Monthly Archives: April 2008

Mandatory Evacuations Lifted

Posted April 29, 2008 in Local News & Info, The Heat, Video

Who is that little doggie in the window?

Posted April 28, 2008 in Critters, Facades, Scenic

Spotted this little guy on one of my walks. I thought he was fake at first!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser Tonight!

Posted April 27, 2008 in Construction, Events

Delgado Brothers

Enjoy cocktails and dancing to local band The Delgado Brothers while helping a great cause: Habitat for Humanity. This event will benefit the Monrovia Women’s Build, which is raising money to build a Habitat home for a needy family in Monrovia. All you pay is $25 at the door.

So come join your fellow Monrovians on Sunday, April 27th, from 6–8 p.m. and enjoy some great live music. The Monrovia Historical Museum is located at 742 E. Lemon in Monrovia (at Recreation Park).

For more information, or to purchase pre-sale tickets, contact Rena at 626-215-4211. Hope to see you there!

Chantry Fire Update — Sierra Madre in "State of Emergency"

Posted in Local News & Info, The Heat

Latest reports indicated that the fire has now burned more than 490 acres. Only one small structure has been damaged. The fire is more than 20 percent contained and fire officials expect to need 5-7 days for full containment. Approximately 1000 people have been evacuated, and more are scheduled. For a map of the area burned, click here.
Photo by ssladybug

Chantry Fire

Posted April 26, 2008 in Local News & Info, The Heat

As you may have noticed, there is quite a bit of smoke in the air, and flames are visible on the hills above Santa Anita Canyon Road. According to the City of Sierra Madre’s website, which will be continuing to post the latest information, there is a mandatory evacuation for residents above Grandview. The fire has burned 21 acres and there have been no fire-related injuries as of this writing.

Those evacuating have been directed to go to the Hart Senior Park House at 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Firefighters expect to have the fire contained within 24 hours. It is spreading north very slowly.

I drove up Santa Anita a little ways to gauge the fire danger, but unfortunately don’t have good enough camera equipment to get a photo. I saw a couple of determined souls with tripods hoping to get a photo of the blaze. I didn’t stay long as lots of other people had the same idea and the traffic was getting heavy on Santa Anita, and I didn’t want to be part of a headache for police and residents. The smoke was thick enough to come through my air conditioner, and I was happy to get down below back to Monrovia.

Fingers crossed that the firefighters have good luck tonight putting out the flames, as tomorrow’s expected 96-degree heat won’t be helping matters.

Photo by el3ctone

OPEN THREAD: To separate or not to separate?

Posted April 25, 2008 in Discussion, Recycling

I’m a separator. I am the kind of person that believes in recycling, and I do my duty and put all my recyclables in the big blue bin. I also save batteries for the once-a-year Monrovia hazardous drop-off event, and I even recycle my ink cartridges. I’ve also started composting and use biodegradable doggie bags. But hey, this post is not about me.

A couple of very bright and conscientious friends of mine do not separate their recyclables from their trash as they’ve been told that the city puts it all in once place anyway. Ok. I have a hard time believing this. Why would they bother with the blue bins then? Is this all just to make us feel good?

So, I put it to you, dear reader. Do you separate or not separate? Do you have the low-down on this strange bit of goings on? I would very much like to know. Perhaps I will have to take a trip down to the place where the trash goes and see for myself. What do you think?

Myrtle Avenue

Posted April 22, 2008 in Signs

Can’t stop posting today!

A cache of old Monrovia photos! Fantastic.

Posted in A Bit O' History

I’m on a history jag at the moment. I hope you enjoy the pictures, courtesy of the Pomona and Anaheim public libraries. Click twice on images to see them larger. For those of you in other cities, the Online Archive of California may have some cool pictures for you as well!

An old blacksmith shop

Foothill and Myrtle looking north

Old Town with strange octagonal building!