A Moment in Monrovia History: Myrtle Avenue in the 1920s

Myrtle Avenue in the 1920s looking north at Lemon. The Candy Shop at left. Baxter Building at right. Photo by William Ward.. See full details here. From the William Ward collection. Identifying information from Kim Ward Anderson.

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

School Board to Honor People, Declare Days, Weeks and Month, and Condemn Violence

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/9MfEFe) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Consider adopting a board policy regarding English language learners, as recommended by the California School Boards Association.

~ Congratulate:

• MHS Teacher Nate Overby & MHS students Sara Avalos, Ethan Clark, Jor'Denay Collier, Joey Hansen, and Nathan Lujan on winning at theVirtual Fullerton College High School Theatre Festival.
• Director of Special Education, Jennifer Johnson, on being named the Association of California School Administrators "Special Education Administrator of the Year", for Region 15.
• MHS Assistant Principal, Felicia Limbrick, on being named the Association of California School Administrators, State and Region 15 "Co-Administrator of the Year."

~ Declare: 

• May 4, as National Day of the Teacher, and May 3-7, as National Teacher Appreciation Week.
• May 16 through May 22 as Classified School Employee Week.
• May 10-14 as School Health Services Appreciation Week and May 12, as National School Nurse Day to honor school nurses and health clerks.
• The month of May 2021, as Mental Health Awareness Month.

~ Condemn:

"The Armenian Genocide, the Rohingya in Myanmar, Darfuris in Sudan, the Holocaust, the Rwandan Genocide, and the atrocities perpetrated by ISIL against religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria are part of a growing list in recent history that depict the atrocities committed by man."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Planning to Withdraw From Local Board - Cites Bad Service

The decline of funds going to serve Monrovia residents.

Monrovia is hoping to withdraw from something called the Foothill Workforce Development Board (FWDB), which distributes federal money "for job skills assessment, basic education, job training, job placement, and community workforce development."

Except the Monrovia City Council says it has been doing very little of that for Monrovia, and has actually been doing less and less of it over the past four years. So now the council wants the city to join a similar program administered by LA County, where it believes it will get a better deal.

"The City of Monrovia believes our community, as well as those of Duarte and Arcadia, have been underserved by FWDB administration and operations, particularly in terms of job training for MAD residents and the equitable sharing of WIOA [federal] funds."

Arcadia and Duarte, by the way, are also thinking of pulling out of the Joint Powers Agreement, which is made up of Arcadia, Duarte, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena.

The city says that Monrovia, Arcadia, and Duarte (MAD) make up 39.2 percent of the population of the FWDB, but are only getting 26.5 percent of the money, while Pasadena, with 48.3 percent of the population, gets 66.3 percent of the money. Also, it says FWDB uses nearly 60% of its total budget for administrative expenditures and only 40% for its services. [Comment: 60% admin costs seems extremely high.]

For the city to withdraw and join the county's program involves a public comment period, which ends May 9. You may comment by email to PIO@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

If the county is cool with Monrovia joining, the switch will also need to be approved by Sacramento.

This motion to withdraw was approved by the City Council: https://is.gd/1vYlJK

This is the application to join LA County's program: https://is.gd/Q3vlEr

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Days Activities: Picnic in Library Park; Donate a Rock; Adventure at Home

Monrovia Days will be semi-in-person this year. There will be no annual parade or carnival, but here's what will happen:

~ On May 14 through May 16, people can grab a meal from a restaurant in Old Town and join the Picnic Pavilion Celebration at Library Park. Throughout the day, Monrovia students and Centre Stage will provide entertainment. Participants must sit at a table or in a designated park pod, and are encouraged to bring their own seating. There will also be free horse drawn carriage rides through Old Town and a free photo booth.

~ To celebrate Monrovia's 135th birthday residents can paint a rock and donate it as part of a permanent installation at Library Park. Paint a rock that is no more than 3 inches long. When dry, drop it off at the Monrovia Community Center (119 W. Palm Ave.). Rocks must be received no later than 4 p.m. on May 7. Before the Monrovia Days weekend they will be installed in the north-east portion of the park. 

~  Monrovia Days Family Adventure at Home, a three-day challenge. Registered participants will receive special activity kits that includes arts and crafts, special games, challenges and activities. Upon completion of each challenge, participants will earn limited edition birthday badges. Registration is required and limited and is now open here: https://is.gd/lmCKbT (click on Special Event > Monrovia Days Family Adventure at Home)

- Brad Haugaard

Library Opening, Community Center and City Hall Opening; Canyon Park Hopefully Opening in Summer; Yard Sales Now Okay

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

~ The Library, Community Center and City Hall should be open in the coming weeks. On Monday, May 3, the Monrovia Public Library will open for limited, in-person services by appointment only, Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., and Thursday-Saturday, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Call, text, email, or drop by to make an appointment to use a computer or get personalized support from a librarian. Curbside service will still be available. Initially, browsing will be unavailable.

~ Feik said contractors will make emergency repairs in Canyon Park, reevaluate Canyon Park conditions, and hopefully open this summer.

~ Yard sales are now permitted, but you must obtain a permit. To obtain a permit, please submit a Yard Sale Permit Application (here: https://is.gd/JmQHMo). For questions, contact the Neighborhood & Business Services Division at 932-5582.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Home Decorating Contest

- Brad Haugaard

School District to Offer Grief Counseling, Why Variations in Back-To-School Experiences; Vaping Seminar; Free Tutoring; End-of-Year Celebration

Highlights from a report from Monrovia Schools Superintendent Katherine Thorossian. 

Monrovia Schools will offer grief counseling and host a Zoom meeting for parents on suicide awareness in light of the death of a district student on April 17. Students may contact their counselors directly for immediate counseling and support. Please contact your school’s office if you feel your child is in need of additional assistance. The Zoom meeting will be run by professionals and will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 3. A special presentation will be held for students on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 10:15 am. Additional information will be sent through ParentSquare.

The goal of bringing back to the classrooms as many students as possible while adhering to LA County Department of Public Health recommendations has resulted in variations across the district. Classrooms with very few students might not provide hoped for social interaction, so some cohorts have been combined. The variables involved include the number of students opting into the hybrid program and the size of the classroom.

There will be a webinar on the dangers of vaping available in English and Spanish at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27. Sign up here: https://is.gd/eqhdLP

There is free, virtual, after-school tutoring for students K-12. Contact your school site for details.

The district has begun to explore options for end-of-the-year celebrations, which will include in-person commencement ceremonies. "As of now, we are confident that in-person celebrations will be allowed, with the recommended health and safety measures in place." More information will be made available from school sites in the coming weeks.

For Superintendent Thorossian's full report, see here: https://is.gd/PDEHZn

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Coronavirus Count: 11 More Cases, 1 More Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 04/21/2021. Changes since 04/14/2021.

City of Monrovia: 3,163 cases (up 11), 76 deaths (up 1)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 372 cases (up 2), no deaths

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Tailgate Stolen; Customer Punches Fast-Food Worker; Car Hits Bicyclist; Catalytic Converters Stolen; Grand Theft of Plants; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 15-21. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 380 service events, resulting in 80 investigations.

Theft
April 15 at 8:32 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of W. Lemon called to report the tailgate to his truck had been stolen sometime during the night. Officers responded and reviewed video surveillance footage. This investigation is continuing.

Battery – Suspect Arrested
April 16 at 2:12 a.m., an employee at a fast food restaurant in the 200 block of W. Huntington called police to report a battery incident. A male adult walked into the drive-thru and tried to order food. A female employee refused service and the suspect became upset. He then leaned into the drive-thru window and punched the female worker in the face. Officers arrived, but the suspect had fled the area. An search was conducted and the suspect was located a short distance away. He was taken into custody and positively identified by the victim. The suspect was arrested.

Residential Burglary
April 16 at 9:13 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of E. Cherry called police to report a burglary. She returned home and discovered someone had broken into her residence while she was out. Officers checked the interior of the home and no one was found inside. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
April 16 at 10:23 a.m., a caller reported a traffic collision at the intersection of Evergreen and Myrtle. Officers and paramedics arrived on scene and checked on the well-being of the occupants. Two subjects were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
April 16 at 8:00 p.m., a grand theft was reported in the 400 block of Pearl. The victim reported that his catalytic converter had been stolen sometime during the night. Officers arrived and checked the vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
April 17 at 1:49 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Montana regarding a suspicious person in a residential backyard. Upon arrival, the subject was located and detained. The investigation revealed the subject had been kicked out of a local sober living home because he was under the influence of a controlled substance. Officers conducted an evaluation and determined he was, in fact, under the influence. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Injury Traffic Collision
April 17 at 7:58 a.m., a caller reported an injury traffic collision that just occurred in the 400 block of E. Duarte. Officers arrived and found the collision was between a vehicle and a bicyclist. The vehicle was traveling west and made a left turn into a parking lot, failing to yield to a bicyclist traveling east. The vehicle struck the bicyclist, ejecting him from the bike and causing visible injuries. The driver of the vehicle was cited.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
April 17 at 9:42 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Magnolia and Huntington when he stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation. When the officer contacted the driver, the driver exhibited signs of being under the influence of narcotics. The driver was given standard field sobriety tests and it was determined he had been driving under the influence. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Battery – Suspect Arrested
April 17 at 11:20 p.m., a battery incident was reported at a residence in the 1200 block of Magnolia. The victim reported that his roommate had pushed him after they had gotten into an argument. Both parties had been drinking alcohol at the time of the argument. The victim desired prosecution and conducted a citizen’s arrest. The roommate was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft
April 18 at 1:44 p.m., a resident in the 1300 block of S. Mayflower called police to report the catalytic converter was stolen off his vehicle sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing.

Medical Assist
April 18 at 3:04 p.m., a subject in the 300 block of E. Lime called 9-1-1 to report his girlfriend had taken too much pain medication and was now unresponsive. Officers arrived and noticed she was experiencing signs and symptoms of an opiate overdose. Officers administered two doses of Narcan and the subject responded. Paramedics arrived on scene and took over care. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
April 18 at 10:22 p.m., a female subject at the intersection of Duarte and Tenth called police to report she was just involved in an altercation with her boyfriend. Officers contacted the victim, who reported that the suspect had smashed her face into the window of his vehicle. The suspect was located and arrested for domestic violence.

Grand Theft
April 20 at 12:08 a.m., an employee at a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported a suspect was taking plants from outside in the garden area. The suspect loaded the plants into a truck and fled the area before officers arrived. This investigation is continuing.

Medical Assist
April 20 at 1:21 a.m., officers responded to the 600 block of E. Olive regarding an unresponsive female subject who had overdosed on opiates. Officers arrived and administered two doses of Narcan, which revived the subject. Paramedics arrived, took over care of the subject, and she was transported to a hospital for further treatment.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
April 20 at 6:54 a.m., employees of a coffee shop in the 200 block of W. Huntington reported a male subject was trespassing on their private property and causing a disturbance. This same subject was previously warned to stay off the property. Officers arrived, contacted the subject, and he was arrested for trespassing and released on a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Vehicle Burglary
April 20 at 7:57 a.m., a customer of a hardware store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain returned to his vehicle after shopping and discovered someone had forced entry, taking all his tools. This investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
April 20 at 9:22 p.m., officers responded to the 900 block of W. Huntington regarding a suspect using a needle to administer a controlled substance. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, who showed signs of being under the influence. Further investigation revealed he was also in possession of a controlled substance. The suspect was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Theft From a Vehicle
April 21 at 7:58 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Walnut walked outside his home and discovered his unlocked vehicle had been rummaged through sometime during the night. Personal items inside were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
April 21 at 10:45 a.m., a traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Foothill and Heliotrope. Officers responded and found no one was injured from the collision. The party found at fault was issued a citation.

Weapon Offense
April 21 at 3:16 p.m., a resident in the 2100 block of S. Peck called police to report a male subject that shot a BB gun at their house. A male subject, approximately 16 years old, rode by their house on a bicycle and shot several BB's at the house with a BB air gun. Officers searched the area for the suspect, but were unable to locate him. Three BB's were found next to the house. This investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting / Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
April 21 at 8:42 p.m., an employee at a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain observed a subject stealing merchandise from the store. Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, who was in possession of stolen property. An investigation revealed the suspect had also been advised of a no-trespass authorization at that business. He was arrested for both shoplifting and trespassing. He was released with a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Virtual Walk to Waterfalls in Monrovia Canyon Park

Here's another virtual tour of the trail leading to the waterfall in the still-closed Monrovia Canyon Park.

- Brad Haugaard

Clifton Middle School's Heidi Reed Finalist in Winter Guard International

Clifton Middle School's Heidi Reed has made it to the finals of the Winter Guard International 2021 virtual season. Winter Guard International is an organization that produces regional championship events for color guard, percussion ensembles, and small marching bands.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Cafe on Lemon

Lunch today at Cafe on Lemon, on the south side of Lemon (well, yeah) about a half block east of Myrtle. Got the Grilled Chicken Pesto sandwich for $11.95 and an iced tea for $2.95. I was going to be good and only eat half, but, well, it was so good I ate it all. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Video of Monrovia Fire Department's New Ladder Truck

A video introducing Monrovia Fire Department's new ladder truck, which should make firefighting at some of the city's new tall buildings easier.

- Brad Haugaard

60s Concert in Cloverleaf Canyon May 1

On May 1 there will be an outdoors 60s concert at 5 p.m. at 521 Cloverleaf Drive, in Cloverleaf Canyon (north on Alta Vista, left on Cloverleaf).  "Come and sing along to all your favorite 60s tunes, pack a picnic, bring a lawn chair and wear your love beads and flowers in your hair.  We will have a shuttle for those that cannot park nearby.  Just look for the old hippie in a van and hitch a ride. There is no parking allowed directly in front of the residence on the street so you must park up the street or below Lotone and heed the parking restrictions.  This is an outdoor event however social distancing/masks will be requested."

- Brad Haugaard

Squirt and Her Mom Looking For Forever Home

Squirt is ten years old and was surrendered to the shelter with her twelve-year old mom, Eve. Squirt and her mom are bonded and hoping to find a forever home together! Although Squirt is a little more reserved than her mom, in her foster home she’s actually started meowing for attention. While Eve head butts when she wants to be pet, Squirt will lay with her paw on your arm or your face if you’re not paying enough attention to her. Squirt is definitely coming out of her shell in foster care, and can’t wait for a forever home for her and her mom!

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 a virtual adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every day at 5:00 p.m. for the following day.

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

- Brad Haugaard