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Swimming Legend Turns 103! 🏊‍♀️

Swimming Legend Turns 103! 🏊‍♀️

News N' Roses
November 22, 2024

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses, the newsletter that is exciting as unwrapping a birthday present!

In today’s News N’ Roses:

Masters Swimmer turns 103!
Sneak Peek at the 2024 Rose Parade Floats
Events this Week

Let’s get to it.

— Matthew Ramirez

THE DIGEST

Maurine Kornfeld turns 103

Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Aquatic Center is making a splash this weekend, celebrating a truly extraordinary birthday! Maurine “Mo” Kornfeld, a legend in Masters swimming, is proof that age is just a number. Mo didn’t dive into competitive swimming until she was 60, but in the 40+ years since, she’s shattered world records and captured hearts. Her motto? “If you can outswim them, you can outlive them!” For Mo, swimming is pure joy—it’s what gets her out of bed every morning for her daily laps. At our last National Conference, she earned a standing ovation for her awe-inspiring 50-meter backstroke, her signature stroke. And in 2018, this Montana native was rightfully inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Watching Maurine dive into the pool or timing competitions reminds us all that it’s never too late to chase our passions. She’s not just a swimmer—she’s a role model for living life with strength, health, and boundless energy. Honestly, when I grow up, I want to be just like Mo!

Sneak Peek at 2024 Rose Parade Floats

Get ready, Pasadena—float fever is in full bloom! The Pasadena Tournament of Roses just gave us another tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come in the 2025 Rose Parade, and it’s nothing short of magical. Designers and builders are pulling out all the stops, crafting jaw-dropping floral masterpieces that promise to wow parade-goers on New Year’s Day. From towering creations dripping in color to intricate details that’ll have you leaning in for a closer look, the sneak peek unveiled the artistry and passion behind every petal. If this preview is any indication, the 2025 parade is gearing up to be a spectacle that redefines grandeur. Mark your calendars and get ready to witness Pasadena in full bloom!

@NEWSN_ROSES

📷@seereenuh | 📍 Holidays at the Athenaeum, Caltech

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

Friday

💎International Gem & Jewelry Show America’s longest running direct-to-consumer jewelry show taking place in this weekend in the Pasadena Convention Center 12 PM- 6 PM
🎭“Tartuffe” by Molière The PCC opens its Mainstage Theater for a comedy classic! 7:30 PM

Saturday

🃏Front Row Card Show A group of comic and collectibles enthusiast for two days at the Pasadena Convention Center 5 PM
📚Vroman’s 130th Anniversary Celebration: Come celebrate with a true gem of Pasadena. Enjoy raffle prices every 30 minutes, take part in trivia around the store and see limited edition merch! Nov. 23 from 4 PM to 6 PM
🧝‍♀️37th Annual Elves' Faire This magical fair draws crowds from all over Los Angeles to Pasadena Waldorf School with games, gifts, and fun for all! Nov 23rd from 10 AM to 4 PM

Sunday

🎉DooDah Parade: An annual, whimsical event celebrating creativity and humor with quirky floats, costumes, and lively participants. Established in the late 1970s, it serves as an unconventional alternative to the traditional Rose Parade, attracting large crowds each year. Nov. 24 at 11 AM.
🚶Pasadena Urban Hike Join Abundant Housing LA for an Urban 3.5 mile Hike through Pasadena's historic and dynamic streets.

Save the Date

🦃Rose Bowl Turkey Trot: The sixth annual Rose Bowl Turkey Trot continues to raise the bar by providing guests with family fun and outdoor activity on Thanksgiving Day. Runners, walkers, skippers, and jumpers alike can participate this year by running around the 5K recreational loop at America’s Stadium. Known for being a Pasadena family favorite and a Thanksgiving morning tradition, you won’t want to miss it! Nov 28th at 8:30 AM.
🛍️Green & Bisque’s Annual Holiday Market: Over 80 local ceramic articles from the studio! Special giveaways, food & beverages. 10 AM - 5 PM
🏰Castle Green Holiday Tour Step into Pasadena’s most enchanting secret: Castle Green. This Moorish-Victorian masterpiece, built in 1898, feels like stepping into a dream where history and romance collide. With its iconic bridge, lush gardens, and grand arches, it’s a portal to another time, whispering tales of its past as a luxury hotel, a backdrop for weddings, and even a home to ghostly legends. Whether you’re drawn to its old-Hollywood allure or its fairytale charm, Castle Green is more than just a building—it’s an experience that captures the heart and imagination. Each year Castle Green opens its doors for a self guided tour with carol singers, DJ and photobooth!

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

Council Meeting

The next City Council public meeting is on November 25th at 6 PM, Pasadena City Hall.

Upcoming Holiday Closures

Pasadena residents and businesses are reminded that City Hall and most City services will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Friday

74 🌡️ 51 |☀️| 💨 VAR 1-4 mph, gusts up to 9 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 55 (Moderate)

Saturday

61 🌡️ 48 |☁️| 💨 VAR 1-2 mph, gusts up to 8 mph

Sunday

62 🌡️ 49 |⛅| 💨 VAR 1-5 mph, gusts up to 12 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar.

LIVE MUSIC

Indie Night - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Dance and Sing Along to all your favorite Indie Hits with DJS AnéUno and Jack Tames, Live music video Mixx Friday, Nov. 22nd, 8 PM - 1:30 PM

Area 91

Live music at Kings Row Gastropub with no Cover charge! Enjoy an outdoor/indoor setting at Pasadena’s finest sports bar. Area 91 will be playing all the hits from 80s, 90s and 2000s. Friday, Nov. 22.

Guest Soloist

Catch Felice Hernandez, Los Angeles native, at Unity of Pasadena. Best known for being a chameleon of contemporary music of R&B, rock, pop and jazz Nov. 24th, 10:30 AM

Mariachi Manchester - A Mariachi Tribute to The Smiths & Morrissey

Stop by the MIxx for a very special Friends Giving with a unique Mariachi Live tribute to The Smiths and Morrissey by Mariachi Manchester. Dance and sing along to all your favorite Moz hits with a Mariachi twist. Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 8:00 PM - 1:30 AM.