Saturday, December 24, 2011
Look Up
Friday, December 23, 2011
Seeing Red
I'd fill my house with these berries if they weren't so much prettier outside where they belong.
Boz is having eye surgery today. He has a corneal ulcer--a sore cornea that won't heal on its own and has to be treated surgically. I wasn't going to post about it but damn it, I feel bad and I want to say so. I don't feel nearly as bad as Boz is going to feel when the anaesthetic wears off. He's an innocent creature and I can't explain to him why I'm leaving him alone at that scary place where he was fine when he went in and in pain when he came out.
Boz doesn't care as much for colors as I do. He doesn't see the berries as red. I don't think he cares about berries at all.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Not the Moon
Three guesses.
Never mind. You can have all the guesses you want. You'll probably get it on the first try anyway.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Twinkle
The lights might just be the best part of December. I also like the food. I do not, however, enjoy the tightening of my pants.
What part of the holidays do you revel in the most?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
I don't have to buy them anything.
Large, hairless dog has an idea.
Small, brown dog has a thought.
Yikes!
Hairless dog is a genius!
Big dog enjoys himself as much as small dog does.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Zen Monday: #175
photo by John Sandel
Zen Monday's the day you experience the photo and give us your thoughts rather than me telling you what I think the picture's about. There's no competition, no right or wrong. We're here to have fun.
John took this one in Hollywood. It's a bit of a cheat, maybe, but too good not to share.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Bring It
The giant logs on my street can wait. This is solely my opinion, of course. I don't know how the Hurricane Pasadena neighbor feels about it, or the California Cyclone neighbor, or the San Gabriel Gale neighbor (have at it, you have a thesaurus) or any other neighbor for that matter, I'm just talkin'.
The bleachers are up and they're not coming down 'til January. We are getting
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Free Mulch 'til Eternity
Few members of the relevant Pasadena city staff have had much sleep these last two weeks. I've spoken with sanitation workers on garbage pick-up rounds, streets workers repairing damaged street lights and electrical workers doing that stuff they do with the wires. Everybody's been working long shifts, trying to put the city back together again. They're tired but still going, still keeping their spirits up as far as I can tell. At least nobody's snapped at me. Honestly, I'd be so nasty by now if I'd been working 12 hour shifts for 16 days straight. They are amazing and they're not finished yet.
Because, you know, GAME. PARADE.
If you're a regular here at PDP you know of at least one tireless city staff member who's been keeping us informed since the early morning hours of December 1st: Ann Erdman, Pasadena's Public Information Officer. Thank you, Ann. You're the best.
I've received more information from Ann's office--four more press releases over the last few days. I'm going to edit them down here to the most pertinent stuff.
The first one is in the "better late than never" category. Ann was on time, just--I wasn't. Fortunately the weather wasn't too bad yesterday. Today we may not be so lucky.
Topics of the press releases include, in this order:
more storm warnings
a fund to replace our lost trees
debris pick-up and dumping
free mulch! dude!
Questions answered. Contact information. Scroll through and find what you need.
#######
CITY OF PASADENA PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
NEWS FOR RELEASE:
December 15, 2011
5:34 PM
MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Erdman, (626) 744-4755
COMMUNITY ADVISED TO PREPARE FOR SECOND WINDSTORM
Following a ferocious thunderstorm that swept through Pasadena this afternoon, a second windstorm with predicted gusts of up to 60 miles an hour is expected to hit Dec. 16 and 17.
Pasadena Public Works Department crews will be working all weekend to continue the process of debris removal.
“The city of Pasadena has extra crews on call to respond to emergencies should that be necessary,” said Pasadena City Manager Michael J. Beck. “This is a good time for residents to make sure they are prepared in case of an emergency.”
A page on the city website – www.cityofpasadena.net/windstorm_2011 – includes comprehensive information about windstorms, including instructions for emergency preparedness, important phone numbers, answers to frequently asked questions and more.
To report power-related issues, call (626) 744-4673;
to report fallen or compromised trees in the public right of way, call (626) 744-4321;
to report fallen or compromised trees on private property, call (626) 744-4009;
to report building damage, call (626) 744-4200.
To report a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.
###
December 15, 2011
5:03 PM
LOCAL FOUNDATIONS WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP RENEW PASADENA’S URBAN FOREST FOLLOWING WINDSTORM
The city of Pasadena lost close to 1,100 trees of all sizes and species during the recent hurricane-force windstorm and at least 70 more park trees have been damaged and are being assessed for their chances of survival.
Now two local foundations are working together to help renew the public portion of Pasadena’s urban forest by replacing those lost trees.
The Pasadena Community Foundation has teamed up with Pasadena Beautiful Foundation to establish the Windstorm Tree Fund for Pasadena to raise money for the purchase and planting of replacement trees on city property.
Pasadena Community Foundation, a non-profit, tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people of Pasadena, will match up to $10,000 in donations to the fund. All donations to the Windstorm Tree Fund for Pasadena are tax deductible and organizers stress that every penny donated will be used for the sole purpose of planting new trees.
“Without us having to ask, these two organizations saw the need, came to the city and offered their help," said City Manager Michael J. Beck. "In a time of very tight budgets, this kind of support from our residents is especially welcome and we’re very grateful.”
“Our urban forest is what makes our community livable,” said Emina Darakjy, past president of Pasadena Beautiful Foundation, a non-profit community organization that has worked with the city of Pasadena for 50 years to plant and protect trees. “Besides adding a natural beauty, trees provide quantifiable economic, ecosystem and health benefits.”
Donations to the fund may be made at www.pasadenabeautiful.org (click on Make a Donation) or mailed to Pasadena Beautiful Foundation, 140 S. Lake Ave., Suite 268, Pasadena CA 91101.
For more information about the Windstorm Tree Fund for Pasadena and to follow its progress, visit www.pasadenabeautiful.org and www.pasadenacf.org. Facebook users can “Like” the Windstorm Tree Fund for Pasadena page.
# # #
December 13, 2011
5:11 pm
CREWS COLLECT YEAR’S WORTH OF GREEN DEBRIS IN ONE WEEK
The enormity of the windstorm recovery effort is becoming clearer every day.
Pasadena Public Works Department crews have been working tirelessly to clear the city’s 325 miles of roadways of storm debris and so far have collected a year’s worth – 18,000 tons – in just one week.
“It’s an incredible amount of material,” said Public Works Director Siobhan Foster. “We’re going to be devoting the next several weeks to picking up all the green windstorm debris that residents have put out at the curb.”
A small contingent from L.A. County Department of Public Works continues to assist Pasadena Public Works with the massive project. Primary and secondary arterial roads have been cleared and now crews are concentrating on residential streets, moving east to west across the community while responding to day-to-day issues.
Foster reiterated that the Dec. 12 deadline for putting green storm debris at the curb for pickup has now passed and urged residents not to keep adding more, especially if crews have already cleared their streets.
“Once we finish a street, we’re finished,” she added. “We won’t be making a second pass to pick up more debris put out at the curb after the deadline. Our crews have to get to every part of the city.”
Residents with additional storm debris not placed at the street are advised to break it up to fit in yard-waste bins or take it to drop-off sites at the parking lots of Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Avenue, or Eaton Blanche Park, 3100 E. Del Mar Boulevard, by Friday, Dec. 16. All green debris, whether already at the curb or taken to a site, should be unbagged.
For more information call (626) 744-4087.
# # #
December 13, 2011
5:30 pm
WINDSTORM DEBRIS RETURNED TO COMMUNITY AS FREE MULCH
The recent hurricane-force windstorm that rocked Pasadena has finally yielded one benefit: free mulch for gardens.
Green debris taken by residents to two drop-off points has been ground up and will be returned to those locations starting this week as free mulch available to any Pasadenan with a shovel and something with which to carry the mulch.
Mulch will be available daily from Dec. 16 to 29, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Eaton Blanche Park, 3100 E. Del Mar Blvd., in the parking lot on Millicent Way; and Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., in the parking lot on Morton Street.
Mulch is an important organic protective cover placed over soil to help retain moisture, return nutrients, discourage weed growth and encourage seed germination and healthy plant growth.
To prevent contamination of mulch, residents are reminded that yard waste must never contain any non-green items such as mattresses, fence material, roof shingles or other debris.
In addition to a great deal of free mulch, the unprecedented amount of storm debris has led to an increase in illegal dumping on streets, in parks and public rights of way. Pasadena Police are on the lookout for illegal dumping and will issue citations.
For more information about green debris collection and free mulch, contact Environmental Programs Manager Gabriel Silva at (626) 744-4721.
# # #
Ann Erdman
Public Information Officer
City of Pasadena
Public Affairs Office
100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S228
Pasadena CA 91109
(626) 744-4755
Cell: (626) 375-2742
www.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs
Facebook: Pasadena PIO
Twitter: pasadenapio
Friday, December 16, 2011
Guest Author: Gail Herndon and Brenda Goldstein, and the Spa Less Traveled
We're doubling up on guest authors this week! It's like it's Christmas or something! Which is convenient, because this book is a good idea for a holiday gift and next week you'll already have your shopping done, right?
Two friends, Brenda Goldstein and Gail Herndon, take us along on their journey to The Spa Less Traveled, published by Pasadena's own Prospect Park Media.
Our second trip was to Thai Town. The boundaries for Thai Town are much smaller than Chinatown, and as such one could actually “do the town” in one day. It was here that the idea for a massage appeared. It was at the end of our visit, and though we’re not ones to wear heels on a field trip, our feet were duly tired from all the walking. The only knowledge we had about Thai massage was that it was “different.” Hmmmm. Sure, why not try it?
We were first given a loose top and large pair of pants with a long, attached fabric tie. Later we learned these are called “Fisherman” pants, and there are specific instructions about getting them on correctly. I don’t know if either of us did it correctly that first time. One difference of Thai massage is that the massage is performed on the floor, on a padded mat. The massage starts with you face down. There is a cushion for your face and a bolster for your feet. Another difference is that the massage both starts and ends at your feet. Traditional Thai massage is also performed dry – that is, without oil. If there is an area, typically on your back or neck, that has more knots to be worked out, they may ask if they might use Tiger Balm, a salve made with a unique blend of essential oils. This helps facilitate the massage, and allows the therapist to more easily manipulate the sen lines, similar to meridians used in Chinese massage.
And so it began. We’d go to a new city and have another new massage experience. After a while, we realized we’d gathered some pretty good information – the parking tips alone are valuable, for those challenged to find parking in population-dense Los Angeles. We loved learning about Korean, Russian, Japanese, Thai and Chinese massage modalities. Chapters are dedicated to each in The Spa Less Traveled, and we provide a review for the over 200 places listed. It’s one of the great things about living in Pasadena – we’re close to so many interesting places worthy of exploration. And getting a massage is a great way to get to know a neighborhood!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Honor, At Last
Los Angeles County holds an annual ritual to bury the unnamed and unclaimed. Just the thought of it is eerie and sad, over-full of stories not told.
It's too little, too late, of course. But it's something.
5:42PM this just in:
COMMUNITY ADVISED TO PREPARE FOR SECOND WINDSTORM
CITY OF PASADENA PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
NEWS FOR RELEASE: December 15, 2011
MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Erdman, (626) 744-4755
Following a ferocious thunderstorm that swept through Pasadena this afternoon, a second windstorm with predicted gusts of up to 60 miles an hour is expected to hit Dec. 16 and 17.
Pasadena Public Works Department crews will be working all weekend to continue the process of debris removal.
“The city of Pasadena has extra crews on call to respond to emergencies should that be necessary,” said Pasadena City Manager Michael J. Beck. “This is a good time for residents to make sure they are prepared in case of an emergency.”
A page on the city website – www.cityofpasadena.net/windstorm_2011 – includes comprehensive information about windstorms, including instructions for emergency preparedness, important phone numbers, answers to frequently asked questions and more.
To report power-related issues, call (626) 744-4673; to report fallen or compromised trees in the public right of way, call (626) 744-4321; to report fallen or compromised trees on private property, call (626) 744-4009; to report building damage, call (626) 744-4200. To report a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.
# # #
Ann Erdman
Public Information Officer
City of Pasadena
Public Affairs Office
100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S228
Pasadena CA 91109
(626) 744-4755
Cell: (626) 375-2742
www.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs
Facebook: Pasadena PIO
Twitter: pasadenapio
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Guest Author: Kat Ward
When I first read Kat Ward's articles on Hometown Pasadena I recognized her enthusiasm for discovering the treasures of her new hometown. I know the feeling! No wonder the Dena embraces her; Kat is easy to like. Please welcome today's guest author, Kat Ward.
Saugatuck River, Westport, CT by Kat Ward
What a difference 24 minutes make (and 15.46 miles). From procrastination to proliferation; from unfocused to driven; from stuck to inspired—thank you, South Pasadena.
After eleven years of living in the Hollywood flats, I felt claustrophobic in the mishmash of my neighborhood. Initially, this world spurred my writing. Late at night as I looked out my window, the city lights reflecting yellow-green off the low clouds, I wrote diligently. But years of sirens, car horns, loud drunks and party-goers wrung out my last nerve—my hand constantly held the t.v. clicker so I could raise or lower the volume depending on how expressive the neighborhood was feeling. I began to feel uncreative. I ached for something else.
Artist Jennifer Frank introduced me to a woman who had raised her kids in South Pas. The very day I met her while walking in the Arroyo, she called and told me of an apartment for rent across from her house. I wheedled and charmed the landlords and got what I needed—a bigger apartment that doesn't share a single wall—finally a quiet night's sleep—versus neighbors washing dishes at midnight, dumpster divers outside my window or helicopters with search lights. Best of all, a tub-length shower versus an upright, coffin-sized stall shower and a 10 minute drive to my daughter's school! I suddenly had an extra two hours on my hands five days a week. Divine.
With my time, I have edited my friend Lori Bertazzon's self-help workbook Where Are You Stuck?; have a local professional copyediting my novel Amy's Own and have started a blog loosely based on my current novel Keeping Sane, and Other Aspirations.
The biggest boost was meeting (again through Jennifer Frank) and being hired by Colleen Bates of Prospect Park Media, a small publishing company in Pasadena. Colleen authored the outstanding guidebook Hometown Pasadena and created a website of the same name. After doing a few freebie posts, I was hired to write about local events, kid-focused fun, new shops and charity fundraisers, and to do monthly interviews. I get to go to businesses, use my photography skills and write stories. I am having the time of my life.
Dubrovnik, Croatia (formerly Yugoslavia) 1988, by Kat Ward
I stay up until two in the morning and awaken with the alarm to get my girl ready for school and I don't miss a beat. One day when she was off on a Sequoyah School camping trip, I stayed up all night, not going to bed until 1 p.m. the next day—I was so amped with ideas, I couldn't wait to put them all down on paper. I was walking on air. Well actually, I was walking on Oxley Street. My new street lined with California Craftsman bungalows and endless trees—where I can walk and walk in the quiet (even at midnight), letting ideas germinate, words gush and adrenaline pump.
Thank you, Hollywood; you did me well, but I have to let you go.
Now my spirit is excited, my mind humming, my writing hand aching, and my composition books filling up. Hello, San Gabriel Valley.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Accolades
In Landres' words, Human Cargo is: "A page-turner featuring a protagonist who could be your BFF—one who happens to be a PI with a black belt in Krav Maga."
You can download the ebook here and read it on just about any device, including a plain old laptop or desktop computer. You'll find more about Des and her work here.
It's exciting when our friends achieve. It's a thrill when they hit the heights. Congratulations, Desiree!
So, why the picture of the contemplative guy hanging out on the Caltech campus? Well, Inez has a boyfriend...
Monday, December 12, 2011
Zen Monday: #174
Zen Monday's the day you experience the photo and give us your thoughts rather than me telling you what I think the picture's about. There's no competition, no right or wrong. We're here to have fun. (Some Zen Mondays are more fun than others.)
I look for something worth contemplating or, failing that, something odd or silly. All of the above, if I'm lucky.
From the PIO:
A compilation of all information about last week’s windstorm and subsequent recovery can be found at this new page on the city of Pasadena website:
www.cityofpasadena.net/Windstorm_2011
Ann Erdman
Public Information Officer
City of Pasadena
Public Affairs Office
100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S228
Pasadena CA 91109
(626) 744-4755
Cell: (626) 375-2742
www.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs
Facebook: Pasadena PIO
Twitter: pasadenapio
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Christmas Charisma
So I expect and receive a nice meal, a cup of coffee and the company of smart, entrepreneurial women. We're munching away and having a proper chat when in come these adorable kids in their charming costumes and I think, "Ah, well, there goes the conversation."
Pitch pipe gives a quiet note and BAM! These junior musical geniuses sing out Christmas carols old and new in such glorious, four-part harmonies that I actually put down my fork and shut up to listen.
I agreed with the woman next to me that they had to be college kids because they were too good to be any younger. Wrong. They're the Crescenta Valley High School Charismatics Chamber Choir, and they are super.
Of course even talented high school kids are not going to sing with that kind of precision without a lot (a lot!) of rehearsal. Wrangling that is their conductor, Mr. Shannon W. Mack. If you want to talk to him about having these charismatic cherubs serenade your Christmas soiree, contact him at smack@gusd.net.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Entropy, 3
You don't notice it from Green because a plain wall faces the street. There's a parking lot behind the house. When we were there a guy had parked there to walk his dog on the Ambassador Campus, of which this is the northernmost building. If you haven't explored the area all I can say is, you should. You can't see anything interesting from Orange Grove or Del Mar or Green or St. John. But park the car and walk in the park-like area bordered by those streets and you'll walk in Pasadena history.
I can't begin to know why other buildings on the Campus have been kept up and this one hasn't. The property is in transition--it's been sold to a developer whose plans are undergoing the city's review process. I don't know which owner let this building go, the previous one or the current one.
Stand on the back porch, where I took the photos from yesterday and the day before, and you can see the bleachers where the TV cameras will be perched in a couple of weeks for the Tournament of Roses Parade.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Entropy, 2
Feel free to name this place in the comments if you know it. If it doesn't come up today I'll do the big reveal tomorrow.
Oh! I also want to mention that the Fork in the Road guys are doing a holiday toy drive this weekend, all weekend. Info is here.
A couple of storm updates from Ann Erdman, Pasadena PIO:
RESIDENTS ASKED TO KEEP STORM DRAINS CLEAR DURING GREEN DEBRIS PICKUP
With a chance of rain in the weather forecast beginning Sunday and city crews busy collecting green windstorm debris placed at curbside by residents, city officials are concerned that blocked storm drains could lead to standing water or flooding in some areas.
To avoid this additional complication, residents are asked to check whether water in their street could reach storm drains and, if not, to clear a path for it by moving storm debris as needed. Also, as previously requested, green debris should be unbagged.
The city has also established green-debris drop-off locations at Eaton Blanche Park, 3100 E. Del Mar Blvd., and Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., which are reserved for Pasadena residents only. The sites, originally intended to be open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Dec. 16, will also be open Sunday, Dec. 11, as well. Green debris cannot be dumped on the ground and must be placed inside the large bins on site.
Proof of residency, such as a utility bill or identification card, is required to drop off material. No private contractors are allowed to dispose of green materials at the park locations.
Private contractors removing windstorm-generated green debris for Pasadena residents may dispose of it at the Eaton Wash spreading disposal site at the northeast corner of Washington and Sierra Madre Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Only green material originating from Pasadena will be accepted at this site. To dispose at the Eaton Wash spreading site, contractors will be required to provide company name, address and client information. Contractors may also take green waste to the Scholl Canyon landfill at 7721 N. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles, where it will be used as alternative daily cover.
# # #
Ann Erdman
Public Information Officer
City of Pasadena
Public Affairs Office
100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S228
Pasadena CA 91109
(626) 744-4755
Cell: (626) 375-2742
www.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs
Facebook: Pasadena PIO
Twitter: pasadenapio
PASADENA WATER AND POWER CREWS REPAIR LAST OF DOWNED POWER LINES
After working a week of emergency 32-hour shifts to restore electricity to its customers, Pasadena Water and Power crews have now repaired overhead power lines and placed them back into service. Crews are still focused on a few customers who have private-property damage.
Homeowners with electrical damage on private property should contact electrical contractors for repair and make sure the electricians are properly licensed and bonded. More information is available on the Contractors State License Board website at www.cslb.ca.gov.
PWP urges any homeowner still without power to report the outage at (626) 564-0199 or (626) 564-0299 so the situation can be properly and safely assessed and repaired.
City Manager Michael Beck praised PWP crews for their expertise and tireless efforts on behalf of customers.
“The men and women of our publicly owned PWP deserve the many thanks they’ve received from customers in the field,” said Beck. “Our power is so rarely disrupted that we too often take for granted that our lights and heat come on at the flip of a switch. Our power stays on for years at a time because these same crews are out there every day keeping electricity flowing to our homes and businesses. They do outstanding work.”
Beck also thanked the many other city employees, including police and fire personnel and public works crews, who put in exceptionally long hours to protect residents and property from dangerous situations caused by tree- and debris-related damage. In addition, he thanked the county of Los Angeles and the cities of Burbank, Glendale, Anaheim and Los Angeles for sending power teams and public works crews to supplement Pasadena’s response.
“Mutual aid works,” he added.
Beck reiterated that the city’s coordinated emergency response to the windstorm worked exceptionally well, with city departments working seamlessly with each other.
To further secure the reliability of the community’s electric grid, PWP crews will be working in coming months to make permanent the quick and temporary repairs they made to restore power.
In the meantime, everyone involved with directing and implementing the disaster response will debrief, revisit events, highlight successes and look for areas for improvement.
Three public meetings will be scheduled in January when residents will be invited to share their experiences. Beginning Monday, Dec. 12, a page on the city website at www.cityofpasadena.net will also be available to take public input.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Entropy, 1
On Thanksgiving day we discovered a place I had never noticed before. You may have seen it, but in my six years in Pasadena I had probably driven by it a thousand times without knowing it was there.
A bit of a mystery for today. More to come.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Pasadena Proud
But they can plan for generalities--mass injuries, loss of power, or loss of communication, for example.
We've just seen how Pasadena responds to a major loss of power that could have been a disaster. Downed power lines were ready to ignite vulnerable homes and emergency vehicles couldn't get through roads blocked by toppled trees. Our city responded and kept responding and continues to respond.
Stories we hear from neighboring towns aren't as positive.
John and I called various Pasadena city services last Friday about tree removal, live wires and broken street lights. With the exception of one guy, who obviously didn't grok the magnitude of the situation ("Well, it's Friday, so you know, probly not 'til Monday...") we talked to knowledgeable, responsive people who either answered our questions or sought out the person who could.
Those persons haven't had much sleep since last Wednesday night. Now it's time for us to do our part.
First, we can bring our broken branches and tree debris to the curb per the instructions in this article from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
Then we can be patient. Pasadena's got a Tournament of Roses to put on in just over three weeks. It's a big deal for our city. It's our annual triumph, our "hello" to the world, and this year it's as important as ever, if not more. Pasadena has done a fantastic job of cleaning up after a historic storm. I've still got a few items on my list of things for the city to do, but I can wait.
Update from Pasadena's Public Information Officer, Ann Erdman:
(this one came in at 6:30 pm)
CITY OF PASADENA PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
NEWS FOR RELEASE: December 7, 2011
MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Erdman, (626) 744-4755
PASADENA WINDSTORM UPDATE, DEC. 7 6:25 P.M.
Here is the latest update on recovery from the hurricane-force winds that devastated many parts of this community last Wednesday and Thursday.
Power
Pasadena Water and Power crews made significant progress over the past 24 hours, replacing damaged power poles and transformers and coordinating with Public Works Department crews and some private tree services to remove downed trees from power lines and restring the lines.
An ongoing canvass of neighborhoods has identified many properties that need replacement of wires from nearby power poles.
As of this afternoon, approximately 75 customers are without electricity. Crews will work again through the night, handling calls already logged in and any additional calls as soon as possible.
“It’s important to keep this in perspective. We’re dealing with the equivalent of a hurricane-force event that impacted most of Pasadena’s 23 square miles with 325 miles of streets,” said City Manager Michael J. Beck. “The dramatic increase in restoration of power services over the past 48 hours is a further example of the unwavering commitment by city crews that have been working in 32-hour shifts with six-hour rest periods since this disaster began.”
The crews, assisted by workers on loan from Anaheim Public Utilities and Burbank Water and Power, continue to work around the clock, and in some cases are installing temporary fixes to get electricity restored to more homes more quickly. They will return to those properties to make permanent repairs once all service is restored.
Some customers who have power may experience intermittent outages while repairs are made to nearby properties. Please report outages to (626) 744-4673.
Green Debris Removal
A systematic east-to-west green debris removal process is now underway in Pasadena and is following existing solid waste collection routes the day after normal refuse collection dates. Residents are asked to place their green debris out as soon as possible. The deadline for getting rid of green recyclable waste by taking it to the curb will be on residents’ normal trash pickup day the week of Dec. 12.
To recycle all the green material and avoid contamination of the resulting mulch, please place only unbagged green material out for pickup. Other non-green debris resulting from the windstorm will be collected separately by scheduling a bulky-item pickup.
Private contractors providing green material removal service for residents may dispose of material at the Eaton Wash spreading disposal site at the northeast corner of Washington Boulevard and Sierra Madre Boulevard from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Only green material originating from Pasadena will be accepted at this site. Contractors will be required to provide company name, address and client information. Contractors may also take green waste to the Scholl Canyon landfill at 7721 N. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles, where it will be used as alternative daily cover.
Absolutely no dumping is allowed at Rose Bowl Stadium and other parking lots.
Green storm debris drop-off locations are available to residents at Eaton Blanche Park, 3100 E. Del Mar Blvd., Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Only Pasadena residents may use these drop-off locations. The sites will be open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., from Dec. 7 through 16. Green debris cannot be dumped on the ground and must be placed inside the large bins on site.
Proof of residency (i.e., utility bill or identification card) will be required to drop off material. No private contractors will be allowed to dispose of green materials at the park locations.
Damage Reporting
The City of Pasadena’s storm-related costs are expected to be in the tens of millions of dollars. State and federal emergency management agencies could help mitigate storm-related costs to local governments, homeowners, and businesses, but only if they have accurate damage totals.
City and county officials are asking that homeowners and business owners report all their storm-related costs to the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) so local governments can more accurately demonstrate the need for state and federal disaster aid.
OEM is tallying estimates countywide and will forward the information to the state.
To report storm-related damage by phone dial 2-1-1. Damage can also be reported online at www.211la.org.
For more information about the city’s emergency declaration and storm-related cost estimates, contact Pasadena Emergency Management Coordinator Lisa Derderian at (626) 744-7276.
# # #
Ann Erdman
Public Information Officer
City of Pasadena
Public Affairs Office
100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S228
Pasadena CA 91109
(626) 744-4755
Cell: (626) 375-2742
www.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs
Facebook: Pasadena PIO
Twitter: pasadenapio
(this one came in at 2:29 pm when I was out, sorry I didn't post it sooner)
PASADENANS URGED TO REPORT PRIVATE STORM DAMAGE IN EFFORT TO GAIN STATE AND FEDERAL EMERGENCY FINANCIAL HELP
While city and private crews work to reconnect the remaining customers still without electricity and clear thousands of tons of debris from streets and parks, local governments, including the city of Pasadena, are tallying the public costs of last week’s hurricane-force windstorm. Pasadena’s costs will certainly run into the tens of millions of dollars.
State and federal emergency agencies could help mitigate those costs but only if they have accurate damage totals. City and county officials are asking that homeowners and business owners report their storm-related costs as well so local governments can more accurately demonstrate the need for state and federal disaster aid.
“We need any damage and costs that residents and businesses incurred to be reported to the county, which will forward them to the state,” said Pasadena City Manager Michael J. Beck. “It’s crucial that the state and federal governments have an accurate sense of the true costs of this emergency to local governments and private property owners and businesses to follow up with disaster-relief funding.”
Beck urged residents to report their storm-related costs to the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, which is tallying estimates countywide.
The office may be reached by dialing 2-1-1. Damage can also be reported online at www.211la.org.
For more information about the city’s emergency declaration and storm-related cost estimates, contact Pasadena Emergency Management Coordinator Lisa Derderian at (626) 744-7276.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Learning to See
When you arrive at the workshop, which begins at Memorial Park and takes you trekking through Old Town, you'll be greeted by Ibarionex, his wife Cynthia, and probably a few of their friends. With smiles. And hot coffee. It sets the tone.
For my first couple of years of blogging I worked with an Olympus SP350, a nice, purse-sized point-and-shoot that had some manual settings I never used. I still shoot with it sometimes (with the automatic settings) but not as much. I learned a lot and I was ready to move on to a better instrument.
I met Ibarionex at a local blogger event about two and a half years ago. We had already met online. Some time after that first meeting I bought a Canon 20D from him. It might have some of his mojo, but I'll never know unless I learn how to use it. I've been trying to teach myself and I've made progress, but I'm lazy about reading manuals. So when the chance came along to take a workshop with the man himself, I jumped at it. I'm going to jump again this Saturday. It's his last workshop of the year that isn't full yet.
(I'm proud of this one, too.)I can recommend the class because I've taken it and I already see results. If you want to make the leap, go to the Candid Frame Workshops sign-up page, ignore the other discount codes and get the workshop for $50 by entering this code: perellovip.
I was out shooting today and got a few good pictures, although I admit several were overexposed. It's not like this stuff comes easy. With practice, though, it comes. I could set everything on automatic and let the camera make all the decisions, but in that case I might as well use a point-and-shoot.
Dorothea Lange said "A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera." I love wrapping my mind around the meaning of that statement.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Zen Monday: #173
FYI, East of Allen did a better job with this photographic concept. There's more than one way to make this point, skin this cat, beat this dead horse.
Here's the PIO's update on wind storm clean-up as of 5:45 pm today:
(Before I post it I just want to mention that in other cities, one city in particular which shall not be named but with the initials T.C., my friends tell me they still have ZERO information about what's going on with their power, street clean-up, etc. Ann Erdman and her team have been on the job since very early morning December 1st, and that's not to mention all the Pasadena crews: streets, Water & Power, etc. We've had no trouble getting answers when we call City Hall. Bravo!)
CITY OF PASADENA PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
NEWS FOR RELEASE: December 5, 2011
MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Erdman, Office: (626) 744-4755; Cell: (626) 375-2742
PASADENA WINDSTORM UPDATE – Monday, Dec. 5, 5:45 p.m.
Recovery efforts are in full swing as Pasadena works to restore remaining electric customers who without power and clean up debris left in the wake of last week’s ferocious windstorms.
The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) announced today the activation of the 2-1-1 county disaster hotline – (800) 980-4990 – for residents to report damages caused by the winds. As recovery efforts continue, in the Los Angeles County area, OEM continues to collect initial estimates from county departments, cities and unincorporated areas to determine public and private sector damages. OEM will continue to coordinate with the California Emergency Management Agency to secure state and federal assistance as warranted. The city of Pasadena is fully cooperating in this important effort.
The following is an update on services and infrastructure as of 5 p.m. Monday, December 5, 2011. Statistical information begins on page 4.
Green Debris Removal
As city crews continue to remove fallen trees and other green storm debris from Pasadena streets and parks, residents are asked to help by moving their green debris out to the gutter as soon as possible for easy pickup. To recycle all green material and avoid contamination of the resulting mulch, please place only non-bagged green material out for pickup. The city plans to recycle 100 percent of the green material into mulch that will be used in parks and open space citywide.
A systematic east-to-west green debris removal process is now underway and will follow existing trash pickup routes the day after normal refuse collection dates. The deadline for getting rid of green recyclable waste by taking it to the curb will be on residents’ normal trash pickup day the week of Dec. 12.
Green waste drop-off locations will also be established at Eaton Blanche Park, 3100 E. Del Mar Blvd., and Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., from Wednesday, Dec. 7, through Friday, Dec. 16, from 7 a.m. Green material must be placed inside the large bins on site, which will not be available Sunday.
Free mulch from the green recycling effort will be available to the public beginning Dec. 15 at both drop-off locations.
For more information call (626) 744-4721.
Shelter
Regular recreation programming is scheduled for Robinson Park Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., until 8 p.m. this evening. City staff will remain on site to reopen the center in the event the few remaining residents without power need a warm place for the evening.
Streets, Parks and Trees
All primary and secondary arterial roadways were passable as of Saturday afternoon. As of Monday morning 98 percent of all residential streets are passable.
An assessment of city parks has been completed: Approximately 150 trees have fallen and approximately 30 have sustained structural damage and may need to be removed for safety reasons. A number of park improvements at various sites, including play equipment, backstops, pathway lighting and playground surfaces, have been damaged as well as the scoreboard at the historic Jackie Robinson Stadium in Brookside Park.
The removal and clearing of trees that are not in the public right of way is the responsibility of private property owners. Those who suffered damage to vehicles, homes or other property caused by fallen city trees or tree limbs should contact their private insurers for proper handling of claims.
Refuse Service
Regular refuse service resumed on Friday. However, there are a total of 88 residences where refuse service has yet to be restored due to downed power lines and trees.
In response to illegal dumping, the Police Department has increased patrols. Residents are urged to report any such activities they may witness by calling (626) 744-4241.
Electricity
Some customers may experience intermittent interruptions as Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) disconnects service momentarily to allow crews to reconnect portions of circuits they have repaired or rebuilt. In some cases, customers are expected to have major repairs performed to their electrical panels before PWP can reconnect permanent power.
Utility Crews, including those from Anaheim Water and Power and Burbank Water and Power as well as private contractors, continue to work around the clock to restore service to roughly 300 or so customers. Most primary circuits have been repaired, allowing more crews to focus on secondary services. Efforts are being made to contact remaining customers without power to advise of the status of repairs. In some cases it may take days to restore service, as most remaining issues involve connections to homes with damaged connections. Priority has been given to customers with
life-safety concerns and where further structural or electric-system damage is a risk.
Some properties in a small section of Northwest Pasadena are served by Southern California Edison and should call (800) 661-1191 to report outages.
Water
All water customers have service. Southern California Edison has completed repairs to the pump stations in Northwest Pasadena to correct the low water pressure some customers were experiencing.
Safety
Everyone should stay clear of compromised, overhead electric, cable and telephone lines. Do not attempt to remove trees that are touching any utility line. A list of tree-care professionals with expertise in electrical safety and tree health is available under the FYI section at www.cityofpasadena.net.
Athletic Fields
All City athletic fields, with the exception of Diamond 3 at Brookside Park have been returned to normal usage and programming.
Parking Restrictions
Enforcement of all normal parking restrictions is back in effect. Those needing to park on street due to the presence of storm debris should purchase a temporary overnight parking exemption at www.cityofpasadena.net/Transportation/Temporary_Overnight_Parking_Exemptions or contact the Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241 for a temporary permit.
Scams
Verify all credentials of anyone offering to perform inspection or repair work. Call the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241 if you suspect a scam.
Declaration of Local Disaster
In response to the disaster, the city declared a local emergency. This declaration is a proactive and protective measure consistent with other neighboring cities that have sustained significant damage. It occurs when a disaster has progressed or is anticipated to extend beyond the capability of regular municipal personnel and resources, assisted by neighboring communities, to maintain order and control and confine the incident.
More Information
To report fallen public trees and hazardous tree conditions, call (626) 744-4321.
To report downed power lines, call (626) 564-0199 or (626) 564-0299.
Customer service representatives are on duty around the clock, documenting all call details and forwarding to appropriate staff for resolution. Reports can also be made at the online Citizens Service Center at www.cityofpasadena.net/csc.
Pasadena residents and others who want to sign up for local alerts can go to www.cityofpasadena.net/fire/PLEAS or www.nixle.com.
PASADENA WINDSTORM UPDATE – BY THE NUMBERS
Updated Monday, Dec. 5, 2011
• 1,382 incidents have been logged in by the Public Works Department since Wednesday.
• 3 of 5 public art pieces at Walnut Street and Foothill Boulevard were damaged. 2 have been stabilized and 1 remains down.
• 3 areas of the San Pasqual pedestrian bridge in the Arroyo Seco were damaged by a fallen tree. The damage will be assessed fully after the tree has been removed.
• A 12-inch diameter concrete drainage pipe that outlets to the street through 4 curb drains was exposed due to a fallen tree at 1824-1826 El Sereno Ave. Public Works engineers will conduct an evaluation next week.
• 325 miles of streets were impacted by storm debris – falling trees, tree limbs, utility poles and/or wires. The primary goal has been to move debris to the side of the road so at least one lane in each direction is open. Debris will be removed over the coming weeks.
* 100 percent of arterial streets are accessible
* 100 percent of secondary streets are accessible
* Only two residential streets remain inaccessible
• 23 traffic signals have been repaired; the 3 final repairs are expected today at Orange Grove Boulevard at Allen Avenue, Greenhill at Michillinda Street and Washington Boulevard near Pasadena High School.
• 23 street lights have been repaired.
• 99 percent of power customers are operational and all water customers have service. Crews continue to work on restoring service to remaining power customers.
• A total of 39 people have used the shelter at Robinson Park, 37 of which were transported by Pasadena ARTS buses following an incident at a single apartment complex.
• Only 4 known injuries
• Trees
* More than 1,000 street trees fell and an unknown number of street trees were severely damaged
* Approximately 150 trees fell in city parks and 30 are several damaged
*67 trees fell at Brookside Golf Course and 120 more were severely damaged
• 5 building inspectors have inspected approximately 200 homes with varying levels of damage
* 46 housing units have been red-tagged, 40 in the same apartment building
* 13 structures have been yellow-tagged.
• Street clearing
* 160 Public Works Department field employees were on duty Thursday and Friday. 93 were on staff Saturday and 65 were on duty Sunday. 177 were on duty Monday morning.
* 29 workers from Los Angeles County Department of Public Works were on duty Thursday, 32 on Friday and 15 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
* 122 field employees from contractors were on duty Thursday and Friday and 51 Saturday and Sunday. On Monday there were 43 on duty.
• Fire service has returned to normal activity level
* From 8 p.m. on Nov. 20 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 2, the Fire Department was dispatched to the following:
- 57 fire calls
- 42 medical calls
- 109 service calls
- 163 wires or other electrical system-related calls
- 15 natural gas-related calls
- Total = 386 (roughly 8 times the normal call volume)
* 11 other agencies assisted us on 94 calls. At our peak, we had 27 units from other agencies handling calls in our city.
* Pasadena Fire Department regularly has 7 engines, 2 trucks and 5 ambulances available in the city and added 4 engines and 1 patrol to supplement capacity on Thursday.
• Police service has returned to normal activity level
* From 10 p.m. on Nov. 30 to 1 p.m. on Dec. 2, the Pasadena Police Department Communication Center processed 4,650 calls for service including 9-1-1 and non-emergency requests.
* During the same operational period the Police Department called back or extended the shift of on-duty personnel, including:
- 13 police officers
- 11 Police Volunteers
* 248 pending incidents to be investigated were reported on Dec. 1
# # #
Ann Erdman
Public Information Officer
City of Pasadena
Public Affairs Office
100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S228
Pasadena CA 91109
(626) 744-4755
Cell: (626) 375-2742
www.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs
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