Huntington Veterinary Hospital

Huntington Veterinary Hospital, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

This sign doesn't actually exist yet. I've created the new logo and mocked it up for the new owner, Gary White, DVM. He's moved from VCA Santa Anita and now has his own practice. Congratulations, Dr. White!

Bulldog Pup!

I never can resist those doggies in the window. It's too bad that they aren't rescue dogs...I think it would be nice for pet stores to sell rescue animals. And oftentimes there are puppies at shelters!

K.C. Hopper

K.C. Hopper, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

Local card shop. Little hearts in the window. We all know what that means, kids. Get ready for smoochies!

Roses

Roses, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

Winter roses in bloom in front of Primrose Villa Apartments near the new Colorado Commons site. I love the pink edging...

Open, Wage Peace, Obey

Obey, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

A shot of the local skateboard shop on Myrtle...

Video posts

I am contemplating adding video posts to this blog...I wonder if anyone would be interested in that? Perhaps going to some local spots and seeing and talking about what is going on? Naturally, my favorite spot would be the wine bar...but there are so many other spots in town...any recommendations...requests? :)

Chestnut Ave.

Chestnut Ave., originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

A quiet little back street running paralell to Huntington Drive. it is my favorite street 'cause it's so quiet. Again, "nostalgized" for effect... :)

Foothill Cities Blog

I've just discovered the Foothill Cities Blog, which documents local government happenings thought the San Gabriel Valley. In their words: "Promoting responsible, limited local government and exposing corruption and government waste in Claremont, Pomona, La Verne, San Dimas, Glendora, Azusa, Duarte, Bradbury, Monrovia, Arcadia, and Sierra Madre." Looks like a great read, and seems to be very up-to-date. I wonder who is behind it?

Le Roys Route 66

Le Roys Route 66, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

Snapped this while driving down Huntington Drive today. Thought the photo needed a little "nostalgizing" ... funny what a little blur, desaturation and vignetting can do...

The Big "M"

The Big "M", originally uploaded by shalf.

Here's a shot of Monrovia's Big "M" up on the hill. I'd like to take a trail up there sometime...

Colorado Commons to-be

Colorado Commons to-be, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

Snapped this photo today of the new Colorado Commons development currently being developed. Har. Looks like all we got to gawk at so far is the beginnings of a parking garage!

TOSCo Building

TOSCo Building, originally uploaded by ~db~.

Nice looking building...I know I've seen it before...

Blue Whale

Whale, originally uploaded by curioustwibbit.

I like this shot of a rather fierce yet playful cut-out whale decorating the top of a wall near Monrovia's L.A. Partyworks. Looks as if he swallowed a bit of plastic and is steaming!

American Towns

I've just read an article in the New York Times profiling two businessmen who have started a series of community based websites called AmericanTowns.com, and yes, Monrovia is in there. I think it's about time someone thought of this, and it seems that this is pretty well done. Anyone can post events and news of goings on about town, and a calendar lets quickly click through events for each day. You can select a radius to view events, and the default 2 mile radius includes Arcadia.

Community resources include maps, movie times, tv guide, a people finder, things to do, weather, wi-fi hotspots, classifieds, coupons, hotels, yellow pages, jobs, real estate, volunteer information, business listings, photos, local shops, etc. The caveat is that you, all of you, have to use it to make it really useful and valuable...so check it out. I'm going to start by listing LivingInMonrovia.com!

Red Car Junction

Red Car Junction, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

Here is a rendering I scanned from the 2007 State of the City Brochure. It depicts the proposed Red Car Junction mixed-use development scheduled to be built later this year at the southeast corner of Myrtle and Olive. It will contain 136 condos, 11 work-live units and 7,800 square feet of commercial space. The 3-acre site will also contain more than 350 parking spaces.

This year's mayoral address for the State of the City meeting was both extensive and succinct, and was chock full of photographs of the city's existing and planned projects. A surprise to me was that the city has now acquired a vacant building that has long been my own particular bug-a-boo, the former Senior Center building located at 601 S. Myrtle. Apparently the city is negotiating a bar & grill restaurant at the site, but nothing has been confirmed. My own fantasy was for a small hotel at the site ("The Monroe"?) that might have a restaurant incorporated inside. Doncha think the city's namesake deserves to have some sort of watering hole named after him? I could imagine something with 19th Century decor and old photos. But hey, my imagination is usually in overdrive!

Silos

Grain Silos, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

Here is a view of silos near the train station area. Anyone know what is inside?

611 Huntington Drive

611 Huntington Drive, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

I just noticed this shop today, and then driving by later at night I couldn't resist. This used to be a clothing store but now it is called Vanity Room Beauty Lounge. So mysterious! :)

Hon Sushi

Had a great meal tonight at Hon Sushi, a new sushi bar and japanese restaurant next to the Foothill Starbucks just west of Myrtle. The atmosphere was lively and more energetic than the previous incarnation, which was often closed. They have more "western type" options for those who aren't into seafood or raw food. I like sushi, but sometimes I am accompanied by people who are timid about it, and this place is for them.

They have a BBQ roll and a teriyaki chicken roll that were very approachable. I'm not a sushi expert, but it seems that they have many creative types of combination rolls in addition to the standard fare. The wait staff was very accommodating and friendly. I'd definitely go again.

Moody Rose

Moody Rose, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

Photo for a dark and rainy night...the view from outside my kitchen window...

Mail in the wall

mail in the wall, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

Fun mailbox spotted in Sierra Madre Canyon!

Monrovia Plug-In Hybrid on NY Horizon

Looks as if hard work is paying off for Monrovia's EnergyCS, one of the companies participating in NY Governor George Pataki's $10 million program to convert 574 hybrid vehicles in the state fleet to plug-in hybrids. Read more at The Energy Blog.

To learn more about EnergyCS, visitor their projects page.

Santa Anita Creek

Santa Anita Creek, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

Here's a lovely view of the Santa Anita Creek in Sierra Madre's Canyon community. They have several such bridges connecting the homes in the area. It's very rustic and charming...

Train Tracks

Train Tracks, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

Here's a shot looking toward what will be the future Gold Line stop at Monrovia. I wonder if there are any plans to spiff up the block wall on the right?

I can just imagine an old-fashioned conductor saying, "Next stop, Monrovia..." in the same voice as Rod Sterling in one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes in which he says, "Next stop, Willoughby..."

In this story a burned out corporate worker drifts off every day on the train and dreams about the perfect town to visit, which is called Willoughby.

Dog Lovers Read Up

Here's an ad I spotted on Craig's List that seems worthy of passing on:

Miuntes from Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, Azusa, Temple City, Monterey Park

Can you spare a half an hour or more a week? DOGWALKERS are desperately needed to let the pups out of their kennels to stretch their legs!!!

Other opportunites avaliable to help out ...

851 E. Grand Ave
San Gabriel, Ca 91776
626 (286-1159)
www.sghumane.org
E-mail: sgvhs@yahoo.com

Library News

The City has a nicely done new website (you may click on the link in the sidebar to visit), and prominently featured are the latest plans and renderings for the proposed library redesign. I know this is a highly anticipated event, but all hurdles are not yet cleared, as you can read about here.

Canyon Door

Canyon Door, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

I wandered around Sierra Madre Canyon today and took snapshots. I just love the community in there. It reminds me of Laguna Canyon in the 70's. Everyone is quite friendly and the giant oak trees provide lots of dappled shade.

Bye Christmas!! Until next year!!

Bye Christmas!! Until next year!!, originally uploaded by Living in Monrovia.

Can't say I'm sorry to see this Christmas end. What a relief!!