Thursday, July 17, 2025

Altadena Celebrates Grand Opening of New Post Office

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Residents in Altadena Wednesday celebrated the grand opening of a new post office at Webster’s Community Pharmacy, marking an important step in restoring essential services to a community devastated by January’s wildfires.

Los Angeles County Supervisor and Board Chair Kathryn Barger joined U.S. Postal Service officials and local partners Wednesday to celebrate the launch of the Village Post Office at 2333 Lake Ave. It offers mail drop-offs, pre-paid box services, stamp sales and flat-rate mailing supplies.

The post office was made possible through a partnership between Barger, the U.S. Postal Service, Webster’s and the Altadena Recovery and Rebuild Corporation, all working to help the community recover from the Eaton Fire.

“Today’s grand opening is more than the return of postal services, it’s another step towards cultivating hope and a sense of normalcy,” Barger said in a statement.

“This new Village Post Office stands as a testament to the resilience and dedication of Altadena’s residents, local business owners,

Thursday, July 17, 2025

County Supervisors to Address Wildfire Recovery, Fee Adjustments, and Historic District Designation

Board tackles critical issues including emergency contract extensions, environmental protection fees, and landmark preservation

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will convene a public hearing meeting on Tuesday, July 22, at 9:30 a.m. in the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, addressing a range of critical county matters spanning emergency response, environmental protection, and historic preservation.

A key focus of the meeting will be the ongoing recovery efforts from the January Windstorm and Critical Fire Events.

The board will review emergency actions taken by the Directors of Internal Services and Public Works in response to multiple fires, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Kenneth Fires.

Supervisors will consider continuing emergency authorities that allow for expedited contract awards and contract modifications to support recovery efforts.

The meeting will also feature several important public hearings, including a significant ordinance amending County Code related to environmental protection.

The Fire Department will present proposed adjustments to annual fees for various programs,

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Altadena Library Offers Free Document Shredding Event Friday

Residents can safely dispose of sensitive paperwork at Main Library parking lot from 8 a.m. to noon.

The Altadena Library District will host a free and secure document shredding event on Friday, July 18, from 8 a.m. to noon in the Main Library parking lot, providing residents of all ages with a safe way to dispose of sensitive financial documents and personal papers.

The outdoor community service allows residents to bring old bills, bank statements, and other confidential documents for professional destruction at no cost.

The “Shred Day” event will operate on a first-come, first-served basis at the Main Library located at 600 E. Mariposa Street.

Participants must remove rubber bands, plastic bags, and other binding materials from their paperwork before arriving at the event. The secure shredding service provides residents with a convenient alternative to purchasing personal shredders or risking identity theft through improper document disposal.

The event takes place at the Main Library, which reopened March 4,

Thursday, July 17, 2025

First-of-Its-Kind Job Fair for Los Angeles County Fire Survivors Coming to Pasadena on Saturday

The event will provide employment opportunities, recovery services, and community support at PazNaz Church

A first-of-its-kind job fair aimed at Los Angeles County fire survivors will be held Saturday, July 19, at PazNaz Church, 3700 East Sierra Madre Boulevard, offering hundreds of residents a pathway toward employment and recovery.

Global Empowerment Mission, in collaboration with the California Office of Emergency Services, the County of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, will host the “Hire a Survivor” Job Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a speaking portion scheduled at noon, according to Hollywood Patch.

Organizers expect more than 1,500 fire-affected families to attend.

The fair will be held in tandem with a large-scale Recovery Pop-Up, providing survivors direct access to vital services, giveaways, and long-term support. Attendees will receive resume help, job coaching, free food, and family-friendly entertainment, including a Kids Zone.

Survivors must present two forms of identification verifying residence in the impacted fire zone,

Thursday, July 17, 2025

WalkUnitedLA 2025 to Support Wildfire Recovery, Education, and Housing Initiatives Across Los Angeles

Thousands expected at Rose Bowl on Sunday for family-friendly charity walk/run supporting community rebuilding and opportunity

Thousands of participants are expected to gather at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium, located at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive on Sunday, July 20, for WalkUnitedLA 2025—a family-friendly walk/run event supporting long-term recovery, equity, and opportunity throughout Los Angeles County.

Organized by United Way of Greater Los Angeles in partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, the event will feature Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife, Kelly Stafford, as honorary chairs. According to organizers, proceeds will “support community-driven wildfire recovery and rebuilding, enhance community resilience, housing stability, financial security, and provide access to education and career pathways through United Way of Greater Los Angeles’ initiatives and programs.”

Among the beneficiaries is PCC’s Summer Construction Career Academy, which provides students from Eaton Fire-impacted neighborhoods with hands-on construction training and college credit. “This program is helping ensure that residents have opportunities to participate in rebuilding their communities,” United Way stated in event materials.

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Caltech Hosts Summer STEM Boot Camp for Student Veterans

Students who are veterans of enlisted military service will participate in an intensive STEM academic boot camp at Caltech from July 19 to 26, part of a national initiative to prepare former service members for success in higher education. The program, hosted in partnership with the nonprofit Warrior-Scholar Project, will offer a weeklong immersive college experience simulating the rigors of finals week through 75 hours of academic instruction.

Veterans will engage with Caltech faculty, research leads, and mentors while exploring campus resources, fostering a deeper familiarity with the academic environment. Designed to ease the transition from military service to civilian life, the boot camp also emphasizes identity formation and personal growth.

“The lab tours were invaluable and inspired me to want to learn and become a researcher in science,” said Navy veteran and program alumnus Warren Knowles. “I met many graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professors who made me excited about science through their genuine love of it.”

The Warrior-Scholar Project reports that 88% of its alumni have completed or are on track to earn a college degree—well above the national average of 54% for veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill and 61% for full-time civilian students.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Family Foundation Donates $72,000 to Chamber of Commerce to Help Altadena Businesses Displaced by Eaton Fire

The grant will support relocation and reopening costs for businesses affected by the January blaze

A local family foundation has anonymously donated $72,000 to the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Foundation to aid Altadena small businesses recovering from January’s destructive Eaton Fire.

The donation will fund mini-grants ranging from $500 to $2,500 to cover relocation and reopening costs, including expenses already incurred. Businesses in the 91001 ZIP Code—or those that operated there on January 6—are eligible to apply, said Pasadena Chamber Foundation Executive Director Paul Little.

“They were very specific that the funds go directly to support Altadena businesses impacted by the Eaton Fire,” Little said. He noted the foundation’s trustees chose anonymity to keep the focus on those in need.

Applications will be reviewed by a foundation committee and awarded based on financial need and proposed use of funds.

The donation nearly doubles the foundation’s available support for fire-affected businesses, complementing a SoCalGas grant received in June.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Hispanic Retailer Curacao Unveils Free Relief Program for Families Facing Hardship

The outreach initiative provides essential household items and groceries with free home delivery to families in need

Curacao, one of the largest Hispanic community retailers on the West Coast, on Wednesday announced the launch of its Essential Assistance Program, a free outreach initiative aimed at supporting families struggling with basic needs.

Through the program, Curacao will provide essential household items — such as microwaves, compact refrigerators, TVs and other small appliances — completely free of charge, alongside limited grocery supplies and complimentary home delivery for those unable to leave their homes or facing urgent hardship.

Relief will be granted on a case-by-case basis after careful review, the company stated.

“This new program reaffirms Curacao’s pledge to stand by its customers not only as a retailer, but as a neighbor, providing hope, dignity and real help when it matters most,” the retailer stated.

The effort responds to rising challenges — including economic instability, fear and limited mobility — faced by many in Curacao’s core communities.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

LA County Launches eCheck AI Pilot to Accelerate Fire Recovery for Altadena Residents

Homeowners whose single-family properties were damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire can now benefit from faster rebuilding approvals after Los Angeles County launched a free eCheck AI Pilot program online Tuesday.

The initiative, part of the County’s “Express Lane” recovery strategy, is available to residents in unincorporated Altadena whose homes are or were located in R-1 single-family residential zones.

The eCheck AI Pilot is an automated tool that uses artificial intelligence to review architectural plans for zoning compliance. Residents can participate as Early Adopters by signing up at start.archistar.ai/us/lacounty, entering their property address, and uploading architectural drawings in PDF format.

Participants may choose either a like-for-like or non-like-for-like rebuild project.

During the pilot phase, results may take up to 10 business days, though faster turnaround times are possible. Once complete, homeowners can download the AI-generated report and include it in their County Disaster Recovery Permit – Rebuild Project application.

The pilot complements additional Express Lane options,

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Village Post Office to Open at Webster’s Pharmacy in Altadena

Supervisor Kathryn Barger will join local leaders and federal officials Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of a new Village Post Office at Webster’s Pharmacy in Altadena, marking a new step in restoring essential services to the community.

The event, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on July 16, will unveil a new postal hub created in partnership with the Altadena Recovery and Rebuild Corporation (ARRC) and the United States Postal Service.

The Village Post Office will offer mail and package drop-off services and sell forever stamps.

The previous post office was destroyed in January in the Eaton Fire which decimated Altadena and killed 18 people. Returning postal service to the area is a major milestone in the effort to rebuild the community.

“This new site will serve as a vital hub for the community,” officials said, highlighting its role in meeting ongoing service needs in the region.

In addition to Supervisor Barger, speakers at the event will include Cipriano Corona,