Pasadena Celebrates Milestone Anniversaries

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Route 66 officially opened on November 11, 1926, connecting Chicago to Santa Monica. The famous highway ran right through Pasadena along Colorado Boulevard, making the city a stop on one of America’s most iconic road trips.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Pasadena Celebrates 140 Years, Route 66 at 100, and Colorado Boulevard at 150

• Events this Wednesday & Thursday

• Civic News

• Restaurant Spotlight

  • Amara Café

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Happy birthday to my good friend Kevin Carpenter! 🎂

THE DIGEST

Pasadena Celebrates 140 Years, Route 66 at 100, and Colorado Boulevard at 150

Pasadena is throwing one big birthday party this month—and it’s celebrating more than just the city’s founding.

On Sunday, June 14, the Pasadena Museum of History will host “Happy Birthday Pasadena: Highway to Adventure!”, a free community event marking three major milestones at once: Pasadena’s 140th birthday, Colorado Boulevard’s 150th anniversary, and the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

The celebration takes place from 12PM–4PM at the museum’s historic Fényes Estate and will feature live music, vintage cars and motorcycles, arts and crafts, interactive activities, and self-guided tours of the 1906 Fényes Mansion. Visitors can also explore a special exhibit highlighting the history of Route 66 and Colorado Boulevard’s role in shaping Pasadena.

A birthday cake ceremony led by Mayor Victor Gordo is scheduled for 2PM, with complimentary cake, popcorn, and lemonade available throughout the afternoon.

The event will also include watercolor painting, face painting, 3-D chalk art, scavenger hunts, trivia contests, cardboard race car building, and interactive water play for kids. Vintage vehicles from local collectors and historic clubs will be on display across the museum grounds.

The celebration is part of a larger year-long recognition of Route 66’s centennial. The Pasadena Museum of History is also hosting a two-part walking tour series tracing the historic highway through the city. The first tour, Route 66 & Old Pasadena’s Car Scene, takes place June 6 and explores Old Pasadena’s early automobile dealerships, service stations, and car culture. The second, Route 66 & Car Culture in the Playhouse Village, follows on July 11 and looks at how the automobile helped shape Pasadena’s eastern commercial district during the 1920s.

Colorado Boulevard, Route 66, and the City of Pasadena all reach milestone anniversaries this year. On June 14, the city plans to celebrate all three at once.

A MESSAGE FROM ANGELA NG

Pasadena Photographer for Local Businesses & Brands

Whether you run a café, wellness studio, creative brand, restaurant or community space, strong visuals can completely change how people connect with your business.

I’m Angela Ng, a Pasadena based photographer and creative with 8+ years of experience creating imagery for brands like Sephora, HBO, Pizza Hut, USC and more. I specialize in:

• brand photography

• events

• product & lifestyle shoots

• social media content

I bring a polished and collaborative approach to every shoot, with a focus on telling stories that feel genuine and engaging.

Currently booking summer shoots & events.

View portfolio → ingstories.com
Contact → [email protected]

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Wednesday (6/3)

🧠 Trivia Night: Test your knowledge at this weekly trivia night hosted by Game Night Trivia. Stone Brewing Tap Room – Pasadena | Wednesday | May 27 | 6PM

🎵 Wine & Song: Cindy Kalmenson; Nigel Wearne: Songwriters Cindy Kalmenson and Nigel Wearne share an evening of folk, Americana, blues, and storytelling as part of the Wine & Song series. The Daily | Wednesday | June 3 | 7PM

🎬 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN on the BIG screen!: Follow a group of U.S. soldiers sent behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper after the Normandy landings in Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed World War II film. Regency Academy 6 | Wednesday | June 3 | 7:30PM

🎭 Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon: Two American travelers discover a mysterious Scottish village that appears for just one day every hundred years in this classic musical featuring a live orchestra and sweeping choreography. The Pasadena Playhouse | Wednesday | June 3 | 8PM

Thursday (6/4)

📓 Shadow Hills Nature Journal Club: Explore nature through observation and creativity during this self-guided monthly nature journaling meetup. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Thursday | June 4 | 9:30AM

🏛️ Wrigley Mansion House Tour: Take a free guided tour of Tournament House and learn about the history of the Wrigley Mansion, the Rose Parade, and the Rose Bowl Game. Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association | Thursday | June 4 | 2PM

🥕 South Pasadena Farmers’ Market: Shop California-grown produce, prepared foods, and enjoy live music at this weekly community farmers market. South Pasadena Farmers’ Market | Thursday | June 4 | 4PM–8PM

🗣️ Toastmasters Talk of the Town: Practice public speaking and receive coaching to build confidence and communication skills at this Toastmasters meeting. Crowell’s Thornton Conference Room | Thursday | June 4 | 6PM

🧵 Improvisational Quilting & 🌿 Botanical Drawing: Choose between an improvisational quilting class using reclaimed fabrics or a botanical drawing workshop focused on observing and sketching plants and flowers. Remainders Creative Reuse | Thursday | June 4 | 6PM

🌱 Little Shop of Horrors: Lineage Performing Arts Center closes its season with a dance-infused production of the sci-fi musical Little Shop of Horrors. Lineage Performing Arts Center (LPAC) | Thursday | June 4 | 7PM

🎭 Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon: Two American travelers discover a mysterious Scottish village that appears for just one day every hundred years in this classic musical featuring a live orchestra and beloved songs by Lerner & Loewe. The Pasadena Playhouse | Thursday | June 4 | 7PM

Upcoming Events

🥂 Golden Five Acres Gala: A 1920s-inspired gala celebrating 100 years of Five Acres with live music, auctions, dinner, dancing, and a full evening program. Annandale Golf Club | Saturday | June 6 | 5:30PM

🚶 Exploring Pasadena on Foot | Part 1: Route 66 & Old Pasadena’s Car Scene: Join PMH Curator Julia Long for a walking tour exploring Route 66 history and Old Pasadena’s early automobile culture. Pasadena Museum of History | Saturday | June 6 | 10AM

🚓 Pasadena Police Department Annual Car Show: This family-friendly car show features classic and modern vehicles, food, and live music, with proceeds benefiting the Pasadena Police Activities League and Explorer Post #19. Pasadena City Hall | Saturday | June 6 | 10AM–3PM

🎮 SoCal Gaming Expo: A two-day gaming convention featuring a vendor marketplace, esports competitions, a free play arcade, cosplay, museum exhibits, and special guests. Pasadena Convention Center | Saturday & Sunday | June 6–7 | 10AM–8PM

🎻 Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome – Rogue Lemon Collective: The Rogue Lemon Collective performs “High Ground, New Sound” as part of the Sunday Afternoon Concerts series curated by Cécilia Tsan. Mount Wilson Observatory | Sunday | June 7 | 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

Commission on the Status of Women Special Annual Meeting

Pasadena’s Commission on the Status of Women will hold its special annual meeting Wednesday, June 3 at 4PM at the Jackie Robinson Community Center to discuss issues affecting women and advise the City Council on matters related to equity, opportunity, and quality of life for women in the community. Click here to view agenda.

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT

Amara Café

Most brunch spots serve some version of the same thing. Amara Café goes in a completely different direction. This family-owned Venezuelan café has become one of my regular breakfast spots, especially after a morning workout or when I’m meeting family for Sunday breakfast. If you’ve never had Venezuelan food before, this is a great place to start.

Amara is known for its arepas, cachapas, coffee, churros, and famously rich hot chocolate. If there’s one thing you have to try here, it’s an arepa. These grilled corn cakes are a staple of Venezuelan cuisine, and Amara does them exceptionally well. They’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and packed with flavorful fillings.

My favorite dish is the Galipan Corn Cachapa Plate. A cachapa is a sweet Venezuelan corn pancake, and this version comes folded around cheese and served with a hearty breakfast plate. It’s comforting, filling, and unlike anything you’ll find at a typical brunch restaurant. In many ways, it’s the perfect introduction to Venezuelan food because it combines the flavors and textures that make the cuisine so unique.

Of course, no visit is complete without trying Amara’s signature hot chocolate, which has earned a loyal following of its own. Between the authentic Venezuelan flavors, excellent coffee, and welcoming family-run atmosphere, Amara Café is one of the most unique breakfast and brunch destinations in Old Pasadena.

WEATHER

Wednesday

79 🌡️ 58 |☀️| 💨 SW 7 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 67 (Moderate)

Thursday

79 🌡️ 60 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎷 Music at Noon: Andrew Harrison, saxophone and piano: Saxophonist Andrew Harrison performs a free lunchtime concert as part of Pasadena Presbyterian Church’s Music at Noon series. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Wednesday | June 3 | 12:10PM

🎷 The David Eastlee Trio: Guitarist David Eastlee and his trio perform an evening of jazz standards. Edwin Mills | Wednesday | June 3 | 6PM

🎺 Live Jazz & R&B at Visionarium with Khristian Foreman: Trombonist Khristian Foreman performs an evening of live jazz and R&B in an Italian-inspired setting. Visionarium Live Italian | Wednesday | June 3 | 6:30PM

🎸 Pretty Loud – Lodge Room and Checker Hall Staff Showcase 2026: Lodge Room and Checker Hall staff take the stage for a night of live music featuring Cryogeyser (solo), Luco, Scout., Horse Rider, and more. Lodge Room | Wednesday | June 3 | 6:30PM

🌍 World Jazz Night: The Joel Taylor Trio performs live as part of Club 1881’s World Jazz Night series. Club 1881 | Wednesday | June 3 | 8PM

🎸 Doug MacDonald: Veteran jazz guitarist Doug MacDonald brings his bop-inspired style to Edwin Mills for an evening of live jazz. Edwin Mills | Thursday | June 4 | 6PM

🎤 An Evening with Jalen Ngonda: Soul singer and songwriter Jalen Ngonda brings his blend of classic soul influences and original music to Lodge Room. Lodge Room | Thursday | June 4 | 8PM

THANKS!

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