Grease the musical at Altadena

Good afternoon, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Here’s something hilarious…
In 1987, Caltech students temporarily transformed the Hollywood Sign to read “CALTECH” using removable plastic covers. Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter to see it.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Altadena Music Theatre Is Back on Stage

• Powerball Winner Is Investing in Altadena’s Comeback

• Civic News

• Restaurant Spotlight

  • The Proper

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Happy Birthday Lateef!

A MESSAGE FROM FIVE ACRES

Five Acres is teeing up for a day of golf, dinner, and giving back at its annual Golf Classic on Monday, August 24, at San Gabriel Country Club. This year’s “Paradise on the Fairway” event also marks the final celebration of the centennial of the organization’s historic Altadena campus.

Since 1888, Five Acres has helped children and families across Southern California heal from abuse, neglect, trauma, and other challenges through mental health services, foster care, adoption, and family support.

The day includes a shotgun scramble tournament, lunch, cocktails, live and silent auctions, dinner on the fairway, and a live performance by Grammy-nominated yacht rock band Ambrosia, featuring original member Joe Puerta, with Elliot Lurie of Looking Glass performing classics including Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl).

Whether you play a round or join for dinner, it’s a great way to support a local organization making a lasting impact. Purchase 2026 Golf Sponsorship & Dinner Tickets here.

THE DIGEST

Altadena Music Theatre Is Back on Stage

After losing its home, costumes, sets, equipment, and even the homes of its founders in the Eaton Fire, Altadena Music Theatre is making a comeback the best way it knows how: by putting on a show. The nonprofit opens Grease on August 6 in a brand-new outdoor theater that volunteers, performers, and supporters built from the ground up at Mountain View Mausoleum rather than waiting for a permanent venue. The production runs through August 16, with Little Shop of Horrors following September 3–13. Since launching in 2020, the company has become known for ambitious musicals and its commitment to arts education, youth theater, and giving local performers a place to shine. This season’s cast mixes Broadway veterans with professional actors and familiar Altadena talent, a fitting way for a community theater to prove that, sometimes, the show really does go on.

If you’re able, consider supporting the theater’s comeback. Click here for tickets and more information.

Powerball Winner Is Investing in Altadena’s Comeback

Remember the Altadena resident who won the $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot back in 2022? Well, he’s making yet another big move. Edwin Castro has reportedly spent about $10 million buying 15 lots destroyed in the Eaton Fire, with plans to rebuild single-family homes intended for people who will actually live in them—not investors looking to rent them out. Two homes are already under construction, and Castro has also pledged to donate three properties to the Greenline Housing Foundation to help families achieve homeownership. While some residents remain cautious about outside investors buying up fire-damaged land, others are watching to see whether projects like this can help restore the character of the neighborhood. It’s still early, but if the goal is to help rebuild Altadena one home at a time, this is certainly one way to do it. Props to Edwin.

News N’ Roses Merch: NASAdena T-Shirts

Pasadena has plenty of city-themed merchandise, but very little that celebrates the city’s remarkable legacy in space exploration, astronomy, science, and engineering. Home to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech, Mount Wilson Observatory, and other world-renowned institutions, Pasadena has played an outsized role in expanding our understanding of the universe.

That’s what inspired the NASAdena shirt. The front features the NASAdena logo, while the back showcases three milestones that define Pasadena’s scientific legacy: nearly five decades of Mars exploration, an alma mater of 12 astronauts, and the world’s largest telescope from 1907 to 1949. The design is available as both a classic t-shirt and a crop top.

👉 Shop NASAdena Shirts here

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Wednesday (7/29)

🌿 Greenways Virtual Community Meeting: Join the conversation about Pasadena’s greenways planning from the comfort of home. Online (Virtual) | Wednesday | July 29 | 6PM

🧠 Trivia Night: Put your knowledge to the test with weekly trivia hosted by Game Night Trivia. Stone Brewing Tap Room – Pasadena | Wednesday | July 29 | 6PM

🏴‍☠️ THE GOONIES on the BIG screen!: Follow a group of friends as they discover a treasure map and set off on an adventure to find a legendary pirate’s long-lost treasure. Regency Academy 6 | Wednesday | July 29 | 7:30PM

🎤 Jay Leno, Damon Wayans, Cristela Alonzo, and More: A stacked night of stand-up comedy in the Legendary Room with a serious lineup. Ice House Comedy Club’s Legendary Room | Wednesday | July 29 | 7:45PM

🎭 Mexodus: A new musical blending Mexican and Black American history at a beloved local stage. The Pasadena Playhouse | Wednesday | July 29 | 8PM

Thursday (7/30)

🎃 Vroman’s Summer Reading Program: Joel Stern’s Summerween Craft Workshop: Origami artist and author Joel Stern leads a paper-folding craft workshop celebrating his new Halloween board book. Vroman’s Bookstore | Thursday | July 30 | 11AM

🪘 Sounds of Ancient Mexico with Martin Espino: Musician and educator Martin Espino leads an interactive performance exploring Ancient Mexican music, culture, and native languages. Loma Alta Park Gymnasium | Thursday | July 30 | 12:30–1:30PM

🌽 South Pasadena Farmers’ Market: Fresh California-grown produce, prepared food vendors, and live music under a canopy of trees. South Pasadena Farmers’ Market | Thursday | July 30 | 4–8PM

🌟 Parks After Dark: Teen Neon Party: A glow-in-the-dark night of music, food, and fun for teens aged 12–17. La Pintoresca Teen Education Center | Thursday | July 30 | 6–9PM

🌿 Pasadena Climate Happy Hour: A casual evening to connect with fellow locals who care about climate action. Chak De Pasadena | Thursday | July 30 | 6–8:30PM

🏡 An Evening of Hope and Homecoming in Altadena: A community gathering with film, music, vendors, and conversation honoring Black Altadena’s resilience and future. Loma Alta Park (Lower Loma) | Thursday | July 30 | 6PM

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events are added to the News N’ Roses events page. Check them out!

*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 Virtual Community Meeting

Pasadena residents can join a virtual Greenways community meeting on Wednesday, July 29 from 6–7:30PM to learn about proposed traffic-calming improvements, ask questions, and provide feedback on plans to make neighborhood streets safer for walking, biking, and driving. Click here for details.

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT

The Proper (La Cañada Flintridge)

After my softball games, our team almost always ends up at Round Table Pizza. But every once in a while, when we’re celebrating something or just want a really good meal, we head across Foothill to The Proper. It’s become our “special occasion” spot, and it’s always worth it. It’s also a favorite after-work hangout for a lot of people from JPL, so you’ll usually see a good crowd there.

The first thing I’ll recommend is the happy hour burger. It’s one of those burgers that makes you wonder why you’d pay more anywhere else. Add an Old Fashioned or a beer, and you’ve got a combination that’s hard to beat.

But if there’s one thing you have to order, it’s the Crispy Ahi Tuna Rice. I’m not exaggerating when I say I think it’s the best I’ve had. I even like it more than the famous one from iPic back when it was still around. The crispy rice is actually crispy, the ahi is fresh, and every bite just works. I order it every single time.

I’ve also had the short rib tacos more times than I can count, and they’re fantastic. Same with the French dip. Honestly, I haven’t ordered anything that made me think, “I probably wouldn’t get that again.”

The cocktails deserve a mention too. Their Old Fashioned is excellent, and if you’re into trying something different, they usually have a few creative drinks that are actually well thought out instead of just looking good for Instagram.

The Proper has become one of those restaurants I recommend without thinking twice. Whether it’s after a long day at work, celebrating with the softball team, or just because I’m craving that Crispy Ahi Tuna Rice again, it’s one of those places that keeps pulling me back.

WEATHER

Wednesday

87 🌡️ 64 |☀️| 💨 S 9 mph

⚠️EXTREME HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT SUNDAY

🌆 Air Quality Index: 66 (Moderate)

Thursday

88 🌡️ 64 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎷 Hagen Jazz: Hear Hagen Jazz perform classic, contemporary, and original jazz compositions in an intimate setting. Edwin Mills by Equator | Wednesday | July 29 | 6PM

🌍 World Jazz Night: Enjoy an evening of live jazz featuring musicians from around the world. Club 1881 | Wednesday | July 29 | 8PM

🎸 Doug MacDonald: Jazz guitarist Doug MacDonald brings his acclaimed style and decades of performing experience to the stage. Edwin Mills by Equator | Thursday | July 30 | 6PM

🎸 Concerts & Movies: Random 1s & Cars: Enjoy a classic rock concert by Random 1s followed by a screening of Cars at dusk. Arcadia City Hall Lawn | Thursday | July 30 | 6:30PM

🎤 Black Milk: Detroit rapper and producer Black Milk performs music from his latest album CEREMONIAL, blending hip-hop with funk, soul, jazz, and electronic influences. The Lodge Room | Thursday | July 30 | 7PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who needs to buy a gallon of sun screen once a month. ☀️🧴

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