I was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico when I was three. I moved to Monrovia on June 10th, 1981. This is home!
I enjoy Birding and California Native Landscaping. My husband, John, and I love to travel and also just love hanging at home. I like to connect people and the environment, politics and education. The biggest impact we can make is right here in our patch.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I got married to John in 1997 – he is my soulmate. No kids other than our dog, Juneau, who we had for twelve years. My Dad passed away in May this year. My stepmom of 46 years lives in Seattle. My sister and her grown children live in Bellingham, WA. My stepbrother and his family live on the East Coast. My Mom just entered hospice in Tucson, AZ. My stepdad, Leon, is going to be 100 years old next year. It’s been a hard year. I love all my family very much.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
For a decade I rode race horses for a living. While working for Charlie Whittingham in the “Sunday Silence” era, I got to ride and be around amazing champions. In 1988, I started a business of selling jockey silks. Conveniently, my partners who do the sewing live three doors down from me. Being self-employed has been worth more than gold. I enjoy setting my own hours and having time for myself and time to give to my community.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Yay! The Market Grill is back at Gem City! Nano Cafe, Sunday’s Old Town Bistro, Gray & Cash, Cafe de Olla, La Adelita, Rudy’s, Bella Sera, Cafe Mundial, The Peach Cafe and more! We sure appreciate our local places!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I moved to Monrovia ten days after I graduated High School in 1981.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Oh, I would have to write a book there are so manyy! Thank you to trail blazers like Mimi Mency. I tried to carry some of her torch on the Planning Commission advocating for Native Trees. We always collaborated during election time.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Galapagos Islands; Costa Rica; Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Sierra Chincua, Mexico; Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Texas; Rowe Sanctuary in Nebraska for the Sandhill Cranes. There is no lack of places I want to go!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Usually the last good movie I saw! So maybe The Big Sick…. Enjoyed binge watching Ted Lasso most recently.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Breathe, and do what you can to make a difference. Live as sustainably as you can.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Putting solar panels on our house.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Bruce Springsteen
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Mystic Sisters. We need a funky book store!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Stacey Abrams! I so appreciate her organizational skills and how she puts them to work for the betterment of people. I would pick up Market Grill and sit out in our back yard.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Monrovia Canyon Park. It’s amazing that I can go out my front door and walk to a waterfall. Nature brings great people together.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Maybe still here. I love our patch with native landscaping and fruit trees. If we did move, we love the entire Pacific Coast.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
This is very personal and I’m making myself very vulnerable, but I had an abortion when I was 17. Thank goodness I lived in a time and place where the government did not control my body. I’ll fight until my last breath to keep human rights.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
No, no! It’s like having to pick your favorite kid! Antarctica was other worldly.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Any Fall cool day.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Inspiring the next generation.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Bad Ass Women
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Moisture on sage scrub habitat.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
California Native Plants
