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We Mourn the Passing for Gerald Freeny
Gerald Freeny. a longtime Tournament of Roses volunteer and the first African American president of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, has died. An Altadena resident, he was 66.
Freeny was the Tournament’s 2019 president, leading the 2018-19 Tournament year and presiding over the 130th Rose Parade and the 105th Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1, 2019. His selection marked a historic first for the organization.
Mr. Freeny also served on the Pasadena Chamber Board as the ex-officio representative of the Tournament of Roses. He was thoughtful, supportive and insightful, helping further build the strong bond between the Chamber and the Tournament of Roses.
Gerald Freeny was a friend to all who knew him.
Here is a link to the story in PasadenaNOW: https://pasadenanow.com/main/gerald-freeny-first-black-tournament-of-roses-president-dies-at-66
Contracting Opportunities
South Coast Air Quality Management District has contracting opportunities posted. For the complete listing of AQMD RFPs click here:
Interested in Doing Business With the City of Pasadena?
You can find all the information necessary to be considered by CLICKING HERE.
LA28 Sports and Entertainment Contracting Summit
The LA County Office of Business and Economic Development invites you to attend the LA Sports & Entertainment Procurement Summit on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the LA Convention Center.
The Summit will feature remarks from local leaders, panel discussions with key industry stakeholders, and networking opportunities. It’s a valuable chance for business owners and entrepreneurs to explore upcoming contracting opportunities tied to major events such as the 2027 Super Bowl and LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This year, Matchmaking Appointments have been added to the program.
For more information, click here and to RSVP, go to: 2026 Sports & Entertainment Procurement Summit Online Form
This is a FREE EVENT - NO COST
ALL BUSINESSES Welcome to Attend.
Scam of the Week
Seeing things like this in your inbox?
Well... It's a pfishing scam intended to get you to click on a link. Once you do that, your contacts could be cloned, your account information and passwords harvested or you'll be asked to provide credit card info.
Always be wary of unsolicited emails (even from your own company - apparently).
Be One of the First to Experience the New Terminal at Hollywood Burbank Airport
It’s the airport's Final Opportunity to Get the New Terminal Ready, and We Need You!
Saturday, September 19th
We need our airport community to participate in our Integrated Passenger Trial. It is the biggest and final passenger trial. The facility is set to open in October 2026, and this is your chance to:
• Go through a typical travel journey at the new terminal, from car to gate
• Get an exclusive look inside – and outside – the new facility
• Receive unique BUR swag
• Give your feedback about the new terminal experience
Click here to register for the event.
After registering, selected individuals will receive a confirmation email within three weeks of the event. That email will include logistical information including where to park and what time to arrive and depart.
Questions? Reach out to us at answers@bur.org
Community News and Information
City of Pasadena Planning Department Invites Residents to Participate in Planning for Environmental Justice
The City of Pasadena Planning Department’s comprehensive community outreach and engagement effort to support the development of the City’s first Environmental Justice (EJ) Element is underway. The EJ Element will identify and address environmental burdens and inequities in Pasadena while elevating community priorities related to health, air quality, safe and accessible neighborhoods, climate resilience, and equitable access to parks, mobility, and public services.
Save the date and join us at upcoming community events and share your experiences, ideas, and priorities for creating healthier, more equitable neighborhoods.
Neighborhood Walk and Roll Tuesday, September 15 | 9–11 a.m.at Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St. Register: bit.ly/EJwalkshop1
Neighborhood Walk and Roll Saturday, October 3 | 9–11 a.m. at Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Register: bit.ly/EJwalkshop2
Open House / Resource Fair Thursday, October 15 | 6–8 p.m. at Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Register: bit.ly/EJ_OH
Virtual Community Meeting: Wednesday, October 21 | 6–7 p.m. Join online: bit.ly/EJ_Virtual
For more information on the Environmental Justice Element and upcoming outreach opportunities, please visit https://bit.ly/PasadenaEJelement or contact the EJ Element Administrator at EJElement@cityofpasadena.net.
For accessibility information or to request an accommodation, please contact CSC@CityOfPasadena.net or call (626) 744-7311.
City of Pasadena Announces Workshop on Updated Rental Registration System
The City of Pasadena’s Rent Stabilization Department (RSD) invites rental property owners to attend its upcoming Annual Rental Registration Workshop on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6 p.m. The workshop will provide an overview of Pasadena’s 2026 Rental Registration cycle, which opened September 1 and continues through October 31, 2026. During the session, RSD staff will showcase the City’s updated Rental Registry portal and explain how the improved system guides property owners through registration in five clear steps.
The updated portal offers a more streamlined registration experience, making it easier for owners to enter property and unit information, review required details, and complete their registration. Users can also save their progress and return at a later time before completing the final step.
The workshop will be held at the RSD office, 199 S. Los Robles Ave., First Floor Conference Room. Attendees may participate in person or join virtually via Zoom at Bit.ly/MonthlyRSDWorkshops. Spanish interpretation will be available for both in-person and online participants.
Pasadena Public Health Encourages Residents To Stay up to Date On COVID-19 Vaccinations as 2026-2027 COVID-19 Vaccine Becomes Available
The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) encourages everyone 6 months of age and older to stay up to date with the 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccination as California sees an increase in COVID-19 activity this season. While hospitalizations remain low, the percent of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached a moderate level and wastewater concentration is at higher levels in several parts of the state.
Although the number of cases is less than last year, the biggest increase is seen in ages 0-4 years and 5-17 years. Staying up to date on the COVID-19 vaccination remains one of the best ways to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Individuals at higher risk for severe illness—such as adults aged 65 and older and immunocompromised persons—should receive two doses of the 2026-2027 COVID‑19 vaccine, spaced six months apart.
Local Ballot Measures in November
- City of Pasadena Parcel Tax – Assessment of $0.19 per square foot on developed properties within the City of Pasadena to raise $22 million per year to support modernization and replacement of fire stations, equipment and systems. This needs 2/3 vote to pass.
- Pasadena City College Bond Measure UP – Extend expiring bond measure to raise funds for building modernization, repairs and expansion.
Statewide Ballot Measures
Here are the ballot measures on the November ballot with a very brief synopsis.
- Statewide Ballot Measures
- Proposition 1: Housing Bonds - Issue $11.25 billion in bonds to fund Multifamily Housing Program, CalVet Home Loan Program, and youth housing
- Proposition 2:- Budget stabilization - Increase the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA) cap from 10% of general fund revenue to 20% and excluding deposits into the BSA from the Gann Limit
- Proposition 3: Higher education funding; Public education funding; Income taxes - Renew the additional income taxes enacted with the approval of Proposition 38 in 2012 that fund education and early childhood programs.
- Proposition 4 Election administration; Campaign finance - Allow the state and local governments to create programs that provide candidates with public funds under spending limits and eligibility rules.
- Proposition 5 State executive structure; Recall - Eliminate the successor election when a state officer is recalled, thereby leaving the office vacant until it is filled according to state law.
- Proposition 37: Housing - Establish a second mortgage homebuyer program for qualified homebuyers on qualifying homes and issue $25 billion in bonds to fund the program
- Proposition 38: Healthcare facility; Healthcare governance; Bonds; Vaccinations and disease - Issue $8.4 billion in general obligation bonds to fund immunology and immunotherapy research \
- Proposition 39: Election administration; Voter ID - Require voters to present government-issued identification when casting ballots and require election officials to use government data to confirm voter citizenship and report verification rates
- Proposition 40: Billionaire’s Tax – Levy tax on Billionaires to backfill healthcare funding lost due to Federal budget cuts.
- Proposition 41: Tax administration; Revenue and spending limits - Require state laws or ballot initiatives levying a new special tax enacted after January 1, 2026 to require the government entities or departments receiving revenue from the new tax to eliminate their lowest-performing programs and reinvest those savings in higher-performing programs
- Proposition 42: Income taxes - Prohibit the enactment of new taxes after January 1, 2026 on ownership or accumulation of retirement holdings, individually-owned assets, and other forms of personal savings
- Proposition 43: Supermajority; Local government – Reinstates some protections related to Proposition 13.
- Proposition 44: Business; Healthcare governance - Prohibit healthcare clinics, specifically federally-qualified health centers and related organizations, from spending less than 90% of their annual revenue on mission-related purposes
- Proposition 45: Administrative powers; Land use - Establish timelines for local and state agencies to review plans and solicit public comment for essential projects, such as housing, improvements to water supply, transportation, energy, and facilities for health and public safety
The Pasadena Chamber Board will consider taking positions on these items at its August meeting.
If you have feedback on any 9or all) of these, please mail paul@pasadena-chamber.org.
Be part of the solution - Make Real Change - help prevent homelessness in our community
The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Foundation is reviving the community effort to alleviate homelessness in our community. Working with Friends in Deed, we are raising money to support the effort to prevent homelessness in the greater Pasadena area.
100% of funds raised will be donated to Friends in Deed to support their efforts to keep people housed.
You can find more information here: https://pasadenachamberfoundation.org/about
You can donate here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=T3OFLZ9DlmE5hEbtta6MaXXq6DzGFbOoyNkTSNBT4n84jiggy4Lbqu31h9n1rANT1uxXfg2wp7IKdtR_
We hope to engage the business community in our efforts. You can put a poster in your window, inform your customers about the initiative and donate to make areal difference in the lives of families at risk of homelessness.
LA28 Informational Webinars Open to Anyone Seeking Information on Vending, Tickets, Volunteering and More
You are invited to join LA28's Community Relations team for "First Friday's" webinars. Please use this link to register: LA28 Community Relations “First Fridays” Webinar Series.
As a reminder, these webinars provide high level updates on progress towards the 2028 Games. These are easy ways to listen in and hear the latest from our community relations team. Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions.
You are encouraged to share the information about the webinar widely. All registered guests will receive the Microsoft teams link the Thursday evening prior to the webinar.
Pasadena Water and Power commercial electric customers are eligible for a rebate
PWP commercial electric customers are eligible for a rebate of $0.40 / Watt, up to a maximum of $80,000 per meter, when they purchase and install a new, permanent, rooftop solar PV system or expand an existing system.
For a limited time! PWP is not charging plan review and inspection fees for solar and battery systems. The fee waivers apply only to PWP‑related solar and battery project costs. Structural, Building & Safety, meter, and other non‑energy‑related fees may still apply.
Installing a rooftop solar PV system on your business is an environmentally conscious way to offset your energy usage, contribute to the City of Pasadena’s climate action goals, and save on your utility bill. In addition, when combined with on-site battery storage, the excess green energy produced from solar panels can be stored within the battery unit, which can allow for an independent source of power during utility outages and provide critical grid flexibility.