Dinner at Dave’s Hot Chicken

Dinner at Dave’s Hot Chicken, in the Huntington Oaks Shopping Center. Last time I was here I made the mistake of assuming that their spicy chicken was only spicy for someone from Iowa. Wrong! It’s hot! This time I got the two-piece meal with “medium” heat for $12.99 and a soda for $2.29. Very nice and I didn’t sweat. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovian Arrested in Connection with Irvine Burglaries

Marcus Allen Corner, 37, of Monrovia, has been arrested in connection with multiple burglaries in the city of Irvine. Authorities say that Corner carried a food bag, as if he was a food delivery driver. Details.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia High in Top 20% of High Schools in California and the Nation

Monrovia High School has been listed in U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Best High Schools list for the second year in a row, putting MHS in the top 20 percent of high schools in the US and in California.  It ranks  at number 2,987 nationally and at number 415 in California.

The ranking reflects the combined performance across these six  indicators:

• College Readiness
• College Curriculum Breadth
• State Assessment Proficiency
• State Assessment Performance
• Underserved Student Performance
• Graduation Rate

- Brad Haugaard

School Board Member Travanti Says Voting Districts Implemented, But She Doesn’t Like Them

In a post on X.com, School Board Member Maritza Travanti wrote that despite a tight schedule the new school voting districts, the "Maroon 2" option shown here, have been implemented, but clearly she's not happy about it. She wrote:

Throughout this process, not one community member has approached me and said, “Yeah, this is a good idea” or “I want this for our town.”  In fact, it’s been the opposite. Across all demographics, across all political affiliations, no one thinks it’s a good idea when an attorney who knows nothing about our community can demand that we go from at-large voting to 1 vote per every four years. Board Vice President Hammond said it best, “Your vote is now reverted to 20% instead of having 3 votes one election cycle and 2 votes the next election, thus allowing you to have a say for the entire board.” CVRA legislation allows an attorney to legally extort a school district of $30K and wreck havoc on a community. 

The Monrovia community has worked hard to break down barriers and boundaries but is now forced to create new boundaries and division. I stand by our diverse representation! 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Music Fest June 30

Monrovia Music Fest will be held this year on June 30 at Library Park.

- Brad Haugaard

Pinky Looking for Quiet Home With Snuggling Included

Six-year-old Pinky is the sweetest girl! This beautiful cat has the cutest cow coloring and signature pink nose. She loves getting head and neck scratches and will even lean into your hand to ask for more petting. Pinky is also a huge fan of crunchy treats – so if you’re looking for the key to her heart, it’s definitely a handful of snacks!

Pinky is looking for a quiet home where she can snuggle on the couch with you, nap in a warm sunbeam, or perch on top of a cat tree and watch birds out the window. She would prefer a home without dogs and with plenty of crunchy treats!

Pinky and all other cats over 6 months old can be adopted at no charge throughout June (Adopt a Cat Month)!

The regular adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 2:00 – 5:00. For those who prefer, adoption appointments are available daily from 10:30 – 1:30, and can be scheduled online. View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet. Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company Using AI to Create Therapeutic Drugs

Here is a New York Times article about the Monrovia company, Terray Therapeutics, which is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop new drugs for inflammatory diseases such as lupus, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. The company, located at 750 Royal Oaks Drive, hopes to have drugs in clinical trials by early 2026.

- Brad Haugaard 

Sierra Subaru Donates to Arcadia Hospital for Young Blood Cancer Patients

Sierra Subaru of Monrovia partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to donate 80 blankets, patient care kits, and handwritten messages of hope to USC Arcadia Hospital as part of the Subaru Loves to Care initiative. Sierra Subaru also contributed $10,000 to LLS's fund supporting young blood cancer patients and their families. This is part of Subaru's nationwide partnership with LLS, where over 600 Subaru retailers have supported nearly 350,000 cancer patients through blanket donations, funding, and messages of hope. Subaru will match donations made to LLS during June 2024 up to $100,000.

- Brad Haugaard

Gunmen Reportedly Rob 7-Eleven on Duarte Road

Three masked gunmen reportedly robbed a 7-Eleven store at 922 W Duarte Road around 9:45 p.m. Sunday night, June 16. They fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Monrovia Float in 1924 Rose Parade

Monrovia Float in 1924 Pasadena Rose Parade. It looks like a colonial scene. Maybe George Washington? From the Kim Anderson collection. See full details here.

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

Crafts for Children at Library Thursday

Craft-tastic: Weekly craft sessions for families at Library Youth Services Area during June and July. Thursday, June 20, 12 to 2 p.m. Children will create paper plate suns or yarn-woven flowers. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Dungeons and Dragons Tonight at Library

Dungeons and Dragons tonight at Library Community Room. Teens and adults to play classic fantasy tabletop role-playing game, Monday, June 17, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Registration required. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Sign to be Installed at Crudgington Station

The city is planning an 8-foot cedar sign for the building just inside the Wilderness Preserve near the Cloverleaf entry point. The building was called a "fire station," but is being renamed to "Crudgington Station" in honor of former City Council Member Gloria Crudgington. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Free Nutrition Class June 21

- Brad Haugaard 

'Music in Motion' Choir and Dancers June 22

 

San Gabriel Valley Choral Company will present a "Music in Motion" concert with choir and dance, Saturday, June 22, 7:30 p.m., at St Luke Episcopal Church. Silent auction, refreshments at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $25 general, $15 for children under 12. Purchase online here or at the door.

- Brad Haugaard