Navigate Your Way Through New Year’s Week

REVELERS WILL SOON BE COMING to help celebrate the 117th Tournament of Roses and other exciting New Year’s events and Pasadena residents will join in the celebration.

float First, remember this year’s parade is set for Monday, Jan. 2, (the parade is never on Sunday) and the Rose Bowl Game is Wednesday, Jan. 4. This year’s game will also be the big Bowl Championship Series showdown, pitting the two best college teams in the U.S. against each other for the national championship. Plan your commute carefully and watch for crowds.

You’ll also want to mark your calendar for the Pasadena Food Bowl set for Tuesday, Jan. 3, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Old Pasadena, featuring cuisine from more than 35 Pasadena restaurants, art displays, street performers, live bands, Children’s Village and ice-carving exhibition. Admission is free; food and beverage tickets will be sold at the event.

Put your friendly voice to work as a Holiday Hotline volunteer Dec. 29 through Jan. 4 for the Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau. With a little training you’ll help callers learn where to park an RV, how to nab last-minute tickets, when events begin and more. Call 795-9311 before Nov. 21 to sign up for a shift.

For more news and information on all of Pasadena’s New Year’s events, call the Holiday Hotline at (877) 793-9911 after Dec. 29 or visit www.tournamentofroses.com.

Tips for a Safe Season

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, follow these tips from the Pasadena Fire Department to protect your home and family from fire hazards.

• When shopping for a tree, look for one with green needles that stay put when you tug on them; this means the tree is fresh. Keep it in water, and check the level every day. If you’re using an artificial tree, make sure it’s flame retardant.

• Wait until about two weeks before the holidays before putting up your tree. Otherwise, it may dry out and create a fire hazard. Fires spread quickly to nearby furniture.

• Set up your tree away from fireplaces, heater vents or other heat sources.

• Check your holiday lights thoroughly for any frayed wires, gaps in insulation, broken or cracked sockets or excessive wear. If they look worn, buy new ones, and look for sets that have been rated by an approved testing laboratory.

• Blow out any candles and shut off your lights overnight and whenever you’re not home.

• Never link more than three strands of lights (unless the directions say it’s safe) or overload electrical outlets. Wires should never be warm to the touch.

• Use only nonflammable decorations and ornaments.

• If you use candles, make sure they’re in sturdy holders in places where pets and children can’t reach them or pull them down.

• Keep your family evacuation plans up to date and put fresh batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

For more tips call 744-4675.

Police Launch Mediation Program

THE PASADENA POLICE DEPARTMENT PRIDES ITSELF on its close working relationship with residents and businesses throughout the community. When a conflict or misunderstanding comes up, they want it resolved as soon as possible.

To help, the Police Department has teamed up with the Western Justice Center Foundation and the L.A. County Bar Dispute Resolution Center to create a mediation program that is the first of its kind. On a voluntary and confidential basis, people who feel they’ve been unfairly treated by a Pasadena police officer may meet with a non-biased expert mediator.

The process gives everyone in the community the opportunity to be heard and offer suggestions in a fair and open forum while clearing up any misunderstandings or confusion about police practices. Each side has the chance to explain behaviors and learn from mistakes.

Complaints that are eligible for mediation involve police procedures, service, courtesy or tactics. More serious charges, such as excessive force, unlawful arrests, slurs or criminal conduct, are handled by investigators. For more information visit www.westernjustice.org or call 584-7494.

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	Public Affairs

Navigate Your Way Through New Year’s Week

Tips for a Safe Season

Police Launch Mediation Program

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