WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
Saturday, January 24, 2015

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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Send comments to update@wpra.net 

Chuck Hudson
Co-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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Pasadena City Council
and commission meetings
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

MONDAY, January 26

City Council
6 p.m.
City Hall
Council Chamber

100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S249

On the agenda: (a) approval of new employment agreements for City Clerk Mark Jomsky and City Attorney/City Prosecutor Michele Beal Bagneris and (2) staff update on "mansionization" study. City Council requested staff conduct the study following recent construction of several homes in various parts of the City that many consider to be out of scale and character with the existing established neighborhoods, yet still meet the Zoning Code. To discourage this from becoming commonplace, City Council in September 2014 directed staff to develop a countering strategy through revisions to the City's Zoning Code. In November 2014, staff presented to the Planning Commission a tentative work program and strategy to separate the City into three different phases/study areas:

  • Phase 1: Lower Hastings Ranch Overlay area (Winter 2014 to Summer 2015)
  • Phase 2: Non-Hillside Overlay area and non-historic properties (Early Spring 2015 to Fall 2015)
  • Phase 3: Hillside Overlay areas (Fall 2015 to Summer 2016)
TUESDAY, January 27

Design Commission 

6 p.m.

George Ellery Hale Building, Hearing Room

175 N. Garfield Ave.

On the agenda: Final design review of a proposed development at 33-45 W. Green St. The current proposal calls for demolition of an existing building at 45 W. Green and construction of a new four-story mixed-use building (3,127 sq. ft. of commercial and nine residential units with ground-level parking), including addition of three to four stories above the existing building at 33 W. Green St.
WPRA in motion
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

SAVE THE DATE. SAVE THE DATE. SAVE THE DATE.

 

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 6:30 to 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 have confirmed their participation 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

The forum will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Due to courthouse security requirements we recommend arriving at least 10 minutes in advance. For more information about elections, visit cityofpasadena.net/cityclerk/election2015.

 

Note: The WPRA, which neither endorses nor supports candidates, is hosting this forum solely as a community public service.

 

 

 

WE NEED YOU! 

Help WPRA stop Metro's plan to build a 710 tunnel under west Pasadena

WPRA continues to assemble 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 next month (February). 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:

  • Seismology
  • Tunnel safety
  • Biological assessment
  • General construction
  • Economic impact
  • Transportation models and analysis

The WPRA Neighborhood Protection Fund has been reactivated to raise the resources necessary to respond to the 710 tunnel plan. Please consider donating. 

 

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
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

SURVEY: 

Share your views about Pasadena's urban forest 

The Pasadena Department of Public Works is updating and consolidating the City's public tree management practices, guidelines for tree protection and information on tree ordinances into one document. This document will include a strategic vision to enable the City to set goals and objectives. As an initial step, the City has developed a 10-minute online survey to help its Urban Forestry staff gauge the public's opinions. The survey will be available until February 1. For additional information, please contact the Pasadena Citizen Service Center at (626) 744-7311.

 

DONATE TO LAWSUIT:

Audubon Society, Arroyo Seco Foundation sue County 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. If you care about the Hahamongna watershed area, please consider contributing to the suit. 

 

THIS SUNDAY:

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.

 

THIS SUNDAY: 

Harpist to play during January Open Day

The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a beautiful, tranquil place during the winter and, this Open Day, award-winning Australian harpist Carolyn Sykes will add her peaceful music to the day. With an MFA in Harp Performance, Carolyn has been playing in Los Angeles and around the world for over 30 years. Her extensive repertoire includes classical, pop, jazz and Latin music and she shares her talent by teaching dozens of students. Hear Carolyn's music from 11:00 to 2:00 on Sunday, January 25, free with the price of admission to Open Day. The garden is located at 270 Arlington Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105. Admission is $7.50 with a reservation, $10 at the gate (children 12 and under free.)

 

Draft General Plan Update is now available for review and comment

The public has until March 24 to review and comment on the Draft General Plan Update and the associated Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). The Draft General Plan Update includes major revisions to the Land Use and Mobility elements, including the incorporation of several other previously independent optional elements and new goals to reflect progressive thinking in land-use management by demonstrating the link between land-use policies and mobility, historic preservation, urban design, sustainable infrastructure, community services and a number of other topics. The City plans to host two community Forums tentatively scheduled to occur on Thursday, February 19 and Saturday, February 21. Any individual or organization is welcome to attend these forums to gain an understanding of the environmental analysis that occurred and to provide comments on the methodology and conclusions within the report. Additional notification with event specific information will be provided as soon as it is available. The City expects the various City commissions to review of the Draft General Plan Update from February through June, and City Council to review them in July.


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.

 

LACFCD releases PEIR for the Enhanced Watershed Management Program (EWMP) 

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has just released the Enhanced Watershed Management Programs Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) on behalf of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. The draft program is being developed to improve water quality of rivers, creeks and beaches throughout Los Angeles County. All comments must be made by March 9. The draft report developed by LA County Public Works on behalf of the LA County Flood Control District, studies the regional, cumulative effects of proposed projects and outlines the goals and policies that may be adopted in the future by watershed managers throughout the LA Basin. Although the report identifies a number of proposed stormwater quality improvement projects, subsequent environmental analysis of each individual project may be needed prior to implementation. Copies of the report are available for review at more than 40 public venues. Visit the LA Public Works website for a list of these locations and to view the report and comment online. Additionally, one six public meetings has been scheduled in the Pasadena area: February 3, 6 p.m.: LA County Fire Camp #2 Classroom - 4810 Oak Grove Dr., La Caņada Flintridge

 

Free tours of Tournament House resume

Tournament House, the operating headquarters of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, which oversees the annual Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game, will re-open for weekly public tours on Feb. 5. Tours will be offered, at no cost, each Thursday at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

 

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.

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

"Pasadena Public Works Director Siobhan Foster and Pasadena Director of Finance Andrew Green were terminated "without cause" from the City of Pasadena and are no longer employed by the City, a spokesperson said Tuesday afternoon." Pasadena Now

 

Green and Foster fired in wake of $6.4-million embezzlement scandal

"The first employee casualties to occur in the wake of the city's $6.4-million embezzlement scandal were announced Tuesday with the firing of Public Works Director Siobhan Foster and Director of Finance Andrew Green." Pasadena Weekly

 

Supreme Court denies review of lawsuit over Norton SimonAdam and Eve paintings

"Adam and Eve's saga continues as the U.S. Supreme Court once again declined to review the case Tuesday to dismiss Marei von Saher's lawsuit against the Norton Simon Museum." Pasadena Star-News (may require subscription)

 

Metro moving into the bike-sharing business in LA, Pasadena

"Joining ride-sourcing and transponder-tracked toll lanes, bike sharing will be the next item plucked from the shared economy and dropped onto the streets of Los Angeles and Pasadena." Pasadena Star-News (may require subscription)

Leisure
- CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION -

 

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.