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Pasadena history

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The 2023 West Pasadena Residents’ Association Annual Meeting

2 May 2023

WPRA to host its 61st annual meeting on May 31, 2023

The West Pasadena Residents’ Association (wpra.net) invites you to join us — in person — for our 2023 annual meeting on Wednesday, May 31, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., in the Maranatha High School Student Center, 169 S. St. John Ave. [Free parking is available next to the school on S. St. John: general parking is underground (beneath the athletic field); handicapped parking is on the surface lot.]

5:30 p.m.: Meet and greet

The evening starts with an information fair (and sweet treats) featuring representatives from multiple city agencies, community groups and organizations exhibiting their services and programs. In addition, those attending the meeting will have an opportunity to rub elbows with a number of local leaders including:

  • Victor Gordo, Pasadena Mayor
  • Steve Madison, Pasadena Councilmember (District 6)
  • Kathryn Barger, LA County Supervisor (District 5)
  • Chris Holden, State Assemblymember (District 41)
  • Anthony Portantino, State Senator (District 25)

6:30 p.m.: Business program

The theme of the meeting is “Pasadena 101: Meet our new City leaders.” We hope to provide unique access to leaders of a number of critical city services, and an opportunity to discover more effective ways to access City services, resolve issues, get information, help shape City policy, and, of course, help make Pasadena an even better place to live, work, play, and raise a family. 

Delivering this information and guidance will be:

  • Miguel Márquez, city manager. Before joining the City of Pasadena in 2022, Márquez served as the chief operating officer of Santa Clara County. Previously he served as an associate justice of the California Sixth District Court of Appeals, county counsel for Santa Clara County, general counsel of the San Francisco Unified School District, and deputy city attorney in the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office. A native of Sacramento, Márquez received a law degree from UC Berkeley Law School, a master’s degree in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Stanford University.

  • Sidney Jackson, general manager of Pasadena Water and Power. Jackson has a long tenure in the water-and-power industries. Before joining PWP, he served as the chief operations officer and deputy general manager at Austin (Texas) Energy, and chief operations officer at Rochester (New York) Public Utility. Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Kansas State University and a master’s in business administration from the University of Missouri.

  • Tim McDonald, acting director of Libraries and Information Services. After 11 years with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, McDonald joined the Pasadena Library System in 2016 as manager of Library Services. Subsequently he was promoted to acting deputy director of Libraries and Information Services. McDonald earned bachelor’s degrees from Swarthmore College and DePaul University, and a master’s degree in Library Information Services from the University of North Texas.

All are  welcome to join us for this — our 61st — annual meeting.


Filed Under: Events Tagged With: Annual Meetings Pasadena city leaders Pasadena history WPRA

WPRA News Letter Fall 2022

23 Sep 2022

In this issue

Pasadena reclaims 710 stub from State, begins reimagining the 50-acre corridor

Help us find the right balance

Opinion: Vote ‘Yes’ on Measure L

WPRA recommends voters approve Measure L

On the passing of: John J. Kennedy, 61

Westside road improvements may be on the way

PH speaks for historic furniture factory

Opinion: As the City pursues new revenue streams, neighbors are too often left on sidelines

A thank-you and reminder to our members!

AFC is training the next generation of conservationists, environmentalists

“Party of the century” celebrates stadium’s 100th anniversary

Pasadena Senior Center: assumptions vs. reality

Terrace Drive: a grand scheme that was not to be

Officers

PresidentEvan Davis
Vice PresidentDan Beal
SecretaryKenyon Harbison
TreasurerBlaine Cavena

Tagged With: 710 stub Devil’s Gate Dam Sediment Removal “Big Dig” Measure L Pasadena history Pasadena neighborhood associations Pasadena road improvements Pasadena Senior Center Rose Bowl

The 2022 West Pasadena Residents’ Association Annual Meeting

13 Jul 2022

All photos by Bob Reiter

For the first time since 2019, the West Pasadena Residents’ Association convened its annual meeting in person without assistance from Zoom.

WPRA Treasurer Blaine Cavena (above left), serving as the master of ceremonies, opened the meeting with presentation of the colors, led by the Blair High School Junior ROTC Color Guard.

District 6 Councilmember Steve Madison presented outgoing President Dan Beal (above left) with a Certificate of Recognition for “his outstanding contributions to the community and exceptional leadership from 2018 to 2022.” Cavena followed that up with a presentation of the ceremonial gavel (above right), on behalf of the WPRA, for Beal’s extraordinary service.

Special guests who attended include Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo (top left), District 6 Councilmember Steve Madison (top right), Pasadena Police Department Interim Chief Jason Clawson (above left) and Pasadena Fire Department Chief Chad Augustin (above right).

Evan Davis

The membership elected the WPRA’s 2022-2023 Board of Directors, and learned that Evan Davis (right) would be the 2022-2023 WPRA president. Members of the 2022-2023 WPRA Board of Directors are: Geoffrey Baum, Dan Beal, Dave Bise, Blaine Cavena, Evan Davis, Pete Ewing, Donna Furey, Avram Gold*, Mic Hansen, Kenyon Harbison, Joan Hearst, Susan Kinney, Mark Mastromatteo, Nancy Walker*, and Linda Zinn.

*Avram Gold and Nancy Walker have since resigned from the Board. After expressing gratitude to Gold and Walker for their considerable service to the organization, the Board appointed two new directors: Carlos Javalera and Lee Wallace.

This year’s annual meeting theme: “Pasadena and the tech revolution: Where we came from, how we grew and where we are going.”

Program moderator Avram Gold opened the themed portion of the meeting with a video featuring a series of historical images (see video above) that celebrated where we came from and how we’ve grown since then.

The following tech visionaries were asked to address why so many tech startups are coming to Pasadena, what’s actually happening in those fecund tech incubators, and how they view the future (from left) :

  • Julie Schoenfeld, an entrepreneur-in- residence at Caltech
  • Moderator Avram Gold
  • Aaron Fyke, founder and managing partner of Thin Line Capital
  • Hallie Kuhn, vice president Alexandria Ventures
  • Robbie Nock, associate vice president of entrepreneurship and assistant professor in the humanities and science at ArtCenter College of Design.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: Annual Meetings Pasadena history Pasadena Technology WPRA

WPRA News Letter Summer 2022

23 Jun 2022

In this issue

WPRA convenes first in-person annual meeting since 2019

Introducing your new WPRA president

Quandary at Hahamongna Park’s southeast entrance

Pasadena’s Landmark Districts and SB9

Gas off. Electric on.

Pasadena Heritage moves to new digs

Ring. Ring. Who’s at your front door? It might be a mountain lion!

2022 WPRA annual meeting spotlights Pasadena’s tech revolution

Q&A with Darryl Dunn, CEO and General Manager, Rose Bowl

Rose Bowl Stadium celebrates 100th birthday, gets new CEO/GM

Pasadena Senior Games: Tales of remarkable athletes

A “Mile of Millionaires” on Orange Grove in 1906

Officers

PresidentEvan Davis
Vice PresidentDan Beal
SecretaryKenyon Harbison
TreasureBlaine Cavena

Tagged With: Art Center College of Design Devil’s Gate Dam Sediment Removal “Big Dig” Pasadena density Pasadena governance Pasadena history Pasadena neighborhood associations Pasadena Orange Grove Boulevard Pasadena planning & development Pasadena social scene Pasadena trees and open spaces Rose Bowl

WPRA News Letter Spring 2022

21 Mar 2022

In this issue

Oh, the wonders you’ll see! Let’s dream them together.

Presidents’ message: What have we done for you lately?

Pasadena City Council elections are set for June 7

WPRA comments on land use and planning issues

What’s on the WPRA land-use watch list

Huntington Hospital project improves with consultation

Update: One Arroyo trail demonstration projects

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden: A historic jewel in the heart of Pasadena

Living with our wild neighbors

America’s stadium begins historic centennial celebration

The White House is catching up to the Pasadena Senior Center (Wink)

City approves, appoints to ECD/EL task force

Pasadena’s pioneers ‘made a few mistakes’

Officers

PresidentDan Beal
Vice President, AdministrationEvan Davis
Vice President, CommunicationsAvram Gold
SecretaryKenyon Harbison
TreasurerBlaine Cavena

Tagged With: Arroyo Seco Huntington Hospital Pasadena General Plan Pasadena governance Pasadena history Pasadena neighborhood associations Pasadena planning & development Pasadena public transportation Pasadena trees and open spaces

WPRA supports the Van de Kamp house as a Pasadena landmark

21 Mar 2022

WPRA strongly supports the staff recommendation for the residence located at 801 South San Rafael Avenue to be designated as a City of Pasadena Landmark, the former home of John Van de Kamp.

Filed Under: Letters Tagged With: Pasadena City Council Pasadena history Pasadena social scene

WPRA News Letter Spring 2022

21 Mar 2022

In this issue

Oh, the wonders you’ll see! Let’s dream them together.

Presidents’ message: What have we done for you lately?

Pasadena City Council elections are set for June 7

WPRA comments on land use and planning issues

What’s on the WPRA land-use watch list

Huntington Hospital project improves with consultation

Update: One Arroyo trail demonstration projects

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden: A historic jewel in the heart of Pasadena

Living with our wild neighbors

America’s stadium begins historic centennial celebration

The White House is catching up to the Pasadena Senior Center (Wink)

City approves, appoints to ECD/EL task force

Pasadena’s pioneers ‘made a few mistakes’

Officers

PresidentDan Beal
Vice President, AdministrationEvan Davis
Vice President, CommunicationsAvram Gold
SecretaryKenyon Harbison
TreasurerBlaine Cavena

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Arroyo Seco Huntington Hospital Pasadena General Plan Pasadena governance Pasadena history Pasadena neighborhood associations Pasadena planning & development Pasadena public transportation Pasadena trees and open spaces

WPRA News Winter 2022

1 Jan 2022

In this issue

Will SB-9 and Pasadena’s response to it help fix the affordable housing shortage?

President’s Message: We walk the line

City loses baker’s dozen of key personnel; replacement efforts are underway

The Blinn House: a fitting, restored home for Pasadena Heritage

Q&A with Paul Little, president and CEO, Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and Eric Duyshart, manager, City of Pasadena’s Economic Development

The long and winding road to YWCA rehab and a new hotel?

Anywhere and nowhere

Huntington Hospital community services and support stands out

This drought may never end

Wildlife corridors: critical to biodiversity

San Rafael Annual Fund sets 2022 fund-raising goal and events

Healthy aging embodies enrichment, engagement, empowerment

West Pasadena and the golden age of postcards

Officers

PresidentDan Beal
Vice President, AdministrationEvan Davis
Vice President, CommunicationsAvram Gold
SecretaryKenyon Harbison
TreasurerBlaine Cavena

Tagged With: Arroyo Seco Pasadena accessory dwelling units (ADU) Pasadena affordable housing Pasadena Central District Pasadena density Pasadena draught & water contamination Pasadena governance Pasadena history Pasadena maintenance & utilities Pasadena ordinances Pasadena planning & development

WPRA recommends 801 San Rafael as a landmark

21 Oct 2021

The West Pasadena Residents’ Association fully endorses the nomination of John Van de Kamp’s home as a historical landmark.

Filed Under: Letters Tagged With: Pasadena history Pasadena mansionization Pasadena neighborhood associations

WPRA News Fall 2021

21 Sep 2021

In This Issue

Time to reconcile our drought with the aggressive state-led push for new housing

President’s Message: Time for us to face uncomfortable truths

No consensus on suicide deterrent barriers for bridge

WPRA comments on PDs, revisions to housing elements

Pasadena Heritage postpones Blinn House celebration

Q&A with Chad Augustin, chief, Pasadena Fire Department

A thank-you and a reminder to our members

Lessons learned from controversial ‘Big Dig’

Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy launches butterfly project

City takes step to reduce waste, slow climate change

Zoom: the silver lining of COVID

West Pasadena in three dimensions

Officers

PresidentDan Beal
Vice President, AdministrationEvan Davis
Vice President, CommunicationsAvram Gold
SecretaryKenyon Harbison
TreasurerBlaine Cavena

Tagged With: Colorado Street Bridge Devil’s Gate Dam Sediment Removal “Big Dig” Pasadena affordable housing Pasadena density Pasadena drought & water contamination Pasadena General Plan Pasadena history Pasadena maintenance & utilities Pasadena planning & development Pasadena trees and open spaces

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West Pasadena Residents’ Association
Post Office Box 50252
Pasadena, California  91115
The WPRA service area is bounded on the north by Colorado Boulevard, on the east by Fair Oaks Avenue and on the south and west by the city limits.
All WPRA activities are funded through membership dues and contributions. The WPRA receives no public funding and has no paid employees. Since the WPRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation, contributions and donations are fully deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Tag Directory

Ambassador Campus Housing Development (19) Ambassador West Housing Development (28) Annual Meetings (2) Arroyo Seco (97) Art Center College of Design (8) Colorado Street Bridge (24) Connecting Pasadena Project (CPP) (9) Desiderio Project (18) Devil’s Gate Dam Sediment Removal “Big Dig” (31) Green Hotel Project (6) Huntington Hospital (12) Pasadena accessory dwelling units (ADU) (16) Pasadena affordable housing (38) Pasadena Central District (37) Pasadena City Council (62) Pasadena Civic Center and YWCA (12) Pasadena crime (26) Pasadena density (63) Pasadena drought (2) Pasadena drought & water contamination (21) Pasadena General Plan (58) Pasadena governance (142) Pasadena history (70) Pasadena La Casita del Arroyo (7) Pasadena maintenance & utilities (64) Pasadena mansionization (23) Pasadena neighborhood associations (130) Pasadena Orange Grove Boulevard (21) Pasadena ordinances (39) Pasadena planning & development (150) Pasadena public transportation (25) Pasadena schools (2) Pasadena short term rentals (STR) (7) Pasadena social scene (62) Pasadena State of the City address (3) Pasadena traffic (99) Pasadena trees and open spaces (73) Pasadena Unified School District (35) pasadena wildlife (3) PUSD (3) Rose Bowl (56) San Rafael Elementary (34) SR-710 tunnel proposal - closing the gap - DEIR & FEIS (64) Vista del Arroyo Hotel (12) WPRA surveys (5)

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