Monrovia-based Jewish Federation condemns anti-Jewish crimes

A statement released today by the Monrovia-based Jewish Federation regarding local anti-Jewish and anti-Israel vandalism:

The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys is outraged and disgusted by the continued anti-Jewish and anti-Israel acts of hate that target our local community. This past Sunday, Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center (PJTC) was the latest target of this hate with the message “RIP RENEE F*CK Zionism” spray painted on a retaining wall on their property.

“For the last several years, we have witnessed an unprecedented rise of hate that has targeted the Jewish world,” explains Jason Moss, Jewish Federation’s Executive Director. “I am appalled by the message that was spray painted on the wall in front of PJTC. This is a community and congregation that is still processing and dealing with the destruction of their facility due to the Eaton Fire. This incident does more than add ‘insult to injury,’ it further illustrates the hate, portrayed in this vandalism, Jews all across the world continue to face. I just don’t think people recognize or fully comprehend what this ongoing hate and targeting is doing to our local Jewish community.”

Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys stands resolute in confronting hate and in working alongside our community partners, including PJTC and other Jewish organizations, to expose the hate we are witnessing, support those impacted, and take decisive action to stop it.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Son of Monrovia founder William Monroe

Studio picture of 14-year-old George Otto Monroe, son of Monrovia founder William Newton and Mary Jane Monroe. From the Monrovia Historical Museum 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

Echo can be shy at first, but when she feels safe, blossoms into a lovebug

Meet Echo, a beautiful 2-year-old black pittie at Pasadena Humane who is quietly blossoming into a loving, devoted companion. Echo came to us as a stray and can be shy and cautious at first, but once she feels safe, her true personality shines. While in foster, she’s become a total lovebug who enjoys constant cuddles, asks for more scratches, and happily follows her favorite people around. Echo enjoys exploring and sniffing on walks, balanced with plenty of lounging and resting, and she’s starting to show more playful behavior — especially with her toys! Her energy level is mild, making her a great match for someone who enjoys a calmer, affectionate dog.

Echo is potty trained, crate trained, and very treat-motivated. She would thrive with patient adopters who can offer consistent engagement, gentle guidance, and a calm environment to help her continue gaining confidence. If you’re looking for a loyal, snuggly companion to grow with, Echo may be your girl!

And there’s no better time to adopt — starting this weekend, adoption fees for dogs 6 months and older are waived at Pasadena Humane as a part of the Dog Days of Winter adoption promotion.

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 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 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

School district to consider early retirement bonus; updates to administrator contracts

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

~ Implementing an early retirement bonus equal to 90 percent of the last year's pay for teachers and administrators who voluntarily leave by June 30 of this year. There are more caveats, details here.  

~ Consider updates to the contracts of the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, and Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. The details of these updates are not online, but the staff report says that, "A copy of the updated contract is available upon request."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Historical Museum plans Route 66 exhibit

The Monrovia Historical Museum is planning a new Route 66 exhibit to open on April 30, coinciding with the city’s centennial kickoff weekend. The exhibit explores how transportation shaped Monrovia’s growth - from early road travel to aviation - highlighting the people, places, and stories that made Monrovia a  meaningful stop along America’s most famous highway. As part of this effort, the museum is also rei-magining its airport exhibit to better reflect Monrovia’s role in regional transportation history.

Two temporary exhibits on display right now: 

• Items from the archive, including a late-1800s Chinese Coin Sword and a 1905 Apache Bead Loom, restored by Madi Arnault and Audrey Strople, with assistance from Tanya Valladares and Joovy Chen.
• Metal Art Exhibit by John Ogden, who transforms recycled industrial metal into artistic compositions that play with form, light, shadow, and texture.

- Brad Haugaard

Yarn and Fabric Hangout at the Library on Jan. 20

Yarn and Fabric Hangout on Jan. 20 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Library Story Room. Bring your own embroidery, knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, or handwork project to work on while socializing. Some sewing machines available for small projects or beginners. Limited supplies provided—bring your own materials. Teens and adults welcome. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Teen Game Hangout at the Library on Jan. 16

Teen Game Hangout on Jan. 16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Drop in for snacks, Nintendo Switch games, Beyblades, and board games. For grades 7–12. No registration needed. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Plymouth School celebrates dramatic math and language improvement for 6th graders

The teachers, Markiena Madison, Marina Grande, and Hanita Le.

Monrovia School District reports Plymouth Elementary School sixth graders showed remarkable improvement in language arts and math. From a district report:

A team of sixth grade teachers at Plymouth Elementary School is celebrating exceptional growth in student achievement.

The students had an average annual growth in language arts of 142% and in math, they had a 77% average annual growth for the students overall. Many of the students moved up one or more grade levels in their area! Also, many of the students successfully tested out of phonics.

One of the tools they utilize is iReady, an adaptive online diagnostic tool that includes pre and post assessments to monitor student growth. It provides detailed reports based on subjects and subcategories, where the teachers then use this data to create small groups (level-based), lead various hands-on activities for math, drill students in basic math facts, and re-teach/teach new skills or strategies for both English Language Arts and Math concepts.

Plymouth Elementary Principal Jennifer Maljian is celebrating an outstanding success story, "The 6th grade teachers - Markiena Madison, Marina Grande, and Hanita Le - are doing amazing work with students and hitting their iReady learning targets.” They also create multiple engaging electives that grab and hold their students' attention. The electives include food science, forensic science, and Renaissance leadership.

Their combined teaching experiences from elementary and middle school, including Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School, helped shaped their teaching styles and pedagogies in regards to learning.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High School swimming pool reopens Jan 12

The pool under construction.

The pool finished.

The Monrovia High School swimming pool will reopen on Jan. 12 after critical repairs, thanks to a partnership between the city, which contributed money, and school district. The restoration ends a period of off-site practices for swim and water polo teams. 

- Brad Haugaard

Art Night this evening at Grey & Cash

Art Night tonight at Grey & Cash, 425 S Myrtle Ave, from 6 to 9 p.m. Attendees can enjoy local art and coffee with area artists.

- Brad Haugaard

Two garden workshops planned for Jan. 17 and 22

The Monrovia Community Garden is hosting two free workshops: A hands-on Tree Pruning Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and a Pollinator Garden Workshop with a free plant giveaway on Thursday, Jan. 22 from 7 to 8 p.m. Both will be at the garden, at the corner of Colorado and Magnolia.

- Brad Haugaard

Job fair at Monrovia Community Adult School Jan. 22

 

Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

Volunteers wanted for homeless count

Volunteers are needed for the annual Homeless Count on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 8 p.m., starting at the Community Center. The event helps assess local homelessness for resource allocation. Register here or join the night of the count. 

- Brad Haugaard

City still working on agreement to accept Big M hillside property

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that the city has not yet finalized an agreement to accept a gift from the Pokrajac family of 5.19 acres of Monrovia hillside land containing the Big M that is lit on Monrovia High game days, but he said that, "I will be sure to provide more details as they become available." Assuming the city accepts the gift (a pretty safe assumption), "the city would assume responsibility for the ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and recreational use of the property, along with any future costs associated with preserving or improving the site."

- Brad Haugaard

A preview of Rigo's menu

If you are curious what the new Rigo’s Fiesta Mexican Food restaurant will be serving, its full menu is here, on page 24. Rigo's is applying for a permit to serve beer and wine at its new location at the southeast corner of Mayflower and Foothill, across the street from its old location. It's not open yet.

- Brad Haugaard