September-October 2013 SRNA Newsletter

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. Contact:  info@srnapasadena.org On the web at www.srnapasadena.org In This Issue Ave 64 Traffic Complete Streets Program Crime Watch School Update San Rafael 7-11 School Committee Wayfinding Signage La Loma Bridge Closure NFL-EIR Lawsuit 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.  _____________________________________ **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. 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" PLEASE WRITE TO SRNA with your comments and suggestions on this topic at info@srnapasadena.org

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: http://cityofpasadena.net/Transportation/SanRafael/ More Information? For more information about Complete Streets Program use the link below: http://www.cityofpasadena.net/Transportation/Managing_Traffic_in_Our_Neighborhoods/ 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 GRAND THEFT 3PA0056101 1200 BLOCK LA LOMA RD 6/26/2013 ROBBERY-ARMED 3PA0057012 300 BLOCK S ARROYO BLVD 6/29/2013 PETTY THEFT    3PA0057073 1100 BLOCK WELLINGTON AV 6/29/2013 RESIDENTIAL BURG  3PA0057742 100 BLOCK S ORANGE GROVE BL 7/1/2013 PETTY THEFT 3PA0058186 0 BLOCK GLEN SUMMER RD 7/2/2013 MAL MIS MISD (Vandalism) 3PA0058079 1300 BLOCK LA LOMA RD 7/2/2013 PETTY THEFT  3PA0059365 300 BLOCK S GRAND AV  7/5/2013 GRAND THEFT 3PA0059939 500 BLOCK S ORANGE GROVE BL 7/6/2013 VANDALISM 3PA0060198 400 BLOCK SEQUOIA DR 7/7/2013 RESIDENTIAL BURG 3PA0060505 700 BLOCK NORWOOD DR 7/8/2013 GRAND THEFT  3PA0060811 100 BLOCK S ORANGE GROVE B 7/9/2013 GRAND THEFT  3PA0060779 100 BLOCK SAN MIGUEL RD 7/9/2013 RESIDENTIAL BURG 3PA0061286 400 BLOCK BELLEFONTAINE ST 7/10/2013 PETTY THEFT 3PA0061358 400 BLOCK CALIFORNIA TERRACE 7/11/2013 RESIDENTIAL BURG 3PA0063382 900 BLOCK BURLEIGH DR 7/17/2013 MAL MIS FELONY (Vandalism) 3PA0063318 900 BLOCK LA LOMA RD  7/17/2013 RESIDENTIAL BURG 3PA0064420 1700 BLOCK KAWEAH DR 7/20/2013 VEHICLE BURG 3PA0071482  300 BLOCK ELMWOOD DR 8/10/2013 RESIDENTIAL BURG 3PA0072370 1400 BLOCK GLEN OAKS B 8/13/201 VANDALISM  3PA0072372 200 BLOCK N GRAND AV 8/13/2013 RESIDENTIAL BURG 3PA0072869 800 BLOCK CHULA VISTA AV  8/14/2013 VEHICLE BURG 3PA0077948 800 BLOCK BURLEIGH DR     8/28/2013 BURGLARY 3PA0077774  1100 BLOCK CHARLES ST 8/28/2013 RESIDENTIAL BURG 3PA0078450 100 BLOCK FERN DR 8/30/2013 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 VEHICLE BURG 3PA0059796 SECO / WEST DR 7/6/2013 (2) BATTERY (1) ASSAULT 3PA0060208 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/7/2013 DISTURBING THE PEACE 415 MISC 3PA0060268 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/7/2013 PUBLIC INTOX 3PA0060222 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/7/2013 GRAND THEFT 3PA0060186 RICHLAND/WESTGATE ST 7/7/2013 VEHICLE BURG 3PA0060912 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/9/2013 GRAND THEFT 3PA0061087 1100 BLOCK ROSEMONT AV 7/10/2013 PETTY THEFT 3PA0063754 300 BLOCK N ARROYO BL 7/18/2013 VEHICLE BURG 3PA0065683 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/24/2013 VEHICLE BURG 3PA0065681 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/24/2013 BATTERY 3PA0067331 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/28/2013 BATTERY 3PA0067385 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/28/2013 VEHICLE BURG 3PA0067395 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/28/2013 PUBLIC INTOX 3PA0067349 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/28/2013 PUBLIC INTOX 3PA0067350 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/28/2013 PUBLIC INTOX  3PA0067343 100 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/28/2013 THEFT INSECURVEH 3PA0068373 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR  8/1/2013 VEHICLE BURG 3PA0068281 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 7/31/2013 G THEFT AUTO 3PA0068958  1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 8/2/2013 VANDALISM 3PA0068822 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 8/2/2013 GRAND THEFT 3PA0070208 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 8/6/2013 GRAND THEFT 3PA0070206 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR 8/6/2013 THEFT INSECURVEH 3PA0070658  1100 BLOCK ROSEMONT AV 8/7/2013 VEHICLE BURG 3PA0070564 300 BLOCK N ARROYO BL 8/7/2013 VEHICLE BURG 3PA0071523 400 BLOCK N ARROYO B 8/10/2013 GRAND THEFT 3PA0072583 1000 BLOCK ROSE BOWL DR  8/13/2013     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. 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. http://pasadenausd.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/917180/File/7-11%20Application%20for%20San%20Rafael%20ES.pdf 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  Wayfinding Signs  at info@srnapasadena.org 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.     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: http://srnapasadena.org/rose-bowl-nfl-expansion/join-in-challenging-the-nfl-in-the-rose-bowl-eir/ 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 www.srnapasadena.org and click the tab "Join Us" 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.