New Budget, Who Dis? Pasadena Gets a $2.46B Makeover

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. The newsletter that’s as addictive as your 3 p.m. doom scroll — but good for you. 📱

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Pasadena Approves $2.46B Infrastructure Plan

• Events on Wednesday & Thursday

• The Marquee: New Show in Town

Let’s get to it.

— Matthew Ramirez

THE DIGEST 

Pasadena Approves $2.46B Infrastructure Plan, Eyes Smoother Streets & Greener Power

It’s official: Pasadena City Council just gave the green light to a massive five-year Capital Improvement Program — $2.46 billion worth of streets, buildings, parks, and pipes. For FY 2026 alone, $446 million is going toward 119 projects.

🚧 The hot topic? Street paving. Despite some improvements (our Pavement Condition Index rose from 53 to 57!), councilmembers want more investment. The new budget sets aside $10.2M for resurfacing — still below what many say we really need to keep our roads smooth.

⚡ Also approved: a bold step toward climate action! The Council unanimously backed a plan for Pasadena Water and Power to pursue local solar and energy storage to hit 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030. Glenarm’s natural gas plant will be used only in emergencies.

🌳 Other items:

• Brush clearance in the Arroyo Seco may get a dedicated year-round crew.

• Fireworks fines just got steeper: now $250–$1,000 depending on offense.

• No funding yet for a new Street Tree Master Plan (Playhouse Village is not thrilled).

There’s still $1.13 billion in funding left to find for all active projects. Councilmembers are already thinking about how to better set priorities next year. As Councilmember Rick Cole put it: “Let’s try to get our arms around it.”

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

Wednesday

• 🌿 Arroyo Clean-Up & Nature Walk: Help preserve Lower Arroyo Park with a clean-up and guided nature walk, plus learn about Pasadena’s stormwater project to protect water quality. 9–11AM at 415 S Arroyo Blvd.

• 🚲 National Bike & Roll to School Day: Celebrate Pasadena Bike Month by biking, scooting, or skating to school with your kids this Wednesday. Free events all May long!

• 🌸 Mother’s Day Basket Giveaway at Fair Oaks Burger: Altadena moms, swing by this Wednesday (May 7) from 12–2PM for a free Mother’s Day basket filled with treats and surprises—just because you deserve it! (While supplies last.)

• 🍻 Game Night Live at Stone Brewing Tap Room: Free trivia every Wednesday with two rounds of game show-style fun, including word jumbles and picture puzzles—plus prizes! 6–8PM at Stone Brewing Pasadena.

• 🎤 On The Road Again – Laughter is the Best Medicine: SET for LIFE brings older adults to The Ice House for clean comedy, food, prizes, and connection—all with free transportation. Thursday, May 9 · 3PM at The Ice House.

Thursday

• 🕊️ Police and Fire Memorial: Honor Pasadena’s fallen first responders in a solemn tribute hosted by the Police and Fire Departments. 10AM–12PM in front of Pasadena City Hall.
  

  

• 🎨 Annual Grand Art Critique: Gain insight into the creative process as California Art Club Signature Artists offer constructive feedback on anonymously submitted artworks. 1PM at California Art Club headquarters.

• 🚲 Fix a Flat Class at Around the Cycle: It’s Bike Month. Learn how to repair a flat tire like a pro in this hands-on class led by local bike shop experts. 6–7:30PM at Around the Cycle.

• 🎭 A Man of No Importance: New showing at A Noise Within: A heartfelt musical about love, identity, and the power of theater, set in 1960s Dublin and brought to life by the creators of Ragtime. 7:30PM at A Noise Within.

• 🎶 Pass Avenue – First Single Release: Celebrate the debut of “Milan” with live music, Latin covers, and 2-for-1 drinks. Special guests include Gaona and Kosmar the Magician. 7PM at The Mixx Pasadena.

Save the Date

• 🎶 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.

• 💜 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!

• 🎵 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.

• 🧘‍♀️ A Day to Decompress: Enjoy yoga, massage, meditation, and sound bowls at this restorative wellness event for fire-affected residents (free w/ ID). May 24, 11AM–4PM at 2929 Pennsylvania Ave, Santa Monica. Hosted by Bizzy Hands Kind Hearts.

• 🦸 Pasadena Comic Con: A vendor hall full of comic books, toys, action figures, anime and so much more, May 24

• 🚗 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.

• 🎨 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.

• ⛸️ 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

🚓 Public Safety Committee Special Meeting: Join Pasadena’s Public Safety Committee as they discuss key issues impacting the community. Wednesday, 4PM at Pasadena City Hall.

👮‍♂️ Community Police Oversight Commission Regular Meeting: Help shape public safety policy and strengthen community–police relations at this open monthly meeting. Thursday, 6PM at Pasadena City Hall.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Wednesday

71 🌡️ 56 |⛅| 💨 SW 7 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 52 (Moderate)

Thursday

68 🌡️ 62 |⛅| 💨 SW 7 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar. 

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 🎼 Music in the Chinese Garden: Stroll through the Garden of Flowing Fragrance at The Huntington while listening to live traditional Chinese music performed on classical instruments like the dizi, pipa, and erhu. Wednesday, 1PM at The Huntington Botanical Gardens.

• 🎸 The Lazy Circles at Old Towne Pub: Pasadena’s back-alley legends return with indie rock vibes and local charm. Wednesday, May 7 · 8PM at Old Towne Pub.

• 🎶 Pass Avenue – First Single Release: Celebrate the debut of “Milan” with live music, Latin covers, and 2-for-1 drinks. Special guests include Gaona and Kosmar the Magician. 7PM at The Mixx Pasadena.

• 🎶 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.
  

  

  
  

THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who has no idea what’s going on. 🤷🏽‍♀️

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