Monrovia Gets $675,000 Grant to Improve Lucinda Garcia Park

The City of Monrovia (City) has been awarded with $675,000 through the California Department of Parks and Recreation (Department) 2019 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program to expand and improve Lucinda Garcia Park.

Funded by Proposition 68, the State Park Bond Program, Monrovia is one of 52 agencies to receive the grant. More notably, the Department received 478 applications, totaling $2.3 billion in requests with only $254.9 million available for distribution.

“Having beautiful and accessible neighborhood parks enhances the community and makes life better,” said Tom Adams, Mayor of Monrovia. “Over the years, Lucinda Garcia Park has been well-loved and as a result is experiencing normal wear and tear, and we are excited about the opportunity to enhance our neighborhood park by turning it back into a premier amenity for all to enjoy.”

When applying for the grant, the City held several community outreach events, in the neighborhood surrounding Lucinda Garcia Park, to discuss proposed upgrades to the facility. The funds will go towards achieving the following goals:

• Expanding the park to the open space area located at the west end of the facility
• Replacing and upgrading the play equipment
• Adding all fall safety surfacing at the playground area
• Installing exercise circuit equipment along the pathway at the park
• Repairing the pathway
• Upgrading the landscaping at the park
• Installing interpretive signage on the history of Lucinda Garcia and the park
• Installing a demonstration garden with drought tolerate and native species

Located at 502 W. Olive Avenue, Monrovia, CA, Lucinda Garcia Park is a modest park that currently offers picnic tables, barbecues, drinking fountains, a walking trail loop around the park and playground equipment.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

How Should Monrovia Spend Its New $4.5 Million Sales Tax Revenue?

Remember the Measure K sales tax Monrovia passed for itself? Well, the city wants to know how you think it should spend the money.

Take this 9-question "Measure K Preliminary Spending Plan Community Survey" here: https://is.gd/yPDMfF

On November 5, 2019, residents of Monrovia voted to approve Measure K, the Keep Monrovia Revenues Local Sales Tax Measure, to ensure new sales tax revenues stay in Monrovia to be reinvested into the community. Measure K will generate an estimated $4.5 million per year in additional sales tax revenues for the City. Leading up to the election, a preliminary five-year expenditure plan was developed, identifying community enhancing projects. Those who choose to take the survey will be asked to rank these spending plan options, which includes:

• Establishing a new and/or improved community center
• Reducing costs for residents by decreasing utility bills, such as water
• Working towards a AAA credit rating by building the rainy day fund and planning for future costs increases
• Investing in public buildings, park improvements and community facilities
• Addressing other community priorities like affordable housing, preventing homelessness, youth programs and public safety, etc.

After April 30, the findings of the survey will be discussed by the Monrovia City Council, along with the Measure K Citizens Advisory Committee, and will be shared with the community. Hard copies of the surveys are available upon request. The new sales tax will go into effect on April 1, 2020. For additional information on Measure K, visit MonroviaMeasureK.org.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Sons of Korah Tonight at Calvary Chapel Monrovia

Concert at Calvary Chapel Monrovia (http://www.ccmonrovia.org/) tonight (Wednesday, Feb. 26) from 7-9 p.m. by Sons of Korah (https://sonsofkorah.com/), an Australian band "devoted to giving a fresh voice to the biblical psalms." Calvary Chapel is on Myrtle at the southwest corner of Cherry, two blocks south of Huntington.

- Brad Haugaard

San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Presents Classic Opera Music

The award-winning San Gabriel Valley Choral Company will conduct "a far-ranging romp through the annals of the operatic repertory" at its classically-themed concert of opera choruses, arias, and scenes on Saturday, March 21, 7:30 p.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Monrovia.

The concert will traverse nations and centuries, from Henry Purcell's intimate Baroque chamber opera Dido and Aeneas to the full-throated Romanticism of Verdi's "Va, pensiero" with a little Mozart, Gilbert & Sullivan, and Benjamin Britten thrown in for lyricism and laughs. A women's "Chorus of Peasant Girls" from Eugene Onegin by Piotr Tchaikovsky is the musical topping.

The concert will offer an historical overview from the 1600s of Henry Purcell to the WWII era of Benjamin Britten, with choruses plus solos and duets from significant operas.

Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, written in 1680 and, based on the tragic love story of Dido and Aeneas immortalized by Virgil in the Aeneid, is heralded as the birth of English opera. Not quite on the heels of Purcell's operatic success was G. F. Handel's Alcina, an opera seria which entertained London's Covent Garden audiences in 1735 with it "Chorus of the Enchanted Islanders" and also featured several instrumental segments to showcase the talents of then beloved ballerina Marie Sallé. Composed nearly 50 years later during the Classical period, but with elements of Baroque opera seria, the "Voyager's Chorus" from Mozart's Idomeneo shines as his greatest chorus opera and was written in 1781 when he was only 24. Jumping ahead 60 years, enter the "Va, pensiero" from Giuseppi Verdi's beloved Nabucco. This impassioned chorus is most strongly associated with Italy's 19th century struggle for nationhood. Also by Verdi and immediately recognizable by everyone from opera buffs to fans of Looney Tunes cartoons is the "Anvil Chorus" from Il Trovatore, written in 1853. In a departure from the romantic/tragic themes of Verdi, a variety of choruses by Gilbert & Sullivan from their celebrated romp, Pirates of Penzance, will usher in some British Victorian era levity from 1879. Composed only a year earlier (1878) by Piotr Tchaikovsky, the "Chorus of Peasant Girls" from Eugene Onegin will spotlight this Russian opera based on selected passages from Alexander Pushkin's novel in verse by the same name. And finally, representing the 20th century will be Benjamin's Britten's "Old Joe Has Gone Fishing" from his opera Peter Grimes. Premiering in 1945 at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London, it was greeted with wild critical and popular acclaim. It is said Britten carried the manuscript around with him during the years of London's devastating bombing by the Nazis, nervous of leaving it unattended.

Selections will be conducted by SGVCC Artistic Director Alexandra Grabarchuk, and Associate Artistic Director David Rentz. Ukrainian-born conductor Dr. Grabarchuk is Director of Choral Activities at Whittier College. Rentz is Associate Professor of Music at Chaffey College and Adjunct Professor of Music and supervisor of the graduate conducting program at Claremont Graduate University.

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors and students, and $5 for children under 12. Tickets may be purchased online at www.sgvccsingers.org, or by sending checks payable to: SGVCC, 2648 E. Workman Ave., Ste. 3001 #312, West Covina, CA 91791. Tickets purchased online by March 20 will be eligible for a $5 discount. Tickets will also be available at the door.

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Named 'Military Friendly' for Entire Decade

For an entire decade, Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has earned annual recognition as a Military Friendly School for its commitment to helping veterans successfully transition from the military to higher education.

Citrus College's supportive environment for veterans, coupled with the college's ability to meet academic thresholds, such as student retention, persistence and graduation rates, contributed to this year's "Gold" distinction.

This past year, nearly 400 student veterans benefited from services provided by the Citrus College Veterans Success Center.

- Brad Haugaard

Women's Suffrage Event; Creating a Business; Survey on Dementia

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

~ On this 100th anniversary year of the 19th Amendment, the Monrovia Historical Preservation Group and Monrovia Historical Museum will co-sponsor a free event on women's suffrage and the 19th Amendment on Sunday, March 8, at 1:30 p.m. at the Historical Museum, 742 E. Lemon Ave. There will be a talk on suffrage by Pauline Field, chairman of 50/50 Leadership and light refreshments. https://is.gd/MewciP

~  Oak Crest Institute of Science will sponsor an afternoon of free seminars and discussions on how to get from idea to a successful business on Wednesday, March 4, from 2 to 7 p.m., at Oak Crest's campus on 132 W. Chestnut Ave. Seminars are on intellectual property, corporate structure & fundraising, and accessing small business administration (SBA) services. Registration is required. Register here: https://is.gd/U5dRVc

~ Take a 10-minute confidential survey to help Dementia Friendly Monrovia better direct its work. Here: https://is.gd/5T0CJI

- Brad Haugaard

Miles the Multitasker - Tennis Ball and Belly Rubs

Miles is the best multitasker. He loves chewing on tennis balls and getting belly rubs. Why choose between two of your favorite things when you can have them both at the same time? When ten-year-old Miles isn’t multitasking like a boss, he’s probably chowing down on some crunchy treats or splashing in one of the kiddie pools in the play yard. But let’s face it, all he wants is to sit in your lap and be pet all over. Now where’s that tennis ball?

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. 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.

- Brad Haugaard

All the Mayoral and City Council Candidate Statements

Here are links to the candidate statements that have run in MonroviaNow during the past six days. None of them have been edited.

Mayoral Candidates
Tom Adams
Stephen Grollnek
Melissa Taylor

City Council Candidates
Donna Baker
Gloria Crudgington
Becky Shevlin

- Brad Haugaard

Statement of City Council Candidate Gloria Crudgington

GLORIA CRUDGINGTON Statement

I was first elected to the Monrovia City Council in 2015 and I am running for re-election. I moved to Monrovia 40 years ago. My husband Cleve and I became involved in city politics in 2000, when we ran the successful campaign that saved Monrovia’s foothills from housing development. We received the Iris Award, Monrovia Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year Award, for our efforts.

I have been on the Board of Directors of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group for 22 years. I successfully lobbied in 2014 for a moratorium on demolition of historic homes and, after I was elected, I worked with my council colleagues to pass anti-mansionization and neighborhood compatibility ordinances and restore our historic train depot.

Our current City Council holds a wide range of views, but we find ways to disagree without being disagreeable. Some of our accomplishments:

• Monrovia Renewal: fixing streets, sidewalks, sewers, etc.
• We brought back Monrovia Days Parade and Carnival.
• We started the Lyft program for subsidized shared rides: 500,000 rides in 2019!
• We stabilized our pension fund and raised Monrovia’s bond rating to AA.
• Our homelessness prevention program kept 23 families in their homes.

My proudest achievement as a Councilmember has been my involvement in Monrovia’s mandated storm water clean-up compliance. My work with regulators and environmental groups has saved Monrovians over $200 Million dollars in compliance costs, without sacrificing water quality. I am running for re-election primarily to ensure that this work is completed.

I credit my success to 30 years’ experience as a Marriage & Family therapist. Although I am retired from clinical practice, I see my expertise in conflict resolution as an extremely helpful tool as a Councilmember. I would very much appreciate your vote.

Please visit my website: www.GloriaCrudgington.com

Bubbles In Library Fountain

Someone apparently put detergent in the Library Park fountain. Thanks to Kelly Moran for photo. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Statement of City Council Candidate Becky Shevlin

BECKY SHEVLIN – A candidate with proven commitment and leadership and working with and for you to:

• Seek smart options for continued economic growth and stability.
• Ensure transparency, accountability for Measure K and grant funding, and a balanced budget.
• Provide vital safety and public services, ongoing physical infrastructure repair and maintenance and increasing reserves.
• Preserve and protect our historic homes and districts, Wilderness Preserve and other natural resources.
• Fight for local control to allow Monrovia to address the specific needs of Monrovians.
• Collaborate regionally to address issues of homelessness, housing affordability, and water/stormwater issues.
• Strengthen our City through community education, involvement and volunteerism.

PROUDLY SERVING MONROVIA -

Council Liaison Appointments –

-Adopt-A-School; Clifton Middle School
-Foothill Transit Governing Board
-Monrovia Association of Fine Arts Board
-SG Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District Board of Trustees, President
-So CA Association of Governments and CEHD Committee Member
-SGV Council of Governments 2nd VP; Homeless Committee Chair; Capital Projects & Construction Committee
-Healing Connections
-Library Board

Alternate
-Foothill Workforce Development Board
-LA County Sanitation Districts 15/22
-Monrovia Chamber of Commerce
-Community Media of the Foothills
-Historic Preservation Committee
-League of California Cities

Community Member/Supporter
-Friends of the Monrovia Library
-Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, Historical Society, and Historical Museum
-Monrovia Reads Board Member since 2003; Past President 2008/2009, current Treasurer
-Monrovia Community Coordinating Council Member 21 Years, serving in all Executive Board
positions; current Calendar Coordinator
- Monrovia Guild – CHLA Member since 2007, Past President 2017/19, current VP
-Monrovia Latino Heritage Society
-Monrovia Garden Club
-Monrovia Reads, member since 2003; Past President; current Treasurer
-LA County Commission for Women, Commissioner & Past President 2015/17
-Sunday School Teacher ongoing 40 Years
-Supporter of numerous other Community Groups/Organizations

Lunch at Cafe on Lemon

Lunch at the new Cafe on Lemon (former Wang’s Place) on the south side of - you guessed it - Lemon, about a half block east of Myrtle. It’s a casual breakfast-lunch kinda place. Got the Greek Salad ($9.95) with chicken ($4) and a “#NoToxicEnergy” drink (a juice blend) for $5.85. Good. 

- Brad Haugaard 

National News! Bear Sighted in Monrovia!!

Bears, bears, bears. It’s not news that Monrovia has bears. This juvenile delinquent from a few years ago was in our back yard. 

Monrovia's latest bear has received media coverage from as far away as Baltimore, Maryland: https://is.gd/wvCki7

Comment: Sigh! I think we Monrovians are getting a bit tired of the media uproar whenever someone takes a bear video. Trees have leaves, the ocean has fish, and Monrovia has bears. Relax.

- Brad Haugaard

Bradoaks Principal Discusses School's Designation as Science Academy

On California School News Radio Bradoaks Elementary School Principal Jayne Nickles discusses the school's recent designation as a science academy, the importance of inquiry-based learning, increasing parent involvement and preparing for the school’s Spring Fair.



- Brad Haugaard

Ikonics - Not BurgerIM - Opens at 11 a.m. Today on Myrtle

Today, at 11 a.m., Ikonics Burgers & Brew Co. will open on Myrtle near the theater, at 406 S. Myrtle.

It was going to be a BurgerIM, but the BurgerIM corporation is having serious financial difficulties, but the owners of the franchise are opening anyway, under the name Ikonicks Burgers & Brew Co. - "a taste of New York and Chicago."

A press release says the owners "have re-invented their business idea and have turned their investment into a positive!

"Over the past year, our owners have dedicated their time to building a unique concept that is set to captivate our community's attention. We have known that our community members were eager and anticipated dining at BurgerIM; but as we know the famous BurgerIM franchise has faced challenges that have affected and impacted the business community.  We decided that our dream and vision would NOT dwindle because of the challenges BurgerIM has brought."

- Brad Haugaard