Paved Roads & Wagging Tails: Arroyo Gets a Spring Refresh

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. The newsletter that greets you like your doggo at the door. 🐶

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Arroyo Boulevard Gets a Much-Needed Makeover

• Pasadena Humane Reopens Walk-In Dog Adoptions

• Events on Thursday & Friday

Let’s get to it.

— Matthew Ramirez

THE DIGEST 

🛣️ Arroyo Boulevard Gets a Much-Needed Makeover

Early Tuesday morning, crews began resurfacing Arroyo Boulevard, starting as early as 2 a.m. to complete the job in a single day. The work is part of Pasadena’s $10 million citywide street resurfacing and ADA improvement program, which runs through September 2025.

Arroyo Boulevard is one of 41 streets getting upgrades — including smoother pavement, curb ramp fixes, and sidewalk repairs. Streets near the Rose Bowl like Rosemont, Seco Street, and Rose Bowl Drive are also on the list, especially timely after the weekend’s Half Marathon.

Regular resurfacing helps extend the life of our roads and saves money long-term — so while it may cause some traffic headaches, it’s for a smoother ride ahead.

🐶 Pasadena Humane Reopens for Walk-In Dog Adoptions

Over 100 days after the Eaton Fire, Pasadena Humane has officially reopened its kennels for walk-in dog adoptions — and they’re celebrating with a “Walkin’ On Sunshine” promotion featuring waived adoption fees now through May 3.

All adopted dogs come spayed/neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated, and the shelter is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Pasadena Humane is still caring for 70+ dogs whose families were displaced by the fire — so every adoption helps make space and spread some love.

@NEWSN_ROSES

📷@pasadenahumane📍Pasadena Humane Society, Pasadena

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

Wednesday

• 🐾 Walkin’ on Sunshine: Fee-Waived Dog Adoptions: Find your furry soulmate at Pasadena Humane—adoption fees are waived for all dogs from April 28 through May 3. Includes spay/neuter, vaccines, and microchip. Licensing fees may apply.

• 🥕 Altadena Farmers' Market: Shop seasonal produce, handmade goods, and prepared foods from local queer and POC-owned vendors. 3:30PM–6PM. Curbside pickup and delivery available.

• 🧠 Game Night Live Trivia at Stone Brewing Tap Room: Enjoy two rounds of fun, fast-paced trivia with word jumbles, picture rounds, and prizes. Free to play, no trivia mastery needed—just bring your brain and your beer. 6PM–8PM.

• 🎤 Pasadena Comedy Show – Always Free: Hosted by the hilarious Paddy, this weekly comedy night at The Mixx features fresh guest comics, free entry, and plenty of laughs. 8PM. Free parking and 2×1 drinks all night.

• 🎭 A Night Out in Playhouse Village: Enjoy an unforgettable evening at the Ice House Comedy Club hosted by Margaret Cho, with food, laughs, and auctions—all to support Playhouse Village placemaking projects. 5:30PM. Proceeds benefit public art, parks, and community improvements.

Thursday

• 🙏 52nd Annual Pasadena Mayor's Interfaith Prayer Breakfast: Join Mayor Victor Gordo and community members for a morning of peace, prayer, and unity at the Pasadena Convention Center under the theme “Resilient Pasadena: Rebuilding Our Community’s Future.” 7:30AM–9AM. Hosted by Friends In Deed.

• 🔭 Altadena Stargazing Night at Gwinn Park: Enjoy a guided telescope tour of the night sky with professional astronomers and views of Jupiter, Mars, the Moon, and deep space objects. Free NASA swag, no RSVP needed—just show up! Thursday, May 1 · 8PM–10PM. Free and open to the public. Weather permitting.

• Free Day at the Huntington: Enjoy complimentary access to The Huntington’s stunning gardens, art galleries, and library collections. Thursday, May 1 · Timed entry required. Free tickets released the last Thursday of each month.

• 🌹 Tournament House Public Tours: Step inside the historic Wrigley Mansion and explore the legacy of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game through free, guided tours of Tournament House and its gardens. Tours led by the Tournament of Roses Heritage Committee. Thursdays at 2PM, May 1–August 28. Reservations required.

Save the Date

• 🛍️ Artazan Handcraft Market: Celebrate creativity and craftsmanship at the Artazan Market, returning to the Pasadena Convention Center May 3–4. Shop fine art, jewelry, textiles, and artisan foods while enjoying live music, chocolate tastings, and hands-on workshops. A spring weekend of inspiration and artistry awaits! Saturday 10AM–6PM | Sunday 10AM–5PM.

• The Concert for Beautiful Pasadena: Benefitting Altadena fire victims, this multi-stage concert will feature local artists, May 3

• 🏛️ Museums of the Arroyo Day: Step into “Life in the Past Lane” on Sunday, May 4 · 12PM–4PM as six local museums—Gamble House, Lummis Home, Pasadena Museum of History, and more—offer free admission, family activities, and shuttle service between stops. It’s the 35th annual celebration of Arroyo culture, architecture, and history.

• 💜 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. 6PM. Livestream available via Eight Days of Hope’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

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

• ⛸️ 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!

CIVIL NEWS

🏘️ Pasadena Rental Housing Board Regular Meeting

Attend the regular session of the Pasadena Rental Housing Board to learn about and engage with local housing policy and tenant protections under the Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment. 6PM. Free and open to the public.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Wednesday

69 🌡️ 55 |⛅| 💨 S 7 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 41 (Good)

Thursday

68 🌡️ 55 |⛅| 💨 S 7 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar. 

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 🎶 Music in the Chinese Garden: Stroll through the serene Garden of Flowing Fragrance at The Huntington while enjoying traditional Chinese melodies played live on classical instruments like the dizi, pipa, and erhu. Wednesday, April 30 · 1PM. Included with admission.
  

THANKS!

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