Earth Day Reflections & A Rally for Resilience

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. The newsletter where “brevity is the soul of wit”.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Earth Day Reflection

• Ashes to Anthems: Benefit Concert

• Events this Week!

Let’s get to it.

— Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Happy Birthday William Shakespeare

THE DIGEST

Earth Day Reflections: Did Pasadena Really Miss the Mark?

I’ve seen a few headlines and social posts saying Pasadena “missed the mark” on Earth Day this year. I get where that’s coming from — it wasn’t exactly loud or citywide. Outside of the usual efforts from Caltech, PCC, and a few library branches, things were pretty low-key.

But personally? I don’t fully agree that we missed the mark. I think people care — deeply — about the environment here. You feel it in everyday conversations, see it in community gardens, and hear it from students, neighbors, and small business owners trying to make a difference.

There were meaningful efforts worth recognizing: Pasadena Transit, Metrolink, and LA Metro all offered free rides. Caltech and PCC hosted lectures on earth science and climate change. And over in Altadena, the United Nations Association Pasadena Chapter held a community Earth Day celebration that brought people together around sustainability and climate justice.

That said, we can do better. Earth Day shouldn’t just be a quiet blip on the calendar. It’s a chance to connect, reflect, and recommit to taking care of this place we love. We have the brainpower, the creativity, and the heart in this city to lead on climate awareness — we just need to show up a little more visibly.

So no, I don’t think we missed it. But I do think we have an opportunity. Let’s be more involved. Let’s pay attention. Let’s support the groups already doing the work — and find ways to plug in ourselves.

Because Pasadena has what it takes to lead. Let’s act like it.

Ashes to Anthems: Benefit Concert + Resource Fair This Saturday

This Saturday, April 26, Memorial Park will host the first-ever Ashes to Anthems — a full-day benefit concert and resource fair supporting families affected by January’s Eaton Fire. Running from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the event combines music, healing, and direct support.

Headlining the concert is Grammy winner Andra Day, joined by Travis Greene and Goapele. But it’s more than a show — it’s a rally for resilience. A mile-long Resource Fair will offer everything from financial aid and rebuilding support to health screenings, legal help, and kids’ programming.

Hosted by Hold Dena and backed by a powerhouse list of partners, the event is free and open to all. Come for the music, stay for the movement.

📍 Memorial Park – 85 E. Holly St., Old Pasadena.

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📷@thehuntingtonlibrary📍 The Rose Garden, The Huntington Gardens

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Wednesday

• 🌍 Earth Week Horticulture Display: Celebrate Earth Day with stunning displays of native plants and majestic oaks curated by Descanso Gardens’ horticulture team. 9AM. Free with admission. No registration needed.

• 🥕 Altadena Farmers’ Market: Shop seasonal produce, handmade goods, and tasty prepared foods from local queer and POC-owned vendors at this vibrant outdoor market. 3:30PM–6PM. Curbside pickup and delivery available.

• 🎬 Nobody Knows Anything: Live Show: Join Franklin Leonard of The Black List for a sharp, funny deep dive into the chaos of making great TV and film—this edition featuring a soundtrack-themed chat with Paul Feig, Lauren LeFranc, and Edi Patterson. 7PM. Hosted by LAist & The Ankler.

• 🍺 National German Beer Day at Lucky Baldwin’s: Raise your stein and celebrate with bratwurst, beer tastings, glass specials, and festive giveaways at Lucky Baldwin’s Trappiste location. Festivities all day · Beer tasting 5–8PM. Prost!

• 🧠 Game Night Live Trivia: No need to be a trivia whiz—just come ready to play and have fun! Enjoy two fast-paced games packed with word jumbles, picture rounds, and game show-style challenges. Free to play with prizes up for grabs!

• 🤣 Pasadena Comedy Show – Always Free: Looking for laughs? Head to The Mixx for a midweek comedy boost hosted by Paddy with a rotating lineup of guest comedians. 8PM. Free entry, 2-for-1 drinks, and endless laughs!

• 📚 Vroman’s Fiction Reading Group: Join fellow book lovers for a discussion of The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle at this month’s free fiction reading group. 7PM at Vroman’s Bookstore, upstairs event space.

Thursday

• 🌽 South Pasadena Farmers’ Market: Enjoy an open-air evening market under the trees with fresh California-grown produce, delicious prepared foods, and live music. Thursday, April 24 · 4PM–7PM, right off the Gold Line. A perfect spot for dinner and a stroll!

• 🎶 The Ian Whitcomb Review: Celebrate the legacy of Altadena’s ukulele legend and music historian Ian Whitcomb with a night of Early Americana music, stories, and tributes by Janet Klein, Marquis Howell, and Regina Whitcomb. 6PM. Hosted by Pasadena Heritage.

Save the Date

• 🐝 Bee Kind To Our Planet: Celebrate Earth Day at One Colorado! Enjoy eco-friendly activities, a pollinator plant workshop, honey tastings, candle-making, and more, April 26

• 🎨 Jackalope Pasadena Artisan Fair, Spring 2025: Discover over 200 local artisans at the Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair on April 26 and 27, 2025, from 10 AM to 5 PM at Central Park in Old Pasadena. This free outdoor event features handmade goods, including fashion, jewelry, home décor, art, and more. Enjoy live music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. Leashed pets are welcome.

• 🛍️ Artazan Handcraft Market: Celebrate creativity and craftsmanship at the Artazan Market, returning to the Pasadena Convention Center May 3–4. Shop fine art, jewelry, textiles, and artisan foods while enjoying live music, chocolate tastings, and hands-on workshops. A spring weekend of inspiration and artistry awaits! Saturday 10AM–6PM | Sunday 10AM–5PM.

• 🏛️ Museums of the Arroyo Day: Step into “Life in the Past Lane” on Sunday, May 4 · 12PM–4PM as six local museums—Gamble House, Lummis Home, Pasadena Museum of History, and more—offer free admission, family activities, and shuttle service between stops. It’s the 35th annual celebration of Arroyo culture, architecture, and history.

• 💜 Nurturing Our Wellbeing: Mind, Body & Spirit: Join the community for a day of wellness with free food, fresh produce, live music, dancing, workshops, and family fun! Wednesday, May 14 · 10AM–1PM at Lincoln Avenue Christian Church, Pasadena. Free bus ride available—register at the Jackie Robinson Community Center by May 9. Space is limited!

• 🦸 Pasadena Comic Con: A vendor hall full of comic books, toys, action figures, anime and so much more, May 24

• ⛸️ Juneteenth Celebration: The NAACP Pasadena Branch will hold its Juneteenth Celebration and 4th Annual Roller Jam at Pasadena City Hall, June 14 at 4 PM.

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

🚁 Disaster Preparedness Training – Expect Helicopter Activity

On Wednesday, April 23 · 9AM–3PM, the City of Pasadena will conduct a coordinated disaster preparedness exercise involving multiple agencies. Residents in the western part of the city may see increased helicopter activity as part of this planned drill.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Wednesday

64 🌡️ 52 |⛅| 💨 SE 3 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 67 (Good)

Thursday

66 🌡️ 50 |☀️| 💨 S 7 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar. 

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 🎤 Douglas Roegiers at H.H. Gastropub: Head to Hawg Heaven for a night of live jazz, dancing, and dinner with the ever-entertaining Doug Roegiers. Wednesday, April 23 · 7PM–9PM. Come hungry—and ready to move!

• 🎶 The Ian Whitcomb Review: Celebrate the legacy of Altadena’s ukulele legend and music historian Ian Whitcomb with a night of Early Americana music, stories, and tributes by Janet Klein, Marquis Howell, and Regina Whitcomb. Thursday, April 24 · 6PM. Hosted by Pasadena Heritage.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who knoweth not what’s going on this week, but doth protest they have ‘naught to do.

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