WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
Saturday, May 17, 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 19

6:30 p.m.
City Hall 
Council Chambers
100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Public hearing on recommended fiscal year 2015 operating budget, general fee schedule and schedule of fees, taxes and charges.
 
Tuesday, May 20
 
6 p.m.
Hale Building/Permit Center
First floor hearing room (enter through Ramona Street door)
175 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Commission recommendation on draft EIR for reuse of the former Desiderio Army Reserve Center. 

Wednesday, May 21

4:30 p.m.
Hale Building/Permit Center
First floor hearing room
175 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Update on rotating public art exhibition program; review of upcoming private development projects subject to the public art requirement; update on Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial; Tournament of Roses dedication event.

6 p.m.
Hale Building/Permit Center
First floor hearing room
175 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Hillside development permit to allow partial demolition of a single-family home and construction of a 2,406-square-foot addition on the side and rear at 1075 Lagunita Rd. 

WPRA in motion
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Developer withdraws controversial Orange Grove Circle proposal
The proposed development project on Orange Grove Circle, a cul de sac off South Orange Grove Boulevard, called for demolition of 13 buildings (64 residential units) and construction of a new, 90-unit complex of two- and three-story buildings in their place. Planning and Community Development Director Vince Bertoni alerted District 6 City Couincilman Steve Madison on Wednesday that the developer has withdrawn the proposal. Marc Huffman of Brookfield, the development company, wrote in the withdrawal letter, "...upon further analysis of the project, in response to the feedback that we received from City staff, we have decided to withdraw our application for the Orange Grove Circle project."

Have you "liked" the WPRA page on Facebook? Updates on WPRA issues and other news are posted regularly. 
Neighborhoods in motion
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Bike Week Pasadena closes with Saturday events

For Bike Week Pasadena's final day, experience downtown Pasadena in a whole new way as you walk, ride your bike, skate or use another non-motorized means of transportation Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. beginning at Pasadena City Hall and then moving onto Colorado Boulevard, which will be closed to vehicular traffic from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. While participation is free, registration is required. There will also be an organized ride with Mayor Bill Bogaard, who is an avid bicycle enthusiast. Afterwards, stay and watch the top professional cycling teams with the Amgen Tour of California as they race into Pasadena on Stage 7 of an eight-stage statewide race. Please click on the headline to see additional street closures. 

 

Red flag conditions

When red flag warnings are announced by the Pasadena Fire Department, that means parking on narrow streets in hillside neighborhoods is prohibited to allow access to fire engines and other emergency vehicles in the event of brush fires. Please click on the headline above to learn more about red flag conditions and sign up for emergency notifications.   

 

Devil's Gate sediment removal update

On Monday night the Pasadena City Council adopted the recommendations of the Sediment Working Group that has been working hard for several months to develop an alternate plan for sediment removal at Devil's Gate Dam and Hahamongna Watershed Park. The working group's recommendations would reduce the negative impacts of the L.A. County Flood Control District's plan for trucking sediment out of Hahamongna and preserve the rich habitat there. Please click on the headline above and scroll down to #18.

  

Experience an authentic Japanese tea ceremony

The Japanese tea ceremony is a sacred practice that embodies harmony, respect and tranquility. Experience a tea ceremony Monday, May 25, at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. during Open Day at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden, where Mikko Nakatomi will demonstrate the ceremonial preparation and presentation and explain the meaning behind the time-honored rituals. Space is limited and reservations are required. Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pay for your Open Day reservation online for $7.50 or at the gate for $10. Children 12 and under are free.

  

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 through May 31.

 

Repair of Holly Street Bridge means four-week closure

The Pasadena Public Works Department has begun reconstruction of a concrete retaining wall and repair of the eroded portion of slope on the southeast side of the Holly Street Bridge. 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. 
Editor's top news picks
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Fire Department set to lead emergency, disaster response training for residents

"...The community emergency response training (CERT) hosted by Councilmember Steve Madison will be held on Saturday, May 31, at Harvest Rock Church, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m." Pasadena Now

 

Where to watch Amgen Tour of California finish in SoCal this weekend

"Prepare to say 'wow' or 'wah' when almost 130 bicyclists heading for the finish line in the 2014 Amgen Tour of California roll through Southern California this weekend." Los Angeles Times

 

Active shooter drill held at Huntington Hospital

"Law enforcement and fire department personnel from multiple agencies conducted an active shooter response drill at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena on Friday." Pasadena Independent 

 

Join LitFest on the Prowl May 17: Larry Wilson

"A literary cat gets randy sometimes after too long in the same place, and like some contemporary Henry Miller in his Latin Quarter garret, needs to head out on the prowl..." Pasadena Star-News

 

Mystery Lit mash-up

"Unbound Productions likes interactive theater  -- Wicked Lit and History Lit -- where the audience sits or stands feet, even inches from the action, able to feel the emotional energy, the very breath of the actors." Hometown Pasadena

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.