WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015
Published weekly since 2000
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The Pasadena Fire Department reminds you to change all of your smoke alarm batteries and update your emergency supply kits when you change your clocks back one hour for Daylight Savings Time tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 1.

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 

Happy Halloween! Have fun and be safe!

Justin Chapman
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, NOVEMBER 2

6:30 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers
100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Contract with Pinnacle to replace audiovisual technology in the City Council chamber; Submission of the 2015 Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Application to HUD; Contract with HHS Construction for fiber optic splicing, testing, and emergency troubleshooting for the city's fiber optic network; Contract with Robertson's Ready Mix to furnish and deliver concrete materials in an amount not-to-exceed $249,202 per year; Contract with Stantec Consulting Services, Carollo Engineers, and RMC Water and Environment Consulting firms to provide general engineering services for various projects; Amend the light and power rate ordinance to establish an economic development rate schedule; Amendment to the Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant program; Ordinance increasing membership of Senior Commission from 11 to 13 members.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3

3:30 p.m.
351 S. Hudson Ave., Room 240
On the agenda: El Niņo preparation; Proposed committee name change; Evaluation of MOU with Pasadena Police; Data on foster youth.

6 p.m.
Hale Building
175 N. Garfield Ave., Hearing Room
On the agenda: Not available.

6 p.m.
City Yards, 2nd Floor
On the agenda: Fiscal year 2017 call for projects; Review of CIP process.

6:30 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Center
1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
On the agenda: Presentation on collaboration with Arroyo Seco Cooperation.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5

6 p.m.
Brookside Clubhouse
1133 Rosemont Ave.
On the agenda: Not available.
"Quote" of the week

"While the numbers [of Pasadena's homeless population] are down, the needs of the population and their visibility is up."

- Anne Lansing, Project Planner for the City of Pasadena's Housing Department
WPRA in motion
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Starting tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 1, until March 31, 2016, outdoor watering is limited to one day per week, on Saturdays only. On June 1, 2015, the Pasadena City Council adopted the Level 2 Water Shortage Plan, under City Ordinance Chapter 13.10, with the goal of reducing water usage by 28 percent. The plan limits outdoor watering to one day per week on Saturdays in the fall and winter months from Nov. 1 through Mar. 31, and two days per week on Tuesdays and Saturdays in the spring and summer months from April 1 through Oct 31. The plan also prohibits watering between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., requires water leaks to be fixed within 48 hours, and prohibits the filling of ornamental lakes and ponds. To view the city's Water Waste Ordinance, click here. 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: 

According to Assistant City Manager/Interim Public Works Director Julie Gutierrez, the Arroyo Seco trail on the east side of the channel under La Loma Bridge will be closed intermittently between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday while constructing overhead elements. The intermittent closures will occur through December 2015 (during removal of the existing bridge). Signs were posted designating a detour trail route. Preparations to construct a temporary bridge to transport heavy equipment to the west side of the channel are also underway. The east side detour will not accommodate equestrians. It makes use of old paths to go up to Arroyo Blvd. and then back down past the bridge.The trail on the west side of the channel is closed for the duration of the project.

The public is invited to the West Pasadena Residents' Association's board meeting at 6:30 p.m. this Wednesday, Nov. 4. The board meets in the Community Room at Westridge School, 324 Madeline Dr.
Neighborhoods 
in motion
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

TRAFFIC/CROWD ALERT

Today, Saturday, Oct. 31
Event Hours:
               6 a.m. Rose Bowl Parking Lots Open                     
               8 a.m. UCLA Fan Zone Opens in Area H
               10:30 a.m. Gates Open for All Patrons
               12 p.m. Kickoff 
               3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Approximate Outbound Traffic 

Est. Attendance: 50,000+
  
Recreational activity will close nine hours prior to kickoff, beginning at 3 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The Equestrian Loop will remain open at all times. There will be a brief use of pyrotechnics 30 minutes prior to Kickoff as well as when the team runs onto the field and during the National Anthem. (Total pyrotechnics display may be heard for under 20 seconds). Given that this game will take place on Halloween, the Rose Bowl is asking that all event attendees and residents take extreme precaution while driving through the residential streets at the conclusion of the game. In addition, the RBOC has expanded staffing throughout the neighborhoods adjacent to the Rose Bowl to address any event day concerns as they occur. To receive assistance before, during or after the game, please contact the Rose Bowl Event Day Resident Hotline at: (626) 397-4141.

 

Tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m., the Arroyo Seco Foundation's native plant nursery in Hahamongna Watershed Park is hosting an autumn celebration. Entitled "Twilight at Hahamongna Nursery," the special event is just for members, contributors and volunteers of the Arroyo Seco Foundation. The festivities will highlight the great work being done largely by community volunteers and supported by Pasadena Water & Power as part of the Arroyo Seco Canyon Project. There will be a silent auction, native plants, music, and refreshments. If you need to renew your membership, you can do so here.

Japanese art historian Meher McArthur will draw from her 20 years of experience researching and curating Japanese art to present a lecture discussing aspects of Japanese traditional and contemporary art on Thursday, November 5, 6:30 p.m., entitled "The wonders of Japan's woodblock prints."

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, Nov. 7, in Parking Lot I outside the Rose Bowl Stadium near Brookside Park, 360 N. Arroyo Blvd. The event is sponsored by the Department of Public Works.

The community and all current and former members of the U.S. military and their families are invited to join other local veterans, City officials and community leaders for a special, free Veterans Day ceremony on the steps of historic City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. On Friday, Nov. 13, Pasadena City Hall and many City services will be closed in observance of Veterans Day.

On Thursday, Nov. 12, Art Center is hosting a special preview of the college's development Master Plan as it enters formal review by the city. The plan features essential renovations at the Hillside Campus and an expanded South Campus. Art Center president Lorne Buchman and architect Michael Maltzan will describe the college's vision to enhance their students' learning environment across two campuses, while strengthening ties with the city and beyond. The event will be held at the South Campus, 1111 S. Arroyo Parkway. The pre-reception will begin at 6 p.m., the Master Plan presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. and an informal Q&A with optional tours of the newly renovated 6th floor will begin at 7:15 p.m. Attire is business casual. Valet parking will be available on the surface lot north of the building. Enter from southbound lanes on Arroyo Parkway. RSVP by Nov. 6 by emailing specialevents@artcenter.edu. 

Assemblyman Chris Holden's office is currently accepting applications for their Young Legislators Program. This is a free program and is open to high school seniors attending a high school in the 41st Assembly District. It's a great leadership opportunity to gain inside knowledge on how the state government works. The deadline to apply is Sunday, Nov. 15.

Fight the flu by getting a free vaccine offered by the Pasadena Public Health Department through Tuesday, Nov. 24. The influenza vaccine will be provided at various Pasadena locations on a first-come, first-served basis. The vaccine will be available to everyone ages 6 months and older at no cost, while supplies last. For more details about the clinics, call (626) 744-6000 or click the headline above.
Editor's top news picks
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION

"Utilizing new technology such as GPS and aerial radar, can scientists now predict earthquakes with far more precision than ever before? Yes, according to a new study by a JPL geophysicist and other earth scientists. No, according to a Caltech engineering seismologist and scientists at the United States Geological Survey." Pasadena Star-News

"Despite a 48 percent decline in the homeless population in Pasadena since 2011, complaints of panhandling and aggressive behavior over the past year have risen, according to the Pasadena Police Department." Pasadena Star-News

"Strong gusty winds blew across the Southland today, setting the stage for what the National Weather Service calls the 'first significant Santa Ana wind event' of the season beginning this evening - a development that raises the danger of wildfire and could make driving difficult." Pasadena Star-News

"An organization representing active and engaged L.A. County residents called on Metro last week to eliminate the SR-710 tunnel project from any proposed ballot measure and from its planning altogether. The No 710 Action Committee pledged its aggressive support for a ballot measure campaign if the SR-710 tunnel project is eliminated from all past, present and future planning. Conversely, they pledged to work to defeat any ballot measure if the SR-710 tunnel project lives on." South Pasadena Review

"Authorities were called out to the bridge shortly before 9 a.m. Monday, after a 40-year-old Pasadena resident (identified as supermodel-actor Sam Sarpong) climbed onto the structure's outer ledge. After a seven-hour dialogue with the Pasadena police crisis negotiation team, Sarpong jumped to his death just before 4 p.m." Pasadena Weekly & USA Today

"The county's largest transportation agency will inaugurate the first-ever express bus linking the San Gabriel Valley and the San Fernando Valley on March 5." Pasadena Star-News

"Halloween may catch most of the media attention this weekend, with costume-clad kids trick-or-treating and adults hitting parties, horror movies and haunted houses on Saturday night. But for many area residents, it's Sunday's celebration of Dia de Los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) that bears a much richer significance." Pasadena Weekly

"Pasadena Police Department has been awarded a $309.000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program of special enforcements and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries. Activities that the grant will fund include: DUI checkpoints; DUI saturation patrols; Motorcycle safety enforcement; Distracted driving enforcement; Bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement; Speed, red light, and stop sign enforcement; and Specialized DUI and drugged driving training." Pasadena Now

"About three-quarters of Pasadena's voters support increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2020, a poll has found. EMC Research surveyed about 400 voters across all seven of the city's districts over five days in September." Pasadena Star-News
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.