CONGRATULATIONS! to the UHRA board and the residents who make the holidays extra special and bright. I am deeply grateful and proud of your dedication and hard work. Thank you for all your collective efforts to keep up this amazing tradition enjoyed by so many here in Pasadena, Southern California, and beyond.

https://upperhastingsranch.org/events

A Special Note From Harbeck Lights

(https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=harbeck%20lights):

Reminder to watch us on The Great Christmas Light Fight on December 5th at 8pm PST on ABC.

We are running 8 different songs, with a little something for everyone!! 🎅🏻

Come out and see Winston the Christmas Wisp and his friends in the Wispy Forest and the Gingerbread house. Tune your radio to 99.1FM to listen to the music synced to the lights!! We can't wait to see you!!!

We will run daily from 6:00-10:00 pm

1215 Tropical Ave. Pasadena, CA

You are invited to enter an on-line raffle for 2023 Rose Parade and Rose Game tickets. There is no charge for Rose Parade tickets. Rose Bowl Game tickets are $165, $265 and $295 each plus a PayPal service fee.

To enter the raffle starting now until

Tuesday, December 6 at midnight go to:

Click on the Rose Ticket button

Rules and details are posted on the site.

Winners will be notified by email by Monday, December 12th. Email notification will include purchase details and pick-up information.

A Special Thank You to Senior Commissioner Harald Zechner for contributing the following story:

Located at 140 South Altadena Drive the Lamanda Pocket Park is a win, win project that benefits everyone. Fitted with a picnic area, drinking fountains,

rubberized flooring and a shaded structure along with an 8-foot safety fence on the south perimeter and 3-foot safety fence between the playground and street it gives grownups comfort knowing this park is one of the safest made. The kids of course love the new playground and the bureaucrats are overjoyed with the cost savings as no land purchase was necessary because this Pocket Park is built on property the city already owns.

Size seems to be the biggest factor that differentiates a regular park from a pocket. Location requirements of at least one mile from an existing park and benefits to the neighborhood and city all play a part. Often Pocket Parks are attached or inserted into an existing property or facility. This criteria most certainly fits the new Lamanda Pocket Park as it is built on a 13,000 square foot field behind the Lamanda Library branch property.

From dreaming to reality many people played a hand in this project but all agree District 4 Councilmen Gene Masuda was the driving force that made it happen. Its part personal cause this is the branch Gene and the entire Masuda family use. We live close by and I’d bring my son here he told me.

Funny how things work out cause this Library was in District 7 till redistricting changed it to D4 a decade ago. Once all the i’s were dotted and t’s crossed Gene walked the area and was distressed about kids playing in the street. Right then he decided to work on a playground for them to use.

Ok, no big deal, right. This project should be a “walk in the park” right. After all the city owned the property and the then City Manager, Michael Beck approved and had the funds to build. Also the councilman and community loved the project. Dam, this is a no brainer, how long could it possibly take. Try 10 years.

Good things come to those that wait and on a warm and sunny November 10, 2022 morning the ribbon cutting happened and the Lamanda Park Library Pocket Park officially opened.

It was a well-attended event as city brass and workers mingled with neighbors and the public.

Gene Masuda started the festivities and talked about his involvement in making this Pocket Park happen. He was quick to point out that it would not have been possible without his Field Representative, Noreen Sullivan’s hard work. Masuda also named a host of others who were present. They included Mayor, Victor Gordo - City Manager, Miguel Márquez - Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Service, Brenda Harvey Williams – Kenny James, Recreational Administrant, Public Works Director, Tony Olmos – Director of Library Services, Tim McDonald & Senior Librarian of Adult Services, Christine Reeder and Catherine Hany. Also introduced were George Paccerelli from the Human Services Commission along with Mel Alonzo and Public Works Crew Supervisor, Lee Marable and his East Side Maintenance crew. My apologies for those whose names were misspelled and those I forgot to mention.

The Mayor was next on the podium and Victor Gordo spoke glowingly about Gene Masuda’s drive and leadership on this project. This is how government should work he told the crowd. Neighborhoods working with their council members and then those council members working with the entire city council.

Brenda Harvey Williams was the final speaker and relayed how she has been involved in this project from the very beginning when she worked at Public Works ten years ago. Now as the Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Service, Brenda oversea the operation of this the 26^th in the Pasadena Pocket Parks network.

As the saying goes, that’s all there is folks cause from there it was a cutting of the ribbon and a host of kids running around having fun.

Want more, well you’re in luck cause Pasadena Media captured the entire opening. Here is the YouTube link is  https://youtu.be/CkS22k52jj4

Thanks for Listening

Harald Howie Zechner

Pasadena Senior Commissioner.