C
Revealing Pasadena through the content of its character
issue 01
Pasadena,
BldgC is a community project unaffiliated with any city government or organization. Its contributors are residents and admirers like you. Our goal is to uncover slices of Pasadena’s culture and rearrange them side-by-side to show the unique diversity that defines our community better than municipal boundaries can. We believe community is built from within. Pasadena is a community rich in history and constantly changing. Whether you live north of Lake or west of the Arroyo, in the hills of Eaton Canyon or the rising condos in Old Town, you are part of its ongoing story.
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Personal Service
An Interview with Rabbi Marvin Gross Perhaps known best for his 21-year long tenure as CEO of Union Station Homeless Services in the San Gabriel Valley, Rabbi Marvin Gross has dedicated a lifetime to social justice. I sat and talked with him at his home in Sierra Madre about community service, personal inspiration, and how we can all begin a journey of advocacy. Can you remember when you made the leap to becoming an advocate? I must have been fourteen or fifteen. I don’t know where I heard it, but I found out about a need for eyeglasses in India. So I got a group of guys together, went to all the ophthalmologists in town and collected used eye glasses, packaged them up, and sent a big box to India. I was also an officer of what was called a “Service Club” back then. We did some clean-up of sections of the Chicago river. Beginning in 1967, I spent two years in Israel, one on a kibbutz (communal farm), and when I came back, finished college in Amherst, Massachusetts. Politically, I was very active in the Vietnam War protests. I led the first strike on my campus and slept on the mall in Washington D.C. with the Vietnam Veterans Against the War group. I worked with Father Drinan in Boston who was elected to Congress at the time. I guess that was the start of my advocacy. On my way to rabbinical school in California, I stopped in my home town of Chicago and worked with the West Side Coalition where The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 came out of. There were all sorts of people who were not supposed to be working together, doing just that, to ensure that redlining of neighborhoods stopped and when money was taken out of a community, the banks had to put it back in. I continued to be an advocate as a leader of my synagogue in Glendale on the issues that affected my congregation including the antinuclear arms race campaign. After about 7-8 years, I decided to move on and wanted to get back into politics a bit. I got a job as the Deputy Field Director for Senator Cranston’s reelection campaign in 1986, then worked for the Jewish Federation (akin to the United Way for social services affecting Jewish communities) raising money and doing community outreach.
When I heard about Union Station, I asked around about it and liked what I learned, especially from my friends at All Saints Church, and I thought I might be able to run a small nonprofit after my years of working at large ones. Where did you find resistance or support from the community with Union Station? I found almost no resistance and certainly found a lot of support. There were some questions about why an Episcopalian church-founded organization had a rabbi leading it, but over time the brand of Union Station grew really strong. People were really proud of it. Can you tell me more about that? It was effective. We did what we’d said we’d do to help homeless folks. It showed that people had a heart and that homelessness wasn’t an acceptable condition in the city [Pasadena]. While it took three years to get approval to open our Raymond Street location, by maintaining good relationships and being good neighbors, we earned the trust and a very wide acceptance for what we were doing. Are there any stand out moments where you saw or felt the community coming together during your time at Union Station? Well, there’s the Thanksgiving meal we do annually in Central Park. It’s been going since 1972 and we get about 2,000 volunteers. It’s a part of people’s family traditions. People come from all over the county to bring purchased food items and serve meals every Thanksgiving. And just volunteerism on a daily basis. There are about 100 groups — schools, religious organizations, families — that come once a month to cook meals at the adult and family shelter locations.
Is there anything you would like to see happen in Pasadena during your lifetime? There has to be more affordable housing to address the inequality in Pasadena. I’d like to see the City Council, as a whole body, advocate for affordable housing and reducing poverty. It leads to so many issues. Low income families move out to more affordable areas, then Pasadena Unified loses money. I’d like to see Pasadena become a community where sub-communities interact with each other in positive ways; that there’s an overall solidarity and people don’t just retreat to their subgroups. You’ve talked about community service being the soul of the city. Do you feel that is still true in today’s culture? Every citizen should be challenged to engage with their community. Volunteerism is high in Pasadena, but I’d like to see some sort of national service requirement for all young people after high school. I know some high schools require a bit of it, but I’m not sure about junior high or younger. If someone (a kid especially) is challenged to do something worthwhile, they’ll do it. If they’re not challenged, well, some will do it, but not all. Young people want to be involved. To serve their community. We should help them do that. What advice would you give to someone who is just beginning their own social justice advocacy? Find what it is that excites you — the issues that compel you — and follow that. What would you enjoy? What do you feel is meaningful? What is worth your time? Most people in Pasadena, if interested, can find a niche in social justice. Article written by Kaya Plansker, September 2018. (Content edited for space and storytelling)
Service Organization Profile Pickelball, Anyone? Believing that no one should age out of fun, the Senior Olympic Games is a worldwide
organization with local support. Pasadena resident, Cynthia Rosedale, brought them here in 1992 as a way to celebrate the community of seniors through friendly, competitive play. In California alone, over 2,000 athletes competed in the 2018 State Championships in over 20 sports (including 342 pickelball matches). The Pasadena Senior Center proudly trains athletes of all skill levels at their Sy Graff Fitness Center. If your fitness goals are less lofty, the Senior Center has daily classes centered around mind and body wellness to support independent living. Stop by and see if there is a level right for you. The Senior Center is located at 85 East Holly Street in Old Town, right next door to the Memorial Park Metro Station.
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to Pasadena,” Plansker says, “There is such a rich history in this town, I wanted to replicate shopping of old where items were hand chosen and presented to you seasonally.” The Bloke is a dynamic retail space, hosting events and a pop up record store and gallery with rotating displays. You can order a custom shirt or bespoke suit, or simply sit, sip some scotch and enjoy an album playing in the store. The Bloke establishes
its British credentials with brands like Hilditch & Key, Rutherford, Drake’s, and Corgi as anchor brands, but mixes in new players like Rowing Blazers out of New York, and Kamakura shirts from Japan. Established enthusiast brands like Alden Shoes sit comfortably next to contemporary upstarts and Etsy finds. Plansker sources items from all over the world that have great stories behind them, like the cologne John F. Kennedy had smuggled into the U.S. for him and kalim slippers from Turkey. He likes to support local manufacturers as well, stocking items from Wellama Hat Co. in Altadena and shoes by 2120 Handmade in Los Angeles. “This is one-part discovery, one-part preservation for me,” Plansker shares. “I want these brands to stay relevant in today’s mass produced world. And I love when there is a good product story to tell.” 380 S. Lake Avenue, thebloke.com
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Don’t Call It a Park.
Arlington Gardens is a neighborhood wonder. A vacant lot transformed into a tranquil public garden space maintained by a head gardener and devoted group of volunteers, Arlington Gardens is a reminder of the power of imagination and the passion of individuals.
arlingtongardenpasadena.com
Pasadena residents, Betty and Charles McKenney, along with designer Mayita Dinos, saw the potential of an empty, overgrown lot and successfully lobbied the city of Pasadena to let them tame it into a water-wise Mediterranean garden. Open to all, the gardens are frequented by couples and families looking for a place to have a picnic or take a keepsake portrait against a beautiful backdrop. More often than not, you can find someone sitting quietly in one of the many donated benches and chairs, enjoying a moment of solitude. The garden is kept up primarly by volunteers who meet every Tuesday morning, pruning, planting, sweeping, and watering the native plants. Though not huge, Arlington Gardens feels like a place where you can get lost. Wander through their orange grove or walk the meditation circle outlined in rocks and the city feels a long way away. Constantly evolving, it is rare to come back and not see something new — a gnome under a bridge, wishes tied to a tree, memorial stones for loved ones lost, or a child’s tea set ready for play. If you want to support Arlington Gardens, buy some of their seasonal marmalade or donate through their website.
Local Profiles
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from the Macy’s on D Across South Lake, there is a small of men’s fashion flown r taste over from England within the Arcade. The Bloke, e Burlington billing itself as a traditional prep, ivy style men’s s British clothier, is much more than — offering leather goods, s that books, cologne, watches, and ephemera curated by i other owner Jeffery Plansker to create n a unique shopping experience. to bring a piece of g “Ithewanted best parts of Europe here
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Striving for equity With a goal of transforming itself into an “Early Learning City” by 2025, Pasadena is concentrating on the critical age of child development through the City of Pasadena’s Office of the Young Child. Coordinating with the diverse programs and services available in Pasadena, the office taps into policy, service, and public and private funding options to explore how a cohesive, family-centered system that improves the lives of young children from birth to age 5 is best developed.
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Somehow Vroman’s manages to feel intimately in tune with their local neighborhood and global in scale at the same time. A family business, the owners have passed on their love of literature for generations. Every Wednesday and Saturday morning, Mr. Steve reads a
of brain development happens before
hand-picked selection of children’s stories in one of his trademark Hawaiian shirts and caps story time with a balloon reward. He has even mastered the art of tying a slip knot in under 5 seconds, securing balloons to children’s wrists and minimizing their flyaway risk. Around most holidays, there are craft activities for kids and a range of gifts, jewelry, and toys for sale, making it a great place to shop for special occasions and the whole family. The oldest and largest independent bookstore in Southern California, Vroman’s commitment to its community is evidenced by the Vroman’s Gives Back program which donates a portion of customers’ purchases to local nonprofits, including literacy programs, arts centers, homeless services, and animal welfare. Their reach beyond books is no accident. A literary landmark and a community center, Vroman’s is an integral part of Pasadena.
@vromansbookstore
A Matchmaking Service for Day Labor
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Vroman’s bookstore has been a Pasadena landmark for nearly 125 years. Whether you are in the neighborhood for a Target run or popping in after catching a movie at the Laemmle Theater next door, Vroman’s has something to make you extend your outing an extra hour. Aside from their impressive book inventory, their calendar of events is also wellstocked, ranging from weekly author readings to monthly drag queen story hours and T-Rex Bingo. Workshops and guest speakers are often hosted at both their original store on Colorado Avenue and the Hastings Ranch location. You may find a former president, supreme court justice, or bestselling author on the speaker list.
*Harvard Center for the Developing Child
Currently, they act as a resource portal, bringing together data studies and local child development services in one place for easy accessing. Knowing that language barriers and resource access can be challenges to many families, the Pasadena Office of the Young Child looks to reduce those barriers and increase awareness of social services available to parents in all of Pasadena’s neighborhoods. Staff have conducted interviews and surveys in underserved neighborhoods to better understand the challenges facing parents. Pasadena residents can learn more about the efforts Office of the Young Child through their Facebook page: cityofpasadena.net/office-of-the-young-child/
The Pasadena Community Job Center on North Lake Avenue acts as a matching service for potential employee and employer relationships, be it for a single project or ongoing need. By providing a safe and professional environment for discussions, Pasadena Community Job Center removes the potential of miscommunication and sets a standard for pay rates, timelines, and deliverables. Services to potential employers include skillmatching and quality of service monitoring. Communication can run through the Center, facilitating any negotiation of project details. Skilled laborers can tackle short or long term needs in areas such as cleaning, construction, or child care. Believing that day laborers are a vital part of our community, the Job Center ensures a dignified exchange of services for fair pay. Prospective employers can walk in anytime or pre-arrange meetings online or by phone. Day laborers can participate in skills training and English language classes if they choose. The Pasadena Community Job Center sees a vital role for themselves in fostering better relationships between neighbors and community members. As a member of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, they join other member organizations in creating employment opportunities for day laborers, with safe working conditions and fair wages. By enabling day laborers to earn a living, they also contribute to their ability to integrate into communities. Beyond full or temporary employment opportunities, the Pasadena Community Job Center helps entrepreneurial day laborers start their own businesses, enabling them to provide for their families and reach their potential. Members have responded to national and local disasters, donating their time and energy to clean up efforts and supporting their broader community. The Pasadena Community Job Center charges no fees for their role in matching labor and project. Within their Frequently Asked Questions on their website (pasadenajobcenter.com), you can find answers to common unknowns such as method of payment, start and stop times, and expected employer provisions for laborers while on the job. All Pasadena Community Job Center members register with the center and carry a Job Center ID card in addition to agreeing to follow a code of ethics and conduct. 500 N. Lake Ave 626-440-0112
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Food For Thought Online food delivery services are gaining in popularity, with companies like UberEats and PostMates contributing to a 200% growth in 2017, per Business Insider. UberEats is now in 250 cities with plans to exponentially grow, according to CEO Dara Khosrowshahi speaking at the Code Conference this year. Those who use the services admit to the appeal of convenience. Food is delivered at the touch of a few buttons. Users may not think of themselves as influencing the course of a restaurant’s business, but they are participating in a competitive market which at times pits the restaurants making the food against the company delivering it to your home.
Many restaurants shy away from offering delivery services because the cost of employing a delivery driver and interrupting regular restaurant service to cook and package food for delivery is not worth it. Now, as the number of app users increases, restaurants are faced with a choice: Show up on a list of on demand options or opt for the in-person relationship with a diner. While it is true restaurants can gain sales they might not have otherwise gotten in a given day, the UberEats model favors the intermediary. Restaurants pay up to 30% to the app service (on a check of $20, they lose $6). App users also pay a delivery charge, meaning both sides of the transaction benefit the delivery service. Given how slim restaurant margins run, 30% often surpasses their profit.
The National Restaurant Association, which has its own research and knowledge group, cautions that diners are losing interest in eating at restaurants. Benchmarks for customer service are higher at full-service restaurants, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, raising the stakes for restaurants to meet not only the in-dining customer demands, but a growing online customer base’s demands as well. In a small(ish) town like Pasadena, restaurants are an integral community support. The Raymond Restaurant on Fair Oaks sponsors AbilityFirst’s Festival of Fall and Julienne’s in San Marino supports the Pasadena Symphony and Pops concerts. Chain restaurants like
Blaze Pizza, The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, and Chipotle offer fundraising programs, donating a portion of the day’s sales to participating groups. While the dollar amounts may be small, they can be a critical funding source for many youth groups, sports teams, and community programs. Having full-service restaurants in a neighborhood has a ripple effect on the surrounding retail as well. Diners walking around before and after a meal increase foot traffic in the area. In an industry where loyalty can be measured in rewards and convenience, the value of restaurants can easily be reduced to personal benefits. In a community however, a thriving restaurant scene benefits us all.
photography by @brigittepavich
Indiana
A group of settlers from Indiana moved to the area between Fair Oaks and the Arroyo Seco in the 1870’s, eventually renaming it Pasadena.
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NOBEL PRIZES
out of Caltech.
Pasadena’s history of arts & crafts is world reknowned. As the first organization of professional artists in the San Gabriel Valley, established in 1925, The Pasadena Society of Artists continues the tradition by
ARTS
&CRAFTS
supporting artists and exhibitions locally and internationally. Standards for membership are high, with only a select few meeting the criteria of merit. 15 original charter members has expanded to only 125 in 93 years. The greater public benefits from the organization’s involvement in art lectures, public programs and painting demonstrations. pasadenasocietyofartists.org
Colony = Pasadena
RedHen PRESS
Red Hen Press is a nonprofit literary organization aimed at keeping creative literature circulating in the Los Angeles area and beyond. Based out of Pasadena, the Red Hen Press supports diversity in works of literature and in schools. With annual awards in poetry and short stories, plus writing workshops in LA schools, the Red Hen Press is actively building a community of readers and writers. redhen.org
The Pasadena Journal
Founded in 1989, is a locally owned and operated “good news” paper devoted to supporting the African American community, providing a voice for, and highlighting the businesses and people of Pasadena’s ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Reaching 8 cities and 20,000 readers weekly, The Pasadena Journal seeks to provide a sense of
HOPE
for our future
pasadenajournal.com
found poem: a rose is a rose
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