Happy Birthday, Pasadena!

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses—the newsletter that’s as cool as the competition pool at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.

• Pasadena Turns 139—Here’s How the City’s Celebrating

• Remembering John Casani, NASA Legend Behind Voyager, Galileo & Cassini

• Events This Weekend

• Civil News Updates

Let’s get to it.

— Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Happy Birthday to the best city in the world! 🌹

THE DIGEST 

🎂 Pasadena Turns 139—Here’s How the City’s Celebrating

Pasadena is ringing in 139 years of civic pride, culture, and community with a free birthday bash on Saturday, June 29 from 1–4PM at the Pasadena Museum of History.

The event—"Happy Birthday Pasadena: Cake, Paint, & Party!"—honors the city’s rich legacy with a mix of fun and nostalgia. Enjoy live jazz by The Jazz Expedition, interactive watercolor workshops with the Pasadena Society of Artists (also celebrating 100 years!), craft booths, Pasadena history trivia, and self-guided tours of the historic 1906 Fényes Mansion and Finnish Folk Art Museum.

There’s also a cakewalk, water games for kids, and complimentary treats at “Eva’s Sweet Shop.”

Pasadena was officially incorporated on June 19, 1886, making it one of the oldest cities in L.A. County—second only to L.A. itself. This celebration is a great way to connect with that legacy and enjoy an afternoon of community joy, creativity, and (of course) birthday cake.

👉 More info: pasadenahistory.org

🚀 Remembering John Casani, NASA Legend Behind Voyager, Galileo & Cassini

🚀 Remembering John Casani, NASA Legend Behind Voyager, Galileo & Cassini

John Casani, one of NASA’s most influential engineers and project managers, passed away on June 19 at the age of 92. A Pasadena resident and longtime fixture at JPL, Casani helped shape the U.S. space program from its earliest days—leading iconic missions like Voyager, Galileo, and Cassini.

He joined JPL in 1956 and carried spacecraft to launch sites in suitcases before going on to design, build, and manage missions that traveled to nearly every planet in our solar system. He even helped inspire the Golden Record on Voyager, our message-in-a-bottle to the stars.

Known for his meticulous standards and tough-love leadership, Casani’s work lives on through the spacecraft still sending data back decades later. As former JPL Director Dave Gallagher put it: “Voyager is still exploring after nearly 50 years—a testament to John’s remarkable talent and leadership.” A true space pioneer. 💫

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

Friday

• 🍷 Friday Nights at The Gamble House: Sip wine, stroll through the historic Gamble House, and enjoy live soul music by Scarlett and the Fever on Friday, June 27 from 5:30PM–7:30PM on the front lawn. Wine flights by West Altadena Wine + Spirits and pizza from Triple Beam make it the perfect picnic evening. $5–$40 depending on age and wine tasting—registration required.

• 🕌 Tour: 50 Years of South and Southeast Asian Art: Explore highlights from the Norton Simon Museum’s five decades of collecting South and Southeast Asian masterpieces during this docent-led tour on Friday, June 27 from 1PM–2PM. $15–$20 admission, space limited to 20 guests—sign up at the Information Desk when doors open.

Saturday

• 🎬 Movie Night at One Colorado: La La Land: Watch La La Land under the stars at One Colorado’s outdoor courtyard theater on Saturday, June 28 at 8:30PM. Free public seating—just bring a blanket and friends!

• 🐐 Goat Yoga at The Gamble House: Stretch, smile, and snuggle with friendly goats during a playful outdoor yoga session on the rear lawn of the Gamble House, led by instructor Tina Lenert. Upcoming sessions are on Saturday, June 28 at 9AM and 10:15AM, with mats, photo ops, and goats galore! $35 for members, $45 for non-members—all levels welcome.

• 👑 Bridgerton Sneaker Ball at the Pasadena Masonic Temple: Dress to impress—Regency style meets streetwear at this Bridgerton/Queen Charlotte–themed dance party on Saturday, June 28 from 4PM–11PM. Wear your costume, rock your sneakers, and dance the night away with fellow fans. $50 admission—a royal night awaits!

• 🧘‍♀️ YOGART: A Journey Within: Blend yoga, breathwork, and meditation with expressive art in this playful and restorative workshop led by Joanna Gates (@MindfulMindLA) on Saturday, June 28 from 1PM–2:30PM. Perfect for all levels—connect mind, body, and soul through movement and creativity. $37.

Sunday

• 🎉 Happy Birthday, Pasadena!: Celebrate Pasadena’s 139th birthday with a free, family-friendly party at the Pasadena Museum of History on Sunday, June 29 from 12PM–4PM. Enjoy festivities, community fun, and a toast to the city’s rich history—everyone’s invited!

• 🌿 Free Community Day at the LA Arboretum: Explore 127 acres of lush gardens, waterfalls, and historic sites while supporting those impacted by the LA Fires on Sunday, June 29 from 9AM–6:30PM. Spot peacocks, enjoy food trucks, and stroll through nature—free admission, reservations recommended!

• 🎷 Jazz in the Park: The Larry Muradian Quintet: Unwind with smooth Sunday night jazz at Playhouse Village Park, 701 E. Union St., Pasadena on June 29 at 8PM. Bring a picnic and blanket for an evening with the Larry Muradian Quintet—just no alcohol, tents, or tall chairs up front. Free and full of groove!

• 🎶 Concerts in the Park: Latin Soul Band: Kick off South Pasadena’s summer concert series with Latin Soul Band’s lively rhythms on Sunday, June 29 at 5PM in Garfield Park. Free—bring a picnic blanket, grab bites from La Oveja and Lilus Boba, and enjoy a warm evening of music and community vibes.

• 🎻 Classical Concert at Mount Wilson Observatory: Experience chamber music like never before—inside the historic 100-inch telescope dome at Mount Wilson Observatory on Sunday, June 29 from 3–5PM. Curated by Artistic Director Cécilia Tsan, this unique concert blends music and science in a breathtaking setting. Enjoy a light reception at 4PM. Dress warmly and wear comfy shoes for the short walk to the dome!

Save the Date

• 🎆 FoodieLand Night Market – Los Angeles: Celebrate the holiday weekend with a feast of flavors at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena from July 4–6, 2025. Enjoy 190+ food vendors, shopping, games, and live music at this massive outdoor night market. Bring your appetite and your friends—this July 4th weekend is gonna be delicious!

• 🎶 Moonlight Melodies: An Evening with The Crooners: Spend a magical night with the Pasadena POPS at the Los Angeles County Arboretum on Friday, July 12 at 7:30PM. Enjoy timeless tunes from Broadway to Bond under the stars. Gates open at 5:30PM for picnicking at 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia.

• 🌼 Mariposa Night: Celebrate the heart of Altadena with an evening of storytelling, music, food, and community on Saturday, July 12 from 7PM–9PM at Beckman Auditorium. Come early for a 5:30PM resource fair with food trucks, live music, and local nonprofits on the lawn. Free and open to all—RSVP requested!

• 🧪 Quantum for Kids @ Caltech: Dive into the strange and exciting world of quantum science with hands-on demos, crafts, coding workshops, and a campus-wide scavenger hunt on Saturday, July 12 from 10AM–2PM at Caltech. Aimed at middle schoolers but open to all ages—free with registration!

• 🌉 Pasadena Heritage Bridge Party: An unforgettable community celebration atop the Colorado Street Bridge! Saturday, July 19th from 6–11PM. Enjoy live music, local eats, kids' activities, and vintage vehicles—all while supporting historic preservation.

• 🎨 Pasadena Bead & Design Show: Discover handcraft at its finest with over 300 artisans showcasing jewelry, textiles, beads, gemstones, and wearable art at the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday–Sunday, July 25–27 from 10AM–5PM. Enjoy workshops, live demos, and rare finds from makers across the country.

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

🌹 Volunteers Needed: Sierra Madre 4th of July Parade

Looking for a fun and meaningful way to celebrate Independence Day? Join the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association in the 4th of July Parade to help raise funds for their self-built float in the Tournament of Roses. Volunteers will walk the 7-block parade route selling roses on Thursday, July 4 from 9:15AM to around 12PM. Perfect for students—double service hours will be given! Email Hanna at [email protected] to sign up.

📚 PUSD Passes Budget and $83M Stabilization Plan

On Thursday night, the Pasadena Unified School District Board approved its 2025–26 budget—and a major fiscal stabilization plan aimed at addressing a $30M+ deficit. The plan includes:

• Cutting 120 full-time positions over 3 years

• Reducing central office costs, transportation, supplies, and special ed contributions

The moves are expected to save over $83 million by 2028. The stabilization plan passed 6–1, with Trustee Tina Fredericks voting no, citing frustration over repeated yearly cuts without deeper changes. The budget itself passed unanimously.

🎆 Pasadena Fourth of July Closures & Reminders

City Hall and most city services will be closed Thursday, July 4, for Independence Day. Emergency services remain fully staffed, and trash pickup will run on schedule. No delays!

✔️ Free parking at meters (unless marked "No Parking")
✔️ No Pasadena Transit service except Route 33 (Sunday schedule)
✔️ Libraries and community centers closed, but parks stay open
✔️ La Pintoresca splash pad open 9AM–7:30PM, Kennedy Pool open 1–4PM

And remember: All fireworks are illegal in Pasadena. Violators face fines up to $50,000. Stay safe and celebrate smart!

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Friday

84 🌡️ 60 |☀️| 💨 S 7 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 63 (Moderate)

Saturday

86 🌡️ 62 |☀️| 💨 SW 5 mph

Sunday

85 🌡️ 60 |☀️| 💨 SW 5 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 🎙️ Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys at Edwin Mills: Step back in time with Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys as they bring the Great American Songbook to life with timeless jazz standards on Friday, June 27 from 7PM–11PM. A warm, nostalgic night of classic tunes in the heart of Pasadena.

• 🎸 Live Music at Old Towne Pub: Rock out with Johnny Rich Band, Girls Cry Wolf, Destructiva, Insomnia, and Los Houndstooth on Saturday, June 28 starting at 7PM at Old Towne Pub in Pasadena. $5 at the door—loud, local, and not to be missed!

• 🎵 Music in the Park: Official Biz (R&B): Bring your blankets and picnic baskets for an evening of smooth R&B by Official Biz at Memorial Park in La Cañada Flintridge on Sunday, June 29 from 6PM–7:30PM. Free and perfect for a summer night with friends and family.

• 🎶 A Folk Americana Music Night: Tipps and Obermiller: Enjoy a soulful, genre-blending night of storytelling and song with musical duo Tipps and Obermiller at Beckman Institute Auditorium on Saturday, July 26 from 8PM–10PM. Expect laughter, tears, and toe-tapping tunes. $25 general admission, $10 for Caltech students and youth.

THANKS!

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