Read Guest Opinion | Ryan Bell: It’s Time to End Policing As We Know It (Pasadena Now)
But what really surprised me at Monday’s city council meeting were the comments from council members in response to public comments. To a one, they swore they were opposed to defunding the police. This tells me that they either don’t understand what defunding the police means or they’re being deliberately obtuse. Legislators defund things all the time. Public education has been undergoing massive defunding for decades nationwide. Same with housing. But suddenly everyone is gobsmacked by the idea of reducing the funding to a city department and reallocating those resources to provide essential services in a safer, more effective way. Several councilmembers, including Mayor Tornek, said that to defund the PPD would be irresponsible and then went on to say that it’s very important that we examine the budget allocations for all departments, including the police, and make adjustments that are responsive to the community. Yes, exactly! That’s exactly what community leaders are talking about.
Read Sweet smells of success emanate from the Gourmet Cobbler Factory and Clifton’s BBQ by Frier McCollister (Pasadena Weekly)
When we hear about how the pandemic and ensuing lockdown has affected local “industry” we might not have been thinking of the Gourmet Cobbler Factory. Gourmet cobbler? Factory? Yes, another little known facet of our local dining scene is that apparently Pasadena has been the epicenter of artisanal fruit cobbler production for several decades. Just around the corner from the Academy Theater, the current iteration of the Gourmet Cobbler Factory dates to 2002, when Clifton and Gloria Powell brought their recipes for “Southern” fruit cobbler to replace those at the original cobbler operation, which had been producing cobbler in the same location since 1978.
Need an idea for take out on Juneteenth or for Father’s Day?

I just went for BBQ and cobbler on Wednesday night and can confirm this place is pretty solid. I wish I had gotten twice the amount of cobbler, but I guess I can go again soon. Like all good BBQ joints, one should call their order in ahead for best availability of meat. 😉

Read County Shuts Down Eaton Canyon Hiking Trails (pasadenanow.com)
“Eaton Canyon Natural Areas & Trails are closed for the rest of today & Memorial Day, May 25, due to overwhelming crowds that were not following the COVID-19 public health requirements. No walk-ins” the Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation tweeted on Sunday.
The neighborhood has been overly busy since Friday at around noon. I’ve never seen so many people parking (even past our block) in the neighborhood to go hiking over here. Memorial day would have been insane if they didn’t shut it down.
Read Glendale Unified district to close all schools for students through April 3 by Vera CastanedaVera Castaneda (Glendale News-Press)
The Glendale Unified School District Board of Education will close schools to students from March 16 to April 3. School sites will remain partially open for staff.
I’ll have to admit I’m kind of looking forward to homeschooling a bit.
Read Income Inequality Is Reflected in Local School Districts by Jennifer Hall Lee (ColoradoBoulevard.net)

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.

Read Obituary: Leslie Bolt Dennis by Outlook Newspapers (Outlook Newspapers)

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

Read Free Bundt Cakes: Get In On Giveaway Friday In Greater LA (Altadena, CA 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

Read 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

Read Why Are So Many Longtime L.A. Bookstores Closing? (The 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

Followed Friday Coffee Meetup Pasadena (Pasadena, CA) (Meetup)

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.

Watched Can We All Get Along?: The Segregation of John Muir High School from Can We All Get Along?

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.