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MONROVIAWEEKLY
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Volume 22, NO. 16
THE HISTORY OF MONROVIA DAY It all began in 1886
Monrovia Day early parade, circa 1910, reflected the spirit of the city’s founder, W. N. Monroe. This year’s parade will reflect the continuing pride residents feel for their beloved city and its annual celebration.
Steve BAKER, Monrovia Historian & City Treasurer GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
T
imes and the scope of the celebrations have changed dramatically since that first day, when the initial lots went on sale in Monrovia to the present time when a four day celebration marks the observance of the founding. But the sense of belonging and the pride with which the parade is presented is ever evident with each passing year. “Well may we celebrate the day when the foundation was laid.” 1887: “Monrovia one year old on the 17th” News item read in the Monrovia Planet May, 1887.
Monrovia: Prepare for Wildfires Now Susan MOTANDER motander@yahoo.com
Monrovia Fire & Rescue urges everyone to begin preparing for the next wildfire… now. As the events of the past several months have illustrated, a tragic wildfire can strike at any time. In fact, Monrovia Firefighters responded to the 2017 wildfires that raged
throughout the State. Sadly, over 10,000 structures were lost in California during the past year. In December of 2017 there were two separate brush fires in Monrovia that were quickly brought under control due to a fast response, favorable weather conditions, and preparedSEE PREPARE PAGE 13
To commemorate the event, the “old settlers” were called together to the town hall on the evening of that day to talk over old times, speak of the advancement made during the town’s short career and spend a pleasant social time together. This was the beginning of Monrovia Day. W.N. Monroe has long been considered the ‘founder’ of the City and served as its first mayor. The Monrovia Choral Union sang “Monrovia Beloved.” Speaker of that evening was W.A. Pile, who commented “That the founding of a new community in a hitherto unsettled and unoc¬cupied section of the country was an event worthy of being celebrated at every re-curring anniversary.” SEE MONROVIA DAY PAGE 12
YET ANOTHER STARBUCKS HAS BEEN APPROVED MONROVIA Five coffee houses now help keep the city awake Terry MILLER tmiller@beaconmedianews.com
Do we really need another Starbucks? Well, that depends on who you ask. The city and the caffeine connoisseurs want you to believe this is so. The news comes at a very controversial time in
- Courtesy photo Steve Baker / Monrovia Historical Society
the Seattle coffee behemoth history. Recently, two black males were arrested in a Philadelphia Starbucks for using the bathroom. The two men were told restrooms were for paying SEE STARBUCKS PAGE 13
THE MONROVIA OLD TOWN REPORT Pam FITZPATRICK, Columnist pam@oldtownreport.com
I’ve been trying to remember when our Monrovia Street Fair first started. I think it was 26 years ago, maybe 27, but suffice to say, it’s been a long run. During those years the fair has seen many changes, in style, in management,
and in location. Over the years there was controversy, intrigue and lots of headaches for the City of Monrovia. I suspect all of the news and views have only strengthened the will of our guests to continue SEE OLD TOWN PAGE 12