🌱 Patch AM: How fast is Altadena really rebuilding after the Eaton Fire?

Greetings Altadena! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How fast is Altadena really rebuilding after the Eaton Fire?
• Are you eligible for LA County’s new wildfire rent relief funds?
• How a nonprofit just rescued Altadena’s iconic Two Dragons studio

Also on today's calendar: Cinderella Story and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 71 and low of 52 degrees.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 69, low: 51.
• Sunday: Clouds and sun, with a high of 68 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. After a rocky start, rebuilding in the Palisades and Altadena is gaining momentum (latimes.com subscription) — Altadena homeowners rebuilding after the Eaton Fire are finally seeing momentum, with Los Angeles County now issuing permits for about 16% of destroyed homes and thousands more applications in the pipeline. The story compares Altadena’s pace to other California fire recoveries and follows local residents navigating insurance, permits, and construction delays as they work to return home.
   

2. LA County opens $23M Emergency Rent Relief Program (heysocal.com) — Altadena residents and landlords hit by the 2025 wildfires can now apply for LA County’s new $23 million Emergency Rent Relief Program, which helps cover unpaid rent, mortgages, and related housing costs. Grants of up to $15,000 per unit are available, with priority for small landlords and lower-income households, and applications due by Friday, Jan. 23 at 4:59 p.m.
   

3. Nonprofit steps in to save Altadena's beloved martial arts studio: ‘Everything has changed' (dailynews.com) — A beloved Altadena institution, Two Dragons Martial Arts Studio, has been given a lifeline after local nonprofit Greenline Housing Foundation bought its fire-damaged lot so owner Sipoo Shelene Hearring can repurchase and rebuild. Neighbors, former students, and organizers rallied donations and support, aiming to keep the property and future small-business hub in Altadena hands and restore a 30-year community anchor.
   

4. A spotlight on grace under pressure (csmonitor.com subscription) — Altadena residents Lorna Green and Nicole Moore are photographed standing with their daughter in front of their home, which was ravaged by wildfire earlier this year, linking local loss to a broader year-in-photos feature. The piece showcases striking images from around the U.S. and beyond, but the Altadena scene underscores how 2025’s disasters hit close to home for foothill communities.
   

5. California Company 'Prints' 3D Homes from Waste (waste360.com) — Altadena is cited as one of the communities that has lost thousands of homes to recent wildfires, as a California startup ramps up 3D-printed housing made from recycled plastic and fiberglass. The company is supplying small units for homeless residents and wildfire survivors while preparing larger permanent homes, aiming to cut construction waste, costs, and build times across the state.
   

📸 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!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 19

• Bleep Comedy at Ice House Comedy Club - California Room
  The Ice House, 24 N Mentor Ave, Pasadena
  7:45 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 20

• Cinderella Story
  Altadena Library , 600 E Mariposa St , Altadena
  11:00 am
• Knitting and Crochet Club
  Harbor Gateway Branch Library Harbor City -
  1:00 pm
• The Shindig Show at Ice House Comedy Club
  The Ice House , 24 N Mentor Ave , Pasadena
  9:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Computer Classes
  Harbor Gateway Branch Library Harbor City -
  3:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Knitting and Crochet Club
  Harbor Gateway Branch Library Harbor City -
  1:00 pm

📣 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

Friday December 19

• Monrovia - Dog dental cleaning
  Dog Zone , 150 W Foothill Blvd , Monrovia
  9:00 am
• English Conversation With Ronnie
  Playa Vista Branch Library
  10:00 am
• Smarty Pants Storytime - In-Person Program
  San Gabriel Library , 500 S Del Mar Ave , San Gabriel
  11:00 am
• Movie Matinee
  Live Oak Park , 10144 Bogue St , Temple City
  1:00 pm
• Music of Tovaangar
  San Gabriel Library , 500 S Del Mar Ave , San Gabriel
  2:00 pm
• Mixed Media Ornaments
  El Monte Library , 3224 Tyler Ave , El Monte
  4:00 pm

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

• Can’t seem to get these answers from the assessors office they gave me an appraiser to ask, but they’re not picking up either.
  Anyone can shed light on these questions.? Question 1 The property listed with the assessor office was classified as a 1,410sqft 4 bed 2 bathroom… (Nextdoor Farnsworth)

• Target posted a job opening for Seasonal: Overnight Inbound (Stocking) (T1332) in Pasadena. Apply here.
• Pacific Oaks College posted a job opening for Lead Teacher 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 don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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