I have lived in Monrovia for the last 43 years in a California Bungalow with my own Museum in the basement. I moved here from Montana, married and have two sons. I am supposed to be retired, but I am busier than ever volunteering. I am dedicated to helping others in need.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Married 41 years, two sons with the same birthday but nine years apart. My husband has been a Land Surveyor in Monrovia for 45 years.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am Co/Founder of Foothills Kitchen, a nonprofit soup kitchen in Monrovia inside the United Methodist Church. I am the head cook. Tuesdays and Thursdays I volunteer/manage the Thrift store inside the Church. I have had many different jobs, but most involved cooking.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Young’s Gourmet lunch special and the Lucky Elephant.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
43 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Not in Monrovia but I cooked dinner for Marlon Brando and lunch for Chuck Berry.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Billings, Montana to see my sister.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Mars Attacks. Leave it to Beaver.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Life is short. Have fun. Good clean fun. Clean one thing every day.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I completed #1 and #2 on my bucket list. Visit all 50 states. Publish my family Rockhound stories in a world wide Magazine.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
John Prine
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Sunshine Produce on Foothill was such an awesome 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?
The Director of the Department of the Interior. I would tell him how I feel about the way animals are treated in the US, especially our wild horses.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Monrovia has a heart. I believe that most everyone in Monrovia really cares about other people, as well as animals and the environment. These matter to me.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I can’t answer this because as I am old, overweight and diabetic. Probably 6 feet under.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
My hobby is rock collecting and rock education. I have spent all my life doing things with rocks. There are five generations of my family with a history in rocks, fossils and gemstones. I was on National Geographic with my Stegosaurus Femur bone that my dad found in 1938.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Above Glacier Park in a helicopter.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
September. My birthday, “janiepolluza,” and I like the autumn colors and temperatures.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Sleeping with a cuddly cat on a cold night.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
God
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Burning caps from my cap gun. Cilantro
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Head, Hearts, Hands and Health. I was in 4H and those make a home.
