Vertical Wine Bistro on Raymond Avenue

Old Pasadena is home to two varieties of the Tabebuia, or Trumpet Tree as it is more commonly known.  There are approximately 100 different species of the Tabebuia, mostly from South America and other tropical locales.  Tabebuia chrysotricha , one of the many species with yellow blooms, is the national flower of Brazil, and Tabebuia rosea, with a pink bloom, is the national tree of El Salvador.  The wood from the Tabebuia tree, known as Ipê, is in high demand for furniture, particularly in the United States, and conservationists have expressed concern that Ipê wood from the Amazon rainforest continues to be harvested illegally.

De Lacey Avenue

Currently the Golden Trumpet Trees along Raymond Avenue and the Pink Trumpet Trees along Holly, Union and De Lacey Avenue are in full bloom. Although the slow arrival of Spring seems to have impacted the timing and perhaps the amount of blooms this year, the vibrant color and quantity of blossoms are still glorious and well worth a visit to see.

Here are some photographs from our archives and some recent shots of our colorful flowering trees.

POP Champagne & Dessert Bar on Union Street

Lulu Brandt in the Van der Vort Building on Raymond Avenue

Bird Pick Tea on De Lacey Avenue

Dog walk bag dispenser on Green Street

Picking up after our four legged friends is part of being a responsible pet owner. In addition, the Pasadena Municipal Code requires that you clean up after your dog within five minutes, whether your pooch leaves their “business” on public or private property. So as a service to our residents and visitors, Old Pasadena Management District has installed dispensers, throughout the District, which provide pet owners with (biodegradable) bags to retrieve and dispose of pet droppings. These dispensers can be found at the following locations:

• 50 East Green Street (Castle Green Hotel)
• 33 West Green Street (Aaardvark’s Odd Ark)
• 67 West Dayton Avenue
• North Side of Dayton Avenue (Condo Complex)
• South Side of Green Street (Westgate – Sares-Regis Project)
• 54 South Pasadena Avenue (Harmony Nails)
• 84 S. Fair Oaks Avenue
• 112 S. DeLacey Avenue

Please be a good neighbor, obey the law and pick up after your pets. Thank you.

Posted by: Anna Addis, Vice President of Operations

Starbucks Old Pasadena

We are pleased to make note of several remodels and improvements, both interior and exterior, taking place on Old Pasadena businesses and properties.  In an effort to promote these enhancements and this type of pro-activity, we will be featuring many of the individual efforts here so check back every couple of days for each new installment.

Starbucks, located at 117 W. Colorado Blvd., is celebrating its 15th Anniversary in Old Pasadena.  Coinciding with their anniversary, Starbucks has recently completed an “all-green” makeover of the store using recycled materials, including a refurbished church bench donated by a local parish.  The remodel also exposed the original brick interior walls and includes the addition of electrical outlets distributed throughout the store to accommodate customers laptops and other electronic devices.

Although only closed for ten days during the remodel, “customers couldn’t wait for the door to reopen”, said store manager Alek Klebanov.  “The new look of the store has given our staff and customers alike a renewed energy and enthusiasm.”  “The response from our clientele has been over the top”, he said, “and they are also very excited about the launch of our new product, Via.”  Come check out the new look at Starbucks Old Pasadena and sample Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew “instant” coffee soon.

Posted by:  Anna Addis, VP of Operations

Photos by: Janet Swartz

With the weather warming up and the date drawing nearer, many of you are considering what you might do for Earth Day this year. We have some suggestions of how you can educate yourself on the issues, do your part to improve the environment, and make a fun family outing of it all! Here’s a list of Earth Day activities and eco-friendly services in Old Pasadena.

EARTH DAY FESTIVAL TO BE GREENER THAN EVER

More exhibitions, a new trail map, a nature walk, a bicycle tour and a chance to sponsor a water filter for a refugee camp are some of the new features added to this year’s FREE Greening the Earth Day and Armory Family Arts Festival, Saturday, April 25, 10am-4pm.

Exhibitors will display information on green lifestyles, composting, organic foods, hybrid and electric vehicles, alternative energy and green building design.

The annual festival is an opportunity to learn more about Pasadena’s resources and plans for waste reduction, recycling, water and energy conservation, and other Green City initiatives.

Entertainment will include live music, an interactive drum circle and dancers. Children can enjoy arts and crafts, live animals from the Wildlife Way station and Eaton Canyon Nature Center, and more.

The monthly documentary series Conscientious Projector will rotate short films throughout the day at Armory Center for the Arts on topics such as climate crisis, peak oil, alternative energy, consumerism, global economy and sustainable agriculture.

For more information call 626.744.4721.

Eco Auto Salon

Is your car in need of a shine? How about your interior- is it dusty and dirty? Why not work, shop or play while Eco Auto Salon washes, shines and details your car! The first of its kind in Pasadena, this eco-friendly car wash uses a waterless solution free from petrochemicals and phosphates usually found in conventional cleaners. Services start at $17, include hand wax, carpet shampoo, full detailing, hand wash, polishing and more and are located in the De Lacey, Schoolhouse and One Colorado parking garages. For more info. call 626.277.7101.

Eco Friendly Shopping

Reduce your carbon footprint by buying eco-friendly! Old Pasadena has eco-friendly shops fitting all budgets that include designer resale staple Clothes Heaven, stylish vintage eyewear boutique Old Focals, and local artist retailer Majestical Roof. By buying resale you lower your impact on the environment by reducing consumption.

Pasadena’s Online Green Training Program

Pasadena’s online environmental sustainability training program- available to anyone with access to the Internet- has won the County of Los Angeles Green Leadership Award for innovative initiatives that encourage sustainability.

This is the first year for the awards, which recognize outstanding efforts by individuals and organizations in L.A. County in developing and implementing innovative programs and projects to enhance environmental sustainability and stewardship. Pasadena was honored in the public agencies category and was presented with the award at the official program launch on April 21 by the County Board of Supervisors.

Developed by the city of Pasadena’s Green Team, comprised of staff from several departments, and Clean Agency, the Green Training Program was launched in June 2008.

It provides an interactive way for city employees, residents, business owners and others to learn about Pasadena’s Green City Action Plan, raises awareness of environmental practices and provides specific actions for individuals to help advance Pasadena’s environmental goals.

The online training program also provides links to city resources, a glossary of green terms, facts about the planet, and easy tips for living and working green.

The Green Training Program supports Pasadena’s Green City Action Plan, which outlines more then 70 initiatives the city is pursuing to become more sustainable and environmentally responsible.

Created in 2006 and based on the United Nations Green Cities Declaration and Urban Environmental Accords, the Green City Action Plan has seven major themes: energy, waste reduction, urban design, urban nature, transportation, environmental health and water conservation. To access the green training program visit www.cityofpasadena.net/greencity and select Green Training Program from the menu bar. For more info. call 626.744.7546.