Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Altadena Meals on Wheels Resumes Serving Seniors After Eaton Fire Knocked It Out of Action

Nonprofit delivers hot meals to homebound seniors following five-month suspension

Altadena Meals on Wheels has resumed delivering hot meals to homebound senior residents after suspending operations for five months due to the Eaton Fire, which damaged the Altadena Senior Center in January. The organization relaunched its delivery service on June 2, following the securing of a new operational base.

“We serve all the Altadena residents who are confined to their homes,” said Shelley Mitchell, Altadena Meals on Wheels board member. “They cannot leave because a lot of them might be ill, in wheelchairs. Some of them are just old and can no longer operate a stove to cook a meal.”

The Eaton Fire disaster severely affected the Altadena Meals on Wheels organization; of its 45 volunteers and board members, 38 lost their homes.

Despite these challenges, 14 volunteers have returned to help with deliveries, even though many now commute from different cities.

The organization currently delivers hot meals to 14 households across Altadena.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Pasadena Unified Reaffirms Campus Safety Amid Community Challenges

School district offers support to families during uncertain times

Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth J. Blanco addressed current community concerns in an email issued Monday, confirming that all summer programs remain open and campuses are secure.

Blanco directly acknowledged the emotional impact recent local events are having on families, offering support through counseling services and alternative meal options.

“We understand that some families may need flexibility during this time,” Blanco wrote.

She encouraged families experiencing difficulties to contact summer program administrators or teachers directly.

The district has established an online resource hub at pusd.us/immigrationresources to provide legal and wellness support for families.

Counselors stand ready to assist students struggling with fear, stress or anxiety.

“We are in this together,” Blanco said, while emphasizing the district’s commitment to student and employee well-being. “Thank you for your trust, your strength, and your unwavering partnership as we navigate these challenges, always with the care of our students and employees at the center.”

Monday, June 23, 2025

Threatened Historic Homes Find New Life in Altadena

Standing in the living room of an aging but elegant house in Los Feliz, interior designer Gwen Sukeena broke down.

“When I walked in, I just started crying,” she remembers. “It’s so magical.”

In about three weeks, that century-old structure will be cut into four large pieces, lifted onto giant steel cribs, and hauled through winding foothill roads in the dead of night to a cleared lot in fire-ravaged Altadena—where Sukeena plans to rebuild her life after the Eaton Fire destroyed her home.

Sukeena — who is President of the Pasadena chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers — is turning to an unconventional rebuilding strategy: relocating a historic home threatened with demolition, rather than constructing a new one.

The approach represents an intersection of economic necessity, environmental consciousness, and historic preservation, and it offers Sukeena a faster and more affordable path forward.

The economics are compelling. A two-story, 2,500-square-foot historic home can cost roughly $550,000 to move and restore—while rebuilding from scratch often runs double or triple that in the current market.

Monday, June 23, 2025

Altadena Neighborhood Coalition to Hold Recovery Meeting Tuesday

Virtual gathering will focus on fire rebuilding efforts, utility infrastructure updates

The Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations said it will hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday, June 24, to discuss ongoing recovery efforts from the devastating Eaton Fire and infrastructure rebuilding plans.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. Southern California Edison updates will be the main presentation, with questions limited to that topic.

Southern California Edison announced an $860-925 million plan to rebuild electrical infrastructure in Altadena and Malibu. The plan includes undergrounding 63 miles of power lines in Altadena alone.

Questions for the Southern California Edison presentation can be submitted in advance to Nic Arnzen, Communications Committee Chair for the Altadena Town Council, at nic.arnzen@altadenatowncouncil.org, or during the meeting via Zoom chat.

The detailed agenda includes community updates at 7 p.m. on recovery resources, the Lincoln Bridge rebuild and fire recovery fund applications. An Army Corps of Engineers update follows at 7:05 p.m.,

Monday, June 23, 2025

LA County Assessor to Headline Live Q&A for Eaton Fire Survivors on Property Tax Relief

Jeff Prang will address displaced homeowners’ questions about tax assistance during June 25 webinar

LA County Assessor Jeff Prang will host a live Zoom question-and-answer session for fire survivors seeking guidance on property tax relief on Wednesday evening. The hour-long webinar aims to help displaced homeowners navigate the complex tax system and understand their rights following property damage or destruction.

“Your home was damaged or destroyed. What now — financially?” Eaton Fire Survivors Network ask in promotional materials for the June 25 session.

The meeting will run from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and focus on four primary concerns facing fire survivors. Participants can learn how to obtain property tax relief for damaged or destroyed homes, understand what happens to property taxes during rebuilding, explore options for transferring tax bases to new properties if they choose not to rebuild, and ensure refunds reach the correct mailing addresses.

“As LA County’s top property valuation official, Assessor Prang is leading efforts to help fire survivors like us navigate the tax system,

Monday, June 23, 2025

Green Economy ‘Un-Conference’ Starts Wednesday at LA County Arboretum

The two-day event on June 25-26 will connect ‘conscious investing’ with indigenous wisdom and climate solutions in response to Los Angeles wildfires

A transformative sustainability conference aimed at rebuilding Los Angeles communities after recent wildfires will bring together climate leaders, indigenous voices, and impact investors at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden.

The Green Economy Un-Conference, organized by Verdical Group and Community 3.0?, focuses on “conscious investing meets exponential solutions, indigenous wisdom, empowering underserved communities, and sharing initiatives for solving our most pressing environmental challenges.”

The conference programming emphasizes indigenous perspectives and community rebuilding across both days.

Day 1 features Indigenous Wisdom & Intuition, Climate Challenges & Message of Hope, Conscious Investing, and an Augmented Reality Immersion Experience. Day 2 includes an Indigenous Opening, The Future We Must Create, Emerging Women & BIPOC programming, Rebuilding Communities sessions, and Regenerative Architecture discussions.

Confirmed speakers include Cynthia Kersey, author of “Unstoppable,” Roberta Vasnic from VOID Studios who will address rebuilding whole communities rather than just homes,

Monday, June 23, 2025

San Gabriel Valley Habitat Earns Landmark Grant From Altadena Builds Back Foundation

$4.55 million grant will support recovery of neighborhood in need, hit by Eaton Fire

In a major boost for community recovery, the Altadena Builds Back Foundation has awarded a record-breaking $4.55 million grant—its largest ever through the Pasadena Community Foundation—to the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. The funds will help reconstruct 22 homes destroyed in the devastating Eaton Fire, offering a path forward for longtime residents of West Altadena facing financial hardship.

“Pasadena Community Foundation and its supporting Altadena Builds Back Foundation believe that recovery must begin with—and be led by—our community,” said Candice Kim, ABBF Project Director.

The grant will assist homeowners whose average age is 72 and who have lived in their homes for more than three decades.

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity will lead the three-year rebuild project, offering comprehensive case management and financial support.

“This is not just about rebuilding homes—it’s about restoring hope, stability, and a future,” said Bryan Wong, CEO of SGV Habitat.

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Multiple People Detained in Pasadena Immigration Operation Saturday, Community Responds

[Updated]  Federal immigration authorities took multiple people into custody during early-morning operations Saturday in Pasadena’s Villa Parke area, prompting the city to cancel recreational activities and sparking a community protest attended by hundreds.

The operations, which witnesses said involved armed officers who drove unmarked vehicles and wore vests marked “police” but lacked clear agency identification, took place at two locations around 6:30 a.m. 

Two men were detained at an apartment complex in the 500 block of N. Marengo Avenue and three more near a street vendor in the Villa Parke area.

In response to social media reports of the federal enforcement activity, the City of Pasadena canceled all programming Saturday at Villa Parke, Robinson Park and Victory Park, including swim lessons and community events. City officials said the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” while parks remained open.

On Sunday, a city spokesperson said all usual city operations were back in place “at this point. Swimming was cancelled today but all participants were notified.”

Witnesses Saturday said three men were detained while buying tamales from a street cart operated by Carmen,

Saturday, June 21, 2025

ICE Reportedly Conduct Raid at Pasadena Apartment Complex Early Saturday

Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation officers were reported early Saturday at an apartment complex located in the 500 block of Marengo Ave. in the Villa Park area of Pasadena.

Witnesses described at least three unmarked vehicles—a Ford Explorer, a Dodge Charger, and a Hyundai SUV—converging on the property.

Several workers were detained, though the exact number remains unclear. One source reported three individuals were taken into custody.

The complex is known to house many local workers, and the unannounced federal presence stirred unease in the neighborhood.

In response to social media reports of what appears to be federal enforcement activity at Villa Parke Saturday morning—and concerns about the potential for conflict—the City of Pasadena announced it is canceling all programming today, June 21, including swim lessons and other events at Villa Parke, Robinson Park, and Victory Park.

Officials cited an abundance of caution to ensure the community’s safety. Parks remain open at this time.

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Newsom’s New AI Report Could Shape Legislation

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

When Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed California’s most high-profile artificial intelligence regulation last fall, he simultaneously asked the state’s deep bench of AI researchers to recommend guardrails that balance safety and innovation. The result of that work, The California Report on Frontier AI Policy report, was released earlier this week.

The report stresses transparency-focused regulations such as whistleblower protections and audits by independent third-parties — mirroring a draft of the report released in March. It also highlights how AI has changed in the past three months, including improvements in its ability to act independently and to help people make dangerous weapons or carry out cyber attacks.

In one example, a language model from the AI company Anthropic threatened to blackmail engineers and tell their partners they cheated on them, according to an evaluation by the company. Another assessment found that highly advanced AI models, known as “frontier models,” can tell when they’re being evaluated.