🌟 Hey MAD Community — Happy New Year 2026! 🎉

Hope you rang in the new year feeling recharged, refreshed, and maybe just a little optimistic (or at least well-fed).

The MAD Insider keeps growing because of you. Every read, share, and forward helps strengthen the heartbeat of Monrovia, Arcadia, and Duarte, and that support truly matters.

As we head into 2026, we’ll keep doing what we do best each week:
✨ Local weekend events
✨ School fundraisers that need love
✨ Neighborhood gems worth knowing
✨ Community wins worth celebrating

Thank you for showing up, staying engaged, and backing the place we’re proud to call home. Let’s make 2026 brighter, kinder, and more connected.

Kindness is still free, and it never goes out of style.

👉 Know someone who loves local? Share this with a Monrovia, Arcadia, or Duarte friend and help grow the MAD community in the new year.

The San Gabriel Valley’s real estate market is stabilizing in 2026 after years of soaring prices and fierce bidding wars.

In Monrovia, home prices are easing, with a median sale at $950,000 and average market times now stretching to 71 days, giving buyers increased choice and leverage.

Arcadia remains the priciest area, posting a median sold price of $1.81 million, while homes take about 80 days to sell amid substantial inventory, allowing for more negotiation and careful buyer decisions.

Meanwhile, Duarte stands out for value with median prices near $852,500 and brisk demand despite only 30 active listings, making it especially appealing for first-time and move-up buyers.

As the housing landscape shifts, both buyers and sellers must focus on smart pricing and market timing for the best results in this new, more balanced environment.

The Rose Bowl Flea Market draws crowds from across Southern California and beyond on the second Sunday of each month, earning a stellar reputation for its massive size and diverse finds.

With over 2,500 vendors set up at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, attendees discover everything from antiques and vintage treasures to one-of-a-kind art and retro apparel.

Open rain or shine, shopping runs from 5:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with early arrivals recommended for serious thrifters and collectors.

VIP entry begins at $20, while regular admission starts at $13, with tickets purchased online only.

Parking options include free lots and paid preferred access, with plenty of walking expected, so comfortable shoes are a must.

Hydration, hats, and sunscreen are suggested, as are cash and roomy bags for new finds.

Karaoke Champions, a high-energy live competition, is transforming Arcadia into a bustling destination for interactive nightlife, attracting locals and visitors eager for an experience that goes beyond a typical bar or open-mic night.

Hosted at Astronaut City, this lively weekly event fuses performance, audience engagement, and friendly rivalry, offering the excitement of a concert and the community feel of a gathering.

Performers are spotlighted in a spirited contest, where energy and creativity matter just as much as vocal skill, while the crowd’s reactions decide the winners.

With Arcadia’s central location, the event appeals to residents of Monrovia, Duarte, and the wider San Gabriel Valley, creating a lively night out close to home.

The 21+ venue makes it ideal for date nights and group outings, supporting Arcadia’s growing role in the regional arts and entertainment scene.

Karaoke Champions is quickly gaining buzz as a must-visit community experience.

(Image courtesy of the pollack group)

California has spent decades battling wildfires with water and chemicals. A startup called Sonic Fire Tech believes it is time for a different approach.

Los Angeles fans of epic film music will be treated to a dazzling, immersive experience as the Candlelight concert series brings The Lord of the Rings soundtrack to life this January.

The event, titled Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings, features a live string quartet performing Howard Shore’s iconic score, celebrated for its emotional depth and sweeping themes.

Hosted at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on January 9, 2026, the candlelit venue sets the perfect mood for music that transports audiences to Middle-earth.

Attendees will hear beloved pieces from all three films, making the one-hour concert ideal for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

This special performance is part of Candlelight’s global series and coincides with the 25th anniversary of the beloved film franchise—a nostalgic event for The Lord of the Rings enthusiasts across LA.

Proudly serving the San Gabriel Valley, Duarte Tile is a local business built on community, craftsmanship, and trust. For years, they’ve helped neighbors turn houses into homes, from simple kitchen upgrades to full remodels, always with care, quality, and pride. As we head into 2026, Duarte Tile remains committed to building beautiful spaces right here in the community they call home.

Daily Fun Sarcastic Quotes

Speaking Fluent Sarcasm

January 1 – January 14

Because January deserves personality too, not just resolutions and regret.

📅 January 1 — New Year’s Day
Fresh calendar. Same personality. Today is about optimism, leftovers, and pretending this is the year you become a morning person.

📅 January 2 — Science Fiction Day
Celebrate robots, space travel, and dystopian futures that feel… uncomfortably familiar. Bonus points if you question reality before noon.

📅 January 3 — Festival of Sleep Day
Your body has officially requested more rest. Cancel plans. Ignore alarms. Naps are the main event.

📅 January 4 — National Trivia Day
Random facts finally have their moment. The useless knowledge you’ve been hoarding? Today it’s called intellectual dominance.

📅 January 5 — National Bird Day
Shoutout to birds for waking up early, yelling nonstop, and still having main-character confidence. Honestly inspiring.

📅 January 6 — National Bean Day
Small, mighty, and doing more work than expected. Beans understand hustle culture better than most people.

📅 January 7 — Old Rock Day
Celebrate things that are solid, reliable, and slightly grumpy. A perfect metaphor for January energy.

📅 January 8 — Bubble Bath Day
Hot water. Questionable life choices. Zero responsibilities. This is self-care without a to-do list.

📅 January 9 — National Static Electricity Day
Touch something. Get shocked. Jump dramatically. Repeat. January air has chosen violence.

📅 January 10 — Houseplant Appreciation Day
Thank your plants for surviving despite inconsistent watering and emotional neglect. Growth under pressure.

📅 January 11 — National Clean Your Desk Day
Clear the clutter. Lose important papers. Immediately regret it. Productivity is mostly a myth anyway.

📅 January 12 — National Pharmacist Day
Appreciation for the people who read doctor's handwriting and still save lives. Actual superheroes in lab coats.

📅 January 13 — National Sticker Day
Stickers make everything better. Laptops. Water bottles. Emotional wounds. Slap one on it and move on.

📅 January 14 — National Dress Up Your Pet Day
Because nothing heals the soul faster than an animal dressed against its will. Fashion is pain. Even for pets.

Help make a difference in the lives of our Warriors

Working Dogs For Warriors

Ford has announced two major safety recalls impacting its Mustang Mach-E and other models.

Nearly 200,000 Mustang Mach-E vehicles from 2021–2025 are affected by a door-latch software flaw that may leave rear-seat passengers trapped if the doors fail to unlock after someone exits the vehicle.

A separate recall targets over 1 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles, including the Mach-E, due to a rearview camera glitch that can freeze or fail to display images—heightening the risk of accidents while reversing.

Both issues can be fixed through free software updates, with many eligible for over-the-air installation, though some owners may need to visit dealerships.

Ford urges owners to check their vehicle’s recall status and install updates promptly.

Owner notification letters are scheduled for mid-to-late June.

📅 Thursday, January 1, 2026

🌹 137th Rose Parade (Pasadena)
🕗 8:00 AM – ~10:00 AM
📍 Pasadena, CA — Colorado Blvd (parade route)
Kick off the year with Southern California’s signature celebration: floral floats, bands, and tradition in full force. Tournament of Roses

📅 Saturday, January 3, 2026

🎨 Craft-tastic! (Kids Arts & Crafts)
🕛 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Monrovia Public Library, 321 S. Myrtle Ave
Drop-in creative session for young makers, all supplies provided! monrovialibrary.librarymarket.com

📅 Monday, January 5, 2026

🧠 Teen Advisory Board Meeting
🕔 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
📍 Monrovia Public Library – Community Room
Local teens shaping library & community programming. monrovialibrary.librarymarket.com

🎮 Teen Activity Hour
🕠 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Monrovia Public Library – Community Room
Hang out, play games, and make stuff with other teens. monrovialibrary.librarymarket.com

📅 Sunday, January 11, 2026

🛍️ Rose Bowl Flea Market
🕘 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Early entry starts ~5:00 AM)
📍 Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena
World-famous flea market with thousands of vendors, perfect for bargain hunting and treasure finding. Visit Pasadena

📅 Friday, January 2 & Friday, January 9, 2026

**🍔 ****
🕔 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 South Myrtle Ave, Monrovia
Old Town’s weekly Friday night street fair returns winter edition, food vendors, music, local goods, and community vibes continue in the new year. Raw Inspiration

📅 Wednesday, January 14, 2026

📖 Storytime for Little Listeners
🕙 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Monrovia Public Library – Story Room
Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, book fun + sensory activities. monrovialibrary.librarymarket.com

📰 Want More Local Updates?

Stay in the loop with community events, new businesses, and local spotlights every week, right here in The MAD Insider.

**Always check your local community calendars

to make sure the events are still active.**

Local Openings

City of Monrovia

City of Arcadia

City of Duarte

Does your business have open positions? 
Send us a link or information about the position, and we will add it to our FB page and next week's newsletter.

Newsletter Sponsored by BrewFitApparel.com where coffee culture powers fitness. Gear up with bold, comfortable apparel made for those who lift hard, sip strong, and live energized. Stay motivated, stay stylish, and rep your grind. ☕💪

🎉 Attention Schools!

Do you have an exciting fundraiser coming up? 

We want to help spread the word and make your event a success! 🚀

📢 Let Your Community Know:

Simply DM us your event details and we'll share them with our community superheroes. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to increase your event's visibility and engage with more supporters. 🤝 Get the word out and watch your school's fundraising efforts soar!

Your success is our priority, and together, we can make a significant impact. 

Monrovia was incorporated in 1887, Arcadia in 1903, and Duarte in 1957, making them distinct cities at different times in San Gabriel Valley history. Monrovia is one of the oldest, while Duarte was the last to become a city in the group.