Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. The newsletter that’s as special as a hug from mom — even the ones you pretended you were too cool for. 🤗
In today’s News N’ Roses:
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Pasadena Honors Fallen First Responders
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Heat Wave Hits Pasadena
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MOTHER’S DAY SPECIALS
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Events this Mother’s Day Weekend
Let’s get to it.
— Matthew Ramirez
P.S. Happy Mother’s Day Mom! ❤️
If you’re a mom and you’re reading this: Happy Mother’s Day! You’re appreciated more than you know.
THE DIGEST
🔥 Heat Wave Hits Pasadena — Just in Time for Mother’s Day Weekend
Heads up, Pasadena: a brief but intense heat wave is rolling through just in time for Mother’s Day weekend, with temperatures expected to hit a toasty 96°F on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
🌞 Friday & Saturday: Sunny and hot, with highs in the mid-90s and warm overnight lows. If you’re celebrating mom outdoors, plan morning brunches and shaded patio hangs — and maybe skip that midday hike. A heat advisory is in effect through Saturday evening.
🌬️ Sunday & Beyond: Good news — cooler air is on the way! Sunday will still be warm (mid-80s), but a cooling trend will bring low clouds, fog, and much more comfortable temps next week.
So if you’re brunching, blooming, or just basking in Mother’s Day plans — hydrate, wear sunscreen, and prepare for a big cool-down ahead.
🚨 Pasadena Honors Fallen First Responders, Reflects on Eaton Fire Heroism
At Thursday’s Police and Fire Memorial, Pasadena honored the 17 police officers and firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty. Held at City Hall, the ceremony included a solemn reading of each name.
This year’s tribute carried deeper meaning following January’s Eaton Fire, where firefighters showed extraordinary bravery battling dangerous conditions to protect homes and lives.
As the city recovers, the memorial served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made — and the courage first responders continue to show every day.
MOTHER’S DAY SPECIALS
From luxe brunches to charming teas and events, Pasadena’s got everything you need to celebrate mom in style this weekend. Here’s your lineup of delicious and delightful Mother’s Day happenings:
🌸 The Langham – Huntington Ballroom Brunch
Elegant buffet with interactive stations, dessert displays, and spring charm.
🕙 Sunday, May 11 | 10AM–3PM | Reservations required
☕ The Langham – Afternoon Tea
Scones, tea sandwiches, a pink chocolate fountain, and champagne.
🕚 Saturday & Sunday | 11AM–3PM | Reservations required
🥩 The Royce Steakhouse Brunch
Skirt steak, caviar, build-your-own bagels, Hendrick’s Gin tasting, and live bottle engraving.
🕙 Sunday, May 11 | 10AM–3PM | Reservations required
🌊 PEZ Coastal Kitchen
Opening early with a festive brunch just for Mother’s Day.
🕘 Sunday, May 11 | 9AM | Reservations recommended
🧀 Neighbors and Friends
Cheese & charcuterie board workshop — creative, cozy, and snack-filled.
🎟️ Ticketed event
🍰 Tea Rose Garden
Classic tea service with sweets, scones, and specialty teas.
📅 All weekend | Reservations required
🍵 Callisto Tea House
Afternoon tea with mini bites and tea-infused treats in a calm setting.
📅 All weekend | Call/email to reserve
🥂 Pasadena Showcase House
Brunch, bottomless mimosas, live music, and a house tour.
📅 Sunday, May 12 | Tickets required
@NEWSN_ROSES
📷@cityofpasadena📍Police & Fire Memorial, Pasadena City Hall
Tag @newn_roses to get your photos in New N’ Roses!
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Friday
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🌹 South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Yard Sale: Score deals on clothes, tools, furniture, and more—all while supporting South Pasadena’s 2025 Rose Parade float. 8AM–4PM at the War Memorial Building.
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🚌 9th Annual Older Adult Transportation Expo: Learn to navigate Metro with confidence through expert panels, live demos, and a resource fair. 9AM–2:30PM, hosted by Metro’s On the Move Riders Program. Free for older adults, caregivers, and transit advocates.
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🖼️ Tour: Artistic Inventiveness from Impressionism to Cubism: Discover how artists revolutionized technique and form from dots and dabs to fractured geometry on this guided tour at Norton Simon Museum. 1PM–2PM. Sign-up required at the Information Desk.
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🎶 Jazz on Hill | Tamir Hendelman: Don’t miss award-winning jazz pianist Tamir Hendelman live at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music for a free outdoor performance. 4:30PM. Reservations required.
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🎼 Free Concert of Classical Music by American Composers: Enjoy an evening of Bernstein, Copland, and John Williams, plus Romain Jansen performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3. Pre-concert talk at 7:15PM; concert begins at 8PM at First Church of the Nazarene. Free admission and parking.
Saturday
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🏃 Altadena to the Palisades: An Ultra-Marathon Relay: Join a 50K relay or solo run from Altadena to the Palisades to raise funds for wildfire relief. Start at Good Neighbor Bar. 7AM–3PM. Team and individual options available.
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🎶 Just Like Heaven Festival: An out-of-this-world day of indie rock and electro dance featuring Vampire Weekend, Rilo Kiley, Empire of the Sun, Bloc Party, and more. Brookside at the Rose Bowl, all day long. Saturday, May 10.
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🌹 South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Yard Sale: Score deals on clothes, tools, furniture, and more—all while supporting South Pasadena’s 2025 Rose Parade float. 8AM–4PM at the War Memorial Building.
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🏗️ Altadena Future Fair: A Community Rebuilding Event: Explore innovative building solutions, connect with local businesses and support recovery efforts at this two-day community fair at the Pasadena Convention Center. All-day event, free with registration.
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🚴 All-New Pasadena Public Art Ride: Explore new public art around Pasadena on a 10-mile guided bike tour led by Pasadena’s Public Art Manager. Gather at 9AM near City Hall; ride begins at 9:30AM. Free with registration.
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🍰 Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea: Celebrate with scones, pastries, champagne, and a pink chocolate fountain in the elegant setting of The Langham Huntington. 11AM–3PM. Reservation required.
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🎵 A Night of Hope – Benefit Concert for California Fire Victims: Join Dove Award-winning artist Jordan Feliz and 2024 New Artist of the Year nominee Terrian for a powerful evening of music and unity at Lake Avenue Church. All proceeds support families affected by the California fires. May 10 · 6PM. Livestream available via Eight Days of Hope’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
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🎙️ Go Fact Yourself LIVE with Thomas Jane and Grey DeLisle: Join this pop culture trivia show with celeb guests, surprise experts, and plenty of laughs, hosted by J. Keith van Straaten and Helen Hong. 7–8:30PM at LAist HQ. Bar opens at 6PM.
Sunday
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🚴 Trek Pasadena Sunday Morning Shop Ride: Join this casual 20-mile group ride and wrap up with breakfast at a local coffee shop. 8–11AM. No registration needed—just show up and ride!
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🎭 Marsha Warfield | Mother’s Day @ The Icehouse: Comedy legend Marsha Warfield returns with brunch, bottomless mimosas, and big laughs. 3PM at Ice House Comedy Club.
Save the Date
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💜 Nurturing Our Wellbeing: Mind, Body & Spirit: Join the community for a day of wellness with free food, fresh produce, live music, dancing, workshops, and family fun! Wednesday, May 14 · 10AM–1PM at Lincoln Avenue Christian Church, Pasadena. Free bus ride available—register at the Jackie Robinson Community Center by May 9. Space is limited!
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🦸 Pasadena Comic Con: A vendor hall full of comic books, toys, action figures, anime and so much more, May 24
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🚗 23rd Annual Pasadena Police Department Car Show: Classic car lovers, mark your calendar! The Pasadena PD hosts their annual car show at The Paseo with proceeds benefiting Pasadena P.A.L. and the Police Explorer Post #19. Saturday, June 14, 10AM–3PM at 300 E. Colorado Blvd.
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🎨 Sierra Madre Art Walk: Stroll through downtown and beyond to enjoy local art in storefronts and galleries during this community collaboration between artists and businesses. 4–7PM, guides available at participating locations.
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⛸️ Juneteenth Celebration: The NAACP Pasadena Branch will hold its Juneteenth Celebration and 4th Annual Roller Jam at Pasadena City Hall, June 14 at 4 PM.
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!
THE MARQUEE
🎭 Spotlight On: A Man of No Importance at A Noise Within
From the creators of Ragtime comes a tender, funny, and deeply human story about art, identity, and the quiet courage to be yourself.
A Noise Within presents A Man of No Importance, a heartwarming musical set in 1960s Dublin, where bus conductor Alfie Byrne dreams of staging Oscar Wilde’s Salome—despite pushback from his parish and personal struggles he can no longer hide. With live music and a five-piece orchestra, this moving production celebrates the redemptive power of friendship, theater, and love that refuses to stay silent.
Showtimes:
🕢 Wednesdays: 7:30 p.m. (May 7 only)
🕢 Thursdays & Fridays: 7:30 p.m.
🕰️ Saturdays: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. (No matinee May 10)
🎭 Sundays: 2:00 p.m.
📍 A Noise Within | Pasadena
🎟️ More info & tickets →
CIVIL NEWS
⚖️ Free Disaster Relief Legal Clinic: Get help with FEMA appeals, tenant-landlord issues, and habitability concerns after the recent fires. The clinic will be hosted on Thursday, May 22, from 3PM to 6PM at Jackie Robinson Community Center.
NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER
Friday
89 🌡️ 67 |☀️| 💨 N 1 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 28 (Good)
Saturday
91 🌡️ 65 |☀️| 💨 S 8 mph
Sunday
82 🌡️ 58 |☀️| 💨 SE 8 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar.
LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
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🎶 Jazz on Hill | Tamir Hendelman: Don’t miss award-winning jazz pianist Tamir Hendelman live at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music for a free outdoor performance. Friday, 4:30PM. Reservations required.
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🎼 Free Concert of Classical Music by American Composers: Enjoy an evening of Bernstein, Copland, and John Williams, plus Romain Jansen performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3. Pre-concert talk on Friday at 7:15PM; concert begins at 8PM at First Church of the Nazarene. Free admission and parking.
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🎤 A Night of Hope: Support California fire recovery with an inspiring benefit concert featuring Dove Award winner Jordan Feliz and 2024 New Artist nominee Terrian. 6PM at Lake Avenue Church.
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🎶 Just Like Heaven Festival: An out-of-this-world day of indie rock and electro dance featuring Vampire Weekend, Rilo Kiley, Empire of the Sun, Bloc Party, and more. Brookside at the Rose Bowl, all day long. Saturday, May 7.
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🎻 Crown City Symphony Concert: Enjoy Sibelius’ Pelleas and Melisande and Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 featuring soloist David Park. Sunday, 2PM at First Baptist Church, Pasadena. Free admission.
THANKS!
Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, please share it with Dad. Don’t forget to get all your moms some flowers!
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