Black Bear Takes a Dip in Pool

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Shark Week kicked off last night, and if that timing feels a little too perfect, a baby great white shark was spotted launching out of the water just behind a boogie boarder at Newport Beach on Saturday. And it was caught on video.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Pasadena’s Cat Café Is Throwing a Birthday Party—for the Cats

• Black Bear Takes a Swim in Pasadena Pool

• Hackaday Superconference Returns to Pasadena

• Events this Monday & Tuesday

• Civic News

• Weather

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Happy birthday to my awwwesome sister-in-law Wijdan! 🎂🎉

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

Pasadena’s Cat Café Is Throwing a Birthday Party—for the Cats

Tail Town Cats is turning five, and the guests of honor are the cats themselves. The Pasadena nonprofit cat café and adoption lounge is celebrating on Friday, July 31, with cupcakes, drinks, and an “unwrapping palooza,” where visitors can watch the resident cats tear into gifts from their birthday wish list.

Since opening in 2021, Tail Town has partnered with Kitten Rescue of Los Angeles to help more than 500 cats find permanent homes. The cage-free lounge is home to 30 to 40 adoptable cats at any given time, giving visitors a chance to meet them in a relaxed setting while supporting the rescue’s mission.

The birthday party runs from 6–8 PM at 1780 E. Washington Blvd. Admission is $25, reservations are required, and guests must be 6 or older. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to spend two hours surrounded by cats, this might be the easiest one you’ll get all year.

Black Bear Takes a Swim in Pasadena Pool

The summer heat apparently isn’t just getting to people. Not a shark but, a black bear wandered into a Hastings Ranch backyard over the weekend and helped itself to a refreshing swim, taking a leisurely dip in the homeowner’s pool before climbing out and continuing on its way. The moment was caught on video and quickly made the rounds online.

Bear sightings aren’t unusual in neighborhoods along Pasadena’s foothills, but it’s not every day one decides to cool off with a pool day. If you live near the San Gabriel foothills, wildlife officials recommend keeping your distance, bringing pet food indoors, securing trash cans, and giving bears plenty of space if they stop by. As for this visitor, it looked less interested in causing trouble than escaping the heat for a few minutes.

Hackaday Superconference Returns to Pasadena

One of the world’s biggest gatherings for makers, engineers, and hardware hackers is coming to Pasadena. Hackaday has announced that its 10th annual Superconference will take place November 6–8, 2026, with an expanded venue at ArtCenter College of Design’s South Campus to accommodate 20% more attendees while keeping the event’s close-knit feel.

The conference features talks, workshops, hands-on challenges, badge hacking, and plenty of opportunities to collaborate with fellow creators. Organizers are now accepting speaker proposals through August 12, welcoming presentations on everything from hardware and software projects to creative builds and experimental ideas. Both first-time speakers and seasoned presenters are encouraged to apply, and accepted speakers receive complimentary admission.

The weekend begins with the popular badge-hacking kickoff on Friday before two full days of talks and workshops. Ticket pre-sales are expected to open in the coming weeks, giving Pasadena another opportunity to host one of the maker community’s most anticipated annual events. For more information, click here.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Monday (7/27)

🔢 Number Ninjas: Kids ages 6–12 can build math skills through interactive games led by doctoral students from Caltech. La Pintoresca Branch Library | Monday | July 27 | 4PM

🌿 Greenways In-Person Community Meeting #2: Share your input on Pasadena’s greenways planning at this second community meeting. Caltech’s Hameetman Center 220 – Multipurpose Room | Monday | July 27 | 5PM

📖 Family Storytime: Pajama Storytime: Families with children ages 0–5 can enjoy a cozy 30-minute storytime featuring books, songs, puppets, fingerplays, and rhymes. Hastings Branch Library | Monday | July 27 | 6PM

🍄 Exploring the Mycoverse: A fungi-focused community group gathers to explore interconnectedness through speakers, discussions, and more. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Monday | July 27 | 7PM

Tuesday (7/28)

🌽 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke: Stock up on fresh produce, jams, fish, and more from certified local growers. Villa Parke | Tuesday | July 28 | 8:30–12:30PM

🦉 Little Owls: A garden story time for little ones ages 2–7 with a caregiver. Descanso Gardens | Tuesday | July 28 | 11AM

🫧 Megan Makes Bubbles: An interactive bubble show for kids of all ages at the Loma Alta Park Gymnasium. Loma Alta Park Gymnasium | Tuesday | July 28 | 1PM

🔬 Molecular Mysteries: Caltech grad students guide kids ages 7–11 through hands-on exploration of atoms and molecules. Hastings Branch Library | Tuesday | July 28 | 4PM

💃 Straight Up Abilities – A Dance Celebration: The SUPA Dance Company brings passion and creativity to the stage in a Disability Pride Month showcase. Villa Parke Community Center Auditorium | Tuesday | July 28 | 4PM

🌿 Hahamongna Watershed Park Advisory Committee Meeting: The advisory committee gathers to discuss matters related to Hahamongna Watershed Park. City Yards – Public Works | Tuesday | July 28 | 6PM

🎭 Mexodus: A new musical exploring the lesser-known Underground Railroad route that led south toward freedom in Mexico. The Pasadena Playhouse | Tuesday | July 28 | 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

Greenways In-Person Community Meeting #2

Pasadena residents are invited to a community meeting on Monday, July 27 from 5–6:30PM at Caltech’s Hameetman Center to learn about the Greenways Project, review proposed traffic-calming improvements, and share feedback on plans to make neighborhood streets safer for walking, biking, and driving. Click here for more information.

Finance Committee Meeting CANCELED

The city council’s finance committee regular meeting has been canceled.

Municipal Services Committee Meeting

The city council’s Municipal Services Committee gathers for its regular monthly session at Pasadena City Hall Council Chambers on Tuesday, July 28 at 5PM. Click here to see agenda.

WEATHER

Monday

90🌡️65 |☀️| 💨 SW 9 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 58 (Moderate)

Tuesday

89🌡️64 |☀️| 💨 S 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎷 The Coffee Shop Jazz Trio: Matt Politano leads modern jazz and Latin fusion with a rotating cast of guest musicians. Jones Coffee Roasters | Tuesday | July 28 | 8:30AM

🎸 The Riner Scivally Trio: Guitarist Riner Scivally performs jazz standards, Brazilian tunes, and original compositions with Mike Alvidrez on bass and Paul Kreibich on drums. Edwin Mills by Equator | Monday | July 27 | 6PM

🎷 Jumpin Joz Band: Enjoy an evening of swing, jazz, early R&B, and rock ‘n’ roll from the Jumpin Joz Band. Edwin Mills by Equator | Tuesday | July 28 | 6PM

🎺 Summer Jazz Night with Elliott Caine at Visionarium: Enjoy an evening of live jazz as trumpeter Elliott Caine returns to Visionarium with a performance of improvisation and musical storytelling. Visionarium Live Italian | Tuesday | July 28 | 6:30PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who’s had a black bear guest for a pool party. 🐻

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