Seeds of Hope luncheon honors community heroes

Foothill Unity Center will honor community heroes at its Seeds of Hope luncheon at Courtyard Marriott, Mar. 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The program includes harp music, a plated lunch, and honoree recognition. Proceeds support neighbors in need. Admission $45; sponsorships from $450 to $5,000. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Rolo is confident, bold, playful ... and just a bit silly

Rolo is basically a box of chocolates — where you’ll never stop being delighted, and every moment is pure sweetness! This 2-year-old German Shepherd mix at Pasadena Humane is affectionate to his core. He’s confident, bold, playful, and just the right amount of silly. A foster field trip favorite, Rolo has an amazing demeanor whether he’s cuddling close to you or heading out for a 5-mile hike (yes, 5 miles!). Around town, he’s a perfect gentleman: he loves strolling through Old Town Pasadena, popping into a dog bakery for a sweet treat, making new doggy friends, and sniffing around Huntington Ambassador Park while keeping an eye on those funny squirrels.

Rolo is guaranteed to make your heart melt. He truly seems in love with life and is ready to share that love with his forever person. Fall head over heels this weekend during Pasadena Humane’s Swipe Right Adoption promotion, happening February 13–15, where all adoptions (including Rolo’s) are just $14. Skip the candy and treat yourself to something even sweeter - adopt Rolo and make this Valentine’s one to remember!

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 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 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

A Moment in Monrovia History: The Planet, one of Monrovia's early newspapers

A photo of the home of an early Monrovia newspaper, The Planet, located on Lemon. Published in 1933 by the Monrovia News-Post for Monrovia's 47th birthday. From the Myron Hotchkiss 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

Electric guitar for beginners, Feb. 21

Beginner electric guitar workshop for adults and teens at the Library. An introductory class covering basic chords and simple songs, with instruments provided and personal guitars welcome. For adults and teens ages 16 and up. Sat., Feb. 21, 2 to 3 p.m. Registration required. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Teen Game Hangout at the Library, Feb. 20

Teen gaming drop-in offers an afternoon of console, tabletop, and casual play. The program runs Friday, Feb. 20, 3 to 4:30 p.m., in the Community Room at the Library. Nintendo Switch games, Beyblades, and board games available. Open to grades 7–12. No registration required. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High to screen math documentary, March 10

Monrovia High School will show the documentary film, Counted Out, on March 10. It is about the importance of math. Trailer here. Counted Out website here.

- Brad Haugaard

Workshop on preserving fresh citrus

A hands-on workshop on preserving fresh citrus for home use will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 to 11 a.m. at the Community Center. Food ED will present simple food-preservation methods to extend backyard harvests. RSVP here. 

 - Brad Haugaard

Food Ed to bestow Golden Gnomie Awards

Food ED will celebrate its fifth birthday with an evening honoring its volunteers with Golden Gnomie awards, Friday, Feb. 20, 6 to 9 p.m., St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Swan Hall, 122 California Ave. Fifth Tickets $50 here; dinner and drinks included.

- Brad Haugaard

Parks and youth sports fundraiser

Monrovia Parks, Wilderness, & Recreation Foundation will hold a fundraiser to support its parks and youth projects. Feb. 19, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Panda Express, 682 W. Huntington Dr. Dine in, order online, or use the app. Show the flyer (here) in person or enter code 3855309 online. Twenty percent of sales benefit foundation. 

 - Brad Haugaard

Year of the Horse celebration

Oasis Trilingual Community School, 429 E. Wildrose, will hold a free Lunar New Year celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. to welcome the Year of the Horse. Crafts, snacks, games, music, performances, traditional red envelopes. Open to residents and families. For information ca;; 285-8262. 

 - Brad Haugaard

Financial aid sought for student who lost both mother and father

Monrovia High School student Megan Cisneros lost both her father, then two months later, on Feb. 4, her mother as well. A GoFundMe page, here, has been established for those wishing to help the family financially. It seeks to raise $35,000, of which $25,871 has already been raised from 204 donors. 

- Brad Haugaard

Black History Month events

Here are upcoming Black History Month events:

• Feb. 12, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Children’s Art Festival, Community Center
• Feb. 21, 2 to 4 p.m., storytelling and crafts, Library
• Feb. 22, 2 to 4 p.m., luncheon, Community Center
• Mar. 22, 2 to 4 p.m., Jones sisters program, Duarte Historical Museum, 777 Encanto Pkwy.

- Brad Haugaard

City Council has reviewed proposed interior upgrades to Library

At a recent study session, the City Council discussed expanding the Library's children’s wing, which would nearly triple the Storytime Room to 2,000 square feet, adding storage for tables and chairs, and increasing private study rooms.

- Brad Haugaard

SoCal Edison to use drones for aerial inspections

Southern California Edison will use drones and helicopters to conduct aerial inspections of Monrovia neighborhoods in the next few weeks to reduce wildfire risk. Inspections will last 30–60 minutes, as crews examine poles and towers from multiple angles to spot damage or potential hazards and determine needed repairs. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Guided walking tour explores downtown history

A two-hour historic walking tour of Monrovia's historic downtown will be led by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group on Sat., Feb. 7, 10 a.m.. Tour begins at the southeast corner of Palm and Myrtle.  $5 per person. Highlights include the 1909 Library Park drinking fountain and its preservation story.

- Brad Haugaard