Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Imagining California 25 Years From Now: What Will Golden State Life Look Like In 2050?

By D.J. Waldie, CALMATTERS

One hundred and seventy-five years ago, our state was the prize in an unjust war whose aim was to extend slavery beyond the plantations of the South to the valleys of California. Fifty years later, those valleys were dominated by corporate agriculture (wheat, cattle, cotton and oranges) and controlled politically by railroad interests. By 1950, the future of California was in the hands of real estate developers. The valleys filled with houses and then with all of us — believers in the golden dream and disillusioned hustlers alike. At the start of a new millennium in 2000, the dreamers still arrived. Not from “back east” but from the Global South and the Asian “far west.” Developers still turned square miles of farmland into tract house suburbia. Big, old-style corporations came and went. New technologies boomed and sometimes busted, but overall, the momentum in the systems of industry, finance and labor that defined California in the mid-20th century had slowed.

What California will be in its bicentennial year of 2050 is subject to unpredictable conditions.

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

California Enacts Mortgage Relief for Los Angeles Fire Survivors

New law allows up to one year pause in payments without penalties

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday that provides mortgage payment relief for survivors of the Los Angeles fires.

The Mortgage Forbearance Act, authored by Pasadena representative Assemblymember John Harabedian, allows fire victims to pause mortgage payments for up to one year. Homeowners who enter forbearance will not face penalties or credit damage during the payment pause.

The law also prohibits lenders from demanding lump sum payments when the forbearance period ends.

Harabedian, a Pasadena Democrat, said fire survivors have struggled with dual housing costs.

“For months since the fires, survivors have been forced to make two housing payments: one for their temporary rental accommodations and another mortgage payment for a house that either doesn’t exist anymore or is uninhabitable due to smoke and ash damage,” Harabedian said.

The assemblymember said the new law will ease financial burdens by allowing families to pause mortgage payments while they rebuild.

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Pasadena Unified School District Updates SMS Messaging System Effective Sept. 29

The district urges families to save new numbers to ensure uninterrupted communication

Starting Sept. 29, Pasadena Unified School District will stop sending text messages from short code 60680 and local number 424-389-1889. Emergency alerts will now come from short code 54968, and general updates from local number 626-544-1945.

The District said the change is part of a system-wide update to improve communication reliability and security. “This update ensures families continue to receive timely and secure information from their student’s school and Pasadena Unified School District,” the District stated.

Families are strongly encouraged to save both new numbers to avoid missing important messages. Only SMS/text messaging is affected; phone calls and emails will continue as usual.

Emergency alerts include urgent safety notifications. General messages may cover schedule changes, event reminders and District-wide announcements.

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Los Angeles County Home Sales Dip in August

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Home sales experienced a decline in the Southland last month, the California Association of Realtors announced Monday.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 264,240 in August. Last month’s home sales edged up 0.9% from the 261,820 homes sold in July and slipped 0.2% from a year ago, when 264,640 homes were sold on an annualized basis, according to CAR.

The statewide annualized sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2025 if sales maintained the August pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.

Los Angeles County’s sales figure was down 16% from July, but up 12.3% from August 2024. Orange County sales were down 4.3% from July, but up 1.4% from August 2024.

Meanwhile, home prices were mixed locally and statewide. The median selling price of an existing,

Monday, September 22, 2025

Pair of Century-Old Christmas Traditions Return to Fire-Ravaged Altadena as Symbols of Hope

The return of Christmas Tree Lane and the Star of Palawoo offers hope to a community devastated by the Eaton Fire

When the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena on January 7, two century-old landmarks survived: the towering deodar cedars of Christmas Tree Lane and the hillside Star of Palawoo. Their reappearances this December will mark a powerful, hopeful symbols of resilience.

“This season is about more than tradition,” read last week’s official announcement by the Christmas Tree Lane Association. “It’s a time to honor what we’ve endured, reflect on our shared strength, and move forward together.”

The Altadena Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will mark its 105th year with a public celebration scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the intersection of Santa Rosa Avenue and Mariposa Street, according to the Sept. 20 public invitation.

The event, which is free to attend, is widely regarded as Altadena’s informal launch of the holiday season. The tree will remain lit nightly through early January.

Monday, September 22, 2025

Trauma Resource Institute Launches Disaster Recovery Workshops In Altadena

Free workshops teach science-based recovery skills to disaster survivors and first responders starting today.

Disaster survivors in Altadena can learn stress-reduction techniques at free workshops starting today at Alta Design Works. The Trauma Resource Institute and Altadena Coalition offer the sessions to help residents cope with trauma from natural disasters.

“The workshop teaches simple, science-based skills to help communities recover after natural disasters,” organizers said. The program “gives survivors, families and responders practical tools to calm the nervous system, lower stress and support healing together.”

The workshops teach participants how to regulate their nervous systems, manage stress, and build community connections. Sessions include exercises for self-care and group conversations about recovery and preventing burnout.

Ten workshops run through December, with five in-person sessions at Alta Design Works, 409 East Woodbury Road, and five online. In-person sessions are today from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., October 22 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., November 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.,

Monday, September 22, 2025

Fire Chief Urges Residents to Sign Up for Emergency Alerts During National Preparedness Month

The Pasadena Fire Department highlights FEMA-led campaign encouraging disaster readiness through alert registration

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin is urging residents to take action during National Preparedness Month by enrolling in emergency alert systems. The campaign, held every September, is led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to spotlight the importance of disaster readiness.

The Pasadena Fire Department is supporting the effort by encouraging sign-ups for alert platforms that deliver timely instructions during wildfires, earthquakes and other emergencies.

“Readiness starts with small steps,” Augustin said. “Signing up for alerts helps protect you and your community when it matters most.”

Local residents can register for several alert systems:

• Pasadena Local Emergency Alert System (PLEAS): Sends Pasadena-specific alerts via text, phone or email. Sign-up is available at www.cityofpasadena.net/Fire/PLEAS.

• Alert LA County: Covers County-wide emergencies. Open to all residents. Click here.

• Nixle: Offers local updates;

Monday, September 22, 2025

Feds, States Sue Live Nation and Ticketmaster Over Ticket Prices

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Live Nation, which promotes major concerts at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, is under fire from federal regulators and state attorneys general who accuse the entertainment giant and its ticketing arm of inflating prices and failing to rein in scalpers.

The company was the promoter in September for the Oasis “Live ’25” world tour, which included two sold-out concerts at the Rose Bowl on September 6 and 7. Last April Live Nation staged AC/DC’s POWER UP Tour at the iconic venue.

Those blockbuster bookings spotlight Live Nation’s dominance in the United States concert business — and the scrutiny it now faces in court.

The Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from seven states filed suit Thursday against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, alleging the company allows ticket brokers to skirt purchasing limits and resell seats at inflated prices, forcing fans to “pay substantially more than face value” for popular events.

Monday, September 22, 2025

Curating Joy & Access: Black Education Expo Returns October 4

Southern California Families & Educators Unite for a Joyful Reunion at the Pasadena Convention Center

The free K-12 Black Education Expo (BEE), co-presented by Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton, is back on Saturday, October 4, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center. Designed as a joyful family reunion, the Expo welcomes families, students, and educators from across Southern California—from Altadena to South Los Angeles to Riverside to San Diego—for a day filled with learning, laughter, and community connection.

“As a community builder with over a decade in higher education, I look forward to welcoming educators, parents, and students who are rebuilding their lives after the LA fires, as well as those eager to connect with new resources or simply reunite with old friends,” said Victoria Williams, Founder of the Black Education Expo. “The Expo is about more than resources—it’s about centering joy, promoting literacy, expanding career pathways, building futures, and bringing our SoCal community together.”

The curated Expo Hall will feature more than 70 exhibitors,

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Altadena Ratepayers Face Electricity Bill Hike as Utilities Commission Approves SCE Request

Southern California Edison customers in Altadena will see higher electricity bills starting Oct. 1 after state regulators approved a 9.1% rate increase tied to wildfire liabilities, including costs from the deadly Eaton Fire.

The California Public Utilities Commission voted 4-0 on Sept. 18 to authorize SCE’s 2025 revenue requirement at $9.664 billion — $819 million less than the utility’s original request of $10.483 billion, but still a 12.61% increase over 2024’s authorized revenue of $8.582 billion. The decision followed public opposition and comes amid growing scrutiny of utility-driven cost burdens in fire-prone communities.

For a typical household using 500 kilowatt-hours monthly, the increase translates to an additional $15.52 per month, or about $186 annually for non-CARE customers. CARE customers — income-qualified participants in California’s discounted rate program — will see monthly increases of $9.79. The rate hike takes effect Oct. 1.

The CPUC’s vote came despite initial reports suggesting a 10% hike and continues a pattern of rising costs for SCE customers.