Calling All Kids: Holiday Cheer
at Your Neighborhood Library

here’s no place like the library for the holidays! Bundle up and enjoy these festive events.

girlie • Make some holiday crafts Thursday, Dec. 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd., then settle in for magical holiday stories, treats
and tree-trimming Monday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m.
744-7262.

• Make some ornaments, decorate a tree and enjoy hot chocolate, treats and stories Thursday, Dec. 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr. Return on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 3:30 p.m. for holiday stories (with a sign language interpreter), wacky activities and a take-home craft. 744-7266.

• Enjoy carols, hot chocolate and a tree-lighting Thursday, Dec. 11, at 5 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave. Come back for a Kwanzaa celebration Friday, Dec. 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and sample some treats prepared by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. 744-7268.

• Music, refreshments and a tree-lighting are in store Saturday, Dec. 13, at 4:30 p.m. at Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave. Return Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 4 p.m., for a sweet and sticky cookie decorating workshop. 744-7260.

• Preschoolers will enjoy quiet stories about winter and snow Saturday, Dec. 20, at
10 a.m. in the Children’s Story Room at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St. 744-4066.

• Teens will wrap last-minute gifts Saturday, Dec. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St., with their hand-made, Japanese-style gift boxes. 744-4066.

Beat the Holiday Blues

With so many parties and festivities the holiday season can be joyful and special, but also overwhelming and stressful.

Winter depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), affects many with feelings of sadness, loneliness and irritability.

If you or someone you know seems to be experiencing extended sadness, fatigue, lack of energy or increased abuse of drugs or alcohol during the holiday season, Public Health Department urges you to call a medical or mental health provider right away.

There are plenty of local resources to help including Pasadena Healthcare Link, a 24/7 information line at 744-7445 that can help you find health resources and programs. Our Recovery Center, an outpatient drug prevention and treatment program, is also available at 744-6001.

Pasadena’s General Plan:
Share Your Ideas About Open Space

A traveling kiosk with timely information about the Open Space and Conservation Element of the General Plan will make the rounds in December and January at the Villa-Parke and Victory Park farmers markets, parks throughout Pasadena, shopping areas, community centers and branch libraries.

You’ll learn about open space in Pasadena and plans for preserving and protecting the environment, plus you’ll be asked for your suggestions.

For dates, locations and more information, or to arrange for the kiosk to be at your neighborhood, school or club event, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/planningcomments or call 744-6767.

Future events related to the Open Space and Conservation Element include a community fair in early 2009.

To receive email updates, contact ldahl@cityofpasadena.net or call 744-6767.

Warm Up to Holiday Fire Safety

Candles and lights are a big part of the holiday season and are, along with portable heaters, the most common cause of wintertime fires.

Pasadena Fire Department offers these tips for keeping your home and loved ones safe:

• Water your tree daily to keep it fresh. Keep it away from heat.

• If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is fire-retardant.

• Use only flame-retardant or non-combustible materials.

• Make sure your fireplace or wood stove is in working condition. Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned, if necessary, before lighting a fire. Burn only chopped wood – never pine boughs, paper or old gift wrap.

• Don’t set lit candles near young children or pets; keep matches and lighters out of reach.

• Check decorative lights for burned-out bulbs or frayed cords. Don’t overload electrical circuits.

• Always keep a family first aid kit and fire extinguisher on hand.

• When choosing a new space heater, look for ULC/CSA approval on the box. Make sure the heater shuts off automatically if it tips over.

• Space heaters need space! Keep yours at least three feet away from curtains, furniture and other objects.

• Never use a space heater as a drying rack.

• Never use a barbecue or hibachi indoors. For more fire safety tips visit www.cityofpasadena.net/disaster or call 744-4655.

continue to next page