Schools superintendent explains arts funding

Monrovia Schools Superintendent Paula Hart Rodas has issued a letter explaining how Proposition 28 arts and music funding works. She writes that the district receives about $775,000–$780,000 annually, with at least 80 percent required by law to fund personnel for direct arts instruction. Each school site develops its own spending plan through collaborative input from School Site Councils, parent groups, and staff. A comprehensive Proposition 28 expenditure report is scheduled for the October 28th Board of Education meeting. Rodas' complete letter here.

- Brad Haugaard

Clifton Music Boosters plans Oct. 2 blood drive

Clifton Music Boosters will host a blood drive Friday, Oct. 2, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Clifton Middle School. The bloodmobile will be on the school’s blacktop or field. Donors should enter through the school’s front entrance. Walk-ins are welcome, or appointments can be made here or by calling 800-879-4484. Donors can receive a $10 In-N-Out gift card while supplies last. The fundraiser supports Clifton’s music students.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High welcomes new Girls Soccer and Boys Basketball coaches

Monrovia High School has welcomed Kevin Mercado as the new Girls Varsity Soccer coach and Rory Hare as the new Boys Varsity Basketball coach. Both coaches bring experience and a passion for athletics.

- Brad Haugaard

Free bulky-item drop-off Oct. 24 at Station Square

The Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley and Athens Services will hold a free bulky-item drop-off Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Station Square, 1629 S. Myrtle Ave.

Accepted items include water heaters, furnaces, bed springs and frames, mattresses, dressers, couches, washers, dryers, stoves, microwaves, tables, chairs and refrigerators. Tires, electronic waste and hazardous waste will not be accepted.

Residents must unload their own items. For more information, call 256-8187 or 774-1105. 

- Brad Haugaard

53 Monrovia students celebrated for attaining English proficiency

Monrovia schools celebrated 53 students who were reclassified as Fluent English Proficient at the Sept. 23 Board of Education meeting. Reclassification recognizes students who have demonstrated the English language skills needed to successfully navigate the full academic curriculum. 

- Brad Haugaard

Clifton Middle School tops Monrovia attendance for three consecutive weeks

Clifton Middle School earned the highest average weekly attendance in Monrovia School District for three consecutive weeks during Attendance Awareness Month.

- Brad Haugaard

Petition Calls for Stronger MUSD Music Program

A new petition asks the Monrovia School District board and superintendent to publicly discuss Proposition 28 arts funding and to develop a long-term music education plan spanning elementary through high school. The petition also requests a community update by December 2026. Details are here.

- Brad Haugaard

Jewish Book Festival: Oct. 25 through Dec. 6

The local Jewish Federation - based in Monrovia - will hold its 28th Annual Jewish Book Festival Oct. 25 through Dec. 6. The schedule includes author events across the region. Details and registration here.

- Brad Haugaard

Heath Harvey retires as police chief; Sarah Covarrubias named successor

New Police Chief Sarah Covarrubias and retiring Chief Heath Harvey.

Monrovia Police Chief Heath Harvey will retire after 29 years with the department, all served in Monrovia. Harvey began as a reserve police officer and later led high-risk operations and community policing efforts, earning the Medal of Valor.

Police Captain Sarah Covarrubias will succeed him as chief. Covarrubias has served the department for 26 years in roles including cadet, dispatcher, officer, detective, sergeant and lieutenant, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminology and a master's degree in public administration from the University of La Verne, and she grew up in Monrovia.

- Brad Haugaard

Mushroom photography exhibit opens at Canyon Park, Oct. 4

The Canyon Park Nature Center will open a new exhibit, "The Mushrooms of the San Gabriel Mountains," featuring photography by Aaron Tupac, on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. The exhibit explores mushrooms found in local forests and previews photos from Tupac's upcoming book. Admission is free, no reservations required, and refreshments will be served. The exhibit runs through January. Details: 256-8282.

- Brad Haugaard

Vote by mail ballots arriving soon; check registration at lavote.gov

Vote by Mail ballots will be mailed soon, and Vote Centers open in one month. You can visit lavote.gov to check registration status, register to vote, or track a vote-by-mail ballot. A presentation on voting options and ballot security given to the city council is also available here.

- Brad Haugaard

265 finish Fountain to the Falls race; Herrera, Cerda take overall wins

265 runners and walkers took part in the Fountain to the Falls Race on Sep. 19, completing a 10K course from the Library Park Fountain to the Canyon Park Waterfall, and back. Overall winners were Jantsiri Herrera and Osvaldo Cerda. Full results here.

- Brad Haugaard

Live Oak Cemetery tour returns, Oct. 24

The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group will host a Live Oak Cemetery tour Saturday, Oct. 24, beginning at 3:30 p.m. and lasting about 1½ hours. The tour, held in partnership with the Monrovia Historical Society, covers some of Monrovia's early families. Tickets are $25 and the tour is limited to 25 people. Tickets are available at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm Ave., by calling 256-8246, or online, here.

- Brad Haugaard

Creation Connections concert at Maryknoll, Oct. 18

A recital titled "Creation Connections," featuring 19th-century German and French art songs by Fauré, Brahms and Schubert, will be held Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. in the Dining Room at Maryknoll's E.A.R.T.H. Commons, 300 Norumbega Drive. Admission is by free-will offering.

- Brad Haugaard

Coming Up in Monrovia

Toddler and Preschool STEAM Activities at the Library, Sep. 25

Game Night for Adults at Library Sept. 25

Adult 3D Printing Workshop at the Library, Sep. 26

Big Band Theory concert under the stars, Sep. 26

Skill-Building Bike Rodeo for kids, Sep. 26

Bethel AME Church marks pastor's 10th anniversary, Sep. 27

Bird walk in Monrovia Canyon Park, Sep. 27

Monrovia Garden Club meets Sep. 28; native plants program

Test of emergency alert system Sept. 29

Pasadena Humane Offers $50 Dog Adoptions Through Sept. 29

Monrovia Guild of Children’s Hospital to hold fundraiser, Oct. 3

Historic Walking Tour of old Monrovia Oct. 3

Monrovia Guild Hosts Autumn Tea Fundraiser for Children's Hospital, Oct. 3

Centre Stage fundraising gala, Oct. 3

Clothing Swap at the Library, Oct. 3

Spooky TableTop Adventures at the Library, Oct. 3

Compost and Mulch Giveaway, Oct. 3

Learn about composting with worms, Oct. 3

Meet & Greet ride with Monrovia Mountain Bike Racing Team, Oct. 3

Old Town Fall Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 10

Fire Prevention Week Open House, Oct. 10

City Council, school board candidate forums, Oct. 12

Pumpkin carving for veterans at Library, Oct. 13

Veggie gardening workshop Oct. 17 at Community Garden South

Chipotle Monrovia Fundraiser to Benefit Survivor Justice Center Oct. 21

- Brad Haugaard