Roses & Records: This Year’s Standouts🏆

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses, the newsletter that’s as refreshing as an afternoon walk.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Behind the Scenes of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl

• Results of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl

• Events This Weekend

• Restaurant Spotlight: Good Neighbor Bar

Let’s get to it.

— Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Happy Birthday Muna Rimawi!

THE DIGEST

Behind the Scenes of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl

The iconic B-2 Spirit stealth bomber made two dramatic appearances this New Year’s Day: first at the Rose Parade at 8:00 a.m., and later at 2:00 p.m. during the College Football Playoff Rose Bowl game. These brief but powerful flyovers are the culmination of a complex 15-hour mission involving months of preparation and thousands of military personnel. From mid-air refueling with KC-135 tankers to coordinating with ground crews and parade officials, the mission showcases the precision and dedication required for such a feat. “Imagine bringing four airplanes together from different directions, at different heights, traveling at six miles a minute, and getting within 12 feet of each other for refueling,” explains SHIP, one of the anonymous pilots. The B-2 Spirit, with its 172-foot wingspan and 6,000-nautical-mile range, symbolizes cutting-edge engineering. As its service nears its end ahead of replacement by the B-21 Raider, every mission carries historical weight.

Results of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl

South Pasadena shone brightly at the 2025 Rose Parade, earning the esteemed Fantasy Award for its float “Dreams in Bloom.” Crafted entirely by volunteers, the float showcased intricate floral artistry and a magical dreamscape, perfectly embodying the parade theme, “Celebrating the Magic of Nature.” Meanwhile, the Rose Bowl drew 90,732 fans to witness Ohio State’s victory over Oregon in the CFP quarterfinals. From artistic brilliance on the parade route to electrifying action on the gridiron, Pasadena once again proved itself a hub of New Year’s Day traditions.

@NEWSN_ROSES

📷@raquel_villanueva__ | 📍 Rose Bowl Stadium

Tag @newn_roses to get your photos in New N’ Roses!

WHAT'S HAPPENING 

Friday

• 🌼Float Fest: The last change to get at up close look at the 2025 Rose Parade Floats, 7 AM - 4PM

• 🎨Highlights of the Collection: Tour some of the most exquisite and celebrated works of art in the Norton Simon Museum collections, 5 - 6 PM

• 🦕Jurassic Quest: The nation’s leading dinosaur-themed entertainment experience all weekend at the Convention Center, 9 AM - 6 PM

Saturday

• 🖊️Make A Vision Board For 2025: Start off 2025 in a good way by creating your own vision board at the library for free, 2 PM

• 🎵Musical Storytime: Pasadena Conservatory of Music presents The Squiggle by Carole Lexa Schaffer at Vroman’s Bookstore, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

• 💃Saturday Swing Out: The Pasadena Ballroom Dance presents a night of dance, snacks, prizes and lessons, 8 - 11 PM

• 🎭Ali Malik and Friends: A night of comedy presented by the Historic Pasadena Ice House, 9 PM

Sunday

• ❔Go Fact Yourself: A live pop culture trivia show with Paula Poundstone presented by LAist, 4 - 5:30 PM

• 🧈Kitchen Dyeing: Learn to turn your kitchen scraps into glorious color to dye natural fabrics, threads and yarns, 3 PM

Save the Date

• 🩺Distinguished Speaker Series: Dr. Sanjay Gupta will be at historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Jan 15

• 💎Pasadena Bead and Design Show: featuring over 300 exhibits of artisan materials, jewelry, and creative workshops, Jan 17-19

• 💥Pasadena Comic Con: A pop culture event for all ages! There will be panels, toys, celebrity guests and featured artists, Jan 26

• 🧧Lunar New Year: Join USC Pacific Asia Museum in celebrating the Year of the Snake with an afternoon of live performances and art activities, Feb 1

• 🌹Black History Parade & Festival: One of Southern California’s largest and longest-running Black history parades, Feb. 15

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!

Restaurant Spotlight

Good Neighbor Bar

Sometimes its the best places are not in the busiest places. Good Neighbor Bar, a charming new spot that’s already making waves for its warm ambiance and expertly crafted drinks. It is hiding right here in the quite foothills of Altadena. This inviting establishment lives up to its name, offering a friendly and relaxed atmosphere that feels like a neighborhood gem.

The drink menu strikes the perfect balance between creativity and familiarity, featuring a mix of classic cocktails with a modern twist. The bar snacks are equally impressive, with elevated small bites like truffle popcorn and crispy Brussels sprouts that complement the drinks beautifully. Good Neighbor Bar isn’t just about the cocktails—it’s about the vibe. The cozy interiors, soft lighting, and personable staff create a space that feels like an extension of your living room, but with much better drinks. My favorite? The smoked rosemary Old Fashioned! 🥂

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Friday

65 🌡️ 42 |☀️| 💨 VAR 1-3 mph, gusts up to 5 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 84 (Poor)

Saturday

61 🌡️ 46 |☀️| 💨 VAR 1-3 mph, gusts up to 5 mph

Sunday

69 🌡️ 52 |⛅| 💨 VAR 1-2 mph, gusts up to 2 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar. 

THANKS!

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