe," teacher Yvonne Koskela said. "Our students were able to observe the specimens closely and ask questions about the specimens to a real scientist in our community."

In addition to observing the specimens, students were introduced to the harm that occurs in the body when abusing alcohol and tobacco. Maljian encouraged students to stay away from putting harmful and dangerous products into their bodies, further explaining that smoking tobacco can cause air sacs in the lungs to become rigid and stop functioning.

"A big thank-you to Sonia Maljian, who shared with our students the many opportunities available when pursuing science as a career," Principal Geoff Zamarripa said. "Our Cougar Scholars fully immersed themselves into the lesson, and we will continue to encourage our students to pursue their dreams and figure out how they can become the next generation of scientists in our community."

Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Mayflower Students Take Top Prize in Math Bee


After six rounds, the Mayflower Elementary Mariners were awarded the first-place trophy during Monrovia Unified’s Next Generation Math Bee on April 18.

Using white boards and calculators, 30 elementary school students from Monrovia Unified School District competed in the District's second annual Next Generation Math Bee on April 18, with the Mayflower Elementary Mariners taking the top prize.

Working in teams of six, students employed collaboration, critical thinking, and language skills to solve math-related word problems. In a series of six rounds, teams were allowed six minutes to read, discuss, and answer each question by showing their work and explaining their thinking process in full sentences.

"The Next Generation Math Bee is an opportunity for our students to showcase their math skills and expand on their passion for mathematics," Board President Ed Gililland said. "Monrovia Unified is proud to provide students with a challenging academic environment that promotes student success."

Students were given access to materials such as white boards, pencils, highlighters, and calculators to help solve math problems. Clifton Middle School teachers Marilyn Smith and Hiroshi Suzuki were judges for the event and carefully read through each answer to determine the winner.

"Monrovia Unified's Next Generation Math Bee is an event that aims to nurture mathematical skills in our students," Superintendent Katherine Thorossian said. "Congratulations to all of our competitors who showed excitement and good sportsmanship throughout the entire competition, and thank you to everyone who came together to make this event possible for our students."

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Find Cache of Chemicals Used in Making Drugs

On April 23, at approximately 6:40 p.m., Monrovia Police Department officers were called to a residence in the 200 block of N. Myrtle Avenue. Los Angeles County Fire Department Hazmat and Monrovia Fire Department personnel were at the location about a large quantity of chemicals being stored there. Personnel on scene determined that some of the chemicals were precursors for manufacturing controlled substances.

The Monrovia Police Department requested assistance from a regional task force specializing in narcotic enforcement. A search warrant was obtained by investigators and one adult male was arrested for manufacturing a controlled substance.

At the time of this press release, the investigation is still ongoing and there is a presence at the scene of law enforcement and hazmat personnel. There are no evacuation orders and there is no present danger to the community.

This crime is being actively investigated, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Monrovia Police Department Detective Division at 256-8041.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard