December Events in Monrovia

~ Christmas tree lighting and parade, this Thursday, Dec. 5. Tree lighting at 6 p.m. Parade - north from Chestnut to Palm on Myrtle - at 7 p.m.

~ Classical Holiday Sounds in the Monrovia Library Lobby, featuring the Sterling Flute Choir Saturday, Dec. 7, 3-4 p.m. Free.

~ A professional performance of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," Dec. 6 at 8 p.m., Dec. 7 at 2 and 8 p.m., and Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. at the Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka Monrovia High Auditorium). Details: http://goo.gl/02HIg4 Preview: http://goo.gl/1Wa73g

~ Buy a tree Saturday, Dec. 7, at Annandale Country Club in Pasadena and help Monrovia's Boys and Girls Club. Call 303–5352.

~ Handel's Messiah - and other Christmas choral pieces - will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Monrovia Presbyterian Church (Myrtle and Foothill).

~ Electronic Waste Recycling Event this Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 7 and 8) at Myrtle and Pomona, 9 a.m. To 3 p.m. Details, Chamber of Commerce: 358–1159.

~ VFW BBQ to help vets. Friday, Dec. 13. 825 S. Magnolia. RSVP to Brian Hanley at 234–0489.

~ Miracle on Myrtle, Friday, Dec. 13, by Fellowship Monrovia. Live Music and snow at 5 p.m. At Library Park.

~ Foothill Unity Center will be distributing food on Dec. 21 and 23. If you'd like to help, contact Raina at 358-3486.

~ "Winter Portrait" will be performed by San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church at Myrtle and Foothill. "A festive, musical collection of seasonal favorites and choral gems including music by Sweelinck, Rutter, Balser, and Baker. With a holiday sing-along and special guest brass quintet, The Oakwood Brass Conspiracy, it's a musical portrait to stir up your holiday cheer." Advance tickets ($15 for gneral admission, $10 for seniors 65+ and for students, $5 for children under 12) at sgvccsingers.org or by calling 253-7248. At the door: $20 for gneral admission, $12 for seniors 65+ and for students, $5 for children under 12.

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas and Hanukkah Books | New VFW Scholarships | Colder Days Ahead

~ Friends of the Monrovia Library will be selling Christmas and Hanukkah books and media after Monday, Dec. 9. The Friends' Store is located inside the Monrovia Public Library, Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m.

~ Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2070 has created a scholarship fund to memorialize local service members who have been killed in combat. It will provide awards to members of the community for patriotism and excellence in their fields. http://goo.gl/gp2FyZ

~ Cold, dry days ahead. Highs should drop to as low as 61 degrees Wednesday through Friday. http://goo.gl/qhZBJ6

- Brad Haugaard

Lost Monrovia Woman

Police looking for lost Monrovia woman. http://goo.gl/QJOog6

Update: Found in Irwindale. http://goo.gl/ERgJKL

- Brad Haugaard

Small Business Saturday in Monrovia

ABC video of Small Business Saturday along Myrtle Avenue. http://goo.gl/OndrMX

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Named Sheriff's Honor Recruit

Deputy Bryan Cramer of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, a resident of Monrovia, was named the Honor Recruit for Sheriff's Academy graduating class. http://goo.gl/4V3aNM

- Brad Haugaard

Paraclete Defeats Monrovia :-(

Paraclete defeats Monrovia 22 to 21. http://goo.gl/ZUfK0p

- Brad Haugaard

Newly Discovered Photo of Monrovia's Founder

Monrovia founder William Monroe and wife Mary Jane in 1929. He died at the age of 94 in 1935. This and other photos recently came to light from the descendants of Monroe's son, G. O. Monroe. (Photo and information courtesy of Monrovia Historic Preservation Group.)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Museum Preparing Military Exhibit

Mark Still, curator of the Monrovia Historical Museum, writes in the latest newsletter of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group that he is building a military exhibit, to be unveiled in spring of 2014. He has discovered that 6,690 Monrovia men and women served in World War II. A few were: Monrovian Bettie Mae Scott, who test-flew military planes and bombers; Tuskegee Airman, Leroy "Buster" Criss, who flew "red-tailed planes" in the war; and Frank Morimoto, a Monrovian of Japanese descent, who served in the famous 442nd Regiment while the soldiers' relatives were incarcerated in relocation camps.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Popeyes

Lunch at Popeyes. They just remodeled this place, so I thought I'd give it a try. Looks a lot nicer inside and out. Got the spicy three-piece boneless combo with dipping sauce for $7.62. Fine for fast food. 

- Brad Haugaard

Help Stuff a Monrovia Fire Engine Today

Today until 4 p.m. Monrovia firefighters need your help to "Stuff the Engine!" A fire truck is parked in front of the Krikorian Theater and the firefighters are collecting new unwrapped toys and sporting goods for a child who would otherwise go without a gift this holiday season. "Join the Monrovia Fire Department and ABC 7 and enjoy the festivities in Old Town Monrovia while contributing to make a child's Christmas more enjoyable!"

Source: City of Monrovia Facebook posting

- Brad Haugaard

Rain in Monrovia? | Restaurant Line-Up | AeroVironment Flies!

~ Thirty percent chance of rain today. There were already some sprinkles on my car when I woke up this morning. http://goo.gl/S6JvbE

~ Gem City Images has discovered the fourth business to occupy the four business spots that have replaced the old Acapulco Restaurant. It appears to be a place called Menchies Frozen Yogurt. So the line-up is: Panera Bread, Menchies, SmashBurger, and Chipotle. http://goo.gl/fZIfi4

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment, though it lost money in its last report, has had its stock jump up 11 percent because it did a lot better than expected. http://goo.gl/Irh5yu

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Thanksgiving! | White Christmas Video | Student Music Video | Black Friday

~ Happy Thanksgiving! Just a 20 percent chance of rain today: http://goo.gl/ZsNtAl

~ Video preview of the professional performance of White Christmas coming up at the Louise Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka high school auditorium): http://goo.gl/unu5Vr

~ Video of Monrovia Schools' all school music program with all grades and ages. At Monrovia High. http://goo.gl/RVM2WM

~ Old Town merchants planning their own Black Friday. http://goo.gl/bDB197

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center - Best Charity

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center reports that readers of Beacon Media News (that's the Monrovia Weekly and others) voted the Unity Center the "Best Charity" in its 2013 Readers' Choice Poll.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Impose Labor Contract on Firefighters; Station Square; Honor Servicemen

At its Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/GXl2pL ), the Monrovia City Council will consider imposing its "Last, Best and Final Offer" on the city firefighters. It would require that firefighers "pay an additional 3% of the employee cost (9%) of the Public Employees' Retirement Benefit, which will eliminate the Employer Paid Member Contribution (EPMC) benefit. The MFA will now be paying the full 9% employee cost of their retirement benefit." Without the requirement, the staff report says, "the City's budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year would not be balanced." Details: http://goo.gl/0OC1F5

Before the main meeting, at 7 p.m., the Council will honor Monrovians serving in the military: Christopher Rosedale, Private Second Class, United States Army; Anthony Daniel Exposito, Second Lieutenant, United States Army; Blake Darby, Seaman Apprentice, United States Navy; Nicholas Espinosa, Seaman Apprentice, United States Navy; Calvin Ray Pratt, Jr., Petty Officer First Class, United States Navy.

At 5:30 p.m., also before the main meeting, the council will hold a study session to consider the "Station Square Public Improvements Concept Design."

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Music in the Monrovia Library

Classical Holiday Sounds in the Monrovia Library Lobby, featuring the Sterling Flute Choir Saturday, Dec. 7, 3-4 p.m. Free, just walk in.

- Brad Haugaard