West Pasadena Residents' Association
Neighborhood Update
Saturday, October 16, 2010
If you wish to contact the editors, please reply to update@wpra.net.
Dear Neighbor: The WPRA wants you to know about the following:
City Council Meeting — The Pasadena City Council and Community Development Commission, will meet Monday, October 18, at 5:30 pm, public meeting to begin at 6:30 pm, and public hearings to begin at 7:30 pm, at Council Chamber, City Hall, 100 North Garfield, Room S249. The City Council will consider several items, including a public hearing on the appeal of a Design Commission of 680 E. Colorado Blvd – IDS Playhouse District Project. The City Council website and complete agenda, along with downloadable reports, can be found at http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/councilagendas/2010%20agendas/Oct_18_10/agenda.asp.
Future Hearings:
Oct 18 - Appeal of a Design Commission Decision for Concept Design for 680 E. Colorado Blvd., Playhouse Plaza (IDS Development Project)
Dec 13 - Designation of 808 South San Rafael Avenue as a Historic Monument
Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Canceled — The Historic Preservation Commission Meeting, previously set for Monday, October 18, is canceled.
Design Commission – Notice of Public Hearing — The Pasadena Design Commission will meet on Monday, October 25, at 6:00 pm, at the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 East Holly Street. The Design Commission will consider several items, including a public hearing on the application for design review of the Ambassador West Project, West Del Mar Blvd., Lot 16. The Design Commission website can be found at ci.pasadena.ca.us/planning/meetings/dsgncomm/homedc.asp
Open Space Committee Meeting — The Open Space Committee Meeting will meet Monday, October 25, at 6:30 pm, location to be determined. The Open Space Committee website can be found at cityofpasadena.net/planning/deptorg/commplng/OpenSpace/openspace_meetings.asp
No Decision Yet on Playhouse Plaza Project - The PH News reported in its October, 2010, issue: “Pasadena Heritage and Pasadenans for a Livable City (PLC) are waiting for the judge’s decision on the lawsuit filed challenging the city council’s approval of the Playhouse Plaza project. The developer, IDS, has proceeded with concept design review and modifications of zoning code approvals. Pasadena Heritage and PLC have appealed the latest design. The City Council will take up the concept design on Monday, October 18th. The Planning Commission voted to send a staff decision about code compliance to the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Board of Zoning Appeals hearing will be held in November.” The Pasadena Heritage website can be found at pasadenaheritage.org/.
Residents Asked to Weigh In on Pasadena's Budget Issues — The Pasadena StarNews reported on September 29: “Residents, business owners and other community members are being asked for their input on the city's budget-related issues at a series of interactive community workshops to be attended by City Council members…. [S]cheduled workshops, which all start at 6:30 pm, include … [Wednesday, October 27] in the Crawford Family Forum at Southern California Public Radio, 474 S. Raymond Ave., hosted by Councilmen Steve Madison and Terry Tornek…. For more information, call 626‑744-4355.
In The News
Does Pasadena Prefer Preservation to Public Art? — The Eater.com reported on October 14: “Pasadena's art lovers are complaining that the city frequently snubs public art projects in favor of preservation, and that most recently they've missed out on almost $1 million from the Rose Bowl renovation project.“ For the complete article, visit la.curbed.com/archives/2010/10/does_pasadena_prefer_preservation_to_public_art.php.
The Cheese Store of Pasadena Opens Its Doors — The La Canada Flintridge Outlook reported on October 14: “Pasadena is such an up-and coming metropolis food-wise and you see so many new restaurants popping up in the area,” Natalia points out. “I think a lot of people have probably traveled to the west side for gourmet experiences and it was time for someone to bring that level of quality here.” For the complete article, visit www.lacanadaoutlook.com/stories/101014/BusinessMain.shtml
Rebirth of the Playhouse — The Pasadena Star‑News reported on October 14: “It took a battery of lawyers, but, praise the Lord, the footlights are shining again at the Pasadena Playhouse. ‘I'm gonna' shout Hallelujah when I lay this burden down,’ said Artistic Director Sheldon Epps in praising the blue-ribbon legal team of Munger, Tolles and Olsen …, who provided their services pro bono for the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy filing that has succeeded in resuscitating the debt-plagued landmark. To honor Tom Walper and his cadre of attorneys, nearly 150 playhouse stalwarts and community activists gathered on the Main Stage on Sept. 28 to say a heartfelt thank you to MTO for its Herculean efforts.” For the complete article by Patt Diroll, visit www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_16330490.
Pasadena City College Signs Transfer Guarantee with Whittier College — The Pasadena Star‑News reported on October 14: “Pasadena City College has signed a Transfer Admission Guarantee with Whittier College that allows students who complete an agreed-on sequence of classes in general education and a selected major with a stated minimum GPA to apply and be guaranteed admission, PCC officials said Thursday. In addition, they said, students who are admitted with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above will receive a merit-based scholarship ranging from $10,500 to $13,500 per year to be used toward tuition at Whittier College.” For the complete article, visit www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_16338265.
Experts Tell Congressional Panel Station Fire Could Have Been Contained Early On — The Pasadena Star‑News reported on October 13: “A wildfire that grew into the biggest blaze in Los Angeles County history could have been contained early on if fire officials had tapped state and local agency resources, experts told a congressional panel Tuesday.” For the complete article by Thomas Himes, visit www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_16322877.
Altadena Secession Effort Reaches PUSD School Board — The Pasadena Star‑News reported on October 13: “School officials and residents should brace for a long and complicated battle over Altadena's future in the [PUSD], a county official said Tuesday. Weeks after Altadena residents handed in more than 7,000 signatures in support of the unincorporated community's secession from the PUSD, an official from the Los Angeles County Office of Education presented the long process for secession, but wouldn't speculate on the likelihood of creating a new school district north of Pasadena.” For the complete article by Brian Charles, visit www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_16323510.
Rose Bowl Revamp OK’d — The Pasadena Star‑News reported on October 12: “The iconic Rose Bowl will soon be getting a $152 million makeover. The City Council approved Monday the proposed renovation and financing plan for the 88-year-old stadium, including 30-year lease extensions with UCLA and the Tournament of Roses.” For the complete article by Brenda Gazzar, visit www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_16314861.
The 2011 Royal Court Princesses Announced — The Pasadena Star‑News reported on October 12: “After what he called a month-long ‘race for the roses,’ with more than 1,000 high school and college students trying out for seven spots on the Royal Court, Tournament of Roses President Jeffrey L. Throop announced the 2011 princesses Monday.” For the complete article by Janette Williams, visit www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_16312175
Pasadena Chef Wants to Make Culinary Education Affordable — The Pasadena Star‑News reported on October 11: “Having just left Le Cordon Bleu after six years as an instructor, the French-born chef is breaking out on his own to start a new culinary school, the Ecole de Cuisine Pasadena.” For the complete article by Beige Luciano-Adams, visit www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_16305347.
Leisure
Pasadena Heritage’s 19th Annual Craftsman Weekend - Pasadena Heritage presents the 19th Annual Craftsman Weekend from Friday, October 15, through Sunday, October 17, a weekend dedicated to the American Arts & Crafts Movement. Celebrate Pasadena’s unique contributions to the American Arts & Crafts Movement with an exciting variety of bus and walking tours highlighting Pasadena’s historic neighborhoods, a Craftsman House Tour that visits six distinctive Craftsman-era homes, exhibits of contemporary and antique Craftsman furnishings and accessories at the Pasadena Convention Center, plus special evening events in historic sites. For event details, call 441‑6333 or visit www.pasadenaheritage.org/popup_eventdetails.php?eid=4&page=18.
Epilepsy Freedom Walk at the Rose Bowl - The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles invites you to join them for the annual Epilepsy Freedom Walk at the Rose Bowl on Sunday, October 17. While the event is fun, the purpose is serious ¾ to increase awareness about epilepsy and to raise money to continue the fight for freedom from seizures. For more information, contact Rebekkah Halliwell at (310) 670‑2870 or rhalliwell@epilepsyfoundationgla.org.
Art Center Car Classic ’10 ¾ The world’s top transportation designers, collectors and enthusiasts will gather Sunday, October 17, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, at Art Center’s Hillside Campus, for the 9th Annual Art Center Car Classic. This year’s theme, Freedom of Motion, will celebrate the powerful combination of technology and passion that allows us to move well beyond their physical abilities, whether it’s hurtling down the road in a vintage Bugatti, pulling 5G around a corner in a Formula One racecar, or winning the 100‑meter dash on a pair of prosthetic legs. Keynote speaker will be Transportation Design alumnus Frank Stephenson, design director for McLaren Automotive, who will unveil the new McLaren. KABC automotive reporter Dave Kunz and host of Speed Channel’s Car Crazy, Barry Meguiar, will again emcee the event. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour Art Center’s studio classrooms to view the work of tomorrow’s top designers. For more information, visit www.artcenter.edu/carclassic.
French Intensive Courses for Beginners - Get a French kick-off with their intensive classes for beginners from The Alliance Francaise de Pasadena. At the end of this French crash course, you will be able to introduce yourself, state your identity, greet people, count up to 100, ask for directions, and make simple sentences. This class combines language learning with cultural immersion. The course takes place, Monday, October 18, through Wednesday, October 27, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Price $408. For more information or reservations, call 683‑3774 or visit www.oldpasadena.org/gc_calendar_detail.asp?cal_id=1629.
4th Annual Festival of California Poets — Distinguished contemporary California poets will introduce and read poems by canonical California poets, as well as their own, on Saturday, October 23, at 3:00 pm, at the Pasadena Central Library, Wright Auditorium, 285 East Walnut Street. Admission is free. For more information, call 744‑4680.
Kids Safety Academy — The Pasadena Police Department invites children ages 6 to 12 and their parents to enroll in the next Kids Safety Academy. The academy begins on Saturday, October 30, and continues seven consecutive Saturdays, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Participating families will receive hands‑on lessons and experiences in personal safety from Pasadena police, fire and public health officials. The academy culminates in a graduation ceremony at the Tournament of Roses House. Parents and guardians are required to attend each week’s class with their child(ren). For more information, visit ww2.cityofpasadena.net/police/emp_services/community_serv/community_serv.asp or call Police Specialist Anita Butler at 744‑7650.
"Locals Only" Thursdays in Old Pasadena - Every Thursday in October, Old Pasadena merchants will offer special discounts and promotions to people who live or work in Pasadena as part of Old Pasadena's Locals Only Thursdays. Merchants ¾ including Banana Republic, Starbucks, Burke Williams, Bar Celona, Patagonia, onesipkim, Lula Mae, Vertical Wine Bistro, Distant Lands and Design within Reach ¾ are offering savings or special giveaways. Residents can show their driver's license or electricity bill to receive the discounts and promotions every Thursday; those who work in the city should present a business card showing a Pasadena workplace address. For more information, visit oldpasadena.org/.
Sincerely,
Judith S. Klump
West Pasadena Residents' Association
JOIN: wpra.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3307
VOLUNTEER: wpra.net/i4a/forms/form.cfm?id=21&pageid=3318&showTitle=1
EZ DONATE: wpra.net/i4a/forms/form.cfm?id=18&pageid=3317&showTitle=2
LEARN MORE:
F Latest news — wpra.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
F Education — wpra.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3351
F Land use and planning — wpra.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3361
F Neighborhood safety — wpra.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3335
F Open space & conservation — wpra.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3336
F Hahamongna Watershed Park — wpra.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3381
F Telecommunications — wpra.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3376
F Water usage — wpra.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3382
F Resident survey results — wpra.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3374
TO SUBMIT INFORMATION to be considered for Neighborhood Update, send it to update@wpra.net
JOSEPH STODDARD'S WATERCOLORS: The WPRA wishes to express its appreciation to local artist, Joseph Stoddard, who has generously allowed us to display his watercolors in the WPRA News magazine, on the WPRA website (wpra.net) and in this publication. To explore Mr. Stoddard's work, visit josephstoddard.com/about_joseph_stoddard.html
TO UNSUBSCRIBE to WPRA e-mailings, send an e-mail to unsubscribe@wpra.net with the word "unsubscribe" as the subject.