🌱 Patch AM: What changes did Altadena’s Town Council just make for 2026?

Good morning Altadena! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What changes did Altadena’s Town Council just make for 2026?
• How fast is Altadena really rebuilding after the Eaton fire?
• How costly were this year’s Altadena wildfires for insurers and residents?

Also on today's calendar: Bleep Comedy at Ice House Comedy Club - California Room and 5 more events.

And lastly, check out what our neighbors Nancy G. and Julie W. posted below!

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 78 and low of 55 degrees.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 75, low: 51.
• Saturday: Sunshine and pleasant, with a high of 71 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Altadena Town Council Celebrates New Leadership and Community Commitment (coloradoboulevard.net) — Altadena’s Town Council has installed new leadership to help guide recovery and rebuilding after the devastating Eaton Fire, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger swearing in members and praising outgoing leaders. New Chair Nic Arnzen and the executive committee emphasized staying connected, collaborative, and focused on Altadena’s future as the community heads into 2026.
   

2. 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 permit approvals and construction activity pick up, but many still face long timelines, limited contractors, and confusing bureaucracy. County data show only about 16% of destroyed Altadena homes have rebuilding permits so far, even as residents like JPL engineer Leticia Montanez push aggressively to return and adapt to a changed community.
   

3. LA Fires Push Insurers' 2025 Disaster Losses to $107 Billion (claimsjournal.com) — Altadena is cited as one of the Los Angeles communities ravaged by January wildfires that, along with Pacific Palisades, generated about $40 billion in insured losses, the costliest wildfire event ever. The report underscores how climate-fueled disasters are driving up global insurance and economic losses, with U.S. communities bearing much of the impact.
   

4. Pasadena Jewish Temple's new rabbi on leading a historic congregation recovering from the Eaton fire (pasadenastarnews.com) — A historic Jewish congregation whose campus once anchored North Altadena Drive is worshiping in borrowed space while it recovers from the Eaton fire. New senior rabbi Joshua Ratner is guiding Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center through displacement, holiday observances, and rebuilding plans, emphasizing resilience, community ties, and a hopeful vision for a future spiritual home serving Pasadena and nearby Altadena families.
   

5. Winning Powerball numbers announced for estimated $1.25 billion jackpot (cbsnews.com) — Altadena once produced the biggest lottery winner ever, with a $2.04 billion Powerball ticket sold there in 2022, and the game is again offering a massive $1.25 billion jackpot. With odds still extremely long, residents can weigh whether a $2 ticket is worth a shot at hundreds of millions in cash value.
   

📸 Around Altadena

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

📣 Altadena Shout Outs!

• ❤️ Thank you to my wonderful neighbors who helped me get back into my home when I locked myself out and didn't have my cel phone with me.❤️ —Nancy G.

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

NEW: Like a shout-out or pic? Click the heart!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Altadena

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 18

• December Monthly Meetup
  Chao Doi Thai Restaurant, 680 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• English Conversation With Ronnie
  Playa Vista Branch Library
  10:00 am
• Bleep Comedy at Ice House Comedy Club - California Room
  The Ice House , 24 N Mentor Ave , Pasadena
  7:45 pm

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

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• A Christmas Carol
  A Noise Within Theatre , 3352 E Foothill Blvd , Pasadena
  11:00 am
• Dungeons and Dragons for High School
  Playa Vista Branch Library
  4:00 pm
• 🎷✨ Chuck Johnson Live at Visionarium! ✨🎷
  1020 Mission St , South Pasadena
  6:30 pm

Friday December 19

• English Conversation With Ronnie
  Playa Vista Branch Library
  10:00 am

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

• Just spoke with owner of Pastries by Nancy (aka Nancy's Bakery) to order Ned's birthday cake.
  (It's the only place he wants his cake from.) The owner is very upset for us about losing our homes, and he has "lost all his customers," he said,… (Nextdoor Northwest Altadena)
• Report of police chase in Los Angeles, California.
  11:39PM on Dec 16: A high-speed chase on the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles involved a driver exceeding 100 mph while evading California Highway Patrol… (Nextdoor )

• Hersha Hospitality Management, LP posted a job opening for Overnight Laundry Attendant in Pasadena. Apply here.
• HHM Hotels posted a job opening for Room Attendant - Housekeeper 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 know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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