Friday, November 28, 2025

Old Pasadena Retailers Gear Up for Small Business Saturday as National Holiday Sales Reach Record Territory

STAFF REPORT

With national holiday spending projected to top $1 trillion for the first time, Old Pasadena’s independent retailers are preparing for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29 with giveaways, raffles and discounts — and a renewed sense of urgency.

Nearly 200 boutiques and specialty shops across the historic 22?block district are participating in the citywide “Shop Small Pasadena” campaign to keep holiday dollars local.

The National Retail Federation projects U.S. retail sales during November and December 2025 will grow between 3.7% and 4.2% compared with last year, translating to total spending of approximately $1.01 trillion to $1.02 trillion. Adobe Analytics forecasts U.S. online sales on Black Friday alone will reach $11.7 billion, up 8.3% year?over?year.

But local merchants say they aren’t trying to compete with the digital rush — they’re focused on offering something that screen?based shopping simply can’t.

“The beauty of our store is that you often don’t know what you’re looking for until you see it,” said Theodora Coleman of Gold Bug,

Friday, November 28, 2025

Rose Bowl Turkey Trot Kicks Off Thanksgiving Under Beautiful Sunny Morning Skies

STAFF REPORT

Eight months after the Eaton Fire displaced families across the region, thousands of Pasadena residents gathered at the Rose Bowl on Thanksgiving morning for a 5K run that doubled as a statement of solidarity: registration fees from the 8th Annual Turkey Trot went directly to fire recovery efforts.

The Thursday sent participants on a 3.1-mile loop past Brookside Golf Course with the San Gabriel Mountains rising under clear morning skies. Arches, cones, and branded banners marked the route around the stadium.

The crowd defied easy categorization. Competitive runners stretched alongside families pushing strollers. Grandparents walked with grandchildren. Turkey hats and themed headbands bobbed through the crowd, lending the morning a carnival atmosphere as participants posed for photos against event backdrops.

Organizers structured the Turkey Trot as both fitness event and fundraiser. Registration fees supported the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation and the Pasadena Educational Foundation’s Eaton Fire Response Fund, which aids families affected by the January 2025 fire.

The race drew strong turnout.

Friday, November 28, 2025

Pasadena Shoppers Join Crowds Across Los Angeles County as Black Friday Begins

Shoppers in Pasadena will join crowds across Los Angeles County on Friday as Black Friday marks the start of the Christmas shopping season, even as sales promotions continued to begin earlier each year.

According to an annual survey released Nov. 20 by the National Retail Federation and conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, 130.4 million people nationwide planned to shop in person or online Friday. That is part of a record 186.9 million expected to shop between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, surpassing the previous record of 183.4 million set in 2024.

The survey found 70% of holiday shoppers planned to shop in stores or online Friday. “Many Americans consider shopping to be an important part of their Thanksgiving holiday and one of the best ways to get deals on gifts,” Phil Rist, executive vice president of strategy for Prosper Insights & Analytics, said in a statement.

Clothing and accessories topped the list of planned purchases at 50%, followed by gift cards at 43% and toys at 32%.

Friday, November 28, 2025

With Black Friday Here, Pasadena Police Warn of Holiday Shopping Risks

Black Friday marks the start of the holiday shopping season, and Pasadena police are reminding residents that the rush for bargains also brings heightened risks of theft and scams.

The Pasadena Police Department has long made holiday shopping safety a priority, issuing annual advisories that urge shoppers to guard against pickpockets, vehicle burglaries, porch pirates and online fraud. This year, officials are emphasizing vigilance in crowded stores, securing valuables in vehicles, and monitoring package deliveries.

Detective Michael Patarino from PPD’s Major Crimes Unit underscored the dangers in a recent public service announcement, warning that thieves often work in groups and target distracted shoppers.

“Keep your purse or wallet close and never leave it unattended in the shopping cart,” Padino said in a video posted on Pasadena Media’s YouTube channel. “Do not flash large amounts of cash or expensive items in public. Park in well-lit areas and always lock your vehicle. Hide shopping bags and valuables in the trunk before you arrive at your next stop.”

Police say porch pirates also remain a seasonal concern,

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Turkey Day Is Just the Start: Thanksgiving Weekend Is Packed with Local Events

STAFF REPORT

[Editor’s note: For all the event details, click on our calendar of events listings]

Thanksgiving in Pasadena isn’t just about turkey and pumpkin pie — it’s a full-on celebration of community, tradition, and holiday magic.

From the crack of dawn on Thursday through the final twinkling lights on Sunday night, the region hums with energy, offering locals and visitors alike a chance to lace up, stroll through glowing gardens, shop small, and soak in the season’s joy.

The holiday kicks off early on Thanksgiving morning, when sneakers hit the pavement at two beloved traditions. At Olberz Park, the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge hosts its long-running Thanksgiving Run & Food Drive, blending fitness with philanthropy. Just down the road, the 8th Annual Rose Bowl Turkey Trot returns for its eighth year, inviting families to jog, walk, or simply revel in the festive atmosphere around Pasadena’s most iconic stadium.

By Friday,

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Union Station Homeless Services Serves Up Hot Thanksgiving Meals Under Sunny Skies at Annual “Dinner in the Park”

With EDDIE RIVERA

Union Station Homeless Services continued its more than 50?year tradition Wednesday, serving hundreds of hot Thanksgiving meals to Pasadena residents at its Adult Center on Raymond Avenue, while projecting a total service of about 8,000 meals over three days this week amid rising food insecurity and cuts to federal food benefits.

Under a bright sun and unseasonably warm temperatures in the 80s, community members lined up in long drive?thru pickup lines stretching down the block or sat at rows of tables set up in the parking lot, sharing turkey and traditional sides with neighbors and volunteers.

The nonprofit reported a steep increase from 6,000 meals in 2024 to an anticipated 8,000 this year. CEO Katie Hill said, “Every year we say that the need grows. It truly does,” noting a 30 percent annual increase in demand.

The event drew support from elected officials, celebrities and community sponsors.

Actress Adina Porter volunteered alongside Rep. Laura Friedman,

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Pasadena Announces Street Closures for Rose Bowl Turkey Trot

Several streets near the Rose Bowl Stadium will be closed Thursday morning, Nov. 27, to accommodate the 8th Annual Rose Bowl Turkey Trot, city officials announced. The closures run from 5:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., while the 5K charity run itself is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., according to the City of Pasadena’s official advisory.

The affected streets include Rosemont Avenue from Washington Boulevard to Seco Street; Salvia Canyon Road at Linda Vista Avenue; Yocum Street from Parkview Avenue to Washington Boulevard; Rose Bowl Drive from Arroyo Boulevard to Zanja Street; Westgate Street at Arroyo Boulevard; and West Drive from Seco Street to Washington Boulevard.

The annual Thanksgiving Day event, first held in 2018, is organized by the Rose Bowl Operating Company and the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, with proceeds benefiting stadium preservation and the Pasadena Unified School District Educational Foundation’s Eaton Fire Response Fund.

Participants will run or walk a 3.1-mile paved loop around the stadium and Brookside Golf Course.

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Fire Survivors to Get Help Navigating Insurance Claims at Pasadena Workshop

A specialized workshop designed to help Eaton Fire survivors navigate complex insurance claims will be held Saturday at the Pasadena Senior Center.

The Contents Workshop for Eaton Fire Survivors aims to empower residents affected by the January blaze that devastated in Altadena and Pasadena neighborhoods. United Policyholders, a nonprofit disaster recovery advocacy organization, is offering the workshop with support from the Assistance League of Pasadena as a sponsorship partner.

The workshop focuses on practical skills including insurance itemization, claim management and policy negotiation. Organizers describe the event as addressing timely disaster recovery needs for survivors dealing with insurance system complexities.

The Assistance League of Pasadena has committed more than $95,000 in relief efforts and operates a Navigator Program connecting seniors with trained volunteers, according to event organizers.

The workshop represents what organizers view as a practical response designed to meet urgent needs in the post-disaster recovery phase, when administrative complexity often stalls rebuilding efforts. Workshop participants will have access to insurance counselors and disaster recovery coordinators who work directly with survivors facing bureaucratic obstacles.

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Pasadena Fire Department Shares Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips

Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home cooking fires, and the Pasadena Fire Department is encouraging residents to make safety part of their holiday traditions.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 1,446 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments on Thanksgiving Day in 2023, a 388 percent increase over a typical day.

From roasting turkeys to simmering sauces, kitchen activity spikes during the holiday, and so does the risk. Turkey-related fires, especially when deep-frying, continue to be a major cause of emergencies. Keeping the kitchen safe and staying alert can help ensure celebrations don’t end with a 9-1-1 call.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stove top. If you need to step away, even briefly, turn off the burner.
• Stay inside the home when roasting your turkey and check on it frequently.
• If deep-frying a turkey, do it outdoors on level ground,

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Congresswoman Distributed Turkeys at Altadena Community Center to Nonprofits Supporting Eaton Fire Survivors, Underserved Communities

[UPDATED] Rep. Judy Chu (D–CA 28) distributed turkeys and groceries to predetermined nonprofit organizations in the San Gabriel Valley during the annual “Operation Gobble” donation program at the Altadena Community Center earlier this month.

The annual “Operation Gobble” donation program provided turkeys to about 20 organizations to help feed families in need. This year was particularly important following the devastation caused by the Eaton Fire. Many of the organizations receiving turkeys donated the turkeys and groceries to fire survivors they were supporting. Other organizations gave the Thanksgiving items to underserved communities across the 28th Congressional District.

Chu worked with the San Gabriel Valley Water Company and Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) to provide the turkeys and groceries.