Pie Life Pizza Mondays send 10% to high school PTSA

Pie Life Pizza (338 S. Myrtle Ave.) will donate 10% of its sales to the Monrovia High School PTSA on the third Monday of each month. The next benefit is Monday, Nov. 16. The offer covers dine-in and takeout only and does not include third-party delivery. To order ahead, call 239-4550. Pie Life Pizza, across from Library Park, is owned and operated by a Monrovia schools family. Details.

 - Brad Haugaard

Council to consider 7% raise for City Manager Dylan Feik

City Manager Dylan Feik would receive a 7% raise, bringing his annual base salary from $280,716 to $300,366, under a proposal before the City Council Tuesday, Nov. 17 (agenda here). The increase would be retroactive to Sept. 1.

The proposal would also let Feik redeem up to $30,000 in accumulated sick leave, valued at his prior salary, for deposit into a deferred compensation account. This would be a one-time exception to the city's usual cash-out limits.

A staff salary survey puts the average for city managers in six neighboring cities at $305,652. The proposal follows the Council's annual performance evaluation. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Free New Year's Eve countdown proposed for Myrtle Avenue

A free New Year's Eve celebration with a DJ, countdown screen and ball is proposed for Myrtle Avenue through Old Town, from 10 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1, 2027.

The Old Town Advisory Board will consider recommending the street closure at its Nov. 17 meeting (agenda here). Setup would close the block at 4 p.m. Dec. 31, with reopening by 6 a.m. Jan. 1. Parking lots and east-west streets would remain open. Restaurants on the block could apply for permits to stay open later, at their own expense. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Artist selected for Jones sisters' Neighborhood Treasure

Monrovia artist John Parker, who received a scholarship from the Anna H. Jones Club as a high school student, has been selected by the Art in Public Places Committee to create a Neighborhood Treasure honoring Anna H. Jones and Dr. Sophia B. Jones. The City Council (agenda here) will consider the design, shown here, and up to $20,000 for fabrication and installation at its Tuesday, Nov. 17, meeting.

The artwork would be made in high-fire glazed ceramic and installed in the 1300 block of South Shamrock Avenue, near their former family home. Installation and a community celebration are anticipated in early 2027 if approved.

Anna was an educator and civil rights leader who founded the Monrovia club to help students pursue higher education. Sophia was the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Michigan Medical School and established Spelman College's first nurse-training program. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Council to consider limits on watering decorative lawns - home lawns exempt

The City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday, Nov. 17 (agenda here) on a proposed ordinance that would ban the use of drinking water on decorative grass in places such as street medians and parking lots. The proposal would implement a state law that phases in restrictions starting Jan. 1, 2027, for most government properties, followed by businesses and institutions in 2028 and homeowners association common areas in 2029. Nothing in the report indicates where users could obtain non-potable water for watering.

Home lawns and grass used for recreation or gatherings would be exempt. The city would issue warnings for the first two violations and could impose fines of up to $1,000 a day for a third or subsequent violation. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia projects $3.05 million General Fund deficit

Monrovia’s projected General Fund deficit for fiscal year 2026-27 would rise by about $650,000, from $2.40 million to $3.05 million, under a budget update the City Council  (agenda here) will consider Tuesday, Nov. 17.

The largest change is an $860,000 reduction in expected building permit and plan-check fees. Delays at the 701 S. Myrtle Ave. development (southwest corner of Myrtle and Olive) mean the city expects to collect less in fees this fiscal year than it budgeted. Staff proposes cutting $156,000 in building consulting and inspection costs, primarily because of those delays.

Staff cites rising pension payments as the largest factor behind this year’s deficit. The city’s payment to cover a shortfall in pension funding is $3.89 million this fiscal year and is projected to reach $4.71 million in 2027-28. The city also budgeted $6.14 million for workers’ compensation and liability insurance this year, up about 26% from last year.

Preliminary, unaudited figures show the General Fund ended fiscal year 2025-26 with a surplus of about $776,000. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Holiday Parade returns Dec. 3

Monrovia’s Holiday Parade will travel north on Myrtle Avenue from Walnut to Palm avenues Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. Groups, businesses and organizations interested in participating can contact Tiffany Peterson at tpeterson@monroviaca.gov or 256-8233. Street closures are planned from 5 to 10 p.m. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Ceramic sale brings 30 artists to Canyon Oaks gym, Dec. 5

More than 30 artists from Wheelhouse Ceramics Studio will sell handmade ceramics at the Handmade Holiday Ceramic Sale on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Canyon Oaks High School gym, 148 W. Duarte Rd. in Monrovia. The event, sponsored by the Monrovia Schools Foundation, will include a raffle to win ceramics.

- Brad Haugaard

Wild Rose students perform 'Frozen Jr.' Nov. 14-15

Wild Rose School of Creative Arts students will perform Disney's Frozen Jr. Friday, today at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. at the Louise K. Taylor Performing Arts Center at Monrovia High School. Tickets are $10, and the public is welcome. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Pasadena Humane seeks Thanksgiving foster homes for shelter dogs

Pasadena Humane is seeking temporary homes for large shelter dogs through its Thanksgiving Foster Sleepover program. Online registration is required by Nov. 22, or until spots fill. No fostering experience is needed; the shelter matches participants with dogs and provides supplies, guidance and support.

Registered participants can pick up dogs Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dogs may return after the holiday, or participants may extend their stay or adopt their foster dog for 50% off the adoption fee. The shelter will be closed Thanksgiving Day, with emergency assistance available.

Foster volunteers must be at least 18 and complete training. Details and registration.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia schools invite notes of thanks to district personnel

This month Monrovia School District is inviting students, staff, families and community members to thank someone who has made a difference in their school community. Use the online form to name the person, select that person's school or department, and write a message. You can include your name or leave it off the note, though the form requires an email address. The district says the community shared more than 1,200 messages in 2025.

- Brad Haugaard

Shopping passport offers rewards at 21 Monrovia businesses through Nov. 28

The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Month passport covers 21 businesses through Nov. 28. Collect a red star just for visiting a participating business and a gold star for making a purchase using the business's special offer. Stars can be exchanged for raffle tickets at the Chamber booth at the corner of Myrtle and Lemon on Nov. 28, starting at 11 a.m. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Self-serve gravel and bags available at Recreation Park

Self-serve gravel and bags are available at Recreation Park, 620 S. Shamrock Ave., ahead of the rain. Supplies are first come, first served, the city says.

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Chief Jeremy Sanchez named First Responder of the Year

Assemblymember John Harabedian named Monrovia Fire Chief Jeremy Sanchez First Responder of the Year at the inaugural Harabedian Honors Nov. 6. The award recognized his 25 years of service and leadership during the Eaton Fire. Sanchez joined Monrovia Fire & Rescue as a cadet in 2001 and became chief in 2022. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Coming Up in Monrovia

Jewish Book Festival: Oct. 25 through Dec. 6

MAFA artist Jenny Rivera shows work at Monrovia Chamber, Oct. 30–Dec. 31

Pasadena Humane waives senior dog and cat adoption fees, Nov. 1–30

MAFA artist's work on display at Myrtle Avenue shop, Nov. 10–Dec. 31

2027 spring baseball registration extended through Nov. 14

$25 Art Boxes for Kids on sale at Grey & Cash, Nov. 13

Canned food drive at Painted Promises aids Eaton Fire families, Nov. 13

Chili cook-off returns to VFW Post 2070, Nov. 13

Gem City JazzCats play jazz night, Nov. 13

Black alumni association scholarship gala, Nov. 14

DIY garden gifts workshop, Nov. 14

For the Love of Paper Fest brings stationery vendors to Monrovia, Nov. 14

Free student entrepreneurship workshop, Nov. 14

Games Month celebration at the Library, Nov. 14

Library storytime with park naturalists at Tsuneishi Park, Nov. 14

Native plant sale and 200-tree giveaway, Nov. 14

Sandy Snider to discuss Lucky Baldwin's adobe in Duarte, Nov. 14

Monthly farmers market and fair returns Nov. 15

Free mobile health clinic Nov. 18 at Foothill Unity Center

Innovation Lab at the Library, Nov. 18

Thankful & Grateful Holiday Gathering and Christmas Tree Lighting, Nov. 19

Community Prayer Breakfast set for Nov. 20

Mini Lab for toddlers and preschoolers at the Library, Nov. 20

Fall into fun crafts at the Library, Nov. 25

Veterans meetup at Merengue, Nov. 25

Free Smarty Party family screening in Arcadia, Nov. 27

Winter Wishes family workshop at the Library, Dec. 1

Julia Child benefit cooking class in Monrovia, Dec. 3

Tickets available for Festival of Trees to benefit Boys & Girls Club, Dec. 5

Toy drive for Children's Hospital Los Angeles set for Dec. 5 at Tired Iron Works

AI awareness workshop at the Library, Dec. 8

Free ceramics workshop for veterans at Makers & Clay, Dec. 10

Monrovia State of the City address set for Feb. 23, 2027

- Brad Haugaard