WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 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 southwest 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
View past issues of this weekly WPRA eNewsletter, which is emailed each Saturday morning to more than 1,500 residents of Pasadena (and beyond).
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Important community meetings
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

City Council - CANCELLED

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Historic Preservation Commission - REGULAR MEETING CANCELLED; see Wednesday 9/16 for special meeting
 
6 p.m.
City Hall 
Council Chambers, Room S249
100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: 2014-2015 annual report and 2015-2016 work program; authorization of members of Zero Waste Ad Hoc Committee to act on behalf of the EAC as it relates to a potential ban on polystyrene foam food and beverage containers, and a recommendation that the City write a letter of support to the EnviroMetro Coalition 


WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

 
6 p.m.
Hale Building
175 N. Garfield Ave., Hearing Room
Pasadena, CA 91109
 
6 p.m.
George Ellery Hale Bldg
175 North Garfield Ave.
Hearing Room #120 
"Quote" of the week
"You work long and hard in public life to try and have some real change, and a lot of what we do is process oriented and at times mundane. But then you have that magical moment that helps people, and this project is at the top of the list for me."
- District 6 Councilmember Steve Madison 
reference to the beginning of the transformation of the 5.17 acre former Desiderio Army Reserve Center 
into nine bungalow-style, single-family homes and a 3.87 acre city park, 
as quoted in Pasadena Now
WPRA in motion
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<
 
The City of Pasadena wants your views on how entitlement funds should be spent in the community. You can provide this feedback through an online survey in which you can rank eligible activities, based on community needs. The top five priorities for public service and non-public service activities will receive scoring preferences in the City's 2016-2017 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Request for Proposal. The survey will close at 5 p.m. on September 27.
 


Since June 1, the City has been under a Level 2 water-supply-shortage plan to reduce water use across the city by 28%. Report water waste to the City:
  1. Call 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. Complete a short form on the City's Citizen Service Center
  3. Use the free app for smart phones and tablets: 
Neighborhoods 
in motion
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library will host its monthly book sales on Saturday, September 12, 9 a.m. to Noon, at the Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St., on the east patio, near the bookstore. All books for sale have been donated, and prices range from 25-cents to $5 per book, but most paperbacks are priced at 50-cents and hardbacks at $2. Proceeds go toward library programs.
 
TRAFFIC/CROWD ALERT: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Rose Bowl Stadium
Est. attendance: 20,000
5 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Special preview VIP admission: 5-7 a.m.
Early bird admission: 7-8 am.
Express admission: 8-9 a.m.
General admission: 9 a.m. 
 
Note: If any issues arise, please contact the Resident Hotline at (626) 397-4141. Please report any issues or concerns as soon as possible (especially during the event) so that they can be addressed immediately. For more information about these events, please visit the Rose Bowl Stadium website.

Join Pasadena Heritage for its 2015 September workshop, "Case studies: energy efficiency in historic homes!" On Saturday, September 19, PH's exploration of energy efficiency in historic homes will continue. Using actual projects as case studies, presenters (homeowners and professionals) will illustrate how energy costs can be reduced and comfort levels increased in typical Craftsman, Mediterranean and Mid-Century houses. The seminar will begin with highlights from last year's session, including the value of an energy audit, available incentives, energy usage, and system upgrade options. Case studies will then focus on the unique attributes, advantages and challenges in these types of homes. General questions will be addressed by the export panel, followed by round-table discussions.
Editor's top news picks
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION

"Former Pasadena City Councilman [and WPRA president] Charles "Kicker" McKenney, co-founder of the city's Arlington Garden, has died after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 77." Pasadena Now

"A ceremony under the Colorado Street Bridge Thursday afternoon marked the official kickoff for the pending demolition and transformation of the former 5.17-acre U.S. Army Desiderio Army Reserve Center into nine single-family bungalow homes by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and a 3.87-acre City park." Pasadena Now

"California's current drought situation is bad. Really bad. How bad? It is the third worst in the state's history, topped only by droughts in 1977 and 1924. It is the worst ever in terms of its impact." Pasadena Now

"The Pasadena City College Board of Trustees has unanimously adopted a 'once in a lifetime' budget for the 2015-2016 school year that assures no increases in student fees, funding for new staff hires, and increased health and welfare benefits. Assistant Superintendent Robert Miller said the budget is unique because of the magnitude of revenues, which reach almost $150 million." Pasadena Now

"Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) is launching its Laundry-to-Landscape (L2L) Greywater Program, offering workshops, onsite support, and incentives for residential L2L system installations." Pasadena Now

"Union Station Homeless Services' Adult Center on South Raymond quietly implemented a key policy change in July to serve meals only to the homeless willing to engage in its programs to end chronic and veteran homelessness. Center officials say that change has reduced the amount of people milling around Central Park." Pasadena Now
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 ... 

... to serve your community and do it with a group of your neighbors who are equally dedicated. 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.