Un-Maker Lab lets kids disassemble electronics, June 18

The Un-Maker Lab invites children 6 to 11 to take apart and explore electronic devices on Wednesday, June 18 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Library Story Room. All materials provided. Registration and a library card are required. Adult participation mandatory; no drop-offs. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Wildfire protection seminar for seniors June 12

A free workshop for seniors 50+ on wildfire-resilient home design on June 12 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Community Center. This session will cover fire-resistant building strategies, defensible space, and energy-efficient upgrades. Lunch provided. Call 256-8246 for reservations. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

STEAM activities for children at Library June 11

Hands-on STEAM activity for children ages 6–11 in the Library Story Room. Innovation Lab's next session is June 11 from 3 to 4 p.m. No registration required. Adult participation required; no drop-offs. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Dungeons and Dragons Games at Library June 10

Dungeons and Dragons for ages 16+ in the Library Community Room, June 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Learn to play the classic tabletop fantasy game with the Library’s Dungeon Master. Five players per game; waitlisted attendees may observe. Register here. 

- Brad Haugaard

Hazardous waste collection June 7 at Citrus College

Free hazardous waste collection for toxic household items for items such as paint, used oil, car batteries, e-waste, and pharmaceuticals. Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Citrus College’s Stadium Parking Lot. Limit: 15 gallons or 125 pounds per trip. Some items, including tires and appliances, not accepted. Secure waste by itself in trunk.

- Brad Haugaard

Bugs and Pollinators Garden Party June 21

There will be a Summer Solstice Bugs & Garden Party on Saturday, June 21 at the Community Garden (Colorado and Magnolia). Free garden crafts, activities, workshops, and demonstrations. Waiver and registration required, here. 

- Brad Haugaard

Historic Walking Tour this Saturday

Learn about the site of the old Van De Kamps bakery and other Monrovia history on a guided Historic Walking Tour Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m., beginning at the southeast corner of Palm and Myrtle. The two-hour tour costs $5 per person and is an easy walk.

- Brad Haugaard

Food ED offering five kitchen workshops

Food ED is offering these hands-on kitchen workshops:

• July 12, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Community Center - Fermentation 101
• July 19, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Station Square - Using Up Herbs
• September 3, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Luke's Church- Kitchen Skill Building
• September 20, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Community Center - Foods of the Future
• November 15, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. St. at Luke's Church - Roasting Everything

Interest form here. 

- Brad Haugaard

Three public EV charging stations at water district offices

Three new public EV charging stations are now available at the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District offices. Located at the corner of Foothill Blvd. and Canyon. Charging costs $0.55 per kWh and requires the Monta Charge app. For assistance, contact USGVMW at 443-2297.

- Brad Haugaard

Citywide block party June 21

The Monrovia Area Partnership Anniversary Block Party will be held June 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Julian Fisher Park. The free event features food, live music, carnival games, an information fair, raffle prizes, and more. Open to all. Sign up here.

- Brad Haugaard

Permanent poems for some local writers

Some local poets will have their work permanently stamped into city sidewalks. To submit your original work to be considered for the 2025 Footnotes Sidewalk Poetry Contest, contact Kerri Zessau at 932-5564 or kzessau@monroviaca.gov. Entries are due by June 27.

- Brad Haugaard

Trash rates going up July 1

Trash rates go up starting July 1: 4.005% for Athens Services, in accord with the city's contract with the company, plus 3% more for residences and 7% more for businesses, to comply with SB 1383, which requires cities to divert organic waste.

- Brad Haugaard

Friday night teen program begins tonight

Beginning tonight Monrovia's Summer Program and Opportunities for Teens, SPOT, will be held at Library Park Friday from 5 to 9:30 p.m., through Aug 8, offering grades 6–12 music, games, food, and a teen-only zone. The program's debut season cut youth disturbance calls from 41 to 7.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Music Fest this Sunday - Free

Free Monrovia Music Fest this Sunday, starting at noon in Library Park. Live Bands and performances of various genres, craft beer and wine, artisan market, food trucks, kid zone.

Performance Schedule

• 12:15 p.m. Blues and Fries
• 1 p.m. - Kathryn D'Costa
• 1:30 p.m. - Acoustic Universe
• 2:15 p.m. - Jessy Auclair
• 3 p.m. - Glass Spirits
• 3:45 p.m. - Minah Boktor
• 4:15 p.m. - Young Keta
• 4:30 p.m. - Eye-5
• 5:30 p.m. - Whistling Diva
• 6 p.m. - Hailey Hermida & The Haze

Details.

- Brad Haugaard

School District to consider new course - The Wildcat Way; Measure MM bond projects; Employee compensation

At its next meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Consider offering a new course called "The Wildcat Way" for ninth-grade students on how to succeed in high school and beyond. This course "promotes school pride, positive climate and culture, academic success, and personal development. Students will explore goal setting, time management, leadership, digital citizenship, emotional intelligence, and community building while actively participating in initiatives that lift school morale and foster unity." Details.

~ Receive a report on progress in spending Measure MM bond money: Bradoaks repair - The district expects plan approval by the Division of the State Architect within three weeks. Site Assessments for accessibility, fire alarm and security - All sites have "challenges." Monrovia High Aquatics Project - Project concepts should be completed by the second week of June. Details. 

~ Consider approving these labor agreements: For Administrative Management and Confidential employees ("confidential" employees are those with access to confidential information) a 3.75% pay increase retroactive to July 1, 2024 and increases in longevity payments to $2,000 for 15 years, $4,000 for 20 years, $6,000 for 25 years and $8,000 for 30 years. Details. For Classified employees (not teachers or administrators), a 1% one-time bonus for the 2023-24 school year, and a 3.5% pay increase retroactive to July 1, 2024. Details. For teachers there is not a specific percentage pay increase, but there are adjustments in stipends for extra duties or extra education. See Appendix A for specifics. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard