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View Winners → The Old Town Report – Sept. 17, 2015
Monrovia Weekly Sep 16, 2015
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By Pam Fitzpatrick
If I could, I would snap my fingers and September would immediately turn into October; the LA County Fair would be history (sorry, fair-lovers), and September’s extreme heat would give way to the feeling of fall in the air.
Thankfully, the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts is offering up the perfect “Farewell September, Hello October” event at the end of this month with their “Celebrate the Arts” show in Library Park on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26th and 27th (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days). The organizers tell me they not only have a park full of fine arts and crafts, but this year’s event will include the Association’s first-ever “Chalk-Fest.”
And, yes, as of Oct. 1st our Monrovia Street Fair will take on yet another new look. Jerry Diaz from Greenleaf Entertainment has promised to bring us an expanded Farmer’s Market, as well as additional vendors who specialize in handcrafted items. Of course, the popular Kid’s Zone will remain, as will most of the existing vendors. The Monrovia show, in its various configurations, has been going strong for the last 20+ years, and we here in Old Town are looking forward to this new venture with Greenleaf.
The 4th quarter promises to bring us the opening of Botega by Bella Sera in the 400 block of Myrtle. Botega will offer their incredible pastries and deserts, and I understand other gourmet items and gift baskets. If you’ve ever eaten next door at Bella Sera, you can imagine what the deserts will look like at this new retail venture. Also, the 500 block of Myrtle is patiently awaiting the sound of hammers and drills at the old Monrovia Bakery location. Our Planning Department tells me the final plans have been picked up by the new owners (Frost My Cake) – now let the construction begin!
Other new businesses coming to Old Town include a specialty wine, cheese, and “tapas” store on E. Colorado (where Hala Skin Care used to be), 38 Degree Ale House & Grill (previously Merengue who recently re-opened on Myrtle), and Copper Still Grill in the 600 block of Myrtle. And though not technically Old Town, the Paragon will be the new home of Café Press. The new café will specialize in breakfast and lunch along with gourmet coffee, tea and hot, build-your-own paninis. And they are not a chain, so we can expect something unique here!
October will bring “Trick or Treat” throughout Old Town (3-6 p.m. on the 31st), and “Taste of Old Town” by Monrovia Kiwanis on Sunday, Oct. 18th (5-8 p.m.). Tickets for “Taste” are available online (advance) for $50 at www.TasteMonrovia.com and at the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce and the Dollmakers’ Kattywompus. Tickets will be sold at the event for $60, so best to buy in advance. Santa Breakfasts begin early this year (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) and continue Saturdays through December. So far participating restaurants include the Peach Café, Rudy’s Mexican Food, Café LuMar, Monrovian Family Restaurant, and Jake’s Roadhouse. The final schedules will be available in the Holiday flyers throughout Old Town, as well as in this newspaper, in mid-November. And, a reminder: it takes lots of staff time to decorate Old Town, so expect to see the elves begin their work as early in November.
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