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Mountain Views News Saturday, August 31, 2024


Labor Day 
Closures & 
Reminders

Tournament Announces 
Fifth Annual Día De Los 
Muertos Art Competition

 Pasadena residents and 
businesses are reminded 
that City Hall and many 
City services will be closed 
on Monday in observance 
of Labor Day. Specific 
closures and exceptions are 
noted below.

 Trash and recycling 
services will be postponed 
by one day. Monday 
pickup will occur on 
Tuesday; Tuesday pickup 
on Wednesday; Wednesday 
pickup on Thursday; 
Thursday pickup on 
Friday; and Friday pickup 
on Saturday. There will be 
no bulky item pickups on 
Saturday or Monday.

 The City Service Center 
will be closed Monday and 
will resume regular hours 
on Tuesday.

 Pasadena residents and 
businesses experiencing 
power emergencies should 
call Pasadena Water and 
Power (PWP) at (626) 744-
4673. For water-related 
emergencies, call (626) 
744-4138. PWP’s regular 
Customer Call Center will 
be closed for the holiday, 
but customers can access 
their accounts and pay bills 
online at PWPweb.com or 
by calling (626) 744-4005.

 The City’s Municipal 
Services Payment Center 
and Parking Office will be 
closed on Labor Day. All 
parking meters not posted 
as “No Parking” will be free 
and time limits will not be 
enforced.

 Violations for overnight 
parking, red curb parking, 
“No Parking” zones, and 
blocking fire hydrants will 
continue to be enforced. 
Regular enforcement 
resumes Tuesday, Sept. 3.

 The City’s Permit Center 
will be closed Monday, Sept. 
2, but online permitting 
services are available 24/7 
at CityOfPasadena.net/
PermitCenterOnline. The 
Permit Center will resume 
regular hours on Tuesday.

 Pasadena Transit bus 
service and Dial-A-Ride 
transportation will not 
operate on Labor Day. 
Normal service will resume 
on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

 All Pasadena Public 
Libraries will be closed 
on Sunday and Monday 
and will return to regular 
schedules on Tuesday.

 All recreation and 
community centers 
operated by the City’s 
Parks, Recreation and 
Community Services 
Department will be closed 
on Labor Day, but all parks 
will be open for picnics, 
fun and play. No site 
reservations are accepted 
for the holiday.

 Pasadena Police and Fire 
Departments will continue 
to be staffed for all patrol, 
jail, fire, paramedic, and 
other emergency services. 
For life-threatening 
emergencies, dial 9-1-
1. If you see something, 
say something. Report 
suspicious activity 
to Pasadena Police 
Department at (626) 744-
4241.

 For more information 
visit: cityofpasadena.net.


City Unveils Strategy for Economic Growth

 The Pasadena Tournament of 
Roses announced Thursday the 
fifth annual Día de los Muertos 
art competition, a celebration 
of art, in partnership with the 
Consulate General of Mexico 
in Los Angeles, LA Plaza de 
Cultura y Artes, Athens Services 
and Rose Hills Memorial Park & 
Mortuary.

 Winners of this year’s regional 
competition will be awarded 
scholarships and gift cards in 
three age categories: 4-8, 9-13 
and 14-18.

 A tradition in Mexico and 
Central America that goes back 
more than 3,000 years, Día de 
los Muertos is an annual holiday 
that is now celebrated around 
the world. A celebration of life 
and death, the holiday spans 
two-days, during which it is 
believed that the spirit world 
and the real world become 
one, even if only for a moment. 
When it comes to traditions, 
festivities and flowers – they get 
the appeal. “As an organization 
that’s all about a rose, the 
Pasadena Tournament of Roses 
can appreciate that the marigold 
holds such a prestigious place in 
this celebration.”

 To enter, students must be 
between the ages of 4 and 18. 
Masterpieces can take any shape 
or form, as long as they celebrate, 
reflect and honor the traditions 
of Día de los Muertos. We 
encourage students to consider 
the following art categories:

- Paintings & Drawings - Create 
an art piece featuring marigolds, 
monarch butterflies or other 
representations of the holiday.

- Calavera – Make and decorate 
a sugar skull.

- Ofrendas – Build or construct 
an altar.

- Catrina – Paint a face with 
traditional Día de los Muertos 
makeup.

- Digital Art/Graphic Design 
– Use technology and graphic 
design to bring your art to life.

- Other visual arts – Get 
creative in some other form, 
including sculptures or making 
a traditional Día de Muertos 
costume.

 For submission details visit: 
tournamentofroses.com/
diadelosmuertos. Submissions 
due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, 
September 30.

 The Pasadena Tournament of 
Roses is a volunteer organization 
that hosts America’s New Year 
Celebration with the Rose 
Parade, the Rose Bowl Game 
and a variety of accompanying 
events. The Association’s 935 
Members supply more than 
80,000 volunteer hours, which 
will drive the success of the 136th 
Rose Parade, themed “Best Day 
Ever!,” on Wednesday, January 
1, 2025, followed by the College 
Football Playoff Quarterfinal at 
the 111th Rose Bowl Game.

 Art Contest 
Submissions Now 
Being Accepted. 

 Pasadena city officials made 
public Thursday a new Economic 
Development Strategic Plan, a 
roadmap designed to showcase 
and amplify the city’s inherent 
strengths and ensure its 
continued prosperity, vibrancy, 
and charm. “The plan, developed 
through extensive research, 
collaboration, and community 
engagement, is a pivotal step in 
Pasadena’s ongoing efforts to 
foster innovation, resilience, and 
economic growth,” they said.

 The Economic Development 
Division, an integral part of the 
City Manager’s Office, crafted 
this strategic plan to create new 
opportunities and highlight the 
existing vibrancy of Pasadena. 
With input from city officials, 
local businesses, and community 
stakeholders, the plan aims 
to build, and spread the word 
about Pasadena’s exceptional 
quality of life, thriving business 
environment, and cultural 
richness, guiding the city’s 
economic initiatives over the 
next five years.

 “Supporting and nurturing 
our local businesses is crucial 
for Pasadena’s fiscal health 
and overall prosperity,” City 
Manager Miguel Marquez 
said. “The contributions of our 
business community are vital for 
maintaining the city’s quality of 
life and economic stability.”

 According to Marquez, Pasadena 
is poised to become a regional 
leader in “Deep Tech” industries, 
including life sciences, AI, and 
quantum technologies. With the 
city’s strong tech workforce and 
world-renowned institutions like 
Caltech, Pasadena offers a unique 
environment for companies at 
the cutting edge of innovation. 
Recent successes include the 
relocation of Xencor Inc. to 
Pasadena and the upcoming 
expansion of Motiv Space 
Systems in 2024, underscoring 
Pasadena’s growing appeal in 
these high-growth sectors.

 Following the disruptions 
caused by the COVID-19 
pandemic, Pasadena has made 
a steady recovery, with current 
employment levels nearing 
the pre-pandemic peak of 
80,000 jobs. The new strategic 
plan aims to accelerate this 
recovery by addressing the 
evolving economic landscape 
and leveraging Pasadena’s 
competitive advantages Marquez 
said.

 He said that in 2023 alone, 
Pasadena’s commercial parcels 
contributed over $114 million 
to the city’s general fund, with 
sales and tax revenues adding 
nearly $70 million. Pasadena has 
outperformed neighboring cities 
and Los Angeles County in key 
economic metrics, boasting a 
lower office vacancy rate, lower 
unemployment rate, and higher 
median earnings.

 The plan also aims to tackle 
Pasadena’s retail oversupply 
with targeted methods to 
reduce vacancies and enhance 
neighborhood commercial 
corridors. By refining retail 
space requirements and 
expanding allowable uses 
the city is ensuring a more 
vibrant, sustainable commercial 
landscape that meets the needs 
of both residents and visitors.

 Pasadena is also a regional 
destination for shopping and 
dining, supporting more 
collective square feet of retail 
and food & beverage offerings 
than its nearby competitors.

 “We are thrilled to reach this 
milestone in the Division, 
and now the exciting work of 
carrying out the plan’s initiatives 
begins,” said Director David 
Klug. “Our success depends 
on strong collaboration with 
our community partners, and 
we look forward to working 
together to enhance Pasadena’s 
economy.”

- The plan outlines six guiding 
principles that will direct the 
Division’s efforts and those of its 
partners:

- Build Systems and Partnerships 
for Success – establishing strong 
public-private partnerships, 
enhancing communication and 
marketing efforts, and forming a 
Deep Tech Council.

- Champion Life Sciences and 
Cultivate a Deep Tech Ecosystem 
– leveraging Pasadena’s 
competitive advantages to attract 
and retain industry leaders.

- Invest in Neighborhoods and 
Small Businesses – reducing 
barriers to market entry and 
improving neighborhood 
commercial corridors.

- Reinforce Pasadena as a 
Destination for Culture and 
Entertainment – with strategic 
investments in cultural and 
entertainment offerings that 
complement Pasadena’s status as 
a dining destination.

- Expand and Streamline 
Workforce Opportunities – 
through partnerships and 
training programs that prepare 
residents for the jobs of 
tomorrow.

- Prioritize Place and 
Accessibility Investments – 
enhancing Pasadena’s walkability 
and connectivity to create a 
more attractive environment 
for businesses, residents, and 
visitors.

 To learn more about the strategic 
initiatives contact the Economic 
Development Division at 
EconomicDevelopment@
CityOfPasadena.net or (626) 
744-4660.

 Visit: CityOfPasadena.net/ 
EconomicDevelopment/

Development-News/ to view the 
full plan.

Free Concert 
at Memorial 
Park Bandshell

 Calling all Taylor Swift 
fans and music lovers! The 
City of Pasadena Parks, 
Recreation and Community 
Services (PRCS) Department 
is inviting you to a night of 
unforgettable music and fun at 
our free Concert in the Park. 
Get ready to sing your heart 
out and dance under the stars 
with New Romantics: A Taylor 
Swift Tribute. The event will 
take place on Saturday, Sept. 
7 from 7- 8:30 p.m., at the 
Memorial Park Bandshell, 85 
E Holly St. Grab your friends, 
bring a blanket or a lawn chair, 
and come ready to experience 
a fabulous evening with your 
favorite tunes.

 Concerts in the Park 
are all about bringing the 
community together to 
celebrate music, culture, 
and the joy of spending time 
outdoors during the summer. 
The concerts are part of the 
Parks After Dark program, 
which ended in August. This 
event will be held in lieu of 
the canceled concert that 
was originally scheduled for 
Saturday, August 10. This 
electrifying performance is a 
fantastic way to spend your 
evening, especially with the 
magic of Taylor Swift’s greatest 
hits coming to life. Whether 
you’re a Swifty or just love a 
great outdoor concert, this is 
the place to be.

 For more information, please 
call (626) 744-6530.

 

Interim General Manager of 
Pasadena Water and Power 
David Reyes, announced 
this week that they are set to 
hold the first virtual meeting, 
Thursday, September 26 from 
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., on 
Pasadena’s pathway to carbon-
free electricity charted through 
a comprehensive Optimized 
Strategic Plan (“OSP”).

 The OSP is a roadmap that 
will define the key actions and 
future decision points to help 
best position PWP to achieve 
the city’s goal to source all 
electricity from carbon-free 
sources by the end of 2030 
while maintaining reliability 
and limiting cost impacts 
to customers. The OSP will 
consider how new generation 
resources, infrastructure 
investments and customer 
programs can facilitate the 
transition to Pasadena’s carbon-
free goal.

 Community members can 
attend the meeting by going to 
PWPweb.com/OSP or calling 
(669)- 444-9171 and using the 
webinar ID 878 4401 2192 at the 
designated meeting time.

City to Hold 
First Clean 
Energy 
Meeting 

Library Card Sign-Up Month 

 SSiieerrrraa MMaaddrree WWoommaann’’ss CClluubb 
At the rear of the Essick House 
550 West Sierra Madre Boulevard 
One block East of Michillinda 
TThhuurrssddaayy,, 
SSeepptteemmbbeerr 55,, 22002244 
. 
1100 aa..mm.. –– 33 pp..mm.. 
Quality clothing for all the family, jewelry; 
kitchenware, glassware, linens; toys; 
art, bric-a-brac, books, media, stationery; 
fabric remnants, craft supplies, decorations; 
workshop & garden items and More! 
For Information call 
626-355-7739 
SierraMadreWomansClub 
SierraMadreWomansClub.org 
Shop proceeds support local charities 
Celebrate Library Card Sign-
Up Month this September with 
the Altadena Library District 
and the American Library 
Association. They invite you to 
discover the incredible resources 
and opportunities available at 
our libraries by signing up for a 
library card.

 For the whole month of 
September, neighbors who sign 
up for a library card will receive a 
registration prize (while supplies 
last). Look for our Curiosity 
Connection Volume 2 out and 
about in Altadena.

 For more information visit: 
altadenalibrary.org.


9 Kersting Court. icrr.i M:idrc, A 91024 
626--355-11 0 wwwJconor.imos mm 
Hooray for the 
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com