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e-Neighborhs Newsletter - November 2015 Edition - e-Neighbors is the monthly newletter of the City of South Pasadena  
In This Issue
Draft Revisions to Historic Preservation Ordinance
Intermittent City Office Closures
Thanksgiving Camp Med
CoolCalifornia Challenge
Holiday LED Light Exchange
Prepare your Landscape for El Nino
Scoop Your Pet's Poop
Holiday Tree Lighting at Farmer's Market
2015 State of the City Address
Breakfast with Santa
Snow Day!
                    

Holiday Closures

The City of South Pasadena observes the following holiday this month:

Veteran's Day - Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Thanksgiving  - Wednesday, November 25 to Friday, November 27 
                    
Calendar of City Events
Click here to view a list of upcoming meetings of interest. 
                    

City Council Meeting Agendas & Minutes
Click here to view a list of upcoming meetings of interest.
                         
City Council Meeting Video
Click here to view the live streaming of City Council meetings.
                     

Preparing for El Niņo 
Diagram of the influence of
El Niņo on Weather, where blue represents Wet Weather 
The best defense against El Niņo is to prepare for the worst with heavy rain and wind. Emergency resources can be exhausted quickly during a major event. Residents should prepare with a minimum of 3 days of food, water, and other supplies for each person in their family. Click here for more information on how you can prepare for El Nino! 
 
                     

Receive information when you need it most with
Connect South Pasadena - the City's emergency notification system  
Click here to register for Connect South Pasadena, the City's emergency alert system and ensure that you & your loved ones receive the information you need to stay safe!  

                    

Community Services Classes & Programs Guide
Fall 2015 Leisure Class and Recreation Guide
The Fall 2015 issue of the Community Services Classes & Programs Guide is available here.
                     

Job Opportunities
Link to City Employment Opportunities
  
A bulletin board with postings of all current City employment opportunities (pictured) is located on the 2nd floor of City Hall
                       

Sign Up for Library Youth Programs
Icon to Sign up for Library Youth Programs
                     

Senior Center Events
November and December 2015 Senior Center Newsletter  
Give the gift of membership at the South Pasadena Senior Center!(South Pasadena non-residents are welcome).  
More information is available here. 
                     
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Draft Revisions to the Historic Preservation Ordinance
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Pictures of a Buillding at the corner of Mission and Meridian_ a bungalow_ and building along Fair Oaks Ave
Learn more about how the City protects its small town feel and historic neighborhoods by attending a Special Meeting of the Cultural Heritage Commission on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 1424 Mission Street. The public is invited to this meeting to hear more information about how a revised preservation ordinance will strengthen the City's legal framework needed to assure continued protection of its historic character and scale. Click here to learn more about the revised preservation ordinance...

For more information about this Special Meeting, please contact John Mayer, Senior Planner, at (626) 403-7228 or  jmayer@southpasadenaca.gov.
Intermittent City Office Closures During Thanksgiving Week
November 25 to November 29, 2015
The City of South Pasadena offices, including the City Hall, Public Library, Recreation Building, and Senior Center, will be closed intermittently from Wednesday, November 25, through Sunday, November 27, 2015 in order for City IT personnel to perform much-needed upgrades to the City's computer systems. Throughout that time, Public Safety services, including both the South Pasadena Police and Fire Departments, will remain operational.

The South Pasadena Recreation Center will be open on Wednesday, November 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the Thanksgiving Camp Med program. It will be closed from Thursday, November 26, to Sunday, November 29, and will resume regular hours of operation on Monday, November 30.

The South Pasadena Public Library (Library) will conduct its annual staff training on November 25, when the facility will be closed to the public for the computer upgrades. The Library will resume regular hours of operation on Saturday, November 28.

Other City offices, including South Pasadena City Hall and Senior Center, will be closed from Wednesday, November 25, to Sunday, November 29, and will resume regular hours of operation on Monday, November 30.

Click here for more information on the City office closures or contact Christopher Castruita, Management Analyst, at (626) 403-7210 or ccastruita@southpasadenaca.gov.
Thanksgiving Camp Med
Thanksgiving Camp Med - November 23 to 25 - Orange Grove Park
Thanksgiving break is just around the corner! Our Camp Med program will be open Monday-Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. -6:30 p.m. At Camp Med your child will enjoy various activities, fun games, sports and holiday themed arts and crafts. We provide two snacks daily; campers must bring their own lunch. Sign up today!
 
Dates: November 23- 25
Time: 7:30 a.m.-6:30p.m.
Ages: 5-12 years
Location: Orange Grove Recreation Center
                 815 Mission Street, South Pasadena
Fee: $92 per child
 
Pre-registration is required.  Applications can be accessed by clicking here or at the Recreation office at 815 Mission Street, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, please call (626) 403-7380.
Sign up for the CoolCalifornia Challenge!
Cool California City Challenge Logo - Silhouette of a City skyline against a blue background
Want to reduce your carbon footprint, save money, and help the City of South Pasadena? Then, join in the CoolCalifornia Challenge. Simply sign up, submit your energy bill usage, read the tips and conserve. By doing this, you will earn points for South Pasadena in a statewide competition to be the "Coolest California City!"  There are 21 other cities in this challenge. Let's kick the energy out of them!

Holiday LED Light Exchange
2015 Holiday LED Light Exchange - Available to current Southern California Edison _SCE_ residential customers - For more information call _626_ 457-1800 or visit www.sgvenergywise.org
Southern California Edison residential customers can exchange incandescent holiday lights for energy efficient LED lights at holiday events throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
To Participate:
  1. Bring a copy of SCE monthly bill (or proof of electronic bill payment) and valid identification that matches customer name on bill.
  2. May exchange up to two strands of working, incandescent holiday lights (with bulb) per household.
  3. Must be a 50 light strand or more.
  4. May exchange at one location only.
South Pasadena's event is Saturday, December 12th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Breakfast with Santa event located at the War Memorial Building, 435 Fair Oaks Avenue. Go to www.sgvenergywise.org for additional information
or contact the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments at (626) 457-1800.
Prepare Your Trees & Landscape for El Nino
Picture of a tree with the caption _This winter_ trim your tree to lighten the canopy._
With all the talk about El Nino, now is a great time to prepare your trees and landscape for what the winter may bring by doing the following:
  1. Have your trees checked: With the drought taking a toll on all trees, they are weaker than usual. Have your trees and large shrubs trimmed to reduce the risk of rain and wind breaking branches. Public Works is offering expedited tree trimming permits (note: only native or protected trees need permits) for the months of November and December. Click here for more information... 
  2. Clean out your gutters and downspouts: Clean them now and then again later if tree leaves have fallen on your rooftop.
  3. Make sure your yard drains properly: In areas that do not have grass that acts like a sponge to soak up and help water percolate into the ground, consider placing 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch to help water drain and infiltrate. If ponding is a problem in parts of your yard, consider creating a swale or dry stream bed to help capture the rainwater and allow it to recharge our groundwater aquifer.
  4. Consider installing rain barrels at downspouts
    : The City offers a $75 per barrel rebate! Rain barrels are a relatively inexpensive way to capture water flowing from your roof. Make sure to direct any overflow from the barrels away from the house.
     
  5. Turn off your automatic watering system: Leave it off for at least two weeks, if not longer.
  6. Loosen compacted soil: Ground that has dried out will repel water initially. Tilling in compost and covering with mulch will enable the ground to better absorb rain.
For more information, contact Debby Figoni at (626) 403-7311 or
dfigoni@southpasadenaca.gov.
Scoop Your Pet's Poop
Scooping your pooch's waste is not just a courtesy, it's the law! If your dog poops anywhere other than on your property, the law requires that you remove it within five minutes (South Pasadena Municipal Code Section 5.42). A fine of up to $50 can be imposed for violators!

Pet waste can contaminate our environment by getting into our water ways via our storm drain system. Furthermore, pet waste is not good fertilizer because it is high in nutrient concentration and can burn or discolor your grass.
Upcoming Events
Holiday Tree Lighting at Farmers' Market
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Experience the excitement and fun of the season at the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce's Old Fashioned Holiday Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 3. This family fun event held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Farmers' Market is a great kick-off to the holiday season at the Farmers' Market.  
 
Festivities will begin at 4 p.m., with a wide array of entertainment and events. Musical performances will be provided by a number of local South Pasadena groups. At 5:30 pm, watch the highlight of the event as the Mayor turns on the brilliant lights of the tree. Of course, also keep an eye out for Santa Claus's grand entrance and the chance to visit and take photos with him. The Iron Works Museum will be decorated for the holidays, and the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation will have seasonal treats for visitors.
 
Visit www.southpasadena.net for more information
or contact the Chamber at (626) 441-2339.
2015 State of the City Address
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
2015 State of the City Address - Wednesday_ December 9 at 6pm in the Library Community Room_ 1115 El Centro Street
The City of South Pasadena invites residents and community members to join Mayor Robert Joe, his fellow City Council members, City commissioners and staff for the 2015 State of the City Address on Wednesday, December 9, at 6:00 pm in the Library Community Room, 1115 El Centro Street.

South Pasadena is fortunate to have residents and citizens who take the time to offer leadership and reaffirm that we are City that cares, a City that shares, and a City that steps up. You are invited to honor some of those contributions, as we reflect on the year that was 2015.

The program will include a presentation by Mayor Robert Joe with a short reception to follow. Free parking is available after 6:00 p.m. in the Meridian Mission Parking Garage, adjacent to the Metro Gold Line Station on 805 South Meridian Avenue. Street parking around the library is also available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click here for more information or contact Christopher Castruita, Management Analyst, at (626) 403-7210 or ccastruita@southpasadenaca.gov.
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Breakfast with Santa - Saturday, December 12, 2015 - 9 am to 11:30 am - War Memorial Building, 435 Fair Oaks Avenue - Tickets $15 each, Children under 2 years are free!
Santa is coming to town! Our annual Breakfast with Santa event will be held on Saturday, December 12, from 9 am to 11:30 a.m. at the War Memorial Building, 435 Fair Oaks Avenue. This event is fun for the whole family! Arts & crafts, entertainment, and of course, a tasty hot breakfast. Mom and dad make sure to bring your cameras to take photos with Santa. Please plan to arrive early, as doors will close at 9:30 a.m.

Tickets are $15 per person, children under 2 are free. Pre-registration will begin November 1 and spaces are limited. Register online by clicking here or in person at the Recreation Division office at 815 Mission Street, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Snow Day!
January 23, 2016
Snow Day - January 23, 2016 - More information about this new event will be released in our Winter 2016 Class Guide
The city of South Pasadena is expected to have snow this winter! We are excited to introduce our brand new event, "Snow Day"! This event will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016. More information regarding Snow Day will be released in December in our Winter 2016 community services guide.