Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. It’s the weekend! Fun things to enjoy—Comic Con, Cheeseburger Week, Restaurant Week, and many more with great weather to enjoy it all.
In today’s News N’ Roses:
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Pasadena Comic Con This Sunday
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Cheeseburger Week Starts Sunday
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Events this Weekend
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Civic News
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Live Music Lowdown
Let’s get to it.
—Matthew Ramirez
THE DIGEST
Pasadena Comic Con This Sunday
Pasadena Comic Con is this Sunday at the Pasadena Convention Center, and it’s honestly one of my favorite events to swing by each year. The energy is always great — people in costume, fun booths, cool toys, games and arcades, and a ton of random collectibles and gifts to check out. It’s lively without being overwhelming like the LA Comic Con, and easy to enjoy even if you’re just looking around.
This year’s guest of honor is William Daniels, who turns 99 in March and is still making public appearances! You probably know him as Mr. Feeny from Boy Meets World, the voice of KITT, or Dr. Mark Craig from St. Elsewhere. He’ll be signing autographs and meeting fans, alongside his wife Bonnie Bartlett, plus Ed Begley Jr. for a small St. Elsewhere reunion.
There’s also a solid Power Rangers lineup, animation panels, and a cosplay contest to close out the day. If you’re looking for something easy and fun to do on Sunday — whether you go all in or just wander — this one’s always a good time.
Cheeseburger Week Starts Sunday
Don’t forget, Pasadena Cheeseburger Week kicks off this Sunday, January 25, and runs through January 31. It’s Pasadena’s annual excuse to eat your way through the city while celebrating the birthplace of the cheeseburger, first served right here in 1924. Apparently.
Dozens of local restaurants are participating with special burgers, limited-time creations, and deals, plus the return of the Cheeseburger Challenge, where you can vote for your favorites. This year also adds a fun twist with tributes to Route 66 and Colorado Boulevard.
If you’ve been waiting for permission to eat an irresponsible number of burgers in one week, this is it. Full details and the restaurant list are here.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Friday (1/23/26)
🌸 Tour: Flora — Flowers and Plants in the Norton Simon Museum Collection: Join a guided tour exploring how flowers and plants appear in artworks by artists like Cézanne, Rivera, and Ruysch. Norton Simon Museum | Friday, January 23 at 1PM
🧶 Cozy Crafters Club: Bring your own craft or use shared supplies while working, chatting, and creating together. Callisto Tea House | Friday, January 23 at 4PM
📖 Storytelling with the Community Writer’s Group of Los Angeles: Hear personal African American narratives shared through live readings focused on healing, history, and community. Octavia’s Bookshelf | Friday, January 23 at 6:30PM
🏛️ Empty House Party: Be among the first to step inside the 2026 Pasadena Showcase House for an evening of live music, food, and cocktails before construction begins. Baldwin Oaks Estate | Friday, January 23 at 6:30PM
🧘 Caltech Tai Chi Club: Join an open, beginner-friendly session practicing Hao-style tai chi with additional forms led by experienced instructors. Caltech’s Hameetman Center (Multipurpose Room) | Friday, January 23 at 7PM
📘 Behind The Book: Exploring the Intersection of Science and Faith in the Modern World: Rev. Dr. David Wilkinson joins Prof. Mark Davis to discuss science, faith, and themes from his book God, Stephen Hawking and the Multiverse. Caltech’s Ramo Auditorium | Friday, January 23 at 7:30PM
🎨 Pasadena Friday – Paint Nite with Boozy Pigments: A laid-back paint night focused on having fun, good music, and creating at your own pace—no experience needed. Hilton Hotel Pasadena | Friday, January 23 at 7:30PM
🌌 Caltech Astro Stargazing Lecture Series: Simulating Galaxies, Stars, Planets, and Giant Black Holes on a Computer: Astrophysicist Phil Hopkins explains how scientists simulate cosmic structures and extreme objects using advanced computer models, followed by Q&A and stargazing. Caltech Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics | Friday, January 23 at 8PM
Saturday (1/24/26)
🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: Stock up on fresh fruits, vegetables, and farm products while shopping directly from certified local growers who only sell what they produce. Victory Park | Saturday, January 24 from 8AM–12PM
🥬 La Cañada Farmers’ Market: Browse a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, breads, and other locally made food items at this weekly outdoor market. 1346 Foothill Blvd. | Saturday, January 24 from 9AM–1PM
🌱 Student Community Service Day: Students can earn service hours while helping care for the gardens through hands-on volunteer work with guidance provided. Descanso Gardens | Saturday, January 24 at 9AM
🚶 Playhouse Village Walking Tour: Learn about Pasadena’s growth in the early 20th century while exploring architecture and landmarks on a guided walking tour. Pasadena Heritage | Saturday, January 24 at 10AM
📸 Free Professional Headshots: Stop by for a complimentary professional headshot taken by Syd Studios, perfect for LinkedIn, resumes, and other profiles. Altadena Library Community Room | Saturday, January 24 at 11AM
🚗☕ Unincorporated Coffee Roasters – Altadena Cars and Coffee: A community cars-and-coffee meetup bringing people together through shared stories, classic rides, and local connection. Bulgarini Lot | Saturday, January 24 at 12PM
🎻 Mendelssohn & Meyer: Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony pairs with Edgar Meyer’s genre-blending violin concerto performed by Tessa Lark. Pasadena Symphony Pops | Saturday, January 24 at 2PM & 8PM
🖼️ Natura Naturata Opening Reception: Meet the artists and curator and explore contemporary photography and video works examining the natural world at this gallery opening. Descanso Gardens’ Sturt Haaga Gallery | Saturday, January 24 from 3PM–5PM
🎭 Ceiling in the Floor: A dance and storytelling performance honoring Brandon Toh that weaves original music with a true story exploring friendship and mental health. Lineage Performing Arts Center (LPAC) | Saturday, January 24 at 7PM
Sunday (1/25/26)
🦸 Pasadena Comic Con: Spend the day exploring pop culture with celebrity guests, artist booths, panels, toys, and collectibles in a family-friendly convention setting. Pasadena Comic Con | Sunday, January 25 from 10AM–5PM
🖼️ Afternoon Salon: Art about Art: Examine how artists reinterpret and respond to earlier works through focused discussion of pieces by Picasso, Ingres, Redon, and Cézanne. Norton Simon Museum | Sunday, January 25 at 1PM
🎭 Ceiling in the Floor: A return performance honoring Brandon Toh that combines dance, original music, and storytelling around friendship and mental health. Lineage Performing Arts Center (LPAC) | Sunday, January 25 at 4PM
Save the Date
🍽️ Dine LA Restaurant Week: Enjoy special prix-fixe menus at participating Pasadena and Los Angeles restaurants—just dine out and ask for the Dine LA menu. Participating Restaurants | Friday, January 23 – Friday, February 6
🍔 Pasadena Cheeseburger Week: Celebrate Pasadena’s claim as the birthplace of the cheeseburger with a citywide week of signature burgers and special creations honoring Lionel Sternberger’s 1924 invention. Pasadena (citywide) | Sunday–Saturday, January 25–31
🛍️ Pasadena City College Flea Market: Browse antiques, collectibles, and vintage finds from 400+ vendors spread across PCC’s campus parking lots. Pasadena City College | Sunday, February 1
🌿 Free Day at The Huntington: Visit The Huntington with free admission by advance reservation during its monthly Free Day. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens | Thursday, February 5
🧸 Free First Fridays at Kidspace Children’s Museum: Explore Kidspace for free during this monthly open window with advance reservation required. Kidspace Children’s Museum | Friday, February 6 from 2PM–5PM
📚 Rare Books Pasadena: Browse rare and antiquarian books from dozens of booksellers from around the world as this major book fair returns to Pasadena across two venues. Raymond Theatre | Saturday, February 21 from 10AM–6PM & Sunday, February 22 from 11AM–4PM
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!
CIVIC NEWS
Kaiser Nurses Plan Candlelight Vigil Ahead of Potential Strike
Kaiser Permanente nurses and healthcare workers will hold a candlelight gathering Saturday evening outside the company’s Pasadena headquarters, just days before an open-ended strike set to begin Monday.
The union representing about 31,000 workers says Kaiser hasn’t returned to contract talks since December. Kaiser disputes that, saying negotiations paused after a disputed incident. At the center of the standoff: wages and chronic understaffing.
Kaiser has offered a 21.5% raise over four years. The union wants 25%, arguing burnout and patient care are on the line. If the strike moves forward, it could be the largest healthcare walkout of 2026, with no set end date.
Pasadena-area Kaiser facilities would remain open, according to the company — but nurses say they’re done waiting for movement at the table.
NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER
Friday
66 🌡️52 |⛅| 💨 SW 5 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 101 (Unhealthy)
Saturday
65 🌡️ 43 |☀️| 💨 SW 3 mph
Sunday
67 🌡️ 43 |☁️10%| 💨 W 4 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.
LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
🎷 Catalina Combo: Hear jazz standards performed by Catalina Combo featuring vocals, guitar, and bass in a relaxed live set. Edwin Mills | Friday, January 23 from 7PM–11PM
🎷 Live Jazz at Cafe 1881: Settle in for a late-night jazz set with the Quinn Johnson Trio performing live. Cafe 1881 | Friday, January 23 from 8:30PM–11:30PM
🎶 Jenny & The Jazz Birds: Catch this local jazz group as they bring a mix of classic jazz, blues, and funk to a relaxed morning performance. Jones Coffee Roasters | Saturday, January 24 at 10AM
🎻 Mendelssohn & Meyer: Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony pairs with Edgar Meyer’s genre-blending violin concerto performed by Tessa Lark. Pasadena Symphony Pops | Saturday, January 24 at 2PM & 8PM
🎶 Grace Fae and The Grandbirds: Step back in time with a vintage jazz set of swinging songs from the 1920s–1940s, plus select French and contemporary tunes. Edwin Mills | Saturday, January 24 from 7PM–11PM
🎷 The Gold Line Jazz Collective: Enjoy an eclectic morning jazz set led by pianist Hank Mehren, featuring a rotating group of local musicians. Jones Coffee Roasters | Sunday, January 25 at 10AM
🎶 Jazz Sundays with Catlin & Rosser: Hear an intimate jazz duo set featuring originals and works by composers like Carla Bley, Billy Strayhorn, and Wayne Shorter. Jones Coffee Roasters | Sunday, January 25 at 2PM & 4PM
🎼 Restoration Concert Series: Almanova (guitar, flute) and Guest Percussion: Experience an eclectic performance blending classical, world, and contemporary music as the Restoration Concert Series continues its anniversary season. South Pasadena Library Community Room | Sunday, January 25 at 4PM
THANKS!
Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who knows thinks they can make a darn good cheeseburger!
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