On Monday, the City announced that David Reyes has been appointed the new General Manager of the Pasadena Water and Power The appointment was made after a vigorous recruitment effort according to a statement released by the City “David has consistently demonstrated resilience and a strong commitment to both the technical and community service aspects critical to Pasadena Water and Power’s success His proven leadership during complex events and his investment in building a high-performing team have laid a very strong foundation for his continued success,” said City Manager Miguel Márquez Reyes will oversee a department with an annual operating and capital budget of approximately $450 million and approximately 430 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees Reyes has more than two decades of public sector leadership experience including the last 12 years serving the City of Pasadena in several key executive roles Reyes has served as Interim General Manager of PWP since February 2024 and previously as Assistant City Manager and Director of Planning and Community Development he successfully led the department through major initiatives and emergency events such as the Eaton Fire “I’m humbled and excited to continue to serve the City of Pasadena in this new role and to strive to uphold the community’s expectations of excellence I would like to thank City Manager Márquez for this opportunity and the talented team of professionals at PWP the Utility could not function,” Reyes said he finds balance and fulfillment through two of his greatest passions—boxing and family Whether he’s throwing punches in the gym or shadowboxing in the garage the discipline and strength he builds in the ring mirror the dedication he brings to his home life Reyes lives in Northridge and has been married for 25 years he cherishes the deep bond he shares with his wife comes from being a father to three wonderful children each of whom brings joy and purpose to his everyday life More » The ‘Humming-Byrd’ House: A Mid-Century Storybook Ranch Surrounded by Nature Pasadena Now has been published daily since April 2004 and is among the very oldest continuously operated community news websites in the U.S Pasadena Now strives to publish a full spectrum of news and information articles in service to the entire community The publication will remain free to readers and will not erect paywalls Copyright © 2025. Pasadena Now | Terms of - Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds offer another way to get Pasadena Now content Subscribe to our feeds to get the latest headlines summaries and links back to full articles – formatted for your favorite feed reader and updated throughout the day Eliot Arts Magnet is thriving – students are still dancing and continuing to deliver joy and inspiration to the community despite the serious damage their campus sustained during the Eaton Fire The school community is now co-located at the McKinley campus – and Eliot faculty and partners continue to deliver their best-in-class Recently the school partnered with Pasadena Playhouse and the Center Theatre group to perform their spring musical a t the Ahmanson Theatre the students took the big stage and delivered a n amazing performance of Shrek Jr “These young artists watched as their community rallied to offer kindness We had the gift o f a benefit performance staged at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre with support from their production team and the team at Pasadena Playhouse It’s truly fitting that this show is a fairy tale.” the cast will be performing at the school’s upcoming annual Fauxchella on Saturday May 17th This is a festival style event that will feature music from the school’s Rock Band you can enjoy the performances plus FREE activities like face painting hot dogs and popcorn… the school welcomes the whole community Join Eliot Arts Magnet and support their young artistic community “The Eliot Arts Magnet campus was damaged by the Eaton Fire. Our School community is co-located at McKinley School at 325 S. Oak Knoll St., Pasadena, CA 91101 or visit https://eliot.pusd.us/.” Learn more about the Pasadena area's finest private schools The Pasadena Legislative Policy Committee will meet Tuesday to review five departmental budget plans including a proposed increase for the City Attorney’s Office which faces mounting legal responsibilities and higher personnel costs in the coming fiscal year According to a preliminary report ahead of the May 6 meeting the City Attorney’s Office is requesting nearly $700,000 in additional personnel funding representing an 8.3% increase from the current year’s budget The office also seeks to expand its contract with the Independent Police Auditor by $25,000 which will be formally presented during the 4:30 p.m public meeting of the Legislative Policy Committee comes as the office manages over 120 lawsuits while prosecuting approximately 2,000 new cases annually “Significant expenses [are] incurred in aggressively defending employment matters several of which are scheduled to proceed to trial in FY 2026,” the report said The document also cites “potential legal issues stemming from Eaton Fire” as a factor driving increased costs who leads the City Attorney’s Office is expected to detail how the department has saved taxpayers “substantial sums” through favorable trial outcomes and dismissals in tort civil rights and employment cases during the current fiscal year Among the office’s accomplishments was the hiring of Pasadena’s first Victim-Witness Advocate and providing staffing for the Community Police Oversight Commission which was established to strengthen relations between law enforcement and residents The budget proposal includes approximately $54,000 in additional services and supplies costs a 6.1% increase driven largely by rising insurance premiums Internal service charges would increase by about $44,000 primarily due to higher costs for information systems City Attorney officials plan to outline priorities for the 2026 fiscal year including expanding community prosecution programs evaluating a potential restorative justice diversion program and exploring new approaches to mental health cases The report notes that three positions in the office remain vacant down from five vacancies in the current fiscal year Final budget decisions will be made by the full City Council as part of Pasadena’s comprehensive budget adoption process which typically concludes in June before the July 1 start of the fiscal year More » and their commitment to the communities they serve the grants to support these AmeriCorps members were abruptly terminated in Los Angeles and other California communities It created a ripple effect of damage that now touches not just these service members 28 AmeriCorps members working with Reading Partners are directly affected These members aim to coordinate programs and recruit the individuals needed to provide essential one-on-one literacy support to students in underserved communities They led  nearly 25,000 tutoring sessions last year here in the Los Angeles region and were actively working to support academic recovery for students impacted by the fires over 3,500 AmeriCorps members have served with Reading Partners since 2010 AmeriCorps has consistently had strong bipartisan support from House and Senate lawmakers members of both parties have recognized the program’s efficiency ability to address critical community needs This funding decision has the potential to dismantle the programs made available thanks to AmeriCorps’ national commitment to service our tutoring programs are halted because we no longer have the workforce needed to facilitate them AmeriCorps members aren’t abstract statistics or federal employees They are people who selflessly volunteer a year (or more) of their lives to uplift communities that are often overlooked They receive a modest stipend and often get little recognition for what is a generous act of patriotism But they believe in something bigger than themselves California’s strength shines through because of its people We should be honoring AmeriCorps members for their dedication The consequences of these cuts will be long-lasting Students who are tutored by AmeriCorps members are finally catching up after pandemic-era learning loss Communities still recovering from natural disasters may be left without critical support in their efforts to rebuild Nonprofits that depend on AmeriCorps to deliver frontline services may have to scale back or close programs entirely cost-effective tool for solving some of our nation’s most pressing challenges Behind every AmeriCorps logo is a real person We need Congress and the administration to recognize the irreversible damage these cuts will cause to individuals and communities across California Chloe Oliveras is the executive director of Reading Partners Los Angeles Tina Fredericks [Photo courtesy: PUSD]A delegation of California school board members arrived in Washington D.C early this week to urge Congress to protect and strengthen K-12 public education in spite of recent efforts to dismantle the U.S As the only elected officials representing children school board members are fighting for nearly 6 million K-12 students in the nation’s most populous state California public school districts serve a variety of school districts serving children from diverse communities with a host of political leanings Scott Harden and Patrice Marshall-McKenzie joined the California delegation “We believe receiving a quality public education is a human right It’s deeply unAmerican to dismantle this most American of institutions The richest country in the world can afford to invest in K-12 public education There can be no more unifying cause: the fight for education for all children is a fight for America’s future.” Dozens of California Board members and Congresswoman Judy Chu came together “I am proud to stand here with California school board members who are fighting for their students The Department of Education is so important for our low-income students and disabled students We need to fight back…preserve the Department of Education,” said Congresswoman Chu Making up over a majority of our student population Pasadena USD’s over 8000 socio-economically disadvantaged students also stand to lose healthcare and their access to school meals because Medicaid and federal nutrition programs are at risk of being cut The federal government threatens to cut Title 1 funds evidence-based educational strategies that close the achievement gap and enable the students to meet the state’s challenging academic standards “Losing federal Title I funding would impact every school in our district as the funding pays for instructional coaches to support math and reading achievement for each site as well as librarians for our secondary schools and services to homeless and foster youth student populations.” CSBA-ACSA are advocating for key issues including: increased special education funding for students with disabilities to 40%; increasing funding for cybersecurity protections;funding for transportation in rural districts and increased funding for teacher training and workforce housing along with certain other public employees receive the Social Security that they earned California public school teachers were penalized if they changed careers and they were denied spousal benefits owed to every other married worker in the U.S The bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden in January 2025 Tina Fredericks is a member of the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education representing District 6 since her election in 2020 She is a former high school math teacher and computer engineer who lives in East Pasadena RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds offer another way to get Pasadena Now content. Subscribe to our feeds to get the latest headlines, summaries and links back to full articles – formatted for your favorite feed reader and updated throughout the day. With over two decades of public sector experience Reyes has held several key executive roles within the City of Pasadena he was promoted from Director of Planning & Community Development to Assistant City Manager Following the unexpected departure of PWP’s General Manager Sidney Jackson in February 2024 Reyes was appointed as Acting General Manager of PWP with City Manager Márquez emphasizing the importance of community engagement in selecting the right leader for PWP “I’m humbled and excited to continue to serve the city of Pasadena in this new role and to strive to uphold the community’s expectations of excellence,” Reyes said “ I would like to thank City Manager Marquez for this opportunity “David has consistently demonstrated resilience and a strong commitment to both the technical and community service aspects critical to Pasadena Water and Power’s success,” said City Manager Miguel Márquez “His proven leadership during complex events and his investment in building a high-performing team have laid a very strong foundation for his continued success and his investment in building a high-performing team have laid a very strong foundation for his continued success.” Reyes brings more than 20 years of public sector leadership experience to the role He has a proven track record of strategic thinking and collaborative leadership having served as Assistant City Manager and Director of Planning & Community Development before taking on his interim role at PWP He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Studies and Planning from California State University In addition to his professional achievements he finds balance and discipline through the sport whether in the gym or shadowboxing at home Reyes enjoys spending time with his wife of 25 years and their three children Reyes enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing his passion for boxing Whether training in the gym or shadowboxing in his garage he finds balance and discipline through the sport—traits he brings to both his professional and personal life Reyes lives in Northridge with his wife of 25 years and their three children Reyes’ appointment marks the end of a two-year saga and ushers in a new chapter for PWP Many of our advertisers are local businesses that have been impacted directly by the fire we immediately removed all advertisements the day after the fire and transformed our site to provide live updates We felt it would be inappropriate to run ads while our friends and neighbors were being evacuated and displaced we don’t outsource our operations overseas Our priority has been to keep you and ourselves informed with timely even a small contribution of $5 can make a significant difference Please click the blue button below to learn more about how you can assist Support Our News Desk department consists of a collective of news gatherers in order to keep the community informed and safe Colorado Boulevard is your place for informative news and social living for the greater Pasadena area and work together to make a better world for all of us See all articles See all newsflashes Back to articles partly owned by the City of Pasadena through the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority unveiled four all-electric passenger shuttles this week The new shuttles offer passengers transportation to and from the terminal while reducing environmental impact The shuttles are operated in a partnership with Ace Parking “It’s a quieter ride — and good for the environment!” stated the Hollywood Burbank Airport in its official press release announcing the new electric shuttle service Each shuttle accommodates up to 14 passengers and operates on a single charge for 135 to 150 miles The vehicles represent a milestone in the airport’s “Clean Fleet Program,” which has now achieved the 50% electrification mark required by the Air Quality Improvement Program with the South Coast Air Quality Management District The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority which has jointly owned and operated the airport since its formation in 1977 had previously established requirements for fleet electrification A 2022 document from the Authority stated that “fifty percent of the shuttle bus fleet serving the Airport be electrified by 2023.” The Clean Fleet Policy provides a framework for efficient and low-emitting fleet operations across various jurisdictions 94 entities have adopted this policy in the nonattainment area overseen by the Regional Transportation Council Prior to introducing the electric shuttles Hollywood Burbank Airport’s Economy Lot C offered complimentary shuttle service to the terminal every 10-15 minutes between 5:00 a.m This initiative builds upon previous electric vehicle efforts at the airport the Burbank Water and Power Department installed three dual connector Siemens VersiCharge Level 2 Plug-In Electric Vehicle charging stations in the airport’s Valet parking garage “The Authority is pleased to have these electric vehicle charging stations added to the list of conveniences for our customers providing them the ability to charge their vehicles while using valet parking at the Airport,” said Bill Wiggins The airport’s commitment to sustainability will continue with its new passenger terminal currently under construction scheduled for completion in late 2026 at an estimated cost of $1.2 billion will include a new parking structure with EV charging capabilities and is designed to achieve a minimum of LEED Silver certification These developments align with broader electric vehicle initiatives in the region the city of Burbank installed 16 public electric vehicle charging ports in Downtown Burbank as part of its transportation electrification efforts This comprehensive initiative aims to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities to all city facilities In a move to ensure the plan best reflects the needs of the community the city is actively seeking feedback from both the general public and organizations dedicated to assisting people with disabilities The feedback will play a key role in identifying and prioritizing current and future accessibility needs throughout the city The City of Pasadena encourages residents to participate in this process emphasizing that their comments and suggestions are vital for improving services and ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to all city resources Community members and organizations can provide feedback through a survey, which is available through the City’s ADA Coordinator or directly on the City’s website For those who prefer to offer input without completing the survey comments can be sent directly to Sara Goldman She is available to assist with any questions or requests for alternate survey formats Your input will help guide future decisions that prioritize accessibility and ensure a more equitable and accessible Pasadena for everyone For further information about the Americans with Disabilities Act and how it impacts Pasadena residents [From Pasadena Community Foundation photo]A crisis in the childcare sector has emerged in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire and an alliance of professional childcare-sector collaborators are sounding the alarm about the human toll of this disaster Pasadena Community Foundation has awarded $1.3 million from its Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund to help the alliance begin addressing some of the most serious issues impacting childcare centers and providers as well as the families and children who rely on their services quality childcare is difficult to find in the best of circumstances while years of undervalued work by childcare providers has led to widespread staffing shortages families across the United States struggle to afford childcare and to find early learning options that meet their needs Chamber of Commerce highlighted the shortage of accessible and affordable childcare and the reality that many working parents lack the support system they need to thrive in the workforce The scarcity and high cost of childcare are a persistent barrier for parents to fully participate in the workforce therefore impacting the entire economy of the country In the context of this concerning situation the Eaton Fire left more than half of the licensed Childcare Centers and Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) facilities in Altadena damaged or destroyed while 60% of the spaces previously available for children are no longer available Additional childcare settings — including subsidized family and neighbor care — continue to be impacted by the disaster Because of the widespread extent of the damage within Altadena many childcare providers and families are still seeking childcare placements and housing even months after the fires The CCDA has served as the leader of the childcare community for 35 years meeting monthly with the childcare center leaders CCDA urgently convened all childcare directors on January 9 to learn about the magnitude of the unfolding disaster; the organization then continued to guide this group weekly CCDA also quickly leveraged support from Pacific Oaks and from myriad additional organizations with expertise in the childcare sector This potent consortium worked tirelessly to gather data and input from those impacted on the ground they soon determined that it was imperative to secure funding to provide immediate relief and support to destroyed or damaged licensed Childcare Centers and FCCH locations who has served as the CCDA Chair for its entire 35 years “We understood immediately that this disaster would expose two truths: the razor-thin margins of childcare operation and that childcare offers more than just shelter – it provides critical stability and continuity and resources – things that are often scarce in the aftermath of a catastrophe Families and providers face a long road ahead.” PCF has committed to funding $1.3 million for the consortium’s Phase 1 work which prioritizes immediate and direct support to families and childcare providers so that they can stabilize operations as soon as possible to be disbursed by Pacific Oaks as grants and overseen by an Advisory Board will provide resources for tuition assistance capacity expansion and operations to accommodate children who have been displaced “We are not just rebuilding structures but strengthening the bonds that make us a community The support from Pasadena Community Foundation will uplift our childcare sector and help us create something new something worthy of our children’s future.” The consortium will soon begin to determine the scope of its Phase 2 work which will focus on a model for systemic change in the childcare infrastructure that will shore up the decades-long underfunded support for local childcare programs A 44-year-old homeless man was arrested Saturday night on suspicion of felony assault and a hate crime after throwing a glass bottle at a woman’s vehicle in the 100 block of North Lake Avenue Pasadena Police Lieutenant Sam De Sylva said the incident occurred on Saturday May 3rd at approximately 8:14 p.m as a 43-year-old Monrovia woman was leaving an Asian restaurant with her four children As she was turning south onto Mentor Avenue she saw the suspect walking southbound on the sidewalk the suspect threw a glass bottle at her vehicle The victim exited her car and confronted the suspect who immediately apologized and stated he thought the victim was Asian Officers arriving at the scene located and arrested the suspect for felony assault and a hate crime No injuries were reported to the victim or her children The estimated damage to the vehicle exceeded $2,000 The suspect’s name was not immediately released but police described him as a 44-year-old homeless African American man De Sylva confirmed the case is being treated as a hate crime because the suspect admitted to targeting the victim based on his belief about her ethnicity A state appeals court panel has rejected a bid for re-sentencing by a man convicted of charges stemming from a Christmas Day 2012 crash in Pasadena that killed a Glendale woman and her 11-year-old cousin The three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal agreed Wednesday in its ruling with a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge’s denial of the re-sentencing requested by Darrell Lee Williams The appellate court justices noted that he is “ineligible for relief” under a new state law that allows defendants in some murder and manslaughter cases to be re-sentenced The panel noted in its 10-page opinion that Williams was “prosecuted and convicted of voluntary manslaughter as the actual killer.” Williams was convicted in 2015 of two counts of voluntary manslaughter and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon — a vehicle — in connection with the Dec Authorities said Williams was behind the wheel of a silver Dodge Durango that rolled through a stop sign near Claremont Street and Marengo Avenue Police chased the vehicle for about 30 seconds before the SUV smashed into a van turning onto a Foothill (210) Freeway onramp from Marengo Avenue and three other people inside the van were injured was arrested that day by Pasadena police and has remained behind bars since then He is serving a potential life sentence in state prison The City of Pasadena announced a complete 48-hour closure of Fair Oaks Avenue between California Boulevard and Bellefontaine Street for construction work May 5 requiring all travelers to use alternative routes during this period “City officials are advising all motorists and pedestrians to completely avoid the area during the construction period,” the City of Pasadena Public Agency announcement states “The timing of the closure appears designed to minimize disruption to weekday commuter traffic by containing the work primarily to the weekend though early morning commuters on Monday should be aware that the street may have just reopened.” Access to several neighborhoods and commercial areas in the southern part of the city will be impacted during the construction period Huntington Hospital and nearby medical facilities and emergency vehicles will need to use alternative routes to navigate around the closure Local businesses along this stretch of Fair Oaks Avenue may experience reduced foot and vehicle traffic throughout the weekend Weekend patrons of these establishments should plan accordingly and consider alternative approaches to reaching these destinations For more information or updates regarding the closure, residents can visit the City of Pasadena’s official website at cityofpasadena.net or contact the city’s public works department directly About $10 million in contributions from Grammy Awards viewers has made its way to recipients across the region helping both music professionals and the broader local population affected by January’s devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires Recording Academy charity MusiCares has distributed about $6.12 million to more than 3,100 music professionals across Los Angeles and almost $4 million to three community-based organizations: California Community Foundation Direct Relief and Pasadena Community Foundation Donations made during the Grammy telecast came from supporters around the world The telecast also included several performances and segments dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis created by the wildfires “The music community does amazing things when it comes together,” Recording Academy and MusiCares chief executive Harvey Mason Jr “This outpouring of love and support was humbling whether it was performing or participating on the show making contributions or donating their time and items for fundraisers We are grateful for this amazing community and the Grammy viewers who felt inspired to give.” “What moved us most in the days following the Grammy telecast wasn’t just the scale of support it was the spirit behind it,” she said “Thousands of people gave what they could their generosity became a lifeline for those in crisis That’s why we partnered with trusted community organizations who are helping Angelenos across the region access the care resources and support they need to rebuild.” A state appeals court panel Thursday upheld a U.S Army veteran’s conviction for fatally stabbing one man and assaulting another outside a Pasadena bar The panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected the defense’s contentions that Jose Antonio Santiago had received ineffective assistance from his trial attorney and that there were errors in his trial Santiago was convicted last year of first-degree murder for the Sept along with assault with a deadly weapon involving Chan’s friend Santiago had initially approached Chan inside the bar in the 2600 block of East Colorado Boulevard and said they had previously met but the victim apologized and said he did not remember him according to the appellate court panel’s ruling and then walked a half-mile to a grocery store where he bought a kitchen knife with an eight-inch blade before returning to the bar hugged him and suddenly made a stabbing motion to Chan’s torso his friend and the defendant in which the knife lodged in the friend’s thigh who yelled that he was a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder Santiago is serving a 32-year-to-life term in state prison [CDC/Shutterstock]The City of Pasadena issued updated information Friday night following the confirmation of a whooping cough (pertussis) case in a local resident by the Pasadena Public Health Department The resident had symptoms consistent with a cold that began prior to visiting Kidspace Children’s Museum resulting in a potential exposure for others to the illness The potential exposure is a reminder to parents and caregivers that if their child is feeling unwell or exhibiting symptoms of illness they should take precautions and keep them home The City reported that Kidspace Children’s Museum has been a reliable partner throughout the process fully cooperating with the case investigation immediately notifying patrons who were in the facility on the exposure date and maintaining cleaning practices that protect against illness “It’s clear that Kidspace Children’s Museum is committed to creating a safe place for all visitors and I appreciate their support throughout this process,” said Director of Public Health Whooping cough spreads through coughing or close contact with an infected person Symptoms usually appear 5 to 21 days after exposure and usually a low-grade fever (less than 100.4° F) but the cough becomes more severe over 1 to 2 weeks Severe coughing fits may cause gasping (“whooping”) Infants may not cough but turn red or blue A nasal swab is the best way to confirm diagnosis A Pasadena Public Health Department statement said that if you were at Kidspace Children’s Museum between 1 p.m Testing and early treatment with antibiotics can treat the infection and prevent the spread of whooping cough urging parents to check that children are up to date on their Diphtheria and Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine and children ages 11 or 12 years have received their Tetanus especially pregnant women and caregivers of young children should also ensure that they have received a Tdap booster The City also said that all information regarding this public health investigation is confidential to protect all patients’ privacy The facility and PPHD cannot release any further information about the ill person [City of Pasadena]Twenty-four law enforcement helicopters gathered at the Rose Bowl on April 23 as the Pasadena Police Department hosted its 34th annual Law Enforcement Fly-In The event brought together agencies from across California for disaster preparedness training and discussions on new technologies aimed at advancing the safe and effective use of aircraft in law enforcement operations explained that Air Operations provides critical aerial patrol response for the City of Pasadena and neighboring cities through the Foothill Air Support Team The Foothill Air Support Team serves a total of eleven cities from Pomona to Pasadena and there is an agreement to share resources with Glendale and Burbank Twenty-four helicopters flew in from various agencies between San Diego and Ventura The event was sponsored by twenty-five aviation vendors Chino Police Department joined the training session as they prepare to unveil their new Air Operations Unit in December 2025 The primary purpose of this annual exercise is disaster preparedness The Rose Bowl could serve as a staging area for aircraft during a major emergency The drill allows Air Operations personnel to practice safely facilitating multiple landings and identify potential equipment deficiencies contributed by the Los Angeles County Fire Air Unit provided participants with guidance on how to operate in fire environments and the procedures needed when flying in smoke contaminated surroundings Air Operations is critical when responding to calls for service Pasadena’s Air Operations Section supports several city departments These include the Pasadena Fire Department with brush surveys and fire management Keeping up with the various requests and ever-evolving needs of the city not only requires regular maintenance but also technological upgrades Although no visual evidence remains of Pasadena’s pioneering aviation history Pasadena’s proud aviation tradition continues today at Pasadena Police Department’s Benedict Heliport where five Air Operations Section helicopters are housed and maintained F | F | 5-Day Forecast °F Now | Forecast Pasadena Heritage will host a guided bus tour on Saturday exploring the significant Asian influences that helped define Pasadena’s distinctive Arts and Crafts architecture aims to trace the migration of architectural ideas across cultures and time periods from traditional Asian wooden structures to iconic Pasadena landmarks “What makes Pasadena Craftsman architecture distinctive is in large measure the Asian influence on it,” says Dave Nufer program developer and docent with Pasadena Heritage when asked why this connection was chosen as particularly significant “This presentation is really looking at the migration of cultural ideas across cultures and across times we start out with the development of traditional Asian wooden architecture in China and then to the US and Southern California and then how those ideas develop over time in Pasadena.” The tour will highlight several prominent examples of this architectural fusion starting with the Duncan Irwin house by Greene & Greene where the architects began developing their classic Asian-influenced style Participants will also visit the famous Gamble House as well as the Freeman House by Heinmann and Heinmann Mid-century modern structures will also be featured along with numerous examples of craftsman bungalows in the Bungalow Heaven neighborhood and elsewhere throughout Pasadena These Asian influences are evident in signature elements like low-pitched roofs and spatial planning concepts that would come to define Pasadena’s architectural identity According to research provided by Pasadena Heritage Charles and Henry Greene were exposed to Japanese pavilions at the 1893 World’s Fair which significantly influenced their architectural approach Nufer compares this phenomenon to fusion cuisine: “A lot of times we talk and think about fusion cuisine which is combining ideas from a number of different national cuisines in Pasadena the Asian influence on American arts and crafts architecture is fusion architecture where you’re having ideas that move over space and time from China to Japan to Southern California And then the development of those ideas over time in different eras from early in the 20th century with craftsmen arts and crafts through mid-century modern American architecture.” “And that’s just reflective of the cross-cultural exchanges that you have in past today,” Nufer adds The tour begins at the historic Blinn House at 160 N which now serves as Pasadena Heritage’s headquarters Pasadena Heritage works to preserve the city’s diverse architectural legacy through advocacy XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong> managed by Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has officially begun its scientific operations embarking on an unprecedented mission to map the entire sky in 102 infrared wavelengths started regular science operations on May 1 after six weeks of system checkouts and calibrations and academic institutions including Caltech will capture approximately 3,600 unique images daily over the next two years These observations will create detailed maps that promise to revolutionize our understanding of the universe’s origins and the distribution of life-supporting molecules in our Milky Way “Thanks to the hard work of teams across NASA SPHEREx is operating just as we’d expected and will produce maps of the full sky unlike any we’ve had before This new observatory is adding to the suite of space-based astrophysics survey missions leading up to the launch of NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope SPHEREx will play a key role in answering the big questions about the universe we tackle at NASA every day,” said Shawn Domagal-Goldman acting director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington The observatory will complete more than 11,000 orbits over its 25 months of planned survey operations circling Earth about 14½ times per day on a north-to-south trajectory passing over the poles it photographs one circular strip of the sky gradually building a complete view of the cosmos as Earth moves around the Sun the observatory will have observed every direction in space The mission is managed by JPL for NASA’s Astrophysics Division with Jim Fanson serving as the mission’s project manager at the Pasadena facility “We’re going to study what happened on the smallest size scales in the universe’s earliest moments by looking at the modern universe on the largest scales,” said Jim Fanson the mission’s project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California “I think there’s a poetic arc to that.” the mission’s principal investigator who holds positions at both Caltech and JPL expressed enthusiasm about the telescope’s performance: “Some of us have been working toward this goal for 12 years The performance of the instrument is as good as we hoped That means we’re going to be able to do all the amazing science we planned on and perhaps even get some unexpected discoveries.” the light is sent to six detectors that each produces a unique image capturing different wavelengths of light These groups of six images are called an exposure and SPHEREx takes about 600 exposures per day the whole observatory shifts position — the mirrors and detectors don’t move as they do on some other telescopes SPHEREx relies on a system of reaction wheels which spin inside the spacecraft to control its orientation Hundreds of thousands of SPHEREx’s images will be digitally woven together to create four all-sky maps in two years The SPHEREx dataset will be publicly available at the NASA-IPAC Infrared Science Archive SPHEREx represents a broad collaborative effort The science analysis will be conducted by teams from 10 institutions in the United States was responsible for the integration of the scientific instrument The data processing and archiving will take place at IPAC at Caltech with the dataset eventually being made publicly available through the NASA-IPAC Infrared Science Archive What makes SPHEREx revolutionary is its spectroscopic capabilities While other missions have mapped the entire sky before SPHEREx is the first to do so in 102 distinct wavelengths of infrared light—invisible to the human eye but rich with scientific information which separates light into different wavelengths similar to how a prism creates a rainbow from sunlight the mission will enable scientists to determine distances to faraway galaxies effectively transforming a two-dimensional map into a three-dimensional one The technique will also allow researchers to measure the collective glow from all the galaxies that ever existed and see how that glow has changed over cosmic time The mission aims to investigate what happened in the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang when the universe underwent an event called cosmic inflation the universe was smaller than the size of an atom but the properties of that early universe were stretched out and influence what we see today No other known event or process involves the amount of energy that would have been required to drive cosmic inflation so studying it presents a unique opportunity to understand more deeply how our universe works The subtle influence of this event on the distribution of matter in the universe has left clues in the positions of galaxies that SPHEREx will study the observatory will make over 9 million observations of interstellar clouds in the Milky Way mapping materials that could provide insights into the origin of water and other key ingredients for life Scientists believe that Earth’s oceans originated from frozen water molecules attached to dust in the interstellar cloud where our Sun formed This comprehensive survey will provide researchers with unprecedented data about our cosmos potentially answering fundamental questions about the universe’s origins and the chemical precursors to life in our galaxy Light to moderate drizzle could linger Monday in parts of the West San Gabriel Valley before temperatures begin warming up later this week “An unsettled weather pattern will continue into Monday with the possibility of isolated to scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms developing each afternoon and evening,” according to the National Weather Service Lowest maximum temperature records were set Sunday in Orange County Forecasters said the threat for significant flooding or debris flows is extremely small with most areas to see 0.10 of an inch of rain or less Mountain areas could see 0.10 to 0.50 inches Snow levels were expected to stay above 6,000 feet Most highs were expected to remain in the 60s through Tuesday Dry weather and a gradual warming trend was expected to begin after that with highs in the low 80s expected in the downtown Los Angeles area Friday and Saturday Bring your gently-used clothes and toys to swap with others in the community It’s the perfect time to declutter and give your items a second life Attendees will receive a free recycled tote bag to place their swapped items in Unwanted hangers will also be collected to help keep things organized Leftover items will be donated or saved for a future swap email EnvironmentalPrograms@SouthPasadenaCA.gov A proposed two-story home expansion in Pasadena’s hillside district will come under final review Thursday evening when the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals holds a special hearing to consider the sole item on its agenda: an appeal of a previously approved permit for a residential addition and a variance to a zoning setback The project at 1427 Arroyo View Drive involves a request by the homeowners to build a 994-square-foot second-story addition and a 52-square-foot extension to the first floor of their existing 1,664-square-foot single-family home located in the RS-4-HD zoning district – designated for low-density residential homes in hillside areas – currently features a single-story dwelling with detached structures including a garage and open trellis At issue is the city’s approval of Hillside Development Permit #7102 and a Minor Variance allowing an increase in height of an existing nonconforming south wall that does not meet the 7-foot-3-inch minimum side setback requirement The existing wall is 4 feet 10 inches from the property line and the applicants seek to raise its height by nearly 3 feet to increase headroom in a room on the ground floor the city’s Hearing Officer approved the application finding it met all zoning criteria and posed no significant environmental impact with city planning staff recommending approval under CEQA Class 1 exemption for additions to existing structures nearby residents filed an appeal challenging the decision prompting the Board of Zoning Appeals to take up the matter in a special hearing scheduled for May 8 at 6:30 p.m at the Permit Center Hearing Room on North Garfield Avenue A preliminary report by the Planning Department said officials stand by the initial decision stating the additions conform to local development standards and that no unique environmental concerns are associated with the project “Staff recommends that the Board uphold the Hearing Officer’s decision,” the department wrote in its report adding that no agreement could be reached between the applicants and appellants during post-appeal discussions the project would result in a 2,710-square-foot The new floor area would be constructed largely within the footprint of the existing structure The Board’s decision Thursday will determine whether the previously granted permits stand or if modifications – or potentially a denial – will be required Show Search Search Query Submit Search Don't Miss Interior designer Alexandra Azat of Plaster and Patina, who lost her home and design studio in the Eaton Fire, said, “This is a very meaningful project for us, not only because it is our first Showhouse but also because we lost most of our antiques and custom upholstered items awaiting installation. The way the community has rallied around us to return from this has been something.” Lifestyle For a lover of historical fiction and classic literature Catie Brown creates a cottagecore aesthetic that brings warmth and character to her 1963 apartment Landscape designers Courtney Bonifacini and Gary Sewell which involved creating a serene outdoor space became a welcome distraction and a source of solace for them “Most people thought we would quit,” Bonifacini said and we enjoyed looking at pots and going to nurseries Where: Bauer Estate and Gardens, PasadenaWhen: April 20-May 18Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.Tickets: $38 to $75Parking and shuttle location: Santa Anita Park, Gate 6, 265 Colorado Place, Arcadia.Information, including shops and special events: pasadenashowcase.org This year’s Showhouse is set in the 15,000-square-foot Monterey Colonial estate originally built for Harry Bauer board chair of the Los Angeles County Arboretum The home was designed by architect Reginald D Johnson in 1928 and sits on 5 acres of gardens designed by pioneering landscape architect Katherine Bashford Designers have drawn inspiration from the most recent owner From wallpapered ceilings and hand-painted murals to lattice-covered walls and dueling kitchen islands The inclusion of before photos on placards in each room adds a dramatic touch showcasing the transformative power of design “It just needed a facelift,” Noelle Djokovich of Gex Designs said of the flower room a visual retreat painted in a vibrant aquamarine color and designed to accommodate flower arranging (Dunn-Edwards provided the paint for the Showcase House.) The small room is a fun surprise — doesn’t everyone need a flower arranging room — enhanced by botanical wallpaper and lighting cutout details on the cabinets and ceiling and a soft fabric skirt underneath the marble countertops “I like to bring in layers,” Kirsten Blazek of A1000xBetter said of the cozy two-story Carriage House which she designed to feel like “a chic hotel room.” The house includes a romantic wallpapered bedroom and bathroom on the second floor and a kitchen on the ground floor featuring checkerboard tile floors and a soft fabric skirt to balance the marble slab countertops and backsplash The showstopper: The walls of the room and bathroom are decorated with hand-painted Art Nouveau flowers she “fell in love with.” When designer Meredith Green learned the owner of the estate used the Lady’s Retreat as a purse room “It was the purse room from then on,” she said with a smile Influenced by Audrey Hepburn’s character in the 1953 film “Roman Holiday,” Green envisioned a world where “the princess lived her life in color rather than black-and-white.” The room a chinoiserie-style desk chair Green found for $125 at the Rose Bowl Flea Market a mix of old and new accessories and vintage furnishings including a sweet pink linen Midcentury Modern sofa “It’s more elevated than what I might do for a client,” landscape architect Timothy John Palcic said of the fountain garden court he designed at the entrance to the estate designing spaces for a showcase involves a little bit of fantasy: “It’s like a Disney movie — fun.” Walking up to the house Palcic installed symmetrical plantings emphasizing the home’s Monterey Colonial architecture Mediterranean plants and ornamental grasses in a palette of soft greens For interior designer Julia Chasman part of the fun of designing the library is seeing people’s reactions when they enter the space a patterned ceiling and artfully arranged bookshelves backed with floral wallpaper including a new fireplace with custom bespoke tiles by Petra Palumbo that Chasman placed over the existing one “It was so much fun to work on such a simple small room and put so much of myself into it,” she said they seem to relate to its coziness and can imagine themselves living there I’m especially pleased with how all the layers worked together so well; it gives me more confidence to pitch my bold combos to the clients who are entrusting their homes to me.” Also worth noting: Rose added a toilet and a small cloakroom basin by Thomas Crapper & Co The bright, sun-filled bedroom designed by Alexandra Azat features newly purchased antiques and books as she lost most of her furnishings for the Showhouse in the Eaton fire “It’s important to create a space with personality,” she said at the media preview Expect hand-designed wallpaper plus a mix of modern accessories and European antiques you’ll find brass switchplates and a hand-drawn and -painted black-and-white encaustic tile inspired by European antique bobbin furniture legs the feng shui fan said she pulled the bed forward facing an entry “because it felt safe Using one-time owner Stephen J. Cannell’s desk as an anchor, designer Carmine Sabatella personalized the Gentleman’s Retreat with Ralph Lauren equestrian wallpaper on the ceiling and walls a forest-themed vinyl wall covering on the wall behind the desk where Cannell worked and Sabatella’s personal leather chaise lounge Sabatella said he wanted the study and elegant closet-turned-bar to exude warmth including “The Rockford Files” and “21 Jump Street,” on a typewriter A hand-carved cuckoo clock adds a bit of humor “It’s something we’ve been dying to try,” Amy Peltier said of the custom lattice-lined walls of the estate’s formal living room “It’s so much fun.” Working with Marina Kelly and Jessica Levy Peltier outfitted the room with sumptuous furnishings in blue and white tones touched up the existing ceiling moldings with a new coat of paint and decked out an adjacent room overlooking the gardens and pool as if “you’re having tea at an English estate,” she said Courtney Bonifacini and Gary Sewell of GardZen weren’t planning to install a yin and yang feature in the Zen Garden but after the devastating loss of both their homes in the Eaton fire “It’s a symbol of balance and resilience,” said Bonifacini The couple also added a large Sago palm tree and a Buddha sculpture that survived the fire I started crying and knew that she would be the centerpiece at the showcase house,” she said Everything in the Zen Garden came together as a result of the fires “I hope people take resilience and peace from the garden when they visit.” The couple plans to get married under the Moon Gate in the garden in October Because many of the rooms in the Showcase House are formal, designer Rachel Duarte wanted the open kitchen and family room to feel warm and accessible The kitchen features two islands — one for prep the other for seating — and lovely windows overlooking the garden “The previous windows looked like the Sizzler salad bar,” she said she painted the custom millwork bookcases blue added a limewash to the red brick fireplace for fun and included a record player vinyl collection and Samsung’s new the Frame TV Lisa Boone is a features writer for the Los Angeles Times. Since 2003, she has covered home design, gardening, parenting, houseplants, even youth sports. She is a native of Los Angeles. Climate & Environment California Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article Print After losing the property in bankruptcy proceedings Pasadena Playhouse has regained ownership of the Elmer Grey landmark opened in 1925.The news marks a remarkable turnaround for a company that nearly closed permanently not long ago.Children’s programs a musical by seniors and a new restaurant are among the next goals The Los Angeles Times declared the Pasadena Playhouse a “theater of unusual beauty” when it opened May 18 and for the next hundred years it was a home for pure drama and Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman roamed the hallways of architect Elmer Grey’s Spanish Colonial Revival landmark But with that starlight also came periods of darkness including years when the building sat empty and derelict the theater company nearly closed for good All of which made the announcement Saturday night that much more startling: Pasadena Playhouse has paid $9.5 million to buy back the campus it lost in bankruptcy in 1970 — a remarkable feat for a theater organization Artistic Director Danny Feldman announced the purchase to supporters and board members during the theater’s 100th anniversary gala held one day after the transaction was completed The 686-seat theater is only part of the Pasadena Playhouse property (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) “As of yesterday at 11:35 a.m. the owners of the building,” Feldman said at the gala brandishing a giant gold prop key before a cheering crowd “This key isn’t just the key to our building A projection of longtime supporter Carol Burnett filled the wall at the back of the stage The Playhouse’s Carrie Hamilton black box theater is named in honor of Burnett’s daughter “I’m so sorry I can’t be with you in person to celebrate this historic night for Pasadena Playhouse,” Burnett said “But I wanted you to know how very proud and grateful and happy I am that this magnificent theater is now back in the hands of the community that built it.” The money spent on the 70,000-square-foot campus a restaurant and a six-story annex of office space is part of a $15-million fundraising campaign that has less than $4 million to go When Feldman took over leadership in 2016, he said, the idea of owning the 686-seat theater was not on his radar. But after Pasadena Playhouse won the 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award and received international attention for ambitious productions and artistic excellence the dream no longer seemed so unattainable The endgame isn’t just to own the building state-of-the-art theater for the next century Arriving at an appropriate sale price for the historic structure proved complicated noting that the process began over the summer Artistic Director Danny Feldman gives a tour of the dressing room (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) “How do you value a 100-year-old building with significant deferred maintenance explaining the conversations that were had with the former owner Varon is the son of Burbank-based real estate developer Greg Varon, who bought the building in Bankruptcy Court for $4.5 million in 2001 after its previous owner, developer David Houk, filed for Chapter 11 protection. The city also had a hand in the building’s Byzantine ownership structure after intervening to protect the theater, which was designated the State Theatre of California by the Legislature in 1937. Bank of America seized the building in the wake of the 1970 bankruptcy filing, and the complex sat neglected until 1975 when the city secured the building. Those were dicey days, Feldman said, because the building was not yet on the National Register of Historic Places (a distinction that came in 1975). The building, which had sustained some fire and water damage, was in danger of being razed. Pictures from that period show a moldy auditorium with ripped carpets and uprooted seats. Four years later, the city transferred ownership to Houk. He could restore the theater and develop the rest of the property on the condition that he lease the theater back to the city for $1 per year (an agreement that continued under Varon). The theater ended up sitting dark for 17 years until Houk reopened it in 1986. Feldman, whose tenure began during another period of financial crisis, said that the theater needed renovations that would come only if the company owned the entire complex. Before the sale, Pasadena Playhouse paid market-rate rent for its third-floor offices in the annex and the Carrie Hamilton theater. Varon rented out the fourth, fifth and sixth floors of the annex, as well as the ground-floor restaurant space, most recently occupied by the now-closed Bar Chelou. When a pipe sprang a leak in the scene shop, for example, it was unclear who was responsible for fixing it, Feldman said. The concept of community theater was new at the time of the theater’s founding, Feldman said. This achievement is what Feldman most wants to revive now that the company owns its home again. The Playhouse launched its education department a few years ago, and it has grown to serve hundreds of young actors annually. The program used to hold classes at a church in Altadena, but since the Eaton fire, children have been attending classes at the Playhouse. A senior citizen musical is planned for next year. “Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor,” Feldman said with a smile, quoting a line from “Into the Woods.” There is much work to be done — and a solid business plan must be written. But first, the Playhouse will revel in this latest bit of history. Jessica Gelt is an arts and culture writer for the Los Angeles Times. World & Nation Entertainment & Arts Hollywood Inc. Television Music Rossana Valverde’s Pasadena home of 35 years is still standing after Los Angeles County’s devastating January fires — but more than 100 days later she and her husband still can’t move back in That’s because they’re waiting for their insurer “We were lucky our house made it through,” Valverde said The windowsills have a thick layer of black ash and soot.” After getting their home tested for toxins they discovered it contains high levels of arsenic repair and replacement costs for their hardwood floors appliances and more total upwards of $300,000 per some written estimates she shared with CalMatters as well as her own estimates of costs to replace things like their bed and upholstered furniture she and her husband have received about $40,000 from State Farm but are having trouble getting the insurance company’s adjuster to respond promptly to their requests for more She said the company’s adjuster — the second one they were assigned — hardly returns emails and phone calls from her or the public adjuster she’s enlisted for help “He pulls this ‘I didn’t receive it’ BS and then when I press him he suddenly finds it,” she said The Insurance Department routinely investigates insurance companies’ response to disasters which can lead to deeper examinations of their conduct and millions of dollars of additional payments State Farm is facing complaints as it happens to be seeking to raise its rates an average 17% for homeowners Lara sent a letter to State Farm Chief Executive Dan Krause last week asking for details about how the company is handling claims Lara asked for a copy of the insurer’s standards for reviewing investigating and processing smoke damage claims He also asked State Farm to commit to providing at least 75% of contents coverage without requiring an inventory from fire survivors — the company had raised what it pays out in advance contents coverage from 50% to 65% The commissioner set a May 9 deadline for a written response from the company Lara told CalMatters that he also spoke with Krause by phone about the letter He said he asked Krause if State Farm could maintain a visible physical presence in the area as customers continue to need help with claims and disaster recovery centers close “He’s going to look at keeping a presence in Eaton and Palisades,” Lara said When asked whether he planned to tie State Farm’s handling of claims to the company’s request to raise its rates the commissioner said: “I’m going to see what they respond Lara said he has to consider that State Farm is California’s biggest insurer and that it has millions of customers in the state “I want to be clear to the Legislature,” he said a Democrat representing Padadena who co-wrote the letter asking Lara to investigate State Farm and withhold a rate increase told CalMatters: “Everybody realizes we’re in a home insurance crisis (Nobody is) saying there should never be a rate increase.” But she said her constituents have been good customers who “feel like they’ve been left in the cold.” State Farm spokesperson Sevag Sarkissian did not answer questions about Lara’s letter to Krause or his requests of the company CalMatters also asked about policyholder complaints Sarkissian sent the following response by email: “We’re here to help our customers recover and we empathize with those who are rebuilding their lives We’ve received approximately 12,500 total claims related to the fires and have paid over $3.12 billion to our customers.” State Farm has said it expects to pay more than $7 billion in claims from the LA-area blazes It’s unclear how many State Farm customers are complaining about the company’s handling of claims The insurance department would not disclose exactly how many such complaints it has fielded with spokesperson Michael Soller saying only that the complaints are in line with State Farm’s market share in California Soller said the complaints are ongoing and that complaint data is posted annually But a group of LA-area fire survivors of the Eaton Fire has a website with at least a couple of hundred detailed — though unverified — complaints which Perez and other lawmakers cited in their letter to Lara the president of San Francisco-based United Policyholders a national nonprofit organization that advocates for insurance customers the same year the Oakland Hills fire exposed insurance-coverage problems for survivors Bach said smoke damage has been part of “a longstanding fight.” Smoke damage’s effects can seem less obvious than fire damage and appears to be one of the factors in LA-area fire survivors having trouble with their claims She said the more she finds out about the effects of smoke damage the more she thinks insurers need to better handle related claims Bach and her group now advise policyholders to make sure they get their homes tested by an industrial hygienist before cleaning adding that if their insurer won’t agree to pay for it at first they should get it done anyway and try to get compensated afterward “You have to figure out what you’re dealing with,” she said “There’s too much at stake: your family’s health A  California appeals court ruling in February could affect insurance coverage of soot and ash claims It held that wildfire debris doesn’t necessarily mean direct physical loss or damage Bach was one of several advocates who recently submitted letters in an attempt to depublish — or strike from the record — the decision by the California 2nd District Court of Appeal. She said she doesn’t want insurance companies to be able to point to that court decision as a reason to deny smoke claims the California Supreme Court rejected the depublication requests by Bach and other consumer advocates They included Consumer Watchdog and Consumer Federation of America plus an association of public insurance adjusters and a couple of consumer attorneys groups The groups that opposed depublication included American Property Casualty Insurance Association and other insurance groups as well as the FAIR Plan — the fire insurance provider of last resort in California Just like State Farm has been accused of delaying claims and payments related to smoke damage, so has the FAIR Plan. LA fire victims sued the FAIR Plan, State Farm and other insurers over smoke damage claims earlier this month The FAIR Plan did not immediately return CalMatters’ requests for answers about its policies on  smoke damage In March, Lara issued a bulletin regarding smoke damage claims It said insurance companies should not take the February court ruling to mean they are off the hook for such claims The commissioner told CalMatters last week that he is working with the governor’s office and public health officials on establishing statewide standards for smoke damage remediation — of cleaning up and stopping environmental damage Those standards could help inform insurance policy requirements but spokesperson Soller said the insurance department has no further details to share yet Gavin Newsom’s office said the commissioner has requested technical support for the effort Andrew Wessels is also dealing with delays from State Farm He and his family are now on their seventh temporary home since the fire because the insurer has not approved their request for long-term housing They started submitting receipts to State Farm in January they have received about $25,000 of $40,000 in reimbursements they have requested They have gotten their home tested and found high levels of lead and possibly chlorine gas exposure — not good for him They have requested 100% of their Coverage B because Wessels said their personal goods are a total loss He asked the company for the money up front without having to continue submitting receipts Wessels said he and his family are “blocked from the ability to rebuild.” He joined other Eaton Fire survivors at a press conference last month where several State Farm policyholders called on the insurance commissioner to reject the company’s request to raise its premiums on an emergency interim basis until it takes care of their claims sounding discouraged because she said she hadn’t heard from State Farm since February “I can’t go to FEMA because I don’t have a claim status.” Photos the survivors group shared with the media show her home is standing but badly burned She needed State Farm to declare it a total loss She called the inside of her home “toxic soup.” she told the Eaton Fire survivors group on Discord that State Farm had finally agreed to let her claim her home as a total loss “I have to give you all credit in helping expedite this process these last few weeks as I really think our press conference helped move things along,” Jamentz wrote The Pasadena Legislative Policy Committee will review the Planning and Community Development Department’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 during its regular meeting Tuesday where officials will outline a $754,535 increase in personnel costs will also review other department’s budget proposals such as from the Libraries and Information Services The Planning Department’s financial plans include significant funding for recovery efforts from the Eaton Fire The budget allocates $737,500 specifically for rebuilding initiatives split between the General Fund and Building Fund Department representatives will explain how the 5.5% increase in staffing costs reflects necessary adjustments to personnel and benefits internal services costs are set to rise by $472,524 with technology services and capital allocation seeing notable jumps A preliminary report showed the Planning Department has made substantial progress digitizing their operations last year The report said the department is now focusing on implementing various General Plan elements and continuing to support fire recovery efforts The presentation will highlight last year’s accomplishments including expanded digital plan reviews and the creation of standard plans for Accessory Dwelling Units the department plans to update Specific Plans for various neighborhoods and launch Phase II of the Historic Resources Survey The presentation will also cover the management of specialized accounts which collects fees from building permits and inspections which receives a portion of Public Art In-Lieu fees represents an opportunity for residents to learn more about how the city plans to allocate resources for community development in the coming fiscal year The Pasadena Public Library is continuing its adaptive storytime program for children with autism and other special healthcare needs at Jefferson Branch Library Sensory Storytime provides a tailored experience that combines traditional storytime elements with therapeutic activities designed to support sensory integration in a more accessible environment this storytime is more accessible to children with special health care needs,” states the library’s program description which was relocated from Central Library while it remains temporarily closed Jefferson Branch Library now serves as a hub for Youth Services allowing the library to continue offering specialized programs focused on child development The free program maintains small group sizes to create an optimal environment for participants who might find traditional storytimes overwhelming and continues on consecutive Saturdays through June 7 Prior registration is required to maintain optimum attendance levels Interested families can register for the upcoming session by calling Jefferson Branch Library at (626) 744-8046 The Pasadena Senior Center will host its Fiesta de Mayo (May Fest) celebration on Thursday The event aims to celebrate Latino culture while addressing social isolation among seniors a condition officially recognized as a public health crisis by the U.S “The event addresses pressing social issues such as social isolation among seniors particularly within the Latino community,” notes the Pasadena Senior Center’s event description and intergenerational bonding through celebration and communal participation.” Latino seniors represent one of the fastest-growing demographics in the United States the Hispanic population aged 65 and older grew by 74% between 2010 and 2020 yet they remain underrepresented in public cultural events The Fiesta de Mayo celebration centers the cultural experiences of Latino seniors and showcases resilience and cultural continuity are embedded in the event’s structure offering participants more than just entertainment and festive communal activities designed to foster cultural pride and social engagement The event encourages active participation and shared experiences rather than passive observation has a long history of organizing cultural events that honor diverse traditions Its mission includes “improving the lives of older adults through information and services that promote independence and dignity.” Social isolation among seniors has significant health implications Department of Health and Human Services reported in a 2023 advisory that isolation increases the risk of heart disease by 29% and stroke by 32% among seniors The center has taken steps to ensure the event is accessible to all seniors The venue is accessible via Pasadena Transit routes the Pasadena Dial-A-Ride service offers transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities Past Fiesta de Mayo celebrations at the center have featured Ballet Folklorico While specific program details for the 2025 event have not yet been announced the center encourages interested individuals to contact them directly for the most current information The Pasadena Senior Center offers various programs throughout the year and cultural events aimed at enriching the lives of older adults and fostering community connections Community members interested in future programming are encouraged to visit the center’s website or contact them directly Teresa Magula [Courtesy photo]The City of Pasadena’s Community Police Oversight Commission will host a Spanish-language meet-and-greet with Independent Police Auditor Teresa Magula on May 6 The free event aims to increase engagement with Spanish-speaking residents on issues of police oversight and accountability providing an accessible forum for community members to voice concerns about policing practices “This event offers an invaluable opportunity for Pasadena’s Spanish-speaking residents to share their experiences and concerns about police accountability and the future of policing in Pasadena,” states the Commission’s announcement The two-hour session will take place from 5:30 p.m located at 363 East Villa Street in Pasadena will lead the entire session in Spanish to ensure language accessibility for attendees This initiative reflects a proactive effort to ensure language and cultural inclusivity in Pasadena’s civilian oversight of law enforcement The event specifically targets the city’s Latino community which comprises approximately 34.1% of Pasadena’s population according to U.S with around 26.6% of residents over age five speaking Spanish at home Established in November 2020 following public demands for enhanced police accountability the Community Police Oversight Commission operates independently but collaborates with the Pasadena Police Department and City Council The Commission includes community appointees who review internal police investigations and audit systems to improve transparency and trust Magula brings over 17 years of experience in law enforcement oversight to her role as Pasadena’s Independent Police Auditor She previously worked as a Special Investigator with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Office of Inspector General and holds a master’s degree in public policy with a specialization in crime policy Magula reviews use-of-force incidents and internal investigations advises the oversight Commission on departmental reforms and issues public reports to improve transparency The Community Police Oversight Commission holds public meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. but this special event represents a targeted effort to reach the Spanish-speaking population Though the Commission cannot discipline officers directly it has the authority to make recommendations to the Chief of Police and City Council regarding police practices and policies Recent Community Police Oversight Commission activities include a comprehensive review of the Pasadena Police Department’s use of pretext stops The Commission utilizes a recommendation tracker to monitor the status of each recommendation made in independent reviews The event underscores the importance of bridging communication gaps between the Pasadena Police Department and the city’s Spanish-speaking community addressing longstanding concerns about access and equitable representation By creating space for Spanish-speaking residents to voice concerns and learn more about the city’s police oversight mechanisms the initiative aims to strengthen community trust is a civic facility offering community programming in a predominantly Latino neighborhood and frequently hosts cultural The May 6 event will mark one of the first opportunities for Spanish-speaking residents to meet Magula in a dedicated setting Following public review and committee discussions the Pasadena City Council is set to adopt the city’s Fiscal Year 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget on Monday The $446 million funding plan is part of a broader $2.4 billion five-year strategic roadmap intended to tackle Pasadena’s growing infrastructure needs while navigating funding limitations The CIP includes 218 active projects across city departments and affiliated agencies with 14 new initiatives added to this year’s plan While the budget appropriates $446,087,631 in new funding this fiscal year nearly $880 million has already been allocated to past projects An estimated $1.1 billion in remaining funding is still needed to fully complete the existing portfolio and an additional 48 “future projects” totaling $430 million have been identified but lack funding sources City officials emphasized that the CIP is not a crisis document but a forward-looking plan designed to guide funding priorities and support grant-seeking efforts “The CIP budget is a five-year strategic planning document outlining long-term investment needs for the city’s infrastructure,” Public Works Director Greg de Vinck said during a joint City Council and Finance Committee workshop “It serves as a roadmap for identifying all consistent with the city’s general plan.” Finance Director Matthew Hawkesworth said last week that including underfunded or unfunded projects in the CIP is intentional as many federal and state agencies require active inclusion in a city’s plan before approving outside funding “The CIP is a fluid document that can and does change throughout the year as new funds become available or priorities shift,” Hawkesworth said One of the most pressing concerns during the budget process was the condition of Pasadena’s streets The city’s Pavement Condition Index (PCI) currently stands at 59–60—up from 53 just a few years ago The proposed street resurfacing budget includes $5.9 million from gas tax Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account with the potential for an additional $5 million in General Fund contributions a move consistent with allocations in recent years Transportation commissioners urged the Council to increase resurfacing investments to between $11 and $15 million annually noting that such levels could bring the PCI closer to 64 over five years we would be saving millions of dollars,” de Vinck said pointing out that deferred maintenance only increases long-term costs Councilmember Jason Lyon echoed those concerns advocating for using city reserves to fund critical infrastructure “It’s the people’s money and it’s there for critical needs,” Lyon said warning that reserves are also vital for navigating recessions The recommended CIP budget also includes major funding for Pasadena Water and Power which will receive $230 million this cycle—accounting for roughly 73% of new appropriations when excluding the Central Library project Pasadena Water and Power priorities include system resilience and undergrounding high-voltage lines in high fire-risk areas following the January Eaton Fire Interim General Manager David Reyes confirmed that all Tier 3 fire zones will see utility lines undergrounded in the coming years Other highlights in the plan include transportation initiatives totaling $278 million 91% of which are backed by external grants and shifting to zero-emission fleet vehicles The budget also sets aside $13.5 million for energy storage projects in FY 2026 reinforcing the city’s climate goals and commitment to a carbon-free electricity grid The Rose Bowl Operating Company is allocated funding to begin addressing long-term facility needs estimated at $200 million over the next 20 years Critical maintenance needs at the stadium range between $3 to $6 million annually through 2030 Community voices were also present in the process urged Council to prioritize local solar initiatives and climate resilience “Climate change presents an existential threat to our community,” she wrote “Electrifying homes and expanding access to solar energy are critical components of this effort.” and Planning Commission all reviewed the draft budget over the past two months with each body offering unanimous support for the projects within their purview A late administrative correction will also reinstate the Vina Vieja Pickleball Courts project which had been mistakenly omitted from the published budget after the completion of its first phase The City Council is expected to adopt the final CIP budget by resolution at Monday’s meeting formally closing the public hearing that began on April 14 The complete CIP document is available online and at the City Clerk’s Office The Pasadena Legislative Policy Committee will meet Monday to review recommended operating budgets for fiscal year 2026 from several city departments and discuss implementation of recently approved City Charter amendments will feature presentations from five departments: Libraries and Information Services The Libraries and Information Services Department will present a $16.65 million budget slightly decreased from the previous year’s $16.78 million The department’s priorities include the Central Library seismic retrofit construction phase and expanded community engagement programs “Our operations continue to recover since the Central Library closure,” Library Director Tim McDonald is expected to report noting that while usage metrics have risen over the past year they remain significantly below pre-closure levels The Planning and Community Development Department will request a $24.29 million budget The department is seeking $737,500 in additional funding for fire recovery efforts following last year’s Eaton Fire with resources dedicated to helping residents navigate rebuilding processes Key priorities for the department include continuing General Plan implementation and launching Phase II of the citywide historic resources survey The City Attorney’s Office will present a budget with an 8.3% increase in personnel costs partly due to filling two previously vacant positions The department is also requesting a $25,000 enhancement to increase funding for the Independent Police Auditor contract The committee will additionally consider implementation of recently approved City Charter amendments including preparation of an ordinance to codify the process for filling City Council district vacancies by appointment and establishing a Council Compensation Committee The meeting agenda also includes informational briefings on federal and state legislative matters by Chris Giglio and Kyra Emanuels Ross and a discussion of the City Council retreat Public comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker and can be provided in person or virtually by connecting to the meeting through the city’s website and plans for a luxury car dealership headline the agenda for the Pasadena Hearing Officer’s regular meeting on Wednesday Members of the public are encouraged to attend and offer comment on any of the cases scheduled for review The first item under consideration is a multifaceted application for 1909 North Fair Oaks Avenue The project seeks approval to expand an existing religious facility by 2,206 square feet and consolidate three parcels into one It also includes two variance requests – one to allow dual driveways along West Tremont Street and another to permit two parking lots on a single site that requires vehicle reentry into the public street the proposal involves removing a protected Coast Live Oak tree The city’s Planning Department recommends approval with conditions and has determined the project is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) The second case involves a Hillside Development Permit for 1523 South Marengo Avenue in Council District 7 The applicant proposes adding 312 square feet to the first story and 100 square feet to the second story of an existing two-story single-family residence located in a designated hillside overlay district includes a 697 square-foot attached garage Staff has also recommended approval with conditions citing CEQA exemption for existing facilities Ferrari Pasadena is seeking a Conditional Use Permit to establish a vehicle sales and leasing operation at 3570 East Foothill Boulevard The proposed dealership would occupy a two-story commercial building in the East Pasadena Specific Plan area The Planning Department supports the application and recommends conditional approval Each case will be presented by the assigned case manager and opened for public comment Community members may provide input in person during the hearing or submit comments in writing in advance of the meeting With the formal opening of a public hearing on Monday night the Pasadena City Council will begin its month-long review of the Fiscal Year 2026 Recommended Operating Budget kicking off a series of detailed presentations and committee discussions scheduled throughout May and early June where City Manager Miguel Márquez will deliver an overview of the proposed $1.5 billion budget when the Council is expected to adopt the final budget along with the city’s Gann Appropriations Limit for the new fiscal year a comprehensive lineup of City Council committees will take up specific departmental budgets The Legislative Policy Committee will meet on Tuesday to review the budgets for the Library and Information Services Department the Public Safety Committee will evaluate budget requests from the Police Department and the Parks Recreation and Community Services Department the EDTECH (Economic Development and Technology Committee will meet at City Hall to discuss funding for the Pasadena Center Operating Company (PCOC) Pasadena Community Access Corporation (PCAC) and the Economic Development Division of the City Manager’s Office which includes the Foothill Workforce Development Board Budget hearings continue into the following week with a Finance Committee meeting at 3 p.m on May 12 to review the budgets for the Human Resources Department and the City Manager’s Office the full City Council will continue the public hearing and hear the proposed FY 2026 Schedule of Taxes the Municipal Services Committee will review appropriations for the Public Works and Transportation Departments A second public meeting on taxes and fees will be held at the City Council meeting on May 19 Budget oversight continues on May 20 when the Economic Development and Technology Committee takes up the budgets for the Department of Information Technology Public health and emergency services come into focus on May 21 as the Public Safety Committee reviews the Fire and Public Health Departments the Municipal Services Committee will examine the Water and Power Department’s proposed spending plan Two remaining presentations—covering the Rose Bowl Operating Company and the Finance Department—will be scheduled by the Finance Committee the City Council will meet to open and close the public hearing on the FY 2026 Schedule of Taxes and Charges and adopt the FY 2026 General Fee Schedule The Council will also have time for any final wrap-up budget discussions ahead of final adoption on June 9 is available for public review online at the city’s website and at the San Rafael and Hastings Branch libraries This uplifting gathering offers hands-on art activities led by P.S The event will also feature a booth hosted by Side Street Projects offering additional opportunities for artistic engagement RSVP is required for all attendees over the age of two. To RSVP for free, click here P.S. ARTS is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are fully tax-deductible and directly support arts education programs in public schools and communities. Learn more about P.S. ARTS and the 31,000 students and community members they serve by visiting their website The weather roller coaster is clickety-clacking through some rain but climbing back up toward warm sunny weather again National Weather Service forecasters see significant warming ahead for this week with temperatures climbing from the mid-60s today to potentially reaching 87 degrees by next Saturday The warming pattern follows a wet start to the week with shower chances diminishing by midweek Sunday brings mostly cloudy skies to Pasadena with a high near 64 South-southwest winds of 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 15 mph are expected along with a 30 percent chance of showers primarily in the morning hours Precipitation amounts are expected to be minimal The rain chances will decrease slightly heading into Sunday night with a 20 percent chance of showers and mostly cloudy conditions persisting Overnight lows will hover around 52 degrees with light south-southeast winds around 5 mph Monday will remain mostly cloudy with temperatures inching upward to around 66 degrees Monday night will bring patchy fog after 11 p.m. with temperatures dipping to around 51 degrees as winds become calm The warm up begins Tuesday and continues through the weekend Tuesday’s high will reach near 71 degrees with partly sunny skies after morning fog dissipates temperatures will climb to around 77 degrees The warming continues into the weekend with Friday and Saturday potentially reaching 86 and 87 degrees Light precipitation is possible during the first part of the week with the highest chance (30 percent) on Sunday Any rainfall amounts are expected to be minimal—less than one-tenth of an inch rain chances diminish completely as the warming trend takes hold Wind conditions remain relatively mild throughout the forecast period South-southwest breezes between 5-10 mph with occasional gusts up to 15 mph on Sunday will give way to calmer conditions by Monday afternoon Light winds are expected for the remainder of the week The weekend outlook shows increasingly warm and pleasant conditions Friday through Saturday will bring mostly sunny skies with highs reaching the mid to upper 80s—significantly above seasonal averages for early May in Pasadena with patchy fog developing late Friday into Saturday morning No weather advisories or warnings are currently in effect for the Pasadena area Here is the latest National Weather Service forecast for Pasadena as of Sunday New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom with students on Move Your Body [Isabel Huerta / Office of Governor Gavin Newsom]California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom joined students and athletes at schools in Pasadena on Thursday to celebrate the third annual Move Your Body The statewide day of action promotes movement and play as essential components of overall health and well-being with activities designed to help Californians establish healthy habits “Our mental health is as essential to our overall well-being as our physical health and the two are deeply connected,” said Siebel Newsom Calm Your Mind Day is a reminder to all Californians that even the simplest of daily movement and mindfulness practices will make a meaningful difference in one’s long-term health guiding kids towards establishing healthy habits at the earliest of ages.” which is currently co-locating at McKinley School in Pasadena after suffering significant damage in the Eaton Fire more than 600 students gathered for activities including yoga The event provided a supportive environment for students still recovering from the fire’s impact “We are grateful for the support for the well-being of our students which is especially important as they recover from the Eaton Fire,” said Dr Superintendent of Pasadena Unified School District inclusive spaces where students can feel safe again and heal after the Eaton Fire Supporting the whole child is how we can help them move forward with hope.” The initiative began in 2023 as a collaboration between the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being the California Department of Health Care Services and the California Department of Public Health Co-chaired by First Partner Siebel Newsom and NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott the campaign emphasizes five simple daily practices for improved well-being: breathe The campaign’s website also lists “eat well” and “get outside” as key daily actions for well-being provides resources and tips for individuals and organizations to get involved in improving physical and mental well-being It also offers an option to sign up for notifications and updates on news even small steps toward daily movement and mindfulness can make a lasting impact on health and happiness Free Creations of the Human Mind: The Worlds of Albert Einstein a condensed biography of the life and work of Einstein director of the Einstein Papers Project housed at Caltech’s Pasadena campus and Princeton University’s Michael Gordin offers local readers a unique connection to the famed physicist whose archival legacy has been preserved and studied in our city for decades This 35,000-word biography tackles the dual challenge of distilling Einstein’s complex life as physicist and global figure while using the extensive Einstein archives in Pasadena to separate mythology from the documented reality of the man who revolutionized our understanding of the universe says she collaborated with Gordin to whittle down The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein now numbering 17 volumes with more to come into a compelling introduction to Einstein “Professor Gordin published an important book on Einstein’s early years in Prague quite a while ago I have been working on Einstein-related projects for 25 years now,” Kormos-Buchwald says “It’s much harder to write a short book than a long book We both had extensive materials for a variety of long books and making it accessible to a broader readership required this collaboration.” Gordin echoes the sentiment: “Einstein lends himself to very long books but we did not want to repeat all the stories that everybody thinks they know But some of the accounts are apocryphal or misleading We wanted to use the ‘ripped from the archives’ quality of recent findings and recently edited materials in the corpus of the archive and also focus on some topics we wanted to cover.” Kormos-Buchwald and Gordin worked together closely to craft the book “Some chapters Diana drafted first; others I drafted first Then we went back and forth,” Gordin says “There are individual sentences left in the book where I can tell which of us wrote which the two authors were committed to grounding their narrative in primary sources “We didn’t accept on hearsay any of the things that are floating around A lot of mythology has built up around Einstein and scientists have accreted interpretations of his work and life We might have written a summary of the extant scholarship but we wanted to do something different,” Gordin says “We had to make choices about what we thought was important to Einstein himself what we think is important for people to know now and what we can really document and establish.” Kormos-Buchwald concurs: “Past scholarship on Einstein has been criticized for being hagiographic And there was a phase of ‘great man’ writings about Einstein which was followed more recently by books and articles intent on demonstrating that Einstein had feet of clay but to be true to what we actually know about his life.” This approach yielded a biography that brings fresh insights to Einstein’s scientific work his public positions on pacifism and Zionism One corrective Gordin and Kormos-Buchwald focus on has to do with Einstein’s engagement with the field of quantum mechanics which is often poorly understood or misinterpreted Einstein is often portrayed as conducting a longstanding debate with Danish physicist Niels Bohr over the nature of quantum mechanics “There was not really a ‘debate’ between Einstein and Bohr until Bohr created it and then declared himself the winner—prematurely … The work of [later] physicists has not put to rest all the philosophical issues raised by Einstein and others about quantum mechanics; for example debates about the problematic relations between general relativity and quantum mechanics continue to the present.” Following a brief chronological introduction individual chapters of Free Creations of the Human Mind focus on Einstein’s work on the theory of relativity (which Einstein initially called the theory of invariance) his Jewish identity and the fate of the Jewish people Gordin and Kormos-Buchwald bring readers back to Einstein’s daily life much of which is known through his extensive correspondence Einstein regularly wrote as many as a dozen letters a day “For his entire life,” Gordin says Einstein “maintained a household with a lot of dependents—wife secretary—and that meant he had to be careful about his finances People pretend like this man didn’t have to think about things like that but he had to pay his taxes like everybody else He also had several episodes of extremely poor health which disrupted his work and changed how he lived When you align these with the rest of his biography People treat Einstein like a disembodied brain and they often miss the significance of such things.” Einstein “had periods in which he was very active and other periods that were less intense,” Kormos-Buchwald says “And the clusters of enormous productivity were not concentrated on either science or politics but on both.” Gordin reflects that “people want to think that somehow when you do science the science and the politics and all the other engagements were just part of his life.” Gordin and Kormos-Buchwald show that Einstein worked to communicate his scientific ideas to a broader audience from the beginning of his career “Einstein’s first so-called popular book on the special and general theory of relativity was written almost immediately after he completed his papers on general relativity,” Kormos-Buchwald says and he completed his theory of general relativity in 1916 This book only found resonance in the German-speaking countries at that point because Germany and the rest of the world were at war with each other What’s interesting to see is that that book which he thought was generally understandable Einstein realized how difficult it is for people who are genuinely interested in these new developments in science to comprehend them He tried very hard after 1917 to write shorter essays and he eventually focused on two topics that he learned how to explain extremely beautifully His public lectures explained our old conceptions of space and time and how relativity creates a new understanding of these two terms.” Einstein thought deeply about what we could know about the world and how we could know it “free creations of the human mind,” was Einstein’s intended to communicate his belief that scientific theories are assertions of human creativity which can then be tested against observations and measurements and the world is not relative,” Kormos-Buchwald says “If a tree falls in the forest when no one is there to hear it Einstein’s answer would be yes,” Gordin says “The tree does make noise if we’re not there to hear it and the moon is there when you’re not looking at it.” The Rotary Club of Altadena in partnership with Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation’s Parks After Dark program has unveiled the lineup for its 28th season of free summer concerts is currently on the cusp of reopening following extensive reconstruction efforts after January’s destructive Eaton Fire The 17.33-acre community space has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past four months with its grand reopening scheduled for May 17 just days away from Altadena Rotary’s announcement The concert series itself is set to begin July 5 with Kenny Metcalf as Elton John: The Early Years The Walking Phoenixes will perform beloved music from Johnny Cash Pepper playing Beatles hits and other British invasion classics Phat Cat Swinger brings their blend of rock and jazz infused with a modern sensibility on July 26 August performances include The Mariachi Divas on August 2 The series concludes August 9 with the return of Upstream “everyone’s favorite Steel Drum Reggae and Soca Band.” As noted in the announcement “As it is every year this concert will be a jammed packed audience!” All Concerts are on Saturday evening and start at 7:00 p.m The Rotary Club of Altadena will be selling beer and wine throughout the entire Summer Concert Series the Summer Concert Series is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors including MonteCedro Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture and Supervisor Kathryn Barger,” according to the announcement In the cozy confines of a former mortuary chapel in Pasadena a centuries-old cautionary tale is being reimagined for modern audiences Parson’s Nose Theater is reviving its Family Theater Series this May with “Pied Piper: A Musical!,” transforming the legendary 13th-century story into what Lance Davis calls “a cartoonish musical with a Brechtian approach.” scheduled for two consecutive weekends in May will play to an intimate audience of just 50 people per show in the theater’s unique venue which has been home to Parson’s Nose since 2015 Then try to make sense of our world …,” said Davis once said years ago about “The Pied Piper of Hamlin (A Musical),” an earlier iteration of the show with words and music by Davis and arrangements by Michael Faulkner reimagines Hamlin as the “Cheese Capital of the World.” According to the Parson’s Nose Theater website the fictional families “the Klutzes and the Butzes are so busy making money with their cheese they ignore their own children!” The plot follows “a mysterious woman [who] comes along who tries to convince them [the townspeople] that rats aren’t their problem it’s themselves,” according to TheaterMania reflecting on his adaptation in a 2014 interview with Hey SoCal explained: “The Pied Piper is a 13th-century legend with many possible sources In my version it’s about a town that refuses to change its priorities The 2025 production stars Jill Rogosheske as The Piper as announced on the theater’s Instagram The show includes original songs such as “Hamlintown!” and “Dey Tink Deir Cheese Don’t Stink.” Ticket prices range from $15 to $25 for the show according to the PNT Family Theater promotional materials The Editors of Pasadena Now go through over 100 articles published this week on our site and cull the top 20 most newsworthy Mayors, Councilmembers, Civic Leaders Remember Former City PIO Ann Erdman Resilience and Unity Take Center Stage at Mayor’s Interfaith Breakfast Pasadena’s Wildfire Debris Removal Moving Along Health Officials Confirm Whooping Cough Case at Pasadena Children’s Museum Taking A Closer Look at Pasadena’s Capital Improvements Project Budget Search Continues for Candidates to Fill Open Seats on Police Oversight Commission City to Unveil New Robinson Family Memorial Plaque This Month Seniors Rally for Safety Improvements at Altadena Apartment Complex Following Harrowing Eaton Fire Evacuation County Approves Ordinance Mandating Fire Debris Removal SoCal Edison Commits to Undergrounding 63 Circuit Miles in Altadena Pasadena Rental Housing Department Underspends Budget by 45% LA County Workers to Wrap Up 48-Hour Strike Tonight Altadena Rebuilding Begins on Palm Street Activist Wants Capital Improvements Budget to Align With Climate Conservation Efforts Pasadena In Pasadena, a 52-Year Tradition of Faith and Community Endures Pasadena Begins Arroyo Boulevard Resurfacing Early Tuesday Looting Fuels 250% Crime Surge in Fire-Devastated Altadena City Council to Hold Special Closed Door Meeting on Monday LA County Offers Property Tax Relief for Wildfire Victims Santiago, Reed Win Titles at Rescheduled Rose Bowl Half Marathon The Pasadena Police Department announced its 23rd annual Car Show will take place on Saturday sponsored by Thorson Motorcenter GMC BUICK hot rods and muscle cars while raising funds for the Pasadena Police Activities League and the Pasadena Police Explorer Post #19 Pre-registration by June 7 includes one dash plaque and one limited-edition event T-shirt while supplies last This year’s event will coincide with the returning Pasadena Chalk Festival featuring over 500 artists creating live murals on the plaza grounds of The Paseo and Civic Auditorium food trucks and opportunities to connect with fellow car enthusiasts throughout the day-long celebration “Whether you’re a die-hard car fan or just looking for a fun day out this event has something for everyone,” said event organizers in their announcement For questions or for more information, contact Officer Adrian Woolford at (626) 744-3871 or email awoolford@cityofpasadena.net Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger has introduced a motion inspired by the plight of Mirador Apartments residents in Altadena during the January 2025 Eaton Fire which will be voted on by the Board of Supervisors at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday calls for a coordinated County response to ensure vulnerable populations receive proper protection and support in future emergencies according to a statement from Barger’s office “Many residents of the Mirador Apartments were left to navigate a dangerous situation on their own despite being among the most medically and physically vulnerable in our communities,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger “My motion seeks accountability and concrete improvements to ensure safety isn’t compromised in future emergencies.” The initiative follows alarming accounts from elderly residents of the 70-unit supportive housing development who reported being abandoned during evacuation efforts when the deadly Eaton Fire threatened their community When power was cut to the four-story building leaving many seniors and disabled residents struggling to escape who are medically vulnerable — not evacuated They saved themselves,” Altadena Tenants’ Union representative Katie Clark told ABC7 News last month The January 2025 Eaton Fire killed at least 18 people with an average age of 77 and destroyed nearly 9,500 structures across Los Angeles County according to the California Housing Finance Agency While the Mirador Apartments building survived the fire residents described harrowing evacuation experiences and inadequate support from management recounted her terrifying experience: “I fell down the stairs and hit between my shoulder blades and the pain was so severe People were running by and screaming and I kept saying A central directive in Barger’s motion tasks the Los Angeles County Department of Aging and Disabilities with engaging directly with the senior residents at the Mirador Apartments to assess their needs and enhance support systems The motion also requires County departments to explore improvements to emergency preparedness protocols and accountability measures for supportive housing providers This action builds upon a previous motion approved unanimously by the Board on April 2 co-authored by Barger and Supervisor Janice Hahn which directed the Los Angeles County Department of Aging and Disabilities to study a potential registry to help emergency responders locate and assist older adults and people with disabilities during evacuations according to Supervisor Hahn’s official website “Our County must take decisive action to protect our most vulnerable residents,” Barger said regarding that earlier motion The Mirador residents have also complained about poor conditions in their apartments following the fire all my linens and everything smelled like smoke,” one resident told FOX 11 Mirador Apartments management released a statement saying “Management followed all city and County protocols both around the mandatory evacuations on January 8th and in ensuring the remediation necessary to confirm Mirador units and common areas were safe and habitable.” Residents have since formed the El Mirador Alliance on their own to advocate for improvements including functional backup power sources for emergency evacuations and a clear evacuation plan with regular drills Los Angeles County will host a free virtual workshop Saturday to help residents impacted by the Eaton Fire rebuild their homes using innovative strategies that streamline the permitting process The “Preapproved Plans: A Headstart for Homeowners” workshop runs from 10 a.m to noon via Zoom and will feature representatives from Los Angeles County the Foothill Catalog and the Sunset Mesa Collective “This workshop is a vital step toward empowering our residents to rebuild their homes and communities with greater ease,” said LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger The session will demonstrate how the County’s pre-approved plans and streamlined permitting processes can help homeowners rebuild more efficiently and affordably while preserving neighborhood character and meeting modern building codes The Foothill Catalog is a nonprofit initiative and resource developed to help wildfire-affected residents in the foothill communities of Los Angeles County particularly areas like Altadena and Pasadena rebuild their homes efficiently and affordably Organized as the Foothill Catalog Foundation and public officials who collaborate to create a catalog of pre-approved home designs The Sunset Mesa Collective is a community-driven initiative formed in response to the devastating wildfire that destroyed much of the Sunset Mesa neighborhood near Malibu in early 2025 Its mission is to help homeowners rebuild smarter precision-built (off-site) construction technology Organizers are offering free interpreting services ADA accommodations and materials in other languages to make the workshop accessible Residents needing these services should contact Los Angeles County Public Works at (626) 940-7998 The workshop is supported by LA County Recovers The Foothill Catalog Foundation and Sunset Mesa Collective Barger encouraged all homeowners affected by the Eaton Fire to attend and learn how these resources can support their rebuilding efforts in Altadena and surrounding areas LA Metro customers are being asked Friday to weigh in on the agency’s proposed $9.4 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year which officials say continues their investment in public safety making rides more frequent and advancing transit projects Metro encouraged its customers and county residents to participate in its public hearing scheduled for May 15 at 10 a.m compared to budget of $9.26 billion in the 2025 fiscal year Participants can attend in person in the Board Room on the third floor of Metro’s headquarters, adjacent to Union Station. The hearing will also be live-streamed at boardagendas.metro.net/ In response to high profile violent crimes the agency took steps to improve public safety Metro has proposed increasing funds for public safety from $385.1 million in the 2025 fiscal year to $392.5 in the 2026 fiscal year Funds would support the agency’s ambassador program and more security officers the agency will look to expand its taller fare gates pilot as well as its arsenal of security cameras Money intended for cleaning would also increase from $279.5 million in 2025 to $316.1 million in 2026 The allocation would support 34 new custodial staff and increase daily cleaning for four bus terminals seven-days per week The agency has suggested expanding its end-of-rail car cleaning from two shifts to three each week Some $9.9 million would support what is known as “station experience” initiatives mini-makeovers and customer experience enhancements.” Super Bowl in 2027 and Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028 coming to the L.A Metro would allocate funds for transit projects Under Metro’s Transit Infrastructure Development program the A line Foothill Extension would receive $156 million for construction work on tracks Another $22.9 million supports contract closeout and other costs for the soon-to-be-open LAX/Metro Transit Center a station hub at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street on the K Line The budget would allocate $267.7 million for the future East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project and $794.5 million for the D (Purple) Line Westside Extension project local sales tax and certain revenues are projected at $4.8 billion which represents a $387 million or 7.4% decrease from the 2025 fiscal year Current projections for sales tax revenues for 2025 are below budget meaning 2026 revenues are likely to be lower Fare revenues are expected to come in at $174.7 million a slight increase from $174.6 million in fiscal year 2025 Tolls and violation fees from ExpressLanes are estimated at $107.6 million in 2026 and advertising revenue is estimated to increase from $27.2 million to $41.5 million Grant revenues are expected to increase by 9.6% in 2026 compared to 2025 Comic book fans will get a chance to meet some of the industry’s top creators and pick up free comics this Saturday during Free Comic Book Day at Collector’s Paradise Pasadena part of a national celebration aimed at promoting comic book culture and literacy who will be signing copies of Speed Racer #0 a special Free Comic Book Day 2025 release from Mad Cave Studios the creator of “Amphibia,” signing “Transformers: Worst Bot Ever” from Skybound Entertainment; Greg Weisman and Frank Paur contributors to “Gargoyles: Demona” from Dynamite Comics; and illustrator Ainsworth Lin The event is one of three happening simultaneously at Collector’s Paradise locations in Pasadena and North Hollywood all offering free comics Collector’s Paradise began when co-owners Edward Greenberg and Joseph Zelich purchased a struggling comic shop called Little Angel’s Comics the business expanded its focus to include graphic novels and an online subscription management system The Pasadena location opened in 2010 in Old Town and has since become a hub for comic fans in the San Gabriel Valley In addition to regular signings and gallery shows the store participates in Free Comic Book Day each year to help connect readers with new titles and creators Recognizing that strong communications can help amplify the impact of research the Student-Faculty Programs (SFP) Office recently conducted a triad of communications competitions to recognize undergraduate excellence in scientific communication via poster presentations endowed by donors to the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program aim to help students develop essential skills in presenting research to diverse audiences “These competitions encourage undergraduate researchers to strive for excellence in communicating their work,” says Candace Rypisi assistant vice provost and director of Student-Faculty Programs By prioritizing student engagement and success SFP aims to ensure that every student has the tools and support they need to make meaningful contributions to science and society being able to communicate one’s science is critical in so many ways.” the competitions—Gee Family SURF Poster Competition and Joel and Marcella Bonsall SURF Technical Writing Competition—provide students with the opportunity to showcase their work to faculty judges and an engaged campus audience endowed by John (BS ’53 and Barbara Gee highlights outstanding poster presentations emphasizing clarity and organization over research significance Participants must convey technical content effectively to a general scientific audience then faculty judges evaluate the posters based on content This year’s winners (non-ranked) are: Judging the competition were faculty members Kayane Dingilian (lecturer of chemistry and chemical engineering) George Djorgovski (professor of astronomy and data Science) Franca Hoffmann (assistant professor of computing and mathematical sciences) “Kelly” Johnson Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering) Perpall SURF Speaking Competition fosters excellence in oral communication the competition has become a defining opportunity for Caltech students to refine their public speaking skills Out of 194 student presenters this academic year Faculty and professional judges assessed clarity Judging this year’s competition were Harriet Brettle (executive director Niles Pierce (MacArthur Professor of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Bioengineering and executive officer for biology and biological engineering) and Linda Ye (Assistant Professor of Physics) The Joel and Marcella Bonsall SURF Technical Writing Competition recognizes excellence in technical writing among senior SURF participants and significance within their respective research fields Caltech’s SURF Communication Competitions continue to serve as a platform for students to refine their ability to translate complex research into accessible narratives—equipping students with the skills to not only conduct groundbreaking research but also share their discoveries with the world On January 7, 2025, the Eaton Fire ravaged over 9,000 homes and businesses, including several historic sites Keni Arts had once captured in his watercolor plein air paintings. Now, in a moving response to the tragedy, the artist has returned to those same locations to paint Beauty For Ashes—a new series that explores destruction, resilience, and rebirth. “For nearly five decades, Keni Arts has captured the soul of communities through his vibrant plein air paintings,” read a tribute from the gallery. “He’s painted across the globe—from Africa to Brazil—but his heart has always remained in the ‘Denas.’” In Beauty For Ashes, Keni doesn’t shy away from the scars left behind. Instead, he embraces them—transforming scenes of charred foundations and scorched hillsides into powerful symbols of collective endurance. Each brushstroke is a meditation on grief and grace, destruction and healing. At the heart of the evening was Keni’s own reflection: “Art is a process more than a product. It doesn’t start with the paint, nor does art end with the picture. True art starts in the heart of God, then flows through the artist and continues in the viewer, allowing them to interact with the body of work. Art can be a powerful voice for change. It can be enlightening, but it can also be challenging.” As attendees left with prints of Keni’s artwork in hand, they carried more than just images—they carried fragments of memory, markers of loss, and reminders that from the ashes, beauty can indeed rise. “Beauty For Ashes” reception on Friday Colorado Boulevard is your place for enlightening events informative news and social living for the greater Pasadena area See all articles Taking over two blocks of historic Colorado Boulevard this event will draw thousands to the vibrant downtown of Old Pasadena on May 4 Also known as “Ferraris on Colorado,” this signature event hosted by the Ferrari Club of America Southwest Region is expected to draw between 5,000-10,000 owners Significant Ferraris from around the country will be on display along Colorado Boulevard from Pasadena Avenue to Fair Oaks Avenue Stroll among the amazing array of vehicles and explore all that Old Pasadena has to offer The magnificent line-up includes Ferraris from 1955 to the present Ferraris from 2015 and earlier are eligible for judging that will follow FCA National Guidelines IAC/PFA (International Advisory Council for the Preservation of Ferrari Automobiles) Awards in ten classes will be made at the conclusion of the event by an esteemed panel of Ferrari experts Well-known voice-over actor Rino Romano will MC the event Everyone is invited to enjoy this family-friendly After you’ve seen the superb automotive engineering and design on display enjoy shopping and dining in walkable Old Pasadena The Pasadena Public Library has created a commemorative book titled “The People of PPL” to celebrate its 140 years of service to the community Featuring stories collected from staff and patrons along with profiles of historic figures the book was to be available for free at all open library branches beginning Thursday “The story of the Pasadena Public Library is a story of people From the innovators of our past to the visitors of today our story is your story,” Library officials said The special publication is a result of the library’s 140th anniversary celebration in 2024 Established in 1884 by a group of forward-thinking community leaders the Pasadena Public Library system fehas served as “a free and open place to commune read and belong.” Throughout its history “the heart of our service is and always will be people.” The library celebrated its 140th anniversary with one main goal — celebrating the people who make the library possible they solicited stories from staff and patrons we hope to tell a more complete story of the Pasadena Public Library: a story made of the people who shape our institution by simply being here,” the Library’s announcement explains Every person who submitted a story is guaranteed a copy of the book Story contributors can visit any open library branch to claim their book contributors should tell a staff member that they are story submitters and a copy will be sent specifically for them within four business days The 140th anniversary celebration featured ten special programs and a commemorative video to showcase how the library’s story is the story of the community and the people who make each day memorable Library patrons can revisit these celebrations access reading recommendations spanning 140 years and view the video on the PPL 140th Anniversary Celebration page on the library’s website summaries and links back to full articles – formatted for your favorite feed reader and updated throughout the day.