WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
Saturday, May 10, 2014
 
Welcome

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

   
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Ann Erdman
Editor 

 

View the latest and past issues of the WPRA's quarterly magazine, The News, 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 more than 1,100 residents of Pasadena (and beyond).
 
 
 

 

Pasadena City Council and commission meetings
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Monday, May 12

6:30 p.m.
City Hall 
Council Chambers
100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Final recommendation of Devil's Gate Reservoir Sediment Removal and Management Project Working Group; authorization to enter into a contract for development of a 20-year integrated resource plan for Pasadena Water and Power; adoption of 2015-2019 Capital Improvement Program Budget; Fiscal Year 2015 Recommended Operating Budget; FY-2015 Schedule of Taxes, Fees and Charges.  
 
Tuesday, May 13
 
6 p.m.
Hale Building/Permit Center
First floor hearing room (enter through Ramona Street door)
175 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Primary consultation on proposed new construction of a three-to-five-story, 78-unit multifamily residential project with underground parking at 300 W. Green St. (former Ambassador College campus); proposed demolition of a rear building at the western edge of Evanston Place and two single-family homes at the of the northern edge of the site on South Marengo Avenue to allow development of 14 new units and rehabilitation of the existing Evanston Inn into 10 residential units over one level of semi-underground parking at 377-395 S. Marengo Ave.

Wednesday, May 14

5:30 p.m.
Hale Building/Permit Center
First floor hearing room (enter through Ramona Street door)
175 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Update on Tournament of Roses mural dedication; update on Public Art Master Plan; update on rotating public art exhibition program.

The May 14 meeting of the Planning Commission has been canceled.
WPRA in motion
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7-11 Committee to meet May 19
The Pasadena Unified School District 7-11 Committee met April 28 for final debate before sending recommendations to the Board of Education for alternative uses of San Rafael Elementary School. The next meeting is scheduled Monday, May 19, at 5:30 p.m. at PUSD headquarters, 351 S. Hudson Ave., room 236. The WPRA opposes the school being declared surplus. 
 
The Pasadena Police Department has released crime statistics for the month of April, which show a rise in burglaries after lower numbers in January and February. Other statistics are in line with prior years and show no significant upward or downward trends. 
Neighborhoods in motion
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Fire Service Day will feature open houses, demonstrations

Fire Service Day is Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All Pasadena fire stations, including Station 39 at 50 Ave. 64, will conduct open houses, so take this opportunity to meet firefighters and see big, red fire trucks up close. At Fire Station 33, 515 N. Lake Ave., there will be demonstrations and activities including live vehicle burns and extinguishments, vehicle extrications, aerial ladder operations, equipment displays, free food and entertainment. Come out and meet the dedicated men and women of the Pasadena Fire Department! 

 

Walk, look and listen during National Preservation Month

Pasadena Heritage has a full schedule of walking tours and other activities designed to educate, entertain and highlight Pasadena's history and architecture in celebration of National Preservation Month. Explore Busch Gardens and the Rose Villa neighborhood, learn how to research and document your historic property and more from May 10 to 31.

 

Picnic at Linda Vista Park

District 6 City Councilman Steve Madison and the Linda Vista-Annandale Association will host a picnic at Linda Vista Park Saturday, May 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Pack a blanket and bring a picnic lunch or enjoy In 'N Out, Fosselman's Ice Cream and cookies. 

 

Have fun on two wheels during Bike Week Pasadena

Activities during Bike Week Pasadena May 11 to 17 include Bike Ed Day, A Taste of Pasadena restaurant bicycle tour, Shop by Bike Day, Women on Bikes Night, Bike-in Movie Night and Ride, Roll & Stroll. 
 
Repair of Holly Street Bridge means four-week closure
The Pasadena Public Works Department will begin reconstructing a concrete retaining wall and repairing the eroded portion of slope on the southeast side of the Holly Street Bridge Monday, May 12. The project is expected to take about four weeks, with an estimated completion date of June 10. Holly Street will be closed from Linda Vista Avenue to about 100 feet east of the Holly Street Bridge. Access for residents who live on Holly Street will be maintained throughout the project. Other aspects of the project include curb and gutter, driveway approach and roadway pavement. 

Mayor Bill Bogaard, Police Chief Philip Sanchez and Fire Chief Calvin Wells will be among the speakers at the Police and Fire Memorial Service Thursday, May 15, at 10 a.m. in front of Pasadena City Hall. The annual event pays tribute to the brave men and women who have died in the line of duty while protecting and serving Pasadenans.
Editor's top news picks
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World War II hero Louis Zamperini named Grand Marshal of 2015 Rose Parade

"Louis Zamperini was a USC track star and Olympic athlete, survived a plane crash in WWII and spent 47 days on a raft adrift in the ocean, was tortured as a prisoner of war, received a Purple Heart and is the subject of a best-selling book and soon-to-be-released Hollywood movie." Pasadena Star-News

 

City officially adopts 2/23 U.S. Marine Corps Battalion

"To the strains of 'You're a Grand Old Flag,' a United States Marine Corps Color Guard smartly stood at attention as military and city officials gathered at a ceremony marking Pasadena's official adoption of the U.S. Marines' 2nd Battalion, 23rd Regiment Thursday."

Pasadena Now

 

Scott Phelps is new Pasadena Unified School Board president

"The Board of Education of the Pasadena Unified School District at its annual organizational meeting Monday, May 5, voted to elect Scott Phelps as board president for the 2014-2015 board year by a 5-1 vote." Pasadena Now

 

Office tower, apartment complex being built near Pasadena Playhouse

"Two major developments with 1920s appearances  -- an office tower and a luxury apartment complex -- are under construction in the once-sleepy neighborhood around the venerable Pasadena Playhouse." Los Angeles Times

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 is grateful to local artist Joseph Stoddard, who has generously allowed us to display his watercolors in our quarterly newsletter, The (WPRA) News; on the WPRA website; and in this publication. To explore Mr. Stoddard's work, visit josephstoddard.com.