Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What new soil contamination findings mean for Altadena fire-zone homeowners.

Coming up on the Altadena Patch calendar: Pasadena Chalk Festival

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Wednesday September 16th Patch AM
Wednesday September 16th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

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:

  • What new soil contamination findings mean for Altadena fire-zone homeowners.
  • How new wildfire laws just changed recovery rules for Altadena homeowners
  • Rebuilding in Altadena? See how to keep that Craftsman charm.

Also on today's calendar: Pasadena Chalk Festival.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 79 and low of 64 degrees.
  • Thursday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 80, low: 61.
  • Friday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 82 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

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.
   

📸 Around Altadena

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Altadena

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Altadena 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

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 Altadena PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hi neighbors
    I want to tell you about a chimney job from this week where the appreciation showed up almost a year late, which made it land a little differently… (Nextdoor Stonehill)
  • Alliance Resource Group posted a job opening for Revenue Accounting Manager in Pasadena. Apply here.
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory posted a job opening for Prototype Machinist IV in Pasadena. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Altadena here.

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!

👉 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.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Altadena