Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. The newsletter that’s bringing communities together.
In today’s News N’ Roses:
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Loma Alta Park Reopens After Fire
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Restaurant Spotlight: Magnolia House
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Events this Monday & Tuesday
Let’s get to it.
— Matthew Ramirez
P.S. Happy Birthday Sarah Beshir!
THE DIGEST
🌳 Loma Alta Park Reopens After Fire
Altadena’s Loma Alta Park officially reopened Saturday, just five months after the devastating Eaton Fire, thanks to $2.4M in recovery grants and major community collaboration. The renovated park now features Dodger Dreamfields, a Clippers-funded gym and tech lab, mental health services, after-school programs, and more — all rebuilt in record time.
But not all voices felt included. Community advocates showed up at the ribbon-cutting, urging Supervisor Kathryn Barger to meet with renters, seniors, and Black and brown residents who say more needs to be done — especially around housing aid, rent freezes, and fire survivor support.
The celebration marked a big step forward — and a reminder that recovery must be for everyone.
@NEWSN_ROSES
📷Office of Kathryn Barge📍Loma Alta Park, Altadena
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WHAT’S HAPPENING
Monday
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📖 Can Storytelling Save The World? with Attica Locke: NYT best-selling author and Emmy-nominated screenwriter Attica Locke discusses the power of narrative in shaping the world. Presented by the James Michelin Distinguished Visitors Program at Caltech. 7PM–8PM.
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🌭 Game Night Live Trivia at Dog Haus: Grab a beer, a hot dog, and your brainiest friends for two rounds of interactive trivia hosted in the lively Dog Haus Biergarten in Old Pasadena. Expect word jumbles, picture puzzles, and prizes! 7PM–9PM.
Tuesday
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🍎 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke: Shop fresh fruits, veggies, jams, and farm products directly from local growers at this certified farmers’ market. 8:30AM–12:30PM at Villa Parke.
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🌿 Free Tuesday at Descanso Gardens: Stroll the beautiful grounds for free on the third Tuesday of each month—but don’t forget to reserve your spot in advance! Tickets for May 20 · 9AM–7PM will be released May 1 at 7:30AM. No tickets at the door.
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🔥 Southern California Wildfires & Water Quality: Science Meets Policy: Explore how wildfires like the Eaton and Palisades fires have impacted water access in SoCal—and how science and public policy can better work together to respond. Panel includes Caltech, Purdue, and Pasadena Water and Power. 6PM–7:30PM at Caltech. Free and open to the public.
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🎶 Camerata Pacifica: Auerbach’s Dreammusik: Witness breathtaking chamber music at The Huntington with a program featuring works by Bolcom, Chopin, and Lera Auerbach. Performed by an all-star ensemble including Sooyoun Kim, Ani Aznavoorian, and more. 7:30PM–9PM at The Huntington.
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🚲 Issue Forum: Biking Towards A Sustainable Pasadena: Join Councilmember Rick Cole for a public discussion on how to make biking in Pasadena safer, more accessible, and part of a greener future. Hear from expert panelists and share your own ideas. 7PM at District 2 HQ.
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🎬 APOCALYPSE NOW on the BIG screen: Witness Coppola’s war epic in its full theatrical glory as a U.S. Army officer is sent deep into the Vietnam jungle to terminate a rogue colonel. 7:30PM at Regency Academy 6
Save the Date
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🦸 Pasadena Comic Con: A vendor hall full of comic books, toys, action figures, anime and so much more, May 24
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🐐 Goat Yoga: Enjoy communing with friendly, gentle goats while engaging in a fun, light-hearted yoga session taught by certified instructor Tina Lenert on the rear lawn of the The Gamble House, May 24
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🚗 23rd Annual Pasadena Police Department Car Show: Classic car lovers, mark your calendar! The Pasadena PD hosts their annual car show at The Paseo with proceeds benefiting Pasadena P.A.L. and the Police Explorer Post #19. Saturday, June 14, 10AM–3PM at 300 E. Colorado Blvd.
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🎨 Sierra Madre Art Walk: Stroll through downtown and beyond to enjoy local art in storefronts and galleries during this community collaboration between artists and businesses. 4–7PM, guides available at participating locations.
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👾 Monsterpalooza: Celebrate the art of monsters and movie magic. Featuring over 400 exhibitors of the best artists and creatives at the Pasadena Convention Center, May 30 – June 1
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🎸 Head in the Clouds: 88rising, the pioneering and internationally renowned music and media company globally amplifying Asian talent and culture, May 31-June 1
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⛸️ 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.
🎉 5th Annual DENA Juneteenth 2025: Celebrate Black joy, radical resilience, and community wellness at this family-friendly Juneteenth festival in Altadena. Expect live music, drum and healing circles, line dancing, games, painting, water slides, scholarships, food, vendors, and more. Saturday, June 14 · 10:30AM–3:30PM at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 2283 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Altadena.
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!
RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
🍽️ Magnolia House
491 S. Lake Ave, Pasadena
Tucked behind a wooden gate on South Lake, Magnolia House feels like your coolest friend’s secret dinner party — if your friend also happened to serve killer cocktails and the best Moroccan wings in town.
Built over 100 years ago, the space oozes character (it was once a liquor store after Prohibition!) and now serves as a cozy hideaway for craft cocktail lovers and snack-sharing crews alike.
The must-orders?
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🌶️ Moroccan Spiced Chicken Wings (happy hour hero and personal favorite — tangy, crispy, gone in 60 seconds)
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🍝 House Meatballs — tender, juicy, and just saucy enough
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🍔 House Burger — a comfort classic done right
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🍗 Fried Chicken Sando — crunchy, juicy, and stacked with slaw for the perfect bite
Whether you’re sipping something herbaceous at the bar or splitting small plates under the warm glow of string lights, Magnolia House brings the charm, the flavor, and the low-key neighborhood magic.
CIVIL NEWS
🏛️ Pasadena City Council Meeting: The City Council gathers to discuss Pasadena’s latest civic matters and community issues. Today at 6PM at Pasadena City Hall.
🚧 Nighttime Sewer Repairs Begin on Los Robles Ave
Starting tonight, Pasadena crews will begin overnight sewer repairs on Los Robles Avenue (Parke to Maple), working 10PM–6AM nightly through May 23.
Using a trenchless cured-in-place lining method, the project minimizes digging and disruption — but expect some lane closures, parking restrictions, and temporary odors.
It’s all part of the city’s broader effort to upgrade 25,000 feet of sewer lines and 150 manholes by June.
NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER
Monday
78 🌡️ 58 |☀️| 💨 NE 2 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 30 (Good)
Tuesday
84 🌡️ 63 |☀️| 💨 SW 7 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar.
LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
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🎹 Triple Shot Jazz Trio at Jones Coffee Roasters: Ease into your Monday with modern jazz, blues, gospel, and funk from this Pasadena-based trio. Featuring Morgan Jones (piano), Scott Worthington (bass), and Marcelo Bucater (drums). Monday at 9AM. Free.
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🎶 The Coffee Shop Jazz Trio: Ease into your Tuesday mornings with modern jazz and Latin fusion from the legendary Matt Politano and his trio at Jones Coffee Roasters. Featuring Blake White on bass and Mark Ferber on drums, with rotating guest musicians throughout the year. Tuesdays · 8:30AM–9:30AM at 693 S. Raymond Ave.
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🎶 Camerata Pacifica: Auerbach’s Dreammusik: Witness breathtaking chamber music at The Huntington with a program featuring works by Bolcom, Chopin, and Lera Auerbach. Performed by an all-star ensemble including Sooyoun Kim, Ani Aznavoorian, and more. May 20 · 7:30PM–9PM at The Huntington.
THANKS!
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