Ceramic pieces by local artists. This is a fundraiser for The Wheelhouse community studio. It's located behind Troy's Donuts and Burgers, just southwest of the corner of Myrtle and Duarte Road.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Register today here to pick up a free chalk kit including a 30-piece box of chalk, then have fun on Thanksgiving weekend creating art with family and friends with the theme, "What We're Thankful For."
Submit photos of your artwork (one with the art alone and one with those who created it) by midnight on November 27 to christine@monroviafinearts.org.
Compete for prizes: $50 restaurant gift cards.
For more information email christine@monroviafinearts.org.
- Brad Haugaard
First Pacific Electric Car into Monrovia. March 1, 1903 marked the beginning of service by the Pacific Electric Railway to Monrovia and this is the first car. In 1907 service was extended to Duarte, Azusa and Glendora and the completion of the PE Depot in Monrovia. At first, as shown here, there was only a single track, double track came later. The track crossing the PE tract as shown here was that of the Myrtle Ave Street Railway, the 'horse car' line of the early days. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.
The area being considered for widening is Wildrose Avenue and Bradbury Road between the entrance to Bradbury Estates and Winding Oak Lane.
In its staff report, Bradbury says that the curvy, narrow road "presents hazards and challenges to large moving trucks, horse trailers, and construction vehicles entering and exiting the Estates main entrance" and that that problem is made worse because large vehicles are not allowed to use the narrow Wild Rose bridge in Monrovia to approach the estates entrance.
Grow Monrovia is concerned that the project will change the scenic character of Wildrose and Bradbury, that Monrovians will lose one of the few shaded walkways in east Monrovia, that it will result in more traffic, particularly for heavy trucks, that there will be more pollution and noise, and that oak trees will be removed (Bradbury says 11 oak trees "will be impacted by construction").
The Bradbury City Council meets tomorrow, Tuesday, 7 p.m. at 600 Winston Avenue, in Bradbury. Agenda and staff report: t.ly/6S9i. The staff report begins on page 36. Grow Monrovia's report is here: t.ly/gxDu
- Brad Haugaard
During a tour of the two homes, which are side-by-side on the east side of Ivy just south of City Hall, Saxony representative Joshua Cain said “everything will be authentic” to the old style, that the B&B would have 11 guest rooms in the two buildings and a small bungalow that will replace the modern garage, a dining area for special events, an area in front of the north building (the Blair House) for small weddings, and - city permitting - a small coffee shop on the south side of the south building.
He said the “breakfast” part of the bed-and-breakfast may be a voucher to various restaurants in Old Town. Cain said they plan to complete the project by the end of next year.
Monrovia Historic Preservation Group President Jim Wigdon said because of Saxony’s reputation for quality historic restorations, they are the “perfect ones to take over restoration of Steve’s homes.”
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
~ Receive a quarterly budget report showing the city is doing a $6.54 million better financially than expected. From the report: "The preliminary outlook for the City's General Fund for Fiscal Year 2021-22 is extremely positive. As City Council will recall, based on the Revised Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget, presented in May 2022, the General Fund was originally expected to close the year with a $2.87M surplus. However, due to a series of one-time revenues received during the year, a strong overall performance in many revenues, and savings in expenditure budgets, there is an estimated surplus of $6.54M for the 2021-22 Fiscal Year. The majority of the positive variance to budget is due to strong revenues exceeding expectations and the collection of several one-time revenues during the year, making up $2.67M of the variance to budget. Additionally, savings in maintenance and operations expenditures contributed $0.99M to this positive ending position. Most savings in this category is due to staff's diligent management of departmental operating budgets (i.e., only spending what was necessary)." t.ly/SWPF
~ Consider bumping City Manager Dylan Feik's salary up by five percent, from $227,115 to $238,471. t.ly/-Rba
~ Consider hiring Mel Smith Electric to replace the electrical equipment that runs the city's water system. "The current electrical system has reached the end of its useful life, with at least one switchgear reaching such an advanced stage of decline that multiple electrical contractors have refused to service the equipment due to safety concerns." The contract is for $2,977,940 with a contingency amount up to $297,794. t.ly/-Ct2
~ Receive a report on the city's response to recommendations of its ad hoc Committee on Equity and Inclusion, formed in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. The committee "did not find or identify any policies, practices or procedures which present barriers to diversity, equity and inclusion" but still made 48 recommendations. This is a report on the city's progress on those recommendations: t.ly/Vd4M
~ Consider updating the city's building code by adopting the 2022 edition of the California Building Code and the 2022 California Fire Code. t.ly/30Zc
- Brad Haugaard
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 3 –9. - Brad Haugaard]During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 332 service events, resulting in 76 investigations.
While the measure is currently ahead in the voting, having 58.69% of the vote, about 4% above the 55% needed to pass, there are still votes to be counted, and the county doesn't expect to certify the election results until December 5.
But we probably won't need to wait until then to have a good idea of whether it has passed.
I spoke with City Clerk Alice Atkins, who has had experience in numerous elections, and asked her when we could be reasonably certain of the results. Her best estimate - this coming Tuesday.
She wrote: "I think I'm comfortable saying that depending on the spread, results released next Tuesday could be a good indicator of whether Measure MM has the number of votes necessary to pass (55%). In my experience, following that count, the processing slows and changes are less dramatic, but in close races leads do sometimes flip.
"Also, according to the County, the number of mail ballot returns for MUSD is 6,527, with 1,889 still to be processed. Keep in mind, state law allows for mail ballots to be received up through Tuesday of next week, so long as they were postmarked no later than election day, so that number of outstanding ballots will change as the County continues to pick up mail."
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
"In this workshop you will learn the benefits of native plants, how to use them in your landscape and you will help plant over 600 native plants to complete the meadow project." t.ly/atmN
Following the workshop there will be a native plant sale at the Monrovia Historic Museum at 742 E. Lemon.
- Brad Haugaard
It is said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. The way to Bucky’s heart is through butt scratches. It’s his favorite thing in the world! He is very content to be the recipient of all the scritches and scratches that you can manage. Of course, he’s also a fan of treats, so don’t forget about those!
Buddy recently got to be an office dog for one of our staff members, and he had a great time! He really enjoyed looking out the window and watching people walk down the sidewalk. He also enjoyed greeting everyone who walked down the hall in front of the office. Bucky probably has a future career in hospitality!
If you’re looking for an extrovert who is ready for any party, Bucky’s your guy.
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 10:00 a.m.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
First National Bank interior. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.
"I learned this morning that Norman Ross passed away recently. Norman was, notably, the last surviving World War II vet in the Monrovia VFW. He was in his 90s and (until I lost touch with him a couple of years ago, at least) still driving and enjoying libations at the post regularly.
"Norm was black and had lived in Monrovia for at least 50 years. He told me of the era -- in my life time -- when the city pool was segregated and he could only swim one day a week. This also means, of course, he served in the Navy when it was very segregated. Norm loathed false complaints of racism almost as much as actual racism.
"He was a character who will be missed."
Robert Parry
With the National Weather Service forecasting thunderstorms through Wednesday morning, L.A. County Department of Public Works issued a Phase 2 Debris and Mudflow Potential Forecast for the neighborhood of Ridgeside Drive and Oakglade Drive. This means moderate debris and mudflows are possible. LA County Department of Public Works and the Monrovia Public Works Department will respond to any mud and debris flow.\
A limited number of prefilled gravel bags are available at the Monrovia Public Works Yard (600 Mountain Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016). Gravel is also available at Recreation Park (847 E Olive Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016). Gravel at Recreation Park is self-serve. The city will provide bags and gravel; residents must bring their own shovels, gloves, and eye protection. For questions, contact the Public Works Department at 932-5575.
- Brad Haugaard