National Night Out

Jefferson Park was abuzz with activity last night as residents gathered for National Night Out hosted by the Pasadena Police Department. National Night Out is an annual event that promotes crime prevention.

The photo above shows Officer Arcand and Figo of the Pasadena Police Department K-9 program.

In addition to many police officers on hand at the park last night, police volunteers played an important role in providing educational information.


Police Explorers shot hoops with local kids.


Parents had an opportunity to get their children's fingerprints into a police database.


Pasadena firefighters cooked up hot dogs on their special grill.


Several other City of Pasadena departments had tables at the event. Jan Sanders (left), director of the Pasadena Public Library system, and Catherine Hany, library communications manager, provided information about library services.


The Human Services and Recreation Department made plenty of activities available for kids.


Youth Ambassadors offered assistance, information and ice-cold lemonade.


Children and teens turned blank boards into an artful masterpiece.


Theresa Lamb Simpson (left), field representative to Congressman Adam Schiff, chatted it up with District 2 City Councilwoman Margaret McAustin.


There's a lot of talent in Pasadena!


We'll see you at next year's National Night Out!

For more information about crime prevention in Pasadena, call (626) 744-4551.

Calling All Children and Teens

Don't cry to me that there's nothing to do in Pasadena this summer. That just means you haven't looked!

The City of Pasadena offers plenty of free events and activities for children and teens.

Here's what's coming up:


KIDS SAFETY ACADEMY
This annual five-Saturday course from 9 a.m. to noon for children ages 6 to 12 and their parents is taught by Pasadena police officers and firefighters and includes stranger danger, fire safety, disaster preparedness, environmental stewardship, community leadership, water skills, outdoor safety, bike rules and more. It begins this Saturday, July 11, and space is limited, so call (626) 744-7659 TODAY to see if there's still some room for you!

ANIME AFTERNOON
Saturday, July 11, noon to 2 p.m. -- Teens who like reading manga will love this program at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St. You'll see new anime releases and critique them. Your reviews will go directly to the companies that produce the anime. While you're at it, join our official anime club!


WEEK-LONG SEMINARS FOR TEENS
Monday, July 13, to Friday, July 17
* 2 to 4 p.m. – Make beautiful baskets and more from recycled milk cartons based on a traditional style from Japan during the five-day Oriental Fusion camp at Pasadena Central Library. Class size is limited, so call (626) 744-4766 to reserve your spot!
* 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. – Professional photographer Janell Mithani will help you learn how to take their best shots and then enter their best work in a photography contest during the Digital Photography camp at Allendale Branch Library, 1130 W. Marengo Ave. Class size is limited, so call (626) 744-7260 to reserve your spot!
* 3 to 5:30 p.m. – Discover fun, quick and healthy recipes during the five-day Fast Food Fixings camp at San Rafael Branch Library, 1240 Nithsdale Rd. Class size is limited, so call (626) 744-7270 to reserve your spot!
* 3:30 to 6 p.m. – Learn a choreographed jazz piece during a five-day dance camp at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd. Class size is limited, so call (626) 744-7262 to reserve your spot in the dance line! The teens will perform the piece for friends and family on Saturday, July 18.

TAKE A HIKE!
Tuesday, July 14, 7 p.m. -- Teens will see a presentation by City of Pasadena naturalist Elise Jackson at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd., then head out for a hike to explore our local wilderness.

MOVIES FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES (WE'LL SUPPLY THE POPCORN!)
* Wednesday, July 15, 4 p.m. – “Tale of Despereaux” with the voices of Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, William H. Macy and Christopher Lloyd in the story of a misfit mouse, an unhappy rat and a bumbling servant girl whose fates are intertwined with that of the castle’s princess. Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St.
* Tuesday, July 21, 4 p.m. -- "Bolt" with the voices of John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Malcolm McDowell and James Lipton in the story of a dog who is the star of a sci-fi/action show who believes his powers are real as he embarks on a cross-country trek to save his co-star from perceived danger. Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave.
* Thursday, July 23, 3 p.m. -- "Horton Hears a Who" with the voices of Jim Carey, Steve Carell, Carol Burnett, Amy Poehler and Jamie Pressley in the beloved tale by Dr. Seuss of an imaginative elephant who teaches his young friends about the amazing world around them. Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave.
* Wednesday, July 29, 4 p.m. -- "Bolt" comes to the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library.


SUMMER RECREATION
There are plenty of free (and low-cost) activities at parks and pools throughout Pasadena. Explore the opportunities here. Please note that for all summer recreation programs, enrollment is limited and spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

JUNIOR PUBLIC SAFETY ACADEMY
Monday, Aug. 3, through Friday, Aug. 8, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. -- Forty teens ages 13 to 18 will be chosen for a five-day seminar to learn about police and fire careers. They'll discover everything they need to know about the duties of police detectives, forensics teams, traffic officers, jail staff and more at Pasadena Police Department headquarters, then move on to Pasadena Fire Department HQ to learn about fire safety, survival skills and more. Interested? Contact Officer Vito Gaxiola at vgaxiola@cityofpasadena.net or (626) 744-7651.

AUGUST IS YOUTH MONTH!
Day One, the City of Pasadena and many other organizations sponsor daily activities and field trips for children and teens throughout the month of August. Click here for the calendar and more information.

AND MUCH MORE!
Click here for more on children's programs.
Or here for more on teen programs.

Looking for Something to Do?

Here's a listing of free events sponsored by the City of Pasadena the week of March 30.


Monday, March 30
6 p.m. -- The third in a series of public workshops about revisions to Pasadena’s tree protection ordinance will focus on the regulation of trees on private property.
(626) 744-4342.

Wednesday, April 1
* 7:30 a.m. – Get the kinks out on a morning walk around the Rose Bowl Loop with Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard and special guest Michael Ross, CEO of Pasadena Center Operating Company. Meet at Gate A.
(626) 831-2980.
* 1 p.m. – This week’s free film in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St., is “27 Dresses” starring Katherine Heigl as Jane, a young woman who has served as a bridesmaid 27 times and now questions whether she should stand at her sister’s side as her sibling marries the man Jane secretly loves.
(626) 744-4066.

Thursday, April 2
6:30 p.m. – Pasadena City Councilwoman Margaret McAustin will host a District 2 meeting about the city budget for Fiscal Year 2010 (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010) with special guest City Manager Michael Beck at Longfellow Elementary School, 1065 E. Washington Blvd.
(626) 744-4742.


Friday, April 3, through Sunday, April 5
Celebrate with us as we mark the grand opening of the newly expanded Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St. On Friday at noon we’ll have the official ribbon-cutting ceremony; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. you’ll get free admission and parking for the Home Show and Real Estate Expo with distinctive vendors, cooking demonstrations and much more; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the Home Show and Real Estate Expo continues; and also on Sunday it’s our annual One City, One Story author visit (see specific OCOS events below).
(626) 795-9311


Saturday, April 4
9 a.m. to noon – Discover the best choices for Pasadena’s dry climate at the Trees and Shrubs Workshop sponsored by Pasadena Water and Power at the Salvation Army Pasadena Tabernacle, 960 E. Walnut St. Learn effective ways to prune, water and develop healthy root systems. Reserve your spot at www.cityofpasadena.net/savewater.
(626) 744-6970.


"The Hummingbird's Daughter"

As this year's One City, One Story community reading celebration draws to a close, don't miss these final events!

Sit in on a book discussion, watch professional chefs whip up some Mexican fare, learn from an expert about one of the book's themes and meet the author!

Saturday, March 28
* 10:30 a.m. – Attend a book discussion about “The Hummingbird’s Daughter” at Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave.
(626) 744-7260.
* 11 a.m. -- Chefs from Old town Cooking School will present Mexican cooking techniques (and samples!) at San Rafael Branch Library, 1240 Nithsdale Rd.
(626) 744-7270.

Tuesday, March 31
2 p.m. – Attend a book discussion about “The Hummingbird’s Daughter” at Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave.
(626) 744-7264.

Wednesday, April 1
6:30 p.m. – Attend a book discussion about “The Hummingbird’s Daughter” at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd.
(626) 744-7262.

Friday, April 3
11 a.m. – Learn about the religious aspects of The Hummingbird’s Daughter during a presentation by Dr. Juan Martinez in Payton Hall at Fuller Theological Seminary, 135 N. Oakland Ave., followed by a book discussion. The event will be offered in Spanish at 2 p.m.
(626) 744-4066.

Sunday, April 5
3 to 5 p.m. – Luis Urrea, author of “The Hummingbird’s Daughter,” will speak at Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., about his experiences researching and writing the book and will answer questions from the audience. Free parking!
(626) 744-4066 or (626) 795-9311

See a Movie, Read a Book!

They're positively star-struck at Pasadena Central Library.

For some time they have offered "See A Movie, Read A Book" every Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium.

The free film series features well-known movies based on literary works.

Most movies based on literature leave out big chunks of the stories in the interest of time. One of my favorite examples is "Gone with the Wind." If you've only seen the Academy Award-winning movie but never read the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, you've missed the true development of Margaret Mitchell's characters, the bigger picture of the American Civil War -- told from the perspective of the women left behind -- and her beautiful and brilliant writing.

So see the movies, then put the novels on your to-do list to check out from the library or purchase from Vromans. That way you won't miss a thing!

JANUARY 14
"I am David" (2003) starring Jim Caviezel, Joan Plowright and Ben Tibber chronicles the struggles of a boy who manages to flee a communist concentration camp through sheer will and determination with only a loaf of bread, a letter to deliver to someone in Denmark and a compass to get him there. Based on the novel by Anne Holm.

JANUARY 21
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" (2005) starring America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Bradley Whitford centers on a mysterious pair of pants that perfectly fits four different-sized best friends who each take a turn with the pants during special adventures. Based on the novel by Ann Brashares.

JANUARY 28

"The Education of Little Tree"(1997) starring Graham Greene, James Cromwell and Joseph Ashton in the heartwarming tale of a Cherokee boy in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in the 1930s who is sent to live with his mountain-dwelling grandparents after the loss of his mother and father. Based on the novel by Forrest Carter.

The series will be on hiatus in February for Contemporary Black Images in Film in commemoration of Black History Month, also Wednesdays at 1 p.m.

February 4:
"Akeelah and the Bee" (2006) starring Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Keke Palmer

February 11:
"Lilies of the Field" (1963) starring Sidney Poitier and Lilia Skala

February 18: "Pride" (2007) starring Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac and Kimberly Elise

February 25: "Dreamgirls" (2006) starring Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles and Eddie Murphy

More Original City Hall Historic 1920s Construction Photos

Note Pasadena Public Library on Walnut Street in the background. It's now called Pasadena Central Library because there are nine branches throughout the community.



Here's a shot with All Saints Church on Euclid Avenue.



The building on the right in the background with the tower is First Baptist Church at the southwest corner of Marengo Avenue and Holly Street.



I'll show you some more another time. This is fun!