Grow Monrovia petitioning for city to hire arborist and expand protections for trees

The organization, Grow Monrovia, is collecting signatures for two petitions, one to hire a city arborist/urban forester, and one to strengthen tree protection standards. Following are summaries provided by the organization.

First petition

• Create the position of a city arborist/urban forester
• Improve long-term tree planning
• Review development impacts to trees
• Help enforce tree protections
• Improve accountability for city tree management

Second petition

• Expand protections for significant trees
• Improve replacement requirements
• Require better planning around mature trees
• Help preserve long-term canopy coverage

- Brad Haugaard

Some Monrovia Frontier Communications customers have been without service for a month

The Pasadena Star-News is reporting that some Monrovia residents using Frontier Communications for their land line connections have been without service for a month and without information from Frontier. The city has also been unable to get in touch with the company. The outage was apparently caused by the theft of some of the company's copper wiring. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Stories from Latin America at the Library, June 13

Families Read Together: Stories from Latin America, will be held at the Library on Saturday, June 13, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The event features an English-Spanish bilingual performance by Olga Loya, presented by The Music Center of LA County, with stories, folktales, and legends from East Los Angeles and Latin America. Registration required for children ages 0-5 and closes June 13 at 11 a.m. Free books available while supplies last. Details and registration here.

- Brad Haugaard

Reptiles and Friends, at the Library, June 11

Reptiles and Friends, presented by the Wildlife Learning Center, will be held June 11 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Library Park Fountain Area. Children to age 11 can see animals such as a tortoise, walking stick, and Madagascar hissing cockroach while learning about reptiles and other wildlife. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Wildfire ecology and evacuation workshop, June 22

Wildfire ecology and evacuation readiness workshop at the Library, June 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. The family-friendly program will cover wildfire ecology, evacuation planning, community preparedness, and interactive activities focused on wildfire readiness. Registration is encouraged, here.

- Brad Haugaard

Commemoration ceremony for Santa Fe school June 9

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Garden Club 2026 Garden Award winners

Here are the winners on fhe Monrovia Garden Club's annual Garden Awards:

• Laura Lopez and Bob Shonborn, 339 Stedman Place
• Debra and Christopher Mathers, 264 N. Primrose Avenue
• The Feik Family
• Stewart and Patricia Roy, 608 W. Hillcrest Blvd.
• David and Kimberly Van Horsen, 620 Bradbury Road
• Eddie Rogers and Carey McIntosh, 737 E. Lime Avenue
• Jennifer MacDonald, 324 W. Lime Avenue
• Thomas-Patel Family, 1922 Graydon Avenue
• DeAnn Petteruto, 1035 E. Huntington Drive
• Norm Haley, Harding Court, 401 E. Foothill Blvd.

- Brad Haugaard

Photography exhibit 'Birds of Monrovia Canyon Park' opens June 7

A photography exhibit, "The Birds of Monrovia Canyon Park" by Karen Suarez, opens at the Canyon Park Nature Center on June 7 at 10 a.m. The exhibit showcases bird species in the park and will remain on display through September. For information, call 256-8282.

- Brad Haugaard

Summer Solstice Garden Party at Monrovia Community Garden, June 20

The Monrovia Community Garden will host a Summer Solstice Garden Party on June 20 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Colorado and Magnolia. The free, all-ages event includes garden crafts, activities, and live bug viewing. Registration is appreciated. Details and registration here. 

- Brad Haugaard

Summer Reading Program kickoff at Library Park, June 6

The Monrovia Public Library's Summer Reading Program kickoff takes place at Library Park on June 6 from noon to 3 p.m. Activities include inflatables, a bubble dance party, crafts, and lawn games. Sign up at the Library for a free prize book. The program runs through July 31 and is free and open to all ages. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

MAP Block Party at Julian Fisher Park, June 13

The Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) Block Party will be held at Julian Fisher Park on June 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. The free event includes food, refreshments, music, and family activities for all ages.

- Brad Haugaard

Coming Up in Monrovia

Monrovia Library annual patron survey, May 29–June 30

Summer Concerts in the Park, Sundays May 31–Aug. 9

LEGO free play at the Library on June 5

SPOT teen program at Library Park, June 5–Aug. 7

Summer Reading Kickoff Party at the Library, June 6

Create crafts inspired by video game heroes, June 8

Monrovia High School pool open to public June 8–July 31

VFW Post 2070 BBQ & Car Show, June 13

Summer Solstice Garden Party, June 20

San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Celebrates 30th Anniversary June 20

Peace Camp at OASIS, June 22–26

Fire Resilient Gardening workshop June 27

- Brad Haugaard

Schools make progress in several areas, need improvement in others; Smaller budget anticipated; AP Chinese class being considered; Etc.

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

~ Receive a report and hold a public hearing on the Local Control Accountability Plan and the proposed 2026-27 adopted budget.

The LCAP report shows improvement in English language arts, science achievement, English learner progress, and reduced chronic absenteeism. However, it also says math, college-preparation indicators, and facility conditions need improvement.

For 2026-27 the financial side of the report estimates that the district's income will slip from $96.89 million to $95.06 million, with expenditures of $97.3 million, meaning the district will need to dip into its savings for $2.24 million. Also, it notes that enrollment is declining, with 4,564 average daily attendance projected, down from 4,624. Further, it warns that large state budget deficits are expected in the next 2-3 years. Details. More budget detail here, and more detail on LCAP here.

~ Consider approving a new AP Chinese Language and Culture course for grades 11–12 at Monrovia High. The full-year, college-level AP course is modeled after a UC-approved program at Arcadia High School. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Café Mundial

Dinner at Café Mundial on the east side of Myrtle a half block north of Colorado.. Got the Seared Ahi for $26 and a beer for $7. Very nice!

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police tips: Safeguard your car's catalytic converter

The latest police report indicates that six catalytic converters were stolen during one day, plus two more the next day. These are some tips to make your car safer.

- Brad Haugaard