75 Years of Stories on North Brand, Plus Weekend Arts
Glendale, CA · September 18, 2026
That quiet corner of North Brand turns 75 today, and the clear skies overhead are set to match the milestone all weekend long.
The Lead
Casa Verdugo Library reaches an enviable milestone today as the North Brand Boulevard branch celebrates 75 years of neighborhood service. First opening its doors in September 1951, the compact branch was designed to provide quiet study nooks, children’s reading hours, and accessible book stacks within walking distance of nearby foothill homes. While larger facilities like the Central Library handle regional archives and digital maker labs, Casa Verdugo has quietly preserved an old-school neighborhood feel where staff greet multigenerational patrons by name. To mark the diamond anniversary, the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Trust is hosting an evening open house tonight featuring archival photography, historical displays, and live music. Community donations raised during the celebration will fund expanded after-school literacy programs and upgraded youth reading collections scheduled to roll out early next year.
Local Pulse
Verdugo Road Planners Seek Market Feedback Roads Public Works staff host a sidewalk booth at Sunday’s Montrose Harvest Market to collect resident feedback on corridor changes.
Creative Crosswalk Mural Submissions Close Tonight Community Local artists must submit their sister-city pavement designs by five this afternoon to qualify for project commission stipends.
Free Transit Shuttles Connect Foothill Trails Parks Morning wilderness buses leave Pacific Park on Saturday to ferry hikers directly up into Deukmejian Wilderness Park.
Today's Outlook
- High 81°F · Low 62°F — Clear
- Step outside into brilliant sunshine and keep sunglasses handy for your evening patio plans.
What's On Around Town
Today
Casa Verdugo Library 75th Anniversary Casa Verdugo Library (1151 N Brand Blvd), 5:30–7:30 PM · Free Celebrate three-quarters of a century with archival photos, live music, and dinner.
The Visit Pasadena Playhouse (39 S El Molino Ave), Pasadena, 8:00 PM · Paid Catch a gripping classic drama staged at the historic state theater.
Golden State Tattoo Expo Pasadena Convention Center (300 E Green St), Pasadena, 2:00–10:00 PM · Paid Browse hundreds of world-class tattoo artists, live demonstrations, and artisan goods.
Tomorrow
- California Visionaries Exhibition Opening Forest Lawn Museum (1712 S Glendale Ave), 5:00–7:30 PM · Free
- Burbank Autumn Arts Festival Johnny Carson Park, Burbank, 4:00–7:00 PM · Free
- Al Di Meola Acoustic Ensemble Alex Theatre (216 N Brand Blvd), 8:00 PM · $60
Sunday
- Montrose Harvest Market Montrose Shopping Park, 8:00 AM–1:00 PM · Free
- Fiesta Alhambra Cultural Celebration Alhambra Certified Farmers Market (100 S 2nd St), Alhambra, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM · Free
- Tattoo Art Expo Final Day Pasadena Convention Center (300 E Green St), Pasadena, Noon–7:00 PM · Paid
Spotlight & Story
- Scarantino’s Italian Inn
- Founded on East Colorado Street in 1967 by Jesse and Joan Scarantino, this neighborhood red-sauce staple transitioned to nephew Jim in 1977. Decades later, Grandma Scarantino’s scratch recipes, candlelit booths, and warm hospitality continue welcoming third-generation families for comfort pasta.
Glendale Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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