News: brad.haugaard@gmail.com   •  Restaurants   •  Library Catalog   •  Library Activities  •  History   •  Facebook / X/Twitter / RSS

Book Review: Fabulous New Book on Monrovia During World War II


Monrovia author Dick Singer has produced a fabulous new book, People Like You and Me: A History of Monrovia in World War II.

Obviously, it is about Monrovia and Monrovians, but even if I lived in Minot, North Dakota, I’d still think it was a great book because it tells in a very engaging fashion of a small town’s part in the drama of a huge war - what Monrovia was like at that time and what it’s people were doing both at home and overseas.

I’m only 162 pages into it (there are 373 pages of story), the war has barely begun and I’ve already learned about Monrovia’s part in the famous Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, about leading citizens leaving their businesses’ lights on during blackouts (Oops!), the restrictions placed on Japanese (and some Germans and Italians), Japanese internment, and people’s surprise at one Japanese family being interned; they thought the family was Chinese because they ran a chop suey restaurant.

As with his other Monrovia books, 1887 and Renaissance Years, the book is meticulously documented, with 39 pages of references in itty-bitty type. Scholarly yet exciting. It feels very much like a Ken Burns documentary, but in print. 

You can buy People Like You and Me at Charlie’s House, 430 S. Myrtle. Books will also be available when Singer speaks about the book at the Library, 2 p.m, July 29.

If you need it mailed, email Sandy Burud of the Monrovia Historical Society at monroviahistoricalsociety1896@gmail.com.  Cost is $30+$5 shipping. She’ll fill you in on the details. 

Now, if you will please excuse me, I want to get back to my reading. 

- Brad Haugaard 

School District Releases 2030 Strategic Plan Overview

The Monrovia School District has released its Strategic 2030 Planning Overview. Here.

- Brad Haugaard

Broken Gas Line on Royal Oaks


Crews working on a broken gas line at 1048 Royal Oaks Dr., at Royal Oak Village. Adjacent condos evacuated.

- Brad Haugaard 

Free Monrovia Leadership Academies, For Youth and Adults

Monrovia Area Partners Youth Leadership Academy, a free 7-week program held Wednesdays from Sept. 7 to Oct. 19 from 3:30-5 p.m. is designed to help youth learn and grow to take active roles in their community. Details


The Monrovia Area Partnership's annual Adult Leadership Academy starts Sept. 7 and runs seven consecutive Thursdays through Oct. 19 from 7-9 p.m. The program educates residents about city government and provides leadership skills to connect them to the community. Many graduates serve in various community roles. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Phishing Hits Monrovia; Cooling Center Open; Share Your Concerns for Disaster Plan

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

~ Phishing attacks are now targeting Monrovians. Phishing involves deceptive emails or messages that mimic legitimate entities to trick people into sharing sensitive information.  Recently, a resident received a suspicious email (shown above), seemingly from the city, urging them to click a suspicious URL. Signs of a scam include: no existing account, lack of personalization, poor grammar, and requests for personal information or passwords. If you suspect a phishing email, report it to reportphishing@apwg.org. For more information, visit www.ftc.gov/phishing

~ The cooling center at the Monrovia Community Center (119 W. Palm Ave.) will be open until this Sunday, July 16, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. All ages are welcome, and minors must be accompanied by a guardian at all times.

~ Share your concerns regarding natural disasters in Monrovia for the city's Hazard Mitigation Plan, which will be designed to reduce the loss of life, personal injury, and property damage. Survey here.

- Brad Haugaard

Council to Consider Letting Baker's Homes Become 11-Room Hotel; Designating Canyon Home as Historic; Recognizing Kiwanis and Plastics Free Month

City Historian Steve Baker's former homes.

At its next meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

~ Allowing the two homes on a single lot formerly owned by long-time City Historian and City Treasurer Steve Baker to be converted into a small historic, 11-room hotel with catered events, a small cafĂ© and the service of alcoholic beverages. The Planning Commission and Development Review Committee have both recommended approval.  Details


~ Designating the house at 332 North Canyon as an historic landmark. The house is Spanish Colonial Revival style and was designed by a "notable builder," Charles S. Cramlet. Details

~ Recognizing Kiwanis Club's 101st birthday. and proclaim July as Plastics Free Month

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Bear Hit By Car; Roof Burns; Indecent Exposure to Cars; Armed Robbery of Catalytic Converter; Arrest in Decades Old Rape


[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 6 – 12. - Brad Haugaard]


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 407 service events, resulting in 80 investigations.

Elder Abuse
July 6 at 3:44 a.m., officers responded to the 600 block of W. Duarte Road regarding a possible dispute and struggle inside an apartment. Officers knocked on the door of the apartment and spoke with a female adult. The female told officers she lived there with her elderly mother. Officers requested to check on the welfare of the mother, but the female refused and argued with officers. Officers made entry into the mother’s room and discovered she had been assaulted. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft Auto
July 6 at 7:21 a.m., the reporting party called and stated his vehicle had been stolen from the 500 block of E. Colorado. This investigation is continuing. 

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
July 6 at 11:31 a.m., employees in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported a theft. An adult male took merchandise and left without paying. The suspect was located and the merchandise was returned. He was arrested, issued a citation and released at the scene. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
July 6 at 10:01 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of S. Ivy reported she and her boyfriend were in an argument and needed police assistance. Officers arrived and found the caller had caused multiple visible injuries to her boyfriend's face. She was arrested and taken into custody. 

Grand Theft Auto
July 7 at 5:36 a.m., a victim in the 1000 block of E. Royal Oaks walked outside his home and discovered someone had taken his car without permission sometime during the night. This investigation is continuing. 

Grand Theft
July 7 at 11:17 a.m., a caller in the 900 block of W. Olive called to report that his vehicle's catalytic converter had been stolen. This investigation is continuing. 

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
July 7 at 1:28 p.m., an employee at a hotel in the 1100 block of E. Huntington called to report that a renter was refusing to leave his room after the checkout time. Officers contacted the subject and a computer check revealed that he had an outstanding warrant. He was arrested, issued a citation and released at the scene. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
July 7 at 8:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Royal Oaks regarding a domestic violence incident. During an argument the male grabbed the female by her arms tightly. The female desired prosecution. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
July 8 at 1:24 a.m., a caller reported he was driving in the 500 block of W. Foothill and had just collided into a bear. The driver was not injured, however, the bear did not survive his wounds. California Fish and Wildlife were notified. 

Traffic Stop – Suspect Arrested
July 8 at 2:42 a.m., while on patrol in the 400 block of S. Primrose officers stopped a vehicle for numerous traffic violation. An investigation revealed the female driver provided officers with false identifying information. She was arrested and taken into custody where she was correctly identified. 

Structure Fire
July 10 at 12:50 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of Fig reported seeing black smoke coming from the roof of a vacant house that is being renovated. When MPD officers and MFD arrived the roof was fully engulfed in flames. MFD quickly extinguished the fire. No one was found inside. The arson investigator's initial investigation revealed the fire was caused accidently by the construction work. 

Commercial Burglary / Pursuit – Suspects Arrested
July 10 at 3:10 a.m., an alarm activation was reported in the 700 block of E. Huntington. Officers arrived and saw a vehicle fleeing the location and a pursuit ensued. Officers confirmed the business had been burglarized. The California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit in the 605 freeway and were able to successfully apprehend the two suspects. Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody. 

Traffic Collision
July 10 at 9:18 a.m., officers responded to a non-injury traffic collision near Huntington and Shamrock. 

Sexual Battery
July 10 at 9:22 a.m., a sexual battery was reported in the 300 block of W. Cypress. Officers arrived and located the victim who reported that an adult male subject on a bicycle passed by the victim and inappropriately touched her. This investigation is continuing. 

Traffic Collision
July 10 at 3:10 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Orange regarding a traffic collision between a solo driver and numerous parked vehicles. Officers arrived and determined the driver suffered a medical emergency. 

Indecent Exposure – Suspect Arrested
July 11 at 6:11 p.m., officers responded to a bus stop in the 800 block of E. Huntington regarding a male adult exposing himself to passing vehicles. Officers arrived and spoke with a witness, who desired to make a citizen's arrest against the suspect. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
July 11 at 8:15 p.m., an employee from a business in the 200 block of E. Foothill called to report an intoxicated subject inside the store attempting to purchase more alcohol. As officers were responding, the employee advised the subject got into a vehicle and drove away. An officer located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period. 

Driving Under the Influence / Injury Traffic Collision
July 11 at 10:00 p.m., officers responded to an injury traffic collision in the area of Palm and Magnolia. Officers arrived and saw a solo vehicle had crashed into two other parked vehicles. The female driver displayed symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol and was transported to a hospital for minor injuries. This investigation is continuing. 

Armed Robbery
July 12 at 4:45 a.m., a resident from the 600 block of W. Colorado reported three suspects stole his catalytic converter. When the victim confronted the suspects, one of the suspects pointed a handgun at the victim and told him to go back in his house. This investigation is continuing. 

Detective Bureau Update:
October 21, 2002 at 12:30 a.m., officers responded to the 1800 block of S. Sixth regarding a rape. DNA was located and processed, there were no matching DNA records on file. On April 14, 2023 MPD was notified that a DNA match was located from a recent DNA entry. The suspect has been arrested in Illinois and is pending extradition to Monrovia. 

Monrovia Schools Job Fair

Monrovia School District is hosting a Recruitment and Job Fair on Wednesday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Monrovia Community Adult School (920 Mountain Ave). The district is hiring for several positions for the upcoming school year:

  • After School Activity Leader
  • Bus Driver
  • Campus Assistant
  • Campus Security Officer
  • Food Service Worker
  • Instructional Aide and more

Bring your resume and be prepared to interview.

For more information go to edjoin.com/monroviaschools or contact humanresources@monroviaschools.net.

- Brad Haugaard 

Vacation Bible School July 19-21 at Calvary Chapel Monrovia

Vacation Bible School at Calvary Chapel Monrovia, at the corner of Myrtle and Cherry, July 19-21. Register here

- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner at Bella Sera


Dinner at Bella Sera, on the east side of Myrtle just north of Lemon. Got the antipasti salad with chicken for $19 and a beer for $8. Very nice. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Possible Weekend Temperatures As High as 107 Degrees

The National Weather Service forecasts temperatures potentially reaching 107 degrees over the weekend, although the Weather Channel is predicting a high of 99 on Saturday and 100 on Sunday. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in air conditioning as much as possible, limit time in the sun during the hottest parts of the day and check on vulnerable neighbors like young children and the elderly. And, of course, never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, as interior temperatures can quickly become lethal in warm and hot weather.

- Brad Haugaard

Register for Community Meeting on Mosquitoes

Monrovia Area Partnership will hold its MAP-Edu quarterly meeting, open to all, on Thursday, August 10,  6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Monrovia Public Library Community Room. Topic: Mosquitoes - health and safety tips, presented by the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

Yolanda - Sassy Confident and Sweet Sensitive

Lovely Miss Yolanda ("Yo" for short) has been waiting patiently for her forever home for quite some time! We really don't know why, as she is such an amazing girl!

Yolanda has been in a foster home and gotten stellar reviews. Her foster tells us Yolanda has been a wonderful house guest. She adjusted really well to the foster home and learned the routines quickly. She sleeps when left alone during day, no barking or separation anxiety.

"Yo walks great on a leash, loves to go for rides. She's a good mix of sassy confident and sweet sensitive. Very loving, she will nudge up to your hands and get excited with her butt and tail wagging asking for attention. She wants to be close and is a great cuddler. She really enjoys bones and her kong. During the day, she's either sleeping on dog bed by my desk or snoring behind me on couch. She's a great couch companion watching a show or game. She sleeps in bed next to me peacefully at night. I can tell that she's used to being a family dog. This sweet old lady is going to make whoever adopts her incredibly happy!"

Yolanda is truly a special girl ready for her special home. Could that be yours?

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

Leslie Van Houten Paroled

Former Charles Manson follower and Monrovia High School cheerleader, Leslie Van Houten, has been released from prison on parole. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Police, CHP Catch Burglary Suspects After Long Chase

Monrovia Police and Highway Patrol arrested men suspected of attempting to burglarize a Monrovia business after a long, multi-freeway chase. Details.

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Monrovia High School Students in 1906

Monrovia High School in 1906, on Ivy Avenue. From the Steve Baker 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

Progress on Canyon Park - What's Planned


Construction has begun on the damaged rock wall below the Nature Center in Canyon Park. The roadway is being replaced, parking lots are being renovated, and infrastructure improvements are being made, including water main replacement and sewer line installation. The project estimate is between $17-$18 million. Additional park features and enhancements are being added, such as picnic areas, seating areas, an educational center, and improvements to the Veterans Memorial. the park should hopefully open in winter, 2024.

The road work below the Nature Center is major because, "the wall and surrounding roadway began sliding downhill this past spring. Unfortunately, the wall has moved enough that we needed to excavate a large portion of the roadway only to find that fixing the wall will mean removing large portions so we can install a proper footing since the rock wall sat on a foundation of piled rock, and lasted for decades. Fixing the wall means we have to take it down and rebuild."

Construction plans for Canyon Park are almost complete. Here's what's planned: 

  • Replacing the roadway from Canyon Blvd. to the Damkeeper's House
  • Replacing all parking lots and adding 24 new parking spaces
  • Replacing the water main, installing a booster pump to feed water from the Oakglade tank, and removing the old Canyon Park water tank
  • Installing a 6" sewer line and removing septic tanks
  • Repairing damaged culverts, guardrails, walls, etc.
  • Enhanced park entrance with new picnic tables and a public art piece
  • Enhancing the park entrance kiosk to enclose it, add air conditioning and storage
  • A small picnic and parking area just beyond the road to Trask Boy Scout Camp
  • A new raised deck/platform near the small picnic area to provide a quiet and peaceful
  • place to sit next to the stream and observe nature
  • A new ADA parking area near the cabin
  • A new small seating area near the cabin and near a large heritage oak tree
  • Enhanced seating that is being called the "Canyon Park Educational Center," with seating near the entrance to 3 Graves Trail, where park naturalists can teach us about the park, nature, wildlife, plants and more
  • Enhancements to the Veterans Memorial, adding native landscaping, seating and perhaps signage to make it a destination within the park
  • A renovated overlook at the top of the park
  • Renovation of the Damkeeper's House to be used for special events and rentals on a limited basis. This area has the best views within the park and we will begin making renovations and repairs for future public use.

- Brad Haugaard

Bear Dies on Monrovia Family's Front Lawn

 A bear, possibly hit by a car, died on a Monrovia woman's front lawn. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Fellowship Church Gathering Back-to-School Supplies for 500 Students


Fellowship Church at Monrovia High School is collecting school supplies for 500 students in need. Drop off donations at the 9 or 11 a.m. Sunday gatherings between June 25 and August 6. Items needed include backpacks, lunchboxes, notebooks, reusable water bottles, pencil packs, folders, erasers, crayon boxes, marker packs, glue sticks, colored pencils, pencil boxes. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Police Call Tow Truck to Haul Wheelchair

An elderly man fell out of his wheelchair. An ambulance took him to the hospital, but what to do with his heavy duty wheelchair? So police called a tow truck to haul it to the hospital. Here is a Facebook video.

- Brad Haugaard