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Dinner at Casa Jimenez

Dinner tonight at Casa Jimenez, in the Home Depot shopping center. Got the Caldo de Camarones (shrimp soup) for $16.95 and an iced tea for $2.95. Nice!

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police Will Be Looking for Violations Causing Bike-Car Crashes

Photo by David Mancini on Unsplash
May is National Bicycle Safety Month. The Monrovia Police Department encourages drivers to slow down when passing bicyclists and asks bicyclists to be visible, predictable, and safe on the road. The Monrovia Police Department will be sending out additional officers this month to look for violations that cause crashes between bicyclists and motorists.

“Please share the road with bicyclists and try to imagine them as your closest friends or family. We all want to get where we need to go safely, whether that is in the car or on a bike,” said Alan Sanvictores, Chief of Police.

The Monrovia Police Department offers the following safety tips:

Drivers
  • Slow down.
  • Wait for a safe place to pass when driving behind a bike, especially on narrow roads.
  • California law requires drivers to provide at least three feet of space between a vehicle and bicycle when passing.
  • If making a right turn, assume any bicyclist approaching the intersection is traveling straight through, unless they signal otherwise.
  • When making a left turn, yield to oncoming bicyclists just as you would for other drivers.
  • Look for bicyclists before opening a car door.
  • Never drive distracted or impaired.

Bike Riders
  • Be predictable, safe and seen. Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector/light), and wear a helmet.
  • Bicyclists must travel on the road in the same direction as vehicle traffic and must follow the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
  • Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.
  • If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.
  • Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Miniature Therapy Horses Visit Clifton Middle School

Clifton Middle School students were visited and surprised by miniature therapy horses! Every student was able to interact, pet and hug a horse.

- Brad Haugaard

Christy is Sweet Sixteen - Full of Relaxing, Happy Energy


Would you believe Christy is sixteen years old? Christy is so sweet and will greet new people with a smile and a wagging tail. This senior gal has a little bit of stiffness in her joints, but she has no trouble running right up to you to get affection! She’s such a friendly dog and loves being pet and scratched. Christy gets along with other dogs and can’t wait to bring her relaxing, happy energy to your home!

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

Survey on GoMonrovia and Metro Ridership

 USC is conducting a study of the GoMonrovia transit program, whether it helps improve Metro's rail transit ridership. If you'd like to participate, go here: https://is.gd/bj8Rv2

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Tillford Bros. Drugs and Lyric Theater

Tillford Bros. Drugs & Lyric Theater, at the northeast corner of Foothill and Ivy, c. 1925. Photo by William Ward. 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

Former League of Women Voters President Passes Away

Monrovian Helen Lucile Cloer passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on March 5. She was 92 years old.

Her son, Daniel, says Helen was past president of the League of Women Voters of Monrovia and worked on many civic issues, including land use proposals for the Monrovia area. She was also active as an officer of the Guild of La Vina Hospital (a tuberculosis hospital in Altadena).

Helen was born on December 19, 1928 in Alhambra to Joseph P. Sehy and Esther Vasey Sehy. During her school days she was greatly influenced by her experiences at Camp Fire Girls summer camp at Camp Wasewagan and later devoted much of her time promoting and supporting the camp. She served as president of the Camp Wasewagan Alumni Association and worked with the Camp Fire Girl Council in many capacities. Her work improving the camp and raising funds for it earned her multiple awards.

Helen met her husband Thomas Leroy Cloer, Jr. at UCLA where they were classmates. They were married on June 23, 1951, and settled in Monrovia, where Helen was a housewife and mother to their two children.

Helen is survived by her son Daniel Cloer and wife Laura (Visalia), daughter Julia Cloer and husband Sean Hulsey (Northridge), and granddaughters Madeline (Zach Souder, Denver) and Samantha Cloer (Vienna, Austria), great-grandson Jacob Souder, niece Carla Cloer (Porterville), and nephew Lane Starr (Athol, Idaho). 

Friends are invited to donate a no-kill pet shelter in her name.

- Brad Haugaard

Graduating Monrovians Honored

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/O5ZXMX) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

Honor lots of people, including:

~ Monrovia High School seniors who have committed to joining colleges or trade schools (shown above).

~  Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School (CSMS) Assistant Principal, Megan Esquer, on receiving the "Leadership Matters" award from the Association of California School Administrators Region 15.

~ Santa Fe CSMS Teacher, Rob Cady, on being named "Middle School Educator of the Year," by the California League of Schools.

~ Monrovia High School graduates: https://is.gd/eRg4cr

~ Canyon Oaks High School graduates: https://is.gd/Abn8fg

~ Mountain Park School graduates: https://is.gd/trYjXX

Also, the board will consider a deal for Mrs. Nelsons Book Company to buy old books and paper instructional materials from the district. https://is.gd/63PNIY

- Brad Haugaard




Monrovia Weekly Becomes Part of LA-Area News Website

What the online version of the Monrovia Weekly looks like now.

The online version of the Monrovia Weekly appears to have changed from being a separate website to now being part of a Southern California news site called, HEY SoCal, which has local news for Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, and Long Beach, mostly from City News Service; and local news for the San Gabriel Valley from the Monrovia Weekly, Arcadia Weekly, Pasadena Independent and City News Service.  https://is.gd/HWgRBQ

- Brad Haugaard

Vintage Items For Sale to Repair Ceiling of Historical Society's Anderson House

One of the items on sale by Monrovia Historical Society: Classic Red Eye treadle sewing machine with detailed head in oak cabinet with seven drawers of vintage notions.

The Monrovia Historical Society is holding an on-line and in-person fundraising sale of vintage treasures to raise money to repair the ceiling of the historic Anderson House at 215 E. Lime, which began crumbling and had to be removed.

Items for sale include furniture, vinyl music albums, vintage office machines, a Thomas Edison dictaphone, a steamer trunk from Selfridge’s in London, a 1842 coverlet by a weaver whose works are in the Smithsonian, and much more. You can see the items here, monroviahistoricalsociety.org/sale, and you can purchase them using PayPal if you are an Historical Society member. If you are not a member, you can become a member here (monroviahistoricalsociety.org/membership-1), then purchase the items.

The kitchen ceiling. Sad. Sad.
Then, on Friday, June 11, from 1-6 p.m. members can in-person view and purchase items and non-members can view items and become members if they want to purchase items. The next day, Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the sale will be open to the public - no need to be a member to purchase. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

The items for sale, while historic, either do not relate to the Society's mission, or are surplus. For questions write to monroviahistoricalsociety1896@gmail.com or text or call (626) 675-8323.

- Brad Haugaard


City Facilities Reopening; Free Gun Locks; City Commission Positions Open; Racism Meeting; Landlord Benefits

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports: 

~ City facilities will reopen on Monday, May 10. Covid rules still apply. 

~ Monrovia Kiwanis Club has partnered with the Monrovia Police to provide free gun safety locks. For more information call the Monrovia Police at 256-8000.

~ More spots have been added for the free compost and mulch event at the Public Works Yard (600 S. Mountain) on Saturday, May 22, 8 a.m. to noon. For a reservation (required) contact Jamie Bumia at 932-5579 or  jbumia@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

~ Residents can apply for positions on the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission and Community Services Commission. Also, Old Town business owners may apply for positions on the Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board. Applications due by Monday, May 10.  Interviews in the weeks following. Terms begin on July 1. https://is.gd/ZAkbag

~ Monrovia ChangeMakers will host a Zoom meeting on Racism Against Asian Americans: Past & Present on Wednesday, May 19, at 6 p.m. Meeting ID: 868-5112 5241, passcode: 488265.

~ Monrovia landlords may benefit from the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments' new Landlord Incentives Program, which provides rent checks each month to landlords who lease to tenants receiving rental assistance to leave homelessness. The program can also help mediate problems. Details: https://landlordincentives.org/

- Brad Haugaard

A Video History of the Monrovia Days Parade

A video slide show of the history of the Monrovia Days Parade over the past 100+ years. From the Monrovia Historical Society.

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: One More Case, One More Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 05/05/2021. Changes since 04/28/2021.

City of Monrovia: 3,165 cases (up 1), 77 deaths (up 1)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 373 cases (up 1), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: More Catalytic Converters Stolen; Man Hit With Phone; Traffic Accidents; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 29 – May 5. - Brad Haugaard]


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 355 service events, resulting in 70 investigations.

Vandalism
April 29 at 2:25 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of E. Almond called police to report that a neighbor just broke a window on his house with her fist. Officers arrived and located the female suspect. Paramedics also responded due to her hand bleeding. The suspect was found to be heavily intoxicated. This case will be forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney for prosecution consideration.

Injury Traffic Collision
April 29 at 5:38 p.m., a traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Colorado and Canyon, which is a four-way stop. Both drivers believed they had the right of way. One of the drivers was complaining of pain, but had no visible injuries. Paramedics responded.

Grand Theft
May 1 at 9:06 a.m., an employee from a business in the 1700 block of S. Peck called police to report that two catalytic converters were taken from two company vehicles sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
May 1 at 7:22 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of W. Pomona. The victim reported that two subjects just stole her Kia Optima from the street in front of her apartment complex. Officers arrived and searched the area, as well as the parking structure, but were unable to locate the vehicle or the suspects. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance and Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
May 1 at 8:14 p.m., while officers were searching a parking structure in the 200 block of W. Pomona for a stolen vehicle, they located a subject loitering on the lower level. The investigation revealed he was not involved with the auto theft, but was in possession of drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance. He was arrested and released with a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Fraud
May 2 at 10:58 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of Stedman called police to report she was a victim of fraud. She received an email she thought was from Chase Bank. The email said there was an issue with her bank account and she needed to confirm her information. She clicked on the email and input her information. The next day she discovered several fraudulent transactions on her account. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
May 2 at 12:01 p.m., a resident in the 1700 block of S. Mayflower came to the Monrovia Police Department lobby and reported his girlfriend struck him in the face with her phone. An investigation was conducted and the female subject was contacted. The officer determined the primary aggressor was the girlfriend. She was arrested for domestic violence and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto
May 3 at 6:55 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of W. Pomona. The victim returned to his vehicle in the morning and discovered someone had stolen his work vehicle from the parking structure. He found the door handle on the ground where he had parked the vehicle the night before. The vehicle was entered into the law enforcement stolen vehicle system. This investigation is continuing.

Child Neglect / Wanted Person
May 3 at 2:17 p.m., a caller dialed 911 from a hotel in the 900 block of S. Fifth, then hung up the phone. Employees of the hotel went to the guest room and discovered two children ages 5 and 6 left alone in the room, so they called the police. Officers arrived and discovered the renter of the room was wanted in another state. The children were transported to Monrovia Police Department and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) responded to take custody. The mother of the children arrived and, after being interviewed, DCFS allowed her to take custody of the children. The suspect was never located.

Injury Traffic Collision
May 4 at 1:26 p.m., two drivers collided into each other at the intersection of Myrtle and Maple. One of the drivers complained of pain to his left shoulder and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver found at fault was issued a citation at the scene.

Injury Traffic Collision
May 4 at 4:54 p.m., two drivers collided into each other at the intersection of Duarte and Mayflower. Officers arrived and found that one of the drivers complained of pain to his right arm. Paramedics arrived and treated the injured driver on scene.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Theft of Mail – Suspects Arrested
May 5 at 2:28 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 900 block of W. Huntington when he saw two subjects he recognized from previous encounters inside a vehicle. The subjects appeared intoxicated and further investigation revealed they were both under the influence of a controlled substance. They were also found to be in possession of stolen mail and drug paraphernalia. Both suspects were arrested.

Vehicle Burglary
May 5 at 12:15 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 300 block of Highland. The victim reported that a cell phone and wallet were stolen out of his vehicle, which was parked on the street. Officers responded and determined the vehicle had been locked, but one of the windows was left slightly rolled down. The suspect possibly reached into the vehicle, unlocked it, and then stole the items. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 5 at 8:09 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Los Angeles regarding a vehicle being driven back and forth, and the driver was honking his horn. Upon arrival, officers determined the suspect was intoxicated. After an investigation was conducted, the suspect was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 5 at 8:12 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Foothill and Ivy regarding a possible intoxicated driver colliding into a parked vehicle. The officers located the suspect driving and initiated a traffic stop. Further investigation determined the driver was driving while intoxicated. He was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Monrovia's Xencor Reports Smaller Loss Than For Same Time Last Year

Monrovia corporation, Xencor, reported a net loss for the first quarter ended March 31 of $2.5 million, or $(0.04) per share, compared to a net loss of $8.1 million, or $(0.14) per share for the same period in 2020. Xencor is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cancer and autoimmune disease treatments.  Details: https://is.gd/OpTHZN

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Copper Still Grill

Dinner at Copper Still Grill, on the east side of Myrtle below Colorado. Got Grandma’s Meatloaf for $15 and a beer for $4.95. Very nice. Nicely spiced and cooked. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia High Game Designer to Attend Top Game Design School in Country

Monrovia High School senior Charlie Heatherly, who helped build the school’s game development team, Forge Interactive, will take his talents to the next level as he attends USC – home to the top-rated game design program in the country.

“It is overwhelming to me in the best possible way. I am excited and ready to learn,” Heatherly said. “This is the culmination of hundreds of hours of hard work that I have put in, as well as that of my entire games team. I want to thank my father, who taught me how to be a team leader, and my teacher Mr. Carlson, who guided me through the development of my first game during my junior year.”

Heatherly honed his game designing skills through Forge Interactive, Monrovia High’s student-led indie game development team. With team members that specialize in all aspects of the game design process – from art and animation to writing and testing – Forge Interactive’s goal is to graduate students who have team-building experience and are knowledgeable about the game industry.

“Charlie’s leadership skills are a big reason that Forge Interactive has been so successful,” Monrovia High CTE teacher Anthony Carlson said. “Forge is a practical approach to tech education that focuses on teamwork, helping students develop project management skills and holding daily meetings to move their project forward. We want students to graduate with an accurate idea of what it’s like to work in the industry, with experience and skills under their belt.”

Heatherly joined Forge Interactive as a junior, where he developed his first game, Gossip Inc., putting the lessons taught by his father, a game designer and media executive, to the test.

Heatherly became a game director at Forge, bringing a team together to design Forge’s first digital game, Red Dungeon. Heatherly also co-hosts the Socratic Cinema podcast and is a member of the Mathletes Club.

Monrovia High School senior and Forge Interactive team member Matthew Thoemmes will join Heatherly as a game design major at an elite university, attending UC Santa Cruz next year.

“Being invited to the Forge has been one of my best high school experiences,” Thoemmes said. “When I came to class I knew almost nothing at all about programming. I was slowly able to learn thanks to the guidance of the team, and I was accepted into UC Santa Cruz to study game design and programming. I am extremely excited to be attending UC Santa Cruz.”

To learn more about Monrovia High School’s Digital Studies Academy, which focuses on game design, software engineering and digital, video and graphic design, visit the school’s website.

“We are thrilled to see our game design students advance to programs that will allow them to expand on the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that has made Monrovia Unified and Forge Interactive leaders in the field of video game development,” Monrovia Board President Maritza Travanti said. “Thank you to Anthony Carlson for developing this program and best of luck to Charlie and Matthew. We can’t wait to see what the future brings them.”

Source: Monrovia School District press release

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Named as Military Friendly


In recognition of its commitment to student veterans and their families, Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has been named both a Military Friendly School and a Military Friendly Spouse School.

Home to more than 400 student veterans, Citrus College received the 2021‐2022 awards from VIQTORY, a service‐disabled and veteran‐owned small business that owns and operates the Military Friendly brand. Schools receiving these honors were evaluated from public data sources and survey responses.

Citrus has been named a Military Friendly School for 11 consecutive years. The Military Friendly Spouse School honor, the college’s second in a row, came as a result of efforts to create sustainable educational opportunities for military spouses.

One example of Citrus College’s commitment to veterans and their families is the Veterans Success Center, which connects veterans to a wide array of services, ranging from academic counseling and orientations to mental health support and vocational rehabilitation. Additional services include help navigating the various military tuition assistance programs.

For military spouses, the Veterans Success Center takes the time to work with them on their education benefits and other resources available to them. The Veterans Success Center also provides military and veteran spouses all the services provided to student veterans, including access to the VetSuccess on Campus counselor and other resources.

Source: Citrus College press release

- Brad Haugaard


Sweet Penny Has Lots of Affection to Give


Penny is five years old and has such a sweet personality. This dilute calico beauty is a little cautious when meeting new people, but just minutes after getting to know you, she’ll be reaching out to head bump your hand and ask for more pets! It really doesn’t take her long to come out of her shell. This sweetie has so much affection to give, it wouldn’t surprise us if she became a lap cat or a cuddle bug in her future home.

The adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat 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.

Niew 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

A Moment in Monrovia History: The Palms Hotel on Myrtle

Palms Hotel at 167 S. Myrtle Ave. Photo by William Ward.. 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