Pasadena Humane seeks Thanksgiving foster homes for shelter dogs

Cartoon of a happy dog relaxing on a blanket in a home decorated for autumn

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

Dinner at Monrovia Pizza Company

Dinner at Monrovia Pizza Company , in the little shopping center at the northwest corner of Mayflower and Duarte  Road. Got a small pastrami sandwich for $9 and a small drink for $2.75. Nice!

- Brad Haugaard

School board to consider Wild Rose playground work; security upgrades; bullying policy; Etc.

Monrovia Unified School District

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

~ Consider $51,103 in Wild Rose playground, shade and fire-lane design services, plus an estimated $14,610 for additional soil studies. Architect details; Soil service details.

~ Consider a $45,671.80 Measure MM-funded district office communications and camera project, including a central server for districtwide emergency notifications. Details.

~ Consider a bullying policy authorizing, but not requiring, responses to off-hours cyberbullying sufficiently severe or pervasive to create a hostile educational environment. Details.

~ Receive a facilities update reporting Wild Rose’s continuing fire watch until its new fire alarm system is installed; summer 2027 work remains targeted. Details.

The meeting is Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the district office Board Room, 325 E. Huntington Drive. Closed session begins at 5:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Landscaping talk distracts burglary victim; Driver allegedly swings baton; Decoy meeting leads to arrest; Park runner found with dagger; and more...

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 5 - 9, 2026. 294 calls for service, 49 investigations, 1 mental evaluations, 5 traffic collisions, 12 arrests. - Brad Haugaard]

NOVEMBER 5

Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested

At 3:31 a.m., officers patrolling the 700 block of W. Chestnut saw a subject loitering near a closed business. Officers made contact with the subject. An investigation revealed he was in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Offense

At 12:05 p.m., a caller in the 1700 block of S. Magnolia reported a suspicious female subject loitering on the property. Officers arrived and made contact with her. A computer search revealed she had a warrant for her arrest. She was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Drug Offense / Weapons Offense – Suspect Arrested

At 11:39 p.m., while patrolling the 1600 block of S. Myrtle an officer saw a subject in a park after hours. When the subject saw the officers he fled on foot. He was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. An investigation revealed he was in possession of a dagger and a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.

NOVEMBER 6

Shoplifting

At 11:57 a.m., a caller in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported that a former employee entered the business and stole several items of merchandise before fleeing the location on foot. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested

At 2:33 p.m., an officer patrolling the 300 block of S. Myrtle saw a male subject displaying signs of alcohol intoxication. The officer made contact with the subject and determined the subject was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Residential Burglary

At 3:28 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of Stedman reported that multiple subjects burglarized her residence. Officers arrived and determined that the resident was approached by a subject under the pretense of discussing her landscaping. While the victim was distracted, additional suspects entered the residence and took her personal property. This investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication / Trespassing – Suspect Arrested

At 11:14 p.m., an employee from a business in the 100 block of E. Lime reported that a subject who had been previously trespassed had returned. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. An investigation also revealed he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

NOVEMBER 7

Public Intoxication

At 2:08 p.m., a caller in the 600 block of E. Olive reported an intoxicated subject in the middle of the road, causing a disturbance. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject who was found to have injuries. An investigation revealed he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was transported to a hospital for treatment.

NOVEMBER 8

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested

At 12:37 a.m., a witness reported a domestic violence incident where a husband and wife were arguing while traveling in a vehicle. Officers located the husband and wife in the 700 block of Monterey. The officers made contact with the parties and discovered the male subject shoved his wife during the argument. He was arrested and taken into custody.

NOVEMBER 9

Unlawful Solicitation of Minor – Suspect Arrested

At 6:05 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of W. Olive Ave after a suspect attempted to meet with someone he believed was a minor. The meeting was actually a setup coordinated by an adult subject posing as a juvenile. The suspect fled on foot, but was quickly apprehended a short distance away. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Suspect Arrested

At 6:04 p.m., a victim walked into the MPD lobby to report that a traffic collision and an assault with a deadly weapon. An investigation revealed that the victim and suspect were involved in a traffic collision and while they were exchanging information, the suspect became upset, approached her car and swung a baton at her. She fled and drove to MPD. The suspect was located, arrested and taken into custody.

Trespass / Battery on a Police Officer – Suspect Arrested

At 10:06 p.m., a trespasser was reported in the 100 block of E. Lime. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. The subject refused to leave the property and became combative after he was arrested. He was arrested and taken into custody.

- Brad Haugaard

$25 Art Boxes for Kids on sale Friday at Grey & Cash


Art Boxes for Kids, $25 each, go on sale Friday, Nov. 13, 6 to 9 p.m. at Grey & Cash, with a limited supply. Each pre-wrapped box holds colored pencils, watercolors, construction paper, gel pens, acrylic paint, markers, sketch pads and mini holiday coloring cards. All proceeds support the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts, which holds its monthly Art Night at Grey & Cash the same evening. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Canned food drive Friday at Painted Promises aids Eaton Fire families

A canned food drive runs Friday, Nov. 13, 7 to 10 p.m. at Painted Promises Gallery, 306 S. Myrtle Ave., with art raffles, refreshments and bacon-wrapped hot dogs for donors bringing a canned, nonperishable item. Donations go directly to families in Altadena and Pasadena still in transition after the Eaton Fire. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Former officer's suit seeks Monrovia police records

A former Monrovia police officer has asked an LA Superior Court judge to order the release of internal department records in his lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and retaliation by a supervising lieutenant. In court papers filed Nov. 5, Matthew Concepcion's attorneys seek records of harassment complaints against the lieutenant and investigations that followed his complaint. Attorneys for the city have denied the allegations. A hearing is set for March 4, 2027. Source

- Brad Haugaard

Free mobile health clinic Nov. 18 at Foothill Unity Center

An LA County mobile clinic will offer free health services Wednesday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Foothill Unity Center, 790 W. Chestnut Ave., serving the unhoused community and people affected by the wildfires. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Veterans Day in Library Park

Veterans Day is being celebrated today in Library Park.

- Brad Haugaard 

Winter Wishes family workshop at the Library, Dec. 1


Families with children ages to age 5 can create holiday cards with custom family photos and learn how to address and mail a letter at the Library's Winter Wishes workshop, Dec. 1, 6–7:30 p.m. Free books are available while supplies last; no registration required. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

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