Improving the Arroyo

Good afternoon, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses – the newsletter that keeps you more up to date than your neighborhood Facebook group.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Help Shape the Future of Pasadena’s Emma Dickinson Bird Sanctuary

• Hackaday Superconference Returns to Pasadena

• Events this Monday & Tuesday

• Civic News

• Weather

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

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

Help Shape the Future of Pasadena’s Emma Dickinson Bird Sanctuary

The One Arroyo Foundation is asking for the public’s help in reimagining one of Pasadena’s hidden treasures: the historic Emma Dickinson Bird Sanctuary in the Lower Arroyo Seco. The nonprofit, working with the City of Pasadena and RJM Design Group, has launched a community planning effort to restore the 1935 sanctuary, repair its historic Batchelder tile fountain and stone walls, improve accessibility, and create a new trail connection to the Lower Arroyo.

The project is part of the broader One Arroyo initiative, a long-term effort to restore and reconnect the Arroyo Seco through improved trails, habitat restoration, historic preservation, and safer access, creating a more continuous and accessible park system from Hahamongna Watershed Park to the Lower Arroyo.

Residents can share their ideas by completing an online survey or attending one of two public workshops at Brookside Golf Club on August 1 (9–11AM) or August 26 (5–7PM). Community feedback will help shape the project’s master plan before design work moves forward. The long-term vision also includes expanding native habitat for birds and pollinators while preserving one of Pasadena’s most scenic overlooks overlooking the Colorado Street Bridge and San Gabriel Mountains. For more information, click here.

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 (7/20)

📚 Pasadena Readers Discussion of Han Kang’s “Human Acts”: The library’s book group tackles Han Kang’s novel about the aftermath of the 1980 Gwangju uprising in South Korea. Santa Catalina Branch Library | Monday | July 20 | 3PM

🍳 Online Culinary Arts and Food Operations Open House: A virtual info session for prospective students curious about ICE’s online culinary and food operations program. Online | Monday | July 20 | 5–6PM

🎲 Adult D&D: Drop into a tabletop adventure open to beginners and seasoned players alike. Odyssey Games | Monday | July 20 | 6PM

🚶 Mental Health in Motion: Walk & Talk: A community wellness walk around the Rose Bowl’s smaller loop, focused on movement and mental clarity. Rose Bowl | Monday | July 20 | 6–7PM

🏃 Run With Us Monday Fun Run and Walk: A weekly group run and walk with 2-, 4-, and 6-mile route options for all paces. Run With Us | Monday | July 20 | 6–7PM

🎲 Altadena Library Adult Dungeons & Dragons: A free D&D program for adults 19 and older, hosted at a local game shop. Odyssey Games | Monday | July 20 | 6–8PM

🀄 Mahjong Mondays: A beginner-friendly monthly gathering for open mahjong play at a local bookshop. Dym Books & Boba | Monday | July 20 | 6:30–8PM

🧘 Monday Night Meditation: A beginner-friendly drop-in with quiet sitting and walking meditation in the chapel. All Saints Church | Monday | July 20 | 6:45–7:45PM

📖 Alicia Upano, in conversation with Tarra Stevenson, discusses & signs Everything to the Sea: A debut novel about love, loss, and survival gets its moment with the author in conversation. Vroman’s Bookstore | Monday | July 20 | 7PM

📚 Alicia Upano Discusses and Signs “Everything to the Sea”: Debut novelist Alicia Upano stops by Vroman’s for a discussion and signing of her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore | Monday | July 20 | 7PM

🌹 Pasadena Jaycees Program Sales Kick Off Meeting: The annual Rose Bowl Game program sales fundraiser gets underway, supporting local schools and community projects. Pasadena Jaycees | Monday | July 20 | 7:30–8:30PM

Tuesday (7/21)

🌽 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke: Stock up on fresh produce, jams, fish, and more straight from local growers. Villa Parke | Tuesday | July 21 | 8:30–12:30PM

🎶 Flute Camp Master Class | Heather Clark: Principal flutist Heather Clark coaches PCM Flute Camp students in this open master class. Pasadena Conservatory of Music | Tuesday | July 21 | 3PM

📚 Dr. Niki Elliott discusses & signs Heart-Centered Connections: A guide to supporting neurodiverse and marginalized kids, with seven research-backed pillars for helping them thrive. Vroman’s Bookstore | Tuesday | July 21 | 7PM

📚 In the Forum: Backtalker: An Evening with Kimberlé Crenshaw: Legal scholar and civil rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw discusses her bestselling memoir at All Saints’ Forum Series. All Saints Church | Tuesday | July 21 | 7–9PM

Upcoming Events

I am working to updating new upcoming events today. 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

Overnight Road Closures Coming to Fair Oaks & Fillmore

If you drive through Fair Oaks Avenue and Fillmore Street at night, plan for detours next week. Pasadena Water and Power will close the intersection nightly from 10PM to 6AM, July 20–24, while crews install a new 8-inch water main as part of a larger infrastructure upgrade.

The project is designed to improve the reliability of water service in the area. Overnight traffic will be detoured via Bellefontaine Street and Raymond Avenue. Daytime construction will continue along Fillmore Street through mid-September, though the overnight intersection closures are only scheduled for next week. For more details, click here.

Pasadena’s City Council Meeting

Pasadena’s City Council will meet Monday, July 20 at 6PM in the City Hall Council Chamber (Room S249) to consider city business, hear public comment, and vote on matters affecting the community. Disability advocate Nathan Wolford will be honored during the City Council meeting for his contributions to accessibility in Pasadena.

Pasadena’s Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

Pasadena’s Historic Preservation Commission will meet Tuesday, July 21 at 6PM in the George Ellery Hale Building Hearing Room to review preservation matters and help protect the city’s historic neighborhoods, landmarks, and architectural resources.

WEATHER

Monday

88🌡️68 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 62 (Moderate)

Tuesday

86🌡️66 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎸 The Riner Scivally Trio: Guitarist Riner Scivally and his trio perform jazz standards, Brazilian tunes, and original compositions. Edwin Mills | Monday | July 20 | 6–10PM

🎷 The Coffee Shop Jazz Trio: Matt Politano leads this weekly modern jazz and Latin fusion trio every Tuesday morning. Jones Coffee Roasters | Tuesday | July 21 | 8:30AM

🎷 The David Eastlee Trio: Enjoy an evening of jazz standards performed by guitarist David Eastlee and his trio. Edwin Mills | Tuesday | July 21 | 6–10PM

🎷 Live Jazz at Visionarium with Doug MacDonald: Acclaimed jazz guitarist Doug MacDonald returns to Visionarium Live Italian for an evening of timeless jazz standards. Visionarium Live Italian | Tuesday | July 21 | 6:30–8:30PM

THANKS! ⚽

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