Pasadena Peacefully Responds to ICE Presence

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses—the newsletter that helps unite our Pasadena community.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Pasadena Joins Statewide Response to Recent ICE Raids

• Beloved Bear ‘Cinnamon’ Resurfaces After Eaton Fire

• 32nd Annual Pasadena Chalk Festival

• Events This Monday & Tuesday

• Pasadena Summer Events 2025: Your Ultimate Guide

Let’s get to it.

— Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Happy belated birthday Mark Goleski! 🎂

THE DIGEST 

🚨 Pasadena Joins Statewide Response to Recent ICE Raids

This weekend, Pasadena joined a statewide wave of peaceful protests following recent ICE raids in Los Angeles. A calm gathering formed outside the AC Hotel after ICE agents were confirmed to be staying at several local hotels. No enforcement actions were reported here, but the news spurred Pasadena residents—joined by leaders like Mayor Victor Gordo, Councilmember Rick Cole, and State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez—to stand in solidarity.

In his message, Mayor Gordo acknowledged the anxiety these reports can cause and urged the community to remain calm, united, and peaceful. He emphasized that the right to peacefully assemble is a fundamental part of who we are as Pasadenans and Americans. Above all, he reaffirmed the city’s commitment to treating every resident—regardless of immigration status—with dignity, respect, and care.

The scene outside the hotel has remained peaceful and supportive, a testament to Pasadena’s enduring sense of community, even in uncertain times.

🐻 Beloved Bear ‘Cinnamon’ Resurfaces After Eaton Fire

After months of worry following the deadly Eaton Fire, a familiar face has returned to Pasadena: Cinnamon the bear. This beloved local bear was captured on video taking a cautious dip in a backyard pool in Upper Hastings Ranch—his first sighting since January’s massive blaze. The Eaton Fire burned over 14,000 acres and claimed at least 18 lives, leaving many concerned about the fate of local wildlife.

While Cinnamon’s reappearance brought smiles, other bears have also been affected by the fire’s aftermath. In February, wildlife officials had to relocate a 525-pound bear from under an Altadena home using peanut butter and rotisserie chicken, and another bear was found living under a Pasadena home for months, raising safety concerns.

🎨 32nd Annual Pasadena Chalk Festival

The 32nd Annual Pasadena Chalk Festival is back to transform The Paseo and Pasadena Civic Center plaza into a vibrant outdoor art gallery on June 14 and 15. Over 500 artists will spend up to 20 hours each creating 200 murals in every style imaginable—from whimsical cartoons to moving tributes and breathtaking originals.

Organized by the Light Bringer Project, this free event brings the community together with live DJs, food trucks, a beer garden, and even a Pasadena Police Department Car Show on Saturday. Don’t miss the Art Gallery & Silent Auction on Sunday, with proceeds going to support local arts education!

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📷@sodapopmatt📍Pasadena Convention Center, SoCal Gaming Expo

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

Monday

• 🩺 Distinguished Speaker Series: Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Renowned medical journalist Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes the stage to share insights on health, medicine, and navigating our modern world. 7:30PM—tickets start at $240. Don’t miss this chance to hear from a true health leader!

• 🧠 Game Night Live Trivia at Dog Haus Biergarten: Test your knowledge and win prizes every Monday! Join the fun at 7–9PM at 93 E Green St, Pasadena. A perfect pairing of trivia and tasty treats—don’t miss out!

• 🧘‍♀️ Mental Health Monday: Join an insightful panel discussion on “Helping Our Kids Cope” at 6–7PM at 221 E. Walnut St, Pasadena. Free community workshop—because mental health matters!

Tuesday

• 🍓 Pasadena Farmers' Market at Villa Parke: Find fresh, local produce and goodies straight from the farmer. 8:30AM–12:30PM. A perfect start to your week with delicious flavors!

• 🩰 Historical and Modern Dance Nights in Pasadena: Travel back in time with dances from Jane Austen to Bridgerton and beyond! Tuesday nights starting at 7:15PM, $10 entry. Friendly, beginner-friendly, and no partner needed—just pure fun!

• 🍿 Flashback Tuesday: Grease on the Big Screen: Catch Grease on the big screen at the Regency Academy 6 movie theater. 7:30 PM.

Save the Date

• 🎨 Pasadena Chalk Festival: Watch hundreds of artists transform The Paseo into an open-air gallery of jaw-dropping chalk murals, from portraits to pop culture tributes. Saturday & Sunday, June 14 & 15 from 10:00AM–7:00PM at The Paseo. A must-see for art lovers of all ages!

• 🎬 One Colorado Summer Movie Musicals: Enjoy beloved musicals under the stars this summer! Select Saturdays, starting June 14, One Colorado Courtyard. Film Starts 8:30PM. First up: Wicked on June 14—let the magic begin!

• 🚗 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.

•  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.

• 🌉 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. Tickets start at $30; kids under 12 are free!

• 🎨 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

💼 Finance/Audit Committee Special Meeting

The City Council’s finance team meets on Monday, June 9 at 2PM. Free and open to the public, but subject to cancellation—check the agenda before heading over!

🏛️ Special Meeting of Finance Committee and/or City Council

A joint session to discuss key city matters on Monday, June 9 at 3:30PM. Open to the public but check for last-minute changes!

🏛️ Municipal Services Committee Meeting

Join the discussion on city services and updates on Tuesday, June 10 at 4PM. Free and open to the public, but check the agenda for any last-minute changes!

SUMMER IN BLOOM

Pasadena Summer Events 2025: Your Ultimate Guide

Ready to make the most of this summer? Pasadena is bursting with exciting events that cater to everyone’s taste, from jazz in the park and movies under the stars to foodie streetfests, chalk art festivals, and classical concerts under the mountain skies.

• 🎷 Jazz in the Park kicks things off every Sunday evening through July 6 at Playhouse Village Park.

• 📽️ Movies Under the Stars at One Colorado brings classic musicals like Grease and La La Land to the big screen in the beautiful courtyard.

• 🛼 Juneteenth Roller Jam and 🎨 Pasadena Chalk Festival are both happening June 14–15 — perfect for soaking up community vibes.

• 🌉 And don’t miss the Bridge Party on July 19, a historic community celebration with music, food, and vintage vehicles on the iconic Colorado Street Bridge.

• 🎵 Plus: the Descanso Gardens Summer Music Series, 🎶 Pasadena POPS concerts, 🔭 Mount Wilson concerts in the dome, and 🍷 Friday nights at The Gamble House — there’s truly something for everyone!

Mark your calendars and plan ahead! We’ve put together a full breakdown of all these awesome events so you can pick your favorites and dive into the summer fun.

👉 Check out my full guide here ➜ Pasadena Summer Events 2025 Guide

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Monday

78 🌡️ 61 |☀️| 💨 S 6 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 63 (Moderate)

Tuesday

83 🌡️ 62 |☀️| 💨 S 6 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 🌹 Music in the Rose Garden at The Huntington: Let classical melodies enchant you among the blooms on Monday, June 9 at 1PM. Stroll the Rose Garden while enjoying live violin, cello, and guitar performances. A perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon!

• 🎸 The Riner Scivally Trio at Edwin Mills: Let jazz standards, Brazilian tunes, and original compositions wash over you June 9 from 6–10PM. Riner Scivally and his talented trio set the perfect mood for an evening of live music!

• 🎷 Supasol Band at Edwin Mills: Kick back with old-school jazz and unbeatable happy hour deals on June 10 from 6–10PM. $3 martinis and live jazz vibes—does it get any better?

• 🎶Village Concert—Music for Mind, Body and Soul: Washington Park will host a free concert with interactive live performances to harness the therapeutic benefits of music, Thursday, June 12 at 6 PM.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who has hosted cute, brown bears at their pool party. 🐻

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