Good morning to you Altadena! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Pasadena Chalk Festival.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Altadena Soils Showed More Hexavalent Chromium Than the Palisades, Study Finds (pasadenanow.com) — Altadena homeowners in the Eaton Fire burn area are learning that local soils show higher hexavalent chromium levels than the Palisades, though most samples remain below federal risk thresholds. Some properties exceed California's stricter standard, prompting calls for targeted monitoring and remediation. Residents can still access free county soil testing for lead in Altadena through 2026 and are urged to follow safety tips to limit exposure.
2. Gov. Newson Signs Laws to Strengthen Wildfire Recovery in Altadena (mynewsla.com) — New state wildfire-recovery laws were signed right here in Altadena, expanding insurance coverage, mortgage relief, and smoke-contamination testing standards for survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires. The measures clarify what insurers must pay for, extend mortgage forbearance, and set first-in-the-nation rules for cleaning smoke-damaged homes and schools, directly shaping how Altadena residents rebuild.
3. Altadena 'Rebuilding' series focuses on Craftsman homes, Sept. 16 (dailynews.com) — Altadena homeowners rebuilding after the Eaton fire are being invited to a free lecture series on designing fire-safe houses that still look like classic Altadena Craftsman and other historic styles. Organized by Rebuild Altadena with Pasadena and Altadena Heritage, the program continues Sept. 16 and runs through December, covering Craftsman and Spanish design, native landscaping, and modernism with tours of local homes. Sessions aim to help families still deciding how to rebuild.
4. Pasadena Senior Center Opens Free to All Comers Saturday as Demand Outgrows Its Building (pasadenanow.com) — Older adults from Altadena, especially those displaced when the Altadena Senior Center burned in the Eaton Fire, are being welcomed to a free #AgeWell Day at the Pasadena Senior Center on Sept. 19. The center has become a key support hub for unhoused Altadena seniors, offering classes, mental health resources, food assistance, and help with rebuilding, but is now straining for space as demand surges. Organizers hope the event showcases services and builds support for expansion.
5. Rising From the Ashes: LA Wildfire VR Doc Wins Big in Venice! (southpasadenan.com) — A Venice Film Festival jury just honored a VR documentary that immerses viewers in the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, spotlighting stories from Altadena and nearby communities. The project virtually rebuilds burned homes using residents' own photos and closes by highlighting recovery groups like Evolve Altadena, helping keep Altadena's rebuilding efforts visible on an international stage.
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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: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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