Five Acres Celebrates 100 Years; Mountain Lion on Del Mar!

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. The Five Acres campus was designed by Myron Hunt, the same architect behind some of Southern California’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Rose Bowl and several buildings at Caltech.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Five Acres Celebrates 100 Years in Altadena with a ‘20s Golden Gala

• Mountain Lion Found South of the 210 in Rare Pasadena Sighting

• Events this Monday & Tuesday

• Civic News

  • City Meetings

• Weather

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

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THE DIGEST

Five Acres Celebrates 100 Years in Altadena with a ‘20s Golden Gala

I had the opportunity to attend the Golden Five Acres Gala on Saturday evening, a celebration marking 100 years in the Altadena Community at their historical headquarters and 138 years serving southern California.

Held at Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena, the event brought together community leaders, longtime supporters, and advocates to celebrate a century of service to children and families. The evening was hosted by Gala Committee co-chairs Tera Wild and Trish Gonzales, who helped bring the centennial celebration to life.

The gala embraced a 1920s theme, and guests leaned into it with period-inspired outfits, from flapper dresses to flat caps and top hats. Live music, dinner, and cocktails set the tone for the evening while guests reflected on the organization’s history and mission.

The live auction brought plenty of energy to the evening. As guests settled into their tables on the lawn for dinner, the bidding quickly got underway. The auctioneer kept the crowd engaged with humor and enthusiasm as she showcased everything from luxury getaways and exclusive experiences to local dining packages and unique collectibles. Some of the most sought-after items included vacation packages and behind-the-scenes entertainment experiences. Throughout the bidding, guests were reminded that every dollar raised would help support children and families served by Five Acres.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came from keynote speaker David Ambroz, a nationally recognized child welfare advocate who spent much of his childhood homeless and in foster care. Ambroz shared his story of surviving nine years of homelessness, living on the streets and in shelters before eventually entering foster care. While he brought humor to parts of his speech, he also spoke candidly about the realities of growing up without a stable home and the people who helped change the course of his life. He reminded the audience that many of the children served by Five Acres face similar circumstances today, making the organization’s mission feel deeply personal and immediate.

The evening also highlighted the history of the Altadena campus. Opened in 1926 and designed by renowned architect Myron Hunt, the campus has been at the center of Five Acres’ work for the past century. A video presentation traced the organization’s history through archival photographs, historical footage, and images of the campus over the decades. It highlighted the children and families served by Five Acres, the people who helped build the organization, and some of the challenges it has endured, including major windstorms and the Eaton Fire in 2025. The film drew a visible emotional response from many in attendance as it reflected on a century of service and resilience.

Today, Five Acres provides foster care, adoption services, and mental and behavioral health programs that serve thousands of children and family members each year. Funds raised during the gala will help support those programs and the families who rely on them.

More than a celebration of the past, the evening underscored the importance of the work still ahead. For an organization marking its 100th year in Altadena, the focus remained firmly on helping the next generation of children and families. To learn more about Five Acres, click here.

Mountain Lion Found South of the 210 in Rare Pasadena Sighting

If you’re wondering what the buzz was all about last Friday afternoon, a young mountain lion made an unexpected appearance near Del Mar Boulevard and Euclid Avenue, drawing a large response from the community, police, and wildlife officials. City officials said they could not recall another mountain lion venturing this far south of the 210 Freeway in more than 30 years!

After spending several hours resting beside an apartment building, the animal was safely tranquilized and relocated to the Angeles National Forest. Wildlife experts believe habitat disruption from the Eaton Fire may be pushing more animals into urban areas.

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

Monday (6/8)

🐶 Barks & Books: Read with Cody: Children can practice reading aloud to Cody, a specially trained therapy dog who loves listening to stories. San Rafael Branch Library | Monday | June 8 | 1PM

🏃 Run With Us: Monday Fun Run: Join this community fun run featuring 4- and 6-mile route options, shoe demos, prizes, and a welcoming atmosphere for runners and walkers of all abilities. Run With Us | Monday | 6PM

🏟️ Sportmanship Summit 2026: Athletes, civic leaders, educators, and media professionals will gather to discuss sportsmanship, leadership, diplomacy, and the impact of sport. Rose Bowl Stadium | Monday | June 8 | 6PM–8PM

🧵 Learn to Sew: Learn or refresh sewing skills in this four-week class series led by Lauren Fonville of Sew Mojo. The Hive, South Pasadena | Monday | June 8 | 6:30PM–8:30PM

Tuesday (6/9)

🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke: Shop fresh locally grown produce and farm products directly from certified California farmers at Villa Parke. Villa Parke | Tuesday | 8:30AM – 12:30PM

📝 Teen Poetry Exchange: Teens ages 12–17 are invited to discover, discuss, and write poetry in this youth-led program. South Pasadena Library | Tuesday | June 9 | 6PM

⌨️ Analog Hangout with Typewriters Anonymous: Spend some time offline writing letters, creating poetry, and connecting with others using classic typewriters. Remainders Creative Reuse (RCR) | Tuesday | June 9 | 6PM

📖 Lisa See discusses & signs Daughters of the Sun and Moon: Bestselling author Lisa See discusses her new novel set in post-Civil War Los Angeles and signs copies following the event. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Tuesday | June 9 | 7PM

😂 Jay Leno, Russell Peters, Andrew Santino and more!: See Jay Leno, Russell Peters, Andrew Santino, Todd Glass, Daphnique Springs, Doug Benson, and Mark Serritella perform live in the Legendary Room. The Ice House Comedy Club | Tuesday | June 9 | 7:45PM

Upcoming Events

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

Finance Committee Regular Meeting

Pasadena’s Finance Committee will meet Monday, June 8 at 4PM at City Hall to review city financial matters and provide budget and fiscal policy recommendations to the City Council. Click here to view agenda.

Senior Commission Regular Annual Meeting

Pasadena’s Senior Commission will hold its annual meeting Tuesday, June 9 at 2PM at the Jackie Robinson Community Center to discuss issues affecting older adults and advise the City Council on matters related to senior services and quality of life. Click here to view agenda.

Municipal Services Committee Meeting

Pasadena’s Municipal Services Committee will meet Tuesday, June 9 at 5PM at Pasadena City Hall to discuss city infrastructure, utilities, transportation, and other municipal service matters. Click here to view agenda.

Northwest Commission Special Annual Meeting

Pasadena’s Northwest Commission will hold its special annual meeting Tuesday, June 9 at 5PM at the Jackie Robinson Center to review progress on the Northwest Community Plan and discuss community development, economic growth, and neighborhood issues in Northwest Pasadena. Click here to view agenda.

Environmental Advisory Commission Meeting

Pasadena’s Environmental Advisory Commission will meet Tuesday, June 9 at 6PM at Pasadena City Hall to discuss sustainability initiatives and provide policy recommendations supporting the city’s Environmental Charter and Green City Action Plan. Click here to view agenda.

Recreation and Parks Commission Special Annual Meeting

Pasadena’s Recreation and Parks Commission will hold its special annual meeting Tuesday, June 9 at 6PM at City Yards–Public Works to discuss parks, recreation programs, the Arroyo Seco, the Rose Bowl, and other issues affecting the city’s public spaces and recreational facilities. Click here to view agenda.

Jefferson Park Stormwater Capture Project Feasibility Study and Community Outreach Effort

Pasadena residents are invited to a community open house Tuesday, June 9 from 6–8PM at the Jefferson Branch Library to review proposed concepts for the Jefferson Park Stormwater Capture Project and provide feedback on potential park improvements, water quality enhancements, and new community amenities. Click here to view agenda.

WEATHER

Monday

76🌡️58 |☀️| 💨 SW 9 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 55 (Moderate)

Tuesday

79🌡️59 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎹 The Coffee Shop Jazz Trio: Enjoy modern jazz and Latin fusion performed by pianist Matt Politano and his trio, with guest musicians appearing throughout the year. Jones Coffee Roasters | Tuesday | June 9 | 8:30AM

🎸 The Riner Scivally Trio: Guitarist Riner Scivally and his trio perform jazz standards, Brazilian tunes, and original compositions. Edwin Mills | Monday | June 8 | 6PM–10PM

🎷 Jumpin Joz Band: Enjoy an evening of swing, jazz, early R&B, and rock ’n’ roll-inspired music from the Jumpin Joz Band. Edwin Mills | Tuesday | June 9 | 6PM–10PM

🎶 Live International Music at Visionarium with Ursula Lari & G-Dov Gertzweig: Enjoy live international music in Italian, Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese performed by Ursula Lari and violinist G-Dov Gertzweig. Visionarium Live Italian | Tuesday | June 9 | 6:30PM–8:30PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone whose mountain lion pet ran away from home.

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