Pasadena Updates: Keck Medicine Opens, Trail Race Rebounds

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses—the newsletter that’s as nice as getting the whole row to yourself on the plane.

In Today’s News N’ Roses:

• Keck Medicine of USC Opens State-of-the-Art Pasadena Facility

• Mount Wilson Trail Race Returns as “Recovery Run”

• Events this Monday & Tuesday

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

THE DIGEST

Keck Medicine of USC Opens State-of-the-Art Pasadena Facility

Pasadena just welcomed a major new addition to its healthcare landscape with the opening of Keck Medicine of USC’s most advanced outpatient center at 590 S. Fair Oaks Ave. The four-story, 100,000-square-foot facility expands Keck’s reach across the San Gabriel Valley, offering specialized care in more than 15 clinical areas, including cancer, heart, orthopedic, and autoimmune treatment.

The sustainably designed building features natural light, energy-efficient systems, and views of the San Gabriel Mountains. It also serves as a training site for USC medical students and residents.

The new center complements Keck’s nearby clinic at 625 S. Fair Oaks, which focuses on brain health and primary care. A ribbon-cutting on October 3 marked the official opening, attended by USC leaders, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, and community members.

Mount Wilson Trail Race Returns as “Recovery Run”

Hundreds of runners laced up in Sierra Madre on Saturday for the Mount Wilson Trail Race, revived this year as a 5K Recovery Run to help restore the historic trail damaged by fire, erosion, and landslides.

Founded in 1908, the event is one of California’s oldest races. The new course started and finished at Kersting Court, looping past the Mount Wilson and Bailey Canyon trailheads. Proceeds and awareness efforts support more than 180 local volunteers who maintain the trails without city or federal funding.

Kids joined in with their own fun runs before a community festival featuring local vendors, a beer garden, and plenty of hometown spirit.

“The Mount Wilson Trail Race has always been more than a run,” said Chair Steve Siberell. “It’s a symbol of Sierra Madre’s connection to the mountains and a promise to bring the trail back stronger than ever.”

@NEWSN_ROSES

📷 Mark Savage📍Sierra Madre, Mount Wilson Trail Race

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

Monday

• 🎃 Carved: Stroll Descanso Gardens’ glowing Pumpkin Trail filled with hand-carved gourds, dazzling light displays, and whimsical seasonal scenes—plus treats, train rides, and a few friendly spirits. Monday, October 6 at 6PM.

• 🎻 Lecture Recital: Beyond the Chaconne: Violinist Ayano Ninomiya explores Bach’s E Major and B minor Partitas in this illuminating lecture-recital featuring live performances and insights into the music’s artistry and history. Monday, October 6 at 6PM.

• 🍺 Bingo & Lotería: Play for a cause at Wild Parrot Brewing’s game night, featuring rounds of bingo and lotería to benefit the USHS and Wildfire Relief Fund—plus great brews and prizes. Monday, October 6 from 6:30PM–8:30PM.

• 🎭 The Night of the Iguana: Experience Tennessee Williams’s haunting drama at Boston Court Pasadena, where a defrocked minister battles faith, desire, and redemption in one turbulent night on the Mexican coast. Monday, October 6 at 7:30PM.

Tuesday

• 🥦 Pasadena Farmers' Market at Villa Parke: Shop fresh, seasonal produce and farm goods straight from local growers—plus jams, jellies, fish, and more—at this beloved weekly market in Villa Parke. Tuesday, October 7 from 8:30AM–12:30PM.

• ☕ ShopTalk Business Breakfast: Connect with local business owners and community leaders over breakfast while gaining fresh insights from guest speakers in this monthly small-business “master class.” Tuesday, October 7 at 8AM.

• 🌮 Level Up Your Taco Tuesday: Chronic Tacos’ National Taco Day BOGO: Celebrate National Taco Day with an app-exclusive deal from Chronic Tacos—loyalty members get Buy One, Get One Free plus $1 off their order. Tuesday, October 7 starting at 8AM.

• 🎼 Crown City Symphony Concert: Enjoy an afternoon of classical music featuring talented soloists and ensembles performing works by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Puccini, and more. Tuesday, October 7 at 12:30PM.

• 🧵 One Handle Tote: Level up your sewing skills by crafting a stylish one-handle tote while learning techniques like French seams and bias tape application at Remainders Creative Reuse. Tuesday, October 7 at 6PM.

• 🐾 Calm Canines: Learn gentle, effective ways to help your high-energy pup relax through enrichment games and relaxation techniques in this hands-on Pasadena Humane workshop. Tuesday, October 7 at 7PM.

Save the Date

• 🎨 ArtNight Pasadena: Explore 18 arts and cultural venues across the city for free—from haunted puppets and show tune sing-alongs to tile exhibits, interactive art, and live music. Friday, October 10 from 6PM–10PM citywide, with Pasadena City Hall as a central hub.

  

• 🎨 Sierra Madre Art Walk: Explore more than 50 artists across 40+ venues as Sierra Madre transforms into a walkable gallery filled with art, live music, and community spirit—featuring special exhibits supporting fire-affected artists. Friday, October 10 from 4PM–8PM.

• 🎉 Pasadena Latino Heritage Festival: Celebrate culture, resilience, and community at this year’s festival themed “Un Pasado con Orgullo, un Futuro con Esperanza” (A Proud Past, a Hopeful Future). Centennial Square in front of City Hall will come alive with music, food, and festivities honoring Pasadena’s Latino heritage. Saturday, October 11 from 5:00PM–9:00PM.

• 🛍️ Artazan Handcraft Market: The Pasadena Convention Center transforms into a vibrant marketplace with over 200 artisans showcasing ceramics, jewelry, textiles, fine art, and gourmet treats. Enjoy live music, hands-on workshops, and seasonal shopping that celebrates creativity and community. Saturday & Sunday, October 11–12 from 10:00AM–5:00PM.

• 🏛️ Crafting Memories: Family Free Day: Kick off Pasadena Heritage’s Craftsman Week with a family-friendly day of art, architecture, and hands-on fun—featuring tile workshops, mini mansion tours, quilting exhibitions, and live music across Pasadena’s historic sites. Sunday, October 12 from 11AM–3PM.

• 🎳 Pasadena Jaycees Bowling Tournament: Roll into Montrose Bowl for a fun night of bowling, music, food, and raffles—all to support local Jaycees projects like Operation Gobbler thanksgiving food drive and Operation Santa toy drive. Wednesday, October 15 from 6:30PM–8:30PM.

• 🍻 Pasadena Pro Musica Presents Oktoberfest!: Raise your voice (and your stein) at this lively choral concert filled with German folk tunes, drinking songs, and singalongs—followed by a festive beer garden reception. Sunday, October 19 at 4PM.

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

Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting

Join Pasadena’s monthly Recreation and Parks Commission meeting at City Yards – Public Works, 233 W. Mountain St., to hear updates and share input on local parks, the Arroyo Seco, and the Rose Bowl area. Tuesday, October 7 at 6PM.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Monday

80 🌡️ 60 |☀️| 💨 SW 6 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 32 (Good)

Tuesday

81 🌡️ 61 |☀️| 💨 SW 5 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 🎵 Triple Shot Jazz Trio: Kick off your Monday with live modern jazz at Jones Coffee, featuring Morgan Jones, Scott Worthington, and Marcelo Bucater blending blues, gospel, and funk influences. Monday, October 6 at 9AM.

• 🌹 Music in the Rose Garden: Stroll through The Huntington’s blooming Rose Garden while enjoying live classical performances by Pasadena Conservatory of Music artists on violin, cello, and guitar. Monday, October 6 from 1PM–3PM.

• ☕ The Coffee Shop Jazz Trio: Ease into your morning with smooth modern jazz and Latin fusion from pianist Matt Politano and his trio at Jones Coffee—plus surprise guest musicians throughout the year. Tuesday, October 7 at 8:30AM.

• 🎼 Crown City Symphony Concert: Enjoy an afternoon of classical music featuring talented soloists and ensembles performing works by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Puccini, and more. Tuesday, October 7 at 12:30PM.

• 🎷 Lancer Jazz Big Band, directed by Brian Carmody: Catch Pasadena City College’s powerhouse student big band performing swing, funk, and modern jazz during a free outdoor concert at the Center for the Arts. Tuesday, October 7 from 12PM–12:50PM.

THANKS!

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