Greetings! My name is Kristin Ritzau and I’ve been a Monrovian for almost 14 years now. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, but I often say Monrovia is the town I always dreamed of living in with its community and small town charm. After years commuting and doing work elsewhere, I’m proud to have founded a nonprofit here in Monrovia in 2020 and continue to invest in this wonderful city’s future. I’ve met some of my closest friends here and am raising my kids here. We love Monrovia!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband, Nate, and I will celebrate our 17 year anniversary this year. We have two great kids, Thatcher and Shepherd, who attend Bradoaks Elementary. Go Bobcats! We are also a proud AYSO family and spend our weekends coaching and watching our kids play the sport we love.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’ve dedicated most of my career to higher education. In 2017, I completed my PhD in Religion and Ecology. where my research focused on female farmers all over the United States. Shortly after, I helped launch Monrovia Community Garden with the city and Mountainside Communion, but my day job was running a university farm and teaching over fifty miles away. I started noticing all of the gardens around schools and how they only looked nice a couple months out of the year. Dr. Greg Gero at Plymouth reached out to us and asked how we could partner to shape a garden program at Plymouth Elementary. Since then, I founded Food Exploration and Discovery – Food ED as it’s known – and we now are partnered with five MUSD schools and growing to other cities. I love working with my team, which includes the ineffable Gio Leos. But I love getting to know Monrovia from the point of view of each school and its amazing educators who we partner with each week. We are now running STEAM garden programs all over town and in the parks. It is truly an honor to do this work in my adopted hometown and have it embraced by others.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
So many options! On a weeknight, we often grab nachos at La Adelita or Hawaiian BBQ at TK Cafe. On a date night, we try to duck into the Saltner. And I am always a sucker for a potato ball at Merengue. Friday night pizza-night from Alitalia is the best! And so glad Market Grill is back!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Almost 14 years now. We bought a home in 2008 and have been working on it ever since.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I’ve gotten to know some amazing administrators of our schools from the dedicated school board to our principals. People like Dr. Jayne Nickles, Dr. Geoff Zamarripa, and Dr. Greg Gero are so passionate about schools and the education our kids receive. I know I have just met a handful of the people who help our kids each day, but I am inspired by their commitments and sacrifices. I also am continuously encouraged by our plot renters at the community garden. Getting to know families and individuals like Sylvia, Ami, Kerry, Brian, Victoria, and so many others over the past three years – people who are now friends – just keeps me invested in our great city and meeting our neighbors.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I really love Italy, and watching Stanley Tucci’s show this year only made me want to go back. I’ll travel anywhere for food.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Parks and Rec and Schitt’s Creek are my favorite shows. I’m definitely one of those people that can watch the same show over and over. I also really appreciated the show Lost Kitchen this past year.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Build longer tables, not higher fences.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To travel with my kids.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Movie soundtracks. They always have a bit of everything.
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?
I would love to take anyone to Market Grill, but Samin Nosrat would be a favorite, as she is a food hero of mine. I know this question says “someone alive,” but I would have greatly appreciated sharing a meal with Anthony Bourdain, as well. Both have special appreciations of culture, food, travel, and community. They appreciate not only food, but the stories behind what makes food special. Food is never just about food… and they understand this. How lovely to share a meal with them at a favorite place.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The Monrovia spirit. It has that small town feeling even though we are part of a gigantic county. Each year, I feel like I make more connections with neighbors and friends, and it’s just a neat place to live where you really get to know your neighbors.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Cheering on my boys playing soccer at MHS.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I will choose popcorn over dessert every time.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Lake Como, Italy. It has just the most relaxing, quiet, beautiful towns all nestled into amazing mountains that seem to jut right out of the water.
Q: What’s your favorite month? Favorite holiday? Best single day on the calendar?
I love Halloween. We always dress up as a family, and we used to enter the city costume contest. But mostly I love it when we can all approach each other’s houses and give to one another – even if it’s copious amounts of sugar.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My mom’s cooking.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
When I switched careers to running a nonprofit, I wondered if people should still call me Dr. Ritzau. Some of the students at one of the schools were told to call me that, and I switched to Dr. K on the spot, explaining that I was a Doctor of plants. One little girl said, “You can be a doctor of plants?” Her little face still inspires me because by owning my story, I can inspire others, but these students and their enthusiasm for learning inspire me daily. We should embrace our stories and true selves.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Garlic and freshly baked bread
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” – Virginia Woolf
