Lenten fish fry at Knights of Columbus, Fridays, Feb. 20 to Apr. 3

- Brad Haugaard 

Mellow Arlow is a sweetheart - but not a fan of rainy days

Arlo is a calm, loving pup with a soft heart and an easygoing spirit. He may get a little stressed in new situations (car rides and rainy days aren’t his favorite!), but he handles it all with quiet patience and a gentle outlook. Once he settles in, Arlo loves to relax, explore, and soak up the peaceful moments.

In his foster home, Arlo is a total sweetheart — respectful, well-mannered, and happy to simply be near his people. He enjoys sniffing around new spaces, naps on soft carpets, and meeting new friends with a calm, steady confidence. He’s also a great student: he’s started practicing crate time, learning loose-leash walking, and adjusting beautifully to new routines.

Arlo is the kind of dog who just wants to feel safe, warm, and loved. If you’re looking for a mellow, affectionate companion who will quietly brighten your days, Arlo might be the perfect match. And, he is available for a 10-day adoption trial!

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: A city map of 1908 - Recognize Banana Avenue?

Map of Monrovia from February 1908. Click to enlarge. If it's still too small, try this link. Do you recognize Banana, White Oak, JIC, Orange, Falling Leaf, or Santa Fe avenues? They have new names now. Map compliments of C.E. Slosson, Real Estate Dealer. Shows southern subdivisions with alphabetical streets Alta, Bonita, California, Diamond, El Dorado, Fano, Genoa. Also Pottenger Sanatorium Co., Sawpit Canyon, Sawpit Wash, Gold Hill. From the Steve Baker 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

LOOK Theater closes Monrovia location

Monrovia’s LOOK Theatre has closed. The management wrote, “Thank you Monrovia, We will miss you” on the marquee and this sign on the door:

Valued Guests,

LOOK Dine-In Cinemas has closed this location.

We would like to sincerely thank our guests for making this theater a meaningful part of the community. Your loyalty, support, and shared movie moments have meant a great deal to our team, and we are truly grateful for the memories created here over the years.

While this location has closed, we invite you to continue enjoying the LOOK experience at our nearby theater:

LOOK Dine-In Cinemas - Glendale
128 Artsakh Ave, Glendale, CA 91206

All LOOK Gift Cards and Infinity Club memberships will continue to be honored at our LOOK Glendale location. Any existing ticket purchases will be fully refunded. If you would prefer a refund for a gift card or Infinity membership, have questions, or need assistance, please contact our Guest Services department at: guest.services@lookcinemas.com.

Thank you again. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you soon in Glendale.

- Brad Haugaard 

Fruit tree pruning workshop Feb. 7

Fruit tree pruning workshop at the EARTH Commons, hosted by the Maryknoll Sisters with Master Gardeners of the University of California Cooperative Extension. Saturday, Feb. 7, 9 to 11 a.m., 300 Norumbega Drive. Hands-on instruction under supervision. Wear sturdy shoes, hat, gloves; goggles recommended. Bring clippers, loppers, pruning saws, pole pruners. Space limited. RSVP by Feb. 2 to Faye Ybanez, 358-1825 or fayeybanezmks@gmail.com.

- Brad Haugaard 

Wine, beer and painting for veterans at Library, Feb. 12

Veterans, service members, and guests (21+) can enjoy a guided painting session with wine or beer on Thursday, Feb. 12, 5:30 to 7 p.m., in the Library Community Room. Must present photo ID. Registration required, here.

- Brad Haugaard

Lego free play at the Library, Feb. 11

Drop in for LEGO Free Play on Wed., Feb. 11, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Library Story Room. Kids ages 2 to 12 can build with library-provided blocks. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Reading and nature for children to age 5, Feb. 7

Nature-themed literacy event for children to age 5. Includes story time, sensory play, and take-home book (while supplies last), Feb. 7, 12 to 1:30 p.m. in the Library Story Room. Registration required. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Black History Month kickoff film at Monrovia High

There will be a Black History Month centennial kickoff and documentary screening at Monrovia High auditorium Sunday, Feb. 1, 2 to 4 p.m.  Features a community screening of "100 Years from Mississippi." Open to the public.

- Brad Haugaard

'Wonders of the Universe' exhibit opening at Canyon Park, Feb. 1

The Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers will share their passion for astronomy and the night sky at the debut of a free “Wonders of the Universe” exhibit at Canyon Park Nature Center, Sunday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to noon. The exhibit will be on display through April.

- Brad Haugaard

Retired city librarian Mabel Cross dies

Retired Monrovia librarian Mabel Cross has died. She retired at the end of 2025 after years supporting programs and helping establish the Veterans Resource Center. She assisted veterans with benefits and recorded stories through the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.

- Brad Haugaard

Coming Up in Monrovia

Learn Dungeons & Dragons at the Library, Jan. 31

'Wonders of the Universe' exhibit opening at Canyon Park, Feb. 1

Black History Month kickoff film at Monrovia High, Feb. 1

Teen Activity Hour at the Library, Feb. 2

Chamber Awards Gala themed 'Old Hollywood', Feb. 6

Pet Valentine and photo event at Sierra Subaru, Feb. 7

Reading and nature for children to age 5, Feb. 7

State of the City event at LOOK Cinemas, Feb. 10

Lego free play at the Library, Feb. 11

Wine, beer and painting for veterans at Library, Feb. 12

Valentine's Day carriage rides from Library Park Feb. 14

Hum Out Loud poetry reading Feb. 24

- Brad Haugaard

City Council to consider naming February as Black History Month

At its next meeting (agenda here), the City Council will consider proclaiming February 2026 as Black History Month. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's assets up, liabilities down

Monrovia's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended June 30 shows the city has more assets and is reducing its debt.

The city closed the year with a net position of $74.79 million (total assets minus what it owes). That’s up $26.90 million from the prior year. Total assets alone increased $25.90 million, or 9.6 percent. The General Fund, the city’s main operating fund, ended the year with a $24.84 million balance.

Property tax revenue rose by $1.07 million and hotel occupancy tax increased by $0.97 million.

Further, the amount of money the city owes for pensions declined.

And Monrovia’s auditors, Lance Soll & Lunghard, LLP, has issued an unmodified (“clean”) opinion on the city’s financial statements, meaning they believe the statements are accurate and follow accounting standards.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Grindz Poke

Dinner at Grindz Poke, in the Vons shopping center at Foothill and Myrtle. Got a small poke bowl with tuna for $11.95 and a soda for $2.7. Very nice. 

- Brad Haugaard