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Alert: Urgent Deli Recall Hits Local Stores! Route 66 Parade, In-N-Out Burger, Vallarta Supermarket Wins, Pickleball Courts Preview, Bell Gymnasium Pride, Golf Classic, Dumpling & Beer Fest, Fall Festival, Symphony Concert - All in This Issue!

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Alert: Urgent Deli Recall Hits Local Stores! Route 66 Parade, In-N-Out Burger, Vallarta Supermarket Wins, Pickleball Courts Preview, Bell Gymnasium Pride, Golf Classic, Dumpling & Beer Fest, Fall Festival, Symphony Concert - All in This Issue!

Alert: Urgent Deli Recall Hits Local Stores! Route 66 Parade, In-N-Out Burger, Vallarta Supermarket Wins, Pickleball Courts Preview, Bell Gymnasium Pride, Golf Classic, Dumpling & Beer Fest, Fall Festival, Symphony Concert - All in This Issue!
Route 66 Parade Returns, New In-N-Out Draws Crowds, Duarte Wins with New Vallarta Supermarket, Parks & Gymnasium Openings, Real Estate Snapshot, Golf Classic Save the Date, Trail Race Adventure & Cultural Celebrations Await! Major Deli Recall Alert!

Mirko Spinella

Oct 1, 2025

 

🌲 Did You Know?

Monrovia is home to Monrovia Canyon Falls, a 30-foot waterfall tucked inside Monrovia Canyon Park. It’s one of the few waterfalls in L.A. County that flows almost year-round, and locals say the best time to visit is right after a light rain, when the cascade really comes alive. It’s less than a mile hike, making it one of the San Gabriel Valley’s best “hidden gem” outdoor spots.

 

The Duarte Route 66 Parade made a triumphant return this past Saturday, filling the air with community cheer along the city’s historic stretch of Huntington Drive.

 

A beloved local tradition, the event re-energized Duarte’s spirit, drawing families to watch the vibrant procession.

 

Participants from Duarte High School, community groups, and the police department marched together in a powerful display of hometown pride.

 

Following the parade, the celebration continued at Encanto Park with the annual City Picnic, which featured live music, food, and family-friendly attractions.

 

A major highlight was the Classic Car Show, where gleaming lowriders and hot rods paid homage to America's open-road culture.

 

Mayor Cesar A. Garcia noted the event felt especially meaningful as it coincided with the city’s 68th anniversary.

 

For many, it was a welcome revival of a cherished community cornerstone.


Read More...

The long wait is finally over for local burger fans.

 

An electric atmosphere surrounded the grand opening of the brand-new In-N-Out Burger in Monrovia's Huntington Oaks Center on Thursday, September 25th.

 

Eager customers from Monrovia, Arcadia, and Duarte flocked to the location, which opened its doors 90 minutes early to accommodate the bustling crowd.

 

The restaurant sits on the former site of a demolished Black Angus.

 

Company president Lynsi Snyder was even on-site to support the new crew on their very first day.

 

This impressive 3,879-square-foot building is the 425th location for the beloved chain, marking a significant addition for the San Gabriel Valley.

 

Complete with the brand’s signature crossed palm trees, the restaurant will serve diners until 1:30 a.m. on weekends.


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The City of Duarte is set to welcome a highly anticipated new grocery store.

 

Vallarta Supermarkets has officially signed a lease to open a new location at 1470 Mountain Avenue, taking over the massive 46,000-square-foot building formerly home to Best Buy.

 

This development is a major win for the community, fulfilling a long-standing city goal of bringing more grocery options to residents.

 

The move is being hailed as a significant boost for local economic development.

 

Extensive work is planned to transform the dormant retail space into a vibrant market, with a grand opening expected to take several months.

 

Part of a broader expansion across Southern California, Vallarta's investment signals strong confidence in Duarte's future and is an eagerly awaited addition for the San Gabriel Valley.


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Learn about the exciting new features at Newcastle Park in Arcadia, including family activities, pickleball courts, and handball courts.

Get an exclusive sneak peek at the grand opening preview.

Stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities for fun in the community.

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A new landmark has risen in the City of Duarte with the opening of the Kenneth M. Bell Gymnasium at Duarte High School.

 

This stunning 30,000-square-foot facility marks a major milestone for students and the wider community.

 

Funded by the voter-approved Measure S bond, the gym features a competition basketball court with seating for 1,300, a weight training room, and a dance studio.

 

It represents a profound commitment by the Duarte Unified School District to providing top-tier resources for student growth and athletics.

 

The gym is named in honor of Kenneth M. Bell, a distinguished 36-year law enforcement veteran and school board member for over two decades.

 

His incredible legacy of service to Duarte's youth is now permanently celebrated with this tribute.

 

For the Duarte Falcons and generations to come, the new facility is more than a building—it is a launching pad for future success.


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Real Estate Snapshot

Daily MLS tallies aren’t publicly exposed; below are the freshest city trackers. I’ll layer in 7-day counts when credible daily sources are available.

 

Monrovia — Median sale price $950K last month; ~47 DOM; market “somewhat competitive.” Recent notable sale: 105 Grand Ave #D closed Sep 17 for $920,000; 234 N Alta Vista Ave closed Sep 19 for $1,255,000. Redfin

 

Arcadia — Median sale price $1.79M (Aug ’25, +8% YoY); ~47 DOM; 51 sales in Aug. Neighborhood spotlight: Santa Anita median $1.7M last month. Redfin

 

Duarte — Median sale price $830K (Aug ’25, +4.3% YoY); ~51 DOM. Zip 91010 median $755K (Aug). Redfin

 
 

The Arcadia Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 4th Annual Arcadia Chamber Golf Classic on April 30th 2026 at the Brookside Golf Course.

Participants can enjoy a day of networking and friendly competition while supporting local businesses in Arcadia.

Save the date for this exciting golf tournament that promises to be a fun event for all.


Read More...
 
 
Newsletter Sponsored by BrewFitApparel.com | Where coffee culture meets fitness lifestyle. Fuel your workouts, rep your passion, and stay stylish with fun gear that keeps you moving and motivated. ☕💪
 
 

 

Join the Sierra Madre community at the 2025 MWT 5K Trail Recovery Run!

 

The Mount Wilson Trail Race Committee is excited to present a special event this year, the MWT 5K Trail Recovery Run, happening in Kersting Court, right in the heart of Sierra Madre.

 

This unique 5K race/walk/run is open to all ages and skill levels, no participant limit this year!

 

Registration will be available soon on the Mount Wilson Trail Race website, where you’ll also have the option to support the Fletcher Trail Maintenance Fund with a donation.

 

What to Expect

  • Course: The 5K route starts and finishes in Kersting Court. Runners will head up Baldwin Avenue, turn onto Mira Monte Avenue, continue to the Mount Wilson Trailhead gate, then head west along Carter Avenue toward the top of Bailey Canyon Park’s settling basin, before returning down Baldwin to the finish line.

  • Note: While the Mount Wilson and Bailey Canyon Trails will be closed, this event highlights the importance of restoring these beloved paths for future public enjoyment.

 

Race Details

  • Packet Pickup: Begins at 6:00 a.m. in Kersting Court.

  • Support: Sierra Madre Search & Rescue will be stationed along the course for safety, and local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts Troop 110 will hand out water to participants.

  • Hydration Reminder: Please bring your own water for the run!


 

 

 

 

Kids’ Fun Run (Ages 3–13) – Free!

The always-popular Kids’ Fun Run kicks off around 7:45 a.m., just after the main 5K begins.

  • Start Location: Kersting Court

  • Distances:

    • Ages 8–13: 1.0 mile

    • Ages 3–7: 0.6 mile (parents may accompany younger children)

  • Perks: All kids receive a Fun Run t-shirt and a finisher’s ribbon.

  • Registration: FREE and available through the same MWT 5K sign-up link.

 


Questions?

Contact Pete Siberell, MWTR Committee Director, at
📧 pete.siberell@santaanita.com
📞 City of Sierra Madre Community Services: (626) 355-5278




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The San Gabriel Valley Symphony is hosting a Mid-Autumn Festival concert at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse on October 4th at 7:30pm.

 

A magical evening of Studio Ghibli favorites, world premieres by AAPI composers, and Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F featuring pianist Ayane Nakajima

This event is part of the symphony's ongoing mission to provide accessible classical music to the community.


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San Gabriel Dumpling & Beer Fest is an event celebrating the combination of dumplings and craft beer.

The festival will feature a variety of dumpling vendors offering different styles of dumplings, as well as local breweries serving up their best brews.

Attendees can expect live entertainment, games, and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

This fun-filled event is perfect for food and beer enthusiasts looking to indulge in a unique culinary experience while enjoying a lively atmosphere.

So mark your calendars and get ready for a day of delicious dumplings and refreshing beers!

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The 2025 Akimatsuri Fall Festival at the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center.

The festival will feature traditional Japanese food, music, dance, and cultural activities.

Guests can enjoy performances, martial arts demonstrations, tea ceremonies, and more.

There will also be vendors selling handmade crafts and goods.

The event aims to celebrate Japanese culture and heritage while bringing the community together for a fun and engaging experience.


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September 29th was National Coffee Day.


Fuel Your Ritual. Save 20% Sitewide.

We’re not here to tell you how to spend it…but let’s be honest, more (bold) coffee is always the right move.

Use code NCD20 at checkout.

 
 
The MAD Career Board
Fresh job listings across Monrovia, Arcadia & Duarte
Updated Live Via Indeed.
 Monrovia Jobs Arcadia Jobs Duarte Jobs
Tip: Narrow by title inside Indeed (e.g., “barista”, “warehouse”, “dispatcher”).

 

Employer Position  Salary Range
City of Duarte Planning Manager $132k - $157k
Annually
City of Duarte

Certified Aerobics Instructor - Fitness Center

$25.03 - $33.69
Hourly
City of Duarte $16.50 - $19.82
Hourly

 

 

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 significant public health warning has been issued for shoppers regarding a recall of popular deli items from major local supermarkets.

 

Albertsons Companies is recalling several store-made deli products containing bowtie pasta due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous organism.

 

The recall impacts numerous chains, including Albertsons, Safeway, and Vons.

 

Affected items, like the Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad sold in September, stem from a supplier named Fresh Creative Foods.

 

Health officials warn that Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems.

 

Consumers are strongly urged not to eat these products under any circumstances.

 

Please dispose of the recalled items or return them to the place of purchase for a complete refund.


Read More...
 
 

Weather Forecast:
Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte
(October 1–7, 2025)

 

Date

Avg High (°F)

Avg Low (°F)

Conditions

Wed, Oct 1

80

60

Partly Cloudy

Thu, Oct 2

83

61

Sunny

Fri, Oct 3

78

58

Mostly Sunny

Sat, Oct 4

78

57

Partly Cloudy

Sun, Oct 5

79

58

Sunny

Mon, Oct 6

76

57

Partly Cloudy

Tue, Oct 7

77

57

Partly Cloudy

 

 
 

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© 2025 The MAD Insider.

Welcome to The MAD Insider, your go-to guide to Monrovia, Arcadia, and Duarte, the heart of the San Gabriel Valley. From breaking city news and school board updates to must-try restaurants, family festivals, and outdoor adventures, we cover the stories that matter most. With upbeat community news, local events, and spotlights on the people and places that make our tri-city special, The MAD Insider keeps neighbors connected, informed, and inspired, delivered straight to your inbox.

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