Old Town Report (10/13/16 Issue)
By Pam Fitzpatrick
Yes, Virginia, there WILL be carriage rides in Old Town Monrovia this December. Hot off the “official” press – that is, the MOTAB meeting this morning – we have approval for a lovely horse-drawn carriage for three Sundays in December (4, 11, and 18). The carriage will be stationed up by Library Park (near Mark Twain, I think) and will carry passengers down Myrtle Avenue to Olive and back again. There will probably be a small charge for the trip.
Understanding that my announcements this week are a bit backwards, I’ll continue on with the Holidays for a minute … Carolers will be in town throughout the month of December, specifically on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with a couple of Friday early evenings before Street Fair, and, of course on Wednesdays when we have the famous Lance and Gary Show converting their repertoire to holiday music. Expect Santa to appear the weekend after Thanksgiving, with Santa Breakfasts on Saturday mornings in December (will print schedule as soon as it is finalized) and kid’s craft and free gift wrap stations as well. The year ends with our huge New Year’s Eve on Myrtle celebration starting at 6 p.m. (for the Kid’s Area) and live music (Night Owl) and Beer & Wine garden opening at 7 p.m. At midnight we have our signature Ball Raising. And, yes, there is a reason it’s not a DROP…
Now, think backwards towards November: November 5th is Celebrate Tina & Cleo Day; November 25th is Black Friday (such a happy day, such a stupid name…); November 26th is Small Business Saturday, and December 1st is the Holiday Parade, which is always the first Thursday in December.
Can’t forget the Halloween Bash in Library Park and Old Town Trick or Treat, both from 3-6 p.m. on Monday, October 31st. Check out the City’s website (www.cityofmonrovia.org) for details on the park events, and expect 3-4 “Candy Stations” in Old Town distributing candy as well as lots of merchants handing out the sweet stuff. If you don’t want the kiddies to eat the candy, check out the YMCA website for info on their Trick or Treat Recycling program (my wording, not theirs), where you turn in your candy and it gets sent to our military.
Businesswise, here’s what’s up: Pho Lemon on E. Lemon (years ago was Empanadas Gourmet) is now Pho Noodle and I see a Grand Opening sign this week. Not sure if they are new owners, or just a change in name, but check them out and let me know! Across the street on Lemon, Saigon Avenue is having their one-year anniversary on October 16th! I saw Mike Bruno (the owner of Myrtle Tree) at City Hall this morning, and Mike confirms that he will open Myrtle Tree up on Monday nights to non-profits for events – just give him at call and make arrangements. While I was at City Hall, I confirmed that Frost My Cake (the 500 block Myrtle business that is replacing Monrovia Bakery) finally received their permits. We had one small film shoot in Old Town last week (Oct. 5th) up at Library Park for an Amazon Coin online commercial. Can’t wait to see our fountain spewing coins after they make their computerized magic!
And last, but certainly not least, if you have ever wanted a chance to dunk Officer Mead, October 21st is your chance. The MPD will have their Pink Patch Project event up at Library Park on the 21st from 6:30 to 9 complete with a live band, a dunk tank, and food! All of the proceeds from this Project go to the City of Hope. Thanks to my Old Town Friends, Soren and Sunday Loft, at Old Town Bistro for catering the event, and thanks to Officer Mead for being a good sport!