CITY OF PASADENA PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
PRESS CONFERENCE / PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Derderian, Fire Department, (626) 744-7276
Hundreds of thousands of people line the Rose Parade route on New Year’s Eve in anticipation of the parade the next day, and more than 90,000 football fans attend the Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1. This Wednesday, officials will conduct a press conference to explain important safety measures for revelers along the parade route and at the Rose Bowl Stadium, and plans for responding to situations in which people break the law or are in need of medical attention.
DATE AND TIME:
Wednesday, Dec. 29
10 a.m.
PLACE:
Rose Palace
835 S. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena
MEDIA PARKING:
Limited parking is available at Rose Palace for media (on-site security will direct you in); there is additional parking across the street.
SPEAKERS
• Dennis Downs, Pasadena Fire Chief
• Phillip Sanchez, Pasadena Police Chief
• Bill Flinn, Tournament of Roses Chief Operating Officer
• Darryl Dunn, Rose Bowl General Manager
(The 2011 Tournament of Roses theme float “Building Dreams, Friendships and Memories” will serve as a backdrop.)
A LITTLE MORE INFO:
Enhanced security measures will be in effect and very evident along the parade route and at the stadium. Typical calls for response include medical issues, alcohol-related incidents and illegal burning. The Rose Palace is owned by the Tournament of Roses Association and used for the construction of floats.
# # #
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
Blog: www.pasadenapio.blogspot.com
Facebook: Pasadena PIO
Twitter: pasadenapio
Highlighting the two-hour, star-studded program is Clyde Beatty, world's foremost wild animal trainer, who appears in person at every performance with the world's largest group of performing jungle-bred lions and tigers.Here's a photo from the article:
Daring death twice daily...Beatty presents a startling and thrilling exhibition exemplifying man's dominance over the most savage, cruel, bloodthirsty and ferocious beasts of the jungle...
...Additional thrills are provided by the world-renowned Flying Concellos exemplifying the poetry of motion in the air in a sensational exhibition of aerial agility on the flying trapeze; Miss Estrelita, top-ranking exponent of thrilling heel and toe patches at dizzy heights; the Great Olveras, world's most astounding head balancing perch act; Mario, unrivaled and amazingly versatile genius of the tight wire, and scores of other aerial, arenic and trained animal exhibitions punctuated by the absurd antics of a comical contingent of clowns.
Monday, Dec. 20, at 6:30 p.m. -- A District 6 town hall meeting will highlight proposed road safety improvements in the Madison-Cordova area. 
Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m. – This week’s film in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St., is the American Ballet Theatre production of “The Nutcracker” (1977, G) featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland in the tale of a girl who falls asleep on Christmas Eve after a party and dreams herself into a fantastic world where toys become larger than life and the nutcracker prince defends her from the mouse king. (626) 744-4066.
Thursday, Dec. 23, at 3:30 p.m. – Watch as the pages of the popular children’s book “The Spiderwick Chronicles” come to life on the movie screen at La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave. (626) 744-7268.
I'm really bad about deleting photos from my camera, even after I've uploaded them to the computer. Yesterday I got the "Memory Card Full" message, so I decided to share some with you from the past few weeks and months.
U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff was the guest in the elected official's chair last month for a KPAS "City Beat" taping. Left to right are "City Beat" producer/director Stuart Johnson, Schiff, your favorite host, André Coleman of the Pasadena Weekly and Frank Girardot of the Pasadena Star-News.
The official crowning of the Rose Queen and her court is an elegant and exciting event every year. Here's Tournament of Roses President Jeff Throop and his wife Angel with the lovely young women at the close of the ceremony.
Ritch Wells, the City of Glendale's PIO, retired last month. I was asked to say a few words at his farewell party in the Community Room at the Glendale Police Department, which I was so happy to do. I presented him with a Pasadena City Hall tapestry blanket (on the table at right), then tearfully gave him a big hug. I sat on the interview panel for the Glendale PIO position about 15 years ago when Ritch was hired. The Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank PIOs meet for lunch quarterly to discuss shared issues and have a little fun. Ritch is now the alumni member of the group!
In October there was a Pasadena First: Buy Local open house where local business representatives met with city staff who provided advice on departmental purchasing needs.
Brian Biery and I used to work very closely together during the years when he headed up the Neighborhood Connections Office. After all, I'm all about community outreach and that office is all about neighborhood outreach. Now Brian is the director of community organizing for the Flintridge Center. We had lunch at the Pasadena Sandwich Company recently. He was checking my latest blog post when I shot this.
Joyce Wong was the graphic designer in the Public Affairs Office for a few years. She moved back home to Hong Kong to care for her ailing mother about five years ago. Ruby, in her 90s, bounced back and is in better shape than any of us, and Joyce decided to stay in Hong Kong anyway. She was visiting here a couple of weeks ago, and Linda Centell and I met her for dinner at Mijares. 
Daryl Evans, the radio color commentator for the Los Angeles Kings, and the team mascot Bailey, addressed the Pasadena City Council in support of a new ice rink.
Ten PIO pals and I who have known each other about 25 years get together in Palm Springs every year to catch up with each other and enjoy some R&R. Here's the gang earlier this year having breakfast at our hotel before hitting the pool area. Starting at left front are Heather Morris, director of communications for the Port of Long Beach; Dave Liebler, director of public affairs and member services for the California State Association of Counties (CSAC); Sheri Benninghoven (leaning forward), former director of communications for the League of California Cities and now president of SAE Communications; Judy Rambeau Franz, former assistant to the city manager/communications for the City of Santa Monica (retired); Scott Summerfield (with our server), former PIO for the City of Newark and now principal at SAE Communications; Tom Manheim, director of communications for the City of San Jose; Karen George, former PIO for the City of Fremont and now PIO for the Anoka-Hennipen School District in Minnesota; yours truly; and Norm Franz, Judy's husband. 
Tuesday, Dec. 14, from 8 to 10 a.m. –- If you own a small business, are a business manager or are on a local sales team, plan on attending “E-marketing Unplugged,” a workshop sponsored by the City of Pasadena and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce in the Press Box (second floor) of the Rose Bowl Stadium. Enter through Gate F. 
Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. –- Flights of Fantasy Story Theatre will entertain children with stories about Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and the wonder of the solstice in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library.
Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. –- Children will make winter crafts at Hastings Branch Library. 
Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 10:30 a.m. -– Preschoolers will have a happy holiday storytime at San Rafael Branch Library. 
Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 1 p.m. – This week’s film in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library is “A Christmas Carol” starring George C. Scott as Scrooge. (626) 744-4066. 
Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. -- Why should you care about California's new green building code and Pasadena's amendments to it? Learn more at a meeting at the Permit Center (enter through the Ramona Street door). 
Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 6:30 p.m. -– What’s the future of Lincoln Avenue? There have been a number of focus groups and other meetings about the draft Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan. Learn more and review a draft of the plan at the Northwest Education Center. 
Thursday, Dec. 16, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. -– The Neighborhood Connections Office will host a holiday open house where you’ll enjoy refreshments and meet neighborhood leaders and city officials at 1384 E. Walnut St. (626) 744-7290. 
Thursday, Dec. 16, at 3:30 p.m. –- Make ornaments, listen to stories, enjoy special treats and help decorate the Christmas tree at Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr. (626) 744-7266. 
Saturday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m. -– Children will enjoy holiday fun and hear stories about Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa in the Story Room at Pasadena Central Library. 
Saturday, Dec. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. -– The Festival of Giving at Victory Park, 2575 Paloma St., will include photos with Santa, arts and crafts, a gift-wrapping fundraiser and a bake sale. Please consider bringing a new, unwrapped gift for the Spark of Love Toy Drive and non-perishable food items and gently used outerwear for Union Station Homeless Services. Please note that items for donation may be dropped off at Victory Park through Dec. 23. (626) 744-7507. 
Last night the colorful lights on the City Hall Christmas tree were turned on during a special holidy celebration.
The tree was put in place and decorated on Monday by the Public Works Department. 
Yours truly served as MC last night.
The Pasadena City College Brass Quintet performed music of the season...
...much to the delight of residents and employees.
Mayor Bill Bogaard flipped the switch that turned on thousands of energy-saving LED lights donated by Pasadena Water and Power.
Many people brought toys and sports equipment to donate to the Spark of Love Toy Drive co-sponsored by the Pasadena Fire Department.
Pasadena firefighters loaded the gifts into a Pasadena Fire Department ambulance, which later transported the presents to a local fire station for wrapping and then distribution to needy infants, children and teens.
Thanks for coming, everybody!
