Sidewalk Poetry Contest

The last time you heard from us, we told you about our awesome new public art program that we have affectionately named the Monrovia Cool Stuff That Our Super Talented Public Works Folks Stamp in the Sidewalk Program (or MCSTOSTPWFSITSP, if you will). You remember, we showed you our first stamp, which you can find right outside of the Monrovia Historical Museum. Remember? No? 

Ok, then before you read any further, check out this post to refresh your memory. We'll wait.

You back? Ok, good. So, now that you remember the MCSTOSTPWFSITSP, we are ready to tell you about phase 2. Oh, yes, there is most definitely a phase 2.  Let's make that capital 'P', Phase 2!  

Now, this is where we need your help. In addition to "Monrovia Tidbits," the other cool stuff that our super talented Public Works folks will be stamping into the sidewalk is poetry. But, not just any poetry. Poetry that is written by you guys and gals, the residents of Monrovia! Pretty neat-o, right?

So, here's the way it works. We have just launched our very first Annual Monrovia Sidewalk Poetry Contest. Sounds nice and official, don't you think? If you are interested in taking part of this public art program and seeing your works take physical shape on the public rights-of-way (AKA sidewalks and streets) around town, submit a short (200 - 225 character) poem to us by December 31, 2017. If your poem is selected, we will stamp it into the sidewalk!

As we replace sidewalks throughout the town, we will be stamping "Monrovia Tidbits" on east-west streets, and "Poems by Monrovians" in the north-south streets. This is a citywide public art program, so your poem could appear anywhere in the City, maybe even outside of your own front door! For more information and to download the Sidewalk Poetry Contest application, click here.

We can't wait to read the submittals! 

We know that we can expect great things from our Inspired and Engaged Community Full of Budding Artists and Those Dedicated to Neighborhood Beautification (or, as we like to call it, IAECFOBAATDTNB).

A program in search of an acronym

Did you know that the first parcels of land in the newly subdivided town of Monrovia were sold on May 17, 1886? 

Still a town in 1886, we wouldn’t become a city for about another year and a half.

Hmmm…May 17, that day sounds familiar…

Anyway, the reason we bring this tidbit up, is that it’s now memorialized as part of the City’s newest public art program.  

We've been racking our brain for months and we think we came up with a catchy name and affectionately call it the Monrovia Cool Stuff That Our Super Talented Public Works Folks Stamp in the Sidewalk Program—MCSTOSTPWFSITSP for short!  That rolls right off the tongue, doesn’t it?  You know government, we love our acronyms!

Well, perhaps we can shorten it...just a bit…

Ideas? We're listening!  Send them to planning@ci.monrovia.ca.us.  The winner will get a lifetime free subscription to “Over the Counter”

Wahoo!  (It’s all the budget will allow.)

Speaking of art…one of the great things that we get to do is work with the community on developing public art.  Several years ago, the City Council adopted a public art program that is funded by new development.  Over the past decade, the City has amassed some cool and interesting pieces.  And because Monrovia does things a little different, a little cooler, and thinks outside the box, our art collection is becoming quite eclectic.  And we believe that suits Monrovia to a T! (or is it ‘tee’, ‘tea’...?) 

There we go, off on a tangent again!  (Squirrel!)  But you know how we get, just a little excited to talk all things Monrovian.   

We really just wanted bring you in on the inauguration of MCSTOSTPWFSITSP.  Coming soon: more cool stuff in the sidewalk!  And hopefully a few less letters...

So next time you're headed to the Monrovia Historical Museum, look down at the sidewalk and check it out!  Don't know where the Museum is?  Here's a hint: it's on the north side of Recreation Park (742 East Lemon Avenue).

While you're there, take a #sidewalkselfie and tag it #artinmonrovia.  

Oh, and the significance of May 17…it’s Monrovia Day!

…and now you know…the rest of the story.

Everything Old is New Again

You know, they say that time is like river... it's cold and wet and teeming with bacteria or something like that. But, we think that time is more like a circle. Things come in and fade out only to return again when it's least expected. This blog post is dedicated to the old becoming new again. We know, that seems like kind of a deep topic for our blog, it's amazing how a couple of overcast days have turned us into philosophers!

So, what has us thinking about time in metaphors? Why are we questioning the very nature of how we organize our lives? The answer is Pavilions. Yes, you read that right, Pavilions grocery store has got us thinking about life, the universe and everything. Why has a grocery store affected us in this way? Because Pavilions will soon be looking a little different. Actually, it will soon be looking like a Vons. We know, we know, we just got used to calling it Pavilions, too! 

So what does this change mean for grocery consumers? In a nutshell (which you can buy at Vons, by the way) you'll probably see some lower prices. All of the great products and customer service that you expect from your Monrovia store will still be there.

If you're a planner in Monrovia (so, you know, if you're one of about 6 1/2 people), you're probably wondering about the new sign design. We were thinking that they could save on their new signs by just removing the extra letters, like this:

Pavilions

    v   ons

Shockingly, they didn't particularly like our design idea and decided to go with this instead:

So, if you're driving down the street and notice something different about the grocery store, you haven't time traveled back to 1985 (if we could travel back to 1985, we'd buy some Apple stock) (apples are also available for purchase at Vons... but we were actually thinking about the company that makes iPhones), it's just the universe reminding you that time is cyclical and everything old can become new again!

When anti-aging cream doesn’t work...time for a nip-tuck!  Even buildings need face-lifts.

Though we strive to be less creepy than the little girl from Poltergeist, in this case we are going to have to borrow her catchphrase… “WE’RE BAAAAAACK!”

Since it’s been a hot minute (it’s also been a particularly humid minute, don’t you think?) since our last blog post we wanted to update you on some of the revitalizations happening throughout the city. Some of the City of Monrovia’s commercial buildings are undergoing some major facelifts.. Just in case you look around one day and wonder where the heck you are, here are some of the more prominent age-defying changes currently underway.

The 7-Eleven on Duarte Road is getting a spanking new look! New eyebrow lift, new paint, and new parking will be noticeable. “Did you know?” 7-Eleven was previously named for their hours of operation 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. However, most are now open 24 hours per day. We guess those late night hours would age anybody! Not to worry, through the miracle of modern construction technology, 7-Eleven will be refreshed and looking new again in no time! This facelift is bound to bring new energy to a classic location. Now onto our next problem… is there any way we can let them be open more than 24-hours per day?

 

The renovated 7-Eleven is going to be a quality project, and we think this next one will be too. I mean, it says so right there in the name! We’re talking about the Quality Inn on Huntington Drive, of course! Yep, you heard it here first, folks, the Quality Inn is doing the Cadillac of all facelifts… new stone facades, shutters, and light fixtures, in addition to a new breakfast room and ADA upgrades! After they’re done, you may not even recognize them. But don’t worry, you can still expect the same QUALITY service and reasonable room rates.

And, have you seen the facelift that is in progress on Huntington Drive? Watch out, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, oh, wait, it is a plane! The iconic airplane mural at the former Albertson’s is getting saved! In fact, it is such an important piece of art, that the shopping center shall henceforth forever be known as “Monrovia Landing” (sound the trumpets!). Yes, this major transformative and refreshing façade remodel is breathing new life into an important commercial center. New Facelift, New Make-up, New Parking, New Landscaping and New Businesses! Once the work is done, the tabloids will run side-by-side photos and report that Monrovia Landing denies having any professional work done. It just drinks lots of water and gets plenty of sleep. We swear.

It may be the end of summer, but things are still heating up around here! Stay tuned for more to come!