Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Fun fact: if you search on Google, “Google in 1998,” Google shows you its original homepage. But don’t get distracted, come back and read the newsletter!
In today’s News N’ Roses:
-
State of the City Address Tonight
-
A Night of Resilience & Identity in Pasadena
-
Events this Wednesday & Thursday
-
Civic News
-
Restaurant Spotlight: The Cheeseburger Buzz has Taken on a Life of its Own
-
Live Music Lowdown
Let’s get to it.
—Matthew Ramirez
THE DIGEST
State of the City Address Tonight
Mayor Victor M. Gordo gives his annual State of the City address tonight (Wednesday, Jan. 28) at Robinson Park Recreation Center, with “Rising Together” as this year’s theme. The message is framed around Pasadena’s ongoing recovery after the Eaton Fire, including the impact on Altadena.
This speech also kicks off the city’s budget season. Council has already held a budget workshop, and the mayor has convened an advisory budget group as the city heads toward a proposed budget going to City Council in May.
If you’re going in person: 7PM start at 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Doors open 6:30PM, and parking is free on-site. If you’re watching from home, the livestream is at PasadenaMedia.org/Kpas, or on KPAS via Charter Spectrum Channel 3 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99.
A Night of Resilience & Identity in Pasadena
Amapola Players is doing a small, intimate show called “A Night of Resilience & Identity” tonight at 7PM at Parson’s Nose Theater, just a block from Pasadena City Hall. It’s focused on cultural identity and resilience, continuing the group’s mission of sharing stories tied to the Southwest and to communities with roots in the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Philippines. The group is led by Artistic Director Roberta H. Martínez, a longtime Pasadena resident, historian, and author of Latinos in Pasadena. She’s spent decades documenting local Latino history and has also served on the city’s Arts and Culture and Library Commissions
If you haven’t been to Parson’s, the venue is part of the appeal: Parson’s Nose is a ~50-seat space inside a historic chapel building from 1922 (Marston and Van Pelt), so it’s closer to “small room, close-up performances” than a big formal stage. It’s meant to feel welcoming — with comfy seats, drinks, and light bites available.
Where: Parson’s Nose Theater, 95 N. Marengo Ave. (entrance on Holly). Tickets for past Amapola Players events have typically run $10–$20, and you can buy them through the theater’s site.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
All Week Long
🍽️ Dine LA Restaurant Week: Enjoy special prix-fixe menus at participating Pasadena and Los Angeles restaurants—just dine out and ask for the Dine LA menu. Participating Restaurants | Runs until Friday, February 6
🍔 Pasadena Cheeseburger Week: Celebrate Pasadena’s claim as the birthplace of the cheeseburger with a citywide week of signature burgers and special creations honoring Lionel Sternberger’s 1924 invention. Pasadena (citywide) | Runs until Saturday, January 31
Wednesday (1/28/26)
🕵️♂️ Thieves in the “Night”: The Fascinating History of Art Heists: Dive into real-life art heists and stolen masterpieces as Helane Rheingold explores famous cases involving artists like Rembrandt, Gauguin, and Van Gogh. Pasadena Village Office Community Room | Wednesday, January 28 at 2PM
🔬 WOW! That’s STEM: Kids can explore hands-on science and engineering concepts while building and testing a fun project led by local high school students. Hastings Branch Library | Wednesday, January 28 from 4PM–5PM
🐶 Hidden Gems: A Pop-Up Dog Adoption Event: Meet adoptable dogs from Pasadena Humane who are getting extra time in the spotlight at this weekly pop-up adoption event. PetSmart Hastings Ranch | Wednesday, January 28 at 5PM
🏛️ Meet the Mayor: Sheila Rossi: Hear from South Pasadena’s new mayor as she shares her vision for the city in 2026 during this community meet-and-greet. South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce | Wednesday, January 28 at 5PM
🏛️ 2026 State of the City: Hear the Mayor outline priorities and plans for the year ahead during Pasadena’s annual State of the City address. Robinson Park Recreation Center | Wednesday, January 28 at 6:30PM
🍺 Trivia Night: Team up and test your knowledge during this weekly trivia night hosted by Game Night Trivia. Stone Brewing Tap Room – Pasadena | Wednesday, January 28 from 6PM–8PM
🍷 Wine & Song: Great Willow; Steven McClintock: Enjoy an intimate evening of Americana and songwriting featuring harmony duo Great Willow alongside singer-songwriter Steven McClintock. Wine and Song | Wednesday, January 28 at 7PM
🎭 Amapola Players Presents A Night of Resilience & Identity: An evening of performances centered on community stories exploring resilience and identity. Parson’s Nose Theater | Wednesday, January 28 at 7PM
😂 Comedy Improv Happy Hours: Catch live improv and stand-up from rotating comedians in a relaxed, midweek comedy showcase. The Mixx Pasadena | Wednesday, January 28 at 8PM
Thursday (1/29/26)
🎮 Video Game Club: Teens can drop in to play Nintendo Switch games, meet new people, and hang out in a casual weekly gaming session. Hastings Branch Library | Thursday, January 29 at 4PM
🥕 South Pasadena Farmers’ Market: Shop certified California-grown produce and grab dinner from prepared food vendors at this weekly neighborhood market. 913 Meridian Ave. | Thursday, January 29 from 4PM–7PM
🩰 Porcelain in Motion: From Decoration to Dance: Art historian Meredith Martin traces how porcelain moved from royal interiors to the modern stage in this illustrated lecture connecting art, performance, and history. The Huntington’s Rothenberg Hall | Thursday, January 29 at 6PM
✍️ Writer’s Block: Creative Writing & Meaningful Connection: Spend the evening free-writing, sharing work, and connecting with other writers in a supportive, open setting. Octavia’s Bookshelf | Thursday, January 29 from 6PM–8PM
🎻Leah Zeger & Cory Pesaturo: Experience a genre-crossing performance blending jazz, classical, and global influences through violin, vocals, and accordion. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Thursday, January 29 at 8PM
Save the Date
🧧 AKASSA Lunar New Year Makers Market: Celebrate Lunar New Year with a community-focused makers market featuring small businesses, hands-on crafting, and festive shopping that gives back. Whimsy Pasadena | Saturday, January 31 from 11AM–2PM
🛍️ Pasadena City College Flea Market: Browse antiques, collectibles, and vintage finds from 400+ vendors spread across PCC’s campus parking lots. Pasadena City College | Sunday, February 1
🌿 Free Day at The Huntington: Visit The Huntington with free admission by advance reservation during its monthly Free Day. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens | Thursday, February 5
🧸 Free First Fridays at Kidspace Children’s Museum: Explore Kidspace for free during this monthly open window with advance reservation required. Kidspace Children’s Museum | Friday, February 6 from 2PM–5PM
🧭 February’s Chapter Event: Camino, ft. Krystie Yen: A morning conversation exploring personal paths, creativity, and community as part of the ongoing Camino series. Free event with pastries and coffee included. CTRL Collective | Friday, February 13 from 8:30AM–10AM
🛍️ 1042 Flea Market: Browse a curated flea market where everything is priced at $25 or under, featuring a mix of vintage, resale, and unique finds. CTRL Collective, 112 E Colorado Blvd. (Parking Lot) | Saturday, February 21 from 11AM–4PM
✊🏾🎉 44th Annual Black History Festival: Celebrate Black history and culture with a full day of community programming, performances, and activities. Robinson Park | Saturday, February 21 from 10AM–3PM
📚 Rare Books Pasadena: Browse rare and antiquarian books from dozens of booksellers from around the world as this major book fair returns to Pasadena across two venues. Raymond Theatre | Saturday, February 21 from 10AM–6PM & Sunday, February 22 from 11AM–4PM
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
Caltech Project Faces Opposition at Special Design Commission Meeting
A proposed four-story Caltech research building is expected to face strong opposition tonight when the Pasadena Design Commission holds a special meeting at the Pasadena Convention Center.
The 93,000-square-foot project on East Green Street would replace a surface parking lot, but parents and parishioners at St. Philip the Apostle School, which sits directly next door, have raised concerns about safety, privacy, traffic, and construction impacts. The commission previously asked developers to reduce the building’s mass along the school’s edge, and tonight’s meeting will determine whether those changes go far enough.
Supporters from California Institute of Technology say the project is needed to keep research, startups, and jobs in Pasadena as lab space grows increasingly scarce. City staff has recommended approval, but public comment is expected to be heavy.
If approved, the project would move on to final design review.
RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
The Cheeseburger Buzz has Taken on a Life of its Own
by Peter Dills, Local Food Dude ([email protected])
Listen to the ‘Peter Dills AKA LA Foodie’ podcast here or SoundCloud here.
It seems like just about every online publication is in on the fun, and the fanfare keeps building. I even found myself on KNX radio, talking burgers and Pasadena favorites. If you want the full rundown of what I said—and what I didn’t—you can always head over to my podcast and hear it straight from the source.
What makes this moment especially interesting is the timing. DINE LA is happening at the very same time, creating what feels like a Pasadena two-for-one when it comes to food coverage. If I had to wager, though—and this is strictly a gut call, not scientific—I’d put my money on the cheeseburger.
DINE LA has its place, and I have nothing against a prix fixe menu. But after scrolling through more menus than I care to admit, I kept coming back to the same thought: adding a soda and a side of fries doesn’t always feel like a deal. Maybe you’ve had better luck than I have. If so, I genuinely hope you scored.
That said, let’s give a little love to the chains that consistently show up and deliver—especially right here in Pasadena. In-N-Out remains a standard bearer for a reason. Islands knows how to build a proper burger with balance and comfort in mind. And the pride of Santa Barbara, Habit Burger, continues to turn out a cheeseburger that deserves respect, no matter how crowded the field gets.
As for what happens next, I’ll hold my breath until next week to see who the Chamber puts forward. And yes, before the emails start rolling in, non-Chamber restaurants aren’t included—so don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just calling it like it is.
One thing’s for sure: when Pasadena talks burgers, people listen. And right now, the cheeseburger is winning the conversation.
NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER
Wednesday
72 🌡️46 |☁️| 💨 S 3 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 49 (Good)
Thursday
78 🌡️ 48 |☀️| 💨 W 5 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.
LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
🎶 Music in the Chinese Garden: Stroll through the garden while a solo musician performs unamplified pieces on traditional Chinese instruments like dizi, pipa, and erhu. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens | Wednesday, January 28 at 1PM
🎷 The David Eastlee Trio: Guitarist David Eastlee leads his trio through jazz standards, drawing on decades of experience performing and recording with some of the genre’s most respected musicians. Edwin Mills | Wednesday, January 28 from 6PM–10PM
🎶🍷 Wine & Song: Great Willow; Steven McClintock: Enjoy an intimate evening of Americana and songwriting featuring harmony duo Great Willow alongside singer-songwriter Steven McClintock. Wine and Song | Wednesday, January 28 at 7PM
🎹 Music at Noon: Makiko Hirata, piano: Enjoy a short midday piano performance by international pianist and recording artist Makiko Hirata. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Thursday, January 29 from 12:10PM–12:40PM
🎸 Doug MacDonald: Jazz journeyman guitarist Doug MacDonald brings warm tones and classic standards, shaped by a career performing with some of the most respected names in jazz. Edwin Mills | Thursday, January 29 from 6PM–10PM
🎻 Leah Zeger & Cory Pesaturo: Experience a genre-crossing performance blending jazz, classical, and global influences through violin, vocals, and accordion. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Thursday, January 29 at 8PM
THANKS!
Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who’s going to watch the new season of Shrinking tonight!
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up.
Want to get your business in News N’ Roses? Your ad here!
Did I miss something or make a mistake?
Have an event you’d like me to add to the newsletter?
Let me know at [email protected].
