WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2016
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 

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).
COMMUNITY MEETINGS
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<
NOTE: The following meeting dates, times and agenda items are accurate as of Friday evening. Click on the appropriate blue headline to ensure the meeting hasn't been cancelled or rescheduled.

MONDAY, JUNE 6


3 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Continued public hearing on FY2017 Operating Budget.

6:30 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Authorization to enter into a contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for supplemental law enforcement services for major events other than New Year's activities; authorization to enter into a purchase order with Proforce for 150 replacement Tasers; continued public hearing on city manager's recommended fiscal year 2017 operating budget; authorization to enter into a contract with Taser International for a police body-worn camera system.

TUESDAY, JUNE 7



6:30 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
On the agenda: LA Commission presentation; Homelessness presentation by Police Department; Genocide Awareness Resolution; ACLU AB2466 Voting felons support letter approval.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8

5:30 p.m.
Hale Building, 175 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Presentation of annual grants program funded exhibition; McKinley mural restoration project; Presentation on Upstart Co-Lab; Review and approval of request to city council regarding zoning code amendments.

6 p.m.
City Hall, Grand Conference Room S038, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Website; annual retreat.


6:30 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Not available.

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

3 p.m.
PUSD Headquarters, Board Room #229, 351 S. Hudson Ave.
On the agenda: Linda Vista/San Rafael update.

5:15 p.m.
PUSD Headquarters, Board Room #236, 351 S. Hudson Ave.
On the agenda: Approval of United Teachers of Pasadena salary increase.
VERBATIM
"What we expect is for our community to continue to conserve [water], and it's been doing a great job. We've had permanent water use restrictions since 2009 and we just want the community to continue this way of life, and conserving water is really a big component of that."
- Wendy De Leon, Pasadena Water and Power Customer Relations Manager
WPRA'S POINT OF VIEW
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The public is invited to attend the regular WPRA board meetings, held the first Wednesday of the month (except August and December) in the Westridge School Community Room (unless otherwise noted), 324 Madeline Dr.

WPRA seeks e-newsletter editors
Do you have writing and editing skills and want to help inform your community? Contact Chuck Hudson at hudson@wpra.net to learn how to become a co-editor of WPRA's weekly Neighborhood Update email newsletter.

WPRA encourages you to attend June 13 city council meeting
At the meeting, the city council will discuss Mayor Terry Tornek's proposal to place an initiative on the November ballot to repeal Measure A. Passed in 2001 by Pasadena voters, Measure A directed the city to support the "completion of the 710 extension." At the WPRA's annual meeting on May 18, Mayor Tornek called for the repeal of Measure A so that the city can oppose the 710 tunnel without reservation. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 13, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. The WPRA opposes the 710 tunnel alternative and supports the repeal of Measure A.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<
 
 
UPCOMING ROSE BOWL DISPLACEMENT EVENTS:

Copa America Centenario 2016
  • Today, Saturday, June 4 at 7 p.m. - Copa America Soccer (Brazil vs. Ecuador)
  • Tuesday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. - Copa America Soccer (Colombia vs. Paraguay)
  • Thursday, June 9 at 7 p.m. - Copa America Soccer (Mexico vs. Jamaica)
Event Hours on today, Saturday, June 4:
10 a.m. Road Closures in Effect
2:30 p.m. Fan Plaza and Amplified Sound Begins in Area H
3 p.m. Parking Lots Open
7 p.m. Match Begins
10 p.m. Event and Amplified Sound Concludes

Event Hours on Tuesday, June 7:
10 a.m. Road Closures in Effect
3 p.m. Fan Plaza and Amplified Sound Begins in Area H
3:30 p.m. Parking Lots Open
7:30 p.m. Match Begins
10:30 p.m. Event and Amplified Sound Concludes

Event Hours on Thursday, June 9:
10 a.m. Road Closures in Effect
2:30 p.m. Fan Plaza and Amplified Sound Begins in Area H
3 p.m. Parking Lots Open
7 p.m. Match Begins
10 p.m. Event and Amplified Sound Concludes
         
Sound Check and Rehearsal: Brief sound checks and rehearsals will occur sporadically from until Thursday, June 9.

Noise Levels and Sound: This event will bring the usual impacts on the nearby neighborhoods such as traffic and noise. There will be enhanced noise from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the following days: Saturday, June 4; Tuesday, June 7; and Thursday, June 9. 

Lighting Hours: Due to the soccer matches, for safety and security purposes, stadium lights will be on throughout much of the night until Friday, June 10, and will be turned off at the earliest time each night. 

Recreational Activity will be closed at 10 a.m. each match day. The Equestrian Loop will remain open at all times. In addition, the Rose Bowl Operating Company has expanded staffing throughout the neighborhoods adjacent to the Rose Bowl Stadium to address any event day concerns as they occur.

Other upcoming events at the Rose Bowl:

Monday, July 4 (Time TBD) - 4th of July AmericaFest

Wednesday, July 27 at 8:30 p.m. - International Soccer (Chelsea vs. Liverpool)

Saturday and Sunday, August 20-21 (time TBD) - Coldplay Concert

For assistance before, during or after events, please contact the Rose Bowl Event Day Resident Hotline: (626) 397-4141

 
Pasadena voters who live in the Arroyo Seco area and who intend to cast ballots at two polling places near the Rose Bowl Stadium are reminded to go to the polls early to avoid traffic and possible delays due to the Copa America soccer match this Tuesday, June 7. As an alternative, voters may wish to request an online "Will Call Ballot" for pickup at Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., by visiting the County of Los Angeles Registrar Recorder/County Clerk website www.lavote.net or by calling the County at (562) 466-1323.  Will-call ballot requests generally take 48 hours to process.

Pasadena celebrates 130 years of incorporation from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, at a free party at the Pasadena Museum of History. Activities include the new exhibition "Flying Horses and Mythical Beasts: The Magical World of Carousel Animals," circus aerial performances and ground acrobats by Orange County Aerial Arts, Mechanical Band instruments, hands-on crafts and interactive projects throughout the campus.

Learn more about the City's budget for Fiscal Year 2017 during special joint meeting meetings in June convened by the City Council and its Finance Committee. The meetings are held at City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., Second Floor, in the Council Chambers.
 
The Pasadena Fire Department's brush clearance inspections have begun and will continue through June 2016. Residents in brushy areas should receive a brochure outlining the requirements mandated by the State of California. Firefighters are available to answer any questions about City fire codes and ordinances regarding hazardous vegetation management and brush clearance. Given the current drought, compliance is essential to avoid devastating fires. For more information, contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at (626) 744-4668.

The city's Spring/Summer watering schedule runs through October 31. This schedule permits outdoor watering between midnight to 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to midnight on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
THE EDITOR'S TOP NEWS PICKS
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION

"Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek is right to propose a June 13 City Council vote to place a measure before local voters aimed at repealing Measure A, a long-ago ballot measure supporting the 710 Freeway extension." Pasadena Star-News Editorial Board

"The Rose Bowl Stadium will be hosting three matches in the Copa America Centenario soccer championship on June 4, June 7, and June 9. The three games are expected to draw around 180,000 people to the Rose Bowl." Pasadena Now

"Men Educating Men About Health (MEMAH) and Pasadena City College (PCC) will hold its 6th annual 'Get Healthy Pasadena' 2016 health conference, offering free health screenings for men and women over 18, today, Saturday, June 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Pasadena City College. The screenings will including prostate, diabetes, cholesterol, stroke, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), vision, hearing, dental, and much more. Those who receive at least six screenings will be provided a free lunch." Pasadena Now

"An outbreak caused by dirty scopes sickened 16 patients, including 11 who died." LA Times

"Maranatha High School recently announced the appointment of a new principal and their choice was one of the most beloved and respected leaders the school has known in its 50-year history, Maranatha alumnus John Rouse." Pasadena Now

"Make Music Pasadena, the West Coast's largest free music festival, features a broad range of acts on six main stages, as well as a varied program of diverse performers at 30+ supporting venues on Saturday, June 11, from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m." Pasadena Now

"The understaffing argument is a myth; rather, if anything, comparing its staffing levels with neighboring cities suggests it is overstaffed. Pasadena is already the most-heavily policed city of nearby cities with 50,000+ populations." Pasadena Now

"The California Nurses Association said it reached a settlement agreement with Huntington Memorial Hospital shortly before a scheduled National Labor Relations Board hearing was to have occurred. The agreement rescinds the highly-publicized terminations of two Huntington nurses, Allysha Almada and Vicki Lin, settles all pending labor violations matters, sets aside the disputed results of a 2015 vote by nurses whether to unionize, and will allow the union to move forward with a new election at the hospital." Pasadena Now

"Pasadena will continue to conserve water even after the state has lifted water use restrictions effective on June 1 in connection with the California drought." 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.