Topline:
Now in its 136th year, Pasadena’s most widely-known spectacle — officially the Tournament of Roses — gets underway Wednesday morning, with its signature floral-festooned parade floats, marching bands and equestrian teams.
What's the theme? This year, the parade’s theme is “Best Day Ever!”
The context: Thousands of people are expected to watch the event along its 5.5-mile route, most of it along Colorado Boulevard, and millions more will watch from home.
It’s the start of a new year, and in Los Angeles County that means (at least) one thing for sure: It’s time for the Rose Parade.
Now in its 136th year, Pasadena’s most widely-known spectacle — officially the Tournament of Roses — gets underway Wednesday morning, with its signature floral-festooned parade floats, marching bands and equestrian teams.
This year, the parade’s theme is “Best Day Ever!” and kicked off at 8 a.m. The theme, according to organizers, celebrates life's best moments, "those unexpected times that bring a smile, warm our hearts and fill us with joy."
Tennis legend Billie Jean King was this year's grand marshal.
Hundreds of thousands of people watched the event along its 5.5-mile route, most of it along Colorado Boulevard, and millions more watched from home, according to the parade's organizers.
It took an estimated 80,000 hours of work by more than 900 active volunteers to make it all happen.
Thirty-nine floats were featured in the event, including the one carrying the 2025 Rose Court, entries from local cities including Alhambra and Burbank, the two football teams playing in the Rose Bowl Game — The Ohio State University and University of Oregon — and organizations including Lions International and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
One of the standouts included the float from Louisiana, which showcased several aspects of that state's food and culture, including a regal-looking alligator and a floral depiction of a seafood boil. Another was the entry from the San Diego Zoo, which had two giant black-and-white pandas overlooking a scene filled with other animals.
Erik C. Andersen told LAist he designed the float from the city of Burbank, which features a group of colorful and smiling dinosaurs playing together near a fire-spouting volcano. He said he also designed floats in 1989 and 1991.
"Actually I designed this float in 1991 for the parade theme of Fun and Games, so our dinosaurs are playing and having fun together," Andersen said. "So when this theme came up, Best Day Ever, it's like wow it fits. So I resubmitted it and it got picked."
Sixteen equestrian units from several states, including California, Colorado, Texas and Washington, were also in the procession as were 20 marching bands, including the Kyoto Tachibana High School Green Band from Japan.
Pat and Sheryl Davis traveled from Amarillo, Texas to see the parade. They said they arrived at the route at 5:30 a.m. to get a good spot.
"This has always been a bucket list-type thing we wanted to do," Pat Davis said. "We watch it on TV every year and we thought we'd do it in person this year."
Angela Butler from Victorville, Calif. and April Criner Shaw from Wichita, Kansas said they were excited to attend, particularly for the music. Butler said she came out mostly to see and hear the marching band from Jackson State
"We came mostly for Jackson State, the Sonic Boom. I am an avid marching band person, I played the flute in marching band, I lettered in flute as a matter of fact. I just love watching the marching bands. Jackson State marching band, knows as the Sonic Boom of the South.
"They're very exciting. I love the drum majors, so that's why I'm here. We do a whole week of festivities for the parade," Butler said.
Butler said she comes to the parade every year. Back when she first came to California in 1983, she used to camp out on the sidewalk, like many other parade-goers do, to get a good viewing position. Later, she said, she passed that experience on to her son
"I've kind of matured to the seats," she said with a laugh, referring to the chairs and bleachers along the route.
Noting safety concerns, the city of Pasadena acknowledged an incident in New Orleans in which a pickup driver plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street during New Year's celebrations, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens of others.
Two New Orleans police officers were shot during an ensuing gunfight and are said to be in stable condition.
In Pasadena, the scene Wednesday morning remained festive, and there did not appear to be any major safety issues. Around 8:30 a.m., a group of protesters calling for an arms embargo on Israel jumped in front of one of the bands, causing a brief delay in the procession. Fourteen people were detained.
A city spokesperson said Pasadena prepares for months leading up to the parade and the Rose Bowl Game and coordinates with county and state authorities.
"We continually train throughout the year with our Tournament of Roses and Rose Bowl Stadium partners for various scenarios," the statement from Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian read. "The Parade is a top level Federal event and we have (the) ability to call in additional resources if the need exists."
The statement noted that "robust" vehicle barriers were set up at intersections and along the parade route, and more than 1,000 members of law enforcement were working both the parade and the football game.
LAist will bring highlights and reaction from the parade, and update this story throughout the day.
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This Sunday, a special donation concert at Pasadena's Healing Force of the Universe record store helps fire survivors get their vinyl record collections back.
The backstory: The record donation effort is the brainchild of musician Brandon Jay, who founded the nonprofit Altadena Musicians after losing his home and almost all of his family’s musical instruments in the Eaton Fire. Now, he has turned his efforts on rebuilding people's lost record collections.
Read on ... to find details of the show happening Sunday.
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena and Pasadena’s music community have really shown up to support fire survivors, especially fellow musicians who lost instruments and record collections.
That effort continues this weekend with a special donation concert at a Pasadena record store, with the aim of getting vinyl records back in the hands of survivors who lost their collections.
“You know, our name is Healing Force of the Universe, and I think that gives me a pretty clear direction… especially after the fires,” said Austin Manuel, founder of Pasadena record store, where Sunday’s show will be held.
The record donation effort is the brainchild of musician Brandon Jay, who founded the nonprofit Altadena Musicians after losing his home and almost all of his family’s instruments in the Eaton Fire. Through Altadena Musicians’s donation and registry platform, Jay said he and his partners have helped some 1,200 fire survivors get their music instruments back.
Now, that effort has fanned out to restoring vinyl record collections.
“All of that stuff evaporated for thousands of people,” Jay said. “Look at your own record collection and be like, ‘Wow, what if that whole thing disappeared?’”
You might know Jay from several bands over the years, including Lutefisk, a 1990s alt-rock band based in Los Angeles. He and his wife, Gwendolyn Sanford, composed music for TV shows, including Orange is the New Black and Weeds.
Jay plans to play some holiday tunes at Sunday's record donation show (which LAist is the media sponsor), along with fellow musician Daniel Brummel of Sanglorians. Brummel, who was also a founding member of Pasadena’s indie-rock sensation Ozma, said he was grateful to Jay for his fire recovery work and to Manuel for making Healing Force available for shows like this.
Brummel, who came close to losing his own home in the Eaton Fire, recalled a show he played at Healing Force back in March.
“The trauma of the fires was still really fresh,” Brummel said. After playing a cover of Rufus Wainwright’s “Going to a Town,” that night — which includes the lyrics “I’m going to a town that has already been burnt down” — Brummel said his neighbors in the audience told him the rendition hit them hard. “It felt really powerful. And without that space, it just wouldn’t have occurred.”
Healing Force of the Universe Record Donation Show
Featuring: Quasar (aka Brandon Jay), Sanglorians (Daniel Brummel) and The Acrylic.
Sunday, Dec. 14; 2 to 5 p.m.
1200 E. Walnut St., Pasadena
Tickets are $15 or you can donate 5 or more records at the door. More info here.
Topline:
The Hollywood Walk of Fame has a new neighbor — a star dedicated to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Why it matters: The Fire Department has been honored with an “Award of Excellence Star” for its public service during the Palisades and Sunset fires, which burned in the Pacific Palisades and Hollywood Hills neighborhoods of L.A. in January.
Why now: The star was unveiled on Hollywood Boulevard on Friday at a ceremony hosted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Hollywood Community Foundation.
Awards of Excellence celebrate organizations for their positive impacts on Hollywood and the entertainment industry, according to organizers. Fewer than 10 have been handed out so far, including to the LA Times, Dodgers and Disneyland.
The backstory: The idea of awarding a star to the Fire Department was prompted by an eighth-grade class essay from Eniola Taiwo, 14, from Connecticut. In an essay on personal heroes, Taiwo called for L.A. firefighters to be recognized. She sent the letter to the Chamber of Commerce.
“This star for first responders will reach the hearts of many first responders and let them know that what they do is recognized and appreciated,” Taiwo’s letter read. “It will also encourage young people like me to be a change in the world.”
The Award of Excellence Star is in front of the Ovation Entertainment Complex next to the Walk of Fame; however, it is separate from the official program.
What officials say: Steve Nissen, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement Taiwo’s letter was the inspiration for a monument that will “forever shine in Hollywood.”
“This recognition is not only about honoring the bravery of the Los Angeles Fire Department but also about celebrating the vision of a young student whose words reminded us all of the importance of gratitude and civic pride,” said Nissen, who’s also president and CEO of the Hollywood Community Foundation.
Go deeper: LA's wildfires: Your recovery guide
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Fallout from allegations of an ethics breach by Los Angeles’ elected city attorney has reached the City Council. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado introduced a motion Friday requesting a closed-session meeting about an allegation that City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto improperly contacted a witness days before her office entered into one of the city’s biggest settlements in recent years. The motion came a day after LAist reported about the allegation.
The case: In September, the city settled a lawsuit brought forward by two brothers in their 70s who said they suffered serious injuries after an LAPD officer crashed into their car. Days before the $18 million settlement was reached, lawyers for the brothers said Feldstein Soto called an expert witness testifying for the plaintiffs and “attempted to ingratiate herself with him and asked him to make a contribution to her political campaign,” according to a sworn declaration to the court by the plaintiffs’ attorney, Robert Glassman.
The response: Feldstein Soto did not respond to an interview request. Her spokesperson said the settlement “had nothing to do” with the expert witness. Her campaign manager told LAist the city attorney had been making a routine fundraising call and did not know the person had a role in the case, nor that there were pending requests for her office to pay him fees.
What Jurado says: In a statement to LAist, Jurado said she wants to “make sure that the city’s legal leadership is guided by integrity and accountability, especially when their choices affect public trust, civic rights and the city’s limited resources."
What’s next: The motion needs to go through a few committees before reaching the full City Council. If it passes, the motion calls for the city attorney to “report to council in closed session within 45 days regarding the ethics breach violation and give updates to the City Council."
Topline:
Fallout from allegations of an ethics breach by Los Angeles’ elected city attorney has reached the City Council. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado introduced a motion Friday requesting a closed-session meeting about an allegation that City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto improperly contacted a witness days before her office entered into one of the city’s biggest settlements in recent years. The motion came a day after LAist reported about the allegation.
The case: In September, the city settled a lawsuit brought forward by two brothers in their 70s who said they suffered serious injuries after an LAPD officer crashed into their car. Days before the $18 million settlement was reached, lawyers for the brothers said Feldstein Soto called an expert witness testifying for the plaintiffs and “attempted to ingratiate herself with him and asked him to make a contribution to her political campaign,” according to a sworn declaration to the court by the plaintiffs’ attorney, Robert Glassman.
The response: Feldstein Soto did not respond to an interview request. Her spokesperson said the settlement “had nothing to do” with the expert witness. Her campaign manager told LAist the city attorney had been making a routine fundraising call and did not know the person had a role in the case, nor that there were pending requests for her office to pay him fees.
What Jurado says: In a statement to LAist, Jurado said she wants to “make sure that the city’s legal leadership is guided by integrity and accountability, especially when their choices affect public trust, civic rights and the city’s limited resources."
What’s next: The motion needs to go through a few committees before reaching the full City Council. If it passes, the motion calls for the city attorney to “report to council in closed session within 45 days regarding the ethics breach violation and give updates to the City Council."
Topline:
Today marks el Día de La Virgen de Guadalupe, or the day of the Virgen of Guadalupe, an important holiday for Catholics and those of Mexican descent. In Santa Ana, Luis Cantabrana builds an elaborate altar in her honor that draws hundreds of visitors.
What is the holiday celebrating? In 1513, the Virgin Mary appeared before St. Juan Diego, asking him to build a church in her honor. Her image — a brown-skinned woman, wearing a green veil with her hands clasped in prayer and an angel at her feet — miraculously appeared on his cloak. Every year on Dec. 12, worshippers of the saint celebrate the Guadalupita with prayer and song.
Read on … for how worshippers in Santa Ana celebrate.
Every year in Santa Ana, Luis Cantabrana turns the front of his home into an elaborate altar in honor of La Virgen de Guadalupe that draws hundreds of visitors.
Along the front of the house, the multi-colored altar is filled with lights, flowers and a stained-glass tapestry behind a sculpture of the Lady of Guadalupe. Cantabrana’s roof also is lit up with the green, white and red lights that spell out “Virgen de Guadalupe” and a cross.
Visitors are welcomed with music and the smell of roses as they celebrate the saint, but this year’s gathering comes after a dark year for immigrant communities.
In 1513, the Virgin Mary appeared before St. Juan Diego between Dec. 9 and Dec. 12, asking him to build a church in her honor. Her image — a brown-skinned woman wearing a green veil with her hands together in prayer and an angel at her feet — miraculously appeared on his cloak.
To celebrate in Santa Ana, worshippers gathered late-night Wednesday and in the very early hours Dec. 12 to pray the rosary, sing hymns and celebrate the saint.
Cantabrana has hosted worshippers at his home for 27 years — 17 in Santa Ana.
The altar started out small, he said, and over the years, he added a fabric background, more lights and flowers (lots and lots of flowers).
“It started with me making a promise to la Virgen de Guadalupe that while I had life and a home to build an altar, that I would do it,” Cantabrana said. “Everything you see in photos and videos is pretty, but when you come and see it live, it's more than pretty. It's beautiful.”
Many also look to the Lady of Guadalupe for protection, especially at a time when federal enforcement has rattled immigrant communities.
“People don’t want to go to work, they don’t want to take their kids to school, but the love we have for our Virgen de Guadalupe,” Cantabrana said. “We see that la Virgen de Guadalupe has a lot of power, and so we know immigration [enforcement] won’t come here.”
Margarita Lopez of Garden Grove has been visiting the altar for three years with her husband. She’s been celebrating the Virgencita since she was a young girl. Honoring the saint is as important now as ever, she said.
“We ask, and she performs miracles,” Lopez said.
Claudia Tapia, a lifelong Santa Ana resident, said the Virgin Mary represents strength.
“Right now, with everything going on, a lot of our families [have] turned and prayed to the Virgen for strength during these times,” Tapia said. “She's a very strong symbol of Mexican culture, of unity, of faith and of resilience.”
The shrine will stay up into the new year on the corner of Broadway and Camile Street.
