Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Altadena’s SBA wildfire help center is closing sooner than you think
Make time for Pasadena Promusica Presents The Light of Hope Returning Holiday Concert on the Altadena Patch calendar
What's up Altadena! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Altadena’s SBA wildfire help center is closing sooner than you think
- What would you do with a 550‑pound bear underfoot?
- How wildfire-hit Altadena yards are being tested for hidden toxins
Also on today's calendar: Pasadena Promusica Presents The Light of Hope Returning Holiday Concert and 4 more events.
Find out what's happening in Altadenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Altadenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 76 and low of 53 degrees.
- Monday: Sunny, nice and warm, temps: high: 78, low: 54.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 79 and low of 55 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Small Business Administration offices in Palisades, Eaton fire zones to close next week (abc7.com) — Altadena residents affected by January’s wildfires have just days left to visit the SBA help center at the Altadena Community Center before it closes on Wednesday, Dec. 17. In-person staff can still walk you through loan applications and portals, but after that you’ll need to apply online. Locals share both frustrations and relief with these long-term, low-interest recovery loans. 
2. Altadena homeowner describes what it's like to live with an unwanted 550-pound bear (nypost.com) — An Altadena homeowner is coping with a 550‑pound bear that’s taken up residence in the crawl space beneath his house, bringing sleepless nights, damage, and a parade of news crews. State wildlife officials have set a baited trap in his yard, but the animal still hasn’t left, adding to a stressful year that already included Altadena fire smoke damage and business losses.
3. UCLA, community partners support Altadena fire recovery with free soil testing (ucla.edu) — Altadena residents affected by this year’s wildfires are getting help checking their yards for toxic contamination, thanks to free soil testing led by UCLA researchers and community partners. At a recent Pasadena event, nearly 70 residents, including an Altadena homeowner who lost his house, brought hundreds of samples to be screened for lead and other heavy metals and learned simple ways to reduce exposure risks at home.
4. LA's Scouting troops lost their camp in the Palisades. Now they're working to heal the land (baltimoresun.com) — Altadena appears here as one of the communities helped by local Scouts, who donated ash sifters to its fire stations so homeowners could search rubble after recent fires. The broader story follows Los Angeles–area Scouting troops returning to fire-damaged Camp Josepho in the Palisades, where they’re beginning long-term restoration work and supporting families who lost homes and treasured Scouting memorabilia.
5. Crowdfund campaigns for essential expenses were on the rise in '25 (vindy.com) — Altadena gets a brief mention as GoFundMe’s CEO recalls wildfires that hit his home community while discussing a national surge in crowdfunding for basic needs like rent, food, and utilities. The report shows more people turning to online campaigns when wages, benefits, and safety nets fall short. It also highlights how storytelling and social networks can determine who actually gets help.
📸 Around Altadena
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Altadena
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Pasadena Promusica Presents The Light of Hope Returning Holiday Concert
500 E Colorado Blvd , Pasadena
4:00 pm - Walk-in Tutoring With Dennis
Harbor Gateway Branch Library Harbor City -
12:30 pm - Read With STAR Volunteer Suze
Harbor Gateway Branch Library Harbor City -
6:00 pm - Computer Classes
Harbor Gateway Branch Library Harbor City -
3:00 pm - Dungeons and Dragons for High School
Playa Vista Branch Library
4:00 pm - English Conversation With Ronnie
Playa Vista Branch Library
10:00 am - Knitting and Crochet Club
Harbor Gateway Branch Library Harbor City -
1:00 pm
Sunday December 14
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
📣 Altadena Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- AUSD Informational Booth at Alhambra Farmers Market
Alhambra Farmers Market , 100 S 2nd St , Alhambra
9:00 am - AI International Film and Music Video Festivals
Los Feliz 3 Theatre , 1822 N Vermont Ave , Los Angeles
10:30 am - Women's Drum Circle in the Park!
Verdugo Park , 1621 Canada Blvd , Glendale
10:30 am - Annual Holiday Tea
Julienne Fine Foods & Celebrations , 2649 Mission St , San Marino
11:00 am - A Night of Christmas with The Lettermen
Arcadia Performing Arts Center , 188 Campus Dr , Arcadia
2:00 pm
Sunday December 14
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Altadena PatchAM possible:
- LA Fire Justice — (626) 684-3315
Holding Southern California Edison Accountable
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- McDonald's posted a job opening for Crew Team Member in Altadena. Apply here.
- SBM Management posted a job opening for Day Porter in Pasadena. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Altadena here.
Ok Altadena! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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