WPRA Board meeting set for January 7

The SR-710 tunnel issue, the future of San Rafael Elementary School, the Army Corps of Engineers' plan to remove the concrete Arroyo Seco flood control channel, the lawsuit against the County over the "Big Dig" sediment removal plan, archery in the Arroyo and the upcoming WPRA-sponsored Mayoral Candidates' Forum are among the topics to be discussed at the next WPRA Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, January 7, 6:30 p.m., in the Community Room at Westridge School. The public is welcome to attend.

 

WPRA to host mayoral forum

On Tuesday, January 27, 6:30-9 p.m., the WPRA will host a mayoral candidates' forum in the large courtroom of the Richard H. Chambers Courthouse (U.S. Courts for the 9th Circuit), 125 S. Grand Ave. The following have declared their intention to run for Pasadena Mayor (order and livelihood as reported by City Clerk) and will be invited to participate in the forum:

• ­ Allen Shay, business owner
• ­ Don Morgan, business owner/educator
• ­ Terry Tornek, City Councilmember, businessperson
• ­ Bill Thomson, College trustee, attorney
• ­ Jacque Robinson, Vice Mayor/Councilmember
• ­ Jason Hardin, magazine publisher

On March 10, Pasadena voters will have the opportunity to help elect a new Mayor for the first time in 16 years. District 6 Councilmember Steve Madison is unopposed in his bid for re-election.

• If you have ideas for the forum or would like to help, email Vince Farhat (vince.farhat@sbcglobal.net) and WPRA Board member Blaine Cavena (cavena@wpra.net).

• For more information about the City elections, visit cityofpasadena.net/cityclerk/election2015/

Remember to recycle your Christmas tree; make it a holiday tradition!

Consider establishing as a regular holiday tradition the recycling your Christmas tree. Recycling your tree is good for the environment and provides an important source of mulch, which the City uses and gives away at no charge throughout the year.

 

Annual overnight and daytime parking permits issued in 2014 by the Pasadena Department of Transportation expired Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014. To avoid being cited, permits should have been renewed for 2015 and displayed on vehicles by January 1.

 

Audubon Society, Arroyo Seco Foundation sue over sediment removal plan

The Pasadena Audubon Society and the Arroyo Seco Foundation have jointly filed a lawsuit to stop the LA County Flood Control District's $100 million "Big Dig" plan. Community organizers believe they are left with no other option but to initiate a lawsuit to seek a more sustainable plan. They encourage those who care about the Hahamongna to help by donating to the suit.

 

Public meetings scheduled to find new City Director of Public Health

The public is invited to provide comments and other input at three community meetings in early January as the City prepares to recruit a new director for the Pasadena Public Health Department, following the May 2014 resignation of former Director Dr. Eric Walsh. If you are unable to attend any of the public meetings, you may submit comments through a short online survey, which will be available until Jan. 31.

 

Pasadena Heritage: annual meeting

Pasadena Heritage's annual meeting will take place on Sunday, January 25, 3-5 p.m., in the original Exhibition Hall, which is located immediately behind (south of) the Civic Auditorium. Pasadena Heritage Board member and project architect Dale Brown, of Onyx Architects, will be the guest speaker. Also Pasadena Heritage members will review 2014 activities and elect new board members. RSVP by Wednesday, January 21, to Mia King at mking@pasadenaheritage.org or (626) 441-6333.

Pasadena Museum of History: annual meeting 

The Pasadena Museum of History will hold its 90th annual members' meeting on Saturday, January 31, 10:30 a.m., in the Museum's Giddings Conference Room, 470 W. Walnut St. On the agenda are 2014 year-end reports from senior staff and Board members. RSVP no later than Tuesday, January 27, to (626) 577-1660, ext. 11 mturner@pasadenahistory.org.

 

New exhibit at PMH tests knowledge of the Crown City

"Mystery History," a new exhibit curated by Ann Erdman, is running from January 30-March 29 at the Pasadena Museum of History, 470 W. Walnut Street. This fun and engaging exhibition for all ages includes historic photographs, artworks and artifacts from Pasadena Museum of History's extensive collection. Inspired by the popular Mystery History series on her blog, Ann challenges visitors to identify the location and historical significance of the photos, which are complemented by rarely seen historic objects directly associated with them. Ann retired after a 38-year career in advertising and public relations, which included many years as public information officer of the City of Pasadena. Among her current activities, which she collects under the heading "professional gadabout," is service as a co-editor of Neighborhood Update.

126th Rose Parade inspires Pasadena and the World

"The 126th Rose Parade went off as scheduled with over 700,000 spectators braving the bitter cold and seeing quite an impressive display of floats, bands and equestrian units." Pasadena Now

 

Rose Parade 2015's inspiring stories featured variety of heroes

"Near record-breaking temperatures did not freeze the spirit of the hundreds of thousands of fans Thursday who lined the Rose Parade route to ring in 2015 and celebrate the theme of "Inspiring Stories.'" Pasadena Star-News

 

150,000 will view floats at post-parade display

"See and examine the 2014 Rose Parade floats up close during the post-parade exhibition on East Sierra Madre and E. Washington Boulevard through 5 p.m. Saturday." Pasadena Now

 

Majority of the flowers aren't from local farmers, experts say

"As California's record-breaking drought moves into its fourth year, the Rose Parade rings in the New Year with lavish displays of flowers and foliage. In fact, only one [Cal Poly Pomona and San Luis Obispo] of the 40 floral floats driving down Colorado Boulevard Thursday has been certified California-grown." Pasadena Star-News

 

Cheeseburger Week returns to Pasadena January 11-16

During Cheeseburger Week from January 11-16, Pasadena honors Lionel Sternberger's genius in being the first to put cheese on a hamburger and serve it at the Rite Spot in Pasadena in 1924. Forty of Pasadena's favorite restaurants, lounges and burger joints will offer their signature burgers, some special creations and deals during Pasadena Cheeseburger Week. Pasadena Independent 

 

Old Pasadena tech hub readies for opening

"Pasadena will take a huge step toward becoming a stronger technology epicenter in California with the opening in early 2015 of the second location of Cross Campus, a company that rents out offices built specifically for techies and entrepreneurs." Pasadena Now

 

12 new laws you need to know that take effect in 2015

"The gap is widening between the rich and the poor. Water is drying up. Fish are choking on plastics. Tragedies and long-term trends prompted state lawmakers and Gov. Jerry Brown to enact more than 900 laws in 2014 (Brown vetoed 143). Here's a rundown of some big changes on the state, local and national level." Los Angeles Daily News

 

Pasadena school board eliminates suspensions for 'willful defiance'

"Students in Pasadena public schools will no longer be suspended for not following their teachers' directions. The Pasadena Unified School Board has eliminated "willful defiance" or disruption of school activities from the district's policies as a criteria for suspension and possible expulsion for all students." Pasadena Star-News

 

PUSD notice of vacancies on the Citizens' Oversight Committee

"The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) is seeking applicants to fill current vacancies on the Citizens' Oversight Committee, which is responsible for ensuring accountability of work funded by Measure TT, the school improvement bond approved by voters in November 2008. The committee meets regularly to review spending, financial and performance audits, and the efforts of District staff to maximize bond revenues and minimize costs." Pasadena Now

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).

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