Going Green Wins Gold

hen it was first completed in 1927, Pasadena City Hall served as a symbol of our city’s strength and beauty. Eighty-one years later, after a top-to-bottom renovation, the towering structure spotlights Pasadena’s commitment to the environment.

fountain The landmark was recently awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is the internationally respected rating system that recognizes buildings that meet high standards in sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design.

During a three-year renovation led by the Public Works Department, Pasadena Water and Power provided funding and expert advice to transform the building into a model of efficiency and environmental stewardship. The project was completed in spring 2007 ahead of schedule and under budget.

New heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems have made the building 20 percent more energy efficient than state standards and the building is the first city-owned facility in Pasadena with 100 percent green power. Efficient plumbing fixtures have cut water use by 50 percent. Only low-emission and high-recycled-content materials were used and the janitorial crew now uses green cleaning products. Bike storage, showers and preferred parking encourage employees to walk, bike, carpool and drive low-emission vehicles to work. Smoking is prohibited in the building and on the grounds.

Pasadena became one of the first U.S. cities to adopt LEED guidelines for privately owned buildings and now requires a minimum LEED Silver certification for municipal buildings with 5,000 square feet or more of new construction.

For more information about the City Hall project visit www.cityofpasadena.net/cityhall or call 744-4695.

Celebrating Historic Preservation

With more than 1,000 historic landmarks Pasadena has much to celebrate during National Historic Preservation Month in May.

The community is invited to a special ceremony Thursday, May 15, at 7 p.m. in the courtyard at Pasadena City Hall where selected property owners will earn Pasadena Historic Preservation Awards for their efforts to restore some of our community’s architectural treasures.

The event is sponsored by the Historic Preservation Commission, a group whose mission is to protect and recognize the important Pasadena landmark properties that link us to the past. To date, the commission has helped draw attention to more than 1,000 Pasadena properties that are now listed on the National Register for Historic Places, more than 50 fine examples by architects Greene & Greene, 80 landmarks and 16 landmark districts. In the process, historic preservation has become one of Pasadena’s proudest achievements.

For more information call 744-4009.

Protect Your Recyclables

The recyclables you’ve saved for your blue-lidded bin – plastic bags, jars, cans, bottles and more – are taken to the Allan Company in Baldwin Park where crews sort them and sell them to manufacturers that turn them into brand-new products. Revenues help offset our costs of collection, promote waste diversion programs and support environmental education.

With this process, we can be sure Pasadena is doing its best to conserve natural resources and divert trash from local landfills.

Unless, of course, scavengers get to them first! It’s against the law to interfere with city trash collectors or take recyclables from bins, but scavengers have found that this can be profitable.

While the city is working hard to fix this difficult problem, you can help. Put your recycling bin at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on your collection day rather than the night before to stop nighttime and early morning scavenging. Place beverage containers with CRV value at the bottom and pile newspapers and other items on top.

Never confront scavengers. If you spot scavengers in your neighborhood, call Pasadena Police Department at 744-4241 and provide a description of the perpetrators.

For more information about recycling, call the Public Works Department at 744-4087.

Lamanda Park Branch Library celebrates the big
4-0 Saturday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with children’s activities, prizes and more. Do you have special memories, photos or other memorabilia to share? Send to Memory Book, Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr., 91107.
(626) 744-7266.

What is it? It lets blind and visually impaired pedestrians know they’re about to leave the sidewalk and enter the street. Bumps and the bright color give tactile and visual warnings. “Truncated domes” are being installed on curb ramps in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state building codes. 744-4782.

In Memory of Fallen Soldiers

flag U.S. military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country will be honored during very special events in commemoration of Memorial Day.

Sunday, May 25, Music Under the Stars in front of Pasadena City Hall will include a special musical tribute to America’s armed forces. A free family festival at 5:30 p.m. will be followed by the 7:30 p.m. free concert by the Pasadena Pops. Bring a picnic or visit the food court. 793-7172.

Monday, May 26, at 11 a.m. the community is invited to a free ceremony at Memorial Park. The color guard will include JROTC from John Muir High School; Gold Star banners will be unveiled, each with the name of a Pasadena soldier killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan; soldiers throughout the San Gabriel Valley killed in action will be remember while a bell is tolled at the reading of each name; and “Taps” will be played by echoing buglers at opposite ends of the park. The banners will be displayed in the near future along the perimeter of the park. 795-8141.

Immediately following this event, a barbecue with all the trimmings at Pasadena Senior Center at the south end of the park will include an old-fashioned sing-along of patriotic songs. Pre-paid reservations are required. Email CynthiaR@pasadenaseniorcenter.org or call 685-6706.

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