Baby Storytime at the Library, Oct. 6

Babies can build early literacy skills through songs, games, motion and books at Baby Storytime in the Story Room on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Taste of Old Town Returns Oct. 25

The Kiwanis Club of Monrovia’s 11th annual Taste of Old Town will bring food and drinks from more than 50 vendors to Myrtle Avenue on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. The 21-and-older event benefits local youth programs and is expected to sell out. Details and tickets here.

- Brad Haugaard

MonroviaNow additions: Community guide, job links, transportation

 I've created three new mostly-static pages on MonroviaNow:

• Community Guide - Links to information about Monrovia.
• Jobs - Links to local - and sort-of local - job information.
• Getting around - Transportation information: GoMonrovia, trains, bus lines.

There are links to these pages at the top of desktop version of MonroviaNow. 

Hope this is helpful.

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: The official Monrovia Days Song from 1950

This is the official Monrovia Days Song from 1950, performed in the video above by Centre Stage singers. Words and music by Elizabeth Graeme and published by the Monrovia Lions Club. From the Steve Baker collection. If you'd like to sing along, click 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

Snuggly Rosie is a sweet couch companion who also loves a good walk

Meet Rosie, a sweet 4-year-old girl who's happiest when she's close to her favorite people. At about 45 pounds, she's the perfect size for snuggling up on the couch—and cuddling with her foster mom is one of her very favorite activities.

When she's not snoozing on the couch or relaxing in her dog bed, Rosie loves playing with rope toys and heading out for enthusiastic walks. She's got a wonderful mix of playful energy and cozy couch-potato charm.

Rosie is ready to trade her foster home for a couch—and family—of her very own. Come meet this affectionate girl and see if she's the one you've been waiting for!

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

Big band dance social coming to Old Town Oct. 9, 30

Dance Around The Clock Monrovia will host an evening of ballroom, Latin and swing dancing with the 23-piece Gem City Jazz Cats Oct. 9 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is $25 at the door; no reservation is needed. Details are here.

- Brad Haugaard

Measure K sales tax revenue to pay for renovations to Community Center, Recreation Park, fire station

According to a staff report to the Measure K Citizen Advisory Committee, Monrovia's Measure K sales tax is projected to bring in about $7.78 million for the fiscal year that ended in June, down from $8.15 million the year before. A city report estimates the fund balance at $30.63 million, though the latest figures await an audit. The city plans to use Measure K primarily to repay bonds for improvements to the Community Center, Recreation Park and Fire Station 102. Payments are expected to reach about $4.3 million annually starting next fiscal year. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Schools superintendent explains arts funding

Monrovia Schools Superintendent Paula Hart Rodas has issued a letter explaining how Proposition 28 arts and music funding works. She writes that the district receives about $775,000–$780,000 annually, with at least 80 percent required by law to fund personnel for direct arts instruction. Each school site develops its own spending plan through collaborative input from School Site Councils, parent groups, and staff. A comprehensive Proposition 28 expenditure report is scheduled for the October 28th Board of Education meeting. Rodas' complete letter here.

- Brad Haugaard

Clifton Music Boosters plans Oct. 2 blood drive

Clifton Music Boosters will host a blood drive Friday, Oct. 2, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Clifton Middle School. The bloodmobile will be on the school’s blacktop or field. Donors should enter through the school’s front entrance. Walk-ins are welcome, or appointments can be made here or by calling 800-879-4484. Donors can receive a $10 In-N-Out gift card while supplies last. The fundraiser supports Clifton’s music students.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High welcomes new Girls Soccer and Boys Basketball coaches

Monrovia High School has welcomed Kevin Mercado as the new Girls Varsity Soccer coach and Rory Hare as the new Boys Varsity Basketball coach. Both coaches bring experience and a passion for athletics.

- Brad Haugaard

Free bulky-item drop-off Oct. 24 at Station Square

The Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley and Athens Services will hold a free bulky-item drop-off Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Station Square, 1629 S. Myrtle Ave.

Accepted items include water heaters, furnaces, bed springs and frames, mattresses, dressers, couches, washers, dryers, stoves, microwaves, tables, chairs and refrigerators. Tires, electronic waste and hazardous waste will not be accepted.

Residents must unload their own items. For more information, call 256-8187 or 774-1105. 

- Brad Haugaard

53 Monrovia students celebrated for attaining English proficiency

Monrovia schools celebrated 53 students who were reclassified as Fluent English Proficient at the Sept. 23 Board of Education meeting. Reclassification recognizes students who have demonstrated the English language skills needed to successfully navigate the full academic curriculum. 

- Brad Haugaard

Clifton Middle School tops Monrovia attendance for three consecutive weeks

Clifton Middle School earned the highest average weekly attendance in Monrovia School District for three consecutive weeks during Attendance Awareness Month.

- Brad Haugaard

Petition Calls for Stronger MUSD Music Program

A new petition asks the Monrovia School District board and superintendent to publicly discuss Proposition 28 arts funding and to develop a long-term music education plan spanning elementary through high school. The petition also requests a community update by December 2026. Details are here.

- Brad Haugaard

Jewish Book Festival: Oct. 25 through Dec. 6

The local Jewish Federation - based in Monrovia - will hold its 28th Annual Jewish Book Festival Oct. 25 through Dec. 6. The schedule includes author events across the region. Details and registration here.

- Brad Haugaard