WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2015
Published weekly since 2000
 
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 nearly 8,000 homes in west Pasadena.
Neighborhood Update
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Important community meetings
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

MONDAY, JUNE 22

 

City Council  

6:30 p.m.

City Hall, Council Chambers

100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S249

On the agenda: authorization for the Mayor to send comments to the National Park Service regarding the Rim of the Valley Corridor study, environmental assessment report and proposed alternative "D," which the Recreation and Parks Commission recommended; approve a staff recommendation to increase the hourly rate in the Shopper's Lane (Lake Street) parking lot from $1 per hour to $2 per hour, increase the daily maximum rate from $5 to $6, and change the free parking period from two hours to 90 minutes; convene a public hearing to discuss establishing an Old Pasadena Management District property-based business improvement district; and adopt the City's fiscal year 2016 operating budget and set at 10% (approximately $17.5 million) the amount to be transferred from the Light and Power Fund to the City's General Fund  

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 23

 

Design Commission

6 p.m.
George Ellery Hale Building, Hearing Room
175 N. Garfield Ave. (enter from Ramona)
On the agenda: concept and design review for proposed tenant improvements, architectural modifications to the existing retail complex, and new landscaping and paving in Paseo Colorado, 240-400 E. Colorado Blvd.; concept and design review public hearing for new 55-unit multi-family residential project with subterranean parking at 245 S. Los Robles Ave.; and final design review for a new 201-unit mixed-use residential project with subterranean and grade-level parking at 25 W. Walnut St. 

6:30 p.m.

Art Center College of Design

1700 Lida, Faculty Dining Room, Second Floor

Park in the Faculty/Staff (North) Lot and follow signs

On the agenda: special presentations by District 6 Councilmember Steve Madison; representatives of the Pasadena Police Department, who will discuss neighborhood crime and residential burglaries; representatives from the Rose Bowl, who will discuss the proposed AEG/Rose Bowl Music and Arts Festival; and other topics including the Art Center Master Plan (Hillside Campus); Linda Vista Park and the NFL in the Rose Bowl

 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
 

Planning Commission, special meeting

6:30 p.m.

City Yards, Second Floor

233 W. Mountain St.

On the agenda: as the General Plan update enters its final phase of public review and comment before final adoption (tentatively in August), City staff will, for informational purposes only, present a summary of the Plan based on comments received during the 60-day public comment period 


THURSDAY, JUNE 25
 
5:30 p.m.
Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room, Room 236
351 S. Hudson Ave.
On the agenda: approval of 2015-2016 fiscal-year budget 
"Quote" of the week
  

"An advocacy position would have a detrimental affect on this organization. This is a knock-down, drag-out fight. It is a project that composes an existential threat to communities."


- Mayor Terry Tornek, this past week, to the members of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, who nevertheless voted 16-7 to support the 710 Freeway tunnel option. See "San Gabriel Valley COG recommends tunnel option for 710" article in "Editor's top news picks" below. (Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune)
WPRA in motion
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

B R E A K I N G N E W S / B R E A K I N G N E W S / B R E A K I N G N E W S 
Caltrans and LA Metro have extended the public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) on SR-710 North until August 5. In addition, they released the long-promised cost benefit analysis.

SR-710 Freeway Draft EIR/EIS is available for review and comment 

The SR-710 Draft EIR/EIS and cost benefit analysis is available for public review. Caltrans and Metro will accept comments until August 5. Once the comment period ends, it may be up to two years before the final DEIR is released and the "preferred alternative" identified.
  • Hard copies are available for review at:
    • All Pasadena public libraries
    • Shatford Library, Pasadena City College
  • Submit comments:
    • Online: through the Caltrans public comment website
    • By mail: Send to Garrett Damrath, Caltrans District 7, Division of Environmental Planning, 100 S. Main St., MS-16, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Report water waste to the City in three ways

Since June 1, the City has been under its Level 2 water-supply-shortage plan to reduce water use across the city by 28% in response to the serious drought condition. Report water waste to the City by:

  1. Calling Pasadena's Citizen Service Center, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (626) 744-7311. Be prepared to provide the location and nature of the issue.
  2. Going online to cityofpasadena.net/CSC and complete the short form
  3. Using the FREE app for smart phones and tablets. 
Neighborhoods 
in motion
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

 

TRAFFIC/CROWD ALERTS:

The following events in and around the Rose Bowl Stadium/Brookside Golf Course will be held on Saturday, June 20 and/or Sunday, June 21 and could impact travel through and around the Rose Bowl area:

 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers picnic

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

East Extension will be closed through Noon

Attendance estimated at 4,000

 

America's BBQ & Brew Fest

3 - 9:45 p.m.

Arroyo Boulevard, just north of Seco Street (East Extension &   West Extension), will be closed

Attendance estimated at 5,000

 

Mike Thompson RV Sale

10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday

Attendance estimated at 100 per hour

 

Los Angeles Police Department Celebrity Golf Tournament (at Brookside Golf Course)

8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Attendance estimated at 2,000

 

Vehicles will have access to the Arroyo at all times, and recreational users will also have access at all times on the Rose Bowl loop. If any event-related issues arise, contact the Rose Bowl Resident Hotline at (626) 397-4141. Report any issues or concerns as soon as possible. Issues can be addressed immediately. MORE

 

TODAY: Help Habitat celebrate, fund the new Desiderio community

The San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Pasadena invite west Pasadena residents to attend the upcoming "Building Dreams Under the Stars" gala from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on June 20 at the iconic Pasadena City Hall. This event is a celebration of the new Desiderio community. Tickets are $150 per person or $1,200 per table (seating for 10). Cocktails, dinner and dessert are included in the ticket price. All proceeds go directly to help build the nine affordable homes for low-income families including families of veterans. This gala event will be a great opportunity for the west Pasadena community to show support for the transformation of the former Desiderio Army Reserve Center. To pay by credit card, please call 626-387-6899 (x18). To pay by mail, please send a check made payable to the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and a list of guest names to: 400 S. Irwindale Ave., Azusa, CA 91702

 

PPD invites community to support annual Father's Day Classic Car Show

The Pasadena Police Department will on Saturday, June 21 host its annual classic car show at the Paseo Colorado. All proceeds will go to help support the Pasadena Police Explorers, Peace Over Violence and PAL Program.

 

Assemblyman Chris Holden to host drought community meeting 

From 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, Assemblyman Chris Holden will host a community meeting at Kidspace Children's Museum to discuss California's historic drought. Attendees will learn about available rebates, see live demonstrations, and hear practical advice. Each guest will receive a family of four pass to visit Kidspace, located at 480 N. Arroyo Blvd. RSVP by June 19 by calling (626) 351-1917 or emailing assemblymember.holden@assembly.ca.gov.

 

What's happening at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Inspired by the Japanese print designer Ando Hiroshige's series from the 1850s, One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, Los Angeles painter and printmaker Barbara Thomason set out to paint a series of views of Los Angeles, but not the typical Hollywood-sign vistas. On Sunday, June 28 at 1 p.m., Barbara will present a slide-show and sign copies of her book. Open Day is every last Sunday of the month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Make your reservations at the garden website for $7.50 or pay $10, cash or check at the door (age 12 and under free.) Parking is available and the garden is wheelchair accessible. Sorry, no pets allowed.

 

District 6 Town Hall meeting - downtown community 

Councilmember Steve Madison invites all to a Council District 6 Town Hall meeting for the downtown community (although all are welcome to come) on June 30, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Pasadena Convention Center, Room 211, 300 E. Green St. The meeting will focus on downtown life, economic development and public safety.

 

Private fireworks are illegal in Pasadena

It's illegal to sell, use or possess fireworks in Pasadena. The City maintains a zero-tolerance policy for fireworks. Violators are subject to arrest, vehicle impound, up to one year in jail and a fine up to $50,000.

 

Celebrate the Fourth at the Rose Bowl

Celebrate the Fourth of July holiday with family and friends by attending the 89th annual "Americafest," one of the best family-friendly, professional fireworks shows in Southern California at the Rose Bowl Stadium. Plenty of family fun begins outside America's Stadium at 2 p.m. Parking is $25 per vehicle. Gates open at 6 p.m. with live motorcycle stunts; a tribute to our military personnel; performances by Liverpool Legends, the "Ultimate Beatles experience"; the Ultimate Elvis Tribute show; and a previews showing of Despicable Me 2, presented by Universal Pictures. And, of course, the evening will be capped by Southern California's largest fireworks show - Pyro Spectaculars by Souza.

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

Andy Wilson fills vacant District 7 City Council seat in Pasadena

"After two failed votes, Pasadena's council selected Innovate Pasadena co-chair Andy Wilson to fill the vacant District 7 City Council seat." Pasadena Star-News (subscription may be required)


Rolling nightly closures on the 210 will continue through June

"The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will intermittently close up to two-lanes on the eastbound I-210 Foothill Freeway through Tuesday, June 30, 2015 each night from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m." Pasadena Now

 

SR-710 concerns about health and air-quality impacts of SR-710 ventilation towers

On June 17 three panelists from the USC Keck School of Medicine Division of Environmental Health discussed local health and air-quality impacts for those living near freeways and the ventilation towers for the proposed SR-710 Tunnel. Video by Joe Cano


San Gabriel Valley COG recommends tunnel option for 710

"After nearly three hours of debate, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments voted to support the 710 Freeway tunnel. The 31-member group's governing board voted 16-7 to endorse building a tunnel to connect the gap in the freeway, running under Alhambra, South Pasadena and Pasadena and connecting to the 210/134 freeway interchange." San Gabriel Valley Tribune


Trees suffer during prolonged drought

Drier than normal conditions are stifling much of the nation this summer, especially California, and the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts there is little chance for improvement. What can homeowners do to keep their trees healthy during hotter, drier summer months?" Pasadena Independent


PWP launches new eNewsletter to provide more communication with public

"Pasadena Water and Power has added a new communication tool to its community relations arsenal in the form of an e-newsletter that every customer can opt to receive by email." Pasadena Now

 

Big plans for Art Center in Pasadena

"At Monday night's meeting of the Pasadena city council, the Planning Commission, as well as representatives from Art Center College of Design, submitted a document that they think residents should be excited about. Art Center's 'Predevelopment Plan Review,' the outline for a new 10-year master plan for the years 2017-2027, was submitted before the council and many believe that it will spur changes in a region of Pasadena sorely in need of revival." Pasadena Independent

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.