WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 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, NOVEMBER 9

City Council -- CANCELLED

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

5 p.m.
175 N. Garfield Ave.
Hale Conference Room 1A
On the agenda: discussion of CDS work plans; updates about outreach to area civic organization

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11

6 p.m.
City Yards
233 W. Mountain St.
On the agenda: tree removal, based on requests and conditions 

"Quote" of the week

"The contributions of our Chinese pioneers should be acknowledged in a multitude of ways in the communities they helped build. How wonderful it would be if we celebrated the Chinese who built Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena, the San Gabriel Winery in Alhambra and the many orchards of early Pasadena. A corrected plaque at Mills Place should only be one of many community markers."
- Susie H. Ling, associate professor of history and Asian-American studies, Pasadena City College, as quoted in "Night of Terror," an article published on November 11, in Pasadena Weekly. See "Editor's top news pics" section below.
WPRA in motion
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The Linda Vista~Annandale Association and Fire Station #38 will on Saturday, November 7 again host their annual pancake breakfast at Fire Station 38, 1150 Linda Vista Ave., 8:30-11 a.m. Cost for adults is $6, children eat for $3. 
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 a Level 2 Water Shortage Plan with the goal of reducing water usage by 28%. Outdoor watering is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., water leaks must be fixed within 48 hours, and filling of ornamental lakes and ponds is prohibited. View the City's Water Waste Ordinance.
 
The Arroyo Seco trail on the east side of the channel under the now-closed La Loma Bridge will be closed intermittently between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday while constructing the overhead elements. The intermittent closures will occur through December 2015, during removal of the existing bridge. The City posted signs designating a detour trail route, which can 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 Metrocosm website provides access to an interactive map that displays 373,377 points, one for each person in the U.S. who died in a vehicle crash between 2004 and 2013. More information about each one will appear as you zoom the map in closer. To locate a specific local area, use the address search bar in the upper right corner of the screen.
Neighborhoods 
in motion
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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 City 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 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. 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.

Pasadena Heritage will present its 24th Annual Craftsman in the weekend of November 13-15. Craftsman Weekend is the largest and most comprehensive salute to the Arts & Crafts Movement in the Western United States. The weekend's offerings will include a tour of significant Craftsman-era houses, a variety of bus and walking tours, an exposition show & sale of over 40 exhibitors featuring antique and contemporary furniture and decorative arts, a silent auction and opportunity drawing, presentations and exclusive evening receptions at historic sites. Tickets may be purchased by ordering online, calling Pasadena Heritage, or visiting the PH office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Assemblyman Chris Holden's office is currently accepting applications for a Young Legislators program. This free program is open to high school seniors attending a high school in the 41st Assembly District. The deadline to apply is Sunday, Nov. 15.

On Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m., the Arroyo Seco Foundation and Altadena Heritage will host a public meeting to discuss the probable impacts of El Nino on the Arroyo Seco watershed. The meeting, which will be held at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., will address the adequacy of the current flood control system, given the high probability of a series of heavy storms El Nino may bring this winter, and how to best prepare for future flooding in the light of climate change.

The Pasadena Public Health Department is offering free flu vaccine inoculations through Tuesday, Nov. 24 at various Pasadena locations on a first-come, first-served basis. The service is available to all ages 6 months and older, while supplies last. For more details about the clinics, call (626) 744-6000 or click the headline above.

The cities of Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena are joining forces to inform the public about an ongoing utility scam that has claimed victims in all three cities.
 
The City's Public Information Office spent time with patrol officers from the Pasadena Police Department to give us an inside look at what it's like to wear a badge in Pasadena.
Editor's top news picks
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"The Pasadena Arts Council used more than $400,000 in funds it holds for small arts organizations for its own general expenses without the member organizations' knowledge or permission, the nonprofit said this week." Pasadena Star-News (may require subscription)

"John Cleese will speak at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series. He recently spoke with the Pasadena Weekly [reporter and WPRA secretary Justin Chapman] about comedy, Donald Trump and the death of democracy, and why Monty Python broke up." Pasadena Weekly
 
"One-hundred and thirty years ago this month, a white mob turned Pasadena's Chinatown into an inferno, obliterating it from the landscape, and, for many years, from the history books as well." Pasadena Weekly

"The Tournament of Roses Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2016 grant assistance program. In 2016, the total amount awarded to local charities will remain at $200,000. Since its inception in 1983, the Foundation has invested over $2.7 million in more than 180 Pasadena-area organizations. Grants typically range from $1,000 up to $10,000 per organization. The grant award maximum is $10,000, and the average grant was approximately $4,700." Pasadena Now
Leisure
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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.