he streets of Pasadena will come alive Friday, March 13, from 6 to 10 p.m. during the 21st semi-annual ArtNight Pasadena, an enchanting evening of art, culture and entertainment. Offering the perfect mix of traditional and trendy, this popular event will appeal to any taste!

Fourteen of Pasadena’s renowned cultural institutions will offer free admission and complimentary shuttles will provide curb-to-curb transportation among the venues.

One Colorado and Pasadena City College will present videos by local artists, while members of the Pasadena Jazz Institute will perform at Paseo Colorado and the Orchestras of Pasadena will present “Rebirth!” at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Side Street Projects will showcase art cars, contraptions and vintage travel rarities, while Pasadena Central Library is staging a Mexican fiesta celebrating the 2009 One City, One Story novel, “The Hummingbird’s Daughter.” Art lovers will tour the Alliance Française de Pasadena, Armory Center for the Arts, Art Center College of Design Williamson/Student Galleries, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena Museum of History, Pacific Asia Museum and Shumei Arts Council of America.

Start your night at your favorite attraction and then carpool, hop on a free bus, join a bicycle tour or walk to nearby venues.

ArtNight Pasadena is an ongoing partnership of the Planning and Development Department’s Cultural Affairs Division and the community’s many institutions to showcase Pasadena as an exciting cultural destination. The event is sponsored by the Arts & Culture Commission. For more information, visit www.artnightpasadena.org or call 744-7887. For information about accessibility or to request written materials in alternative formats, call 744-7249.

Culture Abounds Year-round

If your family or friends are visiting Pasadena this year, they have a long list of great weekend events to choose from!

You can help them plan a memorable trip by stopping by the Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau’s new information center at 300 E. Green St. for brochures, maps and discounts. You can also check out their website at www.visitpasadena.com and click on the artpass button for a new, simple way to buy tickets to multiple Pasadena venues online, or call 795-9311.

Upcoming events include Greening the Earth Day on Saturday, April 25; Museums of the Arroyo tour Sunday, May 17; Pasadena Chalk Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 20 and 21; free summer concerts at the Levitt Pavilion; and the Rose Bowl Stadium fireworks spectacular Saturday, July 4.

Find these and other events at www.cityofpasadena.net/calendar.

March 10 is Election Day!

Be sure to vote at your designated polling place Tuesday, March 10. Voters will make their choices for City Council Districts 3, 5 and 7, and Board of Education seats 1, 3, 5 and 7.

Pasadena Convention Center will be abuzz that evening with the counting of the ballots. Beginning at 8 p.m., election coverage will be broadcast live on 55 KPAS and via streaming video at www.cityofpasadena.net (click on City News). On Pasadena televisions where cable is connected directly to the set and not through a cable box, KPAS can be found on channel 1.

Election results will also be updated continually that evening at www.cityofpasadena.net/cityclerk/election.

If necessary, a runoff election will be scheduled Tuesday, April 21.

For information on polling locations or to view your sample ballot pamphlet,
call 744-4124.

Pasadena’s General Plan: For Generations to Come

From enjoying the natural environment to having access to transportation options, Pasadena residents, workers and visitors can trace their love of this community to the General Plan.

It is more than a document; it is a guide for future development and quality of life created by the people of Pasadena. Public works projects, zoning decisions and many other matters must be consistent with the General Plan if they are to be approved.

As we move forward with the updates of four elements, or chapters, of the General Plan, it is important to consider that they are not intended solely for present-day Pasadena, but for generations to come.

A committee will be appointed by the Pasadena City Council this month to ensure widely diverse public participation and work with staff and experts in the development of the Land Use and Mobility Elements of the General Plan.

A recently redesigned website will help keep you informed and engaged at www.cityofpasadena.net/generalplan. The site will be continually updated as we approach mid- to late-April. That’s when community events will be scheduled and other education opportunities will be offered to help you participate in the General Plan updates.

For more information call 744-4009.

Free Activities at Your Local Library

Children
• Brush up on drawing skills with students from Art Center College of Design every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at San Rafael Branch Library, 1240 Nithsdale Road. 744-7270.

• Follow the leprechauns Tuesday, March 17, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for St. Patrick’s Day crafts at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd. 744-7262.

Teens
• Join our official Anime Club, then watch and critique the latest releases Saturday, March 21, from noon to 2 p.m. at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St.
(744-4066) or Tuesday, March 24, at 3:30 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library.

• Put your hands to good use during an “unplugged” gaming tournament Wednesday, March 25, at 3:30 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
744-7268.

Adults
• Participate in events and activities related to “The Hummingbird’s Daughter,“
this year’s One City, One Story novel, through March and April. www.cityofpasadena.net/library/OCOS_2009 or 744-4066.

• Get organized and save money, time and stress this spring with tips from a professional home organizer Tuesday, March 24, at 7 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library.

Celebrate the Opening of Our Newest Architectural Gem

Check out the newly expanded Pasadena Convention Center during a three-day grand opening celebration.

The eagerly awaited festivities will include live entertainment and refreshments:

Friday, April 3
Noon – Ribbon-cutting ceremony with local dignitaries.

Saturday, April 4
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Home Show and Real Estate Expo with distinctive vendors, cooking demonstrations and much more. Free admission and parking will be included.

Sunday, April 5
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Home Show and Real Estate Expo continues.
3 to 5 p.m. – Luis Urrea, author of this year’s One City, One Story novel “The Hummingbird’s Daughter,” will speak about his experiences researching and writing the book, and answer questions from the audience. Free admission and parking will be included for both events.

The center now offers 60,000 square feet of exhibit space and a new 25,000-square-foot ballroom. The conference building has been completely renovated and outfitted with a new façade. With help from Pasadena Water and Power, the center has met ambitious environmental goals and is expected to receive Silver Certification from the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

In addition to conventions and conferences, the center will continue to host consumer shows and events as well as weddings, fundraisers and proms to appeal to residents of all ages. The state-of-the-art center is also expected to draw more business to Pasadena’s shops, restaurants and hotels. Come join the celebration!

For more information, visit www.pasadenacenter.com or call 793-2122.

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