Old Town Report (12/29/16 Issue)

New Year’s Eve on Myrtle Street. – Courtesy photo

By Pam Fitzpatrick

That was so much fun – the holiday celebration, I mean! In fact, I had so much fun, I wish it wasn’t over.

But wait: it’s NOT over! Here comes New Year’s Eve on Myrtle, version 6.0, and here’s what’s in store for Old Town next Saturday…

First, all of the restaurants will be open. I suggest you plan to come early or make a reservation right away, because Old Town is the place to be on New Year’s Eve – especially since this New Year’s Eve is on a Saturday night and the Rose Parade is on Monday this year (not Sunday). The 6th Annual New Year’s Eve on Myrtle will begin at 6 p.m. for the Kid’s Zone which runs from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. this year (one hour longer than before). The music begins about 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. and the band starts about 7:30 p.m. The Beer & Wine Garden will open at 7 p.m., with drink tickets sold at the entrance. Beer and wine are $7 and water and soft drinks are less. There is no fee to enter the Beer & Wine Garden, but remember: you must be 21 or over to enter, and I suggest you bring your ID with you because even I got carded last year! Once your ID is approved you will receive a wrist band and can move freely in and out of the Garden. Parents who want to spend some time in the Garden might want to consider bringing a friend or older sibling to watch the kids in the Kid’s Zone for a while. And no liquor of any kind outside of the Garden, please!

We’ll have Night Owl again this year since they were so popular last year. This is a professional band with young musicians who know a wide range of popular music, so wear your dancing shoes! The band is outside of the Beer & Wine Garden with their stage on the west side of the Colorado-Myrtle intersection. Chris Shevlin and Diane Balsamo will be our twin MCs beginning about 9 p.m. when they introduce our illustrious Monrovia City Council and staff. A special thank-you is appropriate here to Oliver Chi, our City Manager, and Tina Cherry (Public Services) and her staff members Katie Distelrath, Lisa Hansberger and Carrie Vance for being awesome partners in this venture.

And – can’t forget our sponsors: Wendy’s and Athens, our Event Sponsors; Xylem Salon & Spa, our Band Sponsor; Nicola Speranta – Remax Premier Properties, our Beer & Wine Garden sponsor; BMW of Monrovia; Rudy’s Mexican Food; Kiwanis of Monrovia; Donna Baker and Millie Olivas – Teles Properties; The Dollmakers’ Kattywompus; Wil’s Sport & Tackle; Monrovia Tech Support; Metro Infiniti; Foothill Credit Union; Gentile McCloskey; Post Alarm and Ben Mihm – Emergency Response. Oops – can’t forget that this entire event is supported and sponsored by our own Monrovia Old Town Merchant’s Association!

At this point I know what some of you are thinking…it might rain. Well, this is a RAIN or SHINE event, so a little rain won’t hurt. AND, most of the event is completed tented, including the Beer & Wine Garden and the Band. I say it won’t rain, but if the rain comes, the PARTY GOES ON!

Now for a short business update: Anybody looking for a commercial space right in the heart of Old Town? I have one for you, and here’s the phone number: (626)622-4253 – CR Properties, Richard Hale.

This is the spot at 511 S. Myrtle (west side of the street) where Resistor Records used to be. I’m not sure of the square footage; however I know the space is narrow, but very deep. I’ve known Dick Hale for many years and he’s a great landlord, so if you’re interested, give him a call right away!

See you on New Year’s Eve!