By Nicole MOORE

On Aug. 3, the monthly meeting of the Montrose Shopping Park Assn. started with President Andre Ordubegian expressing the board’s  gratitude and admiration for Mary Dawson, owner of Revelation Tops, for her ongoing assistance in bettering the Montrose Shopping Park.

“She’s been helping us on numerous occasions and any time we needed someone to bail us out she has been there to help us out,” Ordubegian said. “She made sure Montrose Shopping Park looked good and, having said that, I honestly want to thank her from the bottom of my heart.” On behalf of the board, he handed Dawson a potted orchid, a token of appreciation on behalf of the MSPA.

Glendale City Councilmember Paula Devine then addressed the board to report the progress on the current vacant Rocky Cola property. The property will be leased by La Cañada resident Tom Christopoulos. In 2018, it is expected that Christopoulos will replace Rocky Cola Cafe with a new restaurant called Gus and Andy’s Montrose Grill.

“We are in for a real treat,” added Devine.

Robert Newcombe, author of “Montrose (Images of America),” then took the mic. Newcombe shared his desire to honor the dogs of Montrose by putting up a temporary art installation throughout the Montrose Shopping Park. Newcombe would have life-sized metal cutouts of Montrose residents’ dogs commissioned. Members of the Montrose Shopping Park Assn. were quick to approve Newcombe’s idea, as it fits with their vision for Montrose to grow as an arts and culture community. The time and place of the art installation is to be determined at a later date.

Issues, regarding both the LED lights strung throughout the trees in the Shopping Park and the inflatable apparatuses erected during events, such as the Harvest Market and the Arts and Crafts Festival, were discussed. It was noted the LED lights have been dimming and are not cost-effective. Additionally, the inflatable apparatuses have become an expensive liability. The consensus of the MSPA was in favor of no longer having the inflatables at most Montrose Shopping Park events.

Additionally, the 8th Annual Montrose Film Festival will be held on Aug. 18 and Aug. 19 starting at 6 p.m. The free event will take place at the Andersen Pet Store and Montrose Travel parking lots. Free popcorn will be served and members of CVHS’ Prom Plus will be selling candy and soda to fundraise for their organization. The films being shown are “Ice Age – Collision Course” and “Ratatouille” on Friday night and “The Princess Bride” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” on Saturday night. It is free to attend the screenings.

The next Montrose Shopping Park Assn. meeting will be held on Sept. 7 at Glendale Community College – Professional Development Center. The open forum meeting will take place at 8 a.m.

  Nicole MOORE