🌟 Hey MAD Community,  Happy December 15th! 🍂

Hope you had a great weekend! and found a little time to recharge.

The MAD Insider keeps growing because of you. Every share helps strengthen the heartbeat of Monrovia, Arcadia, and Duarte.

Each week, we spotlight what matters most:
✨ Weekend events
✨ School fundraisers
✨ Neighborhood gems
✨ Community wins

Thanks for showing up, staying engaged, and supporting the place we call home. Let’s make this season brighter. Kindness is free, so let’s spread it.

👉 Know someone who loves local? Share this with a Monrovia, Arcadia, or Duarte friend.

Pasadena’s iconic Tournament of Roses Parade returns January 1, 2026, drawing thousands to watch the colorful tradition unfold.

The 5.5-mile route begins at Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard, featuring dazzling floats, energetic performances, and crowds packed along East Colorado Boulevard in Old Town.

The parade starts promptly at 8:00 a.m., winding past Sierra Madre Boulevard and ending at Villa Street.

Plan ahead: Colorado Boulevard closes at 10:00 p.m. on December 31 for parade staging, reopening about 2:00 p.m. on January 1.

Curbside camping is allowed noon December 31; spectators can move to the curb’s edge only after 11:00 p.m.

Celebrate New Year’s at midnight with the popular Lululemon 5K, which dashes through part of the parade route, making this an unforgettable start to 2026.

Duarte residents and businesses will see a slight increase in trash and recycling rates starting this year.

Residential service will now cost $39.79 per month, a modest rise of $1.28.

Commercial customers with weekly bin service will pay $248.05 monthly.

Street sweeping fees are also going up a few cents — now $2.39 for homes and $4.63 for commercial accounts monthly.

The price adjustment aligns with Duarte’s contract with Burrtec Waste Services and is mainly driven by California Senate Bill 1383, which expands organic waste recycling requirements across the state.

Despite these changes, Duarte remains among the most affordable cities in the San Gabriel Valley for sanitation services.

Residents still receive trash, recycling, green waste collection, routine street sweeping, and two free bulky item events per year.

Pasadena has officially started rebuilding the much-loved Pasadena Central Library, launching a new era for one of the city’s most historic community spaces.

The renovation follows a devastating 2020 fire that shuttered the library and left locals waiting for its return.

The ambitious project aims to restore the landmark’s iconic architecture, while bringing crucial upgrades like seismic improvements, modern safety systems, improved accessibility, and enhanced technology.

City leaders see this as more than repairs—they’re reimagining the library as a resilient, welcoming hub for generations.

For years, the Central Library has been a favorite place where students study, families learn, and neighbors come together for events and culture.

Construction will continue for several years, but the finished library promises to revive this civic cornerstone with both historic charm and modern amenities.

Daily Fun Sarcastic Quotes

Speaking Fluent Sarcasm

Duarte’s City Council has named new leadership for the coming year, with Tera Martin Del Campo (District 4) appointed as Mayor and Samuel Kang (District 5) as Mayor Pro Tem.

This selection is part of Duarte’s annual rotation, ensuring fresh perspectives and collaborative governance across the council.

The Mayor will preside over council meetings, represent Duarte at regional events, and help set priorities for community initiatives.

The Mayor Pro Tem steps in when needed, maintaining leadership continuity and supporting city efforts.

While all councilmembers share voting authority, these roles provide visible guidance and shape the city’s direction for the year ahead.

Residents can expect renewed focus on transparency, strong community engagement, and progress on city priorities as the new team takes office.

Proudly serving the San Gabriel Valley, Duarte Tile has been helping homeowners and builders create beautiful spaces that last a lifetime. Whether it’s a kitchen backsplash or a full remodel, they do it all with care and quality.

December 15 – December 21

Because life’s too short not to celebrate something every day!

📅 December 15 — National Cupcake Day
Tiny cake. Massive joy. Frosting doing the absolute most. Today’s happiness comes individually wrapped, and honestly, that feels right.

📅 December 16 — National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day
If it can be dipped, it should be dipped. Strawberries, pretzels, bacon,this is a judgment-free zone. Chocolate is the personality today.

📅 December 17 — Wright Brothers Day
A salute to innovation, ambition, and proving people wrong. Two guys, one idea, and zero chill about gravity. Dream big. Ignore doubters.

📅 December 18 — National Bake Cookies Day
Your house should smell like butter, sugar, and poor decision-making. Calories don’t count when the oven is involved. It’s science.

📅 December 19 — Look for an Evergreen Day
Take a breather and appreciate something that stays strong year-round. Trees are out here being resilient without complaining—iconic behavior.

📅 December 20 — Games Day
Board games, card games, video games, mind games (okay maybe not those). Laugh, compete, flip the table metaphorically. Or literally. No judgment.

📅 December 21 — Winter Solstice
The longest night of the year means one thing: brighter days are coming. Cozy up, slow down, and remind yourself—you survived another year.

(Images courtesy of the fun page Speaking Fluent Sarcasm)

Republik Coffee Opens New Monrovia Location with Soft Launch This Week

Monrovia residents will have a new spot to caffeinate starting Wednesday, as Republik Coffee prepares to open its latest location with a soft launch.

The café, known for its modern aesthetic and community-centric vibe, announced it will begin with limited operating hours as it settles into the neighborhood.

Residents are invited to stop by, sample the menu, and get a first look at the new space as the team eases into full operations.

Republik Coffee, which has built a strong following across Southern California, says it looks forward to reconnecting with longtime customers and welcoming new faces in Monrovia.

📍Monrovia 520 S Myrtle Ave.

https://republikcoffee.com/

Help make a difference in the lives of our Warriors

Working Dogs For Warriors

🏛️ Duarte City Council Meeting
📅 Monday, December 15, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Duarte City Hall, 1600 Huntington Dr, Duarte

A regular City Council meeting covering city business, community projects, and upcoming initiatives. Open to the public and a solid way to stay informed on what’s happening in Duarte.

🎄 Monrovia Middle School Winter Choir & Band Concert
📅 Monday, December 15, 2025
⏰ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Monrovia High School Auditorium, 845 W Colorado Blvd, Monrovia

Holiday classics, student musicians, and peak proud-parent energy. Monrovia’s middle school performers take the stage for a festive evening of seasonal music.

📖 Monrovia Reads at the Library
📅 Tuesday, December 16, 2025
⏰ 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Monrovia Public Library, 321 S Myrtle Ave, Monrovia

The Monrovia Reads program brings stories, books, and literacy resources to local families. A low-key, meaningful stop for young readers after school.

☕ Arcadia Senior Social & Sip
📅 Tuesday, December 16, 2025
⏰ 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Dr, Arcadia

Coffee, conversation, and community connection. This relaxed social hour is designed for seniors looking to enjoy a friendly afternoon out.

🎮 Duarte Teen Holiday Game Night
📅 Wednesday, December 17, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Duarte Teen Center, 1400 Buena Vista St, Duarte

A festive night of games, music, snacks, and hang-out time for local teens before winter break kicks in.

❄️ Arcadia Family Ice Skating Night
📅 Thursday, December 18, 2025
⏰ 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Westfield Santa Anita, 400 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia

Skate under the lights with music, winter vibes, and hot cocoa nearby. A great family-friendly way to lean into the season.

🛍️ Monrovia Friday Night Street Fair
📅 Friday, December 19, 2025
⏰ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Myrtle Ave, Old Town Monrovia

The weekly favorite. Food vendors, shopping, live entertainment, and a festive crowd strolling Old Town. Easy dinner plans, no reservations required. Family-friendly • Free admission • Weekly tradition

🎨 Old Town Monrovia Holiday Artisan Market
📅 Saturday, December 20, 2025
⏰ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Old Town Monrovia

Local makers, handcrafted gifts, and small-business finds just in time for last-minute holiday shopping. Support local and skip the mall chaos.

📰 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.

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More than 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese have been urgently recalled across 31 states, including California, due to possible metal fragment contamination.

Products from Great Lakes Cheese Co. are at the center of the recall, which now holds a Class II status under the FDA — indicating potential for temporary or reversible health issues, though serious harm is unlikely.

The affected cheeses include mozzarella, Italian-style blends, pizza cheese, and various cheese pairings, found under popular store brands at retailers like Walmart, Aldi, and Target.

Authorities strongly advise consumers to check their fridge immediately for impacted products and avoid consumption if unsure about batch details.

To stay safe, either dispose of or return recalled cheese for a refund, as a precaution against this widespread food safety concern.

The CSArts-SGV Foundation has launched its vital 'Pick Your Passion' fundraiser to support the talented students at the California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley.

This campaign is a crucial call to action for the Duarte community and beyond, as the public charter school relies on private donations for its renowned arts training.

A special 'Hearts for the Arts' matching gift challenge is now active, doubling the impact of every dollar contributed.

Donations directly fund essential needs, from classroom supplies and equipment to unique opportunities like the Master Artist Series.

These funds bridge the gap where the school’s budget falls short.

Supporting this fundraiser is an investment in our local young artists, ensuring they have the resources needed to pursue their dreams and continue a legacy of artistic excellence in the San Gabriel Valley.

🎉 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. 

Weather Forecast:
Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte
(December 10 – December 16, 2025)