Author Donzaleigh Abernathy: Partners to History: Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, and the Civil Rights Movement
Reverend Dr. Ralph David Abernathy, Sr. and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were inseparable and together helped to establish what would become the modern American Civil Rights Movement. They preached, marched and were frequently jailed together. This program captures in words and pictures how the dream of two visionaries changed the course of American history.
Lift Every Voice: An Evening with Angeline Butler, a Powerful Voice of the Civil Rights Movement
Join us at Hastings Branch Library and on Zoom for a conversation about resistance with Angeline Butler, the celebrated singer, actress, playwright, producer, instructor, and, during her teens, student organizer for Civil Rights. Pasadena's own Jackie Robinson met Angeline when she was still a teenager, and wrote an article about her for his syndicated column, calling her "one of the first 'sit-in' leaders of the Nashville Movement," and also one of the first students to be jailed for their nonviolent resistance. Participants in our meeting room and on our Zoom meeting will have the opportunity to ask questions. Register here!
One of Southern California’s largest and longest-running Black history parades begins at 10 a.m. at Fair Oaks Avenue and Figueroa Drive and ends at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Stay and enjoy the festival at Robinson Park, which runs until 4 p.m. The festival features live bands, dance performances, community booths, guest speakers, food for purchase, and tons of fun! For more information, click here!
Art Quilt Block Portraits – with Remainders Creative Reuse
In honor of Black History Month, make a Quilt Block Portrait in celebration of the Quilting Women of Gee’s Bend Alabama. We’ll use materials generously provided to us by our neighbor, Remainders Creative Reuse, an upcycle depot focused on sustainability and reuse of creative materials. Fabric, fusible web, and other materials will be utilized to create a beautiful Art Quilt Block Portrait. Please bring a reference photo of your favorite pet, person, or subject to use as inspiration. Call (626) 744-7272 to sign up.
Saturday, Feb. 18• 2:30-4 p.m. • Santa Catalina Branch Library
Black History Movie Night
Free family-friendly movie showing in celebration of Black History Month. Bring your lawn chair or picnic blanket to sit back and watch Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever. Live music begins at 5 p.m. and food will be available for purchase. The movie begins at dusk at Centennial Square in front of City Hall. Pre-registration is recommended at www.cityofpasadena.net/reserve/.
Friday, Feb. 24 • 5-9 p.m. • City Hall• 100 N. Garfield Ave.
Teen Events
Get Real! Virtual Reality @ PPL
Join us for Virtual Reality (VR)! We have an Oculus Quest that will allow you to take virtual adventures. Walk on Mars, visit the International Space Station, do some guided meditation, or try any of our many other available VR experiences. For ages 13+. No registration necessary.
Thursday, Feb. 9 • 4-5 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library
In this Alterations and Sewing for Beginners class, you will learn how to use a sewing machine, make alterations and sew clothes by using a pattern. Instructor Renetta Lipscomb has been teaching secondary students for over two decades. Her passion is empowering youth to express their individuality by altering and making clothes that complement their unique body, shape and personal style. You'll receive a list of needed materials at your first meeting. For ages 15-18. Register for the 11th here and the for the 25th here.
What cool tech does your library have? Come and find out! Join us to explore, learn, and create with the different tech tools Pasadena Public Library offers. For ages 13-19. No registration necessary.
Thursday, Feb. 16 • 4-5 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library
Pasadena Grows: Spring Square Foot Veggie Garden
Learn planning and layouts for a 3x5-4x6 square foot spring vegetable garden featuring, peas, radishes, carrots, dill, and more! Register here!
Join other teens and write! Whether you are crafting poetry or a novel, writing can be lonely as it's typically a solo endeavor, but meeting with others who share the passion can be a great for inspiration and encouragement. We might write together, use writing prompts, or share our work in a safe and supportive space. For teens only. Register here!
Join us for a movie night at Jefferson Branch Library. Help us decide what to watch when you arrive! For ages 13-19. No registration necessary.
Thursdays, Feb. 23 • 4 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library
Video Game Club/Night
Stop in for gaming on the Nintendo Switch. Make new friends while playing games in a healthy and competitive environment that fosters well-being, fair play, and an exciting atmosphere. Help players connect with engaging social interaction and new experiences every week. Drop by and join the Video Game Club! For ages 14-19.
Tuesdays • 4-5:30p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library
Thursdays • 4-6 p.m. • Hastings Branch Library
Career Corner
Pasadena Public Health: Promotores (Community Health Workers)
Pay: Able to make up to $900 a month
For ages 16+. Pasadena Public Health is hiring promotores. Promotores help bring health information and resources to the City of Pasadena.
Part Time (up to 24 hours/week); Salary: $16.59 Hourly
For ages 14+. You must be able to swim 100 yards in 10 minutes. The Junior Lifeguard is an entry-level position that participates in aquatic activities and assists with swimming lessons at one of our community swimming pools. For more information, click the link above!
Part Time (up to 28 hours/week); Salary: $17.09 Hourly
For Ages 16+ and 11th grade equivalent. You must have at least one year of volunteer or work experience in customer service, working with the public, recreation and/or seniors. Recreation Leaders will be in charge of planning, organizing and conducting recreational activities for youth. For more information, click the links above!
For ages 16+. Salt and Straw is hiring a part-time ice cream scooper. Their website mentions having an average of $6 in tips per hour. For more information, click the link up above!
Volunteer Opportunities
Teen Advisory Board
Jefferson Branch Library
TAB is a group of library teen volunteers who take an active leadership role in implementing programs, promoting, and advocating for youth services in Pasadena. Help make an impact and join!
Participation in online discussions, committee work, and pre-meeting assignments (this may include additional volunteer shifts).
Advise staff, pilot programs and services for teens.
Attend monthly meetings (currently on Saturdays); Meetings take place at Jefferson Branch Library.
Minimum commitment is attending one in-person meeting per month.
This 6-week course aims to curb this mental health crisis by bringing together the best insights from Dr. Laurie Santos’ popular Yale course Psychology and the Good Life. In this course, you will explore what the field of psychology teaches us about how to be happier, how to feel less stressed, and how to thrive in high school and beyond. Sign up here! Please note that you are required to create a Coursera account to access the course.
Tournament of Roses Grant
Deadline: Feb. 23 at 5 p.m.
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation 2023 grant application has opened! Their tiered funding structure can be found below:
Tier 1: Single-year grant, of $35,000. One grant recipient will be selected at this tier.
Tier 2: Single-year grant, of $15,000. One grant recipient will be selected at this tier.
Tier 3: Single-year grant, up to $10,000. Grant recipients at this level are eligible for three years of consecutive funding. After the third year of consecutive funding, recipients must sit out one grant cycle. Number of grant recipients in this tier varies based on requests, but there is not a cap on the number of awards for this tier.
For additional information, updates, and portal instructions in relation to the 2023 grant cycle, please visit the Foundation's website page: https://tournamentofroses.com/foundation/.
Tutoring: Adelante Scholars
Adelante Youth Alliance
Adelante Youth Alliance is offering free in-person or online tutoring for students in grades 5-12. Their program helps students develop positive study habits, improve their academic standing, and prepare for graduation and post-secondary education. For more information, visit their website page: https://www.adelanteya.org/programs-2.
Featured Book
How to Live Without You by Sarah Everett
Review by Jamsine Sov, age 16
When Emmy’s older sister Rose goes missing, everyone dismisses it as another case of teenage rebellion, but Emmy thinks otherwise. How could her closest confidante just up and leave without even telling her? To find answers, Emmy flies back to her hometown, where she discovers that everything has changed in the 6 years since she left—and somehow, Rose is connected to all of it. Just what kind of a person is Rose, really?