News: brad.haugaard@gmail.com   •  Restaurants   •  Library Catalog   •  Library Activities  •  History   •  Facebook / X/Twitter / RSS

School Board Member Travanti Says Voting Districts Implemented, But She Doesn’t Like Them

In a post on X.com, School Board Member Maritza Travanti wrote that despite a tight schedule the new school voting districts, the "Maroon 2" option shown here, have been implemented, but clearly she's not happy about it. She wrote:

Throughout this process, not one community member has approached me and said, “Yeah, this is a good idea” or “I want this for our town.”  In fact, it’s been the opposite. Across all demographics, across all political affiliations, no one thinks it’s a good idea when an attorney who knows nothing about our community can demand that we go from at-large voting to 1 vote per every four years. Board Vice President Hammond said it best, “Your vote is now reverted to 20% instead of having 3 votes one election cycle and 2 votes the next election, thus allowing you to have a say for the entire board.” CVRA legislation allows an attorney to legally extort a school district of $30K and wreck havoc on a community. 

The Monrovia community has worked hard to break down barriers and boundaries but is now forced to create new boundaries and division. I stand by our diverse representation! 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Music Fest June 30

Monrovia Music Fest will be held this year on June 30 at Library Park.

- Brad Haugaard

Pinky Looking for Quiet Home With Snuggling Included


Six-year-old Pinky is the sweetest girl! This beautiful cat has the cutest cow coloring and signature pink nose. She loves getting head and neck scratches and will even lean into your hand to ask for more petting. Pinky is also a huge fan of crunchy treats – so if you’re looking for the key to her heart, it’s definitely a handful of snacks!

Pinky is looking for a quiet home where she can snuggle on the couch with you, nap in a warm sunbeam, or perch on top of a cat tree and watch birds out the window. She would prefer a home without dogs and with plenty of crunchy treats!

Pinky and all other cats over 6 months old can be adopted at no charge throughout June (Adopt a Cat Month)!

The regular adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 2:00 – 5:00. For those who prefer, adoption appointments are available daily from 10:30 – 1:30, and can be scheduled online. 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

Monrovia Company Using AI to Create Therapeutic Drugs


Here is a New York Times article about the Monrovia company, Terray Therapeutics, which is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop new drugs for inflammatory diseases such as lupus, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. The company, located at 750 Royal Oaks Drive, hopes to have drugs in clinical trials by early 2026.

- Brad Haugaard 




Sierra Subaru Donates to Arcadia Hospital for Young Blood Cancer Patients


Sierra Subaru of Monrovia partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to donate 80 blankets, patient care kits, and handwritten messages of hope to USC Arcadia Hospital as part of the Subaru Loves to Care initiative. Sierra Subaru also contributed $10,000 to LLS's fund supporting young blood cancer patients and their families. This is part of Subaru's nationwide partnership with LLS, where over 600 Subaru retailers have supported nearly 350,000 cancer patients through blanket donations, funding, and messages of hope. Subaru will match donations made to LLS during June 2024 up to $100,000.

- Brad Haugaard

Gunmen Reportedly Rob 7-Eleven on Duarte Road

Three masked gunmen reportedly robbed a 7-Eleven store at 922 W Duarte Road around 9:45 p.m. Sunday night, June 16. They fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Monrovia Float in 1924 Rose Parade

Monrovia Float in 1924 Pasadena Rose Parade. It looks like a colonial scene. Maybe George Washington? From the Kim Anderson 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

Crafts for Children at Library Thursday


Craft-tastic: Weekly craft sessions for families at Library Youth Services Area during June and July. Thursday, June 20, 12 to 2 p.m. Children will create paper plate suns or yarn-woven flowers. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Dungeons and Dragons Tonight at Library


Dungeons and Dragons tonight at Library Community Room. Teens and adults to play classic fantasy tabletop role-playing game, Monday, June 17, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Registration required. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Sign to be Installed at Crudgington Station


The city is planning an 8-foot cedar sign for the building just inside the Wilderness Preserve near the Cloverleaf entry point. The building was called a "fire station," but is being renamed to "Crudgington Station" in honor of former City Council Member Gloria Crudgington. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Free Nutrition Class June 21

- Brad Haugaard 

'Music in Motion' Choir and Dancers June 22

 

San Gabriel Valley Choral Company will present a "Music in Motion" concert with choir and dance, Saturday, June 22, 7:30 p.m., at St Luke Episcopal Church. Silent auction, refreshments at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $25 general, $15 for children under 12. Purchase online here or at the door.

- Brad Haugaard

Summer Solstice Potluck Dinner June 20


Grow Monrovia will host a Summer Solstice Potluck Dinner at One Earth Community Garden (777 E. Greystone). June 20, 6 to 9 p.m. Bring homemade dish; kids make dish for youth table. RSVP here. Contact: info@growmonrovia.org.

Financial Literacy Workshop for Students June 19


Foothill Credit Union will host a Financial Literacy Workshop for students ages 13-21. Presentation includes a hands-on money management simulation that gives students a taste of real-world financial challenges, with each student managing a family with a monthly salary, bills, loan debt, and more. Saturday, June 22, 9:30 a.m. to noon. Community Center Kay Dalton Room, 119 W. Palm Ave. Light breakfast, raffles, money machine. RSVP required by June 19 to malcantar@foothillcu.org; space limited.

- Brad Haugaard

Summer Concert Schedule


All concerts last from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring chairs, blankets.

At Station Square Park

June 16 The Todd Stanford Country Band

June 23, The Convertibles, Rock/Soul Band

June 30 Cold Duck, Old School Band

At Library Park

July 7, The Skinny Ties, 80s Band

July 14 Chico Band, Latin

July 21 Bumptown, Disco R&B Band

July 20 OC Groove, Soul and Funk Band

August 4 Thunder, Country Band

August 11 Upstream, Reggae Band

- Brad Haugaard

Water District Offering Free Water Saving Devices


The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District is offering free WaterSmart Home Kits to help residents conserve up to 20% of household water usage. Kits include water efficiency devices such as faucet aerators, shower heads, and sprinkler nozzles that can be easily installed. Residents can apply for a kit by calling (866) 308-8391 or visiting www.upperdistrict.org/wshkit.

- Brad Haugaard

City Performing Broadband Internet Survey


Monrovia is conducting a study to understand the internet needs for households and businesses in the area to ensure everyone has adequate internet service. Take the survey here.

- Brad Haugaard

Athens Rates Going Up 7.9 Percent for Homes, 11.9 Percent for Commercial


Athens Services plans to increase residential rates by 7.9% (4.9% CPI adjustment plus 3% additional) and commercial/solid waste rates by 11.9% (4.9% CPI plus 7% additional) effective July 1, as allowed by its contract with the city.

- Brad Haugaard

Art Installation Saturday to Honor Former Mayor Pat Ostrye

As part of the Neighborhood Treasures program, Pat Ostrye will be honored tomorrow (Satuday) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with an art installation at the 300 block of North Alta Vista, near her long-time residence. Ostrye was the first woman to serve on City Council, and in 1978 became the first woman to be directly elected as mayor. Her leadership brought several programs, including Monrovia Meals on Wheels, Dial-a-Ride, a home library, and a federally funded senior lunch program. Later, in 1980, she was elected as city clerk, then, in 1992, she ran and won the part-time position of city treasurer, thereby serving in all four of the City’s then-elective office. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Latest Monrovia Today Magazine Out

The summer 2024 edition of Monrovia Today is out. Here is the digital version.

- Brad Haugaard