Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Given Its Failures, Can California Manage A Transition To A Carbon-Free Future?

By Dan Walters, CALMATTERS

It’s become painfully obvious in recent years that California officialdom lacks the ability to plan and deliver major projects.

While examples abound, the state’s woebegone bullet train project, its tortuous efforts to implement information technology and the financial and managerial meltdown of its unemployment insurance program are among the most egregious.

Given that sorry record, why should we believe the state’s plans to completely overhaul California’s economy by eliminating hydrocarbon-based energy will be any more successful?

Over the next 20 years, California wants to replace nearly 30 million gasoline and diesel-powered cars and light trucks with those using batteries or hydrogen. Simultaneously California is supposed to wean itself from natural-gas-fired electric power generation and increase power output, to recharge many millions of car batteries and service houses and commercial buildings that will no longer use gas.

The mileposts on the road to a carbon-free California are beginning to appear,

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

In Polarized Times, Pasadena Literary Festival Turns to Books That Build Character

Southern California’s diverse literary festival offers healing through literature amid political division and wildfire recovery

As the Pasadena community navigates the aftermath of November’s divisive presidential election and recovers from recent wildfires, LitFest in the Dena returns May 2-3 with a timely theme: “Books That Teach Us About Character,” bringing together 150 authors to explore how literature shapes moral values and community resilience.

The free two-day event, held at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, represents a deliberate response to current political tensions and community challenges.

“We decided to put integrity at the forefront of our event because it’s something that is on everyone’s mind,” said Natalie Lydick, Project Development at Light Bringer Project, the nonprofit organization that presents the festival.

This year’s venue change from Mountain View Mausoleum to Pasadena Presbyterian Church was necessitated by ongoing fire recovery efforts in the region. The festival will feature special programming addressing the wildfires, including panels on “Poetry as Memory and Collective Processing”

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Ashes to Anthems Concert to Support Pasadena-Area Recovery Efforts

Grammy winner Andra Day headlines benefit event offering resources for families affected by Eaton Fire

The Hold Dena consortium is co-producing the inaugural “Ashes to Anthems” Benefit Concert and Resource Fair this Saturday at Memorial Park in Pasadena, set to bring together entertainment and essential services for families affected by the Eaton Fire.

“Ashes to Anthems isn’t just a concert. It is a rally, a coming together, and formation of a movement. It is where sound becomes strength and where the community collectively summons and calls upon the joint anthem to HOLD DENA,” organizers said.

The April 26 event, running from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., aims to raise awareness, amplify the collective voice, and direct resources toward long-term community recovery.

The event is described as “an invigorating day of upliftment for families” and will feature Grammy Award-winning artist Andra Day as the headliner, joined by Travis Greene and Goapele.

Beyond entertainment, the organizes said the event will feature “a powerful mile-long Resource Fair—a collaborative force for recovery and restoration.”

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Free Eye Screenings Will Draw Community to Pasadena Lions Club Event

The Pasadena Host Lions Club will provide free vision screenings and prescription glasses this Saturday, April 26, at their annual VisionFest, a service accessible to anyone regardless of residence.

“Free Vision Services: All Are Welcomed!” said Lion Donna Pomerantz, Club Secretary. “The Pasadena Host Lions Club 2025 VisionFest is a few days away and everyone is welcome no matter where you reside.”

Pomerantz emphasized the event’s inclusivity.

“This is our Flagship vision event every year. We will be seeing people from within the greater Pasadena community and beyond!”

“We will do eye screenings and dispensing glasses, all at no cost to those we will serve,” she continued. “We will have people who are native Spanish language speakers to assist those in need as well. We are pleased to welcome ‘ALL.'”

The Salvation Army Tabernacle at 960 E. Walnut Street in Pasadena will host the event at their facility. The event will start at 9 a.m. and continue until  1 p.m.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Community Organization Hosts Wellness Day For Women Affected By Eaton Canyon Fires

Local nonprofit offers trauma-informed workshops and resources for healing

Reddy To Care will host a free wellness event this Saturday to support women of color affected by the January 2025 Eaton Canyon Fires in Pasadena. The “Rise & Heal: A Women’s Wellness Day” aims to provide healing-centered workshops, wellness check-ins and resource support for those impacted by the disaster.

The wellness day will take place on April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Holy Assembly Church of God in Christ in Pasadena, 55 E Villa St, in Pasadena. Pre-registered participants will receive breakfast, lunch, raffles, and self-care giveaways during the day-long event.

Attendees will have access to trauma-informed care through various wellness facilitators, including Dr. Keisha White (KCW Psychological Services) and Dr. Amanda S. Walker (The Whole Mood Foundation) for wellness check-ins, Dr. Kenya Williams for yoga, Dr. Joy Dabbs (The Oracle Inside Healing Center) for grief recovery, Chantelle Adanna (Chantelle Adanna Publishing) for writing therapy, and Heather Hilliard Bonds,

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Rose Bowl Game to Be Held on Jan. 1, Will Start Earlier

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The 2026 Rose Bowl Game will be held on New Year’s Day, the College Football Playoffs announced on Tuesday.

However, the game will start an hour earlier at 1 p.m.

David Eads, Chief Executive Officer of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, emphasized that the one-hour shift in the traditional Rose Bowl Game start time will not diminish the event’s experience.

Since signing with the CFP, Tournament of Roses officials have been working to keep the game on Jan. 1.

“A mid-afternoon game has always been important to the tradition of ‘The Granddaddy of Them All,'” Eads said. “This small adjustment helps improve the overall timing for all playoff games and ensures we are good partners with ESPN and the College Football Playoff.”

The Rose Bowl Game will be part of a triple-header televised on ESPN that concludes with the Sugar Bowl.

“This New Year’s Day schedule adjustment is the result of a thoughtful collaboration between the CFP,

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Pasadena Transit, Metro Offer Free Rides for Earth Day

Multiple transit services unite to encourage climate action across the region

Pasadena Transit, LA Metro and Metrolink are offering free rides throughout Tuesday as part of a coordinated Earth Day initiative to promote sustainable transportation across Southern California.

The free service began at 3 a.m. Tuesday and will continue until 2:59 a.m. Wednesday. Fareboxes on buses have been deactivated and train station gates opened to facilitate the regional effort.

“This Earth Day, I am applauding our millions of LA Metro riders. Taking transit is one of the best ways to lower your carbon footprint and we are making LA Metro an even cleaner option by investing in electric trains and low-emission buses,” said Janice Hahn, Metro Board Chair and L.A. County Supervisor.

Metro’s free services extend beyond regular bus and rail options. LA Metro’s bike share program is offering complimentary 30-minute rides with promo code 042225, valid for multiple uses throughout the day and applicable to electric bikes.

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Pope Francis Publicly Prayed for Victims of Eaton Fire

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and leader of the Catholic Church, has died at the Vatican on Monday. He was 88.

Francis, the Bishop of Rome, died at 7:35 local time at the Vatican and “returned to the home of the Father,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in an announcement.

In January, Pope Francis offered prayers to the victims of the Eaton Fire that devastated Altadena and some homes in Pasadena.

The fire, driven by strong winds, destroyed 9.000 structures and burned 14,000 acres. Eighteen people died in the fire.

“My heart is with the people of Los Angeles who are suffering so much as a result of the fires that have devastated entire neighborhoods and communities,” Francis said. “May Our Lady of Guadalupe intercede for everyone to be a witness of hope.”’

“We all learned of the death of Pope Francis very early on Easter Monday morning.  

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

County Asks Altadena Residents for Feedback on Eaton Fire Alert System

Officials launch community listening sessions as part of emergency response review

Los Angeles County is asking Altadena residents affected by the Eaton Fire to join in three upcoming community listening sessions focused on gathering feedback about the emergency alert and evacuation process. These sessions are part of an independent review of Los Angeles County’s emergency alert system launched in January by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath.

Media sources and preliminary government investigations have reported that the Los Angeles County Fire Alert System catastrophically failed Altadena residents during the devastating Eaton Fire of January 2025, contributing to 17 civilian fatalities and the destruction of thousands of homes.

Based on comprehensive reporting, the emergency notification system exhibited multiple critical failures in timeliness, geographical accuracy, and technical reliability at a moment when residents needed it most.

“The goal is to hear directly from residents about what worked, what did not work, and how emergency alerts and evacuations were handled,” states the announcement from McChrystal Group,

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Niagara Cares, City Year LA Partner to Aid Wildfire-Affected Odyssey Charter School

Volunteers transform campus to support students recovering from Eaton wildfire

Niagara Cares announced that it will join nonprofit City Year Los Angeles on Thursday to help hundreds of students at Odyssey Charter Schools recover from the Eaton wildfire through a School Beautification Day featuring campus beautification and sustainability initiatives.

Volunteers from Niagara Bottling’s charitable division will spend the day landscaping, planting gardens, building planter boxes and creating outdoor learning spaces at the Altadena campus, creating a vibrant space that inspires hope, pride and resilience.

“At Niagara Cares, we believe that supporting students, schools, and communities is an investment in a brighter future,” said Ann Canela, director of corporate giving at Niagara Bottling. “As part of this commitment, we are creating spaces that inspire learning, celebrate community, and support student success in partnership with City Year Los Angeles. This initiative comes at a critical moment as these young people are navigating life post-wildfire and we are grateful to help give back and uplift their spirits.”