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In This Issue
                    

Holiday Closures

The City of South Pasadena observes the following holiday this month:
Columbus Day - Monday, October 10, 2016
                    
Calendar of City Events
Clic k here t o view a list of upcoming meetings of interest. 
                    

City Council Meeting Agendas & Minutes
Clic k here to view a list of upcoming meetings of interest.
                         
City Council Meeting Video
Clic k here to view the live streaming of City Council meetings.
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Housing Rights Center
Under a new contract with the City, the Housing Rights Center (HRC) is expanding its services in South Pasadena with comprehensive fair housing programming.
 
The HRC is a nonprofit civil-rights organization that has identified and addressed the challenges of housing discrimination since 1968. The HRC provides assistance to residents with discrimination complaints and landlord-tenant disputes. The HRC also provides outreach and public education, landlord-tenant counseling, housing discrimination investigation, mediation and legal services.

Contact the Housing Rights Center at (800) 477-5977 or (213) 201-0867 for TTY Users.
For more information, go to www.housingrightscenter.org
                     

Receive information when you need it most with
Connect South Pasadena - the City's emergency notification system  
Click hereto register for Connect South Pasadena, the City's emergency alert system and ensure that you & your loved ones receive the information you need to stay safe!  

                    

Community Services Classes & Programs Guide
Recreation Leisure Class Guide Fall 2016 cover
The Fall 2016 issue of the Community Services Classes & Programs Guide is available here .
                     

Job Opportunities
Link to City Employment Opportunities
  
A bulletin board with postings of all current City employment opportunities (pictured) is located on the 2nd floor of City Hall
                       

Sign Up for Library Youth Programs
Sign stating _Sign up for Youth Programs - Click Here
The City of South Pasadena Public Library Children's online program registration and notification signup features are available here. For more information, please contact the Library Children's Services at (626) 403-7258.
                     

Senior Center Events
senior center newsletter september october 2016  
Give the gift of membership at the South Pasadena Senior Center!(South Pasadena non-residents are welcome).  
More information is available here. 
                     
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Walk or Bike to School
Wednesday, October 5, 2016

walk or bike to school flyer 2016
The City of South Pasadena Community Services Department will hold the 13th annual Walk or Bike to School Day on Wednesday, October 5, 2016. Hundreds of South Pasadena youth, grades K to 8, are encouraged to participate. This event will be at Arroyo Vista Elementary, Marengo Elementary, Monterey Hills Elementary and South Pasadena Middle School. South Pasadena Youth Commissioners will greet SPUSD students that choose to walk or bike to school, and will also present them with a prize for their participation.

International Walk to School Month is celebrated worldwide throughout October. It is a month long program that recognizes the benefits of walking, and raises awareness about the positive ways walking to school helps children and communities. Students in South Pasadena who walk or bike to school on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 will help decrease traffic around the local schools, improve the air quality & the environment, and will start the day off exercising. For more information click here or call (626) 403-7380.

Free Concert by Wildwood Highway  
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Wildwood Highway Wildwood Highway will be performing at the 5th Annual End of Summer Concert on Thursday, October 6, 2016 in Library Park from 5 pm to 6:30 pm . Wildwood Highway plays 'Old-School' Rock & Roll with lush harmonies and catchy melodies that are inspired by California Country and Classic 70s Rock.

This rockin' event is presented by the South Pasadena Public Library, South Pasadena Arts Council, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library. Special thanks to 210eastsound!. Click here for more information.

Fall Garden Workshop
Saturday, October 8, 201 6
Want to learn more about converting your landscape from water hungry turf to drought tolerant plants? Come and attend the Fall Garden Workshop on Saturday, October 8, 2016 from 10 am to 1 pm at Eddie Park, 2017 Edgewood Drive. The City is partnering with South Pasadena Beautiful to host a workshop where attendees can learn about the proper way to remove their turf, drought tolerant plants, efficient irrigation practices, and much more.
 
Session 1- 10:00 a.m.: Learn more about tree maintenance for new and mature trees, especially in this time of drought.

Session 2 - 11:00 a.m.: Learn all about how to landscape your parkway including city ordinances, planting ideas, and best practices.

Session 3 - 12:00 p.m.: This Q & A session is a great opportunity to ask any questions you have regarding your own trees and landscape. Bring photos. 


 Click here for more information, or contact Jenna Shimmin in the Environmental Programs Office at (626)403-7311 or [email protected]
 

Authors Bill Tweed and Barbara Eisenstein
Monday, October 10, 2016
King Sequoia book cover
A Double Author Night with former National Park Ranger Bill Tweed discussing his new book "King Sequoia, the Tree That Inspired a Nation and Changed the Way We Think about Nature" and Barbara Eisenstein, of South Pasadena, introducing her new book "Wild Suburbia: Learning to Live with Native Plants" will be presented in the Library Community Room on Monday, October 10, 2016 at 7 pm.

The event for nature lovers of all ages is sponsored by the Library, the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library, and South Pasadena Beautiful. Special thanks to Heyday Books. Please note: This event will take place the evening of Columbus Day when the rest of the Library is closed. The Community Room is located at 1115 El Centro Street. Doors open at 6:30 pm and refreshments will be served. For more information click here.

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Metro Mobile Customer Center Visits South Pasadena
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Picture of Metro Mobile Customer Center
Seniors, have you wanted to take Metro but couldn't get to a Customer Center? Well, Metro's new Mobile Customer Center is coming to the South Pasadena Senior Center and it will be able to issue tap cards, take photos, and add money for existing tap card users.

When: October 12, 2016
Time: 12 noon to 2:00 PM
Where: South Pasadena Senior Center, 1102 Oxley Street.

For more information please call the Senior Center at (626) 403-7360
Dumpster and Donation Day
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Dumpster and Donation Day Flyer2016
Athens Services is partnering with the City of South Pasadena for the annual Dumpster & Donation Day event. Residents of South Pasadena are welcome to bring their large, bulky items for free disposal. ACTS thrift store will be on site to accept items that still have life left in them and electronic waste. The event will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2016 from 8 am to 2 pm on Arroyo Drive, just south of Mission Street.

Items NOT Accepted Include
:
  • Hazardous waste
  • Liquids
  • Yard trimmings
  • Construction material
  • Tires
  Click here for more information or call Athens Services at (888) 336-6100.
Waterfest  
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Ahoy ye water lovers! Want to be able to say that you're water smart? Then bring your family for a "swashbucklin' time" at Waterfest 2016, put on by the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District on Saturday, October 15, 2016 from 10 am to 2 pm at Arcadia County Park, 405 S. Santa Anita Ave, Arcadia, CA 91006.

This free event will have something for the whole family with games, activities, raffle prizes, food trucks, snow cones, popcorn, and cotton candy. There will also be representatives from local water agencies, discussing the water supply status for each agency, as well as innovative ways you can reduce your water use. Many of the agencies will have helpful or fun giveaways to help you save water in your household.   

Click here for more information , or contact Jenna Shimmin in the Environmental Programs Office at (626)403-7311 or  [email protected]   .

Author Night with Cartoonist Dan Piraro
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Dan Piraro
An Author/Cartoonist Night with renowned, nationally syndicated "Bizarro" Cartoonist Dan Piraro, will be presented in the Library Community Room on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 7 pm.

Dan Piraro's cartoons have been compiled into 15 books. His latest is "Bizarro Land Coloring Book" that will be available for purchase at the signing table. The event is presented by the Library and the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library. Special thanks to SPACE, 210eastsound!, Pop Secret Gallery, and Vroman's Bookstore. Click here for more information.

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South Pasadena Fall Arts Crawl
Saturday, October 22, 2016
south pasadena arts crawl
The Fall Arts Crawl is scheduled for Saturday, October 22, 2016! This very popular "Neighborhood-Night-On-The-Town" will feature something for everyone! Shops and boutiques will be open late with special exhibits, trunk shows, open houses and sales! Many local restaurants and cafes will have special offers, or grab a bite from one of the food trucks. There will be an interactive art activity so that the entire family can get creative.
 
For merchant and artist participation, please contact Hope Perello, Director of SPACE, at (626) 441-4788. The quarterly Arts Crawls are organized by the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and produced by SPACE, to highlight the city's unique business district and provide a showcase for artists and musicians. For more information click here, or call (626) 441-2339.
Halloween Spooktacular
Friday, October 28, 2016
Halloween Spooktacular flyer 2016
The annual Halloween Spooktacular will be held on Friday, October 28, 2016! The event will take place at Orange Grove Park, 815 Mission Street, from 5:30 pm to 8 pm. Join us for games, arts & crafts, entertainment, inflatables, and more!

Make sure to bring a monstrous appetite, as there will be plenty of food available for purchase. A list of food vendors will be released closer to the date.

Mummies & Daddies, make sure to bring the whole family, because this event is free! Pre-registration is not required. Click here for more information or contact the Recreation Office at (626) 403-7380.

Monterey Road Street Improvement Project Begins This Month
Picture of a Road Construction Sign on a Street Barrier
The City will start the Monterey Road Street Improvement Project in the first week of October 2016. Construction is expected to continue into early 2017. Segments of Monterey Road from Meridian Avenue to Fair Oaks Avenue and from Pasadena Avenue to 300 feet east of Pasadena Avenue are scheduled to be repaved as part of this project. This will require the temporary closure of lanes and delays are expected, so please plan accordingly. The City is making every effort to minimize delays. All passersby should adhere to all posted signs near the work site for both your and the workers' safety.
 
Click here for more information about the Monterey Road Project or call (626) 403-7240.
Coyote Sightings and Management
coyote Periodically, the South Pasadena Police Department receives information from concerned residents regarding increased coyote activity in South Pasadena. The City of South Pasadena contracts animal control services with the Pasadena Humane Society and they advise the following in dealing with coyotes in the city:

COYOTE BASICS
Coyotes are very well adapted to living in cities. Coyotes may be active at any time of day. Their diet consists of rabbits and rodents, carrion, birds, and deer and is supplemented with berries and other plant materials. If allowed, they will also prey on domestic pets such as cats. Coyotes venture out in search of food; by removing any potential food sources from your home, you can prevent repeat coyote visits.

DEALING WITH COYOTES
  • Typical six foot fencing will not keep coyotes out
  • Keep your cats inside and supervise small dogs
  • Remove any outdoor pet food
  • Pick up fruit as soon as it falls to the ground
  • Trim overgrown landscaping
  • Secure your garage and don't leave the door open unless necessary

IF YOU SEE A COYOTE  

  • Make the coyote feel uncomfortable
  • Be aggressive. Yell or spray a hose at the coyote
  • Make yourself appear large and back away slowly
  • Never turn your back or run away
Click here for more information on dealing with coyotes or call the Pasadena Humane Society at (626) 792-7151.     

 

Nations First AGZA Green Zone City
AGZA Press Release 2016
The City of South Pasadena held a Press Conference on September 9, 2016 to celebrate as South Pasadena becomes certified as Nation's First AGZA Green Zone City. The new initiative will bring better air quality to city residents, employees, gardeners, and visitors. The certification comes from the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) that provides certification and accreditation in zero-emission landscape maintenance strategies.

The City of South Pasadena is now maintaining all its parks and medians with emission and gas-free equipment. This will affect more than 41 acres of city-owned land and will avoid more than 31 tons of pollutants per year from being emitted into the air, resulting in health benefits. The certification of the nation's first AGZA Green Zone in the City of South Pasadena represents a huge accomplishment in developing a cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable future for everyone. Click here to learn more about South Pasadena becoming a Green Zone City.

Change to the South Pasadena Public Library Hours
library entrance
The South Pasadena Public Library Board of Trustees and City Council recently approved changes to the Library hours. Starting October 31, 2016 the library will close earlier on Monday nights and be open later on Thursday nights. These changes in hours were recommended in the recently completed Library Operations Study to better serve the community by aligning Library hours to a major traffic and activity pattern of the community. The South Pasadena Farmers Market, conducted only a couple of blocks away each Thursday, usually attracts about 3,000 to 4,000 residents every week. The Library looks forward to attracting and being open to serve visitors of the Farmers Market and the rest of the community on Thursday nights.  
 
Starting October 31, 2016 the South Pasadena Public Library Hours will be:
  • Sundays from 1 to 5 pm
  • Mondays from 10 am to 6 pm
  • Tuesdays from 11 am to 9 pm
  • Wednesdays from 11 am to 9 pm
  • Thursdays from 11 am to 9 pm
  • Fridays from 10 am to 6 pm
  • Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm
Library Strategic Planning Survey Now Online-- Community Input Needed
Inspiring Ideas_ - Red and blue text on white background
The South Pasadena Public Library will be updating its Strategic Plan to guide its services for the next three years.  Coming on the heels of its Library Operations Study, the Library will be looking at its collections, programs, services, technology, and the facility, to name but a few areas. The Library Board of Trustees has been working with a Library Planning Consultant to formulate survey questions to obtain input from individual members of the community regarding the needs of the Library.

For our Strategic Planning process it is critical that we receive broad community participation in the process. Soon we will be announcing a "public invited" Strategic Planning Session to be held in the Library Community Room on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 7 pm.  For now, we invite all community members (even non-Library users) to take our very brief online survey. Click here to participate in the survey. We thank all respondents for their time, interest, usage, and support.
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South Pasadena Dial-A-Ride Has A New Scheduling System!
dial a ride van
You can now make all of your appointments with ease! When you make your appointment, give staff your name, date of appointment, desired pick-up time, and desired return time, and let us do the rest! Remember you must be a member to use the service and those who qualify must be a resident of the City of South Pasadena, 55 years or older, and/or disabled.
 
Click here for more information about the Dial-a-Ride Service or stop by our offices at the South Pasadena Senior Center, 1102 Oxley Street. Have inquiries or would like to make an appointment? Call our offices at (626) 403-7368; open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm.
Exercise your right, register to vote today!
Register to Vote red white and blue
With the election just around the corner, now is the time to verify, update, or complete your voter registration. For more information click here. It takes less than three minutes to complete and submit your voter registration. The last day to register to vote in the upcoming election is Monday, October 24, 2016. Don't miss this important deadline, register today!

If you need any assistance, contact the South Pasadena City Clerk's Division at (626) 403-7230 or visit our office at 1414 Mission Street.
Sewer Rehabilitation and Replacement Project Phase 2 is Now Underway
sewer line diagram
The City of South Pasadena commenced construction of the Sewer Rehabilitation and Replacement Project Phase 2 in May. This project is the second phase of a City-wide project to repair aging sanitary sewer lines.

You can assist by checking the health of your sewer lateral, the line that goes from your building to the public sewer line. Maintaining the lateral is the property owner's responsibility, and includes keeping the line flowing and free of debris such as roots, grease, and backed-up tissue paper. Clean, flowing laterals avoid back-ups into your property and do not leak sewage waste into our groundwater. Now would be a good time to have your lateral checked by your plumber.

Residents and property owners should be on the look out for notifications specifying project construction start dates in your neighborhood. 
Click here for more information on Phase 2 of the Sewer Rehabilitation and Replacement project.

After School Program at Camp Med
Camp med after school 2016 and 2017
 School is in session, and you can still enroll your child in our fun-filled Camp Med After School Program. Your child will enjoy a mix of indoor and outdoor activities along with homework time at Orange Grove Park. Youth in Grades 1 to 5 will delight at the wide variety of activities offered, including games, sports, reading, arts and crafts, homework time, and a daily snack. Camp Med offers pick up from South Pasadena's elementary schools.
 
Applications are still being accepted and are required for participation in our program. The fee is $80 per child per week. Register at the Recreation Division office, 815 Mission Street, Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm. An application packet is also available online. Click here for more information or call (626) 403-7380. 
Sign Up for a Free Home Energy Assessment Screening
easy energy assesment insert
Do you have high electricity bills? If so, the Energy Assessment Screening for Your Home (EASY) program provides a free home assessment that will help you identify opportunities to reduce your energy usage and costs. With the home assessment, you'll receive customized solutions and project recommendations, as well as information on rebate and financing programs through local utility companies like Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company.
 
Participation in the EASY home assessment is voluntary. EASY is a program of the San Gabriel Valley Energy Wise Partnership, and the home assessments will be conducted by San Gabriel Valley Energy Wise Partnership program assessors.
 
Tree City USA!
Tree City USA logo
Did you know that South Pasadena has been named Tree City USA by Arbor Day for 17 years straight? The Tree City USA program is an Arbor Day Foundation program recognizing cities that support a healthy tree canopy. The benefits of a robust urban forest include cleaner air, improved storm water management, energy savings, and increased property values. Caring for our trees takes a year round, community wide effort. No matter how old your trees are, or what size, caring for them can be easy if you follow some basic rules. Click here to learn what you can do to care for trees.  
SCAQMD Offering 3,000 Lawn Mowers for Exchange This Fall 
SCAQMD logo blue bird
Southland residents can now register to save up to 70 percent on a new cordless-electric lawn mower through the South Coast Air Quality Management District's popular annual Lawn Mower Exchange Program.
 
Residents have the opportunity to register and choose from one of seven battery-electric models ranging from $100 to $250. To take advantage of this great offer, click here to register   or call 1-888-425-6247. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Exchange events will take place on Saturdays from 8 am to 12 pm as follows:
  • October 8, 2016 at Bourns Inc. Riverside
  • October 15, 2016 at the OC Fair & Event Center Parking Lot, Costa Mesa
Upcoming Events
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Breakfast with Santa - Saturday_ December 10_ 2016 - 9_00 am to 11_00 am - War Memorial Building_ 435 Fair Oaks Avenue - Tickets are _15 per person. Children under 2 are free. - Tickets available beginning November 1_ 2016.
You better not cry, you better not pout, Santa is coming to town! Our annual Breakfast with Santa event will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 from 9 am to 11 am at the War Memorial Building, 435 Fair Oaks Avenue. This event is fun for the whole family. Expect arts & crafts, entertainment, and a delicious breakfast. Get into the holiday spirit by wearing your favorite holiday pajamas!

Parents, make sure to have your camera ready, as Santa will be available for photos. Please plan to arrive early; doors will close at 9:30 am.

Tickets are $15 per person, and children under 2 are free. Pre-registration will begin November 1, and spaces are limited. You can register at the Recreation Division office, 815 Mission Street, Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, or visit www.southpasadenaca.gov/recreation to register on-line. All sales are final.

2016 State of the City
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
2016 State of the City Address - Sustainable Community_ Efficient Government - Wednesday_ December 14_ 2016 - South Pasadena Library Community Room_ 1115 El Centro Street - For more information_ go to www.southpasadenaca.gov_StateoftheCity
The City of South Pasadena invites residents and community members to join Mayor Diana Mahmud, her fellow City Council members, City commissioners and staff for the 2016 State of the City Address on Wednesday, December 14, at 6:00 pm in the Library Community Room, 1115 El Centro Street. Join us as we reflect on the year that was 2016.

The program will include a presentation by Mayor Diana Mahmud with a short reception to follow. Click here f or more information on the 2016 State of the City Address, or contact Christopher Castruita, Management Analyst, at (626) 403-7210 or  [email protected]