Monrovia Transit Program Unpopular With Disabled; Upgrades to Lucinda Garcia Park?

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

~ In addition to its Lyft program, the city has a transportation program for the disabled, but they don't like it.  Chi said the "surprising news" from users is that they don't like the smaller vans, though they're easier to get in and out of. So the city is thinking of "bringing in a different type of ADA accessible vehicle" and also addressing some "minor complaints regarding the dispatch operation," which he said, should be "fully resolved here within the next few weeks."

~ The state has $254.9 million available for park and recreation facilities in underserved communities and Monrovia's Lucinda Garcia Park (Olive just west of Mayflower) could qualify. Monrovia will apply for some of the money to: expand the park into adjacent open space, upgrade play equipment, add safety surfacing at the playground area, add exercise equipment, repair the pathway and upgrade the landscaping, among a few other things.

- Brad Haugaard

Officer Montes Appointed Monrovia Schools Resource Officer

Officer Thomas Montes, who has served the city of Monrovia since 2006, has been appointed as Monrovia's new School Resource Officer (SRO) for the 2019-20 school year.

Montes is well-known at Monrovia Unified, having worked closely with many of the District's site administrators in the past, ensuring that Monrovia schools remain a safe and nurturing learning environment for students.

"Officer Montes has been a support to Monrovia Unified schools in his career as an officer, and he has responded to calls from various schools to provide support and guidance during difficult situations," said Jennifer Jackson, Clifton Middle School principal. "He is a professional, calm, and a asset to students and their families, and we are excited for him to serve as our new School Resource Officer."

Montes has a background in psychology and knowledge and experience working with individuals of all ages.

"We are excited to welcome Officer Thomas Montes to Monrovia Unified," Superintendent Katherine Thorossian said. "We are positive that he will provide excellent support to our schools and to our students."

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library Gets Worldwide Recognition

I think Africazine, which focuses on Africa news, thinks we're the Monrovia in Liberia, Africa. Well, nice to get worldwide publicity: https://is.gd/CRqw28

- Brad Haugaard

Free Monrovia Music Fest Returning Sunday, June 2

Monrovia Music Fest is back for the 6th year of free fun and festivities at Library Park, 321 S. Myrtle Ave in Old Town Monrovia, on Sunday, June 2nd, 2019 from 12-7pm. Admission is free!

The event will feature a diverse mix of musical genres throughout the day. Artists will include: virtuosic Latin guitar duets with Carbe and Durand, space reggae with the Lowtops, The Eric Turner Band bringing electric blues, world-renown musical whistling with The Whistling Diva, plus an assortment of Alternative Rock, R&B, Indie, and more. Admission is free.

Festival-goers will love the wide selection of local craft beers from all four Monrovia craft brewers: Hop Secret, Over Town, Wingwalker, and Pacific Plate, as well as 38 Degrees Ale House and Congregation Ale. The craft beer garden also offers a VIP lounge, where you can enjoy preferred seating, an included beer, a commemorative cup, and beer service. VIP tickets are available on MonroviaMusicFest.com - $23 online or $25 at the door.

Monrovia Music Fest also features a curated artisan market, fun activities for the whole family, plus interactive areas with giant bubbles, KROQ, and KTLA. A tasty variety of food trucks are providing delicious sustenance from: Baby's Badass Burgers, Cousins Maine Lobster, Middle Feast  (Food Truck Wars winner), LA Donut, and Dulce Europa Shaved Ice. The Metro Gold Line Monrovia Station on Myrtle Ave brings attendees just a mile down the street from the fun at Library Park.

Monrovia Music Fest is produced by two entrepreneurs from Monrovia: Carole Anne Kaufman, a two-time world champion musical whistler known as “The Whistling Diva,” and Clara Mayer, who survived and is thriving after two massive strokes just two years ago. “We work straight from the heart, our whole objective is to bring communities together through music and art,” said Mayer.

What started as a small community fest in 2014 has grown to become one of the largest free music and art festivals in the San Gabriel Valley, drawing a crowd from all over Los Angeles County. Throughout the years, Monrovia Music Fest has championed regional indie talent, featured a Grammy Award winner and international musicians, promoted local businesses, and partnered with non-profit organizations such as Homeboy Industries and the Boys and Girls Club. This year the Fest has partnered with the Renal Support Network, a nonprofit which provides services for those with kidney disease.

The producers, Studio C Productions, have been awarded by Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, the State Senate, and the Chamber of Commerce for their community contributions. The festival is possible thanks to the support of their Elite Sponsors: The Wizard of Bras, and Cacique, the leading brand of Mexican-style cheeses in the United States, both headquartered in Monrovia, CA.

For more information, please visit the official website of the Monrovia Music Fest at www.monroviamusicfest.com and follow Monrovia Music Fest on Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, YouTube, and Instagram @MonroviaFest. Phone: 626-509-909.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Cheers for Monrovia Schools' Parade Participants

Hundreds of Monrovia community members cheered as students from Monrovia Unified School District performed with their school bands and rode bikes, unicycles, and floats while dressed in spirit gear on May 18 during the Monrovia Days community festival parade.

The three-day festival was hosted by the District, the City of Monrovia, Centre Stage, and the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley. The event featured entertainment by Monrovia scholars, food, games, and carnival rides.

"I am really proud to have performed during the Monrovia Days celebration," said Rhianne Weir, eighth-grader from Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School. "I am happy to have shown the community all of the great things our band teacher, Tony Ellis, has taught us."

Guests enjoyed performances from Santa Fe's advanced band, Clifton Middle School's band, Monrovia High School's marching band, as well as Centre Stage, a theater company that includes many Monrovia Unified scholars.

"Monrovia Days is a celebration of the great things happening in our community and in our District," Board President Ed Gililland said. "It is a delight to see our students embrace this celebration and show their school pride."

In addition to the performances, the District showcased award-winning programs at a series of information booths, including robotics and performing arts.

"Monrovia Days is yet another event that distinguishes Monrovia from other cities," Superintendent Katherine Thorossian said. "We come together to celebrate the City's birthday and showcase the many unique opportunities afforded through our schools."

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Public Library Building Celebrates 10th Anniversary

On May 16, the City of Monrovia celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Monrovia Public Library building.

The 28,000-square foot library held its grand opening on May 16, 2009. Placed in the heart of our community, the building is a welcoming space where our youth, adults and families gather to enjoy enriched experiences.

Originally conceived in 1895, the Monrovia Public Library was founded by a group of Monrovia women and was located in a room in the Granite Bank building. Throughout the century, as the collection of books expanded, the Library relocated and the building was reconstructed multiple times.

In 1997, it was clear that Monrovia had outgrown the small, outdated building. For more than a decade, Monrovians worked with the State to fund a modern library. When the State failed to fund the project after three separate attempts, Monrovians rolled up their sleeves, started over, and did it themselves. In March 2007, overwhelming voter approval of a bond provided the City with $16 million to fund the project and construction began later that year.

The new Monrovia Public Library building is Silver LEEDS certified to be environmentally friendly, and boasts adult, child and teen areas, a large community room, a heritage room and expanded technology. Year round, the Monrovia Public Library holds hundreds of events. In the Adult Services area, the Heritage Room hosts adults participating in Speak Easy, a program for non-native English speakers to learn in a friendly and relaxed environment. Additionally, the Veterans Resource Center is dedicated to assisting local veterans and their families by connecting them to benefits and resources they have earned through their years of service. Lastly, the Youth Services section offers regular Makerspace and SciLab programming, all designed for children.

The Monrovia Public Library building’s 10th Anniversary will be celebrated throughout the year through the sharing of fun tidbits and stories about the Library. To follow along with the celebration, those interested are encouraged to visit the website at www.monroviapubliclibrary.org, follow the Monrovia Public Library on Instagram at www.instagram.com/monrovialibrary or like the Library on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonroviaLibrary.


- Brad Haugaard

Tulip: I'm Shy But I'd Love a Loving Home

A note from Tulip (A464793): Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, but who cares about them ‘cuz Tulips Rule! Hey, guess what? My name is Tulip and I am an extraordinary cat. A rare breed of special loveliness. That’s what the nice volunteers at Pasadena Humane tell me. They have been very patient. When I first got here, I just wanted to hide. I didn’t want treats or pets or even friends, but kind words of encouragement have worked wonders. Believe it or not, I hung out with a few fellow felines the other day in the Cat Communal Room. I have 6 roommates so it was bound to happen. Please visit me at the Pasadena Humane Society. I’m shy, but I’d love to live in a loving home. Do you have one?

The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.

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.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Unified Offers Students Alternative, Tuition-free Independent Study

Mountain Park School, a K-12 tuition-free Independent Study School option provided by Monrovia Unified School District, offers flexibility to non-traditional students – some of whom are pursuing professional careers in acting or athletics.

Mountain Park exposes students to career pathways, extra-curricular programs, and early college opportunities that exist at Monrovia High School to help with college and career preparation. The school has a full curriculum that meets college admission requirements, is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and approved by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

“Our unique program provides solutions to the common concerns parents have about independent study such as cost, socialization, and college admittance,” Director of Alternative Schools Flint Fertig said. “At Mountain Park School, we are able to address our students’ needs and ensure they are successfully reaching their academic goals.”

The school’s highly-qualified teachers monitor student progress and meet with students weekly to provide on-campus instruction in subjects ranging from math and science to Spanish, drama, and video production. Electives, athletics, and clubs not offered on site – such as band, jazz ensemble, theater, computer coding, robotics, business clubs, and student government – can be taken at Monrovia High School.

“At Monrovia Unified, we strive to ensure all of our students have access to an educational path that works for them,” Board President Ed Gililland said. “Through Mountain Park School, we provide a window of opportunity for students who need a more flexible schedule to accommodate careers, family commitments, athletics, and other needs while in school.”

Mountain Park students include those who balance school with professional acting and athletic schedules, offering flexible options that allow accelerated learning or learning in a more intimate environment than a traditional classroom. For more information, visit: bit.ly/2KVRrqG.

“Monrovia Unified is proud to provide our students with innovative and challenging academic opportunities and offering an alternative to our comprehensive campuses,” Superintendent Katherine Thorossian said. “The team at Mountain Park School is dedicated to student academic and personal success.”

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Will Check Your Seatbelt Starting Today

From May 20 to June 2, Monrovia Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers and passengers who are not buckled up, including drivers who do not secure children in child safety seats. The enforcement effort is part of the national Click It or Ticket campaign focused on increasing seat belt use.

“Seat belts have proven time and time again to be life-savers,” said Sergeant Chad Harvey of the Monrovia Police Department. “Buckling up should be second nature.” At 96.2%, California has one of the highest seat belt use rates in the nation. However, 532 people killed in crashes statewide last year were not wearing a seat belt.

“Putting on a seat belt takes a few seconds and is your best protection in a crash,” said Sergeant Harvey. “We want everyone to be as safe as possible when driving or riding in a car, and wearing a seat belt is the easiest way to do that.” In California, the fine for a seat belt violation is $162, and $490 for failing to secure a child in the proper safety seat. Under California law, children under two years old, 40 pounds and 40 inches are required to be in a rear- facing car seat. Children under the age of eight must be secured in a car or booster seat.

California has a primary seat belt law, which allows law enforcement officers to ticket someone for not wearing a seat belt without committing another traffic violation.

Funding for Click It or Ticket enforcement efforts is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Source: Monrovia Police Department

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Days Is On

Monrovia Days is in full swing. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Lyft Prices to Go Up Again; New Debris Basin; Landmark Commercial Building

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/xkupF4) the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

~ Another round of price increases for Lyft to go into effect June 1. Lyft costs the city $177,387 per month, but it can't afford more than $100,000 a month, so here are the proposed price increases:

• $0.50 Shared ride for any ride to or from Old Town and the Gold Line Station.
• $2.50 for a shared ride anywhere else in the service area.
• $5.00 for a Classic ride anywhere in the service area.

Staff guesstimates monthly costs will drop down to around $92,000 a month, "which would be well within our transportation program budget." https://is.gd/zTKBh3

~  Designating this commercial building built in 1925 as a local historic landmark. It's at the corner of Foothill and Mayflower. https://is.gd/OLjN7y

~ Authorizing an additional debris basin on Highland Place in a canyon in north Monrovia. There is a debris basin at the top of Highland, but there's another drainage point where water comes into the street, at 347 N. Highland. Bowden Development wants to build a three-unit residential project there and has agreed to build a debris basin and arrange for its maintenance. The city would pay the company $300,000 when the work is done, and would get its money back over 30 years by an increased tax on the property. https://is.gd/wJ7cnl

- Brad Haugaard

New Courses at Monrovia High; Replacing Defective Turf on Monrovia High Athletic Field

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/OC6Ykl) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider, among other things ...

~ Starting several new high school courses: Advanced Dance, Advanced Graphic Design, Web Development, Computer Game Development and AP Psychology.

Comment: Well, this is good, but it doesn't give me much confidence that there is any follow-through on the discussion before the election about science and tech not being for everybody. How about adding some classes for the trades: auto mechanics, electricians, etc.?

~ Approve a contract with FieldTurf USA, Inc. to replace the defective artificial turf (Installed 2010 but wore out too soon) on the Monrovia High athletic field with upgraded turf for $210,077.97. https://is.gd/5xNKdk

- Brad Haugaard

Lists of All the Monrovia Graduates

Here are all the graduates this year for...

Monrovia High School: https://is.gd/9aijR1

Canyon Oaks High School: https://is.gd/4tp0Yv

Mountain Park School: https://is.gd/DNJCqg

Monrovia Community Adult School: https://is.gd/5M6kID

- Brad Haugaard

Memorial Service for Michael Clearman

The memorial service for Monrovian Michael M. Clearman, who died recently in Arizona following a motorcycle accident, will be held Wednesday, May 22 at 2 p.m. at St. Luke Episcopal Church, 122 S. California Ave., Monrovia.

Clearman was a pilot, sailor, motorcyclist, president of Monrovia Kiwanis, and on the board of the Chamber of Commerce, among other activities.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Chipotle

Lunch at Chipotle, in the Huntington Oaks shopping center. Got what they call a “Bowl,” like a burrito without the tortilla. I had the barbacoa (shredded beef) for $8.35 with a scoop of guacamole for $2.10 extra, and an iced tea for $2.05. Sorry the picture only shows lettuce, but there really was a lot of good stuff underneath Excellent!

- Brad Haugaard