Mystery History -- Solved!

Cafe Pasadena came closest with his 9:34 a.m. Tuesday guess "...this Pasadena officer is holding a dozen Roses & sitting in a wheelchair given to him by one of the nice people he gave a ticket for overnite or overtime parking, of all things!"

In the December 1951 photo above, able-bodied Pasadena Police Officer Robert Hultman uses a wheelchair as he marks car tires while smelling the lovely aroma of iconic Pasadena roses.

The wheelchair kept him low to the ground so he didn't have to bend up and down all the time.

Another officer would come around in an hour or two, check to see if any cars with marked tires were still there, and issue parking tickets accordingly.

The roses were delivered collect by what was believed to be an irate driver who had been ticketed for overtime parking.

Talk about your photo opp!

These days, the Transportation Department is charge of parking, not the Police Department.

Station Fire: Pasadena Update

The Pasadena Public Health Department reminds everyone that air quality remains unhealthy today due to the Station Fire.

Everyone should take precautions when they are outside and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, especially people with respiratory or heart disease, pregnant women, elderly persons and children.

Schools that are in session, after-school programs and children’s sports organizations are advised to cancel outdoor activities until conditions improve.

The Pasadena Fire Department has two fire engines and 10 personnel on the fire lines to assist in combating the Station Fire. They are working side-by-side with firefighters from many other jurisdictions who have been assigned to the blaze.

Flags at all Pasadena fire stations have been at half-staff in memory of Arnaldo Quinones and Tedmund Hall of the Los Angeles County Fire Department who died in the line of duty on Sunday. Pasadena Fire Department personnel also are wearing black bands across their badges in honor of their fallen brothers.

“I am immensely proud of the men and women of the Pasadena Fire Department, other city departments and all personnel from other agencies who are responding to this devastating fire,” said Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard. “Our community has a long history of rallying during times of emergency. I commend the Pasadena businesses, organizations and residents who have donated their time and resources to assist with this immense effort.”

People from evacuated neighborhoods in other communities who are staying with friends or relatives in Pasadena may need to arrange for short-term, temporary overnight parking permits. Special permits will be available beginning Sept. 2 at no cost at the city's Parking Office, 221 E. Walnut St., Suite 199. The permits will expire on Sept. 7.

Visit www.cityofpasadena.net/disaster for emergency preparedness information; visit www.aqmd.gov/ej/CAC/wildfire_safety_tips.htm for information about preventing the health impacts of smoke or call the Pasadena Public Health Department information line at (626) 744-6012.

Excellent ongoing coverage of the fire situation can be found at www.altadenablog.com. Many of our local bloggers have been posting about the fires, including fantastic photos. Take a gander at the list on the right and click away!

Photo: Pasadena Star-News