Foothill Unity Center's Bids to Meals Virtual Auction Now Open

Foothill Unity Center's Bids to Meals virtual auction is now live. The fundraiser, held during Hunger Action Month, features items donated by local businesses and organizations, including the Arthur Blair Inn, GO Kart World, Courtyard by Marriott, Arcadia Fire Department, and others. Auction here.

- Brad Haugaard

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

Monrovia’s Old Town Fall Festival returns Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Library Park and in Old Town, with wagon and train rides, face painting, crafts, pumpkin painting, photos and hourly library storytimes. Some activity fees may apply. Details here.

- Brad Haugaard

Chipotle Monrovia Fundraiser to Benefit Survivor Justice Center Oct. 21

There will be a fundraiser for Survivor Justice Center on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Chipotle on Huntington. Twenty-five percent of sales will support free legal aid for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking. Show this flyer  or use code 972ZJTQ for online pickup orders.

- Brad Haugaard

Sales and use tax rate rises to 11 percent Oct. 1

Monrovia's combined sales and use tax rate will rise from 10.5% to 11% starting Oct. 1. The increase reflects Measure ER, the Essential Services Restoration Act, a 0.5% countywide tax approved by LA County voters in June.

A bit of background:

In 2019 Monrovians voted themselves a .75 sales tax increase, to raise the rate to 10.25%, which was the maximum allowed by law, because city leaders figured if we didn't tax ourselves, the county would, but if we raised the tax to the legal maximum then other taxes wouldn't apply to us because we were already paying the maximum, and paying it to ourselves.

So how is it we will be paying 11 percent? I asked City Manager Dylan Feik if the state has raised the tax limit.

He said it has.

Feik writes that "when Monrovia presented Measure K to the community in 2019, one of the key reasons to do this was that state law capped the local sales tax rate at 2.0%. Considering the rate was 1.25% in Monrovia at the time, many cities in the San Gabriel Valley proposed a 0.75 increase. Our measure was approved.

"LA County wanted to extend and increase their homeless tax (Measure H) and they lobbied the State to allow an increase in the sales tax cap to do so. The state legislature allowed them to do so and in November 2024, LA County voters approved Measure A which extended the homeless services tax but also increased the amount collected.

"Measure ER, which was approved by voters in June 2026, did the exact same thing and the cap was increased again."

 
- Brad Haugaard

Big Band Theory concert under the stars, Sep. 26

First Lutheran Church, 1323 S. Magnolia Ave., will host a free outdoor concert featuring Big Band Theory on Saturday, Sep. 26, with music starting at 6:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, picnic basket and your own food and drinks. For more information call 357-3543, ext. 1.

- Brad Haugaard

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

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church will celebrate the 10th pastoral anniversary of the Rev. Everett Bell Jr. on Sunday, Sep. 27, at 2 p.m. The "Steadfast Service" celebration will feature guest preacher, the Rev. Dr. Allen L. Williams Sr. Bethel AME's roots in Monrovia trace to the early 1920s.

- Brad Haugaard

Bird walk in Monrovia Canyon Park, Sep. 27

Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, and Recreation Foundation will host a bird walk in Monrovia Canyon Park on Sunday, Sep. 27, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Local expert Karen Suarez will lead participants in search of local bird species. Binoculars will be provided, though participants may bring their own. RSVP at monroviapwr.org.

Plus, the busy organization will also hold ...

~ An evening fundraiser at the Canyon Park Nature Center and Picnic Area on Thursday, Oct. 22. Reception at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:45 p.m. Live music, a charcuterie table, a catered buffet, dessert and wine. Tickets are $80 and must be purchased in advance by Oct. 16 at monroviapwr.org.

~ A Yoga in the Park event on Saturday, Sep. 26, at 8 a.m. at Library Park. Arrive by 7:45 a.m. and bring a mat, water, sunscreen or bug spray, and a towel. Suggested donation of $5 or more.

~ A fundraiser at Max's Mexican Cuisine, 1101 Huntington Drive, on Wednesday, Sep. 23, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mention the fundraiser flyer will have 20% of their purchase donated to MPWR.

- Brad Haugaard

- Brad Haugaard

City Council, school board candidate forums, Oct. 12

The Chamber of Commerce and League of Women Voters will host candidate forums Monday, Oct. 12, at City Hall Council Chambers. The forum runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by the school board forum from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. The public may attend and submit written questions; viewers at home can call 932-5550 during the broadcast. Both forums air live on KGEM.

- Brad Haugaard

Skill-Building Bike Rodeo for kids, Sep. 26

A free bicycle rodeo for elementary children will be held Saturday, Sep. 26, at 8:30 a.m. at Julian Fisher Park 915 S. California Ave. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. Children will lurn turning, signaling, scanning and braking. Bring a working bike, a helmet and water bottle. Space is limited. Registration opens Sep. 19 at 10 a.m., here.

- Brad Haugaard

National Preparedness Month: build a go bag, know your zone

The city recommends four steps for emergency readiness this month: Make a family plan and check in with elderly neighbors; Pack a go bag with a 3-day supply of medications, documents and water; Map at least two evacuation routes toward Huntington Drive or the I-210; and find your evacuation zone at protect.genasys.com. 

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Prevention Week Open House, Oct. 10

Monrovia Fire & Rescue will host its annual Fire Prevention Week Open House on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 101, 141 E. Lemon Ave. The event includes games, station tours and fire safety tips. This year's theme is "Safe Charging is a Superpower."

- Brad Haugaard

LA County to test emergency alert system, Sep. 21

The LA County Office of Emergency Management, with the National Weather Service, will test the Non-Weather Emergency Message system Monday, Sep. 21, at 10:25 a.m. The message will identify itself as a test. The city will test its Wireless Emergency Alert system on Sep. 29 at 10:30 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

SCE to remove, replace palms on Mountain Ave

Southern California Edison has traced recent power outages in the 100 block of N. Mountain Ave. to falling fronds from Mexican fan palms. Edison will remove the palms on Tuesday, Sep. 22, and plant four scrub oaks in their place in the coming weeks.

- Brad Haugaard

CHP report on death of Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez available

Monrovia has obtained the California Highway Patrol report on the death of Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez, who died while fleeing federal immigration officials near the Home Depot on Aug. 14, 2025. The CHP's report on the incident is here.

Here is an AI summary of the report:

A Guatemalan day laborer identified as Montoya died after being struck by a Ford Expedition on the eastbound 210 Freeway east of Shamrock Avenue on Aug. 14, 2025. CHP said he fled an ICE operation at Home Depot, crossed several lanes and entered the carpool lane, where traffic was moving 50–60 mph. CHP concluded Montoya caused the collision by failing to yield; no action was recommended against the driver. Witnesses saw no agents pursuing him near the freeway. Home Depot and federal drone footage were later booked as evidence, but CHP was prohibited from sharing the footage or contacting the agents involved.

- Brad Haugaard

Coming Up in Monrovia

Rotary Casino Night and Speakeasy, Sept. 19

Fountain to the Falls 10K Run/Walk, Sep. 19

Magic the Gathering 101 at the Library, Sep. 19

Rotary Club Casino Night and Speakeasy at Community Center, Sep. 19

Hispanic Heritage Month at the Library, Sep. 19

SGV Habitat for Humanity Online Auction Through Sept. 19

4th Annual Happy Health Day Set for Sept. 20 at Monrovia YMCA

Paint and Sip For Kids at the Library, Sep. 21

LEGO Free Play at the Library, Sep. 23

Trip to Medieval Times planned for Sept. 24

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

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

Monrovia Garden Club meets Sep. 28; native plants program

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

Veggie gardening workshop Oct. 17 at Community Garden South

- Brad Haugaard