Rain Update + New Flagship Store

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. A little rain today — which in SoCal terms means half the city will act like it’s a monsoon.

In Today’s News N’ Roses:

• Pasadena Rain Storm Update

• Robbins Brothers Opens New Flagship Store in Pasadena

• Events this Weekend

• Civil News: City Safety Reminder; Judge Denies Pasadena’s Request for Temporary Restraining Order Against UCLA

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Stay dry, stay safe, Pasadena.

🍂THE DIGEST

Pasadena Rain Storm — Here’s the Update

A slow-moving Pacific storm is bringing steady rain to Pasadena today, with more expected through Saturday. Thunderstorms are possible, and foothill areas will see the heaviest totals, but officials say the main focus is simply staying aware as the ground gets more saturated.

Residents in the Eaton Fire burn scar are under an evacuation warning until 8PM tonight. Some specific properties may shift to evacuation orders through Sunday morning, so if you live in that zone, it’s a good idea to double-check your address at protect.genasys.com and keep an eye on updates.

A Flood Watch begins early Saturday, mostly due to expected runoff after today’s rain. Roads are already slick from early-morning showers, and there are a few mud reports in the foothills. Ramp closures on the 210 begin at 8AM, and other regional closures on the 405 and 5 may slow traffic a bit.

Pasadena is offering free sandbags at Fire Stations 37 and 38 (10 per household), and it’s a good time to make sure you’re signed up for Pasadena’s emergency alerts (PLEAS) and countywide notifications.

A few weekend events have made weather adjustments:

• Pasadena Armenian Festival: postponed—there’s already talk it may be moved to spring.

• Jackalope Art Festival: postponed to Nov. 22–23.

• Adaptive Sports Festival: moving indoors to 363 E. Villa St.

• DroneArt Show: now happening Sunday, Nov. 16 at 7PM

Bottom line: expect steady rain, plan for slower travel, and keep an eye on updates if you live in the foothills. Otherwise, it’s a good day to stay warm, stay dry, and take it easy.

Robbins Brothers Opens New Flagship Store in Pasadena

Robbins Brothers is opening a new flagship store in Pasadena — and their headquarters is now here too. The showroom sits inside the historic First Trust Building on Colorado Blvd, a 1927 landmark with massive coffered ceilings, original murals, and Pasadena’s signature blend of Mediterranean Revival, Renaissance Revival, and Beaux-Arts architecture.

The grand opening runs Nov. 15–21, with major promotions throughout the week: 25% off everything, daily giveaways, doorbusters, and special pricing on top sellers. Events begin at 10 AM on opening day.

I had the chance to visit the showroom early and speak with CEO Marc Friedant. The store layout is designed around how people shop today — especially couples shopping together for engagement rings. Instead of a traditional counter setup, the jewelry is displayed in elegant glass cases that open toward the customer, making it easy to see and handle pieces while moving comfortably through the space. There’s also a grand piano in the main showroom, which adds a nice touch to the setting. Downstairs, the original bank vault from the building’s past is still intact — a unique detail that connects the space to its history.

The new location includes diamond viewing rooms, designer boutiques, a master jeweler for repairs and customization, and a hospitality lounge. Robbins Brothers is also planning to partner with Pasadena-area vendors for store events and community initiatives, including programs connected to random acts of kindness and support for neighborhoods affected by the recent Altadena fires.

Robbins Brothers operated a Pasadena store decades ago, and this new flagship marks a fresh chapter for the company — blending a century-old legacy with a modern, open style of jewelry shopping.

Robbins Brothers Pasadena
587 E Colorado Blvd
Grand Opening: Nov 15–21
Learn more here.

@NEWSN_ROSES

📷@robbinsbrothers📍587 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
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WHAT’S HAPPENING🥧

Friday (11/14/25)

⛳ 5th Annual Lagerlof Cares Tournament & Wine Tasting Fundraiser: Tee off or toast for a great cause at Brookside Golf Club! Enjoy a day of golf, wine tasting, and community spirit—all to benefit Villa Esperanza Services, supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. Friday, November 14 at 10AM.

🎻 Main Series No. 2: Beauty in Tension: Salastina dives into that delicious musical space between dissonance and harmony, featuring works from Mozart to Caroline Shaw — all about the beauty that lives inside a little tension. Stick around afterward for a complimentary wine reception with the artists. Friday, November 14 at 7:30PM.

🎭 Broadway Gamble Ramble: Take a guided stroll through the Gamble House as dancers and performers bring a whole timeline of Broadway to life — room by room. It’s an intimate mix of theater, movement, and storytelling that lets you step right into the history of musical theatre. Friday, November 14 at 7PM.

Saturday (11/15/25)

🇦🇲 Pasadena Armenian Festival: POSTPONED due to weather! Date TBA.

🎨 Jackalope Art Festival: POSTPONED to November 22-23 due to weather!

🌽 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: Load up on super-fresh, locally grown produce and meet the farmers who actually grow your food — plus grab goodies like jams, jellies, and fresh fish from local vendors. A perfect Saturday morning stop in front of Pasadena High School. Saturday, November 15 from 8AM–12PM.

🏅 Adaptive Sports Festival 2025: Try out everything from wheelchair basketball and rugby to archery, handcycling, fencing, Zumba, and more — all with coaches and adaptive gear available for anyone who wants to jump in. It’s a full day of inclusive, high-energy fun for the whole family. Originally scheduled outdoors, the event will now take place indoors at 363 E. Villa St. because of inclement weather. Saturday, November 15 from 9AM–4PM.

📚 Bookbinding Workshop: Get hands-on and learn the basics of bookbinding as you create your own accordion-style artist book inspired by The Huntington’s collections. You’ll walk away with a handmade book ready for sketches, poems, or anything you dream up. Saturday, November 15 at 10AM & 1PM.

☕ Senior Coffee Chat with SGV LGBTQ Center: A warm, welcoming space for adults 50+ to connect, share stories, and build community over coffee with Pasadena Village and the SGV LGBTQ Center. Saturday, November 15 at 10AM.

🚀 Octavia E. Butler Science Fiction Book Club: Dive into visionary sci-fi by authors of color as the Pasadena Public Library teams up with local partners for a monthly discussion — this time exploring Trinity Sight by Jennifer Givhan at La Pintoresca Branch. Saturday, November 15 from 3PM–4PM.

🍾 Junior League of Pasadena’s Fall Fundraiser Party: The Junior League is going full 1985 with DeLorean Dreams, an ’80s-themed dance party celebrating their 100th anniversary — complete with live music from The Skinny Ties and actual DeLoreans for photo ops. Guests are welcome, so throw on your best retro gear and come dance for a good cause while supporting Union Station Homeless Services’ Thanksgiving food drive. Saturday, November 15 from 6PM–10PM.

🍬 Candy Land: Kitties, Sweets, & Treats: Tail Town Cat Café kicks off a whimsical new art show filled with candy-colored nostalgia, holiday magic, and—naturally—cats. Come enjoy the opening reception and explore artwork inspired by everything from Candy Land to Willy Wonka to gingerbread dreams. Saturday, November 15 at 6PM.

🎭 Broadway Gamble Ramble: Take an intimate, room-to-room journey through the Gamble House as performers bring Broadway’s history to life through music, dance, and storytelling. It’s an immersive look at how musical theatre has evolved — and where you fit into the story. Saturday, November 15 at 7PM.

🛸 Aliens! Foreign and Domestic!: Parson’s Nose Theater serves up a clever double feature — Brecht’s dark domestic snapshots of Nazi Germany paired with a playful radio-style sketch where Martians touchdown in Oxnard. Drama, comedy, and a little extraterrestrial chaos all in one night. Saturday, November 15 at 7PM.

✨ Enchanted Preview Party: Descanso Gardens opens its magical Enchanted light experience early for a special night of food, drinks, entertainment, and festive surprises—all wrapped inside the garden’s most dazzling displays. Saturday, November 15 from 7PM–10PM.

🎻 Caltech Orchestra Presents “Classics”: Settle in for an evening of timeless works from Wagner, Rachmaninoff, and Dvořák as the Caltech Orchestra brings big, beautiful symphonic energy to campus—featuring Professor Julia R. Greer as soloist. Saturday, November 15 from 8PM–9:30PM.

Sunday (11/16/25)

🧘 The Courtyard Series | Wellness Activities: Start your Sunday with a refreshing mix of movement and mindfulness at One Colorado’s outdoor wellness series—featuring guided fitness sessions designed to energize and reset for the week ahead. Sunday, November 16 from 10AM–11AM.

🎨 Painting Expressive Landscapes: Drop in for a relaxing, hands-on nature painting workshop with artist Delbar Shahbaz, exploring color, mood, and composition while surrounded by the beauty of Descanso Gardens. Sunday, November 16 at 10AM & 1PM.

❄️ Winter Frolic: Kidspace turns into a wonder-filled winter playground with sock skating, “ice” fishing, build-your-own snowmen, and tons of hands-on cold-weather fun—minus the actual cold. A cozy, imaginative seasonal adventure for families. Sunday, November 16 (all day).

🎬 Film History Tour of the Fenyes Mansion: Explore more than a century of on-screen history as PMH’s curator leads a behind-the-scenes tour of the Fényes Mansion, a longtime favorite filming location for movies, TV, and more. Sunday, November 16 at 12:30PM.

🛸 Aliens! Foreign and Domestic!: Parson’s Nose brings back its clever double feature—Brecht’s sharp snapshots of life in Nazi Germany paired with a playful radio-style “War of the Worlds…Pasadena,” where Martians invade Oxnard. Drama, comedy, and a sci-fi twist all in one afternoon. Sunday, November 16 at 3PM.

🌲 Enchanted Forest of Light: Step into a glowing wonderland at Descanso Gardens, where dazzling light installations and artful displays transform the forest into a dreamlike nighttime adventure. Sip hot cocoa, stroll under the stars, and let the magic of the season surround you. November 16–January 4, 5:30–10PM.

🔭 Pasadena City of Astronomy Science Festival: Explore the cosmos right here on Earth with an afternoon of science demos, VR experiences, solar telescopes, and hands-on activities for all ages. Sunday, November 16 from 12–4PM.

✨ DroneArt Show: A Music and Drone Show: Experience a spellbinding night at the Rose Bowl as over 500 illuminated drones dance to live performances of The Four Seasons and Swan Lake, surrounded by candlelight and starlight. Please note the updated date! Sunday, November 16 at 7PM.

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

City Safety Reminder: Rain & Mudslide Prep

Pasadena Fire is reminding residents to stay prepared as steady rain continues. Self-serve sand and sandbags are available from 8AM to 5PM at Fire Station 37 (East Foothill Blvd.) and Fire Station 38 (Linda Vista Ave.), with a limit of 10 per household. The city also recommends giving your emergency go bag a quick check—flashlights, batteries, water, non-perishables, medications, and important documents.

If you live near a burn area, use extra caution around any downed wires and avoid flooded roads, trails, and streams. For updates, follow @cityofpasadena and register for Pasadena’s emergency alerts (PLEAS) at bit.ly/PLEASREGISTER. LA County’s debris and mudflow forecast is available at bit.ly/MDForecast.

Judge Denies Pasadena’s Request for Temporary Restraining Order Against UCLA

A LA County judge has denied Pasadena’s request for a temporary restraining order in its dispute with UCLA over the university’s football games at the Rose Bowl. The court said there was no immediate emergency, noting UCLA has not signed an agreement with SoFi Stadium.

However, the judge acknowledged that Pasadena may face “irreparable harm” if UCLA moves games away, and invited the City and Rose Bowl Operating Company to pursue discovery and file a motion for a preliminary injunction.

Pasadena’s attorneys said they are confident in the case and will move quickly toward seeking a preliminary—and possibly permanent—injunction. Further filings are expected soon.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER🍁

Friday

64 🌡️ 61 |🌧️| 💨 E 6 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 51 (Moderate)

Saturday

62 🌡️ 54 |🌧️| 💨 SE 6 mph

Sunday

60 🌡️ 53 |☁️| 💨 S 3 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

🥕LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

🎻 Main Series No. 2: Beauty in Tension: Salastina dives into that delicious musical space between dissonance and harmony, featuring works from Mozart to Caroline Shaw — all about the beauty that lives inside a little tension. Stick around afterward for a complimentary wine reception with the artists. Friday, November 14 at 7:30PM.

🎸 Michael Campagna & His Talented Band: Settle in for a two-hour, all-original set from Pasadena’s own Michael Campagna, a blues-jazz staple with serious songwriting chops and a band that brings the room to life. A cozy, all-ages night of live music at Visionarium. Friday, November 14 at 7PM.

🎼 3rd@1st Concert Series: Joy of Chamber Music: Spend the afternoon with LA Philharmonic musicians and pianist Junko Ueno Garrett as they bring Debussy, Tansman, and Fauré to life in an intimate, free chamber concert. A beautiful way to close out your Saturday. Saturday, November 15 at 4PM.

🎶 LA Composer Series: Wild Up — Mia Barcia-Colombo: Wild Up returns to Sierra Madre Playhouse with another adventurous night of genre-blending new music, spotlighting innovative Los Angeles composer Mia Barcia-Colombo. Expect bold sounds, immersive performance, and a fresh take on contemporary chamber music. Saturday, November 15 at 7:30PM.

🎻 Caltech Orchestra Presents “Classics”: Settle in for an evening of timeless works from Wagner, Rachmaninoff, and Dvořák as the Caltech Orchestra brings big, beautiful symphonic energy to campus—featuring Professor Julia R. Greer as soloist. Saturday, November 15 from 8PM–9:30PM and Sunday, November 16 from 3PM–4:30PM.

🎻 Crown City Symphony Concert: Enjoy an afternoon of classical favorites from Purcell, Bach, and Schubert as Crown City Symphony performs at the Christian Science Church in Pasadena. Free and open to all. Sunday, November 16 at 2PM.

🎷 Mt. Lowe Chamber Players: Chuck Manning & Friends: Settle in for an afternoon of straight-ahead jazz led by saxophonist Chuck Manning, featuring seasoned LA jazz veterans known for their improvisation, interplay, and deep local roots. Sunday, November 16 at 3PM.

🥁 Jazz @ The Playhouse: The Michael Carvin Experience: Legendary drummer Michael Carvin brings five decades of jazz mastery to the Playhouse in an evening of powerhouse rhythm and improvisation, joined by Peter Smith and Mike Gurrola. A must-see for jazz lovers. Sunday, November 16 at 7:30PM.

THANKS!🦃

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