WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Dear Community,

The Roman Philosopher Seneca said, "Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body." This week, as we start the long recovery process from the Eaton Fire, we work to strengthen ourselves and grow from the ashes.

FIRE UPDATES

I understand there were some evacuations in Sierra Madre overnight for mudslides! Stay safe in the rain! Sandbags are available.

Col. Eric Swenson with the Army Corp of Engineers will start debris collection on private property this week for those who opted in.

According to Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office, the Disaster Recovery Center at Woodbury is now a one-stop shop for permitting, Those who lost homes can get all their permits there, copies of their grant deed, and talk with the County Assessor’s office. 

SAVING YOUR BATCHELDER FIREPLACE

As the debris collection begins, those who lost homes are concerned about their historic fireplace surrounds, which are made of priceless tile like Batchelder. Lynn Kolberg volunteered to research whether residents can remove their still-standing Batchelder fireplaces without compromising their ability to participate in the County's debris removal program. 

First, a little background. There are two phases of debris removal. The EPA first handles the removal of hazardous materials such as asbestos, EV batteries, solvents, etc. This is automatic and ongoing for all. The second is dealt with by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) and involves removing chimneys, hazardous trees, fire ash, and debris, up to six inches of soil, and any hazardous material not removed by the EPA during phase one. The Army Corps uses contractors to do this work, and owners must opt-in to participate.

In short, ACE will not save your fireplace. However, no one can prevent owners from going onto their properties and removing what they want, since evacuation orders have been lifted. If owners want to remove the fireplace and leave the rest of the debris, they won't be disqualified from the program. However, it should be stressed that it would be EXTREMELY dangerous for homeowners or their contractors to go onto a site that could still contain hazardous material and start demolishing a free-standing chimney that could fall on them.

Eventually, through digging and email help from Lee Allen, I found out about our patron saint of Batchelder, Stanley Zucker. Stanley is working to identify the homeowners and addresses of these significant properties. He will work with the homeowner to remove and preserve the tile for them. If you know owners of such homes who would like to have their fireplaces preserved, please contact Stanley at 818-207-5559. You may also text him. Several reliable sources have vouched for him, and at least one of our board members is volunteering with his crew. (Thanks, Juan!) Stanley tells me that about 200 fireplaces need this help.

Brian Baker reminded me that the Pasadena Museum of History, which acquired some or all of Bob Winter’s collection, started a Batchelder Registry about five years ago. If you save your fireplace, register it with the Museum! Thanks to all the heroes working with Stanley on this effort and those like Lynn, Lee, and Brian who got me the information!

New To Our Watch List

Pasadena Lawn Bowling Club

Established in 1921, The Pasadena Lawn Bowling Club was built during Pasadena's resort town era as part of the Hotel Green (Castle Green today). The clubhouse is a historic structure constructed in the 1920s by renowned architect Wallace Neff and predates its home of Central Park. Lawn Bowling is the British version of Bocce, one of the oldest games in the world. It was incredibly popular from Victorian times through the early twentieth century. In the 1930s, the world championships were played at the Pasadena club, where the US team beat Britain. It is still among the most popular sports in many commonwealth countries, particularly Australia. Southern California has a network of clubs, including Santa Monica, Newport, Laguna, Beverly Hills, Redlands, Santa Ana, Riverside, and many more. Today, Pasadena also includes a Croquet Club, which is not just your backyard fun but a serious professional-caliber sport.

In 2022, a hundred-year-old Eucalyptus tree fell on the clubhouse. Pasadena Parks is responsible for repairing the historic structure. The City has taken positive steps, including conducting a building study, approving funds, and producing plans. However, after three years, it has yet to be repaired. It is the oldest Lawn Bowling Club in the Western US and provides free lessons on Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 11 AM for the public.

I have a personal stake in this, as my wife and I have been club members for years. There's nothing better than putting on your white clothes, a nice sun hat, and lawn bowling with friends. I encourage you all to try it and help us protect this great bit of Pasadena's heritage!

BLUES AT THE BLINN- TONIGHT!

The event for tonight (Thursday, Feb. 13) is almost sold out! Join us for the Living Room Concert debut! Celebrate Black History Month with Brother Yusef, Altadena's blues icon.

NEW EVENTS ADDED

The Ian Whitcomb Review- April 24

Janet Klein and bassist Marquis Howell of the inimitable "Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys” fame join Ian’s widow, Regina Whitcomb, to review the life and music of Altadena’s own Ian Whitcomb on the fifth anniversary of his passing (4-19-20).

An alumnus of the British Invasion, with his 1965 song You Turn Me On, reaching #8 on the Billboard Top 100, Ian went on to win a 1998 Grammy for Titanic: Music Heard on The Fateful Voyage. After invading America, Ian spent most of his life in Altadena as the grand master of folk accordion, ukulele, banjo, Ragtime, and other essential early American styles. He served as Grand Marshal of the Doo-Dah Parade in 1999, was a regular “Parlor Boy,” and hosted the Ian Whitcomb show on internet radio until his passing in April 2020 from complications of a stroke. His wife, Regina, lost their home and Ian’s archive in the Eaton Fire this past month. We thought it was a great time to celebrate the life and work of this music preservationist and Pasadena/Altadena treasure! Expect to hear great Early Americana music while learning more about Ian’s life and work. 

Anna May Wong Book Reading & Lecture- May 22

Yunte Huang, a Distinguished Professor of English at the University of California, Santa Barbara, a Guggenheim Fellow, and author of many works of literature, will present his book, Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong’s Rendezvous with American History (Liveright, 2023), named one of the Notable Books of the Year by the New York Times and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.

For those who are missing out on more of our architectural events and tours, no worries! Our Education Committee is working hard on many new amazing events and tours! Look out for Victorian Weekend coming this spring!

OUR FIRE RECOVERY BENEFIT

Altadena & Friends: Eaton Fire Relief Benefit on Thursday, March 27^th at 7 PM with a VIP Reception at 5:30 PM will take place at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.

Many of our friends and neighbors lost their homes, businesses, jobs, schools, and places of worship. Our whole community lost important historical and cultural sites with a presence beyond our community. We are coming together to help our Arroyo neighbors from the Eaton Fire area get back on their feet for the only benefit of targeting the Eaton Fire community while featuring the fantastic and diverse talent from the affected areas. By supporting this event, you also support the artists most in need. Brought to you by Pasadena Heritage, EVNSong and The Alex Theatre, Rotary International District 5300, and The Rotary Club of Altadena.

Tickets go on sale soon!

Check the link below over the next few days to be the first to get seats when the tickets go on sale!

THIS PAST WEEK

We had a Great Art Deco Saturday Lecture with Walking Tours of the Streamline-Moderne and Art Deco Playhouse District followed by a fabulous lecture on Art Deco and Automotive Design by Dave Nufer with special guest John Roth. I learned that Art Deco never actually left us since 1925. It just transmuted from buildings to automobiles and back again! John told a great story about the car in the picture and the many decades it took to restore.

PARTING THOUGHT

I got some sad news this week. My favorite pizza restaurant, and perhaps yours, is closing. La Grande Orange and Luggage Room Pizza in the historic Santa Fe Train Station at Del Mar will be closing its doors as of the end of March. Say it isn't so! But it is. It is my favorite pizza in LA! Mushroom Party, The Gladiator, Cry Baby, and other signature pies... all gone! Lucky for us, we will all have one last chance to gather there for dinner as we return from Swallows Day in Capistrano on the Train Tour. Please join us in saying goodbye to this Pasadena institution!

Sincerely yours,

Zoot Velasco