MAY - JUNE 2009

New Tool for Exploring Pasadena

A touch-screen information kiosk has been added to the Metro Gold Line’s Memorial Park Station, thanks to the generosity of Pasadena Rotary, which donated $10,000 to help orient newcomers to Pasadena. The kiosk is located between the station and Pasadena Senior Center, and can be seen by looking for the “i” in a circle, the international symbol for tourist information. The easy-to-use kiosk provides directions to visitors—and residents—looking for dining, shopping, entertainment or other features within walking range of the station, including Old Pasadena, Central Library and City Hall. Another kiosk is located at Del Mar Station, and more are in the planning stages. For more information call 744-7346.

New Committee will Guide General Plan Updates

To help oversee updates to the Land Use and Mobility Elements of the General Plan, the Pasadena City Council recently established a committee of community representatives.

The General Plan Update Advisory Committee will guide the public outreach program to ensure widely diverse participation, and engage with city staff and other experts in the development of General Plan documents.

Meetings are scheduled the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at locations throughout Pasadena.

The Land Use and Mobility Elements work together to help identify where buildings and parks should be located, and to manage transportation needs that result from these land uses.

A kickoff celebration for the updates that was originally planned for this month will take place in autumn.

For committee agendas and meeting locations, a list of members and more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/generalplan or call 744-4009.

Brush Up on Your Survival Skills 

Learn how to help your neighborhood survive a crisis during the second annual Pasadena Emergency Response Team (PERT) Boot Camp on Saturday, May 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at John Muir High School, 1905 Lincoln Ave. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and training will begin at 9 a.m.

Perfect for neighborhood associations, Neighborhood Watch groups, churches, non-profits and school groups, the boot camp will prepare you to organize your resources and logistics before a disaster hits. Emergency crews may not be able to respond immediately after a major disaster, so advance planning will help you and your neighbors remain self-sufficient for up to 72 hours.

During this free session, you’ll work as a group to learn disaster preparedness, emergency medical care, fire suppression, and light search and rescue. You’ll also walk through a simulated disaster. Participants need to be at least 11 years old and will receive complimentary breakfast and lunch plus a PERT backpack stocked with emergency equipment.

For more information call 744-4444 or e-mail district1@cityofpasadena.net (write “PERT” in the subject line).

Supporting Art and Artists

Pasadena has long been a haven for artists and Cultural Affairs Division of the Planning and Development Department wants to keep it that way with a range of support and services.

• Sponsored by the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission and the Cultural Affairs Division, the 2009/2010 arts grant program provides funding to local arts organizations and individual artists who help enrich our community’s cultural cachet. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Monday, June 8.

• By adding their resumes to the free Artist’s Registry, artists can boost their visibility and promote their talents to potential buyers, schools and arts organizations.

• Likewise, the free Artist’s Resource Directory is a clearing house of information on job, exhibition, performance and funding opportunities, plus a great networking tool for artists, organizations and businesses.

To check out these and other resources call 744-6915 or visit www.cityofpasadena.net/arts.

The Price is Right at Your Neighborhood Library

Money’s tight all around! Keep your brood entertained this season with free activities at your neighborhood library.

Families can explore the Polynesian islands with Tavanna’s Wicky Wacky Wahines on Saturday, May 16, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr. Learn some dances, make a lei and sample island snacks and stories. 744-7266.
Don’t miss Family Fun Day at La Pintoresca Park and Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with great food, entertainment, arts and crafts, a skate park competition and a disc jockey. 744-7268.

Beginning Saturday, June 13, children in grades 6 and under can join the Summer Reading Club at any Pasadena library. Sponsored by Friends of the Pasadena Public Library, the popular program offers young readers weekly prizes for visiting the library and telling us what books they’ve enjoyed. The program also includes family entertainment all summer long. Kicking off the season in June, “Flights of Fantasy” will have your kids laughing out loud. In July they’ll be dazzled by “Illusions by Allen” and August will bring the creative critters of Pacific Animal Productions. “Tales and Tunes” series Thursdays in July with musicians and storytellers.

For information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/librarykids.

Teens can also jump into the Summer Reading Club starting Saturday, June 20! Just read a book, fill out a slip and place it in the decorated box at any Pasadena library for your chance to win weekly prizes with teen appeal.

And don’t miss out on the fun teen programs listed at www.cityofpasadena.net/libraryteens.

For more information about library programs for children and teens, call 744-4066, option 4.
 

The city of Pasadena faces unprecedented fiscal challenges as a result of a structural budget imbalance in the General Fund, dramatic increased costs associated with water and power supplies, and the national economic climate. Public meetings for decision-making for the next fiscal year budget beginning July 1, 2009, began in April. They will continue in May.

Monday, May 18
Review of proposed budgets for Transportation Department, City Clerk, Library and Information Services Department, Finance Department

Monday, June 1
Review of proposed budgets for Human Services & Recreation Department, Housing Department, Police Department, Fire Department

Monday, June 8
Budget wrap up and review of year end fund balance projection

Monday, June 15
Proposed adoption of FY 2010 Operating Budget

Be part of the solution! For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/budget or call 744-4336.