September-October
2013
SRNA
Newsletter
Vol 2,
Issue 1
The
mission of the San Rafael
Neighborhoods Association (SRNA) is to
enhance and maintain the character and
quality of all San Rafael
neighborhoods through advocacy and an
activated community.
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SRNA
2013 Board of Directors
Ron
Paler-President
Robin Salzer-Vice President
Mary Beth Bridges-Vice President
(Interim)
Mary Dee Romney-Secretary
Stan Clark-Treasurer
Michael Loya-Board Member
Kathy Goodwin-Board Member
Freddie Hannan-Board Member
Alix Nassiri-Board Member
Adele Levitt-Board Member
Ann Kelley-Board Member
Marie Cleaves-Board Member
Elaine Hawkes-Board Member
OPEN-Board Member
SRNA Artist-Wendi Moffly
MEETING
ANNOUNCEMENT
SRNA General
Membership Meeting
.
WHEN:
FIRST WEDNESDAY EVERY MONTH
WHERE:
CHURCH OF THE ANAGELS
CHURCH
HALL
1100
AVENUE 64
7
PM
Next
General Meeting:
Wednesday,
October 2
SRNA
GENERAL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO
ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
The
beautiful artwork that adorns
the SRNA newsletter is the
result of SRNA Member Wendi
Moffly. SRNA is greatful for
the warmth that Wendi's artwork
brings to the bimonthly
newsletter. In
this edition of the
newsletter, we are happy to
display new paintings by
Wendi.
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**It's
coming **
SRNA
2014 Membership notices.
SRNA
needs your help enhancing
and maintaining the
character and quality of all
San Rafael neighborhoods
through advocacy and an
activated community.
Come
join SRNA for another
successful year of community
organizing, fun and
friendship.
Watch
for it in your mailbox
soon.
_____________________________________
Fire Station #39
Update
by Stan Clark
Station
#39 remodeling work continues to
progress. Interior walls are
almost finished and work on the
rear portion of the building is
ready for the raised deck to be
built.
Fire
Department officials along
with City Staff have indicated
the remodel is on schedule and
the station is slated to
reopen, returning Engine 39
and crew including paramedics
in December of 2013 after
closing on April 27, 2011.
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Featured
Article:
AVENUE
64 TRAFFIC CONCERNS
By Pilar
Reynaldo
Guest
Contributor
Ave 64
Coalition-Pasadena/Los
Angeles
Editor's
Note: The Avenue 64
Coalition made a
presentation to the
San Rafael
Neighborhoods
Association at the
meeting held Sept
11.
The Ave 64
coalition was formed
shortly after an
accident which lead to
the death of a
cyclist in June 2013
which raised question
about safety issues
along the avenue.
A
group of some 40
concerned neighbors
met for the first time
on July 7th to share
their stories and on
the stretch of Ave 64
which is governed by
Los Angeles and
Pasadena from La Loma
Road in Pasadena to
Meridian Street in Los
Angeles. By the end of
the meeting, 7 people
volunteered to start
working on interim and
long term solutions
for the various issues
raised.
Since then the 7
volunteers have come
up with a power point
presentation and a
preliminary plan which
was put together by
Sam Morrissey (a
traffic engineer with
the city of Santa
Monica) and Jeff Leon.
We have made
presentations at
Councilman Steve
Madison's Pasadena
Town Hall meeting as
well as the Historic
Highland Park land use
committee.
The Avenue
64 Coalition's proposals
for traffic calming
measures consist of the
following:
-Periodic
raised and planted
medians as well as curb
extensions to narrow the
traffic lanes
-
Designation of Hillsides
as a school
-Possible
roundabout at Burleigh
& Ave 64 including
clearly marked
crosswalks
The Avenue
64 Coalition learned at
Councilman Steve
Madison's Town Hall that
Mr. Madison's office
along with Pasadena DOT
have applied for a
$750,000 grant to do an
arterial speed
management project.
The Avenue
64 coalition is seeking
support in securing
consensus and funding
from both the cities of
Los Angeles and Pasadena
in order to implement
the recommended
solutions to address the
safety concerns along
Ave 64 from La Loma Rd
in Pasadena to Meridian
Rd in Los Angeles.
REQUESTED
ACTION TO SRNA FROM AVE
64 COALITION:
"Support
the Avenue 64
coalition in securing
consensus and funding
from both the Cities
of Los Angeles and
Pasadena in order to
implement the
recommended solutions
to address thte safety
concerns along Avenue
64 from La Loma Rd in
Pasadena to Meridian
Avenue in Los Angeles"
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Complete Streets
Program Coming to San Rafael!
By Sylvia Plummer-Guest
Contributor
The
City of Pasadena is kicking off a Complete
Streets Program in our neighborhood.
What is a COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM?
Complete Streets is a national
movement to ensure that transportation
planners and engineers consistently design
and operate the entire roadway with all
users in mind-including bicyclists, public
transportation vehicles and riders, and
pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
What are "complete" streets?
Complete streets are designed and
operated to enable safe access for all
users. Pedestrians, bicyclists,
motorists and transit riders of all ages
and abilities must be able to safely
move along and across a complete
street.
Creating complete streets means
transportation agencies must change
their orientation toward building
primarily for cars.
Instituting a complete streets policy
ensures that transportation agencies
routinely design and operate the entire
right of way to enable safe access for
all users. Places with complete streets
policies are making sure that their
streets and roads work for drivers,
transit users, pedestrians, and
bicyclists, as well as for older people,
children, and people with disabilities.
What it takes to make a street
"complete" varies depending on many
factors, so there's no single
definition. However, ingredients may
include sidewalks, bike lanes (or wide
paved shoulders), special bus lanes,
comfortable and accessible transit
stops, frequent crossing opportunities,
median islands, accessible pedestrian
signals, curb extensions, and more. A
complete street in a rural area will
look quite different from a complete
street in a highly urban area. But both
are designed to balance safety and
convenience for everyone using the
road.
Benefits of Complete Streets
Increased Transportation Choices: Streets
that provide travel choices can give
people the option to avoid traffic
congestion, and increase the overall
capacity of the transportation network.
Economic Revitalization: Complete
streets can reduce transportation costs
and travel time while increasing
property values and job growth in
communities. Improved Return on
Infrastructure Investments: Integrating
sidewalks, bike lanes, transit
amenities, and safe crossings into the
initial design of a project spares the
expense of retrofits later.
Quality of Place: Increased
bicycling and walking are indicative of
vibrant and livable communities.
Improved Safety: Design
and accommodation for bicyclists and
pedestrians reduces the incidence of
crashes.
More Walking and Bicycling: Public
health experts are encouraging walking
and bicycling as a response to the
obesity epidemic. Streets that provide
room for bicycling and walking help
children get physical activity and gain
independence.
How
Can You Participate?
A
neighborhood traffic survey will be mailed to
each resident in the San Rafael Area by
September 27, 2013. You can participate by
filling out the survey. The deadline to fill
out the survey is October 31, 2013.
What
ideas do you have for the San Rafael Area?
How about a DASH bus that circles our area
via La Loma, Avenue 64 and Colorado and leaves
you off at Old Town and the Gold Line? What
are your ideas?
For
your convenience, the survey is also available
online:
More
Information?
For
more information about Complete Streets
Program use the link below:
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Crime Watch
Update-Neighborhood Watch
By Alix Reeves
Lowering
neighborhood crime is an objective most of
us can agree on. Keeping ourselves informed
of recent crimes and knowing which types of
crimes are most likely to occur where we
live is vital information.
Calling to report
suspicious individuals or unusual activity is
critical in preventing and dissuading crime in
our neighborhoods. The Non-Emergency Number (626)
744-4241 is a valuable
tool for us, a way to inform the PPD about
activity in our midst. You may not always know
if an activity is suspicious; if
so, call and ask. The
dispatchers are our liaison to the police.
Below is a list of
residential crimes in the area from June 25,
2013 through August 31, 2013 with a
description of the crime type.
Grand Theft :
Value of theft is over $950. NOTE: Property
taken from an unlocked vehicle may be
included in this category.
Petty Theft: Value of
theft is under $950.
VEH BURG:
(Vehicle burglary) Forced entry into a
vehicle. NOTE: Property taken from an
unlocked vehicle is not considered a vehicle
burglary because there was no forced entry (it
is considered a petty or grand theft).
G THEFT AUTO: (Grand theft
auto) Taking or attempting to take a vehicle
that does not belong to you.
RES BURG: (Residential
burglary) Forced entry into a home, garage,
locker, business, etc.
Crime Stats
Source:
Crimemapping.com unless otherwise noted.
SRNA supports the concept
of transparency with crime statistics.
VEHICLE BURG |
3PA0055641 |
GRAND/GREEN ST |
6/25/2013 |
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GRAND THEFT |
3PA0056101 |
1200 BLOCK LA LOMA RD |
6/26/2013 |
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ROBBERY-ARMED |
3PA0057012 |
300 BLOCK S ARROYO BLVD |
6/29/2013 |
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PETTY THEFT |
3PA0057073 |
1100 BLOCK WELLINGTON AV |
6/29/2013 |
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RESIDENTIAL BURG |
3PA0057742 |
100 BLOCK S ORANGE GROVE BL |
7/1/2013 |
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PETTY THEFT |
3PA0058186 |
0 BLOCK GLEN SUMMER RD |
7/2/2013 |
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MAL MIS MISD (Vandalism) |
3PA0058079 |
1300 BLOCK LA LOMA RD |
7/2/2013 |
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PETTY THEFT |
3PA0059365 |
300 BLOCK S GRAND AV |
7/5/2013 |
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GRAND THEFT |
3PA0059939 |
500 BLOCK S ORANGE GROVE BL |
7/6/2013 |
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VANDALISM |
3PA0060198 |
400 BLOCK SEQUOIA DR |
7/7/2013 |
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RESIDENTIAL BURG |
3PA0060505 |
700 BLOCK NORWOOD DR |
7/8/2013 |
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GRAND THEFT |
3PA0060811 |
100 BLOCK S ORANGE GROVE B |
7/9/2013 |
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GRAND THEFT |
3PA0060779 |
100 BLOCK SAN MIGUEL RD |
7/9/2013 |
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RESIDENTIAL BURG |
3PA0061286 |
400 BLOCK BELLEFONTAINE ST |
7/10/2013 |
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PETTY THEFT |
3PA0061358 |
400 BLOCK CALIFORNIA TERRACE |
7/11/2013 |
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RESIDENTIAL BURG |
3PA0063382 |
900 BLOCK BURLEIGH DR |
7/17/2013 |
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MAL MIS FELONY (Vandalism) |
3PA0063318 |
900 BLOCK LA LOMA RD |
7/17/2013 |
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RESIDENTIAL BURG |
3PA0064420 |
1700 BLOCK KAWEAH DR |
7/20/2013 |
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VEHICLE BURG |
3PA0071482 |
300 BLOCK ELMWOOD DR |
8/10/2013 |
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RESIDENTIAL BURG |
3PA0072370 |
1400 BLOCK GLEN OAKS B |
8/13/201 |
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VANDALISM |
3PA0072372 |
200 BLOCK N GRAND AV |
8/13/2013 |
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RESIDENTIAL BURG |
3PA0072869 |
800 BLOCK CHULA VISTA AV |
8/14/2013 |
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VEHICLE BURG |
3PA0077948 |
800 BLOCK BURLEIGH DR |
8/28/2013 |
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BURGLARY |
3PA0077774 |
1100 BLOCK CHARLES ST |
8/28/2013 |
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RESIDENTIAL BURG |
3PA0078450 |
100 BLOCK FERN DR |
8/30/2013 |
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VEHICLE BURG |
3PA0078426 |
GRAND / GREEN ST |
8/30/2013 |
ROSE
BOWL AREA SAMPLING OF CRIME:
PUBLIC INTOX |
3PA0058868 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/4/2013 |
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VEHICLE BURG |
3PA0059796 |
SECO / WEST DR |
7/6/2013 |
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(2) BATTERY (1) ASSAULT |
3PA0060208 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/7/2013 |
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DISTURBING THE PEACE 415
MISC |
3PA0060268 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/7/2013 |
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PUBLIC INTOX |
3PA0060222 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/7/2013 |
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GRAND THEFT |
3PA0060186 |
RICHLAND/WESTGATE ST |
7/7/2013 |
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VEHICLE BURG |
3PA0060912 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/9/2013 |
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GRAND THEFT |
3PA0061087 |
1100 BLOCK ROSEMONT AV |
7/10/2013 |
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PETTY THEFT |
3PA0063754 |
300 BLOCK N ARROYO BL |
7/18/2013 |
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VEHICLE BURG |
3PA0065683 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/24/2013 |
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VEHICLE BURG |
3PA0065681 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/24/2013 |
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BATTERY |
3PA0067331 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/28/2013 |
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BATTERY |
3PA0067385 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/28/2013 |
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VEHICLE BURG |
3PA0067395 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/28/2013 |
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PUBLIC INTOX |
3PA0067349 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/28/2013 |
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PUBLIC INTOX |
3PA0067350 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/28/2013 |
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PUBLIC INTOX |
3PA0067343 |
100 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/28/2013 |
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THEFT INSECURVEH |
3PA0068373 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
8/1/2013 |
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VEHICLE BURG |
3PA0068281 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
7/31/2013 |
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G THEFT AUTO |
3PA0068958 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
8/2/2013 |
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VANDALISM |
3PA0068822 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
8/2/2013 |
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GRAND THEFT |
3PA0070208 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
8/6/2013 |
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GRAND THEFT |
3PA0070206 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
8/6/2013 |
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THEFT INSECURVEH |
3PA0070658 |
1100 BLOCK ROSEMONT AV |
8/7/2013 |
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VEHICLE BURG |
3PA0070564 |
300 BLOCK N ARROYO BL |
8/7/2013 |
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VEHICLE BURG |
3PA0071523 |
400 BLOCK N ARROYO B |
8/10/2013 |
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GRAND THEFT |
3PA0072583 |
1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR |
8/13/2013 |
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San
Rafael Elementary School
SRNA hosted Principal Rudy
Ramirez and SRES parent Alison Pultz at the
last SRNA meeting. Principal Ramirez
presented an update on improving test scores
at the school and information on the dual
immersion Spanish language program which has
become extremely popular. In addition,
residents learned about the new Room 13 Artist
in Residence on campus.
Principal Ramirez also spoke
about improved traffic and parking
restrictions surrounding the school. Just
hours prior to the last SRNA meeting,
Councilman Steve Madison issued an email
describing the new parking changes. SRNA had
received numerous concerns from surrounding
neighbors concerned about parking issues and
SRNA is happy to report that a new plan has
been implemented that SHOULD lead to improved
issues with traffic.
Stay tuned for more San
Rafael Elementary School updates in future
newsletters.
If you haven't visited San
Rafael Elementary School in a while, be sure
and stop by to see the latest developments at
the school.
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THE FUTURE OF
SAN RAFAEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Information Item:
7-11 COMMITTEE FORMING
TO EVALUATE EXCESS REAL PROPERTY.
The following
information is from the Pasadena Unified School
District (PUSD). Please click on the link below.
SRNA will be monitoring the 7-11 process closely.
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Signage for the Wayfarer:
Wayfinding Signs
Letters to the
Editor
Local
residents continue to comment on signage found
on Pasadena city streets.
Here
are 2 Letters received by SRNA on this
continuing topic reprinted here with permission
of both authors.
I just read your
article about the signs to direct us to places
in Pasadena. I wondered what they were about
and am astounded that the city would spend so
much on signage and the number of new signs is
ridiculous when the new trend is on being
green and reducing our footprint on the
environment. Most people have GPS these days
in their car and their phone, so getting lost
is not so common anymore. Glad that you are
keeping an eye out on things like this!
Thank you,
Ann-Marie Villicana
Pasadena
CA
Note: The author is previous
Councilmember from District 6 Pasadena
You requested comments on the new signage
going up in Pasadena. Personally, I like the
signs. They are quite distinctive, artfully
done, and provide a service to the public. But
also, they tend to subtly point out that
Pasadena is a city with many top attractions and
cultural destinations, making it unique and
distinctive from most other American cities.
And the notion that they are analogous to Lady
Bird Johnson's campaign to remove billboards
from highways does not meet the test of logic.
The signs that Ms. Johnson fought against were
garish advertisements and indeed were, and are,
visual pollution. The new signs in Pasadena are
nothing like that, and serve a valuable purpose,
and do so in a gracious manner.
Quincy
Hocutt
Pasadena
Continue
to send us your opinions on the
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La Loma Bridge Closing
for 18 months starting in 2014
by Michael Loya
The La Loma
bridge built in 1914 (Corner of South Arroyo
Blvd. and La Loma Rd.) will be updated for
earthquake safety standards starting sometime in
early 2014. It is estimated this project will
cost 17 million dollars and that the bridge will
be closed to traffic for a period of 18 months.
Many residents that use the La Loma bridge will
be detoured through other routes during the
construction period. The City of Pasadena is
planning to host community meetings in the
upcoming months to help provide information
about the La Loma bridge rehabilitation project
including the possible construction of a
pedestrian foot bridge (temporary versus
permanent).
Stay tuned for
more information as it becomes available.
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COALITION FOR THE
PRESERVATION OF THE ARROYO
NFL-EIR LAWSUIT
Information Update
Legal proceedings
continue in the challenge to the NFL-EIR
lawsuit.
The Coalition for Preservation of
the Arroyo is composed of the East Arroyo
Neighborhood Preservation Committee
(EANPC), the Linda Vista~Annandale
Association, (LVAA) and the San Rafael
Neighborhoods Association (SRNA), and is
supported by the West Pasadena Residents'
Association (WPRA)
We encourage you to support the NFL
EIR litigation. Help us protect our
neighborhoods and the Central Arroyo. To
read more and contribute, go to lvaa.net, or
srnapasadena.org.
Contribute here to the cause:
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JOIN AND
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP WITH SRNA
Join and
renew your membership with SRNA---
West
Pasadena's newest
and fast growing
neighborhood
organization dedicated to the San Rafael
Neighborhoods Area.
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS:
Member $20
Household $35
Sustaining $100
Patron $250
Benefactor $500
Please send check by mail to:
San Rafael Neighborhoods
Association (SRNA)
PO Box 92617
Pasadena, CA 91109
OR
Join us at our
website at
Credit cards
accepted
SRNA
is looking for people to volunteer and be a
part of our organization. Write to us if you
would like to help make a difference and what
your area of interest is.
SRNA is registered
with the city of Pasadena/Neighborhood
Connections office.
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