🌟 Hello MAD community, welcome and happy October 29, 2025! 🍂

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From weekend events to school fundraisers and community news, The MAD Insider brings the heartbeat of Monrovia, Arcadia, and Duarte straight to your inbox.

Thanks for showing up for your community. We couldn’t do it without you. 💛

Remember that Kindness is free. Sprinkle it everywhere.

The documentary An Ode to an Old Road: A Route 66 Story celebrates the legacy of the iconic highway, highlighting its cultural and regional significance. Featuring local voices, from city council members to community artists, the film offers a heartfelt look at how Route 66 continues to shape the spirit of the area.

The production is brought to life by Community Media of the Foothills.

A new royal ambassador will represent Pasadena in the upcoming 2026 Rose Parade.

Serena Hui Guo, a senior at Arcadia High School, has officially been crowned the 107th Rose Queen.

The announcement was made at the historic Pasadena Tournament House, concluding an intensive selection process.

Guo, along with her six-member Royal Court, will serve as community ambassadors for the next year, with each receiving a $7,500 educational scholarship for their service.

Their year-long reign is a commitment to leadership and public engagement throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

On New Year's Day, she will join Grand Marshal Earvin “Magic” Johnson to lead the parade, which celebrates the theme 'Magic in Teamwork'.

This honor is now open to more local students than ever, as the Tournament of Roses recently expanded eligibility across the SGV.

Photo courtesy of Sierra Madre Playhouse

🎻 Wild Up Presents: Grammy Winner Mia Barcia-Colombo Live at Sierra Madre Playhouse
📍 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre
🕔 Saturday, Nov 15 | 7:30 PM

Part of Wild Up’s acclaimed “L.A. Composer Series,” this concert showcases Grammy-winning cellist Mia Barcia-Colombo in a bold program celebrating the modern voice of the cello.

Expect two world premieres, new works by Patrick Shiroishi and Thomas Kotscheff, alongside contemporary gems like Ted Hearne’s “Lobby Music,” M.A. Tiesenga’s “Solar Winds,” Alyssa Weinberg’s “Prayer,” and Bach’s timeless “Courante” from Cello Suite No. 2.

Barcia-Colombo’s career spans orchestral, chamber, and studio recording, from performing with Bjork, Billie Eilish, and Bad Bunny to contributing to “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Encanto.”

🎟️ Tickets $12 – $35
🔗 Details & tickets: sierramadreplayhouse.org | ☎ 626-355-4318

The Social Security Administration has announced a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the upcoming year.

This translates to an average increase of about $56 per month for local retirees and individuals receiving disability benefits.

Concerns are growing that the small increase, which is tied to moderating federal inflation data, won't be enough to protect the purchasing power of seniors on fixed incomes.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will see the change in late December 2025, with all other beneficiaries seeing it in January 2026.

Official notices will be available online through my Social Security accounts in early December.

🦢 California Says “No More” to Mute Swans: Why the Beloved “Wedding Bird” Is Now Open Season

If you’ve ever seen those picture-perfect white swans gliding across a pond at a wedding venue or park, graceful necks curved like question marks, you probably never imagined they’d end up on a hunter’s radar. But starting January 1, 2026, Californians will be allowed to shoot mute swans year-round without a hunting license.

Yes, you read that right.

This surprising change comes from Assembly Bill 764, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this month. The bill, introduced by Jeff Gonzalez (R Coachella), adds the mute swan to California’s list of nongame birds that can be “taken or possessed at any time.” The law is set to stay in effect for five years, giving wildlife officials time to measure its impact.

Why target such beautiful birds?

The mute swan isn’t native to California or even North America. Originally from Europe and Asia, these birds were brought here decades ago for decorative reasons, like garden ponds and estate backdrops. But they’ve since escaped into the wild and multiplied fast.

According to state wildlife data, their numbers exploded from about 1,150 in 2022 to over 12,000 this spring. And while they look elegant, they’re actually bullies on the water: territorial, aggressive, and destructive. They crowd out native waterfowl like the tundra swan, tear up wetland vegetation, and even attack pets and people.

A swan you can shoot and eat?

Under the new rules, mute swans can be hunted without a license on private land (either your own or with permission). Hunters are encouraged, but not required, to report kills to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which uses the data to track invasive species.

And yes, if you’re wondering, it’s legal to eat them. Hunters online describe the meat as lean and dark, somewhere between duck and goose. It’s said to take six hours or more to slow roast a whole bird, though most suggest skipping the plucking and going straight to skinning or cutting into pieces for easier cooking.

A tough balance between beauty and biology

For many, this story stirs mixed emotions. On one hand, these birds are breathtaking symbols of love, purity, and grace. On the other, they’re an ecological threat, edging out native species that actually belong here.

So while it might feel harsh, this decision is really about protecting balance in California’s wetlands, where beauty and biology don’t always see eye to eye.

🏈 High School Football Roundup

Monrovia Wildcats

📍 Monrovia High School, Monrovia
Last Friday (Oct 24): Monrovia beat San Marino High School 35-7 at home.

This Friday (Oct 31): They are scheduled to play at Temple City High School, away at 7:00 pm.

Game to Watch: Big win last week signals positive momentum. For your newsletter: emphasize how Monrovia dominated on both sides of the ball and now have a road test, set up as a tune-up for playoffs potentially.

Arcadia Apaches

📍 Arcadia High School, Arcadia
Last Friday (Oct 24): Arcadia lost at Pasadena High School by 14-49. 
This Friday (Oct 31): Scheduled to play at Crescenta Valley High School , game time 7:00 pm.

Game to Watch: Arcadia is struggling, so this upcoming matchup is a good chance to rally momentum.

Duarte Falcons

📍 Duarte High School, Duarte
Last Friday (Oct 24): Duarte lost at La Puente High School 7-56.
This Friday (Oct 31): They host Ganesha High School at 7:00 pm.
Game to Watch: Duarte’s trying to bounce back after a tough los

October 29th – November 4th

Help make a difference in the lives of our Warriors

Working Dogs For Warriors

🗓️ This Week Around Town (Oct 29 – November 4, 2025)

Your week of community flavor, local fun, and fall vibes happenings across Monrovia, Arcadia, and Duarte.

Hey neighbors, the SGV is buzzing with fantastic energy this week. From cooking classes to cultural celebrations and a few classic community favorites, there’s something for every mood.

Here’s your cheat sheet for what’s happening around town: local fairs, farmers' markets, and community 

🌙 Monrovia Street Fair & Market
📍 Old Town Myrtle Avenue
🕔 Friday, Oct 31 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
A lively night market with local food, vendors, and community vibes. Perfect Friday night stroll.

💪 Community Cleanup Day 2025
📍 Arcadia Transit Plaza
🕔 Saturday, Nov 1 | 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Join fellow residents for Arcadia’s 5th Annual Community Cleanup Day, hosted by the City of Arcadia and the Arcadia Beautiful Commission. Volunteers will sand and stain benches, plant greenery, spread mulch, and clean bricks, all to help beautify the plaza. Students can earn volunteer hours. Supplies and refreshments provided.

💪 31st Annual DSALA T21 Walk & Festival
📍 Santa Anita Park Race Track, 264 Colorado Pl, Arcadia
🕔 Sunday, Nov 9 | 11:00 AM
A walk and festival dedicated to supporting families and raising awareness for Down syndrome.

✨ Insider Tips

• Arrive early at farmers' markets for the best produce.

• Bring small bills or Venmo, some vendors are cash-only.

• Check city websites or Facebook pages before heading out (sometimes change seasonally).

• Parking in Old Town Monrovia fills up quickly, consider side streets or the Station Square lot.

📰 Want More Local Updates?

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

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.

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.

A major safety recall has been issued for thousands of Ford Super Duty trucks in our area, creating a potential hazard for local drivers.

The notice affects certain 2020-2022 models, including the popular F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD series.

The issue is a faulty rearview camera system that can suddenly fail, causing the display screen to go completely blank under specific lighting conditions.

According to federal safety regulators, this sudden loss of visibility dramatically increases the risk of a crash while a driver is backing up.

Ford will provide a free software update at dealerships to fix the problem.

However, truck owners are facing a long wait, as the final remedy is not expected to be available until March 2026.

Official notification letters with further details will be mailed to affected owners soon.

🎉 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. 

Betsy is a restaurant in Altadena that has risen from the ashes of a devastating fire, symbolizing hope and resilience in the community.

The restaurant, located on Lake Avenue, offers a personal and communal dining experience that showcases the enduring strength of the human spirit. Chef Tyler Wells has transformed the space into a culinary haven, with a wood-burning hearth as the focal point for preparing each dish.

The menu is minimalist, yet carefully curated, offering a blend of traditional and modern dishes that celebrate the local produce and ingredients. The atmosphere at Betsy is warm and inviting, encouraging diners to connect and share their dining experiences.

The wine list complements the menu with a selection of wines from France, Spain, and Italy. Overall, Betsy is more than just a restaurant, it is a statement of resilience and community spirit, offering delicious food that is a testament to the chef's passion and creativity.

It is a place where diners can come together to enjoy a meal that is both comforting and innovative.

#SupportLocal #SGVEats #SGVfoodie

Betsy | 875 E. Mariposa St. Altadena | 626-345-5492 www.betsyaltadena.com

Weather Forecast:
Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte
(October 29 – November 4, 2025)