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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In South Pasadena, CA

Home Care South Pasadena, CA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Wrigley Mansion gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in South Pasadena, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care South Pasadena, CA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider The owner Diane, is on top of things. They have kind caring and knowledgeable staff and respond in a very timely manner. What a great service they have provided both mentally and physically for our family. Highly recommended.”

Deee D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you ABC of Pasadena for all of your help. My family is grateful for your support. The quality of care is exceptional and I feel that I can rely upon ABC of Pasadena to meet all of our needs.”

Doug J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you ABC of Pasadena for all of your help. My family is grateful for your support. The quality of care is exceptional and I feel that I can rely upon ABC of Pasadena to meet all of our needs.”

Doug J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I was trying to get a lifeline alert system for my mom and was having a difficult time finding a right one until I got connected with Diane. She was so professional and productive!!! Definitely a go to person if you ever need her service. Thank you so much Diane!!”

Julia C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Thank you ABC of Pasadena for all of your help. My family is grateful for your support. The quality of care is exceptional and I feel that I can rely upon ABC of Pasadena to meet all of our needs.”

dwjones
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TESTIMONIALS

“Diane Pierson was great. She guided us through a very difficult time while searching for an assistive living with memory care facility care for my 90 year old step mother. Diane took her time, spoke with us and provided several options. We are now in the process of relocating my step mother to an excellent facility that she recommended and would not be able to do this relocation without her help.”

Lee G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I want to personally thank Diane Pierson and Ly French with Always Best Care Senior Services Pasadena for everything they did to help me find a place for my mother to reside at. They are very dedicated and supportive to all the families they help. My mother could have become homeless without Ly’s expertise, empathy, commitment and clear communication on what to do next. Always Best Care specifically matched my mother's unique circumstances, social needs, desired location and budget. Diane and Ly are very passionate about senior care and will help you and your family with the highest level of service. I will never forget this experience or their kindness. I highly recommend them to everyone! We made the best choice working with Always Best Care Senior Services Pasadena.”

Mas T.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in South Pasadena, CA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care South Pasadena, CA

Types of Elderly Care in South Pasadena, CA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care South Pasadena, CA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers South Pasadena, CA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting South Pasadena Nature Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care South Pasadena, CA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Royce Wood Fired Steakhouse or visit The Gamble House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care South Pasadena, CA

Benefits of Home Care in South Pasadena, CA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in South Pasadena, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care South Pasadena, CA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your CA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care South Pasadena, CA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in South Pasadena, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care South Pasadena, CA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers South Pasadena, CA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Prospect Manor Assisted Living
  • MorningStar Senior Living of Pasadena
  • Regency Park Oak Knoll
  • Meridian Manor
  • Montevista Garden
  • Residential Care Facility for the Elderly
Home Care South Pasadena, CA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care South Pasadena, CA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in South Pasadena, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care South Pasadena, CA

Latest News in South Pasadena, CA

SB79 Is Live: Will You Lose Trees To Developers in South Pasadena? – No Action From Gavin Newsom Makes The Law Automatic

Voting citizens and families who are strongly outspoken about protecting South Pasadena’s neighborhoods may be barking up the wrong tree. City Council may make the perfect ‘Tree Ordinance’, but it may not matter much if is ignored by Newsom.The controversial ‘housing bill’ with sweeping implications for local control of development, Senate Bill 79, now sits on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. The Governor has until October 12 to either sign or veto the ...

Voting citizens and families who are strongly outspoken about protecting South Pasadena’s neighborhoods may be barking up the wrong tree. City Council may make the perfect ‘Tree Ordinance’, but it may not matter much if is ignored by Newsom.

The controversial ‘housing bill’ with sweeping implications for local control of development, Senate Bill 79, now sits on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. The Governor has until October 12 to either sign or veto the measure.

The Stakes

SB 79, authored in the Legislature earlier this year, has drawn intense scrutiny across the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. Supporters argue it is a critical tool for advancing affordable housing mandates and streamlining compliance with state housing law.

Opponents, including City of Los Angeles, residents in South Pasadena and neighboring cities, see it as a fundamental side-stepping of existing local decision-making, potentially opening the door to larger and denser projects that bypass voter oversight.

If SB 79 becomes law, South Pasadena may lose much, or all, of its authority to protect the City’s trees when developers claim housing law protections. The ordinance would remain on the books, but in practice, state law would override it, especially for larger housing projects.

The debate has escalated in recent weeks as communities raise questions:

A Tense Countdown

The Governor’s office has not indicated how he intends to act on SB 79. For many observers, the timing raises alarm: by law, bills passed late in the legislative session must be acted on within 30 days. That window closes on October 12.

If signed — or allowed to become law without a signature — the measure would take effect on January 1, 2026, reshaping how housing development is approved and contested in cities like South Pasadena.

Why It Matters Locally

South Pasadena has already been at the center of contentious development battles, from the Mission Bell project to height-limit measures and the long-running fight over Caltrans-owned properties. Residents and city officials alike warn that SB 79 could override years of careful local planning and voter-approved safeguards.

Now What?

As the deadline approaches, advocacy groups, city officials, and residents are ramping up calls, letters, and lobbying efforts urging the Governor either to sign or to veto. The risk, many say, is that inaction alone could set in motion one of the most consequential housing shifts the region has seen in decades.

For now, communities are left waiting — watching the calendar tick toward October 12, when silence from Sacramento could speak louder than words.

Why Water Matters: Dr. Prothero’s Insightful Talk in South Pasadena

Together we can. Together we will! ~ Jane GoodallTruth Matters. Especially on Your Block.National outlets don’t cover what’s happening on your block. Politicians would rather you didn’t know. We dig in, ask hard questions, and report the truth, guided by facts, not spin.At Colorado Boulevard Newspaper, we believe in science and health experts. We listen to climate scientists, not lobbyists. And we stand firmly for real journalism, free ...

Together we can. Together we will! ~ Jane Goodall

Truth Matters. Especially on Your Block.

National outlets don’t cover what’s happening on your block. Politicians would rather you didn’t know. We dig in, ask hard questions, and report the truth, guided by facts, not spin.

At Colorado Boulevard Newspaper, we believe in science and health experts. We listen to climate scientists, not lobbyists. And we stand firmly for real journalism, free of quackery, clickbait, and corporate control.

We're your neighbor with a notepad. Your watchdog at city hall. Your voice when no one else is listening.

We live here too. That’s why we report on the schools your kids attend, the streets you drive, the air you breathe, and the issues you care about.

No corporate owners. No outside agendas. Just local, independent reporting, powered by people like you.

Want to keep truth in the spotlight? A $10 donation or a subscription makes all the difference.

This newsroom runs on community power. Join us, click ‘Support’ below.

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The Eaton fire tore a music community apart. South Pasadena’s Sid the Cat Auditorium may help revive it

When Kyle Wilkerson was gutting the interior of the new Sid the Cat Auditorium in South Pasadena, he found reminders of the woman who first made it beautiful a hundred years ago.“Lucile Lloyd was a prominent [Works Progress Administration] muralist; she did work all among the schools in this area,” said concert promoter Wilkerson. “There are photos of her in menswear smoking up in the rafters back in the 1930s. She had a tragic life, and ended up committing suicide. We thought all of the panels she did here were gone...

When Kyle Wilkerson was gutting the interior of the new Sid the Cat Auditorium in South Pasadena, he found reminders of the woman who first made it beautiful a hundred years ago.

“Lucile Lloyd was a prominent [Works Progress Administration] muralist; she did work all among the schools in this area,” said concert promoter Wilkerson. “There are photos of her in menswear smoking up in the rafters back in the 1930s. She had a tragic life, and ended up committing suicide. We thought all of the panels she did here were gone.”

“But then right before Christmas,” he continued, “one of the ceiling panels had started cracking. I looked up and I was like, ‘They’re still there.’ The light was still shining in.”

A few gorgeous floral stencils, small sculptures and a stained glass window remain from Lloyd’s work in the auditorium of the former South Pasadena elementary school, which closed to students in 1979. But she was a muse for the team at Sid the Cat, an independent concert promoter which has put on shows across L.A. for over a decade. It’ll finally have the rambling, meticulously restored historic venue of its dreams opening this fall.

Less than a year after the Eaton fire destroyed Altadena, a nearby neighborhood beloved by generations of musicians, the 500-capacity venue is a sign of new life returning to the area’s arts scene.

“The first thing we thought of when the fires happened was ‘What can we do to help?’ The second was ‘I wish we were open already, because we could have done food drives and shows to raise funds,’” Wilkerson said. “It’s a very fragile little ecosystem that we’re a part of here.”

Before the pandemic, Sid the Cat — a team of promoters including Wilkerson, Brandon Gonzalez and Sean Newman — thought they’d found their home venue at the Bootleg Theater on the southern edge of Echo Park and Historic Filipinotown. That nightclub was beloved by locals, but closed in 2021 during the apocalypse that COVID-19 wreaked on independent venues. (The space is now 2220 Arts + Archives).

“We loved the Bootleg, but it was DIY from the beginning,” Gonzalez said. “We did the best we could with the tools and the resources we had.”

They kept a packed calendar of one-off shows at venues like the Highland Park Ebell Club, Zebulon and even the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Acts like Khruangbin, Bright Eyes, Wet Leg, Jackson Browne and Fiona Apple have played their concerts, but it was exhausting managing and rebuilding new concert setups night after night. “Sometimes I felt like an ice cream shop owner,” Wilkerson said. “I’d go to the artist and be like, ‘What flavor do you want? You want a seated venue? You want this side of town?’ We loved having options, but we really wanted a beautiful-sounding room of our own.”

In 2022, after they scouted an estimated 150 rooms from the deep Westside to the San Gabriel Valley, they found the South Pasadena Elementary School, which was planned for adaptive reuse into a dining and nightlife destination in downtown South Pasadena. (Sid’s neighbors in the space will include Villa’s Tacos, District Brewing Co. and coffeeshop the Boy and the Bear).

Just steps from the A Line, and boasting a breezeway entrance with a detached bar, ample bathrooms and a gigantic outdoor patio and parking lot, the space was unique for its amenities and history, right in the center of a San Gabriel Valley neighborhood already adored by working artists (Phoebe Bridgers, who played many of her early shows for Sid the Cat, grew up nearby).

The physical structure of a former school turned out to be distinctly useful for a venue — artists and road crew will thrill to a washer and dryer in the green room and a truck-loading dock that connects directly to the rear of the stage.

“It has such great bones that we can kind of step away and let it do its thing,” Wilkerson said. “It brings out a different level of artistry to put acts in a unique setting that has character and history. If you do this for as long as us, you hear the horror stories on the road, and a space like this stands out on your tour. It has everything you need in a truly walkable neighborhood.”

The team said they did not take on any investors or partner promoters to fund the venue, and paid for the lease and the construction themselves from a mix of ticketing contracts, savings from show profits and a GoFundMe.

“There’s no financial backers. We’re not trust fund kids and we don’t have a bunch of real estate properties making money that way,” Wilkerson said. “It’s literally every dime we’ve ever worked for, and that’s scary.”

The nerve to risk it all on restoring a historic — and all-ages — venue impressed Shannon Lay, an L.A. singer-songwriter whose projects have frequented Sid the Cat venues over the years.

“Promoters have a really unique role in the music scene. They’re the curators, the trusted source,” Lay said. “I learned the other night that the venue is entirely self-funded and it kind of blew my mind. I figured there had to be an investor of some kind, but it’s these incredible people and the community coming together to make it happen.”

“It’s important for people to consider that shows are sacred, especially in the U.S. where financial support is scarce,” she added. “It’s a labor of love. We become our own safety net, and we make it work because we need it.”

For musicians and everyone in northeast L.A., the need for a community safety net became terrifyingly clear during the Eaton fire in January. That disaster, along with the Palisades fire, displaced two distinct communities with deep roots in the music industry.

While high-profile fundraisers like FireAid and groups like MusiCares have steered millions to affected communities, all the larger economic forces that are crushing local artists are still compounding. And as violent ICE raids and a battering ram of tense political news wear down many Angelenos, the musicians and audiences that keep a local cultural scene vibrant are wondering if there’s a future for them in L.A.

“It’s hard to convince people to come out of their house and buy a ticket,” Wilkerson said. “Concert tickets have gone up in price, like everything else. We’ve built a community that people trust, but there are nights that bomb, and we wonder why but most of the time it has nothing do with the art. There are other things happening in the world, or the economy’s tanking. It’s a tough question to answer.”

Having a new, beautifully restored venue to perform and congregate in might sway fans’ and artists’ decisions just a bit.

“With the current administration, the fires and then the ICE raids, sometimes I just want to coil up in a ball and just be away,” Gonzalez said. “But we’ve realized a lot of our community want to be together. We posted about the ICE raids and people were like, ‘How can you still do shows?’ Well, we really believe that people can be inspired to make change through the artists that come through the rooms. There’s a lot of power in that and it gives us the will to move forward even though it’s a tough time.”

While Sid the Cat Auditorium hasn’t set its exact opening date, nor booked its lineup of shows, the team estimates construction is about 85% finished. With the blessing of South Pasadena city government and local neighbors, they’re hopeful they’ll avoid last-minute permit snags or delays, even as costs for construction and labor for a historic building have skyrocketed post-fires and post-tariffs. South Pasadena Mayor Janet Braun said she’s “very excited” about the new venue, calling it “a beautifully renovated historic space with a 21st century sound system and amenities.”

Finding those lost panels from Lloyd was proof enough to believe that, even after tragedy and years of rebuilding, there’s still beauty worth sifting through the ashes for.

“People came out after the fires to our shows and told us, ‘I’m so happy to be out and forget a little bit about what just happened to our city,’” Wilkerson said. “We’re that escape for a lot of people, and they have those four hours where they can get away from all that, enjoy the music and cut loose. It’s such a privilege and we don’t take it for granted.”

AT&T-Backed Bill to Phase Out Landline Service Moves Forward in California Legislature

California lawmakers are advancing a controversial proposal that could mark the beginning of the end for most traditional landline phone service in the state.Assembly Bill 470, backed by AT&T, cleared the Assembly in June and is now under review by the state Senate Appropriations Committee. The legislation seeks to eliminate the company’s “carrier of last resort” obligation, which currently requires it to provide copper-wire landline service to anyone who requests it.AT&T argues that landlines are no l...

California lawmakers are advancing a controversial proposal that could mark the beginning of the end for most traditional landline phone service in the state.

Assembly Bill 470, backed by AT&T, cleared the Assembly in June and is now under review by the state Senate Appropriations Committee. The legislation seeks to eliminate the company’s “carrier of last resort” obligation, which currently requires it to provide copper-wire landline service to anyone who requests it.

AT&T argues that landlines are no longer widely used, with only about 5% of Californians — primarily older residents — relying on them. The company says its obligations cost $1 billion annually, despite reporting $12.3 billion in profit last year. “No customer will be left without access to voice or 911 service,” said Susan Santana, AT&T’s California president, promising a phased, multi-year transition to newer technologies.

Supporters of the bill, including Assembly Member Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), the bill’s author, contend that the measure will accelerate the replacement of outdated copper wiring with modern fiber-optic networks. Half of AT&T’s required investment would be directed toward underserved areas, aiming to expand broadband access.

The proposal would allow AT&T to phase out landline service only in areas deemed “well served,” defined as regions with at least three alternative providers — typically two cellular carriers and one cable company — including one offering discounted Lifeline plans for low-income households.

Critics, however, warn that the bill could leave hundreds of thousands without a reliable communication lifeline, especially during emergencies when internet and cellular networks may fail. Consumer advocates argue the measure sidesteps the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which unanimously rejected AT&T’s previous attempt to abandon landline obligations in 2024.

“There is no way the commission has the resources to verify throughout the entire state where there are verified alternative services,” said Regina Costa of The Utility Reform Network, a San Francisco-based advocacy group.

Business groups and some local officials, such as San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, support the bill, which received votes from a dozen Bay Area Assembly members. Still, opponents caution that federal broadband maps used to determine “well served” areas often overstate coverage, potentially leaving households with no viable options.

If passed, the CPUC would be tasked with finalizing maps of well-served areas by December 15, 2026. The Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to take up AB 470 in the coming weeks.

South Pasadena votes to build up, to increase height limits

The South Pasadena City Council has unanimously voted to amend its housing plan to increase height limits in four areas to meet state housing mandates.The Aug. 20 vote may raise the general height limit by 10 feet — from 45 feet to 55 feet — with height averaging in consideration, or the average of the property’s height from the ground to the roof at various points.“We’re talking about doing what we need to do to meet the state’s standards. Because we really have a limited amount of open spac...

The South Pasadena City Council has unanimously voted to amend its housing plan to increase height limits in four areas to meet state housing mandates.

The Aug. 20 vote may raise the general height limit by 10 feet — from 45 feet to 55 feet — with height averaging in consideration, or the average of the property’s height from the ground to the roof at various points.

“We’re talking about doing what we need to do to meet the state’s standards. Because we really have a limited amount of open space,” Councilmember Sheila Rossi said.

The City Council vote directly responds to a measure on the 2024 General Election ballot to address the city’s long-standing height limit in four areas of the city: Downtown (portions of Mission Street and Fair Oaks Avenue), portions of Huntington Drive and The Ostrich Farm (Pasadena Avenue).

For more than four decades, city housing heights were governed by an ordinance passed in 1983, which limits a building’s height to 45 feet, or about four stories.

The 1983 ordinance was initially designed to prevent increased density from encroaching on South Pasadena’s single-family residential areas and to preserve the city’s historic, small-town character.

But the longstanding height restriction was often at odds with California housing policies, including the state’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment.

State goals want to see increased density in construction, translation to taller buildings, and increased housing to promote walkability in commercial and transit-oriented areas — around South Pasadena Metro station, for example.

South Pasadena struggled for nearly two years with updating its housing plan for the 2021-2029 housing cycle, wherein cities and counties must update their housing needs and policies. Its housing plan was approved by the state in May 2023 — 19 months after it’s original due date in October 2021.

The delays in adopting the housing plan even resulted in two lawsuits: Notably, one filed by Californians for Homeownership in April 2022 for non-compliance, and another by the California Association of Realtors in the same month for failing to adopt the updated element by the October 2021 deadline.

To comply with state housing law, the city needs to plan for nearly 3,000 new housing units by 2029. This is a steep hike from the last housing cycle, where South Pasadena only needed to plan for 63 housing units.

South Pasadena has a total population of 25,458 with 10,007 total housing units.

The new height limit is intended to accommodate “757 very low income units, 398 low income units, and 334 moderate income units and 578 moderate units,” according to the city.

The Council’s next move is to submit amended housing plan components to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for review.

Victoria Le is an intern with the Southern California News Group, through a partnership with the L.A. chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association.

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