❤️ In this issue of Pasadena Spotlight 

🌤️ Pasadena, CA Weather

🌹 Personal Observation: Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo Declares 2024 Rose Parade as Most Attended in Years

💰 Pasadena's Entre Nous French Bistro Faces $500,000 Fine for Keeping Employee Tips

🚔 27-Year-Old Pasadena Resident Faces Sentencing for Possessing Machine Gun Parts, Ghost Gun

♻️ Pasadena's Post-Holiday Recycling Guide: Tips from the Public Works Department

🌍 Pasadena's Composting Initiative: A Step Towards Sustainability and Savings

😃 Viral Meme

✨ We Want To Spotlight Your Business!

🗓️ Upcoming Local Events

• Morning: Enjoy a refreshing start to the day with clear skies and a gentle breeze. Dress in layers and wear a light jacket to stay comfortable as the temperature rises to 53°F by 10 am.
  

• Noon: Partly cloudy skies bring a slight cool down, with temperatures peaking at 57°F.
  

• Afternoon: Soak up the sunshine as temperatures hover around 60°F under clear skies.
  

• Evening: As the sun sets, the temperature drops to 52°F. Grab a cozy sweater or light jacket before heading out for the evening, and take advantage of the clear skies for stargazing or a romantic nighttime walk.

Stay warm and enjoy the beautiful weather, Pasadena! ☀️🌃

Personal Observation: Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo Declares 2024 Rose Parade as Most Attended in Years

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo has hailed the 2024 Rose Parade as the most well-attended in recent memory, with estimates suggesting a crowd of half a million to 700,000 spectators.

Gordo's assessment is based on his personal experience and observation, rather than scientific data or a headcount.

The parade saw a significant increase in the crowd, which extended all the way back to the buildings, unlike in previous years when the crowd was three or four rows back into the sidewalk.

City spokesperson Lisa Derderian echoed Gordo's sentiments, stating that this year's parade had the largest crowd in at least three years.

Pasadena's Entre Nous French Bistro Faces $500,000 Fine for Keeping Employee Tips

The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a complaint against Pasadena restaurant Entre Nous French Bistro, seeking $500,000 in back wages and liquidated damages.

The complaint alleges that the restaurant, owned by Jean-Christophe Febbrari and Mathias Wakrat, kept a portion of employee tips and used the money to fund business expenses.

The department's Wage and Hour Division found that the restaurant collected credit card and cash tips from customers, automatically deposited them in the employer’s business account, and distributed only a portion of the tips to servers, food runners, waiters, hosts, and bartenders through weekly Zelle wire transfers.

The investigation covered the period from Jan. 13, 2020, through Jan. 12, 2023. Additionally, the restaurant misclassified several employees as independent contractors and didn't keep accurate pay records.

The department is seeking to recover about $250,000 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages for the workers.

It’s also asking the court to issue an injunction forbidding Entre Nous and its owners from future violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

27-Year-Old Pasadena Resident Faces Sentencing for Possessing Machine Gun Parts, Ghost Gun

A 27-year-old Pasadena man, Isaac Loftus, had his sentencing delayed until Friday. Loftus pleaded guilty to possessing machine gun parts and carrying a loaded ghost gun near a South Los Angeles high school.

He is expected to be ordered to serve a period of supervised release, including participation in an in-patient mental health treatment program.

Loftus was arrested in November 2022, after law enforcement received calls about an armed person near Thomas Jefferson High School. Officers found a 9mm handgun with no serial number, commonly known as a ghost gun, on Loftus.

The holster was decorated with symbols associated with the Boogaloo extremist movement. Loftus is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2016 mental health hold declaration.

Prosecutors say Loftus told officers that they would “be dead” if they continued to question him and that “judgment day has been delayed.”

Law enforcement also found a stolen Honda Clarity with a loaded 9mm ghost gun and a toolbox containing the upper and lower receiver of a nearly 12-inch AR-style rifle at Loftus’ residence.

Pasadena's Post-Holiday Recycling Guide: Tips from the Public Works Department

The City of Pasadena Public Works Department has released a guide for residents to properly dispose of post-holiday items in an eco-friendly manner.

Real Christmas trees can be recycled by removing stands, ornaments, and lights and placing them on the curb or dropping them off at designated parks.

Flocked trees should have lights removed and be placed in mixed waste containers.

Artificial trees should be donated, sold, or disposed of in mixed waste containers.

Recyclable wrapping materials and greeting cards include plain paper, cardboard boxes, and #1 and #2 plastics, while non-recyclable items consist of metallic, shiny, or glittery paper, bows, and cards that play music.

Functional holiday lights can be donated or resold, while broken or old lights should be taken to e-waste recycling.

For more information contact the Citizen Service Center at (626) 744-7311.

Pasadena's Composting Initiative: A Step Towards Sustainability and Savings

Pasadena is promoting composting, a sustainable practice that helps the environment by reducing landfill waste and producing organic fertilizers.

The city's initiative, which allows residents to dispose of their food waste into green bins, has made composting more accessible.

The practice also helps residents analyze and potentially decrease their food waste, leading to monetary savings.

Various composting options are available in Pasadena, including yard composting, vermicomposting, and online platforms that connect composting neighbors.

Visit the city’s website for more info.

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Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special. 

Send us a message, and let’s celebrate the spirit of Pasadena together

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Upcoming Local Events

Thursday January, 4

South Pasadena Farmers' Market - 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Enchanted Forest of Light - 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Community Police Oversight Commission Regular Meeting (CANCELED) - 6:00 p.m.

Friday January, 5

Monthly Food Bank Distribution - 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Bilingual Drop-In Talks: Zhou Dunyi Admiring Lotuses - 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Free First Friday - 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Alison Dundes Renteln discusses International Human Rights - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday January, 6

Pasadena Farmers' Market at Victory Park - 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Meet Me in the Garden - 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The Art Deco Architecture of the Playhouse District - New Tour! - 10:00 a.m.

Winter Frolic - All day event

Beginner Sewing - Wildlife Project (Ages 14+) - 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Storytime @ Vroman's Hastings Ranch - 10:30 a.m.

140th Anniversary Celebration Kick-off Event & 10-Year Time Capsule - 11:00 a.m.

Vroman's Special Storytime featuring Marcia and Kori Withers presenting Grandma's Hands - 11:00 a.m.

The Gibbs Sisters discusses and signs Ghost Roast - 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Cool Nights Comedy - 7:30 p.m.

Cat Ce & Friends - 9:30 p.m.

Sunday January, 7

Pop-Up Adoption Event at PCC Flea Market - 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Crafts with Carmen at Vroman's Hastings Ranch! - 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Beethoven Symphony No. 9 "Daiku" - 4:00 p.m.

Enchanted Forest of Light - 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Nalo J. Stewart discusses and signs "Narration After Dark" - 6:00 p.m.