Pasadena’s Library Gets a Boost

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses—the newsletter that makes checking your email worth your while.

In Today’s News N’ Roses:

• Pasadena’s Central Library Renovation Just Got a $3.45M Boost

• Pasadena’s Evan Strand Stars in West Coast Premiere of The Opposite of Love

• We Had a Blast! – Bridge Party Recap

• Events This Monday & Tuesday

• Civil News

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

— Matthew Ramirez

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THE DIGEST

Pasadena’s Central Library Renovation Just Got a $3.45M Boost

The historic Central Library is still on track for a 2028 reopening—but getting there isn’t cheap. This week, City Council is set to vote on adding $3.45 million to its contract with Gruen Associates, the architectural firm leading the library’s seismic retrofit and full-on glow-up. That brings the total to just under $10 million, but officials say the new funds are already baked into the project budget (so no surprise hits to the city’s general fund).

For context: the library’s been closed since 2021 after a structural assessment found major seismic risks (think: old-school unreinforced brick walls + earthquakes = bad combo). Gruen has already designed about 90% of the fixes—everything from structural reinforcements and accessibility upgrades to better HVAC, fire safety, and roofing.

The extra money will help carry them through construction, review processes, and final close-out. Bonus: it’s all part of the plan funded by Measure PL, the $195 million bond Pasadena voters approved in 2024 to preserve gems like this.

It’s a big number—but honestly, I don’t know about you, I miss that library and I’d say it’s worth it. 2028 is just still so far away…

Pasadena’s Evan Strand Stars in West Coast Premiere of The Opposite of Love

Pasadena’s own Evan Strand is hitting the stage this summer in the West Coast premiere of The Opposite of Love—a raw, intimate play that had a successful Off-Broadway run last year. The show opens July 25 at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in L.A., with previews starting July 24 and performances running through August 31.

Evan, a dynamic actor and classically trained ballet dancer, is known for roles in General Hospital, Grey’s Anatomy, and as Sven in the Frozen national tour. In this new role, he stars opposite Ashley Griffin (who also wrote the play) as Will, a down-on-his-luck hustler hired by a trust fund baby, Eloise, to help her process past trauma. What follows is a gripping, emotional exploration of intimacy, survival, and the blurred lines between love and power.

If you’re a fan of bold theater—and want to support a hometown talent—this one’s worth checking out.

We Had a Blast! – Bridge Party Recap

Saturday night on the Colorado Street Bridge was pure magic. Nearly 5,000 people (myself included) packed the historic span for Pasadena Heritage’s Bridge Party, turning one of our city’s most iconic landmarks into the ultimate summer block party—complete with soul music, string lights, and great food.

The bridge was alive with energy from end to end. I danced to live bands, admired the vintage cars, and ate way too well—Fried Out’s Smash Burger, Prince Street Pizza, and pupusas were all hits. Food trucks were lined up all the way down.

This event started nearly 40 years ago to help save the bridge. Now it’s one of our best community traditions, and after a night like that, it’s easy to see why. Here’s to many more nights like it—under the lights, above the Arroyo. As I stood there taking it all in, I had a moment where I thought, man, I really love Pasadena.

@NEWSN_ROSES

📷@pasadenaheritage📍Pasadena, CA.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Monday

• 🖼️ 100 Years – 100 Images: The Pasadena Museum of History teams up with the Pasadena Society of Artists for a centennial celebration through art. This thoughtfully curated exhibit pairs historic works with contemporary pieces, offering a century’s worth of creative legacy in one gallery experience. Now showing beginning July 21.

• 🥁 Kids Drumming: Kids explore rhythm and movement with musician and educator Delton Davis in this fun, hands-on drumming session at Altadena Library. Monday, July 21 at 1:00PM–1:45PM.

• 👟 Run With Us: Monday Fun Run: Lace up for this weekly group run hosted by Run With Us, featuring 4- and 6-mile routes through Pasadena. All experience levels, paces, and furry friends are welcome. Test out new shoe models and enter to win prizes at the end of each month—this run is all about community, fitness, and fun. Monday, July 21 at 6:00PM.

• 🎭 NT Live: A Streetcar Named Desire (Encore): Gillian Anderson, Vanessa Kirby, and Ben Foster star in this gripping revival of Tennessee Williams’ classic, captured live from the Young Vic Theatre. Don’t miss this intense, critically acclaimed performance on the big screen at Boston Court Pasadena. Monday, July 21 at 7:00PM.

• 🌭 Game Night Live Trivia at Dog Haus Biergarten: If you love trivia and don’t mind a side of tater tots with your brainpower, head to Dog Haus on Monday night. It’s free to play, fun as hell, and you might just walk away with a prize (and a full belly). Monday, July 21 at 7:00PM–9:00PM.

Tuesday

• 🍓 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke: Shop fresh fruits, veggies, and local goods straight from the farmers at this vibrant midweek market. It’s a perfect spot to stock up and connect with Pasadena’s food-growing community. Tuesday, July 22 at 8:30AM–12:30PM.

• 🛰️ Unseen but Measured: Global Mapping of Trace Gases: Learn how the Carbon-I mission will map methane, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide across the globe at unprecedented resolution. Hosted by Caltech’s Keck Institute, this lecture dives into the science behind tracking Earth’s invisible emissions. Tuesday, July 22 at 4:30PM–6:00PM.

• 🧶 Stitch ‘n’ Bitch: Bring your yarn, your current project, and your best stories to this cozy crafting circle at Octavia’s Bookshelf. It’s a warm, welcoming space to knit, crochet, laugh, and connect. Tuesday, July 22 at 6:00PM–7:00PM.

• 🪡 Make Pajama Pants & Needlework Meetup: Whether you’re ready to sew your own pajama pants or just want to hang out and stitch with fellow makers, Remainders has you covered. Join their creative community for a hands-on night of sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery, and more—materials provided or BYO. Tuesday, July 22 at 6:00PM.

• 📜 Barons of the Civil War: If you’re into history with a twist, don’t miss this talk by Dr. Dave Schrader hosted by the Pasadena Civil War Round Table. He’ll take you behind the scenes of wartime industry to spotlight the industrialists—both legendary and shady—who shaped the Civil War economy. Tuesday, July 22 at 7:15PM.

• 🎬 THE GOONIES on the BIG screen!: This one’s for all the ‘80s kids and adventure lovers—The Goonies is back in theaters for one night only at Regency Academy! Round up your crew and relive the treasure-hunting, booby-trapped, pirate-map chaos the way it was meant to be seen. Tuesday, July 22 at 7:30PM.

• 🧠 Geeks Who Drink Trivia: If you’re looking for a fun weeknight hang, I highly recommend heading to T. Boyle’s Tavern for trivia night. It’s fast-paced, funny, and packed with random facts you didn’t know you knew. Grab your crew, order a drink, and get ready to compete. Tuesday, July 22 at 8:00PM.

Save the Date

• 🎨 Pasadena Bead & Design Show: Discover handcraft at its finest with over 300 artisans showcasing jewelry, textiles, beads, gemstones, and wearable art at the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday–Sunday, July 25–27 from 10AM–5PM. Enjoy workshops, live demos, and rare finds from makers across the country.

• 🎥 Mount Wilson Observatory’s Matinees on the Mountain: Take movie night to new heights—literally. Head up to Mount Wilson for an afternoon of classic sci-fi, silent films, and family-friendly flicks in their historic 256-seat auditorium. Grab lunch at the Cosmic Cafe, explore the grounds, and settle in for a cinematic treat above the clouds. Saturday, July 26 from 3:00PM–5:30PM.

• 🍽️ Dine LA Restaurant Week: Starting July 25, Dine LA is back—your excuse to eat your way through Pasadena and beyond. No tickets needed, just grab a reservation at one of the dozens of participating spots and ask for the Dine LA menu. From sushi to steak, there’s a prix fixe plate for every palate. Thursday, July 25 through Thursday, August 8.

• 🐱 CatCon: If you’re a cat person (or just cat-curious), this one’s for you. CatCon returns for its 10th anniversary with 150+ vendors, celeb meet & greets, giveaways, and the biggest feline adoption lounge around. It’s like Comic-Con—just fluffier. Saturday, August 2 from 10:00AM–5:00PM.

• 🛍️ Rose Bowl Flea Market: Mark your calendars—the second Sunday of the month means vintage heaven at the Rose Bowl. With over 2,500 vendors offering antiques, clothing, art, and more, it’s a goldmine for treasure hunters and bargain lovers. Interested in selling? Call R.G. Canning at (323) 560-7469 to learn how to become a vendor. Sunday, August 10 (VIP entry at 5:00AM, general admission at 9:00AM).

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

🏛️ Finance Committee Special Meeting: Pasadena’s City Council Finance Committee convenes for a public session at City Hall to review key matters and appointments. Monday, July 21 at 3:00PM.

🏛️ Pasadena City Council Meeting: The City Council meets at Pasadena City Hall to discuss local policies, community updates, and ongoing initiatives. Open to the public. Monday, July 21 at 6:00PM.

🏛️ Municipal Services Committee Meeting: Pasadena’s Municipal Services Committee gathers at City Hall to discuss infrastructure, utilities, and public services. Open to all residents in the Council Chambers. Tuesday, July 22 at 4:00PM.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Monday

77 🌡️ 61 |☀️| 💨 S 7 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 58 (Moderate)

Tuesday

78 🌡️ 60 |☀️| 💨 S 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 🥁 Triple Shot Jazz Trio: Ease into your Monday with live jazz at Jones Coffee Roasters, featuring Pasadena’s own Triple Shot Trio blending blues, gospel, and funk. Monday, July 21 at 9:00AM.

• 🎸 The Riner Scivally Trio at Edwin Mills: Pasadena jazz fans—this one’s for you. Guitarist Riner Scivally brings his trio to Edwin Mills for an evening of smooth standards, Brazilian grooves, and original compositions. It’s the perfect backdrop for dinner, drinks, and a little live music magic. Monday, July 21 from 6:00PM–10:00PM.

• 🎷 SupaSol Band: Old School Jazz Jam at Edwin Mills: Tuesday nights hit different at Edwin Mills—SupaSol Band brings the jazz, and the $3 martinis keep the vibe flowing. Come for the groove, stay for the best happy hour in Old Pasadena. Tuesday, July 22 from 6:00PM–10:00PM.

THANKS!

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