Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could your yard still hide toxic wildfire ash in the soil?

You won't want to miss Pasadena Pro Musica Holiday Concert on the Pasadena Patch calendar

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What's up Pasadena! 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:

  • Could your yard still hide toxic wildfire ash in the soil?
  • How a Pasadena Rose Parade float aims to mend national divisions
  • Why the Rose Bowl still tops college football’s postseason venue rankings

Also on today's calendar: Pasadena Pro Musica Holiday Concert and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Pasadenafor 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!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Pasadenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Monday: Sunny and pleasantly warm, temps: high: 77, low: 53.
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and warm, with a high of 77 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. UCLA, community partners support Altadena fire recovery with free soil testing (ucla.edu) — Pasadena residents recently had a chance to get their yards tested for wildfire-related soil contamination at a free event in Washington Park, where UCLA researchers screened about 200 samples for lead and other heavy metals. The effort, focused on fire-hit neighborhoods in Pasadena, Altadena and the Crescenta Valley, also shared simple steps like adding clean soil or mulch to help reduce exposure risks at home.
   

2. Can a Rose Parade float help heal a politically fractured nation? (pasadenastarnews.com) — Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses is partnering with America250 on a soaring bald-eagle float meant to spark a renewed sense of shared patriotism during the 2026 semiquincentennial. Built by Fiesta Productions, the “Soaring Onward Together” entry will feature three animated eagles gliding over Colorado Boulevard, with intricate floral details and symbolism designed to feel inclusive rather than overtly partisan.
   

3. State Farm Stadium listed as one of top postseason venues (arizonasports.com) — Pasadena’s Rose Bowl gets top billing as the No. 1 college football postseason venue, with State Farm Stadium in Glendale ranked just behind it. The story highlights why warm-weather, retractable-roof stadiums like those in Arizona are so prized for bowl games and College Football Playoff matchups, underscoring the Rose Bowl’s enduring prestige in that elite company.
   

4. California schools that need foreign workers for teacher jobs can't afford Trump's new visa fee (calmatters.org) — Pasadena Unified, already facing a $27 million deficit, now plans to make foreign teachers pay their own H-1B visa costs after a new federal $100,000 sponsorship fee, raising questions about staffing and program stability. The story explains how this change could worsen teacher shortages in special education and dual-language programs across California, while lawsuits challenge the Trump administration’s steep new fee.
   

📸 Around Pasadena

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Pasadena

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📣 Pasadena Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • EDIT: He’s home safe and sound.
    Lost Orange Cat, don’t know why Nextdoor deleted my post while I was asleep. Please repost for reach if you can!! Hi everyone, This is Coleman he’s… (Nextdoor Raymond)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
    FOUND on December 11, 2025 in Pasadena, CA 91107 near Pasadena high school Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor North Central Pasadena SW)
  • Caltech posted a job opening for Building and Maintenance Custodian in Pasadena. Apply here.
  • Pasadena Unified School District posted a job opening for Food Service Worker (Substitute) in Pasadena. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Pasadena here.

Ok Pasadena! 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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