Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. You’ve probably seen all of the memes already. Taylor Swift is officially engaged. While the rest of the world is refreshing TMZ, I’m over here wondering if Pasadena Swifties are planning Taylor Swift-themed events in town. I’ll let you know.
In Today’s News N’ Roses:
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San Marino Motor Classic Raises $400K for Charity
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Pasadena May Ditch Bike Registration
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Events This Wednesday & Thursday
Let’s get to it.
—Matthew Ramirez
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THE DIGEST
San Marino Motor Classic Raises $400K for Charity
Lacy Park was polished to perfection this past weekend as the San Marino Motor Classic returned for its 14th year. Thousands of spectators wandered rows of gleaming automobiles, from early Packards to mid-century Chryslers, while enjoying a weekend that blended high style with hometown generosity.
The main event, Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance, crowned a 1917 Packard Runabout as “Best in Show Pre-War” and a sleek 1952 Chrysler Ghia as “Best in Show Post-War.” Car lovers also caught sketches of futuristic designs by Art Center students and fine art from the Automotive Fine Arts Society.
Saturday’s Symphony of Cars Gala sold out with more than 675 guests enjoying dinner, live music, and a lineup of 20 classics under the stars. The evening raised big money on its own, including proceeds from tours of Jay Leno’s Garage snapped up by eager bidders.
By the end of the weekend, over $400,000 had been raised for local nonprofits including the Pasadena Humane Society, Cancer Support Community, and Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. Founder Aaron Weiss called it a “classy Classic weekend of events,” and judging by the crowd’s enthusiasm, the San Marino Motor Classic continues to be both a car show and a community tradition.
Pasadena May Ditch Bike Registration
Pasadena is looking to overhaul its bicycle laws, starting with scrapping the outdated bike registration requirement. The Municipal Services Committee will review the proposal this week, which would also define e-bikes in city code for the first time and update sidewalk riding rules.
Cyclists could ride up to 10 mph on sidewalks (5 mph when pedestrians are around), and the current ban near schools, churches, and public buildings would be lifted. City officials say the changes will align Pasadena with state law and make biking simpler and more accessible.
A MESSAGE FROM THE ROSE BOWL AQUATICS CENTER
Rose Bowl Aquatics Center Celebrates 35 Years of Lifesaving Impact
The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center will host its “Cheers to 35 Years” Annual Benefit on September 30, 2025, at NOOR in Pasadena. Olympic champion Cullen Jones will emcee the event as Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton, Felix Grossman, Wendy Kendall, and RBAC student-athletes are recognized for their leadership and dedication. Guests will enjoy dinner, a silent auction, and moving tributes that highlight leaders who have advanced the mission of water safety and access for all. For 35 years, the RBAC has provided swim lessons, fitness opportunities, and water safety programs that benefit all ages.
Tickets available at rosebowlaquatics.org/events.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Wednesday
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☕ Morning Brew: Start your Wednesday with coffee, light breakfast, and easy conversation hosted by Pasadena Village. A relaxed space to connect, share ideas, and get to know fellow community members. Wednesday, August 27 at 9:00AM.
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🎶 Music at Noon: Ruth Kasckow & Bryan Pezzone: Flutist Ruth Kasckow and pianist Bryan Pezzone share the stage for a lunchtime concert blending classical elegance with versatile musicianship. A midweek pause filled with beautiful sound. Wednesday, August 27 from 12:10PM–12:40PM.
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🌟 Pasadena Rotary Weekly Club Meeting: This week’s luncheon features Kaiy Smith-Biesman, founder of Stems Catering and Neighbors & Friends Cafe, speaking on Beyond the Board: Turning Creativity Into Connection & Commerce. Wednesday, August 27 at 12:00PM.
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🌙 Cemetery Wildlife Walk: Explore Mountain View Cemetery at dusk with Pasadena Humane and discover the wildlife that thrives among its historic grounds. From birds and squirrels to coyotes and native plants, it’s a guided walk blending nature and local history. Wednesday, August 27 from 6:30PM–8:00PM.
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🎨 Community Open Studio – Pay What You Can: Remainders Creative Reuse opens its doors for an evening of making, tinkering, and creating. With tools, sewing machines, and supplies on hand, it’s a flexible space to work on personal projects or connect with fellow makers. Wednesday, August 27 at 6:00PM.
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📖 Vroman’s Fiction Reading Group: This month’s discussion centers on Benjamin Labatut’s When We Cease to Understand the World, a mind-bending exploration of science, history, and the human condition. Open to all readers. Wednesday, August 27 from 7:00PM–8:00PM.
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🍷 Wine & Song: Jordie Lane; Desert Hollow: Under the South Pasadena evening sky, enjoy a night of roots music with the genre-bending duo Desert Hollow and the soulful storytelling of Nashville-based Jordie Lane. Bring something to sip or snack on—it’s music made for sharing. Wednesday, August 27 at 7:00PM.
Thursday
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🥕 South Pasadena Farmers’ Market: Mission Street comes alive Thursday evenings with farm-fresh produce, local bites, and live music under the trees. It’s a neighborhood tradition just steps from the Gold Line station. Thursday, August 28 from 4:00PM–7:00PM.
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🎶 Evan Marshall, Mandolin Master: Pasadena Heritage hosts mandolin virtuoso Evan J. Marshall for an evening of dazzling technique and Duo-Style mastery. Known from A Prairie Home Companion and countless symphony stages, his performances blend brilliance with charm. Thursday, August 28 at 6:00PM.
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🥾 Thursday Evening Conditioning Hike: Tackle a 5-mile round trip up Earl Canyon Motorway with 1,300 feet of elevation gain and rewarding views of the LA basin at night. A solid workout with a scenic payoff. Thursday, August 28 at 6:45PM.
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🎷 Summer Jazz Series at The Paseo: Smooth jazz, R&B, and funk fill the open-air courtyard as Wayne Linsey & Friends take the stage. With NOOR’s Sip & Swing Wine Bar pouring and a DJ keeping the groove alive, it’s an evening of music and summer vibes in the heart of Pasadena. Thursday, August 28 at 6:30PM.
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🎶 Summer Concert in the Park: Susie Hansen Band: Loma Alta Park heats up with the Latin jazz rhythms of the Susie Hansen Band. Pack a blanket, gather your crew, and enjoy a lively evening of music and community under the Altadena sky. Thursday, August 28 from 6:00PM–9:00PM.
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🎉 Hillsides End of Summer Bash: Close out the season with live music, games, and community fun at this family-friendly celebration. Kids can even pick up backpacks stocked with school supplies, thanks to Hillsides donors. Also at Loma Alta Park, Thursday, August 28 from 6:00PM–8:00PM.
Save the Date
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🍸 Rumors: A High Tea, Immersive Theatre Experience: Neil Simon’s farce Rumors takes over the Madeline Garden Bistro, turning high tea into high comedy as dinner guests spiral into a whirlwind of lies, scandal, and absurdity. With a full high-tea meal served during the show, it’s theatre that blends laughter with indulgence. Friday, August 29 – Sunday, August 31, 7PM.
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🎭 One Man, Two Guvnors at A Noise Within: Set in 1960s Brighton, this Tony Award-winning farce follows a hapless man juggling two bosses who must never find out about each other. Expect quick wit, physical comedy, and a live skiffle band in this riotous modern twist on a classic. Runs August 31 – September 28.
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🌌 Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome: Leelou and Friends: Under the soaring dome of Mt. Wilson’s historic 100-inch telescope, Leelou blends vocals and cello with a set spanning Norah Jones to Edith Piaf. Joined by Arnaud Dunoyer and Liam Hayden, the performance pairs stunning acoustics with a setting unlike anywhere else. Sunday, August 31 at 3:00PM (reception at 4:00PM).
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🌺 Free Day at The Huntington: Explore gardens, galleries, and historic collections at no cost during The Huntington’s monthly Free Day. Advance reservations are required, and tickets go fast, so set your reminder early. Thursday, September 4.
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🧸 Free First Fridays at Kidspace Children’s Museum: An afternoon of play and discovery awaits with free admission to Kidspace. Families can explore interactive exhibits and outdoor spaces designed to spark creativity and curiosity. Friday, September 5 from 2:00PM–5:00PM.
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🖼️ Free First Fridays at Norton Simon Museum: Stroll the galleries and garden without the price tag—Norton Simon opens its doors for free on the first Friday evening of the month. A perfect way to end the week surrounded by world-class art. Friday, September 5 from 4:00PM–7:00PM.
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🎸 Oasis Live ’25 North American Tour: The Rose Bowl hosts one of the biggest comebacks in music as Oasis takes the stage with special guest Cage The Elephant. Both nights are already sold out, marking Pasadena as part of this historic return. Saturday, September 6 at Rose Bowl Stadium.
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🎶 Pasadena POPS Summer Concert Series: Michael Feinstein steps out from behind the conductor’s podium to sing his way through the Great American Songbook—from Gershwin classics to Billy Joel favorites, with a moving tribute to lyricist Alan Bergman. Saturday, September 6 at 7:30PM.
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
Debate Over Hydrogen Buses in Pasadena
Pasadena City Council is set to vote on whether to spend $32 million on 17 hydrogen-fueled buses for its transit fleet. Councilmember Rick Cole and the city’s Environmental Advisory Commission are urging caution, arguing hydrogen is costly, unreliable, and less sustainable than battery-electric buses.
The commission points out that true “green hydrogen” isn’t widely available and trucking fuel into the city could add emissions and safety risks. They recommend a fresh analysis before committing. City staff, however, say fuel-cell buses fit into Pasadena’s 2023 Zero-Emission Bus Rollout Plan, which calls for hydrogen buses on fixed routes and battery-electric for Dial-A-Ride. The decision now sits with the council.
The 710 Advisory Group’s Restorative Justice Committee meets at Robinson Park Recreation Center to address the historic impacts of freeway construction in Pasadena, working with the community to shape equitable solutions for the future. Wednesday, August 27 at 6:00PM.
The 710 Advisory Group’s Land Use and Mobility Committee gathers at Robinson Park Recreation Center to discuss development and transportation issues tied to Pasadena’s future. Thursday, August 25 at 4:30PM.
Pasadena’s Public Safety Committee convenes for a special session at City Hall, focusing on issues of policing, fire services, and community safety. Thursday, August 28 at 4:00PM.
NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER
Wednesday
89 🌡️ 65 |☀️| 💨 S 8 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 82 (Moderate)
Thursday
87 🌡️ 69 |⛅| 💨 SW 6 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar.
LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
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🎶 Music at Noon: Ruth Kasckow & Bryan Pezzone: Flutist Ruth Kasckow and pianist Bryan Pezzone share the stage for a lunchtime concert blending classical elegance with versatile musicianship. A midweek pause filled with beautiful sound. Wednesday, August 27 from 12:10PM–12:40PM.
-
🌿 Music in the Chinese Garden: Stroll through the Garden of Flowing Fragrance while live melodies on traditional instruments like the pipa, erhu, and dizi create a serene midweek escape. Wednesday, August 27 at 1:00PM.
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🎶 Rebirth – Pasadena Chorale: The Pasadena Chorale opens its new season with Renaissance choral works performed by a 16-voice ensemble inside the stunning Romanesque interior of St. Andrew Church. An evening where architecture and music echo across centuries. Wednesday, August 27 at 7:30PM.
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🎶 Evan Marshall, Mandolin Master: Pasadena Heritage hosts mandolin virtuoso Evan J. Marshall for an evening of dazzling technique and Duo-Style mastery. Known from A Prairie Home Companion and countless symphony stages, his performances blend brilliance with charm. Thursday, August 28 at 6:00PM.
-
🎷 Summer Jazz Series at The Paseo: Smooth jazz, R&B, and funk fill the open-air courtyard as Wayne Linsey & Friends take the stage. With NOOR’s Sip & Swing Wine Bar pouring and a DJ keeping the groove alive, it’s an evening of music and summer vibes in the heart of Pasadena. Thursday, August 28 at 6:30PM.
-
🎶 Summer Concert in the Park: Susie Hansen Band: Loma Alta Park heats up with the Latin jazz rhythms of the Susie Hansen Band. Pack a blanket, gather your crew, and enjoy a lively evening of music and community under the Altadena sky. Thursday, August 28 from 6:00PM–9:00PM.
THANKS!
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