Dinner at Los Gueros

Dinner at Los Gueros, on the north side of Huntington just west of Magnolia. Got the Special Burrito with carnitas for $11.95 and an iced tea for $2.75. Very good and if “burrito” means little donkey I think I got a full burro, because it was Big! Also, if you come here get the made-at-your-table guacamole; I was scraping the last bits from the bowl with my finger. It’s that good.

- Brad Haugaard

Biking School Board Member Crosses into Arizona

Rob Hammond at Arizona border.

Monrovia school board member and former mayor, Rob Hammond, has crossed into Arizona on the San Diego to Florida bicycle ride he began on Easter Day.

In 2013 Hammond rode his bicycle from Canada to the Mexican border.

You can follow his progress and donate to the Monrovia PTA at this site: http://www.irideforyou.com/track-my-ride.html

- Brad Haugaard

The Homeless and Rotating Churches

I was talking to a friend who attends Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, who said something interesting that I think might be relevant to the homeless problem in Library Park.

Apparently a number of churches in Pasadena feed the homeless, but they take turns, and they don't do the feeding in one place, but at each of the churches.

This taking turns part interests me.

Not that Pasadena is generally a model to be emulated, but I wonder if by taking turns the churches there tend to ensure that the homeless do not all congregate in one area, making life difficult for people who live and work in that particular area. One place doesn't become too much of a problem.

I'm not suggesting this approach solves the problem, but I wonder if it might help.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Women Invited to Tomorrow's Meeting Of Arcadia Woman's Club

Monrovia women are invited to attend tomorrow's meeting of the Arcadia Woman's Club on Wednesday, April 4 at 11 a.m. in its clubhouse, 324 S. First Ave., Arcadia. The meeting will have a baby shower theme with attendees encouraged to bring baby layette items to benefit the Pregnancy Help Center of San Gabriel Valley. Along with games, prizes and cake associated with a baby shower, the meeting will include a social time, business meeting and luncheon, for $15. Reservations may be made with Linda Mokler at 287-0261. More about the club at www.arcadiawomansclub.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Homeless in Park Will Probably Stay; Oak Tree in Park Will Go; New Sign for Studio Movie Grill; Money for Home Security Gone; More

New theater facade.

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ As currently written, the city ordinance against "camping in city parks" is "unenforceable and unconstitutional." The main difficulty in creating a new ordinance is in providing an alternate place for homeless people to go. Chi said that means "it would be unconstitutional for the City to simply say 'get off my lawn' and start pushing homeless people out of the park."

"[I]t is increasingly clear," he writes, "that there is no simple law that can be adopted to make homeless people disappear. Ultimately, adopting the law is easy, enforcing it is hard. The status of homelessness cannot be criminalized, and efforts to simply make homeless individuals go away through any means necessary will likely violate those individuals' constitutional rights if not done carefully and compassionately. Both state and federal courts have made these points exceedingly clear recently."

There will be a City Council study session on the matter today at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

~ A new facade and signage have been approved for Studio Movie Grill. The theater is also working on interior upgrades of food and beverage service areas. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in mid-summer.

~ The Cork Oak tree at Library Park (just east of the fountain) is dying due to a pinhole borer beetle infestation and will have to be removed. The dying tree will be replaced with two new Cork Oak trees.

~ You know the city program to help residents pay for home security systems? Well, it was popular and the money has run out, so it's all over for now.

~ During Spring Break this upcoming week, the Monrovia Library, in partnership with Oak Crest Institute of Science, will be holding daily programs on a variety of scientific and engineering fields. There will be a small Open House event, scheduled for this Thursday, April 5, 2 to 3 p.m.

~ Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills will be honoring outstanding youth. Details: https://goo.gl/S7ci5A

~ Monrovia Garden Club is planting a new Engelmann Oak tree at Kiwanis Park at Grand Avenue today.

~ Monrovia Police Department is participating in Autism Awareness Month. T-shirts are now available (1 for $20, 2 for $30) at the Police Department. For questions contact Seth Hermes at SHermes@monrovia.laclen.org.

~ Monrovia Reads has been added to a new entry sign logo on Huntington Drive, along with the other service clubs in town.

- Brad Haugaard

Volunteers Needed to Pack Food at Post Offices

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center needs volunteers to pack up food gathered by letter carriers as part of The National Letter Carrier Food Drive on Saturday, May 12. People who can handle physical labor can volunteer here: https://goo.gl/d0V1yf

- Brad Haugaard

The Chief Dog

Puppy alert! Say hello to Chief (A452766), a fun 8-month-old shepherd puppy. Playful Chief is an enthusiastic young pup who already knows his sit command. He loves to run around and chase squeaky toys. If you are looking for an active dog to add to your family, stop by and ask for Chief.

The adoption fee for dogs is $130. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home.

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 at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

** The Pasadena Humane Society is launching “Kitten Week,” a week-long awareness and action campaign held April 23-29, to encourage community members to spay/neuter, adopt, and get involved. You can find more information at pasadenahumane.org/kittenweek.

The Pasadena Humane Society serves Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

Talk on 'Freedom is Ours Now' at Myrtle Tree Cafe

Christian Science practitioner Patricia Woodard will give a talk, "Breaking News: Freedom is Ours Now", Monday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. at The Myrtle Tree Garden Cafe at 405 S. Myrtle. She will explore the practicality of Christ Jesus' life and works as recorded in the Bible and as discussed in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, written by the founder of the Christian Science movement, Mary Baker Eddy.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Easter, Monrovia. He Has Risen!

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come see the place where he lay.” - Matthew 28:6

See, the tomb is empty!

This is the Easter setup at our house. A paper mache cave that held “Jesus,” wrapped in tissue and closed off with a coffee coaster (usually we use a grapefruit), and guarded by our son’s old Lego soldiers.

Now, as you can see, the soldiers are out cold and Jesus has arisen (Don’t tell but he’s now on top of the fireplace mantle). We’ve done this since our kids were little and they had fun trying to figure out where Jesus had arisen to.

Happy Easter, Monrovia!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Tattoo Regulations; Homeless Response; Etc.

At a 4:30 p.m. study session on Tuesday, April 3, the City Council will review tattoo regulations for Old Town. https://goo.gl/BHnmVX

Then at 5:30 it will discuss "Possible Homeless Response Regulations." https://goo.gl/j4J5et

At its regular 7:30 p.m. meeting (https://goo.gl/iFLMbu) the council will consider participating in the "National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation," a contest among cities to see which can save the most water. https://goo.gl/yP6fS7

And it will consider a Mills Act Contract for an historic landmark house at 310 Wildrose Avenue. The contract gives the property owner a tax break in return for maintaining the property in an historic state. https://goo.gl/5inpwR

- Brad Haugaard

Interview With New Monrovia Football Coach; Development Trends; Fundraising Dance; Bear Video

~ An interview with new Monrovia football coach, Chris Williams: https://goo.gl/XrDVs9

~ City Manager Oliver Chi will hold a workshop at the 9th Annual MAP Neighborhood Conference on April 21 on development trends in Monrovia. Register here: https://goo.gl/8Q9GB7

~ The Monrovia Latino Heritage Society will present a scholarship fundraising dance on Sunday, April 22, from 2-7 p.m. at the VFW Post at 250 E. First Street in Azusa. $20 per person; $25 at the door. Music by The In Crowd. For information contact Pat Lowell at 386-5896 or Cuca Mack at 359-2130.

~ Here's another bear video: https://goo.gl/yZee1J

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at The Shrimp House

Dinner at the Shrimp House, an old-style seafood restaurant at the corner of Myrtle and Live Oak. Got the Pacific Snapper with sides of veggies, and beans and rice, for $14.39 and an iced tea for $2.79. Very good. Liked it a lot! Nice service, too.

- Brad Haugaard

Easter Egg Hunt Tomorrow

Easter Egg Hunt. March 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Recreation Park. Arts and crafts, face painting, carnival games, a petting zoo, wellness activities, healthy lifestyle demonstrations, toddler and teen activities. Registration at 9 a.m. For more information contact the Department of Public Services at 256-8246. https://goo.gl/mfMzbb

- Brad Haugaard

Readers Choice: The Best Burger in Monrovia

The readers have spoken. The best burger in Monrovia is at 38 Degrees, with 15.3% of the vote. Followed as close seconds by Jake's Roadhouse and Jim's Burger, with 13.6% of the vote, each. I agree with the result, but wonder how it might have turned out if we had asked what is the best burger for under $8. But, yeah, the 38 Degrees burger is pretty amazing!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Honored for Julian Fisher Park Renovation; Prevent Mosquitoes; Library Park Fountain Leak; Literacy Fundraiser

In his weekly report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ The City has received a California Parks and Recreation Society Award for its renovation of Julian Fisher Park. It is being recognized at the Annual Awards and Installation Dinner today in Diamond Bar.

~ Once a week, people should "Tip 'N Toss" stagnant water, which can breed mosquitoes. Mosquitoes kill and sicken more people than any other creature on the planet. West Nile virus, zika, yellow fever and dengue fever are new diseases that threaten our communities.

~ Library Park fountain will be shut off to fix a leak. Chi said thee fountain should be back up and running soon.

~ The fourth annual literacy fundraiser, Team Up Dream Up for Literacy will be held on Sunday, April 22 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Monrovia Public Library. It will be an afternoon of team competition in a game show format with silent and live auctions. Early Bird pricing for $60 tickets ends on April 8. Buy tickets here (https://goo.gl/YWeMNK) or at the Monrovia Library. Plus, to win $1,000 in gift cards to Old Town eateries, you can purchase raffle tickets for $10 each at the Friends Book Store in the Library. You do not need to be present at the fundraiser to win the raffle. All proceeds from raffle tickets sales benefit Literacy Services.


- Brad Haugaard