WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
Saturday, October 5, 2013

Welcome

Founded in 1962, the WPRA is dedicated to maintaining the character of our communities and enhancing the quality of life in West Pasadena. 

   
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Editor  

Chuck Hudson

 

View the latest and past issues of the WPRA's quarterly magazine, which is
mailed to more than 7,000 homes in
West Pasadena.
Neighborhood Update
View past issues of this weekly WPRA eNewsletter, which is emailed each Saturday morning to nearly 1,100 Pasadena residents.
 

 

 

 

City Council and commission meetings
- CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION -

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7

Historic Preservation Commission
6 pm

Hale Building

175 N. Garfield Ave

On the agenda: A

pproval of six proposed markers to be installed along the pathway of the eastern edge of the Great Lawn at Ambassador West to celebrate the property's history; and the annual report to City Council and the commission's 2013-2014 work plan 

 

  

City Council

7 pm

City Hall

Council chambers

100 N. Garfield Ave.

 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8

Design Commission
6 pm

Hale Building

175 N. Garfield Ave.

On the agenda: Concept design review for a 37,674 sq. ft. medical research laboratory (Huntington Medical Research Institutes) at 660-690 South Fair Oaks Ave., 10 Pico St. and 655-665 South Raymond Ave., continued from September 9; and an informational discussion about a proposal to improve a "gateway" area to Pasadena in the Lower Arroyo Seco (near the San Pascual Stables, South Pasadena) that would include an entry gate/monument, defined trails, habitat restoration, benches and interpretive kiosk 

    

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9

5:30 pm

Hale Building, Hearing room
175 N. Garfield Ave.

 

Planning Commission
6:15 pm

City Hall

Council Chambers

100 N. Garfield Ave.

On the agenda: Scoping meeting for the environmental impact report on repurposing of the Desiderio Army Reserve Center site; consideration of a recommendation that City Council should submit the General Plan Housing Element to teh State  

Neighborhood in motion
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City activates "red flag" alert, parking restrictions
The Pasadena Fire Department has activated until further notice "red flag" parking restrictions within the City of Pasadena in response to National Weather Service predictions. Expected critical weather conditions and the presence of dry fuels could create extreme fire danger. To enhance fire department access and, if necessary, resident evacuation, parking is restricted on posted narrow and/or winding roads within Pasadena's urban-wildland interface areas.

Pasadena Fire Department kicks off "fire prevention week"

The Pasadena Fire Department invites the public to attend a special kick-off event for Fire Prevention Week on Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Rose Bowl Stadium, near Gate A. Free hot dogs and drinks will be available for the first 250 attendees.

 

County schedules DEIR public meetings for Devil's Gate sediment removal  

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has completed a draft environmental impact report (DEIR) for the Devil's Gate Reservoir sediment removal and management project. The report will be posted on the project's website in late October. Subsequently, the County will host two community meetings to present the project and DEIR during the required 60-day viewing period:

  • Wednesday, November 6, 6-8 p.m., in the Rose Bowl Stadium visitor's locker room, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, (park in Lot F, enter at Gate A)
  • Saturday, November 16, 2-4 p.m., in the La Caņada Flintridge Community Center, 4469 Chevy Chase Dr.

Rose Bowl Roundup Newsletter
Find out what's going on with the Rose Bowl Stadium: renovation, updates, the tours program, Legacy Campaign and more. 

Editor's top news picks
- CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION -

City will crackdown on Red Flag parking violators

"The Red Flag parking restrictions which go into effect today [October 3] are notable not just because of the danger they convey, but also because this is the last time violators have any hope of getting away unticketed or untowed." Pasadena Now 

 

Southland prepares for fire-friendly cConditions

"Gusty Santa Ana winds, very low humidity, rising temperatures and dry vegetation will combine to put the Southland under the threat of wildfires beginning Thursday night, with forecasters saying fire conditions will persist through the weekend. Both Los Angeles and Pasadena reacted to the weather forecast by imposing parking restrictions on certain streets so that fire trucks will not be impeded and evacuation efforts stymied in case of emergencies." Pasadena Patch

   

Governor signs bill to sell state-owned houses on SR-710 

"Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law a bill expediting the sale of state-owned houses that will never be needed for a proposed State Highway Route 710 extension in Los Angeles, Alhambra, South Pasadena, and Pasadena, Sen. Carol Liu announced Wednesday October 2, 2013." Pasadena Independent

Council approves $85 million bond sale for Glenarm Repowering Project

"The $132 million Glenarm Power Plant revamp took another step toward realization this week when the City Council approved the sale of $85 million in electric revenue bonds to fund the first phase of the project. The council will conduct a second reading on the ordinance for the bond purchase on Monday and then staff will offer the bonds out for purchase by one or more firms." Pasadena Star-News

 

Caltech ranks first in top 200 global universities

"For the third year in a row, Caltech earned the top spot in Times Higher Education's world university ranking." Pasadena Star-News

 

National search launched for three couples to wed on Rose Parade float  

"Three couples will get the chance to get married aboard a "Love Float" in the 2014 Rose Parade to be held on January 1 next year." Pasadena Now 

 

Council asks: How will Federal shutdown affect Pasadena?
"The Pasadena City Council was in session Monday night when the U.S. Congress gridlocked in its budget debate, sending the federal government into a partial shutdown for the first time in nearly two decades. Councilmember Steve Madison recognized the shutdown may impact Pasadena and asked City Manager Michael Beck to address the issue before the meeting ended." Pasadena Now

New health care system rolls out in Pasadena, quietly

"Pasadena Public Health Dept.'s Sabina Gutierrez spent much of the first day of 'Obamacare' clearing up misconceptions about the new Affordable Care Act." Pasadena Now 


Area architects recognize innovative architectural designs

"It was the 'Doug Ewing show' at the 2013 Design Awards as Ewing pulled in four awards including the highest honor of Craftsman Award from the jurors and the People's Choice Award in a ceremony in Old Pasadena on Wednesday evening. Appropriately set amid the historical architecture of iconic One Colorado, the 2013 Design Awards recognized innovative and excellent architectural accomplishments within the borders of Pasadena and the Foothills or by an architect in the American Institute of Architects Pasadena & Foothill." Pasadena Now

Maranatha High School enhances campus safety

"Maranatha High School has announced that it made "extensive" upgrades to its campus safety and emergency preparedness services for the 2013-2014 school year.

The school said it is collaborating with 'Off Duty Officers,' a contracted security team that provides highly trained ex-law enforcement and military personnel experienced at serving in an educational context." Pasadena Now 

Leisure
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Looking for other ways to entertain or educate yourself and your family? 

For current events around the area, we encourage you to visit our local news outlets. Click on the publication title to visit that publication's events section (alphabetical order).

Attend WPRA board meetings each month 

Monthly WPRA board meeting dates and locations are on the WPRA website. Click on the headline above or visit our website and look under "Meetings and Events."


The WPRA needs you ... 

If you'd like to serve your community and do it with a group of your neighbors who are equally dedicated, the WPRA encourages you to join your neighborhood residents' association. If you live within our service area, we'd welcome your help. 

  • Got the local news bug? Just curious about your city (and would like to share news with 1,000 or so of your closest friends), consider serving as a co-editor of Neighborhood Update. It will only take a few hours a week (on your own schedule) in the month or two a year in which you'd serve. We'll train you.  
  • We have lots of opportunities to serve on one of our many committees:
    • Land use and planning
      If you care about how we use our land  
    • Education
      If you want to help save public education for West Pasadena  
    • Open space & conservation
      If you care about preserving open space and conservation of land and resources 
    • Membership
      If you'd like to help us continue to build our membership so we can do more  
If you'd like to chat about ways we could help you become more involved or, more likely, more effective (by helping us), send an email to WPRA President. Tell him about your interests.   
To learn more

Visit wpra.net or click on one of the following links

 

To submit information for the Neighborhood Update, send it to update@wpra.net. 

 

Joseph Stoddard's watercolors: The WPRA wishes to express its appreciation to local artist Joseph Stoddard, who has generously allowed us to display his watercolors in our quarterly magazine, WPRA News, on the WPRA website and in this publication. To explore Mr. Stoddard's work, visit josephstoddard.com.