Echo can be shy at first, but when she feels safe, blossoms into a lovebug


Meet Echo, a beautiful 2-year-old black pittie at Pasadena Humane who is quietly blossoming into a loving, devoted companion. Echo came to us as a stray and can be shy and cautious at first, but once she feels safe, her true personality shines. While in foster, she’s become a total lovebug who enjoys constant cuddles, asks for more scratches, and happily follows her favorite people around. Echo enjoys exploring and sniffing on walks, balanced with plenty of lounging and resting, and she’s starting to show more playful behavior — especially with her toys! Her energy level is mild, making her a great match for someone who enjoys a calmer, affectionate dog.

Echo is potty trained, crate trained, and very treat-motivated. She would thrive with patient adopters who can offer consistent engagement, gentle guidance, and a calm environment to help her continue gaining confidence. If you’re looking for a loyal, snuggly companion to grow with, Echo may be your girl!

And there’s no better time to adopt — starting this weekend, adoption fees for dogs 6 months and older are waived at Pasadena Humane as a part of the Dog Days of Winter adoption promotion.

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

School district to consider early retirement bonus; updates to administrator contracts

At its next meeting (here) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Implementing an early retirement bonus equal to 90 percent of the last year's pay for teachers and administrators who voluntarily leave by June 30 of this year. There are more caveats, details here.  

~ Consider updates to the contracts of the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, and Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. The details of these updates are not online, but the staff report says that, "A copy of the updated contract is available upon request."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Historical Museum plans Route 66 exhibit

The Monrovia Historical Museum is planning a new Route 66 exhibit to open on April 30, coinciding with the city’s centennial kickoff weekend. The exhibit explores how transportation shaped Monrovia’s growth - from early road travel to aviation - highlighting the people, places, and stories that made Monrovia a  meaningful stop along America’s most famous highway. As part of this effort, the museum is also rei-magining its airport exhibit to better reflect Monrovia’s role in regional transportation history.

Two temporary exhibits on display right now: 

  • Items from the archive, including a late-1800s Chinese Coin Sword and a 1905 Apache Bead Loom, restored by Madi Arnault and Audrey Strople, with assistance from Tanya Valladares and Joovy Chen.
  • Metal Art Exhibit by John Ogden, who transforms recycled industrial metal into artistic compositions that play with form, light, shadow, and texture.

- Brad Haugaard

Yarn and Fabric Hangout at the Library on Jan. 20


Yarn and Fabric Hangout on Jan. 20 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Library Story Room. Bring your own embroidery, knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, or handwork project to work on while socializing. Some sewing machines available for small projects or beginners. Limited supplies provided—bring your own materials. Teens and adults welcome. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Teen Game Hangout at the Library on Jan. 16


Teen Game Hangout on Jan. 16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Drop in for snacks, Nintendo Switch games, Beyblades, and board games. For grades 7–12. No registration needed. Details

- Brad Haugaard

Plymouth School celebrates dramatic math and language improvement for 6th graders

The teachers, Markiena Madison, Marina Grande, and Hanita Le.

Monrovia School District reports Plymouth Elementary School sixth graders showed remarkable improvement in language arts and math. From a district report:

A team of sixth grade teachers at Plymouth Elementary School is celebrating exceptional growth in student achievement.

The students had an average annual growth in language arts of 142% and in math, they had a 77% average annual growth for the students overall. Many of the students moved up one or more grade levels in their area! Also, many of the students successfully tested out of phonics.

One of the tools they utilize is iReady, an adaptive online diagnostic tool that includes pre and post assessments to monitor student growth. It provides detailed reports based on subjects and subcategories, where the teachers then use this data to create small groups (level-based), lead various hands-on activities for math, drill students in basic math facts, and re-teach/teach new skills or strategies for both English Language Arts and Math concepts.

Plymouth Elementary Principal Jennifer Maljian is celebrating an outstanding success story, "The 6th grade teachers - Markiena Madison, Marina Grande, and Hanita Le - are doing amazing work with students and hitting their iReady learning targets.” They also create multiple engaging electives that grab and hold their students' attention. The electives include food science, forensic science, and Renaissance leadership.

Their combined teaching experiences from elementary and middle school, including Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School, helped shaped their teaching styles and pedagogies in regards to learning.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High School swimming pool reopens Jan 12

The pool under construction.


The pool finished.

The Monrovia High School swimming pool will reopen on Jan. 12 after critical repairs, thanks to a partnership between the city, which contributed money, and school district. The restoration ends a period of off-site practices for swim and water polo teams. 

- Brad Haugaard

Art Night this evening at Grey & Cash


Art Night tonight at Grey & Cash, 425 S Myrtle Ave, from 6 to 9 p.m. Attendees can enjoy local art and coffee with area artists.

- Brad Haugaard

Two garden workshops planned for Jan. 17 and 22


The Monrovia Community Garden is hosting two free workshops: A hands-on Tree Pruning Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and a Pollinator Garden Workshop with a free plant giveaway on Thursday, Jan. 22 from 7 to 8 p.m. Both will be at the garden, at the corner of Colorado and Magnolia.

- Brad Haugaard

Job fair at Monrovia Community Adult School Jan. 22

 

Register here.

- Brad Haugaard

Volunteers wanted for homeless count

Volunteers are needed for the annual Homeless Count on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 8 p.m., starting at the Community Center. The event helps assess local homelessness for resource allocation. Register here or join the night of the count. 

- Brad Haugaard

City still working on agreement to accept Big M hillside property


City Manager Dylan Feik reports that the city has not yet finalized an agreement to accept a gift from the Pokrajac family of 5.19 acres of Monrovia hillside land containing the Big M that is lit on Monrovia High game days, but he said that, "I will be sure to provide more details as they become available." Assuming the city accepts the gift (a pretty safe assumption), "the city would assume responsibility for the ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and recreational use of the property, along with any future costs associated with preserving or improving the site."

- Brad Haugaard

A preview of Rigo's menu

If you are curious what the new Rigo’s Fiesta Mexican Food restaurant will be serving, its full menu is here, on page 24. Rigo's is applying for a permit to serve beer and wine at its new location at the southeast corner of Mayflower and Foothill, across the street from its old location. It's not open yet.

- Brad Haugaard

Coming Up in Monrovia

Art Night this evening at Grey & Cash

Trivia Night for adults at Library, Jan. 9

Auditions for San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Jan. 6, 13

Storytime for young children at Library, Jan 7

Storytime with the Park Naturalists Jan. 10

Tinkering and exploring for kids, at the Library Jan. 12

Ribbon cutting for the city’s 9th park set for Jan. 13

Vocal lesson for adults and teens at Library Jan. 17

Two garden workshops planned for Jan. 17 and 22

Volunteers wanted for homeless count, Jan. 21

Job fair at Monrovia Community Adult School Jan. 22

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Basin 141


Dinner at Basin 141, at the corner of Myrtle and Lime. Got the “Pickens” Chicken Sandwich for $17.50 and a beer for $7.50. Yummy good.

- Brad Haugaard 
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