Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Chu Introduces Bill to Boost Federal Funding for Pet Rescue During Disasters

Bipartisan legislation would nearly double the federal share of animal emergency preparedness costs, citing last year’s fire

When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena and parts of Pasadena on January 7, 2025, families fled with minutes to spare. Many left pets behind. Others refused to go at all.

Rep. Judy Chu, whose 28th Congressional District includes Pasadena, cited those decisions last week when she joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing the PETSAFE Act, a bill that would make it significantly cheaper for local governments to prepare for animal evacuation and sheltering during disasters. The bill, formally known as the Providing Essential Temporary Shelter for Emergencies Act, was introduced February 9 as H.R. 7438 and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The legislation would increase the federal cost share for companion animal emergency preparedness from 50 percent to 90 percent. Under current law, communities must cover half the cost of animal disaster planning activities. The PETSAFE Act would reduce that local burden to 10 percent,

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

‘Altadena Forever Run’ Delivers $148,485 to Fire Relief Fund

Organizers presented ceremonial checks totaling $148,485.84 to the Altadena Eaton Fire Relief Fund at a Town Council meeting

The inaugural “Altadena Forever Run” has contributed a total of $148,485.84 to the Altadena Eaton Fire Relief Fund, organizers announced as they presented ceremonial checks to the Altadena Town Council on Tuesday night. The total was the result of a combination of race proceeds and direct donations.

The run event, a partnership between the Altadena Sheriff’s Station, the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena (SSGA), and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Athletic Association, drew 3,211 registered participants for its Jan. 4 race day.

These proceeds were shared between two organizations. The Altadena Eaton Fire Relief Fund received 67% of the proceeds, amounting to a check for $102,047.32. The remaining 33% was allocated to the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena.

The relief fund’s total was further bolstered by two other sources of revenue.

A second check for $17,010.52 was presented, representing direct donations made by participants when they registered for the race.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Who’s Running for California Insurance Commissioner? Here’s a Look at the Field of Candidates

From CALMATTERS

Editor’s Note: This story is part of California Voices published by CalMatters, a California-focused, nonprofit news organization that covers state politics, policy, and major quality-of-life issues such as housing, education, health care, the environment, and the economy. California Voices is a commentary forum aiming to broaden our understanding of the state and spotlight Californians directly impacted by policy or its absence. Learn more here.

Because of the first anniversary of the devastating Southern California wildfires, CalMatters asked candidates for the 2026 state Insurance Commissioner race to share thoughts on what the state can do to help victims and stabilize insurers. Here are excerpts and links to their answers.

Patrick Wolff

“Solving our insurance crisis starts with reorienting the California Department of Insurance. It is too lax regulating insurance companies’ behavior, yet too strict controlling their market access. Customers lose both ways…

“I will have the insurance department release company-specific data and publish a claims performance report card for each insurance company,

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Political Gumbo: The Politics of the Fire

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The state Attorney General’s Office announced a civil rights investigation into the response to the January 2025 Eaton Fire last week, questioning whether race, age or disability discrimination contributed to delays in emergency notifications and evacuations in the historically black West Altadena area.

Yes, the wind-driven fire led to the deaths of 19 people, all West Altadena residents.

“The investigation we’ve launched is driven by one overarching question — did the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s delay in notifying and evacuating the historically Black West Altadena community.”

Don’t jump up and down.

Our leaders have no problem rightfully pointing out low hanging fruit issues that the majority of residents across the state find horrific, read ICE and Epstein files.

But they have issues when it comes to pointing out the flaws in our very system.

There was one fire truck in West Altadena, and more than 60 in East Altadena.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Friends Book, Furniture & More Sale Backs Altadena Library Renovation

Multi-day fundraiser helps clear Main Library ahead of long-planned construction closure

The Friends of the Altadena Library are inviting residents to shop for bargains and support a major renovation at the Altadena Library District’s Main Library.​

The Friends will host a multi-day “Book, Furniture & More” sale featuring used books, furniture, craft supplies and other materials, with proceeds helping to support upcoming improvements to the building.​

The sale is part of preparations for the Main Library’s renovation, which has closed the building for an estimated 14 to 18 months.​

The event also continues the Friends’ long tradition of using used book sales and similar efforts to help furnish spaces, support repairs and bolster library programs.​

Shoppers can expect a wide range of items, while knowing their purchases aid the library during a pivotal transition.​

Friends of the Altadena Library “Book, Furniture & More” sale will run Wednesday, February 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Tourism Leaders Chose the Eaton Fire Burn Zone to Pitch LA’s Comeback

LA Tourism & Convention Board president to speak at Altadena luncheon Wednesday

On Wednesday, some of the Los Angeles region’s top tourism boosters will gather to promote the message that LA is open for business. They will do so in Altadena — a community where the Eaton Fire burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures, and left entire neighborhoods in ruins barely a year ago.

The choice of venue is the point.

Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, is scheduled to speak at a luncheon hosted by the Travel & Tourism Marketing Association at 409 Woodbury, a boutique event venue at 409 E. Woodbury Rd. in Altadena. Organizers said the location, inside the Eaton Fire burn zone, was selected intentionally — placing a conversation about recovery in a community still recovering.

Burke will be joined by Samara Ashley of the Strategic Advocacy Group, who will speak on behalf of LA is Open,

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Lunar New Year Festival Welcomes the Year of the Horse at The Huntington

Two-day family festival in San Marino features lion dancers, martial arts, music, crafts and garden experiences to welcome the Year of the Horse at The Huntington

Welcome the Year of the Horse at The Huntington, where the 2026 Lunar New Year Festival transforms the San Marino landmark into a two-day celebration of Asian and Asian American traditions.​​

The family-friendly event features lion dancers, a mask-changing artist, martial arts demonstrations, contemporary dance, floral arts, music and more, highlighting Asian diasporic heritage in a prestigious cultural setting.​​

Performances include Vietnamese traditional music and dance by Thủy Vân Dance Company on Saturday, Feb. 21, and Korean traditional music and dance by the Korean Classical Music and Dance Company on Sunday, Feb. 22, with shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in Rothenberg Hall.​​

Martial arts demonstrations and lion dances are scheduled throughout both days at various locations on the grounds.​​

Families can visit the Munger Research Center Plaza for Story Time Theater readings by Oliver Chin and book signings with Chin and illustrator Jennifer Wood,

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Song of the North Brings Persian Epic to Pasadena Playhouse

Shadow puppetry, animation and a fearless heroine bring the Persian epic Shahnameh to life for Pasadena audiences

Hamid Rahmanian’s “Song of the North” brings the epic world of the Persian Shahnameh to Pasadena in a visually rich, family-friendly production.​

The 80-minute multimedia performance combines elaborate shadow puppetry and projected animation to tell the story of Manijeh, a heroine from ancient Persia who must use her strengths and talents to rescue her beloved Bijan and help prevent a war.​

Created, designed and directed by Iranian-born visual artist and filmmaker Hamid Rahmanian, the show adapts the tale of Bijan and Manijeh from the epic poem Shahnameh (Book of Kings).​

The piece uses mythic storytelling to explore themes of love, loyalty and conflict between two young people from warring lands who dream of peace.​

The puppets draw on the visual culture surrounding the Shahnameh, including Persian miniature painting and etching, placing the work at the intersection of traditional craft and modern technology.​

Earlier runs in Paris,

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Thủy Vân Dance Company Brings Vietnamese Tradition to Sierra Madre Stage

Southern California ensemble showcases Vietnamese dance, color and music in a one-night engagement at Sierra Madre Playhouse

Thủy Vân Dance Company, a Southern California–based ensemble, brings its celebration of Vietnamese culture to Sierra Madre Playhouse for a single performance that blends tradition with contemporary staging.

The troupe is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Vietnamese cultural and dance traditions through performance and community engagement, with choreography that draws on Northern, Central and Southern Vietnamese styles as well as works inspired by ethnic-minority communities.

Costumes, silks, fans and rhythmic music create what the company describes as a kaleidoscope of color and sound, evoking Vietnamese landscapes and the strength and spirit of its people.

Each performance is framed as an act of cultural preservation and renewal, using dance to keep heritage alive while speaking to newer generations.

The Sierra Madre engagement places the group within the region’s growing slate of Vietnamese and Lunar New Year–season cultural programming.

Thuy Van Dance Company will run on Sunday,

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Wooden Spoon Workshop Carves Out Free Creative Space

Side Street Projects offers a free, hands-on spoon-carving skillshare and is open to all ages

Side Street Projects is inviting community members to pick up carving tools and learn how to shape their own wooden spoon in a free workshop this month.

The session is the second half of a two-part series led by teaching artists Max Geldman and Daniel Gaines.

Participants are expected to attend both days to learn about tools and safety techniques from start to finish.

Open to all ages, the workshop provides templates, design guides and step-by-step instruction to turn a block of wood into a finished spoon.

Attendees work with carving knives, gouges, hand files and the bandsaw, using wood pieces and hand tools supplied on site.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own tools if they have them.

All skill levels are welcome, and registration is not required; it is first come, first served, while supplies last.