New job center opens in Monrovia

City Council member Larry Spicer at the grand opening ceremony. 

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity has opened a new job office today at the Monrovia Community Adult School at 920 S. Mountain Avenue. The "America’s Job Center of California" affiliate "will connect Monrovia-area job seekers, students, and businesses to a full range of employment, training, and support services."

The job center and the Monrovia Community Adult School, which does job training, are working hand in hand, so if you are looking for a job, you can call Eric Pruitt at (626) 471-3052, or just visit the school from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday or Wednesday, or from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday. More details on what America’s Job Center of California does here.

- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner at Saigon Avenue

Dinner at Saigon Avenue, on the south side of Lemon just east of Myrtle. Got the Filet Mignon Sandwich for $13 and added egg to it for an extra three dollars, plus, a beer for six dollars. Very nice.

- Brad Haugaard 

Ernest the Mastiff is a big love bug

Ernest is a handsome two-year-old brindle Mastiff at Pasadena Humane with a gentle soul and a heart full of love. He arrived at Pasadena Humane as a stray back in May and has been patiently waiting for the perfect family to come along ever since.

Despite his size, Grant is a big softie. He already knows a few basics like sit and shake, and he’s always eager to show off his tricks, especially if there’s a treat or praise involved. One of his favorite things is leaning in close for head scratches, and once you start, he’ll happily soak up every bit of affection.

Spend a little time with Ernest and it’s clear he’s more than just a good-looking pup; he’s a total love bug who’s ready to find a home where he can relax and be loved as the only dog in the household. In return, expect lots of love in return!

Pasadena Humane is participating in NBCUniversal’s Clear the Shelters campaign; on Saturday, August 16 from 10am to 2pm, adoption fees will be waived for all available dogs, cats, and critters.

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.  Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 10:00 – 5:00. View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard 

Pasadena Humane appoints new CEO

Pasadena Humane, which serves Monrovia, has appointed Chris Ramon as President and CEO, effective immediately. Ramon, who has served as Interim CEO since February, joined the organization in 2018 and has held multiple leadership roles. A La Cañada native and longtime animal welfare leader, he guided Pasadena Humane through the Eaton Fire response, aiding over 1,500 animals.

Source Pasadena Humane press release 

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Colorful scrapbook covers of the Monrovia Woman's Club

A hand-painted Woman's Club of Monrovia scrapbook cover from 1937-38, containing a record of the years' activities, primarily newspaper clippings. The club had many scrapbooks with these colorful covers. From the Monrovia Woman's Club collection. See full details here.

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

Super Mario gaming at the Library Aug. 23

Super Mario Open Gaming, Saturday, August 23, 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Play Mario Kart, Mario Party, puzzles, and board games. No registration needed. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Game Night for adults at Library, Aug. 22

Game Night for Adults. Friday, August 22, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Library Community Room. Board games, puzzles, and Nintendo Switch. Bring your own games if desired. Ages 18+. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Teen Game Hangout August 15 at Library

Teen Game Hangout. Friday, August 15, 3 to 5 p.m., Library Community Room. Nintendo Switch games (Mario Kart, Smash Ultimate), Beyblades, and board games. Snacks provided. Drop-in. Grades 7-12. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

First Presbyterian Church being renamed to Monrovia Community Church

First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia, at the corner of Foothill and Myrtle, has announced that it is "replanting" itself with a new name - Monrovia Community Church, starting Sept. 14.

An announcement on its website (here) says,

First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia is "replanting" as Monrovia Community Church on September 14, 2025. We invite you to join us in August for our worship gathering on Sundays @ 10:30 am. We are an intergenerational faith community making flourishing disciples of Jesus Christ.

- Brad Haugaard

The bearproofing industry takes off in Monrovia

The bears of north Monrovia have created a whole new industry - installing bear-proof doors over crawl space entry points on houses. 

Greg Nichols (626-261-0568) has been in the middle of it. In the past three years, he said, he and his business partner have installed 17 bear-proof crawl space doors, starting on Norumbega. 

These are not just a heavy grate, which do not provide much of a deterrent to strong bears, but are heavy hinged steel plates (or slide-out steel plates for confined spaces) with nothing they can get their claws around, no latches, no holes big enough that they can get their claws into. 

And if you need to get a bear out from under your house, Nichols recommends a plain cheese pizza at each entry point.

I don’t mean to favor a single bear-proofer, by the way, so if you know others have them send me their contact information and I’ll add it here. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Online utility bill payments down for maintenance Aug. 16

The city’s online utility bill payment system will be offline for maintenance from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 16. Payments by check may still be placed in the City Hall drop box. For assistance, call 932-5517 or email watercustomersvs@monroviaca.gov.

- Brad Haugaard

Citizens Academy offers free overview of Monrovia Police Department

The Monrovia Police Department's Citizens Academy is a free, 10-week program offering an overview of the department. Applicants must be 18 or older, live or work in Monrovia, have no criminal record, and be available for sessions on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. Classes begin August 20. For more details or to apply, contact Sergeant D. Bartholomy at 256-8020 or dbartholomy@monroviapd.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Blood drive at Library Aug. 29-Sept. 21

The Monrovia Police Department and Police Officers' Association will host a Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, Sept. 11 in the Library Community Room. Donors giving between Aug. 29 and Sept. 21 will receive a limited-edition PEANUTS 75th anniversary t-shirt. Schedule an appointment here. 

- Brad Haugaard

Construction work on Mountain will restrict turning onto Lemon

Due to road work, turning onto East Lemon from Mountain will be restricted from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, Monday, August 10, and Tuesday, August 11. Detour signs will be posted.

- Brad Haugaard

Homelessness drops in Monrovia in 2025

The 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count shows homeless individuals dropped from 22 in 2024 to 9 in 2025 in Monrovia, due to local outreach and housing programs. There was a reduction in makeshift shelters, tents, and vans, but a slight increase in individual vehicles like cars and RVs.

- Brad Haugaard