Mountain lion spotted in Pasadena

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Did you know Pasadena was the first city in Southern California to host the Olympic Games? 1932 Summer Olympics football, cycling, and equestrian events were held in Pasadena, with the Rose Bowl Stadium later becoming one of the most iconic sports venues in the country.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Mountain Lion Spotted in Pasadena

• Pasadena Hosting Virtual Town Hall on the City’s Water Supply

• Golden Five Acres Gala

• Events this Monday & Tuesday

• Civic News

  • Poll results

• Weather

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

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THE DIGEST

Mountain Lion Spotted in Pasadena

A Pasadena homeowner got an unexpected visitor this weekend when a mountain lion casually wandered into a backyard near Orange Grove Boulevard and Craig Avenue.

The roughly 100-pound cat was spotted hiding in bushes in a neighborhood far from where these sightings usually happen, leaving neighbors both fascinated and a little shaken up — especially considering how close the area is to homes, schools, and a park.

Animal control responded to the home and noted that mountain lion sightings are far more common in the foothill areas than in this part of Pasadena. Thankfully, the animal eventually wandered off on its own by the next morning, and no one was hurt.

Pasadena Hosting Virtual Town Hall on the City’s Water Supply

Ever wondered where Pasadena’s water actually comes from before it reaches your faucet?

Pasadena Water and Power is hosting a free virtual Water Town Hall this Wednesday, May 13, where residents can learn how the city’s water system works — from the Raymond Basin aquifer beneath Pasadena to imported water traveling hundreds of miles from the Colorado River and Northern California.

The event also comes about 16 months after the Eaton Fire damaged local water infrastructure, prompting renewed conversations around water reliability, safety, and conservation. For more information, click here.

A MESSAGE FROM FIVE ACRES

Celebrate a century of impact at the Golden Five Acres Gala on June 6, 2026. This special evening marks 100 years at Five Acres’ historic Altadena campus, while honoring 138 years of caring for children across Los Angeles County. Held at a private club in Pasadena, the night draws inspiration from the glamour of the 1920s and brings together community members, supporters, and partners for a meaningful cause. I’m also proud to say News N’ Roses is a media sponsor for the event!

Guests can expect an elegant evening with live music, cocktails, and a full program designed to celebrate the organization’s legacy and future. It is a chance to be part of a milestone moment while supporting a mission focused on safety, well-being, and permanency for every child.

Tickets are now available, including early bird pricing. Join the Five Acres community in celebrating 100 years of hope, heart, and home. Buy tickets here.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Monday (5/11)

🎻 Music in the Rose Garden: Enjoy live classical music performances in The Huntington’s Rose Garden featuring rotating solo and duo musicians from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. The Huntington’s Rose Garden | Monday | May 11 | 1PM

🏃 Run With Us: Monday Fun Run: Join this weekly social run featuring 4- and 6-mile options, shoe demos, prizes, and a community run open to all abilities. Run With Us | Monday | May 11 | 6PM

📚 Andrew Forrester, in conversation with Elissa Sussman, discusses & signs How the Story Goes: Andrew Forrester discusses his debut novel about a widower and an MFA dropout teaming up to finish a beloved fantasy book series. Vroman’s Bookstore | Monday | May 11 | 7PM

Tuesday (5/12)

🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke: Shop fresh local fruits, vegetables, jams, fish, and other farm products directly from certified growers at this weekly farmers market. Pasadena Farmers’ Market | Tuesday | May 12 | 8:30AM–12:30PM

📖 The Gamble House Book Club Dust Jacket Journeys- The Grapes of Wrath: This book club gathering explores perspectives around architecture, art, identity, and place through discussions tied to American road trips and family life. The Gamble House | Tuesday | May 12 | 5:30PM

🍻 Thirsty Bears – Altadena Ale and Wine House: Join the San Gabriel Valley Cal Alumni Club for an evening supporting Altadena Ale and Wine House, where owner Gail Casburn is rebuilding after losing her home and much of the surrounding customer base in the Eaton Fire. Altadena Ale & Wine House | Tuesday | May 12 | 6PM–8PM

📚 One Book, One Coast Book Club Unites West Coast Communities Through Shared Reading: This regional book club event includes a discussion of They Called Us Enemy and a hands-on lesson on traditional Japanese cloth-wrapping techniques. Loma Alta Park Multipurpose Room | Tuesday | May 12 | 6PM–7:30PM

🧺 Furoshiki as Japanese History Hands-On Lesson in Cloth Wrapping Techniques: Learn traditional Japanese cloth-wrapping techniques with Kumi Corsa and discuss the graphic novel They Called Us Enemy by George Takei. Loma Alta Park Multipurpose Room (Gym) | Tuesday | May 12 | 6PM–7:30PM

🧶 Creative Workshops at Remainders Creative Reuse: Choose from a beginning crochet class, a retro apron sewing workshop, or an analog hangout using vintage typewriters focused on letter writing and poetry. Remainders Creative Reuse | Tuesday | May 12 | 6PM

🚵 Around the Cycle Tuesday Night Dirt: Join this recurring intermediate mountain and gravel bike ride featuring a 12-mile route with 1,200 feet of climbing. Around the Cycle | Tuesday | May 12 | 6PM

📚 Jennifer Lee & LeUyen Pham, in conversation with Gene Luen Yang, discuss & sign “As I Dream of You”: Jennifer Lee and LeUyen Pham discuss their new YA graphic novel about two teens navigating love, loss, and lucid dreams after tragedy. Vroman’s Bookstore | Tuesday | May 12 | 7PM

🧠 T. Boyle’s Tavern: Geeks who Drink Trivia: Gather your friends for weekly trivia night featuring food, drinks, and team competition starting at 8PM sharp. T. Boyle’s Tavern | Tuesday | May 12 | 8PM

Upcoming Events

🌱 Little Shop of Horrors: Lineage Performing Arts Center presents a dance-infused production of the sci-fi musical classic about a timid florist’s assistant and a mysterious plant that changes everything. Featuring music and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the show runs across multiple dates from May 15 through June 7. Lineage Performing Arts Center | May 15 – June 7

🎶 Zipangu: Japanese Music Event: This one-day festival at Brookside at the Rose Bowl features live performances from Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO!, CHANMINA, HANA, MAN WITH A MISSION, Yuki Chiba, and 10-FEET. Organizers describe it as the largest Japanese music event ever held in America. Brookside at the Rose Bowl | Saturday | May 16 | 3:30PM

🎼 Mount Wilson Observatory’s Sunday Afternoon Concerts In The Dome: Artistic Director Cécilia Tsan curates live musical performances beneath the vaulted dome of the historic 100-inch telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory. Concerts take place inside the observatory dome known for its cathedral-like acoustics, with programs varying by date. Mount Wilson Observatory | Sunday | May 24 | 3PM & 5PM

Upcoming events are added to the News N’ Roses events page. Check them out here!

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

City Council Meeting

The Pasadena City Council will meet Monday, May 11 at 6PM in the City Hall Council Chamber (Room S249) at Pasadena City Hall. Click here to view agenda.

Finance Committee Special Meeting

Pasadena’s Finance Committee will hold a special meeting at Pasadena City Hall on Monday to discuss city financial matters, with committee members including Mayor Victor M. Gordo and Councilmembers Tyron Hampton, Rick Cole, and Gene Masuda. Click here to view agenda. Pasadena City Hall | Monday | May 11 | 3PM

Senior Commission Meeting

Pasadena’s Senior Commission will meet Tuesday at the Jackie Robinson Community Center to advise the City Council on issues impacting seniors, including quality of life, community concerns, and aging-related needs. Click here to view agenda. Jackie Robinson Community Center | Tuesday | May 12 | 2PM

Municipal Services Committee Meeting

Pasadena’s Municipal Services Committee will meet Tuesday at 5PM to discuss city infrastructure and public service matters, with committee members including Councilmembers Justin Jones, Rick Cole, Tyron Hampton, and Jason Lyons. Pasadena City Hall | Tuesday | May 12 | 5PM

Environmental Advisory Commission Meeting

Pasadena’s Environmental Advisory Commission will meet to advise the City Council on sustainability initiatives and environmental policy goals tied to the city’s Environmental Charter and Green City Action Plan. Click here for agenda. Pasadena City Hall | Tuesday | May 12 | 6PM

Northwest Commission Meeting

Pasadena’s Northwest Commission will meet Tuesday at 6:30PM at the Jackie Robinson Center to discuss community planning, economic development, and ongoing implementation of the Northwest Community Plan. Jackie Robinson Center | Tuesday | May 12 | 6:30PM

Pasadena Rent Stabilization Workshop: Petition for Upward Adjustment of Rent

Pasadena’s Rent Stabilization Department will host a public workshop Tuesday at 6PM to help landlords understand the process for petitioning for rent increases beyond the city’s annual allowable adjustment under Pasadena’s rent stabilization rules. Click here for more information. Rent Stabilization Department Office | Tuesday | May 12 | 6PM

WEATHER

Monday

85 🌡️ 57 |☀️| 💨 SW 7 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 91 (Moderate)

Tuesday

70 🌡️ 56 |☀️| 💨 S 7 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

Here are the poll results about keeping or leaving the Weather section:

Only 37 people voted. The result was 21 for keeping the weather section, 16 for removing. Looks like I’ll be leaving it for now. Thank you for your input!

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

🎷 Triple Shot Jazz Trio: Triple Shot is a Pasadena-based modern jazz trio performing improvisations and original compositions influenced by jazz, blues, gospel, and funk. Jones Coffee Roasters | Monday | May 11 | 9AM

🎻 Music in the Rose Garden: Enjoy live classical music performances in The Huntington’s Rose Garden featuring rotating solo and duo musicians from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. The Huntington’s Rose Garden | Monday | May 11 | 1PM

🎶 Archive & JoyCut: USA & Canada 2026: British band Archive brings its genre-blending sound to Highland Park alongside JoyCut for a night of live music at Lodge Room. The Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Monday | May 11 | 8PM

🎹 The Coffee Shop Jazz Trio: Led by pianist Matt Politano, this weekly trio performs modern jazz and Latin fusion with guest musicians joining throughout the year. Jones Coffee Roasters | Tuesday | May 12 | 8:30AM

🎧 Turntable Tuesday! Open Turntables Every Week Before Karaoke: Bring your records, controller, or laptop for this weekly open turntable night featuring 20-minute DJ sets before karaoke with Ricardo. The OffBeat – A Bar On York (Highland Park) | Tuesday | May 12 | 6PM–9PM

🎺 Jazz Night with Elliott Caine at Visionarium: Elliott Caine returns to Visionarium for an evening of live jazz trumpet, improvisation, and classic melodies in the Main Hall. Visionarium Live Italian | Tuesday | May 12 | 6:30PM–8:30PM

🎸 Oranssi Pazuzu: Finnish experimental metal band Oranssi Pazuzu brings its psychedelic black metal sound to Lodge Room with support from Wayfarer. The Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Tuesday | May 12 | 8PM

THANKS!

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