Erin Stone
is a reporter who covers climate and environmental issues in Southern California.
Published December 30, 2024 6:31 PM
Where the Sierra Madre Rose Parade float is constructed throughout the year.
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Erin Stone
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LAist
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Topline:
The Rose Parade kicks off New Years Day, when 39 floats will glide down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. Two companies build most of the Parade’s floats, but six this year are made independently — we visit one.
Volunteers ftw: The city of Sierra Madre is one of the oldest participants in the Rose Parade, and one of the few places that still builds its own floats, all with the help of dedicated volunteers.
Keep reading....to learn more about the float and volunteers decorating it in the final days before the Rose Parade.
The Rose Parade kicks off New Years Day, when 39 colorful and intricately designed floats will glide down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. And an army of volunteers is helping to decorate those floats in the final days before the parade.
In a warehouse in the small city of Sierra Madre in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, JoAnn Copp gently places green mums on a large sign that reads “Fiesta.”
“You want to get it on there without scrunching it too badly,” Copp said.
Copp lives in Costa Mesa, but has volunteered to decorate Sierra Madre’s Rose Parade float since 2011.
JoAnn Copp places mums on the Fiesta sign that will adorn the Sierra Madre Rose Parade Float.
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Erin Stone
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LAist
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Mums for the Sierra Madre Rose Parade float.
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Erin Stone
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LAist
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“ I just happen to like the camaraderie and creativity and everybody working together,” she said.
Next to her, Sierra Madre resident Corinne Flores puts the finishing touches on a piñata for the float — Sierra Madre’s theme this year is “fiesta at abuela’s house.” The Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas will perform on it and 16 folklórico dancers will flank the float.
”What I love about it is working with the other people that are here and getting to know some of the people both in Sierra Madre and folks that have come from really far, like one lady that came from North Carolina just to work on the float,” Flores said.
Corinne Flores puts the finishing touches on a piñata .
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Erin Stone
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LAist
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Many of the volunteers came from afar to experience a part of the storied Rose Parade. Marty Antonellis splits time between Boston and New Orleans — her family of nine came from all over the country to work on Sierra Madre’s float.
“From New Orleans, Boston, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh…. I think I’ve covered them all,” she said with a chuckle. “It's just amazing because everyone wants to go to the Rose Parade at some point in their life.”
The whole family is planning to attend the parade, where Antonellis said they’ll cheer on the Sierra Madre Rose float that they all had a hand in creating.
Marty Antonellis fluffs carnations for Sierra Madre's Rose Parade Float.
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Erin Stone
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LAist
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Fluffing carnations.
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Erin Stone
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LAist
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A DIY effort
For Pasadena resident Diana Becker and her mother Eileen, who lives in Mobile, Alabama, volunteering together to decorate Sierra Madre’s float has been a holiday season tradition since 2012.
“ I come out to visit [Diana] at Christmas time and then we do the float,” said Eileen. “[Sierra Madre] is a wonderful place to do the float — it’s self-built, that’s the main thing, and everybody gets to know everybody and we get to text each other sometimes during the year.”
Diana Becker and her mother, Eileen, volunteer every year to help decorate Sierra Madre's Rose Parade float.
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Erin Stone
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LAist
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Sierra Madre’s float is one of only six that are “self-built,” or made independently. Burbank, Downey, La Cañada-Flintridge, South Pasadena and Cal Poly also fully build their own floats.
“We are absolutely the most DIY you could possibly imagine,”said Sierra Madre’s volunteer coordinator Hannah Jungbauer. “We want this to be as community driven as possible.”
The in-progress Sierra Madre Rose Parade Float on Dec. 30, 2024.
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Erin Stone
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LAist
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A detail of a cat stretching that will appear on Sierra Madre's Rose Parade float.
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Erin Stone
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LAist
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The Sierra Madre Rose Float Association, a nonprofit and all-volunteer organization, hosts Drag Queen Bingo twice a year to raise money for the float, which cost about $52,000 this year. Corporate floats, on the other hand, often cost at least $275,000 to build.
To cut costs, they use donated Christmas trees and succulents to decorate the float. They’ve used the same chassis since the 1980s. And after the parade, they sell as much from the float as they can — that’s why you may spot pieces of floats from past years decorating some Sierra Madre homes, such as a 10-foot tiki head in a yard from the 2020 float, or a cartoonish bear cub peering down from a tree, from the 2023 float.
Pieces of donated Christmas trees that will be a part of Sierra Madre's Rose Parade float.
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Erin Stone
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The other remaining floats you see along the parade route are built by two companies — Phoenix Decoration Co. out of Irwindale and Artistic Entertainment Services in Azusa. Award-winning float builder Fiesta Parade Floats is no longer a part of the parade after nearly a four-decade run.
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association cut ties with the company in June citing the company’s failure to meet technical and financial criteria. Fiesta Parade Floats has since shut down. Phoenix Decoration Co. is now overseeing the Kaiser Permanente float instead of Fiesta along with 16 other floats. Artistic Entertainment Services told LAist, it’s now overseeing a few of the former Fiesta customers as part of their 16 floats.
A bear cub from the 2023 Sierra Madre Rose Parade float on a tree outside a house in the canyon neighborhood of Sierra Madre.
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A brief history of the Rose Parade
The first Tournament of Roses Parade was held back in 1890 and it was extremely quaint compared to today’s world-renowned affair. It was originally the idea of a small group of country clubbers in Pasadena, who wanted to promote the place they called “the Mediterranean of the West."
The concept design for Sierra Madre's Rose Parade float.
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LAist
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The group of men who made up the original social club invited East Coasters to a mid-winter holiday festival, where they could escape the cold and watch chariot races, jousting and other games under the warmth of the California winter sun. In 1913, the event featured a race between a camel and an elephant (the elephant won).
Sierra Madre is one of the oldest participants in the parade — the city entered its very first float in 1917. Keeping their float self-built, according to the city’s float association, is one way they continue to honor that local tradition.
Cesar Becerra Jr. happily receives a gift from church members at Rock of Salvation.
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Jonathan Olivares
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Boyle Heights Beat
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Topline:
If you’re looking to donate, volunteer or find ways to give back, we’ve rounded up a list to help you get started.
Why now: With the holiday season underway, organizations across Boyle Heights and East LA are seeking volunteers to help distribute food, assemble bicycles, sort toys and sponsor families in need.
Local food distributions: The Weingart East LA YMCA hosts a food distribution every Monday and Wednesday to ensure families have access to nutritious meals. Volunteers are needed for each food distribution from 8:45 a.m. to noon.
Read on ... for other ways to give back on the Eastside.
This story was originally published by Boyle Heights Beat on Nov. 25.
With the holiday season underway, organizations across Boyle Heights and East LA are seeking volunteers to help distribute food, assemble bicycles, sort toys and sponsor families in need.
If you’re looking to donate, volunteer or find ways to give back, we’ve rounded up a list to help you get started.
Build bicycles and organize donations at a toy giveaway
The Weingart East LA YMCA is hosting its 19th Annual Toy Giveaway on Dec. 18, and volunteers are needed to help prepare toys and provide support. Before the event, volunteers can help by assembling bicycles and sorting and organizing toys on Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers are also needed to assist on event day from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Weingart East LA YMCA hosts a food distribution every Monday and Wednesday to ensure families have access to nutritious meals. Volunteers are needed for each food distribution from 8:45 a.m. to noon.
Mercado al Aire Libre, which started earlier this month, provides families with free, fresh and seasonal produce on the first and second Wednesdays of every month at its farmers-market-style food distribution. The mercado takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on the first Wednesday of the month and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday. The next mercado will be on Dec. 3.
Address: Salesian Family Youth Center, 2228 E. Fourth St., Los Angeles
How to volunteer: Those interested in volunteering can reach out to Celene Rodriguez by phone at (323) 243-5758 or email at celene@visionycompromiso.org.
Drop off toys at First Street businesses
LAFC’s Expo Originals supporters group is collecting new, unwrapped toys and Venmo donations ahead of its annual community toy drive Dec. 14. Venmo contributions will go toward toy purchases, and the last day to donate is Dec. 6. Toys can be dropped off in person at the locations below until Dec. 13.
Proyecto Pastoral is collecting new jackets to keep its participants at the Guadalupe Homeless Shelter warm.
Where to donate: Jackets can be dropped off at the Proyecto Pastoral office located at 135 N. Mission Road from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sponsor a family, child or classroom ahead of the holidays
Proyecto Pastoral has many opportunities for the community to give back during its Holiday Drive this year. Those interested in fulfilling holiday wishes for a family, child or classroom have until Dec. 1 to register. Proyecto Pastoral will pair sponsors with community members in need to fulfill items from their wish list.
Individual toys also can be dropped off at Proyecto Pastoral’s office. The toys will be distributed to children who participate in Proyecto Pastoral’s youth programs at their end-of-year celebrations.
Makenna Sievertson
breaks down evolving policies and programs with a focus on the housing and homelessness challenges confronting some of SoCal's most vulnerable residents.
Published November 25, 2025 2:51 PM
California Attorney General Rob Bonta during a news conference Aug. 2.
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Myung J. Chun
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Greystar, which manages hundreds of properties in California, has agreed to pay $7 million to settle a lawsuit alleging the company and other landlords used a price scheme to raise rents artificially high.
Background: In January, Greystar was named as a defendant in an antitrust lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the U.S. Department of Justice and several other states against software company RealPage, which officials say uses algorithmic models to recommend price increases to subscribers.
Bonta alleges that Greystar used RealPage’s system to coordinate rental prices with other landlords by illegally sharing and gathering confidential information. According to his office, RealPage’s “price alignment scheme” affected rentals across the country, especially in multifamily buildings in Southern California, including in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Bernardino.
The settlement: Bonta announced last week that, as part of the settlement, Greystar has agreed to stop using software that uses competitively sensitive information to set rent prices, including from RealPage.
The company has also agreed to cooperate in the federal prosecution of RealPage and the other landlords named as defendants, such as Camden and Willow Bridge.
Greystar statement: Greystar told LAist that it’s “pleased this matter is resolved,” and the company “remain[s] focused on serving our residents and clients.”
Go deeper ... for more information on the case.
Greystar, which manages hundreds of properties in California, has agreed to pay $7 million to settle a lawsuit alleging the company and other landlords used a price scheme to raise rents artificially high.
In January, Greystar was named as a defendant in an antitrust lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the U.S. Department of Justice and several other states against software company RealPage, which officials say uses algorithmic models to recommend price increases to subscribers.
Bonta alleges Greystar used RealPage’s system to coordinate rental prices with other landlords by illegally sharing and gathering confidential information. According to his office, RealPage’s “price alignment scheme” affected rentals across the country, especially in multifamily buildings in Southern California, including in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Bernardino.
"Whether it's through smoke-filled backroom deals or through an algorithm on your computer screen, colluding to drive up prices is illegal,” Bonta said in a statement. “Companies that intentionally fuel this unaffordability by raising prices to line their own pockets can be sure I will use the full force of my office to hold them accountable.”
Details on the settlement
Greystar is the largest landlord in the U.S., according to the Department of Justice, managing nearly 950,000 rental units across the country. In California, the company manages about 333 multifamily rental properties that use RealPage’s pricing software, according to Bonta’s office.
Bonta announced last week that as part of the settlement, Greystar has agreed to stop using software that uses competitively sensitive information to set rent prices, including from RealPage.
The company also has agreed to cooperate in the federal prosecution of RealPage and the other landlords named as defendants, such as Camden and Willow Bridge.
Greystar said in a statement to LAist that it’s “pleased this matter is resolved” and the company “remain[s] focused on serving our residents and clients.”
Settlement with RealPage
The U.S. Justice Department’s Antitrust Division filed a proposed settlement with RealPage on Monday to resolve its claims against the company.
If the settlement is approved by the court, RealPage would be required to stop using competitors’ private, sensitive information to set rental prices and remove or redesign features in its software that limited price drops or aligned prices between competitors, according to the Justice Department.
RealPage also would be required to cooperate in the lawsuit against property management companies that have used its software and agree to a court-appointed monitor to make sure it complies with the proposed settlement.
Dirk Wakeham, president and CEO of RealPage, said in a statement Monday that the proposed resolution marks an important milestone for the company and its customers.
"We are pleased to have reached this agreement with the DOJ, which brings the clarity and stability we have long sought and allows us to move forward with a continued focus on innovation and the shared goal of better outcomes for both housing providers and renters,” Wakeham said.
RealPage denies any wrongdoing, attorney Stephen Weissman said in a statement.
Kavish Harjai
writes about transportation policy in L.A.
Published November 25, 2025 2:29 PM
One of the appeals partially accepted stemmed from a road safety project the city completed on Hollywood Boulevard last year.
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Courtesy of Los Angeles Department of Transportation
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Topline:
On Monday, Los Angeles officials considered claims that it did not install Measure HLA-mandated mobility upgrades where it should have. But the Board of Public Works rejected most of the claims, meaning the city maintains its position that it has been doing road work largely in accordance with Measure HLA. It was the first hearing of its kind since the city began accepting appeals this summer.
Measure HLA: The ordinance requires the city to install mobility upgrades, like bike lanes and pedestrian signal improvements, when it resurfaces at least one-eighth of a mile of certain streets throughout the city. As of August, L.A. city residents can file appeals claims to the Board of Public Works explaining why they think the city was not complying with Measure HLA. For more instructions and an explanation on that process, you can read LAist’s story here.
First round of appeals: The Board of Public Works partially sided with the appellant in one appeal and rejected the other six. Joe Linton, in his capacity as a resident and not as editor of Streetsblog L.A., filed all the appeals heard on Monday. “It’s the very first time, so we’re kind of throwing a lot of spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks,” Linton told LAist. “Not a lot stuck.”
One appeal approved: Linton partially won his appeal claiming the city did not adequately install pedestrian improvements along a nearly half-mile portion of Hollywood Boulevard that it resurfaced last year. The city said it will publish an “appeals resolution plan” to fix sidewalks there within the next six months. “It was really obvious to me that the city’s justification … was not true, so I was glad that that was acknowledged,” Linton said.
Most rejected: In the other six appeals, the Board of Public Works agreed that the city’s work was properly exempted from Measure HLA because it only involved restriping the road. Linton had argued in those appeals that the city's work should have triggered Measure HLA because it involved reconfiguring lanes, modifying parking and adding new signage.
More appeals to be heard: The Board of Public Works on Monday will hear four additional appeals Linton filed.
Yusra Farzan
covers Orange County and its 34 cities, watching those long meetings — boards, councils and more — so you don’t have to.
Published November 25, 2025 2:19 PM
Newport Beach residents to decide on plan to build far fewer housing units in the city.
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Allen J. Schaben
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Los Angeles Times
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Topline:
Newport Beach voters will decide if they want to replace a state-approved housing plan with one that zones for far fewer new homes in 2026.
How we got here: Proponents of the plan called the Responsible Housing Initiative say the state-approved housing plan will negatively affect quality of life.
About the initiative: The initiative rejects the city’s current housing plan — which allows for more than 8,000 homes — and instead proposes just 2,900 homes exclusively for extremely low-, very low-, low- and moderate-income households.
The state-approved city plan: According to California law, Newport Beach needs to build 4,845 new units — 3,436 of which must be affordable for very low-, low- and moderate-income households.
Read on ... for more on next steps and tug-of-war over development plans.
Newport Beach voters will decide if they want to replace a state-approved housing plan with one that allows for far fewer new homes in 2026.
Proponents of the plan, called the Responsible Housing Initiative, say the current plan will make the city overcrowded and negatively affect quality of life.
“This isn’t downtown Los Angeles,” said Charles Klobe, president of Still Protecting Our Newport, which backs the Responsible Housing Initiative.
Last week, city leaders voted to put the initiative in front of voters after the Newport Beach Stewardship Association submitted the Responsible Housing Initiative petition with more than 8,000 signatures. The initiative rejects the city’s current housing plan and instead proposes an amendment to the general plan to facilitate the development of 2,900 homes exclusively for extremely low-, very low-, low- and moderate-income households.
The city’s current housing plan, which has the backing of the state, allows for more than 8,000 homes, including the required affordable housing units.
“ We're against the city building more market rate than the state required. We believe it's a giveaway to developers who will fund re-election campaigns of the council,” Klobe said.
What does California law require?
California’s Housing Element Law sets housing targets for local governments to meet, including for affordable units. It allows the state to intervene every eight years to let cities know how much housing they must plan for. The law also requires cities to put together a housing element showcasing how they will achieve the state’s plan. The state then approves of the element or sends it back to cities to reconfigure according to the requirements.
According to California law, Newport Beach needs to build 4,845 new units — 3,436 of which must be affordable for very low-, low- and moderate-income households. According to the city, Newport Beach can’t just plan for affordable housing units “because that would assume all future projects would be 100% affordable, which is not realistic based on previous development experiences.” And so, the city’s rezone plans include more than 8,000 units.
Councilmember Robyn Grant said during the council meeting that she’s not in favor of the state mandate. But, she added, “After extensive legal analysis and public outreach and workshops and hearings and meetings and more meetings, this council approved an updated general plan to bring Newport Beach into compliance and avoid serious penalties, including the loss of local land use control."
Newport Beach did appeal the state’s housing mandates on the grounds that it did not take into account how some of the city’s coastal lands are protected from urban development, but the appeal was rejected.
To learn more about how Newport Beach arrived at its state-approved housing plan, click here.
What is the Responsible Housing Initiative proposing?
The Responsible Housing Initiative counts the number of housing units already in development and proposes an additional 2,900 affordable housing units to meet the state mandate.
Klobe said they believe the initiative will receive state backing because “they claim to want affordable housing and our initiative requires it.”
Supporters of the measure contend the city’s current plan will increase the population, result in excessive traffic and disrupt the quality of life. They also sued Newport Beach for not first going to voters, but they failed in court.
To learn more about the Responsible Housing Initiative, click here.
What’s next
Voters will have a chance to weigh in on the Responsible Housing Initiative in November 2026.
