Happy August

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Before breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson was a standout four-sport athlete at John Muir High School and Pasadena Junior College before becoming UCLA’s first student to earn varsity letters in four sports.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Rose Bowl Aquatics Center Will Temporarily Close for Olympic Preparations

• New Jackie Robinson Portrait Joins Pasadena Museum of History

• Events this Monday & Tuesday

• Civic News

  • City Meetings

• Weather

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Happy birthday to my little brother Gio! 🎂🎉

A MESSAGE FROM FIVE ACRES

Five Acres is inviting the community to tee off for a good cause at its annual Golf Classic on Monday, August 24, at San Gabriel Country Club. This year’s “Paradise on the Fairway” event also serves as the final celebration of the centennial of the organization’s historic Altadena headquarters, bringing supporters together for a day of golf, dinner, and fundraising.

Founded in 1888, Five Acres is an Altadena-based nonprofit that helps children and families heal from abuse, neglect, trauma, and other challenges through mental health services, foster care, adoption, and family support programs across Southern California.

The day begins with golf registration at 10 a.m., followed by a shotgun scramble tournament, lunch, a cocktail reception, silent auction, live auction, awards, and dinner served right on the fairway. The evening’s entertainment features Grammy-nominated yacht rock favorites Ambrosia, including original member Joe Puerta, joined by Elliot Lurie, founder and lead singer of Looking Glass, performing classics like Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl).

Whether you’re hitting the links or joining for dinner, the event offers a chance to celebrate more than a century of Five Acres while supporting its mission to strengthen children and families throughout Southern California. Purchase 2026 Golf Sponsorship & Dinner Tickets here.

THE DIGEST

Rose Bowl Aquatics Center Will Temporarily Close for Olympic Preparations

The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center will temporarily relocate all of its programs beginning April 1, 2027, as LA28 prepares the Pasadena facility to host Olympic diving during the 2028 Summer Games. It’s a huge milestone for the city and another reminder that the Olympics are getting closer, but it also means one of Pasadena’s most beloved pools will be out of commission for more than a year.

RBAC says swim lessons, Masters, water polo, diving, and other programs will continue at nearby partner facilities while work is underway, with specific locations expected to be announced in the coming months. The project is also expected to bring upgrades to the diving tower, pools, and mechanical systems before the center returns to its home in fall 2028.

For many local swimmers, myself included, it’ll be a little bittersweet. Training somewhere else for more than a year won’t be the same, but it’s hard not to be excited knowing the same pool we swim in today will soon be hosting the world’s best divers.

New Jackie Robinson Portrait Joins Pasadena Museum of History

A striking new portrait of Pasadena legend Jackie Robinson is now on display at the Pasadena Museum of History after Los Angeles artist Richard Aguilar donated the painting to the museum’s permanent collection. The addition helps expand the museum’s representation of Robinson’s legacy, from his days at Washington Junior High and John Muir High School to breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

Aguilar says he hopes the painting encourages visitors to reflect on Robinson’s lasting impact on civil rights and equality, not just baseball. The portrait is part of Pasadena Palette: Selections from Pasadena Museum of History’s Collection and will be on view through December 27. It’s a fitting tribute to one of Pasadena’s most influential figures and another reason to stop by if you haven’t visited the museum in a while.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Monday (8/3)

📚 Banned Books & Paper People: Life-sized paper sculptures by A. Laura Brody depict characters from beloved banned books, including Fahrenheit 451 and Wicked. La Pintoresca Branch Library | All-Day| August 3

🎤 Open Mic Night: A casual evening to share your voice, hear local talent, and enjoy the community vibe. Loma Alta Park Social Hall Courtyard | Monday | August 3 | 6PM

🏃 Run With Us: Monday Fun Run: A welcoming weekly social run and walk open to all paces and abilities. Run With Us | Monday | August 3 | 6PM

🔭 Astronomy on Tap @ Dog Haus Biergarten: Hear Caltech scientists discuss extreme solar eruptions and black holes tearing apart stars during this free evening of astronomy talks. Dog Haus Biergarten | Monday | August 3 | 7:30PM

Tuesday (8/4)

☕ ShopTalk Business Breakfast: A monthly morning meetup for small business owners to network and hear a practical, business-focused presentation. Mike & Anne’s Restaurant | Tuesday | August 4 | 8AM

🥕 Pasadena Farmer’s Market: Browse fresh produce and other local goods at Pasadena’s weekly Tuesday farmers market. Villa Parke | Tuesday | August 4 | 8:30AM

🎶 Bilingual Sound Bath for Children & Teens: A calming, restorative sound bath for kids and teens led by Raising Mami Alchemy. Loma Alta Park Gymnasium | Tuesday | August 4 | 11AM

🌕 An Afternoon with Harrison Schmitt: Hear Apollo 17 astronaut, former U.S. senator, and the last scientist to walk on the Moon discuss lunar geology and his experiences exploring the Taurus-Littrow Valley. Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Caltech | Tuesday | August 4 | 2PM

🚔 Pasadena Police Department to Host 30th Annual National Night Out: The PPD brings neighbors and local law enforcement together for this long-running community tradition. Jefferson Park | Tuesday | August 4 | 5–7PM

📖 Gregory Orfalea discusses & signs Wonder and Shame: A local author reads from and signs his novel set against the Syrian Civil War. Vroman’s Bookstore | Tuesday | August 4 | 7PM

💃 The Mixx: Salsa Mixx: A fun night of salsa and bachata lessons with DJ Salsa y Sabor keeping the Latin rhythms going. The Mixx Pasadena | Tuesday | August 4 | 8PM

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events posted regularly on our website. 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 at 6PM in the City Hall Council Chamber (Room S249) to consider city business, hear public comment, and vote on matters affecting the community. Click here to see agenda.

Legislative Policy Committee Meeting

The Legislative Policy Committee will meet Tuesday at 4:30PM in the City Hall Council Chamber (Room S249) to discuss legislative issues and policy matters that may affect the City of Pasadena. Click here to see agenda.

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

The Historic Preservation Commission will meet Tuesday at 6PM in the George Ellery Hale Building Hearing Room to review matters related to the preservation of Pasadena’s historic buildings, neighborhoods, and cultural resources. Click here to see agenda.

Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting

The Recreation and Parks Commission will meet Tuesday at 6PM in the City Yards Public Works Building to discuss issues related to Pasadena’s parks, recreational programs, and public open spaces. Click here to see agenda.

Human Relations Commission Meeting

The Human Relations Commission will meet Tuesday at 6:30PM at the Jackie Robinson Community Center to discuss issues related to human relations, equity, and community engagement in Pasadena. Click here to see agenda.

Housing, Homelessness and Planning Committee Meeting

The Housing, Homelessness and Planning Committee will meet Wednesday at 5PM in the City Hall Council Chamber (Room S249) to discuss housing, homelessness, and planning issues affecting the City of Pasadena. Click here to see agenda.

WEATHER

Monday

88🌡️65 |☀️| 💨 SW 9 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 63 (Moderate)

Tuesday

86🌡️65 |☀️| 💨 S 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎸 The Riner Scivally Trio: Guitarist Riner Scivally and his trio perform jazz standards, Brazilian tunes, and original compositions. Edwin Mills by Equator | Monday | August 3 | 6PM

🎷 The David Eastlee Trio: The David Eastlee Trio performs an evening of jazz standards led by guitarist and composer David Eastlee. Edwin Mills by Equator | Tuesday | August 4 | 6PM

THANKS!

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