Free health screenings at USC Arcadia Hospital Oct. 26

USC Arcadia Hospital will host the 23rd annual free community health fair on Sunday, Oct. 26 from 8 to 11:30 a.m., offering screenings and consultations, including flu shots, blood tests (cholesterol, diabetes, liver, kidney, thyroid, Hepatitis B), stroke and bone density screenings, vision and hearing tests, BMI, blood pressure checks, breast exams, mental screenings, plus CPR training, refreshments, and giveaways.

- Brad Haugaard

Movie thriller, Yesterday is Almost Here, to debut at Monrovia's LOOK theater Oct. 30

The 92-minute thriller, Yesterday Is Almost Here, premieres Oct. 30 at Monrovia's LOOK Dine-In Theater for a one-week run. Written and directed by San Gabriel Valley filmmaker Joston Ramon Theney, the relationship drama follows a jealous writer’s psychological descent. The production, funded by Theney and produced in California, stars Nicholas Brendon, Phillip Andre Botello, Jackie Moore, Shoshana Wilder, and Tuesday Knight. A Q&A with Theney follows the opening-night screening.

- Brad Haugaard

Free presentation on trash at the Community Center on Oct. 28

The Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a free presentation, "Let's Talk Trash," by an Athens representative on Tuesday Oct. 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Community Center's Monroe Room. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Colorful car show along Myrtle today

Lots of old street rods on display in old town today.

- Brad Haugaard 

Young children storytime at the Library, Oct. 22

Storytime for ages 2–5 Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Library Community Room. Interactive stories, songs, and sensory crafts to  support vocabulary, comprehension, critical thinking, and motor skills. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Table Top Adventures for adults, Oct. 25

Beginner-friendly tabletop gaming for ages 16 and older, featuring Dungeons & Dragons’ gothic horror expansion, Ravenloft. Saturday, Oct. 25 from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Library Heritage Room. Registration required by 11 a.m. that day. Light refreshments provided. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Veterans Meetup Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.

Monthly veterans meetup Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Starbucks at Huntington and Magnolia. Free coffee and camaraderie, and access to Veterans Service Officers and VPAN representatives. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

'Route 66, An Ode to an Old Road' is now online

This documentary celebrating Route 66, An Ode to an Old Road: A Route 66 Story, explores the historic highway’s impact locally and regionally and features local voices, including council members and artists. The film is produced by Community Media of the Foothills.

- Brad Haugaard

Artist reception, new art, music, refreshments at Community Center Oct. 26

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts will host a free art reception and workshop on Sunday, Oct. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Community Center. The event features new work by local artists Renee Taylor, John Ogden, and Mike Dukes, with live music, refreshments, and artwork for sale. Open to all ages. No RSVP required.

- Brad Haugaard

Roadwork on Peck between Duarte Road and Longden Oct. 20-25.

There will be roadwork on Peck Road between Duarte Road and Longden Ave.Oct. 20–25. Expect single-lane traffic in both directions from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For questions call Public Works at 256-8224.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High pool repair should start within two weeks; Red Ribbon Week

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

~ Receive a report estimating the cost of repairing the pool at Monrovia High School to be $320,000, with work expected to start within two weeks. Details.

~ Consider proclaiming Oct. 23-31 as Red Ribbon Week, dedicated to encouraging students to live drug free. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

City to study what to do with historic house it bought

The City Council will hold a study session on the historic house and land the city bought at 222 E. Cypress. The meeting is at 6 p.m. Oct. 21 in the City Council chambers. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Guild of Children's Hospital fundraiser set for Nov. 1

The Monrovia Guild of Children's Hospital Los Angeles is sponsoring a "Razzle Dazzle Cabaret" on Nov. 1 in Pasadena to benefit the hospital. Tickets available here. Ticket sales deadline has been extended to Oct. 31.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at The State

Dinner at The State, on the east side of Myrtle near the corner of Lemon. Got the pesto chicken sandwich for $16 and a beer for $8. I enjoyed it. 

- Brad Haugaard 

City budget has $2.76 million surplus - may spend it on police dispatch update

At its next meeting (agenda here) the City Council will receive a report saying that Monrovia closed last fiscal year with a $2.76 million surplus, more than triple what had been projected. The report says this "positive variance is mostly due to savings in maintenance and operations budgets." Staff suggests using $1 million of the surplus to switch the Police Department's old analog dispatch system - one of only two left in LA County - to a modern digital system. The report also recommends chipping in $53,208 for partnerships with the Monrovia Unified School District, to repair the high school pool and open elementary school grounds to the public after hours. Details.

- Brad Haugaard