WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
Saturday, January 31, 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. 

   
Subscribe, unsubscribe or update your email address at the bottom of this page.

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).
Visit our website
 
 

 

Pasadena City Council
and commission meetings
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

MONDAY, February 2

6 p.m.
City Hall
Council Chamber

100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S249

On the agenda: The long-simmering resolution of rules for retention of archery in the Arroyo. Council will be asked to (1) amend the Municipal Code to authorize the City Manager to determine where archery would be permitted and promulgate rules for archery activities; (2) approve the request to draft a new license and operating agreement with the Pasadena Roving Archers (PRA); (3) direct the City Manager to work with the PRA and residents to identify a suitable alternate site for archery activity in the southern range of the Lower Arroyo to be used for passive recreational uses on weekdays and roving archery on weekends; and (4) approve correction of language in the Lower Arroyo Master Plan (LAMP) to remove references to the number of targets in the southern archery range. Important: Due to a number of shootings that have taken place over recent days and weeks in Pasadena, City Council will also discuss the increase of violence in the community. This discussion is scheduled to start at 6:45 p.m. The discussion about the archery in the Arroyo will begin no earlier than 8 p.m. Since seating will be limited, seating for the archery discussion will begin no earlier than 8 p.m. Overflow accommodations will be available in the City Hall Conference Rooms located in the basement area. City Clerk staff will be on hand to provide direction, assistance, and answer questions.

 

TUESDAY, February 3

Historic Preservation Commission

6 p.m.

Hale Building

175 N. Garfield Ave., 2nd floor

 

Recreation and Parks Commission .... CANCELLED

 

THURSDAY, February 5  

 

Code Enforcement Commission ... CANCELLED 

WPRA in motion
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<
 

WE NEED YOU TO DONATE & PITCH IN!

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. 

 

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.

  

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.


E-waste recycling and document shredding event scheduled for February 7

Residents and businesses can safely dispose of electronic waste and have personal and business documents shredded at the City's popular e-waste event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, in Parking Lot I outside the Rose Bowl Stadium near Brookside Park, 360 N. Arroyo Blvd. The event is sponsored by the City's Department of Public Works.

 

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 museums take part in L.A. County-wide free admission day Saturday 

"As part of SoCal Museum's 10th annual Museums Free-For-All day, more than 20 Southern California museums, including three in Pasadena, will open their doors to visitors free of charge (on Saturday, January 31)." Pasadena Star-News (may require subscription) 

 

Volunteers collect data on Pasadena homeless population 

"Dozens of volunteers and officials scoured the streets and shelters of Pasadena on Wednesday to document the local homeless population with the goal of improving services and reducing homelessness." Pasadena Star-News (may require subscription) 

   

PCC Academic Senate refuses to sign 'incomplete' self-evaluation accreditation form 

"Pasadena City College officials are deriding a decision by the Academic Senate that could impact the troubled college's chances at accreditation. In November, the college will go through the state accreditation process, which ensures that education provided by institutions of higher education meet the state's acceptable levels of quality. If PCC loses its accreditation, it would ruin the school's credibility and could lead to a steep decline in enrollment. It could also hamper the ability of students to transfer to four-year universities." Pasadena Weekly  

  

Pasadena mayoral candidates discuss Rose Bowl events, embezzlement at forum 

"The controversial 710 Freeway north extension project, the usage of the Rose Bowl and Pasadena's recent embezzlement scandal were the main topics discussed at a mayoral candidate forum Tuesday night. The event, hosted by the West Pasadena Residents' Association at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, included all six candidates vying to replace longtime Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard in the March 10 city election." Pasadena Star-News (may require subscription)


On The Town: 2014 was a very good year for worthy causes in Pasadena   

"Looking back, 2014 turned out to be a pretty impressive year for worthy causes in Pasadena." Pasadena Star-News (may require subscription)

  

Ground broken on Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial 

"Pasadena's Armenian Genocide Memorial took a major step on the road from concept to reality Sunday when officials gathered for a ground-breaking ceremony at the construction site at Memorial Park." 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.