Lots of Vintage Items Still Available from Monrovia Historical Society Sale

In June the Monrovia Historical Society held a very successful sale of vintage items that either did not fit its mission or where surplus, the proceeds of which will go to re-plaster the ceiling of the historic Anderson House at 215 East Lime.

Some items, however, have not sold, and have now been marked down. A dresser, chairs, Victrola records, maps, tableware, and more. You can see and purchase the items here: https://monroviahistoricalsociety.org/sale

- Brad Haugaard

One-Year-Old MJ - Still Full of Kitten Energy and Playfulness

One-year-old MJ is an active and playful cat who still has that kitten energy! MJ would do best with an adopter who can give her lots of enrichment, mental stimulation, toys, and scratchers. She especially loves wand toys. MJ loves to be the center of attention, and would do best as the only pet in the home. This tabby girl is confident and adventurous, and can’t wait to have lots of fun with you!

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.

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

A Moment in Monrovia History: Who Wants a Pony?

Monrovia Day c. 1940 drawing to win a Shetland pony.. See full details here. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection.

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

Monrovia Woman Shot on Freeway Identified as Betty Hernandez, 36

The 36-year-old Monrovia woman who was shot on the eastbound 210 freeway near Baldwin Avenue Saturday morning has been identified on social media reports as Betty Hernandez, a mother of three young children. A GoFundMe page has been set up to pay for her funeral expenses:  https://is.gd/kh3MWw

Update: The Pasadena Star-News identifies the victim as Bertha Hernandez, and her age as 35.

- Brad Haugaard

Victim in Freeway Shooting Was 36-Year-Old Monrovia Woman

The victim in the shooting death on the 210 Freeway near Baldwin Avenue Saturday morning was a 36-year-old Monrovia woman. The shooting shut down the eastbound freeway until about 3:15 p.m. The matter is still under investigation. https://is.gd/9K8DVl

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Today: Oak-tober Coming Up; Box Clock, Coyotes, Car Show, Mystery of the Murals

The latest edition of Monrovia Today is now online: https://is.gd/xpTZSt

A few highlights:

The City Council has declared October as Oak-tober to celebrate the city's oak trees, mostly the Coast Live Oak. And just so you know, in most cases substantial pruning or removal of an oak requires an Oak Tree Permit.

There are also articles about how the Box Clock in Old Town has moved, what to do if you see a coyote ("Make the coyote feel uncomfortable"), a car show and derby on Sept. 11, the mystery of how five painted murals by Paul Thevanaz ended up in a garage on Foothill, and lots of activities.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Electric Vehicle Charging Through Oct. 1; Preparedness; Meeting on Plans for Lucinda Garcia Park; Water Conservation Kits

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

~ The first EV charging stations in Old Town Monrovia are now open at 124 E Lemon and to celebrate the city is offering free charging through October 1. You'll need to download the Powerflex app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. At the charging station launch the app and scan the QR code on the station. For questions contact Chris Castruita at 256-8224 or ccastruita@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

~  It's National Preparedness Month and Monrovia is encouraging residents to be ready for emergencies. Here are some tips from the city: https://is.gd/GfJ2vi. And more ideas from the federal government: https://is.gd/oiep4i

~ There will be a meeting at Lucinda Garcia Park on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. to discuss improvements coming to the park. Construction is set begin in early 2022. For more information call 256-8246. https://is.gd/bYaOId

~ The city is offering water conservation kits for free (one per household). Fill out this form (https://is.gd/aYrzCw) to request a kit for-pick up at the Public Works Yard located at 600 S. Mountain

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Coronavirus Count: 56 More Cases, One New Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 09/01/2021. Changes since 08/25/2021.

City of Monrovia: 3,708 cases (up 56), 80 deaths up 1
Unincorporated Monrovia: 426 cases (up 3), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

City Council to Vote on 'No Confidence' in DA Gascon; Repeal of Commercial Tenant Eviction Ban; Will Review Library, Community Center Projects; Suicide Prevention and Hispanic Heritage Months

At its next meeting (https://is.gd/qmA4bh) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider a vote of "no confidence" in LA County District Attorney George Gascon, essentially for his adopting a policy of dismissing many different criminal charges out of hand, including such charges such as "making criminal threats, trespass and resisting arrest." Approximately 25 other cities have passed such a resolution (https://is.gd/iYoAPm). This vote will come after the council hears a report by Mayor Pro Tem Crudgington and Councilmember Blackburn on their meeting with representatives of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys regarding concerns the city has with the actions of Gascon (https://is.gd/7VI0yr).

~ Repeal the city's moratorium on the eviction of commercial tenants for non-payment of rent. The staff report indicates that the Covid-related measure may no longer be necessary. https://is.gd/bqbshG

~ Review the proposed Library Enhancement Project and Community Center Renovations. https://is.gd/E6NE4j

~ Proclaim September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (https://is.gd/koQYGl) and Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month (https://is.gd/GFz7xt).

- Brad Haugaard

Career and Job Expo Sept. 8

It looks like you have to sign up to attend. Details: https://is.gd/nGnfnn

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Three Arrested for Catalytic Converter Thefts; Pounding on Fire Department Door; Man Thinks He's Being Followed - Throws Brick at Car; Boyfriend Punches Her Grandfather; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 26 – September 1. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 413 service events, resulting in 59 investigations.

Grand Theft – Suspects Arrested
August 26 at 3:44 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Lime and Canyon regarding subjects seen underneath a vehicle. The subjects fled when the reporting party walked up to the vehicle. They were seen driving away in a truck. A responding officer located the truck and conducted a traffic stop. An investigation was conducted and it was determined that the subjects were responsible for stealing the victim’s catalytic converter. All three suspects were arrested.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
August 26 at 9:48 a.m., a caller reported a traffic collision at the intersection of Myrtle and Palm. Officers arrived and checked on the well-being of the occupants. No one complained of injuries and both drivers requested an exchange of information.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
August 26 at 4:25 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Colorado called police to report a hit and run traffic collision. The resident parked his vehicle on the street. When he returned to it later, he saw traffic collision damage. No note was left. This investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
August 27 at 4:27 a.m., an officer was patrolling the parking lot of a hotel in the 700 block of W. Huntington. An investigation revealed that one of the parked vehicles had been reported stolen. It was recovered and taken out of the stolen vehicle system. This investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
August 28 at 3:19 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of E. Lemon regarding a subject pounding on the Fire Department’s door. Upon arrival, it was determined the subject was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Vandalism / Mental Evaluation
August 28 at 2:12 p.m., a resident in the 1400 block of California called police to report that a subject just threw a brick through a car window. Officers arrived and located the subject. They attempted to detain him, but he would not comply. After repeated commands to stop and sit down, the subject finally complied. He said he thought several people were following him in the vehicle, so he threw a brick through the windshield. It was determined he needed to be evaluated by a mental health professional. He was transported to a nearby facility for treatment.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
August 29 at 12:56 a.m., an officer patrolling near the intersection of Duarte and Third saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver appeared to be under the influence. A DUI investigation was conducted and the driver was arrested for DUI. He was taken into custody and held for a sobering period.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
August 29 at 7:37 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of W. Lime reported an unknown motorist sideswiped his parked vehicle sometime during the night. The suspect vehicle did not stop nor did the driver leave a note. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested
August 29 at 11:17 a.m., a loss prevention officer for a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported he was detaining a male adult who left the store without paying for merchandise he had taken. Officers arrived and, after investigation, placed the suspect under arrest.

Battery
August 29 at 6:18 p.m., a caller reported two relatives were in a fist fight at a residence in the 200 block of N. Canyon. Officers arrived and found one subject with minor injuries and the other subject fled the area. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
August 29 at 7:53 p.m., a caller reported seeing a possible drunk driver near the intersection of California and Maple. Officers responded to the area and located the vehicle. The driver was contacted and refused to comply with lawful commands. The driver attempted to drive away, but was stopped by officers. It was determined he had been driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Threatening / Battery – Suspect Arrested
August 30 at 12:44 a.m., a resident in the 1200 block of S. Sherman called police to report he had just been threatened by his granddaughter's boyfriend. While officers were searching for the suspect at another location, the grandfather left his residence and went to the gas station. The suspect drove by and recognized the grandfather's vehicle. The suspect stopped and confronted the grandfather. The suspect punched the grandfather several times in the face and broke his phone. The suspect fled, but was quickly stopped by officers in the area. He was positively identified and arrested.

Robbery
August 30 at 3:59 a.m., a female subject called police to report she had just been robbed of her purse and punched in the face in the 1700 block of S. Myrtle. The victim gave officers a description of the vehicle, which was later located unoccupied. The victim only knows the suspect by his first name and wasn't sure where he lived. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
August 30 at 2:10 p.m., the owner of a business in the 100 block of W. Pomona arrived to work and discovered someone had spray painted graffiti all over the side wall of his building. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
August 30 at 3:06 p.m., a resident in the 1000 block of E. Lemon walked outside his home and discovered someone had shattered the rear window on his car. It did not appear anyone made entry into the vehicle and nothing was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
August 30 at 3:19 p.m., a caller reported two motorists collided into one another in the intersection of Myrtle and Evergreen. Officers arrived and found no one was injured. The party found most at fault was issued a citation for the driving violation.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
August 30 at 5:22 p.m., a driver reported another motorist just collided into her vehicle in the 600 block of W. Foothill. Both motorists pulled over to the curb and stopped, however, when the driver exited her vehicle, the other motorist fled the area. Officers searched for the suspect, but could not locate him. This investigation is continuing.

Assault Report
August 31 at 1:09 a.m., a male subject called police from the 300 block of W. Huntington to report that he was just assaulted by two suspects. Officers arrived and saw the victim was bleeding from the head. They checked the area, but the suspects had already fled. The victim was transported to the hospital for treatment. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
August 31 at 9:45 a.m., a resident in the 1000 block of E. Royal Oaks discovered a large amount of her jewelry was missing from boxes she had a moving company transport for her to her new home. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
September 1 at 9:28 a.m., a caller reported new graffiti on the sidewalk in the 1800 block of S. Alta Vista. The graffiti was written in black spray paint on the sidewalk. It is unknown who vandalized the sidewalk. Athens graffiti removal was notified for cleanup.

Medical Assist
September 1 at 2:48 p.m., a naked male subject was reported trying to get into a leasing office at an apartment complex in the 200 block of W. Pomona. He had left the area, but responding officers located him in the 100 block of E. Pomona. He would not comply with the officers’ commands and attempted to walk away, but the officers detained him without incident. Paramedics responded and so did the subject’s roommate. It was learned that the male subject was recently discharged from the military and had talked about taking magic mushrooms the night before. The subject was taken to a hospital for treatment due to his hallucinations.

Residential Burglary
September 1 at 3:21 p.m., a landlord of a property in the 200 block of W. Lemon reported that a vehicle backed into the carport area and two male suspects broke into a storage unit. The owner of the storage unit is out of town, so the loss is unknown at this time. The landlord provided surveillance footage of the incident. This investigation is continuing.

City Seeks Feedback on its Americans with Disabilities Act Plan

 Monrovia is updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan and would like feedback from the community and organizations assisting persons with disabilities. Details: https://is.gd/HIzxOm

- Brad Haugaard

Former 1776 Restaurant to Become 'The State'

The San Bernardino Sun reports (https://is.gd/h3LtgJ) that the restaurant, The State, in Redlands and Rancho Cucomonga, will be expanding to a new location at 504 S. Myrtle, in Monrovia, the site of the former 1776. It appears to be in the sports-bar genre: https://is.gd/S4gGGT

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Hella Bird

Dinner at the new Hella Bird fried chicken restaurant in the Sprouts shopping area at Huntington and Alta Vista. Got the KJ Chicken for $14 and a drink for $2.50. Very good! The restaurant has a help wanted sign in the window, which probably explains the very long wait. I’d call your order in early. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Job Openings for City of Monrovia

Open positions:

• Office Administrator for Police Department. Full-time - $55,882.50 - $74,887.90 annually.
• Police Services Representative. Full-time - $43,575.41 - $58,395.22 annually.
• Recreation Specialist for Community Services Department. Part-time regular - $15.24 - $20.42 hourly. 

Details: https://is.gd/Py240p

- Brad Haugaard

Tonight Whosoevers Discuss Dangers of Drugs, Alcohol, and Depression

Guest speaker Ryan Ries was to speak to youth at 7 tonight (Sept. 1) about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, depression and suicidal feelings at Calvary Chapel Monrovia, 1307 S. Myrtle. However, the church reports that "Ryan Ries cannot make it. Covid related." However, his group, The Whosoevers, "are coming with the same message."

- Brad Haugaard

A Tour of Canyon Park

The park is open but yes, reservations are required. 

In the lower part of the park not much has changed except for the addition of colorfully painted K-rail. 

If you want to branch off from the park and go up to Camp Trask or beyond, you’re not supposed to. The area beyond Trask is US Forest Service territory and the USFS hasn’t opened things up yet. It’s supposed to open next year. 

Lots of trees that were partially burned are coming back. 

Entry points to the trails all have these legal notices saying, essentially, that if something happens to you it ain’t the city’s fault. 


The part of the trail to the waterfall that I saw showed some damage, but other parts looked fine. I spoke to a ranger who said that it is like that pretty much all the way up to the waterfall. Nice spots and badly damaged spots.

- Brad Haugaard 

City Historian Steve Baker Reflects on History for His 80th Birthday

City Historian Steve Baker (but he's got a beard now).

As he approaches his 80th birthday on Sept. 4, we got Steve Baker, Monrovia Historical Society President and official Monrovia City Historian, to reflect on the past – his own and Monrovia's.

Baker says he came by his interest in Monrovia history by osmosis, that perhaps being osmosis from his parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and great great grandparents, all of whom were Monrovia residents. He is the fifth generation.

"Growing up I heard lots of stories. Granny was good storyteller and my dad was even better. I didn't have to work at it, just absorb it."

Though he was too young to remember it, he first came to Monrovia to visit for Christmas 1941, then came to live in 1945. His banking job led him to Northern California for a while, but he returned in 1967 and has been a resident ever since.

He said his interest in Monrovia history probably really started when he was a preteen or teen. "I remember checking Charlie Davis's 1938 ‘History of Monrovia and Duarte’ out of the public library. I read it carefully and was particularly interested in the section about old homes." Steve said he wasn't old enough to drive, "so my long-suffering dad drove me around so I could see them first hand."

While the Monrovia Historical Society was formed in 1979, and acquired the historic Anderson House on East Lime that same year, Steve did not become an active member of MHS until 1981, when he became a board member, and he's been on the board ever since, and been president, he said, "entirely too long." In 1991 he was also named by the City Council as Monrovia's official city historian, succeeding Myron Hotchkiss.

And what does he do as city historian?

Generally, he said, it's answering questions, mostly from people asking about the homes they live in. "Most of the time," he said, "I can come up with an answer."

He lives in one of Monrovia's first houses, built for John F. Brossart, president of the First National Bank of Monrovia, and later occupied by his great great grandfather, Bradford Arthur, and his great grandmother, Jennie Arthur Church. The house was probably completed in September, 1887, and was initially located on South Heliotrope, then was moved to East Lemon, and finally to South Ivy, where it is today. Steve said his great grandmother moved it to Ivy to be closer to downtown shopping when her father died and there was no man in the house to hitch the horse to the carriage.

So why has Steve focused so much of his life on what is dead and gone?

Well, it's not dead and gone, he says, quoting a passage from William Faulkner's novel, "Requiem for a Nun," "The past is never dead. It's not even past."

Meaning, he said, that we assume when things are out of our experience that they're gone, but they're not; they still have a significant impact, such as the sacrifice of Jesus almost 2,000 years ago. That event, he said, is still influential.

And he cites his own house. "I grew up where my grandparents lived. That had a subtle impact. I know which rooms they lived and died in. I've encountered the imprint of the two generations that preceded my grandmother, plus my grandmother and my parents. The parlor and the back parlor have a distinct feeling, a presence, if you will. An old house bears the imprint of everyone who ever lived in it."

It makes him consider the interconnectedness of all things, and that "the will of God exists for each moment. Our greatest task," he said, "is to discern and do that will."

And for Steve that involves a commitment to the past, for both the City of Monrovia and the Monrovia Historical Society.

So, while "I'm not against development per se, I am concerned about it on a scale that could alter the character of the community. It has the potential to do that at a certain level.

"I'm glad much of it is being done near the train station. That has less of an impact on the heart of the city.

"ADDs [accessory dwelling units, i.e. granny flats] are a good compromise. They create more housing without compromising the view from the street."

And for the Monrovia Historical Society he believes its goal should continue to be, through the Anderson House, to "provide the public with an immersion experience. To give the feeling of how people lived 100 years ago. There's nowhere else where you can step into the past.

"Consider the kitchen, what Lizzie had to deal with every day. Building a fire, canning, baking, cooking three meals a day, washing, ironing, sweeping carpets, taking them out to beat them.

"It's important to understand what formed their character, their discipline, their stamina and self-discipline, the character of rising to the task, the rhythm of their lives."

Even the history of his own life has left a mark on his life. He reminisces ...

"My mom would tell bedtime stories. The adventures of Dorothy, made up as she went along. She asked me to recite my evening prayers. 'Now I lay me down to sleep...'

"I remember our first TV set. It was about four-inches square. Slightly larger but not by much. And there was the William Tell overture that I played on a wind-up Victrola.

"Dad would read a bedtime story and would skip parts to speed it up. I'd say, 'No daddy, the next sentence is...’

"Nana's older sister taught me my colors using spools of thread. Then when my mother bought meat at the butcher she would ask me for a ration coupon [during World War II]. 'Stevie,' she said, 'I need a red (or blue) point,' and I could give it to her because I'd learned my colors.

"My earliest memory of a public event occurred when Franklin Roosevelt died. I wasn't sure who he was but from the emotion of the adults I knew it was a big event."

Happy 80th Birthday, Steve.

- Brad Haugaard

Man Killed by Train Friday Identified

The man who was struck and killed by a Metro train near California Avenue and Duarte Road in Monrovia at about 4:25 a.m. Friday has been identified as Fabian Cano, 20, of Duarte. https://is.gd/H0Ntgg

- Brad Haugaard

One-Eared Chico - Just Lookin' For Love

Five-year-old Chico is such a sweetie, and is just looking for someone to love! In his previous home, Chico was attacked by another dog and lost his right ear due to his injuries. He’s healing well, and despite his wounds, is still an affectionate and happy pup. Chico is a handsome dog with a big smile and the sweetest eyes. We know someone will fall in love with this adorable one-eared 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