Assistant City Manager Lauren Vasquez Wins California Cities Award

Monrovia Assistant City Manager, Lauren Vasquez, has received the Award for the Advancement of Diverse Communities from the League of California Cities for helping enact more than 40 programs and policies aimed at boosting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Valentine’s Lunch at Bella Serra

Had Valentine’s Day lunch at Bella Serra, on the east side of Myrtle, just north of Lemon.  Got the Cioppino for $35 and a beer for $7. Very good. 

- Brad Haugaard 

For Vin, Everyone Is His Best Friend

One-year-old Vin is a happy-go-lucky lab/husky mix who has never met a person who is not his new BFF. 

Vin is sure to steal your heart with his silly nature and A+ personality. He is very cuddly and playful, and he seems to get along well with other similar-sized dogs. 

He recently spent the day out with the Pasadena Humane mobile team and had a wonderful time. He met dozens of people, played with every toy he could find, and got to practice all his training cues. He made fast friends with one of the other dogs- they even traded toys back and forth. 

Vin is an active dog, so he would be an ideal hiking or walking companion. He walks very nicely next to his person like the well-behaved boy he is!

Vin and all other animals over 6 months old can be adopted for only $14 from February 8 – 18, during Pasadena Humane’s Make Your Heart Happy-Adopt A Pet promotion! 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. Daily adoption appointments can be scheduled online. New adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Walk-in appointments are available every day from 2:00 – 5:00.  Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email. 

- Brad Haugaard

Free Monrovia Neighborhood Conference April 27

The 14th Annual Monrovia Neighborhood Conference on April 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offers free booths, lunch, and health screenings and workshops on leadership, community resources, and local history. At Second Baptist Church. Details and registration here. 

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Monrovia High Sophomore Class of 1918

Monrovia High School sophomore class of 1918. Interesting that the schools were apparently not segregated at that time. L to R front row: Marian Harvey, Leona Ames, Mildred Marshall, Grace Hoerger, Elizabeth Palmer, Ivy Anderson, Evalyn Grimes, Dorothy Dodd, Thelma Black, Emily Williams, Dorothy Cassill. Second row: -- Ball, Grace Collins, Hazel Robinson, Beulah McHugh, Helen Kent, Maybelle Hill, Eleanor Everest, Mary Schachter, Mollie Cass, Ruby Root, --, Lenore Talbot, -- McFadden, Lucille Laird, Lou Remington, --. Back row: Merritt Fleming, Ernst Maag, Alfred Cass, John Adams, Myron Hotchkiss, Warren Chadwick, Robert Bowman, Thomas Ross, Paul Dupar, Richard Howey, John Walters, Lee Crane, Clyde Sherwood, Raymond Herr. M.G. Boynton, Lora C. Rau (Teachers). 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

City Considering Two New 25 MPH Zones

At its next meeting (agenda here) the city's Traffic Safety Committee will consider installing 25 mph signs on S. Eighth Ave. between W. Duarte Road and El Norte Ave., and  on S. Alta Vista Ave.

- Brad Haugaard

Black History Celebrationj at Library Feb. 17

Black History Month celebration Feb. 17, at Library with a spotlight on African American arts. Storyteller Ina Buckner-Barnette and crafts in the Youth Services area. Contact: asimpson@ci.monrovia.ca.us or 256-8269.

- Brad Haugaard

Learn About the Planets at Library Feb. 15

Learn about the planets at the Space Exploration event on Feb. 15, 6-8 p.m. at the Library. Learning stations and telescope viewing with Sidewalk Astronomers and Monrovia High Astronomy Club if good weather. No reservation required. Contact: asimpson@ci.monrovia.ca.us or 256-8269.

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Consider New Principal Position

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

~ Creating a new administrative job, Alternative Education and Expanded Learning Principal. That person would oversee  Canyon Oaks High School and Mountain Park Independent Study. Details.  

~  Recognizing February as Black History Month, as Career and Technical Education Month, and designating Feb. 5-9 as National School Counseling Week. 

- Brad Haugaard

City Wins Excellence Award for Lucinda Garcia Park Improvements

Monrovia has been selected for the 2023 California Park and Recreation Society Award of Excellence for the Lucinda Garcia Park Improvement Project. The award recognizes outstanding achievements of agencies and individuals in the areas of design, park planning, marketing, communication, and community improvement and programming. Details in video.

- Brad Haugaard

City Wants Your Thoughts on Streetlights

 The city wants to know what you think of some new streetlights. At night, check out the streetlights along Almond from South Canyon to California; along California from Almond to Maple; and along East Maple from California to Shamrock. These are warm-white LED bulbs designed to mimic the amber glow of traditional streetlights. They also use 30 to 70 percent less electricity, are more reliable and last longer. Let the city know what you think here. 

- Brad Haugaard

New Playground Equipment Coming to Rotary Park

As shown here, the company, Landscape Structures, will add new equipment and playground surfacing to Rotary Park. It should be finished for summer.

- Brad Haugaard

State of the City Address Feb. 13

Residents are invited to the 2024 State of the City Address at LOOK Cinemas in Old Town on Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. City departments will host booths with activities and information, followed by the address at 6 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Talk On Tongva Tribe at Monrovia Historical Museum

The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group is hosting a talk about the local indigenous Tongva Indians on Sunday, Feb. 11, at 1:30 p.m. at the Monrovia Historical Museum. Deb Ogden, a retired educator from the Duarte Unified School District, will speak. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided.

- Brad Haugaard

MTown House Party at Library Park March 10

There will be a House Party to celebrate the MTown Awards at the bandshell at Library Park on March 10 starting at 1 p.m. The event will feature music from Chris Loos, David Cardena, Big Mace 3000, DJ Rox Mix, and a special guest. The MTown Awards beginning at 3 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard