Charging Ahead: Senior Games & EV Power in Pasadena

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. The newsletter that hits like your first sip of coffee—bold, warm, and exactly what you need.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Pasadena Senior Games Show Off Ageless Athleticism

• New EV Charging Depot Opens at Robinson Park

• Events This Weekend

• The Pasadena Perk: Lavender and Honey

Let’s get to it.

— Matthew Ramirez

THE DIGEST 

🏃‍♂️ Pasadena Senior Games Show Off Ageless Athleticism

The Pasadena Senior Games have been underway all month, and last weekend, Occidental College hosted the Track & Field meet—bringing together 196 athletes, ages 50 to 97, across 534 events. From 97-year-old Gunnar Linde in the 400m to 86-year-old sprinting legend Kathy Bergen, the event proves age is no limit to power or speed.

The 50m dash is the most popular event, and the pole vault will see competitors up to age 75. Events run through the weekend, and swimming kicks off Sunday, June 1 at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.

Hosted by the Pasadena Senior Center, which has served older adults for 65 years without government funding, the Games are a reminder that staying active is a lifelong pursuit.

📅 Looking ahead: The Games continue through June 29. Open to all adults 50+—no qualification needed.
Questions or want to volunteer? Visit their website here.

🔌 New EV Charging Depot Opens at Robinson Park

Pasadena just got a little greener. A new electric vehicle (EV) charging depot has opened at Robinson Park, offering 26 fast-charging stations—the largest publicly available charging site in the city.

The project was a collaboration between the City of Pasadena, Tesla, and Cruise, and it's open to all EV drivers, not just Teslas. The chargers are located near Fair Oaks Avenue and Hammond Street and aim to support the city’s push for cleaner transportation and equity in access, especially in underserved communities.

You can now juice up your EV in minutes instead of hours—right in the heart of Northwest Pasadena.

@NEWSN_ROSES

📷@thehuntingtonlibrary📍The Huntington Rose Garden, An Evening Among the Roses.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

Friday

• 🧟‍♂️ Monsterpalooza 2025: Dive into a world of monsters, makeup, and movie magic with celebrity guests, live demos, and over 450 exhibitors. 6:00PM–11:00PM at the Pasadena Convention Center. A must for horror, sci-fi, and creature feature fans!

• 🏟️ Rose Bowl Public Tours: Go behind the scenes of America’s Stadium and relive iconic sports history with a guided tour through locker rooms, lounges, and legendary seats. 10:30AM & 12:30PM, at Rose Bowl Stadium. A must for sports fans and history buffs alike!

• 🎩 Victorian Weekend: Step back into the Gilded Age with historic tours, sunset lawn bowling, and a vintage picnic dinner. From 4:00PM–8:00PM, beginning at Central Park and continuing through Castle Green and the Pasadena Lawn Bowling & Croquet Club. Period attire encouraged!

• ⚡ Theatre: Flashes of Light: Step into a mythic tale of invention and love as Nikola Tesla battles Edison and communes with a storm goddess in this electrifying new musical. Friday, May 30 at 8:00PM at Sierra Madre Playhouse. Jazz, pop, rock—and lightning! Also playing Saturday & Sunday.

Saturday

• 🎶 Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival 2025: 88rising’s global celebration of Asian music and culture is back with a star-studded lineup at Brookside at the Rose Bowl! Saturday and Sunday from 12:00PM–11:00PM. All ages welcome—get ready to vibe, dance, and eat your heart out!

• 🍓 Pasadena Farmers' Market at Victory Park: Shop fresh and local at this vibrant market filled with California-grown produce, jams, fish, and more straight from the source. 8:30AM–12:30PM at Victory Park (Sierra Madre Blvd & Paloma St). A flavorful way to start your weekend!

• 🚲 Pie and Ice Cream Are Friends Ride: Pedal your way through Pasadena while indulging in sweet slices and scoops from local shops. 2:30PM–5:00PM. A 9-mile ride of tasty fun—just bring your bike and your sweet tooth!

• 🎭 NT Live: Hamlet (Encore): Catch Benedict Cumberbatch’s gripping performance as the troubled Prince of Denmark in this acclaimed National Theatre Live production. 2:00PM at Boston Court Pasadena. A Shakespearean epic on the big screen!

• 🐱 Carnival of Cats: Art Show: Celebrate feline finesse with art, refreshments, and quality time with 40+ adorable rescue cats at Tail Town’s purr-fectly fun opening reception. 6:00PM. Meowgical vibes guaranteed!

• 🎭 RENT: Don’t miss Lineage’s moving and modern take on Jonathan Larson’s iconic musical about love, struggle, and community. Saturday, May 31 at 7:00PM at Lineage Performing Arts Center. A powerful night of dance, music, and meaning.

Sunday

• 🎶 Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival 2025: 88rising’s global celebration of Asian music and culture is back with a star-studded lineup at Brookside at the Rose Bowl! 12:00PM–11:00PM. All ages welcome—get ready to vibe, dance, and eat your heart out!

• 🎼 Spring Concert: Creation – All Saints Church Adult Choirs: Be moved by Dan Forrest’s breathtaking Creation, performed by the Canterbury and Coventry Choirs with orchestra, spoken word, and dance. Sunday, June 1 at 5:00PM at All Saints Church, Pasadena. Free and open to all.

• 🎈 CARNIVAL, Celebrating World Children’s Day: Enjoy a fun-filled day with games, food, live entertainment, crafts, obstacle courses, and more at this free, family-friendly festival! Sunday, June 1 from 11:00AM–7:00PM at 2495 E Mountain St, Pasadena. A joyful celebration for all ages!

• 🎨 Paint Nite: Van Gogh's Cat: Sip, snack, and create your own masterpiece at this playful paint-and-sip evening at the Hilton Pasadena! 7PM. Use code BoozyPigments-Hilton25 for 25% off your ticket. One drink or appetizer purchase required—let’s keep the creativity (and cocktails) flowing!

Save the Date

• 🚗 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.

• 🐾 Carnival of Cats: Play, party, and purr with 30–40 adorable rescue cats at this free, family-friendly feline fest! A VIP experience with perks like a swag bag and fast pass is available for $25. 11:00AM–6:00PM, Saturday, June 7 at Tail Town Cat Café, 1780 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena.

• ⛸️ 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.

•  5th Annual DENA Juneteenth 2025: Celebrate Black joy, radical resilience, and community wellness at this family-friendly Juneteenth festival in Altadena. Expect live music, drum and healing circles, line dancing, games, painting, water slides, scholarships, food, vendors, and more. Saturday, June 14 · 10:30AM–3:30PM at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 2283 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Altadena.

• 🎨 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. June 20th, 4–7PM, guides available at participating locations.

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

💡 Pasadena Pauses $7.6M Utility Rate Hike

Pasadena’s Municipal Services Committee has removed a proposed $7.6M rate increase from the 2026 Water & Power budget, saying it’s too soon to approve without a completed rate study or public input. The full City Council takes it up June 9.

🔌 Robinson Park EV Charging Depot Ribbon Cutting

Pasadena celebrates a greener future! On Friday, May 23, officials and community members marked the opening of 23 Level 2 and 5 DC fast chargers at Robinson Park (1081 N Fair Oaks Ave), expanding the city’s growing EV charging network. Charge up and drive on!

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Friday

90 🌡️ 64 |☀️| 💨 SW 7 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 54 (Moderate)

Saturday

86 🌡️ 64 |⛅| 💨 S 7 mph

Sunday

78 🌡️ 60 |⛅| 💨 S 7 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar.

PASADENA PERK

☕ Lavender & Honey Celebrates 11 Sweet Years

Tucked into a charming, nearly century-old building on Washington Blvd, Lavender & Honey has been serving up coffee, toast, and community vibes since 2014—and this month, they’re celebrating 11 years in Pasadena.

Founded by Melanie and Charlie Porter, the café was built with one simple goal: to create a cozy, neighborhood space that feels like home. From their signature honey lavender lattes to the rotating seasonal menu, everything is crafted with care—and it shows.

The shop played a key role in revitalizing the plaza it's in, helping spark new life into what was once a quiet corner of town. Now, it's a favorite meeting spot, study nook, and morning ritual for so many of us.

My personal go-to? The goat cheese, dried lavender & honey drizzle toast. It’s the kind of thing you try once and think about for weeks.

Stop by and celebrate their anniversary this June 21—and if you haven’t been yet, now’s the perfect time to discover why Lavender & Honey has become such a beloved part of Pasadena.

📍 1383 E Washington Blvd | lavenderandhoneyespresso.com

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 🎹 Larry Garf Performs: Start your Friday with vintage vibes as pianist Larry Garf brings Ragtime, early jazz, blues, and Beatles classics to life. 9:00AM, Friday, May 30 at Jones Coffee Roasters. Free and full of charm!

• 🎷 Jenny & The Jazz Birds: Kick off your Saturday with smooth jazz, funk, and blues from this beloved local band. Saturday, May 31 at 10:00AM at Jones Coffee Roasters on Raymond Ave. Free tunes, hot coffee, good vibes!

• 🎸 Brooks Williams Concert: Enjoy an intimate evening of soulful acoustic music with renowned guitarist and songwriter Brooks Williams. Saturday, May 31 at 7:30PM at Knox Presbyterian Church. $20 suggested donation supports Door of Hope’s Eaton Fire Housing Assistance Program.

• 🎷 Fivemind Reeds: Experience a dynamic night of classical and contemporary music reimagined for reed quintet, featuring works by Mozart, Grieg, Elgar, and more. Saturday, May 31 at 8:00PM at Skandia Hall and Lodge, Pasadena. A bold, genre-bridging performance by LA’s own Fivemind Reeds!

• 🎹 Josh Nelson: Experience an unforgettable night of jazz as pianist Josh Nelson blends his original works with inspired takes on Sondheim and more. Saturday, May 31 at 8:00PM at Boston Court Pasadena. A must for music lovers!

• 🎼 Spring Concert: Creation – All Saints Church Adult Choirs: Be moved by Dan Forrest’s breathtaking Creation, performed by the Canterbury and Coventry Choirs with orchestra, spoken word, and dance. Sunday, June 1 at 5:00PM at All Saints Church, Pasadena. Free and open to all.

• 🎼 MAESTROS: MARTÍN + BACH: Music Director Jaime Martín takes the stage with Bach’s complete Orchestral Suites in a dazzling season finale of counterpoint and harmony.
  Saturday, May 31 at 7:30PM at The Wallis
  Sunday, June 1 at 4:00PM at The Huntington’s Rothenberg Hall.
  A must for classical music lovers!
  

THANKS!

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