JPL Launches Satellite!

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses—the newsletter that launched with a mission to keep you informed of everything happening in Pasadena. 🚀

In Today’s News N’ Roses:

• NISAR Launches — With a Pasadena Fingerprint

• Help Shape Brookside Park’s Stormwater Makeover

• Events This Wednesday & Thursday

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

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THE DIGEST

NISAR Launches — With a Pasadena Fingerprint

A new Earth-watching satellite is officially in orbit. NISAR, a joint mission between NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and India’s space agency, lifted off this morning, carrying one of the most advanced radar systems ever sent to space. It’ll monitor earthquakes, glacier melt, land deformation, groundwater shifts, all with radar that can see through clouds, darkness, and weather.

The technology is revolutionary and will help us understand changes in our Earth’s ecological systems during a critical time of climate change. Pasadena’s own JPL designed and built the L-band radar system, which is capable of penetrating through vegetation, ice, and soil to capture detailed data on Earth’s surface changes. This includes components like the antenna, radar electronics, and signal processing subsystems.

I actually spent five years on the NISAR team as a systems engineer at JPL, and seeing it launch was surreal. After years of hard work (and delays thanks to the pandemic), we pushed through and overcame more challenges than I can count. I’m incredibly proud to have been part of a team of brilliant engineers, scientists, and aerospace professionals that brought this mission to life. It’s a real testament to JPL’s cutting-edge contributions to science and engineering, and something Pasadena should be proud of, too. And although the mission has only just begun, it is quite literally a huge leap into advancing Earth science.

Help Shape Brookside Park’s Stormwater Makeover

Pasadena is moving forward with an $11 million plan to capture and clean stormwater from over 1,100 acres right at Brookside Park next to the Rose Bowl. The underground system will treat and infiltrate runoff, boosting local water supply and improving water quality in the Arroyo Seco and L.A. River.

What will the above-ground improvements look like? That’s up to you. Think shade trees, native plant landscaping, and bioswales to filter runoff—but the city wants resident input.

Have ideas? Fill out the survey by Friday. This is your chance to help shape a major green upgrade to one of Pasadena’s biggest parks.

@NEWSN_ROSES

📷@nasajpl📍Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Southeastern India.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Wednesday

• 🔔 Pasadena Rotary Weekly Club Meeting: This week’s meeting features Catherine Hany and Michael Farrand, co-chairs of the Paul Harris Fellow Community Service Award Program. Wednesday, July 30 at 12:00PM. Non-members welcome for an inside look at this long-standing local tradition.

• 🎼 Music at Noon: Mallory Haney, Organist: Take a midweek pause with a 30-minute performance by organist Mallory Haney, a rising talent with training from top music schools. Wednesday, July 30 from 12:10PM–12:40PM at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. Free and open to all.

• 🛍️ Etsy 101 Workshop: Class 1 – Etsy Shop Manager Overview: Thinking about launching an Etsy shop? This hands-on workshop series walks you through the basics, starting with an intro to the Etsy Shop Manager. Wednesday, July 30 from 3:30PM–5:30PM at Altadena Library. Registration required—laptops available to borrow.

• 🎨 Drawing from the Gallery: Don Bachardy: Spend an evening sketching inside The Huntington’s portrait gallery with artist Michelle Ohm, using the “Don Bachardy: A Life in Portraits” exhibit as inspiration. Wednesday, July 30 at 5:30PM. Materials provided—no experience needed.

• 🐾 Adolescent Pups Workshop: Got a teenage pup? This Pasadena Humane workshop helps guide dogs ages 5–11 months through leash skills, confidence games, and calm greetings. Wednesday, July 30 at 5:30PM. Short, focused, and perfect for those in-between puppy stages.

• 🎶 Wine & Song: Tipps & Obermiller; Chris Hawkes/Luke Wade: An intimate night of folk, soul, and storytelling at Sierra Madre Playhouse, guest hosted by Phil Ward. Wednesday, July 30 at 7:00PM. No concessions—grab dinner in town before the music starts.

Thursday

• 🚗 Opening: Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community: This new exhibit at ArtCenter dives into the deep ties between Japanese American culture and SoCal car life, featuring vintage rides, rare photos, and car club memorabilia. Opens Thursday, July 31 (all day). Free and open to the public.

• 🌹 Tournament House Tour: Step inside the historic Wrigley Mansion—now home to the Tournament of Roses—for a guided tour filled with stories, trivia, and Rose Parade history. Thursday, July 31 at 2:00PM. Free to attend, but RSVP is required.

• 🍓 South Pasadena Farmers’ Market: Shop fresh produce, grab dinner from local vendors, and enjoy live music—all under the trees near the Gold Line station. Thursday, July 31 from 4:00PM–7:00PM. A community favorite with serious neighborhood charm.

• 🎷 Summer Jazz Series at The Paseo: Smooth jazz, R&B, and funk take over the courtyard with Wayne Linsey & Friends live under the stars. Thursday, July 31 at 6:30PM. Sip wine, catch a breeze, and let the summer rhythm roll.

• 🫧 Foam & Glow Frenzy: Dance, splash, and light up the night at this all-ages foam party with music, glow gear, and nonstop energy. Thursday, July 31 from 8:00PM–9:30PM. A summer night that’s anything but ordinary.

Save the Date

• 🐱 CatCon: If you’re a cat person (or just cat-curious), this one’s for you. CatCon returns for its 10th anniversary with 150+ vendors, celeb meet & greets, giveaways, and the biggest feline adoption lounge around. It’s like Comic-Con—just fluffier. Saturday, August 2 from 10:00AM–5:00PM.

• 🛍️ Rose Bowl Flea Market: Mark your calendars—the second Sunday of the month means vintage heaven at the Rose Bowl. With over 2,500 vendors offering antiques, clothing, art, and more, it’s a goldmine for treasure hunters and bargain lovers. Interested in selling? Call R.G. Canning at (323) 560-7469 to learn how to become a vendor. Sunday, August 10 (VIP entry at 5:00AM, general admission at 9:00AM).

Nothing in this section is sponsored. These are just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know if something is sponsored!

CIVIL NEWS

Pasadena Transit Schedule Updates Start August 3

Heads up, riders! Pasadena Transit is updating its Route 10 and Route 33 schedules starting Sunday, August 3.

• Route 10 will see new weekday and weekend schedules.

• Route 33 adds a new Raymond/Holly timepoint to help better plan transfers.

The goal? Better efficiency and a smoother ride.

Check the updated schedules at cityofpasadena.net/pasadena-transit, on the Transit app, or call 626-744-7311.

Plan ahead so you’re not caught waiting!

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Wednesday

86 🌡️ 63 |☀️| 💨 S 7 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 51 (Moderate)

Thursday

86 🌡️ 64 |☀️| 💨 S 7 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 🎼 Music at Noon: Mallory Haney, Organist: Take a midweek pause with a 30-minute performance by organist Mallory Haney, a rising talent with training from top music schools. Wednesday, July 30 from 12:10PM–12:40PM at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. Free and open to all.

• 🎶 Wine & Song: Tipps & Obermiller; Chris Hawkes/Luke Wade: An intimate night of folk, soul, and storytelling at Sierra Madre Playhouse, guest hosted by Phil Ward. Wednesday, July 30 at 7:00PM. No concessions—grab dinner in town before the music starts.

• 🎷 Summer Jazz Series at The Paseo: Smooth jazz, R&B, and funk take over the courtyard with Wayne Linsey & Friends live under the stars. Thursday, July 31 at 6:30PM. Sip wine, catch a breeze, and let the summer rhythm roll.

THANKS!

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