he seven guiding principles of Pasadena’s General Plan paint the big picture for our community’s future. Working together, the statements balance the expectations of residents, business owners, professionals and visitors:

1. Growth will be targeted to serve community needs and enhance the quality of life.

2. Change will be harmonized to preserve Pasadena’s historic character and environment.

3. Economic vitality will be promoted to provide jobs, services, revenues and opportunities.

4. Pasadena will be promoted as a healthy family community.

5. Pasadena will be a city where people can circulate without cars.

6. Pasadena will be promoted as a cultural, entertainment, scientific, corporate, and educational center for the region.

7. Community participation will be a permanent part of achieving a greater city.

Adopted in 1994 and reaffirmed with General Plan updates in 2004, the seven principles are at the center of our attention again as we update the General Plan’s land use and mobility elements.

While the principles remain the same, much has changed over the last 15 years: New development in multifamily neighborhoods was limited by the 1994 plan; new construction was directed to seven specific plan areas where transit is most available (even in those areas, new development is limited); Pasadena ARTS buses began serving the entire city and the Metro Gold Line arrived, offering new options for getting around; and, housing developed rapidly in the downtown area.

Now, as we look to the future once again, our attention is also focused on environmental, social and economic sustainability.

As we update the land use and mobility elements, do you think these seven principles give us the balance we need? Should other principles be added?

Tell us what you think at www.cityofpasadena.net/planningcomments and watch for future meetings. For more information call 744-6774.

Building on Our “Momentum to Succeed”

Get the latest on the economy and learn about the city’s future plans during the Mayor’s 2009 State of the City Event on Thursday, Jan. 22, at Pasadena Civic Auditorium’s Gold Room, 300 E. Green St.

Open to the public and following the theme “Momentum to Succeed,” the annual event will begin with a reception in the foyer at 6:30 p.m. and information tables from city departments.

The program will begin at 7 p.m. in the Gold Room and will include a special performance by Furious Theatre Company and a video highlighting the city’s accomplishments in 2008. The Mayor will then take the stage to cover Pasadena’s many plans, successes and challenges in public safety, transportation, environmental stewardship, public health, children and families, economic development, arts and culture, and much more. Refreshments will be provided after the program.

Parking will be provided free of charge in the structure on Euclid Avenue between Green and Cordova streets. Bring your parking voucher to the event for validation by staff.

If you can’t be there, watch the presentation live on KPAS or via streaming video at www.cityofpasadena.net (click on City News). A replay schedule will be announced.

For more information call 744-4311.

Book the Perfect Spot – Online

From quiet picnic shelters in shaded parks to large auditoriums at community centers, we have the perfect spot for your next event! Research and reserve dozens of recreational facilities citywide at www.cityofpasadena.net/reserve.

pintoresca For each park and facility, the handy site includes a photo, maximum capacity, calendar of available dates, list of amenities, hours of operation and phone number. You can also search the entire database by location, facility type and amenities.

Offerings include spacious lawns and picnic areas, swimming pools, baseball diamonds, boxing rings, basketball, volleyball, handball and tennis courts, wedding and party sites, conference rooms and classrooms, auditoriums, archery range and much more.

You can also find, register and pay for recreation classes.

Facilities can be reserved for nominal hourly rates with discounts offered to Pasadena residents and local non-profit organizations.

For more information call 744-7275 and press 3.

Help Take the Bite Out of Bark Beetles

It may sound like a B movie, but Pasadena is under attack by bark beetles! Common in local mountains, the pests are damaging our urban forest by worming their way into Pasadena’s pine trees. They feed on inner bark, eventually killing the pines and increasing the risk of wildfires.

Several factors have helped them spread: Air pollution and years of drought have weakened local pine trees and made them more susceptible to the beetle; and because pine trees tend to grow close together, the beetles can easily hop from one to another.

You can help stop the attack by removing infested, dead or dying trees immediately; be sure to check pine firewood as well. Tell-tale signs include white pitch tubes, indicating your tree has fought off an attack, and reddish-brown pitch tubes signaling a successful invasion. You may also see an actual beetle or sawdust at the base of a tree, or the needles may have faded to pale green, straw yellow or rust red.

To protect your healthy trees and ward off attacks, keep them watered, do not over-prune and prune them only in winter; never prune in summer when the beetles are most active.

For more help, consult a certified arborist; you’ll find a list at www.pasadenabeautiful.org.

For more information or to report an infestation, call 744-3846.

New Year’s Fun at Your Nearest Library

Set a new year’s resolution with your family to explore new interests with the help of Pasadena Public Library.

Little ones ages 8 and older and their parents will enjoy a humor-filled chat about Internet safety by Wayne the Magician on Monday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr., and Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd.

They’ll create masterpieces Thursday, Jan. 15, from 4 to 5 p.m. and sip tea with the Rose Queen and her princesses Saturday, Jan. 17, from 1:45 to 3 p.m. at Hastings Branch. They’ll enjoy pirate tales and games Saturday, Jan. 24, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch and try their hands at science experiments Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 3 to 4 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.

Teens will explore Anime on Saturday, Jan. 10, at noon at Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St. or Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 3:30 p.m. at Hastings Branch; challenge friends during Board Game Mania on Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave.; compete in a day-long Monopoly tournament Saturday, Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch; and create scrapbooks from MySpace photos Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 4 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch.

Adults can help kick off the 2009 Los Angeles Opera series with a discussion of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. at Central Library, or build up “The Courage to Write” during a special workshop Saturday, Jan. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the La Pintoresca Branch.

For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/library or call 744-4066.

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