Pasadena History Made

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. This is a reminder that socks are not a lame Christmas present. Socks are one of the best presents. My favorite brand of socks is Spyder—just in case you were wondering. 🧦🎁

In Today’s News N’ Roses:

Tina Fredericks Just Made Pasadena History
Events this Wednesday & Thursday
- with Save the Dates
Civil News: Pasadena Forms New Housing & Homelessness Committee
Sport Update: Rose Bowl Masters Swim Team Scores a Huge Victory
Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

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🎅THE DIGEST

Tina Fredericks Just Made Pasadena History

On Monday, Tina Fredericks was elected the first Asian American woman to lead the PUSD Board — joining Dr. Yarma Velázquez and Patrice Marshall McKenzie to form an all–women-of-color leadership team. It’s a big moment for the district, and it’s happening at a tough time: PUSD is staring down a $30 million budget cut for the 2026–2027 school year.

Velázquez called Fredericks’ election a “profound milestone,” saying her leadership broadens who gets to be seen in Pasadena’s top roles. Fredericks kept it humble, saying she didn’t expect such kind words, but she’s ready to get to work — and believes in the district’s ability to tackle whatever comes next.

She also used her first moments as president to thank outgoing board president Jennifer Hall Lee for guiding PUSD through the Eaton Fire, calling her exactly the leader the district needed in a moment full of uncertainty.

A unanimous vote, a historic new lineup, and a leader stepping in right when the stakes are high.

🎁@NEWSN_ROSES

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☃️WHAT’S HAPPENING

Wednesday (12/9/25)

🌿 Chinese Medicinal Garden Open House: Explore the Huntington’s new Chinese Medicinal Garden with drop-in talks and expert-led walk-throughs highlighting plants used in traditional medicine for over 2,000 years. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Wednesday, December 10 from 10AM–3PM.

🧶 Holiday Crochet & Knitting: Pick up beginner-friendly knitting and crochet skills to craft your own handmade holiday gifts—just bring your yarn and tools. Lamanda Park Branch Library. Wednesday, December 10 from 11AM–12PM.

🍎 Community Food Distribution: If you were impacted by the Eaton Fire, drop by for a free bag of fresh produce from the Hollywood Food Coalition—first come, first served. Altadena Library District. Wednesday, December 10 from 11AM–12PM.

☕ Coffee with a Cop: Meet Pasadena officers in a relaxed, drop-in setting to chat, ask questions, and connect with your local police department as the year winds down. Target (inside Starbucks), 3121 E. Colorado Blvd. Wednesday, December 10 from 4PM–7PM.

🎻 String Master Class with Peter Lloyd: PCM hosts an evening with renowned bassist Peter Lloyd as he leads a master class for string students and music lovers alike. Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Wednesday, December 10 at 5PM.

🎲 Game Night Live Trivia at Stone Brewing: Play fast-paced, game-show–style trivia with word jumbles, picture rounds, prizes, and plenty of laughs—no trivia expertise required. Stone Brewing Tap Room Pasadena. Wednesday, December 10 at 6PM.

🧠 Trivia for Charity: Test your knowledge over multiple rounds of trivia while supporting Union Station Homeless Services and local wildfire relief efforts. Cerveceria del Pueblo. Wednesday, December 10 at 6:30PM.

🎼 Pasadena Chorale Presents Handel’s Messiah: The Pasadena Choral Society debuts its first holiday program with an intimate performance of selections from Messiah, accompanied by piano and string quartet. San Marino Community Church. Wednesday, December 10 at 7:30PM.

😂 Superstar Comedy at The Ice House: Nikki Glaser, Charles Fleischer, Kira Soltanovich, Leah Knauer, and Brian Monarch take the stage for a stacked night of stand-up in the Legendary Room. The Ice House Comedy Club. Wednesday, December 10 at 7:30PM.

Thursday (12/10/25)

🏈 Bowl Preview & Predictions Panel: Celebrate the season with a lunchtime panel of football experts breaking down upcoming bowl matchups, with a special spotlight on women leading the way in sports media. Rose Bowl Stadium, East Locker Room. Thursday, December 11 from 12PM–1:30PM.

❄️ Winterland at Villa: Celebrate the season with storytime, crafts, and festive surprises at the Villa Parke Branch’s annual Winterland gathering. Villa Parke Branch Library. Thursday, December 11 from 4PM–5PM.

🍊 South Pasadena Farmers’ Market: Enjoy an evening market under the trees with fresh California-grown produce, prepared foods, live music, and nearby shops open late. South Pasadena Farmers’ Market. Thursday, December 11 from 4PM–7PM.

🎭 A Christmas Carol: A Noise Within brings back its beloved annual production of Dickens’ classic, filled with music, magic, and Scrooge’s unforgettable transformation. A Noise Within. Thursday, December 11 at 7PM.

🎬 The Stars on Christmas Night | Holiday Clip Show: Enjoy a nostalgic evening of classic holiday film clips from the ’30s to ’50s, curated and presented by film historian Galen Wilkes. Pasadena Museum of History. Thursday, December 11 at 7PM (galleries open at 6PM).

Save the Date

🎁 Holiday Toy Drive Supporting USHS (One Colorado): Help spread some holiday magic by donating new, unwrapped toys, books, wrapping paper, or gift bags for Union Station Homeless Services. Drop off donations in the collection barrel near Santa in The Courtyard at One Colorado—running daily through December 15. 9AM–10PM.

💌 Letters to Santa (One Colorado): Kids—and anyone feeling festive—can drop their holiday wishes into Santa’s official North Pole Mailbox in The Courtyard. Send your letter by December 15 to get a personalized reply from Santa himself. Running daily through December 15. 9AM–10PM.

🎄 A Victorian Holiday at the Queen Anne Cottage: Step back into the 1880s at this charming Victorian celebration, complete with Santa visits, caroling, old-fashioned dancing, and a holiday marketplace with 30+ vendors. A cozy throwback to the season’s simpler joys. November 29–December 14, 11AM-2PM.

✨ Enchanted Forest of Light: Descanso Gardens lights up after dark with immersive, walk-through installations, glowing art, and a magical holiday atmosphere. Descanso Gardens. Runs to January 4, 5:30PM–10PM.

✨ Enchant Los Angeles at Santa Anita Park: Wander through glowing trails, a dazzling light maze, festive treats, and all the cozy, magical touches that make Enchant a holiday favorite. A perfect way to light up your weekend. Various dates and times.

🕯️ Holiday Candlelight: Experience Pasadena Symphony’s most cherished holiday tradition as All Saints Church glows with candlelight and fills with classic seasonal music performed by choir, handbells, and orchestra. A breathtaking way to celebrate the season. Friday, December 12 at 7PM and Saturday, December, 13 at 4PM & 7PM.

🎄 Jingle & Mingle at Pasadena Playhouse: The Playhouse turns into a full holiday playground with concerts, crafts, tours, and a free family-friendly open house packed with festive activities. Pasadena Playhouse. Saturday, December 13 (Open House from 2PM–5PM; performances at 1PM and 5PM).

🛍️ Rose Bowl Flea Market: One of the country’s most iconic flea markets returns with over 2,500 vendors offering antiques, vintage finds, art, clothing, and all kinds of unique treasures. Rose Bowl Stadium. Sunday, December 14 from 9AM–3PM.

🏰 Castle Green Holiday Tour: Step into Pasadena’s golden era as Castle Green opens its doors for a festive self-guided holiday tour, complete with live piano music, lawn games, a photo booth, and plenty of seasonal charm. Arrive anytime between 11 and 3. Sunday, December 14 from 11AM–3PM.

🌼 Decorating Places – Float Viewing: Get a behind-the-scenes look at Rose Parade floats as teams add the final flowers and natural details before New Year’s Day. Rose Parade Decorating Facilities. December 28–30 (hours vary by day).

🎺 Bandfest: Catch a preview of the Rose Parade’s world-class bands as they take the field for spirited performances ahead of their New Year’s Day march. Pasadena City College. December 29–30 (multiple showtimes).

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!

🔔CIVIL NEWS

Pasadena Forms New Housing & Homelessness Committee

The Planning, Housing, and Homelessness Committee will take on land use, transportation planning, housing policy, and all homelessness-related issues — consolidating a growing workload under one group.

Councilmember Rick Cole said the move strengthens leadership and accountability around one of the city’s top priorities: addressing street homelessness.

The committee will:

Include up to four councilmembers, appointed by the mayor
Meet twice a month, alternating with the Finance Committee
Follow open-meeting laws, with minutes sent to the full council

No new staff will be hired; Planning and Housing departments will absorb the work. Affordable housing oversight will also shift away from the Economic Development and Technology Committee to this new panel.

🛷SPORTS UPDATE

Rose Bowl Masters Swim Team Scores a Huge Victory

Rose Bowl Masters just crushed the SPMS Short Course Meters Championships in Long Beach, taking home the title for the 9th time (excluding the COVID years). And we didn’t just win — we posted out highest score ever: 5,454 points, which also appears to be the highest team score on record going back to 2012. Absolutely dominant.

Our own Coach Chad Durieux also picked up a major honor: 2025 SPMS Coach of the Year. Chad made it clear the award isn’t about him — it’s a reflection of the entire Rose Bowl Aquatics community. He thanked the swimmers, the RBAC staff, lifeguards, front desk crew, and everyone who helps make a team of this size possible.

Coach Chad Durieux

A record-breaking score, a championship win, and Coach of the Year all in one weekend — not a bad haul for Rose Bowl Masters.

❄️NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Wednesday

81 🌡️ 55 |☀️| 💨 N 2 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 30 (Good)

Thursday

78 🌡️ 59 |☀️| 💨 N 2 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

🌟LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

🎼 Music in the Chinese Garden: Enjoy live, unamplified performances on traditional instruments like the dizi, pipa, and erhu as you wander through the serene Chinese Garden. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Wednesday, December 10 at 1PM.

🎶 A Christmas Carol: Christmas Matters Holiday Carolers bring festive cheer with classic carols performed in full Dickens-style costumes. Linda Vista Branch Library. Wednesday, December 10 at 4:30PM.

🎄THANKS!

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🎅THE DIGEST

Tina Fredericks Just Made Pasadena History

🎁@NEWSN_ROSES