Today’s Upper Hastings Ranch Block Party Expands Into Community Resource Fair

A Pasadena neighborhood, known for spreading holiday cheer through its 70+ year tradition of Christmas light displays, is channeling its community spirit into recovery efforts following January’s devastating Eaton Fire. The Upper Hastings Ranch community is transforming what began as a small gathering into a more comprehensive resource fair, expecting hundreds at Don Benito School, 3700 Denair Street, Pasadena (Entrance on Valley View Avenue) on Monday, February 17th. 

“I just saw everyone at a loss and it just seemed like the right thing to do to figure February was the month of love and why not share some with everybody?” said Patricia Vahdat, block captain and event organizer, who lost her own home in the fire. 

The homegrown event, scheduled from noon to 4 p.m., is expected to feature representatives from multiple agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency with computer resources, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Pasadena Police Department, Fire Department, City Planners office, and local political representatives. 

The gathering comes as the residents in Upper Hastings continue to grapple with both the loss of over 80 homes and numerous others left yellow-tagged or uninhabitable due to smoke and ash contamination. 

“That they are determined to keep it a united, beautiful community and determined to hold everybody’s hand during this process. And making it a neighborhood effort, not just individual losses. It becomes a neighborhood loss just as much as it becomes a neighborhood growth,” Vahdat noted, reflecting on the community’s response. 

The block party’s plans call for free food from World Central Kitchen, The Habit Burger, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, alongside entertainment including an San Gabriel Valley Chinese Cultural Association Lion & Dragon dance performance, a bounce house, live DJ, and raffle.

“We are so happy to be able to include Don Benito School, since they are such an important part of our community,” said Denise Arnst, Upper Hastings Ranch Association Board Member and Vice President. “We are hoping it brings some joy to the students, who have also been through a lot this past month.” 

Vahdat’s role as a real estate agent has become instrumental in the community’s recovery, helping residents find rentals and navigate their displacement. The community is actively planning to maintain its cultural heritage through unified decoration designs for future holiday displays, with block captain Terry Sterling providing potential designs for discussion at upcoming planning meetings. 

“We don’t know what Light Up will look like yet, but we’re all going to need some cheer in December so I hope people will go all out with lights like we did in 2020 and for our 70th anniversary,” said Tiffany Gardner, Board member and historian. 

The resilient spirit of the community is perhaps best captured by 91-year-old resident Dale Short, who declared,”I’m okay. I’ll be okay. I’m tough, and even though I’m 91 years old, I’ll start over again.”