WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 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 16

6:30 p.m.
City Hall
Council Chambers
100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: status update on the implementation of recommendations made by KPMG, the Mayor's Task Force on Financial and Internal Controls, and Management Partners to enhance operational and financial oversight; recommendation to set January 11, 2016 for a public hearing to implement the water system capital improvements to recover the capital improvement costs of the water distribution system, which would result in system average increase of $0.45 per billing unit, effective January 18, 2016 

6:30 p.m.
Edison
119 W. Palm St.
Altadena,

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17

12:30-3 p.m.
Education Center, Board Room #236 

6 p.m.
George Ellery Hale Building, Hearing Room
175 N. Garfield Ave. (entrance on Ramona)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18


6 p.m.
George Ellery Hale Bldg.
175 N. Garfield Ave.
Hearing Room #120
 
6:30 p.m.
100 N. Garfield Ave.
City Council Chambers, Room S249

6:30 p.m.
351 S. Hudson Ave.
Computer Lab Room #240

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19

6 p.m.
Nelbie J. Hickambottom Board Room, Rm. 236
351 S. Hudson Ave.
On the agenda: approval  of  resolution to rescind resolution concerning San Rafael Elementary School property and directing staff to proceed with modernization design planning

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20

9-11 a.m.
Education Center,Board Room #240 

Environmental Advisory Commission
6 p.m.
City Council Chamber
Pasadena City Hall
100 N. Garfield Ave., Rm. S249
On the agenda: Consideration of a city ban on polystyrene products
"Quote" of the week

"This place is one of the more important places in my entire life and my imagination. To be part of it for history, myself and the whole family is honored and thrilled."
- Keith Jackson, broadcaster, after he learned that the Rose Bowl Legacy Connections will formally dedicate the broadcast level inside of the Terry Donahue Pavilion in the Rose Bowl Stadium as the Keith Jackson Broadcast Center in a private ceremony in early December
WPRA in motion
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

Until March 31, 2016, outdoor watering is limited to one day per week and 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.
Neighborhoods 
in motion
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

TODAY: TRAFFIC/CROWD ALERT: 
UCLA vs. WASHINGTON STATE FOOTBALL GAME
1:45 p.m.:  Rose Bowl parking lots open
3:45 p.m.: UCLA Fan Zone opens in Area H
6:05 p.m.: Rose Bowl Stadium gates open
7:45 p.m.: Kick-off
11:30 p.m.-1 a.m.: Approximate outbound traffic
Estimated Attendance: 70,000+

Recreational activity will be closed nine hours prior to kickoff, beginning at 10:45 a.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. (Total pyrotechnics display may be heard for under 20 seconds.) Due to continued broadcast coverage and Rose Bowl Stadium safety precautions, a limited amount of lighting will remain on in the Stadium into the early morning; however, the lights will be turned off as soon as possible. To receive assistance before, during or after the game, please contact the Rose Bowl Event Day Resident Hotline: 
(626) 397-4141
 
Pasadena Heritage will present its 24th Annual Craftsman in the weekend of Nov. 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.

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.

Pasadena residents and businesses are reminded that City Hall and most City services will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, in observance of Thanksgiving Day.
Editor's top news picks
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION

"Tournament of Roses President Mike Matthiessen announced the American filmmaker as the Grand Marshal for the 2016 Rose Parade." Pasadena Star-News (may require subscription)

"Hundreds of citizens and supporters turned out Wednesday at Pasadena City Hall as the city honored its many veterans for their service." Pasadena Now
 
Rose Bowl Legacy Connections, the non-profit arm of the Rose Bowl Stadium, has announced that the broadcast level inside of the Terry Donahue Pavilion in the Rose Bowl Stadium will be formally dedicated as the Keith Jackson Broadcast Center in the Terry Donahue Pavilion in a private ceremony in early December. 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.