WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Stoddard: Arlington Grdn    
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).
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City Council and commission meetings
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Monday, November 17

 

City Council

6:30 p.m.

Council Chambers, Room S249

City Hall

100 N. Garfield Ave.

On the agenda: Consideration of appeal of Planning Commission decision regarding conditional use permit, associated land use entitlements and mitigated negative declaration for Paseo Colorado redevelopment project; governance structure for Collaborate Pasadena, formerly known as the School/City/Community Work Plan; proposed changes to the development review process related to design review; presentation by the Pasadena Public Health Department regarding disease surveillance and investigation. 


Wednesday, November 19

Zoning Hearing Officer
6 p.m.
First Floor Hearing Room
Hale Building/Permit Center
175 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Hillside development permit to allow repair and/or replacement of facilities in the Arroyo Seco Canyon area that were damaged as a result of the 2009 Station Fire; hillside development permit to allow first- and second-floor additions to a one-story, single-family residence at 1305 Bennett Dr.

6:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, Room S249
City Hall
100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Proposed wireless telecommunications equipment room, 12 panel antennas, 12 radio remote units, 12 raycap OVP boxes, one parabolic antenna and four GPS antennas at 2020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.

Planning Commission (Special Meeting)
6:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, Room S249
City Hall
100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Planned development at 100 W. Walnut St. (Lincoln Parsons); mansionization work plan and strategy
WPRA in motion
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October Crime Stats
The Pasadena Police Department has released crime statistics for Community Service Area 1, which includes the WPRA area. The information with a link is available on the WPRA website. The statistics show a decrease in auto burglaries.

Help stop Metro's plan to build a 710 tunnel
WPRA has formed a team to analyze and respond to the SR-710 Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and Statement (DEIS), which Metro has said it will release in February 2015. While we're fortunate to have found many of the special skills we need to accomplish this highly complex task, we still need help from those with knowledge of the following areas: law (attorneys, paralegals and/or legal secretaries), biological impact assessment, construction, noise metrics, geology, hydrology, economic impact, cost-benefit analysis, environmental justice, graphical presentation. Be part of this vital effort to stop what many believe would be a catastrophe for our community and lifestyle. To volunteer or recommend an expert, contact Sarah Gavit at gavit@wpra.net.

 Neighborhoods in motion

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Doo Dah Parade
The Pasadena Doo Dah Parade, the twisted sister of that other parade, will include a memorable cast of merrymakers Saturday, Nov. 15, beginning at 11 a.m. on Colorado Boulevard between Altadena Drive and San Gabriel Boulevard. Bring a lawn chair and plan on arriving by about 10 a.m. to claim your spot on the sidewalk.

Come to the fair!

Central Library invites the community to celebrate 130 years of library services in Pasadena Saturday, Nov. 15, from noon to 4 p.m. with historical photo exhibitions, live music, comedy performances, face painting, storytelling, magic acts, cupcake walk, children's activities, free refreshments (hot dogs, kettle korn, lemonade) and much more.   

 

Rose Bowl Loop Events with Street Closures

Two upcoming events around the Rose Bowl Loop will involve street closures: The east and west extensions of Rosemont Avenue between Washington Boulevard and Seco Street as well as West Drive between Washington Boulevard and Seco Street will be closed to vehicular traffic Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the JDRF One Walk Los Angeles and Sunday, Nov. 16, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for the Walk to End Epilepsy.  

  

Candidate filing period for 2015 council/mayor/PUSD election

Anyone who wants to file papers to run for citywide elected mayor, Pasadena City Council district seats 1, 2, 4 or 6 or Pasadena Unified School District seats 2, 4 or 6 in the March 10 election has from Monday, Nov. 17, to Friday, Dec. 12, to do so. 

 

Japanese Garden opens again Nov. 30

The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden at 270 Arlington Dr. is open to the public the last Saturday of each month (except December). Visit the garden Sunday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $7.50 in advance or $10 at the gate (children 12 and under are free). From 1 to 2 p.m. Rick Wilson, an authority on historical flutes, will discuss and play four antique Japanese flutes from his extensive collection that dates back to the Renaissance era. Seating is limited and reservations are required. (Please note that last week's WPRA Neighborhood Update had the wrong day of the week for this event. The editor regrets the error.) 

Editor's top news picks
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L.A. County supervisors approve debris clearance for Devil's Gate Dam
"Despite strong opposition from neighbors and recreation enthusiasts, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a five-year project Wednesday to remove debris from a basin above Devil's Gate Dam in Pasadena." Los Angeles Times

N.C. man discovers Rose Bowl trophy in garbage
"...coming across a 1942 Rose Bowl trophy -- a relic from the only time 'the Granddaddy of Them All' wasn't played in Pasadena, Calif. -- is something different altogether." Yahoo

16 things you don't understand about Pasadena (unless you're from here)
"If you're not from here, Pasadena is kind of a mystery: it's not a suburb -- it's as packed with businesses and things to do as any major city -- but it's not a major city center either because, uh, it's kind of extremely inconvenient to get to." Thrillist
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 and "like" our Facebook page  

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.