Monday, September 29, 2025

Guest Opinion | Paul Starita: Eaton Fire Victims Should Consult Legal Experts Before Joining SCE’s Compensation Program

Southern California Edison (SCE) has announced a new compensation program for victims of the devastating Eaton Fire that swept through Altadena and Pasadena communities. The fire claimed 19 lives, destroyed nearly 9,500 structures, and caused widespread business disruption throughout the region.

The utility company’s Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program promises direct payments to survivors for home and business destruction, partial structural damage, business interruption, smoke and ash damage, and injuries and fatalities. SCE has retained experts who previously worked on large-scale compensation funds, including those established for 9/11 victims, to develop the program.

However, experienced wildfire attorneys are strongly urging fire victims to consult with legal experts before participating in the voluntary program. The lack of specific details about the program’s structure raises significant concerns about potential trade-offs that could severely impact victims’ ability to fully recover their losses.

“Victims need to understand what they’re potentially giving up before they make any irreversible decisions about this compensation program,” said Gerald Singleton, founding partner of Singleton Schreiber.

Monday, September 29, 2025

Three Neighbors Who Lost Homes Lead Vision for Altadena’s Public Spaces After Fire

Michele Zack, Mark Goldschmidt, and Hans Allhoff lost their homes in January’s Eaton Fire. Now the three longtime Altadena residents are organizing neighbors to shape their community’s public spaces at an October 4 open house.

The free gathering will bring residents, architects, and County planners together to design parks, streets, and gathering spaces that preserve what made and makes Altadena unique — before market forces decide for them.

“Things are happening in Altadena and following the fire change is inevitable,” Zack said. “We need the community at the table so changes that occur are not just left to pure economic forces.”

SWA architecture/urban design firm and Disney will provide free professional design support at the October 4 event at Loma Alta Park Gym, 3330 N. Lincoln Avenue.

County staff will explain new rebuilding regulations adopted in 2024 but never tested until now. The event includes activities for children. No registration required.

Home rebuilding has consumed about 98 percent of recovery efforts since January,

Monday, September 29, 2025

Workshop Empowers Women to Run for Office, Offers Recovery Resources for Seniors

A civic engagement event will feature elected officials and senior support programming

A workshop titled “Run for Office and Win!” will take place Sunday, Oct. 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. The event is open to elected officials, community members and aspiring candidates, offering speakers, networking and lunch. Confirmed speakers include Laura Friedman, Wendy Carrillo, Sabrina Cervantes, Luz Rivas, Lisa Calderon and Blanca Rubio.

“We’re looking for women who want to run for office and win!” reads the promotional announcement. Attendees may RSVP at https://www.nwpcsgv.org/events/run-for-office-and-win or email info@nwpcsgv.org.

Speaker Ursula Hyman, director of the Altadena Recovery and Rebuild Corporation, continues her work supporting civic organizations and housing recovery. Founded by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the nonprofit organization helps secure affordable financing for businesses, churches, schools and community institutions, while seeking innovative housing solutions.

Hyman also leads Fire Recovery Programs at Assistance League of Pasadena, where she developed the Navigator Program to help seniors rebuild after disasters.

Monday, September 29, 2025

Harabedian to Deliver Sacramento Report at Pasadena Rotary Luncheon

Assemblymember set to address legislative updates and community priorities for the 41st District at open-to-the-public event

Assemblymember John Harabedian will speak at the Pasadena Rotary on Wednesday, October 1, presenting his annual Sacramento Report at the club’s weekly luncheon. The event aims to update the public on legislative progress in Sacramento while fostering community engagement across the 41st District, which spans in Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, La Verne, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga.

“All are welcome to come and hear the Sacramento Report from Assemblymember John Harabedian at Pasadena Rotary on Wednesday, October 1 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.,” the announcement noted, highlighting the open nature of the session and the importance of community dialogue.

Harabedian was born and raised in Sierra Madre and began his public service as a Sierra Madre Councilmember in 2012, was re-elected in 2016, and served twice as mayor. During his tenure he championed innovative policies to protect the environment, conserve resources and expand municipal services. He led Sierra Madre’s groundbreaking solar energy initiative,

Monday, September 29, 2025

County Supervisors Prepare to Publicly Review Fire Response Failures

Board of Supervisors will examine report on evacuation missteps during deadly January wildfires

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will examine an independent report Tuesday that found significant weaknesses in alert and evacuation systems during January’s deadly wildfires.

The McChrystal Group review examined the county’s response to the Eaton and Palisades fires that killed 31 people and destroyed more than 16,000 properties. The fires hit Altadena, Pacific Palisades and parts of Los Angeles, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Malibu.

The after-action report found no single failure point in the county’s warning and evacuation efforts. Instead, it identified multiple problems including outdated policies, inconsistent practices and communication gaps.

Hurricane-force winds on Jan. 7 grounded all firefighting aircraft and caused power outages. The conditions also prevented nighttime aerial surveillance during the critical early hours.

“While frontline responders acted decisively and, in many cases, heroically, in the face of extraordinary conditions, the events underscored the need for clearer policies, stronger training,

Monday, September 29, 2025

Six Pasadena Public Schools Receive State Recognition for Behavioral Programs

District earns platinum, gold and silver awards from California coalition

Six schools in the Pasadena Unified School District earned statewide recognition from the California PBIS Coalition for their behavioral intervention programs.

John Muir Early College Magnet received the highest platinum award. Three schools earned gold recognition: Madison Elementary School, Blair High School and Rose City High School.

Two schools received silver awards: Altadena Arts Magnet and Sierra Madre Elementary School.

The California PBIS Coalition recognizes schools that create supportive learning environments through positive behavioral practices.

PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports. The framework helps schools promote social, emotional and behavioral practices based on research evidence.

Schools use multiple tiers of intervention to create safe and equitable environments for students and communities across California.

The California PBIS Coalition operates through regional technical assistance centers in Southern, Central and Northern California. These centers work with the national Center on PBIS.

The coalition provides training for school teams and coaching for district implementation.

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Altadena Residents to Share Conservation Success Story at Sept. 29 Event

Local environmental advocates will present a community-led conservation success story Monday evening at the Altadena Community Center, detailing how grassroots organizing halted a proposed sports complex and influenced Los Angeles County land use policy.

The event, titled “Stewards of the Land,” is hosted by AltadenaWILD and scheduled for Sept. 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The community center is located at 730 E. Altadena Drive.

According to a statement from the nonprofit, the presentation will outline how residents opposed a sports development along Chaney Trail and helped shape the West San Gabriel Valley Area Plan, which now guides growth away from fire-prone zones and protects ecological resources.

Michael D. Bicay, AltadenaWILD president and astrophysicist, and Kristen Ochoa, president of the Chaney Trail Corridor, will describe how trail cameras and ecological surveys have documented post-fire regrowth and wildlife migration. Their findings contributed to the withdrawal of Polytechnic School’s application to build athletic facilities on 13 acres of the 80-acre Nuccio’s Nurseries site.

The property lies within a state-designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and borders the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Locals Turn To Each Other To Build Back Stronger

Pasadena nonprofit Day One brings together families for skill-sharing, bike repair, and sustainable rebuilding strategies at Sunday event

When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena and Pasadena communities in January, it didn’t just destroy homes—it transformed how local organizations think about disaster recovery. Sunday, Day One will host a community brunch that puts fire survivors themselves in charge of designing solutions for rebuilding stronger and more sustainably.

The Resiliency Studio Brunch, running from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 28, at Day One’s lawn facility at 175 N. Euclid Ave. in Pasadena, offers fire-impacted families hands-on workshops in sustainable living skills.

The free, family-friendly event features five workshop stations including bike repair, composting, clean cooking demonstrations, rain gardens, and wildlife-friendly landscaping, along with birdhouse building activities and seedling distribution through Crop Swap LA.

A panel discussion on sustainable rebuilding practices and Zone Zero policy will complement the hands-on activities.

“The Resiliency Studio vision actually started out of having a hub where folks can learn about sustainability,”

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Eaton Fire Survivors to Connect with Rebuilding Experts at Victory Park Fair

Two community groups host their second resource event on Sunday as recovery efforts gain some momentum eight months after devastating Eaton Fire

Scores of Altadena residents affected by January’s devastating Eaton Fire are expected to gather today at Victory Park in Pasadena for “Rebuild Fair: Take 2,” connecting homeowners with architects, contractors, insurers and financial advisors. The event, running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., aims to help families navigate the complex rebuilding process as the community works to recover from the epic disaster.

Rebuild Fair: Take 2 will give fire survivors and homeowners a chance to connect with experts and get answers about construction, insurance, permitting and financing, says event organizers Rebuild Altadena and Action Altadena, two community-based groups formed to assist homeowners after the fire.

The fair comes at an important moment in Altadena’s recovery. The pace of rebuilding has faced challenges.

Today’s event at Victory Park, located at 2575 Paloma Street, features one-on-one consultations with architects and engineers familiar with local building codes.

Sunday, September 28, 2025

How Bad Is California’s Housing Shortage? It Depends On Who’s Doing The Counting

By Ben Christopher, CALMATTERS

Imagine you’ve finally taken your car to the mechanic to investigate that mysterious warning light that’s been flashing on your dashboard for the past week and a half.

The mechanic informs you that your car’s brake fluid is too low. Dangerously low. Your brake fluid supply, he says, has reached “crisis” levels, which sounds both scary and very expensive.

Naturally, you would prefer that your car have a non-critical amount of brake fluid. “How much more do I need?” you ask.

“A quart,” the mechanic responds. “No, actually, three quarts. Or maybe seven gallons — but only routed to your rear brakes. Actually, let’s settle on half an ounce.”

Such is the situation with California’s housing shortage.

For nearly a decade now, the Legislature has been churning out bills, Attorney General Rob Bonta has been filing lawsuits and Gov. Gavin Newsom has been revamping agencies, dashing off executive orders and quoting Ezra Klein with the explicit goal of easing the state’s chronic undersupply of places to live.