The planned economic blackout for February 28, 2025, has generated significant attention and discussion. It represents a grassroots movement aimed at demonstrating the collective economic power of consumers. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:

Understanding the Economic Blackout

Purpose:
The primary goal is to protest perceived corporate greed, economic inequality, and certain policy changes.
Organizers aim to send a message to major corporations and policymakers about the influence of consumers on the economy.
It is also in part a response to the rolling back of DEI initiatives by some major corporations.
Mechanism:
Participants are encouraged to refrain from non-essential spending for 24 hours.
This includes avoiding purchases at major retailers, online shopping, and spending on non-essential services.
The emphasis is on shifting spending towards local, small businesses for essential needs.
Organizer:
The movement is spearheaded by The People’s Union USA, a grassroots organization.
John Schwarz, also known as “TheOneCalledJai” on social media, is the founder and a prominent figure in the movement.
Proponents and Motivations

Frustration with Economic Conditions:
Many proponents cite rising costs of living, stagnant wages, and increasing economic disparities as key motivators.
There is a sense of frustration with the perceived influence of large corporations on economic policies.
Desire for Economic Justice:
The movement reflects a desire for greater economic justice and accountability.
Proponents believe that collective action can force corporations to reconsider their practices and policies.
Support for Local Businesses:
The blackout encourages support for local businesses, which are often seen as more community-oriented and less exploitative than large corporations.
DEI concerns:
The movement also has roots in concerns about the rolling back of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.
Targets and Potential Impacts

Targeted Entities:
Major retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy are primary targets.
Fast-food chains and other large corporations are also included.
The movement aims to disrupt the flow of revenue to these entities.
Potential Impacts:
The immediate impact is expected to be a temporary decrease in sales for targeted businesses.
The long-term impact is more uncertain and depends on the level of participation and sustained action.
Organizers hope to raise awareness and spark broader discussions about economic inequality and corporate responsibility.
It is being discussed that unless these boycotts are sustained, that the larger corporations may see a very small, or non existant effect on their overall financial bottom lines. Many financial analysts are suggesting that these large corporations will be able to regain any lost sales, by running sales shortly after the boycotts.
Challenges:
Sustaining widespread participation is a significant challenge.
Measuring the true impact of the blackout can be difficult.
The potential for counter-movements or resistance from targeted corporations exists.
Key Considerations

The economic blackout highlights the growing role of social media in organizing and mobilizing grassroots movements.
It reflects a broader trend of consumers using their purchasing power to express their values and concerns.
The event serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between consumers, corporations, and economic policies.
In conclusion, the February 28, 2025, economic blackout is a significant event that reflects widespread concerns about economic inequality and corporate power. While the long-term impact remains to be seen, it has undoubtedly sparked important conversations about the role of consumers in shaping the economy.

I am very disappointed in the amended ban on leaf blowers. Leaf blowers are bad for the environment and people’s health.
The amended ban needs to be clear that gas blowers are still banned. Gas blowers are being used throughout the city and nothing is being done to stop the use. Better to ban all leaf blowers.

PASADENA, Calif. — The City of Pasadena contracted the services of an industrial hygienist to perform lead and asbestos testing in nine City facilities located in areas closest to the fire perimeter. While there were no specific concerns about environmental hazards at these facilities, the City conducted testing out of an abundance of caution to confirm that the facilities remained safe and to share data with the Pasadena community.

Testing was completed at eight of nine City facilities. Asbestos was not detected and all lead measurements were below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Dust Lead Action Level (DLAL) of 5 micrograms of lead per square foot (µg/ft2), a strict standard that was established to protect children in homes and childcare centers. Testing at the final facility is scheduled to be completed this week and the City Facility Environmental Test Results map will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Mobile air monitoring conducted by South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) on January 31, 2025, showed no elevated levels of heavy metals (such as lead or arsenic) or benzene. Overall, the AQMD results were within background levels and below national standards and state health thresholds. Some elevated levels of methane, possibly from gas leaks, were detected in Altadena and AQMD reported the results to utility agencies for further investigation. PurpleAir and AirNow share real-time information helpful for assessing air quality conditions.

“These initial facility and air monitoring test results are promising and should ease our worst fears about environmental impacts of wildfires,” said Director of Public Health, Manuel Carmona. “More data is needed to make determinations about the potential risks to public health. The Pasadena Public Health Department continues to work with academic partners and county, state, and federal agencies to understand environmental impacts,” said Carmona.

With AQMD mobile monitoring and City facility test results on hand, the City of Pasadena amended the temporary leaf blower ban to allow the use of power air blowers and air propelling devices (such as leaf blowers) outside the 2025 Eaton Fire perimeter and at least 50 feet from any fire damaged structure. The city-wide temporary leaf blower ban was initially issued on Wednesday, Jan. 15 to help limit the potential health impacts of Eaton Fire ash, smoke, and particulate matter. Ash and debris cleanup efforts and recent rain showers have reduced the presence of dust across the community.

Debris and ash from fire damaged structures may contain lead, asbestos, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, or other toxic materials which can pose serious health risks. In areas where ash and dust are still present, the Pasadena Public Health Department encourages residents to consider alternatives to power air blowers. Residents should gently sweep areas before mopping or using a High Energy Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum and wear a well-fitted NIOSH approved respirator (such as an N95 or P100), long sleeves, pants, goggles, and gloves to protect their skin and eyes from any potential toxic substances.

To safely and properly mitigate health risks posed by the wildfire, the City continues to partner with county, state, and federal agencies to ensure coordination and access to recovery resources. The City of Pasadena remains committed to protecting the community’s public health and safety.

As terms expire for PRHB – Pasadena Rental Housing Board members, the search is on for replacements.

Why are there no landlords or property owners on the board?

PASADENA, Calif.— The Pasadena City Council is accepting applications to fill upcoming vacancies on the Pasadena Rental Housing Board, with scheduled term expirations on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Established under Section 1811 of the Pasadena City Charter, the Pasadena Rental Housing Board is responsible for enforcing Article XVIII, “The Pasadena Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment.”

The Pasadena Rental Housing Board is made up of 11 members:

• 7 Tenant Members: Representing the interests of Pasadena tenants.
• 4 At-Large Members: Representing the broader Pasadena rental housing community.
• 2 Alternates: One for Tenant Members and one for At-Large Members.

These appointments are open to all qualified applicants, as the City Council is considering both new candidates and potential reappointments of current members. The following members are eligible for reappointment:

• Brandon Lamar District 3/Tenant
• Yaneli Soriano Santiago District 5/Tenant
• Deborah Dunlop                  District 7/Tenant
• Allison Henry                       At-Large
• Adela Torres                        At-Large

For Tenant Member positions (Districts 3, 5, and 7), appointments or reappointments, each candidate will be nominated by the Councilmember representing that district and then ratified by the entire City Council. At-Large positions will be filled through a collective decision by the City Council.

Applicants for Tenant Member positions, and their Extended Family members, must not have owned, managed, or held a 5% or greater ownership interest in rental units in Los Angeles County during the three years before applying.

The Board’s duties include:

• Creating rules and regulations to implement Article XVIII of the City Charter.
• Setting allowable rent increases.
• Determining and publicizing the Annual General Adjustment in rents.
• Appointing hearing officers and conducting hearings on rent adjustment petitions.
• Adopting a budget.
• Pursuing civil remedies against those who violate Article XVIII.
• Holding public hearings.
• Establishing penalties for violations of Article XVIII.
• Maintaining a registry of rental housing in Pasadena.

Pasadena residents interested in serving on the Board are encouraged to apply. To be considered, applicants must:

• Submit a completed application.
• Circulate a nomination petition and collect at least 25 qualified signatures from residents in the same Pasadena Council District.
• For Tenant positions, provide a declaration of financial interests for the applicant and their Extended Family members (this declaration is public record).

Nomination petitions and application materials are available at the City Clerk’s Office.

The application period is now open and closes on Monday, April 21, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. Application forms are available at the City of Pasadena, Office of the City Clerk, located at 100 North Garfield Avenue, Room S228, Pasadena, CA 91101. You can also call (626) 744-4124 or email CityClerk@CityOfPasadena.net for more information. Forms can be obtained during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Not certain which update caused the start of this issue but apparently one of the latest updates from Microsoft started the issue.  The fix appears to be if you force RDP to use TCP instead and disabled UDP.

The fix

On the client side

RunRegistry Editor (regedit)
Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services\Client
Create a new entry DWORD (32-bit) Value:

Name: fClientDisableUDP
Value: 1

Restart your PC and test RDP again.

This has worked on a few systems so far.

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.

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. 

• 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