Monthly Archives: March 2024
Mar 27 2024
Pasadena Internet Availability in the Community Survey
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The City of Pasadena is currently studying internet availability in the community. The data collected from the survey will be utilized in a market assessment to develop a Strategic Broadband Plan for the City. Help us shape strategies to ensure equitable internet access for all! Take the survey today at

Bit.ly/PasadenaInternetSurvey

Please note that our survey on internet availability in the community is set to close on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

More info here
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Mar 27 2024
Vroman’s Closing in Hastings Ranch Pasadena
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Vroman’s closing in Hastings Ranch: 🙁 To our Vroman’s Customers, In January, Joel Sheldon announced his intention to retire from ownership of Vroman’s and Book Soup and seek new ownership for the company. The response from our community far and wide exceeded our expectations. We cannot thank you enough for your continuing support and enthusiasm for our next chapter. At the time of that announcement, we were in lease negotiations for our Hastings Ranch Vroman’s location and optimistic about continuing our business there. After more than 20 years at that site, we have a dedicated customer base and an equally dedicated group of booksellers. We know that because we frequently hear from customers how much they love that store and the staff. Today, we are disappointed to share with you that we were unable to reach an agreement with the property owner of Hastings Ranch that was sustainable, due to increasing occupancy expenses. While this development is unexpected and disappointing, we are most disheartened by the impact on our co-workers. Their dedication and hard work made that store successful, and we are forever grateful. Twelve co-workers are impacted by this and we will do everything we can to support them through continued employment with the company where possible. We ask for your consideration and kindness toward our colleagues at Hastings Ranch as we go through this process. Bookstores matter. Our top priority has always been to be a healthy and thriving bookstore destination no matter how many locations. We will use this opportunity to concentrate our efforts on making the customer experience at our flagship store on Colorado Boulevard better than ever. Our last day of business for customers at the Hastings Ranch location will be May 12th, 2024. Rest assured, our Colorado Boulevard location is secure and the search for the right new ownership continues. As always, we greatly appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to serve you at our Colorado Boulevard location in the months and years to come. Sincerely, Vroman’s Bookstore Facebook Twitter Instagram PASADENA 695 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101

(626) 449-5320

HASTINGS RANCH 3729 Foothill Blvd. Pasadena,CA 91107

(626) 351-0828
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Mar 20 2024
New Los Angeles County STR Regulations Approved March 19, 2024
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New STR Regulations Approved Despite Push-back
The LA County Board of Supervisors has approved the adoption of new rules regarding short-term rental of properties
https://laist.com/brief/news/housing-homelessness/restrictions-short-term-rentals-la-county

, commonly known as “STRs.”

The new rules

https://ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/STR-FAQ-Final.pdf

go into effect in 180 days.

Not everyone is happy about that, including a couple of Altadena residents quoted by LAist in the piece linked to above.
As many are aware, the explosive growth of STRs (often thought of in terms of AirBnB or VRBO) has fueled a whole lot of concern and debate –
More information (from last month, and with a quote resident) at

https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2024/02/13/l-a-county-ordinance-would-regulate-short-term-rentals-in-unincorporated-areas/
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Mar 18 2024
Masters of Taste 2024 – April 7, 2024 – Pasadena Rose Bowl @mastersoftaste #EatMoreGiveMore
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Only a few weeks away until the 7th Masters of Taste 2024 , on April 7, 2024.

Starting at 3pm for VIP and 4pm for general, expect a fabulous assortment of chef  prepared samples.

Experience over 100 of the top Culinary, Beverage, and Sweet Masters in the Greater Los Angeles area

Past Participants have included James Beard Nominated 2023 Hosts Chef Michael & Kwini Reed of Poppy + Rose and Poppy & Seed, 2022 Host Chef Vanda Asapahu of Ayara Thai, 2019 Host Chef Michael Hung, Michelin Star Chef Jonathan Yao of Kato, and many more!

The host chefs this year are  Chef Bret Thompson and Lucy Thompson-Ramirez with the Pez Cantina and Pez Pasadena.

For a $10 savings on tickets use the promo code VICTOR24, this is valid on regular and VIP admission, buy tickets here.

This year promises to be one not to miss.

For the lineup of participants visit

For more information about Pez Coastal Kitchen or to make reservations, please call 626.210.0775 directly or visit www.PezPasadena.com.
Social Media: Follow Pez Coastal Kitchen on Instagram @pezpasadena, Facebook @PezPasadena, and TikTok @pezcantina

Pez Coastal Kitchen
61 N. Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
T: 626.210.0775
www.PezPasadena.com

 

 

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Mar 18 2024
Shark Ninja Product Warranty
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I have purchased Shark Ninja products for years now and just recently had two blenders and they both developed issues around the 1 year mark, which is what the warranty is.

The cups develop issues, parts break, the cup clips that trigger the motor when engaged.

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Mar 11 2024
Apple Gen AI Service TBA WWDC Rumor
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The buzz is that Apple will be announcing a Gen AI Service at WWDC 2024 in June.

Apple stock as of Monday March 11, 2024 is benefiting from the news and other factors amid declining iPhone sales in particular in China.

Apple’s AI chief John Giannandrea is leading the deveopment.

What form the AI will be released as is yet unknown, but rumors of a Apple GPT , Apple ChatBot, or similar service is coming, and will be available on Apple iOS and Mac OS devices.

Apple Vision product should also see increased AI enhancements and possible we should hear of updates for Apple Vision as well.  Perhaps a lower cost version in the next year.

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Mar 4 2024
City of Pasadena Trash and Sewer Rate Increases 2024 – Protest Link Email
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Pasadena Residents Pay Attention

The city of Pasadena has plans to increase the cost of sewer use fees. It’s a five year plan that increase the residents cost and will be triple the cost for all residents in 5 years!!

They cannot legally move forward with this program if 50% of the residents protest the increase.  Both rate increases are from Pasadena Public Works.

In addition to the sewer fees increase, there are plans to increase substantially the cost of refuse collection. 

Public Notices posted here:

https://www.cityofpasadena.net/public-works/

Please send an email to, if you are able to attend in person please do so, but email is encouraged as well.

Include in your email:

Please include your name and the parcel or billing address, write

“City of Pasadena Proposed Refuse Collection Fees”, and indicate whether you are protesting the rate.

This LINK will create a “City of Pasadena Proposed Refuse Collection Fees” PROTEST email for you, please fill in your name and property address/parcel so that it is registered accordingly.

and

“Implementation of Sewer Use Fee Rate Adjustments”, and indicate whether you are protesting the rate.

This LINK will create a “Implementation of Sewer Use Fee Rate Adjustments” PROTEST email for you, please fill in your name and property address/parcel so that it is registered accordingly.

or
Link text
If Google Chrome does not work use this extension to update

No data is kept using this mail link.

correspondence@cityofpasadena.net
Send before April 8, 2024. 
Write to your City Council and city staff and managers as well.  

Public Works – Tony Olmos tolmos@cityofpasadena.net

Mayor Victor Gordo

vgordo@cityofpasadena.net, vdelacuba@cityofpasadena.net

City Mgr. Miguel  Márquez,

miguelmarquez@cityofpasadena.net

City Clerk Mark Jomsky

cityclerk@cityofpasadena.net, mjomsky@cityofpasadena.net

D1 Tyron Hampton

thampton@cityofpasadena.net, cbell@cityofpasadena.net

D2 Felicia Williams

fwilliams@cityofpasadena.net, ddyson@cityofpasadena.net

D3 Justin Jones

justinjones@cityofpasadena.net

D4 Gene Masuda

gmasuda@cityofpasadena.net, nsullivan@cityofpasadena.net

D5 Jess Rivas

jerivas@cityofpasadena.net, mlmorales@cityofpasadena.net

D6 Steve Madison

smadison@cityofpasadena.net, jchapman@cityofpasadena.net

D7 Jason Lyon

jlyon@cityofpasadena.net, pthyret@cityofpasadena.net

***One email per address*** *** email due date is before April 8th***

Rate Increases for garbage and sewer.
Let me put that another way. 174% rate increase for sanitation, and another 243% rate increase for sewage. Seems steep.
And if 33,501 Pasadena residents and business owners don’t show up and ‘protest’ on April 8th, and 5:30 PM for a meeting of 2 hours, it’s happening.
How in the world did they expect to hear and accommodate 33,501 residents? It appears to be a done deal otherwise. 
You can ‘protest’ via email or postal mail. One per property. Still, seems you need over 33k ratepayers in on the protest. Who’s counting?
City of Pasadena Hosts Community Meetings to
Present Five-Year Sewer and Refuse Rate Adjustments
PASADENA, Calif.— The City of Pasadena Public Works Department is hosting two community meetings to present the proposed Five-Year Sewer Use Fee and Solid Waste Refuse Rate adjustments for implementation on July 1, 2024. The two community meetings are scheduled for:
  • Tuesday, March 19 • 5:30 p.m.– 6:30 p.m., Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
  • Wednesday, March 20 • 5:30 p.m.– 6:30 p.m., Victory Park Recreation Center, 2575 Paloma St.
Why the Proposed Five-Year Rate Adjustments?
Proposed Solid Waste Refuse Collection Fee – The Public Works Resource Recovery and Recycling Division actively manages the Refuse Program that provides integrated waste management services for over 27,000 residential accounts, a limited number of commercial service accounts, and all city accounts; manages the commercial franchise hauler system within the city; and organizes a variety of recycling opportunities and community outreach events. Funding to provide waste management services is supported through refuse collection fees, which have remained flat for residential customers since Fiscal Year 2012.
In February 2023, the Department of Public Works retained MSW Consultants to perform a cost-of-service study of the City’s solid waste rate to ensure that fees generate sufficient revenue stay compliant with California Senate Bill 1383, statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, and cover current and future solid waste operations and capital expenses. The rate study findings recommend adjustments to the residential and commercial rates for the next five-year period, between Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2029 to remain fiscally solvent.
Proposed Sewer Use Fee Rate Adjustments and New Rate Structure – The Sewer Use Fee is charged to users of the sewer system to pay for the cost of operating the system, ongoing maintenance, and needed capital improvements. The current fee is based on consumers’ water use. Over the last ten years, with long-term statewide drought conditions and water conservation efforts, the amount collected has not kept up with the cost of maintaining Pasadena’s aging sewer infrastructure and the City has not raised the sewer use fee by more than the consumer price index since 2007.
In March 2023, the Department of Public Works retained Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive cost of service rate study to evaluate and provide recommendations regarding the City’s sewer use fee calculation methodology and rate amount. The proposed fee increase will maintain sewer services and the financial stability of the Sewer Conveyance System. The new rate structure has a fixed rate for both residential and commercial customers plus a volumetric rate based on water consumption.
For more information about the proposed Sewer and Refuse Rate adjustments, visit: www.cityofpasadena.net/public–works/.
Notice of Public Hearing
The Pasadena City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 5:30 PM, in the City Council Chamber located at 100 N. Garfield Avenue, Room S249, Pasadena, CA 91101, to receive public comment regarding adjustments to the Solid Waste Refuse Collection Fees for residential customers and Sewer Use Fee Rate Adjustments and New Rate Structure to become effective July 1, 2024
For more information about the proposed Sewer and Refuse Rate adjustments, visit: www.cityofpasadena.net/public–works/.
Stay connected to the City of Pasadena! Visit us online at CityOfPasadena.net; follow us on Twitter at @PasadenaGov, and Instagram and Facebook at @CityOfPasadena; or call the City Service Center Monday through Friday during business hours at (626) 744-7311.
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Mar 4 2024
State of the City Pasadena 2024 – “Leaping into the Future”
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In addition you can attend the state of the city on Thursday Feb 29, 2024.
Mayor’s State of the City on Thursday, Feb. 29 at Caltech, Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1216 E. California Blvd. This year’s theme is “Leaping into the Future”.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Free on-site parking will be available at the Cal Tech parking garage south of the building. The State of the City will also be live-streamed at: PasadenaMedia.org/Kpas 
For accessibility information and requests, contact (626) 744-7311 or CSC@cityofpasadena.net. Providing at least 72 hours advance notice will help ensure availability.

The Mayor’s State of the City

Thursday, February 29 – Doors Open at 6:30 p.m.

Caltech’s Cahill Center

1216 E. California Boulevard
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