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West Pasadena Residents' Association
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2016
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Published weekly since 2000
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WELCOME
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Founded in 1962, the WPRA is dedicated to maintaining the character of our neighborhoods and enhancing the quality of life in southwest Pasadena.
Subscribe, unsubscribe or update your email address at the bottom of this page.
Send comments to
update@wpra.net
Chuck Hudson
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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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COMMUNITY MEETINGS
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>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<
NOTE: The following meeting dates, times and agenda items are accurate as of Saturday morning.
Click on the appropriate blue headline to ensure the meeting hasn't been cancelled or rescheduled.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24
4 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Labor negotiations with non-represented executive management, management and non-management (closed session)
6:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda:
6 p.m.
Basement Training Room S018, City Hall, 100 N. Garfield St.
On the agenda:
- Preliminary consultation of a request to construct a new five-story, 82,920 square foot building, which will serve as the Alexandria Real Estate Equities headquarter, in the City's Civic Center at 380 E. Union St. (Council District 3) | Staff report
- Concept design review of a plan to construct a new three-story, 85,487 square foot student housing building on the Caltech campus at 1200 E. California Blvd. (Council District 7) |Staff report
- Concept design review of plan to modify two storefronts within Paseo Colorado (Great Maple Restaurant and Dos Coyotes Border Café ) at 290 E. Colorado Blvd. (Council District 6) |Staff report
- Final design review for construction of a new five-story, 12-unit residential project with subterranean parking at 913 Boston Court (Council District 5) |Staff report
6 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Informational items
4 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: Informational items
4 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
On the agenda: Nominating committee report, election of vice chair, and informational items
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26
4 p.m.
300 E. Green St.
6:30 P.M.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 N. Garfield St.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27
4 p.m.
Suite 201, Parking Division, Department of Transportation, 221 E. Walnut St.
4 p.m./6 p.m. (open sessions)
Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (236),
351 S. Hudson Ave.
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Verbatim
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"As we go forward, depending on how much we need to cut, it'll be difficult, but we need to dig into it and do it. I don't want to cut the budget based on a hunch or a whim, it needs to be based on some thought. If they [agencies who benefit from the City's helicopter fleet] don't want to pay more, then we can determine whether having five helicopters is the right number for us."
- Steve Mermell, City Manager, as reported by Pasadena Star-News, 10/18/2016
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WPRA'S POINT OF VIEW
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>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<
The public is invited to attend the regular WPRA board meetings, held at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month (except August and December) in the Westridge School Community Room (unless otherwise noted), 324 Madeline Dr. Park in the State St. lot and walk north across campus to the Community Room.
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. 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.
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>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<
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UPCOMING MAJOR ROSE BOWL STADIUM EVENTS
TRAFFIC, CROWD AND NOISE ALERTS
Estimated attendance: 65,000
Event Hours:
- 7 a.m.: Rose Bowl parking lots open
- 8:45 a.m.: UCLA Fan Zone opens in Area H
- 11:30 a.m.: Gates open for all
- 1 p.m.: Kickoff
Recreational activity closed nine hours prior to kickoff, beginning at 4 a.m.
The Equestrian Loop will remain open at all times. A
brief use of pyrotechnics will occur 30 minutes prior to kickoff, when the team runs onto the field, and during the National Anthem. Total pyrotechnics display may be heard for under 20 seconds. In addition, a 5-second air-horn blast will occur simultaneously to the pyrotechnics 30 minutes prior to the start of the game.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Rose Bowl Event Day Resident hotline: (626) 397-4141. For more information about this event please visit us online at www.rosebowlstadium.com.
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Effective October 28, 2016, the City's Permit Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on "opposite Fridays." Previously, the Permit Center was open only until Noon. The Permit Center, under the Building & Safety Division of Pasadena's Planning & Community Development Department, provides development review and permit services.
Old Pasadena to celebrate Day of the Dead
Old Pasadena will celebrate Day of the Dead October 28-30. The reverent, yet vibrant, Mexican holiday honors loved ones who have passed before us. During the three-day event, dozens of Old Pasadena businesses will create altars in their spaces to showcase during the self-guided Tour of Altars. The weekend culminates with Sunday's lively, free Family Fiesta and One Colorado Courtyard's outdoor screening of the animated 2014 film The Book of Life.
Bring the whole family to Old Pasadena for a frightfully fun-filled Halloween weekend! On Saturday, October 29,
visit One Colorado to decorate your own jack-o-lantern, and on Sunday, October 30, primp your pup and join the doggy costume parade at The Dog Bakery's Growl-o-ween event.
[Editor's note: The following communication from the City has disturbed some residents and calls to mind the 2009 "midnight massacre" of ficus trees on Colorado Blvd. The WPRA Board has taken no position on this topic, however, we encourage you to share your views with Mayor Tornek <ttornek@cityofpasadena.net> and City Manager Steve Mermell <smermell@cityofpasadena.net.>]
"Staff posted on three trees in front of 497 S. Lake Ave. tree removal notices. The City was sued by the adjacent property owner who claimed that these existing ficus trees were damaging their adjacent structures and figures, both at and below the sidewalk level. The City aggressively respond in court to represent the City's interests in protecting the trees. During the course of the litigation the property owners submitted an application for tree removal on the basis of the damage the trees had caused and would continue to cause their property. The application was supported by engineering and arborist reports, which documented the damage cause by these trees.
"After full consideration of the evidence, and in view of the unique circumstances and alleged liability, the City found that it was prudent for the tress to be removed. The City concluded that it was in the public interest to settle the lawsuit and issue the tree removal permit. Ultimately, the decision to remove the ficus trees was a difficult one, but after consideration of all the available information, it was determined that the facts of this specific situation supported the decision. New trees, consistent with with the species established in the City Council approved Master Street Tree Plan will be replanted at this location, promoting the goals of protecting the City's Urban Forest. Additionally, the applicant will repair the sidewalk adjacent to the store frontage all at no cost to the City. Currently the trees are scheduled for removal between October 22 and October 30."
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THE EDITOR'S TOP NEWS PICKS
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>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION
"In support of an ongoing non-profit fundraising effort by the Rose Bowl's fundraising arm, the Legacy Collection, the City Council on Monday unanimously approved re-naming a Rose Bowl Stadium Loop Pedestrian Pathway, the "Honda Community Recreation Loop." Earlier this month, residents' groups voiced their concerns." Pasadena Now
Council committee grapples with marijuana legalization issues
"Less than two weeks before the elections, City officials in Pasadena find themselves grappling with a host of issues to be decided upon as the state faces the likely passage of Prop 64, the 'Adult Use of Marijuana Act', which would legalize adult recreational use and cultivation of marijuana in California. As City Planning Director David Reyes described the situation, 'The City needs to be ready. We need something on the books now,' noting that the proposition currently has a 60% probability of passing." Pasadena Now
"The Tournament of Roses named Temple City High School senior Victoria Castellanos as the 2017 Rose Queen at the annual coronation ceremony Thursday night at the Pasadena Playhouse. Queen Victoria is the 99th Rose Queen and was crowned following a month long selection process with nearly 1,000 hopeful young women that competed for the prestigious title." Pasadena Now
"Following nearly an hour of comments from overwhelmingly supportive community leaders and residents Monday evening, the Pasadena City Council dealt with the pressing subject of homelessness with two very different agenda items." Pasadena Now
"Fight the flu by getting a free vaccine at clinics offered by the Pasadena Public Health Department starting this week through Wednesday, November 16, 2016. The influenza vaccine will be provided at various Pasadena locations, listed below, on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The vaccine will be available to everyone ages 6 months and older at no cost. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Remember to wear short sleeves." Pasadena Now
"Scott Finnell, founder and lead singer of Snotty Scotty and the Hankies, a perennial favorite at the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade, passed away on Sunday, according to an announcement on the band's Facebook page." Pasadena Now
"The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority hosted a one-day State of the Project 2016 conference today at Pomona College. Elected officials, agency leaders and others gathered to hear some success stories from previous segments, but mostly to look ahead to extending the Gold Line eastward to Montclair, and possibly further." StreetsBlog LA
"Los Angeles officials held firm Wednesday on the city's years-long practice that bans lethal responses to coyotes in the city, giving a thumbs up to increasing community outreach and education about how to safely live with the wild animals." Pasadena Star-News
"Pasadena cut $2.1 million from its budget Monday through the elimination of seven vacant positions. City Manager Steve Mermell described the downsizing as phase one of the cuts, but he stressed more will be needed to meet a $4.9 million shortfall expected within the next year." Pasadena Star-News
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- 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.
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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.
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