By Kirk Myers Assistant Archivist, Pasadena Museum of History On March 28, 1948 C.F. Shoop wrote in his Pasadena Star-News history column, “Auld Lang Syne,” about a reunion that hearkened back to the early days of a very different Pasadena. The article was titled “Pasadena ‘Boys’ of Sixty Years Ago Relive City’s Early Days at Reunion.” Shoop wrote “…I heard today about a reunion held recently by four Pasadena ‘boys’ now grown to sturdy manhood.” They “met the other day...
Featured Stories
P-22’s Legacy: Connect Wildlife Habitats
By John Howell Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel, Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy This past December the greater Los Angeles area heard the tragic news that longtime local mountain lion “celebrity” P-22 had died. “P-22 never fully got to be a mountain lion,” said National Wildlife Federation cougar expert Beth Pratt in her deeply moving eulogy to P-22. She was absolutely right. Laid to rest a few weeks ago in the wilderness of the Santa Monica Mountains, P-22 spent his...
City Council Establishes 710 Stub Advisory Working Group
By David Bise Director, West Pasadena Residents' Association Pasadena City Council recently appointed those who will serve as members of the 710 stub group known as the Reconnecting Communities Advisory Group. The 16-member group will provide guidance and advice to City Council on the redevelopment of the nearly 50 acres in west Pasadena known as the 710 stub. The Working Group will provide input to City Council on the vision, land use, massing, circulation and other urban design aspects of...
Latest District 6 Town Hall Provided Updates on Transportation and Public Works Projects in San Rafael Hills
Councilmember Steve Madison hosted the latest District 6 Town Hall on Thursday, March 9, at San Rafael Elementary School. Caltrans officials provided an update and answered questions about the barrier improvement project on the Pioneer Bridge/134 freeway. Read the documents they provided about the project here. Pasadena Transportation Department Director Laura Rubio-Cornejo provided an update on local transportation projects in and around San Rafael Hills. Read her PowerPoint presentation here. Pasadena Public Works Director Tony Olmos provided an update on...
City of Pasadena Commits to Achieving 100% Carbon Free Electricity by 2030
Pasadena is now committed to achieving 100% carbon free electricity by 2030. As far as I’m concerned, this is a unanimous mandate from the City Council, not a lofty, aspirational policy goal. If challenges such as the affordability of the new energy sources arise, we must find solutions and stay true to our commitment to go carbon free. If we need to subsidize low-income families, I'm all for that. If we need to look at different approaches to our rate...
City of Pasadena Announces New Measure H Webpage and Rental Housing Board Application
Want to learn more about Measure H, the recent voter-approved rent control charter amendment? The City has established a new webpage on its website to keep the community informed about the Pasadena Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment, which went into effect on December 22, 2022, and is now Article XVIII in the City Charter. The webpage provides an update on the background and implementation of the charter amendment, responsibilities of the future Rental Housing Board, and the proposed appointment...
Apply for the 710 Stub Working Group
The application period for the City’s 710 Working Group is now open! It took more than half a century, but the enormous portion of West Pasadena–about 50 acres–known as the 710 “stub” has finally been relinquished to the City of Pasadena. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reconnect our city and re-envision what we want this historic space to be. If you want to be considered to be part of the community group that will help advise the City Council...
The Orange Groves of Early Pasadena
By Kirk Myers Assistant Archivist, Pasadena Museum of History In 1883 Lyman Allen wrote about the start of Pasadena in 1874: “The first settlers of Pasadena planted their places mostly to seedling orange trees, with a variety of deciduous fruits for home use.” Allen noted that nine years later “The people of Pasadena are employed in fruit growing, almost exclusively, for a livelihood, and do not think of devoting their lands to any other purpose, or engaging in any other...
Preserving a Critical Passage Route for Wildlife
By John Howell Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel, Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy In our region, the San Rafael Hills and Verdugo Mountains are isolated areas of habitat — biological islands. Ensuring safe passage for wildlife means building wildlife corridors [See map below], connecting these islands to one another and to the biodiverse San Gabriel Mountains beyond. Arroyo & Foothills Conservancy’s (AFC) Hahamongna to Tujunga Wildlife Corridor project is intended to create and preserve free and inviting passage from the...
Update on the One Arroyo Trails Project
By Rick Gould Executive Director, One Arroyo Foundation The One Arroyo project has achieved another major milestone. The environmental assessment and report have been submitted to the City for review. One Arroyo had hoped the report would be ready in the Summer of 2022, but additional historical work regarding the Parker Mayberry Bridge (PMB) portion of the project became necessary. While this process has been slow, it has been thorough, ensuring that the review is complete. City staff, in conjunction...