A Moment in Monrovia History: The Planet, one of Monrovia's early newspapers

A photo of the home of an early Monrovia newspaper, The Planet, located on Lemon. Published in 1933 by the Monrovia News-Post for Monrovia's 47th birthday. From the Myron Hotchkiss 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

Electric guitar for beginners, Feb. 21

Beginner electric guitar workshop for adults and teens at the Library. An introductory class covering basic chords and simple songs, with instruments provided and personal guitars welcome. For adults and teens ages 16 and up. Sat., Feb. 21, 2 to 3 p.m. Registration required. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Teen Game Hangout at the Library, Feb. 20

Teen gaming drop-in offers an afternoon of console, tabletop, and casual play. The program runs Friday, Feb. 20, 3 to 4:30 p.m., in the Community Room at the Library. Nintendo Switch games, Beyblades, and board games available. Open to grades 7–12. No registration required. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High to screen math documentary, March 10

Monrovia High School will show the documentary film, Counted Out, on March 10. It is about the importance of math. Trailer here. Counted Out website here.

- Brad Haugaard

Workshop on preserving fresh citrus

A hands-on workshop on preserving fresh citrus for home use will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 to 11 a.m. at the Community Center. Food ED will present simple food-preservation methods to extend backyard harvests. RSVP here. 

 - Brad Haugaard

Food Ed to bestow Golden Gnomie Awards

Food ED will celebrate its fifth birthday with an evening honoring its volunteers with Golden Gnomie awards, Friday, Feb. 20, 6 to 9 p.m., St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Swan Hall, 122 California Ave. Fifth Tickets $50 here; dinner and drinks included.

- Brad Haugaard

Parks and youth sports fundraiser

Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, & Recreation Foundation will hold a fundraiser to support its parks and youth projects. Feb. 19, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Panda Express, 682 W. Huntington Dr. Dine in, order online, or use the app. Show the flyer (here) in person or enter code 3855309 online. Twenty percent of sales benefit foundation. 

 - Brad Haugaard

Year of the Horse celebration

Oasis Trilingual Community School, 429 E. Wildrose, will hold a free Lunar New Year celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. to welcome the Year of the Horse. Crafts, snacks, games, music, performances, traditional red envelopes. Open to residents and families. For information ca;; 285-8262. 

 - Brad Haugaard

Financial aid sought for student who lost both mother and father

Monrovia High School student Megan Cisneros lost both her father, then two months later, on Feb. 4, her mother as well. A GoFundMe page, here, has been established for those wishing to help the family financially. It seeks to raise $35,000, of which $25,871 has already been raised from 204 donors. 

- Brad Haugaard

Black History Month events

Here are upcoming Black History Month events:

• Feb. 12, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Children’s Art Festival, Community Center
• Feb. 21, 2 to 4 p.m., storytelling and crafts, Library
• Feb. 22, 2 to 4 p.m., luncheon, Community Center
• Mar. 22, 2 to 4 p.m., Jones sisters program, Duarte Historical Museum, 777 Encanto Pkwy.

- Brad Haugaard

City Council has reviewed proposed interior upgrades to Library

At a recent study session, the City Council discussed expanding the Library's children’s wing, which would nearly triple the Storytime Room to 2,000 square feet, adding storage for tables and chairs, and increasing private study rooms.

- Brad Haugaard

SoCal Edison to use drones for aerial inspections

Southern California Edison will use drones and helicopters to conduct aerial inspections of Monrovia neighborhoods in the next few weeks to reduce wildfire risk. Inspections will last 30–60 minutes, as crews examine poles and towers from multiple angles to spot damage or potential hazards and determine needed repairs. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Guided walking tour explores downtown history

A two-hour historic walking tour of Monrovia's historic downtown will be led by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group on Sat., Feb. 7, 10 a.m.. Tour begins at the southeast corner of Palm and Myrtle.  $5 per person. Highlights include the 1909 Library Park drinking fountain and its preservation story.

- Brad Haugaard

Coming Up in Monrovia

Chamber Awards Gala themed 'Old Hollywood', Feb. 6

Pet Valentine and photo event at Sierra Subaru, Feb. 7

Reading and nature for children to age 5, Feb. 7

Guided walking tour explores downtown history, Feb. 7

State of the City event moves to Monrovia High School, Feb. 10

Lego free play at the Library, Feb. 11

Wine, beer and painting for veterans at Library, Feb. 12

Valentine's Day carriage rides from Library Park Feb. 14

Lenten fish fry at Knights of Columbus, Fridays, Feb. 20 to Apr. 3

Hum Out Loud poetry reading Feb. 24

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to consider policy limiting cooperation with immigration authorities

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

~  Establishing a policy that would generally withhold information or campus access from immigration officials unless required by law, warrant, subpoena, or written consent. However, staff would be instructed not to obstruct officers, even if the staff member believes the officer is exceeding what is authorized. Details here and here.

~  Proclaiming February as Black History Month, Career and Technical Education Month, and to recognize Feb. 2-6 as National School Counseling Week.

To celebrate Black History Month, there will be an Elementary Art Festival on Feb. 12 at the Community Center, a Black History Month event at 1:50 p.m. on Feb. 18 at Clifton Middle School, and another at 1:50 p.m. on Feb. 25 at Santa Fe Computer Magnet School.

- Brad Haugaard