Parks After Dark!

Good afternoon, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Fun fact: The City of Pasadena cares for an urban forest of more than 60,000 trees, guided by a Master Street Tree Plan that dates back to 1940.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Parks After Dark Returns with Six Weeks of Free Summer Fun

• Civic News

• Restaurant Spotlight

  • Connal’s: What's a Grinder Anyway? by Peter Dills

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Happy birthday to my Dad! 🎂🎉 I love you!

THE DIGEST

Parks After Dark Returns with Six Weeks of Free Summer Fun

One of Pasadena's favorite summer traditions is back. Parks After Dark returns tomorrow, July 9 through Aug. 14, bringing six weeks of free evening activities, entertainment, sports, and community events to parks across the city. Hosted by the City of Pasadena's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, the program gives families, friends, and neighbors plenty of reasons to get outside after the sun starts to set.

The summer kicks off this Thursday, July 9, with a free Parks After Dark Kickoff Festival at Robinson Park from 6 to 9 PM, featuring food, games, arts and crafts, music, and community sports. The fun continues all season long with:

• Movies in the Park every Friday from July 10 through Aug. 8 at parks across Pasadena.

• Foam & Glow Frenzy on Thursday, July 16, at Villa Parke Community Center.

• A World Cup Soccer Tournament with Dena United on Friday, July 24, at Robinson Park.

• Aztec Dance Toltecayotl on Saturday, July 25, at Villa Parke Community Center.

• A Teen Neon Party on Thursday, July 30, at the La Pintoresca Teen Education Center.

• Aqua Boogie Nights, offering evening recreation swims every Saturday from July 11 through Aug. 8 at Kennedy and Villa Parke pools.

Beyond the special events, Parks After Dark also features adult and youth basketball leagues, adult soccer leagues, and, for the first time this year, hands-on STEM activities led by Caltech scientists and engineers at select events. Best of all, nearly everything is free, making it an easy way to enjoy summer evenings without leaving Pasadena. A complete schedule and program details are available on the City of Pasadena's website.

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 (7/8)

🎙️ American Landmarks: Declaration of Independence: A panel discussion exploring how news of the Declaration traveled the world in 1776 and what it means today. The Huntington's Haaga Hall | Wednesday | July 8 | 5PM

🧠 Trivia Night: Put your knowledge to the test with weekly team trivia and craft beer at Stone Brewing Tap Room. Stone Brewing Tap Room | Wednesday | July 8 | 6–8PM

🎤 Free Open Mic Night: Perform, share your talents, or enjoy an evening of live music and community at Altadena Music Center's monthly open mic. Altadena Music Center | Wednesday | July 8 | 6:30–9PM

🎬 Summer Movies on the Promenade: Enjoy a free outdoor screening of Hoppers with trivia, giveaways, and free popcorn (while supplies last). The Shops at Santa Anita | Wednesday | July 8 | 7PM

📚 William A. Hoffman discusses & signs Exploring Southern California: A local author shares his guide to 80 urban adventures across Southern California. Vroman's Bookstore | Wednesday | July 8 | 7PM

🦖 Jurassic Park on the Big Screen: See Steven Spielberg's dinosaur classic on the big screen during Flashback Wednesday at Regency Academy 6. Regency Academy 6 | Wednesday | July 8 | 7:30PM

🎭 Mexodus: A new musical that uncovers the Underground Railroad's lesser-known southern route toward freedom in Mexico. The Pasadena Playhouse | Wednesday | July 8 | 8PM

Thursday (7/9)

🧘 An Introduction to Pilates: A low-impact, whole-body movement class focused on breath, form, and building strength through your own resistance. Hastings Branch Library | Thursday | July 9 | 10:30AM

🍬 Food Portraits & Candy Bracelets!: Kids create edible art and wearable candy treats at the park picnic tables. Loma Alta Park – Picnic Shelters and Tables | Thursday | July 9 | 1PM

🛣️ Route 66: The First 100 Years: Authors Jim Ross and Shellee Graham explore the history and cultural legacy of Route 66 in an illustrated Zoom presentation. Pasadena Museum of History | Thursday | July 9 | 3–4:30PM

🌽 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 9 | 4–8PM

🎶 Summer Music & Dance: Las Colibri & The Wimberly Bluegrass Band: Two live acts perform across the gardens as part of Descanso's beloved summer series. Descanso Gardens | Thursday | July 9 | 4:45PM

🏀 Parks After Dark: Adult Basketball: Weekly pickup basketball for adults 18+ as part of the city's summer Parks After Dark series. Robinson Park Gym | Thursday | July 9 | 5:30–10PM

🌟 Parks After Dark 2026 Kickoff Festival: A free family night with sports, food, inflatable games, arts and crafts, and a live DJ. Robinson Park | Thursday | July 9 | 6–9PM

🎭 Mini Ren Faire at the Library!: A Renaissance-themed evening with live performance, crafts, food, and games at the local library. Loma Alta Park Social Hall Courtyard | Thursday | July 9 | 6PM

📚 Barry Lyga discusses & signs Every Hunter is Hunted: The author of the I Hunt Killers trilogy talks and signs his new adult thriller. Vroman's Bookstore | Thursday | July 9 | 7PM

Upcoming Events

🌅 Sunset Music Series: Enjoy an evening of live music, dance, art activities, and extended museum hours. Kidspace Children's Museum | Friday | July 10 | 5–8PM

🎬 Movies in the Park: Enjoy a free outdoor screening of Gabby's Dollhouse as part of Pasadena's Parks After Dark series. Villa Parke | Friday | July 10 | 7–9:30PM

NEW 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

Human Services Commission Meeting

The city's Human Services Commission holds its monthly meeting to review community needs and make recommendations to Council. Held at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, Wednesday, July 8 at 6PM.

Community Police Oversight Commission Special Meeting

The city's police oversight commission holds its monthly public meeting at the Jackie Robinson Community Center. Thursday, July 9 at 6PM

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT

Connal’s

by Peter Dills, Local Food Dude ([email protected])
Listen to the ‘Peter Dills AKA LA Foodie’ podcast here or SoundCloud here.

What exactly is a grinder?

Is it just another name for a sub sandwich? A hoagie? A hero?

Depending on where you grew up, you'll probably get a different answer. Most people say a grinder is simply a hot, toasted sandwich. Whatever the definition, I know one thing—I like them.

When Pasadena Sandwich Company unexpectedly closed last year, I had to find a new go-to sandwich shop. After stopping by Connal's (Burgers, salads & Subs) on Washington Boulevard over the weekend, I think I've found it.

Now before all of you start calling it a hidden gem, let's not go there. Connal's has been around for years. It's no secret. But if I were putting together my Top 10 Pasadena sandwich shops today, it would be moving up my list.

Why?

Consistency.

I've been there more than a few times, and the corned beef grinder has never let me down. The sandwich is hot, the meat is generous, and at around $12, it's one of the better values in town. Yes, you can spend $18 on a sandwich just a block away, but I'm not convinced it's any better.

You can eat inside, but it seems like most people grab their order and head home or back to the office.

Now for what I call a quibble.

The French fries? They're okay. Nothing wrong with them, but they're not the reason you're making the trip. The grinder is. (Love the shredded lettuce, half of it is still on the living room floor.)

That's the thing about neighborhood places like Connal's. They don't need fancy marketing or influencers telling you what to order. They just keep making good sandwiches at a fair price.

Maybe that's why they've been around so long.

At least that's my non-influencer opinion.

WEATHER

Wednesday

88 🌡️ 63 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 44 (Good)

Thursday

88 🌡️ 63 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎷 Live Jazz at Visionarium: Enjoy an evening of live jazz with Kayla & The Keepsakes alongside authentic Italian cuisine, wine, and cocktails. Visionarium Live Italian (South Pasadena) | Thursday | July 9 | 6:30–8:30PM

🎸 Nirvanna – The Band The Show Live: Watch a live screening of the cult comedy series with the creators at Lodge Room. Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Wednesday | July 8 | 7PM

🎷 World Jazz Night: Enjoy a live performance by the Joel Taylor Trio. Club 1881 | Wednesday | July 8 | 8–11PM

🎶 Jones House Band: A family-friendly trio blending pop, movie scores, and original compositions on cellos, guitars, and vocals. Jones Coffee Roasters | Thursday | July 9 | 4PM

🎶 Descanso Gardens Summer Music and Dance Series: Enjoy family-friendly music, dance, and storytelling featuring Las Colibrí and The Wimberly Bluegrass Band. Descanso Gardens | Thursday | July 9 | 4:45–6:45PM

🎶 ShinyRibs: Texas roots-rock favorite ShinyRibs brings its high-energy blend of blues, soul, country, and Americana to Lodge Room with special guest Schaefer Llana. Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Thursday | July 9 | 7PM

🎸 Fervence, Cyborg Octopus & More: Catch a night of heavy progressive metal featuring Fervence, Cyborg Octopus, Elder Devil, and Lockslip at Oblivion. Oblivion LA (Highland Park) | Thursday | July 9 | 7PM

THANKS!⚽

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone whose team is no longer in the World Cup and is sad. 😔

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