Monrovia 3-Year-Old Named First-Ever 'Gerber Get’ems' Winner

Joey Rider, a 3-year-old from Monrovia, has been named the first-ever Gerber Get’ems winner in the 2026 Gerber Photo Search. Get’ems is a new category recognizing children ages 3 to 5 and is named for the company's line of healthy snacks designed for children three and older.

On social media, Gerber posted:

"Joey’s photo captures what makes her so special: a smile that shines bright and a spirit that makes friends everywhere she goes, brings people together, and makes sure no one is ever left out.

"From coloring side by side with her family to dreaming up new creations, she leads with imagination and creativity, filling every moment with joy and connection. In so many ways, Joey is coloring her world and the world around her in the most vibrant way."

Joey and her family will receive a $10,000 prize, plus a wardrobe valued at $500 from Gerber Childrenswear."

- Brad Haugaard

Music Trivia and Karaoke at Library, June 27

Music trivia and karaoke at the Library on Saturday, June 27, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for adults. Music trivia, followed by karaoke, and snacks. No registration required. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Baby Storytime at the Library on June 23

Baby Storytime will be held at the Library on Tuesday, June 23, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. for children to age 5 and their caregivers. Books, songs, games, and movement activities to support early literacy development. Children must attend with an accompanying adult. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Teen Game Hangout at the Library, June 19, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Teen Game Hangout at the Library, June 19 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Teens in grades 7–12 can drop in to play Nintendo Switch games including Mario Kart and Smash Ultimate, Beyblades, and board games. Snacks will be provided. No registration is required. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Library hosting induction cooking workshop June 20, wildfire preparedness June 22

Monrovia Public Library is hosting two free workshops this month.

On June 20, from noon to 2 p.m., an Induction Cooking Workshop (ages 18+) will feature samples from a Latin-Asian fusion menu and information on borrowing an induction cooktop through the Library of Things collection.

On June 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., a Wildfire Ecology, Evacuation Readiness, and Your Community workshop will cover wildfire ecology, evacuation planning, and household preparedness steps.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Canyon Park Family Hike and Campout, June 27-28

Monrovia Canyon Park will host its Annual Family Hike and Campout at Fireman's Flat Picnic Area from June 27 at noon through noon on June 28. Campfires, s'mores, guided day and night hikes, story time with Monrovia Library, and family activities. A barbecue dinner and pancake breakfast are included. Registration is $123 per 10' x 10' campsite (maximum 4 people). Space is limited. For more information, call Canyon Park staff at 256-8282.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia PD Touch-A-Truck Event, June 14

The Monrovia Police Department is hosting a free Touch-A-Truck event on June 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Monrovia Community Center. Children and families can explore police cars, fire trucks, and other vehicles up close. Officers and firefighters will be present, along with vendors serving the autism community.

- Brad Haugaard

MPWR fundraiser at BJ's Restaurant in Arcadia, June 24

The Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, and Recreation Foundation (MPWR) is hosting a fundraiser at BJ's Restaurant in Arcadia, on June 24, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Show the flyer or enter code JUN317 when ordering online, and 20% of your purchase will be donated to MPWR.

- Brad Haugaard

LA Metro releases new mobile app for riders

If you ride the train, LA Metro has released a new mobile app that combines trip planning, service alerts, and fare information. It includes service alerts for buses and trains, regional trip planning, bike share and Metro Micro locations, TAP vendor locations, and station amenities. 

- Brad Haugaard

Work on Huntington and Myrtle through June

A road closure will be in effect at Myrtle Avenue, south of Huntington Drive, June 16-19. Avoid the area. Additional traffic delays are expected at the Huntington Drive/California and Huntington Drive/Shamrock intersections through June.

- Brad Haugaard

City to consider buying two new fire trucks; City deficit a bit less than expected, Etc.

One of the Pierce Enforcer model fire engines.

At its next meeting (agenda ) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider buying two new fire engines, Pierce Enforcer Triple Combination Engines, for $2.93 million, with a $293,000 contingency amount. The engines will replace two reserve fire engines that are approaching their 25-year frontline lifespan. One is 24 years old and the other is 18 years old. Details. https://www.monroviaca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/40571

~ Receive a financial report saying that while the city is running a deficit, its finances are in decent shape, but rising pension and operating costs are a problem. 

The city expects a General Fund deficit of about $2.4 million in 2026-27, an improvement from the $2.65 million deficit projected when the two-year budget was adopted. Revenues are projected at $62.8 million and expenditures at $65.2 million.

Property tax revenue continues to grow, hotel tax revenue remains strong, but sales tax revenue has largely flattened. The city's biggest financial challenge is rising pension costs, with annual payments toward its unfunded CalPERS liability increasing from $1.38 million in 2024-25 to $3.89 million in 2026-27, with another increase expected next year.

To help close the gap, the City plans fee increases, delayed hiring, contract reviews, grant applications, and continued contributions to its pension stabilization trust. Details. 

~ Consider proclaiming June 19 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day and June 19-25 as National Mosquito Control Awareness Week. 

~ The city will also hold a study session at 6 p.m. on the economic development and business climate in Monrovia, and have a "Communications Overview." Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Coming Up in Monrovia

Monrovia Library annual patron survey, May 29–June 30

Summer Concerts in the Park, Sundays May 31–Aug. 9

SPOT teen program at Library Park, June 5–Aug. 7

Monrovia High School pool open to public June 8–July 31

VFW Post 2070 BBQ & Car Show, June 13

Stories from Latin America at the Library, June 13

MAP Block Party at Julian Fisher Park, June 13

Smoothie Social at the Library for children, June 15

Summer Solstice Garden Party, June 20

San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Celebrates 30th Anniversary June 20

Summer Solstice Garden Party at Monrovia Community Garden, June 20

Peace Camp at OASIS, June 22–26

Wildfire ecology and evacuation workshop, June 22

Fire Resilient Gardening workshop June 27

Arthur Blair Historic Inn Grand Opening July 4 in Monrovia

- Brad Haugaard

Summer Monrovia Today brochure is out

The summer edition of Monrovia Today is now online. Lots of activities listed for the months ahead. See it here.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at new Mayan Bar and Noodle restaurant

Had dinner at the new Szechuan style Chinese restaurant in the Aztec Hotel on Foothill. Got the spicy beef noodle bowl for $15. It was very good and there was a generous amount of beef in it. There's no sign out front yet, but I was told that the restaurant name will be Mayan Bar and Noodle. The "bar" part of the name has not yet fully kicked in as the restaurant still needs to get city approval.

- Brad Haugaard 

Fire breaks out on Santa Anita Wash

A fire broke out along the Santa Anita Wash near Bonita Street this morning about 10:30. It sent billows of black smoke into the sky, but was quickly put out. Some social media posts indicated it may have been a homeless encampment that caught fire.

- Brad Haugaard