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🌱 Patch AM: What are South Pasadena parents demanding in this push for a digital detox?

Be sure to catch Bill Callahan on the South Pasadena Patch calendar

Saturday August 22nd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello again South Pasadena! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What are South Pasadena parents demanding in this push for a digital detox?
  • How will South Pasadena's new mobility plan change your daily routes?
  • Need a permit? See how South Pasadena just moved everything online.

Today's riddle: What is the longest word in the dictionary? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Hot with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 97 and low of 70 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 100, low: 71.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 98 and low of 71 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Grassroots Parents Demand a Digital Detox as SPEF Breaks $1 Million (southpasadenan.com) — South Pasadena parents are pressing SPUSD to sharply limit student screen time, even as the South Pasadena Educational Foundation celebrates its first-ever $1 million donation to local schools. At the August 11 board meeting, a new "Touchgrass South Pass" coalition urged phone bans and reduced classroom tech, while trustees welcomed a new student board member and reviewed fresh state funding and water-education opportunities.
   

2. Crafting a Safer, Connected Future with a Unified Mobility & Safety Plan (southpasadenan.com) — South Pasadena is moving ahead with a unified Mobility and Safety Action Plan that could reshape how you walk, bike, drive, and evacuate during emergencies. At an August 19 special study session, the City Council refined an RFP for a $400,000 planning effort focused on data-driven safety fixes, first-and-last-mile transit connections, and robust community input that will soon invite residents to help prioritize projects.
   

3. City Launches New Online Permit System (outlooknewspapers.com) — South Pasadena has launched a new online system where you can apply for building, tree trimming, temporary use, and planning permits without visiting City Hall. Residents and contractors can now submit everything through the OpenGov portal, with staff still available for in-person or phone help at City Hall on Mission Street.
   

4. Why Is Flock Safety So Controversial in the Bay Area? (kqed.org) — A deep dive into Flock Safety's license plate reader cameras explains why Bay Area communities are fiercely debating their use, citing privacy, hacking risks, and immigration enforcement concerns. South Pasadena appears briefly among California cities that have already shut off or removed Flock cameras, underscoring how this surveillance fight reaches beyond the Bay Area.
   

📸 Around South Pasadena

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🗓 Upcoming Events in South Pasadena

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Sunday August 30
  • Bill Callahan →
    Sid The Cat Auditorium, 1022 El Centro St, South Pasadena
    7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Wednesday August 26
  • AV 5th Grade OSS Parent Meeting
    District PDF South Pasadena, CA 91030
    6:00 pm
  • AV PTA General Assembly Zoom
    District PDF South Pasadena, CA 91030
    7:00 pm
  • Thursday August 27
  • Back to School Night
    Marengo Elementary School South Pasadena, CA 91030
    6:00 pm

📣 South Pasadena Shout Outs!

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

🗓 Events Nearby

    Saturday August 22
  • Just Like Heaven →
    Brookside Park, 360 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena
    12:00 pm
  • Levitt VIBE Pasadena Music Series
    City of Pasedena NW Programs Memorial Park, 85 E Holly St., Pasadena, CA, 91103, United States
    6:00 pm
  • Marching Band Showcase
    San Marino High San Marino, CA 91108
    7:00 pm
  • Sunday August 23
  • ⛔ SEZ iCal IS CLOSED
    Los Angeles Chargers Football https://www.southendzone.com/
    12:00 pm
  • Brian Kiley Live in Arcadia, CA | San Gabriel Valley Comedy Festival 2026 →
    Astronaut City Comedy Club and Karaoke Bar, 1037 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia
    7:00 pm
  • Tony Vinh Live in Arcadia | San Gabriel Valley Comedy Festival 2026 →
    Astronaut City Comedy Club and Karaoke Bar, 1037 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia
    9:00 pm
  • Monday August 24
  • Minimum Day, dismissal 1:28 p.m./Día Mínimo, salida a la 1:28 p.m
    Macy Intermediate Monterey Park, CA 91755
  • Late Start Schedule (schoolwide)
    Rosemead High Rosemead, CA 91770
    7:30 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 these businesses for making South Pasadena PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • CBE Opportunity - County of Los Angeles King Medical and Willowbrook Shuttle Service
    MV Transportation, Inc. (MV) is proposing as a prime consultant in response to the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works King Medical... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for Store Manager in Training in Alhambra. Apply here.
  • Pasadena Unified School District posted a job opening for Custodian (Substitute) Pool in Pasadena. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near South Pasadena here.

Ok South 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: Smiles, because it has a mile between "s". (Thank you Sharon M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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