Summer job opportunities available for Monrovia youth

There are youth summer job opportunities available through the city's Youth Employment Services program. Jobs are open to Monrovia residents or students enrolled in Monrovia Unified, those graduating high school this June or later, who are at least 15-½ years old by June 1. Experience in volunteer work, school activities, or community organizations are a plus, as are cultural sensitivity and strong interpersonal skills. Application deadline March 28. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Women’s History Month events

- Brad Haugaard 

Housetrained and easygoing Alma loves cuddle time

Alma is a sweet and gentle 7-year-old Staffie with a heart full of love to give! This affectionate girl enjoys the simple things in life—leisurely walks, gentle exploration, and, most of all, cuddle time with her favorite humans. She walks beautifully on a leash, taking her time to sniff and enjoy her surroundings.

Alma is likely housetrained and has a calm, easygoing nature that makes her a joy to have around. Whether you’re out for a relaxing stroll or curled up on the couch, she’ll happily be by your side. She thrives on love and companionship and would do best in a home where she can be part of the family.

This sweet girl is very petite- she's just over 40 pounds- perfect size for most laps!  

Because of Alma’s age, she is eligible for Pasadena Humane’s Seniors for Seniors program. This means her adoption fee is waived for any adopter over 60 years young!  

If you’re looking for a loyal, affectionate companion, Alma might just be your perfect match! Come meet her and see if she’s the missing piece to your heart and home.

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.  

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 10:00 – 5:00. 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 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Monrovia founder also builds Alaska railroad

In addition to being the main founder of Monrovia, William N. Monroe, along with George Monroe, also built a railroad in Nome, Alaska. This photo was kept by George's wife (Annetta Evans) in her scrapbook, so it may be the line they were building, the Wild Goose Railroad, from Nome to Anvil. (Apparently Anvil Creek, a gold mining spot near Nome.) A ticket (not shown here, says "Passengers assume all risk on freight trains." From the Steve Baker 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

Preservation Group announces homes on Historic Homes Tour

1914 Mediterranean Craftsman home.

The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group has announced the lineup for its upcoming Historic Homes Tour on Sunday, May 4. On view will be five vintage homes, a new bungalow court, and the town's two museums, the Monrovia Historical Museum and the Anderson House. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

TableTop Adventures, March 15 at Library

TableTop Adventures, where participants can play tabletop role-playing games with experienced game masters, on Saturday, March 15, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the library. Call 256-8254 for more information. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard 

Dungeons and Dragons, March 11 at Library

Dungeons and Dragons, a classic fantasy tabletop role-playing game, on Tuesday, March 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. For those 16 and up. Contact 256-8254 for more information. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard 

Baby Storytime at Library

Baby Storytime at the Library focuses on songs, games, and motion, in addition to books, to help babies learn and grow pre-literacy skills. For children to age 5 and accompanying adults. It takes place Tuesday, March 11. Call Mr. Josh at 256-8274 for more information.

- Brad Haugaard 

Wildfire workshops planned

Community workshops planned for wildfire preparation.

- Brad Haugaard

Easter egg hunt planned for April 19

The annual Easter egg hunt will be held on Saturday, April 19 (April 12, as printed in Monrovia Today, is incorrect) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Recreation Park, at 620 S. Shamrock Ave.. Registration for the egg hunt begins at 9 a.m. on the morning of the event. For more information call the Community Services Department at 256-8246.

- Brad Haugaard

Spring Veggie Gardening Workshop March 15

A free Spring Veggie Gardening Workshop will be held next Saturday, March 15, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Community Garden South (1650 S. Magnolia Ave.). Free veggie starts will be available while supplies last.

- Brad Haugaard

Presentation planned on Monrovia Legacy Project, March 22

The Monrovia Historical Society and the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group are partnering to present the Monrovia Legacy Project, a website containing almost 10,000 historical photos and documents. The presentation will take place on March 22 at 10 a.m. in the Monroe Room of the Monrovia Community Center.

- Brad Haugaard

KCAL spotlights Monrovia restaurant, Historical Museum

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that KCAL News recently featured Monrovia in its Spotlight Segment, highlighting Max's Restaurant and the Monrovia Historical Museum. The segment included an interview with the owner's daughter, who shared the history of Max's, and a tour of the Monrovia Historical Museum.

- Brad Haugaard

Officer Sanchez Named ‘Police Officer of the Year’

Monrovia Police Officer Sanchez has been honored as the department’s Police Officer of the Year, an award that recognizes “outstanding performance, including talent, dedication, work ethic, and commitment to community goals.”

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High to use Duarte pool for swim team; School report cards; District can pay its bills

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

~ Approving a deal for the Monrovia High swim team to use the Duarte Fitness Center Pools for practice and meets. (People at the latest City Council meeting complained that the Monrovia High pool is out of order.) Details. 

~ Approving School Accountability Report Cards for the district's schools. The following analysis of the report cards (experimental) was provided by AI. Comment: I think it should be noted that Canyon Oaks High School and Mountain Park are rather different animals and it probably isn't fair to treat their results relative to other schools as if it was an apples to apples comparison...

Here are some potential anomalies, both positive and negative, found in the School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs):

• Teacher Credentialing and Assignments:

  • Canyon Oaks High School has a high percentage of teachers (47.35%) assigned out-of-field, compared to the district (1.45%) and state (4.41%).
  • Mountain Park has a notably high percentage of teachers without credentials and misassignments (13.66%) and teachers assigned out-of-field (55.46%) compared to district and state averages.
  • For the 2022-23 school year, Monrovia High School had 9.06% of teachers without credentials or misassignments, while the state average was 5.38%. Therefore, Monrovia High School's percentage was 3.68 percentage points higher than the state average in that year.

• Suspension Rates:

  • Santa Fe Middle School has a significantly higher suspension rate (14.32%) compared to the district (3.14%) and the state (3.28%).
  • Canyon Oaks High School also shows a high suspension rate of 10.94% compared to the district (3.14%) and state (3.28%).

• Academic Performance:

  • Canyon Oaks High School shows notably lower percentages of students meeting or exceeding state standards in English Language Arts/Literacy (13%) and Mathematics (0%) compared to the district and state averages.
  • Wild Rose Elementary shows lower percentages of students meeting or exceeding state standards in English Language Arts/Literacy (29%) and Mathematics (31%) compared to the district and state averages.

• Facility Repair Status:

  • Clifton Middle School and Mountain Park are in "Exemplary" repair status, which is a positive anomaly compared to the "Good" repair status of other schools.

• Physical Fitness Test Results:

  • Canyon Oaks High School shows 0% participation in all five components of the California Physical Fitness Test.
  • Monroe Elementary shows 100% participation in all five components of the California Physical Fitness Test.
  • Mountain Park shows 100% participation in all five components of the California Physical Fitness Test for Grade 5.

Here are the report cards:

Bradoaks Elementary
Mayflower Elementary
Monroe Elementary
Plymouth Elementary
Wild Rose Elementary
Clifton Middle School
Santa Fe Middle School
Monrovia High School
Mountain Park
Canyon Oaks

~ Approving a certification that the school district can pay its bills for the current fiscal years and two following fiscal years. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard