From Shanghai to Southern California

he community will be abuzz beginning March when this year’s One City, One Story community reading campaign begins. Created in 2002 by Pasadena Public Library, the annual celebration nurtures a citywide fondness for reading and opens lines of communication so everyone can share their views.

From a stack of contenders, Bo Caldwell’s “The Distant Land of My Father” has been selected as this year’s book.

The novel delves into the life of Anna Schoene, a young girl living in Shanghai in the days before World War II, raised by glamorous parents and surrounded by servants in a luxurious villa. Anna’s worldly father, the son of American missionaries, leads a secretive life as a smuggler and speculator. When Japan occupies Shanghai and Anna and her mother flee to South Pasadena, bravado leads Anna’s father to stay behind. The story unfolds into a tale of a tortured prisoner, betrayal and, ultimately, the enduring love of family. Reviewers have compared Caldwell’s writing style to that of a classic movie, and the novel offers details about the greater Los Angeles area in the 1930s.

Pick up a copy at Central Library, any branch library or local book store. Visit www.onecityonestory.com for a full list of book discussion topics, reading groups
and special events; you’ll also find volunteer opportunities.

For more information call 744-4066.

Meet the Author

“The Distant Land of My Father” author Bo Caldwell will discuss her book Friday, March 16, at 7 p.m. in the Forum Room at All Saints Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave.

The community is invited to this free event. You’ll learn her motivations for writing her vibrant and moving first novel and she will answer your questions. Whether you have finished the book by then or not, don’t miss this great opportunity to hear from the author!

Born in Oklahoma City, Caldwell was raised in Los Angeles and attended Stanford University, where she began collecting a mantel full of awards. Her writing has appeared in countless journals; “The Distant Land of My Father” was published in 2001. For more information visit www.onecityonestory.com or call 744-4066.

Avoid Wet Weather Woes

One good downpour and, depending on where you live, you could find yourself knee-deep in mud. Prepare your property for winter rains by picking up free sand and sandbags from Fire Station 37 at 3430 E. Foothill Blvd. or Fire Station 38 at 1150 Linda Vista Ave. Fire safety officers are available to answer your questions.

You can also weather storms by following these tips from the Pasadena Fire Department:

    • Clear any dead leaves, debris or overgrowth from drainage channels and rain gutters
      before it rains. This will help move water away from your home and prevent flooding.
    • Keep your car’s gas tank full; storm-related power outages could shut down gas
      pumps.
    • During and after a storm, stay away from storm drain channels, rivers and other
      bodies of water.
    • Allow yourself extra time and caution for travel.
    • Keep your emergency kit updated with a flashlight, extra batteries, portable battery-
      operated radio, first aid kit and manual, emergency food and water for your family
      and pets, non-electric can opener, essential medications, sturdy shoes and comfort
      items for children.

For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net and click on Emergency Preparedness or call 744-7276.

Register Now to Vote in March

The last day to register to vote in Pasadena’s March 6 election is Monday, Feb. 19. If you turned 18 this year, recently moved, changed your name or switched your party affiliation, or if you never registered before, pick up a registration form at 117 E. Colorado Blvd., your nearest post office, public library or the Department of Motor Vehicles. You must be a U.S. citizen.

On election day, voters will select a mayor; representatives for Pasadena City Council Districts 1, 2, 4 and 6; and Pasadena Board of Education representatives for seats 2, 4 and 6. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Poll workers are needed! If you’d like to do your civic duty (not to mention earn $105 to $130), call 744-4124.

Green Your Home With Simple Improvements

Big developers aren’t the only ones who can “build green.” You can protect the environment, create a safer place for your family and save a bundle on water and energy with a few green home improvement projects of your own!

A series of free workshops sponsored by the city’s Planning and Development Department will be held from February to June. Participants will receive certificates.

   • Thursday, Feb. 1 – You’ll get an overview of green building for homeowners, a virtual
      tour of local green homes and a demonstration of common green building products.
      The Neighborhood Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., 7 to 9 p.m.
   • Thursday, March 1 – Experts will give you ideas for small, manageable do-it-yourself
      projects that will improve your home indoors and out. You’ll learn about the latest
      technology for saving water and energy, and about money-saving rebates available
      from PWP. The Neighborhood Church, 7 to 9 p.m.
   • Thursday, April 5 – Planning a major remodel? You’ll learn tips for rolling back your
      water and energy use, from replacing windows and increasing insulation to planting
      shade trees and reusing gray water for irrigation. Art Center College of Design,
      South Campus, 950 S. Raymond Ave., 7 to 9 p.m.
   • Thursday, May 3 – Experts will explain how drought-tolerant native plants, efficient
      irrigation, sustainable materials and storm water management can save thousands
      of gallons each year. Art Center College of Design, South Campus, 7 to 9 p.m.
   • Saturday, June 2 – Wrap up the series with the Pasadena Green Building Tour from
      9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet on the Garfield Avenue side of Pasadena City Hall for a free
      community tour to see green building techniques in action. Space is limited, so call
      744-6646 or 744-3726 to reserve your spot!

For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net and click on Green Building Events or call 744-3726.

A separate workshop series is scheduled for developers.

Take Care of Sidewalk Repairs

Roof, paint, windows, appliances, carpeting, heating – keeping your home in good shape is a big job, and it extends to the parkway! In many cities, including Pasadena, sidewalk repairs are the responsibility of the property owner.

If your sidewalk is damaged or uplifted by tree roots and you’d like it fixed, you have two options.

   • Get a permit from the Public Works Department (744-4195) and hire your own
      contractor.
   • Call 744-4191 to schedule a visit by a city engineer who will inspect the sidewalk
      and give you an estimate, based on the approximate cost of $10 per square foot for
      sidewalks and $15 per square foot for driveways. You’ll be asked to submit a check
      to the city to cover the costs and your project will be added to the city’s annually
      scheduled list of needed concrete repairs. (If you think your sidewalk is hazardous
      and you need help right away, you can receive temporary asphalt patch repairs at
      no charge; call the Public Works Maintenance Yards at 744-4158.)

Damaged sidewalks and driveway approaches must be repaired (or fees paid) before any Pasadena home is sold; failure to do so will delay escrow! Damaged sidewalks must also be fixed before the city will issue a building permit for home improvements worth $20,000 or more.

For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/publicworks and click on Engineering or call 744-4191. For questions about city street trees, call 744-4321.

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