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TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses—the newsletter that pairs well with your morning cup of coffee.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Cheesesteaks by Matū Opens Today

• Events this Wednesday & Thursday

• Civic News

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

‘Headliner’ ad. 150 words, logo, and image.

A MESSAGE FROM CTRL COLLECTIVE

Ever wondered what that brick building on S Arroyo and Green is — by the Big Bang Theory alley, across from Dog Haus? It used to be a Bally Total Fitness. Now it’s CTRL Collective.

It’s a modern co-working space with 24-hour access, 365 days a year, designed for people who actually want a great place to work. There are full-time and part-time memberships, dedicated desks, private offices, conference rooms, sound-proof phone booths, and a classroom. There’s also a professional podcasting room you can rent, plus a full kitchen with complimentary coffee.

Pets are welcome, parking is available, and the overall vibe strikes a rare balance — productive but social, focused yet collaborative. I work here, and it’s a solid fit for entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote workers, and small teams who want flexibility without the corporate feel. If you’re curious, come by for a free tour and check it out yourself.

THE DIGEST

Cheesesteaks by Matū Opens Today

The wait is over! Cheesesteaks by Matū officially opens today, January 14, in their brand new Pasadena location, following a soft opening earlier this week on Monday.

The new spot just landed on East Colorado Boulevard sharing a space with HiHo Cheeseburger, and today is its full debut. The menu is tight and very Matū. Think eight ounces of 100% grass-fed Wagyu ribeye and sirloin, Cooper Sharp cheese, grilled onions, and a roasted long hot pepper on a freshly baked sesame roll. There’s also a build-your-own option, plus house-made potato chips fried in Wagyu beef tallow. Beer, wine, and Mexican sodas round it out.

It’s opening day, and this one will be pulling long lines. See the full menu here.

‘Featured’ ad. 100 words and image.

SPONSORED BY DENA DOUGH

Dena Dough—Fresh NY Style Pizza Dough Made for You in Pasadena

If you love homemade pizza but hate the hassle of prepping dough, Dena Dough has you covered. Locally made in Pasadena, this handcrafted pizza dough is cold-fermented for flavor and texture straight out of the fridge — no mixing, no sticky mess, no shortcuts. Choose classic NYC-style dough for that chewy, foldable crust, or go Neapolitan-style for airy bubbles and a tender center that bakes beautifully at high heat. Dena Dough arrives ready to stretch and bake, so you can top it your way and turn pizza night into something worth talking about. Delivery and pickup options keep it local and easy. Whether you’re feeding family or impressing friends, this is the kind of simple upgrade that makes home cooking feel professional. 👉 Order fresh dough and elevate your pizza nights at denadough.com.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Wednesday (1/14/26)

🎹 Music at Noon: Hyewon Chang, piano: Enjoy a midday piano performance by Hyewon Chang, featuring classical repertoire in an intimate lunchtime concert setting. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Wednesday, January 14 from 12:10PM–12:40PM

🎬 Films @ Lamanda Park: Watch The Post (2017), starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, in a free afternoon screening hosted by the library. Lamanda Park Branch Library | Wednesday, January 14 from 1PM–3PM

🎭 NT Live: Mrs. Warren’s Profession: Watch Bernard Shaw’s provocative classic in a filmed West End production starring Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter, exploring morality, independence, and social change. Boston Court Pasadena | Wednesday, January 14 at 2PM

🍷 Anayas Restaurant: Winedown Wednesdays: Unwind midweek with live music by Rodrigo and a curated wine selection paired with dinner at Anayas. Anayas Restaurant | Wednesday, January 14 at 7PM

🎶 Wine & Song: Eva Rose King; Jonie: Settle in for an intimate evening of folk songwriting featuring Eva Rose King’s reflective storytelling and Jonie’s heartfelt, roots-inspired sound. Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza | Wednesday, January 14 at 7PM

🎤 Distinguished Speaker Series – Dr. Laurie Santos: Hear Yale professor and The Happiness Lab host Dr. Laurie Santos share practical insights on well-being, followed by a moderated Q&A with the audience. Distinguished Speakers of Southern California | Wednesday, January 14 from 7:30PM–9PM

😂 Comedy Improv Happy Hours: Enjoy a midweek improv comedy show with rotating guest comedians serving up fast, on-the-spot laughs all night. The Mixx Pasadena | Wednesday, January 14 at 8PM

😂 Wednesdays at the DL with DL Hughley & Friends: Catch DL Hughley hosting a rotating lineup of established and up-and-coming comedians in this weekly stand-up showcase. The Ice House Comedy Club | Wednesday, January 14 at 8PM

Thursday (1/15/26)

☕ Meet Me at the Village!: Stop by for coffee, bagels, and conversation at this casual info session to learn more about Pasadena Village and meet community members. Pasadena Village Office Community Room | Thursday, January 15 at 10AM

🖼️ Curator’s Tour | Cha-Rie Tang: 48 Years of Artistic Innovation in Pasadena: Join artist and curator Cha-Rie Tang for a guided tour highlighting fused glass, ceramic tile work, and designs from her decades-long creative practice. Pasadena Museum of History | Thursday, January 15 from 11AM–12PM

💭 Thoughtful Thursdays: Take a midday pause with casual conversation, mindfulness activities, and creative prompts in this relaxed drop-in community session. Hill Avenue Branch Library | Thursday, January 15 at 12PM

💚 Wellness Open House at Collaboratory: Stop by to explore the Wellness Room, connect with community members, and learn about local wellness resources in a welcoming, open-house setting. Eaton Fire Collaboratory | Thursday, January 15 at 3:30PM

🥕 South Pasadena Farmers’ Market: Pick up certified California-grown produce, grab prepared food, and enjoy live music during this weekly Thursday market. South Pasadena Farmers’ Market | Thursday, January 15 from 4PM–7PM

🥃 Anayas Restaurant: Whiskey & Mojitos: Enjoy live music by Rodrigo while sipping mojitos and whiskey during a laid-back Thursday night. Anayas Restaurant | Thursday, January 15 from 7PM–9PM

🎭 NT Live: Inter Alia: Watch Rosamund Pike star in Suzie Miller’s new play examining modern motherhood and masculinity in this filmed West End production. Boston Court Pasadena | Thursday, January 15 at 7PM

😂 Matthew Broussard: Catch sharp, smart stand-up from Matthew Broussard, blending self-aware humor with clever takes on math, culture, and everyday absurdities. The Ice House Comedy Club | Thursday, January 15 at 8PM

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

City Council Moves Forward on Housing Site and Police Parking

The City Council approved moving forward with talks for a large affordable housing project on city-owned land at North Lake Avenue and Villa Street. The plan would redevelop the site into a mixed-use project with at least 200 homes, most of them affordable, along with space for health and mental health services. While most of the Council supported the move, Councilmember Steve Madison voted no, saying the process lacked transparency and came after Los Angeles County backed out of a planned partnership.

The Council also approved extending a parking agreement that provides 100 parking spaces for Pasadena Police Department employees near police headquarters. The one-year extension increases the contract cost and keeps the parking in place through the end of the year, as the city has not yet secured a permanent replacement after the closure of the Holly Street Garage.

Humble ‘Baseline’ ad. 70 words.

SPONSORED BY DENA HELPER

Need a hand with an errand?

LOCAL HELPER SERVICE: Dena Helper Need a hand with errands so you can actually enjoy your day? Dena Helper is Pasadena’s personal errand-running service, ready to pick up groceries, drop off packages, handle post office runs, and more. Whether your to-do list is long or your schedule is short, Dena Helper makes life easier one task at a time. Book your helper today at denahelper.com.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER IS POWERED BY…

Sponsored banner placement within the recurring Weather section.

Wednesday

78 🌡️55 |☀️| 💨 NE 6 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 26 (Good)

Thursday

77 🌡️ 51 |☀️| 💨 N 4 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN IS POWERED BY…

Sponsored banner placement within the recurring Live Music Lowdown section.

🎹 Music at Noon: Hyewon Chang, piano: Enjoy a midday piano performance by Hyewon Chang, featuring classical repertoire in an intimate lunchtime concert setting. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Wednesday, January 14 from 12:10PM–12:40PM

🎶 Music in the Chinese Garden: Enjoy unamplified live music on traditional Chinese instruments as a solo musician performs while visitors stroll through the garden. The Huntington Botanical Gardens | Wednesday, January 14 at 1PM

🎷 World Jazz Night: Catch a live jazz set with Quinn Johnson on keys, Kevin Axt on bass, and Chris Wabich on drums. Club 1881 | Wednesday, January 14 from 8PM–11PM

🎷 The David Eastlee Trio: Guitarist David Eastlee leads an evening of jazz standards with his trio. Edwin Mills | Wednesday, January 14 from 6PM–10PM

🎷 Doug MacDonald: Jazz journeyman guitarist Doug MacDonald brings his warm, swing-forward approach to classic standards. Edwin Mills | Thursday, January 15 from 6PM–10PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who thinks a sandwich cut diagonally tastes better than a sandwich cut straight down the middle.

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