Good morning, Monrovians!

What a week for Monrovia history! This past Thursday, the Monrovia Historical Museum celebrated their grand opening of their newest exhibit, "Route 66: A Road Through Time." The grand opening was a fitting way to launch our Route 66 Centennial celebration here in Monrovia, and I appreciate everyone who joined us for the reception, live music, and first look at the new exhibit. And of course...the ice cream and donuts!

The Route 66 celebrations continue this Sunday, May 3, with two more exciting events! The Monrovia Historical Museum and several community partners are hosting "Get Your Kicks," a free Route 66 Centennial Celebration at Recreation Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect vintage cars, live music, food vendors, Route 66 merchandise, face painting, a Route 66 passport stamping station, and more! The Museum's Route 66 exhibit will also be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

But what makes this weekend even more special is Sunday welcomes the 42nd Annual Historic Home Tour, presented by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's tour has a Route 66 theme in honor of the Centennial! Nine historic properties are open for viewing, each with a docent on site and accompanied by a free 20-page brochure with history on each home.

Historic Homes Tour tickets are still available online at www.mohpg.org and will also be available for purchase in person at the Monrovia Historical Museum on Sunday during the "Get Your Kicks" celebration.

It's a full weekend of local history and I hope to see you out there!

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dylan 

Email: dfeik@monroviaca.gov

Highlights in this Update: 

• Veterans Thank You Dinner | Wednesday, May 6
• Monrovia Days is Almost Here!
• Boards and Commissions - Last Day to Submit Applications!
• Celebrating a Legacy: Kiyoshi Kuromiya Named Monrovia’s Newest Neighborhood Treasure
• Monrovia Fire & Rescue Pancake Breakfast | Saturday, May 9
• MPWR Fundraiser at Chipotle
• Walk with a Doc: Free Monthly Walks at Recreation Park
• Parent Support Group for Parents of Young Children
• National Day of Prayer | Thursday, May 7
• Work Around Town
• Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia 

Veterans Thank You Dinner | Wednesday, May 6

The Monrovia Public Library is hosting a free dinner for veterans and their families on Wednesday, May 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Community Room. The evening includes dinner, a presentation from a Los Angeles County Veterans Service Officer on available benefits and services, and a chance to connect with fellow veterans in the community!

Registration is required and closes at 2 p.m. on the day of the event. Sign up today online, or by calling (626) 256-8294.

Monrovia Days is Almost Here!

Monrovia's annual birthday celebration runs Thursday, May 14, through Sunday, May 17, in Old Town! The festivities kick off with a parade at 7 p.m. Thursday, celebrating our America 250, the Route 66 Centennial, and a Western theme. This year, all schools that participate and bring one of the three themes to life on the parade route will compete for the Monrovia Days Spirit Award!

Monrovia Days runs Friday through Sunday with rides, games, jumpers, and a photo booth. Wristbands for unlimited access start at $15 for a single day. Pre-sale pricing ends Thursday, May 14, so grab yours today! Wristbands are available online or at the Monrovia Community Center. Please note, a free account is required to purchase presale wristbands.

Learn more and discover the Monrovia Days full schedule online.

Boards and Commissions - Last Day to Submit Applications!

Are you looking for ways to be more involved in your community? One way to do so is to serve in an advisory capacity on one of the City's various Commissions, Committees or Boards.

Through the end of the day today, we're accepting applications for positions on the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Community Services Commission, Library Board, and Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board.

Boards and Commissions Recruitment/Appointment Timeline:

• Friday, May 1: Application Due
• Wednesday, July 1: Terms Begin

Celebrating a Legacy: Kiyoshi Kuromiya Named Monrovia’s Newest Neighborhood Treasure

We're pleased to recognize Kiyoshi Kuromiya as the City’s newest Neighborhood Treasure, an honor reserved for individuals whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the community.

The Neighborhood Treasure Program celebrates residents through public art who exemplify service, leadership, and community pride. Mr. Kuromiya embodied these values through a lifetime commitment to justice and civic engagement. He was a nationally recognized Asian American and LGBTQ+ rights activist who worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement and later became a leading advocate for AIDS awareness and civil liberties.

A Neighborhood Treasure Celebration will be held tomorrow, May 2, 2026, at 900 block of Royal Oaks Drive, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The event will include an art unveiling, music, and community recognition. The public is invited to attend!

For additional information, please contact kzessau@monroviaca.gov or call 626-932-5564.

Monrovia Fire & Rescue Pancake Breakfast | Saturday, May 9

To celebrate Fire Service Day, the Monrovia Firefighters Association and Monrovia Fire & Rescue are hosting their annual pancake breakfast! Please join us on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Fire Station 101 for delicious pancakes and fun activities! There will be a Jr. Firefighter challenge, raffles, displays, and live demonstrations.

$8 tickets will be sold at the event, and proceeds will benefit local Monrovia charities and Fire Explorers. If you have any questions, please contact our Fire Department at (626) 256-8181.

 Monrovia Chamber of Commerce Upcoming Events

Come join the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce and a few of your local Monrovia business owners by attending one of their upcoming events:

• Coffee Social | Thursday, May 7, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
  • FSP Designs, 331 W. Chestnut Ave., Monrovia CA 91016
  • RSVP
• Business Seminar Series-Part 2 AI Sales Team | Monday,  May 11, 8:30 -10:30 a.m.
  • Monrovia Public Library, 321 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia CA 91016
  • $20 for members, $25 for non-members
  • RSVP
• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Sports Clips Haircut of Monrovia | Tuesday, May 12, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
  • Sports Clips Haircuts of Monrovia, 668 W. Huntington Drive Suite 5H, Monrovia CA 91016
  • RSVP
• Networking Lunch | Wednesday, May 13, 12:00 -1:30 p.m.
  • Jake’s Roadhouse, 622 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016
  • $30 members, $35 non-members
  • RSVP
• Multi-Chamber Mixer | Wednesday,  May 20, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
  • Le Meridien Hotel, 130 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia CA 91007
  • $15 per person
  • RSVP

MPWR Fundraiser at Chipotle

The Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, & Recreation Foundation (MPWR) supports local recreation programs, parks, facilities, and open spaces that enrich our community. Help further their mission by participating in their fundraising event:

Chipotle – May 6, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Present the flyer at the Chipotle located at 608 W. Huntington Dr. or enter code TLHTBT9 when ordering online, and 20% of your purchase will be donated to MPWR.

Learn more about MPWR and explore additional events and programs.

Walk with a Doc: Free Monthly Walks at Recreation Park

A new free walking program has launched in Monrovia, and residents are invited to join in! Walk with a Doc brings together community members and local healthcare providers for a monthly one-hour walk at Recreation Park, with each session featuring a brief health topic discussion and plenty of time to connect and ask questions.

The next walk is tomorrow, May 2, at 9 a.m. The topic for May is "Lifestyle Medicine". Walks are open to all ages and abilities, and start at the Boys and Girls Club entrance at 620 South Shamrock Ave. The next session is scheduled for June 6, also at 9 a.m.

For more information or to RSVP, visit the Walk with a Doc website.

Parent Support Group for Parents of Young Children

First Lutheran Church is launching a free monthly Parent Support Group for parents and grandparents of children ages 0–5, meeting the first Wednesday of each month starting May 6, at 7 p.m. The group offers a space for practical parenting support, encouragement, and connection with others raising young children in Monrovia. Childcare is provided by First Lutheran's preschool staff.

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National Day of Prayer | Thursday, May 7

The Interfaith Council of Monrovia and the Monrovia Ministerial Association invite the community to gather at Library Park on Thursday, May 7, at noon for the National Day of Prayer. This year's theme, "One Community, Many Voices," reflects a shared commitment to the well-being of Monrovia and its residents. The gathering will include prayer and encouragement for local and national leaders, and all are welcome to attend.

Work Around Town

Have you visited the City of Monrovia’s new Projects and Traffic Updates Page? This webpage provides timely updates on City construction projects, local traffic impacts, and utilities maintenance and emergency repairs.

City of Monrovia Project and Traffic Updates

For the week of Monday, May 4, 2026, through Friday, May 8, 2026, the following locations will have construction work that may alter traffic flow and/or sidewalk access. Please follow all directional signage and worker instructions for your safety.

Huntington Drive Project Continues

Drivers should expect traffic delays at the intersection of Huntington and California Avenue. Driveway access will be maintained throughout the duration of the project. Work is projected to last through May 2026.

Sewer Cleaning Project

Drivers can expect temporary lane closures within the project area from Colorado Boulevard on the north to the 210 freeway on the south, and from Fifth Avenue on the west to Sierra Terrace on the east. Work is expected to last through May 2026.

Road Closure on Magnolia Avenue Scheduled to Begin

Beginning the week of May 4, JPI Development will close Magnolia Avenue between Genoa Street and Duarte Road for construction of new underground utility connections to the Station Square South project. Drivers can expect detours along Duarte Road, Genoa Street and Mayflower Avenue. Work is projected to last through May 22, 2026.

Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia

 The City of Monrovia offers interested individuals a chance to keep themselves notified on our job openings through the job interest card. This card will help interested individuals receive notifications about positions that open within the City without having to log on to view our employment opportunities page continuously.

The City of Monrovia is now recruiting for the following positions: 

•  Management Intern (Part-time)
• Neighborhood and Business Services Division Manager
• Police Officer (Lateral)

Neighborhood Watch Report

This report lists the total number of calls for service received over the last seven-day period.

Key Dates, Programs & Virtual Events

• Make an Appointment for Passport Services at Monrovia Community Center 
• Monrovia Street Fair & Market | Fridays | 5 p.m.
• E-Waste Drop Off at Monrovia Public Works Yard | Mon - Thu | 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Subscribe to e-Notifications for Meeting Agendas
• Request a Bulky Item Pick-Up
• Traffic Safety Request Application
• Report an Issue for Public Works
• Shop the City of Monrovia Official Store