Honor and Celebration

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Heads up — rain’s clocking in tomorrow night, so maybe don’t wash the car today. And turn off your sprinklers.

In Today’s News N’ Roses:

• Pasadena Armenian Festival Becomes a Citywide Thank-You

• Pasadena Honors Veterans and Welcomes Marines Home

• Events this Wednesday & Thursday

• Updated Save-the-Date List

• Civil New

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

🍂THE DIGEST

Pasadena Armenian Festival Becomes a Citywide Thank-You

This Saturday, Centennial Square at Pasadena City Hall will turn into a vibrant celebration of culture and gratitude as thirty Armenian organizations unite for the Pasadena Armenian Festival — what organizers call “a civic thank-you note” to the city that welcomed their ancestors more than a century ago.

The festival has nearly doubled in size since last year, with 70 vendors, traditional music, dance, and student performances from local Armenian schools. The event benefits three Pasadena Armenian schools, including Sahag-Mesrob, which lost its Altadena campus in the Eaton Fire earlier this year.

“We wanted to do something for the greater community, not just the Armenian community,” said festival spokesperson Mihran Toumajan. From local food to folk bands and handmade crafts, the day offers a window into Pasadena’s Armenian heritage — and a heartfelt thank-you from the community that calls it home.

Pasadena Honors Veterans and Welcomes Marines Home

Veterans, city leaders, and residents gathered outside Pasadena City Hall yesterday for a moving Veterans Day ceremony marking the 250th anniversary of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.

The event honored Lt. Colonel Raymond G. Harvey, Pasadena’s own Medal of Honor recipient, and welcomed home the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment after a six-month deployment to Okinawa.

Mayor Victor Gordo praised both service members and their families for their resilience: “You are the anchors of this battalion. Your strength made this mission possible.”

Justice Eileen C. Moore, a Vietnam War nurse and keynote speaker, shared her story of joining the Army when women had few opportunities — a decision she said “lit a fire” to serve her country.

Former Mayor Bill Paparian served as master of ceremonies for the heartfelt tribute, blending Pasadena pride with national gratitude.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING🥧

Wednesday (11/12/25)

🧶 Make a Holiday Gift Using Your Knitting and Crocheting Skills: Get crafty at Lamanda Park Branch Library and learn the basics of knitting and crocheting to create cozy, handmade holiday gifts like scarves and more. Wednesday, November 12 at 11AM.

🎬 Screening of The Celluloid Closet: Join Pasadena Village for a private screening of this acclaimed documentary exploring a century of LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood, narrated by Lily Tomlin. Wednesday, November 12 at 2PM.

🚶‍♀️ “Thanks for Giving” Charity Walk: Walk with gratitude at the Rose Bowl and help raise funds for local charities alongside residents, families, and community members. Hosted by Astoria Park Senior Living. Wednesday, November 12 from 3–5PM.

🧠 Game Night Live Trivia at Stone Brewing Tap Room: Grab a pint and flex your brainpower with trivia night at Stone Brewing! Enjoy fun, fast-paced games inspired by popular shows — no trivia degree required. Wednesday, November 12 from 6–8PM.

🎭 A Print of a Chinese Theater in California: A Life History: Discover the story behind an 1870 engraving of a Chinese theater in San Francisco with Rutgers Professor Nancy Yunhwa Rao, exploring its creators, cultural impact, and historical context. Wednesday, November 12 at 6:30PM.

👽 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on the Big Screen: Relive the magic of Spielberg’s classic as E.T. and Elliott light up the night sky once more during Flashback Wednesday at Regency Academy 6. Wednesday, November 12 at 7:30PM.

Thursday(11/13/25)

☕ Crossword Café: Sip coffee or tea and flex your brainpower at this relaxed crossword meet-up for adults at Bob Lucas Library—chat with others or enjoy some quiet puzzle time. Thursday, November 13 from 10:30–11:30AM.

🚲 OnTheGo Expo: Discover new ways to stay mobile and connected at Pasadena Village’s free transportation fair—featuring Metro, Pasadena Transit, e-bikes, and rideshare demos, plus tech help and refreshments. Thursday, November 13 from 10AM–1PM.

🥑 Green Gold: The Avocado’s Remarkable Journey: Take a deep dive into the fascinating rise of the avocado with journalist and grower Monique Parsons, tracing how this humble fruit became a global sensation. Book signing and plant sale to follow. Thursday, November 13 from 2:30–5PM.

🌽 South Pasadena Farmers’ Market: Stroll beneath the trees and shop fresh California-grown produce, artisanal bites, and local favorites—plus live music and good vibes right by the Gold Line Station. Thursday, November 13 from 4–7PM.

🎭 Broadway Gamble Ramble: Take a musical journey through the historic Gamble House as Lineage Performing Arts Center brings Broadway’s story to life with live performances woven through each room. Thursday, November 13 at 7PM.

🍳 Cookbook Live with Roy Choi: Chef and L.A. legend Roy Choi takes the stage for a live cooking demo, conversation, and tastings as he shares recipes from his new book The Choi of Cooking. Thursday, November 13 at 7PM.

Save the Date

🇦🇲 Pasadena Armenian Festival: Celebrate Armenian culture in the heart of Pasadena with authentic food, artisan vendors, live performances, and family fun at Centennial Plaza in front of Pasadena City Hall. Saturday, November 15, 2025.

✨ DroneArt Show: A Music and Drone Show: Experience a spellbinding night at the Rose Bowl as over 500 illuminated drones dance to live performances of The Four Seasons and Swan Lake, surrounded by candlelight and starlight. Saturday, November 15 at 7PM.

🎨 Jackalope Art Festival: Explore one of Pasadena’s favorite outdoor markets with 200+ indie artisans showcasing handmade art, jewelry, home goods, and more. Enjoy live music, great food, and family-friendly vibes at this free weekend event. Saturday–Sunday, November 15–16 from 10AM–4PM.

🎬 Film History Tour of the Fényes Mansion: Step behind the scenes of Pasadena’s cinematic past with a guided tour of the historic Fényes Mansion—discovering the films, TV shows, and music videos shot on its storied grounds. Sunday, November 16 from 12:30–2PM.

🌲 Enchanted Forest of Light: Step into a glowing wonderland at Descanso Gardens, where dazzling light installations and artful displays transform the forest into a dreamlike nighttime adventure. Sip hot cocoa, stroll under the stars, and let the magic of the season surround you. November 16–January 4, 5:30–10PM.

🔭 Pasadena City of Astronomy Science Festival: Explore the cosmos right here on Earth with an afternoon of science demos, VR experiences, solar telescopes, and hands-on activities for all ages. Sunday, November 16 from 12–4PM.

🚀 Caltech Watson Lecture – Ashwin Vasavada: Go behind the scenes of NASA’s Curiosity rover mission with JPL’s Ashwin Vasavada as he shares how the rover uncovered evidence that Mars was once habitable. Enjoy an evening of science, stories, and stargazing vibes at Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium. Wednesday, November 19 at 7:30PM.

🎤 Distinguished Speaker Series – Sanna Marin: Hear from Sanna Marin, former Prime Minister of Finland and one of the world’s youngest leaders, as she explores what makes Finland the happiest country on Earth. An inspiring evening of global insight and conversation awaits. Wednesday, November 19 from 7:30–9PM.

🎭 Tom Segura: Come Together: Comedian Tom Segura brings his sharp wit and fearless humor to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for one unforgettable night of laughs. A portion of proceeds supports World Central Kitchen’s humanitarian work. Thursday, November 20 at 7:30PM.

🩰 NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet: Step into the magic of the holidays with this breathtaking ballet featuring an international cast, lavish sets, and hand-crafted costumes from Europe—all set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. A dazzling tradition for the whole family. Saturday, November 22 at 3PM and 7PM.

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

💧 Public Information Meeting: Eaton Wash Stormwater Capture Project: Learn about Pasadena’s plan to capture and treat stormwater while creating new park amenities near Eaton Blanche Park. City staff will share project updates and gather community input at Lamanda Park Branch Library. Wednesday, November 12 at 6PM.

🏛️ Human Services Commission Meeting: Join Pasadena’s Human Services Commission at Jackie Robinson Community Center for its monthly meeting addressing community needs and social service priorities across the city. Wednesday, November 12 at 6PM.

🏗️ Land Use & Mobility Committee Meeting: The Reconnecting Communities 710 Advisory Group gathers at Pasadena City Hall to discuss land use, transportation, and planning priorities shaping the city’s future. Thursday, November 13 at 4:30PM.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER🍁

Wednesday

72 🌡️ 57 |☁️| 💨 SE 3 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 62 (Moderate)

Thursday

71 🌡️ 60 |🌧️| 💨 SE 6 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

🥕LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

🎶 Tomo Nakayama, Surrija & Goh Nakamura at Healing Force of the Universe: Immerse yourself in a night of cinematic soundscapes and soulful storytelling as Tomo Nakayama celebrates his new album Ocean, joined by electro-art pop artist Surrija and indie troubadour Goh Nakamura. Thursday, November 13 at 8PM.

THANKS!🦃

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who’s already putting up their Christmas tree. The Rockefeller Center tree just went up too—but the lighting is not until Dec. 3!

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