This house on North Alta Vista is ALL dressed up for Halloween. The entire house is covered by this façade.
- Brad Haugaard
Altadena Dairy began in Monrovia
A post on Facebook (which I can't find) said Alta-Dena Dairy, now one of the largest dairies in the world, was founded in Monrovia. Who knew? The Alta-Dena Dairy site agrees. It says (here) that:
"It all started in Monrovia, California by three brothers, Elmer, Edgar and Harold Stueve. With little more than 61 cows and a delivery wagon, they set out to nourish their neighbors with tasty, nutritious milk from cows soaking up the fresh, California sunshine."
The Facebook post says it was named Alta-Dena because Altadena was the first neighborhood it delivered milk to, serving more than 300 homes there.
Ah! Here's the video.
- Brad Haugaard
MAFA artist Jenny Rivera shows work at Monrovia Chamber through December
- Brad Haugaard
Monroe’s Alana Elliott named L.A. County School Counselor of the Year
Monroe Elementary counselor Alana Elliott has been named the 2026 L.A. County School Counselor of the Year, according to Monrovia Unified School District. She is also a finalist for the California Association of School Counselors’ 2027 School Counselor of the Year award.
Elliott provides individual and group counseling, classroom lessons and a student leadership program, and organizes family engagement events. The district says she was among its first elementary counselors assigned full time to a single school. She also serves as a CASC School Counselor Emerging Leader.
- Brad Haugaard
Foothill Unity Center seeks food and gift cards for holiday drive
Thanksgiving food packing at Foothill Unity Center. Photo courtesy of Foothill Unity Center.
Foothill Unity Center is seeking canned cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, evaporated milk, pumpkin puree, canned vegetables, grocery gift cards worth $25 or more, and dog and cat food for its holiday food drive.
Drop off donations at 790 W. Chestnut Ave., Monrovia, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Nov. 5, 11, 12 and 13, when the center will be closed. Details.
- Brad Haugaard
Four Monrovia schools named to California ERP Honor Roll
Clifton Middle School, Mayflower Elementary, Monroe Elementary and Monrovia High School have been named to the Educational Results Partnership California Honor Roll, according to Monrovia Unified School District. The district says the recognition honors strong academic performance and progress in helping students succeed.
- Brad Haugaard
Station Square south entrance ribbon cutting, Nov. 4
Monrovia will hold a ribbon cutting for a new pedestrian entrance to the Metro A Line at Station Square, 225 W. Duarte Road, on Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. The south entrance is part of the Trestle development. Details.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia State of the City address set for Feb. 23, 2027
Monrovia's State of the City address will be held Feb. 23, 2027, with a reception at 6 p.m. and the address at 7 p.m. The city council will review the past year and plans for the year ahead. The location and additional details will be announced later. Details.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Route 66 film now on YouTube
The History of Monrovia's Route 66, an hour-long film created by the Monrovia Historical Society and produced by KGEM, is now available on YouTube. Watch it here. Using historical photographs and motion-picture footage, the film covers the highway's arrival in 1926, the Aztec Hotel, the McDonald brothers' early food stands, and the Monrovia Flying Field. The film premiered Oct. 16 at the Monrovia Community Center.
- Brad Haugaard
Incoming police chief Sarah Covarrubias discusses policing priorities and first-year goals
Photo provided by Sarah Covarrubias.
Sarah Covarrubias takes over as Monrovia’s police chief Sunday, Nov. 1. In emailed answers to MonroviaNow’s questions, she discusses enforcement priorities, reckless riding around the Friday Night Street Fair, and her first-year goals.
1. Which problems police face are growing, which are not, and how does that shape your enforcement priorities?
Our enforcement priorities are driven by crime trends, community concerns, and data, but also by the quality of life issues residents experience every day. While some crime categories may fluctuate, issues such as traffic safety, reckless behavior in public spaces, and concerns about homelessness and behavioral health continue to require a thoughtful, coordinated response. My priority is to ensure we are proactive rather than simply reactive, focusing our resources where they will have the greatest impact. That means holding people accountable when necessary while also working with our community partners to address underlying issues and prevent problems before they escalate.
2. I know police have responded to complaints about young riders operating bicycles, e-bikes and electric motorcycles recklessly, particularly around the Friday Night Street Fair. How is the new enforcement working?
We take these concerns seriously because the safety of our residents, visitors, and young people is paramount. We have increased our attention to reckless riding and unsafe behavior, particularly in areas with high pedestrian activity, including the Friday Night Street Fair. Our approach combines education and outreach with enforcement when violations occur. We want young riders and their parents to understand the rules and the very real risks associated with unsafe riding. At the same time, we will hold individuals accountable when their behavior puts others at risk. We will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of these efforts and adjust our approach based on community feedback and observed results.
3. What are your goals for your first year as chief?
My first year will be focused on three priorities: strengthening our department from within, building trust and engagement with our community, and ensuring we are delivering effective, accountable, and forward-thinking public safety services.
Internally, I want to foster a culture of communication, collaboration, professional development, and employee wellness so our personnel have the support and resources they need to succeed. Externally, I want to strengthen relationships with residents, businesses, and community partners, ensuring we listen to concerns and remain accessible and responsive. Finally, I want to continue modernizing our approach to policing through data-driven strategies, innovation, and accountability.
Ultimately, success to me means a department that is well-supported and prepared for the future, a community that feels safe and heard, and a continued commitment to the partnerships that make Monrovia such a special place to live, work, and visit.
- Brad Haugaard
Calvary Chapel Harvest event Oct. 31 moves inside due to possible rain
Update: This event has moved inside.
Calvary Chapel Monrovia, at the corner of Myrtle and Cherry, will hold its family-friendly Harvest event, an alternative to Halloween, on Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m., with trunk-or-treating, carnival games, bounce houses, a petting zoo, face painting, a dunk tank and food. Details.
- Brad Haugaard
Grow Monrovia plants more than 60 trees along East Foothill
- Brad Haugaard
Coming Up in Monrovia
Jewish Book Festival: Oct. 25 through Dec. 6
Dog adoptions just $31 at Pasadena Humane this Halloween, Oct. 29–31
Big band dance social coming to Old Town Oct. 30
Kids Empire Monrovia spooky party, Oct. 30
Mobile Vote Center at Street Fair on Oct. 30
Calvary Chapel Harvest event set for Oct. 31
Halloween Spooktacular and Trick-or-Treat Bash, Oct. 31
Barks and books at the Library, Nov. 3
November Adult Craft at the Library, Nov. 3
Storytime at the Library, Nov. 4
Free fire-resilient gardening workshops, Nov. 5
Free fall and winter planting workshop, Nov. 7
Black alumni association scholarship gala, Nov. 14
For the Love of Paper Fest brings stationery vendors to Monrovia, Nov. 14
Games Month celebration at the Library, Nov. 14
Library storytime with park naturalists at Tsuneishi Park, Nov. 14
Native plant sale and 200-tree giveaway, Nov. 14
Innovation Lab at the Library, Nov. 18
Community Prayer Breakfast set for Nov. 20
- Brad Haugaard
Community Center Move Scheduled for December
The Community Center is scheduled to move to temporary quarters at 324 S. Myrtle Ave. on Dec. 5-6 while the current building is being renovated, according to City Manager Dylan Feik’s Oct. 20 City Council update. Groundbreaking for the renovation is expected in early 2027.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Dinner at Tacos Ensenada
Dinner at Tacos Ensenada, on the north side of Huntington just a bit east of Monterey. Got the Caldo de Pescado (fish soup) for $14.99 and a soda for $2.49. Good and filling. - Brad Haugaard
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