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Sebastian Would Like in on All Your Adventures


If you’re looking for a fun companion to ring in the New Year, look no further than Sebastian! This handsome guy is sure to turn heads as you walk him down the street!

Sebastian is three years old and has a lot of playful energy. He loves playing in the yard, but is happiest out on the go. He’s been on a number of walks with Pasadena Humane volunteers and they rave about him. He knows several commands and is keen to learn more. He has favorite treats that are a good motivator for him!

Sebastian will thrive in an active home. He doesn’t mind being the center of attention as long as he is included in all the adventures! He would love hiking or camping, and he would probably also enjoy a training class to show off his skills.

Bring this stunner home with you today!

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

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. View photos of adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

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: Christmas in Early Monrovia

Children around Christmas tree. 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

Merry Christmas, Monrovia!

Manger scene at First Presbyterian Church, Myrtle and Foothill.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:16-17)


For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

- Brad Haugaard

Winners - And Locations - Of Christmas Home Decorating Contest

Here are the winners of the Holiday Decorating Contest.

- Brad Haugaard

Jr. Naturalist For a Day Jan. 6

- Brad Haugaard

Noon Year's Eve Family Event at Library Park

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Today Is Out; City Wins Conservation Award; Recycling; Etc.


In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports:

~ The winter edition of Monrovia Today is online here.

~ Monrovia was recently awarded the Government Finance Officers Association's Program Excellence Award for its Drought/Conservation Program, including its Excess Water Usage Penalty Program. In three years citywide water consumption is down 20%, exceeding the state's 15% water reduction goal. Monrovia is one of six winners this year and is featured in the magazine, "Government Finance Review." See the article here.    

~ City Hall, Public Works, and Police and Fire Administration will be closed to the public Dec. 26 - 29. Essential services will continue as usual. Normal city operations will resume on Tuesday, January 2. 

~ Recycle your Christmas tree by placing it curbside on your regular trash collection day between Dec. 26 and Jan. 13. Remove ornaments, tinsel, plastic bags, nails, lights, and plastic or metal stands. Collected trees will be composted. For more information, contact Public Works at 932-5575.

~ The Monrovia Historical Museum will be closed on Dec. 24 and 31. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: $35,000 Merchandise Stolen in Smash and Grab; Shoplifting; Store Waits Before Calling Cops on Shoplifters; Man Falls Down Embankment; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 14 – 20. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 363 service events, resulting in 65 investigations.

Injury Traffic Collision
December 14 at 8:40 a.m., an injury traffic collision was reported in the area of Colorado and Madison. Officers arrived and determined a pedestrian was crossing on a crosswalk when they were struck by a vehicle. The pedestrian was transported to a hospital for treatment. 

Vehicle Burglary
December 14 at 9:14 a.m., a victim in the 200 block of E. Olive called to report his window was shattered on his vehicle and power tools were taken. This investigation is continuing. 

Shoplifting – Suspects Arrested
December 14 at 12:31 p.m., an employee from a business in the 400 block of W. Huntington called to report a male subject left with a cart full of items without paying. Officers arrived and located him a short distance away with a female subject. The male subject was still in possession of the stolen property. The female subject was also found to be in possession of stolen property. The male subject was arrested, identified and released at the scene with a citation. The female subject could not be identified, she was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be identified and later released on a citation. 

Medical Assist
December 14 at 12:52 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 500 block of N. Alta Vista regarding a male subject who fell down an embankment and was unresponsive. Officers and MFD arrived and were able to lift him up and transport him to a hospital for treatment. 

Recovered Stolen Vehicle
December 14 at 3:00 p.m., a caller in the area of Alta Vista and Foothill reported a suspicious vehicle and a suspicious male subject fleeing from the vehicle. Officers arrived and discovered the vehicle was an unreported stolen vehicle from Rowland Heights. This investigation is continuing. 

Shoplifting
December 14 at 3:16 p.m., an employee from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report a female was inside removing sensors from items and placing them in in her purse. She was with a male subject. They exited the store and got into a waiting vehicle. They were gone prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing. 

Vehicle Burglary
December 15 at 6:33 a.m., a victim in the 400 block of E. Foothill went out to his work truck and discovered someone had forced entry through a locked door and taken tools and materials from inside. This investigation is continuing. 

Commercial Burglary
December 15 at 8:45 a.m., a caller in the 100 block of W. Pomona reported that someone pried the front door open and got inside. This investigation is continuing. 

Fraud – Suspect Arrested
December 15 at 11:54 a.m., an employee from a restaurant in the 100 block of E. Colorado called to report that a patron was refusing to pay for his food. Officers arrived and located the subject who was arrested, cited and released at the scene. 

Injury Traffic Collision
December 15 at 1:22 p.m., officers responded to the area of Ivy and Walnut regarding an injury traffic collision. An investigation revealed that one of the driver’s failed to yield, causing a vehicle collision. Both parties suffered injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment. 

Vehicle Burglary
December 15 at 1:35 p.m., a victim in the 200 block of Oaks called to report his vehicle had been broken into. This investigation is continuing. 

DUI Checkpoint
December 16 at 2:00 a.m., seven motorists were cited in the 1900 block of S. Myrtle during a DUI checkpoint. Two field sobriety investigations were conducted and both were determined to be driving sober. 

Traffic Collision
December 16 at 1:52 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the area of Mountain and Royal Oaks. This investigation is continuing. 

Welfare Check
December 16 at 4:53 p.m., a welfare check was requested for an adult male subject in the 2000 block of Peck. Officers arrived and located the male subject. Officers determined he was suffering from medical issues. He was transported to a medical facility for medical treatment. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
December 16 at 4:55 p.m., while patrolling the 400 block of S. Myrtle an officer saw a male and female subject involved in a physical altercation. The officer made contact with both subjects and determined the female was the aggressor. She was arrested and taken into custody. 

Warrants / Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
December 16 at 10:50 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported seeing a male inside the store shoplifting. Officers arrived and located the subject. A computer search revealed he had several warrants for his arrest and he was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
December 17 at 8:13 p.m., a caller in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported two female adults who were in the store loading items into bags. The suspects exited the store without paying for the merchandise just as officers arrived. Officers made contact with the subjects and determined they had stolen merchandise. They were arrested and taken into custody. 

Vehicle Burglary
December 18 at 7:02 a.m., a resident in the 1400 block of S. Alta Vista called to report that someone had broken into his vehicle overnight. The suspect smashed a window and stole items. This investigation is continuing. 

Vehicle Burglary
December 18 at 7:35 a.m., a caller in the 1400 block of S. Primrose reported that several vehicles had been broken into overnight. Officers arrived and discovered two vehicles had their windows smashed and property was taken. This investigation is continuing. 

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
December 18 at 8:15 a.m., while patrolling the area of Shamrock and Cypress officers saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. A computer check of the driver revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Vandalism
December 18 at 9:32 a.m., a caller in the 100 block of N. 5th reported graffiti on along a wall. This investigation is continuing. 

Injury Traffic Collision
December 18 at 10:52 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Esplanade and Huntington Drive regarding and injury traffic collision. One party complained of pain and they were transported to a hospital for treatment. This investigation is continuing. 

Shoplifting
December 18 at 12:49 p.m., a caller in the 600 block of W. Huntington called to report that an adult female subject had stolen property. Officers arrived and the female subject was already gone. This investigation is continuing. 

Driving Under the Influence / Non-Injury Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
December 19 at 12:50 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 3400 block of S. Peck regarding a traffic collision. Officers arrived and an investigation revealed that the driver collided with a curb and a pole. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested and taken into custody. 

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
December 19 at 2:21 a.m., a caller in the 100 block of S. Mountain called to report a vehicle had crashed into a tree. Officers arrived and an investigation revealed that the driver had ran from the scene, leaving the passenger behind. No injuries were reported. This investigation is continuing. 

Theft
December 19 at 3:52 p.m., an employee from a business in the 300 block of W. Huntington called to report that four male subjects entered the business, smashed the glass counter with hammers, and took property worth $35,000. This investigation is continuing. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
December 19 at 3:55 p.m., a resident in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks reported his wife had battered him during an argument. Officers arrived and an investigation determined the female subject was the aggressor. She was arrested and later released due to a medical condition. 

Shoplifting
December 19 at 7:54 p.m., an employee of a store in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported three females subjects entered the store, loaded up bags with merchandise, and fled in an unknown direction. The store waited 10 minutes before calling MPD, because they had to get approval to call from their corporate office. Officers responded but were unable to locate the suspects. This investigation is continuing. 

Injury Traffic Collision
December 20 at 7:19 a.m., an injury traffic collision was reported in the 400 block of E. Greystone. Officers arrived and an investigating determined that the driver had suffered a medical emergency while driving and lost control of the vehicle, colliding into a pole. The male suffered injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment. 

Petty Theft
December 20 at 2:34 p.m., a caller in the 700 block of E. Huntington called to report that two subjects took property without paying. Officers arrived and located both subjects outside the business. Both subjects were arrested and taken into custody. 

Plymouth Elementary School Lockdown Lifted

Plymouth Elementary School was placed on lockdown this morning because of nearby Los Angeles County Sheriff's activity, according to Interim Superintendent Flint Fertig. The lockdown, implemented as a precaution to ensure student safety, has been lifted. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Battle of Badges Raises $9,500 to Fight Cancer

Monrovia Police reports that it and the Monrovia Fire Department raised $9,500 to fight cancer for the City of Hope with its Battle of the Badges basketball game. (Fire Department won, by the way.)

- Brad Haugaard 

It's Christmastime! Creche and Cactus on Valmont Drive

Creche scene and inset of a lighted cactus.

The Christmas lights are up along Valmont Drive (Go north on Norumbega and left on Valmont) so it must be Christmastime.

Dinner at Domenico’s


Dinner at Domenico’s, on the south side of Huntington just east of Magnolia. Got a half order of of cheese ravioli for $14.95 from the 55+ menu and a beer for $7.95. It came with garlic bread and a dinner salad. Nice. 

- Brad Haugaard 

School District's Business Services Officer Leaves

Jessica Garcia, Monrovia School District's Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, has departed the district. Interim Superintendent Flint Fertig said Garcia was an " invaluable team member," wished her well, and said a search for a replacement is underway. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Charged in Child Sex Abuse Case

A federal grand jury has charged Monrovian David Lisandro Perez Figueroa, 22, with producing and distributing child sexual abuse material depicting himself sexually abusing a toddler, according to the Justice Department. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Affectionate Alesana Has a Non-Stop Tail


This pint-sized pup is adorable Alesana, a one-year-old Staffordshire terrier mix.

Alesana is incredibly affectionate. She loves sitting by your side to get pets and give you gentle kisses. Her tail wags non-stop, especially when she gets some scratches or pets.

She has lived with other dogs and would probably do best with dogs her own size or larger. She’s very playful, but she doesn’t know her own size!

Alesana has working on her training cues and is very good at “sit”. Her fetching game needs a little work- she likes the idea of chasing a ball, but immediately returns to the person trying to play because getting pets is much easier, and more fun!

She is the perfect size to go for a hike with you on a trip to the beach. She won’t take up a lot of room in the car or on the couch for a cuddle when you’re back home!

Alesana and all other dogs can be adopted at no cost during the Roses and Wet Noses promotion going on at Pasadena Humane from 12/15 - 12/31. The promotion is sponsored by Pet Care Foundation, and hopes to highlight some of the amazing large dogs who are in need of adoption. Alesana would love to cuddle up with you on the couch and watch the Rose Parade in a couple weeks!

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.

View photos of adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Craft Corner at Library Dec. 27


Craft Corner for 2-5 year-olds at the library, Dec. 27 10-11 a.m. No registration, supplies provided.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Inside a Tailor Shop in 1907

The interior of Louis Umbach's tailor shop on the east side of 600 block of S. Myrtle Ave. around 1907. 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

Crafting, Coding, 3D Printing for Teens, at Library Dec. 27

Pop-Up Makerspace on Dec. 27 at the library. Craft a zine, friendship bracelet, or buttons, explore coding with Sphero Mini Bots, or delve into 3D design and print your creation. Drop in anytime between 3:30 and 5 p.m. Open to grades 6-12, no registration required.

- Brad Haugaard

Smash Tournament at Library Dec. 22

Smash Tournament with low-stakes games. Watch the competition on the big screen or try other video games at a second setup. Open to all levels. Friday, Dec 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Monrovia Public Library, Community Room

- Brad Haugaard

Santa is Making the Rounds

Find out where Santa will be here.

- Brad Haugaard