Sunday, April 20, 2025

Altadenans Will Embrace Easter at Sunrise Service on Sunday

Altadenans will gather at Mountain View Cemetery on Sunday morning for an Easter sunrise service to celebrate their faith in Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

The service was scheduled to run from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at 2400 North Fair Oaks Avenue, according to the organizer, the Pasadena International House of Prayer (PIHOP).

“Let’s celebrate the resurrection of Jesus together, there will be live worship music as we watch the sunrise,” officials from PIHOP said in a statement. “We have been through a lot as a community this year; this will be a time of renewed Hope for everyone.”

The event was planned to feature worship music against the backdrop of early morning light on a day forecast by the National Weather Service to be bright and sunny.

Organizers describe the service as an opportunity for spiritual reflection and community gathering during the intensely meaningful religious holiday.

As Christians worldwide reflect on resurrection and renewal, Altadenans are living that hope in real time.

Sunday, April 20, 2025

An Easter Less Hoppy, at Altadena’s Bunny Museum

With its building destroyed and tens of thousands of bunny-related items burned into cinders, Easter is no longer the “hoppy” day of normal times at Altadena’s Bunny Museum.

What began as a charming tradition of daily bunny-themed gifts between Steve Lubanski and Candace Frazee blossomed ultimately into The Bunny Museum, an internationally recognized landmark that housed over 60,000 items before January’s Eaton Fire reduced it to ashes—yet their commitment to each other and their museum remains unshaken.

On this Easter Sunday, the museum site at 2605 Lake Avenue stands burned out and empty except for a surviving gray wall where Lubanski has carefully arranged salvaged items—silent testimony to a remarkable love story and its resilience in the face of catastrophe.

“It will still go on,” Lubanski told reporters following the January 8 fire that consumed nearly everything the couple had built over the decades.

The couple’s relationship and eventual museum grew from a tender tradition that began when Frazee affectionately called Lubanski “hunny bunny.”

Sunday, April 20, 2025

California Republicans Want to Get Tougher On Crime. Are Democrats Shifting Their Way?

By Jeanne Kuang, CALMATTERS

Republican state Sen. Brian Jones has been trying to block sex offenders from being released from prison through California’s elderly parole program for several years. Last week, for the first time, his bill to do so made it out of its first committee.

It was just one of many votes Senate Bill 286 will have to survive in a long road ahead in the Capitol, but it caught Jones’ attention. In a Legislature dominated by Democrats who often shelve Republican tough-on-crime proposals, the approval from the Senate Public Safety Committee was unanimous.

“I don’t think it would have passed a committee last year,” said Jones, the Senate minority leader.

California’s Democratic legislators — who for years have been passing progressive measures designed to reduce sentences and lessen mass incarceration by emphasizing more rehabilitative solutions to crime — were dealt a blow last fall when an overwhelming majority of voters approved Proposition 36.

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Beyoncé’s Foundation Tops $3 Million in Fire Aid, Assists 200 Altadena and Pasadena Homeowners and Renters

The organization expands commitment to Altadena and Pasadena communities devastated by wildfires

The BeyGOOD Foundation, founded by singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, has expanded its relief efforts for Los Angeles wildfire victims, exceeding its initial $2.5 million pledge by distributing over $3 million in direct cash assistance to affected families.

The Foundation said it has helped more than 200 homeowners and renters in the Altadena and Pasadena communities, which were devastated by the Eaton Fire in January.

For Eaton Fire survivor Naomi Mauvais, the Foundation’s assistance arrived after other promised aid had failed to materialize.

“When the fires took everything; our home, our belongings, our community, we kept hearing about all the money being raised for relief, but none of it was reaching us. Then BeyGOOD stepped in,” said Mauvais. “This $20,000 grant was the first real support we’ve received since the fire, and it’s making an immediate difference easing financial burdens. I’m able to replace lost Christmas presents for my children and cover expenses while I make plans to rebuild.

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Altadena Community to Mark Spring’s Arrival at Block Party for Fire Recovery

Residents of Altadena affected by the recent Los Angeles fires will gather this weekend for an outdoor celebration aimed at community rebuilding and resilience.

The Eaton Spring Celebration, organized by the Vassar Club of Greater Los Angeles, will take place Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Altadena Lake Plaza on the northwest corner of Lake Avenue and Altadena Drive.

“Altadena was one of the areas hit hardest by the LA fires, and the community there has been working hard to come together and lift each other up,” the Altadena Sheriff’s Station said in a post on social media.

The free event will feature food provided by World Central Kitchen, live music from 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, family-friendly activities, and expert guidance for residents navigating recovery efforts.

Representatives from the Altadena Library District’s Curiosity Connection Van, LA County Fire Department stations 11 and 12, and the LA County Sheriff’s Department will be on site.

Friday, April 18, 2025

Local Christians to Observe Good Friday

Christians in Pasadena and around the world will commemorate Good Friday on April 18, marking the solemn day when Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross.

Many churches offer special services and prayer opportunities for worshippers to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice. Some congregations set up wooden crosses for meditation, while others observe the Stations of the Cross, a devotional practice recalling Jesus’ journey along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) in Jerusalem to Calvary, where he was crucified.

For many believers, Good Friday is also a day of fasting and penance, and serves as a reminder to be concerned about suffering in today’s world.

In Pasadena, several churches are holding special events. Knox Presbyterian Church at 225 South Hill Avenue will host a prayer vigil from noon to 6 p.m. in the sanctuary, offering personal reflection time with prayer guides available. The vigil continues on Holy Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., leading up to Easter Sunday services on April 20 at 10 a.m.

Friday, April 18, 2025

Local Congresswoman Proposes Mortgage Relief for Disaster Victims After LA Wildfires

Bill co-sponsored by Rep. Judy Chu would provide 180 days of forbearance for homeowners with federally backed mortgages

Two California lawmakers — one of them Pasadena area U.S. Representative Judy Chu —  introduced legislation Thursday, April 17, that would provide mortgage relief to homeowners affected by federally declared disasters, following wildfires that destroyed 16,000 homes in Los Angeles.

Reps. Chu and Brad Sherman introduced the Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act, which would give homeowners in presidentially declared disaster areas who have federally backed mortgages up to 180 days of mortgage forbearance, with an option to extend for another 180 days.

The forbearance would accrue no interest, penalties or fees during the relief period.

While present law allows for significant variance across federal mortgage providers in relief offered, this legislation would standardize a baseline of mortgage relief for survivors of any federally declared disaster nationwide.

“Disaster survivors — like thousands of my constituents still reeling from the devastating Eaton Fire — should not have to worrying about missing a mortgage payment in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters,”

Friday, April 18, 2025

Tongva Leaders to Share Cultural Knowledge at Community Dialogue

Indigenous scientist and tribal representatives will discuss land rights and recovery efforts following Eaton Fire

A community conversation featuring prominent Tongva tribal members will take place next week to foster understanding and solidarity with indigenous communities in Altadena.

The “Let’s Talk, Let’s Listen Community Series: Conversation with Tongva Women” event will bring together indigenous leaders to discuss tribal history, land rights, and recovery efforts following the Eaton Fire.

The dialogue will take place on Wednesday, April 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Altadena Library, located at 600 E. Mariposa St. in Altadena. It is free to attend.

The event features two distinguished panelists from the Gabrieleno Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians: Samantha MJ Yang, an indigenous scientist and cultural preservationist, and Kimberly Morales Johnson, Tribal Secretary and Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commissioner.

John Williams, Executive Director of The Center for Restorative Justice (formerly the Center for Racial Reconciliation), will moderate the discussion.

Thursday, April 17, 2025

LA County Allocates $50,000 For Art-Centered Fire Recovery In Altadena

STAFF REPORT

Funding initiative coincides with 20th anniversary celebration of County’s Civic Art Program

This week, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis to allocate $50,000 to support art-centered recovery efforts in Altadena following the recent Eaton Fire.

The initiative aims to restore and preserve the community’s cultural fabric while using art as a healing mechanism for residents impacted by the disaster.

“As we celebrate two decades of civic art in our County, it’s important that we also use the power of art to help communities heal,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena and Pasadena.

“Altadena is a vibrant, arts-rich community that has endured profound loss from the Eaton Fire. I’m committed to preserving the spirit of our community and ensuring art remains a cornerstone in its recovery. I’m proud to invest in efforts that not only conserve what was lost but also uplift and inspire hope through creativity.”

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Benefit Concert To Aid California Fire Victims Set For May 10

Eight Days of Hope presents “A Night of Hope” featuring award-winning artists

Eight Days of Hope (EDOH) will host a benefit concert on May 10th to raise support for California fire victims. The event, titled “A Night of Hope,” will feature Dove Award-winning artist Jordan Feliz and 2024 New Artist of the Year nominee Terrian at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena.

“We know that so many across Southern California are hurting, unsure of how to recover after such an insurmountable disaster,” says Stephen Tybor III, EDOH President and CEO. “Through A Night of Hope, we desire to bring together the local church and community to help those impacted through generosity and unity.”

The concert begins at 6:00 p.m. PST with general admission tickets priced at $20 and VIP tickets at $50. VIP ticket holders will receive reserved seating and access to an artist Q&A session. A love offering will be collected during the event with all proceeds going directly to families affected by the fires.