WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 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 13

3 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Continued public hearing on the 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 Taser International for a police body worn camera system; adoption of the 2015 Urban Water Management Plan; consideration of placing a measure on the November 8, 2016, general election ballot to repeal Measure A and uncodified ordinance no. 5861, adopted by a vote of the people in 2001, thereby rescinding the policy requiring the city of Pasadena to support the completion of the 710 freeway.

6:30 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
On the agenda: Human Relations Commission letter to mayor regarding human trafficking; May 16, 2016 present Commission on the Status of Women Survival Guide at the city council meeting.

TUESDAY, JUNE 14

2 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
On the agenda: Victims advocate presentation; Prevention and Early Intervention program presentation.

4 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Authorization to Enter Into Contracts with TTG Engineers, Stantec, Power-Tech Engineers, VTA Consulting Engineers and Worleyparsons Group for General Engineering Services.

6 p.m.
City Hall, Basement Training Room S018, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Advisory review of Huntington Hospital master plan; Preliminary consultation on 290 E. Colorado Blvd.; Final design review of 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave.


6:30 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
On the agenda: Not available.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16

5:30 p.m.
Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room #236, 351 S. Hudson St.
On the agenda: Five-Star Coalition Resolution on SR-710 North Study Draft EIR.
VERBATIM
"After the November elections the city is going to get ambushed and we will be confronted with a full court press to build [the 710 tunnel]. We have got to be prepared to prevent that from happening. So, in order for us to be ready when this hits the fan after November ... we must repeal Measure A ... because Measure A restricts our ability to actively oppose the completion of the freeway. And that measure can only be repealed by a vote of the people."
- Mayor Terry Tornek
WPRA'S POINT OF VIEW
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

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 email 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<
 
 
TRAFFIC AND CROWD ALERT:
Today, Saturday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. - Make Music Pasadena
50,000 people expected
Multiple stages in and around Old Pasadena, with multiple street closures

UPCOMING ROSE BOWL DISPLACEMENT EVENTS:

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 celebrates 130 years of incorporation from 1 to 4 p.m. tomorrow, 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.

Steve Madison to host town hall June 23
Join City Councilmember Steve Madison for a Town Hall Meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, at the Art Center College of Design, 1111 S. Arroyo Parkway, 3rd Floor. The topics discussed will be "Balancing Economics, Development and Traffic." The interim city manager and department heads will give you their perspectives on the impact of development, traffic, and economics on our quality of life. In addition, there will be a model of the Art Center master plan and architect Michael Maltzan will talk about the proposed transformation of the gateway to Pasadena. For free parking, enter the surface lot north of the building from Arroyo Parkway or enter the underground parking from Glenarm, west of Arroyo Parkway. If you have questions, please call (626) 744-4739.

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 has placed a recommendation on Monday's City Council agenda for the City to hold a special election to repeal Measure A, the 2001 initiative ordinance which promotes completion of the 710 Freeway." Pasadena Now

"The 2016 Presidential Primary Election is in the record books for an election which included four important primary races for local representatives of county, state and federal positions." Pasadena Now

"The Los Angeles Vegan Beer and Food Festival is going back to Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Saturday, June 18, featuring a long list of vegan-friendly food establishments and an extensive beer selection, with beers coming from both local and statewide breweries." Pasadena Now

"Everyone is invited to join Pasadena Heritage for their fabulous Colorado Street Bridge Party on Saturday, July 16 from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. This night of music, dancing, silent disco, vintage cars, free kids' activities, and festive foods and beverages will be held atop one of the most beautiful bridges in the world." Pasadena Now

"Although two competing companies now have protested the City's bidding process and scoring results selecting Taser International as the preferred vendor for Pasadena Police body cameras, Interim City Manager Steve Mermell, who originally pulled the item from last Monday's City Council agenda, said he is confident in the process and the recommendation will go back to the Council next week." Pasadena Now

Carnival-themed celebration planned for Pasadena's 130th birthday party Sunday
"The Pasadena Museum of History is throwing a carnival-inspired bash filled with family fun to celebrate the city's 130th birthday tomorrow. The museum grounds and indoor exhibition areas will be filled with eye-catching activities from aerial dance performances to giant balloon animals and much more for both the young and young at heart to experience." 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., this all-day, all-ages event will host more than 150 performances throughout downtown Pasadena." 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.