Feb 8 2025
Upper Hastings Ranch Block Party & Community Event on Monday, February 17th
Please join us for an Upper Hastings Ranch Block Party & Community Event on Monday, February 17th from 12:00-4:00 pm at Don Benito School. After the events of the past month, we are eager to re-connect with neighbors and friends and to show the strength and resiliency of our community. There will be food trucks, entertainment, a bounce house, and raffle. This event is free and everyone is welcome. We want to give a special shout out to Patricia Hamada Vahdat, block captain for upper Valley View and 2024 UHRA Resident of the Year, who envisioned this event and has worked tirelessly to make it happen. More details are on the attached flyer. We hope to see you there! Sincerely, UHRA Board
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Feb 7 2025
Fender Offering Musicians Instrument Replacement Lost in Fires

Fender is offering free replacements for musicians who lost an instrument or gear to the fires. Those who have lost their equipment can submit an online form and the company will work to replace lost items.

TO OUR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY

We are devastated by the fires continuing to rage across Los Angeles – a city that many of our employees and artist communities call home. As a Southern California guitar-maker for over 75 years, we are struggling to process what our diverse and deep-rooted music scene has lost. We grieve alongside you.

To those affected: we are committed to finding immediate and impactful ways to support you, today and in the days to come. To the first responders: thank you for your tireless fight to contain these fires and keep our city safe.

We know how important music is – not just to an artist’s livelihood, but to every player’s health and happiness. If you are a musician who has lost an instrument or gear we invite you to submit details on this page.

We will respond and help replenish requests to the best of our abilities. 

As we continue to process the magnitude of this tragedy, we are currently identifying more ways we can help the L.A. music community rebuild. Expect more announcements over the coming weeks as we understand how best to do so amidst this still-evolving situation.

 

Feb 7 2025
Pasadena Rent Stabilization Department’s 2025 Annual Training Sessions

I am 100% in support of tenant rights, but having an organization that penalizes property owners and does little if any to look out for the best interest of property owners and their sustainability is extremely short sighted and selfish. Without property owner rights, that protect owners from vindictive and dishonest tenants and those trying to scam, there will be less and less properties available in the rental market.

To go even a step further the fact that the Pasadena Rental Housing Board imposes a fee on property owners which is the primary source of funding is just another reason the department needs a review. Perhaps with many of the changes in government organizations that bleed money like PHRB, will be eliminated.

The budget of PHRB is approx $6million.

The registry that was created and then a ridiculous less than three months deadline for property owners landlords to register and pay a fee and share information with the board, that is even more of a violation of privacy.

A hack of the system would in fact leak a lot of personal information, the fact that they would even know if the information was leaked is even more concerning.  An outside form was consulted to draft documents and later was fired, basically the city paid a large sum to get nothing.  Now PHRB has a staff of people who barely answer emails.

Helen Morales who is the head of the PHRB when directly emailed will answer some emails and not others.

Obviously this lack of consistency and not responding is infuriating to anyone looking for a straight answer.

In some of the webinars/training sessions, there are many unanswered questions and lead to frustration from all parties.

The end result is that have PHRB has not improved the rental climate in Pasadena. And has created yet another layer of bureaucratic red tape that sticks its hand in  the pocket of hard working people.

City Council should ask the difficult questions of the PRHB and when those questions go unanswered start the process to dismantle it and replace with a body that represents property owners and tenants equally.

The Pasadena Rent Stabilization Department’s 2025 annual training sessions will cover topics such as habitability, rent adjustments, petitions, and evictions. The sessions will be held at 199 N. Los Robles, First Floor. 

Topics covered 

  • February 11, 2025: Habitability and rent adjustment
  • March 11, 2025: Petitions and hearings
  • April 8, 2025: Eviction protections and relocation

The training sessions are designed to educate both tenants and landlords about local rental laws and recent changes to rent increase limits and registration requirements. 

What to expect
  • Rent increase limits: The maximum rent increase for existing tenancies from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 is 3%. 
  • No-banking policy: Landlords cannot save unused rent increases to apply in future years. 
  • Eligibility: Not all rental units are subject to the 3% cap. 
  • Petition process: The department has a new platform with guidelines, forms, and instructions to help users complete petitions. 

The Department has also released its schedule of Annual Trainings. The trainings will
be conducted at the Department’s offices at 199 S. Los Robles, First Floor, every 2nd
Tuesday of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
2025 ANNUAL RENT STABILIZATION DEPARTMENT TRAININGS
Date Topic Title Topic Descripon
February 11, 2025 Habitability-Downward
Adjustment of Rent
Habitability problems, and what to do
when they arise or cannot be resolved
including the Tenant Peon for
Downward Adjustment of Rent

March 11, 2025 Peons & Hearings Understand the processes to formally
request a rent adjustment. (Units
subject to Rent Control only.)
April 8, 2025 Just Cause Protecons/Buyout
Agreements/Ellis Act/Relocaon
Understand the evicon process and
your legal responsibilies. Learn about
when relocaon benefits are required,
what acon is required, and the
amounts of relocaon.
May 13, 2025 Rent Roll-Back/Rent Increases Lean how the “Base Rent” was
established and whether a rent “roll
back” is required. Learn about annual
rent adjustments and other
requirements for units subject to Rent
Control.
June 10, 2025 RSO Overview Obtain an Overview of all
requirements under the Charter
Arcle XVIII
July 8, 2025 Security Deposit Learn about security deposits under
state law, and security deposit interest
requirements under the Pasadena Fair
and Equitable Housing Charter
Amendment.
August 12, 2025 Annual Rental Registraon Learn about the annual rental
registraon process and be ready to
register your properes by October
31, 2025.
September 9, 2025 RSO Overview Obtain an Overview of all
requirements under the Charter
Arcle XVIII

Feb 7 2025
Scam Alert: Burbank Animal Shelter

Scam Alert: Fraudulent Calls

 

Burbank, CA (February 7, 2025) – The City of Burbank and the Burbank Animal Shelter are aware of a scam involving the shelter’s phone number, (818) 238-3340. Multiple residents have reported receiving fraudulent calls falsely claiming they must pay $2,000 to prevent their pet from being euthanized. This is a scam. The Burbank Animal Shelter will never call residents to demand payment over the phone.

 

⚠️ What to Do If You’re Targeted:

Hang up immediately.

Do not engage or send money.

Report the scam to the Burbank Animal Shelter at (818) 238-3340 and to the Burbank Police Department at (818) 238-3000.

 

Please share this message to help protect the community.

Feb 6 2025
Altadena & Friends: Eaton Fire Relief Benefit at the Alex Theatre

Altadena & Friends: Eaton Fire Relief Benefit at the Alex Theatre

Save The Date!

Thursday, March 27th, 7 PM with a VIP Reception at 5:30 PM

Alex Theatre in Glendale

Tickets are on sale next week!

Many of our friends and neighbors lost their homes, businesses, jobs, schools, and places of worship. Our whole community lost important historical and cultural sites with a presence beyond our community. We are coming together to help our Arroyo neighbors from the Eaton Fire area get back on their feet for the only benefit of targeting the Eaton Fire community while featuring the fantastic and diverse talent from the affected areas. By supporting this event, you also support the artists most in need.

DATE: Mar 27 at 7 PM (5:30 PM VIP Reception)

LOCATION: Alex Theatre in Glendale

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS/SPONSORS:

  • Rotary Club of Altadena
  • Rotary International District 5300
  • The EVNSONG & The Alex Theatre
  • Pasadena Heritage

We are seeking $10K more in sponsorship to cover all costs. All money raised will go to relief! Sponsors at that level will be listed here and in all the press and VIP tickets.

TICKETS: $36- 175 (plus ticket fees)

Higher-priced tickets will have better seats, and a VIP section will have a pre-show party with the artists.

PROGRAM:

A variety show format showcasing internationally known artists from the Fire Zone, many of whom lost homes, studios, and instruments in the fire. The show will be 90 minutes with no intermission in a kaleidoscope of talent. Here is what we have in the lineup so far (with links to see their performance videos- more artists to come):

  • The Altadena Community Theatre is known for high-quality Broadway musicals in Altadena’s Farnsworth Park. However, its founders lost their home and all their props, costumes, and music while also losing Farnsworth Park, their stage.
  • Culture Shock LA is a National Hip-Hop dance group and school. The Culture Shock movement gave birth to many famous groups, including America’s Best Dance Crew winners and Vegas favorites Jabbawockeez, World of Dance winners Kinjas, and many more. CSLA works from Elements Dance Studio in NorthWest Pasadena’s evacuation zone.
  • Joe Monti, known by magicians as the best of their industry, is a former Magic Castle Board Member and former Magic Producer for Criss Angel Mindfreak. He is a former Glendale resident who lost his home in the Palisades Fire.
  • Bluegrass legend Evan Marshal and company, known for their work at Disneyland’s Golden Horseshoe as Billy Hill & The Hillbillies from La Canada (also evacuated)
  • Melodia Mariposa brings high-caliber classical music to Altadena and Farnsworth Park. Members lost homes in the fire.
  • Altadena’s internationally known Afro-Caribbean band Upstream, just back from Carnaval in Trinidad.

We would love to have a well-known A-List celebrity from the area join us, which would help sell tickets! Send them my way!

Feb 5 2025
Remediate Your Soil Post Fires – Improve Property Soil After Urban Wildfires
Feb 4 2025
Rev. Al Sharpton Coming to Pasadena First AME Church

From his Facebook page:

We must mourn all lives lost, and fight for justice for those overlooked.
This weekend on #PoliticsNation, I reminded the nation that as we grieve the tragic airline crashes in Washington and Philadelphia, we cannot forget those who lost their homes and loved ones in the California wildfires, especially in Altadena, a predominantly Black community that suffered devastating losses.
I made a promise on this show to Zaire from Altadena with Attorney Ben Crump, and this Thursday I’m keeping that promise. I’ll be in Pasadena at First AME Church at 11 AM, standing with the families to ensure they get the support they deserve.
We pray for all those impacted by these tragedies, and we must fight to ensure that no community is left behind.

The Rev. Al Sharpton announced that he will travel to Pasadena on Thursday to lead a noontime memorial service and rally for victims of the devastating Los Angeles County wildfires. The civil rights leader will appear with attorney Ben Crump, who represents relatives of several Southern Californians killed in the blazes.

The service will be at First AME Church at 1700 N. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena, and will also include Pastor Larry Campbell.

Feb 3 2025
South Coast AQMD Expands Air Quality Monitoring for Eaton and Palisades Fires
South Coast AQMD Expands Air Quality Monitoring for Eaton and Palisades Fires
DIAMOND BAR—Today, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD)
began air monitoring efforts in the burn scars and surrounding communities of the Eaton Fire
and Palisades Fire. South Coast AQMD has been working closely with federal, state and local
agencies, supporting ongoing emergency response and cleanup efforts.
Debris removal could cause hazardous dust and ash to become airborne. This initiative,
requested by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in close coordination with the California
Air Resources Board, will assess air quality during debris removal or other activities.
South Coast AQMD’s monitoring efforts will occur in two key stages.
Stage One: Mobile Monitoring of Air Toxics
Two mobile monitoring vehicles will be deployed over a four-week period. Mobile monitors
provide instantaneous measurements for toxic metals and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s)
and identify potential hot spots in areas near the Eaton and Palisades Fire zones. Results of the
mobile monitoring will help identify locations for temporary air monitoring stations.
Stage Two: Stationary Air Monitoring
Placement of monitoring stations will be determined based on mobile monitoring results,
cleanup activity, sensitive receptors (such as residents and schools) and meteorological
conditions. These stations will include air monitors that will provide data for particulate matter (PM), lead, arsenic, and asbestos in communities near the burn zones.
South Coast AQMD will continue to work closely with federal, state and local agencies as well as
the local public health agencies to provide the public with air monitoring data from these
efforts.
Jan 30 2025
City of Pasadena Continues Temporary Leaf Blower Ban As of January 30, 2025

PASADENA, Calif. –The City of Pasadena continues to prohibit the use of power air blowers and air propelling devices (such as leaf blowers) until further notice to help limit the potential health impacts of fire ash, smoke, and particulate matter. The City of Pasadena initially issued the temporary leaf blower ban on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Violation of this order is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500, imprisonment for at most 6 months, or both. To learn more, read the Power Air Blower Regulation.

Power air blowers and air propelling devices stir up ash and particulate matter into the air, worsening air quality and increasing exposure to potential wildfire contaminants. Sensitive groups including individuals with respiratory conditions, older adults, and children may be more vulnerable to the impacts of poor air quality.

The Pasadena Public Health Department is working with regional public health partners and state and federal agencies to understand the potential threats to public health posed by the Eaton Fire. Continuing this temporary ban will help protect the health and wellbeing of residents until a better assessment of health risks can be completed.

Power air blowers and air propelling devices will be allowed when it can be reasonably expected that their use will not negatively impact the lives, health, safety, and well-being of residents. The City will issue a press release to notify the public when the leaf blower ban has been lifted.

The following recommendations will help you protect yourself and your family from harmful effects of bad air quality:

  • Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors when air quality is unhealthy or worse.
  • Use air conditioners that recirculate air to filter out potentially harmful particles.
  • Wear an N95 or P100 mask to reduce your risk of exposure when air quality is unhealthy or worse.
  • Check and replace air filters regularly. HEPA air purifiers can further improve indoor air quality.
  • Clean dusty surfaces with a damp cloth. For more information on ash cleanup safety, read the Safety Precautions and Ash Exposure Prevention press release.
  • Practice safe clean-up following a fire. Follow the ash clean-up and food safety instructions at the Los Angeles County Public Health website.
Jan 27 2025
New Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Altadena January 27, 2025
Our Disaster Recovery Centers are a one-stop shop for all federal, state, and local resources in one place for residents to recover and rebuild. A new Disaster Recovery Center is opening in Altadena on Monday, Jan. 27 at 540 West Woodbury Road. The current location at the Pasadena City College Community Education Center will sunset on Friday, Jan. 31. 
Access support.

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