Architectural Treasures from the Recent Past

asadena is renowned for its turn-of-the-century treasures, from the towering Castle Green and our historic City Hall to a remarkable collection of Arts and Crafts-era homes designed by architects Greene and Greene.

pasqual But what about some of Pasadena’s more modern marvels? With a generous grant from the California Office of Historic Preservation’s Certified Local Government Program, city planners recently worked with Pasadena Heritage and Historic Resources Group to document important Pasadena properties designed and built between 1935 and 1965.

Based on in-depth research, reviews of previous studies and field reconnaissance, the team’s final “Cultural Resources of the Recent Past Historic Context Report” identifies more than 60 important buildings from that era, including homes, churches, restaurants and shops.

The report also describes important architectural styles from the period, including Mid-century Modern, California Ranch and Minimal Traditional, and how these trends contributed to Pasadena’s character. History buffs will find biographies of architects, builders, developers and landscape architects.

The first document of its kind, the report will help city leaders and historic preservation advocates determine which buildings should be considered landmarks, especially when they’re proposed for special designation or to be demolished or altered.

You can now find the report online at www.cityofpasadena.net (look under the What’s New column). Hard copies are also available for review at the Permit Center, 175 N. Garfield Ave., window #4, along with a companion survey by city staff that lists 500 local properties from the era.

For more information call 744-7806.

An Era of Vital Connections

Turn your attention to Pasadena’s future at the 2008 State of the City event Thursday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the new locker room complex at the Rose Bowl Stadium.

With the theme “Vital Connections,” our mayor will review accomplishments of the past year and spotlight the many community partnerships that are making Pasadena a very special place to live, work and visit.

The free community event will also feature the posting of the colors by the Pasadena Fire Department Honor Guard, an ensemble of 14 young guitarists from Pasadena Conservatory of Music, a video presentation, refreshments from the Lemonade Brigade, Spanish language interpreters, and information tables sponsored by city departments. Pasadena Police Department Explorer Scouts will assist guests.

Park in Lot F and enter through Gate A. If you can’t make it, look for the televised program that evening at 8 p.m. on 55 KPAS and via streaming video (www.cityofpasadena.net, click on City News).

Check the website for the daily replay schedule. For more information call 744-4755.

Pasadena and the Arts: A Perfect Combination

Pasadena is a vibrant arena for arts and cultural offerings savored by residents, visitors and workers.

A new brochure featuring eight walking and biking tours highlights Pasadena’s public art collection. Each tour takes about 30 minutes, leading you to expansive murals, magical fountains, towering sculptures and other pieces that grace Pasadena’s shopping districts, plazas, schools and streetscapes.

A juried exhibition of artwork by 30 talented Pasadena Unified School District students from kindergarten through 12th grade is on display outside the council chamber on the second floor of Pasadena City Hall. Titled “Bridging Boundaries: Student Art Connecting the Pasadena Community,” the exhibition is the second in a series that will continue through May 2008.

Don’t miss the first ArtNight Pasadena of 2008, scheduled for Friday, March 14, from 6 to 10 p.m. Sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Division, Arts & Culture Commission and many of Pasadena’s cultural institutions, the popular event features free admission to more than a dozen venues plus an organized bike tour, restaurant specials and free shuttles. Visit www.artnightpasadena.org or call 744-7887 for more information.

Join us for the next Cultural Nexus Summit in March, when you’ll have an opportunity to provide input on the direction of arts and culture in Pasadena in 2008. Cultural Nexus, Pasadena’s 10-year action plan for promoting arts and culture, aims to make the arts more accessible and relevant to residents and visitors.

For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/arts or call 744-7062.

Get Up and Moving with the Mayor

There’s nothing like a brisk morning walk to lift your spirits and get your body moving. Join Pasadena’s mayor and special guests for a walk around the Rose Bowl Stadium the first Wednesday of every month at 7:45 a.m. beginning Feb. 6.

Special guests, who are prominent Pasadena residents, will strap on their sneakers and join in the fun: John Naber, Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer, on Feb. 6; Larry Wilson, Pasadena Star-News public editor, on March 5; and Gale Hurd, producer of the “Terminator” movies, on Apr. 2. Bring your neighbors, coworkers, friends and family and meet at the stadium’s Gate A for an invigorating workout.

Up & Moving Pasadena is a communitywide effort to support fitness for health. For more information visit www.upandmoving.org or call 831-2980.

Phone System Issues Automatic Emergency Alerts

Pasadena's fire and police departments have a sophisticated phone system called PLEAS that is capable of calling hundreds of Pasadena residents and business owners per hour.

During a substantial threat to life or property, the system is able to map out a specific geographic area and list the phone numbers for properties in that area. An emergency message is recorded and relayed to every phone number on the list.

The system has several safeguards to make sure it reaches as many people as possible including unlisted numbers for emergency purposes only. The system can also detect whether it has reached a person, data line, fax line or voice mail, and plays messages accordingly. It can also detect which lines are out of order or busy, and will call busy numbers many times at set intervals before giving up.

If you receive a call, listen for this phrase: “This is an official alert from the city of Pasadena.” Then listen for instructions. Let your family members and employees know announcements are usually in English only, and instruct children to have an adult in the house listen to the message. Be sure not to attach an electronic anti-telemarketing device to your phone, which can interfere with incoming emergency announcements. Instead, place your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry at
(888) 382-1222 or at www.DoNotCall.gov.

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	Public Affairs