Monrovia Messenger Souvenir Edition 1897: Colonel [Samuel] Keefer purchased a tract of land from Mr. Baldwin, and erected on the northwest corner of Lemon and Ivy La Vista Grande Hotel." History of Monrovia by John L. Wiley 1927 p 29. "For a few years the Vista Grande Hotel was known as The Antlers. It is variously referred to as La Vista Grande or Grand View, which is merely the anglicized form of its original Spanish name. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.
Metro is offering free bus, train and bike share rides on tomorrow in honor of Transit Equity Day, which commemorates Rosa Parks' birthday and her act of defiance against racial segregation on transit.
- Brad Haugaard
~ The State of the City meeting will be on Feb. 13 at LOOK Cinemas at 6 p.m. The City Council will provide the community with an update.
~ The Lead-Free Homes program offers free assessments and licensed contractors to eliminate lead paint hazards in homes in Monrovia built before 1951 with 4 units or fewer. Qualification is based on presence of a child under 6 or pregnant person. Apply at LeadFreeHomesLA.com or call 744-6027 for more information.
~ The Art on the Box Contest is a program to enhance the appearance of city-owned utility cabinets by sponsoring artists. The theme for 2023 is "Be Water Wise" and 5 boxes are available. Artists can apply by March 30, 2023 and receive a $700 stipend if selected. Contact Kerri Zessau at 932-5564 or kzessau@ci.monrovia.ca.us for more information.
~ The City of Monrovia is offering an After School Youth Sports Program for Winter 2023 Co-ed Basketball Season for 4th and 5th graders. The program runs from Jan 11 to March 24, Monday to Friday, and provides basketball practice, homework help, healthy snacks, character development and fun after school. The registration fee is $100 and includes a t-shirt. Scholarships are available. Contact the Community Center at 256-8246 for more information.
~ Food ED is hosting Food Waste Champion Day on Feb 25, 9am-2pm at Monrovia Community Garden to educate on food waste and SB1383 composting law. The event includes Q&A, kids' crafts, compost bin raffle, workshps on critters and cooking, and free compost for registered attendees. Register at explorefooded.org or email Kristin Ritzau at krisritzau@explorefooded.org for more information.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
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- Brad Haugaard
On Feb. 5, from 2 to 4 p.m., there will be a kick-off event at the Duarte Monrovia Historical Museum. Monrovia Changemakers will share stories and the creation of its book, "Monrovia's Changemakers Combatting Bigotry and Segregation". More information: t.ly/mUpr.
On Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a Black History Month Health Fair & Workshop held at the Monrovia Community Center with workshops on various health topics. More information: t.ly/df1p. Both events are free, but reservations are required. Contact Barbara Gholar at 392-5512 for more information.
- Brad Haugaard
~ A set of guidelines for spending Measure K sales tax funds as proposed by the Measure K Citizens Advisory Committee. The guidelines prioritize basic needs, completing one-time projects, leveraging Measure K funds for other funding sources, building reserves, funding ongoing capital improvement projects, and seeking projects with a "payback" or "return on investment". t.ly/Fi_W
~ Approving a local historic landmark designation for the Rotary Club Bandshell in Library Park. t.ly/MbtAJ
~ The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, which shows that the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 was marked by growth, stability, and positive financial milestones, according to the report. The city received a credit rating upgrade from Standard and Poor's, its net financial position increased by $74.5 million, and the General Fund had a positive increase of $12.54 million. The city's cash and investment balances increased by 55% over the previous year, and its net liability for pensions decreased by 27%. tinyurl.com/2a8c6p7z
~ Because of what appears to be an improving economy, city staff is recommending to adjust its estimate of general fund revenues upward by $434,737 and expenditures upward by $55,803. t.ly/RBgv
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Rose has a cute little snort when she gets excited, which is pretty often because she seems to adore everyone she meets. She likes short walks followed by long naps- she's definitely more couch potato than athlete.
She also might have a bit of a stubborn streak which we have to admit is pretty adorable- If she's walking the way she wants to go, easy-peasy. If you want to turn to go in a different direction, she jams on the brakes until you can bribe her with a tasty treat. Rose will keep you entertained ALL DAY.
Rose's (and many other dogs) adoption fee will be only $14 from 2/9 - 2/15 as part of the Be Mine Valentine's Special.
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 a.m. Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High School Girls gym class in the 1920s. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High graduate Yesenia Bugarin is pursuing an associate degree in business administration with the help of the Citrus College Promise program.
By Mary Ann Lutz
Citrus College Governing Board Member
When Yesenia Bugarin graduated from Monrovia High School in 2021, there was no question that Citrus College would be the next step on her academic journey. “I saw how much support my older sister had received as a Citrus College student, so I was encouraged to apply,” she says.
Within a few short months, Yesenia had successfully settled into life as a college student. The 19-year-old business administration major credits much of her smooth transition to the Citrus College Promise program. Designed to remove barriers that hinder academic success, the Citrus College Promise increases access by covering enrollment costs and other expenses, such as health services, student representation and GoPass transportation fees. However, Yesenia says that monetary assistance isn’t the program’s only benefit.
“The Citrus College Promise not only relieved me of financial burdens, it also ensured that I maintain a good academic standing,” she says. “It has offered me many opportunities to gain professional skills, and the program’s completion specialists consistently reach out to make sure I’m on track. They do their best to support their students one-on-one.”
Individualized support and guidance have been key elements of the Citrus College Promise since the program’s debut in 2018. Valuable members of the Citrus College Promise team, completion specialists ensure that students maintain their program eligibility and make progress toward their academic goals.
To become part of the Citrus College Promise, eligible students must finish the Citrus College Early Decision program or complete the onboarding process for another student support program. Other requirements include submitting a FAFSA or California Dream Act application, declaring a course of study/major, maintaining a minimum of 2.0 GPA, completing a student education plan, and completing college/transfer-level English and mathematics.
After joining the program, students not only have all of their enrollment fees paid, they also receive a $100 textbook voucher. All of this support and guidance is provided throughout the student’s first two years at Citrus College.
Although originally limited to graduating high school seniors, the program expanded last year to include all first-time students who have never attended college and are California residents/AB 540 eligible. As a result, more students can now benefit from the program. In fact, there are approximately 1,000 students currently participating in the program.
“I would recommend the Citrus College Promise program to other students because, aside from the financial and academic assistance, the program helped me feel like I belonged at Citrus College,” Yesenia says. “The program encouraged me to take advantage of all the school’s resources and to finish my associate degree in two years.”
As Monrovia’s representative on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, I am proud of Citrus College’s efforts to increase access and remove barriers to higher education. I am confident that the Citrus College Promise program will continue to provide excellent opportunities for the many first-time college students in our community.
- Brad Haugaard
~ Changes at the Police Department.
~ Monrovia Fire & Rescue and Monrovia Community Emergency Response Team are offering a free three-day CERT Basic Training starting tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 28. Open to Monrovia residents and employees of Monrovia businesses. Ages 16 and over with a parent. Classes will be held on Feb. and 11. CERT volunteers assist Monrovia Fire & Rescue with preparedness education, fire patrols, and disaster response. Email Suzanne Dobson at SDobson@ci.monrovia.ca.us to register or for more information.
- Brad Haugaard
