I have written before about my volunteerism as chair of the annual fund in my local public junior high school. That experience gives a unique perspective on the income inequality issues we face today.
Let’s look at a few of the current annual fund goals for schools in the Pasadena area.
- $75,000 is the annual fund goal for Eliot Arts Magnet Academy (a PUSD school).
- $500,000 is the annual fund goal for an Altadena charter school.
- $4.3 million is the annual fund goal for a Pasadena private school.
These annual fund numbers reflect the income levels of parents because when you set a goal for an annual fund you must reasonably expect that the goal can be reached. Annual funds in public schools derive monies primarily through parents and alumni.
Category: Local
Leslie Bolt Dennis, who resided in San Marino for nearly 50 years, died peacefully at her home on Oct. 30 due to complications related to her battle with brain cancer.
Leslie was born on Jan 13, 1945, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Robert and Margaret Bolt. After relocating numerous times during her childhood due to her father’s Navy deployments, Leslie’s parents settled in Northern California, where she graduated from Palo Alto High School. Leslie graduated with degrees in English and French from Occidental College in 1966, and began a 30-year teaching career, which saw her teach numerous elementary and junior high school levels in the Los Angeles Unified School District and San Marino Unified School District. She also obtained a master’s degree in education and a school counseling credential from Azusa Pacific University in 1987.
After retiring from teaching, Leslie traveled extensively, volunteered in the Pasadena community, was an active member at the Town Club, and adored spending time with her grandchildren. She served in a variety of roles for numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Families Forward Learning Center, the Occidental College Board of Governors, the Violence Intervention Program at L.A. County Hospital, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois, the Art Center College of Design, the San Marino League, the Crown Guild, the Junior League of Pasadena, San Marino PTA and a local PEO Chapter. Leslie was honored for her service by Occidental College in 2016 when she received the Alumni Seal Award for Service to the Community.
Leslie is survived by her two sons, Brian Dennis and Jeff Dennis, along with their wives, Jill and Debbie, as well as five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and many wonderful friends.
A memorial service is planned for her on Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. at the Church of Our Saviour in San Gabriel. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be sent in her name to Occidental College.
👓 Free Bundt Cakes: Get In On Giveaway Friday In Greater LA | Patch
Swing by your local Nothing Bundt Cakes shops before the sweets run out. Or be among first 22 in line, and win free "Bundtlets" for a year.
👓 Old Pasadena building sells for $12.55 million | Pasadena Star News
The property had three shops on the ground floor and office space above them.
Originally bookmarked on 11/13/19 at 5:13 PM.
👓 Why Are So Many Longtime L.A. Bookstores Closing? | Hollywood Reporter
Despite the recent shuttering of Circus of Books, Caravan Book Store and Samuel French, bookstore experts say the end for the city's brick-and-mortar stores isn't nigh: "There is a sea change happening, and it is noteworthy."
Followed Friday Coffee Meet Up Podcast
These are weekly coffee meet-ups to increase and enhance the vibrancy of the great Pasadena tech and start-up community. We have a cross section of interested innovators (investors, entrepreneurs, programmers, CTO's, VC's, angels, etc) who are eager to more actively engage with other members of our local community. These sessions occur every Friday from 8:15am to 9:30am and are informal. We typically have a short structured presentation on a specific topic or do a deeper dive on a local company. All interested parties are welcome to attend. To find out more about our group, visit our web site:http://fridaycoffeemeetup.com/
📺 Can We All Get Along? | A Documentary about The Segregation of John Muir H.S.
A 50 minute documentary following filmmaker & Class of ’82 John Muir High Alumnus, Pablo Miralles (“Gringos at the Gate“) as he questions what has happened to his once diverse alma mater and whether or not to send his own son to the school today. In the film, Miralles explores the complex history of Pasadena’s schools and the 1970 court order that created the first Federal desegregation plan outside of the south. Weaving stories from alumni, administrators, and civic leaders of John Muir High School’s multi-cultural community, Miralles illustrates the challenges and failures of California, and the United States, to promote well-funded and diverse public education.
👓 3 men found dead in Glendale home after report of shots fired | ABC7
Three men were found dead overnight at a home in Glendale after a report of shots fired, authorities said.
👓 No injuries reported after big rig explosion at Port of Los Angeles | ABC7
The port of Los Angeles was shaken by an explosion that sparked a fire and destroyed a big rig and several vehicles in the blast.
👓 Galaxy show signs of life without Zlatan Ibrahimovic in win over Minnesota United | Pasadena Star News
Barros Schelotto tinkered with the lineup with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romain Alessandrini remaining sidelined with injuries for the Galaxy (2-1, six points).
Recap of the game I went to.
👓 [Update]: Will Twohey’s Building Be Saved? | ColoradoBoulevard.net
Built in 1951, Twohey’s restaurant in Alhambra is a structural grandparent in the constant architectural tumult that is Southern California. Yet the building’s fate hangs in the balance. The current owner wants to tear the building down and build something else. A move afoot is to make the building a historical monument (the building is located at Huntington Drive and Atlantic Boulevard).
How many years has it been since Twohey’s was supposed to leave the building anyway? Will they ever really go? That’s the real headline…
Of course it’s been several years since the food quality has hit rock bottom, so I suppose I don’t care that much anymore since I’m not planning to patronize them anymore.
👓 Alhambra Charges $30 to Attend State of the City Address | ColoradoBoulevard.net
If you want to attend Alhambra’s State of the City Address, you have to fork over $30 or sponsor a table for $300. You also had better be retired or get time off work to attend because it is on a weekday at 11:30 am. This always has been the case according to Sharon Gibbs, Executive Director of the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce and host of the State of the City Address. When asked if residents who did not want to pay the $30 fee could still attend, Ms. Valero, Chamber office assistant, said no.
50 year no-bid contract? Really Alhambra?! You should be ashamed of yourselves.
👓 Impact of Rose Parade Float Fire, Chaotic Ending Still Being Felt | Pasadena Now
The fire which disabled the Chinese American Heritage Foundation’s “Harmony Through Union” Rose Parade float Tuesday is still under investigation by the Pasadena Fire Department. The fallout from the parade’s chaotic ending caused by the float’s blaze and breakdown may continue for a while, however.
The incident left tens of thousands of parade-goers along the length of the parade route bewildered as it caused delays and the premature appearance of the closing act as the parade stretched over thirty minutes past its television timeslot.
They spend such a large chunk of the article on the unseen South Pasadena float and didn’t bother to throw in a photo of it?! Such a missed opportunity.
👓 KTLA’s Chris Burrous Dead After Possible Overdose: Police | PEOPLE.com
Burrous was found unresponsive in a Glendale, California Days Inn on Thursday afternoon
👓 Our Future | Bob Baker Marionette Theater
OUR FUTURE Bob Baker Marionette Theater now as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization will transition our current operation into an institution to educate kids of all ages across Los Angeles and beyond, to celebrate imagination and creativity, and to rejuvenate appreciation for handcrafted puppetry and entertainment. As a nonprofit organization, we are owned by the community and exist to serve the community. Though Bob Baker was the founder of our organization, we exist now to celebrate, expand, and educate people on Bob Baker’s work and the concepts of puppetry and performance as a whole. The final day the Theater in its current location will be open to the public is Friday, November 23rd, 2018 (the day after Thanksgiving, which is the same day the Theater opened 55 years ago). One day later, on November 24, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater will open Bob Baker's Nutcracker presented at the Pasadena Playhouse for 5 weeks. For the first time in its history, this tradition will have a new home to share the holiday joy and imagination that generations have come to know and love. Performances will run through December 30. Tickets are now on sale at www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.
Happy Anniversary Bob Baker Marionette Theater!