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Remember & Rebuild

Remember & Rebuild

One year after the Eaton Fire, Altadena and Pasadena reflect on loss and progress, with a candlelight vigil, benefit concert, and signs of rebuilding, alongside Caltech naming its next president.

News N' Roses
January 07, 2026

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Today’s issue marks one year since the Eaton Fire, honoring those lost while recognizing the resilience, rebuilding, and community that continue to shape Altadena, Pasadena, and our surrounding neighborhoods.

In Today’s News N’ Roses:

One Year After the Eaton Fire, Altadena Remembers and Rebuilds
Caltech Names Its Next President
Events this Wednesday & Thursday
Civic News
Restaurant Spotlight: Amigos Restaurant and Cantina
Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

THE DIGEST

One Year After the Eaton Fire, Altadena and Pasadena Remembers and Rebuilds

This week marks one year since the Eaton Fire changed life in Altadena and nearby parts of Pasadena. The loss is real and still felt, but so is the progress. The anniversary is a moment to remember those who were lost and to recognize how much rebuilding and resilience has happened since.

On Sunday, the community will gather for a candlelight vigil in Altadena to honor the 19 lives lost in the fire. It is a simple, open gathering with music, community voices, and space to reflect. The goal is not ceremony, but togetherness.

The anniversary is also being marked tonight with a benefit concert at the Civic Auditorium bringing musicians together to support ongoing Eaton Fire recovery efforts. It is another reminder that remembrance and rebuilding can happen at the same time.

In the aftermath of the fire, neighbors stepped up quickly. Churches, schools, and local businesses opened their doors. Volunteers organized food, clothing, and shelter. People helped each other track down pets, find housing, and share information. That same sense of community continues to carry Altadena forward.

Recovery has not looked the same for everyone. Some families are back home, others are still rebuilding or waiting on permits and insurance. There are still hard conversations about equity, infrastructure, and emergency response. But there is also visible progress, new construction, and a clear determination to rebuild and stay rooted here.

The Eaton Fire will always be part of this community’s story—so will the resilience that followed.

Caltech Names Its Next President

Caltech has named Dr. Ray Jayawardhana as its next president, the tenth in the Institute’s history. He currently serves as provost at Johns Hopkins University and will step into the role this summer.

In his current role, Jayawardhana has helped guide the university’s academic and research direction and launch large cross-disciplinary initiatives. He previously held senior leadership and faculty positions at Cornell and the University of Toronto.

Jayawardhana is an astrophysicist by training and a seasoned university leader, with a strong emphasis on education and public engagement. He has shared that his interest in science began in childhood, sparked by time spent looking at the night sky while growing up in Sri Lanka.

He will assume the role on July 1, 2026, succeeding Thomas Rosenbaum after a 12 year presidency. For a campus so closely tied to science, space, and JPL, it feels like a natural fit and a notable moment for Pasadena’s academic community.

Welcome to Pasadena, Dr. Ray Jayawardhana!

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Wednesday (1/7/26)

🎼 Music at Noon: Lars Hoefs & Aline Alves: Enjoy a free lunchtime concert featuring cello and piano works performed by Lars Hoefs and Aline Alves. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Wednesday, January 7 from 12:10PM–12:40PM

🎶 A Concert for Altadena: A benefit concert honoring Altadena’s resilience, featuring an all-star lineup raising funds to support Eaton Fire recovery efforts. Pasadena Civic Auditorium | Wednesday, January 7 at 6:30PM

🍷 Winedown Wednesdays at Anayas Restaurant: Unwind midweek with live music by Rodrigo and an easygoing evening of wine and dinner. Anayas Restaurant | Wednesday, January 7 at 7PM

🎶 SCR – A New Year, New Look, New Attitude: Street Corner Renaissance brings their signature a cappella swing, jazz, and doo-wop harmonies to the stage for a high-energy night of classic vocal music. Catalina Bar and Grill Hollywood | Wednesday, January 7 at 7PM

🎶 Songs of Remembrance: A Service of Hope and Renewal: A community memorial service featuring music, reflection, and a message from author Philip Yancey marking one year since the Eaton Canyon fires. Lake Avenue Church | Wednesday, January 7 at 7:30PM

🎬 Rebel Without a Cause on the Big Screen: Catch the James Dean classic during Flashback Wednesday, starring James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo. Regency Academy 6 | Wednesday, January 7 at 7:30PM

😂 Comedy Improv Happy Hours: Catch a rotating lineup of comedians delivering fast-paced improv and stand-up for an easygoing midweek laugh. The Mixx Pasadena | Wednesday, January 7 at 8PM

Thursday (1/7/26)

🧘 An Introduction to Pilates: Learn the basics of Pilates with a low-impact class focused on breath, form, and full-body strength using just a mat. Hastings Branch Library | Thursday, January 8 at 10:30AM

👂 For Your Hearing Considerations: An interactive educational session covering hearing health, early detection, and how hearing loss can affect social connection and cognitive well-being. Pasadena Village Office Community Room | Thursday, January 8 at 10AM

🛍️ 2026 Small Business Pop-Up Fair: Recovering Together: A recovery-focused community marketplace connecting small business owners, entrepreneurs, and residents with local resources, support services, and ways to shop local one year after the January 2025 wildfires. Loma Alta Park Gymnasium | Thursday, January 8 from 12PM–4PM

🥕 South Pasadena Farmers’ Market: Browse certified California-grown produce, prepared food vendors, and enjoy live music while shopping from local farms and makers. South Pasadena Farmers’ Market | Thursday, January 8 from 4PM–7PM

🖼️ Ember & Light: Artwork from the Ashes: Explore a new body of work by local artist Anna Hasbun, featuring pieces created with charcoal from burned trees as a tribute to Altadena’s resilience one year after the fires. Opulence on Mentor | Thursday–Saturday, January 8–10 from 6PM–9PM

🥃 Anayas Restaurant: Whiskey & Mojitos: Settle in for live music by Rodrigo while enjoying mojitos and whiskey during a relaxed Thursday night at Anayas. Anayas Restaurant | Thursday, January 8 from 7PM–9PM

Save the Date

🕯️ Altadena Candlelight Vigil: Gather in solidarity for a candlelit evening of remembrance, reflection, and community voices honoring Altadena’s resilience one year after the Eaton Fire. Altadena Country Club | Sunday, January 11 at 7PM

🖼️ Free 2nd Sunday @ PAM: Enjoy free admission all day and explore the galleries at USC Pacific Asia Museum during its monthly free day. USC Pacific Asia Museum | Sunday, January 11 (All Day)

🛍️ Rose Bowl Flea Market: Browse thousands of vendors offering antiques, vintage clothing, art, and unique finds at this monthly favorite for collectors and casual shoppers alike. Rose Bowl Flea Market | Sunday, January 11, 9AM to3PM

🔭 Astronomy on Tap: Supermassive Black Holes & Radio Astronomy: Grab a drink and dive into mind-blowing space science with short, engaging talks, live Q&A, pub trivia, and guided stargazing with telescopes. Dog Haus Biergarten, Old Town Pasadena. Monday, January 12 at 7:30PM.

💎 Pasadena Bead & Design Show: Explore a curated marketplace of beads, gemstones, artisan jewelry, textiles, and creative supplies from hundreds of makers and designers. Pasadena Convention Center | Friday–Sunday, January 16–18 from 10AM–5PM

🏃 Rose Bowl Half & 5K: Take on either the half marathon or 5K at this annual race that includes a finisher medal, event shirt, and a run around the iconic stadium. Rose Bowl | Sunday, January 18 at 10AM

🎭 A Cabaret Soirée: Altadena Music Theatre hosts its first public gathering since the fires, featuring a screening of Cabaret and a piano bar finale celebrating resilience through the arts. Manoukian Performing Arts Center | Sunday, January 18 at 6PM

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!

CIVIC NEWS

Commission on the Status of Women Meeting

Attend the monthly public meeting focused on advising City Council on issues affecting women across the community. Robinson Park Recreation Center | Wednesday, January 7 at 6PM

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Wednesday

62 🌡️ 49 |☀️| 💨 NW 7 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 25 (Good)

Thursday

60 🌡️ 41 |☀️| 💨 N 9 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT

Amigos Restaurant and Cantina

by Peter Dills, Local Food Dude ([email protected])
Listen to the ‘Peter Dills AKA LA Foodie’ podcast here.

For News N’ Roses, this one comes from the heart—and the barstool.

Amigos Mexican Restaurant on Colorado Boulevard isn’t glamorous. This isn’t Javier’s with white tablecloths and power diners. Amigos is casual, lived-in, and proudly itself. And here’s the thing: the food is better than you’d expect, the prices are fair, and the margaritas? Legendary. Ask anyone—anyone—who’s been here.

I liked Amigos so much I celebrated a birthday here a couple of years back. That should tell you something.

Let’s start with the chicken burrito, clocking in around $15. You might say, “Peter, big deal—it’s chicken.” But here’s where Amigos separates itself. This isn’t that diced, pre-cut, restaurant-depot chicken breast you find all over town. This is real chicken, taken off the bone, shredded properly, juicy, and full of flavor. It’s the kind of detail most places skip—and Amigos doesn’t. Outstanding.

Inside, the place isn’t much to look at—and that’s okay. You’re here to eat and drink. Order a side of guacamole (around $6) and, as Oprah used to say… HELLO. Prices across the menu are manageable, which matters these days.

A friend of mine—dating back to the La Fiesta Grande days—swears by the steak quesadillas, and judging by how fast they disappear from nearby tables, I believe him.

Now, my one quibble (and I promised I’d get to it): the bathrooms could use hourly attention. It’s a small thing, but it matters. The saving grace? An open kitchen, which gives you confidence that what’s happening where it counts is being done right.

In summary, strong margaritas. Above-average food. Prices that won’t make you wince. Amigos may not be glamorous, but it’s honest, satisfying, and exactly the kind of neighborhood Mexican restaurant we need more of.

And if you want more of my two cents—check out Dining with Dills on Spotify and iHeartRadio here.

Amigo's Restaurant and Cantina
1076 E. Colorado
(626) 577-1307
Opens at 11:00 AM

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

🎶 Music in the Chinese Garden: Enjoy a peaceful afternoon as a solo musician performs unamplified melodies on traditional instruments like the dizi, pipa, and erhu while you stroll the garden. The Huntington Chinese Garden | Wednesday, January 7 at 1PM

🎶 Jones House Band: Catch a family-friendly live performance blending pop, movie themes, and original music with cellos, guitars, and rich vocals during Farmers Market hours. Jones Coffee Roasters | Thursday, January 8 from 4PM

🎷 Highland Park Jazz live at the 1881 Club, Pasadena CA: Enjoy an evening of live jazz featuring sax, bass, keys, and drums as Highland Park Jazz brings a late-night groove to the stage. 1881 Club | Thursday, January 8 from 8:30PM–11PM

THANKS!

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