Dinner at Mimi’s

Dinner at Mimi’s, at the corner of Huntington and Mayflower. Got the Beer Battered Fish and Chips for $18.99 and an iced tea or $3.49. All tasty. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Prince Recovering From Being Hit By Truck, Needs a Home

Prince was brought to Pasadena Humane after being hit by a truck. He was in rough shape with a serious fracture to one of his legs. The veterinary team determined that the best course of action for this sweet boy was to amputate the limb. Now that he is on the mend, the next thing this sweet boy needs is a home!

Prince is about three years old and as nice as can be. He gets around quite well already, so we suspect he’ll be running at full speed soon.

He has a cheerful disposition and a tail that never stops wagging, making him a joy to be around.

With his playful nature and infectious spirit, Prince is a reminder that it's not about the number of legs you have, but rather the size of your heart.

For the month of April, all dogs over 40 pounds have their adoption fees reduced by 50%!

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog 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 an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Captain A.H. Johnson's 1887 Home

Home of Captain A.H. Johnson circa 1896. The house was moved from Banana (Hillcrest) near Alta Vista to 210 W Orange (Colorado). Built in 1887. The Monrovia Messenger Souvenir Edition 1897 wrote: "Capt. A.H. Johnson come from Ft. Dodge, Iowa, ten years ago to find a home in this land of sunshine. He selected Monrovia as the most desirable place to him, and built a cozy home at the corner of Orange and Magnolia Streets, where he resides with his wife and daughter. He has twenty acres of oranges and lemons in Duarte, and twelve in Monrovia, from which he receives a very comfortable revenue. Before coming to California, Capt. Johnson led a very active life, being for a number of years employed in railroad building and other public enterprises, and he is now enjoying a well-earned rest, while at the same time personally supervising the work on his fruit ranches in Monrovia and Duarte. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.

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

Missing Person: Joseph Sanford

Arcadia Police Department seeks your help in locating a missing  person: Joseph M. Sanford, Age 17, male black, 6'5", 180lbs, wearing a yellow hooded sweatshirt, royal blue shorts and brown boots.   Last seen: Walking E/B in the 400 Blk of E. Santa Clara St on 4/9/23 at 1pm with another male subject.  Joseph does not have a cellular telephone with him, or any cash or credit cards. If you have information that can assist in helping safely locate Joseph M. Sanford, please call 911or contact the Arcadia Police Department.

Source: Arcadia Police 

- Brad Haugaard 

Happy Easter, Monrovia!

Comment: There’s an Easter service in Library Park at 10 a.m. today. Hope to see you there.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Looking for People Texting While Driving

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Monrovia Police Department will be actively looking for drivers throughout the month who are in violation of the state’s hands-free cell phone law.

“Holding your phone and using it while diving is not only dangerous, but also illegal,” Lt Oberon said. "Before starting the car, silence your phone or put it in the glove box, trunk or back seat. Anywhere you can't reach.” 

According to the 2022 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, nearly 72% of drivers surveyed said that distracted driving because of texting was their biggest safety concern. In 2021 the California Highway Patrol (CHP) issued nearly 56,000 citations for distracted driving.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver's record.

If you have an important phone call, text, email, or in a situation with other distractions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Other distractions can be eating, grooming, reaching for something that fell on the floor. putting on or taking off clothing, talking with passengers, or children in the back seat.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

~ Brad Haugaard

School District to Begin Issuing Bonds; Buying 1,750 Chromebooks; Hiring Company to Manage Rentals; Employees of the Month

At its next meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Issuing $18,750,000 in general obligation bonds. This is from the $75,000,000 authorized by Monrovia voters during the last election. Details

~ Buying 1,750 Chromebooks for $781,677. Details

~ Contracting with Facilitron, Inc., to manage rental of school facilities. The company would get a 10% commission on rental fees. If fees over the course of a year are less than $100,000, the district would pay Facilitron 10% of the difference between the $100,000 and the actual income. Details

~ Honoring employees of the month for April: Sonia Rizo, Campus Assistant, Monroe Elementary; Karla Galindo, Teacher, Monroe Elementary; Natalie Ridley, Instructional Aide, Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School; Dave Hart, Teacher, Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School.

- Brad Haugaard

City Wants Ideas How to Showcase Monrovia to National Civic League

Monrovia has been named as one of 20 finalists for the 2023 All-America City Award by the National Civic League (NLC) in recognition of its efforts to engage residents in decision-making. The award acknowledges communities' efforts to improve young people's health and well-being by engaging them in programs and initiatives. The city previously received this award in 1995. Monrovia will present before NLC juries, which will announce the 10 winners in June.  If you have ideas how to showcase Monrovia to the juries, send them to City Manager Dylan Feik at dfeik@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

- Brad Haugaard

Easter Egg Hunts - At Street Fair Tonight, at Recreation Park Tomorrow

There will be an Easter egg hunt tonight at the Monrovia Street Fair. In Raw Inspiration's Egg Hunt there will be 100 plastic eggs hidden on each street (400 total). Each egg includes a prize, and for those who find the one Golden Egg on each street, there will be a special prize by redeeming the egg with the market manager.

There will be another Easter egg hunt at Recreation Park (620 S. Shamrock Avenue) tomorrow, Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Activities include arts and crafts, face painting, wellness activities, healthy lifestyle demonstrations, toddler activities and a visit from the Spring Bunny. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Youth Can Spend a Day With Park Naturalists

Young people will have the opportunity to spend a day with Park Naturalists on Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., and to leave as Junior Park Naturalists. There will be crafts, games, lunch, and participants will receive a Junior Naturalist T-Shirt, and meet some of animal ambassadors. Participants will also help  in a celebratory tree planting for Arbor Day. Registration closes Monday, April 10. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

Bench Honoring Ralph Walker to be Unveiled

 A bench in memory of local KGEM TV host, Ralph Walker, will be unveiled on Friday, April 14, at 6 p.m., in front of the Monrovia Public Library. Walker passed away late last year. He was best known for his program, "Conversations with Ralph Walker," in which he interviewed many leading Monrovians. For more information contact Community Media of the Foothills at Kgemtv@gmail.com.

- Brad Haugaard

Arbor Day and Earth Day at Library Park April 22

Arbor Day and Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, from 3-6 p.m. at Library Park. Free activities: information booths, arts & crafts, face painting, story times, giveaways, and more. For more information call Community Services at 256-8246.

- Brad Haugaard

More Shades to be Installed at Library Park Playground

Three steel and fabric shades will be installed at the Library Park playground by USA Shade. The work is expected to last two to three weeks, starting in the fall.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Compost and Mulch April 15

Free compost and mulch next Saturday, April 15, from 8 a.m.-noon, at the Monrovia Public Works Yard (600 S. Mountain). Email Petra Beglarian at pbeglarian@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 932-5562 if you want to make reservations

- Brad Haugaard

Planning Commission to Consider Auto Shop Regulations

The Monrovia Planning Commission will consider recommending to the City Council an ordinance regulating automobile repair facilities. The proposed ordinance would address working outside of bays, the storage of vehicles, outdoor storage of equipment, and parking on public streets. An operations permit process is also being proposed to allow deviations from the standards with a focus on outdoor operations, outside storage, and outside storage containers. The Design Review Committee would review each application to determine if such activity may be permitted. Details

- Brad Haugaard